Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Matt Lauer will not receive a payout for the rest of his million-dollar contract, an NBC News spokesperson confirmed to ABC News on Saturday.



The disgraced former "Today" show anchor was fired after a colleague accused him of "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace," the network said Wednesday in a memo obtained by ABC News.



In a statement released one day later, Lauer, 59, said some of the allegations are "untrue or mischaracterized," but "there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed."



Lauer, who had just signed a contract last year that would put him in the anchor chair through 2018, had a contract worth a reported $20 million, according to Variety.



He had been at the "Today" since 1994 and became an official co-anchor three years later.



After firing Lauer, NBC News' human resources department said they're now sifting through Lauer's emails in an effort to bring more justice to any colleagues who may have suffered in silence.



NBC News president Noah Oppenheim promised swift action against anyone who may have known about sexually inappropriate behavior and didnt report it.



This comes after NBC News executives learned that Oppenheim and NBC News Chairman Andy Lack had previously questioned Lauer about allegations weeks before the accuser came forward, NBC News reported. When asked about any sexual misconduct, the former anchor reportedly said that he was "racking his brain and couldnt think of anything at all."



The network added that they couldn't find any evidence of previous complaints or any settlements reached at the time.



A rep for Lauer had no additional comment when reached by ABC News on Saturday.



NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, citing a network representative, reported on the show Wednesday that a "spokesperson for the company says the accuser described inappropriate sexual behavior throughout 2014. And because of the seriousness of the accusations, together with information that it may not be an isolated incident, NBC decided to terminate Lauer's contract."



Washington, D.C. attorney Ari Wilkenfeld, who represents the unnamed accuser, referred ABC News to the following statement he gave to The New York Times and declined to comment further:



"My client and I met with representatives from NBCs human resources and legal departments at 6 p.m. on Monday for an interview that lasted several hours. Our impression at this point is that NBC acted quickly, as all companies should, when confronted with credible allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace."



Since his firing, NBC News confirmed that two additional women have come forward with accusations against Lauer.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Realtors group helps with school project

The Bismarck-Mandan Board of Realtors has raised about $4,000 to purchase products and backpacks for a Go2Bag project.

The supplies are provided to counselors and social workers in area schools, who will distribute the basic necessities to teens as needed.

Library's new logo earns ad award

A logo redesign project for Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library earned a gold award for Agency MABU in the American Advertising Federation of North Dakota annual competition.

Gate City Bank makes donations

Gate City Bank donated $500 to Central Dakota Humane Society and 500 bags to the AID Inc. Self-Help Center and Thrift Shop in Mandan during activities marking the completed renovation of the banks Mandan office.
North Dakotas senators split their votes early Saturday on the Republican overhaul of the tax code.

Sen. John Hoeven sided with almost all of his fellow Republicans to pass the bill in a 51-49 vote. The bill still needs to be reconciled with a House version that passed a couple of weeks ago before heading to President Donald Trumps desk.

Hoeven said the bill boosts the standard deduction, which most North Dakotans use, and maintains a state and local property tax deduction of up to $10,000.

The Senate took an important step to provide hardworking, middle-class Americans with tax relief that will enable them to keep more of their paycheck and at the same time lower rates for small businesses, including our farmers and ranchers, so we can grow our economy and create more jobs with higher wages, Hoeven said in a statement.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat facing reelection next year in a conservative state, said the bill is bad for North Dakota, arguing that it favors wealthy people at the expense of the middle class. The Joint Committee on Taxation, meanwhile, has said that even after accounting for economic growth, the bill would add more than $1 trillion to the debt over a decade.

Citing figures from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Heitkamp said North Dakotans would see an average tax increase of almost $10,000 in 2027 under the plan.

I wanted to be able to support a responsible, permanent tax reform bill that stands up for workers, families, and retirees while staying fiscally responsible. I wanted to help write it, Heitkamp said in a statement. But this bill gives large corporations a permanent tax cut, while the tax cuts for working families expire in a few years.

National Republican Senate Committee spokesman Michael McAdams criticized Heitkamps vote.

North Dakotans wont forget that when Heidi Heitkamp had the opportunity to put more money in their pockets, she folded to the demands of her party bosses in Washington, he said in a statement.
North Dakota attorney general Drew Wrigley says doctors who perform abortions should be able to disclose the patients personal health information as part of their defense to avoid prosecution. North Dakotas abortion ban, which is currently on hold because of a lawsuit, makes the procedure illegal except in cases of rape or incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Doctors would have to prove those exceptions in court in order to be cleared of a Class C felony. The attorney general said he couldnt find any cases that address the scenario and it would not violate the privacy rule.
Half-year results from housebuilder Berkeley will be in the spotlight this week amid further signs of a slowdown in the London property market and in light of the Budget stamp duty give-away.

The group, which is focused on London and the South East, will be eyed closely for its views on falling demand for high-end homes in the capital, as well as any early signs of a boost from the move to scrap stamp duty for first-time buyers on the first 300,000 (340,000) of properties worth up to 500,000 (566,000).

There has been contrasting views among builders on the housing sector in recent weeks, although most agree that there is a clear slowdown in London - Berkeley's main market.

Rival London builder Telford reiterated in its recent interim results that Brexit uncertainty and tax changes were knocking demand for higher priced homes in London, but said this continues to be offset by an ongoing shortage of homes in the capital.

Berkeley said in September that it was in "excellent shape" despite warning that Brexit worries were compounding already difficult conditions in the capital after recent stamp duty tax hikes and planning woes.

It said that new construction in London remained 30% lower than 2015 levels due to a challenging planning environment.

But Berkeley also confirmed that annual profits were on track to be "at least as strong" as the previous year as sales prices for the first four months of its year were above its business plan.

Friday's figures are also set to see the group confirm that it expected to make at least 3 billion (3.4m) of pre-tax profit by 2021.

Analyst Chris Millington at Numis said there was scope to increase this target.

He added: "In our view, the main focus of the update will be Berkeley's assessment of current market conditions and whether the changes to stamp duty in last week's Budget have had any noticeable impact on the demand profile."

Berkeley's interims also come after it faced a showdown with investors over pay plans with top bosses.

The plans were passed at its annual general meeting in September, but 16% of shareholders voted against the plans amid a backlash over a 92m (104m) windfall for six executives.

Bosses including chairman and founder Tony Pidgley and chief executive Rob Perrins picked up 92m (104m) between them thanks to a long-term shares bonus scheme set up in 2011.
DICKINSON  Five years after regulators shut down an oilfield waste disposal well due to environmental violations, the landowners are still looking at the abandoned equipment from their dining room window.

Were sick of the mess, said Laura Griffin, who lives southwest of Dickinson.

Well operators Jason Halek and Nathan Garber were sentenced last week in federal court for violating environmental laws while operating a saltwater disposal well in late 2011 and early 2012.

Landowners Laura and Robert Bud Griffin are frustrated that the well, tanks and other equipment have remained on site more than five years after regulators put chains and padlocks on the wellhead equipment.

We want the site cleaned up and put back to its original state, and the state isnt enforcing it, Laura Griffin said.

Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms said the Environmental Protection Agency has information from its investigation that might affect how state regulators plug the abandoned well. Helms said his agency has requested the information from the EPA but has not received it.

In addition to the wellhead, the equipment that remains on site includes a sign identifying the Halek 5-22 saltwater disposal well, a trailer where crews worked and saltwater storage tanks. A barrel of flammable chemicals labeled paraffin inhibitor remains on site within a berm that surrounds the tanks. One piece of equipment has been knocked over, possibly by cattle that graze there in the summer.

We want it gone, Griffin said.

The Griffins attorney sent a letter to the state Oil and Gas Division in September of 2016 that requested the agencys assistance and supervision on the abandonment and reclaiming of the well site. Griffin said her attorney never received a response from the state.

Department of Mineral Resources spokeswoman Alison Ritter said state statutes require the agency to restore the surface of the site at the same time they plug the well. The only exception is if theres a risk of pollution or threat to human health and safety, which Ritter said that site does not pose.

Until everything is wrapped up, we cant start the whole process, Ritter said.

An inspector from the Oil and Gas Division visits the site about once a month on average, according to a log of field notes from state inspectors.

State regulators do not plan to begin any reclamation work until after a federal judge holds a restitution hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 16 in U.S. District Court in Bismarck.

Court records show it will cost an estimated $135,000 to plug the well and restore the site. Prosecutors have indicated in court records they are requesting $115,000 in restitution from Halek and Garber after taking into account a $20,000 bond that was confiscated.

Work could begin before the state receives the full restitution amount, using dollars from a state fund for restoring abandoned well sites, according to Ritter, who said the state also is finalizing the confiscation of equipment at the site and may be able to sell some of it.

Federal court records do not indicate a request for restitution for the landowners, who said they spent more money on attorneys than they earned from having the well on their property.

Theyve cost us a lot more money than theyve paid us, Griffin said.

Halek Operating originally drilled an oil well on the property, targeting the Lodgepole Formation, which is above the Bakken, but the well was unsuccessful.

Halek Operating then proposed to convert the oil well to a saltwater disposal well. In April of 2011, the Griffins sent a letter to state regulators opposing the conversion of the well. One of the concerns they cited was allegations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission against Jason Halek that he scammed $22 million from 300 investors for oil and gas projects in Texas.

Later, the Griffins reached an agreement with Halek Operating and withdrew their opposition, documents show. Under the agreement, the couple was to receive at least $1,200 a month for the saltwater disposal well.

If they would have been honest, the saltwater disposal well would have made us money, Griffin said.

The couple declined an offer from Halek Operating to be an investor in the well.

We werent born yesterday, she said.

Halek, who federal prosecutors say directed the illegal operation of the well that put drinking water sources at risk, was sentenced last week to serve up to one year in a halfway house and three years of supervised release. Halek, 44, Southlake, Texas, also was sentenced to pay a $50,000 fine.

Prosecutors argued for 2.5 years in prison, while Haleks defense attorney emphasized that there is no evidence that the environment was harmed.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland said during last weeks court hearing that Haleks total liabilities, which includes paying back investors from the SEC case, are $71 million.

Garber, 48, Kalispell, Mont., was sentenced to three years of supervised release. In court, Garber said he invested money with Halek for an oil well in Texas that was unsuccessful. Halek then offered Garber a job, despite his lack of oil and gas experience, so he could recoup some of the money he lost.

State regulators estimate that 1.8 million gallons of saltwater, a waste byproduct of oil production, were injected into the well that did not meet regulations designed to protect groundwater.

Its not clear from court records what environmental monitoring the EPA has conducted at the site. A U.S. Department of Justice spokesman said federal officials could not answer questions about the case until after the restitution hearing.

The Griffins have had water samples from a nearby water well tested in 2010, 2011 and 2013 that did not show any contamination.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has warned against a "zero sum" approach to the Irish border, as negotiations between the UK and the EU in the current round of Brexit talks reach their final stage.

Ms Foster made the remarks in a speech to party members yesterday evening.

She said: "Those who have allowed this to become some sort of zero sum game, framing it as a mutually exclusive choice between maintaining the constitutional and economic integrity of the UK and continued close cross-border relations, do us all a great disservice.

"It is up to all of us who want to see a sensible Brexit to face up to the challenge and craft a solution that works for Northern Ireland."

She added: "Northern Ireland manufacturing sales to Great Britain are worth six times more than those to the Irish Republic.

"It makes no sense whatsoever to move the border to the Irish Sea and make trade with our biggest market - the rest of the United Kingdom - more difficult."

Officials from the Republic of Ireland and the UK have been engaged in a series of talks about the future of the Irish border once the UK leaves the EU.

Both nations have said they are committed to preventing a hard border, but have been unable to agree on proposals as to how this could be achieved.

Nationalist political parties in Northern Ireland have backed giving the region a form of "special status" to allow it to remain in the customs union and single market and thereby reduce the likelihood of border controls or regulations.

However, the DUP have rejected this on the grounds that they will not accept Northern Ireland being treated any differently from the rest of the UK in the final Brexit deal.
Let Me Tell You is a new bespoke podcast series from



Hosts Daniel McConnell and Paul Hosford take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments in recent Irish political history from the unique perspective of one of the key players involved.


Update Dec 4, 7.30am: Christina Wright has been found safe and well.

Earlier:

Gardai are looking for help in finding a missing elderly woman from Dublin.

82-year-old Christina Wright was last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning at Drumalee Drive on North Circular Road.

She is about five foot four inches tall, with blue eyes and of medium build, and is thought to be wearing a black jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardai at the Bridewell Garda Station on 01 6668200 or any Garda Station..
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has promised thousands of protestors that he will 'fight for Portlaoise Hospital'.

Minister Flanagan addressed what he has described as the largest public protest on the streets of Portlaoise in over a hundred years.

Thousands of people marched into the town last night in an effort to save the emergency department at Portlaoise Hospital which is in the Minister's own constituency.

The HSE says the hospital is not busy enough to sustain an A&E, and Health Minister Simon Harris is due to make a decision on the hospital's fate before Christmas.

Protestors marched into the town from six different directions last night, carrying candles and banners, in an effort to save their local emergency department.

Eimear Holland is the PRO for the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee, she says last night's 'Light for Lives' rally was a direct response to HSE plans to downgrade the hospital.

She said: "This population, both Laois and beyond, which is a rising opopulation requires an A&E.

"The shiny hospital in Tallaght which we dont currently have the capacity for, shiny hospital in Tullamore which they currently dont have the capacity for, even if they build that capacity, it is still not going to solve an accident and emergency situation in a county, in a town that is growing."
Update 11.15am: There is "no desire" in Ireland to delay progress on the Brexit negotiations, according to the Tanaiste.

Simon Coveney said his Government did not want to veto the talks, after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned he was prepared to stand firm on the Irish border issue.

Mr Coveney, who was appointed the new Tanaiste in the Dail on Thursday, told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show Ireland wants a solution on the border that "involves all of the United Kingdom acting as one".

Asked whether the Irish Government were prepared to use a "veto" over the Brexit talks, he said: "We certainly don't want to be vetoing anything - I mean the Irish government, just like the British government, wants to be able to move the Brexit process on to phase two and we want to be able to provide the kind of certainty that many businesses are calling for in Britain and Ireland and indeed in other parts of the European Union.

"So there is no desire I can tell you in Ireland to delay this process, but at the same time we have a responsibility as a Government to represent the interests on the island of Ireland - north and south - and let's not forget that next year will be the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement which is the basis for the peace process and relations between Britain and Ireland on the island of Ireland.

"And we believe that as an island, Ireland is uniquely vulnerable and exposed to a potential bad outcome from Brexit and that is why we are looking for more progress than we have in terms of understanding how the border issues in particular on the island of Ireland, and the north and south cooperation that has created a normality on the island of Ireland which is a hugely positive thing."

The leaders of the remaining 27 EU states, including Mr Varadkar, have a veto on triggering the second phase of talks, meaning Prime Minister Theresa May must be sure of support from Dublin for progress to be made.

European Council President Donald Tusk has said the Irish would be consulted on whether the UK's offer was sufficient.

Mr Coveney said Ireland was not looking for the "full detail" on the border solution in phase one of the talks, and told the programme: "What we are looking for though is the parameters within which we can be more confident that a solution can be found within phase two - and that is not an unreasonable ask.

"We would like to see a solution here that solves the border issues, that involves all of the United Kingdom acting as one."

Mrs May is due to travel to Brussels on Monday for talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in the hope of securing a declaration that "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues like the financial settlement and the Irish border.

Education Secretary Justine Greening said she believed that there was a "real will" on both sides to resolve the border issue.

"I don't think there is actually any difference between what the Government of Ireland and the government of the United Kingdom want. That is a good place to be in," she told The Andrew Marr show.

"What we now need to do is set about working out how we make sure we broadly keep the status quo in terms of what people and businesses experience across the border every day post Brexit. I think there is a real will there to make sure that we work through that."

Earlier: Brexit talks continue; finding a solution to avoid a hard border

Talks are continuing to try and find a solution which would avoid a hard border with Northern Ireland after Brexit.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet with the European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker tomorrow

British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet with the European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker tomorrow to try and progress negotiations ahead of a crucial EU summit in two weeks.

European Council President Donald Tusk says talks won't move on to trade unless Ireland is satisfied with Britain's offer on the border.

Donald Tusk says talks won't move on to trade unless Ireland is satisfied with Britain's offer on the border.

Fianna Fail's Brexit Spokesman Stephen Donnelly says the business community needs certainty on what is going to happen next.

"The next few days are critical, Michel Barnier will be issuing a report, we think on Friday, where he will recommend that either suffiecient progress has or has not been made.

"Donald Tusk's intervention here was very useful.

"What we need to make sure, is that for our future relationship with our friends and neighbours in the UK, that this is not about Ireland exercising a veto, what actually is the EU's view on what will become an external land border of the EU."
The Pro Life Campaign is holding its National Conference today at the RDS in Dublin.

Among the speakers are Abby Johnson, a former director of one of the largest abortion clinics in the US and David Alton, a member of the British House of Lords and expert on English abortion law.

Cora Sherlock is a spokesperson for the Pro Life Campaign, and says they will be looking at the campaign to date and what lies ahead.

She said: "It takes place from 1.00-4.30pm, it really is a great opportunity for people to come along and hear about the campaign at the moment and what we are doing.

"Also to hear some fantastic speakers, including Robbie Johnson who is a former abortion clinic director from the US and David Alton who is a long time campaigning for right to life in UK.

"Really fantastic day ahead."

Ms Sherlock says they will also be discussing the recent Oireachtas committee hearings on abortion.

She said: "Really there hasn't been a debate in Ireland yet about the very sad and grim reality of what the abortion procedure means, what it would mean for the medical profession and what it means for mother and babies.

"Thats where people will get a chance to consider it today, how best to bring that debate into the public arena in Ireland."
Police are searching for a man who struck at least four people when he drove down a New York City street, killing one and critically injuring three.

A New York Police Department detective said the driver targeted the victims in Queens, but terrorism is not suspected.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing fresh calls from hardline Brexiteers to walk away from the negotiating table if EU leaders refuse to sanction the start of the second phase of the Brexit talks at their December summit.

A series of prominent Tories including Jacob Rees-Mogg, John Redwood and Nigel Lawson have signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to refuse to settle the UKs "divorce bill" with the EU unless Brussels agrees to a series of new demands.
NEW ENGLAND  Six-month-old Henley Johnson likes to play with her sisters, crawl on the floor with her toys and cuddle with her mom and dad. Shes tiny, weighing 11 1/2 pounds, but shes strong -- she has to be.

Henley, daughter of Jessica and Kyle Johnson of rural New England, was diagnosed with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome -- a rare congenital disorder characterized by pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities and short stature.

She doesnt know shes any different, she wants to keep up with her sisters, she coos, and shes super-attached to me -- shes spent just a couple hours of her entire life away from me, said Jessica.

The life expectancy of patients with SDS is 35 years, as stated on a SDS web page. However, children with haematological abnormalities, like Henley, will have a greatly reduced life expectancy unless they can get a bone marrow transplant.

The bone marrow transplant replaces everything -- the red blood cells, the platelets and white blood cells (the neutrophils) -- its completely new building blocks to her body, she said. If you would remodel a house, you would go in with all new framing -- this is all new framing to her blood system.

Since birth, Henley has been evaluated on a month-to-month basis and doctors expressed the urgency to find a transplant donor. The problem, however, has been no bone marrow match was found within Henleys circle of family and friends -- not her parents, not her sisters, no one in the family.

Would a bone marrow donor be found in time?

Returning from a recent medical trip to Minneapolis, the Johnsons learned a promising match had indeed been found ... but with conditions.

Medical history to this point

Henley was born May 26, 2017, with rapid respiration at about 90 breaths per minute. Initially, doctors thought it was transient tachypnea of the newborn -- something shed outgrow. However, after going home, Henleys parents noticed she was super pale, sometimes greyish in color.

She was extremely fussy in comparison to our twins (Everly and Coven). The only way shed sleep was resting on my chest in the recliner. She was hungry -- thats part of the syndrome -- she cant digest her food, said Jessica.

Henley was taken to Bismarck where a bone marrow biopsy was performed. It revealed neutropenia -- an abnormally low count of a type of white blood cell (neutrophils) -- cells that protect the body from infections. Without enough neutrophils, the body cant fight off bacteria.

It was shocking -- Henley didnt have any cells, Jennifer said. A common cold would be a big deal for her -- its harder on her system.

Henley was flown from Bismarck to the University of Minnesota Masonic Childrens Hospital for further testing. Four weeks later, the diagnosis came back as Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.

At that point, she and I had been away from home 44 days, said Jessica. Henley got another blood transfusion about a month ago, but right now shes stable.

A fundraiser was recently sponsored by the New England community to help the family with medical expenses of the bone marrow transplant.

It would make for less dependent supportive care, shell have fewer restrictions in her life and less susceptible to infections, she said.

The family is affiliated with the national bone marrow donor program -- bethematch.org. Its a simple Q-tip swab inside the cheek.

We believe the more we share Henleys story, the more we can encourage other people to join the registry, Jessica said.

Jessica and Kyle learned they are both carriers for the gene mutation. If they were to have another child, there is a 25 percent chance the child would also be born with SDS.

We did not know that until this happened. Its so rare theres only a couple hundred cases in the United States, she said.

To this point Jessica has been breastfeeding Henley.

Everytime, I give her an oral medication that replaces the job of her pancreas and helps her digest her food, she said.

Then Tuesdays and Fridays, Henley is injected with a G-CFS factor to stimulate her bone marrow to produce neutrophils.

It's her normal -- shes tough. Shes very social and smiley. Shes very determined and just so strong for being so small. I call her my tiny mighty, Jessica said.

In addition to a bone marrow transplant, Henley will still need enzyme supplements and growth stimulants.

She still needs oral meds every time she eats and shell still need surgeries for her bones and joints, she said. The meds are extremely expensive, its ridiculous. We have good health insurance, but were trying to enroll in a research study, where one of the medications is free -- were waiting to hear if were accepted or not.

When you go for a transplant, basically youre gone six months, she continued. We plan to all go -- at this point I want to be able to see my twins. I cant go through this by myself -- we need to be together as a family.

In preparation for the trip, the family has sold their horses and cows.

Were trying to downsize to make it as simple as much as possible, she said.

Update

The family drove to Minneapolis last week to consult with doctors -- to see if Henley needed another blood transfusion, to adjust her medications, and to get an update on the bone marrow search.

What a whirlwind trip again!, Jessica wrote from Minneapolis.

Doctors are hoping Henley will make another three weeks before needing a fourth transfusion. However, the neutrophils had dropped to dangerously low levels again; hence the need to increase medications, she said.

To optimize her nutrition, Henery is being fed small amounts of pureed meat with olive oil or avocado oil, in addition to breastfeeds.

Most importantly, Jessica said, A perfectly matched donor has been identified for Henley, but, and that word is very important, but we dont know for certain that he would be available or would go through with donation.

The Johnsons learned the match is a 22-year-old male -- a perfect match down to the blood type.

Heres where it gets complicated, Jessica wrote. We dont have a transplant date and are trying to delay so Henley can be as big and strong as possible when she enters transplant. We cant hold this particular donor. We cant even ask him if he would be available because we dont know (the transplant date.)

Doctors at the University of Minnesota will perform another bone marrow biopsy in December to monitor any changes.

They can actually predict when the body is starting to develop leukemia changes in her cells -- she hasnt had a biopsy since July, she said.

Any changes will move up the transplant date, but doctors prefer to delay the procedure until she is stronger. The transplant will take place in Minnesota.

The goal is to transplant around her first birthday -- either in April or May, she said. We are in constant communication with the doctors as we develop the date.

As of Thursday, Henley was not responding to the increase of medication to produce more neutrophils.

Were living on a wave -- shes changing constantly. Its been literally week by week. If we dont have a response to the medication, doctors may say now we need to do the transplant. Its a lot of ups and downs. If you ask me what the hardest part is, its just not knowing -- things could change tomorrow.

Swabbing event

Consolidated, in Dickinson, is sponsoring a swabbing event in support of Henley Johnson who needs a bone marrow transplant. Names will be added to the National Bone marrow Donor Registry.

The swabbing event is from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Consolidated, 507 Main South, Dickinson.

We want to ask you to continue to help us, said Jessica. Our mission to grow the registry has not changed with the news about a promising match for Henley. Not even after transplant because there will always be a special someone, like Henley, that is out there waiting for their hero.

She referenced Roman, a 3-year-old child with SDS living in Texas. He and his family have spent his whole life looking for a match.

A benefit account for Henley has been set up at the American Bank Center. And you can follow Henleys journey on Facebook at healing henley.
Akio Toyoda, the chairman of Motor Corporation, is a worried man. The chief of worlds leading automobile player has raised serious concerns about survival of automobile companies in an event of newer technological challenges such as electric mobility, automation and connected vehicles.
The Centre's green panel has given the go-ahead to Ltd (JLSL) for setting up a technical grade pesticide manufacturing unit in Gujarat, which would entail an investment of Rs 250 crore.
Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani will oversee a smoother transition of running the countrys second-largest software exporter once CEO-designate Salil S Parekh takes over in January, learning from the culture clash encountered during former chief executive officer Vishal Sikkas tenure.

Sikka, a former executive of SAP, led Infosys from his office in Palo Alto in the US for three years before he quit in August citing personal attacks.

Nilekani, who returned to Infosys after Sikkas exit had earlier indicated that the centre of gravity would shift to Bengaluru, where the company built its business over the last three decades.

In this particular case, there is going to be much more stable transition with Nandan. He is co-founder of the business, he understands the business extremely well, said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman and managing director of Biocon, who also heads the Nomination and Remuneration Committee at Infosys as a board member. He can guide in this transition phase very well.

Co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and other founders had handed over reins to an independent board and Sikka, who was brought in as its first non-founder, in August 2014.

While the initial months were smooth, the absence of continuity of the founders at the board level saw a culture clash. Sikka, who has a background in building products, brought in his own team, and his American style of functioning ruffled feathers with long-term employees of Infosys based in India.

Sikkas sacking of Rajiv Bansal, a former chief financial officer, over the Panaya acquisition, without involving the board was the last straw that saw Murthy question the firm over corporate governance. The public spat also saw its chairman R Seshasayee quit after Sikka.

Among the attributes Nilekani and Mazumdar-Shaw had tasked the executive search firm Egon Zehnder was a need for an executive who has built and led large offshore teams in India. The team was also considering getting back former Infosys executives for the role.

We had a large canvas of candidates to start with. We were looking at the experience of the person, the understanding of our (IT services) sector, the change they brought in the organisation, and who have driven growth, Mazumdar-Shaw said. We have evaluated people with all these kind of attributes. Obviously, Salil came on top of that list.

Parekh, who will be based in Bengaluru, was also chosen for his understanding of the work culture in India, an attribute essential since three out of four employees are located here. Parekh, a grown-from-the-ranks executive, built the offshore delivery capability at Capgemini from a team of 800 to over 80,000 people. The choice of soft-spoken Parekh, who has a eye for detail, has also got the blessing of Murthy.

Parekh is very capable hand but has never been a CEO of public traded large firm. That was also the issue with Sikka. Both Infosys and Sikka underplayed the issue of change management, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, founder and CEO of Greyhound Research. Hopefully, Parekh will have the cover of Nilekani. That makes a huge difference.
The US Food and Drug Administration gave its approval for Biocons biosimilar  a copy of an innovator biologic drug  for anti cancer drug Trastuzumab. has become the first Indian company and also the first ahead of three global rivals who got the regulators nod for this biosimilar in the highly-regulated market. This also throws up opportunities for the Bengaluru-based company to tap other global markets with the drug before its launch by its partner Mylan in the US. This is seven years of research, huge investments in research and development, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and managing director of Biocon, told Raghu Krishnan in a telephonic interview. Edited excerpts:
The government has asked Coal India to focus on production enhancement, saying it cannot let the "profitability tumble" as the recent wage hike will have an estimated impact of nearly Rs 6,000 crore annually.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed concern over the hight content of Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) in the Siang river in the state and said his government was in constant touch with the Centre so that New Delhi could take up the issue with China.

The Siang river, which flows as Yarlung Tsangpo from southern Tibet, becomes the Brahmaputra river in Assam.

Khandu is also likely to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue.

Talking to reporters at Pasighat Advance Landing Ground yesterday, Khandu said his government has taken up the issue of sudden change in water quality of the Siang river and high content of NTU in the water causing death of aquatic lives and even livestock in the state.

The chief minister was apprised of the situation at Pasighat by the Disaster Management Parliamentary Secretary Kaling Moyong, who is also the local MLA, Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering and deputy commissioner Tamiyo Tatak.

Ering had recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a request to take up with the Chinese government regarding sudden change in water quality of the Siang river.

The deputy commissioner briefed Khandu about the current situation of the river flow where NTU was found to be very high to the extent of 425 and said that if exposed for a long period it might affect aquatic lives.

A report prepared by East Siang Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department executive engineer, Bimal Welly, said that the Siang water is high on iron content.

Based on water sample collected on November 27, the report said that NTU caused by concentration of suspended or dissolved particulate materials in the river water is 425 NTU, whereas the permissible range is 0-5 NTU.

The report also confirmed higher degree of iron content in the river waters, 10 PPM (particles/million), against the permissible limit of just 0.1 to 2 PPM.

The same sample will be sent to the State Water Testing Laboratory in Itanagar.

The sample has been sent to the North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology in Nirjuli for further studies.
For MA Siddiqui, this would be the 40th year as a lawyer in the Ayodhya dispute case  one of the first cases he took on the day he started practicing law. His client Hashim Ansari, the youngest of the petitioners in the Sunni Waqf board's appeal in 1961 died last year at the age of 95. "Hashim was a very vocal man. His house was barely 200 metres away from the Babri mosque. Whether he is dead or alive is immaterial to the case. The solution to Ayodhya is a matter of public interest and his death would have no impact whatsoever," says Siddiqui.
(BJP) chief on Sunday likened the Party's demand for proof of the 2016 with questioning the valour of the and called on Vice-President to respect the Army's honour.

"Within ten days, the went to Pakistan, took revenge and came back. was left red-faced and was demanding a proof. He asked who saw the taking place. Rahul Bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders," Shah said, addressing a rally in Mahuva, Gujarat.

Recalling the that was carried out by the in Pakistan, days after the Uri attack in September last year, Shah said that "anger was brewing in the entire nation," but no one expected the of doing any more than offering platitudes.

"Everyone thought the prime minister would give a statement and things will get over, but this time it wasn't the of and Manmohan Singh, rather it was a chosen by you," he added

Shah further targetted the over Rahul Gandhi's recent series of tweets addressed to Prime Minister Modi seeking an account of developmental work done in Gujarat.

"Every election has an agenda. When Congress comes, ask them what their agenda is. When Rahul Baba comes here, ask him too. He tweets daily and asks Prime Minister Modi. I have the answers. You want the accountability of what happened in past 3.5 years, we too want to know what you did for Gujarat while you were in power for 10 years," Shah said.

Shah took another dig at the Congress Party, which recently lost Amethi in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls, a constituency represented by in the Lok Sabha.

"Yesterday, the UP results came out and the has been wiped off. They wanted to win Gujarat and lost Amethi," he quipped.
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is gradually encroaching upon more of the Earths surface with the annual growth of such newly lit areas pegged at 2.2%, according to a new study published in the journal Science Advances.

is an outcome of the excessive use of artificial light at night. This loss of night, as Christopher Kyba, 39, a Canadian-born physicist and the lead researcher of the study calls it, poses a significant health risk to humanity and is impinging on the habitat of nocturnal animals.

India is losing its night more than three times faster than the global average. Between 2012 and 2016, the study period, Indias area exposed to grew by a third, Kyba told IndiaSpend in the course of a Skype interview.

Using five years of satellite images, Kyba found that light pollution has mostly encroached on regions that were previously unlit. Of significant concern is his finding that the shift to more energy-efficient lightingpopularly known as light emitting diodes (LEDs)has not saved energy as anticipated. Instead, we have spent our savings on new light, and thus exacerbated light pollution, said Kyba.

Studying the night is Kybas work and hobby. As a postdoctoral researcher with the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, and a guest researcher at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, he studies the health and ecological impact of light pollution. In his free time, he explores the night sky and the stars.

You can join Kyba in his research. He invites you to take part in one of his initiatives that involves quantifying the skyglow produced by cities, and how it is changing. Citizen science is the only way to track skyglow changes worldwide, he said. You can submit measurements via the Loss of the Night app for androids and iPhones, or via this website.

Kyba holds a doctoral degree in experimental particle physics from the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Alberta, Canada.

You measured the artificially lit surface of the Earth at night. Using sensors, you measured the nighttime radiance in the spectral band of 500 to 900 nanometres (nm), which would include some light the human eye can see (typically in the 390 to 700 nm wavelength) as well as some light we cannot see. Setting a cut-off roughly equivalent to the outdoor night-lighting of a small town in the United States with a population of several hundreds, you found that the Earths outdoor area artificially lit above this threshold at night grew by 2.2% per year between 2012 and 2016. At 7.4%, Indias annual growth in outdoor areas lit beyond the threshold at night was more than three times the global growth. What does this signify? What are some of your findings of the changes in nighttime radiance in India?

First, let me say a word on the threshold. We set the threshold at 5 nanowatts per steradian per centimeter square (nW cm-2 sr-1), that is the unit of radiance, which I know is not well known. While a small village in India lit with five to six poles at night would probably fall below this threshold, a town would fall above it. For perspective, the radiance observed at an international airport is typically ~150 nW cm-2 sr-1, or 30 times above our threshold. We found that the area in India lit above this threshold at night increased by one third between 2012 and 2016. This is in keeping with our overall finding globally that areas with fewer lights to begin with (in 2012) were more likely to have recorded the most change (by 2016). What this means is many towns in India must have seen a significant increase in outdoor lighting infrastructure in recent years. This could be in the city centre or because of the development of new suburbs.

Overall, we saw a greater increase in nighttime radiance over north India as compared with the south. Some places in west India also recorded a significant increase in nighttime radiance. We also found that radiance grew the mostroughly 25%in smaller areas as compared with roughly 10% in Indias brightest areas. Overall, Indias medium-sized towns saw the most growth in brightness between 2012 and 2016.

To evaluate the loss of night, you measured nighttime radiance as opposed to measuring energy consumption. That said, you touched upon excessive energy use. To quote from your study: Prosperity, safety, and security can be achieved with conservative light use. What are some of the excessive uses of artificial light at night outdoors that need to be curtailed?

One of our biggest observations of concern was that outdoor light use is subject to a large rebound effect, and that this happens globally. This means that increases in luminous efficiency, such as the greater efficiency of light emitting diodes (LEDs) vis-a-vis incandescent lamps, have resulted in greater light use as opposed to energy savings. This is because as outdoor light has gotten cheaper typically through greater lamp efficiency, we have found more applications for it. Essentially, we have spent our savings from cheaper light on new light. For instance, the first nighttime outdoor lighting need in a campus may be to light up the roads. Once that is achieved at a cheaper cost, the management might think of lighting up a facade. So far we have only been thinking about the cost of energy. What about the growing light pollution? We need to justify every increase in outdoor lighting. Night-time outdoor lighting decisions are principally taken by municipalities and by institutions and organisations in the private sector. While the decisions of urban local bodies are primarily driven by economics, decisions by private institutions may also be influenced by the need to stand out/to establish a brand, such as the previous example of lighting up a facade. Some of these decisions are clearly wasteful. I estimate that about 80-90% of the outdoor lighting in developed nations like the USA and Spain is wasted. It is important for developed countries to undo those mistakes and for developing countries to not repeat those mistakes. I have read reports (such as this) of the installation of high-mast lights in India being questioned for their relevance and need. This is a good example of the need to reflect on night-time lighting use.

What technologies or best practices can help save energy and increase useful nighttime radiance as opposed to wasteful radiance?

Technologies like lighting control can help save energy and reduce radiance (light pollution) without compromising safety, by dimming night lights in areas with no need for bright light after a certain hour. The way lights are fitted is also important. Often a lamp (incandescent or sodium vapour or LED) is fitted to shine in all directions. This is a bad idea in outdoor lighting where you really want to drop down light on a path or area. This has become quite an issue in certain suburbs of New York in recent years where residents have complained of what is called light trespass [you can read more on this issue here and here] when the existing sodium-vapour lamps were replaced with more efficient LEDs. The light of LEDs comes from a smaller area than sodium-vapour lamps and can feel harsh. If you think of it, light streaming into bedrooms at night is a waste. The solution does not lie in removing lamps but in using light efficiently. In New York (as elsewhere), often, adjusting the angle of the fitted lamp has helped to reduce residents distress. Fibre-optic technologies exist to achieve selective or directed lighting. The colour of the lamp can also help promote energy efficiency as well as reduce radiance. Essentially, the practice of installing one-size-fits-all solutions has contributed to energy consumption and light pollution.

To quote from your study: In the longer term, the demand for dark skies and unlit bedrooms will begin to outweigh the demand for light in wealthy countries, leading to an environmental Kuznets curve for outdoor light. Simply put, this means that demand for outdoor lighting will decrease after hitting a high. Can you please explain this? Would the falling demand for outdoor lighting reflect growing awareness of light pollution?

Light affects human health in various ways. To start with, light affects the bodys inner clock. Disruptions to this clock have been related to insomnia, depression and cardiovascular disease, to name a few diseases. Early research shows that exposure to artificial light at night can increase the risk of breast cancer [see this 2017 study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal] and prostate cancer [see this 2017 study published in the journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research or this 2015 study published in Onco Targets and Therapy]. For the known health effects, it is indoor light that matters the most.

It is healthy to be exposed to bright light in the morning and during the day. It is also healthy to not be exposed to bright light at night. Artificial light at night keeps you awake, it makes you sleep later and wake up later. When urban residents go camping, they tend to feel sleepy earlier, hit the bed earlier and wake up earlier. People who cant get to sleep because street light streams into their bedroom use shades or a face mask to get to sleep. This is not a good solution because it prevents sunlight from waking you up.

It is also not healthy to live mostly indoors where you tend to be exposed to one level of radiance throughout the day and night. This confuses the body. We believe that people who dont get enough light in the day are more susceptible to night light. In places where people are growing aware to light pollution, they are making changes to how they use artificial light at night. Indoors, you could dim the lamps or use red lamps.

In addition to this, we must consider the effects of light pollution on nocturnal animals like bats that take their cues from the dark. Light pollution is playing havoc with their habitat.

(Bahri is a freelance writer and editor based in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.)

Reprinted with permission from IndiaSpend, a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit organisation
As Bismarck grows city officials continue to look at ways to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.

Thats two big challenges since a growing city means more motorists, more congestion and more fender benders. The commute in Bismarck, compared to major cities, remains short. As an example, an employee leaves the Bismarck Tribune, 707 E. Front Ave., around 5 p.m. to reach his home off 71st Avenue in northeast Bismarck. It takes about 20 minutes. Most commuters in metropolitan areas would love a 20-minute trip home.

North Dakotans, however, have been spoiled by the states open spaces and that seems like a long time to many of them. Rush hours not the only reason for accidents.

In a story last Sunday reporter Jack Dura looked at some of the Bismarck intersections that have the most accidents. One of the contributing factors is the citys lack of a north-south highway with separated crossings, such as Interstate 29 in Fargo. That results in intersections with a number of lights and turning lanes. The North Dakota Department of Transportation keeps a list of the top 50 urban high-crash locations. Bismarck had 17 locations on the 2014-16 list, with State Street's intersection with Interstate Avenue at No. 1.

Bismarck Police handle an average of 10 crashes a day, or about 3,800 per year. Two-thirds of the accidents are on the street and a third are in parking lots. Efforts are underway to make the streets safer and reduce accidents. Next year confirmation lights and countdown timers are to be installed at State Street's intersections with Interstate Avenue and Century Avenue as well as at Main Avenue and Ninth Street.

The Bismarck City Commission hopes to speed up a project to convert several two-lane roads to three lanes. The project was scheduled for completion in 2021, but the city hopes to complete four of the eight areas by 2019. Bismarck received a $1.7 million grant from DOT for the project. The four corridors getting priority are Divide Avenue from 26th Street to Schafer Street, Washington Street from Divide Avenue to Calgary Avenue, Fourth Street from Boulevard Avenue to Century Avenue and 19th Street from Divide Avenue to Hay Creek Court.

One of the goals of the project is to reduce accidents.

Theres a limit, of course, to how much traffic engineers can do. If people drive too fast, are distracted by cellphones or passengers, or are just bad drivers, then street modifications wont help. And motorists react differently to weather conditions and situations.

"If I see that yellow light, I might slow down, you might speed up or vice versa," Bismarck city engineer Gabe Schell told Dura. So drivers need to practice defensive driving and, unfortunately, expect the worst from other motorists.

Its going to take a combination of traffic improvements by the city and better driving to reduce accidents. We also have to accept the fact that as the city gets bigger its going to take longer to reach our destinations.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Saturday said that strict action will be taken against city-based private Max Hospital and its licence would be cancelled if required after the hospital declared dead a live baby, who still remained in a critical condition two days after the incident.

"When we came to know about negligence on the part of the hospital, we ordered an inquiry into the same. And I want to assure all that if they don't work properly, we will cancel the licence of the hospital," Jain said.

He said the inquiry report will come by Monday.

Jain also said that a show cause notice was served to the hospital on November 22 for not treating poor patients.

In a clear case of medical negligence, doctors at Shalimar Bagh-located Max Super Specialty Hospital here on Thursday declared a baby dead, along with his stillborn twin, and handed the bodies over to family members in a polythene bag. The baby was found alive just moments before being buried.

This case prompted the Health Minister to order a probe on Friday.

A day after the incident, the baby was shifted to Aggarwal nursing home in Pitampura.

"The baby is in a critical condition now. It is supposed to be under observation for 72 hours after it got admitted to our nursing home on Friday," a doctor, who didn't want to be named, told IANS.

According to the aggrieved family, the twins were born prematurely. While one baby was stillborn, the other was declared dead hours later after his condition was stated to be "critical" and "unable to survive".

Max Hospital, in a statement, said: "It has been brought to our notice that a 22-week premature newborn, who is said to be on life support at a nursing home, was unfortunately handed over (as dead) ... by Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

"This baby was one of the twins delivered on the morning of November 30. The other baby was stillborn.

"We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident. We have initiated a detailed inquiry, pending which the doctors concerned have been asked to proceed on leave immediately."

The hospital said it was in constant touch with the parents and ready to extend all support.

A similar incident was reported from Safdarjung Hospital in June when a newborn was found alive after doctors had declared the baby dead.
More than 500 fishermen stranded in the rough sea off Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts have been rescued even as cyclone 'Ockhi' on Saturday lay centred over the South East Arabian Sea and about 250 km near Amini Divi in the Lakshadweep Islands.
The Income Tax (I-T) Department has seized Rs 1.4 crore in cash and 3.5 kg gold and jewellery during raids conducted on five medical labs and two Invitro Fertilisation (IVF) clinic doctors during the last three days, said a top tax official on Saturday.

"The raids on the five medical diagnostic centres and two IVF clinics/doctors in the city also detected secret foreign bank accounts and deposits worth crores of rupees, besides foreign currency," I-T Joint Director G. Ramesh told IANS here.

The searches also found that though the labs had declared previously undisclosed income of over Rs 100 crore, the referral fees in the case of a single lab exceeded Rs 200 crore.

"We have also found revenue-sharing agreements with some doctors by which referral fee is paid in cheques," said Ramesh in a statement.

In few cases, the referral fees paid to doctors in cheques were "disguised" as professional fees, he said.

In cases where cash was paid, the payments to the doctors were found to be made on a fortnightly basis, the statement said.

"Advance in cash paid to the doctors as an imprest (fund kept as an advance for a particular purpose and periodically restored) from which the actual referral fees payable was found to be adjusted. The advance is again recouped on a fortnightly basis," it added.

The normal commission for doctors in these labs for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test was found to be 35 per cent, and about 20 per cent in case of Computed Tomography (CT) scan and other lab tests, it said.

Some of the labs that were raided had employed "commission agents" who would distribute money to doctors in envelopes, Ramesh said.

"The agents would insert a chit in these envelopes while giving them to the doctors, that would contain the details of the patient referred by a certain doctor, the doctor's name, test details and their amounts along with the commission amount to be given to the doctor," added the statement.

The doctors were "very particular" about the amounts to be paid to them and would return the envelopes if they didn't receive the payments, it added.
The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated on Sunday by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening up a new strategic transit route between Iran, India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast and is considered as a "gateway to golden opportunities" for trade with central Asian countries.

The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port and it was inaugurated by Rouhani in the presence of representatives of several countries of the region.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration.

"The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries. India has been closely working with Afghanistan to create alternative, reliable access routes, bypassing Pakistan.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in the Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

Rouhani's office said the president noted that transit is the best communication tool for nations, adding "the routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air".

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which the implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Over a month ago, India sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new strategic transit route.
Former Prime Minister on Saturday said it was too early to conclude that the economic slowdown has reversed as the 6.3 per cent growth rate in the July-September quarter did not take into account the small and medium sector which suffered huge losses in the aftermath of and hasty implementation of .

He welcomed the 6.3 per cent growth rate in the July-September quarter but cautioned that it was too early to conclude that the economy has recovered.

"(It) is too early to conclude that this represents a reversal of the declining trend observed in the previous five quarters. Some economists believe that the CSO which released the figures has not adequately captured the impact of and on the informal sector that accounts for about 30 per cent of the economy," Singh said addressing professionals and businessmen here in the election-bound state.

He quoted renowned economist Govinda Rao identifying a "problem" with the calculation of manufacturing growth based on corporate results.

"This doesn't take into account the small and medium sector which suffered the most after and the launch of . A couple of big worries remain. Farm sector growth fell to 1.7 per cent from 2.3 per cent in the previous quarter and 4.1 per cent in the same quarter last year," Singh said, citing Rao.

He said that after farming, job losses have been the most in the construction sector.

Singh criticised the BJP government's economic policies, particularly the "coercive steps" of note ban and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that cost the nation hugely and "broke the back of businesses".

"We saw the impact of demonetisation on the economy when the GDP growth dropped to 5.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2017-18 under the new calculations. Even this is bound to be a gross underestimate as the pain of the informal sector is not adequately captured in the GDP calculation.

"Every one per cent loss of our GDP growth rate annually costs our nation Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Think of the human impact from the lost growth -- the lost jobs, the youth whose opportunities have vanished, the businesses who had to shut down and the entrepreneurs whose drive to succeed has turned into discouraged disappointment."

Singh said that the decline in farming and construction sectors was despite the fact that the government had front loaded its spending on projects, "forcing up our fiscal deficit to a high of 96.1 per cent of the Rs 546,432 crore target set for the full year".

"This means that private spending on construction has been very dismal... Thus there is still considerable uncertainty about the growth of GDP. The RBI forecasts that growth in 2017-19 will pick up to 6.7 per cent. However, even if growth reaches 6.7 per cent in 2017-18, Modiji's four year average growth rate will be only 7.1 per cent.

"To equal the UPA's 10 year average, the economy will have to grow at 10.6 per cent in the fifth year. I would be happy if this were to happen, but frankly I do not think it will."

The former Prime Minister said while Modi claimed to understand Gujarat and the poor "more than anybody else", how was it that "he never understood the pain his decisions unleashed".

He hailed the people of Surat city, renowned world over for the diamond and the textile industries, and said it was one of the worst sufferers of note ban and GST.

"It is no wonder that Surat voiced the biggest protests in India against this injustice by the NDA government. You after all come from the land of two great souls -- Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. When the Mahatma decided to protest against the unjust British tax on salt, he did it from your backyard in Dandi. Standing up for injustice is in your blood and you raised your voice against the shoddy implementation of GST," he said.
Both VVPAT machines and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in all 50,264 voting booths of 182 constituencies in Gujarat, in the upcoming state assembly elections, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, AK Joti informed on Sunday.

To ensure a free and fair electoral process, Joti informed that a candidate could put a complaint before the Returning Officer (RO) if he/she had doubts about any defect in the VVPAT machines.

"If a candidate thinks that unfair means have been used in the polling process, we have given a provision in our EVM manual that if a candidate has such doubts, then he can complain about it to the Returning Officer," Joti said, at a press conference, here, and added that under certain conditions, the VVPAT machines could be unsealed and the counting of slips could take place.

Amid the recent allegations of EVM tampering in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls, Joti informed the state body elections in any state were conducted in the jurisdiction and held under the direction of state election commission, and the EC did not play any role in it.

"Local government bodies and self-election commissioners sometimes request us to loan them EVMs. For 15-20 years, the EC has been providing M1 model of EVM which is of an earlier generation because the EC has been using the M2 generation of the machine since 2006. We have also told them to buy new EVMs from their own funds," he added.

In case of Gujarat, the election commissioners have taken EVMs from the EC, whereas Madhya Pradesh did not take it in the by-elections held this year, said the chief election commissioner.

VVPAT enables the voters to see the candidate's name, symbol, and serial number.

Under the Election Commissioner's direction, comprehensive awareness about the use of VVPATs has been carried out by the state-level as well as district-level DOs and the ROs.

Ahead of the Gujarat polls, the EC has also ensured curbing the misuse of money, drug, and other freebies to voters, and security at the polling stations in all 182 constituencies.

The polls will be held on December 9 and 14.
Prime Minister is once again visiting his home state Gujarat on Sunday, three days after he addressed four campaign meetings for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the poll-bound state.



The two-phase Gujarat Assembly elections will take place on December 9 and 14, while the results will be out on December 18.



Here are the top 10 recent developments in the Gujarat campaign:
As many as eight public sector (PSBs) have decided to raise capital from the market within four months as part of the Rs 2.11 lakh crore recapitalisation plan, according to official sources.

Some have already got approval from the ministry while others are in the process of getting the green signal for raising capital either through private placement or the rights issue, they said.

Most are preferring the Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) route, sources said, adding that Punjab National Bank (PNB) would be the first to hit the market to raise Rs 5,000 crore.

Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and Andhra Bank are also gearing up for the share sale, they said.

Minister Arun Jaitley in October had announced an unprecedented Rs 2.11 lakh crore two-year roadmap to strengthen PSBs, reeling under high non performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans. Their NPAs have increased to Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of June 2017, from Rs 2.75 lakh crore in March 2015.

The plan includes floating re-capitalisation bonds of Rs 1.35 lakh crore and raising Rs 58,000 crore from the market by diluting government's stake.

The government equity, as per the current policy, can come down to 52 per cent in state-owned banks.

Jaitley had also announced that banks would get about Rs 18,000 crore under the Indradhanush plan over the next two years.

Under the Indradhanush road map announced in 2015, the government had announced infusion of Rs 70,000 crore in state- owned banks over four years while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the market to meet their capital requirement in line with global risk norms, known as Basel-III.

In the last three-and-a-half years, the government pumped in Rs 51,858 crore capital in the PSBs. The remaining Rs 18,142 crore will be injected into the banks over the next two years.
Things have been slow for the real estate market in the past few years, but Indias leading home lender Housing Development Corporations (HDFC) numbers dont reflect this stress. Keki Mistry, vice chairman and CEO, HDFC tells Joydeep Ghosh and Chirag Madia that unlike some other players it never went for excesses and never took unreasonable risks. Edited excerpts:
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

David Sher is Co-Founder of AmSher Compassionate Collections and past Chairman of Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, ONB, and CAP.

Let's turn Birmingham around. Click here to sign up for newsletter. There's power in numbers. (Opt out at any time)

It's uncomfortable to talk about race.

It seems that most whites don't like to discuss race-and neither do some blacks.

However, how can we have an intelligent conversation about Birmingham without race when race is almost always the central issue?

Last week I was wheeling my shopping cart through the produce section of Publix in Vestavia Hills when I was confronted by a casual acquaintance.

With a scowl on his face, he announced to everyone within hearing distance, "David, I know you're a proponent of regional collaboration, but that will never happen--and you know why?--because of blacks. For many years whites ran Birmingham and they controlled the money. Now blacks have the power and they're never going to give it up."

People throw that objection in my face. They assume they've had this great epiphany I'm hearing for the first time.

Trust me...I hear it all the time.

Startling change in Birmingham politics

But in case you didn't notice there's been a startling change in the political landscape in the City of Birmingham.

In the most recent city election, two white candidates won City Council seats in predominately black districts.

Hunter Williams

Darrell O'Quinn

Hunter Williams won in District 2-a district that is about 55% black and Darrell O'Quinn, District 5, unseated Jonathan Austin- the President of the City Council. District 5 is more than 70% African American.

The newly constituted City Council then selected long serving white City Councilor Valerie Abbot as City Council President. The Birmingham City Council is composed of six African Americans and three whites.

What's going on here?

I call it the Obama-Trump effect.

In 2008 and 2012 Barack Obama was elected America's first African American president. He won both elections even though blacks represent only 12% of the U.S. population. A lot of white folks voted for Obama.

Then in 2016 Donald Trump, an unlikely candidate, became our 45th President when most everyone thought it was inconceivable.

I think the simple answer is that the U.S. voting electorate is fed up with the status quo and is willing to vote for candidates who they believe can make their lives better.

This is not about whites taking over Birmingham government

I want to make it clear that this article is not about whites coming into power to take over Birmingham. The City of Birmingham is 73% black and black citizens will drive political decisions for years to come.

You can be assured that the new white city councilors are going to be very sensitive to the needs of their African American constituents or they are going to have very short political careers.

Birmingham made great progress under the leadership of William Bell.

Now Randall Woodfin has been elected Mayor.

Mayor Woodfin has the reputation of being energetic, hard -working, smart, and open minded.

Mayor Woodfin and the newly constituted City Council represent a fresh start for Birmingham and our region.

Our young folks, both black and white are tired of their future being diminished by old fuddy-duddies who still think in terms of race as it was in the '60's.

Birmingham has come a long way.

Historically race has held us back-but it appears times are changing.

Let's attack our challenges together and build an exciting future.
Indian Navy's search and rescue operations continued for the third day over Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 'OCKHI'. The ships deployed by the Southern Naval Command include IN Ships Sagardhwani, Jamuna, Nireekshak, Kabra and Kalpeni off the Kerala coast and Sharda , Shardul towards Lakshadweep islands. Besides this three air craft viz, Dornier (Do) fixed wing aircraft, Seaking Helicopter (SK) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) were also deployed throughout the day. .

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A total of 84 personnel have been rescued over the last two days which includes 62 by aircrafts and 22 by ships. Additionally, transfer of two dead bodies was also effected through ALH to Thiruvananthapuram after being picked up by INS Sagardhwani. .

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Of the 62 people rescued by naval aircraft 8 personnel were transferred to Kochi in batches of 04 after being picked up 20 Nautical miles southwest and 80 nautical miles west of Kochi respectively. Those evacuated to Kochi were given preliminary first aid at naval clinic at INS Garuda before being handed over to the civil administration. The rest of the rescued persons have been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram. .

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INS Shardul from Kochi is heading towards Minicoy islands with Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) bricks", which includes water, dry provisions, medical equipment, blankets, diving team, generators, salvage equipment, desalination and decontamination kits, diving team and has a Chetak helicopter embarked. The relief material would sustain 2000 persons for over a period of seven days. INS Sharda is heading towards Kavaratti islands with HADR material sufficient to last for more than seven days for 500 people. The ship while proceeding to the islands, saved nine lives from a capsized boat in distress enroute. .

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Naval ships fom Mumbai, INS Chennai, Kolkata and Trikand have also sailed out from Mumbai for Lakshadweep and Minicoy (LAM) islands with HADR material sufficient for approximately 5000 persons and would last for more than seven days. Androth and Kavaratti are reported to be experiencing strong winds of 40-60 knots coupled high swells of 3-4 metres with a sea state of 5-6. All the ships are expected to reach LAM by morning tomorrow .

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In addition to the aircraft from Kochi, the P8I aircraft from Arakkonam with greater reach is being used to maintaining a close vigil continuously over the sailing ships and provide inputs if any. The areas close to coast would continuously monitored using DO aircraft from Kochi. .

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The Indian Navys foray into indigenisation began over five decades ago with the construction of small patrol boats in the country. The Navys saga of self-reliance inched up by a notch in the late-60s with the construction of Leander Class frigates at Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Ltd. The indigenous shipbuilding programme that began with building Frigate size ships to foreign design has gradually matured into building Destroyers and Aircraft carriers to the Navys own design. Today, with over 40 ships and submarines under construction in Indian shipyards, both public and private, the Navy takes pride in building all its ships and submarines in India. .

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Each ship is a self-contained war fighting platform with a large number of systems and equipment performing different functions ranging from simple accommodation and living services to civic services like power and water generation and distribution and high-end weapons and sensors for warfare in all three dimensions, i.e, air, surface and sub-surface. .

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Unlike any other military platform, the number of equipment/ systems/ sub-systems/ fittings fitted on a ship/ submarine is very large and runs into a few hundreds. The Navy acquired ships from diverse sources during the initial decades and a few special purpose platforms in the recent past. Over the years, by nurturing the art of designing and integrating systems, the Navy could select the most advanced systems, and integrate them to get the best combat potential. While this gave a distinct edge in the combat potential, the Navys inventory became a complex mix of systems from different manufacturers. As many such systems are operated well beyond their usual service life, maintaining these systems at their best has always been a challenge. Obsolescence and lack of support from their Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) makes things even more difficult. .

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A warship going out on deployment to high seas on a long mission also poses multiple challenges to the crew where a variety of situations throw unique challenges, which have to be managed at sea. Such situations groom naval personnel to think beyond the normal and innovate, to make Innovation a way of life in the Navy. Although many such innovations that make the ships systems to tick, engines to roar and weapons to fire with precision go unreported as a part and parcel of day-to-day activities, the Navy makes an effort to recognize them and appreciate. .

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Navy presents CNS Rolling Trophy for Innovation to the selected innovations. The innovative methods adopted by units to overcome constraints and to improve efficiency at their work areas, are evaluated centrally at the Naval Headquarters in two categories namely Operational Units" and Shore Establishments". As a mark of recognition, the shortlisted initiatives will be showcased to the invited dignitaries, on the Navy Day. .

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As a run up to the Navy Day 2017, twenty innovations have been shortlisted from those submitted by units and establishments across the Navy for central evaluation. The innovations range from innovative repairs to complex system modules to development of new techniques that would save money, time and manpower. The innovations by Indian Naval Ships Kuthar and Vikramaditya have been selected as Winner and Runner-up respectively in Operational Units category and Weapons Electronic Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE) and Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi as Winner and Runner-up respectively in Shore Establishments category. .

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These innovations along with a few more selected innovations will be displayed at the Innovation Pavilion, on 04-05 December 2017, at Navy House, New Delhi. .

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At least 13 people were killed and two reported missing on Sunday after a South Korean fishing boat capsized off the coast of the city of Incheon.

The 9.77-tonne chartered fishing boat, with two crew members and 20 passengers on board, collided with a 336-tonne tanker in the waters near Yeongheung Island, at 6.12 a.m., reports Xinhua news agency.

Authorities have mobilised four helicopters and 14 boats for rescue operation.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a rapid opening of dialogue between Iraq's central government and Iraqi Kurdish leaders and for "all militias" to be dismantled to ease tensions.

"France calls for a constructive national dialogue to engage in Iraq," Macron said at a joint news conference in Paris with Iraqi Kurdish leaders, including Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.

Baghdad and the Kurdish regional capital Arbil have been locked in dispute ever since September's independence referendum, which resulted in a resounding "yes" vote for independence in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

Iraqi security forces backed by paramilitaries responded by seizing the oil-rich Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk in October and other disputed territory.

Long-serving Kurdish president Masoud Barzani, whose nephew is Nechirvan, then resigned over the affair.

"Having a strong, reconciled, pluralistic Iraq which recognises each of its components is a condition for the immediate and medium-term stability," of the Middle East, said Macron.

The French president, who previously met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on 29 October, said dialogue needed to be built in "full respect of the constitution of 2005".

He also called for "a gradual demilitarisation, in particular of the 'Popular Mobilisation' that has taken place in the last few years, and that all militias be gradually dismantled".

Fighters from Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi are a controversial fighting force that formed in 2014 after the country's most revered Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, urged citizens to take up arms against Islamic State jihadists.

Bringing together a dizzying array of paramilitary groups under the command of Iraq's prime minister, the Hashed has since played a key role in battles against IS and more recently against Kurdish forces.

But the Shiite-dominated alliance remains deeply divisive; has often been described as an Iranian-backed group, and has been accused of a wave of abuses.

The French president said the new generation of Kurdish leaders has a "historic responsibility" and said France would do all it can to ensure "dialogue can succeed," indicating that he will soon meet Abadi again.

Nechirvan Barzani, who has been trying to negotiate an end to the confrontation with Baghdad, said on Saturday that his government "respected" a verdict by the Iraqi Supreme Federal Court that ruled the independence referendum unconstitutional.

He also said he had "no problem" with the federal government over the issue of border control.

The Iraqi federal government has demanded the handover of border posts and airports in the Kurdish region.
At least 13 persons lost their lives and two went missing after a fishing boat collided with a refuelling tanker off the South Korean coast.

20 passengers and two crew members were on board the Seonchang-1, a chartered fishing boat, when it crashed into the 336-tonne (370-ton) tanker before capsising near the port city of Incheon, west of Seoul, reported CNN.

The collision happened nine minutes after the boat departed from the shoreline as the two vessels passed each other under a bridge.

At least seven have been rescued so far and have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The coast guard said the circumstances leading to the accident were not immediately known.

"We are investigating how the accident happened," a coast guard official told reporters.

President Moon Jae-in has directed emergency responders to continue search and rescue operations until those still missing, including the boat's captain, are accounted for.

At least six airplanes and six vessels have been drafted in as part of the search, the report said.

In 2015, 15 people were killed during a fishing expedition.

A year earlier, the Sewol passenger ferry sank killing over 300 people, most of them were school children on a school trip.

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The Changlang battalion has apprehended two Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) cadres from Arunachal Pradesh's Mullong area.

A pistol with live ammunition and other incriminating possessions were recovered from the two.

The Kohima-based Defence Wing informed that the Changlang battalion on December 1 launched an operation on receiving information about the duo who carried out extortion from the villagers.

The battalion swiftly reacted and arrested the two, who have identified themselves as self styled private Mohonong Tikhak and Ronong Tikhak.

The Defence Wing further said that the Changlang battalion under the aegis of Dao division has been carrying out relentless operations in South Arunachal Pradesh to keep the area peaceful and out of clutches of insurgents.

"These apprehensions will go a long way in creating fear among the anti- elements in the area," a press release read.

It further read that the security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this apprehension has struck a huge blow to the extortion activities being carried out by the underground cadres of the group in the area.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Led by former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, 30 Maharashtra Congress leaders on Sunday proposed the nomination of party vice president Rahul Gandhi for the post of party president.

This proposal comes days after Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla called the election process "rigged", citing he had the information that the delegates, who were going to vote for the party president election, were fixed.

Meanwhile, the proposal was signed by Ashok Chavan, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Patangrao Kadam, Naseem Khan and others. It will be sent to the Central Election Committee conducting the AICC president post elections.

The process for the election began with a notification on November 30.

The last date for filing nominations is December 4 and Rahul Gandhi is also expected to file his nomination on the same day.

The final list of the candidates contesting the election will be published on December 11.

As many as 10 Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders had, on December 3, signed a proposal for the nomination of Rahul Gandhi as the party president.

Sonia Gandhi has been serving as the president of the party for over 19 years.

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Both VVPAT machines and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in all 50,264 voting booths of 182 constituencies in Gujarat, in the upcoming state assembly elections, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, AK Joti informed on Sunday.

To ensure a free and fair electoral process, Joti informed that a candidate could put a complaint before the Returning Officer (RO) if he/she had doubts about any defect in the VVPAT machines.

"If a candidate thinks that unfair means have been used in the polling process, we have given a provision in our EVM manual that if a candidate has such doubts, then he can complain about it to the Returning Officer," Joti said, at a press conference, here, and added that under certain conditions, the VVPAT machines could be unsealed and the counting of slips could take place.

Amid the recent allegations of EVM tampering in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls, Joti informed the state body elections in any state were conducted in the jurisdiction and held under the direction of state election commission, and the EC did not play any role in it.

"Local government bodies and self-election commissioners sometimes request us to loan them EVMs. For 15-20 years, the EC has been providing M1 model of EVM which is of an earlier generation because the EC has been using the M2 generation of the machine since 2006. We have also told them to buy new EVMs from their own funds," he added.

In case of Gujarat, the election commissioners have taken EVMs from the EC, whereas Madhya Pradesh did not take it in the by-elections held this year, said the chief election commissioner.

VVPAT enables the voters to see the candidate's name, symbol, and serial number.

Under the Election Commissioner's direction, comprehensive awareness about the use of VVPATs has been carried out by the state-level as well as district-level DOs and the ROs.

Ahead of the Gujarat polls, the EC has also ensured curbing the misuse of money, drug, and other freebies to voters, and security at the polling stations in all 182 constituencies.

The polls will be held on December 9 and 14.

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As rescue operations continue in full strength post the cyclonic storm 'Ockhi', Commodore G Prakash, the Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy, said 25 people were rescued from Lakshadweep and 13 picked off the Kerala coast.

"We have rescued 25 people from Lakshadweep and picked 13 people off Kerala coast. The Navy is continuing conducting a massive search with 8-10 ships off Kerala coast. We also have three additional ships coming in from Mumbai, with food for almost 5,000 people. The Indian Navy is all out in this rescue operation," he told reporters here.

In the wake of rescue operations expanding onto Lakshadweep as well, Commodore Prakash revealed a large amount of houses in the area had lost their roofs, trees had fallen and boats capsised. He also warned locals venturing out in the sea to pay heed to what was being instructed by local authorities.

"This is an area where the chances of a massive cyclone developing are just 0.5 per cent. However, Cyclone Ockhi has seen rapid expansion since its beginning. Therefore, I would insist those venturing out in the sea to obey the instructions of local authorities," he said.

The deadly cyclone, which had claimed many lives, lashed the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Saturday with torrential rainfall and gusty winds. It also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships, while today the coast guards at different locations continued their efforts to rescue fishermen stranded at sea.

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The daily said that the emails show Flynn was in touch with other transition team members before and after he spoke with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, about US sanctions against Russia.

"The emails directly contradict how the White House tried to portray Flynn -- as someone who acted alone," reported CNN.

It quoted the White House special counsel, Ty Cobb, as saying "after Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Kislyak: Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn."

A local media reported that one of the then-transition adviser, who later became deputy national security adviser under Flynn, in an email said that the sanctions against Russia were made to discredit Donald Trump's victory in the elections.

She said that the sanctions against Russia were meant to "lure Trump in trap of saying something" in defense of Russia, and were aimed at "discrediting Trump's victory by saying it was due to Russian interference".

"As part of the outreach to Russia, she wrote that Flynn would speak to the Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak," said a daily.

United States President Donald Trump came in defence of Flynn, who pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI about his interactions with Russia, by stating that there was "nothing to hide".

The US President tweeted, "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

According to reports, on being questioned if he was worried about what Flynn might say, the President said, "No, I'm not. And what has been shown is no collusion. No collusion. There has been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy."

Flynn's plea agreement suggests that he provided information to prosecutors, which may help advance the inquiry.

He is accused of falsely telling the FBI that he did not ask Kislyak to "refrain from escalating the situation in response to [the] sanctions."

He was forced to resign in February after misleading the White House about meeting the Russian ambassador before Trump took office.

Flynn is at the center of a broader investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into the Russian meddling in the 2016 US Presidential election campaign.

Apparently, Mueller's team was seeking a deal of some kind to win Flynn's cooperation in that investigation.

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Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday denounced terrorism in the name of Islam saying "Islam is not being threatened, it is your rebellion which is hurting the Muslims."

"Any kind of discrimination against the residents of the country is unacceptable and the government will take stringent action over the issue," the Tolo News quoted the Afghan President, as saying, at a ceremony at the Presidential Place on Milad-un-Nabi - the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad.

"Our society doesn't need discrimination; it doesn't allow it," Ghani added.

He further said, "Those who have anti-female sentiments and want to place obstacles on the way of the success of the Muslim women of Afghanistan, are in a real sense, undermining the development of the country and the progress of Islamic civilisation."

The Afghan President further said those who killed under the name of Islam were murderers.

"Killing of innocent civilians does not have any place in Islam and those who are killing the people under name of Islam are murderers," he said.

Ghani added, "Those bloodthirsty criminals who say that Islam is in danger, I want to tell them that Islam is not in danger, but it is the killings, crimes and treason which have devastated the Muslims."

Meanwhile, Ghani extended his apology to the Afghan women in the backdrop of his controversial remarks regarding the headscarf.

"President Ghani made the remarks with a cultural interpretation as he pointed towards the headscarf and in no way he had any intentions to insult the women," Khaama Press reported, citing President's Office ARG Palace as saying in a statement.

The statement further read, "President Ghani extends his apology to the Afghan women in case his remarks have affected their emotions,"

The Afghan leader made the remarks during the transfer of the border police forces to the Ministry of Defence in a bid to defend the government officials against the accusations of the critics who had purported that certain government officials are having ties with the Islamic State (IS) terror outfit.

Those who have made such claims should prove it and those who are unable to prove it must wear a headscarf, he said.

His remarks had sparked a furore and had put him under immense pressure, mainly from women and activists.

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Global terrorist and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Saturday announced that he would contest Pakistan general election in 2018.

The announcement comes days after the Lahore High Court ordered his release from the house arrest.

However, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief did not disclose anything about the constituency he would like to contest from, reported Daily Pakistan.

Though the JuD formed Milli Muslim League (MML) in August when Saeed was detained in Lahore, the party is not recognised by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Saifullah Khalid, who is a religious scholar, is the party president and wishes to make Pakistan a "real Islamic and welfare state".

Saeed, who had been under house arrest since January, was released on November 24 after a Pakistan judicial body ordered his release, rejecting a request from the Punjab government to extend his detention by three months.

In his first address after being released, Saeed had blamed India and the U.S. for detention and raked up the Kashmir issue.

The decision to put Saeed under house arrest in January was seen as a measure to mitigate the pressure being put by U.S. President Donald Trump on nations, deemed linked to terrorism, to take action against the terrorists.

The United States had strongly condemned the release and called for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution.

On Tuesday, Saeed petitioned the United Nations to remove his name from the global terrorist list. The UN had designated Saeed a terrorist after the 26 November, 2008 attacks in Mumbai, which killed 166 people.

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Israelis in large numbers held a rally on Saturday night in Tel Aviv against the government's police recommendations bill, which the critics believe is aimed at shielding the corruption cases labelled against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The bill will prevent Israel's police from making public their recommendations to indict following an investigation", reported local media.

The "march of shame" rally, which was organised by the leaders of the weekly anti-corruption demonstrations, was attended by tens of thousands of people.

The protest was held near Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's residence in Petah Tikva.

Similar protests were also held in Jerusalem and Haifa.

The Prime Minister came under the scanner in two graft cases, known as cases 1000 and 2000, for receiving gifts from business tycoons and making a deal with the owner of a newspaper daily ''for better coverage in return for curbs on a rival daily", said a local media.

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said people-centric, responsive and responsible governance was the hallmark of the new dispensation.

This was stated by him at the launch ceremony of "Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang" (CMST) and the observance of the International Day for Persons with Disability held at the Indoor Stadium in Imphal.

Speaking at the function, the chief minister said that the new BJP-led government was committed to deliver human service to the people of the state and there was no such religion which was higher or above humanity or human service.

He further noted that the government was committed to work for the welfare of the people and would work with the aspirations of the people to deliver good governance and development in the state.

The chief minister stated the new government was trying to reduce the hill-valley gap to bring emotional integration in the state.

It is easy to break the state or region into pieces with few words or agitation, but difficult to integrate and unite the people, he added.

The chief minister appreciated the decision taken by the civil societies that stated they would work together with the government to solve any issues plaguing the state.

Stating that the idea of disintegration was a past perspective, the chief minister urged the people of the state to support the present government to bring integration in Manipur.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages in the society and that they are often subjected to stigma and discrimination and have limited access to proper healthcare services, quality education, face fewer economic opportunities and are generally excluded from social processes.

He stressed that "Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang" was reflective of the firm commitment of this government to empower the persons with disabilities and the marginalised.

Such schemes would facilitate their vital and meaningful participation in contributing towards the creation of socio-economic wealth and overall welfare of the state, he added.

Mentioning about those parents who are living in the old-age homes, the chief minister said that a certain amount as maintenance fund would be deducted from the government employee who discriminated, gave ill-treatment to their parents and didn't allow their parents to live at their homes.

He assured that the government was planning to introduce new schemes/initiatives for the children living in orphan homes soon.

The chief minister appealed the officials of the Social Welfare Department to work towards rendering human service and give priority to the persons with disability and old-age people.

The "CM gi Sotharabasingi Tengbang" scheme has been designed with five sub-schemes.

The scheme includes care-giver allowances/maintenance grant to persons with disability having a disability of 80 per cent or more with would be provided with Rs 1,500 per month.

The beneficiaries will also be covered under "Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme for PWD", where the state government will provide the mandatory beneficiary contribution of Rs 366 per annum, which will provide a health insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh to four members of a family and OPD charges.

The persons with disabilities in the age group of 19-59 years who can work will be provided with soft loans to take up economically viable employment opportunities and self-employment through the Manipur Society for Skill Development (MSSD).

CM gi Sotharabasinggi Tengbang includes a scholarship scheme to students with disabilities.

The rate of scholarships are - Rs 3,000 per annum for Class I-V, Rs 4,000 per annum for Class VI-VIII, Rs 6,000 per annum for Class IX-XII, Rs 8,000 per annum for graduate and above.

Under the scheme, a free travel and concession to persons with disabilities are being given to them for free travelling in public transport under the Manipur State Transport (MST).

The scheme also included a maintenance grant for homeless older persons with monetary support of Rs 1,000 per month to the older persons in the age group of 60 years and above, who have been left homeless or sheltered in old age homes recognised by the department.

On the occasion, the dignitaries handed over the monetary allowances, scholarships, free travel card and maintenance grant to various beneficiaries under the scheme.

Around 900 beneficiaries will be provided care-giver allowance, 140 beneficiaries will get student scholarships, 286 beneficiaries will get maintenance grant, 700 beneficiaries will get free travel card and five beneficiaries will be given soft loans.

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The Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested another accused from Bihar in the 'Shaikh Abdul Naeem of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)' case.

Dhannu Raja was arrested from Bihar's Gopalganj for his involvement in harboring, providing logistics and other assistance to main accused Naeem who was an operative of terrorist organisation LeT.

Raja was arrested on December 1, and has been charged under Sections 120B, 121, 121A of IPC and 17, 18, 19, 20, 38 39 and 40 of UA (P) Act, 1967.

The arrested accused is a 23 year-old local student leader of Gopalganj, Bihar.

After being arrested he was produced before the NIA Special Court Patna, which granted his transit remand till December 5.

He has been brought to Delhi and will be produced before the state's Special Court NIA on or before December 5.

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Several gun shots were fired at a team of the Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bhojpur's Nahli in Ghaziabad on Sunday.

This happened during an operation to arrest an arms smuggler, who is accused for the murder of an RSS leader in Ludhiana, Punjab.

As per reports, the smuggler managed to escape from the location, while one staff member of the investigation team was injured.

Further details are awaited.

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday reached Kanyakumari to review the current situation in the wake of the cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' which has tormented the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and now Lakshadweep.

Sitharaman reviewed the current situation, along with Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, senior ministers, officers of the Indian Navy, coastguard and district officials.

She also took stock of the region affected by the cyclone, and interacted with the locals.

The deadly cyclone, which has claimed many lives, lashed the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Saturday with torrential rainfall and gusty winds. It has also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

As rescue operations continue in full strength, 25 people have been rescued from Lakshadweep and 13 picked off the Kerala coast. The Indian Navy is conducting a massive search with 8-10 ships off Kerala coast, with three additional ships coming in from Mumbai along with food for almost 5,000 people.

Furthermore, INS Shardul has dropped relief material on a boat affected by Cyclone Ockhi, off Kerala coast. A team of the Indian Navy will fly from Kochi to Lakshadweep for the rescue operation.

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McMaster said that the communist nation has become "the greatest immediate threat to the United States".

While addressing the audience at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, he said: "I think it's increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem," reported CNN.

McMaster made the statement after he was asked if the chance of war had increased with North Korea after the country launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.

He, however, assured that President Donald Trump is committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"With every missile launch or nuclear test, Kim has improved his country's capabilities," CNN quoted McMaster as saying.

The national security adviser said: "Kim was extremely unlikely to change his behavior without some significant new actions in the form of much more severe sanctions" and "complete enforcement of the sanctions that are in place," it reported.

McMaster said that North Korea's missile launch had strengthened United States relation with Japan and South Korea.

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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not providing basic necessities to the women of poll bound Gujarat.

The Congress vice president took to Twitter and expressed his concern.

A political slugfest has erupted ahead of the elections, as the Congress is continuously attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and vice-e-versa on several issues like development in Gujarat, the demonestisation, the Goods and Service Tax (GST) etc.

In his tweet, Rahul took a dig at Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-led state government for depriving Gujarati women of basic facilities like health care, education and safety.

Rahul Gandhi said, "No security, nutrition and education was provided to the women. The only thing which took place was their exploitation."

The Congress leader also accused the BJP leadership for disappointing Anganwadi and Aasha workers.

The two-phase Gujarat assembly elections will take place on December 9 and 14, while the results will be out on December 18.

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The Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) associate from Gopalganj.

"The NIA has arrested Bedar Bakht (Dhannu Raja), a suspected LeT associate from Gopalganj. He is found linked to terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem who was arrested in Lucknow in November last year. Bakht says he is a worker of Students' Union of India (NSUI). We will verify this from the political party," S. K. Singhal, Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Patna, told ANI.

However, the NSUI Bihar state president refused to have any connection with the arrested suspect.

"I have never met him and neither is he a part of NSUI," Chunnu Singh, NSUI Bihar state president said.

Bakht's father, Feroze Alam, questioned the NIA action and said that his son had no involvement in any illegal activities.

The arrest led to an alert issued by Gopalganj Police to all police stations in the district bordering Uttar Pradesh.

The station house officers (SHOs) were asked to increase patrolling and keep an eye on all suspected individuals in their areas.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States President Donald Trump has denied asking Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director James Comey to stop investigating former national security advisor Michael Flynn, saying "fake news" outlets were "covering another Comey lie."

"I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" Trump tweeted.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

In June, Comey testified before Congress that Trump pressured him during an Oval Office meeting in February to end the investigation into Flynn, reported the Hill.

Trump fired Comey from his post in May.

Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in January, is the first member of Trump's administration uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian attempts to influence last year's US presidential election.

The ex-National Security Advisor was forced to resign in February.

Trump, in an apparent shift, on Saturday tweeted that he had to fire Flynn because the retired Army general lied to Vice President Pence and the FBI.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump tweeted.

Flynn is at the centre of a broader investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into the Russian meddling in the 2016 US Presidential election campaign.

Apparently, Mueller's team was seeking a deal of some kind to win Flynn's cooperation in that investigation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States President Donald Trump, in a series of tweets, threw flak at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) saying "its reputation is in tatters" and vowing to bring it "back to greatness".

"After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness," he posted.

Trump also tweeted earlier: "Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI 'agent's role in Clinton probe under review.' Led Clinton Email probe."

The president was responding to reports that a veteran FBI counter-intelligence agent was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian election meddling because of anti-Trump text messages.

The agent previously worked on the investigation into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, reported the Hill.

In another tweet, Trump wrote, "Report: "ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE" Now it all starts to make sense!" he added.

Trump's tweets come after his former national security advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations with the Russian ambassador in January.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States Defence Secretary James Mattis on Sunday said he would want to find a common ground to work together with Pakistan.

Reportedly, the defence secretary was asked en route to Kuwait if he would prod Pakistan, to address its alleged support for the militants, when he visits there.

In his response, Mattis said, "That's not the way I deal with issues. I believe that we work hard on finding the common ground and then we work together."

Mattis had, in October, said the United States would try "one more time" to work with Islamabad before taking "whatever steps are necessary", VoA reported.

Mattis will visit Pakistan on December 4 to discuss the South Asian Strategy. The visit comes days after the release of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed from house arrest in Pakistan following which the United States had strongly condemned Islamabad and called for his immediate re-arrest.

The visit is part of a five-day trip to the region "to re-affirm the enduring US commitment to partnership in the Middle East, West Africa and South Asia," reported the Washington Post, citing a statement by the US Department of Defence.

The US defence secretary is likely to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Abassi and Chief of Army Staff General Bajwaand.

Saeed, accused of masterminding the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people, was released on November 24 after a Pakistan judicial body ordered his release from house arrest, rejecting a request from the government of Punjab to extend his detention by three months.

The decision to put Saeed under house arrest in January was seen as a response to actions by US President Donald Trump's White House against nations deemed linked to terrorism.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels on Sunday said they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards the Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

"The missile hit the target accurately in Abu Dhabi," Xinhua news agency quoted a statement carried by Saba news that cited a Houthi military official as saying.

This is the third long-range ballistic missile attack on neighbouring Gulf states in a month.

On November 30, Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen over the border Saudi city of Khamis Mushait.

On November 4, Saudi air defences shot down a ballistic missile fired by Houthis in Yemen over the King Khaled International Airport north of Saudi capital Riyadh.

The November 4 missile attack triggered an all-out blockade imposed by the Saudi-led military coalition over all Yemeni air, sea and land ports, cutting off all aid, fuel and food imports.

The coalition last week eased the siege, allowing only some aid access through northern Houthi-controlled ports, though the United Nations aid agencies warned that was not enough and pleaded for the coalition to allow food imports.

Sunday's missile attack on Abu Dhabi came one day after former President Ali Abdullah Saleh broke partnership with the Houthi movement.

On Saturday, Saleh declared war against the Houthis and called for the army, security forces and tribes to join his party's armed revolution aiming to topple Houthi control over the capital Sanaa.

Saleh announced in his televised speech on Saturday that he stretched out his hands towards peace and compromise with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which led the military coalition against Yemen for nearly three years.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi accused Saleh of "betrayal" and vowed to keep fighting against the coalition.

Spokesman of Saleh's media office Nabil al-Soufi said in his Twitter account that Saleh's move aimed to bring back to power his older son Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh and his family who have been living in Abu Dhabi since 2012.

The coalition welcomed Saleh's new stance and pledged to support him and his party against the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement, according to the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel.

The Houthis and Saleh's loyalists had been aligned and fighting the coalition since both forces stormed the capital Sanaa in 2014 and forced Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Known throughout the country and the world for its ancient temples, this Madhya Pradesh town now will also become famous for Anna Hazare's agitation for Jan Lokpal and farmers' issues with the social activist inscribing his call for the stir on a wall here on Sunday.

Hazare will launch the stir in New Delhi on March 23 next year. He said he is unhappy with the current Central government as it favours only industrialists and is turning a blind eye to the plight of farmers.

"Against the law, farmers are being made to pay compound interest on their loans. The government knows this and yet no action has been taken on it. Hence, we have to resort to a strike," said Hazare as he wrote "23 March ko chalo Dilli (Let's go to Delhi on March 23)" on a wall.

"This agitation is not against a particular group or in favour of anyone. This is in favour of the public," he said.

Hazare had, in 2011, launched a strike to implement Lokpal in the national capital and got massive public support, forcing the then United Progressive Alliance government to accept the demand.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a significant sign of successful trilateral cooperation, Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the Shahid Beheshti Port in the country' southeastern city of Chabahar.

The port opens a new strategic transit route between Iran, India, Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations bypassing Pakistan.

The project in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by 60 foreign guests from 17 countries, including Indian Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan, at the port located by the Sea of Oman.

Located 645 km to the south of Zahedan, the provincial capital city, the only oceanic port of Iran will now link its Sistan and Baluchestan provinces to Central Asia and Afghanistan.

"We are happy that the first wheat shipment for Afghanistan has been sent to the country's people via the Iranian port," Rouhani said, according to IRNA news agency.

According to an Indian External Affairs Ministry statement issued in New Delhi, Radhakrishnan represented India in the second meeting of the India-Iran-Afghanistan ministerial-level trilateral meeting on Chabahar port development.

"In the trilateral meeting with Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi and Afghan Trade and Commerce Minister Humayoon Rasaw, the three sides reviewed and positively assessed the progress in the development of Chabahar port and reiterated their commitment to complete and operationalise the port at the earliest that would contribute to bilateral and regional trade and economic development and also provide alternate access to landlocked Afghanistan to regional and global markets," it said.

"The three sides also commended the recent joint efforts which led to the transit of first tranche of 110,000 tonnes of wheat from India to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port," it added.

The port's inauguration comes more than a month after the first consignment of wheat from India to Afghanistan was sent via Chabahar - the first shipment after the trilateral agreement to develop the port as a transport and transit corridor between India, Iran and Afghanistan was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iranian and Afghan Presidents Rouhani and Ashraf Ghani, respectively, in May last year.

According to the Indian statement, at the trilateral meeting, the Indian, Iranian and Afghan Ministers "agreed to further intensify efforts on issues concerning regional connectivity and focusing on Chabahar port development under the Trilateral Transit and Trade Agreement".

It said that Radhakrishnan "expressed his positive appreciation to the Iranian side on the recent steps taken towards ratification by the Majlis of Iran on the Trilateral Transit and Trade Agreement signed in May 2016".

"The completion of the internal procedures on the ratification process by Iran is expected to lead to full and early operationalisation of the Transit and Trade arrangement between the three countries though the Chabahar port," the statement said.

"It is expected that a trilateral coordination meeting of senior officials will be convened at the earliest," it added.

Shahid Beheshti Port will be regarded as a new development stage for the province, President Rouhani said in Sunday's event. The capacity of the port is 8.5 million tonnes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the port would reinforce Iranian-Indiam mutual and regional cooperation. "It also shows the importance of the port in the development of the region and the routes that connect Central Asian states to other countries in the world through the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean."

The port will increase the capacity of loading and unloading of the ships as well as the employment rate in the province, according to an official with the Sistan and Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Organisation.

Ahead of the inauguration, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on a surprise stopover on her way back from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Russia met her Iranian counterpart Zarif in Tehran on Saturday and discussed the port project among other issues.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Around 80 Indian companies in Germany employing a total workforce of 27,400 generated combined revenues of Euro 11.4 billion in 2016, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said on Sunday citing its joint study conducted on the matter.

Based on interviews with leading Indian chief executives, the study, done by the Bertelsmann Foundation, Ernst & Young (EY) and CII, showed that, since 2010, nearly 140 major investment projects by Indian companies have been initiated in Germany.

"This includes FDI (foreign direct investment) announcements as well as M&As (merger and acquisitions)," a CII release said here.

"Between 2010 and 2016, Germany was the second-largest recipient of Indian FDI in Europe with 96 projects," it said.

According to the study, the top sectors for investment include automobiles, metals and metal processing, professional, technical and scientific services, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, electrotechnics and machine building.

The study found that Indian companies in Germany currently generate nearly 70 per cent of their turnover in the labour intensive sectors of metals (40 per cent) and automotives (29 per cent). Major players in these sectors are Tata Steel, Hindalco industries and Sona Autocomp.

"The Indian IT industry accounts for a revenue share of nine percent," CII said.

Access to innovation and technology are important factors that influence the decision to invest in Germany, according to 80 per cent of the CEOs surveyed.

This is borne out by the M&A activity over the past six years, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said in the statement.

"In fact, one-fifth of the acquisitions made by Indians were found to be in the automotive supplier sector and one-third in the mechanical engineering sector," he said.

"Moreover, the planned merger of the steel businesses of Tata Group and ThyssenKrupp has taken Indo-German cooperation to a whole new level," he added.

According to Murali Nair of Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany should put more focus on government incentives in innovation, such as tax relief for depreciation, in order to encourage long-term commitment of foreign investors.

Besides, 90 per cent of surveyed Indian CEOs were of the opinion that Britain's exit from the European Union will increase the attractiveness of Germany as an investment location and will help increase the volume and diversity of Indian investments in the country.
Israeli police on Sunday questioned David Bitan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close ally and chairman of the coalition, on suspicion of bribery and money laundering.

Bitan was questioned by officers with the police's Lahav 433 unit on suspicion that he promoted interests of a senior member of a criminal organisation in return for debt relief, Xinhua news agency reported.

At the time of the alleged offences, Bitan was a politician in the municipality of Rishon LeZion, Israel's fourth-largest city to the south of Tel Aviv.

In relation to the same affair, the police also arrested 17 other senior officials with the Rishon LeZion Municipality, including the mayor.

The moves came as Bitan is pushing forward a new legislation in the parliament, known as the "recommendation bill," to end the police's rights of recommending to the General Attorney's office whether to press charges against a suspect upon concluding their investigation.

The bill also threatens to punish anyone who would leak information from the investigation with imprisonment.

The bill is widely seen in Israel as aimed at helping Netanyahu, who is a suspect in two criminal corruption investigations, as well as other senior politicians who are under corruption investigations.

On Saturday night, tens of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv, urging the parliament to reject what they called the "corruption bill."

They also urged Netanyahu to resign amidst the corruption investigations of the Prime Minister and a growing number of his close allies.

The "recommendation bill" is scheduled to be brought up for the parliament's approval on Monday, but a lawmaker with the ruling Likud party said on Sunday the vote was postponed without a new date being set.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three days after a minor girl was allegedly sexually abused inside a south Kolkata school by two physical training (PT) teachers, parents and guardians of students on Sunday held a sit-in protest demanding their children's security and arrest of the school's principal.

The agitating parents first blocked the road near the school premises in south Kolkata's Ranikuthi and then marched to Tollygunj where they held the sit in. The protesters were joined by several parents of students from other prominent schools in the city.

The four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two PT teachers inside a washroom in in the high-profile GD Birla Centre For Education on Thursday. Both the accused have already been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sent to two days of police custody till Monday.

On Sunday afternoon, the father of the victim lodged a police complaint against the school's principal, claiming that she tried to cover up the issue and indirectly supported the crime.

"We have lodged a police complaint against the principal. This is not the first time that such an incident has taken place in her school, it has happened before as well. In spite of knowing the incident, the principal initially did not take any steps against the criminals," said the lawyer appointed by the victim's family.

"The principal should be arrested because she supported the crime instead of reporting it to police. She tried to cover up the issue. So she has a part in the crime," she added.

Amid demands from the guardians to remove all the male teachers and teaching staff from school, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said it is better not to have male teachers in girls' schools.

"Be it any school, I feel it is better not to have male teachers in girl's school. There are many school buses for girls which do not have any female attendants. This should not happen," he said.

The agitating parents carried banners and placards condemning the assault on the minor girl. They created a massive road graffiti of a child student asking for her security, as a symbolic protest to the incident of sexual assault.

"The schools would have to ensure their children's security and make sure no such untoward incident takes place in the future," one of the parents demanded.

They also warned that the school would not be allowed to operate till the principal resigned, taking responsibility for the incident.

Police appealed to the agitators to remove the blockade and suggested they hold a meeting with the school's management committee to resolve the disputes.

"We have proposed to the guardians and the representatives of the students' forum to sit in a meeting with the management and other stakeholders and place their demands there. That would help resolve the disputes," said Rupesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata police's south suburban division.

Meanwhile the school issued a notice saying the junior as well as the senior sections will remain closed from Monday. The notice also said the school has removed the two arrested physical training teachers from duty.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Extraction of material resources - biomass, fossil fuels and non-metallic minerals - globally could reach 88.6 billion tonnes this year, or three times that used in 1970, the International Resource Panel said on Sunday. Its report also contained an interesting case study of New Delhi's pollution mitigation strategies.

Since material resource use is likely to then more than double by 2050 on current trends, the global economy must embrace resource efficiency to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the report said.

With 19 million premature deaths estimated each year due to environmental and infrastructure-related risk factors linked to natural resource use, the report suggests that better and more efficient extraction and use of natural resources could be one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to reduce environmental impacts, including pollution.

Assessing Global Resource Use was released at the Science-Policy-Business Forum, a preliminary event to the UN Environment Assembly, which runs from December 4-6 at UN Environment headquarters here.

The assembly unites over 2,000 heads of state, ministers, business leaders, UN officials and civil society representatives to tackle the global menace of pollution.

The International Resource Panel is a group of eminent scientists specialising in resource management issues established by UN Environment in 2007.

It was asked by the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly to make available information on the state, trends and outlook of sustainable consumption and production.

The case study on the Indian capital demonstrates how a bundle of strategies that take a systems approach can deliver basic services to about seven million additional people while consuming less than five per cent of the total amount of cement and electricity used in the city today.

Such strategies would also avoid over 22 per cent of greenhouse gas and air pollution (PM2.5) emissions and prevent more than 2,500 premature deaths from dirty cooking fuel use alone.

Based on data from over 600 Chinese cities, the special feature demonstrates how circular economy policies combined with urban planning that promotes the exchange of materials and energy across different industry and infrastructure sectors could contribute an additional 15 to 36 per cent towards national greenhouse gas mitigation.

"The amount of natural resources used is closely linked to the amount of final waste and emissions generated through their use," International Resource Panel co-chairs Janez Potocnik and Izabella Teixeira said in a joint statement.

"Effective pollution control must also look to minimize raw material use, thereby decreasing final waste and emissions."

Everyone on earth is affected by pollution, according to the Executive Director's report titled "Towards a Pollution-Free Planet", which the UN Environment Assembly is using as the basis for laying out new action areas.

Over a dozen resolutions are on the table at the assembly, including new approaches to tackle air pollution, which is the single biggest environmental killer, claiming 6.5 million lives each year.

The report focuses on material resources. Subsequent reports, including one slated for 2019, will assess the footprints of all natural resources like materials, land, water and greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the report, growing material use is driven by expanding populations, consumption trends in mainly developed economies and the transformation of developing economies.

Demand for resources has shifted from renewable to non-renewable resources, reflecting the global trend away from traditional towards modern technologies, and from agriculture-based economies to urban and industrial economies.

It says this creates new waste flows - thereby increasing emissions and pollution. For example, data show that the steep increases in demand for ores, like iron, have contributed to sharp rises in greenhouse gas emissions, acidification, aquatic eco-toxicity and emissions of smog-forming substances.

Efficiency in the way resources are extracted and manufactured by industry, used and re-used by people, and recycled and disposed of by all are essential for a sustainable and pollution free planet, the report adds.

(Vishal Gulati is in Nairobi at the invitation of United Nations Environment to cover its third annual session. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Palestinian national unity government on Sunday urged the governments of Arab and Islamic countries to end "incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque" by Jewish settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.

Government Spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said in a statement that the settlers stepped atop the Dome of the Rock inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, under the protection of the Israeli police and military forces, describing it as "insistence by the Israeli government to desecrate holy sites and attacking the most sacred site for Arabs and Muslims in occupied Arab Jerusalem city, violating all norms, international laws, human principles and ethics," Xinhua news agency reported.

Al-Mahmoud held the Israeli government responsible for "all crimes committed by settler gangs towards Al-Aqsa Mosque," and warned of possible consequences resulting from "those escalating aggressive steps," that could possibly lead to "triggering a horrific religion conflict".

Al-Aqsa Mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. For Muslims, it is considered the third holiest site, and it is located in a spacious compound besides the golden Dome of the Rock, together known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary, inside the Old City of Jerusalem that was referred to by Unesco as an Islamic site.

Al-Haram Al-Sharif has been administered by the Jordanian Islamic Waqf Ministry since 1948, but after Israel took over, it was obliged to respect the status quo and not make any changes to the status, laws and institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.

Palestinians repeatedly warned against Israeli government attempts to break this status quo agreement with Jordan and impose changes to the holy site.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, to be the capital of their future state, while Israel refuses to divide the city and wants "Greater Jerusalem" as its capital.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
White House National Security Adviser (NSA) H.R. McMaster has said that North Korea represents "the greatest immediate threat to the US" and that the potential for war with Pyongyang was increasing every day, the media reported.

"I think it's increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem," McMaster told an audience on Saturday at the Reagan National Defence Forum in Simi Valley, California when asked if North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on November 28 had increased the chance of war.

President Donald Trump remains committed to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, McMaster said, adding that there were non-military ways to deal with the issue, such as calling on China to impose greater economic sanctions against Pyongyang, reports CNN.

McMaster noted that Beijing's "tremendous coercive economic power" over North Korea.

"There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he's (Kim Jong-un) getting closer and closer, and there's not much time left," McMaster said.

With every missile launch or nuclear test, Kim has improved his country's capabilities, McMaster said.

"We're asking China not to do us or anybody else a favour... We're asking China to act in China's interest, as they should, and we believe increasingly that it's in China's urgent interest to do more."

China should take unilateral action to cut off North Korean oil imports, CNN quoted McMaster as saying.

He said that both he and Trump felt that a 100 per cent oil embargo would "be appropriate at this point".

But the NSA said Kim was extremely unlikely to change his behaviour "without some significant new actions in the form of much more severe sanctions" and "complete enforcement of the sanctions that are in place".

On military options, McMaster acknowledged that given North Korea's fielding of conventional artillery and rockets aimed at Seoul, South Korea, "there's no military course of action that comes without risk".

But he said that Pyongyang's actions had made America's alliances with Japan and South Korea "stronger than ever".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday paid floral tribute to Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his 133rd birth anniversary, a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.

"The President, family members of Rajendra Prasad as well as officers and staff of the President's secretariat, paid floral tributes before a portrait of Rajendra Prasad in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan," it said.

Born in Bihar on December 3, 1884, Rajendra Prasad participated in the freedom struggle and after Independence, served as President of the Constituent Assembly. He was elected President in 1952 and served till 1962.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
About 5,000 protesters gathered on Saturday in front of the Utah State Capitol against a plan proposed by the federal government to shrink two national monuments in the state.

It was reported that the plan would be announced by US President Donald Trump when he visits Utah next Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rally was organised by Utah Dine Bikeyah, a non-profit and grassroots Native American organization working to protect and preserve cultural uses of public lands by tribes in southern Utah.

These tribes are collaboratively managing Bears Ears National Monument in the state, the first truly Native American national monument, so that they have showed their strong opposition against the plan to reduce the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

The two monuments were designated by former presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively.

Documents obtained by The Washington Post suggested that Bears Ears would be reduced by 85 per cent, from 1.35 million acres (5,463 square kilometres) to 201,397 acres (815 square kilometres), while Grand Staircase-Escalante was to be halved from nearly 1.9 million acres (7,689 square kilometres) to 997,490 acres (4,037 square kilometres).

Trump is scheduled to visit Utah on Monday and deliver a speech at the Capitol, local media predicted that he would officially announce the decision to shrink size of the two monuments.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior official of the the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday called for supporting the "national uprising" in Yemen against the Houthi rebels.

Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, tweeted that the uprising against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels "needs support" in order "to protect the Arabian Peninsula from Iran", Xinhua news agency reported.

In two tweets posted on his twitter account, Gargash said whatever the outcome of the "blessed uprising" in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, it shows the Houthi control is temporary.

The senior diplomat, who has with 587,000 followers on the microblogging platform, also said that the situation in Sanaa remained "vague".

He was referring to the recent clashes between the Houthi rebels and the supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who used to be allies in fighting a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia to support the internationally-recognised government led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi since March 2015.

Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels on Sunday said they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards the Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE.

"The missile hit the target accurately in Abu Dhabi," Xinhua news agency quoted a statement carried by Saba news that cited a Houthi military official as saying.

This is the third long-range ballistic missile attack on neighbouring Gulf states in a month.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday called for a change in mindset towards differently abled persons and ensuring a life of dignity for them.

He was speaking after launching the Deen Dayal Divyangjan Sahajya Achoni to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Sarusajai Stadium here.

"Divyangjans don't want sympathy, they want empathy. They want themselves to be viewed as part of society and family and not as burden. It is our bounden and sacred duty to provide them a respectable life. There is a need for a change in mindset among public representatives as well as the people towards the differently abled," he said.

He said mere legislation will not guarantee an equal and dignified life to the differently abled, adding that 2.21 per cent of India's population was physically challenged.

The scheme will cover around 4.5 lakh divyangjans in the state, for which Rs 250 crore has been allocated in the state budget. In the first phase, one lakh identified beneficiaries will receive financial assistance.

The Vice President presented cheques for Rs 5,000 each to seven differently abled Odisha residents as one-time assistance for medical treatment.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels on Sunday said they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

"The missile hit the target accurately in Abu Dhabi," Xinhua news agency quoted a statement carried by Saba news.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The woman who had hurled bangles at Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modis cavalcade will fight in the upcoming elections in Gujarat from the Vadodara City seat with bangles as her symbol. While she was said to be eyeing a ticket from the Congress, Chandrika Solanki will contest as an independent candidate and will fight Bharatiya Janata Party sitting MLA Manisha Vakil and Congress Anil Parmar. As president of the womens wing of the Contract and Fixed Salary Struggles Committee, Solanki had led a state-wide agitation demanding equal pay and equal rights for health workers or the Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) workers of Gujarat and had thrown bangles at the PMs cavalcade during a road show in October. Interestingly, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had met Solanki and other Asha workers at Dharampur during his south Gujarat tour in November.
The language skills of those who draft FIRs in West Bengal became a source of amusement in the Supreme Court with a judge wondering whether that was the way English grammar was taught in schools in the state. P S Patwalia, the counsel for Gorkha leader Bimal Gurung, who is on the run, told the court that the 300-odd cases against his client and his followers filed by the Bengal government were identical and had similar grammatical errors. When Justice A K Sikri, who headed the bench, asked if the FIRs were in English, Patwalia replied in the affirmative. To that Justice Sikri said: Perhaps that is the way English grammar is taught in the schools of Bengal."
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Week 13 tilt at the Buffalo Bills.

Flowers, who suffered an injury to his ribs in the win over Miami a week ago, had played in 30 consecutive games dating back to the beginning of the 2016 season.

He is the team's best pass-rusher, leading the way with six sacks.

Flowers had two sacks and a forced fumble against the Dolphins.

Without Flowers, rookie defensive end Deatrich Wise and recent acquisition Eric Lee will be called on to provide a rush from the edge on Sunday.

The team could also be without linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who has taken on pass-rushing duties in the wake of Dont'a Hightower's season-ending injury. Van Noy is questionable with a calf injury.

Two others listed as questionable, offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle and cornerback Eric Rowe, made the trip to Buffalo.

Like Flowers, linebacker Trevor Reilly (concussion) was downgraded to out.

Four of the team's seven inactives have already been declared: Flowers, Reilly, wide receiver Chris Hogan, and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon.
Corruption is a cancer to which no society is immune. It raised the death toll of Irans recent earthquake, owing to substandard housing construction 10 years ago. It has afflicted the United States Navy, which is now investigating more than 60 admirals and hundreds more officers for fraud and bribery. It has brought down countless governments, from Brazilian President Dilma Rousseffs administration last year to Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalist government of the Republic of China.
A day before Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to file his nomination papers for election to the post of Congress president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the opposition party for the absence of internal democracy.

Defending his governments ambitious bullet train project, Modi said it would bring investment and employment to the region. Those opposing the bullet train project should travel by bullock carts. We wont mind, he said, addressing a public rally in Bharuch.

At another public meeting, in Surendranagar, the PM said the Congress internal election was rigged. He also accused the Congress of having a history of stoking caste and religious conflicts, dividing communities, disrupting peace and unity, and making Hindus and Muslims fight each other. The Congress makes brother fight brother... You keep fighting each other, getting killed, and the Congress polishes off the cream, he said.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala reacted to the allegations by reminding the PM how a long list of his and BJP chief Amit Shahs victims of internal democracy, like LK Advani, Haren Pandya, and Sanjay Joshi, have been compulsorily lost in the pages of history.

With his party workers trying to shape a narrative on the ground of how a Congress rule in the state would result in a return of poor law and order and conflict that would hit trade and business, Modi said the Congress rule was marred by chaos.

ALSO READ: Gujarat Assembly elections 2017: BJP faces challenge in rural belt

Later in the evening, Modi addressed a rally in Rajkot. On Saturday, the Congress party had alleged that BJP workers beat up Congress candidate Indranil Rajgurus brother. The Congress said the police beat up Rajguru, party candidate against Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, and other leaders when they protested in front of Rupanis residence. Gujarat, do not let this scare you, Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Sunday, with a photograph showing torn clothes of party Lok Sabha member Rajeev Satav.

He said Rupani had resorted to violence since he was scared of losing his seat.

ALSO READ: Why the Gujarat election is crucial for both BJP and Congress

In Rajkot, in a reference to Rahul Gandhis criticism that the BJP government in Gujarat had given away acres of land to the Tata group for its Nano project, Modi said some people needed to visit a psychiatrist to be making such allegations. For the first time, Modi also sought to counter some of the criticism by Rahul Gandhi, particularly on Gujarat governments poor record in education and health sectors.

The polling for the first phase of the assembly elections is on Saturday, when 89 of the 182 seats are slated to vote. The PM is scheduled to address four public meetings on Monday. In Bharuch, the PM reached out to the Muslims of Bharuch and Kutch, saying the two districts were the fastest-growing districts in the state.

ALSO READ: Gujarat Assembly elections 2017: BJP's Muslim outreach worries Congress

Without naming Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Modi claimed successive Congress governments ignored the region even when a key adviser to a top Congress leader was a Member of Parliament from Bharuch. The Congress disputed the PMs claim, pointing to several development schemes the UPA government at the Centre had implemented in Bharuch, including it being one of the first five districts covered under the re-launched rural electrification programme in 2005.

In his Surendranagar speech, the PM lauded senior Congress leader of Maharashtra Shehzad Poonawalla for showing courage to challenge the Congress vice-president, but said the election was rigged and those who claimed to carry the flag of tolerance wanted to muzzle his voice and remove him from partys social media groups.

ALSO READ: Gujarat Assembly elections: Torn between change and continuity

Surjewala said the PMs love for Shehzad, Shah-zada and Shaurya was widely known, but the country wanted to know when he would reply to questions raised by senior BJP leaders Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha.

The day was also marked by a well-attended roadshow and meetings addressed by Patidar leader Hardik Patel. The Patidar leader has appealed to the people of the state to defeat the BJP.

In the evening, the PM inaugurated Shree Jogi Swami Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad.
Eleven people have been detained in China for allegedly setting a building ablaze in the port city of Tianjin which killed 10 people.

A pre-dawn fire on Friday tore through an apartment in a high-rise building in which five people were also injured and an area of about 300 sq metres was damaged.

The incident took place due to the construction team's misconduct of emptying the fire water tank without any permit, official media reported.

The incident had prompted the local government to order a city-wide safety inspection, while traffic controls in the area were lifted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The first phase of the on the Gulf of Oman was inaugurated today by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening a new strategic route connecting Iran, India and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan, and reflecting growing convergence of interests among the three countries.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast is easily accessible from India's western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment and is located at distance of around 80 kms from Chabahar.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration ceremony of the Phase 1 of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar which was also attended by ambassadors and senior officials of the region.

An India-Iran-Afghanistan ministerial-level trilateral meeting on Chabahar also took place today on the sidelines of the event where the three countries resolved to work towards integrated development of connectivity infrastructure including ports, road and rail networks to open up greater opportunities for regional market access and integration of their economies.

The is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi.

"The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.

India has been closely working with Afghanistan and Iran to create alternative, reliable access routes for trade.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in Phase-I with capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

The MEA, in a statement, said Radhakrishnan also represented India in the second India-Iran-Afghanistan ministerial-level trilateral meeting on Chabahar port in Chabahar today. Iran was represented by its Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi and Afghanistan by its Trade and Commerce Minister Humayoon Rasaw.

In the meeting, the three countries assessed the progress in the development of the port and reiterated their commitment to complete and operationalise it at the earliest, which they felt would provide alternative access to landlocked Afghanistan to regional and global markets.

A joint statement issued after the meeting said the ministers also deliberated on trilateral pact relating to the mega connectivity project and expressed satisfaction on the completion of the ratification procedures by Afghanistan and India. They welcomed the steps taken by Iran to complete the ratification process.

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi- modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

"The ministers discussed the next steps for full implementation of the agreement and moving towards its operationalisation. Towards this endeavour, it was decided to finalise protocols related to transport and transit, ports, customs procedures and consular affairs. It was also decided to convene an expert-level meeting of senior officials of the three countries at the earliest," the joint statement said.

Reiterating the importance of Chabahar as a hub for regional economic connectivity and their commitment to work towards this objective, the ministers also commended the joint efforts of the three countries in the recent successful transit of wheat from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar.

"The ministers agreed that an integrated development of connectivity infrastructure including ports, road and rail networks would open up greater opportunities for regional market access and contribute towards the economic integration and benefit of the three countries and the region," the statement said.

The ministers also agreed to organise a connectivity event involving all stakeholders at Chabahar at the earliest so as to increase awareness about the new opportunities offered by Chabahar Port.

The MEA said the meeting also commended the transit of first tranche of 1,10,000 tonnes of wheat from India to Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port.

It said Radhakrishnan expressed his positive appreciation to the Iranian side on the recent steps taken towards ratification by the Majlis of Iran on the Trilateral Transit and Trade Agreement signed in May 2016 between India, Iran and Afghanistan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Rouhani noted that transit is the best communication tool for nations, adding "the routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," according to his office.

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Over a month ago, India had sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new transit route.
A total of 357 fishermen, including 71 from Tamil Nadu, stranded in sea due to Cyclone Ockhi, were rescued, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.

A photograph on her official Twitter handle showed her inside a helicopter reviewing the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari.

"An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi: 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today," she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

In a tweet, she said the Navy rescued 121 fishermen from Kerala and Air Force rescued 15.

While the coast guard saved 71 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 114 from Kerala, merchant vessels and trawlers saved 36 off the coast of Kerala and Lakshwadeep islands.

On her arrival in the worst-hit Kanyakumari district by helicopter from Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala, Sitharaman held discussions with deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, ministers and officials.

"#CycloneOckhi - Smt @nsitharaman reaches Kanyakumari. Along with Hon.Dy CM @OfficeOfOPS, senior ministers, officers of Navy, coastguard and district officials, Smt @nsitharaman reviews the current situation," she tweeted.

Sitharaman was received by senior officials and others including Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan.

A picture on her Twitter handle showed her holding discussions with Panneerselvam, ministers and officials.

She is slated to visit areas including Nagercoil, Neerodi and Susheendram besides holding discussions with local fishing folk, a defence public relations officer said.

Posting a fact-sheet, Sitharaman said since November 30, the Coast Guard (CG) deployed two ships, an equal number of fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter for search and rescue of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

Similarly, the Coast Guard deployed seven ships in Kerala and one in Lakshadweep islands.

The Navy deployed six ships, two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters in Kerala while the Air Force deployed one aircraft and two helicopters for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

On December 2, the Coast Guard deployed one each ship and fixed wing aircraft in Tamil Nadu and eight ships and two fixed wing aircraft (FWA which also took care of Lakshadweep Islands) besides one helicopter for Kerala.

Yesterday, the Navy deployed eight ships, two FWA and four helicopters for Kerala, besides two ships and two FWA for Lakshadweep islands for search and rescue operations.

The Airforce deployed two helicopters for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Coimbatore that work to rescue fishermen was on in full swing with the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard deploying aircraft and ships.

"Amma's (late Jayalalithaa) government will rescue all the stranded fishermen," he said.

Power connection will be fully restored in a day or two in cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district, the chief minister said.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is reviewing the situation in Kanyakumari today, he said, adding, ministers for revenue, electricity and fisheries were camping in the district to monitor relief work, he added.

In Kanyakumari, Panneerselvam reviewed the situation with officials and inspected several areas that were badly hit by the cyclone.

Earlier, Panneerselvam told reporters that appropriate relief would be given to the affected people.

Yesterday, in a tweet, Sitharaman said, "#CycloneOckhi - As of this morning, a total of 89 boats comprising 1,154 fishermen from several states mainly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu have taken shelter in various ports of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa & Lakshwadeep."



She had also said, "Factsheet on #CycloneOchki wrt Tamil Nadu-Claim of thousand fishermen stranded is false. #Correctfigures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good soon @nsitharaman (sic)."



Meanwhile, relatives of some fishermen who were reportedly stranded in the sea, staged protests in Kanyakumari district seeking steps to rescue them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today ordered his backers to reword a contentious piece of legislation that could potentially stifle a police investigation against him, in what appeared to be an attempt to defuse rising public anger against the long-ruling Israeli leader.

The so-called "recommendations bill" would end the police's current practice of recommending to prosecutors whether to indict suspects upon completing their investigations.

It also aims to stem leaks from the investigations themselves, stating that no police recommendations be made public and penalising those found leaking to the media.

The bill has been pushed by Netanyahu's staunchest allies in the Likud Party, whipping up criticism that the beleaguered prime minister himself was seeking to pass legislation that would in essence change the current rules for police investigations and protect him from embarrassing revelations they may have discovered.

"Unfortunately, the debate over the recommendations bill has turned into a political weapon against an elected government," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook.

He said he asked a lawmaker behind the bill to ensure that it "be worded in a way that it won't apply to the investigation taking place into my affairs."



Last night, tens of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets of Tel Aviv for an anti-corruption rally calling on Netanyahu to resign. It was one of the largest demonstrations yet against Netanyahu's lengthy rule.

Organisers hope the grassroots movement picks up steam and becomes a regular Saturday night ritual that eventually forces Netanyahu from power.

"I think the time has come to change the government. The government is corrupt. We're sick of the corrupt," said protester Avi Elmozlinu.

Earlier today, Israeli police questioned a close Netanyahu ally seen as the driving force behind the bill on separate corruption charges.

Coalition whip David Bitan was grilled in relation to accusations that he promoted the interests of criminals in return for debt relief while he was a municipal politician years ago.

The bill's future remains unclear. Netanyahu's Likud party was set to bring the bill for a parliamentary vote tomorrow, but appeared to be lacking support and working to delay the vote.

Their hope was to move the bill forward quickly so that it would also apply to investigations currently taking place regarding Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has been questioned in two cases and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Police have already grilled him six times regarding gifts he received from Hollywood and business figures, and in another probe about secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro- Netanyahu daily. One of his closest former aides has become a state's witness against him.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and calls the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Another investigation has engulfed his close associates and dominated in Israel. The probe relates to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu's personal attorney, who is also his cousin, represented the German firm involved and is suspected of trading his influence over the prime minister in return for a hefty cut of the deal.

A former Cabinet minister and top former navy and security officials have been questioned by police. Netanyahu has yet to be named a suspect in that probe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Director General of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan today reviewed the operational preparedness of the force and also the prevailing security situation in Nagaland.

Lt Gen Chauhan visited the office of Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) and reviewed the operational preparedness of the force including its deployment in the state, AR sources said.

He stressed on the need for synergy of effort at all levels and commended all Officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans for their untiring efforts towards ensuring peace and tranquillity in Nagaland.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of indulging in violence against its candidates in Gujarat and urged the Election Commission to initiate action.

The party alleged that its candidate against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, Rajkot East nominee Mitul Donga and its MP Rajeet Satav, were arrested and abused by the Rajkot police.

"Our leaders Indranil Rajyaguru, Mitul Donga and MP Rajeev Satav, who are fighting the 'Shah-kaal' of fear and corruption in Gujarat, were attacked by the Gujarat Police on Sunday," Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

    '-'         ,    MP         



                     #__ #DaroMat  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017

"Violence is a result of fear. Rupani ji fears losing the election and he is taking the support of lathis (batons). But Gujarat is not frightened," he said.



Gandhi also re-tweeted a video posted from the twitter handle of the Mumani-wing of Congress wherein police officials are seen clashing with a bunch of people.

This kind of behavior has never been seen in Indian election process, CM Rupani is afraid of losing the elections, so has acted like this. #_ pic.twitter.com/K5O5xhuFaQ  MumbaiCongress (@INCMumbai) December 3, 2017

Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev alleged that Rupani was "bewildered" as he was "losing" and was thus indulging in violence against the Congress leaders.

She said she has already heard the chief minister's audio claiming that the BJP "is in a bad shape".

Dev said last night when Rajyaguru was campaigning, some goons of the BJP attacked him. Instead of arresting the goons, the police arrested our candidate.

"We will file a complaint on behalf of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress. The manner in which our leaders were abused, this is the Gujarat model," Dev told reporters here.

"We demand action from the Election Commission against BJP's candidate and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as also against the DGP and IG of Rajkot," she said.

Dev also said, "We urge the people of Gujarat to end BJP's 'goondagardi' (hooliganism) as this is the only occasion to do so and we hope that they will come out and vote them out of power."

The Congress spokesperson claimed that Rupani "will lose" from Rajkot West constituency and so will the deputy chief minister.

"While implementing the Gujarat model, the local police also arrested Rajeev Satav, an MP, who had gone there to enquire about the Congress candidate," she alleged.

"Rupani is unable to answer the questions raised to him and is misusing the police. The people of Gujarat will answer through the ballot as you are using the police lathi and bullet," Dev said.

The Mahila Congress chief asked whether a sitting MLA and MP is arrested, did the Rajkot police inform the speaker in the state Assembly or Lok Sabha.

"It is surprising that a sitting MLA has been arrested," she said.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala, said, "People of Gujarat and Rajkot will teach a befitting lesson for such brutalities through the power of ballot."

"A frustrated BJP facing defeat in CM Rupani's constituency arrested INC candidate Indraneel Rajyaguru, MP and AICC Secretary Rajiv Satav and assaulted them," Surjewala alleged.

Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki wrote on Twitter, "I condemn the attack on Dinyanil Rajyaguru brother of Indranil Rajyaguru, Congress candidate against CM Rupani. Fearing defeat of CM, police has also arrested Indranil Rajyaguru and Rajeev Satav late night, without giving any reason.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today claimed that a "BJP wave" was sweeping across the country and the party will win the forthcoming assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh with "thumping majority".

He was speaking on the sidelines of 'Pravasi Haryana Sammelan' organised here by his government for people who have origins in the northern state but have settled down in Bihar.

"The country-wide BJP wave is there for all to see. The party's stunning performance in the local body elections in Uttar Pradesh is the latest example. A thumping majority in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh is a foregone conclusion," Khattar told reporters here.

The chief minister also ridiculed Uttar Pradesh leaders Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for crying foul over their defeat in the recently held civic polls and demanding the return of ballot papers.

"Haryana and Bihar share an old relationship and I want both the states to prosper. Faridabad has a large population of Biharis and the Chhath Puja was recently celebrated there with great fervour," he said.

Khattar also claimed that Haryana was among the fastest growing states in the country with a per capita income higher than the national average.

Referring to his three-year-old rule, Khattar said, "In terms of ease of doing business we have moved from the 14th to the sixth position. We have also worked on the social front and the sex ratio in the state has risen from 840 to 937."



Khattar said his government was criticized by political parties when it laid down minimum educational qualifications as an eligibility criterion for panchayat polls but the Supreme Court later lauded the decision.

"Our decision to introduce education qualification was hailed by the Supreme Court. Now we have suggested the Centre to introduce similar criteria for MLAs and MPs," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The body of a 17-year-old girl was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her house in Tigri village with the family alleging that she was killed, police said today.

The girl, a class 12 student, was alone in her house at the time of the incident yesterday, they said.

The police said that prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide.

The girl's family, however, alleged that she was killed, the police said.

The family claimed that three days ago a man had allegedly threatened to kill the girl if she did not marry him, the police said.

They held a protest at the Bisrakh police station today and claimed that the man allegedly killed her and hanged her body on the ceiling fan, they said.

"Allegations of her parents are being investigated. The accused has been detained for questioning. Further investigations will be as per the evidence found during investigation and post mortem report," Bisrakh police station incharge Ajay Sharma said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The advent of militancy in Kashmir, its impact on people and the belongingness amid unrest are some of the aspects that a new book deals with.

"The Tree with a Thousand Apples" by Sanchit Gupta traces the lives of three childhood friends, who grow up in an atmosphere of peace and amity in Srinagar until the night of January 20, 1990, when things change for the worse.

Set in Kashmir from 1990 to 2013, the book goes on to narrate the choices destiny forces Safeena Malik, Deewan Bhat and Bilal Ahanagar to make.

The novel, published by Niyogi Books, also highlights different points of view - Kashmiri Pandits exiled from their homes, young directionless militants, duty-bound Army officers and innocent civilians, who become collateral damage.

Deewan is forced to flee from his home, Safeena's mother becomes 'collateral damage' and Bilal has to embrace a wretched life of poverty and fear.

The place they called paradise becomes a battleground and their friendship struggles when fate forces them to choose sides against their will.

Twenty years later, destiny brings them at a crossroads again, when they no longer know what is right and what is wrong.

Nothing is right in their lives. Safeena's brother Tariq was shot dead by the Army in Machil. Her father was killed by a militant. Bilal was living in penury. Deewan had to flee and live in Mumbai. He lost an arm too.

"When I visited Kashmir in 2009, I saw a 12-year-old Kashmiri Muslim boy sipping cups of kahwa with a 20-year-old Army soldier. I saw love when there is hatred around," says Gupta about how the idea of the book struck him.

He says he wanted to tell the stories of the people he met, tales he heard from them, adding that the book is a universal story of cultures, belongingness, revenge and atonement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
YSR Congress Party MP P V Midhun Reddy today accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of "buying" the party's MLAs.

He said Naidu, the head of the Telugu Desam Party, had earlier accused the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) of buying his MLAs in Telangana, but he was now "emulating" it by buying YSRCP MLAs in Andhra Pradesh.

"Except for one, all TDP MLAs in Telangana defected to the TRS. The same thing is happening in Andhra Pradesh. Our MLAs are being bought by the TDP," Reddy told PTI.

The TDP had 14 MLAs in Telangana.

Naidu criticised the TRS for "buying his MLAs like cattle in the market, but he and his party is doing the same thing in Andhra Pradesh", the YSR Congress Party MP said, adding that anti-defection law was not implemented effectively in the state.

"Though a law is in place to keep a check on such MLAs, what is happening is biased implementation, despite our repeated complaints," he said.

Twenty-four YSRCP MLAs have so far joined the TDP.

The latest entrant, Paderu MLA Giddi Eswari, said that she joined the Naidu-led party for its development agenda.

She said, "The YSRCP ignored her loyalty to the party and hard work. I joined the TDP to work under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu, who is taking the state in the path of development."



Many of the legislators, who switched to the ruling party, were also given place in the state cabinet.

However, Reddy said the ruling party was indulging in such tactics to demoralise YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy.

"We are strong among the people, and the TDP is doing this to demoralise Jagan whose popularity among the masses was visible during the Praja Sankalpa Yatra which he began in November," he said.

A YSRCP Lok Sabha MP from Kurnool, Butta Renuka, who is still with the party, said every person has individual reason for taking their decisions.

"I have not changed the party, but just supporting the government. My interest and the party's decision did not match for the upcoming elections. My requirement is that I want to contest in parliamentary poll from the same constituency...Whichever party suits me I will join that. So I am doing my work on the ground as of now," Renuka told PTI.

Araku MP Kothapalli Geetha, who severed ties with the YSRCP, alleged that legislators "are being bought like vegetables in the market by the TDP".

"To make development in your constituency, why do you have to join a party. Everybody is joining other parties just for personal gains. What contributions are these MLAs making after defecting," Geetha told, citing harassment by the YSRCP as a reason for her exit.

"I did not associate with anyone yet and am continuing my work now," she added.

However, Midhun Reddy said these people's representatives were maintaining neutrality in the Assembly and Parliament just to circumvent anti-defection laws.

"No one is neutral. They are playing this game to evade the risk of coming under the scrutiny of anti-defection law," Reddy said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and the narcotics department have arrested two alleged drug peddlers and seized charas worth over Rs 1 crore from Fatehganj area in Bareilly, police said today.

The police arrested the two men from Lucknow-Delhi highway near Fatehganj Paschimi toll plaza yesterday and seized 75kg charas worth more than Rs 1 crore from them, they said.

The team was questioning the two men.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China has showcased its J-11B jet fighters in the disputed South China Sea islands as Beijing seeks to consolidate its hold over the region.

Footage aired by state-run China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday for the first time confirmed deployment of the fighter aircraft in a hangar on Yongxing island, a Chinese name for Woody Island, which is part of the Paracel islands - also claimed by Vietnam.

China calls the Paracels as the Xisha islands.

The presence of the bombers showcases China's improving air and sea control in the South China Sea, state-run Global Times quoted a Chinese military expert as saying.

The footage was broadcast in a CCTV report on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's drills to improve its nautical combat capability.

Yongxing island is the largest of the Xisha islands in the South China Sea which is also the seat of the Sansha city government established by China's Hainan province.

With a three-kilometer runway, the airport in Yongxing island is an important dual-use airport in the South China Sea region, the CCTV report said.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea but Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the waterway.

The US is periodically deploying its naval ships and fighter planes to assert freedom of navigation.

Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets were reported to have intercepted a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea in May.

The thermostabilized hangar boosts the jet fighters' durability and resistance to the island's humidity and high temperatures.

More importantly, the special hangar helps to realize regular deployment of fighter jets in the Xisha Islands, TV commentator Song Zhongping told the daily.

"Other islands in China could also use such aircraft hangars and China's overall control of air and sea in the South China Sea would be greatly improved as well," Song said.

China will enhance its capability to safeguard its legal rights in the South China Sea through military and legal enforcement channels, he said.

"Legal enforcement channel" means Chinese fighters intercepting foreign aircraft flying over the South China Sea, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress today hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mocking its presidential election and, raising the issue of "internal democracy" in the BJP, asked him when he would answer questions posed by the leaders of his own party.

Congress communications incharge Randeep Surjewala raked up the names of former BJP top guns such as L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Joshi, Keshubhai Patel and Anandiben Patel, alleging they were "victims" of Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah's "internal democracy".

"Dear PM, your love for 'Shahzad', 'Shah-Zada' and 'Shaurya' is now well known, but 'Nation wants to know' when will you reply to the questions raised by senior BJP leaders, 'Shourie' (Arun), Sinha (Yashwant) and Sinha (Shatrughan)," he posted on Twitter.

Surjewala further tweeted, "Blinded by rage and enmity, what unimaginable depths would you fall to?"



He also referred to senior BJP leaders such as Advani and Joshi in another tweet.

"Modiji, do tell Gujarat and country about the victims of yours and Amit Shahs 'internal democracy' in BJP, namely- Lal Krishna Advani, Keshubhai Patel, Hiren Pandya, Kanshiram Rana, Anandiben Patel, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Joshi, who were compulsorily lost in pages of history," he said.

Earlier, while addressing a poll rally in Gujarat, Modi had mocked the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, alleging the party had a history of rigging organisational polls.

The charge was raised after a Congress leader from Maharashtra, Shehzad Poonawala, alleged that the Congress organisational polls were "rigged" and state party delegates were not elected.

Modi said at the rally the outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion.

"If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country," Modi asked.

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Two conservationists here have taken up a novel initiative of hosting foreigners interested in studying snakes in the forest areas of Papum Pare district, and educating local tribals on the need to conserve reptiles and amphibians.

Ahmedabad-based herpetologist Soham Mukherjee and ecologist Mahesh Manghore recently hosted a group of 16 students from Belgium for 10 days at a homestay camp at Sango village in the district.

"The students do their field work during their stay here. The communities get economic benefits and learn how valuable their natural resources are. We are trying to establish a relationship with the tribals to spread awareness," Mukherjee said.

During a camp, Mukherjee usually moves around in the non-protected forest areas to collect reptiles, while Manghore does most of the interactions with the students and local people.

The expert duo collect fees from the visitors and contribute funds from their own resources.

The young herpetologist, who is also the director of an animal rehabilitation centre in Ahmedabad, hopes that some reptiles found in the area may well belong to new species.

"We discovered what could be a subspecies of the banded trinket snake (Oreocryptophis porphyraceous) during the 10-day camp," said Mukherjee.

The Belgian group has spotted some 15 species of snake during their stay at Sango. The group identified the meadow pit viper, brown spotted pit viper and the green rat snake, he said.

"The students were lucky to spot unique species of amphibians and even a gorgeous tarantula spider. Many reptiles could not be identified as there were no taxonomists. We also located five genera of frogs but could not ascertain the species," the herpetologist said.

He feels that hunting in the area is no longer required for sustenance and people do it for fun.

"Earlier, hunting was for sustenance, now it is a sport. When foreign visitors come to study snakes, the tribal people here realise the importance of preserving wildlife."



Mukherjee feels that the initiative could be carried forward to other parts of the North East if the state governments were willing.

Appreciating the efforts of Mukherjee and Manghore, Chief Wildlife Warden R Kemp said the department has always encouraged awareness campaigns for preserving the state's rich wildlife species.

"In order to determine whether a reptile species is new, certain official formalities have to be taken care of. We are not aware of any new discovery as the conservationists never approached the department," he added.

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: A Hyderabad court allowed two animal rescue organisation to transport to Rajasthan 56 camels that were rescued by police last month.

These camels were part of a total of 97 camels rescued by police on November 9 from a duo who had brought them from Rajasthan for the purpose of slaughtering, Balapur police station Sub-Inspector S Vishnuvardhan Reddy said.

The camels, found in a cramped space in a local premises with their legs tied, were handed over by the police to the civic authorities and two animal rescue organisations.

Forty-one camels from the lot of 97 died due to, among other reasons, the harsh conditions in which they were brought in by the arrested accused, he said.

The order to shift the animals back to Rajasthan came on a petition filed by the two animal rescue organisations, police said.

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Egyptian military prosecutors ordered a colonel be detained for 15 days after he announced plans to run in the country's 2018 presidential election, his lawyer said today.

Colonel Ahmed Konsowa was detained yesterday on suspicion of "behaviour that harms the requirements of the military" because he "published a video and stated political views," said the lawyer, Asaad Heikal.

The 42-year-old colonel was detained for 15 days in preventive custody as the prosecution investigates the case, Heikal told AFP.

Konsowa announced his plans to stand in the election in video messages and a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

"I proudly declare that I have decided to unlock the current political deadlock by running" in the election, Konsowa said in the statement.

Without mentioning Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- Sisi's name, Konsowa criticised in the videos the country's policies in education, health, and the economy.

Egypt "cannot wait anymore to join the developed world and to abide by human rights standards and global values of citizenship and transparency, as well as the rule of law," he said in the statement.

Konsowa's lawyer said the colonel was "still in the armed forces and he affirms that he values his service and he is not a rebel."



The colonel "announced his candidacy in the example of President Sisi, who declared his candidacy wearing his uniform and then resigned" as defence minister, said Heikal.

Konsowa, he added, had in fact declared his intent to run for office following the example of Sisi: himself a former army chief.

Sisi was elected president in 2014, a year after leading the military ouster of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, amid mass protests against his one-year rule.

Sisi is certain to run in next year's election, although he has yet to formally announced his candidacy.

Konsowa said he had been trying to resign from the military in lawsuits for more than three years, submitting his first resignation in March 2014.

Since then, he said, he had been "struggling in a very disappointing legal battle to get my political-participation constitutional right to run for various elections."



"Consequently this time I have decided to put the whole thing in front of the people through this simple announcement," he said.

Former premier and military general Ahmed Shafiq was reportedly deported from the United Arab Emirates to Egypt, also yesterday, after announcing he would run in the election.

Shafiq's lawyer and a relative said his whereabouts have not been known since he reportedly landed back in Cairo yesterday.

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Former Meghalaya minister and two time MLA from the Phulbari constituency, Manirul Islam Sarkar died today after a heart attack in Guwhati, family sources said.

The 53-year-old Sarkar is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.

"He was taking rest in Meghalaya House in Guwahati when he had a heart attack this afternoon. He was rushed to Hospital where they pronounced him dead," said Sarkar's younger brother, Rahibul Islam Sarkar.

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A 'Good Samaritan' policy was launched today by the administration in Odisha's Kendrapara district under which Rs 2,000 would be given to any person extending immediate help in shifting a road accident victim to the hospital.

This scheme is intended to encourage people shift road accident victims immediately to hospital. It will go a long way in saving precious human lives lost due to delayed hospitalisation. Litigation and police questioning often deterred the people to come to the aid of the distressed accident victims, said a senior official.

The people who will shift victims to hospitals will be given cash incentive Rs 2,000. Besides, the administration will issue an appreciation certificate to recognise the noble work done by them. The acts of shifting will also them legal protection. And police will be bereft of its legal right to summon or question them in connection with the accident, said Kendrapara District Collector, Reghu G.

The administration is implementing Good Samaritan policy abiding by the apex court order. The Supreme Court had earlier asked government to ensure that common people are not harassed by police while shifting accident victims to hospitals. The state transport department had also issued guidelines requesting the administration for the launch of "good Samaritan" scheme with monetary rewards.

At least 400 people perish in highway accidents every year in Kendrapara. More than 50 per cent cases are found to have met their end due to delayed hospital shifting. Timely medical attention could have saved 200 people who died due to road accidents in Kendrapara, said road safety campaigner, Manoj Kumar Satapathy.

The scheme will help in reducing the time for an accident victim to reach a hospital. People are hesitant to help, mainly because they are scared of police investigation that follows road accidents. Now many will come forward to don the mantle of Good Samaritan, he said.

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Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan today termed the Gujarat model as "Modi model", which he said supports "crony capitalism".

He also alleged that Gujarat has been "lagging behind" on Human Development Index (HDI) and on social development parameters.

"The 'Gujarat Model' is actually the 'Modi model,' which (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji is trying to replicate (elsewhere) in the country with only one person running the government, taking decisions single-handedly whether it pertains to the economy or foreign policy," Chavan told reporters at a press conference here.

The former Maharashtra chief minister alleged the "Modi model" was actually helping big industries to grow.

"Modi model means crony capitalism which is facilitating the growth of big industry, giving them big projects, purchasing their materials at higher prices, taking them abroad and helping them collaborate in foreign countries," the former Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

Chavan said though big industry is needed but it should not be at the cost of the poor farmers.

"We need big industry but it should not be at the cost of snatching land from poor farmers and giving easy loans to corporates," the Congress leader said.

Chavan said the BJP believed in the "trickle down approach" wherein the poor will get some benefits after the rich became richer contrary to the Congress' approach of a "direct attack" on poverty.

"Our (erstwhile) government at the Centre had introduced many policies like Food Security Act to ensure that the poor get the benefits," he said.

Chavan said Gujarat was "lagging far behind" other states on the social development parameters due to its "flawed model".

"Isn't it true that Gujarat is lagging behind on social development parameters? Even when compared to Maharashtra, it (Gujarat) is a laggard," Chavan claimed citing Human Development Index (HDI) reports which had said that Gujarat slipped from the sixth position to 11th rank after 2002.

"As per 2008 and 2015 HDI reports, Gujarat slid to the 11th position from the sixth rank. The state is ranked 19th in the (availability of) household TV, internet connection, mobile network. It ranks 18th in (terms of) literacy, 22th in primary school enrollment, 23rd in infant mortality rate and 11th in maternal mortality rate," he added.

Attacking the prime minister, Chavan said Modi and his friends are "running away" from discussing the issue of development and are instead talking about temples, an apparent reference to the BJP leadership's criticism of Rahul Gandhi over his visits to temples in the poll-bound state.

"They are lying about our former prime ministers. It doesn't suit a prime minister to talk about our former prime ministers in such a tone," he said.

During his campaign tour, Modi had criticised former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi--both from the Congress--on various issues.

Chavan also slammed the BJP for "maintaining silence" on the questions raised by the Congress vice-president pertaining to the socio-economic development.

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The Himachal Pradesh High Court observed that there was merit in allegations of a youth from Haryana that he was falsely implicated in a case by two police officials and a drug peddler, and directed the CBI to register a regular case against them.

The CBI had registered a Preliminary Enquiry in October after a complaint was lodged by the victim, Ravi Kumar, and his father.

The PE concluded that the victim was called to Mandi in Himachal Pradesh where he was allegedly detained for 2-3 days by ASI Ram Lal and Constable Pradeep Kumar and implicated in a case under the NDPSAct.

He had alleged that there was a nexus between the police officials and drug smuggler Manjeet, who had called him to the state.

The policemen allegedly kept him under illegal confinement in hotels, a gurdwara and other places for 2-3 days. Later, Manjeet blackmailed the victim's father to pay Rs 20 lakh but when herefused, Ravi Kumar was booked under the NDPS Act, it alleged.

Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhanobserved that though earlier inquiries had given a clean chit to police officials, hefound it difficult to accept these reports on face value.

He said the reports appeared to be based on conjectures and were perfunctory, without any real attempt to find the truth into the allegations levelled by the father and the son.

Chauhan posted the matter for hearing on December 7.

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Flower delivery service network Interflora India is eyeing Rs 200 crore turnover by fiscal 2021 as it plans to expand its presence in top 15 cities across the country.

Interflora, which launched operation in India in October this year through a licence agreement with gifting firm IGP, plans to open 100 stores across top 10 cities by the end of 2018.

"We are targeting to delivering revenue of Rs 200 crore by year 2020-21. Over the next 12 months, we would capture market in top 10 cities, which accounts for 80 per cent of flower deliveries," Interflora India President and CEO Tarun Joshi told PTI.

"Over the next three years, we will have presence in top 15 cities in India and we will focus on them to drive sales," he added.

The company is looking at operations in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune in the next 12 months.

Joshi said he is also in talks with investors to raise USD 10 million by end of this fiscal.

"We are looking at investing about USD 10 million in the 12 months period to expand our operations. This investment will go in setting up offline stores, flower factories and cold chain network to maintain quality promised by Interflora," he added.

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Religious leaders who appeal to their followers to vote for a political party or individual should be punished with a jail term of up to seven years, a private member's bill by INLD MP Dushyant Chautala has proposed.

The MP from Sirsa in Haryana has recommended an amendment to the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, restraining religious institutions from acting at the behest of political parties.

No religious institution or manager or spiritual leader thereof shall issue any direction or appeal to any person or group of persons to vote or refrain from voting in any election in favour of any political party or any individual," the Indian National Lok Dal leader proposed in the bill.

If any spiritual leader did so, he or she would be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, Chautala proposed in the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Bill, 2015.

The bill includes a provision for a fine of not less than Rs 1 lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh.

The objective of the bill is to check the politicisation of religion, religious institutions and spiritual leaders, he said. It also seeks to prevent the criminalisation of such institutions, Chautala added.

Just as politicians should not enter into religious activities, religious leaders should not dabble in politics, he said.

A private member's bill is legislation any MP can propose in his or her personal capacity. On most occasions, these bills are not enacted as they are not taken up by the government.

The bill is likely to be taken up for consideration in the winter session of Parliament, he said.

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BJP in Kerala accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government on Sunday of failure to protect the lives of people from cyclone 'Ockhi', which battered the southern coastal areas of the state despite timely alert.

"There was a criminal negligence on the part of the state government in dealing with the crisis," he told reporters in Kochi.

He alleged that the state government failed to act promptly even after getting cyclone alert from the Indian Centre for Ocean Information Services on November 28.

"The state government did not take it seriously. This gross negligence from the Kerala government authorities paved way for one of the biggest tragedies in the state," Rajendran alleged.

He said cases should be registered against those responsible for the negligence.

Nine people died in rain-related incidents in the state due to the impact of Ochki, which brought heavy rains accompanied by strong wind besides leaving hundreds of fishermen stranded in sea.

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BJP in Kerala today accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government of failure to protect the lives of people from cyclone 'Ockhi' which battered the southern coastal areas of the state despite timely alert.

"There was a criminal negligence on the part of the state government in dealing with the crisis," party state President Kummanam Rajasekheran told reporters here.

He alleged that the state government failed to act promptly even after getting cyclone alert from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services on November 28.

"The state government did not take it seriously. This gross negligence from the Kerala government authorities paved way for one of the biggest tragedies in the state," Rajendran alleged.

He said cases should be registered against those responsible for the negligence.

Nine persons died in rain-related incidents in the state due to the impact of Ochki, which brought heavy rains accompanied by strong wind besides leaving hundreds of fishermen stranded in sea.

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Relatives of Kashmiri prisoners who were allegedly beaten up in New Delhi's Tihar Jail protested here today, seeking Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti'sintervention to immediately shift those inmates to the prisons in the state.

The protest was held at the Press Enclave here.

Family members of the Tihar inmates, who hail from the Valley, claimed they were assaulted by personnel of the Tamil Nadu special force on November 21 in the prison.

The protesters said their jailed kin should have access to the rights detailed in the jail manuals till they are shifted to the state.

They appealed to the chief minister to visit the jail and ensure the safety and welfare of their kin.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who joined the protesters, appealed to international human rights bodies to intervene.

The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the director general of the Tihar jail in the wake of reports that a scuffle involving Kashmiri prisoners took place in the prison, leading to injuries.

Mufti had on November 28 spoken to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and asked him to intervene in the matter.

The Union home secretary had assured the chief minister of a thorough probe into the incident and punishing the culprits for having violated the jail manual.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Walter Mzembi has urged former Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and his ex-Local Government, Public Works and National Housing counterpart, Mr Saviour Kasukuwere, to return to Zimbabwe.The two former ministers allegedly skipped the country after the military intervened to pacify a potentially volatile social, economic and political situation.Their whereabouts remain shrouded in secrecy.Former Vice-President Mr Phelekezela Mphoko returned to Zimbabwe last Friday after spending weeks in Japan and Botswana.Dr Mzembi told The Sunday Mail yesterday that while he could not delve deeper into Prof Moyo's and Mr Kasukuwere's issues, he wished the former ministers could come back home."I can't comment much on their case because our experiences were not similar. It's just that the new administration allows its children to come back home," said Dr Mzembi.The former minister said if there were any criminal allegations, his former colleagues in Government should face justice in terms of the country's laws which also protect the rights of citizens."It's counter-productive to have some of our former ministers outside our borders. It will be good to have them back. We will have to then wait and see until they are proven guilty by the courts."Dr Mzembi said he felt safe and secure as he was conducting his personal business freely.He said, "I feel safe under an umbrella of the new President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) because he took an oath to protect rights of citizens. So, there is no need for me to worry about my security. I am free man, I drive myself around, as I have always done."The military chase after those who pose a security threat; Mzembi doesn't constitute such a threat. I may have been an ideological irritant but certainly not a security threat."Dr Mzembi also said he never left the country for South Africa or sought refuge at the Cuban embassy in Harare after the military intervention on November 15, 2017.Prior to the operation, he said, he had travelled to Zambia on November 12, 2017, where he met President Edgar Lungu to deliver a special message from the then President, Robert Mugabe.On November 13, 2017, Dr Mzembi returned to Zimbabwe and attended a Cabinet meeting the following day.He was due to travel to South Africa on November 15, 2017 to meet Sadc Chair President Jacob Zuma in Capetown but could not do so as "his security aides told him that it could be difficult to access the airport".Dr Mzembi then left his house together with his family to allow the situation "to normalise following the military intervention".The former minister said the army never looked for him at his home and was shocked to read rumours that he had fled the country. "I am not bitter at all. I am happy that I had laid down a foreign affairs vision which I believe will be useful. My last act as a Minister (of Foreign Affairs) was at 4pm on November 17, 2017 when I had a closed-door prayer meeting with my secretaries, drivers, aides."I even prayed for my successor, though I did not know who it was at that time. I will miss working and serving the country, but I have no hard feelings at all for all the 10 years I served as minister."
Skipper Virat Kohli's magnificent 243 was overshadowed by a mask-wearing protesting Sri Lankan team which forced India to declare their first innings at 536 for seven on a pollution-hit day two of the third Test, here.

Unprecedented scenes were witnessed in the post-lunch session with the visiting players halting proceedings thrice for about 26 minutes, complaining of poor air quality.

Eventually the match began when an animated Kohli declared the innings but there was no end to Sri Lanka's woes as they were tottering at 14 for two at tea with Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma getting one wicket apiece.

Before the unfolding of the drama, it was a walk in the park for Kohli, who scored his sixth double hundred and became the first captain to score six Test double tons, eclipsing West Indies legend Brian Lara, who had five as a captain.

It was also Kohli's individual highest score, surpassing the previous best of 235 against England last year in Mumbai.

He also equalled Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag for maximum number of double hundreds. He played 287 balls and hit 25 boundaries before losing concentration due to constant stoppages as chinaman Lakshan Sandakan trapped him.

The post-lunch session was dramatic as the Lankan players came wearing anti-pollution masks. In the 123rd over, their fast bowler Lahiru Gamage suddenly stopped in his bowling stride before the fourth delivery.

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal was seen discussing animatedly with the on-field umpires as play was halted for 17 minutes. It certainly disturbed Ravichandran Ashwins concentration as he was immediately dismissed by Gamage, who also left the field in the 125th over without completing the proceedings.

Suranga Lakmal completed his over but within a few minutes also left complaining uneasiness. The constant breaks in play affected Kohlis concentration and was trapped.

While Kohli wanted play to continue, Sri Lanka manager Asanka Gurusinha informed the umpires that his fielders did not want to continue, prompting the home skipper to declare.

The Lankans who didn't want to field however came out to bat and Dimuth Karunaratne edged the very first delivery off Mohammed Shami to Wriddhiman Saha.

Dhananjaya de Silva was then trapped by Ishant to make it 14 for 2 before umpires called for tea.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma (65) and Kohli added 135 runs for the fifth wicket in the first session as Sri Lanka never looked like getting any wickets before Sandakan induced a bottom edge off Rohit at the stroke of lunch.

Rohit, who made a comeback to playing in a Test match in Nagpur, now has five consecutive scores of over 50 plus in his last five matches in the longest format.

He had three successive half tons against New Zealand last year before being injured. He made a comeback with a hundred and looked good for another one before being dismissed by Sandakan.

The Indians did not take any risks yet scored 129 runs in the session as Sri Lankan pacers either bowled half-volleys on off-stump or drifted on the pads. They wasted the new ball as both Kohli and Rohit dispatched the loose balls with consummate ease.

The two spinners mostly bowled short with Dilruwan Perera unable to find his length. His spin bowling partner Sandakan used more googlies but it was Rohit, who attacked more than Kohli.

He lofted Sandakan over long-off for a six and got to his half-century with another down the ground six off Perera. It was not before Kohli had pulled Lahiru Gamage towards deep mid-wicket for two runs to complete another double century in 238 balls.

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US President Donald Trump is close to a decision on whether to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his son-in-law and Middle East peace envoy Jared Kushner said today.

Palestinian leaders are lobbying desperately against such a move, fearing it could provoke such fury in the Arab world it could sink peace hopes for a generation.

But Kushner, the 36-year-old head of a small and tight- knit White House negotiating team, made a rare public appearance to put an optimistic face on his efforts.

"The president's going to make his decision," Kushner told the Saban Forum, choosing not to deny reports Trump will declare Jerusalem Israel's capital on Wednesday.

"He's still looking at a lot of different facts and when he makes his decision he'll be the one who wants to tell you. So he'll make sure he does that at the right time."



Tomorrow, Trump must decide whether to sign a legal waiver that would delay plans to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for another six months.

Every US president has done this since 1995, judging the time not ripe for such a move, and Trump is expected to begrudgingly do so for a second time this week.

But, according to diplomats and observers, he is also now expected to announce in a speech on Wednesday that he supports Israel's claim on Jerusalem as its capital.

This will likely provoke fury among Palestinians and the wider Arab world, and may hamper Kushner's long-shot effort to revamp the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Palestinians have been lobbying regional leaders to oppose the decision and the armed Islamist movement Hamas has threatened to launch a new "intifada".

But Kushner, addressing a sympathetic audience at an annual meeting of Israeli and US policy-makers hosted by businessman Haim Saban, sees grounds for optimism.

The real estate developer turned presidential adviser is working closely with Israeli officials and has developed ties with the young Saudi and Emirati monarchs.

He sees an opportunity for peace if the Sunni Arab countries of the region align themselves with Israel in opposition to the threat of Iran.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shares this hope, although he dares hope an accommodation with Arab countries could precede any Palestinian deal.

Kushner, in common with US official thinking under previous administrations, sees a Israeli-Palestinian settlement as coming before any great re-alignment.

"You've got to focus on solving the big issue," he told a friendly but frankly skeptical Saban, and an audience of dignitaries and policy experts.

"The regional dynamic plays a big role in what we think the opportunities are because ... a lot of these countries look and say they all want the same thing.

"And they look at the regional threats and I think that they see Israel, who is traditionally their foe, is a much more natural ally to them than it was 20 years ago."



"You've a lot of people who want to put this together, but you have to overcome this issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order for that to happen," he said.

Earlier, Netanyahu also addressed the forum by video link from Israel, and also spoke of the opportunity for reconciliation in the region.

But his focus was firmly on the threat of Iran, which he again compared to Nazi Germany in its alleged determination to "murder Jews."



His address barely touched on the Palestinian issue, but did speak of regional peace, under a longer timeframe than the one Kushner has in mind.

"And that's just one reason why I'm so hopeful about the future. Today Israel is more welcomed by the nations of the world than ever before," Netanyahu said.

"When I look forward 50 and 100 years I believe Israel will be embraced openly by its Arab neighbors rather than in secret in the way it's done today."



Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, was less optimistic, warning a change in the US stance on Jerusalem would spell disaster.

In a statement, he warned the United States would "be disqualifying itself to play any role in any initiative towards achieving a just and lasting peace.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan today said he was "lobbying" with the British government to change its stringent visa norms, which he termed as a "big mistake".

Khan arrived in the country's commercial capital as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities, others being Delhi and Amritsar, to strengthen the UK capital's trade ties.

"I am a big critic of the British government over the change in the Visa policy. I think they have made a big mistake, as on one hand the British government is asking Indian businesses to trade there and on the other hand they have made it more hard (to enter the country)," Khan said during his interaction with reporters.

Recently, the Theresa May government changed its visa policy for non-EU (European Union) nationals to curb its soaring immigration figures. The policy which came into effect in November will affect a large number of Indians, especially IT professionals.

"I want to assure you that I am lobbying with my government to change its immigration stance, because I want talented Indians to come to London and not go to Canada, Australia or the US. London is open to people, talent and partnership," the London Mayor said.

India last month flagged its serious concerns to Britain over its stringent visa norms and hike in threshold limit of annual pay of working professionals to get the travel documents.

Khan said the change in UK's current position on immigration is needed in the interest of the UK capital.

"One of the reasons why London is the greatest city in the world is its ability to catch talent. (A total of) 40 per cent of Londoners are from outside the UK. IT's in the interest of London to change its stance on immigration and I'm optimistic that it will change in near future," he said.

The visiting Mayor also underlined the need to forge strong cultural ties with India, particularly with Mumbai.

"I believe that culture is the DNA of any city. I'm meeting (Maharashtra) Chief Minister tomorrow and hoping to announce a lot of things in relation to culture as well as a joint venture on issues like ecology and climate change," he said.

Hailing Bollywood, Khan said they wanted to learn how the industry can churn out so many movies in a year.

"One thing that we are doing in Mumbai is learning how you mange to make so many films in Bollywood..what is that you are doing? Indian films' post-production work is excellent. Hollywood filmmakers come here to do their post production work. So, one of the announcements we are making tomorrow will be of the UK and India making films together, which will be a good example," he said.

Khan said students will benefit a lot as professionals after they get education in the top universities in London.

"There are more international students in London than any other city in the world. Four of the world's top 30 universities are in London. Due to the change in the visa policy, some Indian students chose to go to Canada or Australia.

"However, I want to tell Indian students that our universities are brilliant. When you come to London, apart from fantastic quality of education you get, you also get the experience and the contacts you make...This will stand you in good head when you return to (your) country as executive, investor, teacher or entrepreneur," he said.
Two persons were today killed and 12 others injured after a state-run bus rammed into a stationary tipper in Mouda tehsil in Nagpur district of Maharashtra, police said.

The mishap occurred at around 12 PM when the bus of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation was heading to Katangi from Nagpur, said Assistant Sub-Inspector of Nagpur Police's Rural Control Room Ashok Shirbate.

The bus rammed into the tipper. The bus driver Hemant Kapse (30), a resident of Gondia and a passenger Indusan Thackrey (63) were killed in the mishap, he said, adding the injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

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Labelling the whole drama surrounding "Padmavati" as "nonsense", veteran actor Manoj Kumar says both the makers and the protesters are at fault.

The actor blamed the two parties for mishandling the situation.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" has been mired in controversy after several Rajput groups alleged that history has been "distorted" in the movie. Chief ministers of BJP- ruled states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat have called for a ban on the period drama.

Bhansali has claimed there is no "distortion" of history in the entire film.

Both, Bhansali and leading lady Deepika Padukone have received death threats for being associated with the film.

In an interview with PTI, Kumar says, "I will blame both the sides. This is nonsense. If the Rajputs feel something is wrong, they should have written to the makers that before releasing the film, kindly show it to us.

"The producers should have written to them after their objection, that come and see the film and finish the matter in one hour. This is washing dirty linen in public. To some extent even the media is also to be blamed."



Various Rajput groups have accused Bhansali of filming a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini (Deepika) and Sultan Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh), a claim repeatedly denied by the filmmaker.

Historians are divided on whether Padmavati actually existed.

Kumar, who wrote and starred in historical-period drama, "Shaheed", on the life of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, believes one can take liberty while making a film based on history only when it does not tamper with the facts.

"When I started to make films, I started writing about Bhagat Singh in my earlier days. There were some incidents which I had to conceive within the framework. Every film made later on Bhagat Singh featured the scenes which I had conceived...

"You have to imagine some linking sequences within the framework (of the material). 'Padmavati' was made in Tamil also but nobody objected to it," he says.

The Deepika-Shahid Kapoor-Ranveer starrer was earlier scheduled to release on December 1. The makers deferred the release till they receive a certificate from the CBFC.

The 80-year-old actor says he too has been a "victim" of the censor board with his 1987 "Kalyug Aur Ramayan".

Kumar starred and wrote the film which got embroiled in a controversy.

"There was a song in the film 'Kalyug Ki Sita Milne Judge Ko Chali/Sau Chuhe Khake Billi Haj Ko Chali...' I was not talking about Ram-Sita here. It was a novel subject to me but there was a huge uproar by some groups back then and they created ruckus at the censor board."



Kumar says to avoid the censor troubles, guidelines of who is going to censor films and whether they understand the "language of cinema and the background" needs to be very clear.

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US Defence Secretary James Mattis will arrive in Pakistan tomorrow to hold talks with the civilian and military leadership on bilateral and regional issues, officials here said today.

Mattis, ahead of his first visit to Pakistan as America's Defence Secretary, yesterday said that the US wants Pakistan to act in "its best interest" and take action against terror safe havens.

Relations between the US and Pakistan plummeted after President Donald Trump announced his new south Asia policy in August and directly blamed Islamabad for supporting the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan.

Officials here said today that Mattis is visiting Pakistan in a bid to rebuild the frayed ties and seek cooperation against the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Signs of recovery have been witnessed in US-Pakistan ties after the successful raid by Pakistani security forces to release a kidnapped Canadian man and his American wife.

Trump and top US officials praised the effort and hoped for more cooperation.

Mattis will meet the civilian and military leaders and discuss various bilateral and regional issues, said diplomatic sources privy to the developments.

According to sources, "All issues of bilateral and regional interests would be discussed in the meetings".

Local media reports, however, suggest that Mattis faces a difficult task as Pakistan is not happy over the repeated US allegations about safe havens for the Taliban.

The Express Tribune reported that the civilian-military leadership will adopt a "clear cut decisive" stance during the visit of Mattis that "only cooperation will get cooperation".

Quoting sources, it reported that if the US adopts parity, Pakistan will also cooperate in a balanced way, but if it continues its policy of demanding to "do-more", then Islamabad will reply "no-do-more and no cooperation".

The report further said that no pressure and demand to do more without any proof or information will be accepted.

Pakistan will clarify that there are no militant safe havens or terrorist network on its soil as security institutions have purged the land of terrorists, it said.

Pakistan will not conduct any joint operation with any other country on its soil but will take action against militants including the Haqqanis on the basis of intelligence- based information, it said.

Pakistan will also respond positively to any US requests for cooperation to establish peace in Afghanistan but would stress for reconciliation in the trouble-torn country, the report said.

It would also demand that the US and Afghan governments expedite actions against terror groups that are hatching conspiracies using Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan, it said.

Authorities will inform Mattis about its reservations over the pro-India policy of the Trump administration and any demand in support of India will be rejected, the report added.

Mattis embarked on a four-nation tour on Friday which will take him to Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and Kuwait.

During the tour, he will re-affirm the US' enduring commitment to partnerships in the Middle East, West Africa and South Asia.

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In the wake of a premature baby being wrongly declared dead by a city-based private hospital, police have sent a notice to the hospital authorities, asking them to join the probe.

Doctors at the Max Hospital had declared the baby dead but he was found to be alive later.

Police have already registered a case of attempt to commit culpable homicide against two doctors.

Investigators have sent a notice to the hospital to join the probe and share documents pertaining to the case.

The boy was one of the prematurely born twins (boy and girl) on the morning of November 30 to Varsha at the hospital. The other baby was stillborn. The mother was brought to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar, police had said.

The hospital had earlier told the parents that both the babies were stillborn. They were handed to them in a polythene bag, but just before their last rites, the family found that the boy was alive, police said.

The baby is undergoing treatment at a nursing home in Pitampura and doctors said he had a 40 per cent chance of survival, they added.

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A minibus smuggling people from Syria into Turkey hit a truck on the Turkish side of the border today, killing 10 people on board and severely injuring seven others, according to the Dogan agency.

The head-on collision happened in Hatay province in the afternoon after a team of Turkish police tried to stop the minibus from evading a checkpoint, not far from the Syrian frontier.

The driver of the minibus is among the injured, according to Dogan, which did not specify the nationality of any of the victims.

Photographs published by local media showed rescue teams around the crushed remains of the minibus, which had been sealed off by white tape on the edge of a country road.

Turkey hosts more than 3 million refugees, mostly from Syria.

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Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Veerappa Moily today claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed on the foreign diplomacy front though he had been touring countries frequently.

Addressing reporters here, he said Modi "is only busy with frequent foreign tours. He cannot stop cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. China is exporting its goods to India, but they do not import from India," he charged.

Besides, the visa issue with the United states could not be resolved yet.

"Despite all these, Modi is projecting himself as a troubleshooter of issues on the foreign front," he said.

He charged the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues with merely delivering promises and not taking any concrete step to implement their words.

Moily, a former union minister, also claimed BJP-led governments in different states were lagging behind on the development front.

He commended the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka for "implementing development programmes".

Moily, who is the chairman of the Congress manifesto committee for the coming assembly elections, said he would meet party leaders, workers, stakeholders and representatives of various organisations before finalising a report on the contents of the manifesto.

The report would be submitted to Siddaramaiah by the end of January next, he said.

Assembly elections are to be held in early 2018 in the state.

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Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today called for an inclusive society with no discrimination against differently abled people.

People should treat the differently abled with empathy and not sympathy, Naidu said at the launch of the Deen Dayal Divyangajan Sahajya Scheme here on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Under the scheme every differently abled person in the state would be entitled to a one-time grant of Rs 5,000 for their treatment.

"It is necessary that there is a change in the thought process as just making laws will not help in improving the situation for the differently abled," he said.

The Vice President also lauded the Assam government for introducing the Pranam Act that entails all government employees to make contributions from their salaries for the elderly and differently abled family members.

He asked the authorities to make public places accessible to them so that they are not deprived of any opportunities.

"Accessibility should be made mandatory and the entire society should encourage and help them in all possible manners. The state government should ensure that all beneficiaries get their dues under the various schemes introduced for them," he said.

He also called upon banks and financial institutions to provide loans to them in an easy and simplified process.

"Post demonetisation, banks have a lot of money. The government has also introduced schemes for the differently abled people. It should be ensured that the beneficiaries get to avail of both to lead a life of dignity", Naidu added.

According to 2011 census, India is home to 2.21 per cent of the total 15 per cent of differently abled population across the globe, he pointed out.

Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Social Welfare Minister Naba Kumar Doley were also present there on this occasion.

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News / National

by Staf reporter

The ongoing trial of former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo on corruption and fraud charges is likely to open a can of worms as it continues to suck in more and more people every week.Chombo was arrested recently following the seizure of government by the army, which claimed to be targeting criminal elements surrounding former president Robert Mugabe under a programme code-named Operation Restore Legacy.With Mugabe's successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, targeting corrupt individuals and issuing a three-month moratorium to those who externalised money and bought assets in foreign lands to return the loot - the country's prisons could soon be filled by ex-top government officials and businessmen, who have been involved in shady deals.So far at least two more people linked to the Chombo case have been hauled before the courts, with high chances that more will appear.Besides being a former Finance minister, Chombo has previously held other portfolios, which include being the Home Affairs and Local Government minister.It is not so much of Chombo's alleged errors of omission or commission that is at stake here.A number of crimes were swept under the carpet during Mugabe's era and these are likely to be resurrected.Zimbabwe is ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world and this is partly because the corruption dragnet in Zimbabwe operates like a spider web which catches only small insects.According to the 2015 Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International, the country was ranked 150 out of 168 States.The corruption watchdog said Zimbabwe was failing to deal with corruption, which has infiltrated several public and private institutions.Following the arrest of Chombo, several citizens went on social media saying more individuals might finally have their day in court if Mnangagwa and his administration are serious about fighting the scourge."This is just (an) example. There are reports and reports done by Harare councillors on how he bought land for a songThe arrest of Chombo will implicate so many people, that's why I think he will walk," a Twitter user by the name Asante Sana, said.Another user by the name Muzukuru WaTangwena said: "Most Zanu-PFs used their positions in government as a way for personal gain and political mileage, with complete impunity. The Judiciary should never sleep until they're all behind bars. Partial justice is a form of injustice. It wasn't Chipanga& Chombo only #Mnangagwa #Zimbabwe .""He (Chombo) should have his day in court. All criminals, across the political divide, should have their day in court," MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said on Twitter.Norton Constituency member of Parliament Temba Mliswa said; "The prosecution of Chombo is a good start for the President - impartial courts and non-selective application of the law. No big name is too big for the Constitution."With the Chombo saga raging on, indications are that he was not the only one who was allegedly acting contrary to the law.At one point former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko facilitated the release of Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) boss, Moses Juma from a police station under unclear circumstances.Mphoko reportedly went personally to Avondale Police Station to facilitate the release of Juma and another Zinara official, Davison Norupiri.The actions of those in power rendered even statutory bodies such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) useless, as its efforts to deal with corruption were often frustrated through executive power or otherwise.Criminal cases before the courts were dealt with at Zanu-PF rallies.Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo, who was seen as one of the kingpins of the Generation 40 faction in Zanu-PF, which enjoyed the support of former First Lady Grace Mugabe, was exonerated at a rally despite the court process still ongoing.This came after investigations carried out by Zacc linked Moyo to allegations of siphoning over $450 000 from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef).Corruption in Zimbabwe has become endemic and despite public outcry, no minister was ever arrested, as the police only targeted the "small fish".The failure by government to take stern measures against its corrupt elements started breeding corruption within other government circles that would later spread to private institutions. The corruption scourge was no longer confined to the ruling party, as even Parliamentarians joined in, lining their pockets with funds meant to benefit the general public.Government has over the years been providing $50 000 funds to MPs under a programme called Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which was to cater for developmental projects in various communities in the country.In 2012, government identified 20 extreme cases where MPs abused CDF money.About four legislators were arrested on allegations of abusing the fund, but their prosecution was stopped after the then Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana, raised concern that there was no proper legal framework to successfully prosecute them.These lootings have echoes of a similar State-backed scheme - the Farm Mechanisation programme, which was abused by bigwigs who ended up not paying a single cent for the equipment they received, forcing the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to recover the money through a controversial debt-assumption law.Zimbabwe's history is littered with a myriad of stories of looting from the State by Zanu-PF and senior government officials.Some of the scandals include the illegal resale of cars purchased under a government VIP scheme which became known as the Willowgate Scandal, after it was abused by ministers and the War Victims Compensation Fund in which money meant for freedom fighters was fraudulently siphoned through inflated claims by Cabinet ministers or senior officials.This alone shows that the arrest of Chombo is just a drop in the ocean of other bigger scandals that have been swept under the carpet during the Mugabe era.Some of the notable corruption cases since 1987 include the 2001 - Harare Airport Scandal, 1995 - GMB Grain Scandal, 1998 - Boka Banking Scandal and the 1999 - Noczim Scandal.
The Indian Navy will place three of its ships in the vicinity of Sagar island along with Coast Guard vessels to provide a security ring during the Gangasagar mela, a senior Navy official said.

Security will be beefed up in the area from the seaward side, said Commodore Suprobho K De, Naval Officer in-Command, Bengal area.

"We will bring in two to three of our ships from Visakhapatnam and post them in the Bay of Bengal in the vicinity of Sagar island during the mela," De said.

During 'Makar Sankranti' in January every year, lakhs of people from across India and Nepal congregate at the fair, to pay obeisance at Kapil Muni temple after taking a holy bath at the confluence of river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) also positions ships, dornier aircraft and hovercraft for providing a security net during the mela.

"In order to provide security to prevent any terrorist activity from the seaward side, we position ships in the Bay of Bengal, apart from regular sorties by dornier aircraft," ICG spokesman for North-East headquarter, Avinandan Mitra told PTI here.

"Hovercraft from our base at Haldia port and Fraserganj in Sunderbans will also regularly patrol the area as has been done over the last several years," he said.

Divers, too, are stationed by the the Navy and the Coast Guard for rescue and relief operations in case of any mishap during the fair.

The triangular Sagar island, situated around 130 km from Kolkata, is separated from the mainland by rivers Ganga and Muriganga on two sides and faces the sea on the third side.

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A 42-year-old villager was killed allegedly by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on the suspicion that he was a 'police informer', police said today.

The body of Bele Ram Dhruv was found this morning on the outskirts of his village Sarandi under Tadoki police station limits, a senior police official told PTI.

As per preliminary information, a group of ultras stormed inside the house of Dhruv, who was running a small cycle store along with grocery shop in the village, last night and took him along with them into a nearby forest.

They then strangled him to death and threw his body there, he said.

After getting information, a police team rushed to the spot and his body was brought for postmortem, he added.

"Dhruv's two brothers are posted as policemen in Kanker district," the official added.

The exact cause behind the murder was yet to be ascertained. However, some Maoist pamphlets recovered from the spot in which he was branded as a "police informer", he said.

A search operation was launched in the region to nab the assailants, he said.

In another incident, some Maoists pamphlets were recovered from a field in Barrebeda village in Antagarh region of Kanker in which ultras have given a call to observePeople's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA - military-wing of the Maoists)from December 2 to 8, the official said.

Security forces have intensified patrolling in the interior forest of Bastar division, comprises seven districts, in view ofthe Maoists weekduring which they step up their activities.

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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said there should be a legal framework to check "open loot" and "criminal negligence" by private hospitals, in the wake of a premature baby wrongly declared dead by a city-based private hospital.

He, however, added that the Delhi government valued the independence of private medical facilities and did not wish to interfere in their functioning.

"We value the independence of private hospitals and do not wish to interfere in their functioning, however, there ought to be a legal framework to check open loot and criminal negligence by a few black sheep," the AAP supremo said in a tweet.

On December 1, the city government had ordered an inquiry into alleged criminal negligence by Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, after it surfaced that its doctors had declared a baby dead who was found to be alive later.

Yesterday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said that if the hospital was found guilty of negligence, its licence could be cancelled.

The baby boy was one of the prematurely born twins (boy and girl) delivered on the morning of November 30 to Varsha at the Max Hospital. The other baby was stillborn. The mother was brought to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar, police said.

The hospital earlier informed the parents that both the children were stillborn, and handed over the babies to them in a polythene bag. Moments before the last rites of the children, the family found that the boy was alive, police had said.

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A joint team of the NIA and the Uttar Pradesh Police, carrying out searches in Ghaziabad today in connection with the killing of an RSS leader in Punjab, was fired upon and pelted with stones by a mob, leading to injury to a policeman, the agency said.

Giving details, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) spokesperson said that during the course of investigation into the killing of RSS leader Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana, investigators came across the names of certain suspected arm smugglers who had supplied firearms to the accused in Punjab.

An NIA team, with the assistance of the state police, conducted searches to apprehend the suspected arm suppliers in Meerut district during the intervening night of December 2 and 3, the spokesman said in a statement.

On getting more leads, further raids were conducted at the residence of suspect Malook at Nahali village in Ghaziabad this morning.

During the raid, a large crowd of men and women tried to obstruct the police and NIA team and some people opened fire on them, resulting in injury to Uttar Pradesh Police constable Tahjib Khan, besides damage to official vehicles, the spokesman said.

The firing was followed by stone pelting and the mob also staged multiple road blockades to obstruct the officials in discharge of their duties.

In self-defence, the UP Police and NIA personnel also fired in the air, the spokesman said, adding that two suspects are currently being questioned regarding their alleged involvement in the case.

Efforts are being made to locate Malook who is wanted in connection with the supply of arms and ammunition used in the killing in Punjab.

On November 30, the NIA registered the case to probe the killing of Gosain under various sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Gosain, the 'Mukhya Shikshak' of the Mohan shakha of the RSS, was shot dead outside his residence in Ludhiana's Gagandeep Colony in the morning of October 17 by two unidentified assailants riding a motorbike.

The Punjab Police, which was earlier probing the case, arrested two people -- Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh -- a few days after the incident.

"It has also come to light that a conspiracy to destabilise Punjab has been hatched by Sikh extremist elements and others located in various parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan," the NIA spokesman had said.

He added that investigation conducted so far has revealed channelling of funds from foreign countries for execution of these incidents.

The conspiracy also included an element of ideological brainwashing and incitement of the accused on religious grounds by their mentors settled abroad.

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Nine miscreants were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of four employees of Tripura Gramin Bank and Rs 38 lakh were recovered from them, police said today.

Additional superintendent of police (ASP), Gomati district, Nabadwip Jamatiya, said all nine were arrested last night from Krishnanagar area of the state capital and Mungiakami area of Khowai district.

"The miscreants had initially demanded a ransom of Rs 65 lakh but set all four of them free after receiving Rs 50 lakh. During last night's raid, Rs 38 lakh was recovered from them," Jamatiya said.

The four employees -- branch manager Tanmoy Bhattacharya (30), assistant manager Sujit Dey (28) and staffers Raktim Bhowmick (31) and Subrata Debbarma (32) -- were returning home after work when they were kidnapped at Taidu in Gomati district on November 25.

They were released near Manik Bazar in Teliamura sub- division of Khowai district around 7:00 am on December 1, the ASP said.

Recounting his days in captivity, the banker said the kidnappers were confident they would eventually get the ransom.

"They assaulted me and Tanmoy before kidnapping us. We were forced to walk miles through jungles and were even chained to trees," Raktim said.

The kidnappers shifted their hideouts every day, he said.

"Even the food and water served to us were contaminated," Raktim added.

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A nuclear-armed North Korea poses the real danger to the world including its allies China and Russia, US National Security Advisor Lieutenant General H R McMaster said today.

Pyongyang acquiring nuclear weapons "would be the most destabilising development" in the post-World War II period, he told Fox .

"It is something that places us at direct risk, but places the world at risk. This is a regime that's never met a weapon that it hasn't proliferated. It's a regime who's said clearly its intentions are to use that weapon for nuclear blackmail and then to quote, "reunify" the peninsula under the red banner," McMaster said.

"So he would use this to get -- extract payoffs, as the regime has done with their nuclear program in the past, and to drive the States and our allies away from this peninsula that he would then try to dominate. And if you want to know what life looks like under a North Korea regime, you just have to look north of the 38th parallel," he said.

McMaster said the other grave concern is that he would proliferate or sell off these weapons to others.

"And there's never been a weapons system that North Korea has developed that it hasn't sold to somebody else," he said.

The NSA said that there's a real grave danger to China, Russia, to all nations, from a North Korea that's armed with nuclear weapons.

"You have that direct threat, but you also have the threat the potential of Japan, South Korea, others, arming themselves, possibly even with nuclear weapons. That is not in China's interest; it's not in Russia's interest," he said.

President Donald Trump has said that the US will have to take care of it, because he has said he's not going to allow this murderous, rogue regime to threaten the US with the most destructive weapons on the planet, McMaster said.

Asked if he was in contact with other countries to reassure them that Trump was firmly in charge and his presidency was not in trouble, he said: "No, I don't think our allies need any reassurance.

"In fact, what we're doing is continuing to work with them on all the key challenges we face today, from North Korea, to the defeat of ISIS across the Greater Middle East, the ongoing efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan".

"We're working with our Latin American partners very closely on the issue of Venezuela. And so, we haven't missed a beat, really, and the topic doesn't even come up," the top national security advisor to the US president said.

The investigations related to his predecessor General (retired) Michael Flynn is not the focus on the National Security Council.

"What we're focused on are, the key issues that we have to confront today to protect the American people, advanced our prosperity.

"The priorities that the president's given us to move as quickly as we can to resolve this crisis with North Korea, a regime that's threatening the world, and to do everything we can to, as we defeat ISIS in the greater Middle East, make sure conditions are set so that ISIS doesn't return," he said.

They also address the problem of Iranian influence across the region, which is driving a lot of this humanitarian and political crisis in the Middle East, McMaster said.

Responding to a question on reports of replacing Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State, he said that he is not aware of any such plan.

"I'm not aware of any plan at all. What I'm aware of is that the secretary of state is travelling today to advance and protect our interests, as is our secretary of defence," McMaster said, adding that they met on some very important topics in the past week, and have brought some great options to the president to protect the American people, and advance their interests where those interests are at risk.

"So, the national security team, again, is not missing a beat, and I think is doing what the president expects of us, and what the American people expect of us," he added.

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Google's India-born CEO Sundar Pichai today made a strong case for the search giant's return to China, saying it is already helping Chinese companies gain global access.

Google was shut down in China in 2010 following a showdown with the government over censor policies. Since then Google, Gmail, Youtube and its other products are banned in the world's second largest economy.

"A lot of work Google does is to help Chinese companies", the 45-year-old Google CEO, who has a BTech degree from IIT Kharagpur, said at a state-run global internet conference at the Chinese city of Wuzen.

The conference was also addressed by Apple CEO Tim Cook and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Many small and medium-sized businesses in China take advantage of Google to get their products to many other countries outside of China," Pichai told the meeting, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

After the ban, Google subsequently shifted its operations to Hong Kong.

In its absence, Chinese firms like Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu and JD.com emerged most powerful players in China and abroad.

Google and its products can be accessed in China through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) over which Beijing has stepped up a crackdown in recent times.

Apple this year agreed to the Chinese government's requests to remove dozens of virtual private network (VPN) apps services that allow Chinese users to access blocked websites from its local App Store.

Skype, the calling app, was removed from its mainland App Store this autumn.

Pichai's attendance at the state sponsored internet meeting came after China recently lifted the ban on Google translation services.

Besides Google, a number of global social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter remain banned in China over fears that their presence would open-up to millions of China's social media users marginalising the official media.

In his address, Cook said "the theme of this conference



developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits



is a vision we at Apple share", adding that Apple "is proud to have worked alongside many of our partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace".

The World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, near Shanghai, is an annual gathering of mainly Chinese internet officials and internet company executives as well as bureaucrats from developing countries.

The previous three conferences in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were not attended by top US tech executives including Cook and Pichai, the Post report said.

The Chinese government uses the event to pursue its argument that its censorship and regulation of the internet does not harm the development of technology and business prosperity.

Cook is a frequent visitor to China and was last in the country five weeks ago.

The Apple chief executive's presence indicates the importance of the Chinese market for the iPhone maker, even though Apple's market share of China's smartphone market is shrinking.

In his address, Xi spoke of "cyber sovereignty".

Xi said that online developments were raising many new challenges to sovereignty and security, and China was "willing to work with the international community to respect cyberspace sovereignty and promote partnerships".

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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of crime against women in Gujarat and raised concerns over their safety, even as he accused him of merely making promises.

Gandhi asked his fifth question in his "a question a day" series in the run up to Gujarat assembly elections and demanded answers over the alleged failure of the Modi-led government in fulfilling the promises.

Launching a counter-attack, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the questions showed the "feudal fantasy" of the Congress.

"The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to ASHA workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat and it was never their intention to fulfil them," Gandhi tweeted.

He also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health.

"Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in women trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls...Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top ten in crime against women in India?" it claimed.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education? Why has female literacy rate dropped from 70.3 per cent to 57.8 between 2001 to 2011? Why has maternal mortality rate risen to 85, putting the state at number 11 in 15 states in reduction of MMR," it asked.

The Congress leader, who is leading his party's poll campaign in the western state, had earlier accused the prime minister of "commercialising education at the cost of government schools and institutions, and hitting students hard with fee hikes".

The tagline of his posers to the prime minister is "22 salon ka hisaab, Gujarat mange jawaab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 years of BJP rule)".

Gandhi had earlier asked Modi why public money was "squandered" in purchasing power at higher rates from private companies in Gujarat.

He also asked why the people of Gujarat should pay for the "financial mismanagement" and publicity by him.

Hitting back, Naqvi alleged, "Those who cannot differentiate between 'burger and baingan (brinjal)', 'pyaz (onion) and pizza' and 'cake and banana' are trying to become 'champion of questions'. This is the Congress' feudal fantasy."



Congress spokesperson Suhmita Dev later claimed that none of the top BJP leaders had any answers to the questions raised by Gandhi.

He said the Congress was contesting this election for the betterment of Gujarat and of its people, including women, youth and the poor.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Centre that the birth anniversary of first President Dr Rajendra Prasad be observed as "Medha Diwas" (merit day) across the country.

"Prasad, who lived a simple life, was an epitome of merit. It is a well-known anecdote that once while evaluating his answer script, the examiner had remarked that examinee is better than examiner. We are therefore observing his birth anniversary on December 3 as Medha Diwas", Kumar said here.

"The decision to observe this day as Medha Diwas had been taken some time ago. From today we have begun this new tradition in Bihar. I would urge the Centre to consider doing so at the national level", the chief minister said.

"The day should be celebrated, across the country, by promoting merit and rewarding the meritorious. It should be done the way former President S Radhakrishnan's birth anniversary is observed as Teachers' Day across the country and Maulana Azad's birth anniversary is observed as Education Day in Bihar", he added.

The chief minister admitted that the state lagged behind in educational opportunities, "yet by virtue of their merit, students from Bihar have always made their mark in competitive exams at the national level".

Kumar also spoke about measures taken by his government to reduce drop-out rates and increase enrolment of girls in schools and noted with satisfaction "today more girls are seen at schools than boys".

"Our schemes like balika poshak yojana and cycle yojana have brought about a social transformation. Earlier, it was unthinkable for girls to ride a bicycle even in Patna. Now, girls can be seen going to schools on their bicycles, even in villages, in droves", he added.

As part of "Medha Divas" celebrations, the chief minister also gave away awards to students who had secured top ranks in Class 10 and Intermediate exams held this year.

He also rewarded District Magistrates who succeeded in preventing the use of unfair means in exams within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The function was attended by Education Minister Krishnanandan Prasad Verma and Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "rashtrabhakti" motivated him and his government to help people of various faiths, including Christians, and dubbed as "fatwa" a letter issued by Gandhinagar archbishop.

The prime minister was referring to the letter issued last month by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from "nationalist forces".

"I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a 'fatwa' (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is 'Rashtrabhakti' (nationalism) that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world," Modi said.

The prime minister was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating a hospital on the campus of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP).

He said it was a "matter of concern" if some people are opposing such values.

The priest had also said that "democratic fabric" of the country was at stake amidst growing "sense of insecurity" among minorities, which was viewed as a jibe at the ruling BJP.

Modi said his government had saved and rescued people of different faiths irrespective of their religion.

He also listed several examples wherein the central government had brought back Christian missionaries as well as nurses stranded in conflict zones across the world.

"Along with Indians, we have rescued citizens of almost 40 countries from Yemen, as they were stranded there due to war. We did not see their religion or language they speak. It was our nationalism and humanitarian values which guided us," the prime minister said.

Modi said he was raising the issue of nationalism because some people have challenged it.

"Our nurses from Kerala, mostly Christians, were stranded in Iraq. They were in the custody of terrorists. Can the prime minister or any citizen of India sleep in such situation, when our daughters are in custody of terrorists?" he asked.

In 2014, a total of 46 Indian nurses, who were held captive by the Islamic State militants in Iraq for about a month, were evacuated after the successful intervention by the Union government.

The prime minister also recalled how his government used "all resources" to bring back Keralite priest Tom Uzhunnalil who was freed after being kept in captivity suspectedly by the ISIS for 18 months in strife-torn Yemen.

"Father Tom (Uzhunnalil), also a Keralite, was abducted by terrorists in Yemen last year. He went their to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Again, we have employed all our resources to bring him back, as he is the son of this country. We successfully brought him back a few months back," the prime minister said.

He also gave the example of Father Alexis Prem Kumar who was rescued from the Taliban captivity in Afghanistan.

"Another Christian, Judith D'Souza of West Bengal, was kidnapped in Afghanistan. We applied every trick in the book and brought her back alive, that too from the clutches of terrorists. We were able to do all these humanitarian work because of our rashtrabhakti," he said.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made a sudden U-turn on some of his Cabinet appointments to avoid falling afoul of the supreme law of the land.In terms of section 104(3) of the national charter, the president can only appoint a maximum of five Cabinet ministers outside Parliament, based on their special skills.Mnangagwa had, however, appointed eight ministers who are not Members of Parliament, in contravention of the Constitution.Barely 48 hours after releasing his new Cabinet list, the president has reversed three appointments that were ultra-vires the charter  triggering widespread condemnation.In a statement, the chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, said the adjustments "have been made to ensure compliance with the Constitution and consideration of gender, demography and special needs".The biggest loser is former Primary and Secondary Education minister, Lazarus Dokora - whose appointment had caused widespread consternation.Dokora was replaced by his former deputy Paul Mavima, an academic who represents Gokwe Sengwa constituency in the National Assembly.He lost his Rushinga National Assembly constituency to former security man, Wonder Mashange, in the 2013 general elections but was given the Cabinet portfolio by ex-president, Robert Mugabe.Mnangagwa also dropped Clever Nyathi from the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, replacing him with former deputy minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development in Mugabe's post 2013 Cabinet, Petronella Kagonye.Nyathi will assume the role of special advisor in the Office of the President on national peace and reconciliation, which according to Sibanda's statement, is expected to be headed by a vice president to be appointed at the Zanu-PF extraordinary congress scheduled for next week.The outspoken chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Chris Mutsvangwa, has also been removed as minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.The ministry has been left vacant for now.Mutsvangwa, played an influential role in the demise of Mugabe. He will now serve as special advisor to the president.Long-serving Zanu-PF politburo member, Joshua Malinga's appointment as deputy minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, has also been reversed and he will now work as special advisor in the Office of the President on disability issues.Sibanda also announced in the same statement that the newly-appointment ministers will be sworn into office tomorrow morning at State House.Observers have queried the wisdom of the initial appointments, especially given that Mnangagwa professes legal expertise.Women's groups have also cried foul after Mnangagwa appointed only three women to his 22-member Cabinet.Mnangagwa's decisions have attracted scornful responses from former senior government officials, including Arthur Mutambara, the former deputy prime minister during the ill-fated inclusive government of 2009-2013."Just a word of caution, the Cabinet adjustments this morning have nothing to do with outcry about the quality of ministers. The adjustments are meant to address the illegality of the Cabinet. Dokora frees a non-constituent slot, while Nyathi and Mutsvangwa are no longer ministers," Mutambara tweeted yesterday.Former Industry and Commerce minister and MDC president, Welshman Ncube also apparently mockingly tweeted: "A lawyer president did not know the Constitution?"Although Mnangagwa has made some minor gender adjustments by bringing in Kagonye, he still remains under criticism for apparently failing to adhere to a constitutional requirement which mandates him to also balance the regional appeal.For instance, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central provinces have only one Cabinet slot each while his own home province of Midlands now has four ministers following the elevation of Mavhima.The others are Jorum Gumbo (Transport and Infrastructural Development), Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs) and July Moyo (Local Government).Section 104(4) of the Constitution says: "In appointing ministers and deputy ministers, the president must be guided by considerations of regional and gender balance."
Veteran director Shekhar Kapur said the script of the biopic on iconic Chinese-American star, Bruce Lee, is a work in progress.

The 71-year-old filmmaker has signed up to co-write and direct the film titled, "Little Dragon", his first China project.

"We are working on the script," Shekhar said, adding that the first script draft was written by Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee.

"Little Dragon" is being planned as an official U S - China co-production, with several Chinese companies expected to co-finance and co-produce the film.

The feature film will chronicle Bruce's early life before he left Hong Kong for Hollywood and went on to become an icon and Kung-Fu movie master in the 1970s.

Shekhar also believes Indian films have a big market in China.

"I used to say Indian films will definitely be very popular in China and yes, they are. 'Dangal' has proved what I said," he told PTI, after completing his chief judge assignment at the 28thSingapore International Film Festival yesterday.

Aamir Khan's "Dangal" or "Let's Wrestle, Dad" raked in more than USD 93.3 million within a month, when it released in China in May this year.

Shekhar's said his ambitious project, "Paani" is ready for take-off again and awaits investors' commitment.

He said the film will have new artistes as those who worked in the film, including Sushant Singh Rajput, were much older than the age of actors required for the roles.

Shekhar, who worked on the film for 15 years, conceded "Paani" is an expensive project and would cost about USD 30 million.

The director said he is dedicated to the art of filmmaking.

"Every morning when I wake up, I say to myself I should be working more," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy today said "secular and democratic" parties should win forthcoming elections in the BJP-ruled Gujarat.

"The BJP government is not in the favour of the common people. In Gujarat, secular and democratic parties should win," he told reporters after attending a party programme.

Observing that there was a difference of "9 per cent" of votes between the BJP and the Congress in earlier polls, Reddy proposed a Leftist secular platform to fight the "fascist" BJP and RSS in the country.

"A secular, democratic and Leftist platform is necessary to fight the fascist onslaught of the Sangh Pariwar and the BJP," Reddy said.

Underlining that fighting for public issues is different from poll politics, the Left leader said a "sort of" understanding is necessary in any election to prevent the division of secular votes.

He said the Left and the Congress cannot reach an understanding in states where they are fighting each other.

"There also cannot be an understanding where the Left parties are very weak," the CPI general secretary said.

He said the CPI wanted "unification" of Communist parties and not a merger.

Responding to a query on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's comments wherein he had reportedly praised the Nizam rule in the erstwhile Hyderabad State, Reddy said, "Either KCR does not understand the history properly or he is purposefully supporting and trying to exaggerate Nizam's Rule".

"Nizam was a cruel king. Nizam rulers had exploited and looted the people of Telangana for seven generations. People fought against the Nizams and his supporting groups. Chandrasekhar Rao does not have respect to the people's struggle but he has respect to Nizams," Reddy said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Security forces apprehended two rebels of the NSCN (IM) from Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district and recovered arms and ammunitions from their possession, a defence spokesperson said.

The Assam Rifles apprehended two ultras from Mullong village of the district on December 1 last, defence spokesman Col Shiranjeet Konwer said in a statement today.

The two were terrorising people and extorting money.

A pistol along with live ammunition were recovered from the duo, the spokesman added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP on Sunday criticised Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah for advocating dialogue with Pakistan, saying "terror and talks cannot go together".

J&K BJP spokesperson Brigadier (retd) Anil Gupta in a statement said Abdullah had time and again advocated talks with Pakistan as mandatory for the return of peace in the Valley "knowing fully well that it is not India but Pakistan that is avoiding talks".

He was reacting to Abdullah's statement at a public meeting in Budgam district yesterday, suggesting India and Pakistan to initiate dialogue on outstanding issues, especially on that of Kashmir.

"Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers and should acknowledge the fact that a nuclear war is out of question and hence, engagement and innovative conflict resolution is the only option.

"Those advocating violence and war are living in a fool's paradise and their rhetoric is aimed at their own local constituencies. There is no other alternative but to talk and take into account the practical limitations of both sides," Abdullah had said.

The BJP spokesperson said the Narendra Modi government had made it very clear that Pakistan must cease its support to cross-border terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure on its soil to create a conducive environment for commencement of bilateral talks to resolve all outstanding issues.

Gupta said the NC leader needed to know that a window existed even in a nuclear environment. Kargil War and surgical strikes in 2016 exemplified the same, he stressed.

"Pakistan is using terror as a low-cost option to bleed India since it considers India as an existential threat and aims at India's balkanisation to counter her growing might.

"There is no indication of any change in Pakistan's intent despite India's best efforts to normalise the relations," he said.

Gupta said it was surprising that a person like Abdullah failed to "recognise the reality or is feigning ignorance in order to play to the gallery since he is a master of theatrics".

"Pakistan has to give up terrorism as an option against India and its mindset has to change from 'settlement first' to 'peace first' for any engagement between the two neighbours. The ball is wholly and squarely in Pakistan's court," the BJP leader said.

"Rather than batting for Pakistan and creating further confusion and dilemma in the mind of the youth, Kashmiri politicians have to accept the reality that their future is safe and secure only with democratic India and they have to learn to live with a hostile Pakistan as a neighbour," he said.
The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rose to 19 even as more than 600 fishermen, stranded at sea off the state's coast, were rescued, official sources said today.

The very severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' lay centred today over east central and south east central Arabian Sea, they said.

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala climbed to 19, with six more bodies being recovered, the sources said.

Eleven of the dead are from the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram.

Yesterday, six bodies were recovered, taking the toll from seven to 13.

An India Meteorological department (IMD) bulletin said 'Ockhi' has moved further north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred about 440 km west-northwest of Amin Divi, 870 km south-south west of Mumbai and 1,070 km south-south west of Surat.

It is very likely to move north-northwestwards for some more time and then recurve northeastwards towards the south Gujarat coast during next 72 hours, it said.

According to the sources, 690 fishermen have been rescued in combined operations carried out by the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Ninetysix fishermen are still missing, they said.

Sixtythree houses have been fully damaged and 74 partially. A total of 6581 persons have been shifted to various relief camps in the state.

A fresh spell of rainfall is expected to lash Tamil Nadu as the well-marked low pressure area over the south Andaman Sea is likely to turn into a depression in the next 24 hours and a deep depression in the subsequent 48 hours, the Met office said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with senior officials.

A total of 357 fishermen, including 71 from Tamil Nadu, stranded in sea due to Cyclone Ockhi, have been rescued by defence force personnel, she said.

A photograph on her official Twitter handle showed her inside a helicopter reviewing the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari.

"An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi: 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today," she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

On her arrival in the worst-hit Kanyakumari district by helicopter from Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala, Sitharaman held discussions with deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, ministers and officials.

A report from Kanyakumari said she visited some cyclone- hit areas in the district.

The defence minister assured authorities all help from the Centre and told officials to take steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

She also heard people's grievances.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Coimbatore that work to rescue fishermen was on in full swing with the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard deploying aircraft and ships.

"Amma's (late Jayalalithaa) government will rescue all the stranded fishermen," he said.

Power connection will be fully restored in a day or two in cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district, he said.

In Kanyakumari, Panneerselvam reviewed the situation with officials and inspected several areas that were badly hit by the cyclone.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan along with Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam held a high-level meeting in Thiruvanathapuram to assess the post Ockhi situation and relief and rescue operations.

The search will continue until all the fishermen are rescued, an official release said.

Sitharaman will visit some of the affected areas in Thiruvanathapuram tomorrow morning, the sources said.

Vijayan visited Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram this evening where several fishermen had gone missing.

Talking to the families of the fishermen, Vijayan said the government shared the concern of the fishing community.

"We can expect good tidings. Our effort is to find out the remaining missing fishermen," he said.

Local people complained that there was no information about their missing relatives who had gone to the sea for fishing five days ago.

Angered over the reported delay in locating the missing fishermen, about 100-odd fishermen in 40 boats went to sea today in search of their missing counterparts.

Local people also protested in coastal areas, including Alappuzha and Chellanam in Ernakulam district, on the alleged delay in rescuing the fishermen.

Some of them squatted on rail tracks and were removed by the police.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said 28 more boats, carrying 321 fishermen, which were caught in rough seas due to Cyclone Ockhi, have safely reached Maharashtra's Ratnagiri coast.

Of these, 23 are from Tamil Nadu, three from Kerala and two from Karnataka, he said.

Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said Lakshadweep Islands has suffered a loss of over Rs 500 crore due to the cyclone.

Faizal sought the Centre's assistance to restore normal life in the islands isolated by the storm.

He said normal life in three islands -- Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaratti -- was badly hit by the cyclone.

Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is very likely over Lakhshadweep during the next 12 hours, according to the latest MeT bulletin.

Sea conditions will also be very rough, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
High tides early morning today reportedly due to the Ockhi cyclone that has hit Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep inundated several beach stretches in Goa, hotel owners said.

They said that the water rushed into the beach shacks washing away beds put up on the shoreline.

The beaches like Morjim in North Goa and Mobor in South Goa were among the worst hit due to the water surge, they added.

Well-patronised beaches in North Goa like Baga and Anjuna too faced the consequences of the high tide with tourists refusing to visit the shoreline since last evening.

"The sudden rise in the water created a fearful situation amongst the tourists specially the foreign guests who went back to the hotel and did not return. This has affected tourism on a promising weekend when we were expecting heavy footfalls," said Manuel Cardoso, general secretary, Goa Traditional Shack Owners Association.

Cardoso, who owns a shack at Calangute beach, said that the water almost touched his shack leaving no space to accommodate any beach beds.

While there was no formal statement issued from the state tourism department, a senior official said that they were keeping a close watch on the situation.

Indian Meteorological Observatory, which had yesterday predicted "no impact" to Goa due to the cyclone, has asked fishermen not to venture in the sea. It has asked those already in deep ocean to return to the jetties.

Drishti Marines, a lifeguard service hired by the tate government to man the shorelines, has asked its personnel to request tourists to not swim into the sea during high tide.

The lifeguards were seen active on all the beaches, and two women Irish nationals caught in the waves this morning were rescued by locals at Palolem beach in South Goa, said police.

Goa is currently witnessing peak tourist season which will continue till the New Year when thousands of the people descend on the beaches.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump today criticised the FBI and Department of Justice, claiming that his former national security adviser Michael Flynn is being held to a higher standard than the ex-secretary of state Hillary Clinton was during the probe into her private email server.

In a series of tweets, Trump said that "nothing happened" to Hillary who lied many times to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) while General Flynn lied to the agency and his life is destroyed.

Trump's tweets came a day after Flynn pleaded guilty before a US court on the charges of lying to the FBI on his connection with the Russian Ambassador.

"So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?" Trump tweeted.

In another tweet, he said many people in the country are asking what the "Justice" Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, after receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and "acid washed" 33,000 Emails?



"No justice!" he said.

Hillary had been accused of setting up an email server at her home in Chappaqua in New York before becoming Secretary if State and using it for all work and personal emails during her four years in office.

She is alleged to have not used, or even activated, a state.gov email account, which would have been hosted on servers owned and managed by the US government.

In another tweet, Trump also said that he fired his national security advisor for lying to the US Vice President and the FBI on his connection with the Russian envoy.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two persons have come forward with complaints that a Bengaluru-based pharmaceutical firm conducted unauthorised clinical trials on them, police said.

Jammikunta Circle Inspector Pingili Prashanth Reddy on Sunday said that Boga Suresh, 30, of Kothapalli village in Jammikunta mandal filed a complaint on Saturday.

Reddy said that the complainant alleged that he was subjected to clinical drug trials while he was working as a volunteer with a Benguluru based pharma company.

Suresh told local media that he was given Rs.24,000 by the pharma company for the drug trials.

A similar complaint was made by Chiluveru Ashok Kumar, 27, of the same mandal, said police. He is undergoing treatment in a hospital, police added.

Police said that Vangara Nagaraju, 39, a resident of Nagampet village in the same mandal as the above two complainants, allegedly died in June this year due to complications rising from clinical drug trials.

Notices have been issued to the pharma company and investigations are on, police said.

Telangana finance minister Etela Rajender has also asked for an inquiry into the incidents.

Karimnagar District BJP President Kotha Srinivas Reddy asked the state government to investigate the allegations and take action against the pharma firm. He also asked the state government to pay compensation to the victims.

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Two Pakistani intruders, who were roaming inside the Indian territory on a motorcycle, were nabbed by BSF jawans from an area close to a border out post in the Ferozepur Sector today, officials said.

Nawaz Ahmed (28) and Suhail Ahmed (19), residents of village Khudia Khas in district Kasur, were nabbed by the BSF jawans belonging to 105 Battalion from an area close to the border out post (BOP) Dona Telu Mal.

A BSF official said the two intruders were found roaming on a motorbike inside the Indian territory when they were apprehended.

TheBSF recovered Pakistani currency worth Rs 10,102 from them. Besides, one mobile phone, three Pakistani SIM cards, one memory card and a motorbike was recovered from them, said BSF officials.

During the preliminary investigation, both Pakistani youths claimed that they had come close to the border for fishing and inadvertently entered the Indian territory.

BSF officials said that the exact reason behind the intrusion attempt would be ascertained only after the investigation was completed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Finance minister, Ignatius Chombo, wrote to President Emmerson Mnangagwa two days after he had been sworn into office offering to work for him in any capacity.In a passionate congratulatory message to Mnangagwa, Chombo wrote from his hospital bed pledging he would be unwaveringly loyal to Mnangagwa in the same way he was to former president, Robert Mugabe, who was deposed last month."I saw your inauguration as the second executive President of the Republic of Zimbabwe with pride and contentment, especially after the goings on in the party and government during the last six weeks. I wish I could attend but I couldn't because I am in hospital for some health problems that doctors are attending to. I missed all recently held meetings because I was away, learning some hard lessons," Chombo wrote."I wish to heartily congratulate you for your elevation to the position of president of the Republic of Zimbabwe as well as first secretary of our beloved party Zanu-PF. May God give you strength and guidance as you lead us into the future."You have all my full support and loyalty in equal measure as I served the former president, ... Mugabe during his tenure in office."I am available to serve in any capacity that you deem fit. Once again, I wish you all the greatest good and may God bless you ever more," he wrote.Mnangagwa did not heed to Chombo's adoring plea as he overlooked him in his Cabinet announced on Friday night.He replaced Chombo with his long-time associate, Patrick Chinamasa.Chombo, who was swept aside in a military intervention code-named Operation Restore Legacy, is currently languishing in remand prison after being arrested on several counts of corruption and criminal abuse of office.He recently appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts where he was denied bail.He has since appealed against the denial of bail at the High Court where the bail application will be heard on Wednesday.Chombo was also kicked out of Zanu-PF for aligning with the vanquished Generation 40 (G40) faction, which had been fighting to forestall Mnangagwa's rise to the highest office in the land.He also lost his lofty secretary for Zanu-PF administration position and his Zvimba North National Assembly seat following his recall from Parliament.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi's son and private sector employee Utkarsh married Kolkata-based chartered accountant Yamini on Sunday in the presence of a large number of politicians and dignitaries.

Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan, Dharmendra Pradhan, Giriraj Singh, Bihar Governor Satyapal Mallik , Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das were among those present at the ceremony.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was also conspicuous by his presence as a threat by his son Tej Pratap Yadav to disrupt the function had led to a change in the venue. Tej Pratap had, however, retracted his statement later.

Political hostility took a backseat today as Prasad greeted Modi with a warm handshake before taking a seat beside Union Minister Giriraj Singh.

In a departure from tradition, the wedding was held during the daytime and without any ornate arrangements, musical bands or feasts. All guests were requested not to bring gifts to the wedding and were handed over a packet containing four laddoos.

The groom was dressed in a simple white khadi kurta, pyjama and a maroon waistcoat and the bride wore a red sari.

The sprawling veterinary college ground, where the wedding was solemnised, was dotted with banners and hoardings carrying slogans against dowry and child marriage.

A stall was set up on the ground to hand out forms that urged people to take a pledge against dowry and child marriage.

At an adjacent stall, pamphlets encouraging people to donate their eyes and other organs were distributed to the guests.

(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.)
Syria's main Kurdish forces declared today that they have successfully cleared areas east of the Euphrates river of Islamic State militants, with help from the US-led coalition and Russian forces.

The announcement comes after US Defence Secretary James Mattis said Washington will stop arming the YPG as offensive operations come to an end.

Noureddine Mahmoud, spokesman for the People's Defence Units, known as the YPG, and the backbone of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, praised US and Russian air and logistical support as well as ground operations coordination.

He said his forces are ready to form joint operation rooms with the different partners to complete the fight against IS.

"We hope for an increase of the support and ensuring air protection and necessary cover," Mahmoud said at a press conference in al-Salihiya, a town in Deir el-Zour province today.

The press conference was attended by a Russian general from the Russian base in Hmeimeem, in western Syria.

The SDF have been battling IS fighters east of the Euphrates river in Deir el Zour province since September. In a separate campaign, Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and allied Iranian-backed militia, have been chasing IS militants on the other side of the river.

Russia and the US kept in contact, in so-called "de- confliction" talks, to prevent clashes between the two forces. US officials said communication was also maintained on the ground, including in meetings between SDF commanders and their counterparts on the government side.

Mahmoud also praised the role tribal leaders played in the fight against IS in the oil-rich Deir el-Zour province, where tribesmen play an integral role in consolidating power there.

The extent of SDF cooperation with Russian forces and their Syrian allies, however, is not clear.

The Kurdish-led forces now control nearly 25 per cent of Syrian territories and important oil resources after their battlefield successes in northern and eastern Syria.

But they are landlocked and economically dependent on areas controlled by the Syrian government, as well as on borders controlled either by Iraqi forces or the Syrian government.

Meanwhile, building relationships with the tribal leaders in Deir el-Zour is an essential part of any effort to continue to hold ground. Arab tribes are skeptical of the Kurdish-led forces, although they have previously worked together, with US support.

But Washington's support for the SDF has come into question after the fall of the IS de-facto capital of Raqqa and the near collapse of the militants in Syria.

Turkey, which considers the dominant Kurdish group in the force an extension of its own insurgent group, has protested Washington's reliance on the SDF, as well as the provision of heavy weaponry to its fighters, in the fight against IS.

On his way to Cairo, Mattis told reporters Friday that the US will stop arming the Kurdish forces, turning to stabilisation efforts and supporting the diplomatic process in Syria.

"As the coalition stops offensive operations, then, obviously, you don't need that, you need security... you need police forces. That's local forces. That's people who make certain that (IS) doesn't come back," he said.

Mattis added that the SDF "are changing their stance as they come to the limits of where they are going."



Also today, the Russian Defence Ministry said six of its long-range Tu-22 bombers had carried out raids against IS targets in Deir el-Zour province.

A ministry statement said the bombers took off from Russia and were accompanied by fighter jets from Russia's air base in Hmeimeem.

The targets included ammunition warehouses and equipment clusters, the statement said.

Separately, Syrian activists and a war monitor said airstrikes in the rebel-held suburb of eastern Ghouta, near the capital Damascus, killed at least 18, including at least five children. The Ghouta Media Center and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrikes hit at least four neighbourhoods in the suburb, leaving scores injured.

Eastern Ghouta has been under a tightening siege since 2013 and is already facing a humanitarian crisis, including the highest recorded malnutrition rate since the conflict began in 2011. Some 400,000 civilians, half of them children, are believed trapped there.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The administration of President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from a United Nations pact to improve the handling of migrant and refugee situations, deeming it "inconsistent" with its policies, the US mission to the global body announced.

"Today, the US Mission to the United Nations informed the UN Secretary-General that the United States is ending its participation in the Global Compact on Migration," the Americans said in a statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today paid floral tributes to Buddhist monk Bhadant Pragyanand, who passed away recently, an official statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhavan said here today.

UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today accorded a warm welcome to Vice-President Naidu at the Chaudhary Charan Singh airport here.

"Vice-President paid floral tributes to Buddhist monk Bhadant Pragyanand at Buddh Vihar located in Risaldar Park," the statement said. UP Governor Naik also accompanied Naidu.

Pragyanand, youngest among the seven monks who had initiated 'Babasaheb' Bhim Rao Ambedkar into Buddhism in 1956, died at Lucknow's King George's Medical University.

The vice-president will be the chief guest at tomorrow's convocation ceremony at the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today urged the media "not to add colour to news" and that their views should be restricted to editorial pages.

Speaking at an award function organised by Assamese media group Pratidin-Sadin here, he noted that an ideal newspaper or channel should be a reflection of society, societal problems and the aspirations of people of the region and the nation.

"All organisations must follow certain basic principles - do not sensationalise, do not combine and views, there should be no paid news, and promote Indian culture and traditions," Naidu said.

"Do not add colour to news. There is an editorial page where views can be expressed freely, but the sanctity of news should be maintained," he said.

The vice president stated that media organisations should focus on development and to end terrorism as it has "no place in our culture and tradition".

"There is no religion that supports terrorism and everybody is aware that a neighbouring country is aiding, abetting, funding and promoting terrorism in our country," he said.

The media should also strongly bring forth any demographic changes and ensure that the 'Indianness' and the cultural identity of the country is not harmed, he said.

Naidu also said that the current trend of news organisations was to focus on urban issues.

"Even though there has been migration from rural areas, yet we have a predominant rural population whose problems need to be highlighted.

"Agriculture is the mainstay of majority of our population and the media needs to focus on their problems and help in minimising the rural-urban divide," he noted.

The country is governed by the three tier of Centre, state and the panchayat and local bodies, and their functioning - good or bad - should find a place in media coverage, he said.

The vice president also urged the media to focus on promotion of mother tongue for communication.

"There is nothing wrong in learning English, Hindi or any other Indian language or even any foreign language, but the mother tongue should be the medium of instruction from primary school level," he said.

Media also has an important role to play in strengthening democracy by helping people elect their representatives on the basis of the candidates' "character, calibre, capacity and conduct" and not on the basis of caste, community or cash, Naidu said.

The media should also conduct campaigns to promote Swach Bharat, Beti Padhao Beti Bachao etc as these are not for any political party, but for the people of the country, he said.

The vice president presented the Pratidin Times Achievers' Award to 10 individuals and institutions, including the Lifetime Achievement Award to litterateur and folklorist Birendranath Dutta.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kraigg Brathwaite was leading a West Indies survival effort today after Tom Blundell's debut ton put New Zealand in a seemingly unbeatable position in the first Test in Wellington.

Faced with a 386-run first innings deficit, at tea on day three the West Indies had reached 107 for one with Brathwaite on 34 and Shimron Hetmyer on 27.

They still need a further 279 to make New Zealand bat again, with conditions much to the liking of the batsmen.

The wicket has browned off from the green cover on day one when the West Indies were rolled for 134 in their first innings.

Despite the Herculean task ahead to save the match, Brathwaite and his opening partner Kieran Powell were both prepared to take risks and attack the bowling.

Powell on 15 had an edge fall just short of Ross Taylor at first slip and a chip from Brathwaite on 19 fell short of Jeet Raval at short cover.

When the West Indies reached 41 after 15 overs, New Zealand's first innings destroyer Neil Wagner was brought into the attack with his short-pitched salvo.

But this time the tourists were primed to face him.

Powell smacked successive balls for six, and also took one to the helmet, in a costly spell which saw Wagner concede 25 runs in his first two overs.

Matt Henry, who bowled without reward on the first day, took the only wicket in the middle session when he had Powell caught and bowled for 40.

New Zealand had resumed the day on 447 for nine, with Blundell on 57, and as the West Indies struggled for inspiration, the nerveless debutant was ready to pounce.

He took 10 off the first over of the day from Miguel Cummins and progressed effortlessly from there.

Number 11 batsman Trent Boult assisted as he could, surviving two lbw appeals and a dropped catch as he staunchly preserved his wicket while Blundell closed in on the 100 mark.

When New Zealand eventually declared at 520-9, Blundell was not 107 off 180 deliveries while Boult had faced 60 for his 18.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Alastair Macdonald and Jan Strupczewski

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission added to mounting confidence in Brussels that it is set for a Brexit deal with London when it scheduled talks with EU lawmakers ahead of a crunch meeting on Monday with Theresa May.

However, EU officials and diplomats cautioned on Sunday that it was still unclear that a deal would be struck with the British prime minister when she meets the EU executive.

Two hours before they sit down for lunch with May in Brussels, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and his Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will brief Guy Verhofstadt and his European Parliament Brexit team, an official said.

Verhofstadt and his colleagues wrote to the EU negotiators last week [B5N1IL019] to sound an alarm at what they said were "stalled" talks on EU demands that the rights of EU citizens in Britain be guaranteed directly by the European Court of Justice after Britain leaves the European Union. They also voiced concern about Northern Ireland.

Parliament must ratify any treaty on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union before Brexit in March 2019 in order to create the smooth transition period May wants, and so it will be vital to both sides to keep the legislators on board.

Senior EU officials and diplomats said work was continuing on Sunday. One person close to the discussions said the situation was "delicate". "It's still quite fluid," said a second person involved. "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."

Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and strong critic of Brexit, declined to comment.

The German leader of the centre-right group in the EU parliament warned that lawmakers were not yet satisfied.

"On Brexit negotiations, money is one of the problems, but it is not the biggest one," Manfred Weber said in a statement. "We are much more concerned about the fact that so far negotiations are stalled on the protection of EU citizens' rights after Brexit and on the Irish case," he said.

The EU wants outline accords on three critical divorce terms before it will open negotiations on the transition and a future free trade pact that would follow. May's lunch on Monday is a deadline for the EU to have her final offers before EU leaders consider whether to agree at a Dec. 15 summit to launch Phase 2.

Britain and the EU aim to sign a joint declaration setting out progress toward final deals which the Commission, as the EU executive, would say was "sufficient" for opening trade talks.

EU officials say terms have been agreed for a financial settlement long resisted by hardline supporters of Brexit. The Irish prime minister said on Saturday that would essentially cover all the 60 billion euros the EU had demanded.

On the second key issue of a deal to avoid a "hard border" on land between Britain and the EU across the island of Ireland, diplomats say the joint document will set out rules for reaching a border deal aimed at avoiding disruption to peace in the north but leaving open many of the details.

CITIZENS' RIGHTS

The third issue, of citizens' rights, has long seemed the least problematic, but the European Parliament's concerns were a reminder of how far the insistence on the ECJ having the final say in whether London was respecting the withdrawal treaty conflicts with British demands to be free of EU courts.

It was not immediately clear what compromise, if any, has been found. EU governments had also been pressing London to give better terms to EU expatriates on bringing in future family members and on moving social welfare benefits across borders.

One suggestion in Brussels has been to limit clearly any ECJ involvement as a last resort and clearly only available to those EU citizens who choose to go on living in Britain before Brexit, not to any who arrive later. There are 3 million of them today.

Looking to show sceptical pro-Brexit allies that she has secured something in five months of negotiation that seem set to end with London broadly accepting the EU's original terms, May has insisted that Brussels make a simultaneous and reciprocal commitment to transition and trade talks if she accepts a deal.

That seems set to be the case with the joint declaration.

"Everyone knows we have to honour politically what the Brits have accepted on money," a senior EU diplomat said. "So on Monday they will sign this document."

If all goes to the plan, 27 EU leaders would give the official green light on Dec. 15, a day after May has joined them for a routine summit on other EU business..

The deliberately vague concept of "sufficient progress" gives the political leaders the option to leave plenty of room for future negotiation. The key thing for many in Brussels is that it should mark the establishment of trust that both sides are willing to work for a separation that is not too disruptive.

(Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Writing by Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel may have to make adjustments to its corporate tax rate, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said on Saturday in response to a tax slash approved by the U.S. Senate.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. tax overhaul could cut the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent once the Senate and House of Representatives reconcile their respective versions of the legislation.

The corporate tax rate in Israel is to be reduced this month from 24 to 23 percent. But a lower, more attractive, rate in the United States could lead Israeli companies to consider moving there.

"We will receive all the details from our companies abroad about the tax reform and we must address it," Kahlon told Channel 10's weekly politics show Hamateh. "What the danger is of companies here packing up and moving there? There are many implications. We will have to make adjustments."

Many Israeli high-tech companies have operations in the United States but research and development centres in Israel.

Israel's technology industry is one of the world's largest behind Silicon Valley, accounting for about 14 percent of the country's economic output, 50 percent of industrial exports and about 10 percent of its workforce.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Stephen Powell)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Saturday said Modi failed to understand the "pains" that his note ban and GST decisions were going to unleash on the people of his own home state.

Calling demonetisation an "uninformed, half-baked crusade" and GST a "badly designed and hastily implemented" measure, Singh also lamented the "low-level rhetoric" used by the ruling party.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes," he said.

"Just as you were recovering from one blow (of demonetisation), came the GST. Nobody consulted you or tried to understand how your dhandha (business) works," he told a gathering of members of the local business community here.

"The prime minister is from Gujarat, and he claims to understand Gujarat and the poor more than anyone else. How is it that he never understood the pains his decisions will unleash on you?" Singh asked.

"Your business works on trust and relationships. Without trust in each other, Surat will collapse. You extended this trust to the prime minister and his promise of 'acchhe din' (good days). The hope symbolised in those dreams now lies shattered," he said.

In Surat alone, 89,000 powerlooms were sold as scrap and it led to a loss of 31,000 jobs, Singh said. "There are countless such examples from industrial clusters and big mandis (markets) from across the country."

China benefited from this situation, he claimed.

"In FY 2016-17, India's imports from China stood at Rs 1.96 lakh crore. During the same period in FY 2017-18, the imports from China increased to Rs 2.41 lakh crore. This unprecedented increase in imports by more than Rs 45,000 crore, a 23 per cent increase in a year, can be attributed largely to demonetisation and GST.

"These twin blows damaged India's MSME sector and our businesses had to turn to Chinese imports at the cost of India jobs," the senior Congress leader said.

On demonetisation, Singh said, "This is an uninformed, half-baked crusade on black money where he (Modi) painted everyone as a thief, while real culprits have gotten away."

The Goods and Services Tax was "badly designed and hastily implemented", the economist-turned-politician said.

Maintaining that demonetisation was not the solution to the problem of black money and tax evasion, Singh said the costs of demonetisation substantially exceeded its benefits, and the decision "proved to be mere bluster to reap political dividends while the real offenders have escaped".

Demonetisation and GST have also "sown a deep-rooted fear of tax terrorism among the business community", he said.

"At a time when the economy has slowed down considerably, despite favourable global macro-economic conditions, the fear of tax terrorism has eroded the confidence of the businesses to invest," he said.

"This attitude of suspecting everyone to be a thief or anti-national, the low-level rhetoric is damaging the democratic discourse and has real consequences for how we relate to one another as citizens. Political leaders must stick to the high road," he said.

Singh said on every social indicator, from infant and maternal mortality rates to female literacy, Gujarat has fallen behind the best performing states, including Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu,.

He said the recent agitations by the youth cutting across different sections of the society was an indication of the deep dissatisfaction with the performance of successive BJP governments.

The former prime minister said a Congress government in the state will hear the voice of every Gujarati regardless of caste, creed, gender or class.

Later, talking to reporters, Singh strongly denied Modi's allegation that the Congress and Congress-led governments hated Gujaratis.

"Nothing can be farther from the truth. I realise that many things are said in election times. But when they are gross distortions, they need to be rebutted," he said, adding that Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister, and the "most famous Gujarati" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hand-in-hand, and "nothing is gained, as is often attempted by Modi, by pitting the two great leaders apart."

Modi was "denigrating the country" when claiming that Congress party did nothing in 70 years, the former PM said.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes without resorting to statements which denigrate our country," he said.



"While denigrating the past, the prime minister also tends to exaggerate what he will do in future. He was recently quoted in the press as saying that India will become a developed country by 2022," Singh said, adding that to achieve that, India needed to grow at the rate of 35 per cent per year.

The government should get out of the "culture of constant self-praise", Singh said.

"In the ten years of UPA-I and II, when I was the prime minister, we produced 7.8 per cent GDP growth on average. This includes the slow-down in the last two years of our government. When the present government took over, they said they would take growth to 8 to 10 per cent. Modi so far has produced an average of only 7.3 per cent in the first three years," he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko who arrived in the country on Friday through Plumtree Border Post amid reports that he might have been detained upon his entry in the country from Botswana.Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister, Jonathan Moyo, alleged yesterday that Mphoko had been handed to the Zimbabwean authorities by his hosts, the Government of Botswana."Impeccable sources in Plumtree say that the Botswana immigration authorities have today handed over former VP Phelekezela Mphoko to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) who are said to be holding him. Why this is happening after assurances that he was free to return is mind boggling!" Moyo wrote on micro blogging site, Twitter.While the ZDF and the police have denied Moyo's claims, highly-placed sources in government told the Daily News on Sunday that Mphoko faces charges of defeating the course of justice as he has been implicated in a couple of confrontations with law enforcement agents.In July last year, he reportedly descended on Avondale Police Station in Harare at night and ordered the release of top Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) officials namely Moses Juma (former acting chief executive officer of Zinara) and Davison Norupiri (a non-executive director),who had been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on graft allegations involving over $1,3 million.Mphoko, who was acting president at the time, arrived at the police station at night and secured the immediate release of the duo on the grounds that they were "his boys".Mugabe was away in Rwanda when this happened.Mphoko was also acting president in May this year when he allegedly caused a storm after he reportedly stormed into Bulawayo Central Police Station, and expressed anger over the arrest of several Zanu-PF activists in connection with the intra-party violence that had occurred at the party's provincial offices at Davis Hall.He also reportedly secured their release.Contacted for comment yesterday, both the police and ZDF denied claims that they had taken Mphoko into their custody."It's not our duty to arrest people; that is the duty of the police. You should be calling Mai Charamba to ask about that," said colonel Overson Mugwisi, spokesperson of the ZDF.Police spokesperson, Charity Charamba, professed ignorance over the matter saying as far as she was concerned, the former vice president was not wanted by the police.She said: "I am not aware of such an arrest. In fact, I have been so busy these last few days I have not heard anything of that nature."Mphoko had been holed up in Botswana since the ZDF launched Operation Restore Legacy, targeting "criminal" elements around former president Robert Mugabe, accused of causing instability in the country.He had left the country on an official visit to Japan on November 14, a day before the army launched the operation but did not return home until Friday when he resurfaced at Plumtree Border Post where he and his family were driven through to the Zimbabwe border side in a kombi.They were then whisked away in private vehicles.Mphoko's sudden return followed media reports that Botswana had given him until December 1 to leave the country or face deportation.The Botswana government, through the micro blogging site Twitter, denied the report saying Mphoko had left the country on his own volition."Former vice president Mphoko was not deported from BotswanaMphoko entered Botswana on the November 22, 2017 from a third country. He departed for Zimbabwe yesterday of his own free will," the Government of Botswana said in a statement released to clarify Mphoko's return on Friday."In the context of media reports, speculation and inquiries this is to note for the record that the former vice president of the Republic of ZimbabweMphoko, was not deported or otherwise forced to leave Botswana."The recent clampdown by the new government on "criminals" around Mugabe has already nabbed former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo and former Zanu-PF youth league secretary, Kudzanai Chipanga who are among the Generation 40 (G40) kingpins who are languishing in remand prison.Chombo is being accused of alleged corrupt deals, some dating as far back as 1997.He was arrested by the army on November 14.Chipanga faces charges of publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State as defined in Section 31 (a) (iii) of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.23 or alternatively causing disaffection among the police force or defence forces as defined in section 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.The charges arose from a press conference where he accused ZDF commander Constantino Chiwenga of stealing money realised from diamond mining in Marange.Moyo, along with former Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere have since fled the country.With most of the G40 members either detained or in hiding, Mphoko, who is linked to G40, might have been hesitant to come back home as he feared the prospects of arrest.Also in August this year, Mphoko was named in a bribery case in which he is alleged to have controversially acquired a stake in a business run by a Bulawayo-based Pakistani family.The Pakistanis, led by Imran Shahzad, were under investigation on allegations of procuring and rebranding expired foodstuffs at ridiculously low prices from South Africa for re-sale in the country.Imran and family run Bulk Cash and Carry Wholesalers (BCCW) in Bulawayo, an entity many residents here now believe sells cheaper foodstuffs and basic commodities.Some of the foodstuffs are said to be sprayed with dangerous chemicals that have been banned in the southern African region so as to remove pests that develop in the products because of expiry.The Daily News previously reported that Mphoko had been sucked into a dispute between BCCW and one of its employees who made a report to the police accusing the company of externalising foreign currency.
| BY Lynchy |

Looking for a great holiday read for yourself or an ad colleague? CB highly recommends Corkscrewed, the hilarious first novel by former creative director Rowan Dean.

After reading Corkscrewed, readers will realise those American Mad Men of the 60s were absolute amateurs compared to their successors in Londons glam and decadent 1980s advertising scene, where young creatives competed fiercely with each other to satisfy their insatiable appetite for money, fame and self-gratification.

Narcissistic, paranoid and ferociously convinced of his own talent, a young ad man must battle the creative forces that swirl around him trying to steal his greatest ideas ~ particularly a spot called Photobooth for Cicero Cigars, the agencys most awarded acount.

A must read novel about the only decade that ever really mattered in advertising.

About the author: Rowan Deans career began as an advertising copywriter and creative director, making his rep in 80s London, where he won many major international advertising awards. Rowan was responsible for launching Fosters Lager into the UK with his famous Paul Hogan campaign and later, at CDP, he co-wrote (with Garry Horner) the Photobooth spot for Hamlet Cigars, voted The best commercial of all time at Cannes in 1997.

He returned to Australia in the 90s to launch his own successful TV production company Rowan Dean Films, making premium commercials, before returning agency side a decade later as ECD of Euro RSCG Partnership, Sydney.

Rowan is now a political commentator at Sky News and co-anchor of the Outsiders with Ross Cameron on Sky News Live.

He is also the Editor of The Spectator Australia, a leading political and cultural weekly magazine that is the sister publication of the UK Spectator, the oldest and most respected magazine in Britain. Rowan also has a weekly satirical column in the AFR Weekend and a weekly political column in Brisbanes The Courier Mail. He also writes periodically for The Daily Telegraph.

He has written two other books, both of which are collections of his satirical columns: Beyond Satire (Connor Court 2013) and Way Beyond Satire (Wilkinson Publishing 2016).
News / National

by Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it is worried about cases of sexual abuse as well as domestic violence, given their devastating effects on victims as well as families.The ZRP Manicaland branch held a provincial campaign against gender based violence underscoring that justice will prevail once cases are reported.ZRP Officer Commanding Manicaland, Senior Assistant Commissioner Dorothy Kupara said they want to sound a collective call against gender based violence.Headwoman Leah Mupambawashi said traditional courts are taking a no nonsense approach to cases of gender based violence.The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place each year and runs from the 25th of November to the 10th of December.Need to uphold African cultureMen have been challenged to uphold the African culture of respecting women and play a pivotal role in reducing cases of domestic violence in the country.The country continues to witness increased gender based violence cases being reported each year with counselors attributing the decrease to improved knowledge of what is abuse.Msasa Project counselor, Mrs Diana Sisipenzi said women now understand that when abused, they should report and seek help.While women, girls, men and boys can be victims of gender based violence, Chief Pashu from Binga said cases handled by traditional leaders show that women and girls are the main victims of domestic violence.
"The ACT government believes the proposed provisions in line with those of NSW for complaint management will allow the board to more efficiently address malpractice in the sector, and to take appropriate action regarding the severity and effect of non-compliance," the spokesman said.
"It's similar to the rest of the electricity issue and that's customers understanding what's going on and what they're being charged for and ensuring that's transparently stated on their bills," Mr Mountain said.
Bright and early Friday morning, 10 stuffed turkeys will be hidden across town. They wont be stuffed with dressing and cranberries, but they will contain a voucher telling the prize winner how to redeem a gift basket filled with merchandise and gift cards.

Dave and Lynda Lambert partnered with the Canon City Daily Record and Shopper and KRLN and KSTY radio stations to host a Black Friday Wild Turkey Hunt that will go from 7 a.m. to noon.

Clues to the turkeys whereabouts will be announced every half hour on the Canon City Daily Records Facebook page and live on KRLN/Star Country 104.5.

The first one to locate each turkey will find information stuffed inside with directions on how to go about claiming their prize basket.

The Lamberts said they wanted to see the community enjoy an interactive scavenger hunt, like they have heard about taking place in other communities.

We got a lot of support form the merchants, Lynda Lambert said. It wasnt just Main Street  it was everyone who wanted to participate.

More than 20 businesses from across the community have donated prizes and gift certificates, including a Borgata, All Star Pets, Salon de Cheveux, Chillis, Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience and Canon City Tire.

It will be fun, Dave Lambert said. This is just something fun to do for the town. We though it would be neat.

Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County, students in the Canon City Schools GATE program, Starpoint consumers and an one individual girl created the turkeys.

Carie Canterbury: 719-276-7643, canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com
Authorities on Friday arrested a man in the presumed death of a pregnant Denver woman who disappeared under suspicious circumstances in 2013.

Donthe Isiah Lucas, 25, was arrested in connection with the homicide investigation of Kelsie Jean Schelling, according to the Pueblo Police Department. Her body still has not been found.

Schelling, 21 at the time she disappeared, was the ex-girlfriend of Lucas. She was pregnant with his child.

Lucas was taken into custody on Nov. 14 in Denver on suspicion of a Pueblo robbery in September, Pueblo police said. On Friday, Pueblo detectives and Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents served him with an arrest warrant on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to a Pueblo police news release. He is now being held without bond.

Police did not say what led to the arrest of Lucas. Searches for evidence in November in the southwest Pueblo area, near where Schelling was last known to be, were carried out.

Its been a work in progress for several years, said Pueblo police Capt. Kenny Rider. He added that police and prosecutors decided the time was right now to arrest Lucas.

Lucas has long been considered a person of interest in the case. In April, investigators executed search warrants on properties and homes where Lucas lived and had lived. The searches included digging on the properties.
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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.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Major General Dr Sibusiso B Moyo went on state television to deny the army speculation of a military coup in the country. Moyo is an army general serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in the Cabinet of Zimbabwe since November 2017. He is a general officer in the Zimbabwe National Army.General Moyo, is considered close to the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Constantino Chiwenga, warned that "any provocation will be met with an appropriate response."Moyo is a former member of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (Zipra), the armed wing of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu), which merged with Zanu PF in 1987.He rose through the ranks of the Zimbabwe National Army and was viewed as a strong supporter of Robert Mugabe during the June 2008 bloody presidential run-off in which MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, pulled out citing Zanu PF's campaign that resulted in about 200 MDC supporters being killed.Moyo commanded the military operation in Midlands province during the runoff period.During 2008, many senior military officers were deployed to run key government arms and departments, Moyo being one, serving as a member of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings board.In 2009, Moyo was placed on a targeted sanctions list along with 74 others, as individuals known to be supporters of the president.In the build-up to the 2013 general elections, the Zimbabwe Independent revealed that security chiefs again dispatched senior military officers to the country's 10 provinces to spearhead Zanu PF's election campaigns.Under the plan, Moyo, then a brigadier-general, was deployed to manage various provinces.In March 2016, Mugabe promoted Moyo to the rank of Major-General.Deviation from public support for Mugabe began for the major-general at the burial of his mother, Gogo Catherine Moyo. It was there, General Chiwenga said the country's sons and daughters who contributed to the country's struggle deserve respect from all corners of the country after refusing to attend a Zanu PF rally in Chinhoyi.His statements were taken as a rebuttal aimed at the president and his wife Grace amid rising tensions regarding succession.Moyo is listed to be a holder of a PhD from the University of Zimbabwe, however, nothing is said about his undergraduate and Masters degrees.Dr Sibusiso B MoyoMajor-General (Zimbabwe Defence Forces, 2015-2017)PhD International Relations (University of Zimbabwe, 2016)Proven experience in international diplomacy and international economic affairs for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.Enjoys good relations with figures in key global markets, particularly across Africa and in the Far East.Credited with helping spread the imperative of educational advancements throughout the rank and file of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.Has been pivotal in public-military interactions in different parts of Zimbabwe.
News / National

by ZimVigil

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - brimming with all the enthusiasm of a 10 year old stamp collector suddenly coming across a triangular from Tanganyika - was ready to usher Zimbabwe back into the Commonwealth on the back of a military coup in Salisbury, or Harare as it is now known. (Presumably the other 50 or so members of the Commonwealth would do what Bwana Boris told them.)His Africa Minister Rory Stewart, equally enthusiastic, flew out to Zimbabwe to shake the hand of the Conqueror of Mugabe, holding out the promise of an open cheque book. The US, normally more sensible in these affairs, was also welcoming. A rusty tinpot Marxist lunatic dethroned: anything must be an improvement.But something went wrong - even before modern history graduate Stewart had time to read the page on Zimbabwe. What was taken to be a day of joy and freedom, of liberation and release - the crossing of the Jordan - was nothing of the kind. It was from purgatory to purgatory. Nothing has improved. There has just been a change of guard.The announcement of Mnangagwa's new cabinet was a slap in the face for all - like the British Foreign Office - who had been led to believe that he was on board to save Zimbabwe - in other words that he realised that he needed Western help to turn around the economy and create jobs.The new cabinet, packed with contaminated genocidaires from the armed forces and discredited former Mugabe freeloaders, has dashed hopes of economic recovery. We had been led to believe that under the West's clever Baldrick-type master plan, the eager convert Mnangagwa would embrace the prospect of new money from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. After all, his mob has stolen just about everything available in Zimbabwe.In reality, he has increased unemployment, sacking the Pschomotor Minister for a start. Just when we needed him. We know from the ground the depths of despair in Zimbabwe. But economic reality will bring down the military regime sooner rather than later.Thanks to those who came early to set up and stayed till the end of the Vigil to help pack up: Racqueline Changunda, Miriam Gasho, Babula Gwatiringa, Jonathan Kariwo, Fungayi Mabhunu, Junior Madzimure, Rosemary Maponga and Hazvinei Saili. Thanks also to Patience Muyeye, Racqueline and Rosemary for looking after the front table and to Babula, Junior, Hazvinei and Miriam for handing out flyers.
Chinas GAC Motor has quietly announced the brand will be launched in the United States in the next two years.



In a statement, GAC Motor president Yu Jun said: We are building the first North America R&D Center in Silicon Valley this year and planning to enter the North American market by 2019. The executive went on to say the company has always had ambitions of being a world-class Chinese brand that is sold globally.

As part of the companys North American launch, the automaker will have a presence at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. GAC says we can expect a blockbuster lineup that includes an all-new concept car as well as the GA4, GA8, GM8, and GS8.

GAC Motor is owned by the GAC Group, which also owns the Trumpchi brand. Trumpchi had been eyeing a U.S. launch but, as we reported in April, the company was considering changing its name due to the fact that it sounds like a tribute to President Trump. At the time, GAC Group President Fend Xingya had commented: At first Id never thought of it, why change the name? Its the president Americans selected, its similar to the presidents name, this has to be good right? But in the United States the level of opposition [to Trump] is high.

The BBC recently noted executives were taken aback by the response they received at the 2017 North American International Auto Show and have been considering changing the name ever since.

Launching under the brand under the GAC Motor name will likely solve this problem, but we dont know if the company is even exploring that option.

Photo Gallery
Five and a half years. Thats how long its been since Lamborghini first unveiled the Urus as a concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.



Over the course of that time, its hemmed and hawed, begged and pleaded, and more than anything, kept us on our toes about putting the crossover into production.

That all comes to an end tomorrow when the Raging Bull marque finally reveals the production model. But before it does, Lamborghini has released one last teaser video.

The clip features the companys chief executive Stefano Domenicali looking back on the process that has taken it to this point, and forward to whats about to come.

Just what that will be is, in Lamborghinis own terms, the worlds first Super Sport Utility Vehicle  one that will not only change the company thats been gearing up for years now to build it, but put all other performance-oriented luxury crossovers and SUVs in their place.

Video
A U.S. judge has delayed the impending trial between Uber and Waymo after discovering that the ride-hailing company withheld evidence in a lawsuit filed by Waymo.



On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup was provided with a 37-page letter fromr former Uber security analyst Richard Jacobs lawyer. Uber should have provided Waymo with a copy of this letter as both sides prepared their respective cases and, well, it didnt.

In turn, Judge Alsup agreed to Waymos request for the trial to be delayed from its scheduled start next week, Reuters reports.

Speaking in the court, Judge Alsup hit out at Ubers decision to withhold evidence: I cant trust anything you say because its been proven wrong so many times. Youre just making the impression that this is a total cover-up.

In the letter, it is alleged that there was an organization within Uber dubbed marketplace analytics whose sole purpose was acquiring trade secrets, code base and competitive intelligence.

In his testimony, Richard Jacobs said the operation within Uber aimed to gather data about competitors and erase any possible paper trail.

PHOTO GALLERY
Entombed at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in an upended tugboat for three days, Harrison Odjegba Okene begged God for a miracle.

The Nigerian cook survived by breathing an ever-dwindling supply of oxygen in an air pocket. A video of Okene's rescue in May that was posted on the Internet more than six months later has gone viral this week.

As the temperature dropped to freezing, Okene, dressed only in boxer shorts, recited the last psalm his wife had sent by text message, sometimes called the Prayer for Deliverance: "Oh God, by your name, save me. ... The Lord sustains my life."

To this day, Okene believes his rescue after 72 hours underwater at a depth of 30 metres (about 100 feet) is a sign of divine deliverance. The other 11 seamen aboard the Jascon 4 died.

Divers sent to the scene were looking only for bodies, according to Tony Walker, project manager for the Dutch company DCN Diving.

The divers, who were working on a neighbouring oil field 120 kilometres (75 miles) away when they were deployed, had already pulled up four bodies.

So when a hand appeared on the TV screen Walker was monitoring in the rescue boat, showing what the diver in the Jascon saw, everybody assumed it was another corpse.

"The diver acknowledged that he had seen the hand and then, when he went to grab the hand, the hand grabbed him!" Walker said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

"It was frightening for everybody," he said. "For the guy that was trapped because he didn't know what was happening. It was a shock for the diver while he was down there looking for bodies, and we (in the control room) shot back when the hand grabbed him on the screen."

On the video, there's an exclamation of fear and shock from Okene's rescuer, and then joy as the realization sets in. Okene recalls hearing: "There's a survivor! He's alive."

Walker said Okene couldn't have lasted much longer.

"He was incredibly lucky he was in an air pocket but he would have had a limited time (before) ... he wouldn't be able to breath anymore."

The full video of the rescue captured by divers was released by DCN Diving after a request from The Associated Press. Initially, a shorter version of the rescue emerged on the Internet. The authenticity of the video was confirmed through conversations with DCN employees in the Netherlands. The video showing Okene was also consistent with additional photos of him on the rescue ship. The AP also contacted Okene on Tuesday who confirmed the events.

Okene's ordeal began around 4:30 a.m. on May 26. Always an early riser, he was in the toilet when the tug, one of three towing an oil tanker in Nigeria's oil-rich Delta waters, gave a sudden lurch and then keeled over.

"I was dazed and everywhere was dark as I was thrown from one end of the small cubicle to another," Okene said in an exclusive interview after his rescue with Nigeria's Nation newspaper.

He groped his way out of the toilet and tried to find a vent, propping doors open as he moved on. He discovered some tools and a life vest with two flashlights, which he stuffed into his shorts.

When he found a cabin of the sunken vessel that felt safe, he began the long wait, getting colder and colder as he played back a mental tape of his life  remembering his mother, friends, mostly the woman he'd married five years before with whom he hadn't yet fathered a child.

He worried about his colleagues  10 Nigerians and the Ukrainian captain including four young cadets from Nigeria's Maritime Academy. They would have locked themselves into their cabins, standard procedure in an area stalked by pirates.

He got really worried when he heard the sound of fish, shark or barracudas he supposed, eating and fighting over something big.

As the waters rose, he made a rack on top of a platform and piled two mattresses on top.

According to his interview with the Nation: "I started calling on the name of God. ... I started reminiscing on the verses I read before I slept. I read the Bible from Psalm 54 to 92. My wife had sent me the verses to read that night when she called me before I went to bed."

He survived off just one bottle of Coke, all he had to sustain him during the trauma.

Okene really thought he was going to die, he told the Nation, when he heard the sound of a boat engine and anchor dropping, but failed to get the attention of rescuers. He figured, given the size of the boat, that it would take a miracle for a diver to locate him. So he waded across the cabin, stripped the wall down to its steel body, then knocked on it with a hammer.

But "I heard them moving away. They were far away from where I was."

By the time he was saved, relatives already had been told the sailors were dead.

Okene kept faith with the psalm he recited, that promises to "give thanks in your name, Lord," at a service at his Redeemed Christian Church of God.

He was rescued by a diver who first used hot water to warm him up, then attached him to an oxygen mask. Once free of the sunken boat, he was put into a decompression chamber and then safely returned to the surface.
What if a job-seeker asked you to tie his tie for his interview?
When a man found the only worker at an empty South Carolina Waffle House asleep, he took his meal into his own hands.

On Facebook, Alex Bowen chronicled with selfies how he made his own double Texas bacon cheese steak melt at the famous Southern 24-7 diner around 2 a.m. Thursday.

Bowen says on Facebook he waited 10 minutes, then cooked his meal and "even scraped the grill when I was done."

Bowen's photos showed him with the sleeping worker, frying bacon and putting the sandwich together.

After good-natured kidding about stealing the sandwich, Bowen even posted a selfie returning to pay for his meal.

Waffle House said in a statement it was impressed with Bowen's cooking skills but customers should never go behind the counter for safety reasons.
Photo: The Canadian Press A supporter of presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla holds up a political party flag at a burning roadblock set up by demonstrators protesting what they call electoral fraud in Tegucigalpa, Hondura.

At least one opposition protester died in shootings overnight in Honduras after the country announced a curfew and suspended some constitutional rights in the face of unrest over a disputed election in which both candidates have claimed victory.

As the ballot count entered its sixth day Saturday, the national police force said a 19-year-old woman was shot to death at a protest supporting opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla by gunmen who witnesses say were police. Police said another man was seriously wounded in the same shooting, but his whereabouts are unclear, and he is also believed to have died.

"We still do not know if the assailants were police officers or not, but the case is being thoroughly investigated," a statement from the police said.

The protests were reminiscent of the 2009 coup that ousted former President Manuel Zelaya, whose Libre party is part of the coalition led by Nasralla that formed in a bid to unseat President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

The country's electoral court had finished counting nearly 95 per cent of the vote boxes from the Nov. 26 presidential election by late Friday and said it would conduct a hand count of 1,031 other boxes that presented "inconsistencies."

Hernandez held a lead of more than 46,000 votes over Nasralla before the last-stage count. It was not immediately clear how many votes could be at play in the uncounted boxes.

But mistrust mounted amid strange delays in the vote count and the sudden reversal of Nasralla's early lead.

Rock-wielding protesters have increasingly taken to the streets against riot police armed with tear gas, batons and water cannons. National police spokesman Jair Meza said 12 people had been wounded in clashes between police and protesters.

The Coalition Against Impunity, a network of human rights organizations, said in a report that security forces had used lethal ammunition and that four other protesters are believed to have been killed during clashes. The report was not immediately confirmed by police.

Meza said numerous businesses were damaged and looted in the capital and in San Pedro Sula, where local press reported that protesters had set a bank branch on fire.

By Saturday, Meza said more than 300 people had been detained for looting as they streamed out of shopping centres with electronics and other goods in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.

Groups of demonstrators also continued blocking highways with burning tires and other debris, in some cases forcing parents to carry their children through the smoking barriers.

In a decree read out on radio and television, the government's Cabinet chief Jorge Hernandez said late Friday that some constitutional guarantees would be suspended for 10 days to allow the army and police to control the situation. The government declared a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. across the country.

"The curfew is to safeguard the security of the country," President Hernandez said as he left a hotel in the capital after meeting with observers from the Organization of American States and the European Union. "This is the time for the people to feel supported by their armed forces and their police because it cannot be that somebody decides to loot or rob."

The military reported that 115 men and 23 women were detained in San Pedro Sula for violating the curfew on the first night it was implemented. They were later released.

Earlier, electoral court president David Matamoros said that representatives of the political parties would be present for the vote counts and that no announcements would be made until there is a final result.

After speaking with representatives of the opposition alliance and the ruling National Party, Matamoros said Friday that each party would be able to accredit 60 people to participate in the afternoon count alongside international observers. He estimated it could take six hours.
Photo: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge A drunk opossum that broke into a liquor store and helped itself to a few drinks was brought in to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge for treatment before it was released.

An opossum that apparently drank bourbon after breaking into a Florida liquor store sobered up at a wildlife rescue centre and was released unharmed.

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge officials say the opossum was brought in by a Fort Walton Beach, Florida, police officer on Nov. 24. A liquor store employee found the animal next to a broken and empty bottle of bourbon.

"A worker there found the opossum up on a shelf next to a cracked open bottle of liquor with nothing in it," said Michelle Pettis, a technician at the refuge. "She definitely wasn't fully acting normal."

Pettis told the Panama City News Herald the female opossum appeared disoriented, was excessively salivating and was pale. The staff pumped the marsupial full of fluids and cared for her as she sobered up.

"We loaded her up with fluids to help flush out any alcohol toxins," Pettis said. "She was good a couple of days later."

Pettis says the opossum did not appear to have a hangover.

The store owner, Cash Moore, says he never had an opossum break in before.

"She came in from the outside and was up in the rafters, and when she came through she knocked a bottle of liquor off the shelf," Moore said. "When she got down on the floor she drank the whole damn bottle."

"But it just goes to show that even the animals are impressed with Cash's," he said.
Photo: Contributed

For Canadas 150th birthday this year, Castanet is featuring an Okanagan wine each week, celebrating the bottles of our Valley and the diversity of the Canadian wine industry, including suggested food pairings and Canadian music artist to listen to while enjoying a glass. For current availability, consult the winery.

Wine: Blueberry Reserve, 2016

Winery: Baccata Ridge, Grindrod

Why drink it? Yes, blueberry wine. The reserve version of this vintage is slightly sweeter than the table version, and it is worth trying them side by side to pick a favourite. The reserve has a bright floral lift on the nose, and, of course, the wafting scent of blueberries that have just been picked. And it tastes as you would expect, like blueberries. But the sweetness does not overpower the fruit flavours, and there is a nice vanilla essence coupled with a mildly lingering finish. The winery suggests serving it cold, but as it warms up in the glass, the blueberry shines through with hints of roasted nuts and fruitcake.

Price: $19.50

Pair with: The sweeter reserve pairs extremely well with toffee-covered hazelnuts and almond cookies, and, in fact, makes a great blueberry tea; not the usual recipe, but 2/3rds good Earl Grey, 1/3rd wine, a lemon slice and honey. The drier version, roast turkey or duck, especially with a blueberry reduction.

Classic CanCon music pairing: Bluebird Island, Hank Snow

Have a wine you'd like to suggest? Contact us at [email protected], and we will put you in touch with our wine writer.
News / Press Release

by Moses Chamboko

Moses Chamboko is an unwavering pro-democracy activist and Secretary General of ZUNDE. He can be contacted at chambokom@gmail.com, info@zunde.org , @zundezim. Website: zunde.org.

In his own words, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said "The voice of the people is the voice of God". We now hold him to his word. He must start listening to the sacred voice of God and move our nation forward.Simply put, President Mnangwagwa appears to have confused Commissariat with Cabinet. He also doesn't seem to appreciate the real meaning of a "lean cabinet". Reducing ministers from 26 to 22 cannot pass as a big step towards a streamlined and efficient government. Yes, he got rid of some useless ministries created by Mugabe to accommodate factional interests such as Psychomotor Activities and merged a few others but, broadly speaking, it is more of the same.He has appointed six unnecessary deputy ministers and ten unconstitutional provincial ministers whose practical function is that of provincial commissars. They should be full-time employees of the party not government. President Mnangagwa should have shown some respect for the new Constitution by disbanding provincial ministries and installing provincial councils. Appointing nine non-parliamentarians to his ministry against the provisions of the Constitution which allows for a maximum of five, even though he climbed down later, demonstrates the irony that we had a Minister of Justice who did not fully understand the National Constitution.We now have a Minister of Defence, Security and War Veterans whose assistant is called Deputy Minister for War Veterans. This deputy's role should simply be fulfilled by a department of the ministry with Victor Matemadanda as the director for that department. The same applies to the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs where the deputy is only responsible for Youth Affairs. If anything youth and women affairs should be departments of the Ministry of Social Welfare. Having a full minister responsible for scholarships is irrational - a typical case of jobs for the boys. Surely there must be a junior clerk in the Ministry of Education for this role.David Parirenyatwa has not done anything notable to improve our health services. Beyond his family name, nothing of substance has ever come out of this minister. Our health delivery system has been in intensive care unit since Parirenyatwa became minister. He has no initiative and he cannot do even basic things like ensuring that patients have food and blankets.Since he became Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa has been moaning about raising salaries for civil servants, every month. He has acted more like a school bursar than a Minister of Finance. Yes, there were times when his efforts were frustrated by Mugabe but the fact remains that he is not the best person to drive the revival of our economy. We have Zimbabweans around the world who have successfully held very senior positions in international financial institutions. If the President did not want to select a decent technocrat from within Zimbabwe, he could have looked beyond the borders for the good of our nation.Appointing a serving general who was spokesperson for the "non-coup" to the critical ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade remains a mystery. I would have given that portfolio to a diplomat such Chris Mutsvangwa or Simon Khaya Moyo as my learned, articulate and analytical homeboy, Alex Magaisa has also suggested. Deployment of Sibusiso Moyo as the face of Zimbabwe in the international community sends a very poor message both abroad and at home especially so soon after the developments leading to Mugabe's resignation.While there is nothing wrong with generals assuming political office after retiring from service, it is the process and immediate leading events that are questionable in our circumstances. Both Solomon Mujuru and Josiah Tungamirai joined active politics after retirement from the military. We did not see anything wrong with that. Agrippa Mutambara and Ambrose Mutinhiri are other examples. Elsewhere in the region, President Ian Khama is a general. The difference is that the moment he opted for politics, he relinquished his military role and fully subjected himself to democratic processes. He also immediately stood down as Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato.Generally, Zimbabweans have very little confidence in and respect for Obert Mpofu. If President Mnangagwa had indeed listened to the voice of God, he would never have retained Mpofu, especially in the critical ministry of Home Affairs. If I had my way, I would redeploy Sibusiso Moyo to Home Affairs to cleanse the ZRP once and for all.As for Perrance Shiri, it appears more like elimination by promotion. However, to give credit where it is due, despite his intellectual shortcomings, Shiri is an affable pragmatist whose performance as the minister responsible for Agriculture might surprise us.The appointment of Winston Chitando to head Mining and Mining Development seems to be the most reasonable appointment that the President has made. However, the underrepresentation of women and youth in the new cabinet is reprehensible. It appears ZANU PF only thinks about this critical constituency when it is time for rallies and elections. This neglect is nothing but abuse and lack of respect for women and youth.Zimbabweans at home and in the Diaspora had hoped that a new, young, energetic, professional and technocratic Zimbabwean would be appointed to the critical ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Re-appointing Chinamasa is as disappointing as retaining Dokora at Education, arguably the worst Minister of Education we have had since independence - undertaker of the education system. We are not excited to note that Dokora has finally been dropped. Rather, we are surprised that he was even considered in the first place.Unfortunately, there is never a second chance to make a first impression. President Mnangagwa seems to have blown his first chance big time. Unless he does something radical in the interim, even if it means a quick reshuffle after Congress, progressive Zimbabweans will not take him seriously. He comes across as a "client President" who has no option but to look after his benefactors. This is the difficulty of coming into office through undemocratic means.Many of us were willing to forgive President Mnangagwa and his cohorts for their past transgressions, real or imagined. We even threw our principles and caution to the wind hoping that our own John Magufuli or Deng Xiaoping had finally been born. We have read about sinners who went on to become saints. We thought this was President Mnangagwa's moment. He had a real chance to get all Zimbabweans fully behind him in rebuilding the economy.Some of us fiercely argued in the past three weeks that we should not prejudge Manangagwa. We went on to say that the composition of his Cabinet would reveal his real agenda and intentions. Now that he has retained and recycled some perennial failures and dead wood in his Cabinet, worse still in key ministries, we have every reason to suspect that where we are going is where we are coming from.Zimbabweans expected an economic Cabinet but President Mnangagwa has given them a Commissariat, at best a "Command Cabinet", very similar to the war cabinet' that Mugabe once put together after facing a stiff challenge from the opposition. It was about personal survival and nothing else.Before his Cabinet was announced, the new President had raised national hopes so high through his inauguration speech as well as through a statement a few days later that he was going to form a lean government that would focus on performance and delivery. Underperforming civil servants were put on notice in the process. We all thought that, finally, we were getting somewhere. Were we sold a dummy?The President has missed a perfect opportunity to transform our economy and our politics. While we gave him the benefit of the doubt, it appears the honeymoon is over. It is back to the established ZANU PF way of doing things. The only good thing that has come out of President Mnangwagwa's error of judgement is that the opposition has been emboldened. It is time to regroup and take the democratic project forward. While Mugabe is gone, it is now time to focus on remedying the ruinous system he left behind. The fight is not over yet. 2018 is our opportunity to rid ourselves of the entrenched Mugabeism. We need transformation, not cosmetic change.
Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump walks on stage to speak at a fundraiser at Cipriani in New York, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Trump is attending a trio of fundraisers during his day in New York.

Brushing aside an ongoing Russia probe, President Donald Trump reveled Saturday in the Senate's passage of a sweeping tax bill, predicting with swagger that he and his fellow Republicans were "unbeatable."

Trump swept into his hometown on a $6 million fundraising blitz, a day after former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and promised co-operation with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

The president told reporters there was "no collusion" between his campaign and the Russians, then tweeted, "nothing to hide!" He said he "had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice-President and the FBI" and defended Flynn's actions during the presidential transition as lawful.

The tax legislation now goes to a House-Senate committee, which will try to reconcile the versions passed by each chamber. "Something beautiful is going to come out of that mixer," Trump said. "People are going to be very, very happy."

After landing in New York City, Trump's motorcade drove near several hundred protesters decrying the tax bill and his administration's entanglement in the Russia probe. But inside a large event space in Cipriani, where a large Christmas tree stood nearby, the president turned nostalgic about the 2016 election and recalled that few people expected him to notch the required 270 electoral votes to claim the White House.

Looking ahead, the president boasted that Democrats' prospects in 2020 looked bleak.

"Right now unless they have somebody that we don't know about, right now we're unbeatable. We're unbeatable," Trump said. "And one of the reasons is what's happening with the markets, what's happening with business, what's happening with jobs."

The president noted that the Senate's nearly $1.5 trillion tax overhaul passed with only Republican votes and predicted that Democrats would regret their opposition.

"That's going to cost them very big in the election," he said. "Because basically they voted against tax cuts and I don't think politically it's good to vote against tax cuts."

Trump was attending three fundraising events in New York that were expected to raise $6 million for Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee between the president's campaign and the Republican National Committee.

The events brought Trump within blocks of Trump Tower, his New York City skyscraper. His longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and casino magnate Steve Wynn were spotted outside one of the gatherings at the Pierre hotel and Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., was photographed at the event.
Photo: The Canadian Press ABC has suspended investigative reporter Ross Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, for four weeks without pay for the network's incorrect Michael Flynn report on Friday.

ABC News on Saturday suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross for four weeks without pay for his erroneous report on Michael Flynn, which it called a "serious error."

Ross, citing an unnamed confidant of Flynn, had reported Friday that during the presidential campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump had directed Flynn to make contact with the Russians. Hours later, Ross clarified the report on the evening news, saying his source had actually said that Trump asked Flynn to contact the Russians as president-elect  not before the election  about issues including working together to fight ISIS.

The network was widely criticized for not immediately correcting the report. It issued a correction later in the evening.

"We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made yesterday," ABC News said in a statement Saturday from Heather Riley, its vice-president of communications. "The reporting conveyed by Brian Ross during the special report had not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process. As a result of our continued reporting over the next several hours ultimately we determined the information was wrong and we corrected the mistake on air and online.

"It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have built with our audience  these are our core principles. We fell far short of that yesterday." It said the four-week suspension of Ross, 69, was effective immediately.

Flynn, who is the former national security adviser, pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russians.

Ross joined the network in 1994. He has won a slew of journalism awards, including, according to his ABC bio, six George Polk awards, six Peabody awards and two Emmys, among others.

He also, though, has drawn criticism for previous errors. In just one example, ABC had to apologize in 2012 when Ross reported on "Good Morning America" that James Holmes, the suspect in the movie theatre shooting in Aurora, Colorado, might be connected to the tea party, based on a name listed on a web page. It turned out to be a different "Jim Holmes." Ross was criticized for politicizing the story with the error.
Photo: Google Maps An earthquake struck off the coast of Ecuador Sunday.

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck along the coast of Ecuador Sunday in the same area where a much stronger tremor left hundreds dead last year.

President Lenin Moreno said there were no immediate reports of victims or major damage from the quake, which jolted many Ecuadoreans who were still in bed shortly after 6 a.m. (1100 GMT). It was felt in 12 provinces across the country.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, with a depth of 15.5 miles (25 kilometres), was centred around the town of San Vicente.

Authorities said that there wasn't a risk of a tsunami and appealed for calm.

They also expressed optimism that Ecuadoreans were better prepared for a natural disaster after rebuilding from last year's magnitude 7.8 quake along the Pacific coast that left more than 600 people dead and thousands more injured and homeless.

"We've made some giant steps and are much more prepared than we were in the past," said Ricardo Penaherrera, a top official with Ecuador's agency for risk management, pointing out that authorities carried out an earthquake drill last week in the same area where Sunday's quake took place.

He said authorities were still canvassing coastal areas for damage but that other than knocking out power in some rural areas there were no immediate reports of major damage.

Fabricio Diaz, governor of Manabi province, said emergency dispatchers received just 38 phone calls, the majority from residents inquiring about the quake's epicenter rather than reporting damages. The province's ports, dams and major roadways were unaffected, he said.
Photo: The Canadian Press File photo of Michael Flynn.

President Donald Trump said Sunday in a tweet that he never asked former FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating his ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn, issuing a fresh denial amid a shifting timeline on when he may have known that Flynn had lied to the FBI.

Trump said on Twitter before dawn, "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" The president reiterated his version of events after Comey testified before Congress in June that Trump had asked him in a one-on-one meeting if he could see to "letting Flynn go."

Trump shifted his story Saturday on why he fired Flynn, lumping in the retired Army lieutenant general's lies to the FBI along with his untruthfulness with Vice-President Mike Pence. The president's initial explanation was that Flynn had to go because he hadn't been straight with Pence about contacts with Russian officials.

Lying to the FBI is a crime, and one that Flynn acknowledged Friday in pleading guilty and agreeing to co-operate with the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Trump tweeted Saturday: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice-President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

Amid questions raised by the tweet, Trump associates tried to put distance Saturday evening between the president himself and the tweet. One person familiar with the situation said the tweet was actually crafted by John Dowd, one of the president's personal attorneys. Dowd declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Saturday night.

In another email wrinkle in the investigation into Trump's ties to Russia, The New York Times reported Saturday that emails among top Trump transition officials suggested that Flynn was in close contact with other senior members of the transition team before and after he spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. A Dec. 29 email from K.T. McFarland, a transition adviser to Trump, suggested that Russian sanctions announced by the Obama administration had been aimed at discrediting Trump's victory.

She wrote the sanctions could also make it more difficult for Trump to ease tensions with Russia, "which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him," she wrote in the emails obtained by the Times. A White House attorney told the newspaper McFarland only meant that Democrats were portraying it that way.

It's unclear why Trump would cite lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Flynn. Doing so suggests the president knew at the time that Flynn had done something that is against the law, and therefore the investigation could not be as frivolous as he's been portraying.

It's also unclear how he would know that, if information about Russian contacts had not reached him, as he has been implying in his own defence.

Flynn left the White House in February, only acknowledging that he had given an incomplete account to Pence of his conversations with Kislyak. After Trump forced Flynn out, he asked Comey to end the bureau's probe in the matter, according to Comey's account. Comey refused, and Trump fired him, too.

Then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer said after Flynn's firing that it was the result of a "trust issue" and the White House counsel's office had determined there was not a legal issue.

"Whether or not he actually misled the vice-president was the issue, and that was ultimately what led to the president asking for and accepting the resignation of Gen. Flynn," Spicer told reporters on Feb. 14. "That's it, pure and simple. It was a matter of trust."

Trump has been publicly dismissive of Comey and of special counsel Robert Mueller's continuing investigation, and was often generous in his appraisal of Flynn, except to say his adviser could not stay on the job after misleading his vice-president.

At the time, Pence said Trump was justified in firing Flynn because Flynn had lied to him. Neither Trump nor Pence indicated concern then that the FBI had not been told the true story.

Pence, who served as head of Trump's transition, has not publicly commented on Flynn's plea.

Trump turned to Twitter again later Saturday night, railing about why Flynn was prosecuted but his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton was not for her alleged misdeeds.

He tweeted: "So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?"

He then added: "Many people in our Country are asking what the 'Justice' Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and 'acid washed' 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

Clinton was voluntarily interviewed for more than three hours at FBI headquarters in July 2016. She was not in custody during her interview and so, in accordance with standard FBI and Justice Department protocol, her interview would not have been recorded.
Photo: The Canadian Press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends weekly cabinet meeting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered his backers to reword a contentious piece of legislation that could potentially stifle a police investigation against him, in what appeared to be an attempt to defuse rising public anger against the long-ruling Israeli leader.

The so-called "recommendations bill" would end the police's current practice of recommending to prosecutors whether to indict suspects upon completing their investigations. It also aims to stem leaks from the investigations themselves, stating that no police recommendations be made public and penalizing those found leaking to the media.

The bill has been pushed by Netanyahu's staunchest allies in the Likud Party, whipping up criticism that the beleaguered prime minister himself was seeking to pass legislation that would in essence change the current rules for police investigations and protect him from embarrassing revelations they may have discovered.

"Unfortunately, the debate over the recommendations bill has turned into a political weapon against an elected government," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook. He said he asked a lawmaker behind the bill to ensure that it "be worded in a way that it won't apply to the investigation taking place into my affairs."

On Saturday night, tens of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets of Tel Aviv for an anti-corruption rally calling on Netanyahu to resign. It was one of the largest demonstrations yet against Netanyahu's lengthy rule. Organizers hope the grassroots movement picks up steam and becomes a regular Saturday night ritual that eventually forces Netanyahu from power.

"I think the time has come to change the government. The government is corrupt. We're sick of the corrupt," said protester Avi Elmozlinu.

Earlier Sunday, Israeli police questioned a close Netanyahu ally seen as the driving force behind the bill on separate corruption charges. Coalition whip David Bitan was grilled in relation to accusations that he promoted the interests of criminals in return for debt relief while he was a municipal politician years ago.

The bill's future remains unclear. Netanyahu's Likud party was set to bring the bill for a parliamentary vote on Monday, but appeared to be lacking support and working to delay the vote. Their hope was to move the bill forward quickly so that it would also apply to investigations currently taking place regarding Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has been questioned in two cases and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Police have already grilled him six times regarding gifts he received from Hollywood and business figures, and in another probe about secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. One of his closest former aides has become a state's witness against him.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and calls the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Another investigation has engulfed his close associates and dominated news in Israel. The probe relates to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines.
News / Press Release

by Tafi Mhaka

As Hakim Bello left Nigeria, the hope of a first-class life abroad, drowned out the cacophony of doubts piercingly sounding in his head. But the tragedy of hope is, it is not a science.He left the familiarity and comfort of his family home behind somewhat unaware of the wet and slippery road that lay ahead. He had not planned the trip ahead meticulously.All he had to do was make it to Tripoli in Libya. Hakim Bello made the arduous journey to the land ruled by Muammar Gaddafi in the hope of finding a better life.There he found a job as a tailor. For five years, life in Libya was pretty decent. He earned a good wage: money enough to keep his family back home afloat. The Arab Spring in 2011 put paid to that luxury.Rebel militias from Misrata executed Colonel Gaddafi. War broke out in Libya. Suddenly Tripoli was no longer a safe place for black African migrants like Bello. Thousands of black Africans were repatriated from Libya as regional and ethnic tensions intensified in the oil-rich Arab state.Wary of his safety, amid an awfully tenuous security situation, Bello chose travel to Italy. He didn't catch a flight out to Rome or travel aboard a luxury cruise liner. He paid 250 (R4,300) to some people smugglers to hitch a perilously rough ride to Italy in a shabby fishing boat.Young men and women and children from Syria, Algeria and Egypt - as well as hordes of black Africans from East and West Africa, boarded the old fishing boat that set sail to the southern coast of Italy. The journey was dreadful.The rickety craft wasn't built for long distance travel. It failed to tame the rough waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Pregnant women and children and seemingly frail passengers aboard the ship were absolutely petrified.Some screamed in fear as thoughts of perishing at sea went racing through their minds. The people smugglers did nothing to pacify their human cargo.Passengers who screamed or complained about conditions on the boat were violently assaulted. Some of the migrants died painful deaths at sea before they could be saved."By the time we saw a rescue helicopter, two days after our boat had left Libya with 250 passengers on board, some people were already dead  flung into the sea by the waves, or suffocated downstairs in the dark," said Bello.Bello spent time in a refugee camp in Lampedusa in Italy. He left the refugee camp for a small town in Southern Italy. There, he got a job sewing tents, but it didn't pay much. So he left for Berlin; where he met his girlfriend.Now, they have a little boy, who is 18 months old. The words of Ajad Miccoli, a musician who lives in Lampedusa, sum up the ghastly journey each and every refugee like Hakim Bello must embark on.After evading death at the hands of militia in Libya and surviving the murderous waters of the Mediterranean Sea  Hakim Bello is finally living the life he envisaged all so long ago when he left his native Nigeria.Tafi Mhaka is a writer and commentator You can follow him onFacebook: @tafiranyikaTwitter: @tafimhaka
Opinion / Columnist

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauguration speech was in a class of its own in terms of vision, strategy and content.The President showed a clear, firm grasp of economics with his dose of what I would call "EDNomics", proudly showing the world that here is a new Zimbabwe that is ready and open for business.The wide-ranging delivery covered local, regional, continental and international politics, diplomacy, societal niceties and the hard stuff  corruption, indiscipline and lawlessness.I particularly liked the Dengism philosophy which he merged with his appeal to investors to come from all corners of the world.Now that is pragmatism in the mould of China's former leader, Deng Xiaoping, who upon assuming leadership of China in the 1970s declared: "I do not care the colour of the cat, black or white  so long as it catches mice!"China's illustrious growth today owes its genesis and greatness to that statement.I was particularly pleased, too, that the President mentioned special economic zones, promising to accelerate their establishment countrywide "in order to attract investment and generate increased exports, jobs and stimulate economic growth".That statement alone, together with everything else he said, will get this economy flying to double digit growth rates with potential to propel this country to the levels of the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea and others in a very short space of time given our natural resources and literacy levels.The SEZs thrust is the way to go.I have just returned from a study tour of China's SEZs and what I and my colleagues saw there is out of this world.The President also devoted adequate space to the importance of financial sector stability, which is very crucial to our economic take-off.More importantly, he did not leave out agriculture as the backbone of this economy.He also talked about farm productivity and Command Agriculture.Now, what more would a simple person like me who is retired, maybe "tired and expired too", want to hear besides that?I also liked the part when he talked about bureaucratic sloth; his detest of indecision in Government on the back of perennial excuses, unending procedures, shuffling paperwork from one office to another and a thousand other excuses that do not promote our economic turnaround.He said it can't "be business as usual"! Now, that's serious leadership.What he is saying is that it is better to make mistakes and learn from them as we go along than to pretend to be direct descendants of St Peter or Paul and in the process not make decisions for fear of making mistakes!A lot of economic stagnation in this country is due to this cryptic fear of the unknown and fear of making decisions!I got the impression that the President is saying no to excuses and inaction.I do not believe that anyone can find fault in the vision of the new President, taking into account his vast experience in the previous administration and the fact that he remains one of our oldest surviving cadres of the liberation struggle who knows why they went to war in the first place and what they don't want to see happen again to this country and its economy.The President's acknowledgement of the iconic leadership and mentorship of former President RG Mugabe could not have made better listening in front of all other Presidents who graced the occasion and the generality of those who packed the stadium.Here, the President showed his real self as a statesman par excellence. I think that was a touch of genius on his part.He was very gracious and I think many peace-loving people thank him for that.Now, the lesson for me and to many others listening to his address there was that if the new President can forgive, exalt, honour and still respect his predecessor regardless and in spite of all events preceding his inauguration, who am I or you to want to keep grudges against anyone or anybody?I think this nation is blessed to have a God-fearing leadership and what President Mnangagwa did will definitely stand us in good stead among nations and peoples of all colours, creed, religions and political persuasions.What I'm saying is that it is not just the economic issues that I and many others listened to, but also, the political and social dimensions of the President's speech.I'm sure even President Mugabe himself must have been very proud of his mentee and successor regardless of the circumstances.I know he was.I'm aware that earlier on, the former President had passed on good wishes to his successor, though he had been anxious to hear what the new President would say about him.Having been involved in a very modest way in trying to resolve issues between the former President, the military, Parliament as represented by the Speaker, University of Zimbabwe students as represented by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura and the Students Representative Council as well as the generality of the population, I, too, was anxious to hear what President Mnangagwa was going to say about his teacher and former boss.I can tell you that I'm one person who is very happy with the speech and the outcome of all that has happened, culminating in the brilliant, peaceful transition between two great men in our history.I particularly like the new President's brand of EDNomics, EDPolitics and EDPlomacy.As a nation, let's move to implementation!Coming back to SEZs, I am sure that even stakeholders with whom we have been engaging were impressed by the President's message and will not hesitate to work with us after all the assurances of investment safety.The Special Economic Zones board is ready to put its hands to the wheel.Dr Gideon Gono chairs the Special Economic Zones board and is a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. He shared these views with The Sunday Mail's Chief Reporter Kuda Bwititi after President Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauguration on November 24, 2017
Opinion / Columnist

It has been argued by Bulelani Lobhengula Khumalo handlers that he has been chosen by virtue of a long standing order and rule that only a King can sire a King (Inkosi izala inkosi). Therefore the likes of Peter Zwidekalanga Khumalo are elbowed away because of that standing rule. Let us analyse this logic.The Bulelani group applies the "Inkosi izala inkosi" argument on Lobhengula but fail to apply it on his descendents. If they apply this argument through out, one would notice that Njube, son of Lobhengula, could not have sired a King, because he was never crowned a King. Therefore their argument to say "Inkosi izala inkosi" is a fallacy because as we speak, Bulelani is most certainly not born of a King! This is so because his father Humphrey was never crowned a King. Let us agree here ladies and gentlemen, that the logic of "Inkosi izala inkosi" is being selectively applied. In this case it is being applied in an effort to exclude the Nyamande line, despite evidence that Nyamande was crowned King on 25 June 1896, and led Umvukela as a King.Does the Bulelani Group reject the fact that Nyamande was indeed crowned King on 25 June 1896. If they do not reject, then their argument that "Inkosi izala inkosi" is faulty because the last evident Mthwakazi King was Nyamande. Let me hazard a bore here by quoting Dr. Cobbing verbatim."About three weeks ago Nyamande (the late King's son), with a strong bodyguard came from the west round the east side of this fort (Hope Fountain) and across to Babiyani's late kraal. From there he crossed into the hills. He had been sent for by the chief Indunas, Dliso Mathema of Nqameni, Babiyani, and Sekhombo, who had assembled in council to elect the young chief as king. On the night of this last full moon, 25 June 1896, a big dance (ceremony) was held and Nyamande was formally crowned King. The gathering was held at Entumbane which is where Mzilikazi was (is) buried " The reader must know that this quotation is from a letter that was written by Lieutenant Pyke to his Chief Staff Officer, and is available in the Public Archives for anyone interested to access.If one analyses the coronation of Nyamande, one notices that it was done at Entumbane where Mzilikazi is buried, and where his father Lobhengula was corronated. Anyone arguing against this reality is merely advancing their personal and selfish interests. If the Bulelani group truly stands by their "Inkosi izala inkosi" argument, then they should be looking for the next Mthwakazi King from Nyamande's house because he was the only crowned son of Lobhengula.Now to come to those who seek to vilify Peter Zwidekalanga Khumalo, well, their arguments are devoid of logic because the Mthwakazi culture says only a concerned family can advance a name, from amongst themselves, for the instalment either as Chief or King. Frankly, other Chiefs can not come into King Lobhengula's Royal Family and select for themselves who the next King is. Why not ask the Royal House its self? The only reason used by these other Chiefs and houses, is simply in order to usurp the rights of the legitimate house. Let me back my point by giving you a trail of arguments. If Bulelani is crowned King, he obviously will not stay in Zimbabwe because he has no documentation for Zimbabwe, and he has by far better life in South Africa. Therefore someone amongst his handlers will have to hold his place as Regent (Ibamba)! Effectively, the regent becomes the de facto King! If anyone wants to understand how Bulelani's case has been advanced, do not look at the fake arguments presented, simply look for who intends to be his Regent. At that point one then understands the personal interests at play. I shall not name anyone here for respect of personalities. This is why the legitimate House is being vilified, and Peter Zwidekalanga Khumalo, as its spokesman, vilified too! It is clear therefore, that if you want to understand Peter Zwidekalanga Khumalo's arguments, go ahead and look at the historical facts presented by independent sources, who have no vested interests in the matter.To conclude my case, I will assure Chief Mathema that he shall not be hindered by any one in his quest to install Bulelani as King. All I can say to his conscience is that he is moving against his own forefather, Dliso Mathema, who moved to install Nyamande in 1896. If Chief Mathema is of any conscience that is not driven by monetary gifts, he has to review the actions of his forefather who stood by virtue and not greed.I rest my case.Alton Dewaemail: alton.dewa@gmail.comTel: 0735392812 (on Whatsapp)
For many immigrants and their families in the United States, the Virgin of Guadalupe symbolizes a link to their country of origin and their devotion is strongly manifested on this side of the border every December 12, a day known as the Dia de la Morenita.

According to popular tradition, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous man in Mexico, City. After a series of apparitions, she asked that a church be built in her name on the Tepeyac Hill, now known as the Basilica in a suburb of Mexico City.

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For this reason, in Chicago, Colectiva Mariposas, in collaboration of the nonprofit Pilsen Alliance, will hold the "Guadalupe Holiday Market, a pop-up artisan shop focused on handicrafts and clothes inspired in the Aztec Queen, as many call her.

The idea is "to open a window to our traditions and culture with a sense of unity and respect for our religious beliefs that are the most vivid expression of our immigrant community," the event description reads.

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The shop will have embroidered blouses, Mexican decorations for Christmas, clay images, and handcrafted table runners from Chiapas, Oaxaca, and other entities.

Hilda Burgos, the founder of the Colectiva Mariposas, said that they decided to inspire their shop in 'La Lupita', not only because December is the month in which she is commemorated, but also to promote and encourage other women in the community to create art.

She added that some of the items will be sold to raise funds for the communities affected by the earthquakes that occurred in September and that have left some parts of Puebla, Chiapas, and Oaxaca in ruins. Those items were made by artisans in the affected states and sent to Chicago to be sold. A portion of the sales will go towards the artisans and the rest will go towards a fund to rebuild Mexico.

We are working hard to stand in solidarity with them through art, wrote Elvira Arellano, who has been in communication with the Mexican artisans.

"In addition to that goal, the event also has the mission of promoting cultural traditions such as the worship of the Virgin of Guadalupe among the new generations," said Burgos, who hopes that more events like this one take place. She added that their ultimate purpose is to empower women and young people with talent to express themselves and at the same time celebrate their culture.

The pop-up shop will take place on December 2 and 3 at Pilsen Alliance, 1744 W. 18th St, and December 10 at Ram's Restaurant, 2302 S. Blue Island Ave.
LAREDO, Texas  A Chicago man has been arrested and charged with transporting undocumented immigrants after federal agents near the Texas-Mexico border found 12 people inside his tractor trailer truck.

The Border Patrol says Carlos Rodriguez was pulled over last week near Laredo after he failed to stop at a checkpoint on Interstate 35 north of the border city.

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Court documents show the 12 people in the truck were from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The San Antonio Express-News reports one of the truck occupants from Guatemala told authorities he paid about $1,000 to be smuggled into the U.S. and that he'd have to pay another $4,000 once he reached his destination in Florida.

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Rodriguez now faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Darnell R. Scott, 37, is accused of stabbing his 50-year-old brother-in-law numerous times with a 2-inch pocket knife as the two rode the No. 63/63rd Street bus on Nov. 30, 2017. (Chicago police photo / )

Chicago  An Englewood man stabbed his brother-in-law at least 25 times on a CTA bus, partially disemboweling him in front of other riders, prosecutors said Saturday.

A judge denied bail for Darnell R. Scott, 37, who is accused of stabbing his 50-year-old brother-in-law numerous times with a 2-inch pocket knife as the two rode the No. 63/63rd Street bus Thursday around 6:30 p.m. The victim suffered numerous wounds to his abdomen, arms, legs, neck and the back of his head before the bus came to a stop in the 300 block of West 63rd Street, according to Cook County prosecutors and police.

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The attack left the man partially disemboweled, Assistant State's Attorney Craig Taczy told the court, as Scott, his right hand heavily bandaged, listened. Scott, of the first block of West 65th Street, is charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm and is scheduled to return to court next week.

The incident began with Scott getting on the bus and walking to the rear, past his brother-in-law, without saying a word, Taczy said. Despite being related by marriage, the men do not share a friendly relationship and hadn't spoken for some time, Taczy said.

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The brother-in-law approached Scott and the men got into a fight that ended with Scott punching the older man, authorities said. While prosecutors didn't say what triggered the blow, Scott's arrest report states the brother-in-law told police later he was hit after he asked the younger man if he had previously sent people to jump him.

As the two men wrestled on the bus floor, Scott pulled the knife and stabbed the victim, according to Taczy, as some passengers recorded video on their cellphones. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, according to the police report. Scott, who was arrested after getting off the bus, was also hospitalized for his injuries. Officers also found the gray-handled knife and took it into evidence, and say Scott admitted stabbing the victim.

Cook County Judge John F. Lyke Jr. noted that it was the brother-in-law who approached Scott on the bus, but denied bail after prosecutors reiterated that Scott threw the first punch. Scott was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Scott, a married father of three, will be able to seek a reduced bond at his next hearing, the judge ruled.

wlee@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MidNoirCowboy
Chicago police are looking for two men who tried to lure two teenage girls into a pickup truck in the Edison Park neighborhood on the Far Northwest Side on Saturday afternoon, according to a community alert.

The girls, 14 and 15, were walking on the sidewalk in the 1700 block of North Harlem Avenue when two men in a black four-door pickup truck began conversing with them and tried coaxing them into the truck about 4 p.m., police said.

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The girls were scared and fled on foot immediately, police said. The truck drove west on West Touhy Avenue.

The men are believed to be between 35 and 45 years old. The driver was wearing a black North Face jacket and had a light beard. The passenger wore a white top.

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Anyone with information about the incident should call area north detectives at 312-744-8200.
A 14-year-old girl was critically injured when a car full of teenagers on North Lake Shore Drive slammed into a tree near Foster Beach and rolled over early Sunday, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash happened in the 5200 block of North Lake Shore Drive about 1:40 a.m., Chicago police said in a media notification. The 14-year-old girl was sitting in the front seat and ejected onto the northbound lanes. She was taken to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital in critical condition, police said.

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An 18-year-old motorist was cited with negligent driving and driving too fast for conditions, police said. She was driving the Toyota sedan southbound at a high rate of speed and lost control of the car, police said. Investigators believe alcohol played a role in the crash.

The driver and three other passengers  boys, 17 and 16, and a girl, 19  were taken to area hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

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The Chicago Fire Department called for an EMS Plan 1 response, sending five ambulances to the scene, said Cmdr. Walter Schroeder.

Two people were taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital and one went to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, he said in a media alert. A second juvenile was taken to Lurie.
Burglars broke into a diamond jewelry store and stole jewelry in the Lincoln Park community early Sunday.

It happened about 2:55 a.m. after a burglary alarm went off at Zales, 2754 N. Clybourn Ave., police said.

When responding officers got there, they found the stores two front windows demolished and numerous pieces of diamond jewelry, including earrings, missing from damaged display cases, police and staffers said.

The store was busy and open for business Sunday afternoon, and workers there said their corporate office was working with Chicago police to find the thieves.
Brock Turner, the former Stanford University swimmer who received a widely criticized six-month jail sentence for assaulting an unconscious woman on campus, is now appealing his conviction and asking for a new trial.

Turner filed a 172-page brief Friday arguing that the prosecutor incorrectly told jurors during the trial that the sexual assault happened behind a dumpster - and that doing so amounted to prosecutorial misconduct, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

The latest development comes more than a year after Turner was released from jail, where he served only half of his sentence because of good behavior. Turner, once a record-setting swimming prodigy, was 20 when jurors convicted him last year.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky drew widespread condemnation when he sentenced Turner to six months in jail, three years of probation and a requirement to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors asked for six years in prison.

In his appeal, Turner argued that contrary to what Deputy District Attorney Alaleh Kianerci repeatedly told jurors, the sexual assault happened near a three-sided trash bin, but not behind it, according to the Mercury News. Saying the assault happened behind the dumpster is "prejudicial" and implied that Turner was trying to hide what he was doing.

He also argued that Persky deprived him of a fair trial when he did not instruct jurors to consider lesser criminal charges before they began deliberating and excluded testimony from character witnesses.

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement to the Mercury News that Turner received a fair trial and was justly convicted.

"His conviction will be upheld. Nothing can ever roll back Emily Doe's legacy of raising the world's awareness about sexual assault," Rosen said, referring to the name the victim was referred to throughout the trial.

Turner risks a second conviction by asking for another trial, which, if granted by California's Sixth District Court of Appeal, would be presided over by another judge.

Turner was convicted in March 2016 of three felonies, including assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object. The assault happened during a frat party in the early hours of Jan. 18, 2015, when witnesses saw Turner lying on top of a half-naked, unconscious woman.

The victim didn't wake up until three hours later and had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal driving limit.

Her powerfully written statement about the assault moved many.

"You don't know me, but you've been inside me, and that's why you're here today," she said, addressing Turner.

Her words caught the attention of then-Vice President Joe Biden, who wrote an open letter to her: "I do not know your name - but your words are forever seared on my soul. Words that should be required reading for men and women of all ages. Words that I wish with all of my heart you never had to write."

Turner was sentenced in summer 2016. Soon after he was sentenced, an independent agency that investigates and disciplines judges was inundated with complaints about Persky. Many thought he was unfair to the victim, that he did not take the crime seriously and, as a former student athlete at Stanford himself, showed bias toward Turner.

The Commission on Judicial Performance later cleared Persky of judicial misconduct, finding that there's no "clear and convincing evidence of bias [or] abuse of authority" and that the sentence imposed on Turner was "within the parameters set by law."

Turner's sentence also resulted in a push to recall Persky.

The judge broke his silence earlier this year, explaining his sentence in a 198-word statement.

"As a prosecutor, I fought vigorously for victims. As a judge, my role is to consider both sides. California law requires every judge to consider rehabilitation and probation for first-time offenders. It's not always popular, but it's the law, and I took an oath to follow it without regard to public opinion or my opinions as a former prosecutor."
This undated photograph released by the United Arab Emirates' state-run WAM news agency, shows the under-construction Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi's Western desert. (Arun Girija / AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The United Arab Emirates on Sunday denied a claim by Yemen's Shiite rebels that they fired a missile toward an under-construction Emirati nuclear plant. The denial came as heavy fighting in Yemen's capital unraveled a rebel alliance that has been at war with a Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE.

The Yemeni rebels, known as Houthis, have been clashing in the capital, Sanaa, for five consecutive days with supporters of Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, an ally turned adversary.

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The alliance between the Houthis and Saleh had helped the rebels retain control of Sanaa, despite nearly three years of coalition airstrikes.

The Houthis accuse Saleh of striking deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since the recent clashes erupted in Sanaa, the Saudi coalition has been targeting the Houthis and backing Saleh's camp.

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The Houthi claim Sunday came as the UAE celebrated its 46th National Day with public sector holiday that began on Thursday with a commemoration of the country's fallen soldiers.

In a statement posted on the UAE's state-run WAM news agency, authorities said: "The National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority denies the claim that the Houthis fired a missile toward the country."

"The UAE possesses an air defense system capable of dealing with any threat of any type or kind," the statement added, saying that the nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi was well-protected.

The National, a state-aligned newspaper in Abu Dhabi, also reported that Barakah's operations were "unaffected on Sunday, while sources on the ground confirmed there were no signs of an attack to the structure." The newspaper did not elaborate.

The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant, being built with help from South Korea, is near Abu Dhabi's border with Saudi Arabia. The plant lies some 140 miles west of the UAE capital.

The first of its four reactors is scheduled to come online in 2018. When fully built, officials hope the nuclear plant will provide up to 25 percent of all energy needs in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.

The UAE is a major U.S. ally that hosts some 5,000 American troops and is the U.S. Navy's busiest foreign port of call. The U.S. military declined to comment on the Houthi missile claims, other than to acknowledge being aware of them.

Like other U.S. Gulf allies in the region, the UAE has the Patriot Missile defense system capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and is the only international client to have on delivery the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

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The Houthis last month had targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile that was intercepted by Saudi air defenses. It was the deepest strike inside the kingdom since the war between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis and their allies began in March 2015.

For the Houthis to launch a missile from Yemen at the UAE, it would likely have to fly over Saudi Arabia's vast southeastern desert in order to reach Abu Dhabi.

Senior Houthi official Deif-Allah al-Shami told The Associated Press that the missile fired toward Abu Dhabi was a "message to the United Arab Emirates for its political and financial support to Saleh."

He said that the UAE has hosted members of Saleh's family, including his son who was an ambassador to the UAE and believed to be residing here during the conflict. Al-Shami also said the rocket attack was a message that "we will continue to target every nation that participated in the aggression against Yemen."

The UAE's forces have mostly focused on securing the southern region of Yemen, while Houthis control much of the north.

At least 100 Emirati soldiers have been killed in the war, which was launched to dislodge the Houthis from Sanaa after they overran the capital and kicked out the internationally-backed Yemeni government from power. The conflict has killed more than 10,000 Yemeni civilians and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

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Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have accused its rival Iran of supplying Houthis with missiles, including the one used to target Riyadh on Nov. 4. Both the Houthis and Iran deny the claim.

Iran, meanwhile, has close trade ties with the UAE. In November, Iranian authorities ordered a two-day ban on a hard-line Iranian newspaper after it ran a headline saying the UAE's tourism hub of Dubai was the "next target" for Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Associated Press writers Maggie Michael in Cairo and Ahmed Al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, contributed to this report.
Opinion / Columnist

Written by Mthokozisi Ndiweni just trying to paint a bigger picture of the ongoing political events in the country and trying to reflect on who is next to be photo-shopped into the picture now that the original is complete?!

"A picture is worth a thousand words", so says a Chinese proverb; and by extension an English idiom. No wonder even photo-shopped pics or memes in this day in era are such a crazy phenomenon across all ages and digital divides.Let me start with a famous Kenyan snapshot in which all people (four of them) who have become presidents of that country appear as part of a seemingly "simple" picture. That picture includes the current president Uhuru Kenyatta who appears as a small boy in a boxer short!Who knows, maybe the next president of Kenya will be the photographer who took the shot of the day now that it seems most if not all have finally become part of the "bigger picture" politics of the East African country.By the way, Kenya is ruled mainly on ethnic grounds in which the highest office in the land has been largely held by those from the Kikuyu tribe. A typical African problem indeed that has no solutions yet; except probably a need for high birth and population growth rates from such smaller ethnic groups!Now zoom in to Zimbabwe, it has almost the same script as Kenya. No wonder rumours has it on a believable record that most of ousted Mugabe's allies such as Jonathan Moyo and Kasukuwere have sought refuge in Kenya!It is now clear from a snapshot taken during the liberation days where only Mugabe, Tongogara and Mnangagwa appear in it. Why just the three of them and what had they been discussing? Where was Rex Nhongo (Solomon Mujuru) and probably Dominic Chinenge (General Chiwenga) on the same day? My educated guess is that General Chiwenga was the "photographer" of the day but was kept out of the "secret meeting" on the fateful day the presidential script for an independent Zimbabwe was being written!Usually when most "presidents" have signed and sealed certain secret agreements; they always take such snapshots. And, it has not always been a selfie spree from most of these old pictures.These three of the most shrewd minds could not have a simple conversation on any day; not at the peak of a war and moreso in combat uniforms! Actually being seen together on any day was high risk and spelt doom to both friends(if they had any) and enemies alike than having them being kept apart.The secret is indeed out, these three folks made a secret agreement how they were going to run an independent Zimbabwe. It was first going to be General Tongo as President ; followed by Robert Mugabe and then Emmerson Mnangawa. Probably from behind the scenes it had to extend to the "photographer" being General Chiwenga!However, while at Lancaster House as negotiations were ongoing General Tongo contacted specifically General Chiwenga who was at a base in Mozambique and they discussed for "about an hour" over the phone and lastly he confided with him that he was not going to make it himself to a new independent Zimbabwe. And hardly six days later, after returning from Lancaster House to declare a ceasefire fire he was "mysteriously" killed!General Chiwenga has referred to Tongogara as a "prophet"; and he once commented in an interview still available on Youtube that he "knew" what was going to happen in Zimbabwe and how it was going to end! There you have it!The bigger picture is now clear, and this is the very picture of a "presidential line-up" which is the Legacy the photographer had to refresh and restore that Mugabe had deleted. No wonder, he quickly went to the recycle bin of Zimbabwe's archives to retrieve it!By the way the so called theme song has a title of "Tongo-gara or Tonga-kwaro"? I mean this one sang by this young chap certain people are already declaring him as a "musical prophet"! Only that andizwi isiShona it is still very bad; maybe someday will learn it fluently when there has been a genuine healing and reconciliation in the country!
Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs after a closed door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election at the U.S. Capitol on June 21, 2017. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

WASHINGTON  The former top FBI official assigned to special counsel Robert Mueller III's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election was taken off that job this summer after his bosses discovered he and another member of Mueller's team had exchanged politically charged texts disparaging President Donald Trump and supporting Hillary Clinton, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

Peter Strzok, as deputy head of counterintelligence at the FBI, was a key player in the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server to do government work as secretary of state, as well as the probe into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election.

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During the Clinton investigation, Strzok was involved in a romantic relationship with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, who worked for Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, according to the people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The extramarital affair was problematic, these people said, but of greater concern among senior law enforcement officials were text messages the two exchanged during the Clinton investigation and campaign season in which they expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton.

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The people discussing the matter did not further describe the political messages between Strzok and Page, except to say the two would sometimes react to campaign news of the moment.

The Justice Department inspector general's office said in a statement Saturday that its investigators are "reviewing allegations involving communications between certain individuals, and will report its findings regarding those allegations promptly upon completion of the review of them.''

A spokesman for Mueller's office said Strzok was removed "immediately upon learning of the allegations'' and added that Page left the Mueller team two weeks before it became aware of the allegations.

The FBI declined to comment.

The Post repeatedly sought comment from Strzok and Page but got no response.

Defenders of Page and Strzok insisted that the issue is "overblown'' and that there was no misconduct between the two.

A friend of Page's said there was no professional misconduct at issue in the matter, and she said Page left the Mueller team in July before any of the issues came to light.

Page also no longer works much with McCabe, these people said.

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When the issue arose, Strzok was taken off the Mueller team in late July, and he was given a job in the human resources division of the FBI - widely viewed internally as a demotion, according to people familiar with the matter.

A former senior Trump administration official said Strzok was evenhanded in all his dealings with the Trump White House. "I had the occasion to work closely with Special Agent Peter Strzok and never experienced even a hint of political bias. He was one of the most competent [counterintelligence] agents, and a role model," the official said. "The country is tearing itself apart, and men like Pete Strzok are victims. The enemy is better off with him sidelined," the former official added, referring to foreign adversaries.

At the time of the two departures from Mueller's group, no one publicly linked them. For months, officials have refused to explain why Strzok was reassigned, but people familiar with the matter said it was ultimately Mueller's decision.

Among federal law enforcement officials, there is great concern that exposure of the texts they exchanged may be used by the president and his defenders to attack the credibility of the Mueller probe and the FBI more broadly, according to the people familiar with the matter.

Defenders of Strzok and Page inside the FBI said that because there was no direct supervisory role between Page and Strzok in the workplace, there wasn't anything professionally wrong about having an affair, but they added that they understood why Mueller would not want anyone engaged in such conduct on his team. For one thing, if a foreign intelligence agency learned of such an affair, they could try to use it as a means of blackmail, although there's no evidence anyone outside the FBI was aware of the relationship.

The president's most vociferous defenders in Congress have called for a special counsel to investigate how the FBI handled the Clinton probe and other Clinton-connected matters. Word of the texts could give new fuel to those demands.

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The Clinton investigation formally ended in July 2016, when FBI Director James Comey announced he would recommend Clinton face no charges for her use of a private email server as secretary of state. But the issue was resurrected in late October, when Comey informed congressional leaders that the FBI had discovered new Clinton emails on a laptop belonging to former congressman Anthony Weiner, then the subject of a separate FBI investigation. Days later, Comey announced that the emails on the laptop did not change the FBI's view of the case.

Clinton and her supporters say Comey's moves in October cost her the 2016 election, and Trump and his Republican allies have used it to justify Comey's firing - the event that ultimately led to Mueller's appointment as special counsel.

A lawyer for Comey said the former FBI director would not comment on the situation concerning Page and Strzok.

Mueller has so far charged four people in his investigation of possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials, most recently former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Of the four, two have pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI - Flynn and a former Trump campaign adviser.

During the Clinton email investigation, Page was a regular participant when Comey would hold "skinny group'' meetings on the case - a small collection of advisers who gathered to address sensitive cases, according to people familiar with the case.

Current and former FBI officials say the Strzok matter points to a larger unresolved issue facing the agency as it tries to investigate the president and make a fresh start with a new director, Christopher Wray. Much of the agency's senior leadership jobs are currently filled by people who were put in those positions by Comey, and Wray has yet to make many significant changes at the top. But a major house cleaning by the new director is widely anticipated inside the bureau.

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McCabe, the deputy director, has faced repeated questions from the White House and Republican lawmakers about whether he should have been involved in the Clinton case at all - given the hundreds of thousands of dollars in political donations made by a key Clinton ally to McCabe's wife, a 2015 candidate for political office in Virginia.

The Washington Post's Adam Entous contributed to this report.
Michael Flynn, former national security advisor to President Donald Trump, leaves following his plea hearing at the Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Dec. 1, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged Flynn with one count of making a false statement to the FBI. (Astrid Riecken / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  A white sedan whisked a man into the loading dock of a glass and concrete building in a drab office district in Southwest Washington. Security guards quickly waved the vehicle inside, then pushed a button that closed the garage door and shielded the guest's arrival from public view.

With his stealth morning arrival Thursday, White House Counsel Donald McGahn became the latest in a string of high-level witnesses to enter the secretive nerve center of special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

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Twenty hours later, Mueller and his team emerged into public view to rattle Washington with the dramatic announcement that former national security adviser Michael Flynn would plead guilty to lying to the FBI.

The ensnaring of Flynn, the second former aide to President Donald Trump to cooperate with the inquiry, serves as the latest indication that Mueller's operation is rapidly pursuing an expansive mission, drilling deeper into Trump's inner circle.

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In the past two months, Mueller and his deputies have received private debriefs from two dozen current and former Trump advisers, each of whom has made the trek to the special counsel's secure office suite.

Once inside, most witnesses are seated in a windowless conference room where two- and three-person teams of FBI agents and prosecutors rotate in and out, pressing them for answers.

Among the topics that have been of keen interest to investigators: how foreign government officials and their emissaries contacted Trump officials, as well as the actions and interplay of Flynn and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law.

Mueller's group has also inquired whether Flynn recommended specific foreign meetings to senior aides, including Kushner. Investigators were particularly interested in how certain foreign officials got on Kushner's calendar and the discussions that Flynn and Kushner had about those encounters, according to people familiar with the questions.

Often listening in is the special counsel himself, a sphinx-like presence who sits quietly along the wall for portions of key interviews.

This picture of Mueller's operation - drawn from descriptions of witnesses, lawyers and others briefed on the interviews - provides a rare look inside the high-stakes investigation that could implicate Trump's circle and determine the future of his presidency.

The locked-down nature of the probe has left both the witnesses and the public scrutinizing every move of the special counsel for meaning, without any certainty about the full scope of his investigation.

Trump and his lawyers have expressed confidence that Mueller will swiftly conclude his examination of the White House, perhaps even by the year's end. Trump's Democratic opponents hope the investigation will uncover more crimes and ultimately force the president's removal from office.

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Meanwhile, some witnesses who have been interviewed came away with the impression that the probe is unfolding and far from over.

"When they were questioning me, it seemed like they were still trying to get a feel of the basic landscape of the place," said one witness who was questioned in late October for several hours and, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the confidential sessions. "I didn't get the sense they had anything incriminating on the president. Nor were they anywhere close to done."

A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb said he believes the probe's focus on Trump's White House is wrapping up, noting that all White House staffer interviews will be completed by the end of the week.

"At the end of the interviews, it would be reasonable to expect that it would not take long to bring this to conclusion," Cobb said. "I commend the Office of Special Counsel for their acknowledged hard work on behalf of the country, to undertake this serious responsibility, and to perform it in an expedited but deliberate, thorough way."

At least two dozen people who traveled in Trump's orbit in 2016 and 2017  on the campaign trail, in his transition operation and then in the White House  have been questioned in the past 10 weeks, according to people familiar with the interviews.

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The most high profile is Kushner, who met with Mueller's team in November, as well as former chief of staff Reince Priebus and former press secretary Sean Spicer. Former foreign policy adviser J.D. Gordon also has been interviewed.

White House communications director Hope Hicks was scheduled to sit down with Mueller's team a few days before Thanksgiving. Mueller's team has also indicated plans to interview senior associate White House counsel James Burnham and policy adviser Stephen Miller.

McGahn, who was interviewed by Mueller's prosecutors for a full day Thursday, was scheduled to return Friday to complete his interview. However, the special counsel postponed the session as a courtesy to allow McGahn to help the White House manage the response to Flynn's plea, a person familiar with the interview said.

Cobb declined to say which White House aides remain to be interviewed.

Several people who worked shoulder to shoulder with Flynn have also been interviewed by Mueller's operation. That includes retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff to the National Security Council, as well as several people who worked with Flynn Intel Group, a now-shuttered private consulting firm.

During the transition, Kushner and Flynn met with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. At the early December 2016 meeting, Kushner suggested establishing a secure communications line between Trump officials and the Kremlin at a Russian diplomatic facility, according to U.S. officials who reviewed intelligence reports describing Kislyak's account.

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Kushner has said that Kislyak sought the secure line as a way for Russian generals to communicate to the incoming administration about U.S. policy on Syria.

Trump's son-in-law has also been identified by people familiar with his role as the "very senior member" of the transition team who directed Flynn in December to reach out to Kislyak and lobby him about a U.N. resolution on Israeli settlements, according to new court filings.

The volume of questions about Kushner in their interviews surprised some witnesses.

"I remember specifically being asked about Jared a number of times," said one witness.

Another witness said agents and prosecutors repeatedly asked him about Trump's decision-making during the May weekend he decided to fire FBI Director James Comey. Prosecutors inquired whether Kushner had pushed the president to jettison Comey, according to two people familiar with the interview.

Kushner attorney Abbe Lowell declined to comment on what the president's son-in-law discussed at his November session with Mueller. "Mr. Kushner has voluntarily cooperated with all relevant inquiries and will continue to do so," he said.

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Two administration officials said that it would be natural for investigators to ask a lot of questions about Kushner, whom Trump put in charge of communicating with foreign officials, adding that such inquiries do not indicate he is a target.

The special counsel has continued to make ongoing requests for records from associates of the Trump campaign, according to two people familiar with the requests. The campaign associates aren't expected to finish producing these documents by the end of the year. Mueller's team is also newly scrutinizing an Alexandria-based office and advisers who worked there on foreign policy for the campaign.

In the past several weeks, Mueller's operation has reached out to new witnesses in Trump's circle, telling them they may be asked to come in for an interview. One person who was recently contacted said it is hard to find a lawyer available for advice on how to interact with the special counsel because so many Trump aides have already hired attorneys.

"It was kind of a pain," the person said. "It's hard to find a lawyer who wasn't already conflicted out."

People who have gone before Mueller's team describe polite but detailed and intense grillings that at times have lasted all day and involved more than a dozen investigators. Spicer, for example, was in the office from about 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for his fall session. Mueller's team has recommended nearby lunch spots, but many witnesses have food brought in for fear of being spotted if they go outside.

Mueller has attended some interviews, introducing himself to witnesses when he enters and then sitting along the wall. Sometimes he is joined by his deputy, longtime friend and law partner James Quarles, a former Watergate prosecutor who is the main point of contact for the White House.

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Investigators bring large binders filled with emails and documents into the interview room. One witness described the barrage of questions that followed each time an agent passed them a copy of an email they had been copied on: "Do you remember this email? How does the White House work? How does the transition work? Who was taking the lead on foreign contacts? How did that work? Who was involved in this decision? Who was there that weekend?"

Some witnesses were introduced to so many federal agents and lawyers that they later lamented that they had largely forgotten many of their names by the time one team left the room and a new team entered.

"They say, 'Hey, we're not trying to be rude, but people are going to come in and out a lot,' " one witness explained about the teams. "They kind of cycle in and out of the room."

One contingent of investigators is focused on whether Trump tried to obstruct justice and head off the investigation into Russian meddling by firing Comey in May. Prosecutors Brandon Van Grack and Jeannie Rhee have been involved in matters related to Flynn.

Yet another team is led by the former head of the Justice Department's fraud prosecutions, Andrew Weissman, and foreign bribery expert Greg Andres. Those investigators queried lobbyists from some of the most powerful lobby shops in town about their interactions with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign adviser Rick Gates.

Mueller's team charged Manafort and Gates last month with engaging in a conspiracy to hide millions of dollars in hidden foreign accounts and secretly creating an elaborate cover story to conceal their lobbying work for a former Ukrainian president and his pro-Russian political party. Both have pleaded not guilty.

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Lawyers familiar with prosecutors' questions about Manafort said they expect several more charges to come from this portion of the case.

People familiar with the Mueller team said they convey a sense of calm that is unsettling.

"These guys are confident, impressive, pretty friendly  joking a little, even," one lawyer said. When prosecutors strike that kind of tone, he said, defense lawyers tend to think: "Uh oh, my guy is in a heap of trouble."

The Washington Post's Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this report.
Sen. Bernie Sanders talks about the Republican tax plan at John S. Knight Center on Dec. 2, 2017 in Akron, Ohio. Sanders demonstrated his intention to make the tax bill a marquee issue in 2018. (Duane Prokop / Getty Images)

DAYTON, Ohio  The Senate Republicans' chaotic late-night vote Friday to overhaul the tax system widened the country's partisan divisions Saturday - sparking a political grudge match that lawmakers vowed to carry into next year's midterm elections.

Democrats, united in their opposition, attacked the legislation as a "scam" passed to benefit wealthy donors and corporations. Republicans, promising years of wage and job growth once the bill becomes law, acknowledged that they face a difficult task convincing voters to have faith in a measure that received support from the GOP alone.

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"They tend not to be popular," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., referring to bills passed with only one party's support, told The Washington Post in an interview Saturday. "Generally speaking, in the beginning, people decide they don't like it."

The test for Republicans is whether they can convince voters that this legislation will put more money in their wallets - and the GOP leader is not sure whether they can do that in time for the 2018 elections.

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"We don't know," McConnell said. But he said he thinks that in the long run, the economic boost will come and voters will eventually reward Republicans.

"Whether it's immediately popular or not becomes irrelevant if it does what you hope," he added.

Just hours after the vote, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who ever since his unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination has been a leading voice pushing the party to the left on economic matters, demonstrated his intention to make the tax bill a marquee issue in 2018.

Sanders headed to the airport for an urgent trip across the Midwest, starting at Dayton's Masonic Temple to try to rally 1,300 supporters against the bill, and telling them they could still defeat it when a conference committee is formed to combine differing House and Senate packages.

"The president was lying to you," Sanders said. "This is class warfare, and we're going to stand up and fight."

The back and forth Saturday showed the opportunities - and challenges - for each side as they stake their political ground on taxes.

Democrats see an opening for an attack on President Donald Trump and Republicans as allies of the wealthy and Wall Street interests. Republicans, who watched Trump capture an antiestablishment populist mood in 2016, may find it difficult to sell a tax bill that was underwater in polls even before the mostly party-line vote on the Senate measure.

Several at-risk Democrats, including Sen. Jon Tester, Mont., recorded viral videos to dramatize how late the bill had been printed, and how some revisions had been written in hard-to-read pen scratches.

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"Take a look at this, folks. This is your government at work," Tester said, slamming his fist on the bill. "It's going to shift money from middle-class families to the rich, and we were given it 20 minutes ago."

Trump and GOP leaders, enthused after their first major legislative victory of the year, have forcefully defended the measure.

McConnell on Saturday dismissed complaints about last-minute additions to the legislation and handwritten notes indicating what it would do. "Sounds familiar to the final days of Obamacare - handwritten things and the Cornhusker Kickback," he said, comparing a provision to secure the vote of a senator from Nebraska on health care to a flare-up over a narrow provision written into the new tax bill to benefit just one conservative college.

In speeches, on social media and in TV ads, Republicans have described the legislation as the spark of a "middle-class miracle" that voters will see soon in their paychecks. The bill has largely unified the GOP, with even critics of the administration such as Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., rallying to pass it.

"It's time to pound away on growth, and don't depart from that message," said Larry Kudlow, a conservative economist and informal Trump adviser. "The message of growth and jobs and wage is hitting. As long as the GOP stays on that, they'll be fine."

While Democrats said they would tell voters that Republicans had passed a regressive tax reform measure before any of them had read it, Republicans predicted that the strategy would flop.

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"Nobody believes them," said former House speaker Newt Gingrich, Ga., a close Trump ally. "Republicans should ignore it and get the bill through and count on the economy's growth and the tax cut to carry them to victory next year."

Veterans of President Barack Obama's administration, with memories of how Republicans attacked the passage of the Affordable Care Act, argued that Republicans overly optimistic and had misread the national mood. Republicans were "deluding themselves," said former Obama strategist David Axelrod, to think that voters would reward them for a tax cut.

"There are two categories of people who will benefit here - wealthy, corporate interests, of course, who scored a bonanza, and Democratic ad-makers, who have been handed a treasure trove of egregious targets and tawdry, swamp-like images with which to work," Axelrod said.

The bill's progress has not much resembled Washington's last raids on the tax code. President Ronald Reagan's 1981 tax cut passed by super-majorities in the House and the Senate, while President George W. Bush's 2001 tax cut - sold at first as a way to spend a surplus, then as a way to combat a recession - attracted 13 Democratic votes in the House and 12 in the Senate. In 2010, an even larger number of Democrats voted to extend the Bush-era tax rates for people making less than $400,000, fearful that cutting them back would lengthen the Great Recession.

There was no such worry about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which breaks from recent monetary history by reducing tax revenue in a time of steady economic growth - conditions in which prior Congresses have tried to reduce the deficit. The Joint Tax Committee estimated that the bill would add more than $1 trillion to the U.S. debt over 10 years; Democrats, attacked for years over the growing national debt, marveled as just one Republican, Sen. Bob Corker, Tenn., voted against the bill.

Democrats have found solace in public polling.

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A polling average compiled by FiveThirtyEight found that 46 percent of the public opposes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, compared to 32 percent who support it. That makes it slightly less popular than the 1993 tax increase that helped Republicans seize Congress from President Bill Clinton's Democrats.

Guy Cecil, the president of Priorities USA, said surveys show that voters will respond negatively when they learn the details of the legislation.

"When Americans find out that the wealthy and big corporations are getting most of the benefits, they oppose it, even when they get something small as well," Cecil said.

Republicans were confident that the public would move once the new tax code took effect. Trump, who has inaccurately said that the bill would tax the very wealthy to help working-class Americans, has predicted an economic boom that would lead quickly to employers raising wages.

"Middle-class families will not only see their tax bill go down, they will see their incomes go up by an average of around $4,000," Trump said last week in St. Charles, Missouri. "That's because we're going to cut taxes on American businesses so they will compete for workers, they'll raise salaries."

Democrats see it differently, with the tax bill at the center of their increasingly populist campaign. In Ohio, where Sanders headlined two Saturday rallies, former Consumer Finance Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray, who is widely expected to run for governor, warned middle-class voters that the Trump administration is making it easier to bilk them. Democrats spent Monday and Tuesday attacking the Trump administration for installing Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney atop the agency, and before that, railed against Republicans for undoing a CFPB rule that made it easier to sue banks.

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Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who is up for reelection in 2018, said he plans to use all facets of Trump's regulatory and tax policies to make a case against him and the Republican-controlled Congress.

"The public by election day will see how this Republican majority is wholly owned by Wall Street on every issue and the administration increasingly resembles a retreat for Goldman Sachs executives," Brown said in an interview. "Whatever plays into that, whether it's going after the overtime rule or giving all kinds of breaks to Wall Street, or relaxing environmental rules to clean up Lake Erie, you'll see what this will all be framed by."

Dayton was one place where Brown would test his theories. In 2016, Trump became the first Republican in 28 years to carry the surrounding Montgomery County, campaigning in the city on a promise to bring back manufacturing jobs. Local Democrats, who had organized protests of the bill, said that the measure risked the "feds, meds and eds" jobs - government, health care and education - that had fueled the area's comeback.

"Who actually wants this thing?" asked Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton, who's running for the Democratic nomination for governor. "The Realtors, the governors, the mayors, the universities, the hospitals - they don't want it. Who does, except their donors?"

Costa and Kane reported from Washington. Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump walks up the steps of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Dec. 2, 2017, to head to New York to attend Republican fundraisers. (Susan Walsh / AP)

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump issued a fresh denial Sunday that he asked former FBI director James B. Comey to halt an investigation into the conduct of his dismissed national security adviser Michael Flynn.

"I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn," Trump said in a pre-dawn message on Twitter. "Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"

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I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The tweet was the latest in a running commentary on the case from Trump that began Saturday, a day after Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his interactions with a Russian official.

In other tweets Sunday, Trump also seized on news that Peter Strzok - the former top FBI official assigned to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election - was taken off that job this summer after his bosses discovered that he and another member of Mueller's team had exchanged politically charged texts disparaging Trump and supporting Democrat Hillary Clinton. Strzok was also a key player in the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server, which ended without charges against her.

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"Report: 'ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE' Now it all starts to make sense!" Trump wrote, before proceeding to criticize the FBI and promise to bring it back to "greatness" under his administration.

Report: ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE Now it all starts to make sense!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Trump fired Flynn 25 days into this administration for misrepresenting the nature of his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador, to Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials.

Comey has alleged that the day after that, Trump urged him to be lenient with Flynn, producing notes that said Trump told him, "I hope you can let this go."

Trump stoked the controversy with one of his Saturday tweets in which he said part of the rationale for firing Flynn was that he had lied to the FBI.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump wrote in that tweet.

But critics pounced Saturday on Trump, arguing that if he knew at the time of his conversation with Comey that Flynn had lied to the FBI and was under investigation, it may constitute an attempt to obstruct that investigation.

"Are you ADMITTING you knew Flynn had lied to the FBI when you asked Comey to back off Flynn?" Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, asked in a tweet Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Trump should have taken action against Flynn sooner if he already knew that then-national security adviser had lied to the FBI.

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"Well, if he knew that then, why didn't he act on it earlier?" Warner said on CNN's "State of the Union." "It raises a whole series of additional questions."

Warner also told CNN that Flynn being charged with only one count of lying to the FBI suggests that there are "many more stories that General Flynn will have to tell about his time during the campaign and during the transition."

The Washington Post reported Saturday that Trump attorney John Dowd had drafted the president's tweet, according to two people familiar with the message. Dowd confirmed that Sunday, saying he had passed along a draft to Dan Scavino, Trump's social media director.

Two people close to the administration described the tweet simply as sloppy and unfortunate.

As Flynn pleaded guilty Friday, he made clear that he is now cooperating with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III as Mueller probes Russian meddling in last year's election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Flynn's decision to cooperate with Mueller was widely seen as a sign of increasing legal peril for other White House aides and perhaps Trump himself, as the investigation has expanded beyond potential collusion with Russia to include obstruction of justice and financial crimes.

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In an interview Sunday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said it looked to her that "what we're beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice."

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said she saw that in the indictments of Flynn and three other Trump associates, as well as the "hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House: the comments every day, the continual tweets."

"And I see it, most importantly, in what happened with the firing of Director Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because (Comey) did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation," Feinstein said. "That's obstruction of justice."

The president continued tweeting about Flynn late Saturday. In one message, he complained that it was unfair for Flynn's life to be "destroyed" for lying to the FBI, arguing that the agency pursued Democrat Hillary Clinton far less aggressively while investigating her use of a private email server as secretary of state.

Trump's commentary on the case began Saturday morning, as he addressed reporters before leaving the White House for a fundraising trip to New York.

He said he was not worried about what Flynn might share now that he is cooperating with prosecutors, forcefully asserting that there was "absolutely no collusion" between his campaign and Russia.

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On Sunday, as he commented on news about the reassignment of Strzok, Trump also retweeted a pair of posts on the subject written by Paul Sperry, a media fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution. One suggested that the current FBI director, Christopher A. Wray, should "clean house" because of the politicization of the agency.

A little later, Trump promised a better FBI under his leadership.

"After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History!" Trump wrote. "But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness."

Trump also weighed in Sunday on a decision by ABC News to suspend investigative reporter Brian Ross for an erroneous story about Flynn, saying the network should be sued.

Ross told viewers Friday morning that Flynn was prepared to testify that Trump, as a candidate for president, told him to contact Russians.

Later in the day, Ross walked back his report, saying that the source who had provided the initial information for his story later told him that it was as president-elect, not as a candidate, that Trump asked Flynn to contact Russians.

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On Saturday, ABC apologized for a "serious error."

Ross' incorrect report prompted a dramatic reaction in the financial markets.

On Sunday, Trump offered a suggestion to those who lost money: "People who lost money when the Stock Market went down 350 points based on the False and Dishonest reporting of Brian Ross of @ABC News (he has been suspended), should consider hiring a lawyer and suing ABC for the damages this bad reporting has caused - many millions of dollars!"

The Washington Post's Carol D. Leonnig contributed to this report.
Sen. William Lorimer, second from right, in an undated photo. Known as the "Blond Boss of Cook County," he rose from streetcar conductor to U.S. senator before his ultimate ruin. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Alabama voters will decide in a special election Dec. 12 whom they want to send to Washington to serve in the U.S. Senate. Polls in the heavily Republican state show GOP candidate Roy Moore leading his Democratic opponent Doug Jones, despite a string of sexual misconduct allegations against Moore involving teenage girls, including one who was 14.

But a win for Moore would not guarantee hed serve his term in the Senate. He has resisted calls from fellow Republicans to drop out of the race, so some are threatening expulsion from the Senate if he is elected.

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"If he refuses to withdraw and wins, said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate."

What would it take to expel a U.S. senator, though? A look back more than a century to the case of Sen. William Lorimer of Illinois offers some clues  and reveals how his expulsion ultimately sparked a change to the U.S. Constitution.

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On April 30, 1910, the Tribune published a sensational first-person account of how Lorimers election the previous year had been rigged. Senators then were selected by state legislators, and Charles White, a Democratic state senator, confessed to having sold his vote to the Republican Lorimer for $1,000 up front and a promise of more to come.

White said he accepted the bribe because he was drowning in debt. But he appended a more noble, if suspiciously convenient, motive: I knew I would have to be a party to the deals in order to tell the truth about the whole affair, and I realized that to say merely that I had heard about such would not be the kind of evidence the public demands.

White described the scheme in vivid detail. When he replied evasively to another state senator who asked whether hed received his share of the jackpot of tainted money, Whites colleague replied: By God, Ive already been up to the trough and got mine.

The corruption was bipartisan, but the fallout hit the Republicans harder because they were known as the reform party.

Within days of the Tribunes bombshell, Republican senators distanced themselves from Lorimer. The point has been reached where Sen. Lorimer, if his hands are clean, should ask for an investigation, said Sen. Robert La Follete of Wisconsin, a noted progressive.

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Lorimer turned La Follettes challenge into an attack on his accusers, characterizing them as an evil cabal. He welcomed an investigation, Lorimer said, because I know the conspirators would never dare come to this body with their base and malicious slanders.

The Tribune noted that even as Lorimer was on the Senate floor claiming he was the victim, State Sen. D. W. Holstlaw confessed to a Sangamon County grand jury that he had accepted a bribe of $2,500 to vote for Lorimer.

Newspapers and good-government organizations called for Lorimer to resign, but he refused. Politics had made him socially respectable and well-to-do. He was named a director of the LaSalle Street Trust & Savings Bank on the same day that the Tribune blew the whistle on his fraudulent election.

Lorimer was born in England in 1861, came to Chicago with his family and went to work before he was a teenager.

He spoke about his mother and two sisters, whom he was trying to support, and he pleaded so strongly for the job that I put him to work, a laundry owner told the Tribune when Lorimer was elected a senator.

From delivery boy he moved on to streetcar conductor. There is a certain bond of sympathy between a driver and his conductor, Lorimers driver later recalled. Since becoming a power politically, Billy has never forgotten the old friends of his streetcar days.

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Staying in touch with his roots as he moved up the political ranks enabled Lorimer to turn a West Side ward from solidly Democratic to Republican. Lorimer wasnt like the candidates born in America, who were inclined to talk down to the immigrants then flooding into Chicago.

By avoiding the moralistic style that was the hallmark of the reform wing of his party, Lorimer managed to lure those voters and use their support to become one of Cook Countys most powerful politicians, historians Paul Green and Mark R. Wilson wrote in The Encyclopedia of Chicago.

Reformers focused on another of Lorimers political skills  a knack for wheeling and dealing. He profited nicely from public contracts to construction companies he owned. He dabbled in transit politics, the profitable awarding and revoking of municipal franchises for streetcar lines.

With his cronies he ran the Cook County Republican Party like a personal fiefdom, the Tribune said in 1908. It recalled an occasion when a hundred federal employees sat on the clubhouse veranda by a racecourse and endeavored to elect a United States senator and force him on the people.

The implication was that they were patronage workers, doing Lorimers and his cronies bidding. He was then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, one of several members that a Tribune editorial proclaimed Congressional Undesirables.

Having already rendered that judgment, the Tribune played up its coverage of his senatorial election. Two months into the scandal, seven state legislators had been indicted. Four others confessed to taking bribes for voting for Lorimer, and five commercial fishermen admitted contributing to a fund for bribing legislators to kill a bill opposed by the fishing industry.

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Three legislators were indicted and others confessed to taking bribes for awarding contracts for furnishing the state capital building. A salesman for the Derby Desk Co. confessed to offering the bribes.

Pay-for-play politics knew no subject-matter limits in Springfield.

Pressure mounted on the U.S. Senate as the scandal spun off additional scandals, and finally the senators took action.

On March 1, 1911, his colleagues voted 46-40 in favor of Lorimer  he was allowed to keep his seat. That ignited a firestorm of protest from editorial boards across the country.

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Chagrined, the Senate appointed an investigating committee that called witnesses to testify. The vice president of the United States urged Lorimer to resign for the good of the Republican Party. He refused.

After earlier testimony included a report that lumber magnate Edward J. Hines had boasted of electing Lorimer, the senator testified and unwittingly connected the dots. Hines had needed Lorimers help in order to develop a large tract of land in Mississippi, a project in which the government had a key role to play.

According to the Tribune, Lorimer was asked whether he had seen Hines recently, and he replied that he saw Hines in Washington every day from Feb. 12 to March 4, 1911. He added that he didnt know what brought the Chicago businessman to Washington.

It was hard to resist the conclusion that Hines was there to protect his investment in Lorimer, buttonholing senators before the first vote on his fate.

More than a year after the first vote, the Senate expelled Lorimer on July 13, 1912. A Tribune editorial headlined Truth Wins; Justice Is Done, declared, The snake of corruption in the Illinois legislature has been scotched. It has not been killed, but it has been injured.

Two weeks later, Congress adopted a resolution providing for the direct election of U.S. senators by the voting public. It was ratified by the states as the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, and as Senate historian Donald Ritchie once explained to the Tribune, Lorimer was its catalyst.

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"The senators were bombarded with newspaper editorials, and the feeling at the time was the best solution was to turn this over to the people," Ritchie said. The Lorimer case was the poster child for what was wrong with the old system.

rgrossman@chicagotribune.com
While campaigning in an Alabama church  as a Bible-believing Christian Ill note that this story is already off to a questionable start  Judge Roy Moore, the states embattled Republican Senate candidate, faced down a rather spirited heckler. The entire time, all the girls are lying? the man shouted, right before he was escorted out of the event. Why would they lie?

If youve been following our very depressing national news cycle, you know the story: Moore, 70, has faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct dating back four decades, many of them involving underage girls, including one alleged assault of a 14-year-old. No charges have been filed, and thats unlikely to change; the statute of limitations on any potential crimes stemming from the allegations appears to have long ago expired. Moore, for his part, argues that his accusers are part of a coordinated hit job orchestrated by Washington-establishment insiders. They dont want to hear about God, he contends. And they dont want to hear about the Constitution of the United States and its foundational principles in God.

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Well get back to the Constitution  and Moores understanding of it  in a moment. But for now, lets hear what the pastor of the church said, his doughy chin raised high, once the heckler had been neatly dispatched: I would remind everyone, he sniffed, that this is a worship service.

One could laugh, or cry, or marvel at how much this strange episode eerily resembles a cut-rate, mawkish cable-TV stereotype of a benighted Southern church. A worship service? It was a clear-cut political campaign event! (To be fair, these days, many Christian leaders certainly seem bent on worship, but for an alarming number, its often at the altar of our nations tragicomic politics.)

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Ill get this out of the way: If youre in Alabama and you want to vote for Roy Moore, vote for Roy Moore. But lets at least try to keep things real. If you vote for Moore, youre doing it because hes not a Democrat, rather than because hes some holy soldier on a special mission for God.

Bizarrely, many high-profile Christian leaders seem hellbent on convincing America that Moore is just that. Jerry Falwell Jr. recently threw in his support for Moore. Radio host and author Eric Metaxas has vigorously promoted theological defenses of why Christians can vote for Roy Moore. Franklin Graham, who took the time to rip former Today co-host Matt Lauer for his sin on Twitter, is decidedly more sanguine in his defense of Moore: Whoever is without sin, let them throw the first stone.

Personally, I would suggest a different scripture, from Proverbs: Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Seriously, Christian leaders: Its OK to occasionally zip it when it comes to politics. There are better ways to be a witness for Christ than inserting yourself into a cringe-worthy Alabama Senate race. But dont tell that to James Dobson, who recently cut this doozy of a radio ad: You know, last November I believe God gave America another chance with the election of Donald J. Trump. But he now needs the presence and leadership of Judge Roy Moore to make America great again.

Excuse me for a moment, as I may have blown a gasket just typing that. Isnt that just a tad presumptuous? How is Dobson, the respected founder of the conservative Focus on the Family, sure that Gods plan matches his personal plan? The Bible, in fact, tells us that Gods plan often clashes with our own.

In any case, Roy Moore is ahead in the polls, so I suppose his supporters can breathe easy for now.

In the meantime, Democrats might want to shelve some of their Alabama-related smugness. To a significant segment of the population, their party is so unpalatable that people will vote for a guy who once, while dressed like a dime-store cowboy, halfheartedly whipped out a gun at a rally and almost pointed it at the crowd. Instead of their candidate, who is largely known for his abortion fandom, Alabama voters will likely elect a person who claimed that there was Sharia law in Illinois, Indiana  up there, I dont know, sometimes seems confused about basic legal concepts despite his decadeslong career in the law, has somehow focused our national discussion on the propriety of adults dating minors, and reportedly was once almost banned from a shopping mall.

Life is never boring, is it? Well see what the election on Dec. 12 holds. Only heaven knows.

National Review

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Heather Wilhelm is a National Review columnist.
You have to admire Mayor Rahm Emanuels pluck. The vision of a downtown to OHare express rail link has been a mirage for decades. His predecessor, Richard M. Daley, pushed the idea as far back as 2001, and revived it after riding a 267-mph bullet train in Shanghai in 2010 . The outcome? Zip. Daleys downtown terminus for the project, a CTA superstation at Block 37, remains abandoned.

The current mayor is mounting his own push for downtown-to-OHare express rail, and chose Daleys mothballed station to announce the initiative. More than a century ago, Daniel Burnham encouraged Chicago to make no little plans and today Chicagoans continue to make big and bold plans with an eye toward the future, Emanuel told reporters.

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We too like big, bold plans. But from the time Emanuel first dangled this notion in February, weve been skeptical. Why is this needed, especially if the CTA is planning upgrades along the existing Blue Line to OHare? How much faster would it move passengers? Would there be demand for a comparatively high-fare ride? What route would it take, and for how long would construction disrupt neighborhoods?

And, of course, how much would it cost, and how much would be shouldered by taxpayers?

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The mayors doubling down, so well play along. He envisions a line that would take riders from downtown to OHare in 20 minutes or less. Trains would run at least every 15 minutes for much of the day. Fares would cost less than a taxi or Uber ride. Chicagos aviation chief, Ginger Evans, told the Sun-Times she believed business travelers would be willing to pay fares of $25 to $35, a price that would include baggage check at a downtown station, a seat reservation, on-board Wi-Fi and drinks.

The city envisions three potential routes: either above or below the existing Blue Line; along a freight rail right-of-way that begins at Clinton and Congress and runs through western suburbs before reaching OHare; and Metras North Central commuter line that goes from Union Station to just east of OHare before continuing on to Antioch. Possibilities for the downtown station include the shuttered Block 37 station, Union Station, and sites at Clinton/Congress and Canal/Clinton.

The mayor has addressed one of our biggest concerns  putting this on the backs of taxpayers. He says not a penny of taxpayer money will be spent on design, construction or operation. Well hold him to that. City projects touted as private-sector-paid endeavors often find a way to slip a hand into taxpayers pockets. We remember Daleys pledge to Chicagoans in 2001 that they wouldnt pay a dime for the ugly rebuild of Soldier Field. A decade later, taxpayers learned they would have to make up for a shortfall created when hotel tax revenue earmarked for the project proved insufficient. Emanuel huffed, I dont want the taxpayers of the city of Chicago to be treated as if theyre just an ATM machine. Words to remember, Mayor.

Emanuel has issued a Request for Qualifications seeking enterprises that could design, build and operate the rail link. One billionaire innovator, Elon Musk, on Thursday tweeted that hes all in. One of his companies, SpaceX, launched the first orbital rocket to safely land back on Earth, and has sent several cargo missions to the International Space Station. His electric vehicle startup, Tesla, tops Ford and GM in market capitalization. The vision for a downtown-to-OHare link that Musk touted earlier this year is just as ambitious. His idea is to bore a tunnel to carry minibus-like vehicles on electric-powered sleds, which would zip at speeds of 125 mph. A subterranean superhighway.

In the meantime, the CTA is moving forward with the five-year Blue Line revamp to upgrade stations and rebuild aging stretches that delay trains. A downtown-to-OHare trip that now takes as long as 45 minutes would take about 38 minutes with the revamp and still cost just $5. You wont be able to get a Rob Roy on the Blue Line, though. Youll still have your bags with you. And maybe youll be standing in a crowd.

Emanuels plan for classier service might be a good alternative, if: If the right route emerges. If the right builder/operator comes along. If the service proves popular enough to be self-sustaining. And if taxpayers arent the projects ATM machine.

Mr. Mayor, may your vision be more than the last guys mirage.
A 22-year old Chicago man was killed in a single-vehicle crash late Saturday night on Aurora's Far West Side, authorities said.

According to an Aurora Police Department Facebook post, police found 22-year old Brian Dorantes of the 2000 block of N. La Crosse Avenue, Chicago, at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the area of West Indian Trail and Deerpath Road. He had been partially ejected from his 2003 Acura RSX. He was the only occupant in the car.

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Witnesses informed police that Dorantes was traveling westbound on Indian Trail at a high rate of speed. When he approached the intersection with Deerpath, he moved to the eastbound lanes of Indian Trail and ran through a stop sign past the intersection, police said. His car briefly became airborne and landed off the roadway crashing into two trees on the north side of the street.

According to Aurora police, Dorantes was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is pending at the Kane County Coroner's Office. There were no preliminary signs of alcohol or drug use, police said.

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The Aurora Police Traffic Division is handling the investigation.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Opinion / Columnist

Mutota (1480) Matope(1530) Siti (1663) Dombo(1695) Nyamhandu (1723) Mambo (1760) Mzilikazi(1834) Lobengula (1870) Rhodes (1896) Chaplin (1915) Chancellor (1923) Huggins (1933) Garfield Todd (1953) Ian Smith (1964) Tendekai Muzorewa (1979) Mugabe (1980) Mnangagwa (2017)

The evil handling of fellow countrymen has one BALACING end -EVIL DOES NOT GET ANY TROPHY TO SHOW after two decades of it's reign. This, is best explained by the audit of The Law of Balance, which in Science, is called The Law of Thermodynamics.To give a reader a quick grasp of the context of Thermodynamics I attribute this to, I will give an analogy of clean water, a bottle and a teaspoon of dye. If you took the water, and filled it in, say, seven bottles, and dropped a drip of dye equitably from one teaspoon. Each of the seven bottles will have water of the same quality of colour.If you filled just one bottle of water, and scooped the whole teaspoon of dye on it, the dye will later spread equitably giving the water one strong colour.However, if you thought you were a genius, and you wanted the dye to be concentrated on just one cubic centimetre of the volume of water, you would end up with sorry results like Cecil John Rhodes, like Chaplin, Chancellor, Huggins, Garfield, Smith, and soon to discover, Mugabe then Mnangagwa.We are all born nak*d, we accumulate wealth and fame greedily and for some, responsibly. At death, we all get back to nud*ty. Even the linen they decorate our coffins with, will later rot and become valueless vanity of vanities.A hungry Zimbabwean who toiled the Earth under Mutota in year 1480, has his remains at equilibrium harmony with Mutota in year 1663. Patrick Kombai, whose testicles were short by brutal CIOs led by Mugabe, will find his remains at equilibrium harmony or at THE LAW OF BALANCE with those of Mugabe in year 2033. Obert Nyathi, who was abducted and never accounted for, by Mnangagwa's Gukurahundi in Zhombe 1983, will find his bones at equilateral value with those of Mnangagwa in year 2060.Words of Wisdom from the book of Proverbs describes thermodynamics equilibrium as "Vanity of vanities" or "grasping of the wind"It is WORTHWHILE to spend a life of making Peace like Mandela, forgiving enemies like Gatsha Buthelezi and F.W Dekleck. There is no heroism in getting to power to torture opponents using outdated Nyadzonya tactics of 1976 in Mozambique. There is no reason of getting older if one is not getting wiser. One would aspire that President Mnangagwa, as our educated leader, would spend time alone in the middle of the night, and ask himself, if one is now President of Zimbabwe, why torture rivals?What profit would it give his sons in year 2098 if he tortured G40 Zimbabwean rivals today? How much profit did he make since the disappearance of Obert Nyathi in 1993? How much profit can Muzorewa sons show today? Can Dr Mnangagwa design his own end as a President? does it not depend on the natural fact that no one can please everyone for ever? or is he superman who can beat physics?What profits can Primeminister Huggin's children show today? What is it of value, that Ian Smith can show for Chimoio and Zambia massacres of innocent and frightened refugees who ran away from his insanity with power? Where is that power today? Where are the Green Arrows and the Dakota bombers? G3s, Phumas and Chidramhu?Where is the frightening voice of Mugabe today?Is life not just vanity of vanities, unless we spend it caring and uplifting instead of torturing fellow countrymen? What did President Mugabe gain from Dzamara disappearance? was it not his closest lieutenant Mnangagwa who was more of a threat than unarmed Dzamara?The cruel Government of Smith believed it would last forever. When Mugabe and Nkomo and Mnangagwa were secured in Gonakudzingwa prisons, Smith, had his pillows changed by maids every twice per night. In the turn of things, Smith died in the hands of sympathisers in exile while Mugabe was President with multiple maids and even slaves. When Mugabe's wife was insulting President Mnangagwa in front of 12 year old shy girls in 2017, Mugabe had multiple caterers massaging his hands and back. Today, Mugabe has midnight nightmares, dreaming of crocodiles unpredictably changing their minds and beginning to lynch him.So, who is strong enough to control everything in life and sustain that for ever? Does the gun have power over the pen, or the pen over the gun, or none of both?From the top list of Zimbabwean leaders since year 1480, someone who has an ear to listen, and a mind to think, can only holistically conclude that power has never lasted, is not lasting, will never last for ever. From the past leaders of our land, we are given a chance to introspect our leadership styles and synchronise it to advance the happiness of everyone in our closed water bottle called Zimbabwe.
Rep. Todd Rokita has started a new feud in Indiana's bitter Republican Senate primary, attacking a rival  whom he calls "Tax Hike Mike" Braun  over the former state lawmaker's vote for a GOP-backed infrastructure plan that raised fuel taxes.

The issue offers considerable upside for Rokita, a Munster native who is trying to present himself as a conservative outsider despite nearly 20 years in elected office. There's just one problem: It wasn't long ago that Rokita called for the same kind of tax increase.

That opens Rokita up to charges of hypocrisy as he campaigns against Braun, fellow Republican Rep. Luke Messer and several others. Already he's been accused of a willingness to do  or say  anything to win the race that will decide who faces Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly next year.

"Todd Rokita attacked Mike Braun for supporting a permanent solution to fix Indiana's roads and bridges," said Braun spokesman Josh Kelley. "It is typical of career politicians like Todd Rokita to say one thing and do another."

Indiana's neglected infrastructure became a political fiasco in August 2015. An Interstate 65 bridge in Rokita's district sank several inches, forcing a month-long emergency closure. As traffic snarled and accidents piled up, Rokita weighed in on the issue during an interview with Indianapolis radio host Abdul Hakim-Shabazz.

"There's already been 19 or 20 states that have raised their gas tax, because the federal government won't, and as a result are going to have a better infrastructure," Rokita told Hakim-Shabazz, a conservative commentator. "And by the way, I don't know of a politician that's been unelected for that yet. So, I encourage all those in elective office  from the federal, to the state, to the local level  to look at these ideas."

That's exactly what Braun and his fellow Republicans who dominate the Indiana Statehouse did this year with their plan that increases fuel taxes by a dime-a-gallon while raising dozens of fees. Once fully phased in, it's projected to raise $1.2 billion a year.

Since then, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has barnstormed the state promoting road and bridge work that is underway. And many Republicans, including GOP Speaker Brian Bosma, said it's a responsible way to pay for much-needed road repairs after years of tax cuts elsewhere.

That hasn't stopped Rokita, whose aides have whispered for months about Braun's tax vote. More recently, those attacks became overt against the independently wealthy candidate, who stepped down from the Legislature in October to run a largely self-financed Senate bid.

"Hey Tax Hike Mike, authoring the largest tax hike in state history is not 'living conservative values,'" Rokita campaign spokesman Nathan Brand tweeted Thursday. "It just makes you another tax & spend establishment politician."

Rokita's campaign said there is more nuance to his beliefs than reflected in the 13-minute interview with Hakim-Shabazz that was devoted to infrastructure funding issues. They also argue  accurately  that lawmakers sat on a nearly $2 billion budget surplus when they raised taxes.

Still, the state's Rainy Day fund would be drained before accomplishing a fraction of the road work planned. The surplus was also touted by Vice President Mike Pence as fiscally prudent and necessary when he was still Indiana's governor.

Many of the same concepts Rokita discussed favorably in his interview  like imposing tolls, or making those who use roads most pay for them through increased gas taxes  either were adopted, or are being considered by Statehouse Republicans.

But in what's already proved to be an intense campaign, Rokita appears to be betting that many GOP voters either won't pay attention, or won't care, about his previous comments.

"Todd Rokita has never voted to raise gas taxes," Brand said in a statement Friday. "By contrast, even with a $2 billion dollar surplus ... Mike Braun voted to raise taxes and fees 45 times in 2017, including the $1 billion tax hike on Hoosiers he continues to celebrate."
All votes in the CO-3 election won't be counted until the end of this week
Opinion / Columnist

Revolutionary greetings dear comrades. Thirty years ago innocent Matebeleland and Midlands people were ruthlessly butchered by Mugabe's regime in what is refered to as ethnic cleansing. Mnangagwa was Mugabe's arm of terror in this era. Thousands of survivors were left orphans, they became their own mothers and fathers after losing their parents.This did not happen in a vacuum, but it happened in the full view of the international community which kept quiet. But when white farmers were killed in farm invasions, the international community was the first to condemn Mugabe. Does their silence in the Gukurahundi Massacres mean that black lives dont matter?The perpetrators of the Gukurahundi massacres are stil alive hence the need for a truth and reconciliation program to heal the nation. Let the victims speak and be listened to by the Mnangagwa regime which is an extention of his predecessor's regime. Victims have the right to know the truth. The truth can only come out when Mnangagwa et al come out and humble themselves before the victims. Yes Mnangagwa and his god father Mugabe owe the Matebeleland and Midlands people explanations on the Gukurahundi atrocities.The victims were burried like animals in shallow graves. It is time to exhume their bodies and give them decent burials. The surviving victims want to know the location of all the mass graves.The surviving victims must be allowed to visit the mass graves without being victimised by the security forces. Victimising a peaceful people visiting the burial site of their relatives is unconstitutional. There is absolutely nothing wrong in visiting your people's burial site.Gukurahundi question is a dangerous time bomb that need to be attended to urgently. Ignoring the question is submitting that Matebeleland and Midlands people are less of Zimbabwean citizens and matter less. It is justifying and sanitising the killings.Problems of our times are not solved by the barrel of the gun, but by seating around conference tables to seek proper panacea. I therefore submit that a truth and renconciliation commission be established for the healing of the surviving victims and the nation in general.The truth and reconciliation committee must not approach the surviving victims with pre-reached solutions to the problem. The victims are better placed to propose solutions to the Gukurahundi question. Therefore they must come ready to listen. From the look of things the surviving victims are not dressed up to revenge, but to seek closure and justice.Treating Matebeland and Midlands people as second class citizens must be condemned by the politicians. The silence of the politicians makes them perpetrators who are equally guilty. There is no tribe in Zimbabwe that is a breed apart. All tribes are equal before the Zimbabwean constitution and the throne of grace.Zimbabwe was founded on the alter of the god of tribe. Gukurahundi attrocities confirm that. Restoration of Zimbabwe must begin with destroying the alter of the god of tribe. Employment opportunities must be open to all tribes, not a selected few. All tribes must be treated fairly and equally in social, political and economic spheres of the country.Dear comrades let us work together and pick up the broken pieces of our country and bring them together. Let us build Zimbabwe to its old glorious days.Victory is certain, allutta continua.NPP National youth spokesperson Khulani David Ndhlovu
You are here: China

Gong Ke, head of Tianjin-based Nankai University, has been elected president of the Paris-based World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) said Saturday.

Gong, also an honorary member of CAST, is the first Chinese to hold the position since the organization was established 50 years ago, CAST said in a statement.

Gong said he will work to enable engineers worldwide to work together to create a sustainable future for humanity.

He will begin his mandate from 2019, according to the statement.

The WFEO is the largest international organization on engineering. China joined the organization in 1981.




Jiusan Society, one of China's eight major non-Communist political parties, will elect a new leadership during its 11th national congress, which opened in Beijing Sunday.

Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with delegates to the 11th national congress of Jiusan Society and extends congratulations on behalf of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2017. Jiusan Society, one of China's eight major non-Communist political parties, will elect a new leadership during its 11th national congress, which opened in Beijing Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)



Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with delegates to the congress and extended congratulations on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Zhao said Jiusan Society members have fully used their advantages in various sectors and talents to carry out deep investigation and research, raise many important opinions and suggestions, and provide important references for the scientific decision-making of the CPC and the government.

The CPC will uphold and improve the system of CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation in accordance with the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, Zhao said.

In handling its relationships with other political parties, "the CPC will adhere to the principles of long-term coexistence, mutual oversight, sincerity, and sharing the rough times and the smooth," Zhao said.

He called on members of Jiusan Society to actively offer advice and suggestions on major issues such as deepening reform on the scientific and technological systems and enhancing the building of a national innovation system.

Han Qide, executive chairman of the congress' presidium, delivered a work report at the opening ceremony on behalf of the 13th Central Committee of Jiusan Society.

Han called on members of Jiusan Society to study and implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Jiusan Society should be developed into a participating political party under socialism with Chinese characteristics that is more firm in ideology, more solid in performing its duties, and stronger in organization, said Han.

During the national congress of Jiusan Society, delegates will deliberate on the report of the party's 13th central committee, review and approve an amendment to the Jiusan Society Constitution, and elect the party's 14th central committee.

Founded in 1945, Jiusan Society is composed mainly of senior and mid-level intellectuals engaged in science, technology, culture, education and medical and health work. As of the end of 2016, there were 164,000 members of the society.

The CPC is the ruling party in China. The eight non-Communist parties are political organizations having connections with people of particular social circles.

The non-Communist parties take part in the running of state affairs, which cover the formulation of major state policies, the election of government leaders, the enactment of laws and regulations, and law enforcement, among others.




A public toilet in Chun'an County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. [zj.zjol.com.cn]





People who gloat about how democratic India looks beautiful in comparison to socialist China should think twice as the two are mirroring each other more and more. India can take note of China's "toilet revolution" drive to improve public health by stopping the public from defecating outdoors.







On November 27, 2017, Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping said public toilets throughout the country  from rural villages to urban areas  should be upgraded to boost tourism infrastructure and improve the quality of life. "Toilet issues are not petty matters but an important aspect of improving infrastructure in urban and rural areas," Xi said.





Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, a beautiful environment and hygienic toilets have been a major focus of Xis administration. In 2015, China's National Tourism Administration (NTA) started a three-year campaign, dubbed the "toilet revolution," which received President Xi's approval in a sign of its importance, to improve the standard of public toilets at tourist sites across the country.





According to the World Tourism Organization, China is among the top four countries in terms of international tourist visits in 2016. After the first two years of the three-year toilet campaign, public toilets in China have been remarkably improved at tourist sites, serving the 4.4 billion domestic and foreign visitors a year.





In rural areas, local governments have started to help farmers in the countryside upgrade their toilets, which cost about 16,000 yuan each, with the government undertaking most of the burden. The toilets are clean and tidy now, equipped with hand washing gel, tissue and hand dryers. Unisex toilets have extra baby seats, safety handrails and speakers. According to the official figures of National Urban and Rural Environmental Sanitation Clean Action Plan, 75 percent of rural homes in China had flush toilets or dry toilets by the end of 2015.





According to Li Jinzao, the head of China's National Tourist Administration, by the end of October this year, China had installed or upgraded 68,000 toilets at tourist destinations, 19.3 percent more than the target number. China plans to install or upgrade 64,000 toilets at tourist destinations from 2018 to 2020 in an effort to remove a major nuisance for travelers and develop domestic tourism.





On the other hand, it is a pity that after 70 years of India's independence, poor public sanitation and related health concerns have remained a major problem in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost half of India's population  626 million people  has no access to or do not use toilets. They defecate in open fields, water sources, forests or other open spaces rather than in closed latrines or toilets.





On October 2, 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Clean India Campaign ("Swachh Bharat Mission"), independent India's most ambitious civic program, to rid the country of open defecation and clean up public places by 2019. He even picked up a broom at a New Delhi neighborhood, Valmiki Basti, to launch the flagship program of his rule.





The campaign aims to build a staggering 100 million household toilets and 500,000 community toilets by 2019. Tens of millions of rupees have been committed  US$20 million went into advertising alone in the first six months since October 2014.





Since the inception of Clean India Campaign, Modi passionately spoke of it in his annual Independence Day speeches, televised live from the ramparts of Delhi's Red Fort, and at campaign rallies in election-bound states. But, it's a fact that in spite of the hype and photo-ops and huge investments, Modi's pet mission is heading for failure.





Three years down the line, the Clean India progress report states that India is not much cleaner. Government statistics show that more than US$4 billion have been spent to help install 50 million toilets so far but the real picture is not as rosy as it may seem. Two-thirds of all states in India seem to be faring poorly in implementing the scheme meant to provide a toilet to every Indian household without one. More importantly, the kinds of toilets the government promotes are impure. The pit latrines are very small. Many of them are useless.





According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development data, close to 10 percent of the 1.1 million schools in India do not have toilet facilities for female students. As a consequence, girls leave school on average at an earlier age than their male contemporaries.





It's a shocking fact that access to clean toilets, water and a healthy lifestyle sadly remain a luxury for many across India even today. In order to fulfill the dream of Clean India by 2019, India would be well-advised to draw lessons from China's experience in eliminating open air defecation under "toilet revolution" campaign.





Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, West Bengal, India





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.




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World political parties showed their willingness to join hands with the Communist Party of China (CPC) in building a community with a shared future for humanity at the ongoing high-level conference that started Friday in Beijing.





Focusing on the responsibilities of political parties in building a community of shared future and a better world, the meeting is attended by leaders from nearly 300 parties and political organizations from more than 120 countries and regions.





Addressing the opening ceremony of the meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said the initiative to build a community with a shared future for humanity is being transformed from a concept into action.





"I am delighted to see that the friendly cooperation between China and other countries is increasingly expanding and the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity is gaining support and endorsement from an increasing number of people," Xi said.





Hun Sen, Cambodian prime minister and president of the People's Party, said that his country has actively responded to Xi's concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity and seeking benefits for the people.





"In this regard, I believe President Xi has explicitly pointed out common values of all political parties participating in this meeting," he said.





Julio Rios, director of the Observatory of Chinese politics (OPCh) affiliated to the Spanish think tank, the Galician Institute of Analysis and International Documentation, said that the concept provided Chinese wisdom for major issues concerning the future and destiny of humanity.





With the advancement of globalization, any political party, think tank and country can not deal with global challenges alone, he said, adding that cooperation is the only way to promote development.





Xi has expounded on the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity on many occasions since it was put forth in 2013.





At the 19th CPC National Congress held in October, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity was given as one of the 14 fundamental principles of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and Xi reaffirmed China's principle of shared growth through discussion, collaboration and active engagement in global governance.





Observers say that the Belt and Road Initiative is this concept in practice. The initiative has become a huge cooperation platform for countries to achieve common development.





Proposed by Xi in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa via land and maritime routes.





Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, general secretary of the People's Rally for Progress of Djibouti, said the Belt and Road Initiative is an important public good that China has provided to the world, which will effectively boost connectivity among regions and countries.





Dawaleh said Djibouti hopes to carry out more cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative.





Currently, against the backdrop of a global economic downturn and a complicated international environment, participants at the meeting said the world should push for a more open and inclusive economic globalization.





Political parties from various countries around the world should bear dual responsibilities in speeding up domestic reform in light of new circumstances while shouldering more global responsibilities in creating a better world, said Rios, the OPCh director of the Spanish think tank.





Evariste Ndayishimiye, secretary general of CNDD-FDD of Burundi, said his country hoped to learn from Chinese experiences, especially in promoting comprehensive development and people's welfare.




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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has accused late Saturday U.S. President Donald Trump of "begging for nuclear war" by staging "extremely dangerous" military drills on the Korean Peninsula and simulating real-scenario-attacks upon DPRK.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the United States is planning to carry out the largest-ever joint aerial drill with South Korea targeting the DPRK from Dec. 4 to 8, which he said will push the current touch-and-go situation in the peninsula to a possible flare-up.

"More than 230 fighters from the U.S. air force bases in Japan and South Korea including its latest stealth fighters F-22 Raptor and F-35, the U.S. major strategic assets as well as some 12,000 U.S. troops are to participate in the said drill," said the spokesman.

The United States and South Korea hold annual large scale military drills over the alleged threat from the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs.

The DPRK foreign ministry spokesman said this drill would be unprecedented in its size and nature of simulating actual combat situation and have the highest number of U.S. major strategic assets including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 stealth fighters.

"The U.S. is publicly touting the objective of the drill as enhancing the actual combat capability to disable the DPRK's major strategic bases in the early stages of war," the spokesman noted.

He pointed out that Washington has just wound up a large-scale nuclear war drill against the DPRK which involved three nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike groups. Such exercises are fueling the speculation that a U.S. nuclear attack on the DPRK is indeed possible and plausible

"The Trump team is begging for a nuclear war by staging an extremely dangerous nuclear gamble on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

The tension in the Korean Peninsula is extremely high.





The DPRK test fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) -- "Hwasong 15 "-- last week which it said could hit the entire territory of the United States, thus marking the completion of DPRK's rocket weaponry system, according to Pyongyang's own description of its nuclear and missile system.




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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday conducted a series of Arab and international contacts to warn of the danger from any U.S. administration's decision on Jerusalem, the Palestinian state-run News Agency (WAFA) reported.

The report said that Abbas contacted Arab leaders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Kuwait and Qatar, and explained to them that any U.S. decision on recognizing the city as the capital of Israel or moving its embassy to the city "is very dangerous to peace stability in the region."

Abbas has also contacted leaders of France, the European Union, the Islamic Conference and the Arab League, and explained to them that such a move "would get the region into unexpected consequences."

Islamic Hamas movement on Saturday called for a new Palestinian uprising in case the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, according to an official Hamas statement.

"In light of what is being circulated in the media on President Trump's intentions to declare Jerusalem as the capital of the occupying state, Hamas warns of the consequences of such a decision," said the movement in an emailed statement.

Media reports in the U.S. said Friday that President Trump was considering to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and might announce it on next Wednesday.

However, it is expected that he may postpone the implementation of his promise to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"We call upon the Palestinian people to stand up and block the wall in the face of this unjust decision and to incite an uprising in Jerusalem so that this conspiracy does not pass," said Hamas statement.

It added that the move "is a blatant attack by the United States on the city, and gives the entity (Israel) a legitimate control on the city of Jerusalem, and a cover to continue the crimes of Judaization of the city."

Hamas said that any decision whatsoever will not change the fact that Jerusalem is a Palestinian Arab and Islamic land.

The movement called on Arab and Islamic states at the official and public levels "to stand by their responsibilities and to work to stop this resolution and to criminalize it."

Member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee and Head of Information and Culture Department Hanan Ashrawi said Saturday that "such a step would destabilize the whole region, destroy the peace process, disqualify the U.S. from its role in the region and generate a new wave of extremism."

"I hope that nobody would take such a step; this would be extremely irresponsible and dangerous," she told Xinhua in a telephone interview, warning that it is "very dangerous and would transform into a religious issue" and that any "attempt at annexation or imposing an illegal position on Jerusalem would generate desirability in the entire region."

On Friday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeinah said that the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, or moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is "equally dangerous to the future of the peace process and would take the region into the square of instability."

Abu Rudeinah stressed that any just solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should guarantee that East Jerusalem is the capital of the independent state of Palestine, cautioning that "failing to reach a solution to the Palestinian cause will prolong tensions, chaos and violence."

Trump issued an exceptional decision to keep the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv last June, which is expected to expire this month, but it is not clear yet if Trump will renew his decision or not.

The issue of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem is considered by Palestinians as a provocation and deconstruction of the peace talks.





The peace talks between Palestine and Israel have been stalled since April 2014. The U.S.-sponsored talks that lasted for nine months achieved no tangible results.




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France calls for a constructive national dialogue in Iraq to have a "strong and integrated" Iraq and a "respect for pluralism" in the country's Kurdish region, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday.

The dialogue must be built around four fundamental elements, in full compliance with the 2005 Constitution of Iraq, Macron said after meeting here Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of Iraqi Kurdish regional government.

"The first essential element is that the legitimacy of a federal control of the external borders is fully recognized," Macron said.





Secondly, the French president said, there can be gradual demilitarization.

"The third is that this dialogue makes it possible to have budget balances and financial transfers just in the spirit of the Constitution, which will allow all the regions to live in. And the last element is that there is full respect for the territorial elements provided for in the Constitution, in particular Article 140," the Macron said.

Moreover, he expressed hope that this national and constructive dialogue can be launched "very quickly".





"France will do everything possible to preserve the unity and integrity of Iraq and the full recognition of the Kurds and their rights in this context," he said.




Opinion / Columnist

Zimbabweans are one of the few nations that can take to the street in mass protest and there not be a single injury or incident of destruction of property at the end of it.This is one of the many compliments that South Africans have showered upon their neighbours.In a Facebook post by The Joburger South Africans were asked to share what they love about Zimbabweans. After living with thousands of Zim nationals in South Africa over the years the opinion was almost unanimous: Zimbabweans are friendly humble and hard-working."I admire that you have come here and take on any job that would be seen as beneath others. Housekeeper that has a degree or a factory worker that's a banker" said Ferdi Meijer.Hendrik Esterhuizen said they showed extreme dedication to their work. One Zimbabwean man who worked at a car wash near his office one day showed up for work despite having been struck by a car just moments earlier."[He] showed up [with] torn pants and wounds on his leg. I can remember the owner arguing with him because he wanted to work and didn't care about his leg. Owner took him to the clinic himself. The owner told us this guy told him he can still walk and use his arms so he can still perform his job."If you thought the French or Italian accent was to die for you haven't heard a Zimbabwean accent said Malumedzha Rudzy."I love their English accent. They call President RG Mugabe AraGee Mugabe'" said Rudzy.Nomcebo Zondi reckons they are attractive people."Beautiful especially their hair and skin texture" she said.Lucia Theron said they have a warm smile are gentle and have a patient spirit.Derrick Aston Kapungwe simply enjoys their company and appetites."As [a] Zambian one of the things I have learned from Zimbabweans living in my country is how to dance in the rain and create your own sunshine. But they eat huge portions of pap" he added.Zimbabweans are intellectual said Thembalethu Seti."Zimbabweans and distinctions _ issa same whatsap group [sic]. Those guys are study freaks team no sleep' from 1st year to PhD" Seti said.They adapt easily."Zimbabweans come to RSA and learn most languages in months" said Dean Dlala. "Y'all are masters in adaptation."But there's still a few things that South Africans don't get about their neighbours."Why do you eat those tiny baby fish with eyes and everything? What are they called?" asked Tamarin Mattheus."Some of their names" says Rolien Kruger. "I love it when Seawater Goodfriday and Christmas get introduced to me. [It] makes for really interesting conversations."Khaya Ntengeshe listed a few other Zimbabwean names that he has come across. From Farewell to Godson Passionate and even Traveller their names all tell a story he said.There are definitely a few things that South Africans could learn from Zimbabweans.Palesa Methula said there is no "African time" when it comes to Zimbabweans while Johannes Mabaso said they are good savers."I like [how] they [can] be eating pap and tomato every day from January to November then when December comes they have enough savings to buy a car Us South Africans we spend during the year and take out loans for December holidays" Mabaso said.Kyle Dreyer summed it up."No matter how bad things got in Zim they are super-proud to be Zimbabwean" he said.
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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met Saturday with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis in the Egyptian capital Cairo to discuss strategic cooperation and joint counter-terrorism efforts.

"Sisi stressed the strength of the Egyptian-U.S. relations and their distinguished strategic aspects, urging to enhance all aspects of cooperation between the two sides particularly in the military field," Egypt's presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

He added that Mattis expressed U.S. keenness to promote cooperation with Egypt as a key player to maintain stability and security in the Middle East region, underscoring U.S. support for Egypt's war against terrorism.

The meeting was attended by Egyptian Defense Minister Sedqi Sobhi, who met with Mattis earlier in the day, as well as a number of senior military officials from both sides.

Talks between Egyptian and U.S. defense ministers discussed a number of topics related to military cooperation, joint military drills and the exchange of expertise in different fields, said Egypt's military spokesman Tamer al-Refaay in a statement.

Egypt's ties with the United States deteriorated after the Egyptian military ousted former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests.

The move has led to the suspension of U.S. military aid to Egypt and the cancellation of the largest joint military exercise between the two countries, known as Bright Star, by former U.S. President Barack Obama.

The bilateral ties improved under the new U.S. administration of Donald Trump, who pledged to resume the annual military aid to the key regional ally.

Egypt and the United States held Bright Star 2017 joint drill in September after eight-year suspension since 2009. Earlier in April they launched the joint naval exercise Eagle Salute 2017 in the waters of the Red Sea.

Cairo annually receives from Washington 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in military and economic aid since it signed the 1979 U.S.-sponsored peace treaty with Israel, the U.S. number one regional ally and the top recipient of U.S. aid.

In August, Washington decided to cut or delay nearly 300 million U.S. dollars in aid to Egypt over concerns about human rights record.

Mattis' trip to Egypt unveiled his five-day tour in the region including Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and Kuwait.





The U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement on Friday that Mattis' trips are meant to "reaffirm the enduring U.S. commitment to partnerships in the Middle East, West Africa and South Asia."




PUNTA DEL ESTE - Chinese ride-hailing company DiDi is looking to break into the Latin American market, as indicated by a top leader of the company.

"Latin America is today one of the most important markets given its population of 600 million people," DiDi's vice-president of International Business, Gu Tao, told Xinhua on Saturday.

Gu was in Punta del Este, a resort city on a narrow peninsula in southeast Uruguay, for the 11th China-Latin America and the Caribbean (China-LAC) Business Summit, which ended Saturday.

Currently, DiDi is the "fastest growing company in China," and Latin America is part of its global expansion plans, he said.

"Latin America is really relevant for China, that's why we believe we can use our technology and experience to provide the same product in China and to our users in Latin America," said Gu.

Companies like DiDi, which has 21 million affiliated drivers, fill a need sparked by changing economies, he noted, citing a recent study that analyzed the growing pool of available drivers.

Some four million DiDi drivers were formerly laid off workers from a variety of industrial jobs in such sectors as steel in China.

The ride-hailing service generates 170 yuan ($25.7) per capita in income for some 2.6 million drivers each day, most of whom hold other part time jobs.

Analysts believe that China's sharing economy is on the rise, and high rate of growth is forecast to continue over the next few years.

"The sharing economy is growing rapidly in China and it is an opportunity for Latin America also. In our view, in the next 10 years, a family will no longer need to have its own car. All cars will be shared," said Gu.

"Today, in the larger cities, there are too many vehicles on the streets and they take up space. We believe technology can significantly change the automobile industry," Gu added.

In addition to ride hailing and sharing, DiDi offers chauffeur, test drive and car rental services, among others.

In the near future, "there will be self-driving cars and electric cars, and they will be shared. If one can instantly obtain a car anywhere, then he doesn't need a car" of his own, said Gu.

"I have a vehicle in Beijing and 95 percent of the time it's parked, I only drive it five percent of the time. So in the future, all cars will be shared," he predicted.

DiDi bought out Uber's operations in China last year, and has since dominated the ride-hailing sector.
Hainan reaped 38 billion yuan ($5.75 billion ) in investment from overseas Hainanese for 27 new projects covering tourism, new high technology and education at a promotion meeting in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Hong Kong Hainanese signed 16 deals with their hometowns while the others were snatched by Hainanese in other countries and regions. Hong Kong has been one of the largest sources of investment in Hainan, according to provincial authorities.

About 1,800 overseas Hainanese from 26 countries and regions attended the event, which was part of the two-day 15th World Congress of the International Federation of Hainan Associations that closed on Saturday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

The biennial congress gathered more than 6,000 overseas Hainanese from 26 countries and regions, the largest ever in number, to Hong Kong to discuss deepening friendship and enhancing common development.

Shen Xiaoming, governor of the southern tropical island province, said at the opening ceremony that "for a long time, overseas Hainanese, now totaling about 3.9 million worldwide, have not only made great achievements and gained a great deal of respect in their countries of residence, but also have devoted their energy and funds to their hometown."

He said a lot of buildings, roads, bridges and schools have been built by overseas Hainanese; they also have introduced rubber and coffee growing and processing to Hainan.

"The good deeds done by the overseas Hainanese show their deep affection to their hometowns," he said.

Hainan will highlight development of in-depth processing of farm produce, health care and medical services, new high-tech and cultural industries and give priority on the growth of modern services such as finance, shipping and "corporate headquarters" economy, the governor said.

He said Hainan welcomes Hainanese both at home and abroad to make investments in these fields and share its unique advantages of ecological environment, preferential industry policies and low development costs to gain win-win development.
OSLO - Norway Post said Friday it is testing out a Chinese electric van during the Christmas traffic.

With sufficient range of more than 200 kilometer and load capacity of 11.4 cubic meters, the Maxus EV80 electric cargo van, made by China's Shanghai-based SAIC, is the first electric van of this size for Norway Post, it said in a press release.

The van is also the only one of this type used in the Nordic countries and shall deliver business packages to customers in Oslo, said the postal service.

"We have electrified everything which is possible when it comes to small distribution cars. Now we see how we can do the same with bigger vehicles," said John Eckhoff, press officer of Norway Post.

"The Chinese car manufacturer SAIC is the first to deliver an electric van in this size. Now we will test whether it meets our quality requirements," he said.

Norway Post has a goal to use only renewable energy sources by 2025, and electric vans are one of the measures the company wishes to implement to achieve the target.

"We hope to start regular operation with the electric car in the second half of 2018, depending on the time when the cars can be delivered and service networks created," Eckhoff said.

After the test in Norway, the electric car, which uses a battery of 56 kW, will be tested in Stockholm, where it will be used by Bring to transport goods for Ikea.

Bring is Norway Post's brand aimed at business customers with mail and logistics services in the Nordic region.
UNITED NATIONS  Ajay Banga, president and chief executive officer of Mastercard, was honored by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents America's leading global companies.

Banga received USCIB's International Leadership Award at a gala dinner at the United Nations headquarters in New York, in recognition of Mastercard's ongoing leadership to extend the benefits of an expanding economy to all segments of society.

"Ajay Banga and Mastercard were among the first to recognize that financial inclusion can set in motion a virtuous cycle of equitable economic growth," said USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw, chairman emeritus of McGraw Hill Financial (now S&P Global).

"Many companies have joined the movement to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mastercard was one of the first supporters when the goals were launched in 2015, and the company has been working to help address issues such as poverty, hunger and gender equality," he said.

McGraw added that the gala provided a platform to underscore ongoing American and global business support for the SDGs, policies that promote more open cross-border trade and investment, and robust US engagement with the UN and other international bodies.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed attended the gala. She called upon the business sector to work with the United Nations and realize its 2030 SDGs as scheduled.

She also pledged that the United Nations would continue to reform its management so as to enhance its efficiency to better serve all people around the world.

Mastercard has connected more than 300 million people around the world to the formal economy, providing critical access to services that allow them to live and work with greater efficiency, security and dignity.

Banga is a member of the US President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, and is a founding trustee of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. He served as a member of President Obama's Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity.

Prior to Mastercard, Banga was chief executive officer of Citigroup Asia Pacific. He began his career at Nestle in India, where he also spent two years with PepsiCo. He is a graduate of Delhi University and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Established in 1980, USCIB's International Leadership Award is presented annually to a leading CEO, international figure or institution, recognizing outstanding contributions to global trade, finance and investment, and to improving the global competitive framework in which American business operates.

Recent recipients included Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T, and Roberto Azevedo, director general of the World Trade Organization.
WUHAN  China is encouraging industrial tourism, with plans to build 100 such tourism bases on the national level by 2020.

The National Tourism Administration has unveiled a roadmap for the development of the sector for the next three years. It has appointed 20 enterprises as state-level tourism bases, covering a wide range of industries, including wine-making, alcohol, dairy products and cosmetics.

At a national industrial tourism conference that began Tuesday in central China's Hubei province, the administration also issued a standard that regulates industrial tourism.

China hopes to attract 240 million visitors annually in industrial tourism, with an annual revenue goal of more than 30 billion yuan ($4.5 billion) for 2020.

Last year, industrial tourism sites received 140 million tourists, bringing in revenue of 21.3 billion yuan.
SOCHI, Russia - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov here on Friday, saying he hopes that the two countries will make further efforts to tap cooperation potential in economy, trade and investment.

Since China and Belarus established diplomatic ties 25 years ago, the two countries have always treated each other with respect and interacted as equals, said Li, expressing the hope that the two countries will seek greater synergy between their development strategies and give full play to their complementary advantages.

Li called on both sides to cement cooperation on infrastructure construction and production capacity, and jointly explore new financing methods, with the construction of China-Belarus Industrial Park as a key project.

Li also urged closer people-to-people exchanges, especially between the youths of the two countries, saying both sides should actively cultivate new growth points for cooperation.

For his part, Kobyakov said Belarus supports the direction and measures of China's development, and is willing to actively align the two countries' development plans and make efforts to establish an all-weather friendship of cooperation.

Kobyakov said Belarus will attend the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai next year, speed up the construction of the Belarus-China Industrial Park, and further enhance bilateral cooperation on projects in areas of logistics and scientific innovation.

Kobyakov hoped the two sides to designate 2018 a Year of Tourism, so as to expand bilateral tourism cooperation and boost exchanges between the youths of the two countries.

Li arrived in Sochi Thursday morning to attend the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government.

The SCO now comprises eight members, namely Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay - China's Belt and Road Initiative should serve as an inspiration to Latin America and the Caribbean, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Luis Alberto Moreno said on Friday.

Addressing the opening of the 11th China-Latin America and the Caribbean (China-LAC) Business Summit here, Moreno said "anyone who looks into the initiative will see that it is truly amazing given its scale and goal of integrating countries in different parts of the globe."

"The initiative should inspire us in this region as well to speed up our process of integration and thus transform ourselves into a major regional stage," said Moreno.

The initiative China proposed in 2013 comprises the overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, seeking to revive and expand the ancient Silk Road trade routes and connect Asia, Africa and Europe through better infrastructure, greater trade and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.

According to Moreno, there are elements of the initiative that Latin America can adopt, such as creating a regional free trade zone.

An LAC free trade area is a goal "we can and must reach," said Moreno, noting the integration of subregional trade blocs like the southern cone's Mercosur (Southern Common Market) and the Pacific Alliance, which gathers Pacific facing countries, can help.

"The increasing proximity between Mercosur and Pacific Alliance countries should encourage us to continue working to attain that goal," said Moreno.

As for China, the IDB head said the Asian giant "is highly likely" to surpass the United States as a leading investor in the region, and that "it is preparing to make the great leap to becoming the world's largest economy."

"We hope that more business meetings take place to deepen ties with China," Moreno said.

The China-LAC Business Summit this year, which runs till Saturday, drew some 2,500 business leaders, including 700 from China.
BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) Saturday expressed strong dissatisfaction with the US opposition to granting it market economy status in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Office of the US Trade Representative told Xinhua Friday that the United States had submitted a statement of opposition to the WTO as a third-party brief in support of the European Union (EU) in a case brought by China arguing the "surrogate country approach" should be dropped after the expiration date.

"China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes the rejection, as the US government tried to mix the concepts of the surrogate country approach and market economy status to mislead the public," the MOC said in a statement.

When China joined the WTO, members use costs of production in a third country to calculate the value of products from countries on their "non-market economy" list, which includes China.

In accordance with Article 15 of the accession protocol, the surrogate country approach expires on Dec 11, 2016.

The case has nothing to do with whether China has been granted market economy status or not as there are no standards in WTO rules for the status, the MOC said, urging all members to drop the practice.

When the approach expired last year, some member nations, including Japan and the United States, indicated they would not honor their commitments with no plans to change their trade policies. The MOC has warned that their refusal would put trade ties with China at risk.
KIEV - Ukraine wants to join efforts with China to translate their cooperation potential into practical results, a senior Ukrainian official told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

"Our task is to turn the opportunities and the potential, which are being widely discussed now, into concrete practical projects," said Natalia Mykolska, deputy minister of economic development and trade of Ukraine.

Ukraine attaches a great importance to its long-term economic cooperation with China, Mykolska said, adding that the two countries have all opportunities for pushing the partnership forward given the complementary advantages of each others' economies.

"For us, China is a strategic partner in the economic sphere and trade. Ukraine and China can effectively work together on foreign markets. Ukraine can become China's gateway to the European Union (EU), and China for us -- a strategically very important market and a source of investment," Mykolska emphasized.

Mykolska, who headed a Ukrainian delegation to the meeting of the Chinese-Ukrainian Subcommittee on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing last month, highlighted that the two countries have developed a roadmap to carry forward the economic partnership.

"We have defined a string of very important areas on which Ukraine and China will focus next year. The agriculture sphere, including food and drinks, is among these priority areas." Mykolska said, noting that Ukraine is interested to produce power engineering equipment and electrical appliances jointly with China.

Another important sector Mykolska cares within the partnership is machine-building. "We could produce machine-building products in Ukraine, using the know-how of both -- China and Ukraine," she explained.

Among other areas for joint cooperation, Mykolska named renewable energy and high-tech industry, pointing that the two countries may establish good tandems on the global digital market with the combined advantages of China's powerful hardware facilities and Ukraine's software developments.

While speaking on the business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, Mykolska said more and more Ukrainian companies are preparing to do business with China.

Mykolska said China is defined as a "market in focus" under the "Export Strategy of Ukraine". "We are at the stage when this interest should begin to turn into major projects," she said.

In a move to deepen the B2B cooperation, on Nov 14-16, Mykolska led a business delegation to China's Global Food and Hospitality Expo in Shanghai.

The trade representative of Ukraine stressed that the Chinese market is very attractive to Ukrainian food producers due to its size.

"Currently, it is important for us to increase the supplies of ready-to-eat products to the Chinese market. Among them, we can name dairy products, which are gaining popularity in China, and healthy food products -- fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables," Mykolska said.

Besides, Ukrainian berries, meat products, juice, beer and wine, confectionery, baby food and organic goods can find specific market niches in China, she added.

According to the official, to gain its foothold on the Chinese market, Ukrainian agri-producers stand ready to manufacture "personalized" products specifically for Chinese consumers and produce goods under the trademarks of Chinese companies.

"We can offer high-quality products at a competitive price. And what is extremely important for the Chinese consumers -- an individual approach," Mykolska said.

Ukraine, which is rich in natural resources and has the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU and some Western countries, is also interested in attracting Chinese investment to jointly produce various goods for foreign markets, Mykolska said.

She pointed that the bilateral and multilateral cooperation could be carried out under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

"This Initiative is very important for us. Ukraine has trade and economic relations with all participants of this initiative. This makes us a natural partner not only for each of these countries but also a natural partner for the entire Initiative," Mykolska emphasized.

Next week, a Chinese delegation headed by Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai is set to visit Kiev to participate in the meeting of the Chinese-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission.
- T. S. Eliot

Thoughts After Lambeth

"The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."
Around 1,000 government officials and senior business executives will attend the 2017 Fortune Global Forum, which will open Wednesday in this Guangdong provincial capital.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Chairman and CEO of Tencent Holdings Ma Huateng, Alibaba Group Chairman Jack Ma, and Foxconn Technology Group chairman Terry Gou are among the participants expected to attend the forum, which ends on Friday, according to Alan Murray, chief content officer of Time Inc and editor-in-chief of Fortune.

Of the companies that will attend the event, 152 are among the world's top 500, with more than 50 having established their headquarters in South China's Guangzhou. The companies annually earn more than $9 trillion and employ 23.5 million workers, Murray told a press conference on Sunday.

"Guangzhou is the ideal city to hold the 2017 Fortune Global Forum as the city is the political, economic and transportation center in Guangdong province and the southern Chinese region," Murray said.

Murray, who arrived in Guangzhou on Sunday morning, said Guangzhou looks more beautiful every time when he comes to the city. This is Murray's third visit to the southern metropolis.

"The 2017 Fortune Global Forum has great significance as it takes place after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China," he said.

Government officials and business executives will exchange views and discuss development and cooperation in innovation scientific industry and the role innovation science will play in boosting the development of the world economy and promoting international cooperation during the 3-day event, Murray said.

Cai Chaolin, a member of the Standing Committee of Guangzhou Committee of Communist Party of China, said after a dozen of months of preparation, Guangzhou is ready for the forum's opening, under theme of "Openness and Innovation: Shaping the Global Economy".

Zhang Hongbin, deputy director of the International Affairs Bureau at the State Council Information Office, said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the forum, which is expected to help promote Sino-foreign cooperation.
Xu Lin, minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China (fourth from left), and other hosts of the event help open the Light of the Internet Exposition on Dec 2 at the Wuzhen International Internet Exhibition and Convention Center in Zhejiang province. [Photo/China Daily by Zou Hong]

World-leading technology was on display as an expo opened on Saturday to get things warmed up for this year's 4th World Internet Conference in Wuzhen in Zhejiang province.

The four-day Light of the Internet Exposition has attracted participants from across the world to the Wuzhen International Internet Exhibition and Convention Center.

"The expo features the most innovative, cutting-edge products and fields in information technology, including cloud calculation, big data, quantum communication, artificial intelligence, and the shared economy," Yuan Jiajun, governor of Zhejiang province, said at the expo's opening ceremony.

More than 400 companies100 more than last yearare attending from 13 countries and regions. They include not only industry giants such as BMW, Kaspersky, Alibaba and Tencent but also startups that are leaders in some areas of information technology.

IFly Tek, a top company in voice recognition, showcased its Xiaoyi Translation Machine at the expo, which attracted a lot of visitors on the expo's first day.

"The machine can be put in a pocket and connected to the internet with a cellphone SIM card," said Liu Weiwei, marketing manager of iFly Tek.

Even before the device was launched this year, the company had introduced automatic translation between some languages. The company's products also have been used for simultaneous interpretation at conferences.

Bermal Kaplan, a representative for Hangzhou Tiankuan Technology Co, a security terminal producer for industrial and defense applications, said her company's products have been of great help to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.

"China's internet technology is at least a decade more advanced and convenient than in my home country," said Kaplan, who is from Turkey. "I feel like I am living in the future."

Some companies are newcomers, such as Buick, a division of manufacturer General Motors of the United States and one of world's oldest automakers. "China has the world's leading ecosystem for internet connectivity," said Sam Silverman, a Buick representative.

"Many countries are still in the desktop age, yet China seems to have leapfrogged into the mobile age, and now everything can be done using smartphones in China," he said. "Couple that with strong government support and infrastructure and these advantages will definitely help China's smart vehicle industry flourish."

Ofo, a leading bike-sharing company based in Beijing, was present and also has been working on new technology to benefit customers. "We are trying to make things even easier," said Li Bofei, a business manager for the company.

Ofo, working with Huawei Technologies Co, has introduced a smart bicycle lock that can be unlocked with a smartphone using near-field communication technology, which is "even easier than scanning a QR code", Li said.

Business and technology are advancing rapidly in China, Li said. "Perhaps a new internet approach just created last year might now be considered a traditional one."

At last year's expo, We Doctor Group showed off a smartphone application permitting a user to connect with an online medical care service, smart medical devices and home appliances.

This year, the company is exhibiting a smartphone it developed with a button on the back to make things simpler and easier for elderly users who have trouble with regular smartphones. It allows them to connect to the company's internet hospital platform, which it developed in late 2015, and also has all the functions of a regular phone, said Hou Dan, a marketing manager from We Doctor.
Nation fast becoming global hotbed for innovation and product development

What happens every minute online in China? Well, in every 60 seconds, users hail about 1,400 cabs and 2,800 private cars on Didi Chuxing, the country's largest car-hailing company. More than 194,000 people are video or audio chatting on WeChat, the most popular social networking platform run by Tencent Holdings Ltd. And over 770 people buy something, with about $1,133,900 spent on purchases at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's online marketplaces.

The data offers a quick look at how the internet is shaping China, in a stunning way. "The country does in 60 seconds (online) what some would only do over a day, week, or more," said Tech in Asia, a popular technology website which compiled the data. What is more important, the blossoming trend has unfolded just in few years, as the cyberspace gets increasingly intertwined with the offline world, officials and experts said.

China officially launched the Internet Plus initiative in 2015, which was designed to upgrade traditional industries by embracing new technologies such as mobile internet, cloud computing, big data, and the internet of things. In just two years, concrete progress has been made, with internet-related technologies revolutionizing sectors such as manufacturing, retail, transportation, finance, and healthcare.

"We will work faster to build China into a manufacturer of quality and develop advanced manufacturing, promote further integration of the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence with the real economy," said President Xi Jinping in the report he delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Since the inception of the Internet Plus, new industries and business models have emerged, which have greatly boosted China's economic growth, according to Premier Li Keqiang.

AliResearch, a research institute of Alibaba, noted that internet-related growth has accounted for 6.9 percent of China's gross domestic product, the second highest proportion in the world.

The fast application of new digital technologies in traditional sectors has been enabled largely by China's powerful information infrastructure. The country has built the world's largest broadband network.

Thanks to the quick deployment of 4G mobile technologies and fiber-optic networks, the world's second-largest economy has also accumulated about 751 million netizens as of June this year, roughly equivalent to those of the United States and India combined, data from the China Internet Network Information Center show.

In comparison, the number for June, 2012 in China was just 538 million, reflecting the stellar growth the country has made in the past five years.

Miao Wei, the minister of Industry and Information Technology, said China has risen to be a strong player in the global internet arena, and become the largest manufacturing powerhouse in the world.

"Upgrading the manufacturing sector with advanced digital technologies is a global trend. China has already made a good start in this direction," he said.

The ministry has handpicked 206 smart manufacturing pilot projects across the country since 2015. Twenty-eight of them are rolling out industrial internet trials, which have boosted their production efficiency by more than 30 percent.

By establishing a computerized interconnection of machinery, big data and the internet of things which can analyze data from machinery and adjust its operation, companies are accelerating their push to upgrade plants.

Zhang Ruimin, chairman of Haier Group, a household appliances giant, said traditional enterprises have been completely overhauled in the internet age. The company has built an industrial cloud platform, which helps it swiftly satisfy customers personalized demands on a large scale.

As for businesses which used to be hit by the prevalence of internet technologies, positive changes are also showing up to inject new vitality. Brick-and-mortar stores, for instance, are starting to benefit from e-commerce behemoth Alibaba and JD.com Inc's efforts to develop the so-called new retail experience.

They are scrambling to help brands merge online and offline resources to offer customers a seamless shopping experience with the aid of artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing technologies.

To be more specific, tech gurus are converting retail outlets into "intelligent stores" that have drawn thousands of labels, from Nike to Shiseido to Wyeth. Through an interconnected system, they allow shoppers to track product availability at other locations in real time and get timely delivery to their doorsteps while choosing to pay with their phones.

Danielle Bailey, Asia-Pacific research head at consultancy L2, said the integration of virtual and physical landscapes is an area where China leads the way.

"In the West you have this battle of online and offline ... Here through a variety of models you see where China has already had these things work, and not just empty talk," she said.

Likewise, how to embrace the internet is also the latest buzz word echoing around the finance sector. In addition to offering mobile payment services, local financial technology companies are actively embracing new activities such as online wealth management, credit scoring and utility bill payments.

Such robust development has helped China secure five of the top 10 places in a ranking of the world's best-performing fintech players, according to a report released by UK-based advisory firm KPMG and Australian investment company H2 Ventures.

Alibaba's affiliate Ant Financial, which runs China's largest mobile finance platform Alipay, remains the most successful global fintech company, said the report which was unveiled in November.

"China continues to dominate the fintech landscape," said H2 Ventures partner Ben Heap. "These firms are continuing a trend that is several years in the making and highlights the extraordinary rise of the fintech industry in China."

Girish Ramachandran, Asia-Pacific president of Tata Consultancy Services, India's largest information technology company, said China's rapid strides in the integration of internet and finance have directly inspired India to digitize its economy.

For example, Ant Financial has brought its wireless payment solutions to its Indian counterpart Paytm.com, and the two signed an agreement in 2015 to create a local version of Alipay.

Meanwhile, the Internet Plus strategy is spawning a tide of innovation in China, helping the country to evolve from an "innovation sponge", absorbing and adapting existing technology and knowledge from around the world, into a global leader in innovation, spawning a wide range of homegrown cutting-edge products and services.

Nothing better demonstrates this than the bike-sharing phenomenon. Created by Chinese players, including Ofo and Mobike, GPS-enabled, dockless bikes are now improving the lives of people in big cities at home and abroad who are fed up with congested roads and long for zero-emissions forms of transportation.

Mobike announced in November that it would start operations in Berlin, Germany, meeting the company's ambitious goal of expanding to 200 cities globally by the end of this year.

"In stark contrast to the previous generation of Chinese internet companies that are focused on domestic growth until the market became saturated, emerging startups are better at coming up with their own ideas and better aware of the opportunities abroad," said Zhang Xu, an independent smart transportation analyst in Beijing.
Self-service stores in China's major cities have become a growing trend as online technology extends opening hours.

The country's leading home-appliance retailer, Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd, recently rolled out its third self-service outlet - this time in Beijing.

There are now Suning Biu stores in Nanjing and Shanghai, selling more than 550 different products, including sportswear, groceries and high-tech gadgets.

Facial recognition technology allows consumers to enter and leave the stores, while goods are scanned and then paid for via its applications.

This self-service format is catching on and expanding from corner shops to restaurants and even to gyms.

Of course, the transformation taking place in convenience stores has reduced labor costs and brought in round-the-clock opening hours for customers.

Crucial to making this work is the sort of facial recognition technology developed by Xiao Maipu Technology Development Co Ltd, short for Xiaomai and Face++.

Aplus Capital and Chenshan Capital have invested 125 million yuan ($18.5 million) in the Beijing-based Xiaomai. The company plans to use the funding to build up its supply chain and upgrade its products and system.

"Staff-less stores can reduce the high costs that often keep traditional convenience stores from fast expansion and healthy revenue growth," said Quan Bin, deputy general manager at Xiaomai.

Most of these outlets are only 20 square meters, the size of a tiny room, and they usually sell about 600 different kinds of products.

They are all automated with just one member of staff packing shelves. In-store cameras keep an eye on shoppers, while big data analysis highlights what products are hot and what are not among customers.

"The rate of shop lifting in staffless convenience store is about three people out of every 1,000 shoppers," Quan said.

Indeed, this model is being rolled out in other sectors.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd launched Tao Cafe, a cashier-free retail store, on July 8. It uses facial and voice recognition systems.

BingoBox is another major player in the grocery industry. The Guangdong startup has ambitious plans to open 5,000 automated outlets across China in the next 12 months after receiving 100 million yuan in first round funding.

Still, at the heart of retailing, whether it is online or offline, is selecting, positioning and managing the merchandizing.

"Online has higher efficiency while offline offers greater experience," said Quan.

But the rapid growth of the self-service sector has created problems leading to calls for new regulations.

The China Chain Store & Franchise Association has released a guide to self-service operations. It includes how the sector should be regulated, and covers management models, merchandize safety, food safety and post-service.

"Without industry regulations, self-service stores could be risky for consumers," said Yu Jieqi, a retail consultant.

Wang Hongtao, deputy secretary general of the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, felt self-service stores had great potential.

But while improvements need to be made in the cost-sharing process and even in technology, it will be the products that define success or failure.

"Telling a story will not help self-service stores grow," Wang said. "It will be about meeting the diversified needs and demands of customers."
Chinese shoppers have array of outlets as brands cross over into cyberspace

Shoppers have never had it so good as online companies search for offline opportunities and traditional stores look for a home in cyberspace.

Brands have been able to cash in on rising internet spending, while consumers have a greater variety of products and outlets.

"This trend has helped provide consumers with a better shopping experience and enabled brands to achieve incremental growth," said Jason Yu, general manager of Kantar Worldpanel China.

Leading this retail revolution has been Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, which has been expanding offline. On Nov 21, it acquired a 36.16 percent stake in China's largest hypermarket operator Sun Art Retail Group.

The chain store giant dominates the hypermarket business with a market share of 15 percent, consultancy Euromonitor International reported.

"To join forces with Sun Art, Alibaba is looking to seamlessly integrate more than 500 million 'super consumers' at its e-commerce platform that sells everything from fresh products to electronics, with this well-established brick-and-mortar retail network," Daniel Zhang, CEO of Alibaba, told China Daily.

"As the country's 'super consumers' are reshaped by the internet, the boundary between the online and offline retail arenas continues to be blurred," he added. "It becomes a big trend when an e-commerce giant and a hypermarket operator form a strong alliance."

Sun Art operates about 450 hypermarkets across China under the RT-Mart and Auchan banners.

The HK$22.4 billion ($2.88 billion) deal will make Alibaba the second-largest stakeholder in a business which generated 100 billion yuan ($15.09 billion) of revenue last year.

"The New Retail strategy is at its starting point and it is hard to know whether it can completely change the retail landscape," said Yu, of Kantar Worldpanel China.

"But it is reforming the retail structure and driving efficiency through internet technology," he added.

Alibaba's move was part of an investment spree which started in 2014. This included buying department store chain, Intime Retail Group Co Ltd in January, and investing in Shanghai-based supermarket brand Lianhua in May.

The company is pushing ahead with its "New Retail strategy", merging online and offline commerce by using colossal amounts of data collected through its array of digital services.

JD.com Inc, China's second-biggest e-commerce player, is in a similar position.

It plans to open 200 more bricks-and-mortar stores by the end of this year. They will mainly offer consumer electronics products.

This is considered a bold move by JD as it will go head-to-head with Suning Commerce Group and Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd, two of the biggest electronic offline retailers in China.

But JD has a massive online presence and some powerful partners offline.

Earlier this year, the company and one of the world's biggest retailers, Walmart Inc, joined forces to expand their strategic partnership in China.

They agreed to further integrate their platforms, supply chains and customer resources.

The two groups also confirmed that they would continue to share resources on customers, stores and inventory.

By November, the effects were visible. Sam's Club, Walmart's high-end membership store in China, reported that it had tripled its revenue in a year since going online with JD last October.

Overall, Walmart China has seen its orders surge more than 30 times after working with JD Daojia services. The collaboration covers 146 stores in 20 cities.

"Since forming our strategic partnership with JD.com in June last year, we have continued to expand our omni-channel strategy to better serve customers and grow our business in China," Ben Hassing, senior vice-president of Walmart China e-commerce and technology, told China Daily.

Today, the digitally adept consumers are always connected, browsing products on the move and comparing prices. It is in this space that retail brands now need to position themselves.

Starbucks is a classic example. It has used its digital presence to connect with consumers.

In February, the coffeehouse chain launched, "Say it with Starbucks", a new social gifting feature on Weixin, the country's leading mobile social communications service.

This pioneering offline-to-online move enabled users to instantly, and conveniently, "gift" a Starbucks beverage or digital gift card to friends or family.

"Starbucks is the first retail brand to bring to life a locally-relevant social gifting experience in China," Molly Liu, vice-president at China Digital Ventures, told China Daily at the time.

The world's second largest economy will continue to be at the cutting-edge of this online-to-offline and offline-to-online transformation along with other Asian countries.

But the big surge will come in the next decade. The United States' e-commerce share is predicted to rise from 1.5 percent this year to 8 percent in 2025, according to Kantar Worldpanel report.

A successful rollout of 'click and collect', and delivery and subscription models, will accelerate growth in the US sector.

Indeed, worldwide sales of groceries on e-commerce platforms jumped by 30 percent in the 12 months to March, 2017, according to a Kantar Worldpanel report released in November and entitled, The Future of E-commerce in FMCG.

The study showed that e-commerce accounted for 4.6 percent of all fast moving consumer goods sales globally during the same period.

While the e-commerce channel has been growing, the market as a whole has been sluggish. It increased just 1.3 percent.

Still, e-commerce growth in global fast moving consumer goods hit a record 36 percent and outpaced the offline sector.

"Our projections show that in 2025, online FMCG will be a $170-billion business and hold a market share of 10 percent," said Stephane Roger, global shopper and retail director at Kantar Worldpanel.

In terms of absolute value growth, the top six were all leading economies, led by China and the US. The others were South Korea, the United Kingdom, Japan and France.

Nearer home, "New Retail" is the result of efforts to find solutions to a distinct set of problems faced by online-and-offline retail companies.

"For the physical store chains, they have been unable to keep up with the growth of online retail," Matthew Crabbe, research director for the Asia-Pacific region at consultancy Mintel, told China Daily.

"For the online operators, they have struggled to keep delivery infrastructure capacity up with the rapid growth in online shopping demand," he added.
You have probably heard of KFC. But in the internet lexicon, that catchphrase does not refer to the famous US fried chicken chain. It represents the initials of the slogan: "Kaobei (the pinyin for copy) from China".

Clearly, the country's shift from creating so-called technology clones to a genuine innovation powerhouse is no longer an aspiration, but a fact.

Case in point: Chinese e-commerce players not only generate big numbers in sheer transaction volume online but reshape the manufacturing process based on personalized needs and move to revamp physical retailing. This would help them gain an advantage over international rivals such as Amazon and eBay, which have just put stakes in this area.

Also, mobile wallets, initially designed to facilitate online transactions alone, have now penetrated civic services and wealth management, streamlining administration and enhancing efficiency. The likes of Alipay and WeChat Pay would not have envisioned to expand into a territory in an unprecedented scale and depth that was once dominated by the government and the elusive financial sector.

Indeed, China is already more digitized than many observers appreciate and has the potential to set the digital frontier in the coming decades.

Digital economy - one that features the use of the internet, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence in a variety of sectors - would contribute to 70 percent of the newly-added economic output this year. According to Tencent chairman Pony Ma, the digital economy will be key to helping China become a leading world power and enter the fourth industrial revolution.

Such ambition is best exemplified by numbers. According to global consultancy McKinsey, China is among the top three in the world for venture capital investment in key types of digital technology, from virtual reality, robotics to autonomous driving and 3-D printing. It dwarfed the United States as the biggest retail market last year, and seized a whopping 40 percent of global e-commerce transactions, up from a mere 1 percent a decade ago; One in three of the world's 262 unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) is Chinese, commanding 43 percent of the global value of these companies.

The list may go on, but the potential remains huge. Boston Consulting Group predicts that China's internet boom is likely to gather pace on the back of widespread mobile connectivity, the ability of China's biggest internet players to innovate quickly and its massive number of internet users who are keen to try out novel digital applications.

Among all these factors, government support is the key. As the export-led manufacturing model will inevitably run out of steam, new wealth and sustained growth can only be achieved from the innovation of industry through the application of information technology.

By mapping out plans and introducing incentives, the government has played an active role in building world-class infrastructure to support digitization and further drive the sector's development.

With the mantra of every corner in China today being "innovation" and "entrepreneurship", people have come to enjoy the perks of receiving parcels within 12 hours of an order being placed, unlocking a shared bike with a phone, and paying with your face at a cashier-less coffee booth.

Apart from subtle enhancements in life, internet has taken on more noble undertakings. Companies help farmers peddle their produce through e-commerce platforms and predict sales using algorithms and data analytics. Alibaba said 33 million people have thus become self-employed using its platforms, which is in line with the broad national goal of poverty reduction.

Besides, Beijing has envisioned linking up its manufacturing and infrastructure through the resource and logistical efficiency enabled by the internet. Major cloud operators are building industrial big data platforms for Chinese manufacturers that can connect their facilities globally. Using predictive analysis, such platforms can detect, avert or tackle glitches in real time, improving efficiency.

Finally, Chinese are conferring internet business models and know-hows to foreign players. From Singapore to Seattle to Sydney, consumers celebrate online shopping sprees, swipe virtual credit cards and ride shared bikes that all contain the Chinese gene.

Internet has indeed made the world flatter. China's experience show that it can be harnessed to enrich, enchant, entertain and empower a society, and perhaps beyond.
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In the four years since the first World Internet Conference (WIC) was held in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, the ancient water town and tourism hot spot has undergone a raft of changes and upgrades to improve the lives of residents and the experiences of those visiting.

Back in 2014, the central government chose Wuzhen as the permanent host of the WIC because of Zhejiangs strong internet infrastructure, as well as its unique beauty and its vast transformation from being a once neglected village to one of the most visited ancient towns in China.

The first conference was a complete success and spurred great changes in public infrastructure. With the fourth WIC currently underway in Wuzhen, there is no way to escape the influence the WIC, the internet and the latest in high-tech has had.

Street lights in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province are controlled by a central application. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Smart street lights line the streets in the ancient town, all monitored and controlled by a single central application. This enables them to be switched on and off, or even have the luminescence adjusted at specific times to save energy and increase efficiency.

Smart rubbish bins in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province can tell cleaners their conditions via automatic doors and sensors. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Ever been spoken to by a rubbish bin? In Wuzhen you will be - with automatic doors and sensors that alert cleaners when they are full. The rubbish bins thank you for taking care of the environment every time you use them. On top of that, they are solar-powered.

The sensor on this manhole cover in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, is able to report problems to authorities via a wireless network. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Even the manhole covers are intelligent. Each is fitted with a special sensor that will detect when it gets dislodged and alert the authorities via a wireless network to come out and fix the problem.

Parking problems are a thing of the past in Wuzhen. The ancient town now has more than 800 smart spaces, with their usage being displayed on signs in nearby areas. The signs display how many bays are available in certain areas.

The towns iconic scenic spot, along with everywhere else in Wuzhen, accepts electronic payments, such as Alipay and WeChat, and on top of that, facial recognition technology is now being used so that people need only to scan their faces to enter the national 5A scenic spot.

The Wuzhen Internet Hospital, China's first internet hospital, has impressed many people for its convenience since its launch in 2015.

The hospital connects well-known doctors with patients from all over the nation through its app and website. After a patient talks with doctors via video chat, an electronic patient record will be saved in the system. The patient can choose a doctor at home, receive a treatment after remote consultation and pay bills online.

All of these things and many more have revolutionized the way people interact with the public infrastructure in Wuzhen - pushing it to become the most technologically advanced ancient town in China and a trendsetter for the nation.
PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay - Chinese automaker Lifan has expressed its interest in establishing a plant in Uruguay to produce electric vehicles, Energy and Mining Minister Carolina Cosse said on Friday.

Company executives proposed the idea at a meeting with President Tabare Vazquez on the sidelines of the 11th China-Latin America and the Caribbean (China-LAC) Business Summit in Punta del Este, Uruguay, Cosse said.

"It's great news that would mean more jobs," Cosse told reporters covering the summit.

The next step is to create a presidential work team to study the proposal, she said.

"We are taking each sector of activity and, based on agreements signed with China, expanding them to achieve better conditions for Uruguay," said Cosse, adding there was "excellent synchronicity" between the two governments.

Lifan's first plant in Uruguay opened in 2012 in the southern department of San Jose.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, Dec 1, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The world's political parties should pay attention to boosting their own structures if they hope to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind and contribute to a more beautiful world, a senior Party official said.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau, made the statement on Saturday when meeting with leaders of some of the political parties attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing.

In a keynote speech delivered at the dialogue's opening ceremony on Friday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called on the parties in various countries to play a leading role in jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind and building a beautiful world.

At the Saturday discussion, foreign political leaders spoke highly of Xi's Friday speech, and said what especially resonated was Xi's call for joining hands in building such a community and a beautiful world.

Wang said the CPC, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi as its core, prioritized the building of the Party following the 18th CPC National Congress.

The Party has been pressing ahead with strict governance in a comprehensive manner, and has reinforced the authority and leadership of the CPC Central Committee, Wang said.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau, greets an attendee at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing on Saturday. XU JINGXING/CHINA DAILY

CPC members have strengthened their consciousness of ideology, of the bigger picture, of adhering to the leadership of the Central Committee with Xi as the core, and of keeping their actions and thoughts in line with the Central Committee. The Party has boosted confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Wang said.

The Party works on comprehensively promoting its governing abilities and has achieved profound progress, Wang said. The CPC is willing to boost exchanges of experiences in this regard with its foreign counterparts, Wang added.

During the discussion, the foreign leaders said they are ready to follow Xi's advice and jointly play a leading political role.

Also on Saturday, top legislator Zhang Dejiang met with some of the leaders in attendance who have concurrent posts in their national legislative bodies.

The National People's Congress is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the parliaments of various countries and parliamentary organizations, and to make contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a beautiful world, Zhang said.

The foreign leaders said they are ready for reinforced exchanges with the NPC and to boost consensus and make efforts toward shared goals.
Supreme Court of Florida. FLORIDA BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS RE: M.D.B. CASE NO.: SC17-2025 Decided: December 01, 2017

Upon consideration of the Report and Recommendation filed by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, it is ordered that the Board's recommendation is approved by the Court and M.D.B. shall be admitted to The Florida Bar subject to the following conditions:

1. The applicant's license to practice law shall be placed on probation for a period of two (2) years.

2. During the period of probation, the applicant shall:

(a) abstain from the consumption of alcoholic beverages;

(b) abstain from the use of controlled substances except as prescribed by a duly licensed medical physician and approved by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.;

(c) participate actively in the program offered by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. during the entire probationary period by complying with the rehabilitation contract with that organization executed on April 7, 2017, and by extending the contract to cover the entire period of probation if necessary;

(d) submit to and pay for a minimum of eight (8) random urine drug/alcohol screens annually, as well as any other hair, blood, sweat, or other substance screening tests determined to be appropriate by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.;

(e) attend attorney support meetings at least monthly, or at such greater frequency as required by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.; and

(f) submit quarterly sworn statements to The Florida Bar by March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 during the probationary period attesting to his compliance with the conditions set forth in 2 (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above.

3. The Florida Bar shall monitor the conditions set forth in the Consent Agreement pursuant to Rule 1-3.2(b) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, and the costs thereof shall be paid by the applicant to The Florida Bar or its designated monitoring agency.

4. To monitor effectively the provisions in this agreement, the applicant shall reside within the State of Florida during the entire period of probation. Any business or pleasure trips outside Florida that exceed ten days shall occur only with the advance approval of The Florida Bar. If the applicant relocates outside the State of Florida during the probationary period for any reason, the applicant shall surrender his license to practice law in Florida and if the applicant fails to do so, the Supreme Court of Florida shall terminate his license.

5. The applicant shall immediately inform The Florida Bar of any criminal arrest or prosecution and the filing of any grievance or complaint related to the applicant's practice of law.

6. If the applicant's license is surrendered or terminated during the probationary period, the applicant shall resume the practice of law in the State of Florida only upon full compliance with the rules and regulations governing admission to The Florida Bar.

7. A failure to observe the conditions of the probation or a finding of probable cause as to conduct of the applicant committed during the period of probation may terminate the probation and subject the applicant to all available grievance procedures and disciplinary sanctions including disbarment under the Rules of Discipline. Upon receiving notice of a violation of the Court's order of conditional admission, The Florida Bar may immediately petition the Court for an order of suspension. The applicant shall have ten days to file a response. If no response is timely filed by the applicant, then the Court shall issue an order suspending the applicant. If a response is filed, the matter shall be disposed of as the Court directs. Unless terminated by the Court, an order of suspension shall remain in effect until final disposition of the grievance procedures commenced by The Florida Bar against the applicant.

8. If circumstances so warrant it, the applicant and The Florida Bar may stipulate to an extension of the period of probation or The Florida Bar may petition the Court for such an extension with a final decision to be made by the Court.

9. The applicant acknowledges that an uninterrupted period of documented sobriety for a minimum period of time must be established prior to admission to The Florida Bar on an unconditional basis. Should the period of probation be extended pursuant to either paragraph 7 or 8 above, the applicant, therefore, further agrees that such extension shall be for a minimum of three up to five years.

10. The applicant specifically consents to and authorizes the release of any and all materials in the applicant's file to The Florida Bar that the Bar may request from the Board to enable the Bar to fulfill its responsibilities under this Consent Agreement.

NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED.

A True Copy

Test:

John A. Tomasino Clerk, Supreme Court

two

Served:

BARRY WILLIAM RIGBY JAMES T. ALMON MICHELE A. GAVAGNI ADRIA E. QUINTELA
Each nation must choose its own 'correct path', global delegates told

Sticking to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the firm leadership of the Communist Party of China is the fundamental reason for China's achievements in recent decades, a senior Party official said on Saturday.

Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remark in a speech at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Saturday.

"The great achievements China has made since reform and opening-up shows that we have chosen a correct path," he told delegates from political parties worldwide.

The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has been selected by both history and the Chinese people, he said, adding that only when a nation chooses a path that suits it will it achieve prosperity and the happiness of the people.

Song reiterated the stance noted in President Xi Jinping's speech on Friday that China seeks to exchange experiences in governance with other countries, but will not require others to copy its path.

Whether a nation's development path is correct or not can be decided only by its people, he said, adding that China respects the paths chosen by the peoples of all countries.

Speaking of the CPC's 19th National Congress in October, Song said the most important theoretical outcome of the congress is that it formally introduced Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

China has achieved historic progress in the past five years because the country's development was under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought, he said.

Song said the CPC will strengthen its confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the process of exchanging experiences with the world's political parties. As the globe's largest political party, with 89 million members, the CPC strives not only for the prosperity of China, but also the happiness of the world's people, he said, adding that the wisdom existing in Chinese culture can provide solutions and choices for addressing global challenges and problems.

Saying that corruption is a challenge for all political parties, Song pledged that the CPC will fight corruption "with no forbidden areas, complete coverage and zero tolerance".

Li Shulei, deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that a total of 440 senior officials at the provincial and ministerial levels have been placed under investigation in the past five years amid Party efforts to boost clean governance.

The CPC will continue to fight both "tigers and flies", meaning high-and low-level officials, and contain power using supervision, he said.

Adolfo Valderrama, general secretary of Panamenista Party of Panama, said that as Xi said on Friday, all parties should set aside disagreements and pursue consensus. He said Xi's visionary proposals like the Belt and Road Initiative provide solutions to world problems.
Delegates of political parties respond during a panel discussion on Saturday in Beijing. WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY

Coordination a way to galvanize global action, delegates say

Delegates representing political parties from around the world said the proposal on Friday by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to make cross-party discussion a regular event was of great significance.

Xi, speaking to a gathering of delegates in Beijingthe CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meetingproposed making dialogue between the Communist Party of China and other parties a regular occurrence.

Delegates in attendance noted that the dialogue was the first institutional platform for global political parties to exchange their experiences and learn from each other.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Xi said regular gatherings should be built into a fixed political mechanism with wide influence.

The CPC will provide exchange opportunities for 15,000 people from political parties around the world in the next five years, he added.

Zheng Yongnian, a professor and director of the East Asian Institute of National University of Singapore, spoke highly of Xi's proposal.

"Sovereign states have the platform of the United Nations to communicate, and even many nongovernmental organizations also have global platforms. But there is currently no global platform for political parties," he said.

In light of ever-closer economic connections between countries, it has become a must for political parties to reach consensus in a number of areas, and it's a pity in the past that political partiesthe cornerstone of politics in sovereign statesdidn't have a dialogue platform, Zheng told reporters on the sidelines of Saturday's meeting.

The Communist Party of China, with more than 89 million members, will make a meaningful contribution to the world, he said, adding that China's stability is the most important factor in the stability of the global order.

Romano Prodi, former prime minister of Italy and former president of the European Commission, said it will take "progressive plans and agendas" to institutionalize party-to-party dialogue, and priorities should be set every step of the way.

Zizi Kodwa of South Africa, spokesman for the African National Congress, noted that it's a historical practice for the CPC to institutionalize dialogue, and that an ongoing platform could serve as a sort of "United Nations for political parties".

"We cannot achieve a shared future for mankind if political parties are not strong and active," Kodwa said, adding that the parties play an important role in supporting the views of the people in their countries.

China's relationship with the rest of the world, particularly Africa, is not based on imposing ideas but on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Kodwa added.

The meeting, which attracted around 600 delegates from nearly 300 political parties in 120 countries, is the first multilateral diplomatic event to be hosted by China after October's 19th CPC National Congress. The event concludes on Sunday.

Cui Shoufeng contributed to this story.
Fighting corruption is a challenge shared by political parties all over the world, and international cooperation is needed to address the problem, delegates said during the second day of a gathering of parties in Beijing on Saturday.

The delegates made the remarks during panel discussions at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, which runs through Sunday.

During the discussions, delegates said parties around the world are now facing some universal challenges, including anti-corruption, intraparty supervision, maintaining close ties with the people and selecting and training party cadres.

Askarbek Shadiev, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security ("Bir Bol") Faction of Kyrgyzstan, said the meeting has provided a chance to share experiences with the Communist Party of China, which he noted "has 89 million members and has accumulated rich experience".

"It also offers a platform for parties to discuss their concerns and seek solutions to the problems they are all facing," he said.

He added that corruption is the biggest challenge in Kyrgyzstan.

"We will boost exchanges with the CPC and other parties, and learn from them to find effective measures to create an equitable and stable society," he said.

Guo Yong, deputy Party secretary of Tsinghua University and director of the Center for Anti-Corruption and Governance, said the CPC has paid great attention to fighting corruption and has made remarkable progress.

Over the past five years, the number of provincial or other high-level officials who were investigated and punished has reached 440, and discipline inspection and supervision departments across the country have filed more than 1.5 million cases of Party members and officials violating rules, he said.

He also said the CPC Central Committee has revised 11 sets of Party rules, in which intraparty supervision, punishment and accountability were involved.

He added that a draft national law on supervision was being reviewed.

Phan Dinh Trac, executive vice-chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam's steering committee for anti-corruption, said the CPC has made many great achievements, especially in anti-corruption, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

He said he hopes to hear more of China's experience in fighting corruption during the meeting and wishes China success in realizing its goal of becoming a great modern socialist country by 2050.

Algeria's Amine Senouci, vice-president of the People's National Assembly and the leader of National Rally for Democracy (Algeria), called the high-level party-to-party dialogue in Beijing "unique, necessary and exciting".

"I really hope the parties will reach some consensus and develop a common action plan through the dialogue for coping effectively with the problems that they are all facing, including organized crime, terrorist attacks and corruption," he said.

Contact the writers at zhaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn
The Chinese proposal to build a community of a shared future for mankind - first floated by President Xi Jinping in 2013 - has born fruit and is poised to rise above partisan differences, according to political leaders and scholars on the sidelines of a high-level dialogue between world political parties in Beijing.

In his keynote speech on Friday at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, Xi - who is general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China - reiterated that the world's largest political party will continue to explore the social development of mankind through its own practice, and share its experience with other countries.

Citing ongoing global participation in the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said the idea of building a community of a shared future for mankind has been translated into concrete action.

"I'm delighted to see that friendly cooperation between China and other countries is expanding, and that the concept of a future is gaining more support," he said.

Xi's keynote address on Friday framed the agenda for efforts to build a shared community - a concept he has mentioned more than 100 times in speeches over the past few years - said Wang Yajun, assistant minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, during a panel discussion on Saturday.

Exchanges with world political parties have been held in high esteem by the CPC since its birth in 1921, Wang said.

"For the community to grow and prosper, political parties around the world need to shoulder their responsibility, contribute their wisdom and set a course in the right direction," Wang said.

Despite their differences, political parties share the mission of serving the people, said Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party of Thailand and the country's former prime minister. The Beijing dialogue is a reminder of the global pursuit of prosperity and peace at a time when the pains of the wealth gap, a deteriorating environment and compromised security are being felt worldwide, he said.

Political parties must face up to the pressing need for regional and global solutions rather than touting nationalism to voters, Abhisit said.

Yuba Raj Chaulagain, secretary of the International Department of the Communist Party of Nepal, said Xi's speech was important for the present global situation, given the challenges of climate change and cross-border terrorism. It provided a solution for those challenges, he said. "If there are conflicts in one particular country or area of the world, they can spread," he said. "They have to be suppressed by the combined force of the present powers of the world."

Wang Fan, vice-president of China Foreign Affairs University, said a community of a shared future for mankind is about promoting interests, dealing with threats and sharing responsibility. The CPC cannot make it happen all by itself, he said. "Effective, constructive cooperation between world political parties is a necessity," he said.

An Baijie contributed to this story.

cuishoufeng@chinadaily.com.cn
The Communist Party of China hopes to work with Japan's major political parties, including the Komeito Party, to improve relations, Vice-Premier Wang Yang said on Friday.

Wang made the remark during a meeting with Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan's Komeito Party, who is attending a high-level meeting between the CPC and world political parties in Beijing.

Wang extended a warm welcome to Yamaguchi.

Recalling the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month, Wang noted that Xi had stressed improvement of Sino-Japanese relations based on mutual trust.

"China and Japan should further implement the consensus of the two countries' leaders, increase positive engagement and create a climate for practical cooperation," Wang said.

Wang also met on Friday with a delegation from the National Committee on United States-China Relations. He said the heads of state of both countries had reached consensus and set the direction for future Sino-US relations during US President Donald Trump's recent state visit to China.

Wang said he expected the committee to continue its active role in strengthening the level of understanding and mutual trust between China and the United States, providing a boost for the healthy and stable growth of bilateral relations for a long time to come.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Craftsmen make silk quilts at a factory in Tongxiang, Zhejiang province. Photo by Gao Erqiang / China Daily

The city of Tongxiang has since ancient times been famous for its silk.

Every spring, locals organize a grand fair called Ga Can Hua to pray for a good silk harvest.

Besides selling a variety of silk products, the Yi Da Silk Workshop in Wuzhen also has a space where craftsmen work on traditional silk reeling machines as well as a small unit where old women prepare quilts.

According to Shen Jianzhong, the manager of a silk quilt factory in Tongxiang, silk is one of the city's most successful local produce. The factory sells about 30 million yuan ($4.54 million) worth of silk every year.

Depending on the weight, the price for a silk quilt ranges from 500 yuan to over 1,000 yuan. Shen said that silk quilts that weight around 3 kilograms are perfect for spring and autumn, while those weighing around 5 kilogram would be more ideal for winter.
Traditional indigo textiles are making a comeback after falling out of public favor in the 1980s

Zhou Jiming's Tongxiang Indigo Print Making is one of the oldest workshops for blue floral print cloth in Tongxiang, Zhejiang province. Photos by Gao Erqiang / China Daily

One of the first things that catches the eye upon entering Wuzhen from its Xiazha entrance are the long pieces of indigo textiles with white patterns that gently sway from tall poles.

Called lan yin hua bu, or "blue floral print cloth", these creations are the product of a traditional craft that has been around for thousands of years.

According to Xun Zi, a book on Confucianism, Chinese had as early as the 3rd century BC been extracting indigo dye from plants, but it was only around the Song Dynasty (960-1279) when this dye was widely used for textiles.

Such textiles were widely used in society up until the late 1980s when its popularity started to decline because machines could quickly manufacture synthetic dyes that came in different colors. Consumers were now spoilt for choice. Indigo just didn't seem very exciting anymore.

"During my childhood in the 1960s, clothes, tablecloth and curtains were all made by this textile," recalled Zhou Jiming, who runs Tongxiang Indigo Print Making, one of the oldest workshops for such cloth in the city.

"During the peak of this craft in the mid-1980s, our company had about 130 workers and our products were exported to places like Japan. Today, we only have around 20 workers."

Zhou was 28 when he first learned how to do indigo dyeing at a workshop that was located along the route to his school. He later joined Tongxiang Indigo Print Making and has since been working there for the past 32 years.
A farmer picks oranges on a farm in Daoxian county of Yongzhou, Hunan province. About 80 percent of the county's estimated 140,000 metric tons of orange yields this year have already been ordered online, enabling the orange business to become a pillar sector to help lift local farmers out of poverty. He Hongfu / For China Daily

As the battle to eradicate poverty rages on, the Chinese government is increasingly using big data and the internet to land that killer blow. And it is already starting to reap rewards.

In October last year, the State Council launched an online platform that aims to bolster efforts to improve the quality of rural residents' lives by boosting non-governmental involvement and attracting more private capital.

The project allows families in poor areas to crowdfund projects or sell goods, such as produce or handicrafts, while people nationwide can register to offer financial assistance one-on-one or donate unused food or household items.

The internet-based platform - with a name that translates as Social Participation in China's Poverty Alleviation and Development - is accessible via zgshfp.com.cn, a mobile app or WeChat.

It is designed to help those in need as well as those who want to contribute to the country's poverty campaign but don't know how, according to the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, which instigated the project.

Ruan Kaili, the website's executive vice-president, said the platform already has more than 5 million registered users, half of them from impoverished households.

"We've achieved some preliminary success," he said. "More than 60 percent of users have either received help or helped others, and the total amount of funds donated has surpassed 30 million yuan ($4.54 million)."

He said the platform uses government databases to verify the status of those who register as impoverished, ensuring its credibility, which is essential in attempts to attract non-governmental capital to worthy projects.

"In addition, we also have over 100,000 information management personnel in towns and villages whose job is to verify each member's identity and assess their income level," Ruan said. "If we want to achieve our targets for eradicating poverty, we simply cannot ignore big data," he added.

Authorities in 10 provincial areas, including Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan and Shaanxi, have been promoting the project among residents and offering help to people in remote towns and villages to register and set up crowdfunding appeals.
Beijing Institute of Propulsion Machinery, which designs and produces engines for China's anti-ship and cruise missiles, marked its 60th anniversary on Sunday.

The institute, part of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp's Third Academy, released two books on its six decades as well as a documentary about its history, achievements as well as future plans.

Established on Dec 3, 1957, in Beijing's southwestern suburb, the research body was the first in the nation to develop ramjet engine, solid-propellant rocket engine and missile-based turbofan engine, according to a news release from the institute.

China's CJ-10 series ground-launched cruise missile, one of the most powerful weapons deployed by the People's Liberation Army, is propelled by engines designed and made by the institute.

The statement said the institute has become a world-class developer of ramjet engines and has started research into the cutting-edge technology of high-speed air-breathing propulsion.

In addition to missiles, its products have also been used by unmanned aircraft and aerospace vehicles, according to the institute.
URUMQI - In 2018, close to 7 billion yuan ($1 billion) will be allocated from the central finance to help battle poverty in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

According to the regional finance department, more than 4 billion yuan will go to poverty relief causes, while about 760 million yuan will be specially used for development related to ethnic minorities. About 2 billion yuan will be used to employ local residents in government-funded projects, while the rest will flow to state farms and forests.

From 2011 to 2015, more than 1.7 million residents in Xinjiang were lifted out of poverty, according to government figures.

About 1.2 million impoverished people in the region will be helped out of poverty by 2020, most of them in southern Xinjiang, where a poor living environment, insufficient infrastructure and a lack of public services have resulted in a big number of people living in poverty.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. SIDNEY DAVIS, Defendant - Appellant. No. 17-4330 Decided: December 01, 2017

Before GREGORY, Chief Judge, and TRAXLER and AGEE, Circuit Judges. Kimberly H. Albro, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Columbia, South Carolina, for Appellant. Beth Drake, United States Attorney, William K. Witherspoon, Assistant United States Attorney, Columbia, South Carolina, for Appellee.

Sidney Davis pled guilty without a plea agreement to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(1) (2012), and possession of a stolen firearm, 18 U.S.C.  922(j) (2012). Davis' Guidelines range was 15-21 months. At sentencing, the district court granted the United States' motion for an upward variance and sentenced Davis to concurrent 45-month terms. Davis appeals, claiming that his sentence is unreasonable.

I

[A]ny sentence, within or outside of the Guidelines range, as a result of a departure or a variance, must be reviewed by appellate courts for reasonableness pursuant to an abuse of discretion standard. United States v. Diosdado-Star, 630 F.3d 359, 365 (4th Cir. 2010); see also Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007); Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 350 (2007). This review requires consideration of both the procedural and substantive reasonableness of the sentence. Id.; see United States v. Lynn, 592 F.3d 572, 575 (4th Cir. 2010). We first decide whether the district court correctly calculated the defendant's advisory Guidelines range, considered the  3553(a) factors, analyzed the arguments presented by the parties, and sufficiently explained the selected sentence. Id. at 575-76; see United States v. Carter, 564 F.3d 325, 330 (4th Cir. 2009).

With respect to the explanation of the sentence, [r]egardless of whether the district court imposes an above, below, or within-Guidelines sentence, it must place on the record an individualized assessment based on the particular facts of the case before it. Id. (internal quotation marks omitted); see Gall, 552 U.S. at 50. While the individualized assessment need not be elaborate or lengthy,  it must provide a rationale tailored to the particular case and [be] adequate to permit meaningful appellate review. Carter, 564 F.3d at 330 (internal quotation marks omitted).

If we determine that a sentence is free of significant procedural error, we then consider the substantive reasonableness of the sentence. Lynn, 592 F.3d at 575. Substantive reasonableness examines the totality of the circumstances to see whether the sentencing court abused its discretion in concluding that the sentence it chose satisfied the standards set forth in  3553(a). United States v. Mendoza-Mendoza, 597 F.3d 212, 216 (4th Cir. 2012).

II

We conclude that Davis' sentence is procedurally and substantively reasonable. The district court sufficiently explained its reasons for imposing a sentence above the Guidelines range. The court was chiefly concerned about a child's accidental death resulting from Davis' negligence regarding the gun. The record reflects that Davis was frequently visited by neighborhood children. One two-year-old child discovered Davis' loaded gun in a bedroom and fatally shot himself. Additionally, the court concluded that Davis' criminal history score did not adequately reflect his criminal history.

Davis makes a number of specific complaints regarding sentencing. He asserts that the district court did not make clear whether it was departing or varying from the Guidelines range. While it is true that the court mentioned both departure and variance throughout sentencing, it is, for purposes of our review, inconsequential whether the sentence was a departure or a variance because the practical effects of applying either a departure or a variance are the same. United States v. Diosdado-Star, 630 F.3d at 365.

Davis claims that the district court failed to provide an analysis for an increase in criminal history above the maximum level. We find no support in the sentencing transcript for a claim that the court moved across and/or down the Sentencing Table to find a Guidelines range that included a 45-month sentence. Rather, the court explained why it found that the Guidelines range of 15-21 months was too low, granted the motion for a variance, and explained its reasons for imposing what it concluded was an appropriate sentence.

Finally, Davis contends that U.S. Sentencing Guidelines  5K2.0(a)(2) (2016) was inapplicable and the district court did not adequately explain why it varied based on this Guideline. A sentencing court may depart upward under USSG  5K2.0 in the exceptional case if an aggravating circumstance is not specifically identified in the [G]uidelines, but  is relevant to determining the appropriate sentence. USSG  5K2.0(a)(2) (B).

The Guidelines do not take into account the death of a child resulting from the negligent possession of a firearm; accordingly, we conclude that a variance under  5K2.0(a)(2) was appropriate. Further, the court made clear at sentencing that it considered a variance proper under both that Guideline and 18 U.S.C.  3553(a) (2012). Given the child's death resulting from Davis' negligence, we find that the variance was also reasonable in light of relevant statutory sentencing factors. See United States v. Evans, 526 F.3d 155, 164 (4th Cir. 2008).

III

We accordingly hold that Davis' arguments are without merit and that his sentence is procedurally and substantively reasonable. Accordingly, we affirm. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal arguments are adequately presented in the materials before us and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM:
Southwest China's Chongqing will see construction of a new record high skyscraper of 470 meters in the near future as Adrian Smith, one of the world's foremost architects in this field, paid a visit to the city last week.

The mega-city with over 30 million people wants to show its ambition to become a world-class metropolis through such an iconic architecture project.

The project, developed by Sunac China Holdings Ltd, is in the Jiangbeizui financial district, which is surrounded by the Yangtze River and Jialing River. It will be a mixed-use compound with offices, residential areas, hotels and retail.

"It (Chongqing project) will be an exceptional piece of art," Smith told reporters in Chongqing. "It will not relate to past architecture in Chongqing but create a new architectural way forward. It will give Chongqing a bright future."

Almost as big as Austria, Chongqing is the fourth municipality under the direct leadership of the central government after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, the only one in inland China.

The traditional industrial hub, which is at the intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative's trade route and the Yangtze River Economic Zone, has witnessed fast and steady economic growth in recent years. It led the country's GDP growth rate table for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015.

Thanks to its political and geographic significance, the city is poised to become a financial center on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

This was the first time the 73-year-old American architect visited the city, which is known as a gateway to the "Wild West".

Smith has designed numerous notable buildings, including the world's tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, as well as the building projected to surpass it and the first kilometer-high building, the Jeddah Tower, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In Chongqing, he and his colleagues from Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) held meetings with the developer and had a brief tour of the city's downtown.

Founded in 2006, the firm is internationally known for designing some of the world's most iconic structures, including signature towers, corporate headquarters, mixed-use high-rises, luxury residences, and 5-star luxury hotels.

As a landmark of the city, the building will reflect the features of Chongqing and be related to its environment, geography and culture, Smith said.

For instance, surrounded by mountains and two rivers, Chongqing is called "the foggy city" and most days are overcast.

"Chongqing does not have a lot of direct sunlight, compared to many other cities," Smith said.

Therefore, he said, the project will use proper material that will work very well with this lighting condition.

"In terms of the natural geography, the city is formed by many centuries of erosion with the river, so it has very strong features of water, mountains and gorges," Smith said.

"We can put those features into the building with the technologies in the 21st century," he added.

Like other ambitious cities in China, Chongqing is keen on tall buildings. By August, there were 62 buildings over 180 meters high in the city, according to local authorities.

The term "supertall" is used to describe buildings over 300 meters, according to skyscraper authority the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

In 1930, the Chrysler Building in Manhattan, New York, became the world's first supertall skyscraper.

At present, there are 100 supertall buildings worldwide and nearly half of them are in China.

During their careers AS+GG Partners have worked on many of the world's most recognized buildings besides the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. These include the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, Nanjing Greenland Financial Complex in Nanjing, Waldorf-Astoria Beijing and the Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou.

In January last year, President Xi Jinping said during an inspection trip that Chongqing is "full of promise" and set to become an inland international logistics hub.

"Such a landmark will become a focal point for the region and put the city in line with the first-tier cities," said Smith. "It is a symbol of modernity."
Editor's Note: China has entered a new era after the 19th CPC National Congress. Starting today, China Daily will provide a series of reports on how the Party is putting the spirit of the congress into action at the grassroots level across the country.

The Communist Party of China's remarkable performance at home and abroad during the past five years, with Xi Jinping as the core of the Party's Central Committee, is bringing attention to its birthplace in Shanghai.

"The commonest question visitors raise is how the Party can develop from the initial 13 founders under very difficult conditions to nearly 90 million members," said Zhang Liming, curator of the Memorial Hall of the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

The centenary two-story brick-and-wood building juxtaposed with stylish brand stores on a shady street in Shanghai's downtown, where the milestone meeting was convened with 13 delegates in July 1921, attracted 3.6 million visits during the past five years and more than 15 million visits since its opening in 1952.

Xi was re-elected Party chief at the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing in October. Immediately after that, he visited the memorial hall, with the six other members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, on Oct 31st.

Xi's visit is a watershed. Last month, the number of visitors increased by 60 percent year-on-year, according to Zhang, who remains excited at recalling how Xi told him that although he cannot often visit, his heart has been settled here since long before and however far the Party goes it should never forget where it came from.

Since Xi's visit, visitors often line up outside the old building.

"It takes about 15 minutes to introduce all the items. We work like this throughout eight hours a day," said Zhu Peijing, a guide at the hall.

"Many people had visited the memorial hall before, but

they now seem to be having a keen interest in gaining new understanding of the Party's early stage and seeing the connection between history and today," Zhu said.

"Some senior Party members shed tears," said Yang Yu, director of the memorial hall's publicity and education department, who served as guide during Xi's visit.

"General Secretary Xi's observation was very careful, and he often raised questions and communicated with us. He read the congress' resolution word by word," Yang added.

"Visiting the memorial hall reminds me that being always ready to solve the people's difficulties is not only my duty, but also my honor as a Party member", Jiang Kaijun, a local residential community secretary, said after a visit.

The memorial hall stages some live shows to tell the life stories of some early Party members.

Yin Yiteng, a People's Liberation Army soldier, said the plays provide a vivid means to help him gain a deeper insight into the figures' internal struggles and emotional activities at some key historic moments.

"It is an unforgettable educational experience to watch the show in the historic site," he said.

Shanghai also has memorials at the sites of the CPC's second and fourth national congresses, as well as memorials at battlegrounds of resistance against Japanese aggression at Wusong and Baoshan, as well as at the Sihang Warehouse.

Shanghai's tourism bureau said that "Red Tourism", or tourism at the historic sites related to the CPC and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), are increasingly popular with travelers and local residents.

Statistics from online travel agencies show Shanghai is the No 1 choice for travelers interested in Red Tourism this year, followed by Beijing, Nanchang and Guangzhou.

Dou Wenzhang, a member of the Chinese Tourism Reform and Development Consultative Committee, said Red Tourism has more meanings beyond the conventional tourism industry.

"Shanghai has done a good job in combining its local characteristics or history with its Red Tourism resources. It is conducive to playing up tourism's multiple functions of cultivating patriotism, promoting revolutionary education and providing visitors a firsthand experience of observing the historic sites," Dou said.

liyang@chinadaily.com.cn
State Councilor Yang Jiechi, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, addresses delegates to an international seminar in Beijing at its closing session on Sunday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY

High-level meeting calls on attendees to reject isolationism, support multilateral trade system

The Belt and Road Initiative serves the interests of people of all countries and provides a platform for building a community with a shared future for mankind, political party leaders from more than 120 countries said in a joint statement issued in Beijing on Sunday.

They voiced their "earnest expectations and best wishes" for realizing the Belt and Road in the Beijing Initiative document adopted at the closing session of the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting.

In the statement, the leaders from nearly 300 political parties and organizations said forging a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation is imperative to the building of the community with a shared future for mankind and a better world.

They called on countries to stay away from isolationism and exclusionism and support a multilateral trade system, and they commended the CPC's efforts and contribution in promoting the building of the community with a shared future and a better world.

Building the community and a better world requires political parties and leaders to undertake their historic duties and carry forward the spirit of hard work, State Councilor Yang Jiechi said at the closing session.

Also, the leaders should have a sense of innovation, always act with a problem-oriented approach, and create platforms for exchanges, Yang added.

In his keynote speech on Friday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, elaborated on the CPC's idea of building the community with a shared future, and showed determination to boost world development and prosperity, Yang said.

Various attending political parties spoke highly of Xi's speech hailed the CPC's historical contribution and expect China's further navigating role, Yang added.

Pierre Ngolo, general-secretary of the Congolese Labor Party and president of the Senate of the Republic of Congo, said China fulfills its duties efficiently, promotes unity, friendship and safety among people in the world and works for enabling everyone to benefit from development.

"The Belt and Road is one of the best examples," he said, adding that the unprecedented high-level meeting, transcending the self-interests of the various political parties gathered, charts the course for the community with a shared future.

The meeting will become "a new impetus" for development in the world, he said.

Dashzeveg Amarbayasgalan, general secretary of the ruling Mongolian People's party, said the meeting has had sufficient discussions on co-building the Belt and Road.

Views have been exchanged effectively and the meeting has turned a new page for exchanges among political parties in the world, he said.

Dmitry Novikov, deputy chairman of the Central Committee of Communist Party of the Russian Federation, said the Belt and Road Initiative is promising in reinforcing economic cooperation among countries and will boost the upgrading of political and cultural cooperation among them.

China is the world's second-largest economy, it has huge potential politically and economically, and it benefits the Chinese people and facilitates efforts in building an equitable world of justice and allowing every country to have a share of development, Novikov said.

The Beijing Initiative will also introduce more possibilities to bilateral cooperation, such as those between China and Russia, he added.
Major global challenges such as terrorism and climate change allow no country to sacrifice others for its own self-interests, and political parties should join hands in efforts to tackle the thorny issues, political leaders say.

These recommendations were made by speakers addressing the second plenary session and closing session of the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing on Sunday.

Marina Sereni, vice-president of Italy's Chamber of Deputies and a member of the leadership of the Democratic Party of Italy, said new threats require "strong cooperation and political dialogue".

"Fighting climate change and poverty...are tasks that no country can face and beat alone," she said.

Nafie Ali Nafie, secretary-general of the Council of African Political Parties, said political parties have great understanding of the actual situation at the local grassroots level, they know best the top concerns of the local community and their operations greatly supplement government efforts.

Political parties should boost the resolution of issues through advancing legislative campaigns in their respective countries, and offer solutions that meet the expectations of people from all walks of life, he said.

Olga Epifanova, deputy chairwoman of Russia's State Duma, warned that terrorism is like a plague in the 21st century and some countries have failed to translate into actions their commitment to fighting terrorism.

Epifanova raised the refugee issue in Europe and noted that some European countries have failed to accept refugees as required by the European Union.

Mohammed Moussaoudja, vice-president of Algeria's People's National Assembly and leader of the National Liberation Front, said that as Africa Union's anti-terror center is located in his country, the fight against terror should transcend borders and become a real worldwide fight.

With peace and tranquillity under threat in the world, the United Nations' fundamental role in resolving the challenges should be reinforced, and South-South cooperation is particularly important, he said.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is a "major player" on the global stage in this regard, he added.

Jiko Fatafehi Luveni, leader of the Fiji First Party and speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, called for concerted global efforts in taking on climate change as a clean environment is critical to the island nation in the Pacific Ocean.

The Fijian speaker said China has pushed for the implementation of the agreement approved at the Climate Change Paris Conference, helping offset the impact of climate change on the world.

Choo Mi-ae, head of the ruling Minjoo Party of the Republic of Korea, said no thought could be significant if it is not put into practice, and a resolute fight should be made by all countries against challenges including ecological imbalance and terrorism.

Choo called on attending parties and delegates to build the community with a shared future and reinforce unity within and operations by political parties.
Edinburgh Zoo is hosting the lone Chinese giant lantern show in Scotland, illuminating the cold nights with warmth and colorful lights during the festive season.

One of the highlights is a 19-foot-high and 115-foot-long dragon, which took 15 craftsman 2,000 hours to build. It is just one of the 469 lanterns installed in the zoo for a 50-night light extravaganza.

Edinburgh Zoo remains to be the only home for giant pandas in the UK. This year, 30 giant panda lanterns are especially made for the zoo to celebrate its long-standing relationship with the birthplace of this lovely animal.
City view of Liverpool. [Photo/Xinhua]

The British city of Liverpool is to host a nine-month-long festival of the best of Chinese contemporary art and culture next year to mark the city's 10th anniversary as the 2008 European Capital of Culture, city hall officials announced on Thursday.

Full details of the festival will be announced in January, they said, adding that the Year of the Dog celebrations in Europe's oldest Chinatown will begin the festival under the banner of "China Dream".

The 2018 Chinese New Year celebrations will not just bigger than ever, but also signal the start of the China Dream festival.

New Year festivities will run the length of Berry Street in Chinatown, while a spectacular projection show will illuminate the city's Chinese Arch, the largest outside the Chinese mainland, and surrounding buildings, accompanied by music from popular Chinese artists.

There will also be a Chinese New Year pyrotechnic display which city officials say "will blow your socks off".

February's launch of China Dream also coincides with the opening of the Terra-cotta Warriors exhibition at World Museum Liverpool, which is destined to attract visitors from both home and abroad to enjoy the rare experience of seeing the famous ancient artifacts on British soil.
The Confucius Institute of Havana celebrated its eighth anniversary on Thursday.

At a ceremony presided by Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Chen Xi and the Rector of the University of Havana Gustavo Cobreiro, participants highlighted the important role the institute has played in deepening academic and cultural ties between the two countries.

"It is a joy to know that the cultural and educational ties between both countries have been able to develop satisfactorily and have had a great success, as reflected by this Confucius Institute," said Chen.

The progress made by the institute has allowed thousands of Cubans to approach the Chinese language, he noted. Chen hailed the institute's fruitful and continuous development in many areas, saying "it has been able to provide very positive results as part of our collaboration."

Cuba's Confucius Institute was founded in 2009 and began its academic activities in January 2010, following the signing of a cooperation agreement between China's Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and the University of Havana.

During the celebration, students at the institute made presentations in Chinese and an award was presented to the outgoing director of the institute Arsenio Aleman.

So far, around 40 graduates have finished all six levels of Chinese learning, while 50 students in the last four years have managed to obtain scholarships from Hanban to further their studies in China. The past school year has seen an explosion of enrollment after the institute was relocated to the capital's Chinatown in October 2015.

A total of 950 students were enrolled by the institute, distributed in 43 class groups at the six levels for adults and 14 groups of children and teenagers aged between 11 and 17.
An artist creates a Tangka painting in a Tangka shop near Porgor Street of Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, Nov 29, 2017. Tangka, a style of Tibetan art that involves painting on embroidery, has been liked by tourists thanks to a thriving development of tourism in Tibet, where over 2,000 Tangka artists can create about 1,000 pieces of Tangka paintings every year. [Photo/Xinhua]
Fishermen bring in their catch as the Mount Agung volcano is seen in the background at Amed in Bali, Indonesia, on Saturday. SONNY TUMBELAKA/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

BALI, Indonesia - Impacts from escalating volcanic activities of Mount Agung on Bali island have direly affected those earning their living from tourism in Amed, an eastern coastal area well known for its beautiful beaches, surfing and diving spots.

The area, located 80 km northeast of the capital Denpasar, is now an empty town with most of its cottages, homestays, villas, hotels and cafes vacated.

Amed used to be lively, with Western tourists carrying surfboards and diving equipment on their way to the beach.

Dozens of white boats that used to serve foreign divers are now parked neatly on the beach, helplessly waiting for customers.

Nahede, a 50 year-old boatman, said conditions have deteriorated.

"This beach used to be filled with people. Now, no one has been here since Mount Agung erupted months ago," Nahede said on Friday.

He said his life has become harder since Mount Agung began "coughing", making him barely able to make ends meet.

"I had never experienced this kind of situation before. This is too hard for me. I used to get tips from generous tourists that could be up to 300,000 rupiah (nearly $22) per day," he said.

His earnings now come from people hiring the boat for fishing. "They pay me with fish, which I eventually sell to merchants in the market."

The situation facing Nahede was also bitterly felt by those running hospitality businesses.

"I come here once every two days just to clean up the rooms. They have all been empty in the past week. Not one single tourist has stayed here since then," said Ni Luh, an attendant at Surya Rainbow villa on Amed beach.

"Guests are not coming now, even though we have been offering discounts," Ni Luh said, adding that many customers canceled their bookings after they learned about the eruption.

Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said recently that Bali accounts for 40 percent of tourist arrivals to the country, followed by the capital Jakarta (30 percent) and Batam (20 percent).

Xinhua
Chuck Schumer (center), US Senate minority leader, and Senator Dick Durbin (right) talk to reporters at the US Capitol in Washington on Friday. JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

WASHINGTON - The US Senate on Saturday approved a sweeping tax overhaul, moving Republicans and President Donald Trump a major step closer to their goal of slashing taxes for businesses and the rich while offering everyday US citizens a mixed bag of changes.

In what would be the largest US tax overhaul since the 1980s, Republicans want to add $1.4 trillion over 10 years to the $20 trillion national debt to finance changes that they say would further boost an already growing economy.

US stock markets have rallied for months in hopes Washington would provide significant tax cuts for corporations.

Following the 51-49 vote, talks will begin, likely next week, between the Senate and the House of Representatives, which has already approved its own tax bill. The two chambers must craft a single bill to send to Trump to sign into law.

The president wants that to happen before the end of the year, allowing him and his Republicans to score their first major legislative achievement of 2017, despite controlling the White House, the Senate and the House since he took office in January.

A tax overhaul is seen by Republicans as crucial to their prospects in the November 2018 mid-term election campaigns when they will have to defend their majorities in Congress.

In a legislative battle that moved so fast a final draft of the bill was unavailable to the public until just hours before the vote, Democrats slammed the measure as a giveaway to businesses and the rich financed with billions in taxpayer debt.

The framework for both the Senate and House bills was developed in secret over a few months by a half-dozen Republican congressional leaders and Trump advisers, with little input from the party's rank-and-file and none from Democrats.

In the wee hours

The Senate approved their bill in the wee hours, with Democrats complaining that last-minute amendments circulated among senators were poorly drafted and vulnerable to being gamed later by lawyers and accountants in the tax avoidance industry.

"The Republicans have managed to take a bad bill and make it worse," said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

"Under the cover of darkness and with the aid of haste, a flurry of last-minute changes will stuff even more money into the pockets of the wealthy and the biggest corporations."

No Democrats voted for the bill, but they lacked the votes to block it because Republicans hold a 52-48 Senate majority.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy praised the bill and said: "Working families and middle-income families across the nation will be better off. Families who over the last eight years have not done well will begin to do better."

Reuters - AP - AFP
DENVER, Colorado - With China's national day of mourning for the Nanjing Massacre (also known as the Rape of Nanking), less than two weeks away, John Yee, a Flying Tigers veteran, remembers when they posted pictures of mutilated and decapitated Chinese babies on giant placards in downtown Kunming, Yunnan province.

It was 1937 and a few days before Christmas. Yee was 17 years old. He was in Southwest China's biggest city, handpicked as one of 30 translators working with the Flying Tigers.

Even in black and white, the pictures - just sent from Nanjing - of mangled, bloody corpses, young and old, were so graphic and disturbing they cast a pall over the city.

"People were stunned, people were quiet, and they went into a deep mourning, as if the end was near," said Yee, who was raised by English missionaries in China.

About 2,000 kilometers northeast of Kunming, George Fitch, a Presbyterian minister, was documenting the carnage that claimed 300,000 Chinese lives over the next few weeks.

"It is a story of such crime and horror as to be almost unbelievable," Fitch told The Manchester Guardian in 1937.

"The story of the depredations of a horde of degraded criminals of incredible bestiality, who have been and now are, working their will, unrestrained, on a peaceful, kindly, law-abiding people," Fitch wrote from Nanjing on Dec 24, 1937, about the Japanese army.

Decades-long denial

In an interview on Thursday on his 97th birthday, the retired history professor said that Japan's decades-long denial and lack of an official apology questions even the core of Japanese heritage.

"We're still holding our breath," Yee said, shaking his head. "It's honestly a surprise that people with such intelligence could continue to behave so selfishly and stupidly as to not see the value of a simple apology," he said.

A member of the legendary World War II Flying Tigers, Yee returned to the United States in 1944 and later created and taught classes in Chinese history.

In 1941, Yee, 20, joined an elite group of American flyers sent to Southwest China where the Japanese, flying from Vietnam, were bombing defenseless civilians in Kunming day and night, killing thousands of innocent people.

Yee served under the command of General Claire Lee Chennault, considered one of the top military strategists in US history.

As a translator in the control room each day, Yee saw a small force of 100 antiquated US P-40 airplanes stop the relentless Japanese bombings once and for all.

"Just after Pearl Harbor, the Americans struck back - over the skies of Kunming," Yee said. "The Japanese were in for a surprise that day - we shot down 13 of their planes to only one loss for us."

Xinhua
GHAZNI, Afghanistan - Afghan security forces counter-offensive left at least 18 militants and two policemen dead in the country's eastern province of Ghazni, a local official said Saturday.

The incident occurred late on Friday, when Taliban militants launched a wide offensive on the security checkpoints in Giro district of the province. The government security forces launched a counter attack, leaving 18 militants dead and 27 others wounded, Aref Noori, provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

Among those militants killed in the fighting were two local leaders named Jawhari and Zaker, the spokesman added.

Two policemen were also killed and 11 police personnel were injured in the skirmish.

Taliban militants, who are fighting government forces in many parts of the province, have not commented on the report.

Violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters.
NAIROBI - An official with the United Nations environmental agency on Saturday has hailed the Chinese government efforts in reducing the level of air pollution in Beijing.

Helena Valdes, a leading expert in sustainable development and climate change with the UN Environmental Programme, told Xinhua in Nairobi that China has shown great political will and decisiveness in tackling air pollution.

"Air pollution is something that many cities in the world struggle with, but are unable to solve but China has made commendable efforts to reduce drastically the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere in Beijing," Valdes said during one of the side events of the UN Science Policy Business Forum on the Environment.

Valdes said that when China identified through scientific studies the extent of air pollution in Beijing, the Chinese capital city, it launched an ambitious program to begin cleaning the air of the city.

She said that the World Health Organization is currently monitoring the air quality of many cities including Beijing and what is clear is that the Asian city has made tremendous progress in reducing the level of pollution.

According to the UN, China has achieved success due to implementation of policies and measures that promote use of green energy sources as well as holding people accountable for delivering on the set targets.

She noted that heavy industries were relocated from Beijing while residents were encouraged to use renewable sources of energy.

Valdes, also head of the secretariat of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), said that African nations can borrow critical lessons from China's success.

She noted that the Asian nation has used a number of incentives to promote the expansion of green industries.

"There are a number of development banks that offer financial products to encourage entrepreneurs to engage in the green economy industries," he added.
ADEN, Yemen - Yemen's internationally-backed government declared on Saturday its full support for the ongoing military activities against the Shiite Houthi group in the country's capital Sanaa that killed 80 people and injured more than 120 others.

The government voiced support for the anti-Houthi campaign in a statement, following a closed meeting chaired by President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and attended by senior officials in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh.

Hadi hailed what he described as the "popular uprising" against the Houthi rebels in Sanaa as a "historic moment" to bring back legitimacy to Yemen.

The Yemeni president also extended his hand to the forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and called for "opening a new page with all the political parties in the country and forgetting what happened in the past."

Hadi's Aden-based government also called for "unity and demanded the political parties in Yemen to form a national alliance that overcomes the differences of the past and move on to confront the Iranian-backed Houthi militias."

Earlier in the day, more than 80 people were killed and 120 others injured during fierce armed confrontations between the elite Republican Guard Forces loyal to Saleh and the Houthis in different areas of Sanaa.

The Houthis and Saleh used to be allies during the three-year military conflict with the Saudi-backed government and the newly-recruited forces of Hadi across Yemen.

On Saturday, Saleh delivered a televised speech calling upon Yemenis to rise up and fight against the Houthis.

"I call upon all Yemenis to come together and do their national duty by defending our republic, institutions and freedom against the aggression of the Houthi militias which lasted for three years now," Saleh said.

Saleh also announced his willingness to conduct negotiations with the Saudi-led coalition via the Parliament.

"I also urge the coalition to conduct a ceasefire in Yemen, open airports, allow humanitarian aid into the devastated country. Our hand is extended to them to start a new chapter of relations," he added.

Security sources in Sanaa told Xinhua that intense street gun fights took place between pro-Saleh forces and the Houthi militants using different types of heavy and medium weapons.

Saleh's forces managed to retake the Sanaa International Airport, the 48th military camp, the Presidential Compound, key government institutions and ministries after fierce clashes with Houthi militias.

Sources close to Saleh said that "the popular uprising and the military campaign against Houthis will continue in Sanaa and some neighboring provinces on all different levels."

The sources also said that "Qatar tried to organize desperate mediation to end the clashes in Sanaa. The Qataris attempted to convince Saleh to withdraw his forces from areas under control in Sanaa and negotiate with Houthis to reach a settlement, but he strongly refused and the mediation failed."

On the other hand, the Saudi state media reported that Saleh loyalists freed his rival Hadi's Defense Minister Major General Mahmoud al-Subaihi from a Houthi prison in Sanaa. He was captured by Houthi forces in southern Yemen in mid 2015.

Chief of Houthi Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi gave a speech on Saturday evening saying that "all residents of Sanaa enjoyed peace. But unfortunately, those militants supported by Saleh are seeking to undermine it and spread chaos."

The Houthi leader called for peace and stability and demanded the tribal leaders and others to intervene to stop this sedition and end the escalation of situation in Sanaa as soon as possible.

Military commander loyal to the Houthi group said that the fight for taking full control over Sanaa will continue overnight and claimed they will take back all the neighborhoods in Sanaa within 24 hours.

After the fiery speeches of the two warring rival leaders, Sanaa witnessed a cautious calm that prevailed in the city's neighborhoods despite the sporadic gunfire and explosions that rocked the city in the past hours.

Thousands of terrified citizens and children are trapped in the middle of Sanaa, and each side mobilizes fighters and arms into the diplomatic district in preparation for possible violent confrontations tonight, according to local residents.

The Republican Guard Forces loyal to Saleh announced a curfew, asking people to remain indoor starting from 10:00 p.m. Sanaa time.

In September 2014, the two factions unified and toppled the legitimate government of Hadi and forced him along with his cabinet members into exile in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

The fragile alliance between the two parties has faced much trouble over the vying of power.

On Aug. 26, a deadly fighting erupted near the residential house of Saleh's son in the southern part of Sanaa, during which the Houthis killed a senior security official close to Saleh.

Houthis and Saleh's party have since been trading accusations of secret links with the U.S.-backed Saudi-led military coalition.

The coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to roll back the Iranian-allied Houthi group and reinstate Hadi into power.
Police evacuate and comb at the Memorial City Mall in Houston, Texas, the United States, Dec 2, 2017. A shopping mall in Houston in the US state of Texas was evacuated after reports of possible active shooting Saturday evening. [Photo/Xinhua]

HOUSTON -- An alleged shooting incident on Saturday in a shopping mall in Houston in the US state of Texas was actually a smash and grab at a jewelry store. There were no injuries or casualties, local police said.

A robber smashed a jewelry case with a hammer inside Macy's at the Memorial City Mall, about 20 km west of Downtown Houston. The robber then fled the scene, James Jones, assistant chief of Houston Police Department said at a media briefing.

The police initially received the 911-call about an alleged shooting incident Saturday evening. Police had described the scene as "a pretty big chaos" as they evacuated and combed the mall for "a possible active shooter."

The police confirmed later that there was no evidence of any shooting at all.

"It's Memorial City Mall at Christmas time, that's why there was a massive reaction," said Jones.
A public perception survey showed that the people of both China and United States should increase mutual trust and understanding to promote bilateral relations.

The study revealed that 63 percent of US respondents believe China is an important cooperation partner of the US and both sides benefit from the growing bilateral trade and investment.

The survey, conducted by Committee of 100, a non-governmental organization aimed at promoting constructive dialogue and relationships between the people and leaders of both nations, was undertaken earlier this year, providing an important reference for policy formulation and academic research in China-US relations.

Released at an award ceremony on Saturday, the survey showed that 57 percent respondents have a favorable impression of China, the highest since 2007. Nearly 70 percent think China should be encouraged to invest in the US.

However, the survey also revealed that there is lacks of trust, and miscommunication affected the US understanding of China.

The survey also indicated that millennials between the age of 18 and 34 are more optimistic about the relationship, and more trusting of the other country.

The meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump was successful in stabilizing the ties, but the relations still face a lot of challenges, said Jia Qingguo, professor and dean at Peking University's School of International Studies.

"Tough voices and negative views on China still exist, and the two countries need to manage their difference," he added.

Terry Branstad, US ambassador to China, said that "the two big economies can work out their differences and work together to our mutual benefit in a win-win situation".

Chinese-Americans can help to improve relationship between the people of the two countries, he added.

Tan Tianxing, vice-minister of Overseas Chinese Affairs Offices, said that it is the mission of overseas Chinese to promote the Chinese dream to the world and build the community of shared future for mankind.

He hoped that the committee of 100 could make full use of its resources in the US and its expertise as well as influence to promote people-to-people exchange and cooperation between China and the US.

Chairman of the Committee of 100 Frank H. Wu said that as Chinese-Americans are closely related with the culture of the two countries, they can help to promote mutual understanding between the people from both sides.

"We Chinese-Americans care about the relation between these two great nations, with language and cultural skills we have, we could do something different," he said.
WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump's latest social media posts, which triggered a heated quarrel between Washington and London, have put strain on bilateral ties.

Trump sparked global controversy in recent days after re-posting what critics say are anti-Muslim social media posts from a Britain-based far right group that allegedly depict violence carried out by Muslims. The authenticity of the videos in the posts has not been verified.

"Trump's (re-posting) of anti-Islamic videos has put a great strain on US-UK relationships," Brookings Institution senior fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

"He took material from a far-right organization and gave it great legitimacy at a delicate time as Britain is negotiating its exit from the European Union (EU)," West said, referring to England's break-off from the EU, a matter of controversy underscored by tensions between classes in England.

"The British Prime Minister has condemned Trump's actions and reprimanded him for giving extreme voices an international platform," West added.

The videos were originally posted by Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of British far right group Britain First, who said the videos were from the Internet and did not provide the context under which the videos were shot.

The group has allegedly posted several misleading videos in the past, and the ones Trump shared on Twitter were called "Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!" "Muslim destroys a statue of Virgin Mary!" and "Islamist mob pushes teenage boy off roof and beats him to death!"

"In (re-posting) those anti-Islamic posts, President Trump raised the profile of a radical far-right political group in the UK, and furthered the argument of radicals on both sides that Islam and the West are in a clash of civilizations," said Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of Congress and the Presidency.

Indeed, Trump's tweets have sparked a row between the White House and British Prime Minister Theresa May, who said Trump was "wrong" to re-tweet material from a group she described as spreading "hateful narratives."

"British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far-right which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency, tolerance and respect," the prime minister's statement said.

Trump shot back via social media saying, "Don't focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine," referring to recent Islamist terror attacks on locations within England.

The back-and-forth represents a rare spat between Britain and the United States, which are normally close allies, particularly in global activities against terrorism and Islamist radicalism.

"I don't think this will hurt US-UK relations in the long run because the two countries have strong ties. But Trump has to be careful not to create problems for his friends in other countries," West said.
NEW YORK  Police say a man drove into a group of people in New York City and then fled, leaving one person dead and several others injured, one critically.

A New York Police Department detective says the driver targeted the victims in Queens, but terrorism is not suspected. It happened around 4:45 am Sunday.

Authorities say the people were at a hookah bar, and two people got into a fight and stabbed each other. Police say the vehicle hit the crowd after the dispute.

Police say the person who was critically injured and four others in stable condition were taken to an area hospital. The two people involved in the initial stabbing dispute were in stable condition.

A search for the driver is ongoing.

Agencies
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. [File photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - The United States has quit negotiations on a voluntary pact to deal with migration because the global approach to the issue was "simply not compatible with US sovereignty," said US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

In a statement released late on Saturday, the US mission to the UN noted that President Donald Trump made the decision.

"No country has done more than the United States, and our generosity will continue," said Haley, whose parents are immigrants from India. "But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone."

"We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country," she said.

Trump campaigned last year on a promise to deport large numbers of immigrants and build a wall on the US border with Mexico to help tackle illegal immigration and crime in the United States. Since he took office in January, he has also moved to ban US entry by people from select Muslim countries.

With a record 21.3 million refugees globally, the 193-member UN General Assembly adopted a political declaration in September last year in which they also agreed to spend two years negotiating the pact on safe, orderly and regular migration.

Former US President Barack Obama's administration backed the resolution, known as the New York Declaration, which also asked UN High Commissioner for Refugees Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein to propose a global compact on refugees for adoption in 2018.

"The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with US sovereignty," Haley said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regretted the US decision, his spokesman said on Sunday, but expressed hope the United States might re-engage in the talks.

"The positive story of migration is clear: it needs to be better told. Equally, the challenges it throws up need to be tackled with more determination and greater international coordination," UN spokesman Farhan Haq said.

Three days of preparatory talks begin in Mexico on Monday ahead of the start of formal negotiations in February over the non-binding pact.

Haley's predecessor Samantha Power mocked the US move.

"How to further insult your Mexican neighbor, turn your back on humanity's most desperate, and make America irrelevant on a hugely destabilizing global crisis in one easy step," she posted on Twitter.

While former UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Twitter: "On migration, national solutions logically do not exist ... Going it alone is a lose-lose proposition."

Agencies
South Koreas News 1 reported that North Koreas Arirang, a traditional musical performance has been approved and registered into the UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This is the first time a North Korean tradition has been registered by UNESCO under this category.

On the 26th, Koreas Ministry of Culture reported that during this years 9th Intergovernmental Committee that was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, UNESCO officials approved North Koreas Arirang to join the list of humanitys cultural heritage.

Arirang is a Korean folk song that was passed on through oral tradition. Forms and styles of Arirang are seen in different areas or provinces of Korea that reflect the different characteristics of the local people that live there. North Korean Arirang includes the tradition of the provinces, Pyeongando, Hwanghaedo, Gangwondo, Northern Hamgyeongdo, Jagangdo, and Pyeongyang.

South Koreas Ministry of Culture also added that Korean Nongak is also undergoing evaluation. Nongak is a form of agricultural music that was performed during labor. If approved, South Korea will have 17 forms of heritage in UNESCOs list of intangible cultural heritage.

This is not the first time North Korea had requested evaluation from the UNESCO of their Arirang to be registered as a Humanitys Heritage. On December of 2012, North Korea had filed the same request, but at the time did not receive UNESCOs approval.

Meanwhile, relations between North and South Korea, and North Korea and the West do not seem very positive. With the release of the Hollywood film The Interview coming up which features a fictional assassination of North Koreas dictator Kim Jong-Un, the North Korean government has shown very sensitive reactions. Their government has also heavily criticized the United States regarding the riots regarding Ferguson, and called it a serious violation of human rights.
Editors note and update (October 14, 2020): In the years since this case surfaced, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) have each launched investigations into further claims of sexual misconduct by the apologist, following a September 2020 report by Christianity Today. Zacharias died in May 2020.

In October 2020, the Canadian couple Zacharias sued in 2017, Brad and Lori Anne Thompson, made their first public statement in response to RZIM, explaining their story and saying they regret entering the non-disclosure agreement that has kept them silent while Zacharias and the ministry continued to speak out about the case.

Ravi Zacharias built his career defending the Christian faith. Now the famous apologist is defending his own reputation.

Today, Zacharias and his eponymous Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) released their first statements specifically addressing a personal lawsuit involving a married woman who sent nude photos to the popular author and speaker, as well as accusations that Zacharias has misled supporters by inflating his credentials in his RZIM biography.

I have learned a difficult and painful lesson through this ordeal, Zacharias said. I failed to exercise wise caution and to protect myself from even the appearance of impropriety, and for that I am profoundly sorry. I have acknowledged this to my Lord, my wife, my children, our ministry board, and my colleagues.

An Indian-Canadian convert to Christianity, Zacharias has become one of the best-known living apologists and has authored dozens of books on faith. With almost $24 million in US revenue last year, RZIM sponsors dozens of itinerant preachers and apologists (such as the late Nabeel Qureshi); puts on conferences for Christian leaders; and holds forums on college campuses.

Last month, Zacharias settled a lawsuit with a Canadian couple he claimed had attempted to extort him over messages he had exchanged with the wife.

The federal lawsuitwhich was filed by Zacharias, not the couplealleged that his friendly correspondence with the wife evolved over the course of 2016 to her sending him unwanted, offensive, sexually explicit language and photographs. In April 2017, the couple sent a letter through their attorney demanding millions of dollars in exchange for keeping the messages a secret.

In the alternative of protracted and public litigation, [the couple] will sign a release of you and your church and ministry in exchange for a certified check in the amount of $5 million, stated the letter from the Bryant Law Firm.

Zacharias said he immediately informed RZIMs governance committee of the situation and sought legal counsel.

The couple first met Zacharias in October 2014 at a conference in Ontario, and they kept in touch over email and BlackBerry Messenger. In Zachariass telling, the wife kept crossing boundaries in their communication, even after he asked her to stop and blocked her messages.

Zacharias, who has been married for 45 years, turned down the womans offer to treat his back pain and her request to accompany him on a mission trip to India. According to his August 2017 lawsuit, she eventually began expressing her love for [Zacharias], and then began making sexually suggestive statements. She sent him photos of her family; then of herself; then of herself in very scanty clothing; and finally, of herself nude.

Let me state categorically that I never met this woman alone, publicly or privately, said Zacharias in Sundays statement. The question is not whether I solicited or sent any illicit photos or messages to another womanI did not, and there is no evidence to the contrarybut rather, whether I should have been a willing participant in any extended communication with a woman not my wife.

The answer, I can unequivocally say, is no, and I fully accept responsibility, he said. In all my correspondence with thousands of people in 45 years of ministry, I have never been confronted with a situation such as this, and God and my family and close friends know how grieved I have been.

In the couples telling, Zacharias encouraged the relationship in order to take advantage of the wife. As a result of your actions, she eventually opened up her life to you to the point where you exercised a controlling influence over her as one with spiritual authority, wrote their attorney, Mark P. Bryant, in the demand letter. Armed with that information and your excellent grooming skills, you chose to exploit her vulnerability to satisfy your own sexual desires.

Zachariass lawsuit stated that there was no confidential and/or fiduciary relationship between him and the woman, as would exist between a pastor or counselor and a counselee. Lawyers emphasized that Zacharias is not a pastor or counselor, and that RZIM is not a church and does not provide formal counseling or therapy.

Georgia state law does not specifically address sexual misconduct by clergy, though it does declare it a crime for a practitioner of psychotherapy to use a counseling relationship to facilitate sexual contact, even with the consent of the victim.

Citing such concerns about clergy sexual misconduct, blogger Julie Anne Smith on Friday published emails given to her by Zachariass accuser back in February, before the settlement. Smith explained that she was greatly troubled that a victims voice is silenced while Zacharias was able to give his narrative in the lawsuit. Nothing is preventing this from happening again, she wrote. ... Unless someone speaks out publicly, this case will be lost in the shuffle.

The images included an October 2016 email in which the woman told Zacharias she was going to disclose their secret and its soul-searing shame to her husband; in another image showing four short emails, the apologist appears to reply mere hours later by threatening suicide. If you betray me here, I will have no option but to bid this world goodbye, I promise, he wrote, according to the image, later calling it the most dark and accursed day of my life.

Smith removed the two posts the following day, upon the womans request, but not before thousands of people saw the emails.

Zachariass lawyers claim that the womans husband knew all along. Conspiring together, [the couple] labored relentlessly to foster a relationship with [Zacharias] in hopes of manipulating him into a compromising position, they alleged in the suit, which states:

As part of the current scheme, [the couple] decided that evidence depicting an inappropriate relationship (in person, online, or otherwise) between [the wife] and a prominent, pious individual like [Zacharias] would enable them to force the individual to pay an exorbitant sum of money under the threat of the disclosure of such relationship to the individual's employer, wife, and the public.

Zachariass lawyers noted that the couple previously sued an Ontario pastor and his Christian Reformed church, alleging he had coerced them into making certain ill-advised loans and investments and seeking $1 million in damages. Their 2008 lawsuit was dropped; the pastor was temporarily suspended, but his church and denomination ultimately stood by him.

CT called the couples attorney for further comment, but did not receive a response.

Zacharias declined to comment to CT on the image of the emails showing the apparent suicide threat, citing the nondisclosure agreement.

Zacharias dropped his lawsuit on November 9. He said Sunday that the couple requested mediation instead of going to trial, and the parties reached a private settlement.

All communication with both of them has concluded, and the legal matters have been resolved, said Zacharias. However, at this time, unfortunately I am legally prevented from answering or even discussing the questions and claims being made by some, other than to say that each side paid for their own legal expenses and no ministry funds were used.

According to an email Zachariass accuser sent to Smith last week, she also was unable to answer further questions about the matter due to the settlements confidentiality agreement.

The case follows a landmark year for Zachariass ministry. RZIM raised $19 million toward the launch of the Zacharias Institute in 2016, nearly as much as its regular revenue which rose 13 percent to $23.7 million. The new evangelism training center is based in RZIMs Atlanta-area headquarters.

Zacharias concluded his Sunday statement by saying he bears no ill will toward anybody, and advises fellow Christian leaders to take more precautions with their communications.

I now realize that the physical safeguards I have long practiced to protect my integrity should have extended to include digital communications safeguards, he said. I believeand indeed would counsel othersthat the standards of personal conduct are necessarily higher for Christian leaders.

In the weeks following the undisclosed settlement, bloggers also resurfaced claims that Zacharias has overstated his academic background and falsely implied that he had earned a doctoral degree.

The apologist joins a number of Christian leaders who have used the title of doctor, despite only having honorary degrees.

According to the biography currently posted on RZIMs website, Zacharias received a master of divinity degree from Trinity International University and has conferred ten honorary doctorates, including a Doctor of Laws and a Doctor of Sacred Theology.

Up until earlier this year, the RZIM bio had not used the phrase honorary doctorates; instead, it had stated that Zacharias had been honored with the conferring of six doctoral degrees. The site also previously referred to him as Dr. Zacharias through 2014, as did multiple press releases, news features, and event postings.

In earlier years, Dr. did appear before Ravis name in some of our materials, including on our website, which is an appropriate and acceptable practice with honorary doctorates, stated RZIM in its own statement, also issued Sunday. However, because this practice can be contentious in certain circles, we no longer use it.

Zachariass biography has also evolved on other sites, including publisher Penguin/Random House, which within the past week replaced a line that said he holds three doctorate degrees with a reference to the honorary doctorates instead.

Neither Ravi nor his ministry has ever claimed he had an earned doctorate, stated RZIM, reiterating what publicist Mark DeMoss recently told Patheos blogger Warren Throckmorton. DeMoss said the references to Dr. Zacharias were confined to other contexts and that RZIM notified sources to correct them.

Zachariass organization also stated that other cultural contextsincluding his home country of Indiaembrace honorific titles, making it harder to discourage the use of Dr. before his name.

An atheist blogger named Steve Baughman, who has launched a campaign to investigate Zacharias, claims credit for RZIM revising its leaders resume. He has also accused Zacharias of overstating his role at institutions including Oxford University, Cambridge University, and Alliance Theological Seminary.

Zachariass 2015 bio described him as a visiting scholar at Cambridge University, but was amended to clarify it was at Ridley Hall, Cambridge (then affiliated with Cambridge University, now more recently allied with Cambridge and affiliated with Durham University). A line about him serving as Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University in Oxford, England has also been removed.

I've been worried for 20 years about someone finally doing exactly this: calling Ravi Zacharias to account for inflating his academic credentials, said John G. Stackhouse, a Christian scholar at Crandall University in Canada, in a Facebook post. He told CT that Zachariass questionable biography has been quietly mentioned among fellow evangelicals for decades.

Hes certainly not the only one who has done it.  But just as God has used RZ to bless people in positive ways, may his shortcomings also stand as instruction to the rest of us who, apparently like him and certainly like me, are tempted to make more of ourselves and our little accomplishments than we ought.

We will be more vigilant about editing and fact-checking at every stage, stated RZIM in its response.

Ravis desire and our desire as an evangelistic ministry is to engage the honest skeptic, to take questions seriously, and to be as clear as possible in our communication, the organization stated. We therefore have restructured Ravis biography to better reflect his 45 years as an itinerant evangelist and apologist with a passion and a calling to reach those who shape the ideas of culture with the beauty and credibility of the gospel.

Throckmorton has previously blogged about other Christian leaders who have adopted the title of doctor without having earned doctorate degrees, including WallBuilders founder David Barton, evangelist Joyce Meyer, and Donald Trump appointee Darrell Scott. Beyond raising issues of misrepresentation and character, doing so is illegal in some states.

CT Pastors has covered the professionalization of the church and the pressure for pastors, particularly in public theology, to get a PhD.

But evangelists and apologists also prove their expertise with their work, Stackhouse wrote. An audience generally is impressed with ones credentials for about the first two minutes one speaksand then you are what you are, baby, he said. If youre good, the audience appreciates it; and if youre bad, no amount of credentialing will make up for it.

Here is the full statement Zacharias gave to CT regarding the lawsuit and the sexting allegations:

In October 2014, I spoke at a conference in Canada. At the conclusion of my talk, I met a couple who expressed an interest in our ministry. The wife asked if I would reach out to her husband because he had questions about the Christian faith. As requested, I followed up by sending an email and a book to him, and invited him to consider attending one of our educational programs at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Some months later, I traveled with my wife and one of our daughters to another part of Canada for a speaking engagement. The couple attended this event and invited my wife and me to dinner at a local restaurant afterwards. That was the second and last time I was ever in the same room with either of them. Subsequently, she began to contact me via the email address I had used to contact her husband after first meeting them. My responses were usually brief. Then, last year, she shockingly sent me extremely inappropriate pictures of herself unsolicited. I clearly instructed her to stop contacting me in any form; I blocked her messages, and I resolved to terminate all contact with her. In late 2016, she sent an email informing me she planned to tell her husband about the inappropriate pictures she had sent and to claim that I had solicited them. In April 2017, together they sent me, through an attorney, a letter demanding money. I immediately notified members of my board, and as they advised, I personally engaged legal counsel. In response to the demand for money, my attorneys filed a publicly available lawsuit under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The other side requested mediation rather than going to trial. We agreed to mediation and we reached an agreement in November 2017 to resolve the matter and dismiss my lawsuit. All communication with both of them has concluded, and the legal matters have been resolved. However, at this time, unfortunately I am legally prevented from answering or even discussing the questions and claims being made by some, other than to say that each side paid for their own legal expenses and no ministry funds were used. I have learned a difficult and painful lesson through this ordeal. As a husband, father, grandfather, and leader of a Christian ministry I should not have engaged in ongoing communication with a woman other than my wife. I failed to exercise wise caution and to protect myself from even the appearance of impropriety, and for that I am profoundly sorry. I have acknowledged this to my Lord, my wife, my children, our ministry board, and my colleagues. Let me state categorically that I never met this woman alone, publicly or privately. The question is not whether I solicited or sent any illicit photos or messages to another womanI did not, and there is no evidence to the contrarybut rather, whether I should have been a willing participant in any extended communication with a woman not my wife. The answer, I can unequivocally say, is no, and I fully accept responsibility. In all my correspondence with thousands of people in 45 years of ministry, I have never been confronted with a situation such as this, and God and my family and close friends know how grieved I have been. In my 45 years of marriage to Margie, I have never engaged in any inappropriate behavior of any kind. I love my wife with all my heart and have been absolutely faithful to her these more than 16,000 days of marriage, and have exercised extreme caution in my daily life and travels, as everyone who knows me is aware. I have long made it my practice not to be alone with a woman other than Margie and our daughtersnot in a car, a restaurant, or anywhere else. Upon reflection, I now realize that the physical safeguards I have long practiced to protect my integrity should have extended to include digital communications safeguards. I believeand indeed would counsel othersthat the standards of personal conduct are necessarily higher for Christian leaders. The Lord rescued me at the age of seventeen, and I promised to leave no stone unturned in my pursuit of truth. He entrusted me with this calling, it is His; any opportunities I have been given are from Him. My life is not my own, it belongs to God. As long as He gives me life and breath I will serve out this calling He has given me. I am committed to finishing well, using whatever years He grants me to share His love and forgiveness, truth and grace, with people everywhere who are looking for meaning and purpose and hope. I bear no ill will toward anybody. God is the God of healing, and He promises a new day. May that be true by His grace.

Here is the full statement RZIM gave to CT regarding the critiques of Zachariass credentials:
Cleveland Rotary Club at the Nov. 29 noon luncheon welcomed two groups helping our local citizens as guest speakers.

Pastor Frieda White of Liberty Church spoke about the Salvation Army Annual Bell-Ringing at Cleveland Walmart, benefiting the Cleveland area. Local people participating in the bell-ringing inspires confidence in donors that the money will stay local.

Rotary Club members will be ringing bells for the Red Kettle fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 8. If you wish to participate, times are still available. Call Pastor Bob White at 281-592-4130.

Ken Wickens and Fran Born of Kendall Homes then spoke of the residential lots they are developing near Eastside School in the Glen Park area. Ten to twelve homes in the $150,000-200,000 range backed by U.S. Department of Agriculture loans are planned and will require meeting strict criteria that can result in no down payment if qualified.

Both of these programs can greatly strengthen the Cleveland economy.
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It was an exciting day for Lincoln Junior High students on Friday, Dec. 1, at the LJH Career Fair. Representatives from a variety of occupations brought displays, giveaways, and information about their vocations for students to explore and learn more about.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice officers, sheriff's deputies, Army reps, chemical engineers, EMTs, journalists and more were all represented. One of the day's biggest highlights was the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew who flew in just for the occasion.
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A 13-year-old Katy girl who ran away last week was found safe in Mexico late Sunday, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Mexican authorities and the FBI pitched in to track down Ashlee Hattermann during the two-day hunt that led officials to Laredo and eventually to Mexico City.

The teen disappeared Friday morning after her mother dropped her off at Thornton Middle School. A few of the girl's friends saw her that day, but at some point she walked off campus and went to a church, where she persuaded a good Samaritan to buy her a bus ticket.

"She convinced a woman she was trying to get back to Laredo to get to her family," said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland.

Now Playing: Latest Local And State News Video: Houston Chronicle

The teen hopped on a Greyhound headed south to Laredo on Friday afternoon.

The next morning, the good Samaritan saw Facebook posts about the missing girl and came to police after realizing she'd been duped.

Authorities tracked down security footage from the Katy bus station showing the girl getting ready to board a bus headed south. Initially, authorities tracked her to Laredo but couldn't confirm she'd crossed the border until mid-day Sunday.

"We are working with Mexican authorities in an effort to locate her in Mexico, but we are also seeking any information anyone in the United States may have which may help us find her," FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee said in an email.

Although Ashlee left school early in the day, the Hattermanns didn't find out their daughter was missing till late Friday afternoon, when the school called to say she'd only attended one class that day.

"The last thing we heard is that she crossed the border into Mexico," her mother, Tiffany Hattermann said Sunday morning. "We got a tip from somebody in Laredo."

Ashlee's parents feared she was headed south to find a man she met on the internet.

"There's been an ongoing case since May of last school year when she was talking online with a sexual predator," Hattermann said. "It was investigated by the Harris County Sheriff's Office and unfortunately they never followed up with it."

Gilliland disputed that.

"It has been investigated," he said. "It wasn't just put on a shelf."

After finding out about the messages last spring, Ashlee's parents took away her phone and internet access. But now they think she may have managed to stay in contact with the man using a secret second phone.

The worried Katy couple had no indication there was anything amiss in recent weeks, though.

"There was nothing wrong when I dropped her off at school," her mother said. "The only thing that threw me off was she told me she loved me when she got out of the car."

Ashlee is described as 5-foot-7 and 110 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She may be wearing glasses. There was no Amber Alert issued, but activation requires indication of an abduction, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

"I know they're saying he's a human trafficker but we don't have anything saying that yet," Gilliland said. "Right now, we're still treating this as a runaway."

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security pitched in as officials plastered the girl's image across the internet and saturated media near the border.

Finally, around 11 p.m., authorities in Mexico spotted the teen and alerted the sheriff's office before picking her up to meet her father, who was already in Mexico City.
A major accident Saturday night sent one man to the hospital and shut down part of Scott Street in south Houston.

A motorcycle rider crashed into a light pole in the 6200 block of Scott around 6 p.m., according to police. He was rushed to the hospital, but authorities did not offer details on his condition.
Nearly 894,000 people in Texas met this week's deadline to register for federal disaster assistance to help them recover from Hurricane Harvey, with more than $1.4 billion in funding approved so far, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday.

But officials and nonprofit groups say more funding will be needed to help the state rebuild and reach those who live in the shadows and might not have easy access to resources to assist in their recovery.

"There are thousands of people living in homes within our city that need to be quickly remediated, repaired or rebuilt. So we need more resources," Mayor Sylvester Turner said earlier this week.

After several extensions, FEMA had set Thursday as the deadline for Texans affected by Harvey to register for federal help. By registering, residents will be eligible for a variety of assistance, including temporary housing and repair or replacement of damaged homes. Only residents in the 41 Texas counties included in the federal disaster declaration were eligible to apply.

Half approved

Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Aug. 25 about 180 miles southwest of Houston. It damaged or destroyed around 200,000 homes and flooded much of Houston and smaller coastal communities with record amounts of rain and high winds.

By Thursday's deadline, 893,798 Texans had registered, with 356,553 applications having so far been approved. FEMA said it has also provided $2.6 billion in disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to 30,000 businesses and residents and more than $497 million to help the state and local governments with repairing infrastructure, removing debris and paying costs associated with first responders.

The passing of the deadline should not indicate that FEMA's work in Texas is done, said agency spokesman Bob Howard. Many residents remain displaced, with nearly 40,000 people still living in hotels paid for by FEMA.

"We're going to be here as long as the need is here. We're here to support the state and the local communities," Howard said.

In comparison to the two other big storms that hit this hurricane season, more than 2.6 million people in Florida registered for federal disaster assistance after Hurricane Irma with $940 million in assistance so far being approved, while more than 1 million people have registered in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria with more than $276 million approved.

Help still needed

Not everyone who needs help after Harvey applied with FEMA, as many people, including low-income individuals and immigrants, might not have known to apply, said Elena Marks, president and CEO of Episcopal Health Foundation, a Houston-based nonprofit.

"There are a lot of people who are just in the shadows for one reason or another," Marks said.

The foundation is hoping to help agencies reach these individuals with an analysis it did last month of assistance applications submitted to FEMA that identifies the ZIP codes in the 41 counties in the federal disaster declaration that submitted the most applications.

The analysis found the ZIP codes with the most applications were spread out across Southeast Texas and included areas of Port Arthur, Houston and its suburb of Dickinson, and Rockport, near where Harvey made landfall.

"There's a lot of pressure on the groups that have raised money to get the money out the door because people really are struggling," she said. "The tension exists with knowing where that money is best spent and how do you know that if you don't have data."
Heritage E. Brainerd is providing a Holiday Memorial and Candlelight Service honoring the families who have lost a family member during this past year on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.

This evening will include music, refreshments, and a time that each family will participate in the lighting of candles remembering their loved one this holiday season.

Each family will be presented with a hand-blown glass ornament with their loved one's name on it during the memorial service.

Organizers said, "This is our way of letting our families know that we still remember them in this season and we too honor the memory of those they love and lost this past year."

Heritage Funeral Home is at 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
One woman was wounded in a shooting Saturday night at a southwest Houston home, according to police.

The woman, who police did not identify, was visiting a male friend's home at Hillcroft and Densmore just after 11 p.m. when he asked her to leave. The two got into some type of dispute and the man fired a shot, hitting the woman in the leg, authorities said.
WASHINGTON - As a good portion of Americans were sleeping, Senate Republicans passed a $1.5 trillion tax bill in the wee hours Saturday morning.

The bill squeaked through the Senate in a 51 to 49 vote, almost entirely along party lines. To hear most GOP lawmakers tell it, the legislation was a victory to be cheered and, at last, an achievement to be flaunted heading into next year's midterm elections.

Democrats told a different story leading up to the vote - in part because, for much of the day, there was no bill to be seen.

Only "a few hours before the vote" was a draft of the tax bill distributed to lawmakers, according to Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, one of the many Democrats who took to Twitter to lambaste the hasty process Friday night as the vote neared.

"Hey, happy holidays, everybody," Tester said in a video posted just after 6 p.m. "It's the night we're going to be voting on the tax bill. I just got the tax bill 25 minutes ago."

In both hands he held a ream of paper several inches thick, then set it on his desk with a thud. From the top of the 479-page pile, he plucked a page that contained handwritten edits scrawled in the margin.

"I want you to take a look at this, folks. This is your government at work," Tester said in the video. "Here's the bill as it's written. Here's the modifications that are in it.  Can you tell me what that word is?"

The camera zoomed into a cursive word that looked, at first blush, something like "attributabnto."

Many Democrats also zeroed in on the manual edits as evidence that Republicans were carelessly ramming the bill through the Senate without thorough consideration.

"If you are so intent on forcing middle class families to foot the bill so your donors can have a tax break, at least have the decency to find a printer," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California tweeted at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., appending her message with the hashtag #GOPTaxScam.

Shortly after receiving the draft, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., posted two pages that were crossed out and thus seemed to be irrelevant.

"Okay this is absurd," Menendez observed. "Is that a crossout? Is this page part of the bill? WHY AM I ASKING THESE QUESTIONS HOURS BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT??"

Several other Democrats tweeted about the same page Tester highlighted (reportedly page 257), including Sens. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Christopher Coons of Connecticut and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts attempted to read the same handwritten passage on video but couldn't get all the way through.

"This is how we're writing legislation now?" Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia asked on Twitter.

Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia replied sardonically: "Don't worry @MarkWarner - it's just a rewrite of the entire US tax code being scribbled down on pieces of paper. What could go wrong?"
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - After decades of legal challenges and political battles that have pitted states against the federal government, U.S. wildlife managers on Wednesday finally adopted a plan to guide the recovery of a wolf that once roamed parts of the American Southwest and northern Mexico.

The plan sets a goal of having an average of 320 Mexican gray wolves in the wild over an eight-year period before the predator can shed its status as an endangered species. In each of the last three years, the population would have to exceed the average to ensure the species doesn't backslide.

Officials estimate recovery could take another two decades and nearly $180 million, a cost borne largely by breeding facilities that support threatened and endangered species work.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered tens of thousands of public comments - from state lawmakers and business groups to independent scientists and environmentalists - as it worked to meet a court-ordered deadline to craft the recovery plan. It was a long time coming as the original guidance for restoring the wolf was adopted in 1982.

"This plan really provides us a road map for where we need to go to get this species recovered and delisted and get its management turned back over to the states and tribes," Sherry Barrett, the Mexican wolf recovery coordinator, said.

The release triggered immediate criticism from the environmental groups that initially sued to force the agency to craft a new plan. On Wednesday afternoon, they sent the agency a notice of their intent to sue, citing violations of the Endangered Species Act.

There are now more of the wolves roaming the Southwest than at any time since the federal government began trying to reintroduce the animals in 1998. The most recent annual survey shows at least 113 wolves spread between southwestern New Mexico and southeast Arizona.

There are about 31 wolves in the wild in Mexico, officials said.

Under the recovery plan, those numbers would be expected to grow to 145 in the U.S. and 100 in Mexico over the next five years.

Environmentalists have suggested there needs to be more than 700 wolves in the wild if the population is to withstand illegal shootings, genetic issues and other challenges.

"The final recovery plan fails to recover the Mexican gray wolf. It is political in nature, not science-based," said Bryan Bird with Defenders of Wildlife, arguing that suitable habitat in the Grand Canyon and Southern Rockies is being ignored.
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Sunday met with Democrat and Republican representatives from the United States, calling for long-term, steady and healthy China-U.S. ties.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and foreign guests pose for a group photo before the opening ceremony of CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 1, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ding Lin]

The U.S. delegates are attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing.

Yang stressed the importance of implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of two countries to deepen mutual cooperation, respect each other's core interests, and properly handle differences.

Both sides agreed to strengthen party-to-party exchanges and make good use of dialogue platforms between political parties to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral ties.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Family-owned Constantino's Market will open its third full-service neighborhood grocery store on Dec. 7 at 18120 Sloane Ave. in Lakewood, inside the former Nature's Bin.

Constantino's, which also has stores in downtown Cleveland and University Circle, aims to offer a larger share of locally sourced products, organic produce and vegan and vegetarian options than can be found in a typical supermarket. That includes its own line of spices, pasta sauces and in-house baked goods and prepared foods like spanakopita and Mediterranean salad.

Constantino's Lakewood Market will open at 8 a.m. Dec. 7, hoping to cater to both grab-and-go commuters and weekly shoppers stocking up for their families. There's a self-serve coffee bar, a soup station and reach-in coolers full of drinks, salads and sandwiches, as well as a full-service bakery and deli, and the typical aisles full of cereals, household items and beer and wine.

During its opening weekend, Constantino's will offer samples of prepared foods and products from its local vendors, as well as a chance to win gift cards, prizes and reusable Constantino's shopping bags. On Dec. 10, Tiffani Tucker from Channel 19 News and Nicole Marcellino, the in-arena announcer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, will be celebrity baggers from 11 a.m. to noon.

Constantine "Costas" Mavromichalis and his late wife, Evelyn, opened their first store at West 110th Street and Clifton Avenue in 1986. The family business is now run largely by their daughter and chief financial officer, Anna, and her husband, Andrew Revy.

Revy, co-owner and CEO, said they were not looking to expand when they heard about the 11,800-square-foot Nature's Bin space, but that they could not resist the chance to open a store in their own neighborhood.

"As residents of Lakewood, and graduates of Lakewood High School, my wife, Anna, and I are looking forward to serving our neighborhood through the offerings in the new store," he said. Moving into an existing grocery space gave them greater shelf space to offer more items than at their other stores.

Anna Mavromichalis said her father stressed that every successful grocer must cater to their neighborhood and what it needs, instead of rolling out a cookie-cutter model and expecting the customers to adjust. To her, that includes cleaner, more environmentally friendly products such as locally-made Dansoap Laundry Detergent, as well as local brands including Anna in the Raw, West Side Salsa, Caruso's Coffee, Erie Island Coffee, Cleveland Vegan, Mitchell's Ice Cream, Great Lakes Brewing, Platform, Thirsty Dog, and Sibling Revelry Beer.

They are also rolling out a Constantino's Market rewards program that offers member-only discounts and a $10 coupon for every $500 spent. A portion of sales from the first weekend will be donated to Cornucopia Inc.'s vocational training programs for people with disabilities.

Constantino's will still offer several Nature's Bin vegan and vegetarian items, including sesame tofu and vegan carrot cake, and continues to support Cornucopia's vocational training programs. "We will make it our tradition to commit one weekend annually to support Cornucopia through a percentage of sales," Revy said.

Cornucopia's Executive Director Nancy H. Peppler said in a statement: "In addition to carrying a selection of Nature's Bin favorite items, Andrew Revy has been more than generous in allowing us to use Constantino's Lakewood as a host site for community-based assessments where our staff will work with people with disabilities to assess their readiness for employment."

Constantino's Lakewood will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Although most of the employees have been hired, "we are always looking for good, qualified people," Revy said. The market can be reached at 216-712-4653 or online at constantinosmarket.com.

Constantino's employs about 125 people at its five stores. In addition to its markets at 1278 West Ninth St. in the Warehouse District, and at 11473 Euclid Ave. in Uptown University Circle, the family operates two Constantino's Cafes in the first floor of the EY Building at 950 Main St., and the Edge Cafe at 1750 Euclid Ave.

Revy said Constantino's hasn't given up on opening a store in Tremont, and are still working with the Tremont West Development Corp. to secure the funding and figure out the best space for that store. But with the Lakewood opening, the Tremont store might open closer to 2019.
LORAIN, Ohio - Lorain City Councilman Angel Arroyo was arrested Saturday morning during a run-in with police, according to a police report.

Arroyo, 34, is facing charges of resisting arrest, obstructing official business, disorderly conduct persisting, disorderly conduct by intoxication and disturbing the peace, according to a police report.

Police were called about 12:30 a.m. to Jenee Drive near Jaeger Road to investigate a report of an intoxicated man in a driveway refusing to leave. The man, identified as Arroyo, said his leg was run over at Diso's Bistro on Oberlin Avenue and his knee was injured because of it, the report says.

Police noted the injury was not consistent with being run over.

When an officer spoke with Arroyo, he slurred his words and could not construct sentences. The officer also smelled alcohol on Arroyo's breath, police said.

When asked how much he had to drink, Arroyo said he was not intoxicated and walked to another driveway to get something out of his car, according to police. Police asked how he got home to which he stated "I did not drive," the report says.

Police spoke with someone who lives in the neighborhood and is friends with Arroyo.

The man said he, Arroyo and others went to Diso's Bistro to celebrate Arroyo's birthday. He said he took Arroyo's keys because he got intoxicated and wanted to drive home, the report says.

Arroyo jumped on the hood of his friend's car to get his keys and fell back onto the ground, hurting his knee, the report says.

Arroyo's friend handed his keys to Arroyo's wife and left. After speaking with Arroyo's friend, police told him he was not welcome on the property and told to leave, police said. He requested an officer in charge.

The officer in charge came on scene and offered Arroyo a ride home to which he refused to get in the car. When officers approached him, he backed away and repeatedly said A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3 to convince the officers he was not intoxicated, the report says.

Police tried multiple times to give Arroyo a ride home.

Officers said Arroyo recorded the interaction on his cellphone "for his social media."

Officers said they arrested him because he didn't cooperate. While in handcuffs he pulled away in an "act of resistance," the report says.

Police asked him to stop resisting, but he continued to pull away, police said, and once they were able to get him in the police cruiser, he would not put his legs in.

An officer pulled Arroyo into the seat to get him inside the cruiser and at one point he kicked the windows of the police cruiser, according to police.

While at the police booking station he repeatedly kicked the holding cell door refusing to cooperate, police said.

Court records do not say when he will appear in Lorain Municipal Court.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Police across the state have uncovered a puzzling trend: The number of seizures of marijuana and methamphetamine has dropped drastically in recent years, while usage of the drugs continues to soar.

Authorities said the reason stems from greater sophistication: Many marijuana growers are developing potent plants inside their homes and barns in elaborate grow operations, while Mexican drug cartels have established networks to ship cheap, yet powerful methamphetamine into Ohio, reducing the need to manufacture the drug here.

In fiscal year 2012, authorities reported shutting down 607 methamphetamine labs across the state. Five years later, police closed 239, according to records police departments filed with the Ohio Attorney General's office. That's a drop of 61 percent.

The amount of marijuana uprooted has also dwindled. In 2010, authorities pulled a record 105,121 plants, many of which were planted in large plots in Southeast Ohio's rural hillsides. This year, authorities chopped down 20,468 plants, a reduction of 81 percent, the records show. Most of the plants were spotted in an eradication program in which state agents use a helicopter.

Across the state, as heroin and synthetic opioids fuel a deadly epidemic, police, lawmakers and addiction services professionals also are struggling with the increased usage of marijuana and methamphetamine.

The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network, which tracks drug trends, reported earlier this year that the availability of marijuana and methamphetamine has been on the increase across the state. In Southeast Ohio, for instance, methamphetamine "was as widely available as heroin,'' state reports said. In Columbus, authorities said, methamphetamine "produced in 'superlabs' in Mexico has been shipped with heroin.''

Exactly how and when Mexican cartels began targeting users in Ohio and other Midwest states is unclear. But officials said the cartels have found fertile ground here. The organizations produce the high-quality methamphetamine and distribute it through couriers, who ferry it across the border.

That's the opposite of how it worked in Ohio for many years.

Meth cookers brewed a concoction that featured anhydrous ammonia, a farm fertilizer. Later, they simplified it by mixing household ingredients that included cold tablets in a 2-liter pop bottle known as "the one-pot cook." The attempts to mirror the work of Walter White on the television series "Breaking Bad'' were so inept that cookers blew the roofs off homes and buildings.

The attempts also produced a subpar product, authorities said.

"Today, there is better quality and better prices,'' said Joseph Pinjuh, an assistant U.S. Attorney in Cleveland who has handled major drug cases for years. "We're now seeing kilo-sized amounts of methamphetamine.''

Dennis Cavanaugh, the leader of the Lorain County Drug Task Force, agreed. He said super-labs are producing larger and purer quantities of the drug at lower prices. Cavanaugh's unit recently plugged a California-to-Ohio pipeline that brought pounds of pure methamphetamine into rural Eaton Township, outside of Elyria, he said.

The drop in the number of methamphetamine operations can be seen most clearly in Summit County. In fiscal 2012, police reported shuttering 207 methamphetamine labs, nearly a third of all the labs closed in the state that year.

This fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2017, Summit County officials broke up just 10 labs.

Counties across the state have seen a reduction in local drug manufacturing, as well. Take Noble County, population 14,000, in Southeast Ohio, a county smaller than the city of Rocky River. Sheriff Robert Pickenpaugh said the number of seizures of one-pot labs there has dropped dramatically. He said he believes that drug cartels are funneling the drug to Ohio via drug mules, as Interstate 77 provides easy access for dealers.

"It's coming in from Mexico,'' Pickenpaugh said. "It's good, and it's cheap.''

In a recent report, the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network agreed. It also said the drug costs about $100 a gram. The report attributed the increase in use of methamphetamine to "the cheaper cost of the drug compared to the cost of other stimulants.''

The substance abuse network is a project of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The report also cited an increase in the availability of high-grade marijuana. Many law enforcement officials attribute that to more Ohio marijuana growers heading inside to raise their crops. Not only is it safer from police and poachers, it also provides a more potent product through hydroponic lighting, climate control and fertilization.

"We see a lot of marijuana here, and we find more indoor grows than outdoor operations,'' said Dennis Lowe, the commander of the major crimes unit in Hocking, Fairfield and Athens counties and a former state drug agent. "That has been the trend for years now. In all of my years in law enforcement, the largest cash seizures have always been with marijuana.''
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Infosys Names Capgemini Exec As Next CEO Following Heated Leadership Feud

Alec Shirkey

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IT outsourcing heavyweight Infosys has named Salil Parekh, a 25-year Capgemini veteran and a member of the company's executive board, as it's next chief executive after a public clash involving the company's co-founder and board resulted in the sudden resignation earlier this year of former CEO Vishal Sikka.

Parekh will take over as CEO and managing director of the $10 billion company effective Jan. 2, the Bangalore, India-based solution provider announced Saturday, replacing interim CEO U.B. Pravin Rao, who will return to his previously-held role of COO.

Parekh had been with Capgemini, No. 6 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, since its 2000 acquisition of Ernst and Young's consulting business. He resigned in October in light of what the company at the time called "recent managerial evolutions." He has close to three decades of IT services experience, most recently serving on Capgemini's Executive Board.

[Related: Infosys Co-Founder Takes Control of Board As Ex-CEO Cuts All Ties With Firm ]

"He has a strong track record of executing business turnarounds and managing very successful acquisitions. The Board believes that he is the right person to lead Infosys at this transformative time in our industry," Infosys Board Chairman Nandan Nilekani said in a statement.

Ex-CEO Sikka penned a shocking resignation letter to Infosys employees in August that decried an environment of "continuous distractions and negativity." Some of those criticisms were attributed to company co-founder and former chairman NR Narayana Murthy, who claimed in recent emails that Infosys' independent directors felt that Sikka was more CTO material than CEO material.

"I cannot carry out my job as CEO and continue to create value, while also constantly defending against unrelenting, baseless/malicious and increasingly personal attacks," Sikka wrote in the letter.

The Infosys board released a statement soon after denouncing "the unfounded personal attacks on the members of our management team that were made in the anonymous letters."

Co-chairman Ravi Venkatesana said on an August call with investors that a whistleblower had raised concerns about falling standards of governance at Infosys. The company responded by bringing in independent investigators, who didn't find any shred of evidence whatsoever, he said.

Later that August, Infosys co-founder and former CEO Nandan Nilekani was named as chairman of the board, which caused the resignations of previous board chairman R Seshasayee, Sikka, and two other directors from the board. A group of 12 institutional investors applauded Nilekani's return in a letter, calling his credentials key in restoring investor confidence.

The public leadership shakeup saw Infosys' stock price drop more than 9 percent. Some in the investment community, such as Moneycontrol's Dinesh Rohira, believe Infosys stock could begin traiding 2 to 4 percent higher when markets open Monday morning.

Under Sikka, Infosys set a goal of hitting $20 billion in revenue by 2020, but the outsourcing giant reported revenue growth guidance of just 6.1 percent to 8.1 percent for the current fiscal year. Technology Business Research analyst Boz Hristov wrote in April that the company's retail and consumer business accounted for just 15 percent of company revenue despite the acquisition of e-commerce platform Skava two years ago.

Maintaining a staff of more than 200,000 employees, Infosys specializes in IT consulting, business process outsourcing and services, including cloud, big data and artificial intelligence solutions.
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For many small business owners, the thought of transitioning out of their business may be years away, if ever. In fact, in a recent Wells Fargo survey, more than half of small business owners said that if money were no object, they would continue working full or part-time in their current business. But even if your plans to retire or transition your business are distant, planning for your company's future now will help ensure long-term success.

Related: 3 Retirement Pitfalls and How to Address Them

Creating a business succession plan is critically important and should be part of the overall business planning process. Yet surprisingly, a majority of small business owners havent taken the time yet to create one. According to the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, a quarterly survey of small business owners in the U.S., 70 percent of business owners said they do not have a formal, written plan in place to outline what theyll do with their business when they retire or are unable to work.

Creating a succession plan requires thoughtful planning. Heres what you should include:

Identify your goals.

Set your business objectives, and review them annually, keeping in mind your long-term vision for your company. This can include your personal financial goals, as well as how your management team and employees will operate the business. You should also consider what role you want to play in the company upon retirement. As a business owner, you will want to carefully consider whether you want to sell your business or transition ownership to a successor.

Analyze the business.

Many factors, including company performance, market conditions and the industry can impact a companys worth. In your plan, you should include industry and economic research that will influence your transition.

Related: Why Saving for Retirement Is a Waste of Time and Money

Conduct a business valuation.

Its important to have a preliminary estimate of what your business is worth. This is especially critical to have when either choosing your successor or making a decision to sell the company.

Include transition options.

In your succession plan, its important to consider several alternatives, which could include transferring the business to family members, a partial transition where you maintain some level of involvement, or selling it to a third party. By evaluating options, you can determine the best course of action for your eventual transition.

Consider financing options.

Sources of funding can determine exit planning options. Consider how financing will impact your transition plan and your timeline.

Implementation and timeline.

In most cases, a business owner will need to work with a team of professionals to implement a transition plan. Depending on the size and type of business, its a good idea to meet regularly with a CPA, an attorney, an investment banker, business appraiser, business broker and/or other specialists to help develop and carry out the strategy. In your succession plan, roles and responsibilities, as well as timelines for activities should be included.

Related: If You Plan to Fund Your Retirement by Selling Your Business, This Is What You Need to Know

By spending time planning now for how you will transition out of your business, you can ensure a smoother exit. Although many small business owners may not yet be ready to think about retirement and leaving their business, now is the time to plan for the future.

Related:

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Vladimir Putin's Kremlin might maintain a strong grip on Russia, but since a Sept. 10 election, the ancient fortress on the Moscow River has been surrounded by the opposition.

Anti-Putin liberals have filled local councils in the Russian capital's historic and commercial core, as well as a few upmarket residential areas-attaining majorities in 17 of the city's 125 municipal districts. In some others, the opposition now has sizable minorities.

While these councils have only the slightest power to effect change, on par with a New York City community board at best, the symbolism is what really matters to the election's victors.

In one of Russia's political paradoxes, it's often easier for the Kremlin to control the rest of the country than its own capital. It was home to the giant rallies of the late 1980s and the defense of the Russian parliament during the hardliners' coup of 1991, which precipitated the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow has continued to be a cauldron of opposition during Putin's tenure, even as the federal government pours billions of dollars into urban development and transportation infrastructure.

"The authorities understand that a voter in Moscow requires a more sophisticated approach-straightforward suppression of the opposition doesn't really work," said Abbas Gallyamov, a political consultant who used to work for the government supervising regional election campaigns.

This envelopment of the Kremlin by political enemies may also serve Putin's purposes-keeping activists focused on broken elevators and potholes instead of publicizing corruption or seeking higher office. However, Gallyamov said, the local victories are coinciding with the rise of protest activity across the country, fueled in part by the main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, and his long-shot presidential campaign. (It's unlikely Putin will even allow him to register as a candidate for the March 2018 vote.)

Dmitry Orlov, a political strategist who sits on the Supreme Council of Putin's party, United Russia, said the government understands the problem "a ring of hostile municipalities" poses for the Kremlin, and tries to neutralize it-either by cooperation or trying to split the opposition.

It's not that the locals have any real power in the face of an authoritarian central government, he explained: "The main threat is that the municipalities might transform into centers of protest activity in the run up to the presidential election." Suppression isn't the Kremlin's preferred choice, Orlov added, since "it will lead to a more aggressive protest movement consolidated around politicians of the Navalny type."

So for now, while party strategists ponder this new local reality, the liberals are gaining experience doing something they probably thought impossible under Putin-governing, if just a little bit.

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The central administrative area of Moscow includes 10 districts, of which five have majority-opposition councils, four are evenly split, and one is controlled by pro-Kremlin deputies. The historic neighborhood centered on the Kremlin, known as Kitay-gorod, is part of the Tverskoy district, where the opposition holds 10 of 12 seats.

Moscow, like St. Petersburg to the northwest, has federal status, so its mayor functions as a regional governor. Sergey Sobianin defeated Navalny in 2013 to become Moscow's mayor in an election the opposition said was tainted. From his office in the middle of the city, Sobianin presides over Moscow's City Council (which is controlled by Putin allies) and appoints the heads of district council executive boards, or upravas. The upravas oversee the activities of liberal councils like the one in Gagarinsky.

The Gagarinsky district (population: 79,000) is a showcase of Soviet urban planning. An area of wide avenues and fortress-like apartment blocks encasing tree-filled courtyards, Gagarinsky incorporates a long belt of landscaped parks running along a bend in the Moscow River. Home to scientific institutions and a Moscow University skyscraper, the district has a large number of children and relatives of scientists who moved there in the 1950s. Ever since it elected famous dissident Andrei Sakharov to the Soviet parliament in 1989, Gagarinsky, which sits southwest of the Kremlin, has had a reputation as one of the most liberal-leaning districts in the entire country.

The gateway to Gagarinsky is a vast square, where the statue of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin faces the Russian Academy of Sciences, itself topped with a shiny, golden metal installation that's earned the building its nickname: the brains. On Sept. 10, Putin arrived there to cast his vote in the Moscow municipal election. All 12 of the deputies who won were nominated by the opposition liberal party, Yabloko. United Russia came up empty, though in races for offices representing the district at the national level, Putin's party won handily.

Putin, 65, is widely expected to seek a fourth term next year, and win. This would extend his presidency to 2024, completing almost a quarter-century in power as the longest-serving Russian ruler since Josef Stalin. Liberal candidates for national and regional offices have repeatedly come under pressure by his government.

But none of this stops Yelena Rusakova, who before the September election was the only liberal deputy on the Gagarinsky council. It's not that the opposition lost the previous election-she was just the only one running. Other members of the council before this year's liberal sweep were largely nominated by United Russia and the Moscow mayor's office. Pro-government council slates are often made up of school teachers, military pensioners, and retired public sector employees, and they traditionally don't challenge the mayor or the uprava.

Rusakova, 55, a social psychologist, has been an activist since before the Berlin Wall fell. In 1988, she joined the Memorial, an organization that researches state-sponsored violence under the former Communist regime (and which has been targeted by Putin's campaign against "foreign" agents). These days, she's affiliated with the liberal Yabloko party and chairs the Gagarinsky council with an absolute majority of fellow activists. Before the election, they had worked to block several construction projects, including a proposed rebuilding of Leninsky Avenue, a central Moscow thoroughfare that bisects Gagarinsky. Almost all of the council's new members are middle-aged professionals and academics.

On a Friday evening late last month, the new deputies of the Gagarinsky council took their seats in a cramped room on the ground floor of a Universitetsky Avenue tower. Activists and ordinary residents filled the rest of the room, often interrupting deputies with questions and long-winded addresses. (Apart from Rusakova, the deputies generally don't get paid.)

Sitting quietly was the newly appointed head of the district's uprava, Yevgeny Veshnyakov. He oversees the council in Gagarinsky with three deputies and a staff of a few dozen. The uprava functions as the local arm of the mayor's office, which approves all decisions regarding construction, transport, urban improvement and trade regulation. The council, meanwhile, can allocate funds only for lower-grade projects such as renovating courtyards and organizing public celebrations. They can question the actions of the uprava and make their own proposals about bigger projects, but they cannot enforce their will.

The previous head of the uprava was fired by Moscow Mayor Sobianin following the United Russia party's total defeat in the council elections. After Rusakova introduced Veshnyakov, the session moved on to issues the deputies do have the authority to decide-in this case, the reconstruction of playgrounds and parking lots.

In an interview, Rusakova said she had low expectations about cooperating with the uprava. "These people are sent here to wage a war against us, not to cooperate," she said. Veshnyakov declined to comment.

Local residents seemed cautiously optimistic about their new representatives. Yelena Vorobyeva, a mathematician in her fifties, has spent years lobbying for replacement of a potentially unsafe swing at the children's playground, but old deputies said there was no money. After the election, things started moving. "These guys hear us," she said, adding that she admires the new deputies' business-like approach. Aleksandr Bunin, an aviation engineer, has been bogged down in prolonged litigation with the district council over the installation of traffic barriers outside his home. He thinks he'll be able to resolve his issue with new deputies. "They are, of course, very inexperienced, but at least they are normal people."

The issues handled by the council may be minuscule, but Rusakova believes this is exactly where the opposition to Putin needs to start. "The state should be rebuilt again from ground zero," she said, hitting on the key question about her strategy: The ruling party seems content to leave liberals to their devices at the lowest level of governing, but the liberals see their small victories as the beginning of a long road back. Who is right?

One Saturday, Rusakova led a visitor to a local patch of greenery known as Molodyozhnaya ulitsa. "Look at this park," she said. The council has had to fight repeatedly to prevent development, pushed by private investors, that would eradicate the little oasis among the grim apartment blocks. "This is a favorite place for locals-but for government officials, it's a potential construction site."

"Moscow is a trendsetter. It's always a step ahead-but the rest of the country eventually catches up"

Before the latest election, the Kremlin had full control of all 125 municipalities in the capital, with only a few opposition deputies on a handful of councils. Now, with 17 opposition-run districts and some 13 councils evenly split, the tide at the lowest level of government may be turning. The belt of opposition-controlled councils stretches from the southwest of Moscow across the city center to the north. Dozens of other districts with their first opposition members are concentrated in the leafier, western neighborhoods favored by the middle class. Districts in the grittier, working-class east are solidly pro-Putin.

Government supporters, meanwhile, aren't sitting idly by as this tiny rebellion brews. Members of Facebook groups tied to the Gagarinsky district and Rusakova began to attract sponsored posts linking to a story by the government-funded RAPSI news agency. In it, Rusakova and her allies were accused of "destabilizing the situation" by protesting construction projects, some of which they fear will damage the area's verdant character.

Gagarinsky is filled with trees dating back to the 1950s. Every Saturday, Rusakova and her fellow council members put on rubber boots and grab shovels for their weekend routine-filling in a trench dug out by a developer. It was cut to run six kilometers of cable from a power station to an apartment block in another district. The construction was frozen, but the trench remains, leaving roots exposed as the ice-cold Moscow winter approaches, threatening the trees planted by the grandparents of current residents.

"People need really good self-organization to oppose this system and eventually, to change it," Rusakova said. "Where we see hotbeds of self-organization, we can also see instances when the government backs off." This is what happened with the trench. When people first gathered to fill it, the uprava sent in the police. But when more people came the following Saturday, it sent shovels and few janitors to give a hand.

---

North of the Kremlin, a man who spent years trying to stage a peaceful anti-Putin revolution now occupies a key office in the local government of Krasnoselsky (population 48,500), a district centered around three major railway stations. Like Rusakova in Gagarinsky, Ilya Yashin, a close ally of slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, now heads a council of like-minded deputies.

After moving into his office, Yashin, 34, took down Putin's portrait and replaced it with a vintage 1989 election poster for Solidarity, the Polish anti-Communist movement, featuring Gary Cooper as the new sheriff in town. A bookcase is still filled with United Russia literature left by his predecessors.

After almost two decades of street protests aimed at bringing about a Ukraine-style revolution, Yashin is now focusing on the same small-bore issues as Rusakova-repairing old apartment buildings, neighborhood beautification, and opposing unpopular construction projects.

Yashin's new duties verge on the ironic, given that he helped write reports critical of Russia's wars in Ukraine and Chechnya: He heads the local military draft commission and supervises the work of district police, whose chief must report to him on his achievements. "I have been delivered into his police department in handcuffs several times," Yashin said, adding that the police chief has already asked him for help finding apartments for his officers.

Yashin's new job is indeed a reversal from his old life of street protests. But the example of neighboring Ukraine, which saw two revolutions in the span of a decade, makes him wonder why successful revolutionaries aren't as good at conducting crucial reforms. "It is easy to gather a group of passionate people and oust a dictator, but life doesn't stop there, and you need to manage the country in a different way,", he said. In Yashin's view, what he's doing now might be more important than getting rid of Putin. "If there is no functional self-government, then-soon after revolution-you'll need to make another revolution," Yashin said.

"I want to show that even at this low level, we can achieve results," he said.

As optimistic as these local politicians may be, the rest of the country is a different story. Moscow's moderate political climate contrasts with more conservative, pro-Putin sentiment elsewhere. Gallyamov, the expert on Russian politics, said Putin tolerates his Moscow opponents in the same way China tolerates dissent in Hong Kong. The thinking is that, out in the suburbs and beyond, the Kremlin doesn't really have anything to worry about.

Yashin disagrees. "Moscow is a trendsetter. It's always a step ahead," he said. "But the rest of the country eventually catches up."
They might be forgivable in a teenager or a drunken undergraduate, perhaps. But disobliging 3am tweets from the President of the United States to the Prime Minister of a nation that is his closest ally are a very different matter.

When, in the small hours of the morning, Donald Trump rudely demanded of Theresa May that she focus on the destructive radical Islamic terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom  instead of apologising for his own disreputable spreading of far-Right propaganda  the Prime Minister had every right to view his message as a direct and offensive attack.

All the more so as teetotal Donald Trump is no drunkard. Perhaps his intemperate response to what was no more than a mild rebuke from Mrs May was piqued by the fact that he cannot bear being challenged by a woman. Certainly, like Germanys Kaiser Wilhelm II  of whom it was said every day was his birthday  Trump lashes out at anyone who rains on his parade.

Donald Trump took Theresa May by the hand as she visited him in the White House last January

Many hoped Donald Trump would temper his behaviour once he left the campaign trail

Yet his tweets were also carefully calculated to show the more rabid elements of his American political base that he shares their fears of global radical Islam, regardless of the diplomatic damage caused on the way. These are also part and parcel of a White House increasingly in disarray as the few voices of reason are ejected or resign, while hawkish ideologues such as Senator Tom Cotton wait in the wings.

Many hoped that the Trump we saw on the campaign trail would calm down once he assumed the Presidency, that he would, perhaps, be constrained by expert advisers. With his administration collapsing around him, however, Trump seems unwilling, or unable, to alter course.

Former National Security Adviser Lieutenant General Michael Flynn has landed the latest blow, pleading guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his meetings with the Russian ambassador shortly before Trumps election victory. For a long time it seemed as if Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into illegal contacts between Trumps campaign team and the Russians was going nowhere. But Mueller did not survive for a decade as FBI director for nothing. After indicting three peripheral players, he has now turned Flynn, who has agreed to testify about Trumps inner circle.

Meanwhile, the State Department  the equivalent of the Foreign Office  is in chaos, with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, an oil executive, hovering by the exit door. Tillerson, who is reported to have described Trump as a moron, is clearly uncomfortable with an erratic chief who uses his own son-in-law Jared Kushner for high-level diplomatic missions.

The instability at the heart of the White House is bad news for Britain which is becoming increasingly isolated on the international stage since voting to leave the European Union

The departments budget has been cut by 30 per cent, 50 ambassadorships are unfilled, and many of its demoralised foreign experts have taken early retirement. Now Muellers investigation is lapping at the feet of Kushner, who may have authorised Flynns contacts with the Russians.

Regardless of whether Flynns testimony eventually embroils Trump himself, this uniquely dysfunctional administration has already damaged US global power. China and Russia are stepping into the vacuum. Several close allies have been alienated by Trumps caustic utterances  Germany, for example, and now Britain. Nato is also in his firing line.

This instability is bad news for a Britain which, because of the vote to leave the European Union, looks increasingly isolated. The so-called special relationship means little with a White House in the grip of such mania. It leaves Theresa May with an almost impossible hand: she cannot truly rile such an important post-Brexit ally, yet to ignore Trumps calculated insults risks international humiliation and an open goal for Jeremy Corbyn. No wonder Trumps impending visit to Britain is indefinitely delayed.

Much of the world looks towards the United States to guarantee security, but Trump, who is followed everywhere by the nuclear football, pictured, has no coherent foreign policy

Trumps incompetence is even worse news for the wider world, particularly those parts relying on the safety and stability of Pax Americana. Bitterly divided and polarised, the United States does not have a coherent foreign policy, but rather a series of spasms which reflect Trumps limited attention span.

America keeps 11,000 troops in Qatar, yet Trump tweets that it sponsors terrorism. America has vigorously supported Ukrainian independence from Russian influence, yet Trumps lieutenants seem happy to allow Vladimir Putin to regain control. American policy is to calm the situation in North Korea, yet Trump mocks Kim Jong Un as Little Rocket Man.

The result? The testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead as far as New York  and London. Worst of all, with every changing of the guard at the top, real extremists move closer to power. Trumps former Svengali, the polemicist Steve Bannon, is using money and media muscle to repopulate the Republican Party with fire-breathing populists, and using the power of his Right-wing Breitbart website to identify foreign winners such as Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who Bannon met in London last week.

At the top, theres little hope for a more stable and sensible leadership. CIA head Mike Pompeo is likely to replace Tillerson when he leaves. In turn, aggressive first-term senator Cotton is in the running to replace Pompeo. He supports torture  as does the President  and wants regime change in Iran. Needless to say, he is a Trump loyalist.

The President supports the use of torture and is in favour of regime change in Iran

The big worry is that, sooner rather than later, the chaos at the White House will spill over into outright war. And its not just North Korea that could become an arena of conflict. Once Tillerson is ejected, it is likely the hawks around him will seek to address long-term enemy Iran, whose influence the generals learned to fear and hate from their time fighting in Iraq.

The consequences in either case could be devastating.

If 2017 has been a dangerous year with these men in charge, 2018 may well be even worse. With Brexit looming and our stock in Europe at an all-time low, just how close can Britain stand to Trumps increasingly erratic America?

Past sentiment is not a good guide to present policy. It is time for Theresa May to take a cautious step away.
How very dare he? The natty editor of GQ magazine wrangled the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to be on his cover. And to endure a long grooming and photoshoot sesh in his office in Westminster.

Then the same editor who paid a five-figure sum to David Cameron to write his biography  Dylan Jones is a metrosexual who dresses strongly to the right took to the airwaves not to promote his great coup but to diss his own December star in the lowest way imaginable.

When he actually turned up for the shoot, it was almost like he was being pushed around like a grandpa for the family Christmas photograph, Jones briefed the nation via Radio 4s Today programme (a weekly audience of seven million influentials).

GQ magazine put Jeremy Corbyn on the front page of their latest issue. The editor described Corbyn as like a grandpa

Dylan Jones said: When he actually turned up for the shoot, it was almost like he was being pushed around like a grandpa for the family Christmas photograph'

He wasnt particularly aware of what was going on, he added, as if speaking of a someone drooling in front of Jeremy Kyle in a grim Gods waiting room of a care home.

Yes, Dylan Jones went on the radio to make damn sure that, even though hed put JC on the cover of the smartest, most Establishment mens mag in the world, this was no endorsement. It was a takedown.

Dylan. Dylan. You may have also called Jezza a rock star, but Im afraid youve still had a nasty fall. Youre forgetting that treacly hit of yore, the song with the chorus, Grandad, grandad we love you!

You may be a groovy metrosexual but you do not have your finger on the pulse of the nation.

Corbyn IS a grandpa of 68 who collects not magazines but manhole covers, who makes jam and who toils on his allotment. And thats why millions love him, and their own fathers and grandfathers, with their holey jerseys and allotments and mugs of tea, too.

Anyway, its not clever of anyone in public life these days to disparage ageing baby-boomers  not when by rights we should have reading glasses not chocolate at checkouts  by insinuating they are impotent, borderline demented, old has-beens. Even Dylans hero David Cameron (51) gets this and is devoting himself after politics to the fight against Alzheimers and the world of darkness it brings.

You cant knock grandparents. Normal folk who are not appearance-obsessed Peter Pans  ie most people outside London  are thrilled and proud when they become grandparents.

Mr Corbyn, pictured, is featured in the January/February edition of the magazine

Mr Corbyn has faced a constant stream of criticism about his reluctance to dress smartly since becoming Labour leader and he was famously told to 'put on a proper suit and do up your tie'

Like Angela Rayner MP, who grew up on a council estate in Stockport. Shes just become a granny (she tweeted #grangela) aged 37. Rayner calls herself a gangsta granny who hasnt had time to crochet and was also pleased when Tory grandee Nicholas Soames congratulated her on her glamour. I am not going to have any problem with being called glam-ma, she said.

Even Margaret Thatcher  by no stretch normal  burst with pride when it happened to her, regally announcing: We are a grandmother. It is an achievement, not an Achilles heel.

Dylan Jones also clearly thought he was twisting the knife when he revealed the Labour leader couldnt name his business adviser or a book or film hed just read or seen, as if such amnesia was inevitable with the march of time.

Commander Meghan steals a march on Waity Katie Kate Middleton worked part-time at Jigsaw before meeting Prince William It is invidious beyond words to compare two women, two beauties, two princesses, but here goes. Could anyone be further than Waity Katie than Sparkle Markle? Kate (pictured at an engagement last week) worked part-time for a while for Jigsaw before her Prince came. Meghan? Actress, activist since age of 11, international ambassador for charity, campaigner. Nailed her new role in Notts. In their engagement interview, she sounded more like a five-star general about to invade a small country than a woman in love moving over here to get married (it was all about boots on the ground and talking about the Commonwealth as if it was a cool train kit she got to play with). Its happened, everyone. The succession. Advertisement

Again, a fail. To most of us, that was sympathetic, relatable! Look at my dad, 77, a grandfather of 12 (I think, Ive lost count) whos Down Under in the jungle.

Dads living it large with a bunch of people he didnt know from Adam before he went to Oz (not even Ant and Dec), among them a world-famous boxer called Amir Khan (who doesnt know weve ever had a woman Prime Minister, let alone two).

He seems to be managing OK, gagging on disgusting smoothies, chomping on testicles, being buried in bugs.

My father is even having sparring bouts with Khan and, as a result of all this, I am now not known as Boriss sister but Stanleys daughter.

The fact we are living so long has scattered the cards in the air. Some say its going to be the financial equivalent of climate change. The normal sequencing of human existence  be born, learn, earn, retire, expire  has been scrambled.

On that basis, despite Dylans efforts, its perfectly possible, nay likely, that a grandpa will not just be in the jungle but in No 10 soon. Like it or not, grizzled Grandpa Jezza is where its at, bang on trend, not smoothychops Mr Jones.

PS I am already older than my mother and grandmother were when they became grannies; as Ive said before, its all I have to look forward to.
Damian Green is facing death by cop, argues Dan Hodges

This week a senior Minister of the Crown faces being framed by the nations largest police force.

Technically, the Cabinet Office will rule on whether Damian Green breached the ministerial code by viewing pornography on a work computer nine years ago.

But in reality what he is confronting is not the culmination of a dry Westminster investigation, but death by cop.

There is little need to await the outcome of the official inquiry by Sue Gray, the imposingly titled Director General of Propriety and Ethics at the Cabinet Office.

Everyone can already see Green is the victim of stitch-up. A stitch-up so staggeringly cynical, blatant and destructive, it boggles the mind that its perpetrators  the Metropolitan Police Service  actually thought they could get away with it.

In November 2008, the Met marched into Damian Greens office and his home, and arrested him as a part of a search for evidence that he had been involved in a criminal conspiracy to solicit leaked information detrimental to national security.

Their investigation proved fruitless.

A month later, they had another go. Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick publicly accused the Conservative Party and their press allies of attempting to undermine his investigation into Green.

But they werent. And the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Green had done nothing that warranted prosecution. So Quick was forced to withdraw the allegation.

For several years the Met let the matter rest. But like their Canadian cousins the Mounties, they remained committed to getting their man.

So last month, when Damian Green found himself accused of sexual impropriety, they had a third go. Reports suddenly emerged that, in the course of their initial search, extreme pornography had been found on his computer.

It was claimed the images were so grotesque that had they been found a few months later, when pornography laws were changed, Green would have committed an offence.

Indeed, they were so disturbing that they were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for possible charges, a source told the media.

There were calls for Green to immediately stand down. But he didnt. So undeterred, the Met had a fourth go.

Former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Bob Quick, who went public last month with his account of the material discovered during an investigation into Home Office leaks

On Friday the BBC reported that thousands of images were found on his computer. They werent actually extreme. Or on the border of legality. There never was a referral to the DPP for a charging decision.

But they apparently left the officer who found them shocked. Green should have resigned a long time ago, he added.

This morning, Theresa May is said to be weighing up whether she should stand by one of her closest Cabinet colleagues.

Allegations that he touched the knee of a female journalist have been deemed impossible to prove either way. So Im told the key to her decision will be if Damian Green lied when he said he never personally downloaded or viewed the images.

Allies who have loyally backed him are nervous. If its proven he sent an email at 14.30, and then an image was downloaded at 14.31, hes toast, a friend conceded to me.

Momentum's White Walkers A shadow Minister stopped me in the House of Commons on Tuesday, and gently chastised me for criticising supporters of Jeremy Corbyns private militia Momentum. You called them White Walkers, he said. But a lot of them are just traditional members who left over Iraq, and kids who are really energised by Jeremy. Then he grinned. OK, quite a few of the rest of them are a bit White Walkerish. Winter is definitely here. Advertisement

And theyre clearly right. If Green is judged to have lied to the Prime Minister, she will have no option but to sack him.

But make no mistake, if Green is forced out, then that will be the true scandal. The police had no business being in his office in the first place. They had no business investigating and recording legal images.

They had no business leaking  almost a decade after the event  the existence of those images. They had no business lying about what those images contained. And they had no business attempting to drive him out of office.

If it happened in any other job, the person would have been sacked, their defenders cry.

But MPs do not have any other job. They are the peoples representatives. It is the voters who decide whether to sack them, not the embittered agents of the forces of law and order.

The job of the police is supposed to be to root out illegality. Not act as HR directors with truncheons, or self-styled guardians of the nations morals. Day in, day out we see police spokesmen and women pleading that the thin blue line is being stretched to breaking point.

And yet we are now being told we should also give them licence to march into every home and workplace in a prurient hunt for Dirk Diggler and Linda Lovelace.

Damian Green may yet be caught in a lie. But if he is, it will be because he has fallen into a trap set and sprung by the Met.

They have form in hunting down Cabinet Ministers. Even if it takes the best part of ten years to claim their prey.

At the beginning, I asked how the Met thought they could possibly get away with a stitch-up that was a decade in the planning, and contained so many missteps and falsehoods.

Yet this week we  and the Deputy Prime Minister  may find they have done precisely that.
Since Harvey Weinstein first faced a series of sexual harassment allegations, more disturbing tales of unwanted advances have come to light - including ones throughout Australia.

So what behaviour is acceptable in the workplace and what is viewed as crossing the line?

Here, FEMAIL speaks to experts on how standards have changed over time amid the rising number of sexual harassment allegations taking place within workplaces.

Relationship experts have discussed how standards have changed over time amid the rising number of sexual harassment allegations in the workplace (stock image)

On Thursday, INXS guitarist Kirk Pengilly said he preferred the 60s and 70s because men could slap a woman on their backside without consequences.

'I really loved the 60s and 70s when life was so simple and you could slap a woman on the butt and it was taken as a compliment, not as sexual harassment,' he said.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about Pengilly's remarks, Perth-based dating expert Debbie Rivers said it was not unusual 20 years ago.

'Talking to a number of guys who are now in their 50s, they say it was commonplace to pinch or slap a woman on her bum - this was in the 80s and 90s,' she said.

'Now, they wouldn't dream of doing that as the world has changed and there are sexual harassment laws in place.'

Debbie said many men are no longer sure how to act and refrain from offering women compliments for fear of 'getting in trouble'.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Perth-based dating expert Debbie Rivers said many men are no longer sure how to act and refrain from offering women compliments for fear of 'getting in trouble' (stock image)

But she said men should not be discouraged from offering respectful compliments and manners - such as opening a door (stock image) or standing aside for a woman to enter a lift - which are still seen as acceptable acts

But she said they should not be discouraged from offering respectful compliments and manners - such as opening a door or standing aside for a woman to enter a lift - which are still seen as acceptable acts.

Debbie added: 'In fact, many women have stated they would equally give a respectful compliment to a man.

'It also seems to be a generational thing, as in school nowadays, it has been ingrained with respecting personal rights. So if you ask 15-year-olds you will get a different answer to 28-year-olds.'

Relationship expert Melissa Ferrari (pictured) said a good guide for men to follow before complimenting women is to ask themselves if it's a comment they'd make to their mother or daughter

Their advice comes after INXS guitarist Kirk Pengilly (pictured) said on Thursday he preferred the 60s and 70s because men could slap a woman on their backside without consequences

Relationship expert Melissa Ferrari said a good guide for men to follow before complimenting women is to ask themselves if it's a comment they'd make to their mother or daughter, and to not be influenced by drugs or alcohol while doing it.

Any reference to having sex or specific body parts when offering a compliment is considered as overstepping the mark, she said.

'A compliment like "you're hot" may be appealing to some women but to many it's not. It can feel objectifying. Hold back and wait and see what emerges and get a feel for the tone of the conversation,' Melissa suggested.

And when it comes to flirting - Melissa said men should still feel free to initiate, but should do it in a 'gentle, curious and delightful way'.

WHAT IS AND ISN'T ACCEPTABLE ACCEPTABLE UNACCEPTABLE Opening the door Complimenting body parts Standing aside at the lift References to sex or fantasy Tasteful compliments Commenting while influenced Sending flowers Unsolicited touching Saying you enjoy their company Staring Advertisement

'I think the point that flirting becomes not OK is when it is staring, making comments that are rude or commenting on a woman's appearance. This is overstepping the mark,' she said.

Sending a woman flowers or saying how much you enjoy spending time with them are 'flirtatious' acts which are more suitable, Melissa said.

She also reflected on emerging high-profile sexual harassment allegations - such as those against Don Burke - saying more women are finding their voices and speaking up about what doesn't feel right to them.

Melissa added: 'As a society, I think we are growing more educated around the fact that people's trauma, particularly around sexual abuse, can be triggered through simple remarks which may seem harmless, but can have long lasting effects on women around trust, security and safety.'
She is well-known for her enthusiastic approach to her engagements so it was no surprise to see Queen Maxima get involved in a musical jam on Saturday.

The Queen of the Netherlands has just completed her tour of the Caribbean island St Eustatius where she was determined to immerse herself in local customs.

The Argentinian-born royal was delighted to join pannists at shelters at the Festival Center to play the steel pans on her third and final day on the island.

Queen Maxima showcased her musical talents as she took part in a steel pan workshop shelters at the Festival Center, Sint Maarten

Maxima, 46, beamed with delight as she showcased her musical talents at the water distribution location at Sint Maarten.

The mother-of-three showcased her usual flair for fashion in a chic lace blouse keeping her cool in the humid weather.

She added tan tones to her ensemble in the form of camel coloured trousers and a matching clutch bag.

The royal looked typically chic in a white lace blouse and tan coloured accessories

She and husband King Willem-Alexander shared an intimate moment during the musical session

Rarely seen without head gear Maxima could be seen wearing a jaunty sand coloured fedora for her engagement today.

She wore her famous blonde tresses loose, sweeping stray hairs from her face with a pair of sunglasses, allowing her to showcase an ornate pair of sunflower earrings.

She was joined by husband King Willem-Alexander who cut a more casual aesthetic with an open collared shirt and a pair of sunglasses.

The royal couple shared an intimate moment during the musical session where Maxima could be seen whispering into her husband's ear.

Maxima was her vivacious self, beaming with delight as she joined other pannists on Saturday

The friendly royal spent time talking to fellow pannists and appeared fascinated by their musical skill

Their visit comes three months after Hurricane Irma left a trail of destruction across the the Netherlands island of Sint Maarten.

On Friday the couple enjoyed a scuba session off the coast of Saba Bank, Saba Island.

The king and queen later inspected reconstruction efforts on the island following the devastating tropical storm.

Rarely seen without a hat, Maxima showcased her love of millinery in the form of a tan fedora

King Willem cut a more casual aesthetic in an open-collared shirt and a pair of sunglasses

Thousands of homes across the island were flattened, while luxury yachts moored in marinas have been sunk or driven on shore by the hurricane-force winds.

Locals were forced to queue for basic aid and even water as the island's infrastructure has been utterly destroyed by the hurricane.

The royal couple's first stop on Thursday was St Eustatius, before they arrived at Saba island where they also joined in on Saba Day festivities.

They have been accompanied by the State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Raymond Knops.
They stole the show at their auntie Pippa's wedding earlier this year and it seems that Princess Charlotte and Prince George are set to capture the nation's hearts once more.

According to The Sunday Times the royal siblings have been confirmed as bridesmaid and pageboy for the nuptials of their Uncle Harry to Meghan Markle in May next year.

George, 4, and Charlotte, 2, will join their aunt-to-be's wedding party, following her up the aisle at St George's Chapel in Windsor in the Spring.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte will walk Meghan Markle up the aisle when she marries Prince Harry in May. Pictured: The siblings at Pippa Matthews' wedding earlier this year

Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children have met Harry's fiance on many occasions.

A spokesperson for the palace told The Times: 'The wedding will be a family event. You can expect the family to be involved.'

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for a comment.

With Prince Harry acting as best man to his brother at his wedding in 2011, it is likely that the Duke of Cambridge will take the role at the wedding in May.

However, according to Town & Country the role of the best man does not exist at a royal wedding with the position known as a 'supporter'.

William is reported to have broken royal protocol by appointing Harry as a best man over the traditional supporting role.

Kensington Palace reports that the couple are having a 'family wedding' so family can be expected to be involved

The role of best man, known as 'supporter' at royal weddings is likely to go to Harry's brother the Duke of Cambridge as the groom acted as best man to William at his wedding in 2011

One person we are unlikely to see taking part in the wedding is Meghan's soon-to-be sister in-law the Duchess of Cambridge.

According to royals expert and author, Marlene Koenig, we shouldn't expect to see Kate in the bridal party.

Koenig told Harper's Bazaar: 'the Duchess of Cambridge barely knows Meghan.'

'She is the future queen consort when William becomes king after his father, and would unlikely be an attending person to another royal bride.'

Kate is also expected to deliver her third child just a few weeks before the wedding however, it remains unclear whether the newborn will be in attendance.

The role of maid of honour could fall among several of Meghan's close friends including stylist Jessica Mulroney, childhood friend Janina Gavankar and the designer who is thought to have introduced the couple Misha Nonoo.
He is yet to meet his soon-to-be son-in-law but Meghan Markle's father will walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding to Prince Harry in May.

Despite suffering from a leg injury Thomas Markle, 73, plans to give his daughter away at St George's Chapel in Windsor next Spring.

Thomas has not been in public since Meghan, 36, began dating Harry, 33, but his family are insistent that he will attend her nuptials.

Meghan's uncle Michael has 'confirmed' that her father Thomas Markle (pictured with his daughter) will walk her down the aisle when she married Prince Harry next May

Meghan's uncle and Thomas' brother, Michael, 78, from Palm Bay, Florida, told The Sun: 'I know Thomas feels happy and excited about the engagement.

'He and Meghan have a good relationship, and they talk weekly so she keeps him up to date.'

The paper reports that Michael also 'confirmed' that Thomas will accompany his daughter down the aisle.

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for a comment.

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement, it came as a surprise to many that, while Harry has met her yoga-teacher mother Doria several times, he has yet to meet his future father-in-law.

Hes talked to my dad a few times but he hasnt been able to meet him just yet, Meghan has previously said.

Harry (pictured with Meghan on Friday) is yet to meet Meghan's father but she says that the pair have spoken on the phone

Thomas has not been in public since Meghan, 36, began dating Harry, 33. Pictured: The most recent photo of Thomas

The bride-to-be's estranged step-brother Thomas JNR said he is 'certain' that Thomas SNR will make it to St George's Chapel (pictured) for the wedding

Dad never liked the limelight, but since the news came out about Meghan and Harry hes become a total recluse, his estranged son Tom Jnr, 51, told The Mail on Sunday last week.

I havent seen him in years. He hates the attention Meghans romance has brought on to him. He loves her but hates the idea of being in the spotlight.

Tom, who declared bankruptcy last year, lives a modest life in Mexico. Sources say he rarely ventures from his home.

But Tom Jnr says he is certain his father will make it to St Georges Chapel for Meghans wedding in May. Dad loves Meghan more than anything, he said. Meghan has always been her daddys princess and he will be there when she marries her real-life Prince.

Thomas and ex-wife Doria Ragland, 61, who divorced in 1987 said they were 'incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry', in an official statement.

It continued: 'Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for both parents.

'We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future.'
He has earned himself the nickname of 'airmiles Andrew' thanks to his catalogue of overseas trips but it seems that the Duke of York's opinion of himself is far from that.

Prince Andrew has described himself as an 'ideas factory' in a new interview discussing his 'friendly Dragons' Den' project.

Speaking to the Sunday Times the Queen's son, and seventh in line to the throne, said that he is the 'entrepreneur-in-residence' at Buckingham Palace due to his business acumen.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has described himself as an 'ideas factory' in a new interview

He likens his role at the palace to that of Prince Albert in the Industrial Revolution, claiming he is doing the same for the 'digital revolution'.

But while Andrew, 57, certainly considers his role to be important, he also considers himself to be an equal within society.

He added: 'We're all cogs in a huge big bloody machine, yeah? Some of us have the advantage of being able to activate more cogs than other people. That is it.'

The father-of-two was speaking in capacity of his latest project Pitch@Palace the Dragons Den-type initiative he set up to help budding entrepreneurs.

He speaks in capacity of his annual Pitch@Palace project, which he describes as a 'friendly Dragons' Den'. Pictured: Andrew launching the project back in 2015

Andrew established Pitch@Palace following his decision to step down as the UKs special trade representative in 2011.

His twice-yearly event, which links British technology firms with investors, has helped raise funds for hundreds of start-ups since 2014 and seen several notable successes.

He has taken the scheme overseas, most recently to China, where he held a boot camp for aspiring businesses in the Communist state.

The Pitch@Palace scheme was set up to give entrepreneurs 'the opportunity to meet the people who can help make their business dreams become a reality.'

The Duke of York was the fourth busiest royal with 112 days of public engagements in 2016, also travels the world representing the Queen at public expense.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

One of many misconceptions about Donald Trump is that he never listens to counter-argument.

From my time working with him on Celebrity Apprentice USA, I know this to be completely untrue.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration signalled it would reverse an Obama- era ban on importing elephant-hunting trophies from Africa.

I sat next to Stephens sister Jo, a delightful lady who is also his long-time personal assistant. Whats the one really embarrassing thing about your brother that the family is astonished has never made it into the papers? I asked. Oh, there are so many things, she giggled

On Thursday, I penned a column explaining why trophy-hunting does nothing but increase elephant poaching.

Today, Trump tweeted: Put big game trophy decision on hold.

I responded: Thank you, Mr President. Trophy-hunting is repellent.

Minutes later, Trump retweeted my tweet, suggesting he agrees with me. Given Im one of only 45 people he follows on Twitter, its quite possible he changed his mind after reading my column.

If the worlds permanently outraged liberals stop screaming at Trump and actually start negotiating with him, they might be pleasantly surprised.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Sad to hear David Cassidy has died, but not surprised. Three years ago, the former teen heart-throb gave me a heart-rending interview for CNN in which he finally publicly admitted to his lengthy battle with alcoholism.

We met in LA and he arrived sweating and shaking, and looking exhausted.

Ive been lying to myself and everyone else about my disease, he confessed. This is very painful to admit. Its humbling and humiliating. If I take another drink, Im going to die; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, Im dead.

David, a sweet, charming guy, continued drinking and it did indeed kill him. RIP.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Im hosting a SURPRISE birthday lunch for Stephen Fry to mark the occasion of his recent 60th, read the invite from Fortnum & Masons charming CEO Ewan Venters. I hope you will join me for this jolly occasion.

I arrived to find 24 guests including Dame Judi Dench, Stanley Tucci, Anna Friel, Griff Rhys Jones, Hugh Bonneville, Tess Daly, Andrew Neil and Sir Michael Parkinson.

Piers, my dear fellow! bellowed Fry, what a surprise!

He didnt elaborate on whether this was a good or bad surprise.

I made a beeline for Parky, whos recovering from a back operation to repair two ruptured discs in his spine.

Ive had to learn to bloody walk again, he sighed. Fortunately for a long time I had the opportunity to master a drunken stagger, which has held me in good stead as I lurch from place to place.

Congratulations on your morning show, said Maureen Lipman.

Glad you like it! I replied.

Oh, I dont watch it myself, she exclaimed, but I hear its very entertaining.

I sat next to Stephens sister Jo, a delightful lady who is also his long-time personal assistant. Whats the one really embarrassing thing about your brother that the family is astonished has never made it into the papers? I asked.

Oh, there are so many things, she giggled. Stephen was a VERY naughty boy when he was younger. I remember when he was 14 and got a safety pin stuck in his left big toe. He insisted we take him to hospital and made a tremendous fuss about it.

Was that the moment you realised he was a true drama queen?

Exactly!

The conversation turned from sex robots (Youd have to get one that didnt talk, Piers, said Tracey Emin, because shed never get a word in...) to the global harassment furore.

My issue with all this, I opined, is the way a hand on a knee over a boozy lunch is now being lumped in with serious rape.

Kathy Lette promptly put her hand on my knee and began aggressively caressing it.

Now do you understand, Piers?

Youve definitely got me in two minds, I responded. I cant decide whether to report you or book us a hotel room.

Some bloke stroked my arm inappropriately the other day, said Emin.

How did you deal with him? I asked.

I told him if he didnt stop Id smash his f***ing face in, she cackled.

Venters made a short speech to the birthday boy that ended with the words: Stephen, you are one of the kindest people on the planet.

This, I suspect, may be true.

When a friend of mine went through a grim public shaming experience a while ago, he was staggered to receive a sympathetic letter from Fry  a man he barely knew and who had no reason to feel anything but antipathy towards him.

Jo told me he does this all the time, often to complete strangers.

At the end of a sumptuous feast, the great Dench walked past me to leave.

Dame Judi! I exclaimed, leaping to my feet.

Mr Morgan! she responded, needlessly reminding everyone of my commoner title.

Id like to pay homage to you, I gushed, though I appreciate this feeling may not be entirely mutual.

Dame Judi smiled, noncommittally.

I then told her my middle son Stanley, 20, is studying at Lamda, one of Britains top drama schools.

Her eyes lit up. IS he?

Id just got interesting.

Yes whats the best piece of advice you would give a budding actor?

Tell him to go and watch as much theatre as he can, she replied, with animated enthusiasm. You cant beat observing and learning from properly trained actors.

Stanley was thrilled when I relayed this to him. My youngest son Bertie, 16, was less enthused when I posted a photo of the lunch on Instagram.

Are you with Jimmy Carr? he texted seconds later.

I was, but Ive left, I replied.

So you were with my hero the funniest human on Planet Earth and you didnt say?

Lengthy pause.

Disappointed.
Paul Hollywood: A Bakers Life

Monday, Channel 4

Rating:

Coastal Railways With Julie Walters

Sunday, Channel 4

Rating:

Godless

Netflix

Rating:

Paul Hollywood: A Bakers Life offered a deep, penetrating, riveting portrait of the Great British Bake Off judge, exploring the man behind the bristling alpha air, the manspreading posture (legs apart, thumbs in belt loops), those impossibly blue eyes and Im toying with you.

This was not The South Bank Show. Instead, the opener of this series which, initially, served only to confuse  what is this?  was essentially positive PR puffery of the kind that recast Mary and Mel and Sue as the villains (never!) while offering his new friends the opportunity to heap him with praise.

This was not The South Bank Show. Instead, the opener of this series which, initially, served only to confuse  what is this?  was essentially positive PR puffery of the kind that recast Mary and Mel and Sue as the villains (never!)

I thought he was all muscle and tough, said Prue, but like one of his cakes, he has a squidgy centre. I dont know which was worse: the fact this was considered television or the fact I had rather keenly anticipated it. (Also, could you do your thumbs in belt loops like that if you had a squidgy centre? You dont need a hard, solid surface?) The show, where even the voiceover appeared to run out of anything worth saying so repeatedly told us that Hollywood is a master baker who lives in Kent, was a ragbag of cobbled togetherness.

It featured underwhelming recipes from his personal collection that he kept wishing to share with us  I am going to let you in on my love for racing and share a special recipe you can try at home  as well as exclusive footage from Bake Off as this is the first time theyve ever allowed cameras backstage.

I dont know which was worse: the fact that a TV channel was congratulating itself for getting behind the scenes on one of its own programmes or that I was quite keenly anticipating this too.

Either way, the footage amounted to little more than lighting men being caught in shot while Prue rushed somewhere in the background. There were a number of elephants in the room  his marriage, his dalliances, his distinctly Strictly facial glow  but it did go head-on with one.

That is, his departure to Channel 4. He said: I felt really sad that Mel and Sue and Mary for the three of them to walk away from me I felt like theyd abandoned Bake Off. Three people walked out of the tent and one person stayed. Why am I the traitor? I was loyal to GBBO. I work for the production company not the BBC. My job hadnt changed.

Poor abandoned Paul, our master baker from Do we know where hes from? Is it Kent?

The latest addition to the celebrity-on-a-train format  are Michael Portillo and Chris Tarrant ever not on some train?  is Coastal Railways With Julie Walters, which does what it says on the tin. It is coastal railways, with Julie Walters.

The four-parter started with a trip along the west coast of Scotland, through the Highlands, which may have put you in mind of Richard Wilsons Highland Fling (C4) and also Paul Mertons Secret Stations (C4), which has to make you wonder: 1) are Wilson and Merton ever not on some train and 2) is there a special person at Channel 4 gifted solely with recruiting celebrities to partake in Highland train journeys?

Is this the same person who, in quiet moments, devises ways to exploit the GBBO brand without putting any particular effort into it? Or is that a different person altogether? Perhaps they share an office.

Ive got Julie Walters! cries one. Sandi doesnt want to make a 22-part series about her favourite trinkets, says the other, but Pauls up for cobbling some nonsense together! Then they high-five and go for lunch.

We love Julie Walters, obviously. And we love her not just as an actress but for her personal warmth. And the hour passed happily enough as she was lovely to everybody, gasped over the scenery, watched bacon being cooked over the coals of the steam train used in the Harry Potter films and descended from the train at various junctures to meet Interesting People. You know the drill.

And Id like to tell you more but it was rather soporific and I had a little sleep. I think I dreamed about celebrities on canal boats. Blimey, where did that come from? Or is it also something Ive seen plenty of before?

Advice, please, and urgently, before I am lost to The Crown (which starts on Friday). Is Godless, starring Jeff Daniels and Michelle Dockery, worth pursuing? Id read it was a feminist take on the western, set in a town peopled only by women, but judging by the first episode it is business as usual and almost solely concerned with male rivalry, interspersed by the occasional rape.

Someone has even worked out that 73 per cent of the dialogue in this episode was delivered by the men. The cinematography is fabulous, admittedly, but one cannot live on cinematography alone. So should I bother? Do the women come into their own? Or not? I need to know.
On Saturday, the Republican Party passed a tax bill which critics say will make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

The Borowitz Report, a satirical column in The New Yorker, said Kim Jong-un was concerned that his plan for destroying the US had been made totally irrelevant by the Republican tax bill moving through the Senate.

The Republicans, he believed, would upstage his plan to destroy America.

Trump's newly passed tax bill would add $1.4 trillion (`90 lakh crore) to the federal deficit over the next decade, a debt that could lead to future cuts in medical and social security programmes

Debt plunge

The plan would add $1.4 trillion (`90 lakh crore) to the federal deficit over the next decade, a debt that could lead to future cuts in medical and social security programmes. The display on the National Debt Clock mounted on Times Square in New York is around $20.5 trillion (`1,320 lakh crore) and rising. It is the highest as a proportion of the economy since 1950.

The solipsistic Trump revolution is unfolding on fantasies about economic growth. Just how the President expects to embark on his proposed $1 trillion (`65 lakh crore) plan of revitalising the crumbling infrastructure of his nation is difficult to fathom. The tax cuts will, if anything, reduce the capacity of the state and local governments to fund new projects and maintain older ones.

Earlier this year, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave a failing grade to American infrastructure, saying that even to reach passing grade, the country would have to spend $4.59 trillion (`300 lakh crore). Infrastructure investment was a major theme of the Trump campaign, but as of now the only thing that is being built is the Great Wall to keep out Mexican migrants.

A triumphant President Trump was quick to announce the new measures

But despite his boorish behavior, Trump is very much in command. Just who was responsible for the identical items carried in the Washington Post and New York Times last week that he was about to replace secretary of state Rex Tillerson is not clear. But Trump took the opportunity to not only deny the story, but to emphasise that even though the two of them have differences, I call the final shots.

The US remains the most important economic and military power in the world. The Narendra Modi government has put all its foreign policy eggs in the American basket. If the US is determined to commit harakiri, it has implications for India, if not the world.

China Factor

New Delhi has been moving rapidly to embrace the Trump administrations new Indo-Pacific policy articulated by Trump and Tillerson. In essence, it seeks to bring India into the American military calculations in the power balance against China.

New Delhi, too, needs the US because the state of its own economy and military reveal an increasing gap in the relative power between India and China. India has quickly embraced the Quadrilateral idea has played an active role in the meetings at the ministerial and official levels in 2017.

Last week, it was announced that Indian Navy ships would be able to refuel and restock in Singapores Changi Naval base. Significantly, in mid 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be the star guest at the Shangrila Dialogue, organised by the IISS, London and blessed by the government of Singapore.

Tump spoke again of the victory at a Republican fundraising breakfast at Cipriani's in New York later

As of now, the Trump vision for the Indo-Pacific has been articulated through speeches. But it is waiting to be fleshed out to offer a credible and sustainable response to the rise of china

Indias presence at this Track 1 security summit has so far been fitful. Modi is likely to use the occasion to further cement Indias commitment to Trumps Indo-Pacific vision. How does all this connect up with the state of the US ? The credibility of any leader or nation is based on its domestic and international profile.

Alternative

The combined military might of the US, Japan, India and Australia is much greater than that of China, but smaller Asia Pacific states are awaiting an economic and investment policy that will offset the gravitational pull of Beijings Belt and Road initiative.

In his speech at the CSIS earlier this year, Tillerson had said that a quiet conversation had begun between various countries to come up with alternative financing institutions, while warning that it would not be easy to compete with Chinese conditions anyway.

Trump described his passig of the tax bill as 'one of the big nights' and used the victory to try to dodge questions about disgraced National Security Adviser Michael Flynn

For his part, Trump did not even bother to speak of this issue in his Asian tour, having gutted the TPP, all he had on offer were bilateral trade deals for which there have been no takers. India needs all the money it has to build its own infrastructure. Japan by itself cannot be the sole provider of foreign assistance.

But with the American elite focused on itself, there is little chance that it will cough up resources to power the Indo-Pacific alternative Tillerson has spoken off. This is what America First looks like, anyway.
Cyclonic storm Ockhi, which stranded hundreds of fishermen and caused destruction in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep, is likely to intensify in the next 24 hours.

An India Met Department (IMD) department bulletin said it is likely to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep, before turning northeast in the following 48 hours.

Indian officials carry a stranded fisherman, rescued by naval and air force helicopters from the Ockhi cyclone, at Thiruvananthpuram airport on December 1, 2017

Heavy rains and winds during the Cyclone Ockhi on November 30, 2017 at Thiruvananthapuram, India. Heavy rains and gushing winds hammered the southern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Thursday as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm leaving a trail of destruction in both states

People gather near the coastguard boat during Cyclone Ockhi on December 1, 2017 in Thiruvananthapuram, India

Indian officials carry a stranded fisherman, rescued by naval and air force helicopters from the Ockhi cyclone, at Thiruvananthpuram airport on December 1, 2017

Huge water waves crashing against the rocks on the shore due to Cyclone Ockhi

Trees uprooted by heavy winds during the Cyclone Ockhi

People took shelter during heavy rains and gushing winds

Umbrellas out in force

Huge water waves crashing against the rocks on the shore at due to Cyclone Ockhi

Official sources said giant waves were expected along the coast of Kerala.

Gale winds with speeds of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph are very likely over Lakshadweep in the next 24 hours, the IMD bulletin said.

Several agencies, including the Coast Guard, the Navy and the Air Force, worked together to rescue over 200 stranded fishermen on Friday.

On Saturday, the Tamil Nadu government asked the Centre to deploy the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for the search and rescue of missing fishermen, mostly from Kanyakumari, in the wake of cyclone Ockhi.

Chief minister K Palaniswami made the request as he discussed the situation with union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Singh had called up the chief minister and sought details on the damage caused by the the cyclone, an official release said.
Stick, twist, top up  or discard? These are the options facing thousands of holders of longstanding protection insurance policies.

The cover provided by critical illness insurance  which pays out a tax-free lump sum when a serious illness is diagnosed  has been transformed in the past five years, leaving many customers wondering whether their policies are still fit for purpose.

Unlike older plans that tend to cover three core health issues  heart attack, cancer and stroke  modern versions are broader in scope, paying out for dozens of problems. These include liver failure, loss of a single limb and terminal illness. A few even provide cover for serious mental disorders.

Helping hand: Angela Alston was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago

Newer plans may also be cheaper, pay out reduced amounts for less serious conditions and offer automatic cover for children.

But experts warn not to act in haste in discarding an older policy in favour of a new one as age and deteriorating health can make many vulnerable to a leap in premiums. Although insurers appear more generous in terms of conditions covered today, a legacy policy can contain hidden gems.

Paul Roberts, head of protection at insurer Old Mutual Wealth, says: Insurance has changed dramatically, from covering a small number of specific conditions to providing policies that are more flexible and include more conditions. But new is not always best.

Alan Lakey of CI Expert, a service that compares critical illness policies, says: It can be a struggle to determine an appropriate trade-off. Should one companys policy offering 55 conditions be considered superior to another company offering 25 conditions?

More important is to apply a value to each condition based on the likelihood of a policyholder making a claim, taking into account age, gender, smoker status, the sum assured, whether child cover is required and also the different amounts paid for a particular condition.

Industry figures show that most people claim for the three key illnesses of heart attack, stroke and cancer, suggesting newer plans with more obscure cover may not be necessary.

Melissa Collett, a director of the Chartered Insurance Institute, says: Policyholders considering switching need to be aware that they may lose valuable cover obtained when they were younger and healthier. People should always take expert advice before making changes.

MY 95,000 PAYOUT GAVE ME A NEW LEASE OF LIFE Angela Alston, 58, is able to remain in her Dorset home thanks to a payout from a critical illness insurance policy she took out seven years ago. Because her mother suffered breast cancer at age 45, Angela faced a significant loading of premium with insurers quoting as high as 140 a month. But Alan Lakey, of CI Expert in Hertfordshire, managed to find cover with insurer Aviva, costing 84 a month. Unfortunately, former hairdresser Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and underwent a double mastectomy. But she did not claim straight away. It was only during a call to Lakey earlier this year that Angela was told she could make a claim  and received 94,500. Angela, who is now in remission, says: Having this money has really helped and given me a new lease of life.

CHECK PAYMENTS RELATING TO CANCER

Switching protection insurance cover is not straightforward. To put this to the test, we asked Alan Lakey to assess the merits of a critical illness policy bought by Duncan Brown (not his real name) at age 40 from Pegasus Assurance, now part of Royal London.

This was done by comparing it with a popular plan from Aviva that he could purchase today. Duncan is now 58 and his policy has a sum assured of 150,000.

On the surface, Lakeys analysis confirmed that Avivas policy was superior  and priced similarly  to the Pegasus plan. It has 75 advantages and just two disadvantages.

But crucially the two disadvantages are significant for a man of Duncans age. He explains: Duncans Pegasus plan uses a pre-2002 definition of cancer which provides for the full payment of 150,000 on diagnosis, including prostate cancer.

The Aviva plan pays 150,000 if cancer is diagnosed  but not if it is early stage prostate cancer.

Hand on heart: Switching protection insurance cover is not straightforward

Prostate cancer is defined using a Gleason score  a measure of seriousness from 2 to 10. The Aviva plan pays out only on a score of 7 or above and limits any payout to 25,000  and only if any tumour is treated by surgery or some other therapy. Pegasus pays out on invasive cancer, irrespective of score.

Lakey adds: Since 46,000 men each year are diagnosed with prostate cancer and nearly one in three of these has a score below 7, the importance of the older definition used by Pegasus becomes clear. On heart conditions, the Pegasus plan would also pay the full 150,000 for balloon angioplasty  a procedure that clears an artery blockage  on one or more arteries.

But this is now a more routine procedure so Aviva restricts any payment to a maximum of 25,000  and only if the procedure is carried out on the main artery or on two arteries.

Lakey says: Of 96,000 angioplasty operations each year, 20,000 are on two or more arteries whereas 76,000 are on a single artery.

His analysis concluded that these two valuable areas of cover substantially outweigh the potential benefits of the Aviva deal. Duncan should therefore stick, not twist.

Emma Thomson, head of customer care at broker LifeSearch, says knowing whether to switch is not a simple decision. She says: While newer policies offer more comprehensive cover, the cost of switching can be high because insurance gets more expensive as people get older.

If a persons health has deteriorated it is probably better to stay put, though if they are significantly underinsured, taking out a top-up policy might be a better strategy.

Thomson says policies should be regularly dusted down to check they are still fit for purpose. She adds: Getting an expert to cast an eye over a policy is vital. No one should cancel any existing cover until a new one has started.

Find a specialist adviser via websites such as unbiased.co.uk, thepfs.org or vouchedfor.co.uk.
Auto-enrolment has been one of the few measures introduced by government over the past 20 years to improve the pensions landscape.

While reductions in lifetime and annual allowances  and the ostracising of additional rate taxpayers  have all damaged the pension savings habit, auto-enrolment has stimulated it.

As a result, nearly nine million workers are now saving for the first time into a work based pension, building wealth for a future when they can work no more. Wealth being funded by a mix of contributions from the Government (by way of tax relief), employer and employee.

A step forward: Nearly nine million workers are now saving for the first time into a work based pension

Yet, auto-enrolment, for all the plaudits it has received, remains unfinished business. This week we should learn whether the Government acknowledges this when it publishes its recommendations for reform of this policy initiative.

The review could go either of two ways. Distracted by Brexit issues, the Government may argue with some justification that auto-enrolment should stay as it is. It is a regime that prompts people to save for the long term while not overburdening businesses with costs they can ill afford, especially at a time of economic uncertainty. Alternatively, the Government could be bold and build on the policy success.

What could it do? For a start, the Government should honour its manifesto commitment to include the self-employed within auto-enrolment.

It should also extend the regime to automatically encompass low earners (with annual salaries below 10,000) and do away with age limits which mean those aged under 22 or above state pension age are excluded unless they specifically demand to be opted in.

According to the Association of Consulting Actuaries (a trade body for pension gurus), some 12 million workers are expected to be excluded from auto-enrolment if the rules stay as they are. These people are likely to face a retirement reliant on state pension and benefits.

I would also like the contribution system to be less restrictive. Currently, only a slice of annual earnings (between 5,876 and 45,000) is used to determine the amount of contribution that ends up in someones works pension fund. At the very least, the upper band should be scrapped.

As things stand, the savings habit in this country remains woefully undernourished

One other welcome change would be the right for workers to determine which pension provider manages their contributions. Currently, the employer decides.

As for pension contributions, they will rise to a minimum eight per cent from April 2019  when all businesses big and small will have embraced auto-enrolment. But any half decent consulting actuary will tell you that eight per cent will not secure you a financially stress-free retirement. The contribution should be in the region of 15 per cent.

I doubt whether the Government will have the guts to make such a recommendation. It will no doubt save that one for another day  or a Labour Government. If so, it will be a crying shame.

As things stand, and for all the goodness that auto-enrolment has brought to the table, the savings habit in this country remains woefully undernourished  a statement given credence by new research from Fairstone, one of the countrys largest chartered financial planning companies.

The results are frightening. According to Fairstone, more than half of adults (52 per cent) have no retirement plans in place whatsoever. Of those that do, few (48 per cent) have cast an eye over their progress in the past year. When a similar survey was conducted seven years ago, the respective figures were 37 per cent and 53 per cent. In other words, things have got worse.

The Government should be putting more pressure on RBS management to mould the bank into a bank that puts customers first, says Jeff Prestridge

It sticks in my craw that everything Royal Bank of Scotland does to return itself to profitability is at the expense of loyal customers. The bank currently pays some of the worst savings rates in the market. Now, controversially, it has decided to axe 259 branches  one in four of its network.

Although it justifies the cull on declining usage grounds, this is not the only reason. Cost savings are being made to atone for the banks appalling behaviour in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis.

To remind you, this is a bank which we as taxpayers have a 72 per cent interest in. Surely the Government, as our representative, should be putting more pressure on its management to mould RBS into a bank that puts customers first and delivers a level of service par excellence.
Most people invest in the United States so that they can share in the success of the globes most iconic brands  the Apples, Facebooks and Microsofts of this world.

But an increasing number of investors are also viewing the market across the pond as an alternative source of dividend income, a complement to the dividends they reap from UK companies.

Income is not commonly associated with the United States but a number of its longstanding companies  the likes of Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble  have annual dividend growth records going back more than 50 years.

It is a healthy dividend backdrop which has resulted in the setting up of a number of US trusts and funds with an income bent. Among them is JP Morgan US Equity Income, a 3.7 billion fund that has been managed by Clare Hart from New York since launch nearly nine years ago.

Under Harts command, the fund has enjoyed relative success, outperforming the S&P 500 Index over its lifetime  which is no mean achievement.

Hart has stuck to her guns, employing a few basic rules to ensure the fund does not go off the proverbial rails. Conservatism is her watchword. She is no gung-ho investor. The fund is diversified, comprising more than 90 holdings spread across most  not all  of the markets key sectors.

Although nearly a third of the portfolio is in financial companies, the stocks in this sector are also sufficiently different not to keep Hart awake at night.

She says: As a manager, you are looking at how stocks will perform in different scenarios. What you do not want is all of them responding the same way to one piece of negative news. Yes, you want to build a portfolio with upside potential but you have to look at the downside as well. That means constructing a diversified portfolio.

Reinforcing this message, no stock is allowed to represent more than five per cent of the portfolio which means the biggest holding is Bank of America  at just 3.4 per cent. Hart calls it risk mitigation.

Conservative: Clare Hart is building a diversified fund

In terms of income, Hart will not buy a company unless it has a dividend yield of at least two per cent. If the yield falls below this level she will not sell immediately although if it is indicative of a stock being overvalued she will take the profits and look for other opportunities.

Her investment style is such that she tends to hold stocks rather than trade them in order to deliver returns. I am looking for quality companies which have the ability to pay a stream of growing dividends. I do not fly in and out of companies.

Although some experts believe the US market is overvalued, Hart does not agree. Yes, the US equity market is not cheap, but it is not the most expensive I have seen it either. Earnings growth can support the market at its current level, she says.

Harts search for income-friendly companies means she holds some of the companies with longstanding records of dividend growth (Johnson & Johnson is a top ten holding).

It also results in exposure to cash generative companies such as Apple and Microsoft and some businesses she describes as unsung heroes  the likes of Texas Instruments and Analogue Devices.

Hart is assisted by colleague Jonathan Simon, but she does all the trades within the fund. Jonathan would only step in if I got run over or abducted by aliens, she adds.
Ten-pin bowling has a lot going for it. It appeals to all ages, is fun and pretty cheap. Yet many companies in the sector have had a chequered past  overexpanding, overborrowing and ending up in trouble.

Hollywood Bowl hopes to avoid these mistakes. The UKs largest ten-pin bowling operator, it listed on the stock market in September 2016 at 160p. The shares are now 188p. They are likely to increase as the business expands  and dividends are tipped to be generous too.

The group owns 58 centres across the country and prides itself on running bright, modern sites in or near places that people like to visit, such as shopping malls or cinemas.

On a roll: Hollywood Bowl spent 3.5 million improving sites

It is run by Stephen Burns, who joined in 2011 as business development director and moved up to become chief executive in 2014.

Burns spent several years at Cannons Health and Fitness, a gym chain where he had considerable success before it was acquired in 2009. Finance director Laurence Keen was formerly at Paddy Power, as well as Debenhams, Pizza Hut and Tesco, so the duo are highly experienced at operating consumer-related businesses.

Both are keen to differentiate Hollywood Bowl centres from rivals in both how they look and what they offer. So in the first year as a listed company the group spent 3.5 million refurbishing older sites. Almost 40 have now been renovated, attracting more customers, who in turn tend to spend more while they are bowling.

The group has also upgraded the food on offer. Prices are kept low so customers can enjoy a game of bowls, a burger and a drink for less than the price of a cinema ticket.

There are VIP lanes too, which cost about 1 more than ordinary lanes but have proved popular. With large VIP signs above the lanes, different balls, coloured pins and mobile phone chargers, they make customers feel special  and should encourage return visits.

Overall, the objective is to ensure that Hollywood Bowl centres appeal to as wide a range of customers as possible, from league players to families and groups of young adults out for the evening.

Burns and Keen are big fans of using digital marketing to achieve this objective  taking customers email addresses and messaging them with news, updates and offers. While this can be annoying, it also works. The company has built a database of 1.6 million names  and the larger that becomes, the more customers it is likely to attract.

Flexible pricing helps, too. A recent introduction, it means that customers pay less if they book in advance or come at less busy times, while prices rise at peak periods, such as Friday and Saturday evenings. Prices vary across the country as well, to take account of spending patterns in different regions but games tend to cost no more than 7 in any part of the UK.

At present, the average customer visits Hollywood Bowl 1.3 times a year so the company is keen both to increase visits and attract new customers. Refurbishing sites and building new ones helps on both scores.

Keen, however, is determined not to fall into the trap of other bowling groups  expanding too fast and paying too much rent.

The company drives a hard bargain on the rent that it pays and expansion will be slow and steady over the next few years. Shopping mall landlords tend to like Hollywood too as bowling increases evening footfall.

Over the past year, the group has opened four new sites and there is a strong pipeline of further openings, as Keen is in advanced discussions on ten more and expects to open around two a year.

Hollywoods financial year runs to September 30 and a trading update in October signalled that all was going well. Results will be published on December 11, marking the first annual figures from the group as a public company.

Brokers expect pre-tax profits of 20.7 million and a dividend of 5.4p. Encouragingly too, the group has hinted that a special dividend might be on the cards so there should be more cash coming shareholders way.

Midas verdict: There are 319 bowling centres in the UK but many of them are old-fashioned, gloomy and located in sub-optimal areas. Hollywood Bowl is not only the largest player in the industry; it also has some of the best sites.

The business is well managed, profitable and growing at a steady clip. Dividend payouts are attractive too. Buy.

Traded on: Main Market Ticker: BOWL Contact: hollywoodbowlgroup.com
Britain's biggest drugs firm will re-enter the fight against cancer at a major US conference this week as part of new chief executive Emma Walmsleys overhaul of the company.

GlaxoSmithKline sold its oncology drugs two years ago under her predecessor, Sir Andrew Witty.

Walmsley, who took over the reins in March, has decided to reinstate cancer treatments at the centre of her strategy to restore the companys fortunes.

Strategy: Glaxo chief Emma Walmsley is focusing on blockbuster drugs

At the American Society of Hematologys annual meeting in Atlanta next weekend, Glaxo will unveil data for an early-stage cancer drug in its pipeline for the first time since she took charge.

The drug, which is targeting multiple myeloma  a type of bone marrow cancer for which there is currently no cure  was granted breakthrough status by the US Food & Drug Administration last month, which will speed up trials.

It follows a similar endorsement by the European Medicines Agency in October.

The decision to fast-track the drug candidate was based on an early stage study which will be presented at the US conference.

Glaxo is still in the early stages of developing its pipeline of 11 cancer drugs and it will be years before patients receive the treatments.

A spokesman said: We have some exciting, innovative early stage assets which have the potential to bring real value to GSK.

Witty was criticised for selling Glaxos oncology drugs for 10 billion to Novartis as part of a swap deal under which the British company formed a consumer healthcare venture with its Swiss rival.

Critics described it as trading in cancer treatments for toothpaste.

Walmsley believes the best way forward for Glaxo is to move back to its scientific roots and to search for the blockbuster drugs of the future.

She has dropped around 30 pharmaceutical development programmes to focus on backing what she believes will be the real winners. Established treatments for respiratory diseases and HIV will also remain a core focus.

Walmsley has also been on a hiring spree. Australian Luke Miels has been poached from rival AstraZeneca, which has been spending big on cancer drug development, to become head of pharma.

And veteran American Hal Barron, who oversaw the development of blockbuster cancer drugs at rival Roche, has been appointed chief scientific officer at Glaxo.
The Karen Millen fashion store chain has spent 1.9 million on stopping its founder using her own name as a brand, it has emerged.

Its latest accounts show that revenues were flat at 159 million in the year to the end of February.

And its losses shrank to 8.7 million from 11.6 million the previous year. It would have been an even better performance but for the seven-figure hit it took in a long-running legal battle with the designer who built up the company into a high street favourite before selling it for 95 million in 2004.

'Year of change': Karen Millen chief executive Beth Butterwick

She wanted to use her name to launch a home and lifestyle business in the US and China. But the High Court ruled that the rights to the Karen Millen brand belonged to the company, now owned by Icelandic bank Kaupthing.

Chief executive Beth Butterwick said it has been a year of change  with continued investment in the business, particularly online, and a review of the store portfolio helping to reduce the losses.

We stabilised the business to prepare the ground for a return to profitable growth, said Butterwick who joined the company last year after a management buyout plan was dropped.

She added that more than half of the chains revenues come from overseas  it has stores in more than 65 countries  putting it in a favourable position to weather challenging market conditions in the UK.

She said the retailer was revitalised and looking to the future with confidence.

But the firm warned that the Brexit vote has created an environment of increased uncertainty and there are signs this has started to dent consumer confidence.
Rail ticket website Trainline has been in talks with Jeremy Corbyns Labour to try to head off threats to its business.

Trainline, which is owned by private equity firm KKR, said in its annual report that it was facing risks from Brexit and current political uncertainties.

It said it is actively engaged with British and European governments, institutions and the Opposition to attempt to neutralise or minimise these potential negative impacts on its business, staff, customers and business partners, while simultaneously prudently scenario planning.

Rail plans: Trainline has been in talks with Jeremy Corbyns Labour

Trainline did not specify what risk Corbyns party poses, but the Labour leader has promised to nationalise the railways, which could change the way in which tickets are bought and sold.

The reference to talks with the Opposition is the latest sign of businesses engaging with the possibility of a Corbyn-led Labour government. Its party conference was a significantly bigger draw for lobbyists and businesses this year after Junes General Election put Labour within sight of power.

Customers bought 2.1 billion of tickets through thetrainline.com in the year to March 2017. The site charges a fee for each booking, generating turnover for Trainline of 147 million and a profit of 32.6 million, virtually unchanged from last years 32.5 million.

KKR bought the firm in 2015 for 352 million from rival private equity firm Exponent, which had announced plans for a public listing. Run by Clare Gilmartin, Trainline has ambitions to expand into France, Italy and Germany.

The highest paid director, thought to be Gilmartin, was paid 805,000 last year.
Ginger Breitzman (pictured), 44, conviction for disorderly conduct was upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Saturday

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld a woman's conviction for swearing at her son.

They failed, however, to address the issue of whether the speech was protected by the First Amendment, according to USA Today.

'[While] this case touches on an interesting issue of free speech law, we reserve full analysis of what constitutes profane speech and whether profane speech is otherwise protected as free speech for another day,' Justice Annette Ziegler wrote for the majority.

The decision was delivered after the court heard oral arguments in September, and took 50 pages to render its final verdict.

Ginger Breitzman was convicted of disorderly conduct following a 2012 incident where she screamed at her son while he was talking to a friend on the phone. Her son later called the police.

She was also convicted child abuse that intentionally caused harm and child neglect.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court, however, failed to address her argument that the swearing was protected by the First Amendment

Breitzman, 44, was sentenced to six-months in jail with release privileges.

While serving her sentence, she appealed the disorderly conduct conviction, arguing that her language wasn't inciting violence or a true threat and therefore is protected speech.

She also claimed her attorney was ineffective for not arguing the charge violated the First Amendment.

The state argued that her lawyer isn't obligated to put forth such a far-fetched theory.

Breitzman's 14-year-old son called the police after he was berated by his mother for burning popcorn in the microwave

The Wisconsin Supreme Court in its final decision sided with the state, arguing that freedom of speech is still unsettled law and that her attorney acted rationally in not utilizing it for the defense.

'Nothing in the majority opinion should be read as commenting on the merits of the underlying First Amendment defense,' Justice Shirley Abrahamson wrote in an concurring opinion.

Abrahamson continued by stating that 'the 'unsettled law' doctrine guiding the determination of ineffective assistance of counsel is not sufficiently protective of a defendant's constitutional and statutory rights to effective counsel.'

Previous cases have found that private conduct can be disorderly if there's a spillover effect, said Assistant Attorney General Donald Latorraca.

Breitzman's 14-year-old son confided in a friend and a school official about his mother's behavior.
Controversial right-wing troll Milo Yiannopoulos insists he's a self made man, despite growing up with a 'mafioso' father and living between houses all around the world.

He was born Milo Hanrahan and raised in Kent, England to Greek and Jewish parents.

His family had a chalet in the Austrian Alps and for his fifth birthday he got a pony. It was a lifestyle any child would be in envy of - but that's nothing compared to today.

Now known as Milo Yiannopoulos, the controversy king wears labels like Versace and Gucci, has houses around the world, stays in fancy hotels and only drinks expensive champagne. Put simply, he's living life like a rockstar.

And after flaunting the best of his expensive wardrobe during his visit to Sydney this week, Yiannopoulos told Daily Mail Australia he was offended by estimates he's worth just AUD$5.3 million.

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Milo Yiannopoulos has revealed that an outfit (pictured) he wore in Australia this week is worth close to $150,000

The right-wing firebrand told of his lavish lifestyle to Daily Mail Australia, including his million dollar wardbrobe, designer jewellery collection and his husband's bespoke $300,000 Tesla

'Growing up we had a chalet in Austria, a couple of different house and my dad had a few Porsches,' Yiannopoulos recalled.

'I got a pony for my fifth birthday, I could never work out why we lived in nice houses. I didn't know what my dad did but essentially I was your typical Greek Mafioso child.

'But professionally speaking I'm pretty much self-made. My career in London took off pretty quick and I've always had a taste for nice things, so I knew I had to work hard.'

Starting as the tech writer for the Telegraph, he went on to create his own magazine The Kernel and spent time at Breitbart News, before his role as right-wing firebrand.

While on the surface he seems to be permanently stirring the pot, behind the scenes he lives the high life.

Last year he married his partner John at the Four Seasons in Hawaii in an extravagant wedding ceremony that he for the first time revealed cost AUD$460,000.

There's multiple houses in the United States and two in London, AUD$330,000 cars and a wardrobe supermodels would be jealous of.

And most of it was on show this week during his trip to Australia, as Yiannopoulos hit out at Muslims and 'lefties' while wearing his designer clothes and bespoke jewellery.

Yiannopoulos owns multiple houses in the United States, two in London and bought husband John a $330,000 gold plated Tesla (pictured) this year

Online estimates list Yiannopoulos' worth as being close to AUD$5.3 million, claims he says are 'insulting'

Starting as the tech writer for the Telegraph, he went on to create his own magazine The Kernel and spent time at Breitbart News, before moving on to becoming a right-wing firebrand

'I was wearing a Dolce and Gabbana jacket, the sunglasses are Louis Vuitton, custom made 50 karat gold jewellery from New York, jeans from Balmain and Tiffany earrings worth AUD$40,000,' he said.

'I guess at any time I'm probably wearing AUD$200,000 of stuff - if people came and cut off my hands they'd be able to buy a house.'

Online estimates list Yiannopoulos' worth as being close to AUD$5.3 million, claims he says are 'insulting'.

'I got a AUD$1.3 million signing bonus from Apple last year and my first purchase was a gold chrome Tesla for my husband which cost AUD$330,000,' he revealed.

'It's the only gold chrome model in the world. They didn't even have gold on the drop down box to choose from.

'I'm basically like a cross between a Russian oligarch's wife and a Chinese tourist, lots of gold and plenty of Louis Vuitton.

'I guess at any time I'm probably wearing AUD$200,000 of stuff - if people came and cut off my hands they'd be able to buy a house,' he told Daily Mail Australia

Yiannopoulos has multiple houses across the United States, as well as two homes in London

'A couple of generations back my family had nothing, as often happens with people who come into money, now we're showing off heavily.'

But while wasn't afraid to splurge on a vehicle for his now husband John, he claimed it has been close to a decade since he himself has got behind the wheel.

'I haven't driven for 10 years, there's normally an Escalade waiting out the front  I'm a bit like Hilary Clinton I guess,' Yiannopoulos said with a laugh.

Creating headlines since the moment he stepped out of business class and onto the tarmac, the full-time mischief maker said his tour of Australia had been a success.

Just minutes after chatting with Daily Mail Australia on Friday he was back in the air, jetting off to the first leg of his speaking tour in Adelaide.

'I'm basically like a cross between a Russian oligarch's wife and a Chinese tourist, lots of gold and plenty of Louis Vuitton,' he said

Yiannopoulos began working as a tech correspondent for the Telegraph, before later going to work at Breitbart news

The 33-year-old also revealed that growing up his family had a chalet in the Austrian Alps (like pictured) and that for his fifth birthday he was gifted a pony

So far he's sold out shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and two in Sydney, with a third to be added in the Harbour City next Wednesday, November 6.

Some 12,000 people are expected to watch him in action on his Australian tour, with Yiannopoulos saying he's been left nothing short of chuffed.

'Australia I always knew was going to be a key market for me, people want to see me live and want to read my stuff,'

'What it has proved to me is the lefties and feminists in Australia better get to used to me, because I'm going to be over here causing mayhem every year.'
A former substitute teacher has been arrested after she allegedly encouraged middle school students to smoke pot and gave one student a vaping device.

Elisha Mahar, 20, was charged with four misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child in Somerworth, New Hampshire Thursday.

Authorities say a school resource officer at Somersworth Middle School learned that Mahar had invited students to smoke and had given a student a vaping device while she was a substitute teacher.

Elisha Mahar (above in arrest photo) has been arrested after she allegedly encouraged middle school students to smoke pot and gave one student a vaping device while working as a substitute teacher

The 20-year-old (above) was charged with four misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child in Somerworth, New Hampshire Thursday. Mahar was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail

That school resource officer then alerted Somersworth police on October 13 about Mahar.

Interim Superintendent Connie Brown says the school district is cooperating fully with police.

'As the Superintendent of School, I will make sure we cooperate fully with the investigation being conducted by the Somersworth Police Department into the allegations that a former substitute teacher endangered the welfare of our students,' Brown told Seacoastonline.com.

Mahar was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail.

Authorities say a school resource officer at Somersworth Middle School (file above) learned that Mahar had invited students to smoke and had given a student a vaping device while she was a substitute teacher

A hearing is scheduled for December 26.

It wasn't immediately known if she had a lawyer, and a phone number for her couldn't be found.

Anyone with information related to these charges is asked to call Somersworth police at 603-692-3131, or the department's anonymous crime line at 603-692-9111.
A Metropolitan Opera conductor sexually abused a 15-year-old boy and continued the abuse for nearly 10 years, a lawsuit has alleged.

The victim, whose name has been withheld, nearly committed suicide due to the abuse, the New York Post reports.

The lawsuit alleges that James Levine, 74, abused the boy during his tenure as a conductor at the Ravinia Music Festival, a summer concert series held in Chicago's North Shore suburbs.

James Levine, the 74-year-old director emeritus of the Metropolitan Opera, has been accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy. He is pictured at left in 2002; it is not known what year the photo at right was taken

Levine is pictured leading the orchestra in Berlioz's 'Symphonie fantastique' at a 2015 performance. The alleged abuse occurred between 1985 and 1993 and involved anal penetration and fondling

The alleged victim, now 48, says that the abuse began when he was 15 and when Levine was 41.

The unidentified man describes how he met Levine at the Ravinia festival when he was four years old after his parents took him backstage to meet the conductor.

He told police that Levine showered him with gifts such as batons and, one evening when he was 15, drove him home. The year was 1985.

While in the car, the alleged victim states, Levine took his hand and held it 'in a prolonged and incredibly sensual way'.

The boy, per his recollections, began to wonder about his sexuality and asked his peers: 'Am I gay because he held my hand?' The adult male identifies as heterosexual.

The lawsuit goes on to state how the following year, Levine took the boy to the ritzy Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest.

There, the lawsuit alleges, Levine fondled the boy's penis.

The lawsuit states that 'hundreds of incidents' occurred between Levine and the boy at the Deer Path Inn.

The lawsuit alleges that 'hundreds of incidents' occurred at the Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest, Illinois. The alleged victim and Levine met while the conductor was working at the Ravinia Music Festival, which is held in nearby Highland Park

Pictured is the gate of the summer festival at wintertime

In 1987, the lawsuit alleges, Levine penetrated the boy's anus with his finger. Levine allegedly kissed the victim's penis during another incident.

At the same time, the lawsuit states, Levine would give the boy gifts -with an alleged total value of $50,000 - and also wrote him a college recommendation later.

The abuse stopped in 1993, the lawsuit states. By then, the pair would occasionally dine together at New York City restaurants near Lincoln Center.

The victim's police statement reads in part: 'He inflicted shame and guilt on me. Making [it] hard for me to see the wrong.

'Emotionally I have been hurt by this and confused and paralyzed.'

Levine has not yet commented on the allegations. The victim's police statement reads: 'Emotionally I have been hurt by this and confused and paralyzed'

The alleged victim first told the Lake Forest, Illinois Police Department of the alleged abuse in October 2016.

The department has decided to investigate the case, though the statute of limitations for the alleged crime has expired.

The alleged victim also told a Metropolitan Opera board member of the alleged abuse. The board member told him to contact police.

Levine is currently the director emeritus of the Metropolitan Opera and served as its music director for 40 years. He started at the opera in 1971.

The Post reports the Levine has long been subject to rumors of sexual misconduct.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Levine's manager for comment.
Tom Hanks has spoken out about the recent sexual harassment claims that have rocked Hollywood, supporting victims and saying 'it's everywhere' and that 'repercussions land exactly as they should.'

The star called out the long-existing Hollywood culture during a sit down with David Axelrod and CNN's The Axe Files, which airs on Saturday at 7pm.

'In a lot of ways we all left town and joined the circus, and the circus is glamorous in a lot of ways. And there is camaraderie and there is sex and there's attraction and there's boyfriends and girlfriends and there's flirting and that's always been part of... there's on-set affairs,' Hanks said to Axelrod.

Tom Hanks condemned perpetrators of sexual harassment in Hollywood and supported victims during a sit down with David Axelrod and CNN's The Axe Files

But the shocking exposures of top Hollywood elite 'go much further beyond that,' the actor said.

'It ends up being a swaying of influence and it becomes part of the marketplace,' he added.

And for Hanks, supporting the victims who come forward with their stories is among his top priorities.

The actor shared in the interview, which airs Saturday, that while the history of Hollywood has always been shady the behavior is controlling

'When it is inherent in the workforce that you join, that you have to succumb to a degree of sexual harassment in order to keep your job, when that happens, the only thing you can say is, number one, I hope the victims come out and tell all sorts of stories, everything, tell the truth about what goes on. And that the repercussions land exactly as they should,' Hanks said.

'Am I surprised by some of the personalities involved? Not Harvey,' he added of Harvey Weinstein

When asked if he was surprised by any of the revelations, Hanks claimed that he was 'absolutely' shocked by the 'overtness' of the stories so far.

But one name in particular does not surprise him at all.

'Am I surprised by some of the personalities involved? Not Harvey,' he added of Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused by more than 100 women of different acts.

'He had a way of doing business... that would not make you surprised to have him be one of those kind of guys that does that in the workplace,' Hanks said.

And while it was clear that Hanks felt no sympathy for the perpetrators, he does have a clear message for them.

'There's a time and place for decorum and ethics -- and you blew it,' he added.
A London taxi driver dubbed Corbyns cabbie and backed by the far-left Momentum group has been shoehorned on to a parliamentary candidates shortlist to the fury of local activists.

Mike Hedges heads the Cabbies For Corbyn group within the Unite union  closely linked to Momentum, Jeremy Corbyns band of hardline loyalists.

Mr Hedges, 57, used his cab to drive Corbyn around during his 2015 leadership campaign and also during this years Election.

Mike Hedges, dubbed Corbyns cabbie and backed by the far-left Momentum group, has been shoehorned on to a parliamentary candidates shortlist to the fury of local activists

Now, against the wishes of activists in Watford  a marginal seat won by the Tories by just 2,000 seats in June  Hedges has been added to a shortlist for the next Election.

He had earlier been on a longlist of eight but, when whittled down to four, he was the first to go, having performed worse than anyone else in interviews, according to Labour sources in the Hertfordshire constituency.

However, Labours National Executive Committee  where Unite exerts strong influence  imposed Hedges as a fifth candidate.

One will now be selected by Watfords Labour members on December 14 amid fears Mr Hedges will win as Unite and other unions mobilise their members.

Mr Hedge's partner Jayne Fisher (left) was a Corbyn aide until March. She is pictured here sitting with Corbyn, Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams

Watford Labours Selection Committee has written to the NEC, saying they are deeply worried the democratic processes of our party are being undermined but a Labour spokesman said: The shortlist was decided in line with Labours procedures.

Mr Hedgess partner Jayne Fisher was a Jeremy Corbyn aide until March, having previously worked for Sinn Fein, once being photographed at Westminster alongside Corbyn and the late Sinn Fein boss Martin McGuinness.
Sophie Winkleman, pictured left who is married to Lord Frederick Windsor  faces weeks of recuperation after suffering a suspected broken back and broken foot, according to a source close to her family

Claudia Winklemans half-sister  actress Sophie Winkleman  has been seriously injured in a head-on car crash while being driven home from a film set.

The 37-year-old  who is married to Lord Frederick Windsor  faces weeks of recuperation after suffering a suspected broken back and broken foot, according to a source close to her family.

The mother of two was sitting in the back seat of the chauffeur-driven car when the accident happened. It is believed another vehicle swerved to avoid a deer in the road and ploughed into her car  injuring her and both drivers.

According to witnesses, the first emergency personnel on the scene saw the horrifically mangled wreckage and feared Ms Winkleman was more gravely injured.

Five ambulance crews, including an air ambulance, were dispatched to the crash near Saffron Walden, Essex.

She was initially rushed to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, along with the drivers of both vehicles, before being transferred to Londons Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

She was on her way home from filming Trust, a major new American TV series for Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle at nearby stately home Audley End House when the accident happened ten days ago.

The actress is still in hospital and has been visited by members of her family, including her father-in-law, the Queens cousin Prince Michael of Kent.

The source added: It was a terrible shock for the whole family. Freddies looking after their two girls while Sophie recovers. It will be a long road for her, but were all so thankful that shes been told there wont be any long-term problems.

Ms Winkleman and Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia, pictured with fellow host Tess Daly, share a father in retired publishing executive Barry Winkleman, 78

Picture shows actress Sophie Winkleman on the set of the new TV series called Trust being filmed near near Saffron Walden, Essex

It was not clear last night whether the accident might force a postponement in the filming schedule for Trust, which stars Hollywood veteran Donald Sutherland and Oscar-winner Hilary Swank.

It tells the story of the kidnap of oil company heir John Paul Getty III, and is due to air on cable channel FX early next year.

Ms Winkleman, who still uses her maiden name professionally but is formally titled Lady Frederick Windsor, has enjoyed a successful acting career including a part in hit US sitcom Two And A Half Men, playing the girlfriend of Ashton Kutchers character.

She married financial analyst Freddie Windsor, 38, in a lavish ceremony at Hampton Court Palace in 2009.

The Strictly Come Dancing presenter's sibling, Sophie Winkleman, 37, suffered a suspected broken back and foot after the vehicle she was in crashed into a car that swerved to avoid a deer (pictured far left and far right in June)

Yesterday, a skid warning sign had been placed at the crash scene

The couples elder daughter, Maud, is a four-year-old reception class contemporary of Prince George at Thomass Battersea, South London.

Her sister, Isabella, was born last year. Ms Winkleman and Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia share a father in retired publishing executive Barry Winkleman, 78. Sophies mother is childrens author Cindy Black, while Claudias is former newspaper editor Eve Pollard, 71.

Yesterday, a skid warning sign had been placed at the crash scene. Ms Winklemans agent Kirk Whelan-Foran did not return our calls. A spokesman for FX could not be reached.
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A million dollars might sound like a lot of money, but in Sydney it will only get you as far as a one-bedroom apartment in the city.

That's why property hunters have turned their backs on the harbour-side city, and have started buying up luxury villas on South Pacific islands for the same price.

Instead of spending around $1million on a one-bedroom apartment in central Sydney or Woolloomooloo, investors are using their money to buy four or five-bedroom beachside houses in Bali, Vanuatu and Fiji.

A life of luxury: In Bali investors can buy a three-bedroom beachside villa in Canggu for $1.3million (pictured)

Better than city life? The 555 square metre property (pictured) is a short walk to tourist hotspot Seminyak

Instead of spending around $1million on a one-bedroom apartment in central Sydney or Woolloomooloo investors are using their money to buy four or five-bedroom beachside houses in Bali, Vanuatu and Fiji (Bali property pictured)

Darren Pye, who regularly visits Fiji, recently bought a two-bedroom villa with a pool on the island for under $1million.

'It's a lifestyle choice,' the Sydney-based business development manager told The Daily Telegraph.

'You'd never get anything like that in Sydney.'

Mr Pye plans to rent the villa out when he is not using it.

Home far from home: This four-bedroom villa is situated within a luxury boutique resort in Jimbaran, Bali

Property hunters have turned their backs on the harbour-side city, and have started buying up luxury villas on South Pacific islands for the same price (Bali property pictured)

Peace and serenity: This Bali villa costs around the same price as a one-bedroom Sydney city apartment

In Bali, investors can buy a three-bedroom beachside villa in Canggu for $1.3million.

The 555 square metre property is a short walk to tourist hotspot Seminyak.

Of course, one downside of moving to Bali is the ongoing eruption of volcano Mount Agung - which may put some investors off buying a home there.

For $1.2million buyers can get a three-bedroom home on Viti Levu - the main island of Fiji.

For $1.2million buyers can get a three-bedroom home on Viti Levu- the main island of Fiji (pictured)

This huge property in Fiji costs $1.2million- about the same price as a Sydney city apartment

This $1.2million Fiji home has a large pool and ocean views

The property features ocean views and a large outdoor pool (pictured)

The property features ocean views and a large outdoor pool.

And in Vanuatu a villa Designed by Peter Stutchbury, one of Australia's most awarded architects, is on the market for $1.5million.

The five-bedroom, 3,000 square meter property is just meters from the beach and features ocean views.

Sydney is the most expensive property market in Australia, with a median price of about $904,000.

But some apartments in Sydney's CBD, Potts Point and Woolloomooloo costs even more than $1million.

In Vanuatu a villa Designed by Peter Stutchbury, one of Australia's most awarded architects, is on the market for $1.5million

The five-bedroom, 3,000 square meter property is just meters from the beach and features ocean views
A driver has captured the terrifying moment a cyclist veered across a busy highway after riding across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Caught on dashcam footage, the cyclist can be seen riding what appears to be a BMX bike across the bridge at 2.30am on Sunday.

Bicycles are strictly not allowed on the Harbour Bridge, but the cyclist seems unfazed by the cars around him.

The cyclist can be seen riding what appears to be a BMX bike across the bridge at 2.30am on Sunday morning

Both cyclist and driver take the North Sydney exit ramp before the cyclist stops on the median strip

The driver recording the footage follows closely behind the cyclist in an attempt to let him know the danger he is in.

Both cyclist and driver take the North Sydney exit ramp before the cyclist stops on the median strip to signal the driver to overtake him.

Before the car moves, the man on the bike veers across three lanes back on to the highway.

The driver continues to follow the cyclist until he pulls off the road.

After offering the motorist the chance to overtake, the man on the bike veers across three lanes back on to the highway

The men can be heard talking to each other, as the driver tells the cyclist 'it's illegal to ride on the bridge'.

'You'll get yourself killed, you're not allowed to ride here,' the motorist said.

The video then cuts to a street in Neutral Bay, where police finally arrive to issue the cyclist with a warning, 9 News reported.
Controversial socialite Salim Mehajer could be bankrupt for Christmas, unless he can find $1 million within the next fortnight to pay for a 'marble palace'.

The 31-year-old is facing charges of breaching an AVO taken out by ex-wife Aysha, committing electoral fraud and civil cases about his property developments.

And Mehajer will soon be able to add bankruptcy to his list of woes, unless he is able to pay the roughly seven-figure sum he owes to builders Prime Marble & Granite, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Controversial socialite Salim Mehajer (pictured with ex-wife Aysha) could be bankrupt for Christmas, unless he can find $1 million within the next fortnight to pay for a marble palace

A 2014 invoice from the company for $596,178 for the lavish floating marble staircase at his mansion on Frances St, Lidcombe, in Sydney's west, went unpaid by Mehajer.

The builders successfully took the former deputy mayor of Auburn council to court in October, where he was ordered to pay for the staircase and also their legal costs.

But in the wake of the NSW District Court judgement he again failed to pay up, with Prime Marble & Granite serving a bankruptcy notice on Mehajer in early November.

He now only has until December 12 to pay the full amount or risk being regarded as bankrupt by the time the festive season arrives.

An invoice for $596,178 for the 'marble palace' at his mansion (pictured) on Frances St, Lidcombe, in Sydney's west, went unpaid

His $3 million home featured in a music video clip for US rapper Bow Wow (pictured)

It is understood Mehajer is planning to contest the notice and he is listed to front the Federal Court on December 15.

If bankrupted, Mehajer will face enormous difficulties in operating his large portfolio of property developments across Sydney.

His parents have also previously declared themselves bankrupt after racking up $10 million in unpaid debts in December 2010.

A floating staircase inside his $3 million home, built by a separate company, featured in a music video clip for US rapper Bow Wow.

Mehajer is currently facing charges of breaching an AVO taken out by ex-wife Aysha (pictured), committing electoral fraud and civil cases about his property developments

Mehajer bought the block in 2007 before completing his mansion in 2014. A year later it was at the centre of national headlines during his extravagant wedding

Photos released when his home was put up for rent this year, show the extravagant features of the three-storey home.

There's six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a boardroom, a cinema, outdoor entertaining area, swimming pool and an enormous garage filled with luxury cars.

A day before he's due to appear in the Federal Court, Mehajer will be back before the Downing Centre Local Court to continue the hearing into alleged electoral fraud.
A couple who claimed hotel food left them so sick they could barely leave their room have been exposed as fakers  by their own Facebook posts.

Craig and Lisa Boyds claim for 2,000 compensation was proved to be a sham by photographs they posted of themselves abseiling, knocking back cocktails and enjoying a yacht trip when they said they were violently ill in bed.

Mr Boyd even commented in one online message that the Mexican hotel was perfect.

Craig and Lisa Boyds claim for 2,000 compensation was proved to be a sham by photographs they posted of themselves abseiling, knocking back cocktails and enjoying a yacht trip when they said they were violently ill in bed. Above, Lisa when she said she was sick

Mr Boyd (abseiling on the same day, pictured) even commented in one online message that the Mexican hotel was perfect. The Boyds, from Liverpool, claimed they had fallen ill during their honeymoon at the Dreams Villamagna resort in 2015

Now the couple have been branded fundamentally dishonest by a judge and hit with 6,000 legal costs after holiday firm TUI mounted a legal challenge against their claim.

The Boyds, from Liverpool, claimed they had fallen ill during their honeymoon at the Dreams Villamagna resort in 2015. They said they booked the same resort the following year, where they again suffered crippling stomach bugs.

Despite this, they had booked to go back for a third time next year with two friends.

The Boyds withdrew their compensation claim at Liverpool County Court last week after TUIs lawyers confronted them with evidence from their Facebook accounts.

Mrs Boyd told the judge: We know weve messed up, so its guilty as charged. Well just have to take it on the chin and pay the costs.

Her husband, 57, said they had been pressured by a claims cowboy, adding: We just took the advice of the person who came to the house. Any paperwork from the solicitors weve just signed and sent back. We may have been wrong, but that was the advice we were given.

Taking the lead: How the MoS has turned the spotlight on fake claims

The case is the latest to be revealed in The Mail on Sundays year-long campaign to expose the shocking 434 per cent rise in holiday sickness claims  fuelled by no-win, no-fee lawyers  which has cost travel firms millions of pounds and threatens to push up prices.

Until recently, travel companies had simply paid out on such claims as it was cheaper than going to court. But the volume of fake allegations has prompted the industry to strike back, and major holiday firms now hire experts to investigate cases.

After the Boyds deceit was exposed, TUI managing director Nick Longman said: The potential consequences of making a false or exaggerated claim relating to holiday sickness are now obvious.

Here there was no truthful basis for Mr and Mrs Boyds claim and in fact they had enjoyed their honeymoon so much they decided to return to the hotel twice in subsequent years. They have now been found to be dishonest by the court and ordered to pay our legal costs.

Anyone making a claim against TUI should understand that we do not pay compensation in claims of this nature. We will bring all similar cases to a court hearing.
Matt Lauer and his wife, Annette Roque, have been living apart for years, it was reported on Saturday.

The now-disgraced former Today show host has been mostly holed up in his apartment on Park Avenue in Manhattan while his former model wife stays at their Long Island mansion, Page Six is reporting.

Lauer was fired late Tuesday as host of NBC's flagship morning show after over 20 years as co-anchor.

The dismissal came as a result of sexual harassment complaints from an NBC employee.

Since news of Lauer's firing, at least seven other women have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Matt Lauer and his wife, Annette Roque, have been living apart for years, it was reported on Saturday. The couple is seen above in Bridgehampton, New York on September 1, 2013

The now-disgraced former Today show host has been mostly holed up in his apartment on Park Avenue in Manhattan while his former model wife stays at their Long Island mansion. The couple is seen in Bridgehampton, New York on August 31, 2014

While much of the country was shocked by the news given Lauer's squeaky clean image as a wholesome good guy, those who knew the couple say that he was a bad husband.

Lauer's history of infidelity reportedly forced his wife to keep close tabs on him when he took trips abroad because she didn't trust him.

When Roque sought to divorce Lauer years ago, Lauer reportedly offered her $5million in cash to remain in the marriage.

The image-conscious Lauer made the cash offer because he was reportedly so concerned about how a divorce might be perceived by his audience.

Lauer's alleged philandering ways put a strain on his marriage to the point where he reportedly lived separately at his Manhattan apartment during the week while his family stayed out on Long Island. Media members are seen outside Lauer's apartment on Friday

The Upper East Side apartment at 133 East 64th Street was also the address of Bernie Madoff, the infamous Ponzi schemer. Madoff is seen above in 2009

Lauer and Roque met on a blind date in 1997, the same year he took over as co-anchor of Today in place of the departing Bryant Gumbel.

While Lauer rose to television stardom with his Today show gig, Roque has been featured in Victoria's Secret catalogs as well as in advertisements for J. Crew.

According to Page Six, Lauer, who had a reputation as a philanderer, was urged to settle down and get married by NBC executives who were concerned that his playboy image would hurt the Today show given its heavily female viewership.

Lauer and Roque were married less than a year after they met, but it was a tumultuous union, according to Page Six.

Three years after the birth of their first child, Jack, in 2003, Lauer and Roque separated after the newsman returned from covering the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Rumors swirled that Lauer was having an affair with Natalie Moralies, who was then a correspondent for the Today show. Both have vehemently denied the rumors.

Nonetheless, Roque, who was seven months pregnant at the time, filed for divorce from Lauer, whom she accused of 'cruel and inhumane' treatment and 'extremely controlling' behavior.

'Defendant has continuously and repeatedly given higher priority to personal interests than his family obligations to plaintiff, causing plaintiff to feel abandoned, isolated and alone in raising the parties' children,' according to court papers, which were leaked in 2014.

Roque would eventually withdraw her petition for divorce three weeks before giving birth to the couple's second child, Thijs.

There was no explanation given for why Roque had second thoughts about the divorce, though it was reported that Lauer offered her $5million to remain in the marriage.

'Matt needed to stay in the marriage to keep his reputation as America's nicest dad,' according to a source quoted by Page Six.

'He is in fact a very doting dad to his kids, but he is also a terrible husband.'

Things appeared to be fine  until Lauer returned from covering the Olympics in Vancouver in early 2010.

After news reports emerged suggesting that Lauer partied hard in Canada, Roque reportedly was so angry that she and her husband began living separately.

Since 2011, Roque and her three children were reportedly living in their home in Sag Harbor, while Lauer stayed in Manhattan during the week.

The Upper East Side apartment at 133 East 64th Street was also the address of Bernie Madoff, the infamous Ponzi schemer.

On weekends, Lauer would reportedly make the trip to Long Island to join them.

Lauer's Sag Harbor estate is one of a number of swanky Long Island properties that the former Today co-host owns

There is an 8,000-square-foot home built in 2001 along with a tennis court and multiple secret gardens on the Sag Harbor estate

'They play happy families at their Hamptons home on weekends, and then she lets him run off to New York to do "Today" - and goodness knows what else,' RadarOnline quoted one source as saying.

Despite her celebrity status, Roque is rarely seen in public.

When she does appear, it is usually to attend the Hampton Classic horse show. Roque and her daughter are avid equestrians.

In 2012, Lauer purchased a 40-acre property near their Long Island home and converted it into a horse farm with stables for 36 animals, 16 paddocks, two outdoor riding rings, cross-country trails, and a climate-controlled indoor ring.

Lauer even owns five horses himself, but it was been widely rumored that the horses were a gift to his wife whenever she caught him cheating.

Locals who see Lauer near his Manhattan apartment say that they cannot recall ever seeing him and his wife together dining.

Lauer is known to be a frequent customer at Donahue's Steak House, a whiskey bar across the street from his apartment.

Neighbors told Page Six they see Lauer there at least three nights a week  but he's on his own.
A leader of the far-Right British group endorsed by Donald Trump gleefully boasted yesterday that she now has a special relationship with the US President.

Jayda Fransen achieved international notoriety last week when Mr Trump shared her inflammatory anti-Muslim videos with his 44 million followers.

But it sparked a war of words between the President and Theresa May and led to plans for a working visit to the UK next month to be 'kicked into the long grass'.

Fransen speaking at a rally at Belfast City Hall. She claimed she now enjoys a 'special relationship with Donald Trump'

Fransen, 31, deputy leader of Britain First, said: I think the special relationship may have broken down between May and Trump. Asked if she  not the Prime Minister  now enjoys a special relationship with the President, she beamed: Exactly.

Fransen, who has claimed that Trumps re-tweeting of her videos amounts to an endorsement of Britain First by the US President, was speaking to an undercover Mail on Sunday reporter who infiltrated the extremist organisations secret annual conference yesterday.

One delegate, Paul Rimmer, who is due to stand as a Britain First candidate in local elections next year, told the meeting that Trumps re-tweeting of Ms Fransens videos was absolutely mind-blowing.

He said the President had found an ally in Fransen, adding: You couldnt get a Hollywood director to put that together. You couldnt get a novelist to write that.

Britain First members outside the annual general meeting. One delegates said Muslims have come to 'take what is ours'

He added: We have got the President of the United States on our side. What an ally that is.

In a rant-filled speech, he said Muslims have come here to take what is ours they have come here to take over our cities, city by city, town by town.

Before Mr Trump re-tweeted Fransens videos, Britain First was a marginal group with about 800 members. But his intervention catapulted the extremists into the public spotlight and they boasted of a massive injection of support.

However, only 70 patriots answered the call to attend the AGM at the Wyboston Lakes leisure centre complex in Little Barford, Bedfordshire, yesterday.

In addition to praising Mr Trump, delegates applauded as Mrs May was accused of encouraging the Islamic takeover of the UK. One speaker denounced Islam as an evil religion.

Jayda Fransen addressing the Britain First annual general meeting in Bedfordshire

Strong support for banning Trumps state visit to Britain planned for 2018 emerged in a new Survation poll for The Mail on Sunday. A total of 50 per cent said the state visit should be called off, with 37 per cent in favour of it going ahead.

The Prime Minister was judged to have made a mistake by offering the state visit at the beginning of Trumps presidency by an almost identical margin.

Britain First had planned to hold its conference in Coventry but there were widespread protests when the news leaked.

The groups Facebook page later stated that the location had changed to Bedfordshire due to police bail conditions faced by its leader Paul Golding and his ex-partner Fransen, who both face trial for religiously aggravated harassment. Britain First said in an email to the MoS that the Press was officially banned from the event.

But a reporter was able to gain access after filling in an application form online and paying 5. In a series of cloak and dagger instructions, he was told to rendezvous with other delegates at a remote Shell petrol station five miles from Cambridge at 2pm yesterday.

The party resorted to cloak and dagger tactics to hold their meeting, which was decorated with placards bearing pictures of Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill

They were met by a portly Britain First official called Gary standing furtively outside who gave the reporter a postcode which turned out to be for the Wyboston Lakes complex around ten miles away. He told him to ask for the Oakley suite. Once there, the reporter was greeted by Golding, who shook his hand.

The room was decorated with placards bearing pictures of Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill and emblazoned with slogans such as Taking Our Country Back.

Delegates had to listen to recordings of military marching music while the start of the conference was delayed because some supporters got lost on the way. Golding then opened the conference by issuing a word of warning.

If there are undercover journalists in this room, we will find you, he said. You will get bounced off the walls and every door imaginable before you are kicked out of the building.

One member of the audience then asked: Whos this Donald Trump guy?

Fransen snapped back: Hes just a mate of mine.
Eight holders of honours  including a disgraced chief constable and a convicted deputy head teacher  have forfeited their award for bringing the system into disrepute.

Nick Gargan was forced to resign from Avon & Somerset Police in 2015 following a suspension for inappropriate behaviour towards women and a probe that led to him being found guilty of eight charges of misconduct.

Last week, the Government quietly announced his Queen's Police Medal  received in 2011  had been 'cancelled and annulled' by the Queen.

Nick Gargan (pictured) was forced to resign from Avon & Somerset Police in 2015 following a suspension for inappropriate behaviour towards women and a probe that led to him being found guilty of eight charges of misconduct. He was then stripped of his Queen's Police Medal

And former deputy head teacher David Kemp lost the MBE he received from the Queen in 2013.

He was found guilty after a police investigation of trying to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

The decision to strip Gargan, Kemp and six others of their awards was made by the honours forfeiture committee, made up of senior Government officials and lawyers.

The Queen has to approve their recommendations. There is no right of appeal.

The latest dishonours list follows The Mail on Sunday's revelation earlier this year that a record 11 holders of top honours had been stripped of their awards.

In recent years it has become increasingly common for disgraced recipients to lose their honours, with insiders crediting the internet and stronger due diligence.

Meanwhile, the two Hollywood A-listers facing a welter of accusations of sexual assault retain their honours: producer Harvey Weinstein, who has an honorary CBE, and actor Kevin Spacey, who has an honorary knighthood.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission reported that Gargan had used his work phone to send and receive inappropriate messages and pictures and had leaked confidential information to a BBC journalist who was his girlfriend.

Last night, Gargan would only comment that he had 'nothing to say'.

Former deputy headteacher David Kemp is pictured being given his MBE from the Queen in 2013, which he has since been stripped of after being convicted of trying to incite a child to engage in sexual activity
But authorities have questioned the effectiveness of deradicalisation programs

The federal government praised the former jihadi as 'a model reformed prisoner'

He was granted parole 12 years into a 14-year sentence in Goulburn Supermax

Mazen Touma was jailed in 2005 after police thwarted a double terrorist attack

Multi-million dollar terror 'deradicalisation program' has worked on one inmate

The Australian government has poured millions of dollars into a program designed to to 'deradicalise' jihadi inmates in prison - but so far it has only worked on one man.

Mazen Touma, who was jailed in 2005 after police thwarted a double terror attack on Sydney and Melbourne, was released in June after twelve years behind bars.

The federal government has praised Touma, now 37, as 'a model reformed prisoner, someone who turned his extreme views around with the support of family, counselling and working throughout the prison compound'.

Mazen Touma, 37, is touted as 'a model reformed prisoner' and was released after twelve years

Touma underwent the multi-million dollar terror 'deradicalisation program' in Goulburn's Supermax (pictured) and now wants to help deradicalise 'a new generation' of Muslim youth

Senator George Brandis granted Touma parole after he served 12 years of a 14-year sentence

'Sometimes deradicalisation programs succeed, and Mr Touma's case was judged by the relevant experts to be such a case,' Senator George Brandis said in June 14 after his decision to grant Touma parole with two years left on his 14-year sentence.

The Herald Sun reported that Touma has abandoned his radical beliefs and wants to work with authorities in deradicalising a new generation of Muslim youth.

However, authorities have questioned his 'reformation', explaining that is is 'extremely difficult' to tell whether a prisoner has completely abandoned their extremist views.

The majority of the 18 other men arrested with Touma over 'what was regarded as Australia's most sophisticated terrorism plot' are still in Goulburn's Supermax prison.

Among the plotters of the 2005 attack was Khaled Sharrouf, the Sydney-based extremist who fled to Syria and shot to global infamy after he photographed his young son holding the severed head of a Syrian official.

But a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Department told the Daily Telegraph that an evaluation of rehabilitation programs in Australia found they have 'achieved visible changes in many participants'.

A further $47 million was allocated to tackling prison radicalisation this year, some of which will go towards building a second Supermax jail - which will eventually house all jailed terrorists in NSW.

Among the plotters of the 2005 attack was Khaled Sharrouf (pictured) who escaped to Syria

Sharrouf became infamous after posting a picture of his son holding a severed head in Syria

Sharrouf posted the chilling photo to Twitter in August 2014, with the caption: 'That's my boy!'

But prison radicalisation expert Dr Clarke Jones said he was not surprised that only one inmate had been successfully deradicalised.

He said that keeping all terrorist inmates in the same prison compound wasn't helping to temper their extremist views - and suggested they be dispersed throughout multiple jails.

'I don't think the design of the program, the concept of deradicalisation and the way they (terrorism inmates) are incarcerated is effective,' the Australian National University expert told the Daily Telegraph.

Prison radicalisation expert Dr Clarke Jones is 'not surprised' at the low deradicalisation rate

Dr Jones thinks that imprisoning all terrorists in the same jail is 'ineffective' for deradicalisation

Questions have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the program, given that Touma seems to be a solitary successful case.

The man, who once professed his fondness at being compared to Osama bin Laden, was one of hundreds of inmates undergoing the expensive deradicalisation program behind bars.

In Victoria, terrorist inmates are immersed in a $6.4 million Community Integration and Support Program, which attempts to 'moderate a prisoner's extremist views with the help of respected community imams'.

But the Islamic Council of Victoria withdrew their support from the program in June, according to The Australian.

The decision was publicly confirmed three days after acquitted Yacub Khayre went on a murderous rampage in Melbourne - after he had been acquitted of terrorism offences.

It prompted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to say that he never should have been released.

Acquitted terrorist Yacub Khayre went on a murderous rampage after being released in 2016

The Islamic Council of Victoria (pictured) withdrew their support from the $6.4 million Community Integration and Support Program offered to Victorian terrorist inmates in June

In NSW, a pilot program called the Proactive Integrated Support Model (PRISM) was launched in 2016.

The voluntary program is currently serving 15 inmates who are judged to be 'at risk of radicalisation', rather than those who already harbour 'deep-seated extremist ideological beliefs'.

And in an attempt to water down extremism and spread a more moderate view of Islam, progressive religious leaders often visit inmates, offer guidance and run prayer services.

Counter-Terrorism Minister David Elliot (pictured right) with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

Correctives and Counter-Terrorism Minister David Elliot told the Daily Telegraph that the terrorism threat would be a problem for government for at least a generation.

'It is not a unique challenge to Australia, and the NSW Government's programs and policies align with world's best practice,' he said.

'However, there is no silver bullet, and it will remain impossible to look into a person's heart and truly see where their sympathies lie.'

A spokesman for the Attorney-General's Department confirmed on Monday that terrorist offenders still a risk after their sentence expired could be kept in custody under laws passed last year.
Authorities say they have recovered a body they think is a missing three-year-old North Carolina girl from a creek in a neighboring county.

Onslow County Hans Miller said dive teams found Mariah Wood's body around 5.30pm Saturday.

FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch said in a statement the body was in Holly Shelter Creek along Shaw Highway in Pender County creek about 25 miles from Mariah Woods' home in Jacksonville.

Earl Kimrey (left) has been arrested in the disappearance of his girlfriend Kristy's three-year-old daughter Mariah Woods (right). Her body has now been found

FBI Special Agent Stanley Meador (left) and Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller (right) Saturday

Her body was found in Holly Shelter Creek (pictured) in Pender County creek about 25 miles from Mariah Woods' home

A boat is pictured at one of the search locations. Mariah's body was found by divers Saturday

Law enforcement search near the Southwest Creek Bridge for three-year-old Mariah Woods

The medical examiner still needs to identify the body, but investigators are confident it is Mariah, Lynch said.

Deputies have charged 32-year-old Earl Kimrey in the death. Arrest warrants say Kimrey moved Mariah's body from where she died, knowing her death was not natural. They haven't said how they think the girl was killed.

Kimrey is the live-in boyfriend of Mariah's mother Kristy. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning.

On Saturday, Kimrey was brought before a magistrate to be charged with concealing a death, obstruction of justice, burglary, larceny and possession of stolen property.

He is now being held in county jail on a bond of $1,010,000.

'It was too late to save Mariah the moment the 911 call came in,' FBI agent Stanley Meador said of the call the girl's mother made Monday to report her missing. 'The arrest warrants are public record and the records speaks for themselves. We will not discuss any details related to the homicide investigation.'

One arrest warrant also charges Kimrey with larceny, breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods, according to News Channel 12.

He is accused of stealing two dressers after breaking into a home in Jacksonville between 11pm on Sunday and 3.30am on Monday.

Kimrey has a long criminal history which includes charges for larceny, assault, threats to government and being drunk and disorderly.

The charges date back to 2002. They stretch over several counties and two states.

Police and volunteers turned out in their hundreds on Friday to search for Mariah who, at that time, was still hoped to have been alive

An organizer for the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children speaks to volunteers on Friday before they went out to look for the girl

Social services would not confirm on Friday whether they had ever investigated Kimrey or the home where Mariah was living.

A spokesman refused when asked by DailyMail.com if there had ever been reported concerns about the family and said the information was confidential.

On Saturday, Meador urged people with surveillance footage near where the girl disappeared to call police and share the video as they investigate her death.

He asked businesses or residents who live on U.S. Highway 17 or state Highway 53 in Onslow and Pender counties to call police if they have surveillance cameras.

The toddler had been missing since 6am on Monday. Kimrey and her mother Kristy Woods told police he was the last to have seen her at around midnight on Sunday.

They said he told her to go back to bed and that when they went to her bedroom the next day, she was gone.

Days ago, the girl's biological father Alex Woods said he did not believe Kimrey's story that Mariah was abducted by a stranger.

Woods, who has not seen her for a year despite claiming to have visitation rights, said he had been trying to get Mariah out of the home but that he could not afford a lawyer.

Kristy Woods' boyfriend Earl Kimrey has been charged in the death (pictured Kristy and Mariah)

Kimrey (above with Mariah's mother Kristy) told police he was the last to see Mariah alive

'Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didn't cry, she didn't scream?

'Nobody heard anything? Four people in the house, two adults and two kids, someone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out?', Alex Woods said.

Kristy, who this week disabled her Facebook account after posting the missing person's appeal for her daughter, claimed that Mariah was taken by a stranger.

In a tearful television appearance on Tuesday, she said: 'Please, bring her back.

'I love her. I'll do anything that I can, whatever you want.

'Please just bring her back safe and sound  she's my baby, she's my everything.'

Kristy called police to report her missing on Monday at 6am.

Suspicious: Mariah's biological father Alex, who has not seen her for more than a year, said he did not believe Kimrey's story that his daughter was abducted by a stranger. He is pictured with his wife Heather earlier this week

Kristy made a tearful appeal to her daughter's abductor earlier in the week and begged for her to be brought back

Mariah is pictured with her mother, mother's boyfriend, and her two older brothers. Her biological father says he has been trying to get sole custody of the children for years

On Friday, 700 local volunteers turned out to join in the search for Mariah. At the time, they were still hoping to find the girl alive.

'Items of interest' which the FBI sent to its lab in Quantico earlier in the week have still not been revealed.

They were sent straight to the FBI's base in Virginia for testing on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier that day, agents were seen searching the trailer where Mariah lived with her 29-year-old mother Kristy, her older brothers and Kimrey.
At the age of 74, Vince Cable has his work cut out trying to win the youth vote, but at least hes trying.

The Lib Dem leaders new friend is Watford-born rapper Naughty Boy. The 32-year-old, who normally teams up with the likes of Cheryl Cole and Ed Sheeran, suggests a musical collab.

Dog fancies Vince as more of a Leonard Cohen-style crooner.

Vince Cable was photographed recently with Watford rapper Naughty Boy, pictured left

Arch Europhile Ken Clarke says Tory Brexiteers will reap the whirlwind for the decision to pay the European Union a 50 billion divorce bill.

The public are pretty p***** off that the NHS hasnt got the extra 350 million a week they were promised, and when they realise we are paying 50 billion they werent told about either, theyll be even more p***** off, says our Ken.

Andrea plots with fellow Travellers

Tory leadership hopeful Andrea Leadsom is clearly keen to maintain her uber-Brexit credentials.

At lunchtime on Tuesday, the Commons Leader was spotted being dropped off at The Travellers Club in Londons Pall Mall by her ministerial limo.

Moments earlier a gaggle of anti-EU Tory MPs including Bill Cash and John Redwood slipped into the club. What is she up to now?

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, who has apologised for threatening remarks to a pregnant journalist who asked about her aunts record as PM of Bangladesh, has long been a prickly character  particularly if anyone dares to mention her stature.

They always comment on how short I am, the Hampstead and Kilburn MP complained to Dog.

Im under 5ft, but Im like, **** you! 

Tulip Siddiq, pictured here being interviewed by Channel 4 is very prickly about her height

15k sex claim 'fine'

Friends of Tory MP Andrew Bridgen say he has been forced to pay a 15,000 fine for reporting sex harassment claims against colleague Dan Poulter.

Thats the top-up salary that goes with the cushy job of the Commons Regulatory Reform Committee chairman, which Bridgen was set to get until, say fellow MPs, whips blackballed him and ensured he didnt get the job.

Fresh details reach Dog of the shopping habits of Tory Minister Mark Garnier, who made his assistant Caroline Edmondson  sugar t***, as he called her  buy sex toys for him in a Soho shop while he loitered outside.

On the same jaunt, Garnier bought saucy boxer shorts and scented candles  and even plucked up the courage to buy them himself.

Bravo.

Guests at a Labour event were almost deprived of star turn John McDonnell when the Shadow Chancellor noticed the venue was inside the old County Hall building, ex-home of the loony Left GLC, abolished by Margaret Thatcher.

As an ex-GLC member, McDonnell vowed hed never set foot inside the building again in protest at Thatcher, said a friend.

We had to talk him into breaking his vow.
A driver who allegedly mounted a pavement and smashed into Christmas shoppers has been arrested in his hospital bed.

The 40-year-old, who is in a serious but stable condition, was arrested following the crash that left four women - two 67-year-olds, a 32-year-old and a 26-year-old - in hospital.

A black BMW hatchback was traveling north down Pulteney Street in Adelaide and was turning into Rundle Street when it slammed into a light pole and the pedestrians, who were waiting to cross the road near a Target store.

The man, who according to The Advertiser was only recently released from prison, is set to be charged with causing serious harm by dangerous driving.

Police are not treating the incident as terrorism and do not think the crash was deliberate.

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Five people were rushed to hospital after a car slammed into a light pole in Adelaide's CBD

A black BMW hatchback was traveling north down Pulteney Street in Adelaide and was turning into Rundle Street when it slammed into a light pole

Rowen Osborne, 15, described a horrific scene moments after the smash.

'A woman was screaming "help me, please come and help me",' she said.

'Another woman was flung into the gutter and lay there motionless.

'It was terrifying, it was random and out of nowhere. It was horrific.'

One of the elderly women, from Dulwich, is in a stable condition at Royal Adelaide Hospital, as another from Heathpool is in the Flinders Medical Centre in a stable condition with leg injuries.

The 32-year-old from West Croydon is also in Royal Adelaide with leg injuries, while the 26-year-old woman, from North Adelaide, is in the Flinders Medical Centre with minor injuries.

Five people have been rushed to hospital after a car slammed into a light pole in Adelaide's CBD

There were scenes of chaos in the CBD as witnesses recalled hearing the screams from the elderly woman after she was hit

The driver of a black hatchback was taken to Royal Adelaide hospital in serious but stable condition

Emergency crews were called to the intersection at the corner of Rundle and Pulteney Streets just after 4pm

Witnesses recalled hearing the screams from the elderly woman after she was hit.

'(There was) a loud band and smoke coming out of the bonnet and everyone rushed to help,' a witness told Seven News.

'There was screams from a woman just screaming, 'help me, someone please come and help me',' she said.

Another witness said she saw people trapped inside the car as well.

'There was another lady on the ground, and another guy. Not good,' she said.

The incident is not being treated as a deliberate act, South Australia Police said

All access to the area was blocked, with traffic between North Terrace, Grenfell Street and Bent Street diverted by police

The scene was cordoned off with police tape and Major Crash Investigators attending
A Muslim child bride who fled to Australia has told how she was beaten and abused by her husband, claiming her religion caused her 'nothing but pain'.

At the age of just 16 the Iranian woman was forced by her father to marry a man who was a decade older. She says she didn't want to, but Islam left her with 'no rights'.

More than two decades since her wedding day, the 39-year-old is living on the Gold Coast, Queensland, her new home after initially fleeing Iran for the safety of Europe.

Telling the Gold Coast Bulletin her story of discrimination and how she was forced to give up seeing her children, the woman revealed she has converted to Christianity.

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A Muslim child bride who fled to Australia has told how she was beaten and abused by her husband, claiming her religion caused her 'nothing but pain' (Stock image)

Growing up in Rasht, in the north-west of Iran, the woman said she was forced into following Islam and had no option to convert to anything else.

'A person who does that in Iran will be deemed an apostate and the punishment is death,' she said.

Growing up in the middle east, her childhood was at times incredibly difficult.

Her father had two wives and there were stages where she and her family would go hungry as he provided more to the others. Then there was February 17, 1994.

Despite pleading with her father not to let it go ahead, she was forced to marry the cousin of his second wife. He was 26, but she was just 16.

She was pregnant at the age of 17 and gave birth to a son in 1995. In 2000 they had a second child, a girl.

Throughout their relationship she says she was beaten by her husband, who was also having affairs with multiple women.

'I hated Islam and its regressive laws in Iran more than ever  a religion with no value or respect for women,' she said.

'It recognises women as only a means of sexual pleasure for men.'

Eventually her father agreed to push for a divorce, but under Islamic law she had to give up her children.

While their divorce was still being finalised she fell in love with someone else, a travel agent with who she traveled the world and for the first time discovered Christianity.

Now living on the Gold Coast she says her life is completely different, having joined a small local church and being granted a bridging visa.

'Islam had brought me nothing by suffering and hardships,' she said.
It is the remote South Atlantic island that's already enjoyed 300 million of British taxpayers' cash to pay for a controversial new airport.

And now St Helena's islanders want to spend millions more UK foreign aid on a state-of-the-art jail  harking back to its greatest claim to fame as the island where Napoleon was held prisoner in his final years.

The current jail dates from 1826, just five years after Napoleon died, and was recently judged 'totally unsatisfactory' by inspectors.

The prison proposed by the St Helena government will cost an estimated 6 million, with 26 cells holding up to 40 prisoners  one per cent of a population of little over 4,000. Six cells will be for women and children.

St Helena is due to spend millions of UK foreign aid on a state-of-the-art jail. The current one (pictured) dates from 1826, just five years after Napoleon died, and was recently judged 'totally unsatisfactory' by inspectors

The planned prison will be about 20,000 square feet and feature a farm for the prisoners to grow crops on.

The jail will also hold dangerous Category A prisoners who would currently have to come to Britain to serve their time, although no one fits such criteria at present.

The island is generally safe, but historically not entirely a stranger to crime.

Notable cases include the notorious murder of Robert Gunnell at the Prosperous Bay Signal Station in 1904, for which Richard and Louis Crowie were hanged the following year  the last executions on St Helena.

One of the Mail on Sunday's reports on the controversial airport

Islanders said money for the prison could come from Britain's Department for International Development programme for the island  part of the UK's commitment to spending 0.7 per cent of national wealth on foreign aid, costing taxpayers 13 billion a year.

The new airport funded by Dfid and built to usher in a lucrative new era of tourism has so far yielded disappointingly few visitors. The huge bill was highlighted by The Mail on Sunday during our campaign to show how aid funds are being squandered.

St Helena is a British overseas territory and is directly ruled by London officials. Before the prison can go ahead, Foreign Office staff must grant approval, but it is understood no application has yet been made.

While the island's government refuses to release expected costs, in 2001 a previous plan to build a new jail was costed at more than 3.5 million.
Barclays yesterday stopped handing out free anti-virus software following fears it could be used to spy on Britons for the Russian government  but reassured existing customers it was safe.

The bank has provided the Kaspersky Lab software to protect online account holders since 2008, and 250,000 customers are believed to have installed it.

But the group dropped the offer after security chiefs warned that the internet tool made by the Russian company, which is led by a former military intelligence expert with links to Vladimir Putin's security services, may be used to gather intelligence on 'sensitive' British targets.

Bosses at GCHQ have told fellow Government departments that hold secret information to remove Kaspersky programmes, but they are not giving similar advice to the public.

Barclays dropped the offer of free anti-virus software after security chiefs warned that the internet tool made by the Russian company, which is led by a former military intelligence expert with links to Vladimir Putin's security services, may be used to gather intelligence on 'sensitive' British targets. File image used

Barclays emailed 290,000 online customers yesterday to say its decision to remove the free offer was 'precautionary', but those using the software 'did not need to stop using Kaspersky'.

It added: 'At this stage there is no action for you to take. It's important that you continue to protect yourself with anti-virus software.'

Barclays was criticised by experts last month when it initially refused to drop the Russian company's software.

Critics said bank customers who downloaded it could include Government employees who may be vulnerable to hacking.

Kaspersky said it had 'never helped any government in the world, including Russia, with its cyber-espionage or offensive cyber efforts'.

Barclays said: 'Barclays treats the security of our customers very seriously.'
A brave young woman has refused to give up after doctors delivered a devastating cancer diagnosis and gave her just a month to live.

Rhiana, 29, was mistakenly diagnosed with conjunctivitis in May but her condition quickly deteriorated, causing her to suffer from headaches, double vision and facial numbness.

After an MRI scan finally revealed she had a tumour growing on the nerve between her eye and brain, Rhiana was finally diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

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Rhiana, 29, was finally diagnosed with terminal brain cancer after a malignant tumor was found growing on the nerve between her eye and brain causing her to be in constant pain

The outdoor-loving Rhiana has vowed not to give up after she was told she had weeks to live

She was mistakenly treated for conjunctivitis in May before an MRI finally revealed the tumour

'Along here from my nose into my eye... (it felt) like someone tasering my face,' she revealed to Channel 7.

'I asked [the doctor], "So am I going to die from this?" and she said "yes".'

But Rhiana didn't give up. After 'having a good cry', she vowed to fight her illness with the help of her family and loved ones, despite the fact that she is in constant extreme pain.

'She's tough, there's no such thing as you can't,' her father Thomas said, praising his daughter for never giving up the fight.

The Perth woman is planning to fly to Sydney for a consultation with Dr Charlie Teo, a brain surgeon 'on with a track record of pushing boundaries and operating where others won't'.

But treatment with the famous doctor costs upwards of $100,000, the family has started a GoFundMe page to help Rhiana pay her inevitable medical expenses.

Rhiana's father Thomas (left) said that his daughter (right) is 'tough' and would never give up

Rhiana's friends and family are helping raise money for Rhiana to see Dr Charlie Teo (pictured)

'The cancer is malignant, and she is terminal,' close friend Dean Simcock wrote on the page.

'There is a glimmer of hope in the form of a qualified and reputable neurosurgeon in Sydney who has the skill set, ability and confidence to operate on Rhiana's tumour. His name is Dr. Charlie Teo.

'He could very well be Rhiana's last and only hope for a cure. Of course this chance and Dr Teo's level of expertise doesn't come without a hefty price tag.'

Rhiana's (left) friends have flocked to her GoFundMe and Facebook to leave supportive messages

The page has raised $34,451 of its $25,000 goal in just three weeks with the help of 650 donors.

The funds will be used to pay for the surgery over in Sydney, and will be transferred directly into Rhiana's bank to ensure she has quick and easy access to the money.

'Rhiana loves everyone around her dearly, and puts out positivity to everybody who is touched by her,' Mr Simcock wrote. 'Hopefully we can pass on our positivity to keep her going through this gruelling fight.'

Rhiana hopes her diagnosis reminds everyone to pay attention to their body's 'warning signs'

Rhiana (right) needs more than $100,000 to be treated by expert brain surgeon Dr Teo (left)

Rhiana's friends and loved ones have also flocked to Facebook to send messages of love and support.

'Knowing that someone so full of life and love is facing a battle like this at 29 is hard to comprehend,' wrote Nisa Meadowcroft.

'Rhiana has been a shining light of pure positivity ever since I met her, her lust for life is unrivalled...Instead of letting this get her down, Rhiana is staying so strong and doing everything she possibly can to win the biggest fight she's ever had to face.'

Rhiana has also used her tragic diagnosis to warn others about the potential risks associated with innocuous symptoms as continues her courageous battle.

'I know the story doesn't end that way. Not for me,' she said.
British patients may have to wait longer for life-saving treatments  with the NHS forced to shell out more for them  because of Brexit, drugs bosses have warned.

Pulling out of the European Union risks delaying the process of getting vital new medicines approved, according to senior executives at some of the worlds biggest pharmaceutical companies.

Delivering their stark warning to the House of Lords last week, they said Brexit could require firms to go through two approval processes  one for Europe and another for the UK.

Mark Hicken of Jansen UK has warned about the threat posed by Brexit to the pharma industry

This would slow things down and add to costs, they said.

All therapies, from pioneering new cancer drugs to cutting-edge treatments for arthritis, must be vetted by regulators before being given to sufferers.

Companies that want to launch new drugs in Britain currently have to apply for approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which covers all EU countries.

Authorisation from the EMA then automatically gives the drug a green light from the UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, or MHRA. But this system is now at risk due to Brexit, the firms believe.

Among those warning of the impact was Mark Hicken, UK boss of Janssen, the pharmaceutical arm of giant American corporation Johnson & Johnson.

Speaking to peers on the Lords Science and Technology Committee, he said: We wouldnt want to duplicate or reinvent processes. And he warned that the UK  as a far smaller market than the remaining EU  could well end up stuck at the back of the queue for new drugs. There would be a risk there that the UK could slip down the order of when we would be able to make regulatory filings, submissions and so forth, he added.

Even British companies such as GlaxoSmithKline may choose to go for European approval ahead of UK authorisation, because only about four per cent of its sales come from its home market.

A double approvals process would also make it more expensive to bring out new drugs in Britain, potentially driving up costs for the NHS, the executives say.

Mr Hicken warned Britain would be at the back of the queue for new medicine post Brexit

NHS spending on drugs is vast: last year they cost the health service in England alone more than 16 billion, or about a seventh of its entire budget.

As a result, the companies are pressing for a firm agreement to keep the EMA and the MHRA aligned after Brexit, to stop drug approvals becoming bogged down in extra bureaucracy.

Their concerns come less than a fortnight after it emerged that Britain is to lose the headquarters of the EMA to Amsterdam.

The office, currently in Canary Wharf, London, and employing 890 people, will move in 2019.

The European Commission said the relocation was a direct consequence of the Brexit vote.

Last year the EMA paid 100 million in salaries alone, while its presence is thought to have boosted Britains economy by tens of millions more every year, as drugs firms have chosen to set up offices here to be close to the regulator.
This is the dramatic moment a policeman used his bare hands to prevent an overturned van plunging 30ft on to a busy road  with the injured driver trapped inside.

PC Martin Willis held on to a wheel as the truck teetered on the edge of a bridge  with heavy winds threatening to topple it at any second.

He gripped the vehicle for 15 minutes in bitterly cold weather, the van swaying precariously every time a vehicle sped past on the snowy A1(M) near Leeds.

PC Martin Willis held on to a wheel as the truck teetered on the edge of a bridge  with heavy winds threatening to topple it at any second

It was a bit like The Italian Job, said PC Willis, referring to the famous movies cliff-hanger ending. I was desperate to prevent it falling.

PC Willis was first to reach the scene shortly before dawn on Friday.

The delivery van had skidded off the snowy carriageway and was dangling over the edge of a bridge above the A64.

Eventually, the fire brigade secured the vehicle, while the driver was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary with two broken legs.

Yesterday the drivers firm said: Our driver is now out of surgery and doing well.
An increase in high-frequency volcanic earthquakes at Bali's Mount Agung have elevated fears the volcano could erupt at any moment.

The area has experienced ongoing seismic activity and the rate of earthquakes increased on Saturday night.

In a statement on Friday, the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said that the rate of seismic events had decreased since peak activity in September and October.

They attributed that 'to the fact that a more open pathway for magma to rise to the surface is now present,' The West reports.

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An increase in high-frequency volcanic earthquakes at Bali's Mount Agung have elevated fears the volcano could erupt

The area has experienced ongoing seismic activity and the rate of earthquakes increased on Saturday night

'High-frequency earthquakes continue to occur and show that the volcano is very active and capable of pressurization to cause the ongoing eruptions.'

The island's most recent powerful tremor was felt Friday night, escalating the possibility of a major eruption at any moment.

Australian airlines have once again cancelled flights in and out of the resort island following the reports and due to a lingering volcanic ash cloud.

Around 2,500 Australians remained stranded in Bali as Mount Agung continues to cause chaos for those travelling home.

All flights to the island from Australia have been cancelled by Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar.

The airlines apologised to passengers who were heading to Bali on Sunday.

Photos of a dramatic thick plume of ash taken from a nearby village show the massive scale of the erupting mountain

They say they are monitoring the situation closely and are yet to make a decision on Monday's flights.

The airlines continue to operate relief flights to get people back to Australia as soon as possible.

More than 7400 passengers have been flown back home by Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas since Denpasar Airport reopened on Wednesday after the ash cloud from Mount Agung's eruption cleared.

Mount Agung's activity level remained listed as high despite no major eruption occurring, Indonesia's volcanology agency said on Saturday.

'Jetstar and Qantas have brought more than 7,000 people back from Bali over the last three days,' Jetstar spokeswoman Kate Millar told Sydney Morning Herald.

Work continued for a local woman who was pictured in the foreground of the volcano carrying debris as she walked along the road.

One woman captured a selfie while wearing a face mask as the monstrous cloud billowed out of the mountain behind her

A gigantic cloud of ash continues to spew out of Bali's Mount Agung volcano as rapidly changing wind causes chaos for locals and tourists

Another woman, who wore a face mask, was spotted capturing a selfie with the monstrous cloud billowing out of the mountain behind her.

Breathtaking new photos come after authorities raised the volcano's alert to the highest level four on Monday.

About 40,000 people have been evacuated and are living in temporary shelters as the area experiences ongoing earthquakes.

Work continued for a local woman who was pictured in the foreground of the volcano carrying debris as she walked along the road

Images from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre showed that wind would push the giant ash cloud towards Denpasar Airport Saturday afternoon and evening.

While less ash pouring form the top of the volcano had some believing the worst could be over, volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner said it was normal for activity to fluctuate.

'This does not mean it is over. Fluctuations in activity are a normal part of the life of volcanoes,' Dr Krippner said on Twitter.

150,000 travelers were recently stranded on the island as the giant ash cloud forced flights to be cancelled

One third of Mount Agung's crater has filled with magma, meaning a violent eruption remains likely, according to Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre.

'We calculate it based on the monitoring results of Himawari satellite images of seismic recording data, deformation and geochemistry,' a spokesperson said.

Nasa's Earth Observatory said: 'The plume appears to rise from two vents in the volcano's crater.'
This is the secret hideaway where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's love blossomed - in front of a stunning backdrop of the African bush, overlooking the sparkling Boteti river.

On Meghans first ever wildlife safari for her 36th birthday, the couple watched the sun set behind a spectacular vista of acacia thorn trees and green-backed herons fishing in the river.

The pair were photographed as they arrived at Maun airport in Botswana, smiling excitedly as they crossed the tarmac, Harrys arm affectionately around his girlfriends shoulder.

There are few more romantic destinations in the world. One of the first sights that greeted Harry & Meghan was a herd of dozens of zebra appearing in front of their luxury tent

At Meno a Kwena, where the Prince is known so well that all the African staff call him by his first name, the pair had a light lunch on arrival, then headed to their tent

From their luxury accommodation they were able to watch the wildlife at close quarters

Prince Harry is pictured during an official photocall announcing his engagement to actress Meghan Markle, right

The Royal couple stayed at Meno a Kwena, where Harry brought his first love back in 2007

After that the lovebirds disappeared from the public gaze, but they headed straight for the exclusive Meno a Kwena tented bush camp, a two-hour drive east of the airport.

Harry, 32, had chosen his beloved Botswana for this special visit, not only to celebrate Meghans 36th birthday but also to mark their first year together.

The fact that he chose a country which holds such a special place in his heart will fuel speculation that he may have decided to propose to Meghan on the trip.

There are few more romantic destinations in the world. One of the first sights that greeted Harry & Meghan was a herd of dozens of zebra appearing in front of their luxury tent, cooling themselves in the water.

The secret love shack where the pair stayed overlooked the Boleti River in Botswana

The couple stayed only one night at Meno a Kwena, leaving mid-morning for the Okavango Delta

Harry first visited the country when he was just 13, two months after his mother Diana died, and has made many return visits. In January he agreed to become patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana.

At the time he said: Ive been lucky enough to visit Botswana for more than 20 years and Im fortunate to be able to call it my second home.

Bush camps such as Meno a Kwena around the Maun area are popular with glamping tourists en route to the Okovango Delta region, rich in wildlife.

Driving Meghan from the airport with his bodyguard on the eve of her August 4 birthday, Harry kept their destination a mystery to the end, promising only that it would be unforgettable.

They called for room-service dinner and drinks to enjoy under the stars, away from the other guests at the camp, and also breakfasted in their quarters, soon after sunrise

On his latest trip, Harry did not take advantage of the sunset river cruises, game drives, or sessions on the camps floating hide, all of which are all on offer to guests in the nine tents

Meghan would have had her first surprise at a roadblock where all travellers must get out of their vehicles and walk across a disinfectant mat to protect the area from foot-and-mouth disease.

At Meno a Kwena, where the Prince is known so well that all the African staff call him by his first name, the pair had a light lunch on arrival, then headed to their tent.

From their luxury accommodation they were able to watch the wildlife at close quarters.

They called for room-service dinner and drinks to enjoy under the stars, away from the other guests at the camp, and also breakfasted in their quarters, soon after sunrise.

Harry and Meghan mingled with staff at the camp and walked hand-in-hand up the sandy path

The staff had arranged for Harry and Meghan to stay in safari tent 5, with its king-size bed, open-air shower and hand-carved furniture. Teak chests and explorers trunks dotted the bedroom, with kilim rugs on the floor

They greeted the staff and enjoyed lunch with a glass of wine, one observer told us. Later they went up the sandy path away from the main camp, hand-in-hand, to their prime spot overlooking the river.

Harry was widely expected to propose during their three-week holiday in Africa.

Harry brought his first love, Chelsy Davy, to the same camp in 2007 when they slept under the stars and took game drives through the Central Kalahari reserve.

On his latest trip, Harry did not take advantage of the sunset river cruises, game drives, or sessions on the camps floating hide, all of which are all on offer to guests in the nine tents.

Tent Five at the resort, containing a day bed and outdoor shower overlooking the Boteli River

The staff had arranged for Harry and Meghan to stay in safari tent 5, with its king-size bed, open-air shower and hand-carved furniture. Teak chests and explorers trunks dotted the bedroom, with kilim rugs on the floor.

But its biggest attraction is the spectacular veranda offering a breathtaking view of a broad bend in the Boteti river where elephant, zebra and wild buck come to drink each evening.

The river had been dry for more than 20 years, but came teeming back to life in 2008 when millions of gallons of water came gushing through from the Okovango Delta due to a shift in tectonic plates.

Harry visiting the resort with his then girlfriend Chelsy Davy, who is pictured hugging him after he landed at the camp

Harry has witnessed the extraordinary change for himself. On his earlier visits to Meno a Kwena  the name means teeth of the crocodile  he was told how water pumps had been installed to help keep wildlife alive.

But now the river is a mighty sweep of running water again as Harry and Meghan would have witnessed as they ate supper on the veranda, with its dining table, buckskin rugs and day-bed offering a comfortable vantage point

At night, lions roared close by, and on Meghans birthday she woke at dawn to a noisy orchestra of pied kingfishers and barred owls and the sight of the spectacular African fish eagle swooping on its prey. Its the mating season for all our birds, explained a source. That makes it very noisy to wake up to  we hope they didnt mind too much.

The couple stayed only one night at Meno a Kwena, leaving mid-morning for the Okavango Delta.
Five men serving prison terms of up to 24 years for a 53 million drug smuggling plot have lost their bid to appeal  despite fresh scientific evidence suggesting the version of events presented by the prosecution at the trial was impossible.

Almost four years after The Mail on Sunday published the first of three investigations casting doubt on the convictions, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which has the power to refer possible miscarriages of justice to the Court of Appeal, has decided to take no action.

In doing so, it is rejecting expert evidence that the fishing boat reputedly used to pick up holdalls packed with cocaine from the English Channel never actually reached the spot where the bags might have been dumped. The CCRC has also disregarded fresh evidence from a recently retired senior drugs crime investigator, who found serious discrepancies in the surveillance records.

The Mail on Sunday can prove that the Galwad-y-Mor, pictured, did not reach the point where the cocaine was reportedly thrown overboard by the crew of the Oriane

According to the prosecution, the Galwad-y-mor sailed through the wake of the Oriane, but new evidence showed this did not happen proving the men did not pick up the cocaine

The CCRCs 78-page Statement of Reasons, seen by this newspaper, makes clear that it did not commission any of its own scientific tests, nor seek advice from a single independent expert to confirm or deny the mens claim of innocence.

The statements author, CCRC commissioner David Smith, said he did not consider any such tests were necessary. In his view, there was still no real possibility that the men might win an appeal.

Isle of Wight crab and lobster fisherman Jamie Green, who owned the 39ft Galwad-y-Mor, was jailed for 24 years in 2011, as was casual labourer Zoran Dresic and Mr Greens lifelong friend, Jonathan Beere. Crewmen Danny Payne and Scott Birtwistle got 18 and 14 years respectively.

According to the prosecution, Green sailed his boat into the middle of the Channel in a Force 8 gale on the night of May 29, 2010. There, it was claimed, the Galwad-y-Mor crossed the wake of the Oriane, a Brazilian container ship, just after 12 rucksacks containing a total of 560 lb of cocaine had allegedly been thrown from its deck.

Working in total darkness, with waves up to 30ft, Green and his crew were said to have retrieved the bags in about two minutes. Then, after spending ten hours fishing, they returned to the inshore waters of the islands Freshwater Bay, where, in broad daylight, the crew threw the bags back into the water. They were found next morning by another fisherman, and retrieved by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Prosecutors claimed Jamie Green, pictred here, and his crew were able to locate the 12 rucksacks containing cocaine in a Force 8 storm with waves of up to 30 foot in total darkness

As this newspaper has previously revealed, defence solicitor Emily Bolton consulted a leading marine GPS expert, who concluded the closest the paths of the boats came to each other was 175 metres (190 yards). Moreover, he said the Galwad-y-Mor could not have sailed to the spot where the drug bags were subsequently found anchored to the seabed because the water is too shallow.

This new analysis, based on evidence that was not available at the trial, undermines the case put to the jury, Ms Bolton said. It should have persuaded the CCRC to refer it to the Court of Appeal.

She said the commissions decision not to was baffling and perverse  and said it had shown a lack of understanding of the technical evidence.

But the CCRC said the new evidence was unlikely to make a difference to the outcome because another expert, Mik Chinnery, had already told the trial jury it would have been impossible for Greens crew to collect the bags from the water, yet they still found the men guilty by majority verdict.

However, Mr Chinnery testified about the difficulty of locating and recovering the bags from the heaving sea, not the course of the boats.

Experts also claim the bags would have been pushed away from the Galwad-y-Mor during the storm in May 2009

But Mr Smith told The Mail on Sunday he disagreed that the trial expert was making a fundamentally different point. He added: We didnt consider the new analysis would make a difference.

Mr Smith also rejected a new report from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, which says currents on the night would mean any bags thrown from the Oriane would have floated away from the Galwad-y-Mor, not towards it. There were too many variables, Mr Smith said, and if the Galwad was in the vicinity of the Oriane, then it was possible she did pick up the drugs.

As for the claim that the water was too shallow in Freshwater Bay, Mr Smith said it was uncertain whether the anchor to which the bags were tied was heavy enough to stop them moving from deeper waters where the boat could have sailed. He rejected suggestions that the CCRC should have conducted tests to settle this, saying: I dont think it can be established that the anchor didnt move.

The CCRC also rejected fresh evidence from Don Dewar, a retired senior anti-drug officer who found inexplicable gaps in the surveillance records used to convict the men. Mr Smith agreed there were discrepancies, but not enough to show they had been fabricated.

The CCRCs decision comes amid mounting concern at the plummeting rate at which it is referring cases for appeals  down from more than three per cent of applications five years ago to just 0.7 per cent last year  as it faces budget pressures.

Ms Bolton said the men now plan to challenge the CCRC decision with a judicial review.
Doctors have been accused of putting lives at risk by boycotting a plan to stop guns falling into the hands of mentally ill people.

Since last year, GPs have been required to inform the police if they have concerns about a patient applying for a firearms licence  for example if the person has a history of depression.

The move followed pressure from Wiltshire coroner David Ridley, who dealt with the tragic case of retired police inspector Bill Dowling, a licensed gun owner, who shot dead his ex-partner Victoria Rose, then killed himself, after stopping taking anti-depressants.

Bill Dowling, a licensed gun owner, shot dead his ex-partner Victoria Rose, then killed himself, after stopping taking anti-depressants

But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that many doctors are refusing to co-operate with the scheme and are being encouraged not to do so by their union, the British Medical Association (BMA). The BMA told its members they could demand payment or say they had a conscientious objection to the holding of firearms.

Durham Polices Assistant Chief Constable Dave Orford has condemned the BMAs move as a retrograde step that puts the public at greater risk.

It had been agreed between the Home Office, police chiefs and the BMA that, as of April 2016, firearms licensing teams could write to an applicants GP to enquire about their medical history and ask if they had any concerns about the applicant owning a gun.

Doctors were also to place a flag in the medical records of any patient with a firearms licence, so they could notify police if they spotted a change in behaviour that could affect their suitability to own a gun.

Police Minister Nick Hurd said he was 'disappointed' the arrangements are no longer supported by the BMA

But within months, the BMA went back on the agreement. In some areas, such as Scotland, GPs began demanding licence applicants pay as much as 200 before they will co-operate with police.

After he dealt with another case of a man with a history of depression who shot himself, Wiltshire coroner Mr Ridley wrote to the Home Office and BMA again expressing his frustration.

Mr Ridley said he was extremely concerned the scheme was not working and that the doctors union was advising its members in a very negative manner. He said Ministers should consider whether new laws are needed to force GPs to comply.

Police Minister Nick Hurd replied last month that he shared the coroners concerns and added: I am disappointed the arrangements for the initial scan and flagging of patient records, negotiated and previously agreed by all interested parties, are no longer supported by the BMA.

A National Police Chiefs Council spokesman said: We are concerned about recent guidance issued by the BMA that suggests doctors should not use an encoded marker as part of the monitoring process. Without a system like this GPs will not be aware that one of their patients has a firearm and will have no way of sharing any concerns with us.

The BMA said: The Government has failed to fund this process, leaving GP practices with no option but to charge for the administrative costs of producing medical reports, as these are not part of the NHS services GPs are funded to deliver.
Former BBC newsreader Jan Leeming (pictured) has revealed how she was left nauseated by an intimate frisk at Heathrow

Former BBC newsreader Jan Leeming has revealed how she was left nauseated by an intimate frisk at Heathrow.

Writing on her blog, the 75-year-old, left, said she felt violated by the recent search by a female airport security officer. I had kept on a rather heavy silver necklace and it set off the security  fine.

So far so good. But the woman who frisked me was more than intrusive. Instead of the pat-down one usually receives, I had my whole body rubbed and she even put her hand down the back of my trousers.

She added: The hand down the trousers was possibly because of my HRT [hormone replacement therapy] patch but I found the whole experience nauseating  however it has not ruined my life.

In the same posting  entitled sexual harassment  Ms Leeming also revealed how she was goosed by a stranger on an escalator at St Pancras Station in London last year.

She said some recent high-profile allegations of sexual harassment were clouding the real, sickening, and appalling cases of rape and abuse.

Ms Leeming, who recently starred in Channel 4s Celebrity First Dates, said she had experienced a number of inappropriate sexual advances at work but none had affected her life adversely.

Heathrow said it regretted that her security screening may have fallen short of its expected standards.

Ms Leeming began her career in the early 1970s as an actress and TV host in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to Britain.

She presented the BBC show Pebble Mill At One between 1974 and 1979 and then became a newsreader throughout the 1980s.

In 1982, she hosted the Eurovision Song Contest.

She wound down her TV career in the 1990s but made odd appearances now and then.

Writing on her blog, the 75-year-old, left, said she felt violated by the recent search by a female airport security officer. I had kept on a rather heavy silver necklace and it set off the security  fine

Her big TV comeback was in 2006, when she went on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

In 2010, she took part in Come Dine With Me Celebrity Special on Channel 4, before trying out life in India for the BBC's The Real Marigold Hotel in 2016.

This year she has been looking for love on Celebrity First Dates to raise awareness for Stand Up To Cancer.
President Trump's national security adviser said Saturday that the war with North Korea increases in possibility every day while the problem with the hermit kingdom remains unsolved.

Speaking with Fox News' Bret Baier at the Reagan National Security Forum in California, HR McMaster shared his thoughts on the increasing possibility of nuclear war.

'I think it's increasing every day,' McMaster said to Baier. 'It means we're in a race. We're in a race to be able to solve this problem.

President Trump's national security adviser HR McMaster said on Saturday that each missile launch from North Korea increases the possibility of war

'There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he's getting closer and closer and there's not much time left.'

North Korea fired a intercontinental ballistic missile last week, flying 1,000 miles higher than its first ICBM launch in July.

And Kim Jong Un's nuclear ambitions are the gravest national security threat that America faces, according to McMaster.

'The greatest immediate threat to the United States and to the world is the threat posed by the rogue regime in North Korea and his continued efforts to develop a long range nuclear capability,' he added.

North Korea fired a intercontinental ballistic missile last week, flying 1,000 miles higher than its first ICBM launch in July

'So it's immensely important that we work together with all of our allies, partners, everyone internationally, to convince Kim Jong Un that the continued pursuit of these capabilities is a dead end for him and his regime.'

The ballistic missile fired last week did not survive re-entry into the atmosphere - it broke up.

North Korean soldiers and residents held a rally on Friday celebrating nuclear statehood

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un declared the country had achieved a 'historic cause'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspects the Korean People's Army at the rally on Friday

The rally was held on Friday after Kim Jong-Un declared his country was now a nuclear state

But McMaster still thinks this ambition on the dictator's missile program shows clear improvement.

'What is clear is every time  every time - he conducts a missile launch, a nuclear test, he gets better,' McMaster said.

'And whether it's a success or failure isn't as important as understanding that over the years he's been learning from failures, improving, thereby increasing his threat to all of us.'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un visited the Amnokgang Tire Factory in Chagang province

Kim Jong Un praised staff for not using imported equipment to build the tires

The tires manufactured here are used to transport the intercontinental ballistic missile

Also at the forum, McMaster denied that recent guilty plea from Michael Flynn had rattled the administration.

McMaster said: 'I've seen no evidence of the investigation in any way impeding the important work we're doing.'

The North Korean leader pictured on Wednesday inspecting an intercontinental ballistic missile test, although independent journalists were not allowed to cover the event

North Korea claims the newly developed Hwasong-15 was successfully launched

Korean leader Kim Jong-Un attended an art performance at the People's Theatre in Pyongyang dedicated to nuclear scientists and technicians who worked on the state's hydrogen bomb

Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un visited the factory that built the tires for the vehicles used to transport the ICBM.

At the Amnokgang Tyre Factory, Kim Jong Un praised staff for not using imported equipment to build the tires.

North Korean soldiers and Pyongyang residents were also pictured on Friday holding a rally to celebrate the country achieving full nuclear statehood.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un declared the country had achieved a 'historic cause' of becoming a nuclear state, according to its state media.

The declaration came after the country tested an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday.
Rubbish trucks have been busted ferrying garbage from New South Wales to Queensland in order to make a few extra dollars.

The 12-hour journey sees rubbish trucks transporting waste, some of which has been dug up from landfill sites in NSW, across the border to be buried again.

While the practice may seem absurd, it has become cheaper for waste management companies to ferry the trash up north than bury it in Sydney.

The NSW Government charges a waste levy of $138.20 for every tonne of waste buried in the state, while Queensland abolished a similar levy in 2014.

Rubbish trucks have been busted ferrying garbage from New South Wales to Queensland in order to make a few extra dollars. Pictured is one of the trucks after it crashed

The 12-hour journey sees rubbish trucks transporting waste, some of which has been dug up from landfill sites in NSW, across the border to be buried again. Pictured is one of the trucks after it crashed

The cost of the trash transporting process costs the NSW government, and the taxpayer, $114 million each year, news.com.au reports.

The trips had remained something of a secret but recent crashes that saw the trucks overturn revealed the lengths being taken to transport the landfill.

After a series of crashes involving the sometimes 30-tonne rubbish trucks, many NSW party and company leaders are fed up.

Labor's shadow environment minister for NSW, Penny Sharpe, told the publication the practice is not only dangerous, it's costing the government.

'The waste system is broken when it has become possible to dig up your own waste, truck it to Queensland in dirty, dangerous trucks and still make money,' Minister Sharpe said.

While the practice may seem absurd, it has become cheaper for waste management companies to ferry the trash up north than bury it in Sydney. Pictured is one of the trucks after it crashed

'The impact is hundreds of millions of dollars lost to NSW and thousands of dangerous trucks going up and down the Pacific Highway under the cover of darkness.'

Trucks ferrying the waste tend to leave Sydney after dark, arriving in Queensland to dump their loads and drive back.

Over 800,000 of NSW waste was dumped in the sunshine state last year, most of which is buried in Ipswich.

The dangers of transporting tonnes of waste under the cover of darkness for 12 hours is also frustrating police.

At least six trucks have overturned on roads in the past two months, creating a nightmare for emergency services and commuters.

Executive Director of the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association, Tony Khoury, believes Queensland has become a 'dumping ground' for NSW waste.

Mr Khoury doesn't believe the practice will stop any time soon, as long as the New South Wales waste levy remains.
Despite talk of a public health approach to dealing with substance use and addiction, the criminal justice system continues to carry the brunt of the response to the overdose crisis.

Despite efforts to not repeat the incarcerative response of the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 90s, the number of people charged with possession of illicit drugs in Cumberland County has nearly doubled since 2013, according to court records.

Despite calls to end the decades-old war on drugs, the fight wages on.

One tool in the criminal justice arsenal being used with greater frequency in the face of rising drug overdoses it to treat the cases as homicides.

In Pennsylvania, a person can be charged with drug delivery resulting in death, which is considered a homicide and can carry up to a 40-year prison sentence, for providing drugs to a person who overdoses and dies.

Seventy-seven people were charged with the offense in 2016, according to court records, and if local trends are an indicator, that number will increase this year.

Since 2013, nearly half of all homicide cases in Cumberland County have been for drug delivery resulting in death.

The law has been on the books since 1989, but has undergone changes because of constitutional challenges and was rarely used locally until recently.

Between 2009 and 2011, Cumberland, Perry, Adams and Franklin counties combined prosecuted only two cases, according to an analysis of court records conducted by The Sentinel.

In 2015 alone that number reached six cases and as of Nov. 30, more than 20 cases have been filed this year, according to court records.

The bulk of the cases  17  were filed in Franklin County, up from just four cases a year prior, court records show.

In fact, more cases of drug delivery resulting in death have been filed in Franklin County in 2017 than in the eight years prior combined.

District Attorney Matthew Fogal said this was part of a two-part approach to dealing with the overdose epidemic.

I often describe this current response in terms of the heart and the fist, Fogal said. (Drug delivery resulting in death) prosecutions are punitive for drug traffickers, as they should be. That is the fist. But there is also the heart.

The county has also seen a large uptick in bail amounts for people charged with selling drugs. Median bails rose $25,000 in 2012 to $100,000 in 2016, according to an analysis of court records conducted by The Sentinel.

Median bail for similarly charged people in Cumberland County was $25,000 last year, according to court records.

Franklin Countys jail population has surged to average more than 500 inmates per day, according to Franklin County Prison Board reports. This is more than 200 inmates more than the jails rated capacity, causing the county to pay to house inmates at other facilities across the state.

For comparison, about 460 inmates were being housed in Cumberland County Prison on Dec. 1. Cumberland County has a population roughly 50 percent larger than Franklin County and the court system handles roughly 2,000 more cases a year, according to court records.

An uptick in the amount of prosecutions for (drug delivery resulting in death) has been conversely matched by the time and effort partnering with the treatment community in order to find help for those that want it, Fogal said.

The county recently began a treatment court for people in the criminal justice system with substance-use disorder, and Fogal said time and resources have been put into finding treatment for those who want it.

The treatment court currently handles about 20 people, which is about 0.74 percent of the countys yearly caseload, according to court records.

While much must be done in order to combat addiction and the scourge illegal drugs bring to our front doors, our current efforts move us yet closer to understanding the grayness of the line between addiction and crime, he said.

U.S. Attorney David Freed said prosecutions are a way of holding defendants responsible but are likely not a deterrent to future crime.

The person who used has died. Prevention would be treatment for that person, Freed said. Its a culpability and punishment thing more than it is a crime prevention down the road.

At the time of the interview, Freed was the district attorney for Cumberland County.

Proponents of the drug delivery resulting in death law generally argue that the law is aimed at drug traffickers.

Punishing dealers

A review of more than 200 cases of drug delivery homicides nationwide conducted by Health In Justice, a program run by researchers from Northeastern University, found less than half of the charged cases involved a typical dealer/buyer relationship.

More than half of the cases involved defendants who were caretakers, family members, friends or romantic partners of the person who died, according Health In Justice.

The calculous that has to be engaged in is, is it a sharing situation or is it a sale situation, Freed said. If thats what we have to do to impact street-level people, Im OK with that and I understand why somebody else may not be.

During Freeds tenure as district attorney, Cumberland County was one of the most aggressive counties in the state in using the charge, averaging about three cases a year between 2013 and 2017.

Whats the tougher case? he said. When its a dealer whos dealing to support a habit  I think depending on the level of habit, weve handled that both ways.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro drew a less blurred line when it comes to using the charge.

If youre peddling this poison in our communities and someone dies from it, were going to charge you to the fullest extent of the law, Shapiro said when asked about using the charge when two people using drugs share and one person dies. The Legislature has said and the governor has said that I can charge someone with drug delivery resulting in death.

We try to use that in the (Attorney Generals) office on bigger dealers and the ones who are dumping this poison in our communities, and we try to be very responsible when we charge, he said. We try to charge people with crimes we know we can convict them on, too.

Shapiro spoke to a room full or reporters in November saying the charge was an important and effective tool for his office.

Nearly half of all the cases filed in Franklin County this year involve multiple defendants charged in connection to one death, including one case where three people were charged in connection to a single death, according to court records.
The New York-based founder and CEO of a Caribbean fast food chain has taken his own life, police say.

Lowell Hawthorne, 57, allegedly shot himself inside the Morrisania, The Bronx factory of his Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill on Saturday night, the New York Daily News reported.

Former employees of his told the Daily News that he was 'humble and 'good' and were 'shocked' at hearing he had likely committed suicide.

Lowell Hawthorne, 57, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in The Bronx on Saturday, police say

Hawthorne died inside the Morrisania, The Bronx factory of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill, of which he served as founder and CEO

Employees said they saw his car - a Tesla 85D - parked between two lanes.

Hawthorne emigrated to the United States from Jamaica and opened his first Golden Krust operation in 1989.

He and his family pooled money to open the modest store.

The operation sold Jamaican beef patties and it gradually evolved into a small fast-food empire.

Hawthorne started Golden Krust in 1989 and today there are more than 100 locations across the United States

There are now more than 100 Golden Krust establishments across the United States selling patties and other foodstuffs such as jerk chicken and plantains.

Golden Krust also produces tens of millions frozen patties to be sold in retail.

It is not clear who will take over the operation of Golden Krust.
A New York City woman has started a petition to ask the Metropolitan Museum of Art to remove a Balthus painting.

The painting, Mia Merrill argues, depicts a young girl in a sexually suggestive pose from a man's point of view.

The painting, called Therese Dreaming, shows a girl sitting on a chair with her knee up, which exposes her underwear.

A New York City woman has started a petition to remove the Balthus painting Therese Dreaming (pictured) from the Museum of Metropolitan Art's public viewing collection

Merrill (left) said of Balthus (right): 'The artist of this painting, Balthus, had a noted infatuation with pubescent girls and this painting is undeniably romanticizing the sexualization of a child'

On a Care2 petition that has so far amassed more than 6,000 signatures, Merrill wrote: 'It is disturbing that the Met would proudly display such an image.

'They are a renowned institution and one of the largest, most respected art museums in the United States.

'The artist of this painting, Balthus, had a noted infatuation with pubescent girls and this painting is undeniably romanticizing the sexualization of a child.'

Her petition continues: 'Given the current climate around sexual assault and allegations that become more public each day, in showcasing this work for the masses, The Met is romanticizing voyeurism and the objectification of children.'

She concludes: 'Ultimately, it's a small ask in consideration of how expansive their art collection is (they can easily hang up another painting), how overtly sexual the painting is, and the current news headlines highlighting a macro issue about the public health and safety of women.'

Merrill continued in her petition to remove the painting: 'Given the current climate around sexual assault and allegations that become more public each day, in showcasing this work for the masses, The Met is romanticizing voyeurism and the objectification of children'

The Met, one of the largest art museums in the world, held a 2013 exhibition of Balthus paintings titled 'Balthus: Cats and Girls - Paintings and Provocations'.

The exhibition was prefaced with a warning that some of its content might be 'disturbing'.

Balthus, born Balthasar Klossowski de Rola (1908-2001), was a European painter particularly known for his portraits of girls and young women.
An 'unpredictable' female prison escapee has been recaptured after she was reportedly found hiding under a pile of laundry.

Santana Marie Mason, 27, escaped from Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women in Bentley, south of Perth about 11am on Saturday, WAToday reported.

She was described as being about 165cm tall, with brown eyes, brown hair, and tattoos of a bird and wing on her neck.

After an extensive search, officers recaptured Ms Mason at a house in Cockburn Central

After an extensive search, officers recaptured Ms Mason at a house in Cockburn Central.

When police arrived at the property, a 35-year-old woman told them Ms Mason was not there.

But after searching the home Ms Mason was found 'hiding under a pile of laundry'.

The 27-year-old was charged with escaping from custody and is due to face Perth Magistrates court later on Sunday.

The 35-year-old woman who allegedly hid Ms Mason has been charged with aiding an escapee.
A man convicted of one of the nation's most notorious gang rapes early last decade has been caught allegedly trying to sell one kilogram of ice while out on parole.

Mohamed Ghanem was one of nine men sentenced over the horrific gang rapes of more than a dozen women and girls, some as young as 14, across Sydney in 2000.

The then 17-year-old was a lieutenant to Bilal Skaf - the ring leader behind the attacks - and was sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars in 2002.

Mohamed Ghanem, 34, was sentenced to 40 years jail for his part is a series of horrific gang rapes but was released after serving only 14, and is now behind bars again

The 34-year-old was caught allegedly trying to sell one kilogram of the drug ice (pictured) while out on parole

But Ghanem walked free after just 14 years in 2015, despite the judge who sentenced him over his attacks on two women in a park calling the crimes 'worse than murder'.

And last week, less than two years since his release, the 34-year-old was caught at a motel in Sydney's west allegedly sealing the drug deal, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Although he was underage at the time of the attack on the women in a Greenacre park, Ghanem was ordered to complete his entire sentence inside an adult prison.

The court heard that one of the women had been grabbed and pushed into a bush, before being dragged away and raped.

Another was taken into a toilet block and forced to perform oral sex.

It is alleged Ghanem's intended buyer was Hussein Sarhan (pictured), a Brisbane businessman

He crashed his BMW getaway car (pictured) into unmarked police cars as he attempted to flee

The scene where Sarhan crashed into several unmarked police cars as he tried to escape

Ghanem was handed the second harshest sentence of any of the gang, given a non-parole period of 26 years. Only Bilal Skaf received more, given a maximum 55 years.

Despite this Ghanem was released early, after being put through a series of release programs to reintegrate him into society.

On release he was reportedly judged to pose a medium-to-high risk of reoffending, a statement which allegedly proved true last Monday afternoon.

As Ghanem allegedly attempted to sell drugs to businessman Hussein Sarhan at the Bankstown Motel 10, police swooped.

The motel, located on the Hume Highway at Greenacre, is just a few hundred metres from the park where he committed multiple rapes years earlier.

It is alleged Ghanem's intended buyer was Hussein Sarhan, a Brisbane businessman who crashed his BMW getaway car into unmarked police cars as he attempted to flee.

Sarhan was arrested and charged with a large commercial drug supply after officers allegedly found one kilogram of meth in the car

Ghanem was caught at the Bankstown Motel 10 located on the Hume Highway at Greenacre, near park where he committed multiple rapes years earlier

Police recover the drugs from the motel room where the deal was allegedly to go down

The pair are both facing charges of supplying large quantities of commercial drugs.

One of Ghanem's parole conditions banned him from associating with any organised crime.

He is now back behind bars having had his freedom revoked.

But an outraged Guy Zangari, the NSW shadow minister for corrections, questioned why Ghanem's tracking bracelet was cut off last year.

'This is of major concern that someone who is a high risk sex offender is let out on parole and able to allegedly commit this offence,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

'Who is monitoring this guy? Is the system really working?'
California officials on Wednesday released surveillance and body cam footage of a man who ended up dying after he struggled with police officers trying to bring him under arrest.

Fermin Vincent Valenzuela, 32, went into cardiac arrest three times and died after Anaheim police used a stun gun to subdue him on July 2, 2016.

He was placed in a medically induced coma and died from complications of asphyxia, The Orange County Register reported.

In September, Orange County officials announced that after a review, the officers involved in the incident, Woojin Jun and Daniel Wolfe, were justified in their use of force, according to the Register.

The footage from July 2, 2016 in Anaheim shows two officers, Woojin Jun (left) and Daniel Wolfe (right), enter a local laundromat after receiving a report of a man suspiciously stalking a woman

Inside the laundromat, they confronted Fermin Vincent Valenzuela, 32

When officers tried to place Valenzuela into custody, he used 'unusual strength' and resisted arrest

Valenzuela refused to surrender and managed to pull away from the officers in the laundromat and run across the street

The officers then chased Valenzuela down in a nearby parking lot and tried to subdue him once again

The officers used batons and a taser, but Valenzuela continued to resist arrest

When they chased him down, Jun tried to restrain Valenzuela while Wolfe used a maneuver known as the 'carotid artery' technique

Wolfe wanted to apply pressure on both carotid arteries so that the blood flow to Valenzuela's brain would be cut off, resulting in a temporary loss of consciousness

In the video, Valenzuela appears to lose consciousness. The officers then try to revive him, but he is unresponsive

As Valenzuela was rushed to the hospital, he suffered three heart attacks

He was placed on life support until July 10, when doctors removed him from the machines

On July 2, Anaheim, California, police responded to a call about a suspicious man who followed a woman to her home.

Officers found Valenzuela and when they approached him he used 'physical force to push' the offices back, according to Sgt. Daron Wyatt.

A stun gun was deployed, which caused the cardiac episode.

In the 11-minute video released this week, the officers are seen confronting Valenzuela in a local laundromat.

When they tried to take him into custody, Valenzuela resisted, prompting the officers to wrestle him to the ground.

The officers claimed that they had no choice but to use force because of Valenzuela's 'unusual strength.'

When the officers used batons and tasers, Valenzuela still refused to surrender, they said.

Valenzuela manages to break away from the officers and runs across the street.

Officers said that they had reason to fear for the public's safety.

When they chased him down, Jun tried to restrain Valenzuela while Wolfe used a maneuver known as the 'carotid artery' technique.

The carotid artery is an artery located on each side of the neck. Wolfe wanted to apply pressure on both carotid arteries so that the blood flow to Valenzuela's brain would be cut off, resulting in a temporary loss of consciousness.

In the video, Valenzuela appears to lose consciousness. The officers then try to revive him, but he is unresponsive.

As Valenzuela was rushed to the hospital, he suffered three heart attacks.

He was placed on life support until July 10, when doctors removed him from the machines.

A corner's report listed the official cause of death as complications of asphyxia while under the influence of methamphetamine.

'While any loss of life is a tragedy,' Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quezada said in a statement, 'the death of Mr. Valenzuela while in our custody is particularly impactful and I express my sincere condolences to the family.'

Valenzuela was diagnosed as bi-polar and spent years going on and off his medication.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters on Wednesday that the carotid artery technique is a standard procedure approved by the Anaheim Police Department in cases where a suspect is resisting arrest.

Rackauckas said the officers applied the technique in this case properly and that there was no evidence they were ill-equipped or poorly trained.

Valenzuelas family says that Valenzuela posed no threat to the officers, and that they used excessive force.

The family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of Anaheim in federal court.
SNL put a Dickensian spin on Michael Flynn's cooperation with the FBI on Saturday by turning the Russia probe into a Christmas Carol spoof.

The episode's opening skit saw Alec Baldwin's Trump skipping the post-tax-bill party - despite assurances that it's 'your greatest achievement, in that it's your only achievement' - because the Flynn predicament is getting him down.

But as Trump reflects on the good things he's done over the past year - 'This'll only take a minute,' he assures the audience - Flynn appears wrapped in chains.

Then the spooky security adviser tells Trump that he's 'The Ghost of Witness Flipped'.

Scroll down for video

Donald Trump was visited by Michael Flynn - 'The Ghost of Witness Flipped' - in SNL's recreation of A Christmas Carol. Flynn gave Alec Baldwin's Trump a dire warning

Billy Bush (left, played by Mikey Day) was the Ghost of Christmas Past in the skit, while Vladimir Putin (Billy Bush, right) was the Ghost of Christmas Present

Flynn bemoans how until the FBI got to him he was 'an honorable twice-fired military man who loved to talk about how Hillary Clinton had a child sex ring in a pizza shop.'

Instead, the disgraced general, played by SNL cast member Mikey Day, is there to show Trump visions of three figures from his past who could return to haunt him.

The first is a ghost from Trump's past - Billy Bush, played by Alex Moffatt, who warns him that the Access Hollywood tapes could catch up with him.

The next ghost to appear is Beck Bennett's Vladimir Putin, who gives Trump a warning from his present - to not antagonize Kim Jong-un.

He then makes a sharp exit after Trump pleadingly asks the Russian premier if he thinks he's cool.

The final ghost introduced by Flynn comes from Trump's future: Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton, in a Steve Bannon-like cloak and cowl.

'You, Donald, have given me the greatest Chrismtas gift of all - sexual gratification in the form of your slow demise,' she said.

'You have no idea how long I've wanted to say this: Lock him up!'

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton, who said: 'You have no idea how long I've wanted to say this: Lock him up!'

The show returned to Flynn's flip in the Weekend Update, as both hosts - Colin Jost and Michael Che - tackled the surprise twist.

'Former national security adviser Michael Flynn pled guilty to charges that he lied to the FBI during an investigation into Trump's ties to Russia - or as Fox News reported it, "Did Hillary Clinton secretly join ISIS?"' quipped Jost.

'These days it's just refreshing to see a powerful man plead guilty to something that sin't sexual harassment,' he added.

'When I heard Flynn was in trouble, I thought, "Wait, he only lied to the FBI? He didn't also whip it out during a meeting? What a solid guy!"'

Che, meanwhile, joked that Trump 'was kind enough to go on Twitter and do half our job for us' on Saturday night.

He pointed to a tweet on the president's account in which he appeared to say 'I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI.'

'So you knew Flynn lied and asked Comey to stop his investigation? That's obstruction!' he said.

'You know what the crazy thing is? As bad as this looks, this is still Donald Trump we're talking about.

'And I've heard people say, "Oh there's no way Trump walks from this one" at least 38 times already, but this slippery bastard is still the president somehow.'

The Flynn debacle was also addressed in the Weekend Update by Colin Jost (left) and Michael Che (right). Flynn has promised to aid the FBI as part of a plea deal for lying to them before

Jost joked that Flynn was that rare thing these days - a powerful man who was in trouble for something other than sexual harassment

Just before the show went to air, The Washington Post reported that inside sources were blaming that tweet on Trump's personal lawyer, saying the president hadn't written it.

Jost came back by reading out the biblical verse James Comey tweeted: 'But justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.'

'It's a powerful reminder that no matter what you think about James Comey, we can all agree that he's a humongous dork,' Jost said.

'Also his use of the phrase ever flowing stream makes me think he has seen that Russian pee tape.'

Jost then segued onto other topics by saying: 'The Senate also voted to pass a 1.5 trillion tax reform bill early this morning that experts say will add over 1 trillion to the national debt.

'Wow, I knew Trump was going to run the country like a business - I just didn't think he would run it like one of HIS businesses.'
Right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos has been pictured wearing a thick fur coat in 34C heat as he heads out shopping in Perth.

The self-described provocateur touched down in Perth on Saturday, the second leg of his Troll Academy Tour.

Mr Yiannopoulas, 33, has come under fire from various community groups for offending Muslims and gay people, despite being gay himself, since his tour of Australia began on Friday.

Right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos has been pictured wearing a thick fur coat in 34C heat as he heads out shopping in Perth

Stepping out in a thick fur jacket on Sunday, Mr Yiannopoulas appeared not bothered his choice of clothing might continue to offend various groups in the community.

Taking to his Facebook on Sunday, Mr Yiannopoulas told his two and a half million followers he was 'keeping it low-key'.

His loyal followers praised him for his bold choices.

'I can't help but admire you and your willingness to cause controversy for the better cause of humanity,' one man said.

While some took issue with his fur coat, hoping it was 'faux fur', others were more taken aback he wore the jacket in Perth's 34C heat.

'You must be sweltering in that fur in the Perth heat, darling!' one woman said.

'That fur is just for show Milo, it's bloody hot today!' another said.

Just three days into Mr Yiannopoulas' Australian tour, the details of his altra-extravagant life-style and upbringing have surfaced.

Stepping out in a thick fur jacket on Sunday, Mr Yiannopoulas appeared not bothered he might offend animal rights activists

Taking to his Facebook on Sunday, Mr Yiannopoulas told his two and a half million followers he was 'keeping it low-key'

Mr Yiannopoulos insisted he was a self made man, despite growing up with a 'mafioso' father and living between houses all around the world.

He was born Milo Hanrahan and raised in Kent, England to Greek and Jewish parents.

His family had a chalet in the Austrian Alps and for his fifth birthday he got a pony. It was a lifestyle any child would be in envy of - but that's nothing compared to today.

Now known as Milo Yiannopoulos, the controversy king wears labels like Versace and Gucci, has houses around the world, stays in fancy hotels and only drinks expensive champagne. Put simply, he's living life like a rockstar.

And after flaunting the best of his expensive wardrobe during his visit to Sydney this week, Yiannopoulos told Daily Mail Australia he was offended by estimates he's worth just AUD$5.3 million.

Mr Yiannopoulos pictured stepping out of Tiffany & Co in Perth this weekend

Mr Yiannopoulos is pictured with Gucci and Tiffany & Co shopping bags in Perth

Milo Yiannopoulos has revealed that an outfit (pictured) he wore in Australia this week is worth close to $150,000

The right-wing firebrand told of his lavish lifestyle to Daily Mail Australia, including his million dollar wardbrobe, designer jewellery collection and his husband's bespoke $300,000 Tesla

'Growing up we had a chalet in Australia, a couple of different house and my dad had a few Porsches,' Yiannopoulos recalled.

'I got a pony for my fifth birthday, I could never work out why we lived in nice houses. I didn't know what my dad did but essentially I was your typical Greek Mafioso child.

'But professionally speaking I'm pretty much self-made. My career in London took off pretty quick and I've always had a taste for nice things, so I knew I had to work hard.'

Starting as the tech writer for the Telegraph, he went on to create his own magazine The Kernel and spent time at Breitbart News, before his role as right-wing firebrand.

Yiannopoulos owns multiple houses in the United States, two in London and bought husband John a $330,000 gold plated Tesla (pictured) this year

While on the surface he seems to be permanently stirring the pot, behind the scenes he lives the high life.

Last year he married his partner John at the Four Seasons in Hawaii in an extravagant wedding ceremony that he for the first time revealed cost AUD$460,000.

There's multiple houses in the United States and two in London, AUD$330,000 cars and a wardrobe supermodels would be jealous of.

And most of it was on show this week during his trip to Australia, as Yiannopoulos hit out at Muslims and 'lefties' while wearing his designer clothes and bespoke jewellery.

Online estimates list Yiannopoulos' worth as being close to AUD$5.3 million, claims he says are 'insulting'

Starting as the tech writer for the Telegraph, he went on to create his own magazine The Kernel and spent time at Breitbart News, before moving on to becoming a right-wing firebrand

'I was wearing a Dolce and Gabbana jacket, the sunglasses are Louis Vuitton, custom made 50 karat gold jewellery from New York, jeans from Balmain and Tiffany earrings worth AUD$40,000,' he said.

'I guess at any time I'm probably wearing AUD$200,000 of stuff - if people came and cut off my hands they'd be able to buy a house.'

Online estimates list Yiannopoulos' worth as being close to AUD$5.3 million, claims he says are 'insulting'.

'I got a AUD$1.3 million signing bonus from Apple last year and my first purchase was a gold chrome Tesla for my husband which cost AUD$330,000,' he revealed.

'It's the only gold chrome model in the world. They didn't even have gold on the drop down box to choose from.

'I'm basically like a cross between a Russian oligarch's wife and a Chinese tourist, lots of gold and plenty of Louis Vuitton.

'I guess at any time I'm probably wearing AUD$200,000 of stuff - if people came and cut off my hands they'd be able to buy a house,' he told Daily Mail Australia

Yiannopoulos has multiple houses across the United States, as well as two homes in London

'A couple of generations back my family had nothing, as often happens with people who come into money, now we're showing off heavily.'

But while wasn't afraid to splurge on a vehicle for his now husband John, he claimed it has been close to a decade since he himself has got behind the wheel.

'I haven't driven for 10 years, there's normally an Escalade waiting out the front  I'm a bit like Hilary Clinton I guess,' Yiannopoulos said with a laugh.

Creating headlines since the moment he stepped out of business class and onto the tarmac, the full-time mischief maker said his tour of Australia had been a success.

Just minutes after chatting with Daily Mail Australia on Friday he was back in the air, jetting off to the first leg of his speaking tour in Adelaide.

'I'm basically like a cross between a Russian oligarch's wife and a Chinese tourist, lots of gold and plenty of Louis Vuitton,' he said

Yiannopoulos began working as a tech correspondent for the Telegraph, before later going to work at Breitbart news

The 33-year-old also revealed that growing up his family had a chalet in the Austrian Alps (like pictured) and that for his fifth birthday he was gifted a pony

So far he's sold out shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and two in Sydney, with a third to be added in the Harbour City next Wednesday, November 6.

Some 12,000 people are expected to watch him in action on his Australian tour, with Yiannopoulos saying he's been left nothing short of chuffed.

'Australia I always knew was going to be a key market for me, people want to see me live and want to read my stuff,'

'What it has proved to me is the lefties and feminists in Australia better get to used to me, because I'm going to be over here causing mayhem every year.'
Sydney's famous Bondi to Bronte summer swim has left dozens of racegoers requiring medical attention after suffering hypothermia.

Entrants had to be plucked from the water, with at least 25 people treated for the condition and three rushed to hospital, 7 News reports.

While temperatures soared to nearly 30C on Sunday, in the water it was a different story with the mercury tipping just 15C.

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Sydney's famous Bondi to Bronte summer swim has left dozens of racegoers requiring medical attention after suffering hypothermia

This year marked the 17th edition of the annual swim, which kicked off around 9.30am at Bondi Beach.

Event organisers expecting cold water conditions warned swimmers to brace themselves, even allowing them to wear wetsuits for the first time in the event's history.

With the water temperature seven degrees lower than December's average, the course was also shaved from the usual 2.1km to just 1.8km.

Some swimmers had to be pulled from the water by jetski, with 13 people treated by NSW paramedics who set up a triage centre on the sand.

While the mercury tipped nearly 30C on Sunday, entrants faced water temperatures of just 15C as they began (pictured), with 13 people later treated by NSW paramedics and three rushed to hospital

Surf Life Saver Chris Lorang told Seven News that 'the further out you get the colder the water is' and that some of the competitors had to be plucked from the waves by jetskis

Plenty of swimmers could be seen shivering as they left the water, with some wrapping blankets around them as they tried to warm up.

'It's a big swim and the further out you get the colder the water is,' Surf Life Saver Chris Lorang told Seven.

'It depends on how used to the water you are (and) how much body mass you've got, those can be factors in getting hypothermia.'

Some soldiered through the cold to claim victory however, with Ollie Signorini taking out the men's title with a time of 19 minutes and 27 seconds.

While Kareena Lee was crowned the champion o the women's leg, recording a time of 20 minutes and 49 seconds.
A man has died in a tragic boating accident on the New South Wales mid-coast after the vessel capsized while returning to shore.

Emergency services were called to North Haven Beach on Sunday afternoon and immediately commenced a search and rescue mission.

Two men were recovered from the water in the Camden River, an inlet off the beach, and taken to hospital in a rescue helicopter at around 1.45pm.

The body of the third passenger, a 59-year-old man, was found in the river a short time later after a desperate search from local volunteers and officials.

The Marine Area Command and police are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

More to come.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could boost the UK economy by up to 500million.

Worldwide interest in the royal wedding is likely to mean a big increase in tourism to the UK, with visitors also expected to spend big on royal memorabilia.

The 'Meghan effect' has already seen brands sell out of the bags and clothes modelled by the American, with UK and US relations also set to strengthen.

Consultancy firm Brand Finance said royal endorsements, sometimes referred to as the 'Kate effect', accounts for about 200million a year.

The 'Meghan effect' has already seen brands sell out of the bags and clothes modelled by the American, with UK and US relations also set to strengthen

Worldwide interest in the royal wedding is likely to mean a big increase in tourism to the UK, with visitors also expected to spend big on royal memorabilia

However that figure could be smashed by Miss Markle, who announced her engagement to Prince Harry on Monday at Kensington Palace.

A 495 handbag by British designer Strathberry's sold out on its website after Miss Markle was seen clutching it during her first public outing on Friday.

David Haigh, chief executive of Brand Finance, told the Sunday Express: 'A lot of value generated by the monarchy comes from the Duchess of Cambridges Midas touch and the extra sales of fashion brands that she is seen wearing.

'Meghan Markle is an accomplished actress in her own right, with a global popularity and a strong personal brand.

'It can be expected that she will join the Duchess of Cambridge as a great ambassador of the monarchy and British brands in general, especially in her native United States and in Canada where she recently lived.'

Mr Haigh said that Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 boosted the British economy by 390million, thanks in part to hotel bookings and merchandise sales.

A 495 handbag by British designer Strathberry's sold out on its website after Miss Markle was seen clutching it during her first public outing on Friday

The couple appeared in perfect sync as they moved along the seemingly endless line of well-wishers during their first joint public engagement on Friday

The newly-engaged couple couldnt keep their hands off each other as they undertook their first official duties on Friday.

The pair were in Nottingham, a city that Harry has a close affiliation with, to meet members of the public together for the first time.

While it took Kate three whole months to become a fully-fledged working royal, Meghan, 36, threw herself in the deep end after just five days.

But after years working at the coal-face of showbusiness, the newest member of the Royal Family took everything in her elegant stride.

Royal endorsements, sometimes referred to as the 'Kate effect', accounts for about 200million a year

Arriving in the city centre after travelling up from London with the Queens grandson by train, she jumped purposefully out of their official car and stood, arms entwined in Harrys, as he introduced her to a handful of dignitaries.

Harry, 33, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat, then chivalrously ushered his fiance over to the first few faces in the 1,000-strong crowd, many of whom had waited in freezing temperatures for several hours in order to catch a glimpse of them.

At first it was the prince who started the conversation, but his wife-to-be quickly caught on  and then, remarkably, took herself off to the other side of the road to greet well-wishers on her own, with all the confidence of someone who had been doing the job for years.

At numerous points during the half-hour walkabout, Miss Markle, dressed in a 585 military coat by Canadian brand Mackage, put a reassuring hand on Harrys back, rubbing her hand up and down, with Harry returning the gesture. Both frequently looked lovingly into each others eyes, much to the delight of well-wishers.

Several of Harrys most senior Scotland Yard police protection officers had been assigned to guard Miss Markle, while the princes assistant private secretary, Heather Wong, temporarily helped out by holding onto her 455 handbag by Scottish firm Strathberry and the many bouquets of flowers she was handed.

The glamorous actress brushed her long hair from her face and smiled broadly as she shook hand after hand.

More tactile than any other royal before her, she frequently stopped to touch people on the arm and even rubbed someones wrist - as if to warm them up on the cold day.
Senate Democrats on Friday successfully blocked a provision in the Republicans sweeping tax bill designed to give a special tax break to a conservative college in Michigan.

Democrats said the tax break was designed to help just one politically-connected school: Hillsdale College in southern Michigan.

I cant find anybody else in America who benefits from this particular provision. That doesnt strike me as right, said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said, It feels like this is a very limited provision written for a very special person.

The tax package would impose a new tax on investment income earned by some private universities and colleges. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., added a provision exempting certain colleges that dont receive federal funds. Democrats said Hillsdale was the only college that would benefit.

Toomey defended Hillsdale as a wonderful institution and said other schools might qualify for the tax break, too. Toomey said a school that declines federal funds saves taxpayers a tremendous amount of money.

I do understand that my colleagues on the far left do not have fond opinion of Hillsdale. But I do. I actually think its a wonderful institution, Toomey said.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., proposed an amendment to strip the tax break for Hillsdale and it prevailed by a 52-48 vote.

Four Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in voting to adopt Merkleys amendment. They were Sens. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Kennedy of Louisiana.

Democrats complained that some well-known conservatives have connections to the school, including Trump administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Graduates include Erik Prince, who is DeVos brother and the founder of the government contractor once known as Blackwater, and former Rep. Chris Chocola of Indiana. Chocola once headed the conservative Club for Growth, an advocacy group that Toomey also once led.
A Tory civil war over the future role of European judges burst into public view today as Theresa May was warned not make concessions that would 'reverse' Brexit.

Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and former Court of Appeal judge Sir Richard Aikens both warned the Prime Minister to block any future role for the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

The warning to Mrs May came as senior Eurosceptics in the Leave means Leave group laid down seven new 'red lines'.

The clashes come on the eve of a crucial meeting in Brussels where the Prime Minister is due to present Britain's final offer on the terms of divorce.

If EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker does not accept the offer on the divorce bill, citizens' rights and the Irish border trade talks could be delayed again.

A Tory civil war over the future role of European judges burst into public view today as Theresa May (pictured in Maidenhead with husband Philip today) was warned not make concessions that would 'reverse' Brexit

Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (file) and former Court of Appeal judge Sir Richard Aikens (right) both warned the PM to block any future role for the European Court of Justice

Today's row over European judges comes amid efforts to end an impasse over how EU citizens living in Britain after Brexit can enforce their rights.

Brussels is determined to keep the ECJ open to the more than 3 million EU citizens but Britain says its courts should be sufficient.

A possible compromise suggested this week would have seen the UK Supreme Court being allowed to refer cases to the ECJ itself.

But Mr Duncan Smith and Sir Richard claim this could lead to 'mission creep' that sees EU judges ruling on trade issues as if the referendum never happened.

Sir Richard, the president of the Lawyers for Britain group, which campaigned for Leave in the referendum, warned her not to compromise on the issue of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in order to secure an agreement on citizens' rights.

In a letter to Mrs May, seen by The Sunday Telegraph, he expressed concern that she was heading for an arrangement in which British judges would be able to refer specific cases relating to EU citizens to the ECJ for a 'binding interpretation'.

'After the UK leaves the European Union, the rights of EU citizens in the UK ... will be governed by a bilateral treaty between the UK and the EU,' he said.

'I know of no instance in current international relations where a sovereign state that has entered into a treaty with another sovereign entity (such as the EU) has accepted as binding the rulings of the court of the other party.

'If the (ECJ) were given the exclusive right to interpret the proposed UK/EU treaty in relation to EU citizens' rights to enter and stay in the UK, the right of the UK to 'control' UK borders and the rights of all citizens who lived in the UK would be lost forever.

'That would be tantamount to reversing the result of the 2016 referendum.'

The clashes come on the eve of a crucial meeting in Brussels where the Prime Minister is due to present Britain's final offer on the terms of divorce to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

In a separate article in the Telegraph, Mr Duncan Smith warns the plan would be 'quite unacceptable' as it would put the UK in the position of 'ceding power to a foreign court'.

He said: 'Any oversight in relation to EU citizens could also lead to a mission creep in which the EU demands similar arrangements for legal disputes on trade and other areas.'

The seven new red lines for Mrs May were detailed in a letter to the PM from ex-Tory ministers Owen Paterson, John Redwood, David Jones and the Tory peers Lord Lawson, Lord Vinson and Viscount Ridley, revealed by the Sunday Times today.

The group - which also includes businessmen such as the entrepreneur Luke Johnson and Tim Martin, the chairman of pub operator JD Wetherspoon - says Mrs May should refuse to hand over money and quit the talks altogether if the demands are not met.

They also want a complete end to the ECJ ruling on cases in the UK and an agreement Britain can negotiate and sign trade deals during any transition.

The group also wants an immediate end to new EU rules during the transition, to scrap EU free movement straight away, a strict two-year curfew on the transition deal and a final deal on the Irish border before that ends.

The letter says: 'If the EU refuses to agree to these terms by the end of the December council, the UK having exhausted every avenue should suspend its participation in the negotiations and inform the EU that, unless they are prepared to talk to us seriously about a future free trade arrangement, we will revert to World Trade Organisation terms from March 30, 2019.'
Don't wave from a car, give way to SOME horses and make sure you don't splash a person waiting for a bus - these are some of Australia's weirdest and wackiest road rules.

State-by-state drivers have to face a different set of rules, as there is no set national guideline.

Using your horn unless you are warning someone or something of a potential accident, leaving your car unlocked unless you are within a short distance or even leaving a bike carrier on the car without carrying bikes are all strange laws that could see motorists fined and even have their licenses stripped.

Splashing a person with water who is waiting at a bus stop could result in a fine of $165, yet it is perfectly legal to splash someone in any other circumstance

NSW seems to have the pick of the wackiest laws, with Rule 268 of the road rules determining anyone waving from inside a vehicle, driver or passenger, can be fined

The rain can prove a dangerous hazard for drivers at the best of times, but there's a New South Wales law still in existence that makes it more challenging.

Splashing a person with water who is waiting at a bus stop could result in a fine of $165, yet it is perfectly legal to splash someone in any other circumstance.

NSW seems to have the pick of the wackiest laws, with Rule 268 of the road rules determining anyone waving from inside a vehicle, driver or passenger, can be fined.

It is also illegal to cross train tracks if you are in possession of any flammable material, including a BBQ gas cylinder, a lighter or even paint.

Drivers in the state also must be within 3 metres of their car if it is unlocked, or face retribution from police.

Queensland isn't without it's own odd rules, as drivers must give way to horses that are specifically 'restive'. That means any horse that is slightly agitated or unnerved, which needs to be signalled by the rider.

The law states a car must ensure 'there is no reasonable likelihood that the noise of the motor, or the movement of the vehicle, will aggravate the restiveness of the horse.'

Drivers must give way or face fines if spotted by police.

Queensland drivers must give way to horses that are specifically 'restive'. That means any horse that is slightly agitated or unnerved, which needs to be signalled by the rider

Other weird laws include windows being wound down by a minimum of 5 centimetres in Victoria and Queensland.

Illegal use of your horn, which includes anything but in the case of an accident, can result in a $66 fine in Queensland, or even loss of points and license in other states.

If you leave a bike rack bolted to the back of your car in Victoria but no bikes are on it, you can be fined.

Cars on the Silver City Highway in NSW should always be on the look out for planes, as the road can be used at any time as a runway for the Royal Flying Doctor.

One of the strangest in Australia's history, that was finally changed in 1980, was Victorian taxi drivers were required to carry a bale of hay in their boot. The rule was around due to horses being the main form of transport in the mid 20th century.
Britain's most elite special forces unit could allow women to take an easier test to increase their chances of joining, it has been reported.

The SAS, whose selection process is considered among the toughest in the world, could be planning to permit female applicants to carry lighter rucksacks during gruelling marches.

Troops hoping to enter the legendary unit are expected to pass uniquely difficult challenges - some of which are so intense that candidates have died trying to complete them.

It would specifically affect the initial selection phase, during which candidates are pushed to their limits in the Brecon Beacons over a month-long period. Pictured: A female soldier during a training exercise

But according to sources who spoke to the Sunday Times, women - who can apply for all military roles from 2019 - might be allowed more time to complete tests and be given lighter loads to carry.

The potential watering down of selection criteria will also apply to the SBS (Special Boat Service), the sources add.

It would specifically affect the initial selection phase, during which candidates are pushed to their limits in the Brecon Beacons over a month-long period.

The Ministry of Defence, however, has not commented on the story.

One of the sources explained: 'There is a determination to get women into the special forces.

'There will be changes to the selection of women but it is not about lowering standards  it's about levelling the playing field.

How to join Britain's toughest unit If you want to join the SAS, you certainly need to be tough. Most of the soldiers who join the elite unit come from other elite units within the military - the Parachute Regiment or the Royal Marines Commandos. But despite that, the near-impossible selection process - which lasts for five months - proves too difficult for 90 per cent of applicants. The Special Forces Aptitude Test applies to both the regular British Army unit (22 SAS) and also the reservist unit. It likewise applies to Special Boat Service hopefuls. There are two courses a year - one in winter and one in summer. One of the walks includes the so-called 'beast' - a march over Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. Picutred: British Army troops training in the range In the first phase - unchanged since the 1950s - applicants must march across the Brecon Beacons carrying a rifle, water and a 45lb bag. One of the walks includes the so-called 'beast' - a march over Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in the range. After these walks there is a map-reading tour which takes three weeks. Then is there is 'Test Week', during which applicants are subjected to increasingly gruelling marches. The final one, called 'Endurance', is 40 miles long and must be completed without any breaks. Troops carry a 60lb bag, a rifle and a full water bottle - and are timed. After that, with the number of applicants already halved, the small group deemed good enough are sent for even more training in the jungles of Brunei. At the end of the process, the few strong enough to have passed are allowed entry into the legendary regiment. Advertisement

'For a woman to pass special forces selection, she will have to be very focused and very fit  exactly the same as her male colleagues.'

Despite this promise, however, there is reportedly displeasure among some of the senior officers in the SAS who wish to protect the exclusivity of the unit.

In 2016, David Cameron lifted a ban on women fighting in combat roles in the military.

Troops hoping to enter the legendary unit are expected to complete uniquely difficult challenges - some of which are so intense that candidates have died trying to pass them

About 9 per cent of military roles are currently filled by women.

But analysis has shown that only about 4.5 per cent of women would be able to pass the tests to join even the infantry or tank units, both of which have significantly lower requirements than the SAS.

The SAS was founded in 1941 as a commando unit designed to help defeat the Nazis in North Africa during the Second World War.

It has since become Britain's most famous special forces unit.
Businesses have been told Theresa May is 'hanging by a thread' and they should prepared for a Jeremy Corbyn Government.

The advice was issued by an influential city trading firm that warned Labour taking power would be a 'nightmare scenario' for the pound.

CME Group, an American financial market company with a major office in the City of London, issued the warnings in a briefing last month at the height of the harassment scandal sweeping Westminster.

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Businesses have been told Theresa May (pictured in Maidenhead today) is 'hanging by a thread' and they should prepared for a Jeremy Corbyn Government

The advice was issued by an influential city trading firm that warned Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn taking power would be a 'nightmare scenario' for the pound.

It came after Mrs May lost two Cabinet ministers in the space of a month and with the Brexit talks delicately poised.

Many in Westminster think Damian Green, the defacto deputy prime minister, will be the next to fall.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned hard-line Brexiteers this morning that if they dislodge Mrs May over Brexit compromises the Government could fall.

In the CME paper, Erik Norland, the group's executive director and a senior economist, describes how the Government was 'taking the brunt' of 'allegations of inappropriate conduct within Parliament'.

'Since losing its parliamentary majority in June 2017, British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party has been hanging by a thread, propped up by coalition partner, the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland,' he said.

'Given the fragility of the current government, markets should probably be thinking carefully about the next Prime Minister and the potential impact on the UK economy and currency.

CME Group, an American financial market company with a major office in the City of London, issued the warnings in a briefing last month at the height of the harassment scandal

'The Labour Party has moved into a small but consistent polling lead since the June election.

'When new elections take place, they could easily produce a Labour majority or a hung parliament.'

After reviewing Mr Corbyn's manifesto, Mr Norland said: 'Corbyn advocates increasing income taxes and authorising the Bank of England to directly finance infrastructure spending rather than buying bonds during quantitative easing and vastly expanding public spending.

'In the event that the UK takes a 'hard' Brexit followed by a Labour victory, it could see Britain transform into a more socialist, centrally-controlled economy - just one that happens to be outside of the EU.

'This is the nightmare scenario for the pound If events spiral beyond May's control and the Brexit talks are further paralysed, this should intensify the downward pressure on the sterling.'
Robert Mugabe's daughter hired Chinese builders to construct a new home for herself on state land earmarked for a school.

Bona Mugabe, 27, the former Zimbabwean leader's eldest child, was planning to add to her family's property empire with a hillside sprawling mansion on Umwinsidale Road on the outskirts of Harare.

Construction has already started there, but when the dictator was ousted from his throne, the contractors downed tools and removed their bulldozers and equipment.

But damage to the hillside has already been done with a huge slice of land cut out of the land.

Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe (right) and his wife Grace (left) with their then 24-year-old first-born child and only daughter Bona Mugabe (centre) pose after the convocation at MDIS-University of Wales graduation ceremony in Singapore on November 16, 2013

The hillside on the outskirts of Harare where the sprawling mansion was said to be under construction

Police are still guarding the area, which is littered with concrete foundations, scaffolding and pipes, and told the Sunday Telegraph the Chinese builders had left the site.

Neighbours told the paper Bona and her 40-year-old husband first turned up in June and the first piece of foundation was laid down in October.

But when Mugabe's reign looked to be under threat, the work stopped and the cranes, diggers and personnel vanished.

It would have been another addition to the family's enormous empire, which will go untouched due to Mugabe's resignation deal.

Bona's mother Grace Mugabe has several properties dotted around the country and beyond worth more that a million dollars.

Robert Mugabe's daughter hired Chinese builders to construct a new home for herself on state land earmarked for a school. Pictured is the outskirts of Harare

Rusty Markham, councillor for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Party, told the Telegraph: 'This was City of Harare land. Planning years ago was that a school would have been built on this site.

'It is a mystery how this couple landed up with this property.'

The paper informed a senior Zanu PF MP about the Mugabe's clear plans to use land meant for the state to bolster their own assets and he claimed to be unaware of the situation.

He added: 'Planning was that a school would be built on this site.

'It is a mystery how this couple landed up with it.'
Sergey Malinka has written a book about his experience in the Madeleine McCann case

A Russian computer expert named as a witness t in the Madeleine McCann case is set to reveal the 'bribing, threatening and blackmailing' he claims he endured in a new book about the long-running investigation.

Sergey Malinka, 32, was named by Portuguese police shortly after Madeleine disappeared in Praia da Luz, in 2007.

He became a person of interest after detectives noted that he had contacted another suspect at 11.30pm on May 3, 2007, around an hour-and-a-half after police were first called over the missing three-year-old.

Mr Malinka denies contacting anyone.

Mr Malinka was also said to have fitted the description of a man seen close to the hotel where the McCanns were staying - which he also denies.

His apartment was searched and computers seized. His car was then firebombed and the word 'Fala', meaning 'speak' scrawled in red paint outside his apartment.

At the time he said: 'The disappearance of a child is always difficult. No parent would want any of that to happen to anyone.

'So I wish and truly hope that Madeleine will be found and returned to her parents.

'I have a clear conscience. I have nothing to worry about.'

Then in 2014, Malinka's name was briefly raised again due to an investigation by Scotland Yard detectives.

While he was told he was no longer under suspicion, Mr Malinka claims there has been an impact on his business and personal life from being connected to the investigation.

 Slide me  Madeleine McCann was three-years-old when she went missing in Prai da Luz, Portugal, in 2007 and an age progression image of what she would have looked like on her ninth birthday

Now a decade on, he has teamed up with British author David S. Jones, the co-creator of popular children's series, Fireman Sam, and who also lives in Praia da Luz, to write Collateral Damage, a book about his experiences.

Mr Malinka, who is set to become a father, said he wants to clear his name so that his child does not have to grow up in the shadow of suspicion that has hung over him for a decade.

Announcing his intention to publish the book next year via Kickstarter, he said in a video: 'There was a lot of slandering and facts that weren't checked.

'Ten years has passed, but every time I think about this it's very difficult for me.

'You will find out the most revealing details about my story  the bribing, the threatening, the blackmailing, the defamation and just general aggravation from the public.'

He added: 'I was 22 years old when it happened, a young man alone in a foreign country.

Kate and Gerry McCann continue to look for their missing daughter, Maddy, a decade on

'I have been driven to the point of dejection, being involved in a web of lies, betrayals and threats.

'The deceits of others have driven me to the edge of despair, sometimes to the point of no return, but time heals even the deepest wounds.'

The search to discover what happened to Madeleine McCann - Operation Grange - is one of the longest, most high-profile and costly police investigations in history.

Launched in May 2011, officers have sifted (and translated) 40,000 documents produced by Portuguese police who conducted the initial investigation, and by the eight teams of private detectives who have worked on the case.

Some 600 'persons of interest' have been examined and 'sightings' of Madeleine  in Brazil, India, Morocco and Paraguay, on a German plane and in a New Zealand supermarket  assessed.

Author David S Jones has teamed up with Sergey Malinka to write Collateral Damage

The team have taken 1,338 statements and collected 1,027 exhibits. Officers have probed more than 60 people of interest while the team has considered 650 sex offenders.

In total, there have been 8,685 potential sightings of Madeline across the globe.

Over the past few months, the Grange team  now down to four detectives from a peak of 31  has been criss-crossing Europe trying to locate a 'woman in purple', who is of interest to the investigation.

Their budget had been due to run out in September, but officers are understood to have used the 'woman in purple' line of investigation to persuade the Home Office  which is financing the inquiry from central government funds  to grant a six-month extension.

The 154,000 agreed will allow inquiries to continue until March, taking the total spent on Operation Grange near to 12million.
Levi Bellfield cannot have killed Lin and Megan Russell as he was at a birthday party more than 100 miles away from the murder scene, a policeman has claimed.

Michael Stone, now 57, is serving three life sentences in prison for the killings of Lin Russell, 45, and her daughter Megan, 6, in Chillenden, Kent, in 1996.

However Stone's lawyers claim to have received evidence of a full confession to the murders by Bellfield, who is currently behind bars for killing three women.

Doubts have now been cast over Bellfield's alleged confession, passed on by a fellow inmate, due to evidence from a police investigation in 2008.

Serial killer Levi Bellfield (left, a police mugshot) allegedly confessed to murdering Lin Russell and her daughter Megan in 1996. Michael Stone, now 57, (right, outside the Court of Appeal in 2005) is serving three life sentences with a minimum of 25 years in prison

Shaun Russell with his wife Lin and daughters Megan (second left) and Josie (right), who survived the attack. Claims by Stone's lawyers that Bellfield admitted to the murders have been denied by him in a recorded message from his cell

The serial killer's ex-wife Jo Collings says she and Bellfield were at a 25th birthday party in Twickenham, southwest London at the time of the murders in Kent.

The alibi was revealed by Colin Sutton, the detective responsible for catching Bellfield for his numerous attacks on women in London.

He told the Sunday Times: 'The testimony Collings gave us was that she believed Bellfield could not have committed the crime.

She said he was at a birthday party that day. She was a witness for the prosecution in his trial and would be the very last person who would try to protect Bellfield.

'It was deemed credible enough at the time to rule him out.'

Collings, who testified against her former partner during his trial, told the BBC last week that there was 'absolutely no way' that Bellfield travelled to Kent on the day of the killings.

The serial killer's ex-wife Jo Collings (left) says she and Bellfield were at a 25th birthday party in Twickenham, southwest London at the time of the murders in Kent. The alibi was revealed by Colin Sutton (right), the detective responsible for catching Bellfield

She added: 'My daughter was born in 1996 and that [the day of the Russells' murder] was the day of my birthday.

'He never left my side all day and all night, so there is absolutely no way he could have gone from Twickenham, where I lived, or Windsor, where I kept my horses, to Kent, done what they say he did and got back without me not knowing.

'I hate to say it but, hand on my heart, I can say he didn't do it.'

It comes after Stone's lawyers claim Bellfield confessed in length and in detail to a fellow prisoner whom he had grown to trust, and that an independent witness confirmed he was near the scene of the murders when they happened.

But in a chilling audio segment recorded in his cell and released by his family this evening, Bellfield rubbishes the claims that he murdered the pair.

Stone was found guilty in 2001 largely on the strength of a disputed cell confession and has fought a protracted legal battle to clear his name.

Solicitors claim that Stone (pictured) is innocent and that Bellfield has confessed to the murders

Michael Stone's legal team (left to right) barrister Mark McDonald, solicitor Paul Bacon and Barbara Stone, his sister claim Bellfield confessed to a fellow inmate

Milly Dowler murderer Bellfield branded the allegations from Stone's lawyers the work of a 'fantasist' and 'compulsive liar'.

Stone's lawyers announced they had submitted a dossier of new evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which could refer the matter to the Court of Appeal, which has the power to quash convictions.

Police have dismissed the basis of his appeal.

Stone's solicitor Paul Bacon said: 'We have seen evidence of a full confession by Levi Bellfield that he has admitted the Russell murders and in the confession Bellfield describes how he came across Lin Russell and her two children.

'How he attacked them with a hammer and he explains his motivation for the killing. The confession is detailed and has a number of facts that are not in the public domain.

'We now have an independent witness who has seen Levi Bellfield close to the scene of the murders at about the time they were committed and importantly we have identified forensic material from the scene of the murders which corroborates the confession made by Levi Bellfield.

Josie Russell is now a successful textile artist, and is pictured at home in August 2014. It is not known what Josie thinks of the latest developments, but she has always maintained Stone is guilty

'The Russell murders by Levi Bellfield fits perfectly with his modus operandi. He is a man known to attack and murder women. His weapon of choice is a hammer.'

In a recording sent to national media this evening, Bellfield claimed the 'vile and untrue' allegations came from a conversation he had with serial rapist Richard Baker.

Bellfield, who is now known as Yusuf Rahim, said: 'It appears Mr Baker has made an allegation of a so-called cell confession.

'In my view such vile, untrue allegations don't warrant a response. They are what they are - the words of a lonely... rapist who craves the spotlight.'

He alleges Baker was 'obsessed with crime' and watched BBC documentary The Chillenden Murders before he came forward alleging Bellfield has confessed.

Bellfield is said to have told him he had spotted the Russells walking home and approached them with a hammer. Mrs Russell had begged him not to hurt her children.

According to the prisoner, Bellfield said he struck her first and then Josie; then their dog was killed followed by Megan.

Even though he wore gloves, Bellfield was reportedly worried about DNA advances, saying my life in jail would be over if they could prove it was me and that it would tear his mother in two.
Blue Planet II has been embroiled in a fresh fakery storm after its film crew admitted placing 250 rubber ducks in the ocean which were supposedly from a ship.

The bright yellow plastic toys could be seen bobbing up and down in the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Costa Rica.

Just moments before, Sir David Attenborough, 91, told viewers that 7,000 plastic toys ended up in the water after falling from a ship during a storm in 1992.

He said the items were still being found around the world and disgruntled fans took to Twitter to voice their anger about the scene.

The plastic yellow ducks (pictured) could be seen bobbing up and down in the Pacific Ocean

The yellow ducks could be seen scattered in the ocean and the show has now confirmed they were placed there on purpose

Fan Jon Schwarm posted online: 'I'm not being funny, you can't tell me you didn't put those rubber ducks in the sea yourself, deffo not buying that one'

They were complaining that the show made out they had found the ducks in the sea, reports The Sun. Other fans hoped the show had not 'staged' the scene.

Jon Schwarm posted online: 'I'm not being funny, you can't tell me you didn't put those rubber ducks in the sea yourself, deffo not buying that one.'

Sam Archer added: 'So whose job was it to follow the yellow ducks around for 15 years then?'

Simon Helliwell said: 'Please tell me the rubber ducks weren't staged whatsoever.'

Luke Clark added: 'Is David Attenborough mugging me off with those rubber ducks?'

Char Rose Hagel wrote: 'Not an expert but I don't think those ducks were real...'

Twitter user @jannmcd said: 'Are these the original rubber ducks we're seeing on #BluePlanet or is this some type of reconstruction for the viewers advantage?'

But David Barrett said the scene was 'great' and wrote: 'Blue planet 2 absolutely fab last night. The story about the Plastic ducks great. A Plastic pollution solution has to be come up with.'

But the show has now confirmed they were all placed there and that they had 'picked up all 250 ducks' after filming the part for the popular show.

It confirmed that they 'reconstructed' the release of 250 ducks and said it was 'ironic' they were putting plastic into the ocean during a scene about pollution.

Filmmaker Sarah Conner posted on Twitter: 'Jack Delf & Team picked up all 250 ducks after filming them with the drone in the Pacific off Costa Rica & Karu_Sums counted them all back.'

A BBC online blog referred to the story of the bath toys which fell into the ocean in January 1992.

It said: 'Over the years, the ducks washed up on several different continents, revealing a worldwide network of currents, that had been invisible.

'The duck's story led to a greater understanding of how all our seas are connected and seemed, to the Blue Planet II team, an inspiring story to re-tell.

'Over the next 25 years, the plastic toys washed up all over the world.

Fans took to Twitter and were hoping the show had not 'staged' the scene about the ducks

Sir David Attenborough (pictured) was telling the story about 7,000 plastic ducks which ended up in the sea

Filmmaker Sarah Conner posted confirmed the show picked up the 250 rubber ducks after filming

Blue Planet II fan Simon Helliwell wrote online that he was hoping the duck scene was not 'staged whatsoever'

'Many landed on the coast of Alaska, some went south to Australia, and remarkably some even went through the Arctic ice via the Bering Straits, to pop up in the Atlantic years later.

'Reconstructing the release of these ducks presented the team with a fresh challenge.

'While we wanted to tell their story, the team was also well aware of the ironies of putting plastic ducks in the sea.

'We were used to removing plastic from the ocean, and if we were to introduce any ourselves, we'd need to be very careful to make sure every single one was collected again afterwards.

'To film the re-enactment of the release was the biggest challenge, as part of it meant we'd need aerial drone footage of all 250 of them floating in the middle of the open ocean, and most importantly collect all 250 again.'
Theresa May's chief of staff Gavin Barwell wants Damian Green to 'fall on his sword' to end questions over his future, it was claimed today.

Cabinet sources are said to believe it is time Mr Green is handed a 'whisky and revolver' so he can do the honourable thing.

The Prime Minister's deputy has endured weeks of speculation after he was accused of making an inappropriate pass at an activist and then of accessing pornography in his Commons office.

The affair took a dark new turn on Friday when a retired police officer revealed old evidence dating from a controversial search of Mr Green's office in 2008 that was supposed to have been deleted.

Theresa May (pictured today in Maidenhead) has been told her chief of staff Gavin Barwell wants Damian Green to 'fall on his sword' to end questions over his future, it was claimed today

Cabinet sources are said to believe it is time Mr Green (file image) is handed a 'whisky and revolver' so he can do the honourable thing

Mr Barwell is said to have decided uncertainty over Mr Green's future must be resolved and had urged him to quit so the Prime Minister is not forced to decide whether to fire him

Mr Barwell is said to have decided uncertainty over Mr Green's future must be resolved and had urged him to quit so the Prime Minister is not forced to decide whether to fire him.

A Cabinet Office inquiry into Mr Green is expected to finally report to Mrs May this week.

A cabinet source told The Sunday Times: 'Barwell wants him to fall on his sword.

'There's a danger with saving him because he's so close to her and it will look like she's looking after her mate's job.

'There's also a danger that they keep him and then you have to get rid of him two weeks' later if something else comes out. '

'You get covered in s*** twice.'

A second senior figure said: 'It's time for the whisky and the revolver.'

Education Secretary Justine Greening today refused to defend Mr Green during a high profile interview with the BBC'S Andrew Marr.

Ms Greening refused to comment specifically on the case but said high standards must be maintained in public life when asked if ministers should be allowed to access pornography at work.

Education Secretary Justine Greening (pictured on the BBC today) refused to comment specifically on the scandal during a high profile interview with the BBC'S Andrew Marr.

Asked on BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show whether it was acceptable to view pornography on a workplace computer, Ms Greening said: 'There are clear laws. I think most employers would say it wasn't acceptable.'

Ms Greening declined to comment directly on the investigation into Mr Green, but added: 'I think it is important that we have high standards in public life.'

Mr Green is Mrs May's oldest friend in politics and is thought to be reluctant to get rid of the minister responsible for putting her shattered administration back together.

Removing him would force a third potentially destabilising reshuffle within weeks after the resignations of Sir Michael Fallon and Priti Patel.
Bosses at Amazon have handed out 7p chocolates to staff in response to claims their workers are pushed to exhaustion during intense 55-hour weeks, it has been reported.

Last week there were claims the online retailer's staff are falling asleep on their feet and being taken away in ambulances as they struggle to meet warehouse targets.

The report alleged cameras monitor every move as employees try to process up to 300 items an hour, with screens reminding them if they are falling short.

The report alleged cameras monitor every move as employees try to process up to 300 items an hour, with screens reminding them if they are falling short

Amazon workers were seen asleep on the job as they complained about intolerable working conditions at the firm's Tilbury warehouse

In the article - published by the Sunday Mirror - there were also claims staff at the firm's gigantic Tilbury warehouse were forced to walk a third of a mile to get to the loo.

Now the paper has spoken to a former Amazon worker who said bosses at the firm - which has a yearly revenue of 100 billion - have been handing out 7p Celebrations chocolates in response to the story.

Neil Drinkwater, 41, reportedly quit his job at a warehouse near Manchester after getting wind of the allegations.

Neil said: 'This week our managers started coming round with a box of Celebrations for the first part of the shift, and gave us a chocolate each'

He said: 'This week our managers started coming round with a box of Celebrations for the first part of the shift, and gave us a chocolate each.

'Then they did the same at the second part of the shift. We all thought it was an insult.'

Drinkwater claims he spoke to a supervisor about the report and was told chocolates were handed out to 'raise spirits' and 'get everybody on board'.

But he was so outraged by the claims, and by his own experiences, that he quit on Wednesday.

Drinkwater explained he was 'dead' after four days working at Amazon and admitted he even cried during a commute to the warehouse.

He also said he was on his final warning because he had made seven errors while processing 4,000 items.

Staff complained about the state of the toilet in the Tilbury warehouse in Essex (pictured)

The investigation at Tilbury, by an undercover reporter for the Sunday Mirror who spent five weeks there, suggested workers suffer mentally and physically as they try to meet demand.

He said that some of his colleagues were so tired from working 55-hour weeks that they would 'sleep on their feet'.

'Those who could not keep up with the punishing targets faced the sack  and some who buckled under the strain had to be attended by ambulance crews,' he added.

It came at a time when Amazon has promised to improve the treatment of staff following accusations of poor conditions and low pay.

Staff who buckle under the pressure are taken away in ambulances, it was claimed

But one worker in Tilbury reportedly complained: 'At my induction, someone was asking why the staff turnover was so high. It's because they're killing people. All my friends think I'm dead. I'm exhausted.'

Another is said to have written on a whiteboard for staff comments: 'Why are we not allowed to sit when it is quiet and not busy? We are human beings, not slaves and animals.'

Amazon said in response to the story: 'Amazon provides a safe and positive workplace with competitive pay and benefits. We are proud to have created thousands of roles in our UK fulfilment centres. As with most companies, we expect a certain level of performance.

'Targets are based on previous performance achieved by our workers. Associates are evaluated over a long period of time.'

This board showed some of the staff's grievances at the Essex warehouse, including complaints about the 'disgusting' toilet

Shifts begin at 7.30 in the morning and finish at 6pm, with workers given just two half-hour breaks during the day

But one colleague is said to have collapsed as they worked and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Another was seen by paramedics after suffering a panic attack when she learned compulsory overtime meant she would have to work up to 55 hours a week over Christmas.

Once items are picked they go to a packing area where workers prepare 120 items for shipping every hour  rumoured to be increasing to 200  or 85 multiple items, according to the investigation.

Amazon has also defended itself after it was revealed that ambulances were sent to its main Scottish warehouse 43 times last year.

Emergencies included 15 of the most serious Category A classification, with 23 workers taken to nearby hospitals. Call-outs to the depot in Dunfermline involved two staff being treated for falls, a call about 'traumatic injuries' and two for 'industrial accidents'.

An Amazon spokesman said: 'Independent safety experts certify our compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.'

A spokeswoman added: 'Associates are allowed to use the toilet whenever needed. We do not monitor toilet breaks.

'Amazon provides a safe and positive workplace for thousands of people across the UK with competitive pay and benefits from day one.

'We are committed to treating every one of our associates with dignity and respect. We don't recognize these allegations as an accurate portrayal of activities in our buildings.'

She also stressed the firm has a 'range of initiatives' to support people who become ill at home or at work.

Another spokesman added: 'The events and prizes (e.g. bands, DJs, etc.) being cited as a response to the original story are standard practice over the past several years during extra busy times like the peak holiday season.'
It was a crazy week, so you might have missed the news that The New York Times decided to operate like a super PAC.

Heres what happened. The Times editorial board changed the bio on the opinion sections Twitter account to inform the public that it was temporarily taking over the feed to lobby against the Senate GOP tax bill. The board then proceeded to tweet out the phone numbers of various Republican senators and implored the public to deluge their offices with phone calls, to urge the Senate to reject a tax bill that hurts the middle class & the nations fiscal health.

There was a lot of dudgeon and consternation about this among the ever-shrinking group of Americans who care about subtle distinctions in journalism. No one could remember another time when a major news outlet, particularly one as self-regarding as The New York Times, chose to nakedly politick in a way typical of MoveOn.org or the NRA.

Just to be clear: I think the Times stunt was foolhardy. But I dont think it was immoral, illegal, unconstitutional or even unethical. Lots of things can be dumb without violating anything other than good judgment. Its no secret that the Times editorial board is liberal. The text of its editorials and endorsements makes that plain pretty much every day.

What bothers me is that the Times editorial board is among the most vocal opponents of the Citizens United v. FEC decision.

In 2010, the Supreme Court struck down an election law that barred corporate and union electioneering communications within 30 days of a primary election and 60 days of a general election if those communications advocated for a specific candidate. The court held that political speech does not lose First Amendment protection simply because its source is a corporation.

When Government seeks to use its full power, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the 5-4 decision, including the criminal law, to command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source he or she may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought.

When the Obama administration was arguing the case, some of the justices asked the deputy solicitor general, Malcolm Stewart, if there would be any constitutional reason why books couldnt be included in the ban. Stewart said sure, if the book contained the functional equivalent of express advocacy for a candidate and was supported, even slightly, with corporate money. Such advocacy, Stewart conceded, could amount to negatively mentioning a politician just once in a 500-page book put out by a mainstream publisher.

While both the Times and the Obama administration believed in sweeping government censorship during elections  or at least when most voters pay attention (i.e., right before Election Day)  they thought one group should be exempt from these prohibitions: newspapers and other media outlets. Never mind that pretty much every significant newspaper, television network and magazine, including the Times itself, is owned by a corporation. They simply wanted other corporations to be forced to shut up.

A super PAC that wants to put out a pamphlet or video or even a paid ad in the Times should be barred from doing so if it might influence voters. But The New York Times Company can write whatever it damn well pleases.

This always struck me as a back door to the licensing of journalists. After all, when you think about how this barmy notion would be enforced, bureaucrats at the Federal Election Commission would have to determine that a newsletter put out by, say, Planned Parenthood or the NRA wasnt journalism, but an editorial by The New York Times was. The host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central  owned by Viacom  could mock a politician, but the owner of the Acme Nail Co. would have to shut up.

The problems with this are too lengthy to list in full. But two are worth mentioning. First, leaving it up to the FEC to decide what counts as journalism and what doesnt is an insane amount of power to give political appointees during the run-up to an election.

Second, everyone has the same First Amendment rights. The Constitution holds that a free press is vital, but it doesnt define the press as some kind of incumbent guild.

By acting like a run-of-the-mill super PAC, the Times is highlighting how capricious and dangerous such line-drawing really is. The Times had every right to do what it did  but so does everyone else, whether The Times likes it or not.
Aaron Burke (pictured in 2011) has been charged over allegations his ex-girlfriend suffered a broken nose

Alexandra's Burke brother has been charged with beating up his former girlfriend.

Aaron Burke, 24, is currently behind bars awaiting trial over allegations his ex-girlfriend suffered a broken nose.

The fresh turmoil for the Burke family comes just months after their mother Melissa Bell died in August.

Ms Burke has spoken on the BBC show about the heartbreak of losing her mother and her brother's arrest, which took place while she was on the show, is only expected to add further agony on her.

A source told the Sun of Sunday: 'I can't imagine how she feels. Alexandra must be horrified at these allegations. At the same time, blood is blood and she doesn't want to see her brother languishing in prison.'

Mr Burke was arrested in September just after his mother had passed away, the source revealed.

Mr Burke is now in custody and is awaiting his next court appearance in February.

Previously, his sister had spoken out about the violence she had suffered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend.

Recalling her ordeal, Ms Burke said: 'I remember one day when he went to hit me one more time and I decided that was it. I was out of the door in my pyjamas and left, gone.

'I ran back to my mums house and talked her through everything that Id been through.'

Ms Burke has previously worked with the Common Ground Initiative charity, which was set up to help combat domestic abuse in Uganda.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Alexandra Burke for comment.
The police watchdog has sad officers who claimed they had found porn on Damian Green's computer had violated public trust in the police

Ex-Tory leader Lord Michael Howard led a fierce fightback against former police officers attacking Damian Green today.

The former Home Secretary said retired officers leaking information was 'very damaging' to public trust in the police.

Lord Howard was the most senior Tory to speak out on the case as pressure grows on Met Commissioner Cressida Dick to intervene.

On Friday, former detective Neil Lewis disclosed his notes from a controversial 2008 raid on Mr Green's Commons and claimed that on some days porn was browsed and open on the computer for hours.

The allegations are at the centre of a probe in Mr Green's conduct that could see him dismissed as Theresa May's deputy.

Sir Tom Winsor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, spoke out as the de facto Deputy Prime Minister fought to avoid the sack.

Lord Howard told the BBC Sunday Politics: 'I agree with those very senior figures who condemned the leaking of information by these retired police officers. That is a very seriouis matter indeed.

'Policing in this country is based on trust between the police and the public. If we have retired officers leaking information of that kind, it will be very damaging to that trust.'

Education Secretary Justine Greening stopped short of a full endorsement of Mr Green in an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr but also raised concern about the police action.

She said there should be a review into the 'steps the police need to be taking in relation to what would seem to be a breach of police professionalism in breaching privacy'.

Former Tory leader and home secretary Lord Michael Howard also hit out at the events today, telling the BBC's Sunday Politics it would undermine trust in the police.

Education Secretary Justine Greening stopped short of a full endorsement of Mr Green in an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr but also raised concern about the police action

Ms Dick is being urged to condemn the former detective who resurrected the evidence - which was supposed to have been deleted - for an extraordinary salvo at the ailing Cabinet minister.

The Observer said senior Tories want the Met Commissioner to speak out and bind all ex-officers into confidentiality rules.

The claim that 'extreme' material was found on Mr Green's work computer was first made by Bob Quick, a former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner, and publicised last month amid claims of Westminster sleaze.

Andrew Mitchell, the former Cabinet minister who was himself embroiled in a scandal involving the police, told the Observer: 'It is simply not acceptable in a free society that police officers can behave in this way.

'This is the first real test for Cressida Dick's leadership. Will she now stand up, as Britain's most senior police officer, and make clear that this sort of freelancing by rogue officers is completely unacceptable and that she will stamp it out on her watch?'

Former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said it was 'time for police officers to look further into how former officers are behaving'.

Senior Tories are said to want Met Commissioner Cressida Dick to speak out against the former detective who criticised Mr Green and bind all ex-officers into confidentiality rules

In a statement last night, Sir Tom warned that officers must not divulge confidential information gathered during investigations.

He said: 'The obligation of confidentiality, and the duty not to break trust, is an enduring one. It does not end when an officer retires.

'The public need to know that when information about their private lives comes into the possession of the police, and that information is irrelevant to the work of the police, its confidential nature will be respected in perpetuity.

'If public confidence in this respect is damaged, and people do not believe they can trust the police, great harm may be done.

'Such violations may have a chilling effect on the willingness of victims and witnesses to co-operate, and that will be at the expense of public safety and justice. Almost all officers, serving and retired, would deprecate actions which flagrantly violate the trust every citizen should have in the police.'

Sir Tom Winsor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, has spoken out in defence of Mr Green as the de facto Deputy Prime Minister fought to avoid the sack.

Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said officers had to be careful not to make moral judgements

Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, added: 'Police should be extremely careful about making judgments about other people's morality when it's not a matter of crime.'

Mr Green maintains that he did not download or look at pornography on his work computer.

Detectives who searched his office were meant to be looking for the source of Whitehall leaks and leading lawyers believe they could not have established how adult images appeared on the computer.

Senior Cabinet Office official Sue Gray is due to deliver a report within days both on the pornography and unrelated claims that Mr Green behaved inappropriately towards a female journalist.

Mr Green's colleagues, led by Brexit Secretary David Davis, have rallied to his defence, although that support is likely to melt away if it turns out he did not tell the truth about watching pornography.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve called the officers' actions 'very worrying' that smacked of a 'police state'. And ex-Cabinet Minister Andrew Mitchell called on Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick to denounce the accusers. He said: 'As Britain's most senior officer, she must stand up and make it clear that this sort of freelancing by rogue police officers is unacceptable.'

A source close to Mr Green said: 'Information which comes into the possession of the police must be treated as confidential. There is no question that if Neil Lewis was a serving officer, he would be subject to misconduct proceedings.'
An elderly woman has tragically died after her husband ran her over on their driveway in a heartbreaking accident.

Freda Kennewell, 83, was hit by her 91-year-old husband Graham at their Barossa Valley home on Saturday evening.

'He's devastated, he's numb,' Mrs Kennewell's son-in-law Michael Lange told The Advertiser.

'Freda was his carer, so he's lost not only his wife but his carer as well.'

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Freda Kennewell (left) was hit by her 91-year-old husband Graham (right) at their Barossa Valley home on Saturday evening

Mr Kennewell was reportedly reversing up the driveway of the pair's recently purchased home in Williamstown at around 6.30pm on Saturday.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Mrs Kennewell after rushing to the scene, but she was unable to be saved.

Her 'devastated' husband was taken to hospital where he was later released. He is currently surrounded by family while he grieves for the loss of his wife.

Her 'devastated' husband was taken to hospital where he was later released. He is currently surrounded by family while he grieves for the loss of his wife

'She was very community-minded. She loved to sit and have a chat and a cup of tea and all of those things,' Mr Lange said.

'Both Graham and Freda had volunteered for a lot of their lives at St Vinnies.'

Police Major Crash are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mrs Kennewell's death.
A Christmas tree which furious locals compared to a 'lopsided skeleton' and questioned whether it was the same one that was used last year has been replaced.

Disappointed residents living in Ottery St Mary, Devon, slammed the tree - which was donated to the town - and said it resembled a twig.

The tree was unveiled during the annual lights switch-on and hours later pictures were posted on the Ottery Matters Facebook page.

Residents were stunned to see the Christmas tree (left) and some questioned whether it was from last year. On Sunday it was replaced with a new one (right)

One resident wrote that there were more decorations than branches, reports Devon Live.

But on Sunday, a new picture was posted which showed that the tree had been replaced with a new one.

Posts on the Facebook page revealed the original tree was a donation which was organised by 'two older gents'.

Jeremy Bateson, from Ottery St Mary, said: ' Firstly thanks to the 8 people that turned up this morning.

'For those that have complained (no one disputes it wasn't the finest of specimens) I would like to say you've successfully offended 2 older gents that arrange for the tree to be donated, collected and then decorated.'

James Trevett added: 'Let's concentrate on the positives now, spread some good Christmas cheer and enjoy it!!'

Earlier in the week a local resident posted: 'A lot of people thought it was last year's tree.

'Ottery is such a well-known town because of the Tar Barrels that you would expect to have a decent Christmas tree.'

Disappointed residents living in Ottery St Mary, Devon, (pictured) have slammed the tree and said it resembled a twig

Other comments on the Ottery Matters Facebook included: 'Is it not supposed to be a joke.'

A picture of the tree was taking by a local, called Jay, who lives in nearby Exmouth.

He uploaded the image online and wrote: 'My sister lives in Ottery and I couldn't believe it when I drove past.

'I literally said to my sister 'Who is going to go and sort that twig out'.'

Lydia Stirling added: 'Oh dear again with the appalling Christmas tree. Why can't Ottery get a tree that doesn't look like lopsided skeleton after the cats have been climbing it.'
A brave base jumper leapt from Beachy Head to help his injured friend who had just crashed into rocks and plummeted 530ft below.

The thrillseeker jumped from the cliff in a wingsuit but lost control and was pulled towards the rocks, causing him to fall on to the beach.

His friend, who was waiting to jump and is a trained paramedic, quickly sprung into action and followed him over the cliff edge to provide treatment.

The coastguard and search and rescue helicopter were dispatched to rescue the man after his fall from the cliff near Eastbourne, East Sussex.

It is believed his friend, who was waiting to jump and a trained paramedic, quickly sprung into action and followed him over the cliff edge to provide treatment

The brave daredevil quickly responded and jumped off the edge of the cliff after seeing his friend hurt himself

A friend of the injured base jumper immediately tried to help and jump of the Beachy Head cliffs

After being treated by a second paramedic on the helicopter, he was rushed to a meeting point in Brighton, East Sussex, before being taken to hospital on Saturday.

A Coastguard spokesman said: 'Birling Gap Coastguard team were tasked to a base jumper whose parachute had pulled him towards the cliff.

'It was reported by his friends that one of the other base jumpers was a paramedic, who immediately jumped off the cliff to his aid.

'A lifeboat, along with the Search & Rescue Helicopter from Lydd in Kent, which arrived first, were also tasked.

'A paramedic onboard the helicopter treated the base jumper who is believed to have suffered a broken hip and was stuck at the beach close to the Beachy Head Lighthouse.

'He was then airlifted to a meeting point in Brighton, before being handed over to ambulance crews.'

Search and rescue teams quickly arrived on the scene to try and help the injured base jumper

Another friend of the injured base jumper leapt from Beachy Head after seeing him fall below

Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd has hit out at the 'immature' base jumpers who flung themselves off the cliff.

Mr Lloyd, who represents Eastbourne, said: 'I'm absolutely disgusted at the immature behaviour of these individuals, particularly around such a site as Beachy Head.

'[The base jumper] has been injured, he could have been killed. It is my earnest hope that this will deter people from continuing.'

Eastbourne Borough Council has also urged visitors to the area to 'use their common sense'.

A spokesperson said: 'Any activity that brings people into close proximity with the cliff edge or cliff face carries extremely high risk.

'This applies to everyone, whether simply walking in the area or involved in other leisure pursuits and sports.

The coastguard and search and rescue helicopter were dispatched to rescue the man on Saturday

'People enjoying the downland must use their common sense and adhere to warning signs.'

Beachy Head is popular with tourists looking to take adventurous selfies, while thrill seeking base jumpers also regularly use the cliffs due to how tall they are.

However, the unstable chalk cliffs have seen a number of rock falls this year.

Now, the UK Coastguard Agency has warned daredevils to stay back from the edge of the beauty spot in case they fall while taking pictures.

But this has not stopped daring selfie snappers, who had continued to dangle from the ledge to try and capture the perfect image for their social media accounts.
Nigel Farage today defended Donald Trump's decision to re-tweet Britain First insisting the 'liberal elite' had over-reacted.

The ex-Ukip leader used an appearance on the BBC Andrew Marr Show to claim the reaction has been 'out of all proportion' to the offence.

The President's decision to re-tweet three messages from the far right Britain First group has been widely condemned.

The episode has triggered the worst public clashes between US and UK leaders in memory. Prime Minister Theresa May launched a rare direct attack on Mr Trump, branding him 'wrong' for his tweets - prompting a bizarre cross-Atlantic spat.

The row took a turn for the bizarre when Mr Trump attempted to reply directly to Mrs May on Twitter - only to send his message to the wrong Theresa May account.

Other critics even claimed Mr Trump should be arrested when he next visits Britain and for his planned state visit to be cancelled.

Education Secretary Justine Greening added to criticism today, warning any visit by Mr Trump would not be 'positive'.

Nigel Farage (pictured today on the BBC) has defended Donald Trump's decision to re-tweet Britain First insisting the 'liberal elite' had over-reacted

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured today in Maidenhead with husband Philip) launched a rare direct attack on Mr Trump, branding him 'wrong' for his tweets - prompting a bizarre cross-Atlantic spat

Mr Farage said today: 'Do I think those tweets were in good taste?

FARAGE DENIES EU PENSION HYPOCRISY Nigel Farage has been accused of hypocrisy after declaring he will take a taxpayer-funded EU pension. The Sunday Times estimated that as an MEP, the former Ukip leader will be entitled to an annual pension of 73,000 when he reaches the age of 63. He is currently 53. The pension could be part-funded by Britain's estimated 50 billion 'divorce bill' - if there is a Brexit deal. Asked on BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show if he would accept the money, Mr Farage replied: 'Of course I would take it. I have said that right from day one. Why should my family and others suffer even more.' Advertisement

'Not particularly, no.

'But the point is that the level of outrage from the liberal elite in this country is out of all proportion with what happened here.'

He added: 'Was the story about ISIS throwing people off buildings fake news? No. It wasn't, it was true.'

Farage also repeated his claim to have 'done more than anybody in this country to stop the rise of the far-right in Britain,' by giving BNP voters someone else to vote for.

And he endorsed the President's controversial claim that there were 'extremists' on 'both sides' of a protest in Charlottesville,

The event saw far-right groups marching with torches yelling 'Jews will not replace us' and a counter protester was mown down and killed when a car was driven into pedestrians.

President Trump (pictured last night boarding Air Force One in New York) has been condemned since his decision to re-tweet three messages from the far right Britain First group has been widely condemned.

The first video President Trump posted depicted 'Muslim migrant' according to Jayda Fransen, beating up a 'Dutch boy on crutches'

Mr Trump has fired back at the PM by saying she should concentrate on 'Radical Islamic Terrorism taking place in the UK' and not his Twitter activity. Twitter users were also quick to point out that the president had tagged the wrong Theresa in his message

On the same show, ex-Labour aide Ayesha Hazarika told Mr Farage: 'Just remember as Jo Cox lay dying, the scumbag who executed her shouted out the words 'Britain First.'

She added: 'Donald Trump is a racist, he's misogynistic and he's Islamophobic. He peddles in stirring up hate and division. That might be something you agree with, but that is not what British values are in this country.

Farage interrupted, repeatedly saying: 'You're out of touch, you're out of touch.'

Ms Greening suggested the retweets had made any prospective visit by Mr Trump more problematic.

'I don't think the tweets over the past week have particularly helped make any such visit a positive one,' she told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show.

'I think he was wrong to make those tweets. Of course, Britain First is a group that is beyond the pale. I don't think they deserve any publicity.'

The ex-Ukip leader used an appearance on the BBC Andrew Marr Show to claim the reaction has been 'out of all proportion' to the offence but was condemned by ex-Labour aide Ayesha Hazarika (second left)

Education Secretary Justine Greening added to criticism today, warning on the Marr show (pictured) any visit by Mr Trump would not be 'positive'

The row erupted on Wednesday when the president retweeted three anti-Muslim videos posted by the Britain First group.

One claimed to show a 'Muslim migrant' beating up a Dutch boy on crutches. Dutch authorities have insisted the alleged migrant was born and raised in the country and his religion is unknown.

Mr Trump also retweeted a video of a Muslim man 'destroy(ing) a statue of Virgin Mary', and another where Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen - who has previously been convicted of religiously aggravated harassment - to wrote: 'Islamist mob pushed teenage boy off roof and beats him to death!' The provenance of the footage is unknown.

In her attack on the President, Mrs May has insisted she would not be afraid to raise concerns about Mr Trump's views.

Questioned by journalists during a visit to Jordan, Mrs May said: 'The fact that we work together does not mean we are afraid to say when we think the United States has got it wrong and to be very clear with them.

'And I am very clear that retweeting from Britain First was the wrong thing to do.'

'I think that we must all take seriously the threat that far-Right groups pose and both in terms of the terrorist threat that is posed by those groups and the necessity of dealing with extremist material which is far-Right as well.'

And she warned the UK will not be afraid to rebuke America, despite the so-called special relationship, when she feels Mr Trump has got something wrong.

The videos were posted by Jayda Fransen, the deputy leader of Britain First (pictured)

The UK's ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, lodged a formal protest with the White House over the retweets

Last year, Ms Fransen was found guilty of religiously aggravated harassment after accosting a Muslim woman.

The charge stemmed from a January 2016 incident in which Fransen, wearing a political uniform and during a so-called 'Christian patrol,' accosted a Muslim woman named Sumayyah Sharpe in Luton, England.

Ms Fransen admitted that she told Sharpe, who was wearing hijab, that Muslim men force women to cover up to avoid rape 'because they cannot control their sexual urges.'

'That's why they are coming into my country raping women across the continent,' Fransen told Sharpe, according to the Independent. Ms Sharpe was in front of her four children at the time.

Ms Fransen, and Britain First leader Paul Golding, 35, also of Penge, are due to appear at Folkestone Magistrates' Court today for a pre-trial review over allegations of religiously aggravated abuse in Canterbury and Ramsgate, Kent.

A trial is scheduled for January 29, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

She will also appear in court in Northern Ireland in December charged with using threatening and abusive language in connection with a speech she made at an anti-terrorism demonstration in Belfast on August 6.

Britain First previously denied any involvement in the attack on Mrs Cox, and there is no suggestion that Mair was influenced by or in any way involved with the group.

Britain First leader gleefully boasts she now has a 'special relationship' with Donald Trump after the US President 'endorsed' the group on Twitter

A leader of the far-Right British group 'endorsed' by Donald Trump gleefully boasted yesterday that she now has a 'special relationship' with the US President.

Jayda Fransen achieved international notoriety last week when Mr Trump shared her inflammatory anti-Muslim videos with his 44 million followers.

But it sparked a war of words between the President and Theresa May and led to plans for a 'working visit' to the UK next month to be 'kicked into the long grass'.

Fransen speaking at a rally at Belfast City Hall. She claimed she now enjoys a 'special relationship with Donald Trump'

Fransen, 31, deputy leader of Britain First, said: 'I think the special relationship may have broken down between May and Trump.' Asked if she  not the Prime Minister  now enjoys a special relationship with the President, she beamed: 'Exactly.'

Fransen, who has claimed that Trump's re-tweeting of her videos amounts to an endorsement of Britain First by the US President, was speaking to an undercover Mail on Sunday reporter who infiltrated the extremist organisation's secret annual conference yesterday.

One delegate, Paul Rimmer, who is due to stand as a Britain First candidate in local elections next year, told the meeting that Trump's re-tweeting of Ms Fransen's videos was 'absolutely mind-blowing'.

He said the President had 'found an ally' in Fransen, adding: 'You couldn't get a Hollywood director to put that together. You couldn't get a novelist to write that.'

Britain First members outside the annual general meeting. One delegates said Muslims have come to 'take what is ours'

He added: 'We have got the President of the United States on our side. What an ally that is.'

In a rant-filled speech, he said Muslims 'have come here to take what is ours they have come here to take over our cities, city by city, town by town'.

Before Mr Trump re-tweeted Fransen's videos, Britain First was a marginal group with about 800 members. But his intervention catapulted the extremists into the public spotlight and they boasted of a massive injection of support.

However, only 70 'patriots' answered the call to attend the AGM at the Wyboston Lakes leisure centre complex in Little Barford, Bedfordshire, yesterday.

In addition to praising Mr Trump, delegates applauded as Mrs May was accused of encouraging the Islamic takeover of the UK. One speaker denounced Islam as an 'evil' religion.
A police force has been ridiculed for warning people to get consent before they 'bump into that special someone under the mistletoe'  or else they could be committing 'rape'.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) posted the 'nonsense' message yesterday, drawing hundreds of mocking comments attacking the force for 'trivialising' rape.

The force, which has 159,000 Twitter followers, posted: 'If you bump into that special someone under the mistletoe tonight, remember that without consent it is rape #SeasonsGreetings.'

And it wasn't long before the warning was shared hundreds of time across the social media platform.

The force, which has now removed the tweet, but said that their message had been taken 'out of context'

Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted to its 159,000 followers: 'If you bump into that special someone under the mistletoe tonight, remember that without consent it is rape #SeasonsGreetings'

@Renown_Vet commented: 'Since when did a kiss under the mistletoe turn into rape? Get a grip, and start being thief takes again not half arsed SJWs [social justice warriors].'

@69mib wrote: 'Bumping into someone, under the mistletoe, is now considered rape? Why do you trivialise such a serious issue with such a nonsense tweet?'

Mike love tweeted PSNI: 'This tweet tells people that a kiss is rape. Do you realise what you've said?'

But the force only removed the tweet after being contacted by MailOnline.

One user wrote: 'Bumping into someone, under the mistletoe, is now considered rape? Why do you trivialise such a serious issue with such a nonsense tweet?'

In a new message, posted this morning, PSNI wrote: 'We posted a message on Twitter yesterday that some may have taken out of context but the message remains the same; when you are out socialising over the Christmas period, please remember without consent it is rape'

In a new message, posted this morning, the PSNI wrote: 'We posted a message on Twitter yesterday that some may have taken out of context but the message remains the same; when you are out socialising over the Christmas period, please remember without consent it is rape.'

The PSNI has previously faced backlash for social media postings about sexual violence, when in March the Newry and Mourne division posted an image of a distressed woman under the caption 'without consent it is rape' and a message warning people not to 'overindulge'.

Some social media users raised concerns that the message amounted to 'victim blaming' by potentially implying that it is the responsibility of women to prevent rape by not drinking too much.

The 'without consent it is rape' campaign was launched by the PSNI in 2013 to publicise the law on sexual offences in Northern Ireland.

It comes after a probe was launched in August amid allegations that PSNI officers and staff tweeted racist, sexist and sectarian messages  and potentially prejudiced criminal inquiries.

Six PSNI officers or civilian support staff were among the group under investigation.

The tradition of kissing under mistletoe is centuries old

Police Service of Northern Ireland's tweet was shared hundreds of times and ridiculed for 'trivialising' rape

Some of the tweets were said to have included allegations against a Northern Irish journalist and also the abuse of another journalist from a Belfast radio station, The Guardian reported.

The posts also included pictures of the interiors of PSNI stations including a CCTV monitoring station in Belfast, it was reported.

SNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, who is in charge of the force's professional standards department, said at the time: 'I can confirm that the PSNI is examining material posted on personal social media accounts by persons who may be serving police officers.

'In response PSNI professional standards department has instigated disciplinary proceedings against one individual who has been identified as a serving officer.'
Donald Trump branded claims he told former FBI director James Comey to stop investigating Michael Flynn 'fake news'.

'I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn,' Trump wrote in a tweet that came at 5:15 a.m. Sunday morning. 'Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!'

All weekend, the president has been tweeting about the Russia probe, which ensnared his former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty Friday of lying to the FBI over conversations he had with the Russian government during the presidential transition.

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Donald Trump complained Saturday that Michael Flynn was receiving more attention from the FBI for lying to them over the Russia probe than Hillary Clinton did for destroying emails

Flynn admitted to lying about communicating with Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak in December 2016.

Critics say that violates the 1799 Logan Act, which forbids unauthorized Americans from representing the US government to foreign powers that are in dispute with the U.S.

On Friday, CNN reported that it was Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and close adviser, who directed Flynn to liaise with Russia.

Trump potentially made the matter worse with a tweet he sent out Saturday, suggesting that he knew Flynn had lied to the FBI, causing him to fire him.

'I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies,' Trump wrote. 'It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!'

Two sources later told the Washington Post that the president's personal lawyer, John Dowd, had authored the tweet, which appeared on the @realDonaldTrump Twitter account.

The tweet raises questions about what Trump knew when  and is problematic when linked up with Comey's congressional testimony, as the ex-FBI head wrote in memos later leaked to the press that he'd been pressured by the president to 'let this go.'

'I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go,' Comey said the president urged him, according to testimony he prepared for his June appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

'I took it as a direction,' Comey said at the June 8 hearing. 'I mean, this is a president of the United States with me alone saying, "I hope this." I took it as, this is what he wants me to do. I didn't obey that, but that's the way I took it.'

Comey's May 9 firing prompted calls for the appointment of a special counsel, which Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein headed on May 18, announcing Comey's FBI predecessor Robert Mueller would do the job.

So far Mueller's probe has caught up four Trump associates: the president's former Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, Manafort's deputy Rick Gates, George Papadopoulos, a campaign foreign policy adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, and Flynn.

Flynn is now cooperating with the Mueller probe.

In the defense of his advisers, Trump has often floated that they've been treated more harshly than Hillary Clinton, who was investigated by the FBI last year for her usage of a private email server to conduct government business.

'So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday "interrogation" with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times... and nothing happens to her?' Trump wrote Saturday night on Twitter.

'Rigged system, or just a double standard?'

Trump complained that Flynn's 'life is destroyed' by his FBI lies, while Clinton 'lies many times' during her interrogation by the FBI into her email server without any problems

Trump also complained that she deleted emails from her server three weeks after receiving a congressional subpoena. Trump banged the 'lock her up' drum to great effect during election

Trump seemed unnerved after Flynn (seen Friday) agreed to cooperate with the Russia probe. On Friday it was rumored that Flynn would accuse Kushner of ordering him to speak to Russia

Clinton (seen on Saturday) performed her interview with ex-FBI head James Comey while not under oath. If she did lie in this interview, then she did not break the law - unlike Flynn

In a second tweet shortly after, Trump added: 'Many people in our Country are asking what the "Justice" Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and "acid washed" 33,000 Emails? No justice!'

He and his followers have long demanded that the police imprison Clinton for running her private email server, even turning 'Lock her up!' into an election chant.

Clinton deleted 31,830 emails that she deemed 'personal' three weeks after receiving a congressional subpoena.

She also submitted to an interview with Comey regarding the email server during which Comey did not make her swear an oath.

In the interview she claimed not to have received classified emails, although classified material was later found on her homebrew server.

Comey suggested that was because she was 'not technically sophisticated' enough to recognize them as such.
A man in India certainly did not put his best foot forward - when a pungent smell from his socks caused a fight to break out with his fellow bus passengers and resulted in his arrest.

The hapless traveller was on a bus from the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh to New Delhi when he decided to remove his shoes and socks.

But when he was asked to put them away or throw them out because of a pungent smell, the man refused, causing a heated argument between the passengers.

A man caused uproar on a bus from Himchal Pradesh to New Delhi (pictured) when he decided to remove his shoes and socks, upsetting the other passengers around him (file pic)

The bus driver was then forced to pull over at a police station in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh.

Una police chief Sanjeev Gandhi said: 'He was arrested on charges of causing public nuisance and later released on bail.'

He added that the man had threatened other passengers and caused a disturbance at the police station.

The man was arrested for causing a public nuisance, but insists that his feet did not smell

The man in turn filed a complaint against his fellow passengers and the bus crew for harassment and insisted his socks did not smell, the officer said.

He left the area on another bus a day later, police added.
Locals in a tiny Irish village where Viagra has been manufactured for 20 years are laughing off potentially stiff competition from Britain.

Men in need of the drug will soon be able to purchase the little blue over the counter, following a public consultation by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

But villagers from Ringaskiddy, Cork - where Pfizer manufacture a key ingredient used in Viagra - have met the news with amusement.

Barmaid Debbie O'Grady told The Sunday Times: 'One whiff and you're stiff. We've been getting the love fumes for years now for free', she told The Daily Telegraph, referring to smoke emanating from one of the factory's chimneys.

Vllagers from Ringaskiddy, Cork - where Pfizer manufacture a key ingredient used in Viagra - have met the news that Viagra will be made available over the counter with amusement

It is also claimed Ringaskiddy experienced a baby boom after production of Viagra began in the village in around 1998. Picutured: The Pfizer factor based in the village

Ms O'Grady's mother, Sadie, even said that living in Ringaskiddy is a blessing for some men who suffered 'with problems in that department', adding that there is 'something in the air'.

And after the heartache of losing her husband to an accident 20 years ago, 60-year-old Sadie sad she has never been lonely in the village famous for its astonishing sex life.

Speaking at the Ferry Boat Inn, Sadie was on her first night out for several weeks since an operation on her back.

Pfizer confirmed in a statement that the 'viagra' in the air is nothing more than an 'amusing' myth

She said: 'I'm a flirtatious woman, a lot of us are. You just have to have a spark, that's all. There's a lovely man waiting down the road for me.'

Psychiatric nurse Fiona Toomey, who had just returned to the village for the first time in five years after accepting a job in the US, said that even the dogs 'walk around in a state of sexual excitement'.

She added: 'I think that Viagra must have got into the water supply. I'm convinced that's what happened at the very beginning before they were so closely regulated.'

Speaking at the Ferry Boat Inn (pictured), Sadie was on her first night out for several weeks since an operation on her back.

It is also claimed Ringaskiddy experienced a baby boom after production of Viagra began in the village in around 1998.

So strong is the belief that the factory is having an effect on locals, men in the village are even said to stand downwind of the factory and breathe deeply.

However, Pfizer confirmed in a statement that the 'viagra' in the air is nothing more than an 'amusing' myth.

They told The Sunday Times: 'Our manufacturing processes have always been highly sophisticated as well as highly regulated.'
Stop putting words in my mouth....Only thing I am admitting is that the Republican Party did a damn poor job of asserting itself when Democrats were up to no good....



In Hillary's case there was a hell of a lot of reason to appoint a special Prosecutor and thew Republicans had no balls to do it..And for that reason they have lost all credibility with the right wing of the Republican Party
Bystanders at a Northern Territory club have saved the life of a young girl after she almost drowned.

The seven-year-old was found unconscious in the pool at Darwin's Trailer Boat Club around 7.20pm Saturday, before witnesses pulled her from the water.

Springing into action, the group then proceeded to perform CPR on the girl before emergency services arrived.

Bystanders at Darwin's Trailer Boat Club (pictured) have saved the life of a young girl after she almost drowned on Saturday

St John Ambulance Head Paramedic, Craig Garraway, praised the actions of the quick-thinking club patrons and said they had made a 'huge impact'.

'Bystanders started performing CPR on the seven-year-old with some advice from our emergency medical dispatchers,' he told Nine News.

'The people that made that triple zero call (and) people immediately taking steps to assist the young girl has obviously had a huge impact on where she is today.'

The seven-year-old was said to be able to breathe on her own when paramedics arrived and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

The seven-year-old was found unconscious in the pool around 7.20pm, before witnesses pulled her from the water

Springing into action, the group proceeded to perform CPR on the girl before emergency services arrived, actions praised by paramedics (stock image)

She is expected to make a full recovery after being downgraded from critical to stable condition.

Mr Garraway said the incident was a stark reminder to parents and members of the community to become first aid certified.

It comes just a week after a two-year-old boy died after being found unresponsive in an Adelaide swimming pool.

Between July 2016 and June 2017 291 people drowned across Australia, with 41 of those being children up to the age of 14, according to the National Drowning Report.
Twelve members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard have been killed in an Israeli airstrike over Syria, according to Arabic media.

While there has been no official confirmation of the fatalities from either Syria or Iran, the names of those killed were reported on a messaging app connected to the Iranian military, according to Lebanons Al-Mustaqbal TV and the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya network.

SANA, Syria's state-run news agency said Israel had fired several missiles at a military base that Iran is building close to the country's capital, Damascus, on Saturday.

Twelve members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard have been killed in an Israeli airstrike over Syria, according to reports from Arabic media (file pic)

The base is 31 miles from the Israeli border and an arms depot was reportedly destroyed in the strike.

The state-run agency also reported that two Israeli missiles had been shot down by Syrian air defences.

There has been no official comment from Israel, but in a video published on Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would not tolerate an Iranian presence in Syria.

He said: 'Let me reiterate Israels policy: We will not allow a regime hell-bent on the annihilation of the Jewish state to acquire nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned in a video on Saturday night that Israel would not tolerate an Iranian presence in Syria, but Israel has yet to comment on the alleged airstrike

'We will not allow that regime to entrench itself militarily in Syria, as it seeks to do, for the express purpose of eradicating our state.'

Last month, the BBC reported that Iran is trying to establish a permanent military base inside Syria, according to a Western intelligence source.

Satellite images commissioned by the BBC apparently showed the construction of two dozen low-rise buildings, as well as additional buildings between January and October this year at the site south of Damascus.

The Revolutionary Guards, Iran's most powerful military force which also oversees an economic empire worth billions of dollars, has been fighting against Islamic State and in support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and the central government in Baghdad for several years.

More than a thousand members of the Guards, including senior commanders, have been killed in Syria and Iraq.

The Revolutionary Guards initially kept quiet about their military role in both Syria and Iraq but have become more outspoken about it as casualties have mounted.

They frame their engagement as an existential struggle against the Sunni Muslim fighters of Islamic State, who see Shiites, the majority of Irans population, as apostates.
A man was bashed and taped to his kitchen floor after two armed intruders broke in and ransacked his home for two hours.

Chris Tonges said he opened his door at 2am on Sunday only to be threatened with a knife by two intruders, a man and a woman, who barged their way inside.

They then allegedly taped him to the floor and the female assailant kept an eye on him while the man went through his house in Tweed Heads looking for cash.

Chris Tonges, 41, was bashed and taped to his kitchen floor after two armed intruders broke in by threatening him with a knife when he came to the door

He said they told him 'don't you f**king move or I'll f**king stab you'.

'I was kicked in the guts, stomped on the back of the head,' he told Seven News.

'(I had my) hands out in front of me on my stomach and feet tied up straight down the corner. I thought well there it is, I'm dead tonight.'

After two terrifying hours he heard one of the intruders steal his parents' car and managed to untie himself and escape through the back door.

The male attacker fled by himself leaving the alleged female accomplice still inside, where she was found hiding by police.

The 43-year-old was charged with aggravated breaking and entering, inflicting bodily harm, detaining someone to gain advantage, and stealing.

They then allegedly taped him to the floor and the female assailant kept an eye on him while the man went through his house in Tweed Heads looking for cash

After two terrifying hours he heard one of the intruders steal his parents' car and managed to untie himself and escape through the back door

The man was still at large and described as a white 35-year-old with black hair, and was wearing a grey top and black-coloured jeans.

He stole a silver-coloured Ford Kuga SUV, with specialised 'Broncos' number plates, from the home with NSW registration '04LIFE'.

It was late seen about 10am in the nearby Tweed Heads CBD about 10am on Sunday.

Mr Tonges was described by his neighbours as a quiet and a 'really lovely' man who enjoyed fishing.

He said if his parents, who were overseas, were home someone could have been killed in the violent home invasion.

'I'll be having nightmares for a while,' he said.
Christmas shoppers who were hospitalised after a car mounted the curb and ploughed into pedestrians have been pictured.

A black BMW hatchback was turning into Rundle Street, Adelaide's East End, about 4pm on Saturday when it slammed into a light pole and four pedestrians who were waiting to cross the road.

Dashcam footage surfaced on Sunday showing the vehicle crossing onto the wrong side of the road and careening through the busy intersection.

Four women aged 26, 32, and two aged 67 were hospitalised following the crash, which police initially feared was an act of terror.

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Among the victims were friends Sally Chapman, 67, and Skye Jarvis, 67, (pictured) who were on their way to Adelaide Oval for the Ashes Test match when the car screeched towards them

Police revealed on Sunday they were not treating the incident as an act of terror but were investigating whether the driver was under the influence of drugs at the time of the horrific collision.

Among the victims were friends Sally Chapman, 67, and Skye Jarvis, 67, who were on their way to Adelaide Oval for the Ashes Test match when the car screeched towards them.

Mrs Chapman was released from hospital on Sunday with a fractured knee.

Her husband Grant Chapman, a former Senator for South Australia, said his wife and Ms Jarvis were both 'lucky to be alive'.

'From what Sally said, the car came out of nowhere and they didn't have much time to move,' he told Seven News.

Five people were rushed to hospital after a car slammed into a light pole in Adelaide's CBD

Mrs Chapman (pictured) was released from hospital on Sunday with a fractured knee

Mr Chapman said his wife was recovering at home, with a shattered knee cap and bruises and lacerations to her leg.

'How long it'll take her to recover I'm not sure,' Mr Chapman said.

He said her friend, Skye Jarvis suffered several broken bones including a broken pelvis.

Ms Jarvis remained in a serious condition at Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she underwent surgery on Sunday morning.

A 32-year-old West-Croydon woman was also treated for leg injuries, while the fourth victim, 26, was not seriously hurt.

The 40-year-old driver of the Black BMW was arrested in his hospital bed following the incident.

He was charged with dangerous driving offences on Sunday.

Mr Chapman (pictured) said his wife was recovering at home, with a shattered knee cap and bruises and lacerations to her leg

There were scenes of chaos in the CBD as witnesses recalled hearing the screams from a female victim after she was hit

The man was only recently released from prison, according to The Advertiser.

Despite initial fears, police are not treating the incident as terrorism and do not think the crash was deliberate.

Rowen Osborne, 15, described a horrific scene moments after the smash.

'A woman was screaming "help me, please come and help me",' she said.

'Another woman was flung into the gutter and lay there motionless.

'It was terrifying, it was random and out of nowhere. It was horrific.'

A black BMW hatchback was traveling north down Pulteney Street in Adelaide and was turning into Rundle Street when it slammed into a light pole

Five people have been rushed to hospital after a car slammed into a light pole in Adelaide's CBD

The driver of a black hatchback was taken to Royal Adelaide hospital in serious but stable condition

Emergency crews were called to the intersection at the corner of Rundle and Pulteney Streets just after 4pm

Witnesses recalled hearing the screams from one of the female victims after she was hit.

'(There was) a loud band and smoke coming out of the bonnet and everyone rushed to help,' a witness told Seven News.

'There was screams from a woman just screaming, 'help me, someone please come and help me',' she said.

Another witness said she saw people trapped inside the car as well.

'There was another lady on the ground, and another guy. Not good,' she said.

The incident is not being treated as a deliberate act, South Australia Police said

All access to the area was blocked, with traffic between North Terrace, Grenfell Street and Bent Street diverted by police

The scene was cordoned off with police tape and Major Crash Investigators attending
A squirrel was found to be responsible for cutting multiple Christmas light wires in a New Jersey town.

The town of Sea Girt holds a Christmas tree lighting ceremony each year, but after finding cut wires, police believed vandals were making mischief.

However on Saturday morning, a passerby snapped a photo of the real vandal: a squirrel just nibbling away at the wires, reported NBC 4 New York

A passerby snapped a photo of the real vandal: a squirrel just nibbling away at the wires

A squirrel was found to be responsible for cutting multiple Christmas light wires in a New Jersey town (pictured)

The town of Sea Girt holds a popular Christmas tree lighting ceremony each year, but after finding cut wires, police believed vandals were making mischief

Crews hurried to repair and replace the damaged wires when they were first found last week so the town's Christmas tree lighting could go on as scheduled.

Meanwhile, police planned to keep a close eye on the display in an effort to catch those responsible.

Friday's ceremony occurred as planned but on Saturday morning, police said they had caught the perpetrator.

They released a photo of the suspected vandal: a squirrel. It was a far cry from the young misfits the town had suspected.

Police said they were unable to catch the miniature vandal but the Christmas display will be under constant surveillance to assure no more damage occurred.

Despite the attempts to derail the tree lighting ceremony on Friday, it went off without a hitch

Police said they were unable to catch the miniature vandal but the Christmas display (pictured) will be under constant surveillance to assure no more damage occurred

Earlier this week, resident John Shibels was surprised to hear of possible vandalism in the borough. 'This is Mayberry RFD, probably the first vandalism we've had in 10 years,' he said.

Sea Girt police Captain Justin Macko showed NBC 4 New York some of the damaged wires Thursday.

'It tells me they definitely wanted to do it and they want to accomplish their goal of making sure the lights don't work,' he said.
A Federal MP has claimed immigrants should have lessons on Australian law to stop them from turning to crime.

Victoria's Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, has called for migrants to receive education because they had 'no understanding of the law', according to The Australian.

Mr Wood said he was also keen to see a system implemented where letters would be sent to criminals hoping to apply for citizenship to warn them against re-offending.

Federal MP Jason Wood (pictured) has claimed immigrants should have lessons on Australian law to stop them from turning to crime

'I was told by South Sudanese people that breaking into someone's house and stealing a car is not a big deal,' Mr Wood said.

'Where they come from they've seen worse and experienced worse.'

The Liberal MP said that evidence heard in a parliamentary committee into migrant settlement outcomes showed an issue with South Sudanese crime in Victoria.

As many as 296 people from Sudan were arrested last year, with migrants from the country 6.135 times more likely to be arrested than Australian offenders, New Corp reports.

Mr Wood told The Australian that South Sudanese people had said 'breaking into someone's house and stealing a car is not a big deal,' (stock image)

However, Kenyatta Wal from the Victorian Federation of South Sudanese Associations said many of their community came bearing 'a lot of baggage' with Victoria police also stating the majority of arrests made were Australian-born people

However, Kenyatta Wal from the Victorian Federation of South Sudanese Associations said many of their community came bearing 'a lot of baggage'.

Children were often disengaged from school due their education system and that many suffered from 'a lack of employment'.

Victoria police also said the majority of arrests were Australian-born people, with the 'small percentage' of African-born offenders often having 'underlying issues driving' such behaviours.
Andrew Hallbroook, pictured outside Warwick Crown Cuort, only began braking 12 metres before smashing into the back of Martin Brannigan's car

A lorry driver who paralysed a man when he ploughed into the back of his car in crawling traffic at 50mph has been jailed for two and-a-half years.

Andrew Hallbrook, 45, only began to brake 12 metres before he smashed into the back of Martin Brannigan's car, which was stuck in slow-moving traffic on a motorway, a court heard.

Mr Brannigan's Vauxhall Insignia was shunted under the trailer of a flatbed lorry in front of it near junction 2 of the M6 near Rugby, Warwickshire.

The 56-year-old is now paralysed from the shoulders down after he suffered damage to his spinal cord in the crash at 8.30am on March 24, and was hospitalised for seven months.

Hallbrook claimed he had sun in his eyes, and did not realise the other vehicles had braked as he reached for the sun visor, despite warning signs being illuminated for more than a mile.

Hallbrook, of Dudley, West Midlands, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Warwick Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to causing serious injury to Mr Brannigan by dangerous driving.

He was also banned from driving for three years.

Jailing Hallbrook, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano told him: 'Traffic was slowing down as a queue formed for a junction, and there were warning on overhead gantries for a mile and a half, as well as cars in front slowing down, with brake lights going on.

'But you, for whatever reason, failed to notice either those warning signs or the slowing of the cars in front until right at the last moment, as a result of which you were unable to reduce your speed by more than 6mph before impact.

'I don't accept for a minute that this was momentary inadvertence, there were warning signs for a mile-and-a-half.

'You hit the back of Mr Brannigan's car at 49mph, shunting it under the back of a flatbed lorry in front of it, and the car was effectively crushed between those two lorries.

Hallbrook, of Dudley, West Midlands, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Warwick Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to causing serious injury to Mr Brannigan by dangerous driving

'It is something of a miracle Mr Brannigan survived, but he, 56-years-old and perfectly fit before this, is now paralysed from the shoulders down, caused by damage to his spinal cord.

'The effects of this are devastating, not only on him, but on his family.

'Those few minutes have turned the life of this happy family upside down.

'He has gone from being a man who supported and looked after his family to one who needs constant care, and he is now entirely dependent on others, and will remain so for the rest of his life.

'I have read a great deal about you as well, and I accept you are very, very remorseful for what happened.

'But nothing I can do today, and nothing you can ever do, can restore this grieving family's happiness.

'He didn't die, but he will never again have the life he recognised.'

Prosecutor Adam Western said that as the traffic at the junction was moving at a crawl, warning signs had been activated going back one-and-a-half miles.

Hallbrook failed to slow down as he approached the tailback in his DAF HGV, and only braked at the last moment - too late to stop him ploughing into the back of Mr Brannigan's Vauxhall Insignia.

The car was pushed under the trailer of the flatbed lorry in front of it with such force that the lorry, whose driver said he had been braking and showing his brake lights for about 50 seconds, hit another car and forced it into a fifth vehicle.

Mr Brannigan's Vauxhall Insignia was shunted under the trailer of a flatbed lorry in front of it near junction 2 of the M6 near Rugby, Warwickshire

Mr Western said that according to collision expert Dean Spencer, Hallbrook was doing 55mph as he approached the queue, and only braked 12 metres before the point of impact at 49mph.

Mr Brannigan suffered damage to his spinal cord in the crash, as a result of which he was in hospital for seven months and is now paralysed from the shoulders down and is at risk of developing conditions including osteoporosis and infections.

Hallbrook, who was working for an agency and had not driven that HGV before, claimed he suddenly had the sun in his eyes which had momentarily blinded him, and he had reached for the sun visor before suddenly realising the vehicles ahead had braked - but that was not supported by the other truck driver or the accident investigator.

Father-of-two Martin Brannigan, who was an engineer, had been a person who was on the go all the time.

He said: 'My injuries mean I will never walk again, which is devastating to me and to my family.'

He now has to live in rented accommodation because it seems unlikely the family's home in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, can be adapted for his needs.

His wife Julie said they had been childhood sweethearts, and added: 'Every ounce of his dignity is taken away.

'As his wife, emotionally it has destroyed me.

'What I will miss most from my husband is a hug, a kiss and a cuddle.

'This breaks my heart.'

Earl Pinnock, defending, said: 'Of course, in this tragic case, the harm is devastating.

'Nothing I say on behalf of Mr Hallbrook is intended to detract from the pain and suffering felt by Mr Brannigan and his family.

'But I do urge the court to view that harm through the prism of culpability.

'The court is entitled to think about whether the dangerousness here begins to look more like carelessness.

'This collision begins in a short period of time before the impact, consistent with momentary inadvertence.'

Mr Pinnock said Hallbrook, who has two children and a step-daughter, is 'held in high esteem,' and spent 25 years as a carer worker, as well as being a foster carer for many years, and is also involved with Warley Rugby Club in Oldbury, West Midlands.

A fundraising campaign raised more than 1,600 to support Mr Brannigan and a benefit night was held at the Royal Hotel in Sutton Coldfield in October.

The JustGiving page said: 'Martin Brannigan, our good friend and former Irish-dancing dad, was involved in a serious collision on the M6 in March which has left him with spinal cord damage and life-changing injuries.'
Tony Blair insisted today that Brexit is reversible and threatened Leave voters that 'it's not done until it's done'.

The former Prime Minister claimed that Theresa May is attempting to negotiate an impossible deal that risked leaving Britain in the worst of all worlds.

Mr Blair's intervention comes on the eve of showdown talks between Mrs May and Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on terms of Britain's divorce deal.

The former PM warned that because Brexit would leave Britain and Ireland on opposite sides of European membership for the first time ever it could even threaten the Good Friday Agreement.

The incendiary intervention will infuriate Brexiteers who believe Mr Blair is troublemaking as he tries to thwart the will of the people.

The former Prime Minister (pictured at rhe BBC on Friday) claimed that Theresa May is attempting to negotiate an impossible deal that risked leaving Britain in the worst of all worlds

Mr Blair's intervention comes on the eve of showdown talks between Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on terms of Britain's divorce deal

Remain supporters will seize on the remarks and those of Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt earlier today, where he warned Brexiteers to rally behind Mrs May or risk 'no Brexit'.

Failure to agree a draft divorce deal at tomorrow's talks - with proposals on around 50billion of exit payments, citizens rights and the Irish border - will slash hopes of a start to trade talks at a summit in less than two weeks.

Proposals have emerged on all three issues in recent weeks but finalising the status of the Irish border appears to be the biggest stumbling block. Dublin was explicitly handed a veto over the process on Friday by EU Council President Donald Tusk.

Mr Blair made his latest intervention in an interview with the BBC Radio 4 The World This Weekend programme.

IDS LEADS BREXITEER PUSH FOR HARD DEAL A Tory civil war over the future role of European judges burst into public view today as Theresa May was warned not make concessions that would 'reverse' Brexit. Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and former Court of Appeal judge Sir Richard Aikens both warned the Prime Minister to block any future role for the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The warning to Mrs May came as senior Eurosceptics laid down seven new 'red lines'. The clashes come on the eve of a crucial meeting in Brussels where the Prime Minister is due to present Britain's final offer on the terms of divorce. If EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker does not accept the offer on the divorce bill, citizens' rights and the Irish border trade talks could be delayed again. Brussels is determined to keep the ECJ open to the more than 3 million EU citizens but Britain says its courts should be sufficient. A possible compromise suggested this week would have seen the UK Supreme Court being allowed to refer cases to the ECJ itself. But Mr Duncan Smith and Sir Richard claim this could lead to 'mission creep' that sees EU judges ruling on trade issues as if the referendum never happened. Advertisement

Asked about his attempts to stop Brexit, Mr Blair said: 'It's reversible. It's not done until it's done.'

Mr Blair warned of a renewed threat to peace under the terms of any deal. Resolving how to make the Irish border work is currently the biggest sticking point.

He said: The Good Friday agreement is not under threat in the sense that everyone says they want to keep it, but it is at risk because of Brexit because the Republic of Ireland and the UK have always in history been in the same relationship to the EU.

'We were out of it then we joined it at exactly the same time. For the first time we're going to be in a different relationship. The UK will be outside of Europe, the Republic of Ireland will be inside Europe.

'That necessarily means that that border between north and south will become the border between the UK and the European Union.

'The difficulties of this are self-evident.'

In other developments, Jeremy Hunt warned today Brexit could be stopped altogether if Mrs May is toppled by critics who fear she is making too many concessions.

The Prime Minister will sit down for lunch with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for a working lunch aimed at hammering out a draft divorce deal.

But appearing on ITV's Peston on Sunday, Mr Hunt said: 'The choice we face is not between this Brexit or that Brexit.

'If we don't back Theresa May we will have no Brexit, and she is doing an unbelievably challenging job amazingly well.'

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured today on Peston on Sunday) warned today Brexit could be stopped altogether if Theresa May is toppled by critics who fear she is making too many concessions

The Health Secretary's warning came on the same day as Tony Blair said Brexit was reversible and taunted Brexiteers that 'it's not done until it's done'

Mr Hunt's intervention came after former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and a former Court of Appeal judge hit out at leaked proposals that would see the Supreme Court asking the the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for advisory rulings.

The mechanism is an apparent attempt to reassure Brussels about the rights of EU citizens living in Britain after Brexit.

Brexiteers fear it is a backdoor by which the ECJ could continue to rule in the UK after Britain leaves the European Union.

A separate warning to Mrs May today, raised by a series of ex-ministers and businessmen, also warns against backsliding on the ECJ amid seven new red lines.

Mr Hunt insisted the Government would not break its promise to ensure the jurisdiction of the ECJ ends after after Brexit.

Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (file) and former Court of Appeal judge Sir Richard Aikens (right) both warned the PM to block any future role for the European Court of Justice

Mr Blair's 'Institute' is developing policy ideas aimed at moderate liberal politicians and today published proposals for housing.

He admitted his efforts were an explicit attempt to smash the 'coalition' of people who voted for Brexit.

The three time election winner said there was a difference between people who voted for Brexit from a profound sense of a lack of sovereignty and those who were unhappy with specific issues.

He said the latter group could be persuaded to an alternative future.

Mr Blair said: 'When the facts change people are allowed to change their minds.'

Mr Blair said the negotiations were being pulled between the rival ideas of a Norway-style arrangement keeping Britain close to Europe and a Canada-style deal allowing more distance but offering less access.

He said: 'What the government is trying to negotiate is fundamentally un-negotiable. They are trying to negotiate getting out of the single market while recreating all of its benefits.

'That's not going to happen.'

He said the conflicting priorities of maximising access while getting legal distance would produce a 'series of compromises' with a risk of 'the worst of both worlds'.
A baby boy aged just eight weeks has received a life-saving heart transplant just in time for Christmas.

Charlie Douthwaite was thought to be the youngest transplant list patient in the UK, having been born with half a heart in October.

The tiny heart that has saved his life came from outside the UK after a Europe wide alert by doctors at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Charlie's parents Tracie, 30, and Steve Douthwaite, 32, feared he would not get an organ in time as his heart was failing rapidly.

Charlie Douthwaite was thought to be the youngest transplant list patient in the UK, having been born with half a heart in October

His mother Tracie Wright (shown) made a viral appeal on Facebook to nearly 100,000 people. Then, late last week, her prayers were answered

Cardiologists put Charlie on two support devices in an attempt to keep his heart going long enough for an organ to be found.

His mother made a viral appeal on Facebook to nearly 100,000 people. Then, late last week, her prayers were answered and Charlie was quickly rushed to theatre for a nine-hour operation.

A heart had to come from a baby almost exactly the same age so it would fit into Charlie's chest.

His mother, Tracie Wright, said: 'It's simply amazing that someone out there has been able to help our little boy and for that I will be eternally grateful.

'His skin colour is amazing - he was so blue all the time to being so peachy and pink. Perfect. It felt like a miracle.

'It hasn't quite sunk in that out there somewhere an amazing family gave us the most amazing, priceless gift that could ever be given; in their darkest time they still thought of someone else.

The tiny heart that has saved his life came from outside the UK after a Europe wide alert by doctors at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle

Charlie was born with half a heart plus other severe defects that led to doctors suggesting a termination

'They're such special people. Thank you just doesn't seem like a big enough word to say to them.

#He's done well so far we couldn't be any more proud of him he's a real life hero, our little warrior.'

Charlie was born with half a heart, plus other severe defects, that led to doctors suggesting a termination but his parents decided Charlie should be given the chance to live.

He had to have surgery when he was three days old after being born weighing just 6lbs 5oz at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The op should have bought him to grow before more surgery, but it soon became clear it wasn't enough and he needed a heart rapidly.

He suffered two cardiac arrests post surgery and it was then that doctors decided he urgently needed a transplant.

Tracie and Steve, from Newcastle, say that Charlie is still recovering from the major surgery but he has responded well so far.

He had to have surgery when he was three days old after being born weighing just 6lbs 5oz at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle

Tracie, who has two older sons, aged 7 and 10, said: 'He's doing really well. His skin colour's amazing and he's circulating his blood all by himself.

'It feels like a miracle, we got the transplant at the perfect time.

Dr Zdenka Reinhardt, a cardiologist at the Freeman Hospital, said he had been 'extremely lucky considering his condition and his size'.

Consultant surgeon Fabrizio De Rita carried out the surgery on Charlie and says he has been making good progress since the op.

He said: 'Charlie was a newborn when he came to us. He was in a critical condition and required an operation early in life. His prospects had not been as good as expected.

'The function of the heart was impaired to the point he required mechanical support to maintain his blood circulating into the body.

'It's a completely different story now.

'From the surgery point of view we are happy about the transplant but there's a long journey ahead.

'The operation is part of this journey and all the treatment and medication that the patient needs are just as important.'

Doctors hope Charlie will be well enough to leave hospital in the new year.
Si Si Han, 46, was killed while on duty

A suspected drunk driver has killed a toll collector in a horrific crash on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Daniel Berk, 32, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in the crash early Saturday on the Oakland side of the California bridge, which killed 46-year-old mother Si Si Han.

A line of vehicles was waiting at the toll booth at around 5.10am when a rented box truck struck the back of the line, causing a chain reaction, police said.

Photos from the scene show the level of devastation in the crash, with a rented truck sheared in half by the toll booth structure.

Daniel Berk, 32, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in the crash early Saturday in Oakland. Berk and a passenger were ejected from the truck and injured

Toll collector Si Si Han, 46, had just come on duty when she was killed in the crash

The truck's driver, identified as Berk, and a passenger, were thrown from the vehicle and were both hospitalized, police said.

Han, the Caltrans employee who was killed, moved to the US from Burma 15 years ago when she married her husband, Ryan Saw, ABC7 reported.

She had been working for Caltrans for a decade and was the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, Ashly.

Han was just 10 minutes into her shift when the crash occurred.

'We loved her here,' coworker Latasha Luster told the station. 'She always smiled and always asked about the family. And I asked about her daughter, her husband, her mother. It's hard right now.'

Si Si Han (right) had been working for Caltrans for a decade and was the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, Ashly. She moved to the US from Burma 15 years ago when she married

Accident investigators gather evidence at the Bay Bridge toll plaza after a truck rammed through a toll booth, killing the toll collector inside, before dawn on Saturday

The six toll booths on the right-hand side of the approach to the bridge remaining closed on Saturday as investigators worked the scene.

Berk, who lives in Foster City, works as a theater stage hand in the Bay Area, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The crash snarled traffic on the bridge all day Saturday, with the six toll booths on the right-hand side of the approach to the bridge remaining closed as investigators worked the scene.

By 7pm Saturday, westbound traffic had resumed across the bridge once again.

California Governor Jerry Brown released a statement in response to the crash: 'Anne and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Caltrans Toll Collector Si Si Han, who died today while serving the traveling public. On behalf of all Californians, we extend our condolences to her family, coworkers and friends.'
WASHINGTON  The conversation about a cake lasted less than a minute but will long reverberate in constitutional law. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear 60 minutes of speech about when, if at all, making a cake counts as constitutionally protected speech and, if so, what the implications are for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission's contention that Jack Phillips violated the state's law against sexual-orientation discrimination.

Phillips, 61, is a devout Christian and proprietor of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., where he works as  his description  a cake artist. Charlie Craig and David Mullins entered his shop to order a cake to celebrate their wedding. Phillips said that although he would gladly make cakes for gay people for birthdays or other celebrations, he disapproves of same-sex marriage on religious grounds, and so does not make cakes for such celebrations. (He also refuses, for religious reasons, to make Halloween cakes.) To be compelled to do so would, he says, violate his constitutional right to speak freely. This, he says, includes the right not to be compelled to contribute his expressive cake artistry to a ceremony or occasion celebrating ideas or practices he does not condone. Well.

The First Amendment speaks of speech; its presence in a political document establishes its core purpose as the protection of speech intended for public persuasion. The amendment has, however, been rightly construed broadly to protect many expressive activities. Many, but there must be limits.

Phillips was neither asked nor required to attend, let alone participate in, the wedding. Same-sex marriage was not yet legal in Colorado, so Craig and Mullins were to be married in Massachusetts. The cake was for a subsequent reception in Denver. But even if the cake were to have been consumed at a wedding, Phillips' creation of the cake before the ceremony would not have constituted participation in any meaningful sense.

Six decades ago, the civil rights movement gained momentum through heroic acts of civil disobedience by African-Americans whose sit-ins at lunch counters, and other challenges to segregation in commerce, produced the "public accommodations" section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It established the principle that those who open their doors for business must serve all who enter. That principle would become quite porous were it suspended whenever someone claimed his or her conduct was speech expressing an idea, and therefore created a constitutional exemption from a valid and neutral law of general applicability.

Photography is inherently a creative, expressive art, so photographers have a strong case against compulsory documentation of ceremonies at which they must be present. Less clearly but plausibly, florists can claim aesthetic expression in floral arrangements, but their work is done before wedding ceremonies occur. Chauffeurs facilitate ceremonies, but First Amendment jurisprudence would become incoherent if it protected unwilling chauffeurs from their supposedly expressive participation in ceremonies to which they deliver actual participants.

It is difficult to formulate a limiting principle that draws a bright line distinguishing essentially expressive conduct from conduct with incidental or negligible expressive possibilities. Nevertheless, it can be easy to identify some things that clearly are on one side of the line or the other. So, regarding Phillips' creations:

A cake can be a medium for creativity; hence, in some not-too-expansive sense, it can be food for thought. However, it certainly, and primarily, is food. And the creator's involvement with it ends when he sends it away to those who consume it. Phillips ought to lose this case. But Craig and Mullins, who sought his punishment, have behaved abominably.

To make his vocation compatible with his convictions and Colorado law Phillips has stopped making wedding cakes, which was his principal pleasure and 40 percent of his business. He now has only four employees, down from 10. Craig and Mullins, who have caused him serious financial loss and emotional distress, might be feeling virtuous for having done so. But siccing the government on him was nasty.

Denver has many bakers who, not having Phillips' scruples, would have unhesitatingly supplied the cake they desired. So, it was not necessary for Craig's and Mullins' satisfaction as consumers to submit Phillips to government coercion. Evidently, however, it was necessary for their satisfaction as asserters of their rights as a same-sex couple.

Phillips' obedience to his religious convictions neither expressed animus toward them nor injured them nor seriously inconvenienced them. Their side's sweeping victory in the struggle over gay rights has been decisive, and now less bullying and more magnanimity from the victors would be seemly.
On Sunday morning, President Trump latched onto the story that FBI agent Peter Strzok was removed from working within special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing Russia probe over anti-Trump tweets.

He used the story  broken by the New York Times and the Washington Post  and the fact that Strzok had held a lead role in the Hillary Clinton email investigation to suggest that the FBI hasn't treated Trump fairly.

'Report: "ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE,"' Trump tweeted. 'Now it all starts to make sense!'

On Capitol Hill, House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, has expressed outrage that lawmakers didn't know the reason Mueller kicked Strzok off the team.

'By hiding from Congress, and from the American people, documented political bias by a key FBI head investigator for both the Russia collusion probe and the Clinton email investigation, the FBI and DOJ engaged in a willful attempt to thwart Congress' constitutional oversight responsibility,' Nunes said in a statement Saturday.

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'Now it all starts to make sense!' President Trump tweeted Sunday morning upon hearing that an FBI agent - who also worked on the Clinton email probe - was removed from the Russia investigation over anti-Trump messages he shared with a mistress

President Trump latched on to reports that first showed up in the Washington Post and the New York Times that described how an FBI agent was removed from the Russia probe over anti-Trump messages

President Trump also poured cold water on former FBI Director James Comey, who's been relishing the news that the Russia probe ensnared Trump associate Michael Flynn

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's (pictured) office dropped FBI agent Peter Strzok over anti-Trump messages he sent to a colleague he was having an affair with

House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, was incensed that the FBI and the DOJ kept the reason for Strzok's demotion secret from members of Congress

'This is part of a months-long pattern by the DOJ and FBI of stonewalling and obstructing this committee's oversight work, particularly oversight of their use of the Steele dossier,' Nunes said, referencing the unverified opposition research report gathered by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, documenting Trump's relationship with Russia.

'At this point, these agencies should be investigating themselves,' Nunes said, according to the Washington Examiner.

Nunes was further incensed when after months of requesting information, including interviews with Strzok, the DOJ notified Nunes that the agency would provide some of it.

'The DOJ has now expressed  on a Saturday, just hours after the press reports on Strzok's dismissal appeared  a sudden willingness to comply with some of the committee's long-standing demands,' Nunes said. 'This attempted 11th-hour accommodation is neither credible nor believable, and in fact is yet another example of the DOJ's disingenuousness and obstruction.'

The president, more broadly, used the story to pour some cold water over former FBI Director James Comey, who has relished the news that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe has ensnared Trump's National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

'After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History!' Trump wrote. 'But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.

Trump's pick of Christopher Wray is now leading the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

In August, ABC News reported on Strzok's departure from Mueller's team, but didn't know the reason.

On Saturday, however, the Washington Post and the New York Times reported that Strzok, who had served as the FBI's deputy head of counterintelligence, had sent texts to a colleague he was having an affair with that could be viewed as anti-Trump.

The Post reported that Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page exchanged messages that 'expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton,' an unnamed source told the paper.

President Trump's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI on Friday. He's photographed leaving the federal courthouse in D.C.

'Officials are now reviewing the communications to see if they show evidence of political bias in their work on the cases, a review which could result in a public report.'

Regulations put in place by the FBI permit individuals to 'privately and publicly' speak on 'political subjects and candidates,' while they are forbidden from working for political campaigns.

Mueller spokesman Peter Carr confirmed Strzok's leave in a statement to The Hill.

'Immediately upon learning of the allegations, the Special Counsel's Office removed Peter Strzok from the investigation,' Carr said.

'Lisa Page completed her brief detail and had returned to the FBI weeks before our office was aware of the allegations.'

The reports come after Flynn pleaded guilty in federal court Friday for lying to the FBI over an exchange he had with the Russian ambassador.
The head of Germanys domestic intelligence agency warned of the 'massive danger' posed by returning 'brainwashed' Islamic State women and children.

'There are children who have undergone brainwashing in the Isis areas and are radicalised to a great extent,' said Hans-Georg Maassen.

Maassen, head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution - Germanys equivalent of MI5 - added: 'We are already observing the return of some women and adolescents.

'This is a problem for us because these children and adolescents in particular can be a danger.

Hans-Georg Maassen has warned of the danger of returning women and adolescents who went to join Islamic State

'We also know that there are women one can rightfully call Jihadists after living for years in IS areas where they identified strongly with IS ideology.'

He said not all were returning home intent in perpetrating terror but insisted: 'We must keep an eye on these women.'

Germany lost around 1,000 of its citizens to the Islamic State cause in Iraq and Syria, Europe as a whole is estimated to have lost 10,000 to 15,000 people.

Germany lost about 1,000 of its citizens to Islamic State's cause and now fears 'massive danger' from brainwashed women and children returning home

The return exodus comes as IS strongholds in both countries fall. So far, however, there has been little sign in Germany of surviving male fighters coming back.

'As far as the fighters are concerned, we do not yet see a strong return movement,' said Maassen.

'We are assuming that those from the West who are still struggling at the moment will want to be there until the end  and only then a movement to return to Europe will start.'

Intelligence leaders in Germany say there has been little sign of surviving male fighters returning to the country

He warned not only Western fighters, but also other jihadists, would try to come to Europe.

The intelligence chief added that defeat in the Middle East is by no means its end.

He added: 'The geographical demise of IS in Syria and Iraq does not lead to the disappearance of the terrorist militia.

'IS is now represented in some other states and is quite strong there. In addition, the group is networking enormously in virtual space. There's a global cyber-caliphate.

'It sends the message to its followers: "You don't necessarily have to come to Syria and Iraq to fight. You can also lead jihad where you are."

'Many who sat on packed suitcases and wanted to travel to jihad have therefore remained in their homeland.'

He warned that there is a risk that this group will commit terrorist acts in European cities.
An Australian army captain currently serving in the Middle East has written an opinion piece requesting the defence forces allow sex workers to help soldiers 'relieve stress'

Captain Sally Williamson wrote the article for the Land Power Forum, a website run by the Australian military giving past and present servicemen and women a chance to express their thoughts and offer ideas.

Capt. Williamson posted the story, titled 'Sex And War - A Conversation Army Has To Have', in early November but it was removed days later after fierce scrutiny.

'Opinions on the subject will undoubtedly vary, but the conversation about sexual activism and regulation on deployment is worth having,' the since-deleted post reads.

'Unfortunately, the actions of a small minority, and the subsequent Pathway to Change process have made the ADF nervous when it comes to issues of a sexual nature.'

An Australian army captain currently serving in the Middle East has written an opinion piece requesting the defence forces allow sex workers to help soldiers 'relieve stress'

Captain Sally Williamson posted the story, titled 'Sex And War - A Conversation Army Has To Have', in early November but it was removed days later after fierce scrutiny

Capt. Williamson is serving on Operation Paladin, a UN operation supervising war-torn countries including Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

She begins the story by referencing past instances of the sex industry successfully integrating with armed forces and believes the 'Army could contract Australian male and female sex workers to service troops in forward operating bases and air bases.'

The French army employed sex workers during the first Indochina war at Dien Bien Phu, where soldiers say prostitutes worked 'not only as sex workers and lovers to soldiers, but also in tactical roles as nurses and or as companions to keep up the spirits of the troops.'

While Capt. Williamson notes many of their practices were 'immoral and illegal from a human rights perspective', she believes appropriately monitored and controlled sexual guidelines can help 'loneliness or prolonged absence from family, friends, partners and spouses'.

'Improved intimacy and sexual interaction can help combat veterans with PTSD recovery.'

While Capt. Williamson notes many of their practices were 'immoral and illegal from a human rights perspective', she believes appropriately monitored and controlled sexual guidelines can help 'loneliness or prolonged absence from family, friends, partners and spouses'

Capt. Williamson also believes the Australian army could offer less drastic measures.

'Another option the ADF could consider is facilitating safe and regulated sexual satisfaction through other means such as providing masturbation facilities or issuing sex toys,' she wrote.

'As Major Boulton mentioned in her recent work on teaming, 'there is now a chance for Army to reflect more deeply and strategically about how it approaches gender issues'.'

The post, however, was met with widespread criticism, with many saying sex has no place in the defence forces.

'If a soldier is going to war or on a peacekeeping operation they need to keep sex out of the picture,' Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association NSW President Bruce Relph said in replying to the article.

'I can't believe that an officer wrote this article in the first place. It is even harder to comprehend how it was allowed to be published,' Australian Conservatives member Bernie Gaynor weighed in.

'Five years after ... the 'Skype' sex scandal we now see the Army calling for a discussion on taxpayer-funded prostitution and open fraternisation. What a disaster.'
Relief is in sight for some tourists grounded in Bali, with Virgin and Jetstar set to resume flights from the holiday hotspot.

A lingering volcanic ash cloud above Mount Agung had forced the cancellation of several flights from Bali, keeping thousands of holidaymakers stranded.

Jetstar plan on flying six services from Bali to Australia on Sunday evening and Virgin will have three flights.

Qantas and Jetstar will resume flights to and from the Indonesian island on Monday.

All flights to Bali from Australia had earlier been cancelled.

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Relief is in sight for some tourists grounded in Bali, with Virgin and Jetstar set to resume flights from the holiday hotspot

A lingering volcanic ash cloud above Mount Agung had forced the cancellation of several flights from Bali, keeping thousands of holidaymakers stranded

Mount Agung's activity level remained listed as high despite no major eruption occurring, Indonesia's volcanology agency said on Saturday

More than 7400 passengers have been flown back home by Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas since Denpasar Airport reopened on Wednesday after the ash cloud from Mount Agung's eruption cleared.

But more than 2000 people remain stranded after conditions started to deteriorate on Saturday afternoon - nearly a week since the volcano's eruption.

Mount Agung's activity level remained listed as high despite no major eruption occurring, Indonesia's volcanology agency said on Saturday.

In a statement on Friday, the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said that the rate of seismic events had decreased since peak activity in September and October.

They attributed that 'to the fact that a more open pathway for magma to rise to the surface is now present,' The West reports.

An increase in high-frequency volcanic earthquakes at Bali's Mount Agung have elevated fears the volcano could erupt

The area has experienced ongoing seismic activity and the rate of earthquakes increased on Saturday night

'High-frequency earthquakes continue to occur and show that the volcano is very active and capable of pressurization to cause the ongoing eruptions.'

The island's most recent powerful tremor was felt Friday night, escalating the possibility of a major eruption at any moment.

Australian airlines have once again cancelled flights in and out of the resort island following the reports and due to a lingering volcanic ash cloud.

Around 2,500 Australians remained stranded in Bali as Mount Agung continues to cause chaos for those travelling home.

All flights to the island from Australia have been cancelled by Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar.

The airlines apologised to passengers who were heading to Bali on Sunday.

Photos of a dramatic thick plume of ash taken from a nearby village show the massive scale of the erupting mountain

They say they are monitoring the situation closely and are yet to make a decision on Monday's flights.

The airlines continue to operate relief flights to get people back to Australia as soon as possible.

More than 7400 passengers have been flown back home by Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas since Denpasar Airport reopened on Wednesday after the ash cloud from Mount Agung's eruption cleared.

Mount Agung's activity level remained listed as high despite no major eruption occurring, Indonesia's volcanology agency said on Saturday.

'Jetstar and Qantas have brought more than 7,000 people back from Bali over the last three days,' Jetstar spokeswoman Kate Millar told Sydney Morning Herald.

Work continued for a local woman who was pictured in the foreground of the volcano carrying debris as she walked along the road.

One woman captured a selfie while wearing a face mask as the monstrous cloud billowed out of the mountain behind her

A gigantic cloud of ash continues to spew out of Bali's Mount Agung volcano as rapidly changing wind causes chaos for locals and tourists

Another woman, who wore a face mask, was spotted capturing a selfie with the monstrous cloud billowing out of the mountain behind her.

Breathtaking new photos come after authorities raised the volcano's alert to the highest level four on Monday.

About 40,000 people have been evacuated and are living in temporary shelters as the area experiences ongoing earthquakes.

Work continued for a local woman who was pictured in the foreground of the volcano carrying debris as she walked along the road

Images from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre showed that wind would push the giant ash cloud towards Denpasar Airport Saturday afternoon and evening.

While less ash pouring form the top of the volcano had some believing the worst could be over, volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner said it was normal for activity to fluctuate.

'This does not mean it is over. Fluctuations in activity are a normal part of the life of volcanoes,' Dr Krippner said on Twitter.

150,000 travelers were recently stranded on the island as the giant ash cloud forced flights to be cancelled

One third of Mount Agung's crater has filled with magma, meaning a violent eruption remains likely, according to Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre.

'We calculate it based on the monitoring results of Himawari satellite images of seismic recording data, deformation and geochemistry,' a spokesperson said.

Nasa's Earth Observatory said: 'The plume appears to rise from two vents in the volcano's crater.'
A senior Cabinet minister warned today Brexit could be stopped altogether if Theresa May is toppled by critics who fear she is making too many concessions.

Jeremy Hunt hit out after a flurry of warnings from Brexiteers about the terms of a draft deal due to be discussed by Theresa May in Brussels tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will sit down for lunch with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for a working lunch aimed at hammering out a draft divorce deal.

The Health Secretary's warning came on the same day as Tony Blair said Brexit was reversible and taunted Brexiteers that 'it's not done until it's done'.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured today on Peston on Sunday) warned today Brexit could be stopped altogether if Theresa May is toppled by critics who fear she is making too many concessions

The Health Secretary's warning came on the same day as Tony Blair said Brexit was reversible and taunted Brexiteers that 'it's not done until it's done'

Mr Hunt hit out after a flurry of warnings from Brexiteers about the terms of a draft deal due to be discussed by Theresa May in Brussels tomorrow

But appearing on ITV's Peston on Sunday, Mr Hunt said: 'The choice we face is not between this Brexit or that Brexit.

'If we don't back Theresa May we will have no Brexit, and she is doing an unbelievably challenging job amazingly well.'

Education Secretary Justine Greening offered her own endorsement of the PM in an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr.

BLAIR: BREXIT CAN BE REVERSED Tony Blair insisted today that Brexit is reversible and threatened Leave voters that 'it's not done until it's done'. The former Prime Minister claimed that Theresa May is attempting to negotiate an impossible deal that risked leaving Britain in the worst of all worlds. And he warned that because Brexit would leave Britain and Ireland on opposite sides of European membership for the first time ever it could even threaten the Good Friday Agreement. The incendiary intervention will infuriate Brexiteers who believe Mr Blair is troublemaking as he tries to thwart the will of the people. Mr Blair made his latest intervention in an interview with the BBC Radio 4 The World This Weekend programme. He said: 'It's reversible. It's not done until it's done.' Mr Blair added: 'What the government is trying to negotiate is fundamentally un-negotiable. 'They are trying to negotiate getting out of the single market while recreating all of its benefits.' Advertisement

She said: 'I think everyone needs to get behind the Prime Minister. Shes got an immensely challenging job going to the EU and negotiating our terms by which we will leave the European Union.

'Its very important that we speak with one voice, but I think the Cabinet has set with the Prime Minister our negotiating stance.

'Shell go and try and get the best possible deal.'

Mr Hunt's intervention came after former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and a former Court of Appeal judge hit out at leaked proposals that would see the Supreme Court asking the the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for advisory rulings.

The mechanism is an apparent attempt to reassure Brussels about the rights of EU citizens living in Britain after Brexit.

Brexiteers fear it is a backdoor by which the ECJ could continue to rule in the UK after Britain leaves the European Union.

A separate warning to Mrs May today, raised by a series of ex-ministers and businessmen, also warns against backsliding on the ECJ amid seven new red lines.

Mr Hunt insisted the Government would not break its promise to ensure the jurisdiction of the ECJ ends after after Brexit.

He said: 'The Supreme Court will decide what the law of the country is in this country, as voted on by parliament.

Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (file) and former Court of Appeal judge Sir Richard Aikens (right) both warned the PM to block any future role for the European Court of Justice

'That is the big thing that Theresa May has achieved.

'These are negotiations and there are technical things that we have to sort out. The fact is that the ECJ will not have sway over British law, that is a very big change.

Education Secretary Justine Greening offered her own endorsement of the PM in an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr.

'In terms of migrants rights, we have lots of Brits who are living in Spain and there are lots of Europeans who are living over here and there's going to need to be some kind of co-operation between the legal systems of the EU and the UK to make this work.

'But this is a detail, the big thing is that European law will not hold sway over British law.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable seized on Mr Hunt's remarks.

He said: 'It is encouraging to see a senior cabinet minister admit that the option of an Exit from Brexit is still on the table.

'This comes as we see growing support amongst the public for a referendum on the deal.

'The government must now confirm that Article 50 can be withdrawn and that the country still has a choice over whether to proceed with Brexit.

'As the impact of Brexit becomes clear, from the 50bn divorce bill to years of lower living standards, people must be able to choose whether to accept the deal on offer or stay in the EU.'
Former President Barack Obama made a subtle dig at President Donald Trump for his overuse of Twitter.

In a conversation with journalist Karan Thapar at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi, India, on Friday, Obama said that he saw people too often 'getting in trouble' after sending out a tweet.

'Don't say the first thing that pops into your head, just have a little bit of an edit function. That's wise for life generally,' he said.

'Think before you speak, think before you tweet, same principle.'

Former President Barack Obama made a subtle dig at President Donald Trump for his overuse of Twitter in a conversation with journalist Karan Thapar at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi, India, on Friday (pictured)

'Don't say the first thing that pops into your head, just have a little bit of an edit function, that's wise for life generally. Think before you speak, think before you tweet, same principle,' Obama advised seemingly referencing Trump (pictured, Saturday)

Obama made another dig at Trump on Friday (pictured), boasting that he has more followers than those who Twitter more frequently

Obama then made another dig at Trump, boasting that he has more followers than those who Twitter more frequently.

'I think it's important to be mindful about both the power of these tools and also its limits and to understand it can be used for both good or for ill.

'And look, I've got 100 million Twitter followers. I actually have more than other people who use it more often.'

For the record, Obama has 97.5 million Twitter followers and Trump has 44 million.

Obama was then asked who reflected the real America: Donald Duck or Donald Trump?

The 56-year-old didn't answer directly. He said Americans could often be kind and noble, and at other times cruel and shortsighted.

'It is just this cacophony of life. And it throws up all kinds of variety,' he said. 'And there are political trends in America that I don't agree with or abide by, but I recognize as part of a running thread in American life.'

Later Obama met with the Dalai Lama at a New Delhi hotel (pictured) to discuss 'compassion and altruism'

The meeting was the sixth between the two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and the first since Obama left office in January (Pictured, Obama and the Fail Lama meet at the White House in February 2010)

He said he took heart from the fact that the trend lines of America and the world were heading in the right direction when it came to inclusion, health, education, equality and kindness.

Later Obama met with the Dalai Lama at a New Delhi hotel to discuss 'compassion and altruism'.

According to a report from the India-based Central Tibetan Administration, which is essentially a government in exile, the former US president and the 82-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader had a 45-minute meeting.

'I think we are really two old trusted friend[s]. I mentioned to him that now time has come for us to promote the sense of oneness among seven billion human beings. It is sad to see there are so much differences among people,' the Dalai Lama said, according to the report.

The meeting was the sixth between the two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and the first since Obama left office in January, reported CNN.

The former president concluded a five-day world tour on Saturday that included stops in France, China and India.
The New York City Fire Department said Saturday that they successfully rescued a naked man found swimming in the freezing waters of the Hudson River.

The man was pulled to safety after first responders found him in waters near W. 12th St. in the West Village around 2:30pm, according to the New York Daily News.

Lt. Christopher Fallon said that when rescue teams retrieved the unidentified man in his mid-30s, he was 'basically naked.'

The man was pulled to safety after first responders found him in waters near W. 12th St. in the West Village

The man was 'basically naked' when rescuers pulled him out of the icy waters, according to the FDNY

An FDNY spokesperson said that the man initially resisted their assistance and swam away from them

'He didn't want to be rescued,' Fallon continued, noting that the swimmer initially resisted the FDNY's assistance.

'We deployed a rescue swimmer, Firefighter Dennis Kerrigan, into the water but the patient kept swimming further out in order to avoid being saved,' Fallon said.

'The patient kept fighting to get away so we positioned the boat where all the members could assist with getting the patient safely on board... We assessed the patient for any life-threatening injuries and transported the patient safely to land where EMS was waiting,' he added.

Authorities said that the whole crew was needed to reel the swimmer inside the Marine 1 fire boat.

Once aboard, FDNY rescue workers tried keep the man warm as they rushed him to Bellevue Hospital.

Fallon said the Hudson River was a frigid 40 degrees on Saturday, meaning rescue teams were required to act swiftly.

'We knew he couldn't go under,' he explained. 'We had to act fast.'
The dramatic moment a nanny in Washington state took matters into her own hands to chase down and tackle a package thief was caught on surveillance camera.

Kate Anderson knew to be on the lookout for a package to be delivered the morning of November 29 while working for the Smith family in Everett.

She hadn't had a chance to bring the package from Amazon inside the home after it was left on the front porch at 10.45am.

But ten minutes later, the surveillance camera outside records a car pulling up to the Smith family home, prompting Anderson to look out the window.

The nanny watched a woman get out of the car and approach the porch.

'Rambo nanny': The dramatic moment nanny Kate Anderson (above) took matters into her own hands to chase down a package thief was caught on surveillance camera in Washington state

Anderson knew to be on the lookout for a package to be delivered the morning of November 29 while working for the Smith family in Everett. The package was delivered at 10.45am and ten minutes later a SUV pulled up to the home and the woman above approaches the house

The woman snatches the package from the porch and tries to run back to the SUV to flee

'I saw her bending and picking it up, and they get a lot of packages. And I knew. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, she's taking that,' so I just took off after her, to be honest,' Anderson told KIRO.

The nanny then decided to take things into her own hands.

The incredible surveillance footage shows the woman trying to get into the getaway car with the package, but she falls out onto the sidewalk at the end of the driveway.

The woman tries to get up and runaway, but Anderson had already dashed outside yelling at the woman.

'Hey what the f**k are you doing? Hey you piece of s**t what are you trying to steal?'

Anderson then tackles the woman to the ground before restraining her while she asks for someone to call the police.

In the video, she keeps holding on to the woman.

'I didn't do anything!' the suspect shouts.

'Yes you did!' Kate said. 'I ... saw you, you know we got security cameras on this house, don'tcha?'

She puts the package in the SUV, which then speeds off before she could get inside fully

She falls out of the SUV when Anderson comes running out of the home yelling at the woman

Anderson tackles the woman outside of the home. She yells for someone to call the police because of what the woman tried to do

At one point, the woman tried to run away before Anderson shouts, 'I am not letting you go!' Authorities arrived and arrested the woman, later identified as 29-year-old Rhieanna Schindler. Authorities said Schindler had outstanding warrants for drug possession and theft

At one point, the woman tried to run away before Anderson shouts, 'I am not letting you go!'

Authorities arrived and arrested the woman, later identified as 29-year-old Rhieanna Schindler.

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said Schindler had outstanding warrants for drug possession and theft.

In addition, Schindler has been arrested more than 20 times since 2010.

Anderson's employer and friend, Tanya Smith, said she's proud of what she did.

'She's just like a straight baller, she's amazing and doesn't take any crap from anybody,' Smith said.

'It's pretty amazing what she did, I'm very proud of her, and I'm not surprised.'

Smith created a GoFundMe page to seek $200 donations to reward her 'rambo nanny'. She shared this pictured of the two of them together

Of her nanny (right), Smith (left) said: 'She's just like a straight baller, she's amazing and doesn't take any crap from anybody. It's pretty amazing what she did, I'm very proud of her, and I'm not surprised.'

Smith created a GoFundMe page to seek $200 donations to reward her 'rambo nanny.'

'Kate Anderson not only takes amazing care of my son, but bravely chased down a thief who was stealing from our front porch and restrained her until the police came,' Smith wrote on the page for the fundraiser that's raised more than $270.

'She's truly a modern-day hero and deserves a reward for her admirable actions.'

When asked if she would do it again, Anderson said she would.

'I didn't ever feel like she was a threat to me. So I think I would've handled it the same way, yes, because it's just not OK to go around doing that. It's so not OK with me,' she said.

The package that was stolen was filled with items for the Desmond, the one-year-old baby Anderson cares for. At the time of the incident, he slept through the entire thing.

Of Anderson's actions, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said they don't condone what she did, but do want her to know that they are hiring.
Foreign donations to Australian political parties will be banned in the wake of Sam Dastyari's alleged leak to a Chinese businessman.

New laws will also also crack down on classified information leaks, and criminalise supporting foreign spy agencies.

The government will introduce the legislation this week amid reports Bill Shorten sought election funding from Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo.

Bill Shorten reportedly sought election funding from Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo when he met with him in March 2016

Foreign donations to Australian political parties will be banned to prevent figures like Mr Huang (pictured) influencing Australian politics with donations

Senator Dastyari was forced to resign as deputy opposition whip last week after he allegedly warned the same businessman his phone might be bugged by ASIO.

The new laws would make it a criminal offence to support foreign intelligence agencies in the same way as helping terrorist organisations, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

A U.S.-style register of foreign agents would be set up to help prevent political interference in Australian politics.

Disclosing classified or other harmful information would be criminalised, along with covert or deceptive activities that, while not espionage, interferes with Australia's democratic process.

The reforms followed Attorney-General George Brandis' review of foreign interference, which he said was 'a problem of the highest order and it is getting worse'.

Senator Dastyari was forced to quit as deputy opposition whip last week after he allegedly warned Mr Huang his phone might be bugged by ASIO

The Opposition Leader dined with Mr Huang, who has links to the Chinese Communist Party, in his Sydney mansion in May 2016.

He was there to ask for donations for the Federal Election last July, sources told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Shorten did not deny meeting the controversial tycoon at his Mosman home, but did not answer questions about why he was there.

His visit came after ALP national secretary George Wright, along with representatives from the Liberal and Nationals, were briefed in October 2015 by ASIO about Chinese interference in Australian politics using cash donations.

ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis told them the agency was concerned about Mr Huang's connections to the Communist Party.

It was not clear whether Mr Wright told Mr Shorten the contents of the briefing, and the Opposition leader didn't have his own until late 2016.

The new laws introduced by Attorney-General George Brandis will also also crack down on classified information leaks, and criminalise supporting foreign spy agencie

Mr Huang (pictured left with Senator Dastyari centre) has links to the Chinese Communist Party and ASIO was concerned about his ability to influence Australian politics with donations

A spokesman for Mr Shorten said both Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had also met with Mr Huang.

Both said they had never visited the businessman's home, but Mr Turnbull met him at an event and Mr Shorten and trade minister Andrew Robb attended his daughter's wedding last January.

Mr Shorten's office stressed his March 2015 visit with Mr Huang did not compromise Australia's national security.

Since the ASIO briefing, Labor accepted $141,000 in donations from Mr Huang, the Liberal Party $122,960, and the Nationals $15,000.

Liberal candidate for Bennelong, John Alexander, has also been dragged into the scandal with revelations Mr Huang's until-recently aide Tim Xu is working for him.

Mr Alexander is contesting a by-election against former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally on November 13 after he had to resign over his dual citizenship.

Mr Xu was close confidant and translator to Mr Huang, who can't speak English, until he resigned in August and joined Mr Alexander's campaign.

He was seen handing out how-to-vote cards in the heavily-Chinese suburb of Eastwood, Sydney, wearing a John Alexander T-shirt alongside volunteers.

John Alexander (L) campaigning with Malcolm Turnbull as he contests a by-election on November 13 after he had to resign over his dual citizenship

Mr Xu was also one of four people in the meeting where Senator Dastyari cut ties with Mr Huang and warned him about possible surveillance.

'He was the witness in the room as Huang's interpreter,' one of two sources confirming his presence told the Daily Telegraph.

Senator Dastyari allegedly told Mr Huang they should leave their phones inside when they met at the donor's Mosman mansion in October last year.

The meeting was less than a month after he stepped down as consumer affairs spokesman and manager of opposition business in the Senate.

His parliamentary fall from grace followed revelations he'd allowed Mr Huang to pay a personal debt and taken a pro-China stance on the South China Sea - at odds with Labor's position.

Senator Dastyari previously said he only 'incorrectly' mumbled an answer backing Beijing's controversial policy when asked by Chinese reporters.

But the embattled Labor senator was forced to walk the plank again last week after audio emerged which made his remarks appear prepared and scripted.

Mr Huang with former prime minister Julia Gillard and Senator Dastyari

Senator Dastyari allegedly told Mr Huang they should leave their phones inside when they met at Mr Huang's Mosman mansion in October last year

However, Senator Dastyari still denied any wrongdoing or leaking of classified material to Mr Huang at his meeting or at any other time.

'After the events of last year, I spoke to Mr Huang to tell him that I did not think it was appropriate that we have future contact,' he said.

'I thought it was a matter of common courtesy to say this face-to-face.'

He insisted he was never briefed by any security agency, or received any classified information.

'I reject any assertion that I did anything other than put to Mr Huang gossip being spread by journalists,' he said.

He repeated this in his resignation speech, saying: 'I've never passed on intelligence information. I've never been in possession of any.'

The scandal enveloping Senator Dastyari appeared to help the government claw back ground in Monday's Newspoll.

The Coalition enjoyed a two-point bump in the two-party preferred survey to 47 per cent versus Labor's 53 per cent, improving from 45 per cent on November 13.

Mr Turnbull also improved his preferred prime minister lead from 36 per cent to 36 per cent, while Mr Shorten slumped one point to 33 per cent.

The two parties are also almost neck-and-neck on primary vote with Labor on 37 per cent and the Coalition at 36 per cent.
This is the moment a woman on an Easyjet flight heading for Britain was escorted off by police - after forcing the plane to be diverted 800 miles.

Staff on board the flight from the Spanish resort of Alicante to Liverpool claimed the blonde female was being disruptive after drinking her own alcohol.

Flight EZY7124 was forced to make an emergency landing in Bordeaux, France, on Friday night after the incident occurred.

Passengers looked on in disbelief as the woman, who was sat near the front of the plane, kicked off.

And one eyewitness filmed the moment French police arrived and escorted her off the plane.

Catherine Skelhorn from Page Moss, Merseyside, was on the flight travelling back from two weeks in Benidorm

Catherine, 68, said: 'I was going asleep when I heard the captain say were were making a emergency landing.- I jumped up when I heard that.

Staff on board the flight from the Spanish resort of Alicante to Liverpool claimed the blonde female was being disruptive after drinking her own alcohol

Flight EZY7124 was forced to make an emergency landing in Bordeaux, France, on Friday night after the incident occurred

'There was a lot of commotion near the front as the crew were speaking to a women, when we landed the police came on the plane, they tried to speak to her but took her off and put her in a police car.

'They found an empty bottle under her seat.

'She was a small blonde woman, there were several rumours flying round but I'm not sure what to believe.'

Airline bosses said the female passenger became disruptive when she was approached by cabin crew while drinking booze that she had brought on board.

Another passenger, who gave his name only as Tony, said: 'We saw the police getting on the plane and going over to the woman.

'When we were told the flight would be making an emergency landing we presumed someone had taken ill on board.

Passengers looked on in disbelief as the woman, who was sat near the front of the plane, kicked off

'She could have put us in danger behaving like that on a plane.'

Those on board were forced to wait for more than two hours before they could continue their journey to the city.

A spokesperson for Easyjet said: 'Easyjet can confirm that flight EZY7124 from Alicante to Liverpool diverted to Bordeaux due to a passenger on board behaving disruptively.

'The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority. easyJet's crew are trained to assess and evaluate all incidents.

'Whilst such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard and always push for prosecution.

'Police met the aircraft on landing and the passenger was escorted from the aircraft.

'The aircraft has since continued to Liverpool and we would like to apologise to all passengers for any inconvenience caused by the delay.'
Sara Jacobs, the self-entitled heiress to the Qualcomm fortune, suddenly showed up in southern California a few weeks ago and declared what the race-- and Congress-- needs isself-finding multimillionaire. And there's already a completely pointless multimillionaire in that race, Paul Kerr, a crony of one of California's worst (and richest) members, Scott Peters, who persuaded him to run. This is a district where the incredible grassroots work by Doug Applegate and his team last year exposed how weak Darrell Issa is-- and nearly beat him. The final vote wasn't declared 'til January-- last in the nation-- and Issa squeaked through 155,888 (50.3%) to 154,267 (49.7%). So Applegate announced he would finish what he started in 2016. But a vile gaggle of predatory super-rich scumbags, like Peters, started telling their friends it would be easy to roll over Applegate and then let the wave sweep them to victory against Issa with no real effort. Worst of all is Pelosi crony Ira Lechner, a failed Virginia political hack who persuaded one of his pals, Mike Levin-- who never lifted a finger against Issa previously-- to jump in, promising him that a thuggish political operative in Pasasda, Park Skelton, could "deliver" Pelosi and force Applegate out of the race. None of these people were in the Marines and don't understand that you don't "roll over" or "force" a Marine colonel, which is what today's frontrunner, Doug Applegate, is. So now, you have a totally spoiled heiress-- another one who has absolutely nothing to do with the district and until a few weeks ago was still living in Brooklyn with a bunch of hipsters-- jumping in too. Consultants are getting incredibly rich over the Southern California cash cows they're milking for all they're worth. And, of course, the vultures at EMILY's List are drooling. A few days agoreporter Joshua Stewart took a closer look at the heiress and all her self-serving bogus claims . "Two years ago," he wrote, "Sara Jacobs, a Democrat who is now running for Congress, was turned down for a job working for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign-- that is, until a political fundraiser intervened on her behalf. The granddaughter of Qualcomm co-founder, billionaire philanthropist and major campaign donor Irwin Jacobs, Sara Jacobs wanted an unpaid position on Clintons policy team. Months passed without receiving a promising word from Clintons people, let alone getting a job. Then Mary Pat Bonner, one of the most prolific Democratic fundraisers in the history of elections, began lobbying top officials in the Clinton campaign to get Jacobs a job."

I know I will be seeing you soon. Can I grab a couple minutes to talk about Sara Jacobs? Bonner wrote in an April 14, 2015, email to John Podesta, the chairman of Clintons campaign. Jacobs later began working for the campaign as a foreign policy adviser-- a post for which Podesta says she was well qualified.





Bonners efforts on behalf of Jacobs are contained in a series of emails published by Wikileaks as a result of Russian hacking in last years election. The San Diego Union-Tribune found the emails in a routine check of Wikileaks for backgrounding of political candidates.





Jacobs, 28, earlier this month entered the race against Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista. Three other Democrats-- Doug Applegate, Mike Levin and Paul Kerr-- were already campaigning to represent a coastal district that runs from La Jolla to Dana Point.





Its unclear how Bonner knew Jacobs, or was in a position to vouch for her abilities. Bonner did not return a request for comment.





Federal Election Commission records show that Bonner raised money for political committees that received large contributions from Jacobs grandparents, Irwin and Joan Jacobs. They gave a combined $400,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, plus another $50,000 to Ready for Hillary while Bonner raised money for those groups.





In 2012 Irwin Jacobs also gave $2 million to Priorities USA Action, which includes Bonners associate David Brock on its board. Priorities USA initially supported President Barack Obamas re-election campaign, and later backed Clinton.





On April 15, one day after Bonner wrote to Podesta, Jacobs wrote to Clintons chairman herself.





I just spoke to Mary Pat Bonner, who let me know that I should send you my resume, which is attached. As I believe she told you, I'm very interested in working in the policy office of the campaign. Thank you so much for helping me with this, I really appreciate it, Jacobs wrote.





Jacobs campaign provided a statement from Podesta attacking Wikileaks as an instrument of Russia.





"Before coming to our campaign, Sara Jacobs had already done excellent policy work at the United Nations and at the State Department, and she is well qualified and would make an excellent member of Congress, Podesta said in the statement.





In addition to three internships, Jacobs had approximately 28 months of professional experience at the time, including a position with United Nations, UNICEF, and as a contractor working in the State Department. While a contractor, she provided support for policy shaping and strategy support, her resume says.





Jacobs also earned a masters degree in international affairs from Columbia University and interned on Barack Obamas re-election campaign finance team.





Bonners April 2015 email about Jacobs was not her last. In a June 16 email with Sara Jacobs as the subject line, Bonner asked Anne OLeary, Clintons health and education adviser, if they could talk.





Two weeks later, Bonner wrote to OLeary, Hi there-- just checking back in on this. Sara said she hasn't heard from anyone yet. She is happy to start out in an unpaid position if you all are not making staff hires yet. Please let me know if there is anything we can do on our end, Bonner wrote.





OLeary replied, I did try hard to run this through the process, but there is a hard line that we are not accept (sic) unpaid positions and we don't have any paid positions available on the policy team. I will certainly let you know if something changes.





After receiving the rejection from OLeary, Bonner once again reached out to Podesta.





I just wanted to follow-up again on Sara Jacobs. I have attached her resume here and I am also attaching an email from Ann O'Leary who was working on this as well, but as we discussed, I don't think this will get done without your help. Thanks so much for all you are doing to help on this, Bonner said in a July 30 email.





Wikileaks does not include any additional correspondence between Bonner and members of Clintons campaign about Jacobs after July 30.
As men of God, vicars are often telling their parishioners to turn the other cheek.

But one reverend rather struggled to follow the example  and has now been forced to take three months off after he accused some of his congregation of being 'arrogant gossips'.

In a 1,200-word letter, Andy Thewlis complained of a daily tide of 'grumbling and disunity' among 'critical and negative' members of All Saints Church had robbed him of enthusiasm for the job.

He and his wife Sarah-Jane are now looking to move from the church in Burbage, Wiltshire, after only a year in the post  claiming they are not prepared to sacrifice their health and marriage for it.

'Seeking God's guidance': The Reverend Andy Thewlis pictured with his wife Sarah-Jane

The accusations caused shockwaves when the letter was sent out to church members three weeks ago, and Mr Thewlis was summoned to see the Bishop of Salisbury.

He then apologised for his 'inappropriate' letter in a second note posted to his congregation, and said he would take a three-month sabbatical while he looks to move to another ministry.

Mr Thewlis came to Wiltshire in October last year after 21 years of working at a church on Jersey.

In his bombshell letter, dated November 16, he said claims that All Saints was a 'charismatic evangelical church' couldn't be further from the truth  and that all his hopes for the new job had been 'lost'.

A church divided: Mr Thewlis has spent just a year at All Saints Church in Wiltshire

He continued: 'The Sunday morning worship experience is neither warm, nor welcoming. Rather it reflects an organisation that is characterised by grumbling, gossip, and disunity. Criticism and negativism are predominant behaviour traits in too many church members.

'Some people through their actions are actively sabotaging the ministry of their vicar and their church.

In his dog collar: Vicar Mr Thewlis

'The arrogance of some church members through emails and conversations on an almost daily basis is wearisome. It drains energy, robs enthusiasm, and reveals that some, as we were told, would prefer not to have a vicar.'

He added: 'We are not prepared to sacrifice our health or our marriage for a local church in which internal politics and unnecessary power games cause such hurt and division.'

But just a week after sending the letter, Mr Thewlis was hauled before the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev Nick Holtam.

Then, in a second note dated November 28, Mr Thewlis said: 'I recognise that the letter was inappropriate and came as a shock.

'I should not have sent it to all church members nor should I have named individuals within it. I apologise unreservedly for the upset and hurt it has caused.

'Following a constructive meeting on Friday November 24, the Bishop of Salisbury is offering pastoral care to Sarah-Jane and myself and has given me a three-month sabbatical break to allow time for prayer and further reflection. I shall be seeking God's guidance in relation to moving on to a new ministry opportunity.'

A spokesman for the Diocese of Salisbury said: 'Upon being made aware of the letter sent to church members at Burbage, the Bishop of Salisbury met with the Revd Thewlis at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Thewlis has now written a letter of apology to those who received his letter, which was inappropriate in both tenor and content.' Mr Thewlis declined to comment yesterday.
Winter has finally arrived and is hitting the United States with a smattering of wet and icy weather across the country.

The east coast is expected to be slapped with a cold snap that is set to thunder in on Thursday as cold air from the Great Lakes will likely lower temperatures into the 20s and low 30s.

Out west, a storm system is covering much of the Rockies with powerful rains while snow is predicted to cover much of the Cascades mountains.

The east coast is expected to be slapped with a cold snap in the coming week

Out west, a storm system is covering much of the Rockies with powerful rains

In Washington State, Lynwood Police posted a photo to Twitter showing a vehicle that had completely flipped over, cautioning 'bad weather, please drive carefully.'

The frosty weather is also scheduled to head towards the northern plains, with heavy snow and gusting winds covering much of the area in the coming days.

There is a chance of 6 to 12 inches of snow in the highest elevations; locally 1 to 2 feet of snow in the rural areas of western Wyoming, according to ABC News.

States like Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin will bear the brunt of the snow storm and chilly weather as meteorologist monitor thunderstorms and heavy rain heading towards much of the central U.S. by the beginning of the week.

In Washington State, Lynwood Police posted a photo to Twitter showing a vehicle that had completely flipped over

The frosty weather is also scheduled to head towards the northern plains

States like Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin will bear the brunt of the snow storm and chilly weather

A second system is predicted to hit the central and Midwest U.S. by the end of this week, as well, pushing frigid temperatures towards the south.

The heavy gust of the Santa Ana winds will also blow through Southern California at the end of the week, with ABC News warning that it could potentially be the strongest and longest weather event this year for the region.

The Santa Ana system is expected to reach 40 to 60 mph. Locally, expect higher gusts in the hillsides and mountains.

ABC News also warns that the heavy winds mixed with the relatively low humidity of Southern California will cause extreme fire danger in the region.
James Ring has appeared in court charged with the murder of his nine-week-old daughter

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his nine-week-old daughter.

The baby, named as Aria, was found seriously ill at a house in Crabble, Dover, on January 7 and was rushed to hospital in London but died two days later, Kent Police said.

James Ring, originally from the Crabble area but who had been on bail at an address in north Kent before his arrest, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday via video-link.

The 21-year-old, wearing a beige sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his name and that he could hear the proceedings.

He was first arrested in connection with the death in January, but was released on bail and charged this week, Kent Police said.

Ring first appeared at Medway Magistrates Court on Wednesday facing two charges - one count of unlawfully killing Aria and a second count of murder.

No more details of the alleged offence emerged in the brief hearing at crown court on Friday.

The case was adjourned until January 5 for a plea and trial preparation, and a preliminary date for trial was set for May.

No further details of the alleged offence were read out at Maidstone Crown Court and Ring was remanded in custody

Christopher Wray, defending, said the case involved complex medical issues and Ring will be represented at his trial by Oliver Saxby QC.

A bail application will be heard by trial judge Philip Statman next week, but he told Ring that until then he would remain at Elmley Prison.

He said: 'I am satisfied so I am sure that this is a case where at the current time the defendant should remain in custody.

'Of course, my mind is not closed to any issues that arise thereafter. We are in the early stages and an application for bail will be made next week.'

Ring was remanded in custody.
The toddler daughter of a British woman jailed in Iran said she asked Father Christmas to bring her mother home for Christmas.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in prison after she was accused of trying to over throw the clerical regime in the strict Muslim nation.

The charity worker was stopped by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard as she tried to board a flight home to Britain, with her then 20-month-old daughter, Gabriella.

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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella, who was 20 months old when she was jailed in Iran over charges of trying to overthrow the country's clerical regime

The pair, from Hampstead, North London, had been visiting family in the Iranian capital when she was thrown behind bars.

Gabriella has been forced to stay with her grandparents in Tehran for the past 18 months since and visits her mother twice a week in the notorious Evin prison.

Gabriella's devastated father Richard Ratcliffe, keeps in touch with his daughter by video-phone calls.

During one of the calls last week, Mr Ratcliffe asked Gabriella where she had seen her mother, reports the Sun.

The toddler replied: 'She's in a cage'.

Gabriella also told her father, who is fighting a public campaign to bring his wife home, that she had written to Father Christmas after seeing her incarcerated mother.

She said: 'I just want to be with mummy and daddy again and I want us all to be at home.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their young daughter, Gabriella

'If he can get me a dolly that would be nice but I want mummy and daddy to take me to nursery, that's what I really want.'

Gabriella has spent almost as much time living with her relatives in Tehran as she did in her London flat with her parents.

She now speaks Farsi, having known only a handful of English words when she arrived in the Persian country.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is facing an extra 16 years in prison over charges of allegedly spreading propaganda and is due to appear in court on December 10.

The fresh charges come after a sensational blunder by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson told reporters that the charity worker was in Iran to train journalists, a statement he later withdrew.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe faces an extra 16 years in prison over charges she was in Iran, spreading propaganda

However, it was seized on by the Iranian authorities, who later aired pictures on state television of a BBC pay stub and an email from 2010 showing she once worked to train reporters.

In the email she wrote about the 'ZigZag Academy,' a BBC World Service Trust project in which the trust trained 'young aspiring journalists from Iran and Afghanistan through a secure online platform.'

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe left the BBC in 2011 and then joined the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the news agency.

Both her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, and Thomson Reuters repeatedly have stressed she was not training journalists or involved in any work regarding Iran while there.

Mr Ratcliffe said the report was intended to increase pressure on the British government which is working to secure her release.

He said the material appeared to be from his wife's email, which investigators from the hard-line Revolutionary Guard immediately got access to after her arrest.

An Iranian news programme suggested Mrs Zagahri-Ratcliffe was in the country training journalists by showing pictures of a BBC pay stub

An email reportedly sent from Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe in which it appears she describes how she trained Iranian journalists

'It's trying to justify the new charges,' Ratcliffe said.

A BBC Media Action spokesman said: 'As we have always made clear, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe never worked for BBC Persian.

'She was not involved in the establishment of BBC Persian TV.

'According to our records, she was employed as a projects assistant between February 2009 and October 2010 for the BBC's international development charity, BBC World Service Trust (now called BBC Media Action), which operates independently of BBC Persian.

'She further carried out some short-term contract work as an assistant for a project in Iraq for BBC World Service Trust.

'Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was never a journalism trainer but undertook administrative duties such as travel bookings, typing, and filing.'

The report comes as Britain and Iran discuss the release of some 400 million pounds held by London, a payment Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi made for Chieftain tanks that were never delivered.

The shah abandoned the throne in 1979 and the Islamic Revolution soon installed the clerically overseen system that endures today.




Retired British racing dog are being sold to China by their owners where they are boiled alive and eaten for profit.

The shocking treatment has been unveiled by a campaigner who is trying to save more dogs from this cruel fate when they are taken off the track.

Greyhounds provide owners with varying profits during their racing careers depending on how successful they are.

But once that source of income dries up they are shipped off to China for a final lump sum, rather than being allowed to enjoy a dignified retirement.

Kerry Elliman has rescued 758 greyhounds in five years through her two centres, the Birmingham Greyhound Protection and Candy Cane Rescue, in Beijing

Once there, they are kept in squalid conditions - starved, stripped of their fur and beaten before being cooked in scolding hot water.

Kerry Elliman has been raising awareness of the pooches' plight in both the Far East, as well as in other Asian countries, such as Pakistan.

A post on the website Birmingham Greyhound Protection showing her posing with a greyhound she rescued, Frankie, and her eight puppies.

She posted: 'She was rescued by Candy Cane Rescue, as she was for sale for a pitiful amount of money, along with her 8 puppies.

'By the time she was collected four of her puppies were dead next to her and row more died at the vets.'

This greyhound was being advertised online for sale to China, with its racing honours left underneath (left). Chinese sites also show greyhounds being advertised (right)

By the time Frankie was collected four of her puppies were dead next to her and row more died at the vets

Two of the puppies that were found dead next to their mother's body when she came to be rescued

She has rescued 758 greyhounds in five years through her two centres, the Birmingham Greyhound Protection and Candy Cane Rescue, in Beijing.

She has described the horrific states she has found greyhounds in, with many carrying infections when they are brought in.

She added: They[the owners] are not happy with making money from a decent business, they export racing greyhounds for a lot of money to top up their earnings. We know they export to Pakistan as well.

'I hope these greedy vile people are happy with what they have done and the problems and suffering they have created for these noble dogs. Its about time the racing industry is brought down.

'Its full of abuse and greed. Frankie and her two remaining puppies are now safe in the UK.'

Some are sold for a pittance if they are going straight on the scrapheap, while others can fetch up to around 300,000 if they still have some racing left in them when they are sold.

Some dogs are sold for a pittance if they are going straight on the scrapheap, while others can fetch up to around 300,000 if they still have some racing left in them when they are sold (file image)

But Ms Elliman is now on a campaign to make sales of dogs to China illegal under UK law.

She told the Sunday Mirror: 'I understand there are different values and a different culture in China. It upsets me that animals there are treated with so little respect.

'But why do we have to participate in it? Trainers claim they are being exported to countries with welfare.

'But once they are gone youve got no idea whats happening to them.'
A young rapper from Harlem has met with the 86-year-old Florida woman he befriended through an online word game, melting hearts across the internet.

Spencer, 22, got to meet 86-year-old Roz on Friday in West Palm Beach, Florida more than a year after the two met each other playing the Scrabble-like online game Words With Friends.

'We played 300+ games together and she actually ended up becoming a good friend of mine. Today I got to go to Florida and meet her in person,' Spencer wrote in a tweet about the meeting that has been re-tweeted over 220,000 times.

Spencer, 22, got to meet 86-year-old Roz on Friday in West Palm Beach, Florida more than a year after the two met each other playing the Scrabble-like online game Words With Friends

Spencer and Roz got to know each other in person for the first time Friday after playing more than 300 games online over the past year

Roz lives in a retirement community in Florida and began playing Words With Friends with Spencer last summer.

Amy Butler, a pastor at The Riverside Church in upper Manhattan, set up the meeting and flew to Florida with Spencer.

Spencer, who raps under the name 'High Class Filth', shared his record of matches with Roz, indicating he has won 210 out of their 324 games.

'She was not crushing me boy dont play with me,' he noted.

Pictures of the online friends meeting joyfully in person for the first time quickly went viral, sparking an outpouring of emotional responses.

Amy Butler (left), a pastor at The Riverside Church in upper Manhattan, set up the meeting and flew to Florida with Spencer (right). She has used the story of the friendship in a sermon

Spencer, who raps under the name 'High Class Filth', shared his record of matches with Roz, indicating he has won 210 out of their 324 games

'Sitting in a restaurant here totally choking up. My familys like what just happened to mom?,' wrote Jessica Webster.

'I made a beautiful friend on WWF many years ago. I am American, she was from UK,' wrote Patricia Cuxirimay.

'We vacationed together here and in Peru. Then cancer took her a little over a year ago. So grateful for her presence, however short, in my lifeand grateful you got to meet your WW Friend! God Bless!' wrote Cuxirimay.

Butler, the pastor, helped broker the meeting after recounting the story of Spencer and Roz's friendship in a sermon.
With her Hollywood smile and confident air, actress Meghan Markle may seem a world away from Prince Harrys previous girlfriends.

But there was one person who was not the least bit surprised that Harry found love with a glamorous celebrity  the royal himself.

Shortly before meeting Miss Markle, the prince had told friends he would marry someone used to the spotlight.

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Two of Harry's previous relationships collapsed because the women could not cope with the pressure of being associated with the Prince. He is pictured with his fiance Meghan Markle

The fifth in line to the throne told a confidante that only somebody who was already in the public eye would be able to understand and handle everything that goes with being with [a prince], it was reported.

Harry, 33, met divorcee Miss Markle, 36, last summer, shortly after making the comments, yet the source added: I dont think he went out and deliberately looked for a famous actress.

The princes candid remarks came after his two serious ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy, 32, and Cressida Bonas, 28, admitted they struggled with the scrutiny of being with the royal.

Miss Davy said the attention during their seven-year on-off romance was so full-on: Crazy and scary and uncomfortable.

A source close to the prince told The Sunday Times: It makes sense that he has ended up with a celebrity he feels comfortable being with someone who has already come to terms with the price of fame in the way that his other girlfriends never could.

New pictures from the Markle album illustrate the future royals life long before she met Harry.

Suits actress Meghan Markle has faced a high level of media attention during her US acting career

One shows Miss Markle, aged 18, as she graduated from her all-girl Catholic high school where she was known as Markle Sparkle because of her popularity among her peers.

Other images show a glimpse of Miss Markles reclusive father Thomas.

A photograph from 2010 shows the former lighting director mingling with old classmates at his school reunion.

As his family confirmed that he would make an appearance at next years royal wedding, which will be watched by millions, friends told of how he proudly carries pictures of the celebrity daughter he affectionately calls Bean.

In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, a friend told how when he last saw Mr Markle, 73, he declined an invitation to stay because his daughter had warned him about his loud snoring. Instead, the retiree, who lives on a diet of junk food, checked into a hotel during one of his infrequent outings.

And Mr Markle is so aware of his bulging gut that he has fondly nicknamed it the money belt, according to one person close to him. Loretta Strawser, 76, from Newport, Pennsylvania, described Mr Markle as a great guy and said: Hes always been very proud of Meghan.

He talked about her career and the things she was doing. Tom is very laid back and likes his life in seclusion. He doesnt like to be in the spotlight. Another friend, Ron McGowan, told of how when he saw Mr Markle in 2010, he produced a picture of his daughter in a blue dress, adding: He just beamed when he talked about her.

Mr McGowan said that, when his old friend had turned up at his door in 2010, Mr Markle had joked: Do you have any room for an old, fat, bald man?

Cressida Bonas, pictured left, and Chelsy Davy, pictured right, both said they struggled with the burden of constant pressure from being in the public eye

Those close to Mr Markle have told of how he worships his youngest child, yet Prince Harry has never met the man who was once an award-winning lighting director who would often take his daughter on set. Since declaring bankruptcy last year, he has built a new life in a quiet beach town in Mexico.

Images of his 1979 wedding to Miss Markles yoga instructor mother Doria Ragland, 61, show the bride in a floral crown and simple white dress while the groom looks on lovingly in an grey suit and red shirt. A world away from the pageantry Miss Markle will share with Harry in May, her parents wed in an unconventional ceremony at a faux-Indian temple.

The nuptials were on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles  in front of a man named as Brother Bhaktananda, dressed in orange robes.

Unconventional: Meghan's parents Doria and Tom of their wedding day in California in 1979

Christmas with the Queen? Beaming with her aunt and baby cousin, a nine-year-old Meghan clearly enjoyed low-key family Christmases as a child. However, this Christmas may be a rather different affair  as she could be spending it with the Queen. In a break with traditional protocol, divorcee Miss Markle may be opening her presents with the Royal Family at Sandringham. Her appearance may raise eyebrows among other family members  including her future sister-in-law Kate  who were invited only once they had married into the Firm. A friend of Harrys told The Sunday Times: Now they are engaged it was unthinkable that they would be apart for Christmas. The Royal Family have fully welcomed Meghan into the fold. The pair will then reportedly be holidaying abroad over the New Year and will also spend some time in California with Meghans mother Doria Ragland, 61. The invitation reportedly came after Harry asked the Queen to make an exception for his fiancee last Monday, it was reported. Kensington Palace has not ruled out the actress joining the family for Christmas, with a spokesman last night saying that arrangements would be announced in due course. Advertisement

No date with Cheryl's Ex She will soon marry into the Royal Family but Meghan Markle could have become a footballers wife  if she had accepted the offer of a date from Ashley Cole, it is claimed. Before Miss Markle was a household name here, she caught the eye of singer Cheryl Coles ex-husband who barraged her with social media messages. Shortly after splitting from her first husband Trevor Engelson, Miss Markle asked a British journalist, during a visit to London in 2013: Do you know this guy Ashley Cole? She will soon marry into the Royal Family but Meghan Markle could have become a footballers wife  if she had accepted the offer of a date from Ashley Cole, it is claimed He follows me and he keeps trying to talk to me on Twitter. Hes trying really hard, The Mail on Sunday reported. Of the footballer, 36, who now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the US, Miss Markle added: He wants to go out on a date while Im over here in London. What do you think? Do you know him? After the journalist told Miss Markle she would advise turning down the offer, the actress was taken aback but answered: Thanks, I appreciate it. Some of my friends told me to stay away from him too, adding: I think Ill leave it. His alleged proposition came three years after the former Chelsea star had split from Cheryl, 34, following accusations that he had cheated on her with several women. She now has a child with One Direction star Liam Payne, 24. Advertisement
Nigel Farage has been accused of being a 'shameless hypocrite' for agreeing to take a 73,000 tax-payer funded EU pension

Nigel Farage has been accused of being a 'shameless hypocrite' for agreeing to take a 73,000 tax-payer funded EU pension.

As an MEP, the former Ukip leader will be entitled to an annual pension of 73,000 when he reaches the age of 63. He is currently 53.

The pension could be part-funded by Britain's estimated 50 billion 'divorce bill' - if there is a Brexit deal, reports the Sunday Times.

Asked on BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show if he would accept the money, Mr Farage replied: 'Of course I would take it. I have said that right from day one. Why should my family and others suffer even more.'

Mr Farage said he did not expect the money would ever be paid.

'Given the arbitrary way the European Union behaves in terms of money, I would be very surprised if I get any of it. I don't think it will even occur,' he said.

He rejected the charge of hypocrisy, saying: 'I have just voted to get rid of my job. I was the turkey that voted for Christmas. How is that hypocrisy?'

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: 'Nigel Farage is a shameless hypocrite. He rails against the so-called EU gravy train, but is happy to cash in when it suits him.

'No doubt he also secretly backs the 50 billion Brexit divorce bill that includes money to pay for his EU pension.'

Mr Farage today defended Donald Trump 's decision to re-tweet Britain First insisting the 'liberal elite' had over-reacted.

The ex-Ukip leader used an appearance on the BBC Andrew Marr Show to claim the reaction has been 'out of all proportion' to the offence but was condemned by ex-Labour aide Ayesha Hazarika (second left)

He used his appearance on the Marr Show to claim the reaction has been 'out of all proportion' to the offence.

The President's decision to re-tweet three messages from the far right Britain First group has been widely condemned.

The episode has triggered the worst public clashes between US and UK leaders in memory.

Prime Minister Theresa May launched a rare direct attack on Mr Trump, branding him 'wrong' for his tweets - prompting a bizarre cross-Atlantic spat.

The row took a turn for the bizarre when Mr Trump attempted to reply directly to Mrs May on Twitter - only to send his message to the wrong Theresa May account.

Other critics even claimed Mr Trump should be arrested when he next visits Britain and for his planned state visit to be cancelled.

President Trump (pictured last night boarding Air Force One in New York) has been condemned since his decision to re-tweet three messages from the far right Britain First group has been widely condemned.

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured today in Maidenhead with husband Philip) launched a rare direct attack on Mr Trump, branding him 'wrong' for his tweets - prompting a bizarre cross-Atlantic spat

Education Secretary Justine Greening added to criticism today, warning any visit by Mr Trump would not be 'positive'.

Mr Farage said today: 'Do I think those tweets were in good taste?

'Not particularly, no.

'But the point is that the level of outrage from the liberal elite in this country is out of all proportion with what happened here.'

He added: 'Was the story about ISIS throwing people off buildings fake news? No. It wasn't, it was true.'

Farage also repeated his claim to have 'done more than anybody in this country to stop the rise of the far-right in Britain,' by giving BNP voters someone else to vote for.

And he endorsed the President's controversial claim that there were 'extremists' on 'both sides' of a protest in Charlottesville,

The event saw far-right groups marching with torches yelling 'Jews will not replace us' and a counter protester was mown down and killed when a car was driven into pedestrians.
A teenager found a 'Help me' note inside her Amazon advent calendar delivery describing staff as 'evil', her mother has claimed.

April Dorsett, 13, was gifted a 30 make up advent calendar by her parents Kim and Philip who ordered it from Amazon.

They had arranged for the note on the invoice to say 'love from mum and dad' but instead it read: 'Help me please, PMP staff are evil'.

Amazon use recruitment agency PMP to fill jobs at its distributions sites around the UK.

Her mother Kim, 32, confronted Amazon with a picture of the note on Facebook.

April Dorsett, 13, was gifted a 30 make up advent calendar by her parents Kim and Philip who ordered it from Amazon. They had arranged for the note on the invoice to say 'love from mum and dad' but instead it read: 'Help me please, PMP staff are evil'. Her mother Kim posted about it on Facebook

April (pictured), 13, became worried when she read the letter, according to her mother Kim

She posted: 'My 13 year old daughter received her advent calendar today from her dad. She was all excited to open it because it was addressed to her.

'She found this inside of her box and is worried amazon are running sweat shops..... I've told her it's probably a prank but can you just confirm this amazon.'

Replying within an hour of her post yesterday an Amazon spokesman replied: 'Oh no! I am so sorry your daughter received this note in her package, Kim.

'We'd like for our team to look into this for you. Please fill out this form at your earliest convenience. Thank you.'

MailOnline has contacted Amazon and PMP for comment.

Kim Dorsett (pictured), 32, of Bolton, said: This is quite worrying. It's the sort of thing you hear about happening in sweatshops in China.'

Ms Dorsett, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, told the Mirror: 'My other half ordered the calender as a present. He ordered a note in it saying 'love from mum and dad'.

'We asked April 'have you read the note?' and she said 'do you mean this one?'

'That's when we saw it. I thought 'this isn't right'.

'Then I thought it must be a prank and I was overreacting, but then people pointed out all the stories about Amazon lately.'

She added: 'This is quite worrying. It's the sort of thing you hear about happening in sweatshops in China.'

Last week there were claims the online retailer's staff are falling asleep on their feet and being taken away in ambulances as they struggle to meet warehouse targets.

Amazon use recruitment agency PMP to fill jobs at its distributions sites around the UK

It has been reported staff have been offered 7p chocolates in response to claims about 55-hour working weeks.

A statement from PMP about the note given to the newspaper said: 'PMP Recruitment employs over 100,000 people across a range of clients, many of whom have stayed with us for a number of years or return each year during our peak trading period, so we do not recognise the comment made as being an accurate or fair representation of the employee experience we provide.

'We provide various channels to raise concerns, including a confidential helpline, and have not received any complaints of this nature.

'We do, however, take such comments extremely seriously and will be investigating in conjunction with our client.'

Cordant Group PLC, who own PMP recruitment, has a statement saying the company adheres to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 on its website homepage.
In 2015, they announced an 'amicable' end to their 10-year relationship

Working as Madden's former director of operations, the two married in 2005 and had three kids

Madden was locked up for stock manipulation and securities fraud in 2002

Wendy Ballew fell in love with Steve Madden while the fashion aficionado served a 31-month sentence

The former wife of disgraced fashion designer Steve Madden said that his obsession over women's shoes is the reason behind their divorce.

Wendy Ballew, who fell in love with Madden while the fashion aficionado served a 31-month sentence for stock manipulation and securities fraud, said their relationship crumbled once he was released from jail, according to Page Six.

'It was great to have Steve in prison... It was the only time I had his full attention,' Ballew tells producers of the new documentary 'Maddman,' which chronicles the rise and fall of one of the most successful shoe designers in America.

Steve Madden (R) and his then wife Wendy Ballew attend a fundraiser on March 1, 2012 in New York City

Madden was locked up for stock manipulation and securities fraud in 2002 and served 31-month

Working as Madden's former director of operations, the two became extremely close as she visited for business meetings following the shoe mogul's 2002 prison sentencing.

He proposed in the visiting room of Federal Correctional Complex Coleman in Ocala, Florida, and they married when he was released in 2005.

Ballew, Madden's former director of operations, married the magnate in 2005 and had three kids together

In 2015, the parents of three revealed to Page Six that they have 'amicably' ended their 10-year relationship.

Ballew did not attend the Cinema Society screening of 'Maddman' at the iPic Theater on Fulton Street, Page Six reported.

The documentary helps shed light on the unusual courtship between the two, with Ballew recalling during their first kiss: 'It was so scary I wanted to run, but I was in prison.'

'The romance started when I was in prison,' Madden said in a post prison interview with Page Six.

'And I looked forward to her visits . . . it's such a heartbreaking thing to be in prison. And she made it better for me.'

The documentary also captures Madden's wild days as a hard-drinking, drug taking hot shot fashion magnate with the world at his fingertips.

'[Madden] wasn't a weekend warrior... He was a full-time barbarian,' said Eddie Llama, a long-time Madden employee.

Madden, 59, who was portrayed on the big screen in Martin Scorsese's 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' eventually cleaned up his act and found sobriety in the 1990s.

The mogul's company, Steven Madden Ltd., is worth an estimated $1.41 billion.

Madden was portrayed on the big screen in Martin Scorsese's 'The Wolf of Wall Street
RENO -- When Terri Clifton noticed that the Federal Duck Stamp Art Competition was taking place in Las Vegas in 2018, she mentioned to her husband, wildlife artist Richard Clifton, he should also consider entering this years Nevada Duck Stamp Art Contest. That way if he won, his artwork would be on the state stamp when they traveled to Las Vegas.

She was half-joking and half-serious, but when I looked into it and realized that the species was the Common Goldeneye I thought Id give it a shot, said Clifton.

It was a pretty good shot as Cliftons entry was selected as the winner of this years Nevada Duck Stamp Art Contest. His painting of a pair of Common Goldeneyes floating on the water will now grace Nevadas 2018-2019 State Duck Stamp.

While Clifton had not entered the Nevada contest for a number of years, he has had quite a bit of success in the Silver State, winning the contest in 1992 and 2000. This years win is also an impressive benchmark for Clifton.

I was excited to hear I had won the Nevada contest, partly because I have now won or been commissioned to paint a total of 50 duck stamps. This includes the 1996 Australia and the 2007-08 Federal, said Clifton.

The contest was sponsored by the Nevada Waterfowl Association and sanctioned by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The winning entry in the annual art contest was selected by a panel of seven judges including two wildlife commissioners.

The Common Goldeneye gets its name from its bright yellow eyes. They are a medium sized duck with large heads.The goldeneye is also a fast flier with their wings making a distinctive whistling sound when they are in flight, which has earned them the nickname Whistler."

Stamps can be purchased by collectors and the general public to support Nevadas wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. A limited number of prints may also be issued, and are available for fundraising for wildlife-related and other conservation organizations.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, told NBC's Chuck Todd on Sunday that the Senate was putting together an obstruction of justice case against President Donald Trump.

'As you know, I'm ranking on Judiciary and the Judiciary Committee has an investigation going as well and it involves obstruction of justice,' she noted. 'And, I think, what were beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice.'

The contents of the indictments and statements made by the White House show signs of obstruction of justice, Feinstein suggested.

'I see it in the hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House, the comments every day, the continual tweets,' she said. 'And I see it, most importantly, in what happened with the firing of Director Comey and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation.'

Comey was fired by President Trump in early May.

'That's obstruction of justice,' the top Judiciary Committee Democrat said.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein suggested the Senate was putting together an obstruction of justice case against President Trump

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (left), who is the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee and also a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, talked about the Capitol Hill probes with NBC's Chuck Todd (right) on Meet the Press

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (left) told Meet the Press host Chuck Todd (right) that she hit an 'enough is enough' point with President Trump last month, though wouldn't openly call for impeachment

President Trump has continually stated that he's not the individual who is under investigation, Todd reminded the senator, asking her if she thought Trump was.

'Well, I would assume that many in the White House are under investigation in this,' Feinstein said.

She added that she did not believe that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI on Friday, was a 'rogue agent.'

Flynn's plea was over conversations that he had with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak during the transition.

Conversations he initially didn't tell authorities about.

'I don't believe that on his own conclusion, he would go out and try to tell the Russians in two instances, once to stop a national security resolution going through the United Nations regarding Israel, and on the sanctions that President Obama had just put in, urge that they not be tampered with by the transition committee,' Feinstein said.

'I think he had to have been directed,' she noted. 'Now whether the special counsel can find that evidence or not, whether we can, I don't know yet. But I see that that's where this is going.'

Feinstein said that Flynn cooperating with Mueller's investigation doesn't necessarily slow down the probe the Senate Intelligence Committee, which she also sits on, is pursuing.

'I think the investigation that really has the clout is Bob Mueller's investigation,' she noted. 'He's got all the tools he needs, investigative and legal, to do what he needs to do. And I think what we're seeing is some of the fallout from that.'

She suggested that witnesses are becoming more forthcoming to the Congressional committees probing Russia, because of Mueller's investigation.

'For example, Jared Kushner,' she said.

Feinstein said she and Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, had sent Trump's son-in-law and top White House adviser a letter asking for information.

'He has agreed to give it,' Feinstein said. 'I think that's very important ... I think there's no question, but that he is a principal in this.'

She paused saying the doesn't make 'allegations.'

'But I think his testimony would be very important,' Feinstein said of Kushner.

Todd also pressed Feinstein on impeachment, as Democratic super-donor Tom Steyer, who's also a Californian, has been running pro-impeachment advertisements on TV.

Feinstein said she had to be cautious because of her role on the Judiciary Committee, which is investigating some of the Russia stuff, but that she was losing patience with this president.

'Now, I'm not without the powers of observation, or seeing what's going on around me,' Feinstein noted.

'The concern rises with the day,' she said.

Todd interrupted and asked if she meant a concern over the president's ability to do his job.

'Oh yes, oh yes,' she answered. 'I've been here for 25 years now, there is a kind of instability, unpredictability. Its one issue after the other. Weve got major problems in the world with our allies now, in the Middle East, with North Korea. It goes on and on.'

'And I think that this president is just precipitating more and more angst that's going on to lead to serious discord,' she added.

Todd asked when the longtime senator hits her 'enough is enough' moment.

Feinstein confessed that had already passed.

'Well, it happened about a month ago, and I cant give you any particular event,' she said. 'But it happens  you know, those of us that are here  understand how the White House functions.'

'And, as you begin to see, one day it's one story, the next day it's another story, the third day it's another story, it's very concerning to get at the truth,' she said.

Todd tried taking it a step further, asking the senator, 'Do you believe it's time to think about getting him out of office?'

Feinstein wasn't quite ready to make that proclamation yet.

'I believe it's time for us to finish our investigation and I don't want to bias any part of the investigation with premature thinking,' she answered. 'I think that's very important.'
Sir Henry 'Harry' Tombs rode to the rescue of Lieutenant James Hills just as a sword-wielding Indian mutineer was about to unleash a 'death stroke', during the Siege of Delhi in 1857

A Victoria Cross won by an 'A-list celebrity' officer who killed two enemy soldiers to twice save a comrade is being sold by his family for 250,000.

Sir Henry 'Harry' Tombs rode to the rescue of Lieutenant James Hills just as a sword-wielding Indian mutineer was about to unleash a 'death stroke', during the Siege of Delhi in 1857.

Major Tombs shot dead the enemy soldier with his pistol and then ran his sword through a second native Sepoy troop who was about to cut down Lt Hills.

However, in his report he modestly failed to mention his part in the action.

His commanding officer tore up the account and wrote a new one stating that Lt Hills 'would have no doubt been killed had not Major Tombs rushed in'.

Sir Harry was awarded the highest decoration for valour in the face of the enemy.

The VC is now being sold for the first time by his family.

While Major Tombs became known for his bravery and fighting prowess, his dashing good looks were also said to make him something of a celebrity.

His courage under fire and handsome physique excited one of his generals to such a degree he offered him his only daughter in marriage.

Pierce Noonan, of London auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb, said: 'In Victorian Britain Sir Harry was what we call today an A-list celebrity.

'He was nicknamed 'Cupid' by the ladies because of his good looks and even the great military commander Lord Roberts described him as 'unusually handsome'.

Sir Harry's glittering array of medals, including a Victoria Cross, which are set to be sold for 250,000 at London auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb

'But he was equally famed for his bravery, winning the Victoria Cross for saving a comrade from certain death and being mentioned in dispatches for every campaign in which he fought.

'His premature death sent the nation into mourning.'

Maj Tombs' military career began in 1841 and he serve in the two Anglo-Sikh Wars before the Indian Rebellion of 1857 - the uprising by Sepoy mutineers against British rule.

In command of the 2nd Troop 1st Brigade Bengal Horse Artillery he had five horses shot from under him during various battles.

On the morning of July 9, 1857 mounted mutineers launched a surprise attack during the siege of Delhi.

For his bravery Sir Harry awarded the VC and for his goodlooks he was said to be an 'A-list celebrity'

Lt Hills charged at them but soon found himself outnumbered.

Maj Tombs was in the mess tent when word reached him of the enemy attack and picking up his sword and revolver and rode towards the action.

Lt Hills had cut two mutineers down but slipped to the ground with a third one stood over him ready to deliver the death stroke with his sword.

An account of the action written by Maj Tombs states: 'At this time Tombs was some thirty paces from his friend. Resting his revolver on his left arm, he took steady aim at the trooper and shot him through the body.'

The pair then encountered a young and strong mutineer who attacked them with his sword.

The account adds: 'The third blow...broke down Hills' guard and clove the skull to the brain. In a moment he had turned upon Tombs who coolly parried the blow and drove his sword right through the trooper's body.'

Both Lt Hills and Maj Tombs survived and the pair were awarded VCs.

After returning to Britain in 1867 he married wife Georgina and they had two children.

He became terminally ill in 1874 and went to live on the Isle of Wight where he died on August 2.

Queen Victoria, who often stayed at Osborne House near East Cowes, repeatedly asked after him until his death.

Today there is still a Tombs Troop in the Royal Artillery named after him.
An Angelina Jolie super-fan underwent 50 surgeries in order to look like her idol -but she was not the first person to go to extreme lengths to emulate their hero.

While Sahar Tabar, 19 and from Tehran, Iran, dreamed of looking like Angelina, twin brothers Matt and Mike Schlepp, from Arizona, spent 15,000 on cosmetic surgery in a bid to look like her ex-partner Brad Pitt.

The pair endured months of agonising procedures that left them unable to eat proper meals as they desperately tried to change their appearance.

Twin brothers Matt and Mike Schlepp, from Arizona, spent 15,000 on cosmetic surgery in a bid to look like Brad Pitt. They are pictured here before the surgery

This is how the twins looked following their surgery. They both had extensive work carried out on their faces and between them had 41 porcelain veneers

They underwent the makeover for MTV's I Want A Famous Face, which they took part in when they were 21. Pictured: Brad Pitt

Mike had a nose job as well as cheek, jaw and chin implants while Matt had a nose job and a chin implant.

And between them they had 41 porcelain veneers.

They underwent the makeover for MTV's I Want A Famous Face, which they took part in when they were 21.

Speaking on the show, Matt said: 'It was more than worth it.

'I would do it ten times over. It has definitely helped me get more girls. I'll walk and get that double-take from girls and hear the whispering that follows.

'I've had such a dramatic change that girlfriends I hadn't seen in a while couldn't stop staring, and said they wanted to cry! If that doesn't make you feel good, then what would?'

Sahar Tabar, 19, from Tehran, Iran , has an Instagram account filled with snaps that show her with Angelina-esque razor-sharp cheekbones and famously plump pout

Ms Tabar underwent the surgery in order to look like her idol Angelina Jolie (pictured)

Mike added: 'I never knew that I could be as happy as I am right now.

'I feel on top of the world by the few tweaks that I went through. Go through with the surgery now because you don't want to go through life always feeling down with the way that you look.'

Ms Tabar hit the headlines this week after pictures of her apparent transformation emerged online.

Belgian media has reported that she has undergone 50 procedures to look like her idol Jolie - but fans claim she creates the incredible looks just by using make-up and clever prosthetics.

However not all of the feedback from her 318,000 Instagram followers is positive, with some likening her to a 'zombie' or a 'corpse'.
A controversial play about child killer Raymond Leslie Morris (pictured) has been stopped

A controversial play about child killer Raymond Leslie Morris has been stopped after the families of his three young victims begged a local thespian to stop it being staged.

Dubbed the 'Monster of Cannock Chase', Morris raped and murdered a seven-year-old girl and was suspected of strangling two others in the 1960s.

He was jailed for life after he snatched schoolgirl Christine Darby, seven, off a street and strangled her before dumping her body on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, in 1967.

He was also prime suspect in the murders of five-year-old Diane Tift, from Bloxwich, West Midlands, and six-year-old Margaret Reynolds, from Aston, Birmingham, who disappeared in 1965.

The bodies of all three girls', who had also been sexually assaulted and strangled, were dumped within a few miles of each other beside the A34 on Cannock Chase in 1966 and 1967.

The killings shocked the country and sparked one of the biggest murder investigations in British criminal history - dwarfing even the man-hunt for Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Morris was jailed in 1969 and spent 45 years in prison before his death in 2014 aged 84.

He was jailed for life after he snatched schoolgirl Christine Darby (pictured left and right), seven, off a street and strangled her before dumping her body on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, in 1967

Police preparing to search a wooded area of Cannock Chase. The road is the A34 between Cannock and Stafford

Peter Sidgwick, chairman of Cannock Chase Arts Council sparked uproar when he announced he had penned a production about the murders.

'Morris: The Cannock Chase Murderer', which he penned for amateur dramatic society the Tower Players based in Hednesford, Stafordshire., took around two years to write.

But, following an almost 700-signature strong petition and having spoken with heartbroken relatives of the victims, he has decided to cancel the play and apologised for any distress caused.

The 70-year-old former teacher said he was particularly moved after talking to Susan Upton, aged 63, who is Margaret Reynold's older sister.

Mr Sidgwick, from Hednesford, said: 'She was incredible. She spoke so calmly, so measured and so movingly, she absolutely blew me away.

'I have told her that I am no longer going to proceed. I didn't feel I had any option. I am quite clear that it is the end of it. It is the right decision.

'Obviously I thought it was a story of interest to the people of Cannock, but it is not as important as the wishes of these people.

He was also prime suspect in the murders of five-year-old Diane Tift (left), from Bloxwich, West Midlands, and six-year-old Margaret Reynolds (right), from Aston, Birmingham, who disappeared in 1965

The site where the bodies of Margaret Reynolds & Diane Tift were found in a field off Mansty Gulley, Cannock Chase

'I am profoundly sorry if I caused any upset to members of the families, it was never my intention.

'I simply wanted to tell a story worth telling and had been told before. The matter has been quite stressful. As far as I'm concerned the matter is closed.'

Ms Upton herself said: 'We are very relieved he is not going ahead. To him it's a story but to us it is our lives we live every single day.

'I just tried to get across how it affected us as a family and he was very responsive to that.

'He hadn't realised and I don't think you can unless you have gone through it yourself.'

Jemma Tift, 31, is the niece of Diane who began a petition to block the play going ahead - which gained almost 700 signatures in four days.

Morris was jailed in 1969 and spent 45 years in prison before his death in 2014 aged 84

Ms Tift, from Willenhall, West Midlands, wrote in the petition: 'Please help us to try and stop this play happening.

'These are three little girls who sadly had their lives taken from them by such an evil man who couldn't even admit to his crimes.

'My auntie Diane Tift was sadly one of the girls this evil man killed and then just left her like she was rubbish in a ditch on the Cannock Chase.

'This affects my father in every way and still makes his heart break and for someone to make it into a play is downright wrong.

'Yes, I understand that he is trying to show we must protect our children but don't show us in this manner.

'Please let these little girls rest in peace they have gone through too much suffering at the hand of Raymond Morris.

'Let us, their families, not have to be put through the pain again.

'This isn't a documentary it is a play - how can you make something so heart breaking into a play?'

She said: 'I am just overwhelmed he is cancelling it. If this play had been staged it would have broken the families.

'My dad is really happy. To anyone else who thinks about doing a play or something about it I will fight it.

'The reaction from everyone was absolutely brilliant. This is a real victory.'

Alan Reynolds, who signed the petition, wrote: 'My sister, was a victim of this cold blooded murderer, now he's dead, good riddance to trash, and anyone trying to make money from his evil deeds, is just as sick'.

Ginnette England wrote: 'I'm signing this because my auntie was one of the victims and I don't think it's very fair on all the family of the victims to keep having this brought back up'.

The play was set to be held at the Prince of Wales theatre in Cannock, Staffs., in May.

It was in January 1966 that the bodies of two little girls were found buried in a ditch in the heart of the wooded Staffordshire beauty spot.

Diane Tift had gone missing while playing with friends outside her Bloxwich home two weeks earlier.

Police officers searching through the braken on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, 21st August, 1967

Margaret Reynolds had vanished as she walked to school in Aston, the previous September.

Police said the girls had fallen prey to a crazed sex monster who had used the A34 to get to the forest after the abductions.

A year later, the body of Christine Darby was discovered on Cannock Chase by a soldier - just a mile from the first grim discovery.

She had also been taken from near her home before being brutally strangled and sexually assaulted.

The hunt for the Cannock Chase child killer saw 150 detectives visit 39,000 homes, interview 80,000 people and check more than a million car records before Morris's arrest.

Morris was spoken to four times but slipped through the net when his wife gave him an alibi. She later became a key prosecution witness.

In 2011 Morris broke his silence insisting he was an innocent man.

He said: 'No acquisitions of guilt can ever compensate the loss that the families involved must feel.

'But I will always maintain that I am not responsible for the murder of Christine Darby and hopefully my fight for justice will uncover the truth.

'I can only say over and over again, I didn't do it, and hope that someone will listen.'
A Rolls-Royce that belonged to Field Marshall Montgomery and ferried King George VI, Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower between top secret D-Day meetings is to be auctioned off.

The Phantom III was the staff car for the British army leader while he was based at Southwick House, near Portsmouth during the Second World War.

Owned by a private collector, the historical car has a guide price of 180,000 but is expected to sell for more.

A Rolls-Royce that belonged to Field Marshall Montgomery and ferried King George VI, Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower between top secret D-Day meetings is to be auctioned off

In the months leading up to June 6, 1944 the 19th century manor house was the headquarters of the main Allied commanders.

Montgomery would often send his chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce up to London to collect the King and the Prime Minister.

The rear compartment still has the bespoke electric cigar lighter installed on to a wood panel for Churchill's use.

Before he was based at Southwick House, Montgomery, who was in command of all Allied ground forces during Operation Overlord, used the car to travel from his home in Virginia Water in Surrey to London.

The 1936 green and black motor was first owned by the head of English Talbot Motor Company, Frederick Wilcock, before being requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport Section.

After D-Day it was reassigned to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Carl Spaatz.

The Phantom III was the staff car for the British army leader while he was based at Southwick House, near Portsmouth during the Second World War

In the 1950s at the time of the Suez crisis the car was purchased by a planter in Malaya and shipped out to Penang.

In recent years it has been in the hands of a private owner, but it has now become available for sale through auctioneers Bonhams for 180,000.

Tim Schofield, head of Bonhams' motor car department, said 'Any Rolls-Royce is a sight to behold, but one with such historical significance is really something special to be offering.

Owned by a private collector, the historical car has a guide price of 180,000 but is expected to sell for more.In the months leading up to June 6, 1944 the 19th century manor house was the headquarters of the main Allied commanders

The rear compartment still has the bespoke electric cigar lighter installed on to a wood panel for Churchill's use. After D-Day it was reassigned to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Carl Spaatz

'We pride ourselves on offering motor cars with the very best provenance, and a car that has been used by Monty, Eisenhower, George VI and Churchill has to be up there with the very best.

'The Phantom was a landmark design for Rolls-Royce, and is widely considered the most outstanding luxury car of the 1930s.

'Since its use during the war, the car has been displayed at several military events, including one at Southwick House where D-Day was planned in 1944..'

The Rolls-Royce Phantom III was a landmark design for Rolls-Royce and was their first ever V12-engined car

This example recently has had its engine rebuilt and an overdrive fitted for effective modern road driving. The car comes complete with documents authenticating its history and will go up for auction on December 6

The Rolls-Royce Phantom III was a landmark design for Rolls-Royce and was their first ever V12-engined car.

This example recently has had its engine rebuilt and an overdrive fitted for effective modern road driving.

The car comes complete with documents authenticating its history and will go up for auction on December 6.
ABC News chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross is being accused of having a 'long history' of getting facts wrong after he was suspended by the network over claiming that President Donald Trump ordered Michael Flynn to contact Russia.

Obama administration former State Department spokesperson Marie Harf claimed on Fox News that Ross has a ' long history of screwing up'.

'Marie Harf says Brian Ross routinely ran stories that were not accurate. 'This was a big screw-up, but he has a long history of screwing up.',' a tweet posted to Fox News Channel's Media Buzz show account reads.

In addition, his own colleague at the network, Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran, confirmed in a Twitter exchange with President George W. Bush's former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer another mistake that Ross made in 2001 about Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein being behind the anthrax attack on the White House.

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Brian Ross (above) is being accused of having a long history of getting facts wrong by fellow journalists and even a colleague at ABC News after he was suspended by the network over claiming that President Donald Trump ordered Michael Flynn to contact Russia

During an appearance Sunday on Fox News Channel's Media Buzz, former State Department spokesperson Marie Harf (above) claimed that Ross has a 'long history of screwing up'

She apparently said that Ross 'routinely ran stories that were not accurate'

Fleischer tweeted the author of a Politico report and said: 'Brian Ross was told he was wrong BEFORE he aired his story about Saddam being behind the anthrax attack. Your story says he was told that after. I'm the person who told ABC not to air it.'

Fleischer added: 'At about 6:10pm, the abc WH reporter told me the investigation unit had the story. I made a couple calls and at 6:25 I told them the story was wrong. Saddam was NOT behind it. Brian stood by the story for one week - then issued an incomprehensible 'correction'.'

Moran confirmed Fleischer's account and tweeted, 'This is correct.'

In 2012 Ross faced criticism when he reported that the shooter responsible for the massacre in Aurora, Colorado may have been tied to the Tea Party.

In addition, Ross' colleague, ABC News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran (left), confirmed in a Twitter exchange with former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer (right) another mistake that Ross

Fleishcher initially pointed out a correction for Politico to make in their story about Ross in regards to his reporting on the 2001 anthras attack on the White House

In a second tweet (above), Fleischer provided more details into the situation involving Ross standing by a story that was wrong before issuing an 'incomprehensible "correction"'

Moran then confirmed on Twitter that Fleischer is 'correct' in regards to the reporting that Ross did in 2001 about Hussein and the White House anthrax attack

But this latest incident has seemed to cause more controversy for the network and Ross.

President Donald Trump and his son, Don Jr, went on the attack against ABC News on Twitter after it emerged that Ross's claim was inaccurate and they had suspended him for four weeks without pay.

The initial report, which aired around 11am Friday during an ABC News' 'Special Report', cited a source claiming that a close associate of the former national security advisor was prepared to testify that Trump 'directed him to make contact with the Russians' during the course of the 2016 presidential race.

But around 6.30pm, Ross issued an on-air 'clarification' that their source had explained it was only after the election that 'President-elect Trump asked [Flynn] to contact Russia on issues including working together to fight ISIS.'

ABC News' Brian Ross (left) was suspended without pay for four weeks after he wrongly said on Friday that Donald Trump told Michael Flynn to contact Russia

On Sunday, Trump tweeted (above) that people who lost money when the Stock Market dipped should sue ABC News for damages over Ross' 'bad reporting'

ABC News first 'clarified' the matter in a tweet that was later deleted before they issued issued a statement on the matter on Saturday.

On Sunday, the president took to Twitter and wrote that the news network should be sued over the 'bad reporting.'

'People who lost money when the Stock Market went down 350 points based on the False and Dishonest reporting of Brian Ross of @ABCNews (he has been suspended), should consider hiring a lawyer and suing ABC for the damages this bad reporting has caused - many millions of dollars!', the president tweeted.

The day before he tweeted about the suspension.

'Congratulations to ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt,' he wrote.

'More Networks and 'papers' should do the same with their Fake News!'

Also on Saturday, Don Jr tweeted: '@ABC retracts their misleading 'bombshell' and removes their tweet approximately 12 hours after they knew it to be false,' Trump Jr tweeted.

Donald Trump also tweeted sarcastic congratulations to ABC News for suspending Ross, once more invoking 'fake news'

Ross' source actually told him that Trump told Flynn and others to figure out ways to help improve relations with Russia and other countries. Don Jr ripped into ABC News afterwards

'I know it's rare for you guys to get more than 200 RTs so I guess you milk it when you can?!?! #fakenews'

Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, and he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors who are delving into the actions of President Donald Trump's inner circle before he took office.

Soon after, ABC News - citing a confidant of Flynn's - reported that the former national security adviser was prepared to testify that Trump directed him to make contact with Russians when he was a presidential candidate.

Wall Street's main indexes all fell by more than 1 per cent after the report.

First, ABC News later issued a correction that the source clarified that Trump had assigned Flynn and a 'small circle of senior advisers' to find ways to improve relations with Russia and other hotspots during the presidential campaign.

'It was shortly after the election that President-elect Trump directed Flynn to contact Russian officials on topics that included working jointly against ISIS,' ABC News said.

But they later clarified in a statement on Saturday , ABC said: 'We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made yesterday.

'As a result of our continued reporting over the next several hours ultimately we determined the information was wrong and we corrected the mistake on air and online.

'Effective immediately, Brian Ross will be suspended for four weeks without pay.'
An elderly American conman allegedly scammed Centrelink for 30 years after using a sham baptism form to obtain an Australian birth certificate.

FBI fingerprint files have revealed the true identity of Sydney man Michael Boghdadi Asaad as convicted criminal Farouk Asaad, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The father-of-seven, who was deported from the US with an 18-year criminal record, is now being investigated after his application for an aged pension was rejected.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled the 79-year-old wasn't born in Australia and arrived using a passport in the name of Rick Michaels in 1985.

An elderly American conman allegedly scammed Centrelink for 30 years after using a sham baptism form to obtain an Australian birth certificate

But Asaad remains on benefits because of his 1986 marriage to his Australian-born wife, according to the paper.

Asaad was reportedly given an Australian birth certificate in 1992 after claiming he was born in Tasmania and that fire destroyed his original certificate.

His convictions include fraud and heroin dealing, while he claimed $90,000 in Centrelink benefits between 2002 and 2009 which led to a 13-month jail sentence last year, the paper reported.

But he was still granted a bridging visa two years later and a permanent spousal visa in 2012.

'I give great weight to the conviction for identity fraud with respect to social security payments in the District Court of Queensland,' the Administrative Appeals Tribunal said in rejecting his application for an aged pension last month.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has now ordered a full report into Asaad.
Cleondre Franklin, 32, was sentenced to life plus five years in the murder of another dad

A gun-toting dad has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering the father of a girl who had accused his own daughter of bullying.

Cleondre Arlez Franklin, 32, was sentenced to life plus five years for the September 10, 2015 murder of Marvin Wiley in Atlanta, prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia announced on Friday.

The shocking crime unfolded on a Thursday afternoon, when Wiley's seven-year-old daughter came to him in tears after riding the school bus home.

She told him that Franklin's daughter, age eight, had pulled her hair and taken her tablet away on the bus.

Enraged and brandishing a gun, Wiley drove with his brother as well as the daughter to Franklin's home, prosecutors said.

Franklin (left) was enraged after Wiley confronted his wife with a gun in a dispute over their eight-year-old daughter's school bus bullying, and retaliated by shooting Wiley

There, Wiley confronted Franklin's wife, Alimah Gray-Franklin, arguing heatedly and pointing the gun at her as Wiley's daughter sat looking on from the car, according to the prosecution.

Gray-Franklin ran into the house and called Cleondre Franklin to tell him about the shocking confrontation, rather than calling 911 immediately, prosecutors said.

Franklin, now enraged and seeking his own revenge, got a description of Wiley's car and began to seek him out in the neighborhood, prosecutors said.

Wiley fortunately had dropped off his young daughter and his brother at home before the incident came to a head.

The victim, Wiley, was enraged over his daughter being bullied and drove to Franklin's home on this street in southwest Atlanta, where he confronted Franklin's wife with a gun

Wiley was driving to the store and was less than a mile from Franklin's home when he was shot in the head inside his car.

The victim's brother found him dead after hearing the gunshots, and reported seeing Franklin's car leaving the scene of the murder at high speed.

Franklin went on the run, but was arrested six weeks later in Rome, Georgia, about 75 miles away.

He admitted to shooting Wiley, but said it was in self-defense.

A jury did not agree, and convicted him on charges of malice murder, felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on November 7.

Court records show that Franklin had a lengthy arrest record prior to the murder, on charges including gun and drug offenses, domestic assault and battery, and multiple counts of cruelty to children.
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Haunting images of an abandoned bank in Alabama offers a rare glimpse into a forgotten world ravaged by time.

The desolate conditions of the now forgotten Jefferson County Savings Bank located inside the City Federal skyscraper in downtown Birmingham are captured in amazing detail by a local photographer.

Pictures of rusty vault doors, corroded ceilings and early 20th century locking mechanisms show a place where Birmingham residents once kept their most precious and valuable possessions.

Pictures of rusty vault doors, corroded ceilings and early 20th century locking mechanisms offer a glimpse into a world frozen in time

Pictures of abandoned Birmingham bank capture in amazing detail a building falling into ruin

The City Federal skyscraper in downtown Birmingham are captured in amazing detail by a local photographer

Locking mechanism for a bank vault are captured in amazing detail by a local Alabama photographer

The photographer, Abandoned Southeast, was given permission to shoot inside the abandoned building

'What is seen in the pictures is an abandoned bank that closed in 1915 and is located inside the City Federal building which has now been renovated into condos,' said 32-year-old urban explorer Abandoned Southeast.

'Many of the residents that live in the City Federal building have no idea the bank is even located inside the skyscraper,' Southeast told mediadrumworld.com.

'The current owner hopes to transform the bank into an event venue or restaurant and use the vaults as a VIP lounge or private seating.'

The City Federal skyscraper was built in 1913 and designed by William Weston.

'I managed to gain access into the bank by contacting the owner,' said Abandoned Southeast.

'I love discovering the past and what is left behind - it's rare to see bank vaults that are this intricate and detailed in today's banks.'

At the time, the skyscraper was the tallest building in America, standing at 27 stories or 327 feet tall.

GHOSTLY images have offered a glimpse into the desolate conditions of an abandoned twentieth century city bank

The City Federal skyscraper was built in 1913 and designed by William Weston

Other eerie images show the central ground of the bank, with weakened ceiling, barricaded doors, and walls with peeling paint

One picture shows a rusty vault door which once sheltered numerous possessions and valuables in the bank located in the City Federal skyscrape

Other eerie images show the central ground of the bank, with weakened ceiling, barricaded doors, and walls with peeling paint

The City Federal skyscraper was built in 1913 and designed by William Weston
Kim Jong-un's nuclear tests have contaminated North Koreans with a 'ghost' disease that deforms babies and leaves civilians with horrifying radiation sickness.

Around 30 defectors have fled across the border to South Korea from the Kilju region, close to the Punggye-ri site, where the leader has continued his father's furious testing since coming to power in 2011.

Among them is Lee Jeong Hwan, who suffers from chronic pain and was tested by South Korean scientists to have been as a result of radiation from the test bombs.

Kim Jong-un's nuclear tests have contaminated North a 'ghost' disease that deforms babies and leaves civilians with horrifying radiation sickness

Lee's results came back negative, but she has been quick to blame the North Korean dictator for her and other people's suffering.

She told NBC News: 'So many people died we began calling it 'ghost disease'.

'We thought we were dying because we were poor and we ate badly. Now we know it was the radiation.'

A fellow defector added that she lived just a few miles from the test site and witnessed her neighbours having a deformed baby.

Rhee Yeong Sil said: 'We couldn't determine the gender of the baby, because it didn't have any genitals.

The North Korean leader has continued his father's furious testing since coming to power in 2011

'In North Korea, deformed babies are usually killed. So the parents killed the baby.'

Both Rhee and Lee claimed that they had no idea what the nuclear tests were while living under North Korean rule, and only realised what the tremors were after escaping.

However, scientists have said that the 'victims' do not have all the information they need to prove any off their ill-health was caused by the radiation.

A professor of nuclear engineering at Seoul National University, Kune-yull, added: 'I don't think they're lying,' 'We have to take their word, but I don't have much reliable information.'
A mother-of-two has been banned from every jail in Britain after she gave her locked-up fiance what she claims was a Fruit Pastel during a visit.

Bosses at HMP Holme House in Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside, have barred Melissa Hopper from visiting her baby's father David Scott for six months.

Prison bosses said CCTV caught her passing the convicted drug gang member an 'unauthorised article' during a visit.

A mother-of-two has been banned from every jail in Britain after she gave her locked-up fiance what she claims was a Fruit Pastel during a visit

But Ms Hopper, 26, said: 'They obviously think it was drugs but it was just a Fruit Pastille that was thrown down a top.

'We were just having a laugh but now our baby might not be able to see her dad.

'The baby needs to know her dad and I'm suffering from depression, so this is just making it worse.'

Ms Hopper claims Scott picked the sweet up and ate it during a visit on November 10.

Ms Hopper said: 'They won't say exactly what it is but they have basically implied he's taken drugs, yet offered no proof.

'If it was drugs, why didn't they drug test or nick him?

'It was just a sweet and of course it is going to get eaten - what do they expect me to do, bin it?'

In March, Scott, 32, of High Newham, Hardwick, was locked up for more than six years for his role in a multi-million pound trans-Pennine plot to flood Teesside's streets with heroin.

But Ms Hopper is now banned from all British jails for six months.

After that she faces another six months of 'closed visits', which means the pair will be separated by a panel.

Bosses at HMP Holme House in Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside (pictured), have barred Melissa Hopper from visiting her baby's father David Scott for six months. Prison bosses said CCTV caught her passing the convicted drug gang member an 'unauthorised article' during a visit

Ms Hopper said: It means I can't touch him, and neither can his daughter, it's his family who will suffer.'

Ms Hopper claims to have contacted both a solicitor and her Stockton North MP, Labour's Alex Cunningham, to try to get the ban quashed.

However the Ministry of Justice appear set to hold firm over the ban.

An MoJ spokesperson said: 'We do not tolerate anyone breaking prison rules, and those that do so will face appropriate disciplinary action.'

HMP Holme House is currently spending millions of pounds to stamp out drug use and increase security.

Last year it was announced that 9m will fund new body scanners to crack down on the use of new psychoactive substances, most commonly spice.

Earlier this year, the category B jail was put in lockdown after staff fell sick inhaling spice fumes.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it would have been 'impossible' to cut the taxes of everyone in the middle class.

'You can't craft any bill that would guarantee no one was in a special category that might get a tax increase,' McConnell told Face the Nation host John Dickerson.

McConnell appeared Sunday and argued the Senate Republicans' tax bill, which passed at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning, would offer relief for the average middle class taxpayer.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday's Face the Nation that it would have been 'impossible' to ensure a tax cut for every middle class American. ''You can't craft any bill that would guarantee no one was in a special category that might get a tax increase,' he said

John Dickerson (left) wanted to know why the corporate tax rate slash was never tinkered with in the GOP tax bill, while less time was spent on middle and lower income tax breaks. Mitch McConnell (right) responded that most middle class Americans were 'likely to' get a tax break

'Clearly, most people, middle-income taxpayers, an overwhelming majority of them, will get tax relief,' the Kentucky Republican said. 'And because of the business tax changes, it's much less likely that the job they currently have is going to end up in another country.'

'Because we are clearly uncompetitive in the global economy with the current tax rates,' he said.

McConnell argued that the tax bill, along with President Trump striking out a number of regulations, was what is responsible for picking the economy back up.

'I don't want to read too much into quarterly growth rates, but we have had two growth rates in a row of 3 per cent growth,' McConnell said. 'I think this is going to get the country growing again.'

As part of the Republicans' tax bill, the corporate tax rate went from 35 to 20 per cent, with Dickerson noting how nobody was 'tinkering' with that during negotiations on the Hill, while there was less emphasis on making tax relief for middle and lower income Americans more robust.

'Well, the question is whether you're getting tax relief,' McConnell answered. 'And, of course, people on the lower end don't provide a huge percentage of the revenue that we raise through taxation. But what people want is, am I going to get some relief myself?'

'Answer, overwhelmingly likely to,' the top Senate Republican said.

GOP lawmakers have argued that the corporate rate slash will also keep Americans' jobs in the United States.

'This is designed to get the economy growing,' McConnell said. 'We didn't have a single year of 3 per cent growth during all the Obama years. We were clearly underperforming. You have to ask the question why,' he told Dickerson and then answered it himself.

'A combination of over-regulation and a lousy tax code,' McConnell said.

Dickerson said he really was trying to ask about 'winners and losers' but moved on.
Malcolm Turnbull has enjoyed a poll boost as it's revealed Labor leader Bill Shorten visited the Sydney mansion of a Chinese tycoon despite warnings from ASIO.

The prime minister's Coalition team has posted a small recovery in Newspoll, with its primary vote up two points to 36 per cent, while Mr Shorten's satisfaction rating has gone down.

However, the government still trails Labor 53 per cent to 47 per cent after preferences, marking Mr Turnbull's 24th consecutive Newspoll loss as Labor's Chinese donations saga deepens.

Malcolm Turnbull enjoyed a small Newspoll recovery but it's still his 24th consecutive poll loss

Bill Shorten reportedly sought election funding from Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo when in March 2016

The opinion poll news came as The Sydney Morning Herald revealed Mr Shorten had visited Chinese businessman Huang Xiangmo at his Sydney mansion, reportedly months after a warning from ASIO.

The Opposition Leader and his family reportedly visited Mr Huang's North Shore home at ritzy Mosman in March last year to solicit funds for the Labor Party's 2016 campaign ads.

The revelation comes with embattled Labor senator Sam Dastyari embroiled in a scandal involving Mr Huang and Chinese influence on Australian federal politicians.

Mr Shorten has not denied the visit, but pointed out to Fairfax that senior government figures including Mr Turnbull, his Liberal deputy Julie Bishop and his predecessor Tony Abbott, had all socialised with Mr Huang.

Foreign donations to Australian political parties will be banned to prevent figures like Mr Huang (pictured) influencing Australian politics with donations

Bill Shorten visited Chinese tycoon Huang Xiangmo at his Mosman mansion on Sydney's North Shore in March last year

Bill Shorten visited the Chinese billionaire's Mosman home after Labor's national secretary George Wright was briefed by ASIO on his links to the Chinese Communist Party

Labor's national secretary George Wright was briefed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation on Mr Huang's ties to the Chinese Communist Party in October 2015.

Fairfax Media said it was unclear whether the concerns were shared with the opposition leader before his visit.

Mr Shorten, whose satisfaction rating has slipped in the latest Newspoll to 33 per cent, was not personally briefed by ASIO on the issue until late 2016, long after the visit.

Mr Shorten's office stressed his home visit did not compromise Australia's national security and that Labor would 'no longer accept donations from Mr Huang'.

'It is unbelievable that Mr Turnbull still refuses to do the same.'

Senator Dastyari relinquished his post as deputy opposition whip last week after he allegedly warned Mr Huang his phone might be bugged by ASIO

Huang Xiangmo's former adviser Tim Xu is working on Liberal candidate John Alexander's campaign team

Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph says Mr Huang's former adviser, Tim Xu, has joined the Liberal campaign for John Alexander in the Bennelong by-election.

Foreign donations to Australian political parties will be banned in the wake of Labor senator Sam Dastyari's alleged leak to a Chinese businessman.

New laws will also also crack down on classified information leaks, and criminalise supporting foreign spy agencies.

The government will introduce the legislation this week amid reports Bill Shorten sought election funding from Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo.

Senator Dastyari was forced to resign as deputy opposition whip last week after he allegedly warned the same businessman his phone might be bugged by ASIO.

The new laws would make it a criminal offence to support foreign intelligence agencies in the same way as helping terrorist organisations, The Sydney Morning Herald said.

A U.S.-style register of foreign agents would be set up to help prevent political interference in Australian politics.

Disclosing classified or other harmful information would be criminalised, along with covert or deceptive activities that, while not espionage, interferes with Australia's democratic process.

The reforms followed Attorney-General George Brandis' review of foreign interference, which he said was 'a problem of the highest order and it is getting worse'.

Labor leader Bill Shorten pointed out Huang Xiangmo's link to Liberal deputy Julie Bishop

The Opposition Leader dined with Mr Huang, who has links to the Chinese Communist Party, in his Sydney mansion in May 2016.

He was there to ask for donations for the Federal Election last July, sources told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Shorten did not deny meeting the controversial tycoon at his Mosman home, but did not answer questions about why he was there.

His visit came after ALP national secretary George Wright, along with representatives from the Liberal and Nationals, were briefed in October 2015 by ASIO about Chinese interference in Australian politics using cash donations.

ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis told them the agency was concerned about Mr Huang's connections to the Communist Party.

It was not clear whether Mr Wright told Mr Shorten the contents of the briefing, and the Opposition leader didn't have his own until late 2016.

The new laws introduced by Attorney-General George Brandis will also also crack down on classified information leaks, and criminalise supporting foreign spy agencie

Mr Huang (pictured left with Senator Dastyari centre) has links to the Chinese Communist Party and ASIO was concerned about his ability to influence Australian politics with donations

A spokesman for Mr Shorten said both Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had also met with Mr Huang.

Both said they had never visited the businessman's home, but Mr Turnbull met him at an event and Mr Shorten and trade minister Andrew Robb attended his daughter's wedding last January.

Mr Shorten's office stressed his March 2015 visit with Mr Huang did not compromise Australia's national security.

Since the ASIO briefing, Labor accepted $141,000 in donations from Mr Huang, the Liberal Party $122,960, and the Nationals $15,000.

Liberal candidate for Bennelong, John Alexander, has also been dragged into the scandal with revelations Mr Huang's until-recently aide Tim Xu is working for him.

Mr Alexander is contesting a by-election against former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally on November 13 after he had to resign over his dual citizenship.

Mr Xu was close confidant and translator to Mr Huang, who can't speak English, until he resigned in August and joined Mr Alexander's campaign.

He was seen handing out how-to-vote cards in the heavily-Chinese suburb of Eastwood, Sydney, wearing a John Alexander T-shirt alongside volunteers.

John Alexander (L) campaigning with Malcolm Turnbull as he contests a by-election on November 13 after he had to resign over his dual citizenship

Mr Xu was also one of four people in the meeting where Senator Dastyari cut ties with Mr Huang and warned him about possible surveillance.

'He was the witness in the room as Huang's interpreter,' one of two sources confirming his presence told the Daily Telegraph.

Senator Dastyari allegedly told Mr Huang they should leave their phones inside when they met at the donor's Mosman mansion in October last year.

The meeting was less than a month after he stepped down as consumer affairs spokesman and manager of opposition business in the Senate.

His parliamentary fall from grace followed revelations he'd allowed Mr Huang to pay a personal debt and taken a pro-China stance on the South China Sea - at odds with Labor's position.

Senator Dastyari previously said he only 'incorrectly' mumbled an answer backing Beijing's controversial policy when asked by Chinese reporters.

But the embattled Labor senator was forced to walk the plank again last week after audio emerged which made his remarks appear prepared and scripted.

Mr Huang with former prime minister Julia Gillard and Senator Dastyari

Senator Dastyari allegedly told Mr Huang they should leave their phones inside when they met at Mr Huang's Mosman mansion in October last year

However, Senator Dastyari still denied any wrongdoing or leaking of classified material to Mr Huang at his meeting or at any other time.

'After the events of last year, I spoke to Mr Huang to tell him that I did not think it was appropriate that we have future contact,' he said.

'I thought it was a matter of common courtesy to say this face-to-face.'

He insisted he was never briefed by any security agency, or received any classified information.

'I reject any assertion that I did anything other than put to Mr Huang gossip being spread by journalists,' he said.

He repeated this in his resignation speech, saying: 'I've never passed on intelligence information. I've never been in possession of any.'
A sex offender is feared to be stalking woman doctors after leaving a notorious compound housing some of Australias worst paedophiles and violent rapists.

The 40-year-old man slipped away from supervision at Corella Place on the outskirts of Ararat in south-west Victoria, a transitional facility nicknamed the Village of the Damned.

He has repeatedly travelled to Melbourne demanding to see only woman doctors at clinics since August.

Convicted paedophiles and sex offenders are sent there where they live freely but are monitored with GPS ankle bracelets

The 40-year-old man slipped away from supervision at Corella Place on the outskirts of Ararat in south-west Victoria, a transitional facility nicknamed the Village of the Damned

The convicted criminals live in modern one, two and three bedroom cottages, complete with their own kitchens

The man, who cannot be identified, has a history of raping, stalking and assaulting women according to the Herald Sun.

He was convicted on two counts of rape in 2008 after sexually assaulting his housemates partner.

He was also convicted of assault in 1995 and has a background of violent crimes, stalking and breaching intervention orders.

Victoria Police and the Australian Medical Association are warning people after several female doctors found themselves in dangerous and unacceptable situations.

Men are sent to Corella Place in the hope they can be rehabilitated as part of a post-sentence scheme

The men are free to come and go as they please during daylight hours but must be accompanied by two guards

They are court ordered to be there for a period of time, which can be extended if they are still thought to be a threat to the community

The residents live in modern one, two and three-bedroom cottages complete with their own kitchens

AMA Victoria president Lorraine Baker said more needed to be done to protect doctors from the convicted rapist.

The police have been informed, but appear limited in their powers to assist, she said.

'During August and November 2017, AMA Victoria has been contacted by some of our GP members who work in Melbourne's northern suburbs.'

In August, AMA Victoria sent out a short alert to members warning them of the man's behaviour.

'The male usually rings and says: "Dr X has seen me in the past and can I make another appointment to see her,' the warning read.

This is a serious issue. Female GPs are being exposed to dangerous and unacceptable situations in their workplaces.

The residents are also able to claim Centrelink payments given they have completed their prison sentences

Corella Place is a complex-style village that houses serious sex offenders after they complete their jail sentences

Orders demand that the man is accompanied by a supervisor when seeing female doctors but it is alleged he showed up without a supervisor to at least one consultation.

Corella Place is a complex-style village that houses serious sex offenders after they complete their jail sentences.

Convicted paedophiles and sex offenders are sent there where they live freely but are monitored with GPS ankle bracelets.
President Trump discredited the FBI in a series of tweets Sunday after it was revealed a top counterintelligence agent had been fired from Robert Mueller's probe.

He wrote: 'After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in tatters - worst in history! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.'

Agent Peter Strzok was removed from working within special counsel Mueller's ongoing probe after he was caught sending compromising texts, a new report revealed Saturday.

Strzok, the deputy head of counterintelligence, who also took lead in the Hillary Clinton email investigation, sent 'anti-Trump' messages to a colleague, three related parties told The New York Times in a statement.

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President Trump said the the FBI's 'reputation is in tatters' and the 'worst in history' in tweets Sunday

It seems another text exchange was discovered during the Clinton email probe between Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page - who were said to be romantically involved.

In a report by The Washington Post, the pair exchanged a thread that 'expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton,' an anonymous source revealed.

'Officials are now reviewing the communications to see if they show evidence of political bias in their work on the cases, a review which could result in a public report.'

The President added: 'Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI 'agent's role in Clinton probe under review.' Led Clinton Email probe. @foxandfriends Clinton money going to wife of another FBI agent in charge,' he said.

The tirade comes after it was revealed that a top counterintelligence agent was fired from Robert Mueller's (shown) probe

The reports were released after Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn (shown leaving plea hearing) pleaded guilty in federal court Friday

'Report: 'ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE' Now it all starts to make sense!'

Former FBI director James Comey followed up on Trump's comments Sunday evening on Twitter.

'I want the American people to know this truth: The FBI is honest. The FBI is strong. And the FBI is, and always will be, independent.' - Me (June 8, 2017)'

The regulations put in place by the bureau permit individuals to 'privately and publicly' speak on 'political subjects and candidates,' while they are forbidden from working for political campaigns.

Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI over an exchange with the Russian ambassador back in December

Mueller spokesman Peter Carr previously confirmed Strzok's leave in a statement to The Hill.

'Immediately upon learning of the allegations, the Special Counsel's Office removed Peter Strzok from the investigation,' Carr said.

'Lisa Page completed her brief detail and had returned to the FBI weeks before our office was aware of the allegations.'

The reports were released after Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty in federal court for lying to the FBI over an exchange with the Russian ambassador.
A mummified Neolithic male whose corpse was discovered in a glacier 26 years ago will be the focus of a film giving a fictional account of his life.

Otzi's body was found by German couple Erika and Helmut Simon, who stumbled across the remains, complete with tools and clothing, in the Otztal Alps of southern Tyrol, Italy.

Its skin - covered in 60 tattoos - and other organs were intact and the hikers initially believed the corpse to be new, until forensic scientists found it was the world's oldest known human mummy at about 5,300 years old.

Otzi's body was found by German couple Erika and Helmut Simon in the Otztal Alps of southern Tyrol

Nicknamed after the Alpine valley in which he was found, the Stone Age hunter became the subject of stomach content analysis as thousands of specialists clambered to determine his cause of death.

The investigation found he was felled by an arrow that pierced his left shoulder, leading him to fall, hit his head on a stone and bleed to death.

Now the corpse draws about a quarter of a million visitors annually to the northern Italian mountain town of Bolzano, where he is displayed in a specially designed cold chamber.

His popularity over the past two decades means the museum, which can only house 300 people, is soon moving to a new site to accommodate visitor demand.

The corpse's skin and other organs were preserved, revealing 60 tattoos across the Neolithic male's body

Breakthroughs establishing facts about how Otzi lived have allowed German filmmaker Felix Randau to create a feature film about his struggle for survival.

Der Mann aus dem Eis (Iceman) is out this month and was shot in the rugged mountains of Bavaria, South Tyrol and Carinthia in Austria.

Randau says his film questions whether humans have progressed in the millennia leading to the present day and his biopic speculates as to why Otzi was killed after archaeologists and scientists have failed to offer a concrete conclusion.

'The figure of Otzi, with his mythical grandeur, allowed us to look into the past to see what it tells us about the present,' he said.

Randau's film, Iceman, shows German actor Jurgen Vogel playing Otzi, who is called Kaleb in the biopic

'It raises the question as to whether humans have really changed at all and developed over 5,000 years.'

Jurgen Vogel plays Otzi, who is called Kelab in the film, speaking an early version of the Rhaetic tongue.

The pre-Roman and Roman era language was spoken in the eastern Alps and no translation is offered in the film.

Kelab is depicted as a hunter living with goats and pigs, wearing animal furs for warmth and trekking through the treacherous, snowy landscape in an attempt to shield himself and his family from human enemies and the elements.

The body is displayed in the northern Italian mountain town of Bolzano, where the museum is being forced to move premises due to demand

Rituals define his life in the film, which has been praised for its 'spectacular locations and pure story telling,' in Screen Daily.

Der Spiegel magazine said the film underlines the universal fascination for Otzi, who it calls 'our bridge to the beginning of humanity' and central to 'the search for the origins of our own species'.

But science magazine Spektrum der Wissenschaft says Randau missed a chance to celebrate 'the cultural achievements that science has discovered', such as how Otzi crafted weapons, gathered his food and made his clothes.

The South Tyrol archaeological museum, whose experts advised the film-makers, is bracing itself for a new wave of tourists following the film's release in three countries while Bolzano's souvenir shops have stocked up on Otzi memorabilia.

The film shows Kaleb traversing snowy landscapes to protect himself and his family from the elements and human enemies

South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology director Angelika Fleckinger said: 'People are fascinated by the man from the ice  they cannot get enough of him.'

But the scientists who have kept Otzi's remains pristine since the discovery say he is in serious danger of disintegrating due to over-exposure to researchers and the public.

Despite efforts to keep the 13kg corpse hydrated, it is losing about two grams every day as it dries out.

It may become necessary to removed him from public display and preserve the body in ice once again.

Scientists have warned the corpse may have to be packed in ice once again due to it losing weight despite efforts to keep it hydrated

Forensic scientist Oliver Peschel sprays the body with a fine layer of water every two months.

It cools to form a thin ice layer over the entire corpse, including every fold of its skin. But the weight loss indicated the hydrating process is inadequate.

Peschel also fears that microbes might attack Otzis tissue, adding: 'If were not extremely careful, Otzi will go bad on us.'

The head of Bolzanos institute for mummy research, Albert Zink, says scientists want to conduct more research and keep the find accessible to the public without irreparably damaging it.

The anthropologist, who has worked on the remains of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, said: 'We are far from being finished with him.'

About 800 academic papers have been written about Otzi, establishing details such as eye colour (brown) and that he would have been around the age of 45 when he died.

After hundreds of academic papers were written about Otzi, scientists have established what colour his eyes were and other facts that enabled the biopic to depict him

An analysis of pollen found in his stomach even revealed that he died on a spring day.

Scientists also found he was lactose intolerant but had calcified arteries. He also had whipworm eggs in his intestines, fleas, tooth decay and inflamed gums.

Lyme disease was discovered along with gallstones and researchers believe he probably suffered backache.

The arrow that killed him was found to have been fired from a distance of about 30 metres.

People are keen to carry out more experiments on the body, with one scientist requesting samples to find out if Otzi took natural hallucinators.

Many requests are decline, notably those from people - usually Americans - who want to compare their DNA with Otzi's.
Scientists have unlocked a 55,000 year old secret on the tragic fate of two ancient cave lion cubs, while also revealing the species - once the largest big cats on the planet - was surprisingly coloured grey.

The extinct babies called Uyan and Dina were found two years ago in near-perfect condition having been preserved in the Siberian permafrost since the Ice Age.

The cubs were believed to have been a few weeks old when they died, but now experts say the tiny creatures did not have time to be fed by their mother before they perished - no trace of mother's milk has been found in their stomachs.

They were either abandoned by their mother at birth, or an accident prevented her from caring for her new family in Pleistocene times.

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Extinct baby lions called Uyan and Dina (pictured) were found two years ago in near-perfect condition having been preserved in the Siberian permafrost since the Ice Age

But scientists have now revealed they were abandoned by their mother and probably died at just a few days old. Previously, knowledge of how the animals looked was mostly from cave drawings (pictured) none of which show a mane - and their bones

'At first we thought that they were two or three weeks old, but now we are inclined to think that they are only one or two days old - they died soon after birth,' said Dr Albert Protopopov (pictured), head of the department for the study of mammoth fauna of the Yakutian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

It is also possible that they were buried in a landslide soon after birth since specks of soil were in their food tracts.

'At first we thought that they were two or three weeks old, but now we are inclined to think that they are only one or two days old - they died soon after birth,' said Dr Albert Protopopov, head of the department for the study of mammoth fauna of the Yakutian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

'When the Japanese performed a tomographic scan, it became clear that their stomachs were empty.

'They did not even have time to try their mother's milk.'

The cubs (pictured) were believed to have been a few weeks old when they died, but now experts say the tiny creatures did not have time to be fed by their mother before they perished - no trace of mother's milk has been found in their stomachs

They were either abandoned by their mother at birth, or an accident prevented her from caring for her new family in Pleistocene times, according to researchers

DNA from these animals may help to revive the lost cave lion species in Jurassic Park-style laboratories, but for now science is gaining valuable new insights into a species known until recently only from skeletal remains and cave drawings by ancient man.

Evidence already gathered from an older cave lion, revealed last month, also buried preserved in Siberia, suggests that the animals were smokey grey in colour, so very different to any modern big cat, according to

'The latest lion cub is unique in that it has a completely preserved hairline,' he said.

'And if the kittens found two years ago were covered in a cub fluff, this new one has a thick and beautiful coat, and there are spinous hairs.

'We will finally be able to find out what the cave lions really looked like.

'This opportunity was not previously available, because we had found only skeletal remains.'

The new discoveries could help scientists establish what cub lions actually looked like

Contrary to their name, the lions did not live in caves but roamed in open spaces from Britain to the extreme east of modern Russia, and also inhabited Alaska and northwestern Canada

DNA from these animals (pictured) may help to revive the lost cave lion species in Jurassic Park-style laboratories, but for now science is gaining valuable new insights into a species known until recently only from skeletal remains and cave drawings by ancient man

He said: 'Most likely they were smoky grey.'

Previously, knowledge of the look of the animals was mostly from cave drawings - none of which show a mane - and their bones.

Scientists have speculated that they had much in common with tigers as well as lions.

One Soviet-era expert even called them 'tigerlions'.

Contrary to their name, they did not live in caves but roamed in open spaces from Britain to the extreme east of modern Russia, and also inhabited Alaska and northwestern Canada.
Actress Cressida Bonas brought a magnetic ingredient to the annual Fayre of St Jamess carol service in London on Tuesday, reading a politically incorrect poem about Christmas from the pulpit just before another of Prince Harrys former flames, Ellie Goulding, sang.

Both could not have looked merrier as the rest of the world buzzed with news of the Royal engagement to another performer. They can still live normal lives.

The festive evening, put on by the Quintessentially Foundation and the Crown Estate, raised 300,000 for food charity The Felix Project.

But the star turn was Stephen Fry, a famed atheist, who gave a mesmerising reading from Dickenss A Christmas Carol.No bah humbug there.

Actress Cressida Bonas brought a magnetic ingredient to the annual Fayre of St Jamess carol service in London on Tuesday, reading a politically incorrect poem about Christmas from the pulpit just before another of Prince Harrys former flames, Ellie Goulding, sang
They're rarely pictured together since their blossoming relationship was first made public in January.

But on Saturday, Jeremy Kyle, 52, and his former nanny girlfriend Vicky Burton, 36, made a rare appearance as they enjoyed a day at the races.

The chat show host looked overjoyed as he cheered on his horse Old Guard, which galloped to victory in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle Race at Newbury race course while also keeping his stunning girlfriend close.

Still going strong: Jeremy Kyle, 52, and his former nanny girlfriend Vicky Burton, 36, made a rare appearance as they enjoyed a day at the races

Vicky, who once served as a nanny to Jeremy's children with ex-wife Carla Germaine, looked radiant in a chic beige coat and broad-rimmed hat. She accessorised with a grey furry scarf, brown leather gloves and a tan tote with tassel and studded details.

The brunette beauty opted for minimal make-up, with just a slick of black mascara, and let her wavy locks fall loosely on her shoulders.

The TV personality looked suitably dapper in a blue-grey tailcoat and pink and blue patterned tie. He began dating Vicky more than a year after he split with Carla, however their relationship was only made public in January.

Jeremy, who has been hosting his own show on ITV since 2005, announced that he and wife were splitting in 2015.

Good spirits: The TV personality looked suitably dapper in a blue-grey tailcoat and pink and blue patterned tie

Way back when: Vicky once served as a nanny to Jeremy's children with ex-wife Carla Germaine (pictured with the star in 2011)

News of their break-up came after he made a frank admission about the couple's sex life during his self-titled show while interrogating a woman about whether she'd cheated on her partner.

The presenter and his wife 'grew apart' and it was reported that Carla was caught having an affair with England polo player James Carr, 25.

Earlier this year, sources claimed Kyle, who is best known for his divisive morning talk show, is now keen to take their relationship to the next level with an intimate coastal wedding in Barbados, where he owns a holiday home.

Talk of wedding bells has started, a friend told the Sunday People in March. Jeremy sees a very happy future with Vicky. Theyre really enjoying each others company.

Jumping for joy: The controversial chat show host, 52, looked overjoyed as he cheered on his horse Old Guard, which galloped to victory in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle Race

The wedding is likely to take place in Barbados, with the ceremony or reception at Jeremys home. Barbados is their sanctuary and was the place they could first be together openly. Its where they were able enjoy themselves as a new couple in love rather than staying hidden away from the public eye.

In February the presenter was forced to comment on his developing romance with the blonde for the first time during an appearance on Loose Women.

Addressing the panel, he said: 'It's a new relationship, a new chapter. I'm very happy thank you very much, let's move on with our lives.'

Carla has since claimed that Vicky - who was considered a close companion - copied her hair-style and clothes during her time in their employment.

Overjoyed: At one point, he turned to hug a friend as he celebrated the victory

A friend told The Sun On Sunday: 'Carla realises now how during their friendship Vicky gradually morphed into looking like her, copying her clothes and style.'

Carla told a friend she considered the relationship a betrayal, as she had seen her nanny as 'a sister'.

Jeremy, who has been married twice, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2012 and publicly spoke about his troubles with gambling. He has four children, including a 26-year-old daughter from a previous marriage and three with Carla

His first marriage to Kirsty Rowley ended in 1990 after a year together and the pair have a daughter called Harriet.


Tyga has become the victim of a crime.

The 28-year-old rapper's Egyptian-themed retail clothing store, Last Kings, was broken into and burglarized sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, police told TMZ Saturday.

The crime was discovered when a worker notified authorities about the break-in when they arrived to open up the Melrose Avenue clothier Saturday morning, according to the site.

Holiday headache: The Los Angeles clothing store owned by Tyga, 28, was burglarized sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, police told TMZ Saturday. The rapper was snapped in September in Beverly Hills

Clothes were removed from the premises, authorities told the website, adding that the total value of the stolen goods is still being tabulated.

Tyga, whose real name is Micheal Ray Stevenson, opened up the establishment in 2014, with sources telling the website that he plunked down in excess of $120,000 furnishing the store, with $100,000 going toward artists who painted the ceiling of the trendy shop a la the Sistine Chapel.

The rap artist, who formerly dated Kylie Jenner, also put $20,000 on other elements to add authenticity to the store, such as a tomb that was specially crafted in Egypt, golden and black statues depicting guards and imported Egyptian sand.

Saturday's burglary is not the first headache the store has caused for the Rack City rapper, who has a five-year-son named King Cairo with Blac Chyna.

Prime location: The retail establishment is located near the intersection of Melrose and Fairfax in LA

Theme: Tyga has sunk six figures into ensuring the store resonates with an Egyptian motif

In March of 2016, the landlord of the retail property sued the performer for $75,000 and five months worth of rent after claiming Tyga left the property in a complete state of disrepair when he went to check on things in June of 2015, according to the outlet.

The property had been abandoned by the rapper, the landlord claimed in court docs, adding that there was paint and ink everywhere - including down the drain - which violated environmental guidelines.

Tyga responded in saying the building already had problems meeting code, which the landlord was liable for.

The one that got away: His ex Kylie Jenner posted this sexy shot on Friday; she is reportedly pregnant with Travis Scott's baby
She has proved she is a woman of many talents as she carved a career in the Hollywood movie industry after conquering the modelling spheres.

But Cara Delevingne, 25, showed she hasn't forgotten her roots when she returned to model for Burberry alongside Netflix The Crown star Matt Smith in November.

Stealing the show at the collaboration celebration party on Saturday, the actress went braless in a tartan cut-out jumpsuit - although Matt was no where to be seen.

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She made the cut! Braless Cara Delevingne wowed in a tartan cutaway jumpsuit teamed with beret at Burberry party to celebrate her collaboration in London on Saturday

Stunning Cara teamed matching trousers, beret and ankle boots as she posed up a storm in the festive-inspired setting in London.

The Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets star caught the eye in her loud patterned tartan two-piece in hues of deep crimson and emerald green.

Flaunting her fabulous figure, the Hollywood queen slipped her incredibly tiny physique into the form-fitting jumpsuit and flashed a glimpse of her toned tummy in the cutaway sections of the garment.

The model ensured all eyes were well and truly on her chest when she accessorised with golden and silver pendants.

Daring: The Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets star caught the eye in her loud patterned tartan two-piece in hues of deep crimson and emerald green

Selfie queen: Adding a pop of different colour into her attire, the statuesque beauty wore vivid sapphire blue and purple eye shadow to highlight her beautiful eyes

Flaunting her fabulous figure: The Hollywood queen flashed a glimpse of her toned tummy in the cutaway sections of the garment

Adding a pop of different colour into her attire, the statuesque beauty wore vivid sapphire blue and purple eye shadow to highlight her eyes.

First famed for her striking good looks as a model, of course the movie star was a natural poser and selfie queen.

Glamorous Cara was in high spirits as she mingled with the great and the good of the showbiz world at the star-studded design bash.

Best time! First famed for her striking good looks as a model, of course the movie star was a natural poser and selfie queen

Sensational time: Glamorous Cara was in high spirits as she mingled with the great and the good of the showbiz world at the star-studded design bash

Leggy lady: Black Sails star Clara Paget, 29, flaunted her tremendous legs in the perilous slit dress which was slashed to her thigh

Courting attention: The actress donned festive colours as she opted for an electric green dress

Black Sails star Clara Paget, 29, flaunted her tremendous legs in the perilous slit dress which was slashed to her thigh.

The blonde bombshell paraded her slender limbs in her fishnet tights and kooky boots which added to her height.

Courting attention, the actress donned festive colours as she opted for an electric green dress and a scarlet handbag for the occasion.

Well known for her quirky ensembles, Rita Ora dared to set her own trends at the party when she wore a neon green dress over a blue jumper.

She's got style: The actress went for clashing festive colours, toting a vivid scarlet handbag as a striking contrast to her green ensemble

Hitting all the right style notes: Well known for her quirky ensembles, Rita Ora dared to set her own trends at the party when she wore a neon green dress over a blue jumper

Her own style: Rarely seen without a kooky set of shades, of course the songstress was wearing transparent sunglasses at the bash

Rarely seen without a kooky set of shades, of course the songstress was wearing transparent sunglasses at the bash.

Stranger Things Charlie Heaton, 23, joined his Netflix co-star and rumoured girlfriend Natalie Dyer, 20, in making an appearance.

Famed for their roles as on/off lovers in Stranger Things, the pair looked happy in each other's charming company at the event.

The Netflix queen was hard to miss in her bold fuchsia coat, mismatched with her clashing orange neckerchief.

What a bash! Stranger Things Charlie Heaton, 23, joined his Netflix co-star and rumoured girlfriend Natalie Dyer, 20, at the star-studded party

Cosy coupling: Famed for their roles as on/off lovers in Stranger Things, the pair looked happy in each other's charming company at the event

Pulling off a chic style, the American actress slipped her svelte figure into a spotty dress teamed with boots.

Recognised for her brunette hair on the show, Natalie sported her golden locks in a choppy layered style at the bash.

She cosied alongside her co-star Charlie who donned a tartan jumper to showcase his slim physique.

Stylish: The Netflix queen was hard to miss in her bold fuchsia coat, mismatched with her clashing orange neckerchief wrapped around her neck

Charlie has seen some troubles recently which involved his situation at the airport, where cocaine was detected on him.

The refusal to enter the States caused Charlie to miss the eagerly-anticipated premiere for the second season of Netflix's breakout hit Stranger Things.

With series three of the show being confirmed, it is unclear whether Charlie will be allowed to return to the States for future filming commitments.

Meanwhile, Cara has been breaking into the acting world herself and she has landed a string of envy-inducing roles in movies as well as television.

The catwalk queen's latest project, eight-part fantasy series Carnival Row, takes the star to film in the fairytale city of Prague.

She's a fashionista: Pulling off a chick style, the American actress slipped her svelte figure into a spotty dress teamed with boots

Dramatically different: Recognised for her brunette hair on the show, Natalie sported her golden locks in a choppy layered style at the bash

Carnival Row follows a murder investigation after a string of unexplained killings in a neo-Victorian city where mythical creatures live, in which Cara takes on the role of a 'fairy fleeing persecution' Vignette Stonemoss.

Orlando Bloom, David Gyasi (Interstellar), Karla Crome (Misfits), Indira Varma (Game of Thrones), and Tamzin Merchant (Salem) also will appear in the Amazon series.

In a statement that followed the show's announcement, head of comedy at Amazon Joe Lewis said: 'There has never been a series like Carnival Row before.

A classic look: Charlie donned a tartan jumper to showcase his slim physique, teamed with a long black coat for the ultimate style

'The scope of the storytelling combined with the uniqueness of the world, themes and aesthetics haven't been on TV before.

'A simple police investigation will lead us down a remarkable journey in a world where humans and creatures co-exist.

'We're so excited about what Rene, Travis and Paul are creating and we can't wait to bring it to customers.'

Dapper: Nick Grimshaw went for clashing spotty shirt worn open over his striped T-shirt for the fashionable occasion

The Model of the Year 2012 revealed she embarked on a career in modelling to run away from her emotional issues but she has since found more comfort in acting where she can express and reflect on her feelings.

'Modelling came at a time in my life where I wanted to please people,' she told Stellar magazine.

'I was just doing things to run away from my own problems. I wasn't dealing with things that were going on emotionally. That's why I ended up being unhappy.'

'Being an actor helped me reflect on my own emotions, be able to express them more, be in the moment.'
They gleefully announced they are expecting their second child last month.

And Eddie Redmayne and his pregnant Hannah Bagshawe certainly looked to still be in delighted spirits as they cosied up for a day at the races on Saturday.

The smiling pair looked every inch the loved-up couple as they enjoyed the spectacle at Newbury Racecourse where they cut low-key figures, while Hannah kept her stomach under wraps in her warm winter wear.

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Loved-up: Eddie Redmayne and his pregnant Hannah Bagshawe certainly looked to still be in delighted spirits as they cosied up for a day at the races on Saturday

PR executive Hannah, 34, went make-up free in a green coat and wore her blonde tresses down - while clearly displaying the expectant mother glow.

Meanwhile, the Fantastic Beasts star, 35, looked dashing in a crisp white shirt and tie. The couple were joined in the stands by Downton Abbey star Robert Bathurst and presenter Sandi Toksvig.

Last month, they confirmed their news to E! News, when a representative for the couple announced: 'Eddie and Hannah Redmayne are delighted to confirm they are expecting their second child.'

Eddie and Hannah started dating in 2012 after previously being friends since their school days.

Perfect match: The smiling pair looked every inch the loved-up couple as they enjoyed the spectacle at Newbury Racecourse

Dapper: Meanwhile, the Fantastic Beasts star, 35, looked dashing in a crisp white shirt and tie

They first met when the Oscar winner was studying at Eton College, while Hannah was boarding at a nearby girls' school.

However their friendship turned to romance when Eddie invited her to visit him in Italy while he was filming Les Miserables.

Eddie and Hannah, who welcomed their first child Iris Mary in June 2016, wed in Babington House in Somerset just before Christmas 2014.

Dashing: Eddie celebrates with fellow race-goers at Newbury Racecourse

Eddie is currently filming Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in which he stars as Newt Scamander.

The highly-anticipated sequel - which will follow on from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them which hit cinemas last Christmas - will be the first in the five-film series to introduce iconic Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore as a young man.

The second of the five adventures penned by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling will be released on 16 November 2018.

Keeping busy: Eddie is currently filming Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in which he stars as Newt Scamander
Last week a fight between actor Ryan Doresy and wife Naya Rivera turned ugly, escalating into the Glee starlet's arrest for domestic battery.

Ryan, 34, was seen out for the first time since the incident this Friday night in LA.

The Justified star kept low key in a grey sweater and camo shorts while meeting up with friends for a drink near the Los Feliz neighborhood, where Naya, 30, lives.

Blowing off some steam: Friday night Ryan Dorsey was seen out for the first time since wife Naya Rivera's domestic battery arrest last weekend, meeting up with friends at a bar near his wife's home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles

The West Virginia native spent several hours with friends before driving home.

He dashed to his car in a casual layers, matching his patterned shorts and shoes.

Ryan put a ballcap over his chin length blonde locks while keeping a laid back layer of stubble on his chin.

The Pitch actor's wife was arrested last Saturday, November 25, after he called 911 in distress.

Under the radar: The Justified star kept low key in a grey sweater and camo shorts while hiding his face with a hat

Physical altercation: The 911 call that Ryan placed Saturday before Naya's arrested was released Tuesday. In it the actor frantically tells police his wife (above) had been drinking and they were fighting over their son, Josey, when she hit him twice causing his lip to tear

Just the day earlier Naya was seen out for the first time since her arrest, sporting head to toe black in LA.

The 911 call that Ryan placed on Saturday before she was arrested and charged with domestic battery in West Virginia has been released Tuesday by TMZ.

Ryan sounds frightened of his spouse as he says, 'There's a domestic dispute. I just need a police officer. My wife's out of control. She's getting physical.'

The 34-year-old actor was out of breath on the call and came off as frantic before telling police she had been drinking and they were fighting over their son, Josey, when she hit him twice causing his lip to tear.

'Respect our privacy' The Heavy Doom actor told fans his family's affairs were 'not some reality show' and that they deserve 'kindness, respect, without judgment'

The Pitch actor broke his silence about the incident Tuesday on Twitter.

The Heavy Doom actor told fans his family's affairs were 'not some reality show' and that they deserve 'kindness, respect, without judgment.'

His full statement read: 'This is a difficult time for everyone in the family especially for Naya and I.

Rethinking the split: The couple, who were wed in 2014, only recently called off their divorce back in October

'This isnt some reality show, this is our life, and I ask that everyone especially "the media" please respect our privacy and treat us/this situation how you would want a loved one to be treated.

'Perhaps with kindness, respect, without judgement, and as negative a situation like this is, with positivity and love. Thanks.'

The couple, who were wed in 2014, only recently called off their divorce back in October.

They share one child, son Josey Hollis, two.
Known for her iconic stint on EastEnders, Pam St Clement went down a dramatically different path when she took part in investigative documentary series about Cannabis.

Now the actress, 75, confessed she uses the substance every day to help soothe her arthritis following her adventures on Gone to Pot: American Road Trip.

Insisting the cannabis-infused oil is 'wonderful' in an interview with The Sunday Mirror, the soap star explained how the television show has changed her life.

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'Cannabis is absolutely wonderful': Pam St Clement revealed she uses the drug EVERY DAY to help soothe her arthritis as she calls for legalisation after making pot documentary

For a decade, the EastEnders favourite suffered from Polymyalgia rheumatica which causes stiffness in joints.

The Albert Square legend is in less pain after she discovered oil infused with cannibidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound of marijuana, on the show.

Pam told the publication of the product: 'Gone To Pot changed my life because when I went to America to find out about how cannabis has been legalised in certain states, I also discovered CBD. And I have to say that its absolutely wonderful.

'Since I have got back from America I have been taking CBD oil consistently and my limbs feel less stiff and less sore.'

Revealed: The Albert Square legend is in less pain after she discovered oil infused with cannibidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound of marijuana, on the show

On Gone to Pot: American Road Trip, Pat joined TV favourites Linda Robson, John Fashanu, Christopher Biggins and Bobby George on an unlikely and often unpredictable mission to uncover the lows and inevitable highs associated with the drug.

As a premise its certainly unique; take five popular celebrities, put them in a psychedelically painted camper van and set them off on a wild, weed fuelled trek across California and Colorado, where marijuana was successfully decriminalised in 2012, in order to access the impact legalisation has had on the wider community.

But after spending the first episode smoking pot with nuns, puffing bongs in San Francisco and sampling the arguable delights of pot-laced puddings, events take an unexpected turn when the group find themselves in the midst of an armed drug bust.

Not scared: Pam revealed she was surrounded by a heavily armed SWAT team as they carried out a series of potentially life-threatening interceptions during her latest show, Gone To Pot, which explores the legalisation of marijuana

However Pam admitted being surrounded by a heavily armed SWAT team as they carried out a series of potentially life-threatening interceptions was preferable to her old routine on the BBC show and its hectic four episode a week schedule.

She told MailOnline: 'I didnt find it scary, I had total, complete and utter trust in the sheriff. I loved him. It was just very exciting  it was like Cagney and Lacey. It really was like that. It was incredible.'

The group were stunned after being given an open invitation to the raid, during which nine suspected marijuana harvesters were arrested.

Iconic: Pam is best known for her former role as surly Albert Square stalwart Pat Butcher in EastEnders, and revealed the danger of filming the documentary was preferable to her old routine on the BBC show and its hectic four episode a week schedule

'What I didnt expect to see was SWAT team in full fatigues, with the armoured vehicle and everything,' Pam recalled. 'We hand to stand off no more than 100 yards  you could see people running, across the fields and over the hills.

'They had to send the dogs out because I think they ended up catching nine people, and they lost a couple who did off.'

She added: 'The areas they chose were probably not a few hundred yards from a freeway, a two-lane road frequently used, and it was just across the hill from a legal marijuana growing area so if anyone thought they could smell marijuana, no one would think twice.'

Shocking: 'What I didnt expect to see was SWAT team in full fatigues, with the armoured vehicle and everything,' Pam recalled. 'We hand to stand off no more than 100 yards  you could see people running, across the fields and over the hills'

While the trip proved to be an illuminating experience for Pam, who has since thrown her weight behind the decriminalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the United Kingdom, the trip was less favourable for her male co-stars.

Notable victim Biggins, 68, became violently ill after one particularly indulgent session that resulted in the panto regular suffering hallucinations and relentless nausea before being guided to bed by his four celebrity companions.

'I feel men are slightly less cautious than women, but myself and Linda were game,' she said. 'Neither of us smoke and we both smoked it. It didnt have any nicotine with it, and we both tried eating it, but very very small amounts.

'But the boys just werent cautious enough. They had a whitey to match all whities. They were truly, truly ill  they had a bad time of it, and if I remember correctly Bobby actually had a drip.'

Thrillseeker: Pam told MailOnline: 'I didnt find it scary, I had total, complete and utter trust in the sheriff. I loved him. It was just very exciting  it was like Cagney and Lacey'

Touring America, even under such unlikely circumstances, also served as a refreshing change following a 25-year stint on EastEnders, where she became a household name as Pat.

The role brought with it inevitable routine and, as the popular soap increased its output - moving from two to four half hour episodes a week - an increasing workload that Pam admits she still doesn't miss, some six years after her departure.

'I have to be honest, hand on heart I dont miss the routine,' she said. 'I feel so much freer to do other things that I want to do, to do work that I want to do.

Change of heart: Since filming the documentary Pam has thrown her weight behind the decriminalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the United Kingdom

'Its a very tying routine. Even if its not every day of the week, its tying. I like the freedom that I have now, as much as I miss the stimulus of working that hard and producing something that quickly, and so rapidly.

'Had she not died I think Pat had enough juice in her tank to actually come back but I wouldnt have wanted to come back at that rate.

'The thing about characters like Pat, Peggy, Dot, Kathy, theyre all part of that history, theyre part of the fabric, and its a pity when that fabric is lost. But things move on and the modern world is different to the one when we were in the show - that great feeling of community.'

While the trip proved to be an illuminating experience for Pam, the trip was less favourable for her male co-stars (L-R) John Fashanu, Pam, Christopher Biggins, Bobby George, Linda Robson

That modern world has also brought with it criticism of the show in some quarters, with a faction of fans blasting its lowering production values, overlooked gaffes and shaky storylines.

But Pam remains defensive of the show, despite acknowledging that it momentarily lost its way.

'I think they went through a bad patch but most of these ongoing dramas go through a difficult time,' she added. 'But to turn out a couple of hours of screen time a week  what a task that is. So its very unfair to criticize.

'The only problem is when you go off course slightly it takes a long time to get back. But the producers have it in hand and Im sure theyll get it back on course.'
She stars on the hit TV show Modern Family.

And on Saturday, Sofia Vergara took a break from filming her show for lunch at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood.

The 45-year-old actress stunned in a lemon patterned gown by Dolce & Gabbana.

Fancy: Sofia Vergara took a break from filming her show for lunch at Gracias Madre in Los Angeles on Friday

The TV star showed off her hourglass figure in the fitted frock, which grazed her upper calves.

Sofia's number featured lemons emblazoned all over a black background.

The dark haired beauty paired the summery frock with yellow peep-toe heels.

She carried a small black and gold bag while rocking chunky bracelets and her wedding ring.

Wow: The 45-year-old actress stunned in a lemon patterned gown by Dolce & Gabbana

Freshly squeezed: Sofia wore a Dolce & Gabbana dress to lunch in West Hollywood

She wore her long brown hair sleek and straight for the afternoon outing while rocking a heavy fringe.

Sofia finished off her glamorous look with red lipstick and a touch of shadow on her lids.

Later that day, the star showed off her fantastic figure donning a chic strapless LBD on Instagram.

Looking good: She carried a small black and gold bag while rocking chunky bracelets and her wedding ring

Curves for days: The Modern Family star wore a dress that hugged her from top to bottom

Cheers! Later that day, the star showed off her fantastic figure donning a chic strapless LBD on Instagram, where she can be seen toasting with a small bottle of Don Julio Tequila

In the post the Colombian beauty can be seen saying cheers with a small bottle of Don Julio Tequila.

She captioned the clip 'Partyyy season' along with several X-Mas tree emojis.

The Hot Pursuit star celebrated her two year wedding anniversary with husband Joe Manganiello on November 21.

The pair were wed back in 2015 in a beautiful ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida.

Work hard, play hard! She captioned the clip 'Partyyy season' along with several X-Mas tree emojis
She was snapped receiving pink roses and attending a lavish brunch on her 27th birthday.

But Bachelor star Noni Janur also managed to squeeze in some tanning time on a beach in Sydney during the day of fun-filled festivities.

The 2016 Bachelor hopeful wore a skimpy black bikini that barely contained her ample assets, she strolled along the sand wearing a pair of on-trend reflective sunglasses.

Bootalicious on her birthday! Bachelor star Noni Janur flaunts her hourglass curves in a sexy black bikini a day after changing her hair colour

Sporting a summer tan before Australia has even been blessed with consistent summer weather, Noni debuted her new silver-blonde hair, which was coloured by salon Hair & Harlow.

Earlier in the day she shared a photo of herself holding a bunch of stunning flowers to Instagram and said she wished all her loved ones could be there to celebrate.

'I'm so grateful to have such an amazing, beautiful bunch of people in my life. Birthdays are hard having loved ones spread around the world and not present, but I could not feel more loved than I do right now,' she wrote.

Sun baby! Sporting a summer tan before Australia has even been blessed with consistent summer weather, Noni debuted her new silver-blonde hair

Very cheeky indeed! Wearing a skimpy black bikini that barely contained her ample assets, the girlfriend of model Samuel Johnston strolled along the sand

'Thank you for all the birthday love, I'm so incredibly happy.'

Her boyfriend, former Bachelorette contestant Samuel Johnston, even took the time to wish his lady love a happy birthday, choosing to eloquently point out he is still 'obsessed' with her body.

'Happy Birthday to my weapon of choice! It's been over a year and I'm still obsessed with your big heart... and your big boobs... and your big bum.

'Sorry I can't be there, but have a great day,' he wrote alongside a photo of the pair of them.

Pretty in pink: Earlier in the day she shared a photo holding a bunch of stunning flowers, mentioning that she wished all her loved ones could be there to celebrate

The happy couple: Her partner Sam even took the time to wish his lady love a happy birthday, choosing to eloquent point out he is still 'obsessed' with her body

It has been a week of bikini-wearing for Noni, who owns Balinese-inspired swimwear label Balini.

She is frequently spotted alone on Australian beaches wearing the high-cut Brazillian style bottoms from the range.

Noni lives between Sydney, the Gold Coast and Los Angeles, the latter is where her boyfriend Sam resides.

Flashing her assets: The 27-year-old, who confirmed her relationship with Sam, 29, in February, told NW magazine earlier this year she'd like to move to the United States permanently

All smiles! Noni lives between Sydney, the Gold Coast and Los Angeles, the latter where her boyfriend and former Bachelorette contestant Samuel Johnston resides

The 27-year-old, who confirmed her relationship with Sam, 29, in February, told NW magazine earlier this year she'd like to move to the United States permanently.

'I've wanted to move over to LA too, but it's really hard obviously with visas and stuff.

'We've talked about it and Sam's said, 'Once I get my permanency, we can just get married and you can come over',' she told the publication.
Amber Rose flaunted a hint of her famous 36H cleavage in a sporty black athleisure look to audition her all-male, Chocolate Rose wait staff at Sugar Factory in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon.

It seemed a bit odd that the 33-year-old sex-positivity activist decided to pair a glamorous waist-length platinum blonde wig with what was essentially gym wear.

The SlutWalk founder - who's growing out her signature buzzcut - will soon open her Chocolate Lounge featuring parties every Friday and Saturday.

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'See you guys today!' Amber Rose flaunted a hint of her famous 36H cleavage in a sporty black athleisure look to audition her all-male, Chocolate Rose wait staff at Sugar Factory in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon

Rose (born Levonchuck) - who boasts 23.7M social media followers - wrote on Instagram: 'See you guys today!'

Amber was seeking 'handsome, charismatic, and charming promotional male bartenders, servers, actors, performers, and models' to demonstrate their 'moves' and provide social media stats and a full-body shot.

During the Nevada casting call, the former Philadelphia stripper handpicked 'eye-candy' men, who would 'turn fantasies into reality with impeccable and personalized service.'

Luckily, Las Vegas is only an hour flight away from the biracial beauty's home in Los Angeles where she has 50/50 custody of four-year-old son Sebastian with ex-husband Wiz Khalifa.

Nikes: It seemed a bit odd that the 33-year-old sex-positivity activist decided to pair a glamorous waist-length platinum blonde wig with what was essentially gym wear

Growing out her signature buzzcut: The SlutWalk founder will soon open her Chocolate Lounge featuring parties every Friday and Saturday

'Eye candy': Amber was seeking 'handsome, charismatic, and charming promotional male bartenders, servers, actors, performers, and models' to demonstrate their 'moves' and provide social media stats and a full-body shot

'It just comes easy. We don't live that far away from each other, so anytime Sebastian wants to come back here or go with his dad [he can],' Rose told Us Weekly last week.

'We FaceTime each other a lot. Whether he's over there or he's over here with me, you know, we always have FaceTime to talk to the baby. So we talk to him every day regardless of where he is.'

Amber divorced the 30-year-old Grammy nominee (born Cameron Thomaz) in 2014 after a 14-month marriage, and he has since moved on with Brazilian model Izabela Guedes.

For the last seven months, the Little Tiny Waist trainer spokesmodel has been romancing Atlanta rapper 21 Savage, whom she describes as a 'really, really a sweet guy.'

'My Yummy Lil Pumpkin': Luckily, Las Vegas is only an hour flight away from the biracial beauty's home in Los Angeles where she has 50/50 custody of four-year-old son Sebastian with ex-husband Wiz Khalifa

Rose told Us Weekly last week: 'It just comes easy. We don't live that far away from each other, so anytime Sebastian wants to come back here or go with his dad [he can]'

Inseparable: Rose divorced the 30-year-old Grammy nominee in 2014 after a 14-month marriage, and he has since moved on with Brazilian model Izabela Guedes

'I'm really lucky to have him!' the ex-girlfriend of Kanye West told Us of the 25-year-old father-of-three (born Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph).

'He's a homebody like me, we like the same things, our birthdays are one day apart, so we're kind of into the same things which is really good. So you don't have to fight with each other over really what you want to do. We kind of always want to do the same thing, so that's definitely a good thing for sure.'

Fan can catch more of Muva on her Play.it Loveline podcast, which she co-hosts each Thursday with sex therapist Dr. Chris Donaghue.

Amber recently revealed why she decided to grow out her signature buzz cut.

She told US Weekly: 'I know it might sound corny, but as a girl it's been so many years since I've pulled my hair back into a ponytail and I just miss it!'

The star added that she's 'good with just blonde wigs for now' until her hair grows out.

'I'm really lucky to have him! He's a homebody like me': For the last seven months, the Little Tiny Waist trainer spokesmodel has been romancing Atlanta rapper 21 Savage, whom she describes as a 'really, really a sweet guy'
For the first time since she has been a judge on The X Factor, mentor Nicole Scherzinger did not perform with her contestant in the grand finale on Saturday.

And according to reports this was at the request of head judge and show boss Simon Cowell, who instead drafted in his Britain's Got Talent winner Tokio Myers to accompany Nicole's contestant Kevin Davy White.

According to The Mirror, this left a bitter taste in Nicole's mouth, and the pair had a blazing argument on Friday night - on the eve of Saturday's show.

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'I'm gutted they didn't ask me!' Nicole Scherzinger 'had a showdown' with Simon Cowell on the eve of the final after he 'BANNED' her from singing with Kevin Davy White

The paper reports that Simon's decision to keep Nicole sat behind the judging desk left the 39-year-old furious with him. It's also said they have still not made amends.

Attending the Brilliant Is Beautiful womens charity gala in London on Friday, Nicole was allegedly overheard telling someone: 'This is the first time Ive ever had a contestant and Ive not performed with them.

'Im not going to lie, Im gutted. But X Factor didnt ask me to.'

Tensions: The paper reports that Simon's decision to keep Nicole sat behind the judging desk left the 39-year-old furious with him

Fuming: According to The Mirror, this left a bitter taste in Nicole's mouth, and the pair had a blazing argument on Friday night - on the eve of Saturday's show

Sitting this one out: For the first time since she has been a judge on The X Factor, mentor Nicole Scherzinger did not perform with her contestant in the grand finale on Saturday [pictured last year in a duet with Matt Terry]

Winner: Nicole watched as Tokio and Kevin performed George Michael's Fast Love - having appeared on stage with her previous finalists James Arthur in 2012 [pictured] and Matt Terry in 2016 [both of whom then won]

A source then added: 'Nicole couldnt believe it when she was told Kevin would perform with Tokio. There was no discussion about it so it came as a huge shock.

'She went to speak to Simon about it but he had already made his decision and there was no changing it. Nicole was fuming.'

Nicole is supposedly the only judge yet to sign on for next year's season - with many speculating she will be ousted for the return of former judge Cheryl.

Joining in: It's not unheard of for X Factor judges to join their acts on stage during the final, with the likes of Rita Ora joining Louisa Johnson in 2015

Leading them to success: Tulisa joinined Little Mix on stage in 2011

A source said: 'She went to speak to Simon about it but he had already made his decision and there was no changing it. Nicole was fuming'

Not a good night: At the end of Saturday's show, Nicole's act Kevin was voted off the show, leaving Grace Davies and Rak-Su still in the running to take the crown on Sunday night's last episode

Nicole sensationally replaced Cheryl as a judge on the ill-fated American version of the show in 2011, with many wondering if the reverse will happen in 2018 for the next season of The X Factor UK.

At the end of Saturday's show, Nicole's act Kevin was voted off the show, leaving Grace Davies and Rak-Su still in the running to take the crown on Sunday night's last episode.

Nicole watched as Tokio and Kevin performed George Michael's Fast Love - having appeared on stage with her previous finalists James Arthur in 2012 and Matt Terry in 2016 [both of whom then won].

Falling out? 'I would have loved to have shared the stage with him,' Nicole said of Kevin

Snubbed: Simon drafted in his Britain's Got Talent winner Tokio Myers to accompany Nicole's contestant Kevin

It's not unheard of for X Factor judges to join their acts on stage during the final, with the likes of Tulisa joining Little Mix in 2011 and Rita Ora joining Louisa Johnson in 2015.

Ahead of the weekend, Nicole spoke of her disappointment at not being asked to sing with Kevin.

'I would have loved to have shared the stage with him,' she said.

'It would have been a really big dream. Im sad its not happening. I respect her talent,' Kevin had added.

Nicole also remarked that she 'would love to come back next year' but added that 'ultimately Im not the one writing the cheques'.

The X Factor finale airs on ITV on Sunday evening at 7:15PM.
Holly Madison's is no stranger to putting on a sexy display, having graced the pages of Playboy more than a few times.

But the former Bunny looked like a Girl Next Door on Saturday as she helped kick off the Great Santa Run in Las Vegas.

While the retired pin-up, 37, wasn't showing much skin, the charity event wasn't without its eye candy as the ex of Hugh Hefner cozied up with a group of shirtless Chippendales dancers in Santa hats before the festivities.

Holiday spirit! Holly Madison looked ever the Girl Next Door Saturday in Las Vegas where she hosted the Great Santa Run with Wayne Newton and some eye candy from the Chippendales

Holly looked darling as she graced the annual event in an A-line skirt with black lace on cream background.

She posed besides a team of chiseled male dancers who traded their iconic black bowties for peppermint colored ones with matching cuffs and, of course, the requisite Santa Hat.

The former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner added a bit of sparkle to her look in a form-fitting black sweater with gem-adorned neckline.

The New York Times bestseller swept her blonde locks back elegantly while framing her beautiful brown eyes with winged liner.

She topped off the look with a pair of dark heels and sparkling copper manicure.

Eye candy! The ex of Hugh Hefner cozied up with a group of shirtless Chippendales dancers in Santa hats at the event

Blonde bombshell! The New York Times bestseller swept her blonde locks back elegantly while framing her beautiful brown eyes with winged liner

She sparkles! Holly looked darling as she graced the annual event in an A-line skirt with black lace on cream background which she paired with a glittering sweater

Holly teamed up with Vegas legend Wayne Newton to host the day of 5k and one-mile holiday runs, where competitors all don Santa suits as they hit the pavement.

The crooner looked spirited in a red shirt, black slacks and shoes that were almost as shiny as his slick raven coif.

While there was plenty of fun to be had at the event, the fun run was serving a good cause.

All proceeds from the run go to the non-profit Great Opportunity, which serves adults with intellectual disabilities in the Las Vegas area.

Christmas in Vegas! Holly teamed up with Vegas legend Wayne Newton, who looked spirited in a red shirt as he hosted the day of 5k and one-mile holiday runs with the former Playmate

For a good cause: All proceeds from the run go to the non-profit Great Opportunity, which serves adults with intellectual disabilities in the Las Vegas area

The New York Times bestseller's relationship with Hef began when she moved into the Playboy Mansion in 2001, aged 21, then dating the publishing magnate for seven years.

During that time she became one of the stars of Girls Next Door, a reality show revolving around her and Hef's other two live-in girlfriends, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson.

Holly was considered his 'main girlfriend', and openly stated she wanted to marry him and have children.

Strike a pose: The star stopped to take a picture with a fan

However the twice married Hef didn't fancy a third trip down the aisle, and they eventually broke up in 2008. (Despite denying Holly a ring, he married again in 2012.)

Things soured between the two when Holly blasted her in ex in her her 2015 memoir, Down The Rabbit Hole, where she alleged Hugh of being abusive to her and his other girlfriends.

While the duo had a dramatic relationship, the starlet seemed somber following the magazine mogul's passing September 27, seen wearing a stoic expression while out after his death.

The star has chosen to keep her feelings private, yet to make any public statement about Hefner's death.
She's earning Oscar buzz for the crime thriller Wind River.

And Elizabeth Olsen definitely commanded attention during the Saturday night celebration for the film at Circa 55 in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old actress oozed glamour in a black and white spotted frock which offered an eyeful of leg with a dramatic thigh-high slit.

Elizabeth Olsen oozed glamour in a black and white frock during a celebration for her film Wind River that took place in LA Saturday

Elizabeth, whose sisters are fashion designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, dazzled in the monochrome dress by designer Off-White which combined loose sleeves and wide shoulders with a tight pencil skirt to showcase the star's toned stems.

The Ingrid Goes West lead added pointy black Gianvito Rossi pumps on bottom for a classic touch.

Bangles and stacked rings by Graziela Gems added a hint of sparkle to her well-tailored look.

Black, white, outta sight! The star donned a dress which combined loose sleeves and wide shoulders with a pencil skirt that showcased the star's toned stems spectacularly

Pump it up! The Ingrid Goes West lead added pointy black pumps on bottom for a classic touch

Though the producer's Weinstein Company had purchased the rights for the film, the auteur was adamant about going forward without them and was able to get the company out

The LA native emphasized her lush eyelashes with dark liner while sculpting the hollows of her cheeks with a defined contour.

She wore her golden blonde locks down in voluminous waves framing her face.

At the event Liz teamed up with co-star Jeremy Renner and director Taylor Sheridan.

The California-bred actor, 46, looked ever-dapper in a black velvet suit which he paired with a matching ebony turtleneck and an aerodynamic coif.

Gentlemen assemble! Liz teamed up with co-star Jeremy Renner and director Taylor Sheridan, who both looked sharp as can be at the event

Hair's to you! The California-bred actor, 46, looked ever-dapper in a black velvet suit which he paired with a matching ebony turtleneck and an aerodynamic coif

Besides him film director Sheridan cut a handsome figure in a navy suit and matching tie.

Sheridan fought hard for Wind River's independence following the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandals.

Though the producer's Weinstein Company had purchased the rights for the film, the auteur was adamant about going forward without them.

'I can't have a film about violence against women silenced by the perpetrator of that very act' he explained bluntly to Vanity Fair.

Darling date: The director was joined by his stunning wife Nicole at the upscale function

North to the future! Alaskan native actor Martin Sensmeier also appeared at the event. He plays Chip in Wind River

Olsen wasn't shy about her feelings towards the disgraced producers either, saying: '[Weinstein's] name is beyond, I think, toxic.'

She continued, adding: 'It's completely against all the reasons we made this film.'

The crime drama was inspired by true events, with Olsen and Renner investigating the sexual assault and murder of a native woman on an Indian reservation in Wyoming.

Wind River was the fourth highest grossing indie of 2017 and is garnering generous amounts of Oscar buzz.
Alex Nation is engaged to her girlfriend of three months Maegan Luxa.

The pair were spotted passionately embracing on a seaside dock in their hometown of Melbourne last month, with the 2016 Bachelor winner sporting a glittering new pear-shaped ring.

Clutching tangerine-coloured drinks from Zesty Bar Corner, Alex, 26, and Maegan, 31, walked arm-in-arm near Frankston, scaling rocks and sand to sit together on a wharf.

She said yes! Alex Nation is engaged o girlfriend Maegan Luxa after three months together and the former Bachelor winner flashed her new diamond sparkler during a loved-up outing

They cut casual figures during their beachside outing, with Alex wearing a white pinstripe jumpsuit and peach-coloured lace-up sneakers.

Meagan, who is a chef and landscaper, was similarly relaxed in a pair of black jeans, a navy T-shirt and denim button-up shirt she wore over the top.

Alex's shiny new accessory featured a white gold tear drop cut with a diamond-encrusted band.

Look at that bling! Alex's shiny new accessory featured a white gold tear drop cut with a diamond-encrusted band

She's the one! They cut casual figures during their beachside outing, with Alex wearing a white pinstripe jumpsuit and peach-coloured lace-up sneakers

Can't get enough of each other! Meagan, who is a chef and landscaper, was similarly relaxed in a pair of black jeans, a navy T-shirt and denim wash button up shirt she wore over the top

A juice and an engagement! Things have moved very quickly for the high profile couple since they met in August playing for the same AFL Women's team, the Frankston Bombers

'I feel relieved': Just two days prior to their engagement, mum-of-one Alex spoke openly about moving in together and the day Meagan met her six-year-old son, Elijah

It's a Bachie wedding! The 26-year-old, who freely admits she has never been with a woman before Meagan, said she felt feelings for the 31-year-old that were unlike emotions she had ever had with her other female friend

Things have moved very quickly for the high-profile couple since they met in August playing for the same AFL Women's team, the Frankston Bombers.

Just two days prior to their engagement, mum-of-one Alex spoke openly about moving in together and the day Meagan met her six-year-old son, Elijah.

'I feel relieved that I can finally talk about it now,' she told the Herald Sun on Friday.

'As of the last few weeks we've lived together. It's been really nice. It just feels so good. Nothing forced or scary.

A love-heart shaped tattoo for the lovers: Just two days prior to their engagement, mum-of-one Alex spoke openly about moving in together and the day Meagan met her six-year-old son, Elijah

A quick shimmy and shake! Although initially hesitant to start a relationship so soon after her split from Bachelor boyfriend Richie Strahan, she eventually 'muscled up the courage' to go for it

Don't fall in! Alex describes herself as pansexual - someone who is attracted to someone irrelevant of their sex or gender identity - and admits she has probably always been this way

Walking in style: While appearing on The Bachelor's 2016 season Alex made it very clear her son's feelings towards her prospective partner were important to her

Concentrating on each other: Elijah is apparently 'very close' with Alex's new fiance, which would have given the 26-year-old insight into how he would cope with a step mother

Looking ahead! When Australia voted 'yes' for same-sex marriage an overjoyed Alex was quick to congratulate the nation - particularly as it now means she's one step closer to being able to marry her partner

'And if this continues to blossom and grow there's no reason why I wouldn't get married.'

The 26-year-old, who revealed she has never been with a woman before Meagan, said she felt feelings for the 31-year-old that were unlike emotions she had ever had with her other female friends.

Although initially hesitant to start a relationship so soon after her split from Bachelor boyfriend Richie Strahan, she eventually 'muscled up the courage' to go for it.

Alex describes herself as pansexual - someone who is attracted to someone irrelevant of their sex or gender identity - and admits she has probably always been this way - she'd just 'never connected with a woman before.'

While appearing on The Bachelor's 2016 season Alex made it very clear her son's feelings towards her prospective partner were important to her - and with Meagan it has been no different.

A helping hand: The couple walked onto a group of rocks in Frankston, Victoria, before making their way to the wharf

Matching drinks! Alex has previously said she hasn't spoken to her ex-boyfriend Richie about Meagan

Having fun together! The pair may have only been together for three months, but they are in it for the long haul

Skipping rocks: They made their way down to the beach, laughing and playing games

Elijah is apparently 'very close' with Alex's new fiance, which would have given the 26-year-old insight into how he would cope with a step mother.

When Australia voted 'yes' for same-sex marriage an overjoyed Alex was quick to congratulate the nation - particularly as it now means she's one step closer to being able to marry her partner.

'When it comes to love, my friends and family would tell you that my heart isn't one to discriminate,' she said.

'I very much fall for a person and the connection that I share with them.'

What a stunning day for an engagement! Alex won over Perth-based rope technician Richie, 32, in the Bachelor's third season

Bye, bye Richie! Shortly after news of the 26-year-old's relationship with Meagan broke, it was revealed Alex had broken it off with the Bachelor hunk

What a pearler! The ring given to Alex Nation is a one-of-a-kind

Walking with pride: Alex has previously said she hasn't spoken to her ex-boyfriend Richie about Meagan but there were no ill feelings toward each other

Alex has previously said she hasn't spoken to her ex-boyfriend Richie about Meagan but there were no ill feelings toward each other and she hoped he found happiness with someone else.

Alex won over Perth-based rope technician Richie, 32, in the Bachelor's third season - with many viewers at the time critical of the sandy-haired hunk for kicking Nikki Gogan to the curb.

At the time Richie spoke about how certain he had been of Alex - right from the very beginning - but things quickly turned sour.

While they never officially addressed their break up tense photographs emerged of the two earlier this year that showed Alex crying.

Shortly after news of the 26-year-old's relationship with Meagan broke.

She has been married before! She enjoyed a brief union with Elijah's father Joel Parker after their son was born in 2011

Sealed the deal! The couple were spotted kissing on the wharf

Laughing together: This will be the 26-year-old Bachelor contestant's second marriage

You can't buy happiness like that! Alex, 26, is clearly smitten with her partner Maegan, 31

Hand on my heard (and leg): They're a match made in reality TV star heaven

How's that for a fun-filled day! Alex and Maegan are sported shortly after the proposal

But this isn't the first time Alex has been married.

She enjoyed a brief union with Elijah's father Joel Parker after their son was born in 2011.

'Joel and I will always have love for each other because we share a beautiful child. That will never go away,' she told Daily Mail Australia in June.

But while Alex claimed the pair 'co-parent beautifully together' she confessed things have not always been 'good' between them.

There for her: Alex Nation was injured earlier this year and Maegan rushed to help

Let's play! Alex had to muscle up the courage to approach Maegan in the early days

Kisses! The pair have been inseparable since August when they announced their relationship

'We got married, we wanted to do everything right for our son but it ended up not being right for us as individuals,' she continued.

'There was a battle where we were asking ourselves, 'Do you stick it out and not be with the one who is your soul mate?'

'There was a strain on us individually because you feel guilty for your child that you are separating.'

The winner of The Bachelor 2016 claimed she and Joel felt more 'heartbroken' for their son when their relationship ended.

She's engaged... but not to Richie! There was a time when viewers of the Bachelor thought this pair would be together forever

'It was tough. It wasn't hard so much on Elijah because he wasn't two yet. He didn't know and was none-the-wiser to what was going on.

'But it was more heartbreaking for Joel and I because of course we wanted to do everything right.'

She added: 'In an ideal world, you want your child to grow up with an intact family, but two really happy and loving homes is better than one unhappy home.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Alex Nation for comment.
She's the convicted drug smuggler who has been enjoying being back in Australia since being released from a Balinese jail back in May.

And Schapelle Corby has taken to Instagram to share a envy-inducing picture of herself at top secret holiday spot and called out a 'hater' who popped up in the comments for their poor grammar.

The 40-year-old looked fresh faced and relaxed in the photo that showed her posing happily in front of a picturesque beach scene.

Where is she? Schapelle Corby has taken to Instagram to share a jealously inducing vacation snap at top secret holiday spot while pulling up a 'hater' on their poor grammar

Wearing a summery blue and white sarong with tassels at the hem, she showed off her tanned legs.

She also wore a pair of oversized dark sunglasses and a broad grin as she posed in front of a palm tree.

Schapelle gave the image a cryptic caption, shrouding her vacation destination in mystery with the words: 'palm trees behind me #nottellingwhere.'

Enigmatic: Schapelle gave the image a cryptic caption, shrouding her vacation destination in mystery with the words: 'palm trees behind me #nottellingwhere

Her ever-growing legion of fans were quick to compliment her post with comments such as: 'Great setting and even better smile.'

Another chimed in with a similar: ''Glad ur gettin' out there n living life. U deserve it. Keep up the good life it certainly treats you well. Keep on smiling girl @schapelle.corby.'

However, one churlish commentator offered: 'Already returned to Bali, I guess a good courier always completes there [sic] orders.'

'Already returned to Bali, I guess a good courier always completes there [sic] orders' One churlish commentator offered, to which Schappelle succinctly replied with: '*their'

Taking the jibe in her stride, Schapelle shot back at the poster on their improper grammar, replying simply with a corrective: '*their.'

Schapelle spent nine years in Bali's Kerobokan Prison after being convicted of smuggling 4.2 kilograms of cannabis in a body board bag in 2004.

She was released in 2014 and eventually deported from Bali in May this year.

Since arriving back in the country, Schapelle has become somewhat of a social media maven, amassing nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram.
Julia Pereira created a Winter Wonderland in Miami Beach Saturday.

The flawless Brazilian model was snapped on the beach in Florida modeling an assortment of stunning swimsuits that well complemented her statuesque form.

'Good morning Miami!!!' the 30-year-old stunner wrote on her Instagram account, which boasts more than 34,000 followers. 'Finally a day off to enjoy the beach!!!'

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Flauntin' it: Model Julia Pereira, 30, showed off her fab figure in a series of swimsuits in Miami Beach on Saturday

The 5ft9 beauty showed off her fit form in a number of sizzling suits, including a cerulean blue two-piece with yellow ruffles, wearing a lacy white beach kimono over it.

She also wore a patterned navy blue two-piece with yellow ruffles, a blue patterned one-piece with a large white hat, a purple two-piece, a white two-piece with horizontal black stripes and a lemon yellow one-piece.

Toned: The Brazilian beauty's fit figure was on display in a number of ensembles

Shining on the shore: Julia accompanied this two-piece with a lacy white beach kimono

Showing her stripes: Pereira took the shoot to all beach locales - both on the sand and in the water

Pereira, who also designs swimsuits, has been hard at work as of late, as she modeled an astounding 60 swimsuits in a day earlier this week in the area, according to Gossip Extra.

Pereira participated in the epic shoot - shot by Victor Sanabrais - for the labels China Modlily and Liligal Swimwear, the outlet reported.

Experience: The veteran model hit a number of poses as she stood ahead of the tide

Light-hearted: The Brazilian beauty chuckled as the tide arrived in behind her

Busy body: Earlier this week, Julia took part in a modeling session on the beach in which she wore 60 different swimsuits, Gossip Extra reported

In addition to her fashion industry duties, she's also a host for the Brazilian network RedeTV!, as she was seen interviewing Instagram playboy Gianluca Vacchi at the beach.

Vacchi, who has more than 11 million followers on Instagram, has emerged as a social media star, showing off his lavish lifestyle on yachts, planes and beaches.

He's been seen enjoying the good life with a number of celeb pals, including Zac Efron, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Fonsi.

Multi-talented: In addition to her fashion industry duties, Julia's also a host for the Brazilian network RedeTV!

Fun time: Julia looked to be having lighthearted fun as she interviewed socialite Gianluca Vacchi
Ashley Tisdale made a name for herself as a Disney darling.

But the 32-year-old starlet oozed rocker chic Saturday at the Brooks Brothers holiday celebration in Beverly Hills.



At the Christmas kick-off the High School Musical favorite strutted her stuff in red and black striped pants and a rocker chic motorcycle jacket.

Looking chic: Ashley Tisdale oozed rocker chic Saturday at the Brooks Brothers holiday celebration in Beverly Hills

The Brooks Brothers holiday celebration bash with St Jude Children's Research Hospital took place at Brooks Brothers Rodeo.

The former Disney talent teamed the two-toned trousers with a fashion-forward black cami that featured an off-center cut-out atop her chest.

She carried a black envelope clutch under her arm and accessorized with a set of stackable rings.

The High School Musical star let her warm ombre locks hang in loose waves atop her shoulders.

She framed her striking brown eyes with kohl while flashing a bright smile.

Beaming: At the Christmas kick-off the High School Musical favorite, 32, strutted her stuff in red and black striped pants and a rocker chic motorcycle jacket

Date night! Husband Christopher French joined, looking dapper in a suit and tie with jeans on bottom

Dancing King! Dancing With The Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy was handsome in a black turtleneck and tartan jacket

Couple goals! Jesse Metcalfe and Cara Santana looked like the picture perfect couple at the event

Husband Christopher French joined, looking dapper in a suit and tie with jeans on bottom.

The happy couple weren't the only celebs who graced the event.

Dancing With The Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy was handsome in a black turtleneck and tartan jacket.

Fashion designer Rachel Zoe dazzled in a gold sequined jacket with black velvet bell-bottoms.

Fashionista: Fashion designer Rachel Zoe dazzled in a gold sequined jacket with black velvet bell-bottoms

Mod mom: She brought sons Kaius and Skyler along while husband Rodger Berman stayed home

Like a velvet glove: Jaime King and Cara Santana both stunned in black velvet ensembles

Rad in plaid: Glee alum Darren Criss was laid-back but dapper in a blue/green plaid with dark blue pants

She brought sons Kaius and Skyler along while husband Rodger Berman stayed home.

Glee alum Darren Criss was laid-back but dapper in a blue/green plaid with dark blue pants.

Jesse Metcalfe and Cara Santana looked like the picture perfect couple at the event.

The raven-tressed starlet cut a chic figure in a velvet jacket worn without a shirt to reveal a hint of cleavage.

Royal flush: Jaime King stunned in a bell-sleeved LBD worn with dark tights and shimmering shoes

Out and a pout! Jaime styled her fringed blonde locks in romantic curls while painting her pout cherry red.

Family affair! The Hart Of Dixie star brought sons Leo and James to the event

Besides her beau Jesse dazzled in a graphite colored turtleneck and slate colored suit.

Jaime King stunned in a bell-sleeved LBD worn with dark tights and shimmering shoes.

She styled her fringed blonde locks in romantic curls while painting her pout cherry red.

The Hart Of Dixie star brought sons Leo and James to the event along with hubby Kyle Newman.

Santa baby! The King-Newman family posed with Santa Claus at the holiday soiree

Sugar and spice! Joey King was darling in a red dress on top of a white button-up while pinning her hair back into a neat half-pony

She shines! Camilla Belle looked simply mesmerizing in a floral brocade frock with buttons down the front

The family paused for a family portrait with Santa before enjoying the arts and crafts inside.

Camilla Belle looked simply mesmerizing in a floral brocade frock with buttons down the front.

The Diablo actress added extra inches to her petite form in red velvet heels with gem-adorned ankle straps.

Joey King was darling in a red dress on top of a white button-up while pinning her hair back into a neat half-pony.

Kick it up! The Diablo actress added extra inches to her petite form in red velvet heels with gem-adorned ankle straps

Dapper dad: Jerry O'Connell was classic in a white dress shirt and burgundy tie as he enjoyed the party with twin daughters Dolly and Charlie, eight

Jerry O'Connell was classic in a white dress shirt and burgundy tie as he enjoyed the party with twin daughters Dolly and Charlie, eight.

It appeared to be dad/daughter night as wife Rebecca Romijn was elsewhere for the evening.

Jennifer Morrison looked darling in a green floral wrap while posing with Mr. Claus and a little girl.

In addition to kicking off the holiday season, tonight's event helped raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Karl Stefanovic counts her as both his Today Show co-host and his sister-in-law.

And so it must be a relief that Sylvia Jeffreys has given her tick of approval to his ladylove, Jasmine Yarbrough, 33.

On Saturday, stunning Sylvia spent some time at Jasmine's trendy new boutique in Sydney, a move that reveals just how close the two blondes have become.

New best friends? Sylvia Jeffreys (right) showed her support for brother-in-law Karl Stefanovic's ladylove Jasmine Yarbough (left) by calling in at her ritzy new shoe boutique in Sydney on Saturday

Talented Jasmine is the co-founder of shoe label Mara and Mine, which is about to open up shop Down Under, with a flashy new store in Sydney's uber-posh suburb of Paddington.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Sylvia appeared to be one of the store's first customers, uploading a clip from outside the retail space.

The boutique appears to be housed in a converted terrace, as similar looking residential properties line the same street.

Well-heeled! Sylvia's clip showed her spending time at Jasmine's boutique, set among residential terraces in posh Paddington

Sylvia's clip also clearly reveals a newly erected Mara and Mine sign, which boldly announces that brand's arrival in the well-heeled suburb.

Perhaps Sylvia was ducking into the shop to pick up some trendy new footwear for that evening's Jack Johnson concert, which she was seen attending with husband Peter Stefanovic later on.

Sylvia and Jasmine have been spending time together of late, and it appears the pair are getting on famously.

Open for business! Jasmine has recently been teasing fans with glimpses of her fancy new boutique, which features modern nude art painted on the floor by Daimon Downey.

Last month, the two were seen dining with their respective beaus, who are TV's most famous brother duo, at a fancy lunch at Wooloomooloo Wharf.

Meanwhile, Jasmine has recently been teasing fans with glimpses of her fancy new boutique, which features modern nude art painted on the floor by Daimon Downey.

'Coming soon @maraandmine' the blonde wrote as she reclined on a couch beside the art work.
She is known for posting on the social media site daily, to the delight of her 17.8 million followers.

And Victoria Beckham gave insight into life behind her Instagram on Wednesday, when she was spotted snapping photos of the shelves in her own London store.

Paying a visit to her Dover Street boutique, the designer, 43, was seen capturing a pair of glittery silver sliders from a number of angles - no doubt on a quest for the perfect image, to share with her followers.

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Snap it like Beckham: Victoria Beckham gave insight into life behind her Instagram on Wednesday, when she was spotted snapping photos of the shelves in her own London store

Intimate: The designer is known for her love of Instagram, and often shares sweet family snaps with her 17.8 million followers (pictured with son Romeo)

Victoria looked typically chic as she checked up on her flagship store in a sleek black tailored coat and matching trousers.

Never missing an opportunity to Instagram however, the busy designer took a moment to snap some of her new designs, and share them with her fans.

The brunette appeared deep in concentration as she photographed the glittering shoes on the shelves - taking photos from various angles, and artfully positioning the matching window decor, a huge silver glitter ball, in the background.

Suits you: Victoria looked typically chic as she checked up on her flagship store in a sleek black tailored coat and matching trousers

Let me take a shelfie: Never missing an opportunity to Instagram however, the busy designer took a moment to snap some of her new designs, and share them with her fans

Working the camera: The brunette appeared deep in concentration as she photographed the shoes - taking photos from various angles, and positioning the glitter ball in the background.=

The mother-of-four is known for her love of Instagram, and often shares photos of both her designs and family life.

After a busy week of her fashionable duties, Victoria documented a low-key weekend with her husband David and sons Romeo, 15, and Cruz, 12, on Saturday.

She first shared a set of playful selfies with her sons - throwing up a peace sign as she wrote in the caption: 'With my boys!! Love u @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham'

'With my boys!': After a busy week of her fashionable duties, Victoria documented a low-key weekend with her husband David and sons Romeo, 15, and Cruz, 12, on Saturday

Not stopping there, the former Spice Girl then posted a clip of herself 'Christmas shopping' Kent & Curwen - the former Savile Row brand David invested in last month.

Meanwhile her husband, 42, took to Instagram on the same day to share a photo of himself and the boys watching the Arsenal vs Manchester United game.

The famous couple are also parents to daughter Harper, six, and son Brooklyn, 18, who is currently in New York City studying photography.

Family man: David and son Cruz also documented their family weekend on their own pages

Time to battle: Her husband, 42, took to Instagram on the same day to share a photo of himself and the boys watching the Arsenal vs Manchester United game

It is no wonder Victoria was keen to share a glimpse of her new collection with her fans - after confirming her plans to expand her fashion empire.

Last week, Victoria Beckham Limited announced that NEO Investment Partners, a private investment firm specialising in luxury brands, has invested to acquire new shares in VBL.

Speaking about the move, the designer gushed: 'To have found a partner who believes in me and what I have achieved in the same way that David and Simon Fuller have supported me over the years is both humbling and exciting.'

Doting parents: The famous couple are also parents to daughter Harper, six, and son Brooklyn (second left), who is currently in New York City studying photography

She added: 'It has been almost ten years since I quietly started developing my vision for a fashion business in a small room in Simon Fuller's office where the Victoria Beckham brand began.

'It is incredible for me to now be entering in to my second decade with such an dynamic new partnership that validates everything that I have worked so hard to achieve over the years with my team.

'I always said I wanted to dream big, and this proves you can never dream big enough!'

Better and better: It is no wonder Victoria was keen to share a glimpse of her new collection with her fans - after confirming her plans to expand her fashion empire

The 30million investment will enable the Victoria Beckham brand to enhance both its digital and physical retail presence, as well as allowing it to launch into new categories and collaborations.

Speaking about his wife's new business venture, David who is a shareholder, Beckham Brand Holdings, said: 'I am so proud of Victorias success and all of the hard work that has gone into building the business over the past ten years.

'I am sure the next decade will be even more exciting.'
Presidential advisor Ivanka Trump was last week accused of cultural appropriation after donning Oriental-style outfits during a trip to India.

And now the same claim appears to have been leveled at another powerful and polarising blonde- Roxy Jacenko.

On Sunday, the influential PR maven donned traditional dress as she headed out for an Indian-themed lunch with her family.

'Your dress is not Indian': PR queen Roxy Jacenko was accused by one fan of cultural appropriation after she and her family donned traditional dress for an Indian-inspired lunch on Sunday

Roxy shared a slew of snaps from the weekend outing, which appeared to be held at her beloved mum Doreen's upstairs apartment.

And while her uploads were inundated with gushing comments from fans, one Instagram follower was left particularly unimpressed with the star's attire.

'Your dress is not Indian!' the follow raged in a comment that was liked by 6 people.

Comment spat:Not taking any accusation that she was appropriating Indian culture, Roxy hit back writing: 'Well it's from an Indian boutique !!!!!!'

Not taking any accusation that she was appropriating Indian culture, Roxy hit back writing: 'Well it's from an Indian boutique !!!!!!'

She added an eye-roll emoji as if to express her dismissal of the criticism.

Roxy's devoted fans also lept to her defense, with one stating: 'She said off to an Indian themed lunch maybe her outfit is inspired by India. And even if it's not ... who cares! Gosh, get a life. @roxyjacenko great effort, you guys look great'.

Dressing up for the occasion! Roxy's entire brood donned traditional outfits

One of Roxy's happy snaps from the outing showed not only her- but husband Oliver Curtis and children Pixe and Hunter- dressed in Indian-esque ensembles.

Pixie, six, wore a purple and gold beaded top and skirt, while Hunter, three, donned a purple and gold outfit.

Former banker Oliver rocked a blue and gold outfit, and carried some wine.

That's the spirit! Meanwhile, Jewish Roxy has so far avoided claims that she is culturally appropriating Christmas

Hanukkah and Christmas? It seems Roxy is raising her children interfaith as husband Oliver is Catholic

Meanwhile, Roxy has so far avoided claims that she is culturally appropriating Christmas.

The beloved beauty is Jewish, but has been getting into the festive spirit, which is unsurprising as Oliver is Catholic and the pair appear to be raising their children in an interfaith environment.

Now that's a tree! Roxy last week shared an adorable video of her opening a box of Christmas decorations with her two children as they prepared to decorate their large, tasteful tree

Roxy last week shared an adorable video of her opening a box of Christmas decorations with her two children as they prepared to decorate their large, tasteful tree.

Roxy is going all out for Oliver's first Christmas back home, stating: 'We are having Christmas lunch at Sydney's Park Hyatt as we do annually on Christmas Day with our closest family and friends.

'It's always a divine day with a twist on the classic Christmas fare and the best view of Sydney Harbour.'
He's been living in the capital with father Guy Ritchie since 2015, after ditching mum Madonna's Rebel Heart tour due to her reportedly 'strict rules' over the star.

And Rocco Ritchie seems to be right at home in London, as he was spotted enjoying a pint with a pal outside a Soho pub.

The 17-year-old had a cheeky tipple with his friend on Tuesday, showcasing his spiky new hairdo after growing out his old buzzcut look.

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Quick pint: Rocco Ritchie, 17, was spotted enjoying a cheeky tipple with a pal outside a bar in Soho on Tuesday

Rocco kept warm in the freezing weather in a green padded jacket as he chatted with his friend outside the bar, rocking a relaxed chinos and trainers combo.

Keeping his brown locks in a simple spiky do, it was clear the star had decided to ditch his old shaved look in favour of something a bit warmer.

The teen - who turns 18 next August - has been living in London with his father Guy Ritchie, after refusing to return to living with his mother Madonna.

After a bitter custody battle, Guy won the right to keep Rocco in London, where he is now enrolled in college.

Madonna shared a snap of her with her six children on Instagram on Wednesday, as part of a montage of pictures of her family, including Rocco.

Keeping warm: Wrapping up in a green parka jacket, the star showed off his spiky new hairdo after growing out his old buzzcut

Living it up: Rocco has been living in London with father Guy Ritchie since 2015, when he decided he could not longer live with his mother Madonna

The Like A Virgin songstress captioned the post: 'Wish they Never Had to Grow Up!!! Or lose their Innocence.'

Rocco could also be set to reunite with his mum in person, after sources revealed he is considering moving to New York to study art with close pal Brookyln Beckham

A source told Sunday People: 'Brooklyn is like the surrogate older brother Rocco looks up to.

'Rocco wants to study art and film. He also wants to do photography and he and Brooklyn will be doing projects together.

'Madonna is desperate to have Rocco home and seriously misses having him there permanently to be part of her and the other children's lives.'

Back Stateside? Rocco could be set to reunite with his mother in the near future, as it has been reported he could be heading to New York to study art
She was pictured flirting up a storm during a romantic date with Michael Turnbull last week.

But Leah Costa appears to still be in a relationship with former Bachelorette hunk David Witko.

The Bachelor babe, who was unceremoniously booted from the show due to her topless waitressing past, shared a snap of her man to Instagram on Sunday.

Still going strong: Leah Costa appears to still be in a relationship with former Bachelorette hunk David Witko (pictured right), despite flirting with Michael Turnbull in Fiji last week

The pair were enjoying a 'last-minute Christmas dinner' with pals and 24-year-old Leah shared a group shot online.

The photo shows David, who was first linked to the TV villain in August, sitting around an outdoor table while nibbling on hearty cuisine.

Another image shows the fair-haired hunk mingling with guests around a bonfire.

Reunited: The pair were enjoying a 'last-minute Christmas dinner' with pals days after her romantic date with another man

Christmas meal: Leah wasn't the only one to document their Sunday funday festivities, with David also sharing this food snap to his own Instagram page

Leah wasn't the only one to document their Sunday funday festivities, with David also sharing a food snap to his own Instagram page.

The pair sparked split rumours last month when Leah was pictured on a date with former Bachelorette runner-up Michael, 36.

The busty blonde was spotted flirting with the real estate agent while filming Bachelor In Paradise in Fiji.

Single and ready to mingle: The pair sparked split rumours last month when Leah was pictured on a date with former Bachelorette runner-up Michael, 36, (pictured)

Photos show a bikini-clad Leah and a shirtless Michael enjoying a romantic date at the beach on Mango Bay Resort and a source claims their chemistry is undeniable.

'Even when the cameras weren't rolling, Leah was glued to his side, finding any excuse to touch him or snuggle up close,' an insider told New Idea.

'Apparently Leah had her heart set on Michael heading onto the show.

Look away Dave! Leah and Michael's romantic date in Fiji comes after she confirmed her relationship with former Bachelorette star David Witko

The source continued: 'She knew he was one of the most controversial characters and that hooking up with him would guarantee her airtime.'

Their rumoured romance comes just months after Leah announced she had moved on from former Bachelor star Matty Johnson with former Bachelorette star David, 34.

Leah and David have shared a series of loved-up snaps on social media over the last few months, one as recently as September.

Smitten: Leah and David have shared a series of loved-up snaps on social media over the last few months, one as recently as September

However, the university student appeared to ditch the hunk for Michael.

Tellingly, the pair attended the same Baroq House event in Melbourne last month separately, with Leah arriving alone and David posing for a snap with stunning Miss Universe Australia Caris Tiivel.

Daily Mail Australia previously reached out to Channel Ten for comment.

Leah and Michael join the likes of Keira Maguire, Tara Pavlovic and Apollo Jackson all set to appeat on Bachelor In Paradise Australia.
He may have recently turned 50 years old, but Gianluca Vacchi is in the best shape of his life.

Hitting Miami beach in tiny white Speedos on Saturday, the Instagram sensation looked proud to parade his shirtless physique in front of onlookers.

He even upstaged beautiful Brazilian model Julia Pereira, who made five outfits changes in his company.

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Hitting the beach: 50-year-old Gianluca Vacchi showed off his incredible physique on the beach on Saturday, as he joined Julia Pereira for a day out

Heavily inked Gianluca was a sight for sores eyes in his low-rise swimming trunks that left very little to the imagination after a dip in the sea.

The hunk wore colourful jewellery on his ankle and wrist to offset his many inkings and displayed a bright bleached blonde to his swept back hair.

Instagram playboy Gianluca was pictured during an interview with Julia, the host of Brazilian network RedeTV - for which Gian wrapped on a red silk robe.

Showing her stripes: Pereira took the shoot to all beach locales - both on the sand and in the water

Fun time: Julia looked to be having lighthearted fun as she interviewed socialite Gianluca

Vacchi, who has more than 11 million followers on Instagram, has emerged as a social media star, showing off his lavish lifestyle on yachts, planes and beaches.

He's been seen enjoying the good life with a number of celeb pals, including Zac Efron, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Fonsi.

Flawless Brazilian model Julia was snapped on the beach inFlorida modeling an assortment of stunning swimsuits that well complemented her statuesque form.

Luxe life: Pereira posed alongside Italian Instagram sensation Vacchi, who boasts more than 11 million followers

'Good morning Miami!!!' the 30-year-old stunner wrote on her Instagram account, which boasts more than 34,000 followers. 'Finally a day off to enjoy the beach!!!'

The 5ft9 beauty showed off her fit form in a number of sizzling suits, including a cerulean blue two-piece with yellow ruffles, wearing a lacy white beach kimono over it.

She also wore a patterned navy blue two-piece with yellow ruffles, a blue patterned one-piece with a large white hat, a purple two-piece, a white two-piece with horizontal black stripes and a lemon yellow one-piece.

Flauntin' it: Model Julia, 30, showed off her fab figure in a series of swimsuits in Miami Beach on Saturday

Toned: The Brazilian beauty's fit figure was on display in a number of ensembles

Shining on the shore: Julia accompanied this two-piece with a lacy white beach kimono

Pereira, who also designs swimsuits, has been hard at work as of late, as she modeled an astounding 60 swimsuits in a day earlier this week in the area, according to Gossip Extra.

Pereira participated in the epic shoot - shot by Victor Sanabrais - for the labels China Modlily and Liligal Swimwear, the outlet reported.

Experience: The veteran model hit a number of poses as she stood ahead of the tide

Light-hearted: The Brazilian beauty chuckled as the tide arrived in behind her

Busy body: Earlier this week, Julia took part in a modeling session on the beach in which she wore 60 different swimsuits, Gossip Extra reported
They have been best friends for years, with the actress even serving as a bridesmaid at the dancer's wedding.

And Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev enjoyed another girls' night out on Saturday, as they headed to Jennifer Klein's holiday party in Brentwood, California.

The Dancing With The Stars pro, 29, slipped her famously slender frame into a slinky silk midi dress, while her best pal, 28, stunned in a thigh-skimming mini dress as they made a glamorous arrival at the festive bash.

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Glamorous: Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev enjoyed another girls' night out on Saturday, as they headed to Jennifer Klein's holiday party in Brentwood, California

Footloose star Julianne first commanded attention in her stunning slip dress, inspired by lingerie with its thin spaghetti straps and delicate lace lining.

Cinching in at her slim waist, the dress then cascaded into a billowing silk skirt, which skimmed her svelte figure and long legs to its demure calf-length hem.

Maintaining her chic sense of style from head to toe, the blonde accessorised with black T-bar heels and layered a matching coat on top - which she draped loosely across her shoulders, to flash some skin to all.

All eyes on me: Footloose star Julianne first commanded attention in her stunning slip dress

Stripped back: The dress was inspired by lingerie with its thin spaghetti straps and delicate lace lining

Sophisticated: Cinching in at her slim waist, the dress then cascaded into a billowing silk skirt, which skimmed her svelte figure and long legs to its demure calf-length hem

Giving the cold shoulder: The blonde then layered a matching coat on top - which she draped loosely across her shoulders, to flash some skin to all

Think pink: She swept her hair into a loose up-do, but tied her look together with a bright pink lip, for an added pop of colour

She swept her hair into a loose up-do, but tied her look together with a bright pink lip, for an added pop of colour.

Matching her glamorous appearance however was best pal Nina, who dazzled in a sixties-inspired mini dress.

The high-neck shift dress featured a funky black and white print, and cut off daringly high at her thigh to leave her long and slender legs on show.

Twice as nice: Matching her glamorous appearance however was best pal Nina, who dazzled in a sixties-inspired mini dress

Sixties siren: The high-neck shift dress featured a funky black and white print, and cut off daringly high at her thigh to leave her long and slender legs on show

Model material: The actress teamed her dress with racy knee-high boots, to add further height to her statuesque frame

Finishing touches: She also slung a sleek rose gold handbag over one shoulder

Relaxed: Leaving her hair in loose, tousled waves and sporting her trademark thick fringe, Nina was effortlessly chic as she headed into the party with Julianne

The actress teamed her dress with racy knee-high boots, to add further height to her statuesque frame, and slung a sleek rose gold handbag over one shoulder.

Leaving her hair in loose, tousled waves and sporting her trademark thick fringe, Nina was effortlessly chic as she headed into the party with Julianne.

Julianne and Nina have been best friends for a number of years, after they were first introduced by their hairdresser.

Here come the girls: The duo certainly turned heads as they made their glamorous arrival

BFFs: Julianne and Nina have been best friends for a number of years, after they were first introduced by their hairdresser

Plenty in common: The dancer explained to E! News back in 2013: ' We've known the same person who cuts and colours and does our hair. She was like, 'You guys have to meet'

Bond: She added that since their meeting: 'We've just been like joinedconnected at the hip'

The dancer explained to E! News back in 2013: ' We've known the same person who cuts and colours and does our hair. She was like, 'You guys have to meet.' We've just been like joinedconnected at the hip.'

The pair have been close friends ever since, with Nina even acting as a bridesmaid at Julianne's wedding to Brooks Laich in July.

The Vampire Diaries star had gushed about her friend's new romantic chapter on Instagram after her big day.

Support system: The pair have been close friends ever since, with Nina even acting as a bridesmaid at Julianne's wedding to Brooks Laich in July

That's my girl: The Vampire Diaries star had gushed about her friend's new romantic chapter on Instagram after her big day

Tribute: She gushed of her friend: 'I love you dearly, and I'm honored to have had the pleasure of being your bridesmaid, Jules'

Sharing a stunning collection of Julianne in her wedding dress, Nina wrote to her followers: 'MY BEST FRIEND IS A MARRIED WOMAN!

'I have been trying to contain my excitement, but I'm thrilled that I can finally share a few magical moments from her beyond beautiful (to dream and die for) wedding.'

She went on: 'Around Brooks, Julianne became the best version of herself and I've never seen her happier.

Proud: She went on: 'Around Brooks, Julianne became the best version of herself and I've never seen her happier'

Girly getaway: Ahead of the wedding, the duo had also let loose at Julianne's bachelorette party in Mexico

Life of luxury: The group partied their nights away at Casa Costa at Cabo Del Sol Corridor, a six-bedroom villa overlooking the ocean, which cost a cool $3500 per night

Dynamic duo: The pair proved they were still closer friends than ever as they arrived at the party together

'I love you dearly, and I'm honored to have had the pleasure of being your bridesmaid, Jules. I'm so happy I could be a part of celebrating your special day, and couldn't be happier that you're MARRIED.'

Ahead of the wedding, the duo had also let loose at Julianne's bachelorette party in Mexico, alongside Aaron Paul's wife Lauren and comedian Arielle Vandenberg.

The group partied their nights away at Casa Costa at Cabo Del Sol Corridor, a six-bedroom villa overlooking the ocean, which cost a cool $3500 per night.

Ready for bed: The girls later left the bash in the same car

Finishing touches: Clambering into her taxi, Julianne revealed her hair was tied in a sweet black ribbon
Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova have become the tenth couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing, missing out on a place in the next week's semi-final.

The EastEnders actor, 35, was eliminated from the competition after finding himself in the dance-off for the second time with Alexandra Burke, who was also in the bottom two for a second week running.

Reflecting on his time on the show a modest Davood said: 'There have been so many highlights Ive had, honestly the best time.

Out: Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova have become the tenth couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing, missing out on a place in the next week's semi-final

'I never thought Id get this far which is why Im smiling as I never thought Id reach this point. I never thought Id get to see and meet such amazing people.'

'To dance in front of audiences like this has been a real gift and Ive never done anything like this before so its been an unforgettable experience.

Paying tribute to the support of his fans and his beloved wife and daughters he said: 'Im going to spend the next couple of weeks at home dancing with my two beautiful girls who are now huge fans of the show.

'Its all because of one person and I also need to thank so many people, my beautiful family, my wife whos been running Team Ghadami whilst weve been doing this.'

Tough competition: The EastEnders actor, 35, was eliminated from the competition after finding himself in the dance-off for the second time with Alexandra Burke, who was also in the bottom two for a second week running

The hunky star reserved his final thank you for his stunning dance partner and 'really good friend' Nadiya saying: 'This is Nadiyas first year on this show and I think shes done incredibly well.

'Shes done brilliant choreography, shes a brilliant dancer and shes a great teacher and now shes a really good friend and Im so privileged to have met her, thank you!'

Returning the praise in kind,the Ukranian dancer thanked Davood for being a fantastic dance partner.

Head to head: The pair waited nervously as the results were read out on Sunday evening

She said: 'Im such a lucky girl to have you as my partner and its such a privilege to have been part of your journey because I think its been incredible, the way youve improved and come so far, thank you for everything.'

The pair's time on Strictly came to an end after they failed to impress the judges with their Argentine Tango to the Phantom of the Opera, which scored 29 points and landed them joint bottom with Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec during the show's musicals week.

Alexandra's place in the dance-off for the second consecutive week was made even more shocking due to the fact that she and dance partner Gorka Marquez had topped the leaderboard with their Charleston to Supercalifragilistic, scoring a near-perfect 39.

Reflecting on his time on the show a modest Davood said: 'There have been so many highlights Ive had, honestly the best time'

With both couples performing their routines again, it was Alexandra and Gorka who found themselves sailing through to the semi-final with all four judges voting to save them.

Craig Revel Horwood said: 'This couple were out there on a mission and completely and utterly nailed it. That couple is Alexandra and Gorka.'

Darcey Bussell added: 'Well both couples gave 100% tonight and its tough to see anybody go but there was one performance that totally outshined the other and that was Alexandra and Gorka.'

Well done: With both couples performing their routines again, it was Alexandra and Gorka who found themselves sailing through to the semi-final with all four judges voting to save them

Close call: But ultimately it was Davood's turn to leave the show on Sunday evening

Sealing Davood and Nadiya's fate Bruno Tonioli said: 'The strongest, more powerful, overall better. Alexandra and Gorka.'

Head judge Shirley Ballas' vote therefore did not count but she said she agreed with her fellow judges and would have also saved Alexandra and Gorka.

Saturday night's show saw Debbie McGee join Alexandra at the top of the leaderboard after her and dance partner Giovanni Pernice's Cats-themed American Samba netted them a magnificent 39 points.

Farewell: The pair's time on Strictly came to an end after they failed to impress the judges with their Argentine Tango to the Phantom of the Opera, which scored 29 points

Goodbye: Davood and dance partner Nadiya got a conciliatory hug from co-host Tess

Sundays results show opened with a spectacular group performance of some of the most popular songs from the musical Dreamgirls accompanied by the stars from the show and the professional dancers.

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were looking as chic as always for the show, rocking with Tess rocking a Hasan Hejazi dress for the evening.

There was also a stunning musical performance from the Leading Ladies - Beverley Knight, Amber Riley and Cassidy Janson.

The remaining five couples will perform two dances next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns for the semi-final on BBC One.
She is known to be close to her daughter, who she welcomed in May 2010 with then-husband Lee Mead.

But Denise Van Outen has now revealed her seven-year-old Betsy's ongoing 'battle' with learning difficulties - which even saw her pulled out of school.

Speaking to Fabulous magazine, the 43-year-old revealed her little girl has been diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyspraxia, but gushed she was now thriving after transferring to a specialist institution.

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Honest: Denise Van Outen has revealed her seven-year-old Betsy's ongoing 'battle' with learning difficulties - which even saw her pulled out of school

Denise discussed her daughter's learning difficulties for the first time with the magazine - admitting she and ex-husband Lee had known something was wrong since she was young.

After seeing her daughter become upset and frustrated at being unable to keep up with the other students, the couple decided to enroll Betsy in a small specialist school in London, to better tackle her issues.

She explained: 'We've known since she was quite little, but I had a bit of a battle at the school because she was having SEN [special education needs] classes and being taken out of her group. I could see it was affecting her.

Staying strong: The 43-year-old revealed her little girl, who she shares with Lee Mead (L) has been diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyspraxia, but is now thriving at a specialist institution

Early signs: Denise discussed her daughter's learning difficulties for the first time - admitting she and ex-husband Lee had known something was wrong since she was young

'There were situations where she was knocked by it. She was getting frustrated and when you're little you don't understand those emotions.'

Denise revealed her fears it would knock Betsy's confidence later on - with warnings it could even lead to depression and eating disorders - were behind the decision to move her to another school.

However, after finding her feet among other students who suffer the same difficulties, the blonde now admits her seven-year-old is happier than ever, adding: 'I think she's going to be fine!'

'I could see it was affecting her': After seeing her daughter become frustrated at being unable to keep up, the couple decided to enroll Betsy in a small specialist school in London

Concerned: She said of her daughter: 'There were situations where she was knocked by it. She was getting frustrated and when you're little you don't understand those emotions'

Denise welcomed Betsy back in 2010, one year after tying the knot with fellow theatre star Lee Mead in the Seychelles.

The pair split in June 2013 and divorced in 2015, but remain on good terms in order to co-parent their daughter.

The actress has since moved on with new boyfriend Eddie Boxshall - who she even revealed was feeling broody, last month.

Happier times: Denise welcomed Betsy back in 2010 with then-husband Lee Mead, although the pair parted ways three years later

Speaking on Loose Women, she confessed she is open to having a child with her new partner, but doesn't know whether she could go through a pregnancy again.

She said: 'I go through waves if I'm honest. I've got one child Betsy, who is seven, but I think, I am so lucky to have her but for me it's that thing of thinking I have to go through it all again, the sleepless nights and everything.

'Whereas for him, he will do it at the drop of a hat, if he could. He would share it. But don't get me wrong, if I fell pregnant I would be over the moon but I can't overthink it because I just don't know.'
She's a stunning brunette beauty who is proud mum to two daughters, Ariana and Siera with her partner Adam Horsley.

And Imogen Thomas appeared to enjoy some mother-daughter time with eldest Ariana, four, on Sunday morning, as she attended a special screening of the new family film Ferdinand.

The 35-year-old former Big Brother star was all bundled up in a green fur jacket as she posed with her daughter, who looked adorable in a black party dress and grey fur coat.

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Chic: Big Brother star Imogen Thomas was all bundled up in a faux fur jacket as she posed with her daughter Ariana at a screening of the new film Ferdinand in London on Sunday

Imogen rocked barely-there makeup for the appearance as she posed in front of a giant inflatable of the titular character, wearing just a hint of mascara and lip gloss.

The brunette beauty finished her look with pearly grey suede ankle boots, as she happily posed with her little girl.

Imogen recently revealed that she had breast reduction surgery to improve her 'saggy bust', showing off the results in stylish snaps from her swimwear range.

Fabulous: The model rocked barely-there makeup for the outing as she celebrated the release of the family film at the BFI Southbank

Dapper: Radio DJ Alex Zane looked equally smart at the screening, rocking black trousers and an overcoat

Fashion forward: Style blogger Naomi Isted joined her daughter for the screening, with the pair rocking equally chic ensembles

The screening celebrated the release of the family film Ferdinand, which hits UK cinemas on Friday December 15.

Telling the story of gentle giant bull Ferdinand, voiced by John Cena, the animation is about a bull with a big heart, who is mistaken for a dangerous beast and captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

Starring the voices of Kate McKinnon, Sally Phillips and David Tennant, the film proved to be a big hit with stars at the event, including John Cena himself.

Family day out: Place in the Sun presenter Laura Hamilton brought her two children along for the screen as well as her husband Alex Goward

Leading man: WWE star John Cena looked dapper in a grey pinstripe three-piece suit as he posed next to a giant inflatable version of his character

Screen star: In the film John plays the titular gentle giant bull, who goes on an adventure with a group of misfit animals

Hilarious! John was seen joking around with the film's director Carlos Saldanha, with one of them playing the menacing bull

The former WWE star looked as sharp as ever as he posed outside the BFI Southbank, rocking a grey pinstriped three-piece suit and orange tie.

John was seen joking around with the films director Carlos Saldanha who is also the man behind family hits Ice Age and Rio.

Donning matching Christmas bullhorn hats, the duo appeared to play the parts of the energetic bull and the terrified minion.

Dynamic duo: The animation, out 15 December, also stars Kate McKinnon, Sally Phillips and David Tennant

Cartoon man: Director Carlos is also the man behind Ice Age and the Rio films

Vintage origins: The film is named after the bull Ferdinand in the classic 1938 Disney short film

Miranda star Sally Phillips, who also attended the event, happily posed with co-star John as she arrived to celebrate the screening.

The actress looked effortlessly chic in a floral maxi dress and red leather jacket combo, bringing along two of her sons to see the film.

In the film Sally voices Greta, a horse in the film, and she appeared to be in great spirits as she posed with her co-star.

Stylish: Miranda star Sally Phillips looked equally stylish in a floral maxi dress and red leather jacket as she posed with co-star John at the screening
She was last seen in New York City promoting her new Woody Allen film- The Wonder Wheel.

And jet-setter Kate Winslet was all smiles as she arrived back in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 42-year-old award-winning actress walked through LAX airport sporting a beige leather jacket and skull-printed scarf.

Upon arrival: Kate Winslet was all smiles as she arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday

Kate teamed her outerwear with a black long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and suede black booties.

The Titanic star wore her silky blonde tresses in a loose ponytail, while flaunting her age-defying beauty by going make-up free.

Kate finished off her look with black-framed glasses, a ring, and a carry-on backpack.

The silver-screen beauty was escorted to her car by security officials.

Bad to the bone! The 42-year-old award-winning actress walked through the airport terminal oozing rocker vibes, donning a beige leather jacket and skull-printed scarf

Effortless: Kate teamed her outerwear with a black long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and suede black booties

Kate has made her rouns appearing on late night talk shows promoting her new Woody Allen film that also features actors such as; Justin Timberlake, Jim Belushi, and Juno Temple.

The film directed and written by Allen explores the intersection of four lives - a struggling blue-collar couple played by Jim Belushi and Kate Winslet.

The two younger characters, are played by Juno Temple and Justin Timberlake.

Juno stars as Jim and Kate's daughter who falls in love with a summer lifeguard who becomes a love interest to both women.

All smiles: The Titanic star wore her silky blonde tresses in a loose ponytail, while flaunting her age-defying beauty by going make-up free

Keeping safe: The silver-screen beauty was escorted to her car by security officials

While making an appearance on Stephen Colbert's show on Thursday, Kate revealed some juicy secrets about her beloved 1997 film Titanic.

In a series of revelations, Kate said: 'I auditioned with Matthew [McConaughey]isn't that weird? Never said that in public before!'

And the now 42-year-old said of the film's iconic ending: 'I did get hypothermia. I was really f***ing cold.'

Luckily her suffering paid off when it came to awards time - with Kate nabbing the first of her four Best Actress nominations at the Oscars for her suffering.

Kate missed out on the gong, which went to Helen Hunt. She eventually won her Best Actress Oscar in 2008 for The Reader.
He plays a tough bull, with a soft heart, who's mistaken for being threatening and dangerous.

And toughman John Cena showed his own softer side when he attended the London premiere on Sunday, even getting into the spirit in a pair of fun play ears.

Taking the bull by the horns, the 40-year-old joked about in a festive hat with ears just like his titular alter-ego Ferdinard.

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Slick: John Cena looked festive in bull ears with a hat attached on Sunday afternoon as he attended the premiere of Ferdinand in London

John looked sharp in a three -piece suit, showing off his bulging muscles is the pinstripes framed his figure.

He set the charcoal outfit off with an orange tie, and finally, his festive set of ears.

Joining him on the red carpet, was director Carlos Saldanha, who put on a very playful display.

British actress Sally Phillips - best known for comedies like Smack The Pony and Bridget Jones' Diary - also plays the voice of Greta.

John has starred in comedy films such as Daddy's Home 2 and Trainwreck but this will be his first animation.

Slick: The wrestling hunk looked sharp in a three piece suit, worn with brown shoes

Posing up a storm: On the red carpet, director Carlos Saldanha (centre) and actress Sally Phillips (right) posed with John

Jokers: John showed his funny side as he mucked about with the director

Acting clan: The duo posed for pictures after both appearing as voices in the film

The film has some parallels with John's life, because it is about a bull with a big heart who is mistaken for a dangerous beast.

Ferdinand is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

John too has a softer side, as he proved when he proposed to his longtime partner in front of 75,000 people in April.

WWE legend John opened up about what made him so nervous to propose to Nikki Bella - and it wasn't a fear of rejection or stage fright.

The 40-year-old told Yahoo Be this week he had been afraid of a 'negative reaction' from the crowd who might not like his idea.

Family film: It's quite a transition for wrestler, who is best known for his tough side

'I was making one of the boldest moves of my entire life': John Cena reveals the REAL reason why he was so nervous when he proposed to partner Nikki Bella on television

John proposed to Nikki, 34, after they had defeated The Miz and Maryse at Wrestlemania 33 in April.

Speaking to Yahoo Be, John explained he had been racked with nerves over what the crowd's reaction would be.

'The WWE audience as you know sometimes can be a little excited both positively and negatively,' he said.

Romantic: John proposed to Nikki, 34, after they had defeated The Miz and Maryse at Wrestlemania 33 in April

Applauded: The crowd erupted in loud cheers and clapping as a tearful Nikki accepted his proposal

'I was worried about that the audience would have a negative reaction to what I did.'

But fortunately for John, the crowd erupted in loud cheers and clapping as a tearful Nikki accepted his proposal.

'If you go back and you watch that match the one before the proposal they didnt necessarily like me that much and then when they found out I was making one of the boldest moves of my entire life, 75,000 folks showed respect,' John said.

John, who has been in Australia this week promoting his new film Ferdinand, told the Kyle and Jackie O Show in June that was prepared to 'go down in flames' if Nikki had said no.

That's commitment! John told the Kyle and Jackie O Show in June that was prepared to 'go down in flames' if Nikki had said no

'We've been together for about four and a half years and I figured at that point if I was to go down in flames, I would go down swinging!' he replied.

'It was meant to be that way and I couldn't think of a better place to do it,' the wrestler added.

John divorced his first wife, Elizabeth Huberdeau, in 2012.
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In September, she became a mother for a fourth time when she welcomed the birth of her son Ronnie - her first child with fiance Michael O'Neil.

And Danielle Lloyd looked every part the doting mother when she and Michael took their adorable bundle of joy out to lunch in popular pub and restaurant the Barn, in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on Sunday afternoon.

In pictures obtained exclusively by MailOnline, the former WAG, 33, is seen planting a kiss on her baby son's forehead as the couple load him into the back of their car before whisking him home after their culinary excursion.

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Fine dining: Danielle Lloyd and her fiance Michael O'Neil were spotted taking their baby son Ronnie to lunch at the Barn in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on Sunday afternoon

With his father cradling him in his arms, little Ronnie appears not have a care in the world as his parents fuss over him, after shuttling him from the venue to the car in a stylish pram.

Looking relaxed and happy in each other's company, the couple smile and laugh as they chat with each other while showering their offspring with endless attention.

Despite having only given birth just over two months ago, Danielle looked remarkably svelte for her outing, wearing an all=-black ensemble that included a tailored jacket and snug-fitting trousers.

That's my boy! Doting dad Michael held his first offspring closely as he and the former WAG made their exit from the eatery

Miles of smiles: Michael smiled broadly at his son as Danielle pushed their baby son in a stylish pram following their meal

A welcome bundle of joy: The couple welcomed the birth of Ronnie - Danielle's fourth and Michael's first - back in September

Out and about: The couple were first spotted out and about just a matter of weeks after Ronnie was welcomed into the world

Lip service: As well as lavishing their adorable offspring with attention, Danielle and Michael also shared a romantic kiss

Catching the eye: As the trio made their departure from the popular pub and restaurant, patrons were seen glancing at them

Tress-ed to impress: Danielle's voluminous raven tresses were worn up in a relaxed bun for the family's culinary excursion

With her hair worn up in a relaxed bun, the former glamour model let her natural beauty shine through, as she appeared to largely forgo makeup-free for the day out.

Michael looked casually cool in a striped multicoloured sweater, teamed with straight cut jeans and white trainers, as he strolled alongside his wife-to-be, who carefully pushed the pram to the car.

Not to be outdone, little Ronnie was the effortless centre of attention, wearing a stylish blue patterned onesie with a pair of cotton socks keeping his feet warm in the chilly autumnal weather.

Their outing came just days after Danielle showed off her impossibly flat stomach while stepping out in nearby Solihulll - after claiming that she was inflicted with 'wobbly bits' from the birth of her child.

All eyes on you! In between getting prepared to take little Ronnie home, Danielle couldn't resist showering him with kisses

Centre of attention: Ronnie was the effortless centre of attention, wearing a stylish blue patterned onesie with a pair of cotton socks keeping his feet warm in the chilly autumnal weather

Leading the way: Danielle pushed the buggy as they made their way outside

Doting dad: Michael fussed over the tot during their latest public appearance

Close: The family have been inseparable since Danielle welcomed her first child with Michael

Looking good: The brunette beauty, who recently returned from a sun-soaked weekend in Dubai, showed off her glowing tan in a monochrome outfit

She flaunted her svelte physique in a chic feather-trim sweater and skintight jeans during the relaxed outing.

The brunette beauty, who recently returned from a sun-soaked weekend in Dubai, showed off her glowing tan in the monochrome outfit.

Injecting a dose of glamour to the look, the former beauty queen added some monogrammed Chanel espadrille flats and an oversized Hermes Birkin tote.

Danielle sent fans wild with her incredible post-baby figure last month, as she slipped into a vibrantly patterned bikini to soak up the sunshine in Dubai.

I've got you: Dad Michael cradled his baby son, who looked adorable in his little romper suit as they made their way towards a waiting car

The look of love: The proud father couldn't take his eyes off Ronnie while holding him aloft

Affectionate: The baby was smothered in kisses as Michael held him close

All mine: The proud father gave his son one last kiss as Danielle idled close by

She had jetted overseas with her beau ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2017 event and confidently paraded her post-baby frame while on board a yacht.

Escaping her parenting duties for sunnier climes, Danielle looked simply stunning in the holiday snap that saw her clad in a revealing two-piece bikini for her jaunt out at sea.

Beaming from ear-to-ear, Danielle oozed confidence in her scanty getup as she gushed alongside her Instagram post: 'Day on the yacht with my boy.'

It comes after the former Celebrity Big Brother star recently confessed to spending 'years' crying over her figure and her 'wobbly bits' - particularly after giving birth to her four children, in a candid interview with Closer magazine.

Stepping out: The family were in a chipper mood as ventured outside for a stroll in Lichfield

Surrounded by love: Ronnie was smothered with kisses by his parents as they stood by their car

My boy: Danielle smiled as Michael pulled his son close in another show of affection

Fresh off the plane: Danielle adn Michael were back after jetted overseas ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2017 event

My turn: The former model was seen leaning in to give baby Ronnie another kiss before their departure from The Barn

However, Danielle - who has sons Archie, seven, Harry, six, and three-year-old George with ex-husband Jamie O'Hara, and two-month-old Ronnie with fiance Michael O'Neill - insists she has finally learned to appreciate her figure

Danielle soared to fame in 2004 when she was feted as Miss England before being crowned Miss Great Britain in 2006 although she was soon stripped of her title after posing in the December issue of Playboy in the same year.

She has since gone on to make various reality appearances, but has now confessed that beyond her confident public appearances, she has suffered an ongoing battle with her own body image.

Making him laugh: Michael appeared to give his son a little tickle as they made their way across the car park

Quality time: The Couple looked every inch the proud doting parents during their latest outing

She's no dummy: Danielle clenched Ronnie's pacifier between her teeth as she adjusted his buggy

We're off: The former model packed the buggy into the back of their car before they set off

Danielle, who had hit out at the pressure new mums feel to lose weight as she proudly debuted her post-baby frame just one week post-partum, said: 'I'm so happy right now and I don't care if I'm not in perfect shape. I've got wobbly bits and a little bump on my tummy but it doesn't bother me.

'I've spent years crying over my figure, especially after I had my other children I felt so big and uncomfortable. But I've finally learned to love myself and that's taken me a really long time.'

Danielle began working out twice a week just six weeks after giving birth to Ronnie but she insists the sessions are more for the mental benefits than the physical.

In awe: Her outing comes after she showed off her impeccably toned figure in a sizzling Instagram post from Dubai last month
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He has been inseparable from his girlfriend Chloe Green ever since the duo went public with their romance in June.

But tearing himself away from his new love, Jeremy Meeks, 33, was seen showcasing his modelling credentials as he took part in a smouldering photoshoot for a French magazine in California on Friday.

However, proving his girlfriend is never too far away, the 'Hot Felon' was dressed head-to-toe in Topman clothing for the shoot, before showcasing his muscular physique, as he posed shirtless with two horses.

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Smouldering: Jeremy Meeks, 33, was seen showcasing his modelling credentials as he took part in a smouldering photoshoot for a French magazine in California on Friday.

Meeks has made quite the unconventional journey to stardom after the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on their website in 2014, following his arrest for gang activity and a misdemeanour charge of resisting/obstructing justice.

The photo promptly went viral, with internet users dubbing him 'the hottest convict ever', and he quickly found himself swarmed with modelling agents hoping to sign him up. He made his first official modelling appearance at New York Fashion Week, earlier this year.

Since then, he has gone on to become a runway star and his latest venture saw him striking up a slew of poses while holding onto ropes as he guided two dark horses along the set.

Representing the 'in-laws': The model was clad in head-to-toe Topman for the photoshoot

Taming his horses: Jeremy posed alongside two dark stallions as he led them around on set

Brooding: He cut a brooding figure as he pulled a slew of poses for the camera while clutching onto the horses' rope in his hands

Centre stage: All eyes were on the 'hot felon' as he commanded attention on location

Tat's the way! Jeremy showcased the inkings across his torso and chest, as well as his arms, as he paraded around shirtless

Appearing shirtless in several shots, Jeremy gave onlookers a good look at his buffed-up frame, along with the tattoos he has etched onto the front of his chest and along his lower arms.

He was seen paying tribute to his girlfriend and her family's business, as he paraded around with a pair of Topman boxers pulled just above his black trousers. Chloe's father Sir Philip Green is the chairman of Arcadia Group that includes Topshop and Topman as well as a slew of other high-street retail brands.

When he wasn't flaunting his incredibly honed body, Jeremy covered up in a tailored black blazer coat that featured an unusual layered design that billowed out behind him from his hips and around his legs.

Slight nod: He made sure to pay tribute to new love Chloe Green by sporting Topman boxers that were visible at the waistband of his trousers

Sun-drenched: The shoot no doubt made for thirsty work given the blazing sunshine and hot temperatures

Wild Wild West: It appeared to have a western theme, as Jeremy guided horses around on location while being snapped by photographers

His appearance in California comes after the smitten star revealed how he had first met girlfriend Chloe and explained she had gatecrashed a dinner party he was attending in Monaco over the summer.

He boasted: 'Philipp Plein threw a dinner for me at Maya Bay restaurant in Monaco to celebrate the after-party of his fashion show. Chloe was there.

'I didnt put her on the guest list and I dont know who invited her but I am happy to say that she was there and that after that we fell in love.'

Stylish: The fashion star was clad in an unusual blazer jacket that was tailored around the torso before billowing out from his hips and around his legs

Revealing: He wore nothing underneath - exposing the inkings on his chest and neck

Edgy: Meeks teamed his outfit with a pair of leather boots that fastened in buckles around the ankles

And pose: He was seen working the camera from all angles in the vast open space that made for the shoot's set

Speaking to Sunday Mirror about how he fell in love with the beauty, Jeremy said: 'Ive never been happier in my life than right now. Weve found love, were in love and we are very happy. I love Chloe for her and if she didnt have a dollar I wouldnt give a s**t because were so happy.

'Her dad has never questioned me on my past or made me feel uncomfortable and Im not scared of what he thinks of me because he knows his daughter. He knows her and he knows that if shes in love she wont have chosen someone who isnt right.'

Opening up about the mistakes he's made in life, he confessed a new-found respect for his girlfriend's family, but did not address claims he and Chloe are engaged. The duo had sparked engagement rumours, after they were spotted ring shopping in Beverly Hills.

Aspiring model: Meeks has made quite the unconventional journey to stardom after the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on their website in 2014

History: He was previously arrested for gang activity and a misdemeanour charge of resisting/obstructing justice

Natural! Meeks made his first official modelling appearance at New York Fashion Week earlier this year

Checking his efforts? Jeremy was seen checking in with a crew member as he stole a break away from the cameras

However, a representative for Chloe confirmed that she and Meeks are not engaged.

Model Jeremy is still married to the mother of his son, Jeremy, but has served divorce papers to Melissa, with who he also has two step children.

He also hopes hopes to re-establish a relationship with his own father, who is out of prison after serving 33 years for murder.

Making his mark: Jeremy has gone on to become a runway star and his latest venture saw him striking up a slew of poses while holding onto ropes as he guided two dark horses along the set

In charge: Jeremy looked like he meant business as he got to work on the photo shoot

Besotted: His appearance in California comes after the smitten star revealed how he had first met girlfriend Chloe

Love story: Jeremy explained Chloe had gatecrashed a dinner party he was attending in Monaco over the summer

New love: He boasted: 'Philipp Plein threw a dinner for me at Maya Bay restaurant in Monaco to celebrate the after-party of his fashion show. Chloe was there. I didnt put her on the guest list and I dont know who invited her but I am happy to say that she was there and that after that we fell in love'

Loved-up: Speaking to Sunday Mirror about how he fell in love with the beauty, Jeremy said: 'Ive never been happier in my life than right now'

Gushing beau: He said: 'Weve found love, were in love and we are very happy'

Going strong: He and Chloe had sparked engagement rumours, after they were spotted ring shopping in Beverly Hills, but a representative for her denied the claims

Moving on: Model Jeremy is still married to the mother of his son, Jeremy, but has served divorce papers to Melissa, with who he also has two step children

Fooling around: Jeremy appeared in high spirits as he took a break from working on set

Jeremy was jailed in 2009 for stealing and was sent to prison again in 2014 for gun law violations and resisting arrest. He says he and Chloe are now close with one anothers families.

Their relationship hit headlines in June when the couple pictured kissing on a yacht in Turkey.

Jeremy was accused of infidelity but insisted his marriage to the 39-year-old was over when he met Chloe.

Hitting headlines: His relationship with Chloe first surfaced in June when the couple pictured kissing on a yacht in Turkey

Drama: Jeremy was accused of infidelity but insisted his marriage to the 39-year-old was over when he met Chloe

Upset: Speaking of her ex-partner's new relationship, Melissa told Inside Edition that she was in 'shock' and 'didn't really know what to do', following pictures surfacing of Jeremy and Chloe locking lips on a yacht in Bodrum, Turkey

Hurt: 'It wasn't an easy pill to swallow,' Melissa said. 'This is not anything I expected... I felt hurt. I felt betrayed'

Speaking of her ex-partner's new relationship, Melissa told Inside Edition that she was in 'shock' and 'didn't really know what to do', following pictures surfacing of Jeremy and Chloe locking lips on a yacht in Bodrum, Turkey.

'It wasn't an easy pill to swallow,' Melissa said. 'This is not anything I expected... I felt hurt. I felt betrayed.

'I believed in him, I believed in us. I truly thought this would have a happy ending. It didn't have a happy ending for me.'

Jeremy has since filed for divorce from Melissa and she is now seeking both child and spousal support.

Moving on: Jeremy has since filed for divorce from Melissa and she is now seeking both child and spousal support

Brushed aside: His marital woes appeared to be far from his mind as he got to work on his latest shoot

Steamy: The star will no doubt set pulses racing with the finished results of his shoot

All in a hard day's work: He was joined by a slew of crew members as they wrapped things up in the heat

Taking the lead: Jeremy was at the forefront of the shots, as the horses trailed behind him

Idyllic scene: The sun setting made for a picturesque location on camera

Ready for his close up: Jeremy was seen pulling a sultry stare in the way of the camera lens

Buffed up: He wasn't afraid to strip off for the shoot

Past conviction: Jeremy was jailed in 2009 for stealing and was sent to prison again in 2014 for gun law violations and resisting arrest
She released her debut single 'Because We Want To' at the tender age of 15.

Billie Piper proved she still has star quality in a black sequinned dress for the Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old showcased her unique style in the halterneck design, which revealed one of her toned and tanned shoulders.

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Off the shoulder: Billie Piper proved she still has star quality in a black sparkly dress for the Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on Sunday night

The mother of two wore her caramel blonde tresses pinned behind her ears to reveal delicate diamond earrings.

The British beauty held a matching black gem encrusted clutch bag as she pouted and smiled for the cameras, revealing her pearly whites.

The Swindon born beauty looked happy at the star-studded event in the British capital to celebrate London's West-end talent.

Strike a pose: The TV star looked sensational in a black jewel dress, revealing one of her tanned shoulders with her golden blonde dresses pinned black and her diamond earrings on show

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017 - The Winners Best Actor in partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group Bertie Carvel - Ink, Almeida Theatre and Duke of Yorks Theatre Andrew Garfield - Angels In America, National Theatre (Lyttleton) WINNER Andrew Scott - Hamlet, Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress in partnership with Christian Louboutin Laura Donnelly - The Ferryman, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre Victoria Hamilton - Albion, Almeida Theatre Glenda Jackson - King Lear, Old Vic Theatre WINNER Milton Shulman Award for Best Director Dominic Cooke - Follies, National Theatre Robert Icke - Hamlet, Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Sam Mendes - The Ferryman, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre WINNER Best Play In partnership with Hiscox, Official Arts Partner of the Evening Standard The Children - Lucy Kirkwood, Royal Court The Ferryman - Jez Butterworth, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre WINNER Ink - James Graham, Almeida Theatre and Duke of Yorks Theatre Oslo - J T Rogers, National Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Best Design Jon Bausor - Bat Out Of Hell  The Musical, Coliseum Bunny - Christie Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle, Wyndhams Theatre/The Red Barn, National Theatre/ Ink, Almeida Theatre and Duke of Yorks Theatre WINNER Soutra Gilmour - Twelfth Night, National Theatre Best Musical Performance Janie Dee - Follies, National Theatre Robert Fairchild - An American In Paris, Dominion Theatre Amber Riley - Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre WINNER Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright Al Smith - Harrogate, High Tide Festival and Royal Court Branden Jacobs-Jenkins - An Octoroon, Orange Tree Theatre WINNER Katherine Soper - Wish List, Royal Exchange Manchester and Royal Court Emerging Talent Award Sheila Atim Girl - From The North Country, Old Vic Theatre Tom Glynn-Carney - The Ferryman, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre WINNER Luke Thallon - Albion, Almeida Theatre Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical An American in Paris - The Dominion Theatre Bat Out of Hell - The Coliseum WINNER Dreamgirls - The Savoy Theatre Follies - Olivier Theatre, National Theatre School of Rock - New London Theatre The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13  The Musical - Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark She Loves Me - Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Advertisement

The stunning star was recently seen returning to the High Court, 18 months after her and ex-husband Laurence Fox were granted a 'quickie' divorce.

The former couple's nine-year marriage was ended in a ruling that took just 50 seconds in May 2016 but they were back at the Central Family Court in London last month.

It is unclear what the hearing related to but it is likely to have involved financial matters or child custody arrangements.

Dazzling smile: The British born beauty smiled revealing her pearly whites as she made her way into the star-studded event in the British capital to celebrate London's vibrant west end stars.

Since the split, Piper has gone public with her boyfriend of one year Johnny Lloyd, a musician who spent much of the summer playing with rock band Mystery Jets.

The actress appeared to confirm the relationship after wishing him luck on Instagram.

Billie's most famous roles to date are as Rose Tyler, a companion to the Doctor in the television series Doctor Who and as Belle in Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
She shares two children with husband and Family Feud host Grant Denyer.

And on her blog last week, Chezzi Denyer revealed she's to undergo surgery, just weeks before Christmas, for debilitating migraines.

'I am left really struggling to just get through my everyday life,' the 38-year-old candidly shared.

'I'm struggling to get through everyday life': Grant Denyer's wife Chezzi, 38, revealed via a blog post last week, that she's to undergo surgery for a debilitating condition just weeks before Christmas

Chezzi began: 'The week of my birthday earlier this month (November), I was sent to hospital with a severe migraine pain in my left hand side of my head. I've not experienced anything like it and thought it was caused by me detoxing?'

With her surgery scheduled for December 6, the media personality went on to describe the debilitating condition.

'In the interim, I am left really struggling to just get through my everyday life. Some days are worse than others. Some days I have such severe vertigo that I nearly fall over if I get up too quickly or if I move my head in a certain way.'

Debilitating: Severe migraines have left the media personality struggling daily, and is scheduled to go into surgery on December 6

Support network: Chezzi is relying on the support of her beloved husband Grant, to get her through such challenging times

Chezzi is relying on the support of her beloved husband Grant, to get her through such challenging times.

'My beautiful and loving husband is my tower of strength and I've been depending on him so much lately.'

Chezzi, a Jeans for Genes ambassador, married Grant, 40, in 2010, and the couple share two daughters, Sailor, six, and Scout, two.

Family: 'My beautiful and loving husband is my tower of strength and I've been depending on him so much lately,' the mother-of-two wrote to her blog last week

Living on a 27 acre farm just outside of Bathurst, the family could welcome another child in the near future.

Speaking to TV WEEK magazine in September, Chezzi revealed that Grant would love a son.

'He'd love a little boy running around the house. Grant's an amazing dad, and we've spoken about it, so who knows.'
He has just found out his ex-girlfriend and woman he gave a promise ring to is engaged to a woman after three months of dating.

So the Bachelor's Richie Strahan, 32, is understandably taking some time to digest the news - given he reportedly wanted to propose to Alex Nation, 26, last year.

A source told New Weekly the singleton had grand plans to seal the deal but was stopped by his leading lady herself.

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'They just weren't there yet': Richie Strahan didn't propose to Alex Nation because she just wanted to 'enjoy' time out from The Bachelor - as she reveals engagement to girlfriend of three months Maegan Luxa

'Richie never proposed to Alex because she was constantly telling him she just wanted to "enjoy this chapter" after The Bachelor finished,' the anonymous source said.

'She said they "just weren't there yet". And now after only three months with Maegan she's planning her forever. It hurts!'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Richie Strahan for comment.

It was revealed on Monday that Alex and Maegan were engaged after photos of the couple strolling along a dock in Frankston, Victoria, were released.

Happily never after: A source told New Weekly the singleton had grand plans to seal the deal but was stopped by his leading lady herself

Engaged... but not to Richie: It was revealed on Monday that Alex and Maegan were engaged after photos of the couple strolling along a dock in Frankston, Victoria, were released

The pair look positively delighted, packing on the PDA beside the ocean on a spectacular spring day.

Alex was wearing a diamond sparkler which featured a white gold tear drop cut with a diamond-encrusted band.

The ladies met in August playing for the same AFL Women's team, the Frankston Bombers.

Just two days prior to their engagement, mum-of-one Alex spoke openly about moving in together and the day Meagan met her six-year-old son, Elijah.

'I feel relieved that I can finally talk about it now,' she told the Herald Sun on Friday.

'As of the last few weeks we've lived together. It's been really nice. It just feels so good. Nothing forced or scary.

She said yes! Alex Nation is engaged o girlfriend Maegan Luxa after three months together and the former Bachelor winner flashed her new diamond sparkler during a loved-up outing

'And if this continues to blossom and grow there's no reason why I wouldn't get married.'

The 26-year-old, who revealed she has never been with a woman before Meagan, said she felt feelings for the 31-year-old that were unlike emotions she had ever had with her other female friends.

Although initially hesitant to start a relationship so soon after her split from Bachelor boyfriend Richie Strahan, she eventually 'muscled up the courage' to go for it.

Meanwhile Richie has been social media shy of late and has yet to speak openly about Alex's new relationship - only seeking to post one Instagram photo a month.

Alex has previously said she hasn't spoken to her ex-boyfriend Richie about Meagan but there were no ill feelings toward each other and she hoped he found happiness with someone else.

Alex won over Perth-based rope technician Richie in the Bachelor's third season - with many viewers at the time critical of the sandy-haired hunk for kicking Nikki Gogan to the curb.

At the time Richie spoke about how certain he had been of Alex - right from the very beginning - but things quickly turned sour.

While they never officially addressed their break up tense photographs emerged of the two earlier this year that showed Alex crying.

Shortly after news of the 26-year-old's relationship with Maegan broke.
Pope Francis told journalists on his plane flying back to Rome that he and Rohingya refugees cried during their meeting in Bangladesh

Pope Francis on Saturday said he wept hearing the plight first-hand of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, adding that this meeting was a condition set for his trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The Rohingya meeting was a highly symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Muslim minority fleeing violence in Myanmar, and the pontiff told journalists on his plane flying back to Rome that the refugees cried as well.

"I knew that I was going to meet the Rohingyas but I did not know where and how, for me it was one of the conditions of the trip," he said.

The usually forthright pontiff walked a diplomatic tightrope during his four days in Myanmar -- the first papal visit to the country -- avoiding any direct reference to the Rohingya in public while appealing to Buddhist leaders to overcome "prejudice and hatred".

In Bangladesh he addressed the issue head-on, meeting a group of Rohingya refugees from the squalid camps in southern Bangladesh in an emotional encounter in Dhaka.

"What Bangladesh has done for them is enormous, it's an example of welcome," he said.

"I wept, I tried to do it in a way that it couldn't be seen," he said. "They wept too."

"I told myself 'I cannot leave without saying a word to them'".

The pope told the Rohingya: "In the name of all those who have persecuted you, who have harmed you, in the face of the world's indifference, I ask for your forgiveness."

The pope referred to the refugees as Rohingya, using the term for the first time on the tour in Bangladesh after the archbishop of Yangon advised him that doing so in Myanmar could inflame tensions and endanger Christians.

The word is politically sensitive in mainly Buddhist Myanmar because many there do not consider the Rohingya a distinct ethnic group, regarding them instead as interlopers from Bangladesh.

"If I had used the word during an official speech I would have slammed the door," he said, adding: "They already knew what I thought."

"For me the most important thing is that the message gets through," he added.

The pope said he was "very satisfied" with his meetings in Myanmar and hinted that he expressed his opinion far more freely in private conversations with the country's leaders than in his public appearances.

More than 620,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh since a militant attack on police posts in late August sparked a deadly crackdown by the Myanmar military.

They have given consistent accounts of mass rape, killings and villages deliberately burned to the ground by soldiers and Buddhist militia.

The two countries last month signed an agreement to begin repatriating refugees to Myanmar, but rights groups say they are concerned about plans to house them in camps away from their former homes -- many of which have been destroyed.

During his tour the pope led well-attended open-air masses in Bangladesh and Myanmar, which both have small Christian populations.
American conductor James Levine and the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform Hector Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust" in September 2007 during a rehearsal in Paris

The Metropolitan Opera announced Saturday it would investigate claims that its music director sexually abused a teenage boy decades ago, as the US avalanche of misconduct allegations spread to classical music.

"We are deeply disturbed by the news articles that are being published online today about James Levine," said the New York house, one of the world's most prestigious opera companies.

"We are working on an investigation with outside resources to determine whether charges of sexual misconduct in the 1980s are true, so that we can take appropriate action."

The probe is based on a 2016 Illinois police report, the Met said. But Levine, now 74, continued to work there until now. He conducted a performance of Verdi's "Requiem" at the Lincoln Center on Saturday.

"At the time, Mr Levine said that the charges were completely false, and we relied upon the further investigation of the police," the Met said, referring to last year's police report.

"We need to determine if these charges are true and, if they are, take appropriate action."

The report indicated Levine's alleged abuse of the unnamed man began in 1985 when he was 15, according to The New York Times and New York Post.

Levine, who was in his early 40s at the time, was said to have driven him home and stopped the car in his family's driveway.

"He started holding my hand in a prolonged and incredibly sensual way," the alleged victim told the Times, saying the abuse escalated the following summer.

The now 48-year-old man reportedly told police in Lake Forest that Levine would masturbate naked in front of him and kiss his penis.

The alleged victim, who aspired to become a conductor, said the abuse continued until 1993 and pushed him to the brink of suicide.

"He inflicted shame and guilt on me," the Post quoted the alleged victim as having told police. "Emotionally, I have been hurt by this and confused and paralyzed."

A titan in classical music, Levine made his Met debut in 1971, going on to lead more than 2,500 performances of 85 different operas, and working with greats like Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo.

- 'Alone and afraid' -

He was music director at the Met for 40 years before retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season for health reasons -- he has Parkinson's disease -- but has stayed on as music director emeritus.

The allegations cannot be criminally prosecuted as the state's statute of limitations has expired. No charges have been brought.

The newspapers said the man first met the maestro as a four-year-old at the Ravinia Music Festival in Chicago's posh North Shore suburbs, where Levine was guest conductor for decades.

Over the years, Levine would send him gifts such as conductors' batons.

The man told the Post that Levine first fondled his penis when he was aged around 16 at a luxury hotel in Lake Forest, which he claimed was the scene of "hundreds of incidents" over the years.

The alleged abuse "nearly destroyed my family and almost led me to suicide. I felt alone and afraid. He was trying to seduce me. I couldn't see this. Now I can," the Post quoted him as telling police.

Since a torrent of sexual assault allegations broke against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in early October, a torrent of misconduct claims have shattered the careers of a growing list of powerful men, including Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, comedian C.K. Louis and morning television news anchors Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose.

Nominated for 37 Grammy Awards and winner of 10, Levine also conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for Disney's "Fantasia 2000" movie.

The alleged victim said the encounters continued until 1993, some of them taking place in New York, and that Levine gave him $50,000 in cash over the years, the Post said.
West Indies' Kraigg Braithwaite (C) bats watched by New Zealand's Ross Taylor (R) and keeper Tom Blundell (L) during day three of the first Test

Kraigg Brathwaite was leading a West Indies survival effort on Sunday after Tom Blundell's debut ton put New Zealand in a seemingly unbeatable position in the first Test in Wellington.

Faced with a 386-run first innings deficit, at tea on day three the West Indies had reached 107 for one with Brathwaite on 34 and Shimron Hetmyer on 27.

They still need a further 279 to make New Zealand bat again, with conditions much to the liking of the batsmen.

The wicket has browned off from the green cover on day one when the West Indies were rolled for 134 in their first innings.

Despite the Herculean task ahead to save the match, Brathwaite and his opening partner Kieran Powell were both prepared to take risks and attack the bowling.

Powell on 15 had an edge fall just short of Ross Taylor at first slip and a chip from Brathwaite on 19 fell short of Jeet Raval at short cover.

When the West Indies reached 41 after 15 overs, New Zealand's first innings destroyer Neil Wagner was brought into the attack with his short-pitched salvo.

But this time the tourists were primed to face him.

Powell smacked successive balls for six, and also took one to the helmet, in a costly spell which saw Wagner concede 25 runs in his first two overs.

Matt Henry, who bowled without reward on the first day, took the only wicket in the middle session when he had Powell caught and bowled for 40.

New Zealand had resumed the day on 447 for nine, with Blundell on 57, and as the West Indies struggled for inspiration, the nerveless debutant was ready to pounce.

He took 10 off the first over of the day from Miguel Cummins and progressed effortlessly from there.

Number 11 batsman Trent Boult assisted as he could, surviving two lbw appeals and a dropped catch as he staunchly preserved his wicket while Blundell closed in on the 100 mark.

When New Zealand eventually declared at 520-9, Blundell was not 107 off 180 deliveries while Boult had faced 60 for his 18.
Ahead of next week's trip to Europe, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and agreed on the need for a tough UN peacekeeping mandate in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarks this week on a diplomatic mission to shore up alliances in Europe and their defenses against Russian aggression and subversion.

But as he prepares to set off Monday for Brussels, Vienna and Paris, his authority to speak for Washington has been called into question by a rift with President Donald Trump.

Anonymous leaks from the White House suggest the top diplomat could be replaced within weeks and -- even while denying this -- Trump reminded him: "I call the final shots."

Tillerson has dismissed as "laughable" reports that Trump's closest aides want him to resign, but rumors will inevitably dog him when he sits down with his European peers.

His trip is structured around ministerial conferences of the NATO allies in Brussels and the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Vienna.

But the most closely watched encounter will be a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the OSCE talks late in the week.

At NATO, alliance partners will want to hear how America can help defend them against the newly global threat of North Korea's long-range nuclear missiles.

Tillerson gave a major speech on European policy in Washington on Tuesday to preview his agenda ahead of the trip -- and he did not mince words about Russia.

He will tell his NATO Western allies that they must stand shoulder-to-shoulder to oppose "the enemies that threaten our security and oppose our way of life," while Russia must be brought to reverse its intervention in eastern Ukraine through relentless sanctions pressure.

- 'Best friend' -

Tillerson's meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov will be the most closely-watched of his European trip

"Any resolution to the war that does not entail a fully independent, sovereign, territorially-whole Ukraine is unacceptable," Tillerson declared.

"Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand by this flagrant violation of international norms," he said.

But for this warning to be credible, Tillerson must be seen as speaking for the whole US government and the president, who has shown no enthusiasm for sanctions against Russia.

Trump -- who in 2013 suggested he become Russian leader Vladimir Putin's "best friend" -- opposed a law passed this year by Congress that could impose new sanctions from January, over Russia's Ukraine intervention and alleged interference in the US presidential election.

The White House has even attempted to play down the conclusion of US intelligence that Russia deployed hackers and propagandists to assist in Trump's election win.

But since that victory, the Trump administration's other major players -- Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis -- have taken a tougher line.

- Russian-backed rebels -

Supporters of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, backed by Russia in conflict-scarred eastern Ukraine, rally on September 7, 2017

Relations with Russia are at a low after tit-for-tat closures of diplomatic missions, although both sides seem to want to cooperate to stabilize Syria.

Despite the enmity, progress may be made this week in agreeing terms for a United Nations mission in Ukraine.

Putin has suggested Blue Helmet troops deploy to protect the unarmed OSCE monitors struggling to oversee the shaky ceasefire between Kiev's forces and Russian-backed rebels.

Western powers would like to see the force have a broader mandate.

Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel met Tillerson in Washington on Thursday, and afterwards told reporters that they found themselves in agreement on the crisis.

"We believe that we absolutely need a robust mandate by the United Nations for a peacekeeping mission," Gabriel said, warning that tough negotiations lie ahead.

"There are -- not minor, but truly significant -- differences between Russia, the United States and us Europeans," he said.

The UN mission must have the authority to implement the truce and enforce the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the disputed and conflict-torn Donbass region, Gabriel said.

"We share this view with our American partners," the German minister added.

Despite overwhelming evidence of its involvement, Moscow continues to deny that it has played a role in the eastern Ukraine fighting.

- Missile shield -

On North Korea, Europe had a rude awakening on Wednesday when Kim Jong-Un's North Korean regime demonstrated that his banned missile program can, in theory, strike targets on the continent.

Any high-altitude shield to protect Europe from North Korean missiles flying over the pole could breach non-proliferation deals with Russia, promising a new diplomatic row.

Trump, meanwhile, has already made it clear that he thinks the United States already pays more than its fair share of the costs of NATO's collective defense.

Tillerson is due to arrive in Brussels late on Monday. He has talks with EU and NATO leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday before flying on to Vienna for the OSCE.

Heading home on Friday, he will stop in Paris for talks with senior French officials.

dc-burs/it
An illustration of a Bitcoin sign in Hong Kong. Investors' interest has been piqued by the cryptocurrency's surging value

At Melt Bakery, a hole in the wall that sells ice cream sandwiches in New York's upscale Manhattan neighborhood, you can pay for your guilty pleasure in bitcoin.

And while a few swipes of a mobile app are all it takes to fill your electronic wallet, the novelty, for now, comes at a hefty cost.

Melt is one of several small stores in America's biggest city now accepting the bitcoins, hailed by some as the future of currency.

Investors' interest has been piqued by the virtual currency's surging value while industry insiders see it as an alternative instrument for consumers who want to shop online but don't have access to traditional instruments like a credit card.

It has even triggered an expanding ATM network that lets people turn their cash into bitcoins, and their bitcoins back into cash.

At Melt's checkout counter, each transaction can take several minutes to process and trigger varying fees.

That means a $5 chocolate ice cream sandwich cost $9.29 for a recent bitcoin purchase.

- Gift cards -

A man walking past a signboard in Tokyo informing customers that Bitcoin can be used for payment, as more and more major companies now accept virtual currency

Though its presence is growing, bitcoin use is still far from widespread at the storefront level.

A New York chiropractor who released a statement in 2014 announcing he would accept bitcoin payments has yet to receive any.

Nick Allen, head of product development at the Blockchain Technologies startup, acknowledges such use is limited.

"It's just for promotion," said the 24-year-old.

"Bitcoin will never be used largely in real life. Transaction fees are too high and an owner is not able to track the transactions made by its employees."

For his part, Allen converts his entire income into the currency which he then uses to do all his shopping online, including basic groceries.

He buys store gift cards on an online platform where, he says, vendors "want bitcoins more than they want gift cards."

In just a few clicks, he can buy $100 worth of takeout food delivered by UberEats for just $36.

But he found himself in a bit of a bind during a recent trip to Amsterdam, where, without a credit card and just 200 euros ($238) in cash, he couldn't find anywhere to convert his bitcoins.

- Buy tickets, sofas -

More and more major companies now accept virtual currency, including Bitcoin but also others, as a valid form of payment -- from booking a flight on Expedia to a new sofa from retailer Overstock.

"We are a big believer that it is good for us," said Overstock's president Jonathan Johnson. "It is another way for customers to spend money at our stores and it is cheaper for us because we don't have to pay a credit card transaction fee."

The firm initially converted all its bitcoins into dollars, but now retains half in order to pay suppliers, and to take advantage of its surging value.

A bitcoin was worth about $1,000 at the start of the year, but is now more than $10,000.

At a small grocery store in Harlem, Matthew, a former financier who now works in tech and who gave his first name only, said he bought his first bitcoins in 2016 and was now withdrawing his profits from an ATM.

"Buying bitcoin at an ATM is the easiest and safest way to do it," he said, adding he did not entirely trust other platforms.

Investors make up 25 percent of the userbase of Coinsource, a nationwide bitcoin ATM network, according to its manager, Sheffield Clark.

Value of bitcoin in 2017

The majority of users see the currency as "a medium of exchange to buy things online," explains Clark, who adds that in the future, bitcoin will likely complement rather than replace real money.

It is especially useful for those who "may not have access to a PayPal account or access to traditional financial services such as a credit card or debit card account," he adds.
WeWork has become the largest co-working startup with some 150,000 members in more than 20 countries

Going to the office isn't what it used to be. As more workers shift to on-demand and "gig" employment, the workplace has changed, and no company has capitalized on this more than WeWork.

With free-flowing beer and coffee, the smartly designed offices that have popped up in dozens of cities in some 20 countries have become coveted by small firms and freelancers in technology and other sectors.

WeWork, with a whopping valuation by investors of $20 billion, has taken the lead in the co-working space and in the process is disrupting the office and real estate market.

"At WeWork, we want to create a world where people work to make a life, not just a living," says chief executive Adam Neumann, who co-founded the group in 2010 in New York with Miguel McKelvey.

Those who rent desk space or enclosed offices at WeWork are not just clients, they are members of a "community" under the WeWork credo.

Started in New York, WeWork has expanded to some two dozen US cities and around the world in Brazil, Argentina, China, Japan, India, Ireland and Israel, among others, and claims more than 150,000 members.

WeWork supplies an internet connection, cleaning service, a reception desk and more. In San Francisco, the $400 monthly rent offers a workspace in a shared office, while an enclosed office for several people may cost several thousand dollars.

The monthly deals can be particularly attractive to independent workers who don't want to make a long-term commitment. But WeWork also rents to employees of large firms such as IBM where regional offices are less convenient.

WeWork's annual revenues have topped $1 billion, according to Neumann, amid speculation the group would launch a public share offering.

- Expanding perks, activities -

WeWork has attracted members for its co-working spaces with activities including seminars, parties and networking events

Steve King, analyst at Emergent Research, said WeWork's strength is building a sense of community, allowing its members to benefit from the network of co-workers from diverse sectors.

WeWork offers a mobile application that enables users to contact other members, and be notified of events ranging from cocktail receptions to manicures.

Expanding its mission, WeWork has begun a handful of "co-living" spaces that offer some of the same perks, and recently acquired the online social network Meetup -- which keeps members apprised of events ranging from tech networking sessions to sporting events -- and the Flatiron School, which provides online and offline classes and training.

But WeWork's most visible move came in October with the announcement it would buy the landmark Lord & Taylor store on New York's Fifth Avenue -- vastly increasing its visibility with the historic building that will become its new headquarters, with expanded co-working space.

As it ramps up its business, WeWork defies categorization.

"They don't want to be a real estate company because real estate's old and boring, whereas they want to be new and hip," King said.

While it's not quite a tech company, "they want to be a tech-enabled company that's creating human interaction," according to King.

WeWork has risen to the top of a crowded field of co-working rivals, and earlier this year got a $4.4 billion capital infusion from Japan's SoftBank Vision Fund.

"WeWork is disrupting preconceived notions of work styles and opening up myriad opportunities for the next generation of creators around the world by taking a scientific approach that fully utilizes the latest technologies," said SoftBank chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son.

The WeWork model has yet to be tested in a weak economy, and King points out the model carries some risk because WeWork has to buy real estate or sign long-term leases for its space while renting to members on short-term deals.

"The risk in the leasing model is that if you face a recession, and you've leased long-term and you're selling short term, they could lose a lot of members but still have to pay the lease," King said.

"The real estate risk is that they pay too much and won't be able to fill it."

WeWork's head start however could help it be more resilient, the analyst noted.

"They always argued that WeWork creates network effect, which is the more members they have, the more valuable they are," King said.
Chris, a homeless heroin addict pictured in this July 31, 2017 file photo, shoots up by a railway underpass in the Kensington section of Philadelphia which has become a hub for heroin use

The scourge of the opioid crisis in the United States kills 90 Americans every day, but beyond the human toll it also handicaps the US economy, taking millions of people out of the workforce, economists warn.

President Donald Trump has declared the epidemic a national emergency, as 2.4 million Americans are estimated to be addicted to opiates, the narcotics that include prescription painkillers such as morphine, as well as heroin.

Trump's Council of Economic Advisers estimates that in 2015 the opioid crisis cost the US economy $504 billion, or 2.8 percent of gross domestic product, in increased healthcare costs and lost wages, far higher than previously estimated.

More than 50,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2015, more than half of which were due to opiates, the CEA said in a report published November 20.

"The problem is worsening at an alarming pace, with opioid-involved deaths doubling in the past 10 years and quadrupling in the past 16."

And as businesses struggle to find workers to fill open positions -- with the US unemployment rate down to 4.1 percent -- large numbers of potential workers are being excluded from consideration or are not able to work.

- Lost workers -

Medical workers and police treat a woman who has overdosed on heroin, the second case in a matter of minutes, on July 14, 2017 in Warren, Ohio

"The opioid epidemic affects the US economy by disabling adult workers in their most economically productive years," said Thomas Bollyky, an expert on health and economics at the Council on Foreign Relations, an influential think-tank.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said last week the epidemic is contributing to declining labor-force participation among "prime-age workers," especially men aged 25-54. And Jerome Powell, who will succeed Yellen in February, echoed that analysis.

The labor force participation rate has been below 63 percent for more than three years, down from 67 percent in the 1990s and into 2000, according to government data. Some of that decline is due to the aging population, but the rate for adult men in the workforce has fallen below 72 percent from 77 percent in 2000.

Alan Krueger, economist at Princeton University, estimated that the increase in opioid prescriptions from 1999 to 2015 "could account for about 20 percent of the observed decline in men's labor force participation during that same period, and 25 percent of the observed decline in women's labor force participation."

He said the decline is most notable in areas where opiates are most prescribed.

"Many factors are at work, but I think the driving force has been the US medical system and pharmaceutical companies," Krueger said. "With good intentions of relieving pain, too many doctors have been overprescribing opioid medications."

Bollyky agreed the crisis has its origins in over-prescription of the drugs, noting that in 20 years, prescriptions have soared by 300 percent.

"In 2015, the amount of opioids prescribed was enough for every American to be medicated around the clock for three weeks."

But drug companies also played a role, with "aggressive and arguably deceptive marketing" on these painkillers, Bollyky said.

For example, laboratories delivered 780 million tablets in six years to West Virginia, a state of 1.8 million people whose opioid overdose death rate jumped by 17 percent in 2015.

- Insurance policies -

Beyond the impact on the labor market, the entire economy suffers from the epidemic of addiction. Without jobs, addicts have no income and cannot consume in a country where household spending is the main driver of growth.

Many employers require drug tests, and will not hire workers with a criminal record, which many opioid addicts have, making them unemployable.

One surprising finding is the role US insurance policies have played in contributing to overuse of opioids, since they offer more generous coverage for these drugs to treat things such as chronic back pain, than for less addictive alternatives, such as chiropractic treatments.

And those without health insurance coverage may turn to these more affordable substances, instead of more expensive procedures such as knee surgery or wisdom teeth extractions that would cost thousands of dollars.
Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys

Buddhist monks chant next to a pink coffin where Dollar's small body is nestled amongst flowers -- a $600 final farewell for the Shih Tzu at a Bangkok temple that administers elaborate pet funerals.

Dollar's owner, Pimrachaya Worakijmanotham, fights back tears as she takes a last fond look at her six-year-old pet dog, whose tousled grey-white body rests under jasmine garlands.

"This is the last time I can be with her... so I want Dollar to receive good things," Pimrachaya, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, told AFP, a framed photo of "her child" Dollar behind her.

Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys.

In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being.

According to Buddhist belief, merit garnered in each life eventually leads to nirvana -- the state of non-suffering.

"In this life, she (Dollar) couldn't go to the temples to make merit for herself. This is the only thing we can do for her," Pimrachaya, who is a banker, said.

The trend is not unique to Thailand -- Japan is particularly fond of lavish goodbyes to its pets.

But in Bangkok it is catching on fast as Thais increasingly see pets as family members.

- 200 a month -

At least three temples offer daily services, including a monk-led ceremony, cremation and sprinkling of ashes in rivers -- the symbolic ritual of returning earthly remains to nature.

Theerawat Sae-Han, the founder of Pet Funeral Thailand, says his company cremates more than 200 animals each month, from cats and dogs, to monitor lizards, snakes and baboons.

Wat Krathum Suea Pla Buddhist temple in Bangkok now has a ceremonial compound and cremation chambers

"Successful or famous animals like fighting cocks who won the awards will also be brought for cremation," said Theerawat, a former pet salon owner who jumped into the "good" business of full-blown pet cremation four years ago.

Surging demand for his service also reflects the shrinking public spaces in the bustling Thai capital.

"Before, we buried them in authorised parks or backyards but now it's rare to find ones in Bangkok," said Phrakru Samu Jumpol, a monk at Wat Krathum Suea Pla.

His temple has partnered with Theerawat's company and now has a ceremonial compound and cremation chambers.

While it makes for a good business -- starting prices are around 3,000 baht (around $91) but the most extravagant services cost up to 100,000 baht -- the monk says the funerals have brought people closer to religion.

"Some people might not have a chance to come to the temple at all. When their pets die, they come here," said Phrakru Samu Jumpol, adding the pet-lovers will be taught the Buddhist lesson that "all things are temporary."

So far, the temple has not faced criticism for its business links.

Thailand's junta is examining temple finances across the country as it seeks to improve the image of a religion which has been hit by a stream of financial scandals in recent years.

For pet lovers, the service provides spiritual succour at a time of great pain.

At the end of a ceremony to spread the ashes of her Siberian husky Maprang in November, teary-eyed Tipaporn Ounsiri found cause for optimism.

"If the next life exists, please come back and be my daughter, don't be born as a pet anymore," she said.
In September 2016 the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a non-binding political declaration pledging to uphold the rights of refugees, help them resettle and ensure access to education and jobs

The administration of President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from a United Nations pact to improve the handling of migrant and refugee situations, deeming it "inconsistent" with its policies, the US mission to the global body announced Saturday.

"Today, the US Mission to the United Nations informed the UN Secretary-General that the United States is ending its participation in the Global Compact on Migration," the Americans said in a statement.

In September 2016, the 193 members of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a non-binding political declaration, the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, pledging to uphold the rights of refugees, help them resettle and ensure they have access to education and jobs.

"The New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration's immigration principles. As a result, President Trump determined that the United States would end its participation in the Compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018," the US statement said.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the country would continue its "generosity" in supporting migrants and refugees around the world, but that "our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone."

"We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with US sovereignty."

Under Trump and his "America First" policies, the United States has withdrawn from several global commitments made under the administration of president Barack Obama, including the Paris climate deal.

More recently, American pulled out of the Paris-based culture and education body, UNESCO, accusing it of "anti-Israel bias."
Nearly 1,200 North Koreans have lived and worked in Mongolia, many toiling at construction sites

North Koreans have toiled and slept at construction sites in Mongolia, they have operated cashmere sewing machines, and their acupuncture skills are highly prized in one of the few democracies employing them.

But the nearly 1,200 North Koreans living in the country wedged between Russia and China must now pack their bags as Mongolia enforces tough United Nations sanctions severely curbing trade with Pyongyang.

The UN estimated in September that 100,000 North Koreans work abroad and send some $500 million in wages back to the authoritarian regime each year.

But the UN Security Council ordered nations to stop providing guest worker permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang detonated its most powerful nuclear bomb.

The US is now pushing for more sanctions after the regime tested another intercontinental ballistic missile in late November.

North Koreans have to leave Mongolia by the end of the year as their one-year work authorisations will not be renewed, the labour ministry said.

"Private entities will not be able to offer new contracts due to the UN resolution. Mongolia has been following every part of the resolution," Shijeekhuugiin Odonbaatar, a Mongolian foreign ministry official, told AFP.

The number of North Koreans working in Mongolia has dropped every year since peaking at 2,123 in 2013.

The number of North Koreans working in Mongolia has dropped every year since peaking in 2013

There were 1,190 North Koreans employed in the vast country of three million people as of November -- often under murky work and living conditions.

Most of the North Koreans who work abroad are in China and Russia, but they have also been found elsewhere in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Across the world, they work 12-hour to 16-hour days, with only one or two days off per month. The North Korean government takes between 70 and 90 percent of their monthly wages, which range from $300 to $1,000, according to the US State Department.

But their days abroad are numbered.

Some 150 North Koreans have left Angola. In Qatar, the contracts of some 650 construction workers will expire next year. Poland, where as many as 500 have laboured, will not renew work permits.

The head of a Russian parliamentary delegation visiting North Korea this week said "everything" must be done to allow those who have already received work permits to finish their jobs in Russia, where an expert estimates around 30,000 live.

- Cold basements -

In Mongolia, construction companies have hired North Koreans for their reputation for working long hours without complaint.

They live in toolsheds of construction sites or in the basements of apartment projects. They never take time off or even leave the construction sites as they are not allowed to wander in the city on their own.

In September, a 27-year-old North Korean worker died after falling from an apartment in a residential complex under construction in Ulaanbaatar.

Most of the North Koreans who work abroad are in China and Russia, but they are also found in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East

At the fenced-off site, AFP journalists saw three toolsheds with a clothes line strung between them. The workers angrily refused to talk to the reporters and tried to grab their cameras.

A South Korean Christian activist who has sought to help North Koreans said he wished that Mongolians would do more for those who work in poor conditions.

"In winter most of them live in the basement of the building that they are building. There is no heating in that unfinished building," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Unfortunately, it is too risky for South Koreans to help those workers directly. I used to help some of construction workers in the past, through one man. But one day, that man just disappeared. I never saw him again."

- Begging to stay -

Conditions at Mongolia's garment factories have also faced scrutiny.

But more than 100 North Koreans left Gobi Cashmere, Mongolia's biggest cashmere factory, after their contracts ended in August.

"We hired North Koreans because of a lack of Mongolians skilled in operating garment machines," the company's lawyer, Tsogtbayariin Tsaschiker, told AFP.

"The South Korean press publishes false stories that the companies pay North Koreans with shirts, not money. We paid them exactly the same salary as we pay our Mongolian workers and they work eight hours like the Mongolian workers. They used to receive their salary through Mongolian banks."

North Koreans are also renowned for their skills in traditional Korean medicine, including acupuncture and chiropractic care.

The facilities send their salaries to the North Korean embassy, which then pays the staff. The embassy declined to comment.

The acupuncturists and chiropractors have better conditions than the construction workers as their food and apartments are provided by the clinics.

Sunjidmaa Mitiya, chief doctor at Sky, a private traditional medicine hospital, said her two North Korean employees attract many customers.

"Patients always have high satisfaction with their treatment and more patients come to our clinic thanks to the good results see by other clients," Mitiya said.

"They work from their heart, and they are happy to work in Mongolia," she said. "The previous doctor... begged the clinic to hire him again after his contract ended."
Israelis take part in a demonstration under the name "March of Shame" to protest against government corruption and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 2, 2017 in Tel Aviv

Tens of thousands of people have protested in Tel Aviv against what they say is corruption within the government and the slow pace of investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from wealthy supporters and has also faced police questioning over a secret deal he allegedly sought for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.

Protesters late Saturday massed in a large boulevard of an upmarket neighbourhood in the Israeli city, an AFP reporter said, shouting "Shame" and "Bibi go home", referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

The rally -- dubbed "the march of shame" -- was organised by the leaders of weekly protests which have taken place outside the home of Attorney General Avishai Mandelblit over the past few months.

"Bibi and his government are destroying the country. There's been enough corruption," said demonstrator Michal, a Tel Aviv resident who preferred not to give his full name.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity with the protesters, writing on Facebook that "the frustration ... stems from a feeling of injustice, revulsion against corruption and the moral objection to a law made to measure for one person".

Israel's parliament will on Monday give a second and third reading of a bill that Netanyahu's opponents say is designed to help him survive the police investigation.

The bill's sponsor, David Amsalem of Netanyahu's Likud party, said he sought only to protect the rights and reputation of suspects.

Netanyahu is suspected of having received luxury gifts from affluent individuals including Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who has also been questioned.

Milchan, a long-time friend of Netanyahu, reportedly sent him boxes of expensive cigars and other items worth tens of thousands of dollars.

In addition to suspicions that the gifts constituted bribery, the police also suspect that Netanyahu sought a secret pact -- not believed to have been finalised -- which would have seen him receive favourable coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.
Musa Hilal (C), a powerful militia and Arab tribal leader in Sudan's strife-torn Darfur who was arrested last week by counter-insurgency

By arresting Darfur's powerful militia chief Musa Hilal, Khartoum has tightened its control over Sudan's strife-torn region but analysts say it might open a new chapter of violence.

Hilal, a former aide to President Omar al-Bashir, was arrested last week by Sudan's counter-insurgency forces near his hometown of Mustariaha in North Darfur state after fierce clashes that left several dead.

"This is a dangerous moment actually," Magnus Taylor, Sudan analyst with the think-tank International Crisis Group, told AFP.

"By taking out Musa Hilal, they have pitched two different Darfuri Arab clans against each other."

Hilal, the top leader of the Mahamid clan of Darfur's biggest Arab tribe, the Rezeigat, was captured by a unit of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by other members of the broader Rezeigat tribe.

"This is the start of intra-fighting, this is only the beginning," said Ahmed Adam, a research associate at London University.

"No doubt, Hilal's arrest will impact the security and stability of Darfur."

During the initial years of the Darfur conflict that erupted in 2003, Arab militias fought alongside government forces against the region's black African rebels.

Hilal then led the government-allied Arab Janjaweed militia, notorious gunmen on horseback who swept through Darfur marauding villagers and fighting rebels who had taken up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation.

The United Nations says hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and another 2.5 million displaced in the conflict.

The RSF has also been used to crush rebels in a brutal counter-insurgency launched by Bashir.

- 'Inter-Arab violence' -

A joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force was deployed in 2007 to bring stability to Darfur -- a vast region in western Sudan the size of France.

"The previous dynamic in Darfur was militia versus Darfur rebel groups violence," Taylor said. "Now the most dangerous element is inter-Arab militia violence."

Hilal is subject to a United Nations travel ban and on a list of individuals sanctioned for "human rights atrocities" during the early years of the conflict.

Bashir himself is accused by The Hague-based International Criminal Court of genocide and war crimes related to the conflict, charges he denies.

Khartoum's use of scorched-earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels had also been a key factor for Washington to maintain a trade embargo against Sudan imposed in 1997.

Washington lifted the embargo on October 12, noting an overall fall in violence in Darfur since last year.

Khartoum now insists that the conflict has ended, and it has even launched a campaign to disarm militias operating there.

Analysts say the disarmament campaign is primarily aimed at weakening Hilal -- who according to a UN report controls several gold mines in Darfur -- after a rift with Khartoum.

"It is mainly about containing or liquidating Musa Hilal, as well as targeting other black communities and the internally displaced persons," said Adam, adding that Khartoum had armed these militias in the first place.

"Musa Hilal was created by Bashir to carry out his counter-insurgency in Darfur... but recently he had become politically ambitious.

"Thus, there is no love story between the two men."

- Reduced UN forces -

Up to 10,000 pro-government fighters led by RSF were mobilised to nab Hilal, who himself commands about 3,000 militiamen, sources said.

With his arrest, Khartoum is sending a signal to the international community that it is "in control" of Darfur, said Taylor.

"Hilal was the big one they wanted to take out.. He was seen as becoming this over-mighty figure," he said.

Although the overall violence has fallen in Darfur, a permanent peace deal between Khartoum and rebels has proved elusive.

With the fall in bloodshed, the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission, known as UNAMID, is now being downsized.

But Hilal's arrest at a time when UN peacekeepers are scaling back has the potential to unravel much of the gains achieved in Darfur, a European diplomat said.

"This is quite troubling... Musa Hilal is a very important sheikh who has tribal influence," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"This could trigger a lot of things, a lot of bad things, and UNAMID won't be able to stop everything."
Reza Zarrab has become the star witness in a New York trial over alleged subversion of US economic sanctions against Iran, implicating a former Turkish minister and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

It's a case that has captivated Turkey and rattled Ankara: Reza Zarrab has become the star witness in a New York trial over alleged subversion of US economic sanctions against Iran, implicating a former Turkish minister and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish-Iranian gold trader -- who was arrested in March 2016 en route to a family trip to Miami -- this week revealed in Manhattan federal court that he paid more than 50 million euros in bribes to former Turkish economy minister Zafer Caglayan between 2012 and 2013.

This allowed him to become a key intermediary of a complex but lucrative regional trade circuit that enabled Iran, via the Turkish public banking institution Halkbank, to inject billions of euros of hydrocarbon revenues into the international banking sector, all the while circumventing US sanctions prohibiting trade with Tehran.

The 34-year-old Zarrab -- who recently pleaded guilty to seven charges and is now being held at a secret FBI-guarded location -- then implicated Erdogan.

In front of dozens of engrossed Turkish journalists, the elegant prisoner donning a black jacket and white shirt affirmed that Erdogan, then prime minister, had given "instructions" that two other public banks would participate in the multibillion-dollar gold-for-oil scheme.

Speaking in Turkish via an interpreter, he implied Erdogan was fully aware of the circumvented sanctions, though the president insists he is not at fault.

Just 28 years old when he entered the scheme, the flashy gold trader nicknamed "Mr Riza" has given three days of testimony pinning himself as the ringleader of a vast network of Iranian, Turkish and Emirati companies, mounted thanks to his business savvy and ample Turkish and Iranian government contacts.

- Business acumen -

Born in Iran and brought to Turkey as a child, Zarrab testified that he began working in the tea trade at just 16, before working for two years for a foreign exchange company his father owned in Dubai.

He then launched his own business, with companies in construction, shipping and foreign exchange.

The idea of helping Tehran circumvent US sanctions came from a Turkish jeweler, who had begun converting Iranian money into gold and then trading it for foreign currency, thereby concealing the Iranian origin of the funds.

In his bid to enter that business, Zarrab, a regular on Turkey's celebrity circuit known for his lavish lifestyle and pop star wife, used his high society rank to pull some strings.

He wrote a letter to Iran's then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying he wanted to help his "beloved homeland" in its "economic jihad" to loosen the grip of sanctions then strangling Tehran, citing his family's "half a century of experience in exchange and moving of currency."

His sanctions-busting commerce really took off in 2012, when he did business with Halkbank and the Iranian bank Sarmayeh -- with aid from Caglayan, then economy minister, helped along by bribes.

His business -- conducted with gold-filled suitcases transported to Dubai when US sanctions specifically targeted gold sales -- thrived, via a fictitious trade of food and medicine.

- 'Top exporter' -

But the world Zarrab built came tumbling down in December 2013, when he became a key figure in a Turkish corruption scandal in which he allegedly bribed four ministers including Caglayan to facilitate sanctions-busting trade and other deals.

He was held for 70 days until prosecutors dropped all charges.

Later that year, Zarrab received a "top exporter" award in the presence of Turkish government officials.

But that did not take into account the parallel investigation stateside.

US authorities arrested Zarrab in March 2016 as he traveled with his superstar wife Ebru Gundes and their daughter to Miami for a Disney World holiday.

Caglayan and eight others were subsequently charged with carrying out hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions benefiting Iran and Iranian entities in violation of US sanctions.

Zarrab for some time and hoped for his release, hiring top-flight lawyers including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The case has angered Erdogan, who has urged Washington to free Zarrab and denounced the trial as a "political plot" hatched by his enemy Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Muslim cleric blamed by the Turkish government for last year's failed coup.

US media also said Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn was under investigation for alleged talks with Ankara on deporting Zarrab and Gulen in exchange for money -- negotiations both Turkey and Flynn's lawyers have denied.

After 20 months of incarceration -- during which Zarrab admitted bribing his guards for alcohol and other favors -- the father of a six-year-old girl ultimately decided to cooperate, hoping for a lighter punishment than the 95-year prison sentence he risked if convicted by a jury.

Turkish prosecutors have ordered the seizure of Zarrab's assets. His testimony is set to continue Monday.
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong (C) speaks to the media at Sunday's protest

Around 1,000 people marched through Hong Kong Sunday, led by some of the city's high-profile democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong, in what they billed an "anti-authoritarian" protest.

Activists say Hong Kong is at risk of losing its rights and liberties in the face of growing Chinese pressure on the semi-autonomous city.

The jailing of campaigners following court hearings, and fears that Hong Kong will introduce an anti-subversion law, are among the key concerns in the pro-democracy camp.

Wong, 21, was jailed in August over his role in the Umbrella Movement mass pro-democracy protests of 2014 and is on bail pending an appeal.

He will be sentenced on another protest-related charge Thursday, which could mean more jail time.

"No one likes to serve a prison sentence, (but) if it can mobilise more people to care about justice and democracy in Hong Kong, I think it's valuable and I will pay this price," Wong told AFP.

Protesters carried placards reading: "The Hong Kong spirit can never be imprisoned" and "Walk with the resisters, fight authoritarian rule".

Some held up caricatures of city leaders.

Others played a recording of China's national anthem and paraded a doll bearing the sign: "When you hear the national anthem, don't eat. Stand up immediately." A new law introduced by Beijing against disrespecting the anthem will also be applied to Hong Kong.

The city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 and is governed under a "one country, two systems" deal which grants it freedoms unseen on the mainland.

But with the emergence of a fledgling pro-independence movement, Beijing is pushing a tougher line on Hong Kong.

There are also concerns about a new express railway to the mainland, which will mean that parts of the train terminus come under Chinese jurisdiction.

Student Kelvin Muk, 20, said he had joined the march because he feared he may eventually lose the right to do so.

"We are increasingly coming out to protest because we want to at least hold on to the last remaining freedoms we have," he said.
President Hassan Rouhani: the new port will mean speedier and cheaper trade with Iran's neighbours

Iran inaugurated a long-awaited new port at Chabahar in the southeast Sunday, which it is hoped will be a major new trade hub linking India and Africa with Central Asia.

The first three shipments of Indian wheat to Afghanistan were unloaded in the morning, according to the Iranian ports organisation.

"Through this port, goods will be delivered to neighbouring countries at cheaper prices and in a shorter time," President Hassan Rouhani said at the port, in a speech carried by the state broadcaster.

The project was first conceived in 2003 and has so far cost around $1 billion, with India providing $235 million of the financing as it seeks routes that bypass regional rival Pakistan.

The port has been under construction for a decade by Khatam al-Anbia, the giant conglomerate owned by the elite Revolutionary Guards.

A ship bedecked with foreign flags docked at Chabahar in southeast Iran for the port's inauguration on December 3, 2017

It can accommodate giant ships up to a dry weight of 120,000 tonnes, with further stages of development due to expand the port over the next 14 years.

"Chabahar will soon become an important commercial hub for Iran," Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi said at the ceremony.

Iran has a broader vision of linking the Indian Ocean port with a railway through Zahedan on the Pakistani border up to Mashhad in the northeast.

But the project, aimed at facilitating trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, has been slow to get off the ground.

Rouhani also underlined the importance of Chabahar as Iran's only port outside the Gulf, and therefore outside an area that is often the locus of tensions with the US Navy and Iran's regional rivals.
The Dome of the Rock mosque and a general view of Jerusalem, pictured on December 1, 2017

Palestinian leaders were seeking Sunday to rally diplomatic support to persuade US President Donald Trump not to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital after suggestions that he planned to do so.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was holding a series of phone calls with world leaders to "explain the dangers of any decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem or recognise (Jerusalem) as Israel's capital", Abbas's diplomatic adviser Majdi al-Khalidi told AFP.

His calls so far have included those to Arab leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He also spoke to the leader of rival Palestinian faction Hamas, with the two sides agreeing to stage protests on Wednesday, a Hamas statement said.

Erdogan told Abbas that an independent Palestinian state must have east Jerusalem as its capital, Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Abbas was also said to be seeking meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to discuss the issue.

Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and Palestinian Authority intelligence head Majed Farraj were making contacts in Washington, Khalidi said.

He said Abbas was warning "of the consequences of taking such a decision that will threaten the political process and peacemaking efforts".

- Palestinian unity on issue -

Erekat said in a statement Sunday that such recognition would "promote international anarchy and disrespect for global institutions", while the United States would "be disqualifying itself to play any role in any initiative towards achieving a just and lasting peace".

Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called Saturday for a new "intifada" if Washington recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moves its embassy to the disputed city.

Abbas spoke to Hamas leader Ismail Haniya late Sunday, a Hamas statement said, with the two sides agreeing their opposition to any shift in US policy.

The rare call between the two comes as attempts at implementing a reconciliation deal have faltered in recent days.

They agreed to support marches "in every place" on Wednesday.

Trump is set to decide by Monday whether to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision that would upturn long-standing policy and be at odds with other world powers.

Since 1995, it has been US law that Washington's embassy in Israel must be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in line with Israeli government wishes.

- Succession of waivers -

But every six months since the law was passed, a succession of US presidents has signed a waiver to hold off on a switch which would enrage Palestinians and their Arab supporters.

Trump has signed the waiver once after vowing to Jewish-American supporters that he would be the president to finally make the switch permanent.

The next deadline comes on Monday, and some reports in Washington suggest that Trump is planning a speech on the issue next week before Vice President Mike Pence heads to Jerusalem.

The White House has described reports that he may refuse to sign the waiver as premature -- but sources told AFP they expect Trump to formally declare Jerusalem Israel's capital.

Israel occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel claims the entire city as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

The traditional US position has been that Jerusalem's future status must be negotiated by the two sides.

Trump's administration has been seeking ways to restart long-stalled peace efforts between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

There have been warnings that recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital or moving the embassy there outside of negotiations would severely harm remaining chances for a two-state solution to the conflict.
Fighters of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) gather at the iconic Al-Naim square in Raqa on October 17, 2017

A powerful Syrian Kurdish militia announced on Sunday it had cleared Islamic State group fighters from key territory east of the winding Euphrates River.

In a surprising announcement, the People's Protection Units (YPG) also said the victory in Syria's Deir Ezzor province came with logistical and air support from Russia, as well as the US-led coalition, its traditional backer.

The YPG was spearheading a US-backed offensive to oust IS from territory east of the Euphrates River, which cuts diagonally across Deir Ezzor, while rival Russian-backed Syrian troops battled IS on the western bank.

It appears to the first time Syria's Kurds acknowledge receiving direct Russian support.

On Sunday, YPG officials met with a Russian military delegation in a town on the eastern bank of Deir Ezzor province, according to the Kurdish-run ANHA news agency.

"The eastern countryside of the city has been fully liberated from Islamic State... with the international coalition and Russia's support," YPG spokesman Nuri Mahmoud said in a statement.

"We thank the international coalition and the Russian forces for their air, logistical, advisory support and coordination on the ground."

Mahmoud said the YPG "hoped for an increase in support and the provision of air defence and required cover."

IS jihadists once held most of oil-rich Deir Ezzor, but now control only a tiny sliver of the province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

On Sunday, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said IS still held several villages in the province, on both banks of the Euphrates River.

The YPG formed the bulk of the Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance that ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, with help from the US-led coalition.

In September, the SDF began its assault on IS positions in the eastern half of Deir Ezzor province, as Russian-backed government troops squeezed IS in the western half.

The SDF accused Moscow of striking its forces several times during the drive, which makes Sunday's announcement of Russian support all the more surprising.

Last week, the White House said it would be making "adjustments" to its military support of militia in Syria.

The US-led coalition has provided air support, weapons, and advice to the YPG and SDF in their push against IS.
Shiite fighters from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces) advance with Iraqi forces in the western desert on November 23, 2017

Iraqi officials have blasted calls to disband a Shiite-dominated militia coalition that has been key in battling the Islamic State group, after French President Emmanuel Macron said it should disarm.

The 60,000-strong Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces, was formed in 2014 after IS routed government forces to seize swathes of northern Iraq, and it played a central role in helping push back the jihadists.

Calls have grown from the West for the Hashed, an umbrella group dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias that is officially controlled by Iraq's prime minister, to be dismantled as the IS "caliphate" has been reduced to a few pockets of desert.

"Any such discussion is rejected and we do not accept interference in Iraqi affairs," said one of the group's leaders, Ahmad al-Assadi.

"Asking for the dissolution of the Hashed is like asking for the dissolution of the Iraqi army because the Hashed are a key element of Iraqi security."

Macron called at a press conference with Iraqi Kurdish leaders on Saturday for "a gradual demilitarisation" of the Hashed and for all militias in Iraq to be "dismantled".

"Emmanuel Macron interfered unexpectedly in Iraq's internal affairs by calling for the dismantling of a legal institution, Hashed al-Shaabi," vice president and former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki wrote on Facebook Saturday.

"We don't want any country to impose its will on the Iraqi government and the brave Iraqi nation," the leading Shiite politician said.

The Hashed is deeply divisive inside Iraq and among the country's international backers, and has been accused both of promoting Iranian interests and carrying out a wave of abuses.

In October, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi strongly defended the Hashed after comments from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that Iranian militias in Iraq should "go home".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office on December 3, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Sunday for changes to controversial legislation his opponents say was designed to help him survive ongoing police probes after tens of thousands protested at the weekend.

The long-serving premier is facing two separate graft probes that have led to speculation over whether he will eventually be forced to step down.

Parliament has been examining legislation that would limit the police's ability to make recommendations to the attorney general on whether or not to charge suspects.

On his Facebook page on Sunday, Netanyahu called for changes to the proposed law to make clear that it "will not involve current investigations against me".

He said he was making the call because he did not want the law "to be used for propaganda purposes".

Netanyahu also seemed to criticise the police, saying it appeared a recommendation whether or not to charge him had been decided in advance regardless of the evidence.

The 68-year-old, who has been questioned by police six times in connection with the investigations, has maintained his innocence.

His statement came after tens of thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against alleged corruption in Netanyahu's government.

Last week, Israel's parliament approved a first reading of the bill, which would alter current practice under which at the end of an enquiry police tell the attorney general if they feel that they have enough evidence for a prosecution.

The bill would require the attorney general to ask the police for its input, but the police's opinion could not be made public.

A one-year prison term was envisioned for investigators who leak their conclusions.

Parliament was due to vote the legislation into law as early as Monday, but it is now expected to be delayed.

While calling for his cases to be excluded, Netanyahu maintained that such legislation was important to protect suspects from being smeared with premature leaks.

Police are investigating Netanyahu over suspicions he received expensive gifts from wealthy supporters as well as over allegations he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with a newspaper publisher.

Netanyahu allies have also been questioned by police as part of a separate probe into the purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu has not been named as a suspect in the submarine investigation.

Separately on Sunday, police questioned for several hours David Bitan, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's Likud party and the leader of the coalition in parliament.

The investigation concerns suspicions of corruption and links between members of the Rishon LeZion municipality near Tel Aviv, including Bitan, and organised crime, police sources said.

Bitan, who is very close to Netanyahu, has for weeks been among the biggest supporters of the bill on police powers, along with the bill's sponsor, David Amsalem who is also in Likud.

Ten members of the Rishon LeZion municipality were arrested and seven more summoned for questioning on Sunday, including Bitan, while police conducted a series of raids, the sources said.
US President Donald Trump denies having asked then FBI director James Comey to stop investigating ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn

US President Donald Trump denied Sunday having asked then FBI director James Comey to stop investigating ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn, as the Russia meddling probe darkened what would otherwise have been a victorious week for the Republican president.

Trump appeared to be backtracking furiously from a tweet Saturday that deepened suspicions that he engaged in obstruction of justice -- an impeachable offense -- in the Russia scandal haunting his presidency.

In that Twitter post, Trump said he had fired Flynn in February for lying not just to the vice president but also to Comey's FBI, which was probing Flynn over his pre-inauguration contacts with the Russian ambassador about US sanctions imposed by Barack Obama against Russia for interfering in the US election.

Comey has testified under oath to lawmakers that a day after firing Flynn, Trump asked him to drop the Flynn probe.

If Comey is to be believed, the Saturday tweet suggests Trump asked the FBI to lay off someone in his administration that Trump now acknowledges he knew had committed a felony -- lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

But on Sunday, Trump insisted, "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"

Trump fired Comey in May and has said he did so with the Russia probe in mind.

Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence committee, said Sunday suspicions of obstruction of justice by Trump are growing.

Schiff argued that if the evidence shows that Trump knew about and directed Flynn's Russia contacts, and then asked Comey to drop the matter after his lies to the FBI came to light, "Then you get the case of obstruction of justice."

"I think that's the significance of this context in which the president was intervening," he said on ABC's This Week.

Senator Diane Feinstein told NBC: "I think what we are beginning to see is a case of obstruction of justice."

"Clearly he is making progress," Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, said of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

And in the wake of Trump's seemingly self-incriminating Twitter post on Saturday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a said he had advice for him.

"You tweet and comment regarding ongoing criminal investigations at your own peril. I'd be careful if I were you, Mr. President. I'd watch it," Graham told CBS.

In an ominous turn for the president, Flynn on Friday pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and pledged to cooperate with Mueller.

White House officials told The New York Times that in his tweet Saturday Trump was only referencing Flynn's guilty plea for lying to the FBI about his conversations with then Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Trump's personal lawyer John Dowd told ABC News that he had drafted the tweet and had done so in a "sloppy" manner.

- What the president knew, and when -

After he was fired himself in May, ex-FBI director James Comey testified under oath before a Senate panel that a day after Flynn's firing, Trump asked him to drop an investigation into the former national security advisor

Mueller's focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

Trump also expressed anger Sunday over word that a senior FBI counterintelligence official, Peter Strzok, was removed from the Russia investigation over the summer for sending text messages critical of Trump.

Strzok had also worked on the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state.

"ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE" Now it all starts to make sense!" Trump wrote.

As he left for a day trip to New York on Saturday, Trump again insisted his team had not plotted with Moscow to sway the election in his favor over Clinton, who won the popular vote but lost the all-important electoral college count.

"What has been shown is no collusion. There's been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy," Trump said.

Comey himself seemed to be addressing the latest developments in an Instagram message: "To paraphrase the Buddha -- Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."

- Tax win overshadowed -

The explosive new developments in the Russia probe have overshadowed a major legislative win for Trump: the Senate's passage of the most significant US tax overhaul in 31 years.

Both the Senate and House versions lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, and include more modest tax cuts aimed at individuals across all income levels.

Democrats argue that the plan is too expensive and will accommodate only the rich, and that it could ultimately impact cherished US entitlement programs like Medicare.

The Senate bill was, just 24 hours earlier, on the brink of collapse when a handful of Republican deficit hawks balked at the plan's $1.5 trillion price tag for 10 years.

Trump hopes to sign a final bill before Christmas. That would be a much-needed victory for the president, who has delivered on hardly any of his major legislative promises, including repealing the health care law known as Obamacare.
An Israeli woman soldier undergoes training in February 2017

Israel's army said on Sunday that the number of women serving in its combat units had reached a record level this year as it seeks to further boost such participation.

Some 2,700 women enrolled in combat units this year, a military official said, citing numbers released after November's recruitment period.

Total figures for the previous year were not given, but last year the military projected that some 9.5 percent of enlisted women would serve in combat units in 2017.

That compared with three percent four years earlier.

Israeli law requires men to serve two years and eight months in the military on reaching the age of 18, while women must serve for two.

The increase in female enrolment in combat units has come about both because of changes in society and a shortage of available personnel over reductions in the amount of required service time for men.

The army has also been seeking to increase enrolment for ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are exempt from service if they are engaged in religious study, but has fallen short of the goal.

It had hoped to enrol 3,200 ultra-Orthodox this year, but only 2,850 signed up.

Officials have sought to persuade more ultra-Orthodox to join the military, in large part because of the community's fast-growing population which currently accounts for around 10 percent of Israel's total.

In September, a supreme court decision struck down the law exempting them from service.

But the court also suspended its ruling for a year, giving the government time to pass new legislation.

Ultra-Orthodox parties have often played the role of kingmaker in Israeli politics, and there have been a series of protests in recent months by ultra-Orthodox groups against military service.
Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has not yet said if he will seek re-election in a presidential vote set for April 2018

A Malian army general and former government minister has resigned his post to stand in the country's presidential elections in July 2018, sources close to the officer said Sunday.

Moussa Sinko Coulibaly is the second person to declare his candidacy, after Kalifa Sanogo, the mayor of Mali's second-largest city, Sikasso, who announced his bid in July.

They are hoping to unseat President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has not yet said if he will seek a second five-year term, though he is widely expected to do so.

In his letter of resignation, obtained by AFP, Coulibaly said he wanted to "contribute in another manner to find solutions to the political, economic, educational, cultural and social challenges facing our country."

He was a member of the army forces which toppled Mali's government in a coup in 2012, which ushered in a wave of violence by Islamist extremists that was halted only after an intervention by French forces in January 2013.

The country returned to democracy the following August, when Keita was elected president.

Coulibaly was minister of territorial administration in the transition government, a post he kept for several months in Keita's cabinet.

He has a degree from France's prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy and has several key supporters, according to his entourage, in particular in the military.

Mali's government has postponed regional and municipal elections in recent months over security concerns, as it has struggled to implement a 2015 peace deal with former Touareg rebels, with the state still absent from vast swathes of its northern territory.

Last week the government said regional elections scheduled for December 17 would now be held in April, a move which drew the ire of several groups which signed the 2015 accord.

But Keita, in an interview with Jeune Afrique (Young Africa) magazine published Sunday, said the presidential vote would not be pushed back for security reasons.

Tensions remain high, however, with a top municipal official in the central city of Djougani shot and killed by armed men outside his home overnight Saturday, local sources told AFP.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un visits the Amnokgang Tyre Factory, where tyres for the missile launcher used in the latest test were reportedly made

Tensions were on the rise Sunday ahead of the largest ever US-South Korea air exercise, with Pyongyang calling it an "all-out provocation" that could lead to nuclear conflict as a US lawmaker warned of a growing likelihood of "preemptive war" on the divided peninsula.

The five-day Vigilant Ace drill -- involving some 230 aircraft including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters -- begins Monday, five days after the North test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be capable of hitting the US mainland in a new challenge to President Donald Trump.

The North's ruling party Rodong newspaper slammed the upcoming drill.

"It is an open, all-out provocation against the DPRK, which may lead to a nuclear war any moment," it said in an editorial Sunday, using the North's official name.

"The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self-destruction," it said.

This December 1, 2017 picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency December 2, 2017 shows soldiers and Pyongyang residents holding a rally to celebrate the North's declaration it had achieved full nuclear statehood

The commentary was published a day after Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of "begging for nuclear war" by staging what it called the reckless air drills.

- 'Preemptive war' -

In Washington, meanwhile, an influential Republican lawmaker joined National Security Advisor HR McMaster in warning that time is running out on diplomatic efforts to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a foreign policy hawk, told CBS' "Face the Nation" the United States moves closer to "preemptive war" with every new North Korean missile or nuclear test.

US Senator Lindsey Graham, a foreign policy hawk, said the US moves closer to "preemptive war" with every new North Korean missile or nuclear test

"If there's an underground nuclear test, then you need to get ready for a very serious response by the United States," Graham said.

North Korea has boasted -- and Western experts agree -- that the Hwasong-15 missile tested on Wednesday is capable of reaching the United States, raising the prospect of a direct nuclear threat to Washington.

Graham's remarks echoed those of McMaster, who told a security forum in Washington on Saturday that the potential for war with North Korea "is increasing every day."

"We are in a race to be able to solve this problem," McMaster said. "This would be the most destabilizing development I think in the post-World War II period. It's something that places us at direct risk but places the world at risk."

The United States has demanded tougher international sanctions in response to the latest missile tests, including cuts in oil shipments to the isolated state.

Graham said he has had extensive discussions with the Trump administration about the situation.

US policy, he said, is "to deny North Korea the capability to hit America with a nuclear-tipped missile. Not to contain it."

"Denial means preemptive war as a last resort. That preemption is becoming more likely as their technology matures. Every missile test, every underground test of a nuclear weapon, means the marriage is more likely.

"I think we're really running out of time. The Chinese are trying, but ineffectively," he said.

Beijing has backed a slew of sanctions that include bans on imports of North Korean coal, iron ore and seafood.

North Korea's new missile: Pyongyang vs analysts

But it has refused to turn off its pipeline shipping crude to North Korea.

North Korea, meanwhile, has been on a tear, undeterred by international pressure.

In September, it conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

The North says the Hwasong-15 missile can be tipped with a "super-large heavy warhead" capable of striking the whole US mainland.

But analysts remain unconvinced that it has mastered the advanced technology to allow the rocket to survive re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.
About 25 white nationalists, including white supremacist activist Richard Spencer (C), marched near the White House

Rival groups of white nationalists and "antifa" (anti-fascist movement) protesters faced off in front of the White House Sunday, shouting slogans at each other until they were escorted away by police.

Police on bikes and horseback managed to separate the groups, and no clashes broke out before the incident was defused, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

About 25 white nationalists -- including white supremacist Richard Spencer -- assembled on Pennsylvania Avenue, carrying American flags, placards and chanting "build the wall," according to a pool report.

They were confronted by around 50 "antifa" protesters shouting, "Nazi scum, off our streets!" and holding signs with slogans such as "Stop Racial Scapegoating," the report added.

About two dozen police moved in and placed bike racks between the two groups, eventually escorting the white nationalists out of the area.

Earlier in the day, Spencer had tweeted inviting his supporters to gather and "demand Trump build #KatesWall."

Kate Steinle was a 32-year-old whose fatal shooting by an undocumented Mexican immigrant in 2015 became an anti-immigrant rallying cry, taken up by US President Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign.

A San Francisco jury this week acquitted Jose Ines Garcia Zarate of murder, concluding the shooting was accidental -- a verdict Trump denounced as "disgraceful."
WASHINGTON (AP) - Michael Flynn, the retired general who vigorously campaigned at Donald Trump's side and then served as his first national security adviser, pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about reaching out to the Russians on Trump's behalf and said members of the president's inner circle were intimately involved with - and at times directing - his contacts.

His plea to a single felony count of false statements made him the first official of the Trump White House to be charged so far in the criminal investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. And his action could be an ominous sign for a White House shadowed for the past year by investigations, turning Flynn into a potentially key government cooperator as prosecutors examine whether the Trump campaign and Russia worked together to influence the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favor.

Friday's developments don't resolve the paramount question of possible Trump-Russia coordination in the campaign, but they do show that Flynn lied to the FBI about multiple conversations last December with the Russian ambassador to the United States. Court papers make clear that senior Trump transition officials were fully aware of Flynn's outreach to Russian officials in the weeks before the inauguration.

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn arrives at federal court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Court documents show Flynn, an early and vocal supporter on the campaign trail of President Donald Trump whose business dealings and foreign interactions made him a central focus of Mueller's investigation, will admit to lying about his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States during the transition period before Trump's inauguration. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The officials were not named in court papers, but people familiar with the case identified two of them to The Associated Press as Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, and former Deputy National Security Adviser KT McFarland, now up for an ambassadorship.

That revelation moves the Russia investigation deeper into the White House. And, given the direct involvement of the transition team in Flynn's calls with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, the plea also raises questions about the accuracy of repeated assertions by the administration that Flynn had misled Mike Pence and other officials when he denied having discussed sanctions with the diplomat.

Flynn, the longtime soldier , stood quietly during his plea hearing except to answer brief questions from the judge. Flynn accepted responsibility for his actions in a written statement, though he said he had also been subjected to false accusations. He said, "My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the Special Counsel's Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country."

A former Defense Intelligence Agency chief, Flynn was a considerably more vocal Trump surrogate during the campaign, known for leading rally crowds in "Lock her up" chants regarding Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

Though prosecutors also had investigated Flynn lobbying work on behalf of the Turkish government, the fact that he was permitted to plead guilty to just one count, and faces a guideline range of zero to 6 months in prison, suggest that prosecutors see him as a valuable tool in their investigation and are granting a degree of leniency in exchange for cooperation.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb sought to distance the plea from Trump himself, saying: "Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn."

Nonetheless, the Russia investigation has persistently followed Trump the first year of his presidency, angering the president and repeatedly distracting from his agenda. Flynn's plea came as Republican senators labored to pass a far-reaching tax bill, which would be a significant victory for Trump.

On Friday, the president ignored reporters' shouted questions as he welcomed the Libyan prime minister to the White House, and aides canceled media access to a later meeting between the two. He did appear briefly at an afternoon White House holiday reception for the media, where he offered season's greetings and departed without addressing the Mueller investigation.

Early on in his administration, Trump had taken a particular interest in the status of the Flynn investigation. Former FBI Director James Comey, whose firing in May precipitated the appointment of Mueller as special counsel, has said Trump asked him in a private Oval Office meeting to consider ending the investigation into Flynn. Comey has said he found the encounter so shocking that he prepared an internal memo about it.

Flynn, who was interviewed by the FBI days after Trump's inauguration, was forced to resign on Feb. 13 following news reports indicating that the Trump White House had been warned by Obama administration officials that he had discussed sanctions with Kislyak and was therefore compromised and potentially vulnerable to blackmail.

White House officials including Pence, who had declared publicly that Flynn never discussed sanctions, said they had been misled.

The court case Friday concerns a series of conversations that Flynn had with Kislyak during the transition period between the November election and the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Prosecutors say Flynn on Dec. 29 spoke with an unnamed senior transition team official about what, if anything, to say about sanctions that had been imposed on Russia one day earlier by the Obama administration in retaliation for election interference. Flynn then requested the Russian ambassador "not escalate the situation" and respond "in a reciprocal manner," a conversation that prosecutors say he then reported to transition team members.

Two former transition officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter, identified McFarlane as the unnamed official.

The court papers do not allege that there was anything illegal about Flynn's conversations with the Russians - but his lies about the talks amounted to a felony.

Still, if the Trump transition made secret back-door assurances to Russian diplomats, that could potentially run afoul of the Logan Act, a 1799 law that bars private American citizens from attempting to intervene in "disputes or controversies" between the United States and foreign powers without government approval.

Another conversation with Kislyak occurred one week earlier after a "very senior member" of the presidential transition team directed Flynn to contact foreign government officials, including from Russia, about a U.N. Security Council resolution regarding Israeli settlements. That "very senior member" was identified to AP as Kushner by a former transition official.

In a striking rupture with past practice, the Obama administration refrained from vetoing the condemnation of the settlement expansion, opting instead to abstain. The rest of the 15-nation council, including Russia, voted unanimously against Israel. At the time, Israel was lobbying furiously against the resolution and the Trump team spoke up on behalf of the Jewish state.

Former U.S. officials and foreign diplomats said Kushner led the effort to defeat that U.N. vote.

During his conversation with Kislyak, prosecutors say, Flynn requested that Russia vote against or delay the resolution, though he admitted in his plea deal that he later lied to the FBI by saying he had not made that request.

Mueller's team announced charges in October against three other Trump campaign officials, former chairman Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates, and a former campaign foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his own foreign contacts.

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Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Jonathan Lemire, Michael Biesecker, Desmond Butler and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

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Follow Chad Day and Eric Tucker on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ChadSDay and https://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP

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Read Flynn's plea agreement: https://t.co/RKxRKSWDAG

FILE - This Feb. 1, 2017, file photo shows then-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, joined by K.T. McFarland, then-deputy national security adviser, during the daily news briefing at the White House, in Washington. McFarland is an unnamed senior official referred to in the court papers filed in the Flynn case. She was involved in a discussion with Flynn about what he would say to Russian government officials in response to U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia last year. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn leaves federal court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to making false statements to the FBI, the first Trump White House official to make a guilty plea so far in a wide-ranging investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 11, 2017 file photo, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner listens to President Donald Trump at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. A member of Trump's transition team says Kushner is the "very senior transition official" referenced in court papers filed in the Michael Flynn case. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn arrives at federal court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Court documents show Flynn, an early and vocal supporter on the campaign trail of President Donald Trump whose business dealings and foreign interactions made him a central focus of Mueller's investigation, will admit to lying about his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States during the transition period before Trump's inauguration. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

A protestor stands outside federal court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, as former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn is inside. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, center, arrives at federal court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Court documents show Flynn, an early and vocal supporter on the campaign trail of President Donald Trump whose business dealings and foreign interactions made him a central focus of Mueller's investigation, will admit to lying about his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States during the transition period before Trump's inauguration. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Ethics committees from the House and Senate requested records on Friday detailing taxpayer-financed payments made over the years to settle claims of sexual harassment, discrimination and other prohibited behavior by members of Congress.

A separate review shows that the Office of Compliance, which administers the payments, spent nearly $360,000 over the past five years to settle a half dozen discrimination or harassment claims. The office promised the House Administration Committee that it would gather data for previous years as quickly as possible.

Congressional leaders are under pressure to respond to a national outcry against sexual harassment, with Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., the latest lawmakers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.

Rep. Susan Brooks, the Republican chairman of the House Ethics Committee, and Rep. Ted Deutch, the top Democrat on the committee, wrote to the Office of Compliance's executive director requesting that she "promptly" provide the committee with all records relating to alleged employment practices prohibited by statute and House rules.

The committee generally investigates after a referral is made about a particular lawmaker. The move Friday is unusual because of its pro-active nature. It comes after the House passed legislation earlier this week requiring annual anti-harassment training for lawmakers and aides.

Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said an upcoming target for examination would be the secretive practice lawmakers have used to settle harassment and discrimination complaints. No information is publicly released and recipients must promise silence.

In seeking information about the payments, leaders of the Ethics Committee did not place any restrictions on how much time had lapsed since the settlement had occurred. About the only limitation in the record request is that the information pertains to current members of the House and their employees.

Later in the day, Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Christopher Coons, D-Del., sent a similar letter seeking payment information from the Office of Compliance. Isakson is chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and Coons is the vice chairman. Their request was for records involving current senators or employees of their office.

At the request of Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., chairman of the House Administration Committee, officials have gathered statistics dating to Oct. 1, 2012, involving claims against the offices of six House members. No lawmaker or employee was cited by name.

The breakout for the claims:

-$84,000 for a claim alleging sexual harassment

-$76,000 for a claim alleging age discrimination.

-$7,000 for a claim alleging discrimination because of sex, religion and retaliation.

-$37,250 for a claim alleging disability discrimination and retaliation.

-$5,200 for a claim alleging discrimination based on race, national origin, military service and retaliation.

-$150,000 for a claim alleging discrimination based on veteran status.

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On Twitter, reach Kevin Freking at https://twitter.com/APkfreking
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump suggested Saturday he may be willing to negotiate changes to a significant portion of the tax overhaul, the corporate tax rate, injecting an element of uncertainty into the tax plan only hours after it cleared the Senate.

Trump told reporters at the White House before a trip to New York City that he would consider setting the corporate tax rate at 22 percent, compared to a 20 percent rate that he has pushed for with House and Senate Republicans during the fall.

Pointing to expected talks between House and Senate negotiators this month, Trump predicted "something beautiful is going to come out of that mixer" and the business tax would come "all the way down from 35 to 20. It could be 22 when it comes out, but it could also be 20. We'll see what ultimately comes out."

President Donald Trump holds a girl in his arm and waves to members of the media as he arrives at the White House in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, after traveling to New York for fundraising events. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Trump spoke after the Senate approved a $1.5 trillion tax bill early Saturday that would rewrite the nation's tax code, cut individual rates and slash the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent beginning in 2019. If enacted, the bill would provide the most sweeping changes to the tax system in three decades and help Trump deliver the first major legislative win of his presidency.

Trump's suggestion of a higher corporate tax rate than what has been included in legislation approved by the House and Senate represented an about-face after the president and administration officials maintained a hard line that a corporate rate higher than 20 percent was a nonstarter.

Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech to the Tax Foundation in mid-November that the administration would "cut the corporate tax rate from one of the highest in the developed world down to 20 percent - and not a penny more."

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who accompanied Trump to New York for fundraisers on Saturday, said in September that the 20 percent corporate rate was "not negotiable."

The shift perplexed some Republicans. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tried to pare back the proposed cut in corporate tax rates to 20.94 percent to provide a more generous increase in the child tax credit. But he was rebuffed.

"Senate leaders & White House fought hard to defeat expanded #ChildTaxCredit b/c of 20.94% rate but now 22% is ok?" Rubio tweeted Saturday.

White House officials did not immediately respond to questions seeking clarity on Trump's views of the proposed corporate tax rate.

Senate and House Republicans now head into a new phase of seeking to reconcile differences in the legislation passed by both chambers, a behind-closed-doors process that could move quickly. Trump has said he wants to sign the tax package into law before Christmas.

Republicans have pointed to the tax bill as crucial to retaining its House and Senate majorities in next year's midterm elections. Democrats have said the bill will solely help the wealthy and corporations at the expense of more modest-earning workers.

Democrats have noted that while the corporate tax rates would be permanently reduced under the plan, it would only offer temporary tax cuts to individuals, lasting until 2026.

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On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at @KThomasDC.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Tom Blundell endured an anxious passage through the 90s on Sunday before becoming the 11th player from New Zealand and its first wicketkeeper to score a century on test debut.

Blundell resumed day three of the first test against the West Indies on 57 in a last-wicket partnership with Trent Boult which eventually yielded 78 runs and he was 107 not out when captain Kane Williamson - the last Kiwi to score a century on debut - declared at 520-9, a lead of 386.

Wellington wicketkeeper Blundell achieved his maiden century on his home ground and in the shadow of his old school, Wellington College, which is just across the road from the Basin Reserve. When he spoke to reporters before the match, after being called into the New Zealand team in place of the injured B.J. Watling, he told of walking past the Basin Reserve every day on the way to school and dreaming of scoring a century for New Zealand. At 27 that dream came true.

But there was high tension before Blundell's milestone was achieved. After progressing quickly in the early stages of the morning session Sunday, Blundell became bogged down in the 90s.

He faced 41 balls in going from 90 to his century and 10 of those while stuck on 99. A full 10 overs elapsed as Blundell made his slow progress through the 90s to a century which came when he edged a ball from spinner Roston Chase to square leg for two runs.

At the same time he had to rely on stoic support from No. 11 batsman Trent Boult who had to face over after over in order to allow Blundell to get his chance to reach his reach 100.

Boult survived two trials under the Decision Review System for lbw appeals which had been turned down and was dropped at short leg off Jason Holder when Blundell was 99.

Two of those chances came in the same over from Holder - the 147th of the innings. Boult first flicked a hard chance to the close-in fieldsman, who got both hands to the ball but couldn't hold the chance. Two balls later he was struck on the front pad by a full toss from the West Indies captain and the television umpire supported the onfield umpire's call that the ball was missing leg stump.

Blundell's century built on the work of Colin de Grandhomme, who scored his maiden test century from 71 balls on day two, Ross Taylor who made 93, falling seven runs short of his 17th test century, and Henry Nicholls (67).

De Grandhomme's century was the second-fastest by a New Zealand after Brendon McCullum's world record century from 54 balls against Australia last year.

At lunch the West Indies were 9-0 in their second innings, still trailing by 377.
WASHINGTON (AP) - CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Saturday that he sent a letter to a top Iranian military official warning him that the United States would hold Tehran accountable for any attacks it conducted on American interests in Iraq.

Pompeo, who has voiced staunch opposition to Iran, said he sent the letter to Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and elite Quds Force, but the general didn't read it.

"I sent a note. I sent it because he had indicated that forces under his control might in fact threaten U.S. interests in Iraq," Pompeo said at a defense forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California. "He refused to open the letter - didn't break my heart to be honest with you."

FILE - In the May 11, 2017 file photo, CIA Director Mike Pompeo listens while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington. Pompeo said Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, that he sent a letter to a top Iranian military official warning him that the United States would hold Tehran accountable for any attacks it conducted on American interests in Iraq. Pompeo said Iran is trying to strengthen its influence throughout the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

"What we were communicating to him in that letter was that we will hold he and Iran accountable ... and we wanted to make sure that he and the leadership of Iran understood that in a way that was crystal clear."

Pompeo said Iran is working to strengthen its influence throughout the Middle East. As a Republican congressman from Kansas, Pompeo was highly critical of the Iran nuclear deal, which the U.S. and other nations negotiated with Tehran to lift sanctions in exchange for reductions in its nuclear program. Pompeo said Iran is currently in compliance with that agreement.

In Iran, Mohammad Mohammadi Golpaygani, the chief of staff for the country's supreme leader, said Soleimani ignored the letter. "Recently, when ... the CIA chief through one of his contacts in the region sent a letter to Gen. Soleimani, he responded by saying, 'I did not either receive or read the letter. I have nothing to tell these people'," Golpaygani said.

In a wide-ranging panel discussion, Pompeo would not answer questions about speculation that he could replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state. Pompeo, an outspoken conservative, has a close relationship with President Donald Trump and personally delivers an intelligence briefing to the president nearly every day.

Pompeo declined to say whether he has had conversations with Trump about the possibility of replacing Tillerson, saying only that he was very focused on his job as CIA director.

On North Korea, Pompeo said U.S. intelligence on the progress of Pyongyang's nuclear missile program is good.

"I think we have a pretty good understanding of the scope and scale of their program and how far they are making progress towards being able to reliably deliver that system against the United States," Pompeo said.

He said U.S. intelligence agencies believe that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un does not have a good idea about how tenuous his situation is domestically and internationally.

"Those around him are not feeding him the truth about the place that he finds himself - how precarious his position is in the world today. It's probably not easy to tell Kim Jong Un bad news," he quipped.

Pompeo said the U.S. hopes that economic and diplomatic actions being leveled at North Korea, along with pressure from China, will resolve the nuclear threat "in a way that doesn't require the military outcome that I know no one is excited to advance."

Former CIA director Leon Panetta, who appeared with Pompeo, criticized Trump for his brazen tweets, particularly his decision late last month to retweet a string of inflammatory videos from a fringe British political group purporting to show violence being committed by Muslims. The tweets drew sharp condemnation from world leaders and civil rights groups.

He said the White House should have a disciplined message and that Trump should use Twitter to advance his policies.

"I know the president loves to tweet. Frankly, if I had my way, I'd take that tweeter and throw it out the window," said Panetta, who also served as White House chief of staff and secretary of defense. "It just raises a little bit of concern about stability."

Pompeo disagreed. He said Trump's tweets have actually helped the intelligence agencies.

"I have seen things the president has put on his Twitter account actually have a real-world impact on our capacity to understand what's going on in other places in the world," Pompeo said. "That is, our adversaries responded to those tweets in ways that were helpful to us to understand command and control issues, who is listening to what messages, how those messages are resonating around the world."
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered his backers to reword a contentious piece of legislation that could potentially stifle a police investigation against him, in what appeared to be an attempt to defuse rising public anger against the long-ruling Israeli leader.

The so-called "recommendations bill" would end the police's current practice of recommending to prosecutors whether to indict suspects upon completing their investigations. It also aims to stem leaks from the investigations themselves, stating that no police recommendations be made public and penalizing those found leaking to the media.

The bill has been pushed by Netanyahu's staunchest allies in the Likud Party, whipping up criticism that the beleaguered prime minister himself was seeking to pass legislation that would in essence change the current rules for police investigations and protect him from embarrassing revelations they may have discovered.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

"Unfortunately, the debate over the recommendations bill has turned into a political weapon against an elected government," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook. He said he asked a lawmaker behind the bill to ensure that it "be worded in a way that it won't apply to the investigation taking place into my affairs."

On Saturday night, tens of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets of Tel Aviv for an anti-corruption rally calling on Netanyahu to resign. It was one of the largest demonstrations yet against Netanyahu's lengthy rule. Organizers hope the grassroots movement picks up steam and becomes a regular Saturday night ritual that eventually forces Netanyahu from power.

"I think the time has come to change the government. The government is corrupt. We're sick of the corrupt," said protester Avi Elmozlinu.

Earlier Sunday, Israeli police questioned a close Netanyahu ally seen as the driving force behind the bill on separate corruption charges. Coalition whip David Bitan was grilled in relation to accusations that he promoted the interests of criminals in return for debt relief while he was a municipal politician years ago.

The bill's future remains unclear. Netanyahu's Likud party was set to bring it to a parliamentary vote on Monday, but the bill was removed from a committee agenda Sunday evening. The party had hoped to move the bill forward quickly so that it would also apply to investigations currently taking place regarding Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has been questioned in two cases and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Police have already grilled him six times regarding gifts he received from Hollywood and business figures, and in another probe about secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. One of his closest former aides has become a state's witness against him.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and calls the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Another investigation has engulfed his close associates and dominated news in Israel. The probe relates to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu's personal attorney, who is also his cousin, represented the German firm involved and is suspected of trading his influence over the prime minister in return for a hefty cut of the deal. A former Cabinet minister and top former navy and security officials have been questioned by police. Netanyahu has yet to be named a suspect in that probe.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated on Sunday a newly built extension to the country's main Arabian Sea outlet, the strategic Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman, which more than triples its capacity and poses a challenge for a port under construction in neighboring Pakistan.

The $340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It involved several subcontractors, including a state-run Indian company, and brings the capacity of the port to 8.5 million tons of cargo annually, from the previous 2.5 million tons.

The extension includes five new piers, two of them for containers allowing cargo vessels with up to 100,000-ton captaincy to dock.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani poses during the inauguration a newly built extension of the port of Chabahar, near the Pakistani border, on the Gulf of Oman, southeastern Iran, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. The $340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It brings the port's capacity to 8.5 million tons of cargo, from the previous 2.5 million tons and challenges the Gwadar port across the border in Pakistan. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

It is also expected to make Chabahar, Iran's closest sea link to the Indian Ocean, a rival to Gwadar Port, some 80 kilometers away (50 miles) across the border in Pakistan, which Pakistan has been building with Chinese investment.

Rouhani, however, downplayed the rivalry in his inauguration speech and said the port will bring "more engagement and unity" among regional countries.

"We should go after positive competition," he said. "We welcome other ports in the region, we welcome Gwadar's development."

He said Iran also plans to link the port to the country's railroad network to facilitate transit of goods to neighboring landlocked Central Asian countries, as well as open a route to eastern and northern Europe through Russia.

Iranian state TV said the inauguration was attended by dignitaries from India, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries.

For India, the investment in Chabahar was important since the port will bolster a trade route for land-locked Central Asian countries that would bypass rival Pakistan. Last year, India committed up to $500 million for the development of the Chabahar port along with associated roads and rail lines.

And last month, New Delhi shipped its first cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Iranian port, part of 130,000 tons that India plans to export to Afghanistan.

Chabahar also has an international airport and Iran's Navy and Air Force have bases in the city, adding to the ports value.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, second left, speaks during the inauguration a newly built extension of the port of Chabahar, near the Pakistani border, on the Gulf of Oman, southeastern Iran, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. The $340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It brings the port's capacity to 8.5 million tons of cargo, from the previous 2.5 million tons and challenges the Gwadar port across the border in Pakistan. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A cargo ship is docked during the inauguration ceremony of the newly built extension in the port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman, southeastern Iran, near the Pakistani border, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. The $340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It brings the port's capacity to 8.5 million tons of cargo, from the previous 2.5 million tons and challenges the Gwadar port across the border in Pakistan. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, center, speaks during the inauguration a newly built extension of the port of Chabahar, near the Pakistani border, on the Gulf of Oman, southeastern Iran, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. The $340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It brings the port's capacity to 8.5 million tons of cargo, from the previous 2.5 million tons and challenges the Gwadar port across the border in Pakistan. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The United Arab Emirates on Sunday denied a claim by Yemen's Shiite rebels that they fired a missile toward an under-construction Emirati nuclear plant. The denial came as heavy fighting in Yemen's capital unraveled a rebel alliance that has been at war with a Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE.

The Yemeni rebels, known as Houthis, have been clashing in the capital, Sanaa, for five consecutive days with supporters of Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, an ally turned adversary.

The alliance between the Houthis and Saleh had helped the rebels retain control of Sanaa, despite nearly three years of coalition airstrikes.

This undated photograph released by the United Arab Emirates' state-run WAM news agency, shows the under-construction Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi's Western desert. The UAE on Sunday denied a claim by Yemen's Shiite rebels that a rebel-fired missile targeted the plant. (Arun Girija/Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation/WAM via AP)

The Houthis accuse Saleh of striking deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since the recent clashes erupted in Sanaa, the Saudi coalition has been targeting the Houthis and backing Saleh's camp.

The Houthi claim Sunday came as the UAE celebrated its 46th National Day with public sector holiday that began on Thursday with a commemoration of the country's fallen soldiers.

In a statement posted on the UAE's state-run WAM news agency, authorities said: "The National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority denies the claim that the Houthis fired a missile toward the country."

"The UAE possesses an air defense system capable of dealing with any threat of any type or kind," the statement added, saying that the nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi was well-protected.

The National, a state-aligned newspaper in Abu Dhabi, also reported that Barakah's operations were "unaffected on Sunday, while sources on the ground confirmed there were no signs of an attack to the structure." The newspaper did not elaborate.

The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant, being built with help from South Korea, is near Abu Dhabi's border with Saudi Arabia. The plant lies some 225 kilometers (140 miles) west of the UAE capital.

The first of its four reactors is scheduled to come online in 2018. When fully built, officials hope the nuclear plant will provide up to 25 percent of all energy needs in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.

The UAE is a major U.S. ally that hosts some 5,000 American troops and is the U.S. Navy's busiest foreign port of call. The U.S. military declined to comment on the Houthi missile claims, other than to acknowledge being aware of them.

Like other U.S. Gulf allies in the region, the UAE has the Patriot Missile defense system capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and is the only international client to have on delivery the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

The Houthis last month had targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile that was intercepted by Saudi air defenses. It was the deepest strike inside the kingdom since the war between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis and their allies began in March 2015.

For the Houthis to launch a missile from Yemen at the UAE, it would likely have to fly over Saudi Arabia's vast southeastern desert in order to reach Abu Dhabi.

Senior Houthi official Deif-Allah al-Shami told The Associated Press that the missile fired toward Abu Dhabi was a "message to the United Arab Emirates for its political and financial support to Saleh."

He said that the UAE has hosted members of Saleh's family, including his son who was an ambassador to the UAE and believed to be residing here during the conflict. Al-Shami also said the rocket attack was a message that "we will continue to target every nation that participated in the aggression against Yemen."

The UAE's forces have mostly focused on securing the southern region of Yemen, while Houthis control much of the north.

At least 100 Emirati soldiers have been killed in the war, which was launched to dislodge the Houthis from Sanaa after they overran the capital and kicked out the internationally-backed Yemeni government from power. The conflict has killed more than 10,000 Yemeni civilians and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have accused its rival Iran of supplying Houthis with missiles, including the one used to target Riyadh on Nov. 4. Both the Houthis and Iran deny the claim.

Iran, meanwhile, has close trade ties with the UAE. In November, Iranian authorities ordered a two-day ban on a hard-line Iranian newspaper after it ran a headline saying the UAE's tourism hub of Dubai was the "next target" for Yemen's Houthi rebels.

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Associated Press writers Maggie Michael in Cairo and Ahmed Al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, contributed to this report.
NWOYA, Uganda (AP) - Richard Opio dipped a dirt-stained hand into the pinkish beans, marveling at the dramatic changes they've made for his family. They used to harvest two sacks of normal beans; now they take in six.

The so-called "super bean," a fast-maturing, high-yield variety, is being promoted by Uganda's government and agriculture experts amid efforts to feed hunger-prone parts of Africa. It's also a step toward the next goal: the "super, super bean" that researchers hope can be created. The beans are produced by conventional genetic selection, not the contentious genetic modification technologies.

The beans that Opio now tends are thrilling farmers in this impoverished part of northern Uganda that also strains under the recent arrival of more than 1 million refugees from its war-torn neighbor, South Sudan.

In this photo taken Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, Ugandan farmer Richard Opio holds a sample of the "super beans" that are being promoted to feed the hunger-prone African continent, in Nwoya, Uganda. As hunger and climate change threaten parts of Africa, two bean "gene banks" on the continent are pursuing "super" beans that are bred to resist drought conditions. (AP Photo/Rodney Muhumuza)

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture says the beans have been bred by conventional means to resist the drought conditions that can lead to starvation as arable land disappears.

The group operates one of just two bean "gene banks" in Africa, which is expected to be hit hardest by climate change even though the continent produces less than 4 percent of the world's greenhouse gases, according to the U.N. Development Program.

One "gene bank" is on the outskirts of Uganda's capital, Kampala, where the beans that Opio now farms were bred. The other is in Malawi in southern Africa. Beans kept at the two banks are sent to partners in 30 countries across the continent to be developed further so they can cope with local conditions.

The Uganda bank stores around 4,000 types of beans, including some sourced from neighboring Rwanda before its 1994 genocide killed around 800,000 people and wiped out many of the country's bean varieties.

"The beans have to go through certain rigorous tests before they can be released to the general public, to make sure they do actually address all the issues well and perform well in different climatic conditions," said Stanley Nkalubo, a legumes research scientist with Uganda's National Agricultural Research Organization.

The red-striped bean that 35-year-old Opio now harvests is called NABE15, and it has proved so popular that the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization recently contracted a large commercial producer to supply 21 tons for distribution to South Sudanese refugees as planting materials.

Aid workers hope the beans will encourage the refugees to grow their own food rather than rely on handouts, which in some cases have been cut because of funding shortages.

"It is important that other sources of food be found to complement the food assistance," said Beatrice Okello, senior program manager with FAO in Uganda, saying that just 50 kilograms of planting seeds are expected to yield of up to 2,000 kilograms of beans.

Experts say the "super" beans are valuable because they cook quickly and tolerate most diseases and pests. "It is also a shiny red color, which local consumers like, and it's sweeter," said Dr. Robin Buruchara, director of the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance.

On a recent morning, contractor Felix Otim watched as colleagues packed planting materials into FAO-branded bags destined for a nearby refugee camp. The beans will save many lives, he said. Instead of using 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beans for lunch, planting it will multiply the benefit several times over.

Even the "super" beans aren't perfect, but agricultural workers are looking to genetic tools for future solutions.

"It's very hard to breed any single bean variety with the very best of traits - early maturing, drought-tolerant, pest-tolerant, high micronutrients. That would be the super, super bean," said Debisi Araba, the African head of the Center for Tropical Agriculture. "But that's what we are working toward. There are genetic editing tools available now that give scientists the ability to map out these genetic varieties and potentially we start looking at the possibility of breeding these super, super crops."

For now, the "super" beans are finding a following in northern Uganda. After a neighbor noticed that Opio's plants were performing well, he bought a sample. Now the beans are being traded across the border in turbulent South Sudan, where famine is once again a threat.

"So even though the target is farmer groups and organizations in Uganda, the beneficiaries are beyond the borders of Uganda," Araba said.

In this photo taken Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, workers in a warehouse pack "super beans" into branded bags, part of a substantial consignment ordered by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization as planting materials for refugees sheltering in northern Uganda, in Kiryandongo, Uganda. As hunger and climate change threaten parts of Africa, two bean "gene banks" on the continent are pursuing "super" beans that are bred to resist drought conditions. (AP Photo/Rodney Muhumuza)

In this photo taken Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, Ugandan farmer Richard Opio and his wife sort through their most recent harvest of "super beans" that are being promoted to feed the hunger-prone African continent, in Nwoya, Uganda. As hunger and climate change threaten parts of Africa, two bean "gene banks" on the continent are pursuing "super" beans that are bred to resist drought conditions. (AP Photo/Rodney Muhumuza)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the removal of a veteran FBI agent from the special counsel's investigative team (all times local):

1:20 p.m.

The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee says the panel is starting to see "the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice" against President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump gestures as he walks towards Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Trump spent the day in New York attending a trio of fundraisers. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," California Democrat Dianne Feinstein said the evidence is coming partly from "the continual tweets" from the White House. Trump is focusing renewed attacks on the FBI, and on the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, two days after ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn agreed to cooperate with the probe as part of a plea agreement.

Feinstein said she believes Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey came "directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation." She added, "That's obstruction of justice."

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is warning Trump to tread cautiously, telling CBS' "Face the Nation" that Trump's comments about ongoing criminal investigations come at his "own peril."

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8:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump is attacking his own FBI in a series of tweets and says the law enforcement agency's reputation is "in Tatters - worst in History!" The president says in a tweet that "we will bring it back to greatness."

The president was responding to reports that a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian election meddling because of anti-Trump text messages.

He writes after years under fired FBI director James Comey, "with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more)," the agency's reputation "is in Tatters - worst in History!'" The president also retweeted a tweet suggesting FBI Director Chris Wray "needs to clean house."

The president said earlier Sunday he never asked Comey to stop investigating ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn.

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8:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump says a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent who was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian election meddling was a "Tainted (no, very dishonest?)" agent.

The president is suggesting the agency needs a dramatic overhaul under new FBI director Christopher Wray.

Trump tweeted Sunday: "Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI 'agent's role in Clinton probe under review.' Led Clinton Email probe."

The agent was removed during the summer after the discovery of an exchange of text messages viewed as potentially anti-Trump, a person familiar with the matter said Saturday. The agent had also worked on the investigation of Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

The person was not authorized to speak about it by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The process of choosing Atlanta's next mayor has come down to two candidates, one black, one white, after a campaign that laid plain the city's sore spots of race, gender and political grudges.

Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood square off Tuesday in a runoff that may give Atlanta its first white woman mayor ever if Norwood is elected. She would also be its first white mayor in 44 years. Aside from that, the ballot comes just after elections that gave New Orleans and Charlotte their first black women mayors ever, and amid infighting that severely tested Atlanta's long-dominant black political machine.

Bottoms, 47, was endorsed by former mayor Andrew Young and current, term-limited Mayor Kasim Reed, who beat Norwood in a 2009 runoff by only 714 votes - a large share of them from the black, middle-class southwest quadrant where Bottoms lives.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, file photo, Atlanta city councilwoman and mayoral candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms talks to the press after voting at a polling site in Atlanta. Bottoms is in a runoff with Mary Norwood. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Norwood, 65, is backed by the city's last white mayor, Sam Massell, and two prominent black officials: the city's first female mayor, Shirley Franklin, and former City Council President Ceasar Mitchell - endorsements that many perceived as a public rebuke of Reed, who hotly denigrated Mitchell and Norwood as "losers."

Democrats have held the mayor's office in Atlanta since 1879. As always, the race will come down to turnout, which has been historically low.

What black voters do on Tuesday is key. Some blacks, turned off by a city contracting corruption probe under Reed's watch, are struggling with getting past race to back Norwood. Others look askance at Norwood's status as an independent, branding her a stealth Republican who seeks to serve City Hall up to Georgia's otherwise deep-red political apparatus.

It is the type of dilemma that black voters don't take lightly, said Andre Perry, a Brookings Institution research fellow.

"Being black in America brings a level of awareness around inequity that many other groups are just blind to," Perry said. "If you're not of the community, it's easier to dismiss it. That's the fear of having white leaders, the idea that they're disconnected."

In the past, Atlanta black leaders had a succession plan, according to Kelley Bass Jackson, whose former father-in-law, the late Maynard Jackson, was elected Atlanta's first black mayor in 1973. This time, she said, there was no clear, hand-picked heir, touching off hard sparring between black candidates that caused "so much anxiety and division among the citizens."

"Atlanta's identity has been defined by having a black mayor - and not just any black mayor, but having excellent black mayors who were well-educated, civic-minded and who cared about lifting the race and building collaborations," Jackson said.

Partisan infighting could also be a factor. Some speculate the race could become a referendum on the popular but prickly Reed, whose public feuds with Mitchell and other black candidates threatened to overshadow Bottoms' efforts to woo voters.

"People are trying to penalize (Bottoms) because they believe that she is a puppet of the mayor or that she will do everything he tells her to do," said Kwanza Hall, a former city councilman who ran in the general mayoral election and now backs Bottoms.

Bottoms, a former city councilwoman, was the top vote getter in November and the only black woman on the ballot. She is backed by several state Democrats, including Jason Carter, grandson of former president Jimmy Carter. This weekend, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California, a rising Democratic star, is expected to stump for Bottoms in Atlanta.

Norwood lives in Atlanta's wealthy, heavily white Buckhead enclave but established a reputation as responsive to residents across the city in her role as an at-large councilwoman.

Atlanta, Newark and Washington, D.C. are the only U.S. cities with four decades of unbroken black leadership. Atlanta's streak could end because of changing demographics - the next mayor inherits a city that is younger and more diverse, with some voters putting less emphasis on the importance of black leadership.

"Atlanta is not a city in distress," said Emory University political scientist Andra Gillespie. "And (black voters) will still be the largest group. Whomever they prefer as candidate is going to be mayor."

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Whack covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous
NEW YORK (AP) - The man who replaced Garrison Keillor as host of "A Prairie Home Companion" says the workplace misconduct allegation against Keillor came as "heartbreaking news."

Chris Thile on Saturday addressed alleged improper conduct by Keillor in the opening minutes of the first show to be broadcast since news of the allegations broke.

Thile says the country is in the middle of a movement he believes represents progress. He says people are recognizing the "harmful power imbalance that women have had to endure for so long in our culture."

FILE - In this April 5, 2016, file photo, Chris Thile speaks during an interview at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minn. Thile, who replaced Garrison Keillor as host of "A Prairie Home Companion" said the allegations against Keillor came as "heartbreaking news." Thile on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, addressed alleged improper conduct by Keillor in the opening minutes of the first show to be broadcast since news of the allegations broke. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)

Minnesota Public Radio, the show's producer, ended its relationship with Keillor after what it said was an allegation of improper behavior with a person who worked with him on "Prairie Home."

Keillor says he touched a woman's bare back as he tried to console her, and that he apologized.

Thile, Keillor's hand-picked successor, took over the show in 2016 after Keillor retired.

The name of the radio show will be changed, but a spokeswoman for MPR says Sunday that a new name had not yet been chosen.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that a new name has not been chosen for the show.
CAIRO (AP) - There has been no official word yet as of Sunday evening on the whereabouts of an Egyptian presidential hopeful who flew home from the United Arab Emirates a day earlier.

Ahmed Shafiq, a career air force officer who served as the last prime minister under ousted ruler Hosni Mubarak, flew to Cairo from the Emirates Saturday night, ending more than five years of exile in the Gulf Arab nation.

UAE authorities arrested and deported him to Cairo Saturday after he claimed that authorities there banned him from returning to Egypt to contest next year's presidential election. The UAE denied this and accused him of ingratitude after it had given him a home since 2012.

FILE - In this May 26, 2012 file photo, Egyptian presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq speaks during a press conference at his office in Cairo, Egypt. There has been no word on the whereabouts of Shafiq, an Egyptian presidential hopeful who flew home from the United Arab Emirates almost 24 hours ago. Shafiq, a career air force officer who served as the last prime minister under ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak, flew to Cairo from the Emirates on Saturday, ending nearly five years of exile in the Gulf Arab nation. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)

Last week, Shafiq announced from the UAE that he would return to Egypt to run for president. He ran in Egypt's first free elections in 2012 and lost by a narrow margin to the Islamist Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood before fleeing the country to escape a litany of criminal charges that could have landed him in prison. He has since been found innocent of all corruption allegations, clearing the way for his return home.

Airport officials said he was escorted out of Cairo airport by unidentified security personnel. Family members and supporters who had been waiting to greet him upon arrival did not see him, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

There was no official word on Shafiq's whereabouts by Sunday evening, prompting speculation on whether he has been detained by security or intelligence agencies or was being kept at a suburban Cairo hotel. Repeated attempts by The Associated Press to contact his lawyers failed.

Mai Ahmed Shafiq told the AP in a text message that she had yet to hear from her father.

"I don't know anything about my father," she wrote.

Egypt's presidential elections are due to be held around March or April next year. The incumbent, general-turned-president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, is virtually certain to run, but has yet to make an official announcement.

Predictably, the pro-el-Sissi media has already begun to demonize Shafiq, claiming he has forged a secret alliance with the Brotherhood, which has since Morsi's ouster been outlawed and designated a terrorist group. He has also been accused of "destabilizing" Egypt. There has been at least one complaint against him lodged with the chief prosecutor, accusing him of inciting against the government and sowing divisions between Egypt and the UAE, Cairo's close ally and economic backer.

It is the chief prosecutor's prerogative to investigate the complaint and, depending on his decision, refer Shafiq to trial. The only other prominent figure to so far declare their intention to run for president is rights lawyer Khaled Ali, who's appealing a conviction in a public indecency case. Ali, who pleads innocence, will not be eligible to run if the conviction his upheld on appeal.
BERLIN (AP) - Heavy snow in Germany is being blamed for two deaths, several accidents and dozens of canceled airline flights.

The German news agency dpa reported that an 86-year-old woman died in Uelzen in Lower Saxony on Sunday when a car veered on a slippery road and crashed into another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

Police said an 83-year-old man with dementia froze to death in Koelleda in eastern Germany. Officers found his body in the snow on the side of a road near the nursing home where he was living and think he might have gotten lost.

An airport worker defrosts a Chinese airplane at the airport in Frankfurt, central Germany, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. Delays and flight cancellations were the result of the onset of winter. (Andreas Arnold/dpa via AP)

In Frankfurt, more than 80 flights had to be canceled Sunday because of the weather. Several high-speed ICE trains were ordered to slow down in central and southern Germany because of the snow.

Fallow deer gather under a tree during heavy snowfalls in the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017.(AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Fallow deer stand together on a meadow during heavy snowfall in the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A car drives drives during heavy snow flurry along a rural road near Sehnde in the region of Hannover, northern Germany, Sunday, Dec. 3,2017. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa via AP)
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio (right) signs a grant assistance contract with Ngo Thu Ha,

principal of Hoang Van Thu elementary school in the northern province of Lang Son (Source: VNA)

Representatives of the projects attended a grant assistance signing ceremony with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio on December 1st in Hanoi.

Four of the eight projects aim to improve educational conditions for students in northern Vietnam. They will build kitchens and learning buildings for a kindergarten and two elementary schools in Lang Son, Dien Bien and Hoa Binh provinces, and provide training equipment for a vocational welding school in the Hai Phong economic zone.

Three other projects focus on upgrading two clinics of the Binh Lanh and Tam Da communes in the central province of Quang Nam and northern province of Tuyen Quang respectively, and providing equipment for mobile health check services in central Thua Thien-Hue province.

The last project sets out to upgrade an inter-communal route that passes the Ia Blu Commune in the Central Highlands Gia Lai province.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Kunio said that the variety of the projects in terms of fields and locations will contribute to the comprehensive development of Vietnam.

The Japanese government hopes that it will help increase the effectiveness and meaning of social projects at the grassroots level through the Grassroots Grant Assistant Programme in Vietnam, he said. I personally hope that these projects will open up a bright future, not for one but for many people.

Established in 1992, Japans Grassroots Grant Assistance Programme has supported 600 grassroots projects in Vietnam, with Official Development Assistance (ODA) totaling USD50 million.

Two grassroots human security projects in the central Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh provinces received USD72,400 from the programme last month./.
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) - About 1,500 supporters of Macedonia's conservative opposition party have held a demonstration to demand the release of 22 people arrested for alleged involvement in a violent disruption of a parliament session.

The VMRO_DPMNE party's leader, former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, told participants at Sunday night's protest the arrests were "unjust" and demanded "freedom for patriots."

The public prosecutor's office has charged 36 people over the April storming of parliament, which resulted in injuries to more than 100 people. They have been charged with posing a "terrorist threat to the constitutional order and security," which carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence.

Macedonia's parliament stripped the immunity of six conservative opposition lawmakers on Friday after a prosecutor demanded they be held for 30 days for allegedly taking part in the incident.
KUWAIT CITY (AP) - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will meet with Pakistan leaders Monday to seek common ground on the counterterrorism fight, amid Trump administration calls for Islamabad to more aggressively go after the insurgents moving back and forth across the border with Afghanistan.

Mattis said he wants to work with Pakistan to address the problems, adding that the U.S. is committed to a pragmatic relationship that expands cooperation while also "reinforcing President Trump's call for action against terrorist safe havens."

"We have heard from Pakistan leaders that they do not support terrorism. So I expect to see that sort of action reflected in their policies," Mattis told reporters traveling with him in the Middle East before his trip to Islamabad.

In this Nov. 30, 2017, photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis responds to a reporter's question during a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj at the Pentagon. Mattis will meet with Pakistan leaders Monday to seek common ground on the counterterrorism fight, amid the Trump administration calls for Islamabad to more aggressively go after the insurgents moving back and forth across the border with Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Asked if he was going to press the Pakistani leaders to take more action against the insurgents, Mattis said: "That's not the way I deal with issues. I believe that we work hard on finding the common ground and then we work together."

Mattis' optimism, however, comes despite persistent U.S. assertions that Islamabad is still not doing enough to battle the Taliban and allied Haqqani network insurgents within its borders.

Since the start of the war in Afghanistan, militants in Pakistan have crossed the mountainous and ill-defined border to wage attacks against U.S., Afghan and allied forces. They then would return to their safe havens in Pakistan, where they have had a long-standing relationship with the ISI, Islamabad's intelligence agency.

In a blunt assessment early last week, Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, said there have been no changes in Pakistan's support for militant networks.

He said Pakistani leaders went to Kabul and met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

"They identified certain steps that they were going to take. We've not yet seen those steps play out," Nicholson told reporters in a recent briefing.

The U.S., he said, has been very direct about what it expects Pakistan to do in the fight against the Taliban.

"We're hoping to see those changes," he said. "We're hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing" between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The White House, meanwhile, condemned Pakistan's release late last month of a U.S.-wanted militant as a "step in the wrong direction" and warned that it could harm Islamabad's relations with America and its reputation around the world.

In August, the U.S. said it would hold up $255 million in military assistance for Pakistan until it cracks down on extremists threatening Afghanistan.

President Donald Trump's tough words about Pakistan as he unveiled the updated U.S. strategy for the war in Afghanistan, infuriated Islamabad and triggered anti-U.S. protests there that Pakistani police had to use tear gas to disperse

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said during a visit to Washington in October that Pakistan was willing to cooperate fully with the Trump administration. He said Pakistan had wiped out militant hideouts with little help from the U.S.

Mattis' trip to Pakistan comes at the end of a short trip to the region, including stops in Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait.
European Council president Donald Tusk has warned Theresa May she must satisfy Irish demands that there will be no hard border between the Republic and the North if the Brexit negotiations are to move forward.

Following talks with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin, Mr Tusk said it was now up to the UK Government to come forward with a credible commitment to deal with the border issue.

He said he had agreed to consult Mr Varadkar on any British proposal before deciding whether to recommend EU leaders give the green light to the second phase of Brexit negotiations, including talks on a free trade deal, to begin at their summit on December 14 and 15.

If the UK offer is unacceptable for Ireland, it will also be unacceptable for the EU, he told a joint news conference with Mr Varadkar.

I realise that for some British politicians this may be hard to understand, but such is the logic behind the fact that Ireland is an EU member while the UK is leaving.

That is why the key to the UKs future lies in some ways in Dublin, at least as long as the Brexit negotiations continue.

The key to the UKs future lies - in some ways - in Dublin, at least as long as #Brexit negotiations continue.  Charles Michel (@eucopresident) December 1, 2017

Mr Tusk has given Mrs May until Monday to come forward with an improved offer on the terms of the UKs withdrawal, including the divorce bill and future citizens rights, as well as the Irish border, if there is to be progress at the December summit.

The Prime Minister is due to travel to Brussels on Monday, when she is expected to explain the latest British position at a lunch with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

But while the two sides appear to be moving closer on the issues of citizens rights and the divorce settlement, with Mrs May reportedly ready to pay around 40 billion to settle the UKs outstanding obligations, the border issue has emerged as a major stumbling block.

The Irish government has warned that as long as the UK remains committed to leaving the single market and the customs union, the return of some form of physical border controls is inevitable.

Discussing Brexit with @eucopresident and how to avoid return of a border in Ireland pic.twitter.com/iCqljBJIM9  Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) December 1, 2017

Mr Varadkar said that while there had been good progress on the Ireland issue, the UK now needed to present credible, concrete and workable solutions which guarantee there will be no hard border.

I believe that with the right engagement and the right political will, we can reach an agreement on the way ahead, he said.

I am also prepared to stand firm with our partners if the UK offer falls short on any of those three issues, including the Irish ones.

(PA Graphics)

Earlier, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said Dublin was looking for an agreed wording with the UK setting out the parameters within which a solution to the border issue could be found.

In particular, he said they were seeking ways to avoid regulatory divergence between the North and the Republic after Brexit.

If you have different standards in terms of food safety, animal welfare, animal health, if you have different standards in relation to medical devices and the approval of drugs, how then can you maintain practical north/south co-operation as we have it today, he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
Police and volunteers are taking part in a major mountain rescue exercise to hone their skills for winter.

More than 70 people are participating in the exercise, which involves Police Scotland officers from Forth Valley Division along with volunteers from Killin, Lomond and Ochils mountain rescue teams (MRTs).

The rescuers are responding to a scenario involving a group of four missing walkers, while a second scenario with a further two casualties will be added later in the day to add to the complexity of the incident.

A walker in the snow in the hills in Scotland

Last year alone, Scottish #MountainRescue teams volunteered 22,697 hours of their time. We are incredibly proud to support the life-saving work they do. Read more here: https://t.co/RKA53hL5VS  @ScottishMR   St John Scotland (@StJohnScot) October 19, 2017

Police said people may notice increased emergency services activity in certain areas around Crianlarich on Sunday as the exercise takes place, but said they should not be alarmed by this.

The exercise will allow police and volunteers to plan and prepare for search and rescue incidents in the mountains of the Forth Valley.

It will not affect day-to-day policing or emergency service responses, which will continue as normal throughout the exercise, police said.

Pc William Diamond, mountain rescue co-ordinator for the Forth Valley area, said: Winter is one of the most dangerous times of year for those taking part in mountain activities.

As the temperature and number of daylight hours decrease, the stakes for both police, volunteers and those being rescued become much higher.

With snow slowly building on the higher tops, it's just the right time to refresh you avalanche awareness skills!... https://t.co/OR5pXKRfC5  Lomond MRT (@LomondMRT) November 21, 2017

We make use of a range of specialist resources to assist in locating those who are lost and injured in the mountains, including helicopters and search dogs; however, it is the local mountain rescue teams who undertake the vast majorities of searches and rescues.

The three mountain rescue teams within the Forth Valley area are Killin, Lomond and Ochils MRTs.

Each team comprises of volunteers who will readily assist those who need help in our mountains. There are also a number of local police officers who are also volunteers within the teams.

There will be noticeable activity in the Crianlarich area on Sunday and the public can be assured that this all forms part of these live-play scenarios and there is no risk to the public.

He advised people heading into the hills this winter to plan their visit, dress for the weather and know their limits, and also urged people to leave some basic information including their intended route and return time with someone.

Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin, divisional commander for Forth Valley, said: Mountain rescues can be difficult and risky for those involved.

Therefore it is essential that both police personnel and volunteers have a strong understanding of the risks involved and the difficult and potentially treacherous conditions they could face.

I would like to thank both the officers and volunteers who are taking part in todays exercise. It is the culmination of months of planning and we hope the scenarios will be realistic, challenging and complex in nature in order to robustly test those taking part.

Bill Rose, of Killin MRT, said: The three teams train regularly in order to practise their skills, and by working together on an exercise such as this, it allows the sharing of ideas as well as practising how the teams can work together, which is often required on larger searches or avalanches.
Two thousand Santa Clauses donned their running shoes and braved the rain during a charity run to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh).

Hundreds of patients, families, hospital staff and even dogs suited and booted up to tackle the 5k and 10k courses on Clapham Common, south-west London, on a chilly and grey Sunday morning.

Sounding the starting klaxon was 11-year-old Arun Corcoran, who has been a Gosh patient since he was six weeks old and was taking part in the Santa Dash with his family for the third time

Arun, from Wokingham, Berkshire, who was born with only one kidney and will need a transplant at some point in the next decade, said he was very cold but looking forward to the race.

People dressed as Santa Claus run with a dog during the Santa Dash (Victoria Jones/PA)

His kidney condition has not stopped him from becoming a Team Gym British gymnast, as well as throwing himself into charity runs.

His school held a fair to raise money for Gosh and Aruns sponsorship after hearing about the Santa Dash.

Aruns father, Simon Corcoran, thanked Gosh staff for all their support and said thousands of running Santas were an amazing sight.

Arun sounded the starting klaxon for the race. He has a kidney condition, has been a @GreatOrmondSt patient since he was six weeks old and will need a transplant at some point in the next decade. Here he is with his family, who are taking part for the third year running pic.twitter.com/EzCNNiP1QS  Jemma Crew (@jemmacrew) December 3, 2017

Despite the downpour, the jolly joggers kept upbeat as they made their way round the sodden grass course.

A snow cannon sent snowflakes flurrying through the air as the now-weary Santas crossed the finish line to cheers and applause, their red hats askew.

Strolling Santas brave the rain and cold on Clapham Common (Victoria Jones/PA)

And of course not forgetting our #DashingDogs too! Thanks to all four-legged friends who accompanied our fantastic fundraisers around the #LondonSantaDash course today   pic.twitter.com/i8vOEghZIp  GOSHCharity (@GOSHCharity) December 3, 2017

Also taking part was eight-year-old Indigo, from south London, whose brain tumour was removed by Gosh three years ago.

Her condition meant she had to use a wheelchair, but she has since managed to learn to walk, ride a bike, run, dance, play piano and do gymnastics.

She said she was nervous but really excited to be taking part, adding that her recovery had taken a lot of determination.

I also spoke to Indigo, 8, and her family. This is Indigo's first Santa Dash after she had a tumour removed by @GreatOrmondSt and was in a wheelchair. She's since learned to walk again, run, dance and perform gymnastics. pic.twitter.com/t3TcUcI6Ex  Jemma Crew (@jemmacrew) December 3, 2017

Her father, Robbie, said: Shes done really, really well, its been a very long journey and with amazing support of Gosh.

We never thought wed see a day like today but its been step by step and now its fantastic, and Indy herself asked to join and we of course said wed love to all get involved and weve now got a group of about 12 of us running today.

Tim Johnson, chief executive of the Gosh childrens charity, said there were a similar number of runners to last year and they were hoping to raise around 250,000.

What a Santa-stic day at #LondonSantaDash! Thank you to everyone who took part and raised money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

(PS Thank you Toro and friend for signing London Santa Dash for us ) pic.twitter.com/Zf2KxdmXs6  GOSHCharity (@GOSHCharity) December 3, 2017

He said: People turn their thoughts to Christmas at the beginning of December so the chance to come and dress up as Santa and raise some money for the hospital at the same time just really seems to appeal to people.

The money raised on Sunday will go towards the charitys play service, he said.

He added: At this time of year, of course, we always think about the children who will be in hospital over Christmas, and so the play team, although important all year round, are particularly important at this time of year, and thats what we are raising money for today.
More than 2,000 paid to hire a conference room for far-right group Britain First will be donated to charity by the hotel where the meeting was held.

The Wyboston Lakes resort in Bedfordshire said it was deeply offended by the controversial organisations presence on their property.

Pictures posted online by the fringe political groups leader Paul Golding appeared to show dozens of people sitting in a room decked with banners declaring Taking Our Country Back!

The resort faced criticism online when news of the conference, the location of which had not been made public by Britain First, became clear.

We sold a small room on 02/12/17 at the last minute. This was not booked by Britain First the name given did not arouse any suspicions. As a company that is proudly diverse we are unhappy to have been associated. We will be making a full statement shortly.  The Waterfront Hotel, Spa & Golf (@wf_hotel) December 3, 2017

The meeting was booked at short notice under the name Patriot Merchandise, which the resort said had no obvious connections to Britain First.

Patriot Merchandise is listed at Companies House as a private limited company based in Belfast.

No staff entered the meeting room during the event and the banners were erected only in the closed off conference room, a resort spokesman said.

The 2,250 cost of the five-hour event on Saturday will now be donated to an as-yet undecided charity.

In a statement released on Sunday evening the resort spokesman said: For the sake of clarity, had we known the nature of the event being held by Britain First, we would not have taken the booking, as the values of our organisation conflicts with theirs in totality.

Wyboston Lakes, which was ranked at 28 in this years Sunday Times best 100 companies to work for list, said it embraces diversity.

The spokesman added: We can fully understand the concerns expressed, but we can only refer to our company values and principles, our standing as an award-winning employer and assure everyone that we are deeply offended by their presence on our property.

Britain Firsts conference came days after Donald Trump retweeted three anti-Muslim videos posted by the groups deputy leader Jayda Fransen.

One of Jayda Fransens tweets, which was retweeted by Donald Trump to his 44 million followers (Screengrab/Twitter/PA)

Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

The group has since boasted they gained hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Fransen, 31, from Penge, south-east London, is on bail facing trial over four charges of causing religiously aggravated harassment as part of a Kent Police investigation into the distribution of leaflets and the posting of online videos during a trial held at Canterbury Crown Court in May.

She will go on trial at Folkestone Magistrates Court on January 29 alongside Golding who faces three similar charges.

Fransen will also appear in court in Northern Ireland in December charged with using threatening and abusive language in connection with a speech she made at an anti-terrorism demonstration in Belfast on August 6.
Rickie Fowler produced a course record round of 61 to surge to victory in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas as Tiger Woods challenge evaporated.

Fowler, who had gone into the final day on seven under par, birdied the first seven holes and then the ninth as he went out in 28, and carded three more on the back nine to finish 18 under.

WHAT. A. DAY.@RickieFowler beats the world's best to win the Hero World Challenge. pic.twitter.com/iemJ7vIEIc  PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 3, 2017

Woods had earlier reached the turn in 31, including an eagle two at the seventh, as he shot a final round 68 to bounce back from Saturdays three-over-par 75.

Tiger Woods faded off the pace towards the end of his comeback event (Dante Carrer/AP)

However, a double bogey at the 10th and dropped shots at the final two holes left him on eight under for the tournament on his comeback from injury.

A solid day for Tiger. pic.twitter.com/5ZmEIOA5Ci  PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 3, 2017

The club twirl foreshadowed it all. What a start for defending champion Hideki Matsuyama!#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/QKU6rnyXEL  PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 3, 2017

But it was overnight leader Charley Hoffman who suffered the most as his five-shot advantage and his hopes of victory disappeared with a round of 72.

Hoffman finished with nine successive pars to claim second place four shots behind Fowler and two ahead of Englands Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth, who shot 67 and 69 respectively.

Justin Rose ended his tournament with a two-under-par 70 to claim a share of fifth place along with Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Reed on 11 under.

Woods and compatriot Matt Kuchar tied in ninth place behind Italys Francesco Molinari.
CAIRO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The family of former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafik said on Sunday it had not heard from him since he was deported from the United Arab Emirates to Cairo on Saturday after announcing his intention to run for president next year.

Shafik, a former air force commander and government minister, has been seen as the strongest potential opponent of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is widely expected to run for a second term next year.

His family said Shafik was picked up at the family home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday and taken by private plane back to Cairo. A Reuters witness said Egyptian authorities escorted him in a convoy from the airport.

UAE authorities confirmed he left the Emirates, but Egyptian officials have not commented on the case.

"We know nothing about him since he left home yesterday," Shafik's daughter May told Reuters. "His lawyer hasn't been able to reach him. If we was deported he should have been able to go home by now."

The family and lawyer said they planned to file complaints with the prosecutor's office about Shafik's whereabouts.

Egypt's foreign ministry said it was not responsible for the case. The interior ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.

One Egyptian judicial source said Shafik, who narrowly lost a 2012 presidential election, did not face any criminal cases in Egypt. He was acquitted, or had charges dropped, in several cases in the past, including for corruption.

Sisi has yet to announce his own intentions for the presidential election, saying only he would follow the will of the people.

Critics say under Sisi's presidency thousands of dissidents have been jailed, the government has shut down independent media and heavily restricted the conducting of polls in what rights groups call an unprecedented crackdown.

His supporters dismiss criticism over rights abuses and say any measures are needed for security in the face of an Islamist militant insurgency that has killed hundreds of police and soldiers in the last four years.

Shafik had said on Wednesday he would run for president in a surprise announcement from the UAE, where he has been based.. Several other lower-profile candidates have said they will run as well.

As military commander, Sisi led the ousting of former president Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, before winning his own landslide election a year later. Sisi's supporters see him as key to stability after the upheaval following the 2011 revolt that toppled president Hosni Mubarak.

But his government is battling a stubborn Islamist militant group fighting in the North Sinai region and has also enacted painful austerity reforms over the last year to revive the economy but that critics say have eroded his popularity. (Reporting by Amina Ismail; Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Mark Potter)
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 3 (Reuters) - South Africa and Morocco will resume diplomatic ties more than a decade after Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Pretoria, South African President Jacob Zuma said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday.

Morocco recalled its ambassador from South Africa in 2004 after former South African president Thabo Mbeki recognised a breakaway region in the Western Sahara which Morocco claims as part of its territory.

"Morocco is an African nation and we need to have relations with them," Zuma told City Press in the interview. "We never had problems with them anyway; they were the first to withdraw diplomatic relations."

Zuma met Morocco's King Mohammed last week on the sidelines of an African Union-European Union summit.

"They felt that even if we differ on the Western Sahara issues, the two countries should have a relationship," Zuma said about Moroccan officials' position at the meeting.

South Africa's official government position - as re-affirmed by Zuma in one of his state of the nation addresses - is to support "self determination and decolonisation for the Western Sahara".

The decision to re-establish ties with Morocco is likely to go down badly in South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, of which Zuma is leader.

The ANC - as one of Africa's oldest liberation movements - has long backed those seeking independence in the Western Sahara and has accused Morocco of occupying the region.

A spokesman for South Africa's foreign ministry could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Morocco has controlled most of the Western Sahara, which is rich in phosphates and has seen some initial oil exploration efforts, since 1975. A ceasefire in 1991 called for a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, but the vote has never taken place.

(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Susan Fenton)
BEIRUT, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The Syrian Kurdish YPG militia said on Sunday it had fully captured Deir al-Zor's eastern countryside from Islamic State with the help of both the U.S.-led coalition and Russia.

The YPG spearheads the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of mostly Kurdish and Arab militias fighting Islamic State with Washington's backing. The SDF offensive in Deir al-Zor province, which borders Iraq, has focused on territory east of the Euphrates river.

On the western bank, the Syrian military has waged its own attack against Islamic State with support from Iran-backed militias and Russia.

The separate assaults advanced from opposite sides of the river, which bisects oil-rich Deir al-Zor, mostly staying out of each other's way. The U.S.-led coalition and the Russian military have held deconfliction meetings - to prevent clashes between planes and troops - though the two offensives have sometimes come into conflict.

The SDF's most powerful component, the YPG, announced that it had defeated Islamic State militants on its side "in cooperation with the Arab tribes."

The U.S.-led coalition and Russian forces in Syria provided "air and logistical support, advice and coordination on the ground," its statement said. "We hope for an increase in this support and for ensuring the necessary air cover."

A YPG spokesman declared the victory in a village in Deir al-Zor in the presence of a Russian envoy from Moscow's Hmeimim military base in Syria, it said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said this week that as the battle against Islamic State entered its final stages, he expected the focus to move towards holding territory instead of arming Syrian Kurdish fighters.

Washington's support for the YPG has infuriated Turkey, which sees the growing influence of Kurdish forces on its border as a security threat. Ankara considers the YPG an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) movement, which has fought a decades-long insurgency on Turkish soil.

Since the start of Syria's conflict in 2011, the YPG and its allies have carved out autonomous regions in the north. They now control around a quarter of Syria, the largest part outside government control, after seizing vast land from Islamic State.

Their autonomy plans face opposition from their battlefield ally Washington, from Turkey and from the Syrian government.

The YPG said on Sunday it was forming civil councils for Deir al-Zor that include Kurds, Arabs and other components based on "the principle of democracy and self-rule." It would mirror governing arrangements in other towns and cities that the Kurdish fighters and their allies captured.

With Islamic State close to collapse in Syria, Syrian Kurdish leaders hope for a phase of negotiations to shore up their autonomy in the north. But in recent months, the Damascus government and its Iranian allies have more forcefully asserted ambitions to take territory under the control of Kurdish-led forces. (Reporting by Ellen Francis; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Phan Dinh Trac made a speech at the event (Source: vov.vn)

The delegation is led by Phan Dinh Trac  Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, Chairman of the CPV Central Committees Commission for Internal Affairs and deputy head of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption.Speaking at the event on December 2nd, Trac highly valued the CPCs initiative to organise the dialogue, saying that it actively contributes to building strong political parties in the world.He introduced the renewal policy of the CPV, which defines economic development as a central task and building a pure and strong Party as a key mission.These tasks are of vital significance to the success of the revolutionary career, he stressed.According to Trac, the Vietnamese party also determines corruption as one of the great risks threatening the existence of the Party and the socialist regime. Therefore, fighting corruption, degradation in political thought, morality and lifestyle, and self-transformation and self-evolution among Party officials and members is an important, regular and urgent but difficult, complicated and long task, he noted.Over the past time, with the high determination of the CPV, Vietnam has attained positive outcomes in preventing, detecting and dealing with corruption cases, he said, adding that anti-corruption mechanisms have been continuously built and completed while measures against corruption have been implemented synchronously.The Vietnamese official also praised China for its enormous achievements obtained recently under the leadership of the CPC with General Secretary Xi Jinping being the core, especially in Party building and corruption combating.Earlier, in his opening address on December 1st, CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed developing a new model on cooperation among political parties. He affirmed that the CPC is willing to boost dialogue, exchanges and cooperation with other political parties around the world./.
Twenty Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy along with two fishing trawlers for poaching in the Sri Lankan territorial waters in the seas off Kovilan Point and Point Pedro.

The Navy said fast attack craft attached to the Northern Naval Command, on routine patrol had arrested fishermen.

One of the seized trawlers was brought to the naval base SLNS Elara in Kareinagar while the other trawler and fishermen were retained at SLNS Uttara in Kankesanthurai.

The apprehended fishermen were subsequently handed over to the Jaffna fisheries officials for onward legal action.
The Chittoor police in India on Saturday nabbed a five-member gang hailing from Tamil Nadu involved in ATM-cloning offences while they were about to strike at an ATM centre at Palamaner and seized Rs. 10 lakh, electronic gadgets used for cloning ATM cards, capturing details of PIN numbers and swiping machines.

Addressing a press conference at Palamaner town, SP S.V. Rajasekhar Babu and DSP K. Chowdeswari said after 70-days of gruelling investigation in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra, the five-member gang was apprehended.

The officials said it was the first cyber crime to be registered and busted in the State.

On August 24, a farmer of Palamaner was stunned to observe that 1.58 lakh had been withdrawn from his account through ATM, despite the fact that the card was very much in his pocket. Within a few weeks, 22 customers of various banks became victims in the district.

Ms. Chowdeswari, considered an expert in dealing with cyber crimes, was entrusted with the assignment to track down the offenders.

At Palamaner, Panjani and Renigunta in Chittoor district, the special teams detected the clandestine use of mobile numbers meant for setting up of wi-fi connected CC cameras to obtain the PIN numbers at the ATMs.

The gang had obtained the cloning technology from one Alfred Bala Kumar of Sri Lanka and Umesh of Mumbai, paying them hefty commissions for each successful crime.

The officials said the modus operandi of the gang was to select isolated ATM centres and fix skimmers (mouths) at the swiping ends which would collect the ATM card details. They arranged the wi-fi enabled CC cameras to capture the PIN numbers. In a couple of hours, the cloned cards would be ready. To evade being captured and in view of the ceiling on withdrawal, the gang would finish their work before and after midnight.

The special party on Friday night detected the mobile signals of the suspected gang in and around Palamaner. After alerting the checkposts and using the relevant technology, Ms. Chowdeswari and her team zeroed in on the gang at an ATM centre early Saturday, while they were busy attempting withdrawals with cloned cards. The gang members were identified as Niranjan (37); S. Mohiddin (25), MSK. Rakshit (28), A. Suresh (26) of Chennai city and B. Tamilasaran (25) of Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. Two other accused from Sri Lanka and Mumbai are at large, and a special team has been formed to track them. It is suspected that half- a-dozen gangs might be on the prowl in various parts of the State.

During interrogation, it was found that the gang had recently tried in vain to collect details of cards at an ATM centre in Mangalagiri of Guntur district .(The Hindu)
French Naval vessel Auvergne arrived at the Colombo Port on a goodwill visit today.

The Navy said the ships crew who are on a four-day official visit in the country will take part in several programmes including sporting engagements organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, with the aim of exchanging professional skills and strengthening camaraderie between the two navies.

Auvergne is due to leave for its next port of call on December 6. The 142-meter long and 20-meter wide French vessel has a displacement of 600 tonnes and manned by 142 navy personnel.

French Ambassador Jean-Marin Schuh and several officials from the French Embassy were present on the harbour premises to welcome the French vessel. (Darshana Sanjeewa)
A beautiful modification of a Shakespearean story without ghosts but with incarnation

The author of Hamnet, Gwen Herat needs no introduction to the general English reader. Apart from publishing a number of books like The Splendour of Trees, from a Distance and a Biography of Pope Francis. Her series of articles in the newspapers on Shakespeare proved beyond doubt that she was an authority on the Bard.

Hamnet is her latest publication which takes the reader back to Hamlet, one of the greatest tragedies of Shakespeare. In fact, the author has built on Hamlet and in a way is an extension to the

great classic.

While both Hamlet and Hamnet find common ground at Elsinore Palace there are some characters common to both like Hamlet, Ophelia, Queen Gertrude, and Laertes.

Hamlet although is the story of Hamlet and Ophelia it is also a story of court intrigue, jealousy, and hatred.

But Hamnet being a love story, the author has shaved off the frills of the original story and weaves one of her own, delivered in beautiful prose and verse. While the section she identifies as Transition is in prose the section that follows as Incarnation is in verse. In the court of Elsinore in Denmark king Hamlet, who had reigned for a decade had been yearning for an heir. Both Elsinore and the queen were frustrated which strained their relationship.

So, when they found that the Queen was with a child they were elated and when she gave birth to twins Hamlet and Hamnet, the entire kingdom was elated.

"Incarnation is new dimension introduced by Herat in modifying Shakespearean story"



Two lovely boys from God

From childhood, the twins were identical but different in character and attitudes. Hamlet was the superior leading the way to Hamnet, who was a loner but joined his brother in hunting sprees. While Hamlet had no time to read, Hamnet was buried in books.Then in between two of them appears Ophelia. She was Hamlets love.

But Hamnet found himself getting drawn towards her as he observed the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia getting unstable.

When Hamnet was killed by a bear Ophelia opened her heart out and confessed, It was him I loved and not Hamlet. And not long after she followed Hamnet Clinging to Hamnet.

Ophelia breathed her last, yielding her body and soul to deaths last call in a soliloquy:-

In this vicious world when mortals are still asleep and the waning moon flits across the smoky heavens, fate threw open the corridors to life unknown beyond the gloomy stars and floating clouds when my Hamnet, lost his sacred life for reasons unknown. My ripped heart aches for his love declared too, reasons in the wilderness. It was him I loved and not Hamlet, the secret I kept locked in my heart as we held back our forbidden passion for each other.

"From Hamnet, the authors creativity and imagination flow like a river. To read Hamnet was a novel experience."



We were the Elsinore dream but fate had her reasons unknown to us and shortened our lives before the early buds opened in their glory to paint the flowers in myriad hues and sap the nectar of youth from us. To live or not to live?. With that ends the prose and from there verse takes over which author subtitles as Incarnation. The incarnation of Ophelia and Hamnet, two of them who remained chaste and pure to the end have now joined and roam about as spirits.

Herat puts it beautifully:



We are adrift buoyed by strong bonds, And a love deeper than the sea,

Will it define our lives forever,

As memories come crashing our way,

Thy endless wisdom keeps me warm,

And sparks the flame and ignites the day,

On falling snow of winter white (Page 72)



How peaceful is death, my precious Prince?

How gentle is its feel,

I see thee lying as in gentle slumber,

As fragrant as the morns crystal dew,

The lips are soft as the blushing rose, The smile still softly playing on them,

The eyes are closed in blissful sleep (Page 97)

Incarnation is a new dimension introduced in Hamnet by Herat in modifying a Shakespearean story. Some of Shakespeares stories ghosts do appear as in Macbeth and Julius Caesar. But not an incarnation.

From Hamnet, the authors creativity and imagination flow like a river. To read Hamnet was a novel experience.

The books front page illustration says it all. The awesome image in cover suggesting the mysteries around Elsinore palace is spectacular on impact at eye level leading the reader to Herats world of innovative creation and imagination in a hardcover, hand-bound publication.

Herat has dedicated her wondrous work, Hamnet, Prince From Nowhere to Dr. Devsritha Valence Mendis, the scholar Bishop of Chilaw.
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
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended the wedding of her cousin in Mangaluru.

She attended the wedding of Prajwal, son of her uncle Uday Kumar Shetty, accompanied by her daughter Aaradhya and mother Vrinda Rai.

The marriage was held yesterday at the TMA Pai convention hall here.

The actor was clad in dazzling red with soft gold embroidery. Aaradhya also wore a matching outfit.

Aishwarya spoke to relatives in her mother tongue Tulu and sought blessings from her elders, said sources.
Mumbai: Controversy isnt always a bad thing. Its because of the movie Padmavati that Ghoomar, a traditional folk dance, is grabbing the headlines. Recently, the Rajput Karni Sena objected to Aparna Yadav, daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Partys Mulayam Singh Yadav, dancing to the song Ghoomar from the film Padmavati during her brothers engagement party.

Ghoomar exponents feel that the dance form, a legacy that was passed on by the Rajput royalty, is getting negative publicity because of wrong movies. They say that the problem arose as people are making it commercial.

Ghoomar is a graceful dance form. Its delicate and expresses shraddha and lajja (respect and shyness). Rajasthani women use their ornaments to express their feelings. Ive been associated with Ghoomar since 1959 and have seen it evolve, but even today, Shraddha and lajja is part of it, says Hari Dutt Kalla, an international dance choreographer, who specialises in Rajasthani folk dances. He has choreographed Ghoomar for around 2000 girls during the 1982 Asiad Games.

The dance is performed by a group of ladies with the audience mostly comprising of women, says Karni Sena spokesperson Vijendra Singh Kalyanwat. He adds, It all started from the movie. Its misleading. The steps arent from Ghoomar. The traditional dance form, invented in the 18th century (much later than Rani Padminis time) had no lataks and jhataks. Its a very systemic form. Never in history did rajas and ranis performed a dance.

Queen Harish performing the Ghoomar.

Ghoomar is performed on many occasions, especially at weddings in Rajput families. Pankaj Sharma, chief curator, MSMS II Museum, The City Palace, Jaipur, says, Mah-aranis never performed the Ghoomar in Darbars. The controversy began because the dance didnt exist during the Ranis time. And the dance isnt Ghoomar.

Not just inaccuracies, even the dresses and environment in which it is staged has raised questions. We spoke to women in Jaipur as to what problem they had. Turns out, theres an issue with her not wearing a ghoonghat while dancing and her torso is seen. Even today, Rajputi Poshak consists of a long tunic-like garment called the fatui which goes on top of the small blouse (kaanchli) making the torso covered. Padmini holds a goddess like stature and such a portrayal is seen as an insult. But then, its a movie and I think we should be tolerant towards creative expressions. I really enjoyed watching the song and was impressed with Deepika Padukone for executing the Rajasthani body language perfectly, says Sashi Nahata, an entrepreneur, who organises Rajasthani dance workshops.

So, why the hue and cry when Deepika herself learned the steps from Ghoomar expert Jyoti D Tommaar, who also runs a Ghoomar school in Rajasthan. I think its unnecessary. In fact, I am proud that Ghoomar has been popularised through this movie. Like the folk tunes of Rajasthan, the dance forms also are important. Its very flowy and graciously done, says Rekha Lahoti.

Ghoomar is a ritual in marriages when a bride does the dance after being welcomed to her husbands home. The dance form, which was developed by the Bhil tribe, connects different Rajasthani and Rajput communities. It is perhaps most popular for its attire  a Chaniya Choli and translucent veils that cover the face. It is one of the most beautiful forms of dance, concludes Pradhyuman Detha, Assistant Tourist Officer, Ajmer.
Salman and Katrina in the romantic song from Tiger Zinda Hai.

Mumbai: After 'Swag Se Swagat', Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif show their intense chemistry in love ballad 'Dil Diyan Gallan' from Tiger Zinda Hai.

While unveiling the song on Salman Khan's Bigg Boss show, Katrina Kaif told audience, "This one is very close to my heart. I'm so happy that I'm launching this song here with Salman."

The song shows Khan's solemn efforts to woo his ladylove Katrina, whose character seems to be miffed with him. From making the breakfast, filling the street with lamps and cutely putting a ring on her finger, Salman gives some major boyfriend goals in the song.

Watch Salman-Katrina's beautiful romantic number here:

'Dil Diyan Gallan' has been sung by Atif Aslam, whose voice perfectly sums up all the emotions of a lover madly in love. The music duo Vishal-Shekhar has composed the song while bringing Irshad Kamil soothing lyrics to life.

The song is choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, the song highlights the love story of Salman and Katrinas respective characters in the movie - Tiger and Zoya. It is shot in the beautiful snow clad mountains of Austria.

Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and bank rolled by Yash Raj Films; the action thriller is slated to release on December 22.
'Little Dragon' is being planned as an official U S - China co-production.

Mumbai: Veteran director Shekhar Kapur said the script of the biopic on iconic Chinese-American star, Bruce Lee, is a work in progress.

The 71-year-old filmmaker has signed up to co-write and direct the film titled, "Little Dragon", his first China project.

"We are working on the script," Shekhar said, adding that the first script draft was written by Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee.

"Little Dragon" is being planned as an official U S - China co-production, with several Chinese companies expected to co-finance and co-produce the film.

The feature film will chronicle Bruce's early life before he left Hong Kong for Hollywood and went on to become an icon and Kung-Fu movie master in the 1970s.

Shekhar also believes Indian films have a big market in China.

"I used to say Indian films will definitely be very popular in China and yes, they are. 'Dangal' has proved what I said," he told to PTI, after completing his chief judge assignment at the 28th Singapore International Film Festival yesterday.

Aamir Khan's "Dangal" or "Let's Wrestle, Dad" (Dangal's title in China) raked in more than USD 93.3 million within a month, when it released in China in May this year.

Shekhar's said his ambitious project, "Paani" is ready for take-off again and awaits investors' commitment.

He said the film will have new artistes as those who worked in the film, including Sushant Singh Rajput, were much older than the age of actors required for the roles.

Shekhar, who worked on the film for 15 years, conceded 'Paani' is an expensive project and would cost about USD 30 million.

Shekhar Kapur will be returning to filmmaking after several years, his last work was Passage, a 2009 American-Swiss drama short film.
Though fans are excited about Bella Hadid and The Weeknd getting back together, the Victorias Secret models friends are afraid she will get her heart broken again. Insiders told HollywoodLife.com that during their recent Bahamas trip, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin, shared their concerns with Bella.

Bella Hadid

A source close to Kendall said, They think shes (Bella) playing with fire. Kendall is the most vocal about this. When it comes to guys, shes very tough. She doesnt really believe in second chances. But Bellas such a forgiving person, sometimes to a fault.
Doctors in France have found the first evidence that a drug normally used to treat lung, kidney or skin cancer may be able to eradicate HIV-infected cells in people with the AIDS virus.

In a case described as potentially exciting by scientists who also advised caution, doctors said a 51-year old man given nivolumab - sold as Opdivo by Bristol-Myers Squibb - saw a drastic and persistent decrease in the reservoirs of cells where HIV normally hides away and evades standard treatments.

The case, at the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital AP-HP in Paris, was detailed in a report in the Annals of Oncology journal, where the same doctors also gave a case study of another patient treated with Opdivo who did not show any HIV benefit.

We must remain careful, especially because this is only one case, said Jean-Philippe Spano, a professor and head of the medical oncology department at the Paris hospital. This is the first case of such a drastic decrease of the HIV reservoir (but) we have...another case where there was no decrease.

Some 37 million people worldwide have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Scientists have for years been trying to find a way of clearing HIV reservoirs with a view to being able to eradicate the virus completely and cure AIDS.

These reservoirs of HIV-infected cells are found in the immune system in places like the brain, bone marrow and genital tract. They lie hidden and dormant, and cant be reached with standard anti-retroviral therapy HIV treatments.

If standard treatment is stopped or interrupted, the reservoirs seize the chance and the virus starts to replicate and infect more cells, rendering the patients immune system too weak to fight back.

Increasingly, researchers have been looking into the use of certain drugs that appear to re-activate the latent HIV-infected cells, Spano said. This could have the effect of making them visible to the immune system, which could then attack them.

Opdivo, or nivolumab is a PD-1 inhibitor, designed to help the bodys own immune system fend off cancer by blocking a protein called PD-1. It is one of several cancer immunotherapy drugs made by drugmakers including Merck, Roche and AstraZeneca that work in similar way.

In this case, the 51-year-old man had received 31 injections of nivolumab every 14 days since December 2016. He was diagnosed HIV-positive in 1995 and diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in May 2015.

After his first injection, the mans HIV infection load, which had been low, increased progressively up until day 45, then fell back again. At the same time, the doctors explained - the activity of his immune system increased.

By day 120, the treatment had resulted in the drastic decrease in the HIV reservoir...leading to a sustained reduction of the HIV reservoirs, Spano said.

Andrew Freedman, an infectious diseases expert at Britains Cardiff University, said the case was potentially exciting. But like others, he advised caution.

Its difficult to speculate at this stage why the second patient did not show the same response, he said in an emailed comment. Differences in the size of the latent reservoir or genetic differences between individuals, affecting their ability to mount immune responses to HIV, might be important factors.
A woman who had been born without a uterus gave birth to the baby at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. (Photo: Pixabay)

The first birth as a result of a womb transplant in the United States has occurred in Texas, a milestone for the U.S. but one achieved several years ago in Sweden.

A woman who had been born without a uterus gave birth to the baby at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

Hospital spokesman Craig Civale confirmed Friday that the birth had taken place, but said no other details are available. The hospital did not identify the woman, citing her privacy.

Baylor has had a study underway for several years to enroll up to 10 women for uterus transplants. In October 2016, the hospital said four women had received transplants but that three of the wombs had to be removed because of poor blood flow.

The hospital would give no further information on how many transplants have been performed since then. But Time magazine, which first reported the U.S. baby's birth, says eight have been done in all, and that another woman is currently pregnant as a result.

A news conference was scheduled Monday to discuss the Dallas baby's birth.

A doctor in Sweden, Mats Brannstrom, is the first in the world to deliver a baby as a result of a uterus transplant. As of last year, he had delivered five babies from women with donated wombs.

There have been at least 16 uterus transplants worldwide, including one in Cleveland from a deceased donor that had to be removed because of complications. Last month, Penn Medicine in Philadelphia announced that it also would start offering womb transplants.

Womb donors can be dead or alive, and the Baylor study aims to use some of both. The first four cases involved "altruistic" donors  unrelated and unknown to the recipients. The ones done in Sweden were from live donors, mostly from the recipients' mother or a sister.

Doctors hope that womb transplants will enable as many as several thousand women born without a uterus to bear children. To be eligible for the Baylor study, women must be 20 to 35 years old and have healthy, normal ovaries. They will first have in vitro fertilization to retrieve and fertilize their eggs and produce embryos that can be frozen until they are ready to attempt pregnancy.

After the uterus transplant, the embryos can be thawed and implanted, at least a year after the transplant to make sure the womb is working well. A baby resulting from a uterine transplant would be delivered by cesarean section. The wombs are not intended to be permanent. Having one means a woman must take powerful drugs to prevent organ rejection, and the drugs pose long-term health risks, so the uterus would be removed after one or two successful pregnancies.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine issued a statement Friday calling the Dallas birth "another important milestone in the history of reproductive medicine."

For women born without a functioning uterus, "transplantation represents the only way they can carry a pregnancy," the statement said. The group is convening experts to develop guidelines for programs that want to offer this service.
Patients who write their own medical records feel more involved with their care. (Photo: Pixabay)

A team of researchers has suggested that encouraging patients to write their own medical records might help them feel more involved with their care and improve relationships with their doctors.

According to doctors from the University Of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the patients can benefit if they are invited to co-produce medical notes, called "OurNotes," with their doctors, rather than merely reading them.

'OurNotes' has a potential to improve relationships with doctors, and cut documentation demands on clinicians.

This initiative allows doctors to share visit notes with patients, who may then contribute to their own medical records via OurNotes -- adding material such as symptoms or medical issues they experienced since their last visit, along with goals for upcoming visits.

Lead author Dr John Mafi from the UCLA said if executed thoughtfully, OurNotes has the potential to reduce documentation demands on clinicians, while having both the patient and clinician focussing on what's most important to the patient.

"Piloting OurNotes will start at four centers in 2018," he added.

The team conducted in-depth telephone interviews with 29 health care experts.

There were 11 primary care physicians, two specialist physicians, three nurse practitioners, four health information technology professionals, eight patient advocates and one policy expert.

The results suggested the participants overall believed that OurNotes could promote patient engagement, improve patient-centered care and patient-provider collaboration and possibly take some of the documentation burden off busy providers.

The research is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal.
The surgery, which generally involves tailoring a prosthesis for each patient in the operating room, is plagued by high failure rates (Photo: AFP)

Washington: Scientists have 3D-printed accurate, custom-designed prosthetic replacements for damaged parts of the middle ear, paving the way for improved surgical treatments for hearing impairment.

The technique has the potential to improve a surgical procedure that often fails because of incorrectly sized prosthetic implants, researchers said.

Conductive hearing loss can be treated through surgical reconstruction using prostheses made from stainless steel struts and ceramic cups.

The surgery, which generally involves tailoring a prosthesis for each patient in the operating room, is plagued by high failure rates.

"The ossicles are very small structures, and one reason the surgery has a high failure rate is thought to be due to incorrect sizing of the prostheses," said Jeffrey D Hirsch, assistant professor at the University of Maryland in the US.

"If you could custom-design a prosthesis with a more exact fit, then the procedure should have a higher rate of success," said Hirsch.

Researchers studied 3D printing as a way to create customised prostheses for patients with conductive hearing loss.

The technology has been used successfully to solve a number of other medical prosthesis problems, including in the areas of joint replacement and facial reconstruction surgery.

The researchers removed the middle linking bone in the ossicular chain from three human cadavers and imaged the structures with CT.

They employed an inexpensive 3D printer to create prostheses to restore continuity for each of the middle ears.

The prostheses were made from a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet laser light. Each of the prostheses had unique measurements.

Four surgeons then performed insertion of each prosthesis into each middle ear, blinded to the bone from and for which each was designed. The researchers then asked the surgeons to match each prosthesis to its correct source.

All four surgeons were able to correctly match the prosthesis model to its intended temporal bone - the bone containing the middle and inner parts of the ear.

The chances of this occurring randomly are 1 in 1,296, said Hirsch.

"This study highlights the core strength of 3-D printing - the ability to very accurately reproduce anatomic relationships in space to a sub-millimetre level," Hirsch said.

The results suggest that commercially available CT scanners can detect significant anatomic differences in normal human middle ear ossicles, and that these differences can be accurately represented with current 3D printing technology.

More significantly, surgeons are able to detect these differences, which should not only increase the likelihood of a proper fit, but also decrease surgical time, according to Hirsch.
Washington DC: A study has recently suggested that new mothers consuming placenta pills, following childbirth, will experience little to no effect on their post-partum mood, maternal bonding or fatigue.

According to researchers from the University Of Nevada, Las Vegas, ingesting placenta capsules produced small but detectable changes in hormone concentrations that show up in a mother's circulating hormone levels.

Lead author Dr Sharon Young said while the study did not provide firm support for or against the claims about the benefits of placentophagy, it did shed light on this much-debated topic by providing the first results from a clinical trial specifically testing the impact of placenta supplements on post-partum hormones, mood, and energy.

The team analysed 12 women who took placenta capsules and 15 who took placebo pills in the weeks after giving birth. They tested the efficacy of placenta capsules in promoting various health benefits, including stemming the onset of post-partum 'baby blues' and depression of new mothers.

The team released a study showing that consuming encapsulated placentas was not as good of a source of iron as proponents had suggested. Senior author Daniel Benyshek suggested that both advocates and skeptics alike may point to these new results.

The researchers stated that the study provided no clear evidence of placentophagy benefits compared to a placebo. It did show that the practice is capable of influencing maternal hormone levels and that could provide some kind of therapeutic effect.

More research is needed in order to explore these effects more fully. The research appears in the Women and Birth journal.
Washington: Do you also keep checking your cell phone in every five minutes for news, information or maybe an occasional phone call? If yes, then you may need to take a break, as researchers have found an imbalance in the brain chemistry of teenagers addicted to smartphones and internet.

According to a recent Pew Research Centre study, 46 percent of Americans say they could not live without their smartphones. Researchers from the Korea University in Seoul, South Korea used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to gain unique insight into the brains of smartphone - and internet - addicted teenagers. MRS is a type of MRI that measures the brain's chemical composition.

The team analysed 19 young people (mean age 15.5, nine males) diagnosed with internet or smartphone addiction. 12 of the addicted youth received nine weeks of cognitive behavioural therapy, modified from a cognitive therapy programme for gaming addiction. "The higher the score, the more severe the addiction," said researcher Hyung Suk Seo.

The results indicated that the addicted teenagers had significantly higher scores in depression, anxiety, insomnia severity and impulsivity.

The researchers performed MRS exams on the addicted youth prior to and following behavioural therapy and a single MRS study on the control patients to measure levels of gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits or slows down brain signals, and glutamate-glutamine (Glx), a neurotransmitter that causes neurons to become more electrically excited.

The results revealed that the ratio of GABA to Glx was significantly increased in the anterior cingulate cortex of smartphone - and internet - addicted youth prior to therapy.

Having too much GABA can result in a number of side effects, including drowsiness and anxiety. "The increased GABA levels and disrupted balance between GABA and glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex may contribute to our understanding the pathophysiology of and treatment for addictions," Seo noted.

The research was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Washington DC: Here's another reason for you to join Zumba classes!

According to a study, indulging in Zumba dance class for three days in a week can not only make you physically fit, but also improve your quality of life and emotional health.

Zumba is an aerobic fitness programme featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music. This research consisted of implementing a brief exercise intervention based on the famous fitness and wellness programmes.

Quality of life is a broad concept comprising various aspects of our life. More specifically, it is divided into eight important dimensions: social, emotional, physical state, physical pain, physical functioning, vitality, mental health and general health.

Yaira Barranco Ruiz and Emilio Villa Gonzalez from the National University of Chimborazo (Ecuador) conducted the study for five weeks. The physical exercise programme was carried out three days a week at the end of the workday, through one-hour classes.

This experiment caused significant improvements in most quality of life dimensions.

Researchers explained, "It is interesting to note that the emotional dimension, which was the one with the lowest values at the beginning, was the one with the highest values at the end of the exercise program and, therefore, the one that experienced the greatest improvement."

The team carried out a new, larger study, with an intervention of 16 weeks (corresponding to an academic semester), where health-related physical condition, body composition, metabolic panel and nutritional habits were analysed.

The research appears in the Health Education journal.
Bengaluru: It is that time of the year again. Thousands of migratory birds from across the world are flocking to the Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, which is situated on an island of Cauvery river near Srirangapatna. The main draw for these birds, which come from as far away as Siberia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is the presence of aquatic insects, the islets that protect them from predators and copious water.

A Eurasian Marsh Harrier at Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary. (Photo: Sajees Radhakrishna)

These conditions are good for the young ones of these birds. The birds have been coming here for hundreds of years, said Harsha, a birdwatcher. Open-billed stork, painted stork, pitta, egret, cormorant are some of the commonly spotted birds here. Sharath B., a wildlife expert based in Bengaluru, said, The conducive habitat based on the migratory pattern is the best way to describe the trend.

The bird sanctuary that is spread across 214 hectares has six main islands and six islets which are the main breeding grounds for a variety of local and migratory birds. The area around the sanctuary has lush green paddy fields. The birds, however, dont eat paddy seeds, but feed on insects in the field. The migratory birds choose the habitat from November till December, the experts said. Clearing the common misconception about migratory birds, J.N. Prasad, a bird expert, said that these birds do not come to breed here, but to escape the harsh climatic conditions in the Central Asian Flyway.

Mr Vijay Nishanth, the tree doctor who is credited with rescuing birds across the city, said that not only the sanctuary, but the entire village of Ranganathittu considers birds as part of their family. The sanctuary is conducive for birds as it receives considerable rainfall. The river that never dries attracts birds from across the globe, he said.
They hope the medium of comics will help the law and order authorities strike a chord with the younger generation. (Photo: Twitter/DelhiPolice)

While Uttar Pradesh police employed Harry Potter and Chacha Chaudhary to raise awareness about road safety last month, Mumbai police has used memes to the same effect.

Not far behind is the Delhi Police, which is now looking to educate citizens against crimes through comic strips and cartoon clips.

@DelhiPolice and @dtptraffic urges everyone to Not Drink and Drive.#YaDrinkYaDrive.

There will be ZERO tolerance towards this offence as it endangers both driver and road users. pic.twitter.com/iu2GSJnQAm  Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) December 2, 2017

According to Delhi Police spokesperson Dependra Pathak, the medium of comics will help the law and order authorities strike a chord with the younger generation.

At the 7th edition of FICCI's PubliCon 2017, Pathak called for publishers to help them advocate the message of safety of women, senior citizens, children, and a better society at large.

"Initially the idea was about posting small cartoons, or comic books of 4-5 panels on road safety using social media, so that it attracts the mind of a child as well as everyone else.

Daaru, whisky ke baad driving risky! That's why always include  in your plan.#YaDrinkYaDrive pic.twitter.com/dJMVk96Csj  Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) December 2, 2017

"Earlier I talked to Diamond comic books regarding this and today there are many publishers here. We can work upon the idea in the form of audio visual aids, or maybe some comics, and cartoons," he said.

He also suggested that the idea could be turned into a government initiative in later stages.

"I request the publishers to form a small group under the aegis of FICCI to work upon it as a CSR activity, later on it can be turned into a government-supported initiative," he said in his keynote address titled "Partnership Opportunities for Publishers with Delhi Police".

Echoing Pathak's thoughts, Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman-National Book Trust, added that lessons learnt through comic books will have greater impact on young minds.

"With initiatives like these people can find friends in police. And when the message is sent out through comic books, the younger generation, who are our future, can be more aware of all that is bothering us today," Sharma said.

Pathak also asked publishers to work on more relatable ways of inculcating the "generic knowledge" into the youth.

"With a better understanding of science, history and culture, the youth will be able to know that whatever they see today is a product of a long, long process.

"Publishers should also come out with books that can teach the youth about history of science, civilisation, philosophy, art and culture," Pathak said.
He has slashed up to 70 tyres a night since 2011, choosing neighbourhoods at random. (Photo: Pixabay)

After years of playing cat-and-mouse with police, a man who punctured the tyres of thousands of cars around the southwestern French city of Bordeaux has finally been apprehended.

The 45-year-old, arrested Wednesday, carried out his campaign of vandalism for six years, planning his nocturnal puncturing trips with the precision of a thief preparing a bank heist.

The man, who has yet to be named, told police he acted in anger against society.

He has slashed up to 70 tyres a night since 2011, choosing neighbourhoods at random around the port city to stay one step ahead of the police.

By his own estimate, the unemployed "serial puncturer" - a nickname he gave himself - vandalised 6,000 cars around the French wine capital, a figure deemed by police to be "credible".

Investigators said they breathed a "huge sigh of relief" following the capture of a suspect they have been chasing since 2014 after realising they were dealing with a serial offender.

He had made their life difficult by leaving no DNA evidence and stealthily avoiding CCTV cameras, keeping deliberately irregular hours and routes to throw them off the scent.

What's more, he often punctured the tyres gently so that they deflated slowly, making it even harder to track his movements.

"It might seem like something to laugh about," Bordeaux prosecutor Marie-Madeleine Alliot acknowledged Thursday.

But it was no laughing matter for residents who woke up to find their tyres slashed - or for authorities who were handed 1,100 complaints, including from one hapless motorist who was hit six times.

Coded notebook

The culprit meticulously planned his targets in a notebook in which he included details of CCTV cameras to avoid and scheduling his exploits all the way up to December next year.

He even wrote in code, inverting house numbers to confuse potential readers.

He would set off under the cover of darkness, often striking between 2:00 am and 5:00 am before taking the first tram home, said Nicolas Perez, the police officer leading the inquiry.

It was a photo taken by a resident that finally allowed police to catch up with him.

He was arrested at 2:00 am on Wednesday as he was heading out on one of his usual excursions, and quickly admitted to his crimes.

The full motives of the tyre puncturer, who has no criminal record, have yet to be unravelled.

But initial inquiries suggested an "obsessive and solitary personality", Alliot said.

Police said he expressed bitterness towards society and a desire for "revenge" after being mistreated as a child.

He appears to have been inspired by a cobbler's puncturing tool he found in the street in 2011.

"He wanted to be noticed, to feel like he was being heard," said deputy prosecutor Jean-Claude Belot, noting that the puncturer enjoyed reading press coverage of his antics.

He has been charged with wilful damage to private property for which he could face up to two years in jail and a 300,000 euro ($357,000) fine.

His trial has been set for May 18.
Nellore: The Gudur police on Saturday held nine persons involved in the murder of a sorcerer at Marlapudi forest area of Saidapuram mandal in SPSR Nellore district about two years back. The accused were involved in treasure hunting and the victim Pitla Rathnaiah was performing some rituals for the gang to locate the hidden treasure.

In this backdrop, the gang dug up a 20 feet deep and 20 feet wide trench in Marlapudi forest area with the help of an earth moving machine in search of treasure in October 2015. They summoned Rathnaiah to the spot on October 28, 2015 when they failed to find the treasure. One of the accused, Jagalinki Venkata Ramana hit Rathnaiah on the head with a boulder when the latter was performing a ritual under the plea that they can unearth the treasure if they sacrifice him to the evil powers.

In a bid to showcase the murder as an accident, the accused dumped the body on Rapur Road near Tippireddypalle on the same night. After noticing the body, police registered a case of suspicious death on October 29, 2015. The police managed to arrest the gang after one of the accused Talari Joreypalli surrendered to them through the village revenue officer of Chikavolu few days back. The accused are natives of Podalakur, Nellore, Gudur and Saidapuram areas. Gudur DSP V.S. Rambabu appreciated the team involved in the investigation for nabbing the accused.
Hyderabad: Four lab technicians of Gandhi Hospital were arrested by the Chilkalguda police for allegedly sexually harassing the trainees at the lab. The technicians were identified as Mohd Akram, 47, Thambi Anthony Sebastian, 53, Jannu Madhu Babu, 30, and Mandalam Durga Das, 36. According to the victims, the accused sexually harassed them by touching them inappropriately and stalked them despite being asked not to several times.

The trainees who were deputed to the lab had submitted a representation to the Gandhi Hospital superintendent Dr Shravan Kumar, in August, levelling allegations of sexual harassment against the four technicians. Based on that, an inquiry committee was constituted with professors and heads of department of the hospital to investigate further, said North Zone DCP B. Sumathi.

A report was submitted by the committee in September that confirmed the sexual harassment by the technicians, Ms. Sumathi added. On Thursday, one the trainees registered a case at the Chilkalguda police station under the relevant sections of the IPC.

During the course of the investigation, the police examined 14 witnesses and established a prima facie case against the four employees and arrested them all on Friday, Ms Sumathi said, adding that they would be produced before the court for judicial remand. She said, Society has to come forward to support such victims of workplace harassment. They should be bold enough to come forward and report the issue to the authorities and can be assured that their names and identities will not be publicised.
The DRI Hyderabad unit said that the cigarette is smuggled to avoid the customs duty on imported goods. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Saturday raided an inland container depot (ICD) in Ranga Reddy district and seized foreign cigarettes, valued at Rs 6.33 crore, which were smuggled into the country. Acting on a tip-off that smugglers are getting cigarettes from Dubai through cargo, the sleuths raided a depot at Thimmapur.

On a container from the UAE we found 176 packages of Mond cigarettes. The super slim cigarettes were of different flavours (gum; gum mint; green apple; menthol and paan) and Benson & Hedges super filter cigarettes from London, Mr M.K. Singh, DRI additional director-general, said.

As many as 45.3 lakh foreign cigarettes were recovered. Of which, 15 lakh cigarettes were of Benson & Hedges and 30.3 lakh cigarettes were of Mond brand. To conceal the cigarettes, self-adhesive tapes were pla-ced on the front side of the container, he added. Total value of the seized cigarettes is Rs 6.33 crore. Self-adhesive tapes, valued at Rs 2.75 lakh, were used to conceal the cigarettes.Local market sources said that the im-ported cigarettes are sold at major pan shops for about Rs 300 and Rs 500 a packet. The DRI Hyderabad unit said that the cigarette is smuggled to avoid the customs duty on imported goods.
A total of 195 job offers have been made on the first day of the placement season at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, with a majority from the analytics, finance and consulting sectors. (Phot: PTI/ File)

Chennai: A total of 195 job offers have been made on the first day of the placement season at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, with a majority from the analytics, finance and consulting sectors.

Some of the companies that participated in the placement season that commenced yesterday, included Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and Samsung Research Institute, Bengaluru, an IIT Madras release said.

The number of international offers that were given to prospective candidates also increased this year to 11 from last year's three, it added.

Of the total 195 job offers, 41 per cent of them were from analytics, finance and consulting, 32 per cent from research and development, 25 per cent Information Technology, and two per cent from firms engaged in the fast moving consumer goods segment, the release said.

Considering the stress factor faced by students during the interviews, IIT Madras said the "graveyard slot which is normally conducted between 12 am and 6 am has been done away with."

As per the release, the pre-placement offers are considered as a reward for the students during the internships that were normally provided by top companies including Microsoft and Qualcomm.
If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mocking its presidential election and, raising the issue of "internal democracy" in the BJP, asked him when he would answer questions posed by the leaders of his own party.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala raked up the names of former BJP top guns such as LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Joshi, Keshubhai Patel and Anandiben Patel, alleging they were "victims" of Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah's "internal democracy".

"Dear PM, your love for 'Shahzad', 'Shah-Zada' and 'Shaurya' is now well known, but 'Nation wants to know' when will you reply to the questions raised by senior BJP leaders, 'Shourie' (Arun), Sinha (Yashwant) and Sinha (Shatrughan)," he posted on Twitter.

Surjewala further tweeted, "Blinded by rage and enmity, what unimaginable depths would you fall to?"

He also referred to senior BJP leaders such as Advani and Joshi in another tweet.

"Modiji, do tell Gujarat and country about the victims of yours and Amit Shah s 'internal democracy' in BJP, namely- Lal Krishna Advani, Keshubhai Patel, Hiren Pandya, Kanshiram Rana, Anandiben Patel, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Joshi, who were compulsorily lost in pages of history," he said.

Earlier, while addressing a poll rally in Gujarat, Modi had mocked the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, alleging the party had a history of rigging organisational polls.

The charge was raised after a Congress leader from Maharashtra, Shehzad Poonawala, alleged that the Congress organisational polls were "rigged" and state party delegates were not elected.

Modi said at the rally the outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion.

"If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country," Modi asked.
Families of the deceased and survivors are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the govt filed in Dec 2010 for more compensation. (Photo: PTI/File)

Bhopal: Thirty-three years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors are still fighting for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the toxic leak.

Families of the deceased and people who bore the brunt of the industrial disaster are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the government filed in December 2010 for more compensation.

The US company, which then owned the chemical plant in Bhopal, from where the poisonous gas leaked in 1984, has not yet adequately compensated the victims, a Madhya Pradesh minister said.

The victims of the "world's worst disaster" had not been paid adequately by US-based Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) now owned by Dow Chemicals, MP's Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vishwas Sarang told PTI.

He alleged that the then Central government led by the Congress was more interested in helping the multi-national company rather than bringing it to book.

"The Central and the state governments, both led by the Congress, helped the then UCC chairman, Warren Anderson, who had come to Bhopal after the tragedy, to escape to the US," Sarang claimed.

He said the curative petition seeks compensation of more than Rs 1,000 crore from the UCC (now owned by Dow) for the welfare of the victims.

Abdul Jabbar, the convenor of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan, who has been working for the survivors for over three decades, said the UCC gave a compensation of USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore) after the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, killed 3,000 people and affected 1.02 lakh others.

"We all challenged the meagre compensation in the Supreme Court saying that the number of victims was 'too high' and the compensation given by Union Carbide was 'too small' in 1989," Jabbar said.

He added that the claim courts for the tragedy started work in Bhopal in 1990 and completed it by 2005.

The Rs 715 crore-compensation was paid to the families of 15,274 deceased and 5.74 lakh affected by the leak, he said.

Jabbar said the signature campaign for more compensation was launched by those whose health had been affected by the gas leak.

"We moved the apex court again in 2005 saying that the number of victims had swelled five fold," Jabbar said.

On December 3, 2010, the Centre and the state government filed a curative petition in the apex court seeking more compensation for the victims from UCC, Jabbar said.

"But nothing has happened after that. So now the sufferers are signing the petition, with a request to the Supreme Court to hear the curative petition and decide the matter at the earliest," he added.

The survivors were suffering from many diseases, including cancer, tumours and lung problems, caused by the inhalation of the poisonous gas three decades ago, he said.

"They are not getting proper medical care as they don't have money," Jabbar said.

He accused the Congress government and the BJP-led NDA rule of not doing enough to bring Anderson to book.

"Anderson escaped from the country after the Congress government as the Centre buckled under US pressure in 1984," he claimed.

The CBI, when the NDA was in power in 2002, tried to "dilute the charges" against Anderson which made the extradition of the US national difficult, he added.

On June 7, 2010, a Bhopal court convicted seven executives of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) to two years' imprisonment in connection with the incident.

Anderson was the prime accused in the case but did not appear for the trial. On February 1, 1992, the Bhopal CJM court declared him an absconder.

The courts in Bhopal had issued non-bailable warrants against Anderson twice -- in 1992 and 2009.

Anderson died in September, 2014.
Speaking at a public rally in Bharuch, the Prime Minister said, 'My problem with Congress politics is simple - they oppose us just for the sake of opposing'. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Bharuch (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Congress Party opposes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just for the sake of opposing and is envious of them.

Speaking at a public rally in Bharuch, the Prime Minister said, "My problem with Congress politics is simple - they oppose us just for the sake of opposing. They oppose things like bullet train only because they could not take this initiative forward and are envious someone else is".

Taking a jibe at the UPA government, Modi said, "Do you remember the poor law and order situation in Bharuch when Congress was in power? Curfews and violence were common here. BJP changed this, not only in Bharuch but all over Gujarat".

He added that Bharuch and Kutch are districts with significant Muslim populations which developed rapidly under the BJP tenure in Gujarat and the names of these two districts have figured prominently.

"In Uttar Pradesh, where Congress has ruled for decades, the state from where generations of top Congress leaders belong, we saw what happened there in the local elections. Congress was wiped out. Uttar Pradesh knows Congress well and so does Gujarat," Prime Minister Modi said.

He added that when there were floods in Gujarat's Banaskantha, the Congress leaders were in Bengaluru to save one leader (Rahul Gandhi) from losing a Rajya Sabha poll.

"That same leader is the topmost Congress leader now but what did he do for Bharuch? He was unable to work for Narmada, neither did he think about Ro-Ro ferry," the Prime Minister asserted.

He further said that the curfews and violence were common in Bharuch when the Congress was in power, adding, "BJP changed this, not only in Bharuch but all over Gujarat".

Sharpening his attack on the Congress, Modi accused the opposition party of seeking to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.

Modi lashed out at the Congress, saying that it wanted to create "walls between brothers".

"The people of Gujarat know what the Congress is up to. It changes colour time and again, creates a wall between brothers," he said.

Modi said the party made "one caste fight with the other, one religion fight

with another".

"They keep you busy in fighting with each other. You may die but the Congress will eat 'malai' (cream)," he said.

Meanwhile earlier on Sunday, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi for not providing basic necessities to the women of poll-bound Gujarat.

A political slugfest has erupted ahead of the elections, as the Congress is continuously attacking the BJP and vice-e-versa on several issues like development in Gujarat, the demonestisation, the Goods and Service Tax (GST) etc.

The two-phase Gujarat assembly elections will take place on December 9 and 14, while the results will be out on December 18.
Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Rajkot: Police detained three Congress workers on Saturday outside the residence of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani here when a mob of opposition party workers rushed there, after brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in scuffle with BJP workers.

Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

Police also indulged in baton charge to disperse the mob. Rupani is contesting polls from his Rajkot West seat against Rajyaguru. Elections will be held in Rajkot on December 9.

"Scuffle broke out between Congress and BJP workers over the issue of tearing of posters. Brother of Rajyaguru, Deep was injured in the the scuffle," Joint Commissioner of police Dipak Bhatt told reporters.

Injured Congress workers were taken to City private hospital.

"Rajyaguru with a large group of Congress workers rushed to the residence of Rupani. We tried to reason it out with him but they wanted to take law in their hand," Bhatt said.

"We have detained three people so far", he said adding that they used necessary force to control the situation.

Rupani was at his residence when the incident took place. Heavy police security has been put in place at the residence of the chief minister.
Former prime minister and Congress leader Manmohan Singh with Ashok Gehlot addresses a press conference in Surat ahead of Gujarat Assembly Election. (Photo: PTI)

Surat: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Saturday said Modi failed to understand the "pains" of his note ban and GST decisions were going to unleash on the people of his own home state.

Calling demonetisation an "uninformed, half-baked crusade" and GST a "badly designed and hastily implemented" measure, Singh also lamented the "low-level rhetoric" used by the ruling party.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes...," he said.

"Just as you were recovering from one blow (of demonetisation), came the GST. Nobody consulted you or tried to understand how your dhandha (business) works," he told a gathering of members of the local business community here.

"The prime minister is from Gujarat, and he claims to understand Gujarat and the poor more than anyone else. How is it that he never understood the pains his decisions will unleash on you?" Singh asked.

"Your business works on trust and relationships. Without trust in each other, Surat will collapse. You extended this trust to the prime minister and his promise of 'acchhe din' (good days). The hope symbolised in those dreams now lies shattered," he said.

In Surat alone, 89,000 powerlooms were sold as scrap and it led to a loss of 31,000 jobs, Singh said.

"There are countless such examples from industrial clusters and big mandis (markets) from across the country. China benefited from this situation," he claimed.

"In FY 2016-17, India's imports from China stood at Rs 1.96 lakh crore. During the same period in FY 2017-18, the imports from China increased to Rs 2.41 lakh crore. This unprecedented increase in imports by more than Rs 45,000 crore, a 23 per cent increase in a year, can be attributed largely to demonetisation and GST.

"These twin blows damaged India's MSME sector and our businesses had to turn to Chinese imports at the cost of India jobs," the senior Congress leader said.

On demonetisation, Singh said, "This is an uninformed, half-baked crusade on black money where he (Modi) painted everyone as a thief, while real culprits have gotten away."

The Goods and Services Tax was "badly designed and hastily implemented", the economist-turned-politician said.

Maintaining that demonetisation was not the solution to the problem of black money and tax evasion, Singh said the costs of demonetisation substantially exceeded its benefits, and the decision "proved to be mere bluster to reap political dividends while the real offenders have escaped".

Demonetisation and GST have also "sown a deep-rooted fear of tax terrorism among the business community", he said.

"At a time when the economy has slowed down considerably, despite favourable global macro-economic conditions, the fear of tax terrorism has eroded the confidence of the businesses to invest," he said.

"This attitude of suspecting everyone to be a thief or anti-national, the low-level rhetoric is damaging the democratic discourse and has real consequences for how we relate to one another as citizens. Political leaders must stick to the high road," he said.

Singh said on every social indicator, from infant and maternal mortality rates to female literacy, Gujarat has fallen behind the best performing states, including Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

He said the recent agitations by the youth cutting across different sections of the society was an indication of the deep dissatisfaction with the performance of successive BJP governments.

The former prime minister said a Congress government in the state will hear the voice of every Gujarati regardless of caste, creed, gender or class.

Later, talking to reporters, Singh strongly denied Modi's allegation that the Congress and Congress-led governments hated Gujaratis.

"Nothing can be farther from the truth. I realise that many things are said in election times. But when they are gross distortions, they need to be rebutted," he said, adding that Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister, and the "most famous Gujarati" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hand-in-hand, and "nothing is gained, as is often attempted by Modi, by pitting the two great leaders apart."

Modi was "denigrating the country" when claiming that Congress party did nothing in 70 years, the former PM said.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes without resorting to statements which denigrate our country," he said.

"...While denigrating the past, the prime minister also tends to exaggerate what he will do in future. He was recently quoted in the press as saying that India will become a developed country by 2022," Singh said, adding that to achieve that, India needed to grow at the rate of 35 per cent per year.

The government should get out of the "culture of constant self-praise", Singh said.

"In the ten years of UPA-I and II, when I was the prime minister, we produced 7.8 per cent GDP growth on average. This includes the slow-down in the last two years of our government. When the present government took over, they said they would take growth to 8 to 10 per cent. Modi so far has produced an average of only 7.3 per cent in the first three years," he said.
New Delhi: Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla on Sunday furthered his attack against party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and dubbed him 'shehzada', in line with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) repeated jibes referring to him by the same moniker.

Speaking to media in Delhi, Poonwala said that Congress Party had "no place for Shehzad [himself], but for shehzada [Rahul Gandhi]."

"I have been trying to raise the most important issue of dynastic politics and fair opportunity to the non-dynasts within the party for the past six to eight years. I also wrote to Rahul ji on this. Instead of answering my claims about delegates being fixed and one family one ticket rule  they are making baseless allegations against me that I am a BJP agent. I have to become a whistle-blower. I am not spineless like the other Congress leaders," he said.

"Main Shehzad hoon, shehzada nahin. [I am Shehzad Poonawalla, not a prince like Rahul Gandhi]. They don't have a place for me," he added.

Rubbishing Congress' claims that he was not a party leader, Poonawalla said, "If I was not a member of the Congress Party, why does my name appear in a letter signed by Ashok Chavan in April 2016 appointing me as Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee secretary?"

He showed the letter to the media as the proof.

Poonawalla also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising him for his bravery and said, "The person whom I criticised [PM Modi] is supporting me, while the party [Congress] for which I gave my life is criticising me and saying that I am not a member of it."

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed Poonawalla's allegations and called out Congress for the lack of "internal democracy".

"A youngster Shehzad has exposed the rigging that is taking place in the Congresspresident poll. And Shehzad is a senior Congress leader in Maharashtra. The CongressParty has tried to muzzle his voice and wants to even remove him from their social media groups. What tolerance is this!" the prime minister said, addressing a rally in Gujarat.

Also, speaking to ANI earlier, Poonawalla had appropriated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the party's alleged non-allegiance towards him and said, "I did not raise my voice for the party ticket. I don't want the president post in Congress. I only said that we must try to end the dynastic politics and we must have elections for the president post, not the selection or coronation of Rahul Gandhi. When I raised my voice for this, they said I was not a party member. If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, I feel the same way today."

On a related note, the BJP has been attacking Congress on the same lines, alleging it of having sidelined Sardar Patel in the party cadres.

The fight over Sardar Patel's legacy escalated on October 31, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress for having tried to "run down and erase" the former's contributions to the unification of the country after Independence.
Rahul Gandhion Sunday asks his fifth question in his a question a day series in the run up to Gujarat Assembly elections. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of crimes against women in Gujarat and raised concerns over their safety, even as he accused him of merely making promises.

Gandhi asked his fifth question in his "a question a day" series in the run up to Gujarat assembly elections and demanded answers over the alleged failure of the Modi-led government in fulfilling the promises.

Launching a counter-attack, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the questions showed the "feudal fantasy" of the Congress.

"The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to ASHA workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat and it was never their intention to fulfil them," Gandhi tweeted.

He also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health.

"Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in women trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls...Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top ten in crime against women in India?" it claimed.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education? Why has female literacy rate dropped from 70.3 per cent to 57.8 between 2001 to 2011? Why has maternal mortality rate risen to 85, putting the state at number 11 in 15 states in reduction of MMR," it asked.

The Congress leader, who is leading his party's poll campaign in the western state, had earlier accused the prime minister of "commercialising education at the cost of government schools and institutions, and hitting students hard with fee hikes".

The tagline of his posers to the prime minister is "22 salon ka hisaab, Gujarat mange jawaab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 years of BJP rule)".

Gandhi had earlier asked Modi why public money was "squandered" in purchasing power at higher rates from private companies in Gujarat.

He also asked why the people of Gujarat should pay for the "financial mismanagement" and publicity by him.

Hitting back, Naqvi alleged, "Those who cannot differentiate between 'burger and baingan (brinjal)', 'pyaz (onion) and pizza' and 'cake and banana' are trying to become 'champion of questions'. This is the Congress' feudal fantasy."

Congress spokesperson Suhmita Dev later claimed that none of the top BJP leaders had any answers to the questions raised by Gandhi.

He said the Congress was contesting this election for the betterment of Gujarat and of its people, including women, youth and the poor.
Rajya Sabha member Derek OBrien with columnist Barkha Dutt at the launch of his book, Inside Parliament: Views From The Front Row, in Bengaluru on Saturday

Bengaluru: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek OBrien said that a collective leadership among the incumbent opposition parties is essential to wrest power from NDA in 2019. We need to fight the BJP in local idioms using local languages, for instance Siddarmaiah-led movement in Karnataka, and likewise Mamata didi (Banerjee) and Naveen babu (Patnaik) at Bengal and Odisha respectively, to get a local understanding which is essential, he said.

Elaborating on his vision of the next parliamentary elections, the Rajya Sabha MP further added that Bengal would have a bigger say in the bigger picture by then. Mamata didi is the most credible face in the incumbent opposition at the national level, he alluded.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah (without naming them), he said that the pair having a final say on all issues is something that cannot be accepted any further, which does upset the total democratic balance of the country.

Regarding the delayed winter session of the parliament he said that the BJP is trying to run away from confronting the opposition on various issues, including corruption, failure of the GST rollout, Aadhaar linkage and other contentious issues.

On being asked on the upcoming Gujarat elections, Mr O Brien said, The Ranji Trophy matches do not count. The test matches coming up in 2019 is what everything accounts up to.

Interacting with the audience at the Bengaluru launch of his book Inside Parliament: Views From The Front Row, the journalist-turned-quizmaster-turned-politician advised the people not to fall for the communal narrative orchestrated by vested interest across the country.

Communal should never be the narrative, issues should be. We should be aware of the fact how the rumour spreading society is now turning Facebook into a complete Fakebook. The minorities have a key role to play by not falling prey to the polarization trend being played now, he alluded. Congress MP Rajeev Gowda was also present during the full house in-conversation session hosted by senior journalist Barkha Dutt held at the city on Sunday.
According to sources, about 23 fishing vessels registered in Tamil Nadu took shelter at Miryabandar (Maharashtra) to avoid getting caught in the cyclone Ockhi.

Chennai: The Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Air Force (IAF) have rescued 357 fishermen including 71 from Tamil Nadu who were stranded due to cyclone Ockhi and 20 of their ships, 8 aircrafts and 5 helicopters are patrolling the Lakshadweep sea to search and rescue fishermen.

Of those rescued at sea, a maximum of 248 fishermen were from Kerala while 38 were from Lakshadweep Island.

According to sources, about 23 fishing vessels registered in Tamil Nadu took shelter at Miryabandar (Maharashtra) to avoid getting caught in the cyclone Ockhi.

The ICG personnel reached out to those fishermen for assistance. They rescued 19 rescued fishermen from the high seas off the Colachel coast in Kanyakumari besides salvaging their vessel and brought them to safety in the harbour.

In addition, the ICG aircraft which sighted 15 fishermen on two vessels in distress off Colachel ensured the fishermen returned safely to the shore on December 2. All the fishermen are safe.

An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi: 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman who visited the cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district on Sunday evening, tweeted.

The Defence Minister who visited the coastal district in the State along with Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, took stock of the situation and interacted with the people.

She is scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. Senior Ministers and officers of the Indian Navy and ICG were present on the occasion.

The Indian Coast Guard alone has deployed 10 ships, 3 aircraft and a helicopter at sea for the coordinated search and rescue operation in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep islands while the Navy has deployed ten ships besides, four aircraft and four helicopters and the Air Force has deployed an aircraft and two helicopters.
Mr Satishs 11-year-old son went missing on June 24 while he was on his way to school.

Lucknow: In search of his disabled son who went missing six months ago, Satish Chand, a farmer from Hathras, has been travelling on his cycle from various districts in Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and Haryana in search of his son.

Satish Chand has pedalled more than 1,500 kilometres in search of his son, Godna. Mr Satishs 11-year-old son went missing on June 24 while he was on his way to school. When he did not return home by late evening, Mr Satish started looking for him.

After a futile search for Godna, who has learning difficulties, Satish approached the police. The police sat over his complaint and asked him to stay at home and wait to hear from them.

Tired of waiting, Satish Chand decided to search for his son himself and set off on his bicycle with a photograph of the missing son. He travelled from city to city, asking people if they had seen Godna.

In Agra, Naresh Paras, a child rights activist saw Satish Chand and heard his story. Naresh Paras brought the matter to the notice of the UP DGP and highlighted Chands plight in the Chief Ministers Jansunwai portal, an app for registering citizens grievances and suggestions.

We have still not got any response from the police but I will pursue the matter because I can understand the sorrow of the father, he said.

Satish Chand has distributed innumerable pamphlets across several districts so far in the hope that someone would get back to him with news of his son.
Hyderabad: As soon as the news of Muralis suicide spread, hundreds of students from the campus and students union leaders rushed to the spot and blocked the police from shifting the body for a post-mortem.

The hostel turned into a fortress with the police forces, including teams from Telangana state special police and the Rapid Action Force. Amidst the commotion, Prof. Kodandaram and retired Justice Chandra Kumar visited the hostel and expressed their condolences to Muralis family. They said that unemployment is incre-asing in the state and the government should take steps to control it. Prof Kodandaram also sought ex gratia to the victims family.

Students union members alleged that Murali committed suicide due to unemployment in the state and said the police replaced his original suicide note.

The handwriting is mismatching. To divert the attention, the police is resorting to this. This is nothing but a murder by the state, said Srisailam of OU JAC. Mr Kalyan, chairman of Nirudyoga JAC, demanded `1 crore ex-gratia to Muralis family and a job for his family members. We also demand an autopsy by the forensic experts in the campus. If the body moves out of the hostel, the facts will be diluted. he said.

When the police tried to shift the body from the hostel bathroom, student started raising slogans against the government and the Chief Minister. They also demanded the additional forces to move out of the hostel.

Senior cops at the spot said intelligence wing have collected details and sent to the Government and were awaiting for the instructions on the next move.

Victim was depressed: Cops

Eramaina Murali, 21, a first-year PG student at Osmania University, committed suicide in the Maneru Hostel on the campus on Sunday.

The suicide of K. Srikanth Chary on December 3, eight years ago, had triggered the intensification of the Telangana statehood movement, which forced the Centre to initiate the process of formation of Telangana state on December 9, 2009.

Murali, a native of Doulapur village of Jagdevpur mandal in Siddipet district, had joined the M.Sc Physics programme at Osmania University. He was in the first semester of his first year.

On Monday, at around 3.30 pm, one of the inmates of the hostel went to the bathroom located on the first floor. When he tried to enter the last stall, he found that he was unable to open the door fully. When he peeped inside, he found Murali was hanging from shoelaces tied to a hook on the wall. He alerted Muralis roommates, who informed the cops.

Before the cops could arrive, news spread and students from across the university, and outside, rushed to the spot.

He hanged himself due to depression. We are verifying other angles as well. The investigation will proceed, in a fair manner, based on all the evidence, said ACP Narsaiah, who inspected the scene.

Police also recovered a note from Muralis pocket, which was purportedly written by him. All the pieces of evidence recovered from the spot are being sent for forensic analysis, said another official at the spot.
Hyderabad: The city police will deploy 7,000 police personnel on the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on Wednesday.

The security is beefed up in view of the court-related developments and some political parties and groups calling for public meetings, the police said. The forces will be drawn up from various wings of the city police and as a precautionary measure the Rapid Action Force (RPF) will be deployed at the communally sensitive areas.

The United Muslim Forum organised a public meeting on Sunday night. The Majlis Bachao Tehreek held a meeting at Urdu Ghar, Moghalpura. A few groups are planning protest meetings in the Old City on Wednesday.

No specific inputs of law and order disturbance are received from any quarter so far. The bandobast is just a precautionary measure. Already, the prohibitory orders are in force in the city and no one can take out any rally or procession without permission, said V Satyanarayana, DCP (south).
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said that the state government wants an all-round development of the Backward Classes, who constitute more than half of the states population.

He urged BC public representatives from all political parties to make recommendations to the government about the various measures that should be taken to improve the living standards of BCs.

Mr Rao announced that the government was committed to implement any action plan prepared by the BC public representatives for the upliftment and betterment of the communities. He said the government had already implemented several programmes for the development and welfare of the BCs.

But some more measures needed to be taken to improve the standard of living of the Backward Classes, the CM felt.

The CM wanted the public representatives to consult all the communities amongst the BCs and then make recommendations.

He specifically wanted the public representatives to suggest how BC Finance Commission and MBC Corporation should function and how to plan the self-employment schemes better.

The CM said the government is ready to issue the necessary GOs, instructions, and pass Acts in accordance with the recommendations given by the BC public representatives.

He said his government had no qualms about rectifying any mistakes in the existing policies.

He also said that in developed countries, once a policy was made it remained permanent, even if there was a change in governance but unfortunately this was not the case in our country and this was the lacunae.

The CM wanted the policies, schemes, measures to be prepared in such a manner that nobody would be able to change them in the future. The CM had held a meeting with the BC MPs, MLAs, MLCs at the Committee Hall in the Legislative Assembly.

Before the formation of the state there were only 19 residential schools for the BCs. We have set up 123 residential schools providing quality education to 91,520 students, Mr Rao said.

We are implementing Kalyan Laxmi scheme for the BCs. With the introduction of reservations in the market committees, 50 per cent of the BCs has chance of becoming the chairmen of Committees. The pension scheme for the Beedi Workers has helped the people from the BC communities especially the Padmashalis. We have formed MBC Finance Commission for the most backward BCs and have prepared schemes to offer financial assistance through MBC without any linkage to the banks, the CM said.

We are encouraging hereditary professions among BCs. We have launched the distribution of sheep with 75 per cent subsidy. In four months, 29.50 lakh sheep were distributed. The distributed sheep have given birth to 10 lakh baby sheep. So far sheep has been distributed among 1.41 lakh families and the target is to distribute to 7.30 lakh families. We have started the distribution of fishlings with 100 percent subsidy. We are launching schemes and programmes for the fishermen with a Rs 5,000 crore budget. We will give the necessary help to the washermen too. We will give financial assistance to the Nayi Brahmins to launch their hair dressing saloons. We will be granting Rs 250 crore to Viswa Brahmins too, the CM said.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Speaker Madhusudhana Chary at a meeting on BCs welfare at Pragathi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said the state government would request the Centre to bring in an Act in Parliament that would accord reservations to the BCs in legislatures. He said the TS Assembly had passed a resolution to this effect.

The Chief Minister said that all the political parties in the state want reservation for BCs in legislatures and the state government had put this issue before the Centre as an urgent demand.

Mr Rao announced that an all-party delegation would visit Delhi and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue.

He said a request would also be made to Mr Modi to set up a separate BC welfare ministry at the Centre and give reservations to the BCs.

He requested Assembly Speaker Dr S. Madhusudhana Chary to allow a day-long debate in the House on the improvement measures and programmes to be taken up for the welfare and development of the BCs.

After the BC public representatives hold meetings for three to four days and give recommendations to the government, these recommendations would be discussed in the Assembly and the necessary Bills, GOs and decisions would be issued, he said.

We are implementing measures for the development of BCs within the jurisdiction of the state. Let us implement reservations in the local bodies. We will provide subsidies to the BCs on the lands allotted for the entrepreneurs by the TSIIC. Plan schemes, which are needed for the BCs will be discussed with all caste organisations, the Chief Minister said.

He said opinion would be taken from all sections, and a report will be prepared and sent to the government.

The report given by you will be treated as an instruction by the government and we will implement it. Once you get clarity let us have a days debate in the Assembly and then announce the policies, he said.

There is no politics in the matter. Every party representative wants development and welfare of the BCs. The government is not going to take any credit. We will tell the people it is a united effort of all the parties. This will send a positive message to the people, the CM said.

Some communities face some issues while getting a caste certificate, he said.

There are also some problems within the communities over getting the benefit of the government policies. Certain communities have identity crisis. The public representatives have to suggest implementable policies, Mr Rao said.
Hyderabad: Sri Kalyana Ramachandra Swamy temple stands tall and is supported by a tiny hillock. The small temple has a long history and is located in Gummadidala village in Jinnaram mandal of Medak district, 40 km from Hyderabad.

A few facts about the temple should pique pilgrims. Hanuman  the eternal worshipper of Lord Rama  does not find a place in the temple. There are various reasons cited for this. The temple has idols of Lord Rama and Sita along with his brothers and their consorts.

I am not sure. Maybe this is the only temple in India where the four divine couples reside together, says Kandadai Vijaya Raman, a 15th generation priest of this unique temple.

The temple priest performs puja for the deities made in black stone in the sanctum sanctorum.

The moola murtis of Lord Rama and Sita and the other couples have makara toranalus or prabhavalis. All idols and toranalus are made of black stone, save Shruthi Keerthi, wife of Shatrughana. Her statue was reported to have been destroyed in the attack by the Veera Shaivas, Raman says, who heard about it from his forefathers.

While Lord Rama and Sita stand in the front, Lakshmana occupies a place by Lord Rama with a bow and an arrow. His wife, Urmila, is behind him. Bharatha stands behind Lord Rama with a chamaram, a fan made of animal hair, and his wife, Mandavi, is next to him. Shatrughna stands with an umbrella and next to him is Shruthi Keerthi, made of another material. Her broken statue was kept under the stambha outside the temple which changed about 15 years ago. The old stambha made of rock is damaged and a wooden one is kept in its place.

A peek of the Lord: A hole built on the door jamb so, devotees can view Lord Rama from outside when the temple doors are closed.

I have been doing research and found that this is an 11th century temple and was renovated only once 400 years ago, says Raman. Four villages, including Seetapuram, Mannegudem, Merugiripeta and Pati, got together and since it was a gathering of people from various parts it was called Ummadidala, which was later known as Gummadidala.

Though Raman insisted that the temple was destroyed only by the Veera Shaivas, there could also have been a Moghul connection to the attack.

History says that the Donti Samasthanam then had a Venugopalaswamy temple and to conduct pujas for the idols, priests were brought from Sholangipuram in Tamil Nadu, says Raman.

Several generations worked for this temple, when one individual decided to start his own worship and thus came Ramans relative to this temple, which was already in place.

While the temples uniqueness is quite obvious, there is no koneru or temple pond in the vicinity. While it may have existed earlier, there are no signs of it now. Currently, there is no water anywhere near the temple. For pujas the priest carries water with him every day. There is only one puja every day in the morning.

While the temple is tidy and clean, the outside is strewn leaves. Rama Navami is celebrated with great pomp and the temple gets a brush stroke of dangu chunam or limestone coverage.

The temples gopuram is built in a tiered structure and the chakra atop the gopuram is made of stone.

A flat roof covers the temple with a small sanctum sanctorum, which the priest says could have been to keep the utsava murtis, which have been shifted to another Lord Venketeswara temple in the same village. Now this sanctum has the moola murtis.

The sanctum sanctorum is bereft of any embellishments, though 12 Alwars sit outside the main sanctum, with Jeeyar Swamy talking to them.

Luckily, the temple has a door which can be locked and there are two brightly coloured dwara palikas outside. Keeping this in mind, Raman says that this temple must have been only for the Vaishnavites, where the men would have to be shirtless  a tradition not followed now. There is also a neat little hole built on the door jamb so you can get a view of Lord Rama even from outside.

An old mandapam stands outside, rock solid, while a small kitchen and yagna shalla stand close to the temple and are not in use. A wooden ratham is located in another building. This was built in 1960 to replace the old one.

This is a binha devalayam, or one that is destroyed. The Veera Shaiva community luckily did not do too much damage, says Raman.

There is also talk in the village that instead of developing the already existing temple, they want to raze it to the ground and build a new one, which Raman does not favour. His argument being my ancestors worshipped here and I have been here for the past 15 years. If they want to build a new temple, they will have to get a new priest.

He and his family members visited the archaeology department in 2012, which in its notification clearly says that this temple sitting on six acres and 30 cents of land is described in the schedule here under to be of archaeological and historical importance.

And goes on to add that The (then) government of Andhra Pradesh is of the opinion that the said ancient temple requires protection under the provisions of the AP Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960, and proposes to declare it to be a protected monument.

Raman does not know what happened after that, but his struggle continues and he keeps working to protect this piece of history. The outside of the temple has Hanuman and Garuda, just over the main door along with a number of monkeys. Incidentally, there is also a small rectangular-shaped Hanuman outside the temple.

There are small sculptures of Krishna in the Kalinga Mardhana pose holding the Goverdhana Giri. The entire temple is built of stone. There are also small jharokhas on the facade of the temple and this could be some Rajasthani influence, when it was renovated 400 years ago.

While Ramans grandfather Krishnamachari was the priest at the temple, his father Sundaracharyalu was a retired lecturer from the Telugu Oriental College. Ramans two brothers live in Hyderabad and his son has completed his B Tech in metallurgy. His two uncles look after the other Lord Venketeswara temple. We get together during Rama Navami, says Raman happily.

His wish is that there should be more bhakts for the temple to flourish.
SANNIDHANAM: Though politicians, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were making a pitch for a national pilgrim centre status for Sabarimala, neither the government nor the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has any idea about its process. Devaswom principal secretary K.R. Jyothilal admitted this to DC on Saturday, saying he was not familiar with it. K. Jayakumar, former chairman of the high power committee for the Sabarimala Master Plan, said there was no legislation for elevating the hill shrine as a national pilgrim centre as such.

"Moreover, there are apprehensions about the Union government having a say in the temple affairs," he told DC. TDB president A. Padmakumar too echoed the general view. "We have to conduct a study on the issue. So far, no temple in the state had a similar recognition, and I have no idea about others," he told DC. However, his predecessor Prayar Gopalakrishnan believes it might fetch the central funding to the tune of Rs 500 crore for infrastructure facilities including an airport, railway line and national highway. But he too is not aware of the process, or if there was a precedent.

However, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekaran said no temples or shrines enjoyed such status so far. "It needs legislation to formulate norms," he told DC. At a meeting of ministers of southern states on the annual pilgrimage last month, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also requested the central government to declare the temple as a national pilgrim centre. Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said Venkateswara temple at Tirumala near Tirupati is a national pilgrim centre, but he too is not aware of norms. "The CM raised the demand considering the importance of Sabarimala and the inflow of pilgrims," he told DC.
After a high-level party meet here, Vaiko said his party has unanimously decided to support the DMK in the by-election. (Photo: PTI/ File)

Chennai: MDMK chief Vaiko on Sunday, announced his party's support to the DMK in the R K Nagar Assembly bypoll scheduled on December 21, the first such gesture after over a decade.

After a high-level party meet in Chennai, Vaiko said his party has unanimously decided to support the DMK in the by-election.

"It is a well thought- out decision considering the interests of Tamil Nadu and the Dravidian movement," he told reporters.

Asked if the alliance will continue, he said, "This can be taken as a starting point" in view of the cordial atmosphere between the two parties.

Vaiko further said, "There is a need to teach a lesson to the AIADMK regime which has lost the trust of the people."

He hit out at the BJP-led Centre over "Hindutva and weakening federalism" besides lashing out at the ruling party for hobnobbing with the saffron party.

DMKs working president, MK Stalin welcomed the decision, saying, when all opposition parties were joining hands with it to end "this horse-trading regime," the MDMK has done its part.

The MDMK's decision to support the DMK comes after recent meetings between Vaiko and DMK working president M K Stalin.

Also, Vaiko recently had met DMK chief and former mentor M Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence here.

Karunanidhi, who was ill for about a year and confined to his residence is now recuperating following treatment.

The MDMK, which was part of the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, parted ways from it to support late J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK in the 2006 Assembly election.

Vaiko had been detained under the now defunct Prevention of Terrorism Act by the then AIADMK regime in July 2002. After spending about 19 months in prison, he was released in February 2004.

He was arrested for allegedly making pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam speeches. The Vaiko-led party had last fought the 2004 Parliamentary election in the DMK-led front.

In 2014, the MDMK was part of the BJP-led front whereas in 2011 the party quit the AIADMK-led alliance and also boycotted the Assembly election that year.

The MDMK fought the 2016 Assembly election as part of the People's Welfare Front, projected as an alternative to the two Dravidian majors, the AIADMK and the DMK.

In December 2016, the Vaiko-led party quit the combine which drew a blank.

The PWF comprised actor-turned politician Vijayakanth's DMDK, MDMK, CPI (M), CPI, VCK, and former Union minister GK Vasan's TMC(M).

In R K Nagar, DMK's N Marudu Ganesh is pitted against E Madusudanan of the ruling mainstream AIADMK.

Rival AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran is also in the fray.

The BJP has announced fielding its senior functionary Karu Nagarajan.

The DMK's allies Congress and IUML have already extended their support to the main opposition party.

Besides, parties including the CPI, CPI (M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi have declared their support to DMK.
Hyderabad: AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will take more time before snapping the ties with the BJP, after firming up an alliance with actor Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena, propagating the five per cent reservation given to the Kapus and announcing more sops to the Backward Classes in the Budget next year.

An internal assessment of the party indicates that the TD has gained the upper hand over the BJP on the controversy over the Polavaram dam, as the Centre has not been able to fulfil its promises to the state.

A key functionary of the TD government told this newspaper, Mr Naidu is not in a hurry to pull out from the NDA as of now. He will wait for a politically opportune time. It may take a few more months. Mr Naidu would use the time to consolidate the party base, he said.

According to the internal assessment, the TD government has been able to create a strong feeling among the general public that the Centre was not cooperative with regard to the Polavaram project and on other major issues in the AP Reorganisation Act.

The BJP has not been able to counter the message and defend the Centre. The party leadership has delayed appointing the state BJP chief for one and a half years after party president Amit Shah made the announcement in Rajahmundry.

This has given space for the TD to establish its argument that it is doing its level best despite lack of sufficient help from the Centre.

The source said Mr Naidu was not averse to having a tie-up with Mr Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena for 2019. The TD expects more youth to turn to the TD after finalising the unemployment allowance and creation of more jobs, besides the tie-up with Mr Kalyan who remains a popular film actor.

The reservation for the Kapus is also meant to strengthen the vote base in at least eight districts of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

According to a senior minister in the Naidu Cabinet, the Chief Minister will come out with a scheme for the Backward Classes to help them get more sophisticated and modern tools and equipment to practise their traditional trades. This may resemble the revival of the Aadarana scheme for BC communities. Probably in the funds will be allocated for this purpose, he said.
Bharuch/Surendranagar/New Delhi: Resuming his campaign trail in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of seeking to divide the people on caste and religious lines. Apparently referring to the ongoing religion-related overtones in the campaign, Mr Modi asserted that his gods were the 125 crore people of India and that he was serving them.

The people of Gujarat know what the Congress is up to. It changes colour time and again, creates a wall between brothers, it wants to make urban areas fight with rural areas of the country, the illiterate fight with literates and the poor fight with the rich, he said.

The PM addressed rallies at Bharuch, Surendranagar and Rajkot and later attended the inaguration ceremony of the Shri Jogiswami SGVP Hospital in Ahmedabad. He will address four more rallies on Monday at Dharampur in Valsad, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Jamnagar in Saurashtra.

Mr Modi said the party made one caste fight with the other, one religion fight with another. They keep you busy in fighting with each other. You may die but the Congress will eat malai (cream), he said, launching a broadside against the Opposition party apparently for having an alliance with caste leaders like Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor ahead of the Gujarat elections. He then said all these diseases were cured in Gujarat when BJP came to power.
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the twin issues of crimes against women and attacks on his party members in Gujarat. Propping up his fifth question in his question-a-day series prior to the crucial Gujarat elections starting next weekend, Mr Gandhi demanded answers over the alleged failure of the state government in fulfilling the promises made to the people of Gujarat.

He tweeted, Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in womens trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls... Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top 10 in crimes against women in India?
Chennai: The MDMK on Sunday bridged its 11-year-long distance with its parent outfit DMK by pledging support for its candidate, N. Marudhu Ganesh, in the prestigious battle to RK Nagar assembly constituency. This may boost Opposition unity ahead of the December 21 by-elections.

This is the first time that the MDMK is extending support to the DMK in an election after it parted ways with Tamil Nadu's principal opposition party ahead of the 2006 Assembly elections. Since then, the parties have maintained a cool distance from each other, but Vaiko and DMK working president MK Stalin had worked to sort out differences and stitch up a political understanding.

MDMK's high-level committee has unanimously decided to extend its support to the DMK in the by-elections to Dr RK Nagar assembly constituency. MDMK has the responsibility and duty to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu and the Dravidian movement and the decision was taken in that context, MDMK chief Vaiko told reporters after the meeting on Sunday morning.

Though the MDMK neither has a strong base nor vote bank, political observers feel the support would boost the morale of the DMK-led Opposition, which is trying to put up a united front to defeat the ruling AIADMK that is facing its first acid test after the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

They said though MDMKs support may just help the DMK add a few hundred votes in its kitty, the support should be viewed from the prism of Opposition parties ganging up against the ruling party. There is also political superstition that the combine with which Vaiko puts its weight behind always finds itself on the losing side.

Already, the Congress, VCK, CPI and CPI (M) have supported the DMK's candidate in the R K Nagar, which is headed for a six-cornered tough contest with actor Vishal also throwing his hat in the ring.

Stalin immediately welcomed Vaiko's decision and predicted that the fall of the horse-trading regime would begin with the DMK's victory in the bypoll. The Opposition Leader had sought the support of all political parties and had in fact met Vaiko informally a week back and broached the topic.

To a question on whether the support to DMK would continue, Vaiko said this can be taken as a starting point of the cordial atmosphere between the two parties.

There is a need to teach a lesson to the AIADMK regime which has lost the trust of the people, Vaiko said, lashing out at the ruling party for hobnobbing with the BJP.
Hyderabad: PCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday demanded that the state government go for ballot papers instead of EVMs in the coming Panchayati Raj elections in the state.

Expressing concern over reports of tampering of EVMs in the local body elections in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that the panchayat elections should be held only through ballot papers.

Addressing a meeting of senior party leaders at Gandhi Bhavan, he said the panchayat elections would be crucial for the party ahead of the 2019 general elections. He asked the party leaders to participate in the voter enrolment drive being conducted by the State Election Commission and asked them to cross-check the lists regularly and take measures for rectification of mistakes.

He appointed a committee headed by ex-MLA Marri Sashidhar Reddy, and leaders including B. Kamalakar Rao, Shyama Mohan and G. Niranjan, to deal with issues pertaining to the electoral rolls.

Referring to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis directive to streng-then the partys presence on social media, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the party would appoint 50,000 social media coordinators. Whatsapp groups will be created for all 31,656 polling stations.

He said Congress president Sonia Gandhis birthday on December 9 will be celebrated as Krithagnatha Dinotsavam (Thanksgiving Day) for granting statehood to Telangana.
You have to pinch yourself to believe that it is the Prime Minister of India who is lustily stirring the caldron of regional chauvinism.

You have to pinch yourself to believe that it is the Prime Minister of India who is lustily stirring the caldron of regional chauvinism. Admittedly, it was during his carpet-bombing Gujarat in his campaign for the BJP for the looming Assembly election in the state.

However, despite the position of national leadership that he holds, to lend encouragement to dividing the country instead of seeking to unify it is a strange kind of statesmanship. It is because of nervousness about his party retaining the state that he has descended to this level.

Mr Modis main opponent in Gujarat is the Congress Party and he must therefore paint it in black colours.

He dips into modern Indian history to accuse Jawaharlal Nehru of being less than fair to two Gujaratis of note  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai  in refusing to give them their due and cherished dreams. Indira Gandhi, he said, had covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief to protect herself from a foul smell at a public meeting in Gujarat.

Mr Modi and his party believe that campaign rhetoric is ephemeral and will blow away with time. This is not so when the nations Prime Minister indulges in hurtful statements inimical to the national interest.

More broadly, the feverish Gujarat election campaign has laid bare the political

objectives of the ruling party. The BJPs main priority is twofold: to complete the task of obtaining a majority in the Rajya Sabha and to change the Constitution by making it more authoritarian. But the party realises that the step-ladder to gain these objectives is to win elections in all states. Where it is not possible, the attempt will be to form big brother coalitions.

Mr Modi showed his hand by winning an absolute majority for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election for the first time ever.

It was through means of bringing modern technology, including holograms, and the use of computing skills to tailor the campaign to states, districts and cities.

The BJPs motto is that all is fair in fighting elections, however ugly the methods employed and the tricks resorted to may be. After its defeat, the Congress and other Opposition parties have been seeking to copy the Modi formula but they are playing the catch-up game.

And there is one asset that the Opposition simply cant match  an army of a multitude of dedicated and disciplined workers of the Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh going into every nook and corner of the state or the country in a poll-bound state or in national elections.

At a recent public interaction with the Chief Justice of India, Mr Modi suggested that the different branches of constitutional governance had their areas cut out for them. True enough, but it is the Constitutions purpose that the task of the

judiciary is, among other duties, to check the executive in deciding whether it was misusing its authority. The Supreme Court is still held in great esteem.

The sad part of the story is that the Election Commission, which had a reputation for fairness, blotted its copybook by indulging the BJP and giving it all the time to rain goodies on the state. The fact that the Chief Election Commissioner belongs to the Gujarat cadre may or may not have influenced its decision. In any case, the Gujarat cadre holds key positions in the Prime Ministers Office in Delhi.

A greater blow to Indias acclaimed electoral system is an increasing feeling among Opposition parties that the electric voting machines can be tampered with. This follows the unexpected bumper results of the BJP in the local polls in Uttar Pradesh. Think of the mountains the country has been saving in paper by successfully conducting machine-based polls so far, so therefore the authorities must convince all parties that these machines remain foolproof.

These are disturbing trends in a country that is being changed from a secular state to majoritarian Hindu rule in a wider world that is undergoing convulsions. The Cold War was over quite some time ago and the new challenge is of the United States and a rising China feeling each other in an era where developed countries are tired of globalisation and are striking increasingly nationalist postures. This is a time for Indian consolidation, rather than fragmentation.

In view of the BJPs ability to win elections, it is first of all the task of the Sangh Parivar leadership to sit down and contemplate whether it believes the national interest counts higher than the objective of building a Hindu India. The Parivar may contend that the two objectives are the same, but that is patently false, given the composition of the countrys population.

The question that arises is  who will bell the cat? Mr Modi is still testing his powers vis-a-vis the RSS leadership and he knows the virtues of discipline, having been brought up in the organisation. The Opposition can help in building a strategy in bolder terms.

One of the gifts of the Independence generation was to place the advancement of the country in the context of the wider world. Given its military might and riches, a superpower can survive a period of looking inward embodied in US President Donald Trumps policy of America First. But in a country seeking prosperity and legitimate influence in the region and the world, giving priority to changing the concept of India would be disastrous.

Mr Modi has shown imagination in pursuing the countrys basic foreign policy goals. He has managed the relationship with Mr Trump quite well and has basically stuck to keeping relations with Russia on an even keel. In Chinas claims to superpower status, New Delhi is watching warily in terms of the response it can offer.

Contrary to Rahul Gandhis jibe at Mr Modis Pakistan diplomacy in electoral repartee, the Prime Minister was on the right track when he made his surprise visit to Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan. Not every initiative in

diplomacy turns out to be successful.
With external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj arriving in Tehran on Saturday in connection with the inauguration of the first phase of Irans Chabahar port, which is being built with Indian cooperation, what we are inaugurating, in effect, is a new geopolitical vista that goes beyond finding an alternative route for trade with landlocked Afghanistan, bypassing the land route through Pakistan, about which Islamabad has been obstreperous and negative.

But this will materialise only if India has the staying power beyond the 10-year lease period for two terminals at Chabahar it has got from Tehran. This will mean the adroit managing of regional ties with Iran, China and Russia, which have high stakes and an influential voice in Central Asia and West Asia, besides Afghanistan.

The first shipment of Indian wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar went in October. By the end of 2018, if current projections remain valid, the port should be fully operational for Indian goods.

Once India completes building the 640-km railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan and link up with the Iranian railway there, Indian goods can branch out to the east to go to Afghanistan, and to parts of Central Asia (where they will face stiff competition from the Chinese), and carry on northward towards St. Petersburg in Russia (the North-South Corridor), along the way coupling with rail networks of over a dozen countries.

That is the true meaning of Chabahar. The sea-land route through the port is not a mere alternative to the surface route through Pakist-ans Khyber Pass; it is an example of far superior infrastructural topography. Unlike the Pakistani route through which only basic supplies could go through if it worked, the Iran route permits a wide array of goods. In addition, it slashes the 45-day time taken through the North-South Corridor by almost half, permitting even perishables to be traded through this alternative pathway.

Chabahar port couldnt be built for the past 12 years due to the US-led Western and UN sanctions against Iran. The agreement of the Western powers with Tehran in 2015 facilitated Indias engagement with Iran on Chabahar. US President Donald Trump has threatened to overturn that agreement. Even so, the indications so far are that Indias business dealings with Iran, and particularly insofar as trade with Afghanistan is concerned, will not be torpedoed by Washington.

Much diplomacy potentially rides on Indias shoulders in view of the Chabahar commitments. In addition to being flexible with China, Iran and Russia on the basis of mutual interests, it could be worth exploring if New Delhi can be a credible interface between Washington and Tehran.
Going by the argument that Rahul Gandhi signed in as a Hindu as well as M - a Muslim  in two separate attendance registers at the Somnath temple (why were there two ??) and the brouhaha thereafter, that the Congress leaders religion and faith were unclear as he couldnt be both a Hindu and a Muslim, I am deeply confused.

Does it matter? Does it really matter whether the man professes to one faith or another? Isnt your nationality more important than the sub-text of religion and caste?

We are Indians first, are we not - and then Hindus and Muslims, Christian and Buddhist, Jew and Jain Or is this the new India, where all that matters is which deity we deify, which higher power we bow our heads to? Man. Mammon.

And heres the thing, Rahul Gandhis ancestry and bloodlines criss-cross not just this country, but two continents. When your great-grandfather is a Kashmiri Pandit, your grandfather, a Parsi, and your mother, an Italian Catholic, you have a foot in three faiths, not one. Pushed to the wall, hes now crumbled and chosen to go public and say hes a Shiv bhakt, with a Congress party spokesman jumping in to say Rahul is a practising Hindu, a thread wearing Brahmin! A Janeu-dhara Brahmin!

Ahem! You can choose your religion, but can you choose your caste? There are two asides Id like to make. First off, well have to wait for the man to bare his chest to see if the spokesperson, got that right! Second, Kashmiri Pandits appaently only sport the thread when they marry or conduct a ritual. And - I could be completely wrong - the thread can be worn by a Brahmin, a Kshatriya and a Vaishnava.

Either way, courtesy our misogynist, deeply patriarchal societies, Feroze Gandhi didnt lose his religion because he married outside his community. That only applies to Parsi women. What it did, was make Feroze and Indiras ill-fated, star-crossed progeny, Rajiv and Sanjay, Parsis by birth; If, they had chosen to embrace it. By all accounts, given the annual family treks to the Amarnath and Vaishnodevi temples and images of all their last rites, they clearly professed to the Hindu faith. Who can forget Indira Gandhis resident Rasputin, Dhirendra Brahmachari who dominated her last years?

The NextGen Gandhis that Rahul, Priyanka and Varun  part Sikh  reflect the polyglot, melting pot that is Indian society today. With the rapid urbanization of our smaller towns and the mass migration of our young, away from their traditional social milieu, as they seek employment in the bigger towns and cities, both here and across the world, our identities, as defined in our parents and grandparents times, rooted in our ancestral villages, by caste and religion, seem to matter less and less. Surely, its who we are, who weve become as individuals, what we do, and how successful we are at doing what we do in our chosen careers and vocations, that define us.

For years, my Dad who made Nescafe a household name in the country had Nestle appended to his name. And he revelled in it. My better half divested himself of his family name as so many of his contemporaries did, so that he would not be defined by his origins.

Thats the new world - the rapidly shrinking world where, even if you live and work halfway across the world, you can connect to friends and family and business and work associates. A world without borders. Thats the India one wants to be a part of.

Rahuls advisers need a rap on their knuckles. His cardinal error was to get sucked into a debate such as this. What he should have asked himself before the spokesperson trotted out the specious janeu argument is this - is the voter in Gujarat, not going to vote for the Congress if the face of the opposition party is not a practising Hindu?

Clearly, the party went ballistic because the entry said he was a Muslim, and the carefully crafted temple-hopping ace card, that had been borrowed, with great insouciance from the BJP electoral lexicon, was as good as dead. This was the BJPs only way to stop the ever cheekier Gandhi from winning brownie points. In tripping Rahul up in the way that they did, they showed the temple hopping for what it is - a blatant ploy to appease the Hindu, fracture that vote and hope the crumbs that come their way will be enough to change the Gujarat story. The Muslim will vote for the Congress anyway, they say

The glee in the Congress camp at putting the BJP on the back foot has however gone; getting their mojo back may be tough. What Rahul should have done is put his Gujarat house in order first. Its a black spot in the Congress book, ever since Madhavsinh Solankis time when the powerful old guard cut Gujarati Congress leaders to size rather than counter the BJP, a far superior force when it comes to mind-games and getting under the skin of the opposition.

Except nothing is as it seems. Look at our home state of Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, one is told is playing the soft Hindutva card. An insider tells me that a post-poll survey shows that Himachal isnt a done deal for the BJP either, that they should have gone with J.P.Nadda and replaced all 26 sitting BJP MLAs, all unpopular.

Will Rahul Gandhi losing his religion be a turning point?

Leaving you with the lines from the 1991 R.E.M. hit that strangely says it all.

Thats me in the corner

That's me in the spotlight

Losing my religion

Trying to keep up with you

And I dont know if I can do it

Oh no, I've said too much

I havent said enough

I thought that I heard you laughing
President Trump determined that the US would end its participation in the Compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018. (Photo: AP/File)

United Nations: The US on Sunday said it has pulled out of Global Compact on Migration, arguing that the Obama-era negotiated UN deal contains numerous provisions that are "inconsistent" with its immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration's immigration principles.

"President Trump determined that the US would end its participation in the Compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018," the US Mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

Earlier, the mission informed the UN Secretary-General about the US decision to end its participation in the Global Compact on Migration.

US participation in the Compact process began in 2016, following the Obama Administration's decision to join the UN's New York Declaration on migration.

"The New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration's immigration principles," it said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said America is proud of its immigrant heritage and its long-standing moral leadership in providing support to migrant and refugee populations across the globe.

No country has done more than the United States, and its generosity will continue, she said.

"But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with US sovereignty," she said.

Under the Trump administration, the US has pulled out of several global commitments including the UN culture and education body, UNESCO, and the Paris climate change agreement.
Washington: The US is not satisfied with Pakistan's co-operation in the war against terror as part of its South Asia strategy and yet to see Islamabad taking steps to "rein in" the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a senior Trump administration official has said.

He also termed the release of Mumbai terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed as "a step backward" in that direction.

The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was "not an indication" of Islamabad's co-operation with the US in the war against terrorism.

"Our diplomatic pressure, as well as our own intelligence agencies diligent work led to the release of the Coleman family. So, I am not sure if that qualifies as step forward (by Pakistan as part of the South Asia Strategy announced by President Donald Trump in August)," the official told.

"We are happy that the Colemans are free and that they have been released. But we are still waiting to see Pakistan take steps to reign in the Taliban and the Haqqani network. We are not satisfied that they have done anything significant on this front," he said.

The US, the official said, has now a different approach to Pakistan. "We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory".

Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

"But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognize that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldn't necessarily occur overnight.

"But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take," he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said.

"But, I don't think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And we're still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan," he added.

The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on "genuine" peace process, as it is not interested in talks for talks sake.

"We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we don't believe they'll be ready for talks.

"They will continue to believe that they can advance on the battlefield rather than on the negotiating table," he said, adding "so, we need to see Pakistan ensures that they don't have a sanctuary within Pakistan. And only at that time we assess that they'll really be ready for genuine negotiations with the Afghan government".

The the White House official, however, refused to give any time line for actions on Pakistan, saying he thinks that it would not be helpful.

"But I just want to assure you that that we are thinking in terms of timelines and we are monitoring the progress and we do expect meaningful actions in a certain time-frame and we are prepared to implement new policies and take different steps if we don't see some progress," he said.


With this new tweet Trump seems to admit for the first time that he knew Flynn lied to the FBI, which is a crime. (Photo: AP/File)

Washington: US President Donald Trump insisted Saturday that his former national security adviser Michael Flynn had done nothing illegal during the transition.

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about contacts he had with the Russian ambassador. Trump said he fired Flynn because he lied to the vice president and the FBI about those dealings.

"It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump said in a tweet, his second comment of the day of the explosive turn of events in the Russia probe.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

It is now moving closer to the Oval Office itself as Flynn has agreed to cooperate with special prosecutor Robert Mueller.

With this new tweet Trump seems to admit for the first time that he knew Flynn lied to the FBI, which is a crime.

At the time of Flynn's dismissal, the White House acknowledged only that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about what he discussed with the ambassador -- sanctions imposed by then-president Barack Obama against Russia for meddling in the election.

Trump's ties with Flynn have been under intense scrutiny since FBI director James Comey was fired by the president in May.

Comey testified before a Senate panel in June that after Flynn's firing, Trump asked Comey to drop an investigation into the former national security director.
US President Donald Trump denied on Sunday having asked the then FBI director James Comey to stop investigating ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn, who has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about discussions with Russia. Mr Trump also insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Moscow in last years election, and shifted blame on the Justice Department and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie! Mr Trump tweeted. But his position was complicated by another Twitter post in which he indicated he had fired Flynn because the national security chief had been untruthful not just to Vice-President Mike Pence but to the FBI as well.

That comment appeared to indicate Mr Trump was acknowledging he knew at the time of Flynns firing in February that he had lied to the bureaus agents.If that is true, Mr President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn? asked a representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to let this go? White House officials, however, told The New York Times that Mr Trump was only referencing Flynns guilty plea for lying to the FBI about his conversations with then Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak over sanctions president Barack Obama slapped on Russia for election meddling.
Jenson Button will race full time next year with Honda, having secured a deal to compete in Japan's Super GT series.

The 2009 world champion, who made a one-off return to F1 earlier this year in Monaco, had been in search of a competitive program for 2018, setting his sights on racing either in America or Japan.

Button was initially considered for an IMSA drive in the US with Penske-Acura, but ultimately he was not included in the team's line-up.

Last August, the 37-year-old took part in Super GT's headline event - the Suzuka 1000km race, an experience which undoubtedly wet his appetite.

"I'll be racing for Honda and have a contract to race with Honda in Super GT in 2018," Button said.

"It's been a dream for the last couple of years, I love the category. I did one race in Suzuka this year, and it got me very excited.

"I'm very excited about the new season. There's a lot of testing to be done to feel comfortable and hopefully improve the package and go out next year and be competitive."

Button made the announcement during its end-of-season Honda Racing Thanks Days at Motegi, but provided no details about the team for which he shall be driving.

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Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. (Photo: AFP/File)

Lahore: Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Saturday confirmed that his banned outfit Jammat-ud-Dawah will foray into Pakistan's political scene by contesting the 2018 general elections under the banner of Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be registered with the country's Election Commission.

Saeed, who was under house arrest since January this year, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case.

"The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next year's general elections. I also dedicate 2018 for Kashmiris who are struggling for freedom," Saeed said while meeting a group of columnists at the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) headquarters in Chauburji here.

The JuD, a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group that carried out the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack, formed MML at the time when Saeed was detained in Lahore.

The founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba also vowed to continue supporting Kashmiris.

"I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there. India wants us to stop raising voice for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy only caused harm to the Kashmir cause," he alleged.

Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008.

The US too has designated him as a global terrorist and has announced a reward of USD 10 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Saeed also claimed that his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of an international agenda.

"This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry over my release from the house detention. I warn India if it does not stop atrocities against Kashmiris then this struggle will rise further and it will face the music," he alleged.

Last September when Saeed was under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD entered in the political arena and contested the by-poll from Lahore's NA-120.

The National Assembly seat had fallen vacant after the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. His wife Kulsoom Nawaz had won that seat.

Sheikh Yaqoob, a JuD-backed candidate who secured 6,000 votes, had announced that the JuD which has the blessing of Saeed would contest the 2018 elections.

Yaqoob was placed on a US Treasury sanctions list of those designated as leaders of terrorist organisations in 2012.

Saeed and his four aides -- Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain were placed under house arrest in Lahore on January 30 under anti-terrorism act.

The JuD has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

India had expressed outrage over the judicial board's decision to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors.

Saeed has now filed the petition to de-list him from the UN list of designated terrorists.

He was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack, but he was freed by a court in 2009.

Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial.
Audi's Daniel Abt has been stripped of his maiden Formula E win following a post-race technical infringement in Hong Kong.

Abt won Sunday's round of the Hong Kong ePrix after race leader Edoardo Mortara spun with just two laps to go.

But a post-race technical inspection revealed that the FIA security stickers stamped on the Audi's inverters and motors were not those referenced on the car's technical passport.

The discrepancy is a clear breach of Formula E's technical and sporting regulations, and left no other choice for the stewards but to disqualify the German driver and hand the victory to second-place man Felix Rosenqvist.

Audi's Allan McNish said the team had taken the decision to appeal the FIA stewards' decision.

"The person who crossed the line first was Daniel Abt," said McNish.

"From our perspective it was a very strong race. He drove really really well and was there every time there was an opportunity to grab.

"However, it's been a bitter-sweet ending to the day. Now we have taken the view and looked at it and taken the intent t appeal the process, and that is the situation as we speak."

In a separate infringement, Audi was also fined 5000 for letting five team members walk onto the track to make their way to the podium before the final car had entered 'parc ferme', a "serious breach of safety regulations", according to the stewards.

Provisional Race Results - 2017 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix (Rd 2)

The result remains provisional subject to an appeal to the FIA International Court of Appeal by Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, against the stewards' decision to disqualify Abt from the event.

1 - Felix Rosenqvist, Mahindra Racing, 50:05.084s (29)

2 - Edoardo Mortara, Venturi Formula E Team, +7.031s (18)

3 - Mitch Evans, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, +10.619s (15)

4 - Jean-Eric Vergne, TECHEETAH, +12.593s (12)

5 - Sam Bird, DS Virgin Racing, +12.879s (10)

6 - Oliver Turvey, NIO Formula E Team, +14.199s (8)

7 - Maro Engel, Venturi Formula E Team, 15.676s (6)

8 - Nico Prost, Renault e.dams, +18.905s (4)

9 - Alex Lynn, DS Virgin Racing, +19.025s (2)

10 - Sebastien Buemi, Renault e.dams, +22.139s (1)

11 - Antonio Felix da Costa, Andretti Formula E, +23.359s

12 - Nelson Piquet Jr, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, +27.904s

13 - Andre Lotterer, TECHEETAH, +28.591s

14 - Lucas di Grassi, ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, +39.137s

15 - Jerome D'Ambrosio, DRAGON, +55.189s

16 - Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing, +1 Lap

17 - Kamui Kobayashi, Andretti Formula E, +1 Lap

18 - Neel Jani, DRAGON, +1 Lap

DNF - Luca Filippi, NIO Formula E Team, 36 Laps

DSQ - Daniel Abt, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, 45 Laps

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Former union minister and Chikkaballapur MP M Veerappa Moily said that the draft manifesto of the Congress for the forthcoming Assembly election will be submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwara by January 15.



Moily told reporters on Sunday, "As KPCC Election Manifesto Committee chairperson, I will meet party leaders, stakeholders and various organisations in the state. By January 15, the draft manifesto will be submitted."

He added, "To know the local requirements while preparing the manifesto, six divisions have been created. The meetings at Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, and Hassan districts were held on Sunday. The meeting in Hubballi will be held on December 9, Bengaluru on December 11, Mysuru on December 23, Davangere on December 30 and Kalaburagi on January 7."

The former minister said that the Congress will prepare its manifesto. "At the same time, the state government is preparing 'Nava Karnataka Vision 2025'. The suggestion elicited for the vision will also be included in the party manifesto. In the interest of the integrated development of the state, all the stakeholders will be consulted before preparing the manifesto," said Moily.

He said that the Congress had given 170 promises in the manifesto during the last Assembly election. "Of these, 159 promises have been implemented. About 30% of the welfare schemes that were not part of the manifesto have been implemented. Further, 90% of the people in the state have been benefited from the government in one or the other way. The details of the beneficiaries are being collected and all the details will be uploaded in the website," Moily stated.

Slamming the Modi-led Union Government, Moily said that the government has failed in its foreign policy. "Though PM has been frequently visiting foreign countries, he has failed to check cross-border terrorism. The BJP-led state governments are far behind Congress-led state governments in terms of development," he commented.

Lauding the Siddaramaiah-led state government, he said, "In terms of development, the BJP cannot defeat the Congress. The Congress-led government has set a record in development programmes. In UPA's tenure, several projects were initiated in Mangaluru. In contrast, the BJP-led Union government has done nothing for the district. Many projects started by the UPA have been stalled halfway."
Rahul Gandhi will file his nomination papers for the election to the Congress president's post tomorrow, accompanied by a host of senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh.



Tomorrow is the last date for filing of nominations and no one else has filed papers till today, according to Mullapally Ramachandran, the chairman of the party's Central Election Authority.

Rahul Gandhi is likely to emerge as the lone candidate in the fray and decks have been cleared for his election as the Congress president, succeeding his mother Sonia Gandhi, who has held the post for 19 years in a row now.

Party sources said Rahul Gandhi will file four sets of nomination papers. Senior party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, A K Antony and Ahmed Patel and party chief ministers will sign the papers as proposers.

"So far 90 nomination forms have been given out to state unit delegates. No application for the nomination has been submitted so far and tomorrow is the last date for filing nominations," he told PTI.

Congress delegates from various states will be at the party's headquarters on Akbar Road tomorrow filing their sets of nomination papers proposing Rahul Gandhi's name for the top post.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said all party general secretaries and CWC members, besides states and frontal organisations, will file nomination forms in Rahul Gandhi's favour.

Party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said Rahul Gandhi will officially file his nomination papers tomorrow.

Asked about criticism of the party's internal polls, she said, "There has been criticism on whether the Congress election is democratic or not. I would say that this is such an election which is being supervised by the Election Commission of India."

Dev said when one talks about electoral democracy, here is full transparency in these polls as they are held as per rules prescribed by the Election Commission.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who will be present tomorrow, wished Rahul Gandhi success and said his elevation was a "good sign for the party".

"It is a good sign for the party and I'm sure he'll do extremely well," he said.

Singh said he was very happy to see him at this position as "I have known Rahul since he was a little boy and I knew and could see it in him that he would one day rise to the top."

"He has already performed and for the last few days we have been following him and the way he is drawing crowds in Gujarat," the Punjab chief minister added.
The Codava National Council (CNC) led by its president N U Nachappa celebrated Huthari, the harvest festival of Kodagu, at a paddy field of Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri village near Kushalnagar in Kodagu on Sunday.



By cutting paddy sheaves in the paddy field of Uthappa, the members celebrated the festival in a traditional manner.

The members offered prayers to the gods and began the Huthari celebrations with 'Nere Kattuvo' ritual. The leaves of mango, jackfruit, "Arali", "Kumbali" and cashew nut trees were used in the ritual.

After the ritual, the participants walked in a procession to paddy fields accompanied by the 'Dudikottpat' (Dudi is a small drum of Kodavas).

After firing thrice in the air, the paddy sheaves were cut and brought home in a procession.

The CNC members performed traditional Kolata, Pareya Kali and Chowkata on the occasion. People relished Payasa, "Thambittu," "Kadubu", "Pandikari" and other delicacies on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the CNC President urged the government to include Kodava language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

He said that the government should accord tribal status to Kodavas. The central government should declare a holiday for Huthari festival. The CNC is continuing its struggle for an autonomous Kodava land and Kodava land should be declared a union territory. The culture and tradition of Kodavas should be included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Unesco, he said.
"The connection that we have with the world is through our work. If one doesn't work, he does not deserve to live. However, the choice of work is highly important as well," said film maker Nagathihalli Chandrashekar during the valedictory of Alva's Nudisiri 2017, at Moodbidri on Sunday.



He said "Pluralism is omnipresent. It is a necessity of India to recognise the essence of it and turn it into an asset of the country and not let it be misconceived."

"It is best we transcend the boundaries that separate us, and travel back to the times where people lived in harmony even without technology. No other country has sustained its culture and rural traditions like India. They have developed technologically, but the loss of pluralistic orientation has caused a cultural void in most of the countries," he felt.

"Pluralism in India has sustained itself, but we also need to remember that democracy is our only identity once we step into the national sphere. Each of us has been entrusted with a set of duties, and we must perform them with the expected sense of responsibility. There are always forces that shall be an obstacle to goodwill, but good shall eventually transcend them," Nagatihalli Chandrashekar added.

Nudisiri awards

Thirteen achievers were conferred Nudisiri Awards on the occasion. The recipients of the award for the year 2017 are - Bellary Bishop Henry Dsouza (art), Justice N Santosh Hegde (judicial system), Dr Tejaswi Kattimani (literature), Dr Siddhalinga Pattana Shetty (theatre), Prof K B Siddhayya (literature and activism), Prof G S Hanneradumatha (poetic literature), Dr B Surendra Rao (research), Dr M Prabhakara Joshi (Yakshagana), Girish Bharadhwaj (social service), Padmaraja Dandavati (journalism), Rathnamala Prakash (classical music), Thonse Vijay Kumar Shetty (theatre and vernacular film) and Laksminarayana Acharya (fine arts).

Replying to the felicitation, Dr Tejaswi Kattimani said "this is a lifetime felicitation. Dr Mohan Alva's creativity awes me. He has built an institution that will generate resourceful citizens for the country. The importance of co-curriculum is emphasised at Alva's like nowhere else. Dr Alva is an asset to the country."



Padmaraja Dandavathi said "Relentless work that contributes to the society always yields appreciation, as long as the work is honest and aims at public welfare. Karnataka has ample names that deserve such credit."

'Integrate Kasargod to Karnataka'

Delivering a special lecture during Alva's Nudisiri, SDM Law College faculty Muralidhar Ballukkuraya said Kasaragod is home to numerous language speaking communities and is connected to Karnataka through an umbilical cord with Kannada and hence Kasargod should be part of Karnataka.

"When India was divided into states on the basis of languages in 1956, Kasargod became part of Kerala. The controversy of whether Kasargod must belong to Karnataka or Kerala which began then is alive even to this day," he said.

"Problem of Kannada speaking minority in Kasargod is compared with problems of immigrants. Immigrants are those who voluntarily migrate to a place in search of jobs or other reasons and face issues coping with native culture of the area they have migrated to. Their problems cannot be compared to Kannada speaking minority of Kasargod," Muralidhar said, and added people who adapt to a certain culture from childhood are forced to accept a new culture altogether.
A 49-year-old woman of Mangaluru-origin living in Costa Rica in America, lost her life after a tiger shark attacked her in the Pacific Ocean on November 30.

According to information reaching Mangaluru, Rohina Bhandari was working as sales and marketing executive in New York. She was on a tour with her friends, enjoying scuba diving at Costa Rica when the incident occurred.

It all happened when Rohina and the scuba diving guide were returning after a dive off Cocos Island, about 480 km away from Costa Rica mainland. Though the authorities concerned tried to treat her wounds, she breathed her last. The diving guide suffered injuries in the shark-bite, but injuries were not life-threatening, it is said.

Rohina had secured her MSc in Finance from George Washington University and Master of Business Management from Asian Institute of Management.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has drawn up a plan to visit about 100 Assembly constituencies during his state tour scheduled from December 13, organised as part of preparations for the coming Assembly election.

Though the tour is a government-sponsored programme aimed at reviewing the budgetary announcements, the chief minister will be using it to drum up support for the ruling Congress by projecting 'achievements' of his governments in the past four and a half years. Siddaramaiah is scheduled to launch his tour from Basavakalyana in Bidar district.

He will be addressing an average of three public meetings a day during the tour a tentatively named as "Sadhaneya Sambrama." Majority of the constituencies that he has planned to visit is represented by the Congress MLAs. The Chief Minister's Office has already directed deputy commissioners of all the districts to make preparations for his visit.

Interestingly, none of the state Congress leaders is accompanying the Siddaramaiah during the tour. KPCC president G Parameshwara has already said he will not take part in Siddaramaiah's tour. The chief minister's tour programme will be finalised at a meeting convened by AICC general secretary incharge of Karnataka K C Venugopal on December 5 in Bengaluru.

The party sources said Venugopal and Parameshwara are likely to tour the state separately to review the party's door-to-door campaign "Mane Manege Congress," launched recently.
The practice of doctors referring patients to diagnostic centres for a commission is unethical and can be legally challenged, medical practitioners said a day after income-tax raids unearthed a racket in the city.



The Income Tax Department raided at least seven laboratories from Thursday to Saturday. Reports suggested the amount of referral fee in a single laboratory exceeded Rs 200 crore.

Doctors said the practice of referring patients to laboratories for various tests exists across the country but agreed that taking a commission breaches medical ethics.

"The primary goal of a doctor should be treating patients. Anything that is not in the interests of patients should not be encouraged," said Dr Vishal Rao, head and neck surgeon, HCG Cancer Centre. He added that referring a patient to a lab should be only to provide the best possible treatment.

"Making money by taking commission from laboratories has been in existence for long. Corporate hospitals don't do this because they have their own diagnostic centres.

"It's nursing homes and smaller clinics that carry out this practice," a doctor at a well-known speciality centre said on the condition of anonymity.

No guidelines

The Medical Council of India does not have specific guidelines on the commissions accepted by doctors through other means. It is, however, clear about medical ethics. A medical practitioner shall give priority to the interests of patients, not his/her personal and financial considerations, the council states.

"There should be some sort of self-regulation when it comes to matters like this. Besides medical ethics, legal issues are also involved in this," said Dr Narendranath, executive member of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA).

Ramesh, a software engineer, said he trusted his doctor. "It's surprising to learn about the income tax raids. I don't expect my doctor to take a commission out of a test conducted on me," he added.
It was a day to show strength for the ruling BJP and Patel quota stir organisation Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti in the diamond city of Surat.



While Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took out a massive road show in BJP's stronghold Majura constituency, Hardik Patel took out his road show in other parts of the city. While the chief minister's rally was restricted to one constituency, Hardik's rally was slated to travel across 50 km and cover six constituencies in the city. Surprisingly, both the rallies were well attended.

The chief minister, who began his yatra from Sargam Shopping Centre in Majura, for his part called Hardik a Congress agent and said that he stood exposed before everyone. "Look at the surging crowd. There is no heartburn against our party. We are going to win 150+ seats," Rupani said.

Hardik took out his 'Mahakranti Rally' from a temple at Katargam area of Varachha constituency. A sea of yellow caps welcomed Hardik wherever he went. Some burst firecrackers, others screamed their throats out.

Five held for attack

Police in Rajkot on Sunday arrested five people in connection with an attack on brother of Indranil Rajguru. Indranil Rajguru is the Congress' candidate against Chief Minister Vijay Rupani from Rajkot (West) constituency.

This, after a political drama engulfed the town on Saturday night, when Rajguru, Mitul Donga - Cong candidate from Rajkot (East) - and supporters rushed to the CM's home in Rajkot, to protest against the attack over a dispute related to removal of posters. The Congress claimed the attackers were from BJP. The BJP accused Rajguru and supporters of staging the protest in an inebriated state.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Sunday said he was lobbying with the British government to change its stringent visa norms, which he termed a "big mistake".



Khan arrived in Mumbai as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities, others being Delhi and Amritsar, to strengthen the UK capital's trade ties.

"I am a big critic of the British government over the change in the Visa policy. I think they have made a big mistake, as on one hand the British government is asking Indian businesses to trade there and on the other hand they have made it more hard (to enter the country)," Khan said during his interaction with reporters.

Recently, the Theresa May government changed its visa policy for non-EU (European Union) nationals to curb its soaring immigration figures.

The policy which came into effect in November will affect a large number of Indians, especially IT professionals.
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The tranquil shores of Lough Swilly and Inch Lake are home to one of Europes most important ecological areas for wildfowl.

Each year thousands of geese, ducks, swans and other wild birds travel to the area near Burt and Burnfoot to nest and breed at various times of the year.

Now the scenic site is more accessible than ever with work being done in recent years to add walkways, lookout huts and parking facilities. Now, at all times of the year, it is a popular visitor attraction for everyone from the keenest wildlife buffs through to weekend walkers out enjoying a relaxed stroll.

As well as the thousands of wild birds that migrate to the Inch Wildfowl Reserve, the site had over 120,000 visitors last year and the numbers are set to grow.

Wildlife ranger for the area, Lee McDaid, explained that the reserve is a wonderful place to get great access to a huge array of wildlife in just one location.

There is an 8km walk around the reserve where visitors can enjoy views over the lake and Lough Swilly for some stunning moments being so close to wild birds in their natural habitat.

Lee said the area became the Wildfowl Reserve about 16 years ago when a lease for the land and Inch Lake was secured by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Since then they have been developing the paths and making the site into what it is today.

He said some of the issues they had to deal with to make it more accessible for everyone included some antisocial behaviour problems at the site. They also worked with local sporting gun clubs in the area.

In 2014 an Intereg project with the National Parks and Wildlife Service along with Donegal County Council and Strabane and Derry Council got involved and secured money from Europe to develop the site like it is today with the 8km of path , the bird hides and other things we have here now, he explained.

One of the main reasons the National Parks and Wildlife Service got involved was to control the hunting at the site. There had been unregulated hunting, some was illegal and some of it was not illegal.

There were four gun clubs bordering the lake and they came together to form the Inch Lake Wildfowling Club. So there is one wildfowling club here now and they have a set of rules and a bag limit and it has completely transformed it. That was a huge achievement, he added.

Lee said the gun club members are also part of the Inch Wildfowl Reserve Trust and have representation with the group to discuss any issue that arises.

In the winter time up to 13,000 birds make the watery haven of Inch their home and there are great opportunities for everyone to witness majestic sights such as flocks of geese coming in to land in what Ranger Lee calls David Attenborough moments.

They recently released a beautiful book: A guide to the Bird of Inch Wildlife Reserve that details the various species and history of the area and is available locally.

The area will also feature in a new documentary by Crossing the Line films who are filming at the location for a new programme on the changing Irish seasons, to be released next year.
The headline in the Tuesday, Nov. 28, edition, "Ivey touts job creation, mum on Moore," has inspired me to write, not about that "Moore," but about Moore Road.

The bait and switch has taken place. The dog and pony show has been held. The legal requirements have been met. The "fix" is on and set to take place.

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at 10 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 126 North Saint Andrews, Room 203 of the Roy L. Driggers Municipal Building, sometime during the regular meeting of the city commission meeting, a "Public Hearing" will be held. After comments for or against, the hearing will be closed, and then the commissioners will vote to, in fact, close Moore Road to through traffic from South Park to Taylor Road.

Thus, the "fix" will have taken place, because the night of the dog and pony show, I was told by one of the commission members present that "the Moore Road Project was a done deal."

I ask the 3,000 or 4,000 taxpaying citizens and drivers who travel on Moore Road daily, and have been for years, to make plans now to attend the meeting /hearing, stand and voice your opposition to the travesty that is about to take place.

Kenneth Mathis

Dothan
Fresh from winning the Peoples Choice Award at the Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI), a pitching competition for female-led startups, Puffling co-founder Sarah Parker spoke to Dynamic Business about the problem her dating site for job sharers is solving for return-to-work parents and employers.

DB: What is the elevator pitch for Puffling?

Parker: Puffling solves the dilemma faced by people (especially return-to-work parents) who want part-time flexible work, so they can spend time with their family but cant seem to find employers willing to offer a role that plays to their strengths. Our HR platform matches part-time candidates who have chemistry (just like a dating site) and provides a pathway into a full-time job-share position. Due to the fact that candidates choose each other through the platform, instead of being forced to work together like traditional job-share teams, its easier for them to trust one another, bounce around ideas and work effectively as an autonomous team. Meanwhile, the employer gets two brains for the price of one with (in some cases) a combined 30 to 40 years experience plus a broader skill set and network.

DB: How do you get buy-in from employers?

Parker: Employers have tended to be reluctant to embrace job-share due to concerns about handover in the job-share relationship and the fact that clients and colleagues will have to work with two people instead of one. Puffling helps employers overcome their concerns by providing job-share pairs with a toolkit for communication including online tools and a shared email. The pair are accountable to each other at the end of the day and work as a team to make sure all communication is seamless  they are essentially operating as one person. Managing two people becomes a non-issue and by having two people in the one role means more work can be done. Puffling also provides guidance to the businesses as to how to educate the wider teams on job-share and the way it will work within the organisation.

DB: How does Puffling generate revenue?

Parker: Puffling is free for job sharers and we charge the employers a success fee, similar to traditional recruiters. The advantage of Puffling is that because the majority of the recruitment process is automated we are able to provide a very competitive rate to our clients compared to industry standard.

DB: What circumstances led to Pufflings creation?

Parker: Id had negative experiences when trying to negotiate for senior flexible roles, as had my co-founders Lija Wilson and Mike Hill, who is a dad. Realising something needed to change, we began bouncing around the idea for a joint business at the end of 2016. We officially launched the Puffling platform together in June this year. Prior to that wed been building the client relationships, doing the process manually and getting the insights for mums.

DB: Can job sharers work remotely through Puffling?

Parker: Yes, absolutely. Lija and I job share our CEO/CMO role  we wear many hats  but we are only together in the same office one or two days a week, everything else is done remotely and anybody can do that using the tools Puffling provides.

DB: What success has Puffling enjoyed to date?

Parker: Right now, we have over 1,000 candidates on board who are ready and willing to work and arent speaking to traditional recruiters and businesses. Also, the support from businesses of all sizes has been overwhelming. Weve had a record number of pairs placed over the last month and are looking forward to launching more verticals in 2018 such as HR, IT, Finance and Law.

DB: What drew Puffling to the VEI pitch comp?

Parker: We entered the competition because Visa are a huge leader in diversity and inclusion, globally. The fact that the competition was held as part of Women in Payments Symposium (Sydney, 21 November), was incredible for us as were so passionate about increasing gender diversity, especially in industries that are traditionally male-dominated. Through our partnership with Visa, weve been able to gain wider recognition. Plus, we plan on implementing their CyberSource API to set up a one-click payment solution for hiring managers.

DB: How will you invest the $5000 prize money?

Our sights are set on truly disrupting the future of work and taking the Puffling concept global to assist anyone senior looking for flexible work. To this end, well be using the prize money to build out our platform and client offering, including payment systems.

About Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI)

Held during the Women in Payments symposium in Sydney on 21 November, the second annual Visa Everywhere Initiative saw six startups from across Australia and New Zealand compete for a total of $55,000 in prize money across two categories  consumer challenge and commercial challenge. In addition to having at least one female in their leadership team, the six startups had to pitch a solution that leveraged Visas suite of APIs.

Sydney-based fintech startup, Easyshare won the consumer challenge, earning $25,000 to invest in their app, which ensures share house occupants pay their share of the bills and rent. Meanwhile, Raincheck took out the commercial challenge, earning $25,000 for their mobile commerce platform, which harnesses machine learning and artificial intelligence to bridge the online and in-store shopping experiences. Puffling netted the Peoples Choice Award and $5000, after winning the most votes in a real-time poll of audience members.

Related: Tired of drawing the short straw, Easyshares founder automated share house bill payments and Job sharing enables mums to continue building their careers  and their employers benefit too.


From April 27th to August 30th of this year, the FCC received 21.7 million comments regarding rolling back net neutrality rules put in place during the Obama administration. These rules compel internet service providers to treat all content equally and prevent them from throttling or accelerating the loading of webpages based on how much money they were paid by the content providers.

As I wrote last week, a large portion of those comments, especially those in favor of ending net neutrality rules, were submitted under dubious circumstances:

An investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman revealed that hundreds of thousands of fake comments supporting the elimination of net neutrality have been submitted to the FCC this year including many submitted using actual names and contact information of people who are victims of identity theft to support this corporate agenda. Software engineer Jeff Kao who once worked for the FCC as an intern wrote a program to analyze the comments and he believes that the number of fake comments may be over 1.3 million.

Now more information has come out. An investigation by the Pew Research Center showed that many submissions seemed to include false or misleading personal information:

Some 57% of the comments utilized either duplicate email addresses or temporary email addresses created with the intention of being used for a short period of time and then discarded. In addition, many individual names appeared thousands of times in the submissions. As a result, it is often difficult to determine if any given comment came from a specific citizen or from an unknown person (or entity) submitting multiple comments using unverified names and email addresses In many instances, thousands of comments were submitted simultaneously  down to the second.

According to reporting by The Verge, a senior FCC official said that 7.5 million of those comments were the exact same letter, which was submitted using 45,000 fake email addresses.

But it gets worse. Bloomberg reports that nearly half a million of the comments submitted came from Russian email addresses:

Someone was trying to game the U.S. Federal Communications Commissions electronic public comment system on net-neutrality rules. But who? Was it supporters or foes of the open internet rules  or was it the Russians? A study has found more than 7.75 million comments were submitted from email domains attributed to FakeMailGenerator.com, and they had nearly identical wording. The FCC says some of the nearly 23 million comments on Chairman Ajit Pais proposal to gut Obama-era rules were filed under the same name more than 90 times each. And then there were the 444,938 from Russian email addresses, which also raised eyebrows, even though its unclear if they were from actual Russian citizens or computer bots originating in the U.S. or elsewhere. [] Given the fact that the rules apply to the U.S., an unusual number of comments  1.74 million  were attributed to international addresses, with 444,938 from Russia and nearly as many from Germany, Emprata found. All but 25 of the emails from those countries were against repealing the 2015 rules.

At least one FCC commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel, is alarmed by this new information:

There's something not right in the @FCC record on #NetNeutrality. Bots, bogus comments, and stolen names. A questionable distributed denial of service attack the @USGAO is investigating. New York Attorney General @AGSchneiderman describes problems here: https://t.co/oOrJD44Z1V  Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) November 22, 2017

The @FCC #NetNeutrality record: Half a million comments from Russian e-mails. Hundreds of thousands of comments with stolen identities. One alleged DDoS attack. The integrity of the public record matters. No way the @FCC should vote without figuring out what is going on.  Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) November 30, 2017

Commissioner Rosenworcel made a heartfelt plea to all Americans to help convince her fellow commissioners to halt their march toward reversing net neutrality until questions surrounding these fake comments is are resolved:

Before my fellow FCC members vote to dismantle net neutrality, they need to get out from behind their desks and computers and speak to the public directly. The FCC needs to hold hearings around the country to get a better sense of how the public feels about the proposal. When they do this, they will likely find that, outside of a cadre of high-paid lobbyists and lawyers in Washington, there isnt a constituency that likes this proposal. In fact, the FCC will probably discover that they have angered the public and caused them to question just whom the agency works for. I think the FCC needs to work for the public, and therefore that this proposal needs to be slowed down and eventually stopped. In the time before the agency votes, anyone who agrees should do something old-fashioned: Make a ruckus. Reach out to the rest of the FCC now. Tell them they cant take away internet openness without a fight.

In the age of online issue-based advocacy and the prevalence of websites allowing people to submit comments, having large numbers of duplicate comments on either side of an issue isnt surprising or evidence that the system is being gamed. However, the fact that personal information appears to have been stolen in order to create comments and that such an extraordinary number of comments from foreign email addresses IS alarming. Who is trying to interfere with democracy in America? Who is funding this dedicated effort to sway the FCC commissioners? Given the stakes (i.e., the immense profits that can be made from paid prioritization by ISPs), its not a far stretch to imagine that its the ISPs themselves that are involved. Who else is better positioned to flood the comment submission process with comments that support their efforts to remove consumer protections.

At the end of the day, it may not matter. FCC Chair Ajit Pai is fully supportive of the removal of these important protections. He was deliberately chosen by President Trump and, as a former lawyer for Verizon, knows full well that ISPs stand to reap a windfall if they are allowed to manipulate access to the internet in favor of those with the most money. And the ISPs themselves will be the beneficiaries in terms of increased revenues as they hold the internet hostage in order to extract the most profit from it possible.

Heres what YOU can do:

PLEASE call 1-202-418-1000 to reach the voicemail of the Chairman of the FCC. Say your name, city, and state and that you oppose the repeal of Net Neutrality. Took 12 seconds. RT the fuck out of this, please.  Sarah Sweeney (@heysarahsweeney) November 30, 2017

More information is available HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
During this period in my life, I have found myself committed to participating in anti-racism organizing efforts that move beyond black people and other people of color trying to convince white people that they have privilege and white people admitting to that privilege.

Those of us committed to anti-racism organizing need an entirely new conversation, one that has white people digging deeper into the impact racism has had on their own humanity. Drug abuse, domestic violence, suicide, mass murders, etc., are results of the same system that causes intraracial violence within black and brown communities.

I recognize that it is difficult for many to accept that the conditions faced by whites are tied to racism. Racism is a painful existence for blacks and other people of color, and anti-black racism is a deeper level of racism that blacks face, even within allied relationships.

As a black woman born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, a city that has suffered under a half-century of propaganda assault because of its predominately black racial demographic, I cannot ignore the impacts of anti-black racism. Anti-black racism has had a direct psychological impact on me and I have witnessed the impact it has had on my city, my entire life.

However, as I have begun to envision and work towards trying to realize the type of world I wish to live in, I have taken note of the impact that participating in such a dehumanizing system has had on well-meaning whites.

Although too many deny it, it has also become easy to take stock of the visible correlation between racism and capitalism.

When whites go into banks and other institutions that have built their wealth on the selling of black bodies through slavery, and are afforded loans and other resources that are quite often denied to the descendants of slaves, that is an obvious connection between racism and capitalism.

When black and brown residents are uprooted from their neighborhoods and their homes replaced with stadiums and upscale hotels or businesses that cater mostly to a white population, those are obvious connections between racism and capitalism.

But, what is less obvious is the psychological impact participating in this capitalistic racism has had on whites. The imaginary bubble that one must create around themselves in order to falsify a peaceful (often suburban) existence from the undesirable (black and brown) population, lends to a level of dehumanization in white people that many dont speak about.

Instead of confronting these realities in a systemic way, blacks, other people of color, and whites have allowed themselves to participate in a seesaw that reinforces a false hierarchical narrative. Black people and other people of color are on one side of the seesaw and whites are on the other side. This false dichotomy is the privileged and underprivileged seesaw.

This type of rhetoric cannot exist within anti-racism organizing. It will not create the world many of us wish to live in someday. It is the dominant narrative, not the counter-narrative. We need to be committed to the counter-narrative.

If white people dont begin to look at the impact the system of white supremacy has had on white people, those who have committed themselves to anti-racist organizing will continue to pursue undoing racism as a pet project they can pick up and put down. Undoing racism has to become a lifelong commitment white people make in order to humanize themselves. It cannot be something they do in the black community. Racism is not a black and brown community problem. Racism is something that is inflicted upon the black and brown community.

It is true that unarmed white people are not being gunned down by racist police the way that black people and other people of color are being gunned down. It is true that white people are not being redlined in order to allow for blacks to move into their neighborhoods. It is true that white school districts are not suffering massive school closings and disinvestment at a level that you see happening in black and brown neighborhoods. The system of white supremacy and the policies that are enacted in order to continue that system are vicious and unyielding, and we must do everything in our power to struggle against those policies and supporting forces. In order to do that, we need everyone in the struggle for racial justice to be doing so. This is why forcing well-meaning white people to shrink under white guilt and the false notion of privilege serves the movement for racial justice no real purpose.

Participating with the system of white supremacy is far from a privileged existence. It is a dehumanizing existence. The further connected one is to a system that forces you to look through people based on their racial identity in order to survive or thrive, the farther away from your humanity you have to be.

Climbing the perpetual ladder to the American Dream requires a level of disconnect from what it means to be human that can only be nurtured with larger metal gates, deeper car garages, smaller front porches, and minimal contact with people all around you  even people who look like you.

Is it truly a privilege to be connected to a legacy of lynching, displacement, redlining, etc.? We need new language. We need to pull away from the cycle of ally-ship and begin struggling towards co-liberation. We need whites to firmly believe that their liberation, their humanity is also dependent upon the destruction of racism and the dismantling of white supremacy.

This framing is new and challenging for our movement, but it is one that must be considered if we are truly to avoid revisiting the dynamics we are currently facing in this country another fifty years from now.

On November 29, 2017, I had an opportunity to participate on a panel titled, Lets Talk About Race: Standing Together to End Racism at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Royal Oak, MI. I joined the panel with Professor Peter Hammer of Wayne State University Law School and the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights. He presented on the history of racial inequity in Detroit and SE, Michigan. I presented on much of what I referenced above. We will continue these conversations.

Its time we recognize that true anti-racism organizing means that we must help each other down from the seesaw.
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Latest News

Higher education scholarships promote management studies Various scholarships can help drive equality, diversity and promote economic growth, writes Ilian Mihov

NBE postpones the NEET MDS 2023 exam date The revised exam schedule is available at NBE's portal

Deakin University collaborates with Great Learning to offer online Masters in Data Science The one-year programme will be delivered via live virtual, recorded lectures by Deakin University's faculty,
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to hold news briefing in Kyiv on Monday

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) will hold a news briefing on Monday, 4 December, in Kyiv.

Alexander Hug, the SMMs Principal Deputy Chief Monitor, will talk about the security situation throughout Ukraine and the Missions recent activities.

Journalists are invited to attend the news briefing tomorrow, 4 December, at 16:00 (Kyiv time), at the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency, at 8/5a Reitarska Street.
While Martin Shkreli awaits sentencing for securities fraud, federal prosecutors have asked the court for permission to seize his assets in excess of $7 million.

Request To Seize Shkreli's Prized Possessions

The prosecutors asked a Brooklyn federal court judge on Thursday, Nov. 30, to seize more than $7 million worth of assets belonging to the former pharmaceutical executive, who is currently serving time in jail for cheating investors.

The feds want Shkreli to turn over his rare copy of Wu Tang Clan's Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, which he famously purchased for a $2 million in 2015. Prosecutors also asked to seize his copy of the Lil Wayne album, The Carter IV, in addition to $5 million in cash, a valuable Picasso painting, and a World War II-era Enigma code-breaking machine used against Nazi Germany.

"We will vigorously oppose the government motion," Shkreli's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told Bloomberg. "Our position is clear. None of the investors lost any money and Martin did not personally benefit from any of the counts of conviction. Accordingly, forfeiture of any assets is not an appropriate remedy."

Securities Fraud Conviction

Shkreli is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, after he was found guilty of three charges related to securities fraud in August this year.

The fraud charges were brought on after he misled investors to put money into two of his hedge funds, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare, and then cheated them of millions of dollars by misappropriating funds. Shkreli repaid them later but with stock and cash that he looted from a biotech company he created, Retrophin.

The 32-year-old "pharma bro" is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for securities fraud. However, it is quite rare for defendants to receive the maximum sentence in such cases.

Most Hated Man In America

Before being convicted of securities fraud, Shkreli grabbed headlines in 2015 while he was CEO of another pharmaceutical company called Turing Pharmaceuticals.

Shkreli's company acquired a critical drug known as Daraprim, which is often used to treat a parasitic infection that can prove to be deadly for people with HIV or cancer. He then jacked up the price of the drug by 5000 percent from $13.50 per tablet to $750, raising the average treatment costs from approximately $1,130 to $63,000.

The former hedge fund manager faced a lot of backlash for this move and has since been billed as the "most-hated man in America."
British lawmaker Sam Gyimah referenced fictional character Albus Dumbledore during a televised debate about President Donald Trump. Dumbledore is part of the Harry Potter books and movies.

During a recent conversation on Question Time, the British Member of Parliament praised U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May for her criticisms of Trump's retweets of anti-Muslim videos.

In his speech, he also recited one of Dumbledore's most famous lines from one of the films. "It takes great bravery to stand up to your enemies. It takes even more bravery to stand up to your friends," said Gyimah.

Albus Dumbledore's Famous Line

His words were almost completely similar to what Dumbledore said Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when he gave Neville Longbottom 10 points for being courageous.

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends," said the character.

Gyimah did not directly say that he quoted the Harry Potter character in his speech. However, fans that have seen his interview praised the official.

Donald Trump Visits The U.K.

Trump is expected to visit the U.K. in the coming days, and Gyimah admitted that he's "personally deeply uncomfortable" that the president would be setting foot in his country.

Gyimah believes that Trump is divisive and his arrival to the U.K. might cause problems among the people.

"The invitation has been sent and has been accepted. It's above my pay grade in terms of what happens next," said the lawmaker.

Twitter's Safety Rules

Meanwhile, the president of the United States made headlines this week after he retweeted graphic anti-Muslim videos online. Following the incident, an unnamed spokesperson for Twitter explained why they didn't remove the tweets from their site.

"To help ensure people have an opportunity to see every side of an issue, there may be the rare occasion when we allow controversial content or behavior which may otherwise violate our rules to remain on our service because we believe there is a legitimate public interest in its availability," said the spokesperson via CNN.

A day later, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey retracted the explanation and said that they are still investigating the matter. "We're still looking critically at all of our current policies, and appreciate all the feedback," said Dorsey.

Another message from Twitter's safety team claimed that the anti-Muslim videos have been permitted on their site because of their current media policy.
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber recently rekindled their years-long romance and during an appearance at Billboard magazine's Women in Music event, she addressed the issue.

While walking the red carpet at the event, Gomez was asked about her romance with Bieber and shockingly revealed that she is unaware of the attention that her romance has been getting in the weeks since she and Bieber were first seen back together.

I mean I dont think anybody truly, actually cares," Gomez told the magazine, according to a report by Hollywood Life on Dec. 2. "I think for me whats been great is that Ive been able to live the life that Ive wanted for myself. And that doesnt always look the way people maybe think it should look, but its not really my concern anymore.

Gomez and Bieber used to have a drama-plagued, on-and-off romance with one another. In August of last year, the couple came to blows over cheating allegations on Instagram. As fans may recall, Gomez called out Bieber for cheating on her numerous times throughout their relationship while he suggested she had betrayed him by hooking up with Zayn Malik. Now, however, Gomez appears to feel that she and Bieber have grown and matured and are better equipped to take on a committed romance with one another.

Im 25. Im not 18, or 19, or 20. I cherish people who have really impacted my life," she explained. "So maybe before, it could have been forcing something that wasnt right. But that doesnt mean caring for someone ever goes away.

Gomez and Bieber first sparked rumors of a romance in late October after he was seen making his way into her Studio City home. A short time later, her split from her former boyfriend of 10 months, The Weeknd, was confirmed.

Gomez and The Weeknd went public with their romance in January of this year as they took a stroll in Santa Monica, Calif. following a dinner date at Giorgio Baldi restaurant.

Gomez and Bieber didn't spend the holidays together but after Gomez traveled to Texas and Bieber visited Canada, they reunited with one another in Los Angeles for a dinner date and church service in the area. Ironically, Bieber's rumored ex-girlfriend, Kourtney Kardashian, was also present during the service.
Written by ACM





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*Strasbourg/European RDV 2017/Angelo Marcopolo/- While EU Political Leaders nowadays Prepare a New Multi-Annual Program for EU Funds to Scientific/Technological Research in the Post-2020 Future of Europe, the President of the European Research Council (ERC), Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, Replying to "Eurofora"s Questions, (for Other Replies of ERC's Head to our Quesiions at a Previous Press-point, See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/ecrheadoninternationalrelations.html) acknowledged the Growing Importance of the competing projects' "Impact" on Society, where Public Debates with EU Citizens' involvement, Before crucial Decisions affecting their Lives and/or Society at large, are a Must, according to EU Council's current Strategy, (which Surprisingly approaches "Eurofora"s Wider Project, in a Key area).

Indeed, EU Council is due to decide, Next Week in Brussels, on an "Interim Evaluation of (EU Research Funding pre-existing Program) Horizon 2020", and the New, "9th Framework Programne", starting from 2021. And, already on May 2015, the EU Council has urged, to "Assess" the Funded Projects, by putting "Emphasis" also "on their ... Impact".

-------------------------- -

"Eurofora" refered to mentions made on the "Impact" of Scientific Research, as well as to the European "Synergy" Program (See Infra) with PluriDisciplinary Cooperation among Human/Social and Natural Sciences, in order to raise a Classic, but also Topical and Political Question :



- "Why some (even among the Best Researchers) might eventualy look a bit Reluctant vis a vis the Clarification and Valorisation of the Social Issues at Stake in Scientific Research ?".



- However, "their Interest for the Society, which could, sometimes, even make People Dream with Science, and Strengthen it Politically, while being also a Responsibility, given that Public Funds are spend for it, but often even a Pleasure and an Opportunity, for real Intellectuals, to develop a Profound Thinking on the real Meaning that has for the Society what they are doing, and the Choices that they are making", we observed, in this regard.



=> "Instead of some Reluctances, on the Contrary, don't you think that it would be Useful to Develop Further the Clarification of what is really at Stake in Scientific Projects, in the Choices made by Scientific/Technological Research, their Potential Interest on what we could Hope to Achieve, presenting an Horizon, interesting also for the Future of Europe, which another Topical Question", Eurofora wondered.



-----------------------



- "I'd prefer to speak about the issue of the "Impact" of Scientific/Technological Research, "because I am concerned, also since I'm Often Incited to Address that "Hot" Issue, several Times, including in Public, even by State Secretaries, Ministers, etc., so that" it cannot be ignored at all, started to Reply to "Eurofora"s Question ERC's President, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon.



- "The main Reply" to this Question, basically "is always the same : Certainly the Impact (of Science/Technology) is Interesting for us", he clearly Confirmed.



- "But, that does not mean that it should also be a determinant factor, a necessary Criterium for the Choices due to be made between various (Scientific/Technologic Research) Projects" to Fund, or not, he went on to add, (obviously defending the Autonomy and Freedom of Science, at least in Principle).



- "So that, for us (ERC), for example, "it's Out of Question to Choose (among various Projects) Exclusively on the Unique Basis of the Impact, particularly the Economic (Financial) Impact only", he Warned Carefully, (while also making things Clear on which Concrete points, some among the main Objections are Focusing, among the Scientific Community).



- However, "we Must, certainly, Develop further the Visibility of what is the Outcome of the Projects", the Experienced ERC's President stressed, as far as the above-mentioned "Eurofora"s Question was concerned.



- "And that's one of the Reasons for which I find that ECR's Administrative Budget, used in order to Make an Analysis of the Impact of Projects, Needs to be Enlarged", he advised, given the growing Importance of that aspect, (See Infra).



- "Because, it's absolutely Legitimate (but often, not so Simple) to Explain what could be the Real Results of the Projects", President Bourguignon pointed out.



+ By the way, "concerning Human and Social Sciences", (i.e., which can, precisely, be used also in order to examine the Socio-Economic a.o. Impact of Projects, even of Natural Sciences, as "Eurofora" had highlighted: Comp. Supra), "the Rules applied by the ECR are very Simple : There is Strictly an Autonomy: We let Receive what the Researchers present to us".



- "And, from this point of view, the Budget spend during the Last Year for Human and Social Sciences is quite considerable : It's about 400 Millions , i.e. a very Significant Amount of Money", he observed.



- "It concerns almost All the Domains of Human/Social Sciences, and, particularly, something which is not generally well known, is that, in fact, the Researhers are very Keen into chosing Important and Topical Issues", (i.e. avec a Serious Potential Impact in Nowadays Society) :



- "F.ex., when we (ECR) examined the series of Projects concerning Migration, during the last years, we saw that there was a absolutely Remarkable Augmentation of the Number of Projects", in this area, "and simply at the Initiative of Researchers themselves", he pointed out.



- Indeed, "they found that this was an Issue on which it was Necessary, Nowadays, to dedicate More Research, Serious and Rock-Solid Studies".

- "This goes almost for All Issues of Topical Importance, as, f.ex., also on Energy, where the ECR has, now, in its Files, almost 300 Projects on Energy, and about 600 Millions  spending on Energy Issues", he revealed.



- "So that, when we spoke, recently, about that, with the EU Commission's vice-President responsible for Energy, Mario Sefcovic, he was Astonished to find out that there is So Much Research on Energy"...



- "Simply, the Researchers are spontaneously Interested, by themselves, on what is More Important", nowadays, "so that there is No Need to push them for that", he found.



- "It doesn't mean that there might not be, in addition, a Need for some More Focused Programs", ECR's Head admitted.



- "But I think that (European) Researchers are doing so, in Their own Way, and with Their Agenda", he Concluded on this point, optimistically.



--------------------------------------------------

EU's EVOLVING PRINCIPLES :

----------------------------------------------------



On this regard, more Recently, a July 2017 relevant Opinion of the ERAC, "requires that the (Science and Technology Research Programmes, "Should Contribute to Other (EU) Sectoral Policies, and Promote Better and Continued Dialogue with European Citizens".



And a subsequent, "Tallin Call for Action", on the Results of a Conference organized by the Estonian EU Presidency, on October 2017, launched a Call to "Increase the Impact of Research and Innovation Investments, and Buid Trust between Research and Society" (See also Infra).



Comming also After EU27 Heads of States/Governments' Summit's "Rome Declaration", last March 2017, in Italy, (which Marks a Change in overall EU Policies, for a Future of Europe closer to EU Citizens, (See Relevant "Eurofora"s NewsReports from Rome, f.ex.: .... + ...), a Draft Decision on EU Research Programs, due to be Examined and Endorsed Next Week in Brussels, Significantly Adds to "Economic Growth" and "Industrial Competitiveness", also "Social Inclusion and Addressing Major Societal Challenges", i.e. "Wider Societal Issues".

More Important: The above-mentioned Estonian EU Presidency's Official "Statement" on "Research and Innovation matter for the Future of Europe", made on October 2017 in Tallin, (Comp. Supra), also Known as "Tallin Call for Action", "presented to Stakeholder Representatives at a High-Level Conference on "European Research Excellence : Impact and Value for Society", which came Timely during the Preparations of the Forchcoming EU Heads of State/Government Summit in Brussels, 14-15 December 2017, "has been Drawn up in Close Cooperation with EU Stakeholdrs, via On-Line (Web) Consultation and RoundTable Discussions", in the wider Context of "the current Debate on the Future of Europe".



- "The overall Impact and Value of Research and Innovation is much Wider" (than its mere Economic Benefit), "Bringing Long-Term and Transformative Benefits to Society, most notably through Educated and Competent People, and Improvementrs to our Everyday Life". It "Gives us a real Chance to Build Better Future", and "we Need Research to Deepen our Understanding of our Changing Societies", it Observes.



>>> - That's why, "there is a Need to Act Urgently ... to ensure Broad Political Commitment for Increasing Research and Innovation Funding, Impact of these Investments, and Public Trust", it stresses from the outset. For that Purpose, "Stronger efforts are needed to Make the Benefits of R&I Visible and Understandable by all, and to achieve Wide Citizen Involvement, ...as well as Engaging People" (i.e. "Both with Stakeholders and the Public"), not only "to Explain our Needs", but also "in Shaping our Common Future".



>>> Indeed, "Increase the IMPACT of R&I Investments", and "Build TRUST between Research and Society", are set as 2 out of 3 "Priorities", (another one concerning the "Investments" themselves).



- This implies to "Recognize a Broad Notion of Impact", including "the Societal Value of Research", and a "Dynamic Approach to Impact Assessment", through a "Necessary Cultural Change", EU Presidency urged :



=> In particular, the relevant "Decision-Making" must become "More Transparent", "Consider Potential Applications and Societal Impact" of Research, "Clarify and facilitate Understanding of the Issues", and "Communicate the Impact and Results of (R&I) Work", by "Inform(ing) Public Debate" and "Develop(ing) Dialogues with the Public", (i.e., a Move Strikingly Near "Eurofora"s wider project !)...



+Naturally it also Includes, eventually, a "Constructive Criticism", and possible "Limitations of Scientific Research", EU Presidency's Text adds.



>>> The Main point being, for all Scientific/Technological "Researchers, Research Organisations, Research Funders", to "Engage the Public", and particularly "the People", at "All Levels of Government", "with Research that Affects them", "in the Co-Creation of the Future", looking for "Possibilities to Co-Design and Co-Implement Solutions to Societal Changes, based on Science and Innovation", while Also "Explaining the Work you do", and "Following ... the Principles of Integrity and Good Research practices".



(I.e. strikingly Similar to the "Good Administration" Legal Principle, for Public Authorities' Decisions affecting EU Citizens, according to EU's Lisbon Treaty, which has notoriously Entered in Force since 2010 already)...



------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STRASBOURG's EUROPEAN RDV's DEBATES ON EU FUNDS FOR SCIENCE :

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



+ Meanwhile, when ECR's President Bourguignon, spoke with "Eurofora", it was just After a Debate on EU Funding of Science and Technology, organized by the European Rendez-vous of Strasbourg, in Cooperation with the CoE and the EU, thanks to the University's Pole of Public Law, headed by Professsor and former Dean, as well as f. EU Commission's Legal Services' Director in Brussels, Jean-Paul Jacque.



----------------------



- "Each Pluri-Annual EU Framework Program for Science/Technology has a Duration of about 7 Years" : "Today, We are in the Middle of EU Program "Horizon 2020", and "already in the process of Thinking about the Next one, which will Start from 2021", ECR's President reminded Earlier.



- "Last Time, we passed from the Previous, "7th Program", to "Horizon", with almost No big Change : Something that is Good for Scientists, who are fond of Stability".



- "Horizon" is Composed of 3 Pillars : The 1st is about "Excellence in Science" (ECResearch, Marie-Curie on Education, Big Infrastructures, "Future Emerging Technologies"), the 2nd is named: "Industrial Leadership" (Airspace, Pharma, etc), and the 3rd : "Social Challenges".(such as Food, Cyber-Security, Health, Climate, etc).



- "ERC represents a signiificant part of that Program : about 17 %, which has, this Year, almost 1,2 Billions , Divided for 1/3 to each one of its 3 Pillars" (Comp. Supra).



- Until Now, Less than 10% of the Total of Funds spend in Europe (by the Public and Private Sectors) for Scientific/Technological Research are Decided at EU Level (precisely more than 8%+), compared to almost 60% for the Federal Level in the USA, he Regretted. And, even on that Total, Only ...Finland has just Reached the Target of 3% of the GDP, heading for 4%, while Germany has just Bypassed the 3% (as Few among EU's Member States), but France is Following with 2,22%, and most Other EU Countries are in a Worse situation currently, (some having even Regressed), ERC's Head criticized.



-----------------------------



- "It's True that, in Europe (Contrary to the USA : Comp. Supra), Most Funds for Research are at the National level of Member States, but EU Funds play an Important Role, and, f.ex., the "Horizon" Program helped create Networks of Scientists across Europe", observed the Experienced, former President of Strasbourg's University, and currently Director of Research at the French Ministry for Universities and Research, Alain Beretz.



- Thus, it's important for the European Countries to create a Coherent Policy in Strategic, key areas, between them, he stressed, inter alia.



----------------------------------------------------------



+ Advancing "Beyond the Amounts of Funds, and Beyond Politics", from the pure point of view of Scientists, World-Famous NOBEL Prize Winner for Chemistry, Professor Jean-Marie Lehn, Director of Strasbourg's Institute on MacroMolecular structures, praised ECR's role particularly for his Support to a "Science withOut Borders", by Helping "Not Structures or Organisations" (which are also necessary), "but Individual Persons, who have certain Ideas", and need "Time" to Work on them, as well as the "Autonomy" that ECR's Funding gives them, as he characteristicaly said : F.ex., 3 or 4 Millions  during 5 Years is OK for such a "Culture of Projects", allowing them to be Developed, as never before, he observed.



-----------------------------------------------------



++ However, regrets were expressed, by the European Science Foundation's new Secretary General, Jean-Claude Worms, for the Interruption of the initial "Synergy" Programs, where EU Countries cooperated for the Funding of Trans-Border Networks of Scientists, on ambitious Pluri-Disciplinary Projects : Something which had worked, Back on 2012-2013, but does Not Exist Today, no more in Europe, (except, perhaps, of the COS Program in Brussels, etc).



- Nevertheless, ECR's President, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, Announced, in Reply, that, after a Careful collective Evaluation of those "Synergy" Programs, which Concluded with quasi-Unanimous Positive apraisals, even, by those who previously were rather Critical, it has just been Decided that New European "Sunergy" projects will be Launched for 2018 and 2019, with 250 and 400 Millions , respectively.



- A Challenge to face will be (in Addition to the Financial Amounts required) to succeed to Find really "Strong" Projects, Maximising the "Cocktail" of Competences contained in a Network of Scientists across Borders, and a fruitful Inter-Disciplinary approach (f.ex. between Human/Social Sciences, Life and Natural Sciences, etc), so that they can seriously Justify a considerable Funding which may be something about 6 to 16 Millions  during more than 6 Years, without Excessive Administrative Costs, (f.ex. +3%; as the Initial "Synergy" Networks had provoked in the Past : Comp. Supra), so that Accounts don't deprive Science from necessary Funds, as he Warned.



----------------------------------------------------------------------



- An at least partially Similar Example, has already started at Strasbourg's University, with a Collective Project, which created a Trans-European Network, bringing Together Specialists in Law, Finance, Security, etc., in order to Fight Against International Organized Crime, mainly through a New Investigation System, which was set up, between 2009-2017, by Strasbourg Universiity's Professor Chantal Cutajar, (also the City's Deputy Mayor responsible for Citizens' Participation), with the Help of 90% European Funds, added to 10% Grants from Local/Regional Authorities, resulting also to PanEuropean Conferences, several Doctoral Thesis, etc, that she described, previously, Introducing a series of 5 Concrete Science/Research Projects realized here thanks to European Funding.



+ With an ERC Grant of 1,5 Million  during 5 Years (2012-2017), the Young German Scientist Wiebke Drenkhan, a Physicist, Researcher in Strasbourg's Bio-Tech. Institute "Sadron", who managed, on the Contrary, to Travel for Studies and Research, from Germany to France, the UK, Japan, New Zeland and USA, said that she Focused on "Cellular Materials" Shaped like "Foam", which, inter alia, might help in a Wide Area of Various eventual Applications, including, f.ex., to create "Walls which Capture Traffic Noise, but let Hear Birds Sing", as she symbolically joked.





++ Professor at Strasbourg University's Labo for Optical and Digital Engineers, Sylvain Gioux, also used European Funding in order to Invent a New Tool Helping Surgeons to get a Better and Clear View of all the Area of a Patient's Body and Organs where they have to Operate.



+++ Last, but not least, Professor Anne-Sophie Korganow, also a Practicing Medical Doctor, organized, thanks to EU Funds, an original Data-Base with Genetic and Other Health Data from Patients located in the Franco-Germano-Swiss Euro-Region of Superior Rhine (OberRhine), concerning mainly Rare illnesses, named "RARE-NET". In Parallel, "Eurofora" was Glad to learn that she had also Succesfully Operated f.ex. a person that we know, Healing her from a thorny Health Problem in the Past, as she told us, with Gratitude.



A fact which reminds that, sometimes, supporting Science, might Help to Find UnExpected Solutions also to very Differend Issues, Affecting People's Lives....



After all, didn't Medical Dr. Pasteur, notoriously, do something partly similar, when he UnExpectedly invented the Vaccines, in the Past ? And what about Physicist Newton and his Apple Tree ? Or Philosopher Eratosthenes and his Shadow under a Hot Sun, compared to the Earth ? Not to mention Inventor Archimedes and his Bath-Water...

(../..)





-------------------------------------------------------------






As Border Patrol continues to highlight the dangers of smuggling in big rigs, agents recently found 12 people hidden a tractor trailer stopped near Laredo.

The 12 immigrants were being smuggled into the U.S. on Wednesday, according to a news release Friday from the Border Patrol. The rig was stopped by agents working at a checkpoint north of the border city on Interstate 35. The immigrants were from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. Agents arrested Carlos Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois, and charged him with transporting undocumented immigrants.

According to an affidavit filed in in federal court by an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations division, Rodriguez did not stop at the checkpoint and was pulled over by Border Patrol agents several miles away. They found the 12 immigrants hiding in the cab, according to the affidavit. One immigrant told agents he paid 8,000 Guatemalan queztales  about $1,000  to be smuggled into the U.S. and would owe $4,000 more once he arrived at his destination in Florida. If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in prison.

These criminal organizations view these individuals as mere commodities without regard for their safety, Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta said in the statement released Friday. The blatant disregard for human life will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these organizations and prosecute those responsible.

Last week, Homeland Security officials announced a new public outreach program to discourage smuggling using tractor trailers, in part because of the smuggling attempt that left 10 immigrants dead in San Antonio.

James Matthew Bradley Jr., the driver of the truck that prosecutors say may have had 100 people in it before police found it the parking lot of a South Side Walmart, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the deadly incident. Because 10 people died, he faces up to life in prison when hes sentenced. Pedro Silva Segura, whos accused of operating a stash house in Laredo linked to the incident, has pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges.

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies from Del Rio to Brownsville are taking part in the publicity effort called Operation Big Rig to slow smuggling in commercial vehicles. With the slogan Theyre humans, not cargo, officials are asking the public to call police if they see smuggling activity and reminding drivers they can lose their commercial drivers licenses for life if convicted of smuggling in Texas.

Border Patrol officials in the Rio Grande Valley, which doesnt include Laredo, found 600 immigrants being smuggled in 45 tractor trailers in FY 2017, officials said Friday.

jbuch@express-news.net | Twitter: @jlbuch
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SUTHERLAND SPRINGS  Frank Pomeroy pauses outside his daughters room, unable to enter. He knows whats inside: Annabelles bed, her One Direction poster and various items in shades of purple  her favorite color.

But Pomeroy and his wife, Sherri, cant look in her room yet. It reminds them too much of the girl they lost.

It seemed like it was just yesterday I had dropped her off at school. It seemed like I had just told her, Ill see you Monday, the First Baptist Church pastor says, his eyes watering behind his glasses.

Pomeroy wasnt at the church here the morning of Nov. 5 when a gunman walked in and opened fire with a military-style rifle.

Devin Patrick Kelley killed 14-year-old Annabelle and 25 others, including an unborn child, before he was shot and then killed himself during a car chase. Twenty people in the packed sanctuary were wounded. Kelleys motive remains unclear, though he had a history of violence.

Four weeks after the church massacre, time stretches and snaps for people in this town of 600 south of San Antonio, shifting from fast to slow to fast again. One moment, its as if their loved ones were just there with them. The next, theres a gaping hole, a monumental loss.

The days run together. Its like being on an island where you lose track of days, Pomeroy said Thursday at his church office.

It was the first night the church reopened its community meal and Bible study session, which was held every Thursday until the massacre.

Faith in God permeates life in Sutherland Springs, a belief that has helped families cope with the tragedy as they envision their loved ones in a better place. And they cope by staying busy, visiting the wounded still recovering at the hospital and staying close to relatives to soothe the pain.

Yet the wounds still are fresh, and the nightmarish visions unescapable.

In a nearby store last week, Jennifer Holcombe stopped in her tracks and stared at a pair of pink rubber boots. She almost can see her dead infant daughter Noah Grace standing in them. Its too much.

Farida Brown wakes up shivering every night. A survivor who was shot four times, she sees the blood, hears the cries. Its as if shes right back there, at the First Baptist Church on Nov. 5. She relives it all again and again.

I cant get it out of my head. Its like it just happened, said Brown, 73.

The trauma from that day rippled throughout the community and far beyond  the world watched in horror as news stories unfolded of congregants hiding under their pews in terror, of mothers and grandmothers dying to protect their little ones, of children being shot to death for crying out.

I wish I  no. I dont, said Pomeroy, stopping himself short. He took a deep breath. He started over. Sometimes I wish I could understand what was inside his head, so I couldve stopped him. But theres nothing to understand. You have to be insane to understand insanity.

The community has hopes of finding a new normal, but for now, theres too much to do.

The Pomeroys, who have six other children, are constantly taking calls, organizing the vast amount of donations and making rounds visiting victims families. Theyre also conducting the day-to-day work that comes with running a church  preparing sermons, connecting their congregants to resources and just keeping the place clean.

If you dont water your plants, theyre going to die, so we dont have much of a choice, Sherri Pomeroy said. Youve got to keep on going, even when you dont feel like it.

Frank Pomeroy was in Oklahoma on Nov. 5 and drove seven hours to get back home when he heard about the shooting. Sherri Pomeroy was in Florida.

A Texas State University alum with a degree in biological anthropology, and a minor in medieval and renaissance studies, Frank Pomeroy is an avid motorcyclist. He said his days now are like using a hula-hoop with a thorn: youre going and going and then  a piercing pain.

Some days are better than others, Pomeroy said. Our lives are changed forever.

He also has been disturbed by the number of conspiracy theorists that have come to Sutherland Springs or attacked his family and other congregants on social media  saying the shooting was a hoax, a scam, or that he must work for the CIA.

Its demoralizing to have so many of these conspiracy people calling victims and trying to say that theyre lying, that theyre stealing peoples money. That hurts, he said.

Some residents are remodeling their homes to accommodate family members who were injured in the massacre. Julie and Kip Workman are installing a ramp for their son Kris, who likely is permanently paralyzed from the bullets. Some of those who were killed left house projects half-finished, tasks now taken up by relatives.

Youre doing any little thing you can get done to feel accomplished, said Jennifer Holcombe, whose husband, Marc Danny Holcombe, also was killed. Were taking it one minute at a time.

Safe in heaven

The prayer request sheet that passed around during Thursdays Bible study listed 22 names, all of them people who were at the church that Sunday and survived.

Faith in God helps them make sense of the tragedy.

There was a point when I said, Lord, why them? said Frank Pomeroy. But those 26, I dont have to worry about them. I know where they are. Theyre safe.

Finding meaning in the tragedy is an integral part of healing, trauma experts say. Thelma Duffey, co-director of UTSAs Academy for Crisis and Trauma Counseling, said the goal is for residents to integrate the loss and trauma into their lives  so its a part of their life story, but it doesnt define it.

Meaning is how you live with it. How you make sense of it in a way that you can live with, said Duffey, whos helping lead a team that will provide counseling services in Sutherland Springs under a $150,000 grant from the Whataburger chain.

When Jennifer Holcombe emerged from the church Nov. 5, having inexplicably survived the seven-minute massacre, she told her family she knew her husband and daughter no longer were in the church.

I told them I know where Danny and Noah are, and Ill see them again. And thats how Ill get through this, she said.

The promise of heaven also is what Sherri Pomeroy holds onto.

I dont know how people without faith do it. Because if you dont have something to hope for, whats the reason to live? she said. If I didnt have a hope that Annabelle was in heaven and that I will see her one day, why would I want to continue living?

Joe Holcombe, 86, who lost nine members of his family spanning three generations, said he cant find anything bad in what happened because the way he sees it, his family is in a better place and hell get to see them someday.

Some people might not understand that response, but these folks are very, very devout, said Holcombes lawyer, Rob Ammons, who filed a civil claim against the Air Force last week that blames military officials for failing to alert the FBI about Kelleys criminal history  an error that allowed Kelley to buy firearms from licensed dealers.

With every ounce of Joe Holcombes being, he believes that all of these folks that passed are in a far better place, Ammons said. When he says its all good, you have to look at it through that lens for it to make sense.

Jimmy Stevens lost his sister, Peggy Warden, in the shooting. But now he said he has something to look forward to.

Some day well all join her. They always say there are no tears in heaven, but I think on that day there will be some happy tears.

Slowly moving on

When the Pomeroys opened up the free community meal again Thursday, Frank said he doubted how many would show up. All of the parishioners who were killed would regularly attend the meal. The others who came now were wounded or had lost those family members. Would the hall be empty?

But Brown showed up with bandages still wrapped around her legs from the four bullets. Workman attended despite having a child in the hospital. Holcombe, the only one left in her immediate family, came too. And so did other family and friends. It was almost a full house.

There are some things that are going to be very hard to accept  but we can adjust. And create life even when people find it difficult to see it as a possibility, Duffey said.

The Sutherland Springs residents ate hot dogs and Frito pie in that hall, and laughed about any old thing  like the size of mosquitoes in Alabama or the funny way they met.

A lot of people dont understand how we can go on and be laughing and get along with life  but you have to have those moments. You cant heal if you dont, Holcombe said as she gazed around at the grinning faces.

In a storage room nearby are hundreds of letters, gifts, artwork big and small, sent from across the world expressing condolences and sympathies.

Its so encouraging to see that people care, from all over the world, said Marina Pomeroy, Annabelles 19-year-old sister. I think thats whats kept me and my parents going  the outpouring of love.

The sanctuary remains a memorial, painted white with chairs and roses marking the people who were killed. Frank Pomeroy said a new temporary building that potentially could seat 200 people is being shipped and is expected to arrive Monday. The decision to either preserve or demolish the church has not yet been made, he said.

The Sutherland Springs Historical Museum had also gathered board members Thursday night to discuss the upcoming annual banquet. Also on their minds was how to represent this shooting in the towns history.

We realize this is now part of Sutherland Springs history, but we dont want it to be the predominant event, said Tambria Read, the museum chairwoman. This does not define us. Probably what defines is that we are resilient  over the centuries of flooding, episodes of fire, etc. We are resilient and we come together.

Read said they plan to set up a monitor that will show videos and play oral histories of community members. Theyll have a binder with a collection of news articles on the shooting, and pamphlets from the victims funerals, she said.

Holcombe said shes still searching, trying to discover a new purpose. She wants to find a way to help others.

Hug your friends and family, cherish every moment you have with them, she said. If you want to help, find someone in your community that needs help. Do something for them. There are others that need help right now, too, and there will be others like us.

When Frank Pomeroy walks by Annabelles room, hes overcome with the enormity of his loss. Sometimes, for a second, he questions why she had to be killed. But then he knows.

I went by her room and I had a moment, you know, where I thought, What did she do wrong? But my wife is right  she wouldnt have been able to handle it, having so much of her family gone. She couldnt do it.

Staff Writer John Tedesco contributed to this report.

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Since Edward Benavides resigned under a cloud of self-described negativity from the Tricentennial Commission in early November, sources close to the organization have portrayed him as an autocratic leader who rarely relied on input from the volunteer board of directors.

Benavides, who previously served as City Manager Sheryl Sculleys chief of staff, selected REO Speedwagon, a classic-rock band now playing the casino circuit, and Pat Benatar without consulting the commissions board of directors.

Those bands, who saw their heyday three decades ago, will headline the New Years Eve celebration kicking off San Antonios yearlong celebration of its first 300 years.

In all, five or six bands will play at the event with a total budgeted cost of $590,000.

The commission wasnt told it was going to be REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar until the last meeting that Edward ran on Nov. 8, said a source with knowledge about internal workings at the commission. There had been murmurs, but it was never, Hey, this is really what we were going for.  Up until that, everybody thought Shakira was going to play.

With less than a month left until the 300th kickoff on New Years Eve, major questions still loom about whether local leaders can salvage whats been largely seen as a foundering organization run by an autocratic leader who recently left his post.

An interim executive director has pledged to recast the Tricentennial Commission, in part by relying more on its board of directors to guide the celebrations trajectory.

Assistant City Manager Carlos Contreras, who was appointed by Sculley to oversee the organization after Benavides resigned, acknowledged in a City Hall interview leadership shortcomings by his predecessor.

Benavides resignation came just a few weeks after the San Antonio Express-News revealed improper handling of an exclusive media contract between the commission and KSAT-TV.

Benavides second-in-command, Asia Ciaravino, had spent months negotiating the terms of the agreement, and the station was poised to become the official partner when WOAI-TV officials caught wind and complained to Sculley in April 2016. The next day, Ciaravino issued a request for proposals to local television stations.

Every step of the way, Ciaravino kept in constant communication with Benavides, whose brother Brandon is an executive producer at KSAT.

The commission later unanimously selected KSAT and Univision  who has an employee serving on the commissions board.

Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff said that early on, the county recognized deficiencies in commission leadership and for all intents and purposes, separated ourselves completely and said were going to concentrate on our stuff  San Pedro Creek, or something else  and you go do your stuff.

Under Benavides, the commission also was hampered by lackluster fundraising. In its infancy, the commission dreamed of a budget exceeding $50 million, largely from private contributions. Now, the budget for private cash is set at about $10 million, and officials have announced only about $6 million in contributions.

The commission was aiming for Mars from the very beginning, said a source with knowledge of the boards work. Where it went wrong was expectations were mismanaged.

Benavides, who made $167,000 as Tricentennial CEO, is on leave from the city until January. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who inherited the Tricentennial mess and this fall took over as the organizations fundraiser-in-chief as efforts to obtain philanthropic contributions lagged, said hes been frustrated by lapses in judgment and poor decisions made by Benavides and the commission.

Beyond the fundraising part of it, which was kind of the tip of the iceberg, weve made some leadership change, obviously, in the CEO position. We are going to have a permanent CEO soon Nirenberg told the Express-News Editorial Board. Im working with the commission to bolster their executive committee so that we have proper financial oversight of all contracting issues that are happening there.

Nirenberg said hes also reminding the board members that City Hall would help any way it could, but this is their ship to operate.

Contreras, who has successfully navigated choppy waters on behalf of Sculley in the past, said he immediately instituted changes at the Tricentennial Commission.

The first thing thats different, perhaps, from what was the case before my time  is just more enhanced communication with the commissioners  the entire commission, Contreras said, in addition to that, with the council, and frankly, with the Bexar County Commissioners Court  and the public.

Contreras said hes initiated weekly communications to local leaders, and hes sped up an overhaul of the currently lacking web presence. Once thats done by mid-December, the recast website will include those weekly communications, he said.

Significant improvements were needed, according to previous and current commission members, as well an unnamed source with knowledge of internal workings of the Tricentennial Commission and its board.

The board isnt making a whole lot of decisions, the unnamed source said.

Two former commission board members  Blayne Tucker and T.C. Calvert  both said in interviews with the Express-News that they felt like their role on the board was merely to rubber stamp decisions made by Benavides and the commissions paid executive staff.

Thats a major issue thats changed, Contreras said.

In short order, he said, hell ask the board of directors to more specifically define the roles of its executive committee  comprising the president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.

In some cases, the executive committee will be asked to make decisions on behalf of the entire board. In other instances, Contreras said, the entire board will be required to vote on certain matters, like hiring a permanent executive director.

Nirenberg said he expects that to happen soon after the New Years Eve kickoff event. Meanwhile, former Doseum CEO Vanessa Hurd has transitioned into serving as a paid marketing consultant, Contreras said. Shes expected to bolster the commissions underwhelming public outreach efforts.

On Wednesday, Tricentennial officials plan to hold a news conference at which theyll update the public on the organizations fundraising efforts and officially name the entertainers performing on Dec. 31.

Theyre expected to announce more private contributions to the effort, including sponsorships for the New Years Eve event.

The commission expects to spend about $1.1 million for the celebration, but Contreras noted that the event would be supplemented by sponsors.

The Express-News previously has published that REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar are the events headliners. Also, the Last Bandoleros, a Tex-Mex/Pop-Rock group with ties to San Antonio, is booked to play one of the events two stages.

Though theres been much focus on New Years Eve, those closest to the Tricentennial often emphasize that the yearlong celebration isnt a party  its a commemoration of the founding of what became San Antonio and Bexar County.

Over the course of 2018, there will be hundreds of events, including service projects, educational exhibits and art openings.

The centerpiece of Tricentennial is Commemorative Week. It runs immediately after Fiesta ends, from May 1 to May 6.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said Bexar County is spending about $3 million on the Tricentennial and related projects  including an opera at Tobin Center for Performing Arts, fireworks shows at the historic missions and the oft-touted San Pedro Creek revitalization project.

In addition to those in-kind contributions, Bexar County also has contributed $288,000 to the Tricentennial Commission, including funds for for the publication of a commemorative book and a public-relations contract with KGB Texas.

Wolff said Bexar County also is flying in the duke of Bejar, a town in Spain, and his wife. The county also plans to hold a May 5 dedication declaring San Pedro Creek a cultural park.

The city of San Antonio has also made at least $6.5 million in in-kind contributions to the Tricentennial efforts on top of $2.3 million in cash contributions.

The county has a webpage dedicated specifically to its plans for the 300th anniversary celebrations  including its own logo, a quatrefoil adorned with 300th Anniversary San Antonio de Bejar, atop a sunburst.

Kevin Wolff said county officials doubted that the commission could run things appropriately but is pleased by the decision to appoint Contreras as the interim executive director.

I think Carlos is a good guy. I think hell do everything he can, he said. On one hand, Im happy the city is putting some serious, experienced management behind it. On the other, is it too late to fix everything? Probably so.

Contreras downplayed Wolffs statement that Bexar County has extricated itself from the Tricentennial, pointing out that Bexar County Heritage and Parks Director Betty Bueche attends all Tricentennial Commission members, and several county appointees serve on the commission board.

That includes former Councilman Mario Salas, who was appointed to succeed T.C. Calvert when he resigned from the board earlier this year.

Calvert said in an interview that neither Benavides nor the board ever relied on his experience as a concert promoter and felt like he was only there to rubber-stamp the executive directors decisions.

Communication failures continued after the appointment of Salas, who said Benavides did not respond to his requests for information on the number of minority-owned businesses hired by the commission.

I do have some concerns that I expressed to Edward before he left, Salas said. And I didnt get my questions answered because he left.

Salas said he posed the same questions to Contreras, who is working on getting those answers.

I did get a call back from Mr. Contreras in a very prompt way, he said. That was an improvement.

Contreras is juggling a number of requests for information and high-priority issues. Among them is an audit thats digging into the Tricentennial Commissions business practices. That will also look specifically at practices associated with the letting of every contract signed by Tricentennial officials.

Theres hope among local officials that the Wednesday announcement will spur excitement among San Antonians, though its unclear whether the commission can produce excitement in an undertaking beset by so many perceived failures.

I still think that everything is going to be wonderful. Without the scrutiny that we have had, I think that no one would have known the difference, said a source with information about the commissions inner workings. I dont think we need more money as much as we need people to get excited about it.

jbaugh@express-news.net
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WASHINGTON  Sen. Elizabeth Warren followed the script for potential Democratic presidential candidates when she sent out a video and then hopped on a Pod Save America broadcast for blasts at Trump administration efforts to defang an Obama-era consumer agency.

Bernie Sanders offered a Thanksgiving video to his 5 million Facebook followers, albeit none-too-cheery: Almost every day, there is something coming out of the White House that is, that is destructive, that is horrific.

Julian Castro last week seized on a now-canceled plan by the Trump administration to cut spending to help homeless veterans even as a new study found more vets on the street.

Shameful. Under President (Barack) Obama, we reduced veterans homelessness by 47 percent since 2010. Now it just rose for the first time since and (President Donald) Trump wants to cut the funding. Terrible for veterans, Castro, a former San Antonio mayor and U.S. housing secretary, tweeted to his 104,000 followers.

For those who may be lining up to seek the next Democratic nomination for president, social media is a bigger part of the playbook than ever before, the key for fundraising, communicating and standing out in what may turn into the largest field ever of primary competitors.

More than two-dozen Democrats are mentioned as potential 2020 candidates, from well-known figures like Joe Biden and Sanders to a half-dozen U.S. senators, a handful of House members and an array of young politicians barely known.

The prescription for preparing to run has varied little over the years: Line up well-heeled donors; hone a distinguishing message; and become known to the tiny universes of voters in Iowa and New Hampshire who can propel candidates or swiftly burst their bubbles.

Social media have become an integral part of all those goals, strategists say, even more so than in the last election that ended with Trump in the White House.

Online fundraising has democratized fundraising in a huge way, said Mark Mellman, a pollster who has advised Democratic candidates since the 1980s.

Jeremy Bird, field director in Obamas 2012 re-election campaign, said the imperatives of building a candidacy have been fundamentally transformed.

There are so many advances in technology and digital and analytics in how you distribute your message and organize volunteers to maximize efficiencies. But at the end of the day, you still have to be a really good candidate with a great message, he said.

Trump  with a Twitter following that has grown to 44 million  exploded the primary playbook in many ways, using Twitter to rouse a base of support and Facebook to raise $260 million.

Likewise, Sanders never could have competed with Hillary Clintons money juggernaut without the $40 million-plus a month he received in online contributions.

Tactics have evolved since the 2016 campaign.

The presidents re-election effort recently announced new methods, airing pro-Trump interviews in response to the bias in reporting by many mainstream media outlets.

On Nov. 30, the first segments across social media featured Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law, in Palm Beach, Florida, interviewing a former congresswoman on the benefits of the GOP tax bill.

Podcasts have emerged as a potent vehicle for candidates, among them Pod Save the World, an irreverent, profane and often hilarious discussion about news and public policy founded by three former Obama administration staffers.

The twice-weekly program, which draws 1.5 million listeners, already has featured several potential Democratic primary contestants.

Castro was a guest last spring on another new podcast, the Axe Files, the creation of former Obama strategist David Axelrod.

Its altogether possible that Ill run again, for something, Castro hinted when pressed by Axelrod about his future plans.

Castro, 43, hasnt spoken publicly about his intentions since acknowledging Nov. 5 that he might make the race.

If he chooses to run, he likely would join several Democrats roughly the same age who believe their party will opt for generational change rather than picking Biden, now 75, or Sanders, 76, if they run.

Castro, who left his job as Housing and Urban Development secretary in January, lacks a platform that gives potential rivals a daily forum for commentary. But hes active on social media, in recent weeks even tweeting out family photos of himself and twin brother, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, at age 3.

He traveled to Florida and New Jersey recently and was scheduled to deliver a speech this weekend in Phoenix at the Maricopa County Democratic Party winter convention.

Castro is raising money for his Opportunity First PAC to support candidates next year. And the memoir hes finishing while lecturing at the University of Texas at Austin is expected to be published in late 2018, about the time he would be making final preparations for a candidacy.

Bird observed that being out of office gives a candidate more time to plan and campaign.

He recalled that Howard Dean, whod been governor of Vermont until 2003, had that flexibility when he ran for the Democratic nomination in 2004. Dean won the Iowa caucuses that year, but his campaign faltered.

Bird believes that 2020 candidates should not be actively running this early, given Democrats need to focus energy and resources on midterm elections next year. But those mulling a run should be keeping in mind the make-it-or-break-it imperative of Iowa and early contests, he said.

You have to think through the demographics of those states and figure out who youre going to build long-term relationships with. Right now, your focus isnt on caucus or primary voters, its on the people who are paying attention  the activists who are going to be your volunteer leaders and the (money) bundlers. Those are the relationships to build now, he said.

Erik Smith, a Washington-based media strategist, observed that podcasts are among the best new means for building support nationally. New digital tools bring the power of big blue states, largely ignored because of their predictability, back into the primary equation, he said.

Changes digitally enable activists to subscribe to the candidates they like and mobilize on their behalf when necessary in a way that has never happened before, Smith said.

Candidates wouldnt worry about San Francisco and New York City except for fundraising. Now, places that are hotbeds of left-of-center activism can generate a lot of support for candidates, whether it be fundraising, organizing or phone banks to competitive states, he said.

Potent anti-Trump organizing around the country presents another new dynamic for the Democrats primary season. Most notable is the Indivisible Movement, which claims 6,000 affiliated groups, a liberal answer to the tea party that was co-founded by Ezra Levin, a former staffer for U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio.

Brad Anderson, Obamas Iowa director in 2012, noted the impact in rural Iowa counties, where 20 people used to turn out for a Democratic Party event.

Now, youll have 50, maybe even 100 show up, he said. A lot of that is due to the groups that have formed online and the resistance movement that has taken hold.

He added: The old days of just trying to get on the front page of the New York Times has shifted to what is going to be that one-minute or two-minute clip that will get in front of the eyes of every progressive Democrat in Iowa and the early states?

Twitter is especially important at this juncture, Rice University political science Professor Mark Jones said.

The people candidates are targeting today arent rank-and-file November voters and in many respects, arent even the rank-and-file primary voters. Theyre activists, elites and other influentials who help drive public opinion and support for candidates, he said.

The 2020 competition appears likely to be front-loaded like never before, given Californias recent decision to join Texas and several more states in picking nominees on March 2. The prospect of Democrats settling on a candidate so early adds to the pressure of breaking through in Iowa or New Hampshire.

U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, the only Democrat to have formally declared, is fully on board with an early retail strategy. Hes held more than 80 events in Iowa and New Hampshire this year and promises 500 in the opening two states by the end of 2018.

Last weekend alone, Delaney, 54, a wealthy three-term moderate, visited 10 Iowa counties, including a stop in the town of Keosauqua, population 936, at the home of a woman named Twyla Peacock.

In an interview, Delaney said that hes following the 1970s strategy pioneered by Jimmy Carter, who had delivered 200 speeches in Iowa and around the country before another Democrat entered the race.

Im doing it the old-fashioned way, Delaney said. There is a lot of energy fighting all the bad things Trump is doing. But Democrats also need to lay out what were going to do for the American people. Because theyre not going to vote for us just for telling them how bad Trump is.

blambrecht@express-news.net
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The road to Roy Moores world view runs through San Antonio.

Moore, the embattled Republican candidate in Alabamas Dec. 12 special election for the U.S. Senate, is a Christian culture warrior who has based his political career on the issue of morality, yet finds himself accused of multiple incidents of predatory behavior with teenage girls.

One of Moores guiding lights on the Christian right has been former San Antonio pastor Doug Phillips, who ran the Vision Forum ministry and home-schooling curriculum program.

Like Moore, Phillips has preached a brand of traditional values that extends all the way back to the ancient traditions of the Old Testament. And like Moore, Phillips found himself confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Phillips, who now is listed as living with his family in the Vienna, Virginia, home of his late father, could not be reached for comment on his relationship with Moore.

Moore and Phillips collaborated in 2011 on a seven-unit home-schooling study course (currently selling for $74.85 on Amazon) that included a lecture from William O. Einwechter, a teacher elder at Immanuel Reformed Church.

Einwechter argued that women shouldnt run for office and true Christians shouldnt consider voting for them. Its a startling theory that nonetheless feels at home next to the homilies offered by Moore and Phillips.

The connection between More and Phillips runs much deeper than a single study course. Going back to 1999, Moore served on the faculty of Vision Forums School of Law and Public Policy, an impressive name for what amounted to nothing more than a four-day course for men (and only men) about biblical principles.

The Foundation for Moral Law, an Alabama nonprofit for which Moore served as president before being elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (prompting his wife, Kayla, to succeed him as president), published a gushing review of a Phillips CD series, Mysteries of the Ancient World: A Christian Interpretation of Great Controversies of Earth History.

The Constitution Party, which was formed by Phillips father, Howard, in 1992 under the name of the U.S. Taxpayer Party, tried to get Moore to run as its presidential nominee in 2004. And Moore, in a 2008 lecture, said he envied Doug Phillips because the pastor can round up these young men that are going to make a difference in our nation.

Phillips rounded up those men behind a Christian patriarchal movement also known as Quiverfull.

The central idea behind that movement is that men are the lords of the household, that women should submit to their men (sexually and in every other way), that girls should not date before marriage and that fathers should pick out the proper suitors for their daughters.

Wives, in Phillips world, are their husbands completers, should stay home with the kids and, above all, should learn not to nag their spouses, lest they push those men into sinful ways.

If it all sounds like a strange cultural echo from an earlier century, thats the way Phillips liked it.

The Bible says that man is not made for the woman but the woman is made for the man, Phillips told a crowd a decade ago at a homeschool convention in Worcester, Massachusetts, according to Kathryn Joyce, the author of Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement. Phillips added: If you have a problem with that, take it up with the Creator, not Phillips.

Phillips San Antonio-based empire collapsed four years ago when the father of eight confessed to an improper extramarital relationship.

In April 2014, his former nanny, Lourdes Torres-Manteufel, filed suit against him in Bexar County District Court. She alleged that Phillips groomed Torres-Manteufel from age 15 to be his personal sex object and repeatedly groped her and rubbed his private parts against her.

The case was resolved with an undisclosed settlement in 2016.

One of the strangest items in the lawsuit involved Phillips allegedly promising Torres-Manteufel that he would marry her, with the assurance that his wife would die shortly.

In fact, Phillips wife, Beall, is very much alive and recently launched a blog (Bealls Blog) largely devoted to her thoughts about turning 50.

One moment we were surrounded by many, and another almost completely alone, she writes on her blog. Some people spoke painful truths into our lives. Others tried to profit by spreading epic falsehood.

Moore very well could make it to the U.S. Senate next week by clinging to a similar argument that his accusers are spreading epic falsehood.

In the face of sexual assault allegations, Phillips lost just about everything he had. And that might be the one major difference between him and Moore.

ggarcia@express-news.net
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AUSTIN  With billions of dollars in state budget challenges and a lieutenant governor pushing an aggressive conservative agenda that includes curtailing local power to raise property taxes, the race for Texas House speaker could determine the future of the state and the Republican Party.

Moderate Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, and his team this year served as a foil to a number of Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks most cherished ideas.

Among the most high-profile were proposals to require automatic rollback elections if local governments take in tax revenue over a certain amount; restrict the public restrooms that transgender people can use; and provide financial assistance for private school tuition.

All were predicted to have potentially significant fiscal implications.

The rollback measure was fought by cities and counties that said it would impair their ability to provide public safety services. The Senate ended up rejecting a House measure that Patrick and others said didnt go far enough.

The bathroom bill prompted threats and fears of economy-roiling boycotts since its viewed as discriminatory.

The private school voucher idea, even in limited form, has been repeatedly rejected by a strong House majority  not just by Straus leadership team. Some worry about taking money from the public school system that will continue to serve the majority of Texas students, particularly since its likely that there would be a push to expand any initial voucher program.

Patrick is expected to win re-election next year. A key ally, Sen. Paul Bettencourt, indicated during a Friday speech at the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association annual meeting that Straus departure is playing into Patricks calculations for the 2019 legislative session.

Bettencourt, R-Houston, said Patrick believes that because of one key retirement in the House (namely Straus) theres a better chance for a property tax relief bill he wants.

Straus, at the same conference, focused on policy basics. With regard to property taxes, he reiterated that the best way to reduce the burden is to invest more state money in public schools, which rely heavily on local property taxes.

He wasnt above a swipe at Bettencourt, congratulating conference-goers for listening to some very thoughtful, insightful and wise discussion about policy issues facing the state, then adding, I understand that this morning you heard from a senator as well.

Whether the next speaker will push back on the agenda propelled through the Senate by Patrick is an open question, and one that will affect the GOP and all Texans in ways yet to be seen.

A number of moderate Republicans, business interests and local officials see danger to the GOP in an agenda that puts the squeeze on local services and targets vulnerable populations, worrying that this eventually will turn off voters. Conservative Republicans say their agenda is intended to protect peoples privacy and their pocketbooks and that to do less is to abandon the people who elected them in the primaries.

The change in House leadership comes as the state budget picture continues to be tight.

Hurricane Harvey damage will cost the state $1.5 billion, according to the latest estimate by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Lawmakers will have to come up with $2 billion more to fund the state share of Medicaid through the end of the current budget cycle. They also have used $563 million intended for health and human services to pay for public education and retired teachers health-related costs  money that will have to be repaid.

That adds up to $4 billion that lawmakers will have to find in 2019 before they even start writing the next budget, which will carry its own spending pressures. And they arent expected to have any serious surplus to help address it. They have a nearly $11 billion rainy day fund, but beyond paying for Harvey, theres little agreement on whether to spend it.

The House Republican Caucus on Friday amended its rules to try to ensure that it has more sway in the speaker election by having its members agree on a candidate. The change  while not binding members votes  is touted as paving the way for a more conservative leader than Straus, who initially was elected with significant support from outnumbered Democrats.

But House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, said there are no guarantees in the speakers race, in which votes can be personally driven and are confined to one chamber, despite the statewide effect of the Houses choice. He called the race the most painful, agonizing, disconcerting thing a member will go through.

If anybody attempts to tell you who the speaker is going to be now, Bonnen said, theyre crazy.

pfikac@express-news.net | Twitter: @pfikac
Katherine Stinson, known in her prime as the first woman and only the fourth American pilot to perform a loop maneuver, belonged to a prominent aviation family of the early 1900s and was perhaps the greatest female aviator in history.

Born in Fort Payne, Alabama, on Feb. 14, 1891, and reared in Mississippi, Stinsons first passion was the piano. In hopes of studying music in Europe, she persuaded her parents to let her earn money as a stunt pilot to cover costs. A 2006 childrens book, Katherine Stinson Otero: High Flyer, by Neila Skinner Petrick, described a 1911 hot air balloon ride believed to have instilled in her a dream of flying. Some have said Stinson sold her piano to pay for flying lessons.

She asked famed aviator Max Lillie of Chicago to train her, and was initially rebuffed. He relented, and after Stinson had four hours of instruction, she was able to fly on her own, convincing Lillie to teach her stunt flying.

At 21, on July 12, 1912, Stinson became the fourth American woman to earn a pilots license, qualifying at Cicero Field in a near-west Chicago suburb. Known as the Flying Schoolgirl, she toured the country, entertaining thousands of awe-struck spectators with acrobatic moves at county and state fairs. She performed death-defying multiple loops in a plane she had built herself, and later added a wing-over-wing twist to the maneuver, dubbing it the dippy twist loop. As her love of flying and celebrity following grew, her dream of pursuing a career in music faded.

In 1913, Stinson and her mother, Emma, founded the Stinson Aviation Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Stinson made her first air mail flight and performed an exhibition at the Montana State Fair that same year. According to the San Antonio Light, Stinson told the newspaper in 1914 that even though stunt flying paid well, she believed there is a great future for the aeroplane as a factor in commercial progress.

Like others in the early days of aviation, Katherine Stinson was drawn to San Antonio, which enjoyed a mild climate. Her younger siblings, Marjorie, Eddie and Jack, also pursued careers in aviation. Lillie had secured permission from the U.S. Army to turn Fort Sam Houstons parade grounds into a flying field. The rest of the family joined Katherine in the Alamo City and formed the Stinson School of Flying, where she oversaw construction and repair of planes and managed the air field, while honing her flying skills. By 1916, the flying school had expanded to the area renamed in 1919 as Stinson Municipal Airport, which was enlarged and modernized by the Works Progress Administration in the late 1930s. It still remains in operation.

Today Stinson Municipal Airport, named for the Stinson family, is a primary reliever for San Antonio International Airport, helping ease congestion at peak times, and has 100,000 operations (takeoffs and landings) a year. It serves private aviation companies, light aircraft and corporate jets and is home to the Sky Safety Flight School, in addition to hosting Palo Alto Colleges aviation management program, according to Morris Martin, airport manager. Alamo Helicopter Tours is based there, as well as service and maintenance operations. The airport has two intersecting runways, the longest of which is 5,000 feet. Martin likes to point out that the airport is rich in history, but poised for the future with plans for a new air traffic control tower, more parking and places for commercial development.

Marjorie and Eddie Stinson trained at the Wright brothers school in Dayton, Ohio. From 1914-1915, Marjorie, then 19 and the worlds youngest female pilot, was an instructor at the Stinson Flying School, training pilots from Canada and all over the United States. She later was a barnstormer known as the Flying Schoolmarm. She died in 1975 at age 79.

Eddie, a mechanic at the school, later became an instructor at Kelly Field and later was a test pilot and aircraft manufacturer. He died in a Jan. 26, 1932, crash in one of his own aircraft in Chicago. Jack Stinson became an aeronautical engineer. He died in 1976.

Katherine Stinson, described as youthful looking, about 5-foot-3 and just over 100 pounds, was credited with being the first pilot to fly at night. In 1915, she flew over Los Angeles, using magnesium flares to spell out CAL, and becoming the first pilot to perform nighttime skywriting. The following year, she became the first woman to fly in the Far East. She became a celebrity in Japan, where fan clubs formed in honor of the Air Queen, and performed 32 flights in China, including a private exhibition for national leaders there.

Stinson became the first woman commissioned as a mail pilot. Before her performance in 1915 at the Southern Arizona Fairgrounds in Tucson, she had dropped bags of mail by the downtown post office in the first official air mail delivery in Arizona. The Arizona Republic newspaper proclaimed, It seems to be quite clear that women do not intend to be content with remaining on the earth during the dawn of the great new era of the air.

Katherines brilliant smile, gentle grace and superb flying skills endeared her to Tucsonans during her performance, the Arizona Daily Star recalled in an article on Aug. 20, 2017.

In 1917, Stinson set a distance record of 610 miles, flying from San Diego, over the mountains of Southern California to San Francisco, and carried mail a record 783 miles from Chicago to New York. In Texas, she was credited with the first night flight in San Antonio; Seguins first air mail delivery; and a nonstop flight from El Paso to San Antonio.

Edmonton was the first destination for air mail in western Canada, thanks to Stinson, who delivered 259 letters in a specially built biplane after a two-hour flight from Calgary on July 9, 1918, the Edmonton Journal reported in 2006. The 88th anniversary of that flight was commemorated at the Albert Aviation Museum with the unveiling of a replica of of the Curtiss Special she flew.

According to Stinson biographer Debra Winegarten, author of Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl, little flying had occurred in Canada, and there was no military air service when Stinson toured the country, doing exhibition flights for civilians and Canadian Army camps.

When the country entered World War I, the U.S. Army, which only trained men to fly in combat, twice rejected Stinsons pilot application. She kept flying to raise funds for the American Red Cross, and volunteered as a Red Cross ambulance driver in the war. Her exposure to cold and the rigors of duty in Europe left Stinson with influenza during a 1918 epidemic.

After the war, she developed tuberculosis and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to recover. While trying to live an easier lifestyle, she studied architecture and designed apartments with Spanish mission and Pueblo Indian influences through the 1930s. In 1927, Stinson married Miguel Otero Jr., a veteran airman who later became a judge.

Stinson was bedridden for about 15 years before she died at age 86 in Santa Fe on July 8, 1977. She was buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery and hailed as the worlds greatest woman pilot.

Katherine Stinson Middle School opened in 1991 in San Antonios Northside Independent School District, which recognizes her as a person who demonstrated true pioneer spirit, leadership, creativity and courage in her pursuit of excellence, according to the school website. In October, a 1918 Curtiss JN-4D Jenny aircraft, like the one she had flown to support the Red Cross, was place on public display in Terminal B of San Antonio International Airport.
A total of 388 domestic and international companies participated in the Korean textile fair Preview in Seoul (PIS) - a global textile and fashion fair that has helped expand the export of domestic textiles and fashion while stimulating domestic trade. The fair, held during August 28-30 in Seoul, was initiated in 2000 and celebrated its 18th anniversary.A large number of innovative and creative products representing every aspect of the textile industry were on display. Among them were threads differentiated to meet the changing lifestyles of customers, eco-friendly and functional materials, knitwear, accessories, subsidiary materials, digital textile printing (DTP) and sewing machines.

A total of 388 domestic and international companies participated in the Korean textile fair Preview in Seoul (PIS) - a global textile and fashion fair that has helped expand the export of domestic textiles and fashion while stimulating domestic trade. The fair, held during August 28-30 in Seoul, was initiated in 2000 and celebrated its 18th anniversary.#

There was a special Trend Forum Hall, which showed the latest materials at a Glance. The fair featured exciting concurrent events such as a fashion show, seminar, bazaar and job fair. The fair was based on the concept "ReMix#ReSet," referring to domains and barriers among industries as important keys and the rise of a new domain by integrating them.Among the participating companies, 257 were from Korea including Hyosung, Kolon Fashion Material, Hanil Synthetic Fiber (thread), Shinhung, Seong-An, Shinhan Industrial (fabric), Sealon, Gio-Lite Lumian (subsidiary), D-gen, Three Leaf Clover (DTP), Youngone, Ledome and a mid-grade designer's brand (fashion clothes).Young Textile (ultralight thermal and high-strength nylon), One Chang (light nylon), and Texland and Nexko (functional safety material) participated in Premiere Vision and Tex World to introduce the excellence of Korean materials. The three showed plenty of materials they recently developed at the PIS.Fashion Fair had a showroom operated by the Korean Apparel Industry Association which featured Ledomes designer brand, around 50 companies such as SEKANSKEEN, Doucan, THEaStory and BeBe n BiNo. It also had a common hall for leading Korean fashion companies and association members, and fashion companies popular in China as well as Korea such as C&C Korea, Noble Mink and Wide International.A total of 131 companies from 16 countries and regions also participated in the show. Of these, 94 companies were from mainland China, 11 were from India, eight companies each were from Taiwan and Southeast Asia, five were from Pakistan and two companies were from Japan. There were global fibre companies such as Lenzing (Austria), Shima Seiki (Japan), Everlast (Taiwan), Heng Li and Sheng Hong Group (Mainland China), and those from India and Taiwan.A Kofoti source said, "PIS this year was a total fibre fashion fair in which materials, fashion and lifestyle were gathered at one site, and it featured connected events that communicated with visitors and helped solve youth unemployment such as a fashion show, bazaar and job fair. We plan to reinforce consultations on real orders, the original purpose of the fair, by inviting promising buyers at home and abroad and holding business exchanges." (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Bitdefender Holding B.V., a Bucharest, Romania- abd Santa Clara, CA-based global cybersecurity technology company, received a significant minority investment from Vitruvian Partners.

Vitruvian has acquired a stake of approximately 30% in the company from existing shareholder Axxess Capital, which valued the business at over $600 million. Following the deal, the private equity firm has become the second-largest shareholder with co-founders Mariuca and Florin Talpes continuing to hold the majority stake.

A group of private investors hold a minority stake in the company.

Led by Florin Talpes, Founder and CEO, Bitdefender provides an IT security software to government organizations, large enterprises, SMEs, and private individuals in over 150 countries.

The company also provides Bitdefender BOX, a hardware based IoT security solution that offers the ability to protect all the connected devices present in the household, even those which cannot be protected by traditional security software.

The 500 million endpoints protected form a security network that provides Bitdefender with real-time feedback from around the globe.

Globally, Bitdefender employs 1,300 staff across nine offices and has a network of more than 7,000 reseller partners.

FinSMEs

03/12/2017
The Edgewater Funds, a Chicago, IL-based private equity firm, closed its fourth growth fund, at over $1 billion.

Limited partners of Edgewater Growth Capital Partners IV include private and public pensions, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

The Edgewater Funds focuses on funding middle market companies adding value through capital, experience and its network.

Edgewater has $2.7 billion in committed capital.

FinSMEs

03/12/2017
New Delhi: A team of CBI officers will attend the extradition trial of industrialist Vijay Mallya, who is facing a probe by the agency into alleged loan defaults of over Rs 9,000 crore, in a London court from Monday.

India's case to bring back the 61-year old businessman will be represented through the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of the British government. CBI sources said the team led by Special Director Rakesh Asthana left for London on Sunday and would remain present during the trial starting at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Mallya, who had shifted to the UK in March 2016, is wanted in India on charges relating to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines defaulting on loans from various Indian banks amounting to Rs. 9,000 crore.

The former Rajya Sabha member had said during his numerous court appearances in London over the last few months that he had "done nothing wrong" and described the allegations against him as "fabricated".

The trial starting on Monday will be heard by Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot who, in a previous hearing, had highlighted prison conditions as a concern that has been "raised in extraditions to India before".

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian government, has told the court that the Indian authorities foresaw this as an issue and has been "engaged on the matter".

The extradition trial itself, to be presided over by Judge Arbuthnot, is listed for hearings until 14 December, with 6 and 8 December so far marked as non-sitting days. A judgment in the case is not expected until early next year.

If the judge rules in favour of extradition at the end of the trial, UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd must order Mallya's extradition within two months. However, the case can go through a series of court appeals before the actual extradition order can be issued.

India and the UK have an Extradition Treaty dating back to 1992 but so far only one extradition has taken place from the UK to India under the arrangement. Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel, wanted in connection with the post-Godhra riots of 2002, was extradited. But, unlike Mallya, he had submitted to the extradition order without a legal challenge.

Mallya, who was based at his Hertfordshire estate called Ladywalk in the village of Tewin, around 48 kms from London, had responded with a firm "no" on being formally asked in court if he consented to being extradited to India on the charges relating to his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines.
After 'Swag Se Swagat', Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif nail another song with 'Dil Diyan Gallan' from Tiger Zinda Hai. While the former was a typical party number, the latter is a love song. The song shows Khan's efforts to woo Kaif, whose character is miffed with him. From whipping up breakfast, filling the street with lamps and putting a ring on her finger, Khan plays the perfect lover in the song.

'Dil Diyan Gallan' has been sung by Atif Aslam, who is known for lending his voice to superhit romantic numbers such as 'Pehli Nazar Mein', 'Piya O Re Piya' and 'Jeena Jeena', more recently. Talented music duo Vishal-Shekhar have composed the song and brought Irshad Kamil's lyrics to life. While Swag Se Swagat was very upbeat, 'Dil Diyan Gallan' sounds old-fashioned but sweet and could bring out the diversity in the film's musical landscape.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and backed by Yash Raj Films; the film is slated for a 22 December release this year. From the looks of the trailer, it can be said that the lead actors will carry off another high-stakes rescue operation. Angad Bedi and Paresh Rawal are also playing pivotal roles in this action-thriller.

Watch the song here:
Director Quentin Tarantino's untitled film about Manson Family murders has got a release date.

The film will release on 19 August, 2019, reported Variety. The date carries a symbolic importance, as it marks the 50th anniversary of Sharon Tate/Manson Family murders.

The project will be distributed by Sony Pictures. The ace director has met several A-listers of Hollywood about the project.

This will be the first time when Tarantino is not partnering with The Weinstein Company, which is facing uncertainty in the wake of Harvey Weinstein scandal. The 54-year-old filmmaker said he knew about Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual harassment towards a number of women but regrets about not doing enough to prevent the sexual misconduct that the females in the industry had to suffer at the hands of the disgraced media mogul.

The project will be produced by David Heyman, Tarantino and Shannon McIntosh, with Georgia Kacandes as executive producer. The shooting will start next year.
In a large country like India which has a staggering population of 1.32 billion people and prides itself in its unity and diversity, who decides what's sexy and what isn't? At a time when social awareness and the fight for equality is at an all-time high, can someone actually define the sensibility of the average Indian in an attempt to refine it?

Controversies surrounding the Sanal Kumar Sasidharan-directed S Durga seem to suggest that Indians are infants who must be spoon-fed from time to time about the difference between what is real as opposed to what is reel.

This Malayalam movie, originally titled Sexy Durga, ran into trouble with the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) and after the filmmaker rather reluctantly accepted the suggestion for a title change, the movie had its Indian premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival. In the three screenings held in various parts of the city, the movie received standing ovations and was lauded for its technical aspects as well as the uncomfortable questions posed by the director to the society.

As the movie continued its journey from one festival to the next, the controversy surrounding the movie grew to a gargantuan proportion and it has now reached a point where it has turned into one man's battle against the system. It has enough material to serve as the plot for a full-blown commercial movie, unlike the ones made by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan.

The issue began when S Durga, along with the Marathi movie Nude, was rejected by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India, despite being selected by the jury of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The first seeds of protest were sown when filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh resigned as the jury chairman of the 48th edition of this film festival.

Firstpost caught up with Kannan Nayar and Arun Sol, the two actors who play principal characters in this movie to get further insights into this issue.

Talking about the main contention, both actors believe that the title works perfectly for the movie, as it is the very name of the central character whilst also being a social commentary on how we simultaneously treat women as goddesses and as sex objects the very next moment, without realising the grave irony in our behaviour. "It is a movie on sexual harassment and how this behaviour is perpetrated as second nature. There are no digs at caste or religion or politics. There is no nudity or vulgarity or titillation in the movie," says Arun, pleading to the powers that be to allow the movie to be screened for everyone and allow them to have an insight into the duality of peoples actions and thoughts.

As someone who has been at the centre of the entire controversy that unfolded in IFFI Goa, Kannan seems to be comparatively less composed than his co-star and sounded infuriated with the entire proceedings. "The film festival should be called a drama festival because of the amount of acting and unnecessary scenes staged by the festival committee," lambasts Kannan. Calling out the committee for delaying the screening of the movie despite the filmmaker having acquired the necessary documents and the court order, Kannan says, "They were inventing excuses. Each and every time they found a new reason to make us run around in circles without a clear end in sight. It is nothing but a criminal conspiracy."

After chasing the festival committee members for days on end to get them to screen a movie that was selected by the same committee, Kannan believes the turning point came when he voiced his difficulties on an open forum during the festival and the national media picked up the issue from there. "The lethargy and willful delay in doing their job is appalling. The festival committee members acted as mere puppets," laments Kannan, as he talks about the state of a movie which has been screened at over 60 international film festivals.

Expressing disbelief over how the same movie is viewed differently by neighbouring states, the actors spoke about how the Mumbai Film Festival not only acknowledged the movie's ambition but also gave it a special jury award. Despite the growing accolades garnered by the movie across the world and the appreciation it has received from cinephiles in Mumbai, the movie is now being discussed for the title and not its content.

According to Arun, the only silver lining amidst was the backing of the original committee members who tried their best to get the movie screened at the festival, as well as the national media. While the movie did receive support from the mainstream media considering that Sasidharan went against the might of I&B ministry, the silence from the regional media and Malayalam film industry is startling. It is the first Malayalam movie to win an award in Yugoslavia and one of the very few movies to be celebrated worldwide. It is just disappointing that my film industry didnt quite back the movie when we needed their support, says Arun. He adds that it was extremely saddening sight to see a filmmaker holding a placard and protesting for the screening of a critically acclaimed film.

Accusing certain sections of the Kerala film industry of harbouring pre-conceived notions and enmity against the filmmaker for his political affiliation in the past, Kannan was further disgruntled by the fact that the makers felt helpless even though a considerable number of IFFI delegates were from Kerala. In Kerala, they see Sasidharan as a sanghi and the ones on the outside see him as a staunch leftist. He is lost in the middle.

Kannan believes that the injustice meted out to the movie and the collective silence exhibited by the Malayalam film industry and influencers is the start of a very dangerous slide. It is the collective downfall of certain intellectuals in the cinema fraternity. The selectiveness and favouritism in their criticism and outrage is a reflection of how their progressiveness is just a facade, says Kannan, and the sense of resignation is evident from his tone.

With the certification delayed and the director preparing to fight out this battle in the courts, the movie will continue to be in the news for unnecessary reasons. The title was not used for publicity. The subject and treatment warranted such a title. I just dont know how this snowballed into such a major issue, says Arun, emphasising why art continues to be censored and restricted excessively.

Almost all the actors of S Durga are debutants, and as a result of the movie not getting a wide release, all their careers have been put on a temporary hold because of the negative publicity surrounding their maiden venture. To be honest, I took up the movie because it was directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan. I trusted his sensibilities and abilities. This is his movie and this particular subject deserves an audience. Our personal career is less important than the movie and thats how it will be, said Arun in a defiant tone defending his movie S### Durga.
Editor's note: In a prolific career spanning nearly four decades, Satyajit Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries and shorts. His films have received worldwide critical acclaim and won him several awards, honours and recognition  both in India and elsewhere. In this column starting 25 June 2017, we discuss and dissect the films of Satyajit Ray (whose 96th birth anniversary was this May), in a bid to understand what really makes him one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century.

It is a well-known fact by now that Satyajit Ray came from an illustrious family of artists, writers, mathematicians, sportsmen, publishers and musicians  all of whom played important roles in what is now known as the Renaissance of Bengal. His own father, Sukumar Ray, was a luminary of the highest order  a literary mind with a fertile imagination, a fantastic sense of humour, and an undying passion for enriching young minds through childrens literature. When young Satyajit was just two and a half years old, his father passed away at the age of thirty-six, after battling an incurable disease for several long years. In that sense, Satyajit Ray never met his father but if one were to go through the literary and visual works of Sukumar Ray carefully, one can clearly see where his son  inarguably one of the greatest creative minds of the twentieth century  got his artistic genes from. In the year 1987, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Sukumar Ray, his son Satyajit Ray made a documentary film on his life and works, as a tribute to a father he only knew through his writings, sketches and letters.

The documentary begins with a detailed look at Sukumar Rays family background, especially at his father  the renowned publisher, writer and entrepreneur Upendrakishore Ray (whose short story Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne was adapted by Satyajit Ray for the screen). From the documentary, we know that Sukumar Rays literary ambitions began quite early in his life, and that when he was in college, he had founded a club named The Nonsense Club  whose primary objective was the pursuit and perusal of the genre of nonsense literature. It was for the handwritten magazine of this club that Sukumar wrote two famous plays Jhalapala and Lakshamaner Shaktishel. The documentary shows two scenes from the two plays, enacted by such stalwarts of cinema and stage as Utpal Dutt, Soumitra Chatterjee and Manoj Mitra. Laced with subtle humour, wordplay, wit and sarcasm, the two scenes immediately make it evident why Sukumar Ray is considered to be one of the most renowned humourists in Indian literature.

Later, as we are told, Upendrakishore sent his son to London and Manchester, where Sukumar learnt the crafts of photoengraving, chromolithography and litho-drawing over a period of two years. Upon his return to India, Sukumar married Suprabha, and began helping his father publish a childrens magazine named Sandesh. This remarkable magazine is a treasure trove of stories, plays, poetry and articles on subjects as varied as science, sports, mythology, history, geography and the arts  with riddles and puzzles and beautiful illustrations meant to enrich the impressionable minds of young readers. Two years later, after Upendrakishores sudden death, the responsibility of running Sandesh came upon Sukumar Ray. Under his care and nurturing, Sandesh became an important milestone for childrens reading in Bengal, with literary contributions from such eminent people as his fathers friend and contemporary  none other than Rabindranath Tagore himself.

Sukumar Ray was also an active member of the Brahmo Samaj in Calcutta, and from the documentary, we learn that he played an important role in electing Rabindranath Tagore as an honorary member of the Brahmo Samaj. Among Sukumar Rays other achievements was the founding of the Monday Club in Calcutta  whose members were invited and encouraged to hold healthy and erudite discussions on any subject of their choice. It was, without a shred of doubt, a meeting of some of the most brilliant minds of those times to discuss politics, philosophy, science, poetry, literature and art. Yet, they never sacrificed the underlying allegiance to humour, as was evident from the many pamphlets, posters, and flyers designed by Sukumar himself, making important announcements and invitations in the wittiest of ways.

In 1921, the same year that his son Satyajit was born, Sukumar Ray fell ill, and was diagnosed with a severe form of infectious fever, the notorious Kala-azar, for which no cure existed during those days. What is most astonishing to note is that it was while he was battling this fatal disease that he wrote two of his best books  Ha Ja Ba Ra La (inspired by Lewis Carols Alice in Wonderland) and Abol Tabol. How an ailing man battling for his life could write something so beautiful, so rich and so dense with remarkable ideas and unbridled imagination, and so full of life and laughter  one can only wonder. He had an undying passion to tell children the most wondrous stories from all around the world  of understanding their little minds and letting their imagination run free and of excelling in the serious business of nonsense art. His spirit to fight and write till his last breath and all of these great qualities will endear Sukumar Ray to his readers for generations to come. For here was a man, who in thirty-six precious years of his life, single-handedly did what no other savant in our country could do  ever before, or ever since. He taught children how to dream.

Satyajit Rays documentary on Sukumar Ray is a film that everyone must watch. Because through his rich and flowing music, his fondly scripted narrative and the use of numerous photographs, sketches, doodles, illustrations, paintings and poetry by his father, Ray offers a glimpse into the mind of a genius. Five years after he had paid this beautiful tribute, the illustrious son of an illustrious father himself passed away, and that was perhaps, the end of the Renaissance of Bengal.

Bhaskar Chattopadhyay is an author and translator. His translations include 14: Stories That Inspired Satyajit Ray, and his original works include the mystery novels Patang, Penumbra and Here Falls The Shadow.
(Reuters) - A former Stanford University swimmer found guilty of sexual assault in California has appealed his conviction after serving a sentence that many condemned as an example of how the justice system fails to take such crimes seriously enough. Former Stanford student Brock Turner who was sentenced to six months in county jail for the sexual assault of an unconscious and intoxicated woman is shown in this Santa Clara County Sheriff's booking photo taken January 18, 2015, and received June 7, 2016. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department/Handout via REUTERSBrock Turner, then 19, was arrested in 2015 after two of his fellow students at the Northern California university saw him outside of a fraternity house on top of an unconscious woman. He was convicted of sexual assault the following year. After serving three months of a six-month sentence, Turner was released early for good behavior. He had to register as a sex offender in his home state of Ohio last year, after leaving Stanford. Turners lawyer, Eric Multhaup, said in papers filed on Friday in a California appeals court that a prosecutor in the trial incorrectly told jurors the sexual assault occurred behind a trash bin. The woman Turner was convicted of sexually assaulting was found near a garbage enclosure but not behind a trash bin, according to the appeal. Multhaup said that implying otherwise gave the impression Turner tried to hide his activities with the woman. The appeal comes as a surprise because political leaders, local residents and social media users had criticized Turners sentence as too lenient, rather than too harsh. The 172-page appeal requests that the conviction be overturned and that Turner receive a new trial. But if he is convicted again, he could face a longer prison sentence. In an email, Multhaup declined to comment beyond the court filing. Brock Turner, the former Stanford swimmer convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, leaves the Santa Clara County Jail in San Jose, California, U.S. September 2, 2016. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File PhotoBrock Turner received a fair trial and was justly convicted, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen told the San Jose Mercury News. His conviction will be upheld. The sentence the judge gave Turner stoked intense debate about rape on U.S. college campuses. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky faces a recall effort over the six-month sentence he handed down. Turners appeal also took aim at Persky, saying he erred by not instructing jurors to consider charges less serious than sexual assault and by not allowing testimony from character witnesses. A representative for Persky could not be reached for comment. Persky, in a statement on a website to fight the recall effort, said in his former career as a prosecutor he saw how sexual assault could destroy victims lives. When I became a judge, my role changed - I am required to consider both sides, Persky said in the statement. California law requires every judge to consider rehabilitation and probation for first-time offenders. In response to the Turner case, California lawmakers last year passed legislation to broaden the states legal definition of rape and mandate prison if the victim was unconscious.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Patna: Virtually left with no hope, a 13- year-old schoolgirl in a Bihar village sent out a distress message through a mobile app of a UN-backed platform that eventually saved her from becoming a victim of child marriage.

"In the last week of November, we received an SOS from a girl in Darbhanga through our app who informed us that her parents were forcing her to get married.

"After verifying the complaint through our civil society partners, we immediately reached out to the DGP in Patna, who then informed the local police authorities," a senior official of Gender Alliance told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

Patna-based Gender Alliance, an initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), had launched the Android- based app named 'Bandhan Tod' in September to sensitise people across the state against dowry, child marriage, domestic violence and gender inequality.

"Incidentally, the boy was also a minor (15). So, had it not been for this app, perhaps the two teenagers would have become victims of child marriage, spelling doom for both of them," the official said.

"The app is in Hindi since we want to reach out rural areas, where the practice is more prevalent. It has an SOS button, which allows a potential victim to reach to us directly," she said.

The Gender Alliance recently carried out an analysis of data based on 2011 census of the country. "The analysis showed that for Bihar, the state average for predicted child marriage rate stood at 39 percent," she said, adding, for the Benipur block, from where the girl hails, the "corresponding figure is 38.16 percent".

Benipur block is about 30 kilometres out of Darbhangha district headquarters, which is located about 150 kilometres from the state capital of Patna. Benipur Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anjani Kumar, said

technology, such as this app, can prove to be a boon in combating social evils like dowry and child marriage.

"The moment we received the instruction from Patna police headquarters, we swung into action. We met the family members and convinced them against the idea of child marriage," he told PTI.

The SDPO also flagged that the area falls into the Mithilanchal region, where "child marriages have been happening in the community, across all castes, as a customary practice", and therefore, there is a need to educate and build awareness that it is "wrong and illegal".

The Gender Alliance, now seeks to reach out to girls and women in distress, across the state, hoping that the Bihar government and district authorities would adopt the application to combat social evils.

The app, among other features, offers a user Rs 100 in e-transaction, as an incentive, after it is downloaded. "It also as a learning module, provided by the company that has developed the app for us. So, girls can download reading material from Bihar state education board curriculum, and also see lectures streamed online," the official said.

"It also has details about Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and various related schemes of the state government, like the Mukhayamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana," she added.

The Nitish Kumar government has started a statewide campaign against dowry and child marriage.

The Gender Alliance is seeking patronage from the Bihar government so that the app can reach out to people across the state.

"On 5 December, we are hosting a programme in Madhepura district, where the district magistrate, senior officials of the education department and women's development corporation would be present, besides a large number of local students," the official said.

"We will explain the utility of the app to them, and encourage them to include contact numbers of appropriate authorities, so that people can also reach out to them in times of distress," the official said
New Delhi: India needs to "cherish and nurture" its Muslim population, which is integrated and considers itself Indian, former US president Barack Obama said on Friday.

It is an idea that needs to be reinforced, he emphasised at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi.

Obama touched on a host of topics, including his relationship with Narendra Modi and Manmohan Singh, terrorism, Pakistan, the hunt for Osama bin Laden and his love for Indian dal and keema, during his address and the question-answer session that followed.

Obama, the first African American president of the US, said he had emphasised the need for religious tolerance and the right to practice one's own faith during closed door talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his last trip to India in 2015.

The 44th US president, who held office between 2009 and 2017, had made similar comments during a public interaction on the last day of his 2015 visit, which had come against the backdrop of controversy over religious conversions.

Responding to questions during the interactive session, Obama said his comments then were general in nature and he had repeated it in the US as well as in Europe.

"There's a counter narrative taking place, at all times, but it's particularly pronounced now... You are seeing it in Europe, you are seeing it in the United States and sometimes you see it in India where those old tribal impulses reassert themselves under leaders who try to push back those impulses and under leaders who try to exploit them," Obama said.

The former US president said it is necessary to make sure that voices which talk about working together are encouraged.

Replying to an India-specific question, Obama spoke of India's "enormous Muslim population", which is successful, integrated and thinks of itself as Indian.

That is unfortunately not always the case in some other countries, Obama added.

Referring to India, he said, "And that is something that needs to be cherished and nurtured, cultivated. It's important to continue reinforcing it."

Asked about Modi's response when he emphasised the need for religious tolerance and the right to practice one's own faith, Obama said he would not like to share the details.

To a separate question, he said Modi's "impluse" was to recognise the importance of Indian unity.

"I think he firmly believes the need for that in order to advance to the great nation status," Obama said.

When terror struck Mumbai in November 2008, he said, "the US was as obsessed as India" to dismantle the terror network. US intelligence personnel, he added, were deployed to help the Indian government.

Referring to Osama bin Laden's presence in Pakistan, he said the US had no evidence that Islamabad was aware of the presence of the 9/11 attack mastermind in its territory.

Asked about terror emanating from Pakistan, Obama said, "What is true, and an understandable source of frustration, is the view that sometimes there are connections between explicit terrorist organisations based in Pakistan and elements that are connected to various more official entities inside Pakistan."

Questioned on his equation with Modi, who often referred to him as "my friend Obama", the former US president noted that he also shared great rapport with Manmohan Singh.

"I like him (Modi) and I think he has the vision for the country. But I was also great friends with Dr (Manmohan) Singh."

He lauded the steps taken by Singh to modernise the economy that launched the "foundation of modern Indian economy".

"The unifying thing (between Modi and Singh) was that (they advocated) strong US-India relations were important," Obama said, adding that both had the same mission to take India towards a more modern economy.

"I found both of them to be engaged, honest, direct with me and both of them took tough decisions," he said.

Obama highlighted Singh's work during the global financial meltdown in 2008, and said Modi was the "primary partner" in unlocking the Paris accord.

"Both (steps taken by Modi and Singh) required some political courage back in India," he said.

On a lighter note, he spoke of his love for Indian food and cooking.

"I am the only US president to have a dal recipe. I also prepare excellent keema."
New Delhi: CPM leader Brinda Karat has accused the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of being out on a "fishing expedition" in Kerala and interrogating couples in inter-caste or inter-community marriages.

The party's politburo member said instead of celebrating inter-caste and inter-community marriages as "symbols of Indias open and liberal approach", there was a campaign against them.

"The NIA is on a fishing expedition having already interrogated 89 such couples in Kerala," Karat said in the latest issue of party organ 'People's Democracy' while referring to the Hadiya case.

She was critical of the central agency's role in probing such marriages, referred to as "love jihad" by Hindutva forces.

"An agency whose proclaimed mandate is to investigate offences related to terrorism has now expanded its mandate by order of the Supreme Court to unearth so-called conspiracies of Muslim men luring Hindu women into marriage and forcibly converting them with the aim of joining the Islamic State," she said in the article.

The underlying assumption, she said, was that Hindu women who married Muslims had "no minds of their own".

"Her (Hadiya's) case reveals how deeply the current climate created by sectarian ideologies based on a narrow reading of religious identity has pushed back women's rights to autonomy as equal citizens. From the government to the courts, to the strengthening of conservative and regressive thinking and practice, it's all out there in Hadiya's case," Karat wrote.

She also hailed Hadiya's unequivocal stand in court.

"It was the courage of her conviction that stood out. She wanted to be treated as a human being. She wanted her faith to be respected. She wanted to study. She wanted to be with her husband. And, most importantly, she wanted her freedom," the former Member of Parliament said.

Karat said she appreciated the Supreme Court "for not allowing itself to be converted into a khap panchayat" and charged the NIA counsel supported by the legal counsel of the Central government with portraying it as a case of "indoctrination and brainwashing in a conspiracy of 'love jihad' which they claimed rendered Hadiya incapacitated and invalidated her consent".

"The NIA wanted the court to study the documents it claimed it had as evidence before they heard Hadiya. For one and a half hours, this young woman stood in open court hearing arguments about herself, against herself and her chosen partner. It was shameful, humiliating and set an unfortunate precedent," she said.

The Left leader emphasised that Hadiya's case brought into focus the right to practise and propagate the religion of ones choice under the Constitution.

Karat expressed the hope that the apex court would "act in a way which strengthens womens rights unencumbered by subjective interpretations of tradition and communal readings of what constitutes national interest".

Hadiya had said in the apex court last week that she wanted to go with her husband, Shafin Jahan.

The 24-year-old Kerala woman had converted to Islam, changing her name from Akhila to Hadiya, and married Jahan. The marriage was challenged by her parents in court.

Jahan moved court after their marriage was annulled by the Kerala high court and against the high courts order directing the NIA to probe the case.

The Supreme Court last week allowed Hadiya, till now in the custody of her parents, to resume her studies at a homoeopathy college in Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Chennai: A total of 357 fishermen, including 71 from Tamil Nadu, stranded in sea due to Cyclone Ockhi, were rescued Sunday morning, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

In addition to the fishermen from Tamil Nadu, 248 from Kerala and 38 from Lakshadweep Islands, were rescued by Indian Air force, Navy and Coast Guard personnel, she said in a tweet.

"An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi : 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today," she said in her official Twitter handle.

An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi : 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today. pic.twitter.com/bCc93RI0fv  Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) December 3, 2017

Sitharaman will visit cyclone-hit Kanyakumari later on Sunday to take stock of the situation.

She will be arriving in Kanyakumari Sunday evening from Thiruvananthapuram and is scheduled to stay there till Monday, the defence public relations officer said.

Posting a fact-sheet, Sitharaman said since 30 November, the Coast Guard (CG) deployed two ships, an equal number of fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter for search and rescue of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

Similarly, the Coast Guard deployed seven ships in Kerala and one in Lakshadweep islands.

The navy deployed six ships, two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters in Kerala while the air force deployed one aircraft and two helicopters for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

On 2 December, the Coast Guard deployed one each ship and fixed wing aircraft in Tamil Nadu and eight ships and two fixed wing aircraft (FWA which also took care of Lakshadweep Islands) besides one helicopter for Kerala.

On Saturday, the navy deployed eight ships, two FWA and four helicopters for Kerala besides two ships and two FWA for Lakshadweep Islands for search and rescue operations.

The air force deployed two helicopters for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

While the CG saved 71 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 114 from Kerala, the navy rescued 121 from Kerala and air force 15.

Merchant vessels and trawlers saved 36 off the coast of Kerala and Lakshwadeep Islands.
Thiruvananthapuram: Seventeen fishermen were on Sunday rescued after spending five days in the sea off the Kerala coast, which was battered by strong winds and heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi.

Navy sources said 13 fishermen were rescued from the high seas by INS Kalpeni on Sunday morning and handed over to the authorities in Kollam.

An Air Force chopper rescued four fishermen about 30 miles west of Kayamkulam and brought them to a medical college hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Four aircraft of the Air Force, three of the Navy, and 10 naval ships have been undertaking search operations since Sunday morning. Coast Guard ships were also engaged for rescue efforts.

On Saturday, two ships of the Coast Guard saved 10 people, according to an official statement.

A Chetak helicopter of the Coast Guard from Kochi rescued a survivor from the sea. Another ship has located a fishing boat stranded in the sea with nine people on board. It was being towed to safety, the statement said.

About 20 boats with 203 people aboard have taken shelter near various islands in Lakshadweep, the statement added.

Meanwhile, protests were mounting along the Kerala coast, with fishermen and their families blaming the state government for the "tardy" manner in which the rescue operations were being conducted.

Residents have launched protests in coastal areas, including Alappuzha and Chellanam, over the delay in rescuing fishermen stranded in the sea.

No information has been received about the 33 fishermen from Poonthura who had ventured into the sea five days ago.

Fishermen in 40 small boats set off for the high seas early on Sunday. Shortly after they ventured into the sea, rescuers found a body and brought it to the shore.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Ockhi has moved north-northwestwards during the past six hours and lay centered over southeast and east-central Arabian Sea, about 390 kilometres west-northwest of Amini Divi island of Lakshadweep, according to the latest MeT department bulletin.

Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in north Lakshadweep during the next 12 hours.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on Cyclone Ockhi
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has said there is an urgent need for a framework, preferably a law, to rehabilitate victims of wrongful prosecution and imprisonment. A bench of justices S Muralidhar and IS Mehta noted that at present there was no statutory or legal scheme in the country to compensate those who have been wrongfully incarcerated.

It directed the Law Commission to undertake a comprehensive examination of the issue and give its recommendations to the central government. It observed that instances of acquittals by the high courts and the Supreme Court after several years of imprisonment "are not infrequent" and such persons are left to their devices "without any hope of reintegration" into society as the best years of their lives have been spent behind bars.

The court further noted that for such victims to invoke civil remedies would not be "efficacious, affordable or timely". "There is at present in our country no statutory or legal scheme for compensating those who are wrongfully incarcerated. "There is an urgent need, therefore, for a legal (preferably legislative) framework for providing relief and rehabilitation to victims of wrongful prosecution and incarceration," the bench said.

The court's order came subsequent to a report given by an amicus curiae, a professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice from NLU Delhi, appointed by it to look into the issue of compensation for wrongful incarceration. Recently, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal had also raised the issue of lack of compensation for inactions and omissions, including wrongful incarceration, by local authorities.

The bench of the Acting Chief Justice had referred to the case of a bus conductor who was initially accused of murdering Ryan International School student Pradhuman Thakur and had

recently got bail. It had asked the AAP government and the legal services authority to examine the feasibility of framing a scheme to compensate the victims of inaction or omission by the

authorities.
The first sign that you are in a Patel citadel of south Gujarat appears when security personnel screening the crowd outside the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally issue an unusual firman: "Go and change your shirt. You can't go inside unless you do that."

"What is wrong with the shirt?" I ask, bemused by the diktat.

After a five-hour drive on a bustling highway from Ahmedabad, I have reached Navsari, around 40 kilometres south of Surat, just in the nick of time to listen to the prime minister. In the background, his choppers roar, shattering the evening calm of a November evening. On the ground, where a steady stream of people is fast filling up the back rows, there is a sudden burst of excitement because of Narendra Modi's imminent arrival after a delay of 90 minutes. On the stage, a central minister clears his throat and fiddles with the mic as every neck in front of him turns upwards. The action is about to begin. But I can't get a piece of it.

"Nobody is allowed to go inside in a black shirt," the man guarding the entrance says curtly and asks me to step aside.

Black, I learn later, is out because Patidars are in. The BJP is taking all precautions to avoid any form of protests using the colour black.

Around the time Modi's choppers are circling the Navsari sky, Hardik Patel is railing against the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah. "Do not be scared of them. Stand up, face them. You can defeat them," he is telling a big rally in Rajkot.

As he raises his defiant voice, shouts of "Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar" reach a crescendo. In the front rows, hundreds of youth clench their fists and exhort Hardik to battle on.

At his rally even black shirts are allowed.

The contrasting dress codes at the two venues tell us just one story: The BJP is constantly watching its back because of the Patidars. It is concerned that their anger may create problems.

Such is its distrust of the Patidars, believed to be around 15 percent of the Gujarat electorate, that past week Union minister Purshottam Rupala addressed a public meeting in Surat only in the company of a large contingent of policemen. Rupala was the first BJP leader to make a public appearance since a felicitation programme attended by Amit Shah was disrupted by Patidars near Surat in 2016.

To the outsider, the election may appear to be a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP. From a distance, it may seem that the real issues in this election are Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetisation and the state of the economy. But a deep dive into Saurashtra and south Gujarat shows the real battle this year is between the BJP and the Patidars.

"Forget that the Congress is fighting the election. The contest is between the BJP and Patidars. Our people will build up the momentum, our people will pump in the resources, our people will manage the booths on the polling day," says a senior member of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

At election rallies, Hardik calls it a do-or-die battle. "It is a question of Patidar pride. If the BJP wins, it would be a bitter defeat of the Patidars. If that happens, our existence would be threatened," he says during his road shows and meetings in and around Rajkot, the heart of Saurashtra.

The BJP is wary of the Patidars because they can indeed tilt the balance. In Saurashtra's 48 constituencies, Patidars hold the key to the outcome. In every election since 1995, at least two-third Patidars voted for the BJP, giving it a large number of seats in the region that stretches over 11 districts.

This year, there is strong evidence that Patidars are slipping away from the BJP. A Lokniti-CSDS survey between 26 October and November found that both the Congress and the BJP could be neck and neck in Saurashtra with a vote share of 42 percent. The survey also indicated that Patidars were moving towards the Congress in large numbers.

For the BJP, even a small swing away from it can cause a lot of electoral damage in the marginal seats. Of the 89 seats going to polls in the first round, it had won 14 with a margin less than 10,000 votes. (It won 5 with a margin of less than 5,000.)

That is why during his rallies in south Gujarat and Saurashtra, Modi has spent more time attacking the Congress and wooing the Patidars instead of talking about his government's achievements. There is also an attempt to bring the Patidars back to the fold with constant attempts to make religion the focus of the election instead of caste identities. This is a clear attempt to dissuade people from voting for the Congress or getting influenced by Hardik's appeal. Interestingly, in this war cry against the Congress, the BJP has completely abandoned its development plank. The focus now is completely on reminding voters of the "bure din" under the Congress.

Follow Narendra Modi in Gujarat on our liveblog here

Read complete coverage of Gujarat Elections 2017 here
New Delhi: In a bid to curb emissions from the vehicles based on outdated technology, the Central government has proposed to set the registration deadline for BS-IV standard vehicles to 30 June, 2020.

While the government had already ordered the implementation of the Bharat Standard-VI compliant cleaner transport fuels across the nation by April 2020 and by April 2018 in Delhi, it has now invited suggestions and objections in a draft notification on the Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2017.

"New motor vehicles conforming to Emission Standard Bharat Stage-IV, manufactured before 1 April, 2020 shall not be registered after 30 June, 2020," said the notification.

It added that if the new motor vehicles of category M (eight-seater cars) and category N (trucks), conforming to Emission Standard Bharat Stage-IV and manufactured before 1 April, 2020 and sold in the form of drive-away chasis, then they will not be registered after 30 September, 2020.

At par with its Europen counterpart "Euro-VI", under the BS-VI standard fuel, petrol and diesel are at the same level of emissions. Apart from this, while BS IV-compliant fuels which are currently being used in the country, has 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, BS VI emits a low 10 ppm.

The move is being welcomed by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) that had earlier in April this year recommended to the apex court that only BS-VI emission standards compliant vehicles should be allowed to be sold from 1 April, 2020.

"This is a welcome move as after the Petroleum Ministry (on BS-VI implementation), the Ministry of Road Transport has taken a wise step," Usman Naseem, researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment and member of the EPCA, said.

He added that earlier the automobile industries contended its suggestions regarding introduction of the BS-VI compliant vehicles citing the lack of technology.

"The same auto manufacturers had been making cars in Europe where Euro-VI is compulsory, so their logic failed," Naseem said.

Currently, only BS-IV compliant vehicles are being registered across the nation, after the Supreme Court ordered that no BS-III vehicles shall be registered after 1 April, 2017 onwards.

The move however did not go down well with auto industries, except only a hand few, due to the huge stock of BS-III compliant vehicles.

The government had earlier made it clear that India shall shift directly to BS-VI, skipping BS-V.
New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said there should be a legal framework to check "open loot" and "criminal negligence" by private hospitals, in the wake of a premature baby wrongly declared dead by a city-based private hospital.

He, however, added that the Delhi government valued the independence of private medical facilities and did not wish to interfere in their functioning.

"We value the independence of private hospitals and do not wish to interfere in their functioning, however, there ought to be a legal framework to check open loot and criminal negligence by a few black sheep," the AAP supremo said in a tweet.

On 1 December, the city government had ordered an inquiry into alleged criminal negligence by Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, after it surfaced that its doctors had declared a baby dead who was found to be alive later.

On Saturday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said that if the hospital was found guilty of negligence, its licence could be cancelled.

The baby boy was one of the prematurely born twins (boy and girl) delivered on the morning of 30 November to Varsha at the Max Hospital. The other baby was stillborn. The mother was brought to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar, police said.

The hospital earlier informed the parents that both the children were stillborn, and handed over the babies to them in a polythene bag. Moments before the last rites of the children, the family found that the boy was alive, police had said.
New Delhi: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Sunday said its chairperson Rekha Sharma would meet the woman who was allegedly being sexually exploited by Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel.

"A team from the NCW with chairperson Rekha Sharma will be heading to Surat tonight to meet a girl who, according to a complaint received by the NCW, is being sexually exploited by Hardik Patel", a statement said.

The rights body also said the complainant in the case was not the victim, however, she was willing to speak to the officials of the NCW.

"The complaint contains personal information about a girl who wishes to talk to the commission confidentially as she is scared to come forward. Rekha Sharma will talk to the media once the team has spoken to the girl and investigated the matter thoroughly," the statement said.

The NCW had earlier said it was also examining a complaint by Delhi-based lawyer Gaurav Gulati over sex videos, purportedly of Patel, that surfaced on social media. The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader, who has joined hands with the Congress for the Gujarat elections, has said the videos were morphed and blamed the BJP's "dirty politics" for them.

Gulati had sent a complaint to the NCW on 22 November, asking the commission to probe the matter and recommend the police to file an FIR against the guilty person. The commission's spokesperson on Sunday said the present complaint to them was different from the one sent to them by the lawyer.
New Delhi: Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir more than 720 times this year, the highest in past seven years.

According to the data compiled by the Union home ministry, Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 724 times along the International Border and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016.

As many as 12 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October, a home ministry official said quoting the data.

A total of 79 civilians and 67 security personnel were also injured in the firing.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November, 2003.

India shares a 3,323-kilometre-long border with Pakistan of which 221 kilometre of the International Border and 740 kilometre of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

In 2014, there were 583 incidents of ceasefire violation in which 14 civilians and three security personnel were killed and 101 civilians and 28 security personnel were injured.

In 2015, the number of ceasefire violations was 405; 347 in 2013, 114 in 2012, 62 in 2011 and 70 in 2010.
New Delhi: Sushil Thekriwal, the counsel of the family of the boy who was murdered in a Gurguram school, was on Saturday evening attacked by a Delhi Police official, his wife said. Police however denied it.

Thekriwal's wife Mamta Thekriwal told IANS, "We were attacked by a Delhi Police officer outside Ashoka Hotel in Delhi."

She also said that the couple and their son had gone to Ashoka hotel for dinner and the incident happened around 8.30 pm when the family came out.

She also alleged that the Delhi Police officer who assaulted her husband also threatened him to leave the murder case.

"The Delhi Police officer also mishabehaved with me when I tried to make the video of the incident," she alleged.

Thekriwal identified the Delhi Police cop as Sanjeev Singh Yadav, through his name plate on his uniform.

The Class 2 student of Ryan International School was found murdered in the school premises on 8 September.

However, a senior Delhi Police official denied the incident, saying the lawyer was only restrained as he had strayed into the "VIP route".
Kota: A seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by her father in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, following which the accused was arrested, the police said on Saturday.

The girl used to attend Anganwadi centre in her locality but stopped doing so recently. An anganwadi worker, on noticing the girl's absence, went to her home on Friday, a police official said.

There, the anganwadi worker came to know that the girl was allegedly raped by her father around three to four times in a week, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Jhalawar Chagan Singh Rathore said.

The minor's mother died two months after her birth and her grandmother, who is blind, lives with at the house, the officer said.

On finding out about the incident, the anganwadi worker informed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the girl was admitted to a local hospital.

After being counselled by the members of the CWC, her statement was recorded and a complaint was lodged at the Mahila Police Station in Jhalawar, the police said.

The girl's father, a labourer, was arrested Friday evening, the police officer said, adding he has been booked for rape and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
New Delhi: Debunking the "Gujarat model of development" propagated by the BJP, Sam Pitroda, who was instrumental in launching India's telecom revolution in the mid-1980s under then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, has said the state needs a bottom-up approach discarding the top-down method that favours only big corporates at the cost of poor and marginalised sections.

"Gujarat needs a Gandhian model of development bottom-up. Development should not be assessed in terms of how many lakhs or crores of rupees you can bring in as investment at global investors' conferences. It doesn't mean you dislike big corporates. But what will transform Gujarat is what do you do for the poor," Pitroda, who played a leading role in drafting the Congress manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly elections, told IANS in an email interview from Illinois, US, where he lives.

The growth figures in terms of GDP look good, but what does it translate into for the ordinary Gujarati? asked Pitroda who is known to be close to the Gandhi family and played a pivotal role in organising Rahul Gandhi's recent visit and engagements in the US.

The former Telecom Commission Chairman, who extensively toured Gujarat last month and talked to various groups, said the state needs a new design of development as the gap between the haves and the have-nots has increased.

He said in the alternative narrative of governance in Gujarat, if the Congress comes to power, would be the creation of a Gujarat Advisory Council on the lines of the National Advisory Council which was initially formed during the time of the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA-I) government in 2004 and continued during UPA -II (2009-14) to properly guide the government for an egalitarian development model.

After interacting with farmers, Dalits, women, fishermen, traders and NGOs in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat and Jamnagar, 75-year-old Pitroda, who also served as Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission (2005-09), a high-level body to advise the prime minister, said there is a tremendous discontent among the people of Gujarat.

After this exercise, he found "too much" privatisation of education, he said. Education, particularly in the engineering and medical streams, has become very expensive, adding that medical education can cost up to Rs 80 lakh.

The health sector is the most affected because there are no government doctors available in rural areas. Of the 4,500 doctors that pass out every year, only about 500 go to rural areas. The remaining pay a penalty of over Rs 10 crore to escape such stints.

"We need to make medical education affordable. We need doctors in rural areas so that the health system does not collapse," he said.

Referring to the plight of women, Pitroda said that they cannot file an FIR for any atrocity on them, though, on paper, they enjoy all rights. In rural areas, they walk four or five km to fetch water. There are four million single working women in the state and they don't have proper places to stay, he said.

Traders and small and medium entrepreneurs were groaning under the adverse impact of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), he said. Banks are not giving them loans. They are ready to give loans to big corporates but not to small entrepreneurs. The focus is on big projects like that of Tata Motors.

"The farmers' complaints are that fertile lands are taken away from them with some compensation given. But after that no industry comes up on those lands. There is no economic profit for the local society," Pitroda said and cited the case of GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), "which has huge area of land but just a couple of office buildings".

"Overall I found youth, women, farmers, Dalits and Muslims dissatisfied," Pitroda said, adding his interaction with these sections was an eye-opener on the flawed Gujarat model of development.

He also rebutted the BJP's criticism of the Congress for courting leaders of caste formations like Patidars, OBCs and Dalits, saying there is nothing wrong with this as each group is a constituency in a democracy which has a right to be heard and its grievances addressed. "They deserve attention. What is wrong in aligning with Patidars or other groups?" he asked.

He also attacked the tenor of the BJP campaign against the Congress, especially the attacks on Rahul Gandhi for his temple visits and about Indira Gandhi going to Morbi decades ago with her nose covered to avoid the stench of human bodies and animal carcasses in the wake of a dam disaster.

"These are not issues. These guys are focusing on non-issues," Pitroda maintained.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has made a candid admission and said it was "sorry" for the delay of over a decade in commencement of criminal trial due to two conflicting orders passed by a high court judge in a single day in two different but related cases.

The apex court said this had created a "legal conundrum" as one order of the judge restricted further probe in the case while in the order, it allowed the investigation to go on. The case, which was stuck in legal tangles, had reached the apex court in 2009 and the woman, who had initially lodged the complaint in 2004 against her own brothers over alleged grabbing of her shop, had now passed away and was represented by her legal representative.

A bench of justices RK Agrawal and Sanjay Kishan Kaul said, "we are sorry to note that such a confusion has caused more than a decade's delay in even the criminal trial commencing" and allowed the appeals of the woman.

In 2004, Shyam Lata, a resident of Roorkee in Uttarakhand, made a written complaint to the SSP of Haridwar alleging that her two brothers forged documents and signatures and claimed she had give her shop on rent to them.

A criminal case was lodged against her brothers alleging that they had prepared a fictitious rent receipt by forging the woman's signatures and left its photocopy at her house for laying a false claim of tenancy. On other hand, one of her brothers filed a civil suit seeking to restrain her from evicting him from the premises, claiming himself as a tenant of the shop on the basis of the alleged forged rent receipt.

The complaint was probed by the police and the investigating officer (IO) applied to the civil court for

sending the rent receipts filed by the brother to an expert for comparison of signatures. The civil court denied the permission but modified the relief by allowing taking of photographs of the signature by a handwriting expert for the purpose of comparison.

However, when the handwriting expert from the forensic laboratory of Agra reached the court to take pictures, the permission was allegedly denied by the court. This resulted in the IO filing the final report saying in the absence of permission to get the signatures, there was no evidence to find that the signatures were forged.

The woman then raised objection to the IO's final report and simultaneously challenged the denial of permission by the civil court to the handwriting expert before a sessions court. The sessions court allowed the plea of the woman and directed for sending the entire case record to the judicial magistrate, Roorkee, so that the required photographs may be taken and further investigation takes place.

The sessions court order was now challenged by the brother before the high court while parallely the judicial magistrate where the woman had filed objections to the final report of IO, allowed her plea and directed for further probe. This order of the judicial magistrate directing the police for further probe was also challenged by the brother in the Uttarakhand High Court.

Now, two petitions were before the high court which were heard simultaneously and were decided by the judge in two separate judgements on the same date in 2006. In one verdict, the high court modified the sessions court order and directed that the IO should be present before the civil court along with a handwriting expert on a fixed date to take photographs of the disputes as well as specimen signatures of the woman.

Virtually, this order allowed the police to proceed further in the investigation. However, in the second verdict, the high court judge set aside the order of judicial magistrate directing the police to further probe into the case. While deciding the matter, the apex court bench said that there is no doubt about the "confusing nature of contradictory orders" passed by the high court.

It said that high court's first verdict allowing the handwriting expert to take picture of signatures would in "natural corollary" mean that further investigation will be carried out. The top court held that the second verdict of the high court setting aside the order of judicial magistrate was not required at all.
In fresh trouble for Max Hospital, the Delhi Police on Sunday sent a notice to the administration of the hospital in a case of medical negligence. The hospital declared a baby dead along with his stillborn twin, but was found to be alive later, according to reports.

NDTV reported that the police has asked the private hospital to be available for questioning over the issue and has also asked for detailed information of the incident.

The police has also inquired about the duty schedule of the doctors and the rest of the staff on the day of the incident, according to ANI.

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities told ANI that the expert group set up to investigate the matter will likely conclude the probe by Monday. Two experts from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have been included in the probe team.

"Dr Arun Agarwal, Chairman of ethic committee, IMA and Dr Ramesh Datta, Joint Secretary, IMA, have been included as external experts in the group," Max Healthcare said in a statement.

Expert group set up to investigate the circumstances & protocols followed regarding premature delivery (23 weeks/5 months) of twins & declaration of death at Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh is working swiftly towards concluding their detailed investigations: Max Hospital Authorities  ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

The investigation is expected to conclude by tomorrow, 4th Dec & findings are expected to be shared thereafter: Max Hospital authorities on two newborn twins declared dead at hospital after which one was found alive by family  ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

This comes a day after Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain said that strict action will be taken against the city-based private hospital and if required its licence would be canceled.

"When we came to know about negligence on the part of the hospital we ordered an inquiry into the same. And I want to assure all that if they don't work properly, we will cancel the licence of the hospital," Jain told IANS.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also promised strict action against the hospital and ordered an inquiry into the "criminal negligence"

The incident happened on Thursday when the hospital declared a baby dead along with his still-born twin. The parents were however, shocked when they found one of the twins moving. "We tore the packet, there were two-three clothes and polythene bags. The kid was still breathing. We rushed the baby to a nearby nursing home in Pitampura," the father told reporters.

Max Hospital in a statement on Friday said, "It has been brought to our attention that a premature (22 weeks) newborn baby who is reported to be on life support at a nursing home was unfortunately handed over without any sign of life by Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh."

"This baby was one of the twins delivered on 30 November morning. The other baby was stillborn. We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident," it said.

With inputs from agencies
Saint Petersburg is one of the most spectacularly beautiful cities in the world. Situated on the Neva River, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, it was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in in 1703. In 1914, the name was changed from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd, in 1924 to Leningrad, and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg. Between 1713 and 1728 and in 17321918, St. Petersburg was the capital of imperial Russia. In 1918, the central government bodies under the Soviets moved to Moscow.

St. Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world. Many of Russias greatest cultural figures (like Fyodor Dostoyevsky) lived in this city at some point in their lives and their homes, which are still standing, have been turned into museums. In the street behind the hotel where I was put up, for instance, was the Nabokov Museum, located in the city apartment in which the author of Lolita spent part of his childhood. The cultural life of the city is vibrant and a visit to its museums, exhibitions or even one of its cafes lets you see it. The churches too are grand, with St Isaacs Cathedral and The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood leading the way.

I was in the city for a colloquium devoted to recent Russian cinema (between 13-15 November; a prelude to the Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum) for members of FIPRESCI, the international federation of film critics with its central office in Munich. I was representing FIPRESCIs Indian chapter; there were also film critics from the US, UK, Brazil, Turkey, Holland, France, Israel, Serbia, Australia and Canada present at the Lenfilm Studio screenings. On the last day, was the actual colloquium, moderated by leading Russian film critic Andrei Plakhov.

Russias contribution to cinema has been monumental but because of the isolationist policy the Soviet government followed, Russian cinema itself is not known widely. Barring a few film-makers like Andrei Tarkovsky, few are familiar with the Soviet/Russian cinema of the Brezhnev. This is regrettable, since Russian films of the last three decades of the 20th century represent a substantial chunk of the greatest in world cinema. Russian directors like Alexey German and Alexey Balabanov are only now receiving a small part of the international attention justly due to them. Russia has VGIK, perhaps the greatest film school in the world, and the students who pass out of it consistently demonstrate their competence.

The FIPRESCI screenings began on the first day with restored version of Balabanovs Of Freaks and Men (1998), filmed in sepia. It is about the early days of cinema in Russia, but where such a film would normally celebrate the arrival of a new technology (eg: Stanley Donens Singing in the Rain, 1952), Of Freaks and Men deals with how cinema is used for pornography. Since cinema is still in its primitive period, the protagonist specialises in short pieces of pornography which demand little sophistication  all they show are the bare behinds of young women being whipped by a nanny. Other characters in the film include a young pair of Siamese twins, who are also used in the protagonists erotic shorts. Balabanovs film is dependent on recognition that the immediate use of any new technology could be for pornography; and, if anything, the internet demonstrates it.

Russia conjures up in our imagination a single culture, but here one saw films coming from ethnic minority groups. Kostas Marsans Yakut film My Killer  a crime thriller  was also screened on the first day. The second day was devoted to art-house cinema and the work of senior directors, such as the Uzbek-born Rustam Khamdamov (The Bottomless Bag) and Boris Khlebnikov (Arrythmia). Khamdamovs film is part fairy-tale while Khlebnikovs film deals sensitively with a marriage under strain. But more impressive than either of these were two films by youngsters  Kantemir Balagovs Closeness and Alexandr Khants How Victor the Garlic took Aleksei the Stud to the Nursing Home.

Balagovs film (the director is only 26 years old) is set in a small town in a region bordering Chechnya (Nalchik, Northern Caucasus) at the time of the Chechen war around 1998. It deals with a minority Jewish family in a Muslim majority area. The son of the house is kidnapped with his girlfriend for ransom and the family needs to raise money. The Jewish community contributes but the money raised is only adequate to get the girl released. The family decides to get the daughter of the house, Adina, married to a richer Jewish family  but Adina has a Muslim boyfriend, and she responds by losing her virginity to him. Religious identity is not an important issue in Russia because of decades of communism but it has begun to make its presence felt here when Muslims and non-Muslims side with Chechnya and Russia respectively. Closeness, like My Killer, is not in Russian but in a minority language  Kabardian. The film might have become an ethnographic exercise but it creates a powerful fictional situation and grips the viewer.

Balagovs film was made consequent to a local workshop conducted by celebrated Russian director Alexandr Sokurov. On the other hand, Alexandr Khant (who is 32) is a VGIK graduate, having studied under Karen Shakhnazarov, now director-general of Mosfilm. How Victor the Garlic took Alexey the Stud to the Nursing Home may be described as a road movie and deals with two sociopaths, father and son. Victor grew up in an orphanage after his mothers death since his father Alexey abandoned the family. Victor has a wife and son but he is wild, prone to acts of gratuitous violence and seeks to buy an apartment in which to install his mistress. It is at this inopportune moment that his long-lost father abruptly resurfaces as a retired criminal, virtually at deaths door but owning an apartment Victor could inherit. It turns out that Alexey is not in such a bad shape and Victor is to take him to an old peoples home, the only one which will have him  being in another city far away. As the two embark upon their journey, Alexey decides to introduce his son to various other people in his life, including another wife and child and former associates in crime, although certain death awaits him at the latters hands. What was deeply intriguing in Khants film is the sense of honour among criminals superseding legality as a moral force, perhaps a subtle way of showing the weakening moral authority of the dictatorial state.

The last days screenings at Lenfilm were devoted to Russian mainstream cinema and the three films screened were Klim Shipenkos Salyut 7, a space adventure like Gravity (2013) but based on an actual event, Aleksey Uchitels Mathilde, a historical costume drama about Tsar Nicholas IIs relationship with a ballet-dancer and Fedor Bondarchuks Attraction, an alien-landing film in which the aliens are shown to be morally superior to humans. All three films demonstrated the highest levels of technical competence, although their budgets were often only around 10 percent of what a similar film might cost in Hollywood. Still, while the films are all meant to be international blockbusters, one sees them catering mainly to a local public. Language could come in the way of larger appeal but, more importantly, while Russian actors are excellent they are not groomed to be stars in the Hollywood way. Where the star draws the spectator to identify with him/her, Russian acting seems unable to facilitate it. The directors attending the colloquium seemed to understand this because an issue brought up by director Fedor Bondarchuk (son of Sergei Bondarchuk who made War and Peace, 1966) was whether non-Russian stars could not be brought into Russian mainstream films to enhance their appeal. But then, it was pointed out, Russian films could lose their Russian appeal, which was why people loved them.

The Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum (which began on 15 November) included some film-related events  among them, a Tarkovsky exhibition which included paintings and sketches by the great filmmaker, including designs for films like Solaris (1972). Another important event was the centenary celebration of Fedor Khitruk, the father of Russian animation. Khitruk was a very versatile animator who is best known for his Winnie the Pooh films based on AA Milnes immortal character. Russian animation is virtually unknown in India but it has reached a level of sophistication rarely matched. The Japanese master of animation Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, 2001) is an ardent admirer of Russian veteran Yuri Norstein, who was present at the Fedor Khitruk opening. Norstein has been at work for years on an animated version of Gogols story The Overcoat, amazing bits of which can be found on YouTube.

The inaugural ceremony of the Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum was held on the second day and included the premier of Petrushka, a short ballet (about the loves and jealousies between three puppets in a puppet theatre) with music by Igor Stravinsky, running to about 40 minutes. The programme for the inaugural ceremony was not revealed in advance and abruptly, Vladimir Putin himself made an appearance and delivered a five-minute speech after which the performance of Petrushka commenced. I later saw him sitting barely 20 feet from me, being discreetly watched over.

A visit to Russia can be very revealing, especially given the negative publicity the country gets in the world press. A feature one notices when one meets Russians is how deeply the educated are steeped in their countrys culture, especially their grounding in literature and the arts. I attribute this to the people still being kept out of conspicuous consumption because of the economic conditions imposed upon them. Saint Petersburg itself, while being among the grandest of cities, is also not the tourist haunt that Florence, Paris or Prague has become. The people one sees on the streets are mostly locals and that makes no small contribution to its authentic charm. The city truly deserves its title of being Russias cultural capital.

MK Raghavendra is a film scholar and author of seven books including The Oxford India Short Introduction to Bollywood (2016). He is deeply interested in social, political and cultural issues in India, an interest that informs his books on film.
Last night history was created when Justin Trudeau read out an apology to LGBTQ2 Canadians for their oppression for years. As a queer person, I should confess that despite having nothing to do with Canada per se, my heart swelled with joy as I watched and listened to not just the words of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but also the response in unison by the entire parliament. There was nothing to imply or understand, there was no room for excavation of the true meaning of the words - there was no ambiguity in the apology and we were spared from expending our grey cells to draw inferences from the words that were uttered by the most adorable Prime Minister in the world. In fact, I would go the extent of calling him the Worlds Prime Minister.

In his long speech, Trudeau ensured that he covered every aspect of discrimination that LGBTIQ2 citizens of Canada have faced over the years. He mentioned the LGBT purge several times in his speech. The state sponsored homophobia and transphobia that focussed on systemically oppressing LGBTQ2 Canadians and propagated the thought that heterosexuality is the only 'normal'. Fighting for justice is in Trudeau's genes. In 1967, Pierre Trudeau, Justins father, had introduced the Criminal Law Amendment Act that decriminalised homosexual activity between adults in private. He famously said what's done in private between adults doesn't concern the Criminal Code. It was officially decriminalised in 1969. When Justin Trudeau became the first prime minister to attend an LGBTIQ2 pride parade, he rightfully said it is sort of frustrating that this has to be a big thing. This shouldnt be a big thing, that the prime minister is walking the pride parade. And from now on, it wont.

More recently, his family started the tradition of joining the pride parade. Sophie and Justin walked the pride parade with their three children, one still in the pram, thus making a statement against forces that divide and discriminate  with a simple walk at the parade that celebrates diversity in gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

All of this proved that he was not just speaking off the cuff but had invested his time and expended his emotional energy in understanding the queer community. His voice choked many times as there were moments when his eyes welled up but he made no attempt to hide his tears. In a world which burdens the male to be unemotional, he not only stood up for LGBTIQ2 people but also made a statement with not just words but with expressions  that it was okay to be emotional  that boys do cry. Big boys too! In a world where people shy away from walking pride parades because of the fear of assumption that they could be gay, Trudeau walked the talk with no fear of propaganda against him.

This was not the first one though, in May 2016, Daniel Andrews, the present Premier (like chief minister of an Indian State) of Victoria in the Australian Parliament issued a heartfelt and unconditional apology to gay men for the atrocities over the years.

What is now needed is a systemic approach to end the violence on LGBTQ2 people in Canada and worldwide. Nothing will seem enough when the prejudice raises its hood over and over again. When pervasive and invasive intolerence and bigotry shall invade the world, its magnetic power will engulf the whole universe. While I offer unconditional praise to Trudeau for the raise in global humanitarian values  I also understand that there is a danger. The danger of hero worshiping a nation and the assumption that they could do no wrong. We should remember that there is still a lot to do and there will always be a lot to do, especially within the LGBTQ2 spectrum itself. In my view, there is a lot that needs to be done for the upliftment of transgender people and to rid the society of the prejudice against bisexual people specifically. There is still a long way to go in standing up for people who are sometimes double or triple stigmatised. Imagine being black, transgender, economically challenged, indigenous and "a woman in Canada! The struggles are far from over. The deep ingrained misogyny will take time to change. There will be mistakes that will be made. There will be more apologies that will need to be rendered. But whats good is that with this apology, Trudeau has proven that Canada has its heart in the right place.

This fight though, is an ongoing one. We cannot rest after apologies. Equality for minority is a never-ending struggle. But yes, on an affirmative note, we can take a leaf from this apology. A maple leaf.
New Delhi: Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Saturday said that voters in Uttar Pradesh had responded positively to the party in the civic polls and extended it a grand welcome into local politics.

The AAP won two posts of chairperson nagar panchayat and 44 of ward councillors. The results of the UP local body polls were announced on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference at the AAP's office in New Delhi, the party's UP affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh thanked the voters in Uttar Pradesh for extending their support.

"We highlighted the achievements of the AAP government in Delhi, and the voters in Uttar Pradesh accepted it and voted for us," he said.

Singh alleged that EVM machines used in the civic polls were "tampered" with. "The BJP won in those mayoral elections where EVMs were used while in nagar panchayat and municipal corporation elections where ballots were used they got very less seats," he claimed.
Rajkot: With the ruling BJP and the Congress locked in a high-decibel battle for the Gujarat polls, two members of a family are contesting for the rival parties while keeping aside their personal relations. Jaysukh Kakadiya is contesting as a Congress candidate from Dhari Assembly segment in Amreli district, while his brother-in-law Kamlesh Kanani is the BJP's nominee from the neighbouring Savarkundla seat in the same district.

Kakadiya and Kanani are related to each other as their wives are sisters. As per Kakadiya, his candidature was obvious as he claimed to have been with the Congress for over two decades. Same was the argument of Kanani, who also claimed to be a worker of the BJP for over 20 years. Asked about representing the rival parties, whose leaders are att cking each other everyday during the poll campaign, Kakadiya said: "I want to serve my people and want to do it through my party."

"Besides, I have enough numbers of committed voters. And we don't need to bring politics into our family relations. We are keeping it separate," said Kakadiya, who is from the Patidar community. He claimed to have over 75,000 voters from his community in his constituency. According to the Election Commission's website for Gujarat, that there are 2,11,845 voters in the Dhari Assembly constituency.

Kanani, who is not a Patidar but is a key leader of the BJP in the region, gives credit to his work for being nominated by the ruling party. He says, "We are brothers-in-law for quite some time. Our political affiliations are known to the people as well as to our party leaders." "Hence, our merit cannot be questioned because of a coincidence that we both are relatives but have separate political affiliations," Kanani says.

There are 2,38,315 voters in the Savarkundla Assembly constituency of Amreli, as per the EC's website. Voting will take place in Amreli on 9 December. Gujarat will vote in two phaseson 9 and 14 Decemberto elect a new 182-member Assembly. The counting of votes will take place on 18 December.

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New Delhi: YSR Congress Party MP PV Midhun Reddy on Sunday accused Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu of "buying" the party's MLAs.

He said Naidu, the head of the Telugu Desam Party, had earlier accused the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) of buying his MLAs in Telangana, but he was now "emulating" it by buying YSRCP MLAs in Andhra Pradesh.

"Except for one, all TDP MLAs in Telangana defected to the TRS. The same thing is happening in Andhra Pradesh. Our MLAs are being bought by the TDP," Reddy told PTI.

The TDP had 14 MLAs in Telangana.

Naidu criticised the TRS for "buying his MLAs like cattle in the market, but he and his party is doing the same thing in Andhra Pradesh", the YSR Congress Party MP said, adding that anti-defection law was not implemented effectively in the state.

"Though a law is in place to keep a check on such MLAs, what is happening is biased implementation, despite our repeated complaints," he said.

Twenty-four YSRCP MLAs have so far joined the TDP.

The latest entrant, Paderu MLA Giddi Eswari, said that she joined the Naidu-led party for its development agenda.

She said, "The YSRCP ignored her loyalty to the party and hard work. I joined the TDP to work under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu, who is taking the state in the path of development."

Many of the legislators, who switched to the ruling party, were also given place in the state cabinet.

However, Reddy said the ruling party was indulging in such tactics to demoralise YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy.

"We are strong among the people, and the TDP is doing this to demoralise Jagan whose popularity among the masses was visible during the Praja Sankalpa Yatra which he began in November," he said.

A YSRCP Lok Sabha MP from Kurnool, Butta Renuka, who is still with the party, said every person has an individual reason for taking their decisions.

"I have not changed the party, but just supporting the government. My interest and the party's decision did not match for the upcoming elections. My requirement is that I want to contest in parliamentary poll from the same constituency...Whichever party suits me I will join that. So I am doing my work on the ground as of now," Renuka told PTI.

Araku MP Kothapalli Geetha, who severed ties with the YSRCP, alleged that legislators "are being bought like vegetables in the market by the TDP".

"To make development in your constituency, why do you have to join a party. Everybody is joining other parties just for personal gains. What contributions are these MLAs making after defecting," Geetha told, citing harassment by the YSRCP as a reason for her exit.

"I did not associate with anyone yet and am continuing my work now," she added.

However, Midhun Reddy said these people's representatives were maintaining neutrality in the Assembly and Parliament just to circumvent anti-defection laws.

"No one is neutral. They are playing this game to evade the risk of coming under the scrutiny of anti-defection law," Reddy said.
Although Congress is yet to release its election manifesto in Gujarat, it has already promised a farm loan waiver, unemployment dole and smartphones to the youth. Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a rally in Amreli on 30 November, stated that Congress will frame a policy for farm loan waiver within 10 days of forming the government.

Congress presented more definitive plans for the unemployment dole and free smartphones. Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki as early as September, stated that Congress will give monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 to those who have completed Class 12, Rs 3,500 to graduates and Rs 4,000 to post-graduates until they find employment. Congress even went as far as setting up an online registration portal for unemployed youth on its website. Congress also promised smartphones to such youth to help them keep abreast of technological developments.

While these promises seem extremely attractive in election season, their feasibility needs to be examined in the context of state finances and past performance of Congress in delivering such promises. Last year, the Congress ran a similar campaign in Punjab: Promising loan waivers to farmers, unemployment dole and smartphones to the youth.

On the issue of loan waiver, the Congress manifesto promised waiver of agricultural debt. As of 31 March, 28.57 lakh farmers from Punjab had outstanding agricultural debt to the tune of Rs 83,769.91 crores according to figures given by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Rajya Sabha on 21 July. A loan waiver of this magnitude was simply not possible considering Punjabs estimated receipts for 2017-18 were 1.05 lakh crore.

Congress, after coming to power, quickly backtracked on this promise and added many riders. The Punjab government limited the waiver to short-term production loans given in connection with the raising of crops which was to be repaid within 6 to 12 months, including working capital loan, extended to marginal and small farmers. Further, the benefit was limited to only small (landholding between 2.5 acres to 5 acres) and marginal farmers (landholding less than 2.5 acres) and that too for amounts of up to Rs 2 lakh irrespective of the loan size.

As per the governments estimate about 10.25 lakh farmers would benefit from this waiver; leaving out almost two-third of farmers with outstanding agricultural debt. The scheme is yet to be notified and the Congress government has allocated only Rs 1,500 crore for 2017-18 leading to serious doubts about the success of the scheme. Thus, Congress much anticipated agricultural debt waiver scheme turned out to be a damp squib. To make things worse, almost 300 farmers in Punjab have committed suicide recently and their names were included in the obituary reference of the Winter Session of the Punjab Assembly.

Congress has not fared any better with the promised unemployment dole. The Congress manifesto promised employment to all youth in the state under Ghar Ghar Rozgar Yojana and until such employment was given, Congress promised an unemployment allowance of Rs 2,500. This promise was also made in no uncertain terms on Congress campaign website. Nearly 25 lakh people who signed up for this scheme ahead of the elections and received their Unemployment Allowance cards were in for a rude shock when the Congress government after coming to power in Punjab did a volte-face.

Thus, the unemployment cards issued by Congress were nothing more than an election gimmick and the whole scheme could have been a ruse to collect personal information from the youth for use in the campaign. It must be noted that the website expressly stated that if people did not register on the website, they would not be eligible to benefit from the scheme to be launched once Congress came to power. Congress employed a similar trick with its promise of free 4G enabled smartphones with a year of free calling and data by floating a portal. Around 30 lakh people registered for this scheme.

For even the most basic smart phones and the cheapest voice and data plan, the cost per phone will come out to around Rs 150 crore (Rs 5,000 per phone). Congress has only allocated Rs 10 crore for this scheme in 2017-18, which underscores how serious Congress is about fulfilling its promises. Undeterred by the reality check it received in Punjab, Congress promised loan waiver to farmers and unemployment allowance and smart phones to the youth of Gujarat. The outstanding agricultural debt in Gujaratas on 31 Marchwas around 70,000 crore and by Congress own estimate, there are 30 lakh unemployed youth in the state.

The cost of the smartphone scheme is going to be around Rs 150 crore, and the bill for the unemployment allowance is likely to be in the range of 900 crore per month. Given the magnitude of the costs involved, it is unlikely that Congress will be able to fulfill these promises.

The voters in Gujarat would do well to take these promises with a pinch of salt, especially given Congress track record in Punjab.

Aakanksha Thakur is a research consultant who has extensively worked in the areas of development and policy.

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Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Sunday hit out the BJP government in Haryana for "total collapse of law and order in the state", saying it has become a "crime hub" under the saffron party's rule. He said the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report has exposed the "complete failure" of the government in controlling crime in Haryana.

"The incompetence of the state government has led Haryana in getting the dubious distinction of a crime hub. There has been a spurt in heinous crimes during the BJP rule...The people are suffering but the BJP leadership is not bothered about their problems," Surjewala said in a statement.

The Congress leader claimed that Haryana reported 320.6 cases per 1 lakh of population which is higher than the crime rates in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. "Criminal incidents are increasing for the third consecutive year in a row. Haryana, which has always been a peace-loving state, reported 79,947, 84,466 and 88,527 cases of crimes in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively," he said.

"In murder, kidnapping and abduction incidents, the crime rate in Haryana is the third highest in the country, while it is shamefully highest in gang-rapes," Surjewala said.

The Congress leader claimed that the people are feeling unsafe about their life and property, as the state reported 21,741 thefts, 15,634 auto thefts, 320 extortions, 734 robberies, 178 dacoities and 1,070 arson cases last year.

"The shocking figures tell the sad story of law and order in Haryana," he said.

Surjewala said the state was always known for its clean record in maintaining social harmony, but "poor policing and misplaced priorities" led to "worst performance" in preventing communal incidents.

"The state got top rank with 250 communal riot cases and 2,844 rioting incidents were registered in 2016," he said.
Narendra Modi is mostly a sui generis politician. In simple language, one of a kind, in a class by himself. But there are two former chief ministers of Gujarat whose tricks and tactics must have gone into the making of Modi. Consider it this way: When a younger Modi, as BJP state unit organisational secretary, was trying to make space for the party, he had to contend with these two gentlemen more than the rest.

These "purvasuris" (predecessors) of Modi are Madhavsinh Solanki (Congress) and Chimanbhai Patel (mostly Congress). Adjectives such as maverick and shrewd come to the tip of the tongue at any mention of them. One started as a journalist in Ahmedabad, the other as an economics lecturer in the same city. They had so much success that it eventually led to the downfall of the Congress and remains the root cause of the urban, upper-caste middle-class Gujaratis as-yet unending alienation from the grand old party.

Madhavsinh Solanki

The so-called upper castes, even with limited numbers, dominated the political scene in Gujarat right from the beginning, and thus the first few chief ministers were Brahmin or Patel: Jivaraj Mehta, Balwantrai Mehta, Hitendra Desai, Ghanshyam Oza, Chimanbhai Patel, Babubhai Jashbhai Patel. Madhavsinh Solanki was the first chief minister from a caste that later came to be counted among the OBC.

His first term was of barely hundred days, during the Emergency. But in the 1980 Assembly election, he led the Congress to victory on 141 out of 182 seats. (The BJPs best tally so far is 127.) He was the first chief ministerand the only one before Modito complete a full term and led the party in the next round of elections in 1985.

In these five years, he rejigged the caste equations drastically. He was supremely successful: In 1985, the Congress won 149 seats. This overwhelming success was thanks to a formula devised by him and veteran Congressman Jhinabhai Darji, called KHAM: Wooing Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslims voters instead of Patels, Baniyas and Brahmins. His 1980 Cabinet did not have a single Patel. The new strategy also entailed enlarging quota benefits, which in 1982 and 1985 backfired with caste agitations that turned into communal riots. That finally gave an opportunity to the BJP, and ever since the upper castes have seen that party as their saviour.

Ahmedabad and other cities suffered frequent bouts of riots, but the one in 1985 is worth special mention. Clashes started in February-March and ended only in July, when the Congress high command finally replaced Solanki with his home minister, Amarsinh Chaudhary, the first tribal chief minister, who brought in super-cop Julio Ribeiro. Some parts of old Ahmedabad suffered from, anecdotally speaking, the longest-lasting curfew in independent India.

Solanki had a fourth term, for 85 days in 1989-90, before he moved to Delhi. In the PV Narasimha Rao government, he served as the external affairs minister but he had to resign, infamously, for ferrying a letter in connection with the Bofors case.

Then something most curious for an Indian politician happened. Solanki happily went into retirement in March 1992, though he was in his mid-60s. (He is 90 today, same age as LK Advani.) He has, going by reports, not intervened in state politics all these years, though his son, Bharatsinh Solanki, is a Congress leader in the state. Those who know him speak of his courtesy, grace, elegance, and a highly cultivated taste in literature. Hes also an avid bird-watcher.

Chimanbhai Patel

Chimanbhai is one of those curious characters but for whom Indian politics would have been dull and dry. (By the way, 'bhai' and 'ben' in Gujarati names are not to be taken literally. Here, 'bhai' is a mild honorific, dropping whichas a national daily's Ahmedabad edition once did on front page back thencan sound insulting. Replacing it with 'lal', as Modi's mention of "Mohanlal", can be mildly insulting or harmless jest.)

His first term, in 1973-74, should have been uneventful, but for a students agitation. They were protesting the hostel mess charge hike, but it soon became a popular, statewide agitation against everything people were unhappy with, from price rise to corruption scandals. The Navnirman agitation was a precursor to Jayaprakash Narayans call for Total Revolution and a precursor to the Emergency. The chief minister faced slogans of Chiman Chor for alleged corruption and his rule ended ignominiously.

He was in wilderness for a long time, as Solanki took the Congress on a different trajectory. Gujaratis had mostly forgotten him, when he sprung up from nowhere: As the Gujarat leader of the ragtag army VP Singh was putting together against the Congress in the name of Janata Dal. The anti-corruption plank made VP the prime minister, and in one of those paradoxical turns of history, it also made Chimanbhai the chief minister of Gujarat, with the BJPs support.

There were still more twists and turns. After the chariot-borne Advanis arrest in Bihar in 1990, the BJP withdrew support to the VP government: And that meant withdrawal of support to the Chimanbhai government too. Chimanbhai coolly changed the name of the party to Janata Dal (Gujarat), and found support from the Congress, in alignment with the Congresss support to Chandra Shekhar in Delhi. JD-G was to eventually merge into the Congress, but not before adding a knot to the messy conundrum Solanki had left for the party.

The Congress, after Solanki, lost the support of Patels, Baniyas and Brahmins, who were now with the BJP. The Ram Janmabhoomi campaign had sealed that deal, and the BJP had even co-opted the lower castes into the project. Against this backdrop, the Congress could have at least consolidated what Solanki brought home. Instead, it was vainly chasing the Patels again.

Chimanbhai was aware of this anomaly. He prefigures Modi in several ways: He sought to overcome caste complexities by foregrounding economy and development. For example, he organised a month-long grand mela in Ahmedabad, a precursor of sorts to the Vibrant Gujarat jamboree, showcasing Gujarats industries and development. Unlike his predecessors, he knew what a hot-button issue the Sardar Sarovar could be. He repeatedly spoke of the Narmada being the lifeline of Gujarat, and galvanised public opinion for the project with ample help from some hugely respected Gandhian NGOs. He left little option for the Opposition but to join his cause.

His industry-friendly, development-oriented outlook was, of course, a facade for a new caste politics: His policies arguably promoted the interests of the urban, upper-caste middle class, while giving new dreams for the rest to dream.

That was the stage set for the BJP. But for his untimely death in February 1994 at the age of 64, he might have tried a few more somersaults but he might not have lasted long in the face of the rising Hindutva. His widow, the late Urmilaben, who was a Rajya Sabha member, and son Siddharth Patel, who is a senior Congress leader, failed to carry on his legacy.

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French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called on Iraq to dismantle all militias, including the government sanctioned Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a rare public request to do so by a major Western leader.

Macron's call, which followed a meeting with Iraqi Kurdish leaders in Paris, underscores the tough balancing act Baghdad has to perform between its allies in the war on Islamic State, Iran and Western powers, which do not see eye to eye.

Iraqi Kurdish authorities accuse the majority Arab Shia PMF of widespread abuses against Kurds in ethnically-mixed regions.

The meeting with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his deputy Qubad Talabani was the first high profile international meeting for the Kurdish leadership after a Sept. 25 independence referendum.

"It is essential that there is a gradual demilitarisation, in particular of the Popular Mobilisation that established itself in the last few years in Iraq, and that all militias be gradually dismantled," he told a joint news conference held with Barzani and Talabani.

Macron called for dialogue in Iraq between the central government in Baghdad and the semi-autonomous KRG within the framework of the Iraqi constitution, saying he was convinced a "constructive dialogue" could lead to lifting Baghdad's restrictions on the Kurdish region.

Kurds voted overwhelmingly to break away from Iraq in the referendum, defying the central government in Baghdad and alarming neighbouring Turkey and Iran who have their own Kurdish minorities.

The Iraqi government responded by seizing the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk and other territory disputed between the Kurds and the central government. It also banned direct flights to Kurdistan and demanded control over border crossings.

Long-serving Kurdish president Masoud Barzani stepped down over the affair and the regional government led by his nephew Nechirvan has tried to negotiate an end to the confrontation.

The Kurdish prime minister said on Saturday he saw France playing a role to end the dispute with Baghdad and that his government respected a Nov. 20 verdict by the Iraqi Supreme Federal Court ruling the referendum unconstitutional and its results void.

"With regards to the referendum, we are in a new era, and this issue is over and we have made our position in the Kurdistan Regional Government clear," Erbil-based broadcaster Rudaw, which is close to the KRG, quoted Barzani as saying.

Macron called for the long-delayed implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution to settle the status of territories disputed between Baghdad and the Kurds.

Article 140 provided for a referendum to be held by the end of 2007 in the oil region of Kirkuk and other territories claimed by both the KRG and the Iraqi government to determine whether their populations wanted to be part of the Kurdish region or not.

No such referendum took place, among the reasons cited by the KRG to unilaterally hold its referendum on independence.

Kurds say they formed a majority in these areas until the 1970s, when a campaign to uproot them and replace them by Arabs was carried out by Saddam Hussein's government.

The 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam paved the way for the Kurds to return to these regions.

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The ruling party for 22 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party, says it is about development. This is apparently a copyrighted word and development is something only the BJP can deliver, particularly under Narendra Modi. What the BJP does is development and what other parties do is corruption, dynasty and so on. This formulation is childish in its simplicity but the remarkable thing is that the BJP has been allowed to get away with it by its opponents.

Even if we assume that what the BJP wants to talk about is development, meaning the discussing data and policies that push economic and social growth, the party gets distracted. It wants to know what religion Rahul Gandhi is. The prime minister lies and says the Congress celebrated Hafiz Saeeds bail. What does that have to do with development? Nothing, of course.

If the BJP claims to stand for development, the Congress is not clear about the issue in the election. Or at least it does not offer a single point like the BJP claims to offer development. The Congress partys crown prince Rahul Gandhi wants to discuss corruption in the Rafale deal (for which he has got no support from the media) one day, and the next day it could be GST and demonetisation. This lack of focus has meant that the messaging against the BJP has been scattered.

The second thing, after issues, is organisation. Here the BJP is a formidable force. It is one of the most powerful political parties in the democratic world. It has a large grassroots presence that is managed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the worlds biggest non-governmental organisation, with lakhs of members. These are dedicated and trained individuals, and in recent years they have also been highly motivated because of the charismatic leadership of Narendra Modi, whom the RSS grassroots adores. In any tight race, and one is not sure whether Gujarat is a tight race at the moment, the BJP's organisational assets will win the day for them.

On the other side, and since this is a two-party state we can only look at the Congress, it must be accepted that this level of competence is missing. The old Congress worker from the Seva Dal or the Youth Congress is absent. The structure has disintegrated and it is left to the individual Congress candidates to provide the manpower that will do the work. This costs money and many Congress leaders no longer invest as much money in elections because the party has been consistently losing.

Both on the side of issues and organisation, my view is that the BJP is ahead, either because of its strength or the Congress weakness, or both.

The third thing is the campaign strategy. The BJP has used its most powerful card, the prime minister, and has deployed him in dozens of rallies. Readers may have observed that though for many years he would only use Hindi even in Gujarat, but these days he has started speaking in Gujarati.

To me this indicates that he feels he needs to drive home the message and that may mean a closer race than the opinion polls show. Modi is of course an outstanding public speaker and he is able to set the agenda in a way that Rahul Gandhi cannot.

When Modi makes a big speech, he usually frames an old issue in a new way so well that the headlines must report it. An example: I sold tea, but did not sell the nation. Such clear, simple framing is a terrific asset to have in a leader. On the other hand, the Congress not only cannot set the agenda but must also keep defending itself on non-stories, such as whether Ahmed Patel was wrong to be a trustee in a hospital and whether Rahul Gandhi is Catholic.

The Congress has, however, managed to do one thing with competence: It has brought in the three large dissenting groups that had mobilised in the past few months. The Patidars, the Dalits and the OBC Kshatriyas, led by Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakor, respectively. It would not have been easy to do this, given that the three groups have contradicting demands. And it would not have been natural for these groups to align with Congress given that all three mobilisations were apolitical and spontaneous, but the Congress has managed to pull it off. My guess is that this is the doing mainly of Ahmed Patel.

The BJP is worried by this development, and we can observe that in the many statements from its leaders, particularly the chief minister, which are aimed at breaking the alliance.

The question is: Will it be enough to defeat the BJP? My view is that this election will be determined above all by turnout. Gujarat is a high turnout state and the BJP, even if it leads opinion polls, must ensure that its base comes out and votes. This may not be easy because it is fighting a defensive campaign. The Congress can be confident that, even though its base is smaller, their voters will turn out because they are angry.

In that sense the real issues in Gujarat, jobs and meaningful economic development, are against the ruling party, even if it pretends to be fighting on them.

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Rajkot: Police detained three Congress workers on Saturday night outside the residence of Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani when a mob of opposition party workers rushed there, after brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in scuffle with BJP workers.

Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot east Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

Police also indulged in baton charge to disperse the mob.

Rupani is contesting polls from his Rajkot West seat against Rajyaguru. Elections will be held in Rajkot on 9 December.

"Scuffle broke out between Congress and BJP workers over the issue of tearing of posters. Brother of Rajyaguru, Deep was injured in the the scuffle," joint commissioner of police Dipak Bhatt told reporters.

Injured Congress workers were taken to City private hospital.

"Rajyaguru with a large group of Congress workers rushed to the residence of Rupani. We tried to reason it out with him but they wanted to take law in their hand," Bhatt said.

"We have detained three people so far", he said adding that they used necessary force to control the situation. Rupani was at his residence when the incident took place.

Heavy police security has been put in place at the residence of the chief minister.
New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday accused the Congress of not respecting Manmohan Singh when he was the prime minister but using him now to issue political statements ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections.

"Why is the Congress forcing Manmohan Singh to make political statements? They did (indulge in) all corruption under him, yet never respected him as the Prime Minister," the Minister of State for Home tweeted.

Rijiju's reaction came a day after Singh attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the implementation of demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"The GST was badly designed and hastily implemented. This is an uninformed, half-baked crusade against black money where he (Modi) painted everyone as a thief while the real culprits have gotten away," Singh said in Surat on Saturday.

Voting for the 14th Gujarat Assembly will take place on 9 and 14 December.
Surat: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Saturday said Modi failed to understand the "pains" of his note ban and GST decisions were going to unleash on the people of his own home state.

Calling demonetisation an "uninformed, half-baked crusade" and GST a "badly designed and hastily implemented" measure, Singh also lamented the "low-level rhetoric" used by the ruling party.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes...," he said.

"Just as you were recovering from one blow (of demonetisation), came the GST. Nobody consulted you or tried to understand how your dhandha (business) works," he told a

gathering of members of the local business community in Surat.

"The prime minister is from Gujarat, and he claims to understand Gujarat and the poor more than anyone else. How is it that he never understood the pains his decisions will unleash on you?" Singh asked.

"Your business works on trust and relationships. Without trust in each other, Surat will collapse. You extended this trust to the prime minister and his promise of 'acchhe din' (good days). The hope symbolised in those dreams now lies shattered," he said.

In Surat alone, 89,000 powerlooms were sold as scrap and it led to a loss of 31,000 jobs, Singh said. "There are countless such examples from industrial clusters and big mandis (markets) from across the country."

China benefited from this situation, he claimed.

"In FY 2016-17, India's imports from China stood at Rs 1.96 lakh crore. During the same period in FY 2017-18, the imports from China increased to Rs 2.41 lakh crore. This unprecedented increase in imports by more than Rs 45,000 crore, a 23 percent increase in a year, can be attributed largely to demonetisation and GST.

"These twin blows damaged India's MSME sector and our businesses had to turn to Chinese imports at the cost of India jobs," the senior Congress leader said.

On demonetisation, Singh said, "This is an uninformed, half-baked crusade on black money where he (Modi) painted everyone as a thief, while real culprits have gotten away."

The Goods and Services Tax was "badly designed and hastily implemented", the economist-turned-politician said.

Maintaining that demonetisation was not the solution to the problem of black money and tax evasion, Singh said the costs of demonetisation substantially exceeded its benefits, and the decision "proved to be mere bluster to reap political dividends while the real offenders have escaped".

Demonetisation and GST have also "sown a deep-rooted fear of tax terrorism among the business community", he said.

"At a time when the economy has slowed down considerably, despite favourable global macro-economic conditions, the fear of tax terrorism has eroded the confidence of the businesses to invest," he said.

"This attitude of suspecting everyone to be a thief or anti-national, the low-level rhetoric is damaging the democratic discourse and has real consequences for how we

relate to one another as citizens. Political leaders must stick to the high road," he said.

Singh said on every social indicator, from infant and maternal mortality rates to female literacy, Gujarat has fallen behind the best performing states, including Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

He said the recent agitations by the youth cutting across different sections of the society was an indication of the deep dissatisfaction with the performance of successive BJP governments.

The former prime minister said a Congress government in the state will hear the voice of every Gujarati regardless of caste, creed, gender or class.

Later, talking to reporters, Singh strongly denied Modi's allegation that the Congress and Congress-led governments hated Gujaratis.

"Nothing can be farther from the truth. I realise that many things are said in election times. But when they are gross distortions, they need to be rebutted," he said, adding that Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister, and the "most famous Gujarati" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hand-in-hand, and "nothing is gained, as is often attempted by Modi, by pitting the two great leaders apart."

Modi was "denigrating the country" when claiming that Congress party did nothing in 70 years, the former PM said.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes without resorting to statements which denigrate our country," he said.

"...While denigrating the past, the prime minister also tends to exaggerate what he will do in future. He was recently quoted in the press as saying that India will become a developed country by 2022," Singh said, adding that to achieve that, India needed to grow at the rate of 35 percent per year.

The government should get out of the "culture of constant self-praise", Singh said.

"In the ten years of UPA-I and II, when I was the prime minister, we produced 7.8 percent GDP growth on average. This includes the slow-down in the last two years of our government. When the present government took over, they said they would take growth to 8 to 10 percent. Modi so far has produced an average of only 7.3 percent in the first three years," he said.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again visiting his home state Gujarat on Sunday, three days after he addressed four campaign meetings for the BJP in the poll-bound state.

For his two-day sojourn, the BJP has organized seven public gatherings named as 'Vikas Rallies', to stress on the ruling BJP's development plank. On Sunday, Modi will be addressing three public meetings, at Bharuch in the morning, and later at Surendranagar.

Modi will inaugurate a hospital at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP). The BJP wants to make this meeting a grand event and is planning a huge rally comprising more than one lakh people. The administration and police have geared up for the event.

A lot is at stake in Rajkot. It is a battle for pride as CM Rupani is skating on thin ice in his own constituency. His opponent Indranil Rajyaguru is giving him a hard time.

On Saturday evening, Rupani held a roadshow in Rajkot that got lukewarm response. The narrow alleys of Sadhu Vasvani road had enough space to walk along. It did not seem like a sitting chief minister's roadshow.

As opposed to Rupani, Hardik Patel's rally just a couple of days back got massive traction. People from Jamnagar, Morbi and elsewhere had spent their own money to watch him speak.

Police detained three Congress workers tonight outside the residence of Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot when a mob of opposition party workers rushed there, after brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in scuffle with BJP workers. Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

In Rajkot, Congress has installed pertinent posters, pointing out, for example, that Gujarat got three chief ministers in 22 years but Rajkot didn't get an AIIMS. One of the posters has Modi's photo on it, which says, "we have brought Narmada water to Rajkot's Aaji dam". A Congress poster right alongside that says "But Rajkot still gets water only 20 mins a day."

Addressing the media, the former three-time Delhi chief minister said that the saffron party has realised that people are in a mood to change the government and that's why Modi is paying frequent visits to the state.

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday asked if the claim of the ruling BJP in Gujarat of having undertaken a lot of development is correct then why was Prime Minister Narendra Modi rushing off to the state practically every other day to campaign.

Water situation remains bleak in Rajkot. The well-off areas get 20 minutes of water per day. Most have drilled borewells and handpumps, but when even that goes defunct, people order tankers.

On Monday, the prime minister will be holding public meetings at Dharampur in Valsad district and later at Bhavnagar. From there he will visit other places in Saurashtra: Junagadh and Jamnagar.

There are a few areas in Rajkot which do not get tap water at all. The corporation provides tankers twice a week. But that's hardly enough. These are labourers and workers, who are then forced to procure water. Women say when the tankers arrive, fights break out.

Merely 30 kilometres from Rajkot, over a hundred women did rasta roko at Gondal just over a month ago. Gondal town gets water once in 3-4 days. But during Diwali, they didn't get water for 20 days. Women eventually lost patience and did an agitation.

In 2012, more than half the voters, or a clear majority, in constituencies where the BJP won the Assembly elections voted for the BJP, showing strong support for the party.

In the 2012 state Assembly elections, the BJP, with Narendra Modi as its chief ministerial candidate, won 115 out of 182 seats, with an average vote share of 53 percent in these seats.

Farmers also complain of lack of water during summers. Bhadar dam, which is in Gondal, is linked to big towns. With Narmada water having reached Aaji, Gondal hopes that water from Bhadar dam would be diverted to them.

The Congress in Gujarat is banking on its star campaigner Rahul Gandhi and support from a clutch of caste leaders to bridge the around nine percent vote share gap that led the BJP to retain power in 2012. However, the saffron party, which is in power in Gujarat for over two decades, is not only confident of retaining its 2012 base, but also expanding the vote share.

Though there was a difference of 9 percent votes, the BJP won 115 seats and the Congress 61. The NCP and Keshubhai Patel's Gujarat Parivartan Party bagged two seats each.

According to the Election Commission of India's data on the 2012 Gujarat polls, the BJP had received 47.85 percent of the valid votes, while the Congress garnered 38.93 percent votes, a difference of 8.92 percent between the two parties.

After being Gujarat chief minister for 13 years, these elections have become very important for Modi, who has become the country's vada pradhan. He is now leading the country after leading the BJP to victory in Gujarat for three consecutive Assembly elections. However he must once again ensure the BJP's victory in these elections as it is now a question of credibility.

Talking to the people at the Morbi rally, it seemed that the hard work the BJP has put in is turning hopes into reality. BJP repeatedly keeps Modi's face in the foreground and stresses on Gujarati identity.

"At 5 pm this evening, will inaugurate the Shree Jogi Swami Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad. The various efforts of the SGVP family towards serving society are commendable," Modi tweeted on Sunday.

In a stinging rebuttal to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's repeated criticism of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a key economic reform of the NDA government, Modi said a recently emerged "economist" was propagating a "grand stupid thought" by suggesting that GST rate be capped at 18 percent. Attacking Rahul for calling GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax', Modi said that those who looted the country could only think of dacoits.

Modi is right in saying that the progress has not been as swift as it should have been in the years that followed bank nationalisation. But, if these banks have failed to deliver, the reasons can be traced to excessive government control, resultant lack of autonomy and absence of professional managements. The short point is that If Modi is convinced that Indira Gandhis bank nationalisation policy was drama, this is the time for him to undo the drama and let these banks compete in a free market.

"Rahul Gandhi is adopting a strategy of negative politics and trying to introduce the 'Amethi model of development' in Gujarat. There are no pucca roads, good hospitals and infrastructure facilities in Amethi. So the 'Amethi model of development' won't work in Gujarat," the BJP leader said.

Referring to the BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh civic polls on Friday, he said the party can now set the new target of winning 160 seats in Gujarat, out of the total Assembly 182 seats.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Friday slammed Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying his "model of development" in Amethi that "lacks good roads, hospitals and infrastructure facilities", will not work in Gujarat.

The prime minister addressed eight rallies on 27 and 29 November in Saurashtra and south Gujarat. He is again expected to visit his home state on Wednesday.

Madhavsinh Solanki was the first chief minister from a caste that later came to be counted among the OBC. His first term was of barely hundred days, during the Emergency. But in the 1980 Assembly election, he led the Congress to victory on 141 out of 182 seats. (The BJPs best tally so far is 127.) He was the first chief ministerand the only one before Modito complete a full term and led the party in the next round of elections in 1985.

"Narendra Modi is a 'zabardast' (excellent) actor, even better than Amitabh Bachchan. Generally, an actor has to put contact lens when he has to weep...His eyes burns and tears roll down. But Narendra Modiji does not need any contact lens for tears to roll down his eyes," Gandhi told a rally at Savarkundla.

With the ruling BJP and the Congress locked in a high-decibel battle for the Gujarat polls, two members of a family are contesting for the rival parties while keeping aside their personal relations. Jaysukh Kakadiya is contesting as a Congress candidate from Dhari Assembly segment in Amreli district, while his brother-in-law Kamlesh Kanani is the BJP's nominee from the neighbouring Savarkundla seat in the same district.

"If an original is available, why would one prefer a clone?" Jaitley asked, referring to the Congress. "In 1990s, the reforms were taken under compulsion but the government under prime minister (Narendra) Modi is undertaking the reforms by conviction," he said. Speaking to the media in Surat, Gujarat, he added, "While the BJP has maintained its credibility, Congress is slowly becoming extinct," ANI reported.

Taking a jibe at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always been seen as a pro-Hindutva party, and suggested that now, other parties have been trying to replicate their political stance, media reports said.

While the Bharuch rally has begun, the gathering is waiting Narendra Modi's arrival on to the stage. Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and Mumbai BJP MP Kirit Somaiya are also presiding over the rally.

In Godhra too, there are Muslim pockets like Saatpul Bazar, Polan Bazar and Rani Masjid. Its nearly 52 percent Muslims live in the west and Hindus live in the east. There is communal harmony in Godhra. Even at midnight, our women can go over to the Hindu side. It is safer than Delhi, said Mohsin Patel, a young businessman.

"On 9 December, you can show your power. You can recreate the destiny of Gujarat by your one vote," says Modi

"Congress has no reason to escape now.. They don't understand what to do now. In UP, where they used to win every time. It is a state which is the karmabhoomi of Nehru-Gandhi family. What happened in results?" Modi said while refering to the civic poll debacle. He added, "They know to change their colors. They divide brothers, divide communities."

"There is a high proportion of Muslim population in Kutch and Bharuch. However, it was under BJP rule that these two districts have grown tremendously," Modi said.

"Vikaas is our only path. Vikaas is only goal," says Narendra Modi.

"When the Statue of Unity will be erected in the next two years, then people will cross the roads of Bharuch to reach there. This will help tourism in the district," Modi said.

"When there were floods in Banaskantha, Congress leaders were in Bengaluru to save one leader from losing a Rajya Sabha poll. That same leader is the topmost Congress leader but what did he do for Bharuch. He was unable to work for Narmada, neither did he think about ro-ro ferry," Modi said while slamming Ahmed Patel.

"I helped negotiate Rs 1 lakh crore from Japan for the bullet train free of interest. UPA could not take the discussion forward with Japan at all. I say oppose me but the Congress party crosses its limit when they oppose "vikaas'. They spent 5 decades on dviding people and promoting dynasty," Modi said.

"When common man gets security, then 'vikaas' can easily take place. That is why security is important. Don't you remember when there were curfews? It was the BJP which brought about security to the state," Modi said.

"We revolutionised agriculture in Gujarat by bringing drip irrigation in the state," Modi said while adding that his government at the Centre has introduced many schemes for the poor like soil testing cards as well as farmer fairs. He added that the government helped farmers by the Narmada Sarovar project.

"Fish production was about 5.5 lakh tonnes. But now it around 9 lakh tonnes. This has helped Gujarat become a leader in fishing industry," Modi said while talking about his government's initiatives for fishermen.

"Our vikaas is not just about development but it also intends to bring Gujarat at par with the global economic giants. We have a great track record for doing so," Modi said while concluding his speech in Bharuch.

"My problem with Congress politics is simple- they oppose us just for the sake of opposing. They oppose things like bullet train only because they could not take this initiative forward and are envious someone else is."

After Bharuch, Modi flew to Surendranagar where he continued to target the Gandhi family over charges of dynasty politics in the wake of Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla's allegation that the party president's election is rigged to favour Rahul Gandhi.

At a rally in Rajkot later in the day, the prime minister continued his attack against the Opposition. "India's rise in the world stage has rattled many. They are going out of the way to discredit the rankings. Yes, that is fine but will they also discredit the people of UP who have rejected them comprehensively," Modi said, referring to Congress dismissing the improvement in 'Ease of doing business' and Moody rankings.

"There is a man named Shahzad. He has asked a question to the 'shehzaada'," Modi said in reference to the Congress leaders letters to Rahul. "They are getting publicly embarrased by a Congress leader. They spoke so much about tolerance that they have released a 'fatwa' that Shahzad should be removed from every WhatsApp group that he is in. This is the same party that cries of intolerance," he said.

Rahul Gandhi asks why the salaries of fixed and contractual workers in Gujarat is still Rs 5,500 and Rs 10,000 when the seventh pay commission pegs their salaries at Rs 18,000.

"I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a 'fatwa' (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is 'Rashtrabhakti' (nationalism) that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world," Modi said.

The prime minister was referring to the letter issued last month by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from "nationalist forces".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "rashtrabhakti" motivated him and his government to help people of various faiths, including Christians, and dubbed as "fatwa" a letter issued by Gandhinagar archbishop.

The prime minister said, "What can you expect from the Congress" when the person expected to lead the party cannot understand such basic things.

Making a veiled reference to Gandhi, he said, "One leader during his speech said Modi gave 48,000 crore acres of land to an industrialist. The area he is talking about is three times the size of land available on the earth. I don't know what to do... to laugh or cry."

At a public rally in Sanand, Singh said, "The Congress leader (Rahul) asks what did the BJP government do in 22 years of its rule? What the BJP government has done in 22 years has been answered by the people of India during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections."

Hitting out at Gandhi over his "a question a day" social media campaign, Singh said he should first tell why India remained poor despite the Congress ruling it for 50-55 years.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the BJP formed government at the Centre because of the Gujarat model of development and that the people of the country had already answered the questions of Rahul Gandhi by giving it a mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"From those lessons, I have learnt that 125 crore people of the country are my God and I am their priest. I will continue to work for 'sabka sath, sabka vikas'," the prime minister said.

Referring to the meme tweeted by the Youth Congress, Modi said the Congress was using abusive language against him. "It is their 'sanskar' (values). I have not studied in an English medium school but in a government school where they taught me how to lead life," Modi said in Surendranagar.

Mocking the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged the party had a history of rigging organisational polls. The outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion, Modi said while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Surendranagar district.

Narendra Modi went on to claim that rigging was a practice in the Congress party. "Sardar Patel got more votes than Jawaharlal Nehru when the Congress party had (then) met to decide who would be the prime minster of the country. But that election was rigged and Nehru won," he alleged. This is what happened with Morarji Desai, too, Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left Surat to Dharampur, reported Financial Express. Modi will be addressing a public meeting at Malanpada.

Modi to be in Gujarat between 6 and 9 December 6 December Dhandhuka : 09:30 am Dahod : 12:00 noon Netrang : 02:00 pm Surat : 06:00 pm 8 December Bhabhar : 11:00 am Kalol : 12:30 pm Himatnagar: 02:30 pm Vatva : 04:00 pm 9 December Lunavada : 09:30 am Bodeli : 11:00 am Anand : 12:00 noon Mehsana : 03:00 pm

Even as Congress leaders and Hardik live in a fools paradise, beating tambourines and singing paeans to each other, their so-called deal is getting the adrenaline of backward class reservations going in other states.

Past verdicts of the Supreme Court as well as various high courts, however, make it evident that the Congress is fooling Hardik. Or possibly, Hardik, too naive to understand the legal hassles of raising reservation levels, is fooling himself. Or he is fooling his community.

1) if the Congress wins Gujarat elections to pass a bill that will bless Patidars with reservations; 2) if the Modi government then agrees to keep that law in the Ninth Schedule and 3) if the Supreme Court agrees that such a law in Ninth Schedule is really beyond a judicial review.

Taking recourse to Article 31B means passing a law to raise reservation level to include Patidars and then parking that legislation in the Constitutions Ninth Schedule where it is presumed to be safe from judicial hurdles. In theory this can happen, but there are three big Ifs:

While legal luminary and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who brokered the deal with Hardik, did not disclose its details, the 24-year-old Patidar leader claimed that it would be carried out under Articles 31B and 46 of the Constitution.

"On 9 December, you have to decide the destiny of Gujarat.. The vote is against those who hate Guajrati people, Gujarat state, its name itself. 9 December is the date when you can teach a lesson to these people who are defaming Gujarat," Modi said.

"Those people who are on bail..the court has asked a case to be filed against them. Congress party has been forced to make him the president.. Congress has become bankrupt. They have nothing left now.." Modi said while targetting Rahul Gandhi.

Those out on bail now want to lead party, says Modi

"Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer had said "Jab jahangir ke jagah pe Shahjahan aye the tab elections hua tha kya?" It has been decided that the queen's son will be made the leader. Congress itself believes that it is not a party but a cotorie.. For them, if they come to power, it means a dynast is coming to power. This "Aurangazeb raj" is god for them," Modi said while mocking Congress presidential elections. For me the 125 crore Indians ar emy high command, added Modi.

"Do these people defame UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and WB? But Congress used to defame and insult Gujarat. Every Congress leader usued to at least insult Gujarat once in a day," Modi said in the Dharmapur rally.

Modi asks crowd whether they were angry because of demonetisation.. The crowd shouts "no'. "It is only Congress which is angry due to the note ban as they have lost their opportunity to loot the poor in India. They cry because I have acted against them. I am here for the poor. Every money in India is for the poor, adivasis, Dalits, farmers and workers," Modi said while defending note ban.

"You could not even handle Kashmir. But Sardar did yeomen service by unifying all rajas in India. Morarji fought for Prime Ministership. But he was jailed and thrown out like dirt," Modi said while slamming dynasty politics in Congress.

"These people talk a lot of OBCs.. but i want to tell the OBCs of south Gujarat that Congress is lying and renegading on promises. Our MP met Manmohan Singh on giving constitutional status to OBC commission but nothing came out of it," Modi said in Dharmapur.

"Have you ever read that I have eaten so much (corruption). Have you read that any of my relatives have indulged any corruption?" Modi asked the gathering. Their (Congress leaders) headlines are.. '2 lakh crore 2G case, 1 lakh crore in coal scam.. so and so in submarine scam'. These news were in newspaper But from my end, there were reports like "how much money came to India," Modi said while reiterating his anti-corruption credentials.

"Help us win the Gujarat polls with over 150 seats," Modi urges the gathering while concluding his speech.

"Not only did the Congress ignore the healthcare infrastructure in tribal areas, there was no arrangements for ambulances. We changed both these things- today there are better healthcare services and the 108 ambulance service is active," said the prime minister.

"Why did the Congress not give Constitutional Status to the OBC Commission? We got a bill but when we did so, they stalled it in the Rajya Sabha. This anti-OBC Congress should be severely punished by the people," says Modi.

"Why has the Congress stopped saying BJP is anti-Muslim? Earlier, they would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going. Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature," Modi said in Dharampur.

"The newly elected mayors will meet the prime minister over tea tomorrow in Delhi. They are all devoted party workers and will be used where ever the party needs them," BJP state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told PTI.

Thereafter, they will proceed to Gujarat for campaigning for the Assembly elections there on 9 and 14 December.

The BJP has won 14 out of 16 mayoral seats in civic polls in Uttar Pradesh and all the newly elected leaders will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to seek his blessings.

"Today, I can say with pride that after two decades, I got to handle many responsibilities. Two decades is not a short time, but in this time, there has never been an incident due to which my dear Gujarat would have to hang its head," Modi said at an election rally in Bhavnagar.

Worked hard for two decades so Gujarat wouldn't have to hang its head in shame, says Modi

"Congress is trying to create fights between brothers, between cities and villages, between religions and castes, whatever chasms that they could create, Congress party has learned this sin from the British Raj rather well," Modi says.

Modi praised the development model in Gujarat, asking the audience at the rally in Bhavnagar who was responsible for this development. The crowd immediately began to chant "Modi, Modi!" but the prime minister went on to say "Modi has been PM and CM in Gujarat, but the reason for this development is the unity between Gujaratis." "Gujarat has grown due to the power of Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana," he added.

"Congress better hear loud and clear, we are the born on the same land as Gandhi and Sardar Patel, so we never go back from our promises," Modi asserted at the rally. "Our promise is, whoever stole from the poor, whoever stole from the nation, they will have to give the money back!" Modi said.

"The people of UP know the Congress and their leadership well. And see how they have rejected Congress repeatedly," Modi said in a barb against the Opposition party. "It has been 12 months since note ban, why are Congress party's tears not drying?" Modi asked about their criticism against demonetisation at an election rally.

"The newly elected mayors will meet the prime minister over tea tomorrow in Delhi. They are all devoted party workers and will be used where ever the party needs them," BJP state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told PTI.

Thereafter, they will proceed to Gujarat for campaigning for the Assembly elections there on 9 and 14 December.

The BJP has won 14 out of 16 mayoral seats in civic polls in Uttar Pradesh and all the newly elected leaders will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to seek his blessings.

"I appeal to the Congress to stick to the truth. The people of Gujarat do not like poll-time lollipops and false promises of the Congress," Modi said. "I am seeing videos of Congress supporters saying, vote for Congress on 9th and 14th and then we will do 'Dadagiri' for 5 years. This is not the Gujarat that the people desire," he said at the rally.

"Congress has a very 'able' lawyer in Kapil Sibal. He is always handling all the indefensible and wrong matters. In 2007, he held a rally in Viramgam and said after the results are out Modi will be in jail. He was very powerful in that government," Modi said at the Bhavnagar rally. "But he was not able to keep this promise, was he?" Modi exclaimed.

PM lashes out against Kapil Sibal, says he wasn't able to keep his promise that "Modi will be in jail"

With the media sitting in the front row and fanning the flames, we have been witness to several weeks of verbal battering ensuring that more than any major issues, personal insult and insinuation have been the tactics adopted by both combatants. These actions are more in keeping with the conduct of wrestlers in the WWE rather than an honourable battle.

Come 9 December, Gujarat will show the rest of the country if the slanging match between the Congress wearing the colours of Rahul Gandhi and the BJP in the right corner wearing the colours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had any effect on the voters.

As the abuse-fest gets into top gear, theres one unanswered question: Whats in it for the voter?

"BJP didn't give any promises of providing gas in their election campaigns, but we gave gas connections to over three crore poor families and we also gave chulhas (gas stoves) which gave poor mothers relief from toxic fumes," Modi said at the rally. This is the kind of work we do, he said, urging the audience to "show the strength of your finger on 9 December" to seal the destiny of India and Gujarat.

"Since 2004, we've been hearing that Rahul will get the post of Congres president. His mother is ill, she can't work, but she still is fighting for him," Modi said at another jab at the Opposition party's nomination of party president. "At that time, Congress held a press conference and there media thought they would announce their pm candidate, but instead they declared that the Congress would come to power in 2014, and when they do, instead of nine cylinders, they would give twelve cylinders of gas to the poor."

"I congratulate Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj.' For us, 125 crore Indians are our high command," BJP shares video of Modi's barb

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again visiting his home state Gujarat on Sunday, three days after he addressed four campaign meetings for the BJP in the poll-bound state.

For his two-day sojourn, the BJP has organized seven public gatherings named as 'Vikas Rallies', to stress on the ruling BJP's development plank.

On Sunday, Modi will be addressing three public meetings, at Bharuch in the morning, and later at Surendranagar.

Modi will be visiting the capital of Saurashtra, Rajkot, before his visit to Ahmedabad where he will inaugurate a hospital at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP). The BJP wants to make this meeting a grand event and is planning a huge rally comprising more than one lakh people. The administration and police have geared up for the event.

On Monday, the prime minister will be holding public meetings at Dharampur in Valsad district and later at Bhavnagar. From there he will visit other places in Saurashtra: Junagadh and Jamnagar.

He will also be visiting the state in three phases after 6 December where he will be addressing more than 24 meetings and rallies.

Modi was in Gujarat on Wednesday, to campaign in Saurashtra region and south Gujarat.

The BJP has been in power in the state since more than 22 years with the major share of that under the tenure of Modi as chief minister. But after having ruled for more than two decades, the saffron party is feeling a strong wave of opposition in the form of various agitations from different sections of the society.

A majority of these forces have joined hands with the opposition Congress party and the more than two-decades reign seems to be on the downslide. That's the reason why Narendra Modi, despite his very busy schedule, has made Gujarat virtually his home since the last couple of months and has been visiting the state every other day.

Lately, the saffron party has felt that the young Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been gathering more people in his rallies and that even their star campaigner Modi is not garnering the crowds he used to do in the state.

According to sources, the BJP is taking the Rajkot rally as a prestige issue and wants to make it a huge success. It can also be because the Saurashtra region has been opposing the BJP more than any other region of Gujarat and from where the Patidar agitations have had immense support and success.

With inputs from agencies

Read complete coverage of Gujarat Elections 2017 here
Training his guns against the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reminded the party of its defeat in the local body polls in Uttar Pradesh.

"In Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress ruled for decades, the state from where generations of top Congress leaders belong...we saw what happened there in the local elections. Congress was wiped out. UP knows the Congress well and so does Gujarat," Modi said in his rally in Gujarat's Bharuch.

Sharpening his attack on the Congress, Modi accused the opposition party of seeking to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.

Resuming his campaign in his home state, where the first phase of Assembly elections is to be held on 9 December, Modi lashed out at the Congress, saying that it wanted to create "walls between brothers".

"The people of Gujarat know what the Congress is up to. It changes colour time and again, creates a wall between brothers," he said.

Modi said the party made "one caste fight with the other, one religion fight with another". "They keep you busy in fighting with each other. You may die but the Congress will eat 'malai' (cream)," he added.

Modi also reiterated his promise of "vikas" to the gathering reminding them of the development under his watch.

"Bharuch and Kutch are districts with significant Muslim populations. And, if you see the districts which developed rapidly under the BJP tenure in Gujarat, the names of these two districts figure prominently," the prime minister said.

Modi also slammed the Congress for not supporting his government over the bullet train project and said, "Those opposing the bullet train project should travel on bullock carts. We won't mind," he said.

Modi said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor to be built by the state-run Japan International Cooperation Agency would open up a huge employment opportunity in Gujarat.

"Imagine how much employment it will generate for the region, for Bharuch. I ask you where will the cement for the bullet train (infrastructure) come from, iron come from, labourers come from? Won't that be from India? And who will be buying that? Japan. Isn't it a big deal?" Modi asked.

"My problem with Congress politics is simple- they oppose us just for the sake of opposing. They oppose things like bullet train only because they could not take this initiative forward and are envious someone else is."

Modi also stressed on law and order across Gujarat and said that security is a pre-requisite for development.

He said,"Do you remember the poor law and order situation in Bharuch when Congress was in power? Curfews and violence was common here. BJP changed this, not only in Bharuch but all over Gujarat."

The prime minister also said that the Statue of Unity, which is slated to be completed by 2019 will help tourism grow in Bharuch.

"When the Statue of Unity will be erected, people will cross Bharuch to reach there.This will help tourism in the district," he said.

"Vikas is our only path.It is our only goal," Modi added. While concluding his speech at Bharuch, Modi said that he would help Gujarat reach at par with the developed countries.

After Bharuch, Modi flew to Surendranagar where he continued to target the Gandhi family over charges of dynasty politics in the wake of Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla's allegation that the party president's election is rigged to favour Rahul Gandhi.

"There is a man named Shahzad. He has asked a question to the 'shehzaada'," Modi said in reference to the Congress leaders letters to Rahul. "They are getting publicly embarrased by a Congress leader. They spoke so much about tolerance that they have released a 'fatwa' that Shahzad should be removed from every WhatsApp group that he is in. This is the same party that cries of intolerance," he said.

Modi also spoke about the Narmada Sarovar project and how it has helped people in the water-scarce Surendranagar district.

"I am asking my sisters, tell me the truth. Weren't there major issues with water? Didn't you have to walk kilometres heaving earthen pots to get water? Didn't you have to dig deep borewells?" the prime minister asked.

He added, "But water scarcity in Surendranagar is now history! The BJP has got the Narmada waters here and helped farmers," he said. "A whole river was diverted."

At a rally in Rajkot later in the day, the prime minister continued his attack against the Opposition. "India's rise in the world stage has rattled many. They are going out of the way to discredit the rankings. Yes, that is fine but will they also discredit the people of UP who have rejected them comprehensively," Modi said, referring to Congress dismissing the improvement in 'Ease of doing business' and Moody rankings.

"Be it corruption, casteism, communalism or nepotism, it is the Congress which is associated with these evils. The youth are not ready to accept the Congress," Modi said at the rally. He also said that BJP's performance in terms of development was better than Congress in Gujarat. "In every indicator be it health, education, agriculture the progress of Gujarat under BJP has been better than under previous Congress governments in the state."

Gujarat will vote in two phases  on 9 and 14 December  to elect a 182-member Assembly. The counting of votes will take place on 18 December.

With inputs from agencies

Read complete coverage of Gujarat Elections 2017 here
Ahmedabad: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday termed the Gujarat model as "Modi model", which he said supports "crony capitalism".

He also alleged that Gujarat has been "lagging behind" on Human Development Index (HDI) and on social development parameters.

"The 'Gujarat Model' is actually the 'Modi model,' which (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji is trying to replicate (elsewhere) in the country with only one person running the government, taking decisions single-handedly whether it pertains to the economy or foreign policy," Chavan told reporters at a press conference here.

The former Maharashtra chief minister alleged the "Modi model" was actually helping big industries to grow.

"Modi model means crony capitalism which is facilitating the growth of big industry, giving them big projects, purchasing their materials at higher prices, taking them abroad and helping them collaborate in foreign countries," the former minister of state in the prime minister's Office (PMO) said.

Chavan said though big industry is needed but it should not be at the cost of the poor farmers.

"We need big industry but it should not be at the cost of snatching land from poor farmers and giving easy loans to corporates," the Congress leader said.

Chavan said the BJP believed in the "trickle down approach" wherein the poor will get some benefits after the rich became richer contrary to the Congress' approach of a "direct attack" on poverty.

"Our (erstwhile) government at the Centre had introduced many policies like Food Security Act to ensure that the poor get the benefits," he said.

Chavan said Gujarat was "lagging far behind" other states on the social development parameters due to its "flawed model".

"Isn't it true that Gujarat is lagging behind on social development parameters? Even when compared to Maharashtra, it (Gujarat) is a laggard," Chavan claimed citing Human Development Index (HDI) reports which had said that Gujarat slipped from the sixth position to 11th rank after 2002.

"As per 2008 and 2015 HDI reports, Gujarat slid to the 11th position from the sixth rank. The state is ranked 19th in the (availability of) household TV, internet connection, mobile network. It ranks 18th in (terms of) literacy, 22th in primary school enrollment, 23rd in infant mortality rate and 11th in maternal mortality rate," he added.

Attacking the prime minister, Chavan said Modi and his friends are "running away" from discussing the issue of development and are instead talking about temples, an apparent reference to the BJP leadership's criticism of Rahul Gandhi over his visits to temples in the poll-bound state.

"They are lying about our former prime ministers. It doesn't suit a prime minister to talk about our former prime ministers in such a tone," he said.

During his campaign tour, Modi had criticised former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi  both from the Congress  on various issues.

Chavan also slammed the BJP for "maintaining silence" on the questions raised by the Congress vice-president pertaining to the socio-economic development.
Coimbatore: Senior DMK leader Durai Murugan on Sunday said the chances of his party's victory in the 21 December bypoll to the RK Nagar assembly segment, were bright.

He was speaking to reporters at the airport in Coimbatore.

On MDMK's decision to extend support to DMK in the by-election, the Deputy Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly said, the party will welcome anybody's support.

He wanted to know whether the state government was taking any steps to provide relief in the cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district.

The DMK strong man alleged that the state government was busy erecting banners and cut outs and had no time to for relief measures.

In RK Nagar Assembly constituency, DMK's N Marudu Ganesh is pitted against E Madusudanan of the ruling mainstream AIADMK.

Rival AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran is also in the fray.

DMK's allies Congress and IUML have already extended their support to the main opposition party.

Besides, parties including the CPI, CPM and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi have declared their support to DMK.
Maharashtra Congress activist Shehzad Poonawalla retaliated to the party state unit and his family members virtually "disowning" him, saying that he had to become a whistle-blower to reveal "rigged elections." He said that he felt "insulted" by the Congress leadership, adding that the Congress is saying that he is not a member of the party anymore because he spoke out against dynasty politics.

"If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today," Shehzad said to ANI. "When I raised my voice to end dynasty politics and have an election for the president's post and not a coronation of Rahul Gandhi, they (Congress) said I was not a member. I proved that they lied," he added.

Calling the process to elect the Congress president "rigged", the party's Maharashtra unit secretary had on Wednesday questioned the entire process to elect the president. He said Rahul Gandhi must first resign as the party vice-president to contest for the elections. Poonawala had also written a letter to Rahul stating that if the election is conducted in a "genuine" manner then he would contest it.

Following these developments, state Congress president Ashok Chavan said Poonawalla's remarks were aimed at getting "cheap publicity", adding that he is neither a representative nor a leader of the party and that he has remained inactive since the past couple of years and done nothing for the party. In retaliation, Shehzad said on Saturday that he was still on the Maharashtra Congress website. Shahzad's brother Tehseen Poonawalla, who is also with the state Congress, quickly declared that he "officially ended all relationship with (Shehzad)" after the controversy escalated.

He also took to Twitter to say that the election was just 'meant for princes,' in a jab at Rahul Gandhi. "Better call it coronation of 'shehzada' which no Shehzad can question," he said on the micro-blogging website.

Till three days ago, I had been receiving communication from Maharashtra Congress office, now they are saying I am not a party member. I had to become a whistle-blower: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/xVwxzTNxQE  ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

During his election rallies in south Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took note of the ongoing controversy in the Opposition party. At a rally in Surendranagar, Modi said Congress was treating Shehzad poorly as the party has a history of lacking 'internal democracy.'

"They keep on muttering words like tolerance, tolerance, tolerance...but the party has brought out a diktat to silence this youth. The party has gagged him from all WhatsApp groups. He has been collectively boycotted by that party," the prime minister claimed. "We have a Gujarati saying which means that if there is water in a well, only then can it come in a bucket. If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practice it in the country?," Modi said.

He went on to allege that this has always been a practice with the Congress party. "I want to tell this youngster Shehzad, you have done a brave thing but this is sadly what has always happened in the Congress," Modi said.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: The opposition should not pitch the next Lok Sabha polls as a presidential-style contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien who feels a "collective leadership" would bring parties together against the BJP in each state.

He also says that Bengal will play a very important role in the collective leadership of opposition parties, an obvious reference to his party supremo Mamata Banerjee.

"In 2019, the opposition has to work out a strategy which will be to play to its strength in all 29 states. I am saying this as student of politics. For example, when we are fighting the election in Bengal, obviously it is going to be Mamata di who is the prime mover there," O'Brien, Trinamool Congress leader in the Rajya Sabha, told IANS in an interview.

He also said that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee can play a role in bringing opposition parties together in crucial states such as Uttar Pradesh.

"In Uttar Pradesh, there is Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress. Who is the most credible person to make this thing happen? Congress is a player, SP is a player, BSP is a player. Mamata di is the good one to do this job in UP. They will have to listen eventually," O'Brien said.

He said Mamata Banerjee has won a second term and has credibility of four decades.

"She has got a track record of people's movement, struggles. They are not some five-six year phenomenon, this is an old track record. Those are the people who will take the important roles but it will be a collective leadership," he said.

Asked if Mamata Banerjee could be prime ministerial candidate, O'Brien said: "I told you it is collective leadership. Bengal will play a very important role. Don't ask me about personalities," he said.

He said Trinamool Congress can play the role of a bridge between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and, in the same way, the Congress can play the role of a bridge between the Trinamool Congress and the Left in West Bengal.

Answering another query, the chief national spokesperson of Trinamool Congress said the prime ministerial candidate is chosen from the party with largest seats in parliamentary democracy.

"This is not a Presidential election. Why should the Lok Sabha election be pitched as a Presidential election. This is not Trump versus Clinton," he said.

On the likelihood of the Congress projecting party vice-president Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, O'Brien said: "At this stage, it looks (like)... it's easier to take on Modi with a strong face in each state."

He said Rahul Gandhi will be president of his party and Trinamool Congress wishes him well.

Asked if he was suggesting there should not be a single candidate against Modi, O'Brien said he was not a spokesperson for 18 parties which have been coordinating their actions against the government.

He said opposition should play to its strengths in all the 29 states.

"Who says opposition does not have a face? Doesn't Karnataka stand a better chance if Siddaramaiah is the face to take on whoever in the BJP?"

He said Rahul Gandhi's imminent elevation this month was "Congress' internal decision".

"What I can tell you from what I have seen, again as a student of politics, is that there has been a lot of momentum after his US townhall style meetings. There has been some momentum in the Gujarat campaign... Obviously, if he keeps this momentum going, it's good for the opposition. A strong Congress is good for the opposition," he said.

Asked about leaders like Mamata Banerjee having a certain comfort level with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, O'Brien said: "Please give Rahul Gandhi some time as president of the Congress."

He said Trinamool Congress will do what it takes to make the opposition stronger to defeat the BJP.

The party's target, he said, is to win all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. "For two reasons people will vote for us - one is development, the other is communal harmony."

O'Brien's first political book, "Inside Parliament: Views From the Front Row", was released last week. It has a chapter "BJP is beatable in 2019".

The Trinamool Congress national spokesperson also said opposition parties have been coordinating inside and outside parliament and had made a statement by fielding good candidates for the presidential and vice-presidential polls.

Referring to 18 parties' observing the first anniversary of demonetisation on 8 November as Black Day, O'Brien said: "We came to the conclusion that let us allow every party to interpret that protest in the local language and idiom, in the local situation and then make it a success."

He said the opposition strategy to oust the BJP government was not a negative strategy. "It is a positive strategy. Strengthen federalism to run; that's the positive strategy."
Former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafiq arrived in Cairo from Emirates on a private plane Staurday evening, where he was received by members of his family, sources at Egypt's international airport confirmed to Ahram Online.

An informed source told Ahram Arabic news website that Shafiq checked in a hotel in Cairo pending the end of work to prepare his home for his residence.

In the afternoon, Dina Adly, the lawyer of the former Egyptian prime minister, claimed in a post on her Facebook page that Shafiq was "deported" today from the UAE to Egypt..

However, earlier in the evening, Wamnews, the UAE official news agency, reported that Shafiq has left the Emirates returning to Cairo and his family remains in the country enjoying its care.

Shafiq had claimed late last week that the UAE was preventing him from leaving the country to return to Egypt. The UAE denied Shafiq's claims.

On Wednesday, Shafiq declared from the UAE his intention to run in the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt, which is expected to be held in the spring of 2018.

Shafiq is the second person to announce intentions to run for president in 2018. Earlier last month, uman rights lawyer and former 2012 presidential candidate Khaled Ali declared his own intention to become a candidate for president.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has not yet declared a decision on whether he intends to run for a second term.

The 76-year-old Shafiq served as aviation minister under former President Hosni Mubarak and briefly as prime minister during the 2011 uprising before he was replaced in February 2012.

Shafiq narrowly lost the June 2012 presidential elections to the Muslim Brotherhoods Mohamed Morsi, who held the office for one year before he was ousted in July 2013 following nationwide protests against his rule.

Shortly after the 2012 election, Shafiq claimed that the vote was rigged and travelled to the UAE, citing "concerns for his own safety."

While in the UAE, Shafiq was tried in absentia on a number of corruption charges, but was either acquitted or had charges against him dropped.

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Lucknow: A day after the civic polls results were announced and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed yet another 'saffron tsunami' in its favor, questions being asked now are whether this muscle flexing, chest thumping and drum beating was justified? The party should, at least, hold the ladoos for a while.

While there is no doubt that the BJP had fared very well in the 16 municipal corporations and has succeeded in getting 14 of its mayoral candidates elected, a closer look at the Nagar Palika Parishad and Nagar Panchayat polls paints the picture which is not too comfortable for the rulings dispensation.

While in most places the BJP may have won, the margins, as compared to the February-March 2017 state assembly polls, have dwindled. Also, the BJP is not the number one seat winner - the independents are. But what is noticeable is the fact that both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) seem to have done impressively at the hustings.

This is in stark contrast to the drubbing they got at the hands of the BJP in the state assembly polls just eight months back. Of the total corporators - 1300, for which elections were held in the three-phased urban body polls in November, BJP managed to win 596 while the SP, which is not an urban voter based party has managed to get 202 seats and the BSP got 147 seats in its first outing in the civic polls.

The Congress, which the BJP leaders seldom choose to spare, has also got 110 seats. Of the 198 Chairmen of the Nagar Palika Parishad seats, BJP has won 69 (or 34%) while 45 have been won by the SP, 29 by the BSP and 9 by the Congress.

In the polls for the 5,261 seats in the members of the Nagar Palika Parishad, BJP has won 917 seats (or only 17.5%) followed by the SP (476), BSP (260) and Congress (154). Of the 438 seats of Nagar Panchayat heads BJP has won 100 (or 22.8%) while the SP has got 83, BSP 45 and 17 have been won by the Congress. This is a victory of sorts, but not something to tom-tom about.

The independents have fared very well, but this had largely been ignored by the regional and national media in the first flush. Forty three Nagar Palika chairmen, 182 Nagar Panchayat heads, and 222 corporators are independents and so are 7,229 ward members.

Even the first time entrant into civic polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has made inroads into the polity. AAP won 19 Nagar Panchayat member seats, two Nagar Panchayat chairmen seats and 15 Nagar Palika Parishad memberships. According to the state election commission, the AAP has also managed to win three corporator seats in the urban body polls as well.

The Nagar Panchayat head of AAP have been elected in Tendwari (Banda) and Sahaspur (Bijnore). In the nagar Palika Parishad polls, AAP has won two seats in Jhansi and one in Moradabad. AAP's Vibhu Tripathi has won as a corporator in ward 6 in Lalganj. Haseen Jehan has become corporate from ward 51 in Moradabad.

Vaibhav Maheshwari, state spokesman of the party told IANS that the "humble beginning with so little resources and cadre is more than heartening". He added that the BJP should definitely be worried about its prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as the urban body polls have not been "exactly in their favor" as they are tom-tomming.

What could worry the BJP is also the fact that these results have come after a 50-rally campaign by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, while on the other side no one equal to his stature like Mayawati or Akhilesh Yadav campaigned. The victory has also been rendered bitter by serious allegations of bungling in voter lists and manipulation of EVM's. At many places - like Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow - there have been reports where a candidate who voted for himself, ended up with zero votes, raising questions about the fairness of the poll process.

Mayawati on Saturday made similar accusations and demanded that the 2019 general elections take place on the basis of old, traditional ballot papers. She went on to say that if this happened, the BJP will never return to power ever. Political observers also feel that at many places BJP scraped through by default, as there was no opposition candidate worth the salt.

Another point that the BJP needs to take note of is the fact that it had lost in ward number 68 in Gorakhpur, the ward where the Gorakshnath Peeth, is located. Adityanath is the priest of the Gorakhshnath temple and is said to have considerable clout there. Nadira Khatoon, an independent candidate here defeated BJP's Maya Tripathi by 483 votes.

Overall, in Gorakhpur, BJP won 27 wards, SP 18, BSP 2 and Congress 2. Independents won in 18 seats.

BJP's embarrassment does not end here. The party candidate Prashant Kesari also lost in the home town panchayat of Sirathu. This is the home town panchayat of deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

It's not a clean sweep for the BJP, as the party spokespersons may like others to think. What came as a relief for it was that the opposition was in disarray. If the diverse oppposition parties could get their act together, the BJP leaders would be forced to spend sleepless nights ahead of the next polls.
Reuters

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in talks with South Koreas Hyundai about a technical partnership, but there are no merger talks between the two, FCA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday.

FCA is often the subject of merger speculation, especially after its unsuccessful 2015 attempt to tie up with larger US rival GM. Its share price jumped to record highs in August after reports of interest from China and Hyundai.

We already buy components from (Hyundai)... lets see if we can agree on other points, especially for the development of transmissions and hydrogen, Marchionne told journalists, adding there was nothing to announce for the moment.

Asked whether this collaboration could turn into a merger, Marchionne said: I dont believe so.

The 65-year-old chief executive, whose mandate ends in April 2019, is working on a new business plan to 2022, which he said should be presented in the second quarter of next year.

As part of that strategy and to simplify its portfolio, FCA is working on separating two of its three components businesses.

Marchionne said the spin-offs of Magneti Marelli - which makes components for lighting, engines, electronics, suspension and exhausts - and robotics maker Comau would be separate operations, especially given Comaus potential development in artificial intelligence or robotics.

Whether it happens as a spin-off or a distribution to shareholders, or whether we will raise some money in the process  all things to be discussed with the board, we havent made up our mind, he said.

These discussions include a potential listing for either company as happened with other units FCA spun off in the past, such as tractor maker CNH Industrial or luxury sportscar group Ferrari, which are quoted in Milan and New York.

Marchionne added that he would like to complete the separations by the end of 2018. The transaction could help boost FCAs finances at a time when it is aiming to become cash-positive by the end of next year.

A separation of castings firm Teksid, the smallest of FCAs parts makers, was not on the table, Marchionne said, adding that any spin-off of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands would not happen for many years.

Asked about possible fines over diesel emissions, Marchionne said he did not believe there was any legal base in recent allegations raised by French authorities.

He added that separate discussions with US authorities were ongoing and he expects there will be a cost but it will be something manageable.
tech2 News Staff

NASA has released an image of blue cloud formations on Jupiter captured by the JunoCam imaging instrument on board the Juno spacecraft. The image was captured from a distance of 18,906 kilometers above the cloudtops of the gas giant. The region captured by the image is in the northern hemisphere of Jupiter. Due to the angle of the Sun with respect to the planet, some of the clouds in the higher altitudes can be seen casting shadows on the lower clouds. The image was captured on 24 October.

The image was processed by citizen scientists Gerald Eichstadt and Sean Doran. The JunoCam imaging instrument on board the Juno spacecraft is not a scientific instrument as such, but instead specifically conceived to increase public participation in the NASA mission to Jupiter. Those following the mission can select interesting sites to image during the orbits of the spacecraft, and then process the resulting raw images. This particular image was captured during Juno's ninth close flyby.

The JunoCam has previously been used to capture the southern hemisphere of Jupiter in stunning detail, a pale white storm which is a part of a series of storms known as the "String of Pearls", as well as a massive storm raging in the northern hemisphere of Jupiter.
tech2 News Staff

Samsung's W2018 flip phone which was recently cleared by the FCC has now been officially announced by the South Korean electronics company. The W2018 was launched at an event in Xiamen, China, marking the 10th Anniversary of the W Series.

The launch of Samsung's W2018 also marked the 25th anniversary of Samsung in the Chinese market. According to a report by GSMArena, the W2018 comes with two 4.2-inch Full-HD AMOLED displays and is expected to be a premium offering by Samsung. The smartphone also comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset along with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. A 256GB storage variant is also available.

The W2018 comes with a primary camera which includes a 12MP primary sensor with large 1.4-micron pixels, which the company claims to be the widest aperture on a smartphone camera at f/1.5. The primary camera lens also gets optical image stabilisation and is capable of recording 4K video content at 30fps. The front camera on the W2018 has a resolution of 5 MP, fitted with a f/1.9 lens.

The Samsung W2018 receives a 2,300 mAh battery and a USB type-C port for charging and data transfer duties. It also receives a dual-SIM card slot capable of dual-standby. The smartphone which is only available in China runs Android Nougat 7.1.1 and comes without Google services, similar to a number of China-centric smartphones. The flip phone also comes with Samsung's AI-assistant Bixby with added support for the Chinese language.

The W2018 has been priced at a whopping CNY 15,999 (approximately Rs. 1,56,000) for the base variant offered in black. Limited editions of the smartphone are also available in gold and silver.
IANS

The Telangana government on Saturday announced that it will set up Information Technology campus for persons with disabilities, claiming this will be the world's first such facility.

On the eve of World Disability Day, the government entered into an agreement with Vindhya E-Infomedia Private Limited to setup the IT campus which will focus on creating employment opportunity for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

This campus spread over 10 acres will come up near the Hyderabad International Airport in the IT Park developed by the government and will have all the amenities like training, residential facility and delivery centers that will cater to various clients both domestic and international.

It will create jobs for 2000 people in the next 5 years, said a statement from state IT Department.

Vindhya E-Infomedia private limited which is a pioneer in creating inclusive workspace employs PwDs as its major workforce. It currently has over 1,600 employees working out of Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Majority of their workforce comprises of physically challenged, hearing impaired and visually impaired.

The company provides back office operations (BPO) support to various BFSI, telecom and e-commerce companies since 2006.

The Telangana government and Vindhya look at various corporates to participate in this one of its kind initiative.

State's Principal Secretary, IT, Jayesh Ranjan urged the persons With disabilities to make most of the opportunity created through this effort. While handing out appointment letters to the new joinees, he advised them to continue working harder and break the perception of disability being a barrier.

Vindhya CMD Pavithra Y.S. said this campus will create an immense advantage for the persons with disabilities especially those with severe disabilities but still deserve an opportunity to lead life with dignity and self-respect.
Asheeta Regidi

This article is part 3 of a multi-part series explaining the recently issued white paper on data protection in India. The responses to the white paper will help in the formulation of Indias future data protection laws.

Data is put to multiple uses to enhance business. Particularly, today data is used extensively for research and development, identifying customer preferences, developing new products and services, improving marketing, and establishing new organizational and management approaches. While framing a law, thus, care must be taken in defining processing to include all such uses within the scope of the new law. Facilitating cross border data flows and imposing data localization requirements for processing are other key concerns.

The present Indian approach is restrictive

The current rules in India take an extremely restrictive approach to processing and entities included in the scope of the law. The IT (Sensitive Personal Data) Rules, 2011 protect only data when collected at the first stage, i.e., when an entity collects the data from a natural person the first time. Any subsequent transfer of the data is not governed by these rules. The result is that for activities of industries like the BPO sector, which access data via contract with another organization and not from the people directly, or data brokers, who may access the data through multiple legitimate and illegitimate means, are not protected. The law will not apply to all third parties like processors providing services to the first entity. Thus, there is no recourse against, say a disclosure of personal data by such entities.

Proposed broader approach to defining processing

The White Paper, in its current form, is looking at drafting a broader definition of processing, without differentiating based on how the entity acquires the data. As a general rule, processing refers to the collection, use and disclosure of data. Given the wide new uses of data, a well drafted definition is required, which ensures that no such new use is inadvertently excluded from the ambit of the act.

Internationally, this has been attempted to be addressed using an all inclusive definition of processing. Such a definition is to be used in the EU and the UK. It includes any operation or sets of operation which are performed on personal data. This could include collecting, recording, storing, altering, transmitting or even erasing the data. Countries like Canada and Australia take a different approach, defining collection, use and disclosure separately, instead of an elaborate definition of processing.

Regulating entities in the data ecosystem

The White Paper also looks at defining a data controller, or the entity having control over the data, and third parties like data processors, who perform certain actions on behalf of the data controller. For example, when you hand your data to a company, say a bank, the bank is the data controller. When the bank hands this data to a third party, say a cloud storage provider, this is a data processor, performing storage activities on behalf of the bank.

These definitions are key to identifying and assigning responsibilities to various entities in the data ecosystem, such as the data controller, processor, and other third parties. For example, consider an employee of a data controller who has access to the data with it. What should the employees responsibilities be?

Internationally, the EU places direct obligations on the data processor as well as the data controller. In Australia, all entities holding data are under the ambit of the law. In Canada, in an approach being preferred in the White Paper, the data controller will continue to be responsible for the data regardless to the third parties it transfers it to.

Facilitating cross border flow of data

As discussed in Part II of this series, data processing often involves multiple entities in multiple jurisdictions. This is often the same corporate entity, with different units such as customer databases and storage facilities in other locations. The clearest example of such cross border transfer is in the BPO industry. Given the wide uses of data today, facilitating such transfers can play an important role in fostering research, development, and economic growth.

The main issue with regulating cross border data flows, is with determining the threshold test on the fulfilment of which the transfer will be permitted. In the EU and Africa, for example, transfers can only be to countries with a similar or comparative level of data protection laws, leading to arrangements such as the US-EU Privacy Shield Framework. Generally, this ensures adequate rights to the people in respect of their data, and ensures that the same or higher level of protection is accorded to the data as would be under their own laws.

Binding Corporate Rules, an internal code of conduct for organizations, and Model Contractual Clauses, model clauses to be added in contractual arrangements to safeguard the data, are other forms of regulation. In Canada and Australia, a slightly different approach is taken, where it is the responsibility of the data controller to ensure the security of the data, even if it is transferred across borders.

Data localization and its advantages for the government

Another consideration is whether data localization requirements should be imposed. This refers to the requirement that data be restricted within the country. The servers processing and storing data must thus be physically located within the borders of the country. This provision tends to be a good move from the governments perspective, which can ensure protection of its citizens data, access it more easily for law enforcement, prevent foreign surveillance and maintain national security.

Local servers could certainly mean better investigations, an activity that is often delayed due to lack of cooperation from multi national corporations, and due to navigating the cumbersome Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, the rules established for international cooperation for investigations and enforcement. For example, in the Microsoft privacy battle with the US government, Microsoft could not be compelled to produce the e-mails of a client, whose data was located in a server in Ireland, because it was held that the USs Stored Communications Act only applied to data stored within its borders.

For the people, however, data localization could mean increased local surveillance, and increased governmental access to their data. This also removes the privacy protections often offered by multi-national corporations like Microsoft Facebook and YouTube, which can often be the only protection to people against unwarranted intrusion of privacy and large scale surveillance by the government.

The detrimental impact of data localization on industries

The industrial view is also quite the opposite, particularly in view of the huge increase in costs to establish localized servers. This was evident with the huge concerns generated over Chinas new cybersecurity law, which includes data localization requirements.

Apart from the raised costs for local businesses, data localization may reduce access to global services for consumers, hampers local start-ups, and hinders access to the use of the latest technological advances. It can also affect business continuity and disaster recovery management, since an offshore location usually helps mitigate domestic disruptions. The impact on the start-up ecosystem, Indias analytics services and global in-house centers, and even the BPO sector, is a factor to be considered.

Limit data localization to sensitive sectors

Looking at international practices, there are data localization requirements in some respects, such as for sensitive personal data, medical data, or like Indias data localization requirements for the telecom sector. As a general rule, however, data localization is not mandated. The present view of the White Paper is that this may be considered for certain sensitive sectors, but may not be advisable across the board.

Key questions raised in the White Paper

In view of these issues, the White Paper has sought comments of the following key questions w.r.t processing, cross border data flows and data localization:

What is the nature and scope of data processing? Should the definition define main activities like collection, use and disclosure or take an all-inclusive approach like the EU? Should both manual and automated processing be covered? What are the obligations to be placed on various entities in the data ecosystem? Should the law define data controller and also third party entities like data processors? Should there be a distribution of responsibilities? What are your views on cross border transfer of data? What should be the threshold test (adequacy/ comparable level of protection) for cross border transfers? Should certain sensitive types of data be prohibited from being transferred overseas? Should there be a data localization mandate? What should its scope be (PD/ SPD)? What will the impact of a data localization mandate be on the industry and other sectors? Any other issues

Part I of the series explores the definitions of personal data and sensitive personal data, while part II of the series examines the jurisdiction and territorial scope of data protection laws.

Asheeta Regidi is a lawyer and author specializing in technology laws. She is also a certified information privacy professional.
Washington: The US news network ABC has announced that it has suspended its chief investigative correspondent for four weeks without pay after he was forced to correct a bombshell report on ex-Trump aide Michael Flynn. Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI over his contacts with Russia, a dramatic escalation of the sprawling investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign team and Moscow.

Brian Ross, a longtime ABC reporter, said during a special report shortly thereafter that Flynn would testify that the president ordered him to reach out to Moscow during the campaign: News that sent Wall Street shares tumbling. ABC later issued a clarification, saying its source had in fact indicated that the orders from Trump came during the presidential transition, after the November 2016 election.

We deeply regret and apologise for the serious error we made yesterday," ABC said on Saturday in a statement, adding that the special report "had not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process."

"It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have built with our audience, these are our core principles," the statement continued. "We fell far short of that yesterday." '

Trump quickly jumped on Twitter to praise ABC's move:

Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and papers should do the same with their Fake News!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Flynn's guilty plea, on a federal charge of making false statements to investigators, came with a pledge to cooperate with special prosecutor Robert Mueller. Mueller's focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to shady business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation. The White House rejected the idea that Flynn could implicate "anyone" else, as the inaccurate ABC report had suggested. Ross also took to Twitter to comment on the blunder:
Hong Kong: Around 1,000 people marched through Hong Kong Sunday, led by some of the city's high-profile democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong, in what they billed an "anti-authoritarian" protest.

Activists say Hong Kong is at risk of losing its rights and liberties in the face of growing Chinese pressure on the semi-autonomous city.

The jailing of campaigners following court hearings, and fears that Hong Kong will introduce an anti-subversion law, are among the key concerns in the pro-democracy camp.

Wong, 21, was jailed in August over his role in the Umbrella Movement mass pro-democracy protests of 2014 and is on bail pending an appeal.

He will be sentenced on another protest-related charge Thursday, which could mean more jail time.

"No one likes to serve a prison sentence, (but) if it can mobilise more people to care about justice and democracy in Hong Kong, I think it's valuable and I will pay this price," Wong told AFP.

Protesters carried placards reading: "The Hong Kong spirit can never be imprisoned" and "Walk with the resisters, fight authoritarian rule".

Some held up caricatures of city leaders.

Others played a recording of China's national anthem and paraded a doll bearing the sign: "When you hear the national anthem, don't eat. Stand up immediately." A new law introduced by Beijing against disrespecting the anthem will also be applied to Hong Kong.

The city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 and is governed under a "one country, two systems" deal which grants it freedoms unseen on the mainland.

But with the emergence of a fledgling pro-independence movement, Beijing is pushing a tougher line on Hong Kong.

There are also concerns about a new express railway to the mainland, which will mean that parts of the train terminus come under Chinese jurisdiction.

Student Kelvin Muk, 20, said he had joined the march because he feared he may eventually lose the right to do so.

"We are increasingly coming out to protest because we want to at least hold on to the last remaining freedoms we have," he said.
Paris: Former US president Barack Obama on Saturday took a new swipe at his successor Donald Trump over the Paris climate accord at a meeting with business leaders in the French capital.

Obama also vouched for the superiority of female leadership as "men seem to be having some problems these days", alluding to the sexual assault and harassment scandals currently engulfing the United States.

Speaking to a group of communications and media leaders as well as financiers and academics known as Les Napoleons, Obama regretted what he called a "temporary absence of American leadership" on climate change.

He was referring to Trump's threat to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord, the day after making similar remarks during a visit to New Delhi.

Trump has said the accord is crippling US business and has called for the agreement to be renegotiated.

Asked to list leadership qualities for the future, Obama advocated "more focus on putting women in power, because men seem to be having some problems these days."

"Not to generalise, but women seem to have a better capacity than men do, partly because of their socialisation," said the 56-year-old Democrat who left office in January.

Obama also used the occasion to hone his post-presidential vision of hope and change as he seeks to build support for the foundation he launched in September.

"If we can adapt to change we can make extraordinary progress. Hope is not being blind to problems," Obama said. "Hope is facing problems and then still believing that we can work them out."

He insisted that the world is "healthier, wealthier and less violent than at any time in human history", with "only a few things that are irreversible".

'Deeply embedded inequality'

But he also warned of the dangers of "deeply embedded inequality".

"Going forward we need to modernise our economies in a way that is inclusive," he said.

Obama lunched earlier Saturday with Emmanuel Macron, meeting him for the first time after backing the French leader's presidential campaign.

Macron, 39, emulated Obama's youth-oriented campaign, focusing on mobilising grassroots support for his upstart centrist movement En Marche.

Macron had rolled out the red carpet for Trump in July, hosting him as guest of honour for Bastille Day celebrations when he sought  unsuccessfully  to change the US leader's mind on pulling out of the Paris climate change agreement.

Obama also met Saturday with France's former president Francois Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.

"We discussed the big challenges of the planet and especially the subject of the climate. We are confident the accord will be implemented," Hollande tweeted afterward.

Hidalgo said the C40, an international network of mayors that she heads, would build ties with the Obama Foundation focusing on climate change.

Obama was seen as a major catch for Les Napoleons, a relatively unknown networking group set up in 2014 and claiming a membership of some 3,000.

The former US president's fee has not been disclosed, but a rampant rumour mill suggested the figure of $400,000.

That was the paycheck Obama cashed after speaking to a Wall Street bank in September.
Washington: CIA director Mike Pompeo has said that he sent a letter to a top Iranian military official warning him that the United States would hold Tehran accountable for any attacks it conducted on American interests in Iraq.

Pompeo, who has voiced staunch opposition to Iran, said he sent the letter to General Qassem Soleimani, a leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and elite Quds Force, but the general didn't read it.

"I sent a note. I sent it because he had indicated that forces under his control might in fact threaten US interests in Iraq," Pompeo said at a defence forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California. "He refused to open the letter  didn't break my heart to be honest with you."

"What we were communicating to him in that letter was that we will hold he and Iran accountable ... and we wanted to make sure that he and the leadership of Iran understood that in a way that was crystal clear."

Pompeo said Iran is working to strengthen its influence throughout the Middle East. As a Republican congressman from Kansas, Pompeo was highly critical of the Iran nuclear deal, which the US and other nations negotiated with Tehran to lift sanctions in exchange for reductions in its nuclear program. Pompeo said Iran is currently in compliance with that agreement.

In a wide-ranging panel discussion, Pompeo would not answer questions about speculation that he could replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state. Pompeo, an outspoken conservative, has a close relationship with President Donald Trump and personally delivers an intelligence briefing to the president nearly every day.

Pompeo declined to say whether he has had conversations with Trump about the possibility of replacing Tillerson, saying only that he was very focused on his job as CIA director.
The Bedouin tribe most affected by last month's terrorist massacre in Bir El-Abd asserted its determination to take revenge for the deaths of over 300 people

The Egyptian Bedouin tribe of Sawarka said on Saturday that it will place its men at the disposal of the armed forces as they seek to establish security and stability in North Sinai following last month's terrorist massacre in Bir El-Abd, where the tribe is mostly located.

A statement from the Freemen of Sawarka obtained by Ahram Online declared the tribe's "absolute trust" in the ability of the armed forces to accomplish the security mission in the three-month timeframe set by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

A terrorist attack in the town of Bir El-Abd on 24 November left 311 dead and 128 injured, including 27 children, making it the most deadly attack in recent Egyptian history. Up to 30 gunmen shot worshippers as they left the Al-Rawda Mosque after Friday prayers, with the attackers flying the black flag of the Daesh terrorist group, according to eyewitnesses.

During his speech at a public celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birth (Moulid El-Nabi) on Wednesday, El-Sisi ordered the Egyptian army and police forces to restore stability and security in the Sinai Peninsula within three months, using "utmost force".

I hold Lieutenant General Hegazy, along with the ministry of interior, responsible for restoring stability and security in Sinai within three months," El-Sisi said, directly addressing the general, who stood at military attention.

In their statement, the Freemen of Sawarka said the tribe was determined to play a direct role in combatting terrorism in the area, echoing previous requests from tribes to join the armed fight against terrorist groups.

Following the Bir El-Abd massacre, the Union of Sinai Tribes expressed the willingness of Sinai tribes to take up arms against terrorist groups, working alongside security forces to defeat the terrorists. In two separate statements, the tribal grouping said they would cooperate with security and military personnel "as one hand" to "cleanse" the peninsula of terrorism.

However, neither the government nor the military gave an official response to the tribes' request to bear arms.

In its Saturday statement, the Sawarka tribe said, "Faced with the bloody massacres to which we are subjected by terrorist cells in Sinai, we need to confirm that we have lost self-restraint, and the factors of national discipline no longer keep our feelings of vengeance in check. So we urge the government to reassess its stance towards Sinai and allow tribes to play their patriotic role in fighting those murderers."

The tribe said that they have remained silent until now out of a sense of national responsibility, allowing the government time to perform its national and constitutional duty.

In January, the Daesh-affiliated online publication Rumiyah released an interview with an alleged leading figure in the terrorist group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, who described Al-Rawdah village as a centre for Sufism, adding that the group is fighting Sufism in North Sinai.

In late 2016, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for killing Sinai's oldest Sufi sheikh, Soliman El-Harez, as well as the destruction of two Sufi shrines.

Sufism, often described as Islamic mysticism, involves a form of worship where adherents attempt to become close with God through meditation and asceticism.

Daesh considers Sufi Muslims to be heretics.

Al-Rawdah Mosque was built by El-Jaririyah, one of Sinai's largest Sufi orders.

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Washington: US president Donald Trump on Saturday shrugged off the bombshell news that his former national security adviser pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and will cooperate with a special prosecutor probing Russian election meddling.

As the Russia probe overshadowed his big legislative win, the Senate's passing of landmark tax cuts, Trump again insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Russia.

Trump also suggested he has been holding back something important regarding what he knew at the time of ex-security adviser Michael Flynn's firing.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the vice-president and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump tweeted Saturday.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

The revelation changes the timeline of the drama in a potentially dangerous way for Trump.

At the time of Flynn's dismissal, the White House acknowledged only that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence  not to the FBI, too  about Flynn's discussions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak over sanctions imposed by then-president Barack Obama against Russia for meddling in the election.

Trump's ties with Flynn have been under intense scrutiny since FBI director James Comey was fired by the president in May.

Comey testified under oath before a Senate panel in June that a day after Flynn's firing, Trump asked Comey to drop an investigation into the former national security director.

What Trump knew

Trump on Saturday also repeated his denials of collusion with Russia.

"What has been shown is no collusion. There's been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy," he told reporters as he left for a day trip to New York.

Special prosecutor Robert Mueller's focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to shady business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

If Trump's latest statement on Twitter is accurate, it would mean that when he pressed Comey to drop the probe into Flynn, Trump already knew that Flynn had lied to Comey's agency.

A lingering part of the drama has been that after the White House learned through the Justice Department that Flynn lied to the White House about discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Trump still waited 18 days to fire him.

Trump fired Comey in May and said he had the Russia probe in mind when he did it. The move backfired and led the Justice Department to appoint Mueller as the special prosecutor.

Trump's tweet about Flynn lying to both Pence and the FBI prompted Representative Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, to pose some follow-up questions.

"If that is true, Mr President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn? Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to 'let this go?'" he asked on Twitter.

Comey himself seemed to be addressing the latest developments in an Instagram message: "To paraphrase the Buddha  Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."

Tax bill

The explosive new developments in the Russia probe have overshadowed the tax cuts approved Friday by the Senate in a step toward what would be Trump's first major legislative victory.

In an early morning Twitter post, Trump said his Republican Party would now work with the House of Representatives, which has passed its own tax bill, to produce a common version.

"Thank you to House and Senate Republicans for your hard work and commitment!" Trump wrote.

After a session that stretched into the night, the chamber voted 51 to 49 in favor of the most significant US tax overhaul in 31 years.

Both the Senate and House versions lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, and include more modest tax cuts aimed at individuals across all income levels.

Democrats argue that the plan is too expensive and will accommodate only the rich, and that it could ultimately impact cherished US entitlement programs like Medicare.

The Senate bill was, just 24 hours earlier, on the brink of collapse when a handful of Republican deficit hawks balked at the plan's $1.5 trillion price tag for 10 years.

Trump hopes to sign a final bill before Christmas. That would be a sweet victory for the president, who has delivered on hardly any of his major campaign promises, including repealing the health care law known as Obamacare.

Also this week, Trump engaged in an extraordinary, testy cross-Atlantic spat triggered by his retweeting of anti-Muslim videos posted by a British far-right extremist.

British prime minister Theresa May said what Trump did was "wrong." The US leader responded by telling May to focus on her own country and the threat of Islamist terror instead of him.
Melbourne: Australias embattled conservative prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has shaken off speculation about the security of his leadership, declaring on Sunday he will lead his coalition government into the next election in 2019.

Turnbull, who has faced a horror run in recent weeks, losing his one-seat majority and being called to stepdown before Christmas, said that he runs the government and that his partys policies would soon be converted into public support.

I have every confidence that I will lead the coalition to the next election in 2019 and we will win it, Turnbull told Sky News television. I am very confident we will be able to see a disciplined approach to teamwork within the coalition.

Three Australian prime ministers have been ousted by their own parties since 2010.

Turnbulls confidence has been bolstered by the stunning by-election victory of his former deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, who easily cruised to victory on Saturday night with a huge 65 percent primary vote.

Barnaby was kicked out of parliament just over one month ago because he held dual citizenship with New Zealand, a status he has since rescinded. Under Australias constitution dual citizens are banned from the national parliament.

Barnabys win restores Turnbulls slim one-seat majority in parliament and Turnbull, who is struggling with record low opinion polls, has claimed the victory as a vote of confidence in his performance.

Turnbull has been under sustained attack for much of the year over issues including same sex marriage and the scandal-plagued banking sector, and has failed to end widespread disquiet within his coalition about his future as leader.

On Friday, the conservative deputy premier of New South Wales state John Barilaro called for Turnbull to step down as a Christmas gift to the nation.

The comment came just days after Turnbull was forced into an embarrassing policy reversal and called a Royal Commission into the countrys banking and financial sector amid mounting political pressure.

Turnbull has failed to stem a flow of disgruntled voters away from his conservative coalition to far-right parties and the fragility of his government has been exacerbated by a dual citizenship crisis which is forcing a number of lawmakers, like Barnaby, to re-contest seats.

One of those by-elections for the blue-ribbon conservative electorate of Bennelong in Sydney on 16 December could see Turnbull again lose his majority in parliament if the opposition Labor achieves a surprise win.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafik, who last week announced his intention of running for the presidency in 2018, has been taken from his home in the United Arab Emirates and is being deported to Egypt, his family told Reuters on Saturday. Egypt's former prime minister Ahmed Shafik speaks during an interview with Reuters at his residence in Abu Dhabi February 6, 2013. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh/File PhotoShafik, a former air force commander and government minister, is seen as the strongest potential opponent of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi should the latter, as expected, decide to run for a second term in an election set for around April 2018. Officials in the UAE, an ally of Sisis government, had no immediate comment. But a Gulf source familiar with the matter said: Shafik has publicly asked to go to Egypt and his wish will be met. Shafiks daughter May Shafik, told Reuters that authorities had come for him at his home on Saturday and sent him to Cairo. We were about to leave to travel to France. They came and took him. They deported him in a private plane. They said they will deport him to Egypt, May said. Just because he announced he will run for president they deported him to Egypt, she said. Shafiks lawyer on her Facebook page also said he had been taken from the family home. A spokesman for Egypts foreign ministry did not immediately answer a call seeking details. But an Egyptian judicial source said Shafik was not wanted in any criminal cases at the moment, but he had several cases, including for corruption, against him in the past that either ended in aquittal or were dropped. We have no information about a deportation order, the judicial source said. Shafik said on Wednesday he would run for president in a surprise announcement from the UAE, where he has been based. Sisi has not yet announced a bid for a second term, but is widely expected to run again. Apart from Shafik, several other low-profile candidates have said they will run. Shafik narrowly lost to Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypts 2012 election before fleeing overseas. May Shafik said on Friday he was preparing to depart, first for Europe and the United States before returning to Egypt to start his campaign. She said Shafik had been prevented from leaving the UAE in previous days but had then received assurances that he could travel freely. She did not specify who gave the assurances. The UAE denied placing movement restrictions on Shafik. The UAE, an ally of Sisi, has been officially silent on Shafiks candidacy announcement. Sisi as a military commander led the ousting of former president Mursi in 2013, before his own landslide election a year later. Sisis supporters see him as key to stability following the upheaval that followed the 2011 Egyptian revolt that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. But his government is fighting a stubborn Islamist militant insurgency in the Sinai region and has also enacted painful austerity reforms over the last year to revive the economy but that critics say have dented his popularity.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
PARIS/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called on Iraq to dismantle all militias, including the government-sanctioned, Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a rare public call to do so by a major Western leader. French President Emmanuel Macron (R), Kurdish region's Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and Iraqi Kurdistans Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani (L) attend a press conference at the Elysee Palace following a meeting in Paris, France, December 2017. REUTERS/Etienne Laurent/PoolMacrons call, which followed a meeting with Iraqi Kurdish leaders in Paris, underscores the tough balancing act Baghdad has to perform between its allies in the war on Islamic State, Iran and Western powers, which do not see eye to eye. It is essential that there is a gradual demilitarisation, in particular of the Popular Mobilisation that established itself in the last few years in Iraq, and that all militias be gradually dismantled, he told a joint news conference held with Iraqi Kurdish leaders. Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities accuse the majority Arab Shiite PMF of widespread abuses against Kurds in Iraqs ethnically mixed regions. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis government denies that the PMF are engaged in a systematic pattern of abuses and has pledged to punish anyone proven guilty of violations. Disarming the PMF is seen as Abadis most difficult test as his forces edge closer to declaring victory over Islamic State. Spokesmen for Abadi and the Badr Organisation, largest group in the PMF, could not be reached for comment. Macrons meeting with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his deputy Qubad Talabani was the first high-profile international meeting for the Kurdish leadership after a Sept. 25 independence referendum. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and British Prime Minister Theresa May have both made trips to Iraq after the referendum but only met officials in Baghdad and made no visits to the KRG capital Erbil. Western powers had encouraged the Kurds not to hold the referendum and instead engage in dialogue with Baghdad. French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference at the Elysee Palace following a meeting in Paris, France, December 2017. REUTERS/Etienne Laurent/PoolCONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE Macron again called for dialogue between the central government in Baghdad and the semi-autonomous KRG within the framework of the Iraqi constitution, saying he was convinced a constructive dialogue could lead to lifting Baghdads restrictions on the Kurdish region. Kurds voted to break away from Iraq in the referendum, defying the government in Baghdad and alarming neighbouring Turkey and Iran who have their own Kurdish minorities. The Iraqi government responded by seizing the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk and other territory disputed between the Kurds and the central government. French President Emmanuel Macron waits for guests to leave the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Benoit TessierLong-serving Kurdish president Masoud Barzani stepped down over the affair and the regional government led by his nephew Nechirvan has tried to negotiate an end to the confrontation. The Kurdish prime minister said on Saturday he saw France playing a role to end the dispute with Baghdad and that his government respected a verdict by the Iraqi Supreme Federal Court ruling the referendum unconstitutional and its results void. ISSUE IS OVER With regards to the referendum, we are in a new era, and this issue is over and we have made our position in the Kurdistan Regional Government clear, Erbil-based broadcaster Rudaw quoted Barzani as saying. Macron called for the long-delayed implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution to settle the status of territories disputed between Baghdad and the Kurds. Article 140 provided for a referendum to be held by the end of 2007 in the oil region of Kirkuk and other territories claimed by both the KRG and the Iraqi government to determine whether their populations wanted to be part of the Kurdish region or not. No such referendum took place, among the reasons cited by the KRG to unilaterally hold its referendum on independence.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German authorities investigating the delivery of a package containing powerful firecrackers, wires and nails to a pharmacy near a Christmas market in the city of Potsdam said on Sunday it was criminal activity rather than terrorism. Police have evacuated a Christmas market and the surrounding area in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2017, to investigate a suspicious object. Reuters/Fabrizio BenschKarl-Heinz Schroeter, interior minister of the state of Brandenburg where Potsdam is located, told a news conference criminals were behind the package which they had used to try to extort millions of euros from logistics firm DHL, which had delivered the package. Police said it was highly likely that the package could have exploded. Shortly after the news conference, Brandenburg police said on Twitter they had cordoned off an area in Potsdam where a suspicious object was found. Staff at the pharmacy in Potsdam, just outside Berlin, called the police on Friday after they discovered the suspicious package. The Christmas market was evacuated and the package was made safe by a police robot. DHL warned the public not to open packages if they did not recognise the senders address or if the senders address was suspicious. As we find ourselves approaching Christmas, which is not only a time of peace, but also a time when many presents are sent, such an act of extortion is reprehensible, Schroeter told the news conference. He said all efforts were being made to catch those who sent the package. Authorities said the people who sent the package most likely lived in Berlin or in the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds the German capital. They did not say how much money they had demanded, but said they had told DHL they would send more packages that could kill or injure if DHL, owned by Deutsche Post, refused to pay up. Brandenburg police chief Hans-Juergen Moerke said that a QR barcode that can be read using a smart phone was found on a piece of paper inside the package. The extortion letter addressed to DHL was found in the barcode.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Baghdad: Iraqi officials have blasted calls to disband a Shiite-dominated militia coalition that has been key in battling the Islamic State group, after French president Emmanuel Macron said it should disarm.

The 60,000-strong Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces, was formed in 2014 after Islamic State routed government forces to seize swathes of northern Iraq, and it played a central role in helping push back the jihadists.

Calls have grown from the West for the Hashed, an umbrella group dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias that is officially controlled by Iraq's prime minister, to be dismantled as the IS "caliphate" has been reduced to a few pockets of desert.

"Any such discussion is rejected and we do not accept interference in Iraqi affairs," said one of the group's leaders, Ahmad al-Assadi.

"Asking for the dissolution of the Hashed is like asking for the dissolution of the Iraqi army because the Hashed are a key element of Iraqi security."

Macron called at a press conference with Iraqi Kurdish leaders on Saturday for "a gradual demilitarisation" of the Hashed and for all militias in Iraq to be "dismantled".

"Emmanuel Macron interfered unexpectedly in Iraq's internal affairs by calling for the dismantling of a legal institution, Hashed al-Shaabi," vice president and former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki wrote on Facebook Saturday.

"We don't want any country to impose its will on the Iraqi government and the brave Iraqi nation," the leading Shiite politician said.

The Hashed is deeply divisive inside Iraq and among the country's international backers, and has been accused both of promoting Iranian interests and carrying out a wave of abuses.

In October, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi strongly defended the Hashed after comments from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that Iranian militias in Iraq should "go home".
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday that he is optimistic the Senate and House of Representatives will reach a conference agreement on tax legislation that can be signed into law by President Donald Trump. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) leaves the Senate floor during debate over the Republican tax reform plan in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2017. REUTERS/James Lawler DugganWell be able to get to an agreement in the conference. Im very optimistic about it, the Kentucky Republican told ABCs This Week program.

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DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Airlines canceled more flights departing the Indonesian holiday island of Bali on Saturday, citing forecasts of deteriorating flying conditions due to a risk of volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Agung volcano. International passengers are seen near the flight information board at Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Kanupriya KapoorA Bali airport spokesman said the airport was still operating normally, but airlines such as Jetstar and Virgin Australia had opted to cancel some flights Bali flying conditions expected to be clear throughout the day, but forecast for tonight has deteriorated so several flights have been canceled, Australian budget airline Jetstar said on its Twitter account. The erupting volcano had closed the airport for much of this week, stranding thousands of visitors from Australia, China and other countries, before the winds changed and flights resumed Twenty flights were canceled on Friday evening due to concerns over ash. Some airlines including Malaysias AirAsia Bhd have said they would only operate out of Bali during the day, as the ash could impair visibility at night and wind conditions in the area were unpredictable. Airlines avoid flying through volcanic ash as it can damage aircraft engines, clogging fuel and cooling systems, hampering pilot visibility and even causing engine failure. There are also concerns over changing weather conditions with a tropical cyclone south of Java island impacting weather and wind in the area, including for Bali, the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics agency said International passengers are seen near the flight information board at Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Kanupriya KapoorWith some airlines continuing to fly normally on Saturday, there was frustration among passengers. Australian couple Justine and Greg Hill were on holiday with their two teenage children and had been due to fly out today but their flight later this evening was canceled. Its more an inconvenience than anything. Dont understand why if other airlines are flying, some others arent. Obviously there must be safety protocols but theres no detailed explanation, said Greg Hill, 46, who was waiting at the airport. Slideshow (3 Images)Several foreign consulates have set up booths in the international departures area to assist stranded passengers. Subrata Sarkar, Indias vice consul in Bali, told Reuters at the airports international departure area that they had helped around 500 passengers so far this week. We have advised citizens the volcano may erupt. We never say please dont come. But we have issued travel advisories. If its urgent business, then ok, but if its only tourism, then plans should be reconsidered, said Sarkar. For an interactive graphic on Mount Agung volcano, click - tmsnrt.rs/2hYdHiq For a graphic on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," click - tmsnrt.rs/2BjtH6l

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Jerusalem: Israeli police are questioning a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption changes.

Coalition whip David Bitan was being grilled in relation to accusations that he promoted the interests of criminals in return for debt relief while he was a municipal politician prior to his election to parliament.

Bitan is the driving force behind a legislation drive seen as aiding the beleaguered Netanyahu, who faces multiple corruption accusations.

Thousands of Israelis turned out late Saturday in Tel Aviv for an anti-corruption rally calling on Netanyahu to resign.

It was one of the largest demonstrations yet against Netanyahu's lengthy rule.

Netanyahu has been questioned in two cases and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.
Yangon: Pope Francis's embrace of the Rohingya during a trip to Bangladesh has sparked some angry comment on social media in Myanmar, where just days earlier he chose not to publicly air their plight.

On Friday the head of the Catholic church met a group of refugees from Myanmar's stateless Muslim minority in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

He referred to them as "Rohingya"  a term unacceptable to many in Myanmar where they are reviled as alleged "Bengali" illegal immigrants rather than as a distinct ethnic group.

During his public addresses on the previous leg of his trip in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, Francis did not refer to the group by name or directly allude to the crisis in Rakhine state, from where over 620,000 Rohingya have fled since August.

His caution initially won applause from Myanmar's tiny Catholic minority -- who feared a nationalist blowback -- as well as from Buddhist hardliners, who are on the defensive after a global outcry about the treatment of the group.

A deadly attack by Rohingya militants on police posts in late August sparked a ferocious crackdown in Rakhine by the Myanmar military, which the US and UN describe as ethnic cleansing.

As he arrived back at the Vatican, the pontiff said he had taken up the Rohingya cause in private in Myanmar, also describing how he wept after meeting the group of refugees.

"I wept: I tried to do it in a way that it couldn't be seen," he told reporters. "They wept too."

The comments sparked a flurry of online anger in Myanmar, a country locked off from modern communications for five decades but which now has an active social media.

"He is like a lizard whose colour has changed because of weather," said Facebook user Aung Soe Lin of the pope's strikingly different stances on the crisis.

"He should be a salesman or broker for using different words even though he is a religious leader," said another Facebook user called Soe Soe.

Myanmar's Catholic church had advised Francis not to stray into the incendiary issue of the status of the Rohingya in Myanmar, in case he worsened tensions and endangered Christians.

In his public addresses he treaded softly on the topic, urging unity, compassion and respect for all ethnic groups -- but not naming the Rohingya.

"The Pope is a holy person... but he said something here (in Myanmar) and he said different in other country," another Facebook user Ye Linn Maung posted.

"He should say the same things if he loves the truth."

Others were more sanguine about Francis' choice of language once he had left Myanmar soil.

Maung Thway Chun, chairman of an unofficial party of nationalists called the 135 Patriots Party, applauded the pope's decision not to name the them in Myanmar despite pressure from rights groups.

"It means he respects Myanmar people," he said. "He even did not use the word many times in Bangladesh... I think he said it once, just to comfort human rights organisations."
According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, the two leaders discussed the status of Jerusalem ahead of US President Trump's planned recognition of the city as the capital of the state of Israel

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi spoke by telephone on Wednesday with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, discussing the latest developments in Palestine, the revival of the stalled peace process, and the status of the disputed city of Jerusalem, according to official media statements.



The Egyptian president's office said that President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's continued support for an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international resolutions. The two leaders also agreed to continue coordination and consultation regarding developments in Palestine, the statement said.



Meanwhile, WAFA, the news agency of the Palestinian Authority, said El-Sisi and Abbas discussed the latest developments concerning the city of Jerusalem. US president Donald Trump is expected to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Wednesday.



Egypt has maintained its position regarding the need for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, with East Jerusalem recognized as the capital of the Palestinian state.



Abbas also held telephone calls with other regional and international leaders on Wednesday, discussing the status of the city. They included Saudi King Mohammad bin Salma, French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

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DOHA (Reuters) - Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is expected to attend the annual summit of Gulf Arab heads of state in Kuwait on Dec. 5 and 6, Qatars foreign minister said on Sunday, despite a deep dispute within the group. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is seen during a joint news conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java province, Indonesia October 18, 2017. REUTERS/BeawihartaThe ministerial meeting will be attended tomorrow, and (for) the summit, god willing, the Emir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said in a speech. The rift between the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council members Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on one side, and Qatar on the other had put this years annual meeting in doubt. There was no immediate comment from other Gulf nations on the Qatari announcement. The dispute, which erupted in June, revolves around allegations by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt that Qatar supports terrorism, a charge Doha denies. The four countries have severed diplomatic, trade and travel links with Doha, in a move Qatar says is inflicting collective punishment on its people but its opponents call a legitimate response to its policies. Qatar says the four countries are trying to force Doha to fall in line with their own foreign policy.

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BAUCHI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers have killed at least 13 other people in an attack on a market in the northeast Nigerian town of Biu in Borno state, officials said on Saturday. The blasts struck while aid workers were distributing food to people affected by the eight-year conflict with Boko Haram, said Aliyu Idrisa, a community leader. In addition to the 13 victims, 53 people were injured and two bombers were killed, said Victor Isuku, police spokesman for Borno state. Saturdays attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which uses suicide bombers, often women and girls, to attack crowded public spaces. Last week, a suicide bombing at a mosque in the northeastern town of Mubi killed at least 50 people, one of the deadliest attacks in recent years. The government has said its long-term plan for the northeast is to corral civilians inside fortified garrison towns and effectively cede the countryside to Boko Haram. That plan and a string of deadly attacks have raised questions about assertions by the Nigerian government and military that Boko Harams Islamist insurgency has been all but wiped out.

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Houston: A six-year-old Muslim boy with Down Syndrome was feared as a terrorist by his teacher in a US school after he kept repeating 'Allah' and 'boom' in his classroom, a media report said.

Mohammad Suleiman was born with Down Syndrome and he has intellectual difficulties, according to his father.

He said his son's regular teacher in an elementary school left and a substitute teacher called police in Pearland, around 20 miles south of Houston, in Texas, about his son.

The teacher also said the school told the officer that Mohammad could talk.

Disgusted by the allegations, Mohammad's father said his son doesn't speak at all and has the mental capacity of a one- year-old, The Independent reported.

"They claim that he's a terrorist. This is so stupid, this is discrimination actually. It's not implied discrimination, it's a hundred percent discrimination," the father said.

The Pearland Police Department said it has concluded its investigation and found no further action was needed. However, the region's Child Protective Services department said its investigation is ongoing.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday there was absolutely no collusion between his campaign and Russia, his first comment on a guilty plea by his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion, Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for fund-raising events in New York. Theres been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy. Flynn was the first member of Trumps administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Muellers wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by Trump aides. As part of his plea on Friday, Flynn agreed to cooperate with the investigation. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn looks at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he talks with the media at Mar-a-Lago estate where Trump attends meetings, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 21, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File PhotoThe retired U.S. Army lieutenant general admitted in a Washington court that he lied to FBI investigators about his discussions last December with Russias then-ambassador to the United States, Sergei Kislyak. In what appeared to be moves undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama, the pair discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia, and Flynn asked Kislyak to help delay a United Nations vote seen as damaging to Israel, according to prosecutors. Flynn also was told by a very senior member of Trumps transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the vote, the prosecutors said. Sources told Reuters the very senior transition official was Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior advisor. Kushners lawyer did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Flynn, a former Defense Intelligence Agency director, only held his position as Trumps national security adviser for 24 days. He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Kislyak.

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GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations is trying to evacuate at least 140 aid workers from the Yemeni capital amid fighting that has cut off the airport road but it awaits approval from the Saudi-led coalition, U.N. and other aid officials said on Sunday. Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi fighters in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed al-SayaghiCoalition aircraft bombed Houthi positions in Sanaa overnight, residents and local media said, aiming to shore up supporters of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh as they battle the Houthi group, which is aligned with Iran. It was the fourth day of clashes in which dozens have been killed, the Red Cross said. There is a plane on stand-by in Djibouti for 140 international staff, a U.N. official in Sanaa told Reuters. About half were from non-governmental organisations, he said. Fighting is moving towards the airport and the situation is very tense. We cant even evacuate staff, he said. United Nations staff have been confined to their living quarters in Sanaa since clashes erupted on Thursday, he said. Shells were falling near the UN compound in Sanaa on Siteen Street on Sunday, with one source on the scene saying stray bullets had hit the compound. The compound is empty as staff had been told to stay home and not report to work for days. Another aid worker from an independent agency in Yemen, who declined to be identified, told Reuters: The U.N. is planning a reduction of staff for U.N. agencies and some NGOs. But more importantly they consider that the road to the airport is not safe enough to organise a movement to the airport, he said, adding that it might involve evacuation of a total of 180 aid workers. There was no immediate reply from the United Nations to Reuters queries seeking confirmation of the reports. Clearance to land at Sanaa airport has yet to be received from the coalition, who control the skies over the Houthi-controlled capital, aid workers said. Saleh said on Saturday he was ready to turn a new page in ties with the coalition fighting in Yemen if it stopped attacks on Yemeni citizens, in a move that could pave the way to end nearly three years of war. The apparent shift in position came as Salehs supporters battled Houthi fighters in Hadda, a district in southern Sanaa where members of Salehs family, including his nephew Tareq, live. Another UN source in Yemen said: UN and NGO staff are not evacuating, but rather planning a reduction in the number of non-essential staff in Sanaa until the security situation on the ground is clearer. In Geneva, spokeswoman Elodie Schindler of the International Committee of the Red Cross said: In light of the current chaotic situaton, the ICRC is looking to downsize staff presence in Yemen to a core team.

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BRUSSELS/BERLIN (Reuters) - On the eve of his trip to Europe, Rex Tillerson gave a speech last week that European allies had waited months to hear: an ironclad promise of U.S. support to its oldest allies. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participates in a panel discussion after his remarks on U.S.-European Relations at the Wilson Center in Washington, U.S., November 28, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri GripasThe relief in European capitals lasted barely a day as reports surfaced of a White House plan to oust the U.S. secretary of state, plunging Americas friends back into confusion over President Donald Trumps foreign policy. The uncertainty is particularly acute given Washingtons leading role in crises in North Korea and Syria. Just as Tillerson comes to Brussels to give a public statement of support that the EU and NATO have wanted all along, it seems he has no mandate, that the guillotine is hanging over his head, said an EU official involved in diplomacy with White House officials. It leaves Europe just as doubtful as before about Trump. U.S. officials said on Thursday the White House had a plan for CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson but Trump said on Friday he was not leaving and the secretary of state said on Saturday the reports were untrue. European leaders yearn for stability in U.S. foreign policy. They are troubled by Trumps America first rhetoric and inconsistent statements on NATO and the European Union. In addition, Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris climate change accord and his decision not to certify Irans compliance with a nuclear deal undermine European priorities. The chaos in the administration doesnt help in the current geopolitical climate, said a senior French diplomat. Early last week, Tillerson, a former Exxon Mobil chief executive, delivered a long address in support of Europe in Washington more akin to traditional U.S. policy. The United States remains committed to our enduring relationship with Europe. Our security commitments to European allies are ironclad, he told a think tank. He said he would convey that message to the European Union and NATO. He is set to visit Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna on Thursday and Paris on Friday. The question is whether European officials believe him, given tensions during his April visit to Europe, when Reuters reported Tillerson initially planned to skip a NATO meeting in Brussels and then only attended under pressure from allies. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters after meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2017. REUTERS/James Lawler DugganIf there were expectations that Tillerson might evolve into a counterweight to Trump, someone who could pass on messages from partners and exert moderating influence over American foreign policy  those expectations have been disappointed, said Niels Annen, foreign policy spokesman for Germanys Social Democrats in parliament. On his watch, the State Department has become a non-actor. Despite Tillersons pledge to reform the U.S. foreign service, European governments take a dim view of how he has sought to cut costs at the State Department, with top diplomatic posts unfilled almost a year into the administration. The French have gone around Tillerson to develop contacts with U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, while the EUs top diplomat Federica Mogherini has gone directly to Vice President Mike Pence. Berlin has focused on Capitol Hill, as well as Kelly, McMaster and Mattis. Yet it is unclear if that access translates into a direct impact on Trumps foreign policy, diplomats said. LARGER DOSE OF TRUMP There is hope that if Pompeo is appointed he could rejuvenate the State Department after Tillerson, who is seen as ineffective, diplomats said. Pompeo is an unknown quantity in Europe but is viewed as closer to Trump. We may be looking at a larger dose of Trump at the State Department, if Pompeo did get the job, said Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, head of the German Marshall Funds Berlin office. One European diplomat said Tillerson was in a difficult position from the outset because the Trump administration was hostile to Iran and brought in a team of generals who took a hard line, so it never left Tillerson much room. In addition, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner has taken a leading role in formulating policy on Middle East peace. But Europeans see Trump as a blizzard of conflicting signals. At a NATO summit in Brussels in May, the president publicly admonished European leaders for their low defence spending and threatened to reduce support, only to announce a jump in U.S. military spending in Europe months later. Things may only become more unpredictable, diplomats say. European diplomats see Tillerson and Mattis as instrumental in talking Trump out of making any rash decisions over North Korea and its nuclear program, given administration comments about utterly destroying the country.

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UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States has quit negotiations on a voluntary pact to deal with migration because the global approach to the issue was simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. FILE PHOTO: An international passenger (L) arrives at Dulles International Airport as a man (R) waits for loved ones to arrive in Dulles, Virginia, U.S. September 24, 2017. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan/File PhotoIn a statement released late on Saturday, the U.S. mission to the U.N. noted that President Donald Trump made the decision. No country has done more than the United States, and our generosity will continue, said Haley, whose parents are immigrants from India. But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country, she said. Trump campaigned last year on a promise to deport large numbers of immigrants and build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico to help tackle illegal immigration and crime in the United States. Since he took office in January, he has also moved to ban U.S. entry by people from select Muslim countries. With a record 21.3 million refugees globally, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly adopted a political declaration in September last year in which they also agreed to spend two years negotiating the pact on safe, orderly and regular migration. Former U.S. President Barack Obamas administration backed the resolution, known as the New York Declaration, which also asked U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Zeid Raad al-Hussein to propose a global compact on refugees for adoption in 2018. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks for a bid to renew an international inquiry into chemical weapons attacks in Syria, during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York, U.S., November 17, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidThe global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty, Haley said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regretted the U.S. decision, his spokesman said on Sunday, but expressed hope the United States might re-engage in the talks. The positive story of migration is clear: it needs to be better told. Equally, the challenges it throws up need to be tackled with more determination and greater international coordination, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said. Three days of preparatory talks begin in Mexico on Monday ahead of the start of formal negotiations in February over the non-binding pact. Haleys predecessor Samantha Power mocked the U.S. move. How to further insult your Mexican neighbor, turn your back on humanitys most desperate, and make America irrelevant on a hugely destabilizing global crisis in one easy step, she posted on Twitter. While former U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Twitter: On migration, national solutions logically do not exist ... Going it alone is a lose-lose proposition.

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Washington: The US is not satisfied with Pakistan's co-operation in the war against terror as part of its South Asia strategy and yet to see Islamabad taking steps to "rein in" the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a senior Trump administration official has said.

He also termed the release of Mumbai-terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed as "a step backward" in that direction.

The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was "not an indication" of Islamabad's co-operation with the US in the war against terrorism.

"Our diplomatic pressure, as well as our own intelligence agencies diligent work led to the release of the Coleman family. So, I am not sure if that qualifies as step forward (by Pakistan as part of the South Asia Strategy announced by President Donald Trump in August)," the official told PTI.

"We are happy that the Colemans are free and that they have been released. But we are still waiting to see Pakistan take steps to reign in the Taliban and the Haqqani network. We are not satisfied that they have done anything significant on this front," he said.

The US, the official said, has now a different approach to Pakistan. "We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory".

Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

"But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognise that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldn't necessarily occur overnight.

"But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take," he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said.

"But, I don't think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And we're still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan," he added.

The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on "genuine" peace process, as it is not interested in talks for talks sake.

"We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we don't believe they'll be ready for talks.

"They will continue to believe that they can advance on the battlefield rather than on the negotiating table," he said, adding "so, we need to see Pakistan ensures that they don't have a sanctuary within Pakistan. And only at that time we assess that they'll really be ready for genuine negotiations with the Afghan government".

The the White House official, however, refused to give any time line for actions on Pakistan, saying he thinks that it would not be helpful.

"But I just want to assure you that that we are thinking in terms of timelines and we are monitoring the progress and we do expect meaningful actions in a certain time-frame and we are prepared to implement new policies and take different steps if we don't see some progress," he said.
ADEN (Reuters) - Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday he was ready for a new page in relations with the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen if it stopped attacks on his country. FILE PHOTO: Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh addresses a rally held to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of his General People's Congress party in Sanaa, Yemen August 24, 2017. Picture taken August 24, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File PhotoThe call came as his supporters battled Houthi fighters for a fourth day in the capital Sanaa as the two sides traded blame for a rift between allies that could affect the course of the civil war. Together they have fought the Saudi-led coalition which intervened in Yemen in 2015 aiming to restore the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis forced him into exile. The clash between Salehs supporters and the Houthis underscores the complex situation in Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, where a proxy war between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed Hadi has caused one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in recent times. I call upon the brothers in neighbouring states and the alliance to stop their aggression, lift the siege, open the airports and allow food aid and the saving of the wounded and we will turn a new page by virtue of our neighbourliness, Saleh said in a televised speech. We will deal with them in a positive way and what happened to Yemen is enough, he added. Saleh stepped down after 33 years in office in 2012, following months of Arab Spring protests against his rule, but remained leader of the GPC, the countrys largest political party. The Saudi-led coalition welcomed Salehs remarks. In a statement carried by the Saudi-owned Al-Hadath channel, the coalition said it was confident of the will of the leaders and sons of Salehs General Peoples Congress (GPC) party to return to Arab fold. The coalition says Saleh betrayed Arabs by joining Houthi-led forces who they say are aligned with non-Arab Iran. SALEH CONTROLS SOUTHERN SANAA Aid workers stand in line to get their passports stamped upon arrival at the Sanaa airport, Yemen November 25, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.Residents of Sanaa described heavy fighting on the streets of Hadda, a southern residential district of the Yemeni capital where many of Salehs relatives, including his nephew Tareq, live, early on Saturday, with sounds of explosions and gunfire heard all over the area. The fighting subsided by the afternoon as Saleh supporters secured control. There was no immediate word on casualties. Children protest against the Saudi-led coalition outside the U.N. offices in Sanaa, Yemen November 20, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled AbdullahSalehs GPC party accused the Houthis of failing to honour the truce and said in a statement on its website that the Houthis bear responsibility for dragging the country into a civil war. It also called on supporters, including tribal fighters, to defend themselves, their country, their revolution and their republic... The GPC appealed to the army and security forces to remain neutral in the conflict. But the head of the Houthis Ansarullah group warned that the biggest winner from what he described as Salehs sedition was the Saudi-led coalition. I appeal to the leader Saleh to show more wisdom and maturity... and not to heed incitement calls, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said in a speech on the groups Al-Masirah TV, adding that his group was ready to sit down for arbitration and abide by any ruling. The fighting began on Wednesday when Salehs GPC party accused the Houthis of breaking into the citys main mosque complex and firing RPGs and grenades. Both sides reported that at least 16 people have been killed in the fighting since Wednesday. Yemens civil war has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015, displaced more than two million people, caused a cholera outbreak infecting nearly one million people and put the country on the brink of famine.

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Samsung has announced W2018 (SM-W2018 ), its latest premium Android Flip phone in China to celebrate 25th anniversary of its entry into China. It has dual 4.2-inch 1080p Super AMOLED displays, so that you can use the phone even when its closed, is powered by Snapdragon 835 with 6GB RAM and has a 12-megapixel rear camera with variable aperture tech that uses f/1.5 aperture for night shots for a brighter picture and f/2.4 aperture for normal shots in daytime. It also comes with dual-pixel auto-focus and optical image stabilization.

It has a 3D glass and metal design, comes with a Multi-function hotkey in the keyboard. It has same design as the Flagship 8 (SM-G9298) that was introduced back in August, but the fingerprint sensor on the back that was below the camera has been moved next to the camera.

Samsung W2018 specifications

4.2-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Super AMOLED dual displays

Octa-Core Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform with Adreno 540 GPU

6GB RAM, 64GB / 256GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD

Android 7.1.1 (Nougat)

Hybrid dual SIM (nano + nano/microSD)

12MP rear camera with LED Flash, f/1.5 or f2.4 aperture, PDAF, 1.4m pixels, OIS

5MP front-facing camera, f/1.9 aperture

Fingerprint sensor, heart rate sensor

Dimensions: 132.2  63.2  15.95mm; Weight: 247g

4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2X2 MIMO), Bluetooth 4.2 LE, GPS + GLONASS, NFC, USB Type-C

2300mAh battery

The Samsung W2018 comes in Gold and Silver colors and will go on sale mainly from China Telecom. No word on the pricing or availability yet.

Source 1, 2, 3
President Donald Trump suggested Saturday he may be willing to negotiate changes to a significant portion of the tax overhaul, the corporate tax rate, injecting an element of uncertainty into the tax plan only hours after it cleared the Senate.

Trump told reporters at the White House before a trip to New York City that he would consider setting the corporate tax rate at 22 percent, compared to a 20 percent rate that he has pushed for with House and Senate Republicans during the fall.

Pointing to expected talks between House and Senate negotiators this month, Trump predicted "something beautiful is going to come out of that mixer" and the business tax would come "all the way down from 35 to 20. It could be 22 when it comes out, but it could also be 20. We'll see what ultimately comes out."

Trump spoke after the Senate approved a $1.5 trillion tax bill early Saturday that would rewrite the nation's tax code, cut individual rates and slash the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent beginning in 2019. If enacted, the bill would provide the most sweeping changes to the tax system in three decades and help Trump deliver the first major legislative win of his presidency.

Trump's suggestion of a higher corporate tax rate than what has been included in legislation approved by the House and Senate represented an about-face after the president and administration officials maintained a hard line that a corporate rate higher than 20 percent was a nonstarter.

Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech to the Tax Foundation in mid-November that the administration would "cut the corporate tax rate from one of the highest in the developed world down to 20 percent  and not a penny more."

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who accompanied Trump to New York for fundraisers on Saturday, said in September that the 20 percent corporate rate was "not negotiable."

The shift perplexed some Republicans. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tried to pare back the proposed cut in corporate tax rates to 20.94 percent to provide a more generous increase in the child tax credit. But he was rebuffed.

"Senate leaders & White House fought hard to defeat expanded #ChildTaxCredit b/c of 20.94% rate but now 22% is ok?" Rubio tweeted Saturday.

White House officials did not immediately respond to questions seeking clarity on Trump's views of the proposed corporate tax rate.

Senate and House Republicans now head into a new phase of seeking to reconcile differences in the legislation passed by both chambers, a behind-closed-doors process that could move quickly. Trump has said he wants to sign the tax package into law before Christmas.

Republicans have pointed to the tax bill as crucial to retaining its House and Senate majorities in next year's midterm elections. Democrats have said the bill will solely help the wealthy and corporations at the expense of more modest-earning workers.

Democrats have noted that while the corporate tax rates would be permanently reduced under the plan, it would only offer temporary tax cuts to individuals, lasting until 2026.

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On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at @KThomasDC.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that actions by former national security adviser Michael Flynn during the presidential transition were lawful, and that he had had to fire him because Flynn had lied to the FBI and the vice president.

The president's comment suggested he may have known Flynn lied to the FBI before he urged the FBI director not to investigate his former adviser, legal experts said. But they noted that it was unclear from the tweeted comment exactly what the president knew when.

Flynn is the first member of Trump's administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence last year's U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by Trump aides.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies," Trump said on Twitter while he was in New York for a fundraising trip. "It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

Flynn, who on Friday pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, is a former Defense Intelligence Agency director who was Trumps national security adviser only for 24 days. He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Russia's then-ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak.

"What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the New York trip. "Theres been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy.

Legal experts said if Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI and then pressured then-FBI director James Comey not to investigate him, that would be problematic.

If that were the case Trump's tweet "absolutely bolsters an obstruction of justice charge," said Jimmy Gurule, a former federal prosecutor and a law professor at Notre Dame University. "It is evidence of the crucial question of whether Trump acted with a corrupt intent."

In May, the president fired Comey, who later accused Trump of trying to hinder his investigation into the Russia allegations. Comey also said he believed Trump had asked him to drop the FBI's probe into Flynn.

Andrew Wright, a professor at Savannah Law School, said the tweet is open to interpretation and that Trump's lawyer would downplay its significance.

On Friday White House attorney Ty Cobb reacted to Flynn's guilty plea by saying Flynn's false statements "mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation in February of this year. Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn."

On Saturday Cobb referred questions about the president's tweet to Trump's personal attorney, John Dowd, who described it as a paraphrase of Cobbs statement.

The tweet is "bizarre and helpful to Mueller and hurtful to the president," said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago now at the law firm Thompson Coburn. "It's one more piece of evidence that helps show the President's intent when he fired Comey."

As part of his plea on Friday, Flynn agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

The retired U.S. Army lieutenant general admitted in a Washington court that he lied to FBI investigators about his discussions last December with Kislyak.

In what appeared to be moves undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama, the pair discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia, and Flynn asked Kislyak to help delay a United Nations vote seen as damaging to Israel, according to prosecutors.

Flynn was also told by a "very senior member" of Trump's transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the U.N. vote, the prosecutors said.

Sources told Reuters the "very senior" transition official was Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor. Kushner's lawyer did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Separately, speaking at a defense conference in California on Saturday, Trump's current national security advisor H.R. McMaster said he saw no evidence that the indictment of Flynn, his immediate predecessor, was hurting U.S. national security.

Theres tremendous confidence, I think theres more confidence in the United States frankly  I think theres a sense that were re-engaging in areas where we had largely disengaged. (Additional reporting by Patrick Rucker, Roberta Rampton, Jonathan Landay and Karen Freifeld; Writing by Jeff Mason; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran appeared to criticize colleague Brian Ross on Twitter Saturday night over Ross' reporting on the 2001 anthrax scare.

Ross, the network's chief investigative correspondent, was suspended for four weeks without pay after he incorrectly reported that former national security adviser Michael Flynn would testify that Donald Trump ordered Flynn to contact Russian officials to discuss foreign policy before Trump was elected president last year.

Back in October 2001, Ross reported that an anthrax-laced letter sent to then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office contained traces of bentonite. Ross went on to report that "as far as is known, only one country, Iraq, has used bentonite to produce biological weapons."

Ari Fleischer, who was White House press secretary at the time, tweeted that he "explicitly told ABC News not to go with the anthrax story because it was wrong. Brian Ross went with it anyway ..." Hours later, in response to a Politico story about Ross' mistake, Fleischer specified that he told Ross the report was wrong "BEFORE he aired his story about Saddam being behind the anthrax attack."

Moran, who was ABC's chief White House correspondent at the time, backed Fleischer up with a terse tweet saying, "This is correct."

In Ross' initial 2001 report, he said Fleischer "denied that bentonite was found on the letters, but another senior White House official backed off Fleischer's comments, saying 'at this point' there does not appear to be bentonite."

In a 2008 interview with TVNewser, Ross said the sources for the initial bentonite report later corrected themselves and he reported their correction several days later.

"My sources were good," Ross said at the time. "We just got information that became outdated before they could update."

Reps for ABC News did not immediately return phone calls and emails requesting comment.
Stephen Colbert hasnt had a lot to say about the recent allegations against his longtime friend Louis C.K. to date. However, he briefly touched upon the now disgraced comedians sexual harassment allegations during an event on Saturday.

Colbert was hosting this years guest of honor at the Montclair Film Festival, Samantha Bee, when the topic turned to C.K. and the conversations surrounding sexual assault in Hollywood.

I feel dumb... Im not surprised that men are bad but I didnt know about Louis C.K., he told Bee and the crowd, per Deadline. I didnt even know about Cosby! And thats dumb.

Colbert had a unique experience when the New York Times published a story about the comedian being accused of sexual misconduct by at least five women. C.K. later admitted that the accusations were true. Colbert not only worked with C.K. in the past, but was scheduled to interview him on The Late Show the day after the report surfaced.

For those of you tuning in to see my interview with Louis C.K. tonight, I have some bad news. Then I have some really bad news, he joked at the time. Louis canceled his appearance here tonight because The New York Times broke this story today.

Other than that, Colbert hasnt had much to say about his comic friends recent public shaming until Saturday. Speaking to Bee, he confessed that he was planning to ask C.K. about the rumors, only for them to be revealed as true before he could.

The way I was going to approach talking to him about this subject, which I knew he didnt want to talk about, was people in the movie talk about rumors of sexual impropriety by one of the characters. At like minute 42, one of the characters says Can you separate the artist from the rumors about him? How would you answer that question? That was going to be my tack, Colbert told the audience, per Vanity Fair.

Colberts working relationship with C.K. dates back to 1996. He was the head writer on the short-lived The Dana Carvey Show and gave Colbert one of his first big jobs on the writing staff.
A man in Pennsylvania shot and killed one of the biggest bears of the 2017 hunting season.

Hunter Bo Bowser had been trying to bag a bear for 13 years, CBS Pittsburgh reported.

"I would have taken a small one for my first one, but I can't complain about a 600-pounder," Bowser told CBS Pittsburgh.

The 25-year-old, who grew up in a hunting family, brought down a 7-foot-tall, 600 pound monster of a black bear in Valley Township, PA.

DOG SHOOTS HUNTER AFTER ANOTHER HUNTER LEAVES SHOTGUN ON GROUND

"He was down by a creek, so it was nice and loud," said Bowser. "I was able to sneak up on him."

Bowser said when the bear first turned around and looked at him, his initial reaction was: Whoa!

The gargantuan animal was not an easy one to take down, though. It took four shots before Bowser succeeded. Then he had to figure out how to get the bear out of the forest.

"If we had shot him anywhere deep in the woods, we wouldn't have been able to get him out," said Bowser.

Bowser floated the bear across the creek and then had his friends and dad pitch in to load the animal onto his ATV.

"Five guys, 45 minutes to drag it 15 yards," he said to the news outlet.

Bowser said he doesnt expect to get such a large trophy next year  just shy of the largest kill of the hunting season, which was 700 pounds according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

"I mean, I'll never shoot a 600-pounder again," he said. "But, like I said, sometimes luck is on your side."

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Bowser said he gave the bear meat to some friends, and is deciding what to do with the hide.

"You can't just put it in the corner of your living room," said Bowser. "It would take up some serious space."

Currently the bear is at a taxidermist while Bowser figures out if he wants to have it mounted, which could cost upwards of $3,000.
A police officer is being called a guardian angel after responding to reports of a robbery ended up with him agreeing to adopt a homeless pregnant womans baby.

Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets was investigating a convenience store robbery when he walked behind the building and found a woman getting ready to inject heroin.

Holets turned on his bodycam and confronted the 35-year-old Crystal Champ and her companion before realizing the woman was pregnant.

Youre going to kill your baby, Holets is heard on the bodycam chastising Champ, who revealed she was seven or eight months pregnant.

Holets, who appears to be writing a citation for the couple in the beginning of the video, begins talking to Champ about her situation.

Its not every day I see a sight like that, Holets said in an interview with CNN. It just made me really sad.

OFFICER TAKES CHILD TO MCDONALD'S AFTER NOT BEING PICKED UP FROM SCHOOL ON BIRTHDAY

It was in that life-changing moment that Holets decided to intervene.

"I just felt God telling me, 'Tell her that you will do it because you can, Holets said to CNN.

That it was the father of four telling Champ he would like to adopt her baby.

Champ, who lives in a tent among the brush beside a highway in New Mexico, has battled addition to heroin and crystal meth for most of her life.

I know how bad my situation is, she told CNN. I know what a horrible person I am.

Champ had also desperately wanted someone to adopt her baby, Holets said and he wanted to be the one.

I got so tired of seeing so many situations that I want to help, but cant. But in that moment I realized I had a chance to help, Holets continued.

After the conversation with Champ, Holets got in his squad car and drove immediately to his wife  with whom he had not yet discussed the magnanimous decision he made.

The police officer went right up to his wife and told her the whole story.

He already knew my heart on the issue, and he knew that I would be totally onboard with it, Holets wife, Rebecca, told CNN.

The couple had discussed adopting before, Yahoo reports, but wanted to wait until their youngest, who is 10 months old, was a little older.

The couple had no time to spare, though. Three weeks later, Champ gave birth to a baby girl, Hope. However, because of Champs drug use, Hope was born addicted to opioids, called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The syndrome can cause a lot of problems for growing infants like increased irritability, autonomic overreactivity and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, as well as developmental disorders later in life.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a child with NAS is born every 25 minutes in the U.S.

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The Holetses have said when the time is right, they will tell Hope about the circumstances of her adoption, Yahoo reported.

I just want her to be safe and secure and be in a family and be loved and have a chance, Champ said.

After giving birth, with the Holetses at the hospital, she gave the couple Hope and said goodbye. She turns to me and says, Take care of her for me. And I said, I will take good care of her, and you take good care of yourself. It was super emotional, said Rebecca.

I am so thankful and blessed and humbled that we are allowed to be Hope in our family, Holets said.
The disturbing verdict in the killing of Kate Steinle  finding a criminal illegal alien not guilty of the most serious charges for her death  illustrates the need to find a way to end the sanctuary cities movement that has spread around the nation.

Steinle was only 32 when she was shot and killed in July 2015 by a bullet fired by illegal alien Jose Ines Garcia Garcia Zarate, who had a record of seven felony convictions and five previous deportations. Garcia Zarate did not deny shooting Steinle, but said it was an accident.

Garcia Zarate had been freed by San Francisco authorities three months before he shot Steinle, despite a federal immigration detention request to hold him so federal officials could take him into custody.

Now Garcia Zarate is, for the eighth time, a convicted felon  but he was found guilty Thursday of only illegal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted on the more serious charges of first- and second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault with a semi-automatic weapon.

Courtesy of American justice, Garcia Zarate had the full benefit of the due process of law conferred on American citizens  legal counsel at every step of the proceedings, an attentive judge, a jury of his peers, and the expectation that the government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Steinle had none of those protections as she stood over the San Francisco Bay with her father, who would know her pleas for help as the last thing hed ever hear her utter in a too-short life.

The case involving the young womans killing has spurred intense debate, Trump administration warnings to suspected sanctuary jurisdictions, lawsuits and proposed legislation on how U.S. immigration enforcement might proceed.

President Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice have weighed in, proposing dramatically different immigration enforcement schemes than their predecessors.

The political left has staked out its position on immigration. An estimated 300 jurisdictions large and small have sanctuary policies that work to defeat cooperation by local law enforcement with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal agency describes its mission as enforcing federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration to promote homeland security and public safety.

The sanctuary jurisdictions create opportunities for further harm, just like that posed by Steinles killer. Their claim is that sanctuary cities are actually as safe as or safer than others, with illegal residents less likely to break the law and more likely to cooperate with law enforcement when real crimes occur.

And sanctuary jurisdictions argue that immigration enforcement is the province of the federal government and they have no desire or intention of acting as agents or holding facilities for the feds.

But sanctuary supporters conveniently ignore the fact that disregarding an ICE detainer request and setting an illegal alien criminal free creates a very real threat that the criminal will commit crimes harming innocent victims in the future.

Kate Steinles tragic case is but one in a sea of unnecessary tears.

Earlier this year, The Washington Times reported on a Center for Immigration Studies analysis that found that from January 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, more than 17,000 ICE detainer requests were rejected by sanctuary jurisdictions.

Of those rejected requests, almost 70 percent were issued for individuals with a prior criminal history. Thats over 10,000 likely and confirmed criminal illegal aliens who ignored U.S. immigration law in how they came to be in this country, allegedly engaged in additional criminal conduct while here, and were returned to the streets rather than handed off to ICE.

This action, the left would have us believe, makes us safer rather than less safe. Over 10,000 times safer, if you follow the logic.

But there are holes in the logic. In reporting by the Boston Globe last year, the paper challenged statements by an Obama-era ICE director who was responsible for managing spin as the besieged agency itself released criminal illegal aliens inside U.S. borders.

In its review of recidivism by criminal illegal immigrants, the paper looked at 323 criminals released in New England from 2008 to 2012. It found as many as 30 percent committed new offenses, including rape, attempted murder and child molestation.

Last summer, police in Santa Rosa, California arrested 38-year-old Nery Israel Estrada-Margos for allegedly beating his girlfriend to death. Estrada-Margos had been in police custody before the murder for felony domestic battery charges after he allegedly beat his girlfriend following an argument.

Despite an ICE detainer request, police released Estrada-Margos from custody after he posted bail. Disingenuously claiming they tried to honor the ICE detainer request, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office released the suspected killer 16 minutes after notifying ICE, which was 60 miles away, of the pending release.

Veronica Cabrera Ramirez, Estrada-Margos girlfriend, didnt have a voice in the sanctuary city debate. Her state is more interested in protecting people like Estrada-Margos from ICE than protecting her. It failed her and it is knowingly and intentionally failing others.

The stories of Kate Steinle and Veronica Cabrera Ramirez will fade with the passage of time. But theirs will simply be replaced by the stories of future victims of heinous and predictable crimes committed by criminal illegal aliens who take advantage of American kindness and weakness.

As we endure yet another national conversation  this one on border security and immigration  hundreds or perhaps thousands of new victims will fall prey to criminal illegal aliens upon whose intentions too many local jurisdictions and some states will place a losing bet.

In a Nov. 22 editorial, The Washington Post called Attorney General Sessions battle against sanctuary cities pointless. For Kate, Veronica and all those future victims of criminal illegal aliens, its anything but.
Palestinian leaders were seeking Sunday to rally diplomatic support to persuade US President Donald Trump not to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital after suggestions that he planned to do so.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was holding a series of phone calls with world leaders to "explain the dangers of any decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem or recognise (Jerusalem) as Israel's capital", Abbas's diplomatic adviser Majdi al-Khalidi told AFP.

His calls so far have included those to Arab leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan told Abbas that an independent Palestinian state must have east Jerusalem as its capital, Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Abbas was also said to be seeking meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to discuss the issue.

Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and Palestinian Authority intelligence head Majed Farraj were making contacts in Washington, Khalidi said.

He said Abbas was warning "of the consequences of taking such a decision that will threaten the political process and peacemaking efforts".

Erekat said in a statement Sunday that such recognition would "promote international anarchy and disrespect for global institutions", while the United States would "be disqualifying itself to play any role in any initiative towards achieving a just and lasting peace".

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called Saturday for a new "intifada" if Washington recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moves its embassy to the disputed city.

Trump is set to decide by Monday whether to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision that would upturn long-standing policy and be at odds with other world powers.

Since 1995, it has been US law that Washington's embassy in Israel must be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in line with Israeli government wishes.

But every six months since the law was passed, a succession of US presidents has signed a waiver to hold off on a switch which would enrage Palestinians and their Arab supporters.

Trump has signed the waiver once after vowing to Jewish-American supporters that he would be the president to finally make the switch permanent.

The next deadline comes on Monday, and some reports in Washington suggest that Trump is planning a speech on the issue next week before Vice President Mike Pence heads to Jerusalem.

The White House has described reports that he may refuse to sign the waiver as premature -- but sources told AFP they expect Trump to formally declare Jerusalem Israel's capital.

Israel occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel claims the entire city as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

The traditional US position has been that Jerusalem's future status must be negotiated by the two sides.

Trump's administration has been seeking ways to restart long-stalled peace efforts between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

There have been warnings that recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital or moving the embassy there outside of negotiations would severely harm remaining chances for a two-state solution to the conflict.

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It started over five years ago with a simple request for a wedding cake. And now, after wending its way through the system, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is finally having its day before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Many legal experts believe it will be the most significant case of the term. It involves a clash of our rights as citizens, as well as our ideals.

Two of the most precious rights Americans possess are freedom of expression and freedom to practice their religion as they see fit. Both are enshrined in the First Amendment.

But these rights are not absolute. They sometimes may clash with a duty toward others. Masterpiece Cakeshop will test these limits.

It began in July 2012, when Charlie Craig and David Mullins asked Jack Phillips, who owned the Masterpiece Cakeshop, to create a custom wedding cake to celebrate their same-sex marriage. Phillips refused, saying he didnt wish to promote a same-sex wedding due to his religious beliefs.

One thing is for sure  no matter how its decided, the case will be a blockbuster.

Craig and Mullins filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The commission decided against Phillips, declaring he had discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation.

The commission ordered Masterpiece Cakeshop to change its policies, give its staff training on discrimination, and provide quarterly reports for two years on steps taken to comply with the order.

The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the decision and the Colorado Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Last year, Phillips petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming the Colorado ruling violates the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. Since then, almost a hundred briefs have been filed by groups around the country, arguing over the numerous potential legal ramifications.

Dr. John Eastman, a professor and former dean at Chapman Universitys school of law, believes the free speech argument is strong, because Phillips work involved expressive conduct.

Whether its a photographer, or a cake-maker, or a T-shirt designer, he notes, theyre engaged in expressive activity which is covered by the First Amendment. In fact, in the case of T-shirts or language on a cake, its actual speech.

But Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the law school at University of California, Berkeley, counters that the expressive activity comes from the customers. If I choose the words on my cake, Im engaging in expression. The baker is simply putting my words on a cake.

Further, Chemerinsky notes that even if this is about speech that doesnt mean the government cant intercede. And in this case, the interest in preventing discrimination outweighs other interests. For instance, the baker would lose in court if he were against interracial marriage and wont bake a cake for an interracial couple.

Eastman suggests we shift the facts and imagine a white racist who wants an African-American baker to bake a cake celebrating the Ku Klux Klan. If the courts tried to claim creating the cake doesnt implicate free speech rights, people would be howling. Phillips was willing to serve homosexuals in his shop, but he didnt want to be forced to support their beliefs.

As for the related free exercise of religion argument, Chemerinsky says that under the Supreme Court decision Employment Division v. Smith (1990), state law  such as Colorados anti-discrimination laws  may limit what people claim is their religious right, as long as the statutes are neutral laws of general applicability and not aimed at religion.

Eastman agrees that the Smith ruling makes the free exercise argument a tougher sell. But he wonders whether its time to revisit the precedent, now that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia  who authored the opinion  has died.

Court observers believe the decision could go either way. Theyll be watching the newest justice, President Trumps pick Neil Gorsuch, for signs of how hell vote. More importantly, most say, is which way Justice Anthony Kennedy goes. If its a close case, its generally thought hell most likely cast the deciding vote.

One thing is for sure  no matter how its decided, the case will be a blockbuster. Eastman believes this could be bigger than the Hobby Lobby opinion a few years back, which allowed a company an exemption from a contraceptive mandate due to religious objections. That case was limited in scope, but if the Supreme Court finds for Phillips, it could mean theres a constitutional right that would trump numerous statutes across the nation.
In Washington, the ostensible story is rarely the real story. We know, for example, that former President Clinton engineered a meeting with President Obamas attorney general, Loretta Lynch, on the tarmac of the Phoenix Airport on June 27, 2016.

Thats the official story, replete with the charming and intentionally disarming detail that all they talked about was their grandchildren. It was just coincidental, dont you know, that at the time the FBI was looking into Hillary Clintons use of a personal email server to send, receive and store classified information.

And it was also simply coincidental that just a few days later, the director of the FBI  who served under Attorney General Lynch  announced that he wouldnt recommend a prosecution of Hillary Clinton.

Richard Nixon must be rolling over in his grave.

What we havent known, until now, is that a frantic scramble erupted in the halls of the FBI to cover up this meeting.

What we havent known, until now, is that a frantic scramble erupted in the halls of the FBI to cover up this meeting. In fact, the FBI turned its sharp light not on the scandalous meeting between the attorney general and Bill Clinton  but rather on one of the whistleblowers who got the word out.

The organization I head, Judicial Watch, asked the FBI on July 7, 2016, for any records that might pertain to the infamous tarmac meeting. We had to sue after we were ignored by the agency.

Then the FBI told us flat-out that it couldnt find any records. And we now know that was flat-out untrue. Because, in responding to another one of our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits, the Justice Department gave us heavily redacted documents that showed there were additional documents tucked away at the FBI headquarters.

If not for Judicial Watch's lawsuits these documents would still be hidden today.

Because of the revelation in our other lawsuit, the FBI  without our knowledge"reopened" our FOIA request. The agency supposedly found about 30 pages of information, which it needed six weeks to review. The FBI finally gave them to us late Thursday.

Now we know why the FBI played shell games. The documents show that FBI officials were concerned solely about the leaking of details of the tarmac meeting. None of the documents show top agency officials cared one whit about the propriety of the meeting itself, but only about who blew the whistle on the covert tete-a-tete.

In one email, an FBI official writes we need to find that guy. And in another we learn that the Phoenix FBI office was contacted in an attempt to stem any further damage. An FBI official working on Lynchs security detail even goes so far as to suggest non-disclosure agreements to keep the full facts from coming forth.

No wonder the FBI didnt turn these documents over until we caught it red-handed, hiding and lying about them.

Simply put, the FBI appears to be fully complicit in a cover-up that attempted to influence a presidential election for a favored candidate  Hillary Clinton. And the truth was trampled on a Phoenix tarmac.
A 15-year-old pro-life student was sucker-punched during a violent altercation Saturday outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Roanoke, Virginia. The unprovoked attack was captured on film by a Liberty University student. Click here to watch the video.

Click here for a free subscription to Todds newsletter: a must-read for Conservative, pro-life Americans!

The teenager was part of a Students for Life of America group that was engaged in sidewalk counseling on public property across from the Planned Parenthood clinic.

Its outrageous, Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins said. This act of violence against a group of peaceful pro-life students who were outside a Planned Parenthood facility offering love and support to pregnant women serves as a sad reflection on the state of debate today.

Hawkins said a woman believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s accosted the student group early Saturday outside the clinic.

Pro-lifers traditionally gather in the area on Saturdays because that is the day when the clinic performs abortions. The young people were holding signs that read, All people are made in the image of God.

Continue reading at ToddStarnes.com.
Two senior Justice Department officials have confirmed to Fox News that the department's Office of Inspector General is reviewing the role played in the Hillary Clinton email investigation by Peter Strzok, a former deputy to the assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI who was removed from the staff of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III earlier this year, after Mueller learned that Strzok had exchanged anti-Trump texts with a colleague.

A source close to the matter said the OIG probe, which will examine Strzok's roles in a number of other politically sensitive cases, should be completed by "very early next year."

The task will be exceedingly complex, given Strzok's consequential portfolio. He participated in the FBI's fateful interview with Hillary Clinton on July 2, 2016  just days before then-FBI Director James Comey announced he was declining to recommend prosecution of Mrs. Clinton in connection with her use, as secretary of state, of a private email server.

In his FBI position, Strzok also enjoyed liaison with various agencies in the intelligence community, including the CIA, then led by Director John Brennan.

Key figure

House investigators told Fox News they have long regarded Strzok as a key figure in the chain of events when the bureau, in 2016, received the infamous anti-Trump "dossier" and launched a counterintelligence investigation into Russian meddling in the election that ultimately came to encompass FISA surveillance of a Trump campaign associate.

The "dossier" was a compendium of salacious and largely unverified allegations about then-candidate Trump and others around him that was compiled by the opposition research firm Fusion GPS. The firm's bank records, obtained by House investigators, revealed that the project was funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has sought documents and witnesses from the Department of Justice and FBI to determine what role, if any, the dossier played in the move to place a Trump campaign associate under foreign surveillance.

Strzok himself briefed the committee on Dec. 5, 2016, the sources said, but within months of that session House Intelligence Committee investigators were contacted by an informant suggesting that there was documentary evidence that Strzok was purportedly obstructing the House probe into the dossier.

In early October, Nunes personally asked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein  who has overseen the Trump-Russia probe since the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions  to make Strzok available to the committee for questioning, sources said.

While Strzoks removal from the Mueller team had been publicly reported in August, the Justice Department never disclosed the anti-Trump texts to the House investigators. The denial of access to Strzok was instead predicated, sources said, on broad "personnel" grounds.

When a month had elapsed, House investigators  having issued three subpoenas for various witnesses and documents  formally recommended to Nunes that DOJ and FBI be held in contempt of Congress. Nunes continued pressing DOJ, including a conversation with Rosenstein as recently as last Wednesday.

That turned out to be 12 days after DOJ and FBI had made Strzok available to the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own parallel investigation into the allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.

Contempt citations?

Responding to the revelations about Strzoks texts on Saturday, Nunes said he has now directed his staff to draft contempt-of-Congress citations against Rosenstein and the new FBI director, Christopher Wray. Unless DOJ and FBI comply with all of his outstanding requests for documents and witnesses by the close of business on Monday, Nunes said, he would seek a resolution on the contempt citations before years end.

We now know why Strzok was dismissed, why the FBI and DOJ refused to provide us this explanation, and at least one reason why they previously refused to make [FBI] Deputy Director [Andrew] McCabe available to the Committee for an interview, Nunes said in a statement.

"We now know why Strzok was dismissed, why the FBI and DOJ refused to provide us this explanation, and at least one reason why they previously refused to make [FBI] Deputy Director [Andrew] McCabe available to the Committee for an interview."  House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif.

Early Saturday afternoon, after Strzoks texts were cited in published reports by the New York Times and the Washington Post  and Fox News had followed up with inquiries about the departments refusal to make Strzok available to House investigators  the Justice Department contacted the office of House Speaker Paul Ryan to establish a date for Strzoks appearance before House Intelligence Committee staff, along with two other witnesses long sought by the Nunes team.

Those witnesses are FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and the FBI officer said to have handled Christopher Steele, the British spy who used Russian sources to compile the dossier for Fusion GPS. The official said to be Steeles FBI handler has also appeared already before the Senate panel.

The Justice Department maintained that the decision to clear Strzok for House interrogation had occurred a few hours prior to the appearance of the Times and Post stories.

In addition, Rosenstein is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Dec. 13.

The Justice Department maintains that it has been very responsive to the House intel panel's demands, including private briefings for panel staff by senior DOJ and FBI personnel and the production of several hundred pages of classified materials available in a secure reading room at DOJ headquarters on Oct. 31.

Behind the scenes

Sources said Speaker Ryan has worked quietly behind the scenes to try to resolve the clash over dossier-related evidence and witnesses between the House intel panel on the one hand and DOJ and FBI on the other. In October, however, the speaker took the unusual step of saying publicly that the two agencies were "stonewalling" Congress.

All parties agree that some records being sought by the Nunes team belong to categories of documents that have historically never been shared with the committees that conduct oversight of the intelligence community.

Federal officials told Fox News the requested records include highly sensitive raw intelligence, so sensitive that officials from foreign governments have emphasized to the U.S. the potential danger and chilling effect it could place on foreign intelligence sources.

Justice Department officials noted that Nunes did not appear for a document-review session that his committees ranking Democrat, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., attended, and once rejected a briefing by an FBI official if the panels Democratic members were permitted to attend.

Sources close to the various investigations agreed the discovery of Strzoks texts raised important questions about his work on the Clinton email case, the Trump-Russia probe, and the dossier matter.

Thats why the IG is looking into all of those things, a Justice Department official told Fox News on Saturday.

A top House investigator asked: If Mueller knew about the texts, what did he know about the dossier?

Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsel, said: Immediately upon learning of the allegations, the Special Counsels Office removed Peter Strzok from the investigation.

Carr declined to comment on the extent to which Mueller has examined the dossier and its relationship, if any, to the counterintelligence investigation that Strzok launched during the height of the campaign season.
President Donald Trump again took up the cause of former national security adviser Mike Flynn Saturday night, complaining that Flynn's "life is destroyed" while Hillary Clinton escaped legal reckoning.

Trump tweeted: "So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday "interrogation" with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?"

He then added: "Many people in our Country are asking what the "Justice" Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and "acid washed" 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

Clinton was interviewed for more than three hours at FBI headquarters over the July 4 weekend in 2016. Because she was not in custody, her interview was not recorded. Former FBI Director James Comey has said that Clinton did not lie to the FBI during her interview.

Earlier Saturday, Trump argued that there was nothing improper in Flynn's conversations with Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak in December 2016. Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about those conversations.

The president tweeted that he fired Flynn because the retired Army lieutenant general lied about those conversations to Vice President Mike Pence as well as the FBI. That suggested that Trump may have known Flynn lied to the FBI when he fired him.

Trump associates tried to put distance Saturday evening between the president himself and the tweet. One person familiar with the situation said the morning tweet was actually crafted by John Dowd, one of the president's personal attorneys. Dowd declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Saturday night.

It's unclear why Trump would cite lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Flynn. Doing so suggests the president knew at the time that Flynn had done something that is against the law, and therefore the investigation could not be as frivolous as he's been portraying.

It's also unclear how he would know that, if information about Russian contacts had not reached him, as he has been implying in his own defense.

Flynn left the White House in February, only acknowledging that he had given an incomplete account to Pence of his conversations with Kislyak. After Trump forced Flynn out, he asked FBI Director James Comey to end the bureau's probe in the matter, according to Comey's account. Comey refused, and Trump fired him, too.

Then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer said after Flynn's firing that it was the result of a "trust issue" and the White House counsel's office had determined there was not a legal issue.

"Whether or not he actually misled the vice president was the issue, and that was ultimately what led to the president asking for and accepting the resignation of Gen. Flynn," Spicer told reporters on Feb. 14. "That's it, pure and simple. It was a matter of trust."

Trump has been publicly dismissive of Comey and of special counsel Robert Mueller's continuing investigation, and was often generous in his appraisal of Flynn, except to say his adviser could not stay on the job after misleading his vice president.

At the time, Pence said Trump was justified in firing Flynn because Flynn had lied to him. Neither Trump nor Pence indicated concern then that the FBI had not been told the true story.

Pence, who served as head of Trump's transition, has not publicly commented on Flynn's plea.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Senate Republican leaders on Sunday touted a GOP-led Congress perhaps finally in sync and ready to hit two key deadlines -- approving a spending bill to keep the government from shutting down after Friday and the House and Senate agreeing on landmark tax-reform legislation by Christmas.

Were not that far apart, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, told Fox News Sunday about the chambers separate tax overhaul measures.

House and Senate lawmakers return to Capitol Hill on Monday to begin working on a compromise bill -- just two days after GOP senators narrowly approved their chambers plan on a 51-to-49 vote. The House, which has a larger Republican majority, approved its version last month.

People wanting to keep more of their hard-earned money. That's what you see in the bills, said Barrasso, amid the large focus on the bills differences. Absolutely there are some changes that still need to be made in conference to work these things out.

Among the big differences: The Senate bill cuts individual taxes only through 2025, and repeals the requirement, or mandate, that Americans must buy health insurance under ObamaCare.

However, the separate bills each reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent and eliminate state and local tax deductions while doubling the standard deduction for individual filers.

Members from the House and the Senate will get together to look for the best solutions, Barrasso also said.

He struck an upbeat tone, compared to what fellow GOP senators were saying after they failed this summer to repeal and replace ObamaCare -- hurting their chances of keeping control of Congress in next years congressional elections and denying Trump his first, major legislative victory.

Congress has not passed major tax reform in roughly three decades, and Trump is eager and equally optimistic about success.

We are one step closer to delivering MASSIVE tax cuts for working families across America. Special thanks to @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell and Chairman @SenOrrinHatch for shepherding our bill through the Senate. Look forward to signing a final bill before Christmas! the president tweeted hours after the Senate passed its bill at about 2 a.m. Saturday.

Also on Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sounded confident that Congress will get enough bipartisan support to pass a temporary spending bill before the federal government runs out of money on Friday, amid concerns that Democrats will withhold votes unless the measure included a fix to the expiring immigration program known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

Theres not going to be a government shutdown. Its just not going to happen, the Kentucky Republican said on ABCs This Week, while also pointing out that Trump has given Congress until March to make the fix.

I dont think the Democrats would be very smart to say, We want to shut down the government over a non-emergency that we can address any time between now and March,' "McConnell also said.

Republican congressional leaders received a good signal Saturday that House conservatives, who frequently oppose leadership-driven measures, appear ready to vote yes on a final tax deal.

Now comes the final step, said North Carolina GOP Rep. Mark Meadows, chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Now is the moment in which both chambers must come together, work out our differences, and finish what weve begun.

Still, Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins, known to put the concerns of home state voters ahead of Senate leaderships, suggested her final vote will depend on what the so-called House and Senate conferees decide.

I want to see what comes out, Collins, who voted yes Saturday, told NBCs Meet the Press.
The White House said last week that President Donald Trump had no plans to visit Alabama ahead of the state's Dec. 12 election for a U.S. Senate seat.

But it didn't say Trump wouldn't visit Pensacola, Fla., about an hour's drive from Mobile -- Alabama's fourth-largest city.

The president plans to be in Pensacola on Friday, just four days before Alabama voters decide between Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones for the seat once occupied by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

And it appears the president has enlisted his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump -- wife of Eric Trump -- to make robo-calls inviting Alabamans to a special event in the Florida Panhandle city.

Local residents reported receiving an automated message, inviting them to see the president at the Pensacola Bay Center, but the message mentioned nothing about Alabama's U.S. Senate race or Moore, AL.com reported.

"Hi, this is Lara Trump, calling on behalf of my father-in-law, President Donald Trump," the recording says. "I'm incredibly excited to invite you to an event in your area. A special rally event featuring President Donald Trump will take place on Friday, December 8th at the Pensacola Bay Center."

Moore has been struggling in the polls since the Washington Post reported Nov. 9 that he allegedly inappropriately touched a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s. Since then, Moore has lost backing from key Republican Party figures, including U.S. Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Ted Cruz of Texas.

However, Trump has walked a tight line regarding Moore.

"Look, he denies it. ... He says it didn't happen, and you know, you have to listen to him also," Trump said of Moore, Fox News reported Nov. 21.

Meanwhile, Democrat Jones was asked if he was concerned about Trump's Florida visit possibly swaying Alabama's undecided voters.

"We're going to continue to run our campaign the way we believe it should be, and that is directly to the people, talking about the kitchen-table issues," Jones told AL.com. "So we're not going to worry about that. We're not going to worry about somebody that's campaigning in another state. We're going to be campaigning in Alabama, all the time, 24-7, between now and December 12th."

"We're not going to worry about somebody that's campaigning in another state. We're going to be campaigning in Alabama."  Doug Jones, Democrat running for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama

The latest Washington Post-Schar School poll, released Saturday, showed Jones leading Moore, 50 percent to 47 percent, with a 4.5 percentage point margin of error, Politico reported.

Fox News' Serafin Gomez and Sam Chamberlain and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared Sunday to soften his position on fellow Republican Roy Moores Alabama Senate bid, saying the voters should make the call.

The Kentucky Republican backed Luther Strange, Moores opponent in the GOP primary, then called for Moore to quit the general election race after several women last month accused him of sexual misconduct or behavior.

Im going to let the people of Alabama make the call, McConnell on Sunday told ABCs This Week.

The special election to fill the Senate seat of Republican Jeff Session is Dec. 12. Session vacated the seat to become U.S. attorney general.

Moore, a Christian conservative, lost his general election lead to Democratic opponent Doug Jones after the decades-old allegations surfaced in November.

But the most recent RealClearPolitics averaging of polls shows Moore with another 6 percentage-point lead.

Roy Moore should step aside, the women whove come forward are entirely credible, McConnell said last month. Hes obviously not fit to be in the United States Senate, and weve looked at all the options to try to prevent that from happening.

Still, Republicans cannot afford to lose the Session seat to Democrats, considering they have only a 52-48 majority in the chamber.

The White House already has adopted a similar stance, saying President Donald Trump thinks the allegations are very troubling but that the people of Alabama should make a decision on who their next senator should be.

Nine women reportedly have made allegations against Moore.

Trump has said Moore says the allegations are untrue, saying, He denies it.
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster says neither the American people nor U.S. allies should question the stability of the Trump administration amid his predecessor Michael Flynns guilty plea and rumors Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is stepping down.

No, I don't think our allies need any reassurance, McMaster told Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. In fact, what we're doing is continuing to work with them on all the key challenges we face today -- from North Korea, to the defeat of ISIS across the Greater Middle East -- the ongoing efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, too.

McMaster reiterated that President Trumps main priority is to protect American interests at home and abroad.

Tillerson will continue to be a part of that effort, McMaster said.

I'm not aware of any plan at all for Tillerson to resign, he said.

Wallace also asked McMaster about the presidents recent retweets of online posts linked to Britain First, a far-right group in the United Kingdom.

Last week, Trump retweeted a video that purported to show Muslim immigrants committing acts of violence. Those depicted in the footage reportedly were European-born.

Wallace noted that many British leaders  including Prime Minister Theresa May  voiced outrage at Trump, saying the president had got it wrong and risked needlessly stirring racial and ethnic discord.

General, why did President Trump send out those videos? Wallace asked.

Well, President Trump is the best judge of why he did that, McMaster said. I know it was his intention to highlight the importance of creating safe and secure environments for our citizens -- to make sure that we have the right laws in place, enforcement mechanisms in place.

Wallace then suggested that between the Britain First retweets and Trumps support for recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital, the president might be tossing away any hope of achieving Middle East peace during his presidency.

No, the president's not giving up on the Mideast peace agreement at all, McMaster said.

There are options involving the move of an embassy at some point in the future, which I think, you know, could be used to gain momentum toward a -- toward a peace agreement, and a solution that works both for Israelis and for Palestinians, McMaster added.

McMaster also addressed North Korea.

Last week, North Korea launched its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile  a provocation to which President Trump replied, I will only tell you that we will take care of it.

How exactly would the president take care of it given China and Russias complicity in propping up the regime, Wallace asked.

Well, the president's going to take care of it by, if we have to, doing more ourselves, McMaster said. But what we want to do is convince others it is in their interest to do more.

China, as you know, has taken some unprecedented actions. And what we're asking China to do is, not do us or anybody else a favor, but to act in China's interest.

There's a real grave danger to China, to Russia, to all nations, by -- you know, from a North Korea that's armed with nuclear weapons. And of course, you have that direct threat, but you also have the threat of -- the potential of Japan, South Korea, others, arming themselves, possibly even with nuclear weapons. That is not in China's interest; it's not in Russia's interest.

And so, what the president's saying is, we all need to take care of it. If necessary, the president and the United States will have to take care of it, because he has said he's not going to allow this murderous, rogue regime to threaten the United States with the most destructive weapons on the planet.


President Trump in a Sunday morning tweet denied asking former FBI Director James Comey to drop his investigation into Michael Flynn during a February meeting after the ex-national security adviser was dismissed from his position.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie! the president tweeted early Sunday morning.

His tweet came after he also said on Twitter he fired Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI and compared the case to Hillary Clintons email scandal.

Comey, in his opening statement for the testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in June, said that Trump had asked him to back off the Flynn investigation during an Oval Office meeting on Feb 14. Flynn had already been fired from his position in the administration over revelations that he misled Vice President Pence about his communications with Russias ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak.

When the door by the grandfather clock closed, and we were alone, the president began by saying, 'I want to talk about Mike Flynn,'" Comey wrote in his opening statement.

Comey wrote Trump, then said: "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go."

The former FBI director said he did not tell Trump he would stop the probe.

Flynn, a retired general, pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI about his talks with Kislyak on Trumps behalf. He was charged with one count of willfully and knowingly making false statements to the FBI.

Trump, speaking to reporters on Saturday, reiterated there was absolutely no collusion with the Russians.

We will see what happens [with Flynn], Trump said.
A senior FBI official was removed from the Russia election meddling probe for sending text messages critical of President Donald Trump, the Washington Post reported Saturday.

Peter Strzok, deputy head of counter-intelligence at the FBI, was a key player in special prosecutor Robert Mueller's probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives trying to tilt the election in Trump's favor, the Post said. It quoted people familiar with the issue.

Strzok also worked on the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state.

During the Clinton investigation, Strzok was having an affair with a senior FBI lawyer named Lisa Page, the Post said.

Strzok and his lover traded text messages during the Clinton probe and the campaign in which they expressed anti-Trump feelings and other remarks apparently in support of Clinton, the Post said.

Strzok was removed from the Russia probe over the summer, the Post and the New York Times said.

"Immediately upon learning of the allegations, the special counsel's office removed Peter Strzok from the investigation," said a spokesman for the special counsel's office, Peter Carr.

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John Dowd, President Trumps personal attorney, took responsibility Sunday for a Trump tweet about the president firing Michael Flynn as national security adviser that sparked speculation about Trump having obstructed justice.

I did not mean to break news, Dowd said. Im out of the tweeting business.

Flynn on Friday pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI over conversations with to Russias ambassador to the United States after Trump was elected last year.

The guilty plea was part of deal Flynn struck in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into whether Trump associates colluded with Moscow during the 2016 presidential campaign.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies," said the tweet Saturday, on Trumps official Twitter account.

Trump said in February that he fired Flynn only for lying to Vice President Pence about the matter.

The tweet Saturday suggested to some observers that Trump had obstructed justice because he would have known Flynn lied to federal agents when he purportedly asked then-FBI Director James Comey in February to ease up on investigating Flynn.

Dowd attempted to explain Sunday that the tweet was referring to then-acting Attorney General Sally Yates telling White House Counsel Don McGahn in January that Flynn had given the agents the same story he gave the vice president.

He also said the agents seemed to think Flynn was confused. All the president knew was that the department was not accusing him of lying, Dowd said.

He also said that he drafted the tweet and gave it to White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino.

Dowd says the point of the tweet is still entirely correct and that hes sad and confused about why Flynn lied because he didnt need to.

Fox News' Jennifer Bowman contributed to this report.
Thousands rallied outside Utah's Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, protesting President Donald Trumps expected plan to shrink two national monuments in one of America's most scenic states.

The Utah Highway Patrol estimated the crowd to be about 5,000 people, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Trump will travel to Utah on Monday to help sell the idea of cutting the size of Bears Ears and Grande Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

But the plan faces opposition from environmentalists and tribal leaders, who have decried it as illegal and an affront to Native Americans.

Attorney general for the Navajo Nation, Ethel Branch, said Trump should visit the monuments before making a decision on them.

I want him to visit Bears Ears before he takes any action, Branch said.

Trump plans to shrink Bears Ears National Monument by nearly 85 percent and reduce Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by almost half.

The plan would cut the total amount of land in the states red rock country protected by monument status from more than 3.2 million acres to about 1.2 million acres, the Washington Post reported.

Trump has reportedly told U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and other Utah officials that he will follow the recommendations of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke regarding the monuments.

Bears Ears was designated a national monument in 2016 by President Barack Obama. Staircase-Escalante was designated in 1996 by President Bill Clinton.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
President Trump suggested Sunday that news reports about an FBI agent on the agencys Hillary Clinton email investigation who also opposed Trump explains why the Clinton case was closed without criminal charges.

Report: ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE Now it all starts to make sense! Trump said in one of three tweets Sunday on the issue.

The office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller confirmed with Fox News on Saturday that agent Peter Strzok had been removed from Muellers investigation into Russia collusion after the Justice Departments inspector general started examining Strzok's electronic messages with a colleague, which reportedly included ones that were anti-Trump and pro-Hillary Clinton.

Strzok worked on the FBI investigation last year into whether Clinton, then the Democratic presidential nominee, mishandled classified information through her use of private email servers while secretary of state.

The federal investigation was led by then-FBI Director James Comey, who concluded the probe in July 2016, about four months before Election Day. Comey said Clinton had been extremely careless, but recommend to then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch that she not pursue criminal charges.

Lynch had recused herself from the investigation after talking privately with Clintons husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Two senior Justice Department officials confirmed to Fox News last Saturday that the agencys Office of Inspector General is reviewing the role played by Strzok in the Clinton investigation.

Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI agents role in Clinton probe under review. Led Clinton Email probe. @foxandfriends Clinton money going to wife of another FBI agent in charge, Trump said in one of the other tweets Sunday.

After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness, Trump added.

Obama-era Attorney General Eric Holder responded: Nope. Not letting this go. The FBIs reputation is not in 'tatters'. Its composed of the same dedicated men and women who have always worked there and who do a great, apolitical job. Youll find integrity and honesty at FBI headquarters and not at 1600 Penn Ave right now.

Strzok was a former deputy director for counterintelligence at the FBI who has been reassigned.

Fox News' James Rosen, Jake Gibson, Brooke Singman and Jennifer Bowman contributed to this report.
A New Jersey towns search for the vandal who damaged a popular Christmas lights display came to an end Saturday when officials discovered the Grinch was actually a medium-sized rodent.

Officials in Sea Girt, 65 miles south of New York City, spent the past week scrambling to replace the displays severed wires in time for the borough's annual tree lighting on Friday, WNBC-TV reported.

The morning after the ceremony, the Sea Girt Police Department said it caught the vandal in the act, posting photos on social media of a squirrel climbing on the display and trying to take a bite out of the wires before running away.

"The Sea Girt Police Department is proud to report that the case of our broken holiday lights has been solved," the department said in a press release. "We are happy that no human acted as a grinch in this incident. The squirrel was 'charged' with criminal mischief and released on bail."

The discovery of the damaged wires originally had some residents thinking a vandal was trying to sabotage the holiday spirit.

FLORIDA MAN FIGHTS EVICTION OVER 'EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SQUIRREL'

"Somebody is trying to steal the spirit of Christmas," Amy Dafeldecker told WABC-TV.

But Sea Girt Police told WNBC they now are going to keep a close eye on the display as long as the squirrel is still on the loose.
Robots are taking over classrooms across the U.S.

In October, South Carolina teachers at select schools began using the Robots4Autism curriculum and a small robot named Milo to teach students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

[Milo] is 100 times 1 million percent cool, third-grade student Malachi McCarty told Fox News.

About 1 in 68 eight-year-old children were identified with ASD in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, the Texas-based company RoboKind created Milo to teach students in elementary and middle school how to understand emotions and expressions.

So many kids these days are into electronics and things like that and Milo can be so much more patient than parents, parent Serena Haire told Fox News.

Milo demonstrates appropriate social behavior and responses to students by walking, moving his arms and using a full range of facial muscles to emulate emotions. By interacting with the humanoid, the students learn how to tune in on emotions, express empathy and act appropriately during social situations.

Milo is a great resource for our special kids and he gives an opportunity for them that they might not have otherwise to build those communication skills and those social skills to help them be the best they can be, Haire said.

Students interact with Milo and a facilitator for an hour a week for up to three years. During each session, the facilitator can only meet with one student at a time. She or he then uses an iPad to choose one of more than a hundred lessons that incorporate audio, visual and kinesthetic learning.

I sit behind but beside the student with my iPad So Milo may ask them questions like, what is your name? If they answer correctly, then on my tablet I can choose they answered correctly, (or) they did not answer correctlythen Milo will prompt them the right way to answer. Or he will remind them of a video we just watched (on) how to answer questions, Allison Thomlinson told Fox News.

The humanoid then collects data from each lesson and provides the information to facilitators and parents for review.

My son loves iPads and anything electronic, in that aspect Milo is kind of an iPad. He just looks like a person and he reacts better to Milo than he does to his therapist or Mom and Dad sometimes, Haire said.

Parents and teachers agree that Milo offers a very unique form of therapy.

Generally a child with a therapist will be attentive with that therapist maybe 12-15 percent of the time of the session. Typically children are engaged with Milo 80 percent of the time. So, we are seeing a lot more attention being paid to Milo, Thomlinson said.

As a robot, Milo never gets frustrated or tired and is unable to lose patience with the students.

They have to have 100 percent accuracy, three times. So once they reach 100 percent accuracy all three times, then we move to the next lesson, Thomlinson said.

Administrators with Palmetto Elementary School say their goal is to have their students with autism continue interacting with Milo and learn the skills needed to integrate back into the classroom.
This is a rush transcript from "Fox News Sunday," December 3, 2017. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

CHRIS WALLACE, "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" HOST: You are looking live at Air Force One and the Ronald Reagan presidential library. Thats the flying White House that took our 40th president some 600,000 miles around the globe in pursuit of peace and democracy.

And hello again from Fox News today in Simi Valley, California. Im Chris Wallace, and welcome to a special hour of "Fox News Sunday" from the Fifth Annual Reagan National Defense Forum.

Key players in national security including top administration officials, members of Congress, and military leaders came here to address the state of our national defense.

This hour, we will share highlights from the forum, including a conversation with Reagan Secretary of State George Shultz about the art of negotiating.

One of the Republican leaders in the Senate, John Barrasso, joins us to discuss Senate passage of the GOP tax plan and what comes next.

And well ask President Trump's national security advisor, General H.R. McMaster, about Michael Flynn pleading guilty to lying to the FBI in the Russia probe.

We begin there with correspondent Kevin Corke live at the White House with how the presidents inner circle is handling the Flynn news -- Kevin.

KEVIN CORKE, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Chris, a Twitter storm early Sunday with the president tweeting several tweets about the FBI, calling them inconsistent and unfair in the ongoing Russia probe. But the White House also found itself trying to save yet another self-inflicted Twitter wound, this time not over the substance of what the president had to say, but rather over the style and lack of nuance and social media, which is raising all sorts of serious questions.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CORKE (voice-over): The president tweeted: I had to fire General Flynn because he had lied to the vice president and the FBI. He's pled guilty to those lies. It's a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful, there was nothing to hide.

But in Washington, that statement set off alarms with critics suggesting that the president's tweet means he knew Flynn lied to the FBI when he fired him. There are reports that the president's personal lawyer John Dowd is the one who crafted that tweet and did so in a, quote, "sloppy manner."

The president adding this. I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn, just more fake news covering another Comey live.

All this as his former national security advisor faces time behind bars for lying to the feds, investigating possible collusion with the Russians in an effort to affect the 2016 election.

MICHAEL FLYNN, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Yes, that's right, lock her up!

CORKE: Chance of lock him up and obvious twist on then now infamous "lock her up" chant at the RNC last year, a chant led by Flynn in which he suggested that Hillary Clinton should be locked up for her role in the private email server scandal that overshadowed the campaign.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CORKE: General Flynn continues to cooperate with investigators. He faces a sentencing hearing in February. The president says theyre not going to find any collusion, Chris, because frankly, there was none -- Chris.

WALLACE: Kevin Corke reporting from the White House, Kevin, thanks for that.

Earlier I sat down with the president's national security advisor, General H.R. McMaster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: General McMaster, welcome back to "Fox News Sunday."

LT. GEN. H.R. MCMASTER, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Chris, thank you. It's a pleasure to be back with you.

WALLACE: Now that Gen. Flynn has pleaded guilty, and that he is said to be cooperating with the Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, are you in contact with other countries to reassure them that President Trump is firmly in charge, and his presidency is not in trouble?

MCMASTER: No, I don't think our allies need any reassurance. In fact, what we're doing is continuing to work with them on all the key challenges we face today, from North Korea, to the defeat of ISIS across the Greater Middle East, the ongoing efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan. We're working with our Latin American partners very closely on the issue of Venezuela.

And so, we're -- we haven't missed a beat, really, and the topic doesn't even come up.

WALLACE: But, honestly, do you know what General Flynn may have to say about President Trump and other people in his campaign team, and their involvement with the Russians during the campaign?

MCMASTER: No, that's -- I mean, that's not our focus on the National Security Council, obviously. So, what we're focused on are, you know, the key issues that we have to confront today to protect the American people, advanced our prosperity.

The priorities that the president's given us to move as quickly as we can to resolve this crisis with North Korea, a regime that's threatening the world, and to do everything we can to, as we defeat ISIS in the greater Middle East, make sure conditions are set so that ISIS doesn't return.

And also, so that we address the problem of Iranian influence across the region, which is driving a lot of this humanitarian and political crisis in the Middle East.

WALLACE: On a personal level, though, what are your thoughts about Gen. Flynn, fellow soldier who served in the military for 33 years, pleading guilty to lying to the FBI?

MCMASTER: Well, Chris, I -- you know, my thoughts are on what we have to do for the country. I don't -- I dont really have a lot of spare time to think about other topics, other than our greatest national security challenges.

WALLACE: Let me ask you about another personnel issue which bubbled up this week. White House officials are talking openly about a plan to replace Secretary of State Tillerson by January, the first anniversary of President Trump being sworn into office.

The president and Secretary Tillerson pushed back on that hard.

But can you flatly deny that there is any plan in place to replace General -- Secretary Tillerson over the next couple of months?

MCMASTER: Yes, I'm not aware of any plan at all. What I'm aware of is that the secretary of state is traveling today to advance and protect our interests, as is our secretary of defense.

I know that we met on some very important topics in the past week, and have brought some great options to the president to protect the American people, and advance our interests where those interests are at risk.

So, the national security team, again, is not missing a beat, and I think is doing what the president expects of us, and what the American people expect of us.

WALLACE: Do you think it's harmful, though, you saw the story -- it was all over the place, and frankly, the White House didn't damp it down very much. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the spokeswoman, said, we don't have any personnel announcement at this time.

Are you worried about the effect and the idea that you're going to have the nation's chief diplomat traveling to Europe this week with people wondering whether he's really in charge, and whether he still has the president's confidence?

MCMASTER: Well, it's harmful if we let it be harmful. You know, I think it was Aristotle who said: focus on what you can control, and you can get a lot done.

So, what Secretary Tillerson, Secretary Mattis, myself, the director of central intelligence, the director of national intelligence, what we're all working on is what we can hopefully control, which is how to -- how to resolve many of these threats to national security, and take advantage of opportunities to advance and protect our interests.

WALLACE: The president retweeted videos this week from a fringe anti-Muslim group called Britain First that purported to show Muslims, in some cases, inaccurately, Muslim immigrants committing acts of violence.

British Prime Minister May spoke out against the president, sending these tweets. Here's what she had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The fact that we work together does not mean that we're afraid to say that when we think the United States had got it wrong, and to be very clear with them. And Im very clear that retweeting from Britain First was the wrong thing to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: General, why did President Trump send out those videos?

MCMASTER: Well, President Trump is the best judge of why he did that. But I know it was his intention to highlight the importance of creating safe and secure environments for our citizens -- to make sure that we have the right laws in place, enforcement mechanisms in place, to ensure that, at this critical time, when ISIS is being defeated in the Middle East, that there is no return of terrorists and extremists who can pose a risk to the American people, or to our allies and partners.

WALLACE: But you know that, for instance, in the case of the Dutch video, it was not an immigrant that was involved. Britain First is a fringe, anti-Muslim group. The woman whose tweets that he sent out has been convicted of hate crimes.

Why is that useful for the president of the United States?

MCMASTER: Well, I mean, the key thing is, as you highlight the real risks that these terrorists pose to our citizens, that we make sure that we never buy into or reinforce the terrorist narrative -- you know, this false narrative that this is a war of religion.

I mean, this is really a conflict that involves --

(CROSSTALK)

WALLACE: But his tweets were all about anti-Muslim -- about Muslim violence, he was making it.

MCMASTER: Well, those who adhere -- those who adhere to this ideology are really irreligious criminals who use a perverted -- what the president has called, a wicked interpretation of religion in an effort to -- you know, to recruit young, impressionable people to their cause, to foment hatred, and use that hatred to perpetuate violence.

And so, what we have to do is break that cycle of ignorance, hatred, violence at all points, and we're defeating Daesh in its so-called caliphate, 95 --

WALLACE: ISIS.

MCMASTER: Or ISIS. Ninety-five percent of the territory that they have controlled has been taken back, and none of it has been regained by them.

But the other two things the president said we have to be able to do is cut off their financing, and to defeat their wicked ideology. And we're working with allies and partners across the world, and especially in Muslim-majority countries, to do -- to do this in really unprecedented ways.

WALLACE: I want to pick up on exactly that point, because it's been widely reported the president is going to declare this week that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel -- although, he's not going to move the embassy.

Between that and the anti-Muslim videos that he retweeted, aren't you almost giving up on the chance for a Mideast peace agreement, and the support that you have so carefully built up in the Arab world?

MCMASTER: No, the president's not giving up on the Mideast peace agreement at all.

I think what the president is doing is reflecting what has been, you know, a U.S. law -- you know, a waiver that's been -- that's been done, I think, you know, 46 or 47 times. And he's following through on a pledge he made during his election.

Now, I'm not sure what decision he'll make; we've given him options. There are options involving the move of an embassy at some point in the future, which I think, you know, could be used to gain momentum toward a -- toward a peace agreement, and a solution that works both for Israelis and for Palestinians.

WALLACE: I want to move in the time we have left to perhaps the biggest issue -- North Korea.

This week, North Korea launched what's now is its longest-range ICBM missile. Here is how President Trump reacted to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea. I will only tell you that we will take care of it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But China continues to export oil to North Korea, Russia continues to hire North Korean workers. So, how is the president going to, quote, take care of it?

MCMASTER: Well, the president's going to take care of it by, if we have to, doing more ourselves. But what we want to do is convince others, it is in their interest to do more.

China, as you know, has taken some unprecedented actions. And what we're asking China to do is, not do us or anybody else a favor, but to act in China's interest.

There's a real grave danger to China, to Russia, to all nations, by -- you know, from a North Korea that's armed with nuclear weapons. And of course, you have that direct threat, but you also have the threat of -- the potential of Japan, South Korea, others, arming themselves, possibly even with nuclear weapons. That is not in China's interest; it's not in Russia's interest.

And so, what the president's saying is, we all need to take care of it. If necessary, the president and the United States will have to take care of it, because he has said he's not going to allow this murderous, rogue regime to threaten the United States with the -- with the most --

WALLACE: Let me pick me up now --

MCMASTER: -- destructive weapons on the planet.

WALLACE: -- because this is my final question.

You have talked about preventive war -- that, at some point, if we can't get a diplomatic solution -- and that's your phrase, preventive war. What's the threshold for that?

And, conversely, we lived -- and, here we are at the Reagan Library -- for half a century with a Soviet Union that had thousands of warheads pointed at us through the policy of mutual assured destruction. They strike us, we strike them.

Why can't we, basically, coexist under that unpleasant reality with North Korea?

MCMASTER: Well, Chris, I don't think you or anybody else is willing to bet the farm, or a U.S. city on the decision-making -- rational decision-making of Kim Jong Un.

And as you know, this is a regime that's never met a weapon that it hasn't proliferated. It's a regime who's said what it -- clearly what its intentions are.

Its intentions are to use that weapon for nuclear blackmail, and then, to, quote, you know, "reunify" the peninsula under the red banner.

So, he would use this to get -- extract payoffs, as the regime has done with their nuclear program in the past, and to drive the States and our allies away from this peninsula that he would then try to dominate. And if you want to know what life looks like under a North Korea regime, you just have to look north of the 38th parallel.

The other really grave concern is the concern that he would proliferate or sell off these weapons to others. And there's never been a weapons system that North Korea has developed that it hasn't sold to somebody else.

So, you're looking at a grave threat directly from North Korea, but then, you're also looking, again, at the possibility of Japan, South Korea -- I don't know, I mean, Taiwan -- who else is going to -- Vietnam. Who else is going to conclude that to protect their populations, they need to have a similar capability?

So, this would be the most destabilizing development, I think, in the post-World War II period, and it is something that places us at direct risk, but places the world at risk.

WALLACE: General McMaster, thank you, thanks for your time, and what a great weekend here at the Reagan Library.

MCMASTER: A wonderful weekend. Thank you, Chris.

WALLACE: Thank you, sir.

MCMASTER: Thanks so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Up next, in the wake of the guilty plea from Michael Flynn, where does the Russia investigation go from here? We will bring in our Sunday group to discuss the key question that still remains, did the Trump campaign collude with Russia in the 2016 election or not?

As "Fox News Sunday" continues from the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. There's been absolutely -- there's been absolutely no collusion, so we're very happy. And, frankly, last night was one of the big nights.

REPORTER: Are you going to stand by Michael Flynn, sir.

TRUMP: Well see what happens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: President Trump reacting to the news about his former national security advisor Michael Flynn.

And it's time now for our Sunday group here at the Reagan library. GOP strategist Karl Rove, columnist for the Hill, Juan Williams, Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin, and former Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz.

Let me say to all folks, don't get too used to this as a backdrop, but it is pretty darn special.

Karl, as someone who has been through a special counsel investigation, whats your read on the Flynn guilty plea? How worried should President Trump and his lawyers be right now?

KARL ROVE, FORMER BUSH WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: Well, I don't know if President Trump should be worried, but somebody's got to be worried. We know very few things, we can surmise a lot. We know that Michael Flynn got a sweetheart deal. Here is a guy who had enormous exposure on his dealings with Russia Today, paid for a speech in Moscow, his contacts with, his activity on behalf of the Turkish government, but he ended up getting knocked on a lying line to the FBI, and a deal that gives him no more than six months in jail if that.

But what we can surmise from this is that he has cut a deal because he can shed, avoid serious charges and shed light on the actions and statements of others. There are two in particular that are to be concerned today. Jared Kushner, who on December 22nd, told Flynn to intervene with the Russians on behalf of the U.N. resolution, and KT McFarland who on December 29th asked him to intervene with the Russians on the sanctions issue.

Maybe Mueller has information from Flynn that contradicts testimony they've already given in their interviews with the FBI or others. We don't know, but obviously he sees Flynn as a key to the actions and statements of others, and whoever those others are have got to be worried.

WALLACE: Juan, I think we need to point out that in the Flynn court documents on Friday, there was no mention whatsoever about collusion with the Russians during the campaign, and isn't that, at least for now, still the bottom line that after almost a year and a half of investigation, there is still no hard evidence that the Trump campaign cooperated with the Russians to interfere with the 2016 election?

JUAN WILLIAMS, FOX NEWS POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, you don't lie unless you have something to hide. And, obviously, Michael Flynn has admitted now that he lied. So, we don't have a clear case of collusion, but as you just heard from Karl Rove, he made a deal, and so he had something more to offer. Robert Mueller is no full, he wouldn't be giving a sweetheart deal to Mike Flynn unless Michael Flynn was giving him something valuable that could take him up the tree, so to speak, in terms of bringing him closer to true authority in terms of the Trump campaign.

But remember that when you talk about Paul Manafort or Rick Gates, who have already been indicted, these people have been charged with conspiracy, not collusion specifically. And when we talk about --

WALLACE: But it had nothing to do with Russia.

WILLIAMS: No, conspiracy potentially that could say that there was a conspiracy to bring Russia into cooperation with the Trump campaign.

(CROSSTALK)

WALLACE: No, no, no. But, look, the Manafort charges had altered it with his financial dealings and it nothing to do with interference in the campaign.

WILLIAMS: But the charge was potentially interference, foreign interference in U.S. campaign, that's a conspiracy charge. And I think that would lead you in a direction that would say this is something closer to collusion, if not explicit collusion.

WALLACE: Congressman Chaffetz, your thoughts about this and the whole issue of Flynns guilty plea? And Juan raises a good question -- why would he lie about something, talking during the transition to Russian officials, which arguably wasnt even a crime?

JASON CHAFFETZ, FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN, R-UTAH: I don't know why he would lie.

But this is good news for team Trump, because if Mueller could have charged him with something more dramatic than the lowest possible charge they could get, they would have. No collusion, no treason, no nothing. And now, they take Mike Flynn, they take somebody very important to this investigation, and now, he goes to the court and admits that he's a liar.

He's not going to have any sort of credibility to be able to say this happened or that happened because he's an admitted liar at this point.

WALLACE: Do you by that?

WILLIAMS: No, I think it's part of a deal, Congressman. I think thats why it was --

CHAFFETZ: If they wanted to charge them with something greater, they would have.

WILLIAMS: No, but they didnt want to, thats my point.

CHAFFETZ: And they didnt get anything. They didnt --

WILLIAMS: But they would -- if they -- if they are making a deal, they are using it as pressure. In fact, you notice no sentencing component because the judge and a special prosecutor, special counsel, want to be able to say to him, all right, along the way, are you cooperating or not?

WALLACE: All right. Were going to have plenty of time to talk about this and we really don't know what we don't know. Let's talk about something we do know, and that is the Senate passed a big tax plan early Saturday morning, and not surprisingly, the reaction from the president and from the Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer was very different. Here they are.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Tremendous tax reform, but it was the biggest package in terms of tax cuts ever passed in our country.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER, D-NY, SENATE MINORITY LEADER: Not a single member of this chamber has read the bill. It would be impossible, some of the pages were completely crossed off and text has been replaced by handwritten notes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Jennifer, were going to talk to Senator Barrasso, who was involved when this in the next segment. But as you look at the bill, is the key whats specifically in the bill or more of the fact that after the failure on Obamacare repeal and replace, that congressional Republicans are passing something?

JENNIFER GRIFFIN, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's absolutely true that they feel that they made this win before the end of the year and they want to pass this as a Christmas present, if you will, before they leave for the Christmas holiday. They're going to have to come back, and to show you how much time pressure they're feeling, Congress is coming back a day early. They're coming back on Monday.

They will start to try and reconcile the two bills, the Senate and the House bill. And from those Republicans that I have spoken to, it's going to be pretty easy to reconcile. Some slight differences, but when congressman explained for the mortgage deduction, the Senate bill gives you $1 million deduction, the House bill 500,000, they can split the difference.

But the president, a part of the quote that you didn't like him, the president threw a wrench at the last moment when he got on Marine One. He said that the corporate tax rate could be 22 percent. Well, that was not in either the Senate or the House bill.

WALLACE: Might I just suggest that I have saved that to ask Senator Barrasso in the next segment.

(CROSSTALK)

GRIFFIN: Preemptive. But you could lose the freedom caucus Mark Meadows --

WALLACE: No, because they want to see that down to 20 percent.

GRIFFIN: They want it down to 15 percent, but 20 percent was the bare minimum. So, the razor-thin margin that they pass it by in the Senate, they could lose that if they make --

WALLACE: Karl, we got about a minute left. According to the polls, this is not a popular bill at this point, which is surprising for a tax because it's generally seen as doing more for cutting the tax rates for corporations than it does for the middle class, for average Americans.

Given that, if they do pass this bill, whatever -- you know, talking about details, but if they pass this basic bill, how much will it help Republicans politically in the 2018 returns?

KARL ROVE, FORMER BUSH WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: Well, first of all, I think its less because it's tilted towards a corporate tax cut than simply if you look at the questions the pollsters are asking, they ask -- do you approve of crumbs tax reform bill, and his -- the approvals for the bill mirror his personal approval rating of the high 30s. This all depends on what happens. And the Republicans are counting on two things. One is that in January, withholding will reduce peoples withholding and their paychecks will be bigger and then also that the corporate tax rate cut will cause greater economic growth next year and both of those things are important to Republicans keeping the House and Senate.

WALLACE: Thank you, panel, and I hope that you have enjoyed your visit here to the Reagan library as much as I have. And I suspect from the smiles on your face, you have.

Up next, now that the House and Senate Republicans have both passed tax bills, can they agree on a compromise to put on President Trump's desk? A top Senate leader joins us to discuss that in the effort to avoid a government shutdown as "Fox News Sunday" reports from the Reagan presidential library in California.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS HOST: Understanding you served with the pleasure of the president. Have you had talked about another job?

MIKE POMPEO, CIA DIRECTOR: Very focused on doing what Im doing, Bret.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Coming up, the Senate passes its version of the Republican tax bill.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The business is going to be happy and the workers are going to be happy, and the country is going to be a happy place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Well ask a Republican leader, John Barrasso, what will end up on the presidents desk, next on "Fox News Sunday."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRIS WALLACE, FOX ANCHOR: Ever the cowboy, an 11-foot bronze statue of Ronald Reagan on his favorite horse El Alamein here at his presidential library.

The Senate passed the Republican tax bill early Saturday morning along party lines, but there are some big differences between a House and Senate plan. On individual taxes, the House tax cuts are permanent, while they expire after 2025 in the Senate bill. On corporate taxes, the House cuts the top rate from 35 to 20 percent in 2018. The Senate waits until 2019.

Joining us now live from Washington, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, head of the Republican Policy Committee.

Senator, as we have just noted, there are several differences between the House and Senate plans that have to be reconciled before a bill can go to the president. I want to put up what may be perhaps the two biggest that are creating the sharpest differences. In the Senate plan, most tax cuts for individuals, as we said, expire in 2026. And the Senate plan does not repeal the estate tax. House conservatives say that both of those are unacceptable. So how is that going to get worked out?

SEN. JOHN BARRASSO, R-WYO., CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE: Well, first, Chris, thanks for having me.

Let me take a step back to say a year ago the American people voted for fundamental change in this country, and tax reform is a very big part of it. People wanting to keep more of their hard-earned money. That's what you see in the bills that passed both the House and the Senate. Absolutely there are some changes that still need to be made in conference to work these things out.

The other thing that you haven't mentioned and the big differences are, the Republican bill in the Senate eliminates the mandate of Obamacare. It takes Obamacare from being a mandatory program to a voluntary program. And, yes, I like the idea of making the -- taking away the death tax entirely.

You know, the other thing that we're doing in terms of helping stimulate the economy, President Trump talks about energy dominance for America. And we allow more energy exploration in an area of Alaska that's been off-limits for a long time. I hope those are included.

WALLACE: So -- so, briefly -- so, briefly, I mean, there are some things that you're saying you like better in the Senate plan, some things you like better in the House plan. But you only passed it in the Senate with one vote to spare. So the question is, is this going to be a give-and-take where you'll take some of one and some of the other, or is the House basically going to have to swallow this Senate plan?

BARRASSO: Well, there's going to be a conference committee. Members from the House and the Senate will get together to look for the best solutions. But we're not that far apart. Fundamentally for the American public, we double, double, the standard deductions, double the child tax credits. We will lower the rates.

And in terms of investing in America and an America first economy, we lower tax rates for main street businesses all across the country, as well as corporations, to make us much more competitive internationally, so investments are made in America and not overseas.

WALLACE: Well, let's -- let's talk about one of those investments then. President Trump, as Jennifer Griffin suggested, may have thrown a slight monkey wrench into things on Saturday morning. He suggested that instead of cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, that he might accept cutting them to 22 percent. A lot of hardline conservatives in the House say that is not acceptable. They want it down to 20 percent. They wanted 15 percent. Is that idea of a 22 percent corporate tax rate, is that on the table now?

BARRASSO: We have 20 percent in both the House and the Senate. That's the number that I'd like to see.

President Trump came to our policy lunch on Tuesday. I thought did a wonderful job explaining how important this is because once we get tax reform done and he is ready and willing to sign the tax relief for the American people, the tax reductions and tax cuts that people are desperately looking for to get the economy growing even faster, he said then we can go into additional things, infrastructure, all the important things.

WALLACE: Sir -- sir, to answer --

BARRASSO: Uh-huh.

WALLACE: To answer my question, is 22 percent acceptable or not?

BARRASSO: Well, everybody's going to have to decide for themselves how they would vote. My preference is 20 percent. I think we have a very good bill out of the Senate. The House has some components. But I think this is a major step forward for the American public. We are going to get this to the president's desk for his signature before the end of the year.

WALLACE: Let -- let me ask you about a couple of -- of questions that people are raising about this bill. One of the president and Republican's key selling points was that these tax cuts would pay for themselves because they would spur so much economic growth. Here's Treasury Secretary Mnuchin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVEN MNUCHIN, TREASURY SECRETARY: In our models, we believe it would be $2.5 trillion of growth. And we're happy to go through the numbers. We're happy to give the details.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But even taking into account economic growth, what's called dynamic scoring, the non-partisan joint committee on taxation came out with its analysis of the Senate plan this week. They say that even after growth, it still is going to add a trillion dollars to the debt. Not pay for itself, add a trillion dollars.

BARRASSO: Well, two -- two things. One is, the good news is, that this group is -- tends to be wildly pessimistic has actually said that there will be economic growth as a result of the things that we're proposing with this tax relief bill.

WALLACE: But not enough, sir.

BARRASSO: They -- they are wildly pessimistic. Economist across the board believed that we have -- we will do much, much better.

Just take a look at the current economy. These are all based on 1.8 stagnant Obamacare numbers. We don't have to do much to get up to much higher numbers because the last -- the last two quarters we've had over 3 percent economic growth in this country and we've had 2 million new jobs already created since the day President Trump was elected, and a lot of that has to do with the reform of regulations. So when you do regulatory relief, as well as tax relief, I think we are going to have an accelerated growth of the economy --

WALLACE: All right, and --

BARRASSO: Way beyond what people are predicting.

WALLACE: Another big selling point has been that the corporate tax cut will result in benefits, jobs, higher wages for the middle class. Here's President Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We need a competitive tax code that creates more jobs and higher wages for Americans. It's time to give American workers the pay raise that they've been looking for, for many, many years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But major companies, like Cisco, like Pfizer, like Coca-Cola all say that they will turn over most of their tax savings, not to workers, but to shareholders in the form of bigger dividends and stock buybacks. That directly contradicts what the president's saying.

BARRASSO: Well, when we take our tax rates, the corporate rates from one of the highest in the world to now one of the lower tax rates in the world, we have a global economy, money will come rushing into the United States to invest here. I expect to see incredible amounts of investment from around the world. We live in a global economy, even though the joint commission on taxation really doesn't look at it that way when they do their evaluation and assessments.

WALLACE: I want to turn to a different subject, and that is, as you well know, the government runs out of money on Friday. The working thought is that now that you'll pass a two week extension till the 22nd of December, just before Christmas, and try to work out issues then. Is that something that you'd accepted, a two week extension to try to work things out?

And, also, what about Democrats and some Republicans were are now saying that to get a deal, a long-term spending deal, that you have to have a DACA fixed to protect the so-called dreamers?

BARRASSO: Well, I -- I think we need to keep the government open. To me, that's what a mature, responsible governing group does. You're right, it does require bipartisan participation. I thought it was incredible childish for Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to not go to that White House meeting that they were scheduled to go to with President Trump. I thought it was a responsible on their part because we need to work together to keep the government open.

I'd like to move that date into either January or February. We need to fund the government and do it confidently.

WALLACE: And I got less than a minute left for this question, sir. On DACA, as I -- we said, some members of both parties are demanding a DACA fix as part of a long-term spending bill. This week we had the shocking verdict in the Steinle case where the illegal immigrant who had been deported and returned several times was acquitted on charges of murder. I know he was not a dreamer, but does that, just an emotional sense, make it harder to arrive at a DACA fix?

BARRASSO: Well, you know, the Democrats have threatened to shut down the government over dealing with illegal immigrants. People that are in the country illegally. I think that's the wrong way to go, but we've had Democrats speak to that effect. And I think that that recent result in that case and that -- that verdict points to the impact of that -- that illegal immigration has had in our country to a detrimental effect.

WALLACE: Senator Barrasso, thank you. Thanks for your time.

BARRASSO: Thank you.

WALLACE: And we'll track all the developments in Congress this week.

BARRASSO: Thanks for having me.

WALLACE: Up next, the U.S. faces growing threats from North Korea, Iran and Russia. We'll ask two national security experts about the president's foreign policy when we come back from the Reagan Presidential Library.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEVIN MCCARTHY, R-CALI., HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER: We stand in the library of a man who taught us best to be prepared so you never have to use it, to be stronger so no one ever would challenge you that (ph).

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: A look outside the Reagan Presidential Library here in Simi Valley, California.

President Reagan's mantra was peace through strength as he dealt with the Soviet Union and other foreign threats. Well, this weekend at the Defense Form here, top officials and foreign policy experts discussed what's the best strategy for these times. Earlier, I sat down with Jack Keane, a retired four-star general and former vice chief of the Army, and Michelle Flournoy, another former undersecretary of defense for President Obama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Gen. Keane, big picture -- how do you think President Trump is doing in national security and foreign policy?

GEN. JACK KEANE, FORMER VICE CHIEF OF STAFF, U.S. ARMY/RETIRED FOUR-STAR GENERAL: Yes, I give him pretty good marks. I think it first begins with the National Security team he's picked. And, by and large, they know what they're doing. They have some background, some experience. Most of them have been in very stressful positions before. So, that's good.

In terms of what he's doing, I think what he's really trying to do is return America to a leadership role on a world stage once again, as the indispensable nation in the world. I think they believe that the United States, by and large, disengaged too much in our -- we've had problems with our allies and we've also had confrontations with our adversaries to a point where I think the risk has gone up rather considerable.

So that is what these 10 minutes (ph) have been about for me, reassuring allies, and willing to confront adversaries, and making certain that these alliances we have and these partnerships are sound, that the United States is truly a strategic partner.

WALLACE: Michele, how do you grade the president in these areas? I have a feeling, slightly differently.

MICHELE FLOURNOY, FORMER UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY/CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SECURITY, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO: It is a little differently. I -- I would agree with General Keane, that he -- the president has appointed a very strong National Security team, but I am concerned about some of his early actions.

He's withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord, making the United States the only country that hasn't signed the accord. He is pulling out of the Iran deal, which was keeping a very nefarious actor from actively pursuing nuclear weapons, and, again, isolating the United States when all of the other parties to the deal are sticking with it, and so forth.

And then his own lack of discipline on his messaging. When he went to the NATO Summit, he was clearly very reluctant to commit the United States to the defense of Europe. When he tweets random thoughts -- sometimes, insulting thoughts for other leaders -- and creates a sense of crisis and unpredictability.

So my biggest fear right now is that allies are wondering whether they can rely on the United States. Is the United States still a predictable ally and leader?

WALLACE: I want to talk in a way that we haven't -- not about specific issues, but about, sort of, bigger areas. I -- the president just came back from his recent trip to Asia, and I was struck by his appearance at the economic summit in Vietnam, where he swore off big international trade deals, and Chinese President Xi embraced them. Here they both are.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: What we will no longer do is enter into large agreements that tie our hands, surrender our sovereignty, and make meaningful endorsement practically impossible.

XI JINPING, CHINESE PRESIDENT (through translator): Over the last few decades, economic globalization has contributed significantly to global growth. Indeed it has become an irreversible historical trend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Michele, is President Trump creating a power vacuum in Asia that the Chinese are rushing to fill?

FLOURNOY: I think that is the danger. When the United States pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, which is a high standards trade deal that greatly advantaged U.S. economic interests, that left a vacuum, and it left our allies and partners high and dry.

China's very happily stepping into that vacuum and trying to get a trade agreement in place that advantages China and plays by its rules. So I am worried about that.

WALLACE: Let me turn to another area of the world, General Keane, which is your particular area of expertise, the Middle East. You now have Russia and Turkey and Iran working on a peace deal that would keep President Assad of Syria in place, and the U.S., it seems, somewhat on the sidelines. In effect, is Vladimir Putin winning in the Middle East?

KEANE: Yes, absolutely, at the expense of the United States. There's no doubt about it.

I don't -- I don't believe we actually have a real strategy to counter the Iranian's aggression in Syria. The Iranians want to build a land bridge from Iran through Iraq, through Syria, challenge Jordan, challenge Israel from Syria, all the way to Lebanon. And they're well on their way to doing that, Chris.

And our focus has been exclusively on ISIS. And the Iranians are moving east into Syria. The Russians are a part of that. Putin came into Syria by that military intervention. Hasn't done anything like that in 35 years.

And it's a huge win -- win for him, you know, politically, geopolitically. He stood up behind an ally when the United States, I think, was not standing up behind our allies. He's doing arms deals with every Sunni country in the region. He wants to build nuclear power plants for most of the countries in the region. He's trying to replace the United States as the most influential out of region country in there in the Middle East, a thing that we haven't enjoyed since the 1970s.

And I don't see a strategy from the administration that's going to counter the aggressiveness of the Iranians in terms of what they're doing. The words are there, but I don't see any execution, and also counter Putin's dramatically and accelerating influence in the Middle East.

WALLACE: Michele, do you agree with that, that we are creating a vacuum in the Middle East, and Iran and Russia are filling it? And if so, why would we do that?

FLOURNOY: Well, I -- I think there is a lot of hesitation about furthering military involvement in the Middle East given what's happened in the last 15 years. But I do agree that Iran and Russia have both taken advantage of that situation, and we don't have the same leverage that we used to have there.

I do think it's very important to reengage with our most important allies and partners, Israel, the Gulf States, and others, and try to come up with the kind of strategy that the general's talking about.

But this is not just a matter of, you know, being strong militarily. We also need a strong diplomatic arm. And right now I'm very worried about the -- the sort of decimation of the State Department and the departure of many, many senior diplomats, and the failure to bring in whole classes of new Foreign Service officers. So ware are -- we're tying one arm behind our -- you know, one arm behind our backs.

WALLACE: We got about a minute left, and I want you to equally share it.

When you'd ask the White House, they say the Trump doctrine is "America first." What are we getting in return for that? General?

KEANE: I don't believe it is "America first." I -- it's never been "America first" with the implication that it's "America alone."

What -- what they have done, in the -- in the visit to the far east, a visit to the Middle East, and the visit to Europe is making certain that those alliances are there, that the United States is an indispensable partner to that.

And I think the "America first" had -- has more to do with what they believe is unfair trade practices. And -- and that's really at the heart of it, to get America back into making certain that we're getting our fair share. I think it has less implications on foreign policy.

WALLACE: Michele?

FLOURNOY: Yes, my -- what I hear from allies and partners around the world is they don't know what U.S. policy is. They hear something from the White House, or read a presidential tweet, and that's different from what they're hearing from the secretary of state, or the secretary of defense, or others who to try to reassure them.

I think we need to -- this administration needs to speak with one voice, and be very clear about what kind of leadership role the U.S. is willing to play in each of these areas, and what allies can count on us for. We need to be predictable and reliable leaders and partners.

WALLACE: General Keane, Michele Flournoy, thank you both.

FLOURNOY: Thank you.

KEANE: Great, Chris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Up next, our "Power Player of the Week." President Reagan's secretary of state, George Schultz, looks back on the art of negotiation as "Fox News Sunday" continues from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID PETRAEUS, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: I very much subscribed to what Churchill said, that the only thing worse than fighting with allies is fighting without them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Another look at the Reagan Presidential Library on a mountaintop in California's Simi Valley.

This weekend has been a sentimental journey for me. During the Reagan presidency, I had the honor to serve as NBC's White House correspondent, covering the president as he traveled the world advancing America's interests.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RONALD REAGAN, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: The Soviet Union.

WALLACE: (INAUDIBLE) everywhere that you went in Europe, the foreign leaders opposed the Nicaraguan trade embargo and we now hear that Costa Rica has opposed it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: But, most memorable were the four Reagan/Gorbachev summits which led to the end of the Cold War. Their first meeting in Geneva in 1985.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: One of the keys to this whole summit will be how these two men get on during the 12 hours they'll be spending together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And at President Reagan's right hand on all those trips, his trusted secretary of state, George Schultz. I got the chance here to revisit those days with him.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Mr. Secretary, I want to ask you about the art of negotiations. And you say rule number one is good ideas, strong policy.

You went into the first Reagan/Gorbachev summit with peace through strength, through the military buildup. We had it.

GEORGE SHULTZ, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER REAGAN: Well, strength is important. And a willingness to negotiate is important. But you want to negotiate from strength and on the basis of what you want.

If you want a deal too much, youre going to get your head handed to you. You want a good deal, you dont want just a deal.

WALLACE: Your second rule is you say that a negotiation is a learning process. Youve got to figure out what are the core interests of the other party and what arent the core interests.

SHULTZ: Well, when youre negotiating your opposite somebody and youre talking to them back in forth. And one of the things to find out is, where is that person's bottom line? What are they really interested in? And what is fluff (ph)? And that will help you figure out how to make a deal.

WALLACE: Conversely, you say rule number three is credibility. No empty threats. Make it clear to your adversary, your negotiating partner, what are your core interests.

SHULTZ: Yes. Well, I had that drummed into me when I was a boot (ph) at the Marine Corps at the center of World War II. Sergeant hands me my rifle. He says, take good care of this rifle. This is your best friend. And remember one thing, never point this rifle at anybody unless youre willing to pull the trigger. No empty threats. Boot camp wisdom.

WALLACE: In actual negotiations, do you start big and then start giving things away, or do you start close to your bottom line?

SHULTZ: Well, we had  in the Reagan period, we had a bottom-line. We had what we wanted and we said what that was.

And you don't want to sort of build in things that youre going to give away that you think are going to please the other guy. If you start thinking about his position, youre going to be negotiating with yourself. It's best to be for what you're for and -- and hold on to that.

When we started out in the intermediate range nuclear weapons negotiation, our object was to have zero. And people said, thats crazy, the Soviets have 1,500 deployed, we have none. What kind of a negotiating position is that? Well, we kept at it and we kept at it and who -- what happened? They signed an agreement in the White House where it was zero on both sides. So we got it.

WALLACE: Once you say something is off-limits, nonnegotiable, in the case of President Reagan, anti-missile defense, SDI, you cant back down on that?

SHULTZ: No. Well, he was all for the SDI. He felt it had great promise. And it did turn out to be a wonderful bargaining chip. And actually we've learned a little bit about defense. Were glad to have done that. But in the Reykjavik meeting, Gorbachev practically laid on the table all of our negotiating positions, which he agreed to, but he made conditional in what he said, keeping SDI confined to the library. And we interpret that as meaning kill it. So President Reagan wouldn't kill it. but in the end, all of the things that were laid out in Reykjavik and agreed to became agreements.

WALLACE: Mr. Secretary, they were great times. Thank you for sharing them with us.

SHULTZ: They were great times.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Secretary Shultz celebrates his 97th birthday later this month.

Before we go, a special thanks to the Reagan Library and the National Defense Forum for inviting us here.

And that's it for today. Have a great week and we'll see you back in Washington next "Fox News Sunday."

Content and Programming Copyright 2017 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2017 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.
A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency diversion on Thursday when flight crew detected a mobile Wi-Fi network named Bomb on Board.

The flight from Nairobi to Istanbul diverted to Khartoum, Sudan, when flight staff noticed the suspiciously named Wi-Fi network. After the emergency landing, all 100 passengers had to leave the aircraft for inspection.

Experts said the Wi-Fi network in question was created on board, Turkish Airlines said in a statement, according to Reuters. No irregularities were seen after security procedures were carried out, and passengers were brought back on the plane once boarding restarted.

The airline did not reveal if security was able to determine which passenger created the Wi-Fi network.

This wasn't the first time a suspiciously named hotspot caused problems on a flight. Last year, a Qantas flight out of Melbourne was delayed from taking off for two hours after a passenger noticed a network called Mobile Detonation Device.

Pro tip: Avoid any mention of bombs, firearms or terrorist organizations while naming your Wi-Fi on a plane flying across international borders.

Those who feel the need to make an in-flight joke should instead opt for something light like Pretty Fly For a Wi-Fi.
WARNING: ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGE

Two U.S. Navy aviators were placed on "probationary" status for six months, but were able to keep their wing insignia after appearing before disciplinary board for drawing lewd images in the sky with their aircraft earlier this month, according to a report.

NAVY ADMITS AIRCRAFT DREW LEWD IMAGES IN THE SKY

The San Diego Union-Tribune obtained the results of the Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board hearing for the unidentified aviators: the pilot and his backseat aviator.

The pair used their EA-18G "Growler" aircraft to draw a phallus in the sky over Okanogan County, Wash. on Nov. 15. Local residents captured the image on their smartphones.

Officials from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island admitted that one of their aircraft had created the sky graffiti.

Navy spokesman Cmdr. Ron Flanders described the aviators as "apologetic" and "contrite."

"They realized that this was an embarrassment to Naval Aviation and the entire Navy," Flanders added. "This sort of conduct is contrary to the core values of the Navy."

Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, the Navy's so-called "air boss," also the aviators to address other flight crews about the incident, describing the "ramifications and the embarrassment it caused" and "contrasting their actions with the excellence and discipline" expected in the service.

Click for more from The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Investigators have recovered a body in a creek believed to be 3-year-old Mariah Woods, officials said Saturday.

District Attorney Ernie Lee told reporters that divers recovered the body in Pender County, about 25 miles from Mariah's home in Jacksonville. He added that they were awaiting a medical examiner's report to determine the official cause of death.

The body was found hours after Earl Kimrey, the live-in boyfriend of Mariah's mother, was arrested and held on $1 million bond. He is charged with concealing of death, obstruction of justice, second-degree burglary, felony larceny and possession of stolen property. Prosecutors are reviewing whether additional charges should be filed.

According to arrest warrants, Kimrey removed the girl's body from the place where she died and knew her death was not natural.

Mariah was reported missing Monday morning by her mother, who said she last saw her when she put her to bed the night before.

"It was too late to save Mariah the moment the 911 call came in," FBI agent Stanley Meador said. "The arrest warrants are public record and the records speaks for themselves. We will not discuss any details related to the homicide investigation."

Kristy Woods made tearful pleas for her daughter's return. "This is my world, this is my angel," she said.

Earlier Saturday, the FBI asked for any business or residents with security cameras near U.S. Highway 17 or state Highway 53 in the area where the girl disappeared to call police and let them see the footage.

"Allow us to review it to determine if it is of investigative value," Meador said.

Mariah's father, who has been involved in a custody dispute with her mother, has criticized her version of events.

"Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didn't cry, she didn't scream?" Alex Woods told WCTI-TV in New Bern earlier in the week. "Nobody heard anything? Four people in the house, two adults and two kids someone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out?"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on Sunday in Cairo the annual Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Conference, where Egypts new e-Visa service was launched.

The online e-Visa system will serve visitors looking to travel to Egypt from any of 43 countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, France and Cyprus.

The eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation that is stored electronically and is linked to a passport number. Applications for the e-Visa are done online.

El-Sisi also inaugurated through video conference the new technological zones in Beni Suef, Menoufiya and Assiut governorates.

During the inauguration, telecommunication and information technology minister Yasser El-Kady presented to President El-Sisi the first Egyptian-made mobile phone as a gift.

Manufactured in the technological zone in New Assuit City, the Sico Smartphone is the first mobile phone to be manufactured in Egypt, with 58 percent of its components manufactured locally, according to Minister El-Kady.

The Android Smartphone is manufactured by Sico Technology, which is a subsidiary of El-Siyad Salem Group.

The company is set to launch eight models of the Smartphone locally as well as in African and Arab markets.

The ICT conference, which has been held annually for the past 20 years, is Egypt's largest conference for information technology.

According to its organisers, at least 500 Arab and international companies in the IT field have participated in the conference, attracting millions of visitors throughout the years.

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A jewelry heist in northwest Arkansas last Sunday has the attention of authorities because of the young children two parents had do their dirty work.

At least $30,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from Bella Jeweler's in Rogers, located about 200 miles northwest of Little Rock, after a couple brought their three young children into the store and had one of them break into a case.

"It's a real tragedy that they would use their kids to commit this crime," Stephanie Martinez, director of Bella Jewelers, told KFTA-TV. "For us, that's the most heartbreaking part."

In surveillance video released by the store, the woman is seen pointing at items in the display case that her young son allegedly later grabs.

"The woman kind of kept a look out while her youngest son went around to steal the jewelry," Martinez said. "As she realized that nobody was there, and she got more confident, she started directing him to go back multiple times, and steal more and more jewelry."

Rogers Police told KFTA-TV they haven't seen many cases where children are recruited to shoplift, but store owners should be aware during the busy holiday season for potential thieves.

DNA SKETCH LEADS TO SUSPECT CONFESSION IN TEXAS SLAYING

When they are caught, the parents will be charged with contributing to delinquency of a minor and a court will determine what happens to the kids, according to Officer Keith Foster.

"The juvenile system tries to figure out now what's gonna be in the best interest of the kids, how can we help them make sure this type of stuff doesn't happen again, and whatever the adult system decides for the parents," Foster told KFTA.

The store said they won't let the incident ruin their holiday spirit, and are offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who helps them find the thieves.

"We have a lot of pride in our stores, and what we do. So yes, it is a minor setback, but it's a challenge we know we'll overcome," Martinez said.
An 18-year-old in California has admitted to molesting upwards of 50 young children after he told his mother he sexually assaulted two boys and she turned him in, police said.

Joseph Hayden Boston was charged Saturday with assaulting the two boys, ages 4 and 8, at a motel in Riverside, police said.

He also admitted to molesting upward of 50 children since he was 10 years old in different cities where he lived, police said.

Detectives are seeking other potential victims, according to police.

Boston was arrested after his mother flagged down a Riverside cop around 3 a.m. Saturday. She said she wanted to turn her son in for suspected molestation, police said.

The suspect called his mother and said he had molested two young children earlier, police said. She drove to her sons location and took him to the police station, where he later confessed the acts to officers.

The parents of the alleged victims, who were staying at the same motel as Boston, allowed them to go to Bostons room, police said.

"This is going to affect not only the victims for a long time, but also our detectives and officers involved in this -- to hear someone just be very open about what they've done, and they're only 18 themselves," Riverside Officer Ryan Railsback said, according to KABC-TV.

The two boys were turned over to the Riverside County Child Protective Services, police said.

Boston checked into the motel last month after living in Lakewood and Buena Park.

He is being held on $1 million bail after being booked on sexual assault charges.
A Chicago man stabbed his brother-in-law at least 25 times on a city bus, partially disemboweling him in front of shocked riders, officials said Saturday.

Darnell Scott, 37, attacked his brother-in-law with a 2-inch pocket knife while the two were on the CTA bus on the city's South Side around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, The Chicago Tribune reported.

The attack took place after Scott got on the bus and walked past his 50-year-old brother-in-law without saying anything, Assistant State's Attorney Craig Taczy told a courtroom Saturday. When the brother-in-law approached Scott, the men got into a fight with Scott punching and stabbing the man.

While Taczy did not say what caused the fight, an arrest report obtained by The Tribune said the brother-in-law told police he was hit after he asked Scott if he had previously sent people to "jump him."

Scott and the victim do not have a "friendly relationship," and hadn't spoken for some time despite being related by marriage, according to Taczy.

CHICAGO MAN ALLEGEDLY MUTILATES FATHER, POSTS SELFIES AFTER MURDER: PROSECUTORS

After the first punch was thrown, the two men later wrestled on the floor of the bus before Scott pulled out a knife and began stabbing the victim as some passengers recorded the brawl on their phones, the Tribune reported.

The brother-in-law, whose name was not released, was hospitalized in critical condition, but is expected to survive his injuries. Scott was arrested after getting off the bus, and later admitted to police he stabbed his brother-in-law, according to prosecutors.

Scott appeared in court Saturday, where he was denied bail and ordered to have no contact with the victim, according to the Tribune.
A lawsuit brought against a Utah school district over ex-teacher Brianne Altice, who was thrown in prison for sleeping with three male students, was tossed by the Utah Court of Appeals, Fox 13 reported Saturday.

Altice, 38, taught at Davis High School. She was sentenced in 2015 to serve up to 30 years behind bars.

A male victim sued the Davis School District claiming it had been negligent in hiring and supervising the teacher -- and keeping her employed, according to the station.

FEMALE TEACHERS CHARGED OR CONVICTED OF HAVING SEX WITH STUDENTS

The plaintiff said he was 16 when one of his high school teachers (Teacher) initiated a romantic relationship with him, Judge Ryan M. Harris of the Utah Court of Appeals explained in a ruling.

The plaintiff, Harris wrote, claimed at the time it hired Teacher, the District knew, or at least should have known, that Teacher 'had been previously terminated from former employment due to sexual misconduct.'

The school district argued that it was legally protected from any injuries that may have been caused by Altice, and the appeals court panel agreed with that argument late Friday, upholding a lower court's ruling, Fox 13 reported.

It might seem counterintuitive that our law provides no civil remedy against a school district that is alleged to have negligently hired and retained a teacher who has illegal sexual contact with her minor students, Harris wrote. But this conclusion is, in our view, compelled by [the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah] and by Utah Supreme Court precedent.

Altice said in a Jan. 24 parole hearing, I clearly lost sight of all my values and my principles and was seeking inappropriate means to address my own issues, Fox 13 reported. She was denied parole, it was reported later that month. An April 2019 parole rehearing for the mother of two is planned.
The first of three industrial-sized tents to house San Diegos homeless opened Friday as part of the city's efforts to contain a hepatitis A outbreak.

About 20 people made their way to bunk beds Friday in a tent that will house 350 single men and women. Two other giant tents will open later this month  one for families and one for veterans.

San Diego turned to tents to get people off the streets and contain a hepatitis A outbreak that has killed 20 people in the past year.

"There's going to be a marked different in what we see on the streets today and what we see at this time next year," said Bob McElroy of the Alpha Project, the nonprofit group that will operate the tents.

"There's going to be a marked different in what we see on the streets today and what we see at this time next year."  Bob McElroy of the Alpha Project, a group that will operate San Diego's tents for the homeless

More than 3,000 people have been living on San Diego's streets. The city opened a temporary campground in October where 200 people lived in tents. They will now be moved into the new giant tents.

The goal is for residents to not stay longer than 120 days, and for 65 percent of those who leave to move into permanent housing. The city had to divert $6.5 million budgeted for permanent housing to fund the operation of the tents for seven months.

The tents were proposed by business leaders and others who saw the project as a way of creating a safe and humane environment for homeless people living in unsafe conditions and threatened by hepatitis A, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The tents will provide an array of services from mental health care to housing navigators. But the city still faces an acute housing shortage for the poor. Mayor Kevin Faulconer has earmarked more than $80 million in funds to address the problem.

Gemma Librado lives a block away from the tent that opened Friday. She said she is glad to see the streets being cleaned up but she worries it may attract more homeless. Last Sunday, a homeless man high on drugs and with a bleeding hand ran into her apartment when she opened the door and locked himself in the bathroom. She and her 6-year-old son ran out and called police. The man broke things in her bathroom, left bloodstains on the floor and scared her.

"If this makes things more orderly than I support this," she said. "But I'm worried. I don't want this to bring in more homeless to the area and people using drugs. There are families with children around here."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
As packages arrive at the front door of homes across the nation this holiday season, a nanny in Washington showed some prospective thieves on Tuesday they picked the wrong home to try to steal from.

Kate Anderson told Q13 FOX she was taking care of a 1-year-old baby at a home in Everett when she spotted a woman picking up a package from the front door and ran after her.

"It was very intense, she said.

The entire incident was captured on a Ring surveillance camera at the house, which shows the moment a car rolls up to the house and a woman gets out, grabs the package and runs to the vehicle.

Just as the woman throws the package in the car and tries to get into the slowly-moving car, the driver tries to speed away, causing the thief to tumble out into the road.

That's when Anderson is seen running into the frame and confronting the woman.

"I continued to run and like 'Hey, you're not a nice person! I see you, and you're stealing from me and when [she] was on the ground, I kind of kept her there, she told Q13 FOX.

SHOCK AS AMAZON DELIVERY WOMAN DEFECATES ON CUSTOMERS FRONT YARD WHILE DROPPING OFF PACKAGE

Anderson said the woman tried to tell her she wasn't stealing, but she didn't believe the suspect's story and held her outside the home's garage until police arrived to arrest her.

"If someone is doing something wrong, I'm not afraid to put them in check, said Anderson.

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office told KIRO the suspect, Rhieanna Schindler, had outstanding warrants for drug possession and theft, and has been arrested more than 20 times since 2010.

The homeowner, a friend of Anderson, said her husband installed the camera a few weeks ago but never expected to catch any potential criminals. Anderson's last day at the home was Friday, but Tanya Smith said she may need to bring her back for another duty.

"Maybe we'll just have to keep Kate as our bouncer -- keeping our packages and belongings safe all the time, she told Q13 FOX.
A driver allegedly fought over a parking spot early Sunday morning before stabbing two people and plowing his car into a group of onlookers outside a hookah bar, killing one person and injuring five others, police said.

Police officers responded after being notified of an assault outside a hookah bar in the Richmond Hill section of Queens about 4:30 a.m. Police said two people got into a fight when a man got out of his car and stabbed two people, police said.

The driver then got back into his white Hyundai sedan and plowed into six people outside the bar.

Police said a preliminary investigation showed the incident appeared to be a result of a parking dispute. A New York City detective said the incident wasnt terror-related.

NYPD Assistant Chief David Barrea said at a news conference police believe they have the driver in custody.

Ozzie Rogers, who witnessed the incident, told the New York Daily News that he saw the vehicle go at least 50 mph on the sidewalk.

The bodies went flying. The car was going really fast, at least 50 mph on the sidewalk, Rogers said, adding that he believed the driver was going after someone and witnessed a girl holding a man back.

The girl is yelling Stop, stop. No, no, when this car just comes from nowhere and hits the whole group, Rogers told the paper.

One person, believed to be a passenger in the car, was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

The stabbing victims were in stable condition. Five of the people who were struck by the car was taken to the hospital. One of the injured was in critical condition. The others were in stable condition.

Sundays incident comes after Sayfullo Saipov careened into a crowd of pedestrians in Lower Manhattan on Halloween, killing eight people in what police said was a terror-related attack. He pleaded not guilty last week to terrorism charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Florida opossum has recovered after having one too many sips of bourbon while celebrating Thanksgiving.

Employees at Cashs Liquor Store in Fort Walton Beach went back to work the day after Thanksgiving and discovered a strange sight: an opossum next to a broken and empty bottle of bourbon.

Owner Cash Moore told Northwest Florida Daily News this was the first time hes experienced an opossum break-in at his business.

"She came in from the outside and was up in the rafters, and when she came through she knocked a bottle of liquor off the shelf," Moore told Northwest Florida Daily. "When she got down on the floor she drank the whole damn bottle.

Michelle Pettis, a technician at Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, said the female opossum, who was brought in by a police officer, appeared pale and disoriented and was salivating excessively.

A worker there found the opossum up on a shelf next to a cracked open bottle of liquor with nothing in it, Pettis told the newspaper. Assuming the opossum drank it all, he brought her to us, and we looked over her and she definitely wasnt fully acting normal.

The staff pumped the marsupial with fluids to flush out the alcohol in her system. She sobered up in a few days and was released on Thursday unharmed.

The opossum also appeared to have escaped a dreadful hangover, according to Pettis.

Its still unclear how the animale broke into Cashs. Pettis described the animal as fairly large.

The refuge center posted on its Facebook page Friday a photo of the opossum with the caption: On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: a drunk opossum in a box! This sly, and currently slurred, opossum snuck its way into a liquor store and discovered some holiday cheer of its own. A police officer brought the animal to us for medical treatment and is expected to be released soon.

The post received hundreds of reactions and shares.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A St. Louis pizza driver shot and killed a 17-year-old youth who police said was one of two suspects trying to rob him during a delivery Thursday night.

Police identified the dead man as Lavon Courtney Jr., the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

One suspect struck the driver on the head with a firearm, then ran back to his vehicle while shooting, police told St. Louis' Fox 2.

The pizza driver returned fire with his own weapon, striking one suspect and prompting the other to flee, the report said.

The delivery driver called police after arriving back at the pizza shop, the St. Louis-Post Dispatch reported. He suffered a cut to his head, Fox 2 reported.

Police said the fatal shooting appears justified, the newspaper reported.
The Latest on the flow of migrants to Europe (all times local):

2:35 p.m.

A French government spokesman says France doesn't plan a military intervention in Libya but supports the creation of an African force to help fight against human traffickers.

Benjamin Grivaux said Sunday on CNews television that "an intra-African force must be able to intervene," after recent footage of a migrant slave auction in Libya drew global horror and condemnation.

He said that France and other European countries can help with intelligence and logistics.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an "initiative" to go after human traffickers with "concrete, military and police actions on the ground to trace back these networks." He made the comments at a recent summit of leaders from EU and African countries.

Grivaux said the details will be discussed at a meeting between African and European leaders in Paris on Dec. 13.

___

2:25 p.m.

Germany wants to support rejected asylum-seekers who voluntarily move back to their home countries with a one-time payment of 3,000 euros ($3,570).

The Interior Ministry says those who qualify can apply by a Feb. 28 deadline and they would get the money once they return home.

Migrants who agree to go back even before their asylum request is rejected have already been offered 1,200 euros per adult and 600 euros per child under a different program for almost a year. They are now eligible to apply for both programs.

But the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported Sunday that 8,639 migrants participated in the returnee program between February and October, even though there are about 115,000 rejected asylum-seekers in Germany many of whom can't be deported for humanitarian reasons.
A collection of 27 fragmented statues of the goddess Sekhmet has been unearthed at the King Amenhotep III funerary temple on Luxors west bank

A collection of 27 fragmented statues of the lioness goddess Sekhmet has been uncovered during excavation work at the King Amenhotep III funerary temple at the Kom El-Hettan area on Luxors west bank.

The discovery was made by an Egyptian-European archaeological mission led by archaeologist Hourig Sourouzian as part of the King Amenhotep III Temple Conservation Project.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the black-granite statues have a maximum height of about two metres. Some statues depict Sekhmet sitting on a throne, holding the symbol of life in her left hand, while others show her standing and holding a papyrus sceptre before her chest. The head of Sekhmet is crowned with a sun-disk, while a uraeus adorns her forehead.

Sourouzian told Ahram Online that the discovery includes many almost complete statues with only the feet and base missing.

Those statues that were not buried so deep in the ground are in a good state of preservation, he said. Others that were found at deeper levels are in a bad condition due to subterranean water and salt, which damaged the surface.

The sculptures are of a high artistic quality and of the greatest archaeological interest, Sourouzian said.

She said the importance and quality of the statues explains why they survived a period of extensive quarrying of the temple remains in the Ramesside Period, after a heavy earthquake had toppled the walls and the columns of the temple in 1200 B.C.

Sourouzian pointed out that the statues are now in restoration. They will be cleaned and desalinated, as they were lying in a layer of mud and crushed sandstone. All statues of the goddess will be placed back in their original setting when the site protection project is completed.

Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, pointed to the collaboration between the European mission and the ministry to ensure ongoing excavation work and the completion of the Amenhotep III Temple protect.

The mission began excavation work in 1998, and about 287 statues of Sekhmet have been unearthed since then.

The King Amenhotep III temple is the largest of its kind. It was once a magnificent structure with an unprecedented number of royal and divine statues, among them hundreds of statues of Sekhmet.

Sekhment, whose name means "Powerful One", is one of three figures in the Triad of Memphis sculpture, which also features Ptah and Ramses III.

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After eight years of conflict with Boko Haram, Nigeria has a new strategy to protect its citizens from the terrorist group: fortress towns.

Some of the nearly 2 million displaced people who have fled rural areas in northeast Nigeria now will be housed in fortified towns, ringed by farms, with the rest of the countryside effectively left to fend for itself.

This new vision for the Borno state is a stark admission of the harsh reality on the ground.

For two years, the military and government have said Boko Haram is all but defeated, and the remnants are being mopped up.

However, the military is largely unable to control territory beyond the cities and towns it has wrested back from Boko Haram.

Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno state, said it was not possible for people to live in small villages.

13 KILLED IN SUICIDE BOMBING AT NIGERIAN MARKET

Theres beauty in numbers, theres security in numbers. So our target is to congregate all the people in five major urban settlements and provide them with means of livelihood, education, health care and, of course, security, he told Reuters. Its a long-term solution, certainly.

The plan for the eastern part of the state, centered on the town of Bama, is intended as a pilot scheme to be rolled out in other parts of Borno if it is successful.

Vigilantes, currently members of a group known as the Civilian Joint Task Force, will become agricultural rangers, the governor said.

Aided by Nigerian security forces, they will aim to secure and patrol a 3-mile radius around each garrison town where people can farm.

Peter Lundberg, the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, who heads the organizations response in the northeast, told Reuters that the reconstruction of Bama town, the second biggest in the state, was logical.

Even so, sentiment amongst the displaced is mixed.

I will support it as long as I will have a place to farm. I am also happy to hear the government will give us protection on the farm because I learnt Boko Haram men are still around, Abubakar Goni, who lived outside Bama before fleeing to the Borno state capital, told Reuters.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP CLAIMS LOGS ILLEGALLY SHIPPED FROM NIGERIA



It is not clear how the returnees will be housed. There are already 15,000 people in a crowded camp for displaced local residents set up by the military.

The U.N. had planned to move them into new shelters that would hold 30,000 people, but the military said it could not oversee two camps simultaneously, U.N. and military officials told Reuters. The government has announced plans to build 3,000 homes in the Bama area. But there are concerns about how people sent to the town will manage, since many did not originally live there.

Its one thing to move people to Bama, said Lundberg. Unless the engine of the economy can restart, the risk is that people are moving back to places where they will become very dependent (on aid).

Aid workers said the line between the fortified towns and the dangerous countryside means that people have a choice: live in virtual quarantine, or return to their homes in the countryside, where Boko Haram roam, and be treated by security forces as potential insurgency sympathizers.

Youre imprisoned, but youre safe, said one senior relief worker to Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. If you prefer your own life you can do it on the outside.

Reuters reports that Boko Harams recent attacks, including a suicide bombing that killed at least 50 in a mosque in Adamawa state last week, are the last kicks of a dying horse, Nigerias Information Minister Lai Mohammed said last Sunday.

On Saturday, suicide bombers killed at least 13 people in the town of Biu and injured 53 others.
North Korea lambasted the U.S. and South Korea on Sunday for bringing the countries to the brink of a nuclear war a day before the allies begin a joint military drill in a defiant show of force against Kim Jong Un less than a week after the regime launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.

North Koreas state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, wrote in a commentary Sunday the upcoming military drill is an all out provocation against the rogue nation that may lead to a nuclear war at any moment.

Such drill is a dangerous provocation as it is driving the tension on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war, the commentary said. The U.S. and the South Korean puppet forces are so foolish as to run amok with such stealth fighters.

It added, The stealth fighters, which the enemies boast so much of, will not escape the fate of a tiger moth.

H.R. MCMASTER: POTENTIAL FOR WAR WITH NORTH KOREA INCREASES EVERY DAY

A spokesman for North Koreas Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country  an organization focused on reunifying the North and the South  also said insane President Trump is running wild in a statement released by the states Korean Central News Agency.

The situation clearly proves that the U.S. and the South Korean puppet war maniacs are just aggressors and provocateurs breaking peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the region and that the DPRK was entirely just when it decided to invariably take the path of simultaneously developing the two fronts in order to bolster up its war deterrent in every way, the spokesman said, according to KCNA.

U.S. and South Korea are expected to begin a five-day military drill, called Vigilant Ace, on Monday, less than a week after Kim ordered officials to launch the Hwasong-15 ICBM in the middle of the night that landed in the Sea of Japan. About 12,000 U.S. troops will join South Korean forces, along with 230 aircraft, will participate in the drill, according to Reuters. The drill, used to simulate wartime defenses, was scheduled before Wednesdays missile launch.

A U.S. Air Force official also said F-22 stealth fighters and F-5 aircraft will partake.

Kim was pictured visiting a factory in North Korea that built the tires for a huge vehicle used to transport the Hwasong-15 ICBM, the state media reported on Saturday. Kim thanked workers for manufacturing the large-size tires for the 9-axle missile truck without relying on imported equipment and called for efforts to raise production to "satisfy the daily-increasing needs in developing the country's economy and beefing up national defense capabilities," KCNA said in a statement.

NORTH KOREAN MISSILE BROKE UP ON RE-ENTRY, US OFFICIAL SAYS

Kim in September tasked the Amnokgang Tire Factory to make the tires for the "great event in November," the agency reported.

North Koreans held a massive rally on Friday to celebrate the success of Wednesdays missile test, putting on a firework display at Pyongyang. North Korea released photos of the Hwasong-15, confirming to experts the ICBM was a newly built missile and significantly more powerful than its predecessor, the Hwasong-14. Kim also boasted that the ICBM has the ability to reach the entire U.S. mainland with a nuclear warhead strapped to it.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said Friday that the ICBM was potentially capable of striking targets as far away as 8,100 miles, which would put Washington within reach. A U.S. official told Fox News Saturday the missile did not survive re-entry into the Earths atmosphere  a feat North Korea has been attempting to perfect.

Fox News Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
North Koreans who defected but once lived near a nuclear testing site in the rogue nation now believe they are experiencing the dangerous effects of exposure to harmful radiation  and it's triggered severe health problems, according to a report published Sunday.

"So many people died we began calling it 'ghost disease,'" Lee Jeong Hwa, who in 2010 escaped her home in Kilju County where the nuclear testing site Punggye-ri is located, told NBC News. "We thought we were dying because we were poor and we ate badly. Now we know it was the radiation."

Lee isnt the only defector who believes the radiation is taking its toll on people who lived there.

South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported in November that close to two dozen defectors said the area surrounding Punggye-ri is turning into a wasteland where vegetation is dying and babies are born with deformities.

The defectors said drinking water in the area came from Mount Mantap, where nuclear tests reportedly were conducted underground.

NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR TEST SITE CAUSING 'DEFORMED BABIES,' KILLING VEGETATION, DEFECTORS SAY

Rhee Yeong Sil told NBC News that before she defected in 2013, a neighbor of hers gave birth to a baby so deformed that nobody could determine its gender.

"It didnt have any genitals," Rhee said. "In North Korea, deformed babies are usually killed. So the parents killed the baby."

Lee told NBC News that South Koreas Ministry of Unification has tested her, along with other defectors, and has found no signs of contamination due to radiation from nuclear tests.

Its assumed that cancer or other diseases found in North Korean defectors are due to nuclear testing, but its hard to confirm, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety told the network.

There is also concern that strong winds could blow lingering radiation to Japan across the Sea of Japan.

Less than a week ago, the regime launched what it called its greatest intercontinental ballistic missile which, according to South Korean officials, could have the capability to hit targets as far as 8,100 miles away  putting Washington, D.C., within reach.

NORTH KOREA SAYS US-SOUTH KOREA MILITARY DRILLS DRIVE THEM TO 'BRINK OF A NUCLEAR WAR'

The missile, launched on Nov. 28 around 1:30 p.m. ET, was the first the regime conducted since its Sept. 15 test when it fired an intermediate-range missile that flew over Japans Hokkaido Island.

October marked the first month the regime didnt test a missile since January. Between February and September, North Korea launched a missile an average of every two weeks.
Pope Francis recalled the "suffering" but "noble" faces he encountered during his recent trip to Burma and Bangladesh.

Francis greeted people in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. He thanked God for the voyage's opportunity to meet residents in the two Asian countries, citing in particular the tiny Catholic communities there, adding he was "edified by their testimony."

Flying late Saturday, he recounted that he spoke frankly but privately in Burma about Rohingya refugees' plight and said he cried when he met some in Bangladesh, where they have fled a Burma military crackdown.

He said Sunday of his trip: "Impressed on me is the memory of so many faces, tried by life, but noble and smiling."

Francis had drawn criticism for not publicly citing, while in Burma, the Rohingya suffering.

More than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims, about two-thirds of the population that lived in Burma in 2016, have fled to Bangladesh, driven out by the militarys campaign of massacre, rape and arson in Rakhine that begain in August.

In a report released in October, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that Burmas security forces had worked to effectively erase all signs of memorable landmarks in the geography of the Rohingya landscape" so that a return to their lands would only yield "desolate and unrecognizable terrain."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hundreds of people have staged another protest in the Romanian capital to pressure the government into scrapping a proposed restructuring of the justice system that critics say would make it hard to punish high-level corruption.

The protesters waved flags and shouted "Resign!" and "Justice, not corruption!" outside the government offices.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the ruling Social Democratic Party, Codrin Stefanescu, said the party would organize protests in Bucharest and other cities against what he called "the parallel state."

That's a phrase recently coined by the party and its allies to refer to the justice system and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, an opposition ally.

Senior members of the governing left-wing coalition, including Social Democratic Party Chairman Liviu Dragnea, are under investigation for corruption. They claim the prosecutions are politically motivated.
A man in the United Kingdom who assaulted a traffic cop when he was ticketing the man for parking his car illegally was sentenced to two years in jail, police stated in a news release Friday.

Daniel Corneille, 47, pleaded guilty on Thursday to grievous bodily harm without intent for attacking a traffic cop in Sheerness.

Surveillance footage released by Kent Police showed Corneille quickly crossing a street toward a traffic officer, who was taking photos of the car, and forcefully pushing him on Jan. 6.

The officer was seen falling over into the side of a building. Corneille, according to the footage, seemingly screamed at the traffic officer and grabbed the man before again pushing him to the ground.

Corneille then walked away while the officer was keeled over on the ground.

Corneille was ticketed, according to police, because his vehicle was blocking an area that was meant to help blind people cross the road, and he also was parked on double yellow lines.

SHOCK AS AMAZON DELIVERY WOMAN DEFECATES ON CUSTOMERS FRONT YARD WHILE DROPPING OFF PACKAGE

When the officer was taken to a hospital, officials discovered he had a fractured shoulder from the incident.

This was an unprovoked attack on the victim who was doing his job, and did not deserve to be injured for this, investigating officer Jez Chittim said.

Chittim added that Corneille claimed the incident was a result of him having a bad day, but noted a lot of people have bad days, and do not lose control and act in such a violent manner. I hope that this sentencing acts as a reminder to others to not behave in the same manner.
I was going to start by saying theres something unusual in my freezerthen worried someone would think I have a body on ice.

Thats not the case, but it is something you dont see every day.

In one of those insulated bags that are good for keeping pizza warm or milk and yogurt chilled, there are 49 smaller bags of breast milk.

My daughter, Diana, has been pumping liquid gold since her baby, Bella, was born Sept. 19. Bella was four weeks early, spent some time in the NICU and never was able to nurse directly from the source.

But shes had nothing but natures perfect food since she took her first breath.

The results are obvious, in both mother and child. Little Bella is getting bigger by the moment. In her first two months, she more than doubled her weight and added several inches to her length.

In that same time, Diana has been shedding pounds to the point that she weighs way less than she did before she got pregnant.

Because she pumps every time Bella eatsand produces more than even the little porker can consumeDiana is able to stockpile milk. Theres no more room in her deep freeze, so she handed the bags off to Grandma.

Putting something so precious on ice made me think of how hard these moms work to provide for their babies. Diana is fortunate that her husband has a great job and shes able to stay at home.

But I work with two women who go to a private place, on the back side of a big storage space in the newsroom, so they can pump daily. Their devotion and dedication amazes me.

Between covering late-night government meetings and various assignments over hither and yon, they find the timeand the right placeto do their thing with the necessary equipment and insulated bag they tote along with their laptops.

Diana even took her rig to FedExField on Thanksgiving, where she and her husband saw the Washington Redskins play, thanks to his employer. People can bring in only what fits in a gallon-size bag, and Diana said she got quite the looks from security people who checked her stuff.

After Dianas father jokingly told her she was producing like a cow and should consider selling the stuff, she looked online out of curiosity. Theres indeed a market for breast milk, and people are willing to pay from $1 to $5 an ounce for it.

And its not limited to infants, who benefit from the natural antibodies that help them resist illnesses, such as ear infections, as well as the fact its easier to digest and may help in later years by reducing the risk of being overweight or developing various health issues.

Diana learned that bodybuilders, too, drink to bulk up, although the reviews seem to be mixed on its benefits.

Then, as she did more researching, she came across websites that say breast milk has lots of healing properties. A drop or two can be used to treat skin rashes and poison ivy, to heal pink eye, reduce puffy eyes or even to clean wounds if youre in a pinch and dont have access to anything else. The website babygaga.com lists 15 reasons everyone should be drinking breast milk because it contains properties that can do everything from help with arthritis to possibly fight cancer cells.

Part of me wants to say eww as I read the list, and the other part wonders if natures perfect food is also natures ultimate cure-all.
It started on the evening of Friday, Nov. 3, when the huge white trucks rolled into Richmond County Elementary Schools parking lot. Out of these trucks came thousands of articles of medical supplies and equipment unloaded by an army of volunteers. Like the specialized teams who support a military force, these hundreds of volunteers were all on a 48-hour missionto provide as much free health care as possible.

For five hours, the volunteers carted dental supplies and vision equipment, sheets and blankets and countless other items into the brick building. They transformed the gymnasium into a 25-unit dental clinic, complete with space for its x-ray team. Halls were waiting areas, which led to rooms of miniature medical clinics and vision examination bays. Soon a mammography truck pulled up. Folks arrived prepared to give flu vaccines and even more people, who were not trained in the medical arts, pitched in. All worked to help RAM of Virginia achieve its mission.

RAM, short for Remote Area Medical, is a non-profit organization started in 1985 with the intention of bringing healthcare to those who have none.

While the national RAM organization serves much of rural America and beyond, Virginia is lucky enough to have its own spinoff group, RAM of Virginia, that set up shop in Warsaw to provide service to the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula residents without regular access to health care services.

As the moon shone over the school Saturday morning, the line of those seeking service stretched far past the steel-covered walkway into the dark. A large white paper, duct taped to the wall, read that patients could request flu shots, physicals, medication and nutrition education, HIV testing, mammograms, podiatry, vision, hearing testing and other services.

As the sun set on Sunday afternoon, all of the equipment, supplies, and volunteers left Richmond County Elementary School.

After all the white trucks hit the interstate, 696 people had received free medical treatment of one type or another. The value of that treatment in dollars was $249,582, but for those who do not have access to healthcare, it was worth so much more.
Georgia Weimer Wheeler, 80, of Fredericksburg passed away Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Mary Washington Hospital. Survivors include her daughter, Deborah A. Wheeler; sisters Joyce Sterne and Bonnie Catherine Samuel; and five nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Edna Weimer; and sister Erma Bowling. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, December 4 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service will be held at Noon on Tuesday, December 5 at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fredericksburg SPCA, 10819 Courthouse Rd., Fredericksburg, Va. 22408. Online guestbook available at covenantfuneralservice.com.
EACH NEW revelation since the first reports of the Harvey Weinstein scandal adds to the discussion about how to deal with sexual harassment and sexual violence in American society.

And yet nobody is talking about what could be one of the most effective ways to attack the problem: Recognizing that pornography consumption is a public health crisis.

In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Robert Stanley, a Georgia man charged with possession of pornographic material.

If the First Amendment means anything, Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote, it means that a State has no business telling a man, sitting alone in his own house, what books he may read or what films he may watch.

After Stanley vs. Georgia, President Lyndon Johnson established a commission to study pornographys effects. The commission (which was 90 percent male and admitted to a paucity of data) concluded that established patterns of sexual behavior ... (are) not altered substantially by exposure to erotica.

The data now show that this understanding is wrong.

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who died in September, convinced generations of young men that the ideal female is large-breasted, young, airbrushed and exists for their pleasure. Porn powerfully imparts these lessons, and more.

According to Mary Anne Layden, director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania, porn is a particularly effective teacher precisely because learning is more permanent when our sympathetic nervous system is aroused, when what is being taught is reinforced through biological rewards, and when we see role models performing the behavior.

Porn does all of those things, stimulating its aroused viewers with dopamine surges while they watch actors engaging in sexual behavior on screen.

What else is porn teaching us? There is evidence that, as one researcher put it, the heavy use of pornography skews the users perception of what is normal in sex and interferes with relationships.

Even more troubling: A late-2015 meta-analysis of the literature on sexual violence and pornography concluded that pornography consumption (is) associated with an increased probability of the use or threat of force to obtain sex, and that both violent and nonviolent porn are implicated.

The connection to assault is at least partly circular: We have a sexual violence problem because we have a porn problem, and vice versa. But at least one study suggests that the porn often comes first: In 2009, researchers found that after controlling for prior tendencies, exposure to sexual media increased sexual aggressiveness in youth.

In addition to damaging intimacy and driving sexual aggression, the evidence is mounting that porn is addictive.

A 2014 study looked at the brain function of men with compulsive sexual behavior: When they watched pornographic videos, their brain activity in some ways mirrored that of drug addicts.

Another study released earlier this year found that the brains of compulsive porn consumers reflected neural and behavioral changes similar to what is observed in substance and gambling addictions.

Statistics from the popular website Pornhub corroborate the addiction thesis. Visitors to the site last year streamed 99 gigabytes of video every second and viewed almost 92 billion videos in total, streaming 4.6 billion hours of porn. According to the website-ranking firm Alexa, Pornhub ranks ahead of Google and Netflix in the daily time each visitor spends on the site.

We can address the dangers of porn just as we do other public health scourges, from smoking to HIV. Once ubiquitous, the cigarette is disappearing from American public life, and the tobacco user who wants to quit can find hundreds of helpful resources by visiting SmokeFree.gov or by downloading government-sponsored smartphone apps.

HIV.gov and MentalHealth.gov, both run by the Department of Health and Human Services, similarly promote sexual and mental health initiatives for U.S. citizens. A NoPorn.gov could educate visitors about porns link to sexual violence and to its tendency to harm relationships, as well as connecting visitors to psychologists who can help end a porn habit.

Even without a concerted governmental response to the problem, others are sounding the alarm. A Reddit group dedicated to porn-consumption cessation has 263,000 members who encourage each others efforts through web forums and memes. The organization Fight the New Drug has reached more than half a million people through presentations to young people across America.

We should not downplay the role of agency in sexual assault, or suggest that solving our sexual-assault problem is simply a matter of not watching porn. Perpetrators of sexual violence have no one and nothing but themselves to blame for their actions, and they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

But conversations about sexual violence must acknowledge the role of porn. We cant spend hours watching strangers engage in the most intimate of actsoften depicted without love or consentand remain unchanged in the way that we look at and treat others.

In Stanley vs. Georgia, Justice Marshall bristled at the thought of government intrusion into our bedrooms: Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control mens minds.

But in an age when the internet can invade every private minute and space, we may be giving porn the power to control our minds. That is just as dangerous.

Zac Crippen is the host, with his wife, Sally, of Vernacular Podcast. He is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin. This column, which was originally published by the Los Angeles Times, was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
Over and over again I hear the request from friends, neighbors and colleagues on both sides of the aisle: Why cant Congress unify and get things done?

But this begs the question: What are we unifying around?

Unity requires an established set of first principles to back up our policy positions. In other words, unity without any shared common beliefs or principles is impossible.

When it comes to unity and toleration, our countrys founding is a beacon to the world. Virginians like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, and their precepts on religious toleration, are at the forefront.

However, now liberalswho previously stood by these beliefshave outright rejected this framework of the Founders and are now cheering the shrouding of Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia.

From the beginning, part of the First Amendment was designed to ensure there would be no establishment of a national religion. And to balance that out, it goes on to require the absolute free expression thereof.

Philosophers and theologians know a society without a moral foundation or religion will eventually crumble. This is why free expression and debate around first principles is crucial.

These original ground rules for engagement across political differences are being violated today.

The original motto at Harvard in 1640 was Truth for Christ and the Church. The founders of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton all shared the Christian faith, but now these schools are the epicenters of anti-Semitism and mocking of the Christian faith.

Similarly, in K12 education, we see that religion, philosophy, or even a system of ethics is no longer taught.

As a college professor for 20 years, I saw the repercussions of this first-hand. It is no surprise that civil discourse has been abandoned when weve raised an entire generation of kids with no moral or ethical grounding.

Anti-religious discourse has escalated to the point that sitting U.S. senators have found it acceptable to make disparaging remarks at confirmation hearings for two presidential nominees, disavowing that a person of faith should hold public office.

We frequently hear love your neighbor as yourselfbut that virtue didnt simply exist, it emerged as a dominant virtue from the very beginning of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Earlier this month, members of Congress took to Twitter to openly mock fellow members who responded in prayer to the horrific mass shooting in a Texas church.

Common sense and decency were thrown out the window by those who stepped onto their soap boxes to belittle people of faith whose response to tragedy was prayer.

Currently, the far Left has no philosophy based in absolute truth or ethics to ground its policy positions. Individuals are begging for unity while also clinging to the norms of a secular society that says all opinions are equal.

If every opinion is equal, if truth is merely relative, if rights are redefined, it becomes impossible to satisfy the calls for unity.

The conservative version of unity allows for conservative and liberal opinions alike to be heard and articulated, both in the political arena and on campuses. The Left doesnt want true competition of ideas or even space for legitimate debate.

I saw this at my own town halls, where instead of respectfully engaging, attendees chose to boo everything I said and yell four-letter words across the church sanctuary while the pastor was praying.

Why is this happening? I suspect it is because the far Left lacks legitimate policy solutions to counter the reality that Obamacare is failing, our economy is stagnant, wages are flat, and our education system is not making our kids competitive with the rest of the world.

In the face of these policy failures, theyve opted to escalate their rhetoric to name-calling. This comes from the same folks who profess that all they want is unity and love.

I am often the target of the hate, despite never running a negative campaign ad.

During the closing days of the recent election here in Virginia, a state senator took to a microphone and called Republicans eviland the crowd roared with laughter and applause in approval.

Adopting bullying tactics and playing identity politics will never bring unity across political differences. Making aggregate and conclusive statements about the morality of entire groups of individuals by lobbing divisive labels is childish and unhelpful.

Differences will always exist, yet sitting down and dialoguing in a respectful manner is a good start and is better than pointing fingers.

We must restore our commitment to a civil society and institutions like the family dinner table, churches and civic organizations. I would challenge individuals of all political persuasions to raise the bar and seek out robust disagreement and debate across the political aisle without talking personalities.

Lets agree to talk substance and avoid all the political theater. And I would hope constituents and members of the media would hold my competition to the same standard.

Rep. Dave Brat represents Virginias 7th congressional district. He can be reached in his Spotsylvania district office at 540/507-7216. This op-ed originally appeared in the Richmond TimesDispatch.
HOW IN THE world did 147 voters in the 28th House District wind up with the wrong ballots on Election Day? That is the question everybody is asking, not only in Fredericksburg, but in all of Virginia as well.

After 55 absentee ballots that arrived the day after the Election Day deadline were discarded, only 82 votes separated the now-certified winner, Republican Bob Thomas, from Democrat Joshua Cole.

The 28th District, which includes part of Fredericksburg and part of Stafford County, has been represented for years by Speaker Bill Howell and Thomas, a Stafford County supervisor, was his hand-picked successor. Nobody anticipated that the contest between Thomas and Cole, a newcomer to politics, would be so close. But it was.

Its still not clear who is responsible for the ballot screw-up. State Elections Commissioner Edgardo Cortes claimed that Fredericksburgs late registrar, Juanita Pitchford, reassigned voters to the wrong House districts in April 2016. If so, nothing was done to correct the error.

A recount in the 28th will determine the final outcome of the election, which could very well determine which party controls the House of Delegates. So the stakes couldnt be higher.

However, one thing is certain: This Election Day debacle was avoidable.

Some voters in Del. Mark Coles 88th District were also given the wrong ballots, but his margin of victory was large enough that they would not have made a difference in the final outcome.

What would have made a difference is the elimination of split precincts, in which voters living in the same precinct are represented by different state legislators. The ill-advised practice of splitting precincts during redistricting creates the ideal conditions for such a scenario. Human error does the rest.

Some precincts were intentionally split by the General Assembly following the 2010 census to meet the population standards being used or to improve the compactness and contiguity of district lines as required by law. Other precincts were split by local registrars.

However, the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed a bill (HB 1409) sponsored by Mark Cole that would have allowed the legislature to make technical adjustments to the legislative district boundaries solely for the purpose of causing district boundaries to coincide with the current boundaries of local voting precincts.

But Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed the measure, even though such technical adjustments had been routinely made in prior years.

The Code of Virginia defines the boundaries of each House district. The 28th includes part of the city of Fredericksburg, comprised of the District 2 (201) and District 4-Precinct 2 (402) Precincts and part of the District 4 (401) Precinct.

According to the State Board of Elections, 147 (or less than half) of the 384 voters in precincts 201 and 402 who were assigned to the wrong district voted in the Nov. 7 election. The question is what to do about the 61 ballots wrongly cast in the 28th and the 86 ballots that should have been cast in the 28th but were not, through no fault of the voters involved. The board needs to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Because theres no legal mechanism available to resolve the dispute, the matter will likely wind up in court, where a judge may order a new election that would invalidate 23,586 correctly cast ballots. If the judge doesnt order a new election, the contested results could then be decided by a nearly split House chamber in what would no doubt be a bitterly contested party-line vote.

Either way, legislative comity and voter confidence in our electoral system would be further weakened.

Banning split precincts during the next redistricting is the easiest and best way to keep this debacle from happening again.
A Pinch of Salt: The election is over, I think, so what now?
Beginning today there will be a new look on the city of Corvallis website, www.corvallisoregon.gov.

Were going to throw the switch in the morning, and youll probably start to see the new site thereafter, said Patrick Rollens, the citys public information officer.

The $40,000 upgrade is a joint project involving Rollens and the citys information technology department. A-Ha Consulting, a subsidiary of Tallahassee, Florida, based Municode, led the redesign project.

The key goal of the upgrade was to make the website more user-friendly for those with mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, which used to have problems displaying pages correctly. Those users now constitute a majority of those who use the citys website, Rollens said.

The site now automatically detects the type of device that a visitor is using to view the site and adjusts the layout and information blocks accordingly.

The citys website debuted in 2002, with minor tweaks in subsequent years and a full-on update that went live in September 2012.

In October, the city held two sneak peek sessions for the new site with city councilors, advisory board members and community members.

We got quite a bit of good feedback, said Rollens, who noted that a lot of the reaction led to fine-tuning of links and navigation.

Several pages for making payments to the city didnt have easily identifiable contact information for the Finance Department. A local business owner identified this during our testing sessions, and we were able to add that information to those pages and several related pages.

The city also attempted with the new website to produce stronger links with Oregon State University by highlighting OSU website resources such as the universitys off-campus living guide.

This will make it easier for OSU parents to discover this resource and pass it along to their kids as theyre preparing to attend the university," Rollens said.
Here are updates on stories that we have been tracking:

Wah Chang

The story: Members of the United Steelworkers are negotiating a new contract with ATI Specialty Alloys and Components, formerly known as Wah Chang, which employs several hundred people at 1600 Old Salem Road in Millersburg.

The latest: A sign recently appeared near the plant taking the company to task for trying to reduce health benefits in contract talks. The sign mentions 515 cancer cases at the plant, a reference to the number of Wah Chang workers who have filed claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. According to the latest numbers, the program has approved the claims of 236 workers, resulting in payments of $39 million in compensation and medical benefits. Claims were denied in 233 cases, leaving 46 still unresolved.

Bennett Hall

Rape trial

The story: Prosecutors charged two men in April with allegedly raping a woman in 2015 in Benton County, according to documents filed in Circuit Court. Authorities allege David Justin Converse, 25, of Toledo, and Larry Anthony Mendoza, 25, of Lincoln City, conspired to sexually assault the woman on Dec. 12, 2015, court documents show. The woman reported the alleged rape to police the following day, according to the documents. Converse and Mendoza have entered not guilty pleas to charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, second-degree sexual abuse, conspiracy to commit first-degree rape, conspiracy to commit first-degree sodomy and conspiracy to commit second-degree sexual abuse. According to court documents, Converse allegedly aided and/or abetted Mendoza in the sexual assault of the alleged victim.

The latest: Circuit Court Judge Matthew Donohue set a trial date Thursday in the case against Converse and Mendoza. The judge scheduled a 12-person jury trial for June 25-29, 2018.

Lillian Schrock

Council email accounts

The story: Members of the Corvallis City Council have two email accounts, one provided by the city (which uses the name of the councilor) and one from Peak Internet (which uses the ward number). The Peak account also automatically archives the email on the citys web site.

The latest: City information technology staff proposed to eliminate the second email account and associated archiving because of its costs, the risk it poses to cyber-attacks and the confusion in the community regarding which email to use to contact a councilor. Several councilors said at the Nov. 6 council meeting that they almost never look at the Peak account  as the Gazette-Times learned when it used the Peak accounts when attempting to poll councilors on their re-election plans. The City Council agreed with the staff recommendation but also directed staff to research public forum alternatives that would help keep the community better informed about council operations.

James Day
Saturday was a classic Corvallis December day: cold, rainy and endlessly gray.

But second-year Oregon State University students Bailey Reynolds and Carrie Sanders said the weather was good for one thing: motivating them to stay inside to study for finals, which start Monday.

I actually enjoy the rain. It creates a good study environment, said Sanders, a bio-health sciences and pre-pharmacy student who with Reynolds was studying early Saturday afternoon at the Learning Innovation Center on campus. Although Sanders said she liked the rain, she admitted to looking forward to spending winter break at home in San Diego.

My family got their Christmas tree today and they are wearing shorts and tee shirts. That will be a nice break from winter," she said.

Reynolds, who will be returning home to Beaverton over the break, said studying for finals is a lot easier in winter term than in spring term, when sunny days can be a distraction.

Reynolds, a biology and pre-medicine student, said the atmosphere on campus changes in the days leading up to finals.

Its a lot quieter. A lot more people are maybe staying home and not out doing things.

Reynolds said she is taking more difficult classes this year than her first year, but she said finals were less intimidating this time around.

I know what to expect with my classes and finals. My classes are harder, but Im less stressed.

Pavan Thakkar, a freshman in computer science, also was studying on campus Saturday. Since this is his first year of finals, he said he was trying to err on the side of studying too much, until he had a better idea what his finals would require.

Ive been trying to discipline myself to study because theres no parents around to make you study, he said.

Thakkar said many of his friends were either done with all the work for their classes or nearly done, and he was looking forward to being done, too.

Once we get it over with we can finally relax and spend time with each other and relax. Until then its pretty stressful, said Thakkar, who is from Portland.

Thakkar said hes enjoyed living on campus so far, but hes in a standard- sized dorm room with two other people, so theyve all had to learn how to share a small space.

Shinyoung Kang, a chemical engineering student from South Korea who spent part of Saturday studying physics on campus, said she was looking forward to finishing the term so she could go home for winter break.

Kang, a second-year student, said shed been hoping this term would be easier than her last term because she was taking fewer credits, but shes actually found the workload worse because her classes are more difficult.

Kang said as an international student it can be challenging to ask questions to her instructors  but her classmates have been a great help to her.

Most people around me are very kind so its been good to get help from them, she said.

Aimee Williams, a sophomore in graphic design, said this year has been more challenging because she has been accepted into her majors professional program.

She worked on a portfolio project in the Memorial Union Saturday afternoon and said she saw a lot of other people on campus to study.

The streets have been kinda dead, but places where people study are really crowded, she said.

Williams, who is from Salem, said she, like many of her fellow students, was ready for the break and to get some time at home.
GA Christmas charity initiative : Post Tower shines Christmas light

Bonn The Post Tower was lit up on Friday and Saturday evening in the spirit of the GA Weichnachtslicht (Christmas Light). It is an annual initiative which raises money to support needy seniors in Bonn and the region.

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From far away, the 150-meter candle could be seen lighting up the Post Tower, a sign of charity and goodwill during the Christmas season. The candle is the symbol used by the General Anzeiger newspaper for its Christmas charity drive which benefits needy senior citizens who live in Bonn and the region.

"Deutsche Post DHL has been supporting the GA charity initiative with various campaigns for many years, and we are very grateful for it," says Bernd Leyendecker, chairman of the Weihnachtslicht campaign.

You might have had the opportunity to see the light on Friday or Saturday evening when it was shining from 8pm until midnight in bright colors - on the eleventh-highest building in Germany.

The Weinhnachtslicht has been a successful charity initiative for 65 years. In the 1950s and 1960s, recipients were given mainly donations of furniture or clothing. Today, the initiative helps more than 3,500 needy senior citizens, supporting them with monetary help. It is the oldest charity campaign of a daily newspaper in Germany. Each cent donated goes directly to the recipients as the GA bears all administrative and other costs.

For anyone who would like to make a donation, a bank transfer can be made to:

Account 4770 at Sparkasse Koln-Bonn (BLZ 370 501 98)

IBAN: DE76 3705 0198 0000 004770

BIC: COLSDE 33

Orig. text: Anke Vehmeier
On Friday, in the morning, overnight guests departed Government House.

Following, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted a morning tea in support of Autism Queensland where the Governor addressed guests and presented the 2017 Creative Futures Recognition Awards.

Following, at Brisbane Boys College, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the final assembly and official farewell of the Headmaster, Mr Graeme McDonald.

In the evening, at the State Library of Queensland, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the Queensland Library Foundations Major Donor Reception where His Excellency addressed guests.
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JACKSONVILLE  The body of a missing 3-year-old North Carolina girl was found in a creek less than a day after her mothers boyfriend was charged with hiding her body after knowing she didnt die of natural causes, authorities said.

Investigators continue to stay tight-lipped about what happened to Mariah Woods. But they left little doubt Earl Kimrey knew how she died and was trying to cover it up. The 32-year-old Kimrey, originally from Mebane, was charged late Friday with concealing of death.

It was too late to save Mariah the moment the 911 call came in, FBI agent Stanley Meador said of the call the girls mother made Monday to report her missing. The arrest warrants are public record and the records speak for themselves. We will not discuss any details related to the homicide investigation.

Kimrey removed the girls body from the place where she died and knew her death was not natural, according to those arrest warrants.

Earlier Saturday, the FBI said it was looking for any surveillance camera video along U.S. 17 or N.C. 53 in Onslow and Pender counties.

Sixteen hours after announcing Kimreys arrest, Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller said the girls body was found by dive teams about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The body was in a creek in Pender County about 25 miles from the home Mariah shared with Kimrey in Jacksonville, FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch said in a statement with few other details. The medical examiner still needs to identify the body, but investigators are confident it is Mariah, Lynch said.

Miller refused to release other details at a news conference.

Mariahs mother said she last saw her daughter when she put her to bed Sunday night.

Kristy Woods made tearful pleas for her daughters return. This is my world, this is my angel, she said.

Kimrey is also charged with obstruction of justice, second-degree burglary, felony larceny and possession of stolen property. Prosecutors are reviewing whether additional charges should be filed.

The statement did not indicate whether Kimrey had a lawyer or if anyone else could also be charged.

Mariahs father, who has been involved in a custody dispute with her mother, has criticized her version of events.

Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didnt cry, she didnt scream? Woods told WCTI-TV in New Bern earlier in the week. Nobody heard anything? Four people in the house, two adults and two kids someone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out?

According to Kimreys Facebook page, he is from Mebane, attended Orange County High School in Hillsborough, and studied HVAC at Alamance Community College in Graham.

Kimrey was convicted of larceny in 2005 in Alamance County, according to the N.C. Department of Safety website. In 2012, he was convicted in Onslow County of assault/threat against government. His most recent conviction was for larceny in Brunswick County in 2015. He received probation for all of these.
GREENSBORO  Guilford Technical Community College is increasing its recruiting and marketing efforts in hopes of reversing a decline in enrollment.

Enrollment at the countys community college peaked at more than 45,000 students in 2012-13. Since then, the college has lost about a quarter of its students.

Enrollment hasnt leveled off yet, GTCC President Randy Parker said Friday. Were investing in everything we can do to see if we can attract and retain students.

GTCC is experiencing what many other two-year technical colleges around the state and nation are seeing: When the economy turns bad, people go back to school to learn new skills. When the economy improves, theyll go back to work.

Enrollment at GTCC  the areas largest higher education institution  rose quickly through the latter half of the past decade before topping out at 45,352 students in 2012-13.

Since then, the student count has declined each year down to about 34,000 at the end of the 2016-17 school year  a drop of 25 percent in five years. Parker noted that enrollment in the colleges for-credit and not-for-credit continuing education programs is about what it was in 2006 before the economic downturn.

To reverse this slide, GTCC hired Clarus Corp., a Nebraska marketing firm that focuses exclusively on community colleges, to study the Guilford County market and the colleges enrollment efforts. GTCC trustees on Friday reviewed the report and its recommendations as well as the colleges plans. Parker said the college paid about $50,000 for the 271-page report.

The report noted some shortcomings. GTCC has only one recruiter responsible for 20 high schools in Guilford County and nine others nearby. Only a small portion of its marketing efforts go toward digital and mobile advertising, which are growing in popularity. Information on the colleges website is detailed in some places and lacking in others.

Also, only about a third of applicants to the college actually enroll. (The national benchmark, according to Clarus, is about 60 percent.) The report said GTCCs enrollment and course selection processes can be cumbersome and confusing, and students often have trouble getting more information by telephone.

In response, GTCC this spring started advertising heavily in traditional (print, radio, TV, billboards) media as well as on social media and on movie theater screens. The college targeted its traditional students  those between 18 and 24 who havent gone to college  and their parents, as well as adults 25 and older who had little to no previous college experience.

The college already has hired several new counselors who will try to keep struggling students from dropping out of school.

In 2018, the college will hire three new high school recruiters who will be based in Guilford County high schools. GTCC also plans to hold more open houses for high school students.

More exposure to the college could help recruitment because some students dont know what sort of careers theyd like to pursue or what GTCC can offer, board member George Clopton said.

When you find out how many different vocations and opportunities there are, you can entice a lot more students if you get more in just to see what the opportunities are, he said.

A redesigned GTCC website expected to launch in March will include information on the colleges programs tailored to high school students and their parents as well as adult students.

Also next year, a new marketing campaign will reach out to recent GTCC students who didnt complete their degrees. The college also is looking at other ways to improve its recruitment, marketing and enrollment efforts. The college will work with Clarus to come up with a five-year plan that will lay out enrollment goals and strategies for reaching those targets.

Were trying to do everything we can in every way we can to identify students who want to come to us,  Parker said. Were a manufacturing community, and we need to have a pipeline of students who are ready to go into the manufacturing sector.
A trial has been scheduled for Roy Moore and it is to be held in Salem, Mass. There, he will be tossed into a lake. If he sinks, he is innocent but dead. If he floats, he is guilty.

Thats pretty much how they did it in Salem during the witch trials in 1692-93. It was not up to the accuser to prove guilt; the accused had to prove their innocence. Apparently, that is a tactic approved by the likes of Republican Congressman Peter King and political commentator Sean Conservative not Republican Hannity, who are calling on Moore, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Alabama, to prove he didnt commit sexual misconduct.

So, goodbye rule of law and presumption of innocence, hello Inquisition. Whats next for Roy or any other man? The Iron Maiden? (Man-hating feminists would approve; aging heavy metal fans, not so much.)

In the meantime, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doesnt need for Moore to confess or prove anything. I believe the women! proclaims McConnell. Even Hillary Clinton once tweeted that survivors of sexual assault have the right to be believed. Of course, she had second thoughts and immediately deleted the statement when a woman allegedly raped by her husband concurred.

Believe women appears to be the mantra of the #MeToo movement, as if simply possessing the bodily accouterments of a female renders ones mouth a prayer book. Would that it were so.

However, that notion has been undermined by some women who have thrown the book at men by falsely accusing them of rape for various reasons  none of them noble  such as revenge or cover-ups. The case of an Illinois man, Gary Dotson, comes to mind.

Falsely accused of rape by Cathy Crowell, 16, Dotson spent six years in prison before Crowell, now Webb, found religion and recanted. Just as some rape victims find their lives shattered, so, too, do those falsely accused of the act. Dotson ultimately became an alcoholic unable to sustain a marriage, fatherhood or employment.

Wed like to believe the women, but weve all read To Kill a Mockingbird. The story centers around an Alabama court case in which a black man is falsely accused of raping a white woman. It has been noted that this story  while a work of fiction  bears some similarities to the trials of the Scottsboro Boys, nine black teenagers falsely accused of rape by two white women and who were originally tried in Scottsboro, Ala.

There are other notable instances of false accusations such as the Duke lacrosse case, in which three players were accused of raping an exotic dancer, and the case of the Groveland Four, a group of black men falsely accused by a white couple. Then there was the notorious Rolling Stone article about A Rape on Campus, which turned out to be false. No one was raped, and no one was harmed by the false accusation, unless you want to count the embarrassment suffered by the University of Virginia.

Today, due to forensic science and DNA testing, false accusations of rape are much more difficult to sustain. But what about accusations of sexual harassment? Thats a tough one  unless you are as devious and evil as Blanche Taylor Moore, who lured her boss-cum-boyfriend into a conference room with promises of sex and came running out, waving his underwear and pants, you might as well give up when it comes to having hard evidence. Unless you can dust a woman for fingerprints, it all comes down to he said/she said.

Life is complicated. Most people find that overwhelming. They want the truth, plain and simple. But, as Oscar Wilde noted, the truth is rarely pure and never simple.

As much as we want to believe the women, we are faced with a dilemma: How do you separate the victimized woman from Potiphars wife? And how to separate the serial abuser from Joseph? That is the quandary that faces us, especially in evaluating charges made decades after the fact.

And how will it be solved? I dont know. But for now, like Teddy Kennedy at Chappaquiddick, we may just have to drive off that bridge when we come to it.
iStock/Thinkstock(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- No charges will be pressed against inspectors responsible for verifying the safety of a thrill ride at the Ohio State Fair on which a malfunction killed a teenager and injured several others.



The Ohio Department of Agriculture decided after an investigation that the four inspectors who deemed the Fireball ride at the Ohio State Fair safe hours before it malfunctioned in July, killing 18-year-old Tyler Jarrell, did not violate any codes, according to a new report.



"The Fireball and ride operator Amusements of America were in compliance with requirements of Ohio law at the time of inspection," the report states. The department will also not fine or penalize the ride operator.



In an email to ABC affiliate WSYX-TV, a department representative wrote, "The Department remains confident in the work of our inspectors."



WSYX-TV reported that attorneys representing Tyler Jarrells family told them that they were waiting for the Department of Agriculture report before filing a wrongful death suit. They have reached out to Fireball manufacturer KMG to ask if they will cooperate in their negotiations.



After the Netherlands-based KMG conducted an investigation, they found that excessive corrosion in the rides support beam led to the accident.



Franklin County Coroner Anahi Ortiz told WSYX-TV that Jarrell suffered head, trunk and lower extremity injuries when the Fireball malfunctioned.



The man's father, Anthony Jarrell, told ABC News, "He was loved and had a future, until the disaster at the Ohio fair."



The U.S. Marine Corps said Jarrell, of Columbus, enlisted with the Marines a week before his death and was scheduled to attend basic training in 2018.



"He wanted to be in the Infantry or serve as a combat engineer," the Marine Corps said. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tyler Jarrells family and all of those affected by his loss. The Marines here are greatly saddened by this tragedy. We are truly proud to have known him as one of the brave few willing to step up and serve his country."



In addition to one fatality, seven people were also injured -- several critically -- and have been identified by authorities as Tamika Dunlap, 36; Russell Franks, 42; Keziah Lewis, 19; Jacob Andrews, 22; Jennifer Lambert, 18; and Abdihakim Hussein, 19. A 14-year-old boy was injured but his name has not been publicly released.



A spokesperson from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said it is aware of 22 deaths associated with amusement attractions since 2010, including the incident at the state fair, but excluding waterpark and work-related fatalities.



The CPSC estimates there were 30,900 injuries "associated with amusement attractions" at emergency rooms in 2016 -- a 14.2 percent increase since 2013, which saw 27,054 such injuries.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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Haiti - Religion : The new Our Father comes into effect this Sunday





The Catholic Bishops of Haiti (CEH), gathered in Ordinary Plenary Assembly at the headquarters of the CEH in Lilavois from November 27 to December 1, 2017 decided the application of new standards including the entry into force of new Our Father this weekend as is the case on a global scale.



1) On December 3rd, 1st Sunday of Advent, the new formula of the "Our Father" (for the Francophone liturgy) will officially enter into force in any form of public liturgy. The Catholic faithful will be invited to say from now on, Ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation instead of "Ne nous soumets pas a la tentation". The Church believes as it prays. If the old translation of the Our Father questions us because we can understand that God is testing us by asking us for evil, the new is more in keeping with the meaning of the text and especially with the face of the Father that Jesus revealed to us : "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man" (James 1, 13). It is not God, but the devil who tempts man. What we are actually asking of the Lord is not to let ourselves take the path that leads to sin. We must see in this change of formula an opportunity to explain and to deepen the question of who is God for each of us, a loving and compassionate Father who is always at our side. Temptation is a reality every day and we must stay awake : "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 P 5, 8). Our life on this earth is a struggle and prayer is the key to victory. Asking God the strength to fight temptation is a giant step towards a heart decision that says no to evil. The sixth request of the "Our Father" awakens us to the proper vigilance of the man who is in permanent combat. Let us give thanks to Jesus for the prayer of the "Our Father", to the Church our Mother, who teaches us the meaning and who watches over the prayer and the faith of the people of God.







2) The following use, which we expressly disapprove, must stop: here and there, it happens that, during the patron saint festivities or on other occasions, we give the floor to men and women politicians during the Eucharistic celebration. Any instrumentalization of the liturgy is unacceptable. The Eucharistic liturgy or the Mass is the place, the space where only the Word of God must be read, proclaimed, commented upon and proposed. It is not a forum or a political arena. Pope Francis emphasized with force that "Mass is not a spectacle, but a meeting with the Lord". We hope that through the careful application of the liturgical norms recalled in this Note, "The action of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist meets fewer obstacles due to human frailty, and that, if we manage to rule out any abuse and banish all illicit use, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Eucharistic Woman, the salvific presence of Christ shines on all men in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood".



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/12/03 | Source

The apartment building in Seoul where Choi Soon-sil's daughter Chung Yoo-ra lives, pictured on Saturday /Yonhap

An armed robber was caught Saturday in the home of the estranged daughter of Choi Soon-sil, who is at the center of the massive corruption scandal that brought down President Park Geun-hye.

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The robber got into a physical altercation with a man identified as the groom of the daughter's horses and was arrested when police arrived at the scene.

Police said the 44-year-old man, who was identified by his surname Lee, entered Chung's apartment building in Sinsa-dong, Seoul on Saturday afternoon disguised as a parcel delivery man. He threatened the guard with a fake pistol, but the guard called his bluff and he drew a knife instead.

Lee took the guard hostage and entered the elevator to the sixth floor, where Chung Yoo-ra (21) lives. Her child and nanny were also there at the time.

When the nanny opened the door, Lee forced his way into the home and bound the guard's hands with zip ties. Lee then shouted, "Chung Yoo-ra, come out!" But instead the groom showed up and began to scuffle with Lee.

The groom was wounded in the abdomen during the scuffle. Police arrived shortly afterwards and arrested Lee. The groom was taken to a nearby hospital but his injury did not prove serious.

He assisted Chung during her days on the run in Denmark and continued to watch over her after she returned to Seoul in June of this year.

Chung waited outside as he was undergoing surgery and answered questions from police. Lee told police that he tried to rob Chung's house because he is in financial difficulties. He said he racked up around W24 million in credit card debt (US$1=W1,087).

The unemployed man said he found Chung's address on the Internet and planned the robbery for a week. He has no criminal record. But Police said they are investigating whether Lee was acting on someone's instructions or is part of a gang.

Chung has requested police protection. Police said three officers will accompany Chung when she ventures out of her home, and she will also wear a pager to alert police in emergencies.

Read this article in Korean
Published on 2017/12/03 | Source

A high-speed KTX rail service between Seoul and Gangneung, Gangwon Province will begin operating late next month, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Monday.

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Advance bookings can be made from Thursday for trains scheduled to begin service on Dec. 22. The service is intended to accommodate travel to the venues of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

It will operate 18 times a day on weekdays -- with 10 departures from Seoul Station and eight from Cheongnyangni Station -- and 26 times on weekends. A one-way ticket to Gangneung will cost W27,600 from Seoul Station and W26,000 from Cheongnyangni (US$= W1,089).

The service will reduce travel time from Seoul to Gangneung from 6.5 hours by regular train to 1.5-2 hours.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2017/12/02

The main audience for "I Am Hopeman" is just Korean Presbyterian laypeople. The documentary explains what their donation money to the Cambodia Mission has been doing. It's a progress report that's been quite a long time in the making. When director Na Hyun-tae started out, the Hope School was just an elementary school. The main struggle was getting students to attend at all. The documentary ends with a graduation ceremony of their first high school class.

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When staffpeople of the school make their pitch to parents, daily economic reality is the main factor they have to fight against. The children themselves are skeptical- one big selling point is that they do not need to be at school all day, which means they can still spend some time searching for recyclable trash at the dump. It's gratifying watching the staff, through sheer effort, making enough in-roads that upgrading the school becomes a full-on community project, because that's how good their reputation has become.

It is, if nothing else, a substantative improvement over the documentary's more lurid moments. One particularly gross scene involves people eating larva-infested food, because they can't afford to just throw it away. These scenes are not presented as shock value or misery porn, but from the Cambodian perspective as being normal daily reality. Considering that this is the environment where the staffpeople have to make their pitch, it's easy to see why they consider their religious mission so important.

It feels odd calling this a religious mission, though, since aside from an out of place Passion Play near the end, the school's operations are largely secular. There's reading, writing, and arithmetic, even to teenagers who lack the ability to read at a grade school level. Students are encouraged to think in terms of dreams, of what they want to do for the future. Family planning is discussed, as students are encouraged to marry and have children late to help break the cycle of poverty.

There's no sense of judgment or negativity. Another late scene features a mother who works at a bar, not as a bartender or a waitress, but as a woman whose job it is to have drinks with customers. Ugh. It's a fitting contrast to earlier exposition of younger girls with the same job. Neither the camera, nor the churchpeople, go after the sinner in any way. The tone is always, these poor girls, they just want better lives, and we just want to help them.

The dedication is quite sincere. The school's headmaster suffers from Parkinson's, and we frequently see him helpless on the ground, even as children play around him, trying to recover from a relapse. Wouldn't he be better off resting at home? Well no, because his purpose in life, and his family's purpose is to provide a hopeful future for the students at the school. Their happiness is his best medicine. That the headmaster and his family are steadfast to this mission even in the face of tragedy is quite touching. I hope they keep up the good work.

Review by William Schwartz

"I Am Hopeman" is directed by Na Hyun-tae.
Published on 2017/12/03 | Source

Travelers are trapped at an airport in Bali on Monday. /AFP-Yonhap

Hundreds of Koreans are among tourists trapped in Bali, Indonesia amid fears that Mount Agung could erupt any moment.

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The volcano has been spewing plumes of smoke and red-hot ashes since last week. There have been four minor eruptions since Saturday, with smoke billowing 2,500 to 3,000 m into the air and dangerous cold lava flowing down the sides of the mountain.

All flights are grounded as the eruption alert is raised to the highest level.

The estimated area of damage has increased from 6 to 10 km. According to the BBC, Indonesian officials have ordered 100,000 residents to evacuate, but only 30,000 had left as of Tuesday.

The local airport has been closed, while the nearest airport in Lombok is opening only intermittently.

According to the Foreign Ministry here, 575 Koreans remain trapped in Bali. The ministry has sent a response team to Bali to deal with the situation and is considering sending a chartered plane to bring them back home.

An eruption of Mt. Agung in 1963 eruption killed 1,600 people and spewed a billion tons of volcanic ashes into the atmosphere, causing the earth's temperature to drop by 0.2 to 0.3 degrees Celsius for a year. At the time, the mountain began spewing ashes in February and erupted in March and May.

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HICKORY - Hickory Elks Lodge 1654 announced that this years sixth annual Food and Funds Drive surpassed its goal once again, donating more than $28,000 and a truckload of food to the Catawba County Backpack Program.

Donations start pouring in each year in September from lodge members, the community, charitable grants and businesses. The fundraiser ended with a barbecue chicken dinner and music with The Cameron Matthews Band and dance on Nov. 4.

Its not about how much we give but about helping those that need help in our community, said Carole Anderson, committee chair.

The Backpack Program became a major project for our lodge six years ago when we realized there was a waiting list for the Backpack Program, that children were left off the program because there was just not enough food. The program is funded 100 percent by donations, and we quickly knew this was something we had to do.

Our members care about others and have a sincere desire to help. We feel that childhood hunger is a problem in our community that can be solved and that we can make a difference. With support from the Elks National Foundation, the Lady Elks of Hickory, the Past Exalted Rulers, the Ballenger Estate, the Munoz family, the Dagenhardt family, the Herndon family, King Hickory Furniture, Broyhill Furniture, Huntington House Furniture, Taylor King Furniture and many members of our lodge and community donations, over 200 children will go home with food every weekend over the school year.

Backpack Program coordinator, Amanda Freeland accepted the $28,000 check at the Hickory Elks Lodge on Saturday on Nov. 18 during the lodges ham breakfast.

The Elks continue to be our largest donor to the program by surpassing each year the previous years donations, Freeland said. I look forward each year to being a part of this great organization with their commitment to our community and truly making a difference.

The community program serves children from elementary school to high school by providing a backpack full of healthy food each weekend throughout the school year. The Backpack Program relies on donations from local individuals, churches, businesses and service organizations. Its sole mission is to remove hunger as a barrier to good education and reduce the impact of poverty on children and families.

To learn more about the Hickory Elks Lodge or the Catawba County Backpack Program, contact Anderson at caroleanderson@charter.net or Freeland at afreeland@catawbacountync.gov.
*On Sunday, Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) will take out a 34-km long yatra covering four assembly seats in Surat city. Except for a rally by Rahul Gandhi on November 3, Congress has held no show of strength in politically significant Diamond City.

*On Friday, PAAS opened its central office in Ahmedabad east to manage its anti-BJP campaign.

*On November 29, Hardik held a massive rally in chief minister Vijay Rupanis constituency Rajkot West. Congress is yet to hold a major rally in this main city of Saurashtra that elects 48 legislators.

*In the rest of Saurashtra that votes on December 9, Hardik holds rallies almost daily. Congress is banking solely on Gandhis visits.

The above campaign roadmap of PAAS, which enjoys the support of lakhs of young Patidars and financial backing from the communitys businessmen, reflects how the outfit is emerging as the BJPs main opposition instead of the Congress.

The 132-year-old Congress, which has been out of power for more than two decades, is relying heavily on the two-year-old PAAS, which came into existence, primarily to demand reservation benefits for Patidars in education and government jobs.

Unfortunately, the Congress, which ruled Gujarat for nearly 30 years before the BJP came to power in 1995, does not have cadre, observes political analyst Shirish Kashikar.

On the other hand, lakhs of Patidar youth who relate to the quota issue have become foot soldiers for PAAS, he says.

High on aggression and enthusiasm, the PAAS workers often do the ground work and then Congress leaders take over.

This working model was seen on November 24, when PAAS members interrupted the opening of BJP election offices in Surat and police detained 30 PAAS workers and three Congress candidates. It is highly active in areas dominated by Patidars, who account for 12% of Gujarats 60 million population and can influence results of over 60 of the182 seats.

We are opposing the BJP. So Congress clearly stands to gain from the hard work of our workers, said PAAS co-convener Dinesh Bambhania.

PAAS has opened offices in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Dhrangdhra and Morbi. All these are small spaces allotted by community members to extend their support to our mission, said Bambhania.

From these offices, we plan our rallies, manage door-to-door campaigns and distribute election material, said Himanshu Hirpara, in-charge of the Ahmedabad office.

Vandana Patel, a former PAAS member who joined Congress last month, continues to work with her old colleagues. The immediate task on hand is distribution of leaflets appealing Patidars not to vote for the BJP.

Like any political party, PAAS has its own flag which has a picture of a farmer with Gujarats map in a blue and red background.

Songs and videos are also part of their campaigning which they do sporting the Nehru cap with Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar slogans on it. These flags and caps can easily be spotted in Gandhis rallies in Patidar pockets.

Hardiks speeches, after he declared support to Congress on November 22 by accepting its quota formula, are no longer about reservation. He now asserts on defeating the BJP for unleashing atrocity on the community and failing to do any vikas (development).

It is PAAS volunteers who are trying to mobilise voters while their immensely popular 24-year-old leader Hardik is driving the oppositions message home, said Kashikar.

The popular social media campaign vikas gando thayo che (development has gone crazy) was the brainchild of a PAAS supporter, which went on to become one of the themes of Gandhis statewide campaign.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gandhi have dedicated teams for live webcast of their rallies, Hardiks public meetings are streamed live on Facebook by several youths voluntarily.

Even authorities are now seeing PAAS as a major player in this election, although the outfit is not registered as a political party. Earlier this week, state election officer B B Swain had said that Hardiks rallies too are being monitored for various aspects, including campaign content and financing.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a no-holds-barred attack on the Congress and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi, blaming them for the countrys problem .

The Congress is associated with every evil; be it corruption, nepotism, castesim and more, Modi said at a rally in Rajkot, a town in Patidar-dominated Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The youths of Gujarat will never accept the Congress.

The Congress is pinning its hope on Patidars and their pro-reservation movement to return to power in Gujarat after a gap of 21 years. Gujarat goes to polls on December 9 and 14.

Modi, who ruled the state between 2001 and 2014, said the Congress must introspect on its current position.

In the Rajkot rally, he tried to strike a chord with all key sections of his audience  youth, farmers, businessmen and women  as he dished out figures to prove that Gujarat progressed phenomenally under the BJP.

The PM accused Congress of resorting to divisive politics, one that pits castes against each other, and referred to the opposition partys organisational election to elevate Rahul Gandhi as rigged.

One doesnt have democracy in his home (party), how can the person practice it in the country.

He referred to Congress leaders  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai (both from Gujarat)  to suggest that they did not get their due because the partys internal elections were rigged.

Modi said demonetisation, the November 2016 decision to recall high-value bank notes, brought Congress leaders to tears since they lost all money looted from poor.

He listed cheaper stents, savings on power bills because of LED bulbs, cheaper home loans and similar programmes as his governments efforts to make life better for Indians. Modi, seen as the BJPs strongest mascot, focussed on pro-poor narrative while talking about his achievements, a counter to the allegation from its arch-rival that it supported only industrialists.

Modi spoke of Indias improved ranking on economic indicators in recent surveys by international agencies and its growing global stature, suggesting it was possible because people brought a government in Delhi with full majority after 30 years.

Indias rise in the world stage has rattled many. They are going out of the way to discredit the rankings. Yes that is fine but will they also discredit the people of UP who have rejected them comprehensively, Modi said.

The PM made a veiled attack on his Harvard-educated predecessor, Manmohan Singh, saying the world has realised that hard work delivers more results than a Harvard education.

Modi also invoked Gujarati pride, saying the people of the state now have a prime minister who can call 400-500 Gujaratis by their name. He also brought up his Rajkot roots -- he was elected from the city once -- during the rally there.

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A judicial commission report on death of RK Jain, the then deputy commissioner, commercial tax, Madhya Pradesh in custody of special police establishment (SPE) of Lokayukta was tabled in the state assembly on Thursday during its winter session, as many as eight years after it was submitted to the state government.

Jain who was caught by a trap party of SPE while he was allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 2000 on July 14, 2004 and detained in custody was taken to Hamidia hospital at 9 am the next day in a serious condition where he was declared dead in the afternoon.

The report finds several police personnel responsible for death of Jain while opining that he had been tortured mentally and physically during the custody.

The one-member judicial commission was first headed by RH Sharma, the then district and sessions judge, Shajapar and later Gulab Singh Solanki, the then district judge (vigilance), MP High Court, Jabalpur. The commission submitted its report to the government on April 30, 2009.

The police personnel accused of torturing Jain include the then superintendent of police in charge MS Nain, inspectors BP Singh and KS Solanki, head constable Badri Nihale, constables Ramsheesh and Sivvanush Tirki and officers and employees of special police establishment. They faced a criminal case too under sections 330, 304, 323/34 of IPC. An FIR was lodged against them and judicial commission inquiry ordered only after commercial tax department employees who were agitated over the incident took to streets.

Head constable Badri Prasad was found guilty by the district and sessions court, Bhopal and he was sentenced to imprisonment of five years and a fine or Rs 5000 in 2013. He was later sacked from service. MS Nain faced a department enquiry and his pension was withheld permanently. Constable Ramasheesh was dismissed from service. BP Singh died in 2016. KS Solanki was punished with a fine of Rs 5000 while Tirkis services had been transferred to Chhattisgarh and the state government of MP requested the CG government to take action against him, states the judicial commission report.

The commission concluded in its report, RK Jain was detained in police custody from July 14, 2004 night to July 15, 2004 morning (till 8 am) in unhealthy conditions and he was subjected to mental and physical torture as a result of which he was admitted to Hamidia hospital with injuries in his head and near dead condition at 9 am. MS Nain, BP Singh, KS Solanki, Badri Nihale, Ramasheesh, Silvanush Tirki and officers and employees of special police establishment are responsible for the same.

The commission also opined that when Jain was admitted to the hospital he was already brain dead. Injuries marks on the body of Jain were results of torture on him.

In a castigating remark on Dr DK Satpathy, the then director Medico Legal Institute, the commission said it didnt agree with opinion of Dr Satpathy that the 16x12 CM contusion in the head was a simple injury.

In the opinion of commission an experienced person like Dr DK Satpathy describing the head injuries as a simple injury is really disappointing. His opinion seems to be the result of any pressure or any other reason which is best known to him, opined the commission.

Dr Satpathy who is also an accused in multi-layered Vyapam scam couldnt be reached upon his comment.

Talking to the Hindustan Times home minister Bhupendra Singh said he would like to comment on the report only after looking into this. He will also look into why tabling of the report in the state assembly was delayed.
Nargis Fakhri says she has her own places to stay in every city she travels to, thereby squashing rumours that she is staying here at producer Uday Chopras bungalow.

In Mumbai for a few days, Nargis spoke about being away from the city, her new projects, marriage plans and how she doesnt pay attention to rumours.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. Where have you been? Youve missing from the hub of Bollywood for a good one year?

Its closer to two years. Where have I been? Oh, here there and everywhere. I was mostly in New York. Thats where my mom lives, so thats where I am most likely to be. However, currently I am living in Los Angeles.

Q. Hollywood, huh?

Nothing like that. Although Im not averse to doing films in any part of the world. I did a big Hollywood film, remember?

Q. Oh yes, Paul Feigs Spy where you kicked some serious ass?

Thats right. Im very comfortable doing action. Not so comfortable doing the Bollywood gyrations and pelvic thrusts.

Q. You have always been a misfit here?

I wont deny that. I have hardly friends in Mumbai, only two. One of them is Sunaina Bhatnagar who recently directed that very beautiful film Dear Maya. The other is a dress designer. Thats it. Otherwise, its all working relationships in Mumbai. Its strange, because I make friends easily wherever I go. But not in Mumbai. Here its just work.

Q. Why the lack of friends in Mumbai and not in other parts of the world?

I have never been able to figure it out. I guess my disappointment and caution go back to my first Hindi film Rockstar, where I thought I was making friends for life with the team. When the film got over, they all moved on. That shocked me and left me with mixed feelings about the experience.

Q. You mean the Rockstar experience decided your future relationships in Bollywood?

Yes, kind of. I realized people here are only together to work.

Q. So are you in Mumbai for work?

Yes, a couple of projects are happening. Then I am off again to LA. I am not back in Mumbai until April now. The Bollywood projects that I am doing will be shot outside India.

Q. In Mumbai, there are rumours that you are staying with Uday Chopra and his family?

No, thanks. I am have my own place to stay in. In fact, I have a home everywhere that I work... Not homes owned by me, just places on rent. You will be stunned when you see my key-ring. Its got a key to open locks in every city that I go to. Luckily, the keys are colour co-ordinated with the locks.

Q. What about the rumours of your Mumbai residence being the late Yash Chopras bungalow?

I cant even begin to respond to rumours because I dont pay attention to them. I dont read whats written about me. Because when I do, I wonder if thats really me they are writing about?

Q. So when is the nomad-gypsy settling down?

I like that description. Nomad, a gypsy... Thats me. I am a butterfly. You cant pin me down. If you put me in a jar, Ill suffocate. I cant be in any one place for too long. When you ask when I am settling down, you sound like my mother. She is the only one who asks me this question.

Q. So let me be the second?

Its not as if I dont want to settle down. But the man has to be as footloose as me. He must love to travel as much as I do.

Q. So when does Mumbai see you next?

Hopefully April. Until then, adios.
Sridevis daughter Jahnvi Kapoor is busy shooting for her debut film Dhadak in Udaipur. It looks like mommy dearest, Sridevi, has decided to join her in Rajasthan. Janhvi shared a picture of them together and the two can be seen smiling. Also, seen in the picture was ace Bollywood fashion designer Manish Malhotra.

Janhvi wrote, #Selfie from the first day of shooting #Dhadak #onset.

Dhadak is a Hindi remake of hit Marathi film Sairat, which tells the love story of an upper caste girl with a lower caste boy. The film, directed by Nagraj Manjule, went on become one the highest grossing Marathi films ever, making an estimated Rs 110 crores in worldwide collections.

Dhadak is being produced by Karan Johar and directed by Shashank Khaitan. Janhvi might be just about ready to maker her debut, but she is a bonafide star already, if her Instagram posts and her presence at various awards functions and fashion shows are anything to go by.

Dhadaks other star Ishaan Khatter, meanwhile, has already finished a film with veteran Iranian director Majid Majidi called Beyond the Clouds. The film will mark his Bollywood debut. Ishaan also won the best actor prize at International Bosphorus Film Festival in Turkey for his performance in Majidis film. Ishaan dedicated the award to his mother Neelima Azim and his director Majidi.

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Salil Satish Parekh, who lost out to Vishal Sikka the last time Infosys was hunting for a new chief executive officer in 2014, has now been tasked with leading the company a little over four months after Sikkas acrimonious exit from Infosys, with chairman Nandan Nilekani and the board of Indias second largest outsourcing firm putting their faith on a technology industry veteran of nearly three decades.

The appointment of Parekh, who was a top executive at global IT services giant Capgemini prior to his latest assignment, marks the second successive time that Infosys has chosen a rank outsider to helm the company, after being run by its founders for the better part of its first three decades of existence.

Yet, unlike with Sikka, Infosys has also somehow played it safe by anointing Parekh, who unlike Sikka, comes armed with plenty of experience of negotiating multi-million dollar outsourcing deals, which are staple for Infosys and its peers such as TCS, Wipro and US-based Cognizant Technology Solutions. Sikka, on the other hand, came into Infosys in 2014 with the reputation of a strong products and technology leader, but with virtually no experience in the outsourcing industry.

Parekhs appointment drew immediate praise from Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, who had a bitter and public fallout with the previous board of Infosys and Sikka during the months preceding his ouster.

I am happy that Infosys has appointed Mr Salil Parekh as the CEO. My best wishes to him, said Murthy in a statement to Mint.

Unlike Sikka, Parekh is not flashy nor gregarious and is considered to be more amenable to the founders of the company, according to two executives. Parekh being a more understated executive is reflected by the fact that there is not much publicly available about the 53-year old executive, who is an IIT-Bombay graduate and Cornell university alumnus.

Parekh also comes in with the reputation of being a leader adept at executing well in the world of IT services -- something that co-founder and current chairman Nandan Nilekani prizes immensely and has alluded to in recent press conferences and media statements.

We are delighted to have Salil joining as the CEO & MD of Infosys. He has nearly three decades of global experience in the IT services industry. He has a strong track record of executing business turnarounds and managing very successful acquisitions. The Board believes that he is the right person to lead Infosys at this transformative time in our industry. The Board is also grateful to Pravin for his leadership during this period of transition, said Nilekani on Saturday.

Parekh, who held the designation of CEO of Capgeminis UK, Asia and financial services businesses, will be the sixth CEO of Infosys, which was started in 1981 by seven middle-class engineers, including founder NR Narayana Murthy and Nilekani. Parekh, who is currently based out of Mumbai, will relocate to Bengaluru, which houses Infosyss headquarters.

Interestingly on Saturday, Capgemini put out a separate press release, saying that Parekh decided to leave the Group in the context of the recent managerial evolutions communicated in October. Capgemini appointed two chief operating officers in October.

Mint could not immediately verify whether Parekh left Capgemini because he was not elevated to the role of COO.

Salil has relinquished his responsibilities within the Group and his managerial transition is already in place. His departure will be effective on January 1st, Capgemini said on Saturday.

Capgemini reported Euro 12.5 billion ($14.9 billion) in revenue for the last year as against Infosys ending with $10.2 billion in revenue for the year ended March 2017. However, Capgeminis market cap of 16.35 billion euros ($19.45 billion) is less than Infosyss market cap of $33.6 billion.

Parekh, joined Capgemini in 2000 after the company bought the consulting arm of Ernst and Young.

Parekh will start his new job at Infosys in January, which indicates that he will have a three-month period to get familiar with the nearly 200,000-strong company.

For now, Infosys has already scaled back its revenue outlook to at-best 6.5% in constant currency terms, as against at-best 8.5% growth outlined at the start of the financial year. This means Infosys has tempered street expectations and analysts believe that the company will be scrutinised on its performance in next year.

You got to give credit to Nandan for he has already taken pressure off from the new CEO by cutting back growth, said a Mumbai-based analyst at a foreign brokerage, on the condition of anonymity.

After a comprehensive global search effort, we are pleased to appoint Salil as the CEO & MD. He was the top choice from a pool of highly qualified candidates, said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, head of nomination and remuneration committee. With his strong track record and extensive experience, we believe, we have the right person to lead Infosys.

Experts tracking Infosys lauded Parekhs appointment, but cautioned that the new CEO would need to be given enough freedom to effect a meaningful transition at Infosys, without interference from the founders.

So Infosys appears to have played it safe as the company a bad experience of earlier appointing an American CEO based out of US, said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy firm InGovern Research. Salil has grown along with the Indian IT services industry, and has experience working out of India, and is going to be based out of Bengaluru.

One hopes that Promoters give the new MD his own space and do not interfere, added Subramanian.
The father of an infant who was wrongly declared dead by a private hospital in Delhi has alleged that the doctors demanded Rs 50 lakh to keep the baby alive and another Rs 35,000 to improve the chances of his wifes survival.

These accusations are part of the FIR have registered by police on the complaint of Ashish Kumar, the father of the baby boy declared dead by the Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh on November 30.

The baby, who was born prematurely, was found to be alive when the family was taking the body for final rites. His twin sister was still born.

Doctors said if we keep the baby in the nursery, it will cost Rs 50 lakh, Kumar told the police.

Expressing concern, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded a law to check negligence and loot by private hospitals.

Whereas we value the independence of pvt hospitals and do not wish to interfere in their functioning, however, there ought to be a legal framework to check open loot and criminal negligence by a few blacksheep, he tweeted on Sunday.

Whereas we value the independence of pvt hospitals and do not wish to interfere in their functioning, however, there ought to be a legal framework to check open loot and criminal negligence by a few blacksheep https://t.co/EDpJrlCxyk  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 3, 2017

Kumar, quoting doctors treating the critically ill baby at another hospital, also told police the infant had contracted an infection after being wrapped in a plastic bag by the Max Hospital.

At the time of admission, the doctors also said his wife, Varsha, had 15% chances of survival and advised three injections costing Rs 35,000, Kumar alleged.

His father-in-law, Praveen Malik, had told Hindustan Times on Saturday the hospital had said the boy could survive but would require months of ventilator support that would cost around Rs 45-50 lakh.

The Delhi Police have registered a case of attempt to culpable homicide against the hospital, which has called the incident unfortunate and sent the doctor concerned on leave awaiting inquiry.

The hospital was yet to respond to the notice to join the investigation, deputy commissioner of police north-west Aslam Khan said on Sunday.

We are also analysing the medical records and the CCTV footage to establish who were the doctors responsible for the treatment and we will question them, she said.

The Delhi government, too, has initiated a probe and health minister Satyendar Jain has said the hospital could lose licence if found guilty of negligence.

Though there was a slight improvement in the babys condition, he continued to be critical, Kumars brother Deepak said.

The Max Hospital case comes a few days after the family of a seven-year-old girl who died of dengue complained that they were charged Rs 18 lakh for the treatment by the Fortis Hospital in Gurgaon.

Besides expensive medicines, they were billed for 660 syringes and 2,700 gloves during her 15-day hospital stay, they said.

Indias public healthcare system is woefully inadequate, battling shortage of equipment and staff.

The country has a little over one million modern medicine doctors to treat its population of 1.3 billion people. Of these, only around 10% work in the public health sector, the National Health Profile 2017 data shows.

People have little choice but to turn to private hospitals, which are expensive and often accused of overcharging and negligence.
The recent decision by Trivendra Singh Rawat cabinet to run the loss incurring Sitarganj sugar mill on public private partnership (PPP) mode has not gone well with farmers and employees of the mill. The crushing season of the mill that was scheduled to start this month has been postponed and the cane growing farmers are clueless as to what to do with their crop.

The Sitarganj cooperative sugar mill was established in 1984 by veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari. Over the years, due to mismanagement, it has incurred a loss of Rs 400 crore. Before this mill came into existence, farmers would send their crops to a mill in neighbouring Rampur district, now in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 7 thousand cane growing farmers are directly associated with the mill.

In the initial phase, Sitarganj sugar mill had a 12,500 quintal of cane crushing capacity per day and in 1991-92, with the addition of new plants, the capacity was stepped up to 25,000 quintals per day. Despite the crushing capacity of the mill being enhanced, it started making losses due to various factors including high production cost.

The government has taken a decision (to operate the mill on PPP mode) at a time when crushing season was about to begin. This leaves us with no other option. If there is no crushing, we fear that the crop might dry in the field, said Prakash Tiwari, a farmer.

Vineet Joshi, general manager of the sugar mill said that they were ready to begin the crushing, but now the management is clueless.

We were ready with the machinery and establishment of sugarcane purchase centres. Now we are awaiting fresh order from the department on whether to start the mill, said Joshi.

Saurabh Bahuguna, MLA of Sitarganj, said, I was in constant touch with the sugarcane minister Prakash Pant on this and wanted the loss making unit to be operated on PPP mode in the interest of government and farmers. The mill is reeling under heavy loss and it is increasing every year. In this condition, we have no option other than PPP mode. Though, this process will take time, farmers should not be worried because government will purchase sugar cane from farmers and supply to Kichha, Bajpur, and Nadehi sugar mill in the district.
Amid growing unrest over expansion of urban local bodies (ULBs) in Uttarakhand, BJP said that it will ask the state government to reconsider its decision in areas where the protests were intense. The BJP-led state government had given a go-ahead for merger of several rural body areas with the adjoining ULBs earlier this year.

We will ask the government to reconsider its decision in areas where there is excessive protest from the public, said BJP state president Ajay Bhatt. He, however, added that at most places, the protests were politically motivated by local elected representatives who feared losing their seats in polls. We will identify areas where protests are being carried out based on genuine concerns by the locals, he said.

Civic polls are set to be held in Uttarakhand in April next year.

The government, however, doesnt appear to be on the same page as that of the party on this front.

Urban development minister Madan Kaushik said that the process of bringing about changes in local body areas had been rolled out only after following the due procedure.

We have given a green signal for changes in ULB areas but only after following the due norms. Proposals (for expansion of areas) were sought through the respective district magistrates and objections on the proposals were called and duly disposed of, so theres no question of going back on this, said Kaushik.

Uttarakhand Congress, meanwhile, has announced to launch a massive stir against what it calls the BJP governments irrational move to expand ULBs, which was first given the cabinets nod in September this year.

Congress workers will stage protests at all the 13 district headquarters on December 7, the day when the state assemblys winter session will begin at Gairsain in Chamoli district. Former minister Mantri Prasad Naithani has even threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the BJP government doesnt change its mind on the issue.

This expansion of ULBs will not only threaten the existence of panchayati bodies in the areas concerned, but will also make the agricultural land in rural belts adjoining towns vulnerable (to encroachment and blatant constructions). Neither the locals and the three-tier panchayati body leaders were taken into confidence before initiating such a move, said Naithani, pointing out how, till now, civic facilities had failed to improve in those rural areas that were included in the ULBs in the past.

It may be recalled that the state government has carried out expansion of around 42 ULBs by merging nearby villages into their municipal limits, triggering angry protests in many parts of the state, primarily because the five-year tenure of all panchayati raj institutions of Uttarakhand (except in Haridwar district) is scheduled to end in 2019.

In Dehradun alone, representatives of 60 villages that were proposed to be included in the Dehradun municipal corporation had come together to form a save village committee in June and protested for days against their proposed inclusion in the Doon civic body.

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Days after the BJP stormed to power in Uttarakhand, a beat watcher was crushed to death by a tractor trolley when he along with several others gave a chase to vehicles laden with illegally mined riverbed material near the banks of Kosi river in Ramnagar.

The brazen killing of Pehelwan Singh by the mining mafia was then billed as the first major political test for the newly installed Trivendra Singh Rawat-led BJP government. Singhs murder on March 24 took place hours after members of a quarrying mafia fired upon a beat officer near Baur river in Kaladhungi.

Earlier, on March 22, a tiger killed a forest guard while he along with two other officials was returning after routine patrolling in Kalagarh range. Another forest guard was killed on May 18, this time by a leopard, in the forest adjacent to the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The forest guard was on night patrol and was apparently killed while he was returning from duty.

They werent the first incidents of mining and quarrying mafia or wildlife and wildlife criminals taking on the mountain states first line of defence in fight for conservation. They wont be last too. What, however, has remained baffling is the sheer inadequacy of the efforts put in to arm this first line of defence.

Sample this: Forest department has employed 2,432 guards to protect 24,240 sqkm of forest cover. This effectively means one guard protecting at least 10 sqkm area. To arm the force guarding the forests, the department has only 1,248 guns, including 69 tranquiliser guns. In other words, it is one gun for every two forest guards. If sources in the department were to be believed, nearly 50% of these guns are old and rusted and not fit for use.

The previous Congress government had two years ago written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), proposing to buy arms worth Rs 2.5 crore. The Centre is yet to respond to the proposal.

We wanted to buy more guns for the field staff but cannot do so without the MHA permission, Digvijay Singh Khati, chief wildlife warden, told Hindustan Times.

The field staff thus, remains at the receiving end. A forest guard has to face the severity of nature while in the field. He does not even have a weapon to safeguard himself, forget chasing away criminals, RR Penuily, general secretary of forest guard association, said.

Over a dozen attacks on forest guards by the mining mafia have already been reported this year. Some lost lives and some were left injured. However, theres no plan in place to secure the lives of people who defend the forest cover and wild animals.

The focus of the government is to increase the revenue. They are promoting tourism in general and also tourism in wildlife areas. But, they arent doing anything to double the manpower or keep these people safe, an activist said requesting anonymity.

So, how do the guards defend themselves in the field? We have walkie-talkies to spread the word about infringement or anything illegal. We dont have weapons and we patrol the forest with sticks, Kirtam Barthwal, a forest guard of Thano range in Dehradun forest division, said.

Apart from the criminals, the guards also have to deal with the wild animals. Corbett Tiger Reserve, which is home to 215 tigers, reported three deaths of field staff in last one year. All victims of tiger attack.

I will address this issue and talk to the Centre for upgradation of the arms, Harak Singh Rawat, forest minister, assured.

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A migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh who suspected his wife of having an illicit affair allegedly hacked her to death as she slept on Saturday on the outskirts of Dehradun.

Raj Kumar, from Bijnore in Uttar Pradesh, who fled after committing the crime in the morning, was arrested by the police later in afternoon.

Raj Kumar and his wife Kusumlata who was employed as a guard at a local college had been living in a rented accommodation in Selaqui, around 20 km from Dehradun for the past three months.

On Saturday morning, the couples landlord Jaipal Singh noticed something was amiss. When he walked up to their rented room, Singh saw the mutilated body of Kusumlata and blood all over the room.

He also a spotted a jittery Raj Kumar running away with blood stains on his clothes. The landlord then rushed to the Selaqui police outpost to report the crime, which created ripples in the region.

The police formed a team to nab the accused, which arrested the accused late around 3:30 pm from an agricultural field not far from where he was staying and booked him under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. He was produced before the court of the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) on Sunday, which sent him to judicial custody.

The accused kept on attacking his wife, who was sleeping at the time of the incident, till she became completely motionless. The nature of crime is absolutely heinous, Dehradun superintendent of police (rural) Sarita Dobhal told HT.

He confessed to having murdered his wife as he suspected her of having an illicit affair, she said, adding that the police had also recovered the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

The couple has three children, who live with Raj Kumars family in Bijnore.

The murder is the latest in a series of similar crimes in Uttarakhand this year.

In April, another man from Dehradun had murdered his wife over suspicion of infidelity. He then dialed the police helpline to confess the crime.

Similarly, in October, a man in Vikasnagar area of the district had murdered his cousin, suspecting him of having an illicit affair with his wife and later hanged the body behind a container truck to make it look like a suicide.

In November, a man had killed his wife in Rishikesh by strangulating her after he suspected her of infidelity. He later walked up to the police station with the couples toddler daughter to confess the crime.

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The BJP government has no proposal to name Gairsain as Uttarakhands permanent capital in the assemblys coming session to be held in the mountain states centrally located hill town but it is keeping all its options open, parliamentary affairs minister Prakash Pant has said.

The assemblys week-long session will commence in Gairsain on December 7. So far, there is no proposal before us to declare Gairsain either as a permanent capital or a summer capital. We are keeping all our options open on the (contentious) issue, said Pant.

He said that if a proposal recommending Gairsain as a permanent or summer capital is put up before the cabinet, then it will consider the matter. Taking a final call on such a proposal is the chief ministers discretion, said Pant. He said that the issue of the Uttarakhands permanent capital that has been eluding the state since its formation 17 years ago, was a political issue.

Such an issue should be resolved through a mutual consensus among all stakeholders, he said indirectly referring to the fear among political parties that naming Gairsain as a permanent capital might further accentuate the hill-plain divide.

Statehood activists have been demanding right from day one that Gairsain, the mountain states centrally located hill town, be made the permanent capital. They contend that such a move will pave the way for development in the 10 neglected hill districts. People in the remaining three plain districts, however, feel that the states permanent capital should be made in some plain area.

The previous Congress government tried to break the logjam by proposing to make Gairsain as a summer capital. It also built a Vidhan Bhawan in the hill town besides holding a couple of assembly sessions there. Clearly, the move was aimed to mollify the Paharis (highlanders) so that Dehradun could be made a permanent capital. Largely a plain area, it has been the mountain states provisional capital since its formation in 2000.

The ruling BJP, too, promised in its vision document for development released before the assembly polls, that it would name Gairsain as the states summer capital.

Pant said that the BJP government decided to convene an assembly session in the hill town so that it remains a centre of activities. Such a move will also lead to the decentralisation of administration, in keeping with the spirit behind the agitation for a separate mountain state.

Pant refused to subscribe to the theory that naming Gairsain as a permanent capital would lead to development in the hills widely perceived as neglected. I believe the development in the hills can be ensured through decentralisation of administration, he said, adding that the hill districts had witnessed fast growth since the states inception. Citing an example, Pant mentioned that the erstwhile BJP government provided road connectivity to the remaining 88 of the total 670 Nyay Panchayats after the saffron party came to power in the 2007 assembly polls. We are now planning to provide road connectivity to even the villages in the hills, which have zero population (owing to forced migration), said Pant, adding his government would also ensure that all issues pertaining to the districts were resolved at the district level itself.

He refuted the opposition Congresss allegation that the BJP failed to resolve the issue of the permanent capital at the time of its formation despite ruling at the Centre and in the state. The main challenge before us at that time was to build the basic infrastructure as the state was reeling under severe fund-crunch.

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The construction of a rocky stretch of a road on the India-China border in the Vyans valley in Uttarakhands Pithoragarh will commence for this week, an official said on Sunday.

The rocky route will remain closed for the next four months except on Sundays for the movement of the armed forces, said Dharchula sub divisional magistrate RK Pandey.

Tribes people for more than 10 villages in the valley who migrate to the lower reaches during the winter months, were asked to descend by Sunday, so that construction work on a rocky stretch of the road from Ghatiabagar to the Lipulekh Pass--the last Indian post at the border with China--can start, he said.

The track that links villages in the valley with the rest of the district, will remain closed from Monday until April 3, 2018, for the Border Road Organization to finish constructing the 6km rocky stretch of the route that will link the state to the last security post on the India-China border.

The 6km stretch of 75 km road pass through rocky terrain and the BRO will focus on it and a cut a path across, Pandey said.

During the winter months villagers from the Vyans Valley have been asked to remain in their winter houses in the lower reaches of the valley until April, he said.

Provisions for four months have been stored at Gunji in the lower reaches and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police--that mans the India-Nepal border--has been asked to take care of medical emergencies of the villagers.

After the winter months, the district administration with the help of the BRO will begin work on a alternative trek route for transporting essentials for villagers in the valley, he said.

The BRO that maintains border roads intends to complete the work the rocky stretch of the road in the next financial year, officials said.
Delhi University officials will hold a meeting on Monday to discuss feedback received from stakeholders, including college principals and applicants, on this years admission process that finished in July.

The university had also asked the stakeholders opinion on the existing merit based admission system and possibility of introducing entrance test based admission system for undergraduate courses in the university, an official said.

The university, till last year, had planned to conduct entrance test for BCom, BCom (hons) and Economics (hons) but the plan was not implemented in the 2017-18 academic year.

There were some issues due to which we could not start it last year. Right now, there is no plan to start entrance test for admission to undergraduate courses. But we will discuss the feedback received on this question, the official said.

The feedback will be submitted to an admission committee that will work on policies related to 2018 admission process.

Before the university forms a new admission committee, we (members of the committee that worked on the admission process in 2017) are holding a meeting to take a stock of shortcoming and achievements of this years admission process, the official said.

The university forms an admission committee every year before the start of admission process to propose policies and incorporate changes, if any. The proposals are approved by statuary bodies  the academic council and executive council and also by the vice-chancellor.

At present, DU conducts entrance tests for its post-graduation and professional courses. However, admissions to undergraduate courses are done on the basis of Class 12 marks.

A DU official said that the university is likely to form the admission committee within this month. An admission committee will be formed soon..possibly within this month so that we can come up with guidelines on time, the official said.

This years admission process started with the online registration opening on May 22. The registration ended on June 12 and first cutoff list was announced on July 11.

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A 22 year old woman allegedly murdered her three-month-old daughter, her first child, and hid her body inside a washing machine at her house in Patla village at Ghaziabad. The police said that the woman wanted a son but had a daughter.

The police said the infants mother, Aarti, allegedly killed her daughter, Shivani, by suffocating her with a pillow on Sunday around 8am. Other family members, including her in-laws, had gone out of the house.

She wanted a son but the couple had a daughter. She was annoyed. Later, in order to hide the crime, she bundled the girl inside the washing machine and locked the room, said Ravinder Yadav, station house officer, Niwari police station.

The woman later called up police emergency number 100 and claimed that her daughter had been abducted by some unidentified persons.

When police reached the area, our teams launched search and also checked the house. In the washing machine, we found the dead body of the girl. Her mother was questioned and she admitted to the crime. We called her for questioning after he husband Mohit Kumar lodged a criminal case against his wife, Yadav added.

The investigators said that there was no pressure on the woman from her in-laws or her husband for a son in the family and she killed the child on her own as she wanted to have a son.

The woman is from Khanjarpur village near Modi Nagar and got married to Mohit over a year ago.

The police said that the woman will be arrested for murder and destruction of evidence and will be produced before a Ghaziabad court on Monday.

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A student of Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi (IIT-D) was recruited by Microsoft with an annual pay package of Rs 1.4 crore this week, the first of several crore-plus job offers reported every year from the countrys most prestigious engineering college network.

But an analysis of all recruitment from key Indian Institute of Technology campuses suggests the crore club is hardly representative of the pay packages fresh graduates usually bag, which falls around Rs 8- Rs 12 lakh per annum, varying by specialisation and the campus.

There are 23 IITs in all but placements from only seven  Madras, Mumbai, Kharagpur, Delhi, Kanpur, Roorkee and Guwahati  are being taken for comparison since the rest were set up after 2008 and are yet to reach the same degree of eminence.

In 2015-16, the median salary across the seven oldest IITs ranged from Rs 8.8 lakh per annum to Rs 14.7 lakh per annum, according to data submitted by the institutes to the Union human resources department as part of the latest National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2017

To put this in context, the highest reported salary  which includes cash as well as stock options  offered to a handful of students is almost 14 times more than what an average IIT student earns after graduation.

NIRF rankings were first held in 2016 and institutes at the time asked to provide the average salary package offered to students, not the median, as in 2017.

Average pay is calculated by dividing the sum of the salaries offered to all students by the number of students. The median, which experts say is a better indicator, is the statistical middle if all students were ranked in an increasing order. This represents a number close to which most students salaries would be.

Experts believe that in an average, outliers  such as the handful few in the crore club  could skew the numbers to a higher side.

Nevertheless, the data of average pay packages shows that in 2012-13, the average salary across the seven campuses ranged from Rs 7.3 lakh to 11.4 lakh; in 2013-14, from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 11.3 lakh; and in 2014-15, from Rs 8.5 lakh to Rs 12 lakh.

Salaries vary significantly with departments. The 2016-17 placement statistics from IIT Madras, for instance, shows the computer science and engineering (CSE) branch had the highest median salary at Rs 18.28 lakh per annum. The median salaries in civil, chemical and metallurgical branches fell in the range of Rs 8 to 10 lakh per annum.

The crore-plus salaries were bagged only by students of CSE.

Analysis of IIT Bombays 2015-16 placement data done by Insight, the student media body of IIT Bombay, showed similar trends. Placements seem to allocate graduates away from engineering (jobs) and also away from companies which serve Indian markets, Milind Sohoni and Vinish Kathuria, both professors at IIT Bombay, said in a working paper.

The duo used placement statistics for the graduating batch of 2013 at IIT Bombay and found that for all programs, on an average, engineering and technology is the lowest paying sector.

Only about a quarter of the undergraduate students and about half of the postgraduate students took engineering jobs, which accounted for about 33% of the total number of students placed.

Around 45% of the BTech students took up jobs in finance and consulting, 24% in IT and 8% in FMCG and non-IT.

The high paying sectors are Finance and Consulting, and to some extent, IT, and these require fairly generic skills which are largely unrelated to the technical training that these students have undergone, Sohoni and Kathuria wrote in the paper.

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Fashion designer Nikhil Thampi created a stunning look for actor Esha Gupta inspired by Azzedine Alaias body of work as a homage to the late designer. The actress wore the look at the Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards on Friday night. Tunisian-born designer Alaia dressed famous women from Hollywood to the White House. The French Haute Couture Federation announced his death on November 18 without providing details.

A man who celebrates women like no other, paying a homage to his fashion idol who was loved and still lives and will do so forever.. playing muse for my @nikhilthampi in a recreation of THE iconic #azzedinealaia  @anirudhere A post shared by Esha Gupta (@egupta) on Dec 1, 2017 at 9:47am PST

It was a special night and I cant thank you enough my love @egupta for being such a support since the start. A post shared by Nikhil Thampi (@nikhilthampi) on Dec 2, 2017 at 3:26am PST

Thampi says that Alaia has always been a huge inspiration for him. When the news splashed about the demise of Azzedine Alaia, the world went in a frenzy posting pictures and expressing their feelings. But no one really spoke of how revolutionary and forward he was as a designer. He has always been an inspiration to me from the very beginning of my career, Thampi told IANS.

I relate a lot to his design philosophy and the mere fact that he understood and celebrated a womans body which was pathbreaking and revolutionary back then and so in trend currently which took my attention and what better way to say bye and thank him by giving an homage at a prestigious red-carpet, he added.

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Hollywood actor Ashley Judd, who, along with a number of other women, has claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein, wants to make sure that the allegations made against Hollywoods top stars and producers are not just treated as a statistic.

While speaking to students from the University of Kentucky, the 49-year-old actress told that the fight is about ending impunity, reports Contactmusic.

Judd noted she hasnt spoken about the other alleged incidents because she wants the focus to be on larger issues. She said, I want to talk about how its not about sex, its about power. I want to talk about how the statistics say that one in three or one in four of us experience sexual misconduct. But every time I get together with three or four women, its all three or four of us.

The Missing star also feels that it is important to focus on each persons story rather than see it as a collective problem. Its really hard to keep track. What about all of the women whose careers never got off the ground? What about the collective economic loss endured, especially by women in low-paying jobs, women on the margins of the margin, the undocumented, the field workers, the gals in the diners who get their bottom pinched all the time? What about them?, noted Judd.

However, she thinks there will be some unprecedented socio-cultural change in the future because of people speaking out about what happened to them. Judd explained, I want to talk about how there is naturally a chaotic, messy, unprecedented socio-cultural, sexual change - the reckoning as some folks are calling it - happening around us. And it wont be tidy, and it wont be easy, and we dont have a playbook. We cant go to page 463 and tear it out and say this is how we navigate whats going on.

A social justice activist, Judd serves as global goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund, which deals with reproductive health and population issues.
An incarcerated differently-abled person has been at the centre of war of words between separatists and police in restive Jammu and Kashmir after his imprisonment came to the fore recently.

Tanvir Ahmad War has been lodged in Srinagar central jail for the past one year on charges of pelting stones on security forces. But his condition was made an issue after chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik came across him at the Srinagar central jail on November 27.

Malik was put in the jail that day after separatists had called for a strike against ill-treatment of Kashmiri prisoners.

Police said War was spearheading the mob violence that rocked the state last year, a claim refuted by the separatists, who termed the confinement as human rights violation.

Taking exception to the imprisonment, the JKLF in a statement on Saturday said War had told Malik during their chance meeting that a polio attack in his early childhood damaged his legs and he could not even take two steps without the help of a crutch.

He was taken into custody by police on September 21, 2016 on the charges of pelting stones on occupational forces and police and despite being handicapped he was tortured severely in police custody. After about two months of illegal confinement, he was slapped with PSA (Public Safety Act) and sent to jail, the statement alleged.

Malik questioned the government how could a man who is unable to walk two steps without support could be implicated in stone pelting cases.

He has appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Amnesty International and other international human rights organisations to take note of these gruesome acts of human rights abuses.

However, a police spokesman on Sunday said that War, a resident of north Kashmirs Baramulla, was involved in 16 cases of instigating and engineering mob and street violence.

The accused was actively involved in 2016 unrest in Baramulla old town moving around on a tricycle provided earlier by army as a goodwill gesture, the spokesman said.

This person despite his disability has been making good use of his tricycle to travel and headed a gang of stone pelters who would help him in undertaking his antisocial activities, he added.

He would decorate his tricycle with Pakistani flags and make announcements from public address systems instigating people for violence, the spokesman said.

Police also claimed that War and his gang had once even carjacked four trucks loaded with stones and unloaded the materials on roads of old town Baramulla to block the entry of security forces.

Police also accused War of compelling the separatist leader Sheikh Aziz to lead the procession during Muzaffarabad chalo march in 2008 which ultimately led to his death.

Aziz was killed in an alleged firing by the government forces in Uri (Baramulla) while he was leading the march on August 11, 2008.
Angry fishermen defied warnings of the state government and the Met office and ventured into the sea on Sunday in search of missing colleagues even as two more bodies were recovered taking the toll in cyclone Ockhi to 16 in the state.

At least 40 boats set out into the sea early Sunday to search for the missing men even as hopes for their survival began to fade. Within 30 minutes one of the boats returned with a bloated body that is yet to be identified. Another body was washed ashore. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force helicopters are continuing search missions.

In Vizhinjam and Poonthura, two fishing hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram district, at least 80 fishermen are still missing. Another 40 are reported to be missing from other areas. The total of 120 fishermen have been missing since November 29.

We tried our best to pacify them. But time is running out and they are simmering with anger. The state government handled the disaster with kid gloves. It is sad human lives are so cheap here, said Poonuthura parish priest Father Justin Rudin.

He said the state machinery was quite ineffective in handling the disaster and he gave full credit to member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor for co-ordinating rescue and relief measures with Delhi.

The state government denies that its response to the cyclone was lethargic.

We have done everything possible. It is natural emotions can go up on such occasions. The joint rescue operation team has saved more than 400 fishermen, state tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran told HT

One of the survivors alleged that the fishermen had no warning of the cyclone or its intensity.

It is second tsunami for us. We never saw such killer waves. Many lives should have been saved if we got prior warning about the deep depression and impending cyclone, said Cletus Yesudas who was rescued after spending two days in the sea.

He also claimed rescuers were only concentrating on survivors and refused to carry bodies which were floating around in deep seas.

His boat was toppled by killer waves and he has no idea about the rest of the crew on his boat. There is utter confusion in many hamlets and authorities are clueless about the number of missing and rescued. Women and children remained on shore throughput the night waiting for their dear ones to return.

Meanwhile Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has tweeted saying 68 fishing boats mainly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu have reached the states coast.

In all 68 fishing boats have reached, out of which 66 are from Kerala and 2 from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fisherman on board.

All are safe.

Maharashtra will completely look after everyone till weather permits them to go back. @nsitharaman @BJP4Keralam  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 2, 2017

After battering Lakshadweep islands cyclone Ockhi is slowly moving towards the western coast of the country, Met officials said. It is likely to weaken once it arrives at the Gujarat coasts by Monday.

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Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) activists on Sunday locked the house of Sunil Singh, the director of the movie Game of Ayodhya.

The activists claim the movie wrongly depicts that Lord Rams statue was installed in a deceitful manner in Ayodhya.

They threatened if the film was released on December 8, they will set cinema halls and the director house on fire.

ABVP and HJM have been protesting against the film, saying it is a conspiracy against the Hindu religion. State organising secretary of ABVP Amit Goswami had earlier announced a bounty for cutting off the hands of Sunil Singh. Effigies of Singh were burnt in Aligarh while the HJM took out a mock funeral procession of the director.

Sunils debut film, Game of Ayodhya, traces a Hindu-Muslim romance set against the backdrop of the Babri Masjid demolition.The film was cleared for a December 8 release by the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) after being refused certification by the Central Board of Film Certification.

District president of Lok Dal Devanand on Sunday spoke to senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pandey in this connection and, during a press conference, said the activists locked the house of Singh in the presence of the police. Singh is the president of Lok Dal and owner of Saroj Education Group.

Singh, meanwhile, said the protests had no meaning without people watching the movie. The protestors want to brighten their political careers, he said, adding that he would visit Aligarh on December 4 or 5 and screen the movie for the professors of Aligarh Muslim University first.

The Hindu Yuva Vahini has submitted a memorandum (addressed to the home minister) to the district magistrate as part of its protest against the movie.
The government is planning changes in legislation to make the arbitration framework in India more competitive and attractive for both Indian and international clients, officials involved in drafting the new laws have told Hindustan Times.

Arbitration is an alternative system of resolving disputes outside of courts.

It is typically faster and cheaper than traditional litigation, and the proceedings are kept private. Rulings  called arbitral awards  from recognised arbitration centres are enforceable in most countries.

The changes are based on the recommendations of the Justice BN Srikrishna committee, submitted to Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in August. The report has not been made public.

Sources in the ministry working on the new laws said the government is looking at the Singapore model. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) is among the top five arbitration hubs in the world. Making India an arbitration hub will push up its ease of doing business ranking, bring in revenue and create jobs in the services allied with arbitration.

Last year alone, 153 Indian companies seeking international arbitration went to the SIAC.

The SIAC works on the principle of minimum judicial intervention but is heavily supported by the government. It runs from Asias first integrated dispute resolution complex that has multiple hearing centres and translation and transcription facilities.

Experts say establishing an arbitration framework on the lines of Singapore will help India since it will also create a business-friendly environment. The SIAC model is heavily state-dependent and it incentivises people to come to your country, Arghya Sengupta of the Vidhi Centre for legal policy said. Sengupta was also part of the Srikrishna committee.

The committee, in its report, pointed out: The case load of ICADR (International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution in New Delhi) has been 49 cases since its inception (in 1995) as compared to 343 cases handled by the SIAC in 2016.

The committee noted that the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), which started a New Delhi chapter in 2009, shut shop due to insufficient case load.

The government is expected to table a bill in the winter session of Parliament to take over the ICADR, currently run under the control of the Supreme Court with the Chief Justice of India as its chairperson, through a statute. ICADR can only function well if it is kept insulated from both the executive and the judiciary. We have recommended that can be done by bringing a law, a member of the committee, who did not want to be identified, said.

Ministry officials said that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1996, which was earlier amended by Parliament in 2015, will be amended again. The act contains clauses for setting aside domestic arbitral awards and refusing enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. The committee noted that Indian arbitration law jurisprudence has been criticised for its interpretation of these legal provisions and widely using public policy as a ground to set aside awards.

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After battering Lakshadweep islands on Saturday, and leaving a trail of death and destruction along the southern coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu earlier, cyclone Ockhi is slowly moving towards the western coast of the country, Met officials said. It is likely to weaken once it arrives at the Gujarat coasts by Monday.

According to latest reports, the cyclone has claimed the lives of 40 people (26 in Kerala and 14 in Tamil Nadu) with 475 fishermen rescued so far. Around 115 are still reported missing.

A fisherman who was stranded in the Arabian Sea is escorted down from an Indian Navy helicopter after being rescued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Friday. (AP)

Protests were mounting along the Kerala coast, with fishermen and their families blaming the state government for the tardy manner in which the rescue operations were being conducted.

Residents have launched protests in coastal areas, including Alappuzha and Chellanam, over the delay in rescuing fishermen stranded in the sea.

Residents block a road during a protest demanding that the government reconstruct damaged sea walls and provide rehabilitation to those staying near the seashore in Kerala on Sunday. (REUTERS)

No information has been received about the 33 fishermen from Punthura who had ventured into the sea five days ago.

Angry fishermen defied warnings of the state government and the Met office and ventured into the sea on Sunday in search of missing colleagues.

Heavy rains and gushing winds hammered the southern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm leaving a trail of destruction. (Vivek Nair /HT)

At least 40 boats set out into the sea to search for the missing men even as hopes for their survival began to fade. Within 30 minutes one of the boats returned with a bloated body that is yet to be identified. Another body was washed ashore. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force helicopters are continuing search missions.

People receive essential commodities at a relief camp following the impact of cyclone Ockhi in the Kanyakumari district on Saturday. (PTI)

The state government denies that its response to the cyclone was lethargic.

Residents carry their belongings as they evacuate their house after flooding caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the coastal village of Chellanam in Kerala. (REUTERS)

We have done everything possible. It is natural emotions can go up on such occasions. The joint rescue operation team has saved more than 400 fishermen, Kerala tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran told HT

Kanyakumari: Banana plantation damaged due to heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone Ockhi which devastated the district leading to lack of power supply and essential commodities on Saturday.PTI Photo(PTI12_2_2017_000118B) (PTI)

Stephan, a fisherman hailing from nearby Poonthura, said he was terrified on seeing a rescue boat move away without seeing them and hearing their cries.

It was the first time we were experiencing such huge waves and a rough sea. Luckily, the rescue boat came back and saved us, Stephan, who is recuperating at the Government Medical College Hospital here, said.

Officials carry a stranded fisherman, rescued by naval and air force helicopters from the Ockhi cyclone, at Thiruvananthpuram airport on Friday. (AFP)

Though the Union tourism minister earlier backed the Kerala governments contention that they had not received any prior warning about the cyclone, he later clarified that the central agencies had given necessary alerts on November 28 and 29 itself.

(With agency inputs)

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Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas on Sunday called for creating a version-2 of the party by reuniting with those who had left the outfit, and reiterated that it was moving away from its core values.

The AAP should work towards that version where all those who had left the party should come together and start working on the core values set five years ago, he said after addressing a gathering of party workers.

The poet-politician, who has been at loggerheads with the partys top leadership, said he would travel across the country and meet oldest volunteers for the purpose.

I wish to get all those who were part of the anti-corruption movement and left us due to various reasons back in the party, he said after the meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

No other senior leader of the party attended the event

He claimed to have met 36 groups drawn from assembly constituencies of Delhi and other states in the meeting that started at 12noon amid heavy security, comprising police and paramilitary forces.

Elaborating on his proposed new version for the party, Vishwas, one of the founders of the AAP, said the party desperately needed an anti-virus to again emerge as a strong political alternative to challenge the BJP and the Congress.

He said he has been raising the concern of party deviating from its core values within the party platforms for the past six months and has now realised that he should meet people more frequently.

Over five lakh people would attend our anti-corruption rallies in 2011-12. And there were not even 5000 people in the national convention held recently. This is where we need to introspect, he said, referring to the partys convention on November 26 where he had attacked the party for drifting away from its vision.

The Centre is hatching conspiracies against the party which is doing so well in Delhi. We have to come together and face all the challenges, said Vishwas suggesting estranged leaders such as Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav should be approached to join the party again.

Anyone sacked legally can be brought back after following proper procedure. If someone has not joined or floated a political party we can bring them back. There is a long list. Anjali Damania, Mayank Gandhi, Prashan Bhushan... he said.

Vishwas, the Rajasthan in-charge of the party, has been at odds with the top leadership after suspended MLA Amanatullah Khan was reinstated in the party in October this year.

Khan, the Okhla MLA was suspended over his tirade against Vishwas in May this year.

A communal MLA made allegations against me. He was sacked and reinstated overnight. This is not how a party works, he said.

Vishwas said that partys national convenor and his friend Arvind Kejriwal will support his suggestions.

He is my leader and I know he has supported me when I raised the issue at the national convention, he said.

When asked about why no other party leader was present at the Sundays event, Vishwas said, Every leader has his own responsibility.

An AAP spokesperson commenting on Vishwass move said, Any leader was well within his/her right to meet people.

It is always good for party leaders to meet workers. It strengthens the party. We have been introspecting on a daily basis, said AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj.

Vishwas apologises for abusive audio clip

Vishwas, meanwhile, apologised for using un-parliamentary language in an audio clip circulated on social media in which he was heard lashing out at party leadership for allegedly sidelining him.

Yes, I was angry and I vented out my frustration. I apologise for the language and if it has hurt anyone, Vishwas said, acknowledging that it was his voice in the 25-second audio clip leaked on Wednesday.

In the clip he was heard complaining that he was not given any post despite being the founder member of the party along with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

He was further heard saying that three leaders made the party. Of them one became chief minister another deputy chief minister while the third (referring to himself) was left with nothing.

Vishwas said the audio was recorded six months ago.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Sunday said he was lobbying with the British government to change its stringent visa norms, which he termed as a big mistake.

Khan arrived in the countrys commercial capital as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities, others being Delhi and Amritsar, to strengthen the UK capitals trade ties.

I am a big critic of the British government over the change in the Visa policy. I think they have made a big mistake, as on one hand the British government is asking Indian businesses to trade there and on the other hand they have made it more hard (to enter the country), Khan said during his interaction with reporters.

Recently, the Theresa May government changed its visa policy for non-EU (European Union) nationals to curb its soaring immigration figures. The policy which came into effect in November will affect a large number of Indians, especially IT professionals.

I want to assure you that I am lobbying with my government to change its immigration stance, because I want talented Indians to come to London and not go to Canada, Australia or the US. London is open to people, talent and partnership, the London Mayor said.

India last month flagged its serious concerns to Britain over its stringent visa norms and hike in threshold limit of annual pay of working professionals to get the travel documents.

Khan said the change in UKs current position on immigration is needed in the interest of the UK capital.

One of the reasons why London is the greatest city in the world is its ability to catch talent. (A total of) 40 per cent of Londoners are from outside the UK. ITs in the interest of London to change its stance on immigration and Im optimistic that it will change in near future, he said.

The visiting Mayor also underlined the need to forge strong cultural ties with India, particularly with Mumbai.

I believe that culture is the DNA of any city. Im meeting (Maharashtra) Chief Minister tomorrow and hoping to announce a lot of things in relation to culture as well as a joint venture on issues like ecology and climate change, he said.

Hailing Bollywood, Khan said they wanted to learn how the industry can churn out so many movies in a year.

One thing that we are doing in Mumbai is learning how you mange to make so many films in Bollywood..what is that you are doing? Indian films post-production work is excellent. Hollywood filmmakers come here to do their post production work. So, one of the announcements we are making tomorrow will be of the UK and India making films together, which will be a good example, he said.

Khan said students will benefit a lot as professionals after they get education in the top universities in London.

There are more international students in London than any other city in the world. Four of the worlds top 30 universities are in London. Due to the change in the visa policy, some Indian students chose to go to Canada or Australia.

However, I want to tell Indian students that our universities are brilliant. When you come to London, apart from fantastic quality of education you get, you also get the experience and the contacts you make...This will stand you in good head when you return to (your) country as executive, investor, teacher or entrepreneur, he said.
A 20-year old post-graduate student of Hyderabads Osmania University killed himself by hanging himself in his hostel bathroom on Sunday evening.

According to the Osmania University police, Eramaina Murali, pursuing his first year M.Sc. (Physics), was missing from his room since Saturday night.

He did not join his friends for breakfast as well lunch. However, in the evening, they found his body hanging in the bathroom of Manair hostel, in which he was staying.

The students immediately informed the campus police, who rushed to the hostel and claimed to have recovered a suicide note.

Murali had written in the note that he was not able to concentrate on his studies and was feeling depressed.

I am not able to continue my studies and I am afraid I might fail in the examinations. I dont want to fail in the exams and hence, I am ending my life, it said.

A native of Daulapur village of Siddipet district in Telangana, Murali told his brothers to take care of his mother and wanted that the news of his suicide does not reach his mother.

However, the University students suspected that the suicide note was fabricated as the handwriting in the note did not match with that of Murali.

He was depressed as there was unusual delay in the issuance of job notifications by the Telangana government. The K Chandrasekhara Rao government should be held responsible for his death, OU students joint action committee leader and president of the Unemployed Youth Association, K Manavatha Rai said.

A tense atmosphere prevailed in the campus in the evening, as thousands of students gathered in front of the hostel and raised slogans against the government and sought justice for Murali.

They refused to allow the police to take Muralis body to Gandhi hospital for post-mortem. It was only after additional forces were rushed there to disperse the students, the police could shift the body late in the evening.

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A joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Uttar Pradesh Police, carrying out searches in Ghaziabad in connection with the killing of an RSS leader in Punjab on Sunday, was fired upon and pelted with stones by a mob, leading to injury to a policeman.

Giving details, an NIA spokesperson said during the course of investigation into the killing of RSS leader Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana, investigators came across the names of certain suspected arm smugglers who had supplied firearms to the accused.

An NIA team, with the assistance of the state police, conducted searches to apprehend the suspected arm suppliers in Meerut district during the intervening night of December 2 and 3, the spokesman said in a statement.

On getting more leads, further raids were conducted at the residence of suspect Malook at Nahali village in Ghaziabad this morning.

During the raid, a large crowd of men and women tried to obstruct the police and NIA team and some people opened fire on them, resulting in injury to Uttar Pradesh Police constable Tahjib Khan, besides damage to official vehicles, the spokesman said.

The firing was followed by stone pelting and the mob also staged multiple road blockades to obstruct the officials in discharge of their duties.

In self-defence, the UP Police and NIA personnel also fired in the air, the spokesman said, adding that two suspects are currently being questioned regarding their alleged involvement in the case.

Efforts are being made to locate Malook who is wanted in connection with the supply of arms and ammunition used in the killing in Punjab.

On November 30, the NIA registered the case to probe the killing of Gosain under various sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Gosain, the Mukhya Shikshak of the Mohan shakha of the RSS, was shot dead outside his residence in Ludhianas Gagandeep Colony in the morning of October 17 by two unidentified assailants riding a motorbike.

Punjab Police, which was earlier probing the case, arrested two people --- Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh  a few days after the incident.

It has also come to light that a conspiracy to destabilise Punjab as been hatched by Sikh extremist elements and others located in various parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, the NIA spokesman had said.

He added that investigation conducted so far has revealed channelling of funds from foreign countries for execution of these incidents. The conspiracy also included an element of ideological brainwashing and incitement of the accused on religious grounds by their mentors settled abroad.
Rahul Gandhi will file his nomination for the Congress presidents post on Monday, the last day of filing the papers to contest the elections for the top job in the grand-old party.

All top leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, are expected to propose his name for the post.

The 47-year-olds election to the post is a mere formality as nobody else from the party has filed their nominations yet.

About 50-55 sets of nomination papers from all states are expected to be filed on his behalf.

As per the Congress constitution, it is not necessary for Rahul to personally file the nominations. Ten Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates are required to seek his consent on the nomination papers.

Rahuls nomination papers will then be submitted before the Central Election Authority (CEA), a party panel that is overseeing the organisational polls.

While the notification for the elections was issued on Friday, nominations were to be filed till Monday, with the last date of withdrawal being December 11.

Polling, if necessary, will be held on December 16, while counting of votes will be taken up on December 19.

Though the formal results will be declared on December 11, the outcome will be known on the day of scrutiny of papers on December 5 itself if no other nomination is filed.

Rahul will be handed over a certificate on December 11, the day a function has been planned at the Congress headquarters in Delhi.

This will mark the end of the organisational polls in the Congress, which had to complete the entire process by December 31 as per the deadline set by the Election Commission.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the partys highest decision-making body, is also expected to be reconstituted soon.

According to the Congress constitution, the president enjoys a three-year term starting from his/her appointment during the session. During the interim period of election and formal appointment at the plenary, the person acts as the president-elect.

Rahuls election will herald a new era in the 132-year-old party and bring down the curtains on the long tenure of Sonia Gandhi. He will be the sixth member of the Nehru-Gandhi family to occupy the post.

70-year-old Sonia holds the record of being the Congress chief for more than 19 consecutive years after taking over from Sitaram Kesri in March 1998.

During her entire tenure, Sonia had to face contest only once. She defeated Jitendra Prasada, who had served as political advisor to former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao, in a one-sided contest on November 9, 2000.

The last organisational elections in the Congress were held in 2010 when Sonia was elected party president for the fourth term.

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Issues like preparation of a new Chambal river Basin master plan, renovation of dams and hydel power plants and matters related to inter-state projects over the Chambal have been getting delayed as the chief ministerial-level meeting of the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan interstate control board has not taken place in the last 12 years. This despite both states being ruled by the BJP.

The last interstate control board meeting of Rajasthan and MP took place in 2005 in Jaipur and was attended by Vasundhara Raje, who was the CM in 2005, and the then MP chief minister Babulal Gaur.

Sources said that though MP-Rajasthan water sharing is considered to be one of the most peaceful water-sharing agreements with no disputes lying in courts. The interstate control board meetings are crucial for policy making and are supposed to be held every year. However, heads of both the state governments have not shown any interest in organising these meetings.

At present, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan is the chairman of the board till September next year after which Rajasthan CM will be the designated chairperson.

When asked why the CM level meetings were not held, water resource minister Dr Rampratap said that there is no specific reason for not holding the meetings. Since there are no major disputes between both the states, so interstate issues are resolved mutually at the meeting of officials of water resource department of both the states, so need for such CM level meetings were probably not felt, said Dr Rampratap.

The secretary of the interstate control board, whose office is situated in Kota (Rajasthan), has written to the principal secretaries of water resource department (WCD) of both the states for conducting the 14th board meeting. The board in its letter has asked both states to decide the date, time and venue of the CM-level meeting and inform it.

The CM level board meeting is necessary for a decision on Chambal river basin master plan for optimum utilization of water, strengthening of the dams and canals of Chambal basin and modernization of the hydel power plants on Chambal river dams, said secretary of the MP-Rajasthan interstate control board, Hemant Kumar Jain.

The other agendas include resolution the distribution of revenue received from industries towards water usage, disposal of the common works carried out by both the states on interstate projects of Chambal River projects and sanction to the proposed interstate projects between both the states.
In 2014, the Vasundhara Raje government launched the Bhamashah Yojana and Bhamashah card to empower women from below poverty line (BPL) families through direct benefit transfer scheme. However, the scheme meant to empower is now the biggest hurdle for thousands in availing welfare benefits.

The Bhamashah is a family card issued to the woman, considering her to be the head of the family. The card is now depriving beneficiaries of getting benefits of schemes like the Prime Minister Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAYG), Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana etc.

In Barmer district alone, thousands have been deprived of availing benefits under the PMAG and Rajshri schemes.

There are two reasons. First, when the schemes were launched the Bhamashah card was not mandatory to avail the benefits. In June 2017, the state government made the card mandatory and the result is that those without the card are now excluded. Second, the Bhamashah Yojana has an upper credit limit restriction of Rs 50,000, hence authorities are unable to release the second installment, under PMAYG scheme, which more than Rs 50, 000.

Recently, the Rajasthan government also made the Bhamashah card mandatory for claiming birth, death and marriage certificates.

In 2016, the Raje government had launched the Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana to encourage girl child education and arrest female foeticide.

Under the scheme, a new mother of a girl child gets Rs 2,500 and on completion of one year and if all vaccinations are done, the second installment of Rs 2,500 is released.

In Barmer, however, mere 12.55% beneficiaries have been able to get the second installment. The hurdle is the Bhamashah card.

At the time of launching the scheme, the government had not made the Bhamashah card mandatory for claiming the benefits.

Between June 2016 and October 2016, around 9,206 beneficiaries received the first installment. From June 2017, the government made the card mandatory. Hence, those who had claimed the first installment, but didnt have the card, couldnt claim the second installment.

Official data revealed that in absence of the Bhamashah card, the health department in Barmer could not release the second installment to 8,050 registered beneficiaries. Only 1,156 (12.55 %) could get the second installment.

Confirming the report, Dr Kamlesh Choudhary, CMHO, Barmer, said that according to the governments directive they are not able to release the second installment to 8,050 beneficiaries in the absence of Bhamashah card.

We are requesting people to enroll for the Bhamashah card so that they can avail the benefits, Choudhary said.

Balidevi, a resident of Sohada village in Barmer, is an eligible beneficiary of the Rajshri Yojana. She got the first installment on September 19, 2016, when she gave birth to a girl child. Her second installment could not be released as she did not have the Bhamashah card.

Dr Jogesh Choudhary, in charge at Gida primary health centre, said that as Balidevi doesent have the Bhamashah card they could not release the second installment. There are a number of cases in the district similar to Balidevis, said Choudhary.

A similar situation is with PMAYG - a scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015 to help economically weaker sections get affordable houses with proper sanitation and power supply.

As the upper credit limit of the Bhamashah account is Rs 50,000, authorities are not able to release the second installment of Rs 60,000. In Barmer, thousands of PMAYG beneficiaries have not got the second installment.

Kalaki, a resident of Baniyawas village under Patodi Tehsil in Barmer, got the first installment of Rs 30,000 on March 17, 2017. Now, the authorities have not been able to release the second installment (under PMAY) worth 60,000 into her account as it was opened under Bhamashah Yojana.

A few months back beneficiaries of PMAYG, who have bank accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, were facing a similar problem. After the issue was highlighted, the central government decreased the amount of the second installment from earlier 60,000 to 48,000 for the current financial year. They also allowed the beneficiaries of previous years to convert their Jan Dhan account into the general account.

But beneficiaries of PMAYG, who have accounts under Bhamashah Yojana, are still deprived of the second installment as the state government has not given any relaxation. The government has also said that the Bhamashah Yojana account cannot be converted into a general account.

ML Nehra, chief executive officer at Barmer Zila Parishad, confirming the report said that they are unable to release the second installment to PMAYG beneficiaries, who have bank accounts under Bhamashah Yojana. We are suggesting that the beneficiaries get details of another account so that we can release the second installment, he said.
The timely detection of at least 71 missing pandrol clips of a railway track between Badshah Nagar and Daliganj stations in Lucknow early on Sunday shortly before an express train was scheduled to cross averted a major tragedy.

Circle officer of government railway police (GRP), Lucknow, Amita Singh said two railway patrol men, Shiv Shankar and Sanjay, discovered that the clips were missing at around 4.25 am, only few minutes before the Kaifiyat Express, train heading to Azamgarh from Delhi, was to cross the stretch.

Railway authorities have lodged an FIR at Mahanagar police station against unidentified persons for removing the pandrol clips, used in holding together railway tracks and concrete sleepers on which the track is laid.

The Uttar Pradesh police has roped in the states Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) for the investigation on suspicion of a terror links.

The timely detection of the missing pandrol clips by the alert employees averted a major incident. The Kaifiyat Express moves with good speed and its movement on the track would have led to a major accident, Singh said.

As per North Eastern Railway, train movement was resumed at 5.30 am after one hour of interruption to repair the damage.Four trains were stopped at Lucknow outer during the period.

Inspector general of police, ATS, Asim Arun said although the initial probe did not suggested any terror link, this possibility could not be ruled out in the case.

Later in the day, general manager of North Eastern Railway Rajiv Agarwal visited the spot and gave cash reward to the two railway employees.
The temple town Ayodhyas first mayor Rishikesh Upadhyaya of the BJP says he will change the face of township from a decaying urban sprawl to a clean and hygienic place within a year.

Ayodhya saw its first municipal corporation election last month. The urban local body of Faizabad-Ayodhya was upgraded to a municipal corporation in May this year and named Ayodhya Nagar Nigam (Ayodhya Municipal Corporation). Upadhyaya who was elected the mayor on Friday spoke to Pankaj Jaiswal in Ayodhya. Here are the excerpts:

Whats your priority now when that you have been elected as the first mayor of Ayodhya?

Bhagwaan Ram ke adarshon ke anuroop Ayodhya ka vikas aur sondriyakaran kiya jayega (The priority is to develop and beautify Ayodhya in accordance with Lord Rams ideals. Ayodhya old world charm will be kept intact. Greenery will be enhanced, and the town will be made clean and hygienic.

Ayodhya has been so much in focus. But why is it so underdeveloped, with filth, debris, broken roads, and lacks civic amenities?

It is all because of previous regimes. When BJP had a chief minister in Kalyan Singh, Rs 21 crore were sanctioned for the town, but his government went away and the subsequent government did not do anything for the town.

But then, how will you develop it now?

Not me alone. Ayodhya never had this good before. We have BJP governments at all the three places  the Centre, the state, and now the urban local body. You will see the difference within a year. We will implement the civic polls manifesto that the chief minister Yogi Adityanath had released before the polls.

What do you have to say about chief minister Yogi Adityanaths focus on Ayodhya?

Thats nothing new. He is well known for his Hindu ideals and identity. And so was his guru (Mahant Avaidyanath). Since he became the chief minister, Yogi ji visited the town four times and was a regular visitor even before. It is apparent how important will be the development of Ayodhya for him as he had launched the UPs civic polls campaign from here. He had said that rest of the state would become as dazzling as Ayodhya after the government held a grand deepotsava on the eve of Diwali.

How well do you know Ayodhya?

Like the back of my hand. I was born, brought up, educated here. My political career has all been here. I know well what has to be done where.

You are 41, must have been very small at the time of the 90s Ramjanmbhoomi movement?

Yes, I was 14 or 15 years old, but I was part of it. I had joined the Bal Swayam Sevak of RSS. I was part of the teams that provided tea, refreshments to karsevaks at that time at the Katha Kunj Karyalaya close to the Ramjanmbhoomi.

Whats your strength in the Nagar Nigam?

I am the mayor, and of the 60 corporators that Ayodhya has elected, 32 are BJPs. (Unabashedly he says) We will take this figure of 32 to 50 by winning them over to our Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas

What about Muslims in Ayodhya?

Why ask about them separately? They all are part of Ayodhya. It feels awkward when they are talked about separately. We are not the kinds that will not provide electricity to Muslim area. Gone are the days of such governments who deprived Muslim of amenities to maintain vote banks. It is famous all over that nowhere in the world Muslims are as safe and secure as they are in Ayodhya.

How do you see your victory?

It is the blessings of Hanumanji (Lord Hanuman) and chief minister Yogi ji. I knew I would win, but when the result came in, I felt  here comes a big responsibility. Soon after the results, I first went to Hanumanradhi, then to Rangmahal temple, met Mahant Nritya Gopaldas ji at Choti Chavanai, Mahant Ramdas Ji at Naka Hanumangadhi, and then met Ayodhya people. Ramjanmbhoomi was closed much before the results came in. But now I will. I am a frequent devotee there.

And what do you have to say about the Ram Temple?

I dream of the temple coming up at the Ramjanmbhoomi with me as a Mayor here. The case is pending in the Supreme Court and the day-to-day hearing will begin from December 5. The High Court had already recognised the spot as Ramjanmbhoomi.

(Rishikesh got 44,642 (44.9%) votes, while the nearest rival Samajwadi Partys candidate (a transgender) Gulshan Bindu got 41,041 votes).

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The weather bureau on Sunday predicted rain or thundershowers for north Maharashtra coastline, including Mumbai, and south Gujarat from Tuesday, because of cyclone Ockhi that has caused havoc in southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and union territory Lakshadweep.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned fisherman along the Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka coastline not to venture into the sea between Monday and Wednesday.

Warnings were issued for gusty winds up to 65 kmph in parts of north Maharashtra and south Gujarat in next 48 hours from Sunday.

As per our weather models, the intensity of the cyclone will weaken by the time it comes to south Gujarat and north Konkan over the next 48 hours, said KJ Ramesh, director-general, IMD. The cyclone is currently moving towards the northwest of Lakshadweep over the Arabian Sea at the latitude of Goa. From Monday onwards, it will take a northeasterly course and move closer to the Maharashtra-Gujarat region.

He added that rainfall warning has been issued for coastal areas in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat. Rainfall activity is mostly expected in Gujarat. However, we will be updating our forecast every three hours to track real-time movement of the cyclone, said Ramesh.

Meanwhile as many as 28 boats with 321 fishermen on board that drifted owing to cyclone Ockhi landed at Mirya bunder of Ratnagiri along the Konkan coast on Sunday, said a state government official, adding. Of them, 23 boats are from Tamil Nadu, three from Kerala and two from Karnataka, added the official.

The local administration has made adequate arrangement to take care of the fishermen, the official added.

The scale of the cyclone forecast was reduced from very severe on Sunday to severe for Monday, said an IMD official.

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Amid series of rules and regulations asking students to not carry anything, except identity card, while appearing for competitive exams, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to allow students with diabetes to carry fruits and water.

As per the guidelines issued by the examination authority, those appearing for the JEE-Main in April 2018 will only be allowed to carry their admit and an identity cards while entering the examination hall. However, those suffering from diabetes will be allowed to carry sugar tablets or fruits such as banana, apple or orange and a transparent bottle of water.

Candidates are not allowed to carry packed foods such as chocolate, candy or sandwich inside the examination hall, states the circular issued recently by the examination authority.

The move has been well-received by students and experts, who have time and again complained about the overtly strict dress code rules introduced by various examination authorities over the years.

Last month, Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow (IIM-L), convenor of the Common Admission Test (CAT), informed students that footwear will not be allowed inside the examination hall this year. Several students took to various social media platforms to express their displeasure. How does the authority expect students in north India to sit for an exam without any footwear for three hours? questioned one of the aspirants.

Last year, the JEE committee had introduced a strict dress code for JEE-Advanced, where students were not allowed to wear full sleeve shirts and kurtas, brooches and footwear with heels and shoes inside exam centres. It was done avoid instances of malpractices.

Its not just about the three hours it takes to give the exam. Students are supposed to enter the exam centre at least three hours before it begins, to finish registration and security process. This means we will remain hungry for six hours, which is uncalled for, said another candidate.

Like every year, candidates will not be allowed to carry any textual material, calculators, log tables, electronic watches, bits of papers, mobile phone, pager or any other device, except admit card and identity proof inside the examination halls.

Imagine sitting for three hours for an exam without having even a cube of sugar if you feel queasy. Its an assumption that all exam centres will be equipped with the best of facilities to cater to all students, said Aneesh Tripathi, a professor who trains students to appear for JEE every year.

Did you know?

Dress code restrictions and strict vigilance were introduced by the CBSE after the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) paper leak in 2015. The Supreme Court finally scrapped the original test and ordered the Central Board of Secondary Education to conduct a retest. An investigation report on this matter had highlighted how students across centres were caught with Bluetooth devices that were sewn inside clothes of students in centres at Haryana, Rajasthan and Jharkhand, among others.

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The similar personalities of London and Mumbai should pave the way for greater interaction between the two cities, their first ethnic minority mayor, Sadiq Khan, said in the city on Sunday.

Khan proposed stronger ties in trade, films production and filming, improving air quality, and tackling climate change. London and Mumbai have similar personalities, and shared hurdles and aspirations. Greater cultural ties are possible between the two cities. Many popular movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and Lion were shot in London, and I want to continue inviting the Bollywood fraternity to do pre- and post-production work on their films in London.

Khan called British Prime Minister Theresa Mays move to tighten visa norms a big mistake. I will lobby against all odds to liberalise visa norms, making it easier for Indian students to work in London following their academic degree. The new rules have resulted in students choosing to study in Canada and the United States of America, instead of UK. Students are a great asset to London, not only because of the fees, but also because of the work they bring with them.

Khan said the purpose of Brexit was to trade with countries like India, which brings more business to the UK than all EU countries put together. I want to convey that London is open. The purpose of my visit is to welcome Indians to London, post UKs exit from the European Union (EU), he said.

Khan is scheduled to meet Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. There are partnerships in the pipeline with the government, but I cannot announce that right now, he said.

Khans visit to Mumbai forms the first leg of his visit to India, followed by one to Delhi and Amritsar. He will then travel to Pakistan.
The debt-ridden state government has planned to reduce it workforce by 30% to save its wage bill. Employee unions have opposed the plan, saying it will be detrimental to the growth of the state.

According to a government resolution issued in May, the state government asked its departments to reduce demand of human resource by 30% and revise their employee master plan by the end of the year. The government feels that the number of employees is more than its ideal proportion to the population. It is likely to go ahead with the plan before implementing the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.

The Maharashtra government currently has 17 lakh employees and spends Rs1.08 lakh crore on their salaries. According to sources, more than 2 lakh sanctioned posts are vacant in the state.

Deepak Kesarkar, minister of state for finance, however, differed. In fact, the revised employee master plan should be viewed positively. The 35% of the sanctioned posts are currently vacant. This means even if we fill up 70% of the total posts, we will have 5% more employees than what we currently have, Kesarkar told HT.

He added that departments would decide their staff size depending on their requirement.

GD Kulthe, chief advisor of Maharashtra Gazetted Officers Federation, said that the step was a negative one and that employees would fight against any such decision. There is already a shortage of staff in various departments. Who will work if they reduce the staff? Kulthe said.

The minister added that the new master plan was being prepared to increase the efficiency of the departments. The state government, which has stalled recruitment since July 2015, has outsourced some of its jobs. Our expenditure on salary and pension is too much; it has now crossed Rs1 lakh crore. Therefore, we have to plan things, he said. The state government needs an additional Rs15,000 crore to meet the Pay Commission arrears and about Rs 6,000 crore annually thereafter.

Subhash Gangurde, office bearer of the Maharashtra State Government Employees Central Federation, echoed Kulthes views . We have been experiencing delays in decision making owing to vacancies. For instance, in the department I retired worker for has only three employees against its earlier strength of 15. The government move will ultimately affect people, Gangurde, said.

The unions are planning a meeting in the coming week to formalise a strategy to oppose the move by the government, Kulthe said.

At a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is focusing on job creation in the state, a move to slash government jobs is likely to create a controversy.

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At 1.61 lakh, Maharashtra police have the most number of cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the country that are yet to be investigated, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2016. Mumbai stands second in the list of cities in the category with 67,565 cases, with Delhi topping the 2016 list at 1.53 lakh.

A total of 10.65 lakh IPC cases are pending for investigation in 29 states of India. Maharashtra is followed by Assam (1.21 lakh), Tamil Nadu (99,698) and Bihar (92,321).

Maharashtra also tops the list in filing highest number of charge sheets and disposing of cases.

YP Singh, IPS officer-turned-lawyer, said, Population of Maharashtra is a huge factor which needs to be considered while looking at the statistics. It is still safer than Delhi. Another important reason is lack of supervision. The interest of seniors in hardcore policing i.e. taking constant and regular reviews on pending cases on a monthly basis has come down. Earlier it was a top priority.

He said separation of law and order from investigation was required but not practical as two different organizations will have to be made. With increasing population, more police stations and manpower is required, said Singh.

Maharashtra ranks number one in IPC cases pending in courts

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2016 shows Maharashtra has the most number of cases  15.35 lakh -- pending in courts in all states in the country. In the city-wise data for 2016, Mumbai tops the list with 2.07 lakh cases.

A total of 94.88 lakh IPC cases are pending in 29 states. Maharashtra is followed by West Bengal (11.85 lakh), Gujarat (8.95 lakh) and Bihar (8.86 lakh).

The state also stands 15th on the list of having best conviction rate with 34.3%, while Mizoram heads the list with 94.5%, followed by Kerala (84.6%), Meghalaya (61.9%) and Uttar Pradesh (59%). Indias average conviction rate is 46.7%.

Delhi stands second in the list of pending cases (1.70 lakh), followed Pune (1.32 lakh) and Ahmedabad (1.03 lakh). Mumbai stands 10th on the list of conviction rate among the 19 cities with 53.3%, while Kochi tops the list with 90.5%, followed by Kozhikode (81.9%), Chennai (74.6%) and Indore (62.2%). The average conviction rate of all 19 cities is 56.8%. However, the most shocking conviction rate is of Patna with only 5.4% criminals being convicted in 2016.

Senior lawyer and activist Abha Singh said, Population is one factor. Judicial reforms are the need of the hour. Adjournment is an issue and speedy disposal of cases is required. Videoconferencing needs to be used more frequently to handle bail pleas. Work management, time management and a cut-off date for finishing cases is needed.
A former employee of Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Parel, has started an initiative to provide monetary aid to cancer patients who cannot afford treatment at the hospital.

On Sunday afternoon, Dr Saket Mehta, a city-based oncosurgeon who founded the Cancer Charity Trust in 2013, inaugurated an online crowd funding website called Reevive. Using this website, doctors from TMH can refer patients in need of financial help. The trust raised Rs25 lakh on the first day and the donors have pledged Rs50 lakh in the coming months.

Mehta to start the organisation after treating a seven-year old patient at the hospital during his training in the surgical oncology department. He said doctors from TMH will mostly refer patients who have a better chance of getting cured.

While TMH offers diagnosis, admission and hospitalisation for free to patients who cant afford the services, they are required to pay for chemotherapy  which is expensive, Mehta said. They have to pay a large sum in a short duration. For example, the cost of chemotherapy for three months can go up to Rs3 lakh. There are families who make less than Rs 50,000 a year.

Four patients from the haemato-oncology department were referred on the website last week. All of them have different forms of blood cancer, said Shibani Sutaria, a social worker at TMH.

The treatment costs anywhere from Rs4 lakh to Rs8 lakh for them. During chemotherapy, patients have low immunity and are prone to infections, said Sutaria.

She added that during that time patients have to be administered with expensive antibiotics, which sometimes costs Rs5,000 and Rs10,000 per day.

During the launch of the website, Mehta said donations can either be made at one go or on monthly-basis  during which money will get debited from the donors account.
The Vile Parle police arrested a 45-year-old man on Sunday, after his wife complained of harassment. Police said the man created a WhatsApp group, added 19 members to it and then posted his wife and daughters contact details and photos, saying they were prostitutes.

Police said the accused is a businessman. His 45-year-old wife and children left him four years ago, after they discovered his extramarital affair. The matter came to light after the mans 23-year-old daughter received a few calls from people who used obscene language and said her father had told them she was a sex worker.

The mans wife said he had sent her obscene and abusive text messages a few days ago. On December 2, she approached the police, who registered a case against her husband. He was granted bail for Rs15,000.
The Santacruz police arrested a 37-year-old man on November 29, for allegedly masturbating in front of his married neighbour.

Police said the woman was alone at home as her husband and child had gone out at the time of the incident. Around 11.30 am, she went to the terrace to dry her freshly washed clothes, and saw the man staring at her from his apartment.

The man started masturbating. The woman got scared and went back inside. She called her husband and informed him about the incident, said an officer from the Santacruz police station, who is privy to the case.

The womans husband returned that evening and the couple approached the Santacruz police, who registered a case under sections 354 A (sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.

The man was arrested the next day.

After being produced before a magistrate court, he was remanded in police custody for a day and then sent to judicial custody.

His lawyer Sandeep Sherkhane told the court, My client is being falsely implicated owing to a past enmity. The accused got bail for Rs15,000.
Key state and city Congress leaders signed as proposers to the candidature of vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is likely to be the only nominee for the post of party president.

The move comes after Pune-based former party secretary Shehzad Poonawalla called the election process rigged.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to the file his nomination for the post of party president on Monday, the last day as notified in election process. Ten proposers are required to support the candidature.

State unit handed over the forms signed by 34 leaders, including former chief ministers Ashok Chavan, Sushilkumar Shinde, former minister Patangrao Kadam, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Harshavardhan Patil to returning officer Mahesh Joshi on Sunday. Twenty city leaders, including its unit president Sanjay Nirupam, former union leaders Gurudas Kamat, Milind Deora, former MPs Priya Dutt and Eknath Gaikwad had proposed the name by handing over the forms to Joshi on Saturday. As a gesture of support towards the candidature of our leader we have sent forms with the signature of 10 leaders on each of them as proposers, said a senior party leader.
This years Eid-e-Milad celebrations in the city were the quietest since 2013, according to anti-noise campaigners.

Non-government organisation (NGO) Awaaz Foundation, which recorded noise levels at six locations on Saturday, found celebrations at Dockyard Road in Mazgaon the loudest at 105.2dB, thanks to the use of loudspeakers. The readings at the remaining locations were in the range of 92dB to 102dB. The levels were much lower than previous years, as the stretch between JJ Hospital and Crawford Market recorded 111.5dB in 2016.

Noise can affect the health and well-being of citizens and continuous exposure to levels above 80dB can lead to partial hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, residential areas should have a maximum noise level of 55dB in the day and 45dB at night.

Activists said although most trucks were mounted with loudspeakers, very few were in use. The readings show the police can implement noise rules. All processions had loudspeakers, but they were not switched on. People have started to recognize the noise meter now. Loudspeakers were turned off in many areas on seeing the meter. This gives the Mumbai police an impetus to use these meters widely across all festivals, said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation.

The activist added that honking was continuous at many locations. Noise from pedestrian traffic and motorcycles was high with people driving recklessly and blocking major roads, especially at Mohammed Ali Road, which recorded 95dB noise, she said.

Meanwhile, residents said processions and movement of vehicles near the Lalbaug flyover was extremely loud between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday. Honking from bikes and the use of loudspeakers continued for more than an hour, said Jagdish Sawant, Lalbaug resident. We informed the police and civic body. Thankfully, noise levels went down completely by 11pm.

Mumbai police officials said they had carried out awareness drives in advance to tackle noise pollution during Eid. Directions were issued to various groups much before Eid. We ensured police personnel were deployed in areas where noise levels were high during previous years, said Deepak Deoraj, deputy commissioner of police (operations) and Mumbai police spokesperson.

Awaaz Foundation recorded noise levels during the first day of the Mahim Fair on Sunday during the police sandal, and readings will be released on Monday.

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Nahali, a village nearly 12km from Modi Nagar town in Ghaziabad, wore a deserted look on Sunday evening as

Nahali, a village nearly 12km from Modi Nagar town in Ghaziabad, wore a deserted look on Sunday evening as most of its men had fled. The exodus took place after a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the UP police was attacked by locals when they reached to arrest a suspect in connection with the Punjab RSS leaders murder case.

Malook had allegedly supplied arms for the murder of Punjab Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ravinder Gosain on October 17.

The attack, in which locals opened fire at the police party injuring UP police constable Tahjib Khan, allowed the suspect, Malook, to flee. The police, however, picked up Nazim, who allegedly mobilised villagers for the attack. Locals said, he is one of Malooks relatives.

Nazim was picked up for questioning. We have also lodged an FIR at the Bhojpur police station in connection with the violence by villagers, a senior official with the Ghaziabad police said.

While police said Malook supplied the arms used to kill Gosain in Ludhiana, his family denied the charges.

Overall, Malook has a good image. Had he been a criminal element, villagers would not have supported him and come to his rescue, Suleman, Malooks neighbor said.

The police teams arrived in 13-14 vehicles between 5 and 6am. Many of them were dressed as civilians and had their faces covered, while the others were in uniform; they were asking for Malook. Later, when they tried to take him away, villagers opened fire and pelted stones, he said, adding that the police ransacked the belongings of Malooks family.

Malooks brother Naushad, who has also gone into hiding, said Malook operates a milk dairy and father to seven children.

He was acquitted in the murder case and had came out of jail around 8-9 months back. The villagers got angry when police teams came for my brother, but failed to answer why. Locals blocked the roads with bullock carts and pelted stones. The police circled our four houses and jumped inside from neighboring houses. They broke all our belongings, Naushad said.

He said that the items collected for their sisters marriage were also damaged in the raid.

My brother has been implicated because of a political rivalry. He had stood against some people in the election for gram pradhan (village chief). We suspect these people gave information to police and my brother was made a scapegoat. He is absconding, Naushad said.

The investigation agency, in a press statement, said, During the raid, a large crowd of men and women tried to obstruct the local police and the NIA team. Some people started firing at the police party. The firing was followed by stone pelting.

The statement added that the mob also blocked multiple roads, keeping officials from discharging their duty.

In self defence, the UP Police and NIA personnel also fired in the air. Constable Tahjib Khan of the UP Police suffered a leg injury. One official vehicle was also damaged, the NIA statement read.

Nahali headman Raees Pradhan said, Many men fled the village after clashes broke out when the police came to arrest Malook. The village has been tense since Sunday morning but we have requested residents to stay calm. We will support the police and no one will act violently.

Nahali, which has a dominant Muslim population, is home to nearly 12,000 people.

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Last week the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on November 30,1967, turned 50. It was an event that did not reflect the power and importance the party and its founder once held in Pakistan.

On any discussion on the PPP and Bhutto, I recall a small mutiny at a factory in Rawalpindi in 1974, triggered by the new rights that Bhutto had bestowed on workers. The entire staff rose against three top managers, locked them out of the premises and asked the owners to come for negotiations. They made my father their boss and eventually had the managers removed for their discriminatory and dictatorial behaviour. It was the beginning of a new era with all the socialist trappings, and it gave the people a sense of being someone.

The nationalisation and workers empowerment drive unlocked the floodgates to unquestioned trade unionism, most of whose leaders went haywire while exercising their right to assembly and association. It played havoc with productivity and with work ethics. Workers and trade union leaders largely abused the newly-bestowed freedoms  inspired by the socialist ideals that were in vogue in the then Soviet Union and in China.

Memories of that social transformation lie deep in the minds of all those who either directly or with this new-found sense of empowerment benefited from it. They all saw this as a dividend of their support for the PPP.

This bonanza for workers, nevertheless, came to a grinding halt in July 1977, when General Zia-ul-Haq, handpicked by Bhutto as an ostensibly docile officer to lead the army, staged a coup and eventually executed Bhutto in April 1979.

From then on, General Zia unleashed an unprecedented oppression to decimate the Bhutto legacy through the incarceration of the PPPs founding leaders and ideological workers. General Zia, once described as the general with the eyes of a cobra by Der Spiegel, spared no effort in undoing what Bhutto had achieved  an enduring love in the mind of the common man for a leader who had given them a sense of empowerment, and ownership through an ill-planned nationalisation of large- and medium-scale industries across Pakistan.

Today, for most Pakistanis Bhuttos legacy is as good as dead. What lives on is the name of Bhutto, Benazir Bhuttos son  Bilawal Bhutto Zardari  an act derided by many Pakistanis because this runs contrary to the centuries-old tradition where the son carries only the fathers name.

Badly battered in the 2013 general elections, the PPP today lives under the shadows of Asif Ali Zardari, who once was informally referred to as Mr10 per cent. During his presidency, Zardari gave away some of his constitutional powers, but by virtue of being the party chairman he remained the real puppet master, simultaneously expanding his financial clout as well.

Zardari consciously cashed in his spouses surname, always initiating his speeches and statements with it. However, at no time during his presidency did Zardari institute a formal enquiry to investigate Benazirs assassination.

[Asif Ali] Zardari achieved in just five years what a dictator like General Zia-ul-Haq and his successors couldnt do through their brutal repression of the PPP for nearly two decades, says former PPP senator Enver Baig.

Ishaq Khan Khakwani, a politician who hosted Zulfikar Ali Bhutto several times in his ancestral house in Vehari, believes Benazirs second tenure as prime minister (1993-1996) essentially marked the beginning of PPPs degeneration into a typical status quo party  led by landed aristocracy and moneyed people. Besides elevating her husband as federal minister for investment in 1995, she also began vying for contingency funds for future campaigns.

Sherry Rehman, a vice president of the PPP, and a close associate of Benazir, feels that Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttos legacy is relevant to todays Pakistan, where social inequalities and economic vulnerability define the lives of many Pakistanis. His vision was quite transformative in that it spoke to big ideas that dont go away: the attempt to level social pyramids, the emancipation of women, the building of Pakistans leadership on foreign policy fronts, the politics of hope for the bottom of the pyramid.

Yet the reality on ground today hardly takes into account what Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir stood for. The party is in disarray, in public led by the unimpressive political novice Bilawal. He hardly connects with the common man. This is especially true with the youth in Pakistan, whose primary concern is a weak economy, and who care little for todays shallow political rhetoric, or the thunderous revolutionary speeches of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Imtiaz Gul is an author and heads the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad

Twitter: @vogul1960

The views expressed are personal
Pune The Kondhwa police have registered a case against five persons, including the director and founder director of Impact Public Relations Private Limited on charges of illegally detaining their chief operating officer (COO) by summoning him to their Salunke Vihar office for settlement of salary dues.

The New Delhi headquartered public relations firm has 30 associate offices across the country, including Pune, and provide services in branding, marketing and public communication.

An official complaint was lodged by COO Prabhat Bhattachary against Impact PR founder and managing director Kulpreet Freddy Vesuna, director Freddy Vesuna and three others. The Kondhwa police have booked the accused for offences under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The complaint stated that the incident took place at Impact PR office located in Salunke Vihar at 3.30 pm on November 26. The suspects had called Bhattachary to the Pune office under the pretext of settlement of his salary dues. When Bhattachary reached the office, he was abused, threatened and forcefully made me to sign on employment termination letter and other documents, it stated.

Kondhwa Police station incharge Milind Gaikwad said that the suspects have been booked on charges ranging from wrongful restraint , intimidation and other relevant sections of IPC. Investigations are on and action will be taken based on the complaint, Gaikwad said.
With the municipal polls on December 17 being the new battle, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) put up a united show behind a mellowed leader of opposition Sukhpal Khaira on Saturday.

Flanked by state AAP president Bhagwant Mann and known dissenters such as MLA Baljinder Kaur, Khaira expressed remorse for use of swear words against chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and other Congress leaders during a press briefing inside the state assembly on the concluding day of the three-day winter session. Khaira had unleashed a frontal attack on Amarinder after the government brought a resolution against the Bains brothers of the Lok Insaaf Party, AAPs ally and Khairas diehard supporters, over allegations that a judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court was bribed to not stay summons against him by a Fazilka court in a drug case. The stay was eventually given by the Supreme Court on Friday.

It was an unfortunate development. They had dragged the Punjab assembly into vendetta politics by bringing the resolution (against the allegations). I take back the wrong words used by me, Khaira said addressing the press conference here. He, however, did not withdraw his statements on Amarinders personal life. That is a matter of record. I am collecting more information on the CMs friend from Pakistan, he said.

Claiming that he has the support and confidence of AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in his fight, Khaira said Kejriwal is guiding him legally, and the petition in the SC was filed on his advice. Reacting to a query on Kejriwals silence over the court summons to him, he said, Has Sonia Gandhi (Congress president) ever reacted to court summons to Amarinder? I am in constant touch with both Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia (Delhi deputy CM). The resolution proves Amarinder is behind the payment of Rs 35 lakh bribe against me, he said.

Khaira had, on the day of the allegations by the Bains brothers, named Amarinder, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal and power minister Rana Gurjit as the conspirators behind the court summons, but later dropped Captains name.

Referring to the audio clip that forms the basis of the allegations, Khaira said a longer version of the recording (1 hour 39 minutes) also has reference to an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and three advocates who work as go-betweens. The clip has a purported conversation between lawyer Amit Chaudhary and TK Goyal, a dismissed Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer, about payment of Rs 35 lakh to a judge in connection with the Khaira case. We have more information, which we will give at the time of an investigation, he said.

Simarjeet Bains, the LIP chief, said Amarinder was inflamed by his appeal in a Ludhiana court to become party in the Ludhiana City Centre scam case, adding, We were never scared of the Badals and we are now not scared of Amarinder.

AAP to contest polls to 3 corporations on symbol

On whether the party will contest the civic polls on the party symbol, Bhagwant Mann said they have decided to contest the polls to three municipal corporations, Amritsar, Patiala and Jalandhar, on the party symbol and leave the option to contest elections to 32 nagar councils and panchayats to the nominees on the symbol or as independents. For nagar council and panchayats, some candidates also have their own individual appeal. They can choose to contest as independents, state unit co-president Aman Arora said.
This writer was asked by many veterans whether any pass was needed to enter the venue of the two-day parleys being held as part of the Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh last week. My answer was, You only have to state that you fought for your country or served it. That was the crux of the matter. This was armed forces veterans own event; a platform provided by the organisers to them to express themselves on any military subject. The lectures ranged from Lieutenant General Bhopinder Singh analysing the Indian military as a part of our society and its relevance and status to Brigadier Kiran Krishen talking about military humour (it not only exists but is very useful as a safety valve).

There were a number of battle experiences articulated spanning the whole gamut of free Indias wars from the operations of 1st Sikh in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48, through bomber operations in 1971, to the lessons learned from the Kargil War. Military technocrats talked about who matters more, man or machine, and defence industrialisation. Of particular interest were the accounts of their service related by two woman officers. All in all, a thoroughly absorbing couple of days. The organisers plan to make this platform available on a regular basis.

Parachuting Without Training

Young LJS Gill, popularly known as Lalli, was commissioned in the middle of November 1971 and joined his unit, 2 Para in the concentration area near Kolkata. The war started a few days later. A parachute drop was planned on December 11th to capture the Poongli bridge on the River Jamuna and cut off the retreat of the Pakistani 93 Brigade towards Dhaka. This was strategically important since it would leave the Dhaka Bowl bereft of combat troops and vulnerable to a lightning Indian thrust.

Lalli had no parachute training and was supposed to be left behind. However, he was determined to jump with his battalion. Seeing his motivation, 2 Paras commander, Colonel Kulwant Pannu agreed. Air Force instructors taught the spirited subaltern the rudiments of a para-jump in the short time available. Lalli jumped and landed safely in a pond some distance away from the dropping zone. Re-joining the main body, he took part in defending the units perimeter against numerous Pakistani attempts to clear the roadblock set up by them. These were all beaten back, the advancing 95 Brigade joined up and the victorious march to Dhaka continued. Lalli retired to Mohali after a successful second career in the corporate world but will always relive that perilous moment when he jumped into battle sans parachute training.

National Maritime Foundation

The Indian Navys think-tank for conducting policy-relevant research is the National Maritime Foundation (NMF). Inaugurated in 2005, the foundation fulfils a long-standing need to correct the neglect of naval interests and abysmal ignorance of maritime affairs within the nations policy-making establishment.

The NMF has since its establishment grown from a small body to a full-fledged institute of intellectual capability. This has largely been due to the calibre of the men working in it and careful nurturing.

Regional chapters have been set up in some of the southern states. Ideally, these would be set up in all coastal states. I would venture to suggest that centres for naval study should also be developed in landlocked regions particularly within leading universities.

(Please write in with your narratives of war and military life to msbajwa@gmail.com or call/WhatsApp on 093161-35343)
Jharkhand topped the chart of witch-hunting murders in the country with 27 women lynched after being accused of witchcraft in 2016, according to annual figures released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Thursday. This was followed by Odisha, with 24 witch-hunting murders.

However, respite for Jharkhand is that such murder trend has declined by more than 50% since 2013. As per the NCRB, a total of 54, 47 and 32 cases were reported under murder for witchcraft in Jharkhand during 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

An analysis of the data since 2001 for Jharkhand shows a total of 523 women lynched after branding them witches till 2016. The state showed the most witch-hunting murders in 2013, when 54 persons were killed.

Tribal-dominated Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattisgarh and Telangana are the worst affected states. Hundreds of women have been persecuted, tortured and killed in the garb of witchcraft in past few decades in these four states.

In August 2015, people of a Ranchi village lynched five tribal women for allegedly practising witchcraft. The villagers killed her after a 17-year-old youth died of stomach ache. A sorcerer from an adjoining village had blamed his death on witchcraft.

MS Bhatia, principal secretary, state women and child welfare department, said, We are happy with the declining trend of such incidents but we have to work hard to eliminate it.

He said the states social milieu was the one of the major reasons for witch-hunting.

A combined effort with partnership of community, civil societies and others required for a social behavioural change. We have given much emphasis on awareness, communication and behavioural change programmes, he said, adding that the government has increased the budget from Rs1 crore to Rs4 crore this fiscal for social development.

Bhatia said that the Tejaswini scheme, which targets girls between the age group of 14 and 24 years, would also help deal with social issues like witchcraft, early marriage, anaemia and others. Besides education and vocation training, life skill training is also an important part of the scheme, he said.

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Akshay Kumar had released the poster of Padman and announced that the movie will release on January 26. That where the buzz about 2.0 being postponed stemmed from. HT had listed the multiple reasons why it was possible. Now, the makers on December 2, announced that the Rajinikanth and Akshay starrer will release in April, 2018.

The press release stated, Lyca Productions-superstar Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumar-Shankar magnum opus SciFi action thriller 2.0 to be screened worldwide on April 2018. Nations costliest 3D film starring superstar Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, directed by Shankar, music by AR Rahman. The high tech post production works are fully geared and the team is all set for the release schedule.

This is the second time that the film has been postponed. It was initially slated for Diwali 2017 release. The makers had then postponed it to release for Republic Day. Raju Mahalingam, the COO of Lyca Productions had announced on Facebook, Our most ambitious project, Shankars 2.0,shifts to 25 January 2018. It moves from (its) earlier Diwali release to achieve world class standards in VFX.

The new release date has angered filmmakers in Tollywood. Allu Arjuns Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India and Mahesh Babus Bharath Ane Nenu were slotted to release in April. Especially, producer of the former, Bunny Vasu. He took to Facebook to share his frustration and wrote, @LYKA PRODUCTIONS (ROBO 2.0)..... WE RESEPECT U R MOVIE BUT U R CHANGING OF RELEASE DATES EFFECTING REGIONAL MOVIES RELEASE DATES A LOT ....ME (NAA PERU SURYA NAA ELLU INDIA) AND DHANAYA GARU (BHARATH ANU NENU) IN TALKS FOR A UNDERSTANDING ....I WILL TAKE THIS ISSUE TO PRODUCER COUNCIL AND EXHIBITER ASSOCIATIONS AP & TELANGANA ...WE STAND FOR OUR DATE COMMITMENT ...MAY THIS HELP FULL TO REGIONAL MOVIE RELEASES IN FUTURE ALSO (sic)

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Former President Barack Obama lamented the lack of US leadership in the fight against climate change during a visit to Paris on Saturday, in a veiled rebuke of his Republican successors decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord.

Speaking at an invitation-only event organised by a network of communications professionals known as the Napoleons, Obama did not mention President Donald Trump, who announced his withdrawal from the landmark global deal in June.

I grant you that at the moment we have a temporary absence of American leadership on the issue, Obama said, to laughter in the audience packed with French CEOs and former ministers.

But the US remains on track to meet its targets, he said, thanks to the action of some states, cities and because it made business sense.

Earlier in the day, Obama had lunch with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee palace  although the French presidency told Reuters that was in a private capacity and did not publicise the event with the usual tweet or official photo.

Macron, who received Obamas public support during his campaign for the presidency, slammed Trumps decision to ditch the climate accord last June, but has since tried to maintain cordial relations with the billionaire.

The 39-year-old leader made Trump the guest of honour of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris in July and has said he still hoped to change the American presidents mind on the issue.

Obama also met former French president Francois Hollande, who hosted the UNs climate conference two years ago, and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.

In comments likely to raise eyebrows in Brussels, Obama said although Europeans should not take for granted what the European project has accomplished since the end of World War Two, decision-making in the EU could be improved.

I think for example that the European Union needs to recognise that micro-managing every single aspect of life within Europe gets people frustrated, he said.

So there are ways of streamlining and improving the functioning of the European Union, but the European project itself, the Union itself is something that is worth preserving, he added.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be deployed as part of a collaboration involving the University of Toronto and IIT-Bombay to make Pune a truly smart city.

This will be among the first of the projects to be tackled under a recent memorandum of understanding signed by the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Ltd, IIT-Bombay and University of Toronto (UofT).

Four areas have been identified for the long-term partnership  affordable housing, rural immigrants arriving in large numbers in Pune, cyber security and digital systems interoperability.

The objective, according to a the statement from the university, is to focus on finding solutions to urban problems by tapping into technology-based smart solutions that aim not only to improve economic growth for the city of approximately six million but also to create a more sustainable and resilient region.

That project is being headed by Mark Fox, distinguished professor of urban systems engineering at the university, and will use AI to standardise the sheer volume of data generated by the city. The development of data standards could help Pune and other Indian cities improve the analysis, design and delivery of city services, according to the statement.

In an interview at his office in Toronto, Fox, who has been in the AI field since 1974, said a virtual Tower of Babel currently exists in terms of how data related to urban services is available. Creating knowledge representation that is logical will help to better analyse and optimise how the public is served, he added

These definitions are machine understandable and we can build intelligent systems that use those definitions to do analysis, he said.

When Fox travels to Pune in early December, the aim will be to identify initial areas of the partnership. He said the advantage of this relationship was that the university has more than 220 faculty members who work in urban research across a range of disciplines.

Fox, the statement said, is an expert on ontologies that provide precise city data, analysed and culled from many different sources  key to digital systems interoperability  and designs computational searches that can look for solutions to urban problems.

He was first interested in working in India in 2015 as the initiative for creating 100 smart cities by 2020 came on stream. Pune will be a test case and possibly, a template for AI that can be leveraged to find solutions in a rapidly urbanising nation.

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Donald Trump is one of the most unpopular US presidents in modern times. His alleged collusion with Russia, his repeated conflicts of interest, the numerous allegations of sexual harassment against him, and even his unpresidential behaviour  all have been questioned both in the US and the world at large.

With Trump taking the US from one of the most powerful nations to the butt of memes, some lawmakers, several political commentators, and celebrities across the board have called for his impeachment.

However, the process of impeachment is not as easy as people are led to believe, and removing a sitting president is even more difficult.

What does impeachment mean?

The term has its roots in England, where it was a device for prosecuting great lords and high officials who were beyond the reach of the law courts. The writers of the US Constitution tweaked that word, taking it to mean a process by which Congress could remove a sitting president from power.

The process is threefold. First, the House of Representatives will take up the issue, in which a simple majority has to approve the motion for impeachment.

The action then moves to the Senate, where a trial is held, with the Supreme Court chief justice presiding over it. The House of Representatives will act as the prosecution and the presidents own lawyers as the defence. The chief justice is mostly responsible for procedural rulings  his or her decisions can be overruled by the Senate.

Interestingly, the president does not need to be present for these proceedings.

Finally, after the trial, the Senate needs a two-third majority to convict the president  an extremely difficulty majority in an even slightly divided House.

What are the crimes that the president be impeached for?

There are mainly two arguments to impeach a president: treason and bribery. However, the writers of the Constitution tacked on a third argument  high crimes and misdemeanours  which former US president Gerard Ford noted was whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history.

Who has been impeached?

Only two presidents have been impeached  Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.

Johnson took over after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, but was said to be sympathetic towards the Deep South in the reconstruction following the US civil war  something Republican senators were less than happy about.

He was impeached in 1868 after he attempted to replace his secretary of war, but was acquitted after the Senate fell short of a two-third majority by just a single vote.

Bill Clinton is one of only two US presidents to have been impeached. (Getty Images)

Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice after it emerged that he lied under oath to prevent his affair with Monica Lewinsky from being known. However, the Senate acquitted him fairly quickly, not viewing the charges against him as being serious enough to warrant his removal from office.

Another president, Richard Nixon, was headed toward seemingly certain impeachment in 1974 over the Watergate scandal, and his crimes were serious enough to warrant his removal. However, he pre-emptively resigned.

Can Trump be impeached?

All three above examples were of presidents facing a Congress which was controlled by their political enemies, but Trump does not  as long as the Republicans control Congress, its difficult to imagine any impeachment.

Trump remains very popular within the Republican party base, and his removal will backfire on the party. He is also sympathetic to party interests and Republicans need him to appoint conservative judges and sign conservative bills.

What if Trump is impeached?

If, no matter how improbably, Trump is impeached, the order of succession is vice president, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate president pro tempore. Thus, if Trump goes, Mike Pence gets into the White House.

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The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated on Sunday by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening up a new strategic transit route between Iran, India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nations southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from Indias western coast and is considered as a gateway to golden opportunities for trade with central Asian countries.

The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port and it was inaugurated by Rouhani in the presence of representatives of several countries of the region.

According to the ministry of external affairs, minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration.

The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air, Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries. India has been closely working with Afghanistan to create alternative, reliable access routes, bypassing Pakistan.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in the Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

Rouhanis office said the president noted that transit is the best communication tool for nations, adding the routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air.

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which the implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Over a month ago, India sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new strategic transit route
Iraqi officials have blasted calls to disband a Shia-dominated militia coalition that has been key in battling the Islamic State group, after French President Emmanuel Macron said it should disarm.

The 60,000-strong Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces, was formed in 2014 after IS routed government forces to seize swathes of northern Iraq, and it played a central role in helping push back the jihadists.

Calls have grown from the West for the Hashed, an umbrella group dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias that is officially controlled by Iraqs prime minister, to be dismantled as the IS caliphate has been reduced to a few pockets of desert.

Any such discussion is rejected and we do not accept interference in Iraqi affairs, said one of the groups leaders, Ahmad al-Assadi.

Asking for the dissolution of the Hashed is like asking for the dissolution of the Iraqi army because the Hashed are a key element of Iraqi security.

Macron called at a press conference with Iraqi Kurdish leaders on Saturday for a gradual demilitarisation of the Hashed and for all militias in Iraq to be dismantled.

Emmanuel Macron interfered unexpectedly in Iraqs internal affairs by calling for the dismantling of a legal institution, Hashed al-Shaabi, vice president and former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki wrote on Facebook Saturday.

We dont want any country to impose its will on the Iraqi government and the brave Iraqi nation, the leading Shiite politician said.

The Hashed is deeply divisive inside Iraq and among the countrys international backers, and has been accused both of promoting Iranian interests and carrying out a wave of abuses.

In October, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi strongly defended the Hashed after comments from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that Iranian militias in Iraq should go home.
Noted entrepreneur Karan Bilimoria, who arrived from India in the early 1980s to study and went on to found a popular beer brand, has been awarded his 11th honorary doctorate for his commitment to international students coming to Britain.

A member of the House of Lords, Bilimoria, 56, was conferred the doctorate this week by the University of Westminster.

He has received similar doctorates from Brunel University, Heriot Watt University, Staffordshire University, London Metropolitan University, Cranfield University, the University of West London, Exeter University, University of Birmingham, York St John University and the University of East Anglia.

Bilimoria has often intervened in the ongoing discourse over student visas and the drop in number of Indian students coming here.

In 2005, he become the youngest ever chancellor in the UK when he was instated as chancellor of the Thames Valley University, now The University of West London; in 2014 he was appointed chancellor of the University of Birmingham.

Bilimoria said: It is an enormous honour to have received such a well recognised accolade from the University of Westminster this week. It is a pleasure to work with the international students of the University, helping them gain the experience they need they will be lifelong ambassadors and friends of our wonderful.

Britain is a global leader with its universities with some of the finest in the world and I am very proud and privileged to have the opportunity to play a role in our universities which are the jewel in the crown of the UK.

Andrew Linn, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities said: The University of Westminster is one of the most internationally diverse universities in the country and indeed in the world. Lord Bilimorias commitment to students international experience, recognized by his election as President of The UK Council for International Student Affairs, is of great importance to our community".

" Lord Karan Bilimoria is an inspiration to us all, truly a man of many parts. Entrepreneur, Leader, Diplomat, Friend and Champion of International Students, it is both a pleasure and an honour to award him the degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa.

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A powerful Syrian Kurdish militia announced on Sunday it had cleared Islamic State group fighters from key territory east of the winding Euphrates River.

In a surprising announcement, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) also said the victory in Syrias Deir Ezzor province came with logistical and air support from Russia, as well as the US-led coalition, its traditional backer.

The YPG was spearheading a US-backed offensive to oust IS from territory east of the Euphrates River, which cuts diagonally across Deir Ezzor, while rival Russian-backed Syrian troops battled IS on the western bank.

It appears to the first time Syrias Kurds acknowledge receiving direct Russian support.

On Sunday, YPG officials met with a Russian military delegation in a town on the eastern bank of Deir Ezzor province, according to the Kurdish-run ANHA news agency.

The eastern countryside of the city has been fully liberated from Islamic State... with the international coalition and Russias support, YPG spokesman Nuri Mahmoud said in a statement.

We thank the international coalition and the Russian forces for their air, logistical, advisory support and coordination on the ground.

Mahmoud said the YPG hoped for an increase in support and the provision of air defence and required cover.

IS jihadists once held most of oil-rich Deir Ezzor, but now control only a tiny sliver of the province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

On Sunday, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said IS still held several villages in the province, on both banks of the Euphrates River.

The YPG formed the bulk of the Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance that ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, with help from the US-led coalition.

In September, the SDF began its assault on IS positions in the eastern half of Deir Ezzor province, as Russian-backed government troops squeezed IS in the western half.

The SDF accused Moscow of striking its forces several times during the drive, which makes Sundays announcement of Russian support all the more surprising.

Last week, the White House said it would be making adjustments to its military support of militia in Syria.

The US-led coalition has provided air support, weapons, and advice to the YPG and SDF in their push against IS.
North Korea blasted the United States and South Korea as warmongers on the eve of their largest-ever joint air exercise on Sunday, saying it could trigger a nuclear war.

The comments came as White House National Security Advisor HR McMaster warned of the increasing possibility of war with the impoverished but nuclear-armed North.

The five-day Vigilant Ace drill  involving nearly 230 aircraft including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters  begins Monday, five days after the North test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile believed capable of hitting the US mainland in a fresh challenge to President Donald Trump.

The Norths ruling party Rodong newspaper slammed the upcoming drill.

It is an open, all-out provocation against the DPRK, which may lead to a nuclear war any moment, it said in an editorial today, using the Norths official name.

The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self- destruction, it said.

The commentary was published a day after Pyongyangs foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of begging for nuclear war by staging what it called the reckless air drills.

McMaster said the possibility of war with the North was increasing every day.

I think its increasing every day, which means that...we are in a race to be able to solve this problem, he said at a forum yesterday.

There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because hes getting closer and closer, and theres not much time left, he said.

The North says the Hwasong-15 missile fired on Wednesday can be tipped with a super-large heavy warhead capable of striking the whole US mainland.

But analysts remain unconvinced that it has mastered the advanced technology to allow the rocket to survive re-entry to the Earths atmosphere.

The months-long nuclear standoff between Kim and Trump has fuelled concerns of another conflict, after the 1950-53 Korean War left much of the peninsula in ruin.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul  only around 50 km from the border and home to 10 million people.
The worlds oldest complete Latin Bible in existence is set to return to the UK after over 1,300 years for display in an exhibition by the British Library next year.

The one-foot thick Codex Amiatinus, one of the three great single-volume Bibles that was made at the monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow, is returning to England for the first time in 1300 years, after it was taken to Italy as a gift for the Pope in 716, the British Library said.

It is now held in the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence which is generously loaning the manuscript next year, the library said in a blog post on November 30.

The Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms exhibition will be open at the British Library from October 19, 2018 to February 19, 2019.

The Bible will be on show with the St Cuthbert Gospel, the earliest intact European book, which was also made at Wearmouth-Jarrow and was acquired by the British Library in 2012.

The two books are very different: while the St Cuthbert Gospel, which contains only the Gospel of John, can be held in one hand, the spine of Codex Amiatinus, containing the whole Bible, is nearly a foot thick.

These two books will be exhibited alongside the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of Britains greatest artistic treasures, and other illuminated manuscripts of international significance made in the late 7th and 8th centuries, it said.

Ranging from the 5th to the 11th centuries, the exhibition will explore this long, dynamic period when the English language was used and written down for the first time and a kingdom of England was first created.

The library said a key theme in the exhibition will be the development of the English language and the emergence of English literature.

We will explore the use of writing on inscribed objects and in documents as well as in books, and will present highlights of the bilingual literary culture. The major works of Old English poetry survive in only four manuscripts, and all four will be brought together at the British Library next autumn for the first time, it said.

Also, the unique manuscript of Beowulf, held in the British Library, will be displayed with the Vercelli Book on loan from the Biblioteca Capitolare in Vercelli, while the Exeter Book on loan from Exeter Cathedral Library and the Junius Manuscript on loan from the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

This will be the first time that the Vercelli Book has been in England in at least 900 years, it said.

A significant number of the exhibits have never been seen together before, and some have not been reunited for centuries, the library said.
US President Donald Trumps new South Asia Strategy, which had sought an enhanced role for India, is showing progress in its first 100 days, but it needs to be given time to take root, the White House has said.

Trump had sought a major role for India in bringing peace in Afghanistan and ruled out a hasty withdrawal of troops from the war-torn nation while announcing his new Afghanistan and South Asia policy in August.

It has been 100 days since the president announced the South Asia strategy. We certainly wouldnt have expected to see any major breakthroughs (in these 100 days). We need to give the strategy time to take root and show progress. But at the same time, I think we have seen some signs that are positive, a senior Trump administration official told PTI.

In an interaction with PTI on the completion of 100 days of Trumps new policy, which seeks tougher approach towards Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, the official pointed out towards the confidence that the administration has seen this strategy has brought to the Afghan government as well as the Afghan people.

They have been inspired by the long-term commitment that Trump enunciated in his speech, and gave them a bit of confidence, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The senior administration official said the new South Asia Policy has also begun to lead to different strategic calculations by the regional players.

Ten months ago, perhaps, they were hedging their bets... maybe reaching out to the Taliban, uncertain of how the situation would go. Whereas, were beginning to see different calculations among the regional players, the official said.

The White House now expects to see the regional players play a more constructive role in Afghanistan and in supporting a peace process in particular.

Meanwhile, the additional military resources and authorities that Trump provided to the US troops have also started to make a difference, the official said.

Noting that the Taliban had a difficult fighting season, the official said for the first time since 2014 the fighting season has passed without the Taliban threatening to seize a provincial capital.

Weve also made progress against the ISIS threat in eastern Afghanistan. Weve been able to reduce the amount of territory they were holding by two thirds and eliminate about one third of their fighters, the official said.

As part of the comprehensive strategy, the administration has focused on reinvigorating regional diplomacy.

It has held the Quadrilateral Coordination Group meeting at the Assistant Secretary level and is looking forward to participating in the Afghan-owned and Afghan-initiated Kabul peace conference which will take place in January.

Another major part of the strategy is the compact for reform in Afghanistan. This is aimed at upholding the Afghan government to account on reform in the security sector, governance reform, economic reform and growth and then also seeing progress on peace and reconciliation.

That means ensuring that the government is organized in such a way that it could support a comprehensive peace process if it were to be launched.

Responding to a question, the official said 100 days are not sufficient time to really judge the strategy.

By the next fighting season, the US expects to have more advisors advising their Afghan counterparts, bringing the train, advise and assist mission down to the Kandak level, the tactical level.

We will be preparing for that as well, the official said.

The ultimate goal is a negotiated peace settlement. So we continue to try to encourage peace process between the Afghan government and Taliban. Were not going to negotiate a separate peace with the Taliban. We want to see the Afghan government and the Taliban in negotiations, the official said.

The United States, the official said, is ready to facilitate a better relationship between Kabul and Islamabad.

We stand ready to take steps that could lead to better border cooperation, better trade and transit cooperation, reducing the violence and dealing with the refugee situation, the official said.
US President Donald Trump plowed full tilt into the Michael Flynn controversy on Sunday, denying he had ever asked former FBI director James Comey to stop the probe into his former national security advisor's Russia contacts, even as he launched an attack on the investigating agency.

In a string of morning tweets, the president also rubbished the appointment of a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent to a supervisory role in the Russia probe, after it turned out that he had sent political, anti-Trump messages in the past. It emerged on Saturday that the agent, identified in media reports as Peter Strzok, was removed this summer by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading the investigation.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Report: "ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE" Now it all starts to make sense!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Strzok, as deputy head of counter-intelligence at the FBI, had also played a key role in the investigation of the use of a private email server by Trumps Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. And the president brought that up as well, calling him tainted (no, very dishonest) in a tweet.

Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI "agents role in Clinton probe under review." Led Clinton Email probe. @foxandfriends Clinton money going to wife of another FBI agent in charge.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

He followed that with brutal criticism of the investigating agency: After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.

Trump renewed a call to probe Clinton, saying on Saturday, Many people in our Country are asking what the Justice Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and acid washed 33,000 Emails? No justice!

So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday "interrogation" with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The Russia probe that has dogged the Trump presidency from the start resurfaced last week with Flynn, the national security adviser fired in February, pleading guilty to lying to FBI about his interactions with the then Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak.

The White House and the president have said Flynn was fired because he lied, but Trump continued to defend his former NSA saying in a tweet, It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

While Flynns plea did not establish collusion by him or anyone in the Trump presidential campaign with Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections, it did bring the Russia probe right into the middle of the presidents inner circles of aides and advisers.

Flynn is also cooperating with investigators under a plea deal.

While the White House has sought to distance itself from Flynn, calling him an Obama administration official and suggesting he was working on his own, court documents and news reports have indicated he had looped in Trump transition team officials.

A senior official and one very senior official, who is said to be the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner, were mentioned in a court document filed by Muellers team on Thursday.

But some media reports went too far. ABC News has withdrawn a news report it published on Friday that had wrongly claimed Flynn was prepared to testify that he had been instructed to establish contacts with Russians by Trump himself while he was still a candidate. The network has since apologised and announced it had suspended the reporter.

The president sought vindication in his longstanding complaint that he was not being treated fairly by media, tweeting, Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross (the reporter) for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and papers should do the same with their Fake News!

People who lost money when the Stock Market went down 350 points based on the False and Dishonest reporting of Brian Ross of @ABC News (he has been suspended), should consider hiring a lawyer and suing ABC for the damages this bad reporting has caused - many millions of dollars!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017
A 19-year-old Muslim student with hijab was stopped from placing an order in a McDonalds restaurant in north London, according to a media report.

The girl was in the McDonalds outlet on Seven Sisters road in Holloway when a guard asked her to take off the hijab if she wanted to queue up for ordering food, The Independent reported.

Here is the video of the incident, occurring at McDonald's on Seven Sister's Road in Holloway, London. pic.twitter.com/07acmBYdjB  Sabrina (@south_sab) December 1, 2017

Its just a matter of taking it (hijab) off, the guard told the girl.

She responded: Its not just a matter of taking it off. I wear this for religious reasons and Im not ashamed of it, and I will stand in line and I will get the food I want, because this isnt okay.

Another customer intervened to defend the girl, a British Muslim of Middle Eastern descent, but was told by the guard: Its none of your business.

The restaurant later issued an apology and said it has suspended the security guard involved in the incident.

In a statement, McDonalds said it has no policy which restricts or prevents anyone wearing a hijab, or any other religious attire, from entering our restaurants.

We welcome customers of all faiths and sincerely apologise for this situation. We are taking this matter very seriously and are addressing the situation with the individuals involved; the security guard, from a third party company, has been suspended, it said. PTI KIS ZH
At least 21 people were killed at the weekend when a truck overturned in western Zimbabwe, state media reported on Sunday.

The truck was carrying 69 passengers when it failed to negotiate a curve and overturned at a business centre in the district of Tsholotsho on Saturday evening, according to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

Among the 21 known deaths, 15 people died at the scene and six in hospital, reported ZBC. A further 21 people were wounded in the accident.

Traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, where roads are riddled with potholes due to years of underfunding and neglect.

In June, 43 people were killed in a bus crash in the north of the country, along the highway leading to neighbouring Zambia.
The visibly shaken TV hosts tried to keep their composure behind the desk as they announced that their colleague Matt Lauer was fired for sexual misconduct allegations. Last week it was Charlie Rose's co-anchors who looked like deer in headlights as they announced accusations against him. Before that, the public saw comedian Sarah Silverman struggling with the news of Louis C.K.'s transgressions.

As famous man after famous man is accused of sexual misconduct - Garrison Keillor was also accused Wednesday - the victims who are speaking out bear the brunt of the emotional trauma and professional backlash. But the friends, colleagues and loved ones of the accused are also left to make sense of what happened, sometimes in a very public way.

"All we can say is we are heartbroken," said Lauer's co-host, Savannah Guthrie who appeared to be close to tears as she disclosed his firing. "I'm heartbroken. . . . How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly?"

They are in what is known as "secondary trauma," experts say, meaning they were not the person allegedly harassed or assaulted, but they experience a deep sense of betrayal from a person they thought they knew.

And it raises the question: What does someone do if a friend, colleague or loved one is accused of such a thing? What happens to that relationship?

Silverman spoke about it on her Hulu show "I Love You, America" when C.K., her close friend, apologized after he was accused of masturbating in front of young women.

"I love Louis, but Louis did these things. Both of those statements are true, so I just keep asking myself, can you love someone who did bad things? Can you still love them?" Silverman said.

A revelation like this can be difficult to handle for anyone and even more so when they're in the public eye and their emotions are on display, said Angela C. Esquivel, co-founder and chief executive of the nonprofit As One Project, a support organization for friends and family of survivors of sexual abuse.

"It shakes us to our core when we learn that someone we are close to or we've known for a long time has been doing these acts or crimes against other people," Esquivel said. "It can cause us a feeling of 'If what I knew before is no longer true, what is true now?' "

She said people might have different reasons to either keep or end the relationship. Family members, for example might have more incentive to hold onto the relationship, while someone who always thought the man was creepy might be happy to let it go.

"Are relationships salvageable is such a tough question," Esquivel said. "Depending on the relationship, both parties might want to salvage what's there. There definitely would be a great barrier."

She said there's not a wrong way to approach it.

"Shunning the person that did this might be helpful for some, and for others it might not be," she said. "Working toward reconciliation might be working toward regaining a sense of wellness, as long as the person is not compromising their own emotional health and well-being."

When Charlie Rose's co-anchor Gayle King was on air the morning after The Washington Post revealed that eight women had accused him of sexual harassment, she was candid about her feelings.

"I really am reeling," King said. "I got one hour and 42 minutes of sleep last night. Both my son and my daughter called me; Oprah called me and said, 'Are you okay?' I am not okay."

The best chance of saving a relationship is if a person offers a sincere apology both to the victims and secondary victims, is generally remorseful and works to make amends to the people they've hurt, experts said.

And, of course, figuring out if or how a relationship can withstand such a situation has a lot to do with the depth of the relationship in the first place.

"If a person feels like they can see something bigger beyond the behavior they might think it's worth it to maintain the relationship," said Dallas-based sex therapist Michael Salas said. "If there's a core that's bigger."

Experts say it is important not to make excuses for the behavior or put the allegations in a hierarchy of bad behavior by other men.

Violent behavior is in its own awful category but experts say nonviolent misdeeds should be taken very seriously as well. Don't try to figure out what's worse, for example, for a man to pat a woman's behind without permission or for him to walk around naked in front of her. That, they say, can be a form of minimizing the misdeeds, even denying them.

"People are missing the point when they compare the allegations," Salas said. "What's happening when people come forward is that we say we are no longer going to pretend these things are okay."

He said the common theme of all the allegations is men who misuse their power and women who for a long time thought they had to endure it in silence.

"They're all speaking to a similar stream of power and silence around sex and people not always feeling safe to come forward," Salas said.

In the aftermath of something like this, Esquivel said, the wide circle of people affected should focus on taking care of themselves.

"They need to take stock of where they are personally and see what will make them safe physically and emotionally," she said.
Editor's note: The Post is now reporting that the tweet was authored by President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, John Dowd, according to two people familiar with the situation. The fact that Dowd authored the tweet could limit its salience to the investigation, but the White House still hasn't publicly corrected anything.

- - -

A little more than 24 hours after Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, President Trump finally took to Twitter to offer his thoughts. He may wish he hadn't.

In his first tweet on the subject since Flynn's plea, Trump argued that Flynn had no reason to lie about his actions because they weren't unlawful. But it's the first part of the tweet that caught plenty of people's attention.

The entire tweet reads: I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump began.

Except when Trump fired Flynn on Feb. 13, he mentioned only Flynn's comments to Vice President Mike Pence -- not the FBI. In fact, Flynn's contradictory comments to the FBI on his meeting with the Russian ambassador weren't public knowledge at the time. And the current timeline as we understand it does not suggest the White House had direct knowledge of what Flynn told the FBI at the time.

Flynn's comments to the FBI didn't come into the public domain until three days after his dismissal, on Feb. 16, when The Washington Post's Sari Horwitz and Adam Entous reported that Flynn had wrongly denied discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador:

"Former national security adviser Michael Flynn denied to FBI agents in an interview last month that he had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country's ambassador to the United States before President Trump took office, contradicting the contents of intercepted communications collected by intelligence agencies, current and former U.S. officials said.

The Jan. 24 interview potentially puts Flynn in legal jeopardy. Lying to the FBI is a felony offense. But several officials said it is unclear whether prosecutors would attempt to bring a case, in part because Flynn may parse the definition of the word "sanctions."

- - -

Some see a problematic admission in Trump's tweet on Saturday -- possibly even something that could be construed as an admission to obstruction of justice. Here's why:

The day after Trump fired Flynn, on Feb. 14, Trump urged then-FBI Director James Comey to be lenient with Flynn, according to Comey's notes at the time, saying, "I hope you can let this go." If Trump knew at that time that Flynn had lied to the FBI and was under investigation, the argument goes, it may constitute an attempt to obstruct that investigation.

Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, suggested the tweet could prove a major misstep for the president and even that it might have cost any other president his job.

...just couldn't resist commenting on Flynn.

Shaub's tweet: Are you ADMITTING you knew Flynn had lied to the FBI when you asked Comey to back off Flynn???????????????????????????????????????????

Shaub followed with another tweet: Before we slipped into an alternate universe of unabashed corruption, this tweet alone might have ended a Presidential administration.

Others agreed, including Lawfare Executive Editor Susan Hennessey, who said Trump's tweet amounted to a "confession to essential knowledge elements of an obstruction of justice charge."

She tweeted: This is a pretty substantial confession to essential knowledge elements of an obstruction of justice charge.

Still, at the time it likely wasn't difficult for Trump and the White House to have surmised that Flynn had been under investigation. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates had told White House counsel Don McGahn on Jan. 26 - two days after Flynn's FBI interview - that Flynn had discussed sanctions on his phone calls with the Russian ambassador. This was contrary to what Flynn had told Pence and opened Flynn up to blackmail, Yates told McGahn.

Yates has said she told McGahn that Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI, but she says she did characterize for McGahn what Flynn had told the FBI.

"We also told the White House counsel that General Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI on [January] 24," Yates said in congressional testimony on May 8. "Mr. McGahn asked me how he did, and I declined to give him an answer to that. And we then walked through with Mr. McGahn essentially why we were telling them about this and the first thing we did was to explain to Mr. McGahn that the underlying conduct that General Flynn had engaged in was problematic in and of itself. Secondly, we told him we felt like the vice president and others were entitled to know that the information that they were conveying to the American people wasn't true."

So Yates didn't clearly state to McGahn that Flynn had misled the FBI or that he was under investigation, but given the content of their conversation - including talking about Flynn's intercepted communications - it wouldn't have been difficult to come to that conclusion. And if McGahn told Trump about the conversation with Yates, it's likely Trump believed Flynn was in legal jeopardy when he spoke to Comey on Feb. 14.

It's also possible Trump merely misremembered the timeline of what he knew when as he fired off his tweet on Saturday. But either way, it doesn't change the fact that he just tweeted something he may regret.

Later Saturday, Dowd said, "The tweet just paraphrases what [White House lawyer] Ty Cobb issued yesterday. I refer you to Comey's testimony about Flynn's answers. I have nothing further."

But Cobb's comments Friday didn't address the timeline like Trump's tweet does. Cobb merely said Friday that the "false statements involved mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation in February of this year."

- - -

The Washington Post's Carol D. Leonnig contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - The former top FBI official assigned to special counsel Robert Mueller III's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election was taken off that job this summer after his bosses discovered he and another member of Mueller's team had exchanged politically charged texts disparaging President Donald Trump and supporting Hillary Clinton, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

Peter Strzok, as deputy head of counterintelligence at the FBI, was a key player in the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server to do government work as secretary of state, as well as the probe into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election.

During the Clinton investigation, Strzok was involved in a romantic relationship with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, who worked for Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, according to the people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The extramarital affair was problematic, these people said, but of greater concern among senior law enforcement officials were text messages the two exchanged during the Clinton investigation and campaign season in which they expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton.

The people discussing the matter did not further describe the political messages between Strzok and Page, except to say the two would sometimes react to campaign news of the moment.

The Justice Department inspector general's office said in a statement Saturday that its investigators are "reviewing allegations involving communications between certain individuals, and will report its findings regarding those allegations promptly upon completion of the review of them.''

A spokesman for Mueller's office said Strzok was removed "immediately upon learning of the allegations'' and added that Page left the Mueller team two weeks before it became aware of the allegations.

The FBI declined to comment.

The Post repeatedly sought comment from Strzok and Page but got no response.

Defenders of Page and Strzok insisted that the issue is "overblown'' and that there was no misconduct between the two.

A friend of Page's said there was no professional misconduct at issue in the matter, and she said Page left the Mueller team in July before any of the issues came to light.

Page also no longer works much with McCabe, these people said.

When the issue arose, Strzok was taken off the Mueller team in late July, and he was given a job in the human resources division of the FBI - widely viewed internally as a demotion, according to people familiar with the matter.

A former senior Trump administration official said Strzok was evenhanded in all his dealings with the Trump White House. "I had the occasion to work closely with Special Agent Peter Strzok and never experienced even a hint of political bias. He was one of the most competent [counterintelligence] agents, and a role model," the official said. "The country is tearing itself apart, and men like Pete Strzok are victims. The enemy is better off with him sidelined," the former official added, referring to foreign adversaries.

At the time of the two departures from Mueller's group, no one publicly linked them. For months, officials have refused to explain why Strzok was reassigned, but people familiar with the matter said it was ultimately Mueller's decision.

Among federal law enforcement officials, there is great concern that exposure of the texts they exchanged may be used by the president and his defenders to attack the credibility of the Mueller probe and the FBI more broadly, according to the people familiar with the matter.

Defenders of Strzok and Page inside the FBI said that because there was no direct supervisory role between Page and Strzok in the workplace, there wasn't anything professionally wrong about having an affair, but they added that they understood why Mueller would not want anyone engaged in such conduct on his team. For one thing, if a foreign intelligence agency learned of such an affair, they could try to use it as a means of blackmail, although there's no evidence anyone outside the FBI was aware of the relationship.

The president's most vociferous defenders in Congress have called for a special counsel to investigate how the FBI handled the Clinton probe and other Clinton-connected matters. Word of the texts could give new fuel to those demands.

The Clinton investigation formally ended in July 2016, when FBI Director James Comey announced he would recommend Clinton face no charges for her use of a private email server as secretary of state. But the issue was resurrected in late October, when Comey informed congressional leaders that the FBI had discovered new Clinton emails on a laptop belonging to former congressman Anthony Weiner, then the subject of a separate FBI investigation. Days later, Comey announced that the emails on the laptop did not change the FBI's view of the case.

Clinton and her supporters say Comey's moves in October cost her the 2016 election, and Trump and his Republican allies have used it to justify Comey's firing - the event that ultimately led to Mueller's appointment as special counsel.

A lawyer for Comey said the former FBI director would not comment on the situation concerning Page and Strzok.

Mueller has so far charged four people in his investigation of possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials, most recently former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Of the four, two have pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI - Flynn and a former Trump campaign adviser.

During the Clinton email investigation, Page was a regular participant when Comey would hold "skinny group'' meetings on the case - a small collection of advisers who gathered to address sensitive cases, according to people familiar with the case.

Current and former FBI officials say the Strzok matter points to a larger unresolved issue facing the agency as it tries to investigate the president and make a fresh start with a new director, Christopher Wray. Much of the agency's senior leadership jobs are currently filled by people who were put in those positions by Comey, and Wray has yet to make many significant changes at the top. But a major house cleaning by the new director is widely anticipated inside the bureau.

McCabe, the deputy director, has faced repeated questions from the White House and Republican lawmakers about whether he should have been involved in the Clinton case at all - given the hundreds of thousands of dollars in political donations made by a key Clinton ally to McCabe's wife, a 2015 candidate for political office in Virginia.

- - -

The Washington Post's Adam Entous contributed to this report.
In the 2006 movie "Stranger than Fiction," Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) discovers that he's the protagonist in a novel - and that the voice he's been hearing in his head is the author's narration of his life. "Every weekday for 12 years, Harold would brush each of his 32 teeth 76 times; 38 times back and forth, 38 times up and down. Every weekday for 12 years, Harold would tie his tie in a single Windsor knot instead of the double, thereby saving up to 43 seconds."

While Harold's habits sound extreme, adding a new healthy habit to your morning routine is a good idea. That's the time to make a new habit, well, habitual. Researchers think that's because your levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that makes learning more difficult, is highest in the morning, and focusing on learning something when it's a challenge may mean that the info is more solidly encoded in your memory.

In a study published in Health Psychology, researchers instructed 48 people to adopt a new stretching routine. Half were told to do it after waking up, the other half before going to sleep. An app tracked whether they'd done the stretch and how automatic it became. While both groups made progress, the daily routine became a habit much more quickly for the morning group.

So if you're looking to adopt a healthy habit (say, meditation or yoga), start doing it first thing in the morning. Before you know it, you might find that it's second nature.

Keep your pets healthy, safe

There are plenty of people who buy medicine from online vendors, and now there are FDA warnings about buy your pets' medications there, too.

In 2013, American consumers spent $7.6 billion on prescription and over-the-counter pet meds, and there are ever more nonveterinary outlets for purchase of these medications, opening the floodgates to internet scammers offering unapproved, expired and counterfeit meds at a discount.

Two of the medications that the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine is most concerned about are heartworm preventives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Both, says the CVM, can be very dangerous if your vet doesn't get involved.

So how can you be sure you're getting pet medications that are safe and effective?

Always involve your vet. Get a written prescription, purchase the medications from the veterinary office itself or use an internet outsourced prescription management service that your veterinarian approves. Never buy a medication from an internet site that does not require a prescription.

Buy only from sites that end with ".pharmacy" (like ".com") address. There's a new Pharmacy Verified Websites Program with strict enrollment standards worldwide; only reliable pharmacies can get that url.

Never allow an online site to have supposed veterinarians "diagnose and prescribe" by having you fill out a form describing your pet's health issue!

Q: My 87-year-old mother has a cataract in one eye and is developing another in the other. Her doctor says she should have surgery, but at her age, I'm worried about the operation. What's your advice?

Edie C., Beaver Falls, Penn.

A: If her overall health is good, the surgery should not only improve her quality of life but could extend it as well. A new study based on data from the Women's Health Initiative found that cataract surgery was "associated with decreased risk for all-cause mortality." "All cause" means everything from cardiovascular disease to cancer.

The team of researchers, assembled at UCLA and including docs from across the U.S., recently published their findings in JAMA Ophthalmology. They looked at more than 20 years of data that included 74,000 women 65 and older, 40,000 of whom had cataracts.

The scientists found that seeing an ophthalmologist and maintaining your vision (cataract surgery) was associated with better cognitive function and a longer life. One obvious reason is that an older person's risk of falling is greatly reduced with improved vision. Falls are the leading cause of death among people 65 and older, accounting for around 9,500 deaths annually. Also, when you can see better, you're happier, more active, more able to read, play games and interact with the world - all fuel for keeping the body healthy and the brain sharp.

So for your mom, the next step is to find a good eye surgeon. We suggest getting referrals from her doctor and friends who have had the procedure done; then talk to the surgeons. Ask about their complication rate. Even though the procedure has an overall success rate above 98 percent, there are risks. In the U.S., the lifetime risk of a detached retina as a complication is about 1 percent. That number rises to about 2 percent if there is some cloudiness on the lens post-surgery that's cleaned up with YAG laser capsulotomy. But chances are Mom will sail through with flying colors - that she'll be able to see!

Contact the You Docs at realage.com.
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Two teens from Victoria who disappeared after school on Wednesday, Nov. 29, are believed to be in the Houston area.

Arianna Contreras, 15, was last seen getting on the bus at Victoria West High School with her friend Maxine Delagarza, 15, after school.

When she did not come home on Wednesday, Contreras' parents, Andrew and Michelle Alcantar contacted police and filed a missing person report.

Andrew Alcantar told Chron.com that after speaking to the girls' friends, and people at the school, he was able to conclude the two were headed to Houston.

ANOTHER CASE: Houston 16-year-old missing since Thanksgiving Day

"We keep finding out bits and pieces as we go, but we keep hearing that Maxine was talking about going to Houston," Alcantar told Chron.com "I think my daughter [Arianna] got caught up and followed along without knowing what she was really getting in to."

Chron.com contacted Delagarza's great aunt Emily Munoz and father Israel Rodriguez and both said this is fourth or fifth time Delagarza has run away from home. She was wearing an ankle monitor and they believe she cut it off.

Delagarza's aunt Munoz received a call around 2 a.m. Friday morning from a 281 number.

"I know it was Maxine because she calls me Aunt May." said Munoz. "I got mad and told her to come here, or that I would pick her up, but she hung up. I'm thinking she is going to wait for me to cool off and reach out again."

Both girls are 15 and have dark hair. Contreras has green eyes and a visible scar on her chin. Delagarza has brown eyes and light freckling.

Contreras was last seen wearing dark jeans, a green Polo brand shirt and a maroon Aeropostal hoodie. Delagarza was last seen in a pink dress and white sandals. Her father believes she may have packed clothes since some items are missing from Delagarza's closet.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of these girls please call 361-571-9985.
Even if migration to Europe ceased - no immigrants, no refugees - the percentage of Muslims in those countries would still rise over the next three decades.

That's according to new projections released recently by the Pew Research Center.

Though it hasn't been long since Pew made its last projections on population growth of world religions, which were based on 2010 numbers, a record number of asylum seekers from Syria and other predominantly Muslim countries has changed the picture considerably.

As of mid-2016, Muslims make up nearly 5 percent of the population in the 28 countries of the European Union, plus Norway and Switzerland, according to the new Pew report. That's an estimated 25.8 million people - fewer than Pew originally estimated. It's up from 19.5 million (or nearly 4 percent of the population) in 2010.

By comparison, Muslims make up about 1 percent of the population in the United States and could reach 2 percent by 2050, according to Pew estimates released earlier this year.

The new European numbers are based on Pew analysis and projections of census and survey data from each country, as well as data on immigration from Eurostat and other sources.

With the recent wave of Muslim immigrants and refugees to Europe, anti-Muslim movements have sprung up in several countries, including PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West), which has protested the arrival of Muslim migrants, claiming Germany will be "overrun" by Muslims.

That sentiment can cross the Atlantic: On Wednesday, President Trump retweeted three inflammatory videos purporting to show violence committed by Muslims that had been posted by the deputy leader of the far-right group Britain First, Jayda Fransen.

How much Europe's Muslim population actually will grow over the next three decades depends on future migration and birthrates. Pew created projections for three possible scenarios.

If all migration to Europe stopped, the Muslim population could grow to 7.4 percent by the year 2050. One reason for that growth is that European Muslims are younger than other Europeans by 13 years, on average. They also have more children - an average one more child per woman.

If no more refugees were admitted into European countries as of mid-2016, but immigration continued at its current pace, the Muslim population could more than double to 11.2 percent.

If refugees and immigrants continued to come to Europe in similar numbers with a similar religious makeup from now until 2050, the Muslim population could nearly triple to 14 percent.

Previously, Pew had estimated Europe's Muslim population at nearly 6 percent of the region, projecting it would reach 10 percent by 2050.

Meantime, Europe's total population would drop from about 521 million to an estimated 482 million without any future migration, according to the report.

The non-Muslim population is projected to decline in each scenario - at most, by about 10 percent in the scenario with no migration.

But even the scenario with the largest growth leaves the Muslim population considerably smaller than the populations of both Christians and people with no religion in Europe.

"There will be no country where Muslims make up more than a third of the population," said Conrad Hackett, Pew's associate director of research and senior demographer.

"There have been sort of sensationalistic claims that due to different fertility or migration patterns, France or other countries might perhaps have a Muslim majority by midcentury. Even in our highest scenario, we just don't find that to be an outcome that would materialize."
AUSTIN - In wake of the Sutherland Springs church shooting, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking the Texas attorney general to clarify when people can carry handguns in a place of worship.

Citing confusion over state law, Patrick is seeking an opinion on whether licensed handgun owners can carry loaded guns into any church, unless the building has a specifically posted prohibition.

"Next legislative session, I will continue to support initiatives to clarify the law and protect gun rights in Texas," Patrick wrote in a letter Friday to Attorney General Ken Paxton. "Meanwhile, I ask that you please expedite this request so that churches may know what legal options they have to improve their security."

Concerns about church security have mounted in the wake of Texas' worst mass shooting, in which Devin P. Kelley shot and killed 26 people last month at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs.

While some of the state's top Republican leaders, including Paxton, have pushed for arming churchgoers, Democrats have called for tightening Texas gun laws, such as barring people from openly carrying rifles.

A new state law that took effect Sept. 1 makes it easier for churches to install volunteer security teams by doing away with the annual $225 licensing fees they have to pay, Patrick said. It was passed "out of concern that churches, especially smaller congregations, could not shoulder such burdens," he wrote.

In his letter, Patrick sought to verify that churches wouldn't have to pay fees for assembling volunteer security teams.

State Democrats have taken a different approach, suggesting potential law changes to ban the open carry of rifles and to make it a state criminal offense for someone to lie on a background check form when purchasing a gun. Because Republicans in control of the Legislature have steadily been loosening firearms restrictions over the past few decades, it's not clear how much traction those policies could get.
In my experience, this is an incredibly exhausting time to be a journalist who writes about American politics and isn't a hermit.

With that said, I am very thankful for my friends, especially after covering the 2016 presidential election and witnessing its aftermath. A friend is an advocate, in a sense. Everyone could use one of those from time to time. And people who don't feel that they have one are vulnerable to believing they've been systematically deprived of one, even if the person saying so is Donald Trump.

"I am your voice," Trump said after accepting the Republican presidential nomination in Cleveland.

I hope the Americans who voted for him on that basis are satisfied with his performance. There are some journalists, who live in places like Texas, who never forgot the forgotten men and women of America in the first place. Now, as a result of the election, we have to allocate an abnormal amount of time to covering other things.

But, for what it's worth, I was always dubious of the idea that Trump was truly committed to giving his supporters a voice, and I know some of my conservative friends felt the same way because, last spring, one of them confided he had been brooding over a possibility he found disturbing.

"I think Trump might be a pawn of the Kremlin," said my friend, who works in politics and will remain nameless.

He hastened to lay out his evidence after assuring me he realized it sounded crazy. I can't remember what that evidence was because it really didn't sound crazy at all, in my opinion.

At that point, as I recall, Trump was the presumptive nominee. He had been completely open about his pro-Russia views and defensive of the country's leader, Vladimir Putin, whenever any of his competitors challenged him on the subject. Trump claimed that he and Putin were friends, and Putin reciprocated his esteem.

In other words, it was clearly possible that Trump was a pawn of the Kremlin, even then, if only in the sense that Putin - who is known to be a ruthless and manipulative person regardless - at some point had flattered a man who can easily be manipulated by flattery.

We know now, of course, that this was not the extent of Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election. We also know that several people associated with Trump or his campaign were at least aware of it. And the question of whether any of them actually colluded with Russians in an effort to influence the outcome of the election is the subject of an ongoing investigation at the Department of Justice, led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Trump, who insists that there was no collusion, has also repeatedly denounced the investigation itself as nothing more than a partisan "witch hunt."

"The Dems are using this terrible (and bad for our country) Witch Hunt for evil politics," he tweeted in October, to give one example.

'Beyond bizarre'

On Friday, his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, after Trump won the election.

It seems likely that further developments will be reported in due time because, in addition to pleading guilty, Flynn agreed to cooperate with Mueller's office from this point forward.

As David French notes in a column for the National Review, Flynn's cooperation could be quite useful if you're a prosecutor who is trying to figure out whether Trump was in cahoots with a hostile foreign government prior to winning the election. Flynn was an adviser to his campaign and has been known to dabble in such things.

"His alleged ties to Turkey alone are beyond bizarre," notes French.

To be clear, there's no evidence that Flynn colluded with Russians to help Trump win, or that his contact with Kislyak after Trump won was out of line. It's not a crime to talk to Russians.

If you're the president-elect of the United States, maybe you should talk to their ambassador from time to time. But considering the context - the fact that Flynn was charged with lying about contact that happened after the election - suggests that he may have agreed to testify about any contact that preceded it, and such contact would not be normal. It is not something that presidential candidates used to do, as far as I recall.

And on Saturday, the president revived the question of whether his decision to fire James Comey, the FBI director, was an effort to obstruct justice.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump said in a tweet, implying that he had asked Comey to go easy on Flynn even though he knew Flynn had committed a crime.

Two clarifications

It would seem, in other words, that Mueller's investigation has taken a serious turn for the White House. And it was never a "witch hunt" in the first place, incidentally.

I reckon Trump and his supporters will continue to call it that, though. And, in fairness, some Democrats have given the impression that they are rooting for Mueller out of partisan reasons, rather than out of a dispassionate desire to know the extent of Russia's interference in our last presidential election, so we can better secure the integrity of our next one, assuming we're not too exhausted to hold it at all.

I would like to emphasize two things about Friday's development for readers who are hoping that the Russia investigation will bring Trump down.

The first is that it's entirely possible that Trump is innocent of collusion. I've been suspecting that he is innocent, for the same reason I thought it was entirely possible that he might be a pawn of the Kremlin in the first place. The Trump campaign might have been tempted to accept any help Russia may have offered them, but Trump himself seems like the kind of candidate who would be offended at the suggestion - not out of commitment to democratic norms but because the suggestion itself is not flattering to him.

The second is that it is actually a crime to lie to the FBI, and Flynn has already pleaded guilty to it. So Republican leaders who continue to dismiss the investigation as a "witch hunt" at this point would be lying to the American public. That's nothing new, of course, and Democrats sometimes do it, too.

But it actually is wrong to lie to the American public; Republicans know that. And whatever the Russians did, nothing interfered with our last election as much as the fact that so many of them were nonetheless willing to, on behalf of a candidate who dismisses all criticism as "fake news."
A 70-degree afternoon in downtown Galveston with the Gulf Coast sun beating down might not be the most ideal setting for a performance of "A Christmas Carol," but Mark Charles Dickens did his best to bring his family's brand of holiday spirit to this year's Dickens on the Strand celebration.

Dickens - the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, the 19th century English literary icon -made his return to the festival after 12 years and didn't miss a beat. His lively one-man reading received warm reviews from the crowd, many of whom were dressed in the traditional Victorian garb from the time period the story takes place.

"He did a spectacular job," said Lance Hatcher, a goateed member of the Juggler's Pointe troupe -one of the Dickens on the Strand vendors - who sat through the entire reading. "I've read through the text probably three or four times my whole life. I got his autograph, he came over and thanked me for sitting through the whole thing. Here's a guy pouring it out and doing a fabulous job of it, it scratches your nostalgia itch a bit."

For Dickens, the return to Galveston was particularly meaningful. Since his last visit more than a decade ago, the city was battered by two massive hurricanes and has undergone a revitalization, particularly in the Strand area, now a hub of tourism and commerce.

And of course, the recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey dovetailed well with the poignant Dickensian theme of redemption that resonates throughout "A Christmas Carol."

"There is a certain link with the tragedy (Texas has) had," Dickens said. "(Charles) Dickens was one of the great social reformers of his time, he spent all of his waking hours trying to do something about the poor and downtrodden. Writing about them was one thing, but he did a lot more than that because he experienced it, he had been there himself."

A quick getaway

Indeed, the organizers, the Galveston Historical Foundation, made it clear that they hoped this year's festival would serve as something of an escape from the hard reality of hurricane recovery.

"A lot of places are still rebuilding, for a lot of people the holidays is the first chance they're gonna have to get out from a lot of the work that they've been doing and I hope that Dickens is part of that," said Will Wright, director of communications and special events for the Galveston Historical Foundation.

For Kat Collins, who drove from Katy, getting away from the slog of hurricane recovery was a big reason she and her husband, Charlie, decided to attend for the first time. Collins, sitting stately with a drink in hand wearing a billowy purple Victorian gown, said her neighborhood was hit particularly hard.

"Most of our neighborhood was devastated. We got very lucky. We were three houses away from being flooded, so our house was like a staging area," Collins said. "So I think with all of that, just to have things like (Dickens on the Strand) where you can come and de-stress is important. Everyone here has a smile on their face."

'An original'

Dickens, a United Kingdom native, noted Galveston's own troubled history with hurricanes as part of the reason the city remains alluring to him. There's a frozen-in-time aspect of Galveston that resonates.

"Because (Galveston)was the capital of the West, it had fantastic architecture and because of the (1900 hurricane) and the fact that the city was abandoned, it's still there," he said. "That's what's so special about Galveston, it's an original - and the way that they've renovated some of these buildings is fantastic. Every time you come back you notice something different."

Dickens added that his great-great-grandfather would likely have enjoyed Galveston and all of its trappings.

"Sadly, he never came here. He never crossed the Mississippi. But he would've loved it. He liked a party."

Dickens on the Strand continues through Sunday. Tickets are available through the Galveston Historical Foundation.
LONDON - A British royal marrying an American divorcee in 1936 threw the British monarchy and the Church of England into crisis, but that didn't happen when Prince Harry decided to marry Meghan Markle.

The announcement in London last week that Prince Harry is engaged to the American actress ended fevered speculation about the couple and was accompanied by statements of delight from Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his father, heir to the throne Prince Charles.

It was so very different from the last time a British royal wanted to marry an American divorcee. That 1936 engagement led to the abdication of the king, Edward VIII, who decided he would rather give up the throne than divorced Baltimore socialite Wallis Simpson.

The sticking point in 1936 was the rule on divorce and remarriage in the Church of England, of which the monarch of the United Kingdom is head. The church's ban on remarriage for a divorced person whose previous spouse is alive applied to King Edward, and still held for Queen Elizabeth's sister, Princess Margaret, in 1953. She was told she could not marry the man she loved, Captain Peter Townsend, because the Church of England would not countenance it.

Her only path to marry him would be to renounce her right to the throne - and to effectively leave the royal family. She chose to not marry the Royal Air Force officer.

In 2005, the situation was different for the divorced Prince Charles, who wanted to marry the divorced Camilla Parker Bowles. He was free to remarry as a divorced man, because his first wife, Princess Diana, had died. But Parker Bowles' first husband was still alive. The prince married Parker Bowles in a compromise: They tied the knot in a civil ceremony and then had an Anglican blessing for their marriage in St. George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle, conducted by then-Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

By then the Church of England had agreed that in certain circumstances those divorced could marry in church, but not if the relationship of the couple wishing to marry had caused the divorce, or if the latest wedding could cause public scandal. On those grounds, the church felt it was inadvisable for Prince Charles and Parker Bowles to have a full church wedding.

Last week, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby revealed no qualms about Prince Harry marrying a divorcee, a sign of how the Church of England has changed. "I wish them many years of love, happiness and fulfillment and ask that God blesses them throughout their married life together," said the archbishop.

He also said, suggesting that the couple have already settled on an Anglican wedding ceremony: "I am so happy that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have chosen to make their vows before God."

It would have been a lot tougher for Prince Harry and Markle had she turned out to be Catholic. There has been speculation that Markle is Roman Catholic because she was educated at Immaculate Heart, an exclusive Los Angeles Catholic school. But press reports indicate that her parents chose it for its strong academics, rather than its religious character.

If Markle had indeed been Catholic she would have been unable, as a divorced woman, to marry in her own church unless it had declared her previous marriage invalid.

Britain's religious heritage - its roots in the break with Rome enacted by Henry VIII - still resonates in royal affairs today. Given that the British monarch also is by law the head of the Church of England, any further reform is unlikely, unless the monarch's role as head of the church is abolished.
In a democracy, we get the leaders we deserve, right?

That's what I remind myself as I watch the dismantling of this country's institutions, civility and integrity and when I see our president offending our friends and courting our enemies,when I see the indictments and last week's guilty plea by a former national security adviser for lying to the FBI about Russia, and when I see a tax proposal that favors the rich and is predicted to drive up the deficit by $1 trillion over a decade.

These consequences were earned. They weren't imposed on us by some foreign power or some military dictator installed by a coup. We, the people - the American electorate as represented by the Electoral College - we did this.

And sometimes, in my radical moments, I think maybe we needed this as some kind of reset, or reality check, some kind of proof that being informed and involved matter, and that using votes as bumper stickers - to cleverly flip off the status quo - has consequences.

But even if we, the American people, deserve this, the same cannot be said for American kids.

They didn't have a vote. They didn't have a say. And now, through no fault of their own, 9 million of them across the nation stand to lose their health insurance because of Congress' failure to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program, a federal-state program known as CHIP.

Here in Texas, if a last-minute plea by Gov. Greg Abbott's administration to the federal government for $90 million in stop-gap funding falls through, then money will run out at the end of January, and the program will shut down, The Dallas Morning News first reported. By law, parents would need to be notified in advance.

Imagine: Days before Christmas, the parents of 400,000 young Texans enrolled in CHIP could get letters telling them their son or daughter won't have coverage to see a doctor or a dentist starting in February.

In addition to kids, about 36,000 women getting prenatal and postpartum care through the program could lose it, even more concerning when you consider Texas' high rate of maternal deaths.

Not so confident

Cancellation letters have already begun in other states set to run out of CHIP funding sooner.

Texas officials who administer CHIP seem to have confidence that the $90 million will come in time to keep the program going, but even so, it's temporary. Some congressional leaders have expressed confidence that funding can be restored in December as part of a larger spending package.

But given the worth of words in Washington today, we shouldn't hold our breath.

"It's hard to feel confident that Congress will meet any deadlines these days," said Anne Dunkelberg, a health policy expert and associate director at the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin.

She and other health advocates have expressed shock and concern that Congress has let the limbo go on for so long.

So what's the problem here? What led Congress to allow CHIP funding to expire in September and fail to renew it ever since? Is it an actual substantial disagreement over some wasteful welfare program that only a liberal could love?

No.

Bipartisan program

CHIP has enjoyed bipartisan support since its inception 20 years ago. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has portrayed it as a model for other programs because of the flexibility allowed to states administering it.

The federal-state program was created for children in low-income families whose parents can't afford private health insurance but make just enough not to qualify for Medicaid.

Liberals like CHIP because it provides families with health care designed for kids, without giant deductibles or out-of-pocket costs, and because it's simple to apply and renew coverage. Conservatives like the fact that it requires families to share in costs, which they say increases accountability among consumers.

In truth, there's no good reason why the program hasn't been funded. Initially, there was a disagreement about whether the renewed funding should be tethered to cuts, including some in Medicare.

Tax breaks before kids

But lately, the problem seems to be one of priorities, despite pleas from a list of groups representing children, doctors, hospitals and others.

The Senate has been laser-focused on President Donald Trump's top goal. Hint: It ain't the kids.

It's a tax overhaul, House and Senate versions of which are expected to provide only modest tax cuts for middle-income families and huge windfalls for wealthy Americans, including the president himself.

The message is unmistakable: In America today, unnecessary benefits to the rich come before, quite literally, the vital health benefits of 9 million children.

Maybe the American people deserve these leaders, but our kids don't.

If you still prioritize the health and well-being of America's children - America's future - let your representatives in Congress know. Tell them to get their priorities straight and fund CHIP now.
Any pain that Isaiah Gitchel may have felt Saturday did nothing to stop the 6-year-old who has spina bifida from holding court on his annual journey on United Airlines Flight 2432 to the North Pole.

More than once, the Whispering Pines Elementary School student found himself surrounded by other children, parents and volunteers drawn to his electric personality.

"What's your name?" he asked passers-by as he doled out high-fives.

Isaiah was among 60 children from area hospitals and their families who were greeted after an hourlong flight at George Bush Intercontinental Airport by Santa's elves, sleighs, fake snow Disney princesses, superheroes and Christmas carols sang by Atascosita High School students.

The Fantasy Flight event, held at 13 United hubs worldwide, is an annual partnership between United Airlines and hospitals. Representatives from the airline visit MD Anderson Cancer Center, Shriner's Hospital, the UT Mitochondrial Center for Excellence and Texas Children's Hospital at the end of each summer to invite children who might not otherwise be able to attend holiday events.

"They don't deserve to go through what they're going through," said John Watson, the Houston president of the program. "We like that we can make a day in their life be a little bit brighter."

Kids and their families are invited to the Fantasy Flight on a first-come, first-served basis, said hospital coordinator Jody Cope, the senior manager of environmental compliance at United.

Though priority is normally given to new passengers, some, like Isaiah, return year after year.

"He loves people, he loves it here," his mother, Karen Federwisch, 37, said. "He's never met a stranger."

Some of the volunteers from years past vividly remember the little boy with glasses and a smile permanently plastered to his face, who spent much of the summer in the hospital.

"He's always been a hoot," said Leslie Fox, 53, a Bush airport customer service representative by day and Santa's helper by night.

As rewarding as the event is for the children and their parents, Fox said, it's just as enjoyable for the volunteers.

"It's priceless. Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces tells you everything," said Sonia Bazzi, 50, a customer service supervisor at the airport.

Fox has lost count of how many times she's volunteered at the event, but every time the children walk through the blue, snowflake-embroidered curtains and see their version of a winter wonderland, she has to choke back tears.

"It puts life into perspective," she said. "If you can put a smile on one kid's face, it makes it all worth it."

Caroline Fletcher's trip to the North Pole came the day before her sixth birthday. As she whizzed around in her power chair, from the caricature station to the face painting, all she was looking for was a present for her twin brother, Henry.

She has a rare neuromuscular disorder, her grandfather, neurosurgeon Steve Fletcher said, and will travel to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio in January to undergo experimental treatment.

"She's a great little girl," Fletcher said.

All she wants from Santa this year, the kindergartner said, is a Barbie Dreamhouse.
One patient got a $3,660 bill for a 4-mile ride. Another was charged $8,460 for a trip from one hospital that could not handle his case to another that could. Still another found herself marooned at an out-of-network hospital, where she'd been taken by ambulance without her consent.

These patients all took ambulances in emergencies and got slammed with unexpected bills. Public outrage has erupted over surprise medical bills - generally out-of-network charges that a patient did not expect or could not control - prompting 21 states to pass laws protecting consumers in some situations. But these laws largely ignore ground ambulance rides, which can leave patients stuck with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in bills, with few options for recourse, finds a Kaiser Health News review of 350 consumer complaints in 32 states.

Patients usually choose to go to the doctor, but they are vulnerable when they call 911 - or get into an ambulance. The dispatcher picks the ambulance crew, which, in turn, often picks the hospital. Moreover, many ambulances are not summoned by patients. Instead, the crew arrives at the scene having heard about an accident on a scanner, or because police or a bystander called 911.

Betsy Imholz, special projects director at the Consumers Union, which has collected over 700 patient stories about surprise medical bills, said at least a quarter concern ambulances.

"It's a huge problem," she said.

Forty years ago, most ambulances were free for patients, provided by volunteers or town fire departments using taxpayer money, said Jay Fitch, president of Fitch & Associates, an emergency services consulting firm. Today, ambulances are increasingly run by private companies and venture capital firms. Ambulance providers now often charge by the mile and sometimes for each "service," like providing oxygen.

Can't agree on fair price

The core of the problem is that ambulance and private insurance companies often can't agree on a fair price, so the ambulance service doesn't join the insurance network. That leaves patients stuck in the middle with out-of-network charges that are not negotiated, Imholz said.

This happens to patients frequently, according to one recent study of over half a million ambulance trips taken by patients with private insurance in 2014. The study found that 26 percent of these trips were billed on an out-of-network basis.

The KHN review of complaints revealed two common scenarios leaving patients in debt: First, patients get in an ambulance after a 911 call. Second, an ambulance transfers them between hospitals. In both scenarios, patients later learn the fee is much higher because the ambulance was out-of-network, and after their insurer pays what it deems fair, they get a surprise bill for the balance, also known as a "balance bill."

The Better Business Bureau has received nearly 1,200 consumer complaints about ambulances in the past three years; half were related to billing, spokeswoman Katherine Hutt said.

While the federal government sets reimbursement rates for patients on Medicare and Medicaid, it does not regulate ambulance fees for patients with private insurance. In the absence of federal rules, those patients are left with a fragmented system in which the cost of a similar ambulance ride can vary widely from town to town. There are about 14,000 ambulance services across the country, run by governments, volunteers, hospitals and private companies, according to the American Ambulance Association.

Very few states have laws limiting ambulance charges, and most state laws that protect patients from surprise billing do not apply to ground ambulance rides, according to attorney Brian Werfel, consultant to the American Ambulance Association. And none of the state surprise-billing protections applies to people with self-funded employer-sponsored health insurance plans, which are regulated only by federal law. That's a huge exception: 61 percent of privately insured employees are covered by self-funded employer-sponsored plans.

Out-of-network expenses

Most complaints reviewed by Kaiser Health News did not appear to involve fraudulent charges. Instead, patients got caught in a system in which ambulance services can legally charge thousands of dollars for a single trip - even when the trip starts at an in-network hospital.

That's what happened to Devin Hall, a 67-year-old retired postal inspector in Northern California. While he faces stage 3 prostate cancer, Hall also is fighting a $7,109.70 out-of-network ambulance bill from American Medical Response, the nation's largest ambulance provider.

On Dec. 27, 2016, Hall went to a local hospital with rectal bleeding. Since the hospital didn't have the right specialist to treat his symptoms, it arranged for an ambulance ride to another hospital about 20 miles away. Even though the hospital was in-network, the ambulance was not.

Hall was stunned to see that AMR billed $8,460 for the trip. His federal health plan, the Special Agents Mutual Benefit Association, paid $1,350.30 and held Hall responsible for $727.08, records show. The health plan paid that amount because AMR's charges exceeded its Medicare-based fee schedule, according to its explanation of benefits. But AMR turned over his case to a debt collector, Credence Resource Management, which sent an Aug. 25 notice seeking the full balance of $7,109.70.

"These charges are exorbitant - I just don't think what AMR is doing is right," said Hall, noting that he had intentionally sought treatment at an in-network hospital.

He has spent months on the phone calling the hospital, his insurer and AMR trying to resolve the matter. Given his prognosis, he worries about leaving his wife with a legal fight and a lien on their Brentwood, Calif., house for a debt they shouldn't owe.

After being contacted by Kaiser Health News, AMR said it has pulled Hall's case from collections while it reviews the billing. After further review, company spokesman Jason Sorrick said the charges were warranted because it was a "critical care transport, which requires a specialized nurse and equipment on board."

Sorrick faulted Hall's health plan for underpaying, and said Hall could receive a discount if he qualifies for AMR's "compassionate care program" based on his financial and medical situation.

"In this case, it appears the patient's insurance company simply made up a price they wanted to pay," Sorrick said.

In July, a California law went into effect that protects consumers from surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers, including some ambulance transport between hospitals. But Hall's case occurred before that, and the state law doesn't apply to his federal insurance plan.
Alex Brandon

Amid continuing revelations about lurid details from his last, and demands from fellow Republicans to step aside, U.S. Rep. Joe Barton decides not to seek another term. He becomes the first casualty of the national uproar over sexual harassment.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick push back on plans by the Texas Department of Transportation to add more toll roads to Texas' transportation future.
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Ring the bell

Regarding "Package thieves new holiday Grinches" (Page A1, Friday), as a person who is home all day, I have discovered my packages on the porch with no notification that they were delivered. I realize that the UPS and FedEx drivers are under pressure to complete their routes, but the least they could do is ring the doorbell or knock on the door to let people who are at home know a delivery has been made. It would only take a second.

I have witnessed drivers just tossing packages from the bottom of the stairs, probably to rush through their deliveries at houses where I know the person is at home.

Besides telling drivers to watch for people tailing them, they should also be instructed to ring the bell.

Joan Mann, Houston

Creating problems

Regarding "Deficit factor throws wrench into tax bill" (Page A13, Friday), why do the media keep referring to the Republican tax plan as tax reform? Reform implies improvement, correcting flaws. There is no rationale to what the Republicans are doing other than a cynical ploy to give tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy.

If the Senate plan passes, it will have the added effect of depriving millions of Americans of health insurance.

The so-called reform is being rushed through without adequate analysis or public input or even full disclosure so the Republicans can finally say they accomplished something.

Michael Gemignani, League City

Keillor and clear thinking

Regarding "Garrison Keillor fired for 'inappropriate behavior," (HoustonChronicle.com, Wednesday), at what point does legitimate outrage become a moral panic? I fear that the line may have been crossed with the firing of Garrison Keillor by Minnesota Public Radio and the Chronicle's subsequent decision not to run his columns.

The reported incident sounds relatively minor compared to the lurid and egregious behavior of others. Keillor apologized immediately instead of waiting until media exposure forced a confession. Did Keillor use bad judgment? Sure. Whenever you touch anybody without at least their implied permission you risk giving offense.

Men in any sort of position of authority or power should rigorously practice the old Roman virtue of gravitas - an attitude of seriousness and high-mindedness that respects the dignity of oneself and others. However, when we conflate bad judgment with moral corruption, then our judgment is skewed and good sense is undermined. The actual threats of communism during the Cold War did not justify the paranoia of McCarthyism. Neither should legitimate outrage over sexual harassment degenerate into panic, because panic destroys clear thinking, and clear thinking is what we need most in perilous times.

Keith M. Parsons, Friendswood

In defense of Barton

Regarding "'Sexting' lawmaker will step aside" (Page A1, Friday), once again, the Republican Party has sacrificed principle for political expediency. I am referring to the calls for Texas Congressman Joe Barton to step down after revelations that he was involved in a consensual sexual relationship with a woman that included the publication of a nude photo of Barton.

Speaking for party leaders, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, chairman of the state Senate Republican Caucus, insisted that Barton step down so as to "spare us any further details of your past."

Of course, Barton didn't reveal any of the details of his affair and, if anything, is himself the victim of either "revenge porn" or a politically timed ouster. There's also no evidence of any illegal or unethical behavior on his part. Those distinctions seem to be lost on Bettencourt and various other prominent Republicans.

Barton's sex life is no business of theirs or even his constituents, but so long as people like Bettencourt act otherwise, there will no end of such "scandals" for elected Republicans.

Pete Smith, Cypress
During World War II, my dad was a combat medic. He never talked about the war, but a few years ago at my insistence, he showed me his medals. Although he was awarded a Bronze Star, he was most proud of his Combat Medic Badge, a small silver stretcher that symbolized the canvas litters medics used to rescue the wounded. The badge symbolized the ethos of never leaving anyone behind. Everyone who served deserved a chance at survival and recovery.

That same ethos prevailed in the care of sheriff's Deputy Nick Tullier, a patient at TIRR Memorial Herman profiled in today's Chronicle. While on duty, Tullier was shot in the head. After four months, his prognosis seemed grim. His doctors in Louisiana thought he was in a vegetative state, but his family saw signs of responsiveness. Because his story gained national attention, his family managed to transfer him to TIRR for rehabilitation.

His story is heartbreaking and yet uplifting - from the brink of death to real, but imperfect recovery. Tullier's journey is something that modern medicine should celebrate. But as a physician who has worked with patients and families touched by severe brain injury, I mourn for all those like Tullier who could be helped but will never see the inside of a place like TIRR.

Despite a growing scientific appreciation that injured brains need time to heal, the number of patients who gain access to specialized neuro-rehabilitation has decreased over the past decade. Most end up trapped in nursing homes, where they are often misdiagnosed. Upward of 40 percent of patients thought to be vegetative after traumatic brain injury are actually minimally conscious. It is a staggering error with dire consequence that would be unacceptable anywhere else in medicine.

Misdiagnosed as vegetative, minimally conscious individuals are deprived of human companionship. More frightening, they are denied pain medication because they are mistakenly thought unable to feel pain. Their vulnerability is heightened by their inability to cry out for relief.

Their neglect becomes more consequential as neuro-rehabilitation becomes more effective. A misdiagnosis becomes a missed opportunity for emerging treatments that might return patients to their homes and families. A recent study showed that 21 percent of the most severely injured who received therapeutic rehabilitation recovered enough function to live independently.

These advances are good news. But this is progress from which most patients will not benefit because we know neither their numbers nor whereabouts once they leave a hospital setting. The lack of such basic public health data indicates how neglected these patients are. Uncounted, they simply don't count.

This no makes sense. Why doesn't everyone get the care available at specialized centers like Houston's TIRR? Why isn't this the norm?

It is a complicated question that is as much a cultural problem as a medical challenge.

Since the the landmark Quinlan decision in 1976, the futility of the vegetative state has been linked to the evolution of the right to die. Deciding the fate of Karen Ann Quinlan, a New Jersey Supreme Court judge wrote that there was no "compelling interest of the state" to continue her life-sustaining therapy because she would only "vegetate a few more measurable months with no realistic possibility of returning to any semblance of cognitive or sapient life."

Since then, futility of the vegetative state was generalized to other patients who were severely injured but who have a more favorable prognosis, like those in a state of minimal consciousness. This has led to the neglect of a whole class of patients who might be helped.

It is human nature to fear grievous injury and disability, so we avoid the subject. This psychological defense allows us to look away from those who represent our worst fears.

The brain-injured are out of sight and out of mind. There is furthermore a tendency to dichotomize outcomes after severe injury: people either recover or die. In reality, most end up somewhere in between.

The goal should be to meet patients where they are, not where we imagine them to be.

This is the humane thing to do, but it's a hard sell as the nation grapples with healthcare reform and ballooning deficits. Why pay for the most severely injured when others lack primary care?

It's a fair question, but one that neglects deeper responsibilities to those who are dependent upon the good will of others. When thinking about access to care for patients with severe brain injury, we must understand this is more than an insurance issue. It is a fundamental question of civil and disability rights. What is at stake is the life and well-being of conscious individuals who have been marginalized because of society's disinterest and neglect. They deserve better.

To meet the needs of those who are unserved will require an expanded infrastructure of specialized rehabilitation programs. Centers like TIRR can play a leadership role in modeling reforms in how we treat these patients, just as designated cancer centers like M.D. Anderson and Memorial Sloan Kettering did decades ago. Those efforts raised the bar for cancer care nationwide.

Brain injury rehabilitation can follow this proven path to good effect. When this promise is realized, the care received at TIRR will no longer be the exception. It will become the norm.

Fins, author of Rights Come to Mind: Brain Injury, Ethics and the Struggle for Consciousness, teaches at Weill Cornell Medical College and Yale Law School. He co-directs the Consortium for the Advanced Study of Brain Injury at Weill Cornell and Rockefeller University and is a full affiliate member of Houston Methodist Research Institute.
The Texas that most Americans know from the headlines, the magazine stories and the movies is not necessarily the Lone Star State that Peter Brown and I know. As a photographer and a writer, we find our Texas more appealing, in part because it's fast passing, in part because we find it beautiful in an unaffected way.

The Texas we know is off the busy interstates, beyond the metropolitan regions spreading amoebalike into the surrounding countryside. It's rural, small-town and slower-paced. Even today, it's much more connected to the land, to the pine forests and pasture, the rich river bottoms and the vast stretches of rangeland that drew early settlers to the state in the first place. The Texas we know also is more intimately connected to the state's frontier heritage.

That's the Texas I encounter in my "Native Texan" columns in the Houston Chronicle, where these columns appeared originally. Even as the land empties out and the once-vital small towns collapse in on themselves, even in their dying, I find a certain rough beauty.

It's also a Texas much more familiar to most Texans - urban and otherwise - than you would guess. A great many Houstonians, Dallasites and Austinites grew up in small-town Texas. Many are only a couple of generations off the land. Even if they didn't live it themselves, they've heard stories about small-town and rural childhoods, the appeal of growing up in a place where everyone knows your name.

More Information 'Hometown Texas' Photographs by Peter Brown/Stories by Joe Holley Maverick Books/Trinity University Press $32.50 'Hometown Texas' Photographs by Peter Brown/Stories by Joe Holley Maverick Books/Trinity University Press $32.50 See More Collapse

One morning a few years ago, I flew to Amarillo, rented a car and drove to Lipscomb (pop. 44), to interview the county judge. As we shook hands, he told me I had just missed a deer that had wandered in through the front door of the Lipscomb County Courthouse and strolled out through the back. What I didn't miss as I hung around Lipscomb for a couple of days was the flock of wild turkeys that for decades has ambled around town, the easy-going gobblers always sticking together, minding their own turkey business, with never a worry about being bothered by the locals.

Most Texans have never heard of Lipscomb. Among the northernmost tier of Panhandle counties, Lipscomb is closer to Liberal, Kan., than to any good-sized town in Texas. The first time I happened upon the green and leafy little place, I was writing a piece for Texas Monthly about the Panhandle invasion of corporate hog farms. I've been back several times to investigate and appreciate the tiny community (most recently to see how it fared during a massive wildfire that ravaged the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles).

Founded a bit more than a century ago by German and Russian wheat farmers, the farming and ranching community was dying - had died except for the courthouse. Two lesbian women revived it.

Drawn to the abandoned Western-style storefronts on the courthouse square, Debbie and Jan rented a house, set up pottery and painting studios and a gift shop in a couple of the ramshackle old buildings and, despite some initial suspicion on the part of a few Lipscombites, made themselves part of the community. Not long after they moved in, the two women built an open-air dance platform and invited Bob Wills-style Western swing bands from throughout the Panhandle and West Texas to play on Saturday nights. Every weekend, an hour or so before the fiddler struck up the opening Texas two-step tune, they put on country suppers, with farm and ranch women from miles around contributing their homemade specialties.

A few years later, two bed-and-breakfasts opened up - in Lipscomb, Texas, of all places. Folks from Amarillo, 90 miles away, restored some of the old houses as second homes. More artists moved in. Lipscomb had come alive.

I tell the Lipscomb story because it contains the three elements that draw me to an older, more rooted Texas: intriguing people, the pervasive influence of place and the enduring significance of the past on present-day lives. These three elements are the focal points for "Hometown Texas."

What intrigues me as a writer is how men and women take the hand they've been dealt - fate, family, circumstance, luck - and craft a life for themselves, like how a poet acknowledges the rules and limitations of a particular type of poem and constructs a work of art. We all do the same thing with our own lives. The challenge for the writer is to work to understand a person's life, to get a feel for it, and then to recreate that life in a compelling way.

When I was a boy growing up in a working-class suburb of Waco, my dad had a potato chip route. Several days a week each summer from about age 4 until I was a teenager, I was his Creamer's "Clover Fresh" Potato Chips helper, as we called on grocery stores and beer joints and hamburger stands in small towns within about a 50-mile radius of Waco. I came to appreciate the particularities - indeed, the peculiarities - of place.

Pulling into Marlin on Friday mornings in our yellow step-in van - Marlin, where the New York Giants trained in the 1920s because of the town's restorative hot sulfur springs - I would try to sense how the little town was different from, say, Belton or Rosebud or Copperas Cove. As a kid, I gradually came to realize that towns, like people, are intelligible. They have distinctive personalities.

"The puzzle of Texas is that it is simultaneously diverse and unified," Stephen Brook writes in a book called Honkytonk Gelato. "Climactically, topographically, economically, the east has no connection with the west, yet the Texans' sense of themselves, their cultural identity  links the rancher from San Angelo with the timber merchant from Nacogdoches like mountaineers at different heights yet on the same rope."

Anyone who's driven across Texas is well-aware that it's a large and remarkably diverse state, one that's so large and so diverse that some have suggested carving five states out of Texas. When Texas was admitted to the Union, in fact, Congress authorized it to form "new States of convenient size, not exceeding four in number and in addition to the said State of Texas."

Former Vice President John "Cactus Jack" Garner of Uvalde - best known for comparing the vice presidency to "a pitcher of warm spit" - maintained in the 1920s that slicing Texas into five states the size of Arkansas would "transfer the balance of political power to the South and secure for the Southern States prestige and recognition."

Garner envisioned an East Texas, West Texas, North Texas and South Texas, with just plain Texas in the middle. The idea went nowhere, largely because most Americans believed that one Texas was more than enough.

Holley, who retired earlier this year as a Chronicle editorial writer, was a 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist for a series of editorials on guns and gun culture. A former staff writer for the Washington Post, his "Native Texan" column continues to run in the Chronicle on Saturdays.

Brown has photographed landscapes and small towns for 25 years. The author of five books, he teaches photography at the Glasscock School at Rice University and lives in Houston.
Stating that no university is above the norms of the University Grants Commission, the HC found Priya lacking the required teaching experience to be considered for the post of associate professor.
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Imperial Valley News Center

CBP Recovers Three Stolen Vehicles Bound for Africa

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently recovered three stolen vehicles in Baltimore that were being shipped to Africa, including two premium 2017 models.

The vehicles included:

2017 Infiniti QX80 recovered November 20, which was reported stolen from Baltimore and bound for Abidjan, Ivory Coast;

2017 Chevrolet Silverado High Country recovered November 20, which was reported stolen in Leesburg, Va., and also bound for Abidjan; and

2015 Honda Accord recovered November 14, which was reported stolen in Chicago and bound for Lagos, Nigeria.

The FBIs 2016 Motor Vehicle Theft report documented more than 765,000 motor vehicles  identified as sport utility vehicles, automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles  with an approximate loss of $5.9 billion. The FBI report indicates that 2016 motor thefts increased 7.4 percent over 2015 thefts.

Baltimore is one of the nations busiest import/export ports for new and used cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles and farm equipment. CBP officers at the Port of Baltimore routinely examine outbound vehicles and export documentation and occasionally encounters vehicles that are reported stolen.

During fiscal year 2017  which runs from October 2016 through September 2017 -- CBP officers recovered 59 stolen vehicles that had an approximate combined value of about $1.7 million. That was CBPs busiest year in stolen vehicle recoveries since 2010.

Auto theft is not a victimless crime. Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to work with our federal and local partners to identify and recover stolen vehicles before they can be smuggled out of the United States, said Dianna Bowman, CBP Area Port Director for the Area Port of Baltimore. Export compliance inspections remain one of many Customs and Border Protection enforcement priorities in the Port of Baltimore and a responsibility that we take very seriously.

The most common destinations for stolen vehicles shipped from Baltimore are Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Vehicle exporters must present the export vehicle for CBP examination, along with original documentation, such as a bill of sale and Certificate of Title that describes the vehicle and proves legitimate ownership or possession. Learn more about federal requirements for exporting a motor vehicle.

As the nations border security agency, Customs and Border Protection is charged with enforcing hundreds of laws and regulations at our nations international ports of entry, said Casey Owen Durst, CBPs Field Operations Director in Baltimore, the agencys operational commander in the mid-Atlantic region. CBP plays a critical role in helping to keep our communities and consumers safe, and in protecting U.S. businesses from theft of actual and intellectual property.

CBPs Office of Field Operations

CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international sea cargo and searches for terrorist weapons, illicit narcotics, stolen vehicles, counterfeit merchandise, prohibited agriculture products and other prohibited items. Learn about "A Typical Day" for CBP in 2016.

CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBPs Office of Field Operations secures our nations borders.
Imperial Valley News Center

White House on the Kate Steinle Case

Washington, DC - Thursdays verdict in San Francisco underscores the danger to public safety when our Nation fails to enforce its laws. Kate Steinle was killed by an illegal immigrant and convicted felon who had been deported from the United States five times. He, and countless other criminal illegal immigrants like him, should never be allowed to threaten our citizens.

Its more important now than ever for Congress to secure our borders and provide the resources, including more ICE officers, needed to deport criminal illegal aliens and to finally stop sanctuary city policies that cause needless loss of innocent life. Politicians who fail to address these needs share responsibility for preventable crimes committed against innocent Americans.



Had San Francisco enforced our Nations immigration laws, the Steinle family would be celebrating this holiday with all of their loved ones.
Border Patrol Discovers Meth in Pickups Gas Tank

Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint, arrested a man suspected of smuggling methamphetamine inside his pickups gas tank on Friday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 a.m., when a 66-year-old man approached the checkpoint in a 2003 Chevy Silverado. Before the driver reached the primary inspection area, a Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the drivers side of the vehicle.

Agents referred the man to secondary inspection for a closer inspection of his pickup.

Upon further inspection, Border Patrol agents found 74 packages stuffed inside the pickups gas tank. Agents tested the contents of the packages. That test indicated a positive for characteristics of methamphetamine.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 77.22 pounds with an estimated street value of $270,270.

Gas tanks are a common hiding place drug traffickers use to smuggle their narcotics.

The man, a naturalized citizen, the vehicle and narcotics were turned-over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2018, El Centro Sector has seized more than 197.54 pounds of methamphetamine.
CBP Officers Discover 251 Pounds of Marijuana Concealed in Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Calexico, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico West port of entry arrested a SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) member after discovering 251 pounds of marijuana concealed in an auxiliary fuel tank located in the bed of the pickup truck he was driving.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, at about 2:50 a.m., when a CBP officer encountered a 53-year-old male Mexican citizen and permanent resident of the U.S. driving a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup truck. The CBP officer referred both the driver and vehicle for further inspection.

CBP officers conducted a search of the vehicle that included the use of the ports imaging system and discovered anomalies to the auxiliary fuel tank. A canine team screened the vehicle and the canine alerted to the tank. Officers subsequently discovered 10 wrapped packages of marijuana concealed inside the fuel tank. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $100,400.

This is another great example of dedicated CBP officers using their skills and advanced technology to stop the smuggling of dangerous contraband from entering the United States, said Area Port Director David Salazar.

The driver, a resident of Holtville, was arrested and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing. The driver was later transported to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle.
Verdict in People of the State of California vs. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate aka Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez

Washington, DC - Attorney General Sessions Statement on the Verdict in People of the State of California vs. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate aka Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez:

When jurisdictions choose to return criminal aliens to the streets rather than turning them over to federal immigration authorities, they put the publics safety at risk. San Franciscos decision to protect criminal aliens led to the preventable and heartbreaking death of Kate Steinle. While the State of California sought a murder charge for the man who caused Ms. Steinles deatha man who would not have been on the streets of San Francisco if the city simply honored an ICE detainerthe people ultimately convicted him of felon in possession of a firearm. The Department of Justice will continue to ensure that all jurisdictions place the safety and security of their communities above the convenience of criminal aliens. I urge the leaders of the nations communities to reflect on the outcome of this case and consider carefully the harm they are doing to their citizens by refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement officers.
2018 Customs Broker Triennial Status Report and Fee Submission Begins December 15

Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the submission period for the 2018 Customs Broker Triennial Status Report and fee for all licensed customs brokers opens December 15. Every licensed broker is required to file a status report with CBP every three years and the deadline for submitting the 2018 Triennial Status Report and fee is February 28, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Submissions will be collected online via Pay.gov. Pay.gov accepts credit card, debit card, and digital wallet (i.e. PayPal and Amazon Pay) payments. No additional fees are charged for any payments, and receipts are provided electronically.

Each entity holding a brokers license must file a status report with CBP and pay a processing fee of $100 every three years, in accordance with 19 CFR  111.30(d). Licensed customs brokers must include an employee list, if applicable, with each status report submitted to CBP in accordance with 19 CFR  111.28(b). In addition, each individually licensed broker must state whether or not he/she still meets the applicable requirements of 19 CFR  111.11 and 111.19 and has not engaged in any conduct that could constitute grounds for suspension or revocation under section 111.53. Broker employee lists and any additional detail can be submitted as a PDF file attachment with the Pay.gov online form.

Individuals are considered to be "actively engaged" in transacting customs business when they are currently transacting or have recently transacted customs business on behalf of others as a sole proprietor, or when they are employed by a licensed customs broker which is currently transacting or has recently transacted customs business on behalf of others. Those who work for another broker and are not directly involved in any activities which fall under the scope of the definition of customs business may report that they are not actively engaged in customs business.

Partnerships, corporations, and associations must also report to customs in a status report whether or not they are actively engaged in customs business. An organization which currently transacts or recently transacted customs business on behalf of others should report that they are "actively engaged" in customs business.

Failure to file a Triennial Status Report will result in the customs brokers license to be revoked by operation of law, without prejudice.

CBP encourages all brokers to submit the report and fee electronically via Pay.gov; however, CBP will accept a paper status report and payment at the port that originally delivered the license.
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In June 2017, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a $1.6bn (1.18bn) project to transform New York Citys much-maligned Penn Station in hopes of restoring it to its former glory.

The original structure  an iconic example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style  was destroyed in 1963 and replaced by a bleak, underground network of tunnels and walkways.

One entered the city like a god; one scuttles in now like a rat, architectural historian Vincent Scully Jr lamented.

If theres a silver lining, the 1963 demolition did spur the formation of the New York City Landmarks Commission in 1965 and the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Unfortunately, all cannot be salvaged. Preservation efforts must be galvanised; they require mobilisation, time and resources. We reached out to five architecture professors and posed the following question: whats the one American structure you wish had been saved?

While their responses vary  from an unassuming home nestled in the suburbs of Boston to a monument of 19th-century wealth and glamour  none of the structures could resist the tides of decay, development and discrimination.

A mecca for black Chicago

Daniel Bluestone, Boston University

In 1943, when the storied, half-century-old Mecca apartment building in Chicagos South Side was about to be demolished, something extraordinary happened: The Illinois legislature passed a bill to preserve it.

Designed in 1891 by Edbrooke and Burnham, the 96-unit Mecca immediately captured the publics imagination. It was Chicagos first residential building with a landscaped courtyard open to the street, a design that fused two seemingly incompatible ideals: to build densely while preserving and cultivating the natural landscape.

Light spills in from the glass atrium of the Mecca

In the late 19th century, Chicagos tenement reformers had demanded more light and fresh air for the citys apartments; they wanted small parks and playgrounds to be able to dot the citys swelling neighbourhoods. The Meccas innovative design was a paean to these progressive concerns.

The complex had two atria with skylights that flooded the interior with light. Residents accessed their apartments via open galleries that encircled the atria, with railings that featured foliated ironwork. This form  the courtyard within an apartment complex  inspired a hugely popular Chicago vernacular tradition.

In the early 20th century, the Mecca was enveloped by the South Sides expanding Black Belt. Between 1912 and 1913, the complexs occupancy changed from overwhelmingly white to completely African-American. The massing of black residents in the iconic building inspired residents and artists to view the building as an symbol of black Chicago. South Side blues bars improvised the Mecca Flat Blues, which were tales of love and heartbreak, while poet Gwendolyn Brooks memorialised the building with her poem In the Mecca.

By the 1930s, officials at the adjacent Armour Institute (later Illinois Institute of Technology) grew concerned about their ability to attract students and faculty to a campus located in the heart of the black community. In 1938 they bought the Mecca, planning to swiftly demolish it in order to create a buffer between town and gown.

Illinois Governor Dwight Green vetoed the legislation that would have preserved the Mecca, and in 1952  after years of legal wrangling and community protest  the courts allowed the demolition of an architectural and cultural icon to proceed.

The only consolation is that it was replaced by Mies van der Rohes famed Crown Hall, now home to IITs architecture school.

A Fifth Avenue palace

Carol A Willis, Columbia University; founding director, The Skyscraper Museum

Many New Yorkers are familiar with the iconic Waldorf Astoria, which sits on Park Avenue. But they might be surprised to learn that this is the second iteration of the luxury hotel. The original was located along Manhattans fashionable Fifth Avenue, and the structure took up the entire block between 33rd and 34th streets.

But in late November 1929  after the stock market had crashed and the slow slide into the Great Depression began  workers began demolishing it.

The original Waldorf-Astoria (Library of Congress)

Designed by the noted architect Henry Hardenbergh, the imposing building had been built in two parts, campaigns that reflected the progress of modern construction technology and a bigger and better mantra of American architecture.

The first building, the Waldorf, was an 11-story structure that opened in 1893. It was built on the site of the mansion where Mrs Caroline Astor had entertained New Yorks Four Hundred, an exclusive group of New Yorks social elite. In addition to 530 rooms, the Waldorf offered stately apartments on the second floor and a majestic ballroom that could be closed off for lavish private events.

In 1897, the deluxe Astoria section of the hotel was completed. Facing 34th Street, its 16 stories employed a steel skeleton structure  at the time, a cutting-edge technique  that allowed for taller buildings.

With 1,300 rooms, it was the largest hotel in the city, and like many high-class palace hotels of the period, the Waldorf Astoria housed permanent and transient patrons; as The New York Times noted in 1890, they were designed to provide a series of magnificent homes for wealthy New Yorkers as an economical alternative to maintaining private mansions.

By 1929, however, the owners of the Waldorf Astoria decided to decamp to Park Avenue, where they erected an equally lavish modern, Art Deco monument.

The demolition of the old hotel, completed by the winter of 1930, made way for the construction of the ultimate expression of the citys architectural ambitions: the Empire State Building.

Traditional New England goes modern

Kevin D Murphy, Vanderbilt University

Preservationists are still waiting for something positive to come from the demolition of the house that architect Eleanor Raymond designed for her sister Rachel. Today, photographs are all that remain of the pioneering, modernist Rachel Raymond House, which was built in Belmont, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston.

Some say the Rachel Raymond House is the first example of modernist architecture in America (Historic New England)

Raymond was a graduate of Wellesley College and received her professional training at the Cambridge School of Architecture, an all-womens design school founded in the early 20th century.

The Rachel Raymond House is important example of how American architects incorporated aspects of European modernism into their own work. Inspired by European luminaries Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, Raymonds home featured abstract, geometric blocks. She employed flat roofs, metal railings and steel sash windows  modernist elements that were virtually unheard of in early 1930s American homes.

Yet the house is no more.

The Belmont Hill School, a private school for boys, purchased the home and  despite protests from preservationists  demolished it in November 2006. At the time, architecture critic Robert Campbell wrote that it was considered by many to be the earliest modern dwelling in New England.

The Rachel Raymond House actually predated another iconic modernist house: the home of emigre architect Walter Gropius, located in nearby Lincoln, Massachusetts. While the Rachel Raymond House was eventually razed, the Gropius House has been preserved as a house museum.

So why did these two important houses received such vastly different treatment?

The obvious answer is that the work of women architects has been consistently undervalued. In her book Where Are the Woman Architects?, architectural historian Despina Stratigakos points out that many female architects seem to possess fewer opportunities for advancement than their male counterparts. One source of the problem, according to Stratigakos, is a dearth of prominent female role models in the field.

The Rachel Raymond House could have been a living icon and source of inspiration. Instead, it fell to the wrecking ball.

Paving paradise

Kerry Traynor, University at Buffalo

It might seem odd to lament the loss of a roadway; but Humboldt Parkway wasnt just a road, it was an urban oasis of green parkland  a crucial component of a much larger park and parkway system.

A 1953 photograph of Humboldt Parkway (Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society) (Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society)

In 1868, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted arrived in Buffalo, New York, to design a park for the city.

Instead, he created a Park and Parkway System that consisted of six parks, seven parkways and eight landscaped circles. The brilliance of the plan, however, was in the parkways: over 200 feet wide, lined with elm trees and their canopies, they created a ribbon of green that wove its way through the city, connecting its parks and neighbourhoods. Humboldt Parkway connected Delaware Park  Olmsteds largest  with Humboldt Park.

The result: a city within a park, not just parks within a city.

But with calls for urban renewal in the 1950s and a growing dependence on the automobile, the city no longer saw the pastoral quality of Humboldt Parkway as an asset.

To city and state planners, Humboldt Parkway was the ideal location for an expressway  a highway that could carry automobiles to and from the suburbs and the downtown core, while relieving congestion on neighbourhood streets.

Kensington Expressway sliced through the heart of Buffalos neighbourhoods (Buffalo Public Works Department)

In order to clear the way for the new highway  dubbed the Kensington Expressway  the state cut down trees, tore up the parkway and demolished homes. The new highway displaced families, divided neighbourhoods by race and income and caused property values to plummet. As neighbourhoods fell apart, businesses shuttered their doors.

Olmsteds parkway had, quite literally, been paved over. As Joni Mitchell sings in her hit song Big Yellow Taxi, They paved paradise / And put up a parking lot.

From the rubble, a preservation movement is born

Sally Levine, Case Western Reserve University

When I moved to Chicago in 1982, the Chicago Stock Exchange Building had long disappeared, but people still spoke of it with a hushed reverence.

The preserved trading floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange

Not only was it considered one of the finest accomplishments of architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, its demise also indirectly led to the tragic death of architectural photographer and preservation activist Richard Nickel, who lost his life snapping photographs of the structure during its demolition.

Built in 1893, the 13-story structure housed the stock exchange for just 14 years. Subsequently the building had a variety of tenants, but leases became fewer and farther between, until the City Council approved its demolition in 1972.

But in its heyday, it was magnificent.

Reflecting Sullivans famous phrase form ever follows function, the facade demarcated the buildings three parts  the base (the stock exchange), the middle levels (offices) and top (the buildings crown). The base contained an exquisite two-story-high trading room. The nine stories of offices were notable for their columns of bay windows and Chicago windows (composed of a large fixed window flanked by operable ones), and the building was adorned with a row of recessed windows and a distinctive cornice.

But perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the building was the large arched entry, which represented a major development in Sullivans skill. Sullivan also adorned the stock exchange room with breathtaking low-relief ornaments and brilliantly painted stencilled patterns.

The preserved arch of the old Chicago Stock Exchange (Shutterstock)

Many consider its demolition the impetus for Chicagos preservation movement. Another important Chicago architectural icon, the Reliance Building, ended up being saved after vigorous efforts by activists. Through the efforts of Nickel and other preservationists, the arched entry and the interior of the trading room were saved  both are now owned by the Art Institute of Chicago. The arch sits at the corner of Monroe Street and Columbus Drive next to the museum, and the trading room has been reconstructed within the museum itself.

While not as satisfying as seeing the actual building, these remnants testify to the beauty of the Chicago Stock Exchange Building  and the importance of preservation efforts.

Kevin D Murphy is a chair in the humanities and Andrew W Mellon is a professor and chair of history of art at the Vanderbilt University; Carol Willis is the founding director of the Skyscraper Museum and adjunct associate professor of architecture at Columbia University; Daniel Bluestone is the director of the preservation studies programme and a professor in the history of art and architecture, and professor in American and New England studies at Boston University; Kerry Traynor is a clinical associate professor of urban and regional planning at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; and Sally Levine is a lecturer of architecture at Case Western Reserve University

This article was originally published on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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From their inception in the early 1990s, Australian food banks were supposed to be a temporary solution to food poverty.

They have since morphed from emergency to industry  lauded for reducing food insecurity and helping to solve the food waste problem by diverting tonnes of produce from landfill.

Its the ultimate win-win that big food corporations and retailers love: feed the needy and save the planet at the same time. This logic has been enshrined in Canadas National Food Waste Reduction Strategy and in European laws that require supermarkets to donate surplus produce to charities.

Can foodbanks end food insecurity?

We argue that food banks depoliticise hunger and address symptoms rather than causes.

Laudable and regrettably necessary as their work is, food banks are a band-aid solution for a patient  contemporary society  suffering from what John McMurtry evocatively terms the cancer stage of capitalism. We are seeing ubiquitous and intensifying inequality, brought about by decades of dogmatic adherence to market fundamentalism.

If we are serious about tackling the causes of food insecurity, we must turn away from neoliberalism to an inclusive and values-based political economy. And if we are serious about ending food waste, we need a paradigm shift away from productivism towards a food system designed for well-being, resilience and sustainability.

From emergency to industry

According to Foodbank Australias 2017 Hunger Report, 625,000 Australians are seeking emergency food relief every month. Thats a 10 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Despite their rapid expansion, food banks are unable to meet the demand produced by stagnating wages, rising costs of living and a shrinking welfare state. They have been called highly visible successful failures. As well as stepping into the states shoes to provide a minimal social security safety net, they offer very useful services to food manufacturers and retailers.

First, they divert millions of tonnes of waste from landfill. Food donors save considerable sums in disposal charges.

Second, donors receive tax deductions for all produce donated to food banks, which are registered charities. And, perhaps most significantly, donors can enhance their social licence to operate as good corporate citizens and receive cheap publicity into the bargain.

Band-aids, not solutions

In a recent paper for the UK Food Research Collaboration, Martin Caraher and Sinead Furey undertook a cost-benefit analysis of the current consensus that food insecurity is best addressed by increasing donations of surplus food to food banks. Their conclusion was unequivocal: "While there are benefits to diverting surplus food away from landfill, the reasons for pessimism outweigh the reasons for optimism. This is because the benefits of using food waste to feed people accrue primarily to the food industry, whilst absolving responsibility of the government to address food insecurity."

This is of particular concern in a liberal democracy such as Australia that professes to be committed to the principle of universal human rights, including the right to adequate food. Research in the Netherlands and Scotland has confirmed the humiliation, shame and loss of dignity experienced by food bank users.

Dignified access to good food is a fundamental component of the human right to adequate food. Feeding people food waste directly undermines this right.

Reframing the debate

The dominant win-win approach that says we can solve food insecurity by diverting food waste into food banks is patently failing. Both phenomena are increasing. In any case, a state of food security is not achieved via emergency food relief.

A breakthrough was achieved on March 25, 2015, when leading community food organisations and food security researchers in Canada issued the Cecil Street Statement. The statement clarified that food insecurity was due to inadequate income and the solution lay in people having enough money to buy good food in a dignified way. Further, it stated that the conflation of food insecurity with food waste was unhelpful and counterproductive.

In Australia, the Right to Food Coalition last year issued a position statement, The Human Right to Food. This included a detailed set of recommendations, drawing on the work of the United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food.

These recommendations specified the actions required from all levels of government, as well as industry, philanthropical and community organisations. The statement called on the federal government to: adequately finance income support payments so that all Australians can access a weekly basket of healthy food; and ensure that initiatives to rebuild local food systems are adequately supported.

What is the solution?

Broadly, whats needed is a paradigm shift towards sustainable, healthy, resilient and rational food systems. The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES) has clearly articulated the pathways towards such systems.

The principal barriers to such systems, according to the experts, reside in excessive concentration of political and economic power in the hands of mega-food corporations. This is documented in the new IPES report, Too Big to Feed.

In the words of visionary UK economist Kate Raworth, the necessary paradigm shift begins with a reframing of our societal priorities, away from the mantra of an economy that grows regardless of whether we thrive and towards an economy that enables us to thrive regardless of whether it grows.

Nick Ross is a lecturer at William Angliss Institute and Susan Booth is a freelance academic at the College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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The producers of Blue Planet 2 have been accused of misleading viewers by planting hundreds of rubber ducks in the sea for a segment on marine pollution.

An episode of the popular wildlife show featured the plastic ducks bobbing the Pacific near Costa Rica.

The footage was supposed to illustrate how 7,000 plastic bath ducks that were accidentally dumped into the Arctic Ocean after a shipping container fell off a freighter ship in 1992 are still being found across the worlds oceans.

However, it was not made clear during the programme that the ducks had been planted in the ocean for effect.

Critics were quick to accuse producers of the BBC show of misleading viewers, with many demanding to know whether filming crews had retrieved all the plastic ducks after planting them in the ocean.

Did your crew throw a load of plastic ducks into the ocean earlier in the programme to demonstrate current events? One viewer asked. Were they all recovered?

I'm imagining all the #BluePlanet2 teams taking plastic ducks with them in their luggage when filming to film this, surely they can't be the original ducks? Another viewer questioned.

BBC Earth was quick to respond, writing on Twitter: They were brought along and collected up afterwards.

Ms Butler said the crew had lots of snorkellers with us to collect them and count them carefully.

BBC producer Rachel Butler also tweeted a picture of the ducks being rounded up, writing: The glamour of filming for #BluePlanet2 ... we collected every one.

She also added that the yellow ducks have found a new home in the Blue Planet 2 team's office.

The ducks were supposed to illustrate the problem of marine pollution (BBC)

We've been very open online about the fact these scenes were filmed to illustrate a point," a BBC source told The Sun.

Big Blue producer John Ruthven explained how the footage had been taken in a a blog posted by the corporation.

The ducks story led to a greater understanding of how all our seas are connected and seemed, to the Blue Planet 2 team, an inspiring story to retell," he wrote. "What all this tells us is that all the worlds oceans are really one big connected system and that plastic persists for a very long time (some people estimate at least 500 years).

He added: Reconstructing the release of these ducks presented the team with a fresh challenge. While we wanted to tell their story, the team was also well aware of the ironies of putting plastic ducks in the sea.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 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

We were used to removing plastic from the ocean, and if we were to introduce any ourself, wed need to be very careful to make sure every single one was collected again afterwards.

Mr Ruthven said the team released 250 ducks into the sea, but made sure to carefully collect each duck after shooting the footage.

We were always vigilant to collect every single duck. We counted them out and we counted them all back in again, returning to the UK with all 250  well, except the few the Costa Rican team wanted to keep as souvenirs of a very unique part of the shoot!
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An Afghan man who worked as an interpreter for the British Army for two years is set to be removed from the UK in days, prompting an urgent appeal for authorities to reverse their decision.

Hafizzulah Husseinkhels asylum claims was rejected in June. An attempt to overturn the decision by applying for a judicial review at the High Court was later also refused.

Last Wednesday, the 26-year-old was reporting to the Home Office as required when he was handed removal papers and taken to a detention centre at Campsville near Oxford. He was told he would be removed from the country between 6 and 22 December.

Mr Husseinkhel fled from Afghanistan in 2014 after receiving death threats from the Taliban. His father was shot in the leg when he refused to reveal his whereabouts.

He is likely to be deported to Austria, the first country he was registered in as an asylum seeker.

Those attempting to prevent his removal say changes to the immigration system there following an election that saw the far-right Freedom Party enter government mean he is likely to end up being sent back to Afghanistan, where his life would be in danger.

Campaigners have launched a petition demanding he be allowed to remain in the UK after serving on the front line for the British Army between 2010 and 2012, when he worked as an interpreter between British and Afghan officers. He spent several years working for Nato forces before that.

The Ministry of Defence announced in 2013 that up to 600 Afghans who worked as interpreters, or in other dangerous roles supporting British and allied forces in Helmand, would be eligible to resettle in the UK.

But the resettlement package was available only to staff who were in post on 19 December last year  shortly after Mr Husseinkhel left the post.

The regiment he worked for said he fulfilled his duties to an extremely high standard and described him as enthusiastic, personable and loyal.

A certificate handed to Mr Husseinkhel by a cavalry regiment of the British Army, seen by The Independent, states: In recognition of his outstanding contribution as an interpreter for the Formation Reconnaissance Squadron during Operation HERRICK 14 Apr  Nov 2011.

A reference from the regiment states: Hafizullah has fulfilled his responsibilities to an extremely high standard and has fitted well into the squadron.

He is very popular amongst his Troop who have commented on several occasions on how impressed they have been with his performance, both in terms of his day-to-day activities and his calm approach during enemy engagements.

He is an enthusiastic, personable and loyal individual.

Friends of Mr Husseinkhel say he is a man of great dignity who deserves the chance to build a life in the UK after his work for the British Army (Janet Fuller)

Mr Husseinkhel was reportedly injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving with US forces in Afghanistan before he moved to be with the British Army  an incident that left him with serious eye injuries, causing him to have 20 per cent vision in one eye and 80 per cent in the other.

Friends of the 26-year-old described him as intelligent and enthusiastic, and said his detention poses serious consequences for his mental health.

Steve Cooke, from Derby Refugee Solidarity, which had been supporting Mr Husseinkhel financially and legally through his asylum process, told The Independent: Hafis is one of the kindest most intelligent, bright, enthusiastic people you could meet.

He volunteers interpreting for other refugees, and volunteers in our warehouse lifting clothes every Thursday. He just helps everyone that he possibly can. Hes been so supportive. Ive rung him up at a moments notice asking him to help me out with collecting donations for the day and hes been there.

Hes been here for nearly two years and hes been settling his mind into life in the UK in Derby  making friends and building relationships, volunteering, going to college to improve his English.

Its inhuman to send him back after this anyway, let alone the fact that hes worked for the British Army, and hes got the trauma of working as a frontline interpreter, seeing the things hes seen, being blown up by an IED, losing sight in his eye, plus the trauma of getting to the UK.

Janet Fuller, from the Refugee Centre in Derby, where Mr Husseinkhel often volunteers, said: Weve almost got no hope left, weve written hundreds of letters to the Home Secretary. Words fail me [...] Hafis is terrified for the safety of his family, because his father has already been shot in the leg.

Its a betrayal. He worked for the British forces and then had to leave his country as a result. Theres a debt owed to him by the UK.

Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The Solidarity With Refugees group said Saturdays protest aimed to show our Government and the world that Britain is ready to welcome more refugees. Rex Features Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis People march through central London as they take part in a protest rally organised by Solidarity with Refugees in a bid to urge the Government to take more action on the migrant crisis Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The protest comes days before world leaders meet to discuss crisis at UN General Assembly Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Demonstrators made their way from Park Lane to Parliament Square in London on Saturday afternoon Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Marchers chanted refugees are welcome here and waved banners reading no-one is illegal and lets help people Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The march was supported by charities and groups including the Red Cross, Asylum Aid, Save the Children, Hope Not Hate, Oxfam and the UN Refugee Agency Rex Features Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis In the wake of Alans death, David Cameron pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK over the coming five years but there have been additional calls to re-home those who have already reached Europe, as well as asylum seekers coming from other conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan Rex Features

At the refugee advice centre hes been volunteering as an interpreter. Hes really supportive and will sometimes just do the hoovering without asking. Hes a man of great integrity, who has been waiting for something to happen since 2014 to enable him to feel safe.

Ive been to visit him in detention and hes very emotional. He said he feels like his life is over.

The Home Office told The Independent it did not comment on individual cases.
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A nine-year-old boy has penned a moving letter asking Santa for one thing this Christmas  a home.

Louis Williams wrote to Father Christmas asking for his own forever home where he can play with his Lego.

Mum, Nicola Williams, said she felt heartbroken that all her son was asking for this year was a home for the family of four.

Ms Williams, who lives with her three children in a two-bedroom maisonette in temporary accommodation since March, said their entire living space was the size of an average front room with not even enough room to put a tree up.

The family were left homeless when she was unable to keep up payments on the rent, despite working as a trainee teacher and running her own children's party business.

Ms Williams said she had hit constant brick walls with her local council and was constantly let down, meaning the family have had to keep moving.

Louis, who now lives in Dartford, Kent, has had 14 different homes during his life and have been moved to two different council properties since becoming homeless in January.

Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display Show all 7 1 /7 Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display Were excited to be giving Tate Britain a whole new face this Christmas, says the gallerys director Alamy Live News. Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display The arrangement is the creation of artist Alan Kane PA Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display The gallery plans on unveiling other surprising festive commissions in the years to come REUTERS Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display Alan Kanes previous works including a 6ft walking mechanical elephant and a travelling exhibition of contemporary folk art PA Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display The gallery has previously commissioned artists to design its Christmas tree REUTERS Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display The Santa Stops Here sign is one of the highlights Tate Britain's 'Home for Christmas' display The lights will be officially switched on at 4.30pm on 2 December Reuters

The 31-year-old said: I felt gutted reading his letter. Its not right that all hes asking for is a home for himself. Nobody asked him to write that, its just all he wants.

He has had 14 different homes, and never had a somewhere he can really call home. I feel like Ive let him down. Seeing what all the other children are asking for, this breaks my heart.

Theres not even enough room to put a Christmas tree up, they can't even play with their toys. The kids ask when itll go up and it breaks my heart. I do my best as a mother, but this was gutting.

We have been put on the waiting list with Dartford Council but I do feel alone. I know there are people who will be more vulnerable than us, but its just not right that in this day and age a child should only be asking for a home this Christmas.

"It winds me up because I work two jobs, I work really hard but just can't afford the rent down here."

Louis's mum, Nicola, said she feels she has let her son down SWNS.com (Nicola Williams/SWNS.com)

Ms Williams, who is originally from Manchester, said Louis cannot share with his two sisters anymore but the space available now was just not enough.

Louis wrote to Santa, addressed to the North Pole, after becoming so stressed by the damp conditions in their current home he collapsed at school.

Louis's poor housing has had an affect on his health SWNS.com (Nicola Williams / SWNS.com)

He wrote: To Santa, this year for Christmas please can I have a forever home.

I dont want any new toys I just want all of my old toys that are in storage and I would like my own Lego bedroom with a desk to build my models.

Everyone is sad living here and I just want us to be happy again.

Thank you and have a lovely Christmas, love from Louis Williams.

Louis's housing problems have constrained his family SWNS.com (Nicola Williams / SWNS.com)

According to homeless charity Shelter, there are over 125,000 homeless children living in Britain today.

Ms Williams posted the letter on social media and received many messages of support.

One said: That is heartbreaking, unfortunately there are too many families homeless and living in temporary accommodation these days. I hope his wish comes true soon and you get your forever home.

Dartford Council has been approached for comment.

South West News Service
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I woke up one day and couldnt see anything, recalls Aliie Harpham, who discovered she had multiple sclerosis (MS) last year. I felt completely paralysed, like someone had just pressed the off button on my body. I had to lie in bed for a week. I thought I was dying.

Now aged 26, Aliie is getting used to living with the incurable condition. But life isnt easy. She cant feel anything with her left hand, which makes it difficult to do simple things like tipping food from a heavy saucepan. She gets excruciating nerve and bone pain on a daily basis. The only reason she doesnt constantly fall over is because she wears a foot brace to steady her foot drop. Sometimes she wakes up with involuntary eye movement so severe that she cant even walk to the toilet.

Living with MS, there are all these little things that normal, healthy people dont experience but that become a daily thing for us, she tells The Independent.

Its now just second nature for me to carry heavier things in my right hand. I have to be really careful with little things like leaning on a hot radiator, because my left side is numb. If I have a bad nights sleep, my balance is completely gone and I have really bad word-finding abilities. I catch every single cold or flu virus that goes round and Im also really prone to urine infections.

The worst thing of all, Aliie says, is the nystagmus, an eye condition that comes with having MS, which comes on about once a month and leaves her unable to move, as well as a painful thing called the MS hug, which she gets on an almost daily basis.

The first time I had the MS hug I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. Its this really shocking quick pain. I get it a lot more now than I did when I was first diagnosed. It can last for up to an hour. I get it at work a lot because it comes on when youre tired.

And then I cant do anything when the nystagmus comes on. I wake up with it and have to stay in bed for two or three days, I cant even walk to the toilet on my own. It feels like someones shaking you when youre standing still. The way I have to deal with it is just lay there with my eyes closed and ride it out.

Despite all this  which she manages to hold up her job as a student veterinary nurse  Aliie gets no disability benefit from the Government, after an assessor for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decided she didnt qualify for financial support.

The 26-year-old is one of 4,100 people with the condition who were refused personal independence payment (PIP) last year, amounting to nearly a third of all MS sufferers who applied for the benefit.

Figures obtained though Freedom of Information requests show 31 per cent of new claims from people with MS between April 2013 and April 2017 were found to be disallowed. A further 6 per cent (1,100) qualified for PIP initially but were then rejected after a reassessment  despite MS being a long-term progressive condition, for which there currently is no cure.

Its massively insulting you go through years of wondering whats wrong with you, you finally get an answer, and then youve got someone who sits there for 20 minutes and decides youre not disabled enough to receive any help, Aliie says.

I had been told the assessment would take an hour but mine lasted 15 minutes. I wasnt asked any questions about how my disability affects me. When I Googled the set of questions afterwards, I found out they are the ones used to diagnose Alzheimers. I wasnt asked to perform any physical tests.

Ive told myself the assessor had no idea what MS is or what it is to live with it, because the thought of someone having a full understanding of this condition and still behaving the way she did is too cold and painful to think about.

Someone Id never met before decided that although I have a life-long disability, Im not disabled enough to receive any help, even though I wear a fitted orthotic piece every day for my foot drop. I also have permanent sensory issues. They didnt pick up any of my weakness of movement issues.

Aliie says living with the additional costs that come with the condition on just her student wage is a struggle, and she only just manages to afford the journeys to medical appointments and routine medications she has to buy.

I spend a lot of money on petrol to get to hospital appointments. I get sent all over the place in Dorset to different appointments, from Bournemouth to Dorchester. On a tight student wage it really bites into everything, she says.

And you have to buy a lot of extra stuff with MS. I have to buy a lot of over the counter medication. I spend a ridiculous amount of money on prescriptions.

The MS Society, the charity that obtained the FOI figures, says that with 65 per cent of all PIP decisions that go to appeal being overturned at tribunal, the new data provides further evidence to suggest the PIP assessment system  which replaced disability living allowance (DLA) in 2013  is fundamentally flawed.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of the charity, said: Its insulting that so many people who are diagnosed with a long-term, incurable condition are being told they dont qualify for support. These latest figures show PIP isnt just hurting those whove been moved across from the old system, but also new people who are trying to get support for the first time.

PIP is meant to help manage the extra costs of living with a disability and assist people to be more independent. But its a tougher system than DLA, with much stricter rules. In too many cases, assessments fail to reflect the barriers people with MS face.

Recommended DWP admits disabled people have been receiving too little in benefits

The DWP announced new guidelines in November that will see certain claimants of PIP receiving higher benefit rates after a court found some disabled people were not being offered enough. But Ms Mitchell said this was not enough.

Earlier this month we saw the Government rewrite some of the rules to comply with a legal ruling to make PIP fairer. But rather than tinkering around the edges, the Government needs to review the whole system to make sure it works more effectively for those its designed to support. Having MS is hard enough; it shouldnt be made harder by a welfare system that doesnt make sense, she added.

Earlier this year, the charity highlighted at least 6m a year has been taken from people with MS since the introduction of PIP. The new figures also follow the revelation by Frank Field, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, that more than 3,000 people have written to them in despair at the benefits system, with many driven to suicidal thoughts.

The MS Society is now urging the DWP to carry out an overall review of PIP to make sure assessments accurately reflect the reality of living with MS, which affects more than 100,000 people in the UK.

The charity wants to see changes including assessors with professional experience and adequate training of neurological and fluctuating conditions, an evaluation of how PIP takes hidden symptoms like pain and fatigue into account, and improvements in processes around providing medical evidence.

Aliie didnt appeal the DWPs refusal of her case after finding out the outcome of her assessment, saying she was too upset to try again straight away. But she will be reapplying for it once the appropriate time has past since her first application.

First I was really upset, but now Im just angry. Someone like me not getting it  Im really going to struggle getting by, but some people out there really cant live without this help. Its made me feel awful for everyone out there, she says.

Its enough being told that this is the rest of your life and its not going to get better. But then you have to fight tooth and nail to get any extra help.

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

This condition comes with anxiety, it gives you depression. A lot of people with MS are too scared to go ask for help, theyre terrified because they hear how many people get turned down. Im speaking to people every day who are home alone with no electricity because theyre just terrified to go there. Its heartbreaking.

My situation is the tip of the iceberg. Im right at the beginning of this journey, but there are so many people who are in the thick of it at the moment and theyre still not getting any support.

A DWP spokesperson said: PIP assessments look at how people are affected by conditions such as multiple sclerosis over the majority of days in a year, rather than just assessing ability on a single day. Under PIP, 36 per cent more people with multiple sclerosis receive the highest rate of support than under the previous DLA system. Anyone who disagrees with a decision can appeal, and may submit additional evidence.
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Theresa May been dealt a fresh blow as the board of the Government's Social Mobility Commission quit in protest at the lack of progress towards a "fairer Britain".

Alan Milburn, the former Labour minister who heads the commission, said he had "little hope" the current Government was capable of making the changes necessary to deliver a more equal society.

Here is his resignation letter in full:

Recommended May under pressure from Tories to reveal true cost of divorce bill

Dear Prime Minister

It is with regret that I am writing to stand down as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission with immediate effect.

I do so with much sadness. I was appointed Chair by the Coalition Government in 2012 and my term of office has come to an end. I understand the current government will launch an open process for a new Chair in 2018. I will not be applying.

I am deeply proud of the work the Commission has done to champion the case for greater fairness in Britain. Our research and advocacy work has helped put social mobility at the heart of the national debate about the future of our country. All the main political parties now espouse a Britain that is less elitist and more equal, while growing numbers of employers, universities, colleges, schools and councils have developed a shared determination to create a level playing field of opportunity in our country.

I would like to pay tribute to my vice-chair Gillian Shephard for her outstanding work over the last few years: similarly, my fellow Commissioners Paul Gregg and David Johnston. They have all been a joy to work with. From the outset, all have discharged their role as Commissioners in a non-partisan way. I would also like to thank the Secretariat team that have supported us throughout. The cross-party and independent nature of the Commission has been one of its great strengths.

For almost a decade, I have been proud to serve under Labour, Coalition and Conservative governments in various social mobility roles. I remain deeply committed to the issue, but I have little hope of the current government making the progress I believe is necessary to bring about a fairer Britain. It seems unable to commit to the future of the Commission as an independent body or to give due priority to the social mobility challenge facing our nation.

It is disappointing, and indeed puzzling, that appointments to key Commission roles have been left vacant for almost two years. Nor do the protracted discussions about its role, remit and resourcing show any sign of being resolved.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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

Individual ministers such as the Secretary of State for Education have shown a deep commitment to the issue. But it has become obvious that the government as a whole is unable to commit the same level of support. It is understandably focused on Brexit and does not seem to have the necessary bandwidth to ensure that the rhetoric of healing social division is matched with the reality. I do not doubt your personal belief in social justice, but I see little evidence of that being translated into meaningful action.

The need for political leadership in this area has never been more pressing. Social mobility is one of the biggest challenges facing our country today. It is not just the poorest in society who are losing out. Whole communities and parts of Britain are being left behind economically and hollowed out socially. The growing sense that we have become an us and them society is deeply corrosive of our cohesion as a nation. As the Commission's work has demonstrated, the twentieth century expectation that each generation would do better than the last is no longer being met. At a time when more and more people are feeling that Britain is becoming more unfair rather than less, social mobility matters more than ever.

While the government seems unable to devote the necessary energy and focus to the social mobility agenda, I have been heartened that others in civil society - from local councils to major employers - are actively embracing it. So I will be establishing a new Social Mobility Institute, independent of government and political parties, to take forward the practical work that is needed to make a reality of my belief in a fairer, more open, more mobile society in Britain.

Yours sincerely

Alan Milburn
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Angela Rayner, the shadow Eduction Secretary, has claimed that attempts to oust Labour councillors ahead of next years local elections are not a way forward.

The comments from the senior Labour politician come as the party chooses its candidates before the local elections in May 2018, in which council seats across the country are up for grabs, including in 32 London boroughs.

But accusations have been raised by some that Jeremy Corbyns supporters and Momentum are engaging in a purge of centrist councillors in order to install left-wing figures, who are supportive of the Labour leadership.

Momentum, however, has defended the democratic right of local parties to hold elections for council seat nominations ahead of next years elections.

Any factionalism in the Labour Party will damage us and remove us from getting near power, which ultimately damages the people that need our support, Ms Rayner told The Times when asked about the reports.

Ms Rayner continued: Trying to deselect and get rid of peoples voices is not a way forward. We have disagreements. Theres not been a Labour leader with whom I agree on everything ... but [Mr Corbyn] has an absolute right to lead our party and our MPs have an absolute right to be there and to have their voices heard and so do our councillors.

It was reported earlier this week that around 10 councillors in the London borough of Haringey have decided not to stand again due to narrow factionalism. One of them, Tim Gallagher, said he and his colleagues had been written off by Mr Corbyns supporters as zombie Blairites.

But a Momentum spokesperson earlier this week said it was fantastic that hundreds of thousands of people new to politics have felt so inspired that theyve joined the Labour Party. We should trust local members to be the best judge of who should represent their community, they added.

Ms Rayner also gave more details of her upbringing and the mental health issues suffered by her mother when she was young. If my mum had a row with my dad he would storm out for a day or two and my mum would be left curled up in a foetal position sobbing her heart out, she said.

I was the eldest daughter so I was the carer. From the age of ten I was pretty much the mum and she was the child. She added that because her mother couldnt read, she used to bring dog meat home from the supermarket.
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Senior Conservatives are demanding Theresa May be clear about how much the British public will be forced to pay to settle the Brexit divorce bill.

MPs and peers, including former cabinet ministers, say that with the bill agreed this week and likely to be between 40bn and 50bn, the time has come for the Prime Minister to be completely open on how much Brexit will cost.

Labour is threatening to bring the matter to a head by calling on Tory MPs to back a plan to let the UKs spending watchdogs assess the financial settlement and give Parliament a vote on it, The Independent can reveal.

It comes 24 hours before Ms May will sit down with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to secure an agreement-in-principle on the withdrawal terms of Brexit  including the divorce bill, Irish border and EU citizens rights.

But despite any deal being likely to gain approval at the European Council in mid-December, the British public have not been told by the Government how big the divorce bill is likely to be, or how it is being worked out.

Ex-cabinet minister Michael Heseltine told The Independent: There is no doubt a lot of people voted for Brexit based on the fantasy that was paraded for them.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The idea of a great renaissance Britain standing alone in the world has a sort of romantic imagery that can appeal to certain people, as long as you dont ask the basic facts of who is going to pay for it.

But I ask the question  what would a Conservative opposition do if a Labour party proposed to spend 30bn, 40bn or 50bn without telling Parliament what it was doing with it?

His point was underscored by sitting Conservative MPs, such as ex-minister Stephen Hammond, who said: It is very difficult for the Government to continue to say post-council that we cannot set it out, cannot set out how it is calculated, even as the next stage of negotiations starts  once it is agreed, it is agreed.

Im hoping the Government will take a view to keep its promise to be as transparent as possible and we will be able to see exactly what this is.

He was joined by Heidi Allen MP, who said: We do need transparency. It should be all out, warts and all. It should be everything  this is what the referendum is costing us in financial terms and deal terms and citizens rights terms.

We need to know all the elements that are changing as a consequence of that vote.

 DUP MP Sammy Wilson threatens the party will pull support from Theresa May's government if she backs down over post-Brexit Irish border

She added: I think its entirely reasonable and possible to suggest that we will hear what that figure is.

The issue could come to a head on Wednesday, when Labour tables an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill going through the Commons.

If passed, it would require any financial settlement to be assessed by both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the National Audit Office to ensure it is a good deal for taxpayers  and it would give Parliament the chance to approve or reject it in a vote.

 Priti Patel says Britain is 'ill-equipped' for Brexit talks

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: Labour has been clear from the outset that any agreement with the EU on money must meet our international obligations while delivering a fair deal for British taxpayers.

However, it is also essential that the Government is transparent at every stage of this process and Parliament is given sufficient opportunity to scrutinise the final figure.

That is why on Wednesday we will be urging Tory MPs to back our call for the financial agreement to be independently assessed by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the National Audit Office, and signed off by Parliament.

The Independent reported earlier this week that British and European Union negotiators had reached a provisional agreement on the divorce bill that could see the UK paying some 45bn, though other estimates put the potential sum higher at 55bn or even up to 100bn in the long term.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer (Getty)

It was suggested in reports from Brussels that the figure would be deliberately left open to interpretation to give the Prime Minister political cover in the UK.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: The Government must come clean with the British people over the size of the Brexit bill.

[Brexit Secretary] David Davis used to be a champion of government transparency, now he consistently seems to by trying to hide the true impact of Brexit from the public.

Its crucial that once the true cost of Brexit becomes clear, the British people have the chance to reject the final deal and stay in the EU.

Mr Juncker has said that the meeting with Ms May on 4 December will allow the EU to see whether sufficient progress has been made on withdrawal issues.

If he is satisfied, the commission will recommend to member state leaders at the European Council on 14 December that talks move on to discuss transition and trade.
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The future rights of EU citizens in the UK  and of British nationals in the EU  are being forgotten as a deal to break the Brexit deadlock gets closer, MEPs and campaigners say.

They fear the EU is poised to weaken its stance on the issue at a make-or-break summit next month in order to keep negotiations moving between London and Brussels.

Controversial issues including the future rights of EU citizens to bring in family members, the rights of their children born after Brexit, and compulsory new criminal record checks.

 Guy Verhofstadt: "The four elements that are needed for a good arrangement on the citizens rights for EU citizens and UK citizens"

EU nationals in Britain say new settled status rules will reduce their rights and be based on UK immigration law  exposing them to the Home Offices self-described hostile environment towards immigrants.

A Government minister recently admitted EU citizens could be deported before being able to challenge any rulings that they are not entitled to stay after Brexit.

The EU is also being urged to stand firm on insisting rights are still overseen by the European Court of Justice (ECJ)  which Theresa May has ruled out.

Recommended EU citizens could be deported before appeals over right to stay

Key issues will be shunted into phase two of the talks, rather than being settled before the negotiations move onto future trade terms between the UK and the EU, MEPs and citizens fear.

They spoke with The Independent after meetings with Michel Barnier, the EU chief negotiator, who will recommend whether sufficient progress has been made to progress the talks.

It comes as the Prime Minister prepares to hold a crucial lunch meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker, the Commission President, and Mr Barnier in Brussels on Monday.

Before meeting Ms May, however, the pair will hold talks with Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments Brexit coordinator, to discuss progress in the negotiations.

In recent weeks, the two sides have moved closer to agreement on both a financial settlement and the Irish border  with less focus on citizens rights, the third divorce issue.

Seb Dance, a Labour MEP and a member of the Parliaments EU Citizens Taskforce, said: Michel Barnier did not go far enough. There are concerns that the EU is ready to dilute its stance on citizens rights  but we wont sit back and let that happen.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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

Family reunification is one of the areas that the EU may be ready to compromise on.

We cant move on just for the sake of moving on. We should only move on when we are certain that nobody will suffer as a result because of a decision they had no part in.

Jean Lambert, a Green MEP and taskforce member, agreed, saying: It looks as if issues may be shunted into the second round of negotiations.

The issue of family unification is crucial. We cant have children born after Brexit with different legal status, thats not going to be satisfactory.

Ms Lambert said the ECJ must have a role that runs through these peoples lives, adding: We want to see these things cleared up in the first stage of the negotiations

I will be really worried if these things are taken off the table for now. I would like to see the EU being more robust on it now.

Meanwhile, British In Europe, an alliance of groups representing more than a million British citizens living in the EU, have written to European leaders urging them to block Brexit negotiations from moving forward.

We might be told we are closing in on a deal but not one that is good for the people who will have to live with it, a spokesperson for the group told The Independent.

The group also warned the issue could get bumped into phase two of the negotiations, running the risk of being lost in the debate.

And Anne-Laure Donskoy, co-chair of the 3milliongroup, representing EU citizens in the UK, said: There is a lot of pressure on both sides of the Channel to move to phase two.

When Ireland has the peace process and economic ties as pressure points and the UK the divorce settlement bill, we only have the moral argument.

Both MEPs and campaigners fear any agreement now will be lost if the negotiations collapse later and Britain crashes out of the EU with no deal.

For that reason, the Commons Brexit Committee, on Friday, called for citizens rights to be ring-fenced from the rest of the talks, to ensure an agreement is secured.

The EUs original guidelines for the Brexit talks vowed that its first priority would be to safeguard the status and rights of EU citizens, something Mr Barnier has repeated after various rounds.

However, he has recently spoken of how progress over citizens rights has moved the two sides closer to a deal, while the Prime Minister said they are within touching distance.

On the ECJ, Britain floated an idea that British judges could voluntarily refer cases to the European court if legal queries arose, but is believed to have backtracked.

Mr Barnier will also come under pressure to ensure citizens rights are fully protected when he meets Frances OGrady, the TUC General Secretary, next week.

There is nothing stopping Theresa May making a unilateral guarantee of the right to remain for EU citizens who have made their life in the UK, Ms OGrady told The Independent.

It would create goodwill and clear the table for negotiations to focus on protecting jobs and rights at work.

Ms May will hope to reach agreement on progressing the talks as early as Monday, when she meets Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission President, in Brussels.

If sufficient progress is not made next month, the next opportunity will be in March  by which time UK businesses have threatened to implement plans to move some of their operations to the EU.
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Stopping Brexit could provide the NHS and social care with an extra 300m a week, according to the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, who claims it could plug the funding gap in the services by the end of the decade.

Sir Vince, who is calling for a referendum on the facts when a deal is offered by the European Union in the Brexit negotiations, told The Independent that, instead of the extra money promised by the Brexiteers during the 2016 referendum, public finances are set to be damaged to the tune of billions of pounds per year.

On top of that, the Government is spending 3bn of taxpayers money on lawyers and lorry parks to prepare for Brexit, and paying a costly divorce bill, he said.

Many people will be rightly asking whether the price being paid for Brexit is really worth it, when the NHS is being stretched to breaking point.

Mocking the widely discredited claim deployed by Brexiteers during last years EU referendum that the NHS could receive an extra 350m a week after Brexit, Sir Vince added: An exit from Brexit would mean we could be spending an extra 300m a week on the NHS and care.

That is enough money to fix the NHS crisis and provide our hospitals and care homes with the additional funding they desperately need.

It is crucial that, once the real consequences of leaving the EU are clear, the public is given a chance to exit from Brexit and stay in the EU.

The Liberal Democrats made the claim using the 2016 November forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which said the economic effects of Brexit could weaken the public finances by 15bn per year in the early 2020s  outweighing the UKs net contribution to the EU. This is equivalent to almost 300m a week, the party said.

This, it added, is on top of the so-called divorce bill, due to be paid by Britain to the bloc, and the 3bn set aside by the Chancellor Philip Hammond in the Budget to prepare for Britains exit from the European Union.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA

Were determined the ensure that the country is prepared for every possible outcome, the Chancellor said in November. We have already invested almost 700m in Brexit preparations. Today I am setting aside over the next two years another 3bn. And I stand ready to allocate further sums if and when needed.

Prior to the Budget, the Nuffield Trust, the Health Foundation and the Kings Fund issued a briefing to address the critical state of health and social care. They estimated that by 2019-20 there would be a 2.5bn funding gap in social care.

Mr Hammond said at the Budget the NHS services in England will get an extra 2.8bn, adding we will always back it. The money includes a 350m package for this winter, with the rest coming before 2020.

The organisations added: The Chancellors announcements have provided some temporary respite, but the extra money falls far short of what we estimate is needed to maintain standards of care.
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The leak of allegations that police found pornographic images on the work computer of Cabinet minister Damian Green should never have happened, the chief inspector of constabulary has said.

Amid the growing political furore over the way two retired officers passed details to the media, Sir Thomas Winsor said police had an "enduring" duty of confidentiality, even after they had left the service.

If a serving officer had breached that duty they would face disciplinary action potentially leading to dismissal and, in certain circumstances, criminal charges, he said in a statement.

"The special powers which citizens confer on police officers are inseparable from the obligations of special trust placed in police officers to enable them to do their duty," Sir Thomas said.

"That trust requires every police officer to respect and keep confidential information which they obtain in the course of their duties and which is irrelevant to their inquiries and discloses no criminal conduct.

"The obligation of confidentiality, and the duty not to break trust, is an enduring one. It does not end when a police officer retires."

Ex-Scotland Yard detective Neil Lewis told the BBC earlier this week that he was "shocked" at the volume of material found in a 2008 police raid on Mr Green's Westminster office and had "no doubt whatsoever" it had been amassed by the Tory MP.

The allegations echoed claims made by former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Bob Quick, who went public last month with his account of the material discovered during an investigation into Home Office leaks.

 Former detective constable found 'thousands' of pornographic images on Damian Green's computer

However, a number of former and serving police officers have now criticised the leaks.

Sir Thomas Winsor's comments were similar to those of Sir Peter Fahy, the former Greater Manchester Chief Constable.

He said the retired officers were entering dangerous territory over the allegations, urging the police to stay out of politics.

It is very dangerous territory for a police officer to be making judgements about whether a politician is lying or not, he said. That should only happen in a criminal investigation and even then ultimately it is for the court to decide.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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. 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Police should also be extremely careful about making judgements about other peoples morality when it is not a matter of crime. It is something really central to our democracy that the police are not involved in politics, he told the BBCs Radio 4 Today programme.

However, the ex-officers decision to go public was defended by former Gloucestershire Chief Constable Tim Brain.

Lets just think about this as a workplace computer and think whether we are happy that people, our MPs, can have this kind of material on what is an official computer, he also told Newsnight.

Nobody is actually doubting the fact that there is some kind of electronic trace of this material on the computer. So we need to have some answers now this information is in the public domain.

Tensions are high as the the First Secretary is currently subject to a Cabinet Office inquiry into similar claims but it is not looking directly into whether pornography was found on Mr Greens computer in 2008 as the controversy dates from before he became a minister.

However, it has involved establishing whether allegations were part of a pattern of behaviour that might have continued since Mr Green became a minister by taking evidence from his officials in the jobs held since.
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Allies of Jeremy Corbyn have been accused of trying to engineer the election of a left-winger to a key Labour committee.

The partys National Executive Committee (NEC) this week passed changes to rules on how its youth representative is chosen, just weeks before the start of an election that will help determine the make-up of the finely-balanced panel.

It means the current representative, Jasmin Beckett, who has been outspoken in demanding the party leadership does more to combat sexual harassment, could be forced out and replaced with an ally of Mr Corbyn.

Ms Beckett said she was really disappointed that the shoddy change had been forced through.

Others, however, said it was about giving more young members a voice and not about Labour factionalism.

The move comes as Mr Corbyn strengthens his grip on the party following Labours prediction-defying performance at the general election.

Those on the left of the party have already passed changes to boost the number of NEC members elected directly by the partys left-wing membership and reduced the barriers to getting a supporter of Mr Corbyn on a future leadership ballot.

The latest change involves introducing a new system for choosing young activists representative on the NEC.

Until now, the youth representative has been elected by 303 delegates, with a third chosen by members of the Young Labour group, a third by the partys student wing and a third by affiliated trade unions. Labour Students has traditionally been dominated by moderates, while Young Labour and trade unionists are more sympathetic to Mr Corbyn.

Under the changes agreed by Labours NEC this week, however, the electoral college system will be scrapped and replaced by a direct election in which the electorate will consist half of Young Labour members and half of young trade unionists. Labour Students will lose its voting rights completely.

The 50 per cent of votes given to trade unions will not be cast by young unionists but by the unions leaders, meaning people who do not qualify as young members will be given half the right to choose the youth representative. Union bosses resisted a motion that would have forced them to consult young members before casting their vote.

One NEC member told The Independent: Its a stich-up. They just leapt into action the second they knew they had the majority."

Speaking about next springs youth rep election, the source added: It will be decided based on who Unite and GMB vote for.

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Show all 9 1 /9 Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Brexit Labour is committed to leaving the European Union but would have different negotiating priorities to the Conservatives. It has said it would have a strong emphasis on staying in the single market and the customs union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leading figures in Brussels have been unambiguous that membership of the single market is impossible without free movement. PA Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Immigration The party would drop bogus immigration targets but move to a managed system of migration favoured by many leave voters. It has said this may include employer sponsorship, work permits, visa regulations or a tailored mix of all these. Getty Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained The Economy Labours manifesto commits to balance government spending with the amount raised by taxation, which can mean little more than significant tax increases. The greatest burden will fall on higher earners but they cannot meet demand on their own. It has also promised to bring rail companies back in to public ownership and cap fares. The party would also renationalise Royal Mail. It also promises a transition to publicly owned energy. Peter Byrne/PA Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Tax No one earning under 80,000 would pay any more in national insurance or income tax. It would raise corporation tax, from the current low of 19p to 26p. This higher rate would still be a competitive internationally, but the government is currently fighting hard to attract business in the wake of Brexit and they say a low corporation tax rate is crucial. Labour would also lower the top, 45p income tax threshold to 80,000. In theory, this could raise 7bn, but only if higher earnings did not decide to move abroad. Reuters Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained NHS Labour has promised more money for GP services, free hospital parking for patients, staff and visitors, and to take a million people off NHS waiting lists by guaranteeing treatment within eighteen weeks. These promises will be expensive to keep, and there is no certainty that the party s commitment to raising taxes on higher earners, increasing capital gains tax and reversing cuts to corporation tax will be enough to meet the need. PA Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Education The party has pledged to abolish university tuition fees and reintroduce maintenance grants and give free school meals to all schoolchildren. PA Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Housing Labours manifesto commits to building 1m new homes, and would introduce controls on rent rises for private renters. It would also scrap the so-called bedroom tax. Getty Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Environment Labour would ban fracking, but, crucially, also supports new nuclear projects. It would also introduce a new Clean Air Act to deal with illegal air quality Getty Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained Defence Its manifesto says it is committed to the NATO target of 2 per cent spending on defence. It is also committed to the renewal of Trident, even though Jeremy Corbyn has spent a lifetime campaigning against it. AFP/Getty Images

Supporters however, say the change will give more members a direct say in choosing their representative and will end the alleged unfairness of Labour Students, which is much smaller, having the same sway as Young Labour.

The proposal to change the system was due to be included in a review of Labour Party democracy that is being carried out by Katy Clark, an aide to Mr Corbyn. Since winning a majority on the NEC, however, Mr Corbyns allies pushed ahead with the rule change before the review is completed.

In a statement posted online, Ms Beckett said the change had been rushed through without official consultation with members or key stakeholders. It is understood the change was backed heavily by Unite and other trade unions, as well as representatives of party members.

Young members voices have been sidelined by the shoddy change, she said.

Speaking to The Independent, she added: Im really disappointed that young members were not consulted prior to this decision being made on how they elect their only representative to the NEC. The new system has cut out Labour Students and means young members have only 50 per cent of the vote on who their representative will be.

 Gordon Brown backs Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader

The NEC has previously been narrowly split between Labour moderates and left-wing supporters of Mr Corbyn, although the creation of three new positions elected by party members is expected to tip the balance in favour of the latter group. Among those likely to take one of the new seats on the committee is Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum.

The crucial committee governs how the party is run and has a big influence on issues including discipline, policy and rule changes. The new balance of the NEC makes it more likely that changes will be passed to make it easier to deselect sitting MPs and give members a greater say on policy matters.

The row over the latest rule change is not the first time that the election of Labours youth rep has proved controversial. Last years vote saw Ms Beckett defeat Momentum candidate James Elliott by just 0.14 per cent, with friends of Mr Elliott claiming the difference amounted to just one vote.

The election was the subject of an independent investigation amid claims that Ms Beckett had used a Facebook group to accuse Mr Elliott of antisemitism.

In recent months Ms Beckett has been vocal in demanding Labour does more to tackle allegations of sexual harassment in the party. Following numerous allegations of misbehaviour by MPs, she wrote to Mr Corbyn and her fellow NEC members calling for an independent investigation into the claims and suggesting the partys existing processes for dealing with allegations were clearly not sufficient.

Labour must urgently look at how we can encourage members who have experienced sexual harassment to come forward and make a complaint, she added.
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Theresa Mays vision to tackle the burning injustices in Britain has suffered a major setback after key members of her social mobility commission resigned in protest at the lack of progress towards a fairer Britain.

Alan Milburn, the Governments social mobility tsar, who has chaired the commission since 2012, said he was quitting after months of indecision, dysfunctionality and lack of leadership, adding there was little hope of Ms Mays administration delivering a more equal society.

Referring to the Prime Ministers record on tackling the deep class divides in Britain, the former Labour minister added: Talking the talk is all very well, but you also need to walk the walk.

The Governments preoccupation on Brexit, he added, meant that Downing Street does not seem to have the necessary bandwidth to ensure the rhetoric of healing social division matched with reality.

Mr Milburns resignation came alongside three other commissioners on the panel, including the former Conservative Education Secretary Gillian Shephard, according to reports in The Observer.

It will be highly embarrassing for Ms May, who pledged upon entering Downing Street in the summer of 2016 to make it her administrations mission to fight the burning injustices in British society.

Later the same year she also delivered a major speech on social mobility, stating: I want Britain to be the worlds great meritocracy  a country where everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and their hard work will allow.

The resignations also provide a greater sense of a crisis engulfing Number 10, as the Prime Minister is already under intense pressure this week as she prepares for crucial talks in the Brexit negotiations in Brussels. The future of her closest ally, Damian Green, the First Secretary of State and effective deputy Prime Minister, is also in doubt over a Cabinet office inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct claims.

In his resignation letter Mr Milburn said he has no doubt the Prime Minister believed in improving social mobility, but added: I see little evidence of that being translated into meaningful action.

The worst position in politics is to set out a proposition that youre going to heal social divisions and then do nothing about it. The Prime Minister has said a lot about her desire to improve social mobility.

Talking the talk is all very well, but you also need to walk the walk. I see precisely no chance of making progress.

On Sunday Mr Milburn added that his reappointment for a second term was backed by Education Secretary Justine Greening but she had failed to prevail in Whitehall.

I have decided I am not going to reapply for the job and frankly neither are the other three commissioners, he told BBCs The Andrew Marr Show. There is only so long that you can go on pushing water uphill.

But Ms Greening refused to be drawn on whether she had fought for Mr Milburns reappointment. He has done a fantastic job but his term had come to an end. I think it was about getting some fresh blood into the commission, she said.

Ms Greening denied the Government lacked the will to tackle inequality, but admitted that more needed to be done. What we are doing is a transformational series of policies across government to drive equality of opportunity, she said.

In my own area, we have set up opportunity areas working inside and outside schools in communities to improve education results. If you look at the school standards overall they are continuing to rise.

She added, however: I think there is a real problem that we need to fix. Britain is not a country where we have equality of opportunity. Where you grow up affects your future far too much. This is a generational challenge.

Responding to the resignations, Jon Tricket, the shadow cabinet office minister, said: As inequality has grown under the Tories, social mobility has totally stalled. Theresa May has rewarded the rich whilst holding everyone else back. It is no surprise the whole Social Mobility Commission has resigned in frustration.

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. 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Under the Tories, how well people do in life is still based on class background rather than on talent or effort.

It also comes just days after Mr Milburns commission delivered a grim report on the state of social mobility in Britain, claiming there is a stack social mobility lottery as the countrys richest regions offer the worst prospects for poor children.

The report also uncovered a striking geographical divide, with London and its surrounding areas sustaining largely high levels of social mobility, while many other parts of the country are being left behind economically and hollowed out socially.

Mr Milburn warned in the report that tinkering around the edges will do not do the trick, adding: The analysis in this report substantiates the sense of political alienation and social resentment that so many parts of Britain feel.

A new level of effort is needed to tackle the phenomenon of left-behind Britain, he said.
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Bill Gates may not be leaving much of his $89 billion fortune to his three kids, but he is setting them up to follow in his footsteps.

Gates was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and enrolled at Lakeside School, a private day school located on the shores of Lake Washington, when he was 13. While there, Gates discovered a love of computers and met Paul Allen, with whom he later co-founded Microsoft.

Gates' two eldest children, 21-year-old Jennifer and 18-year-old Rory, have both graduated from Lakeside and 16-year-old Phoebe is currently enrolled there. Jennifer is now a student at Stanford University.

"Lakeside was one of the best things that ever happened to me," Gates said in a speech he gave at the school in 2005. He was announcing a $40 million donation to Lakeside to help build its financial aid fund.

"The experience and insight Paul Allen and I gained here gave us the confidence to start a company based on this wild idea that nobody else agreed with  that computer chips were going to become so powerful that computers and software would become a tool that would be on every desk and in every home," he said. "If there had been no Lakeside, there would have been no Microsoft."

Gates wasn't always so fond of Lakeside, however. "In those days, Lakeside was an all-boys school where you wore a jacket and tie, called your teachers 'master,' and went to chapel every morning. For a while, I even thought about failing the entrance exam," he said in his speech.

"But I decided to do as well as I could on the test, and luckily, I got in," Gates said. "Now I'm finally prepared to say what no son ever wants to say, especially in public: 'Dad, you and Mom were right.'"

Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft Show all 5 1 /5 Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft 35079.bin AFP/Getty Images Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft 35080.bin AFP/Getty Images Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft 35081.bin Getty Images Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft 35082.bin Rex Features Time to log off: Bill Gates steps down from the top job at Microsoft 35083.bin AFP/Getty Images

The school is now co-ed and accommodates grades 5 through 12  a total of about 860 students. The 2017-2018 annual cost to attend is $33,280, not including additional fees for textbooks, hot lunches, a laptop, and to-and-from school transportation, which can cost up to $4,700 for a first-year Upper School student.

While more than 80% of students participate in the visual and performing arts program each year at Lakeside, the school is renowned for its excellence in STEM. Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools, ranks Lakeside No. 1 for best STEM high schools in Washington state, and No. 10 for best STEM high schools in America.

Whether the Gates children were admitted to the school with the help of their famous father's alum status is unclear, but the general application process for students is rigorous. According to Private School Review, Lakeside's acceptance rate is just 17%.

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.
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A retired US Army general and former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency during the Obama administration, General Michael Flynn served for less than a month as President Donald Trump's first national security adviser.

He was fired by the President in mid-February after officials said that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his phone discussions with Sergey Kislyak, at the time the Russian ambassador to the United States.

General Flynn's misleading statements about his Russia contacts and his 2016 consulting work for a Turkish client both came under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. He admitted earlier this week that he had made false statements about his contacts with Mr Kislyak.

Sergey Kislyak

As Russia's ambassador to the US, Mr Kislyak attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where Mr Trump was nominated as the party's presidential candidate.

During the campaign, Mr Kislyak met several of the then president-elect's aides, including then Senator Jeff Sessions. After Mr Trump's election, Mr Kislyak spoke by phone several times with General Flynn in late December and discussed sanctions put in place by the Obama administration.

The calls were monitored by US intelligence agencies, and days after Mr Trump took office in January, General Flynn was interviewed by FBI agents about those talks. He admitted lying during that interview by saying, among other things, that he had never discussed sanctions.

Vice President Mike Pence

As media revelations emerged about General Flynn's talks with Mr Kislyak, Mr Pence stated publicly that he had spoken with General Flynn and been assured that the national security adviser and Mr Kislyak had not discussed sanctions.

The White House later explained General Flynn's ouster by saying he had lost the trust of both Mr Trump and Mr Pence.

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

President Donald Trump

After naming General Flynn to head the National Security Council in January, Mr Trump forced him from the position less than a month later. He has since praised General Flynn as a good man and has made statements, including on social media, that have appeared protective or defensive of him.

James Comey

The former FBI director, whose firing in May precipitated the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel, James Comey has said that Mr Trump asked him during a private Oval Office encounter in February if he could see his way to letting the Flynn investigation go, and told him that General Flynn was a good man.

Mr Comey has said he found the request concerning and documented it in an internal memo, summaries of which were later disclosed to reporters. The White House has denied that the conversation occurred as Mr Comey described.

Sally Yates

As acting attorney general at the end of the Obama administration, Ms Yates and another Justice Department official went to the White House on 26 January to warn White House counsel Don McGahn that General Flynn was potentially compromised and vulnerable to blackmail because of discrepancies between the public accounting of the conversation with Mr Kislyak and what actually occurred.

Though White House officials including Mr Pence had stated publicly that General Flynn had not discussed sanctions with Mr Kislyak, Ms Yates has said she advised Mr McGahn that there were factual problems with that account. She has said she expected the White House to take action.

 Donald Trump insists 'no collusion' after Michael Flynn admits lying to FBI

Michael G Flynn

Michael Flynn Jr, as he is known, accompanied his father on his 2015 trip to Moscow. Mr Flynn Jr worked for his father's company as part of its 2016 research aimed at developing a criminal case against Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Muslim cleric whose extradition from the US has been sought by Turkey's government. Flynn's son was paid $12,000 (8,900) for unspecified "administrative support" under the Turkish contract. Mr Flynn Jr also acted briefly as his father's chief of staff during the transition, but was forced to resign after his frequent tweets on conspiracy theories.

KT McFarland

The former deputy national security adviser in the Trump administration, and former Fox News analyst, was nominated in May to be ambassador to Singapore.

According to two former transition officials, Ms McFarland was referenced in court papers as the unnamed Trump transition team member who spoke with General Flynn last December about what, if anything, to say about sanctions that had just been imposed on Russia by the Obama administration in response to election meddling.

Associated Press
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A top Democrat says that a Senate committee investigating Russias meddling in the 2016 election is looking into potential obstruction of justice charges against President Donald Trump.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that a group was putting together of a case of obstruction of justice against the President, during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press.

The comments came just after a former top White House aide plead guilty to charges brought by special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russias influence on the 2016 campaign. The guilty plea, from former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, was on charges related to lying to the FBI about contact with Russian officials, but is considered significant because it could potentially require him to testify against others in the Trump inner circle.

Recommended Trump lashes out as Mueller investigation heats up

I think we see this in the indictments, the four indictments and pleas that have just taken place and some of the comments that are being made, Ms Feinstein said, explaining the exploration in the Senate for obstruction charges.

Mr Trump has insisted since Mr Flynns guilty plea that the charges against his former national security adviser show that there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia. Others note, however, that Mr Mueller could simply be building a case from the outside in  and that Mr Flynn could be pressured to flip on the President and other top members of the campaign.

Following those charges, Mr Trump pushed back even harder against the investigations that have dogged his presidency so far. Taking to Twitter, Mr Trump seized on recent news that a member of Mr Muellers team had been fired after it was determined he had sent anti-Trump messages.

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

Mr Trump, noting that the individual who was fired worked on an investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of State, indicated that the FBIs reputation was severely damaged  and promised to fix it.
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Russia threw the US election to Donald Trump, a top official in his transition team reportedly said in an email.

Emails between top Trump transition officials suggested Michael Flynn was in close contact with other senior members of the transition team before and after he spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, The New York Times reported.

An email from K T McFarland, a transition adviser to Mr Trump, sent on 29 December, suggested Russian sanctions announced by the Obama administration had been aimed at discrediting Mr Trump's victory.

 Donald Trump insists 'no collusion' after Michael Flynn admits lying to FBI

In emails obtained by the Times, she said the sanctions could also make it more difficult for Mr Trump to ease tensions with Russia, "which has just thrown the USA election to him."

A White House lawyer told the newspaper Ms McFarland only meant the Democrats were portraying it that way.

It comes amid reports the US President's lawyer wrote a tweet sent from his account implying he knew Mr Flynn had lied to the FBI when he fired him.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies," the tweet said.

"It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

By citing lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Mr Flynn, it suggests Mr Trump knew at the time Mr Flynn had done something to break the law.

Lying to the FBI is a crime - one which Mr Flynn acknowledged last Friday by pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

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

After Mr Trump forced Mr Flynn out of the White House in February, he asked FBI Director James Comey to end the bureau's investigation into the matter, according to Mr Comey's account.

When Mr Comey refused, Mr Trump fired him too.

On Sunday, Mr Trump denied asking Mr Comey to stop investigating Mr Flynn.

In a tweet, he said: "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"
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President Donald Trump is lashing out at his critics just days after a top aide of his plead guilty to charges resulting from a special investigation into Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 election.

Mr Trump leaned on his favourite social media website on Sunday morning to try and reframe the national conversation away from analysis of what the guilty plea of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn might mean, and toward a familiar foil of Mr Trumps: Hillary Clinton and the Washington bureaucracy he frequently dismisses as corrupt.

After years of [former FBI Director James] Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters  worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness, Mr Trump wrote in one of several tweets attacking the intelligence agency.

 Donald Trump insists 'no collusion' after Michael Flynn admits lying to FBI

The President appeared to be seizing on a report that a member of special counsel Robert Muellers team was fired after it was discovered that he had sent anti-Trump tweets. That investigator reportedly also worked on the investigation into Ms Clintons use of a private email server, which ultimately found no criminal wrongdoing on the Democrats part.

Mr Mueller immediately removed the investigator from his team following the allegations, which were not detailed publicly. That swift action was seen as an effort by the former FBI director to insulate his team against claims of bias or favouritism.

The President devoted one of this tweets to the subject of ABC investigative journalist Brian Ross, who was suspended following his false reporting that Mr Trump had, as a candidate for president, instructed Mr Flynn to contact Russian officials. Mr Flynn was actually instructed to make contact with the Russian government after Mr Trump had won the election, and it appears that a high level official gave the order  not Mr Trump. Mr Ross later corrected his mistake.

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

That reporting came on Friday, when Mr Flynn plead guilty to charges related to lying to the FBI about encounters with the Russian officials during the transition. His plea came as part of a deal struck with Mr Muellers team, which ensured complete cooperation with the investigation going forward.

Its unclear what that means for the future of the investigation into the Trump campaigns potential ties to Russia during the 2016 election, and there have so far been no claims that the President himself was directly involved in any effort to collude with Russia (he did, however, admit on television that he was moved to fire Mr Comey from his position earlier this year at least in part because of the Russia investigation).

Mr Flynns chargers were notably not for the contact with Russians, but rather for lying about the interactions to the FBI later. The State Department, then serving President Barack Obama, indicated during the transition that it had no problem with the Trump transition team reaching out to Russian officials as it prepared to take over the White House.
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A student will serve as Judge of Elections for their Pennsylvania ward after their own single vote won the ballot.

After no one else bothered to vote, Philip Garcia will now serve as an impartial observer during elections in his local ward for the next four years.

The journalist and PhD student, who identifies as gender non-binary, said they were shocked when they opened the letter saying he had been elected to help oversee elections for Ward 21, Division 10 of Philadelphia.

A Judge of Elections is similar to the independent observers found in polling stations on election day in the UK.

I literally yelled 'what the hell' when I opened the letter," Garcia told The Hill website. I've written my name in a few times during elections when no one else is listed for a position. It's just been a thing I do, with no expectation of, like, actually making an impact on the vote.

Although it varies between state, the US political system directly elects far more of its legislative and local authorities than the UK. Public figures who face reelection include local police chiefs, some judges and often a county or states chief prosecutor.

In the UK observers can simply apply to be accredited by the Electoral Commission but in some US states, such as Pennsylvania, they are democratically elected.

In the US people can also write the name of the person they want to be elected on the ballot paper rather than going through the formal nomination process.

This is illegal in the UK as making any mark on the paper except a cross in a single box is considered a spoilt ballot.

Tweeting about their surprise victory, Garcia said: They say that one vote doesn't matter, but I literally wrote in my own name and won an election because I guess no-one else ran/voted for this position.

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. 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Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. 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They will take up the position in January.

Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt confirmed Garcias victory and said it was not unusual for these sorts of positions to be filled this way.

He said: "Frequently, candidates do not file petitions to have their names appear on the ballot, so that's when we see write-in votes being decisive. A winner is the candidate who received the most write-in votes."
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Donald Trump is facing claims that a tweet about the firing of his former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn could amount to obstruction of justice, with one former government ethics official saying it could 'end' his presidency.

Responding to Mr Flynn's guilty plea for lying to the FBI as part of the federal investigation into possible links between his presidential campaign and Russia, Mr Trump tweeted: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Critics jumped on the social media post, claiming it appeared to suggest that Mr Trump knew that Mr Flynn had lied to investigators before he was forced out of the administration in February.

The president then allegedly encouraging the head of the FBI to drop the investigation into Mr Flynn.

Mr Flynn was interviewed by the FBI on 24 January and he admitted in a Washington DC courtroom earlier this week, that he had made false statements at that time about his contact in December with then-Russian Ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak. He discussed US sanctions with the ambassador on 29 December.

The week before he spoke about a United Nations vote on Israel. Mr Flynn admitted to originally telling the FBI that he did not do so.

Mr Flynn resigned from the Trump administration on 13 February after it emerged he had also given inaccurate statements Vice President Mike Pence about his interactions with Mr Kisylak. Former FBI Director James Comey subsequently testified in front of Congress that Mr Trump told him during a 14 February meeting at the White House, that he hoped Mr Comey could "let this go", in regards to the investigation of Mr Flynn.

The former director of the US Office of Government Ethics, Walter Shaub, was quick to suggest the tweet might have "ended" any other presidential administration.

Knowing that Mr Flynn lied while pressuring the FBI drop an investigation could potentially be seen as obstruction of justice according to critics, including California Democrat Representative Ted Lieu.

A lawyer for Mr Trump Marc Kasowitz strongly denied Mr Comey's claim at the time it was made. He told The Washington Post: The president never in form or substance directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone, including the president never suggested that Mr. Comey, quote, Let Flynn go, close quote. Mr Trump has consistently denied any collusion with Russia and has labelled the investigation a "witch hunt".

Mr Comey was fired from his position in May by Mr Trump and Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to take over the investigation. It originally began as a probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, which a number of US intelligence agencies believe was aimed at aiding Mr Trump, but has grown to include a number of other areas.

It is believed that potential obstruction of justice is an area Mr Mueller and his team are looking into as part of the Russia probe.

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

However, it would likely not have been difficult for those in the White House to discern that Mr Flynn was potentially under investigation, with Acting Attorney general Sally Yates telling White House Counsel Don McGahn on 26 January, two days after Mr Flynn's FBI interview, that he had discussed sanctions with Mr Kislyak. Ms Yates also said that that she had told Mr McGahn that Mr Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI but did not characterise what Mr Flynn had told investigators.

As for Mr Trump's tweet today about Mr Flynn, Trump administration officials have sought to play down its significance. The Washington Post reported that the tweet was potentially drafted by Trump lawyer John Dowd, citing sources, while other officials called the tweet simply "sloppy".

After Mr Flynn's guilty plea to the one charge of lying to the FBI, the White House also sought to distance Mr Trump. Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn, Ty Cobb, the White House lawyer, said in a statement.

 Donald Trump insists 'no collusion' after Michael Flynn admits lying to FBI

Mr Flynn is the first official within the Trump administration to be charged in relation to the investigation, but is the fourth person connected to the Trump campaign.

In October, Mr Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his associate Rick Gates, were charged with 12 counts of financial crimes related to their work in Ukraine, charges they both deny. At the same time, Mr Mueller revealed foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia-linked individuals  a similar charge that Mr Flynn admitted to as part of the plea deal.
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President Donald Trump has called his fellow Republicans unbeatable as he revels in the passage through the Senate of a sweeping tax reform bill which should secure his first major legislative victory since entering office.

In a 51-49 pre-dawn vote, Republicans approved a measure that Mr Trump claimed was the largest tax cut in the history of our country, but will seemingly benefit the wealthiest Americans most and would also add $1 trillion to the national debt over 10 years.

Calling it one of the big nights, Mr Trump swept into New York for a number of political fundraising events delighted at the thought of the largest changes to tax laws since the 1980s. As he left the White House he praised the Senate for passing tremendous tax reform and said that people are going to be very, very happy.

The legislation now goes to the House-Senate committee to reconcile the differing bills the House and the Senate passed, before landing on the presidents desk to sign  but Mr Trump appeared unfazed. Something beautiful is going to come out of that mixer, he said.

Right now unless they have somebody that we dont know about, right now were unbeatable. Were unbeatable, Mr Trump said. And one of the reasons is whats happening with the markets, whats happening with business, whats happening with jobs.

He made clear that voting against tax cuts would create a problem for Democrats in next years mid-term elections.

Speaking at a fundraising event at New York restaurant Cipriani, Mr Trump said: We got no Democrat help and I think thats going to cost them very big in the election because basically they voted against tax cuts. And I dont think politically its good to vote against tax cuts.

On the way to the event, Mr Trump's motorcade drove past several hundred protesters decrying the make-up of the tax bill.

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

Over the previous 24 hours, multiple last-minute alterations were made to the legislation to win support from sceptical Republicans.

There are changes apparently worth billions and billions of dollars said Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, who took to the Senate floor several times throughout the day to criticise the bill and the process being used to pass it.

The final text of the bill was not released until a few hours before the vote, with Democrats angry at the speed of the passage of the bill.

The American people have a right to know the tax policy being made in the dark, Mr Wyden added.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had promised Mr Wyden that he would have plenty of time to review the final text, even though the bill is more than 500 pages and includes highly technical language.

 US Senate passes tax cuts for America's richest in late-night vote

Speaking after the passage of the bill, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer bemoaned the last minute changes.

The Republicans have managed to take a bad bill and make it worse, said Mr Schumer. Under the cover of darkness and with the aid of haste, a flurry of last-minute changes will stuff even more money into the pockets of the wealthy and the biggest corporations.

The national debt increase was an issue for Republican Senator Bob Corker, who was the only member of his party to vote against the measure.

This is yet another tough vote. I am disappointed. I wanted to get to yes, Mr Corker said in a statement. But at the end of the day, I am not able to cast aside my fiscal concerns and vote for legislation that I believe, based on the information I currently have, could deepen the debt burden on future generation.

While he supports parts of the Senate legislation and believes it could be made more fiscally sound, he said, it is clear the caucus is in a different place.

Mr Corker had attempted to add $350bn in tax increases to the Senates tax bill  a proposal that was ultimately rejected.

But despite Mr Corkers decision to vote against the measure, the Republican leadership was still able to secure the 50 yea votes needed to pass it.

Republican Senator Susan Collins  seen as a wildcard because of her summer spent bucking leadership on healthcare legislation  announced her support for the tax bill earlier in the day after changes she wanted were made to the legislation.

Having secured these key improvements in the bill, as well as the commitments to legislation to help lower health insurance premiums, I will cast my vote in support of the Senate tax reform bill, she said. As revised, this bill will provide much-needed tax relief and simplification for lower- and middle-income families, while spurring the creation of good jobs and greater economic growth.

Mr McConnell celebrated the passage by predicting the bill will lead to an economic boost. We have an opportunity now to make America more competitive, to keep jobs from being shipped offshore and to provide substantial relief to the middle class, he said.

The Senate tax bill tacked on some controversial Republican-favoured extras, including repealing Obamacares requirement that most people have health insurance. The proposal, which is part of efforts to repeal Obamacare, would lead to 13 million people losing their health insurance over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
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The United States is withdrawing from a United Nations declaration intended at protecting the rights of migrants, saying in a notice to the international group that staying in the agreement would be inconsistent with American immigration policy.

The decision to withdraw from the so-called New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants  a declaration reached last year  is consistent with efforts by the Donald Trump administration to limit incoming immigration and refugee settlement. The declaration calls for a global compact on migration, which is expected to be adopted next year.

In discussing the American withdrawal, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that her country is proud of its leadership on human rights issues, but framed an international agreement as a breach in US sovereignty.

Our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone, Ms Haley said. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country.

The president of the UN General Assembly expressed regret for the US decision to withdraw, saying that no single nation can tackle the issues surrounding migration on its own.

The role of the United States in this process is critical as it has historically and generously welcomed people from all across the globe and remains home to the largest number of international migrants in the world, Miroslav Lajcak, the UN General Assembly president, said in a statement. As such, it has the experience and expertise to help ensure that this process leads to a successful outcome.

Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Italy on MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie DeardenI Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing health checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing security checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily A man being taken to hospital from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden

The American decision comes just days before the international community is scheduled to meet to discuss migration rights and concerns in Mexico.

The Trump administration has pushed for restrictions in immigration to the United States, and has succeeded in establishing at least temporary restrictions on the acceptance of refugees through executive orders known as his travel bans.

Those bans have targeted predominantly Muslim countries, and one was upheld by the Supreme Court, which deferred matters of national security to the White House.
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The likelihood of war between the US and North Korea is increasing every day, the US National Security Adviser has said.

Herbert Raymond McMaster made his comments following the pariah nations latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which flew higher than any of its previous long-range weapons.

The greatest immediate threat to the United States and to the world is the threat posed by the rogue regime in North Korea, Mr McMaster told Fox News.

"I think it's increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem."

He added that dictator Kim Jong-un, is working to advance his countrys nuclear capability against the US.

Every time he conducts a missile launch, a nuclear test, he gets better, he said.

The secretive communist state's media claimed its successful test of the new type of missile, dubbed the Hwasong-15, proves it is capable of delivering a super-large heavy warhead to the US.

Experts have confirmed the missile, which North Korea has called the most powerful ICBM, could have followed a trajectory that would have put the east coast of the US within range.

However, it remains unclear if North Korea has the technology to mount a heavy nuclear warhead on a long-range missile.

His comments follow hard-hitting remarks from the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Hayley, who warned that North Korea would be utterly destroyed if the countrys continued aggression sparks a military conflict.

If war comes make no mistake: the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed, she told a UN Security Council meeting that followed the latest missile test - an action she warned brings us closer to war.

North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images

We have never sought war with North Korea, and still today we do not seek it. If war does come, it will be because of continued acts of aggression like we witnessed yesterday, Ms Haley added.

Mr Trump has previously promised that any strikes on the US by North Korea would be met with fire and fury, and called on China to do more to bring its communist ally and neighbour to heel.

If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph - the US has great strength and patience, he said in an address to the United Nations.

Mr Kim responded through the Korean state media, saying: I will surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged US dotard with fire.
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Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush has stepped down as President of the Australian screen industry academy following a complaint of inappropriate behaviour against him .

The stage and screen veteran, 66, denies the claim, which dates back to 2015 when he was starring in a production of King Lear with the Sydney Theatre Company (STC).

In a statement, his lawyer said the actor was unaware of the exact nature of the complaint.

He also accused the STC of deciding to smear his name and unjustifiably damage his reputation.

Rush, who starred in Pirates of the Caribbean and The Kings Speech, has stepped down as President of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) until these issues have been resolved, adding that the decision had not been made lightly.

His statement said: It is unreasonable that my professional colleagues should be somehow associated with such allegations. In the current climate of innuendo and unjustifiable reporting, I believe the decision to make a clean break to clear the air is the best for all concerned.

The AACTA said it was deeply concerned about the situation and support a course of action that both respects Geoffreys rights to the presumption of innocence and due process, but also acknowledges good corporate governance.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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 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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. 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A spokesperson for the theatre company said it had been approached for comment by a journalist from the Sydney Moring Herald, and responded truthfully that it had received such a complaint.

They added that the complainant had requested that the matter be dealt with internally and did not want Rush notified or involved in any investigation.

The Queensland-born actor is one of just a handful of performers to have won the triple crown of acting, having won an Academy Award for film, an Emmy for his TV work and the Tony Award for theatre.

He is married to actress Jane Menelaus, with whom he has two children.

Sydneys Daily Telegraph cited two unnamed sources who claimed an actress had accused Rush of touching her inappropriately.

Rushs lawyers said his regard, actions and treatment of all the people he has worked with has been impeccable beyond reproach.

The actor is the latest in a long line of high profile men to have seen their names in the public eye in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations, which have unleashed a tidal wave of complaints from women and some men in all sectors across the world concerning alleged inappropriate behaviour from men in positions of power.
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Does anybody need a digger? This is a digger, a big strong man, hell dig, the auctioneer says in grainy mobile phone footage, gesturing to one of the two tall, silent young men next to him.

What am I bid, what am I bid?

The two men were sold together for a total of $400 (296).

The world has been shocked by the release of a CNN investigation into the slave trade thriving in the lawlessness of post-Gaddafi Libya.

 Smugglers in Libya sell migrants as slaves

It is estimated hundreds of sub-Saharan Africans travelling to Libya in the hopes of getting on a boat across the Mediterranean to a better life in Europe are being sold by smugglers each week  either into lives of manual or sex slavery or ransomed to their families, passed between militia groups.

The UN is trying to decide if crimes against humanity charges can be brought against perpetrators. Protests erupted in Paris and several other cities and the Libyan government  only in control of around half the country  has promised an investigation.

It is now clear that slavery is an outrageous reality in Libya. The auctions are reminiscent of one of the darkest chapters in human history, when millions of Africans were uprooted, enslaved, trafficked and auctioned to the highest bidder, a statement from a group of UN human rights experts said.

Many Libyan activists and non-governmental organisations have been trying to raise the alarm about the worsening situation in Libya for months.

The UNs International Organisation for Migration (IOM) released a report in April this year warning that sub-Saharan Africans who travelled north to Libya were routinely facing detention in squalid conditions, rapes, beatings and being sold into slavery.

In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby being taken on to MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos all images by Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby among refugees on a boat carrying 185 people off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Migrants and refugees sleeping after being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos ship Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A crew from MSF's Bourbon Argos ship rescuing a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya, at sunrise Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A woman in a stretcher being lifted onto MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden

The humanitarian crisis of migrants trying to reach Europe is well documented, and it is a story the Libyan authorities want to be told, said photographer Narciso Contreras, who was one of the first foreigners to capture the extent of the modern day Libyan slave market.

But that vast market trading in human beings is largely undocumented, he added.

That has changed with the release of the latest footage. How to best address the problem is not clear.

But perversely, at this point, the people who know the least about the perils that await migrants from Nigeria, Chad, Sudan and Niger when they finally arrive in Libya are the migrants themselves.

Several activists on the ground in Libya who The Independent spoke to said that slavery, ransoms and detentions of African migrants are not new. And yet, more and more people arrive every day, determined to believe that a better life awaits them elsewhere.

Ive never met an African in Libya who knew what could happen to him during his journey to Libya, Misrata-based journalist Mohamed Lagha told The Independent.

But I have met many migrants who told me that they paid to get out of prisons or detention centres, and that militias forced them to work for free.

Some of those who do hear what could await them in Libya refuse to believe the stories, as BBC reporter Benjamin Zand found on the migrant trail through West and North Africa recently.

In life there are always risks, two well-dressed women in Niger told him when he tried to warn them. We will be amongst the successful ones.

As nightmare-ish as the situation in Libya is, it could yet get worse.

The trade in human beings has risen sharpy since the Italian government began paying Libyan militant groups and smugglers to stem the flow of migrants over the sea earlier this year.

Fewer people are now making it to the shores of Lampedusa and southern Italy as countless legions more remain trapped in militia detention centres in Libya.

 Libyan Coast Guard puts refugees and rescuers in danger during rescue operation at sea

But the death rate in the long and treacherous ocean journey from North Africa has now doubled.

At least 2,550 refugees and migrants died between the beginning of the year and 13 September 2017 compared to 3,262 from the same period in 2016, the IOM reported.

That figure represents a drop of 22 per cent  but since 57 per cent fewer people actually make it to Europe now, that means the rate has rocketed to one death in every 50 people who actually make it to Italys shores.

How to best address the complex trafficking web remains unclear.

Recommended Meet the former modern slaves fleeing over the Mediterranean to Europe

The influx of Italian money has also poured fuel on the fire of Libyas civil war, paying for weapons and militia mens salaries.

Until life at home is attractive, and escaping poverty is possible, thousands more Africans will journey across the continent to Libya.

There is no easy fix for the situation. Growing talk of certain mercenary solutions  such as Blackwater founder Erik Princes privatisation plans  do not bode well for a workable solution.

Mr Prince told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that his company, Frontier Services Group, could stop, detain, house and repatriate hundreds of thousands of African migrants who are seeking a path to Europe through Libya.

He said he could do so for a fraction of what the EU is spending on boats to stop vessels in the Mediterranean, and that his plan would be more humane and professional .

The traffic of human beings from Sudan, Chad, Niger is an industrial process, he said. To stop it, you have to create a Libyan border police along the southern border.

Activist groups are pessimistic about genuine action being taken to solve the crisis.

People are rightfully outraged, but dont hold your breath that anything real is going to happen, said Human Rights Watch researcher Hanan Salah.
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Donald Trumps relationship with the document he swore to protect in January has become even more special.

He was always a quixotic voice on the US Constitution, adoring the Second Amendment (right to bear arms) as fiercely as he hates the First (right to free speech) for preventing him from suing newspapers for fair comment.

Yet however inconsistent his previous constitutional musings, they took a turn towards the deranged this weekend.

Traditionally, US citizens facing potential criminal charges have pled the Fifth (right not to self-incriminate) with such robotic frequency that it has become a movie cliche. Watch Miss Sloane, a scintillating thriller about the ineffably nauseating world of Washington lobbyists, and youll hear Jessica Chastains title character repeatedly stonewall a Congressional enquiry with the mantra: I must respectfully decline to answer your question, based on my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Technically, nothing the tangerine huckster could do now, from shutting down South Dakota by executive order to nuking Andorra, has the power to shock. But throwing away a precious constitutional right, and actively choosing to incriminate himself when under no pressure to say anything, was a touch startling.

 Donald Trump insists 'no collusion' after Michael Flynn admits lying to FBI

The relevant tweet came in response to Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, flipping its onetime director. Mike Flynn has pled guilty to lying to the FBI over his dealings with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump took office.

It seems that Flynn was deputed by someone close to Trump to discuss sanctions with Kislyak in breach of the Logan Act forbidding private citizens dealing with foreign governments. If that and/or Flynns other extracurricular activities (trying to prevent a UN resolution condemning Israel for its settlements) deliberately undermined White House policy, it might not be a billion miles from treason.

Since Flynn has been charged with a trivial offence carrying a six month sentence, it is assumed he has agreed to serenade Mueller with sweet canary song. More arrests and charges are thought inevitable as the Kremlin walls close in on Donald Trump  though if he is sticking to the standard McDonalds meal outlined in a new book (two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish, chocolate malt milk shake) it might be more accurate that Trumps belly is closing in on the Kremlin walls. This may prove a two horse race between impeachment and infarction.

Whatever the state of his coronary arteries, the heartbreaking tweet he filed on Saturday went: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI  It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Until then, he claimed he fired Flynn purely for lying to Mike Pence. Trumps admission to knowing his short lived National Security Advisor had lied to the Feds before he urged previous special counsel James Comey to go easy on Flynn looks remarkably like a voluntary confession to the impeachable offence of obstructing justice.

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

That doesnt guarantee impeachment, but it does give Trump grave cause for concern. In todays dawn chorus tweet, he showed he understands why. I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!

At this point, one could closely examine the detail of Comeys testimony to a congressional hearing, barely challenged until now, about how Trump cleared the room of witnesses after dinner one night, isolated him, and urged him to not to go after Flynn.

But when its one persons word against another, and one of the persons is Donald Trump, why waste the space? No reasonable person doubts that he first leaned on Comey, and then sacked him for disobeying an order framed, mafioso-style, as a request. If he did that knowing Flynn had broken the law, as he admits, the odds against him breaking new ground by granting a presidential pardon to himself.

Recommended Trump White House trembles as Flynn starts to spill the beans

So ends another tempestuous week in the eye of the Trumpnado. Retweeting Britain Firsts Islamophoic propaganda films, misaddressing his reply to the Prime Ministers rebuke to a Bognor housewife, dissing the Fifth in favour of wilful self-incrimination, and perjuring himself once again in the court of public opinion by accusing an honest man of lying. Behold the leader of the free world to whose good graces the non-Bognor Theresa May has seen fit to entrust our post-Brexit hopes of economic salvation.

There never was a prospect of a quick and generous trade deal with the US. Trade deals are never quick, and the United States is never generous in its commercial dealings with foreign powers on imaginary grounds of sentimental attachment. The one special thing about this relationship since 1945 is that they always take and we always give.

But since the flaw that defines Trump more clearly than infantile narcissism, proudful ignorance, default mendacity or hideous gluttony happens to be grudge-bearing vindictiveness, there is now every prospect of either no deal or a terrible deal being struck if this supersize-lies-with-everything McDonalds presidency endures.

Not lovin it, a patriotic British Prime Minister would instruct MI6 to give Mueller whatever help it can in unravelling the special relationships with Russian businessmen that long predate his political career.

After this diplomatic Twitter spat, Donald Trumps survival is a threat not only to common decency and global security. It is a danger to a British national interest more patently served than ever by reversing the referendum result, remaining in the EU, and hugging civilised allies close until a semblance of sanity returns to DC.
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Est-ce que cest possible? The French President Emmanuel Macron wants to make French the first language of Africa and perhaps the world.

The radiance, the attractiveness of French does not just belong to France, he proclaimed to students in Burkina Faso last week.

Macron may have shattered the mould of the formal French political system when he established an entirely new political party and sensationally stormed the Elysee Palace earlier this year, but when it comes to French language promotion, the familiar old elite Gallic script endures.

The French establishment alternates between chauvinism and paranoid defensiveness when it comes to its mother tongue. After Britain joined the common market in the 1970s English dethroned French as the primary means of communication within the bloc, putting noses in Paris out of joint. An attempt to designate French as the European Unions benchmark legal language a decade ago failed. But some in France are now sensing that Brexit opens an opportunity for another crack at a Francophone restoration in the EU.

Within France, the language is policed by an official Academie of the great and good, which periodically updates a blacklist of distasteful Anglo-Saxonisms such as le weekend. The domestic law has even been deployed in the cause of defending the language. In 2006 a French subsidiary of General Electric was fined 500,000 for issuing one of its software manuals in English.

Yet, unfortunately for Macron and any of his compatriots who are dreaming of a Francophone future, such bureaucratic and legal levers are unlikely to be effective.

Two economic concepts explain the spread of language: network effects and path dependency. Network effects describe how the network becomes more useful the more people join it. If an increasing number of people speak a tongue it becomes increasing worthwhile for others to speak it too if they want to communicate efficiently.

Path dependency describes how initial conditions can have a profound influence on outcomes over a long period. Todays pre-eminence of the English language in international commerce and culture stems from the fact that Britain created a globe-spanning empire in the 19th century, which then effectively gave way to an Anglophone cultural hegemony in the early 20th century with the economic predominance of the US. These initial historical conditions, combined with network effects over the decades, are the reason English dominates international communication today.

In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images

It could have been different. Theres nothing uniquely or universally accessible about English. For all its glories, the tongue of Shakespeare is by no means the easiest language to learn. What if France had emerged as the dominant seafaring European power in the 1800s? What if French immigrants had settled in the colonies of what became the United States, rather than English ones? A small change in those initial conditions might have resulted in us all speaking French today. We might have been set on a different path.

But why cant things change? Why shouldnt France disrupt English and become the lingua franca of the 21st century? The French investment bank Natixis forecast a few years ago that the numbers of the world population speaking French could overtake English, Mandarin, and Spanish and become the language with the most speakers by 2050. This was essentially based on projections of rapid growth in the population of Africa (where French is commonly spoken due to the legacy of French 19th century colonialism).

Yet path dependency and network effects are more powerful forces than demography. Its true an African born in the coming decades might grow up speaking French. But there will remain extremely powerful incentives for that same young African to also learn English if they have aspirations to travel, study abroad, or work in firms that are linked to the global economy.

After all, even today there are more native Mandarin speakers (982 million) than native English speakers (375 million), but Englishs domination (with 1.5 billion total speakers worldwide) is as strong as ever, even with the economic rise of China.

The Chinese Communist dictator Mao notoriously argued that power grows out of a barrel of a gun. When it comes to the power of a global language, military domination certainly had a role in the early days, in establishing those initial conditions, those colonies and empires. But today a languages power is mainly drawn from the peaceful network. One thing it certainly doesnt flow from is the diktats of French bureaucrats and politicians.
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Back in 2001 in Budapest, we were a small Jewish students group called Marom, looking to organize a Chanukah festival. We worked with limited resources, but had lots of ideas. One was to set up a multimedia installation inside a synagogue with bright contemporary graphics projected on the walls, intertwined with old black and white Yiddish movies. But we needed projectors.

We reached out to the C3 (Cultural and Communication Centre), created by the Hungarian Soros Foundation, which gave us the two projectors we needed. This was our first encounter with the philanthropy of Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros.

Today, Marom is a place where hundreds of young people volunteer in programs promoting social justice and democracy in Hungary, and where they can reconnect with their Jewish heritage. We receive support from the Open Society Foundations, along with other donors like the European Union.

But for the first time since the end of communism, we Hungarian Jews are justified in fearing for our security, given the Hungarian Governments apathy towards Soros, and far-right rhetoric. The Prime Minister Victor Orban has focused much of his re-election campaign on attacking Soros, claiming he is trying to flood Hungary with Muslims and putting Hungarys existence at stake. His Government has even reportedly started distributing a book by a known conspiracy theorist disparaging Soros.

 George Soros says Trump is going to fail

This summer, Hungarys parliament approved a law restricting the activities of NGOs receiving international funding. The new law forces organizations that receive more than $28,000 (21,000) from foreign donors to disclose the personal data of all of their individual donors. Consequently, it has become very challenging for us to persuade individuals to donate money because it means their names and addresses will be listed on a Hungarian government website.

As a Jewish group working on social justice, we are not optimistic towards the current situation. The Governments well-documented campaign against George Soros plays with obvious antisemitic representations from the 1930s, which has drawn wide criticism.

Across Hungary, one could see huge electric blue posters of George Soros as a puppet master pulling the strings of opposition politicians, or devilishly laughing at the prospect of a plan to undermine what Prime Minister Viktor Orban calls, Europes ethnic homogeneity.

Last May, a group of men belonging to a far-right youth movement attacked our community centre, the Aurora House. They spray-painted anti-Soros slogans along with their logos on the sidewalk in front of our building. They recorded the action in a video and uploaded it on their website, along with racist and antisemitic slurs and vowing to return.

The Orban Government argues that by preventing migration to Europe, they are actually protecting Hungarian Jews from antisemitism coming from Muslim people, which is ridiculous. If the Government would like to do something for the Jewish community in our country, it should confront the actual threat: right-wing extremism.

Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Britain First: the far-right group in pictures A demonstrator with 'Bring back the rope!' sign during a Britain First Rotherham demonstration in 2015 Rex Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen lead a Britain First demonstration in Rochdale on 22 July, 2017 Rex Britain First: the far-right group in pictures In 2016 they staged a small counter demo at Eros. UN Anti Racism, Refugees Welcome march and rally through central London. Rex Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Here a supporter kisses a badge reading " Speak English or Fuck off " on the jacket of a man at a Britain First demonstration in Telford on 25 February, 2017 Rex Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Britain First lead a demonstration in Dudley with a sign reading 'Britain First. No more Mosques!' in 2015 Alamy Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen, the leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First were charged with causing religiously aggravated harassment in 2016 PA Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Following the Westminster terror attack on parliament in March 2017, Britain First and EDL protesters marched through central London. AFP/Getty Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Many of the protesters reacted along the route during the Britain First and EDL demonstration held on 1 April, 2017 PA Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Members of the Britain First group and the English Defence League rallied in central London in on seperate marches entitled a "March Against Terrorism" and "We Are Not Afriad" following the terror attack on Westminster Bridge and the British Parliament AFP/Getty Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Paul Golding reacts whilst he leads the protest PA Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Britain First and EDL protesters both marched on the same day PA Britain First: the far-right group in pictures One protester during the march held a sign reading 'Political correctness + migration = chaos' on 1 April, 2017 PA Britain First: the far-right group in pictures Protesters held placards during the protest calling for Britain First leader, Paul Golding, to be mayor Getty Britain First: the far-right group in pictures At a Birmingham Britain First protest in June 2017, supporters had to be contained by police, where an estimated 250 supporters of the party were escorted. PA Britain First: the far-right group in pictures 'Britain First' held a rally in November in support of their leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen, who had to sign in at Bromley Police Station as part of their bail conditions. Rex

In recent years, Hungary has become a safe haven for neo-Nazis, right-wing activists, racists, and antisemites of all kinds. Swedish, French, Belgian, German, and British ultra-nationalists are now calling Budapest home, under the Governments benevolent or at least indifferent eye. For Hungarian Jews and other minorities, this is a worrying trend in a country with a long history of violent antisemitism.

The Government is about to announce the results of a national consultation on a so-called Soros plan. The campaign costs the equivalent of around 18m. This is more than double what the Open Society Foundations spend in Hungary yearly, and one can only imagine how many projectors small human rights organizations could rent with that amount for their events.

Adam Schonberger and Eszter Susan Guerrero are the co-founders of Marom, a Budapest-based Jewish organization working on social justice issues and helping young Jews reconnect with their heritage
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Today marks six months since the terrorist attack at London Bridge which left eight people dead and many more injured. That day and the days that followed were among the darkest anyone here at Borough Market can remember.

On 14 June, the market community gathered together for one of the most emotionally charged events in this institutions long history: a ceremony to mark the reopening. Hundreds of people crammed into the tight passageways at the top of Three Crown Square to pay their respects, share their hurt and express their solidarity.

The strength and togetherness that shone through that morning made the return to something approaching normality just that little bit easier. The months that have followed have shown us how much Borough Market means to people not just here in Southwark but across the country and from all around the globe.

Nowhere has that been more obvious than in the extraordinary response to our appeal for donations to a trader support fund to aid those traders whose livelihoods had been threatened by the attack. Hit by missed trading days and lost stock, some of the independent businesses that make the Market such a bastion of small-scale production and specialist produce simply could not have sustained themselves without the generosity of hundreds of supporters, from the big local companies that pledged thousands to the individuals who each sent a fiver.

Next week, we will be gathering in the Market for another event. Well be switching on our Christmas lights with a small, low key ceremony, open to everyone. We will unveil a special festive installation, themed around protection, inclusion and timelessness.

This year, there will be a palpable sense of sadness, contemplation and remembrance (there are wounds that have yet to heal) but there will also be a lot of love, togetherness and hope on display. Most importantly we will share it with those friends, colleagues, neighbours and visitors who make Borough Market what it is, and what it will continue to be.

Donald Hyslop, Chair of Trustees, Borough Market

London SE1

If you dont want to pay the cost of Brexit, dont leave the EU

Brexiteers are suggesting that the requirement for the UK to pay 50bn upon leaving the EU reinforces our reasons for leaving the EU.

The 27 nations of the EU do not want our 50bn. They would prefer the UK to remain as a reforming and leading nation within a united Europe.

It is the UKs decision to leave and, in doing so, we are bound to honour, and we must honour, all of our outstanding financial commitments and promises.

It is time to recognise the litany of lies and broken promises of Brexiteers. It is time to reject the blame that they are now pouring upon our neighbours.

It is the UKs decision to leave a united Europe. Our neighbours want us to stay. In taking this catastrophic step let us at least retain our national dignity.

Martin Deighton

Woodbridge

When did our leaders stop caring about the truth?

President Trump sacked former national security adviser Michael Flynn, not because of what he did but because he lied about what he did, apparently. It could be a precedent that comes back to bite him.

Telling the truth should be the obvious choice for everyone, especially our politicians, although in this fake news world too often people misspeak. Time does not change the definition of the word truth, just its use.

The Bible says that we should let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Were we to follow this idea I think we would have very little demand for stones. There are people who try to live a completely honest life although they are much more likely to be found in a monastery than a political office.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne, Australia

Damian Green  if found guilty  must face the consequences

The esteemed Brexit Secretary, David Davis, has reportedly asserted that he will resign from the cabinet if Damian Green is dismissed over allegations of pornography having been found on his work computer almost a decade ago. Andrew Mitchell has now also joined the boys' solidarity movement.

Where to begin?

Well, first, there is in place an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Members of the House of Commons and their staff. The one I can find online was documented in May 2010. Was there one in place in 2008, when Greens computer was found to be full of pornography? If so, why wasnt action taken against him then?

If there was then no AUP, why ever not? And if not, was Green reprimanded at the time in any way? Who or who didn't download it seems to me to be an irrelevant detail. It was on the computer. There should never be any pornography on a workplace computer. Ten years ago, 10 weeks ago: just no. No.

Second, there must be a proper inquiry. Until we know the outcome of that enquiry, it would be seemly for Davis  and now also Mitchell, and any other mates  to keep quiet. Unless, of course, they also spontaneously and publicly leapt to the defence of female colleagues who were openly mocked in the House and harassed by male colleagues in their place of work, 10 years ago, 15 years ago or whenever it may be.

Lastly, why does Davis threaten to resign from the cabinet before any enquiry has taken place, let alone its outcome having been made known? Who is he threatening? His cabinet colleagues? Theresa May? The as yet non-existent enquiry? He has absolutely no business threatening any of the above. A very unkind thought has crossed my mind. Has he realised that Brexit is a complete, irredeemable disaster and has seen a way to bail out while claiming that he did so out of some honourable loyalty towards a mate?

Beryl Wall

Address supplied

Jacob Rees-Mogg just proved us right

Carrying on from a letter from G Forward correctly stating May can not control the far right in her own party, we are now told that Jacob Rees-Mogg has been meeting with Breitbart extremist Steve Bannon.

The only excuse I shall accept for such liaisons is a proposed remake of that excellent film The Remains Of The Day.

Robert Boston

Kent

The UK must unite in our disgust for Trump

I don't normally have a lot of time for Theresa May, but full marks to her for calling out the disgusting Trump over his loathsome racist retweets.

Contempt for this odious clown cuts right across the Brexit-Remain divide. The offer of a state visit should be withdrawn immediately.

Mike Wright

Nuneaton
Obamas Crimes are Revealed Under Trump

By Margaret Kimberley

The war against Yemen began in 2015, with a stamp of approval and military assistance from the Obama administration. 

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Barack Obama was not the lesser evil president. He was always the more effective evil. The ruling classes were in desperate need of a new and attractive face to complete their ugly agenda. George W. Bush and the Republicans were reviled and thus no longer capable of bringing imperialist plots to fruition. They were bad for the brand and were shown the door for use at a later date.

Obama certainly didnt disappoint his patrons. He claimed that America was exceptional and indispensable and that no other nation had rights that it need respect. He succeeded in making some neocon dreams come true as he tried to bring the Project for a New American Century to reality. He destroyed Libya, supported a coup against an elected government in Ukraine and attempted regime change in Syria too.

Blood was shed and lives were upended all over the world under the Obama doctrine of American rights to global hegemony. But the corporate media and most Democrats said nothing. Now that Trump is in office the evil doing that Obama began is suddenly brought to light.

In 2016 reports emerged that African migrants were being enslaved in Libya. This columnist wrote about the atrocity here in Black Agenda Report but most of the American corporate media didnt find the story newsworthy.

Obama destroyed Libya, supported a coup against an elected government in Ukraine and attempted regime change in Syria too.

The Saudi genocidal war against Yemen also got the silent treatment. The war crime began in 2015, with a stamp of approval and military assistance from the Obama administration. Saudi Arabia was also the number one partner in crime in the assaults on Libya and Syria.

Democrats in Congress went along in support of the mass killing. If they had any objections they largely kept them to themselves. Now Libya and Yemen are in the news and not because any of the appeasers really care. These very important issues are being used to get Trump, who inherited the crime spree from President Hope and Change.

Black Agenda Report and international media revealed the horror visited upon African migrants in Libya ever since that country was targeted by the United States and NATO in 2011. Saudi Arabia has been killing Yemenis for two years. Now even Obama administration officials such as former United Nations ambassador Samantha Power express phony horror and shock regarding policies they helped bring about. The United States should have long ago ended support for a Saudi-led coalition that, in addition to killing thousands of civilians thru air strikes, is now starving people. Enough is enough. Power thinks or at least hopes that the rest of the world has amnesia when she posts on twitter.

Obama administration officials such as former United Nations ambassador Samantha Power express phony horror and shock regarding policies they helped bring about.

The turmoil among the Saudi ruling family and their closeness to president Trump are now making life easier for the hitherto silent. Of course they are as concerned now as they were in the past, which is to say not at all. But now they have a target and his name is Donald Trump. They are using war crimes to get to him, just in case Russiagate doesnt do the job.

There is certainly collusion going on but it isnt between Trump and Putin. It is between the elites in the media and the Democratic Party who are trying to accomplish what they failed to do with voters and what they fail to do as their plans unravel around the world.

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Barack Obamas untouchability continues even as his human rights violations are revealed. His name is rarely connected to the catastrophes he unleashed. His friends still cover for him and leave his name off the perpetrators list despite the fact that he was at the top of the criminal gang.

Obamas name is rarely connected to the catastrophes he unleashed.

The CBS news program 60 Minutes demonstrated how the subterfuge is carried out. They finally covered the starvation and cholera epidemic ravaging Yemen but didnt mention how the United States military abetted the crime. They also threw in lies and blamed Iran for the suffering but that country is uninvolved. Iran is actually a continual target of the Saudis, but that easily provable information is too inconvenient to be revealed by CBS.

It is a good thing that the world knows about the enslaved migrants in Libya. It is good that Saudi Arabias crime against Yemen is now getting attention. But none of the criminals should be let off the hook. Barack Obama, his secretaries of state Hillary Clinton and John Kerry and all of NATO have blood on their hands. That fact should not be forgotten and must always be at the forefront of discussion and action.
From the Caucasus to the Balkans, Chinas Silk Roads are Rising

By Pepe Escobar

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The 19th Chinese Communist Party Congress made it clear that the New Silk Roads  aka, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  launched by President Xi Jinping just four years ago, provides the concept around which all Chinese foreign policy is to revolve for the foreseeable future. Up until the symbolic 100th anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China, in 2049, in fact.

Virtually every nook and cranny of the Chinese administration is invested in making the BRI Grand Strategy a success: economic actors, financial players, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the private sector, the diplomatic machine, think tanks, and  of course  the media, are all on board.

Its under this long-term framework that sundry BRI projects should be examined. And their reach, lets be clear, involves most of Eurasia  including everything from the Central Asian steppes to the Caucasus and the Western Balkans.

Representatives of no fewer than 50 nations are currently gathered in Tbilisi, Georgia, for yet another BRI-related summit. The BRI masterplan details six major economic corridors, and one of these is the Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor. Thats where Georgia fits in, alongside neighboring Azerbaijan: both are vying to position themselves as the key Caucasus transit hub between Western China and the European Union.

On the first day of the summit, Georgias Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili extolled the drive to strengthen the economic and civilizational ties between Europe and Asia. In practice, that translates into a push to build an economic free zone, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed by the Chinese and Georgian economic ministers.

Add in the recently inaugurated Baku- Tblisi-Kars railway and a new deep-sea port to be built in Anaklia, in the Black Sea, with Chinese investment, and we have Georgia as a key logistical hub in China-EU connectivity. It helps that, thanks to the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) gas pipeline out of the Caspian Sea, Georgia has already been positioned for years as an energy transportation hub.

Crucially, Georgia has signed free trade agreements with both the EU and China, with the latter coming into effect at the start of 2018. It is also maneuvering itself to profit from the interconnection of BRI with the Russian-led Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU). Beijing and Moscow formally signed the BRI/EAEU partnership in June last year  although it will take time for that to translate into actual trade and economic cooperation projects, possibly starting in the Russian Far East.

Mao Revisited

The action in the Caucasus was mirrored in Europe earlier in the week as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban opened the sixth 16+1 summit, involving China and 16 Central and Eastern European nations, in Budapest.

16+1 is yet another of those trademark Chinese diplomatic away wins. Some of these nations are part of the EU, some part of NATO, some neither.

From Beijings point of view, what matters is the relentless BRI infrastructure and connectivity drive. Beijing may have invested as much as US$8 billion so far in Central and Eastern Europe.

China is having a ball in the Western Balkans  especially in Serbia, in Montenegro, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where EU financial muscle is absent. China has invested in multiple connectivity and energy projects in Serbia  including the much-debated Belgrade-Budapest high-speed rail link. Construction of the Serbian stretch started this week, with 85% of the total cost (roughly 2.4 billion) coming from the Export-Import Bank of China.

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The European Commission (EC) in Brussels predictably objected  claiming the tender process might not have complied with EU rules.

The strategic trade importance of Belgrade-Budapest cannot be overestimated. Think container fleets of Chinese merchandise arriving in Piraeus in Greece  a key hub of the so-called Maritime Silk Road  and then being shipped to the EU via Serbia.

In the midst of this frenzy of connectivity, its easy to overlook a significant historical point: that it was all anticipated by Mao Zedong.

Scholar Chen Gang has stressed how most BRI-participating nations are not as developed, economically, as China. And they are not just limited to the Eurasian continent, but will eventually cover all the middle zone and third world put forward by Mao in his Three Worlds Theory.

Flashback to 1974. Thats when Mao described the world as being divided between superpowers (the US and USSR); intermediate powers (Japan, Europe, Canada); and exploited nations in Africa, Latin America and Asia, which Mao praised as constituting the forces against First World hegemony. Mao placed China in the third world  as Deng Xiaoping told the UN .

Whats fascinating is how Chen Gang interprets BRI not only as a sequel to Chinas historical ties with the Third World, but also as opening a new era of Chinas Third World strategy. He correctly states that US and EU elites worry that BRI will bring about the erosion of their global influence and overseas interests.

Chen Gangs analysis touches on what, by now, is obvious: The international game around BRI has just begun. And it goes almost without saying that Beijings BRI-driven foreign policy strategy, by turbo-charging Chinas cooperation with the Global South, is leaving the US, at best, marginalized.

Pepe Escobar is an independent geopolitical analyst. https://www.facebook.com/pepe.escobar.77377?

This article was originally published by Asia Times -

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The Curious Case of Jared Kushner and the Israel Lobby



Kushner crossed the line from using his First Amendment right to speak freely about government policy into subverting official US foreign policy in favour of Israel.



By Richard Silverstein

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Leaders throughout the region and analysts whove devoted much of their lives to pursuing this goal were stunned that the US had charged a young man with no previous experience except negotiating commercial real estate deals with resolving one of the worlds most intractable problems.

Kushner's Middle East policy

Since Kushner, whose family has made significant donations to Israeli settlements , was already known to be heavily pro-Israel in his approach, he determined that the Saudis were the key to unlock the Arab part of the equation.

So hes made three visits to the Saudi kingdom in the past year. He brought his father-in-law on the latters first foreign trip as president to visit King Salman and the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The goal was to flatter and cultivate the Saudi royals, expecting them to bring along the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world towards that "ultimate" peace deal. This was an astonishing turn in US relations because, though the Saudis are nominal allies, the two countries have had a contentious relationship going all the way back to 9/11.

This is in part because 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, and wealthy Saudi patrons heavily financed Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. The Trump-Kushner pivot toward Saudi Arabia accords with a similar Israeli embrace of the House of Saud due to the two states common enemy: Iran.

In this and other ways, Kushner is placing US Middle East policy in lock-step with Israel. That certainly leaves the Palestinians, among others, out in the cold.

Violating Logan Act

Many analysts who study the region question whether the US putting all its eggs in the Saudi basket is wise considering the unpopularity of the autocratic-theocratic regime both in the region and the world.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported a new development in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation: did Jared Kushner violate the Logan Act after he lobbied UN Security Council members to sabotage a resolution denouncing Israeli settlements.

The act dates back to the earliest days of the republic. In 1799, America was in its infancy and it was extremely sensitive about foreign meddling in its affairs. The great powers of that day were only too eager to interfere with the domestic and foreign affairs of weaker states if it was in their interest.

Was wondering what Trump's been trying to distract from!



Muellers Prosecutors Are Said to Have Interviewed Jared Kushner on Russia Meeting https://t.co/3Pcnf1ObMw  Vincent Murphy (@MurphyVincent) November 30, 2017

For that reason, American legislators passed the Logan Act which prohibited private citizens from becoming agents of foreign states in trying to influence US foreign policy.

The Act, as it was implemented, became something of a double-edged sword as it enabled the political party in power to target anyone in the opposition who exercised his right to lobby for a particular policy regarding various foreign states.

Eventually, virtually everyone realised that a weapon you used against an opponent could be wielded against you once you were out of power. So the Act fell into limbo. Only one individual was ever charged with violating it and he was never prosecuted.

Harming US interests

But news that Kushner was under suspicion of violating the Act raised interesting issues. Though many US politicians have been accused of being shills for Israel and the Israel lobby holds sway over an enormous number of legislators, and though numerous Americans have been convicted of spying on Israel's behalf , no one has ever been convicted of harming the interests of the US for Israel's sake.

In fact, the rallying cry of the lobby is that there is no difference between Israeli and US interests. In other words, when you work on behalf of Israel's interests, you're also advancing America's. Of course, this is utter nonsense. It turns both countries into awkwardly conjoined Siamese twins.

That's certainly what Kushner did in this case: Netanyahu, who initiated the request for Trump's intervention in the UN affair, wanted to fend off the resolution at all costs. It was originally put forward by Egypt.

Because Israel has tremendous leverage over the Egyptian military-led government regarding intelligence-sharing on Sinai Islamists, and because of Israeli attacks in Sinai which have killed militants on Egypt's behalf, the Israeli leader was able to persuade Egyptt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, to back off.

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But this strategy failed because four other member states stepped forward and sponsored it. Then Netanyahu sought to lobby the Russians and Chinese, who also were unmoved. Running out of cards to play, Netanyahu turned to Trump's right-hand man, Kushner.

Then Trump's camp began working the phones.

Crossing the line

It was clear from Netanyahu on down, and including Trump, that the goal was to destroy the resolution which had the tacit support of the Obama administration .

Though the US in the end abstained, the Obama administration clearly did nothing to stop the resolution - meaning it tacitly supported it. In the past, it had actually vetoed virtually identitcal Security Council proposals.

So, the abstention was quite a bold move for the US. Therefore, Kushner's intervention to kill the resolution crossed the line from using his First Amendment right to speak freely about government policy into subverting official US foreign policy. This is legal ground which has yet to be plowed.

Including the Logan Act in a list of charges against Kushner would not only be novel, it would put the Israel lobby on notice that it had crossed a red line. And that once you cross that line you're actually engaging in criminal behaviour. That would be a first. A shocking shot across the bow that would set the lobby reeling.

However, it is doubtful that Mueller would make the Logan Act a key element of his legal strategy. When you're pursuing a president of the United States, you don't want to dabble in untried or esoteric legal theory.

But including a Logan Act violation would be the equivalent of mood music, setting the tone for the overall indictment. In other words, we're talking about high crimes and misdemeanors here, and not run-of-the-mill charges.

Much like a spy who betrays his country, Kushner acted against the best interest of the United States. That's certainly an impeachable offence when and if it comes round to Trump himself.

What Kushner did is to violate a cardinal rule of American life: he showed dual loyalty . This is a canard that anti-Semites used to throw around against Jews. But today, given the eagle-clawed grip the Israel lobby holds over aspects of American politics, dual loyalty is once again a claim raised (and this time validly) against American Jews like Kushner, who put the interests of Israel above those of their native country.

As the guiding force behind the Trump Middle East peace plan, an indictment by the special counsel against Kushner would significantly damage this effort. That might mean that a plan which is already derided by the Palestinians as hopelessly biased in Israels favour, might die at birth.

- Richard Silverstein writes the Tikun Olam blog, devoted to exposing the excesses of the Israeli national security state. His work has appeared in Haaretz, the Forward, the Seattle Times and the Los Angeles Times. He contributed to the essay collection devoted to the 2006 Lebanon war, A Time to Speak Out (Verso) and has another essay in the upcoming collection, Israel and Palestine: Alternate Perspectives on Statehood (Rowman & Littlefield).

This article was originally published by Middle East Eye -

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Our Whole System Is Rotten To The Core

Sen. Chuck Schumer Shames GOP Tax Bill: It's A 'Stunning Deception



"Not a single member of this chamber has read the bill,"



By Carla Herreria

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) shamed Republicans on the Senate floor hours before lawmakers voted on their nearly 500-page tax bill , which included handwritten notes and crossed-out pages. Schumer, who along with other Democratic senators received a draft of the bill late Friday, called the bill a monstrosity and criticized his Republican colleagues for rushing to pass a measure that he says only benefits the wealthy. Historians will mark this day as one of the darkest black-letter days in the long history of this Senate, Schumer said during his request to delay voting on the bill until Monday. Once hailed as the worlds greatest deliberative body, as a beacon of American democracy and the envy of representative governments around the world, the Senate seems to have abandoned those qualities in a rush to pass a bill that no one is proud of.

Breaking: On floor where senator Schumer asked to adjourn until Monday so that senators AND the American taxpayers can look at tax bill. We got it four hrs ago and it is 500 pgs w/1.4 tril in debt. Republicans are all voting no. #RipoffWith NoDebate  Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 2, 2017

Schumer and other Democratic senators said it would be impossible for Democrats to vote accurately on the bill because they werent given enough time to read it. How high taxes go up or go down, if the economy grows or shrinks, if it creates jobs or loses them  who knows? Certainly no one here, Schumer said. With this stunning deception, with this reckless ramrodding of a bill, Republicans are reaching heretofore unreached heights of hypocrisy, the senator added. And the Senate is descending to a new low of chicanery. Schumer emphasized how damaging the tax bill could be for middle class Americans and accused Republican lawmakers of pandering to lobbyists and special interest groups. Substantively, the Republicans have managed to take a bad bill and make it worse, Schumer said. Never Miss Another Story Get Your Free Daily Newsletter It was chock-full of special-interest giveaways before tonight, but under the cover of darkness and with the aid of haste, a flurry of last-minute changes will stuff even more money into the pockets of the wealthy and the biggest corporations while raising taxes on millions in the middle class. Schumer pleaded with the GOP to push back voting on the bill so that lawmakers could clean it up. I would make one final plea, he said. Because this bill is so slanted toward the wealthy and powerful ... because the bill was given to lobbyists to read and change before senators saw it, and because the bill was given to us on a few hours notice and has not been read fully or considered fully by a single senator, I move we adjourn until Monday, so we can first read and then clean up this awful piece of legislation. Senate Republicans voted against Schumers push to stall the GOP tax bill 48-52. Democrats were outraged when they received a draft of the Republicans tax bill late in the day on Friday and many lawmakers rushed to read through its 479 pages. Real bipartisan tax reform isnt handwritten behind closed doors, the Senate Democrats tweeted Friday night, including the hashtag #GOPTaxScam.

Okay this is absurd. One page of the new #GOPTaxPlan is crossed out with an ex. Another page is just a line. Is that a crossout? Is this page part of the bill?

WHY AM I ASKING THESE QUESTIONS HOURS BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT?? #GOPTaxScam pic.twitter.com/57Qbi7gT5F  Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) December 1, 2017

Real bipartisan tax reform isn't handwritten behind closed doors. #GOPTaxScam pic.twitter.com/jViQvylMft  Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) December 2, 2017

This article was originally published by Huffington Post -

- See Also -

Senate passes Republican tax reform bill in early morning vote

Democrats outraged over Senate GOP's last-minute tax bill reveal

The Republican tax bill is not just immoral. It is an act of violence

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Progress Report on the US-Russian War

By The Saker

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - I am often asked if the US and Russia will go to war with each other. I always reply that they are already at war. Not a war like WWII, but a war nonetheless. This war is, at least for the time being, roughly 80% informational, 15% economic and 5% kinetic. But in political terms the outcome for the loser of this war will be no less dramatic than the outcome of WWII was for Germany: the losing country will not survive it, at least not in its present shape: either Russia will become a US colony again or the AngloZionist Empire will collapse.

In my very first column for the Unz review entitled  A Tale of Two World Orders  I described the kind of multipolar international system regulated by the rule of law Russia, China and their allies and friends (whether overt or covert) worldwide are trying to build and how dramatically different it was from the single World Hegemony and AngloZionist attempted to establish worldwide (and almost successfully imposed upon our suffering planet!). In a way, the US imperial leaders are right , Russia does represent an existential threat, not for the United States as a country or for its people, but for the AngloZionist Empire, just as the latter represents an existential threat to Russia. Furthermore, Russia represents a fundamental civilizational challenge to what is normally called the West as she openly rejects its post-Christian (and, I would add, also viscerally anti-Islamic) values. This is why both sides are making an immense effort at prevailing in this struggle.

Last week the anti-imperial camp scored an major victory with the meeting between Presidents Putin, Rouhani and Erdogan in Sochi: they declared themselves the guarantors of a peace plan which will end the war against the Syrian people (the so-called civil war, which this never was) and they did so without even inviting the USA to participate in the negotiations. Even worse, their final statement did not even mention the USA, not once. The indispensable nation was seen as so irrelevant as to not even be mentioned.

To fully measure how offensive all this is we need to stress a number of points:

First, lead by Obama, all the leaders of the West declared urbi et orbi and with immense confidence that Assad had no future, that he had to go, that he was already a political corpse and that he would have no role whatsoever to play in the future of Syria.

Second, the Empire created a coalition of 59 (!) countries which failed to achieve anything, anything at all: a gigantic multi-billion dollar worth  gang that could not shoot straight  lead by CENTCOM and NATO and which only proved it most abject incompetence. In contrast, Russia never had more than 35 combat aircraft in Syria at any time turned the course of the war (with a lot of Iranian and Hezbollah help on the ground).

Next, the Empire decreed that Russia was isolated and her economy  in tatters   all of which the Ziomedia parroted with total fidelity . Iran was, of course, part of the famous  Axis of Evil  while Hezbollah was the  A-Team of terrorism . As for Erdogan, the AngloZionist tried to overthrow and kill him. And now it is Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and Turkey who defeated the terrorists and who will call the shots in Syria.

Finally, when the USA realized that putting Daesh in power in Damascus was not going to happen, they first tried to break up Syria (Plan B) and then tried to create a Kurdish statelet in Iraq and Syria (Plan C). All these plans failed, Assad is in Russia giving hugs to Putin while Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp Quds Force Commander General Soleimani is taking a stroll through the last Syrian city to be liberated from Daesh .

Can you imagine how totally humiliated, ridiculed and beat the US leaders feel today? Being hated or resisted is one thing, but being totally ignored  now that hurts!

As for a strategy, the best they came up with was what I would call a petty harassment of Russia: making RT sign up as a foreign agent, stealing ancient art from Russia , strip Russian athletes from medals en masse , trying to ban the Russian flag and anthem from the Olympics in Seoul or banning Russian military aircraft from the next Farnborough airshow. And all these efforts achieve is making Putin even more popular, the West even more hated, and the Olympics even more boring (ditto for Farnborough  the MAKS and the Dubai Air Shows are so much sexier anyway). Oh, I almost forgot, the new Europeans will continue their mini-war against old Soviet statues to their liberators. Its just like the US mini-war on the Russian representations in the USA, a clear sign of weakness .

Speaking of weakness.

This is becoming comical. The US media, especially CNN, cannot let a day go by without mentioning the evil Russians, the US Congress is engaged in a mass hysteria trying to figure out who of the Republicans or the Democrats have had more contacts with the Russians, NATO commanders are crapping their pants in abject terror (or so they say!) every time the Russian military organizes any exercise, US Navy and Air Force representatives regularly whine about Russian pilots making unprofessional intercepts, the British Navy goes into full combat mode when a single (and rather modest) Russian aircraft carrier transits through the English Channel  but Russia is, supposedly, the weak country here.

Does that make sense to you?

The truth is that the Russians are laughing. From the Kremlin, to the media, to the social media  they are even make hilarious sketches about how almighty they are and how they control everything. But mostly the Russians are laughing their heads off wondering what in the world the folks in the West are smoking to be so totally terrified ( at least officially ) by a non-existing threat.

You know what else they are seeing?

That western political leaders are seeking safety in numbers. Hence the ridiculously bloated coalitions and all the resolutions coming out of various European and trans-Atlantic bodies. Western politicians are like schoolyard nerds who, fearing the tough kid, huddle together to look bigger. Every Russian kid knows that seeking safety in numbers is a surefire sign of a scared wimp. In contrast, the Russians also remember how a tiny nation of less than 2 million people had the courage to declare war on Russia and how they fought the Russians hard, really hard. I am talking about the Chechens of course. Yeah, love them or hate them  but there is no denying that Chechens are courageous. Ditto for Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. The Russians were impressed. And even though the Nazis inflicted an unspeakable amount of suffering on the Russian people, the Russians never deny that the German soldiers and officers were skilled and courageous. There is even a Russian saying I love/respect the courageous man in the Tatar/Mongol (    ). So Russians have no problem seeing courage in their enemies.

But US/NATO armies? They all act as if Conchita Wurst was their Commander in Chief!

Remember this:

None of these man were kind or nice in any way. But they mattered. They were relevant. And they wielded some very real power.

Today, real power looks like this:

And you know what is really offensive to the AngloZionist leaders?

That this photo shows one Orthodox Christian and two Muslims.

Now thats offensive. And very frightening, of course.

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We are very, very far from the birth of a new Middle-East promised by Condi Rice (it is a new Middle-East alright, just not the one Rice and the Neocons had in mind!)

As for the only democracy in the Middle-East it is now in full panic mode, hence their now overt plan to work with the Saudis against Iran and their clearly staged leaks about bombing all Iranian assets up to 40km from the Israeli border. But that train has already left the station: the Syrian won and not amount of airstrikes will change that. So just to make sure they still look really fierce, the Israelis are now adding that in case of a war between Israel and Hezbollah, Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah would be a target. Wow! Who would have thought?!

Can you hear the giggles coming out of Beirut?

The scary thing is that the folks in DC, Riyadh and Jerusalem hear them loud and clear which means that sooner or later they will have to do something about it and that something will be the usual nonsensical bloodbath this Axis of Kindness has been made famous for: if you cant beat their military, make their civilians pay (think Kosovo 1999, Lebanon 2006, Yemen 2015). Either that or beat the shit out of a tiny, defenseless victim (Grenada 1983, Gaza 2008, Bahrain 2011). Nothing like a good massacre of defenseless civilians to make them feel manly, respected and powerful (and, for US Americans  indispensable, of course).

Setting aside the case of the Middle-East, I think we can begin to see the outlines of what the USA and Russia will be doing in the next couple of years.

Russia: the Russian strategy towards the Empire is simple:

Try to avoid as much as possible and for as long as possible any direct military confrontation with the USA because Russia is still the weaker side (mostly in quantitative terms). That, and actively preparing for war under the ancient si vis pacem para bellum strategy. Try to cope as best can be with all the petty harassment: the USA still has infinitely more soft power than Russia and Russia simply does not have the means to strike back in kind. So she does the minimum to try to deter or weaken the effects of that kind of petty harassment but, in truth, there is not much she can do about it besides accepting it as a fact of life. Rather than trying to disengage from the AngloZionist controlled Empire (economically, financially, politically), Russia will very deliberately contribute to the gradual emergence of an alternative realm. A good example of that is the Chinese-promoted New Silk Road which is being built without any meaningful role for the Empire.

USA: the US strategy is equally simple:

Use the Russian threat to give a meaning and a purpose to the Empire, especially NATO. Continue and expand the petty harassment against Russia on all levels. Subvert and weaken as much as possible any country or politician showing any signs of independence or disobedience (including New Silk Road countries)

Both sides are using delaying tactics, but for diametrically opposite reasons: Russia because time is on her side and the USA because they have run out of options.

It is important to stress here that in this struggle Russia is at a major disadvantage: while the Russians want to build something, the US Americans only want to destroy it (examples include Syria, of course, but also the Ukraine or, for that matter, a united Europe). Another major disadvantage for Russia is that most governments out there as still afraid of antagonizing the Empire in any way, thus the deafening silence and supine submissiveness of the concert of nations when Uncle Sam goes on one of his usual rampages in total violation of international law and the UN Charter. This is probably changing, but very, very slowly. Most world politicians are just like US Congressmen: prostitutes (and cheap ones at that).

The biggest advantage for Russia is that the USA are internally falling apart economically, socially, politically  you name it. With every passing year the once most prosperous United States are starting to look more and more like some backwater Third World country. Oh sure, the US economy is still huge (but rapidly shrinking!), but that is meaningless when financial wealth and social wealth are conflated into one completely misleading index of pseudo-prosperity. This sad, really, a country which ought to be prosperous and happy is being bled to death by the, shall we say, imperial parasite feeding on it.

At the end of the day, political regimes can only survive by the consent of those it rules. In the United States this consent is clearly in the process of being withdrawn. In Russia it has never been stronger. This translates into a major fragility of the USA and, therefore, the Empire (the USA are by far the biggest host of the AngloZionist imperial parasite) and a major source of staying power for Russia.

All of the above applies only to political regimes, of course. The people of Russia and of the USA have exactly the same interests: bringing down the Empire with the least amount of violence and suffering as possible. Like all Empires, the US Empire mostly abused others in its formative and peak years, but as any decaying Empire it is now mostly abusing its own people. It is therefore vital to always repeat that an Empire-free USA would have no reason to see an enemy in Russia and vice-versa. In fact, Russia and the USA could be ideal partners, but the imperial parasites will not allow that to happen. Thus we are all stuck in an absurd and dangerous situation which could result in a war which would completely destroy most of our planet.

For whatever its worth, and in spite of the constant hysterical russophobia in the US Ziomedia, I detect absolutely no sign whatsoever that this campaign is having any success with the people in the USA. At most, some of them naively buy into the the Russians tried to interfere in our elections fairytale, but even in this case this belief is mitigated by no big deal, we also do that in other countries. I have yet to meet a US American who would seriously believe that Russia is any kind of danger. I dont even detect superficial reactions of hostility when, for example, I speak Russian with my family in a public place. Typically, we are asked what language we are speaking and when we reply Russian the reaction normally is cool!. Quite often I even hear what do you think of Putin? I really like him. This is in severe contrast with the federal government whom the vast majority of US Americans seem to hate with a passion.

To summarize it all, I would say that at this point in time of the US-Russian war, Russia is wining, the Empire is losing and the USA is suffering. As for the EU it is enjoying a much deserved irrelevance while being mostly busy absorbing wave after wave of society-destroying refugees proving, yet again, the truth of the saying that if your head is in the sand, your ass is in the air.

This war is far from over, I dont even think that we have reached its peak yet and things are going to get worse before they get better again. But all in all, I am very optimistic that the Axis of Kindness will bite the dust in a relatively not too distant future.

The Saker

The Essential Saker: from the trenches of the emerging multipolar world $27.95

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Another Empty Bombshell Russiagate Story

By Caitlin Johnstone

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Yup, its another one of those days. News comes out that seems Russiagate-related, multiple terms trend on Twitter about it, the people whove risen to fame and fortune selling this baseless conspiracy theory to the world have a massive online parade acting as though this proves everything theyve been saying, my social media notifications get flooded with a bunch of HAHAHA I BET YOU FEEL STUPID NOW comments and then the facts come out and its nothing.

But if you try to point out evidence that suggests that nothing about this new bombshell report is what Russiagaters are claiming it is, they try to shout you down and make fun of you so youll shut up. If you want to skip this last step you have to wait 24 to 48 hours until their feeding frenzy wears off.

Happens every single time, without exception.

So the country that influenced US policy through Michael Flynn is Israel, not Russia. But Flynn did try to influence Russia, not the other way around. Ha-ha. This is the smoking gun? What a farce. https://t.co/VLw3wOLCCG  @yashalevine

People have been saying that Michael Flynn is going to find himself in hot water since the beginning of this year, when White House insiders leaked that hed lied to the FBI about his interactions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, which he has now pled guilty to . Flynn was reportedly asked to leave his position by Trump for misleading Vice President Pence about his interactions with Kislyak.

If you read the actual Statement of Offense against Flynn, though, theres nothing in there that lends any weight to the Russiagate narrative. Flynn did indeed lie to the FBI, which is a thought crime  I mean felony  in America. What he lied about was the fact that hed successfully asked the Russians through Kislyak not to overreact to the sanctions the outgoing Obama administration had slammed on them in December, an interaction which according to former Ambassador to Russia Jack Matlock would have been standard practice.

As Stephen Cohen wrote in The Nation earlier this year:

Communications, including meetings, between representatives of US presidents-elect and foreign capitals, particularly Moscow, have been common practice over the years, according to Jack Matlock, ambassador to Russia for Presidents Reagan and Bush; Matlock had previously arranged meetings in Moscow for President-elect Carters transition team. Moreover, Obamas own Russia adviser, Michael McFaul, told The Washington Post recently that he visited Moscow in 2008, even before that years election, for talks with Russian officials. The Post implied that this was appropriate contact. So, it seems, was Flynns, though perhaps inept.

Kushner reportedly directed Flynn to call "every member" of the UN Security Council about an Israeli settlements resolution... and the main takeaway is that this is a "Russia scandal" https://t.co/2zBKCdz1LL  @mtracey

So this was Flynn trying to influence the Russians, not the other way around, which we see again in part four of the Statement of Offense . Flynn requested that the Russians help kill a UN resolution on behalf of Israel, and that Russia refused, which is harmful to the Russian collusion narrative but says a lot about collusion with Israel (not that anyone will care). Reportedly Flynn was instructed to make this request of every member of the UN Security Council, not just Russia. There is also (not that anyone will care) mention of multiple acts of deception regarding Flynns relationship with Turkey.

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Since none of this is itself damning, Russiagaters have been focusing on the speculation that Mueller would have cut a plea deal with Flynn in order to receive devastating testimony against the Trump administration. From what weve learned so far, though, Flynn is expected to testify that Trump had asked him to help orchestrate a collaboration with Russia in fighting ISIS in Syria, an agenda Trump has openly espoused since long before the election.

Sorry to be a party-pooper but if this is the extent of the "directive" Flynn received, it's incredibly mundane https://t.co/SFWgH8O9nm  @mtracey

Then theres this interesting analysis published in the National Review by former Assistant US Attorney Andrew C McCarthy, who has extensive experience in prosecuting criminal conspiracy. McCarthy argues that if Mueller was accepting a plea from Flynn to implicate anyone in a greater conspiracy, Muellers case would necessarily have relied on having Flynn plead guilty to that plot instead of a mere process crime:

Nevertheless, as I explained in connection with George Papadopoulos (who also pled guilty in Muellers investigation for lying to the FBI), when a prosecutor has a cooperator who was an accomplice in a major criminal scheme, the cooperator is made to plead guilty to the scheme. This is critical because it proves the existence of the scheme. In his guilty-plea allocution (the part of a plea proceeding in which the defendant admits what he did that makes him guilty), the accomplice explains the scheme and the actions taken by himself and his co-conspirators to carry it out. This goes a long way toward proving the case against all of the subjects of the investigation.

That is not happening in Flynns situation. Instead, like Papadopoulos, he is being permitted to plead guilty to a mere process crime.

Flynn's misleading of the FBI seems to stem from the Logan act. Well after the election, on Dec 29. Flynn tried to convince Russia to hold off expelling US diplomats & to not support a UN vote against Israel. His job--but also a potential Logan violation. https://t.co/4sNe5Dpq6l  @JulianAssange

If Trump were colluding with Russia, he wouldnt need Flynn to iron out a relationship with them. If Russia were colluding with Trump, they wouldnt be rejecting his administrations requests. If Trump were Putins puppet, Flynn wouldnt have had to go begging them not to overreact to Obamas sanctions after Russias puppet had already been elected. As always, the latest Russiagate scandal weakens the collusion narrative with Russia while highlighting other sleazy relationships with other countries that go ignored because they dont fit the narrative.

Im noticing more and more legit lefties and progressives starting to crumble toward the relentless demands of the Russiagaters, which is disturbing yet understandable . Every time one of these new bombshells comes up the whole cult goes crazy screaming See? We told you! Join us and help us impeach Donald Drumpffvthk!

Even though theres no actual evidence behind the claims, if youre a part of what passes for Americas left then a lot of your friends will have likely fallen for the light show, and its tempting to fall in line with them. Its a ton of peer pressure to have to deal with over and over again; every time a new feeding frenzy starts a few more doubters fall off the wagon and into the fray with a reluctant-yet-relieved Hmm, well there does seem to be something to this

Ill never tell my readers what they need to believe, but I will strongly encourage you not to cave in to groupthink. Stand firmly in your truth, whatever that may be, no matter how many people try to bully and cajole you into joining their particular political religion. As we discussed recently , it is your human duty to stand unapologetically in your own authority, even if that means standing alone.

Caitlin Johnstone - Rogue journalist, poet, and utopia prepper.

Hey you, thanks for reading! My work is entirely reader-funded so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking me on Facebook , following me on Twitter , and maybe throwing some money into my hat on Patreon or Paypal .

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CNN: White House claims Obama admin approved Flynn calls with Russian ambassador

ABC Makes "Epic Mistake", Retracts Bombshell Flynn Story : The entire story but provides President Trump with another round of ammunition to fire against the 'fake news' media.

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Killing the Biosphere to Fast-track Human Extinction

By Robert J. Burrowes

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Several years ago in Cameroon, a country in West Africa, a Western Black Rhinoceros was killed. It was the last of its kind on Earth.

Hence, the Western Black Rhinoceros, the largest subspecies of rhinoceros which had lived for millions of years and was the second largest land mammal on Earth, no longer exists.

But while you have probably heard of the Western Black Rhinoceros, and may even have known of its extinction, did you know that on the same day that it became extinct, another 200 species of life on Earth also became extinct?

This is because the sixth mass extinction event in Earths history is now accelerating at an unprecedented rate with 200 species of plants, birds, animals, fish, amphibians, insects and reptiles being driven to extinction on a daily basis. And the odds are high that you have never even heard of any of them. For example, have you heard of the Christmas Island Pipistrelle, recently declared extinct? See Christmas Island Pipistrelle declared extinct by IUCN .

Apart from the 200 species extinctions each day however, and just to emphasize the catastrophic extent of this crisis, myriad local populations of many species are driven to extinction daily and millions of individual lifeforms are also killed. See Biological annihilation via the ongoing sixth mass extinction signaled by vertebrate population losses and declines .

For a taste of the vast literature on this subject touching only on impacts in relation to insects, see Death and Extinction of the Bees , Insectageddon: farming is more catastrophic than climate breakdown and Decimated: Germanys birds disappear as insect abundance plummets 76% .

Is anything being done to end this omnicide (the destruction of all life)?

Not really, although there is plenty of rhetoric and limited action in some contexts as all bar a few committed individuals and organizations ignore this onslaught while even fewer take action that addresses the underlying cause and/or fundamental drivers of this killing. Unfortunately, most effort is still wasted on lobbying elites.

For example, in the latest example of the foolishness of lobbying elites to take action in our struggle to defend Earths biosphere, the European Union has again just renewed Monsantos licence to keep poisoning (and otherwise destroying) our world  see German vote swings EU decision on 5-year glyphosate renewal  despite the already overwhelming evidence of the catastrophic consequences of doing so. See, for example, Killing Us Softly  Glyphosate Herbicide or Genocide? and GM Food Crops Illegally Growing in India: The Criminal Plan to Change the Genetic Core of the Nations Food System .

Of course, massive poisoning of the biosphere is only one way to destroy it and while elites and their agents drive most of this destruction they nevertheless often rely on our complicity. To itemize just a few of these many techniques for destroying our biosphere in most of which we are complicit, consider the following. We destroy rainforests  see Cycles of Wealth in Brazils Amazon: Gold, Lumber, Cattle and Now, Energy  we contaminate and privatize the fresh water  see Groundwater drunk by BILLIONS of people may be contaminated by radioactive material spread across the world by nuclear testing in the 1950s and Nestle CEO Denies That Water is an Essential Human Right  we overfish and pollute the oceans  see New UN report finds marine debris harming more than 800 species, costing countries millions  we eat meat despite the devastating impact of animal agriculture on Earths biosphere  see The True Environmental Cost of Eating Meat  we destroy the soil  see Only 60 Years of Farming Left If Soil Degradation Continues  and we use our cars and air travel (along with our meat-eating) as key weapons in our destruction of Earths atmosphere and climate with atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide levels all breaking new records in 2016. See Greenhouse Gas Bulletin .

But if you think that is bad enough, did you know about the out-of-control methane releases into the atmosphere that we have triggered  see 7,000 underground gas bubbles poised to explode in Arctic and Release of Arctic Methane May Be Apocalyptic, Study Warns  and did you know that scientists at the University of Leicester warn that we are destroying the Earths oxygen? See Global warming disaster could suffocate life on planet Earth, research shows and The Extinction Event Gains Momentum .

In addition, relying on our ignorance and our complicity, eliteskill vast areas of Earths biosphere through war and other military violence (without even considering the unique, and possibly life-ending, devastation if the recently and repeatedly threatened nuclear war eventuates)  see, for example, the Toxic Remnants of War Project and the film Scarred Lands & Wounded Lives  subject it to uncontrolled releases of radioactive contamination  see Fukushima Radiation Has Contaminated The Entire Pacific Ocean  And Its Going To Get Worse  and use geoengineering to wage war on its climate, environment and ultimately ourselves. See, for example, Engineered Climate Cataclysm: Hurricane Harvey , Planetary Weapons and Military Weather Modification: Chemtrails, Atmospheric Geoengineering and Environmental Warfare , Chemtrails: Aerosol and Electromagnetic Weapons in the Age of Nuclear War and The Ultimate Weapon of Mass Destruction: Owning the Weather for Military Use .

Of course, all of this is done at immediate cost to human beings, particularly indigenous peoples  see, for example, Five ways climate change harms indigenous people  and those who are in the worst position to resist  see Global Poverty: How the Rich Eat the Poor and the World: The Big Lies  but elites know they can ignore our lobbying and occasional, tokenistic and disorganized protests while relying on the fear and powerlessness of most of us to ensure that we do nothing strategic to fight back.

And given the unrelenting criminal onslaught of the insane global elite  see The Global Elite is Insane  directed against Earths biosphere, together with the elites many sycophantic academic, bureaucratic, business, legal, media, military, political and scientific servants who deny science and threaten human survival in the interests of short-term personal privilege, corporate profit and social control, it is long past time when those of us who are genuinely concerned should be developing and implementing a strategy that recognises the elite and its many agents as opponents to be resisted with a careful and powerful strategy.

So, in essence, the problem is this: Human beings are destroying the biosphere and driving countless lifeforms, including ourselves, to extinction. And there is little strategic resistance to this onslaught.

There is, of course, an explanation for this and this explanation needs to be understood if we are to implement a strategy to successfully halt our omnicidal assault on Earths biosphere in time to save ourselves and as many other species as possible in a viable ecological setting.

This is because if you want to solve a problem or resolve a conflict, then it is imperative to know and act on the truth. Otherwise you are simply acting on a delusion and whatever you do can have no desirable outcome for yourself, others, the Earth or its multitude of creatures. Of course, most people are content to live in delusion: it averts the need to courageously, intelligently and conscientiously analyse what is truly happening and respond to it powerfully. In short: it makes life easier (that is, less frightening) even if problems keep recurring and conflicts are suppressed, to flare up periodically, rather than resolved.

And, of course, this is how elites want it. They do not want powerful individuals or organizations interfering with their scheme to (now rapidly) consolidate their militarized control over the worlds populations and resources.

This is why, for example, elites love democracy: it ensures disempowerment of the population. How so? you might ask. The fundamental flaw of democracy is that people have been deceived into surrendering their personal power to act responsibly  in relation to the important social, political, economic, environment and climate issues of the day  to elected representatives in government who then fearfully represent the elites who actually control them (whether through financial incentives, electoral support or other means), assuming they arent members of the elite themselves and simply represent elite priorities out of shared interest (as does Donald Trump).

And because we delegate responsibility to those powerless politicians who fearfully (or out of shared interest) act in response to elite bidding, the best scientific information in relation to the state of the Earth is simply ignored or rejected while conservative scientific warnings advocating strategies that must fail are widely circulated. See, for example, World Scientists Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice .

So this widespread failure to respond thoughtfully and powerfully is a fundamental reason that we are killing the biosphere and destroying life on Earth. Too few humans are willing to accept personal responsibility to understand why the violence is occurring and to participate in a carefully designed strategy to avert our own extinction, let alone save countless other species from premature entry into the fossil record. It is easier to leave responsibility to others. See The Delusion I Am Not Responsible .

And, clearly, time is running out, unless you are gullible enough to believe the elite-sponsored delusion that promotes inaction, and maximizes corporate profits in the meantime, because we are supposed to have until the end of the century. Far from it, however. As some courageous scientists, invariably denied access to mainstream news outlets, explain it: near-term human extinction is now the most likely outcome.

One of these scientists is Professor Guy McPherson who offers compelling evidence that human beings will be extinct by 2030. For a summary of the evidence of this, which emphasizes the usually neglected synergistic impacts of many of these destructive trends (some of which are noted above) and cites many references, listen to the lecture by Professor McPherson on Climate Collapse and Near Term Human Extinction .

Why 2030? Because, according to McPherson, the perfect storm of environmental assaults that we are now inflicting on the Earth, including the 28 self-reinforcing climate feedback loops that have already been triggered, is so far beyond the Earths capacity to absorb, that there will be an ongoing succession of terminal breakdowns of key ecological systems and processes  that is, habitat loss  over the next decade that it will precipitate the demise of homo sapiens sapiens.

In relation to the climate alone, another scientist, Professor Kevin Anderson, who is Deputy Director of the UKs premier climate modelling institution, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research , has warned that emissions are now out of control and we are heading for a world that is 6 degrees hotter; he pointed out that even the International Energy Agency, and conservative organisations like it, are warning that we are on track for a 4 degree increase (on the pre-industrial level) by 2040. He also accused too many climate scientists of keeping quiet about the unrealistic assessments put out by governments. See What They Wont Tell You About Climate Catastrophe .

So be wary of putting any credence on official explanations, targets and action-plans in relation to the climate that are approved by large gatherings, whether governmental or scientific. Few people have the courage to tell the truth when it guarantees unpopularity and can readily manifest as career-extinction and social and scientific marginalization.

As an aside, it is perhaps worth mentioning that most people have long forgotten that a decade ago (when the global temperature was .8 degrees above the pre-industrial level) it had been suggested that a decrease in global temperature to not more than .5 degrees above the pre-industrial level was actually necessary to achieve a safe climate, with the Arctic intact (although there was no clear feasible method for humans to reduce the global temperature to this level with any speed). Sadly we have made little progress in the past decade apart from to keep raising the acceptable limit (whether to 2 degrees or only 1.5). Most humans love to delude themselves to avoid dealing with the truth.

Hence, for those of us committed to responding powerfully to this crisis, the fundamental question is this: Why, precisely, are human beings destroying life on Earth? Without an accurate answer to this question, any strategy to address this crisis must be based on either guesswork or ideology.

So let us briefly consider some possible answers to this question.

Some people argue that it is genetic: human beings are innately violent and, hence, destructive behaviors towards themselves, others and the Earth are built-in to the human organism; for that reason, violence cannot be prevented or controlled and humans must endlessly destroy.

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However, any argument that human beings are genetically-predisposed to inflict violence is easily refuted by the overwhelming evidence of human cooperation throughout the millennia and there are endless examples, ranging from the interpersonal to the international, of humans cooperating to resolve conflict without violence, even when these conflicts involve complex issues and powerful vested interests. There are also plentiful examples of humans, particularly indigenous communities, living in harmony with, rather than destroying, nature.

Other analysts argue that human violence and destructiveness are manifestations of political, economic and/or social structures  such as patriarchy, capitalism and the state, depending on the perspective  and while I agree that (massive) structural violence actually occurs, I do not believe that these structures, by themselves, constitute an adequate explanation of the cause of violence.

This is simply because any structural explanation cannot account for violence in all contexts (including the violence that led to creation of the structure in the first place) or explain why it doesnt happen in some contexts where a particular perspective indicates that it should.

So is there another plausible explanation for human violence? And can we do anything about it? Let me offer an explanation and a way forward that also takes advantage of the insights of those traditions that have critiqued structural violence in its many forms.

I have been researching why human beings are violent since 1966 and the evidence has convinced me that the origin of all human violence is the violence inflicted by adults on children under the guise of what sociologists call socialization. This violence takes many forms  what I call visible, invisible and utterly invisible violence  and it creates enormously damaged individuals who then personally inflict violence on themselves, those around them (including their own children) and the Earth, while creating, participating in, defending and/or benefiting from structures of violence and exploitation. For a full explanation of this point, see Why Violence? and Fearless Psychology and Fearful Psychology: Principles and Practice .

Hence, in my view, the evidence is overwhelming that if we want to end human violence, whether inflicted on ourselves, others or the Earth, then the central feature of our strategy must be to end adult violence against children. See My Promise to Children . I claim that this must be the central feature of our strategy for the simple reason that each damaged child grows up to become a willing and active perpetrator of violence when, if they were not so damaged, they would be powerful agents of peace, justice and sustainability committed to resisting violence and exploitation in all contexts until it is eliminated.

This profound evolutionary inheritance  to be an individual of integrity who consciously chooses and lives out their own unique, powerful and nonviolent life path  has been denied to virtually all of us because humans endlessly terrorize their children into mindless obedience and social conformity, leaving them powerless to access and live out their conscience.

And this makes it very easy for elites: By then using a combination of our existing fear, indoctrination (via the education system, corporate media and religion) and intimidation (via the police, legal and prison systems), sometimes sweetened with a few toys and trinkets, national elites maintain social control and maximize corporate profits by coercing the rest of us to waste our lives doing meaningless work, in denial of our Selfhood, in the corporate-controlled economy.

As I implied above, however, we need not be content with just working to end violence against children. We can also work to end all other manifestations of violence  including violence against women, indigenous peoples, people of color, Islamic and working class people, and violence against the Earth  but recognize that if we tackle this violence without simultaneously tackling violence at its source, we fundamentally undermine our effort to tackle these other manifestations of violence too.

Moreover, tackling structural violence (such as capitalism) by using direct violence cannot work either. Because violence always feeds off fear it will always proliferate and re-manifest, whether as direct, structural, cultural or ecological violence, however beneficial any short-term outcome may appear.

Importantly then, apart from understanding and addressing the fundamental cause of this crisis, we must implement a comprehensive strategy that takes into account and addresses each and every component of it. There is no point working to achieve a single objective that might address one problem no matter how important that particular problem might be. The crisis is too far advanced to settle for piecemeal action.

Hence, if you wish to tackle all of this violence simultaneously, you might consider joining those participating in the comprehensive strategy simply explained in The Flame Tree Project to Save Life on Earth . If you wish to tackle violence in a particular context, direct, structural or otherwise, consider using the strategic approach outlined in Nonviolent Campaign Strategy or Nonviolent Defense/Liberation Strategy .

And if you would like to publicly commit yourself to participate in the effort to end all human violence, you can do so by signing the online pledge of The Peoples Charter to Create a Nonviolent World .

Killing the biosphere is the most effective way to destroy life on Earth because it destroys the ecological foundation  the vast array of incredibly diverse and interrelated habitats  on which organisms depend for their survival. And we are now very good at this killing which is why averting human extinction is already going to be extraordinarily difficult.

Hence, unless and until you make a conscious personal decision to participate strategically in the struggle to save life on Earth, you will be one of those individuals who kills the biosphere as a byproduct of living without awareness and commitment: A person who simply over-consumes their way to extinction.

So next time you ponder the fate of humanity, which is inextricably tied to the fate of the Earth, it might be worth considering the unparalleled beauty of what Earth has generated. See, for example, Two White Giraffes Seen in Kenyan Conservation Area .

And as you do this, ask yourself how hard you are willing to fight to save life on Earth.

Robert J. Burrowes has a lifetime commitment to understanding and ending human violence. He has done extensive research since 1966 in an effort to understand why human beings are violent and has been a nonviolent activist since 1981. He is the author of Why Violence? His email address is flametree@riseup.net and his website is here .

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The Coming War on Lebanon



Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Prepare for a Long-Planned Middle East War



By Timothy Alexander Guzman

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Washingtons plan to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ultimately failed. Now Lebanon seems to be in the cross-hairs with tensions between Israel and Hezbollah on the same level that led to the 2006 Lebanon war. There is also the possibility that a new offensive against Syria that might take place as Washington maintains its troop levels in the devastated country caused by ISIS and other terrorists groups they supported. Various reports suggests that the Pentagon may reveal that there are close to 2,000 U.S. troops stationed in Syria even though ISIS has been defeated. So why is Washington staying in Syria? Will there be another attempt to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the near future? Most likely, yes. Adding the Trump administrations continued hostilities towards Iran, the drumbeats of a new war in the Middle East is loud and clear. Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have one main objective at the moment and that is to destabilize Lebanon and attempt to defeat Hezbollah before they prepare for another offensive in Syria to remove Assad from power. Before they declare an all-out war on Iran, they must neutralize their allies, Hezbollah and Syria which is by far an extremely difficult task to accomplish.

The Israeli government knows that it cannot defeat Hezbollah without sacrificing both its military and civilian populations. Israel needs the U.S. military for added support if their objective is to somewhat succeed. Israel and the U.S. can continue its support of ISIS and other terrorist groups to create a new civil war in Lebanon through false-flag terror operations which in a strategic sense, can lead to an internal civil war. Can Hezbollah and the Lebanese military prevent terrorist groups from entering its territory? So far they have been successful in defeating ISIS on the Lebanon-Syria border, and will most likely be successful in preventing a new U.S.-supported terrorist haven in Lebanon. Lebanons Prime Minister Saad Hariri who originally resigned from his post while visiting the Saudi Kingdom, then suspending his resignation is a sign that a political crisis has been set in motion. So what happens next?

The Curse: Lebanons Natural Resources and the Greater Israel Project

In the case of a devastating war on Lebanon, with a civil war intact, Israel would surely attempt to take control over Lebanons natural resources. Since Trump got in the White House, Israel has expanded its Jewish settlements through land seizures throughout Palestine at unprecedented levels and with the occupation of the Golan Heights (a Syrian territory), they already control a portion of oil, gas and vital water supplies. Lebanon would be a huge bonus. In 2013, Lebanese Energy Minister Gebran Bassil estimated that Lebanon has around 96 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and 865 million barrels of oil offshore. With Lebanons political chaos and Israel preparing for a long-term war with Hezbollah, all leads to Israel Shahaks The Zionist Plan for the Middle East which states the intended goal for the fragmentation of Lebanon and other adversaries in the Middle East:

3)This is not a new idea, nor does it surface for the first time in Zionist strategic thinking. Indeed, fragmenting all Arab states into smaller units has been a recurrent theme. This theme has been documented on a very modest scale in the AAUG publication, Israels Sacred Terrorism (1980), by Livia Rokach. Based on the memoirs of Moshe Sharett, former Prime Minister of Israel, Rokachs study documents, in convincing detail, the Zionist plan as it applies to Lebanon and as it was prepared in the mid-fifties.

4)The first massive Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1978 bore this plan out to the minutest detail. The second and more barbaric and encompassing Israeli invasion of Lebanon on June 6, 1982, aims to effect certain parts of this plan which hopes to see not only Lebanon, but Syria and Jordan as well, in fragments. This ought to make mockery of Israeli public claims regarding their desire for a strong and independent Lebanese central government. More accurately, they want a Lebanese central government that sanctions their regional imperialist designs by signing a peace treaty with them. They also seek acquiescence in their designs by the Syrian, Iraqi, Jordanian and other Arab governments as well as by the Palestinian people. What they want and what they are planning for is not an Arab world, but a world of Arab fragments that is ready to succumb to Israeli hegemony. Hence, Oded Yinon in his essay, A Strategy for Israel in the 1980s, talks about far-reaching opportunities for the first time since 1967 that are created by the very stormy situation [that] surrounds Israel

Israel is gearing up for a long and devastating war against Hezbollah, an Iranian-ally who is . based in Lebanons southern region to deter Israels expansionist ideas. As Saudi Arabia (Israels closest ally in the region) continues its immoral and devastating war on Yemen, it is raising tensions with Iran. According to Thomas L. Freidmans article Saudi Arabias Arab Spring, At Last praising who he calls M.B.S. or Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman for his reformist policies. According to Friedman Irans supreme leader is the new Hitler of the Middle East, said M.B.S. But we learned from Europe that appeasement doesnt work. We dont want the new Hitler in Iran to repeat what happened in Europe in the Middle East. The Trump administrations continued support of the Saudi Monarchy which negotiated an arms deal worth billions to take place has only emboldened the Saudi government to take an aggressive stand towards its adversaries in the Middle East namely, Iran.

Lebanon Prepares for Another War

On November 21st, Reuters published an article titled Lebanon army chief warns of Israel threat amid political crisis based on Lebanons Army Chief warning his troops to be on high alert concerning Israels aggressive behavior along the Southern border. It was reported that Lebanons army chief told his soldiers on Tuesday to be extra vigilant to prevent unrest during political turmoil after the prime minister quit, and accused Israel of aggressive intentions across the southern frontier despite Lebanons Prime Minister Saad Hariris return to Lebanon and decided to put his resignation on hold. The armys Twitter account quoted the Lebanese Armys Commander General Joseph Aoun who said that Troops should be ready to thwart any attempt to exploit the current circumstances for stirring strife and that the exceptional political situation that Lebanon is going through requires you to exercise the highest levels of awareness.

Israel understands that a defeat against Hezbollah and the Lebanese military will be absolutely difficult to accomplish, therefore preparations to engage the Hezbollah this time will be an effort to create as much damage as possible and reduce their military capabilities, maybe in time for U.S. troops to enter the war through Syria and coordinate targets with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). As I mentioned earlier, and may I add, with an interesting choice of words, a report published by Reuters on November 24th suggests that the Pentagon might announce how many troops they have in Syria:

Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Pentagon could, as early as Monday, publicly announce that there are slightly more than 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria. They said there was always a possibility that last minute changes in schedules could delay an announcement. That is not an increase in troop numbers, just a more accurate count, as the numbers often fluctuate

A War That No One Will Win

The Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), an establishment think-tank based in New York City published an article on July 30th of this year by Neocon warmonger Eliot Abrams who was a deputy assistant and deputy national security adviser for President George W. Bush titled The Next Israel-Hezbollah Conflict admits that the next war is a war that will not be won by Israel or Hezbollah. Abrams said that Israels realistic war aims will not match the damage it will sufferand the damage it will necessarily inflict in reference to a strategic assessment  by Israels Institute for National Security Studies titled Political and Military Contours of the Next Conflict with Hezbollah by Gideon Saar, an Israeli politician and a former Likud member of the Knesset and Ron Tira, a strategist, Israeli Air Force officer and a pilot highlights what Israels realistic goals should be:

Israels objectives in a future conflict will be derived first and foremost from what it wants to achieve in the distinct context (such as, for example, preventing Hezbollahs buildup of certain qualitative edge capabilities or preventing deployment of high quality Iranian weapon systems in Syria), but a review of the fundamental data reveals a few generic objectives that could be applicable in many contexts: postponing the following conflict, shaping the rules for the routine times that will follow the conflict, increasing deterrence with respect to Hezbollah and third parties, undermining the attractiveness of Hezbollahs war paradigm (use of rockets and missiles hidden among the civilian population), preserving Israels relations with its allies, and creating the conditions to reduce Iranian involvement in the post-war reconstruction of Lebanon, as well as imposing new and enforceable restrictions on the freedom of access of the Iran-Alawite-Hezbollah axis

The strategic assessment mentioned what realistic goals Israel can achieve when the conflict takes place according to the assessment:

There is only a limited range of positive and achievable objectives that Israel can hope to attain from Hezbollah and from Lebanon. While the purpose of an armed conflict is always political, in many contexts it is hard to find a political objective that is both meaningful and achievable at a reasonable cost, and that is the reason for the basic lack of value that can be found in an Israel- Hezbollah military conflict

The reason according to Mr. Abramss conclusion that an Israeli defeat over Hezbollah is impossible is because of Russias presence in the region:

Thats because Russia cannot be expelled, Lebanon will remain roughly half-Shia, and Hezbollah will surviveas will its relationship with Iran. After the war, the best assumption would be that Hezbollah will rebuild, as it did after 2006. But Hezbollah would achieve nothing positive in such a conflict, suffering immense damage and bringing immense destruction upon Lebanon. Its only possible gain is the damage it would inflict on Israel. In a way this is the only good news

Israels Economy During Wartime

David Rosenbergs opinion piece Israels Next War: We Aint Seen Nothing Yet on the 2014 Israel-Gaza Conflict in the Israel-based news source Haaretz explains the consequences of war and how it effects Israels economy . Rosenberg said that In 2014, the missile war wasnt a threat so much as a spectacle, as Israelis watched Iron Dome missiles bring down Qassam rockets, to applause. Score one for the home team. However, Rosenberg claims that the next war with Hezbollah will be different, in fact it will effect Israels economy in several ways:

The next war isnt going to look like that. The round figure everyone uses for Hezbollahs missile arsenal is 100,000. That is a suspiciously round figure and is probably wrong, but no one disputes that the Shiite militia is well-armed, and more importantly, many of its missiles carry much more powerful warheads and are much more accurate than they were in 2006. Hezbollahs arsenal includes attack drones and coast-to-sea missiles, too. For its part, Israel is also better prepared. Iron Dome, which is designed to bring down short-range rockets, has been complemented by the introduction of the Davids Sling and Arrow systems, designed to intercept long-range rockets and ballistic missiles, respectively.

But against an onslaught of thousands of missiles, no Domes, Slings or Arrows will be able to provide the kind of defense Israelis have grown used to. Israels infrastructure and economic activity are vulnerable to even a limited missile attack from Hezbollah. Geographically, Israel is a small country with no hinterland, which means facilities for electric power and water are concentrated in small areas. More than a quarter of electric power is generated at just two sites. Natural gas is produced at a single offshore field and delivered via a single pipeline. A large portion of our exports derive from a single industrial plant. A prolonged missile war will almost certainly bring business to a halt

Israels economy will shrink within a short-time period according to Rosenberg:

In the worst-case scenario, a post-war Israel would no longer be seen by global investors and businesses as a safe place to put their money and do deals. Imagine Startup Nation without the constant flow of cross-border capital and mergers and acquisitions. The fantasyland of the last 11 years would disappear in a matter of days or weeks

Rosenberg is correct. For example, during the 2014 Israel-Gaza Conflict, Israel was faced with economic uncertainties. The Times of Israel published an article during the conflict with an appropriate title War depresses people, economy; strong shekel harmful clarified what experts said on how the economy would be effected during a drawn-out conflict:

Experts temper the pessimism by noting that in the past, the Israeli economy has been resilient. If the current conflict is resolved quickly, there may be little cause for concern. On the other hand, a drawn out conflict in Gaza may cause investors to worry about the countrys stability and could cause long term damage to Israels reputation and position as a key player in the global economy.

Our key concerns are the openness of the Israeli economy and our ability to be a key player in the global markets, Zvi Eckstein, former deputy governor of the Bank of Israel and dean of the School of Economics at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, noted in an interview with The Times of Israel. Its really still a key uncertainty how the conflict will end up, said Eckstein. Most people predict we will get back to the same relatively stable geopolitical situation as we were in early July, and if so, I would say the economy would rebound back later next year. But if not, the threat to Israels economy would be quite devastating

That conflict was against a weaker adversary, Hamas. For starters, a war with Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria however would have a negative impact on Israels tourism industry where it receives more than 3 million tourists (mainly from the U.S. and Europe) per year. Israels level of production will also take a hit. The Street published an interesting article How Is Israels Economy Affected by the Current War? explains what happened to Israels economy during the 2014 Israel-Gaza Conflict:

The Israeli economy suffers directly from reductions in productivity every time missile alert sirens send the countrys residents into bomb shelters. The economic costs of the war are estimated upwards of $2.9 billion, and already the war has soaked up 1.2% of the GDP. In the event that quiet prevails after a ceasefire is reached, the Israeli economy is resilient enough to withstand the costs of this operation.

History reflects that the Israeli economy surged at a rate of 6% prior to the 2006 Lebanon war and then slowed down to 2.9% prior to this current conflict. The tourism sector is going to be particularly hard hit, and if a third intifada ensues the economic costs for Israel could be crippling. Since a big chunk of Israels workforce is enlisted in the IDF, productivity declines are widespread and costs are mounting. The IMA (Israel Manufacturers Association) has already listed a figure of $240 million in losses as a result of the war effort

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Another War, Another Tragedy

Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. want to permanently eliminate the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah alliance and to achieve that goal, Lebanon will have to become another Libya causing more chaos in an already volatile situation. The only beneficiaries in this coming war is Israel and the U.S. if of course, they are victorious. The U.S. and their allies would re-establish themselves as the hegemonic power in the Middle East with absolute control over the natural resources including oil, gas and water. Israel would also expand and conquer more territory for Greater Israel. Saudi Arabia would remain a vassal state with more political leverage over its neighbors.

And if Saudi Arabia foolishly decided to go to war with Iran, the House of Saud will inevitably collapse since Iran is much more stronger, militarily speaking. Washington plans to keep its military presence in Syria is a signal that removing Assad from power is still on the agenda. Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Trump administration (decertifying the Iran Nuclear Deal with the intention to eventually kill the deal) is a recipe for a planned long-term conflict. Israels economy would suffer a major setback if they were to launch an attack against Hezbollah. Besides the fact that a war against Hezbollah would mean that missiles would constantly strike within Israel, creating a massive amount of stress on Israeli citizens and a downturn of the economy would only add another dimension to the wide-reaching full-scale war. Israel hopes that Hezbollah will be temporally neutralized until the U.S. congress and the Trump Administration jointly approve another military and economic aid package worth billions in time to continue its wars. Then there is the possibility of a joint U.S., Saudi Arabia and Israeli orchestrated attack on Syria to remove Assad from power to ultimately isolate Iran, but with Russia and China backing Iran, it would be a no-win situation. The biggest loser in all of its foreign policy blunders is the U.S. Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Israels plan to launch more aggressive wars against its neighbors to further an expansionist objective would come at a great cost to Israeli citizens as their economy sinks into the rabbit hole and with the threat of incoming missiles from southern Lebanon makes it that much more worst. Lebanon and to an extent Israel will be once again devastated by a new war. For both sides of the border, it is a formula for disastrous consequences.

Timothy Alexander Guzman is an independent researcher and writer with a focus on political, economic, media and historical spheres.

This article was originally published by Silent Crow -

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Israel Has A Robot Army - And It Should Scare The Sh*t Out Of You

By Darius Shahtahmasebi

December 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - As Israel prepares for yet another war directly on its border , the truth about Israels vast military capabilities has been largely absent in the corporate media.

However, if one were to be fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be able to travel to Israels border with Syria in the north and the Gaza strip in the south, they might see what looks more or less like a scene from RoboCop.

Israel is the first country in the world to use unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to not only patrol its borders but also to replace soldiers on missions, as well. The new Border Patroller model can be armed with remote-controlled weapons, reconnaissance means, and additional components that cannot be fitted on the traditional Guardium model it had been using for years prior.

The robot is also able to patrol underground and gather information for units that are present on the surface. For example, it can help soldiers avoid booby-trapped tunnels.

These robots can be given pre-designated routes for their patrol, making them more or less autonomous.

According to the New York Post:

The increasing use of robots by the Israel Defense Forces is part of a larger strategy to minimize risk to soldiers when possible. In addition, soldiers require breaks, food and water. All a Guardium needs is a full tank of gas. Other UGVs in use by the IDF include the Segev, which is based on a Ford F-350 pickup truck.

However, this is only the beginning of Israels robotic capabilities. As the Post notes, the same thing is happening in the water, too. Israeli defense contractor Rafael has developed an unmanned patrol ship that is currently defending Israels strategic ports and patrolling the coastline.

Israel also has advanced a drone that can reach Iran, an unmanned aerial vehicle that can stay airborne for 24 hours and is believed to be capable of launching air-to-surface missiles. Israel has also deployed satellites far smaller than American ones that can discern objects as small as 20 inches from hundreds of miles away.

If that wasnt enough, the small nation has also developed a tank that more or less comes with its own personal missile defense system.

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Earlier this year, Defense News reported that Israel is readying its Iron Dome defense system for its first intercept test in the U.S., which is aimed at selecting an interim solution for a medium and short-range air defense system.

Not to mention that according to former Secretary of State Colin Powells leaked emails, the country has at least 200 nuclear weapons all targeted on Tehran.

So why is Israel going to such great lengths to modernize its army far beyond that of any other country?

As the New York Post explains:

Due to Israels small size and lack of territory, all ballistic missiles deployed in the region  Syria, Iraq and Iran  can reach anywhere within the country and pose a strategic and possibly even existential threat. Israel, the developers argued, needed a system that could shoot down enemy missiles over neighboring countries and provide overall protection for the tiny Jewish state.

In fact, a top Israeli general has already admitted that the country cannot fight Iran alone and would instead seek to rely on American help to take on the Islamic Republic if a direct conflict should ever arise.

So, are Israels advances in military technology purely defensive and for deterrence purposes only, or does the countrys leadership have something far more preemptive in mind in the coming years under the Trump administration ?

Only time will tell, but one way or the other, these vast technological developments will be frightening for the civilians caught in the middle, to say the least.

This article was originally published by ANTIMEDIA -

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The Ondo State militants have surrendered their arms and ammunition to the state government, the ultimatum expired on Wednesday, according to reports, over 2,000 ex-militants had submitted their weapons and embraced the amnesty granted them by the government.

Akeredolu had given the militants a 21-day ultimatum to surrender their arms and embrace the governments amnesty.

The amnesty was offered in order to stop the militants criminal activities in the coastal areas of the state.

Among the militants who surrendered arms are kidnappers of the pupils of Lagos Model College, Epe, Lagos State, including their leader, Ogailo Young.

A source said although the ultimatum given to the militants had expired, the amnesty was still open to any repentant militants who wished to surrender their arms.

The source confirmed that the militants who had submitted their arms would be included in the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

He said, Those (militants) granted amnesty so far are over 2,000 and they will be included in the Federal Governments amnesty programme. They will be given stipends monthly. Ex-militants who want to go to school will be sponsored while those who want to learn a trade will also be sponsored.

All efforts to reach the Chairman of the State Amnesty Programme and Deputy Governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, on the latest development were unsuccessful.

However, when contacted on the telephone, his media aide, Leke Akeredolu, said, We thank God that there was no hitch throughout the exercise, everything went successfully.
Media personality/model, Uti Nwachukwu no longer appears in Nigerian movies.

In a new interview with Punch, he says this happened because acting doesnt pay much and hes not ready to pretend all is well and waste his time doing things that dont swell up his bank account.

Read what the Big Brother Africa All Stars winner told Punch when he was asked why he stopped acting for a while now:

I havent been in the country, but I am back now. I took a break from acting because it doesnt pay much and I am not ready for that kind of life. I dont want to pretend about it; so, I am only focusing on what brings greater remuneration, which is television presenting and hosting of events. Acting would just be a hobby because honestly, producers cant afford to pay what I want to earn. But I will not stay away from movies totally; I will pick only exceptional movies instead of featuring in all the ones I am invited to partake in. I dont have so much time for little money. I am not here to pretend all is well. I am in the industry to make money; I am not in the industry to play.

Uti Nwachukwu also dismissed claims that he didnt attend Yomi Casuals wedding. According to him, he did show up at the ceremony but spent only a short period because he had other things to attend to.

About why hes not married yet despite the fact that his colleagues were getting married, Uti said he was not in a rush to do same.
Mavins boss and producer, Don Jazzy who has never hidden how much hes crushing on American superstar songstress Rihanna, has congratulated her after a street was named after her in her hometown in Barbados.

Don Jazzy stormed Rihannas Instagram page to congratulate her after she shared the photo;
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the #EndSars campaign thread on Twitter.

The former Vice President said that the Everyday, we encourage our young people to become entrepreneurs. Buying a laptop to earn a living shouldnt attract harassment.

He tweeted:

The arbitrary harassment of young Nigerians by Police (who should be protecting them) has no place in a democratic society.

The #EndSARS protest shows Nigerian youth are upset and the matter needs urgent attention.

Everyday, we encourage our young people to become entrepreneurs. Buying a laptop to earn a living shouldnt attract harassment.

I commend our young people for protesting these injustices peacefully online, and encourage the IG of @PoliceNG to take these complaints seriously.

I also urge the National Assembly to look into these complaints, and address the human rights issues. Reforms are urgently needed.

The arbitrary harassment of young Nigerians by Police (who should be protecting them) has no place in a democratic society. The #EndSARS protest shows Nigerian youth are upset and the matter needs urgent attention.  Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) December 3, 2017

Source  Yabaleftonline
Policemen in Enugu State have quelled a potential mob action and breach of the peace in Ugwuoba community in Oji River local government area of the state following the killing of motorcyclist in an accident involving a trailer carrying a cattle.

The spokesman of the state police command, Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Saturday that the incident occurred on Friday in the Ugwuoba community located on the Oji-River-Enugu highway.

Amaraizu said a motorcyclist, who was later identified as Jonathan Madu, died in the accident.

It was gathered that the trailer conveying cows skidded off its lane and crushed to death the motorcyclist who was on the other lane.

Following the incident, the driver of the said trailer was said to have taken to his heels.

But the early arrival of police operatives of the Oji-River Division helped in dousing the tension at the accident scene as both the motorcycle and parts of the trailer were already burning, he said.
The family of 84-year-old Chief Abbot Ogbobula has been enveloped in grief since the day it learnt about the death of the former lawmaker, who was abducted by a six-man gang of kidnappers on June 26, from his home at Ihuba village in Ahoada, Rivers State.

The distraught daughter of the victim, Gift Ogbobula, who narrated what happened on the day of the abduction said: My father, Chief Abbot Ogbobula, was kidnapped about 9:30a.m. The gang blocked the gate of the house. One of the kidnappers shot the tyre of the car and also broke the windscreen and kidnapped my father. We immediately reported the abduction at Ahoada Police State.

Having successfully escaped with the victim, they demanded a ransom of N20 million from the family. The relatives first sent the sum of N200,000 to the kidnappers.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Ahmed Zaki told Sunday Sun that the family later sent additional N500,000 to the gang. In a horrific twist of fate, a young member of the extended family, Udoma Njoku, sent to deliver the money was abducted and beheaded by the gang. His phone was also taken.

Probably dissatisfied with the amount they got when compared with the ransom demanded, the heartless gang murdered the octogenarian and buried him in a shallow grave in Degema creek, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Believing that it was all over, members of the gang went their separate ways, but providence was still monitoring them. Following a report by the family, the police command activated the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad headed by Supol Edward Shadare.

Through good detective work, Shadare and his men obtained useful information that led to the arrest of members of the gang on September 17, namely, Boma Thompson, 25, Chief Emenike Mathias, 47, Goodnews Nwoka, 33, Daniel ThankGod, 27, and Franklin Dokubo.

The police commissioner explained that one of the arrested suspects, Chief Emenike Mathias, allegedly arranged the abduction of the octogenarian because of chieftaincy issue in the community.

In the course of interrogation of the suspects, one of them, Daniel ThankGod revealed information about what happened. On September 27, he took the police to the place where the octogenarian was buried at Degema creek. The decomposing body was exhumed and deposited at University of Port Harcourt Mortuary.

Gift thanked the officers and men of the police command and expressed confidence in police commissioner, who she said had demonstrated professionalism in handling the case.

In a brief chat with Sunday Sun at the headquarters of the command, where the arrested members of the gang are being held while investigation continues, one of the suspects, Daniel ThankGod said: It was Chief Emenike Mathias who brought the job that we should kidnap Chief Abbot Ogbobula. He told us that he had a conflict with Chief Abbot Ogbobula over chieftaincy title. So we kidnapped him on June 26, 2017 and took him to our hideout in Degema creek.

We demanded N20 million naira and the family of the victim brought N200,000 and the second time, they brought N500,000 and a member of our gang, Ndidi, killed the boy who brought the money. I was the one who fed Ogbobula with Semovita, Lucozade and tea. It was one of our gang members, Boma Thompson that bought the food items in the market. One of our members shot Abbot Ogbobula. He spent six days in our custody before he died.

ThankGod who hails from Buguma Local Government Area, Rivers State added: Chief Emenike Mathias refused to pay us for the job we did for him and would not take our calls. So we sent him a text message that we would tell the children of Chief Abbot Ogbobula that he was responsible for the kidnapping. That was when Emenike sent us recharge card, to beg for pardon.



The police commissioner said that Emenike, Thompson and Goodness have been charged to court and remanded in prison while Daniel Thank-God would soon be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.
Leading gospel musician, Sammy Okposo, has said that Nigerian gospel artistes are usually treated as kings and queens in foreign lands.

Making the remarks in Lagos during a chat with Saturday Beats, the Wellu Wellu crooner, who is part of a star-studded cast headlining this years Unusual Praise music festival taking place soon, said that as a result of the rich blend of Nigerian gospel songs, proponents of the genre are always treated with respect and love in other countries of the world whenever they visited.

He said, I have been to many countries around the world and it is always so special to see the way they accept Nigerian gospel songs. They treat us like kings and queens because of the message in our songs and how they glorify the name of God.

For me, this goes to show how relevant our songs are and how people want to associate with the way Nigerians praise God.

Therefore, this years Unusual Praise is going to be another great avenue to sell our mode of worship to the world and ultimately glorify our creator in a truly special way.

Source: Punch
Over 650 Libyan deportees returned to Edo State over the past three months and the tales of their sojourn in the North African country, where they had planned to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, was heart-breaking. 168 of them returned to Benin-City on Wednesday while 108 arrived Friday; they were received by officials of Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking. Sunday Vanguard observed that some of the women were pregnant and emaciated just like the men who said they were used as slaves. Governor Godwin Obaseki had promised to train the returnees in skills as part of the efforts to reintegrate them into the society. Most of the deportees lamented that their sponsors promised to take them to Europe only to abandon them in Libya.

One of the returnees, 27-year-old Ewere Joseph, who claimed to have been shot in his shoulder, narrated his ordeal. He said: Before I left Nigeria, I was working in a tile making company but the money was too small. One day somebody ask me if I was interested in going to Europe, the man is still here in Benin, I said yes. His name is Christopher, he said I should go and bring N500, 000. I rallied round for the money and we set out. He promised that once I got to Libya, he will arrange for me to be taken to Italy. It sounded so convincing when he said it but, when we set out for the journey, I did not know it was going to be hell. I dont need to go to hell any more, I have tasted hell already. I spent one year and six months in Libya.

Many things happened there; they killed a lot of Nigerians. Many of our women are pregnant for those they cannot identify. My friend died in prison because they always beat us. They used the butt of a gun to hit break my leg. My aim was to go to Italy.

When I got to Libya, my sponsor sold me to another Nigerian who was using me for manual labour and I had no choice. I made attempt twice to pass the sea but I ended up spending two days on top of water in the first attempt. The rescue team that came did not locate us, but God sent a fisherman to save my life.

The second attempt I made to cross the sea was when I was now arrested and sent to prison. There is one prison there that the government of Nigeria should go and free Nigerians from, we have about 10, 000 Nigerians there. The prison is called Giyuan. Eight people died in my presence in that prison. Some of the inmates had to break the prison and that was how we escaped and we were taken to deportation camp.

And when we got to the deportation camp, they started beating us; we received the same treatment like when we were in prison. They will give you bread in the morning and that is all you will eat till the next morning.

I do not regret the journey because it is part of my experience in life. But my advice to my brothers and sisters is that they should not embark on such trip. Even from Benin to Kano is very bad, from there we moved to Alghadez, Shaba to Libya. Libya is a very bad country; it is not a place to go. The first thing they did was to ask me to convert to Islam. I told them I will not, that I am a Christian. The beat me with guns and dump me in prison. I wish our government can block the road leading to Libya so that our people will not go there. I weep each time I see our girls suffering, being used as sex slaves and all sorts of abuse



How I was shot

What happened was that they brought food to us and said we should eat. I refused to eat because they gave people from other countries full bread and gave we Nigerians half bread called Oza.

About 400 Nigerians, we said we will not eat. They started shooting into the crowd and that was how I was shot. After they shot me, they started beating me, saying I was proving stubborn. One of my friends they beat up had internal bleeding and died in prison.

In the desert, seven Hilux vans left for Libya, only one person survived. You will see dead bodies like rats. One of us complained of thirst, but instead of giving him water, he was given Tramadol and he collapsed.

He was not yet dead but he was buried alive in the desert. If you refuse to proceed on the trip, they will shoot you dead. Many of our people are still there now suffering and dying. Some have gone mad due to stress of the suffering they went through. It is better you suffer in Nigeria than to die in Libya. Our government should go to Libya and return our people, they hate Nigerians a lot over there and it is sad.

Alex Otoide, another returnee, said he witnessed the sale of 20 Nigerian girls in the prison where he was kept. They (captors) sold like 20 girls in the night, Otoide said.

It was God that saved me. More than seven people died from hunger and thirst inside the prison where I was kept. The man that took me to Libya left me. I was into road construction in Lagos State but I am from Edo. I left Nigeria with N500, 000 but I spent six months in Libya jail after the man that took my money ran away. We were 55 that left for Libya, 25 died in the desert.

One of the girls, Osas Blessing, urged the state government to arrest one Charles who she described as the one deceiving people to go Libya to make money from them.

She said, I gave Charles N450, 000 but when I got to Libya he increased my fee to N600, 000. He is very wicked. He pushed many of us there. He did not care for human lives. He is a Benin man. He will say if you die you die.

He pushed us into the sea at the wrong time. I heard he just left Nigeria with new passengers for Libya and I think he must be stopped before he ruins more souls. When we were arrested, they took us to the people in charge of the UN but others were taken to prison. If you look at those that went to prison, they look like ghosts. The Libyans beat Nigerians a lot.

Henry Uwadiae also narrated: I was just passing through Libya, my destination was Europe. The Arabs came and attacked our boat as we were crossing the sea. They took us to prison since August. They maltreated us like animals.

After they kidnap you, they start torturing you till you die. They dumped us in prison and beat us every day. We ate bread once in two days. I was into business before I left Nigeria. I left Nigeria with N500, 000. I didnt get to Europe. The desert was horrible experience. Many people died in the desert but the traffickers will not tell their parents that they have died. They keep giving people false hope. The videos circulating online that Africans are sold as slaves in Libya are true. I advise our boys and girls hoping to travel to Europe through the desert that Libya is highway to hell.
Police in India say they have arrested a man whose smelly socks caused a dispute between him and fellow passengers on a bus.

They told the BBC they had lodged a complaint against Prakash Kumar, 27, for causing a public nuisance.

The incident occurred en route to the capital, Delhi, after Mr Kumar removed his shoes and socks.

The stench from the socks was so bad that passengers asked Mr Kumar to put them in his bag or throw them out.

But he allegedly refused, sparking a heated argument.

Passengers then forced the bus driver to pull over at a police station in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh where the complaint was lodged.

The Hindustan Times quoted Mr Kumar as saying that his socks had not been stinking, and that the passengers had quarrelled with him for no reason.

Police told the BBC that Mr Kumar had been granted bail.
William Jefferson, the New Orleans, US congressman convicted in 2009 on bribery charges after he was famously caught with $90,000 cash stashed in his freezer, is now a free man.

A federal judge had reduced his 13-year sentence to the time he has already served: five years and five months.

The reduced sentence came on the joint recommendation of prosecutors and defence attorneys after a Supreme Court ruling in an unrelated case made it more difficult to convict public officials on bribery charges. Jefferson was freed from prison in October, when Judge T.S. Ellis III tossed out seven of his 10 conviction counts.

Jefferson, 70, did not address the court during the hearing but told reporters afterward he was grateful to his attorneys, family and friends for their support and that he wanted to be active in the community.

Patriarch of a family that once wielded considerable political influence in New Orleans, he exchanged hugs with relatives and friends who congratulated him on his freedom.

As for his plans, Jefferson said, Im going to go back home and get a Christmas dinner.



Asked whether he was angry to have served five years in prison, only to have the law on which he was convicted change, he said, I dont have time to be angry with anything. Asked whether he feels he did anything wrong, he would not comment.

A Democrat, Jefferson spent 18 years in the House of Representatives. He was convicted of accepting more than $400,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for brokering business deals in Africa. The 2005 raid of his Washington home, which turned up cash stuffed in frozen food boxes, made him fodder for late-night comedians.

At his 2009 trial, Jefferson argued he was acting as a private business consultant in brokering the deals and that his actions did not constitute bribery under federal law. The $90,000 was actually part of a government sting initiated after a one-time business associate of Jefferson told the FBI she thought she was getting scammed.

Jeffersons investigation was sparked by an allegation began in mid-2005 by an investor who claimed that $400,000 in bribes were paid through a company maintained in the name of Jeffersons spouse and children.

The money was traced to a tech company named iGate, Inc., of Louisville, Kentucky,USA and in return, it is alleged, Jefferson would persuade the U.S. Army to test iGates broadband two-way technology and other iGate products; use his efforts to influence high-ranking officials in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon; and meet with personnel of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, in order to facilitate potential financing for iGate business deals in those countries.

On 30 July 2005, Jefferson was videotaped by the FBI receiving $100,000 worth of $100 bills in a leather briefcase at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

Jefferson told an investor, Lori Mody, who was wearing a wire, that he would need to give Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar $500,000 as a motivating factor to make sure they obtained contracts for iGate and Modys company in Nigeria.

A few days later, on 3 August 2005, FBI agents raided Jeffersons home in Northeast Washington and, as noted in an 83-page affidavit filed to support a subsequent raid on his Congressional office, found $90,000 of the cash in the freezer, in $10,000 increments wrapped in aluminum foil and stuffed inside frozen-food containers. Serial numbers found on the currency in the freezer matched serial numbers of funds given by the FBI to their informant.

Late on the night of May 20, 2006, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Jeffersons office.

The affidavit used to support these raids alleged:

The FBI videotaped Jefferson receiving a stock certificate from Mody for a company set up in Nigeria to promote iGates technology. Jefferson predicted the deal would generate $200 million annually after five years.

Jefferson told Mody that he wanted a similar financial stake in the business in Ghana.

Jefferson sought $10 million in financing from Mody to take over iGate and install confidants on the new board. In two payments, Mody wired $89,225 to the ANJ Group LLC, a company controlled by Jeffersons family.

Jefferson lent $4,800 of the money Mody gave him to an unnamed congressional aide. Another $4,900 was given back to the FBI by one of Jeffersons attorneys.

The FBI claims it has uncovered at least seven other schemes in which Jefferson sought things of value in return for his official acts.

On June 4, 2007 Jefferson was indicted on 16 charges of corruption by a federal grand jury.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and declared: I am absolutely innocent of the charges that have been levelled against me. Im going to fight my heart out to clear my name.

The $90,000 was the FBIs money. The FBI gave it to me as part of its plan  part of their plan  that I would give it to the Nigerian vice president, but I did not do that. When all the facts are understood, I trust that I will be vindicated.

The FBI denied working with Jefferson.

There is no evidence that Atiku was indicted in the US on the matter.
Citizens of the British and the United States have been warned by their governments to be aware of terrorist groups threat to carry out bomb attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during the Yuletide season.

In its latest foreign travel advice to British nationals, the countrys Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated that it would raise the terrorism threat alert in Nigeria during the festive periods.

Around 117,000 British citizens visit Nigeria each year, according to the FCO.

The US government warned its citizens not to travel to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe till the end of the year.

The risk of terrorist attack increases around religious festivals; so (the threat alert) will be elevated in the run-up to and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) area during this period.

You (British nationals) should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people, the United Kingdom said in a statement posted on the FCO website.

Last week, the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a similar warning titled, Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Holiday Security Reminder.

The US Mission urges all US citizens to exercise caution in and around shopping centres, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, and other places where crowds gather in and around the Federal Capital Territory, from now through the Christmas and New Years holiday season. Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in this area during this period.

The US Mission remains concerned about potential attacks in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe. Travellers are urged to avoid those states through the end of the year.

Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, the US Embassy warned.

Source: (Punch Newspaper )
President Trump's national security adviser says the possibility of war with North Korea is increasing every day.

HR McMaster says the US is "in a race" to address the nuclear threat from Kim Jong-Un's regime.
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Memories of juicy peaches and crisp sweet corn are fading as the summer produce season has past, but the holidays are another great time to buy local. Many Colorado farmers are extending their growing seasons, and farmers markets are moving indoors for the fall and winter. The Colorado Department of Agricultures Winter Farmers Market List provides information about markets statewide. Additional online resources include the Seasons Eatings Colorado Food and Agriculture Gift Guide and Colorado Christmas Tree List, which help connect holiday shoppers with local producers.

People may automatically think fresh fruits and veggies when buying local, but Colorado has a variety of wonderful products available year-round, said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Whether you are looking for a unique gift or need a special ingredient for your holiday menu, look for the Colorado Proud label when shopping.

The Winter Farmers Market List includes markets offering special holiday events and winter hours. The Seasons Eatings Colorado Food & Agriculture Gift Guide features locally-made salsas, jams, culinary seasonings, alpaca socks, sweets and more. The gift guide highlights the faces behind local food and product manufacturers, who want you to buy local this holiday season. The Christmas Tree List identifies locations where individuals can find the perfect tree for their families including u-cut operations and information on cutting trees in national forests.

Visit www.coloradoproud.org to find online holiday resources. Find Colorado products year-round at www.comarketmaker.com.
Authorities on Friday arrested a man in the presumed death of a pregnant Denver woman who disappeared under suspicious circumstances in 2013.

Donthe Isiah Lucas, 25, was arrested in connection with the homicide investigation of Kelsie Jean Schelling, according to the Pueblo Police Department. Her body still has not been found.

Schelling, 21 at the time she disappeared, was the ex-girlfriend of Lucas. She was pregnant with his child.

Lucas was taken into custody on Nov. 14 in Denver on suspicion of a Pueblo robbery in September, Pueblo police said. On Friday, Pueblo detectives and Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents served him with an arrest warrant on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to a Pueblo police news release. He is now being held without bond.

Police did not say what led to the arrest of Lucas. Searches for evidence in November in the southwest Pueblo area, near where Schelling was last known to be, were carried out.

Its been a work in progress for several years, said Pueblo police Capt. Kenny Rider. He added that police and prosecutors decided the time was right now to arrest Lucas.

Lucas has long been considered a person of interest in the case. In April, investigators executed search warrants on properties and homes where Lucas lived and had lived. The searches included digging on the properties.

The couple met in 2010 when they were students at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. She disappeared Feb. 4, 2013, after arranging to meet with Lucas by text messages.

Schellings car, a black 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, was recorded by video surveillance in a Pueblo Walmart parking lot. The video shows an unknown man  wearing a hoodie, sunglasses and gloves  get into the car and drive off. Her car later was found abandoned in the parking lot of St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo.

Pueblo detectives interviewed Lucas on Feb. 15, 2013. Lucas told detectives he and Schelling got together in Pueblo during her visit, they drove around to several locations and then drove to the Walmart where they got into an argument. Lucas told police she needed to go back to Denver so she could go to work the next day. Lucas denied having knowledge of how, or why, Schelling disappeared.

In 2015, Schellings parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Lucas and Pueblo police officers for failing to properly investigate her alleged murder.
We think its important for voters to be informed before they vote, but we also understand that the ballot language can be a bit confusing. The Blue Book  officially the 2016 State Ballot Information Booklet  has a lot of information, but its lengthy.

This rundown of the ballot questions is a quick and dirty look at what each initiative would do if passed, as well as arguments for and against pulled from the Blue Book, and a review of where we stand on each issue. (Local issues are included in the Logan County Tabor Books that were mailed out earlier this month.)

Amendment T

Summary: Removes slavery and involuntary servitude as a possible punishment for crime from the Constitution

Argument for: Slavery has been outlawed in the U.S. since 1865, and it well past time to remove this language to reflect our values of freedom and equality.

Argument against: Theres some legal question about the impact on prison work requirements and community service sentences.

Our take: Yes

Amendment U

Summary: Exempts people and businesses who make less than $6,000 through use of public lands from paying a possessory interest tax on it

Argument for: The tax in question is so small that it can cost more for counties to collect it than it brings in.

Argument against: Giving public land users a tax break just because its small is not fair to other taxpayers.

Our take: Vote your conscience

Amendment 69

Summary: A constitutional change that creates a statewide single-payer health system, funded by a 10 percent income tax

Arguments for:

 The new system ensures all residents have access to affordable health care.

 A centralized system will reduce health care costs and improve coordination of care.

 ColoradoCare makes health coverage more transparent and accountable to Colorado residents.

Arguments against:

 The hefty tax increase doubles state spending, while discouraging businesses and costing jobs in the health insurance industry.

 The proposal relies on federal approval for many of the benefits promised, while offering limited accountability for the 21-member board.

 Health care providers may choose to leave the state, limiting patients access to medical care.

Our take: No

Amendment 70

Summary: Raises the state minimum wage incrementally to $12 by 2020

Arguments for:

 The current minimum wage is too low for workers to make ends meet, and isnt keeping up with increased cost of living.

 Higher wages can increase employee productivity and morale and reduce turnover.

Arguments against:

 Businesses may cut minimum wage jobs or raise prices, hurting those working in low-wage positions.

 Small and family-owned businesses will struggle to stay afloat because of smaller profit margins, particularly hurting rural Colorado.

Our take: No

Amendment 71

Summary: Changes the requirements for putting amendments on the ballot by petition

Arguments for:

 It should be harder to make changes to the constitution than it is to change state law.

 Requiring petitioners to gather signatures from each state senate district ensures rural voters have a voice on which measures make the ballot.

Arguments against:

 This would make it too hard for citizens to initiate constitutional changes when the legislature doesnt heed their desires.

 The signature requirement will make it more expensive to gather signatures, which will restrict access to the process for the average citizen.

Our take: Yes

Amendment 72

Summary: Constitutional amendment to raise tax on cigarettes by $1.75 per pack of 20, and by 22 percent of list price on other tobacco products.

Arguments for:

 Raising cigarette prices is proven to reduce smoking.

 The additional revenue will be used for health programs, research, and benefits for Colorado veterans, mental health patients and rural health care providers.

Arguments against:

 The measure locks spending on specific programs in the constitution, regardless of how effective or necessary they are.

 People in poverty are more likely to be tobacco users, and they are least able to afford a tax increase.

Our take: No

Proposition 106

Summary: Make assisted death legal among patients with a terminal illness who receive a prognosis of death within six months.

Arguments for:

 The measure givens mentally competent patients with a terminal illness options for a peaceful end of life, and protects those who give them support.

 Safeguards strike a balance between the terminally ill patients choices and the states interest in promoting public safety.

 Knowing they have options can be, in and of itself, a comfort to the terminally ill who are concerned about a loss of dignity.

Arguments against:

 Other services are available that can minimize suffering, but access to medical aid-in-dying may encourage a more drastic decision.

 The protections dont do enough for those who could be vulnerable to family members or others who would benefit from their premature death.

 Physicians may feel forced to choose between their medical ethics and compassion for a patient wishing to die.

Our take: Yes

Proposition 107

Summary: Restores presidential primary elections held before the end of March and makes them open in Colorado.

Arguments for:

 A presidential primary should replace the existing caucus system.

 Allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in selecting presidential nominees could increase voter participation.

 A primary protects voter confidentiality through the use of secret ballots, versus the public declaration required at a caucus.

Arguments against:

 The combined ballots proposed will cause confusion that could mean some affiliated voters ballots being disqualified and result in contested elections.

 Conducting an additional election for the presidential primary is an unnecessary cost to taxpayers and an administrative burden on counties.

 Unaffiliated voters can already participate in a caucus by declaring a party affiliation in advance.

Our take: No

Proposition 108

Summary: Opens primary elections to unaffiliated voters in Colorado

Arguments for:

 Unaffiliated voters make up a third of Colorados registered voters, and should be able to participate in primary elections they help pay for as taxpayers.

 Allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections may result in candidates who appeal to a broader group of Coloradans.

Arguments against:

 The proposed combined ballot will result in some ballots not being counted and result in contested elections.

 Unaffiliated voters can already vote in primary elections by easily changing their affiliation, and political parties should be able to select their candidates without influence from non-members.

Our take: Yes

Sterling 2A

Summary: Raises Sterlings lodging tax 2 percent for a convention/community center

Our take: Yes

RE-1 Valley 3L

Summary: Increases property taxes through a mill levy override by $2 million each year

More info: Yeson3L Facebook page

Our take: Yes
Protecting children is messy business. No one really wants to contemplate child maltreatment  it makes us queasy and there are no easy solutions. Complicating the matter from a public policy perspective is the question about how to strike a balance between the rights of families to raise their children free from interference from the state and the rights of children to grow up in a home that is free from physical and/or sexual abuse and/or neglect.

Although other states have different standards, here in Colorado we guarantee children minimally adequate parents (thats the legal standard.) We then define this as ensuring that children have a right to food, clothing, shelter, education, health care and an environment that is conducive to the welfare of the child. While corporal punishment is allowed in Colorado, abuse occurs when a parent or caregiver inflicts injury upon a child as evidenced by bruising, cuts, broken bones or worse.

Determining the line between abusive and neglectful parenting and minimally adequate parenting is difficult. Child welfare workers are tasked with divining Solomon-like wisdom on a daily basis as they make these difficult determinations. Often times it seems like regardless of which decision a child welfare agency makes, criticism follows; the agency either did too much or the agency did too little and failed to protect the child.

Child abuse is a community problem requiring community solutions. The Department of Human Services, try as it might, will never be enough in and of itself to fix the problems that often lead to children being placed in abusive or at-risk situations. One of the groups that helps ensure the balance between minimally adequate parenting and child endangerment is the child protection team.

In Colorado, Child Protection Teams (CPT) first became part of the child protection system through the Child Protection Act of 1975, a recodification and overall rewrite of the existing legislation related to the maltreatment of children. As part of the Child Protection Act of 1975, Child Protection Teams were encouraged for all counties, but mandated for counties having more than 50 child abuse/neglect reports during the previous year. The intent of the legislation was to provide an additional level of community oversight into the practice of child protection with the hope that this would strength the responses of all public and private agencies involved in the child protection system.

The CPT, acting under the auspices of CRS 19-3-308 (6) was to publicly report non-identifying information relating to any inadequate responses, specifically indicating the public and private agencies involved. The teams role was also to review the reports of child abuse and neglect and evaluate the diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment services being offered to the family in connection with the reported abuse. The teams role in offering diagnostic, prognostic and treatment services is advisory; however most child welfare agencies place a high level of confidence in their team and the advisory capacity of the team relative to specific cases is highly valued.

Over the past few years, the role of the child protection teams has diminished somewhat. There is currently legislation pending at the state which would eliminate the mandatory regulation regarding child protection teams and would instead make them voluntary. Here in Logan County, Human Services Director Dave Long stated that while large counties feel it is an unnecessary workload issue, etc. Logan County DHS will choose to keep our team as we feel it is an immense help and contribution to our overall process in keeping children and families safe.

Kudos to Logan County Human Services for its commitment to community-based child welfare services! To that end, I would like to take a moment and recognize the members of the Logan County Child Protection Team. From March 2016 to February 2017, the team reviewed 151 cases, volunteering their time and efforts to create a more seamless child welfare delivery system that is responsive to families and responsible to the mandate of keeping children safe.

The members of the 2017 Logan County Child Protection Team include: Kris Schell, RE-1 Valley School; Monica Carrasco, SARA House; Dalia Alexander, Baby Bear Hugs, Ashley Padilla, Safe Care, Ken Hazlitt, community citizen, Sherri Yahn, Northeast Colorado Health Department; Christina Archuleta, Iliff Head Start; Jami Brown, Centennial Mental Health Center; Shane Schliesser, Logan County Sheriffs Office; Cynthia Stieb, Probation; Tammy Hort, Northeast Colorado Health Department; Laura Powell, SB94;Karlene Kelsch, Parole; Melissa Brown, Probation; Richard Kelsch, Sterling Police Department; Joshua Kesterson, Parole: Megan Coatney, Northeast Colorado Health Department; Leslie Keisel, Parole; Joe McBride, County Commissioner; and Erica Frevert, Logan County Human Services.

Thats a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion helping to insure the safety of Logan Countys children. April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Hats off to all those who serve to make our communities strong through supporting children and their families.

Tom Westfall teaches parenting classes at Family Resource Center.
Driving past the former Alpha Aluminum production plant in southeast Winston-Salem still stirs feelings of frustration and helplessness for Andre Evans and Kenneth Hanna nearly 1 years since the abrupt shutdown of their employer.

Evans and Hanna are among 109 employees whose middle-class production jobs ended abruptly in July 2016 at the plant at 1300 Cunningham St.

The plant made light-gauge, ultrathin foil used to wrap items in food, pharmaceuticals and other consumer products. The plant had at one time produced the foil for the inside of Camel cigarette packs.

The plant closed without any fanfare, with no voluntary WARN Act wage-and-benefit filing to local and state officials, and no statements to local media by co-operators Robert Gamba and Josh Hoyt.

The only media report of the closing was by trade publication American Metal Market, which reported that the company suspended production at the Winston-Salem facility when its biggest customer allegedly did not pay its bills.

The former employees claim they are owed several weeks of back wages and benefits, including a week they worked while company officials tried to attract a proposed buyer. They said their health insurance premiums were collected by Alpha even after coverage was canceled, at first temporarily and then permanently, during the companys death spiral.

The N.C. Department of Labor confirmed the former employees predicament in a Wage and Hour Act investigation that was completed in April. Employees who filed a complaint with the department were sent a letter identifying how much they were owed.

The Labor Department also told employees that their chance of ever being compensated is low because company officials had told investigators there was no money left.

The employer has refused to voluntarily pay the back wages, according to the letter sent April 10 by Labor Department investigator Dawn Beasley. This office has decided not to take legal action on your behalf. You are free to pursue the back wages on your own in court.

Labor Department spokeswoman Dolores Quisenberry confirmed last week that the agency has investigated complaints from former Alpha employees. The Winston-Salem Journal has made a public-records request to receive documents from the case file.

Plant and equipment were leased

Gamba, a veteran of the aluminum industry, lists on his LinkedIn profile that he served as the president and chief executive of Alpha from June 2014 to June 2016. The profile says his employment since July 2016 is senior procurement manager for Arconic, based in Pittsburgh.

Hoyt was the majority owner of Alpha, along with other silent investors. His LinkedIn profile says he is the president and owner of Metallic Conversion Corp. of Highland Park, Ill.

Neither Gamba nor Hoyt could be reached for comment.

Weve been told theres nothing left because they leased the equipment and the plant, and the raw material went to those groups rather than being liquidated to pay us, said Hanna, who worked at the plant for 23 years, the last 17 as a supervisor. Hanna estimates he is owed about $10,000 in wages alone.

Evans, who recently revived efforts for compensation, said that at this point, all we want is compensation for the wages owed, medical bills that were defaulted, unpaid vacation, as well as pain and suffering.

He said one reason for taking the employees story public now is generating enough reaction to put pressure on the N.C. Departments of Insurance and Labor to force the co-operators to pay employees the back wages theyre owed.

Everyone was put in an unwanted position at no fault of the employee, Evans said. We feel as though we deserve to be heard, as the company has avoided correcting the problems it made by poor business decisions.

Were still trying to keep them from getting away with this.

Competition

from China

Alpha ended production about a year after acquiring the Phoenix Aluminum business from Oracle Packaging.

Oracle bought the operations from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in May 2005, obtaining the non-Reynolds packaging business of the former RJR Packaging LLC division. Reynolds opened the plant in 1961, where it had hundreds of employees during its heyday.

Oracle said in 2015 that it sold the Phoenix Aluminum business to focus on the converted flexible packaging and industrial businesses directed at our core markets of healthcare/pharma, food and dairy, tobacco building and construction, and wire and cable. Oracles main operation is based off Polo Road in Winston-Salem.

Gamba told Platts Metals Daily in August 2015 that the asset is in very nice condition; it just needs some upgrading and changing. He spoke of attracting new light-gauge-market customers.

This expansion builds on, and is complementary to, the currently served foil markets, Gamba said. Our objective is to build on, not replace or diminish, the existing foil business.

With the planned investments, financing and expanded capacity utilization, Alpha Aluminum will be delivering creative, robust and sustainable solutions for our stakeholders and customers, he said.

However, by February 2016, MetalBulletin.com reported that the American thin-gauge aluminum foil market outlook is bleak, with competition from foreign sources, such as China, serving to keep prices unsustainably low.

The foil market in this country is basically destroyed, Gamba told AMM.com.

MetalBulletin said that for thin-gauge foil, Alpha Aluminum ran into a disadvantage when competing against the same product from China, which is (20 percent) cheaper than its U.S. counterpart.

If youre just trying to sell material to hold on, youre selling (foil) below cost, Gamba said.

When the Alpha plant closed, it left just one U.S. company manufacturing light-gauge foil.

Final days

Evans, Hanna and James Royall, an assistant mill operator, said employees had grown concerned that the business was at risk of closing by the time Gamba held an emergency meeting in mid-June 2016.

We were not given any official notice (that the company was struggling) other than a missed payroll week prior to shutdown, of which they paid a day later, and layoffs in March, Evans said.

Evans said Gamba told employees that the company was back on track with insurance coverage and payroll and that the layoffs were temporary, pending expected new business.

However, Gamba resigned from the company during the Fourth of July holiday period.

We came into work one day and they told us they couldnt make payroll but to keep working for another week or so because they had a potential buyer, Hanna said. Some of us stayed on in hopes that it was true.

After Gambas resignation, the employees said, Hoyt told them he had been covering the companys payroll from revenue from another company he ran. Hoyt eventually came to us to say he couldnt make payroll anymore and just closed us up, Evans said.

The employees said Hoyt told them he had complained to state Labor Department officials that, even though he was majority owner, he had no influence on the closing decision and shouldnt be held accountable.

Royall said he doesnt understand why Alphas creditors didnt force the company into bankruptcy, which likely would have left the employees with more leverage.

My guess is that they bought the company hoping for a quick return on investment and then move on, Royall said. They brought in older machinery that constantly needed repairing.

They brought in a major piece of equipment that was supposed to attract new business, but they ran out of money before they could complete installation.

Federal law ignored

Alpha never filed a WARN Act notice with the Winston-Salem mayors office and the N.C. Commerce Department, as required by federal law for mass layoffs of more than 50 employees.

The act requires companies that are planning large job cuts to notify affected workers at least 60 days in advance.

It act provides certain benefits to laid-off workers, such as 60 days of pay and benefit contributions if the closing is immediate, as well as access to COBRA insurance benefits for 60 days. It also triggers emergency employment and job-training services from the Commerce Department.

However, the act lacks enforcement teeth. Several studies have shown that it has lots of loopholes and virtually no enforcement authority from federal, state and local officials.

Employees must file a lawsuit in federal court to assert WARN rights, which has produced occasional success, such as in 2016 when former employees of the closed Yadkinville hospital were able to secure a settlement with the hospitals for-profit operator.

Michael Walden, an economics professor at N.C. State University, said WARN lawsuits could be moot if the company is depleted of assets and funds.

Thats the likely case since they have ceased operations, Walden said. If the lawsuit goes forward, and even if it is successful for the plaintiffs, it could be an empty victory if there are no monies for compensation.

Hanna said he knows of several former employees, many in their 50s, who took months to secure a new job, as well as several who experienced health issues and came close to losing their houses in the meantime.

Hoyt and Gamba just left here and went back to the Midwest leaving us without work, Hanna said.

They just left us high and dry.
No one can say we werent warned.

For 10 years now, through over-hyped public meetings, mass mailings and bulk advertising, the central planners and party apparatchik at the N.C. Department of Transportation have done everything in their power short of hiring skywriters flying biplanes to tell us that yes, in fact, they were going to close Business 40 for up to two years.

We have to destroy the road before we can save it.

The first salvo, which so far has turned into something of a dud, was fired last week when they closed the two inside lanes running under the Peters Creek Parkway overpass.

We were told, again and again and again, that this was coming, that replacing the interchange at Peters Creek was but the first phase of a two-pronged approach to finally putting an end to the 50-plus year adventure that has been driving Business 40.

And yet, some people were surprised.

Always something

If youve lived here for more than a minute, you know that Business 40 has been something of a hassle almost since it opened as the East-West Expressway in 1960 as it featured a ridiculous 10-degree S-curve that came to be known as the Hawthorne Curve.

The mayor at the time, a man named Marshall Kurfees, took the hit for the monstrosity. A loud whispering campaign had it for years that Kurfees insisted that road builders add the curve to protect businesses owned by political allies on Hawthorne Road and First Street  something he spent decades denying. It was the engineers, he said in 1990. I had about as much to do with it as you did.

The Curve, as we know now, eventually got straightened out to the tune of $20 million, plus another $6 million to acquire the land.

But the fun part about that was, the N.C. DOT knew it would be a nightmare for generations. The road was obsolete the day it opened; it was never intended to be an interstate highway. The feds added the East-West Expressway to the interstate system as an afterthought in 1957.

Planners and engineers, who had predicted in the early 50s that the expressway would carry a maximum of 30,000 cars a day, missed the mark by a mile. That many drove it the first day it opened, and the total nearly doubled in 10 years.

By 2015, that number had increased to 85,000 vehicles a day. And thats with the new Interstate 40 whipping through the south end of town.

So here we are, staring down the barrel of a two-year closure with Phase 1 now well underway. Ladies and gentlemen, start your bottlenecks.

A Clemmons man dropping his kid off Tuesday morning at Brunson Elementary School didnt know the lanes were closed and expressed his surprise: Most mornings, I get on and shoot straight up. But this time, I had to sit for four or five minutes.

A bailiff in court later that morning was also caught off guard. I thought they were going to do it at night, she said to a co-worker in an outside voice.

Um, no.

Ways to deal

Like most of the rest of you, I knew it was coming and have been bracing for the fallout by thinking about ways to deal with it.

But before laying out alternate routes and potentially making the commute from the Village (Clemmons) worse, I figured it best to see it firsthand.

How bad could it really be? This isnt northern Virginia, Boston or even Raleigh. We really dont know spit about rush hours or actual traffic jams, and for that we should be grateful.

I dont know about your drive, but the way into town wasnt bad. The way out, at the end of the day with several short drag-strip on-ramps downtown feeding the beast, was hairier but not bonkers by any means.

The first thing I noticed on Day 1 is that there were several electronic signs, augmented by old-school, stick-figure orange ones telling drivers as far back as Jonestown Road that lane closures loomed.

How could anyone miss that? Still, judging solely by the stunned expressions on some faces  particularly a young woman in a Nissan Versa there was an element of surprise.

Motorists forced to deal with closed lanes and delays seem to fall into two camps.

Polite, God-fearing rule-followers who say please, thank you and bless your heart pull into the open lane early and wait their turn patiently. Others, likely to be heathen, loud-talking, carpet-bagging transplants and self-important blowhards, steam right up to the last orange barrel before cutting into the rule-followers line.

Occasionally, the polite camp is rewarded by the sight of a tractor-trailer driver blocking both lanes early, thereby forcing the rude folks over early or else they run the risk of getting run into the wall Richard Petty-style.

But heres the thing, and you might not like hearing it. According to the experts, the last-second crowd has it right.

Colorado, to name one state among several that do so, actually promotes the zipper merge with signs that read Use both lanes and Take turns. Merge here where the lane actually ends.

The result, traffic engineers there told The New York Times, is a 50 percent decrease in the length of the line.

Merging late, that purported symbol of individual greed, actually makes things better for everyone, Tom Vanderbilt, the author of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us) told the Times.

Who knew?
Updated 5:04 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C.  Authorities in North Carolina have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of a young girl and said they are determined to find the child's body.

Earl Kimrey of Jacksonville, who is originally from Mebane, was arrested late Friday and was being held at the Onslow County Detention Center on a $1 million bond in the disappearance of 3-year-old Mariah Woods, deputies said.

Investigators think the girl is dead, but they have not found her body, the sheriff's office said in a statement that did not say how authorities think the girl was killed.

"The searches will now shift to a recovery process," deputies said of the more than 700 volunteers that poured into the county along the North Carolina coast about 120 miles southeast of Raleigh, searching woods, outbuildings and anyplace else for the girl.

Kimrey removed the girl's body from the place where she died and knew her death was not natural, according to arrest warrants. Deputies did not release any details on how she may have died.

"We all hoped and prayed to find her alive. But it is still extremely important that we find her. We have got to find her. We have got to bring her home," Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller said at a Saturday news conference.

The FBI asked for any business or residents near U.S. 17 or N.C. 53 in the area where the girl disappeared to call police and let them see the footage.

"Allow us to review it to determine if it is of investigative value," FBI agent Stanley Meador said.

Mariah was reported missing Monday morning by her mother, who said she last saw her when she put her to bed the night before.

Kristy Woods made tearful pleas for her daughter's return. "This is my world, this is my angel," she said.

FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch confirmed Kimrey lived with Mariah and her mother.

Neither Miller nor Meador would give details about what led them to arrest Kimrey, 32. He is charged with concealing of death, obstruction of justice, second-degree burglary, felony larceny and possession of stolen property. Prosecutors are reviewing whether additional charges should be filed.

The statement did not indicate whether Kimrey had a lawyer or if anyone else could also be charged.

Mariah's father, who has been involved in a custody dispute with her mother, has criticized her version of events.

"Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didn't cry, she didn't scream?" Woods told WCTI-TV in New Bern earlier in the week. "Nobody heard anything? Four people in the house, two adults and two kids someone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out?"

According to Kimrey's Facebook page, he is from Mebane, attended Orange County High School in Hillsborough, and studied HVAC at Alamance Community College in Graham.

Kimrey was convicted of larceny in 2005 in Alamance County, according to the N.C. Department of Safety website. In 2012, he was convicted in Onslow County of assault/threat against government. His most recent conviction was for larceny in Brunswick County in 2015. He received probation for all of these.

JACKSONVILLE  The Onslow County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man in connection to the disappearance of 3-year-old Mariah Woods.

In a news release Saturday, the sheriff's office also stated that it believes the toddler is dead.

Earl Kimrey, 32, was taken into custody by sheriff's investigators Friday. He is charged with concealing of death, obstruction, second-degree burglary, felony larceny and possession of stolen property. Kimrey is Mariah's mother's boyfriend, according to multiple media reports.

According to Kimrey's Facebook page, he is from Mebane, attended Orange County High School in Hillsborough, and studied HVAC at Alamance Community College in Graham.

Kimrey is currently being held in the Onslow County Detention Center with bail set at $1,010,000. Additional charges could be pending as the investigation continues.

Kimrey was convicted of larceny in 2005 in Alamance County, according to the N.C. Department of Safety website. In 2012, he was convicted in Onslow County of assault/threat against government. His most recent conviction was for larceny in Brunswick County in 2015. He received probation for all of these.

At this time, the location of Mariah is unknown. The searches will now shift to a recovery process. She was last seen in her Jacksonville home late Sunday night.

Anyone with information should contact Onslow County Sheriffs Office at 910-455-3113 or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273.
WASHINGTON  Heres a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with roll call votes this week, the Senate also passed the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act (H.R. 228), to facilitate the ability of Indian tribes to integrate the employment, training, and related services from diverse federal sources; the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (S. 254), to provide flexibility and reauthorization to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages; the John P. Smith Act (S. 302), to enhance tribal road safety; and the RESPECT Act (S. 343), to repeal certain obsolete laws relating to Indians.

The House also passed the 21st Century Respect Act (H.R. 995), to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to amend regulations for racial appropriateness; and a bill (H. Res. 630), requiring each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress.

House votes

MINNESOTA LAND EXCHANGE: The House has passed the Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act (H.R. 3115), sponsored by Rep. Richard M. Nolan, D-Minn. The bill would exchange about 6,550 acres of the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota for a slightly larger amount of nearby land held by PolyMet Mining, with the exchanged land to be used to open a sulfide-ore copper and nickel mine. Nolan said the exchange would result in the federal government having more land for the public to enjoy, and the mine would boost Minnesotas economy without posing undue environmental risks. An opponent, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said the exchange would facilitate construction of a mine that posed a threat to our water quality, public lands, and outdoor recreation. The vote, on Nov. 28, was 309 yeas to 99 nays.

YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Walker R-NC (6th), Budd R-NC (13th)

MINNESOTA MINING LEASES: The House has passed the Minnesotas Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act (H.R. 3905), sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. The bill would authorize the issuance and renewal of leases to mine mineral deposits in federal forest lands in Minnesota. Emmer said the bill, by reversing a January Obama administration move to withdraw mining leases on the forest lands, would re-open the lands for supplying strategically important metals and minerals which are used by Americans every day. An opponent, Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., said automatically granting the leases would deprive Minnesotas national forests of the environmental protections that forests in every other state have. The vote, on Nov. 30, was 216 yeas to 204 nays.

YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Walker R-NC (6th), Budd R-NC (13th)

FEDERAL EMPLOYEE STATUS: The House has passed the Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act (H.R. 4182), sponsored by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. The bill would change the probationary period for new employees in the federal governments Civil Service from one year to two years. Comer said the longer wait for new employees to achieve full, permanent employment status would give supervisors ample time to evaluate new hires. A bill opponent, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said a two-year period would discourage people from joining the Civil Service and weaken the rights of new federal employees. The vote, on Nov. 30, was 213 yeas to 204 nays.

YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Walker R-NC (6th), Budd R-NC (13th)

BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT: The House has passed the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3017), sponsored by Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va. The bill would reauthorize through 2021 and modify the Environmental Protection Agencys grants program for rehabilitating and redeveloping brownfield industrial sites. McKinley said the bill would help get more contaminated brownfield sites cleaned up and promote infrastructure development and job creation by making it easier to return the sites to productive use. The vote, on Nov. 30, was 409 yeas to 8 nays.

YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Walker R-NC (6th)

NAYS: Budd R-NC (13th)

Senate votes

D.C. DISTRICT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dabney Langhorne Friedrich to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., cited Friedrich as having a commitment to the law, shown by her wealth of experience as an assistant U.S. attorney in Virginia and California, and as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The vote, on Nov. 27, was 97 yeas to 3 nays.

YEAS: Burr R-NC, Tillis R-NC

APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Gregory G. Katsas to serve as a judge on the U.S. Washington, D.C., Circuit Court of Appeals. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Katsas had extensive experience with appeals litigation, both as a private practice lawyer and as a Justice Department official, and substantial praise from his colleagues. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Katsass service in the Trump administration and work on some of its most legally dubious executive orders cast doubt on his independence if he were to serve on the appeals court. The vote, on Nov. 28, was 50 yeas to 48 nays.

YEAS: Burr R-NC, Tillis R-NC

JOBS TAX CREDIT: The Senate has rejected a motion sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, that would have recommitted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions for the committee to add language to provide a tax credit for companies that create domestic jobs that meet standards for pay and benefits. Brown said the tax code should reward companies that manufacture goods domestically rather than in foreign countries. The vote, on Nov. 30, was 48 yeas to 52 nays.

NAYS: Burr R-NC, Tillis R-NC

CORPORATE TAX RATE: The Senate has rejected a motion sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., that would have recommitted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions for the committee to add language to re-establish a 35-percent corporate tax rate in 2020 if real average household wages have not increased by at least $4,000 from current levels. Stabenow said the motion simply makes sure the American people get the raise the Trump administration is promising them by passing a tax reform bill. An opponent, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said making a corporate tax rate cut permanent was needed to spur corporations to repatriate money now held in countries with lower tax rates and use that money to grow a stronger domestic economy. The vote, on Nov. 30, was 45 yeas to 55 nays.

NAYS: Burr R-NC, Tillis R-NC
RALEIGH  North Carolina has collected less state revenue so far than projected for the 2017-18 fiscal year, to the tune of about $134 million. Alarm about this would be premature  weve learned in recent years not to panic based on only a few months of data  but the trend does illustrate the need for prudent budgeting.

North Carolina continues to outperform the national and Southeastern averages on most measures of economic growth. Economic vitality, in turn, drives fiscal trends. Virtually all state budget deficits occur during recessions, when layoffs and flat incomes crimp government revenues at the same time that demand surges for services such as public assistance and community college enrollment.

Could our states slower-than-projected growth in revenue be an ominous sign of things to come? Its possible, yes, although other explanations are also possible. Here are several compelling reasons not to jump to conclusions just yet.

First, while $134 million is a sizable sum, it amounts to about 1.9 percent of total General Fund revenue for the first four months of the fiscal year. Revenue forecasting is inherently fuzzy. Being above or below the baseline a percentage point or two is not uncommon. Total General Fund revenue is still up slightly from last year, by $20 million.

Second, what occurs during the first third of a fiscal year is not necessarily predictive of conditions present by the end of the fiscal year. A disproportionate share of income tax revenue, for example, arrives in the spring. The Christmas season accounts for a disproportionate share of sales tax revenue. Its just too early to draw firm conclusions.

Finally, while North Carolinas General Fund revenues to date of $7.16 billion are a bit below projection, they are still higher than the General Fund spending to date of $6.81 billion. In other words, the state budget has a net cash surplus so far this fiscal year of $350 million. Its not running a cash deficit.

Of course, my third observation is subject to my second observation. That is, expenditures also arent evenly distributed across the year. We cant yet conclude that North Carolina wont end up with a deficit by next spring.

Thats where the states recent fiscal prudence enters the picture. Rather than heeding the counsel of Gov. Roy Cooper, most Democratic lawmakers, and the interest groups allied with them to spend more and save less, the GOP-majority General Assembly has built significant cushions into the state budget to guard against unforeseen shortfalls.

North Carolinas rainy-day fund now stands at $1.8 billion  by far the largest savings reserve in state history. Add in nearly $500 million in Medicaid reserves and an unreserved General Fund balance of $400 million, and it becomes clear that the states current cash surplus of $350 million can disappear or even go somewhat negative by the end of the 2017-18 without becoming a harbinger of doom.

Thats why prudent governments  like prudent organizations of any kind  maintain savings reserves in the first place.

Some conservatives object to this line of thinking, arguing that when government runs a surplus, it ought not to save the money but should instead refund it to taxpayers as an overpayment. I agree with this sentiment if the surpluses are large and sequential. But that doesnt mean governments ought not to save some for a rainy day.

Savings reserves have proven to be indispensable as a tool of fiscal conservatism, given that politicians often respond to unforeseen budget deficits or other fiscal emergencies with tax hikes, including temporary ones that end up lasting a long time or becoming permanent.

North Carolinas governments, unlike the monstrosity based in Washington, are required to balance their operating budgets. They cant borrow to pay employee salaries or vendors (although they can borrow to build long-term assets such as roads and office buildings).

So if revenues continue not to meet projections and fall below expenditures by next spring, Gov. Cooper and state legislators will have to take action. They should plan accordingly, but not panic.
The chief prosecutor of the UN war crimes court Sunday urged Croatian leaders to face up to what happened in the past and work towards reconciliation, after the suicide of a Bosnian Croat leader.

In dramatic scenes Wednesday, Slobodan Praljak swallowed poison before UN tribunal judges, just moments after they upheld his 20-year jail sentence for war crimes in the 1990s Balkans conflicts.

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Praljak made the choice to end his life," Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), told AFP.

"But you will understand that my thoughts are with the victims and survivors of the crimes for which he was convicted," he added, in an email reply to questions from AFP.

The preliminary results of an autopsy by Dutch prosecutors Friday showed that Praljak, 72, likely died from heart failure after swallowing potassium cyanide.

The unprecedented incident is being investigated by both Dutch prosecutors and the ICTY, which is probing how he smuggled the bottle of poison into the tightly-guarded tribunal in The Hague.

The drama came as appeals judges upheld long jail terms on six former Bosnian Croat political and military leaders, who had denied committing crimes against Bosnian Muslims in the early 1990s.

"The final judgment in this case remains fully valid," Brammertz told AFP.

"Our job as prosecutors was to establish the facts and hold senior officials accountable, and that is what we did."

It was the final verdict handed down by the tribunal, which will close its doors on December 31 after 24 years prosecuting those behind the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II.

The judges confirmed that Praljak and his five Bosnian Croat co-defendants were part of a "joint criminal enterprise" to ethnically cleanse Bosnian Muslims in the war.

But Croatian officials have also been angered that the judges upheld the original trial's finding that the "ultimate purpose" of the criminal enterprise in Bosnia was shared by late Croatian president Franjo Tudjman, seen as the "father" of his country.

"It would have been hoped that Croatian officials and media would act more responsibly and promote acceptance of the facts, but that unfortunately is not what we are seeing," said Brammertz.

"Instead, among many there is again a refusal to respect the judicial process and the facts proved, and claims that convicted war criminals are in fact heroes," he said.

"This denial disrespects the victims."

Since Praljak's death, Croats have paid multiple tributes to the late general, laying flowers and lighting candles in town squares in Croatia and Bosnia.

And Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the ICTY verdict was one of "deep moral injustice."

But Brammertz said the verdict was of "immense importance" and added, "one would hope that an EU member state would be focused more on reconciliation and finding agreement on the recent past."
The EPAs Thursday announcement on 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and 2019 biomass-based diesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was met with approval from farm officials.

The RFS is an important floor for biofuel demand in the U.S., said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator, but producers must also continue efforts to expand domestic and international markets.

Sneller said successfully expanding biofuel demand will generate additional opportunities for investment in new technology and new production capacity. Biofuels make an increasingly important contribution to public health and the environment by displacing toxic compounds and harmful emissions from traditional fossil fuels.

The EPA action didnt go far enough for the American Soybean Association (ASA).

ASA called the announcement a missed opportunity to capture the full potential and value of biodiesel.

According to ASA, EPA calls for biomass-based diesel volumes of 2.1 billion gallons for 2019. Thats the same level established for 2018. For advanced biofuels volumes, EPA has proposed 4.29 billion gallons for 2018. Thats above the 4.28 level established for 2017.

Its fair to say that were very frustrated yet again by the lack of growth in these volumes by EPA, said ASA President Ron Moore of Illinois. He said the soybean industry can do more.

The flat nature of the biomass-based diesel and advanced biodiesel volumes continues to be a missed opportunity to capitalize on a valuable market for soybean oil, Moore said.

He said ASA hopes the Trump administration does what it can to provide farmers and related businesses opportunities to succeed.

Moore said ASA had pushed for a level of 2.5 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2019 and 4.75 billion gallons of total advanced biofuels for 2018.

North Dakota farmer Kevin Skunes, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), said his organization supported the EPA move.

Not only has EPA hit the mark with the 15 billion-gallon implied target, but EPA has also improved on the proposed rule by correctly growing the total 2018 volume from the 2017 level as intended in the RFS, he said.

Skunes said the ruling is critical to the corn industry.

About 4.2 billion bushels of corn (29 percent) go into ethanol production. Another 8 percent is dry distillers grains used to feed livestock. Dry distillers grains are a by-product of ethanol production.

He said NCGA has concerns the RVO number for cellulosic ethanol is not set higher than the 2017 volume. In July, EPA raised the level by 50 million gallons above its July proposal.

Skunes said NCGA would like EPA to revisit the cellulosic fuel production issue. He said first-generation ethanol producers are expanding cellulosic gallons. Thats made from feedstocks such as corn kernel fiber.

Dan Wesely, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, also applauded the EPA decision.

This years corn crop is impressive, which is resulting in the largest carryover supply in three decades, Wesely said.

Thirty percent, or nearly 600 million bushels, of Nebraskas corn going towards ethanol production.

Were well on our way to meet and exceed the 2018 RVO requirement, said David Merrell, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said the EPA could have gone further with its improvements to the finalized volume obligations.

The agency missed a significant opportunity to follow through on the administrations promises to advance the interests of American family farmers, their communities, and the biofuel industry, Johnson said.
FILE - In this June 1, 2017, file photo, a sign stands on the campus of the Aetna headquarters, in Hartford, Conn. CVS will buy insurance giant Aetna in a roughly $69 billion deal that will help the drugstore chain provide more health care and keep a key client, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)
The Trudeau government's treatment of injured veterans will be under the spotlight Monday when a B.C. court rules whether a landmark lawsuit filed by six disabled ex-soldiers can proceed. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons, in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
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Madhu Nagaraja, 47, shakes hand with a safety scuba diver after swimming the Strait of Magellan, in Punta Arenas, Chile, in a Nov. 29, 2017, handout image. Nagaraja is the 1st Canadian and 23rd person to successfully swim this passage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Patagonia Swim, Christian Vergara, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
In this Nov. 16, 2015 photo provided by ABC, correspondent Brian Ross speaks on "Good Morning America," which airs on the ABC Television Network, in New York. ABC has suspended investigative reporter Ross Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, for four weeks without pay for the networkAos incorrect Michael Flynn report on Friday. (Fred Lee/ABC via AP)
ABUJA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and key ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, said on Sunday he had joined the country's opposition party after quitting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last month.

Abubakar is the first political heavyweight to signal a potential bid for the presidency, which could pit him against the 74-year-old Buhari. Buhari took power in 2015, but illness has kept him absent for much of this year.

Abubakar is prepared to run for president in 2019, a spokesman said last month when he left the APC . He did not indicate on Sunday whether he would try to become the opposition People's Democratic Party's (PDP's) presidential candidate.

Abubakar rejoined the PDP after four years because it has resolved its issues, he said, according to a statement on Sunday. He had left the PDP because he "believed it was no longer aligned to the principles of equity, democracy and social justice," he said.

In Sunday's statement, Abubakar criticised the APC for letting down the Nigerian people by failing to create a strong economy and jobs, especially for the young, with one quarter of 18-25 year olds unemployed.

(Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Paul Carsten; Editing by Larry King)
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By Park Jae-hyuk



The idea of a negative income tax has reemerged in Korea as an alternative to a universal welfare system.



A negative income tax allows people earning below a certain level of income to receive supplemental pay from the government, instead of paying taxes. British politician Juliet Rhys-Williams, U.S. economist Milton Friedman and several other scholars proposed the concept in the past.



Although the negative income tax was first described in the 1940s, it has recently been a hot topic here amid growing concerns over the Moon Jae-in administration's spending on universal welfare benefits.



For the health, welfare and labor budget, the government is seeking to spend 146.2 trillion won ($134.1 billion) in 2018, up from 129.5 trillion won this year, leading to the opposition parties to call the President a populist. This amount accounted for 34.1 percent of the budget for next year.



The incumbent administration also plans to spend 188.4 trillion won on welfare in 2021.



The increase is from President Moon's pledges to expand universal welfare benefits, including allowances for children, basic pension and subsidies for daycare centers.



Against this backdrop, an economic expert urged the country to consider implementing a negative income tax instead of the universal welfare system that will cost more and may worsen the nation's income distribution.



"Most low-income households actually consist of old people without children," said Cho Gyeong-lyeob, a researcher at the Korea Economic Research Institute, a private economic think tank. "If the government gives an allowance to every parent for their children, regardless of their income, the upper class may enjoy more welfare benefits than low-income people."



According to the researcher, the government should eliminate existing welfare benefits, before it carries out a negative income tax system. However, such an attempt can face a strong backlash from the public.



"The government has to clarify the amount of taxes people should pay, so they can choose which system is better," Cho said. "Most Koreans think their welfare benefits are free of charge, because the administration has yet to mention a tax hike."



He expected Korea's ratio of welfare expenditure to GDP will surpass those of the Scandinavian nations after 2040, even though Koreans cannot afford to pay taxes as high as the citizens in the European countries can.



The researcher admitted that the implementation of a negative income tax could reduce the incentive to work, since recipients would receive a guaranteed minimum wage equal to the government payment in the absence of employment.



According to his research, however, a negative income tax only reduces the incentive to work for low-income people, while a universal basic income even takes away the motivation of high-income earners to not work as hard.



"Developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden, finally reformed their welfare systems, after they experienced failures in universal systems," he said. "I hope Korea learns from their failures, but I think the country will realize the problem only after undergoing a similar failure."


China's economic retaliation against South Korea is estimated to have led to some 7.5 trillion won ($6.8 billion) in losses for the country's tourism industry, data showed Sunday.



According to the data compiled by the National Assembly's Budget Office, South Korea's tourism and accommodation industries suffered a sharp decrease in their revenue over the January-September period on fewer Chinese visitors.



Beijing earlier rolled out various economic retaliations against South Korea in protest of Seoul's decision to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system on its soil. Tensions were only recently eased after the two neighbors agreed to normalize bilateral relations.



The calculation is based on the number of Chinese visitors to South Korea, along with their average expenditures. The number of visitors fell 3.29 million on-year in the first nine months of this year.



Going into specific sectors, the retail industry suffered a decline of 4.9 trillion won in sales, followed by the accommodation industry that witnessed a drop of 1.1 trillion won.



The office, however, said the losses are also presumed to have partially been recouped by the rising number of visitors from other Asian countries.



Following the announcement to normalize ties, Chinese agencies resumed package tours to South Korea. Experts, however, said it still remains uncertain when things will return to "normal levels." (Yonhap)




Woori Bank CEO nominee Sohn Tae-seung speaks during a press conference at the bank's headquarters in Seoul, Dec. 1. / Yonhap

New leaders set to bring changes to Korean lenders



By Nam Hyun-woo



KB Kookmin Bank CEO Hur Yin
By Jun Ji-hye



North Korea is escalating calls on the United States to recognize Pyongyang as a nuclear power state after firing what it claimed was a new, more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching any part of the mainland U.S. last week.



The Kim Jong-un regime said the recognition would be the precondition for any negotiations with Washington on its nuclear and missile programs, according to Russian delegates who recently visited Pyongyang.



Pyongyang has repeatedly made such a demand in an apparent bid to sit down at the negotiating table on equal footing with Washington and seek a peace treaty with the U.S.



The renewed demand would make it more difficult to resolve the nuclear stalemate as the Donald Trump administration has made it clear it would not recognize the North as a nuclear power and is preparing harsher sanctions against the repressive state, urging it to give up its nuclear ambition.



Vitaly Pashin, a member of Russia's lower house of parliament, told Russian news agencies Friday the North is "ready to sit at the negotiating table."



"We met with Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea," Pashin told Russian news service Interfax. "He said North Korea is ready to sit down at the negotiating table."



Pashin noted the North Korean high-ranking officials told him the only condition under which Pyongyang would begin negotiations with Washington is the Trump administration's recognition of the North as a nuclear power state.



Pashin told another Russian news agency Tass that the North also criticized South Korea-U.S. joint military drills, quoting North Korean officials as saying Pyongyang had refrained from military provocations for 75 days "awaiting reciprocal steps from the U.S., which, instead of meeting (North Korea) halfway, announced large-scale surprise military drills."



Pashin was a member of a delegation of Russian lawmakers who visited Pyongyang at the invitation of the North Korean parliament from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1.



In the middle of their visit, the North launched what it claimed was a new Hwasong-15 ICBM on a lofted trajectory from an area 30 kilometers north of Pyongyang, which flew 960 kilometers in 53 minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 4,475 kilometers.



After the launch, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who observed the test, declared the North has "finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power," according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).



A statement issued by the North Korean government also said its Hwasong-15 ICBM tipped with a "super-large heavy warhead" is capable of striking any part of the U.S. mainland, according to the KCNA.



Defense analysts said if the missile had been fired on a standard trajectory, it could have flown more than 10,000 kilometers, which is, in theory, far enough to reach the U.S. mainland.



Following the provocation, President Trump said more "major sanctions" would be imposed on the North.



According to the White House, Trump also asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to use "all available levers to convince North Korea to end its provocations and return to the path of denuclearization."



U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later said the sanctions would target more financial institutions.



The deepening confrontation between Pyongyang and Washington would not resolve North Korean issues for the time being as, according to the Russian politicians, the North said it would boost its military strength as pressure from the international community grows.



"The more the pressure on the DPRK grows, the more our (North Korea's) combat preparedness will strengthen," Pashin told Interfax, conveying the North's position.


By Chyung Eun-ju



About 80 percent of middle school students say that finding out that peer was homosexual would not affect their relationship.



Kim Ae-ra, a researcher from Ewha Woman's University Korean Women's Institute, presented the "Students' Awareness on Gender Rights Survey" in an ongoing debate about gender equality organized by Seoul City.



A total of 664 students in the third year of middle school (16 years old) participated in the surveys from July 4-19 this year.



In the first survey regarding "finding out a peer was homosexual," 610 people participated. Of these, 18.6 percent said they would "Break it off" or "Keep distance."



A total of 29.5 percent (180 people) said, "I would feel uncomfortable but it is not my business," 38.4 percent (234 people) marked, "The relationship will go on as usual," and 13.3 percent (81 people) said, "I would ask if they were having a hard time and be there for them."



The second survey asked how a relationship would change if a peer was transgender.



Out of 632 students, 24.2 percent said they would end the relationship or distance themselves; 28.3 percent (179 people) said they would not care; 34.5 percent (218 people) said it would not change the relationship, while 13 percent (82 people) said they would share their distress.



More male students than females gave negative responses in both surveys.



A total of 13.3 percent of female students said they thought about their own sexual preferences or identity while 3 percent of male students said they did this.



A total of 33.4 percent of 659 students said education regarding sexual minorities was necessary (female: 41 percent, male: 26.1 percent).



Of 656 students who replied to a survey about how helpful sex education was, 14.3 percent said sex education did not help in any way, 29 percent said it did not help, 25.3 percent marked satisfactory, while 11.5 percent said the sex education helped them a lot.



Of the students who said sex education did not help, 54.2 percent said they already knew about it, 53.2 percent said they were tired of listening to the same thing, and3 5.6 percent said the material did not teach students what they wanted t to know.



On the other hand, 70 percent of the students said they had made a remark regarding gender while 54.1 percent said they felt judged if they did not act like their gender.



Forty percent said that they had used abusive words to insult sexual minorities.



Among the 40 percent, 48.9 percent said they did this because their friends did and 40.1 percent said they used the words but without negative intentions.



Only 7.3 percent said they used abusive language to insult sexual minorities deliberately.



Although homosexuality is not banned in South Korea, the LGBT community _ lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender _ are not usually welcomed because most Koreans remain either indifferent to or intolerant of homosexuality according to a Gallup Korea survey in June.



President Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, also said during the election campaign that he was against legalizing same-sex marriage.



In May this year, a military court sentenced a gay soldier to six months' jail, suspended for a year, for violating the Military Criminal Act. The soldier had consensual sex with another male soldier.






By Bahk Eun-ji



The South Korean Army launched Saturday a special operation force, the so-called "decapitation unit," to eliminate the North's leadership in case of war.



The "decapitation unit," known to be modeled after the U.S. Army Rangers, Delta Force, SEAL Team Six and Green Berets, is composed of around 1,000 soldiers and was established under the army's Special Warfare Command.



The brigade's mission is to eliminate the key figures of the North's regime including Kim and to destroy nuclear and missile facilities, according to the sources with knowledge of the process.



The exact name and mission of the brigade has not been specified by the Korean military official, but stressed that it will grow into the country's core of military strength.



The South Korean Army initially planned to launch the force in 2019, but decided to move up the schedule as North Korea continues to raise regional tensions with its ballistic missile launches and nuclear experiments.



The North fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, which flew about 950 kilometers to an altitude of around 4,475 kilometers in its 53-minute flight. It landed in the sea 379 nautical miles off the coast of Japan.
By Kim Hyo-jin



Rival parties failed to endorse the 2018 budget bill by the legal deadline, Saturday, due to clashes over job creation in the public sector.



Further, it is unclear whether they will be able to narrow the gap and pass the bill within the National Assembly's regular session, which finishes Dec. 9.



On the deadline Saturday, floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties failed to narrow their differences on some sticking points in the budget bill despite days-long discussions.



While the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) backed the government's plan to increase 12,000 positions for public workers, mainly firefighters and police officers, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) claimed the number should be reduced to 7,000 and the minor opposition People's Party claimed it cannot allow more than 9,000.



The opposition parties have remained skeptical of the idea, worrying about the fiscal burden of sustaining the created jobs. The DPK, however, remained steadfast, saying the figure of 10,500 jobs is the final offer.



They also clashed over the fund to be set aside for small businesses to cushion their labor cost increase from the minimum wage hike.



The opposition parties claimed the fund should be operated for a maximum of one year, but the DPK opposed fixing the period.



Strategy and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said earlier, "We plan to operate the fund temporarily but we hope to decide how to make a soft landing later next year considering economic conditions."



After failing to meet the deadline, the rival parties passed the buck from themselves and to the other party about the delay, Sunday, showing little sign of progress in their negotiation.



"The ruling party was not willing to accept any changes in the bill because it is the first budget plan of the Moon Jae-in government," LKP spokesman Rep. Choung Tae-ok said. "It has to take full responsibility for the delay."



People's Party spokesman Kim Cheol-geun joined the offensive, saying, "The deadlock was caused by the government's push for an increase of jobs in the civil service. We called on the government and the ruling party to come to the negotiating table with an acceptable revision."



The ruling DPK fired back at the opposition parties. "For the sake of the people, it is the Assembly's obligation to swiftly pass the budget bill that can help the government implement new policies," DPK spokeswoman Rep. Je Youn-kyung said. "We expect the opposition parties to cooperate."



If the parties fail to pass the budget bill by the end of this year, the government has to rely on a provisional budget until the official budget is endorsed.



Amid growing concerns on the possibility of the government losing fiscal momentum, political watchers speculated that the ruling party might opt for making a concession in the last-minute negotiations.



The floor leaders of the parties plan to meet and discuss the budget bill again today, with the aim of putting it up for a vote during a plenary session later in the day.


Coast Guard officers bring ashore a body near Incheon. / Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



Thirteen people died, two are missing and seven injured after a recreational fishing vessel was involved in a collision with a tanker off Incheon, west of Seoul on Sunday.



The 9.77-ton boat _ carrying 22 people, including two crew _ capsized after the collision with the 336-ton tanker near the Yeongheung Bridge at 6:12 a.m. on Sunday.





Coast Guards search for victims near Incheon. / Yonhap
By Choe Chong-dae





We know Normandy as the site of the Allied D-day landings on June 6, 1944. There are World War II commemorative sites throughout the region. The military cemeteries, war memorial museums, and D-Day landing beaches, including Omaha and Utah attract many visitors from France as well as from the whole world.



Having been engaged in the international cotton business, I had the pleasure of participating in professional dinners and seminars a couple of times held at the Hotel Barriere Le Royal and the Casino in the elegant city of Deauville, located in the heart of Normandy. A joint seminar focusing on genetically modified raw cotton was organized by the French Cotton Association.



Strolling along the boardwalk with the sea as the only horizon, I was fascinated by a great variety of architectural styles which blend the extravagance of the Second Empire, the golden age of Anglo-Norman design and the striking buildings of the 1890s, architecture which is well preserved in the resort.



Deauville is regarded as the "Queen of the Norman beaches" and one of the most glamorous seaside resorts in France as well as in the world. As the closest seaside resort to Paris, the city and its region of the Cote Fleurie (Flowery Coast) have long been home to romantic seaside houses.



What impressed me most in Normandy was the magnificent Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel as well as other castles, splendid churches, and picturesque ancient towns such as Rouen and Cean. Along the Channel coast, remarkable lime stone cliffs drop into the ocean, while lower Normandy is characterized by verdant, peaceful valleys. An idyllic pastoral area called the "Suisse Normande" ("Norman Switzerland") beckons nature lovers.



Recently, a special Normandy networking luncheon was held at Lotte Hotel, Seoul, on Oct. 30. It was hosted by Herve Morin, President of the Normandy region and former French Minister of Defense (2007-2010) with the support of the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Business France Korea and Atout France. Many Korean and French guests including French Ambassador to Korea Mr. Fabien Penone participated in the event. Ms. Ida Daussy, a French born Korean broadcaster (Professor of French Language and Culture at Sookmyung Women's University) officiated at the event in fluent Korean, and French, featuring presentations about the Normandy region

With its unique cultural heritages, worldwide famous sites, romantic breathtaking coastal landscapes, picturesque harbor towns such as Honfleur or Trouville, a strategic location, famous food products and a business and innovation friendly environment, Normandy has a considerable number of assets to develop tourism, business and investment to a worldwide scale.



Morin visited Korea in late October along with officials of 10 companies of the Normandy region to promote products, firms with high-end know-how as well as international initiatives of the region to attract tourists, investors, researchers and young talent.



Remarkably, the Normandy region is renowned worldwide for the excellence of agri-food industry, (high quality cheese, butter, cream meat, fish and shellfish, vegetable and cider apples) its enormously huge marine energy potential (over 600km of coastline), its optimum logistics facilities (logistics warehouses, river and seaports) and its R&D clusters in aeronautics, secure electronic transactions, cosmetics and fine horses.



It is a region which has all the abundant resources and potential to be both today and tomorrow, the realization of a new model of development, responding to the hopes and wishes of the youth who flourish in an open, agile and interconnected world.



I wish Normandy would promote itself on becoming a world-recognized territory for peace, reconciliation and humanism as its history has been related with peace, liberty and human rights.





Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co. and director of the Korean-Swedish Association.


By Bae Eun-joo





My smartphone has become an indispensable part of my life. A day without my smartphone virtually means being disconnected from the world, especially in technology-savvy Korea.



Just earlier this week, I was again the beneficiary of mobile technology as I watched one of my favorite K-pop bands, BTS, perform at the American Music Awards on the handheld screen of my smartphone. Besides the performance on stage at the music awards, the BTS boys posted online photographs and videos showing their red carpet walk, behind-the-stage scenes, happy moments with celebrities and cheers from their fans. Over 20 million tweets and over 20 million comments and videos were posted on Google on BTS's American Music Awards performance.



As I kept following some of the Twitter and Instagram uploads, I found myself spending far more time than I had intended scrolling down some of the millions of online postings. Suddenly, I asked myself, "Am I becoming addicted to my smartphone? How much time is too much time to spend on a smartphone?"



A recent local study found that 64.3 percent of smartphone users between the ages of 19 and 59 find it difficult to get by without their smartphones. It proves the growing influence of smartphones as over 73 percent of the respondents in their 20s and over 59 percent in their 50s said their smartphones were an essential part of their daily lives.



Some 58 percent of the respondents said they felt "insecure" after leaving home without their smartphones and 66.4 percent said the smartphone is today's most important digital device.



Over 75 percent of the respondents in their 20s said they take their smartphones to the restroom and 67.6 percent said they leave their smartphones by their bedsides at night.



The smartphone's efficiency seems to outgrow the use of PCs as 64.1 percent responded they use their smartphones for searching the web, a whopping increase from 23.4 percent in 2014.



On the other hand, many smartphone users feel the negative effects of the technology's development. Over 26 percent of respondents said they cannot separate work from private time and 38 percent said they have less leisure time. Some 43 percent agree they have difficulty developing thoughts and logical thinking.



When it comes to children, the problem seems far more serious.



A recent report by the nonprofit group Common Sense Media finds that 49 percent of children in the U.S. watch TV or use their smartphones before bedtime. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an hour gap between such activities and sleep. Other key findings show that children aged eight or younger spend an average of 58 minutes a day on the phone, a big increase from five minutes in 2011.



The situation doesn't seem much different in Korea. Some 17.9 percent of children between three and nine years old were found "overly dependent on their smartphones," according to the National Information Society Agency.



Tim Farnum, a father of two youngsters in Denver, Colorado, raised the alarm over the issue by creating a non-profit called Parents Against Underage Smartphones (PAUS) to keep smartphones out of children's hands. PAUS has drafted a ballot initiative calling for a smartphone sales ban to children under the age of 13. Farnum compared his proposed law to similar age restrictions on cigarettes, alcohol, and pornography.



Another such movement is taking place in Ireland. Jim Daly of Fine Gael, a liberal-conservative and Christian democratic political party, is drafting a bill that would make it illegal for retailers to sell mobile phones with internet access to children under 14. It could also make it illegal for parents to allow their children born after 2015 to own a portable device.

"Essentially you're giving your child of seven or eight years of age a mobile device that allows them to access unlimited pornography of every type," Daly said in an interview with a local media.



"When people ask me, what age should my child be before I buy them such a device?' I reply, whatever age you are happy with them viewing pornography,'" Daly said.



He claims that handing a smartphone to a young child can be compared to "robbing children of their childhood."

Well-knowing the charm and addictiveness of the smartphone, I agree that guidance and regulation need to be introduced for online safety and for developing "child-friendly" smartphones.



Here are some of the questions conducted by the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction for a smartphone compulsion test.



1. Do you find yourself spending more time on your cell or smartphone than you realize?



2. Do you find yourself spending more time texting, tweeting or emailing as opposed to talking to people in person?



3. Do you wish you could be a little less involved with your cell or smartphone?



4. Do you sleep with your cell or smartphone (turned on) under your pillow or next to your bed regularly?



5. Do you find yourself viewing and answering texts, tweets and emails at all hours of the day and night  even when it means interrupting other things you are doing?



6. Do you find yourself mindlessly passing time on a regular basis by staring at your cell or smartphone?



7. Do you feel ill-at-ease or uncomfortable when you accidentally leave your smartphone in the car or at home, have no service or have a broken phone?



8. When you eat meals, is your cell or smartphone always part of the table place setting?



9. When your cell or smartphone rings, beeps or buzzes, do you feel an intense urge to check for texts, tweets, emails, updates, and other alerts.?



10. Do you find yourself mindlessly checking your cell or smartphone many times a day, even when you know there is likely nothing new or important to see?
By Doug Bandow





In September German Chancellor Angela Merkel won an underwhelming election victory. Her opponents lost more than she won, but observers still expected her to put together a new three-party coalition to replace the shopworn "grand coalition" with the Social Democrats. But coalition talks collapsed dramatically, and the most predictable of political systems headed into the unknown.



The poll was a disaster for the two traditional governing parties, the Christian Democratic Union (its sister party, the Christian Social Union, runs only in Bavaria), and Social Democratic Party. Both suffered their worst result since the nation's founding in 1949 as seven parties entered the Bundestag.



Many of the CDU/CSU's traditional conservative voters backed the Alternative for Germany, which collected almost 13 percent. The AfD ran against mass immigration and reflected the cultural alienation of many voters.



The CDU/CSU refused to work with the AfD, while the SPD refused to renew the grand coalition, which had sapped its ability to establish a separate identity. That left the so-called Jamaica coalition, the CDU/CSU, Free Democratic Party, and Greens, whose party colors matched those of the Jamaican flag.



It was never going to be an easy coalition. The CDU/CSU was determined to reassert its conservative bona fides, especially on immigration. The FDP had been the CDU/CSU's partner many times, but failed to meet the five percent minimum vote in the last election and lost all of its Bundestag seats. Under new leadership the liberal (in a European sense) party backed freer markets and lower taxes. The Greens pushed a program that conflicted with many positions adopted by the Christian/Social Democrats and FDP.



How to square the political circle was not obvious. The Free Democrats joined with the CDU/CSU in wanting to restrict immigration; Merkel's party could acquiesce to the FDP's push for tax cuts. But Green demands to accept refugee families, close coal power plants, expand reliance on expensive, unreliable renewable energy, and strengthen the European Union proved vexing.



What happens next is anyone's guess. Under pressure the SPD has agreed to talk with Merkel, but the party's leaders still oppose renewing the grand coalition and the party membership seems skeptical. The Social Democrats have steadily lost votes and fear another term as junior coalition partner could be a political death sentence.



The CDU/CSU could form a minority government, perhaps with the FDP or Greens, which would require cobbling together a majority on every vote. That would enfeeble Berlin both domestically and internationally and force informal reliance on the AfD. Or new elections could be called  which likely would deliver a similar result, leaving the parties no closer to forming a stable government.



Or, and so far no one is discussing this possibility, the CDU/CSU and FDP could create a coalition with the AfD. The centerpiece would be a reduction in immigration/refugee admissions.



Joining the AfD is not a good solution, but there is no good solution. The pledge not to work with the AfD has two indirect but potentially dangerous consequences.



The first is to make Germany seem ungovernable. Since the political center has fragmented, it is hard for either of the two major parties to form a coalition with anyone but each other. However, grand coalitions feed resentment by reinforcing the status quo and suggesting that voting changes nothing.



Moreover, keeping the AfD out of government gives credence to its criticism of establishment politics while insulating it from responsibility. A stint in government might tame the movement and limit its popularity.



Indeed, similar parties in countries as different as Austria and Finland lost ground after entering government. If Berlin instead cobbles together a parliamentary majority based only on antipathy toward the AfD the establishment parties risk increasing the Alternative's appeal.



In Germany, as elsewhere in Europe, the political center is collapsing. Four years ago Germany's two main parties received nearly two-thirds of the votes. This time they barely gained half. Equally worrisome, "responsible" conservatives no longer define the acceptable right of the German electorate.



After spending years resting in Frau Merkel's supposedly reassuring hands, German voters opted for change. Because Berlin is the continent's most populous and prosperous nation, what is happening there is important beyond Germany's borders.



Germany isn't yet headed down the destructive path of some of its neighbors. But the latest challenge facing Berlin demonstrates how deep and serious are Europe's political divisions. And the necessity of new thinking to combat new challenges. Otherwise the future could take a turn back toward an ugly past.





Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and a former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan. He is the author of Foreign Follies: America's New Global Empire.


Prepare for North Korean terror in Gangam



+Missiles only latest threat; nuclear war possible

+Trump facing growing pressure to act

+Negotiations are the only sane way



By Emanuel Pastreich





There has been a lot of hot rhetoric in Washington, D.C. and Seoul about how Trump and a pumped up U.S.-Korea alliance are going to "take care of" Pyongyang. But I fear that the thinking is fuzzy, if not delusional. North Korea, with extensive underground facilities built over the last fifty years, cannot be stopped by either a precision attack, or an all-out assault. Even if a suicidal Donald Trump dropped 50 atomic bombs on North Korea, he might permanently destroy the climate of Northeast Asia, he might be removed from office through a coup d'etat, but he will do nothing to even scratch the nuclear weapons North Korea is storing deep beneath the surface of the Earth.



But what might happen if Trump were to launch a limited attack on North Korea, perhaps on a military base, or even a city? The pressure on Trump to do something is mounting back in Washington, D.C. He has been talking tough about North Korea and has more enemies inside the beltway than a cat has fleas. Some in the military were impressed by Trump's tough words, but he is looking less and less impressive as his dramatic threats seem to peter out without any action.



Would Pyongyang be begging for mercy and open itself up for intrusive weapons inspections such as those that Iraq underwent before it was overthrown? The odds are not good.





Gangnam-daero Road in Gangnam-gu, Seoul / Korea Times file
Hawaii, Guam, Japan gearing up civilian defense drills



Hawaii has conducted its first defense drill since the end of the Cold War against a nuclear attack because of North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Hawaii is 7,300 kilometers from the North.



The U.S. Micronesian territory of Guam, located 3,400 kilometers from Pyongyang, also takes the North's threat of firing missiles to form a ring of fire around it seriously. In the latest Nov. 29 test-fire, the North showed its capability to send its missile 11,200 kilometers to target Washington, D.C., on the eastern seaboard of the United States.



Alarmed by North Korean missiles flying over its archipelago, Japan has regularized its civilian defense drills, planning to conduct these drills in its capital, Tokyo, next year.



In Seoul, the South's capital about a one-hour drive from the inter-Korean border, little sign of anxiety as those occurring in Hawaii, Guam and Japan can be detected. One barometer by which the lack of seriousness can be gauged is the public antipathy for Japan's self-protective measures. Japan's preparedness is seen rather as an affront in the context of the long rivalry between Korea and Japan.



Koreans appears taking the North's growing nuclear and missile threats in stride. The civilian defense drills were systemized with legal grounds laid in 1975 but monthly nationwide drills have been reduced to twice a year. The sounding of sirens and traffic control are now felt as nuisances.



There are supposed to be 19,000 shelters across the country but few are aware of their locations or other guidelines to follow if the North attacks.



There are two reasons for the laxity. The government is reluctant to take decisive steps for fear it will cause confusion and chaos among Koreans and trigger "misunderstanding" about an imminent war abroad.



Ordinary Koreans are resigned to feeling that the North's long-range missiles won't make much difference to their already-in-jeopardy lives. Lying underneath this fear is the fact they are already hostage to thousands of North Korean artillery pieces. So it is a marriage of convenience in evasiveness of reality by the government and people.



The North Korean problem is reaching a resolution in one way or another. It is imperative that we Koreans should get prepared for the worst-case scenario and take ways to boost our survivability so as to mount counterattacks and defend our collective existence. If it comes, God forbid, to a conflict on the Korean Peninsula, it would be a conventional type at first because a nuclear war would likely be a war of last resort. So knowing where your neighborhood shelter is would still be the best first way to stay alive. The government should do its duty of protecting people's lives  polishing up the guidelines and conducting drills more earnestly. Hawaiians, Chamorro and Japanese are sending out a wakeup call. It is time to heed it.




By Stephen Costello





The launch of the Hwasong 15 by North Korea on 19 November has provoked the usual reactions among government officials and outside specialists. This time however, the flood of reactions allows a particularly useful up-to-date review of where mainstream and more experienced views now are on the two central questions: what is the true situation; and how can it be addressed.



Such a review is particularly useful because four of the regional leaders have won new political support, have had initial meetings, and are settling in to their policy directions. Donald Trump, Shinzo Abe, Xi Jinping, and now Moon Jae-in have made their first moves. Vladimir Putin will be around for some years, and Kim Jung-un may eventually be among the longest-serving leaders.



China, Japan, Russia and North Korea have limited flexibility in their basic strategic postures. For them the external environment has changed little, and their statements reflect this. North Korea in particular has been consistent since the US destroyed the working Agreed Framework that Kim Jung-il had invested so much in. The outliers here are the US and South Korea. As democracies their ideological impulses are temporary, and always in conflict with their practical and strategic impulses.



The US is a contradiction here. The Clinton years, from 1993 to 2001 were a pragmatic and professional high point in US relations with Northeast Asia. That flexibility and ambition to make progress  at least on the Korea issues  provided room for Korea's first fully democratic administration to make enormous advances for the Peninsula. During the three years that Clinton's team overlapped with the Kim Dae Jung administration, from 1998 to 2001, goals and strategies reinforced each other. Europeans, Canadians, and East Asians were enthusiastic supporters of the denuclearization-and-development project.



For better or for worse, those three years probably provided the North Korean government the best vision it ever had of how they could escape their isolation, dependence and poverty. For this reason, it should not be a surprise that Pyongyang has insisted on a return to those mutually-advantageous structures, or something like them, for the past 16 years.



The mystery is why the US has been unable to recover from its blunders for so long. After all, the impact on Northeast Asia of the US policy reversal during Bush's eight years was in many ways equal to his administration's impact on the Middle East after the Invasion of Iraq. Of course there are differences, beginning with the lack of a hot war in this region. But the devastating impact of the US's destruction of a regionally-crucial multilateral structure is still being felt, all these years later. North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs are only the most obvious result. Ongoing tensions and arms proliferation are others. The difficulty for the US or China's neighbors to collectively confront its excesses is surely another.



Many expected the return of the US Democrats to the White House in 2009 to usher in a return to the strategic understanding, if not the activism, of the Clinton years regarding the Korea issues. But observers in the US and Asia were all wrong. Barack Obama's embrace of the Bush  rather than Clinton  understandings of Korea could be blamed on the geographical and intellectual isolation of Washington, or on the naivete and arrogance of leaders, or on shallow and domestic political pressures. By now it doesn't matter much. Trump has extended this record of bumbling into the third US administration in a row, and he has reinforced it by destroying ? for now ? much of the country's diplomatic capability.



South Korea remains the most flexible among all the others. That's why it's reluctance to play a central organizing role in coming months will inevitably weaken it. All the other governments have reasons to avoid leadership on the North Korea challenges. But not South Korea.



In the US this week, one of the better thinkers on these issues wrote a detailed rebuttal of the main arguments by mainstream scholars here. But his article did not contain any discussion of options for diplomacy and development progress. Not one word.



In the Atlantic magazine, Mira Rapp-Hooper, who was close to Kurt Campbell and Hillary Clinton, made one of the best assessments of the Trump administration's strategic incoherence. But she stopped short of spelling out how the US could do more than "manage" the DPRK better.



Former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was interviewed on Public Radio, but he could not imagine that diplomacy could achieve any progress for the US. Other Washington scholars debated the meaning of Trump ignoring the 60-day lapse in DPRK missile launches, and his apparent disinterest in diplomacy.



The UN Secretary-General has been muted and unable to identify a way forward. So much diplomatic capability continues to sit on the sidelines.



The most striking fact among national leaders today is that not one of them has a plan for de-escalation of tensions and progress on central elements for security and development. Several say they want to find a diplomatic solution, but don't know how.



In this environment, the Democratic Party Leader, Choo Mi-ae, is travelling to Washington and to Beijing. She is working hard, but her task is impossible. She is trying to carry on the conflicting policies of the Moon administration, even though those can't work. On the one hand she embraces Washington's illusion that "pressure and isolation" will somehow cause Kim Jung Un to back down. She also embraces Trump's fear of talking to North Korea. She will be pressing the Chinese to step up sanctions. President Moon joins Trump in calling for sanctions, isolation, and building up Seoul's deterrent capability. But this weekend Ms. Choo will be proposing to North Koreans that they participate in the Pyongchang Olympics.



There are strategic thinkers in Seoul. It is time for the Blue House to begin talking to them.





Stephen Costello(scost55@gmail.com) is a producer of AsiaEast, a web and broadcast-based policy roundtable focused on security, development and politics in Northeast Asia. He writes from Washington, D.C.




By Tong Kim





Following last Wednesday's launch of the latest North Korean ICBM  the "Hwasong-15  that soared to an altitude of 4,475 kilometers and flew 950 kilometers in 53 minutes, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared his country had realized "the cause of completing the state nuclear force (and) the cause of building a rocket power."



Was it a surprise that the launch came after a two-month pause, from which some were quick to read as a possible sign of change in the Pyongyang regime to look for negotiation, as pressure through sanctions was mounting to strangle the North Korean economy? No. They were wrong.



Two weeks ago, this column suggested that North Korea will continue to advance its nuclear/missile programs: it was only pausing while focusing on the economy, conserving scarce resources and working on the advancement of technology.



There is no major dispute over an assessment of the new missile's range  that if fired for a standard trajectory it could reach any part of the U.S. homeland. An expert writing on the "38 North" website specializing in North Korea suspected that the North must have used a "very small payload to extend its range." The heavier the payload, the shorter the missile flies.



Pyongyang claimed that the new ICBM was capable of carrying a "super-heavy warhead." The DPRK also claimed that "the accuracy of hitting targets" was "confirmed" and "the safety of the warhead in the atmospheric reentry environment had already been confirmed."



The North has long claimed it has miniaturized nuclear warheads and acquired the reentry technology. Yet, its claims on these two issues are not accepted due to a lack of supporting evidence.



If its claims are not taken seriously, the regime may be pressured into conducting a more dangerous nuclear detonation in the middle of the Pacific to demonstrate its capability. In September, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will "totally destroy North Korea," if necessary, the North's foreign minister Rhee Yong-ho threatened to do "something like a thermal nuclear test in the Pacific" while he was in New York.



South Korean President Moon Jae-in told Trump over the phone that while the new missile test posed a serious threat, he did not think the North had resolved the reentry issue or developed a terminal guidance system to ensure the accuracy of hitting targets.



In summer, Moon said the North would be crossing the red line if and when it develops a complete ICBM ready for a nuclear warhead. Trump never set a red line, simply saying an ICBM test by North Korea "won't happen." Now it has happened  for the third time since July. Moon never said what he would do if the red line were crossed. Would he then have to agree to a military option?



At the United Nations Security Council, Trump's ambassador Niki Haley said: "The dictator of North Korea made a choice yesterday that brings the world closer to war  And if war comes  the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed." She was doing the tough talk on behalf of Trump, who again ridiculed Kim Jong-un as "Little Rocket Man" and a "sick puppy."



Trump's pressure on China in his call to Xi Jinping or his ambassador's effort at the U.N. did not work. China will not consider cutting off crude oil to North Korea, which many believe would deal a devastating blow to the North Korean economy. Along with Russia, China still insists on dialogue for a double-freeze proposal, showing no interest in imposing further sanctions.



There is a widely accepted view that sanctions have limits, even though they may work in the long term. They will create more hardships for average people in the North than the ruling elites, who do not care about the plight of the deprived people. High tensions will continue in the absence of any prospect for a peaceful resolution.

There are no attractive options. One that must be avoided is any type of military action that will escalate into a catastrophic war that takes millions of lives. If the North attacks first, that will be a different story. Many sober minds believe Kim knows better: he is not insane or suicidal.



Two remaining options are: (1) accept and contain the regime's arsenal, and wait for a downfall from within, as we did with the Soviet Union during the Cold War; (2) apply innovative diplomacy for threat reduction and take gradual steps to eventual denuclearization, maintaining peace through deterrence.



What's your take?





Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Korean-American Studies.


A 3D city map by the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been using the same version since 2012. It updated new building structures only by attaching their graphic images onto the existing map despite low graphic quality, like City Hall, a blue structure above, renovated in August 2012. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government



By Ko Dong-hwan



Seoul's new 3D map is on its way, offering a better understanding of the physical environment around the city's selective landmarks with help of drones.



The Seoul Metropolitan Government will launch the project on 11 of the city's hotspots, including City Hall, Lotte World Mall and Gocheok Sky Dome, using drones with high-definition cameras. Beginning in June 2018, the 3D mapping is South Korea's first such project conducted by a governmental branch. The authority had selected drone specialists over the last year and plans to finalize the project agenda before June.



The latest project will update the old 3D map made by Seoul in 2012, showing all the changes to the cityscape made since then. Until now, new brick-and-mortar developments have been added to the 2012 version by "gluing" their edited images onto the map. This method looked unnatural due to the low graphic quality.



The update has so far been delayed because "V World," a spatial information open platform designed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has been acting as a main source of reference to the nation's governmental and national offices as well as local and international companies.



"The most important data for cities planning public policies or private entities erecting businesses or investing in properties is the 3D map," a city official said. "Once we deploy the drones starting next year, the problem of having used the map from 2012 will be resolved."


AVWPE, the premier and widely respected community band in Southeastern Colorado, celebrates their 19th season in 2017-2018. To further celebrate the current concert season, two WINTER CONCERTS will be performed. The first concert will be held Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at the Shore Arts Center beginning at 7 p.m. This concert directly follows the annual parade of lights. The second concert, located at the Lamar High School auditorium, will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. They welcome all season ticket holders of the Southeast Colorado Concert Association, friends, family and our entire community to attend these special WINTER CONCERTS. Both concerts are entirely free and proudly supported by The Southeast Colorado Concert Association and AVWPE, Inc.

The concert band, directed by David Northrup, will lead you on a festive and nostalgic journey through the most wonderful time of the year and will usher in the beginning of the holiday season. Enjoy some of your holiday classics and learn some new favorites too!

The Main Street Ringers, directed by Christi Ludwig & Kathleen La Cost, will feature two Christmas arrangements and the popular secular work In His Hands by Kevin McChesney. Enjoy the unique sounds of Christmas with this three-octave bell choir.

The Valley Jazz Orchestra, directed by Greg Ludwig, will delight you with holiday favorites all arranged in a unique big band style. Vocalist, Christi Ludwig, will be featured in a timeless arrangement of Merry Christmas, Darling in a true Karen Carpenter inspired style. The finale includes many of your Christmas favorites in a medley featuring all sections of the orchestra.
The Government of Sri Lanka has announced the dates for the 18th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to be attended by 183 State Parties, and held from 22nd May - 3rd June 2019 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

Sri Lankas Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha who made the announcement addressing the 69th Standing Committee of CITES meeting, said as a country with rich biological diversity, Sri Lanka is fully committed to the implementation of the CITES provisions to ensure sustainable trade that takes into account the conservation of wild fauna and flora essential for a healthy and prosperous economy. He further drew attention to the recent actions taken by Sri Lanka in fulfilling its commitment under the Convention, including the seizure of illegally traded blood ivory, which was publicly destroyed in 2016, as well as the initiatives taken to list thresher shark species under CITES Appendix II as a protected species. The offer to host the Conference was made as Sri Lanka is mindful of the challenges that remain to be overcome at national and international levels, the Ambassador added.

With more than 3,000 delegates expected to attend the event in Sri Lanka in 2019, it is expected to open up opportunities for the locals in the areas of biodiversity conservation, tourism promotion, and cultural diplomacy, and also promote Sri Lanka as a preferred venue for international conferences. The event and lead up to it, is also considered as an opportunity to raise awareness among Sri Lankans on trade in wild fauna and flora, and the need for conservation of rich biodiversity in the country.

The offer to host the 18th Meeting of Conference of Parties to the CITES to be held in Sri Lanka was initially made by Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, which was endorsed by the 17th Conference of Parties to the CITES held in South Africa in 2016. CITES is an international agreement between Governments which aims to ensure that trade of wild fauna and flora does not threaten their survival, and the State Parties to the Convention meets as Conference of the Parties (CoP), every 3 years to adopt consensus measures for sustainable trade of wild fauna and flora. The last CoP was held in South Africa in 2016.

Sri Lanka delegation to the 69th Standing Committee meeting headed by Ambassador Aryasinha also included Mr. M.G.C Sooriyabandara, Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and National CITES Focal Point, Ms. Mafusa Lafir, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva and Mr. Daniel Fernando, Advisor to the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, and Buddha Sasana.

Statement by Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha

Press Release

Press Release issued by CITES Secretariat

Sri Lanka Permanent Mission,

Geneva,

3rd December 2017
Robert Cohen, 87, is co-founder and co-owner of Burton Way Hotels Ltd., a Los Angeles firm that owns apartment complexes, motels and hotels, including the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

Flower power

Cohens parents, Ezra and Ester, ran the Central Avenue Flower Shop in Los Angeles, and their 10 children pitched in. As soon as you're almost old enough to walk, you're in business, he said. I used to sell on Slauson Avenue, Slauson and Crenshaw. When the racetrack would break, I used to run down to cars, yell the same thing. Nickel a bunch! Sweet Peas! Nickel a bunch! Six for a quarter! We only knew hard work. The only way to make it in this world is to work hard.

Know your flaws

Cohens flaw was the tough crowd that he grew up with. By his late teen years, Cohen said, I could see the writing on the wall. Some of those kids were doing really bad things. So, I joined the Coast Guard, just to get away from them. I was 17.

From posies to property

Out of the Coast Guard, Cohen was already married and didnt have a dime to my name, he said. The bloom was off the flower business for Cohen, who found the hours too long. Then came the break that would lead him into real estate. One friend needed cash and had a vacant lot to sell. Another would lend construction money and recoup it once units were making money.

Right off the bat, buyers lined up, he said. We sold it, and we bought another site, just a block away, and built a little bit bigger unit. Then, we're into buildings.

The social network

To finance his move into real estate, Cohen said, I raised money through our friends, through the dentist that we went to, the doctor we went to, the pharmacist, the people that had businesses around our stores, our friends.

More success stories from How I Made It 

We only knew hard work. The only way to make it in this world is to work hard.  Robert Cohen

Paid by the night

Cohen wanted to move into hotels, which he thought had more potential. I rented a one-bedroom apartment for around $500 a month at that time, he said. I know that for a hotel, for a suite in a hotel, you pay $500 a night. Not a week, not a month, but a night.

It depended on convincing his partner and brother, Joseph Cohen, who was three years older. I was always hot on building a hotel. I said, Joe, lets give it a shot. Lets get a set of plans.

Know the battlefield

Getting homeowner permission for a hotel required a certain level of finesse to reassure them and a thorough knowledge of local ordinances.

There's always one in the crowd that would say, We don't want a hotel. We want a park for our dogs. My favorite thing to say was that I would build a hotel that will nestle into your community in a European style that will increase the value of all the property around.

In 1978, the Cohen brothers acquired land adjacent to Beverly Hills and spent the next nine years developing and completing the Four Seasons hotel. We got into the corner of 3rd and Doheny. We excavated. We poured concrete. Once you pour concrete, you have a vested right, and nobody could stop you.

A view of the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in 2014. (FG/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images)

Tough business

The hospitality industry suffers hugely from natural disasters, economic downturns and man-made events such as riots or terrorist strikes, Cohen said.

When there's a problem or recession, a fire, a flood, earthquake, occupancy goes down the toilet, he said. It takes normally around six to 10 months to come out. Then, you have 30% occupancy. You're running in the hole. It can take a year to get our occupancy back up to a break even. Not to make money, just to get it up to breaking even.

Magic brand

The Cohens had talked to Marriott International and Meridian before deciding to go with the luxury Four Seasons brand, which had tried for years to open a hotel in Beverly Hills but was blocked by anti-growth advocates and other hotel operators.

The name is magic, Cohen said. Its the best operator hotel company in the world. When we started as a Four Seasons, we were maybe number 12, 13 or 14 hotel in the chain. Today, theres 107.

Stand your ground

As much as Cohen praises the brand, the two have a long legal dispute, bouncing back and forth in the courts amid a series of appeals, over the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, which is part of the Four Seasons stable. Cohens company claims the Four Seasons breached an agreement not to operate another hotel near the Four Seasons Los Angeles.

People seeking out his hotel are sometimes sent to the Regent Beverly by mistake, Cohen said. It really is a problem.

The good partner

Cohen credits his brother, Joe, who was 90 when he died in September. Joe was always the one with his feet firmly planted on the ground, Cohen said, who described himself as more of a dreamer and risk taker.

My brother Joe wasnt a speculator, he wont put a dollar in a slot machine. He didnt gamble. It made us a good team, Cohen said.

Leadership style

Cohen said he relies on trusting those around him. I do delegate, he said, later adding, If you tell me you're going to do something, we shake hands on it. I trust you. It's served me well.

Personal

Cohen and his wife, Beverly, have been married for 65 years. They have three children and six grandchildren. Cohen still loves flowers; he and his wife have two greenhouses at their Newport Beach home.

Beverly Cohen is active in philanthropy, and the couple regularly use their home to host fundraising and charitable events. Were just party animals, Cohen said with a laugh.

ronald.white@latimes.com

Twitter: @RonWLATimes
President Trumps provocative use of social media  including his recent retweeting of three anti-Muslim videos from a far-right British fringe group  could put lives at risk, according to one former CIA director. The agencys current director, meanwhile, countered that Trumps tweets have helped uncover useful information for the U.S.

Such were the views expressed Saturday by Leon Panetta, former CIA head and secretary of Defense in the Obama administration, and Trumps pick to lead the agency, Mike Pompeo.



For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled Bret Baiers first name as Brett.

Panetta and Pompeo were among scores of experts sharing sometimes-clashing views during a two-day conference on security and foreign policy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. Along with cyber-threats, a recurring theme was the threat posed by North Korea, which launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday.

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H.R. McMaster, White House national security advisor, said the communist country posed the greatest immediate threat to the United States. When asked if the recent missile launch had increased the chance of war, he replied, I think its increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really  we are in a race to be able to solve this problem.

The exchange between Panetta and Pompeo over the presidents tweets came during the days final panel, with Panetta warning that Trumps retweets of the anti-Muslim videos, an action denounced by the British government, could have far-reaching results.

When you tweet something like that out there, you dont know what the consequences are going to be, Panetta said. And the consequences could involve lives.

He noted that Koran burnings have led to demonstrations and violence overseas.

In 2012, several U.S. soldiers misinterpreted an order to dispose of Korans that they believed were being used by prisoners at a U.S. detention center near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to pass written messages.

The soldiers dumped the Korans into a pit used to incinerate trash, an act seen by Afghan workers. News of the incident led to attacks that killed seven Americans and triggered riots that left more than 30 people dead.

Panetta, then secretary of Defense, apologized for the incident.

In 2011, a U.N. compound in Afghanistan was overrun and workers killed after news that a fundamentalist pastor in Florida intentionally burned a Koran.

Panel moderator and Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier asked Panetta to expand on comments he made days earlier about Trumps retweets. Im not sure he fully understood the implications of what he was doing, Panetta said.

When asked by Baier in a largely tongue-in-cheek manner whether one account on Twitter makes your job hard  a question that drew laughs from the audience  Pompeo pushed back.

Ive actually seen it help us, he said.

Without getting into specifics, Pompeo said some things Trump tweeted actually had a real-world impact on the agencys ability to understand whats going on abroad.

Specifically, adversaries responded to those tweets in ways that allowed his organization to determine who was listening to what messages and how those messages resonated around the world, Pompeo said.

The discussion with the two CIA directors was part of the Reagan National Defense Forum, an annual conference that brings together defense industry representatives, current and former government officials, representatives of Congress and others to discuss issues such as foreign policy and the defense industry.

During the panel discussion, Pompeo and Panetta also touched on the threat of North Korean missile development, the need to improve both offense and defense against cyberattacks and battling terrorism.

Though largely congenial, the two did trade a few verbal jabs regarding the presidents use of social media.

Speaking from his experience as chief of staff during the Clinton administration, Panetta said Trump needed to have a check process on his tweets.

The whole purpose of the White House is to develop some discipline in terms of messaging, in terms of policy, in terms of everybody getting on the same page, Panetta said.

Pompeo noted that the international flash points Panetta mentioned earlier in the discussion, such as fighting terrorism and dealing with North Korea, existed before Trump took office.

Message discipline, as you refer to it, got us to those places, he said.

There has been speculation in recent days that Pompeo is being actively considered by the president to replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of State. Baier did not shy away from the delicate topic, asking Pompeo in the first few minutes of the panel whether he has had talks about a new job.

The question got laughs from the audience. Pompeo responded, Im very focused on doing what Im doing. Theres a lot of work to do.

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

Twitter: @smasunaga

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In Las Vegas, where it seems most everything is legal, there is a new law: Dont feed the pigeons
The Cuba-based Malpaso Dance Companys Los Angeles debut Saturday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was a pinch-me moment, one of those times when you catch an artistic dawning.

Malpasos dancers were exceptional. This five-year-old contemporary troupe was added to the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center series thanks to money from Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. That Getty-funded festival exploring the links between Los Angeles and Latin America focuses mostly on visual arts, but it does have a performance component. The Music Center received funding not only to bring in Malpaso for two shows but also to commission a new dance, Sonya Tayehs Face the Torrent, with an original score by Colette Alexander. More on that in a moment.

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Each of Malpasos nine dancers is a soloist-principal in his or her own right, yet they all have committed to the superior power of the ensemble. Ballet, modern, jazz and urban movement infuse the groups style, reminiscent of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Rambert in London.

With hearts earnestly beating on their sleeves, these performers share a sizable portion of themselves. That warmth and personality combine well with dances highlighting their strengths. Even when the repertory comes up short, these women and men deliver at the highest level.

The night opened with Malpaso dancer and artistic director Osnel Delgados 24 Hours and a Dog (2013), giving us a look at how the company sees itself. Delgados every move was like a clarion call, making him a standout, even among these colleagues.

As the pink glow of daybreak illuminated the stage (lighting design by Al Crawford), Delgado awakened and stretched, rubbing his face in a canine way. It was the first of many doggy allusions, from yogas downward dog to the dancers repeatedly lifting a leg and circling. But 24 Hours wasnt so much attributing human characteristics to dogs as it was whimsically and gently reminding us of our pack mentality, and just how much we share with our animal best friends.

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Delgado worked in a breezy, street-dance style, with a kick leading naturally into a roll, followed by a jump and so on. Steps fell naturally like dominoes. Delgado and Dunia Acostas duet was so charming that it made you want to fall in love again.

Tucked in a corner of the orchestra pit, Arturo OFarrills eight-person Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble rocked the house with a score that included his own works plus pieces by Abelardo Valdes and Astor Piazzolla.

Tayehs premiere took Malpaso to a much darker place, an unspecified inky, secret world of tension, whispers, quivering, fear and lineups. Karen Youngs beige and black costumes and designer Nicole Pearces dim lighting pierced by spots suggested dystopia. Ultimately, individuals endured, but oppression never went away.

Tayeh favors expressionist flamboyance, and the dancers demonstrated exemplary acting chops. Abel Rojo kicked off the piece with a breakdown, his whole body quaking, limb by limb, while Daileidys Carrazana tried to comfort him. Face the Torrent didnt evolve much, but it had genuine raw emotion.

The final work, choreographer Aszure Bartons Indomitable Waltz, from 2016, was the gem of the night, a piece of gorgeous scene-setting from the very first moment, when the dancers magically appeared from the black backdrop. Barton pulled bravura from each dancer without drawing attention to herself or her cleverness.

Using recorded music from composer Alexander Balanescu and others, she constructed complex vignettes that perhaps have meaning  but it was more fun just to revel in the luxurious waltzes and majestically diverse ways she moved the eight dancers about the stage.

Youd think that Barton was building to a boffo climax with a rousing number that picked up steam to the boiling point, but no. She left Acosta onstage for a brief solo, masterful for its stillness. And then she was done.

What a lovely surprise. Just like Malpaso.

See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts.

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Here are the 2018 SAG Awards nominees reactions to their nods

The on-camera talent recognized during the 24th Screen Actors Guild Award nominations on Wednesday shared their excitement and gratitude for the special honor bestowed upon them by the acting community.

The SAG Awards serve up laurels for actors and ensemble casts working in television and film as voted by their peers. The awards show, hosted by The Good Place star Kristen Bell, will take place on Jan. 21.

LIST: The 2018 SAG Award nominees

In statements to the Los Angeles Times, several nominees repeatedly thanked their drama families, particularly the casts and crews of their respective projects. Heres what some of them had to say about the recognition:

Alison Brie. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Alison Brie, GLOW

It is such a great honor to be recognized by my fellow actors with this nomination. I am so proud to be part of a show that celebrates the craft of acting, with all its pitfalls and glories, and to be able to work with such a diverse group of insanely talented women. GLOW has meant the world to me and Im deeply thankful for this recognition for me and the cast. Thank you SAG-AFTRA!!

Millie Bobby Brown. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things

Screen Actors Guild! Thank you SO much for recognizing me and our cast for the second year in a row! This means the world coming from you, our peers. I am so lucky and honored to have the privilege of playing Eleven  a strong, powerful, badass, strange, wonderful character! Cant wait to celebrate with my Stranger Things family!

Timothee Chalamet. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

What an incredible morning! This nomination is very close to my heart because its from the actor. When we made Call Me By Your Name, we had no idea what it would turn into. The experience in making the film with Armie [Hammer] was so special, and yet, we just didnt know. Simply put, Ive been blown away by the response this film has received. And, to be included in ensemble along with my Lady Bird family (congrats, Saoirse [Ronan]!) makes this recognition that much more special.

David Harbour. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

David Harbour, Stranger Things

If it isnt wildly apparent by now, Ill say it directly  I love actors! To be recognized by my peers in such distinguished company gives me a special joy. And Millie [Bobby Brown] and the show! Beyond.

When I act, when I create, I feel alive, full to bursting, and I feel of service to the mysterious goodness that firmly exists in this world. I have been rewarded with a life that indulges in the primacy of self, but at its core and at its purest and its best, it is a life of service. A service to audiences. To prod and poke when necessary, to comfort and entertain when times seem dark, to ever expand the human experience, to offer a reason to live, to celebrate to the gods the great gift and scourge that is consciousness. Sometimes it means expressing iron intellect and rigorous truth that bonds us all in the achingly profound wisdom of no escape. Sometimes it means revealing the intimate moments of endurance, of unexpected kindness, unasked for love. And sometimes it simply means making a fierce and joyful noise, to spin, to twirl, to throw your hands up with the relentless dips and climb aboard this roller coaster of life. Ya know, to dance. *insert Hopper dancing gif*

Thank you for recognizing me, as it might mean itll be easier to get more jobs doing it.

Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

I am beyond thrilled to have received the honor of this nomination. And to receive it from fellow colleagues is huge to me. Guillermo [del Toro], this film and the entire cast and crew hold a very special place in my heart and always will. Each and every one of them made me better. I am truly delighted more than I can really express in words but my heart is fit to burst with pride for us all. Thank you dearest SAG members. Thank you for your embrace.

Sean Hayes. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Sean Hayes, Will & Grace

I am so honored to be recognized in this category with these extraordinary actors. I love acting because I love actors. I also like to bake sometimes.

Richard Jenkins. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water

I am thrilled and humbled to be nominated by my peers for a SAG Award. This union is very close to my heart. Well, the SAG card is in my wallet, so its a little further south.

Zoe Kazan. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Zoe Kazan, The Big Sick

Thank you to SAG for honoring The Big Sick ensemble with a nomination. It means so much to us, especially from our acting peers. I am deeply proud to be a part of this film and to have brought Kumail [Nanjiani] and Emily [V. Gordon]s story into the world, especially at this time. We are particularly moved to have been recognized as an ensemble, as this was such an extraordinary collaborative experience Im excited to be reunited once more with my movie family, and to share this with Kumail, Holly [Hunter], Ray [Romano], Zenobia [Shroff], Anupam [Kher], and Adeel [Akhtar] and everyone else who helped bring The Big Sick to life.

Nicole Kidman. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

What an amazing morning! Thank you to SAG-AFTRA for recognizing Big Little Lies in such a significant way. Ive been acting since I was 14 and have dedicated an enormous amount of my life to my craft so to be acknowledged by my acting family is the most incredible honor.

Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Laura Linney, Ozark

I am so proud to be included in a list of such wonderful actresses who have raised the bar so high. What an amazing year for women in television. And I am especially proud to be representing Ozark with my TV spouse, the ever deserving Jason Bateman! Thank you SAG-AFTRA!

Marc Maron. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Marc Maron, GLOW

I am stunned and excited to be recognized by other actors in this way. I really never thought this was possible in my life. It helps to be surrounded by amazing actors and to have such a defined and well written character as Sam Sylvia and to be on a show as unique as GLOW. I am just a small part. So, thanks SAG for recognizing me and the mind-blowing ensemble that is GLOW.

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick

We are so lucky to have been graced with the enormous talents of every single member of our cast. They each put a piece of themselves into our story and we are thrilled at being recognized. Thank you. And a special shout out to Holly Hunters individual nomination!

Now we have to go tell our real parents that they arent actually nominated.

Bob Odenkirk. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

I am thrilled to get this nomination from my fellow actors! At Better Call Saul I am surrounded by an ensemble of excellence  Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, everybody raises my game. Thank you to SAG-AFTRA.

Gary Oldman. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Gary Oldman, The Darkest Hour

No actor could ever deny the special satisfaction that comes from being recognized by your fellow artists  we all share the same challenges, insecurities, and uncertainties, chief among them, the question am I any good? this nomination, and in the wonderful company of the other nominees, is so very satisfying.

Margot Robbie. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Margot Robbie, I, Tonya

Im so incredibly moved and excited to be nominated by my fellow actors. I feel very fortunate to be able to have had the opportunity to bring Tonyas story to the big screen. Thank you to Steven [Rogers] for his brilliant and unique script, to Allison [Janney] and Sebastian [Stan] for being such incredible screen partners and to Craig [Gillespie] for his amazing direction and perfectly capturing the tone and essence of the film. Im so honored to be recognized among the truly powerful and wonderful women in the category. I cant wait to celebrate with everyone.

Sam Rockwell. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

It is such an honor to be nominated by your fellow actors, I have been a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild for as long as I can remember. To share it with this wonderful ensemble whom I have had the pleasure to work with over the years and others I got to collaborate with for the first time is truly special. I want to thank Martin McDonagh, our director and writer, for crafting these characters, as well as Woody [Harrelson], Fran [McDormand] and the rest of the cast who brought the town of Ebbing to life on screen. I am thrilled.

Ray Romano. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Ray Romano, The Big Sick

This is awesome but I wont believe it till the recount.
Fans of Teavana may still be able to drop by their local mall to pick up a Caramel Chai or a tin of CocoCaramel Sea Salt tea for a little while longer, because a judge just ruled that Starbucks cannot actually close many of its Teavana stores by the end of the year, as it intended.

Starbucks announced in July that it would be closing all 379 of its Teavana stores, most of which are located in shopping malls. But the nations largest mall operator, Simon Property Group, did not appreciate the news and filed a lawsuit against Starbucks to block it from closing the Teavana stores, on the grounds that Starbucks had signed leases for those stores, and closing them before the end of the lease was Starbucks shirking its contractual obligations. It also argued that losing a high profile store like Teavana could hurt foot traffic in its malls, and thus hurt the other tenants and cause their stores to close, too.

An Indiana judge agreed, and this week temporarily barred Starbucks from closing 77 underperforming Teavana stores in Simon Property Group malls.

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According to the New York Post, this is a very unusual decision. No court has ever specifically enforced a non-anchor client to continue operating like this before, the court ruling said. Real estate lawyers and retail experts said they were shocked.

We are disappointed in the judges ruling and will continue to focus on finding a resolution, Starbucks said in a statement. Last month Starbucks also sold its Tazo tea brand to the owner of Lipton, saying it wanted to focus on developing the Teavana premium tea brand in Starbucks stores, rather than in Teavana-branded stores. It expects its tea business to increase in the coming years as people are starting to drink more tea. Check out these these 9 great teas to replace your morning coffee.
People across Los Angeles County now have the ability to send a text message to 911 in an emergency, authorities announced Friday.

The new system, called Text-to-911, is meant to allow people who are hard of hearing, speech-impaired or unable to talk safely on the phone to connect with emergency services. Cities such as Burbank, Glendale, Long Beach and Los Angeles now have the ability to field text messages sent to 911.

However, it is not meant as a total replacement for calling 911 traditionally. Sgt. Daniel Suttles, a spokeman for the Glendale Police Department, said the time from when a text is sent and then received by the system can vary from instantaneous to several minutes, depending on a persons location and cellphone service.

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Phone communication is still the primary way we want you to communicate because its more reliable, he said.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, there are some caveats to texting 911.

The service is not available when a person is roaming, photos and video cannot be sent or received, and messages should be sent in plain English with no abbreviations.
Officials broke ground today on a $1.5-billion, six-station Foothill Gold Line extension from Glendora to Montclair in a ceremony at Citrus College.

The 12.3-mile extension, which is expected to take nine years to complete, will add new stations to the Metro Gold Line system in the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair, and also marks the first Measure M-funded rail project to move forward to construction.

Funding the second phase of the Gold Line Extension is the perfect example of what were trying to achieve through our agencys comprehensive transportation plan, Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington said. As we make transit more available in new communities, we are changing the face of Southern California and creating an infrastructure inheritance for our children and grandchildren.

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The portion of the project within Los Angeles County  Glendora to Claremont  is being mostly funded by Metros Measure M half-cent sales tax that was approved by voters in November 2016, as well as residual Measure R funds from the Pasadena-to-Azusa segment that was completed under budget.

The portion from Claremont to Montclair is being funded by San Bernardino County.
From charter schools to property taxes, six California gubernatorial candidates faced off on a range of topics Saturday before hundreds of school board members from throughout the state.

The half-dozen candidates, topping public polls on who will replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018, closed out the annual conference of the California School Boards Association, held this year at the San Diego Convention Center.

There was a fair amount of agreement on the stage Saturday morning. All candidates said they believe in the value of public education and in the sanctity of the close-to-home control that local school boards provide. And everyone agreed that something needs to be done about the states perennial low national rankings on student performance measures.

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But they differed on how the Golden State should turn its educational situation around.

Asked whether they supported for-profit charter schools, candidates broke neatly along party lines with Democrats leaning firmer in their stances that profit had no place in education.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who recent polls show has the broadest base of voter support, made it clear that he sees nonprofit as the only option.

Schools are not economic entities. They do not respond to competition as businesses do, Newsom said.

State Treasurer John Chiang was even more direct: They shouldnt be in existence. They ought to be operating in the private sector. If youre going to use public dollars, then they ought to be used for the public good, Chiang said.

But Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) noted that, with many schools in the state not meeting educational standards, educational results should be what matters most, regardless of business model.

What says, if you have a for-profit charter school that has great results, they cant be in existence right alongside a not-for-profit charter school or a public school? Allen asked.

But good results, countered former state Superintendent Delaine Eastin, can be easier for charters to produce due to their broader powers of student selectivity.

The fact is, theyre cherry-picking the best and brightest and rejecting the kids who have special needs, or theyre sending them home before the test saying, You better go back to the public school because you might bring our results down, Eastin said, drawing what was, by far, the loudest applause from the crowd of public school leaders.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he, too, opposes for-profit charters, but added that doesnt mean there should be tolerance for failing public schools.

I, as governor, will shut down schools that have failed our kids for a very long time, whether theyre charter schools or traditional public schools, Villaraigosa said.

Rancho Santa Fe businessman John Cox said profit is not necessarily a problem as long as companies are operating with integrity.

I absolutely want to go after any for-profit entity that wastes money or is not transparent. But Ive got to tell you, the for-profit sector does a pretty good job in a lot of areas, Cox said.

The school board association videotaped the entire discussion and plans to post an edited version of the debate on its website, csba.org.

paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com
The Liljestrand family walked into the courthouse confident  if a bit nervous.

Theyd come to get their eldest childs name legally changed to Melissa Rose and her gender designation switched from male to female.

When it was finally their turn to be heard, the judge cleared the courtroom. Before long, he turned to the 14-year-old and asked how she knew she was a girl.

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Convince me, the judge said, according to the family.

Theyd expected the May hearing to be quick and simple. Instead, Melissa, and her parents Eric Liljestrand and Gwen Everman, said they left Stanley Mosk Courthouse frustrated and traumatized. The judges questions, they said, seemed skeptical  even critical  of Melissas transition.

The whole experience just drained my faith in the legal system, Eric Liljestrand said.

While battles over workplace discrimination and access to public accommodations, such as restrooms, have drawn intense public scrutiny, one facet of transgender rights  treatment inside the courtroom  is less well documented. Families have complained that efforts to change names and gender designations were met with callousness and antiquated stereotypes. They hope that raising the profile of the issue will lead to better training of judges.

In Los Angeles County, more than 4,500 people filed petitions for name changes last year, said Kelly Vail, a Superior Court spokeswoman. No records are kept on how many of the filings also included a petition to change an individuals gender designation, Vail said.

And its difficult to know the scope of complaints alleging insensitive behavior during such hearings across California. The director of the Commission on Judicial Performance, the state agency that disciplines judges, declined to confirm or deny if such complaints had been lodged.

Vail said the California Judicial Council  the policymaking arm of state courts  provides training on fairness and judicial demeanor generally, and with specific regard to gender preferences and transgender issues. Beyond that, she said, the ethics program judges are expected to take every three years covers the topic, as does orientation training for new judges.

A retired L.A. County judge, Reva G. Goetz, said that though its critical to be sensitive and discreet on the bench, judges often must ask probing  even uncomfortable  questions before making a ruling, especially in cases involving minors.

Melissa Liljestrand, 15, had come to an L.A. courthouse to have her name legally changed. She left frustrated and traumatized. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times )

The Liljestrand family alleges that Superior Court Judge Edward Moreton crossed the line during Melissas hearing, repeatedly asking her how she knew she was a girl and how she could be sure she wouldnt change her mind.

Everman complained to the Commission on Judicial Performance about what she characterized as a traumatic experience. The commissions director, Victoria B. Henley, said the agency doesnt comment on whether a complaint has been lodged against a judge.

According to the family, the judge told Melissa, now 15, that she looked and sounded like a boy, mentioning that she was wearing boys clothes. Melissa, dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt and Doc Martens, shot back: Clothing doesnt have a gender.

Moreton, who presides over all name and gender marker hearings in the downtown courthouse, said it would be inappropriate to comment about the case. There is no transcript from the hearing and this account relies on an interview with the Liljestrand family and their written complaint.

Initially, the judges questions  what name and pronoun should he use?  seemed to suggest he was sensitive to and aware of the transgender community. But then came the question about how she knew she was a girl. It seemed like such a strange, unanswerable request, Melissas father remembered thinking  like asking someone to convince you that theyre right-handed.

At one point, Melissa began crying and was granted a brief recess. Sobbing, she put her hands over her face and fainted, hitting her head on the jury box as she crumpled to the ground. Her parents panicked, but she was determined to continue.

After the session resumed, the judge asked if a letter to the court saying Melissa had undergone clinically appropriate treatment was from a real doctor, Everman said.

Moreton agreed to sign the papers, but first flapped them in the air, Liljestrand said.

Just a piece of paper, he recalled the judge saying. It does not make you a woman Now youre just going to have a lot more problems than other people.

It was so inappropriate and mean-spirited, Liljestrand said.

To state Sen.Toni Atkins, the judges questions highlight a broader societal problem.

Frankly, trans people and nonbinary folks have always been over-scrutinized and had to prove their genders in ways others are not forced to, said Atkins, a San Diego Democrat who introduced legislation signed into law recently by Gov. Jerry Brown that eases restrictions on changing state identification documents.

Under current California law, individuals are required to obtain a doctors note to change the gender marker on their birth certificate.

But getting a name change  or, in Melissas case, both a name and gender marker change  requires a court order. Judges often sign the order outright but sometimes require minors to appear for a hearing.

The new law, which will begin rolling out late next year, eliminates the need to appear in court for an individual to change their name to conform to their gender identity, so long as there is no proof the person is seeking to escape debt or a warrant. It also creates a nonbinary gender designation  neither exclusively male nor female  for official state documents. And it strikes the requirement that a doctor affirm that a patient has undergone treatment for a gender transition.

Jonathan Keller, president of the California Family Council, a Fresno-based religious liberties group that opposed the legislation, said eliminating the requirement of a doctors note will inevitably lead to abuse.

We have more requirements on people who want to drive without correctable lenses, he said. We dont just take peoples word...This opens Pandoras Box.

In some states, gender-reassignment surgery is required for name and gender marker changes, while others refuse to issue new birth certificates with a gender change, said Shawn Thomas Meerkamper, a staff attorney at the Transgender Law Center.

In 2015, a Missouri judge refused to let a transgender teenager change his name from Natalie to Nathan unless the teenager submitted to a mental examination. A year later, a Georgia judge refused to grant name-change requests from two transgender people, saying it would confuse and mislead the public and amount to a type of fraud. Both rulings were appealed and ultimately overturned.

A survey of more than 27,000 transgender people by the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2015 found that a quarter of respondents said theyd been verbally harassed after showing an ID with a name or gender marker not matching their gender presentation and 9% said they were asked to leave a location.

After posting about the incident to a Facebook group for parents of transgender children, Everman said she received a message from a woman saying her son had a similar experience with Judge Mark Borenstein, who handled such hearings prior to Moreton.

The second mother  who asked to remain anonymous to protect the identity of her 11-year-old son  said that after the election of President Trump, she became worried about obtaining a passport that reflected her sons name and gender designation.

On the day of the court hearing, her son wore a special tie that hed learned to knot for the occasion. In the judges chambers, the mother said, Borenstein launched into a long story about his own son, who as a child had played with dolls and liked to wear T-shirts on his head, pretending it was long hair.

According to the mother, the judge also told the young boy hed previously approved name changes for transgender individuals who had later changed their minds. Ultimately, the judge granted the familys request.

Borenstein declined to comment, but Fred Bennett, counsel for the Superior Court, said the judge couldnt discuss the case publicly, since it involved a minor.

The boys mother said he left the courthouse embarrassed.

He kept saying, I felt like he wanted me to apologize to him for being a boy, she said, adding that she has also filed a complaint with the judicial commission.

After the hearing that day, she said, her son went home, tore off his tie and slept.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

marisa.gerber@latimes.com

For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber
The Trump administrations campaign for American energy dominance, which focuses on elevating the nations fossil fuel production, received a potential big boost from Republican senators early Saturday.

The tax measure they approved proposes to open the Arctic to oil and gas development, weaken investment incentives for solar and wind production, and end a big tax credit for new electric vehicles.



For the record: This article says that the Senate bill did not contain a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles. The credit had been eliminated in a draft, but was restored before the vote on the measure.

Taken together, the Senate tax provisions are clearly allied with the Trump administrations goal to shift American energy development back to black fuels and reverse Obama-era programs to encourage cleaner technologies to generate electricity and move people and goods.

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Arguably the most significant Senate tax provision is meant to tilt a 40-year-old conflict between the oil industry and conservationists toward opening a 1.5-million-acre stretch of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to energy exploration. The struggle over the so-called 1002 Area, one of the longest running and most intensely debated in U.S. environmental history, has commanded the attention of every president since Jimmy Carter.

The Senates decision to proceed with oil and gas exploration was hailed today by its chief champion, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Opening the 1002 Area and tax reform both stand on their own, but combining them into the same bill, and then successfully passing that bill, makes this a great day to be an Alaskan, she said in a statement.

Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups responded with vows to keep the entire 19.3-million-acre refuge undeveloped.

This fight is not over. The oil industry and its allies in Congress may think they can sneak this past the American people, but communities across the country are speaking out every day, said Jamie Williams, the president of the Wilderness Society. The Arctic Refuge drilling provision has no legitimate place in a tax bill, and this backdoor political deal now threatens to destroy the crown jewel of our National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Senate proposal to explore for energy in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not contained in the House version of the tax measure that passed last month. The two tax proposals will be reconciled by House and Senate conferees this month. If it survives, the Arctic drilling plan would be another step in the Trump administrations effort to reverse Obama-era measures to curb fossil fuel development, reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere and encourage more environmentally sensitive electrical generation and transportation.

Other provisions in the Senate tax bill are a boost to the White House fossil energy initiatives. One would treat investment tax credits for wind and solar plants as income and levy a tax on them. Wind and solar developments are eligible for a 30% tax credit under legislation approved in 2015. The nearly $50 billion invested annually in solar and wind projects in the United States has generated hundreds of thousands of jobs and been helped by the $12 billion to $15 billion in tax credit investments by multinational banks and other financiers.

If the charge on investment tax credits is made law, big investors are likely to exit the American clean energy market, said Gregory Wetstone, the chief executive of ACORE, the American Council on Renewable Energy, a trade group in Washington.

A lot of renewable development occurs in rural areas where there are not a lot of other economic opportunities, Wetstone said. They are doing the exact opposite of the intention of this bill, which is to grow the economy and produce jobs. With this bill they are slowing investment and making it harder to grow.

A third provision in the Senate tax bill that appears aimed at helping the oil industry is the elimination of the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles.

The administration, with broad support from rural Americans, conventional energy industries and Republican lawmakers has pursued new fossil energy development. Part of the presidents development strategy is to simultaneously attack the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants; withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement; open public lands in the West to coal, oil and natural gas development; and approve two big oil pipelines that cross the Great Plains.

Each of the administrations fossil energy measures has faced strong opposition from conservationists, state leaders, Native Americans and executives in the clean energy and recreational industries. Federal jurists also have begun to consider the merits of a flurry of lawsuits intended to halt the administrations energy dominance campaign.

Behind the White House initiative is the conviction that big mines, pipelines and oilfields produce thousands of good jobs. Opponents point out, though, that the administrations support for the U.S. fossil fuel sector comes as China, India, Europe and several Southeast Asian nations begin to do just the opposite, pivoting away from coal  and to some extent from oil  to grow their economies and respond to the risks of climate change.

U.S. solar companies, one of the nations fastest growing industrial sectors, are particularly concerned. Along with the Senate tax provision that weakens investment incentives, President Trump is weighing a tariff on imported solar photovoltaic panels that executives say could cripple the industry. The president has until early January to issue his decision.

The president and Congress are ceding leadership in the growth segment of the energy industry to China and India as fast as they can, said Niel Lawrence, Alaska program director and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. It will cost Americans in terms of jobs and global stature and ultimately on the impact of climate change.

Follow Keith Schneider, Western environment and public lands correspondent, on Twitter.

keith.schneider@latimes.com
The expanding federal investigation into Russian interference in last years election is shining new light on the central role played by one member of President Trumps inner circle  his son-in-law and top advisor Jared Kushner  in reaching out to Moscow.

The latest disclosure  that even before Trump took office Kushner directed campaign foreign policy advisor Michael Flynn to try to persuade Russia to quash a United Nations resolution  is one example of numerous Kushner contacts with Moscow and meetings with Russian intermediaries now under scrutiny by investigators for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

Kushner, a 36-year-old former Manhattan real estate developer and Washington neophyte, may be key as Mueller pursues the still-unresolved mystery of whether Trumps campaign had improper dealings with Russia, a charge that Kushner denies.

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Revelations about Kushners Russia contacts have been dribbling out for months, forcing Kushner and other Trump aides who denied or downplayed them to repeatedly backtrack.

But with Flynn now cooperating with Muellers investigators, Kushners role in handling outreach to foreign governments for Trump is likely to get even more scrutiny from investigators. Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his own Russia contacts.

Publicly Trump insists he is not worried, telling reporters Saturday there had been absolutely no collusion with Moscow, but adding, Well see what happens.

In the wake of Flynns plea deal, Democrats on both the House and Senate intelligence committees said they wanted Kushner, who appeared in private before both panels in July, to return to answer new questions about his dealings with Russian officials and intermediaries from Moscow.

Mike Flynn wasnt acting as a free agent. He was acting at the behest of very senior people close to the president or the president himself, said Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. If Mr. Kushner was involved in that, hed have a lot to tell us that he hasnt told us so far.

Kushners lawyer, Abbe Lowell, declined to comment on Kushners Russia contacts.

Kushner has described himself as an overworked and inexperienced campaign aide who was forced to make changes on the fly when it came to Russia.

I did not collude with Russia, nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so, Kushner said after Julys closed-door meeting with investigators from the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Trump cycled through a cadre of high-level aides during the presidential campaign, but Kushner remained a trusted advisor with one particularly unassailable credential  he is family through his marriage to Trumps older daughter, Ivanka.

After running his real estate company like a family business, Trump saw no reason to change course while campaigning or after winning the White House. Kushner joined the administration and received a vast portfolio of responsibilities, including overhauling the federal government with the newly created Office of American Innovation and pursuing a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

He has insisted that his initial failure to report his meetings with the Russians or any other foreigners on forms required for a government security clearance was not deliberate. He blamed an aide who he said had mistakenly submitted the form, known as an SF-86, before it was complete, and said that he later updated it.

As a trusted advisor, Kushner was the intermediary with foreign officials, a role that led to several contacts with Russian officials, either directly or through intermediaries.

According to court papers disclosed on Friday, Flynn was directed by a very senior member of Trumps transition team  identified by a former official as Kushner  to lobby Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and officials from other foreign governments in an attempt to delay or defeat a United Nations Security Council resolution critical of Israel in December 2016.

Trump had publicly opposed the resolution, saying it puts Israel in a very poor negotiating position and is extremely unfair to all Israelis.

But the Trump teams attempts to block the resolution was at odds with the position taken by the Obama administration, which still occupied the White House and planned to let the resolution pass.

The attempts to influence the vote, which a person familiar with the transition described as a collaborative endeavor by multiple high-ranking members of Trumps team, did not succeed. Kislyak said Russia would not vote against the resolution, which passed after the United States abstained.

Earlier that month, at a meeting at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Kislyak asked Kushner whether the Trump transition office had a secure telephone line that Trumps aides could use to talk to Russian generals about the war in Syria.

Because none was available, Kushner said he asked about using one at the Russian Embassy instead to conduct direct discussions with Moscow.

He said that after Kislyak, who was recalled to Moscow last summer, told him that was impossible, they agreed to follow up after the inauguration. Kushner did not explain why the Trump team did not simply ask to use a secure U.S. government line.

In contrast to Flynn, who admitted this week in court that he and Kislyak had discussed U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia by the Obama administration after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, Kushner has said that he did not discuss lifting the sanctions.

Kushner met Kislyak in April 2016 at a foreign policy speech by Trump at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington.

Kushner also held a Dec. 13 meeting with Sergey Gorkov, head of the state-owned Vnesheconombank, Russias national development bank. He said he took the meeting at Kislyaks urging because Gorkov had a direct relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian bank described the session in March as part of a new outreach to a number of representatives of the largest banks and business establishments of the United States, including Jared Kushner, the head of Kushner Companies. Kushner, by contrast, said he and Gorkov did not discuss private business of any kind.

In testimony to Congress last summer, Kushner also denied having any contact with WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, during the campaign, according to a statement from his lawyer, and said he could not recall anyone from the campaign having such contacts.

WikiLeaks was responsible for releasing hacked emails that U.S. intelligence agencies say were obtained through Russias attempt to interfere with the presidential election.

But Kushner was forced to backtrack when the Atlantic magazine revealed last month that the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., forwarded a message from WikiLeaks to Kushner and others.

Lowell said his client did not respond to the email and was not in touch with WikiLeaks.

Mr. Kushner had no contacts with that organization, he wrote in a letter last month to the Senate Judiciary Committee after the panels bipartisan leadership requested more documents from him.

Kushner also attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower with Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian attorney introduced to Trump Jr. as a Russian government attorney who was part of its governments support for Mr. Trump.

The emails said she could provide documents that would incriminate Trumps Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, and would be very useful to your father. Kushner insisted he showed up to the meeting without reading the emails about who she was and left early, calling it a waste of time.

david.cloud@latimes.com

Twitter: @davidcloudLAT
Good morning, and welcome to a special edition of the Essential California newsletter. Its Sunday, Dec. 3.

Over the last week, the Los Angeles Times published two spectacular series about Mexico. These stories by Richard Marosi, who spent over a year looking at the countrys housing crisis, and our Mexico City correspondent Kate Linthicum, who honed in on one town thats witnessing a surge of migrants returning from the United States, are a testament to our commitment to covering California and how it intersects with the wider world.

Here is a guide to the projects. Plus, get some details about how you can explore the work further with a Q&A later this week.

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BACK TO MALINALCO

Chapter 1: For decades, millions of Mexicans crossed into the U.S. in one of the largest mass migrations in modern history. But stricter immigration enforcement and new opportunities in Mexico have reversed the trend. Now, many are returning to towns like Malinalco, a rural community southwest of Mexico City. But for families like the Almanzas, who returned in 2012, coming home can be complicated. German and Gloria spent two decades in Athens, Texas, toiling in factories and building, cleaning and repairing other peoples homes so that one day they could make a place of their own back in Mexico  a place to finish raising their two kids. Los Angeles Times

Chapter 2: Meet Jose Roberto Tetatzin, who knew he was going to be deported to his native Mexico. He and his partner, Judith Cristal Gudino, would have to decide what to do next. Should the girls stay in the U.S. with Gudino, or should the whole family relocate to Mexico? Los Angeles Times

Chapter 3: Rosa Icela Nava begged her husband, Agustin Poblete Ortega, not to leave Malinalco again. But the lure of America was powerful, and deadly. Los Angeles Times

MEXICOS HOUSING DEBACLE

Chapter 1: Sixteen years ago, Mexico embarked on a monumental campaign to elevate living standards for its working-class masses. The government teamed with private developers to launch the largest residential construction boom in Latin American history. The program has devolved into a slow-motion social and financial catastrophe, inflicting daily hardships and hazards on millions in troubled developments across the country, a Los Angeles Times investigation has found. Los Angeles Times (En espanol: Los Angeles Times)

Chapter 2: Homex was a Wall Street-backed developer that reaped billions. Then it went bankrupt and left slums across Mexico. The human cost of these choices is still being felt more than a decade after the company went public with a $100-million valuation. By 2014, the company was bankrupt. Los Angeles Times

Chapter 3: Humbertus Perez, a 54-year-old academic, was Mexicos leading homeowner activist  a fiery orator who railed against the Mexican housing developers and foreign investors who reaped enormous profits at the expense of working-class people. He exposed housing corruption and ended up in prison. Los Angeles Times

Chapter 4: Imagine a mortgage loan that only gets more expensive, even if you make payments on time. Thats what happened to Maria De Jesus Silva on a spring day in 2014, when she found a thick stack of foreclosure documents on her doorstep. Her story is an example of one of the harsher aftershocks of Mexicos housing collapse. It came from subprime-like mortgages given to the working poor, people who didnt qualify for loans from Infonavit, Mexicos giant housing finance agency. Los Angeles Times

Chapter 5: This story concerns homes  really, really small ones. Today in Mexico, there are about 1 million houses so tiny that they have come to be known by their reviled nickname: mini-casas. They squeeze a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen into a space smaller than a typical American two-car garage. Los Angeles Times

AND FINALLY

Much like his 2014 series Product of Mexico, which looked at the atrocious conditions for farmworkers and was a finalist for the Pulitzer prize, Marosis work about the housing crisis has generated a fair share of attention. Check out this Univision segment based on his reporting, and be sure to read this from Animal Politico  one of Mexicos most prestigious news outlets. Also, send your questions to Rich and he may answer them during our Facebook Live from Mexico next Wednesday, Dec. 6, at noon Pacific time.

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.
The acquittal of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate in a San Francisco courtroom on Thursday will bring joy to few and pain to many. Thats the trouble with the rule of law: It doesnt always offer comfort or satisfaction. When dispensed properly, justice is an utterly dispassionate force.

On a summer evening in 2015, Garcia Zarate, a homeless immigrant living in the country illegally, unwrapped a cloth object under a bench on a San Francisco pier. Inside the cloth was a gun that had been stolen days before.

Some moments after Garcia Zarates inauspicious discovery, a 32-year-old woman who had been walking along the pier lay dying in her fathers arms. Help me, dad, Kathryn Steinle said, in what would be her last words. Garcia Zarate, a Mexican national deported five times, was arrested for her killing, which prosecutors claimed had been intentional. Defense attorneys argued that the fatal bullet, which ricocheted off the piers concrete surface before hitting Steinle, had been fired by accident, launched from the barrel of an overly-sensitive weapon.

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Outside the courtroom if not in it, the Zarate trial was about far more than the culpability of a single man.

When Donald Trump was on the campaign trail, he alluded to Steinle in his diatribes against illegal immigration. If Garcia Zarate wasnt exactly a cartel boss, he did have a lengthy arrest record. This is an absolutely disgraceful situation and I am the only one that can fix it, Trump said several days after Steinles death. Nobody else has the guts to even talk about it. That wont happen if I become president.

Anyone who showed up to Garcia Zarates trial in the San Francisco Hall of Justice, however, would have encountered no philippics about open borders, nor any passionate orations about the Statue of Liberty. Issues of immigration, or Garcia Zarates criminal record, were not admissible in Judge Samuel Fengs courtroom. There was only one question: Did he mean to fire that gun?

I went to trial one day  and promptly fell asleep. The testimony was about trigger pulls. There was also talk of ballistics. It was dull stuff, but inspiring for that exact reason. Whatever verdict the jury ultimately reached, I knew this was how it was supposed to work: a cool competition between facts, not a heated ideological battle.

Garcia Zarate struck me less as a murderer than a wastrel. The jury apparently agreed. After nearly six days of deliberations, Garcia Zarate was acquitted on both murder and manslaughter charges. He will, however, face prison time for felony possession of a weapon. When that sentence is through, he will presumably be deported to Mexico for the sixth time.

Outside the courtroom if not in it, the Garcia Zarate trial was about far more than the culpability of a single man. On trial with him were the sanctuary policies of cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, where local law enforcement are largely hindered from cooperating with federal immigration agents. If such a policy had not been in place, Garcia Zarate would have been turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the spring of 2015. Instead, he was released from a San Francisco jail. Two months later, Steinle was dead.

After the verdict was read, one of Garcia Zarates defense attorneys, Francisco Ugarte, deemed it a day of vindication for the rest of immigrants. Its hard to agree, given that immigration wasnt discussed at the trial. Nor had Garcia Zarate cast himself as a martyr for all those whod made it through the deserts of Texas and Arizona. He wasnt a Dreamer, he wasnt a temporary worker toiling in the fields of South Carolina so that diners in Brooklyn can glory in organic heritage grains. He was his own man, in the most miserable way imaginable.

I asked the White House if President Trump had any comment on the Steinle verdict. Before any reply could come, a tweet materialized on my iPhone screen. A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! Trump wrote on Twitter. No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.

Somewhat more curious was a statement from Michael Grimm, a Republican who is running to reclaim his congressional seat in New York City. He lost it the old-fashioned way: by going to prison for tax evasion. While he served in the House, though, Grimm struck a moderate stance on immigration, pushing for a solution that would have included both stronger border security and some path to legal status for the nations undocumented residents.

That was not the Grimm who reacted to the Garcia Zarate verdict. Cowardice gives animals like Zarate safe harbor, he said. In calling Garcia Zarate an animal, Grimm was doubtlessly alluding to Trumps description of the crime: This man, or this animal, that shot that wonderful, that beautiful woman in San Francisco, this guy was pushed back by Mexico, candidate Trump once told CNN.

Garcia Zarate is the perfect bogeyman for Republicans running in 2018, an updated Willie Horton  the convicted killer who committed rape while on weekend furlough. The infamous Horton ad, aired by the George H.W. Bush campaign in 1988, worked because many Americans believed that liberal social programs were undermining social order. The belief may well have been misguided, but it was prevalent. If that werent the case, then Bushs opponent Michael Dukakis  who as governor of Massachusetts allowed for furloughs like the one granted Horton  would possibly have been elected president.

Lee Atwater, the Republican hatchet man responsible for the Horton ad, once said, By the time were finished, theyre going to wonder whether Willie Horton is Dukakis running mate. I suspect that GOP operatives are similarly planning to force any Democratic candidate running in 2018  and 2020  into a political marriage with Garcia Zarate.

The outlines of that effort are already visible. On Fox News, commentators thundered against the verdict, with anchor Gregg Jarrett writing on the networks website, If you are inclined to commit a heinous crime, San Francisco is the place for you. Steinle would still be alive if we had a wall, conservative pundit Ann Coulter said on Twitter after the verdict was announced.

Nor is discomfort with the verdict confined to the right. Justice is not served, said the leading editorial from the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday. The editorial noted that, following sanctuary city policies, an inmate with Garcia Zarates record could be released on the streets today. You dont need a Lee Atwater to make an ad out of that.

The shame in all this  or one of many, at any rate  is that Garcia Zarate is not even remotely representative of immigrants, legal or otherwise. The trial, however, does represent the American criminal justice system at its best. Its apotheosis is not the electric chair, or the rabid mob, but an unemotional verdict. If there is any good in this whole grim affair, it is that.

Alexander Nazaryan is a senior writer at Newsweek covering national politics.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
To the editor: So, the politically correct activists at Stanford University want to remove St. Junipero Serras name from their sanctimonious institute. Fine. (Stanford can take Junipero Serras name off its buildings, but it cant purge him from its history, Opinion, Nov. 30)

However, I think they should first look into the record of their founder, Leland Stanford, who didnt even bother to hide his racist view of Chinese people by saying to the state Legislature in 1862, The presence of numbers of that degraded and distinct people would exercise a deleterious effect upon the superior race.

I suggest to the activists that they try to remove this blatant white supremacists name from their institute before dabbling with anyone else. Otherwise, their demands ring hollow.

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Kee Kim, La Habra

..

To the editor: Stanford alumna Charlotte Allen asserts that Serra could be said to have invented the Golden State  belying that archaeologists have now traced human habitation in California as far back as 130,000 years.

Californias indigenous peoples defined the region long before the arrival of the fathers and soldiers. The infamous Camino Real existed as a trade route before any Spaniard walked it.

Its time to look beyond the mission fathers planting of fruit orchards to consider the horrific labor conditions that the Spanish imposed on the natives in their massive relocation program. Its also time to consider the lasting environmental damage that resulted from the introduction of livestock and non-native agriculture.

Regardless of whether Stanford University changes its landmarks names, it is time to acknowledge the native presence that is still here.

Pamela Nagler, Claremont

..

To the editor: Allen struck just the right note.

The worst time for the California Indians was not under Spanish rule or the mission system, but under American domination after an unjust war of aggression and expansion. Some historians today do not hesitate to call it genocide.

The true villain is James K. Polk, the president who maneuvered the country into an immoral war for which he was opposed by a congressman named Abraham Lincoln.

Stafford Poole, Los Angeles

The writer, a Roman Catholic priest and historian, is the author of several books on the history of colonial Mexico.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
California Assembly members held a special hearing this week in what they called a first step to overhauling how the chamber handles claims of sexual misconduct and harassment.

In an almost five-hour subcommittee meeting  the first of its kind by either legislative house  staffers and lobbyists said procedures in the state Capitol have for years protected those in power, leaving victims in fear of retaliation.

The testimony also revealed that the chamber has an opaque process to report and investigate claims, no measures to track complaints and blurry ethics standards for elected officials.

Here are some of the unanswered questions:

How many accusers have come forward?

According to the Assembly policy handbook, an employee can report sexual misconduct verbally or in writing to his or her supervisor, the Assembly member he or she works for or officers and members of the Rules Committee. The chamber has what it calls a zero-tolerance policy for filing a claim, meaning employees can report any language or advance they deem offensive or unwanted.

At the hearing, lawmakers were unable to get a complete picture of the problem from the Rules Committee. Witnesses said victims often felt unsafe coming forward, fearing retribution from powerful bosses. Of those who did, the committee could not provide clear data on when, how often or against whom they had filed complaints.

Assembly Rules Committee Chairman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) testified that even verbal complaints are documented, saying, We do memorialize the conversation in some way.

Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Debra Gravert and Human Resources Director Tosha Cherry emphasized at the hearing that they did not track all complaints  only those that result in an investigation.

Gravert also offered what initially seemed to be contradictory testimony on the number of complaints she received, first saying no complaints against Assembly members came in during the 3 years that she has served as the chambers top staffer.

Later, she clarified and said her office had received several complaints against Assembly members in the last two weeks since news reports have surfaced of sexual misconduct allegations against Hollywood executives and lawmakers across the country.

How many investigations have been launched against Assembly members?

Gravert said she could not provide the number of investigations involving Assembly members over the last decade.

In response to public records requests to the Assembly and state Senate, The Times received two summary documents showing that the California Legislature has investigated 31 allegations of sexual harassment since the beginning of 2006. The Senate conducted 15 investigations, and the Assembly 16.

But many details were not disclosed, including incident dates and information on the allegations, including which of them involved lawmakers or staff. Officials also did not provide information on how the cases were resolved.

One of the investigations tallied was a 2009 claim by legislative staffer Elise Flynn Gyore, who reported she was groped by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima), who was then a chief of staff to another lawmaker.

On Monday, Bocanegra resigned after The Times published a report last week in which six women accused him of making unwanted sexual advances. Gyore went public with her allegations against Bocanegra in an interview with The Times.

Which records are kept and for how long?

During the hearing, Gravert said Assembly policy requires officers to keep records for at least six years. That policy has raised concerns from some that records of allegations against sitting Assembly members might not be preserved. Under a 2012 change to Californias term limits law, Assembly members can now serve up to 12 years.

But we do keep records beyond that, she assured, not specifying which types of records are retained or how long they are kept.

In an interview Thursday, Gravert and Cherry said the Assembly has different retention policies for various types of records. The chamber has copies of complaints, or so-called note-to-file documents, dating back to 2006, running a wide gamut of claims that may or may not have been policy violations.

If it does become an investigation, all those records are retained as long as the employee is still here, Cherry said. Otherwise, once they leave the state Assembly, those records would be maintained for six years post-separation. And that is for at least six years  that is the floor and not the ceiling.

Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) resigned after The Times published a report in which six women accused him of making unwanted sexual advances. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

How does the Assembly decide which complaints to investigate?

As few as two people can decide whether a sexual misconduct violation has occurred: the Assemblys chief administrative officer and the human resources director.

Gravert and Cherry said Thursday that they consult the Assembly policy manual to determine whether incoming claims are policy violations. They then decide whether to escalate the complaint to an investigation by referring it to internal human resources staff or outside counsel. Gravert said any sexual harassment policy violations against lawmakers would go to an outside investigator.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about the level of objectivity in the process. On Tuesday, Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes (D-Grand Terrace) asked how a human resources staff hired by the Assembly  a staff that reports to the Rules Committee  could truly be independent.

I do think that investigation is, in fact, independent, because certainly our investigators are charged with determining the facts, whether we like them or not, Cherry responded.

Have the rules been evenly enforced?

Rules against sexual harassment apply to all state Assembly employees, including senior staffers and elected officials. Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) asked in the hearing how policies that seemed tailored for employees are enforced against lawmakers.

Gravert said that when a complaint of a sexual nature is filed against a member of the Assembly, we would go to an outside investigator. Those investigators interview all parties involved, including the member, and produce a report for the Assembly Rules Committee.

At that point, if a member has violated the policy, the chair and the vice chair of the Rules Committee would be consulted, they would then consult with the speaker and minority floor leader as to what further action would be taken, she said.

Some lawmakers expressed concern about the Assembly policing itself, allowing elected officials to escape the disciplinary standards faced by other legislative employees. In the history of the Assembly, Gravert said, no elected member has ever been expelled or suspended.

jazmine.ulloa@latimes.com

@jazmineulloa

ALSO

Victims denounce a failing system for reporting sexual harassment at the California Capitol

Sexual harassment hearings come as California Capitol is roiled by accusations and a resignation

California's Legislature investigated 31 abuse complaints made over the past decade
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 uneasy calm fell over this Central American capital Saturday as police and soldiers enforced a curfew imposed following days of protests and unrest in the aftermath of disputed national elections.

The final results of presidential balloting last Sunday remained unclear as the opposition demanded a review of tens of thousands of ballots that it deemed suspicious.

The last official count, including almost 95% of ballots cast, gave President Juan Orlando Hernandez a narrow lead of about 1.5% over his principal challenger, Salvador Nasralla, a charismatic television personality and relative political neophyte.

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Both candidates have declared victory. Intense disagreements about how to proceed to complete the count have frozen the process and resulted in a standoff, raising tensions here and drawing international concern.

The bitter postelection scenario has dramatized the polarized nature of politics in this nation of 9 million, which suffers from vast poverty and the presence of powerful criminal gangs, and which has one of the worlds highest homicide rates.

Honduras has also long been a major source of illegal immigrants to the United States, as its citizens have fled poverty and violence in their homeland.

Supporters of Nasralla, the main opposition challenger, have called the results released so far fraudulent and refused to participate in a final count of about 5% of ballots that authorities say will be subjected to special scrutiny because of possible irregularities.

The opposition has demanded a much larger review of disputed ballots. Critics have also cast suspicions on what they call inflated turnout in a number of areas that voted heavily for the reelection of Hernandez.

These things are unreal, Nasralla told a local television station Saturday, citing three pro-government provinces where turnout was about 50% higher than in other areas of the country. We are not stupid.

The opposition was planning a major protest march on Sunday in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Activists denounced the dusk-to-dawn curfew  announced on national television and radio late Friday  as a means to stifle protests against what critics called a rigged election process designed to give another term to Hernandez. Authorities said the curfew would be in place for 10 days.

The curfew is just a means to suppress dissent to this fraudulent election and increase repression, said Wilfredo Mendez, a human rights advocate who spoke at a news conference of activists assailing the government action.

But authorities said the curfew was essential to curb escalating violence, widespread looting and the erection of road blockades by antigovernment protesters.

The curfew was put in place to guarantee the safety of the people, Hernandez told reporters Saturday.

Officials and pro-government media outlets blamed opposition protesters for the wave of looting and pillage. But the opposition said government infiltrators and common criminals were behind the rash of lawlessness.

I am not calling on anyone to commit violence, Nasralla told local television, blaming the violence on armed forces directed by Juan Orlando Hernandez.

Human rights groups accused police of using excessive force and gunfire against protesters, resulting in at least two deaths and dozens of wounded in Tegucigalpa. Police said various cases were being investigated.

Media accounts of fatalities nationwide in the weeks violence ranged from two dead to half a dozen or more killed. Authorities offered no official comprehensive count.

Yolanda Barahona looks into the coffin containing the body of her granddaughter Kimberly Dayana Fonseca, 19, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Saturday. Fonseca was shot to death at a protest supporting opposition presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla. (Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press )

But police said scores of people had been arrested in suspected looting incidents. Pictures of people carting away televisions and other items from looted stores filled the newspapers.

The protests and violence appeared to have ebbed Saturday, as many shops were closed and people hastened to be off the streets before the 6 p.m. curfew.

Go to your homes, please, a TV news host urged viewers as the hour approached.

The streets were largely abandoned at nightfall. Earlier, cleaning crews had cleared many of the makeshift barricades of burning tires and stones that protesters had used to block roads during days of protests.

Honduras has considerable recent experience with large-scale political protests and curfews.

Authorities also imposed a curfew during protests that followed the 2009 coup that ousted former President Manuel Zelaya, who is now a key supporter of Nasralla.

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT

Cecilia Sanchez in The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report.
An Allentown pair are jailed in a forgery ring that included counterfeiting thousands and spending the phony cash at stores spanning five counties, according to police.

Tim Lee Priest

Charged are Tim Lee Priest, 33, of the 100 block of and Tabitha Ortiz, 33, both of the 100 block of South Bradford Street in Allentown. Two other alleged accomplices are named in court records, but are yet to be charged.

Bethlehem police at 7:35 p.m. July 31 received a call from a Walgreens employee at the store, 2979 Linden Street, who reported a man later identified as Priest attempted to pass five counterfeit $20 bills. Priest allegedly was using the phony bills to buy prepaid debit cards.

Investigators reviewed store surveillance footage to obtain a description on Priest. At 12:40 p.m. Aug. 1, Priest -- known to Bethlehem police as being an alleged drug dealer -- was stopped while driving a silver Kia with Ortiz as a passenger.

Police searched the Kia and seized the following: numerous receipts from stores for purchases of prepaid debit cards an gift cards; various gift cards; counterfeit U.S. currency and methamphetamine. Also found were seven counterfeit $20 bills, as well as an authentic $20 bill in Priest's possession and more gift cards, receipts and counterfeit bills were found in Ortiz's purse.

Court records show the pair were successful in buying more than $2,000 worth of items and received more than $1,325 in cash as change for the phony bills at Wal-Mart, Staples, Giant and Walgreens stores.

The forgery began on April 22 and spanned stores at Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery and Carbon counties. Court records list the merchandise obtained included gift cards and prepaid debit card, food, toiletries, clothing, BB gun accessories, printer tape, earbuds and tools.

Store managers and asset protection employees from the stores then worked with police to provide store surveillance footage of the suspects. A cellphone seized during Priest's Aug. 1 arrest included a screenshot photo of a Target store's policy on confrontations involving counterfeit money, as well as several photos of suspected drugs being weighed on scales, court records state.

Police said found on the cellphone also was communication among members of the forgery ring about printing counterfeit money and communication with Priest and others about drug sales.

Both Priest and Ortiz also have prior criminal records.

Police said Priest was the suspect in a forgery investigation in March and has had multiple arrests for felony drug violations and DUI. Ortiz has had multiple arrests for retail theft, as well as a felony drug violation, providing police with false identification, forgery and theft, according to police.

Both Priest and Ortiz are each charged with 64 counts of felony forgery, 64 counts of felony criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, one count felony criminal conspiracy to commit theft, and one count possession of an instrument of crime.

Both were arraigned Friday before District Judge James Narlesky, who set bail at $250,000 each. In lieu of bail, both Priest and Ortiz were sent to jail. Court records show Priest is being held at the Lehigh County jail and Ortiz is being held at Northampton County Prison.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A male victim is hospitalized following a Saturday night stabbing at a South Side Bethlehem rooming house, city police said.

Charged in the incident is Amanda Schmidt, 32, of the 800 block of Broadway.

Police Chief Mark DiLuzio said Schmidt and the male victim got into a disagreement at about 11 p.m. at the home, where they both were tenants. Schmidt then allegedly retrieved a sharp object and stabbed the victim in the abdomen.

The victim was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, where he was listed in stable condition Sunday. It remains unclear what led to the stabbing.

Schmidt is charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. She was arraigned on the charges and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of bail, the chief said.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Bethlehem man was injured in what police are describing as a shooting that took place while he was hunting.

Pennsylvania State police in Fogelsville said the 30-year-old man suffered a facial injury while hunting in the 2400 block of Brunner Road in Upper Milford Township. The incident happened at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

It's unclear what caused the man's injury, but police are calling the incident a "shooting" in a news release. The man's condition was unknown Sunday.

Other hunters were in the area at the time of the injury, according to police. WFMZ-69 News is reporting troopers were interviewing hunters outside of a home on the street.

Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville continues to investigate.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
By Alan Jennings

Tell them you don't want your money back. Tell them you believe in America, that America's promise is a level playing field and that public education, infrastructure and not letting a child starve are investments in ourselves as a civilized society, that taxes are the price we pay for that civility.

Tell them what really irks you is when people who already have all the gifts they need to thrive in a complex world are given even more. Tell them that Jesus never suggested cutting taxes for the luckiest few while cutting food assistance for the unfortunate many. Tell them you see through their charade that they side with the middle class, that even the middle class needs a little help: student aid, schools, unemployment compensation, catastrophic health care, nursing care for our parents.

Alan Jennings

Ask them whatever happened to their mantra that the deficit matters and whether their crazy "tax reform" scheme is just a front for looting the treasury for the benefit of the plugged-in, privileged class. Ask them why adding $500 billion per year -- yes, per year -- is good for the country all of a sudden, when for years they said we had to cut aid for the poor to reduce the deficit.

Remind them that Ronald Reagan made the claim that cutting taxes will generate economic growth and lead to more tax revenue. Remind them that his promise was a lie.

Point out that George W. Bush revived the lie, tried the same thing and all it did was leave people behind and run up the deficit. Remind them that it didn't work that time, either.

Have you heard about Kansas? They tried the old trick of slashing government and cutting taxes and all it did was -- you guessed it -- run up the deficit. Now they're up the proverbial creek and they threw both paddles in.

The tax plan being considered by Congress, according to its own bipartisan Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation, will shift benefits from lower-income to higher-income families, mostly because the lower-income families will lose assistance on their health care bills.

How many times can politicians make these same, tired claims before we call them liars?

And so, it's Christmastime. We love "A Christmas Carol." So why don't we heed the message we find so quaint?

We love the story as told in the Gospel according to Luke: a baby born in poverty to a homeless girl who conceived out of wedlock, the angel Gabriel bringing the news to the shepherds -- the riff-raff of their time. So why do we turn our backs on those our economy leaves behind?

We love George Bailey, the erstwhile accidental banker in "It's a Wonderful Life," who made a profound difference in his community. So why do we not give what we can to those in our community who serve others?

We love the post-epiphany Grinch, who rediscovers the joy of loving others. So why isn't Congress having its own epiphany, making the tax code more progressive, not less?

I can guarantee you this: Soon after they pass this latest give-away for people who don't need anything, they will start making the argument again that the deficit is too big to afford schools for our kids, nursing care for our parents, or homes for our homeless.

We should see through this stuff. We know the majority in Congress really doesn't side with regular folks. We regular folks are just the fools who buy their lies. But we aren't as dumb as we apparently look.

Tell them.

Alan Jennings is the executive director of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley.
Another all day car park has been provided in Naas.

Local councillors have agreed with a county council proposal that the cost of parking at Fairgreen should be reduced.

It means that there will all-day parking available at either end of Naas.

Parking for a day at Fairgreen will now cost 3 instead of the current rate of 3 for four hours. This is the same charge which applies to Hedermans car park off Friary Road.

New parking rules came into force last month.

These include the reintroduction of charges for parking on Saturdays, which had been done away with in 2013 as traders complained about the effects of the recession and the impact of out of town shopping destinations.

The charges apply from Monday to Saturday and between 9.30am and 5.30pm, whereas up to recently the charging period on a given day was 8.30am and 6.30pm.

The observation period of 15 minutes before a fine is issued and after a purchased parking ticket expires was done away with.
The old town hall in Wimbledon is a Tesco Metro now.

The brickwork remains and the same old mortar holds that same old brickwork together, but the sign over the door is for a supermarket, not a community centre. I was stood to the front of the old building in 2011 beside a man telling me how the old, cold walls leaked warm memories from the London Irish showband era.

Through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the chase was on to get the big names over from home, he said.

Pat Kane left Emily Square in Athy on a bus in 1958. And years later, he watched as they poured into Wimbledon by bus from Southampton to watch Brendan Shine, whom he brought over from Ireland.

Ye wont believe me, but they were swinging from the rafters that night, said Pat.

And then there was the night that Jim Reeves was down to play in The Buffalo in Camden Town. Only Jim didnt turn up and the crowd started breaking up the joint.

Microphone stands flew about the place like spears.

So Billy from Billy and the Northwinds said. Billy left Buncrana in 1962. He still dresses in a smart leather jacket and plays with The Northwinds in small halls around the city.

Working as a reporter with an Irish newspaper in London, I quickly came to understand that these stories and these characters were part of Londons Irish lexicon.

And the platforms that made those stories were once pillars of London Irish life.

Forum, Gresham and Galtymore

Like the Forum in Kentish Town.

Or the Gresham on the Holloway Road. And the mecca of them all  The Galtymore on Cricklewood Broadway.

If you spent any time living in London through an era when Joe Dolan and Big Tom blew new life into the Irish social scene, then its doubtless you visited one of theses venues.

Probably, you visited all of them.

When I first arrived in 2008, The Galtymore was closing up but its name and the names of the other dance halls continue to speckle the conversation in places were Londons Irish beard is growing grey.

It s a scene that dated fast in recent years, and the death nail arrived 18 months ago when The Conway Tree in Burnt Oak ceased to be a regular fixture on Monday nights.

Seamus Moore, aka The JCB man, had been the host until he sounded down the speakers and the scene slipped off into the night.

So it seemed.

Then, a few weeks ago when someone mentioned an old hall at the back of Kilburn where people gathered by the hundred to relive the glory days of Londons Irish Showband era.

It sounded like the most improbable underground scene with a most unlikely leader  a man called McGinty.'

Whats his first name? I enquired.

He doesnt have one, came the reply. Hes McGinty!

So two weeks ago last Monday, I visited where this McGinty reportedly hung out  the Mazenod Social Club in Kilburn in the citys northwest.

It was cold and dark, Italy were playing Sweden on the big TV in the front bar, and the RTE Nine OClock News was running on the small TV in the corner so high you had to crane your neck to see.

I ordered a Guinness, then became aware of the muffled sound of an accordion, and through a creaking door at the back, a hidden world full of reverse spins and outside turns was raging quietly against the falling sands of time.

McGinty from Kilcormack in County Offaly introduced himself.

This is the Ballroom of Romance, he declared, and then championed the half a dozen or so relationships prospering among the clientele that were: Ex Galty, Ex Buffalo, Ex Forum, and they arrive every Monday by the hundred.

Its not an Irish London I have ever known and probably never will.

But I understand its the only London some readers will have known.

So hopefully this report will be received well by the masses and with great warmth by those who know the scene best.

Down a quiet back alley, Monday nights are running to the rhythm of TR Dallas.

Wait until I tell Pat Kane!

Robert Mulhern is a London based journalist contracted to RTE's The Documentary on One. To contact our columnist, email mulhernrobert@hotmail.com
Digital Champions

The School Digital Champion Programme is a unique opportunity for second level students to take part in an exciting and innovative programme that has the potential to involve learning at many levels.

This exciting programme enables students to develop their creativity, critical-thinking and communications skills.

Carrick-on-Shannon Community Schools 2018 Digital Champions are Con Doyle, Jack Foley, Conor Lyons and Daniel Wynne. This years Digital Champions will teach their grandparents to be smarter on their smartphone during January 2018. Training will be provided. The Digital Champions will also visit a tech industry site.



Coding

Carrick-on-Shannon Community School has been chosen as one of fifty Irish schools to complete the Junior Cycle short course in Coding. First Year students will complete classroom-based assessments in Second and Third Year.



Hour of Code

The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week in December. First Year students will complete activities using the BBC Microbit computer for the Hour of Code.



Safer Internet Day Ambassador

Congratulations to Leaving Cert student Paul Woods, who has been selected as the school's Safer Internet Day Ambassador.

To coincide with Safer Internet Day, which takes place in February 2018, Paul will mentor First Year students on cyber security. Paul will receive online training and will attend a training day in Facebook headquarters Dublin in January 2018.



Film Francais

Fifth Year students recently attended a French film in the Dock theatre, Carrick-on-Shannon. Merci to Paul from The Dock, who welcomed the students in French. "Ma vie de courgette" tells the story of an orphan, and the adventures he has with his new friends in a foster home.

This Swiss-French comedy-drama film, "Ma vie de courgette" deals with many themes on the current Leaving certificate syllabus. The students then went to Philippe, the French baker in the market in the Market Yard.

Students ordered croissants in French and spoke French to the baker.
DEPUTY Niall Collins raised concerns over Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale garda stations, the lack of a full-time superintendent in Bruff and Limericks catastrophic loss in its number of gardai during a special Dail debate on rural crime.

Deputy Collins said he heard late on the previous night that Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan had paid a visit to Limerick.

He visited the garda station in Newcastle West, which is in need of refurbishment works, as he knows. Had I known he was there, I would have come along. I would have pointed out to him that the relatively new garda station down the road in Abbeyfeale is open for only a small number of hours per day.

"This station was opened in late 2006 by the then Justice Minister, Michael McDowell. There is a glaring need for that purpose-built garda station to be open much more to serve the local community in Abbeyfeale, said Deputy Collins.

He turned to the other side of the county while addressing the Dail chamber.

The Bruff district has not had a permanent superintendent for a long period. We have had many fine superintendents passing through the place.

"Currently, there is a very good acting superintendent [Inspector Dermot OConnor]. I ask the minister to direct his efforts towards securing a permanent superintendent for the Bruff district, said the Fianna Fail spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Deputy Collins also said the Limerick garda division suffered a catastrophic loss in its number of gardai during the years of the moratorium.

We are still well behind the curve in catching up. We have fared very poorly in terms of the recruitment allocation from Templemore, said Deputy Collins.

In October, he branded the whole of the Limerick garda division receiving five gardai out of 181 that passed out in September as derisory.

The Bruff district alone needs five gardai and actually more, he said. The response to his question to the Minister for Justice also revealed that of the 1,400 new gardai that have come out of Templemore since it reopened in September 2014, Limerick has got 39.

That is 2% of all new recruits we have got in Limerick. We are being ignored, said Deputy Collins last month.

He concluded his two minutes Dail speaking time on the provision of CCTV.

The scheme administered by the Department is a joke. People who apply are not being awarded grant aid towards the provision of CCTV. The application process is completely complicated and convoluted, as the Minister well knows.

We are running a pilot scheme in Limerick throughout our joint policing committee, of which I am a member. It is quite successful. In conjunction with the local authority and the gardai, we are rolling out the scheme right across the county. I ask the Minister and his Department to partner up with the joint policing committee in Limerick and roll out the scheme in more communities across the county and the rest of the country.
#banks-interest income Banks log record interest income through Sept. on rising rates Banks in South Korea earned record net interest income in the first three quarters of the year, helped by sharp rate hikes by the central bank, data showed Thursday. Their intere...

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WHEN Dr Marty Hollands two close friends passed away after a battle with cancer, he wanted to do something positive to help the services that helped them.

After a 30-year career at Mary Immaculate College, the Cratloe man had the time on his hands and the energy to take on a meaningful and challenging project in his retirement.

Thus he decided to walk the coast of the island of Ireland, and raise much-needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society and Friends of the Cancer Centre, which helped his late friends Michael ORegan, from Monaleen, and Cratloe local John OReilly.

He said that he wanted to do something useful in tribute.

Rather than being confronted by people passing away from cancer and doing nothing about it. I decided to get out there and do something positive, he said.

The end result was a significant 60,000 fundraiser and a photographic 2018 calendar, featuring the most memorable sights along his coastal journey.

He completed the trek in two two-and-a-half month phases. Before the blistering winter cold set in last year, he hiked along the Leinster and Munster coast. He resumed his adventure in March, starting in Northern Ireland and concluding at the Flaggy Shore on June 18.

However, his main challenge was waking up in the morning and wondering where his bed was going to be that night. Fortunately for Dr Holland, he received phenomenal support along the 3,450km walk.

I was couch-surfing, so people were putting me up as I went. And I was put up by the kindness of strangers, and after five months of walking, I wasnt stuck once.

There were some times when I would set out in the morning and I wouldnt know where I was staying that night. So I didnt have accommodation offered to me or organised. But I just believed in peoples decency that the support would come and it always did. I was never stuck, he said.

After walking the brim of Connaught, Marty ended at the Flaggy Shore in Clare, where the family of Michael ORegan and John OReilly showed up to do the final stretch alongside him.

I got a big send-off and a big greeting. It was a nice and very fitting end to the whole thing, he said this week. He said he was delighted to be back in the company of his family, who joined him on a number of days throughout the journey.

He said he hopes the 60,000 for the ICC and Friends of the Cancer Centre will contribute to their good cause, who provide night nurse facilities and supports for families.

Dr Hollans photographic calendar can be purchased at OMahonys Bookstore, OSullivans Pharmacy, the EBS at Parkway, and the Irish Cancer Society Shop in the city.
EMERGENCY services are at the scene of a collision near the Limerick Greyhound Stadium at the Dock Road.

It's the second road incident in the city this Sunday evening, following an earlier collision near the Tipperary Roundabout.

This saw delays on the Ballysimon Road, with officers from Roxboro Road garda station dispatched to the scene, near the Topaz garage at the Ballysimon Road. It is located just after the Tipperary Roundabout, outbound to Tipperary.

Motorists were being warned of slow moving traffic in the area, with both sides of the road blocked for a time.

#LIMERICK Gardai are dealing a collision blocking both sides of the Ballysimon Rd just after the Tipperary R/A. Expect delays. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr  AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) December 3, 2017

Limerick Fire Service have not been called to the scene. Its understood the collision is minor in nature, and the road is expected to be clear soon.

Roxboro garda station can be contacted at 061-214340.

Meanwhile, two units of Limerick Fire and Rescue Service were called following a crash outside the Devon Inn Hotel at Templeglantine earlier today.

There are heavy delays both ways on the approach to the village, with one lane re-opened.
ARDAGH in Limerick is probably best known for the Ardagh chalice, the eighth-century gold and silver altar cup which became the inspiration and template for the Sam Maguire Cup.

But a new book, to be launched next week, will spell out in detail other bits of Ardaghs story which deserve to be better known.

Written by local woman, Mary Kury, the book, simply called Ardagh, traces the story of the area from early, pre-Christian days. In its broad sweep, it places the local in the context of big historical events such as the Desmond Rebellion, the Munster plantation, Catholic emancipation, the Famine and the Land War.

It also looks at socio-economic aspects of life such the coming of the railway to Ardagh, the setting up of the creamery and the areas cultural heritage.

But Mary Kury gives plenty space too to what she considers the three most notable aspects of Ardagh history: the Ardagh chalice, the Fenian Rising and William Smith OBrien of Cahermoyle House, founder of the Young Irelander movement, rebel and local landlord.

The book, Mary explains, has close to 450 pages with over 400 illustrations including photographs, maps and other documents. It also has a section of poems and songs.

One of the books great strengths are the dozen appendices, cataloguing townlands, land ownership, school rolls from the 19th century and other primary source material. These, Mary explains, contain information that will be very valuable for genealogical research.

The school rolls, for example, are very interesting, she continues. People didnt always register births but the school rolls let you see family size and also the date of birth of each child.

And the townland census information, going back to 1654 and up to the early 1900s, tells a valuable geo-political story, creating a picture of who owned what and when.

Mary has spent the past four years shaping and writing and pulling material together for her book. A lot of it is based on my dad, Jerry McMahons research, she explains. His passion was for local history and he gathered up large amounts of primary source material, lists and facts, spending much of his spare time in dusty archives.

I took up the baton when he passed away and I have been doing my own research also, she says. The whole idea was to put Jerrys research out there.

Happily, the book is being launched in time for Ardaghs big year of celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the finding of the Ardagh chalice in September, 1868. And the hope is that it will inform people not just about that particular event but the areas wider history and importance.

But already, Mary is looking ahead to the next publication. The Ardagh Heritage Society of which she is secretary, is hoping to take material collected in local schools by the Irish Folklore Commission in the 1930s and reproduce some of it in little booklets under various headings.

Before that, however, is the launch of the book, Ardagh, which will take place in Ardagh Parish Hall on Saturday, December 9 at 7.30pm. Liam Irwin, retired lecturer in history from Mary Immaculate College will launch the book, copies of which will be available for sale on the night, priced at 30. The book is over 400 pages in length.
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A 13-year-old East Texas girl who ran away last week was found safe in Mexico late Sunday, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Mexican authorities and the FBI pitched in to track down Ashlee Hattermann during the two-day hunt that led officials to Laredo and eventually to Mexico City.

The teen disappeared Friday morning after her mother dropped her off at Thornton Middle School. A few of the girl's friends saw her that day, but at some point she walked off campus and went to a church, where she persuaded a good Samaritan to buy her a bus ticket.

"She convinced a woman she was trying to get back to Laredo to get to her family," said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland.

The teen hopped on a Greyhound headed south to Laredo on Friday afternoon.

READ MORE: City of Laredo employee accused of using work vehicle for personal gain

The next morning, the good Samaritan saw Facebook posts about the missing girl and came to police after realizing she'd been duped.

Authorities tracked down security footage from the Katy bus station showing the girl getting ready to board a bus headed south. Initially, authorities tracked her to Laredo but couldn't confirm she'd crossed the border until mid-day Sunday.

"We are working with Mexican authorities in an effort to locate her in Mexico, but we are also seeking any information anyone in the United States may have which may help us find her," FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee said in an email.

Although Ashlee left school early in the day, the Hattermanns didn't find out their daughter was missing till late Friday afternoon, when the school called to say she'd only attended one class that day.

"The last thing we heard is that she crossed the border into Mexico," her mother, Tiffany Hattermann said Sunday morning. "We got a tip from somebody in Laredo."

Ashlee's parents feared she was headed south to find a man she met on the internet.

"There's been an ongoing case since May of last school year when she was talking online with a sexual predator," Hattermann said. "It was investigated by the Harris County Sheriff's Office and unfortunately they never followed up with it."

Gilliland disputed that.

"It has been investigated," he said. "It wasn't just put on a shelf."

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After finding out about the messages last spring, Ashlee's parents took away her phone and internet access. But now they think she may have managed to stay in contact with the man using a secret second phone.

The worried Katy couple had no indication there was anything amiss in recent weeks, though.

"There was nothing wrong when I dropped her off at school," her mother said. "The only thing that threw me off was she told me she loved me when she got out of the car."

Ashlee is described as 5-foot-7 and 110 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She may be wearing glasses. There was no Amber Alert issued, but activation requires indication of an abduction, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

"I know they're saying he's a human trafficker but we don't have anything saying that yet," Gilliland said. "Right now, we're still treating this as a runaway."

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security pitched in as officials plastered the girl's image across the internet and saturated media near the border.

Finally, around 11 p.m., authorities in Mexico spotted the teen and alerted the sheriff's office before picking her up to meet her father, who was already in Mexico City.
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Call it an unwritten rule - a matter of decorum among the small fraternity of men who once held the title "leader of the free world."

Before he left office, Barack Obama said his goal was to steer clear of the political spotlight - as George W. Bush had done when he left the White House - giving the new president room to govern without Obama's shouldering into every debate with the megaphone that being a former commander in chief affords.

But a Fox Business commentator said Obama violated that unwritten rule with a recent comment about Trump's tweets. What's more, according to Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, that violation should merit arrest.

"I think U.S. marshals should follow [Obama], and anytime he wants to go follow the president like he is and behave [like that]," Dobbs said on his show Friday. "I mean, this is just bad manners. It's boorish and it's absurd and he doesn't realize how foolish he looks."

"I mean, he should be brought back by the marshals. Isn't there some law that says presidents shouldn't be attacking sitting presidents?"

The Obama comments in question came during a leadership forum in India, according to The Washington Post's Annie Gowen.

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Someone asked Obama about recent comments made by his wife, Michelle, in Toronto: The former first lady said it was never a good idea to "tweet from bed," a not-so-subtle commentary on Trump's early-morning social media habits.

In New Delhi, her husband agreed.

"Michelle was giving the general idea. . . . Don't say the first thing that pops in your head. Have a little bit of an edit function," he said. "Think before you speak. Think before you tweet."

Telling Trump to have an edit function is far from the worst thing a former president has said about the commander in chief.

Obama has made stronger statements while defending his legacy against Trump's attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, end the United States' participation in the Paris climate accord and impose stricter immigration limits.

In January, according to The Post's Juliet Eilperin, Obama encouraged Americans to protest Trump's move to ban citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States.

"The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion," Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis said in a statement.

Obama is not the only president to criticize Trump. According to The Post's David Nakamura, during a rare political speech, former president George W. Bush criticized a political system "corrupted by conspiracy theories and outright fabrication" in which nationalism has been "distorted into nativism."

"We've seen our discourse degraded by casual cruelty," Bush said during a 16-minute address at "The Spirit of Liberty" event. "Bullying and prejudice in our public life sets a national tone and provides permission for cruelty and bigotry. The only way to pass along civic values is to first live up to them."

Bush's father, the 41st president, bashed Trump in more concise, plainer terms, according to CNN.

In historian Mark Updegrove's new book, titled "The Last Republicans," George H.W. Bush said of Trump: "He's a blowhard."

"This guy doesn't know what it means to be president."

By Dobbs' reasoning, the marshals may also have to come for the Bushes, too.
If the enthusiasm of Plainview High School theatre students and teachers is any indication, the departments performance of Alice in Wonderland this weekend will be a cant miss show.

Plainview High School Theatre Director Jennifer Riley had nothing but effusive praise for her young students, who will tackle a well-known classic in a new and innovative way.

This is the varsity theatre group, Riley said. We are truly a family. We have a lot of upperclassmen and seniors in this group. The leadership is wonderful.

Specifically Riley had praise for her technical crew on the production, noting that their dedication to developing all of the elements of play has been unreal.

They have been so dedicated, she said. They have given up their free blocks and even been up here during the holidays working on several aspects.

Riley noted that the students who worked behind the scenes had a variety of fairly complex duties to perform.

They worked on getting the (legal) rights for the music, they even edited the music themselves, she said. We have a projection screen we are going to use to project a number of images as part of the play. They had to research how to get permission to use the images and then had to develop some of the images themselves through Photoshop so that the images would fit our needs.

I am just so grateful to have this type of talent, she said. Unlike some plays, the crew isnt just backstage, they are also on stage, many of them playing two different roles and they are brilliant actors as well. It has really been fantastic.

She specifically singled out brothers Michael and Ryan Britton and her son Reed Riley as being very instrumental in the technological process of the play.

Reed Riley, 15, said that the work on the play is some of the most complicated tech the students have ever performed. He said work on the projection of images took five students over 12 hours to perfect so that the images come out clean without being skewed. For those interested in viewing the play, the younger Riley said that there are dozens of projected images, generally two per scene, that help add context and background to the performances.

But the performance isnt just the projections, some 30 students will be playing a variety of roles, in many circumstances students will actually be playing two different roles during the play. Jennifer Riley said that it takes a minimum of six weeks of daily work on the project to see it through to the final result on stage. Riley said that the play would not have come off without the collaboration of Dr. Rosemary Peggram and the fashion design students and Juanetta Bocko and the visual arts class.

Dr. Peggram and the design class helped with our costumes and Juanetta and her students did all of our hats, Riley said. We all met at the beginning of the project and I showed them some images of my ideas and told them my vision for the play and they kind of went from there. As we went along we just all talked through the overall vision. It is really amazing to collaborate with those other departments in this way.

Student Zoe Medina, 15, said that the audience will get a few surprises.

It is something you dont see everyday, she said. It is Alice in Wonderland on steroids.

Student Kit Kingston, 17, said that one of the things he really enjoys about the play is that everyone is playing different roles. For Kingston that means playing a frog footman in the first act and Humpty Dumpty in the second portion of the play.

In the first act I am a servant, so I am really humble, he said. In the second I am Humpty Dumpty and I dont like Alice very much, so I have an attitude.

Jennifer Riley said one of the things the audience will realize is that the stage adaptation of Alice in Wonderland is hilarious.

There is a lot of physical comedy, it is also incredibly witty, she said. With a group of gifted and brave actors it really comes alive. I think that people will be surprised about how much they will laugh during the play.

She said that as a director she views her job as infusing her vision into the play. She said that unlike some other versions of Alice, the characters in this play are really humanized. She said she felt like this would be intriguing to the audience.

We took a very different approach and the students rose to the challenge, she said.

Part of that rise is due in no small part to the family environment Riley shares with her students.

The diversity of this group of students is unreal, she said. It is great to be able to bring kids together from different walks of life.

I have been part of this for two and a half years, Kingston said. I love that we are all really a family here.

We really have a lot of freedom, to find our character (in a performance), Medina said. I think deep down it allows us to become better people.

When I chose a play, I am always thinking, what is the message behind this play, Jennifer Riley said. What can students learn about each other or themselves from the piece?

The play began Thursday night, but continues with performances tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Plainview High School Auditorium. Friday nights performance will also include a silent pie auction. Those who attend Saturday may also partake of dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the show and $25 for the Saturday dinner theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the auditorium.
SANAA, Yemen - Days of fierce clashes here in Yemen's capital have opened a violent new front in the country's multisided civil war, with an alliance of Yemeni forces battling a Saudi-led military coalition fracturing - a potentially major shift in the conflict.

The latest clashes have pitted a Yemeni rebel group known as the Houthis against forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president of Yemen who was ousted five years ago but continues to wield outsize influence.

Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting, which started Wednesday. The clashes started with a standoff at a mosque in Sanaa, according to officials in the capital. But like most episodes in the war, the exact cause remained murky, and there was immediate suspicion that Saudi Arabia and its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, had played a role in turning Saleh against the Houthis.

In the days before the clashes, Saudi officials had referred obliquely to imminent developments in the war that would improve their fortunes. It was unclear, however, whether they were orchestrating the latest drama or reacting to rumors from the ground.

Through the week, the fighting roared through southern neighborhoods of Sanaa as mediators tried in vain to defuse the crisis. By early Saturday morning, the battle had widened, and residents of the city were jolted awake by the sound of heavy artillery shelling.

"Dozens killed in fierce fighting in Sanaa, #Yemen. Hundreds more injured," the local chapter of the International Committee for the Red Cross wrote on Twitter on Saturday. "Our call to all parties: Civilians are not part of the fight."

It remained to be seen whether the latest violence would alter the trajectory of the conflict. The Houthis and Saleh are uneasy allies and have feuded in the past. But harsh accusations by leaders of the two camps on Saturday, and the intensifying skirmishes, signaled a possibly irreparable rift between the two sides.

In a televised speech Saturday, Saleh blamed the Houthis for the violence and called on his forces to ignore orders from the Houthi leadership. "Yemeni citizens have tried to tolerate the recklessness of the Houthi militias over the last 2 years but cannot anymore," he said.

Saleh - a wily dealmaker whose greatest achievement, arguably, has been ensuring his own political survival - also addressed the Saudi-led coalition, calling on them to stop their "aggression" in Yemen and begin negotiations to "start a new page."

The Houthi rebel leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, also spoke on television Saturday, insisting that his forces had practiced restraint and been surprised by the attacks their erstwhile allies.

The "wise people of Yemen," he said, needed to "investigate who is behind the strife."

The Houthis and Saleh forces have long been allies in the civil war, which began in 2015 and has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people. Together, they have clung to large swaths of territory in northern and central Yemen while fending off attacks by the military coalition - led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States - which controls Yemen's skies, borders and seaports.

The stalemated conflict, which has spawned a vast humanitarian crisis in the Arab world's poorest country, has alarmed aid organizations and embarrassed Saudi Arabia, which has cast Yemen as a critical front in its conflict with its regional enemy, Iran. The Saudis have accused Iran of directly supporting the Houthis, including by providing weapons. The Houthis have denied accusations that they serve as an Iranian proxy force.

In a statement, the Saudi coalition praised the "uprising" by members of Saleh's political party against the "evils of Iranian terrorist and sectarian militias." The shift in tone was evident on al-Arabiya, a Saudi-owned news channel, which played Saleh's statement repeatedly and referred to him as the "former president," rather than the "ousted president," as had been the channel's previous practice.

- - -

Fahim reported from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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WASHINGTON - A little-known Treasury Department fund created to settle workplace claims for members of Congress has paid only one settlement over alleged sexual harassment in the last five years, the office that handles workplace claims on Capitol Hill revealed Friday.

In a letter to the Committee on House Administration, the Office of Compliance disclosed that just one workplace complaint alleging sexual harassment was settled out of the Treasury fund between 2013 and the present. The Post confirmed that the member behind the $84,000 settlement was Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, who was sued by his former communications director over alleged harassment in 2014.

In total, the fund paid for settlements related to six claims against House members' offices during that time. The five complaints not pertaining to sexual harassment alleged one or more forms of employment discrimination and in some cases, retaliation, the letter stated.

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The data sheds new light on the secretive process lawmakers use to settle workplace complaints against them and their aides. While claims of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill have grabbed national attention, the data shows that discrimination claims were more likely to be settled out of the Treasury fund in the last five years.

The fund is not the only source of settlement payments for lawmakers. Members like Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., have used their office budgets to settle - and conceal - complaints, a method that hampers public scrutiny.

On Friday, the House Ethics Committee plans to review all formal claims of sexual harassment, discrimination and mistreatment involving members and employees of the lower chamber, a sign the panel might assert its power to address mounting allegations of misconduct on Capitol Hill.

In their first major action following a public outcry over sexual harassment in Congress, Ethics Committee Chairwoman Susan Brooks, R-Ind., and ranking Democrat Ted Deutch, Fla., asked the Office of Compliance to provide "all records ... related to any claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or any other employment practice prohibited" under the Congressional Accountability Act.

The request covers complaints against current members and employees of the House, Brooks and Deutch wrote Friday in a letter to the OOC. It does not mean the records will become public.

Ethics watchdog groups welcomed the move as a sign the panel might wield its power to crack down on mistreatment of congressional aides.

"A nice change of pace to see the Ethics Committee asserting its jurisdiction," Meredith McGehee, executive director of Issue One, wrote in an email. "Usually they are looking for ways to avoid taking on hard questions, hoping the Member leaves or burying the allegations until the 'heat' goes away."

Last week, the ethics panel announced it would probe allegations that Conyers behaved inappropriately toward multiple female aides, its first public response to the sexual harassment debate on Capitol Hill.

Conyers was already under investigation by the ethics committee over what an independent ethics monitor described as a potentially improper severance arrangement with a former employee. House Democratic leaders, as well as a number of rank-and-file members, called Thursday for Conyers to resign over the harassment allegations.

Under the law, the executive director of the Office of Compliance has authority to share records of hearings and decisions with the House and Senate ethics committees. The executive director can share all written and oral testimony from hearings and decisions, but not information discussed in mediation.

It's unclear whether the OOC has ever shared information with the ethics committees. Laura Cech, spokeswoman for the office, said current officials in the Office of Compliance are not aware of any records of hearings and decisions that were provided to the ethics committees.
LANSING, Mich. - Democratic Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan announced Saturday that he will not seek re-election to a 19th term in 2018.

Levin, whose Democratic-leaning district is in suburban Detroit, said he will teach at the University of Michigan after 36 years in Washington.

"I have tried to live up to the trust given to me by my constituents by following the values of my parents and family and by acting on what I believe after digging deeply into the facts and consulting broadly," Levin, 86, said in a statement.

"I now want to share these same values in ways other than being an elected official," he said.

Levin has served on the House Ways and Means Committee, which makes tax and trade law, for almost 30 years. He was the top Democrat on the panel from 2010 through 2016 and was chairman during passage of the federal health care law.

Levin, a Royal Oak resident, has represented various parts of suburban Detroit since the early 1980s. His brother Carl was a U.S. senator from Michigan until 2015, and they were the longest-serving sibling duo in congressional history.

"The voters respected my strong belief that stereotypes and prejudice do not represent the measure of an individual or of a community. In one of my elections, a primary opponent suggested that I could not represent Macomb County because I had never owned a Christmas tree," Sander Levin, who is Jewish, wrote in an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press.

He cited as accomplishments his work fighting for comprehensive health care, blocking attempts to privatize Social Security, working for fairer trade policies and partnering with Michigan's congressional delegation on the federal bailout that rescued the auto industry.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Levin "a principled patriot, champion of the people of Michigan and deeply esteemed leader in the Congress."

"In his 35 years in the Congress, he has fought tirelessly on behalf of families in Michigan and across the country to expand quality, affordable health care, secure the dignity of a good retirement and promote fair trade that leaves no worker behind," Pelosi said.

Michigan's 9th Congressional District includes areas of Oakland and Macomb counties. Levin's son is seen as a likely candidate for his father's seat. Andy Levin considered a run for governor, but decided against it, writing recently that he would instead focus on "building the movement for economic and social justice closer to home." Another likely Democratic candidate is state Sen. Steve Bieda.

Before joining Congress, Levin was assistant administrator in the U.S. Agency for International Development. He was a state senator and twice the Democratic nominee for governor in the 1970s.

"Sandy has fought for fair trade deals, affordable health care, and the rights of workers everywhere. His contributions will be evident for a long time, not just in the U.S. but around the globe," said Rep. Dan Kildee, a Flint-area Democrat.

Levin is the second Michigan congressman to decide against seeking re-election, joining second-term Republican Rep. Dave Trott, who represents the neighboring 11th District in suburban Detroit.
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Aurivo, the globally-focused agribusiness has completed a series of information evenings in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo to assist farmers who may be facing fodder shortages this winter.

If we wait until next March to calculate potential shortages, farmers may face significant pressure,said Stephen Blewitt, General Manager of Agribusiness at Aurivo.

The importance of early intervention now cannot be overstated and the objective of the information evenings was to get farmers to calculate their fodder needs and to determine whether they have enough to get through the winter and if they were short.

The options that are available include selling stock, purchasing fodder or purchasing concentrates.

Aurivo are committed to helping farmers across our region and I would encourage as many people as possible to take action now.

Over 400 farmers attended the three free information evenings where experts from the Homeland and Nutrias brands offered practical advice and support around the fodder shortages and the steps needed to alleviate the severity of the crisis.

Farmers had the opportunity to voice their concerns and it was quite evident from the number of attendees at the meetings that there is a significant fodder shortage in certain areas of the Aurivo trading region, Mr Blewitt continued.

Aurivos Homeland and Nutrias teams are assisting farmers overcome any fodder shortfalls by providing them with the option to purchase fodder stretcher ration such as the Nutrias 3 way mix so they can supplement their fodder or they can purchase straw or hay through their local Homeland store and Aurivo urges farmers to act by Friday, December 1 and place their order to ensure supply.

Read next: Worsening fodder crisis in Longford and Leitrim must be addressed
STUARTThe population is growing, and forests are shrinking.

The commonwealth has a plan to try to stave off the destruction of forests which happens alongside the spread of development: Conservation easements.

Andrew Fontinos, Forest Conservation Specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry, talked about conservation easements during a workshop on timber management sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry, held in Stuart.

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or land trust that permanently limits future development of the land to protect its conservation values, he said.

Landowners with such an easement can continue to own, use and control their land, and they can sell it or pass it on to heirs. Rural uses such as forest management, hunting, fishing and agriculture are allowed, and the easement does not give access to the public.

Fontinos covers the western third of the state. His specialty is real estate, and he works with perpetual agreements. He has worked with Patrick County for seven years.

I often work with planning and county supervisors, he said, to get them thinking about whats going to happen with our forests 50 years from now.

In Virginia, 373,600 family forest landowners control 75 percent of Virginias timber supply, he said.

A half a million acres are in forest, he said, but the forestland base is decreasing. There is a long term trend of losing a lot of acres of forest, mainly in northern Virginia, he said.

Almost half  47 percent  of Virginias forest  is on lots averaging 27 acres, he said, and that is considered small scale. Think of how hard its going to be to get a logger out to their place if theres only 27 acres, he said.

As parents divide property to pass on to their children, the average sizes of lots only get smaller and smaller, he said. Thats a problem, but there are some alternatives to that.

At around 18,000, Patrick Countys population has remained almost stable over the past half century, he said, but just because the populations staying level doesnt mean the property isnt getting split up. In fact, he said, now many of the owners of property in Patrick County live someplace else, and that makes it even harder to manage that property.

Keeping property in forest, intact and in the family is a goal many families have, but for some people, the land is an investment, he said. Thats why the state created an Easement Program, to offer financial incentives to keep existing forestland intact. This is a high level of commitment or partnership that they werent going to divide the land even more, he explained.

He said that the easement program is voluntary, flexible, perpetual, cost-effective and has community benefits, while allowing the people who live on the land to continue using it in their regular manner.

Being perpetual, it passes down from one property owner to the next. Its a really serious agreement, and thats why its not for everyone, he said.

It keeps the land on the tax rolls, and the easement protects the quality of the air, water and soil, and its rural character.

About 6,000 people have put conservation easements on their land, he said, with about a dozen of them in Patrick County.

People are motivated to do it because they love their land and want it to stay intact; they want the land to remain forest; they care about keeping a place for wildlife to life; and parents want a family place to be able to stay in the family, Fontinos said.

Another motivating factor is significant tax benefits. In some cases, the tax benefits are worth a lot of money, he said.

The process has been made easier to do. Before 2002, if you wanted to protect your land, legal costs to do so would range between $5,000 and $6,000, he said.

Property valuation for tax purposes generally goes down after a property is protected by easement, he said. Thats because the land is valued less if you cant divide it for housing lots.

Depending on the size and nature of the property, however, landowners often can retain the right to exercise one or more subdivisions. Conservation easements also include provisions for building houses, farm buildings and other structures typically found on rural land.

A property which is protected under a conservation easement is protected against any state actions of eminent domain, such as running utility lines through the property. The neighbor who doesnt have the easement is going to get the powerline or whatever other utility encroachment is put in, he said. However, any federal projects using eminent domain still would prevail, he said.

Forestry officials visit each easement site once a year to check on it, he said, but not to interfere.

We encourage people to manage their forests and profit from them, he said. If their goal is to make money, well help them make plans to do so. The only catch is anyone who has an easement will have to work with a professional forester in order to harvest timber, he said.

If you can get a professional forester to say Lets get this timber, the jobs done, he said. The goal is to do the timber jobs right, and not just get them done. Theres no micromanagement of how you go about to manage your timber.

The program also requires that Best Management Practices for Water Quality be followed, he said. That includes leaving tree buffers alongside waterways.

The Virginia Department of Forestry Conservation Easement Program focuses on large blocks of managed forest, typically on properties at least 50 acres in size that are at least 75 percent covered in forest.

Conservation easements generally take six months or longer to complete, according to information from the VDOF. Landowners choosing to donate an easement generally will have to work with an attorney, an appraiser and perhaps a financial advisor and tax credit broker.

For more information, visit www.dof.virginia.gov, or call the VDOFs Western Region Office in Salem at (540) 387-5461 or Fontinos at (434) 270-4090.
MARTINSVILLE  Normally behind the scenes, local director Myron Smith is now the star of the show  as The Grinch.

He portrays The Grinch in a Sweded film he made, but his character has taken on a whole life beyond that.

In November, he was in the Martinsville-Henry County Christmas Parade, his first parade ever, he said. This week, hell be The Grinch on stage during the Patrick Henry Community Players Christmas Spectacular.

He performed with Patrick Henry Community Colleges theater group in 2003, when he was a student at PHCC in the class of Dan Spaugh, who then was in charge of the theater program.

In Christmas Spectacular, David Martin will sing Youre A Mean One, Mr. Grinch while Smith joins him on stage as the Grinch.

The ideas are still in the works, he added.

Myron Smith has a Youtube channel with 131 videos and 852 subscribers, under his own name. Just search for Myron Smith and youll find a trailer for the film, a timelapse of the costuming and makeup for the show and Smiths rendition of Youre A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hollywood Cinema. The doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission will cost $5 per person, or 5 cans of food, to be donated to charity.

Smiths Sweded versions of Return to Oz, Night of the Living Dead and Alice in Wonderland also will be shown.

In his Sweded films, Usually I take a back seat and I just kind of fill in for the parts that are unwanted, he said. In this case, I am actually the lead role and narrate it.

Like his other Sweded films, The Grinch was made locally, including the former Henry County courthouse and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Martinsville.

Unlike those, though, he needed a lot more help in filming, since he was the main character. Chris Dollarhite, Marcy Martin, Brett Smith, Myron Smith and Deborah Tuggle worked the cameras.

Smith usually would set up the camera on a tripod and adjust it for the best effect, then he would get in the scene as the character while his helpers kept an eye on the recording, he said.

Its good to have their help for another reason, too, he said: I prefer to have another set of eyes there. They can notice something that maybe shouldnt be in the shot.

Being an actor as well as director add an extra challenge, Smith said. When youre acting, and also concerned with the shot youre getting. I have acted on other film sets, and as an actor its a relief not to have 10 different jobs, multiple jobs, just be able to focus on the one  in this case, still focused on both.

Though most people know Smith as a director and creator of shows, he is no stranger to acting. When he was a student at Magna Vista High School, he performed in more than a dozen plays, and he also was in productions under Dan Spaugh at PHCC.

A look at the cast

Gabryelle Whitlow of Cameron, North Carolina, portrayed Max. She is the daughter of Garland Whitlow.

Cindy Lou Who was portrayed by Ember Rose Galford of Collinsville, the daughter of Brian Galford and Lauren Moreton.

Mouse was played by Skylar Dollarhite of Bassett, son of Chris and Hope Dollarhite.

The Whos were played by Nicole Bridges Savanah Brown, Jay Coburn, Donnie Conklin, Angie Feazelle, Blaize Gilbert, J Deigh Hodges, James Law, Scarlet Law, Lauren Moreton, Donna Palmer, Jane Pilson, Mal Rorrer, Max Rorrer, Katherine Rorrer, Lillian Rorrer, Melanie Rorrer, Amira Whitlow, Garland William Whitlow and Aleta Whitten.

Smith is the films narrator.

The original Grinch story was written by Dr. Seuss. Smith wrote the script for his Sweded film and is its director, producer and editor.

Marcy Martin and Deborah Tuggle applied the makeup, and Angie Feazelle, Marcy Martin, Myron Smith and Mal Rorer were in charge of the props.

Top helpers in the making of The Grinch included Bettys Trees, the people behind the former Henry County courthouse, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Erica Jaquez, Mervyn and Virginia King, Jane Pilson, Mal and Melanie Rorrer, Brett Smith, Rita Smith and Aleta Whitten, he said.

Filming on The Grinch was done last year.

When I started on it, I had it in the back of my mind that it would be nice if we could have done it in time (for Christmas), but I also kind of knew Id be pushing it, Smith said. We filmed it in November when Christmas decorations were up. It would help make it more Christmassy.

Each film hes done has its own sets of challenges, and this ones came down to a really basic factor: try not to sweat too much.

It was a really hot suit, he said. I had to be constantly aware not to get hot so I wouldnt lose any of the makeup.

It was the first time hes ever had to wear false eyelashes. A lot of people have had to deal with this  but it feels like you have caterpillars resting on your eyelashes, he said. I definitely feel for people who have to wear them, for sure. They are quite heavy.

He wore a green furry suit he ordered, and his face was made up in a green design.

Some of his others projects got some financing through crowdsourcing, but he paid all of the expenses of Grinch out of pocket, he said.

So it wouldnt be too tremendous of a hit, I kept expenses fairly low. A lot of the things in it that make it look really nice are just things that take time.

Its a hard thing to do, finding time to create all of that, he said. A lot of stuff takes time. Wrapping up fake presents was quite time-consuming.

Basically, you have to make time between making a living to making time for your hobby, he added.

He will perform in the Patriot Players Christmas Spectacular Friday through Sunday, Dec. 10. He hates missing its first night, Thursday, he said  but thats the night The Grinch will be shown.

Last year, Smith held a Christmas presentation, which earned 140 of food through admission, which was donated to the Community Storehouse.
COLLINSVILLE-A Collinsville man was denied bond Friday in a case involving armed burglary, robbery and multiple other charges.

Henry County General District Court Judge Larry Gott ruled that 36-year-old Alex Daniel Cox will remain in jail without bond, as he has been since being arrested Nov. 20.

Cox is charged with two counts each of robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, as well as one count each of armed burglary, attempted malicious wounding, shooting a firearm from a vehicle and misdemeanor reckless handling of a firearm. Those offenses allegedly happened on Aug. 9.

According to arrest warrants and criminal complaints, Deputy C.S. Curtis of the Henry County Sheriffs Office was called out on Aug. 9 to a residence on Daniels Creek Road, in response to a robbery. When Curtis arrived, he spoke with the two alleged victims, a man and woman. Both claimed Cox entered the house uninvited, pulled out a gun and demanded money, saying he would kill them if they didnt comply. The two victims gave over $152. They said Cox then ordered the female victim to hand over her pocketbook, allegedly taking all of her medication pills and another $50 from inside. The male victim said Cox then took him outside, pointed the gun at him and fired, missing the man completely, before running off.

Both sides argue the case

During the bond hearing Friday, Deputy Public Defender Vikram Kapil asked why law enforcement waited so long to file charges in the case. The incident happened on Aug. 9, but charges werent filed until Nov. 10.

Judge Gott responded that he could infer one of two things from that: that there was a delay in the alleged victims reporting the crimes to law enforcement or that investigators took their time in investigating.

Prosecutor Randy Smith argued that the judge should not infer anything negative about the three-month interval. Smith said the alleged crimes were reported to law enforcement the same day they occurred, and law enforcement responded the same day to the residence where the offenses allegedly occurred. Smith also said that investigators thoroughly investigated and wanted to make sure they had all their information together before filing charges.

However, Kapil pointed out that for that three month period while the investigation took place, his client was not deemed a threat to the public. He asked what changed, for bond to be denied now in the case.

Gott explained that for some of the charges against Cox, there is a legal presumption that he should not be released on bond unless the defense can give a good reason why.

For the prosecution, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Randy Smith argued that Alex Cox should not be granted bond, that Cox is a significant flight risk, and these are "not minor-league" offenses, referring to the serious nature of some of the charges.

Kapil argued that Cox should be released on an appropriate bond. Kapil said Cox is presumed innocent unless convicted. Kapil said his office will defend Cox as vigorously as it can.

To support its case, the defense called Coxs wife to the stand Friday and she testified that Alex Cox would have a place to live at their home on Thomas Road in Collinsville. He also has good prospects of getting a job at a local business where he previously worked, she said. Some supervisors at the company said he could be rehired.

Amber Cox, who said she and Alex have been married approximately five years, testified she has lived in the home on Thomas Road in Collinsville for two weeks and before that, she and Alex lived with his mother in King, North Carolina. Amber also testified that Alex has an aunt in Horsepasture and he is from the Martinsville-Henry County area.

Gott denied bond for Alex Cox, saying Cox is presumed innocent but he is facing the possibility of two life sentences plus about 50 years in prison if convicted. Gott also said Cox currently does not have a job and did not have a job at the time of the alleged offenses.
A former union officer pleaded guilty in federal court last week to embezzling more than $100,000 from the hospitality industries union where he served as secretary-treasurer.

Henry Clay Green Sr., 60, of Boston pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union in U.S. District Court. A judge scheduled sentencing for March.

Green was the secretary-treasurer for Unite Here Local 26, a labor union representing the hospitality industries in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

"In that capacity, Green exercised control over various aspects of Local 26's financial operations and used his position to embezzle $171,455 from the organization for his own use," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "When confronted by union officials, Green confessed."

Green faces a sentence of no more than five years in prison and three years of probation.
A bomb threat at Westfield State University forced officials to evacuate a residence hall while bomb-sniffing dogs checked the building.

The university said a "bomb threat" message was located in Scanlon Hall around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The residence hall was then evacuated.

Massachusetts State Police troopers, Westfield Police and Westfield State University Police responded to the residence hall and searched the building with bomb-sniffing dogs.

No threat was found and students returned to their rooms around 5:10 a.m., according to the university.

About 70 students were evacuated, according to WSU Director of Campus Communication Tricia A. Oliver. She declined to release details about the written threat, but added there is reason to believe it could be related to recent racially-charged issues on campus.

Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities through the Westfield State University Police tip line at 413.572.8690.

Hope E. Tremblay, Special to The Republican, contributed to this report.
Cape Wind may be dead, but the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts is just starting to spring to life.

Cape Wind Associates last week dropped longstanding plans for a 130-turbine wind farm in the middle of Nantucket Sound, and terminated its lease agreement with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Cape Cod Times reported on Friday.

Cape Wind had been opposed since 2001 by property owners, Native American tribes, commercial fishermen, shippers, local officials, and others. Opponents included the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and billionaire Bill Koch, who helped bankroll the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound's legal fight.

Unlike Cape Wind, three new proposed offshore wind farms would not be visible from Cape Cod or the Islands. The turbines are planned for an area 15-20 miles off Martha's Vineyard, and 30 miles from the Massachusetts mainland. So far, the projects have not encountered organized opposition.

Deepwater Wind, Baystate Wind, and Vineyard Wind are now putting the final touches on bid documents that are due with state regulators Dec. 20. The firms are competing for lucrative contracts to supply electricity to Massachusetts utilities Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil. The three firms secured their federal offshore wind area leases in 2012 and 2015.

A 2016 Massachusetts state law requires the state's utilities to purchase 1,600 megawatts of power from offshore wind -- but the law was structured to exclude Cape Wind from bidding. The utility contracts will supply reliable project financing.

Vineyard Wind is jointly owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Avangrid Renewables. Deepwater Wind is led by CEO Jeff Grybowski and backed by a private equity firm. Baystate Wind is a partnership between Eversource Energy and Orsted, the Danish firm formerly known as DONG Energy.

Cape Wind took a serious blow in 2015 when Eversource and National Grid cut their agreement to buy power from the turbines. The project, worn down over time, was denied permission to build a transmission line in 2016, and had let some of its permits lapse.

"Over 50 lawsuits were filed by opponents, led by Bill Koch," Jack Clarke, director of public policy for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, told the Cape Cod Times. "Cape Wind prevailed on all of them and had all their permits. They just couldn't financially keep it going."

In 2016, the state's Energy Facilities Siting Board declined to extend permits for the project, and Cape Wind didn't appeal. Nevertheless, Cape Wind, seemingly on life support, continued to make its $88,278 federal lease payments.

The Cape Wind lease, issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior in November 2010, is valid until 2041. Project foes said it's possible the company still wants to sell its lease rights to another developer.

While Cape Wind wanted to be the nation's first offshore wind farm, that honor went to Block Island Wind Farm, a functioning five-turbine project built in Rhode Island waters by Deepwater Wind.
President Donald J. Trump attacked the FBI and Justice Department in a series of Twitter messages Sunday morning where he said he never asked former FBI director James Comey to stop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Trump wrote the FBI's reputation is "in tatters" and pointed to reports about an agent from the FBI being removed from the team investigating Russian election meddling. The agent assigned to Robert Mueller, the special counsel running the investigation, was reportedly removed because of anti-Trump messages.

"Report: 'ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE' Now it all starts to make sense!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Report: ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE Now it all starts to make sense!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The message is about Peter Strzok and news he was removed from Mueller's team after he exchanged messages bashing Trump and supporting his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton, the Washington Post reports.

The newspaper said Strzok was a big part of the Clinton investigation where authorities looked into the use of her private email server. She was never charged.

Trump said in a previous tweet that Flynn was fired because he lied to the FBI and the vice president.

On Sunday, Trump wrote, "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about interactions he had with the Russian ambassador. Comey claims Trump asked for leniency in the Flynn matter.
Conventional wisdom says that to win an election, you need to play to your constituencies basest, most divisive instincts. But as a candidate for mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, G.T. Bynum decided to skip the smear campaigns and trash talk and instead focus on results.

He told Tulsas voters exactly what he wanted to accomplish if elected and gave them transparent ways to measure his success, and it led him to win the election. In a hopeful, funny talk, Bynum shares how hes now using data and evaluation to tackle his citys most pressing issues  and why we need to set aside our philosophical disagreements and focus on those aspirations that unite us.

Video: https://ted.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07487d1456302a286cf9c4ccc&id=e81c240a9f&e=d3135666a2
As small business owners, we love Portland. This is a city where neighborhoods are defined by their local business districts brimming with coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and brew pubs. Locally-owned businesses play an integral role in building our strong local economy, while also giving back to their communities.

Yet we are concerned our elected leaders do not have a clear strategy to stimulate, sustain or engage Portlands thriving small business community.

The majority of the regions economic policies, programs and investments are obscure, difficult to access and geared toward firms with 50 or more employees. But in fact, 83 percent of Portland businesses have fewer than 10 employees.

Prosper Portland, formerly known as the Portland Development Commission, recently submitted a lengthy and detailed proposal to establish a second headquarters for Amazon. This is one of many examples where Portland is willing to spend a lot of energy to encourage a major corporation to relocate here. Yet local firms rarely receive similar opportunities or investments. We want the city to provide the same level of energy that goes into crafting such a proposal to assist small business owners who are currently creating good wage jobs.

By SHAUN SIEREN, DEBORAH FIELD and MAURICE RAHMING

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/12/portland_should_work_harder_to.html#incart_river_index
Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.
George Gaines was a three- or four-times-a-year skier when he decided to rethink the whole recipe of ski design.

A lot of sawdust, a Kickstarter campaign and awards from the University of Montanas Blackstone LaunchPad program later, his Chilton Bitterroot Buttersticks http://chiltonskis.us/ now await their first winter of heavy use.

"The first pair of prototypes is my personal pair," the UM doctoral student and woodworker said. "Ive skied that first pair 80,000 vertical feet in five mountain ranges. They dont look that much worse for wear. I think that was a pretty good endorsement for quality durability and ski-ability."

ROB CHANEY [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/recreation/handmade-entry-hopes-to-break-into-high-end-ski-market/article_6b39bce8-56f1-584b-8b36-3b0d0a873abc.html
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The researchers recruited two groups of university students, each numbering about 100. All the students self-identified as white. The researchers showed them a series of images, each paired with a sentence. The participants were asked to draw an inference from the picture and sentence. For instance, they might be shown a photo of an African-American man, paired with the sentence: "This man spends a lot of time behind bars." The researchers were hoping to draw a bigoted, or stereotypical response: This man is a criminal. Randomly, the researchers either let the responses go unremarked upon or said, "Gee, that's kind of stereotypical, don't you think? I mean, this guy might be a bartender."A second group of students went through the same process, and then underwent follow-up examinations online, with researchers adding (or not) words designed to elicit a stereotypical response. The second group also filled out an online questionnaire probing how much they had thought about their initial experience and how it made them feel. Again, Chaney and Sanchez found the second group much less likely to stereotype than they had been originally.Chaney, a graduate student in the School of Graduate Studies, and Sanchez write that this research shows for the first time that "the effects of intrapersonal confrontation endure.""I think this is important because we need to understand what reduces prejudice," Sanchez said. "Confronting people is hard, and unless people know it will be effective, they won't do it."Source: Eurekalert
We have reached the month of December and it is certainly shaping up to be a busy stretch as we approach the holidays in Middlesex County.

This week kicks off with a couple of important events on Monday in Middletown, and in Hartford. VFW Post 583 and the Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council are co-hosting a "Veterans-Military Mental Health First Aid Training" event at the Middletown Police Station beginning at 8:30 a.m. Attendees will learn how to help someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, and the event will also provide information on how to best access the many helpful resources that are available to these individuals.

Mental Health First Aid is an interactive, internationally recognized eight hour certification course that educates the public about mental health issues. VFW Post 583 is sponsoring this free course that is specially designed to address the unique issues facing military personnel and veterans. I would like to thank VFW Post 583 for recognizing the huge importance of this issue, and I appreciate the fact that they have established a partnership with MCSAAC which connects them to the community in a variety of strategic ways.

On Monday evening, Jeff Pugliese and I will attend the 2017 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Legislative Office Building Atrium in Hartford. We will attend to help honor and to show our support for all of this years inductees but one in particular, Phil Cacciola of Middletown. Phil Cacciola is many things. He is a family man, a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

He is a friend to so many in his hometown of Middletown and throughout the State of Connecticut. He is a proud Veteran of the United States Armed Forces who continues to serve his nation and his community through his countless volunteer hours. We appreciate his service as chairman of the chambers Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans Committee, but more importantly, we appreciate his service to our nation and to our community. We look forward to celebrating with Phil and his family and congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.

Moving on to Tuesday, our member realtors and other chamber member professionals who support the real estate industry are looking forward to our Annual Real Estate Council Holiday Gathering which will be held at the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event is once again sponsored by McCue Mortgage, and I thank Bill McCue and his team for their annual support of this chamber event. The Real Estate Council, under the leadership of Co-Chairs David Gallitto and Nancy Currlin, does great work throughout the year in support of our member realtors and we appreciate their strong and continued support. The Real Estate Council is also once again sponsoring a toy drive at the event, so we ask that attendees bring an unwrapped toy in support of this important cause.

Two important chamber division meetings will also take place this week. Our Portland and East Hampton Division meets on Wednesday at CT Training & Consulting Institute in Portland from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m., and our Central Business Bureau will meet on Thursday at the chamber office, also from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. As I have noted many times and will continue to note, our divisions are critical to the success of the chambers operation, and we appreciate all of our chairs, co-chairs, and members that support these important monthly meetings.

Immediately following the CBB meeting on Thursday, I will join Mayor Dan Drew and Alice and Eric Kutcher for a Business Announcement Photo for Marvelous Mouse Travels. Marvelous Mouse Travels is a vacation planning company with agents located throughout the country. I look forward to working with Alice and Eric and thank them for establishing a presence in Middlesex County and for joining our chamber. We wish them the best moving forward.

Later on Thursday, our Womens Business Alliance Holiday Social & Networking Event will be held at 5 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell. The Womens Business Alliance (WBA), under the leadership of Carolyn Innocenzi, is a council of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce that provides challenges and opportunities to educate, enrich, and explore issues for women in business. While the WBA enjoys another productive meeting in Middletown, I will travel to New Haven for a retirement party in honor of Tony Rescigno, President & CEO of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. This event will take place

at The Shubert Theatre in New Haven from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Tony Rescigno has done a terrific job in this important chamber leadership position since his appointment in 2000. He is a longtime friend and colleague and he will be missed. I have enjoyed our work together as part of the Metro Chamber working group which brings together the states largest chambers to promote a unified pro-business message. I wish Tony all the best in his retirement, and congratulate him on an outstanding career during which he helped countless people in the New Haven area and throughout Connecticut.

Back in Middlesex County, the 32nd Annual Holiday on Main Street, presented by Pratt & Whitney, is marching right along with two busy Saturdays still to come. This Saturday, Dec. 9, is Rotary Club of Middletown Day. Families will have the opportunity to meet and greet Santa, take free horse-and-wagon rides in downtown Middletown, and ride on The Fun Train which will be offering free rides on the sidewalk.

Holiday story time, featuring Police Chief Bill McKenna and Corduroy Bear, will be held at R.J. Julia Bookstore from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Middletown will staff the popcorn and hot pretzels stand in front of the chamber building, and holiday music played by Harvest Woods Audio will entertain the large crowd that we expect to have once again. Holiday on Main Street concludes on Saturday, Dec. 16. Parking is free in city parking lots. For additional information on events and activities, please visit www.holidayonmain.com.

In closing, I would like to remind chamber members and other interested individuals that the date for our Annual Governors Member Breakfast Meeting has been changed to Wednesday, Dec. 20. Governor Dannel P. Malloy, now approaching his eighth and final year in office, has appeared at our December Member Breakfast Meeting in every year of his administration, as have all of our sitting governors, going back to the administration of Governor William A. ONeill in the 1980s. We look forward to welcoming a sold out crowd of businesspeople, public officials and other chamber supporters for the 2017 version of our annual Governors Breakfast. This event, sponsored once again by Eversource, will begin with networking at 7:00 a.m., breakfast buffet at 7:30 a.m., and meeting program 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. To register online, please visit www.middlesexchamber.com. We look forward to another great chamber event.

The holidays are near, the calendar is packed, and the sun continues to shine in Middlesex County.
Francis J. "Frank" Duggan, a lawyer and federal official who spent years as a pro bono advocate on behalf of families of the victims of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, died Nov. 1 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 79.

The cause was lung cancer, said his son, Tim Duggan.

On Dec. 21, 1988, a bomb exploded, killing all 259 people aboard Flight 103, plus 11 people on the ground, when the disabled aircraft crashed into the town of Lockerbie. The victims came from more than 20 countries.

In 1989, Duggan was named to the President's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism, which examined the causes of the bombing. He was the commission's liaison to the victims' families and continued to act as their pro bono advocate until his death. He eventually was named president of Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, an organization composed mostly of victims' families.

"He was always the linchpin that made things happen," said the group's board chairwoman, Mary Kay Stratis, whose husband was killed on Flight 103. "He made connections in Scotland and the U.K. with journalists who understood our plight and had his finger on the pulse of our organization."

Duggan helped lobby Congress and federal officials to improve airline security and called on law enforcement agencies to bring charges in the case.

In 2001, more than 12 years after the incident, a onetime Libyan intelligence officer, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, was convicted of 270 counts of murder for his role in placing the bomb on the airliner. He was sentenced to life in prison.

The Libyan government agreed to accept responsibility for the bombing and to pay a penalty of $2.7 billion to the victims' families in 2003, in return for the easing of international sanctions on the country.

In 2009, al-Megrahi was released from prison in Scotland on grounds of "compassionate relief" because he was believed to be terminally ill. He returned to Libya, where he lived until his death in 2012.

Duggan strongly opposed al-Megrahi's release and maintained that as many as seven other co-conspirators were never brought to justice.

"Obviously it wasn't just one guy," Duggan told the Syracuse Post-Standard in 2013. "One guy didn't make the bomb and transport it ... He didn't put it on the (luggage conveyor) belt. He didn't get it on the plane. There were other people that the investigation suspects, very strongly."

Francis Joseph Duggan was born April 15, 1938, in Brooklyn. His father was a court clerk in New York.

Duggan was a 1959 graduate of St. John's University in New York, then served in the Navy before graduating from law school at St. John's in 1964.

He moved to the Washington, D.C., area in 1969 to work for the legal office of the Office of Economic Opportunity. In the 1970s, he held staff positions with Rep. William Steiger, R-Wis., and later Sen. Charles McC. Mathias Jr., R-Md.

Duggan was a lobbyist for the Association of American Railroads from 1978 to 1988, then served as an assistant secretary of labor. He worked for the law firm of Mullenholz, Brimsek & Belair throughout the 1990s before being named to the National Mediation Board in 1999. He later became the board's chairman before retiring in 2003.

He was a member of the boards of several medical and academic organizations, including the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University.

Duggan was also a reserve deputy sheriff in Fairfax County and a certified firearms instructor. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other Irish heritage organizations.

His first marriage, to Ellen Kelly, ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Faye Padgett of Alexandria; three children from his first marriage, Teresa Duggan of Baltimore, Tim Duggan of New York and Trish Duggan of Olney, Maryland; a brother; and two grandchildren.

Duggan was instrumental in arranging for a memorial cairn, consisting of 270 stones quarried near Lockerbie, which was dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery in 1995.
DETROIT, MI - Michigan Democratic lawmakers have responded with praise and good wishes to news of longtime U.S. Rep. Sander Levin's impending retirement.

Levin, D-Royal Oak and brother to longtime former Sen. Carl Levin, is retiring at the close of his 18th term representing the Detroit area in Washington and will not seek reelection next year.

"I have been incredibly honored to serve the people of Michigan in Congress and to work on so many issues important to our communities, our state, and our nation. I have tried to live up to the trust given to me by my constituents by following the values of my parents and family and by acting on what I believe after digging deeply into the facts and consulting broadly," Levin said in a statement.

He said he wants to share these values in ways other than being an elected official. "Working to renew our confidence in promoting positive change, especially among our next generation of leaders, will be a particular interest."

First elected in 1983, the 86-year-old will join the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy in January 2019 as a teacher and mentor on the topics of leadership, international trade, poverty, and other issues, the school announced Saturday.

"I am thrilled that Sandy Levin will be joining us, bringing his many decades of public service to our community," said Michael Barr, Dean of the Ford School said in a statement. "Levin's deep experience will be a great asset to our students and faculty."

These are some of the responses:

"For decades, Sandy has fought for fair trade deals, affordable health care, and the rights of workers everywhere. His contributions will be evident for a long time, not just in the U.S., but around the globe," Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, said in a statement.

"I will never forget that Sandy was one of the first Members of Congress to come to Flint and help residents recover from the water crisis. His devotion to public service is unwavering."

He called the opportunity to serve with Levin an "incredible honor." "Sandy isn't just a colleague; he is a mentor and dear friend."

U.S. Sen Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, wrote on Twitter:

"Thank you, my friend, for your life-time of dedication and service to Michigan,"

Thank you, my friend, for your life-time of dedication and service to Michigan. @repsandylevin https://t.co/wKmdHwLt4P  Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) December 2, 2017

Her colleague Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, also released a statement:

"Sandy Levin is someone who has been a mentor and role model for me, and his dedication to public service will be missed in the halls of Congress and across Southeast Michigan.

"If there is one lasting legacy Sandy will leave behind, it is his steadfast commitment to improving the lives of working people.Whether it was fighting for workers affected by trade deals or protecting Medicare and Social Security from cuts and privatization, Sandy always put people first. The embodiment of a true public servant, Sandy fought for better jobs, improved health care and a secure retirement for everyone, and I wish him the best as he moves to the next chapter in his life."

Nationally, Minority Leader Sen. Nancy Pelosi of California called Levin a "principled patriot" and "deeply esteemed leader" in the Congress.

.@repsandylevin is a principled patriot, champion of the people of Michigan and deeply esteemed leader in the Congress. My colleagues and I wish him the very best as he leaves Congress and begins to write the next chapter of his journey.  Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 2, 2017

Levin sees fighting for fairer tax code and trade policies, protecting the Great Lakes, curbing drug abuse, preserving the American automobile industry and saving Social Security as issues he championed and addressed.
The Congress today accused the BJP of indulging in violence against its candidates in Gujarat and urged the Election Commission to initiate action.

The party alleged that its candidate against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, Rajkot East nominee Mitul Donga and its MP Rajeet Satav, were arrested and abused by the Rajkot police.

"Our leaders Indranil Rajyaguru, Mitul Donga and MP Rajeev Satav, who are fighting the 'Shah-kaal' of fear and corruption in Gujarat, were attacked by the Gujarat Police yesterday," Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

"Violence is a result of fear. Rupani ji fears losing the election and he is taking support of lathis. But Gujarat is not frightened," he said.

Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev alleged that Rupani was "bewildered" as he was "losing" and was thus indulging in violence against the Congress leaders.

She said she has already heard the chief minister's audio claiming that the BJP "is in a bad shape".

Dev said last night when Rajyaguru was campaigning, some goons of the BJP attacked him. Instead of arresting the goons, the police arrested our candidate.

"We will file a complaint on behalf of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress. The manner in which our leaders were abused, this is the Gujarat model," Dev told reporters here.

"We demand action from the Election Commission against BJP's candidate and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as also against the DGP and IG of Rajkot," she said.

Dev also said, "We urge the people of Gujarat to end BJP's 'goondagardi' (hooliganism) as this is the only occasion to do so and we hope that they will come out and vote them out of power."

The Congress spokesperson claimed that Rupani "will lose" from Rajkot West constituency and so will the deputy chief minister.

"While implementing the Gujarat model, the local police also arrested Rajeev Satav, an MP, who had gone there to enquire about the Congress candidate," she alleged.

"Rupani is unable to answer the questions raised to him and is misusing the police. The people of Gujarat will answer through the ballot as you are using the police lathi and bullet," Dev said.

The Mahila Congress chief asked whether a sitting MLA and MP is arrested, did the Rajkot police inform the speaker in the state Assembly or Lok Sabha.

"It is surprising that a sitting MLA has been arrested," she said.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala, said, "People of Gujarat and Rajkot will teach a befitting lesson for such brutalities through the power of ballot."

"A frustrated BJP facing defeat in CM Rupani's constituency arrested INC candidate Indraneel Rajyaguru, MP and AICC Secretary Rajiv Satav and assaulted them," Surjewala alleged.

Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki wrote on Twitter, "I condemn the attack on Dinyanil Rajyaguru brother of Indranil Rajyaguru, Congress candidate against CM Rupani. Fearing defeat of CM, police has also arrested Indranil Rajyaguru and Rajeev Satav late night, without giving any reason.
The newly appointed Air India chief Pradeep Singh Kharola is likely to assume charge of his new position this week.

The formalities regarding Kharola's relieving order from his current position in the Karnataka government are being completed and it is expected to be issued in the next couple of days, a source close to the development said.

The Government had named Kharola, a 1985 batch Karnataka cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as Air India Chairman and Managing Director on Nov 28, three days after current CMD Rajiv Bansal was given a three month extension.

"Kharola is awaiting his relieving order from the Karnataka government, which is expected to come in the next couple of days. As soon as he gets the order, he will take charge of the new position at Air India," the source told PTI.

Kharola will be the third Air India CMD in a little over three months.

In late August, then incumbent Ashwani Lohani, a 1980-batch Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers officer, was posted back to his parent organisation as Chairman, Railway Board.

Rajiv Bansal, a Nagaland cadre IAS officer, who is also additional secretary in the Petroleum Ministry, was appointed as interim AI chief for three months, which was to end on November 23. However, the Government on Nov 24 extended his posting for another three months.
Ports and shipping

The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated today by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening up a new strategic transit route between Iran, India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast and is considered as a "gateway to golden opportunities" for trade with central Asian countries.

The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port and it was inaugurated by Rouhani in the presence of representatives of several countries of the region.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration.

"The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries. India has been closely working with Afghanistan to create alternative, reliable access routes, bypassing Pakistan.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in the Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of USD 85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

Rouhani's office said the president noted that transit is the best communication tool for nations, adding "the routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air".

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which the implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Over a month ago, India sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new strategic transit route.
A paramilitary jawan, guarding borders or tackling Naxals in inhospitable conditions, is suffering a "colossal" loss of more than Rs 5 crore in his retirement funds since the government stopped regular pension to the troops in 2004 and brought them under the National Pension Scheme, a new study on the financial health of these personnel has said.

The research-based study, conducted by a senior paramilitary officer, finds that a soldier of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) - like the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) - are at a "considerable disadvantage" under the NPS as these men and women in uniform have been clubbed with their civilian counterparts despite performing duties as challenging as that by the defence forces, reports PTI.

These forces and associations of ex-CAPFs personnel have been demanding the restoration of the old pension to these jawans for several years, citing their work life, which is arduous, disturbed and challenging. "A constable of the BSF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB is at a loss of more than Rs 5 crore (Rs 5,18,36,567) in just three years of difference, by the time another central government employee or a constable of the CISF or Assam Rifles turns 60," the mathematical comparison between the old pension scheme and the NPS, done as part of the study, said calling it "colossal".

The study has been conducted by a BSF second-in-command-rank officer, Neeraj Lakhanpal, during his stint with his forces' Institute for Border Management and Strategic Studies.

While jawans and certain officer ranks of all these forces retire at 57 years of age, only those in the CISF and the Assam Rifles retire at 60. The study, commissioned to see if NPS was a bane or a boon and to assess the gaps between the two pension schemes, also found that there was an "abysmally low level of awareness amongst the troops about the intricacies of the NPS".

"Around 55 percent of the troops did not know it was a contributory scheme (NPS)," it said. The government had stopped the regular pension scheme to those jawans of these four major paramilitary forces, working under the command home ministry, who joined from January 1, 2004, and had brought them under the NPS, which is contributory in nature and 10 percent of the salary and dearness allowance is to be paid by the trooper and an equal percentage is put by the government.

"The intent of the government, therefore, was clearly to exclude the armed forces from the ambit of the NPS. But how at the time of implementation CAPFs were made part of the scheme is incomprehensible," the study, accessed by PTI, said.

It said that some urgent measures should be taken to rectify this anomaly and genuine grievance of these troops - many of whom have poor family background and some are sole bread winners for their families - who are the "critical arm" of the nation's security.

"When it comes to praising these men and women for their courage and devotion to duty, there is no dearth of words. But, this study has brought to the fore that the jawan who gives all his life to the nation is actually suffering a huge loss in pension funds, what actually is their hard earned money. This is nothing short of disservice to the jawan whom you consider the most important entity in keeping India safe," a senior paramilitary official said.

The study suggested some solutions to tide over this loss to the jawan: Either raise the age of retirement of all ranks of the CAPFs to 60 years at par with the CISF, Assam Rifles and other central government employees or compensate the loss on account of shortfall of three years in salary and pension.

It also recommended that the government should consider raising its share of contribution from 10 percent to 20 percent in the NPS of the jawans as the CAPFs are not governed by civilian rules and are bound by strict rules where sleeping on duty or absenting without leave is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.

The government, it said, had formed a committee of secretaries to look into this issue. It was also suggested that minimum returns could be proposed to be guaranteed at par with general provident fund (GPF) returns on contribution and withdrawal from funds corpus should be totally exempt from tax as in case of GPF or other similar long term instruments.

The general-secretary of the confederation of retired paramilitary welfare association, Ranbir Singh, told PTI: "This is the biggest grievance and subject of discrimination that we are facing. To protest against the NPS, we are holding a dharna at Rajghat in Delhi on December 5 apart from our other demands."

The study was conducted after talking to a "carefully selected sample" in the CAPFs and other central government employees, the author said.

The BSF guards Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, the ITBP with China, the SSB with Nepal and Bhutan and the CRPF is the lead internal security force of the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives aboard Air Force One at JFK International Airport in New York, U.S. May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTS1589H

US President Donald Trump is set for a "flying visit" to the UK at the end of February to open the new US embassy in London amid a war of words between the leaders of the two countries, a UK media report has quoted sources close to the planning as saying.

The visit, penciled in for February 26-27, has remained unchanged despite the recent diplomatic row over Trump's controversial re-tweets of anti-Muslim videos by a British far-right organisation.

The trip has been in the diary for at least 10 days, according to those familiar with the plans, 'The Sunday Times reports.

British Prime Minister Theresa May had come under pressure from a cross-section of British MPs to rescind a proposed state visit invitation to the US President after he was seen to be endorsing Britain Firsts divisive agenda.

Theresa May attacked the US President as "wrong" for promoting a British far-right extremist organisation to his 44 million social media followers.

Trump escalated the Twitter row even further with a follow up tweet addressed directly to May asking her to focus on Islamist terrorism instead of him.

But, according to the newspaper, a previously reported working visit in the New Year has remained unaffected by the Twitter row.

The trip is expected to be scaled down, with no meeting with Queen Elizabeth II, to enable Trump to avoid the mass protests a full state visit would be likely to trigger.
Narendra Modi

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan today termed the Gujarat model as "Modi model", which he said supports "crony capitalism".

He also alleged that Gujarat has been "lagging behind" on Human Development Index (HDI) and on social development parameters.

"The 'Gujarat Model' is actually the 'Modi model,' which (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji is trying to replicate (elsewhere) in the country with only one person running the government, taking decisions single-handedly whether it pertains to the economy or foreign policy," Chavan told reporters at a press conference here.

The former Maharashtra chief minister alleged the "Modi model" was actually helping big industries to grow.

"Modi model means crony capitalism which is facilitating the growth of big industry, giving them big projects, purchasing their materials at higher prices, taking them abroad and helping them collaborate in foreign countries," the former Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

Chavan said though big industry is needed but it should not be at the cost of the poor farmers.

"We need big industry but it should not be at the cost of snatching land from poor farmers and giving easy loans to corporates," the Congress leader said.

Chavan said the BJP believed in the "trickle down approach" wherein the poor will get some benefits after the rich became richer contrary to the Congress' approach of a "direct attack" on poverty.

"Our (erstwhile) government at the Centre had introduced many policies like Food Security Act to ensure that the poor get the benefits," he said.

Chavan said Gujarat was "lagging far behind" other states on the social development parameters due to its "flawed model".

"Isn't it true that Gujarat is lagging behind on social development parameters? Even when compared to Maharashtra, it (Gujarat) is a laggard," Chavan claimed citing Human Development Index (HDI) reports which had said that Gujarat slipped from the sixth position to 11th rank after 2002.

"As per 2008 and 2015 HDI reports, Gujarat slid to the 11th position from the sixth rank. The state is ranked 19th in the (availability of) household TV, internet connection, mobile network. It ranks 18th in (terms of) literacy, 22th in primary school enrollment, 23rd in infant mortality rate and 11th in maternal mortality rate," he added.

Attacking the prime minister, Chavan said Modi and his friends are "running away" from discussing the issue of development and are instead talking about temples, an apparent reference to the BJP leadership's criticism of Rahul Gandhi over his visits to temples in the poll-bound state.

"They are lying about our former prime ministers. It doesn't suit a prime minister to talk about our former prime ministers in such a tone," he said.

During his campaign tour, Modi had criticised former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi--both from the Congress--on various issues.

Chavan also slammed the BJP for "maintaining silence" on the questions raised by the Congress vice-president pertaining to the socio-economic development.
February 11, 2008: The Sensex dropped 4.57 percent within a day, as the Index shed 796.43 points. The benchmark Index fell 833 points, or 4.78 percent and closed at 16,630 on growing global worries over slowing economic expansion. The reasons cited for this fall were weak global markets and disappointing corporate earnings.

The Nifty50 index which started the week on a muted note failed to hold on to key support levels, and slipped below its crucial psychological support placed around 50-DEMA to close the week at 10,121.80, down 2.5 percent.

This has been one of the biggest weekly falls for our markets in the current calendar year. Indian market witnessed selling pressure despite positive global cues which suggest that weakness could continue for some more time.

Eventually, the Nifty went on to close almost at the lowest point of the week; courtesy of a massive cut in the latter half. The crucial support for the index is placed at 10,100-10,000 while on the higher side resistance is placed around 10,270-10,320.

Although Nifty has given positive returns in six out of last ten years, analysts advise investors to remain cautious in December as the index could slip below 10K if selling pressure continues.

We have been sharing a notable observation in our previous articles that the Nifty was struggling around the 78.6% retracement level (10405) of the recent down move. The similar incompetence was seen in the initial part of the week, Sameet Chavan, Chief Analyst- Technical Derivatives, Angel Broking Pvt Ltd told Moneycontrol.

We have been advising caution and expected Nifty to slide towards the immediate junction of 10100. In-line with our anticipation, the index fell after entering a strong resistance zone of 10270  10320 and went on to breach the Upward Sloping Trend Line support of 10220, he said.

Chavan advises traders not to make any kind of bottom fishing and should rather lighten up existing longs in case of a bounce towards 10200  10275. Considering the recent development, we would not be surprised to see index slipping below the 10000 mark in days to come.

Here's a list of top 5 stocks which could return up to 25 percent in December series:

Analyst: Sameet Chavan, Chief Analyst- Technical Derivatives, Angel Broking

Fineotex Chemical (FCL): BUY| Target Rs49| Stop Loss Rs38.25| Time 5-10 sessions| Return 17 percent

The reason behind picking this stock is that if we just compare the price action of the stock in the last two days with our benchmark index (Nifty), we can see a sheer outperformance as the stock managed to clock a massive rally of nearly 15 percent when the broader market has taken a solid knock.

In this course of action, we witnessed a breakout from the bullish Cup and Handle pattern along with sizable volumes; indicating strong buying interest.

Thus, we would expect this outperformance to continue and expect the stock to head towards the short-term target of Rs.49. The stop loss can be fixed at Rs.38.25.

Voltas: SELL| Target Rs589| Stop Loss Rs630| Time 5-10 sessions| Return 4%

Post the Demonetization correction, this Tata Group company has never looked back as we saw more than two-fold returns in a span of 11 months.

The higher degree trend remains strongly bullish, but, in the near term, we believe that there would be some pause in the ongoing optimism.

The daily chart has already been distorted and now if we look at the weakly time frame, a copy book Shooting Star pattern is visible; thereby increases the possibility of a near-term correction.

The short-term traders can look to sell this stock on any minor bounce for a target of Rs.589 by following a strict stop loss of Rs.630 on a closing basis.

Tata Steel: SELL| Target Rs658| Stop Loss Rs698| Time 5-8 sessions| Return 3 percent

In the last couple of weeks, the Metal pack has seen some decent beating, especially the names like, Hindalco and Vedanta. But, somehow Tata steel seemed to have been the lucky one, not to experience such profit booking.

Due to Fridays correction, the stock prices violated the Upward Sloping Trend Line on a closing basis and have confirmed bearishness in the near term.

Thus, we expect some catch-up move (in downward direction) in days to come. One can sell this stock for a target of Rs.658 over the next 5  10 sessions. The stop loss should be fixed at Rs.698.

Brokerage: SMC Capital

City Union Bank: BUY| Target Rs 190| Stop Loss Rs 157| Time 1-2 months| Return 11 percent

The stock closed at Rs 171.60 on the 1st December 2017 it made a 52-week low at Rs 153.53 on December 28, 2016 and a 52-week high of Rs 86.03 on June 14, 2017.

The 200-days Exponential Moving Average (EMA) of the stock on the daily chart is currently at Rs 149.47. The stock was consolidating in the range of Rs 150 to 180 levels with a positive bias and formed a Continuation Triangle pattern on the weekly chart, which is bullish in nature.

Last week, the stock gained over 2.5 percent and got the breakout from the pattern. It managed to close above the same along with high volume.

Referring to above cues, buying momentum can continue for the stock. Traders can buy the stock in the range of Rs 167-169 levels for the upside target of Rs 190 levels with a stop loss below Rs 157.

R.S. Software (India) Ltd: BUY| Target Rs 95| Stop Loss Rs 68| Time 1-2 months| Return 25 percent

The stock closed at Rs 76.85 on 1st December 2017. It made a 52-week low at Rs 58.85 on August 22, 2017 and a 52-week high of Rs 127.65 on December 12, 2016.

The 200-days Exponential Moving Average (EMA) of the stock on the daily chart is currently at Rs 76. As we can see on the chart that the stock witnessed selling pressure from 120 levels and made a yearly low of 59 levels.

Then after, it consolidated in the range of 60 to 80 levels for two months and gave the breakout of same in the last week with huge volumes.

Apart from this, technical indicators such as relative strength index (RSI) and MACD are also showing strength for the stock. Therefore, one can buy in the range of Rs 75-76 levels for the upside target of Rs 90-95 levels with a stop loss below Rs 68.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Mocking the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today alleged the party had a history of rigging organisational polls.

The outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion, Modi said while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Surendranagar district.

"If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country," Modi asked.

Modi told the crowd that had gathered for the Gujarat Assembly election rally here that an election was to be held in the Congress party for its president.

"What is the result everybody knows," he said, prompting the crowd to reply that the post would go to (Congress vice president) Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi is likely to be elected Congress president in the ongoing organisational polls.

Modi went on to claim that this was a practice in the Congress party.

"Sardar Patel got more votes than Jawharlal Nehru when the Congress party had (then) met to decide who would be the prime minster of the country. But that election was rigged and Nehru won," he alleged.

This is what happened with Morarji Desai, too, Modi said.

"They have a history of rigging elections," he charged.

Referring to Congressman Shehzad Poonawalla by his first name, Modi said he had raised questions over the process of elections and had alleged it was being rigged.

"They keep on muttering words like tolerance, tolerance, tolerance... But the party has brought out a diktat to silence this youth. The party has gagged him from all WhatsApp groups; he has been collectively boycotted by that party," the prime minister claimed.

"We have a Gujarati saying which means that a bucket can get filled only if there is water in the well. If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country," Modi said.

The prime minister is slated to address another election rally later in the day. Gujarat will vote in two phases to elect a 182-member Assembly on December 9 and 14.
Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi addressing a public meeting at Amreli, Gujarat. (PTI)

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of crime against women in Gujarat and raised concerns over their safety, even as he accused him of merely making promises.

Gandhi asked his fifth question in his "a question a day" series in the run up to Gujarat assembly elections and demanded answers over the alleged failure of the Modi-led government in fulfilling the promises.

Launching a counter-attack, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the questions showed the "feudal fantasy" of the Congress.

"The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to ASHA workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat and it was never their intention to fulfil them," Gandhi tweeted.

He also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health.

"Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in women trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls...Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top ten in crime against women in India?" it claimed.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education? Why has female literacy rate dropped from 70.3 per cent to 57.8 between 2001 to 2011? Why has maternal mortality rate risen to 85, putting the state at number 11 in 15 states in reduction of MMR," it asked.

The Congress leader, who is leading his party's poll campaign in the western state, had earlier accused the prime minister of "commercialising education at the cost of government schools and institutions, and hitting students hard with fee hikes".

The tagline of his posers to the prime minister is "22 salon ka hisaab, Gujarat mange jawaab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 years of BJP rule)".

Gandhi had earlier asked Modi why public money was "squandered" in purchasing power at higher rates from private companies in Gujarat.

He also asked why the people of Gujarat should pay for the "financial mismanagement" and publicity by him.

Hitting back, Naqvi alleged, "Those who cannot differentiate between 'burger and baingan (brinjal)', 'pyaz (onion) and pizza' and 'cake and banana' are trying to become 'champion of questions'. This is the Congress' feudal fantasy."

Congress spokesperson Suhmita Dev later claimed that none of the top BJP leaders had any answers to the questions raised by Gandhi.

He said the Congress was contesting this election for the betterment of Gujarat and of its people, including women, youth and the poor.
Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi addressing a public meeting at Amreli, Gujarat. (PTI)

Rahul Gandhi will file his nomination papers for the election to the Congress president's post on December 4, accompanied by a host of senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Tomorrow is the last date for filing of nominations and no one else has filed papers till today, according to Mullapally Ramachandran, the chairman of the party's Central Election Authority.

Rahul Gandhi is likely to emerge as the lone candidate in the fray and decks have been cleared for his election as the Congress president, succeeding his mother Sonia Gandhi, who has held the post for 19 years in a row now.

Party sources said Rahul Gandhi will file four sets of nomination papers. Senior party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, A K Antony and Ahmed Patel and party chief ministers will sign the papers as proposers.

"So far 90 nomination forms have been given out to state unit delegates. No application for nomination has been submitted so far and tomorrow is the last date for filing nominations," he told PTI.

Congress delegates from various states will be at the party's headquarters on Akbar Road tomorrow filing their sets of nomination papers proposing Rahul Gandhi's name for the top post.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said all party general secretaries and CWC members, besides states and frontal organisations will file nomination forms in Rahul Gandhi's favour.

Party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said Rahul Gandhi will officially file his nomination papers tomorrow.

Asked about criticism of the party's internal polls, she said, "There has been criticism on whether the Congress election is democratic or not. I would say that this is such an election which is being supervised by the Election Commission of India."

Dev said when one talks about electoral democracy, here is full transparency in these polls as they are held as per rules prescribed by the Election Commission.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who will be present tomorrow, wished Rahul Gandhi success and said his elevation was a "good sign for the party".

"It is a good sign for the party and I'm sure he'll do extremely well," he said.

Singh said he was very happy to see him at this position as "I have known Rahul since he was a little boy and I knew and could see it in him that he would one day rise to the top."

"He has already performed and for the last few days we have been following him and the way he is drawing crowds in Gujarat," the Punjab chief minister added.
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Satin Creditcare will this month foray into housing finance business, offering loan below Rs 10 lakh, with an aim to tap unorganised market in rural and semi-urban areas.

Satin Creditcare Network (SCNL) provides collateral free, micro-credit loans to economically active women in rural and semi-urban areas, individual businesses, MSMEs, among others. The company has created a wholly owned subsidiary in April this year to enter housing finance business.

"We are trying to create a niche for ourselves. In micro- finance space, I think rural sector is far more critical and it is the biggest environment where we work in. For housing finance, we are going to target the same specific geography and the same specific segment (we serve as micro-finance company)," SCNL Chairman and MD H P Singh told PTI in an interaction.

He said the company will get into housing finance anytime this month as the blueprint is ready and the whole team is also in place.

"We are starting with Rajasthan and outskirts of Delhi for now, then we will probably look at other areas. Our own sense is that the average loan size would be Rs 5-7 lakh. It means our major thrust would be below Rs 10 lakh loan size," Singh said.

The market is very big in this segment, Singh said, adding that the company probably is scratching the surface of very "niche" segment as otherwise there is no such formal credit facility for them to buy or build houses.

Most of the housing finance companies are concentrated on major metro cities, nobody has gone down to the rural space.

"If you look at this rural asset, it has not even been monetised. Whatever monetisation has happened is in the unorganised market. If you have a piece of land or have a small house in a tier 4 or 5 city or village, you will go to an unorganised market to get money at higher rates," Singh said.

Present across 18 states now with recent penetration into Assam and Odisha, southern states are the only geographies that remain untapped by the company.

There are no immediate plans to enter this region, Singh added.

The Gurugram-headquartered microfinancier has recently raised a substantial capital from various sources, both through equity and debt, to expand the existing business and foray into housing loans.

"The fund raising for us is more of the growth capital. We are now looking for growth in housing finance," Singh said.
Devendra Fadnavis

A tweet criticising the Devendra Fadnavis-led government was posted today by the official Twitter handle of the BJP's Maharashtra unit, with the party claiming that the account was hacked.

The tweet, which criticised the state government's policy towards job creation, was deleted but not before its screenshots went viral on social media.

Written in poor English, the tweet had said, "More than 2 lackhs Employee required in state and @Dev_Fadnavis Government taken cut off 30% employees. #MakeInMaharashtra or #FoolInMahasrashtra."

The tweet had tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

"We feel the state BJP unit's Twitter handle was hacked to post this message. We have asked the Cyber Crime cell of the Mumbai Police to investigate the matter," state BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye told PTI.
Volkswagen AG executive Oliver Schmidt, who is due to be sentenced this week in connection with the carmaker's emissions scandal, has written to the judge to say he feels "misused" by the German company, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Schmidt pleaded guilty in August in the U.S. District Court in Detroit to wrongdoing connected to a massive diesel emissions scandal that has cost Volkswagen as much as $30 billion. He is due to be sentenced on Dec. 6.

"I must say that I feel misused by my own company in the diesel scandal or 'Dieselgate'," Schmidt wrote to U.S. judge Sean Cox, according to a copy of the letter published by Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

A Volkswagen spokesman declined to comment, citing the ongoing proceedings.

Under a plea agreement, Schmidt faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of between $40,000 and $400,000 after admitting to conspiring to mislead U.S regulators and violating clean air laws.

In March, Volkswagen pleaded guilty to three felony counts under a plea agreement to resolve U.S. charges it installed secret software in vehicles to evade emissions tests.

U.S. prosecutors have charged eight current and former Volkswagen executives.

Schmidt was in charge of the company's environmental and engineering office in Auburn Hills, Michigan, until February 2015, where he oversaw emissions issues.

In the letter to the judge, he said he had agreed to follow a script, or talking points, agreed by Volkswagen management and a high-ranking lawyer, at a meeting with Alberto Ayala, a California Air Resources Board executive.

"In hindsight, I should never have agreed to meet with Dr Ayala on that day," he wrote.

"Or better yet, I should have gone to that meeting and ignored the instructions given to me and told Dr Ayala that there is a defeat device in the VW diesel engine vehicles and that VW had been cheating for almost a decade. I did not do that and that is why I find myself here today."

After being informed of the existence of the emissions software in the summer of 2015, according to his guilty plea, Schmidt conspired with other executives to avoid disclosing aintentional cheating by the automaker in a bid to seek regulatory approval for its model 2016 VW 2 liter diesels.
The Changing Markets Foundation has released Talking Trash: The Corporate Playbook of False Solution report on the worlds worst plastic waste offenders. The report states that the companies involved are actively taking steps to obstruct and undermine legislative solutions aimed at tackling an unprecedented global plastic waste crisis. The Foundation is on a mission to expose irresponsible corporate practices and drive change towards a more sustainable economy. The report focused on companies who actually took the step of announcing the amount of plastic they produce. Lets take a look at the worlds worst offenders for plastic pollution who are producing metric tonnes of plastic packaging annually as of 2020. (Image: Reuters)

The Maharashtra government is working on a plastic ban in the state and exploring other options to protect the environment, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in Mumbai on Saturday.

"We are also in process for treatment of waste water before it goes into the sea," he said.

Environment protection should made be a peoples movement to make it more effective, he said after inaugurating the National Conference on Environment 2017 in Mumbai.

The Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Justice Manjula Chellur, Chairman National Green Tribunal (NGT) Justice Swatanter Kumar and Maharashtra ministers Ramdas Kadam and Deepak Kesarkar were present at the event.
London, UK | $16.47 billion (Image: Reuters)

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London mayor Sadiq Khan will be arriving in Mumbai today as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities to promote the British capital's resilience and strengths post-Brexit. Apart from Mumbai, Khan would be visiting Delhi and Amritsar in India and then fly to Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan on his six-day tour to six cities.

As part of the Indian leg of the trade mission aimed at promoting new business links between India and London, the London mayor has a series of meetings planned with senior politicians, business leaders, regional leaders as well as Bollywood personalities. His central message will be that the British capital remains open to Indian talent post-Brexit.

"Following last year's EU referendum, it is far more important to get the message of London is open out far and wide and I will be taking that message to India and Pakistan," he said on the eve of his visit. Khan would be taking the Jet Airways' recently launched third direct London-Mumbai flight.

"Jet Airways is doing their bit to ensure that the London-India relationship really takes off. The new flight comes as a major boost for the relationship between our two countries and an opportunity to not only deepen and expand our economic ties but to forge even closer social and cultural ties too," he said.

Mumbai-headquartered Jet Airways recently added a third direct flight between London and Mumbai, taking the total number of direct flights between London and India to four  with two existing direct routes to Mumbai and one to Delhi. Jet Airways's CEO, Vinay Dube, said it reflects the confidence the company has in the robustness of the UK market.

"Whenever people in India think about travelling abroad, the very first city that comes to mind is London. At Jet Airways, we try and follow our customers, and want to play our part in bringing India and the UK closer together," he said.

"The UK is very important to us. The mayor is going on a trade mission and there is a wide spectrum of travellers on this circuit who are flying Jet. Every aspect is growing," he said.

The mayor of London will be accompanied by his Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal. Their packed itinerary in India will include discussions on business and investment, infrastructure and the environment as well as visas and other opportunities to work together more closely.
Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday made a previously unannounced stopover at Tehran on her way back from Russia and held a luncheon meeting with her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif, a day before inauguration of the strategically-important Chabahar port.

Swaraj was returning from the Russian city of Sochi where she attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The external affairs ministry said Swaraj and Zarif discussed various aspects of India-Iran relations and ways to strengthen these during the meeting, besides exchanging views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

The meeting came a day before the inauguration of the Chabahar port in Iran by the country's President Hassan Rouhani. The port will operationalise a new strategic transit route among India, Afghanistan and Iran, bypassing Pakistan.

"Both sides positively reviewed the initiatives undertaken since the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran in May 2016 including cooperation in Chabahar Port which will be inaugurated by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani tomorrow at presence of ministers from India, Afghanistan and the region," said the ministry.

The two ministers are understood to have reviewed the implementation of the Chabahar port project in which India is a key partner.

Over a month ago, India had sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port in Iran.

The port is likely to ramp up trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Besides bilateral issues, Swaraj and Zarif are understood to have deliberated on political developments in the Gulf region.

"Both ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest," the external affairs ministry said.

India is looking to increase engagement with Iran by raising oil imports and possible shipments of natural gas and the issue is believed to have figured in the meeting.

Swaraj had paid a bilateral visit to Iran in April last year during which both sides had decided to significantly expand engagement in their overall ties, particularly in boosting Indian investment in joint ventures in oil and gas sectors.

MEA officials said it was a technical stopover and not an unscheduled one.
With less than two weeks until Thanksgiving, its time to talk turkey  literally. Rising costs due to inflation, coupled with the spread of a contagious avian flu, could make it tougher for families planning large gatherings and holiday meals. While increases to food prices have slowed after nearly a year of steady inflation, almost []
Jarrett Coleman goes from school board to statehouse with win in 16th Senate District race
Letter to editor: Gas pump politics and the election
State officials announce $2.85M for new police station in Upper Moreland
December 03, 2017

Weekly Review And Open Thread 2017-44

Last week's posts on Moon of Alabama:

Nov 27 - Saudi Arabia - Budget Dilemma Escalates - Salmans Resort To Product Placement?

That question was, of course, not serious. But the issue documented in those pictures is still a true mystery to me. Why do the Saudi tyrants insist of prominently placing trivial Cisco phones in their official pictures of international meetings? What are the phones supposed to symbolize? Wealth? Style? Command authority? Power?

Nov 28 - Turning The Corner In Afghanistan

The U.S. has "turned the corner" in Afghanistan so often that it is now too dizzy find an exit.

Nov 28 - Last Call - Please Support This Unique Endeavor

Moon of Alabama asked for donations. The response has been uplifting. (If you haven't donated yet, please click above.) It will take weeks until the last donation arrives and a finally tally can be made. A heartfelt "Thank you!" to everyone who donated and helps to keep this site going. Related - sometime yesterday this blog broke the 25 million pageviews mark!

Nov 29 - State Department Condemns* Designation Of Media As Foreign Agents (*only applies to Russia)

The U.S. started a spat with Russia by designating Russia Today as a "foreign agents". It laments about press freedom when Russia does likewise. Hypocrites. The latest U.S. move was to deny Russia Today access to the Congressional Gallery and the White House. Russia will retaliate in kind. All "western" media will be banned from reporting from the Russian Duma. To what end was this nonsense started?

Nov 30 - North Korea: "The Missile Program Is Now Complete

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea aka North Korea demonstrated a new missile that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental U.S.. The huge new missile was the last item missing in its arsenal. It is now a fully nuclear capable. Washington is still in denial of that and speaks of an illegal "preemptive strike" against North Korea. Such a strike would risk the loss of one or more U.S. cities to a nuke shot off in retaliation. The only path forward is through negotiations.

Dec 1 - Flynn's Devastating Confessions: Trump Colluded With Israel, Tried To Fulfill Campaign Promises

The plea deal of Trump's former National Security Advisor turns out to be nothing-burger with regards to the alleged "collusion" with Russia. Flynn lobbied the Russians ambassador in favor of Israel and to fulfill Trump's campaign promise of better relations with Russia. Flynn was stupid enough to lie to the FBI about the content of phone-calls that the FBI had transcripts of. Robert Parry rightly argues that Flynn was intentionally set-up and trapped by operatives of the outgoing Obama regime.

Dec 2 - Yemen - Saudis Throw The Towel - Saleh is Baaack - Russia Wins

Yesterday's post said that former president Saleh was recovering the capital Sanaa from his previously ally, the Houthi. It may have been premature. After having been ousted from most of their positions in Sanaa, the Houthis called up reinforcements and came back with vengeance. As of now they recovered some positions and took over the TV station and other media of Saleh's GPC party. Fighting in Sanaa is ongoing. If Saleh loses this fight the war on Yemen is likely to continue.

Please use the comments as open thread ...

Posted by b on December 3, 2017 at 15:14 UTC | Permalink

Comments
MAIDEN  Apples data center in Maiden is expanding again, and students at the western campus of North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics could get some hands-on experience at the corporation.

Apple is building a new 207,525-square-foot data center that will sit behind the original data center closest to Elbow Road, according to plans filed with Catawba County.

The new building, which is known as Project Sycamore, will be a steel structure with concrete walls and metal panels. The new data center is valued at $21.98 million, the documents say.

Plans show a lobby, three conference rooms and two open offices with 24 desk cubicles, a break room and bathrooms. The majority of the building would be computer banks with cooling systems on the outside of the building, according to the plans . The plans also show two water cooling towers.

Plans also show an additional data center called Live Oak that would sit in front of the other one , however, no permits have been issued for Live Oak, said Rick Frady, building services chief for Catawba County.

In addition, plans show a future second electrical substation on the campus that would sit behind the two additional data centers.

By the time the two new data centers are completed, the company will have invested $5 billion into Catawba County, said Scott Millar, president of Catawba County Economic Development Corporation. But Millar believes the companys footprint in Catawba County could continue to grow, he said. In addition to the data center campus, the company has built numerous solar farms to support the data centers.

The data center employs 480 workers, which include electrical, security, HVAC and maintenance workers, Millar said.

But tech companies are growing so concerned about their inability to find enough talent that they're training their own, according to an Associated Press story in late November. The story said there's a half-million open technology jobs in the country and its only producing 50,000 computer science graduates each year.

The story said IBM, Amazon and Microsoft all now have apprenticeship programs that pay workers while they train for jobs. Individual companies also are launching apprenticeship programs that mix classroom and paid on-the-job training to master skills, according to the Associated Press story.

Thats the type of setup that NCSSM and some of the tech companies that have data centers in the area could have, say officials.

Large data centers surround Burke County, with Apple in Catawba County, Google in Caldwell County and Facebook in Rutherford County. And the tech companies and schools could benefit each other.

Alan Wood, president and CEO of Burke Development Inc., said Apple and Google and other tech companies need really bright talent and thats why theyre going to be interested in the school of science and mathematics, possibly including internships.

Theyre hunting for talent, Wood said. Theyre each looking for the next big thing and thats why its going to benefit them to be a supporter and participant of this school.

He said there are other possibilities than just taking the students to the data center sites.

I could see them setting up a lab at the school and work on creating ideas together and sharing information, Wood said.

And tech companies in the area have been keenly interested in the school building a western campus in Morganton.

Millar said Google officials in Lenoir have attended meetings the school has held as it plans its campus and curriculum. The school plans to have some data science curriculum as part of its educational programming, he said.

Millar said relationships between the school and area data center will be a mutually beneficial one. He said students who get to spend time in a data center will likely understand the type of work data centers do and what careers are possible in the field. He said having the relationship between the school and big data centers is a good way to develop talent, which is an issue for every company nowadays.

Millar said Kevin Baxter, director of western campus planning and project management for NCSSM, gave a presentation on the school in the spring during the Data Center Information Exchange held in Catawba County. Its a gathering of 50 to 60 data center folks in the area and state, including Google, Disney, Facebook and Apple, Millar said.

Baxter said Millar invited him to the data center summit in Hickory, which helped move the conversation forward regarding the school having a relationship with the tech companies in the area. He said the school will look for opportunities for partnerships with the companies.

Baxter visited Facebook in Forest City recently and had a positive conversation with them about the mutually beneficial relationship, he said. Enoch Mueller, site director for Google data center in Lenoir, is a member of the NCSSM western campus core planning team, Baxter said.

Baxter will visit the Apple data center in Maiden this month and have a conversation with officials there about the western campus of the school.

He said if the school decides to offer advance technology courses, the school would look at opportunities for mentorships with the companies, which is something the Durham campus does.

Sharon McBrayer is a staff writer and can be reached at smcbrayer@morganton.com or at 828-432-8946.
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ODESSA, Texas (AP)  An Odessa man has been sentenced to life in prison after an Ector County jury convicted him of attempted capital murder in the 2015 shooting of two police officers at an apartment complex.

The Ector County jury found Roy Daniel Garza guilty Friday of two counts of attempted capital murder and he was sentenced shortly afterward.
The three finalists for the position of fire chief at the Midland Fire Department participated last week in an additional round of interviews.

The city previously reported that it started with a list of 20 applicants. After a review of their qualifications, four candidates were selected for first-round interviews.

Those candidates brought back last week were MFD Assistant Chief of Operations Charles Blumenauer, Marion Blackwell of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and James Maxon of Sandoval County, New Mexico.

Blumenauer began his career with the Midland Fire Department in 1998 and has served in all ranks, including captain and administrative battalion chief, according to the citys website.

Blackwell is the fire chief of the Spartanburg department, which is responsible for protecting Spartanburgs 37,000 residents as well as its business owners and employees, according to the city of Spartanburgs website.

Maxon is listed as the fire chief for Sandoval County. The department covers 3,700 square miles through eight fire districts and 20 fire stations. Sandoval County is located north of Albuquerque. Its county seat is Bernalillo.

The following is from a Reporter-Telegram question-and-answer session with the three candidates.

Charles Blumenauer

MRT: What have you done professionally to prepare yourself for this position?

Blumenauer: Professionally, I have worked for the Midland Fire Department right at 20 years (next April will be 20th year). I have been promoted through all the ranks that we have. I have been an engineer with the department, a captain in 2009, promoted to the new position of admin battalion chief in 2013 (first one to hold that position) -- which opened me up to the administrative side. I was able to learn more there. In that position I attended the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy -- the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, its their certification course  a two-year course to be certified in state of Texas as a fire chief. After that, I kept working hard. I got my bachelors degree in 2011 from Midland College. I am currently enrolled at Sul Ross taking my masters, promoted to assistant chief this January and then preparing myself, making sure I know the department the best I can to prepare myself for this day.

MRT: Have you had to work with limited resources in the past and how do you deal with it?

Blumenauer: There is a lot of time in the fire service that we deal with limited resources. I was discussing the gasoline pipeline event (a couple years ago), a really large event. We didnt have enough resources for an event like that. Really counted on working with volunteers. Odessa came over and worked with us, as well. During big events like that the main thing is to make sure you have outreach agencies that you can have mutual aid with and make sure you have good relationships with.

If you have a big event in town, you still have the rest of the town to cover. We make sure our response is correct here. We have a good system to call guys back into work. Plus, we have a good relationship with Odessa.  We have a program where we send crews back and forth. We send a crew for the day and they send us a crew so we have that working relationship together. It is important to have that, because when a big events happens, they can come over here or we can help them out.

MRT: Midland Fire Department has a lot of projects going. How do you go into a new situation and determine priority?

Blumenauer: Being the guy who has the blood, sweat and tears in the department, I have seen a lot of things. One of the two things we do right now  things we need to keep evaluating and growing -- is the squad program. I was a captain in 2009 when the battalion chief started the program so I worked at the ground floor of the project. It has grown. As we start looking at the run volume, we have to look to determine if those squads are in the right locations to take pressure off the fire engines. We also have to see if there is another station that could use one as well.

The community health project for paramedics, that project is huge because we are actually helping Mr. and Ms. Smith at their house. They are not having to call 911, they are not having to go to the hospital. We are meeting some of their needs on site, so that is an important project. As far as bringing in new projects, I dont think I would bring new ones. I would just try to work on the two we have and make sure we keep tweaking them so we can make them better.

MRT: What else should our readers know about you?

Blumenauer: Im a West Texas guy. I moved to Big Spring when I was 6 months old. I graduated from Coahoma. I started with the Big Spring Fire Department, and I moved to Midland. Midland is my home now. I have had one son graduate from Midland Lee. I have another son that is 8. It is home to me. It is important to me what happens in this community. It is important to me that we provide the best care and coverage, whether it is holding a hand or putting out a structure fire. We want to be the best at it every day.

Marion Blackwell

MRT: What have you done professionally to prepare yourself for this position?

Blackwell: I have experience as a volunteer fire chief, as chief of a combination department, chief of a career department, and even as assistant chief of an industrial fire department in Amarillo, Texas, working for Pantex. Educationally, I have an associates degree in criminal justice, a bachelors of science in fire administration and fire prevention, a masters of science in executive fire leadership, and a PhD in fire and energy management administration. The PhD is a capstone in an educational career, because not many chiefs have a doctorate. This particular program  although I understand yall are hookem Horns -- is at Oklahoma State University. It is the only program for emergency management and fire service to get their doctorate and currently there are only 11 graduates of that program.

MRT: Have you had to work with limited resources in the past and how do you deal with it?

Blackwell: Every fire department in the nation went through limited resources especially around 2007 when the housing bubble burst. Most departments worked with a flat budget or worked with a rescinding budget. So during those times you have to look at those programs and determine: What is the most important program that you need to deliver to your citizens and fund those programs? You may have to cut back on a few of the extra programs you are doing until your resources are approved. Again, it is about evaluating your programs and understanding what your community needs and what your department needs.

MRT: Midland Fire Department has a lot of programs it created recently. How do you figure out which ones are your priorities?

Blackwell: Coming in from the outside, you want to come in, take your time, look at the culture of the fire department, look at the culture of the community. You want to get stakeholder input from the community and the fire department and then evaluate your programs. You need to look at each program and determine what is that program trying to accomplish? And then look and see if this is making that accomplishment. If it is not, what do we to do to make it accomplish that objective?  What are the resources required to do that? And then we have to look at the amount of resources we are expending on that. Is there an adequate return on investment? A lot of those things are policy decisions that would be made in conjunction with input from stakeholders from the community, from the firefighters and from city management.

MRT: Are there programs you have started elsewhere that you would be bringing into Midland?

Blackwell: We do a few things at other departments I have been at. One is called fire in the streets. That is when the clock changes in the spring time. Every Tuesday each station picked out a neighborhood. And we would knock on the doors, provide fire prevention literature to the families, ask to check their smoke detector and make sure their smoke detector was working properly. And we would also check to see if they needed a CO (carbon monoxide) detector.  We had CO calls that were becoming significant. If you had a fuel-fired appliance in your home and did not have a CO detector, we made sure you had one before we left.  We also did that same type of canvass after a structure fire in the neighborhood that the structure fire occurred. Cause after your neighbors home burned, that is when we have your attention. We get back into the neighborhood within 72 hours with the same information, we are asking the same questions  can we check your smoke detector, do you have a CO detector, here are preventive tips to keep that from happening here.

MRT: What else should our readers know about you?

Blackwell: I do have a connection with West Texas. My wife and I were not able to have our own children, so we adopted. Two of the children we adopted, we adopted when we were in Amarillo through Child Protective Services. And they are a sibling group, and because we kept that sibling group together they get certain benefits from the state  one being college tuition. When these kids get old enough to go to college, they will be coming to Texas, and I know mama isnt going to want to be far away from her babies. That is one of the reasons we are looking back into Texas. When you come into a community, it is not only the professional part of the career that nails you down in a community, it is also the personal side and family side.

James Maxon

MRT: What have you done professionally to prepare yourself for this position?

Maxon: I have been in the fire service for 25 years in a variety of settings. I have worked for a county fire department where I started as a volunteer, then I was a firefighter in the United States Air Force (assigned to Kirkland Air Force base), and I worked the state fire Marshals Office doing fire investigations, fire inspections, teaching at the state fire academy for numerous years. Then I came to Sandoval County, where I am now, as a deputy chief. I was deputy chief for six years. I have been fire chief for 5  years. And throughout my career, I have worn every hat there is in the fire and EMS business, so I have really diverse background and understanding of the fire business.

MRT: Have you had to work with limited resources in the past and how do you deal with it?

Maxon: In my environment now, we have very limited resources. We never have enough people, so what we have to do is  No. 1 we have to be safe  but we have to be innovative with how we use our people. If we need more help from another department, need more people on the scene, need backflow from another station, that is not bad to do. We want to make sure we get plenty of resources there to handle the emergency. Here in Midland, it is utilizing resources the best you can.

MRT: Midland Fire Department has a lot of projects going. How do you go into a new situation and determine priorities?

Maxon: I came into the department that Im chief of now from the outside. I spent a considerable amount of time learning the organization, learning the environment, understanding all the projects, understanding everything about the department because there is a reason for just about everything. You have to understand the reasons behind everything. Once you learn the system and understand the reasons then you can put prioritization on things.

MRT: What else should our readers know about you?

Maxon: I have set myself up to be a fire chief in the sense that I have a masters degree in public administration and Im a graduate from the fire office program from the National Fire Academy. I have spent a considerable amount of time doing professional development. It was my goal to be a fire chief since I was 18 years old, and I achieved that when I was 36 years old and it has been wonderful.
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So how will the changes in the tax overhaul bill impact you?

Senate Tax Bill passes

Trump, GOP near big legislative win

Package to benefit people of all incomes

For individuals, there are currently seven brackets. The Senate bill also calls for seven while the House bill calls for four.

The House and Senate versions nearly double the standard deduction for individuals to $12,000.

The current $4,050 personal exemption for yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents is eliminated under both the House and Senate bills.

But the child tax credit is expanded to $2,000 per child under the Senate bill and $1,600 per child in the House version.

As for mortgage deductions, the Senate bill would still allow a deduction for interest you pay on mortgage debt up to $1 million.

The House wants to cap it at $500,000.

For teachers who buy their own supplies, the Senate wants to double the deduction to $500. The House wants to eliminate it.

And the medical expense deduction right now allows itemizers to deduct medical and dental expenses that are over 10 percent of their gross income.

The Senate bill lowers that threshold to 7.5 percent. The House eliminates it.

FOR INDIVIDUALS

Changes individual income tax brackets: There are seven brackets in today's individual tax code: 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%, and 39.6%.

The Senate bill also calls for seven brackets but changes the rates on taxable income to:

- 10% (income up to $9,525 for individuals; up to $19,050 for married couples filing jointly)

- 12% (over $9,525 to $38,700; over $19,050 to $77,400 for couples)

- 22% (over $38,700 to $70,000; over $77,400 to $140,000 for couples)

- 24% (over $70,000 to $160,000; over $140,000 to $320,000 for couples)

- 32% (over $160,000 to $200,000; over $320,000 to $400,000 for couples)

- 35% (over $200,000 to $500,000; over $400,000 to $1 million for couples

- 38.5% (over $500,000; over $1 million for couples)

The House bill, by contrast, only calls for four brackets: 12%, 25%, 35% and 39.6%.

Nearly doubles the standard deduction: The House and Senate bills nearly double the standard deduction. For single filers the Senate bill increases it to $12,000 from $6,350 currently; and it raises it for married couples filing jointly to $24,000 from $12,700.

That would drastically reduce the number of people who opt to itemize their deductions, since the only reason to do so is if your individual deductions combined exceed the standard deduction amount.

Eliminates personal exemptions: Today you're allowed to claim a $4,050 personal exemption for yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents. Both the Senate and House bills eliminate that option.

For families with three or more kids, that could mute if not negate any tax relief they might enjoy as a result of other provisions in the bill.

Kills state and local income tax deduction, limits property tax break: Today itemizers may deduct their property taxes as well as their state and local income or sales taxes.

The original Senate bill called for a full repeal of the SALT deduction. But it was amended to preserve an itemized deduction for property taxes but only up to $10,000, which is identical to the House measure.

Expands the child tax credit: The Senate GOP bill increases the child tax credit to $2,000 per child, up from $1,000 today, and above the $1,600 proposed in the House bill.

Senate GOP tax writers would make the credit available for any children under 18, up from today's under-17 age limit. But it reverts to under 17 again in 2025, a year before the increase is set to expire under the bill.

But the $1,000 increase won't be available to the lowest income families if they don't end up owing federal income taxes. That's because unlike the first $1,000, the additional $1,000 wouldn't be refundable. When a credit is refundable, it means you still can get money from the government because of the credit, even when your federal income tax bill is zero.

The Senate bill also greatly expands who is eligible for the credit by raising the roof on the income thresholds where the credit starts to phase out: To $500,000 for married tax filers, up from $110,000 today.

Meanwhile, filers with dependents who are not qualified children may be able to claim a new $500 nonrefundable credit per dependent. Under the House bill, there would be a new $300 per person credit for parents and dependents over 17.

Keeps mortgage interest deduction as is: The Senate bill would still let you claim a deduction for the interest you pay on mortgage debt up to $1 million.

The House wants to cap the loan limit at $500,000 for new mortgages.

Since the House and Senate bills sharply increase the standard deduction, the percent of filers who claim the mortgage deduction would drop sharply.

The Senate bill does make two changes on home-related financing. It disallows interest deductions for home equity loans. And it lengthens the time you must live in a home to get the full tax-free exclusion on your gains when you sell it.

Preserves the Alternative Minimum Tax: The original Senate bill, like the House-passed bill, would repeal the AMT. But to help offset the cost of other late amendments, the final revision of the Senate bill now keeps the AMT in place but raises the amount of income exempt from it.

The AMT, originally intended to ensure the richest tax filers pay at least some tax by disallowing many tax breaks, most typically hits filers making between $200,000 and $1 million today.

Those who make more usually find they owe more tax under the regular income tax code, so must pay that tab instead.

Preserves the estate tax, but exempts almost everybody: Unlike the House GOP bill, Senate Republicans have not proposed repealing the estate tax.

But they are proposing to double the exemption levels -- which are currently set at $5.49 million for individuals, and $10.98 million for married couples. Even at today's levels, only 0.2% of all estates ever end up being subject to the estate tax.

Increases teacher deduction: Teachers who buy their own supplies for the classroom may deduct up to $250 today. The Senate bill doubles that amount to $500.

The House bill, by contrast, eliminates the deduction.

Expands the medical expense deduction: Today itemizers may deduct their medical and dental expenses that exceed 10% of their adjusted gross income.

While the House bill gets rid of that deduction, the Senate bill not only keeps it but temporarily lowers that 10% threshold to 7.5% for tax years 2017 and 2018.

Repeals the individual mandate to buy health insurance: The repeal is intended as a way to offset the cost of the tax bill. It is estimated to save money because it would reduce how much the federal government spends on insurance subsidies, since the assumption is fewer people who qualify for subsidies would purchase insurance if they're not subject to a penalty.

But policy experts also note it could raise premiums because more healthy people might decide to skip buying insurance.

FOR BUSINESSES

Cut the corporate rate ... in a year: Like the House bill, the Senate bill would cut the corporate tax rate to 20% from 35% today. But the 20% rate would not take effect until 2019 under the Senate proposal. The delay would reduce the cost of the measure in the first 10 years.

Make expensing rules more generous: Senate Republicans want to make it possible for businesses to immediately and fully expense new equipment for five years, then phases the provision out by 20 percentage points per year thereafter. A House provision limits it to five years.

Lower taxes on pass-through business income: Most U.S. businesses are set up as pass-throughs, not corporations. That means their profits are passed through to the owners, shareholders and partners, who pay tax on them on their personal returns under ordinary income tax rates.

Both the House and Senate bills lower taxes on the business portion of a filer's passthrough income.

The House bill dropped the top income tax rate to 25% from 39.6%, while prohibiting anyone providing professional services (e.g., lawyers and accountants) from taking advantage of the lower rate. It also phases in a lower rate of 9% for businesses that earn less than $75,000.

The Senate bill lowers taxes on filers in pass-throughs by letting them deduct 23% of their income, up from 17.4% originally.

The 23% deduction would be prohibited for anyone in a service business -- except those with taxable incomes under $500,000 if married ($250,000 if single).

Prevent abuse of pass-through tax break: If the owner or partner in a pass-through also draws a salary from the business, that money would be subject to ordinary income tax rates.

But to prevent people from recharacterizing their wage income as business profits to get the benefit of the pass-through deduction, the Senate bill would automatically limit the deduction to half of the W-2 wages of the pass-through entity or its share to the individual taxpayer. The W-2 rule would not apply, however, if the filer's taxable income is under $500,000 if married, $250,000 if single.

Change how U.S. multinationals are taxed: Today U.S. companies owe Uncle Sam tax on all their profits, regardless of where the income is earned. They're allowed to defer paying U.S. tax on their foreign profits until they bring the money home.

Many argue that this "worldwide" tax system puts American businesses at a disadvantage. That's because most foreign competitors come from countries with territorial tax systems, meaning they don't owe tax to their own governments on income they make offshore.

The Senate bill proposes changes to move the U.S. to a territorial system. It also includes a number of anti-abuse provisions to prevent corporations with foreign profits from gaming the system.

And it would require companies to pay a one-time low tax rate on their existing overseas profits -- 14.5% on cash assets and 7.5% on non-cash assets (e.g., equipment abroad in which profits were invested), slightly higher than the 14% and 7% rates in the House bill.

Information from CNN was used in this report.
The Trump Administration has ended protected status for Haiti, forcing tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants to leave the United States by July 2019 or live in the shadows.

It hits home for the estimated 5,000 Haitians living in Polk County.

Magistene Silorent is one of them. The English as a Second Language Teacher is raising his five year old American born daughter alone, as well as sending portions of his paycheck back to Haiti, so his parents and siblings can survive.

His daughter speaks very little Haitian Creole. It's the reason the college-educated Winter Haven homeowner is upset the federal government is telling him to return to Haiti.

The Polk County school district includes 1,761 households with students who speak Haitian Creole, according to spokesman Rachel Pleasant. That accounts for 1.6 percent of its student population.



"She doesnt know anything in Haiti. To bring her to Haiti it would be very hard for her and me too, said Magistene Silorent.

Silorent has been living in the United States legally for the past 8 years with a temporary protected status or TPS for short. The designation was granted to Haitians after the 2010 earthquake destroyed Haiti.

With it, he's able to work and drive legally in the United States. Going back to Haiti he said is unthinkable.



"I can not go to another country now to start over, said Magistene Silorent.



"It's something very hard for everybody when they heard that because if you are here, you work, you are not a criminal. You do everything good. You pay taxes.

On Nov. 20, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke terminated the status, citing improved conditions in Haiti since the quake.

Since the 2010 earthquake, the number of displaced people in Haiti has decreased by 97 percent. Significant steps have been taken to improve the stability and quality of life for Haitian citizens, and Haiti is able to safely receive traditional levels of returned citizens, said a news release from the agency. Haiti has also demonstrated a commitment to adequately prepare for when the countrys TPS designation is terminated.

When asked what his family had to say about the conditions in Haiti, Silorent said, I talk to my family and friends there and what the government says is not true. Haiti is not better. Its the worst now. 

Silorent hopes bills that several lawmakers have introduced to give Haitians access to permanent residency in the United States will pass. One of them was introduced by Rep. Carlos Curbelo, (R ) of Florida.

If the bills dont pass, immigration attorney Renee Pobjecky said there are a few options for Haitian TPS holders wanting to remain in the United States legally.

They could enroll in college and apply for a student visa or have an American family member sponsor them.



"If you're married to a US citizen or the son or daughter under 21 or the parent of a US citizen then you may be able to adjust your status to permanent lawful status in the United States. So again there are different situations, said Renee Pobjecky.

She recommends those affected seek the advice of an attorney.

I am very concerned. Ive had several clients come to my office whove gone to non-lawyers. They have been the victims of scams. Petitions were incorrectly filed. They were ultimately denied, sometimes losing years. For example, if you are a US citizen sponsoring a brother or sister, the waiting time is 13 years. So if that petition was filed several years ago, you dont act timely on it, you may lose all that time that was pending and to start over is going to be an extreme delay, Pobjecky said.

She said people who can't afford a lawyer should seek out charitable organizations like Catholic Charities for reduced or free help.



Like many of the other 32,000 Haitian TPS holders in Florida, Silorent is praying things will change and he won't be forced to leave in 2019.
WALLINGFORD  Bristol-Myers Squibb will pay significantly less taxes on their 180-acre Research Parkway property in coming years under a new tax appeal settlement between the town and pharmaceutical company.

The settlement will lower the market value of the property by an average of 42 percent over a five-year period  from the towns 2015 assessment of $121 million to an average value of $69.2 million for the 2015 to 2019 grand lists.

The propertys fair market value was reduced from $121 million to $110 million for the 2015 grand list, $100 million for the 2016 grand list, and $46 million for 2017, 2018 and 2019 grand lists, according to court documents.

Corporation Counsel Janis Small said the appeal was structured so that Wallingford doesn't take a bigger hit in the first two years when we already collected the tax dollars.

Bristol-Myers will have a credit applied against the January 2018 tax installment for the property to make up for net tax overpayment results from the assessment reductions for the 2015 and 2016 grand list, according to a court document dated Nov. 28. According to Small, the credit will be for about $68,000.

Bristol-Myers announced in 2015 that its leaving Connecticut in 2018 as part of a nationwide restructuring of its operations. Small said the companys pending departure dramatically impacted the value of the property in negotiations. Small said the town spent a year working to settle the appeal.

We are satisfied with this settlement, as painful as it is to take a hit in the tax dollars, Small said. Its not an easy pill to swallow.

Bristol-Myers, the town's top taxpayer, paid $2.3 million on its property in 2015, according to tax assessor Shelby Jackson.

Bristol-Myers spokesperson Lisa McCormick Lavery said the company had no comment on the settlement.

Bristol-Myers filed the tax appeal lawsuit to contest the towns assessment of their property that was made as part of a town wide revaluation of all properties in 2015. Under state law, each municipality does a reassessment of all residential and commercial property every five years.

mzabierek@record-journal.com

203-317-2279

Twitter: @MatthewZabierek
WALLINGFORD  Children had the opportunity to tell Santa Claus their Christmas wishes during the towns annual Seasons of Celebrations event on Saturday.

The children were ushered into the lobby of Town Hall by elves and toy soldiers, including Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr., who sounded his bugle to welcome each guest.

As official representatives of the North Pole, its important for us to ask, do you read? the mayor asked one young child. Kids who read, he explained, can learn all about Santa Claus.

After visiting Santa, revelers joined Rudolph and Frostie in a parade to Johanna Fishbein Park, where the town Christmas tree was lit. Carolers then performed.

This has so much to offer, said Dallas Wells, of Wallingford, as his father and uncle roasted chestnuts to hand out before the parade. Who can go wrong with hearing Christmas music and having chestnuts?

Popcorn and hot chocolate were also given out. Families could also get bags of oats covered in glitter, to attract reindeer on Christmas Eve.

We had snowball fights, we had fun, said Gary Costa, of Burlington, an ice sculptor from Ice Matters in Cheshire. Over the course of a few hours, he whittled a block of ice into the snowman Olaf, from the 2013 movie Frozen.

As he works he likes to play with the kids, spraying them with the snow coming off his chainsaw or throwing snowballs at them, which a few threw right back.

Families piled into the two horse-drawn carriages circling South Main Street, which was closed between Center Street and Prince Street. They also enjoyed a train circling Webster Bank, across from Town Hall.

Hell ride that five or six times, said Kathleen Kaliscak, who grew up in Wallingford and now lives in Hamden, about her 3-year-old sons love of the train. She said the celebration, and its free activities, was a welcome break from the emphasis on shopping.

As she spoke, her son joined the children feeding hay to goats, alpacas, sheep and a mule from Circle K Farm in Cheshire.

He loves the petting zoo, she said.

Kacey Mason, of Wallingford, was surprised her three children and their friend werent scared of the animals, as they usually are.

I think the goats have been their favorites, she said. Its a great event to come to. The kids have fun, it gets you into the holiday spirit. I love having the music in the background, it makes you feel ready for Christmas to come.

These are the things theyre going to look back on and remember, she added.
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A second suspect has been arrested in Liberty County for indecent exposure.

Randy Earl Jones, Jr., 25, was taken into custody by the Cleveland Police Department and has been placed in Liberty County jail facing Class B misdemeanor charges for reportedly pleasuring himself in front of customers at the Walmart in Cleveland. Records show he is already on probation in San Jacinto County for the same offense.

"A repeat offender for indecent exposure in Texas must register as a sex offender," said Liberty County Attorney Matt Poston.

Poston said that would be a felony if his registration is not current.

PEARLAND: Dollar store employee accused of exposing himself to customers

Bond for Jones was set at $7,000.

Jones is already on the Texas State Sexual Offenders List for a charge in April of 2016 for an indecent exposure charge with a 48-year-old female victim. He received two years of probation and community supervision.

The case against Jones comes just days after another Liberty County man, Gilbert Charles Trahan III, of Liberty, appeared before Judge Tommy Chambers in the Liberty County Court at Law for the same charge.

"The judge set the bond for both of his indecent exposure cases at $250,000 and added a number of conditions to the bond," Poston said.

Some of the conditions for Jones were not to set foot on the premises of the Liberty Walmart or Stripes in Dayton, or go near any of the victims of his crimes, and the judge took a tough stance ordering him not to drive a motor vehicle and a few other items.

"The judge had some concerns about community safety following the reports of his reoffending," the county attorney said. There was also some testimony about his mental state. He will remain in the Liberty County jail until his trial.

"This is still a very young case, but we would want to try this case as soon as possible," Poston added. He didn't expect the trial to begin until late December at the earliest, but because of potential motions that might be coming from the defense, the trial could be delayed for a couple of months leaving Trahan behind bars the entire time.

Trahan was rearrested just before the Thanksgiving holidays after an Attorney General's warrant apprehension unit found Trahan hiding in a neighborhood near Reliant Center in Houston.

Since he missed the only day for bond hearings during the holiday week, he sat in jail until Monday after Thanksgiving when he went before Chambers.

He was rearrested after it was discovered Trahan had been out on bond with three trials pending when he was arrested for the second time in just a week for allegedly exposing himself, the last time at a Stripes gas station in Dayton.
WASHINGTON - Hours after the pre-dawn passage of a $1.5 trillion tax cut, President Donald Trump suggested for the first time Saturday that he would consider a higher corporate rate than the one Senate Republicans had just endorsed, in remarks that could complicate sensitive negotiations to pass a final bill.

On his way to New York for three fundraisers, Trump told reporters that the corporate tax rate in the GOP plan might end up rising to 22 percent from 20 percent.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate had fought hard to keep the corporate rate low, with the Senate late Friday rejecting a Republican-backed proposal to push it up to 21 percent in exchange for more working-family tax breaks.

The Senate passed the final version of its bill on a 51-to-49 vote just before 2 a.m. Saturday, with Sen. Bob Corker, Tenn., as the lone Republican voting against it on concerns that it would drive up the federal deficit. Democrats howled that the bill was not released until hours before passage, with lobbyist-driven handwriting still present on the final version.

Senate Republicans moved fast, in part, because they wanted to comply with Trump's demand to send legislation for his signature by the end of the year.

The House and Senate intend to take steps as soon as Monday to set up a conference committee to negotiate the significant differences between the Senate plan and the version passed by the House last month. But Trump's statement Saturday threatened to introduce a complication.

"Business tax all the way down from 35 to 20," Trump told reporters, remarking on a core provision of the Senate bill. "It could be 22 when it all comes out, but it could also be 20. We'll see what ultimately comes out."

Moving the corporate tax rate up by 2 percentage points could raise $200 billion, money Trump might need to try to satisfy the concerns of Republicans frustrated that the plan does not reduce top individuals' tax rates enough or of others such as Sen. Marco Rubio, Fla., who argued that the bill should do more for low-income families.

Rubio complained Friday that colleagues would not even allow him to move the corporate rate to 20.94 percent, saying they acted as if this would be a "catastrophe."

If the White House tries to lower the top tax rate for individuals, it would mark a sharp departure from several months ago, when then-chief strategist Stephen Bannon advocated for raising the top rate paid by the wealthiest Americans as a way to follow through on the populist principles Trump invoked in his campaign.

Lowering the corporate tax rate was a centerpiece of the plan, and Republicans have said that it will help businesses free up money to invest, grow and raise wages. They continually reshaped the tax-cut bills in the House and Senate to help businesses, even if it meant cutting back on tax benefits for individuals and families.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., dismissed suggestions that the corporate rate could rise to 22 percent, pointing to votes in both the House and Senate that would set it at 20 percent. "That would be a major change," McConnell said in a telephone interview, adding that the vote showed he does not "have much of a margin."

House conservatives have strongly opposed a higher corporate rate, with Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chairman of the Freedom Caucus, saying that anything above 20 percent would be unacceptable. It remained to be seen how the president's endorsement of a higher rate might impact their stance.

"The Freedom Caucus was the first to embrace the president's call for a 15 percent corporate rate and has been consistent in its position, calling for a rate as low as possible but no higher than 20 percent," Meadows said in an email. "I am certain he will be signing a tax relief package by Dec. 21, which will meet the pro-growth standard the Freedom Caucus has demanded for many months."

Saturday's vote was a bright victory for Trump amid the political troubles facing the White House on other fronts, as well as for Republicans after the collapse of their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Business groups welcomed the Senate vote, which moved them a major step on the way to their long-standing goal of lower corporate taxes. The current U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent is the highest among major industrial economies, though many corporations pay a far lower rate.

"The decades-long drive toward meaningful tax reform is closer than ever to becoming a reality," said Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Momentum toward final passage is building rapidly."

Key industries, including retailers and investment managers, are expected to benefit from the Senate bill. But others warned that the bill's detailed provisions might offset any gains working Americans would enjoy via lower taxes.

Elizabeth Mendenhall, president of the National Association of Realtors, said that new limits on the deductibility of mortgage interest could cause home prices to "fall by an average of more than 10 percent," hitting high-cost areas even harder.

Likewise, the bill eliminates the current deduction for state and local income tax payments and permits taxpayers to write off only $10,000 of their property taxes. That will "reduce disposable income for many taxpayers, likely outweighing the positive effect of lower" tax rates upon consumer spending, Moody's Investors Service said.

Republicans brushed aside those concerns.

"This is a big moment for American families and small businesses ready to turn the page on an Obama-era recovery that has been far too sluggish," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Senate Republicans said that the tax cut ultimately will pay for itself through faster economic growth that will produce more government revenue, a claim that most independent economists and the nonpartisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation reject. Even taking into account the effects of possible faster growth, the bill still would add $1 trillion to the $20 trillion national debt, according to the latest committee analysis.

Many economists also said that the tax cut is ill-timed, because the economy already is running hotter than the Federal Reserve believes is possible without eventually triggering higher inflation. The economic expansion is in its ninth year, making it one of the longest in U.S. history, and the jobless rate in October fell to 4.1 percent.

Later this month, the Fed is expected to raise rates for the third time in 2017. Most economists believe that the nation's central bank will respond to the tax cut by raising interest rates more aggressively to head off incipient inflation.

"The worry for the Fed will be whether the economy might overheat, including the creation of bubbles in the stock market and among other asset classes," said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst for Bankrate.com.

In last-minute actions, Republicans allowed taxpayers to use funds from college-savings plans for tuition at religious secondary schools and opted not to eliminate the alternative minimum tax. Instead, the AMT will be retained for corporations and limited to individuals earning $70,600 in taxable income and couples making $109,400.

Lawmakers also added a provision that provides favorable treatment for the oil and gas sector.

The president is betting that an eventual tax cut will pay off for Republicans in 2018. At a New York fundraiser Saturday, he said that Democrats had made a mistake by opposing the legislation.

"We got no Democrat help and I think that's going to cost them very big in the election because they voted against tax cuts," Trump said. "And I don't think politically it's good to vote against tax cuts."

But the president is gambling that public opinion, which is hostile to the legislation, will reverse before Election Day. In a Quinnipiac University poll this month, 61 percent of voters said that the tax cut would mainly benefit the wealthy, while 24 percent said that it would help the middle class.
NEW YORK - President Donald Trump said Saturday that he is not worried what former national security adviser Michael Flynn might share now that he is cooperating with prosecutors, forcefully asserting that there was "absolutely no collusion" between his campaign and Russia.

On a day he spent here largely being whisked among political fundraising events, Trump both talked to reporters and took to Twitter to weigh in on the case of Flynn, who pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his interactions with a Russian official.

A tweet posted Saturday afternoon by the president suggested that Flynn's misstatements to the FBI were part of the rationale for Trump's firing him just 25 days into the new administration - something the White House had never asserted before and that some observers speculated could be legally problematic for Trump. The tweet was drafted by one of the president's lawyers, however, according to two people familiar with the communication.

Flynn's decision to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller III was widely seen as a sign of increasing legal peril for other White House aides and perhaps Trump himself, as the investigation has expanded beyond potential collusion with Russia to include obstruction of justice and financial crimes.

Asked by a reporter as he left the White House on Saturday morning whether he was worried about what Flynn might tell prosecutors, Trump said: "No, I'm not. And what has been shown is no collusion. No collusion. There has been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy."

Later in the day, while traveling in his motorcade between fundraisers to benefit his reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee, the president tweeted that he thought Flynn's lies were a "shame," given that the former adviser's underlying actions were "lawful" and that he'd had "nothing to hide."

Flynn, who had been one of Trump's closest and must trusted aides during the campaign and transition, admitted lying to the FBI about pre-inauguration communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding efforts to blunt the Obama administration's Russia sanctions and a U.N. resolution on Israel - potential violations of a rarely enforced law.

In his Saturday afternoon tweet, Trump also added to his previously stated rationale for firing Flynn. Trump said that Flynn had been dismissed not only for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of his conversations with Kislyak, but also for lying to the FBI.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump said in the tweet.

Trump lawyer John Dowd drafted the president's tweet, according to two people familiar with the message. Its authorship could reduce how significantly it communicates anything about when the president knew that Flynn had lied to the FBI, but it also raises questions about the public relations strategy of the president's chief lawyer.

Two people close to the administration described the tweet simply as sloppy and unfortunate.

Several legal observers suggested that the tweet could add to Trump's legal exposure in a potential obstruction-of-justice investigation.

The day after Trump fired Flynn, Trump urged then-FBI Director James Comey to be lenient with his former national security adviser, according to Comey's notes at the time.

If Trump knew at that point that Flynn had lied to the FBI and was under investigation, the observers said, his appeal to Comey could constitute an attempt by Trump to obstruct that investigation.

"Are you ADMITTING you knew Flynn had lied to the FBI when you asked Comey to back off Flynn?" Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, said in a tweet Saturday afternoon.

Dowd declined to answer questions about how and when Trump learned of Flynn's alleged lies to the FBI, a deception that did not become public until several days after Flynn's dismissal.

"The tweet just paraphrases what Ty Cobb issued yesterday," Dowd said in an email, referring to a statement issued by another lawyer for Trump in response to Flynn's guilty plea.

Cobb's statement on Friday said that the misstatements to which Flynn pleaded guilty "mirror the false statements to White House officials."

The president continued tweeting about Flynn on Saturday night. In one message, he complained that it was unfair for Flynn's life to be "destroyed" for lying to the FBI, arguing that the agency pursued Democrat Hillary Clinton far less aggressively while investigating her use of a private email server as secretary of state.

In another post, Trump congratulated ABC News for suspending investigative reporter Brian Ross for an erroneous story about Flynn.

Trump's lawyers have begged him not to tweet about Russia or the investigation, but he said repeatedly on Friday that he wanted to respond to the Flynn news, associates said.

Meanwhile, an email written by a Flynn deputy that came to light Saturday suggests that many of Trump's closest aides were informed that Flynn planned to discuss sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Flynn made a December phone call to Kislyak.

The email was written by K.T. McFarland, who at the time had been tapped to serve as deputy national security adviser and has now been nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to Singapore. In the Dec. 29 email, which was described to The Washington Post by two people who have seen it, McFarland characterized new sanctions imposed against Russia by President Barack Obama as an attack against the legitimacy of Trump's election that could hurt Trump's efforts to work with Russia.

She indicated that Flynn planned to discuss the issue with Kislyak.

The email was sent to a number of Trump's transition aides, including incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and adviser Stephen Bannon.

The email was obtained in full by the New York Times, which first reported on its content. According to the Times, McFarland wrote the email to one transition official, who forwarded it to six others.

In the email, she wrote about her fears that the Obama sanctions could interfere with Trump's hope to improve relations with Russia, "which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him," the Times reported.

The Times said it was unclear whether McFarland meant that she believed Russia had thrown the election to Trump, and a White House lawyer told the paper that McFarland was describing the view of many Democrats.

Despite the emails, Sean Spicer, Trump's White House press secretary at the time, and Priebus both publicly denied that Flynn had discussed sanctions during his communications with Kislyak, as did Pence.

Bannon declined to comment about the email, as did Cobb. McFarland did not respond to a request for comment.

William Burck, an attorney for Priebus, said in a written statement that Priebus "does not remember this email, either because he didn't receive it (it was sent to an account he rarely, if ever, used) or he didn't see it."

Burck said that Priebus "confronted General Flynn several times, including in front of others, on whether he had talked to Kislyak about sanctions and was consistently told he had not."

The email provides more evidence that top Trump advisers were notified that Flynn planned to raise the sanctions issue with Kislyak.

Court documents filed Friday show that Flynn discussed the matter with a senior Trump official who had accompanied the president-elect on a trip to Trump's private Mar-a-Lago Club. The senior official was McFarland, according to two people familiar with the conversation.

Despite the continued media focus on Flynn, Trump was in a buoyant mood as he crossed Manhattan on Saturday, bragging about his election win in Rust Belt states and the improving economy. He did not mention Russia or Flynn, attendees of the various fundraisers said.

At several stops, he touted the Senate's passage early Saturday morning of the GOP tax bill and predicted that Democrats who voted against it would lose their next elections.

Trump's stops included the palatial Upper East Side apartment of Steve Schwarzman, the chairman of a global private-equity firm.

Trump said he understood criticism from New Yorkers about one of the bill's provisions, which would curb the ability of filers to claim deductions for state and local taxes. Residents of New York and other relatively high-tax states would be hardest hit.

He also told the wealthy donors at the event that the legislation was for the middle class and urged people to call members of Congress to make sure the House and Senate reconcile their respective versions of the bill.

Trump said he expects Congress to make a deal but did not offer many specifics on what he wanted to see, "other than a quick deal," according to one person with knowledge of his remarks.

Trump also praised his relationship with China's president but said China still needs to do more to address the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.

At another fundraiser, at the restaurant Cipriani, Trump brought White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on stage to make a presentation about polling. She made the case that Trump is politically strongly positioned.

- - -

The Washington Post's Carol D. Leonnig, Aaron Blake and Ashley Parker contributed to this report.
Susan Walsh/STF

The Republican tax overhaul that squeaked through the Senate early Saturday morning would reach deep into the nation's health care system, with a clear dagger to a core aspect of the Affordable Care Act and broader ripple effects that could threaten other programs over time.

The measure would abolish the government's enforcement of the ACA requirement that most Americans carry insurance coverage. It would not end the individual mandate itself but would eliminate tax penalties for flouting that requirement. The result could cause an extra 13 million people to become uninsured and drive up insurance premiums in marketplaces created under the law, according to an estimate by Congress' nonpartisan budget analysts.
Over the past two-decades, NAFTA has powered the growth of Texas economy. Almost one million jobs in Texas are supported by trade with Mexico and Canada. In 2015, Texas exported more than $125 billion in goods to Mexico and Canada. Thats more than the next 50 export destinations combined. This means that one out of every eight dollars of economic activity in Texas is supported by exports to countries around the world, and nearly half of that is connected to exports to Mexico and Canada.

Abandoning NAFTA would trigger disastrous consequences for Texas workers and businesses throughout the state.

Recently, San Antonio hosted members of the Senate for a congressional field hearing on the modernization of NAFTA. Sen. John Cornyn highlighted the importance of NAFTA to the entire U.S. economy, but especially Texas when he said after the recent hearing, we should make sure to do no harm.

In San Antonio, trade is crucial for the citys well-being, accounting for nearly 10 percent of the citys economic activity.

The rail industry takes seriously our critical role in the supply chain as we serve our customers and make sure their products move seamlessly throughout the United States. U.S. companies rely on us to get their goods from point A to point B safely and on time. Our business depends on trade as 42 percent of rail carloads and intermodal units are directly associated with international trade. NAFTA has been a key element in growing that percentage.

Last year, our 42,000 employees transported more than 9.7 million units of goods across the United States. With NAFTA, our customers gained access to new markets in Canada and Mexico, increasing the amount of goods they exported and imported. To meet rising demand for the transportation of goods, BNSF continues to make new investments and hire more Americans to handle that demand and ensure we meet our customers expectations.

For BNSF customers and businesses across the United States, withdrawing from NAFTA would result in new taxes in the form of tariffs levied on goods exported to Mexico and Canada, reducing the competitiveness of U.S. products in Mexican and Canadian markets.

We are just one of many businesses, including 110,000 small businesses, which NAFTA has helped to grow. In 2014, NAFTA supported more than 12 million U.S. jobs across all 50 states. In Texas alone, trade with Mexico, its largest partner, supported nearly 400,000 jobs in 2014. And these are comparatively well-paying jobs, with estimates showing that more export-intensive industries pay workers 16 percent more than less export-intensive ones.

Trade with Mexico and Canada has helped Texas build the second largest economy in the country. At the national level, lawmakers are pursuing an agenda of tax and regulatory reform to achieve three percent economic growth. These reforms will undoubtedly spur further growth in the Texas economy, but withdrawing from NAFTA could reverse positive effects created by these policy changes. Trade is an important piece of the puzzle of economic growth. Its value should be recognized by all parties to the agreement.

The ongoing NAFTA negotiations do provide the opportunity to strengthen and modernize the agreement, bringing it into the 21st century. To ensure NAFTA continues to serve U.S. interests, the country should look to include provisions that promote e-commerce and digital trade, strengthen intellectual property and help businesses of all sizes gain access to Mexican and Canadian markets. Updating NAFTA to eliminate these and other barriers to trade will promote more rapid growth in Texas and throughout the United States.

But walking away from NAFTA would create widespread uncertainty and likely have real economic consequences. Sen. Cornyn and his colleagues should prioritize the interests of their constituents and pursue policies that preserve and strengthen NAFTA, and North American trade.

Matt Rose is the executive chairman for BNSF Railway, headquartered in Fort Worth.
Contrary to reports on the social media that the newly appointed Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Joram Gumbo had died in a car accident, the Minister today attended the 17th graduation ceremony of the Midlands State University (MSU) in Gweru.

Upon seeing the Minister, ZBC Chief Correspondent, Reuben Barwe could not wait to interview him on the issue.

I am here in Gweru at the Midlands State University attending the graduation ceremony that is being conducted by His Excellency, the President, E.D Mnangagwa and I am alive. I am told the accident happened in Harare and I think somebody just saw a car which was involved in an accident and thought it was mine. They just assumed that it was me who had died in a car accident, while I am not even in Harare, I have been in the Midlands since yesterday. I cant die in Harare when I am in the Midlands. So I am telling people that I am alive and still waiting for Christ for the time when I die, said Minister Gumbo.

The Mberengwa West legislator confirmed that he was overwhelmed by phone calls from people wanting to find out about him being alive.

Interestingly, just after giving the ZBC News an interview, he received a call from the newly appointed Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, whom he told to reserve his tears for now as he is still live and kicking.

Dr Gumbo will be sworn in as Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development in Harare following his appointment in a new cabinet announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

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FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko is being sued for $2,1 million by a Bulawayo businessman for alleged abuse of office.

The businessman says the former Vice-President allegedly used his influence to stop a company owned by Pakistan businessmen from compensating him after they delivered expired flour to his bakery. According to summons filed by Mr Mthonisi Nsingo, the proprietor of Dial Direct Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd which owns Double Fresh Bakery, at the Bulawayo High Court on Friday, the former Vice-President is being sued together with the company which supplied the expired flour  Bulk Commodities and its directors Imran Shazaan and Qaumar Shazaan.

Mr Mphoko, cited as the 4th defendant, allegedly used his then political office to defend the Pakistan businessmen and stop them from compensating Double Fresh Bakery for the supply of rotten flour which resulted in loss of business and subsequent closure of the firm.

According to the summons, it is alleged that sometime in February last year, Bulk Commodities intentionally supplied Double Fresh Bakery with expired flour. It is said Bulk Commodities continued to supply expired flour until July culminating in Double Fresh Bakery experiencing a significant drop in bread sales.

This continued from February 2016 to July 2016 with the plaintiffs (Double Fresh Bakery and Mr Nsingo) initially believing that the problem was with their marketing strategy as sales went down drastically with 70 percent of the bread being returned to the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs would deliver 10 000 loaves daily but within time, daily production went down from 10 000 loaves to 2 500 loaves and bread shelf life was shortened from six days to two days. The plaintiffs were eventually reported to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and investigations were carried out which revealed that the problem was with their flour. The flour did not look rotten but in actual fact it was, read part of the summons.

Sunday News broke the story then, which was titled: Flour row costs bakery $18k in revenue in its 15 May 2016 publication.

The summons stated that when Mr Nsingo approached the Shazaan brothers, the two took a sieve and some unidentified liquid which they used to clean the flour and the product appeared to have been rectified.

Mr Nsingo reportedly managed to film the cleaning proceedings.

Subsequently, investigations were done against the 1st and 3rd defendants and they were arrested, when they were raided they were found to have in stock expired goods which they were selling as well as expired flour.

At that stage, the 1st and 3rd defendants had acknowledged liability to pay plaintiffs and had made arrangements to pay plaintiffs, however, at just about that time they refused to pay claiming that they were under the protection of the 4th Respondent (former VP Mphoko), read part of the summons.

It is said Mr Nsingo later received a call from the former VPs principal director Dr Temba Ndlovu instructing him to visit his office for a meeting with Mr Mphoko. It is further claimed that during the meeting, Mr Mphoko uncategorically told Mr Nsingo to leave the Shazaan brothers alone.

After that all charges against the defendants seemed to disappear and nobody wanted to pursue the matter for plaintiffs compensation as everyone simply said they could not assist the plaintiffs because they received instructions from above, read part of the summons.

Mr Nsingo says his bakery was forced to shut down due to lack of adequate working capital as a result of Mr Mphokos intervention into the matter and action to protect the Shazaan brothers from compensating him. The entrepreneur had his property attached and the matter is still pending at the Bulawayo magistrates court.

This was clear abuse of office from the 4th Respondent (former VP Mphoko) which abuse resulted in pecuniary loss to the plaintiffs as they could not be adequately compensated by the other defendants simply because of the protection they were afforded by the 4th respondent, read part of the summons.

According to the summons, Mr Nsingo is claiming from all the involved parties $1,7 million being loss of earning capacity and profit due to closure of his company and investigation from December 2016 to the date of issue of summons at the rate of $200 000 per month.

In addition, he is also claiming general damages amounting to $200 000 from Mr Mphoko for shock, pain and suffering as a result of his abuse of office in protecting the Shazaan brothers from being prosecuted or paying him. He is demanding another $200 000 from Bulk Commodities and its two directors for general damages for loss of goodwill and reputation as a result of low estimation in the eyes of the public created by delivery of expired flour.

He is also claiming $150 000 restitution for the expired flour paid for to the Shazaan brothers in the last month of operations including payment of costs of suit on an Attorney-Client scale. Mr Nsingo is being represented by lawyer, Mr Russel Dzete of Maseko Law Chambers. The former VP and Shazaan have been given 10 days to enter an appearance to defend by making an appropriate entry in the appearance book kept in the office of the Registrar of the High Court.

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CONTINUED reports that US$15 billion worth of diamonds disappeared from mining claims in Chiadzwa are a reflection of a failure to understand the context in which the initial estimate was communicated, a senior Government official has said.

In an interview with our Harare Bureau last week, Presidential Press Secretary Mr George Charamba said the media had failed to comprehend that former President, Cde Robert Mugabe, had used that figure as a metaphor to express the magnitude of his anger at the opaque nature of operations at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.

As a matter of fact I sat in the briefing and I said to the former President, sir, where did you get the 15 billion figure? His response was that aaa ndakangoitora from the air kuti zvityise (I just said out of the blue to stress my point) because I was angry. Thats what he told me and I am prepared to repeat it on record. It was a metaphor to indicate his outrage, he said.

Mr Charamba said it is illogical to assume that US$15 billion could have been siphoned from the sector as the country was yet to produce diamonds worth that much.

As a problem of externalisation, it was not a scientific figure but he (Cde Mugabe) simply wanted a clean sub-sector. He was not indicating the degree of prejudice. In any case, it wouldnt make sense given the value of this economy and world value of diamond trade. But also, how on earth can a country such as Zimbabwe amass US$15 billion worth of diamonds? Its impossible! Are you aware that not even Cecil John Rhodes, with all the Kimberly area that was mined may not even have amassed that US$15 billion? Now what is little Zimbabwe and little Marange diamond field? Most of them our diamonds are predominantly alluvial and predominantly industrial. So to achieve US$15 billion? Come on, dont be crazy.

He added: Its a political argument which is plain stupid economically, because you are suggesting that just one sub-sector, namely the diamond, firstly does better than the whole national economy and secondly, does better even than the global diamond industry. Does that make sense? It does not. The global value of diamond trade is about US$14 billion, so if you say US$15 billion, you are implying that Zimbabwe alone, little Zimbabwe, with only alluvial diamonds, the greater part of which were industrial anyway and not gem quality mined diamonds, is greater than the total value of diamond trade worldwide. Does that make sense to you?

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As Zimbabweans celebrated the ouster of Robert Mugabe, they danced on the streets to previously banned protest songs by one of the countrys most famous musicians  a man jailed by the countrys former white rulers and hounded by the black government that succeeded them.

The musician, Thomas Mapfumo, watched the euphoria from exile in the US. But hes not rejoicing  because Mugabes political party and his cronies still run the country.

I think theres nothing to celebrate about, Mapfumo said last week in an interview with The Associated Press in the college town of Eugene, Oregon where he has lived since 2004. Its still the old train that were riding but theyve got a different driver now.

When Mugabe resigned on November 21 under military pressure, ending his iron-fisted rule of 37 years, Mapfumos songs blasted from car speakers to the crowds partying on the streets. For years, his music had been banned from public airwaves and was played in secret by Zimbabweans.

With Mugabes party, Zanu PF, still in power, theres no sign Zimbabwe will overcome its long history of repression and political corruption, Mapfumo said.

Former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, now the party head, was sworn in as president on November 24. Nicknamed the crocodile, he is accused of helping direct the slaughter of thousands of people in ethnic massacres in the 1980s.

The root cause of our problems is Zanu PF. There are still people who still believe in those bad policies, Mapfumo said, citing in particular the takeover of white-owned farms  many of which went to Mugabes allies  that led to the collapse of Zimbabwes agricultural production.

Zimbabweans are electrified about the possibility of Mapfumo returning home to perform with his band, The Blacks Unlimited, for the first time since 2004, when he left the country with band members and relatives.

I thought we would never see him play here again, but now I am very hopeful he will return home for a show of our lives, said Shupai Muchingami, a fan in Harare.

Mapfumo, known as the Lion of Zimbabwe, confirmed that he wants to perform in the southern African country next year and that his manager is trying to arrange a gig.

His upbeat music, featuring the traditional mbira and an electric guitar tweaked to sound like an mbira, often carried lyrics of rebellion in the Shona language and in English.

He called the musical style he invented chimurenga, which means struggle in Shona.

During the guerrilla war against the white racist regime when the country was named Rhodesia, Mapfumo sang lyrics like, Tumirai vana kuhondo [Mothers, send your sons to war] in support of the struggle.

After Zimbabwe achieved independence he performed in a 1980 celebration concert that also featured Bob Marley.

But several years later, Mapfumo became disenchanted with the government as Mugabe and his ministers enriched themselves while Zimbabweans became more destitute.

His most politically charged anti-Mugabe songs included Masoja neMapurisa (soldiers and police), Pidigori waenda (the man is gone), Vanoita sevanokudai (They pretend to love you and Corruption.

When I see something wrong I have to point it out, Mapfumo said. I cant stand by and look when these things are happening to my people. Thats not what we fought for. We fought in the struggle because we wanted to be a free nation. We were fighting for democracy, for freedom of speech, freedom of movement.

Zimbabwe, he said, might need a mass revolt to usher in true democracy.

The country belongs to the people. The soldiers wont do nothing if the people revolt. They will just stand by, Mapfumo said in the interview in his small apartment.

Mapfumo, who drives a Dodge minivan in Eugene, still chafes at the governments confiscation of several of his BMWs in Harare years ago, which he labelled as government harassment.

The reason was because I was singing against the ruling party, the government and the corruption that was going on, he said.

A friend was later told he could collect the cars for Mapfumo, but they were gone when he went to get them.

Theyd been sold by a corrupt policeman, Mapfumo said.

Mapfumo believes Zimbabwe needs young leaders and said he admires Nelson Chamisa of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party. But Mapfumo ruled out performing in support of him or any other politician.

Mapfumo plans to keep up his criticism in a new album hes working on that includes a song he wrote shortly before Mugabe resigned. He sang part of it during the interview.

Rise up Zimbabwe, wake up Zimbabwe, open your eyes, Mapfumo sang in a deep voice.

Its all about fighting against corruption, fighting against injustice, bad rule of law, he said with a smile.

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Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono has claimed that Zimbabwes economy is on the verge of double-digit growth rates due to what he termed EDnomics. In an opinion piece, Gono said that he was very impressed by President Emmerson Mnangagwas firm grasp on economics and what the President outlined in his inauguration speech. Said Gono:

President Emmerson Mnangagwas inauguration speech was in a class of its own in terms of vision, strategy and content.

The President showed a clear, firm grasp of economics with his dose of what I would call EDNomics, proudly showing the world that here is a new Zimbabwe that is ready and open for business

I can tell you that Im one person who is very happy with the speech and the outcome of all that has happened, culminating in the brilliant, peaceful transition between two great men in our history.

I particularly like the new Presidents brand of EDNomics, EDPolitics and EDPlomacy.

That statement alone, together with everything else he said, will get this economy flying to double-digit growth rates with the potential to propel this country to the levels of the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea and others in a very short space of time given our natural resources and literacy levels.

Gono also said that Zimbabwe was very blessed to be under the leadership of President Mnangagwa who he described as God-fearing.

Now, the lesson for me and to many others listening to his address there was that if the new President can forgive, exalt, honour and still respect his predecessor regardless and in spite of all events preceding his inauguration, who am I or you to want to keep grudges against anyone or anybody?

I think this nation is blessed to have a God-fearing leadership and what President Mnangagwa did will definitely stand us in good stead among nations and peoples of all colours, creed, religions and political persuasions.

What Im saying is that it is not just the economic issues that I and many others listened to, but also, the political and social dimensions of the Presidents speech.

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PROGRESSIVE Agriculture and Allied Industries Workers Union of Zimbabwe (PAAWUZ) is celebrating the fall of the Zanu PF G40 faction, saying its members protected farmers that exploited workers.

PAAWUZ secretary-general Raymond Sixpence told The Standard that some farm owners were bribing G40 kingpins to get protection and evade paying workers.

Sixpence said farm workers rights were trampled upon as farmers boasted about connections within Zanu PF.

Firstly, I would want to thank the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) for its timely intervention and removing the people that were helping in suppressing farm workers, he said. Workers have a number of concerns against their employers that were ignored as unscrupulous Zanu PF officials went behind to get kickbacks as protection.

As a result, the welfare of farm workers continued to deteriorate and it was difficult to correct it. Some farmers openly boasted that they would not meet their workers demands because they had protection from these politicians. Sixpence urged the new minister, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri to deal with farmers that abused their employees.

SOURCE: The Standard

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Above - Clonmel Toastmasters members at the District 71 International Ireland and UK Humorous Speech competition in Sheffield. From left, Frances Cahill, James Prendergast, Brid Meighan (Humorous Speech Contestant), Michael Maunsell (Contest chair), Isweri Pillay, Teresa Redmond (Area 8 Director) and Irene Gerety.

The busy and triumphant couple of months the club has enjoyed has led to Toastmasters claiming that it's officially the most successful club in Clonmel.

The club held its annual Humorous Speech competition at the end of September, which was won by Brid Meighan, a member for less than two years.

Brid continued her successful run in the Area 8 and Division D contests, which paved her way for the District 71 International Ireland and UK Humorous Speech competition in Sheffield in early November. Here the winners from all other divisions within District 71 in Ireland and the UK met to compete for the overall title of Ireland and UK International's Most Humorous Speaker.

As one of ten contestants Brid impressed with a speech titled Surviving our Baby. The standard she was up against was supreme, and although she didnt get placed in the top three she gave a fantastic performance and did herself and the club proud. What an achievement it was to reach such a final, particularly for her first attempt in this contest.

Brid was not alone in her success, as the club had another member who, after impressing as the contest chair in the Division D final in Clonmel in October, was invited to be contest chair at the District 71 International Ireland and UK Humorous Speech competition in Sheffield.

Michael Maunsell did an excellent job, displaying the height of professionalism in taking the top job at the weekend. Brid and Michael certainly put Clonmel Toastmasters on the map at the conference with the way they performed and the club is immensely proud of both members.

Clonmel Toastmasters meet every second and fourth Thursday of each month in Clonmel Park Hotel at 8pm. Guests are always welcome to come along to see what it is all about and join in the fun.

If you would like to find out more why not come along to one of the meetings or check out the website www.clonmeltoastmasters.com or see the club's Facebook page.
By Online Desk

Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi today visited some places hit by the Cyclone Ochki in southern Kerala that has claimed 63 lives in the state, most of them fishermen, and pitched for a better warning system to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.

Thousands of fishermen and their families in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are continuously holding mass protests, demanding for search operations to continue and for relief to be provided faster.

Search and rescue operations to trace the fishermen missing in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi continued for the 12th day today. As many as 433 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 186 from Kerala are yet to be traced.

The cyclone, earlier this week, had finally dissipated over the Arabian Sea, sparing Gujarat from destruction.

ALSO READ | No tsunami says IMD as false WhatsApp alerts create panic

Here are all the latest updates:

The Union Home Ministry is constituting an inter ministerial central committee for the spot assessment of damage and admissibility of claims of the states hit by Cyclone Ockhi.

House-to-house verification process is going on and a final figure of the missing fishermen would be known once the process was over, say officials. [READ FULL REPORT]

"The farmers have a ministry that looks after their interests and I think it is time that we create a ministry for the fishermen to look after their interests and make sure they are protected," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after visiting fishermen families in affected areas in Kerala. [READ FULL REPORT]

TN government hikes compensation for non-fisherman families from Rs 4 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. ( READ )

The death toll in the Ockhi cyclone that hit the Kerala coast mounted to 65 with more bodies being recovered.

DMK petitions TN governor Banwarilal Purohit to expedite rescue work post-Ockhi.

Efforts are on to identify the recovered bodies through DNA test.

In a bid to set up a mechanism to ensure the safety of fishermen, Kerala CM Vijayan said a system was being planned in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Kerala State control room officials said three bodies were found off the coast of Kozhikode and three from Kochi. [READ FULL REPORT]

The financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for families of Kerala fishermen killed in the cyclone would be given in one go. An amount of Rs five lakh would be given to those who are seriously injured and are not able to go to work in future as an "alternative livelihood" initiative.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the Centre has agreed to continue search operations for the missing fishermen in Cyclone Ockhi that hit the state's coast on November 29 and 30.

The death toll due to Ockhi cyclone, which hit the Kerala coast, rose to 52 on Tuesday as more bodies were recovered and the search for the missing fishermen in the high seas continued.

The Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami on Tuesday announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for the kin of fishermen who died in the cyclone that devastated the coastal areas of the state recently.

Pope Francis has enquired about the hardships and sufferings caused to Kerala's fishermen community in the Ockhi cyclone that ravaged the coastal belt on November 30.

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced 'livelihood assistance' ranging from Rs 48,500 to Rs 63,500 per hectare for horticulture farmers of cyclone Ockhi-battered Kanyakumari district.

Kerala fishermen protestors took to the street by waving black flags and photos of the dead and missing fishermen walked about two km from Palayam to Raj Bhavan raising slogans, bringing the traffic to a standstill on the busy stretch.

The death toll in the Ockhi cyclone in Kerala rose to 40 on Monday with the recovery of two more bodies even as the search operations to trace the missing fishermen entered the 10th day.

Search and rescue operations to trace the fishermen missing in the aftermath of Ockhi cyclone continued for 10th day today even as 67 persons caught in the storm, returned to Kochi coast.

The Goa government would provide compensation to shacks having legal validity, for the damages suffered during the Cyclone Ockhi last week. [FULL REPORT]

The Indian naval ships engaged in search and rescue mission in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi today continued their operations in the high seas, searching area till the Maldives. No stranded boats , fishermen or floating bodies have been found in the sea by the naval search team during the last 72 hours, the official said.

Kerala Governor P Sathasivam will contribute a month's salary to the special fund being raised for the victims of cyclone Ockhi.

The Kerala government has asked the Indian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard to continue search operations for fishermen missing in high seas post-Cyclone Ockhi for 10 more days.

#HADR #CycloneOckhi #OpSahayam #SAR Based on reports by IN Boeing P8 i aircraft, INS Kalpeni was sent to Off Sesostris Bank/Bassas de Pedro (a traditional fishing area off Lakshadweep island).About 17 boats with 180 plus fishermen have been located.@DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 8, 2017

Fishing vessel as seen from the aircraft. This video captures the essence of what Navy Boeing P-8i is doing - systematic search of every inch of possible/ probable area & providing hope to the stranded till they are rescued by our ships @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/1sY0VXul42  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 6, 2017

People receive essential commodities at a relief camp following cyclone Ockhi in the Kanyakumari district on Saturday. (PTI)

Given orders to Maharashtra Maritime Board and Collector, Sindhudurg Dist. to make all arrangements for the stranded fishermen. Local authorities are already with them and taking care of all arrangements, tweets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

In all 68 fishing boats have reached, out of which 66 are from Kerala and 2 from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fisherman on board.

All are safe.

Maharashtra will completely look after everyone till weather permits them to go back. @nsitharaman @BJP4Keralam

 Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 2, 2017

A fresh spell of heavy rain is in store in some areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry with a low pressure area forming over south Andaman sea, which is "very likely" to become a depression over Bay of Bengal . It is very likely to become a depression over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during the next 36 hours. It is also very likely to intensify further and move towards north Tamil Nadu south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next 3-4 days. (IMD)

Though many fishermen from Kerala were brought ashore safely and admitted to hospitals, many are yet to recover from the shock of wrestling the lashing waves and seeing death face-to-face. Stephan, a fisherman hailing from nearby Poonthura, said: "It was the first time we were experiencing such huge waves and a rough sea. Luckily, the rescue boat came back and saved us." Most of the rescued fishermen had bruises all over their bodies and were seen shivering and begging for hot water and food when brought ashore. (PTI)

Stranded fisherman being brought to Kerala coast by Indain Navy personnel in Kochi on Saturday. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami today requested the Centre to deploy the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for the search and rescue of fishermen who have not returned so far, and that helicopters of Coast Guard and Navy should be deployed for this purpose. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured the AIADMK leader that the Centre would provide the assistance required to rescue the fishermen. (PTI)

Several roads that connect Kanyakumari with many interior parts have got cut or were fully damaged due to heavy rainfall following the impact of cyclone Ockhi in the district on Saturday. (PTI)

A Coast Guard advisory here said the status of weather and sea conditions should be checked on television, radio, newspapers and smartphone applications before venturing out into the sea. The merchant ships should also be alert and avoid the path of Cyclone Ockhi, it said. Fishing boats should remain in groups and during distress all the crew should remain together, it said.

DMK working president M K Stalin urged Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in his letter to direct the Coast Guard to search and rescue "thousands of fishermen fighting for their lives in the mid sea, so as to prevent further loss of lives due to the Ockhi cyclone".

Steps have been taken to prevent any possible outbreak of epidemic in rain-hit areas of

Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu Health minister C Vijayabhaskar said today.

A relief worker places sand bags on the banks of a beach in Kochi in wake of cyclone Ockhi on Saturday. (PTI)

Leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare cyclone Ockhi as a national disaster. He also urged the Kerala government to increase the financial aid for the injured at least up to Rs 50,000 from the present Rs 15,000. Lack of coordination had affected the government's relief and rescue operations, launched post Ockhi, he alleged. (PTI)

The Southern Railway announced partial and full cancellation of some trains in the Kaniyakumari-Nagercoil section. One train service was also rescheduled. (PTI

Meanwhile, relatives of missing fishermen from Kaniyakumari staged a road blockade demanding the fishermen be rescued at the earliest. Scores of women also staged protest at Chinnathurai in that district.

There has been a huge demand for generator sets following the devastation caused by cyclone Ockhi in the Kanyakumari region on Saturday. (PTI)

In Kanyakumari, power supply had been restored even as efforts are on to resume power supply in neighbouring areas like Nagercoil and Kuzhithurai. Officials expressed confidence that the power supply would be restored in the entire district by tomorrow.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced Rs 25 crore for expediting relief and restoration work in the district . ( PTI)

261 persons rescued by @IndiaCoastGuard @adgpi and @IAF_MCC in #CycloneOckhi @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/ywhzBQLJnP

 Kiran_TNIE (@tniekiran1) December 2, 2017

The Coast Guard informed in a press release that on November 30, the Coast Guard District Headquarters in Kerala was informed that around 70-80 fishermen were stranded at sea due to the storm. The Coast Guard immediately sailed as many as nine ships towards Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. Further, ships based at New Mangalore were also sailed towards Kerala coast to undertake the rescue of stranded fishermen. As the cyclone intensified, coordinated search by Coast Guard ships and aircraft continued in extremely rough weather with wind speed gusting up to 150 kmph. Ships at Mumbai and Goa were also placed on maximum alert to augment efforts as required, the press release read. (PTI)

As per the last report, a total of 79 stranded fishermen have been saved by the Coast Guard in coordination with other agencies. Also, the fisheries department has intimated that about 25 boats with 250 personnel are still in distress at sea.

A man watches a road that has been cut off due to floods following the heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone Ockhi which left heavy damage in the Kanyakumari district on Saturday. (PTI)

138 fishermen have been rescued from the Lakshadweep islands. (PTI)

So far 393 people from Kerala have been rescued, Kerala CM Vijayan said, as the state government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of those who died in the storm, in addition to the financial assistance of Rs four lakh being given by the fisheries department.Of the rescued, 132 fishermen were from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, 66 from Kozhikode, 55 from Kollam, 40 from Thrissur, and 100 from Kanyakumari. (PTI)

In Lakshadweep, 31 relief camps have been opened in the10 inhabited islands. So far, 1,047 people have been evacuated to the relief camps, official sources said. No casualties have been reported, with the worst-affected islands being Minicoy and Kalpeni. Seven people have lost their lives in Kerala in rain-related incidents over the past two days, official sources said. (PTI)

Cyclone Ockhi has so far claimed 13 lives in Sri Lanka . Power supply, essential services and air traffic was disrupted in the stormy weather that left several buildings damaged and trees uprooted in its wake. READ FULL REPORT HERE

#CycloneOckhi update @IndiaCoastGuard ship rescued 15 fishermen at sea off Vizhinjam/Quilon (Kerala) Coast and heading towards shore for safe disembarkation of fisher-folks @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/39gJrfI20Z

 Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 2, 2017

Authorities including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Coast Guard and Navy have rescued about 223 fishermen and evacuated thousands of people from cyclone hit areas, officials said, as they continued their operations on Saturday.

While INS Nireekshak, INS Jamuna and INS Sagardhwani are continuing search and rescue operations in their designated areas along the coast off Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, two ships INS Shardul and INS Sharda are heading towards Lakshadweep, a defence spokesman said. (PTI) The naval ships, which left from the Southern Naval Command here yesterday, are likely to reach Lakshadweep this evening.

The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Lanba briefed me on the on-going rescue operations #CycloneOchki . More fishermen rescued this morning. Rescue work to continue.Some rescued fishermen waiting in Lakshadweep Isle to get back. Details @indiannavy @DefenceMinIndia @IndiaCoastGuard

 Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 2, 2017

The Kerala state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to the families of the deceased.

#Kerala Locals have blocked National Highway for last five hours in Trivandrum's Thumba, demand better relief measures & rescue of 6 fishermen missing from the area #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/rcTY0gyDty

 ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017

Six boats and 73 fishermen that went missing in the sea have been brought back, the Fisheries Minister of Tamil Nadu, D Jayakumar, informed on Saturday. (ANI)

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan slammed rumour mongers on Saturday after it came to light that Friday's reports of a Japanese merchant ship rescuing 60 Kerala fishermen caught in the deep seas, was "fake". It was Thiruvananthapuram district Collector S.Vasuki who told the media, on Friday evening, that she wished to thank the Japanese government as one of their ships had rescued 60 fishermen and said they would arrive at the Vizhinjam coast. (IANS.) [READ FULL REPORT]

Locals in Thiruvananthapuram's Poonthura came out in protest alleging rescue operations have been inadequate. (ANI)

According to Thiruvananthapuram district Collector S Vasuki, 102 fishermen from the city who had gone into the sea have not been able to contact their relatives. [READ FULL REPORT HERE]

Kerala: Locals evacuated to rehabilitation centre in Kochi's Chellanam. #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/iAwj7Q7g94

Several houses suffered damage, trees got uprooted and communication lines were disrupted as rains accompanied by strong winds lashed the Lakshadweep Islands under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi. [ READ FULL REPORT]

INS Nireekshak rescued two fishermen off Alappuzha coast. INS Sagardhwani fished out one cadaver, 30 km off Thiruvananthapuram coast. The ship had earlier found another cadaver. (PTI)

PM Modi dialled Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami and enquired about the damage caused by the cyclone, which also battered parts of Kerala. [READ FULL REPORT HERE]

The Tamil Nadu government has said it will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the southern parts of the state, with Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts being the worst hit.

As many as 218 fishermen from various parts of southern Kerala who were missing at sea since Thursday have been rescued and brought back so far, even as Cyclone Ockhi continued its menacing north-westward path along the Arabian Sea. [READ REPORT HERE]

A rescued fisherman rushed to the ambulance from the technical area of the Thiruvananthpuram airport on Friday afternoon. Express Photo | Kaviyoor Santhosh

According to a CWC advisory, the west-flowing rivers in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam in Kerala are likely to rise over the next 24 hours and then, slowly fall as the rains reduced.

Three deaths were reported in Kerala and one in the worst-hit Kannyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, taking the toll to 12, reports UNI.

A report from Lakshadweep said a red alert had been sounded as high waves posed a major threat to most of the islands in the region. (UNI)

WATCH: Navy rescue fishermen off Thiruvananthapuram coast

About 150 fishermen, who put out to sea from various southern districts, were rescued, Thiruvananthapuram District Commissioner K Vasuki said, adding that efforts were on to bring the rest of the stranded fishermen to the shore. The rescued fishermen included those who were saved by a Japanese cargo vessel. Kerala: Rescued fishermen brought to Trivandrim Air Force Station, later admitted to hospital for treatment #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/lB10HNPqsE  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

Heavy to extremely heavy rains are likely over Lakshadweep Islands, while light to moderate rains with a few heavy spells are expected over Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to Skymetweather's latest weather update.

Two fishing boats Arokia Mary and Hermen Mary from Kanyakumari reported missing due #CycloneOckhi since 30 Nov 2017 with 08 crew each rescued by Coast Guard Ship C-427 off Vizhinjam #Kerala pic.twitter.com/nyLuxkoonk

 ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

Search and rescue effort progressing off Vizhinjam where approximately 40 people were stranded at sea. Indian Navy ships Sharda and Shardul sailed out to augment search effort, in final stages of embarking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief items for assistance at Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands , reports ANI.

130 families from Chellanam, 17 families from Kumbalangi and 18 families from Edavanakad rehabilitated from the coastal areas, reports ANI. [Read Report]

Cyclone Ockhi is moving to the Arabian Sea. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says steps are initiated to rescue fishermen stranded in the rough sea, reports PTI.

#WATCH: High tides seen at Lakshadweep coast #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/sxUBC4geku

 ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

24 people stranded at sea sighted by IN assets. Efforts underway to rescue all 24:-

07 picked up by MV ENERGY ORPHEUS,04 being rescued by INS JAMUNA ,03 rescued by trawler in area,02 rescued by ALH (progressing further rescue of 06 more),02 under Rescue by MV KUN LUN SHAN

 SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 1, 2017

READ FULL STORY: Navy, Coast Guard save 39 Kerala fishermen

ALSO READ | Cyclone Ockhi tales

#Kerala: Relatives of missing fishermen mourn in Thiruvananthapuram, say they received no warnings of #CycloneOckhi from the government pic.twitter.com/gewQlJZvPI

 ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

- One person was killed when a tree fell on his autorickshaw at Kulathupuzha in Kollam

- A couple at Kattakkada in Thiruvananthapuram was electrocuted when power cables fell over them

- Trees and hoardings collapsed in the strong wind, which also blew away thatched roofs and roofing sheets of houses

- The State Disaster Management Authority has issued alert to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam districts

Satellite image of Cyclone Ockhi across South India. (Image Courtesy: skymetweather.com)

Southern Naval Command deployed 3 ships & 2 aircraft following request by District Collector, Trivandrum for assistance in search of 6 fishing boats with fisherman & 1 Marine Engineering vessel missing near Vizhinjam, due to cyclonic storm developed in Indian Ocean off Kerala. pic.twitter.com/2fShFmu1NS

 ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017

 SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) November 30, 2017

With a speed of 38 kmph at 8:30 Thursday morning, the cyclone lay centred about 340 km west-northwest of Galle in Sri Lanka, 60 Km south of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and 120 km southwest of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and 480 km eastsoutheast of Minicoy in Lakshadweep. It has moved west-northwestwards towards Lakshadweep Islands in the southeast Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks lying 200 to 400 km to the West of the South-West coast (Kerala) of India.

Cyclone Ockhi is approaching the Lakshadweep archipelago, a top official at the Ministry of Earth Sciences said in Delhi today. Madhavan Rajeevan, secretary in the ministry, said the archipelago in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. "It will hit the islands on December 2," Rajeevan said. (PTI)

Earlier today, the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) had put out an alert saying that the system could intensify further to become a severe cyclonic storm. It further said the storm could re-curve towards the Mumbai-Gujarat region on the West Coast, after being influenced by an incoming western disturbance from the opposite direction.

Heavy rainfall and storms in Tamil Nadu in the first week of November this year killed at least 12 people and thousands took shelter in relief camps, triggering fears of the 2015 floods repeat. It had killed more than 400 people, displaced lakhs and damaged property worth thousands of crores.

What is a tropical depression The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies the low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea into seven categories. Low pressure areas with maximum sustained surface wind speeds between 31 and 61 kmph are called tropical depressions. Once the winds around the low pressure area reach at least 62 kmph, it is called a tropical cyclone and is assigned a name. The current system is intensifying rapidly. As per the IMD wind warning, squally winds would reach 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph along and off south Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours. Another depression kicking-in The trough of low pressure over the Malay Peninsula and neighbourhood is persisting and is likely to develop into a low-pressure area over Malay Peninsula and adjoining south Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours. This system is likely to trigger a wet spell for the north coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, around December 4. (With inputs from Express News Service and agencies)

Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi today visited some places hit by the Cyclone Ochki in southern Kerala that has claimed 63 lives in the state, most of them fishermen, and pitched for a better warning system to prevent recurrence of such tragedies. Thousands of fishermen and their families in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are continuously holding mass protests, demanding for search operations to continue and for relief to be provided faster. Search and rescue operations to trace the fishermen missing in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi continued for the 12th day today. As many as 433 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 186 from Kerala are yet to be traced. The cyclone, earlier this week, had finally dissipated over the Arabian Sea, sparing Gujarat from destruction. ALSO READ | No tsunami says IMD as false WhatsApp alerts create panic Here are all the latest updates: The Union Home Ministry is constituting an inter ministerial central committee for the spot assessment of damage and admissibility of claims of the states hit by Cyclone Ockhi. Today's #OpSahayam #CycloneOckhi Deployment of IN & ICG assets for #SAR of missing fishermen off Kerala & Tamil Nadu coast. @CMOKerala @CMOTamilNadu @OfficeOfOPS @ShashiTharoor @PonnaarrBJP @pibchennai @PIB_India @PIBTvpm @BJP4TamilNadu @BJP4Keralam pic.twitter.com/oTeP5QI2XP  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 14, 2017 House-to-house verification process is going on and a final figure of the missing fishermen would be known once the process was over, say officials. [READ FULL REPORT] "The farmers have a ministry that looks after their interests and I think it is time that we create a ministry for the fishermen to look after their interests and make sure they are protected," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after visiting fishermen families in affected areas in Kerala. [READ FULL REPORT] TN government hikes compensation for non-fisherman families from Rs 4 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. (READ) The death toll in the Ockhi cyclone that hit the Kerala coast mounted to 65 with more bodies being recovered. DMK petitions TN governor Banwarilal Purohit to expedite rescue work post-Ockhi. Efforts are on to identify the recovered bodies through DNA test. In a bid to set up a mechanism to ensure the safety of fishermen, Kerala CM Vijayan said a system was being planned in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation. Kerala State control room officials said three bodies were found off the coast of Kozhikode and three from Kochi. [READ FULL REPORT] The financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for families of Kerala fishermen killed in the cyclone would be given in one go. An amount of Rs five lakh would be given to those who are seriously injured and are not able to go to work in future as an "alternative livelihood" initiative. Today's deployment on #SAR #CycloneOckhi .@CMOTamilNadu @CMOKerala @OfficeOfOPS @PonnaarrBJP @ShashiTharoor @PIB_India @pibchennai @PIBTvpm @BJP4Keralam @BJP4TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/LQedhf51eA  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 13, 2017 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the Centre has agreed to continue search operations for the missing fishermen in Cyclone Ockhi that hit the state's coast on November 29 and 30. The death toll due to Ockhi cyclone, which hit the Kerala coast, rose to 52 on Tuesday as more bodies were recovered and the search for the missing fishermen in the high seas continued. The Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami on Tuesday announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for the kin of fishermen who died in the cyclone that devastated the coastal areas of the state recently. Pope Francis has enquired about the hardships and sufferings caused to Kerala's fishermen community in the Ockhi cyclone that ravaged the coastal belt on November 30. The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced 'livelihood assistance' ranging from Rs 48,500 to Rs 63,500 per hectare for horticulture farmers of cyclone Ockhi-battered Kanyakumari district. Kerala fishermen protestors took to the street by waving black flags and photos of the dead and missing fishermen walked about two km from Palayam to Raj Bhavan raising slogans, bringing the traffic to a standstill on the busy stretch. The death toll in the Ockhi cyclone in Kerala rose to 40 on Monday with the recovery of two more bodies even as the search operations to trace the missing fishermen entered the 10th day. Search and rescue operations to trace the fishermen missing in the aftermath of Ockhi cyclone continued for 10th day today even as 67 persons caught in the storm, returned to Kochi coast. The Goa government would provide compensation to shacks having legal validity, for the damages suffered during the Cyclone Ockhi last week. [FULL REPORT] The Indian naval ships engaged in search and rescue mission in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi today continued their operations in the high seas, searching area till the Maldives. No stranded boats, fishermen or floating bodies have been found in the sea by the naval search team during the last 72 hours, the official said. Kerala Governor P Sathasivam will contribute a month's salary to the special fund being raised for the victims of cyclone Ockhi. The Kerala government has asked the Indian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard to continue search operations for fishermen missing in high seas post-Cyclone Ockhi for 10 more days. #HADR #CycloneOckhi #OpSahayam #SAR Based on reports by IN Boeing P8 i aircraft, INS Kalpeni was sent to Off Sesostris Bank/Bassas de Pedro (a traditional fishing area off Lakshadweep island).About 17 boats with 180 plus fishermen have been located.@DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 8, 2017 A decision in this regard was taken at an all-party meeting in Kerala on Friday to discuss the steps taken by the state for rescue of fishermen stranded at sea and situation in the aftermath of the cyclone that hit the coast on November 29 and 30. READ | Cyclone Ockhi: 200 people from Kerala's fisher community to be recruited to coastal police Sixty-six boats from this district were yet to be traced, while 713 fishermen were still to be rescued, in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi, a top district official said. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan on Friday said all steps were being taken to trace and rescue missing fishermen in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi. A "false image" is being created against the central and state governments though they were taking up rescue, relief and rehabilitation works, Radhakrishnan told reporters in Kanyakumari. READ FULL STORY HERE | Tension at Adimalathura as Finance Minister meets protesting fishermen Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Thursday announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of fishermen who died in Cyclone Ockhi. Palaniswami also announced setting up of a high-level committee to go into the matter of missing fishermen and submit a report. He also announced Rs five lakh solatium to those fishermen who were affected by the cyclone and unable to pursue their profession. ALSO READ | Fishermen meet CM Edappadi K Palaniswami, seek intensive search operations The Tamil Nadu government said on Thursday (08-12-2017) that nearly 2,000 fishermen who had ventured into deep sea before Cyclone Ockhi crossed the coast of Kanyakumari were rescued and safely accommodated in coastal districts of various states. Principal Secretary (Information Technology) T K Ramachandran said that 1,969 fishermen on 284 boats ventured into the sea just a day before Cyclone Ockhi crossed the coast last week. READ | After Cyclone Ockhi, now its a sea of protest for 2000 fishermen families in Nagercoil Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit today assured the families of missing fishermen in the district that steps would be taken to trace all those missing after cyclone 'Ockhi' hit the state coast. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said prime minister Narendra Modi had called the Tamil Nadu chief minister and enquired about the situation, but did not call the Kerala CM. Three bodies were recovered today off the Kerala coast, taking the death toll due to Cyclone Ockhi to 36, even as defence sources said search and rescue operations will be extended to International waters around Maldives. Family members of 19 fishermen from Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, reported missing in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi, today met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and sought help to trace them. "It was an unprecedented calamity, which claimed several lives and caused a widespread damage to properties. The Centre should declare Cyclone Ockhi a national disaster and announce a special package for the rehabilitation of the victims," Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Tamil Nadu government today said a total of 4,501 houses in cyclone Ockhi-hit Kanyakumari have suffered partial and full damage and relief to the tune of Rs 41 lakh has been provided in this regard so far. [READ REPORT] Nuns take out a candlelight procession for the victims of Cyclone Ockhi at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadam in Kochi on Wednesday night. (Albin Mathew | EPS) The Kerala state cabinet on Wednesday cleared a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the victims of Cyclone Ockhi, which includes Rs 20 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased fishermen and Rs 5 lakh each for fishermen who were grievously injured. [READ FULL REPORT] Boeing P8i of Indian Navy detected a fishing vessel near Kavaratti, close to Mangalore, yesterday evening. While INS Chennai has diverted for rescue, search areas are being expanded due to drift and currents in the area, said Navy spokesperson. Fishing vessel as seen from the aircraft. This video captures the essence of what Navy Boeing P-8i is doing - systematic search of every inch of possible/ probable area & providing hope to the stranded till they are rescued by our ships @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/1sY0VXul42  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 6, 2017 The government on Tuesday issued an advisory in view of Cyclone 'Ockhi', warning of a "rapid" rise in the water level of rivers in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Union Health Minister J P Nadda today spoke to health ministers of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, assuring them of all help from the Centre for dealing with the possible damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi. A Coast Guard ship today located 15 boats off Lakshadweep and provided assistance to 184 fishermen on board, as part of its Cyclone Ockhi relief operations. Local fishermen will join Naval teams with INS Kabra, presently involved in search and rescue operations off Kollam port and their inputs will be taken to carry out the mission. The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide adequate basic amenities to those affected by cyclone Ockhi in Kanyakumari district. The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday said that Cyclone Ockhi was not expected to have high impact in Gujarat which is geared for the worst situation. As many as 39 people have perished and 167 fishermen were still missing after cyclone Ockhi hit Tamil Nadu and Kerala coasts while 809 others were swept away to Maharashtra, the Union Home Ministry said today. Narendra Modi today said he is constantly monitoring the situation in various states arising out of cyclone Ockhi battering parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep islands and now heading towards Gujarat. [READ FULL ARTICLE HERE] Light rains were expected at one or two places in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next two days. Rahul Gandhi's rallies in Gujarat's Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar cancelled due to bad weather, reports ANI. The Kerala government today said intensified search and rescue operations are on to trace the 92 fishermen missing in high seas after Cyclone Ockhi hit the state's coast on November 29. The National Disaster Management Authority today asked fishermen in both eastern and western coasts not to venture out in the sea for the next three days as heavy rainfall is expected in many areas due to Cyclone Ockhi. The North Goa district has done a preliminary assessment of the damage caused due to Cyclone Ockhi in the coastal state. Cyclone Ockhi today moved closer to the southern coast near Surat in Gujarat and is expected to make a landfall in the state around midnight, said officials. PM Modi and Amit Shah have directed party workers to stop campaigning and instead help people in coastal regions of Gujarat move to safer places. Amit Shahs cancelled rallies were to be held in Rajula, Mahua and Shihor. (TV reports) It's likely to rain today, there will be strong winds. People have been advised not to go out at night. Those living in kachha houses will be given shelter. NDRF is on alert. Municipality & local bodies are working on their level.: Mahendra Patel, Surat DM #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/lUuIpOiauW  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2017 Kerala fishermen demand stringent action against erring disaster management officers. [READ FULL STORY HERE] UP CM Yogi Adityanath hands over a cheque worth Rs. 5 Cr to PM Modi from CM Distress Relief Fund towards PM's National Relief Fund, for the cyclone affected people in Lakshadweep and other States #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/vPxxQaE43A  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2017 The recent cyclone has brought to the fore the lack of proper mechanism to urgently communicate with fishermen at sea about an impending natural disaster. The situation is set to change once a mechanism to improve the communication with fishermen at sea is put in place by the state government in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). [Kerala government to better offshore communication of fishermen | READ HERE] Rs 600 per hour to use a motor generator to fill water tank? Impossible, you might think. But the power-less Nagercoil is seeing this and more, as desperate residents look at help from all quarters to bring life back to normal. They shell out the extra charges to get drinking water and to charge their already-dead mobile phone batteries. [READ FULL ARTICLE HERE] With #CycloneOckhi expected to make a landfall in Gujarat, I appeal to @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas to focus on helping people across the state. Our Karyakartas should devote themselves to providing all possible assistance and stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow citizens.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2017 In Mumbai, the Western Railways has deployed extra personnel for crowd management in case of any emergency due to the cyclone. [FULL REPORT] According to the IMD, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held an urgent meeting with senior officials to take stock of the preparedness in the state ahead of the expected landfall of the cyclone today. THE STORM OCKHI OVER ARABIAN SEA MOVED FURTHER NNE WARDS & IS NOW 480 KM SSW OF SURAT LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO MOVE NNE WARDS, WEAKEN GRADUALLY & CROSS S GUJ & N MAHA AS A DEEP DEPRESSION BY TONIGHT. HEAVY RAINS AND STRONG WINDS ALREADY STARTED. BE CAREFUL & TAKE PRECAUTIONS. pic.twitter.com/M5YymjDD7W  Dr. Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) December 5, 2017 Some parts of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway experienced a hailstorm early today, police said. The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down. There are traffic curbs in some places in view of the rush of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary tomorrow. Five days after #CycloneOchki made landfall @IndiaCoastGuard continues to be at sea off #TamilNadu #Kerala & #Lakshadweep Island for Search & Rescue . Coast Guard Ship rescued 19 fishermen on board 02 stranded vessels 96 Nautical Miles off Bitra (L&M ) Islands @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/PKFBHiUkjh  Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 5, 2017 All exams for Mumbai University taking place as scheduled, announced the administration. (TV reports) Mumbai police have been putting up barricades near Dadar chowpatty and Juhu chowpatty to stop people from going near the beaches, say TV reports. Cyclone Ockhi is expected to make landfall in Mumbai and coastal Gujarat on Tuesday midnight with squally winds, which may cause heavy rains in several parts of the state during the next two days. The Maharashtra government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai and adjoining districts. An official at the Mumbai office of India Meteorological Department said on account of the cyclone, the megapolis has started receiving rainfall due to spread of clouds. The Tamil Nadu government on Monday said a total of 2,604 fishermen out of the 2,864 caught in the cyclone Ockhi have been rescued. Women with all hopes of the return of their dear ones at the St Mary'schurch at Vizhinjam (EPS | Kaviyoor Santhosh) Several dozen shacks have reportedly been affected by Sunday night's swelling of waters along the coastline. The Central government has assured all help to cyclone-battered Lakshadweep, where there was no loss of lives, but extensive property damage in some islands: Lakshadweep Administrator Farooq Khan. Shibi, whose husband went missing Cyclone Ockhi, in all tears inside the St Mary's church at Vizhinjam. ( EPS | Kaviyoor Santhosh) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Monday rescued another 19 fishermen from the Arabian Sea, top officials said. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today donated Rs two crore from the CM's relief fund to the PMNRF to provide relief to the victims of Cyclone Ockhi. A well-marked low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to become a depression and move towards Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by December 6, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said today. The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, has reviewed rescue and relief operations being carried out in high seas and coastal areas hit by cyclone Ockhi. Women members of the fisher folk community on Monday held a protest in Kanyakumari district demanding that authorities intensify rescue operations to trace fishermen caught in the deep sea in the wake of Cyclone Ockhi. Hundreds of women held protest on the roads in Neerodi village demanding the authorities trace their loved ones who are still missing. [READ FULL STORY] In a thatched house on Poonthura beach in Kerala, 21-year-old Bobby, his 42-year-old mother Jacintha and his 17-year-old sister Nimmy are hopeless about the future. Their sole breadwinner Christy, 51, a fisherman, died in the Ockhi cyclone in high seas when he ventured out into the sea last Wednesday. [READ THE FULL STORY HERE] Four days after Ockhi hit Chellanam in Kerala, Annamma Pouly, 67, is yet to recover from the troubles she went through to shift her 74-year-old immobile husband from their house as sea water gushed in during the middle of the night. [READ HER ACCOUNT HERE] Cyclone Ockhi and the frantic scramble for organising rescue efforts down south have yet again underscored the need for permanently stationing Naval and Coast Guard ships in Thiruvananthapuram. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday sent two crore rupees from the Chief Minister Fund to the Prime Minister Fund for the relief of victims. (ANI) Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with the families of fishermen affected by the cyclone at Vizhinam in Thiruvananthapuram. She pointed out that the boats that had gone out well before the cyclone warning was issued had been found 15 days after their departure with the fishermen alive. ''If boats which went 15 days ago can come back with fishermen alive, we will make every attempt to get everybody back,'' she said. (Express News Service) [READ FULL REPORT HERE] Previously, Cyclone Ockhi had moved north-northwestwards during the past six hours and lay centered over southeast and east-central Arabian Sea , about 390 km west-northwest of Amini Divi island of Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep islands, which was hit by Cyclone Ochki, has suffered a loss of over Rs 500 crore, Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said today. Nirmala Sitharaman taking stock of Cyclone Ochki affected Kanyakumari and interacting with the locals. Very severe Cyclone Ockhi to recurve towards Gujarat, weaken gradually: Skymet Weather Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said 28 more boats, carrying 321 fishermen, which were caught in rough seas due to Cyclone Ockhi, have safely reached Maharashtra's Ratnagiri coast today. [READ FULL REPORT] A total of 357 fishermen, including 71 from Tamil Nadu, stranded in sea due to Cyclone Ockhi , were rescued this morning, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today. What looked like an aftermath of cyclone Ockhi, three houses were damaged while the compound wall of a private resort collapsed as surging waves lashed the coast of Ullal in Dakshina Kannada in the last two days. According to official sources, damage to the property by huge waves has occurred in most of the coastal areas. KJ Alphons on Sunday also said that Cyclone Ockhi will not be termed a national disaster. [READ HERE] Even as the blame game over the lack of warning before cyclone Ockhi continues, Union Minister of State for Tourism and IT Alphons Kannanthanam said that the state had not received any warning until November 30. However, he later clarified that a warning had been issued on November 28 and 29 about a deep depression in the sea. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] Four men  three from Thiruvananthapuram and one from Tamil Nadu  were rescued by the IAF and admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. They were identified as Zacharias (55), Seva Kurishu (35), and Kristudas (48) of Adimalathura, Thiruvananthapuram; and Anthony Adima (30) of Kollencode, Tamil Nadu. Another fisherman was brought dead to the hospital. A Coastguard vessel carrying 19 rescued fishermen was expected to arrive in Kochi. Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry during the next 24 hours, according to IMD. [READ FULL REPORT] Indian Coast Guard ship Sarthi rescued a fisherman in rough seas during Cyclone Ockhi off Kerala coast. [WATCH VIDEO] Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will visit Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari today. She will arrive at the technical area of the IAF at Shangumugham by 3 pm and leave for Kanyakumari. Fishermen community in Thiruvananthapuram have decided to launch their own rescue operations on Sunday as 55 boats ventured into the sea to search for the missing fishermen. (IANS) TN SDMA has also warned that strong winds from North-easterly direction with speeds reaching 40-55 Kmph is likely along and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TN SDMA) has issued a 24-hour warning to fishermen not to go for fishing to the Arabian sea. 68 fishing boats, out of which 66 are from Kerala and two from Tamil Nadu, have reached Maharashtra's Sindhudurg coast with total 952 fishermen on board. All are safe: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. (READ FULL REPORT HERE) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a national calamity. (ANI) Claims of thousand fishermen stranded are false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (ANI) People receive essential commodities at a relief camp following cyclone Ockhi in the Kanyakumari district on Saturday. (PTI) Given orders to Maharashtra Maritime Board and Collector, Sindhudurg Dist. to make all arrangements for the stranded fishermen. Local authorities are already with them and taking care of all arrangements, tweets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. In all 68 fishing boats have reached, out of which 66 are from Kerala and 2 from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fisherman on board. All are safe. Maharashtra will completely look after everyone till weather permits them to go back. @nsitharaman @BJP4Keralam  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 2, 2017 A fresh spell of heavy rain is in store in some areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry with a low pressure area forming over south Andaman sea, which is "very likely" to become a depression over Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to become a depression over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during the next 36 hours. It is also very likely to intensify further and move towards north Tamil Nadu south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next 3-4 days. (IMD) Though many fishermen from Kerala were brought ashore safely and admitted to hospitals, many are yet to recover from the shock of wrestling the lashing waves and seeing death face-to-face. Stephan, a fisherman hailing from nearby Poonthura, said: "It was the first time we were experiencing such huge waves and a rough sea. Luckily, the rescue boat came back and saved us." Most of the rescued fishermen had bruises all over their bodies and were seen shivering and begging for hot water and food when brought ashore. (PTI) Stranded fisherman being brought to Kerala coast by Indain Navy personnel in Kochi on Saturday. (PTI) Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami today requested the Centre to deploy the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for the search and rescue of fishermen who have not returned so far, and that helicopters of Coast Guard and Navy should be deployed for this purpose. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured the AIADMK leader that the Centre would provide the assistance required to rescue the fishermen. (PTI) Several roads that connect Kanyakumari with many interior parts have got cut or were fully damaged due to heavy rainfall following the impact of cyclone Ockhi in the district on Saturday. (PTI) A Coast Guard advisory here said the status of weather and sea conditions should be checked on television, radio, newspapers and smartphone applications before venturing out into the sea. The merchant ships should also be alert and avoid the path of Cyclone Ockhi, it said. Fishing boats should remain in groups and during distress all the crew should remain together, it said. DMK working president M K Stalin urged Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in his letter to direct the Coast Guard to search and rescue "thousands of fishermen fighting for their lives in the mid sea, so as to prevent further loss of lives due to the Ockhi cyclone". Steps have been taken to prevent any possible outbreak of epidemic in rain-hit areas of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu Health minister C Vijayabhaskar said today. A relief worker places sand bags on the banks of a beach in Kochi in wake of cyclone Ockhi on Saturday. (PTI) Leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare cyclone Ockhi as a national disaster. He also urged the Kerala government to increase the financial aid for the injured at least up to Rs 50,000 from the present Rs 15,000. Lack of coordination had affected the government's relief and rescue operations, launched post Ockhi, he alleged. (PTI) The Southern Railway announced partial and full cancellation of some trains in the Kaniyakumari-Nagercoil section. One train service was also rescheduled. (PTI Meanwhile, relatives of missing fishermen from Kaniyakumari staged a road blockade demanding the fishermen be rescued at the earliest. Scores of women also staged protest at Chinnathurai in that district. There has been a huge demand for generator sets following the devastation caused by cyclone Ockhi in the Kanyakumari region on Saturday. (PTI) In Kanyakumari, power supply had been restored even as efforts are on to resume power supply in neighbouring areas like Nagercoil and Kuzhithurai. Officials expressed confidence that the power supply would be restored in the entire district by tomorrow. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced Rs 25 crore for expediting relief and restoration work in the district. (PTI) 261 persons rescued by @IndiaCoastGuard @adgpi and @IAF_MCC in #CycloneOckhi @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/ywhzBQLJnP  Kiran_TNIE (@tniekiran1) December 2, 2017 The Coast Guard informed in a press release that on November 30, the Coast Guard District Headquarters in Kerala was informed that around 70-80 fishermen were stranded at sea due to the storm. The Coast Guard immediately sailed as many as nine ships towards Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. Further, ships based at New Mangalore were also sailed towards Kerala coast to undertake the rescue of stranded fishermen. As the cyclone intensified, coordinated search by Coast Guard ships and aircraft continued in extremely rough weather with wind speed gusting up to 150 kmph. Ships at Mumbai and Goa were also placed on maximum alert to augment efforts as required, the press release read. (PTI) As per the last report, a total of 79 stranded fishermen have been saved by the Coast Guard in coordination with other agencies. Also, the fisheries department has intimated that about 25 boats with 250 personnel are still in distress at sea. A man watches a road that has been cut off due to floods following the heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone Ockhi which left heavy damage in the Kanyakumari district on Saturday. (PTI) 138 fishermen have been rescued from the Lakshadweep islands. (PTI) So far 393 people from Kerala have been rescued, Kerala CM Vijayan said, as the state government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of those who died in the storm, in addition to the financial assistance of Rs four lakh being given by the fisheries department.Of the rescued, 132 fishermen were from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, 66 from Kozhikode, 55 from Kollam, 40 from Thrissur, and 100 from Kanyakumari. (PTI) In Lakshadweep, 31 relief camps have been opened in the10 inhabited islands. So far, 1,047 people have been evacuated to the relief camps, official sources said. No casualties have been reported, with the worst-affected islands being Minicoy and Kalpeni. Seven people have lost their lives in Kerala in rain-related incidents over the past two days, official sources said. (PTI) Cyclone Ockhi has so far claimed 13 lives in Sri Lanka. Power supply, essential services and air traffic was disrupted in the stormy weather that left several buildings damaged and trees uprooted in its wake. READ FULL REPORT HERE #CycloneOckhi update @IndiaCoastGuard ship rescued 15 fishermen at sea off Vizhinjam/Quilon (Kerala) Coast and heading towards shore for safe disembarkation of fisher-folks @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/39gJrfI20Z  Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 2, 2017 Authorities including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Coast Guard and Navy have rescued about 223 fishermen and evacuated thousands of people from cyclone hit areas, officials said, as they continued their operations on Saturday. While INS Nireekshak, INS Jamuna and INS Sagardhwani are continuing search and rescue operations in their designated areas along the coast off Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, two ships INS Shardul and INS Sharda are heading towards Lakshadweep, a defence spokesman said. (PTI) The naval ships, which left from the Southern Naval Command here yesterday, are likely to reach Lakshadweep this evening. The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Lanba briefed me on the on-going rescue operations #CycloneOchki . More fishermen rescued this morning. Rescue work to continue.Some rescued fishermen waiting in Lakshadweep Isle to get back. Details @indiannavy @DefenceMinIndia @IndiaCoastGuard  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 2, 2017 The Kerala state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to the families of the deceased. #Kerala Locals have blocked National Highway for last five hours in Trivandrum's Thumba, demand better relief measures & rescue of 6 fishermen missing from the area #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/rcTY0gyDty  ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 Six boats and 73 fishermen that went missing in the sea have been brought back, the Fisheries Minister of Tamil Nadu, D Jayakumar, informed on Saturday. (ANI) Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan slammed rumour mongers on Saturday after it came to light that Friday's reports of a Japanese merchant ship rescuing 60 Kerala fishermen caught in the deep seas, was "fake". It was Thiruvananthapuram district Collector S.Vasuki who told the media, on Friday evening, that she wished to thank the Japanese government as one of their ships had rescued 60 fishermen and said they would arrive at the Vizhinjam coast. (IANS.) [READ FULL REPORT] Locals in Thiruvananthapuram's Poonthura came out in protest alleging rescue operations have been inadequate. (ANI) According to Thiruvananthapuram district Collector S Vasuki, 102 fishermen from the city who had gone into the sea have not been able to contact their relatives. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] Kerala: Locals evacuated to rehabilitation centre in Kochi's Chellanam. #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/iAwj7Q7g94  ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 Several houses suffered damage, trees got uprooted and communication lines were disrupted as rains accompanied by strong winds lashed the Lakshadweep Islands under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi. [READ FULL REPORT] INS Nireekshak rescued two fishermen off Alappuzha coast. INS Sagardhwani fished out one cadaver, 30 km off Thiruvananthapuram coast. The ship had earlier found another cadaver. (PTI) PM Modi dialled Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami and enquired about the damage caused by the cyclone, which also battered parts of Kerala. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] The Tamil Nadu government has said it will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the southern parts of the state, with Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts being the worst hit. As many as 218 fishermen from various parts of southern Kerala who were missing at sea since Thursday have been rescued and brought back so far, even as Cyclone Ockhi continued its menacing north-westward path along the Arabian Sea. [READ REPORT HERE] A rescued fisherman rushed to the ambulance from the technical area of the Thiruvananthpuram airport on Friday afternoon. Express Photo | Kaviyoor Santhosh According to a CWC advisory, the west-flowing rivers in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam in Kerala are likely to rise over the next 24 hours and then, slowly fall as the rains reduced. Three deaths were reported in Kerala and one in the worst-hit Kannyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, taking the toll to 12, reports UNI. A report from Lakshadweep said a red alert had been sounded as high waves posed a major threat to most of the islands in the region. (UNI) WATCH: Navy rescue fishermen off Thiruvananthapuram coast About 150 fishermen, who put out to sea from various southern districts, were rescued, Thiruvananthapuram District Commissioner K Vasuki said, adding that efforts were on to bring the rest of the stranded fishermen to the shore. The rescued fishermen included those who were saved by a Japanese cargo vessel. Kerala: Rescued fishermen brought to Trivandrim Air Force Station, later admitted to hospital for treatment #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/lB10HNPqsE  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 Heavy to extremely heavy rains are likely over Lakshadweep Islands, while light to moderate rains with a few heavy spells are expected over Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to Skymetweather's latest weather update. Two fishing boats Arokia Mary and Hermen Mary from Kanyakumari reported missing due #CycloneOckhi since 30 Nov 2017 with 08 crew each rescued by Coast Guard Ship C-427 off Vizhinjam #Kerala pic.twitter.com/nyLuxkoonk  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 Search and rescue effort progressing off Vizhinjam where approximately 40 people were stranded at sea. Indian Navy ships Sharda and Shardul sailed out to augment search effort, in final stages of embarking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief items for assistance at Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands , reports ANI. 130 families from Chellanam, 17 families from Kumbalangi and 18 families from Edavanakad rehabilitated from the coastal areas, reports ANI. [Read Report] Cyclone Ockhi is moving to the Arabian Sea. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says steps are initiated to rescue fishermen stranded in the rough sea, reports PTI. #WATCH: High tides seen at Lakshadweep coast #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/sxUBC4geku  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 24 people stranded at sea sighted by IN assets. Efforts underway to rescue all 24:- 07 picked up by MV ENERGY ORPHEUS,04 being rescued by INS JAMUNA ,03 rescued by trawler in area,02 rescued by ALH (progressing further rescue of 06 more),02 under Rescue by MV KUN LUN SHAN  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 1, 2017 READ FULL STORY: Navy, Coast Guard save 39 Kerala fishermen ALSO READ | Cyclone Ockhi tales #Kerala: Relatives of missing fishermen mourn in Thiruvananthapuram, say they received no warnings of #CycloneOckhi from the government pic.twitter.com/gewQlJZvPI  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 - One person was killed when a tree fell on his autorickshaw at Kulathupuzha in Kollam - A couple at Kattakkada in Thiruvananthapuram was electrocuted when power cables fell over them - Trees and hoardings collapsed in the strong wind, which also blew away thatched roofs and roofing sheets of houses - The State Disaster Management Authority has issued alert to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam districts Satellite image of Cyclone Ockhi across South India. (Image Courtesy: skymetweather.com) Southern Naval Command deployed 3 ships & 2 aircraft following request by District Collector, Trivandrum for assistance in search of 6 fishing boats with fisherman & 1 Marine Engineering vessel missing near Vizhinjam, due to cyclonic storm developed in Indian Ocean off Kerala. pic.twitter.com/2fShFmu1NS  ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017  SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) November 30, 2017 Five people dead, 22 fishermen missing, 62 houses fully damaged, 240 houses partly damaged due to heavy rains, in Kanyakumari district. 16 rehabilitation centres established by government in which 1044 people are being given shelter. (ANI) Ockhi can lead to cloudy weather coupled with light rain for some parts along Maharashtra coast and Mumbai next week, reports said. The IMD has issued warning to all ports. Skymet predicted that there will be light rains in Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat as well. Thiruvananthapuram saw a respite from incessant rains Friday morning. Several trains to and from Thiruvananthapuram were either delayed, cancelled or re-scheduled, say TV reports. #WATCH: Water logging in Sthanumalayan Temple in Kanyakumari's Suchindram #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/nDSjmpfXoz  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami announces Rs 5 lakh compensation to kin of the five deceased in Kanyakumari district due to rain-related incidents. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said there were serious lapses from the side of state disaster management department. The alert from Hyderabad was not sent to the Government on time, reports ANI. [READ FULL REPORT] Indian Navys Advanced Light Helicopter has dropped a life a liferaft for 8 survivors at sea 20nm off Trivandrum and is picking up two critically injured survivors from MV Energy Orpheus. Naval Seaking helicopter being launched shortly to recover 8 survivors & additional SAR. Boeing P8I Aircraft deployed at first light from INS Rajali this morning sights 7 survivors hanging on to a capsized boat ~25 miles West of Tivandrum. A/c drops life raft in the vicinity and reported the exact position. Ships in area are being diverted to render assistance: Indian Navy Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to the DG of NDRF and reviewed the situation in areas affected by Cyclone Ockhi. NDRF teams have already been moved to the affected areas. More teams are on standby to respond to any further emergencies. The Home Affairs ministry is closely monitoring the situation, according to a the HMO, reports ANI. #Kerala: 59 people stranded due to heavy rains rescued by Navy and coastal guards in Trivandrum #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/8YziNQeaeH  ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017 A cyclone alert has been issued across the coastal regions in north Kerala as MET has predicted cyclone Ockhi will reach this part of the state also. Nearly 200 fishing boats, which left Kochi coast in the last couple of days, are yet to return. Joseph Xavier, general secretary, All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association, said, Usually, we used to receive advance warnings on the weather. But this time, there was no such notification." This is a matter of concern, given there were reports about the arrival of the cyclone at least two days ago, he said. Since most of the boats are co-owned by people belonging to Tamil Nadu and most of the workers are also from that state, it is also possible that the fishermen might have taken the boats to Colachel, Muttom and Thengapattanam, said Xavier. Kerala: Fishermen in Trivandrum go missing. Relatives say they received no warnings of Cyclone Ockhi from the government. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting of top officials to take stock of the situation and has asked police and revenue officials to be on high alert, reports IANS. Balakrishnan Nair, scientist at INCOIS, said that the storm surge of about one metre above astronomical tides are very likely to inundate low-lying areas of Lakshadweep Islands from Thursday night and 0.5 metre surge will inundate low-lying areas of coastal districts of south Kerala (Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts), and adjoining districts of south Tamil Nadu (Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts). Four people were killed in Kerala on Thursday as heavy rains and strong winds lashed southern part of the state after cyclonic storm Ockhi hit the Kerala coast. (READ MORE) Four people died today in Kanyakumari as heavy rains and strong winds uprooted trees, snapped power lines and damaged settlements close to the sea in Kanyakumari-Nagercoil-Thoothukudi region in south Tamil Nadu. Schools in seven districts of the state including Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Virudhunagar were closed today. [READ MORE] Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams with 60 personnel have been sent to Kanyakumari. Another team of 47 will be on standby in Kochi in Kerala to help out in Lakshadweep if the need arises. [READ: TN CM Palaniswami: Taking precautionary steps for Cyclone Ockhi] Heavy rains have caused chaos and destruction in districts of Kerala since Wednesday. Thiruvananthapuram woke up this morning to a sustained heavy drizzle and heavily overcast skies, which hit rush hour traffic in the state's capital city. One death has been reported in the state so far. An autorickshaw driver on the outskirts of Kollam was killed today after a tree fell on his vehicle. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] Severe rainstorm &winds in Thiruvananthapuram. Here I'm struggling with my umbrella at Shankumukham Beach where #Padayorukkam is scheduled to conclude tomorrow w/ mass rally by Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/qxXvugMqHV The Southern Naval Command is also gearing up for any Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief that may be required due to the effects of the storm in the southern part of Kerala. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] S Balachandran, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, said southern districts in Tamil Nadu such as Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar will get heavy to very heavy rainfall till December 1. Cyclone Ockhi is not expected to make a landfall in Tamil Nadu. ALSO READ | High wave warning sounded for south Tamil Nadu For north coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, the skies would be generally cloudy and light to moderate spells of rain can be expected. Chennai received up to 6 cm of rain between 8:30 last night and 8:30 this morning. As far as fishermen are concerned, those in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Rameswaram, have been asked not to venture out into sea till December 1, Thursday as the wind speed will be 65-70 kmph, meaning the sea will be rough along and off south Tamil Nadu, south Kerala coasts and Lakshadweep Islands. #cyclonealert: Check out the progress of the #CycloneOckhi #Cyclone #Ockhi #Weather #cyclone1 #Chennai #Chennairains #Kerala #TamilNadu @tnsdma @kerala_kaumudi @archvivekh @karthickselvaa pic.twitter.com/A0RNw8wJ90 The weather office has also predicted dense fog in places in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Cyclone 'Ockhi' (meaning: eye) was a name contributed by Bangladesh. With a speed of 38 kmph at 8:30 Thursday morning, the cyclone lay centred about 340 km west-northwest of Galle in Sri Lanka, 60 Km south of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and 120 km southwest of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and 480 km eastsoutheast of Minicoy in Lakshadweep. It has moved west-northwestwards towards Lakshadweep Islands in the southeast Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks lying 200 to 400 km to the West of the South-West coast (Kerala) of India. Cyclone Ockhi is approaching the Lakshadweep archipelago, a top official at the Ministry of Earth Sciences said in Delhi today. Madhavan Rajeevan, secretary in the ministry, said the archipelago in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. "It will hit the islands on December 2," Rajeevan said. (PTI) Earlier today, the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) had put out an alert saying that the system could intensify further to become a severe cyclonic storm. It further said the storm could re-curve towards the Mumbai-Gujarat region on the West Coast, after being influenced by an incoming western disturbance from the opposite direction. Heavy rainfall and storms in Tamil Nadu in the first week of November this year killed at least 12 people and thousands took shelter in relief camps, triggering fears of the 2015 floods repeat. It had killed more than 400 people, displaced lakhs and damaged property worth thousands of crores. What is a tropical depression The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies the low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea into seven categories. Low pressure areas with maximum sustained surface wind speeds between 31 and 61 kmph are called tropical depressions. Once the winds around the low pressure area reach at least 62 kmph, it is called a tropical cyclone and is assigned a name. The current system is intensifying rapidly. As per the IMD wind warning, squally winds would reach 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph along and off south Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours. Another depression kicking-in The trough of low pressure over the Malay Peninsula and neighbourhood is persisting and is likely to develop into a low-pressure area over Malay Peninsula and adjoining south Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours. This system is likely to trigger a wet spell for the north coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, around December 4. (With inputs from Express News Service and agencies)
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Mostly cloudy. High 38F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 22F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to present India's first post-GST and the current government's last full Budget on February 1 next year.

The Budget session of Parliament may begin on January 30 with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing the Joint Session of both the Houses of Parliament, a senior government official said.

The Economic Survey, detailing the state of the economy, is likely to be tabled on January 31 and the Union Budget may be presented the following day, he said.

Scrapping the colonial-era tradition of presenting the Budget at the end of February, Jaitley had for the first time presented the annual accounts on February 1 this year.

The Budget presentation was advanced by a month to ensure that proposals take effect from April 1, the beginning of the new financial year.

Also, the nearly century old tradition of having a separate budget for the railways was scrapped and merged with the general budget.

The tentative schedule being drawn up for the Budget Session means that there would be less than a month's gap between two sessions of Parliament. The Winter Session, which begins on December 15, will end on January 5.

The official said that at least on one occasion in the past -- in 1976, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, had the winter session spilled into January. But in those days, the Budget was presented on the last day of February and so there was one-month gap between the two sessions.

The Union Budget 2018-19 would be the last full Budget of the BJP-led NDA government before the 2019 General Elections.

As per the practice, a vote-on-account or approval for essential government spending for a limited period is taken in the election year and a full-fledged budget presented by the new government.

While P Chidambaram had presented the previous UPA government's vote-on-account in February 2014, Jaitley had presented a full budget in July that year.

The official said this will be the first budget post implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.

Even though independent India's biggest tax reform of GST was implemented from July 1, the Budget for 2017-18 (April- March), had followed the practice of tax revenue projections under the heads of customs duty, central excise and service tax alongside direct tax numbers.

With excise duty and service tax being subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the classifications in the forthcoming budget may undergo change, he said.

While a new classification for revenues to be accrued from GST will be included in the Budget for next fiscal, for the current year two sets of accounting may be presented one for actual accruals during April-June for excise, customs and service tax, and the other for July-March period for GST and customs duty.

The official said that since the GST rates are decided by a GST Council, headed by Union Finance Minister and comprising of representatives of all states, the Budget for 2018-19 may not have any tax proposals concerning excise and service tax levies.

Only proposals for changes in direct taxes, both personal income tax and corporate tax, besides customs duty, are likely to be presented in the Budget along with new schemes and programmes of the government.

This will be Jaitley s 5th Budget in a row.

With the preponement of Budget, ministries are now allocated their budgeted funds from the start of the financial year beginning April. This gives government departments more leeway to spend as well as allow companies time to adapt to business and taxation plans.

Previously, when the Budget was presented at the end of February, the three-stage Parliament approval process used to get completed some time in mid-May, weeks ahead of onset of monsoon rains. This meant government departments would start spending on projects only from August-end or September, after the monsoon season ended.

Besides advancing the presentation date, the Budget scrapped the Plan and non-Plan distinction as well.
New Delhi: Salil S Parekh, the new CEO of Infosys, is described as a soft-spoken yet determined man by those who know him.

These skills will certainly come handy when he takes over the top role at India's second largest IT company which is recovering from a year-long acrimony between the previous management and the founders, led by NR Narayana Murthy.

Parekh, 53, was chosen from over two dozen candidates in a search that lasted about three months and covered a wide canvas of names within Infosys as well as alumni and external aspirants.

He is slated to take over on January 2, 2018 for a period of five years, according to a statement by Infosys.

Parekh had joined Capgemini in 2000 after the consulting division of Ernst and Young was acquired by the French IT services company. He occupied various leadership positions in the group.

Parekh played a pivotal role in building Capgemini's operations in India and then, in Capgemini's acquisition of iGate in 2015.

He holds a Masters degree in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and a Bachelors degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the IIT, Bombay.

People who know him describe him as a turnaround manager with expertise in mergers and acquisitions.

Nandan Nilekani, Non-executive Chairman of Infosys, said Parekh has a strong track record of executing business turnarounds and managing very successful acquisitions and is the right person to lead the company at a time of transformation.

Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said Parekh is well entrenched in the industry and has international experience as well as a good understanding of Indian ecosystem. He further expressed the hope that the appointment would bring the curtains down on the challenges within Infosys, which is a key player in the Indian IT industry.

With over two decades of experience, Parekh is also a sound choice as he holds a great understanding of tech trends of yesterday, today and tomorrow, said Chief Analyst, Founder and CEO Sanchit Vir Gogia.

The appointment also had the Twitter buzzing. Infosys and Parekh were in the top 10 list in India hours following the announcement was made.

Parekh is the second outsider  after Vishal Sikka  to be made Infosys CEO.

The Bengaluru-based company would also be betting heavily on Parekh's expertise in financial services and his experience with in North America and European markets, which account for over 80 per cent of Infosys' revenue.

According to industry watchers, Parekh has his task cut out. A major challenge for him would involve maintaining peace between the founders and the management, they said, adding that Parekh's performance would also depend on the how much independence he gets in decision making.

Besides, Parekh will have to push further the innovation agenda in areas like cloud, blockchain and analytics given the increasing automation across industries, rapid pace of technology change and increasing visa scrutiny in key markets, they said.
Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex pared its early gains to trade down by around 70 points in late morning session due to losses in FMCG, oil and gas, telecom and IT stocks.

The 30-share index was trading lower by 68.30 points or 0.21 per cent at 33,081.05 at 1130hrs. The broader Nifty was down 14.80 points or 0.14 per cent at 10,211.75 with 28 of its constituents trading in the negative.

The BSE Sensex recovered over 140.49 points, or 0.42 per cent, at 33,289.84.140 points in early session on Friday after fresh buying in bluechips triggered by positive GDP numbers for the September quarter amid mixed Asian cues.

GDP rose 6.3 per cent in the quarter ended September, higher than the 5.7 per cent in previous 5.7 per cent in April-June on improved investment and steady demand, the Central Statistics stated on Thursday.

The indices however slipped into negative territory with a decline in Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, HDFC and Infosys.

Bharti Airtel dropped the most 1.43 per cent among Sensex scrips after reports that UIDAI has ordered a probe against the company. The telecom company said it has received notice from UIDAI and in the process of providing a reply to that.

Tata Steel fell by 1.37 per cent, Coal India by 1.10 per cent and Dr Reddy by 1 per cent.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 1,500.76 crore on Thursday, as per provisional data.

Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth a net Rs 1,202.57 crore.

Asian markets were trading with small gains buoyed by record highs in US equities.

US stocks rallied on Thursday with the Dow finishing above 24,000 for the first time in history, as investors grew more optimistic about the prospects for a tax overhaul out of Washington.
New Delhi: Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir more than 720 times this year, the highest in past seven years.

According to the data compiled by the Union Home Ministry, Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 724 times along the IB and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016.

As many as 12 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October, a home ministry official said quoting the data.

A total of 79 civilians and 67 security personnel were also injured in the firing.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

In 2014, there were 583 incidents of ceasefire violation in which 14 civilians and three security personnel were killed and 101 civilians and 28 security personnel were injured.

In 2015, the number of ceasefire violations was 405; 347 in 2013, 114 in 2012, 62 in 2011 and 70 in 2010.
Ayodhya: At the peak of the tension surrounding Ayodhya 25 years ago, a humble white Ambassador car became a trusted ally for Anant Kumar Kapoor, helping him carry food and other essential commodities he required to run his hotel packed with journalists in the town under curfew.

Kapoor, now 71, is one of the directors of Shan-E-Awadh hotel in Faizabad district, under which the Ayodhya town falls. He had provided accommodation to journalists from India and abroad who had gathered in Ayodhya to cover the Ram Mandir movement.

The hotel, located opposite the office of the newly-created Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, was established in 1986. Kapoor, then 46, looked after the hotel's operations.

"More than 100 journalists from India and abroad were staying in the hotel. The entire hotel was full of journalists. We had to put extra cots in most of the rooms to accommodate those who could not get any room," Kapoor told PTI, vividly recalling those days in December, 1992.

On December 6 that year, a large number of 'Kar Sevaks'  religious volunteers  had gathered in the temple town and demolished the 16th-century Babri Masjid, sending ripples across the country.

Riots followed the demolition and curfew was imposed on Ayodhya.

"The curfew pass issued by the district administration and the white Ambassador car virtually proved to be a lifeline for me, and helped in collecting raw materials, food items, and other essential commodities for those staying at the hotel. I had to go to the outskirts of Faizabad to collect the items," he said.

Kapoor said since the curfew extended to Faizabad, it also meant that all the telephone booths were closed.

"Most of the journalists staying here used the STD facility of the hotel and dictated the news to their editorial colleagues. They would talk for nearly an hour to an hour-and-a-half, while disseminating all necessary information," he said.

He recalled that the space below the hotel's staircase became the dark room for some of the photographers. "After developing the photographs, they would go to the post office, from where they faxed their day's photographs," he said.

Kapoor said he last saw the Babri Masjid on December 5, 1992, the day before it was demolished.

Kripa Shankar Pandey, 68, who worked as a special correspondent for Navjeevan and Quami Awaz,/em> publications in 1992, said: "I was inside the disputed structure almost 10 minutes before it fell, and nearly 50 metres away from the structure when it was being demolished. The then district magistrate Ravindra Kumar Srivastava told me to leave the place: Pandey ji, yehaan se hat jaaiye (Pandey Ji, please leave this place)."

Pandey added, "I was there from 10am to 5pm. The disputed structure fell between noon and 1pm. I was amazed to see that people were eager to take the stones of the debris, as if it was gold."

The journalist, who worked from an office located on the Faizabad-Ayodhya road, said telephone lines of his office were "massively utilised" by the journalists who had come to cover the incident.
Tehran: The first phase of Chabahar port was on Sunday inaugurated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening up for India a new strategic transit route to Iran and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The port on the Gulf of Oman, jointly developed by India, is of great strategic importance as Pakistan does not allow India to ship goods through its territory. It also poses a challenge for under construction Gwadar port, some 80km away in neighbouring Pakistan, which is being built with Chinese investment.

Iranian state TV said the inauguration was attended by dignitaries from India, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries. The extension includes five new piers, two of them for containers allowing cargo vessels with up to 100,000-ton captaincy to dock.

India has framed its involvement in Chabahar's development as primarily about establishing a gateway to Afghanistan, more than Iran itself.

The government has committed $500 million to the Chabahar port along with associated roads and rail lines that will crack open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan, as well as the resource-rich countries of central Asia.

The Centre plans to send seven shipments of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar by the end of January, officials said. The wheat will be trucked from Chabahar to western Afghanistan.

The shipments are meant to demonstrate the route's viability, officials said, and the plan is to broaden the cargo flow before the port is fully operational by the end of next year.

Rouhani, meanwhile, downplayed the rivalry with Pakistan in his inauguration speech and said the port will bring more engagement and unity among regional countries.

We should go after positive competition, he said. We welcome other ports in the region, we welcome Gwadars development.

He said Iran also plans to link the port to the countrys railroad network to facilitate transit of goods to neighbouring landlocked Central Asian countries, as well as open a route to eastern and northern Europe through Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: The first phase of Chabahar port will be inaugurated Sunday which will open up a new strategic transit route among Iran, India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The port, located in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in presence of representatives from India, Afghanistan and several other countries of the region.

The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port.

Ahead of the inauguration, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif held a meeting on Saturday in Tehran and discussed the Chabahar port project among other issues.

Iranian Foreign Ministry said Zarif referred to the Shahid Beheshti Port and said it reinforces Iran-India mutual and regional cooperation.

"It also shows the importance of the port in the development of the region and the routes that connect Central Asian states to other countries in the world through the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean," he said, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The port is likely to ramp up trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Over a month ago, India had sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new strategic transit route.

A minister from India is attending Monday's event.

The Iranian president's office said the Shahid Beheshti harbour will be opened on Monday.
Kolkata: West Bengals lone ISIS member Mohammed Musiruddin alias Abu Musa, who was arrested last year for his alleged role in the Burdwan blast, slashed the neck of a guard at the Alipore Central Jail with an improvised weapon on Sunday.

The critically injured guard has been taken to a hospital. State prison minister, Ujjwal Biswas, confirmed the shocking incident and said a preliminary inquiry has revealed that Musa used a long iron nail to pierce the neck of the guard.

Such terrorists are trained in beheading. He was desperate to kill the guard with the nail but other jail officials rushed to the spot and managed to overpower him in time, Biswas said, adding that Musa has been shifted to another cell in the same jail and is kept under heavy security.

The incident took place around 6am at Block 13, where Musa was kept confined in solitary cell number 2. The victim, Govindo Chandra Dey, had gone to his cell for a routine inspection, but the moment he opened the gate, Musa hit him with a brick on his head and then stabbed him with the nail.

Govindo raised an alarm and the other officials rushed to rescue him. After he was pinned down, Musa raised pro-ISIS slogans. He said the attack was part of his jihad.

Officials said they also found some chemical from his pockets, which he planned to rub on the warders neck wound. However, they did not say how he managed to sneak in a chemical into his solitary confinement cell.

Musa was arrested in July last year from the Biswa Bharati passenger train in connection with Burdwan blast case. The case was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency.

The NIA chargesheet said Musa was involved in furthering the terrorist conspiracy of ISIS in India and Bangladesh and had been in communication with Shafi Armar (IS India in-charge) through social media websites. It also said that Musa had planned lone wolf attacks on foreign tourists as well as ISIS-style beheadings.

In 2016, Musa was also questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Kolkata to investigate his link with Syria-based terrorist Sultan Abdul Kadir Armar to target American nationals in India.
Mumbai: London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Sunday said he was "lobbying" with the British government to change its stringent visa norms, which he termed as a "big mistake".

Khan arrived in the country's commercial capital as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities, others being Delhi and Amritsar, to strengthen the UK capital's trade ties.

"I am a big critic of the British government over the change in the Visa policy. I think they have made a big mistake, as on one hand the British government is asking Indian businesses to trade there and on the other hand they have made it more hard (to enter the country)," Khan said during his interaction with reporters.

Recently, the Theresa May government changed its visa policy for non-EU (European Union) nationals to curb its soaring immigration figures. The policy which came into effect in November will affect a large number of Indians, especially IT professionals.

"I want to assure you that I am lobbying with my government to change its immigration stance, because I want talented Indians to come to London and not go to Canada, Australia or the US. London is open to people, talent and partnership," the London Mayor said.

India last month flagged its serious concerns to Britain over its stringent visa norms and hike in threshold limit of annual pay of working professionals to get the travel documents.

Khan said the change in UK's current position on immigration is needed in the interest of the UK capital.

"One of the reasons why London is the greatest city in the world is its ability to catch talent. (A total of) 40 per cent of Londoners are from outside the UK. It's in the interest of London to change its stance on immigration and I'm optimistic that it will change in near future," he said.

The visiting Mayor also underlined the need to forge strong cultural ties with India, particularly with Mumbai.

"I believe that culture is the DNA of any city. I'm meeting (Maharashtra) Chief Minister tomorrow and hoping to announce a lot of things in relation to culture as well as a joint venture on issues like ecology and climate change," he said.

Hailing Bollywood, Khan said they wanted to learn how the industry can churn out so many movies in a year.

"One thing that we are doing in Mumbai is learning how you manage to make so many films in Bollywood... what is that you are doing? Indian films' post-production work is excellent. Hollywood filmmakers come here to do their post-production work. So, one of the announcements we are making tomorrow will be of the UK and India making films together, which will be a good example," he said.

Khan said students will benefit a lot as professionals after they get education in the top universities in London.

"There are more international students in London than any other city in the world. Four of the world's top 30 universities are in London. Due to the change in the visa policy, some Indian students chose to go to Canada or Australia.

"However, I want to tell Indian students that our universities are brilliant. When you come to London, apart from fantastic quality of education you get, you also get the experience and the contacts you make...This will stand you in good head when you return to (your) country as executive, investor, teacher or entrepreneur," he said.
Around 100 km from Delhi lies a strip of land spread across the contiguous belt of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana where Muslims are a majority. Spread across two districts, Meos or Meo Muslims of Mewat have been practising traditions of both Hindus and Muslims for decades. Though economically backward, this region rarely saw communal strife. The pot got boiling after the 2016 Mewat gang-rape, followed by the mob lynching of Pehlu Khan and then Umar Mohammad, who was shot and later decapitated at a nearby railway track.

One wonders why a particular community is suffering repeated brunt of cow vigilantism. Is it just because of their religious identity or is there more to it?

A Muslim Land in NCR

The new wounds are making people look at the events as an unfolding of past experiences.

Ask Siddique Ahmed Meo, a junior engineer at the Haryana Panchayat Department who has authored two books  Mewat: Ek Khoj and Mewati Sanskriti Aur Sangram 1857: Mewatiyon ka Yogdaan.

According to him, this Muslim-majority stretch near Delhi is being branded as a hub of crime as part of a vicious campaign. Many people think an area near Delhi which primarily houses Muslims is a dangerous proposition. There have been continuous efforts to vitiate the environment. But they dont realise that, historically, Meos were always at the forefront to save Delhi whenever it was in danger, said Ahmed.

Siddique Ahmed Meo

When Mahmud Ghaznavi invaded India, the entire region till South Gujarat was protected by the Meos, who did not allow him to make way to Delhi. Similar resistance was shown by the Meos when Mohammad of Ghor, Sultan of Ghurid Empire, attacked Delhi. Qutbuddin was attacked my Meos in Ajmer and he could not reach Delhi.

The Capital has always been safe, thanks to Meos. And now we are being vilified, Ahmed said.

Meos cultural similarity with Hindus, he said, is often perceived as a soft target for ghar wapsi kind of campaigns by the Right-wing.

Our ancestors came from Iraq hundreds of years ago. When Meos have Nikah, they do Kua Pujan like the Hindus, he said.

Meos practise Halsotiyan, where cows and bulls are given turmeric bath and layered in Henna. Their bodies are oiled and ribbons are tied to their horns. Meos dont give their cows for slaughter even when they turn old, said Ahmed.

It wrenches my heart when people call us Pakistani only because we keep a beard, he said.

Meos were at the forefront in the fight for independent India.

Around 6,000 Meos were slaughtered during the 1857 mutiny. During the Gandhi era, Chaudhary Abdullahs contribution to the Satyagraha movement was unparalleled. People still recall how thousands of Meos were tortured during the 1922 Swatantra Senani meeting at Lal Kuan near Ferozepur Jhirka, said Ahmed.

Operation COBRA

Meos see a pattern in not just the attacks by cow vigilantes but also in alleged police bias. Noor Mohammad, who runs the Mewat Shiksha Panchayat, said there is a larger ploy to create fear.

If a person from a certain village has stolen something, police tortures the entire village. Their vehicles are destroyed and often their relatives are beaten up, said Mohammad.

In July 2015, the then SP of Police formed a team known as COBRA, which used to raid the Meo homes at night and take away all their belongings, particularly the vehicles, said a resident of Sirmoli village on request of anonymity.

Noor Mohammad runs the Mewat Shiksha Panchayat. (News18)

Most of the vehicles they used to seize were usually returned, but newspapers would report that Mewatis are looters. This campaign many believe that Meos are criminals, said Mohammad.

When Meos complained about the COBRA officers harassing them, Ali Anwar Ansari, an MP from Bihar, raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha. Nothing much happened. COBRA was rechristened as the QRT or the quick response team.

When the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha, the COBRA was rechristened as the QRT or the Quick Response Team. (News18)

Mohammad sees cow vigilante attacks as a ploy to weaken an already poor community. The attacks on dairy farmers are being carried out to economically weaken Meos. Most of the so-called gau rakshaks are stationed around Alwar. Nowadays, they attack whenever they see people travelling with cows. Umar and Pehlu murders became national news but violence is a daily affair here. Their main purpose is to steal our animals.

The Tale of Pending Marriages

Qaaree Saahu, the Shahi Imam of Kishangarh Bass near Alwar, is amused that cows have become the bone of contention in a community where even marriage is incomplete without them.

No Meo marriage is complete without gifting a cow. Its a symbol of love and respect... The thought of killing cows is impossible in Mewat where its a sign of prosperity, he said.

Many Meo families are struggling to get their daughters married as they fear gifting cows may land them in trouble. Every father here wants to gift cows during his daughters wedding. But now there is a risk of police harassment, Saahu said.

Private Army of Ramgarh MLA

In 2016, Ramgarh MLA Gyandev Ahuja made it to national newspapers for his comment: Daily 50,000 pieces of bones, 3,000 used condoms, 500 used abortion injections and 10,000 cigarettes were found in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus.

In Mewat, everyone has a story to share about Ahuja and his men. Mohd Qasim Mewati, leader of the Meo Panchayat, accused Ahuja of running a gang to harass Meos who make a living from dairy farming.

Ahujas gang primarily operates between Naswari and Govindgarh. No one has the courage to complain against him because he is BJP MLA, said Mewati.

News18 made attempts to reach out to Ahuja, but he was unavailable for a comment.

Maqsood Kaama, state president of Indian Youth Congress, said, Ahuja is known for polarising people and issuing statements that create a rift in the society. He spreads propaganda against Meos and the result is for everyone to see, he said.

(More Sunday Features)
Mumbai: In the wake of a premature baby being wrongly declared dead by a city-based private hospital, police have sent a notice to the hospital authorities, asking them to join the probe.

Doctors at the Max Hospital had declared the baby dead but he was found to be alive later.

Police have already registered a case of attempt to commit culpable homicide against two doctors.

Investigators have sent a notice to the hospital to join the probe and share documents pertaining to the case.

The boy was one of the prematurely born twins (boy and girl) on the morning of November 30 to Varsha at the hospital. The other baby was stillborn. The mother was brought to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar, police had said.

The hospital had earlier told the parents that both the babies were stillborn. They were handed to them in a polythene bag, but just before their last rites, the family found that the boy was alive, police said.

The baby is undergoing treatment at a nursing home in Pitampura and doctors said he had a 40 per cent chance of survival, they added.
First they thought theyd misheard it; this could not happen. When they heard it again they were shocked. All that George IV, the King of England, asked for was a glass of Glenlivet. And he knew whisky was made illegal by his English laws. The king was going to address a public function in Scotland during a much publicised visit to mend the broken relationship between the two countries, to heal the wounds of Scotland which was defeated in an all-out battle sometime back. George was accorded a warm reception along the streets of Edinburgh with thousands thronging behind barricades waving at him.

Glenlivet, which the king mentioned, is a windy terrain, a wild and primeval place with forbidding mountains looming on the background, looking every inch the place where Macbeth might have met the witches, or the wilderness outside the kingdom of Kublakhan in Coleridges poem.

Only the frigid waters of river Livet softened its bleak ambience. Nature had kept it so for a long time perhaps with a purpose.

The tempestuous gales that broke loose on the glen from the North Sea, the freezing temperature and the crystal clear water of the river all colluded to make the land ideal for distilling the best whiskies of the world.

The smugglers chose Glenlivet for their clandestine operations for another reason too  it was one of the remotest spots in the country, a hard-to-police region.

So when the King of England requested for a glass of Glenlivet there were about 200 distilleries running their operations in the valley. But, alas! They were all illegal.

Now, when the shock subsided, after they understood what King George insisted on what he said, the Scots excitedly pulled out bottles from their secret chambers. Before the day ended they made it sure that the king would leave Scotland on a happy note.

Distilled by smugglers in caves, sheltered hollows and hides in the vast deserted terrain of Glenlivet, the whisky had always been the pride of Scotland and a thorn in the side of England.

The English made laws to scotch the practice. But the Scotch always found a way to botch the English acts.

On ponies laden with casks the illegal stuff always flowed to other parts of Scotland and also on to the aristocratic tables of England. One only needed to taste a drop of whisky to swear lifelong allegiance to the drink from a wild and primeval place far away from civilisation.

Within a year after the kings visit, the new Excise Act of 1823 came into force legalising whisky distillation in Scotland.

George Smith, a tenant farmer who had also been illegally distilling whisky for long was waiting for this. He grabbed the opportunity and obtained a licence, and made his business legal. His fellow smugglers felt cheated. When the uneasiness turned into assaults and attempts on his life Smith had to carry a pistol around wherever he went. The pistol boomed many times, and his business flourished in leaps and bounds.

Smith chose the isolated glen to establish his distillery in order to harness the climate, the terrain and the mineral rich Josies well  a natural spring that bubbles out of the peaty earth of Glenlivet.

Soon, the first product Glenlivet 12-Year-Old rolled out from its warehouse to take the world. As the quintessence of Scottish whisky Glenlivet had only to cross the Atlantic to become the largest selling single malt in America. Hollywood stars like Yule Brynner and Robert Taylor wanted a bottle of Glenlivet to follow them wherever they go.

Even after 200 years since the genesis, Glenlivet is constructed on barley step-by-step using the same traditional methods. It has dedicated fans all over the world all the time. Aficionados swear by their bottle, that you havent seen all of scotch until you have tasted Glenlivet.

The line of products from the distillery is a prized catch and a matter of pride for a bar in any part of the world. Its taste is considered supreme.

Take for example, the Glenlivet 18-Year-Old. It is considered as the perfect expression of age and elegance. For the tough ones among you, there is the Glenlivet Nadurra 16-Year-Old Whisky. Bottled at cask strength with 48% ABV you may find it too hot (few people can adapt themselves to cask strength whiskies).

Drink it neat, and then add a few drops of water to re-taste it. The water will open new flavours from the whisky.

For the real connoisseur there is the Glenlivet 70-Year-Old 1940 Generations. This is not a whisky all of us can try in our lifetime. A chatter with this 70-year old lady is a costly affair; it sets you back by a whopping Rs 12 lakh plus tax (My rough estimate. If you get one, spare a peg for this writer for Gods sake.).

It was in March 2011 the 70-year old Glenlivet, which was filled into a cask in 1940, was released. Only a hundred decanters of it were produced along with 175 6.8-oz decanters retailing at Rs 3,03,000 each (again, my estimate).

Another girl may come; another boy may call; but another peg of Glenlivet in your life, that too those special ones? It hardly happens. So carpe diem! Seize the day! Grab the first opportunity!

(Manu Remakant is a freelance writer who also runs a video blog - A Cup of Kavitha - introducing world poetry to Malayalees. Views expressed here are personal)
International Improv artistes Greg Proops and Jeff Davis will enthrall the Indian audience with their shows in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Improv is the unscripted comedy that they perform with the inputs from audience and people and they are excited to perform as part of Black Dog Easy Evening.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be performing in India for the first time. I'm looking forward to meeting the Indian comedians as well and hoping to have an exchange of ideas with them," David told IANS in an email interaction.

Added Proops: "I'll be studying up on India before we go.

Black Dog Sparkling Water will host Easy Evenings which will include an improv performance, a stand-up act, music and a party on December 16 and 17 in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Papa CJ will host the event.

Proops has proved it through his inimitable presence in both the British and American version of the epic comedy show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". On the other hand, Davis worked on various television series like "The Drew Carey Show" and "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment"
Mumbai: After a year of embarrassing controversies and incredible setbacks, Kapil Sharma is back. Following the release of his movie Firangi, he is now planning to push the envelope when he returns to the small screen with his television show.

Firangi features him as an innocent villager grappling with the Colonial Raj. It is a charming performance in an endearing film. Kapil has discussed his career plans and some personal decisions in an interview.

Excerpts:

Q. Kapil, that's quite a departure in Firangi from your first film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon and from your image as a stand-up comic?

You liked it? Thanks. My friend Rajiev Dhingra who directed Firangi sat with me... We exchanged ideas on what we would do together. We decided we would do a period film for sure. But we didn't want to do the usual 'evil Colonisers and innocent peasants' movie. We wanted to do a fresh take on the Raj. I think we succeeded in doing that.

Q. Yes, Rajiev has ensured that your fans get what they want from your innocence, but he has also ensured a new avatar from your comicality.

'Haan, mera character bholepann mein hi bahut kuch kar jaata hai.' (My character does a lot of things without knowing the repercussions). I think Rajiev knows me better than almost anyone else. We've been friends for years. 'Kai baar aisa hota hai ki kuch log itne kareeb hote hain ke woh aapko khud se behtar jaane hain.' (Some people are so close to you that they know you better than you know yourself).

Rajiev knows me well enough to know what I can do and can't do. He directed me accordingly. Sometimes I would go over-the-top. But he would bring me back to normalcy. He knew the audience wanted to see me playing a normal guy who can make others laugh.

Q. Do you like pushing the envelope?

It will be boring for me and the audience if I don't. That's why I am planning a radical change in 'The Kapil Sharma Show'. As far as feature films go, I will try to do something different each time. I already have an idea for my next film. Audiences are open to all kinds of experiences now. I saw Newton. It was so different yet successful

Q. The film is too long, though?

Oh, you will be surprised at how much we left out.

Q. Have you shown Firangi to your film industry friends like Shah Rukh Khan or Akshay Kumar?

Not yet. We had a screening for the cast and crew and family on Thursday. They will say only nice things. Very often, we actors and entertainers get cut off from reality because we surround ourselves with yes-men. It's very important to listen to people who don't flatter you and who correct you when you're wrong. Rajiev Dhingra is one such friend. He tells when I go wrong.
Mumbai: Labelling the whole drama surrounding Padmavati as "nonsense", veteran actor Manoj Kumar says both the makers and the protesters are at fault.

The actor blamed the two parties for mishandling the situation.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati has been mired in controversy after several Rajput groups alleged that history has been "distorted" in the movie. Chief ministers of BJP- ruled states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat have called for a ban on the period drama.

Bhansali has claimed there is no "distortion" of history in the entire film.

Both, Bhansali and leading lady Deepika Padukone have received death threats for being associated with the film.

In an interview with PTI, Kumar says, "I will blame both the sides. This is nonsense. If the Rajputs feel something is wrong, they should have written to the makers that before releasing the film, kindly show it to us.

"The producers should have written to them after their objection, that come and see the film and finish the matter in one hour. This is washing dirty linen in public. To some extent even the media is also to be blamed."

Various Rajput groups have accused Bhansali of filming a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini (Deepika) and Sultan Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh), a claim repeatedly denied by the filmmaker.

Historians are divided on whether Padmavati actually existed.

Kumar, who wrote and starred in historical-period drama, Shaheed, on the life of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, believes one can take liberty while making a film based on history only when it does not tamper with the facts.

"When I started to make films, I started writing about Bhagat Singh in my earlier days. There were some incidents which I had to conceive within the framework. Every film made later on Bhagat Singh featured the scenes which I had conceived...

"You have to imagine some linking sequences within the framework (of the material). 'Padmavati' was made in Tamil also but nobody objected to it," he says.

The Deepika-Shahid Kapoor-Ranveer starrer was earlier scheduled to release on December 1. The makers deferred the release till they receive a certificate from the CBFC.

The 80-year-old actor says he too has been a "victim" of the censor board with his 1987 Kalyug Aur Ramayan.

Kumar starred and wrote the film which got embroiled in a controversy.

"There was a song in the film 'Kalyug Ki Sita Milne Judge Ko Chali/Sau Chuhe Khake Billi Haj Ko Chali...' I was not talking about Ram-Sita here. It was a novel subject to me but there was a huge uproar by some groups back then and they created ruckus at the censor board."

Kumar says to avoid the censor troubles, guidelines of who is going to censor films and whether they understand the "language of cinema and the background" needs to be very clear.
Saturday's Weekend Ka Vaar was indeed special for superstar Salman Khan, who welcomed his Tiger Zinda Hai co-star Katrina Kaif on the sets of the controversial reality show Bigg Boss. But what made their meeting extra special was the worldwide release of their film's new track Dil Diyan Gallan on the show.

While unveiling the song, Katrina told audience, "This one is very close to my heart. I'm so happy that I'm launching this song here with Salman."

Dil Diyan Gallan is the perfect love song for all ages. In fact, the very opening lines of the song just leaves the listener spellbound. What comes as a plus point is Atif Aslam's voice, which brings loads of passion to the song.

Choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, the song highlights the love story of Salman and Katrinas respective characters in the movie-- Tiger and Zoya. It is shot in the beautiful locations of Austria.

This is the second track from Tiger Zinda Hai after Swag Se Swagat. Shot in the picturesque Greece, the foot tapping number Swag Se Swagat has been composed by Vishal-Shekhar and written by Irshad Kamil. Sung by Vishal Dadlani and Neha Bhasin, the song promotes brotherhood, peace and embracing differences and sovereignty, but in its own unique style.

Tiger Zinda Hai is based on the real-life incident wherein 46 nurses were held hostage by ISIS in Iraq in 2014. The film is an extension of the 2012-film Ek Tha Tiger, wherein both Tiger and Zoya set out on a life-threatening joint mission.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film is set to release on December 22.
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mocking its presidential election and, raising the issue of "internal democracy" in the BJP, asked him when he would answer questions posed by the leaders of his own party.

Congress communications in charge Randeep Surjewala raked up the names of former BJP top guns such as L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Joshi, Keshubhai Patel and Anandiben Patel, alleging they were "victims" of Modi and BJP chief Amit Shahs "internal democracy".

"Dear PM, your love for Shahzad, Shah-Zada and Shaurya is now well known, but Nation wants to know when will you reply to the questions raised by senior BJP leaders, Shourie (Arun), Sinha (Yashwant) and Sinha (Shatrughan)," he posted on Twitter.

Surjewala further tweeted, "Blinded by rage and enmity, what unimaginable depths would you fall to?"

He also referred to senior BJP leaders such as Advani and Joshi in another tweet.

"Modiji, do tell Gujarat and country about the victims of yours and Amit Shah's internal democracy in BJP, namely- Lal Krishna Advani, Keshubhai Patel, Hiren Pandya, Kanshiram Rana, Anandiben Patel, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sanjay Joshi, who were compulsorily lost in pages of history," he said.

Earlier, while addressing a poll rally in Gujarat, Modi had mocked the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, alleging the party had a history of rigging organisational polls.

The charge was raised after a Congress leader from Maharashtra, Shehzad Poonawala, alleged that the Congress polls were "rigged" and state party delegates were not elected.

Modi said at the rally the outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion. "If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country?" Modi asked.
Kochi: Lok Sabha MP P P Mohammed Faizal on Saturday alleged that the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard failed to respond promptly in tackling the crisis due to cyclone Ockhi, which left a trail of destruction in the Lakshadweep islands.

The Lakshadweep MP said he would write to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in this regard.

"We have not got adequate help from the Navy and the Coast Guard. They failed to respond promptly in the adverse situation," Faizal told PTI.

He also said that he had spoken to Home Minister RajnathSingh, who assured him that a team of officials would be sent to the island.

A defence spokesman, however, refused to comment on the allegations.

Minicoy and Kalpeni islands were the worst hit by the cyclone and several houses there were severely damaged, Faizal said, adding no casualties have been reported so far. Meanwhile, a defence release said tonight, INS Shardul from Kochi is heading towards Minicoy island with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) "bricks", which include water and dry provisions.

It also consists of medical equipment, blankets, generators, salvage equipment, desalination and decontamination kits. The relief material would sustain 2,000 people for over a period of seven days, the release said. INS Sharda is heading towards Kavaratti island with HADR material sufficient for 500 people to last more than seven days. The ship, while proceeding to the island, saved nine persons from a boat, it said.

Naval ships from Mumbai, INS Chennai, Kolkata and Trikand have also sailed out for Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands (LAM) with HADR material sufficient for approximately 5,000 people and would last for more than seven days, the release said.

Androth and Kavaratti are reported to be experiencing strong winds of 40-60 knots coupled with high swells of three to four metres with a "sea state of 5-6," it said, adding all the ships are expected to reach LAM by tomorrow morning.

According to the defence release, in addition to aircraft from Kochi, a P8I aircraft from Arakkonam with greater reach is being used to maintain a close vigil over the sailing ships and provide inputs, if any.

Areas close to the coast would be continuously monitored using Dornier aircraft from Kochi, it said.
Rajkot: Congress leader Indranil Rajyaguru, who is contesting the upcoming Gujarat elections against Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot West, was detained by police late on Saturday following a scuffle with BJP workers.

The clashes broke out when BJP workers allegedly tried to remove Congress posters in the constituency ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the city. Rajyaguru and his brother Dipu Rajyaguru tried to stop the BJP workers, leading to a brawl.

A badly injured Dipu was rushed to the hospital, while Indranil Rajyaguru  the richest candidate in Gujarat elections  was detained by police. A video of Rajyaguru being hauled into a police van went viral within hours of his detention.

Rajkot continued to be on the edge following the incident as thousands of Congress supporters flocked to the district police headquarters to protest against Rajyagurus detention.

Rajkot West goes to polls in the first phase of elections on December 9. The constituency has been a prestigious seat for the BJP, with PM Narendra Modi winning his first-ever election from the constituency in 2002. The seat is also important given the presence of 75,000 Patidar voters in the constituency. The Congress is banking on this bloc to help Rajyaguru topple Rupani.

Rajyaguru has declared assets worth Rs 123.78 crore, emerging as the richest candidate in Gujarat elections, a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again visiting his home state Gujarat ahead of Assembly elections this month and will address seven public gatherings  named by the BJP as Vikas rallies  over two days. His visit to the state begins a day after predecessor Manmohan Singh addressed a public meeting in Surat where he said the PM must find more dignified ways to seek votes.

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Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dubbed a letter issued by the Gandhinagar archbishop a fatwa and said it was his "rashtrabhakti" that motivated him and his government to help people of various faiths, including Christians.

"I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a 'fatwa' (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is 'Rashtrabhakti' (nationalism) that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world," Modi said.

He was referring to the letter by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from "nationalist forces". The priest had also said that "democratic fabric" of the country was at stake amidst growing "sense of insecurity" among minorities, which was viewed as a jibe at the ruling BJP.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating a hospital, said it was a "matter of concern" if some people are opposing nationalistic values. He said his government had saved and rescued people of different faiths irrespective of their religion.

He also listed several examples wherein the central government had brought back Christian missionaries as well as nurses stranded in conflict zones across the world.

"Along with Indians, we have rescued citizens of almost 40 countries from Yemen, as they were stranded there due to war. We did not see their religion or language they speak. It was our nationalism and humanitarian values which guided us," the Prime Minister said.

Modi said he was raising the issue of nationalism because some people have challenged it.

"Our nurses from Kerala, mostly Christians, were stranded in Iraq. They were in the custody of terrorists. Can the Prime Minister or any citizen of India sleep in such situation, when our daughters are in custody of terrorists?" he asked.

In 2014, a total of 46 Indian nurses, who were held captive by the Islamic State militants in Iraq for about a month, were evacuated after the successful intervention by the Union government.

The Prime Minister also recalled how his government used "all resources" to bring back Keralite priest Tom Uzhunnalil who was freed after being kept in captivity suspectedly by the ISIS for 18 months in strife-torn Yemen.

"Father Tom (Uzhunnalil), also a Keralite, was abducted by terrorists in Yemen last year. He went there to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Again, we have employed all our resources to bring him back, as he is the son of this country. We successfully brought him back a few months back," he said.

He also gave the example of Father Alexis Prem Kumar who was rescued from the Taliban captivity in Afghanistan.

"Another Christian, Judith D'Souza of West Bengal, was kidnapped in Afghanistan. We applied every trick in the book and brought her back alive, that too from the clutches of terrorists. We were able to do all these humanitarian work because of our rashtrabhakti," he said.
New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked his fifth question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the Gujarat polls, raising concerns over safety, health, education and crimes against women the state.

He accused Modi of making fake promises to the women of Gujarat where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power for the last 22 years and where rate of conviction in crimes against women is at a meagre 3 per cent.

Citing records from different central agencies and institutions, the Congress leader pointed out that Gujarat was ranked third in human trafficking, fifth in acid attacks on women and 10th in rape of minor girls.

He asked Modi, who served as the Gujarat Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014, why female literacy rate had dropped from over 70 per cent in 2001 to 57 per cent in 2011.

Why no justice for women as only 3 per cent of those accused of crimes against women get convicted?, Rahul tweeted.

Why are two most important cities Ahmedabad and Surat ranked among the top 10 cities in crime against women in India. Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education, he asked, pointing out that gross enrollment ratio of girl child is at 20.5 against national average of 23.5 (higher education).

Rahuls question comes in the wake of the party's strategy to pose one question to Modi every day till the polling day on December 9.

He asked the Prime Minister about the women health issues in the state, pointing out that the maternal mortality rate had increased to 85 in the state, putting Gujarat at number 11 among 15 states in reduction of MMR.

Why 67 per cent mothers of new born child in the state are denied facility of free transportation in government ambulance? Why are 55 per cent women of the state anaemic? he added.
Lahore: Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Saturday confirmed that his banned outfit Jammat-ud-Dawah will foray into Pakistan's political scene by contesting the 2018 general elections under the banner of Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be registered with the country's Election Commission.

Saeed, who was under house arrest since January this year, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case.

"The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next year s general elections. I also dedicate 2018 for Kashmiris who are struggling for freedom," Saeed said while meeting a group of columnists at the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) headquarters in Chauburji here.

The JuD, a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group that carried out the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack, formed MML at the time when Saeed was detained in Lahore.

The founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba also vowed to continue supporting Kashmiris.

"I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there. India wants us to stop raising voice for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy only caused harm to the Kashmir cause," he alleged.

Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008.

The US too has designated him as a global terrorist and has announced a reward of USD 10 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Saeed also claimed that his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of an international agenda.

"This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry over my release from the house detention. I warn India if it does not stop atrocities against Kashmiris then this struggle will rise further and it will face the music," he alleged.

Last September when Saeed was under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD entered in the political arena and contested the by-poll from Lahore's NA-120.

The National Assembly seat had fallen vacant after the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. His wife Kulsoom Nawaz had won that seat.

Sheikh Yaqoob, a JuD-backed candidate who secured 6,000 votes, had announced that the JuD which has the blessing of Saeed would contest the 2018 elections.

Yaqoob was placed on a US Treasury sanctions list of those designated as leaders of terrorist organisations in 2012.

Saeed and his four aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain were placed under house arrest in Lahore on January 30 under anti- terrorism act.

The JuD has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

India had expressed outrage over the judicial board's decision to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors.

Saeed has now filed the petition to de-list him from the UN list of designated terrorists.

He was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack, but he was freed by a court in 2009.

Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial.
Washington: Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the US has abandoned or threatened to quit several international accords under his "America First" policy.

Trump's advisors insist the slogan does not imply any new isolationist stance, but a pattern of disengagement from multilateral commitments has emerged.

On Saturday, the Trump administration announced it was withdrawing the US from a United Nations pact to improve the handling of migrant and refugee situations, deeming it "inconsistent" with its policies.

Richard Haass, former head of State Department policy under George W. Bush, has dubbed the Trump administration's pattern the "withdrawal doctrine."

Here are some of the accords that Trump has abandoned or threatened:

Withdrawal

-- The US mission to the United Nations announced Saturday that the United States was ending its participation in the Global Compact on Migration.

-- In September 2016, the 193 members of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a non-binding political declaration, the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, pledging to uphold the rights of refugees, help them resettle and ensure they have access to education and jobs.

The Global Compact, based on the declaration, is due to be presented at the UN General Assembly next year.

But the US mission said the declaration "contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration's immigration principles."

-- Washington said in October it was pulling out of the UN's Paris-based culture and education body, UNESCO, accusing it of "anti-Israel bias."

The withdrawal is to take effect at the end of next year, when the US will establish an "observer mission" to replace its UNESCO representation.

-- Trump announced in June that the US will withdraw from the 196-nation Paris agreement on climate change and seek to negotiate a new global deal.

Declaring he was "elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris," Trump complained that the accord gives other countries an unfair advantage over US industry and destroys American jobs.

The US pullout will not take effect before November 2020.

-- Within days of taking office, Trump withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was billed as the world's biggest trade pact when signed in February 2016 with 11 other Asia-Pacific nations but not China.

The US pullout killed the deal before it could even be implemented. Trump pledged to negotiate bilateral pacts that would be more favorable to his country.

Renegotiation

-- In October, Trump withdrew his support for the nuclear agreement signed in July 2015 by Iran and the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany.

The pact's fate is now in the hands of Congress, which may decide to break it by imposing new US sanctions on Iran, and Trump has warned that he may unilaterally quit it at any time.

-- Trump has ordered a renegotiation of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada, which he has called the worst trade deal ever signed.

Talks began in August but Trump has threatened to pull out of the pact and negotiate bilateral deals if his country did not get a fairer shake by the end of this year.

-- The US president wants reform of the United Nations "bureaucracy," accusing the world body of bad management. Washington is the largest financial contributor to the world body.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has stressed that Washington would continue evaluating its role in UN agencies.

Criticism

-- On the campaign trail, Trump called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "obsolete" before qualifying his remarks and demanding that members of the alliance increase their defense budgets.

Once in office, Trump caused jitters among US partners by waiting almost six months before clearly stating his support for Article Five of the alliance's treaty, which states that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.

-- The US president regularly denounces "protectionist" measures by the European Union and the US trade deficit with Germany. Washington targeted Germany and six other nations in March with punitive anti-dumping duties on steel plates.

-- Talks, begun in 2013, for the proposed US-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have been suspended, but US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has made it clear that the US side is only interested in a deal that would reduce US trade deficits.

-- The World Trade Organization is also in the Trump administration's sights. At a July meeting of the G20 group of major economies, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not exclude renegotiating multilateral accords.

Trump has said a border adjustment tax, which has been advanced by some Republicans to favor exports, could be a job creator. But it could also be at odds with existing rules under the WTO.
Paris: Former US president Barack Obama has took a new swipe at his successor Donald Trump over the Paris climate accord at a meeting with business leaders in the French capital.

Obama also vouched for the superiority of female leadership as "men seem to be having some problems these days", alluding to the sexual assault and harassment scandals currently engulfing the United States.

Speaking to a group of communications and media leaders as well as financiers and academics known as Les Napoleons, Obama regretted what he called a "temporary absence of American leadership" on climate change.

He was referring to Trump's threat to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord, the day after making similar remarks during a visit to New Delhi.

Trump has said the accord is crippling US business and has called for the agreement to be renegotiated. Asked to list leadership qualities for the future, Obama advocated "more focus on putting women in power, because men seem to be having some problems these days."

"Not to generalise, but women seem to have a better capacity than men do, partly because of their socialisation," said the 56-year-old Democrat who left office in January. Obama also used the occasion to hone his post-presidential vision of hope and change as he seeks to build support for the foundation he launched in September.

"If we can adapt to change we can make extraordinary progress. Hope is not being blind to problems," Obama said. "Hope is facing problems and then still believing that we can work them out."

He insisted that the world is "healthier, wealthier and less violent than at any time in human history", with "only a few things that are irreversible".

But he also warned of the dangers of "deeply embedded inequality".

"Going forward we need to modernise our economies in a way that is inclusive," he said.

Obama lunched earlier yesterday with Emmanuel Macron, meeting him for the first time after backing the French leader's presidential campaign.

Macron, 39, emulated Obama's youth-oriented campaign, focusing on mobilising grassroots support for his upstart centrist movement En Marche.

Macron had rolled out the red carpet for Trump in July, hosting him as guest of honour for Bastille Day celebrations when he sought -- unsuccessfully -- to change the US leader's mind on pulling out of the Paris climate change agreement. Obama also met yesterday with France's former president Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

"We discussed the big challenges of the planet and especially the subject of the climate. We are confident the accord will be implemented," Hollande tweeted afterward. Hidalgo said the C40, an international network of mayors that she heads, would build ties with the Obama Foundation focusing on climate change.

Obama was seen as a major catch for Les Napoleons, a relatively unknown networking group set up in 2014 and claiming a membership of some 3,000.

The former US president's fee has not been disclosed, but a rampant rumour mill suggested the figure of USD 400,000 (336,000 euros).

That was the paycheck Obama cashed after speaking to a Wall Street bank in September.
Washington: US President Donald Trump denied today having asked then FBI director James Comey to stop investigating ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn, who has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about discussions with Russia.

Trump also insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Moscow in last year's election, and shifted blame on the Justice Department and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" Trump said in a tweet.

But his position was complicated by another Twitter post in which he indicated he had fired Flynn because the national security chief had been untruthful not just to Vice President Mike Pence but to the FBI as well.

That comment appeared to indicate Trump was acknowledging he knew at the time of Flynn's firing in February that he had lied to the bureau's agents.

"If that is true, Mr. President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn?" asked Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

"Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to 'let this go?'"

White House officials, however, told The New York Times that Trump was only referencing Flynn's guilty plea for lying to the FBI about his conversations with then Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak over sanctions president Barack Obama slapped on Russia for election meddling.

And two people briefed on the matter said the Twitter post was in fact written by Trump's personal lawyer John Dowd, who apologized to the White House for the tactless language. After he was fired himself in May, Comey testified under oath before a Senate panel that, a day after Flynn's firing, Trump asked him to drop an investigation into the former national security advisor.

A lingering part of the drama has been that after the White House learned through the Justice Department that Flynn lied to the White House about discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Trump still waited 18 days to fire him. Trump said he had the Russia probe in mind when he fired Comey. The move backfired and led the Justice Department to appoint Robert Mueller as special counsel.

Mueller's focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

US media reported that senior FBI counterintelligence official Peter Strzok was removed from the investigation over the summer for sending text messages critical of Trump.

Trump retweeted a post from conservative commentator Paul Sperry about the news that highlighted the fact that Strzok

had also worked on the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state. Trump also retweeted another damaging Sperry post critical of Strzok's boss, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Earlier, Trump renewed focus on the Justice Department's handling of the Clinton probe.

"So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?" he wrote.

"Many people in our Country are asking what the 'Justice' Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and 'acid washed' 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

As he left for a day trip to New York on Saturday, Trump again insisted his team had not plotted with Moscow to sway the election in his favor over Clinton, who won the popular vote but lost the all-important electoral college count.

"What has been shown is no collusion. There's been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy," Trump said.

Comey himself seemed to be addressing the latest developments in an Instagram message: "To paraphrase the Buddha -- Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."

The explosive new developments in the Russia probe have overshadowed a major legislative win for Trump: the Senate's passage of the most significant US tax overhaul in 31 years.
London: A bible half-a-meter thick and made from the skin of 500 animals is to return to England where it was first made for the first time in 1,300 years, the British Library has said.

The Bible, known as the Codex Amiatinus, was created by monks in northern England in the early part of the eighth century and then taken as a gift to the Pope in what is now Italy, Xinhua reported on Saturday.

It has remained there ever since, for more than 1,000 years in a monastery and since the 18th century in a library in the northern Italian city of Florence.

The Bible, bound in leather and containing all the books of the bible written on the hides of sheep and cows, known as vellum, is set to return to be the centrepiece of an exhibition at the British Library in London.

"It is the earliest complete manuscript of the Bible in Latin," Dr Claire Breay, head of medieval literature at the British Library was quoted as saying.

It was made in Northumbria in northern England in the eighth century, as the abbot of the monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow commissioned three giant bibles, said Breay.

The Bible was written out in hand, letter by letter by a team of monks who would have laboured for months over the task under the leadership of head abbot Ceolfrith.

As a consequence few Bibles were ever produced and the ravages of time mean that even fewer are left.

Bound copies of the whole Bible were very rare because it was huge.

"They produced these three giant bibles. One has been completely lost, one a few leaves survive which we have in the British Library and the other survived intact in Italy," said Breay.

The Bible is written not on paper but on vellum, the hides of cows and sheep stretched and processed.

This is durable and hard-wearing but also much bulkier than paper, meaning that the leather-bound Bible stands half a meter high and weighs 34kg.

"It is an incredible thing. It has over 1,000 leaves (of vellum), requiring the skins of more than 1000 animals in it. The spine of the book is almost 15 centimetres thick," Breay said.

"It is one of the greatest treasures to survive from Anglo-Saxon times but probably one of the least known."

Ceolfrith decided to give one of the precious Bibles to the pope, but in order to do so, he had to travel with it to Rome, which was a long and arduous trip at that time. He got as far as Langres in France, where he died en route, but the Bible made it to Rome.

"For a very long time it was in the Amiata Monastery in Northern Italy, but at the end of the 18th century with the suppression of that monastery it has been at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence," Breay said.

The bible is on loan and will be displayed with the St. Cuthbert Gospel, also made at Wearmouth-Jarrow around the same time. It was acquired by the British Library, the national library for Britain in 2012.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories): The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which controls Gaza called Saturday for a new "intifada" if Washington recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moves its embassy to the disputed city.

Reports in Washington have suggested US President Donald Trump may on Monday fulfil a campaign pledge on the American embassy, which like all other foreign missions is currently located in the coastal city of Tel Aviv.

"We warn against such a move and call on the Palestinian people to revive the intifada if these unjust decisions on Jerusalem are adopted," Hamas said in a statement.

Any decision to move its embassy there would be "a flagrant attack on the city by the American administration" and give Israel "a cover for continuing its crime of Judaising the city and emptying it of Palestinians," it said. The status of Jerusalem is a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Both Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as their capital and previous peace plans have stumbled over debates on whether, and how, to divide sovereignty or oversee holy sites.

The last Palestinian intifada, or uprising, which claimed the lives of some 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, was sparked by right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon's visit to the city's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in 2000.

The Palestinian president's office told AFP on Friday that American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would "destroy the peace process".

Since 1995 it has been US law that Washington's embassy in Israel must be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as demanded by the Jewish state.

But every six months since the law was passed a succession of US presidents have signed a waiver to hold off on a switch which would enrage Palestinians and their Arab supporters.

Trump has signed the waiver once, and grudgingly, after vowing to Jewish-American supporters that he would be the president to finally make the switch permanent.

The next deadline comes on Monday, and some in Washington suggest that Trump is planning a speech on the issue next week, before his deputy Mike Pence heads to Jerusalem.

The White House has described reports he may refuse to sign the waiver as premature -- but sources told AFP they expect Trump to formally declare Jerusalem Israel's capital.

The international community has never recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or its unilateral annexation of a band of territory around the city's eastern sector, which it captured in the 1967 Six-Day war.
Honolulu: Just days after North Korea tested its most powerful missile yet, Hawaii dusted off a relic not heard on the islands since the end of the Cold War.

The monthly test of Hawaii's siren warning system for tsunamis and other natural disasters had an added tone when it sounded on Friday  one designed to alert residents of an impending nuclear attack.

"We believe that it is imperative that we are prepared for every disaster, and in today's world, that includes a nuclear attack," said Hawaii Governor David Ige, adding that the possibility is remote.

Ige said the new test will ensure the public knows what they should do in case of an imminent attack. If a missile is launched, residents and tourists would have less than 20 minutes to take shelter, officials said.

"There needs to be different action taken should there be a nuclear attack than what is expected for a hurricane or tsunami," the governor said this week.

The attack warning with a wailing sound will be tested after a test of the long, steady siren for tsunamis and other events that people in Hawaii have grown accustomed to.

Vern Miyagi, administrator for Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said the state delayed the test for a month to let people know it would be happening. Hawaii turned to public service announcements on TV and radio, town hall meetings, information on agency websites and media stories.

"The public can handle it. They're not going to panic," Miyagi said.

The test came the same week that North Korea fired a powerful nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile it calls the Hwasong-15, leading analysts to conclude the nation has made a jump in its missile capability. The weapon would have a range of more than 8,100 miles (13,000 kilometres), easily reaching the US mainland.

Hawaii is the closest state to North Korea, and its large military presence could make it more of a target. The island of Oahu is home to the US Pacific Command, the military's headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region. It also hosts dozens of Navy ships at Pearl Harbor and is a key base for the Air Force, Army and Marine Corps.

Miyagi has previously said a nuclear strike on Hawaii would result in thousands of deaths, thermal radiation, severe damage to critical infrastructure, widespread fires and other chaos.

Hawaii lawmakers have been urging emergency management officials to update Cold War-era plans for coping with a nuclear attack.

"I think it's responsible to do this," Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said of the tests, though adding the chances of an attack are slim.

The tests will continue on the first day of every month. If the siren sounds because an attack is imminent, residents and tourists should get inside and stay tuned for further instructions, officials said.

Hawaii no longer has any nuclear shelters. When the Cold War ended, funding for maintaining them ran out as the threat of attack ended, emergency officials said.

Lorraine Godoy, 75, who was born and raised on the Big Island, said she vividly remembers the air raid sirens that used to blast during the Cold War. She said the tests will bring back memories of her childhood when she had a curfew and the sirens blared often.

"It's very scary. It's loud. It's frightening," Godoy said. "I'm just glad I don't have any children or grandchildren living here because it was very scary to hear as a child."

She said the tests are a "reminder that this is not a safe world anymore. Even here, in Hawaii, it's not safe."

Tourism officials disagree, saying travellers "should not be alarmed by the testing."

"Its implementation is consistent with the state's longstanding policy to be prepared and informing the public well in advance of any potential threat to Hawaii's well-being," George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said in a statement.

Some residents and visitors expressed confusion.

"I'm not sure then what we're supposed to do after the siren happens," Justine Espiritu of Honolulu. "That would be useful information. Am I supposed to like find a bomb shelter? Am I supposed to go to the mountains? Should I jump in the ocean? I'm not very sure."

Tourist Bruce Jelsema of Grand Rapids, Michigan, also didn't know what to do.

"Not living in Hawaii, I'm not familiar with the different sounds of the test so I would probably be confused as to how to respond," he said.
Simi Valley, California: The US agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defenses, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea's missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.

West Coast defenses would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.

The accelerated pace of North Korea's ballistic missile testing program in 2017 and the likelihood the North Korean military could hit the US mainland with a nuclear payload in the next few years has raised the pressure on the United States government to build-up missile defenses.

On Wednesday, North Korea tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can fly over 13,000 km (8,080 miles), placing Washington within target range, South Korea said on Friday.

Congressman Mike Rogers, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee which oversees missile defense, said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), was aiming to install extra defenses at West Coast sites. The funding for the system does not appear in the 2018 defense budget plan indicating potential deployment is further off.

"It's just a matter of the location, and the MDA making a recommendation as to which site meets their criteria for location, but also the environmental impact," the Alabama Congressman and Republican told Reuters during an interview on the sidelines of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California.

When asked about the plan, MDA Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon Hill said in a statement: "The Missile Defense Agency has received no tasking to site the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System on the West Coast."

The MDA is a unit of the U.S. Defense Department.

Congressman Rogers did not reveal the exact locations the agency is considering but said several sites are "competing" for the missile defense installations.

Rogers and Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat representing the 9th District of Washington, said the government was considering installing the THAAD anti-missile system made by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp, at west coast sites.

The Congressmen said the number of sites that may ultimately be deployed had yet to be determined.

THAAD is a ground-based regional missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and takes only a matter of weeks to install.

In addition to the two THAAD systems deployed in South Korea and Guam in the Pacific, the U.S. has seven other THAAD systems. While some of the existing missiles are based in Fort Bliss, Texas, the system is highly mobile and current locations are not disclosed.

A Lockheed Martin representative declined to comment on specific THAAD deployments, but added that the company "is ready to support the Missile Defense Agency and the United States government in their ballistic missile defense efforts." He added that testing and deployment of assets is a government decision.

In July, the United States tested THAAD missile defenses and shot down a simulated, incoming intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The successful test adds to the credibility of the U.S. military's missile defense program, which has come under intense scrutiny in recent years due in part to test delays and failures.

Currently, the continental United States is primarily shielded by the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system (GMD) in Alaska and California as well as the Aegis system deployed aboard U.S. Navy ships. The THAAD system has a far higher testing success rate than the GMD.

The MDA told Congress in June that it planned to deliver 52 more THAAD interceptors to the U.S. Army between October 2017 and September 2018, bringing total deliveries to 210 since May 2011.

North Korea's latest missile test puts the U.S. capital within range, but Pyongyang still needs to prove it has mastered critical missile technology, such as re-entry, terminal stage guidance and warhead activation, South Korea said on Friday.
Lynchburgs first Deck the Hills event Saturday night left the citys downtown area short on parking and hot cider.

About 1,000 to 2,000 people were expected to attend the event, which stretched along the Bluffwalk from the Craddock Terry Hotel to Tenth Street, said Schuyler Somers, co-owner of A Little Party Events, a local event planning organization that helped put on Deck the Hills.

Its a family-friendly event meant to show what our downtown has to offer, she said.  So this was an opportunity to get people to stroll the Bluffwalk, to see some of the businesses that are downtown, to create some camaraderie among the downtown businesses, to celebrate the holiday season since we no longer, temporarily, have the parade down here.

The event was pitched about five months ago, Somers said, but most of the preparations and hustle took place within the past three.

Downtown Lynchburg Association Executive Director Ashley Kershner said the main purpose of the event was to introduce people to the Bluffwalk.

The number weve been getting since this event launched is Wheres the Bluffwalk? she said. We are obviously very familiar with it, but theres so many people in the city and the surrounding counties whove never seen it or been to the businesses along it.

The event was hosted by the Downtown Lynchburg Association, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote the cultural resources and business community of downtown, according to its website.

Downtown businesses were invited to take part in a Christmas tree contest as part of the one night event. Participants voted by dropping their tickets, which were sold by DLA for $1 each, or a dollar bill into a black box near one of the 25 decorated trees that dotted the Bluffwalk.

The winner will be gifted a three-tiered trophy and the money raised will go to the DLA, Somers said.

The businesses supplied the trees, decor and lights and the event supplied the electricity, Somers said.

Bikes Unlimited did not need electricity to light their tree as it ran on energy created by a nearby bicycle.

Some of the businesses set up booths near their trees with free drinks or snacks. Jokes about bribery could be heard from booths asking for a vote before the voter would receive a snack.

Pat Carter and her 11-year-old grandson MalachiDavis, of Lynchburg, were strolling through the area for the second time, a bag of popcorn from a local vendor in hand.

Its a beautiful evening to come and support the businesses down here, Carter said, explaining she and Malachi voted for the two trees decorated by Bootleggers and Celebration Bridal.

Its cool, Malachi said, gesturing to the musicians on his right as he explained the live music was his favorite part.

Near 6 p.m., Santa appeared on one end of the Bluffwalk, stopping every few feet to pose with a family or hug a fan.

Santa was tasked with lighting a large Christmas tree in front of the Craddock Terry Hotel.

Trees that are not kept by businesses after the competition will be donated to area nonprofits such as the YWCA and The Lighthouse Community Center of Lynchburg, Somers said.

While many attendees said they hoped the event would become an annual tradition, Kershner said she doesnt know yet.

I would say right now its an experiment, she said. And if its a good turnout and people enjoy themselves then well consider doing it again.
Donald Trump: the 'Believe Me' president

In the 53 years that I have voted for Democratic and Republican candidates, I have never seen one so divisive and abusive as our current president.

Granted, he won the Electoral College and hence the presidency, but he missed the popular vote win by more than 3 million votes. For a president who does not respect anyone in the opposite party, or many in his own party, it is hard to imagine why representatives or senators in either party would support or vote in accordance with his whims.

If you have followed any of the policy initiatives presented by President Trump, he has no clue what he is usually talking about. Will the current tax bill going through Congress benefit Trump? The answer is, of course, yes. Any time that he says, Believe me I will not benefit from the bill, he is lying. In fact, he is an inveterate liar.

To me, he is the most despicable and pathetic individual who has ever had the label of president affixed to his name.

We all have a right to expect more from our president  he has not even followed on his campaign slogan to Make America Great Again. America has gone from being one of the worlds top leaders, to being a laughing stock. Trump is a laughable buffoon. He may be big in stature, but his intellectual acumen is clearly questionable.

The other morning, he retweeted anti-Muslim videos from the alt-right. If this was his attempt of unite the various sects in our country, it was an utter failure.

But again, he is incapable (not does he appear to even be interested) uniting the country. His purpose is to divide each element and hopefully conquer in the process. For Trump, it is win at any cost. He needs to stop his name calling, exhibit a degree of dignity, and become the unifying force he claimed he could be in his State of the Union speech. To date, everything that he has done suggests that he is incapable of doing what he claimed only he could do.

President Trump is an actor on the world stage. It is unfortunate that his impromptu, and often embarrassing musings, are even stated in that venue. His irrational behavior, changing of his opinions and pompous boastings should be an affront to every decent American. Believe me, his position is real, but he is no longer a reality television star to his audience.

ELMER C. NELSON

Lynchburg

Going downhill

Virginia is in a sad state of affairs.

With Gov. Terry McAuliffe and now Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, we will be in a state of corruption like with President Barack Obama.

Like I said before, Virginia is not for lovers  Virginia is for losers. Thank you, voters. I know you are proud of yourself.

ERNIE IRVAN

Lynchburg
Government will allow individuals and companies hoarding cash inside Zimbabwe to bank the funds without prosecution in line with steps to end currency shortages. Further, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will increase cash imports.



In an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, RBZ governor Dr John Mangudya said these and related measures on externalised cash will improve liquidity.





The measures being put in place to actualise this commitment include confidence-building policies enunciated by the President at the inauguration ceremony. The policies include opening up of the economy to enhance business footprint in the country, dealing with fiscal consolidation, enhancing exports and diaspora remittances, accelerating the re-engagement process and building a disciplined society.





Confidence-building is critical as it gives impetus to the efficient circulation of money within the economy, and is, therefore, a prerequisite to improve the availability of cash at banks. Secondly, the amnesty granted by the President in respect of illegally-expatriated cash and assets is expected to increase cash availability once the funds start to flow into the economy.





Thirdly, Government, through the Reserve Bank, is working on a similar amnesty to deal with cases of in-country hoarding of cash at homes. Hoarding of cash is counter-productive as it reduces the circulation of money. Hoarding has a cash-hemorrhaging effect on the economy. Fourthly, the

Reserve Bank shall be increasing the importation of cash using part of the Nostro Stabilisation Facility proceeds. Cash imports currently stand at around US$50 million per month to cater for diaspora remittances, small-scale gold producers and the banking public, and $15 million bond notes to fund the Export Incentive Scheme.





If this money was circulating efficiently within the Zimbabwean economy, cash currently being imported would go a long way to meet the requirements of the banking public.

Fifthly, all the above together with the continuous promotion of the use of plastic and mobile money should be able to reduce the burden being endured by the banking public in the short to medium-term.

Economist Dr Gift Mugano commended Governments efforts and added more could be done.

These are very noble measures. We have a Banking Act which requires individuals and companies to make deposits everyday. However, as a country, we were no longer abiding by these laws which resulted in the cash shortages, he said.





According to a World Bank Report published in 2012, US$7,2 billion was circulating in the informal market, meaning there is more money circulating in the informal sector. Thus Government should put in place measures that will make the informal sector deposit money in banks.





He added: These measures should restore public confidence in the banking sector. In terms of the amnesty, it is an excellent move and if the money comes back, there will be no need for us to borrow anymore.

This exercise should be extended to everyone regardless of status. In addition, involving the international community is a panacea which will take the country in the right direction.

Zimbabwe has been grappling with cash shortages since April 2016, with externalisation and hoarding figuring among major causes.





RBZ statistics show that roughly US$3 billion was externalised to Mauritius, the Far East, Botswana and other destinations between 2015 and 2017.





US$1,8 billion of this was spirited away illegally and the balance expatriated via management, service and technical fees, and royalties. Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted a three-month moratorium for individuals and companies that externalised cash and assets to bring them back. The amnesty runs from December 1, 2017.





In his inauguration speech on November 24, President Mnangagwa assured the nation that his Government would get to the bottom of the cash shortages.





The President said, In the immediate, the liquidity challenges which have bedevilled the economy must be tackled head-on and must be dealt with as a matter of urgency. People must be able to access their earnings as and when they need them.





My Government will ensure financial sector stability and viability and will put measures in place that promote deposits and savings through bank deposits and other appropriate financial instruments which bring fair rewards to depositors. The current banking culture where costs are levied on depositors must come to an end. Sunday Mail
Continued reports that US$15 billion worth of diamonds disappeared from mining claims in Chiadzwa are a reflection of a failure to understand the context in which the initial estimate was communicated, a senior Government official has said.





In an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, Presidential Press Secretary Mr George Charamba said the media had failed to comprehend that Former President, Cde Robert Mugabe, had used that figure as a metaphor to express the magnitude of his anger at the opaque nature of operations at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.

As a matter of fact I sat in the briefing and I said to the former President, sir, where did you get the 15 billion figure? His response was that aaa ndakangoitora from the air kuti zvityise (I just said out of the blue to stress my point) because I was angry. Thats what he told me and I am prepared to repeat it on record. It was a metaphor to indicate his outrage, he said.

Mr Charamba said it is illogical to assume that US$15 billion could have been siphoned from the sector as the country was yet to produce diamonds worth that much.





As a problem of externalisation, it was not a scientific figure but he (Cde Mugabe) simply wanted a clean sub sector. He was not indicating the degree of prejudice. In any case, it wouldnt make sense given the value of this economy and world value of diamond trade.





But also, how on Earth can a country such as Zimbabwe amass US$15 billion dollar worth of diamonds? Its impossible! Are you aware that not even Cicil John Rhodes, with all the Kimberly area that was mined may not even have amassed that US$15 billion?





Now what is little Zimbabwe and little Marange diamond field? Most of them our diamonds are predominantly alluvial and predominantly industrial. So to achieve US$15 billion? Come on, dont be crazy.

He added: Its a political argument which is plain stupid economically, because you are suggesting that just one sub-sector, namely the diamond, firstly does better than the whole national economy and secondly, does better even than the global diamond industry. Does that make sense? It does not.

The global value of diamond trade is about US$14 billion, so if you say US$15 billion, you are implying that Zimbabwe alone, little Zimbabwe, with only alluvial diamonds, the greater part of which were industrial anyway and not gem quality mined diamonds, is greater than the total value of diamond trade worldwide. Does that make sense to you?
Zimbabweans should give President Emmerson Mnangagwa time to outline his economic recovery policies on which he should then be judged, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa has said.



Attacks on the President, who is barely 10 days in office, were premature and unfair, he said.



President Mnangagwa was sworn in on November 24 as the countrys second Executive President following a dramatic end to former President Robert Mugabes 37-year rule.





Leave our President alone. Give him a chance. He means well for Zimbabwe and the people of Zimbabwe are solidly behind him. Please do not try him before he has even started. Dont condemn him before he has even started, said Cde Mutsvangwa during an address to the Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee meeting yesterday.





Cde Mutsvangwa, who has been nominated as Special Advisor to the President, said President Mnangagwas main focus would be reviving a stricken economy.





We cannot have a country of people without any purpose because the economy is not providing them with opportunities which they want. The focus of the President, immediately, is how to revive this economy. That is where his attention is focused on, he said.





He said the sacrifices of all people  past and present  in the liberation movements were not only for the flag, a leader or party, but to develop a prosperous country.





The current focus was to develop the country into the best destination for business in the world, which in turn would grow the economy and better livelihoods, he said.

The route which we have taken is the route of wealth, the route of money, prosperity and building a model African country, which no other African has ever done. The route of having an economy that grows at a rate of 10, 15, 20 percent per annum for the next 10 to 20 years, said Cde Mutsvangwa.





The country will witness the construction of skyscrapers and highways anchored on judicious exploitation of the countrys mineral wealth.





He said smelting plants would be set up along the Great Dyke to contribute to the countrys economy through production of steel.





The opposition, Cde Mutsvangwa said, had not raised a finger when G40 was taking root in the country, only to find their voice to criticise the new administration. G40 is a group of politicians reportedly fronted by the former First Lady Grace Mugabe to fight then Vice President Mnangagwa.





Turning to the new Cabinet, Cde Mutsvangwa said the President had reached out to the opposition, but MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai insisted on seconding people of his choice.

The war veterans leader said Cde Mnangagwa, who is fulfilling ZANU-PFs mandate, had identified people in the opposition he thought he could work with.

Mr Tsvangirai, however, proposed his own list.





In setting up Government, President Mnangagwa is using the mandate that former president (Cde) Mugabe got in 2013. He has not secured his own. He is waiting for his own mandate in 2018, said Cde Mutsvangwa.





He (President Mnangagwa) said he wanted some people from the MDC to assist him as the person who has the mandate, but the MDC, through their leader Tsvangirai, turned around and said he wanted to give him people of his choice.





This, he said, scuppered plans to co-opt people into Government from the opposition as they were threatened with expulsion.





The move to include the opposition was informed by the unity shown when thousands of Zimbabweans across the political, racial and ethnic divide marched in support of the intervention of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces which forced then President, Cde Mugabe, to resign.





Blocking President Mnangagwa from selecting people of his choice proved to be the deal breaker, said Cde Mu- tsvangwa.





To block someone with a mandate to fish from the opposition ranks to form Government when you lost in 2013 was too much. They were intruding on the mandate of the President, said Cde Mutsvangwa.





As a result, he said, some sections of the media had changed stance and started vilifying President Mnangagwa as a failure when he spent only a week in office.

Added Cde Mutsvangwa: I am saying this because all the papers have started attacking the new President. He is being judged in 37 hours more than someone who has been in power for 37 years.





Cde Mutsvangwa also said President Mnangagwa, as a lawyer, was following the law by appointing people who were elected into Parliament, with latitude of no more than five people from outside to include in his Cabinet.





His ability to satisfy the various interests in the party, Cde Mutsvangwa said, was also governed by existing structures. He called on people to mobilise for prospective candidates that can make a difference in Government.





He said the inclusion of military personnel in Government was common in the West and America.





The choice of the President to include members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is his prerogative, moreso when they are loyal, patriotic and competent. There is no law in the world which says generals cannot be found in Cabinet.





We even start with American statecraft. President (Donald) Trump has generals in his cabinet and they do not make an issue out of it. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.





For example, General John Francis Kelly, is currently White House Chief of Staff in President Trumps administration.





Another retired United States general, Michael Flynn, served briefly as National Security Advisor to President Trump.





There are only two military personnel  Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement) and Major-General Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister)  in President Mnangagwas 22-member Cabinet.





Did they say the American government is a military junta? These are double standards. We condemn any fingerpointing at our illustrious army. Stay away from fingerpointing at our army. It is the best in the world, he said.





We want to say we stand by our army. It is a competent and professional army. It intervened in a judicious and peaceful manner to arrest a situation which could have made this country go off the cliff. Herald
He had left the country on an official visit to Japan on November 14, a day before the army launched the operation but did not return home until Friday when he resurfaced at Plumtree Border Post where he and his family were driven through to the Zimbabwe border side in a kombi.
I think that it was his undoing. he just thought they wouldnt dare and after the coup, he still didnt think that they would disobey him when he said, fine, lets go to the Zanu PF congress and do this, up to the very last minute he still thought that he had authority.
Another Democratic lawmaker is facing calls to resign after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced. A woman who served as Ruben Kihuen's finance director during his 2016 campaign tells BuzzFeed the representative from Nevada repeatedly asked her for dates and sex despite her constant rejections. The woman, who was 25 at the time, says Kihuen asked her if she ever "cheated" on her boyfriend, said he would want to date her if she didn't work for him, talked to her about getting a hotel room, and grabbed her thighs twice without her consent. She says the experience "was humiliating" and she quit the campaign after four months because she didn't know what to do about the situation.

A former staffer at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says he recalls a conversation in which the woman told him she was "uncomfortable" around Kihuen. And Kihuen's former campaign manager says he heard from the DCCC that the woman was "uncomfortable." The head of the DCCC, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have both issued statements calling on Kihuen to resign, NBC News reports. "If anyone is guilty of sexual harassment or sexual assault, they should not hold elected office," Lujan said. The chairman of the Nevada Republican Party is also calling on Kihuen to step down, according to the Reno Gazette Journal. Kihuen, who has not addressed calls to resign, says he doesn't remember the incidents described by the woman but apologizes "for anything that I may have said or done that made her feel uncomfortable." (Read more sexual misconduct stories.)
ABC News on Saturday suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross for four weeks without pay for his erroneous report on Michael Flynn, which it called a "serious error." Ross, citing an unnamed confidant of Flynn, the former national security adviser, reported Friday that then-candidate Donald Trump had directed Flynn to contact the Russians. That would have been an explosive development in the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the election, notes the AP. But hours later, Ross clarified his report on the evening news, saying that his source now said Trump had done so not as a candidate, but as president-elect. At that point, he said, Trump had asked Flynn to contact the Russians about issues including working together to fight ISIS. ABC was widely criticized for merely clarifying and not correcting the report. It issued a correction later in the evening.

"We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made," the network said. "The reporting conveyed by Brian Ross during the special report had not been fully vetted ... It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have built with our audiencethese are our core principles. We fell far short of that." The news brought swift reaction from Trump, who tweeted: "Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and "papers" should do the same with their Fake News!" And while such errors have always been serious, notes one analyst with the Poynter Institute, the stakes are higher "when the president of the United States refers to the press collectively as an enemy of the people," because "the people who support that view will interpret certain acts of journalism as being evidence that the president is correct."

(Read more Brian Ross stories.)
Saturday Night Live dove right into the holiday spirit in the latest episode, opening with Alex Baldwin's President Trump being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past (Billy Bush), Present (Vladimir Putin), and Future (Hillary Clinton). The latter, played by Kate McKinnon, took the opportunity to gloat amid a chaotic week at the White House, chanting, "Lock him up!" The show also swiped at the latest big names to fall to accusations of sexual harassment, with Bush joking that "I'm looking pretty good in the NBC News division right now."

Over at Weekend Update, People notes Colin Jost joked that "a new survey finds that four out of five Americans believe sexual harassment is happening in the workplace. While one out of five couldnt respond because their boss penis was blocking the keyboard." He continued: "I almost forgot about this weeks batch of predators. Its just a whole segment of the news now. Ive just got to announce the names every week like Powerball numbers." (Read more Saturday Night Live stories.)
An American tourist who was mauled to death by a shark off the coast of Costa Rica on Thursday has been identified as a New York City private equity director. Authorities say Rohina Bhandari, a 49-year-old senior director at WL Ross & Col. LL, was with a group of 18 people diving off Cocos Island National Park when she was attacked by a tiger shark, the New York Daily News reports. A boater and other divers tried to drive the shark away, but by the time Bhandari was pulled from the water she had suffered severe bites to her legs. A dive master was also bitten but his wounds were not life-threatening.

The Costa Rican Environment Ministry said Bhandari was surfacing at the tail end of a long dive when the shark attacked, Gulf Times reports. The ministry also called the attack an "isolated incident" and the worst ever recorded for the island. Bhandari had worked at WL Ross, which was founded by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, since 2013. (Read more shark attack stories.)
Anyone who's crammed for a test may have suspected as much, but a new study finds that reading something aloud is the best way to remember it. Researchers at the University of Waterloo tested 95 students over two semesters using four different methods: reading silently, reading aloud, hearing someone else read aloud, and hearing a recording of themselves read aloud, reports Quartz. Reading the information aloud to themselves emerged as the most effective method in the test, which involved trying to remember a list of words. As Mental Floss notes, hearing a recording of themselves also seemed to help, at least more so than hearing another's voice, perhaps because it's so odd to hear ourselves that it becomes what's known as a "salient memory."

The study in the journal Memory builds off what's known as the "production" effect, referring to the repetition of words aloud instead of in silence. "This study confirms that learning and memory benefit from active involvement," says study co-author and Waterloo psychology professor Colin M. MacLeod in a news release. "When we add an active measure or a production element to a word, that word becomes more distinct in long-term memory, and hence more memorable." The researchers say that the findings could help seniors looking to boost their memory. In addition to, say, doing puzzles or crosswords, they might want to mix in some out-loud reading. (Another study suggests that the memories of those with dementia aren't necessarily gone for good.)
Over two days, two sets of strong words about North Korea. During a Saturday speech in California, White House national security adviser HR McMaster said the possibility of war with the Hermit Kingdom is "increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem." And as far as problems go, he believes there are none bigger for the US, and there's "not much time left," per CNN. He called on China to step up to the plate and choke the flow of oil into North Korea, noting, "you can't shoot a missile without fuel." He specified that he and President Trump agree a total oil embargo would "be appropriate at this point." He reiterated the call for China to step up while appearing on Fox News Sunday, but added, "If necessary, the president and the United States will have to take care of it."

Sen. Lindsey Graham set his sights on North Korea, too, while appearing on CBS' Face the Nation Sunday, conveying his belief that it's time to pull the families of the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea out of the country, reports the AP. Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also noted he would press the Pentagon to refrain from sending dependents to South Korea going forward. "It's crazy to send spouses and children to South Korea, given the provocation of North Korea. South Korea should be an unaccompanied tour." Graham also expressed confidence in the Trump administration, saying the president has "the best national security team of anybody I have seen since I have been in Washington"; Graham has been in Congress since 1995.

(Read more North Korea stories.)
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New Delhi:

AK Joti, Chief Election Commissioner of India while addressing the media in Ahmedabad said that Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in all 50,264 voting booths of 182 constituencies of the state.



Local body election is under the jurisdiction of State Election Commissions and CEC plays no role in that. We lend them M1 EVMs if they ask for it. We never lend M2 EVMs, currently used by CEC. M1 EVMs have not been used by CEC since 2006, said Joti on the issue of EVM tampering.

If a candidate thinks that the EVM has malfunctioned, he can complain about it to the Returning Officer. The RO can refer to the slip by VVPAT Machines, said Joti.

Earlier this month, the Gujarat High Court had issued notices to Central and State Election Commisions and Central Government over a petition filed by Gujarat Congress seeking disqualification of defective EVMs and VVPATs.
New Delhi:

A scuffle broke out on Saturday between BJP and Congress workers over vandalisation of a Congress candidate's poster in Rajkot.

Later, the police detained three congress party workers in connection with the incident.

The Congress workers were protesting outside chief minister Vijay Rupanias residence after brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in scuffle, the police informed.

Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

Police also indulged in baton charge to disperse the mob.A Rupani is contesting polls from his Rajkot West seat against Rajyaguru. Elections will be held in Rajkot on December 9.

aScuffle broke out between Congress and BJP workers over the issue of tearing of posters. Brother of Rajyaguru, Deep was injured in the the scuffle,a Joint Commissioner of police Dipak Bhatt told reporters.

Injured Congress workers were taken to City private hospital. (With PTI Inputs)
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed a poll rally in Bharuch. He would also address election rallies in Surendra Nagar and Rajkot later in the day.

Here are the Live updates-

# Do you remember the poor law and order situation in Bharuch when Congress was in power? Curfews and violence was common here. BJP changed this, not only in Bharuch but all over Gujarat: PM Modi

# My problem with Congress politics is simple- they oppose us just for the sake of opposing. They oppose things like bullet train only because they could not take this initiative forward and are envious someone else is: PM Modi

# Congress strategy is to divide people- on lines of caste, community, urban-rural...all this just for power: PM

# When there were floods in Banaskantha, Congress leaders were in Bengaluru to save one leader from losing a Rajya Sabha poll. That same leader is topmost Congress leader but what did he do for Bharuch? He was unable to work for Narmada,neither did he think about ro-ro ferry: PM Modi

#Bharuch and Kutch are districts with significant Muslim populations. And, if you see the districts which developed rapidly under the BJP tenure in Gujarat, the names of these two districts figure prominently: PM Modi

#In UP, where Congress ruled for decades, the state from where generations of top Congress leaders belong. We saw what happened there in the local elections. Congress was wiped out. UP knows the Congress well and so does Gujarat: PM Modi

The state will go to polls in two phases on December 9 and December 14. The counting of votes will take place on December 18.

The first phase will be held in 89 of the 182 seats and will cover 19 of 33 districts.

The prime minister will reach Ahmedabad in evening and would participate in a programme of Swami Naryan Gurukul.

All voters in Gujarat will be able to see their votes cast through Voter-Verified Paper Trail Audit (VVPAT) machines, which will be installed along with electronic voting machines.
New Delhi:

It has been generally observed that policemen in India take out the keys from a personas vehicle during random checking on roads.A



Most of the citizens take this act as a standard operating drill of the traffic police but do they really know that there is no law in place which grants them the right to do so?A



The cops who are into this practice of taking out the keys are in a way violating the law of their department because as per the guidelines issued by the police department, no policemen have the right to take out the key of your vehicle in the middle of the road.A



The information regarding the same is provided under a Right to Information (RTI) filed by advocate Pawan Parikh.A



In the information provided by the police department, it has been clearly stated that taking out the key of any two or four-wheeler is wrong. No policeman, irrespective of any rank, has the power to do this.A



So now if you face a situation where any police officer tries to take out the key to your vehicle, you have the right to complain to his senior.A



In addition to this, cops cannot indulge in deflating the tyres of vehicles parked outside the yellow line or in no parking area, which is also against traffic rules.A



According to The Indian Motor Vehicle Act, 1932, traffic officers of and above the rank of an assistant sub-inspector are authorised to give away traffic violation challan or notices, which are for spot fines only. Only officers of the rank of ASI (one-star), sub-inspector (two-star) and inspector (three-star) are authorised to collect spot fines.A



If you are driving your vehicle, it is advisable to keep the original driving license and pollution under control certificate and a copy of RC and insurance with you all the time.A



In case a traffic constable has stopped your vehicle and ordered you to show papers, then you may deny doing so and say that you will only show it to an officer. Not only that, you can file a complaint with his superior authorities as well.A



You may file a case against him at the local police station or just call 100 and inform of the misconduct by the police constable.A
New Delhi:

Hollywood star Julia Roberts, who was the highest-paid actress in the world throughout most of the 1990s and in the first-half of the 2000s, has revealed that she tries to avoid meeting her fans as she still feels shy to have one-on-one interactions with them.



"I don't hate it, but I try to avoid it. I don't think I'm very good at that interaction. It's always been that way. Maybe I'm shyer than I realised," Roberts said in an interview with Hello! magazine.



The Runaway Bride superstar recently turned 50 and says was delighted to celebrate the occasion with her children and husband Daniel Moder.



"I had a lovely surprise in the form of my three kids. My husband and I were on a little trip to San Francisco and I was a little sad I wasn't with them for the day. Then we turned into a shop - my husband directed me in there - and I looked around and there they were. We had a gorgeous day, just the five of us," she said.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Commodore G Prakash, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy told reporters in Kochi that the Indian Navy has rescued 25 people from Lakshadweep and picked 13 people off the Kerala coast.A



Navy is continuing with a massive search operation with 8-10 ships off the Kerala coast, Commodore Prakash added.



aIn Lakshadweep, there has been massive destruction. Houses have lost their roofs, trees have fallen and boats capsized. Navy is conducting a massive search in the area,a Commodore Prakash said further.A



Meanwhile, in Kerala, a team of Indian Navy has made preparations in Kochi to fly to Lakshadweep for rescue operations. So far 25 people have been rescued from Lakshadweep.A



The collector of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat has said that Cyclone Ockhi is likely to lash Saurashtra coast in the next 48 hours and subsequently weaken. All fishermen have been warned to not venture out and those already out have been asked to return immediately.A A



In Tamil Nadu, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took stock of Cyclone Ochki affected Kanyakumari and interacted with the locals.A

#CycloneOckhi - Smt @nsitharaman reaches Kanyakumari. Along with Hon. Dy CM @OfficeOfOPS

senior ministers, officers of Navy, coastguard and district officials, Smt @nsitharaman reviews the current situation. pic.twitter.com/5u2OTQSSxS a Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) December 3, 2017

Tamil Nadu State Revenue Control Room has said a total of 690 people have been rescued so far. The total number of deaths is 19 while 96 people are missing, 63 have been hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, and 1122 housed partially damaged.A

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A team of scientists have said that allowing people to write their own medical records can actually help the patients feel more involved in the treatment.

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles found out that patients could benefit if they are encouraged to co-produce medical notes, called OurNotes, with their doctors, rather than just reading them.

The study which was published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine says that the practice may turn out to be beneficial for the doctors as it can reduce the time spent on documentation.

As per John Mafi from the University of California, If executed thoughtfully, OurNotes has the potential to reduce documentation demands on clinicians, while having both the patient and clinician focusing on whats most important to the patient,.

John also added that piloting OurNotes will start at four centres next year.

Read- Breakthrough drug may be essential in stopping migraines even before they start: Study

In order to prepare for the pilots, the team of scientists conducted in-depth telephonic interviews with 29 health care experts.

The results indicated that participants overall believed that OurNotes can promote patient engagement and also improve patient-provider collaboration and patient-centred care. Participants also believed that writing ones own record can probably take some of the documentation burden from the busy providers.

The consensus among the researchers was that the most promising and suitable approach for OurNotes is to contact the patients before they visit the doctors and ask them to review the previous notes, give an interval history and also list what they wish to address at the visit.

(With PTI inputs)
Washington:

CIA Director Mike Pompeo has said that he sent a letter to a top Iranian military official warning him that the United States would hold Tehran accountable for any attacks it conducted on American interests in Iraq.

Pompeo, who has voiced staunch opposition to Iran, said he sent the letter to Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and elite Quds Force, but the general didn't read it.

"I sent a note. I sent it because he had indicated that forces under his control might in fact threaten US. Interests in Iraq," Pompeo said at a defence forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California. "He refused to open the letter didn't break my heart to be honest with you."

"What we were communicating to him in that letter was that we will hold he and Iran accountable ... and we wanted to make sure that he and the leadership of Iran understood that in a way that was crystal clear."

Also Read| WikiLeaks, a non-state hostile intelligence service claims CIA chief

Pompeo said Iran is working to strengthen its influence throughout the Middle East. As a Republican congressman from Kansas, Pompeo was highly critical of the Iran nuclear deal, which the US and other nations negotiated with Tehran to lift sanctions in exchange for reductions in its nuclear program.

Pompeo said Iran is currently in compliance with that agreement.

In a wide-ranging panel discussion, Pompeo would not answer questions about speculation that he could replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state.

Pompeo, an outspoken conservative, has a close relationship with President Donald Trump and personally delivers an intelligence briefing to the president nearly every day.

Pompeo declined to say whether he has had conversations with Trump about the possibility of replacing Tillerson, saying only that he was very focused on his job as CIA director.

Also Read| Pompeo confirmed as CIA chief, Tillerson nomination for State Secy advances

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State officials are looking at ways to help the large percentage of the states population who lack the means to hire lawyers in civil court cases involving such issues as child custody, domestic violence and evictions.

Criminal defendants are guaranteed legal help, often through the public defenders office, but no such guarantee is given in civil cases, and the state estimates that more than 90 percent of poorer residents cannot afford to hire lawyers on their own.

It shouldnt be an economic factor as to who gets justice and who doesnt, but economics often determine what options someone has to get access to the justice system, said Deborah R. Witkin, executive director of Connecticut Legal Services, a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to the poor.

Under federal guidelines a family of four that makes less than $24,000 a year is considered to be living in poverty and is therefore eligible for legal aid. But it isnt just the poor who struggle to pay for legal representation, officials say; those with modest means, who are ineligible for legal aid, are also a concern.

Witkin said her organization is able to serve only 25 percent of the more than 20,000 applicants eligible for its services each year. She added that a task force appointed last year by the legislatures judicial committee cited recent studies showing that more than 300,000 cases arent addressed annually.

We are basically triaging the cases to determine where we can help the most and make the most impact, Witkin said.

Those working with the Connecticut Institute for Communities, a Danbury-based nonprofit, said the lack of legal representation is particularly problematic in divorce and child custody cases, where one parent might be able to afford an attorney but the other cant.

Obviously the one with the attorney will prevail in negotiations, said James Maloney, director of the institute. And by not having a fair process, the loser often ends up with a greater financial problems and liabilities that will only increase their stress. There is a very clear connection between existing conditions being made worse by a lack of legal representation.

The courthouse doors are open to everyone, but you cant effectively go through those doors without legal representation, Maloney said.

Appellate Court Justice Maria A. Kahn, who co-chairs the Access to Justice Commission under the state Judicial Branch, said the group has been working on a number of initiatives to help alleviate the problem.

Some of those are aimed at helping those with modest means, like those identified by the United Way of Western Connecticut as the ALICE households  Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed, which account for about 25 percent of the states residents.

These initiatives include an incubation program launched recently in Bridgeport that provides attorneys - for free or on a sliding scale - for those who dont qualify for legal aid but still cant afford an attorney. The incubation program includes five attorneys just out of law school and several mentors who work out of the offices of the nonprofit Center for Family Justice.

Basically they are providing us with some office space with a reduced rent and their clients have access to legal services, Kahn said.

Similar incubation programs are in the works in Hartford and New Haven.

Wed love to have an incubation program in Danbury as well, but its often very difficult to find a partner that can provide the space, Kahn said.

Melissa A. Farley, director of the judicial branchs external affairs unit, said the state is developing a pilot program to provide free representation to clients involving in requests for restraining orders. The state legislature approved $200,000 for the effort in the recent budget, she said, and another $200,000 was made available through the state Attorney Generals office.

Through the pilot program, those who meet certain income criteria and who are applying for restraining orders can receive help from an attorney under contract with a state-approved nonprofit, while those targeted by the order can get representation from the public defenders office.

We wont get the full funding until July 1, so we want to be ready to get up and running when the money is available, Farley said.

The pilot program, whose location has yet to be determined, results from a task force recommendation last year to create a statutory civil right to an attorney in cases concerning child custody, restraining orders, housing eviction proceedings and federal deportation orders.

The commission is also working with several partners to educate attorneys about limited-scope representation, which was recently approved by the state legislature. Limited scope representation is when an attorney is hired to represent a client in only one aspect of the case, such as handling a particular motion.

Its very exciting that for the first time we are looking at provide representation to people in civil matters and we are really looking forward to the result of the pilot program, Farley said. Its important that people who appear before the court have meaningful access to justice, especially with something as important as restraining orders.

Kim Morgan, director of the United Way of Western Connecticut, said she was happy to see efforts to increase parity in the states judicial system, particularly in terms of the ALICE population.

There are so many areas that people could use legal assistance including housing, employment law, divorce and even health care, Morgan noted. And when your struggling every month just to provide food for your family, legal representation is often out of reach.

Danbury attorney Patricia Cruz Fragoso was tapped earlier this month to serve on the Access to Justice Commission.

I am honored to serve on the Commission to give a voice to those who face racial, socio-economic and English proficiency challenges, and to help those who would otherwise have limited access to representation by helping them navigate their way through the judicial system, she said in a statement.

dperrefort@newstimes.com
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REDDING  Jim Miller and his four sons came to Putnam Park about four years ago to watch one of the Revolutionary War reenactments performed at the site known as Connecticuts Valley Forge.

His oldest son, now 15, was so fascinated by the battle scenes staged across the 183-acre state park that he asked Miller how he could become a performer himself.

We started as spectators, Miller said. And after watching he told me, Dad, I want to do that. 

Since then, Miller and his sons have performed in reenactments throughout New England, including returning to Putnam as they did for Saturday mornings Winter Walk event.

The family joined a group of 40 militia with the Fifth Connecticut Regiment, half as American troops and half as Loyalists, that acted out a battle scene for about 100 visitors as they walked through the park. Along the way, park historian T.G. Henderson described to the group how the park was used as a winter encampment for soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

No battle was actually fought on park grounds, Henderson said, but the reenactment represented similar battles that occurred in the area.

The encampment was one of three built in the year following the famous Burning of Danbury, when Loyalist troops marched from Westport up todays Route 58 to raid and destroy patriot supplies, Henderson said. Putnam is the only one of the three encampments still standing.

As in the past 25 years the park has held the event, the crowd Saturday was split between those who were familiar with Reddings history and those who were learning about it for the first time, said Scott Stetler, president of the Friends and Neighbors of Putnam Park.

Some people have lived in this area their whole life and didnt even know the park existed, Stetler said. And then they see the facility itself, which is so spectacular, and are just completely overwhelmed.

Elizabeth Devlin, one of the reenactors, said shes had similar experiences interacting with spectators since she started performing a year ago. The 19-year-old said her favorite part of reenacting, both in battles and historical demonstrations, is talking with people who come watch the events.

The living history demonstrations often help adults rekindle an interest for something they learned in school or introduce children to history in a new way, Devlin said.

Theyre always so excited watching the troops come over the hill, she said. That can spark a life long love of history. Its so much different than learning something in a classroom.
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Stamfords largest biotech company is mostly known by government officials and the general public because of one drug.

As the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma has been pummeled by controversy since the opioid hit the market in 1996. The company has poured many millions of dollars into promoting Oxy, and made billions in return. But an increasing number of public officials and medical professionals see the revenues as tainted because they say Purdue has knowingly stoked the escalating epidemic of opioid abuse by consistently making false claims about a drug linked to thousands of deaths.

This was the perfect storm  a push to ask for painkillers, higher dosing, more powerful medications and erroneous studies that said that these drugs were not addicting, said Dr. Arun Nandi, chairman of emergency medicine at Stamford Hospital.

As deaths from opioid abuse continue to soar, the perfect storm has brought a deluge of lawsuits from individuals, cities and states  including Connecticut. Purdue has paid millions of dollars in settlements. Still, the lawsuits keep coming.

Changing view of pain

More Information Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis 1995: U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves Purdue Pharma's OxyContin 1996: OxyContin goes on market 2001: OxyContin annual sales surpass $1 billion 2003: U.S. Government Accountability Office details OxyContin's role in opioid crisis and outlines dubious Purdue marketing practices 2003: Company receives warning letter from FDA about its marketing practices 2007: Company and three top executives plead guilty to fraudulent marketing and agree to combined $635 million penalty to federal and state authorities 2010: FDA approves reformulated version of OxyContin 2015: Purdue reaches $24 million settlement with state of Kentucky related to false marketing claims 2017: Lawsuits mount against company. Nine states and many local and county governments file litigation. 2017: Mark Timney resigns as CEO; Craig Landau, former head of Purdue Canada, becomes new CEO 2017: Purdue joins new initiatives with National Sheriffs Association and National Prescription Drug Safety Network to combat opioid crisis 2017: Department of Justice launches investigation of Purdue See More Collapse

The perception and treatment of pain in the U.S. underwent fundamental changes in the 1990s, as a number of medical groups responded to what they saw as an epidemic of ignored and untreated pain.

In 1996, the American Pain Society introduced the phrase pain as the fifth vital sign, which aimed to elevate pain assessment to the same level of importance as the standard four vital signs.

Amid the rising focus on pain management, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved OxyContin in 1995. The new drug would consist of a controlled-release, semi-synthetic opioid painkiller to treat moderate to severe pain lasting more than a few days.

Purdues annual spending for OxyContin advertising jumped from about $700,000 in 1996 to approximately $4.6 million in 2001, according to a 2003 federal Government Accountability Office report. Powered by its marketing, OxyContins annual sales surpassed $1 billion by 2001, making it the most-prescribed brand-name narcotic of its kind in the U.S., according to the GAO.

Long litigation

Purdue has been dogged for years by opioid-related litigation. By some counts, more than a dozen states and approximately 100 counties and cities have already sued Purdue and other opioid makers and drug distributors.

The filing of lawsuits has accelerated this year as officials from states around the country, including Connecticut, have laid much of the blame on Purdue for the opioid abuse ravaging their constituencies. U.S. Department of Justice officials also are investigating.

I filed the lawsuit simply because I felt something needed to be done to address the opioid crisis in Sullivan County, Barry Staubus, the Sullivan County, Tenn., district attorney general, said of a lawsuit he filed in June. I saw babies who are born addicted to drugs. Many of those drugs are OxyContin.

Purdue officials have issued statements in response to the lawsuits, in which they deny the allegations but say they share concerns about the opioid crisis and express a commitment to working collaboratively to find solutions.

The companys CEO, Craig Landau, was not available for an interview for this article.

In 2007, Purdue pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally misbranding OxyContin to mislead and defraud physicians and patients. The company agreed to pay some $600 million in criminal and civil penalties and other payments.

Despite the perception that settlements represent at least some admission of guilt, companies see agreements with plaintiffs as preferable to the risks associated with a case going to trial.

Jury decisions are very unpredictable, said John Goldberg, a professor at Harvard Law School. Its very possible that theyd lose their shirts if they went to trial. There could be some catastrophic punitive damages awarded. They want the closure. What businesses tend to hate the most is uncertainty.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott
When agents of Nigeria's financial crimes body arrived this month to arrest a former intelligence chief fired by President Muhammadu Buhari for stashing $43 million in cash in his wife's apartment, they were stopped by armed secret policemen.

After a 10-hour standoff, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission backed down in the upscale Asokoro district of the capital, Abuja, with its boss, Ibrahim Magu, vowing his agents would be back to arrest former National Intelligence Agency boss Ayodele Oke.

It was the latest in a string of incidents that have dented the credibility of Buhari's war on graft. Propelled by pledges to tackle corruption, the 74-year-old former military ruler became in 2015 the first opposition candidate in Nigerian history to defeat an incumbent at the ballot box. The West African nation ranked 136 out of 176 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index in 2016, the same as the year before.

Inter-agency rivalry has been a consistent feature of Buhari's graft war. Twice he sent the nomination of Magu as head of the financial crimes commission, known as the EFCC, to lawmakers for approval, and on both occasions they rejected him based on state security police reports of alleged prior wrongdoing. That's left the president's anti-corruption czar in a weakened, acting capacity more than halfway into his tenure.

"This clearly shows the lack of tactics and strategy in the approach of fighting corruption by the current administration," said Oluseun Onigbinde, head of Lagos-based BudgIT, a civic group that lobbies for government transparency. "There's no clarity on who's directly responsible for arresting or prosecuting people."

Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said he couldn't comment on the clash between the two security agencies over the attempted arrest of Oke when contacted by phone, saying he hadn't been briefed on the matter. Buhari says his administration is making progress.

"The gains of our initiatives over the past 2 1/2 years have been very obvious to all Nigerians," he said Nov. 22 while setting up a committee to audit assets recovered in the anti-graft campaign. "This is clear from the level of investigation, prosecution and forfeitures involving both public and private sector officials in the country."

Before the aborted Asokoro operation, the government had been at pains for weeks to explain how a senior government official, Abdulrashid Maina, was quietly reabsorbed into the civil service and promoted to a new position in the interior ministry even though the financial crimes agency declared him wanted in 2014 for allegedly embezzling pension funds.

The justice ministry, the civil service commission and the internal affairs ministry traded accusations over which agency bore the greater responsibility for Maina's recall after the online publication Premium Times broke the story. A leaked memo, which the government hasn't denied, by civil service head Winifred Oyo-Ita showed that Buhari was warned the appointment of the wanted man would tarnish his anti-graft stance.

"It's very clear that the president isn't in control and his aides are busy fighting to protect their fiefdoms," said Cheta Nwanze of SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based business advisory group. "The significance is that the anti-corruption war has failed."

After the news about Maina broke, Buhari ordered his immediate dismissal. He also fired Oke from the National Intelligence Agency as well as Babachir Lawal from his post of secretary to the government. He's accused of diverting funds for people forced to flee their homes by Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency in the northeast.

The administration's critics say it's showed more rigor in targeting its perceived opponents than its supporters.

On taking office, Buhari moved quickly against officials who served under his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan, including the former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki, detaining and charging them with corruption. The financial crimes agency has pursued cases of alleged corruption by Jonathan's oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, winning court rulings for her to forfeit money and properties worth about $59 million to the government.

Critics frequently cite the case of Musiliu Obanikoro, a former defense minister under Jonathan who's faced allegations by the EFCC of receiving more than 4.7 billion naira ($13 million) in slush funds from Dasuki and who left Nigeria after Buhari took office. Returning more than a year later, he was detained briefly and released, and has now defected to the ruling All People's Congress party.

"Maybe the case of Obanikoro will be forgotten now that he has cross-carpeted to the APC," Idayat Hassan, executive director of Abuja-based Centre for Democracy and Development, said in a phone interview. "They'll probably invite him over for investigation and let the case fizzle out."

Similarly, 48 houses in Abuja seized by the financial crimes agency from Timipre Sylva, a former state governor and Buhari supporter, were returned to him last year after a federal court in the city threw out EFCC charges against him. Both Obanikoro and Sylva deny wrongdoing.

"It sends a signal to the public that there isn't really a fight against corruption," Hassan said. "The agencies are working at cross-purposes."
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NEW HAVEN  Mayor Toni Harp will begin her third term next month with a full agenda for the next two years, with plans including addressing domestic violence, improving reading among students in the school district and continuing development and improvement in the citys neighborhoods.

Harp will continue her historic tenure as the citys first female mayor after easily winning reelection in November. Now in office since January 2014 after being elected in November 2013, Harp says her visions for the next two years build upon the progress her office has made in the past two terms.

The goals include a renewed focus on addressing domestic violence in the city, an initiative further motivated by Police Chief Anthony Campbells goal to open a family justice center serving Greater New Haven.

Even before Campbells push, Harp said the city had a working group at City Hall discussing concerns.

Weve addressed gang violence, weve addressed a lot of these things through our YouthStat program which we hope to continue and build upon, Harp said. The one place that we havent really focused on and been intentional about is domestic violence.

Harp said Friday shes started working with community partners including police and Yale Universitys psychiatry department to develop a domestic violence prevention program. Their work includes scouring data. Harp said in New Haven, about a third of homicides are domestic-violence related.

The city is currently on pace to have its lowest number of homicides in years, with seven as of Friday, Harp said. New Haven police spokesman Officer David Hartman said the last homicide in the city this year was on Oct. 23. Rreferring to domestic violence, Harp said, Weve really done very little work on it and frankly theres been little done across the United States.

The goal would be to reduce the number of people who engage in that kind of violence, Harp added.

We think that if we can get our best thinkers together, those who (operate) services and those who think about the science, whats happening with people when they engage in that kind of behavior, and then our police force together, we might be able to come up with an (innovative ) way to address this problem, Harp said.

Harp said being arrested and placed in a lock-up can serve as a teachable moment. She said she first heard about the prevalence of domestic violence arrests during her first mayoral campaign. Harp is hoping their program will intervene at this level before it escalates to homicides.

I think its really important that we make some headway on this and in all honesty, that we think about it a little bit differently than we ever have, Harp said, adding. If we really want to show that we can reduce urban crime, the city must deal with domestic violence.

Improving reading levels in the district

On the educational side, Harp said she would like to bring students across the districts up to their grade reading level. Harp said the rate overall, isnt high, though there are differences in each school.

As far as Im concerned, the most important skill that a young person can have is the ability to read at grade level, Harp said.

Ensuring children are reading at their grade level starts by ensuring early-grade teachers know how to teach children how to read, Harp said. She would like this accomplished by using evidence-based mechanisms, as opposed to the old fashioned way, which Harp said has been proven as ineffective.

What we got to do is make sure that were using the most scientifically based way, that is verified, to teach kids reading, Harp said, adding: Teaching kids is not monolithic.

Harp said she doesnt believe her goals will be hindered by the contentious state of the Board of Education. The board erupted last month after board members butted heads over the narrow 4-3 vote naming Carol Birks the new superintendent of schools.

Board President Ed Joyner and board member Darnell Goldson came face-to-face following the vote, a display Harp said was, two steps away from a fist-fight. She said it wasnt an appropriate display, though she added she understand that, it happens, and some people, are more in control of their emotions than others.

There was considerable controversy over Birks pick, including a social media campaign marking Birks as the most troubling choice among the three finalists. Harp said she disagreed with Joyner, who was among the dissenting voters.

I will just say this  and you know its probably inappropriate for me to say  the president of the board feels like the decision for the superintendent of schools ought to be his, Harp said. A lot of this had to do with his wanting to get his own way.

Harp said she was surprised by the opposing board members actions. She said during her time in the state legislature, there were times where she would vote in favor of something she opposed, out of decency to, move on in peace.

We have some board members that dont see it that way, Harp said. And that emboldens everyone else around the issue.

City spokesman Laurence Grotheer said Harp showcased this last year, when she publicly supported then-Superintendent Garth Harries but later joined in approving Harries separation agreement to side with the boards majority opinion.

Local development

The city has applied for a $30 million federal Choice Neighborhood grant, and Harp is hoping for a different outcome than last years after the city failed to receive the grant. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant would help redevelop the Church Street South project and its surrounding area, which Harp sees as a potential hub.

Were really hopeful, Harp said. We looked at some of the ways in which we were scored low; we tried to make up for that.

The dilapidated complex, once it is razed and redeveloped with residential and retail space, could serve as a flash-point for further development in that area. The area includes police headquarters, the Board of Education offices and New Haven Union Station. The area is fertile for development, Harp said.

We see that as an area that can grow, Harp said.

The city has advocated to have input at the design of Union Stations new parking garage. And its still years away, but Harp said the Police Department may also be looking for new digs.

Harp is not a fan of that buildings architecture, which she said was awful. The idea for a new station had been thrown around before she came to office.

I think its something the citys interested in, Harp said of a new police building. I couldnt imagine (Chief Campbell) not wanting a nicer place.

A growth in development will mean New Haven will likely be a much denser  and younger  city in 10 years, Harp said.

Beyond the downtown area, the city has started a clean-sweep program that works to improve neighborhoods based on heat maps showing where crimes are committed. The project started in Newhallville and will move forward to other neighborhoods. The project targets quality of life issues, blight, for example, or other serious issues such as ensuring landlords follow city laws and securelicenses every three years.

Were going to finish in Newhallville and clean that up and start moving around the city, bringing everybody together, going through, identifying the problems and then sort of addressing them, Harp said.

Harp said the initiative helps bring numerous city departments together. Their collaboration is largely accomplished through use of apps, Grotheer said.

There will be this digital clearinghouse for each neighborhood as the project goes on, Grotheer said.

Request for salary increase

Last month, City Manager Stephen J. Librandi made a formal request to the Board of Alders to increase the mayors salary by $10,000. The request is still pending. Harp currently earns $131,000 a year.

The raise would align Harps salary more with those of other mayors in other cities. Harp  mayor of the second largest city in the state after Bridgeport  earns less than that citys mayor, as well as Hartfords and Stamfords, according to figures provided by Librandi.

Grotheer said that if the increase were approved, Harps salary would still be less than the salaries of the mayors of those three cities. The raise would be completed by transferring money from two vacant municipal positions.

The position hasnt had a raise in 10 years, Harp said. I think that its important ... my salary  or the salary attributed to this mayorship  is a lot less.

Ten years is a long time, Harp added. At any rate, I think that its important that the question is asked.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901
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NEW HAVEN  When it was time to make the doughnuts Sunday at Congregation Beth ElKeser Israel, a Muslim refugee from Syria took the kitchen lead.

Aminah Mohammad Alsaleh, who arrived here from a refugee camp in Jordan a year ago with her husband and three young children, is trying to learn English, get a drivers license and start a catering business.

She recently received a food safety license and is searching for a commercial kitchen to use, but on Sunday, thanks in part to the efforts of the Jewish Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement and Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, she had a gig at the synagogue teaching a group to make tasty round jelly doughnuts, also known in Hebrew as sufganiyot.

Alsaleh, who doesnt yet speak much English, made the dough the day before using orange soda as a special ingredient, and on Sunday had her students roll it out and cut it in circles, before deep-frying and injecting jelly.

Jelly doughnuts are a traditional Hanukkah food, as are latkes, because they are deep-fried in oil. This has special meaning during the eight-day holiday, because when the Jews re-dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, a single vial of oil, enough for one day, burned miraculously for eight days. Hanukkah begins this year on Dec. 12 and ends the evening of Dec. 20.

For many Jewish people, the holiday symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

Also known as the festival of lights, Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish uprising in the second century B.C.E. against the Greek-Syrian kingdom, which had tried to impose its culture on Jews and adorn the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem with statues of Greek gods.

Sherin Stahl, a synagogue member, brought her two children because theyve never made jelly doughnuts for Hanukkah, and it was a great way to learn a new tradition.

Synagogue member Eva Shragis has been making jelly doughnuts for years on Hanukkah, but said they dont taste that great unless theyre right out of the fryer. She was there to learn a new twist.

Beth-El Keser Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen said the event was wonderful, because it was a fun way of getting people to interact, including children, to learn to make jelly doughnuts.

His daughter, Gilah Benson-Tilsen, there on behalf of JCARR as an organizer, said Alsaleh and her family  a husband and three children  left Syria because of danger and wound up here because her husband has serious back problems and needs surgery. Despite the pain, hes got a job to support the family, she said.

Benson-Tilsen said that in Syria, families are multigenerational, with extended family living all together. The women do the cooking and baking, so Alsaleh has a lot of experience cooking for big groups, which is why she wants to cater to help support the family.

Each family Sunday paid $18 to join the JCARR jelly doughnuts event and make a batch of them from Alsalehs dough, bringing home about 12 doughnuts.

Alsaleh, whom Benson-Tilsen called a talented cook, makes Syrian food as well as a range of dishes she has discovered since arriving in America a year ago. She has done catering jobs at various Yale University departments and other local events.
NEW HAVEN  A recent report on the state of hunger in the city is providing the groundwork for how various local agencies and institutions can address food insecurity, which is disproportionally affecting minority residents.

The State of Hunger in New Haven, report published jointly by the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement and the New Haven Food Policy Council outlines numerous food insecurity concerns for residents across the states second-largest city

At least 13 individuals from numerous local organizations and agencies worked together on the 8-page report. Collaborators included Connecticut Food Bank, Yale University, Southern Connecticut State University, DataHaven and CARE. The American Heart Association, the New Haven Board of Education, United Way of Greater New Haven and Food Rescue U.S. also assisted in creating the report.

Their first goal was unifying several data sets created by several surveys from the agencies related to food insecurity. Their results painted an disconcerting picture: Some 22 percent of the citys residents are food insecure, which means they do not have enough food or money to purchase food.

Data collected from two surveys conducted in 2015 (DataHavens Wellbeing Survey and CAREs New Haven Health Survey) showed food insecurity impacted 1 in 3 adults in the citys lowest income neighborhoods. The surveys were one of several used to construct the report.

Our thought was this is going to be so much better if the mayor has one story to tell, and its the same story that the agencies are telling and its the same data, city Food Systems and Policy Director Joy Johannes said.

Johannes was among the individuals who contributed to the reports creation and is just one of 21 food systems and policy directors in the country.

Food insecurity impacts the most vulnerable: children and the elderly. Families with children reported higher rates of hunger in the past month, according to a 2016 survey from SCSU asking residents who used the Connecticut Summer Meals Mobile Food Bus and Summer Meals Mobile Bus.

We have, for this region, our numbers are really high, Johannes said earlier this week. We have some of the highest numbers in the state.

According to the report, Hispanic residents, bear the greatest burden of food insecurity.

These findings, based on the DataHavens and CAREs surveys, showed food insecurity among Latino residents across New Haven was 34 percent. Residents in the six lowest-income neighborhoods had food insecurity rates of 50.1 percent.

Rates of hunger are highest in neighborhoods with larger Latinx populations, like Fair Haven, the report said (Latinx is a gender-neutral term for Latino).

CARE Director Alycia Santilli said community partners were aware of the impact food insecurity has on the community, but there wasnt a comprehensive report, that really told the story about New Haven.

We wanted to be able to heighten awareness around the hunger problem in New Haven, Santilli said.

The figures werent necessarily a surprise for Santilli and others. CARE has been collecting data since 2009 in six low-income neighborhoods in the city.

Weve known for several years that this was a major issue, Santilli said.

People who are employed can struggle to put food on the table. Santilli said there are people working at full-time jobs or multiple jobs, who still go hungry.

We shouldnt have a society where people working full time or more than one job and still dont have enough money to buy food for their family, Santilli said. What were finding in New Haven is probably not unlike low-income urban environments like Hartford, Bridgeport.

Kimberly Hart, who sits on New Haven Food Policy Council, receives disability payments as well as child support and SNAP benefits. Its the only way she keeps food on her table and for her 15-year-old son. Shes currently unemployed, though she works closely with food council members to develop their policies.

Hart has developed a system, though she still worries about food. To alleviate her concerns, she goes to a local soup kitchen and keeps the food she receivesboth from local food pantries and with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefitsfor her son to enjoy. She said shes grateful for the benefits and has tried finding work, but she said her disability and past convictions have made it difficult.

Despite their availability, Hart said food pantries in the city are usually stretched thin.

It is for emergencies. I shouldnt have an emergency every month, but I do, Hart said.

Other people have concerns over choosing food or keeping their utilities.

When we did the food insecurity and access survey, we found that most people that are food insecure were not eating from 10 to 14 days per month, and some of them were up to two weeks, Johannes said. Youre looking at half the month theyre not eating or theyre minimizing meals so their kids can eat, or paying their electric (bill) rather than eating.

Hungers impact on children

Data collected from a 2014 survey conducted on eighth-graders at 12 New Haven public schools found 1 in 4 children reported some kind of food insecurity.

More than 56 percent of New Haven children live in a household receiving SNAP benefits. These programs arent enough, at least according to data gathered by the agencies. The 2016 Food Insecurity and Access Survey reported, food-insecure residents were more likely to report that SNAP benefits did not cover their needs.

Among the citys six low-income neighborhoods, some 44 percent of residents reporting food security received SNAP benefits.

Whats particularly troubling about that is most moms and dads arent going to let their kids go hungry, so the overall hungry rate is probably higher, Santilli said. Kids are protected from hunger issues, but even so, the rates are incredibly high.

Hart said its been two years since her teenage son last went with her to a local soup kitchen. She understands that it can be embarrassing for children his age to visit local soup kitchens, which is why she will usually go herself.

Its a cultural thing. Pride definitely sets in, Hart said, who said she heeds by her mothers advice, If youre going to be shy or embarrassed, be shy on a full stomach.

Johannes, who reports to Mayor Toni Harp, has started developing policy to address food insecurity. While she acknowledges this issue makes an impact on groups, including elderly and the working poor, she has taken an initiative to address childhood hunger first.

Working with Alder Richard Furlow, D-27, who sits on the New Haven Food Policy Council, Johannes said she hopes to present ordinance proposals soon to help address the issue. The ordinances would likely set goals but not set lofty standards, like removing child hunger in the city altogether.

This is something that were working on together, she said. Im going to try and get it in December if possible.

Possible solutions

Johannes had worked in community development and hunger relief, most recently by working as an executive director at FISH of Greater New Haven. She also spent time addressing famine in Somalia, the East African country that this year faced an extensive drought.

Johannes efforts to address Somalias famine were primarily addressed by cash transfers. Thousands of miles away in New Haven, a similar solution could be beneficial. It would mean increasing SNAP benefits, which Johannes said in Connecticut are already low for groups such as senior citizens.

To me it comes down to dollars, Johannes said. I dont think familys make enough. I dont think food stamps and SNAP covers enough.

Johannes offices will help by creating more policies that could be codified into city law. The city doesnt currently have any ordinances focusing on food insecurity or hunger, Johannes said. Shes also working on establishing a comprehensive city plan for social services, which New Haven doesnt have. The childrens hunger ordinance would be a step toward achieving this initiative.

Santilli said there are other ways the local public schools can come together and expand meals programs with help from federal money. Organizers are hoping the city and New Haven Public Schools prioritizes the expansion of school meals programs, including serving supper at school to ensure children have three meals a day.

The summer meals program this year launched with five buses to help deliver food, a year after serving nearly 275,000 free meals during the summer of 2016. The program provides free meals to children under 18 across more than 80 meal locations in the city

Santilli said the countrys long-term goal should be to ensure people have livable wages. The report suggests the council works with the city to advance policies protecting workers from, wage theft and other forms of abuse.

Santilli praised the number of emergency food providers in the city, citing theres 70 food kitchens and pantries in the city. The report suggests more collaboration between the city and emergency food providers.

Hart said one of her suggestions was to provide more help for food pantries and food banks. She regularly visits a food bank at Varick Memorial AME Zion Church, which usually opens at 3 p.m. But due to demand, some folks are there by 10 a.m. By the time people show up for the opening time, the line can be stretched around the block, Hart said.

Despite the concerns, Hart has pride over how shes been able to feed herself and family. Its a feeling rooted in her faith and trust in God.

There is not one night that me and my son went to bed hungry, Hart said. That is not the norm. My neighbors, my community, my people, they still are.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901
Legislative leaders who thought the states longest budget stalemate was finished are planning for one more special session of the General Assembly.

This one is to help about 113,000 elderly residents retain eligibility for the popular Medicare Savings Program before Jan. 1.

For seniors like Kathy Sivertsen, 69, of New Milford, the new budgets eligibility guidelines  cutting income requirements in half  have created concern, fear and stress as they precariously balance household budgets that depend on Social Security income.

Either I dont go to the doctor or I dont get food, said Sivertsen, who is retired from the retail industry and is president of the resident association at the Butter Brook Hill Apartments, a community of more than 100 senior-citizen units, where she moved six years ago after a hip replacement. Who says these are the golden years? At least 95 or more residents are wondering whats going to happen.

Elderly from throughout Connecticut say state lawmakers either didnt care or forgot about them in October when a two-year, $41.3 billion budget was crafted that cut income thresholds for the savings plan by about 50 percent.

The state Department of Social Services recently notified them of the eligibility. Under one of the three tiers of the savings program, called Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries with monthly income levels of $2,854 for a couple and $2,120 for singles, they would be limited to incomes of $1,374 and $1,025, respectively, next month.

More Information What's at stake Senior health care will change unless General Assembly acts Up to 86,000 individuals will lose eligibility in the Medicare Savings Programs, as a result of the new state budget. About 27,000 would move from one level of the Medicare Savings Programs to another, with the effect being they will still get their Medicare Part B premiums paid, but not out-of-pocket costs. The exact numbers are still being calculated as officials review individual-incomes. The final figures depend on federal funding programming that has not yet been determined. See More Collapse

Future unsure

Many say the extra $134 they will have to pay each month starting January will be a hardship if lawmakers dont amend the budget.

This whole situation is extremely upsetting to me, said Patricia Kolwicz, a 67-year-old retired dental-surgery assistant, who said she is cutting back on food and delaying work on her car. I worked hard all my life, said the four-year resident of Butter Brook Hill. I never asked the state of Connecticut for help until now. Its really affecting my health. I do without a lot now.

There is an aspect of elder abuse to this, said Diane Albert, resident service coordinator at the Butter Brook Apartments. emotionally, it is the same model when a senior is abused. There is the powerlessness, hopelessness and fear. And Connecticut is supposed to be a huge advocate for preventing elder abuse.

While Albert acknowledged the General Assembly and the governor are culpable, she points the finger at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for signing the budget into law.

Hes the one who made the final decision, she said.

Connecticut is more generous than the vast majority of states, Malloy told reporters last week. And beyond those programs, Connecticut extends other forms of relief that many other states dont put forward. Ultimately, the Legislature made a decision and passed a budget that required the reduction of those expenditures. Thats not an easy thing to do.

Leaders of the Legislature last week were unanimous is supporting a return of the income thresholds to give as many as 113,000 seniors some breathing room.

We all recognize that we should look at the issue and see what should be done, said Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven. I think a lot of our caucuses have gotten a lot of calls. We are very concerned by the number of calls.

I would say it is probably the one issue that has gotten the most calls, said House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby. Medicare Savings is a big deal. It has crossed all socio-economic lines and it has crossed urban, suburban, rural areas.

Numb to it all

Medicare savings and also municipal aid are obviously in the two biggest areas of concern that wed like to find some way to mitigate, said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, indicating the Jan. 1 effective date of the eligibility cuts. I think its more likely that we need to do something before the end of the year, at least on that point.

The leaders will meet with Malloy on Wednesday to discuss the elderly issues and the projected $200 million budget deficit in the first year of the biennium, which runs through June 30.

Were going to try to work together to find a resolve for this situation, said Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin.
GUILFORD  Eleven years in the planning, construction is underway at the V.F.W. Post 7666. Since 1960, the post has been a gathering spot for veterans and their family and friends. Now they can look forward to an updated members club and a new hall.

The V.F.W. is unlike any of the other veterans organizations, said Larry Santamaria, a Vietnam War veteran and current commander at the post. Its completely combat veterans.

Weve been the V.F.W. chapter, the Guilford chapter, since World War II, the 67-year-old Guilford resident adds.

With over 200 members, keeping up the membership is important.

Thats what we used to use to go in front of Congress, in front of legislation to push for any veterans bills. Thats our strength, said Santamaria, a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, having spent 13 months in the

Vietnam War.

The original 637-square-foot building, used as the members club with a bar, canteen and kitchen, is estimated to be about 100 years old. Built beside an old, long-gone trolley track, it was once a laundromat, says Santamaria.

Sitting on the banks of the Mill Pond, the spot is picturesque.

Thats why I worked so hard to keep this place going for all these years, says Santamaria. It is a beautiful spot. Its always had a lot of potential.

While the original stone work on the club building will remain untouched, the wood siding will be replaced by cement board siding and the roof, doors and windows will be all be replaced for increased energy efficiency and longevity.

The exterior will be maintenance-free for 50 years, says Steve Spurrell, who got involved in this project when he was in the building business.

The attached 2,172-square-foot hall, built in 1979, has been completely demolished and a post and beam building, designed by local architect Russell Campaigne of Campaigne Kestner Architects, will be rebuilt by Northeast Building Group of Wallingford.

Over the years, the veterans have used the hall for community service projects such as preparing holiday baskets for distribution by Guilford Social Services, with any extra food donated to the Guilford Food Bank and made it available for going away, as well as welcome home parties, for local veterans. In addition, any local nonprofit groups may use the hall for a nominal fee and it is for rent for personal events such as weddings, birthday parties, as well as baby and wedding showers.

For veterans, Santamaria says this is a special gathering place.

When you come here, as far as the veterans go, youre with your fellow veterans, says Santamaria. We all have something in common.

We have Vietnam veterans that are members, he says, we have some members from Iraq and Afghanistan, World War II veterans, very few of those left, still, but, the Korean War veterans, we have some of them.

The majority of the project cost is being covered by a $1,347,479 state grant, secured by former Rep. Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford) in May 2014.

The project includes a new 2,000-square-foot banquet hall, refurbished kitchen, a members bar area, and a paved and striped parking lot.

It is the best thing in the world to see that its actually in progress, says Spurrell, and I just cant wait for the day that we can actually, figuratively, hand Larry the keys to a brand-new building, for free, which was always the dream.

A 501(9)(c)(3) nonprofit organization, they are currently seeking donations to complete this project. Some of the items the group is looking for include bar stools, bar tables and chairs, exterior patio furniture, wall plaques honoring deceased military family members, kitchen equipment and general donations.

My whole thing, when I started this with Steve, says Santamaria, I knew the building needed more work again, it was outdated and we needed to do something to bring in more people, and that was it.

I thought with a newer building, we want to get more family oriented, he added, and I think thats what this is going to be."

For further information call Larry Santamaria at 203-535-6640 or Steve Spurrell at 203-627-4404; contributions may be sent to the VFW New Building Fund, P.O. Box 173, Guilford, CT 06437. All contributions are tax deductible.

Contact Sarah Page Kyrcz by email at suzipage1@aol.com
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DERBY Richard Zeke Dziekan was sworn in as the 18th mayor Saturday promising to work on economic development in a non-partisan way for his 342-year-old city.

Having lost in a close election two years ago, his victory was particularly sweet, as he brought with him Republican majorities on the Board of Aldermen, the Board of Apportionment and Taxation and the Board of Education.

I know I speak for all of us being sworn in today when I say this is a day I will never forget and I am both humbled and honored to have you all here, Dziekan said at the ceremony at the Derby High School.

He thanked out-going Democratic Mayor Anita Dugatto for showing true class for making our transition smooth and painless. She has already offered to make herself available to my team as we move forward and for that we are grateful. We look foward to continuing some of the great work she has started.

Dziekan thanked the voters for placing their trust in him. I look foward to the challenges ahead and I promise I wont let you down, the new mayor, who offiically takes office on Sunday, said.

It is a new day here in Derby. The days of party politics are over. We are at a crossroads and we need all the best, the most capable people to work together to ensure a bright future. We also need the support of the state and federal government and that of our surrounding municipalities. Together we are strong, but divided we shall fall, Dziekan told the crowd in the high school auditorium.

Derby now joins Oxford, Ansonia, Seymour and Shelton as Republican run municipalities.

Dziekan, 52, promised to hold everyone in his administration accountable. We have a team that is eager to get started to work and we are excited about the possibilities on our doorstep, he said.

The projects that are on the top of Dziekans list include: the widening of Route 34 and the updating of the Derby-Shelton bridge, both of which have already been approved for bonding.

He said the experience of running for office and winning this time was still somewhat surreal, but he said it was overwhelmingly positive. This is a dream come through for me and I hope this is the beginning of a long run and I hope to make you all proud.

Dziekan, who campaigned on this, said his administration will begin marketing the estimated 15 properties the city owns to get them back on the tax rolls.

The mayor is a retired Hamden police officer who got some governmental training this year by working as the director of constituent services for Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti.

Dziekan was sworn in by Republican House Minority Leader Themis Klarides of Derby who thanked those citizens who help make local government work.

It is a day not to just swear in all these wonderful people who have given their time and service to this city, but it is also a day to say thanks to all those who have served our city and given their time. As anyone knows who is in office, it is not easy, Klarides said.

I know Sen. (Richard) Blumenthal said he has never been happier to be in Derby than today. I know how you feel. Trust me, Klarides said, referring indirectly to the long extended legislative session needed to come up with a state budget this year.

Blumenthal, who was in Washington voting against the proposed Republican tax bill until 2:30 a.m., flew back to Connecticut to be at the swearing-in ceremony, where he administered the oath of office to city Treasurer Keith McLiverty.

He told the crowd it was great to be out of Washington. Blumenthal said while this was a day to celebrate Derby, it was also a day to celebrate democracy.

Democracy is alive and well in Derby, Connecticut and in our country whatever the naysayers may be telling us, Blumenthal said, as he also thanked the families of office-holders who are left behind as their spouses perform their elected duties.
The presidency has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakars claims in a recent interview that for about 15 years President Muhammadu Buhari could not enter the United States on account of his religious considerations is a fictive concoction.This was contained in a statement issued Saturday evening by Buharis spokesman, Femi Adesina.He said: This fictive concoction being passed off as truth is mind boggling, coming from a former Number Two man of Nigeria, who should know the truth.At no time was President Buhari, as a private person, ever forbidden from entering any country in the world.Rather, the rest of the world has always held Muhammadu Buhari as a man of sterling qualities, strong on integrity, transparency and accountability. The same testimony is still borne of the Nigerian President by many world leaders today.It is curious that former VP Abubakar had been asked why he had not visited America for over a decade, something that had been a stubborn fact dogging his footsteps.Instead of answering directly, he begged the question, saying Buhari also had been disallowed from entering the same country for 15 years, before becoming President.We hereby make it resoundingly clear that what the former Vice President said only exists in the realm of his imagination. If he has issues to settle with American authorities, he should do so, rather than clutch at a straw.
THE Federal Government has promised to establish eight radiotherapy centres and chemotherapy facilities for the treatment of cancer, across the six geo-political zones in 2018. The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who disclosed this in Abuja, at the flag- off of radiotherapy treatment, at the National hospital, explained that provisions have been made in the 2018 appropriation bill for the funding of the initiative.I am particularly happy to say that radiotherapy treatment would now be available to Nigerians both in National Hospital, Abuja and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Let me use this opportunity to inform Nigerians that a second machine of the same type and model would be available in the next three months.
The row between ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, over the abduction of the Chibok ...

The row between ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, over the abduction of the Chibok School girls in 2014 deepened yesterday.Shettima through a statement by the Borno State Commissioner of Education, Musa Inuwa Kubo, has challenged the ex-President to make public the report a Presidential Fact-Finding Committee he constituted in the wake of the girls abduction, if he has nothing to hide.The Commissioner, who denied allegation by Jonathan that the Principal of Chibok Secondary School at the time of the abduction was appointed commissioner by the Shettima administration, insisted that no one contributed to the fight against Boko Haram than Shettima.The spat between Jonathan and Shettima followed remarks by the Governor at a book launch in Abuja that the ex-President had surrounded himself with persons who could not help him in the art of governance unlike former President Olusegun Obasanjo whose administration was studded with very bright personalities.However, Jonathan, through a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, said Shettima should come clean on how the Chibok girls were kidnapped on April 14, 2014.But Kubo also called on Nigerians to ask Jonathan why he concealed a report of his own fact-finding committee that investigated the circumstances surrounding the kidnap of the girls.Kubo said: Rather than direct spurious allegations against Governor Kashim Shettima on controversies surrounding the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls, media aides should ask their principal, ex-President Jonathan, why he deliberately concealed the report of a Presidential Fact-Finding Committee he constituted and inaugurated on May 6, 2014 and which submitted the report of findings to him on June 20, 2014.He also said there was never a time the Principal of Government Secondary School, Chibok was considered for any appointment, not to mention being a Commissioner.He described the claim by Jonathans media team as an irresponsible mischief.He added: For the purpose of records, Eze and his colleagues are pointing the wrong direction, they should ask their principal, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, why he deliberately refused to make public, the report of a committee he constituted, inaugurated and received their findings on facts surrounding the Chibok abduction and who is to blame for it.To refresh their minds, on May 6, 2014, President Jonathan had inaugurated multi-agency/stakeholder fact-finding committee under the chairmanship of Brig. General Ibrahim Sabo (rtd), a one-time Director of Military Intelligence and secretary of the Committee was from the Niger Delta.President Jonathan single handedly selected all members of that committee which included representatives of the UN, ECOWAS, retired and serving security officers from the Army, DSS and the Police; representatives of the Chibok community, local and international civil rights organizations, representatives of the National Council of Women Societies, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and some of his highly trusted associates.For nearly two months, the committee undertook thorough investigation that included forensic assessment of all documents on the entire issues, held meetings with parents of the schoolgirls, visited Chibok, met with the then Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Director General of the DSS and the Inspector General of Police, all of whom were appointees of President Jonathan.The committee also met with officials of Borno Government including myself and the school principal. The committee held meetings with the heads of different security agencies in Borno State, including the security formations in charge of Chibok and after compiling their findings, the committee submitted its report directly to President Jonathan on June 20, 2014 in Aso Rock.The question anyone should ask is why President Jonathan deliberately refused to make that report public. What was he hiding from Nigerians? Here is another question, if the findings had indicted Governor Shettima or the Borno State Government in anyway, does anyone really thinks Jonathan would have concealed that report given his open hatred for Shettima and the fact that the Governor was in the opposition party?Also, the issue of saying the Principal of GSS Chibok was appointed a Commissioner is an irresponsible mischief because Governor Kashim Shettima is neither foolish nor is he a daft, the Commissioner stated.Kubo said if there was one Nigerian that assisted Jonathan in the fight against Boko Haram it was Governor Shettima.He said Shettima single-handedly approved the funding of civilian JTF without any support from the Federal Government .He said Jonathan himself repeatedly acknowledged the roles played by Civilian JTF in whatever success his administration recorded in fighting the insurgency.He said the governor supported Jonathan by funding security agencies and mobilizing community intelligence as publicly attested to by the then Director of Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General Lawrence Ndugbane.Kubo said Jonathans main anger with Shettima was when the governor spoke out of frustration by telling the world that the Nigerian military wasnt being equipped.He said the Governors claim has since been proved by former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and by the huge allegations on how funds means for arms were shared under Jonathan.The Commissioner noted that ex- President Jonathans decision to constitute that committee was a miraculous intervention by God to preserve the innocence of Governor Shettima and his administration.He noted that if Jonathan wasnt the one that constituted a fact-finding committee and received a report, no administration on earth would have upheld Shettimas innocence because Jonathans men would have questioned the report of any other fact-finding committee.He called on the ex-President Jonathans media team to find something more important to do with their time rather than making baseless allegations in order aimed at tarnishing the image the governor.
Nigerian blogger Stella Dimokokorkus , has accused Nollywood actor Michael Okon of stealing her friends credit card and money.

@mikijay_okon Michael Okon alleged Nollywood actor you took my friends credit cards and stole her money after everything she did for you? You were taken to America for a movie premiere but eloped with a sugar mummy instead. You are a shameless piece of shit and Karma has your number. May your dead career never resurrect and May that your colorless preek that you use to deceive your victims put you in hot soup. Fraudster. Watch out for karma as you decide to stay on in America with the money you stole. You will be served Cold!!! Bloody crazy thief A post shared by Stella dimoko korkus (@stelladimokokorkus) on Dec 3, 2017 at 7:42am PST

Nigerian blogger Stella Dimokokorkus , has accused Nollywood actor Michael Okon of stealing her friends credit card and money.Michael OkonAccording to her, Michael was taken to America for a movie premiere but eloped with a sugar mummy instead.@mikijay_okonMichael Okon alleged Nollywood actor you took my friends credit cards and stole her money after everything she did for you? You were taken to America for a movie premiere but eloped with a sugar mummy instead. You are a shameless piece of shit and Karma has your number. May your dead career never resurrect and May that your colorless preek that you use to deceive your victims put you in hot soup. Fraudster. Watch out for karma as you decide to stay on in America with the money you stole. You will be served Cold!!! Bloody crazy thief she wrote.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Sunday, said it was committed, ready and set to turn around the fortunes of democratic process in Nige...

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Sunday, said it was committed, ready and set to turn around the fortunes of democratic process in Nigeria.Alhaji Umar Tsauri, candidate seeking for the office of National Secretary, made the partys resolve known in an interview with newsman in Sokoto.Tsauri, a former Senator from Katsina State, said he was in the state to woo delegates support from Sokoto and Kebbi in the forthcoming National Convention of the party.He said we are here in Sokoto State as part of our rally to woo support of our respective delegates across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.Our mission is to build a new PDP that will turn around the fortunes of the countrys democracy and a party which will go a long way in supporting Nigerians to reach the promise land.With our collective engagement and commitment, we will successfully achieve the aim of building the new party of our dreams.The PDP national secretary candidate added that the opportunity of building a new PDP was the responsibility of all party members and would achieve so by electing responsible and dedicated persons to lead the party in 2019 election.He stressed the need for delegates to focus on the need to build a strong opposition party for the PDP to win in the 2019 general elections.The Katsina State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf, said the party was readyto ensure successful National Convention.He added that we have since secure a venue and security arrangements are all in place to ensure the success of the exercise, which will bring together over 3000 delegates from across the country.Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, the Chairman of PDP in Sokoto State, reassured the support of delegates from Sokoto and Kebbi states to the candidate in the forthcoming convention.He described Alhaji Umar Tsauri as a faithful and trusted member of the PDP.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP National Convention willhold in Abuja on Dec. 9, 2017.
Mrs Turai YarAdua, wife of Nigerias former president, Umaru YarAdua once had a grand dream to build a cancer centre in the Nigerian c...

Mrs Turai YarAdua, wife of Nigerias former president, Umaru YarAdua once had a grand dream to build a cancer centre in the Nigerian capital that will cater especially for the poor.On July 18, 2009, she assembled the Nigerian rich and government contractors to a fundraising in Abuja, which was also attended by his usually taciturn husband, battling some complicated diseases at the time.My resolve to stand up to the menace of cancer is occasioned by the devastating effects of the disease on our population. The more enlightened and financially capable among Nigerians suffering from cancer have been able to travel out to seek professional and medical attention in the form of diagnosis and treatments, Turai said.Financial pledges made by the galaxy of guests to actualise her dream amounted to N6.8 billion.The International Cancer Centre, (ICC)Abuja was born.But since then, apart from the imposing structure on the Umaru YarAdua Express Road, the project is now virtually abandoned.One of the security guards at the ICC who simply identified himself as Garba confirmed the abandonment.He said there had been no activities to actualise the centre, as envisioned by Turai YarAdua.According to him, Turai came two times in 2016 to the site. She had not been seen around the area since then.We have not seen her this year, but some people often come around to see the progress of the place,, he said.Garba said that some bandits invaded the ICC last year to disposess them of their valuables, adding that few items belonging to the centre were also stolen..He added that some policemen from the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) had since been deployed to secure the ICC against further attacks.Six of us were employed to secure this place and we do alternate, but because the bandits were fully armed, they overpowered us and beat the security guards.The desolate centre was more palpable at a park for scores of tricycles meant to be conveying patients. Weeds have swamped the tricycles.Worried by the delay in completing the ICC, residents of Abuja have called for a revamp of the project that was championed by the wife of former President Umaru YarAdua, for health delivery to the vulnerable in the country.Mr Gabriel Oluwabunmi, an Abuja resident berated those responsible for the abandoned project, adding that such noble idea that could bring relief to the masses, should have been completed without the usual hiccup.He called on the authorities to ensure that the project was resuscitated, adding that such cancer centre would help bring succour to those ravaged by the disease and especially those who could not afford to be flown abroad.Miss Ngozi Chukwuma whose relative is suffering from the cancer called on the Federal Government to ensure the completion of the centre to enable Nigerians who could not afford overseas treatment patronise it.She said that such project would go a long way in assuaging the feeling of Nigerians who could not afford the treatment as a result of heavy monetary demand.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Yaradua had in her speech during the launch of the centre said the whole idea of establishing the cancer centre was conceived out of her desire to contribute her quota to achieving standard healthcare delivery for the vulnerable.According to her, the centre would specifically render services to women and children, especially the rural and urban poor.When NAN visited the National Hospital Abuja which is offering an alternative treatment to cancer patients, the staff appeared so overwhelmed with the huge number of cancer patients.NAN reports that some of the banners pasted on the wall of the national hospital, cancer patient ward offers a ray of hope to some who might have lost hope of recovering from the disease.The banners read: Cancer is a word not a sentence, At any given moment you have the power to say this is not how the story is going to end, We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey, among others.A cancer patient who craved anonymity called on the Federal Government to assist in revamping the centre, adding that this would go a long way in decongesting the national hospital from cancer patients with special attention.According to the patient, the number of people patronising the National Hospital will ease of because the country now has a special centre dedicated to the treatment of cancer.Mr Mohammed Lawal, an Abuja based businessman called on the government not to abandon the centre, adding that though it was a private initiative; the government could also intervene to revamp it.He decried a situation where a noble and laudable idea that could help the country get out of its health challenges is being allowed to die because the promoter is no longer in position to execute the project.The ICC according to its promoter, was meant to focus on four types of cancer that account for most deaths in Nigeria: cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and throat cancer
The British and the United States governments have warned their citizens of terrorist groups threat to carry out bomb attacks in the Fe...

In its latest foreign travel advice to British nationals, the countrys Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated that it would raise the terrorism threat alert in Nigeria during the festive periods.Around 117,000 British citizens visit Nigeria each year, according to the FCO.The US government warned its citizens not to travel to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe till the end of the year.The risk of terrorist attack increases around religious festivals; so (the threat alert) will be elevated in the run-up to and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) area during this period.You (British nationals) should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people, the United Kingdom said in a statement posted on the FCO website.Last week, the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a similar warning titled, Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Holiday Security Reminder.The US Mission urges all US citizens to exercise caution in and around shopping centres, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, and other places where crowds gather in and around the Federal Capital Territory, from now through the Christmas and New Years holiday season. Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in this area during this period.The US Mission remains concerned about potential attacks in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe. Travellers are urged to avoid those states through the end of the year.Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, the US Embassy warned.
Two days after her great-nephew was found dead in an overgrown lot in Vineland, Darlene Whilden said the child she raised was a sweet, smart kid who liked to fish and swim with his friends.

But then he found heroin.

"I tried to be a good parent to him and tell him how much I loved him. And it never helped, because he loved it too much," she said of the drug.

Michael G. Whilden, 20, was found dead in the area of North 6th Street and East Park Avenue Thursday afternoon, according to police.

Whilden's cause of death has not been determined and toxicology results are pending, police said. But his great-aunt said police suspect he overdosed. He had no visible injuries.

If that's the case, Whilden is another victim of an epidemic that has gripped every corner of the state. Nearly 2,000 people died from opioid overdoses in New Jersey in 2016. And Cumberland County is not immune. At least 47 people died of opioid overdoses in the county in 2016

Whilden graduated high school in 2016 and had dreams of enlisting in the U.S. Army.

But his addiction left him homeless, stealing to maintain his habit. His last days were spent in an abandoned building, where Darlene Whilden said he wound up after she kicked him out of her home two months ago. It's a decision that she felt forced to make, she said, and now one she has to live with.

"I have a lot of mixed emotions because you always blame yourself," she said in a phone interview Saturday. "But when they get into drugs, they're different people."

Darlene Whilden said she was granted custody of her great-nephews when Michael Whilden was 4 and his brother was an infant.

She said she wants people to know that he was a "good kid" before he got addicted to heroin.

"I'm his great-aunt by blood, but by heart, he was my son," she said. She described him as sweet, smart, and loving.

"He was funny and goofy all the time," she said.

He wrestled in high school and loved to spend time having "adventures" with his friends, including swimming and riding bicycles.

When he was 16, he decided to go live with his father in North Carolina, Darlene Whilden said, but he soon came back to Vineland and graduated from Vineland Senior High School South in 2016.

"He wanted to go into the service," she said, but then he started working and never enlisted.

She believes his heroin addiction began about 18 months ago. She discovered dozens of empty bags of the drug in his bedroom, she said, and tried to help him.

She said she convinced him to call several inpatient rehabilitation programs, but inevitably he would stop returning their calls. "He'd say, 'I'm not going to rehab. I can do it myself,'" she said.

This summer, she repeatedly told him it was his last chance to get clean or he would have to move out. She recalled one conversation that took place in her car in June or July.

"I said, 'tell me you're done with it,'" she said. "He didn't even look at me. I said, 'tell me you're done with it,' and he said, 'I wish I could. I like it too much.'"

Darlene Whilden made him move out Sept. 26, insisting he go stay at a motel. He lived there until he ran out of money, she said.

"Do I feel guilty about that? Of course I do," she said. She got choked up as she continued, "But they tell you, 'Give 'em tough love,' and you hope it helps them."

Michael Whilden had worked at Lucca Freezer & Cold Storage, she said, but lost the job and started stealing. She said he robbed her house more than once. At first, she said, "I didn't press charges ... Then I did."

She recalled the final incident when she saw police arresting him outside her home after another break-in.

"I was mad as hell. I said a lot of things I shouldn't have," she said. "That was the last time I saw Michael alive."

He had told her he was living in a boarded-up building on North 6th Street. She didn't see him regularly and so she didn't know he was missing until police notified her that they had found his body.

In a press release, Vineland police said that officers knew Whilden and had last seen him a few days earlier. They are trying to piece together what Whilden did in the two days before he was found.

"We are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen this subject after this time or can provide information on who the victim may have associated with," the department said.

Now, Darlene Whilden is planning private memorial services for her great-nephew while dealing with grief, feelings of guilt, and memories of the last time she saw her great-nephew.

"I have to try to forgive myself," she said.

She started to cry as she worried aloud that some young people who get addicted to heroin do so because they feel unloved or lost.

"We have to tell them we love them with all our hearts," she said.

Anyone with information about Whilden's death is asked to call the Vineland Police Detective Bureau at 856-691-4111 ext. 4181 or the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office at 856-453-0486. Anonymous tips can be left at 856-691-0345.

NJ Advance Media reporter Stephen Stirling contributed to this report.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
UPDATE: 34-year-old killed in Route 21 crash

A driver was killed and another person injured in a crash on Route 21 in Newark Saturday, authorities said.

One person was killed in a crash on Route 21 in Newark Dec. 2, 2017 (511nj.org)

The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m., near Mill Street, according to the city Department of Public Safety.

Police rushed to the crash scene and found a driver was ejected from a vehicle, authorities said. A second occupant of that vehicle was listed in stable condition at University Hospital.

Route 21 was closed in both direction near Mill Street as authorities investigated the crash, according to police. More information was not immediately released.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook.

Have information about this story or something else we should be covering? Tell us: nj.com/tips
JERSEY CITY - Nearly two dozen candles burned along the sidewalk on Martin Luther King Drive Sunday afternoon, hours after a shooting left one man dead and at least two others injured.

Rymaire Stevens, a 28-year-old father of two young children, was fatally shot near the Warner Avenue intersection at about 12:30 a.m., his family said.

His brother, Sean Larry Stevens, was among a group of family members and friends to gather at the scene and mourn his death. He described his young brother, who lived just a few blocks away with cousins, as a "teddy bear."

"Every time we were together it was a magical moment," the brother said. "The most warm, and loving, sacrificial, altruistic person I've met."

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office has not released details of the shooting yet, but confirmed one man died and two others were injured. One of the surviving victims suffered serious injuries but is expected to survive, sources said. A fourth person refused medical attention for a graze wound, sources said.

Stevens died at the scene and it is believed one of the other victims was sitting in a car when he was shot. Shattered glass, medical gloves, and other debris was still visible in the roadway.

Additional information is expected to be released later in the day.

Friends left messages on a white t-shirt hanging above a bottle of Remy Martin that was placed on the sidewalk.

"I love you always and forever," one message read.

"I love you brother," another read.

The victim's emotional mother declined to comment.

Sean Larry Stevens said he was out of state when he heard about his brother's death. Within two hours, he said he was standing at the corner where his brother took his last breath.

"My reaction when I saw this though, I wasn't expecting to see this," he said standing near his brother's memorial. "Growing up, you never expect to see a memorial for your younger brother."

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- One man is dead and multiple people were injured in an early morning shooting on Martin Luther King Drive, authorities said.

The gunfire erupted near the Warner Avenue intersection at about 12:30 a.m.

A spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office confirmed one man died and two others were also injured.

The man who was fatally shot was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sources say the two surviving victims were being treated at Jersey City Medical Center for their injuries and are expected to survive. At least one of those victims is believed to have been sitting in a car when he was shot, sources said.

A fourth victim suffered a minor injury and refused medical attention, sources said.

It's unclear if anyone has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting.

Last weekend, a 20-year-old man was critically injured when he was shot multiple times at the same intersection, officials and sources previously said.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
BAYONNE - A man suffered serious injuries when he was shot outside a deli on Avenue C on Sunday afternoon, officials said.

The victim, who witnesses estimate is in his 30s or 40s, was shot in the chest and the leg near the 19th Street intersection at about 2 p.m., Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said at the scene.

He was rushed into surgery at Jersey City Medical Center and was conscious after the shooting, Davis said. An update on his condition was not immediately available.

Angela Marques said she was watching Netflix inside her home on the block where the shooting had occurred when she heard three loud bangs. Her first reaction was the noise may have been fireworks but soon learned it was gunshots.

"I'm shocked," she said watching as police investigated the scene. "I walk my dog every single day right down this block. It's scary, you never know when something like this is going to happen."

Davis said no arrests have been made but police are following strong leads, have interviewed witnesses, and obtained video of the suspects.

One man, who identified himself as the victim's friend, rushed over to police to see which hospital he was brought to. Police could be seen interviewing him before he drove off in an SUV.

An officer who answered the phone at police headquarters refused to confirm a shooting had even occurred, only saying there was an "active investigation" at the intersection. Authorities at the scene appear to have found at least one shell, which officers covered with a swat helmet until investigators arrived.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
Actor John Amos paid a visit to the children of Concordia Learning Center and St. Joseph's School for the Blind on Tuesday to read them his book, "A World Without Color."

Amos, a New Jersey native who's best known for his role as James Evans Sr. on "Good Times," also spoke to the students about his time at Colorado State University and about his life as a social worker. Amos also spoke about his love of cartoon drawing and writing, which led to his children's book.

The story, which was co-written by Dustin Warburton, is set in the fictional town of Bleakersville, a boring place where everything is gray. As the story progresses, color shines into the world of the mundane town and helps its residents express how they feel.

Following the reading, Amos answered the students' questions and took photos with each class.

Amos, 77, has also appeared in shows like "The West Wing," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and the TV miniseries "Roots."

"We were greatly impressed with Mr. Amos' comfort with the diversity and differing abilities of our students," Concordia Learning Center's Director Migdalia Viole said. "After spending time with some of our St. Joseph's students, he was pleased to learn that our specialists will be transcribing the book into braille, so all of our children can enjoy it."
Welcome to nonleaguedaily.coms news provision, your go-to source for all non league updates, rumours, interviews, and much more besides.

Founded by a team with a genuine passion for the world of non league football, nonleaguedaily.com understands exactly what supporters of the so-called lower leagues are looking for. You want the high-quality reporting, in-depth analysis, and match reporting that matches that is more commonly found in the journalism for the top flights, but with the focus firmly fixed on the national leagues.

We understand that your passion, interest, and dedication is constant, and we believe you need a news service that matches that commitment with its own dedication and thoroughness  so thats what you can expect from our site.

The latest non league news, as and when it happens

Conventionally, non league news has always travelled fairly slowly, especially when compared to the instantaneous, constant breaking news cycles found in the upper leagues. Tales are told on terraces, rumours passed between pub patrons and circled between supporters at the latest game, often forced to remain somewhat local initially before word eventually spreads to other locales.

For us, this slow spread may be fairly organic in nature, but it simply isnt compatible with the modern football environment. Its also not conducive to the current fast-paced, always-available media landscape, nor the way that people tend to consume news nowadays. Thats why we have put together a non league news source that fans can turn to for the latest updates, as and when they happen, and as and when you want to read them. Non-league news now is the only acceptable speed at Betting.co.uk.

We update our non-league football news coverage constantly, bringing you all the latest developments and seeking to spread the word as quickly and accurately as possible. So if youre wondering whats happening both with your local team and with the lower leagues as a whole, you can visit us for non league news now, and be confident the stories you find are completely up to date.

News reported by passionate fans

Our efforts to bring you the very best non league football news are undeniably a professional concern, and one that we take seriously. We are  if youll excuse the uncharacteristic tooting of our own horns  good at what we do, and we know that the efforts we make in this regard are one of the reasons our site has enjoyed such success thus far.

However, everyone who writes for us also shares our readers enthusiasm for non league football. Were not just churning out content in the hopes of cashing in on a professional dream; were here because we want to be, and will always be dedicated and committed to non league football as an entity and thriving in the experience of being able to talk about our favourite subject whenever we can. We create non-league news now that is written by genuine fans and enthusiasts, for fans. We know what you want to know and what matters most to an ardent non league supporter, and we always ensure that focusing on these elements is our guiding principle as we seek to solidify our status as an online non league paper fans can always rely on.

When compiling non league news, we think with the mind of a fan first and foremost. We cover the angles and stories that we find compelling and that we know our fellow non league enthusiasts also care about. News doesnt have to be dry and formulaic, in our opinion. When its written by people who are genuinely as fascinated by the stories they are reporting on as their readership will be, we believe news can be interesting, compelling, and even have a sense of personality and humour.

News content written with passion and expertise

We believe that thanks to our dedication, insightfulness, and commitment to our subject matter of non league today, we are offering the best of both worlds to those searching for an online non league paper. We give you the professional approach we feel is appropriate for news about one of the most intriguing aspects of UK football; an aspect that we genuinely feel does not receive the interest and plaudits that it should be generating. Nevertheless, we dont let that professionalism take over everything we do: we remain committed fans, nurturing our own personal interest in non league football and ensuring every word we compose is infused with a sense of passion and dedication that enhances the posts we create.

Its therefore obvious that our non-league content today isnt ever going to be dry, basic, or put together by a tired staff writer who has never heard of any team below the Championship before they rush off to the pub for the evening. Our writers are genuine experts: were covering non league football because we want to, because we believe in it, and because its where our strengths lie. The result is informed content that capitalises on our deep knowledge of the history, as well as the present-day realities, of non league football in the UK.

Beyond news: the nonleaguedaily.com interview series

One of our goals with nonleaguedaily.com is to not just dryly report the news from an outsiders perspective, effectively regurgitating press releases that are devoid of genuinely illuminating information. We also go right to the source of the stories: the managers and club insiders who have direct experience, and often influence, on the sport and how it is managed.

We regularly conduct interviews as part of our news provision, asking the questions that are on everyones lips and providing the best possible view into the non league world. We have reporters pitchside at matches, microphone to hand and plentiful questions ready to be asked. The end result for you, the reader, is the kind of information and close-up looks into the non league world that just cant be found anywhere else.

As our commitment to providing interesting interviews amply demonstrates, we want to be involved in breaking the stories that everyone then talks about, rather than following along and focusing solely on what everyone already knows. If youre looking for leading content that you cant find anywhere else, and that goes right to the centre of the non league world, then you can turn to nonleaguedaily.com for all the benefits of a conventional non league paper, but in electronic, easily-accessed form.

A host of other content to enjoy alongside the non league today

Our focus on providing non league news will always be maintained: we consider this aspect the most important of what we do, and it will always be the recipient of our time, dedication, and interest. Well be here, a consistent and trustworthy news portal, for as long as non league football news exists.

With that said, when you have read up on the latest goings-on, were here with further content for you to enjoy. Naturally, given our partnership with leading brand Betting.co.uk, we provide guidelines for those interested in the world of sports betting. Well help you find the best UK bookmaker with our plentiful coverage of existing brands; ideal if youre looking to put your newfound knowledge, courtesy of us, about non league to use and place a few bets.

Furthermore, we also provide highlights of all the latest UK betting offers, so you can ensure youre achieving the best value with all the latest betting deals whenever youre betting on the latest non league matches. Youll find all of this coverage is as consistent and reliable as our non league news provision,

Non league features and deep dives

Returning to the world of non league football, we also provide a range of feature content that goes deeper and further into the non league world than ever before. Less instantaneously topical but still hugely relevant to the modern game, our features are the dream deep dives that we feel non league fans deserve. Were always striving to do better, offer more, and ensure that non league fans can enjoy the same wealth of content as followers of the top tiers, so you can expect top-flight content with the same commitment and dedication as found throughout the upper echelons of the sport.

So whether youre looking to find the most recent non league football news, seeking a new bookmaker for your non league bets, or hoping to delve deep into a niche non league-related topic, nonleaguedaily.com is always going to be worth a visit.

Return to nonleaguedaily.com for all your non league news needs

Weve told you what you can expect from nonleaguedaily.coms news; now we need to put our confidence where our promises are, make sure we deliver on those promises, and establish trust as an online non league paper you can trust. We look forward to welcoming you back to our news section and showcasing the best we have to offer, from exciting new non league interviews to cutting-edge news to transfer speculation. If you want to truly have your finger on the non league pulse, then nonleaguedaily.com is always going to be here for you.
As sexual harassment allegations pile up around the world  and powerful men are knocked from their perches  some employers are reviewing their policies meant to combat such behavior.

Local labor attorneys and human resources experts say there is room for improvement in how some employers handle claims of sexual harassment. And its important for employers to be paying attention not just to create a good environment for workers: Employers themselves can be legally liable if their employees engage in harassing behavior.

Theres a growing sense that theres a paradigm shift going on right now, that theres going to be much more scrutiny and attention to these kind of issues on the part of employers, said John Challenger, president and chief executive of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago personnel consulting firm who has done work in the region.

For companies looking to combat harassment, it usually comes down to the sometimes ambiguous notion of company culture, said Kelli Lieurance, a partner at Omahas Baird Holm law firm who focuses on labor and employment issues.

What that means: First, creating a culture in which harassment doesnt happen at all. Then, if harassment does happen, its a culture in which victims feel their claims will be taken seriously.

Companies can start by having a clear policy on sexual harassment and making clear who victims should report the behavior to, she said. Oftentimes, thats multiple people, usually including the employees direct supervisor, someone in human resources and even the CEO. That way, employees can feel comfortable reporting their own boss or someone up the chain.

Some Omaha companies, including Union Pacific and First National Bank, offer anonymous hotlines to which employees can report alleged incidents of harassment  helping to maintain confidentiality and prevent conflicts of interest.

Lieurance, the Omaha attorney, said such hotlines arent a bad idea. One issue can come up, though: Anonymously reported allegations can sometimes be difficult to investigate, she said. Some companies hire independent investigative bodies to look into claims of harassment, especially in smaller companies where a victim might feel like he or she will not get an unbiased view.

So how can companies effectively handle such claims internally  or stop them before they happen? Lieurance said mandatory training about sexual harassment for every employee  every year or every other year  is a good start.

It promotes a dialogue at the very least, and that helps start to shift culture, Lieurance said.

Ken Wentz, an attorney at the Omaha office of the national Jackson & Lewis law firm who specializes in advising employers on labor and workplace law, agreed.

Wentz said that, when he conducts training classes for rank-and-file workers, he is always buttonholed afterward with a story of a friend or relative confronting such trouble at work.

Second, the human resources department should be empowered to handle such claims  even if the alleged harasser is the president or CEO of the company, experts said.

Giving them the authority to suspend the highest-level person if theres a pending investigation shows the victim that we are taking this really seriously, and theres no free pass here, Lieurance said.

Managers, too, should feel empowered to tell someone to cut it out if they are making offensive jokes or comments.

HR departments also should take clear action when a claim is brought forth, and there needs to be some communication about what was done. That doesnt mean making the discipline public, but there should be some acknowledgment to victims of harassment that their complaint was valued and handled, Lieurance said.

Broad statements from company leaders that sexual harassment will not be tolerated also can encourage people to come forward.

Its those little things that add up to a culture in which people do feel valued and protected and safe, Lieurance said.

 Russell Hubbard of the BH News Service contributed to this report.
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Council Bluffs Human Services Advisory Council, which is this year marking its 40th anniversary, recognized outstanding volunteers during a luncheon Friday at the Council Bluffs Country Club.

The Human Services Advisory Council was founded 40 years ago as a directive for collaboration between nonprofit agencies by the state of Iowa.

The council was founded by volunteers and to date has remained a volunteer-based organization made up of more than 50 member agencies.

The goal of the organization is to synergize the efforts of nonprofit organizations in and around Council Bluffs to maximize their impact and help improve the lives of the people in the community. Its mission is to foster collaboration between human services agencies through identification of community needs and encouraging the optimal utilization of resources to cultivate change and public awareness.

The winner of the 2017 Arlene Steege Award recognizing the demonstration of dedication and commitment to the community through their human service-related employment was Cathy Jager of West Central Community Action. She works with a minimum of 21 families, helping them set goals, showing them they are worthy  giving them hope.

The award was presented by Molly Cummings, who called Jager the most compassionate person shes ever known.

She is not an 8-to-4:30 social worker, Cummings said, noting that Jagers compassion goes far beyond normal working hours.

Cummings spoke of Jager meeting a homeless man at a local drug store. When Jager asked the man why he was not staying in a shelter, she was told they would not let him in because of his dog.

Jager, Cummings said, bought food for the mans dog and then bought him a tent that he could sleep in.

There is a lot of frustration in what I do, but when it works out well, its really rewarding, Jager said in accepting the award.

The finalist recognized for the 2017 Arlene Steege Award was Jean Bohnker of Family Inc.

Winner of the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award, given to recognize the demonstration of dedication and commitment to the community through their human service-related volunteer activities, was Beverly Whiteaker of Iowa Legal Aid.

Her service to our clients has been remarkable, Shelley Witcher said of Whiteaker, who has volunteered at Iowa Legal Aid for the past 20 years. She is a welcome joy to see when someone walks into the Legal Aid office.

The finalist recognized for the Volunteer of the Year award was Deb Jenkins, who, with her therapy dog, Daisy, has been working with Hospice of Southwest Iowa. It was announced that Daisy had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was put down after the recognition ceremony.

Recognition of the award winners was followed by introduction of the organizations board of directors and officers for the coming year. They include Shelley Witcher, president; Brenda Moran, vice president; Barb White, secretary; Kim Kolakowski, treasurer; and Molly Cummings, Sophia Savdavol and Frank Griese, members at large. The board representative from Boys Town has not been determined.
WASHINGTON  The majority Republican Senate passed a nearly $1.5 trillion tax bill early Saturday, marking it as the first major legislative victory for President Donald Trumps administration.

U.S. Senators of Iowa Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley issued statements following the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, calling the bill a step forward in pursuing a simpler tax code.

Ernst said the bill will also eliminate the Affordable Care Acts  AKA Obamacare  individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance.

This Senate bill also includes a bipartisan measure I helped lead to spur economic growth in poverty-stricken areas and bring hope and opportunity back to many distressed rural communities in Iowa, Ernst said.

The bill will allow Iowa small businesses and entrepreneurs to keep more of their dollars to reinvest in their companies and is estimated to create over 10,000 jobs across Iowa, Ernst added.

While the bill does not include everything I hoped, I am pleased that this legislation creates more opportunities for all, including lower- and middle-income families across the State of Iowa who will see thousands of dollars back in their pockets, she said.

Grassley said the bills passage was a historic moment for Iowa and the U.S. considering it is the first significant tax reform in more than 30 years.

This reform bill enacts across-the-board tax cuts, providing financial relief to middle-class and low-income earners who need it most. As just one example, an average family of four with two children would receive a $2,200 tax cut, Grassley said.

Lowering taxes lets people decide how to spend more of their own money instead shifting that responsibility to Washington politicians, he added. Grassley also called out the health care acts individual mandate as unfair and regressive.

Presiding over the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence announced the 51-49 vote to applause from Republicans. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., was the only lawmaker to cross party lines, joining the Democrats in opposition. The measure focuses its tax reductions on businesses and higher-earning individuals, gives more modest breaks to others, and offers the boldest rewrite of the nations tax system since 1986.

Republicans touted the package as one that would benefit people of all incomes and ignite the economy. Even an official projection of a $1 trillion, 10-year flood of deeper budget deficits couldnt dissuade GOP senators from rallying behind the bill.

Obviously, Im kind of a dinosaur on the fiscal issues, said Corker, who battled to keep the bill from worsening the governments accumulated $20 trillion in IOUs.

The Republican-led House approved a similar bill last month in what has been a stunningly swift trip through Congress for complex legislation that impacts the breadth of American society. The two chambers will now try crafting a final compromise to send Trump.

After spending the years first nine months futilely trying to repeal President Barack Obamas health care law, GOP leaders were determined to move the measure rapidly before opposition Democrats and lobbying groups could blow it up. The party views passage as crucial to retaining its House and Senate majorities in next years elections.

Democrats derided the bill as a GOP gift to its wealthy and business backers at the expense of Americans with lower incomes. They contrasted the bills permanent reduction in corporate income tax rates from 35 percent to 20 percent to smaller individual tax breaks that would end in 2026.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This holiday season has already seen a number of examples of the kindness and generosity of the metro community.

Were thankful to see residents of Council Bluffs and elsewhere come together in one way or another to help those in need. Here are a few examples of kindness weve seen so far this season:

 The first place winner of The Nonpareils Save Carl the Turkey contest has decided to donate her winnings to the needy this holiday season.

Reese Gradoville won the age 6 and under category in the contest and was gifted a $100 Hy-Vee gift card. Reese and her mother, April Gradoville, said they are going to buy food and toys for the less fortunate with the winnings.

They will also participate in a local charity drive Saturday after they pick up the food and toys.

 Three area families were the recipients of Availa Banks second annual Wonderful Christmas Giveaway, which the organization runs as a way to give back to the community.

The contest provided each family with a $500 holiday package including a gift card to an area grocer, another gift card for presents and a Christmas tree.

We looked for an opportunity to help the less fortunate and intend to continue doing this in the future, said Matt Gronstal, president of Availa Bank in Council Bluffs.

 At the Council Bluffs Police Department, participants in No Shave November raised money for a good cause.

On Thursday, several officers, including Police Chief Tim Carmody, presented $1,485 to Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center, a local nonprofit which provides services to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in the metropolitan area and southwest Iowa.

For the month of November, officers could donate $20 for the chance to grow out beards, mustaches or goatees for a cause. Civilians who work at the department could also donate for the chance to have casual dress Fridays.

 To honor the service of military members in the area, Jeff Ballenger and Doug Theobald, co-owners of Omaha Car Stop, located at 156th and West Center Road in Omaha, will be giving a veteran a car this Christmas.

We wanted to do something for our veterans, Ballenger said. We want to be sure the vehicle goes to someone who really needs it.

Ballenger said he and Theobald are encouraging area residents to nominate an area veteran whom they feel would benefit from the assistance. Nominations are being accepted until midnight on Dec. 20.

The car, a 2015 Ford Fiesta Ballenger said is valued at $12,000 to $14,000, will be presented to the selected veteran on Dec. 21.
Today is my younger brothers birthday. Hes 64, and thats not necessarily young. But being one of his two older brothers, hes still my younger brother.

When we were growing up, birthdays were always fun for the three of us. Though we never had big parties that dozens of our friends were invited to attend, our mother always made sure she made our favorite cake, generally accompanied by our favorite ice cream, and that we always had a present  sometimes even two  to open.

Having been born on the third day of the month, December was always my younger brothers favorite month; and why wouldnt be? Hed start the month with birthday presents, and hed end the month with Christmas presents. When it came to December, you might say he got presents coming and going.

While we boys never received lavish gifts or a large number of gifts, my brothers and I never doubted our birthdays would be celebrated, nor did we ever wonder if Santa was going to come at Christmas.

Looking back with the knowledge of an adult rather than the wonder of a child, I often question how my parents did it.

Financially speaking, I guess you would say my family fell into the higher end of the lower class. We didnt do without, but we certainly never had an abundance or, for that matter, a cushion. The old adage, from paycheck to paycheck, certainly applied to us.

As far as I know, my parents never received financial support from anyone.

Taking nothing away from my parents efforts, things were different back then. There werent too many places to find help if you needed it. Parents, not as fortunate as mine and their children, simply did without. In many homes back then stockings would remain unfilled.

Thankfully, thats not the case in this community, and it hasnt been for a long time.

People who are willing and able, have been helping families in need for more than six decades.

For those six-plus decades, the Iowa West Foundation, The Daily Nonpareil and hundreds of caring families throughout this community have united via the Council Bluffs Goodfellows to make the holiday season a bit brighter, a bit happier and a bit warmer for those who find themselves in need of help.

This year, it is anticipated the Goodfellows will help some 500 families. In doing so, some 1,800 certificates will be distributed to those families for food for the entire family and for toys for children under the age of 16.

But, the outcome isnt a given.

Thousands of dollars will be required to meet the challenge.

The outcome of the holiday for the families to be assisted will depend on the generosity of families not needing help.

Its not a new story; after all, its been going on for 60-plus years. Those who are able and willing have provided the means necessary to make the holidays bigger, brighter and better for those who are not able. Im hoping  and praying  it happens again this holiday season.

As has been the case for a good number of years, every dollar donated by man, woman or child will once again be matched by the Iowa West Foundation on a dollar-for-dollar basis; thus turning a dollar donation into $2.

As the president of the Council Bluffs Goodfellows, I once again, as I have for more than 15 years, ask you to open your hearts and help us make this annual dream once again become a reality.

Donations of any size can be mailed to Goodfellows in care of The Daily Nonpareil at 535 W. Broadway, Suite 300, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, or donations can be dropped off at our offices between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Together, lets not leave any stocking unfulfilled.

 Tom Schmitt is the publisher of The Daily Nonpareil. He can be reached at 712-325-5660 or by email at tschmitt@nonpareilonline.com.
State Highway Commission to meet on Friday

The State Highway Commission will have its regular meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday at the Nebraska Department of Transportation Central Headquarters, Highway Commission Conference Room, 1500 Highway 2, in Lincoln.

The agenda for the meeting is available on the NDOT website at dot.nebraska.gov/news-media by clicking on the State Highway Commission Meeting link. The agenda is on page two of the document.

The State Highway Commission meetings are conducted in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, as cited in the Nebraska Revised Statutes. For details, call 402-4714567.

The State Highway Commission will gather for dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Single Barrel, 130 N 10th St., Lincoln.

Adams Bank and Trust employee completes course

Jaymie Brown, a commercial relationship coordinator at Adams Bank and Trust completed the Principals of Commercial Lending School on Oct. 23-27 in Manhattan, Kansas.

The school of banking provides bankers introductory instruction in the entire commercial lending process. Completion of this course assists students in developing skills, which allow then to better serve their customers multiple financial needs.

North Platte fire safety technician attends training

Seth Green, employee of Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment Inc., of North Platte, recently attended the Kidde Clean Agent Design Training in Boston, Massachusetts.

Green was taught how to design multiple clean agents systems concentrating on hardware and component specifications, design concepts per NFPA 2001 and Kidde recommendations, engineered system installation practices, recommended system maintenance and safety as it relates to high-pressure cylinders and handling of clean agent systems.

Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment Inc. has more than 30 employees serving clients in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and South Dakota. The company provides and installs fire alarm, security, sound, intercom and nurse call systems; services fire extinguishers; provides monitoring services for building systems and is a licensed sprinkler contractor in Colorado and Nebraska.

Cosmetologist welcomed to Cutting Loose

Cutting Loose Salon and Spa welcomes back cosmetologist Jessica Hicks.

Hicks graduated from Xenon Beauty Academy in Grand Island and has been a hair stylist in North Platte for the last four years at various locations, including her previous location at Cost Cutters. Hicks specializes in mens cuts and is offering a service for all new and current clients of $10 off any service.
JOIN A WINNING TEAM right here in northwest indiana We have been covering Northwest Indiana for over 100 years and were still growing. We are, by far, the main source of news, information and advertising in the Region and are looking for great people to join out team. Whether youre just starting out or looking for a place to step up,TheTimes has opportunities you need to explore. PAGE DESIGNER TheTimes Media Co., located 20 miles from downtown Chicago, is looking for highly motivated, creative page designers who can bring a new dimension to our brand of local newspapers and magazines. As our design center has expanded, so has our drive to find designers with innovative newspaper and magazine design and illustration skills. Our energetic design staff is working hard to change the perception of designers as merely visual people. We work with the belief that good content drives readership, and we push our staff to be content editors. If you possess the heart of a journalist and an innovative mind, we want you to join our close-knit, talented design team. Our ideal candidates will have experience in design at a newspaper or magazine, understand the fast-paced, newsroom environment, have the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously, and are experienced in information and content design. Candidates also must display a strong instinct for problem solving, a sense of urgency, and a passion for news. Experience with InDesign and Photoshop is preferred. In this position you must be willing to work a varied schedule with night hours. TheTimes Media Co. is one of Lee Enterprises 46 daily newspapers. Lee also publishes 300 weekly newspapers, shoppers and classified and specialty publications. In addition, Lee provides a wide variety of associated online services. EOE Call Center Representative (Part-time 30-39 hrs/wk) We have immediate openings for experienced Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), for our call center operations atTheTimes in our Munster & Crown Point, Indiana locations.TheTimes of Northwest Indiana is part of Lee Enterprises which is a leading provider of local newspapers, information and advertising in primarily midsize markets, with 46 daily newspapers and a joint interest in two others, along with rapidly growing digital products and nearly 300 specialty publications in 21 states which includesTheTimes of Northwest Indiana. Our call center agents are the backbone of our business. When customers call us, our CSRs answer the phone, make connections, answer questions, solve problems, and get people happily on their way as quickly as possible. As a Lee Enterprise Call Center Customer Service Representative, youll handle heavy call volumes daily in our fast paced call center, while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. When you join Lee Enterprises, you will enjoy:  Instantly becoming part of our family of diverse people focused on making really good customer experiences happen.  Ways to earn more every single month through bonus and incentives.  A clear path and the tools you need to progress with more responsibilities and promotions  Earning paid time off which includes vacation, sick and personal days, along with paid holidays  Eligibility for Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life Insurance, along with a 401K Match! Bring it.Youre qualified if you:  Love to help people  Have experience performing comfortably in a fast paced, deadline oriented environment.  Are proficient with MS Excel, Word & Outlook & have the ability to navigate thru various software programs efficiently  Above average typing skills (50+wpm)  Have sales ability and experience with inbound/ outbound customer service Learn more or apply online at www.nwi.com/timesjobs. EOE Distribution Assistant  Temporary/Seasonal TheTimes is currently looking for part-time Distribution Assistants to work in one of our Distribution Centers, working an average of 35 hours per week.These positions are temporary, seasonal positions that may continue through January 2018. Our centers are located in Valparaiso, Merrillville, and Hammond, IN. Work hours are in the early morning and include holidays and weekends. The work consists of:  opening and closing the distribution center  stacking bundles on tables  assisting with the delivery of newspaper routes  other duties assigned by the District Manager Candidates must have a valid drivers license and good driving record, as well as a reliable vehicle and proof of auto insurance. Mileage reimbursement is available if asked to use your vehicle for work purposes. Other requirements include basic computer skills and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds. The starting hourly wage for this position is $12.00/hour. This is an excellent entry level position for a company with a history of promoting from within. TheTimes is a drug-free workplace and all candidates offered a position will be asked to complete a pre-employment drug screen. Interested candidates should apply online at www.nwi.com/timesjobs. Equal Opportunity Employer Multi-Media Sales Executive  Outside Sales Base Salary PLUS Un-capped Commissions Join a winning team! We reach more consumers than we ever have before through NWI.com and our award winning print products. Consumer in NW Indiana rely onTheTimes and NWI.com for local news and information that no one else can deliver. Over 75% of all adults in NW Indiana connect with us through our on-line and print products on a weekly basis. We deliver 1.6M unique visitors per month with over 12.6M page views and 8.2M mobile sessions per month! We are looking for Multi-Media Sales professionals who possess the drive and passion to help local business owners increase market share through real time solutions and products that deliver superior results! We offer:  Competitive base salary  Un-capped commissions  On-going incentives and spiffs  Mobile phone  Mileage reimbursement  Benefits including: 401K (matching too), medical, dental, vision, paid vacation and personal time, life insurance, flexible spending accounts  Laptop and tools to be successful Our Multi-Media Sales professional manage an existing base of wellestablished accounts along with the responsibility and ability to hunt and develop new accounts... we want HUNTERS. Plus work alongside a team of sales professionals in a competitive market serving 6 counties! You Are:  Competitive  Driven to be the best  Results and goals oriented  Mentally tough  Possess a strong work ethic  Tech savvy  High character  Want to grow a great career  Willing to have fun! Ideal candidates possess:  3 + years of sales experience with a demonstrated track record of success  Prospecting & cold calling experience in successfully opening new accounts  Excellent communication skills  Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high transactional sales environment  College degree preferred  Valid drivers license, good driving record and access to a reliable vehicle Were willing to train the right candidate! If you bring the heart and desire to succeed we will equip you with the tools and knowledge to be successful! Drug Free Workplace Equal Opportunity Employer APPLY AT NWI.COM/TIMESJOBS
If someone were to ask Ronald Szabo if his chosen profession was influenced by his upbringing, he'd likely say that's only part of the story.

While it's true, his father, Tibor, who passed way in 2006, worked as an optometrist, Ronald says he was drawn to the profession because he wanted to help people but also sought a line of work he enjoyed and would be able to provide for his family.

"I knew (being an optometrist) wasn't something that was going to make you rich but you can be comfortable," Szabo said, who has served as an optometrist since 1967 shortly after graduating from the Indiana University. Most of his professional career has been spent in Portage with the exception of about two years while he served in the Air Force.

Szabo said he briefly considered dentistry but decided to follow in his father's footsteps.

"After I thought about it, people really dread going to the dentist but the optometrist not so much, so I picked that as my profession," said Szabo, 73.

After graduating from IU in June 1967, he took his board exams in August and September of that year and after clearing that hurdle began practicing. About two years into his practice, he was drafted and entered the Air Force.

While he was serving, his father, who at the time had his own practice in Hammond, saw Ronald's patients in Portage once a week and did that until Ronald was discharged two years later.

Ronald had an office in the Portage Mall then built an office on Central Avenue with some partners. By 1979, he built his own building at 3151 Willowcreek Road in Portage.

Szabo said he could have moved his practice anywhere, but wanted to serve Portage. He said while he was in college, sales representatives from companies that sold eye wear frames, said Portage and Crown Point were two communities in Northwest Indiana that really needed more optometrists.

"I chose Portage because at that time, there was only one other optometrist in Portage," he said.

Szabo's son Dean, also decided to become an optometrist. Ronald believes his own long and successful career, influenced his son's decision to pursue the same line of work.

"I think Dean appreciates that (optometrists) can help people plus you don't have a lot of late night emergency calls," Ronald Szabo said. "He felt it would be a good fit for him too."

About 20 years ago, Dean Szabo joined Ron at his practice. Today, Dean now runs the practice his dad started.

Ronald Szabo considers himself semi-retired now. He still works a day or two a week, filling in for other private practice optometrists around the Region or seeing patients at what is now his son's office in Portage.

"It's nice to have something to do a couple of days a week," Szabo said.

Szabo said practicing optometrists must maintain 40 hours of continuing education. He completed some training recently, which means he can practice at least another two years.

Szabo is uncertain whether he will continue practicing after his latest certification is up.

"I'm already good for the next two years, so some decisions will have to be made then," he said. "For now, I'm staying busy and I'm enjoying it."
MUNSTER Somewhere along the path to becoming a doctor, Munster native Matthew Nowak discovered anthropology and ended up helping identify a new species of orangutan in Sumatra.

Nowak, 36, said that after graduating from Andrean High School in 1999, he went to Indiana University intending to study medicine. Once there he met some professors who were studying primates and primate anatomy, and he found their work interesting enough that he ended up graduating with a degree in anthropology instead.

I was captivated by why species looked the way they did and how they moved in their natural environment and how that impacted their anatomy, Nowak said. After that, I had to see the animals in the wild and see why they looked and acted the way they did.

After getting his masters degree from Southern Illinois University, he began study on his doctorate, and in 2010 went to Sumatra to do the research for his dissertation. After three years he was preparing to come home when the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program asked him to stay.

They do everything dealing with orangutan conservation in Sumatra from doing surveys to see how many are still in the wild and where they are located to releasing animals that have been living in captivity back into the wild, he said.

In 2013 he met and married Noni, a native of Medan, a city along the north coast of Sumatra. A traveloger and photographer, Noni has only occasionally visited the research stations where Nowak works in Tapanuli, a conservation area where the new species of orangutan was discovered. It covers about 1,100 square kilometers and is a three- to four-hour walk from the nearest village.

Nowak said orangutans are one of a handful of great ape species in the world. Two species of gorilla are known along with chimpanzees and bonobos. Three orang species are now identified. Nowak said the Tapanuli orangutan were first discovered in the 1970s and rediscovered about 20 years later.

Tests of the animals' mitochondrial DNA in the 1990s indicated the Tapanuli orangs were somewhat different, but it took the research of Nowak and a team of scientists from Indonesia and other countries to gather data that showed they are a totally separate, and, with only 800 orangs in the wild, very rare species.

The species lives in the upland area of central Sumatras Tapanuli, between 300 and 1,500 meters above sea level. The climate is a little cooler than the habitat for the other two orang species, one found on Sumatra and the other in Borneo, so their fur is longer and frizzier, Nowak said.

The research team found difference in the animals behavior, the types of things they eat and the call the males use to attract females or warning other males to stay away. While the other research stations have discovered new species of squirrels, butterflies and frogs, the discovery of a new member of the primate family is big news.

This is huge, Susan Ford, a retired professor of anthropology at Southern Illinois, told a Carbondale reporter. Nowak is her doctoral student. Ford added, This kind of science is really difficult and is done with very little resources and a lot of dedication by someone like Matt, who gives the time, the focus, the time away from his life to really be able to get us the information to advance science in this way.

Nowak said the group lived in huts with canvas roofs and had to cook for themselves. Supplies had to be carried in weekly by porters for the five to eight people working at any given time. The one advantage was the upland altitude, although not Everest-like, meant the temperatures were in the 70s and 80s instead of the more tropical lowlands. They also had to put up with fewer mosquitoes, ticks and leeches.

Being so remote also has one drawback.

Theres no phone signal most of the time, he said. If you find a spot where you can get a signal, you hang the phone in a tree until you get a reply.

He hopes to finish his dissertation by the end of the year so he can graduate in May. Having already experienced what he said will probably be the biggest thing I will ever be a part of, he plans to decide his next move, possibly returning to teaching, after graduation. He taught at SIU before heading to Sumatra.

I definitely miss academia, and Ive been away from the United States since 2010 and I miss home. I like working in Sumatra, and the opportunities Ive had for learning are more than I thought I could get. Ive learned a lot about forest ecology and conservation. Its been a tremendous experience that I could bring to the table in an academic setting. Ill probably go back to teaching with occasional trips back to Sumatra.
GARY  Even as enrollment declined with the influx of charter schools and private-school vouchers in the Gary Community School Corp., the district was still top heavy with administrators eight years ago.

In the 2009-10 school year, The Times reported the Gary Community School Corp. had 56 administrators who earned a total of nearly $4 million, with a student enrollment of 11,786. Those figures were part of an organizational chart provided by the school district in 2009 as part of a look at public school district finances in Northwest Indiana.

Not so today as administrators, teachers and staff have been laid off, retired or left to pursue other interests, saving the district millions of dollars. The student population has shrunk to about 4,700 this school year, with fewer than a dozen administrators who collectively earn less than $700,000 a year.

The state took over the school corporation last year due to its poor academics and finances. Senate Enrolled Act 567 required the Distressed Unit Appeals Board to appoint an emergency manager. DUAB appointed Gary native and longtime educator Peggy Hinckley, of Schererville, as the emergency manager, along with Florida-based MGT Consulting.

The law gives Hinckley near-total authority to implement academic and financial changes, negotiate contracts and run the Gary school district, subject only to review by a local advisory board and DUAB oversight.

Gary schools Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt, along with the elected trustees of the Gary Community School Corp., have no official say in decisions made by the emergency manager.

The law also says the School Board can meet only once monthly rather than the series of weekly committee and regular meetings that were routine in the past.

With Pruitt having announced late last week that she plans to resign in February, Hinckley said the corporation is "pretty bare bones" and she will have to make additional belt-tightening decisions to help reduce more than $100 million of debt.

However, the state also directed Hinckley to appoint a chief academic officer and a chief financial officer. Hinckley said she has interviewed several people but can't announce those names until they have been approved by DUAB.

Current administrators and their pay

Pruitt earns a base salary of $136,000 per year, plus an additional $1,000 per month for use of her own vehicle. In 2016, Pruitt earned $178,300, including her annual annuity payment of $18,500 and a $30,000 bonus she was paid in March 2016.

Pruitt, whose resignation is effective Feb. 2, serves as a resource to the emergency manager and works on community projects.

Hinckley said it's appropriate for Pruitt to continue to do those kinds of things.

"You have to speak with one voice, and since it's a takeover of academic and fiscal, and I'm accountable for it, it's not fair to ask someone else to do that kind of work," Hinckley said.

The district currently has 300 teachers, 70 paraprofessionals, 43 custodians and 60 clerical staff.

A look at some of the key administrative positions in the Gary school district shows few top administrators remain.

According to information provided by Hinckley's office, former Assistant Superintendent Cordia Moore retired in October. She earned $111,057 per year. Former special education director Marianne Fidishin, who earned $113,165, left to pursue other interests.

Hinckley hired Lucille Washington on an interim basis as chief academic officer. Washington, who is working part time, earns $68,512.

Hinckley hired a new special education director  Iliana El Khalanie, who started on Aug. 28. Her salary is $83,848.

Melisha Henderson, who started July 25, 2016, serves as human resources manager, and earns $33,562.

Ron Gordon, who serves as operations manager, started Aug. 22, 2016, at $27,194.

Marie Adkins is the grants coordinator, and she earns $77,029. Robert Becker heads up the information technology department at a salary of $68,745.

Joan McCormick is a consultant in the special education department at a salary of $72,000 from Nov. 2 through April 30, 2018.

Hinckley hired Sheleita Miller, who owns Gary-based Gateway Accounting LLC. Miller, who was one of several people who applied to be emergency manager, was hired to assist the accounting department at $80 per hour from Sept. 7 through March 31, 2018.

Hinckley said MGT Consulting created a subsidiary called Gary Schools Recovery LLC to serve as its legal entity during its operation of the school district. She said about a dozen staff are working with the school district either at the district or remotely.

"Now that we are past the opening of schools, there are two curriculum people who are here about five days a month for elementary people and two curriculum people who are here six or seven days a month for secondary," she said.

Hinckley said the chief of staff, Eric Parrish, is working remotely on the development of the proposal, and is at the school corporation a couple of times per month. She said deputy chief of staff Amy Marsh works a couple of days a week.

Fred Seamon, who heads up Gary Schools Recovery LLC, is there four or five days per month.

According to contract information released by the state, the Gary schools emergency manager and the Gary schools recovery team will earn up to $3.9 million this school year and similar amounts in the next couple of years if the team reduces the deficit by Jan. 31, 2018.

The contract also says the emergency manager already has earned a $100,000 bonus for achieving a "smooth start" to the school year by ensuring that classes started on time in clean, safe and well-supplied buildings with minimal bus transportation problems.

School Board members' power, pay reduced

The elected Gary school board members have expressed frustration about their role because they have no decision-making power.

Indiana law allows school board members to receive an annual stipend of $2,000, plus $112 for each meeting they attend and $62 for each committee meeting they attend.

However, now, under Senate Enrolled Act 567, which authorized the state's taking over the district, the Gary School Board is limited to one meeting per month and as a result, board members will only earn the stipend.

In 2016, Rosie Washington received $8,382; Nellie Moore $8,990; Darling Pleasant $7,626; Antuwan Clemons $9,250; Robert Campbell $9,312; Doreatha Rouse $9,226; and Marion Williams $6,308.

Clemons, Campbell, Rouse and Williams are no longer on the board. New members who took office in January are Robert Buggs, Carlos Tolliver, James Piggee and Norman Bailey.
LANSING  Police Chief Dennis Murrin congratulated his departments investigators at a Lansing Village Board meeting for work they did on a series of robberies in October.

David Washington, 34, of Gary, was charged with burglary, burglary resulting in bodily harm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon when he was arrested Oct. 20.

It was the culmination of an investigation into four attacks, two in Lansing and two in Hammond, on elderly residents. Washington is also wanted in Illinois for aggravated criminal sexual assault and being a noncompliant sex offender.

The arrest was five days after an 81-year-old woman was robbed and sexually assaulted on the 17100 block of Greenbay Avenue in Lansing.

To take a case, an actual whodunnit, to a successful resolution in a week was absolutely phenomenal, Murrin said.

Lt. Steve Roberts leads Lansings investigation division, which includes Sgt. Greg Schoon and detectives Mike Hynek, Tony Curtis, Mike Rodriguez, Chuck Weeden, David Bell, William Kowalski and Mike Lazowski.

The unit put over 200 hours into the case doing interviews, surveillance, crime scene investigation, patrolling and watching tapes, Murrin said.

This one stuck with us because it was different from a lot of cases weve dealt with, Roberts said. Our victims were elderly. It was at 10 oclock in the morning. It really put a fear into the neighborhood.

And it was one where we felt if we didnt get it stopped quickly, it was going to happen again.

Roberts said the entire Lansing Police Department contributed in some way. He also said it wouldnt have happened as quickly without the Hammond police, the Cook County Sheriffs Department and the Cook County crime lab.

This was one of those cases that we really, really wanted to solve, Murrin said. It created a panic. It created fear and we wanted to set that straight and make sure our residents felt safe. Thats why we went all in.

The investigative group earned a unit citation award, Murrin said.

It went from a case that had very little information to a suspect to an arrest in a weeks time, Murrin said. It was all hands on deck. Our personnel went above and beyond, put their personal lives on hold for this case to help bring justice for those victims and take a bad guy off the streets so he couldnt do it to somebody else.

Lansing police began interviewing residents and looking for video in the neighborhoods where the crimes took place.

Unfortunately, we didnt really have a lot to go on at first. We had a general description and a really good clothing description, Roberts said. We covered almost the entire north end of town, knocked on every single door and talked to everybody.

They eventually did find a video. A composite sketch was put together with the help of the Cook County Sheriffs Department and distributed in the area.

It was a few days into the investigation when it was discovered that similar robberies happened in Hammond in the weeks before the first one in Lansing.

We started comparing notes (with Hammond police), started putting some things together and it kind of started to snowball, Roberts said.

Washington is still in custody in Lake County, but Murrin said Lansing expects to charge him in Illinois, as well.

It feels great to know where he is right now, Roberts said. Its going to feel better when hes back in Illinois and hes actually charged.
MICHIGAN CITY  A LaPorte Superior Court jury found a Royal Center, Indiana, man guilty of molesting a child for six years starting when she was in the first grade.

Anthony Mashburn, of Royal Center, faces a potential 20 to 50 years on each of the two Class A felony child molesting counts for which he was convicted Thursday night, according to state sentencing guidelines. The crimes occurred in Michigan City and LaPorte.

He could get up to eight additional years on each of the two Class C felony child molesting counts the jury also believed he committed.

Defense attorney David Payne portrayed the now 19-year-old victim as a liar with emotional problems stemming not from sexual abuse, but an upbringing full of domestic violence at home and moving from place to place.

He said Mashburn, 38, was a source of stability for the victim and not the type of person who would do such things to a child.

LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor Catherine Breitweiser-Hurst said the victim kept the molestation a secret at the request of Mashburn, whom the victim loved and still does.

The victim confided with a sibling at age 17, Breitweiser-Hurst said.

Breistweiser-Hurst also said Mashburn disappeared for six weeks out of fear the victim would tell of the crime when she was admitted for treatment for emotional problems.

He came back once he felt confident the victim had not told anyone, she said.

"He thought he was about to get busted," said Breitweiser-Hurst, who closed the trial by playing a recording of the victim on the phone telling Mashburn about confiding in the sibling.

About 20 seconds passed before Mashburn responded.

The victim then asked how to respond if anyone inquired about the situation.

"Tell them it's a lie," said Mashburn, who quickly ended the call.

The jury came back with its guilty verdict after four hours of deliberation.

Sentencing is scheduled Jan. 11.
PORTAGE  Police are investigating after a man was stabbed several times early Saturday morning and airlifted to a Chicago area hospital.

Police responded about 6:45 a.m. to St. Mary Medical Center for a report of a stabbing that occurred in the 5300 block of Plaza Avenue, according to a news release from the Portage Police Department.

A female victim told police her current boyfriend, the man who was stabbed, was involved in a physical altercation with her ex-boyfriend. Her ex-boyfriend allegedly stabbed her current boyfriend several times in the arms and neck.

The Times is withholding the name of the suspect pending the filing of formal charges. He allegedly fled the scene after the disturbance.

The victim was initially taken to St. Mary Medical Center and later airlifted to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. His condition was not immediately known Saturday night.

Ages and other identifying information about the victim and suspect were also not immediately known.

If anyone has any information about this incident or knows of the suspect's whereabouts, they are asked to call the Portage Police Department at 219-762-3122.
Schwanke later posted, "Can I go to bed now!!! Ill probably be sexually harassed in my sleep and Ill report it 5 years from now!!!

The 49-year-old is now receiving backlash from the city's former mayor, Sheila Brillson. Brillson, a candidate in the LaPorte County commissioner's race, issued a news release Saturday rebuking the social media posts.

"I read the Michigan City Councilmans recent comments on sexual harassment to the News-Dispatch with shock, like many others surely did," she said.

"One of the reasons Im running for Commissioner today is to bring sensible leadership to LaPorte County government. That includes fostering a safe and respectful workplace, and making sure that potential victims of sexual harassment know they can speak up without fear of retribution or ridicule. As Commissioner, I will work to ensure that our county government is doing just that," Brillson said in a news release.

Mayor Ron Meer told The News-Dispatch that Schwanke's comments do not reflect the views of the city. Brillson agreed with Meer.

"I thank Mayor Meer for speaking out against these troubling and offensive comments. As a former mayor, I join Mayor Meer in saying that these comments do not represent Michigan City or LaPorte County communities  nor should they," she said.

In an email to The Times on Saturday, Schwanke said the News-Dispatch has "taken something completely out of context and ran wild with it. Sexual harassment is a major problem and I am completely against it, this problem affects all of us both female and male. It should never be tolerated."

He said he made the post because he "was tired" of major news outlets covering sexual harassment claims as top news stories. His comments come in the wake of countless women going to the outlets like The New York Times and Washington Post with sexual harassment allegations against celebrities and politicians.

"These are civil issues between two or more parties. Lets focus on poverty, homelessness, hunger, wars, veterans assistance and things that are real news. If I offended anyone I am truly sorry. It was never meant to be that way," he said in an email.

Days after his Facebook posts, Schwanke announced he was resigning from the Michigan City Council. He also said his stepping down had nothing to do with social media postings.

He said in an email to The Times his resignation was in the works for several months.

Schwanke said he resigned "not because of this sexual harassment story by The News-Dispatch."

"I have been exploring new opportunities in another state for over two months and have decided to relocate for personal and business opportunities. This has been a long process and a tough decision to make. I would like to thank the residents of the 6th Ward that have allowed me to serve," he said in an email.
CROWN POINT  When the City Council convenes for its regular meeting on Monday it will welcome a new member.

T.J. Wigmore was selected in November by a Republican caucus to fill the at-large seat vacated by former Councilman Chris Retson, who resigned after two years to pursue other interests.

Wigmore, 37, is a former candidate for Indiana state representative in District 19. He also ran for the council he now sits on in 2011. He said he is excited to be on the City Council.

"I really want to get into this and go through a lot of the information," Wigmore said. "Obviously I have a little bit of catching up to do."

When he ran for the council six years ago, Wigmore said he wanted to hold the line on spending. He said that still applies today "if it's necessary."

"I'm looking to look out for the best interests of the residents," he said. "I don't want to spend money unnecessarily. I'm a big believer in living within your means. I do it in my household, I do it in my job. Being an elected official I would carry that over with me and be fiscally conservative."

One of the first major decisions Wigmore will face Monday is an ordinance to adopt a park impact fee. These fees are collected from residential developers and mandated to be applied to maintaining recreation infrastructure based on standards of the community. The fees are derived for new construction and only can be used on new facilities.

The City Council in November voted to defer is decision on adopting the fee.

Wigmore is a lifelong resident of Crown Point who attended St. Mary's Catholic Community School, Taft Middle School, Crown Point High School and Purdue University.

Wigmore, who is married with two children, works as a project manager and superintendent for Wigmore Construction. He formerly served in number of roles for White Lodging, where he started in high school in food and beverage and moved on to sales and engineering.
EAST CHICAGO  The City Council lent its voice to an environmental issue on Monday when it voted 8-0 to adopt a resolution that opposes a proposed air quality permit application by the Indiana Harbor Coke Co.

The resolution expresses a desire that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management deny any request by the company for a modification of its current air quality restrictions without a schedule of compliance, and calls for stricter limits on toxic releases.

"We already allow too much air pollution to be discharged from industry," Councilman Emiliano Perez, D-at large, said.

The Indiana Harbor Coke Co. supplies coke for the ArcelorMittal steel mill in East Chicago.

In other business:

The council also voted 8-0 to pass on first reading an ordinance that would authorize issuing of revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $18 million for the construction of additions and improvements to the city's waterworks.

Councilwoman Christine Vasquez, D-4th, was not present at Monday's meeting.
Gary firefighter Jerry Jordan was heading back from an ambulance call to the station on Thanksgiving when he noticed two abandoned puppies near the off ramp of Interstate 80/94 and Broadway.

"I have a soft spot for animals," he said.

Jordan, a four-year veteran with the Gary Fire Department, said he could tell they were cold and malnourished. Timid and afraid, the two dark-colored dogs  no older than six months  also appeared to have been severely abused, he said.

BB bullets were found in one dog's scalp, and the second one has an injured eye. They appeared to be a mix of breeds, perhaps pit bull or Great Dane, but it's hard to tell, he said.

Jordan, of Hobart, and his ambulance partner, Joe Porcaro, couldn't leave them on the side of the road so they picked them up.

"When we brought them in, they were a little standoffish. They were scared. But after a couple of hours, they perked up. They're great around other dogs and they love children," he said.

Jordan said he then brought them to his girlfriend's parents' house in Cedar Lake and they have been fostering the two dogs  named Mike and Ike  ever since. His girlfriend, Samantha Siems, has been extremely supportive, he said.

"They were happy to be in a safe, warm place. They were happy to be treated decently," he said.

A deadly diagnosis

Days after taking in Mike and Ike, Jordan said he learned the puppies were sick and not eating, so he took them to Bardens Animal Clinic in Lowell and learned they tested positive for parvovirus, a disease that infects the digestive tract and is particularly deadly in young dogs.

"I was left with the option of treating or putting them down. And I couldnt put them down, not after going through all of that with them," he said.

Despite knowing the dogs for only a week, Jordan said he felt compelled to help them  so while sitting in the veterinarian's office after their diagnosis, Jordan decided to take a chance on them and open up a CareCredit credit card.

He said he also decided to launch a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising money for their treatment. As of 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the account was up to $915 of his $3,000 goal. He then learned his veterinarian at Bardens was kind enough to give him a break on some of the treatment costs.

Any money that is not used toward treatment will be put toward neutering, vaccinations, surgeries and other medical needs they will need if they survive, Jordan said.

For the time being, Mike and Ike are under intensive care and in isolation at the animal clinic through Monday, he said.

"It's looking up at this point. I was worried all night," Jordan said Saturday. "Theyre doing well. The vet said they actually took the fluids and they are eating and drinking and holding in everything."

Jordan said he knows the dogs have a tough road ahead of them. He said Mike and Ike are inseparable and love to cuddle  especially with each other.

"They have bonded for life. Thats the other stipulation. No matter where they end up, they have to stay together. They've been through so much together, if they beat this," he said.

To see Jordan's GoFundMe page for Mike and Ike, visit gofundme.com/save-mike-and-ike
Annual English Holiday Tea

OGDEN DUNES  Historical Society of Ogden Dunes will hold its annual English Holiday Tea with two seatings today. Hours are noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. at Hour Glass Museum, 8 Lupine Lane. Cost is $15 per person. For reservations call 219-762-4107 or email cspaer@juno.com. There will be tea and light refreshments with a musical interlude and a visit from Santa during the second tea.

Portage High School music concerts

Portage High School will host holiday concerts at 7:30 p.m. in the Portage High School East auditorium, 6450 U.S. 6, with the following dates:

Tuesday, Portage High School Band Concert; Wednesday, Fegely Middle School orchestra concert; Thursday, Willowcreek Middle School band concert; Dec. 11 Fegely Middle School band concert; Dec. 12 Portage High School orchestra concert; Dec. 13 Willowcreek Middle School orchestra concert; Dec. 14 Fegely Middle School choir concert; Dec. 18 Willowcreek Middle School choir concert; Dec. 19 Portage High School choir concert; Dec. 2 Portage High School piano recital.

Winter WellnessLand to appear at The Crossing

LAPORTE  Winter WellnessLand will appear again for one night only at The Crossing in LaPorte, with a special visit from Santa and lots of family-friendly activities. The event takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at The Crossing of LaPorte Hospital, 1203 Washington St. Pictures with Santa will be offered with a suggested donation of one nonperishable food item that will be donated to local food panties. Other activities include hot cocoa and cookies, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, holiday games, a Winter Wellness Indoor Scavenger Hunt and more. Call 219-326-2048.

Winter concert

The Choirs of LaPorte high School will present their winter concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at 602 F St. This year's performance features several special instrumental accompaniments including hand bells and an ensemble of string quartet with harpsichord. All of the Concert Choirs and the Show Choir will perform. Both performances are presented free of charge in the high school auditorium.

Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar at Valpo International Center

The Valparaiso International Center will host its annual Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at the VIC's headquarters, 309 E. Lincolnway. The bazaar features handmade products produced by craftsmen and farmers from developing countries.

Sounds of the Christmas season

VALPARAISO  Christ Lutheran Church will hold a concert to benefit the organ fund with members of the Christ Lutheran Church Choir. The South Shore Brass Band will perform at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at the church, 2610 Campbell St. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. Tickets will be available at the door and church office.

Candy Cane Express

LAPORTE  Hesston Steam Museum will hold its Candy Cane Express 20-minute sceneic ride Dec. 9-10. Santa will be on hand and photos will be available with him at no charge. The museum is east of Ind. 39 on LaPorte County Road. Visit www.hesston.org.

Cookie walk

VALPARAISO  St. Iakovos Church is having its annual cookie walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 9 at 36 W. County Road 700 North. A variety of cookies will be available to purchase at $9 a pound. Other individually priced items will also be available for purchase. All proceeds to benefit the St. Iakovos Building Fund. Call 219-462-4052.

Animal Rescue Squad holiday event

HAMMOND  Animal Rescue Squad will have a holiday event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Morton High School. We will have photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus for your pets and the entire family. Dogs and cats will be up for adoption. There will be craft and Christmas vendors, raffle, kids activities, bouncy house, food and more.

Tour of Lights sign-ups

CROWN POINT  Mayor David Urans Office of Special Events will again host a Tour of Lights within the Crown Point city limits. The event will take place Dec. 11-16. If you would like your home to be on the route for all to enjoy, call the Special Events Office at 219-662-3290 to sign up.

Valpo Parks Touch a Truck Toys for Tots Toy Drive

The Valparaiso Parks Department, along with Dunes Leathernecks Detachment Marine Corps League and Toys for Tots, will host a Touch a Truck Toys for Tots Toy Drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at Central Park Plaza. Kids will be able to explore their favorite big rigs. Police cars, firetrucks, snowplows, emergency vehicles, and more. Plus, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa provided by Family Express and SB Chocolate Cafe Valparaiso. There is no admission charge. Bring a new unwrapped toy, for any age, to donate to our local Toys for Tots Chapter. Monetary donations will also be accepted. Call 219-462-5144.

Lansing Santa House

The Lansing Santa House will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20 and 22 and from 1 to 3 p.m Dec. 9, 16 and 23 at 18106 Henry St. Photos are welcome. Call 708-895-7208.

Holiday Traditions Celebration

Join staff and volunteers at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as we celebrate Holiday Traditions in the Dunes from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Chellberg Farm and the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. At the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center from 1 to 3 p.m., children will get to make traditional holiday decorations and put them up on the Christmas tree or take them home. There will also be traditional stories and songs to be enjoyed by all. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is at 1215 N. Ind. 49, about one mile north of Interstate 94. Call 219-395-1882 or visit www.nps.gov/indu.

Hobart Historical Society Christmas open house

The Hobart Historical Society is sponsoring a book signing at their annual Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at 706 E. Fourth St. The Rev. Charles Strietelmeier will be signing copies of his book, "Singing Flames and Gargoyles: The Collected Poems and Songs." His writings cover both secular and religious subjects. Included in the book is a poem about his faithful dachshund companion, Longfellow. An exhibit on gasoline stations is continuing through the month of December, thanks to the discovery of glass negatives of early stations in Hobart. Call 942-0970.

Holiday Fest with Santa

Brightwood College in Hammond will host its second annual Holiday Fest with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at the campus, 7833 Indianapolis Blvd. The event is free and open to the public, as the community is invited to join Brightwood College for family-friendly activities and holiday cheer, including photos with Santa and writing thank you notes for military troops in partnership with Operation Gratitude. The event will feature refreshments, a tacky sweater contest, crafts, giveaways and more. Attendees 18 and older can enter to win prizes such as Amazon gift cards.

Wag your Tail Wednesday

HAMMOND  The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority will once again hold Wag Your Tail Wednesdays in conjunction with the A Christmas Story Comes Home exhibit. From 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, well-behaved pets are invited to have their picture taken with Santa atop Santas Mountain. Cost is $6 a photo and portions of the proceeds will be donated to local pet rescues. In addition to Wag your Tail Wednesdays, Santa will be available for photos leading up to Christmas. Santa will visit the Indiana Welcome Center Saturdays and Sundays from Thanksgiving to Christmas from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas concert

HAMMOND  The annual Bishop Noll Christmas concert will be performed at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the auditorium. The concert will feature the Bishop Noll choir followed by the Bishop Noll concert band. Santa's visit will allow the entire family to get a photo. The concert is free. Before the concert, the Bishop Noll Band will host its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This all-you-can-eat meal is $7 and proceeds benefit the BNI band program. Visit bishopnoll.org for information.
Centier raises hurricane relief funds

Centier Bank associates have participated in Dress Casual for Charity days, along with asking clients for donations to help those living in affected areas. Centier Bank donated a total of $10,000 to the American Red Cross as a result of these fundraising efforts. The associate-generated idea to raise funds for hurricane relief spread throughout the organizations nearly 60 branches, with over $9,000 raised through associate and client contributions. Centiers Board of Directors chose to supplement the donation, raising it to a full $10,000.

Allstate agency owners earn $11,000 for Crown Points St. Jude House

CROWN POINT  Allstate agency owners from Northwest Indiana area came together to secure an $11,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant to benefit St. Jude House. The grant will support the nonprofit organizations mission to provide quality, compassionate and effective services to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The agency owners earned the grant for St. Jude House by sprucing up the Crown Point shelter, which included work to arrange and clean the childrens area, organize clothing donations and improve the shelters outdoor spaces. St. Jude House will use the $11,000 grant to further its work in the community.

Participating Allstate agency owners include: Danielle Bazin, Crown Point; Matt Curtis, Michigan City; Mike Havens, Merrillville; Gabrielle LaTulip, Crown Point; Eric Miller, Crown Point; Elaine Morris, Chesterton; Mary Moynihan, Munster; Ryan Prendergast, Michigan City; Daniel Westrick, Warsaw; Steve Westrick, Fort Wayne and Tom Wisch, Hobart.
Friction is forming between some St. John leaders regarding oversight of the town's accounting and release of public meeting minutes.

Over objections from the Town Council president, St. John's clerk-treasurer is going to contract with an outside firm "to ensure statutory accounting requirements are being met in this town."

Clerk-Treasurer Beth Hernandez said she plans to contract with Umbaugh and Associates, which was formerly the town's financial consultant until about 10 years ago, when the firm was replaced by Cender and Co.

During a recent council meeting, Hernandez read a statement saying that she can be held professionally and personally liable for accounting decisions made and will not knowingly rely on, in her opinion, substandard direction by an accounting firm simply because council President Michael Forbes tells her to do so.

"It's evident Mr. Forbes is not a proponent of checks and balances," she said. "He is attempting to control my office in the same way he attempts to control numerous town boards."

Hernandez said retaining the same attorney and accounting firm for every board and every town department does not provide for the necessary checks and balances.

"I do not work for Mr. Forbes. I am here to serve our residents and their best interests," she said.

Hernandez said she, her chief deputy and accounting assistant have not been comfortable with the professionalism and statutory direction provided to them by the existing firm, which "works at the pleasure of the Town Council."

"Their allegiances lie there  not with my office," she said.

Forbes, who was unable to attend the meeting, told The Times in an email that he has contacted the State Board of Accounts and received both verbal and written confirmation that a clerk-treasurer does not have the authority to hire a financial consultant and that it would be an issue during an audit.

"Ms. Hernandez is aware of this and has informed me she is prepared to take her chances during an audit," he said. "Based upon the opinion of the SBOA, it is wrong for her to hire this company. I feel it is an unnecessary duplication of services, and based upon that I will do what I feel is right.

"And that is that I will not be voting for any of the town dockets that have Umbaugh and Associates pay requests on them."

Hernandez said per her legal counsel, the law allows her to enter into the contract with Umbaugh.

"The continued refusal by Mr. Forbes to acknowledge and accept this raises questions as to his motivation," she said. "I realize this is probably just another scare tactic in hopes I will back down."

Forbes said that since the council fired Umbaugh as its financial consultant, Cender and Co. has been of great service.

"I am disappointed that comments were made that slight Cender and Co.'s reputation," he said. "Over the years I have worked with the group they have proven to be knowledgeable, timely, accurate and in all respects have done a great job for the town and its residents."

Karl Cender, of Cender and Co., told The Times that he is not aware of any complaints regarding services rendered. He said in providing financial consulting accounting for St. John, the firm strives for high quality with the town's best interests in mind.

Another issue raised by several members of the public and Hernandez was that no plan commission meeting minutes have been transcribed and released for the last seven months.

Hernandez said it's not her job to record the meeting minutes for the St. John Plan Commission, and it's "rather embarrassing" they have not been available. Forbes also heads the commission, and Hernandez said she believes he is trying to pass the issue of having no minutes onto her.

An employee who previously handled those minutes is no longer with the town, and the position has not been filled.

Commission member Greg Volk said the minutes for the last seven months have been recorded but not approved.

Town Manager Steve Kil said he hopes the 2018 salary ordinance will better outline the duties of that position and it will be filled and the minutes transcribed.

Luke Britt, Indiana's public access counselor, told The Times the town's failure to release seven months of public meeting minutes is problematic.
In addition to registering for classes, students can complete FYIvy, an online introduction to the college; get financial aid information; meet with an advisor; and sign up for in-person orientation. Those who have not yet completed an assessment (required before meeting with an advisor) can do that as well. To meet the assessment requirement, students should bring SAT/ACT/PSAT scores and high school or college transcripts, or take the Accuplacer if needed.
Cedar Lake is a prime example of how the perceived benefits, or pitfalls, of annexation depend on whether one is the annexer or the annexee.

Many Region communities surrounded by open territory see annexation as an important tool for growth  and controlling the growth of surrounding areas.

Many of those living in areas of potential annexation see it as an unwelcome intrusion that will increase property taxes and bring unwanted development.

Merrillville and Winfield were created by local residents to avoid being annexed by Gary and Merrillville, respectively.

Cedar Lake is locked in a court battle regarding its attempt to annex 2,800 acres along the U.S. 41 corridor from 137th to 173rd streets.

The Cedar Lake Town Council decided last month to appeal the case to the Indiana Supreme Court, after the lower courts blocked annexation on grounds the town failed to show the area was needed and can be used for municipal development in the reasonably near future.

The decision to appeal came only three days before the Nov. 10 deadline to file. It remains to be seen if the Supreme Court will accept the case.

The decision to appeal was not unanimous.

Cedar Lake Council President Randy Niemeyer said he preferred letting the lower court decision stand and move on, but agreed to go along with the majority of the council.

More at stake than growth

Whats being challenged is the fact the lower courts gave no consideration to the legislative authority of the local government, Niemeyer said.

It could be a precedent-setting case that, if we lose, could mean any local ordinance could be challenged and overturned.

He said the home-rule powers of local communities have been slowly eroded by the Legislature during the past 40 years.

We followed the old statute that was in effect, but no deference was given to our legislative authority, he said.

The Legislature was in the process of changing the old statute on annexation when Cedar Lake made its annexation move in January 2014. Niemeyer said the town had discussed the annexation for more than a decade, but the timetable for action was hastened by knowledge of the Legislatures intentions.

The new statute didnt take effect until July 2014, and it made it much more difficult for communities to annex land unless all affected property owners favored it, a so-called super-voluntary annexation.

Before that, annexation could be approved as long as the owners of a majority of the land approved. That meant one person owning a large piece of property could decide the fate of dozens of smaller adjacent parcels.

Because of the growth factors in place, we wanted to be in front of it from a planning standpoint, Niemeyer said of the councils decision to annex the U.S. 41 corridor.

Its never easy to have a big vision. You get a lot of pushback on it, but we want to be responsible stewards of the land. And having a good land-use plan in place is part of that."

The annexation attempt has been opposed by a group of residents calling itself No Cedar Lake Annex. The group gathered signatures on petitions opposing the annexation and sent letters to all the property owners asking for donations of $100 to $150 each to pay the legal fees to fight it. Additional fundraising letters have followed each appeal.

I have friends that Ive known in the area, and I thought the town was overreaching what it was able to provide services to, and it was grasping at straws to get the benefits of the Illiana Expressway, Jim Metro, the groups vice president, said.

When Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner put a stop on the expressway, they had no purpose for needing this.

Metro said 82 percent of the property owners signed petitions against the move on the grounds they would be paying higher taxes and getting no benefits.

Except for how they were going to use the additional taxes for the town, we didnt hear anything about what they would do for us, Metro said.

They dont have money to fill vacancies on the police force, but the money they are wasting on this fight would be more than enough.

Niemeyer said the money for the annexation is coming from the Redevelopment Commission, and that the Police Department is at full staff. He said the services the town would provide to the annexed area is spelled out in the annexation ordinance, and, if we couldnt provide them, the annexation would have been void.

Lowell has eye on I-65

An annexation plan is part of the comprehensive plan of most communities in southern Lake and Porter counties, largely the bastion of municipalities surrounded by rural tracts with room to grow.

Lowell previously had a pre-emptive annexation committee, but it was dissolved three years ago when talk of the Illiana Expressway died down, said LeAnn Angerman, Lowell council president.

That doesnt mean the town has given up on annexation.

We are trying to identify those parcels that would be interested in friendly annexation so we can expand our borders that way  mostly east and west (along Ind. 2)," Angerman said.

"Theres a lot of activity to the east of us (at the intersection of Ind. 2 and Interstate 65), but its not easy to take advantage of it because of the new legislation.

The Cedar Lake annexation would have brought that town almost to Lowells doorstep. That would be an issue for Lowell, which also covets the area. During the Illiana discussions, Lowell drew up a map prioritizing where annexations would be most likely to occur and would be most beneficial. Angerman said the town still has the map, but it is outdated.

Just to grow, to grow, is not necessarily a good thing. But if you prepare for it, plan it out and work with those who want to be annexed, that is the best avenue, she said.

When you start annexation, you have to make sure you can handle it with emergency services and utilities."

Seeking friendly takeovers

Lowell Councilman Chris Salatas said times are changing, and the town's annexation plans must change, too.

We cant do things as in the past," he said.

"We have to have a more friendly approach, which weve taken in Lowell. Weve kept our eye on the I-65 corridor, and we have been moving toward U.S. 41 through voluntary annexations. Were not trying to force anyone to annex. The annexations weve done have followed the plan we adopted.

Lowell has about 10,000 people, and we make pretty good use of the land for residential development. But we have no space for industry to develop in town. We are reaching out to the I-65 area, because we see it as a logistical corridor for trucking companies and others."

Plans in Porter County

Valparaiso and Kouts have annexation plans in their comprehensive plans, and the two communities are slowly growing toward each other. Valparaiso Planning Director Tyler Kent said the citys growth was slowed by the 2008 recession, but is starting to pick up again with a lot of subdivisions coming into the city.

Annexation is a tool for managing growth and development for the city, Kent said.

Its important to be able to annex those areas when development comes in so they can meet the standards for the city codes if we are going to be providing utilities. You have to go through the fiscal plan to make sure it makes sense to annex those properties.

Kouts Engineer Jim Mandon drew up the annexation plan for the town several years ago looking at seven or eight avenues for growth around the town and prioritizing them. The areas closest to the water and sewer plants would be the easiest and were assigned the highest priority, but reality doesnt always follow the best-laid plans.

You try to figure out where development will occur and what type it will be, Mandon said.

That will tell you how much demand the utilities will be under. Several assumptions have to be made, and if they arent correct, you have to change the plan. There hasnt been a lot of development since the plan was adopted.

We anticipated industrial development along Ind. 8 that hasnt come, and some residential to the northeast that hasnt happened yet, he said.

Hebron has its own approach to annexation, Clerk-Treasurer Alan Kirkpatrick said.

We know where we want to go, and we just persistently ask, Kirkpatrick said.

It would take a lot of effort to start an annexation, because there is so much sentiment to keep things rural. It was hard enough to build a new high school. They had to buy farmland to do that.

Five St. John annexations in 2017

St. John undertook five annexations this year, all of them super-voluntary, and Town Manager Steve Kil said the towns comprehensive plan identifies future areas for annexation that coincide with expansion plans for the utilities.

We dont do any hostile annexations, Kil said.

As for prioritizing where the town wants to grow, he said, Its impossible for us to know what properties will sell and when they will develop.

Valparaiso lawyer David Hollenbeck, who has represented several Region municipal governments for many years, said, The ability to annex is critical to the overall well-being of a community as far as growth and being able to control zoning. As a lawyer who has represented communities for a career, Ive seen the value of annexation as a tool, and it needs to be available.

"But the Legislature has created hoops that need to be jumped through.
Six people recently received the Valparaiso Citizen Community Service Award.

On Oct. 7 a man entered the Aldi store on Laporte Avenue in Valparaiso and attempted to rob the store. The man approached a cashier and demanded cash.

A short time later, six customers physically restrained the man until police arrived. Those six customers were recognized in a ceremony at the Valparaiso Police Department for their actions, according to a press release from the department.

Those individuals, Harry Prassas, Kais Yehyawi, Richard Orelup, Terry Jordan, Chuck Collins and Russell Capellari, all received a Valparaiso Citizen Community Service Award.

Chief of Police Jeff Balon presented the awards.

"Due to the courageous actions taken by these six citizens, Aldi incurred no monetary loss, no one was injured and a violent felon was arrested," he said. "Their actions are an excellent example of the public and police working together to keep our community safe."
Porter Regional Hospital will offer the following support groups in December:

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

VALPARAISO  This free monthly support group is open to anyone and their loved ones living with any type of heart disease  from high blood pressure to heart failure. Led by a fellow heart disease survivor, the group offers monthly peer-to-peer encouragement and education, and serves to inspire hope and promote healthier living. The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Valparaiso Medical Center Cardiac Rehabilitation (Entrance A), 2000 Roosevelt St. Call 219-983-8533.

Our Carriage Infant Loss Support Group

Pregnancy and infant loss is an isolating, devastating experience. This support group is one of the few places where moms and grieving parents can speak the truth about the depth of their emotions and experiences, and also celebrate new milestones and breakthroughs during the grieving process. The group meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 21, at Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso. Call 219-309-6116.

Beyond the Baby Blues Support Group

Porter Regional Hospital has teamed with local organization Beyond the Baby Blues to offer mothers faced with post-partum depression, anxiety or another perinatal mood disorders with peer support, encouragement and understanding. The group meets from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27 in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. U.S. 6. Call 219-331-1945.

Stroke Survivor Support Group

Porter Regional Hospital offers a support group for stroke survivors, their caregivers, family members and loved ones. The monthly gathering offers an environment to share experiences and struggles, as well as connect with other survivors and local resources. The next meeting will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21, in Room 2100 at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. U.S. 6. Call 219-983-8355.

Womens Cancer Support Group  Hope & Healing

Porter Regional Hospital offers Hope & Healing, a support group for women coping with cancer, whether newly diagnosed or a long-term survivor. The group offers emotional support, information, education and guest speakers. It also provides the opportunity for individuals to share their unique concerns and feelings brought on by cancer. The Hope & Healing Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Call 219-983-6128.

Lung Cancer Support Group

Porter Regional Hospital offers a support group for those affected by lung cancer to provide a safe and open environment to share your experiences and struggles, and connect you with local and national resources to aid during your time of need. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month and is open to anyone affected by lung cancer, including survivors, family members, friends and caregivers. The next meeting will be from 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 6, at Pines Village, 3303 Pines Village Circle, Valparaiso. Registration is not necessary. For more information, contact Peggy Banks at 219-983-6128.

Ostomy Support Group

This group helps patients with ostomies learn from others, share concerns and talk with one of the hospitals certified wound ostomy and continence nurses. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 28, in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 East US Highway 6 in Valparaiso. For more information, contact Sarah Grcich at 219-309-5939 or Michele Kaplan-Jones at 219-406-0019.
That big platter of perfectly cooked meatslabs of juicy prime rib, the clove-studded ham, a browned and succulent turkeybrings home the warmth and comfort of a festive meal. For lots of hosts and guests, the star of a holiday meal is the meat.

Remember the pictures of Mom easily bearing the platter with turkey to the table? That may not be as easy these days. A trend has emerged in the past few years, says Tony Slaygon, manager of the meat department at Strack & Van Til in Hobart. Many more people are choosing really large turkeys, 25 pounds. That size turkey wasnt common, but big turkeys are definitely more popular now.

Tobie Martin, one of two managers at Robs Meat Chop & Deli in Dyer, sees another trend. It used to be that people wanted a whole roast with more of a fat cap on it. But now people are trying to eat healthier, so they want leaner meats.

Steve Kalsow at I Street Meats in La Porte, says its No. 1 order for a holiday meal is prime rib, boneless or with bone. We can also season it, and our customers can order any size. Other choices do run the whole gamut, though, including turkeys, ducks, steaks, oysters, shrimp and lamb chops.

Slaygon says at Strack & Van Til ham edges out turkey for Christmas dinner, though hosts are also selecting duck and leg of lamb. Martin says prime rib roasts and rump roasts are popular, along with marinated duck breasts.

And the more unusual? A very few people have asked for a turducken, says Martin: a chicken in a duck in a turkey.

Kalsow says hes prepared them, But its about a three-hour job to bone them all and put stuffing between each one. Martin agrees, adding that with labor and costs, Who wants to pay almost a hundred dollars for it? Kalsow says, I can do just about anything with a piece of meat, but I was asked for a gluten-free turkey, and I couldnt fill that. Still, observes Slaygon, Its not like 20 years ago; now you can get just about anything you want.

Kalsow, who started learning how to cut meats when he was 15, says butcher shops are getting hard to find, Because people are in a hurry and some dont want to go to a separate store for meats. But here you can get more customized service. Everythings cut fresh right in front of you and people like that. And they can get the amount they want. The store does have an array of meats that have been cut and packaged there for customers in hurry.

Also, we know most everyone who comes in here, and people like that. Martin says of the customer service advantage of a smaller store. We want it to be a warm, pleasant, approachable place, not just a business. We ask how their day is going, how the kids are. We like knowing our customers.

At Strack & Van Til, Slaygon says he wants to make every customer happy, and around the holidays you especially want that. People are stressed with everything they have to do then, and I understand that. 

How does a host calculate how much meat is needed for the number of guests expected at the table? Slaygon recommends a half pound for boneless roasts and three-fourths of a pound for bone-in, because the bone means less meat. The host can reduce that amount if other proteins are on the menu, though.

Martin figures generally a half pound per person, But I recommend one or two pounds over that for shrinkage in cooking and because someone always wants seconds.

Kalsow recommends about a pound per person because at the holidays people like to have some left over. If the guest list includes kids, figure less for them. And knowing your guests preferences can help. Some men will eat a whole slab of baby back ribs.

All advise ordering meat in advance. The sooner the better. Weve never run out, but it could happen, especially with prime rib, says Kalsow. Hes accepting orders now, and we dont want people to wait while we get a cut of meat ready.

Slaygon says if its something the store doesnt carry, call a couple of days ahead. Legs of lamb are definitely a order item, because the store gets just a certain amount of them at a time.

Each meat cutter says hes dedicated to providing the best service and meats. At Robs Meat, Chop & Deli thats been owner Rob Newenhouses business for nearly 30 years, Martin says hes constantly making sure the quality is there. I want (our customers) to be happy. But keeping everyone happy is easy if you know what youre doing.

So's knowing how to cook the meat is crucial. Slagon cautions, Dont overcook the meat. It can happen with a ham, especially a fully cooked one; cooking too long will dry it out.

I Street Meats provides a tip sheet for roasting prime rib. Kalsow advises using a thermometer, because the meat will continue cooking a little after its removed from the heatand that can make the difference between perfection and overcooked. Martin says, Cook it low and slow.

Besides, he says, There are cooking instructions on just about everything now, so follow those.
WASHINGTON  He had to do it, didnt he? Just when optimists were saying, well, its been a few weeks since the last one, maybe hes learned his lesson.

What lesson?

Kim Jong-un sails on, oblivious to the fuming and fussing in capitals from Beijing to Washington. He thinks the solution is to fire those long-range missiles, the higher and farther the better, sending world leaders scurrying for cover.

Now that Kim has shown he can fire an ICBM anytime he pleases, again and yet again, we can be sure hell order a seventh nuclear test. Never mind if it blows up a mountain, covers a few peasants with rocks and sends tremors up and down the Korean Peninsula.

But how long will this story go on? No, a peace treaty will solve nothing. Hell keep testing anyway. No, Chinese pressure only annoys the North Koreans.

What are the odds that President Donald Trump will snap his fingers and tell Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, OK, lets go ahead with The Plan? The Plan would be one of those detailed schemes they draft in the Pentagon for doing just about anything they please. We may be sure the people at the Pentagon have one ready to go.

Actually, from the vantage of Trump and Mattis and their retinues, Kim Jong-un did them a favor.

Officially, Washington, as the weeks drifted by, had pretty well forgotten Korea. Thats hard for Koreans to believe. I dont blame them for never quite getting over the depth of non-concern among Americans about their country. Wrong, sad, but true.

By firing a missile for the first time in more than two months, Kim Jong-un had everyone rubbing their eyes and remembering, oh yes, this guy is serious.

If he is going to order U.S. forces in Asia to wake up and fight tonight," he needs a missile test to remind everyone that Korea is still there.

The test was a break for Trump, too. It got him away from having to waste time talking recalcitrant senators into supporting a new tax bill that everyone hates. Everyone.

No one, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, sees any reason for a reform bill thats going to ease the burden on all those poor billionaires and hundred-millionaires and impoverished mere millionaires while raising taxes on the rest of us.

For weeks weve been reading opinion articles and listening to statements and debates in which Trumps people explain, again and again, how everybody will benefit from tax reform. Republican senators pretend, for the most part, to go along but really nobody believes a word of it. Then along comes Kim Jong-un ordering another missile test, and everyone looks up suddenly  attention restored.

But wait a second. Who would believe, outside the United States, that taxes were not exactly Topic A in the American consciousness. Nope. They definitely ranked second, on the networks, in the headlines, to the ultimate question: Who was groping whom?

Thats right. While multi-millions starve, and millions more get killed or wounded or lose their homes in war, Americans were obsessing over a very different matter. Day after day came the revelation that so-and-so had done something terribly bad to somebody and had to be fired, or voted out of office or forced to resign.

Nobody in high places was immune. Republicans, Democrats, liberal and conservative icons, movie stars and directors, editors and commentators  people fitting all these categories were accused and forced to apologize. Many lost their jobs, reputations and careers.

For readers and viewers, tales of the fall from grace of the high and mighty were rich.

One reporter, on the air, let it be known that so-and-so had gotten handsy with so-and-so. An interesting choice of adjective, handsy. The stuff of fantasy.

Then along came another North Korean missile test. Definitely, an interruption in the news cycle. A change of pace, a distraction. Most such stories go away in 24 to 48 hours. Lets hope this one is no different.
President Donald Trump's approval rating is 38 percent. His reputation abroad is dismal.

We are the only nation not signing the Paris Climate Agreement. He talks the talk about coal jobs, but the industry is still in a downward spiral.

Our health is less protected because of environmental decisions he's made. If the tax laws are changed, the middle/lower classes will eventually suffer.

He's appointed inexperienced people to top administrative jobs, some of whom want to destroy the department they head  the Consumer Financial Protection Service and the Environmental Protection Agency come to mind.

He's increased the swamp in Washington. Space constraints prohibit me from listing other damaging actions our president has taken.

Foreigners are incredulous that we elected such a person as president. The moth hasn't turned into a butterfly.

Dorrie Steele, Crown Point
Nigel Farage DEFENDS Donald Trump over his Britain First re-tweets as he accuses the 'liberal elite' of over-reacting

Farage said the reaction to Trump's tweets had been 'out of all proportion'





Theresa May launched a rare direct on the President over his 'wrong' decisionThe episode prompted calls for Trump to be arrested if he ever visits Britain

By Tim Sculthorpe, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline 3 December 2017 Nigel Farage today defended Donald Trump 's decision to re-tweet Britain First insisting the 'liberal elite' had over-reacted.The ex-Ukip leader used an appearance on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show to claim the reaction has been 'out of all proportion' to the offence.The President's decision to re-tweet three messages from the far right Britain First group has been widely condemned.Prime Minister Theresa May launched a rare direct attack on Mr Trump, branding him 'wrong' for his tweets - prompting a bizarre cross-Atlantic spat.Other critics even claimed Mr Trump should be arrested when he next visits Britain.Mr Farage said today: 'Do I think those tweets were in good taste? Not particularly, no.'But the point is that the level of outrage from the liberal elite in this country is out of all proportion with what happened here.'He added: 'Was the story about ISIS throwing people off buildings fake news? No. It wasn't. It was true.'Farage also repeated his claim to have 'done more than anybody in this country to stop the rise of the far-right in Britain,' by giving BNP voters someone else to vote for.And he endorsed the President's controversial claim that there were 'extremists' on 'both sides' of a protest in Charlottesville.The event saw far-right groups marching with torches yelling 'Jews will not replace us' and a counter protester was mown down and killed when a car was driven into pedestrians.On the same show, ex-Labour aide Ayesha Hazarika told Mr Farage: 'Just remember as Jo Cox lay dying, the scumbag who executed her shouted out the words 'Britain First.'She added: 'Donald Trump is a racist, he's misogynistic and he's Islamophobic. He peddles in stirring up hate and division. That might be something you agree with, but that is not what British values are in this country.'Farage interrupted, repeatedly saying: 'You're out of touch, you're out of touch.'
Warren Buffett met another celebrity when Katy Perry came to town last week for a concert  or was it the other way around?

Her Instagram account showed the two chatting in Buffetts office and noted that they talked about cryptocurrency.

Surely the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and the pop star talked about other things, too, but so far we have only this Buffett comment, relayed by his office: She was very smart and very nice.

Our musicologist, Kevin Coffey, reports that at the concert, Perry told the Omaha crowd that she had had lunch with your governor, Warren Buffett.

Were not sure what Buffetts advice was on cryptocurrency, but in the past he has said bitcoin, the most common type, is not a reliable medium of exchange because its not backed up by any national financial system.

In fact, he said, Its going to implode.

Besides, when musicians start thinking about investing in bitcoin, that might not be a good sign.

Jane Pauley interview

If youre reading this in time Sunday morning, you can tune in to CBS Sunday Morning on KMTV to see Jane Pauleys tour of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and conversation with Warren Buffett and Pamela Buffett, who baby-sat Warrens children 60-some years ago.

If youre sleeping in or heading for church, itll be posted on CBSs website.

CBS taped the interview and tour last month. Pamela Buffett was a lead donor for the $370 million cancer center and adjacent outpatient center, in honor of her late husband.

Fritz Buffett, Warrens cousin and an early Berkshire investor, took part in experimental cancer treatment trials in Chicago before he died of kidney cancer 20 years ago.

The program airs at 8 a.m.

Fort Scott ties

Theyre not from Harvard, Yale or Stanford, but students from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas were in Omaha last week as part of the latest group of business students to meet Buffett, thanks in part to their towns auto insurance connection with Berkshire.

Rick Mayhew of Fenton, Missouri, a member of the Berkshire fan club known as the Yellow Brk-ers, cited an account in Andy Kilpatricks Of Permanent Value book of the Buffett-Fort Scott connection. (Fort Scott students also made an Omaha trip in 2006.)

Insurance agent Oscar Rice started Western Insurance Cos. in 1910 in Fort Scott. Ray Duboc was CEO when Buffett invested in the business in the 1950s. Buffett later sold that investment and used the money to invest in Geico, now a big moneymaker for Berkshire.

Western, in a major way, contributed to the financial success I had, Buffett once said. I owe a lot to Ray Duboc, the Western and Fort Scott, Kansas.

Simplicity is key

The essence of investing is simplicity, which for most people means a low-cost index fund, former Berkshire investment manager Lou Simpson told Northwestern University finance professor Robert Korajczyk recently. The interview was posted by the Kellogg School of Management.

Simplicity also is a guideline for professionals who manage investments and for people who hire professionals to add value to their investments, Simpson said.

The more you trade, the harder it is to add value because youre absorbing a lot of transaction costs, not to mention taxes, he said. The more decisions you make, the higher the chances are that you will make a poor decision.

Simpson was managing $4 billion in investments for Berkshires Geico auto insurance company when he left in 2010, on good terms with Buffett, to manage his own money. Today he is chairman of SQ Advisors, a senior fellow and adjunct professor at Kellogg, a member of its asset advisory council and a Northwestern trustee.

He said SQ Advisors owns 10 to 15 stocks and buys and sells one or two per year. Basically, theyre good businesses. They have a high return on capital, consistently good returns, and theyre run by leaders who want to create long-term value for shareholders while also treating their stakeholders right.

Its also a bad idea to have lots of people picking stocks, Simpson said. If you have a lot of people involved, you tend to have the least competent person making the decision, because you need consensus.

The Omaha World-Herald is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
LINCOLN  The man now in line to be the first Nebraska death row inmate executed by lethal injection says he will fight the states efforts to put him to death.

Jose Sandoval said in letters mailed to The World-Herald that defense lawyers sought me out shortly after prison officials formally notified Sandoval on Nov. 9 that they had obtained four lethal injection drugs to carry out his execution. After a 60-day notice period, the Attorney Generals Office can ask the Nebraska Supreme Court to issue a death warrant for Sandoval.

Because the ringleader of a 2002 bank robbery attempt that left five people dead has no appeals or other legal actions pending in state or federal courts, it had not been clear whether he intends to resist his death sentence. But his letters indicate that he does.

Everything happens for a reason, he wrote when asked to explain his motive to challenge Nebraskas plans to use an untried four-drug combination to carry out the states first execution in 20 years.

Sandoval said an attorney for the ACLU will represent him in some manner. But he did not identify any other lawyers, including the small number of defense attorneys in Nebraska who have experience litigating death penalty cases.

That seems to hint that out-of-state federal public defenders with expertise in death penalty issues could petition the courts to represent Sandoval.

Such an arrangement would not be a first in Nebraska or other states when it comes to capital cases. Recently a federal judge appointed the Federal Public Defenders Office in Arkansas to assist with a habeas corpus filing by Nebraska death row inmate Jeffrey Hessler. Marco Torres Jr., also on death row, has been assigned staff with Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee.

Such out-of-state lawyers would potentially be able to represent Sandoval in federal court, and they could also ask to represent or advise him in state court. But they would have to petition a federal judge to allow their appointments.

James Smith, the top civil lawyer for the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, recently filed paperwork in Madison County District Court to represent the state against Sandoval. But a similar filing has not yet been made on behalf of Sandoval, according to court records.

David Stickman, the federal public defender for U.S. District Court in Nebraska, did not return a phone message last week seeking comment for this story. Norfolk defense lawyer Ronald Temple, who represented Sandoval in his direct appeal, also has not returned repeated messages.

Danielle Conrad, director of ACLU of Nebraska, said Saturday: I can confirm ACLU of Nebraskas legal director, Amy Miller, has been in contact with Jose Sandoval. We are preparing to announce the scope of our representation of Mr. Sandoval early next week.

Sandoval was sentenced to death for the 2002 murders of five people in the U.S. Bank branch in Norfolk. He and two accomplices  also on death row  gunned down bank employees Samuel Sun, Jo Mausbach, Lola Elwood and Lisa Bryant and customer Evonne Tuttle. Sandoval later pleaded guilty to the deaths of Travis Lundell and Robert Pearson in the months before the bank slayings.

His convictions were upheld by the Nebraska Supreme Court, and in 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his petition for review.

Since then, Sandoval has not taken the common path followed by most death row inmates and filed a writ for habeas corpus to challenge his sentence in federal court. Nor has he filed any new motions for post-conviction relief in state court.

The federal court system sets a one-year deadline on filing habeas challenges. In his letter, Sandoval said he knows he allowed the deadline to pass.

He said he was not surprised that state officials decided to select him from among the 11 men on death row. He said he had been expecting it in the year since a majority of voters reversed the 2015 repeal of the death penalty by the Nebraska Legislature.

When asked to describe his response to the states execution plans, Sandoval said, Dont have a plan, dont need a plan. Everything happens for a reason. Besides, I got the greatest attorney in the world.

To a follow-up question asking whether he fears the possibility of being executed, he replied, Im not worried or fearful. The only people who are, are those who have no hope. Those who have no faith and dont believe in nothing.
The Wayne State College Presidents Holiday Gala will take place at 2 p.m. next Sunday in Ramsey Theatre.

Holiday music will be included in the event, which is free and open to the public.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The college recommends arriving early because the gala is well-attended.

For more information, call the Wayne State music department at 402-375-7359.

The concert features 11 Wayne State ensembles, faculty and student soloists and audience singalongs. The performance will last 60 minutes.

A dessert reception, sponsored by Wayne State President Marysz Rames, will follow in the Frey Conference Suite in Kanter Student Center. A shuttle to Lot 10 will eliminate parking worries.

UNO Holocaust expert to attend D.C. summit

A Holocaust expert at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will attend a summit on how to engage students in the topic.

Mark Celinscak, professor of Holocaust and genocide studies, will participate in panels at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The summit will go from Thursday through Saturday.

Celinscak wrote a book, Distance From the Belsen Heap, on Canadian soldiers role in liberating Bergen-Belsen, a Nazi concentration camp.

Other topics at the summit include challenges to teaching concepts of human rights, access to funding, engaging local communities and sharing missions with other academic departments.

Dean named for UNL College of Business

Kathy Farrell has been named dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business.

Farrell has been interim director for nearly a year.

She has been a faculty member in the College of Business for 24 years. She became the colleges associate dean in 2010.

Compostable containers to be used in cafes

The food service company at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine is converting to compostable to-go containers.

Compostable products are more biodegradable and environmentally friendly than plastic foam, which is cheap but takes many years to decompose.

The food provider, Sodexo, will use up plastic foam containers and phase in compostable containers. They will be used at the UNMC or Nebraska Medicine cafes in Bellevue, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and other dining rooms.
Good news for the military. When you're away from Canada, sometimes for years, they still collected income tax from you. The Ontario rate was levied. This change was long overdue.David Pugliese, Ottawa CitizenChief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance has outlined changes that have been brought in for income tax and the Canadian Forces. What this means in practical terms, he pointed out, is that soon military personnel will no longer have to pay income tax while deployed on named international operations.Here are more details from the message Vance sent to military personnel:Heres how it will work: CAF members who deployed outside of Canada on a named international operational mission since 1 January 2017 are eligible for income tax relief. This means they will be refunded the income tax they paid during the period of their deployment via their 2017 income tax submission to CRA. For those deploying after 1 January 2018, the military pay system will automatically calculate the income tax to be withheld (if any).Importantly, this new measure de-links tax relief from risk levels, and raises the eligible deduction from income up to and including the maximum pay incentive level of Lieutenant Colonel (General Specification Officers  GSO). For those on missions in 2017 already eligible for tax relief, this change in pay incentive levels will also be captured through your 2017 tax return.Commander MILPERSCOM will soon be issuing a CANFORGEN to provide further technical details, and in the coming days, your respective chains of command will communicate more information on how these tax relief measures apply specifically to you.The rest here:
Omahas mall mass shooting had one thing in common with the most deadly in the nations history: the killers gun was equipped with a high-capacity magazine, enabling him to fire off dozens of shots without needing to reload.

In fact, in 14 of the nations 18 deadliest shootings, the gunmen were armed with magazines holding 15 rounds or more, according to a World-Herald analysis of mass shooting data.

During Omahas December 2007 mass shooting  with eight fatalities, it now stands as the 26th-most-deadly in American history  the gunman had a high-powered rifle with two 30-round magazines taped together. That allowed him to fire off 40 shots in just 2 or 3 minutes before turning the gun on himself.

In the wake of the October mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip that left 59 dead and scores wounded, Democrats in Congress announced plans for a bill to ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The Vegas shooter was armed with multiple 100-round magazines.

High-capacity magazines have no practical purpose for hunting or self-defense, they increase the threat for potential victims trying to find safety, and they make it more challenging for law enforcement to confront an active shooter, said U.S. Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada.

However, the Republican-controlled Congress has shown no appetite for gun control laws.

The National Rifle Association has fought such magazine bans and recently tried, unsuccessfully, to overturn a Maryland ban in court. We will continue fighting to ensure that the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding Americans are respected, the NRA said.

A Gallup Poll last month for the first time since 2000 found a majority of Americans in favor of passing new gun laws. Large capacity magazines were previously barred as part of a 1994 federal ban on assault weapons, a law Congress declined to renew a decade later.

Eight states and Washington, D.C., have moved on their own to limit magazine size.

That includes neighboring Colorado, which has been the scene of two of the nations worst mass shootings: Columbine High School in 1999 and an Aurora movie theater in 2012. Colorados 2013 law barred the sale, transfer or possession of magazines of more than 15 rounds, grandfathering in previous owners.
Greg ONeil had long dreamed of becoming a police officer. And when he and Angella Schuster decided to get married, his dream became her dream.

After ONeil applied to be an Omaha police officer in 2007, his fiancee was always his biggest booster, even when his own confidence at times flagged during the arduous weeding-out process.

I knew you could do it, Angie told him after he beat the clock to pass the physical agility test  no small feat for the past-his-peak 33-year-old.

Then came Dec. 5. ONeil was shocked to hear the reports of a shooting at Von Maur, the department store where Schuster worked, where they had met.

He left desperate messages on her cellphone. Angie, call me.

He stood out in the cold for hours.

Then, after hours of anguished uncertainty, an Omaha detective confirmed ONeils nightmare: His beautiful Angie was dead.

Dazed, ONeil walked from the room to a nearby window, one that looked right out on Von Maur. He stared at the stores distinctive golden globe lights as his life with Angie  and future without her  flashed before his eyes.

* * *

We thought it could never happen here. But 10 years ago this Tuesday, a troubled 19-year-old walked into one of Omahas most elegant stores, at the most joyous time of year, and unleashed unimaginable horror.

Eight innocent victims died in just two minutes before the gunman turned the assault rifle on himself. The national media called it the Omaha Mall Massacre. The city joined the long list of places victimized in recent years by mass shootings. Columbine, San Ysidro, Killeen, Virginia Tech, and, suddenly, Omaha.

Ten years later, such shooting sprees continue with numbing regularity. Omahas mass shooting at the time was the 12th deadliest in U.S. history. Its not even among the 25 worst now. Each lethal recurrence becomes a painful reminder of the day that Von Maur employees called 12/5.

Still, Omaha from the start embraced those who were lost and who grieved, rejected the ugliness and moved forward into a hopeful future.

Indeed, for Greg ONeil, the passage of a decade would reveal many truths.

That life does go on. Dreams live on. And even in the face of devastating heartbreak, love endures.

* * *

They first met amid the low-slung aisles of Von Maur.

In 2001, ONeil was working in the loss prevention department, manning security cameras scoping for shoplifters. Schuster managed the girls clothing department.

For a long time they were just colleagues and friends. ONeil was married with a young child. But months after his marriage ended in divorce, his relationship with Angie changed.

In July 2006 they had their first official date. Friendship turned to romance.

ONeil couldnt believe how lucky he was to have Angie in his life. The Dubuque, Iowa, native was classy. Elegant. Beautiful. Friendly. Smart. Dedicated. And she was so great with his preschool daughter, Meghan.

They loved to go to dinner or just hang out at the house. Theyd watch movies or play games with Meghan. They traveled together and spent holidays with their extended families.

By the time the two started dating, ONeil had moved on from Von Maur to a job as a fraud investigator at First National Bank of Omaha. Schuster would often drive downtown over lunch and the couple would share what Angie called car picnics in the park overlooking the Missouri River.

We did it all with ease, ONeil said. We were so comfortable with each other.

They also made life plans together. In 2006 ONeil and Schuster attended the ceremony where a friend received his badge as a new Omaha police officer, and that got them talking.

ONeil always had an interest in law enforcement, one of the reasons he worked in security and fraud. Schuster persuaded him to apply to the Omaha department in July of 2007.

The process was a little daunting. Typically there would be well over a thousand applicants for just 50 to 100 jobs.

But Schuster encouraged ONeil as he trained for that agility test. She reminded him to get a good nights sleep before the written exam. She was so sure he could do it.

She was always positive, always positive, hed recall.  Dont worry. Youve got this. 

By the fall of 2007, ONeil had made it through both tests with scores that put him in the running for the departments next 50-person class. He and the remaining candidates were now undergoing deep background checks.

As he awaited the next step in that process, ONeil and Schuster decided to take another big step together.

By then it was a foregone conclusion they were getting married once ONeils previous marriage was annulled. So in October 2007, Schuster sold her house and moved in with ONeil. He planned to soon make the engagement official, and talked to his dad about shopping for a ring.

She knew it was coming at Christmas, ONeil said. She knew.

* * *

With less than three weeks until Christmas, the holiday shopping crush was on at Von Maur. Schuster found a few minutes over her lunch break that Wednesday to give ONeil a call.

She was just checking in  the last time they would ever speak.

ONeil had a dentists appointment early that afternoon. He was in the chair, the hygienist halfway through cleaning his teeth, when someone mentioned that theyd heard about a shooting at the Westroads Mall.

In the office, they turned on the news and soon heard that the shooting had been inside Von Maur.

Im out of here, ONeil said as he headed for the door.

He tried to stay calm during the 10-minute drive, convincing himself that it was a gang shooting or some kind of domestic dispute.

He arrived to find a crush of police cars and Von Maur employees still straggling out of the store.

He ran up to any employees he knew. Have you seen Angie? Nobody knew anything. Some were so shell-shocked, they couldnt speak at all.

As ONeil stood beyond the yellow police tape in the 20-degree cold, each minute that crawled by without a word from Angie raised his sense of dread.

I called it and called it and called it and called it, he said of her phone.

The families of those unaccounted for finally ended up at a hotel across the street from the mall, where Omaha police had set up a command post. By then, ONeil was aware that there were many dead inside the store. In his gut, he knew.

He barely remembers the meeting with the detectives who told him and Schusters sister that Angies body had been identified.

Im sure a lot of people I know now were in the room, hed say later. The only thing hed remember was how surreal it seemed.

The hardest part came later that night. How could he explain to 6-year-old Meghan that the woman who kissed her goodbye that morning would never come back?

ONeil felt even more numb the next day, when Omahas police chief in a televised press conference gave the names of all the dead and wounded. ONeil knew nearly all of them.

Gary Joy would do anything for you. Janet Jorgensen used to help him pick out gifts for his parents. Dianne Trent always had a smile on her face. Fred Wilson was such a gentleman. Micky Oldham was his work mom. Angie had spoken so highly of Maggie Webb, the store manager who died near Angie that day.

Outside, a clean, thin layer of fresh snow had fallen overnight. Without even thinking, ONeil grabbed a shovel and went out the door. It was the start of the coldest, most bitter December of his life.

* * *

In the weeks following Angies death, Meghan started picking up feathers wherever she found them  at school, on the street.

Angie leaves them for me, she told her father. Theyre from her angel wings.

It was hard for ONeil to share Meghans childlike certainty that Angie was now in heaven watching over them. He started noticing feathers, too, but knew they probably had always been there. Hed just never noticed them before.

Each day, his only goal was to push through to the next one.

In the morning, hed stare at Angies picture on the dresser, all her clothes still hanging in the closet nearby.

It took him three weeks to throw out the coffee grounds, hoping Angie would breeze into the kitchen to perk a fresh pot.

Hed bury his nose in her coat as he entered the house, and trip over her shoes by the front door.

During his 16-mile daily commute  time he used to spend on the cellphone with Angie  hed talk out loud to her.

He couldnt wait that year to take down the Christmas tree. The holidays were that hard.

The community, even total strangers, showered him with support. Talking about Angie was healing. He started seeing a counselor.

Im sorry you lost your fiancee, she said.

You have no idea, he thought. He told her about all the people he knew at Von Maur whose lives had been stolen.

ONeil tried to balance his grief with maintaining a strong front for Meghan. Her needs were the main reason he could even pull himself out of bed in the morning.

During those first months, ONeil had a recurring dream. He was walking in Von Maur, knowing intimately every aisle, backroom and corridor. He came upon the gunman and tackled him to the floor. Angie was safe.

Then hed wake to the reality that she was still gone.

A life with Angie would now and forever be just a dream. But one dream they shared remained alive.

* * *

Weeks after Angies murder, ONeil learned hed passed his Omaha police background check.

The department now wanted to schedule him for an interview, the next step in the process.

The interviewer gave ONeil a choice of dates, including Feb. 14.

He chose that day. He had to. Because Valentines Day was also Angies birthday.

ONeil wondered if it was more than a coincidence.

Was this a feather from Angie?

What are you doing here? one of the interviewers asked ONeil after learning of the days personal significance.

Because this is what she wanted me to do, he replied.

He felt Angies strength. She was still his rock.

I knew more than ever it was what I needed and wanted to do, he said. I was able to collect myself.

Weeks later, ONeil went through another interview  with Omahas chief of police. It was one of the final hurdles to becoming an officer.

A letter soon arrived making his hiring official. But ONeil refused to believe it was happening until June 30, 2008. That was the first day he sat down with 49 other new recruits in the Omaha police training academy.

Life in the academy was also no piece of cake. The hardest day: When all the recruits watched a presentation featuring the lessons learned in the Von Maur shooting.

Fellow recruits told ONeil he should ask out of it. A sergeant checked to make sure he was OK. ONeil insisted on getting all his training, including in active shooter response.

As with all the challenges in the academy, his memories of Angie helped him persevere to the end.

She was there, he said later. She got me through it.

Weeks later, a bittersweet ceremony was held, falling just two weeks before the one-year anniversary of Von Maur. Schusters sister and brother-in-law looked on as Meghan proudly pinned an Omaha police badge on her fathers chest.

* * *

Officer ONeil loves the challenge of working the street. Getting out and meeting the people. Helping them through their worst days, whether they got in a car wreck, their kid got busted or someone burglarized their home.

People dont call us to celebrate things, he said.

One of the toughest duties has been informing a person that a loved one has died or suffered some kind of tragedy.

In those moments, ONeil falls back on his own traumatic experience. You dont want to be a stone, he says. Its OK to show some emotion, some empathy, to ask if they need help.

They need to know you understand and you care, he said. Even at the worst of times, ONeil truly does.

Hes also responded to fatal shootings, incidents that obviously are more poignant for him than most officers. Another tough day came two years ago, when fellow officer Kerrie Orozco was fatally shot in the line of duty. ONeil served on the police honor guard at her funeral.

Like everyone else, ONeil is dismayed by all the mass shootings around the country, growing in both frequency and deadliness. He happened to be in Colorado during the 2012 mass shooting at the Aurora movie theater. Seeing the images on TV, the police lights flashing at night, brought ONeil right back to Dec. 5, 2007.

When that awful day does come to mind, ONeil tries not to dwell on it.

He says hes wiped the name of Angies killer from his brain.

There have been occasions when his police work has brought him back to Von Maur, like the times hes stopped in to pick up a shoplifter.

One thing he still wont do, he said, is go up to Von Maurs third floor. The only time he did he quickly retreated down the escalator. Its too painful to think about where Angie died.

Its a little surprising, but to ONeil, Von Maur is not a dark and somber place. Its a great place  where he remembers meeting Angie, and where he still has many friends.

See all this, he said one day recently, pointing to his tasteful striped shirt and matching tie. Susan Eddins in Von Maur sportswear. I buy everything from her.

There was a reason ONeil was dressed that day in shirt and tie rather than the standard police blues. ONeil earlier this year took a new assignment in the Omaha police public information office, helping keep the media and public informed about public safety matters.

There were several reasons he made the move, including getting better hours for his family. That relates to the other big change in his life over the past decade: Beth.

* * * * *

About a year after Angie was killed, a friend wanted ONeil to meet a woman who worked for another metro-area law enforcement agency. ONeil told him he wasnt ready.

Soon after, the friend invited ONeil to a party. When ONeil got to the party, he and Beth were the only guests.

They didnt start dating right away. But it soon became clear to ONeil hed met another diamond.

As a police veteran, Beth understood what the rookie officer was going through in his new work. He could confide in her.

And she totally understood what Angie meant to ONeil and Meghan, how important and impactful she was. Beth embraced the enduring love they felt for her.

We still have a picture of Angie on the refrigerator, ONeil said. (Beth) never swept those memories off to the side or into a box. She has been the total opposite of that.

ONeil and Beth married in 2011. In, 2015, a son, Aidan, joined their family.

Ten years after Von Maur, ONeil can hardly believe how happy his life has become. But then again, hes also not surprised.

Im pretty sure Angie sent her my way, he said.

Hes convinced Beth was another feather from Angie.
CHADRON, Neb.  If youre looking for a temporary adventure that could lead to a promising future, Scott Bovey may be looking for you.

Bovey is the new fire management officer for the U.S. Forest Service Office in Chadron, and hes looking to fill hundreds of firefighting jobs.

The Forest Service hopes to hire more than 900 temporary workers across Forest Service lands in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming, not all of them in firefighting.

Bovey is in charge of the first of two application phases, which will run Dec. 15-21 and will focus on wildland firefighting jobs. An applicant must be at least 18 and have a drivers license and a high school or GED diploma and be a U.S. citizen. The jobs are temporary but pay well, Bovey said.

Its not just the hourly rate, he said. There are some unique benefits: overtime, travel, you get to see the country. In my tenure, Ive fought fires across the United States.

During fire season, workers will go where theyre needed. On a big fire, they might work 16-hour days for 14 days at a time, with their expenses paid. With overtime, a firefighter could make $30,000 to $35,000 in a season, he said.

Boveys been fighting fires for nearly three decades. He spent a couple of seasons as supervisor of a hotshot crew, the most highly trained teams of inter-agency wildland firefighters, who might rappel from helicopters or even parachute into a fire site.

At some point in my life it became a career, he said. You become a family and a crew. One of the reasons I do fire management is because of the people you work with.

Bovey came to Chadron from Pueblo, Colorado. Hes also been stationed in Utah, California, Minnesota and Georgia.

He traveled to Scottsbluff to spread the word about jobs that combine elements of adventure, travel, the outdoors and doorways to future employment.

One of our weaknesses is outreach, he said. We really want a strong, diverse applicant pool. I want people with new ideas about how to do things. Theyre going to shape the future of fire management in the United States and shape incident management.

Successful applicants are also needed for engine crews, aviation support and dispatching. When theyre not actively fighting fires they might work on trails, recreation or forestry projects. Trainees will go through a fire camp at Crawford next spring to earn their Red Card, a certification required to fight fires on federal lands.

Well have instructors from all over the region, he said. Well put them through the training they need to go through, and pay them.

A busy fire season could take wildland fighters to several places over a few months.

You get to travel. You get to be outside, he said. You can make quite a bit of money in a short amount of time.

Beyond that, many Forest Service employees began their careers as temporary firefighters. A seasoned firefighter could also get a head start on a career as a municipal firefighter or dispatcher.

Its a good springboard to start off any career, he said.

Bovey plans to set up a meeting in the area in the next few weeks to help interested local applicants navigate the usajobs.gov website, which is the only way they can apply for the jobs. The application period is only open for a week, and it can be a cumbersome process, he said.

A second hiring phase, Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, will involve non-firefighting jobs in forestry, wildlife management, fisheries, recreation, archaeology, engineering and administrative support.
ODN 17 Nov 2022

Voters in the US react to Donald Trump's announcement that he will once again be launching a presidential..
Kelvin Sukut is taking an 8,000-mile-long step of faith.

And hes not alone.

He and other members of Fremont Nazarene Church plan to take a missions trip to Papua, New Guinea, from Sept. 28-Oct. 7, 2018.

There, group members will be part of a Work and Witness program.

Well be building a housing structure for people who work at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Sukut said.

To help fund trip costs and pay for building materials, group members are planning several fundraising events that start with a booth of crafts and baked goods at the Fremont Parks and Recreation Departments 40th Annual Holiday Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Christensen Field in Fremont.

Thus far, six people have committed to make the trip, but the group could have a team of between 10 and 15 people, Sukut said.

Besides working on the construction project, group members could have opportunities to visit and pray with patients, have Bible studies and vacation Bible school, sing in the hospital wards and meet people of the area.

Sukut said trip costs are estimated at between $3,000 and $3,500 per person.

We also will be raising $10,000 to cover the cost of the materials for the project, Sukut said.

Fundraising projects include:

A garage and bake sale from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Nazarene church, 960 Johnson Road, Fremont.

Gift wrapping service from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20 at the church. Go in the west building entrance.

Raising Canes restaurant in Fremont will donate a portion of their proceeds between 5-8 p.m. Dec. 13 for customers who mention they want to support the Nazarene mission trip.

New Years Eve Party starting at 6 p.m. in the ministry center of the Fremont Nazarene Church. Tentative plans are for a costume contest, cake walk and general family fun. The event is open to the public.

Dessert auction and bake sale on Jan. 20 in the church. Sponsored by the Women in Gods Service (WINGS) group, the event tentatively is set to start at 6 p.m.

The local Nazarene churchs connection to Papua, New Guinea, began years ago. Back then, the church was connected to missionaries Dr. Andy and Judy Bennett through the LINKS program.

LINKS is an acronym for: Loving, Interested Nazarenes Knowing and Sharing.

The LINKS program connects missionaries with Nazarenes around the world. The Bennetts were missionaries at the hospital in Kudjip.

Church members reached out to the Bennetts and learned about hospital needs they could meet, said member Nancy Kingsbury.

Thus began a program called the Bandage Brigade.

Members started by rolling bandages out of sheets. Since then, theyve begun making other supplies.

Church information states that the hospital touches lives medically and spiritually.

The hospital has existed for 50 years and last year, they were recognized by the Papua, New Guinea government as a provincial hospital, meaning that they are a go-to hospital for that area, Sukut said.

Many different people are needed to run a health care ministry with a major hospital and nursing college  from cleaners to doctors, grass cutters, secretaries, administrators and midwives need good housing.

Some of these people come from miles away or other countries and serve for several months before going home, church information states.

Much of the housing is in dire need of repair. Some houses have rotting walls and floors. Others have been damaged severely by weather.

New housing also is needed because of a growing hospital.

Mission trip takers need not be skilled in construction as there will be something for every skill level.

Anyone wanting to go on the mission trip needs to complete an application and put down a $75 deposit by Jan. 31.

Sukut noted that the Nazarene church is involved in the local community with several organizations including: the Low Income Ministry of Dodge County; The Hope Center for Kids-Fremont; The Bridge and Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Were just feeling very strongly to be a missional church body near and far, he said.

Sukut looks forward to the mission trip.

Its a chance for us to step outside of our normal routine and be the hands and feet that were supposed to be to the world around us, Sukut said.

Area residents may check the Nazarene church website at fremontnazarene.org or the Fremont Nazarene Church for updates and details.

More information is available by calling: Marsha Christ at 402-689-1745; Kelvin Sukut at 402-317-0871; Cindy Sukut at 402-317-0870 or the church office at 402-727-6445.
Rumble 14 Nov 2022

Video shows a man being arrested after he threatened passengers and crew with a box cutter on a Frontier Airlines flight from..
Daily Record 09 Jun 2021

Brian Ross, 61, tried to get the devil dog to release its grip as it grabbed Holly by the neck and blood began to pour out.
MASON CITY | Mandy Martinson had already spent more than 12 years of her life in prison when she found out she was granted clemency.

She had missed out on many holidays, birthdays and other gatherings with family and friends  but she still felt fortunate she was leaving prison before her full 15-year-sentence was up.

"There are a lot of people still in prison that are just waiting for their miracle to come," Martinson said at her father's house in Mason City Friday. "Because for me ... to get clemency, it was truly a miracle."

Martinson was convicted in 2005 of conspiracy to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and and possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. It resulted in a 15-year prison sentence, a mandatory minimum  until former president Barack Obama granted her clemency 12 years and three months after it started.

Supporters of Martinson said she was living with her boyfriend, who was dealing drugs and making the big decisions. Martinson said she simply was depressed and started using drugs to cope during a bad point in her life.

U.S. District Court Judge James Gritzner sentenced her to that minimum, but didn't feel it was fair. A year after Martinson left jail, his opinion is still the same.

"My mind has never changed on that," Gritzner said by phone Thursday. "It was a very difficult situation that  under the circumstances, was very harsh. She was clearly a candidate for clemency from the president."

He added the last contact he had with her was about a year ago, when Martinson wrote a thank you letter to him. Martinson said Gritzner's comments during her sentencing helped her through her time in jail.

"Whenever the time got hard, I was just (thinking), even my judge was like, 'Man, I'm on your side,'" she said. "And it made me feel really good."

After Martinson left jail, she started working at both a fast food restaurant and for a local attorney. She also began the process of getting her dental hygiene license back.

It was a long process, she said, because many people she contacted had never dealt with a convicted felon trying to reacquire such a license.

But Martinson was persistent. And because of her efforts, she got that license back on July 21, and now works as a dental hygienist in town.

She's thankful for all the people who employed her since she left prison, and the opportunities she's been presented despite her past.

Perhaps more importantly, she's grateful that she is able to spend time with family and friends. She rents out her own house, but lives with her dad in northeast Mason City.

"The best part about being out is reconnecting with the family," Martinson said. "I have a really supportive family and we're really close."

As Martinson reflected on what happened more than a decade ago, she urged people to understand that she did make a mistake. But after spending just over 12 years in prison, she's also seen how the system can damage people who were perhaps punished too harshly.

She commended Families Against Mandatory Minimums and Sen. Chuck Grassley for their work on changing the current system of mandatory minimum sentencing. That system puts judges like Gritzner in a tough position, she added.

"I don't think a man who has worked so hard to get his position should be bound to make the decisions he's been trusted to make," Martinson said. "He's in that position because he's worked for it, and they take away his power with these mandatory sentences."

Despite her time in jail, Martinson does not believe her story is unique. She urged people to not harshly judge prisoners until learning the whole story.

"Not every person you see that's incarcerated is necessarily a bad person or trying to destroy the community," she said. "Just maybe, somebody was in a really rough place, and it could be your sister, or maybe it could be your cousin ... have an open mind."
Hull Daily Mail 14 Nov 2022

The bespoke wedding dress was designed in white glitter fabric and made to look as if the bride was 'walking in clouds'
Two brothers are injured and in hospitals after a fight and crash, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Goat Mountain, a section of U.S. Forest Service land off off South Hillockburn Road east of Oregon 211 that is often used for outdoor activities like target shooting and off-roading.

One brother was stabbed, and taken to an area hospital by helicopter.

Meanwhile, officers were alerted to a nearby crash. The second brother, suspected of stabbing the first, was found in the car. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office reported that the man was driving under the influence when he crashed.

He was also taken to a local hospital by helicopter.

Police didn't release the men's names. The investigation into the crash and domestic dispute are ongoing.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbarger
It might be, as Pink Floyd put it, just another brick in the wall.

But it's quite a wall.

Last month, huge national attention -- and $10 million from all over the country -- went to one state Senate race in suburban Seattle. A Democratic victory there in November switched the majority in the Washington state Senate, giving Democrats complete control of state governments across Washington, Oregon and California - creating, in a suddenly ubiquitous phrase, a blue wall along the Pacific.

Just over a year ago, of course, Democrats also thought they had a blue wall from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, which they counted on to hold firm whatever happened in Florida and North Carolina. That wishful wall's collapse into rubble last November challenged the whole idea of load-bearing structures as a political metaphor.

But unlike that blue wall, the Pacific version is based on more than post-1992 presidential election returns - although the West Coast wall certainly qualifies for that, not casting an electoral vote for any Republican since the first George Bush. (Washington and Oregon haven't provided one since Ronald Reagan.) Washington hasn't elected a GOP governor since 1980 and Oregon since 1982, giving them the two longest streaks in the country. California hasn't elected a Republican governor not named Arnold Schwarzenegger since 1994.

But this blue wall is as much about values as election returns. West Coast firmness is based on fundamental differences with Republican dogma on the natural world, the rights of individuals and attitudes toward immigrants.

The wall has stood against election campaigns. But its values are now under attack by a tax bill that cuts deductibility of state and local taxes and quietly moves against abortion rights, and government policies that prize fossil fuels and assault personal freedoms.

The week after the election, the governors of the three states attended a United Nations conference on air quality in Germany that included a panel where they insisted that West Coast states would continue to limit greenhouse emissions despite national policy. (Washington Gov. Jay Inslee attended the official U.S. event there and denounced it as a "sideshow.") Earlier this year, following the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on global warming, the governors joined the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland and Seattle reaffirming the regional commitment, declaring, "We won't let the president's misguided decision limit ... our commitment to doing what's right."

The position extends a long-term emissions agreement among the three states and the province of British Columbia. The change in control of the Washington state senate could expand legislative options. Meanwhile, California Gov. Jerry Brown is planning to host his own international climate change conference in San Francisco next year.

The West Coast has a commitment to personal freedom standing firmly against an administration eagerly seeking ways to cut back abortion rights, and an attorney general who pronounces, "Good people don't smoke marijuana." The three states have some of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country, led by Oregon, which this year enacted a law requiring insurance companies to cover birth control and abortion without co-pays, with state funding covering immigrants who don't qualify for Medicaid.

The coastal states have led the way in expanding personal rights. Washington and Colorado led the nation in legalizing recreational marijuana, followed shortly by Oregon and then California. Oregon was the first to legalize physician-assisted suicide, later joined by Washington and, as of last year, California.

It's a region unwilling to take legal - or lifestyle - advice from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

As the Trump administration moves to expand deportations and crack down on "sanctuary" states and cities, the West Coast states have stood like a multicolored - or multicultural - wall. In February, Washington Gov. Inslee signed an executive order banning state employees or resources from being used to enforce federal immigration law, declaring that Washington will be a "welcoming jurisdiction." In October, California Gov. Brown signed a bill sharply limiting state and local cooperation with federal immigration officers, a law denounced by Sessions as "unconscionable." This year, Oregon's legislature bolstered the state's already strong sanctuary position, banning state officials in most situations from asking about immigration status or sharing the information with federal agencies, causing the conservative Daily Caller to attack Oregon as "the foremost 'sanctuary state.'"

Compared with the Rust Belt blue wall that crumbled last November, the West Coast blue wall is both bluer and more of a wall. It also stands in ever sharper contrast to the aggressive policies and pressures coming from Washington, D.C.

Democrats taking control of the Washington state Senate may be just another brick in the wall.

But this wall actually stands for something.

David Sarasohn's column appears on the first and third Sundays of the month. He blogs at davidsarasohn.com.
BY RICHARD VIAL

The 2017 session of the Oregon State Legislature witnessed a near-miracle as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle risked their reputations by coming together to pass a $5.3 billion transportation package.

Midway through the process, two key members of the Joint Committee on Transportation suffered major health challenges, one receiving cancer treatment and the other suffering a heart attack. Nevertheless, both members quickly returned to ensure that we didn't adjourn without making some progress toward addressing the state's transportation challenges, which have become increasingly dire in the face of unprecedented population growth and lagging maintenance.

But the work has just begun. With many decisions ahead regarding the use of tolls and how to prioritize congestion-relief and maintenance efforts, the committee will be busy for years to come.

However, there remains a significant missing piece to the puzzle. Without a process for regular coordination with Washington state, we will never effectively address the congestion that plagues our transportation system.

While the movement of people and goods within a region can be coordinated by local jurisdictions through organizations such as Metro's Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, movement between major population centers also makes up a large part of the traffic that urban areas must accommodate.

For example, it's not only true that many people from Vancouver commute into Portland, but also that Portland lies along the primary freight route between Los Angeles and Seattle. Given anticipated population and economic growth, failing to address the nearly-derelict Interstate 5 Bridge over the Columbia River and the undersized Boone Bridge over the Willamette River would be unthinkable.

The concept of a new freeway west of Interstate 5 also demands a conversation with Washington state. For Washington County -- particularly the City of Hillsboro, where the population is expected to leapfrog Gresham's by 2040 -- developing a route that connects west side communities to the industrial areas of North Portland is critical.

Time and again, I have heard that the Columbia River Crossing, the Westside Bypass and other mega-projects are too much of a "heavy lift" to expect any meaningful progress in the near future. The truth is that we would be doing ourselves and our children a serious disservice by kicking the can down the road once again, as we have done for more than thirty years. By throwing up our hands and concluding it's "just too hard," we lock-in serious long-term transportation decay. That line of thinking needs to stop now.

It's time we resumed conversations with our neighbors to the north. I am heartened, for example, by the inclusion of representatives from Washington on the Portland Region Value Pricing Advisory Committee. We must start considering what we can do to improve the situation instead of complaining about what we cannot.

I call upon my colleagues in both states to start talking and listening to one another and, most of all, to stop believing that the work which is most needed simply can't be done.

Rep. Richard Vial is a Republican who represents South Hillsboro, Sherwood and Wilsonville. He lives in Scholls.

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Tom Steyer's priority is to impeach Donald Trump and he's personally banking on it with a well-funded national ad campaign and petition drive. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's agenda is to position Democrats to retake the House in 2018 and she's pursuing it by smacking down fellow San Franciscan Steyer as a "distraction." How misguided is that?

Steyer's impeachment ad and petition have clearly struck a chord and ignited millions of voters seeking to articulate their disgust with Trump through constitutionally prescribed channels. That means holding their elected legislators' feet to the fire. And therein lies the rub with Leader Pelosi.

Recent polling results together with Steyer's petition show that large numbers of voters want to see Trump's plunging popular support translated into official sanctions. They are sick of the procedural and political shenanigans that have allowed dishonest, hazardous, and regressive policies to flourish during the Trump presidency. And they are frustrated by the frail response of the Loyal Opposition.

Minority Leader Pelosi of all people should know that a win in 2018 will demand the fervent, highly motivated support of millions of activists and rank and file voters. If nothing else, Bernie Sanders' campaign underscored that point unequivocally. Very little passion can come from a strategy of "don't rock the boat." Steyer's approach offers a way to keep voters engaged, energized, and inspired. That is something Pelosi should go out of her way to support, not disparage.

Larry Kirsch, Northwest Portland and Mel Gurtov, Deadwood
By EDDIE SHERMAN

President Donald Trump's disrespect and disparagement of Native Americans last week was a new low in an administration that has shown a disturbing pattern of demeaning our nation's communities of color. Rather than use an opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity and the legacy of our Native peoples, Trump again chose to sow the seeds of division and animosity for political gain.

At an event meant to honor the service and sacrifice of Navajo Code Talkers, those World War II heroes who used the Navajo language (Dine Bizaad) to keep sensitive messages secret, he stood before a picture of President Andrew Jackson and took a jab at a political rival by calling her "Pocahontas."

The insults were many and were deeply felt. I am a member of the Navajo Nation, and I grew up on the Navajo Nation Reservation. From an early age, we were taught about the Code Talkers and were proud of our courageous elders who served in such an important role in securing victory in the Pacific theater. Rather than celebrating their legacy, sacrifice and contributions, Trump tried to either score a political point and/or land a cheap joke with a racial slur.

The level of insensitivity displayed was heightened by the Andrew Jackson backdrop. Jackson's legacy of the forceful removal of thousands of Native Americans from their traditional lands has left traumatic, generational impacts on many native communities. Many tribes are still dealing with the ramifications of federal policies that erected steep barriers to success, prosperity and happiness.

The president's slur stands in sharp contrast with the words of one of the men he was supposed to be honoring. Peter MacDonald, former chairman of the Navajo Nation had said, "America, we know, is composed of diverse community. We have different languages, different skills, different talents and different religion. But when our way of life is threatened ... freedom and liberty that we all cherish, we come together as one. And when we come together as one, we are invincible. We cannot be defeated."

Those words preceded the slur and rather than rising to meet the sentiment, Trump went low and chose to disrespect those men and all Native Americans. So, what do we do with a president who is comfortable using a slur for politics or his own amusement? What do we do when this news story fades to the background in the wake of Trump's next breach of decency?

One solution is to do what the president seems unwilling to do: Honor the Navajo Code Talkers. Research their service and support efforts to build a national Code Talker museum. Take a step further and learn about the prejudice and policy challenges Native Americans still face today. Learn about the nine federally recognized tribes that represent the first people of this region, and get to know the organizations working so hard to improve their quality of life. And know that our Native American communities across Oregon are deeply committed to creating a stronger future for everyone, while honoring the contributions of those who came before us.

If we have a president incapable or unwilling to respect our different backgrounds while uniting us as Americans, we must do it ourselves. We cannot allow the casual slur to become a fixture of our American fabric. We cannot allow this toxic political climate to erode decency.

We would do well to reject the president's words today and embrace those of Chairman MacDonald. As President Trump said, he "said it better."

Eddie Sherman, a member of the Navajo and Omaha Nations, is a principal with Hilltop Public Solutions and is Native American leader in the Pacific Northwest. He lives in North Portland.

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JUNEAU, Alaska  The bidder who planned to purchase Alaska's ferry Taku and turn it into a waterfront hotel and restaurant in Oregon has backed out of the deal.

The sale of the 352-foot (107-meter) surplus vessel was expected to close in early December. But the winning bidder withdrew, citing factors such as regulatory problems in Portland, said Aurah Landau, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Facilities.

Portland resident Jonathan Cohen offered $300,000 for the ferry on behalf of KeyMar LLC in September, the Juneau Empire reported Friday. The group of investors planned to transform the mothballed ferry into a floating hotel at a pier in northwest Portland. Their bid was six times higher than the next bid.

The newspaper was unable to reach Cohen for a comment this week.

The state offered the ferry to the second and third highest bidders after the Portland group withdrew in November. The new winning bid of $171,000 was from Jabal Al Lawz Trading Est. of Dubai, Landau said. The deal is still being worked out as the final sales terms and agreements are negotiated, Landau said.

A company spokesman said Wednesday that the state had not given official notice on accepting their bid. The spokesman said the company plans give the ferry a new life in the Philippines.

The ferry, built in 1963, part of Alaska's ferry system for more than 50 years. It was taken out of service in June 2015 and moored in Ketchikan.

-- The Associated Press
Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.
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No exploration of the 200 years of Illinois history would be complete without a look at what preceded those two centuries.

While Illinois became a state in 1818, its story began nearly 150 years before that, in 1673, when Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette explored the Mississippi River in search of a route to the Pacific Ocean.

When the two explorers travels led them near hostile Spanish territories, they turned back and traveled along the Illinois River, finding safety among the Kaskaskia Indian tribe. Marquette founded the Mission of the Immaculate Conception, but left the mission in the hands of Father Pierre-Gabriel Marest due to Marquettes poor health.

The mission had to be moved several times due to conflicts between the Kaskaskia, Illini Confederation and the Iroquois.

Eventually, the mission planted roots at the confluence of the Mississippi and Michigamea rivers, which is now known as the Kaskaskia River.

The village of Kaskaskia was established in 1703 and was mainly inhabited by French traders and their wives.

The villages fertile ground in the American Bottoms, along with its positioning at the confluence of two rivers, led it to be a hub of agriculture and trading. It also became a focal point for warring British and French troops during the French and Indian War.

In 1756, fearing attack, the townspeople built Fort Kaskaskia on a hill overlooking the town. The fort was then destroyed by the townspeople who feared it would fall into British control after the French lost the war.

Those who did not want to live under the impending British rule moved to St. Louis or Ste. Genevieve, Mo. The town fell to the British and was kept under control of the crown until July 4, 1778, when George Rogers Clark led an expedition of American troops into the village to liberate it.

After a two-month journey over 1,000 miles, Clark and his 175 men arrived in Kaskaskia to take the area. Many of the British had been withdrawn from the area, and Clark captured the settlement without a shot being fired.

With Clark in town, residents rang the Liberty Bell of the West, which got its name that day. The bell was originally given to the Catholic Church of the Illinois Country by King Louis XV of France. The bell was cast in France in 1741, making it 11 years older than the Liberty Bell that sits in Philadelphia.

An inscription on the side of the bell reads Pour Leglise des Illinois par les Soins du Roi Doutre, which translates to for the Church of the Illinois, by gift of the King across the water.

One side of the bell is ornamented with the royal lilies of France. The other side bears a cross and pedestal, with the top and arms of the cross terminating in grouped fleur de lis.

Taking Kaskaskia was the first step in Clarks plan to capture the western headquarters of the British at Detroit.

The bell is now a tourist attraction, much like the Immaculate Conception Church that sits next door.
BLOOMINGTON  Bloomington police are asking for the public's help in their investigation of a stabbing death Saturday afternoon.

Around 1:03 p.m., BPD was notified of a person who arrived at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center with a stab wound to the chest.

The person was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

"Numerous person(s) have, and are still being interviewed," BPD said in a statement.

No other information about the victim was released Saturday night.

Police think the death may have stemmed from an incident that occurred on 23rd Street in the Cardinal Ridge mobile home park in Bloomington. The Criminal Investigations Division was called to assist. The incident is believed to be isolated, and there is no threat to the public, said police.

BPD and the McLean County Coroner's Office continue to investigate.

Anyone who has information about what happened is asked to contact Detective Jared Roth at 309-434-2379 or Detective Tim Power at 309-434-2579.

If you want to remain anonymous, call McLean County Crime Stoppers at 309-828-1111. If your call leads to the arrest and indictment of a suspect, you may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
Illinois turns 200 on Dec. 3, 2018, and over the course of the next year The Pantagraph is helping to commemorate the event.

The Pantagraph and dozens of publications throughout Illinois will print a weekly series of articles featuring key moments, figures, industries and events that help to make Illinois unique. Some of the first articles include the Underground Railroad, coal mining, the dueling Peoria territory and top Illinois athletes through the years.

Other topics include Illinois role in the Civil War, World War I and World War II; transportation, from the railroads to the interstates to aerospace; and the arts, including jazz and the blues.

Newspapers contributing articles in this series include the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, the Belleville News-Democrat, The Pantagraph, the Southern Illinoisan of Carbondale, the News-Gazette of Champaign, the Chicago Defender, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Decatur Herald & Review, The Paper from Dwight, the Galesburg Register-Mail, the Hancock Journal Pilot, the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, the Lebanon Advertiser, the County Journal of Percy, the Journal Star of Peoria, the Dispatch Argus of Rock Island, the Rock River Times, the Rockford Register Star, The State Journal-Register of Springfield and Sauk Valley Media of Sterling/Dixon.

The series also will be featured on the website 200Illinois.com.
America is currently cursed, not only with tribal politics, but with tribal morality. Some liberals tend to minimize or excuse offenses against a few women in the broader cause of womens rights. What is a politicians wandering hand in comparison to maintaining legal abortion? Some conservatives tend to minimize or excuse offenses against women in the cause of conservative governance. What are a few old accusations compared to cementing a conservative Supreme Court or passing tax reform?

Both sides give personal failings less weight than a compelling public good. It is not always an unserious argument, but in this case, it is a cruel and dangerous one.

This description may sound like a columnists caricature. But, on occasion, a caricature becomes incarnate. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has admitted she has no reason to disbelieve any of Republican senate candidate Roy Moores accusers. Yet Ivey has announced she will vote for Moore anyway. We need to have a Republican in the United States Senate, she explained, to vote on the things like Supreme Court justices.

This is worth a pause. One of the accusers in this case says that in the late 1970s Moore, then a county prosecutor, offered to drive her home. Instead, she alleges, he parked behind the restaurant where she worked, touched her breasts, tried to pull off her shirt, grabbed her neck and pushed her head toward his crotch, leaving nasty bruises and a lifetime of trauma. The victim was 16 years old at the time. If Ivey truly believes this accusation, she is voting for someone who committed sexual assault on a teenage girl, in order to help secure one Senate vote on a prospective Supreme Court nominee.

This has the virtue, at least, of philosophic clarity. It is utilitarianism, unadorned. Ivey believes she is pursuing Jeremy Benthams imperative, achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people. It is a simple, easily stated moral rule.

There are many varieties of utilitarianism, but they share some weaknesses. While the principle is easy to state, it is not easy to apply. It always involves speculative judgments about the future. What if, as a senator, Moore becomes a rolling scandal of misogyny and intolerance? What if this deepens the image of the GOP as the party of prejudice and male dominance? And what if this costs Republicans control of the House of Representatives and a few other Senate seats? How would this affect Iveys utilitarian calculation?

This scenario is not unlikely. During his recent defeat in the Virginia governors race, Ed Gillespie  a comparatively good GOP candidate  lost women voters by 22 points. Is the three-ring spectacle of Roy Moore in the Senate going to improve Republican electoral performance with women?

But the main problem with utilitarian calculation in politics reaches deeper. By definition, it means that the rights of the few can be sacrificed to the interests of the many. It is a theory that has always been plagued by hypothetical questions: What if punishing a few innocent people would, on balance, have a good social result? What if keeping a few people in slavery clearly benefited the many? What if a politician who is currently abusing teenagers demonstrably served a greater public good? At what point does the but hell vote right on Supreme Court nominees argument end? Three rapes? Four murders? Wouldnt utilitarian calculations still apply?

In the cases before us  if you believe the credible testimony of the accusers  the rights and dignity of women have already been violated. Ignoring or downplaying those violations in the pursuit of other social goals  conservative or liberal  is an additional form of victimization, this time by the broader society. By politicians such as Ivey. By voters willing to downplay the abuses on their own ideological team. All are making the statement that some lives, when weighed in the balance, really dont matter.

None of this is to downplay the difficult task of applying appropriate punishments for differing degrees of guilt. But various traditions of ethics rooted in religion  as well as the Enlightenment theories that informed Americas founding  place a primary emphasis on the rights and dignity of individuals, protected against the shifting interests of the majority.

This is the firm moral ground upon which our debate on sexual harassment should be conducted. Political figures guilty of coercion, exploitation, dehumanization, cruelty and the abuse of power should not be trusted with power. Even on our own side.
Its maybe poetic that Illinois' bicentennial celebration was born in a mild cloud of controversy, with a limited budget and worries that state leadership had different visions for the big bash.

Call it apropos because politicking has been a part of this great state from the beginning; its practically the bedrock on which we stand, buttressed by names like Kerner, Daley, Ryan and Madigan.

Weve been thinking of the bicentennial because The Pantagraph and other news organizations across the state have teamed up to produce a series of stories looking at important locations, achievements and personalities that make up our states rich history, including entries from Central Illinois focusing on our ties to two of presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.

Other topics include Illinois' role in the Civil War, World war I and II, transportation, and prominent athletes and performers in the arts.

Starting today, well publish a story each Sunday in the newspaper and at pantaqraph.com, continuing for a year and leading up to Illinois' 200th birthday on Dec. 3, 2018.

The state also is planning a series of events, but there have been various headaches along the way. About $6 million was budgeted as of October, way lower than other states for similar milestone birthdays.

The two states admitted into the union right before us are having lavish affairs. Mississippi is spending $100 million, which includes new museums, for its bicentennial. Indiana raised $55 million.

Naturally, it would be strange for Illinois  mired in a budget stalemate for two years, and still owing billions in back bills  to break the bank on a back-slapping celebration. But theres also value in celebrating the greatness of our state and changing the narrative.

People want us to use the bicentennial as a platform to change the conversation about the state of Illinois, to talk about all the great things that Illinois has contributed to society, says Stuart Layne, executive director of the Illinois Bicentennial. The second is pride. People are proud to be from this state  That has become our mantra.

Hes right.

Not only are we the place that gave this country Lincoln and Reagan, but also Jane Addams, Harold Washington, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and George Halas and where Gwendolyn Brooks, Clarence Darrow, Frank Lloyd Wright and another president, Barack Obama, rose to prominence.

We are home to Cakokia Mounds near Collinsville, the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico; were the first state to ratify the 13th amendment; and where the zipper, barbed wire and cell phone were invented.

We are 57,914 square miles, 102 counties and 12.8 million residents. Our influence on America is deep and lasting.

We have a lot to celebrate, despite the bruises, budget battles and politics.

Happy bicentennial, Illinois.
In late October Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple's CEO didn't push back when France's President Read him the Riot Act on Taxes, and here's why." The report noted that Paris needed unanimity to push through any new tax plan that would affect Apple and that Ireland and Luxembourg weren't on board with the tax plan set out by the French President. There was news that EU was so furious about this that they stated that they would change the rules it in order to put the new tax plan into affect. When you don't like the rules, change them. That's the ethical backbone of the current EU rulers.

To make it clear to Apple's CEO that French President Emmanuel Macron will force Apple to comply with his new tax plan, he had the members from ATTAC, unofficially of course, invade Apple stores throughout France, including the expansive two-level store near the Paris Opera for several hours Saturday  leaving only after they were assured of a meeting with management.

Attac spokeswoman Aurelie Trouve stated that "One hundred Attac activists occupied the Apple store" to demand the company "pay its fair share of taxes in the country in which it really operates."

Members standing on the second-level balcony held a banner reading 'We will stop when Apple pays,' while others held signs that read 'Pay your taxes.'





'We received a formal commitment from an Apple manager that we would be granted a meeting with national leadership within 15 days." Trouve said.

"If this meeting does not take place, we will come back before Christmas".

The group held about 30 demonstrations across France, including at an Apple store in the southern city of Marseille.





In August 2016, European authorities estimated that the company behind the iPhone owed US$14.5 billion in back taxes after it negotiated highly favourable tax arrangements with the Irish government.

Revelations last month from the 'Paradise Papers' shed light on Apple's tax avoidance strategy, which shifted tens of billion of dollars in profits from one fiscal haven to another.

Although the report was quick to mention the Paradise Papers to hype up the protest, it should be noted that Apple responded to that news the very next day denying any shady tax avoidance and made it clear that it pays every dollar it owes in every country around the world.

The report lastly noted that "Attac also protested against the company last month on the day Apple released its iPhone X globally, dumping a load of freshly picked apples as demonstrators carried signs saying 'Apple, pay your taxes' in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence."

According to one of our reports posted in October, Apple actually gained ground for iOS in France in Q3, so the Attac protests thus far have had absolutely no affect on Apple's iPhones sales. Apple fans, in any country, are fiercely loyal to the company and their beloved iPhones and it'll take a lot more than a handful of loud protests to make any difference on the tax issue.

For the record, ATTAC is an international organization involved in the alter-globalization movement. They oppose neo-liberal globalization and develop social, ecological, and democratic alternatives so as to guarantee fundamental rights for all. You could read more about them here.





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.
Two items:

On hoaxes: Racist messages at Air Force Academy were written by student who claimed to be targeted.

On politics in Venezuela: Venezuelas hate crime law seeks to silence political opposition, bishops warn. The pro-regime defense: Venezuelas ANC to Approve New Hate Crime Legislation.

The statistics: Latest Hate Crime Statistics Released. The FBI report itself.

Lets start with the first: the racist messages left on students doors at the Air Force Preparatory Academy turned out not to have been left by a white supremacist after all; instead, it was a black student who thought that by becoming a victim he could avoid penalties for some other unnamed misdeed.

Is there a tally of the relative frequency of hoaxes vs. actual misdeeds? Certainly they show up in the news over and over again, and theres even a website devoted to cataloging them.

For the most part, Im not a big fan of the concept of the hate crime. In general, murder, assault, theft, destruction of property, etc.  even a bomb threat  is equally deserving of punishment if the perpetrator was motivated by hate towards the victim for reasons of ethnicity, religion, etc., or because of a personal dispute or any other reason. I can see, though, that in the case of a hate crime theres a secondary victim, insofar as a murder of a fill-in-the-blank person for reasons of bias causes fear among others of that category in a way that a domestic violence case doesnt.

The one distinction, I suppose, is the case of vandalism, leaving messages with offensive words as opposed to something bland and generic  though apparently (e.g., in the above-linked article) some collectors of hate crimes deem pro-Trump messages to be hate.

And hoaxes? Social justice advocates now have a track record of saying, even if it was a hoax, its still a good reminder to us all to be nice. But they cause real harm, insofar as they cause people of that minority group to feel that they are threatened. They cause conflict. And they divert resources  both directly, in terms of the time spent investigating the deed itself, and indirectly, when a university is convinced, due to fake hate, that they need to spend even more money on combating it, money that could be spent in more useful ways instead, or just not spent at all, moderating, to whatever small degree, the next round of tuition increases.

Ace at Ace of Spades HQ has some useful commentary on the topic, asserting that

This is not a hoax  this is a hate-crime, or, more accurately, malicious vandalism with the sentencing intensifier of being committed with the intent to spread fear and hatred, just as it would be if a white guy did it. The fact that a non-white did it does not change those facts  and neither should it change the criminal penalty nor the social opprobrium heaped on the miscreant who did it, unless our nation is prepared to officially declare, unconstutionally but with the authority of Spike Lee, that non-whites are incapable of racism and hence any laws regarding racialized crime apply only to one race.

And, in fact, the student who did this has now left, whether because of this action or his prior misdeed, but his name is unknown; he is being given anonymity, which would not be afforded a white perpetrator.

The Tribune article reports,

Using a ProPublica database, BuzzFeed News found 154 total incidents of hate speech at more than 120 college campuses nationwide. More than two-thirds promoted white supremacist groups or ideology, while more than a third cited Trumps name or slogans, BuzzFeed News reported. Yet authorities caught less than 5 percent of perpetrators in cases of vandalism or threats. In at least three instances, college officials determined the incident was a hoax, according to BuzzFeed News.

Reason has more on this ProPublica/Buzzfeed News report, which further lists examples of some of the incidents, such as:

a Latina student returned to her dorm to find that her roommate had built a makeshift wall between their beds, alongside a note that read, Trump won so here is a little preview of whats to come.

and

At Iowa State University less than a week after the inauguration, business cards were left in the campus library stating: America was 90% white in 1950. It is now 60%. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Trump is the first step, were next!

So the obvious math is this: 154 * 5% = 7.7. At least 3 (what does that even mean?) out of 7 or 8 identified perpetrators were hoaxers. But that 5% is so small, and the incidents of hate speech so broadly defined (was their ongoing antagonism between the roommates, for example?), that this whole thing doesnt really provide any real information.

And recall the Jewish community center bomb threats back immediately after the election, which turned out to be the work of a Jewish man in Israel. So far as I know, we never learned his motivation but he sure wasnt a neo-Nazi.

What about Venezuela? Yes, of course, theres the whole context of a country in which the ruler is assuming increasingly dictatorial powers. And slippery-slope arguments are always somewhat suspect  either a thing is wrong in itself, or it isnt. But its still unsettling as an example of the consequences of using the concept of hate crimes to control ones opponents. The pro-Maduro site says the law was necessary to put an end to instances such as anti-government protests in which (suspected) pro-government individuals were attacked, but the Catholic bishops in the country say the aim is much greater.

The president of the Venezuelan bishops justice and peace commission has criticized a hate crimes law passed on Thursday, charging that its aim is to silence those opposed to the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro. The Law Against Hatred and Fascism, the Nov. 2 legislation passed by the Constituent Assembly, will be used by Maduros government against the opposition so we cant even speak or protest, Emeritus Archbishop of Coro Roberto Luckert Leon told ACI Prensa.

Does the example of Venezuela necessarily prove that hate crime laws will be used to silence government opponents, or that hate crime accusations will be used to silence the political opponents of the accuser? No, of course not. But some of the claims of hate that have been tossed around, such as the incident in which Trump 2016 chalk sidewalk messages at Emory University were deemed to be offensive, tend toward that direction.

What about the FBI statistics? The FBI has a table breaking down known offenders by type of crime and race/ethnicity. Its not as crystal clear as white racists  in the category of assault, only 51% of perpetrators where classified as white, with 27% black, 2% each Asian or American Indian, 9% a group of assailants of multiple races, and 10% unknown (which seems odd as I would assume that this would be part of reporting data; perhaps race was based on self-reporting, but I would assume a bureaucrat would identify race when it was visibly obvious so that unknown represents not white, but dunno what exactly). On the other hand, intimidation perpetrators were 67% white, 17% black.

And the types of crimes? They report that

26.9 percent were intimidation.

24.7 percent were destruction/damage/vandalism.

24.6 percent were simple assault.

12.8 percent were aggravated assault.

And the remainder are other, of various sorts.

But the statistics are just that, shorn of any details about the circumstances  or, at least, I cant find any place on this site in which one can see examples of intimidation crimes or vandalism, for instance, to see how broadly these crimes are defined. How many of these are the stereotypical hate crime, in which a turband Sikh is shot because of that clear faith identifier? How many of these are more muddled, in which bias is one of a confluence of motivations, mixed in with generic criminality? How many are like the Matthew Shepherd case, in which the victims clear minority status causes everyone to assume the reason is bias (in this case, it turned out to be drug-related)? And how much of the claimed increase in hate crimes recently is a matter of true increases vs. reporting increases? (An ADL press release I came across simultaneously cites a year-over-year increase and at the same time urges greater reporting.)

Its a mess. Attacks against individuals because of their race, ethnicity, religion or other characteristics, are bad. Hoaxes, or too-quick identification of an incident as a hate crime prior to learning the motivation, are troubling and counter-productive. And I dont see any progress here.

So Ill finish with my usual request. Readers, do you have any experiences?

UPDATE: shortly after publishing, I learned from Instapundit that the 2016 statistics are now available, with a 5% increase from 2015. I havent looked at the details, but wanted to mention it rather than leave readers wondering why Ive got old data.

Image: from https://www.flickr.com/photos/neilward/7700722864
It has been more than a week, Professor Papiya Ghosh, the noted historian from Patna was brutally murdered, yet the police haven't been able to find any leads.

NDTV broke the news about the death of Papiya Ghosh and we saw her sister Tuktuk Ghosh, an IAS officer and an Officer on Special Duty attached to the Office of Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, break down while giving details about the gruesome way she was murdered. Tuktuk said that she would be approaching the prime minister, asking for his assistance. We also saw the Director General of Police, Patna, laughing insensitively while explaining that such crimes are not uncommon and his police are trying their best to catch the culprits.

The murder of Papiya Ghosh comes on a close line of murders of Nitesh Katara, Priyadarshini Mattoo and Jessica Lal, all pointing to a sinister criminal politician nexus.

These murders only came to light because of the important status of each of these individuals.

According to the Hindustan Times, the needle of suspicion in the twin murders of Patna University Professor Papiya Ghosh and her domestic help seems to be pointing to a criminal-politician who had been putting pressure on her to sell her sprawling house, said a senior police official.

History professor Dr Ghosh, 53, and her 70-year-old domestic help were found stabbed to death in her home in the city's posh Pataliputra Colony on Sunday, shocking this city of over two million people.

I grew up in the heart of Madhya Pradesh and political murders were never a stranger to me. Much later I did post mortems of such victims. Obviously the culprits was never brought to justice. I remember a gangster of the stature of Babloo Srivastava from Uttar Pradesh who was brought for 'treatment' at the JA Group of Hospitals, Gwalior, by the police.He gave thousand rupee notes to the nurses and porters who in turn were in the beck and call at all times.

The murder of Papiya Ghosh would be solved at some stage considering the pressure being built up by the ordinary people of Bihar. The Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar after being prodded from the centre is finally taking some interest in this case. But neither Nitish Kumar nor our Hon. Prime Minister knew the actual Papiya Ghosh. Papiya and Tuktuk Ghosh were known all over India to readers of JS. They remain as popular as they were thirty years back.

Dilip D'Souza in his blog dated December 14, 2005 wrote, 'Poring through the magazine every week, I wondered jealously: Just how did all these JS dudes get these almost insufferably cool names? I mean: Jug Suraiya? Desmond Doig? And exactly who were Papiya and Tuktuk Ghosh, invariably somewhere in the issue? Where did they get their cool names? Does anyone know? Did they exist? Do they exist? (Please send me a note if you're reading this, either of you, and put a 30-year-old mystery to rest)'.

Again, Jug Suraiya mentioned in one of his columns that in a party, a woman once came to him and identified herself as Papiya. His Pavlovian response was, "Where is Tuktuk"?

Many a party organized by Desmond in Kolkata had invitees mentioning Papiya and Tuktuk Ghosh as passwords before one can enter the foyer of the happening.

Dilip D'Souza never knew that within a year after he had published his blog, he would know about Papiya Ghosh.

Kookies Kol in every issue of JS had witty postings by Papiya and Tuktuk Ghosh. Dr. Suchitra Shrivatava, a pathologist from Gwalior told me years back that JS was synonymous with Papiya and Tuktuk Ghosh.

Who was really Papiya Ghosh?

Papiya Ghosh was a Professor of History at the Patna University. A Historian of international repute her research interest included topics as such as Partition, Diaspora, Refugee, Gender, Backward and Dalit studies and more recently Bhojpuri cinema and cassettes. She was currently working on three volumes - Partition and the South Asian Diaspora, Community and Nation: Bihar in the 1940s and Caste, Region and Nation: Essays on Bihar. She studied at the Delhi University and was well known for her academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

She reviewed the books - Mapmaking: Partition stories from Two Bengals edited by Debjani Sengupta, Shadow lives: Writings on Widowhood edited by Uma Chakravarti and Preeti Gill and The Hindu Widow in Indian Literature by Rajul Sogani. She was an authority on Muslims in Bihar, her book titled 'Reinvoking the Pakistan of the 1940: Bihar's 'Stranded Pakistanis', is a milestone on Muslim studies in India. She wrote a lot of articles in the international journal 'Refugee Watch'.

Papiya Ghosh died believing in Bihar, a province whose Home Secretary was her father; an Indian Civil Service Officer. We lost Papiya Ghosh who was our link to the wonderful world of JS.

December 17, 2006
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.
Peacefmonline.com can confirm that a Starbow flight has been involved in an accident at the Kotoka International Airport with some people injured.



Reports suggest the plane veered off the tarmac as it attempted takeoff.



Some sources at the Airport have indicated that, the flight, which was set to take off to Kumasi, skidded off the runway and reportedly crashed into a fence wall in the direction of the nearby Air-force base.



Our source indicates that about 5 people have been sent to the hospital for treatment while others have been left traumatized.



An eyewitness in a brief chat told GhanaWeb.com, I thought I was going to die.



In 2015 passengers on board a Tamale-bound aircraft of Starbow airlines had the scare of their lives when the aircraft, BAE with registration 9GSBB, crash landed in Tamale although no injuries were recorded.



In 2014, two people were injured after a Takoradi bound Starbow aircraft made an emergency landing.

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
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has congratulated farmers and all hard working professionals who offer technical support to them.



In a FACEBOOK post, he asked Ghanaians to remind themselves of the difficulties they confront everyday in order to provide food for the Nation and also contribute to the country's foreign exchange earnings.



The former president also touted some achievements under his tenure in the Agriculture sector.



"My administration started working on addressing issues of access to Finance and Mechanized Equipment, to help boost productivity and profits. We reinvigorated the Agricultural Mechanization Centres and launched a Farmer Services Centre Programme, that was going to make available affordable and modern equipment to all farmers across the country.



"Funding under the EDAIF was scaled up, and distribution of inputs prioritized. A decent number of fish storage and processing facilities were provided and we also sourced critical funding from Canada, which is financing key programmes in the Agricultural sector today.



"We also initiated a Programme to attract more of our youth into farming and I am happy that the results have began to show," he wrote.





Read Below A Copy Of The Post



Congratulations to all our farmers and fisher folk across the country.



In celebrating our farmers today, let us also remind ourselves of the difficulties they confront in order to provide food for the nation and contribute to our foreign exchange earnings.



My administration started working on addressing issues of access to Finance and Mechanized Equipment, to help boost productivity and profits. We reinvigorated the Agricultural Mechanization Centres and launched a Farmer Services Centre Programme, that was going to make available affordable and modern equipment to all farmers across the country.



Funding under the EDAIF was scaled up, and distribution of inputs prioritized. A decent number of fish storage and processing facilities were provided and we also sourced critical funding from Canada, which is financing key programmes in the Agricultural sector today.



We also initiated a Programme to attract more of our youth into farming and I am happy that the results have began to show.



I salute all farmers including our Cocoa farmers, fishers, those in animal husbandry and the hardworking professionals who offer technical support to them.



Congratulations once again and a happy Farmers Day to us all.

Source: Isaac kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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FILE - In the May 11, 2017 file photo, CIA Director Mike Pompeo listens while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington. Pompeo said Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, that he sent a letter to a top Iranian military official warning him that the United States would hold Tehran accountable for any attacks it conducted on American interests in Iraq. Pompeo said Iran is trying to strengthen its influence throughout the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
FILE - In this April 8, 2011 file photo, then Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh attends a rally with his supporters, in Sanaa, Yemen. Saleh, Yemen's former president and longtime strongman, was killed Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, according to multiple Yemeni officials, as his loyalists and Shiite rebels battled for control of the capital. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen, File)
ISSUES....

Inside, confidential and off the record Ex PDVSA's CEO lock up





Oil is not longer the Dictador's support (is China's oil and our blood )

How my powerful Venezuela oil connection ended up in jail



In Quito, Ecuador a while back, while providing a risk assessment workshop for officials from Latin American oil companies, I was able to spend several days in private conversations with Venezuela's Minister of Oil.



Now heading up the national oil company PDVSA, he was considered one of the most knowledgeable and able of the region's execs at the time.



During our talks, he shared some useful advice on how to integrate the national oil company budgetary requirements with the vortexes of national politics.



At one point, over a late-night drink, he confided the following: "You are always in a no-win situation when it comes to insulating working capital from central budgets," he declared. "You have to provide for the next round of drilling. For that, proceeds from sales must be segregated. But the politicians can only see buying the next election."



We were to renew the conversation later when I was scheduled to provide a similar seminar at the invitation of PDVSA.



However, by the time that was to take place, the domestic civil strife in Venezuela had intensified.



The government admitted they could not provide sufficient security for my appearance in the eastern, oil-producing region where the meeting was to take place, while the U.S. Department of State chimed in advising that I should not go.



And yesterday, my "drinking colleague," - or Eulogio Del Pino, as the world knows him - was arrested at his home in Caracas.



This is one of the latest in a series of arrests orchestrated by embattled President Nicolas Maduro.



These arrests will only further fuel the financial crisis in the country, constrict access to the working capital needed to drill for oil, and exacerbate PDVSA's production decline.



That means a large chunk of the almost two million barrels of oil that Venezuela supplies every day could disappear...



And send oil and gasoline prices skyrocketing with it when they do.

Maduro claims there is a "cartel of organized crime" intent on spreading graft and undermining the national energy sector.



His political opposition charge the president with a desperate attempt to purge those who have criticized his leadership.



Let me say upfront that I have no personal knowledge of whether the graft charges are true or which side has the upper hand in the telling of truths about what is occurring internally in Venezuela.



After experiencing the last year in American politics, we certainly have no right to lecture to others.



But I do recall what Eulogio told me back in Ecuador.



It involved two energy matters that brought the latest wave of political arrests in Venezuela.



And both have resulted in Maduro seeking out opponents to pillory...



The Real Reason Behind PDVSA's Recent Arrest Spree



The first is a contentious financial deal for Citgo refineries in the U.S.



The second is Petrozamora S.A, a joint venture with Russian banking major, Gazprombank (itself, an arm of state-run natural gas giant Gazprom and oil major Gazprom Neft).



Del Pino is closely involved in the Petrozamora affair, while another well-known oil exec - Nelson Martinez - headed up the Citgo network both while PDVSA owned it, and after sales began to other interests.



However, the president's real political target in Caracas may actually be Rafael Ramirez.



Ramirez is the former Venezuelan oil kingpin, a close ally of U.S. interests in the area, and the most likely opponent for Maduro - should there ever again be democratic elections in the country.



Ramirez has been the mentor of both Del Pino and Martinez as they rose through the ranks of the Venezuelan oil hierarchy.



Speculation has already begun that yesterday's arrests were more to pressure Del Pino and Martinez to turn "states evidence" against their former patron.



These latest moves follow the arrests of more than 60 others within PDVSA- casting a chilling silence over the national oil company, to say the least.



None of my current contacts there will answer any messages these days.



According to Maduro, the issue surrounds billions of dollars in corruption within PDVSA, its arrangements with foreign companies and finance, as well as its administration of assets held abroad (like the Citgo refineries in the U.S.).



Others, however, charge that the real problem results from an increasingly desperate political leadership with its own "private accounts" in which public revenues are being siphoned while the central budget implodes under the weight of its own red ink.



The situation has only been intensified by the technical default into which both PDVSA bonds and Venezuelan sovereign debt (much tied to that PDVSA paper) have fallen after Caracas failed to pay interest as scheduled.



Eulogio also didn't help his standing with Maduro when he went public with an opinion that Venezuela needs to own up to its foreign debt obligations.



There was, of course, another reason for that position...



PDVSA's Transparency Problem



PDVSA is in desperate need of securing finance to fund ongoing operations.

Crude oil sales remain the dominant source of the country's revenues. And this brings us back to the advice he gave me years ago.



With normal international finance markets closing to PDVSA, designing foreign ventures to obtain the working capital necessary for drilling becomes the only genuine option.



Petrozamora may well have been in that category.



By directing the finance to projects, PDVSA kept the lights on and workers paid.



But it did so at the expense of inciting the ire of the president and his cronies.



This morning, PDVSA was taken over by a general loyal to Maduro.



That means we should not expect any transparency anytime soon.



It also means something else...



Given the recent experience with debt payment defaults, I would be concerned if I was representing a Russian bank or energy major who thought they had some paper control over assets inside Venezuela.



Under the rule of Maduro, such papers have an irritating habit of disappearing... along with the Venezuelan officials who signed them.



Dr. Ken Moors at ncattan@bloomberg.net / Oil & Energy Investor / Dec. 01, 2017 Link to original article.









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In early 2011, Comcast Corp. CEO Brian Roberts was asked on MSNBC's Morning Joe what he thought of NBC News as the Philadelphia cable giant was closing on its $30 billion deal for NBCUniversal.

"It is the crown jewel of Comcast," Roberts told hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

Seven years later, NBC News still draws big television audiences to Nightly News, Today, Meet the Press, and Dateline, but NBC News strikes many observers as cubic zirconium.

The firing this week of Today co-host Matt Lauer, NBC News' biggest star, over allegations of "inappropriate sexual behavior" at 30 Rock is the latest crisis, and has triggered an internal investigation by lawyers and human resources personnel while raising questions of a hostile work culture for women at NBC News.

Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, told NBC News staffers in a memo Friday that the organization has "begun a thorough and timely review of what happened and what we can do to build a culture of greater transparency, openness and respect for each other. At the conclusion of the review we will share what we've learned, no matter how painful, and act on it."

This is hardly the first blowup. Chief anchor and managing editor Brian Williams' embellished accounts of his reporting also roiled the network, leading to an internal investigation and eventually to his suspension as an NBC News anchor in early 2015.

In 2012, Today co-host Ann Curry wept as she told the audience of her impending departure from the morning show, angering viewers who saw NBCU executives choosing Lauer over her.

Curry told People magazine Wednesday that she's "still really processing" Lauer's firing. She added: "The women's movement got us into the workplace, but it didn't make us safe once we got there. And the battle lines are now clear. We need to move this revolution forward and make our workplaces safe. Corporate America is quite clearly failing to do so, and unless it does something to change that, we need to keep doing more ourselves."

Turmoil has roiled NBC News' top leaders under Comcast's ownership, including the hiring and departure of president Deborah Turness. NBCUniversal is headed by former Comcast executive Steve Burke.

Lack, who wrote Friday's memo, has responsibility for NBC News and cable channel MSNBC.

Experts also are concerned with what some see as a lack of courage at NBC News. The New York Times, the Washington Post and the New Yorker have scooped NBC News with stories that NBC arguably should have aired first: the Access Hollywood tapes that emerged in 2016 featuring then-candidate Donald Trump talking about groping women, and Ronan Farrow's piece on now-disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein this year.

"History shows that news organizations fall into and out of courage," said David Mindich, chair of the journalism department at Temple University. "Part of it is choosing the wrong lawyers or listening to the lawyers too much. A good corporate parent will support the news endeavor in a company. That's a big concern with NBC."

NBC News said it was close to airing the Access Hollywood tapes but was waiting for final legal approvals. The news operation said it rejected Farrow's Weinstein story because when Farrow showed it to news executives, he didn't have any of Weinstein's accusers on the record. The network has broken many investigative pieces on the Trump administration, NBC officials note.

But the issues keep coming.

Apart from Fox News, there "has not been a high-profile parade of these types of stories in other news organizations," said Robert Thompson, professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University. With Lauer's firing, "it may be time for a slate-cleaning."

Of course, NBC News is not the only media organization battered by claims of inappropriate sexual behavior. Eight women told the Post that longtime television host Charlie Rose made unwanted sexual advances toward them. CBS, PBS, and Bloomberg fired him. And also this week, radio personality Garrison Keillor, creator and founder of A Prairie Home Companion, faced accusations from a woman of inappropriate behavior. Minnesota Public Radio said that it would no longer distribute Keillor's Writer's Almanac and would stop broadcasting The Best of 'A Prairie Home Companion.'

On Friday, Thompson noted, the Lauer story had been overtaken by events out of Washington that were distracting CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS and other news networks. Michael Flynn, President Trump's former national security adviser, faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to charges of making false statements to the FBI. The charges mark the first known criminal case against a current or former official in Trump's presidential administration as part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election.

"NBC ought to send Michael Flynn a basket of fruit because [Lauer] was the major story leading the newscasts, but now there is something bigger still," Thompson said.
Voting in Pennsylvania is harder than in most other states. Read more

(This is the fourth of five weekly columns dealing with areas of government and politics that, if reformed, would make Pennsylvania better.)

Here's the dilemma. Reform begins at the ballot box. But what if access to the ballot itself needs reform?

Such is the case in Pennsylvania.

If, for example, you're an independent or third-party voter  and there are more than 1.1 million of you  you can't vote for candidates in primary elections.

Oh, you can vote on yes/no ballot questions. And in rare, scattered special elections. But not when it comes to picking the people who run your government.

This is especially true in voting for the legislature.

Last year, half the state House and Senate races offered just one candidate in the general election.

This is largely due to things I've written about earlier in this series, including unlimited campaign money and incumbent protections such as gerrymandering.

But what it means, since the only competitive legislative races tend to be in primaries, is that 14 percent of Pennsylvania's registered voters have no voice.

We're a "closed primary state"  one of only nine, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

This is wrong on its face. It helps protect the political status quo. It disenfranchises citizens, even while using their tax dollars to pay for elections in which those citizens can't participate. And it'll get worse as more (especially younger) voters step away from the two major parties.

In Philadelphia, for example, independents and third-party voters now total 117,800  outnumbering registered Republicans.

"It's simply unfair to lock out voters from meaningful elections," says David Thornburgh, head of elections watchdog Committee of Seventy, "and, at a time we're concerned about low turnout, especially in primaries, including independents is a guaranteed way to increase turnout."

Plus, says Thornburgh, open primaries could reduce extreme partisanship because candidates would have to "appeal to a broader cross section of voters and, if elected, reflect that by working toward the [ideological] middle."

Closed primaries are part of our archaic, democracy-diminishing voting system, one reason our state ranks among the nation's worst in running elections.

The Electoral Integrity Project, a joint international venture of Harvard University and the University of Sydney, Australia, studied states using metrics such as voting laws, electoral procedures, campaign financing, and more. After the 2016 elections, it ranked Pennsylvania 45th.

We tamp down voting in multiple ways.

Unlike 37 other states, we offer no early voting. Unlike 27 other states, we offer no no-excuse absentee voting. We don't have same-day registration voting; 15 states do.

(Six of those had the nation's highest turnout in 2016. Our turnout is generally bad: 20th in 2016, 34th in 2012.)

And three states  Oregon, Washington, and Colorado  run elections by mail.

Katherine Culliton-Gonzalez is senior counsel at Demos (the people), a New York-based nonpartisan, nonprofit voter-rights group active in litigating voting issues, including Pennsylvania's voter ID law, ruled unconstitutional in 2014.

"Pennsylvania has a history. And it continues to create barriers to the ballot," she says, "from lack of language access to a lack of poll worker training, no early voting. It not only complicates voting but it sets up real barriers to voters."

She notes that like 35 other states, Pennsylvania does have online voter registration. I'd note it was put in place in 2015 by Gov. Wolf, 13 years after state law allowed it.

It works, by the way. Its first year it drew nearly 900,000 registrants.

But we could do better.

U.S. Census data show that our voting-age population is 10 million-plus. State data show 8.4 million registered voters. So there's lots of room  1.6 million people worth of room  for growth.

We're not the worst state for voting. Mississippi, Arizona, and Tennessee vie for that.

But, given our heritage, we should be the best. Our lawmakers (who can be found at legis.state.pa.us) should honor our heritage. Not maintain affronts to it.

Reform can't happen without improving basics. And nothing's more basic than voting.
Jen Sharp, an early education program teacher, back right, reads books with students at the new Germantown Friends School site in the Curtis Center, overlooking Washington Square. JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Read more

Germantown Friends, the Quaker school founded in 1845, has seen a glimpse of its future, and it's not confined to Northwest Philadelphia.

With millennials not only flocking to Center City but staying and having children, the school with 960 students from preschool through 12th grade, opened an early childhood and after-school program on Washington Square this fall to tap into the burgeoning market.

Statistics gathered by the Center City District show that nearly 9,200 children under the age of 6 reside in greater Center City  more than children aged 6 to 17.

"We studied what the need was and what our needs were and decided that we should embark on placing a pre-K in Center City," said David J. Feldman, a member of the committee that oversees GFS and lives downtown. "You walk around any of the parks, and you practically get run over by strollers."

Germantown Friends is believed to be the first area private school to add a preschool site in Center City.

"I don't know of anyone else, " said Barbara Kraus-Blackney, president of the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, which represents private schools throughout the region. But she said she would not be surprised if other schools were considering similar programs for Center City.

"We tell our schools through our programs to think about strategic ways of looking at the future, and this would certainly be one of them," Kraus-Blackney said. "This region has so many [independent] schools; they're not likely to be divulging their plans until they're ready to go."

Drawing on U.S. Census data, recent reports show that millennials  young adults between the ages of 20 and 34  make up 40 percent of the city's downtown residents, and they tend to be educated. Fully 59 percent of the residents in greater Center City have at least an undergraduate degree.

"The school committee studied in great depth to see where the children were going to be in the next five to 10 years," said Page Fahrig-Pendse, associate head at GFS. "It is true that more younger people were moving and staying in Center City  even when they had young children. Where in the past, maybe those families moved out to the northwest. That's not happening as much."

In fact, GFS says about 30 percent of youngsters in its early childhood classes on the main campus live in Center City.

But school officials know that some parents are reluctant to have their 3- and 4-year old children riding back and forth to Germantown every day.

Plus, Feldman said, families often face waiting lists at existing downtown preschools. So GFS decided it was time to open a satellite center that would replicate the early childhood education offered in Germantown. That program, which began in 1982, combines early childhood academics, the arts and play  and blends it with the tenets of Quakerism, which honors differences and believes "there is that of God" in every person.

After more than three years of planning, the new GFS center in Center City was accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools in August.The program opened in September in leased quarters in the venerable Curtis Center with four pioneering 3-year-olds. More are slated to join them in January.

The program, near 7th and Walnut Streets, is not connected with Mayor Kenney's pre-K initiative. Parents pay $20,500 annual tuition to send a child to the GFS preschool five days a week. The day begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.

John Pomp, who lives in Northern Liberties, is a parent of one the first students. While checking out preschools for Jonah, the family visited the GFS main campus in May. They were very interested when they heard about the site opening in Center City. "It seemed to be a really good fit," Pomp said.

He said his family was drawn to the new GFS center for more than its well-rounded academics. "We're most interested in building character, and I think the program nurtures and builds character," he said.

And Jonah is very happy at the center. "He has taken to the program and to the teachers there," Pomp said.

The bright, airy space that GFS renovated at Curtis overlooks tree-filled Washington Square and includes three classrooms, an art and science studio and a movement and indoor play area with monkey bars, a climbing wall and a slide.

"The kids do go outdoors every day for exploration and for science," said Sarah McMenamin, director of early childhood education at GFS. "But when they're doing their running and playing, they have a space to do that."

Feldman said that finding the right location was one of the biggest challenges.

"We probably looked for two to two-and-a half years for the right kind of space in the right kind of neighborhood," he said. "Not a lot of buildings want kids riding the elevators. And finding 8,000 to 10,000 square feet in a high real estate market was difficult. We looked at a lot of spaces."

About once a month, children from the Center City program mix and mingle with their main campus counterparts. The Center City children went to Germantown for Halloween, and last week 13 3-year-olds from the main campus visited Washington Square.

The programs follow the same curriculum, and the specialist instructors for subjects like art and music teach children at both sites.

GFS expects youngsters from Center City will want to head to Germantown for kindergarten. GFS early education students receive priority for admission to kindergarten  a boon since the school typically receives twice as many applications as it has spots.

Paul R. Levy, president and CEO of the Center City District, noted that 76 percent of children from downtown attend public schools that have been re-energized in recent years by activist parents' groups. He said three private school stalwarts  Friends Select, St. Peter's and the Philadelphia School  have successfully served other downtown families for decades. He said in addition to giving families another option, Germantown Friends' decision to open the new early childhood center made sense on multiple levels.

"This it is a very smart marketing strategy for them," Levy said. "This is a way to accommodate those families who they already have and also a way for them to plant the flag in Center City."
NEW YORK  Pennsylvania Society this year had all the traditional trappings  the same big crowds gathered around open bars listening to politicians pitch themselves while swapping gossip carried from back home and picked up here.

But it was all somehow different. And a little off-putting for some.

The 119th soiree was uprooted from its ancestral home at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, a place where attendees could revel in the gilded splendor tracing back to the titans of industry like Andrew Carnegie, who started it all.

Instead, the party was relocated to a Hilton that opened near Times Square in 1963, a midcentury monolith that former City Controller Jonathan Saidel derided as "Stalinistic."

Still, politicians being politicians, they did what they do.

Gov. Wolf, seeking a second term next year, showed up after skipping the last two years due to protracted state budget battles in Harrisburg.

National news on Friday and Saturday frequently drew attention away from the festivities  the plea deal struck by President Trump's former national security adviser, Mike Flynn, and the U.S. Senate nearing completion on a tax-cut package.

Vice President Pence, the main draw for a Pennsylvania GOP fund-raiser Friday morning, had to cancel in case he was needed to cast a deciding vote on the tax bill. Instead, donors were treated to a speech from Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey were also stuck in Washington for the vote, so the candidates for Pennsylvania governor took center stage for much of the weekend.

In an interview, Wolf took a not-so-veiled swipe at State Sen. Scott Wagner, the York County Republican vying to set himself apart as the front-runner in his party's four-way primary election to be the nominee to take on Wolf.

Wagner has previously portrayed himself as Trump's man in Pennsylvania, the right person to carry forward the populism that helped swing the state for the Republicans in the 2016 presidential election.

To Wolf's view, that hasn't aged so well, especially the embrace of Wagner by Steve Bannon, Trump's former White House adviser and strategist of nationalist politics who has now returned to the conservative website he ran before the campaign.

"I think it's going to be tough to step away from something you said or an endorsement from Steve Bannon," Wolf said.

Wagner, standing at the door to his reception and greeting each visitor with a handshake, conceded that his ties to Trump and Bannon could be more problem than propellant by next year. But he quickly tagged Wolf as well.

"Last weekend Gov. Wolf participated in a very secret conference in California with [House Democratic Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi and [New York billionaire] George Soros," Wagner said. "So, I think that's going to come back to bite him."

That was a reference to the Democracy Alliance's conference last month, a gathering of left-leaning donors, where Wolf, Pelosi, and Soros all spoke.

Wagner also delivered a bombastic review of his Republican competitors at the usually wonky Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association event, knocking them for not having the experience he has in starting and building a business.

"What I said in there is, Pennsylvania is a patient bleeding on the table, it's bleeding to death. We need a surgeon, someone who has the skills," Wagner said after the private gathering. He has a successful waste-hauling company.

State House Speaker Mike Turzai, the most recent Republican to enter the gubernatorial race, joins two others from Allegheny County, Paul Mango and Laura Ellsworth. Does that give Wagner, the lone candidate from the center of the state, an advantage?

"I don't think it's about geography," Turzai said. "I think it's about the vision."

Asked what he told business and political leaders at the manufacturing association event Saturday, Turzai said he was a "reformer with results."

Referring to his rivals' wealth, he added: "I'm the only candidate who can't write a personal check. I can relate to everyday people."

For his part, Mango, a Pittsburgh businessman, argued he brings "a much deeper sense of obligation and commitment" to the race than his GOP primary rivals. "I think I'm the only one who actually left my prior job to do this," he said in an interview at the Metropolitan Club, near Central Park.

Ellsworth blasted what she derided as Harrisburg's short-term budget gimmicks and lamented that instead of growing the economy, "we are ever more dependent on hoping more and more of our citizens drink and smoke and gamble and smoke pot."

"What have we become?" she asked.

More than a few people who traveled to New York said the new venue, necessary because of renovations at the Waldorf Astoria, left them wanting. A few looked at the windowless walls and patterned rugs of the event rooms and said it felt more like an everyday casino than a swanky affair.

Sean Reilly, a Philadelphia lobbyist, recalled the railroad barons who launched the Pennsylvania Society.

"Can you imagine those guys in top hat and long tails coming in and saying, 'The Hilton?' " Reilly asked. "It's a different vibe."

Saidel, who has been traveling to New York for the event for a quarter-century, said the changes felt like "an out-of-body experience."

"It is quite strange," he said. "I walk outside, I still can't find my way back here."

Call it muscle memory. Many attendees were so accustomed to wandering the halls of the Waldorf, attending the same events in the same ballrooms every year, that a new hotel's layout could be confounding.

But a party is a party  and for former Trump advisers David Urban, Jim Schultz, and Anthony Scaramucci, a reunion of sorts at Scaramucci's restaurant, Hunt & Fish Club.

Mayor Kenney made his dutiful stop at Friday's Metropolitan Caucus, where leaders from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties talk about playing as one big team. The topic this year was pulling together to lure Amazon to build its new, second headquarters in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

But Kenney read the room  which featured one of the first open bars of the weekend. His speech clocked in at 59 seconds, flat, after Montgomery County Commission Chairwoman Val Arkoosh struggled in vain to be heard.

While there was plenty of grumbling, there didn't seem to be much enthusiasm for relocating the event to Pennsylvania. That prompted more questions than solutions. Would it be in Philadelphia? Pittsburgh? Alternating year by year?

But as with all perennial events, a certain optimism was built into the next attempt.

"The space is antiseptic, and the bar isn't quite as good," said Lawrence G. McMichael, an attorney with Dilworth Paxson LLP in Philadelphia. "But the Waldorf will be back."
Brandon Conrad, 14, Malik Page, 16, and Emmanuel Harris, 17, (l-r) have been charged as adults. Read more

Three Abraham Lincoln High School students have been arrested and charged as adults in the beating death of a man in Northeast Philadelphia's Holmesburg section a week ago.

The three arrested teens were identified as Brandon Conrad, 14, of the 4600 block of Oakmont Street; Malik Page, 16, of the 4700 block of Oakmont Street; and Emmanuel Harris, 17, of the 4400 block of Shelmire Street, all in Holmesburg. A fourth person was present during the attack but won't be charged, according to Homicide Capt. Jack Ryan, who declined to elaborate on that person's involvement.

The three students from the Mayfair school face murder and robbery charges in the attack, which left Kevin Cullen, 57, dead. At a news conference outside police headquarters Monday afternoon, Ryan said Cullen died from a blow to the head.

Cullen was well-known and well-liked in the neighborhood, but was not homeless, contrary to earlier reports, Ryan said.

"I wouldn't characterize him as homeless; he was definitely bouncing from place to place, living with different people all the time," he said. "He was definitely well-known in the neighborhood. Frankly, we didn't encounter any neighbors that had a bad thing to say about the man."

At 5:55 p.m. Nov. 26, police responded to reports of a robbery in progress on the 4200 block of Loring Street. They found Cullen unconscious, his pockets turned inside out, indicating that robbery was the motive. But nothing was taken from him, Ryan said.

He was brought to Aria Torresdale Hospital, where he died the next morning.

Police officers assigned to Lincoln High and juvenile probation officers helped detectives piece together the investigation.

The killing traumatized the neighborhood. A witness said she could hear the victim's head hitting a brick wall, and police reported that the assailants laughed as they left the scene.

Ryan said that police are investigating the boys' possible connection to other assaults reported in the area. In one such case, a teenager from the same friend group is under arrest, he said.

Ryan lamented the senselessness of Cullen's death.

"Committing robbery is not the answer for boredom," he said. "It shouldn't be your rite of passage. It can have tragic consequences. This man died as a result of it and these three young men are going to jail for some time."
Sixteen of the nation's top retired military commanders are urging Congress to pass gun control legislation, arguing that there are many steps that can be taken to curb gun deaths that do not violate the Second Amendment.

In a letter they plan to send to Congressional leaders, the retired commanders, including Army Gens. Wesley Clark and Michael Hayden, Navy Admiral Eric Olson, Air Force Lt. Gen. Norman Seip and Marine Brig. Gen. Stephen Cheney, argue that Congress is "no longer speaking or voting for the majority of Americans, including gun owners" when it comes to the issue of firearms.

"There is no acceptable excuse for our elected leaders to avoid addressing this as a national crisis," they write.

The group is part of the veterans coalition of a gun control group founded by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly. They laid out their arguments in a letter they plan to send to Congressional leaders.

The retired military men and women said that, as military leaders, they defended the Constitution and have considerable firearms training. As Americans, they said, they find the level of gun violence across the country unacceptable, calling the shootings that killed 58 people in Las Vegas in October and 26 in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November "but the latest instances of shocking horror" that the nation has experienced in recent years.

"Thoughts and prayers will not bring solutions," they write.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the rate of gun deaths rose for the second straight year in 2016, to 12 per 100,000 people.

The letter comes as a House panel this week voted to advance a measure that would expand the ability to carry concealed firearms across state lines. Under the bill, known as concealed carry reciprocity, a person with a concealed-carry permit and a photo identification would be able to have a concealed weapon in any state that allows them. The gun owner would still have to follow state and local laws regarding where and what type of weapons can be carried. The National Rifle Association has called the bill its "highest legislative priority in Congress."

The legislation is scheduled for a House vote next week. Its sponsor, Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said in a statement that the bill is extremely popular and "momentum, common sense, and the facts are on our side."

Giffords said the bill weakens public safety, and Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal said he agrees.

"In the aftermath of two of the country's worst mass shootings, it's an affront to both our safety as a nation and the common sense of its citizens that Congress would consider actually weakening our gun laws," McChrystal said. "Untrained and potentially dangerous people have no business carrying guns in our communities, but the concealed carry bill in the House would allow exactly that."

The retired commanders argue that it is imperative that Congress tackle the issue because inaction will lead to more deaths. They argue that closing background check loopholes, barring extremely lethal guns and accessories and working toward preventing gun suicides can be addressed within "every reasonable interpretation" of the Second Amendment.

"We do not pretend that addressing our nation's gun violence crisis will be quick or easy, but we know for certain that it is your duty," the letter says.

They also said that the failure of the Defense Department to report domestic violence convictions so people with those convictions can't purchase firearms, is "unacceptable" and must be fixed. The Air Force failed to tell federal authorities about the domestic violence convictions of Devin Kelley, the Sutherland Springs shooter, who purchased several guns after his release from jail and discharge from the military.

Giffords' husband, Kelly, a retired Navy captain, said veterans understand firearms  and the damage they can inflict when they end up in the wrong hands.

"These are people who have also defended the Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights, which includes the Second Amendment, with their lives. And they understand that common sense gun laws to protect communities from gun violence are not an infringement on the Second Amendment," he said. "They know this shouldn't be a political issue."

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said he believes it's time for both sides of the polarized debate to sit down and talk about the problem of gun violence.

"Let's have a discussion," he said. "I think we need to have reasonable people come to the table and have a discussion and need to understand that they have a responsibility to carry this conversation forward so we can deal with the risk that's currently in our society."
Trent Garrett Ferree was arrested on suspicion of killing the wife of a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy. (Photo: Maricopa County SO)

A man held on suspicion of hitting the wife and daughter of a Maricopa County sheriff's deputy with his pickup told Phoenix police investigators he blamed his actions on "a combination of drinking alcohol and hearing vibrations and voices that made him want to murder someone," according to a court document released Friday.

The deputy's wife, Amy Chervenak, 47, died in the attack.

Trent Garrett Ferree, 45, of Mesa was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He was being held on a $1 million bond in a Maricopa County jail.

Ferree was driving his silver 2001 Dodge Ram pickup just after 7 p.m. when he drove up onto the sidewalk to hit a couple. They jumped out of the way, according to a court document.

About 10 minutes later, Ferree told police, he saw a woman and a child walking, AZCentral reports.

Chervenak and her 11-year-old daughter were walking back to their north Phoenix home when Ferree hit them from behind, according to the police statement. He hit them once, then turned his car around and hit Chervenak again, the statement said. She was run over three times in the attack. Her daughter was injured.
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On Friday, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn officially pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his contact with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 campaign and agreed to cooperate with the Russia investigation. Unsurprisingly, President Trump took to Twitter Saturday afternoon with an attempt to distance himself from any wrongdoing. Unfortunately for him, his latest tweet implicates him for obstructing justice.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI, Trump wrote. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Trump acknowledges that the reason Flynn was fired (technically he resigned in February after Trump asked him to do so) was his lying, yet the president continued to defend Flynn after he was terminated, and much more importantly, Trump asked former FBI director James Comey to end his investigation of Flynn the day after the national security advisor was fired.

I hope you can let this go, Trump said to Comey in a meeting, according to a memo Comey wrote moments after the conversation.

Trump additionally made his support of Flynn public through a tweet. On March 31, he wrote, Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!

Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 31, 2017

Trump fired Comey in May. In a NBC News interview, he subsequently confirmed that the Russia investigation was a factor in the decision. And, in fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said: You know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story, its an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they shouldve won, he said.

Trump has denied that he asked Comey to end the Flynn investigation, but given his insistence on defending the former security advisor and Comeys subsequent firing, his denial is not the least bit convincing.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) managed to outdo himself after his late-night tax cut for the rich by refusing to say that Roy Moore should not be in the Senate.

Video:

Transcript via ABCs This Week:

STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you believe that Judge Moore should be in the Senate?

MCCONNELL: Im going to let the people of Alabama make the call. This election has been going on a long time. Theres been a lot of discussion about it. Theyre going to make the decision a week from Tuesday.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you are prepared to take action if he is, indeed, elected?

MCCONNELL: The ethics committee will have to consider the matters that have been litigated in the campaign should that particular candidate win.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Will you making a recommendation to the ethics committee?

MCCONNELL: Look, they decide what to go forward.

So Mitch McConnell is now a-ok with Roy Moore being in the Senate, and the reason is because if Democrat Doug Jones wins the Alabama election, and Bob Corker votes no on passed of the final bill, the vote will be a 50-50 deadlock. A tie vote would mean that any Republican Senator could kill the bill. McConnell would have zero margin for error, which is why having a pedophile in Senate who will vote to cut taxes for rich people is now something that the votes of Alabama should weigh in on.

Just when you think Mitch McConnell cant get any lower, he jams a tax bill through the Senate in the middle of the night, then walks criticism of pedophile who is running as his partys candidate in Alabama.

Forget whatever low you know, because Mitch McConnell can always go lower.
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Donald Trump is now claiming that James Comey is the real liar and that he never asked Comey to fire Mike Flynn.

Trump tweeted:

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

James Comey has a sterling reputation as far as honesty is concerned. Democrats still dont like the decisions that he made that hurt Hillary Clinton in the election, but no one questions Comeys honesty. Donald Trump has trouble coming up with one true statement a day. Trump feeds his own delusions through and fantasyland of lies. Trumps new fantasy is that he is the truth teller, and Comey is the one who cant be trusted.

Only a crazy person would walk down this path.

According to legal experts, Trumps tweets could be used by both Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and Congress in impeachment proceedings. Trumps tweets have already been used as evidence in court against his administrations Muslim ban, and his ban on transgender persons serving in the military.

Trump never learns, and this presidents downfall may be accelerated by his inability to stay off of Twitter.
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Trump has been described as increasingly delusional, which makes the news that Melania Trump has taken over the role of being his central advisor troubling.

The Wall Street Journal reported:

Instead, some of his friends have taken to calling Melania Trump and asking her to pass messages to her husband, according to two people familiar with the matter. They say that since she arrived in the White House from New York in the summer, the first lady has taken on a more central role as a political adviser to the president.

If I dont want to wait 24 hours for a call from the president, getting to Melania is much easier, one person said.



The White House responded to the report by calling it fake news.

Since this administration only calls the truth fake news, there is a strong likelihood that the story is true. Donald Trump is so gullible and easily persuaded that those who control access to him, control the president. The reason why Kelly tried to put up barriers to who gets to see Trump is that this president surrounds himself with fringe characters who are anything but the best people.

Melania Trump is the gatekeeper to Trump, which means that in many ways she is the one who is running the country. Trumps decline is increasingly obvious, but what no one counted is the First Lady pulling the strings behind closed doors.
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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee sent the White House reeling and Trump scurrying as he explains why Flynns flip strengthens the obstruction of justice charge against Trump.

Video:

Transcript via ABCs This Week:

STEPHANOPOULOS: And if Michael Flynn were to testify that these contacts with the Russians were directed by the president? What would that tell you, because we all know that during transitions administrations have contacts with foreign officials all the time.

SCHIFF: Well, what that would tell me is that one of the reasons that he was intervening, the president that is, with James Comey was that he knew that this would come to light and that he wanted to protect Mike Flynn lying on his behalf. And then you do get very close to a case of obstruction of justice.

So, I think thats the significance of this context in which the president was intervening.

The more that he was involved in directing this, in being knowledgeable of it, I think the stronger the potential case of obstruction becomes.

The White House is terrified of obstruction of justice. Trumps Sunday morning tweet attacking the credibility of James Comey is proof that he is terrified of obstruction of justice. Rep. Schiff laid out why Trump should be so frightened. Mike Flynn can provide the motive for Trumps firing of Comey. If Flynn can testify that Trump knew about the communications with Russia, it strengthens the case for an obstruction of justice charge against the President.

So far, there has been nothing directly connecting Trump to his campaigns activities, but that all changes if Flynn swears under oath that Trump either knew about, or directed the Russia contacts.

Trump is lashing out and trying to keep his supporters with him, as dogged investigators like Adam Schiff continue to close in each day in the truth.
Zach Hannum is one of the only people growing Montana Christmas trees.

After seeing farms in the Flathead struggle to grow firs, the type of tree in highest demand, he saw an opportunity. Now as the owner of Montana Nursery and Landscape Supply, Hannum grows his trees, sells them to wholesalers across the state and sells them himself at the nursery in Helena.

A lot of people like a Montana grown tree, he said.

Hannum previously specialized in nursery stock farming where he would grow trees as large as 48 feet and dig them up alive to be delivered to developers or builders who didnt want to start from scratch by planting a sapling. But in 1990, he planted his first crop of Christmas trees on his land in Trout Creek in Sanders County.

We get 26 inches of rain a year, he said. The only two counties that get that moisture is Lincoln and Sanders County.

Hes navigated obstacles along the way like when to shear a tree or grazing elk forcing him to fence his crop.

Elk ate them down to the wood, he said. Its like candy.

Hannum says hes the only one in the state growing Fraser firs and Grand firs.

They smell good, look good and hold their needles, he said.

Now Hannum said the Christmas tree season is one of his favorite parts of his business. He gets to meet families and be a part of their tradition.

I get to know the customers a lot better this time of year, he said. Theyre happy. Kids run around and you can sit by the fire.

It takes about seven years before a tree is ready to be cut. Hannum said hes set to sell out of his 350 trees this year, although hes gone back to Trout Creek before to cut more. He remembers one year he went back with a friend for a semi-load that they sold right off the back of the truck.

Montana Nursery and Landscape Supply sells mostly Fraser and Grand firs, a few Scotch pines and a few wild-grown Douglas firs. Trees typically start at $30 and go up to $115 for an 11-foot tree. Hannums trees are cut at the last possible moment. He said trees that are brought from out-of-state can be cut as early as mid-October.

We not only have a better tree, we cut it later.
Chennai, Dec 1 : The Indian Navy is in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to expand its footprint in the state, said a senior official on Friday.

He said the Indian Navy's Eastern Command has become home to force multipliers.

Addressing the media on board INS Sumitra, Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar also the Flag Officer, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area said: "We are also at advanced stages of consultation with state government and other central agencies towards expansion of Naval footprint in Tamil Nadu.

"We are confident of complete support of the state government for allotting us much required land for infrastructure augmentation."

According to Bhatnagar, the Indian Navy, in close consultation with the state government, the Coast Guard, the Coastal Security Group and several other organisations has been taking multiple initiatives to strengthen coastal security in Tamil Nadu.

He said the next meeting of the high level apex committee to review the coastal security in the state will be held in January 2018.

Bhatnagar said the biannual International Maritime Boundary Line Meeting between the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Sri Lankan Navy and Coast Guard will be scheduled next month.

He said in line with India's 'Look East' policy, the Eastern Naval Command, headquartered at Visakhapatnam, has become home to force multipliers, such as INS Chakra nuclear powered submarine, P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, MIG 29 K fighter aircraft and several other machines.
London, Dec 3 : A bible half-a-meter thick and made from the skin of 500 animals is to return to England where it was first made for the first time in 1,300 years, the British Library has said.

The Bible, known as the Codex Amiatinus, was created by monks in northern England in the early part of the eighth century and then taken as a gift to the pope in what is now Italy, Xinhua reported on Saturday.

It has remained there ever since, for more than 1,000 years in a monastery and since the 18th century in a library in the northern Italian city of Florence.

The Bible, bound in leather and containing all the books of the bible written on the hides of sheep and cows, known as vellum, is set to return to be the centerpiece of an exhibition at the British Library in London.

"It is the earliest complete manuscript of the Bible in latin," Dr Claire Breay, head of medieval literature at the British Library was quoted as saying.

It was made in Northumbria in northern England in the eighth century, as the abbot of the monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow commissioned three giant bibles, said Breay.

The Bible was written out in hand, letter by letter by a team of monks who would have laboured for months over the task under the leadership of head abbot Ceolfrith.

As a consequence few Bibles were ever produced and the ravages of time mean that even fewer are left.

Bound copies of the whole Bible were very rare because it was huge.

"They produced these three giant bibles. One has been completely lost, one a few leaves survive which we have in the British Library and the other survived intact in Italy," said Breay.

The Bible is written not on paper but on vellum, the hides of cows and sheep stretched and processed.

This is durable and hard-wearing but also much bulkier than paper, meaning that the leather bound Bible stands half a meter high and weighs 34kg.

"It is an incredible thing. It has over 1,000 leaves (of vellum), requiring the skins of more than 1000 animals in it. The spine of the book is almost 15 centimeters thick," Breay said.

"It is one of the greatest treasures to survive from Anglo-Saxon times but probably one of the least known."

Ceolfrith decided to give one of the precious Bibles to the pope, but in order to do so he had to travel with it to Rome, which was a long and arduous trip at that time. He got as far as Langres in France, where he died en route, but the Bible made it to Rome.

"For a very long time it was in the Amiata Monastery in Northern Italy, but at the end of the 18th century with the suppression of that monastery it has been at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence," Breay said.

The bible is on loan and will be displayed with the St. Cuthbert Gospel, also made at Wearmouth-Jarrow around the same time. It was acquired by the British Library, the national library for Britain in 2012.
Athens, Dec 3 : Turkey President Tayyip Recep Erdogan will visit Greece on December 7-8, the first by a Turkish head of state in 65 years, following an invitation by his Greek counterpart Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Erdogan will meet with Pavlopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, while he will also visit the northeast border province of Thrace, which hosts a large Muslim minority, Xinhua reported on Saturday.

The two Presidents are expected to discuss issues that affect bilateral relations, the refugee crisis, security in the wider region and European Union-Turkish ties.

Closer economic cooperation will also be discussed and will focus on joint projects currently underway.
Los Angeles, Dec 3 : About 5,000 protesters gathered on Saturday in front of the Utah State Capitol against a plan proposed by the federal government to shrink two national monuments in the state.

It was reported that the plan would be announced by US President Donald Trump when he visits Utah next Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rally was organised by Utah Dine Bikeyah, a non-profit and grassroots Native American organization working to protect and preserve cultural uses of public lands by tribes in southern Utah.

These tribes are collaboratively managing Bears Ears National Monument in the state, the first truly Native American national monument, so that they have showed their strong opposition against the plan to reduce the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

The two monuments were designated by former presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively.

Documents obtained by The Washington Post suggested that Bears Ears would be reduced by 85 per cent, from 1.35 million acres (5,463 square kilometres) to 201,397 acres (815 square kilometres), while Grand Staircase-Escalante was to be halved from nearly 1.9 million acres (7,689 square kilometres) to 997,490 acres (4,037 square kilometres).

Trump is scheduled to visit Utah on Monday and deliver a speech at the Capitol, local media predicted that he would officially announce the decision to shrink size of the two monuments.
New Delhi : Navy Day this year is a good occasion to reflect on its journey and evaluate its progress over the last 70 years. The Indian Navy was an exceedingly small force at the dawn of independence and, while being a product of both its British inheritance and the maritime DNA of our forebears, is largely a post-independence construct.

Despite the many problems that besieged the newly independent country -- and by extension its Navy -- such as low industrial base, problems on our land borders made it imperative to focus on the army and the air force. But the navy was not short on vision.

As early as 1948, it drew up ambitious plans for a balanced navy that would consist of light aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, cruisers, auxiliaries and associated training and maintenance infrastructure.

Seen against this backdrop, the Indian Navy has grown quietly but steadily. From a force of less than half a dozen sloops to one that has 135 ships and 235 aircraft, most of them state-of-the-art, is indeed an impressive story.

That we operate in all three dimensions: On, above and below water; that most of our ships are indigenously built; and that we are among the few navies to build and operate an array of platforms from aircraft carriers to nuclear submarines add further strength to the narrative. We are now among the world's leading navies.

But numbers alone do not tell the whole story. Of particular significance is the fact that the navy has built excellent capacities -- both human and material -- in several disciplines such as hydrography, special operations, integration engineering, doctrine writing, underwater medicine and disaster relief, to name a few.

These capacities have been particularly useful when the Indian Navy's achievements in different domains are analysed. If one were to evaluate in terms of roles that navies classically play -- military, constabulary (Policing), Diplomatic and Benign (including humanitarian assistance) -- the Indian Navy can be said to have ticked all boxes with high scores.

On the military front, while most readers are aware of the navy's significant role in the 1971 war with Pakistan and liberation of Bangladesh, there are several interesting aspects to the navy's campaign.

Not only did it fight on two fronts but almost the entire gamut of naval operations came to play in this war. This included aircraft carrier operations in support of the land offensive, anti-submarine operations that led to neutralising of the Pakistan submarine Ghazi, offensive attack by missile boats and blockade of then East Pakistan coast.

More recently, during the Kargil conflict in 1999 and later during Op Parakram, the Indian Navy by its offensive posturing bottled the Pakistani ships inside their harbours and effectively kept the war localised and the situation on even keel. Similarly, Indian Navy's role in Operation Pawan, our prolonged engagement in Sri Lanka, has not got the attention it, arguably, deserved.

Spread over three years, the Navy was involved in support of the army, transportation of troops and material, amphibious operations, seaward cordon militaire, shore bombardment, special operations and airborne surveillance.

Most remarkably, several smaller ships based in Visakhapatnam and Chennai excelled at giving a good account of themselves in hostile conditions.

The notable point is that it's a self-reliant force. The Indian Navy was a pioneer of 'Make in India' which was an article of faith for it. Compared to the army and the air force, the navy is way ahead in the indigenous content of its combat units.

To be sure, we have a long way to go. We need to have weapons, propulsion and many systems to be sourced from within our country. But every ship that gets constructed has more indigenous content than its predecessor and is an improvement over the previous one.

The increased mettle and muscle of our Navy provides much more traction to our foreign policy initiatives, be it in enhancing cooperation with big powers or in providing a palpable physical dimension to the Act-East Policy. Further, the Indian Navy's own international initiatives are wide and encompass several arenas.

They include multilateral forums such as Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the MILAN meetings, joint exercises with several nations, assistance in capacity building to nations in the Indian Ocean neighbourhood, hydrographic surveys, providing training to many foreign navy personnel and hosting events like the International Fleet Review in February 2016 or more recently the Goa Maritime Conclave last month.

The Indian Ocean is prone to natural disasters and the relatively poor disaster prevention and management infrastructure in most of the countries in the region places a bigger responsibility on the Indian Navy.

The disaster situations could be natural, such as the Tsunami of 2004 or cyclonic storms that recur with great regularity in the Bay of Bengal, or they could be caused by human intervention such as what occurred in Lebanon in 2006, Libya in 2011 or Yemen in 2015. The latter cases are often messy and often also involve evacuation of non-combatants and deployment in conflict zones.

There will indeed be some areas that provide scope for improvement. Further indigenisation of weapons, ordnance and systems and gaps in inventory are issues that are attracting the attention of decision makers. There is also need for development of expertise, among its personnel, in a range of subjects such as foreign languages, international law, energy security, area studies and economics.

But, overall, it would be fair to say that the 'Silent Service' at 70 is a success story.

(Srikant Kesnur is Director, Maritime Warfare Centre, Mumbai. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached atsrikantkesnur@gmail.com)
United Nations, Dec 3 : India became the accidental catalyst for a successful UN rebellion against the hegemony of the permanent members (P5) of the Security Council by facing off Britain with overwhelming support of the rest of the countries in the General Assembly and getting Dalveer Bhandari re-elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) -- despite an initial humbling loss to Lebanon.

When Britain withdrew its candidate, Christopher Greenwood, after a prolonged standoff backed by the P5, it was the first time the non-P5, represented by the Assembly, really prevailed over the Council. In the previous instances, when candidates with Council majorities stepped aside, none of them had been from the P5 and it was never a challenge to the P5's claim of a right to representation on the ICJ bench. This was an ominous defeat for the entire P5.

There is symbolism in India defeating Britain. India is not the colony it was in 1945 nor is Britain a globe-spanning imperial power. Whether it is military might, purchasing power parity GDP, population, growth prospects or an expansive world outlook, India has outstripped the United Kingdom. Yet, Britain holds on to its veto-wielding permanency on the Council, while India is shut out.

India's role in the rebellion was not one that New Delhi had sought, but was thrust on it by fortuitous circumstances that also saved face for India, which initially lost the Asian seat. Now the question before India -- and the UN's proletariat, the rest of the non-P5 nations -- is how to harness the groundswell of opposition to the Council's overlordship and change the power structure of the UN starting with a reform of the Council to make it more representative of the world of the 21st century. The permanent seats on the Council were the spoils of World War II taken by the victors but the 1945 scenario has no relevance to 2017.

The Council alone has a broad role to "maintain international peace and security" through its authority to determine aggression, impose sanctions, and launch military action -- which the P5 can individually block or allow through their individual vetoes.

For long, the simmering resentment of the P5's hold over the Council has been building, especially given that its mandates are now focused on regions like Africa and the Middle East that are under-represented in a body with six Europeans, in addition to having no permanent members.

The reform initiative for the Council has been stalled for more than two decades and the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), as the reform process currently under way is known, has been unable to move forward mainly because of the opposition of a small group known as Uniting for Consensus (UfC) led by Italy, with Pakistan as an important member. Their opposition to a negotiating text -- or an accepted agenda framework -- has put the process mandated in 2008 in a Catch-22 trap: Discussions cannot take place meaningfully without a negotiating text leading to a consensus or a decision, while those opposed to reforms blocked it saying there couldn't be such a document unless there was a consensus first.

The revolt of the non-permanent members could increase the pressures for the hold-outs to get on board when the stalled IGN discussions begin again, especially if the African and Arab nations push for reforms.

For some background to the election, India had sought to keep the Asian seat on the ICJ that Dalveer Bhandari had won in 2012, but lost to Lebanon's Permanent Representative at the UN, Nawaf Salam, a lawyer-turned-diplomat.

Under the rules for election to the ICJ, a candidate has to get a majority in both the Council and the Assembly. Salam was elected in the fourth round of balloting in the Council and the fifth round in the Assembly, along with ICJ President Ronny Abraham, Vice President Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia and Judge Antonio Augusto Cancado Trindade of Brazil, on November 9.

But while Bhandari got a majority in the Assembly, he lost in the Council to another sitting judge, Britain's Christopher Greenwood. The geographic allocation of ICJ judgeships and the P5's representation were by tradition rather than by statute, allowing Bhandari and Greenwood to contest the remaining seat. The deadlock persisted through the next six rounds of the run-offs between them that continued on Nov 13, with Bhandari getting close to a two-thirds majority in the Assembly and Greenwood in the Council.

The P5 put aside their ideological and geopolitical battles to close ranks around Britain as its loss could threaten their own privilege of having a judge from each of their countries on the ICJ.

Greenwood's supporters stooped to dirty tricks with the third election meeting set for Nov 20. To create disarray in the ranks of the non-P5, rumours were floated that Bhandari would withdraw or that India would agree to a joint conference made up of three each from the two chambers to pick a candidate. But the support for India only got stronger.

Britain and its supporters next considered a legally questionable strategy of stopping further rounds of voting and forcing a joint conference through a Council resolution.

But in the face of the Assembly's resoluteness, Britain folded on Nov 20 conceding: "The current deadlock is unlikely to be broken by further rounds of voting."

There are two other lessons for India. The whole exercise firmly established that its lot is with the non-aligned and developing nations, most of which make up the Group of 77, who rallied to support it. India may have slowly been diluting its ties to these groups, which have themselves lost their ideological edge and cohesiveness. But these groups still share a commonality of interests, maintain their identities despite their heterogeneity and are a voting force. The United States may have a 100-year vision for India as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently said, but for now its priorities are with Britain.

Although it's a case of all's well that ends well, the initial strategy of going against Lebanon's Salam was flawed for two reasons. India did not announce Bhandari's candidacy for re-election till June this year while Salam had been campaigning for about two years and had sealed the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), an influential group with 55 voting members in the Assembly. France, a permanent member, had also formally nominated him -- and in turn polled the most votes in the Assembly. India had less time to campaign for Bhandari and line up commitments in the Council. Announcing his candidacy after the OIC endorsement also did not sit well with some OIC members.

(Arul Louis covers the United Nations in New York. He can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump asserted that his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, did nothing illegal during the transition period before Trump assumed office. "There was nothing to hide," the president tweeted.

Trump earlier said he's not worried what Flynn may tell the special counsel investigating Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion by Trump associates.



The president was heading away from the White House to travel to New York City for a day of fundraising events when a reporter asked if he is concerned about what Flynn may tell Special Counsel Robert Mueller.



"No, I'm not," Trump said. "What has been shown is no collusion -- no collusion. There has been absolutely no collusion."



"So we're very happy. And frankly, last night was one of the big nights," he added, possibly referring to the Senate's overnight passage of the massive GOP tax overhaul.



Asked if he still stands behind Flynn, Trump said, "We'll see what happens."



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Lewis and Clark Humane Society received a $101,505 check on Friday afternoon to jump-start the most important time of the year for giving to the shelter.

Patricia and John Armstrong presented the check on behalf of their late neighbors, George and Dorothy Huston, who split their estate between the shelter in Helena and Butte.

The Hustons moved to Helena from Toledo, Ohio, in the late 1990s. The Armstrongs were their backdoor neighbors and their dogs always ran the fence together. George Huston was described as a lovable curmudgeon who liked to talk politics. The Hustons didnt have kids and when Dorothy died in 2010 and George needed help, the Armstrongs volunteered to execute his will.

Its just been a real joy, Patricia Armstrong said. Weve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this.

Shortly after moving to Montana, the Hustons adopted a dog from Helena. After his wife died, George adopted Buddy, a springer spaniel mix from the shelter in Butte. Now Buddy has been adopted by another neighbor who grew up playing with him.

After presenting the check, the Armstrongs took a tour to understand how needed the Hustons donation is. Executive Director Gina Wiest said it costs $3,500 a day to operate the shelter.

This is breathing room, she said. We are struggling.

Wiest said donations almost cease from March to October, but drastically increase around the holidays. While Wiest said the shelter is incredibly grateful for the Hustons donation, she said it will go toward big ticket items, maintenance the shelter has been holding off on or emergencies like a boiler going out. She said its crucial for the shelter to continue fundraising until the end of the year to continue day to day operations.

Wiest said the shelter has spent the past few years expanding to limit an existing shelter animals contact with an incoming stray to prevent illness. They also have built more kennel space to make sure animals can rotate to regularly clean all holding areas. Wiest said shes also on a mission to provide education about puppy mills in the area since the shelter is often where people first file a complaint. They only euthanize an animal when it has severe behavioral issues or are too ill, which Wiest said is rare. She said the shelter also works to have incoming animals adopted out in 15 to 20 days to reduce stress.

There isnt anything normal about being here, she said.

Wiest said people can call or visit the shelter website at www.mtlchs.org/ to make donations.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked his fifth question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the Gujarat polls, raising concerns over safety, health, education and crimes against women the state.

He accused Modi of making fake promises to the women of Gujarat where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power for the last 22 years and where rate of conviction in crimes against women is at a meagre 3 per cent.

Citing records from different central agencies and institutions, the Congress leader pointed out that Gujarat was ranked third in human trafficking, fifth in acid attacks on women and 10th in rape of minor girls.

He asked Modi, who served as the Gujarat Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014, why female literacy rate had dropped from over 70 per cent in 2001 to 57 per cent in 2011.

"Why 'no justice for women' as only 3 per cent of those accused of crimes against women get convicted?," Gandhi tweeted.

"Why are two most important cities Ahmedabad and Surat ranked among the top 10 cities in crime against women in India.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education," he asked, pointing out that gross enrollment ratio of girl child is at 20.5 against national average of 23.5 (higher eduction).

Gandhi's question comes in the wake of the party's strategy to pose one question to Modi every day till the polling day on December 9.

He asked the Prime Minister about the women health issues in the state, pointing out that the maternal mortality rate had increased to 85 in the state, putting Gujarat "at number 11 among 15 states in reduction of MMR".

"Why 67 per cent mothers of new born child in the state are denied facility of free transportation in government ambulance?

"Why are 55 per cent women of the state anaemic?"

The Congress Vice-President on Saturday questioned Modi on the "extraction" of high fees from students by government educational institutes in Gujarat.

On Friday, he accused Modi of reducing the power generation capacity of government-owned power firms between 2012-16, while buying electricity from private players at a much higher rate.

Polling for the 182-member Gujarat assembly will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. The counting of votes will take place on December 18.
Jammu/New Delhi, Dec 3 : Just past noon on November 8, two United Nations officers from Delhi waited for about two dozen Rohingya refugees in a white, ground-floor room in Jammu with a message: "You may face problems or dangers in Jammu, move out if you want, we will fund you," several refugees said.

The Rohingyas, mainly Muslims, had fled Myanmar because of a military crackdown against them in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, reached Jammu after travelling through Bangladesh and crossing the border in West Bengal. They are spread out in several refugee camps.

But protests by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) have added an element of uncertainty to their stay in Jammu. The protestors have been demanding the Muslim refugees be ousted from Jammu, calling them "illegal".

The UN officers, who belonged to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), along with UNHCR's partner organisations, later visited Rohingya refugee settlements in Jammu with the same message, according to refugees at the five settlements which this IANS correspondent visited.

"They came here and said that we may face problems in Jammu and they will give money if we want to go to Delhi, Hyderabad, or Mewat," Iman Sheriff, 22, said outside his shack in Channi Rama of south Jammu.

The aid from UNHCR includes travel expenses, assistance to build a shack in the new place, and ration for a month, according to the refugees.

When reached for a comment on the relocation of refugees from Jammu, UNHCR, which protects refugees and resolves their problems worldwide, told IANS that it had been "supporting some refugees in Jammu who wish to move to other locations".

A UNHCR spokesperson said it was due to "protection concerns, among other reasons", but did not elaborate. "At this stage, we are only able to provide this information," a UNHCR email response read.

"They are big people and we are illiterate. How will we ask them questions?" Anwar Hussain, 26, said, when asked whether they sought any clarification from UNHCR.

But very few are willing to take up the offer.

IANS spoke to several of the refugees. But they said that despite protests they were not ready to leave. "We are used to Jammu, we know everyone over here, why would we leave?" Anwar said.

The refugees, who had left their farms, houses and life savings behind, said they were not ready to face another displacement.

"What if the UN later tells us that Delhi is not safe, go to Kolkata? What if they then tell us to go back to Myanmar?" another refugee asked.

"I'll be the last one to leave," Sheriff, a ragpicker, said, standing next to huge piles of plastic bottles, cardboard and waste -- his workplace -- in Channi Rama.

"They said they will build jhuggis for us. But where will we go to eat? Here we know all the streets and can earn our roti," Sheriff said. "What will I do in a new place? Who will look after my old parents?" the youth asked.

Rohingyas, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, were denied citizenship in the country. Termed as one of the "world's most persecuted minority" they have been facing brutality at the hands of the Myanmar military.

In September, the UN had termed the operations targeting Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing" and urged the country to end the "cruel military operation".

The organisation also said that it had received multiple reports of security forces "burning Rohingya villages, and consistent accounts of extra-judicial killings, including shooting fleeing civilians".

More than 800,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar in the last five years as a result of the violence, according to UNHCR, and there are around 21,500 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers in India.

Rohingyas that IANS met in the slum clusters of Jammu and Delhi said memories of the military harassment, including rape of their relatives, still haunt them.

"I fled after military men tried to enter my home one day when my wife was alone," said Bashir Ahmad, 30, a refugee in Jammu.

In Jammu, their stay has become increasingly uncertain since November last year when protests against them started.

Both the BJP and JKNPP have been vocal about their demand to drive out "Rohingyas and Bangladeshis" and the latter had put billboards in the city urging Rohingyas to "Quit Jammu".

"We have been taking out rallies, conducting seminars and public awareness meetings (to drive out Rohingyas)," the Chairman of JKNPP, Harsh Dev Singh, told IANS, calling Rohingyas a "cultural threat".

In February, BJP's Jammu legal cell member Hunar Gupta had filed a PIL seeking "identification and deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis from Jammu".

In September, about 12 refugees were detained by police after a cow's carcass was found near one of the refugee settlements. The police action came after BJP and Shiv Sena members protested.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu, S.D. Singh, told IANS that the protests were for "political gains" but added that conditions were peaceful.

The Indian government in August had termed Rohingyas a "security threat" and asked states to identify and deport them.

Later, the Supreme Court barred the deportation and is expected to hear the case on December 5.

(Nikhil M. Babu can be contacted at nikhil.b@ians.in)
New Delhi, Dec 3 : The second session of the third and final Test match between India and Sri Lanka was halted for few minutes due after concerns over the poor air quality here on Sunday, prompting Lankans to wear anti-pollution masks.

The visiting Sri Lanka players wore masks while fielding after the lunch session on the second day at the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium.

As Delhi air quality deteriorated and it became hazy just after the lunch, umpires discussed the issue with the players and the match was halted for around 15 minutes.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : The opposition should not pitch the next Lok Sabha polls as a presidential-style contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien who feels a "collective leadership" would bring parties together against the BJP in each state.

He also says that Bengal will play a very important role in the collective leadership of opposition parties, an obvious reference to his party supremo Mamata Banerjee.

"In 2019, the opposition has to work out a strategy which will be to play to its strength in all 29 states. I am saying this as student of politics. For example, when we are fighting the election in Bengal, obviously it is going to be Mamata di who is the prime mover there," O'Brien, Trinamool Congress leader in the Rajya Sabha, told IANS in an interview.

He also said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can play a role in bringing opposition parties together in crucial states such as Uttar Pradesh.

"In Uttar Pradesh, there is Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress. Who is the most credible person to make this thing happen? Congress is a player, SP is a player, BSP is a player. Mamata di is the good one to do this job in UP. They will have to listen eventually," O'Brien said.

He said Mamata Banerjee has won a second term and has credibility of four decades.

"She has got a track record of people's movement, struggles. They are not some five-six year phenomenon, this is an old track record. Those are the people who will take the important roles but it will be a collective leadership," he said.

Asked if Mamata Banerjee could be prime ministerial candidate, O'Brien said: "I told you it is collective leadership. Bengal will play a very important role. Don't ask me about personalities," he said.

He said Trinamool Congress can play the role of a bridge between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and, in the same way, the Congress can play the role of a bridge between the Trinamool Congress and the Left in West Bengal.

Answering another query, the chief national spokesperson of Trinamool Congress said the Prime Ministerial candidate is chosen from the party with largest seats in parliamentary democracy.

"This is not a Presidential election. Why should the Lok Sabha election be pitched as a Presidential election. This is not Trump versus Clinton," he said.

On the likelihood of the Congress projecting party Vice President Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, O'Brien said: "At this stage, it looks (like)... it's easier to take on Modi with a strong face in each state."

He said Rahul Gandhi will be president of his party and Trinamool Congress wishes him well.

Asked if he was suggesting there should not be a single candidate against Modi, O'Brien said he was not a spokesperson for 18 parties which have been coordinating their actions against the government.

He said opposition should play to its strengths in all the 29 states.

"Who says opposition does not have a face? Doesn't Karnataka stand a better chance if Mr. Siddaramaiah is the face to take on whoever in the BJP?"

He said Rahul Gandhi's imminent elevation this month was "Congress' internal decision".

"What I can tell you from what I have seen, again as a student of politics, is that there has been a lot of momentum after his US townhall style meetings. There has been some momentum in the Gujarat campaign... Obviously, if he keeps this momentum going, it's good for the opposition. A strong Congress is good for the opposition," he said.

Asked about leaders like Mamata Banerjee having a certain comfort level with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, O'Brien said: "Please give Rahul Gandhi some time as president of the Congress."

He said Trinamool Congress will do what it takes to make the opposition stronger to defeat the BJP.

The party's target, he said, is to win all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. "For two reasons people will vote for us -- one is development, the other is communal harmony."

O'Brien's first political book, "Inside Parliament: Views From the Front Row", was released last week. It has a chapter "BJP is beatable in 2019".

The Trinamool Congress national spokesperson also said opposition parties have been coordinating inside and outside parliament and had made a statement by fielding good candidates for the presidential and vice-presidential polls.

Referring to 18 parties' observing the first anniversary of demonetisation on November 8 as Black Day, O'Brien said: "We came to the conclusion that let us allow every party to interpret that protest in the local language and idiom, in the local situation and then make it a success."

He said the opposition strategy to oust the BJP government was not a negative strategy. "It is a positive strategy. Strengthen federalism to run; that's the positive strategy."
Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 : A low-pressure area which has formed over the south Andaman sea is likely to trigger rainfall in several parts of Odisha from December 7, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

The well marked low-pressure area is currently over the north Sumatra coast adjoining the south Andaman Sea with associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above the mean sea level.

The system is likely to turn into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal in the next 24 hours, according to the IMD.

Bhubaneswar Met Office director Sarat Chandra Sahu said as per the preliminary reports, nearly 18 districts of Odisha mostly in the southern parts including Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh, Boudh, Subarnapur, Balasore, Bargarh, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara, were likely to experience heavy rain.

Farmers are worried as they are yet to harvest their crops.

The farmers have already experienced unusual rainfall, drought and pest attack causing crop loss this year.
Sanaa, Dec 3 : Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels on Sunday said they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

"The missile hit the target accurately in Abu Dhabi," Xinhua news agency quoted a statement carried by Saba news.
Gurugram, Dec 3 : Actress Swara Bhasker says the film industry is a powerful carrier of messages, specifically when it comes to raising awareness about different social issues.

The "Nil Battey Sannata" actress was here to help raise awareness about autism in association with the school Autism Centre for Excellence at the launch of skincare brand Kiehl's India's new store at Ambience Mall here.

She says autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder which is a "rampant phenomenon", is considered a taboo subject in India.

Swara told IANS: "The film industry is a very powerful carrier of messages. Since the industry involves people who have a vast following, the individuals become tools to communicate varied messages to their fans.

"We as an industry try to make movies which help people understand the issues at hand. I'm so honoured to be that message carrier, spreading awareness about autism and negating any inhibitions that are associated with the same. I'm so glad that a powerful beauty name like Kiehl's is bringing light to the topic so people change their perception of autism."
Ramallha, Dec 3 : The Palestinian national unity government on Sunday urged the governments of Arab and Islamic countries to end "incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque" by Jewish settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.

Government Spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said in a statement that the settlers stepped atop the Dome of the Rock inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, under the protection of the Israeli police and military forces, describing it as "insistence by the Israeli government to desecrate holy sites and attacking the most sacred site for Arabs and Muslims in occupied Arab Jerusalem city, violating all norms, international laws, human principles and ethics," Xinhua news agency reported.

Al-Mahmoud held the Israeli government responsible for "all crimes committed by settler gangs towards Al-Aqsa Mosque," and warned of possible consequences resulting from "those escalating aggressive steps," that could possibly lead to "triggering a horrific religion conflict".

Al-Aqsa Mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. For Muslims, it is considered the third holiest site, and it is located in a spacious compound besides the golden Dome of the Rock, together known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary, inside the Old City of Jerusalem that was referred to by Unesco as an Islamic site.

Al-Haram Al-Sharif has been administered by the Jordanian Islamic Waqf Ministry since 1948, but after Israel took over, it was obliged to respect the status quo and not make any changes to the status, laws and institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.

Palestinians repeatedly warned against Israeli government attempts to break this status quo agreement with Jordan and impose changes to the holy site.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, to be the capital of their future state, while Israel refuses to divide the city and wants "Greater Jerusalem" as its capital.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Sri Lanka reached 131/3 trailing by 405 runs after India declared their first innings at 536 for seven on the second day, which was marred by complaints of air pollution, during their third and final Test at the Ferozshah Kotla ground here on Sunday.

Captain Virat Kohli hit his career-highest score of 243 as he shared a 135-run stand for the fifth wicket with Rohit Sharma (65) to power India to a big total.

Sri Lanka complained of poor air quality and hazy condition after two players - Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal had to go off. Both seemed to be struggling with their breathing.

At the end of the second day's play, Angelo Mathews (57 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (25 not out) were at the crease for Sri Lanka. Dilruwan Perera contributed 42 for the visiting side.
Tehran, Dec 3 : Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday opened the first phase of the Shahid Beheshti Port in the southeastern city of Chabahar that bypasses Pakistan and opens up a new strategic transit route between Iran, India and Afghanistan.

The project in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by 60 foreign guests from 17 countries at the port located by the Sea of Oman, official IRNA news agency said.

The port is located 645 km to the south of Zahedan, the provincial capital city, and is the only oceanic port of Iran that will link Sistan and Baluchestan province to Central Asia and Afghanistan.

"We are happy that the first wheat shipment for Afghanistan has been sent to the country's people via the Iranian port," Rouhani said.

Shahid Beheshti Port will be regarded as a new development stage for the province, the President said. The capacity of the port is 8.5 million tons.

The port will increase the capacity of loading and unloading of the ships as well as the employment rate in the province, according to an official with the Sistan and Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Organisation.

Ahead of the inauguration, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on a surprise stopover in Tehran met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif on Saturday and discussed the Chabahar port project among other issues.

Zarif said the port would reinforce Iran-India mutual and regional cooperation. "It also shows the importance of the port in the development of the region and the routes that connect Central Asian states to other countries in the world through the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean."
Montanas 2017 wildfire season has reignited a push for increased forest management, and with that, calls for increasing the use of prescribed fire to reduce fuels and reach various resource objectives.

Federal and state agencies use prescribed fire thousands of times each year. After detailed environmental analysis and planning, they come within a narrowly defined prescription of fuel types, moisture and weather forecasts.

But what happens when prescribed fires get out of control and become wildfires? Under the law, landowners with damaged property could be left holding the bill.

Davis fire, 2010

On Aug. 25, 2010, the U.S. Forest Service ignited the Davis 5 prescribed fire southeast of Lincoln. Officials knew they had an approaching cold front with high winds, plus Lewis and Clark County issued a burn ban for private residents, but conditions met the requirements of the burn plan, and spot weather forecasts indicated they could complete the burn in the time allotted.

Crews with drip torches initially had difficulty igniting the fire, but then it quickly grew and began to spot outside its perimeter. By mid-afternoon, crews had moved into suppression mode. By that night, the fire died down, and firefighters were pulled off due to safety concerns.

A crew of 70, along with aerial support and fire tenders, returned in the morning. At midday on Aug. 26, wind speeds increased as anticipated, and the blaze moved from the ground into a crown fire. Shortly after 1 p.m., it was declared a wildfire.

The Davis fire burned out of control for three days, including onto neighboring private land. In all, it burned more than 2,000 acres, destroyed several structures, caused multiple evacuations and cost $3 million to put out.

I cannot tell you how sorry I am that we have to meet under these conditions and that you are having to go through this, she told about 50 people in attendance. I cant make it up to you; I can just tell you Im sorry and we will do the best we can from this point forward as we have been doing all day, to reduce the impacts on your lives and to get those of you evacuated back in your homes.

Sue and Dave Mannix were among those neighboring landowners. The fire burned over their patented mining claims and the once forested land was filled with torched stands of conifers.

It really did significant damage that left us pretty upset, Sue Mannix said. Its property that really means a lot to us.

The Mannixes were not alone.

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show multiple landowners reporting damage, from burned timber and fences to lost historic cabins. News reports reflect the anger of residents, believing the Forest Service never should have attempted the prescribed burn.

What seemed obvious to the Mannixes -- the Forest Service started the fire and is thus liable for any damages -- became a years-long struggle that left them frustrated and uncompensated.

Their 2011 claim was forwarded to regional counsel in New Mexico, which would ultimately make a decision. They estimated it would cost $70,000 to recover damages of 700 burned trees.

When the government came back and said it needed more documentation to estimate the trees value, the Mannixes hired a professional arborist. That report put the replacement value at $150,000, which they submitted in 2012 but still asked for the smaller sum.

Discouraging words

The reply they finally received in 2014 left them angry and discouraged.

Our review of your claim discloses no liability on the part of the United States, the document reads. Therefore, your claim is denied.

They started the fire. The admitted they started the fire. And yet all were left with are stacks of papers, Dave Mannix said. What we learned through all this and want other people to know, is if you or I had started that fire, wed be held liable.

Its a double standard, Sue Mannix said.

Other landowners saw their tort claims also denied.

A handful decided to then file a federal lawsuit, and while all but one settled, U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell ruled against the remaining landowner, saying that the United States was immune from the litigation.

The Federal Tort Claims Act is a limited surrender of the sovereign immunity of the United States. Under the law, the United States is immune from lawsuits except in cases where it consents to be sued. The concept is commonly understood as the government can only be sued as much as it says it can be.

In the governments review of the Davis fire, it found that Forest Service officials had adequate training, followed proper protocols and ignited the fire within the prescription parameters of the burn plan. The review identified the compressed timeframe for the burn, the change in weather and a need for better understanding of the complexity of the prescribed burn as contributors to the fires escape.

Lovells decision notes further legal parameters that consider the Davis 5 prescribed fire a discretionary function of a government employee under tort law. The government is exempt from liability in discretionary decisions by employees in their official duties, even if the act is negligently performed or an employee abuses discretion, he wrote.

'How unfair it is'

Obviously, personally, what stands out with my clients through the whole thing is how unfair it is, said Billings attorney John Heenan, who represented the plaintiffs in the case. If a private person or entity causes a fire negligently, theyre on the hook for everything including fire suppression, and I think thats fair.

Heenan is currently a Democratic congressional candidate but was interviewed for this story months before he announced he was running for office.

Heenan and the Mannixes are referring to cases of strict liability -- for example, when a private person or company simply starts a fire, that constitutes liability for damages it may cause. It is not uncommon to see individuals face civil penalties for letting a campfire or burn pile get away.

Its a heightened standard when you sue the government, Heenan said. In this business there are all kind of hoops that are unfair, and often justice and the law are not synonymous, thats for sure.

Both Heenan and the Mannixes again brought up fairness as the Forest Service dealt with the post fire landscape.

Heenan recalled the Forest Service out doing erosion control on federal land while private landowners were told erosion control would be their burden.

The Mannixes did work with the agency on culvert replacement. While they say local officials attempted to help them financially for post-fire rehab, it was again denied at the regional level.

And in recent years the Forest Service has replanted trees within the Davis fire scar in a project focused on whitebark pine.

That does add some insult to injury, that theyre spending money on the federal land and we still have a road that drifts so bad in the winter we can hardly use it, Dave Mannix said.

Other cases

Digging deeper into the immunity rationale, Lovell eludes to the necessity of a discretionary function, noting that it balances the concerns of fire escape with the benefits of the prescribed fire.

The lawsuit alleged the Forest Service had not properly authorized the fire and setting it was negligent due to weather conditions.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy ruled that whether setting the fire was wise, foolish or negligent was irrelevant due to the discretionary function exception in the tort law. An appeals court agreed.

The Forest Services decision to set backfires was a policy judgment in that it involved a balancing of considerations, including cost, public safety, firefighter safety and resource damage,' The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in support of the federal government.

Some cases have been allowed to proceed.

In the 2011 Bullock fire in California, an appeals court ruled that the federal government could be sued for damages caused by back burns -- not because of damages, but due to an alleged failure on the part of the Forest Service to inform residents of firefighting plans.

Whether the state of Montana falls under a similar immunity still has unanswered legal questions, said Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation attorney Mark Phares.

In 2013, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously upheld a $730,000 judgement for a back burn set by DNRC firefighters that burned over a Drummond-area ranch. The state claimed it was immune from lawsuits under the public duty doctrine, which Phares explained as the government having a duty to the public at large rather than an individual, thus precluding an individual suing based on a violation of that duty.

Phares says the ruling left the question of the public duty doctrine as a defense open, but noted that state law does not contain a specific tort immunity such as a discretionary function exception.
Shanghai, Dec 3 : Hinting at a possible resumption of a harmonius relationship with China, Google's India-born Chief Executive Sundar Pichai on Sunday said that a lot of the tech giant's work actually helps Chinese companies.

Attending the fourth edition of the Chinese state-run "World Internet Conference" in Wuzhen, near Shanghai, Pichai said that many small and medium-sized businesses in China take advantage of Google to get their products to many other countries outside of China, the South China Morning Post reported.

The Google website and most of the company's products -- including YouTube -- are banned in mainland China.

Google shut down its Chinese search engine seven years ago after a direct confrontation over Beijing's censorship policies.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and Cisco Systems CEO Chuck Robbins also attended the event.

The previous three conferences in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were not attended by such heavyweight US tech executives as Cook or Pichai.

Cook told the event that "the theme of this conference - developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits - is a vision we at Apple share".

He said that Apple "is proud to have worked alongside" many of its partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace.

Apple this year agreed to Chinese government requests to remove dozens of virtual private network (VPN) apps - services that allow Chinese users to access blocked websites - from its local App Store.

Skype, the calling app, was removed from its mainland App Store this autumn.
Port Blair, Dec 3 : The Indian Coast Guard carried out a unique rescue operation on Sunday, freeing a trapped Olive Ridley turtle near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

A patrol ship in the sea off Andaman and Nicobar Islands found an Olive Ridley turtle entangled in a fishing net.

The coast guard crew on board rescued the turtle and handed it over to the Forest Department in Port Blair.

The Olive Ridley sea turtle has been placed under the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as it is considered vulnerable world-wide and endangered in India.

These turtles are considered endangered because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world.

It has been listed on Schedule - I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, which means hurting or killing any animal in this list would result in highest prescribed penalties.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Two IMA doctors have been included in an inquiry panel set up by Max Super Specialty Hospital here to investigate a case wherein one of the premature twins was pronounced dead even though he was alive, informed sources said on Sunday.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) Ethics Committee Chairman Dr Arun Agarwal and IMA Joint Secretary Dr Ramesh Datta are on the panel which is likely to complete its probe by December 4 whereas its findings will be out by December 7, hospital authorities said.

On November 30, doctors had declared the 22-week-old premature baby dead at the hospital in north Delhi's Shalimar Bagh and handed it over to the parents in a polythene bag along with his stillborn twin brother.

The family observed slight movement in the polythene bag while they were on their way to perform the last rites. The baby was found alive when rushed to a nursing home in Pitampura.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday said strict action will be taken against the hospital and its licence cancelled, if required.

He said the government ordered an inquiry on Friday when it came to know about the alleged negligence of the hospital.

Jain said a show-cause notice was served to the hospital on November 22 for not treating poor patients.

The baby remains critical at a nursing home in Pitampura. "The baby is in a critical condition now. The body is supposed to be kept under observation for 72 hours after admission on Friday," a nursing home doctor, who didn't want to be named, told IANS.

A Max Hospital statement said it had initiated a detailed inquiry, pending which the doctors concerned have been asked to proceed on leave immediately.

A similar incident was reported from Safdarjung Hospital in June when a newborn was found alive even though the doctors had declared him dead.
Kolkata, Dec 3 : Three days after a minor girl was allegedly sexually abused inside a south Kolkata school by two physical training (PT) teachers, parents and guardians of students on Sunday held a sit-in protest demanding their children's security and arrest of the school's principal.

The agitating parents first blocked the road near the school premises in south Kolkata's Ranikuthi and then marched to Tollygunj where they held the sit in. The protesters were joined by several parents of students from other prominent schools in the city.

The four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two PT teachers inside a washroom in in the high-profile GD Birla Centre For Education on Thursday. Both the accused have already been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sent to two days of police custody till Monday.

On Sunday afternoon, the father of the victim lodged a police complaint against the school's principal, claiming that she tried to cover up the issue and indirectly supported the crime.

"We have lodged a police complaint against the principal. This is not the first time that such an incident has taken place in her school, it has happened before as well. In spite of knowing the incident, the principal initially did not take any steps against the criminals," said the lawyer appointed by the victim's family.

"The principal should be arrested because she supported the crime instead of reporting it to police. She tried to cover up the issue. So she has a part in the crime," she added.

Amid demands from the guardians to remove all the male teachers and teaching staff from school, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said it is better not to have male teachers in girls' schools.

"Be it any school, I feel it is better not to have male teachers in girl's school. There are many school buses for girls which do not have any female attendants. This should not happen," he said.

The agitating parents carried banners and placards condemning the assault on the minor girl. They created a massive road graffiti of a child student asking for her security, as a symbolic protest to the incident of sexual assault.

"The schools would have to ensure their children's security and make sure no such untoward incident takes place in the future," one of the parents demanded.

They also warned that the school would not be allowed to operate till the principal resigned, taking responsibility for the incident.

Police appealed to the agitators to remove the blockade and suggested they hold a meeting with the school's management committee to resolve the disputes.

"We have proposed to the guardians and the representatives of the students' forum to sit in a meeting with the management and other stakeholders and place their demands there. That would help resolve the disputes," said Rupesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata police's south suburban division.

Meanwhile the school issued a notice saying the junior as well as the senior sections will remain closed from Monday. The notice also said the school has removed the two arrested physical training teachers from duty.
The Hague (Netherlands), Dec 3 : PSV extended their lead over rivals Ajax to 10 points on Sunday, one week before the clash between the two teams in Amsterdam.

PSV had a difficult first half against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday in Eindhoven. Substitute Luuk de Jong became the match winner in the 52nd minute, reports Xinhua news agency.

After that goal PSV had some more chances and captain Marco van Ginkel hit the post. However, De Jong's goal was decisive.

Also on Sunday AZ beat VVV-Venlo 2-0 in Venlo, thanks to a late own goal by Ralf Seuntjens and a goal by AZ defender Pantelis Hatzidiakos. With the three points AZ passed Ajax on the table.

On Saturday Ajax lost two points at FC Twente. Two free kicks by Lasse Schone earned Ajax a 2-0 lead in the first half, but in the second half Twente equalised through a header and volley by Stefan Thesker.

Justin Kluivert put Ajax in front again, but Tom Boere headed in the 3-3 one minute from time.

PSV now lead the Eredivisie table with 39 points, followed by AZ (31), Ajax (29), PEC Zwolle (26) and Feyenoord (25).

Next Sunday Ajax host PSV in Amsterdam.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Hitting out at his detractors within the AAP, its founder-member Kumar Vishwas on Sunday said the party needed an anti-virus system to get rid of "viruses that have been destroying it".

"Anti-virus system will be set up in the party and that will include party workers," Vishwas told the media here.

He also talked of bringing into the party fold those who had left the AAP, which is in power in Delhi.

Asked about which virus he was referring to, he only said that Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP), support had gone down from five lakh persons who assembly at Ramlila Maidan here at one point of time to 5,000 at present and it was only due to the viruses.

He expressed displeasure over the AAP's functioning and said the party needs to go back to the basics.

Vishwas reiterated that the AAP had deviated from the path from where it started five years ago.

He said party workers were in talks with many of their colleagues who had since left the AAP, including Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, and apologised for any wrongs done by the party.

In the AAP's National Council meeting in November, Vishwas' name was not included in the list of speakers.

In October, the AAP had revoked the suspension of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, who had accused Vishwas of being a traitor. Khan was suspended in May, days after he made the remark.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : The Congress on Sunday alleged that BJP was indulging in violence against its candidates in Gujarat and urged the Election Commission to initiate an action against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

"Our leaders Indranil Rajyaguru, Mitul Donga and MP Rajeev Satav, who are fighting the 'Shah-kaal' of fear and corruption in Gujarat, were attacked by the Gujarat Police yesterday," said Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Twitter.

"Violence is a result of fear. Rupani ji fears losing the election and he is taking support of lathis. But Gujarat is not frightened," he added.

Congress said that its candidate Indranil Rajyaguru, who is contesting Rupani from Rajkot West, its Rajkot East nominee Mitul Donga and MP Rajeet Satav have been arrested by the Rajkot police.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "People of Gujarat and Rajkot will teach a befitting lesson for such brutalities through the 'power of ballot'."

Another Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said Rupani was "puzzled" as he was "losing" and was thus resorting to violence against Congress leaders.

"I have heard the chief minister's audio in which he said that the BJP was in a bad shape'," Dev told reporters.

"When Rajyaguru, who is also an MLA, was campaigning last night (Saturday), he was attacked by some BJP goons. Instead of arresting them, police arrested our candidate," she added.

She further alleged: "The police also arrested Rajeev Satav, who had gone there to enquire about the Congress candidate."

Dev asked the Election Commission to take action against Rupani, and police officials concerned.
Kathmandu, Dec 3 : Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday inaugurated the international conference on resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya here with a call of regional cooperation and international collaboration to address climate change.

More than 400 experts including scientists, environmentalists and policymakers from 26 countries are taking part in the international conference Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for Asia.

Over the next four days, they will discuss ideas for strengthening the fragile environments and solutions for mountain communities of the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH), which extends from Afghanistan to Myanmar.

"Only mutual collaboration among all nations along the mountains range will make this possible and effective to address the issues of climate change. It is not possible without international and regional cooperation, unity and collaboration," Bhandari said in her inaugural address at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) premises here.

She said the task of nature conservation cannot be limited within national boundaries and concrete collaboration among countries is vital. It is very important to pay attention to distinct challenges specific to the HKH region, she added.

Bhandari urged experts for extensive scientific research on the impact of "The South Asian Brown Cloud phenomenon" on glaciers and the cryospheric environment, as well as about "Cloud Burst phenomenon".

She has also expressed concern over amounts being squandered for military might continue to soar recklessly despite widespread calls for peace and good governance from all corners of the earth.

"This earth is a common place gifted by nature for precious human lives along with biodiversity. I believe that it is high time that nations invested resources to limit detrimental impact of climate change and environmental degradation rather than spend money on areas that threaten human lives and resources."

Nepal's Ministry of Population and Environment and the ICIMOD are co-hosting the conference to address growing challenges to mountains and mountain communities. The conference, which will last till December 6, focuses on ideas and solutions to create effective and sustainable changes to improve mountain livelihoods.

The HKH sources 10 major river systems in Asia that provide water, ecosystem services, and livelihoods to more than 210 million people. The region holds and distributes water for more than 1.3 billion people living in downstream river basins. Climate change and other drivers of change in the HKH have already begun to impact ecosystems and communities increasing vulnerability and exposure to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and landslides.

Resilience is the ability of communities and ecosystems to be prepared for shocks, recover from shocks, and "bounce forward" to emerge stronger than before. ICIMOD and its partners have been working on developing solutions for resilience building, promoting regional cooperation, and enhancing knowledge for sustainable mountain development.

The conclusions drawn from the conference will add a mountain perspective to larger global agreements, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - the United Nations' set of milestones for eradicating poverty and tackling climate change by 2030. The Resilience conference is an indication that ICIMOD's eight regional member countries recognize the need for a collaborative approach to achieve the SDG targets.

"I hope the outcomes of this conference will contribute toward improving the socio-economic conditions of the people living in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region," said Nepal's Population and Environment Minister Mithila Chaudhary.

The European Union is providing support to this conference through ICIMOD's "Himalica" initiative. EU's Ambassador to Nepal, Veronica Cody, said: "I am sure that this conference will make a strong contribution to understanding the concept of resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya better and to mapping the way forward -for the benefit of the region, Asia and the world at large."

ICIMOD Board Chair and Bhutan's Agriculture and Forest Secretary Dasho Rinzin Dorji said: "This international conference is timely as climate change is a reality we face and we must prepare to be resilient so that our future generations do not suffer."

ICIMOD Director General, David Molden said, "At ICIMOD, we know that mountains face challenges, but they also provide opportunity: opportunities for collaboration, opportunities for partnership and private investment, opportunities for youth and opportunities to envision and work toward a future where mountains can become examples of changes that can inspire the rest of the world. We know that mountains can bring us together."

(Imran Khan can be contacted at imran.k@ians.in)
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the international language service provider flexword Translators & Consultants and to mark the end of an extremely successful business year, management organised an anniversary event for the entire Group in Novi Sad in Serbia. On 24 November 2017, the flexword teams from London, Mannheim and Jacksonville made their way to their Serbian colleagues in Novi Sad to enjoy a weekend packed full of highlights.

Over the course of the weekend, the teams were presented with an extensive cultural and culinary programme. The medieval Petrovaradin fortress offers a stunning view of this university town on the Danube river. And this was the starting point for an exciting tour of the fortress's catacombs during which a local historian offered the flexword teams from Germany, Great Britain and the USA an insight into the city's past. There were also treats in store for the taste buds: At a vineyard near to Novi Sad, employees got the chance to sample various wine varieties from the region together with typical local specialities. Staff were then able to explore the city on their own before meeting up again in the evening for a joint dinner with live music. Managing Director Werner Arnautovic says, the aim of this event was to express our gratitude to staff for the successful 2017 business year and also to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Our teams work together at different locations on international projects and, thanks to modern technology, are able to remain in close contact. This get-together and the in-depth discussions over the weekend have helped to forge even closer ties between the teams. The Mannheim-based company, which started off as a two-person operation 25 years ago, is now an internationally established language service provider with offices in Germany, Great Britain, the USA and Serbia. The company remains committed to ensuring strong and trusting cooperation between its teams as a key element of its corporate philosophy in order to facilitate continuous growth.

About flexword Translators & Consultants:

flexword Translators & Consultants, whose head office is in Mannheim, is one of Germany's leading professional language service providers. Its Managing Director, Goranka Mis-Cak, is a qualified translator who founded the company in 1992. From very small to large-scale projects, from single-language to multilingual, from long-term projects to express and overnight translations: over 1,000 clients from a wide variety of industries choose flexword as their full service provider based on its core expertise in the translation services sector. The company was one of the first translation providers to be certified to EN 15038, making it the premium supplier among high-quality service providers. That puts flexword at the forefront of high-quality language service providers. The owner-managed group with offices in Germany, the US, the UK and Serbia boasts a global network of more than 6,500 qualified specialist translators, proofreaders and interpreters. As such, flexword can provide translations exclusively from qualified mother-tongue specialists with many years of professional experience. flexword is a member of the British Chamber of Commerce and the 'Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar' public-private partnership model, and is also a training enterprise for the Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce. For over 20 years, flexword has been synonymous with top-quality translations, completing all assignments on time and with skill, while demonstrating flexibility and focusing on the customer's needs.

Press contact

Amelie Quasthoff

PR & Communications Manager

Tel.: +49 621 39 74 78 0 | Fax: +49 621 39 74 78 10

amelie.quasthoff(at)flexword(dot)de | http://www.flexword.de
Were excited to deliver our guests a sleek and modern design that provides them with an even more enticing experience, said Obed H. Morales, the hotels recently appointed general manager.

Guests of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport North will now be able to experience a new sleek and modern feel during their stay. The 329-suite hotel in Grapevine, Texas, just two miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, has completed the first phase of its multi-million-dollar property renovation.

Enhancements have been made to the following areas:



Lobby: Guests will be greeted to an all new design including contemporary decor and lighting.

Atrium: The contemporary look and feel continues as guests relax in the new and inviting 12-story atrium

Meeting Space: Three new state-of-the-art breakout rooms have been added, conveniently located on the first floor of the hotel. Each room boasts large windows allowing for plenty of natural light. Each meeting room also has built-in-wall televisions with integrated power and data connection ports built right into the board room tables for easy projection.

Ballrooms: These were also redone with new carpeting and wall finishings. The ballrooms also have improved sound buffering, providing a more pleasurable experience.

Restaurants: Hallfords Restaurant & Bar, the newest restaurant to the hotel will offer modern American cuisine, incorporating the traditions of Texas with a commitment to local and sustainable sourcing. Hallfords Mercantile, a new marketplace cafe has been added to the main lobby where light meals and Starbucks coffee is served.

In addition, guests can expect updates to the suites by summer 2018, including new furniture, flooring, drapery and artwork that will pair with the new public spaces.

Additional highlights of the hotel include complimentary 24-hour transportation to and from DFW International Airport, complimentary made-to-order breakfast and evening refreshments, complimentary scheduled transportation to Grapevine Mills Mall, a fitness center and an indoor pool.

The hotel revealed the renovations to the Greater Dallas community earlier this month in partnership with GRACE Christmas Cottage. Mayor William D. Tate kicked off the celebration by cutting the ribbon and over 200 gifts were donated by event guests for the less fortunate.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport North is located at 2401 Bass Pro Drive, Grapevine, Texas. For more information, visit the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport North Website and connect on Facebook.

About Atrium Hospitality

Atrium Hospitality is a leading hotel and asset management company headquartered in Alpharetta, GA. The company oversees a portfolio of more than 50 hotels in 26 states, licensed primarily through the Marriott, Hilton and Intercontinental brand families. For more information, visit http://www.atriumhospitality.com.

About Embassy Suites by Hilton

Embassy Suites by Hilton, one of Hiltons 14 market-leading brands, is dedicated to delivering what matters most to travelers. The full service, upscale brand offers two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast and a nightly two-hour reception with complimentary drinks and snacks. Both leisure and business travelers looking for a relaxed, yet sophisticated experience will feel right at home with brand-standard amenities like inviting atriums and complimentary 24-hour business and fitness centers. Embassy Suites by Hilton has more than 230 hotels with 49 in the pipeline. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that cant be found anywhere else, free standard Wi-Fi and digital amenities like digital check-in with room selection and Digital Key (select locations) available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. For more information, visit embassysuites.com or news.embassysuites.com. Connect online with Embassy Suites by Hilton at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"I was watching a documentary on incidents where women were given date-rape drugs, and this idea occurred to me," said an inventor from St. Petersburg, Fla. "My invention would prevent a beverage from being tampered with, thereby keeping people safe from harm."

She developed the patent-pending THE DRINK D.U.F.F. prevent the beverage from being tampered with. The device minimizes the risk of being drugged by a would-be rapist. It keeps the drink safe when it is left unattended. The accessory also keeps germs and other contaminants out of the beverage. All of this offers added peace of mind. Additionally, it is suitable for use with any beverage glass.

The original design was submitted to the Tampa office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 16-TPA-2406, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. -https://www.youtube.com/user/inventhelp
As part the Tiny Hands Foundation's 2017 Holiday Basket Brigade this year we will be providing the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Florida Keys Area with 200 holiday gift baskets filled with food and Christmas toys. We hope this gift will help to make the holiday season a little merrier for some of the children and families in the Florida Keys Community during this trying time. - Rod Khleif, Founder & President, The Tiny Hands Foundation.

Those who are interested in helping The Tiny Hands Foundation with the 2017 Holiday Basket Brigade please contact: Ron Trytek. $30 sponsors a local family. Your generosity will be deeply appreciated and gratefully acknowledged. The Tiny Hands Foundation is a 501c3 charity and all donations are tax-deductible.

What: 16th Annual Tiny Hands Foundation Holiday Basket Brigade

Where: Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota - 3100 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, Florida 34237

When: Saturday, December 16th, 9am - 12pm

Who: Interested donors, sponsors, partners, press, and volunteers

About The Tiny Hands Foundation: The Tiny Hands Foundations Core Mission is to improve the quality of impoverished childrens lives within our community. The foundation was founded in 2001 by Sarasota businessman and philanthropist Rod Khleif and leads several annual childrens charitable initiatives that have benefited more than 55,000 community children and families in need.

The Tiny Hands Foundations annual charitable initiatives include:

Holiday Basket Brigade: Provides thousands of holiday gift baskets filled with food and Christmas toys to community children and families in need.

Back-to-School Backpack Brigade: Provides thousands of new backpacks filled with school supplies to community school children in need.

Teddy Bear Brigades: Provides thousands of teddy bears for community law enforcement patrol cars to be given out by Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies to comfort children in distress.

Contact: Ron Trytek

The Tiny Hands Foundation

Direct Phone: 941-343-8023

E-mail: Ron(at)TinyHandsFoundation(dot)org
RV sales are booming We're booming! Faster than the rate of US Census Bureau growth.

An area that was formerly a poster child for the Great Recession now has a problem it could only have dreamed of nine years ago.

Like many communities across the country, Elkhart County, Ind., has a website and a marketing pitch aimed at attracting new business investment to its northern Indiana niche. Unlike many communities, however, Elkhart County has had to divert some of its marketing budget to a slightly different kind of target  not companies but workers. In fact, lots of workers, from just about anywhere on the globe.

Today the number of open, unfilled positions in our local industries is almost as critical as the lack of such positions were in 2008, when the local unemployment rate hovered around 20 percent, said Mark Dobson, president/CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County. We dont have enough qualified people to fill the new jobs that are rapidly opening up on a daily basis. I know this falls in the category of a nice problem to have, but eventually it will not be if large employers' needs for skilled labor keep growing.

Last year, Elkhart County had 14 significant business expansions and one company relocating into its market, creating a need for 2,500 new employees. In 2017, 10 more companies had significant growing, increasing the need for another 3,000 employees. Plus, three new companies moved to Elkhart County. Currently, there are 20 sites under construction in the market that serve the RV industry, which adds another 3,500 employee minimum demand.

"Were booming!" says Dobson. "Faster than the rate of US Census Bureau growth."

The county's main industry, Recreational Vehicles, is experiencing a huge spike in business with a projected increase for 2018, making the need for workers even more critical. So Elkhart County is touting its benefits as a community through sophisticated job search engines on the web that reach people and promote the area in many different countries around the world, and mainly through ElkhartWorks.com.

Its difficult if not impossible to measure how many people may have heard about our situation on the web and moved here because of that, said Dobson. And it would be some time before any significant surge in job applicants locally would become evident. But weve gotten some positive analytics about the number of people who have visited our website at elkhartworks.org and made a quality visit  that is, they actually stayed on the site for a while to see what we have to offer. They can access our job listings right on the site. So, we see promise in this effort. Its really a campaign that draws attention to this entire region of Indiana, including St. Joseph County.

One of the factors in the surge in Elkhart County employment is also, ironically, the same factor that drove unemployment numbers up during the Great Recession  the RV industry. When retirement funds headed south and various sources of income dried up, RVs suddenly became a luxury people could do without. Then, as the recession eased, companies that were still in business merged or bought other companies and often consolidated operations in Elkhart County, already known as the RV Capital of the World, but now with more than 80 percent of the industrys manufacturers and suppliers located here.

What was an industry that was very concentrated in Elkhart County became even more concentrated here, said Dobson. The last few years have been boom times for the industry. More younger people are buying RVs and retired people have more of their nest egg back now to use.

Other businesses have expanded or moved in as well. And it gets to be a chain reaction. Suppliers want to be closer to manufacturers and so on, said Dobson, emphasizing that there are many jobs open in a number of occupations beside RVs  healthcare, education, engineering, construction, and various levels of management. Wages encompass a wide average of hourly pay from $15 to $55 an hour, and many manufacturers pay for piece work, which gives workers the flexibility to earn more than the usual base pay.

Then factor in that the cost of living is lower than average in the U.S. and much lower than in a big city. Yet the amenities of Chicago and Lake Michigan are two hours or less away, and Indianapolis and Detroit two and a half and three hours away, said Dobson.

Our school systems are among the safest in the state, and were within an hours drive from a wide variety of outstanding universities, colleges and technical schools, including the likes of Notre Dame, Indiana University South Bend and Indiana Ivy Tech. Unlike some places, we have thriving small towns, commercial strips old and new, government and private support for fledgling businesses, and bedrock, Midwestern values amplified by the Amish community that lives and works beside us. We are blessed to have a location that is very attractive place to live and work, said Dobson.

All we have to do now is let people know were here.
the ARCADE JAPAN store image designed by Mikio Sakamoto Unrevealed is revealed Past News Releases RSS

This coming December COSATEN LLC will launch a pop-up store called the ARCADE JAPAN to show Japanese brands that are carefully selected, high-quality and unrevealed in the United States.

A concept store, the ARCADE JAPAN will launch on Tuesday, December 13th and remain open through Sunday, December 24th with 20 brands.

Unrevealed is revealed is the concept behind the ARCADE JAPAN and exemplifies its unknown potential. The Japanese brands featured in our pop-up will be shown for the first time here in the United States.

The concept is created by Minato Fukuoka, co-founder of COSATEN LLC. In Japan, there are so many brands that deserve to be unrevealed to the world. Based on her wish, to spread more products of made in Japan to New York, the ARCADE JAPAN is launched. Our store is a place where people can meet brands focusing on creativity, sustainability and functionality. The pop-up aims to be an opportunity for exploration; a creative environment for brands to sell product to a highly targeted consumer, consisted of trade and industry insiders and a hungry trend- driven audience.

The store is designed by Mikio Sakamoto, co-founder of COSATEN LLC and creator of Japanese interior/ architecture company MOVE DESIGN. In Japan, an arcade is a market place of artisans selling their wares and an opportunity for buyers to meet the designers in person. Japanese arcades are traditionally constructed like an arc, so our popup will emulate this aesthetic and design.

Location will be set at 251 Elizabeth Street in Nolita, New York. the ARCADE JAPAN will have ready-to-wear, accessories, bags, jewelry and ceramics. Each brand has its own concept and individuality. The space itself will provide an atmosphere where our customers can feel the wonders and magic of the holiday season while keeping warm with our complimentary coffee.

the ARCADE JAPAN

251 Elizabeth St, New York, NY, 10012

For press enquiries please contact:

Yusuke Yamauchi, PR at the ARCADE JAPAN

Email: pr(at)cosaten(dot)com

Tel: +1 929 340 4933

For more information please visit:

http://www.thearcadejapan.com

http://www.instagram.com/thearcadejapan
The LeverEdge announced the creation of a new Director of Water Treatment Development position as part of the companys Senior Leadership Team. Filling this position is Shawn Talley, who brings strong technical, strategic, operational, and business management experience from over 28 years in the water treatment industry.

Previously Talley held various positions with Pentair, as National Sales Manager focused on the acquisition and growth of the companys Key Accounts, Commercial Lead for New Product Introduction, and as a Regional Sales Manager supporting OEMs across the country. Prior to joining Pentair, Talley worked as a Culligan dealer and was continuously recognized as the Top Sales Producer in the Culligan network. He supported sales with multiple dealerships from Ohio to Idaho, where he applied his background in chemical engineering to residential problem water applications, as well as to the design and sales of commercial and industrial systems.

As an active member of the WQA, holding chair positions with a number of committees, Shawn is dedicated to giving back to the industry and supporting its growth. In addition, he has a proven record of facilitating long-term business relationships with both customers and industry achievers. His strong, winning attitude and personality are assets that will complement and enhance The LeverEdge's ability to meet the needs of our customers as we continue to provide quality, innovative products to the marketplace. The LeverEdge supports a national dealer network supplied by well-known brands such as Westinghouse in tandem with their own in-house finance company, ISPC. For more information, please visit http://www.theleveredge.com.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Joe Robertsons story is a cautionary tale. Last year Robertson, a 77-year-old disabled Navy veteran from Basin, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined hundreds of thousands of dollars. His crime? Digging ponds on his property after getting a state  but not a federal  permit.

Its cautionary because under the Obama administrations agenda to control all the water in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency had hoped to make cases like Robertsons the new normal. Plans were in the works to expand federal authority to impose heavy punishments on unsuspecting property owners for relatively pedestrian activities, like installing fences or digging ditches.

To get there, the EPA attempted unilaterally to expand their authority under the Clean Water Act. As written, the Clean Water Act applies only to navigable waters  those running from state to state. Protection of other surface waters was left to state regulators, which is one reason Montana has some of the toughest water quality standards in the country.

Under President Obama, the EPA ignored the legislative intent behind the Clean Water Act and undertook a concerted effort to expand their authority to non-navigable water.

Thats what happened to Joe Robertson. The water in question on the Robertson property was not navigable, nor did it abut any navigable water. In fact, the nearest navigable water was the Jefferson River, 20 miles away.

To prosecute Robertson, the EPA claimed that water on Robertsons property possibly could someday end up traveling to an actual navigable waterway, therefore it was subject to federal regulation.

That theory has no basis in the Clean Water Act. In fact, Congress has passed legislation specifically telling the EPA they have no authority over non-navigable water.

That theory has also been rejected by the United States Supreme Court. In the Rapanos case, a plurality of the court held that the Clean Water Act is applicable only to navigable waters and directly abutting wetlands.

This is what we mean when we say federal overreach. Here we have an agency thumbing its nose at Congress and the judiciary, setting its own policy, making its own rules and ignoring the law.

That agency also has broad enforcement and prosecutorial powers. During the Obama years the EPA employed over 1,000 lawyers, making it one of the countrys largest law firms. It also had its own SWAT-style tactical force, outfitted with military-style assault weapons and body armor.

This is the force that came at Joe Robertson.

And perhaps worst of all, the judge in Robertsons case  the notorious Judge Don Molloy  wrongly instructed the jury to ignore the Supreme Courts narrow-applicability decision in the Rapanos case.

Robertson and his government-provided public defender never had a chance.

Robertsons prosecution is under appeal, but the damage has been done. He served 12 months in prison before being released to a halfway house in Butte in September, and has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in fines. In prison, the 77-year-old was denied some of his medical equipment and medications, and his health has seriously deteriorated.

Still, Robertson is fighting on  not only for himself, but for the rest of us too. After all, any property owner could find himself blindsided by an overreaching federal agency. Robertsons case isnt the first, and it wont be the last  especially if the ability of unelected bureaucrats to set their own agenda and make their own rules is once again allowed to proliferate in our government.

Chuck Denowh, of Helena, is the policy director of the United Property Owners of Montana. http://upom.org/
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to reverse course over whether former judge Roy Moore should drop out of the Alabama Senate race on Sunday.

Despite calling for the GOP nominee to step aside last month following numerous allegations of sexual misconduct with teenagers, in an interview on "This Week," McConnell would not say whether Moore belonged in the Senate.

"I'm going to let the people of Alabama make the call," McConnell said. "The election's been going on a long time, there's been a lot of discussion about it. They're going to make the decision a week from Tuesday."

The majority leader also dodged host George Stephanopoulos' question about whether he would "take action" if Moore were elected the Senate.

"The ethics committee will have to have consider the matters that have been litigated in the campaign, should that particular candidate win," McConnell said.

McConnell's comments largely echoed those of President Donald Trump, who refused repeatedly last month to say whether Moore should step aside.

Though he will not campaign explicitly for Moore, the president is set to hold a rally next week just over the state line in Florida, where he is expected to criticize Moore's opponent, Democrat Doug Jones.

Despite a wave of calls for Moore to resign following multiple allegations against Moore of harassment and potential assault, the GOP nominee has doubled down on his denials and refused to exit the race.

Recent polls have found Moore and Jones in a virtual dead-heat.

Watch via ABC:
"The trip has been in the diary for at least 10 days, according to those familiar with the plans," the paper said.

The visit is certain to attract protesters, angry about the president's retweeting of the far-right hate group Britain First.

Trump will visit the new American Embassy in London. It will not, however, be the full-fledged state visit that would include dinner at Buckingham Palace with the Queen. The Times said:

"But the president will come to the UK in February, although the trip is expected to be scaled down, with no meeting with the Queen, to enable Trump to avoid the mass protests a full state visit would be likely to trigger."
: Elon Musk does plan to launch his Tesla Roadster to Mars with SpaceX's first Falcon Heavy rocket launch, company officials reportedly confirmed on Saturday.

In a series of tweets on Friday night, Elon Musk said he plans to launch his red Tesla Roadster to Mars orbit in 2018.

Multiple sources now confirm Musk is serious, even if the tech mogul and billionaire had a good laugh or two at the expense of journalists over the weekend. Based on Musk's history and the reported capabilities of his new rocket, there's good reason to believe him.

In 2010, Musk launched a wheel of cheese into orbit during the maiden voyage of Dragon, a spaceship built by his aerospace company, SpaceX. And in March, Musk said he plans to launch "[s]illiest thing we can imagine" during the first flight of Falcon Heavy. The rocket is SpaceX's biggest and newest launcher, and one that's capable of sending a payload of 37,000 pounds (or nearly 14 Tesla Roadsters' worth of mass) to Mars.

The inaugural Falcon Heavy launch will occur in January 2018, Musk confirmed this week.

"Payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. Destination is Mars orbit," Musk tweeted on Friday, referencing the song by David Bowie. "Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn't blow up on ascent."

Musk seemed to further confirm his plans in an impromptu question-and-answer session that evening.

"Just to reiterate, the payload for the first Falcon Heavy rocket will be a Tesla electric car, playing Space Oditty, heading for Mars," wrote a user named J.C.

"Yes," Musk answered.

Will it be a first-generation 2008 Roadster?

"Yeah," Musk replied to another user.

Another person asked about the midnight cherry-red paint on Musk's roadster.

"Red car for a red planet," Musk replied.

SpaceX employees also appeared to confirm the claim. Joy Dunn, an engineer at the company, tweeted on Friday that the first Falcon Heavy payload had been announced. She said "this is going to be so awesome" and later added, "oh this is legit and of course there will be cameras!"

Musk also initially confirmed his plans to The Verge on Friday, writing "it's so real" in email to the outlet. However, The Verge updated its story on Saturday, writing that, in a follow-up email, "Musk told us he 'totally made it up.'"

Business Insider reached SpaceX, though the company declined to comment on the record. We also contacted Musk directly, but he did not immediately reply. NASA also did not immediately answer our questions about Musk's stated plan to launch a car to Mars orbit.

Despite the back-and-forth, the claim appears to be legitimate. Musk reportedly told Eric Berger, Ars Technica's senior space editor, that the mission was "100% real" after The Verge's story was updated, and Berger later tweeted that two SpaceX officials had also confirmed his claim.

"The Roadster to Mars payload is real," the second SpaceX official reportedly told Berger.

Later on, Phil Plait, an astronomer and writer, reported new details from Musk at his blog, Bad Astronomy.
Instead of apologising to his bodyguard for the rude manner he acted towards him, the Dancehall artiste boasted on Facebook that his bodyguard is "loyal" and understands the "SM[Shatta Movement] code."

He threatened: "Nobody should think of Interview for my bodyguard ..He wont even answer you ..He is loyal and he understands the SMCODE ..hey folks today i want you guys to know SHATTA MOVEMENT IS BEYOND MUSIC....Sort your lives out cuz am living mine in a grand style..Biggie Sparta too Loyal."

Meanwhile the former British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, has taken to Twitter to troll Shatta Wale over the incident.

He jokingly cautioned him not to try slapping anyone in the UK should he visit the country.

READ MORE:
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Speaking Saturday, the Vice President said what is required is commitment and political will.

The suggestion for a free SHS law was first advanced by a senior law lecturer and a former Executive Secretary to President John Mahama, Raymond Atuguba.

According to him, the policy could be discarded if there was a change in government.

But speaking at the 23rd speech and prize-giving day of Tamale Senior High School (Tamasco), Dr Bawumia said: Free senior high school education doesnt have to be backed by law to be funded.

What is required is commitment and the political will to make sure that the budgetary resources are made available to support it.

We are covering everybody and we are making the budgetary provision for it.

Last week, former President John Mahama also called for a national dialogue on the implementation of the programme.

His call was premised on the implementation challenges such as inadequate infrastructure that has plaque the programme.

He also slammed the government for rushing to implement the programme when the constitution said it should be done progressively.
After a legal back-and-forth that lasted several weeks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has finally disclosed the terms of its six-figure settlement with ousted Montana State Parks Administrator Chas Van Genderen.

This little ray of sunshine is a win for all Montanans interested in learning more about the decisions their state leaders are making behind closed doors. However, FWPs unsettling stance on this issue affirms that the war on secrecy is far from over within the ranks of Montanas state government.

Earlier this year, the agency confirmed the existence of a settlement for an undisclosed amount of money but refused to disclose any of the details, even though Montana law requires public access to all terms, conditions, and details of the government portion of a compromise or settlement agreement. An attorney and former law professor, FWP Director Martha Williams initially said she would not release the settlement to the public unless a judge ordered her to do so.

In our view, this information must be open to the public because the public is ultimately responsible for the way their government operates, and people cant make good decisions if they are continually left out of the loop.

Predictably, FWP cited the go-to excuse used at all levels of government to justify withholding public information. The state allows records to be concealed if someones right to privacy is deemed more important than the publics right to know, and FWP concluded there were enough privacy issues involved in the settlement agreement to weigh in the balance in favor of privacy.

However, as a high-ranking government employee who was pervasively involved in public affairs, Van Genderen is legally considered a public figure with a lower expectation of privacy than private citizens. And when a public body uses public money to pay out a public figure who held a public position, its laughable to call the situation anything but a public matter.

FWP officials also claimed they couldnt release the settlement agreement because they agreed to a confidentiality clause they were obligated to uphold. We would argue that a public agency has no right to bargain away the publics right to know, and state officials shouldnt have put themselves in that position in the first place.

To FWPs credit, the agency took the initiative to ask Van Genderen to waive the confidentiality agreement, which led to the release of the settlement agreement. The agency was not required to take this extra step, which demonstrated a certain level of interest in the publics right to know.

But this didnt happen until after our attorney threatened to sue the agency for withholding public information. And Williams said the settlement would still be treated as confidential employee information if Van Genderen had not waived his supposed right to keep the payout private.

Williams promised more transparency before she was hired as FWPs director earlier this year, so it was unfortunate to see the department take this less-than-transparent stance.

But we are glad FWP complied with our records request in the end, and we will continue to fight for transparency within state agencies so Montanans can effectively evaluate the government leaders who work for them.
He posted on Facebook: "I listened to our President talking side by side President Macron. Pure common sense!

"There is a visionary side to President Akufo-Addo that we must pay attention to and harness. His thoughts are very progressive.

"Listen also to his interview on Al Jazeera. Excellent! This job of President requires experience, knowledge, exposure.

"He has it. Frankly if he does not succeed in bringing about positive change, then we are in trouble. All hands on deck!!!"

President Akufo-Addo in his press briefing with Macron made a passionate case why Africans must not depend on the West and France for aid.
The long-serving premier is facing two separate graft probes that have led to speculation over whether he will eventually be forced to step down.

Parliament has been examining legislation that would limit the police's ability to make recommendations to the attorney general on whether or not to charge suspects.

On his Facebook page on Sunday, Netanyahu called for changes to the proposed law to make clear that it "will not involve current investigations against me".

He said he was making the call because he did not want the law "to be used for propaganda purposes".

Netanyahu also seemed to criticise the police, saying it appeared a recommendation whether or not to charge him had been decided in advance regardless of the evidence.

The 68-year-old, who has been questioned by police six times in connection with the investigations, has maintained his innocence.

His statement came after tens of thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against alleged corruption in Netanyahu's government.

Last week, Israel's parliament approved a first reading of the bill, which would alter current practice under which at the end of an enquiry police tell the attorney general if they feel that they have enough evidence for a prosecution.

The bill would require the attorney general to ask the police for its input, but the police's opinion could not be made public.

A one-year prison term was envisioned for investigators who leak their conclusions.

Parliament was due to vote the legislation into law as early as Monday, but it is now expected to be delayed.

While calling for his cases to be excluded, Netanyahu maintained that such legislation was important to protect suspects from being smeared with premature leaks.

Police are investigating Netanyahu over suspicions he received expensive gifts from wealthy supporters as well as over allegations he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with a newspaper publisher.

Netanyahu allies have also been questioned by police as part of a separate probe into the purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu has not been named as a suspect in the submarine investigation.

Separately on Sunday, police questioned for several hours David Bitan, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's Likud party and the leader of the coalition in parliament.

The investigation concerns suspicions of corruption and links between members of the Rishon LeZion municipality near Tel Aviv, including Bitan, and organised crime, police sources said.

Bitan, who is very close to Netanyahu, has for weeks been among the biggest supporters of the bill on police powers, along with the bill's sponsor, David Amsalem who is also in Likud.
The North's ruling party Rodong newspaper slammed the upcoming drill.

"It is an open, all-out provocation against the DPRK, which may lead to a nuclear war any moment," it said in an editorial Sunday, using the North's official name.

"The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self-destruction," it said.

The commentary was published a day after Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of "begging for nuclear war" by staging what it called the reckless air drills.

'Preemptive war'

In Washington, meanwhile, an influential Republican lawmaker joined National Security Advisor HR McMaster in warning that time is running out on diplomatic efforts to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a foreign policy hawk, told CBS' "Face the Nation" the United States moves closer to "preemptive war" with every new North Korean missile or nuclear test.

"If there's an underground nuclear test, then you need to get ready for a very serious response by the United States," Graham said.

North Korea has boasted -- and Western experts agree -- that the Hwasong-15 missile tested on Wednesday is capable of reaching the United States, raising the prospect of a direct nuclear threat to Washington.

Graham's remarks echoed those of McMaster, who told a security forum in Washington on Saturday that the potential for war with North Korea "is increasing every day."

"We are in a race to be able to solve this problem," McMaster said. "This would be the most destabilizing development I think in the post-World War II period. It's something that places us at direct risk but places the world at risk."

The United States has demanded tougher international sanctions in response to the latest missile tests, including cuts in oil shipments to the isolated state.

Graham said he has had extensive discussions with the Trump administration about the situation.

US policy, he said, is "to deny North Korea the capability to hit America with a nuclear-tipped missile. Not to contain it."

"Denial means preemptive war as a last resort. That preemption is becoming more likely as their technology matures. Every missile test, every underground test of a nuclear weapon, means the marriage is more likely.

"I think we're really running out of time. The Chinese are trying, but ineffectively," he said.

Beijing has backed a slew of sanctions that include bans on imports of North Korean coal, iron ore and seafood.

But it has refused to turn off its pipeline shipping crude to North Korea.

North Korea, meanwhile, has been on a tear, undeterred by international pressure.

In September, it conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

The North says the Hwasong-15 missile can be tipped with a "super-large heavy warhead" capable of striking the whole US mainland.
Speaking at a forum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Qatar's leader had accepted the invitation to attend, amid the region's worst political crisis in years.

"I will attend the ministerial council tomorrow and the emir will attend the summit," said the minister.

He added that Qatar had not yet seen the summit agenda, but the current crisis would be discussed at the meeting.

"It is important that the GCC system remains alive," said the minister.

The emir received an invitation from Kuwait at the end of last month to attend the GCC summit.

It was the first such invitation during the ongoing and increasingly bitter Saudi-led diplomatic boycott of Doha.

The summit will start on December 5, the six-month anniversary of the start of the crisis.

It was unclear who would represent the other members of the GCC at the gathering.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt abruptly cut all ties with Qatar over accusations Doha supported extremism and was close to Shiite Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.

Since the beginning of the crisis, all diplomatic communication between Qatar and the boycotting countries has been stopped.

Founded in 1981, the GCC is a political and economic union that includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as Oman and Kuwait.
On May 23, 2006, Boeing delivered the last two 717-200 jetliners to customers at its Long Beach, California factory. It marked to the end of a program filled with promise but that had ultimately failed to capture the interest of airlines. Even Boeing's well-oiled sales operation could only manage to muster up 156 orders for the little 100-seat, short-haul-airliner.

Currently, the 717 is operated primarily by four airlines; Delta, Hawaiian, Qantas, and Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea. With 91 of the planes in its fleet, Delta is the by far the type's largest operator.

Incredibly, a decade after being axed from Boeing's lineup, airlines are scouring the planet looking for available Boeing 717s.

"These guys keep begging me to give them more 717s," Dinesh Keskar, Boeing's senior vice president of sales for the Asia Pacific and India, told Business Insider. "But that era over and it's not going to happen."

So how did a plane Boeing couldn't sell become an aircraft that airlines can't get enough of?

The difficult life of the 717

Well, there are several reasons, but first some background. Even though the 717 carries both the Boeing name and company's signature 7X7 naming scheme, it's not actually a Boeing. Rub on that Boeing logo with a brillo pad and some soapy water and you'll soon find the words McDonnell Douglas imprinted on the plane.

In 1997, Boeing acquired its long-time rival McDonnell Douglas for $13 billion. At the time, McDonnell Douglas produced the MD-11 widebody and the MD-80/90 narrow-body. Soon after the merger, Boeing phased out all of MD's commercial airliners. But, it spared a new variant of the iconic DC-9 airliner called the MD-95 that was set to enter service in 1999. (The MD-80/90 were also variants of the DC-9.)

To make it fit better into the Boeing's portfolio of products, the MD-95 was rebranded the 717-200.

However, that wasn't enough to convince airlines to buy in.

Even though it carried the Boeing name, it was still a plane designed and engineered by a different company with differing thinking and philosophies. Thus, the 717 was an orphan that didn't belong to any of Boeing's product families.
Twitter was filled with (unconfirmed) tales of extortion, shootings, harassment and illegal detentions. Now, we all know that SARS has been causing havoc on the streets for a while now. This is not why the institution is getting the flop of the week.

The insensitivity of the Nigerian police is what has many people riled up. On Thursday, November 30, 2017, the Assistant Commissioner of the Police Abayomi Shogunle was again made a crazy comment.

ALSO READ: SARS, the police unit that harasses young Nigerians

"To all those having frightening dreams- shot/beaten by police. Pray to God not to allow it happen + avoid areas where police are responding to incidents in real life. If such dreams persist, GO SEE A PSYCHIATRIST. We only deal with real-life police complaints @PoliceNG_PCRRU" he tweeted.

Now at a time when people are airing their frustrations about the police force, this sounds like an insensitive tweet. Our police officers should make our lives easier and safer but this is what we get instead- bants from a high ranking official.
SARS is a unit of the Nigeria Police Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department. Within the last two years, SARS has been a pain in the neck of Nigerians, especially young adults.

This weekend has seen these young adults take to Twitter to protest the activities of SARS which include (alleged) extortion, illegal arrest, illegal detention and indiscriminate use of firearms.

The hashtag #EndSARS has been tweeted thousands of times this weekend. In some of the tweets, Nigerians speak about their experience at the hands of SARS operatives. Some of them are pretty ugly. You can read some below;

The Nigerian police have responded to the trend. On Saturday, December 2, 2017, the Nigerian Police Force provided hot lines for Nigerians to call if they had complaints about SARS.

"Do you have any complaints about your contact with SARS?

You dont need to know their names, all we need you to provide are details of the occurrence (action/act) with DATE, TIME & PLACE.

Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) #BailisFree #NoToImpunity.

Please share this message" tweeted the official Twitter account of the Nigeria Police Force.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has also reacted to the trend. Atiku who recently dumped the APC as he readies his presidential bid tweeted.

"The arbitrary harassment of young Nigerians by Police (who should be protecting them) has no place in a democratic society. The #EndSARS protest shows Nigerian youth are upset and the matter needs urgent attention."

He also tweeted "Everyday, we encourage our young people to become entrepreneurs. Buying a laptop to earn a living shouldnt attract harassment."

SARS operatives are notorious for profiling young Nigerians who have a laptop, own expensive phones and drive cars.

In June 2017, a young man Patrick (not real name) narrated how he was picked up by SARS operatives. He was later called a cultist and arrested.

On September 23, 2016, Pulse published a story titled "SARS: Meet the Police Unit with license to kill". The story featured quotes from an anonymous man who spoke on how he was detained illegally by SARS and how he almost died.

ALSO READ: Nigerian Police Force and its moral system of profiling
Nigerians on Sunday, December 3, 2017, took to the microblogging platform, Twitter, protesting excesses of the SARS policemen.

This is coming after incidents of brutality, abuse and harassment reported against men of the police department.

Many want the on Police authorities to scrap the unit.

Young Nigerians push for end of police brutality with #ENDSARS

In a couple of tweets, Atiku said the protest shows that Nigerian youths are angry, urging the Federal Government to urgently address the matter.

The Nigerian Police Force Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) had on Saturday, December 2, announced the opening of channels through which the public can report complaints about SARS.

In October 2017, a 2015 graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ekwere Imoh, was shot by policemen attached to SARS, Oyo State Police Command.

The policemen also shot a female friend of his, identified as Doris, who was with him.

There were no concrete reasons for shooting the duo as they were neither criminals nor under arrest.

Earlier in the same month, a lady, Kachi Anifela Zion, accused officers of SARS in Ilorin of sexual molestation. She said a male SARS official under the pretense of searching her, dipped his hand in her underwear.

ALSO READ: Atiku insists Nigeria must restructure to get governance right

She further revealed that the SARS official threatened to beat her if she shouted, adding that the officer continued to fondle, rough handle and humiliate her for several minutes. The SARS official implicated in the matter was later arrested.
He said Buhari has wasted his "massive goodwill" with the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing everyday.

Atiku was quoted as saying this during an interview with Dele Momodu for his weekly column titled, 'Pendulum', published in The Boss Magazine.

He added, "I will definitely beat him this time. He has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill. A lot of people are disgruntled but they are keeping quiet and lying low. Our youths are suffering terribly. They are even now being sold into slavery.

"Everyone knows my track record of inviting and attracting a good team and giving them the opportunity to work professionally. Nigerians are tired of leaders who cannot think big and work big."

Atiku recently resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party has failed Nigerians.

Although he maintained that he is yet to join any political party, he said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is pressurizing him to join the party.

He said the only way the PDP would be able to restore its lost glory is to pick a formidable candidate.

"Nothing is absolutely certain in this life, but the PDP needs a candidate with the brightest chance and that can only come from someone who has major experience, exposure and knowledge about running an economy; who is a nationalist and not a sectionalist and whose brand cannot be intimidated in anyway by that of the current President.

"If the PDP picks a weak candidate, then the party is doomed. Some of those, whose names are being touted and bandied about, have not grown beyond their immediate domains," Atiku added.

He said Buhari's dictatorship style in the APC has stunted the progress of the party in the last two years.

ALSO READ: APC wishes Atiku good luck, fears mass defection

The former vice president said he had advised the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to make some changes, adding that Oyegun refused to take action.

He added, "After Buhari won the election, he was no longer interested in the party that made him President. Every activity stopped and not even the party chairman, Chief John Oyegun, could take any decision.

"I called Chief Oyegun a few times to tell him that our party was dying slowly but he told me that he would not do anything unless he got a clearance from the President.

"At a stage, I gathered about 18 prominent members and began to meet in the hope that we can re-energise party activities, but some people lied to the President that I wanted to use the forum to launch my presidential campaign.

"That forum became simply dead on arrival. No BoT (Board of Trustees), no NEC (National Executive Committee) meetings, as stipulated in our constitution.

"The party became a one-man property. Everyone grumbles behind the President but they are too timid to raise a voice against the illegalities being perpetuated. I should be bold enough to know what I want, and can do so at my age. So, I decided to leave."
The police dismissed the allegations, saying that the unit is carrying out its duty fantastically well.

The Force was reacting to the calls for the proscription of the squad.

On Sunday, December 3, 2017, some Nigerians took the social media to condemn the arbitrary maltreatment of citizens by SARS officals, urging the Federal Government to #EndSARS - the hashtag topped the trending list of the Nigeria twitter for several hours on Sunday.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar also gave credence to the agitation for the scrapping of SARS.

But the police urged Nigerians to disregard the protest and those behind it, saying SARS has lived up to its duty of curbing violent crimes.

"As we speak, SARS is doing fantastically well across the country in reducing incidents of robbery to the barest minimum they are doing very, very well," police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood told The Cable on Sunday.

"There has not been any specific violation of human rights against any SARS personnel. So anybody that is spreading such a rumour is not doing the nation any good.

"SARS has no excesses and when there is any, we do investigate.

"The call for SARS to be scrapped should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. Anybody calling for their proscription is not doing the nation any good and such people should be suspected as having something to hide."

ALSO READ: SARS - Meet the Police Unit with license to kill

Moshood urged Nigerians with complaints against any police officer, "whether SARS or any other personnel" to channel such grievances through established channels.

"Accessibility (to the police in cases of complaints) is very possible. We do not take any infraction or violation of human right of any Nigerian likely. You know that so many police officers have been dismissed and even charged to court.

"So, Nigerians should not give in to insinuations from people that just come to the social media and start spreading falsehood. Such people spreading such information may likely be armed robbers themselves.

"There is laid down rules for police procedures and any police officer that go beyond boundary to do something outrageous which is against the law is apprehended."

In October 2017, a 2015 graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ekwere Imoh, was shot by policemen attached to SARS, Oyo State Police Command.

The policemen also shot a female friend of his, identified as Doris, who was with him.
Teeth are amazingly strong! Nevertheless, when you consider that teeth are essential tools for your cat or dog, used not only for eating but for playing and picking things up, its not surprising that veterinarians routinely see broken teeth in their patients.

All types of dogs and cats can fracture teeth. Cats are more likely to have injured teeth as a result of trauma, while dogs often cause damage chewing during play, explains Dr. Katherine Kling, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana who is pursuing board certification in dentistry.

(When teeth are damaged due to trauma, such as bite wounds or being hit by a car, the teeth are generally treated after more serious problems, like jaw fractures, have been addressed.)

According to Kling, commonly fractured teeth include the fang-like canine teeth in dogs and cats (yes, cats have canine teeth) and the carnassial teeth in dogs. The carnassial teeth are the largest teeth in your pets mouth, paired top and bottom toward the back of the mouth; these teeth evolved in many carnivore species to shear the flesh off prey.

Kling categorizes broken teeth as complicated and uncomplicated fractures. Either way, the problem should be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian to save the tooth, in some cases, and to ensure that the pet is not in pain, in all cases.

A complicated fracture occurs when the crown of the tooth is fractured and the pulp is exposed, she says. If there is not intervention, the tooth will die.

Uncomplicated fractures do not involve the pulp (the part of the tooth that supplies nutrients to the tooth) and may heal. However, it is important to understand that fractured teeth can be quite painful and always merit a prompt visit to the veterinarian.

Kling explains If you notice a complicated fracture right away, there is a chance that the tooth can be saved through vital pulp therapy.

Vital pulp therapy is generally performed by a veterinary dentist, like Kling. The procedure involves removing about 4 millimeters of the exposed pulp  the live tissue inside the tooth  and medicating the remaining pulp to help support new dentin as it forms. Dentin is a bonelike substance that lies below the tooth enamel; dentin is produced throughout the life of the tooth. To successfully restore viability of a tooth, vital pulp therapy must be performed immediately following the damage.

If time has elapsed since the tooth was damaged, two options remain for a tooth with a complicated fracture: a root canal or extraction of the tooth. Your veterinarian can help you decide between these two therapies.

During a root canal, all of the pulp is removed from the tooth and replaced with a substance that allows the tooth to function comfortably without the risk of infection or pain. If surgical extraction of the tooth is chosen, animals typically live happily with fewer teeth.

A painful tooth is providing no benefit to a pet and it is likely to cause problems, says Kling. Most animals eat much more comfortably once the painful tooth is removed.

Uncomplicated fractures usually do not need an aggressive intervention, but should still be seen by a veterinarian. While there is a lower risk of the tooth dying, the tooth may be sensitive. Additionally, the tooth may need some restoration or smoothing of jagged edges to ensure that it does not cause problems for the pet.

Even if your pet is young enough that the fractured tooth will eventually fall out and be replaced by the adult tooth, a veterinarian needs to evaluate the problem.

Since permanent teeth are very close to their deciduous counterparts, pulp exposure on a baby tooth can result in damage to the bud of the permanent tooth below, warns Kling.

While tooth fractures cannot always be avoided, choosing appropriate toys can help prevent fractured teeth in dogs that like to chew. Soft rubber or stuffed toys are much safer than hard plastic toys, antlers, or bones.

Dental issues are sometimes overlooked because they are not life limiting, but they are most definitely quality-of-life limiting, so it is important to include dentistry in your pets care, says Kling. We are fortunate to have the knowledge and resources to help provide our pets with comfortable and healthy mouths.

If you have any questions about tooth fractures, contact your local veterinarian or the dentistry service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Trump also insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Moscow in last year's election, and shifted blame on the Justice Department and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

"I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" Trump said in a tweet.

But his position was complicated by another Twitter post in which he indicated he had fired Flynn because the national security chief had been untruthful not just to Vice President Mike Pence but to the FBI as well.

That comment appeared to indicate Trump was acknowledging he knew at the time of Flynn's firing in February that he had lied to the bureau's agents.

"If that is true, Mr. President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn?" asked Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

"Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to 'let this go?'"

White House officials, however, told The New York Times that Trump was only referencing Flynn's guilty plea for lying to the FBI about his conversations with then Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak over sanctions president Barack Obama slapped on Russia for election meddling.

And two people briefed on the matter said the Twitter post was in fact written by Trump's personal lawyer John Dowd, who apologized to the White House for the tactless language.

What the president knew, and when

After he was fired himself in May, Comey testified under oath before a Senate panel that, a day after Flynn's firing, Trump asked him to drop an investigation into the former national security advisor.

A lingering part of the drama has been that after the White House learned through the Justice Department that Flynn lied to the White House about discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Trump still waited 18 days to fire him.

Trump said he had the Russia probe in mind when he fired Comey. The move backfired and led the Justice Department to appoint Robert Mueller as special counsel.

Mueller's focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

US media reported that senior FBI counterintelligence official Peter Strzok was removed from the investigation over the summer for sending text messages critical of Trump.

Trump retweeted a post from conservative commentator Paul Sperry about the news that highlighted the fact that Strzok had also worked on the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state.

Trump also retweeted another damaging Sperry post critical of Strzok's boss, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

Earlier, Trump renewed focus on the Justice Department's handling of the Clinton probe.

"So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?" he wrote.

"Many people in our Country are asking what the 'Justice' Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and 'acid washed' 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

As he left for a day trip to New York on Saturday, Trump again insisted his team had not plotted with Moscow to sway the election in his favor over Clinton, who won the popular vote but lost the all-important electoral college count.

"What has been shown is no collusion. There's been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy," Trump said.

Comey himself seemed to be addressing the latest developments in an Instagram message: "To paraphrase the Buddha -- Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."

Tax win overshadowed

The explosive new developments in the Russia probe have overshadowed a major legislative win for Trump: the Senate's passage of the most significant US tax overhaul in 31 years.

Both the Senate and House versions lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, and include more modest tax cuts aimed at individuals across all income levels.

Democrats argue that the plan is too expensive and will accommodate only the rich, and that it could ultimately impact cherished US entitlement programs like Medicare.

The Senate bill was, just 24 hours earlier, on the brink of collapse when a handful of Republican deficit hawks balked at the plan's $1.5 trillion price tag for 10 years.
"It is unfortunate that Mr. Praljak made the choice to end his life," Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), told AFP.

"But you will understand that my thoughts are with the victims and survivors of the crimes for which he was convicted," he added, in an email reply to questions from AFP.

The preliminary results of an autopsy by Dutch prosecutors Friday showed that Praljak, 72, likely died from heart failure after swallowing potassium cyanide.

The unprecedented incident is being investigated by both Dutch prosecutors and the ICTY, which is probing how he smuggled the bottle of poison into the tightly-guarded tribunal in The Hague.

The drama came as appeals judges upheld long jail terms on six former Bosnian Croat political and military leaders, who had denied committing crimes against Bosnian Muslims in the early 1990s.

"The final judgment in this case remains fully valid," Brammertz told AFP.

"Our job as prosecutors was to establish the facts and hold senior officials accountable, and that is what we did."

It was the final verdict handed down by the tribunal, which will close its doors on December 31 after 24 years prosecuting those behind the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II.

The judges confirmed that Praljak and his five Bosnian Croat co-defendants were part of a "joint criminal enterprise" to ethnically cleanse Bosnian Muslims in the war.

But Croatian officials have also been angered that the judges upheld the original trial's finding that the "ultimate purpose" of the criminal enterprise in Bosnia was shared by late Croatian president Franjo Tudjman, seen as the "father" of his country.

"It would have been hoped that Croatian officials and media would act more responsibly and promote acceptance of the facts, but that unfortunately is not what we are seeing," said Brammertz.

"Instead, among many there is again a refusal to respect the judicial process and the facts proved, and claims that convicted war criminals are in fact heroes," he said.

"This denial disrespects the victims."

Since Praljak's death, Croats have paid multiple tributes to the late general, laying flowers and lighting candles in town squares in Croatia and Bosnia.

And Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the ICTY verdict was one of "deep moral injustice."
They survive thanks to donations from local people and despite the systematic intervention of the authorities to close down any encampment.

"It's hell," says a 25-year-old man from Sudan.

"Last night we couldn't sleep in the woods, it rained all the time. But each time we tried to sleep somewhere in the city, the police came to tell us to leave," the migrant who gave his name as Badr tells AFP.

Behind him a group of volunteers from this small city of 9,000 people are handing out food.

Every day Badr says he tries to slip onboard a ferry crossing the Channel to England.

The African migrants, mostly from Sudan, wander the streets of the Ouistreham port amid passengers heading for and coming from the British coast. Three ferries leave daily for Portsmouth.

Ouistreham is a far cry from Calais where 40 ferries leave each day for Britain and police say nearly 450 migrants are still holed up despite the French government closing the "jungle" camp and relocating thousands of migrants who had lived in the immense slum there.

But after the Calais camp was shut down, migrants began showing up in this small coastal town in Normandy.

In the woods

The migrants, all young men, seek refuge in the woods around Ouistreham.

One afternoon last week four of them were warming themselves around a fire amid intermittent freezing rain.

"It's very cold, life is very hard here. The French people are good to us but not the authorities," says one of them named Ahmad.

Another man is sleeping nearby covered with a blanket and under a tarpaulin.

But when police and city workers arrive, the migrants scatter.

A dumpster leaves the woods with a pile of abandoned blankets and duvets -- donations from the Ouistreham group helping migrants (CAMO).

Claims of harassment

For city's mayor Romain Bail, the migrants "for the most part do not pose any problem, in terms of aggression".

But he says he doesn't want his city to become a magnet for migrants. He has taken steps to ensure that camps are not set up and has increased the police numbers.

The CAMO group has accused some police of using measures such as tear gas on the migrants -- though the authorities say they intervene only to enforce the law.

"They (the police) take their duvet, their phone. It's harassment," says Michel Martinez, one of the founders of CAMO.

"These men have known worse. They saw bodies floating in the Mediterranean, but still there is no reason" for harassing them.

"It's the citizens who take steps so the migrants don't freeze to death or die of hunger in the woods."

While some city residents are hostile to the migrants, he adds, that nevertheless "every day around 15 to 20 cars come to my home to bring the migrants" food and clothing.

Near the port terminal, fish merchant Sandrine Simon says she also manages to give the migrants some help.
They are hoping to unseat President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has not yet said if he will seek a second five-year term, though he is widely expected to do so.

In his letter of resignation, obtained by AFP, Coulibaly said he wanted to "contribute in another manner to find solutions to the political, economic, educational, cultural and social challenges facing our country."

He was a member of the army forces which toppled Mali's government in a coup in 2012, which ushered in a wave of violence by Islamist extremists that was halted only after an intervention by French forces in January 2013.

The country returned to democracy the following August, when Keita was elected president.

Coulibaly was minister of territorial administration in the transition government, a post he kept for several months in Keita's cabinet.

He has a degree from France's prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy and has several key supporters, according to his entourage, in particular in the military.

Mali's government has postponed regional and municipal elections in recent months over security concerns, as it has struggled to implement a 2015 peace deal with former Touareg rebels, with the state still absent from vast swathes of its northern territory.

Last week the government said regional elections scheduled for December 17 would now be held in April, a move which drew the ire of several groups which signed the 2015 accord.

But Keita, in an interview with Jeune Afrique (Young Africa) magazine published Sunday, said the presidential vote would not be pushed back for security reasons.
The Iran-backed Huthi rebels' partnership with powerful ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh appeared to have fallen apart after he reached out to a Saudi-led coalition fighting the insurgents.

The Huthis' political office on Saturday accused Saleh of staging a "coup" against "an alliance he never believed in".

On Sunday, Saleh loyalists cut off a number of streets in central Sanaa and deployed heavily in anticipation of Huthi attacks, as security sources said clashes this week had left some 60 dead across the capital and at its international airport.

Saleh loyalists renewed a bid to seize control of Al-Jarraf district, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Huthis, who fortified their positions with dozens of vehicles mounted with machineguns, witnesses said.

They said the Huthis had brought reinforcements from their northern strongholds and deployed them in the south of the capital.

The Huthis seized the home of rebel interior minister Mohammed Abdullah al-Waqsi, who is close to Saleh, killing three of his bodyguards and detaining others, Saleh sources said.

And Huthi rebels killed Mohammed al-Zarka, a tribal leader close to Saleh, in Omran just north of the capital and members of his family, the same sources said.

Sanaa residents said they had barricaded themselves in their homes to avoid snipers and shelling as clashes flared up around key ministries where the two sides had been working together just days before.

Bodies in streets

The education ministry cancelled classes Sunday, normally the start of the school week, and witnesses said some bodies of those killed in previous clashes this week were still lying in the streets.

Iyad al-Othmani, 33, said he had not left his house for three days because of the clashes.

Mohammed Abdullah, a private sector employee, said his street had been cut off by militiamen and he was staying home to avoid checkpoints.

"Sanaa is becoming like a ghost town. There is a street war and people are holed up in their houses," said an activist who works with the International Organisation for Migration in Sanaa.

"If the confrontation continues, many families will be cut off" and stranded in their homes, he warned.

'Coup against our alliance'

Three years after they joined forces to drive the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi from Sanaa, the collapse of the Huthi-Saleh alliance is a key shift in Yemen's complex war.

Saleh ruled Yemen as president for 33 years after the 1990 unification of north and south Yemen.

A longtime ally of Saudi Arabia, he waged six separate wars against the Huthis, Zaidi Shiites who hail from northern Yemen.

Saleh resigned under popular and political pressure in 2012, ceding power to his then-vice president Hadi, who now lives in exile in Saudi Arabia.

In 2014, Saleh announced he had joined forces with the Iran-backed Huthis, seizing the capital and setting up a parallel government as Hadi's administration fled Sanaa.

That triggered a Saudi-led Arab force to intervene to prop up Hadi's government, an escalation in a war that has since killed more than 8,750 people and dragged the country towards what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

On Saturday, Saleh reached out to the Saudi-led coalition, offering to "turn the page" if it lifts a crippling blockade on the country.

The Huthis accused him of treason.

Yemen's conflict has been a key focus of tensions between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power.

UAE denies missile claim

The Saudi-led coalition carried out dawn air raids Sunday against Huthi positions in the hills south of Sanaa but it was unclear if the strikes were meant to benefit Saleh's forces.

A coalition spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

The United Arab Emirates, which is a key member of the coalition, on Sunday denied a Huthi claim that a missile fired from Yemen reached its air space or threatened a nuclear power plant set to open in 2018.

The Huthis had earlier claimed on their Al-Masirah news channel that they had hit the Barakah plant with a cruise missile fired from Yemen.

A missile fired by the Huthis which was intercepted by near Riyadh's international airport last month prompted the coalition to tighten a blockade against Sanaa airport and rebel-held sea ports.
DECATUR  Richard Kubow has a different approach to teaching music: reading notes, as well as listening by ear.

Although I had all these years of lessons, I taught myself how to play by ear, said Kubow, namesake of Richard's Music School.

As a child, Kubow practiced classical piano such as Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. As a teenager, he longed to play the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Doors.

Most of the rock musicians in the '60s never had a music lesson in their life, he said.

He learned how they did it.

Kubow compares the process of learning to play by ear as that of a child learning to speak. During the first five years of life, a child learns to talk without the aid of books or reading.

Playing by ear is the same thing, he said.

Students learn by trial and error when practicing a simple song such as Mary Had a Little Lamb. Children learn to correct their speech by listening to their parents. At age 3, they may say Me instead of I, Kubow said as an example. The child that used to mix up sentences doesnt anymore.

Kubow, 65, adds chords, then a melody. He estimated the processes of being able to play in a musical setting, such as a church, takes about 2 years.

Rajodh Singh's son and daughter take lessons from Kubow, as does Singh.

He recommends it (his taking lessons) so the kids can see what they are doing wrong when they are at home, Singh said.

His daughter, Gurleen Kaur, has been learning piano. His son, Teghbir, has been taking guitar lessons. Their mother began taking guitar lessons five months ago. Singh is learning the guitar, piano and drums.

He takes his time and goes down to the basics, Singh said. If something doesn't work, he tries a different way.

Kubow said his teaching techniques took years for him to learn as well. He began his music school shortly after he came back to Decatur 11 years ago from Jackson, Miss., where he had lived since 1978. He returned to care for his ailing parents and decided to stay in Decatur after they passed away.

Mississippi is blazing hot, he said.

Kubow went to the Jackson area with other civil rights workers with Voice of Calvary, a Christian ministry. He began his work in Mississippi by teaching children music in an after-school program, but first he needed to learn their culture. The poor churches in which he worked didnt have educated musicians. They played by ear.

Since music is a part of the Souths culture, Kubow had to learn to play that style music.

I never really heard black gospel, he said. I had to figure out how to play it, then figure out how to teach, then teach it.

Throughout his years in Mississippi, he taught private lessons to more than 2,000 students, he said, and he brought his experience back to Decatur. His students, no matter the age, learn from reading and listening to the music, he said.

It is a lot easier to teach adults, Kubow said. When they come here, it is because they want to, not because their parents sent them.

The children are taught to read notes, and then they learn to play by ear. Kubow usually teaches the adults by ear.

Jackie Goetter, 67, decided to take lessons after her musically inclined sons had grown. They have moved away, but the piano is still there, she said.

Goetter said Kubow has the patience for older students, as well as a rapport with younger ones.

He understands teaching an adult is different than teaching a child, she said. He relates to me and my inability and slowness.

Goetter said Kubow is very supportive of all his students, particularly patient with the children.

You have to have personality traits that help others learn, she said.

Although he had a degree in business, he opened his music store and the Decatur school because he loves music. He doesnt make much money, he said, but doesnt regret his career. His goal is to help others find their dream, he said.

Kobow allows his students to borrow a guitar, keyboard or drum set if needed.

He may know how to read music, but he enjoys learning a new song by ear as well, something he is happy to show his students.

I had to teach the kids the same way I learned, by trial and error, he said.
As we head into the homestretch of much-needed tax reform in Washington, Americans back home need to understand that the political turmoil doesnt just reside in the Swamp. States facing significant financial hardships face difficult choices as well. And instead of looking to create fair policy that encourages growth, some states, like Alaska, are looking to reprimand industries who are the backbone to the economy  costing Americans opportunity and growth.

Alaskas Legislature is particularly known for debating the role the oil and gas industry plays in the states economy. In fact, economic opportunity in the Last Frontier has long been inextricably linked to oil and gas. Thats true for the thousands of Alaskans who make their living in energy development or in support of it. Yet, its also true for state government, which relies almost exclusively on the taxes and royalties paid by the industry to provide services and stay solvent.

One would think that a state that derived 72 percent of unrestricted revenue last year from a single source  the oil and gas industry  would work hard to ensure that it is able to operate in a stable business and policy environment. And when market conditions turn against that source  as they have amid low crude pricesand high operating costs  conventional wisdom suggests that keeping tax and regulatory burdens from becoming too heavy should be a priority.

That has not been the case in Alaska, where legislators have imposed seven rounds of major changes to the tax system over the last 12 years that impact the oil and gas industry  including the recently passed HB 111  all in an attempt to fix the budget deficit.

If the goal is to reinvigorate the economy and spur the type of activity that can grow the revenue base, then tax hikes targeted against a leading industry are a case study in what not to do. And with Congress and the White House now focused on reforming the tax code, the situation in Alaska serves as a worthwhile learning opportunity. As options are weighed, officials should note that effective tax reform, at any level of government, must allow the engine of economic growth to operate efficiently in any market environment.

Tax policy should be stable and predictable, enabling confident private sector investment that is more resilient to changing business climates. It must also endeavor to treat all sectors as neutrally as is possible in light of their business models. Targeting any single industry with tax hikes is in direct conflict with these goals, but in Alaskas case its particularly egregious at a moment when oil and gas are under some of the greatest cost and price pressure in decades.

Alaska needs the energy sector to be productive. Government statisticsacknowledge, for example, that mining (which includes oil and gas) is the largest private-sector source of Gross State Product. A broader-based study by the McDowell Group, in partnership with industry, concluded that nearly 46,000 direct, supporting, or indirect jobs in the state are linked to oil and gas, amounting to $3.1 billion in wages. Economic output like that cant be simply replaced or replicated overnight.

The plan to more heavily tax the industry fails to meet the goals of effective tax policy, and not just because such a scheme serves as a political band-aid to cover more serious, structural spending pressures on the states budget. It also fails because an unnecessarily harsh tax regime would make it extremely difficult for the industry to continue its already prolific economic contribution.

The oil industry has remained productive during the recent downswing in crude prices thanks to smart, proactive investment and careful management of its own resources even as costs have increased. Such investment cant overcome shortsighted government actions. One major oil developer has already slammed the brakes on a multi-billion-dollar project thanks to tax uncertainty, and theres ample reason to think that more could follow.

Alaska has fought hard to earn the third-highest ranking on Tax Foundations State Business Tax Climate Index, by wisely avoiding counterproductive schemes like steeply graduated income taxes on its citizens. On the other hand, the state is notorious for having one of the highest marginal corporate tax rates in the entire country. Awareness of both these facts should steer the state away from discriminatory tax hikes on any part of the business community -- especially its most prominent economic contributor  and toward competitive economic growth.

Those are lessons that tax-writers, policymakers, and investors would do well to heed.
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DECATUR  Army mother Missy Scheibly participated in the Boots on the Ground 5K with her friend Christy Knight, both of Decatur. Scheiblys son, Connor, is currently serving in Iraq.

He deployed in September and Im doing this in honor of him, she said.

At the end of the run, she lit a lantern and released it into the sky with a message for her son. Fly, Connor, Fly she said as it soared over Fairview Park.

The race was organized by the Heroes Helping Heroes Foundation, H3F, which was organized by local residents to support Central Illinois veterans.

Its just an awesome organization, and we need people to help the veterans and people currently serving, Scheibly said. Its just a great experience.

Knight wrote the names of members of her family who have served and also participated to honor Connor.

Ive always had a heart for veterans, and I wish I could do more, she said.

Louise Hunn, 80, of Decatur participated in honor of her husband who was a colonel in the U.S. Military. She also believes citizens need to help the military and veterans as much as possible, she said.

We need to step back and take a look at what has been sacrificed in all these years, Hunn said. The things we dont know that these people have done to preserve our freedoms and every American needs to step back and take a look.

Cody Floyd, a veteran and board chairman for H3F, said it was important to him to run the race in combat boots, military pants and with 25 pounds of gear.

He said he wanted to complete the ruck march, to make a little bit of sacrifice for veterans today, and us putting ourselves in their shoes quite literally, that is what we will do today.

Decatur has always been supportive, Floyd said, and he is happy to see the community participating in the run and the project.

The foundation started a year ago and is a 501C3 not-for-profit, Bryan Maple C.E.O., of the organization said. Maple and Foundation President, Matt Vest, first started supporting the Wounded Warriors project.

They received a positive reaction, but people also expressed a desire to see the money and resources staying in the community and supporting local veterans. So the team created their own organization to support veterans in Central Illinois and to help provide assistance when they are struggling.

Theyve done a service for our country, Maple said. Its our time to give back to them and thats what we are here for, we want to show how much we appreciate how much was done for us.

Vest is a 22-year veteran of the Army National Guard and understands some of the struggles veterans go through and the resources they need.

A lot of people dont realize that veterans are more prideful than regular people and wont ask, he said. But we dont want a veteran to go hungry; we dont want them to go without.

The mission is just to help them in any way they can, Vest said. Recently, they helped a soldier fix a car.

The requests can be small, Vest said, for example they can help with money for Christmas gifts, bills or finding educational and employment resources.

Even if they just want to talk, we ask them to pick up the phone and give us a call, he said.

The team is happy to help, Vest said.

I encourage any and all veterans, reach out to us, put the pride aside, he said. People dont want to ask for help because they think other people need it more, but there is a huge outpouring of support and the resources are here.

The event raised about $1,000 and the organizers plan to do it again. Any veteran or someone seeking help for a veteran can go to www.theh3f.org or call (217) 402-7751 to get more information about H3Fs services.
Thirty-three years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors are still fighting for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the toxic leak.

Families of the deceased and people who bore the brunt of the industrial disaster are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the government filed in December 2010 for more compensation.

The US company which then owned the chemical plant in Bhopal, from where the poisonous gas leaked in 1984, has not yet adequately compensated the victims, a Madhya Pradesh minister said.

The victims of the "world's worst disaster" had not been paid adequately by US-based Union Carbide Corporation now owned by Dow Chemicals, MP's Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vishwas Sarang told PTI.

He alleged that the then central government led by the Congress was more interested in helping the multi-national company rather than bringing it to book.

"The central and the state governments, both led by the Congress, helped the then UCC chairman, Warren Anderson, who had come to Bhopal after the tragedy, to escape to the US," Sarang claimed.

He said the curative petition seeks compensation of more than Rs 1,000 crore from the UCC (now owned by Dow) for the welfare of the victims.

Abdul Jabbar, the convenor of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan, who has been working for the survivors for over three decades, said the UCC gave a compensation of USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore) after the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, killed 3,000 people and affected 1.02 lakh others.

"We all challenged the meagre compensation in the Supreme Court saying that the number of victims was 'too high' and the compensation given by Union Carbide was 'too small' in 1989," Jabbar said.

He added that the claim courts for the tragedy started work in Bhopal in 1990 and completed it by 2005.

The Rs 715 crore-compensation was paid to the families of 15,274 deceased and 5.74 lakh affected by the leak, he said.

Jabbar said the signature campaign for more compensation was launched by those whose health had been affected by the gas leak.

"We moved the apex court again in 2005 saying that the number of victims had swelled five fold," Jabbar said.

On December 3, 2010, the centre and the state government filed a curative petition in the apex court seeking more compensation for the victims from UCC, Jabbar said.

"But nothing has happened after that. So now the sufferers are signing the petition, with a request to the Supreme Court to hear the curative petition and decide the matter at the earliest," he added.

The survivors were suffering from many diseases, including cancer, tumours and lung problems, caused by the inhalation of the poisonous gas three decades ago, he said.

"They are not getting proper medical care as they don't have money," Jabbar said.

He accused the Congress government and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance rule of not doing enough to bring Anderson to book.

"Anderson escaped from the country after the Congress government as the centre buckled under US pressure in 1984," he claimed.

The CBI, when the NDA was in power in 2002, tried to "dilute the charges" against Anderson which made the extradition of the US national difficult, he added.

On June 7, 2010, a Bhopal court convicted seven executives of Union Carbide India Limited to two years' imprisonment in connection with the incident.

Anderson was the prime accused in the case but did not appear for the trial. On February 1, 1992, the Bhopal CJM court declared him an absconder.

The courts in Bhopal had issued non-bailable warrants against Anderson twice -- in 1992 and 2009.

Anderson died in September, 2014.

IMAGE: People participate in a candle light vigil to pay tributes to the people killed in the Bhopal gas tragedy. Photograph: PTI Photo
Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on Sunday confirmed that his banned outfit Jammat-ud-Dawa will foray into Pakistans political scene by contesting the 2018 general elections under the banner of Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be registered with the countrys Election Commission.

Saeed, who was under house arrest since January this year, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case.

The Milli Muslim League is planning to contest next years general elections. I also dedicate 2018 for Kashmiris who are struggling for freedom, Saeed said while meeting a group of columnists at the JuD headquarters.

The JuD, a front for the Lashkar-e-Tayiba group that carried out the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack, formed MML at the time when Saeed was detained in Lahore.

The founder of Lashkar-e-Tayiba also vowed to continue supporting Kashmiris.

I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there. India wants us to stop raising voice for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy only caused harm to the Kashmir cause, he alleged.

Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008.

The US too has designated him as a global terrorist and has announced a reward of $10 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Saeed also claimed that his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of an international agenda.

This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry over my release from the house detention. I warn India if it does not stop atrocities against Kashmiris then this struggle will rise further and it will face the music, he alleged.

Last September, when Saeed was under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD entered in the political arena and contested the bypoll from Lahores National Assembly-120.

The National Assembly seat had fallen vacant after the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. His wife Kulsoom Nawaz had won that seat.

Sheikh Yaqoob, a JuD-backed candidate who secured 6,000 votes, had announced that the JuD which has the blessing of Saeed would contest the 2018 elections.

Yaqoob was placed on a US Treasury sanctions list of those designated as leaders of terrorist organisations in 2012.

Saeed and his four aides -- Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain -- were placed under house arrest in Lahore on January 30 under anti-terrorism act.

The JuD has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

India had expressed outrage over the judicial boards decision to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors.

Saeed has now filed the petition to de-list him from the UN list of designated terrorists.

He was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack, but he was freed by a court in 2009.

Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial.
Nine persons were arrested in Pakistan in connection with the Taliban attack on a Peshawar agriculture institute in which at least 12 people, including students, were killed and 35 others injured, counter-terrorism officials said.

IMAGE: A rescue worker walks in a computer lab after the shooting at Directorate of Agriculture Institute in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photograph: Fayaz Aziz/Reuters

Three burqa-clad Taliban terrorists stormed the training institute and opened indiscriminate fire, killing at least 12 people, half of them students, before being shot dead by security forces on Friday.

The Counter Terrorism Department has registered an FIR under stringent provisions against unknown terrorists and sent body parts of the terrorists to Lahore Forensic laboratory for their DNA tests.

The arrests were made after police and security forces carried out raids in Badhber, Telaband and other areas.

Nine suspects were nabbed and were being probed for their role in the attack, a senior police officer said.

A huge cache of weapons was also recovered, he said.

Separately, the CTD carried out a raid in Peshawars Nasirbagh area and arrested two alleged terrorists.

They also claimed to have recovered 500 gram of explosive materials and a pistol from the terrorists who belong to a banned terrorists outfit.

Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, a banned terror outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The army said that the attack was planned and handled from Afghanistan where TTP militants are hiding.

Meanwhile, bodies of the victims were shifted to their native areas where funeral rituals were performed for their burial.

IMAGE: A policeman stands guard at the gates of the Directorate of Agriculture Institute in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photograph: Fayaz Aziz/Reuters

The heavily-armed terrorists, who arrived in an auto rickshaw, attacked the students hostel of the Directorate of Agriculture Extension on the University Road in the city, the capital of the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

The institute was closed for the Eid-e-Milad, but about 70 students were present in the hostel.

The terrorists stormed the building by firing automatic weapons, creating panic, officials said.

Aerial surveillance of the operation was carried out by the army aviation division whereas armoured vehicles of security forces were also called on site.

Three terrorists were killed by security forces after a gunfight which lasted for an hour.

Bullets holes in building walls, broken glass scattered and blood stains could be seen on TV footage.

A police officer and two army troops were among the injured.

An eyewitness said he and his colleagues were sleeping when the firing started, media reports said.

The students present at the premises are undertaking their diplomas in Agriculture Sciences and Veterinary Sciences.

Peshawar, close to the Afghan border, has seen some of the worst violence incidents during the Taliban insurgency in recent years.

In 2014, a total of 147 people, including 132 schoolchildren, were massacred in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the countrys history when terrorists stormed the Army Public School in Peshawar Cantonment and opened indiscriminate fire.
A total of 357 fishermen, including 71 from Tamil Nadu, stranded in sea due to Cyclone Ockhi, were rescued, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday.

IMAGE: A Navy helicopter rescues fishermen in the wake of cyclone Ockhi. Photograph: TV Grab/PTI Photo

A photograph on her official Twitter handle showed her inside a helicopter reviewing the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari.

"An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi: 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today," she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

In a tweet, she said the Navy rescued 121 fishermen from Kerala and Air Force rescued 15.

While the coast guard saved 71 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 114 from Kerala, merchant vessels and trawlers saved 36 off the coast of Kerala and Lakshwadeep islands.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on her way to Kanyakumari to review the search and rescue operation. Photograph: @DefenceMinIndia/Twitter

On her arrival in the worst-hit Kanyakumari district by helicopter from Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala, Sitharaman held discussions with deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, ministers and officials.

"#CycloneOckhi - Smt @nsitharaman reaches Kanyakumari. Along with Hon.Dy CM @OfficeOfOPS, senior ministers, officers of Navy, coastguard and district officials, Smt @nsitharaman reviews the current situation," she tweeted.

Sitharaman was received by senior officials and others including Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan.

A picture on her Twitter handle showed her holding discussions with Panneerselvam, ministers and officials.

She is slated to visit areas including Nagercoil, Neerodi and Susheendram besides holding discussions with local fishing folk, a defence public relations officer said.

IMAGE: Sitharaman meets with the people affected by Cyclone Ockhi in the flood-hit Kanyakumari district. Photograph: PTI Photo

Posting a fact-sheet, Sitharaman said since November 30, the Coast Guard deployed two ships, an equal number of fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter for search and rescue of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

Similarly, the Coast Guard deployed seven ships in Kerala and one in Lakshadweep islands.

The Navy deployed six ships, two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters in Kerala while the Air Force deployed one aircraft and two helicopters for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

On December 2, the Coast Guard deployed one each ship and fixed wing aircraft in Tamil Nadu and eight ships and two fixed wing aircraft (FWA which also took care of Lakshadweep Islands) besides one helicopter for Kerala.

On Saturday, the Navy deployed eight ships, two FWA and four helicopters for Kerala, besides two ships and two FWA for Lakshadweep islands for search and rescue operations.

IMAGE: Coast Guard ships were also engaged for rescue efforts. Photograph: @IndiaCoastGuard/Twitter

The Airforce deployed two helicopters for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Coimbatore that work to rescue fishermen was on in full swing with the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard deploying aircraft and ships.

"Amma's (late Jayalalithaa) government will rescue all the stranded fishermen," he said.

Power connection will be fully restored in a day or two in cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district, the chief minister said.

IMAGE: A fisherman was rescued from a capsized boat by the combined effort of rescue teams of the Indian Air Force, the navy and the coast guard. Photograph: Indian Air Force

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is reviewing the situation in Kanyakumari today, he said, adding, ministers for revenue, electricity and fisheries were camping in the district to monitor relief work, he added.

In Kanyakumari, Panneerselvam reviewed the situation with officials and inspected several areas that were badly hit by the cyclone.

Earlier, Panneerselvam told reporters that appropriate relief would be given to the affected people.

IMAGE: Stranded fisherman being brought to Kerala coast by a rescue team. Photograph: Indian Air Force

On Saturday, in a tweet, Sitharaman said, "#CycloneOckhi - As of this morning, a total of 89 boats comprising 1,154 fishermen from several states mainly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu have taken shelter in various ports of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa & Lakshwadeep."

She had also said, "Factsheet on #CycloneOchki wrt Tamil Nadu-Claim of thousand fishermen stranded is false. #Correctfigures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon @nsitharaman (sic)."

Meanwhile, relatives of some fishermen who were reportedly stranded in the sea, staged protests in Kanyakumari district seeking steps to rescue them.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko on Sunday announced his party's support to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the R K Nagar assembly bypoll scheduled on December 21, the first such gesture after over a decade.

After a high-level party meet in Chennai, Vaiko said his party has unanimously decided to support the DMK in the by-election.

"It is a well thought-out decision considering the interests of Tamil Nadu and the Dravidian movement," he told reporters.

Asked if the alliance will continue, he said, "This can be taken as a starting point" in view of the cordial atmosphere between the two parties.

Vaiko further said, "There is a need to teach a lesson to the All India Anan Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime which has lost the trust of the people."

He hit out at the BJP-led centre over "Hindutva and weakening federalism" besides lashing out at the ruling party for hobnobbing with the saffron party.

DMK working president M K Stalin welcomed the decision, saying when all opposition parties were joining hands with it to end "this horse-trading regime," the MDMK has done its part.

he MDMK's decision to support the DMK comes after recent meetings between Vaiko and DMK working president M K Stalin.

Also, Vaiko recently had met DMK chief and former mentor M Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence.

Karunanidhi, who was ill for about a year and confined to his residence is now recuperating following treatment.

The MDMK, which was part of the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, parted ways from it to support late J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK in the 2006 assembly election.

Vaiko had been detained under the now defunct Prevention of Terrorism Act by the then AIADMK regime in July 2002. After spending about 19 months in prison, he was released in February 2004.

He was arrested for allegedly making pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam speeches. The Vaiko-led party had last fought the 2004 Parliamentary election in the DMK-led front.

In 2014, the MDMK was part of the BJP-led front whereas in 2011 the party quit the AIADMK-led alliance and also boycotted the Assembly election that year.

The MDMK fought the 2016 Assembly election as part of the People's Welfare Front, projected as an alternative to the two Dravidian majors, the AIADMK and the DMK.

In December 2016, the Vaiko-led party quit the combine which drew a blank.

The PWF comprised actor-turned politician Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and former Union minister GK Vasan's Tamil Maanila Congress.

In R K Nagar, DMK's N Marudu Ganesh is pitted against E Madusudanan of the ruling mainstream AIADMK.

Rival AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran is also in the fray.

The BJP has announced fielding its senior functionary Karu Nagarajan.

The DMK's allies the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League have already extended their support to the main opposition party.

Besides, parties including the CPI, the CPI(M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi have declared their support to the DMK.
European and African leaders developed an emergency plan for combating Libyan human smuggling networks. The plan would also give victims stranded in detention camps an option to return home, Reutersreported on Thursday.

The plan developed at a summit on Wednesday in the Ivory Coast includes measures to arrest traffickers, freeze their assets and impose financial sanctions. Some of them may even face the judges of the International Criminal Court. A mass repatriation of migrants from Libya to their home countries would be financed by the EU and organized by the International Organization for Migration.

In November, CNN documented atrocious human rights violations found to be commonplace in Libya. Most migrants arrive to the country with hopes to embark on a typically treacherous boat ride to Europe. Instead, in a video obtained by CNN, Libyan traffickers auctioned off migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa as slaves. Some migrants were sold as farm laborers for as little as $400.

After the CNN report, rallies erupted in Paris, Stockholm and New York. Protesters shouted, Free our brothers!

Given our own historywe cannot remain silent when human beings are being mistreated and auctioned off like cattle, the Rwandan foreign ministry said in response to the shocking images, offering asylum to 30,000 migrants.

"I abhor these appalling acts and call upon all competent authorities to investigate these activities without delay and to bring the perpetrators to justice," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

With 400,000 to 700,000 migrants estimated to be trapped in Libya, French president Emmanuel Macronsummoned the UN Security Council, calling the slave auctions a crime against humanity.

Many critics blame the EUs migration policies for trapping so many migrants in Libya. The EU paid African authorities, particularly from Niger and Libya, to detain migrants. This filled the country with migrants and made them vulnerable to organized crime, according The Washington Post.

The first evacuation, drafted by leaders of Libya, France, Germany, Chad, Niger and four other countries at Wednesdays meeting, sets the target to 3,800 repatriations.

African countries also agreed to launch a program to educate their citizens about the risks of migration. Experts claim many of the repatriated will attempt to leave their countries again. Greater economic development could stem the migration problem at its source.

Tripoli, Libya (Photo: Patrick Andre Perron, CC BY 3.0)

occrp.org
We are seeking volunteers to spend two hours of their day sharing their love of reading with elementary school students. For the 27th consecutive year, our Chamber is excited to host Read Aloud Day on Wednesday, Feb. 14 (snow date- Feb.15) at elementary schools around the region.

After attending a short orientation and reviewing the book, a student will escort you to the classroom for your Read Aloud experience.

Participating schools include: Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Cornwall, Falls Village (Kellogg), Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield (Center & Intermediate), Morris, New Hartford (Ann Antolini, Bakerville, New Hartford Elementary), Norfolk (Botelle), North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington (East, Forbes, Southwest, St. Peter/St. Francis, Torringford, Vogel-Wetmore), Thomaston, Warren, Winsted (St. Anthony, Pearson).

We are looking for donations to help pay for the books, which are donated to the classrooms libraries. If you would like to make a donation, please make checks payable to NW CT Chamber Education Foundation, P.O. Box 59, Torrington, CT 06790.

To sign up to read, email Lauren@nwctchamberofcommerce.org with your school, grade and teacher preference, if any. Please register with the Chamber, not the school. Placement in requested classrooms is made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read Aloud is a program of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber Education Foundation.



Young Professionals Organization

Our Young Professionals Organization had a restructuring lunch meeting on Nov. 17. YPO Sponsor, Lance Leifert, Conquest, moderated the discussion. It was decided that the group would revert back to its original structure with a chair, vice-chair and three subcommittees. The subcommittees will be networking/social events, community involvement, and professional development.

Were currently looking for Young Professionals ages

21-39 to serve on our subcommittees. If you or someone you know is interested, please email Lauren Zordan at lauren@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.

The mission of the Young Professionals Organization is to attract and retain young professionals throughout Northwest Connecticut by networking, community involvement and professional development.



Check out our website at www.nwctchamberofcommerce.org for more Chamber happenings. *This institution is an equal opportunity provider*
Wine lovers are easy when it comes to holiday gifts. Give us wine!

Okay, I can see some pitfalls: Perhaps the guy is a wine snob (snobs are almost always guys) and you want or need to impress him. You're already into a price category where the wrong wine will just be an expensive dud. But the real danger is overthinking it. If you're creative in your choice of wine, any wine lover will love you for it.

Here are three strategies to guide your gift choices for your wine-loving friends and relatives:

- Think local. If your recipient lives out of town or across the country, send a bottle or two of your local vino. If your friends are in California, introduce them to the Finger Lakes with the delightfully floral Semi-Dry Riesling from Agness Wine Cellars, or the minerally rieslings of Kemmeter Wines and winemaker Johannes Reinhardt. Maybe your wine lover friends haven't had the opportunity to try the aromatic gamay from Chateau Grand Traverse or any of the wines from Left Foot Charley in Michigan's Old Mission Peninsula, or Kim McPherson's Rhone-style blends from Texas. If you know a cabernet sauvignon fanatic, call up Markko Vineyard in northeastern Ohio - yes, Ohio - and order up a bottle or two. Include a note saying, "You've never tried a wine like this!" and you will whet their appetite and anticipation. And you will become an unofficial ambassador for that wine region.

- Order from your friends' favorite winery. Even if they already have the wines, they will appreciate more.

- Let someone else choose. Wine clubs offer selections of several bottles each month or quarter. This can be tricky territory: Some corporate wine clubs appear to be little more than online versions of big-box stores, with "exclusive private label" wines produced by the few large companies that make most American wine, known for quantity and low price, not so much for quality.

But a few companies have been using the growing direct-to-consumer channel to offer wines from domestic producers and importers that may not be widely available through normal distribution channels. To make a long story short, consolidation among alcoholic beverage distributors has favored larger brands and made it more difficult for smaller producers to reach the market. And we wine lovers want the smaller producers, because they make wines more expressive of where the grapes were grown or the winemaker's personality.

Winestyr, founded in 2011 in California's Sonoma County, aims to represent small, family-owned wineries through the direct-to-consumer market. Winestyr moved its operations to the Chicago area this year, opening a bricks-and-mortar "lounge" and a fulfillment center to make shipping to the East Coast easier. The company now sells wines from more than 100 wineries and has expanded beyond California to include wines from Oregon, Washington, Arizona and elsewhere.

Winestyr offers various clubs with monthly or quarterly shipments, but you can also buy a single gift box and let the company proceed with the sales pitch on a club membership. The website also features a handy chat feature with someone named Scott, who is apparently always on call to answer your questions.

Bob Wilson, Winestyr's chief executive, says the company aims to please wine lovers "in their 30s or 40s who are not quite wine geeks" and don't have "the time and desire to do the research necessary to find great wines from great producers or go to an actual bottle shop." A recent Winestyr shipment included a gamay from Division winery in Oregon and a pinot noir from Sandhi produced from ungrafted vines in Santa Barbara County.

Another direct-to-consumer option is the Weekly Tasting, offered by the online sales site Wines 'Til Sold Out. Each week offers a selection of four wines, domestic and imported, chosen alternately by Laura Maniec, a master sommelier, or Elizabeth Schneider, a certified sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers program. The tastings are interactive - each week includes a 10-minute video online and tasting notes or talking points - about each of the wines. For gifting, you can buy your friends a one-week gift pack or a gift card to apply to a club membership.

One caveat: Current regulations favor shipping directly from wineries to out-of-state customers, but you may have to shop around to find a producer or wine club that will be able to ship your gift, depending on where your recipient lives. A recent enforcement crackdown means that retailers have had trouble shipping alcohol out of state unless it is to one of the 14 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that explicitly allows it.

That's not to say you shouldn't consult your local wine retailer for gift advice. After all, there's nothing like presenting a fascinating wine in person. You might even get a chance to taste it yourself.

- - -

McIntyre blogs at dmwineline.com. On Twitter: @dmwine.
TORRINGTON Five Points Gallery, located at 33 Main Street in Torrington, will open its doors for a festive Deck the Halls Martini Tasting Party on Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 5:30  7:30 p.m.

This 3rd annual special event, moved to a new venue, will benefit the FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of Northwestern Connecticuts Food Pantry and Homeless Shelter and the Five Points Gallery. Arriving guests will be greeted by Christmas carolers as they enter the art gallery.

The evening will have a new twist this year, welcoming entries into a martini recipe competition that will be prepared and served at the party, with guests voting for their favorite Peoples Choice. Up to nine entries for martini recipes were to be accepted till Dec. 1 for a $300 sponsorship donation. Charlene Dutka, of Ciesco Catering, will prepare delicious refreshments, appetizers and beverages including cocoa and mulled cider. And while attendees are enjoying the delicious ambiance, including a display of vintage martini shakers, there will be silent auction drawings with gift items selected by Karen ODonnell of the Ritz Crystal Room and Remember When, as well as items from other donors.

Partners in the event, Deirdre Houlihan DiCara, Executive Director of FISH NWCT, who works to improve and guide the lives of those in need; and Judith McElhone, Executive Director of the Five Points Gallery, providing inspiration through the arts; will both be on hand to greet supporters. The mission at FISH NWCT is to provide the most basic of human needs  food, shelter and hope  to those neighbors in our communities in economic crisis and desperate need. At FISH NWCT, the focus is to improve residents lives by providing them with the resources, guidance, medical assistance, and educational and work opportunities needed to be independent and able to manage their own households. Last year the FISH Food Pantry distributed enough food to provide over 115,000 meals to its nearly 2000 registered food pantry clients; and at the FISH Homeless Shelter, over 100 residents, representing all ages from infants to seniors, at the 35 bed shelter, were located into permanent housing.

Five Points is a non-profit visual arts organization dedicated to the belief that the arts have the ability to connect the fabric of human experience in ways that inspire individual lives and uplift communities. Founded on the principle of inclusiveness, all exhibitions and educational events held in Five Points Gallery are free and open to the public. Programs presented in the gallery create opportunities for people to engage with contemporary art and ideas that challenge perceptions and encourage creativity. Five Points Gallerys focus is also on the revitalization of downtown Torrington and the financial health of the broader community. The Five Points Public Arts Project, The Torrington Yarn Bomb, included 500 participants ages 2 to 102 and brought thousands of visitors to the area many of whom frequented local stores and businesses.

Funds raised from this holiday gala will be donated to both non-profit organizations, FISH NWCT and the Five Points Gallery, to support their services to our greater NWCT community. Event organizers include - Judith McElhone, Deirdre DiCara, Noel Croce, Charlene Dutka, Karen ODonnell, Nancy Strini, Lisa Soliani, Edward Cannata, David Dutka and Cara Blazier.

Tickets for the Deck the Halls Martini Tasting Party are $35 per person and $60 per couple. Guests will also be welcomed at the door. To purchase tickets, one may visit Five Points Gallery or FISH NWCT at 332 South Main Street in Torrington at the side pantry entrance; or by phoning Five Points Gallery at 860-618-7222 or FISH NWCT at 860-482-7300; or by going on line to www.fivepointsgallery.org or www.fishnwct.org. For information, call Five Points Gallery at 860-618-7222, or Deirdre DiCara at FISH NWCT 860-482-7300.

Friends of Hospice to hold tree lighting

TORRINGTON  Friends of Hospice would like to invite the community to participate in their annual tree lighting on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Brooker Memorial in Torrington. Come and purchase a star in remembrance of a loved one. A short ceremony including the reading of the names and the placing of the memorial stars on the tree will start at 6:30 p.m.

Stars may be purchased at the door for $15. For more information or to purchase a star in advance please call 860-567-1223.

Friends of Hospice is a non-profit organization who provides hospice and bereavement support to people in Torrington, Litchfield, Harwinton and Morris.

Enrichment classes for adults available

TORRINGTON - Foothills Adult & Continuing Education, a program of EdAdvance in Litchfield presents Enrichment evening classes for Adults over 18 years of age at Torrington High School. Coming up in November we offer Excel Advanced, Painting Classes, Linked In, Pen and Ink Drawing, Stained Glass Intermediate, Alzheimers  Know the Signs (free)  Coin Collecting Basics, Dining Debonair with Karen Thomas, Chakras, Manage Your Stress, County Heat Live, PiYo, Finance, Wisdom Principles, and Beginner Irish. Take look, please visit www.edadvance.org, tab Adult Learners, Foothills or call us at 1.800.300.4781 for more information. We also need instructors for Enrichment classes Feb  May.

Wisdom House taking holiday food orders

LITCHFIELD  Wisdom House is holding a food fundraiser for holiday meals and treats and to support the centers ministry. Turkey dinners, cookie trays and Yule log desserts are available for pickup during the fall and winter holiday season. Orders are being taken from now through the holidays. The menu, photos and details are on our website: www.wisdomhouse.org Call 860-567-3163 to place an order.

Community project applications wanted

TORRINGTON  The Torrington Chapter of UNICO National will accepT applications for community projects until Jan. 31, 2018.

Community projects funds are made available to nonprofit and public agencies.

Applications and criteria can be obtained by mailing a request to John Ciesco at 199 Main St. Torrington, Ct. 06790, email ciesco@optonline.net or call 860-489-3660.
NEW HAVEN  Middletown Mayor Dan Drew headed a field of four gubernatorial hopefuls Tuesday night at Yale University during a debate focused almost exclusively on issues related to whether marijuana should be legalized and the appropriate public policy for dealing with the states opioid epidemic.

Drew was joined at the debate fellow Democrat Jonathan Harris, the former Commissioner of Connecticuts Department of Consumer Protection. The two Democrats were joined on the debate stage by Republican Prasad Srinivasan, a doctor and state representative from Glastonbury, and Micah Welintukonis, an unaffiliated Army veteran who received the Purple Heart for injuries he suffered while serving in Afghanistan

The debate was held in the auditorium of Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall on the Yale campus and was co-sponsored by the group Yale Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Connecticut chapter of National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws.

Drew came to the debate already having publicly declared that he is in favor of the state legalizing marijuana. He told the audience Tuesday that legalizing marijuana, regulating it and taxing it would produce $200 million a year in tax revenue.

The question is, do we have the will to do it?, Drew said.

Harris  who is exploring a gubernatorial run, but has not officially declared  cited his experience as Consumer Protection commissioner and the role he played in bringing the states medical marijuana framework into existence. He said if marijuana is to be fully legalized, the decision should be made based upon whether it is good public policy.

Legalizing it is not a panacea, Harris said. We need to look at the social costs.

Srinivasan said Drews claim that legalizing marijuana and taxing it would yield $200 million in tax revenue is a myth. He declined to predict whether he thought the state would ever legalize marijuana.

We can not do this overnight, he said. We can not do it willy-nilly.

Welintukonis focused many of his responses on the social impacts of marijuana, particularly public safety issues, such as driving while under the influence of it.

You want to grow at home, fine, he said. You want to smoke it a home, go ahead.

At one point during the start of the debate, Welintukonis delivered his remarks by walking up and down the aisles of the auditorium. The unconventional maneuver helped him win a few supporters in the crowd.

This guy is great, one unidentified crowd member was heard to say.

Drew said arguments against legalizing marijuana are predicated on the arguement that nobody is using it now.

These fear-based future scenarios are happening now and we are dealing with them, he said.

luther.turmelle@

hearstmediact.com
TORRINGTON  A city man was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday in Superior Court in connection with a series of offenses, including shooting the door of Dawns Getaway Cafe in April 2017.

Scott Czapor, then 51, of 592 Allen Road, was arrested April 17 on a warrant and charged with criminal violation of a protective order, first-degree trespassing, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal use of a firearm, first-degree criminal attempt to commit burglary, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief.

Police said Czapor went to Dawns Getaway Cafe at about 3 a.m. and fired a shotgun at the locked front door. Two people were inside the bar at the time, cleaning up.

Czapor had been asked to leave the bar the previous night. After leaving, he contacted a person inside the bar, and left threatening messages toward that person and others, according to the police report.

Czapor was sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by six years special probation by Judge John A. Danaher III Thursday in connection with this incident and a series of other cases. He was also sentenced for multiple instances of third-degree burglary, criminal possession of a firearm, attempted first-degree burglary and violating a protective order.

Czapor had stolen an iPhone from a vehicle, slashed tires and assaulted a man after smoking crack cocaine and drinking with him, Danaher said.

Danaher noted Czapors extensive criminal history, which he said dated back to 1984, and 38 arrests throughout the years as he handed down the sentence.

State Attorney Dawn Gallo and defense attorney Corrie-Ann Mainville both said Czapor had a history of mental health issues, exacerbated by struggles with substances.

Among other potential requirements, Danaher recommended that Czapor be required to take part in mental health and substance abuse treatment while on probation after his prison sentence and that he maintain gainful employment. He also recommended that he be barred from holding weapons and pay restitution to the victims.

Gallo said victims in his cases considered Czapor a likeable, hard-working person when not using controlled substances, and felt that it was appropriate for him to be punished but still have some light at the end of the tunnel.

Mainville said Czapor realized the serious nature of the matters.

He realizes, really, whats at stake here, said Mainille. This is his life.

Reach Ben Lambert at william.lambert@hearstmediact.com.
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BRIDGEPORT  Mayor Joe Ganims administration intends to use a $1.8 million federal grant that has stirred some controversy among immigrant advocates to hire a fourth new class of police officers.

But the exact details are still being worked out in City Hall. And the clock is ticking. A list of pre-screened candidates from the last recruitment effort who are ready for the academy expires Mar. 1.

The moneys for hiring new police officers, Av Harris, a mayoral aide and police spokesman, when asked Friday to confirm a fourth class. Were trying to get up to that 100 officer mark. But we havent announced a new class yet.

Since his election in November 2015, Ganim has hired about 80 new officers in three classes to fill out the ranks depleted by retirements and other departures. He has pledged to hire 100.

Harris said City Hall is still weighing the impact of the state budget on municipal finances before making a final decision.

The $1.8 million grant, announced last week by the U.S. Department of Justice, covers, according to the application, over the course of three years up to 75 percent of entry level salaries and benefits for newly hired officers. The starting salary in the Bridgeport department is $52,061.

Police Sgt. Chuck Paris, the union president, said another class cannot be graduated soon enough: Theres rumblings quite a few people will retire.

According to police, 123 officers will be eligible to retire in 2018 and 30 to 40 will likely do so unless negotiated benefits drastically change, which could increase the number.

Ganim, who was endorsed by the police union in 2015 and promoted Perez from captain to chief, has been battling with the union over negotiating a new contract.

While the policing grant was welcome news for City Hall, that was not the case for some immigrant advocates. As previously reported, Make the Road CT quickly organized a rally last week outside of Ganims offices after the $1.8 million was announced.

The organization at the time charged that the Ganim administration, which earlier in the year pledged to make Bridgeport a welcoming city for all immigrants and has issued municipal IDs to documented and undocumented residents, had sold out to Republican President Donald Trump. And, as of Friday, Make the Roads state director, Julio Lopez Varona, still felt that way.

To obtain the grant, Ganim and Perez in September signed a Certification of Illegal Immigration Cooperation. And U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a press release lauded the cop grant recipients for agreeing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Three months later (after becoming a welcoming city) the city signs an extra paper to get a grant that seeks to persecute our community, said Varona on Friday. One thing doesnt go with the other.

Hearst Connecticut Media forwarded a copy of what Ganim and Perez signed to Michael Lawlor, the governors under secretary for criminal justice policy and planning. Democrats and Republicans in the legislature in 2013 passed a state law  the TRUST Act  that stated local law enforcers could only detain undocumented immigrants if they are convicted felons, have a deportation order, are gang members or are on a terrorist watch list.

That page (Ganim and Perez signed) appears to be completely consistent with the TRUST Act, Lawlor told Hearst. That language does not appear to require Bridgeport do anything in violation of the spirit or letter of our TRUST Act.

He went so far as to call the document, based on its current wording, meaningless.

Outgoing Bridgeport City Councilwoman Kathryn Bukovsky, who negotiated the welcoming city proposal to satisfy Make the Road and a Ganim administration reluctant to take on Trump, said Friday it appeared to her the grant does not contradict the welcoming city resolution or the TRUST Act.

But Kica Matos, who advocates for immigrant rights in Connecticut and in Washington D.C., after reading the paperwork Ganim and Perez signed, said: Given the way the Trump administration has hounded immigrants, rounded them up for deportation and broken up families, any agreement with the Justice Department around immigration enforcement is a threat to our community and legitimizes their inhumane and unconstitutional acts.

Bridgeport was the only Connecticut municipality awarded the policing funds. Hearst reached out to Hartford and New Haven, two other immigrant-friendly cities, to learn if they had applied for the Justice Department money as well. Hartford did not immediately respond, while New Haven said it did not move ahead for budgetary reasons.

Harris on Friday reiterated his position when the grant was first announced that there is no new agreement between Bridgeport police and the U.S. Department of Justice to track down undocumented immigrants in our city and report them.

Any notion of that nature is pure spin. This cops grant represents crucial federal dollars that we need to provide services for our community, hiring and retaining police officers to support the public safety of 150,000 residents, Harris said.
Jurors in the Dr. John E. Gibbs III murder trial had a great deal to consider Friday as prosecutors rested their case: a recording of Gibbs refusing to talk with investigators about what happened to his missing girlfriend, videos showing him buying large quantities of acid and drain cleaner, and recovered computer searches  allegedly made by Gibbs  about how to knock someone out with ether and to make someone disappear.

Chesterfield prosecutors Larry Hogan and Erin Barr contend that those disclosures, among many others introduced last week during Gibbs first-degree murder trial, collectively implicate Gibbs in the June 2014 disappearance and presumed murder of his nurse-girlfriend, Zulma L. Pabon.

But the complicated case has one significant drawback: Pabons body was never found, and prosecutors cant say how, when or where she died.

Defense attorneys Craig Cooley and Debra Corcoran have argued that the chain of largely circumstantial evidence against their client does not prove any criminal misdeeds. And on Friday, they asked the trial judge to strike the evidence because they said it was insufficient to send the case to the jury for deliberations. Judge David E. Johnson took their request under advisement until Monday.

Gibbs, 39, who at the time Pabon disappeared was a doctor specializing in physical rehabilitation at Sheltering Arms Hospital on the campus of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, has consistently refused to cooperate with investigators.

But in his only recorded conversation with police, Gibbs said he loved Pabon and didnt harm her. His defense team has offered several unsupported theories for Pabons June 7, 2014, sudden disappearance.

They argue that the 26-year-old Puerto Rico native may have been abducted by Hispanic MS-13 gang members and forced into human trafficking; she may have met her demise after visiting a party house near where her car was found abandoned in the Greenleigh Trailer Park nine days after she disappeared; maybe Gibbs then-13-year-old autistic son  whom Gibbs apparently didnt trust with knives and other items that could be used as weapons  caused her harm; or perhaps Pabon left on her own and died somewhere after committing suicide after telling a co-worker that Gibbs caught her cutting herself and she was mentally unstable.

But Barr, who on Friday urged the court to allow jurors to decide the case, noted there has been zero evidence presented thus far for any of the defense theories  in contrast to the chain of evidence that prosecutors say is the only plausible explanation for Pabons disappearance and presumed death.

The prosecution on Friday added several new elements to their case, starting with a conversation they played for jurors that Chesterfield detectives David Clayton and Christopher Ring recorded after they confronted Gibbs about 7 a.m. July 10 as he arrived for work at Sheltering Arms-South.

The detectives, frustrated by Gibbs refusal to meet with them or return their many phone calls over the month since Pabon disappeared, struck up a conversation that they hoped would lead to a formal interview.

But Gibbs, while courteous, made it clear from the start that he wasnt interested in talking  at police headquarters, in their car or later the next day.

Well heres the thing, Clayton said in the recording. Im looking for a sign of good faith from you. Because as it stands right now, I havent gotten a lot of cooperation from you.

Gibbs replied he had called them earlier  referring to a June 19 call to Clayton after the detective had called Gibbs father and sister, urging them to have Gibbs contact him. Ive given you my statement; I dont know what you want me to say, Gibbs said in the recording.

After some additional back-and-forth, Clayton said, If you dont want to cooperate, our hands are tied.

Well, Ive done what I can, Gibbs replied.

No you havent, Clayton said. If youre not going to help, tell us you dont want to help us.

At that point, Clayton explained that hes worked numerous missing persons cases over the years, and with just a couple exceptions, those people connected to the missing have gone out of their way to do whatever they can to help us out.

And weve met a whole lot of resistance from you, the detective added.

I dont understand what you guys want me to say, Gibbs replied, adding, She (Pabon) made a lot of new friends, but I have no idea who these people are.

Gibbs then refused the detectives request to talk at police headquarters or in their car. I wont be going down there, Gibbs said.

Still trying to elicit information, the detectives asked Gibbs about the evening of June 6, 2014, and early June 7  the last time Pabon was known to be at the couples townhouse before disappearing.

Dr. Gibbs, heres the thing  Ive done everything I can think of to try and have you cooperate with us ... but I have a job to do, too, Clayton said at one point.

I want you guys to find her, Gibbs replied, but I dont understand what you all want me to say. I really dont understand.

You dont understand, Clayton answered. You dont understand how somebody you lived with, that you got into an argument that evening, turns up missing, Clayton said.

I didnt get into an argument with her, Gibbs insisted, then added moments later, She argued but I never argued back with her.

These cases dont go away, the detective said. And eventually were going to find her, and if something has happened to her, and your statement is that you dont know anything, its not going to turn out well.

Gibbs replied, I told you what I could. I tried to help her, I tried to figure out whats going on with her. ... I dont know anything else.

As the conversation continued, Gibbs maintained he didnt harm Pabon and that he loved her.

I dont think you do, Ring said. I think something happened in that apartment that night  you got jealous, you got mad ... and you hurt that woman.

The detectives continued to press Gibbs but got few answers.

Were convinced ... that you know exactly where shes at, Clayton said. So it comes down to, did you plan all of this?

About seven minutes into the conversation, the detectives announced that they had a search warrant for Gibbs Ford Windstar van and were confiscating it for investigative purposes. They also served Gibbs with a search warrant for a sample of his DNA  a swab of his saliva.

Prosecutors also showed jurors surveillance video footage of Gibbs buying 23, 32-ounce bottles of Zep crystal drain cleaner on June 29 from two Lowes stores in Winterville and Greensville, N.C., where he has family. He returned early the next morning to one of the stores and returned 16 of the bottles, the video shows.

In another purchase five days later, Gibbs can be seen in a video loading up seven boxes of muriatic acid from a Home Depot store in Williamsburg. Each box contained two gallon containers of the acid, which has been used in other crimes to strip the flesh from human bones. Gibbs returned an unidentified quantity of the chemical later.

Investigators also enlisted the services of a Virginia State Police digital forensic examiner, who scrutinized the contents of a laptop computer that authorities believe was used by Gibbs, although registered to Pabon and protected by a password.

During an examination of the computers hard drive and using several key words suggested by investigators, examiner Sue Ann Reynolds discovered that several searches were conducted after 9 p.m. on May 31, 2014, using the words Ether knock you out, Ether clothes, knock you out, and How much ether to knock someone out.

The search date occurred on the same day that Pabon attended a Memorial Day cookout in Powhatan County at the home of Mauriek Goode, with whom Pabon sought a relationship as she prepared to leave Gibbs. Pabon later told Goode that Gibbs had questioned her about the event and suspected he had followed her there, according to testimony.

In testimony, Reynolds noted she also found searches on June 11, 2014, using the key word disappear completely that led to a website entitled, How to disappear completely in 10 steps. The computer also was used to check Gibbs work email at Sheltering Arms on June 17  10 days after Pabon disappeared.

In testimony, Clayton described the extensive searches police conducted for Pabon in the weeks and months after she disappeared, sometimes using cadaver dogs and dive teams.

Officers searched wooded areas around the town house were Gibbs and Pabon lived, the trailer park where her car was found abandoned, and an area around Woods Edge Road where undercover officers saw Gibbs throw a bag of items into a construction dumpster on the same day Pabons car was discovered.

Police also searched areas where a GPS tracking device they secretly attached to Gibbs van indicated he had traveled. They included an area adjacent to St. Francis Medical Center and a park area in Windsor, N.C., that contains swampy areas and bogs. Investigators did not find any evidence of Pabons remains, blood or other incriminating evidence during any of the searches, Clayton testified, in cross examination from the defense.

Gibbs trial resumes Monday at 9 a.m.
On the political talk show "UpFront with Mike Gousha," State Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, said the collection of her personal emails was politically motivated after she spoke out about the need to reform the Government Accountability Board.
There were two things Richard Howard needed to take care of as soon as he woke up. Take a drink, and call his crack dealer.

I kept doing the same thing expecting a different result. I was running wild for about 40 years, the 61-year-old man said as he spoke to a trio of men with experiences like his during an anger-management class last week.

The three other men at the table, all in recovery for various addictions, nodded.

Howard is a peer specialist with the SAARA Center for Recovery in Richmond. He helps guide people through the recovery process by connecting with them in ways that a clinician cant, he said. His motto: Dont sugarcoat anything.

Not the staggering death toll of drug overdoses in Virginia, which have claimed more than 9,500 lives here since 2007, primarily from a surge in addiction to opiates like painkillers and heroin. Not the overwhelming relapse rates, which for the most addictive drugs lingers by some estimates around 90 percent. And not the daily struggle that becomes reality for people who survive long enough to try to stay clean.

I wouldnt wish my addiction on my worst enemy, he said. I know I can help someone. And first, Im going to tell them about me.

Now the state wants more people with that mindset across Virginia in part of the latest effort to stem the rising body count.

The idea behind it is simple: Shared experience gives these recovery specialists a better chance to win the trust of people in the midst of addiction.

More than 1,000 peer recovery specialists have been trained by the states Office of Recovery Services and a team of 72 trainers. Since February, 615 people have been trained across the state, and 464 people were already certified by the Virginia Certification Board.

Theyre beginning to work in local Community Services Boards, opioid treatment centers, hospital emergency rooms and recovery centers, among other settings.

Peer recovery specialists add a new dimension to the multitude of prevention and treatment services available, said Maria Reppas, communication director for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Peer-to-peer support is an evidenced-based practice that increases peoples willingness to engage in other forms of treatment, while increasing opportunities for longevity of abstinence, including medication management of addictions.

Opioids, often also called opiates, are a factor in about 75 percent of all drug-overdose deaths in Virginia and kill more people statewide than guns or car crashes.

At the SAARA center alone, Director Marjorie Yates said the number of people in recovery specifically for opiate addictions has climbed from 25 percent nine years ago to about 80 percent.

Richmond was a crack town when we first opened. Now its opiates, she said.

The peer counseling concept has been around for decades, notably with groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. But it is gaining institutional legitimacy as part of comprehensive treatment for addiction and other mental health challenges.

Medicaid reimbursement for addiction treatment is in part driving the demand for peer specialists, Reppas said.

Reimbursement legitimizes the efforts of peer recovery specialists. It sends a message that the health care system is willing to honor the positive contribution of peer recovery specialists in the continuum of care available to people who are overcoming these illnesses, she said.

Many of the peer specialists will be able to register with the Department of Health Professions Board of Counseling in the coming year, allowing their employers to begin billing Medicaid for their services.

It does feel like a validation, Yates said. The center opened nine years ago and serves about 300 people each year.

For years, it has focused on helping recovering addicts with support through peer specialists like Howard. Yates helped write the manual that the state is using to train all the new specialists.

It takes away the shame, Yates said of talking with a peer specialist.

Yates is in recovery from alcoholism and using other drugs. She remembers clamming up around doctors who didnt seem to understand many details familiar to an addicts lifestyle, including first dates that ended in a hotel room binge.

She decided to stop drinking after she woke up and found a note taped to her chest by her then 13-year-old daughter.

I hate you. You embarrassed me in front of my friends, you were so drunk, the note said.

It was the women in her peer group who helped Yates and encouraged her to stay sober, she said.

She later jumped at the chance to be able to connect with people in recovery, people who have been in similar situations and know the pull of old patterns.

The center offers classes in areas such as wellness and anger management, and helps people with various resources like college applications and finding shelter. It is building a program called Alive RVA that is funded by the Opioid Prevention Treatment and Recovery grant.

Alive RVA will offer a hotline for those who are not in an emergency situation but still need someone to talk to. Alive RVA specialists will also make emergency room visits to VCU Medical Center to offer support to people who have overdosed.

Peer recovery is the missing link in substance-abuse treatment, said Marilyn Edwards, a peer recovery specialist with the SAARA center who oversees the Alive RVA operations.

The state push of peer specialists wont lead to any staffing increases at the SAARA center. But the shift will make peer counseling as a career more of a possibility for the centers interns and volunteers, who are usually in recovery themselves and who often have a criminal background.

Everyone is hiring peer specialists now, Yates said. It used to just be the (community services boards).

The opiate addiction crisis has turned on the spigot of funding, Yates said, in ways she hasnt seen before.

But the problem isnt new, Travis Mines told the group of men and women in Howards anger management class Thursday. Its just that people are paying attention now.

Its been an epidemic in my neighborhood for decades, Mines said.

Mines recalled walking out of school in Jackson Ward in the 1970s to see a dope fiend holding a bloody tissue, passed out after trying to find a good vein to inject heroin.

Now nine years into recovery, Mines took his first sip of alcohol at age 7 and moved on to harder drugs at around 11.

What people called the lifestyle  pimps, hustlers, bank robbers  we called survival, Mines said.

He started his own nonprofit for recovering addicts after growing frustrated with the court system and nonprofits during his own recovery because, he said, they sometimes only treated the symptoms instead of the root causes. He said he is glad the language and the literature have shifted to treating addiction as a disease rather than a moral failing, even if the change came late.

One of the main things that encouraged him to continue his recovery, he said, was the fact that he knew he wasnt alone.
A 53-year-old pipe that supplies motor fuel to the Montvale tank farm is scheduled to cease operation next year, a move that would force the Roanoke region to burn pricier gas trucked in from more distant supply points.

The line, which is doomed by deterioration that the owner deems too costly to repair, supplies a large portion of the regions gasoline and diesel fuel. Unless the company reverses course, tanker trucks will have to get fuel from depots in other parts of the state  or in other states  to supply gas stations from north and east of Roanoke to Martinsville and Wytheville.

The newer Plantation Pipeline, which also delivers fuel to the Roanoke region via a spur, doesnt have capacity to make up the difference, officials said.

Michael OConnor, head of a Virginia retail trade group, predicted that pump prices in the region will rise by between 4 and 6 cents a gallon unless the shutdown is averted. And thats assuming the next-closest fuel depots in Richmond and Greensboro, North Carolina, have enough capacity to supply the Roanoke region, according to OConnor, the president and CEO of the Virginia Petroleum Convenience and Grocery Association.

Using the federal governments average annual fuel consumption of 480 gallons a year for a passenger vehicle, a typical consumer would incur additional gasoline costs of between $19.20 and $28.80 a year based on current prices. Gas in Roanoke cost an average of $2.27 on Wednesday, 28 cents higher than a year ago, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Colonial Pipeline Co., based in Alpharetta, Georgia, said the issue is the physical condition of its buried fuel-delivery spur that pumps petroleum products to more than 30 above-ground vats along U.S. 460 in Montvale, east of Roanoke. The spur, Line 25, branches off northwest of Richmond from the Colonial Pipeline itself, which feeds Gulf Coast refined petroleum products to Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and East Coast markets.

In addition to Montvale, it supplies depots in Amherst, Appomattox and Buckingham counties.

The 80-mile spur will operate at reduced capacity until approximately September 2018, at which point the line will cease to operate, according to a company statement in August. Though safe now, the pipe has extensive upkeep needs, Colonial said.

OConnor said he was told by Gerald Beck, Colonials chief operating officer, that the work would cost $200 million to $300 million. Thats money Colonial said it isnt willing to spend, so Line 25 will stop delivering fuel, the trade group chief learned.

Basically, they said that they dont see a way forward that this can be avoided, OConnor said.

Virginia State Corporation Commission spokesman Ken Schrad said the spur has passed all SCC inspections. He described the closure plan as a Colonial Pipeline management decision and not an SCC action.

When the Plantation and Colonial spurs reached the region in 1964, gas prices fell, The Roanoke Times reported. Thats because shipping petroleum products by underground pipe costs less than hauling them by truck.

Colonial said it publicized the closure early to give customers time to decide on alternative methods of supplying Roanoke and surrounding markets.

During the first seven months of 2017, when Line 25 operated at reduced capacity, it delivered 7 million barrels of fuel, the company said. That breaks down to about 38,000 barrels daily.

Richmond and Greensboro terminals possibly could supply fuel to replace the Montvale operation, but if not, tanker trucks would have to go to such places as Knoxville, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, OConnor said.

Montvale is 16 miles from Roanoke, while Richmond is 165 to 190 miles, depending on roads taken. Multiply that by the daily output of Line 25, which is about 170 tanker loads, and the mileage and hours of highway travel stack up. However, the Virginia Department of Transportation said its traffic engineering team predicts minimal effect to the highway system.

Crews would have to seal off the spur after it runs dry, though it could remain in the ground, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality said. If the Montvale tank farm itself ceased to operate, tank owners would have to test for and remove any petroleum contamination, said DEQ spokesman William Hayden. The tanks, which belong to other companies, could also remain, Hayden said.

Businesses that fuel equipment and vehicles to deliver goods or services would pay a bit more each time, assuming the price per gallon rises.

We wont be happy if the prices go up. A small company is affected a lot by that, said Diane Etter of Etters Tree Service in Hardy, which spends $1,850 on gasoline and diesel fuel during a busy week to fuel up to five vehicles, a chipper and chain saws. You cant increase your prices based on gas prices going up.

Large industry players, such as railroads that haul freight through the state, spoke at a recent convenience and grocery association meeting. Both CSX and Norfolk Southern fuel the vast the majority of their locomotives that move through Virginia off a Line 25 product, OConnnor said.

Tracy Blido, the economic development director of Bedford County, lamented an impact on jobs at that site, plus challenges for businesses that rely on the convenience of that location.

Acting on behalf of his members in southwest Virginia, OConnor said he hopes to see the company work through Line 25s issues. Talking with Beck, a graduate of Virginia Tech who visited Richmond to meet with the trade groups board, was a step but not the last one he and others hope to take.

Government officials including U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, have questioned the closing of Line 25 as well. Griffith asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission if the government could help Colonial with the cost to upgrade Line 25, but he was told FERC is powerless to intervene or assist, according to correspondence. Griffith said last week that he is still working on the issue.

We do think its got serious concern for the economy, Griffith said. Thirty people work at the Montvale tank farm, Griffith said.

Colonial confirmed Friday it plans to close Line 25 but said it is talking with interested parties who have expressed a possible interest in taking over the spur, Colonial spokeswoman Malesia Dunn said.

Paul Sankey, an oil analyst with Wolfe Research, said he had not spoken to Colonial but speculated that the company considers the profitable New York-New Jersey markets its highest priority and would rather put its resources there.

This can easily be seen as a profit maximization move, Sankey said.

Atul Patel, a Roanoke Valley convenience store owner estimated that the regions retail fuel price could rise as much as 7 cents a gallon.

That will impact tremendously to the consumer, he said. Im not going to give up my margin. I will pass it to the consumer.
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RICHMOND  A stream of protesters circled the state capitol Saturday to decry two natural gas pipeline projects they say will poison Virginias springs, creeks, rivers and lakes.

The crowd of about 500 gathered to send a message to the State Water Control Board, which meets Wednesday and Thursday to consider water quality certifications for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Dont touch my drinking water, said Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, describing how construction of the pipeline would contaminate the regions water while raping our viewsheds.

After applauding through several anti-pipeline speeches, the protesters  some of them waving Resist placards and chanting slogans such as no need for corporate greed  lined the sidewalks that circle the capitol grounds, intertwined with blue ribbons to symbolize their Water is Life theme.

As opponents formed a human circle, the line snaked past the governors mansion, where current resident Terry McAuliffe has embraced the pipelines for their economic benefits, as have other supporters. Those voices were nowhere to be heard Saturday.

Pipeline opponent David Sligh called the rally an uprising of Virginia like weve never seen before.

Many in the crowd had already made their opposition known through verbal and written comments to the water control board, which will hear another round of public comments Wednesday. On Thursday, the board could take a vote on one of the last remaining permits needed for a buried pipeline that would cross the Roanoke and New River valleys.

The board will meet the following week to consider the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a similar project in Central Virginia.

One of the speakers Saturday was Mary Beth Coffey, who lives on a farm atop Bent Mountain. Coffey recounted how her familys joy over making their last mortgage payment on what would be a peaceful retirement home was dashed when they got notice that MVP was offering to purchase an easement to run its pipeline through the property.

How can you place a price on a familys life? Coffey asked. Well, MVP can. Its $7,000.That easement offer was a gut punch.

Coffey and other landowners who have refused MVPs financial overtures are now faced with the companys attempt to take their property through the legal process of eminent domain.

Others at the rally complained that the pipelines will benefit huge corporations such as Dominion Energy, even though there is little demonstrated need for the natural gas that would be transported at high pressure away from the communities bearing the brunt.

Theyre for the profit of the few and the destruction of the many, said Kathy Guy of Franklin County, which lies in the path of a pipeline that would also burrow through parts of Craig, Giles, Montgomery and Roanoke counties.

Its going to affect all of us, even in Roanoke city, said Maya Bohler, referring to the sediment caused by tree-clearing and trench-digging that is expected to be washed downstream and into the Roanoke River.

A coalition of conservationists maintained in a letter last month to the water control board that it has not received enough data from the Department of Environmental Quality on which to base an informed decision.

In particular, they said, DEQ has failed to consider problems caused by erosion and sediment during the pipelines construction. Another concern is a limitation of the boards scope to upland areas, leaving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess actual stream and river crossings in what critics call a blanket approach permitting process.

In recent weeks, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Forest Service have lent their support for the two pipelines  leaving the State Water Control Board as one of the few remaining regulatory bodies that could stop the projects.

In a prepared statement, Ben Luckett, an attorney with Appalachian Mountain Advocates, called for a more vigilant approach.

The DEQ appears to have done a rush job here to accommodate the schedules of the pipeline companies, he said, at the expense of clean water for all Virginians.
Shortly after he founded SpaceX, Elon Musk paraded a mock-up of his Falcon 1 rocket down Independence Avenue in the nations capital, with a police escort, hoping to get the attention of leaders in Washington. Later, he had a plan to land a greenhouse plant on Mars, which he hoped would reinvigorate interest in space.

Since then, his rocket company has pulled off an array of increasingly important  and improbable  feats, from winning billions of dollars in U.S. government contracts to landing rocket boosters on ships at sea.

But nothing would quite solidify Musks merry-prankster, ringmaster status than his recently announced plan to use the often-delayed launch of his Falcon Heavy rocket into a cross-promotional marketing campaign for Tesla, one of his other companies. In tweets on Friday and Saturday, Musk said that SpaceX plans to pursue putting a Tesla Roadster on to the top of the rocket, launching it into an orbit around Mars, while playing David Bowies Space Oddity.

Why?

I love the thought of a car drifting apparently endlessly through space and perhaps being discovered by an alien race millions of years in the future, he wrote on Twitter.

After some confusion Saturday over whether he was serious or not, the plan was confirmed by the company, which appeared to be taken aback that it was tweeted out seemingly spontaneously.

SpaceX, which had hoped to launch Falcon Heavy years ago, has said that after several delays it would finally launch in January from Launch Complex 39A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the site of many of NASAs historic Apollo and space shuttle launches.

The Falcon Heavy is an incredibly complex vehicle, with 27 engines, all of which have to be fired at once. This year, Musk conceded that the rocket was way, way more difficult than we originally thought. We were pretty naive about that.

Its so complex that the chances of it blowing up on its maiden flight were high. I hope it makes it far enough away from the pad that it does not cause pad damage. I would consider even that a win, he said. Major pucker factor, really. Theres no other way to describe it.

Skeptics will see the launch as a stunt designed to bolster SpaceX and Tesla  his two companies  while also deflecting attention from their respective woes  the delay of the Falcon Heavy and the backlog of Tesla vehicles.

But there will be other concerns, as well. SpaceX will need the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency will have to ensure that a car in space does not jeopardize public health and safety, safety of property, U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, or international obligations of the United States, according to the FAA.

Then there is the moral calculus. Should SpaceX be launching a car instead of satellites that could help NASA and scientists?

I have to wonder if something a little more useful could be done on this first Falcon Heavy flight  like auctioning off the $200,000 Tesla Roadster and using the proceeds to fund a hundred or so cubesats that could be given out free to students with the caveat that they may become space toast, Keith Cowing wrote on his blog, NASA Watch. CubeSats are miniaturized satellites used for space research.

This is a chance to do something that really resonates with people. Instead a lot of people will see some guy throw his expensive car away in outer space or make a shiny red reef in the Atlantic, Cowing wrote.
Rihanna took some time out for a trip to her home island of Barbados earlier this week for the re-dedication of her home street as Rihanna Drive. The star appeared at the event, which took place on the street formerly known as Westbury New Road.

The new street includes a dedication from the star that reads: "My whole life was shaped on this very road." She also gave a speech at the event noting: "I guarantee you the only thing that got me here was believing in my dream."

The prolific activist also recently explained when she has refrained from seeking out trans models for her Fenty Beauty line:

"I don't think it's fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a convenient marketing tool," she wrote. "Too often I see companies doing this to trans and black women alike. There's always just that one spot in the campaign for the token 'we look mad diverse' girl/guy! It's sad!"

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Editor Emeritus Dave Zweifel has been with The Capital Times since he graduated from UW-Madison in 1962, serving as the paper's editor in chief from 1983 to 2008. He was president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council for 15 years, served as a Pulitzer Prize judge in 2000 and 2001, and named to the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2011. A native of New Glarus, Wis., where he grew up on a farm, he serves on several non-profit boards and is a military veteran, having served on active duty as a field artillery officer in the early 1960s and for 26 years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard where he retired as a colonel in 1993.
Soyuz rocket delivers a military satellite

The Russian military personnel in Plesetsk orbited an operational spacecraft for electronic intelligence, known as Lotos-S1 or 14F145. A part of the Liana constellation, the mission lifted off on a Soyuz-2-1b rocket on Dec. 2, 2017, or just four days after another Soyuz-2 rocket lifted an ill-fated mission from Vostochny spaceport.

Previous chapter: Liana network

The Lotos-S1 No. 803 mission at a glance:

Primary payload 14F145 (Lotos-S1) No. 803 , Kosmos-2524 Launch vehicle Soyuz-2-1b (14A14 No. 77069203) Launch site Plesetsk, Site 43 (Launch facility 17P32-S4) Launch date and time 2017 Dec. 2, 13:43:26.331 Moscow Time (actual) 13:43:22 (planned)

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Preparations for launch

The Lotos-S1 No. 803 mission was previously planned for Oct. 25, 2017, but had to be postponed until the beginning of November and then until November 18, at the earliest, due to problems with the satellite. On Oct. 25, space officials were expected to hold a meeting in Moscow on the status of the mission. The launch was then postponed until December 1, 2017, and by Nov. 21, 2017, it was set for December 2.

In the hours immediately following the botched launch of the previous Soyuz-2-1b rocket from Vostochny on November 28, preparations for the Lotos mission continued as scheduled in Plesetsk. Because the upcoming flight carried a low-orbiting satellite without the Fregat upper stage, the fresh Soyuz-2-1b launch could proceed as long as space officials could isolate the problem to the Fregat. According to the latest schedule, on November 29, military personnel in Plesetsk were ready to integrate the upper composite, including the 14F145 satellite and the third stage, with the already assembled first and second stages of the launch vehicle.

On the morning of November 30, the Soyuz-2-1b rocket was rolled out to the launch pad at Site 43 and was installed into a vertical position. By the end of the day, preparations of the rocket on the pad continued as scheduled. The launch vehicle had passed routine tests and it was to be prepared for fueling during December 1. On the same day, Roskosmos announced that the accident commission looking into the November 28 failure, had cleared the Soyuz-2 series for future missions.

How Lotos is launched

A Soyuz-2-1b rocket carrying the 14F145/Lotos No. 803 military satellite for the Liana electronic intelligence network lifted off from Site 43 in Plesetsk on Dec. 2, 2017, at 13:43:26.331 Moscow Time (5:43 a.m. EDT), as snowfall was showering the facility.

After a few seconds in vertical ascent, the rocket was programmed to head northeast to align its ascent trajectory with an orbit inclined around 67.1 degrees toward the Equator. The four boosters of the first stage separated after around two minutes in flight and fell at the S15 drop zone around 350 kilometers from the launch site. The payload fairing protecting the payload was probably dropped next, likely targeting the S16 drop zone in the Komi Republic. Less than five minutes into the flight, the core booster of the rocket completed its firing and separated as well.

Moments before the second stage separation, the RD-0124 engine of the third stage fired through the interstage lattice structure, which then separated along with the second stage.

Around five seconds later, the tail section on the third stage was dropped splitting into three segments. Both, the second-stage booster and the segments of the tail section were aimed at the S18 drop zone in the Yamalo-Nenetsk Autonomous Region. The third stage then continued firing until around nine minutes into the flight, before releasing its payload into an initial orbit.

According to the official Russian media, Col. General Aleksandr Golovko, the commander of the Russian space forces, oversaw launch operations in Plesetsk.

In orbit

Soon after the launch, Roskosmos announced that the newly launched spacecraft had functioned well and it had receieved an official designation Kosmos-2524.

In previous launches of Lotos satellites, the spacecraft and its empty third stage would first enter a 200 by 900 kilometer elliptical orbit, but the satellite would then fire its engine in apogee to circularize its orbit at a safe altitude of around 900 kilometers. The satellite would then be ready for operation.

NORAD listed two objects associated with the mission  spacecraft itself and the third stage of the Soyuz rocket that had delivered it into orbit:

Object International designation NORAD ID Orbital period Inclination Apogee Perigee Kosmos-2524* 2017-067A 43032 96.05 minutes 67.14 degrees 900 239 Stage III 2017-067B 43033 95.84 minutes 67.14 degrees 881 238

One day after launch, the spacecraft boosted a perigee of its orbit by around five kilometers, in what is believed to be a test of the propulsion system. There were also rumors, that the third stage of the launch vehicle underperformed due to a fuel leak, similar to a previous such incident in early 2016.

By Dec. 5, NORAD data showed that Kosmos-2524 had circularized its orbit, as expected:

Epoch (UTC) Perigee Apogee Orbital period Inclination 2017-12-05, 04:37:50 908.3 kilometers 915.6 kilometers 103.1 minutes 67.1 degrees

According to the Western radar, the third stage from the mission reentered the atmosphere over South Atlantic on May 15, 2019.

Next chapter: Fourth Lotos S1 mission
Rahul Gandhi ' title='Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi '>Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked his fifth question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the Gujarat polls, raising concerns over safety, health, education and crimes against women the state.

He accused Modi of making fake promises to the women of Gujarat where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power for the last 22 years and where rate of conviction in crimes against women is at a meagre 3 per cent.

Citing records from different central agencies and institutions, the Congress leader pointed out that Gujarat was ranked third in human trafficking, fifth in acid attacks on women and 10th in rape of minor girls.

He asked Modi, who served as the Gujarat Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014, why female literacy rate had dropped from over 70 per cent in 2001 to 57 per cent in 2011.

"Why 'no justice for women' as only 3 per cent of those accused of crimes against women get convicted?," Gandhi tweeted.

"Why are two most important cities Ahmedabad and Surat ranked among the top 10 cities in crime against women in India.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education," he asked, pointing out that gross enrollment ratio of girl child is at 20.5 against national average of 23.5 (higher eduction).

Gandhi's question comes in the wake of the party's strategy to pose one question to Modi every day till the polling day on December 9.

He asked the Prime Minister about the women health issues in the state, pointing out that the maternal mortality rate had increased to 85 in the state, putting Gujarat "at number 11 among 15 states in reduction of MMR".

"Why 67 per cent mothers of new born child in the state are denied facility of free transportation in government ambulance?

"Why are 55 per cent women of the state anaemic?"

The Congress Vice-President on Saturday questioned Modi on the "extraction" of high fees from students by government educational institutes in Gujarat.

On Friday, he accused Modi of reducing the power generation capacity of government-owned power firms between 2012-16, while buying electricity from private players at a much higher rate.

Polling for the 182-member Gujarat assembly will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. The counting of votes will take place on December 18.
CHICAGO (AP)  Details of alleged sexual assaults by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, comedian Bill Cosby and other famous figures are now widely known in part because several accusers did something they promised in writing never to do: They talked publicly about their allegations.

When those women spoke out, they broke nondisclosure agreements  contractual pledges not to discuss what happened that are common features of financial settlements. In doing so, they helped start a national discussion about sexual misconduct and showed that the agreements do not necessarily offer the same ironclad protection that for decades has shielded the rich and powerful.

A look at how the agreements work and what can happen when accusers go public anyway:

___

WHAT THEY ARE

The agreements amount to contracts to buy and sell silence. Some require that accusers destroy emails and other evidence related to the allegations. The pacts are typically signed before an accuser sues or before a lawsuit gets to trial.

The accusers may see trading silence for money as their sole recourse to obtain a degree of justice, especially if statutes of limitation rule out criminal charges. Others fear opting for a civil or criminal trial means an emotionally draining courtroom fight in a media spotlight.

"Many women go into the settlement agreement because they just don't want to face what potentially could be coming," said former Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy, who, according to a New York Times report in January, signed a confidentiality deal to settle claims against former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. "Some people just want to make it go away and move on with their lives."

Those comments to NBC in October came in her first extended interview since the out-of-court settlement in 2016 with 21st Century Fox, Fox News' parent company. But with her lawyer beside her, she was careful not to break the confidentiality pledge. She talked only generally about women coping with abuse but declined to offer any details about the allegations or settlement.

Zelda Perkins, a former Weinstein assistant, was among the first of his accusers to break a commitment to stay quiet  one she kept for nearly 20 years, until an October interview with the Financial Times. She said she's speaking now about how Weinstein sexually harassed her "on every occasion I was alone with him" and about her 1998 settlement to spark debate "about how egregious these agreements are."

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THE CHALLENGE OF ENFORCEMENT

Two parties can agree to do just about anything in writing, but that does not mean courts will enforce the terms if disputes arise. Judges can refuse to enforce confidentiality clauses if there's a wider public interest in breaking the silence, such as an accusers' wish to expose an abuser so others are not victimized. Contracts clearly aimed at concealing crimes can be deemed unenforceable. And, in some instances, judges can decline to enforce them if they violate a victim's free-speech rights.

Most judges would be reluctant to penalize a victim who violates a confidentiality pact, said Alan Garfield, a Delaware law professor. But each state sets its own rules about the provisions, he explained, and there's no consensus among judges about assessing their legality.

"There's just enough uncertainty to make people afraid to breach them," he said.

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SUING THE ACCUSER

When victims do break their silence, the accused have the option of suing for breach of contract, asking that settlement payouts be returned. But such action can backfire, making the accused look even worse, said Garfield: "It would look like a continuation of the abuse."

It's also risky. It could generate more sympathy for the accuser and draw more attention to allegations the accused sought to hide in the first place.

Bill Cosby is among the few who tried anyway.

He sued Andrea Constand in early 2016, two months after Pennsylvania authorities charged him with drugging and molesting her in 2004. Cosby argued that she breached confidentiality terms in their 2006 settlement, including by answering prosecutors' questions before they charged him.

She said Cosby opened the way for her to go public by going public himself with sweeping denials about ever assaulting anyone. Cosby withdrew the suit months later.

Cosby's first trial in June ended in a hung jury. His retrial is pending.

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OTHER CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS

Confidentiality provisions are often written into employment contracts. Former Fox News Channel CEO Roger Ailes sued former anchor Gretchen Carlson last year after she said publicly she was fired for refusing his sexual advances. Her allegations led to his ouster. Ailes, who died in May, said her contract prohibited her from going public until both sides first tried closed-door arbitration.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can also contain confidentiality provisions. Donald Trump's did. In divorce-related proceedings, a New York court in 1992 let his first wife, Ivana Trump, strike a nondisclosure clause barring her from ever discussing their years as a couple. An appeals court reversed that decision, saying the confidentiality terms did not "offend public policy as a prior restraint on protected speech."

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PROPOSED CHANGES

Legislators in several states are now pushing for laws specifically instructing courts not to enforce provisions that keep names of the accused secret. Pennsylvania state Sen. Judy Schwank said sexual predators have "hidden behind" nondisclosure agreements, enabling harassment "to grow like a cancer."

But among those who could lose out are victims themselves. It's the prospect that accusers might be willing, at the right price, to keep quiet that enables them to press for higher payouts.

If laws say courts cannot enforce such provisions, that leverage is lost. And if confidentiality is off the table, the accused may conclude there's no point in even trying to settle.

Questions about how Congress deals with such cases arose after Rep. John Conyers was accused of sexual harassment by a former aide.

Marion Brown said the Michigan Democrat propositioned her for sex multiple times over more than a decade. She broke a confidentiality agreement Thursday to tell her story to "Today."

"I felt it was worth the risk," Brown said, "to stand up for all the women in the workforce that are voiceless."
The government has put its foot down in a bid to help Samoa Airways cover its initial operation costs, which reportedly includes US$500,000 (T$1.25million) a fortnight to lease the aircraft.

According to a Cabinet paper leaked to the Sunday Samoan, all government Ministries and Corporations have been instructed to use Samoa Airways for any flights to New Zealand and Australia funded by the government.

Signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, the Cabinet paper also strictly instructs government officials to persuade sponsors and funders of other trips to book flights from and back to Samoa with Samoa Airways.

Attempts by the Sunday Samoan to confirm reports that the Airline is paying some US$500,000 to lease the B737 aircraft from Icelandair Group were not successful.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi referred questions to the Management of the Airline.

To get the exact amount down to the cents, direct your questions to the C.E.O. of Samoa Airways, he said. That shouldnt be hard to do.

The Prime Minister then asked as to why the Sunday Samoan was interested in the cost of the lease.

Your questions appear to be looking for trouble, he said. However if you ask, then do a follow up question, what is the usual amount of such leases, that is how you do it. But dont just ask about our lease.

Questions emailed to the C.E.O., Seiuli Alvin Tuala, and Marketing Manager, Dwayne Bentley, on Thursday have not been responded to at press time. A printed copy of the questions was also dropped off at the office and received by the Airline.

Ive been told that the airline is paying US$500,000 to lease the aircraft a fortnight. Is this true? the questions read.

If it is, can the airline sustain this in the long run? What are you projections in terms of profits and losses?

The Airline was also asked about the costs of Icelandair crew and how long will they be here for?

And who is paying for them to be here in terms of accommodation and other allowances to provide training? How much?

On 08 November, Cabinet issued an order in a letter to all government bodies to use the airline.

The F.K. (Faaiuga Kapineta) became effective last month.

It was signed by Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo and titled utilize Samoa Airways for travel paid by the government.

According to the F.K., the Cabinet meeting held on November 7, 2017 to discussed the matter and concluded that effective for the month of November, 2017, any government trip going through to New Zealand and Australia, paid by the government, will travel on Samoa Airways.

This order also applies to the trips being paid by grantors/sponsors, says the F.K.

The F.K. also instructs the hospital, relating to patients taken overseas for medical checkups, to travel on Samoa Airways when they go to New Zealand.

The F.K. further orders a faster process of purchasing tickets so the airline can get paid immediately.

Samoa Airways is less than a month into its operations.

At the launch, Prime Minister Tuilaepa challenged the management of the 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.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has ridiculed a plan by an group known as Samoa Solidarity International (S.S.I.) to stage a protest march from Vaisigano to Mulinuu on Saturday 16 December 2017.

The group is unhappy about a number of issues including what they call illegal land reform law, L.T.R. (Land Torren System) 2008, claiming that the Act was passed in violation of the Samoa Constitution by removing the constitutional prohibition against Customary Land alienation.

But Tuilaepa said many of these people  including anonymous online bloggers  are off in the head.

These people are seeking financial gains which allows them to travel overseas to attend meetings pertaining to issues of our lands, Tuilaepa said.

He did not name anyone in particular.

But he said the people promoting the idea are behind anonymous bloggers such as O le Palemia (O.L.P) and other anti-government blogs.

These are the same people who are hiding behind the Ole Palemia and I am happy that I will get to see their faces in public (at the march), Tuilaepa said.

I know who they are. This is good as it will allow the public to know who these people are, who have been defaming and publicly criticizing our people.

Asked if his government would grant them a permit to march, Tuilaepa said thats a decision to be made by the Commissioner of Police, Fuiava Egon Keil, based on merit. As the Minister of Police, he said he doesnt want to interfere with Fuiavas role.

But the protest plan is interesting, the Prime Minister said.

Up until now, I have not received anything. They intend to go to the Malae o Tiafau and currently the Parliament building is not completed.

Maybe theyll go and give their complaint to the roof of Parliament and maybe voice their concerns to the construction workers there.

So to me its clear they are off in the head. I mean they should bring their concerns directly to me, and then I would say leave it with me, I will pass it on to the Attorney General for a legal opinion.

As for the gist of the complaint, Tuilaepa said they have got it all wrong.

The Torrens system was specifically for the privately owned land.

He said with this system there was no need for a deed of ownership; rather the Torrens Land System requires registration of the land with the government.

The explanation at the time was crystal clear by the government, that customary land will not be affected by the (Torren) system.

The Torren Land System is a solution to predicaments faced by people purchasing land without proper ownership documents by the land owners.

In the old system, unless the deed is provided nothing can be done about changing the ownership of land, despite the fact the money from the land sale has been used, he said.

That problem exists until this very day.

However for the Torren Land System, you have to register your name with the system and most governments now a days have utilized this system, such as New Zealand and Australia.

The Torren system is specifically for the private owned land, but does not apply to communal land as its prohibited under the Constitution.

I am puzzled as to where these unfounded ideas come from.

Remember these laws are put in place, after receiving clearance from the Attorney General. The law in question does not affect our customary land.

Prior to introducing any act, the Attorney General goes through the Bill thoroughly and the Attorney General is the only lawyer that we listen to, this is mandated under the Constitution of Samoa.

Also at the Attorney Generals Office, there are about 30 lawyer who sort out issues that come to their office. And these people who are opposing are not lawyers.

Some of them used to work for the government and they are upset about something and this is their way of getting back to the government.

They are the ones who are adding fuel to the fire, yet they used to be a part of the government and agreed to these changes.

Tuilaepa reminded that it has taken a lot of time for public consultations about the issue in question.

Then it came back to Parliament, and it took over a year for the Parliamentary Committee to go over it. They also held more public consultations and I dont recall seeing any of these people who are now opposing the law.

In my view, just let them talk. They know the issue they are arguing about is stupid but they continue to do it, most especially when they have taken the issues overseas.

I remember going to a meeting with the Asian Development Bank in 2014 and this issue was brought to my attention. And I told them; dont worry about issues that do not concern you.

It was not possible to get a comment from Samoa Solidarity International (S.S.I.) yesterday.
Every moment is a fresh beginning.

That is the best description for 16 graduates of Malua Theological College who received their Bachelors in Theology and Divinity yesterday.

Rev. Elder Tavita Anesone led the celebration with a service at the Jubilee Church.

The Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and other Members of Parliament were among hundreds of families and friends who gathered to witness the momentous occasion.

The graduates in Bachelor of Divinity are Arthur Milo, Iese Uele, Tuto'atasi To'alima, Toantemam Ueanteiti (scholarship students from the Kiribati Uniting Church) and Wanikaie Wanikaie (scholarship student from the Kiribati Uniting Church).

Bachelor of Theology graduates are Clarke Stowers, Fa'amoana Leaupepe, Fa'aui BJ Fa'aui, Fiafiaga Lusama (scholarship student of Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu), Panapa Jr Panapa, Pao Pele, Peniamina Fa'alave, Risatisone Taua, Steven Palala, Vaegato'oto'o Magele and Valo'aga Ropati.

Principal of Malua Theological College, Rev. Maafala Lima thanked the 2017 graduate class for all the hard works.

To the class of 2017, congratulations, he said. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.

Mr. Lusama from Tuvalu was grateful to God for his achievement.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Mr. Lusama described their four-year journey at Malua as enjoyable.

But it was tough as well, but through Christ we managed to here today, he said.

Having the opportunity to attend Malua Theological College for four years was made possible through the leadership of our Heavenly Father.

The end of another chapter starts another one; we are ready to serve God in whatever calling lies ahead.

Mr. Lusama believes yesterday was made possible by prayers and the support of families and friends.

To the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa, the Principal Maafala Lima and staff of Malua, thank you for your unending support and love through all these years.

I also want to thank my wife and children, my family and friends.

Malua Theological College was established in 1844 with the main objective of teaching and educating local students so that each village of Samoa would eventually have an educated pastor as spiritual leader.

By the end of the 19th century, a pattern of ministry had emerged.

It was modelled on the Samoan village structural organization and aimed at preserving, as much as possible, the value systems of the Samoan way of life.

The church community functions in the same way as the village, where five main groups  matai (titled men), spouses of matai, untitled men, unmarried women, and children, each have their own individual and corporate roles and responsibilities for the maintenance of order and welfare.

The village congregation is the basic unit of the C.C.C.S. with the pastor as the spiritual leader.
Robert Louis Stevenson School celebrated the 30th anniversary at Gym 1, Tuanaimato on Friday night.

The evening was an opportunity to pay tribute to some of the founders of the school including Janet Pereira, Vanya Taulealo, Gaye Stevenson, Peter McShane and others.

Among students, teachers, families and former students who were present at the celebration was the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, and Members of Parliament.

The audience was told that the dream of having a school started with a conversation between Janet Pereira and Vanya Taulealo in 1986. A year later the dream became a reality - a small primary school was set up at Siusega.

Because of the increasing number of students over the years, the need for more classrooms and a secondary school became paramount, so the primary school relocated to Lotopa and the secondary school moved to Mulinuu before settling at Tafaigata.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi congratulated the school and pointed out that it was the government which had originally granted them land at Tafaigata.

Board member, Teleiai James Potoi said future plans were in place to relocate the primary school to Tafaigata, beside the secondary school.

The secondary schools principal, Masa Faasau said all those who graduated from Robert Louis Stevenson (R.L.S.S.) at Year 13, go further with their education. She also spoke about how much development there has been in the 19 years that she has been with the school.

Between 40 and 50 students who graduate, most of them have Bachelors, Masters and even P.H.D.s. We have been able to produce 20 doctors in the 19 years I have been here, she said. It is worthwhile and they are making their lives more meaningful in going forward with their education.

She also compared her six years teaching experience in Tonga with R.L.S.S.

It all comes back to the teacher. It is a calling which creates the passion for teaching. You convey that message to the students which is what keeps them going.

Thats the difference in how the teacher approaches the kids. We teach the same thing because we all follow the government prescription

In R.L.S.S., we have our own curriculum for Year 9 and 10 that is where the real learning and teaching takes place.

It is up to the individual teacher to vary their style, their teaching methods because in a class of 20, everybody learns differently and there are some that cannot even learn.

So we identify our very weak students and we have a learning support unit that helps them especially with literacy and numeracy

As they progress, we know that there are some students who will never be able to take academically-orientated courses.

So it is a pity we dont have all the resources to offer like vocational and other subjects but we try our best. We offer them health and P.E., visual arts and computers.

You need vision and have values in order to get wisdom. That is the vision and mission of R.L.S.S.

Mrs. Faasau acknowledged the contribution of her staff and all those who contributed to the success of the school.

Everyone contributes, even our cleaners contribute. Not as an individual, it is a collective effort because what happens if you need another teacher to come supervise your test when you have to run down town to make a loan? she said.

The celebration also acknowledged the first visionaries, Board members and teaching staff at the Wetzell homestead in Siusega where the school began.
My health, my rights was the theme at the Faafafine forum held yesterday morning at the Samoa Tourism Authority fale.

A collective of faafafine and some faafatama came together to discuss a wide range of health issues that these communities faced and provided information and solutions for them.

Although prevention and protection from of H.I.V. A.I.D.S. was at the top of the agenda, attention was also given to other more common illnesses that affect faafafine, such as sexually transmitted diseases and infections, diabetes, obesity and prostate cancer.

A representative from the Ministry of Health, Aaone Tanumafili, spoke at the Forum.

In Samoa, the number of reported cases of H.I.V. infected individuals since 1990 is twenty four cases. Most of these cases are male. There are some boys, girls, and children in the cases where the disease was transmitted from mother to baby. There are no faafafine in this count.

Recently the members of S.F.A. held an event where they all got tested together for H.I.V. and yesterday they received their results and Tanumafili was happy to report that they all came back negative.

Hospital nurse, Maxine Faamoe Etene, spoke to the Sunday Samoan about why this event was so important to their community.

This is a very important and vital event for the younger faafafine to get together to share problems, share issues and to increase their knowledge and awareness about sexually transmitted diseases because most people dont have knowledge and understanding and Im so happy and grateful for this opportunity and even though we dont have much numbers, at least I can see our new members and there are new people attending the workshop.

In the open forum discussion, no topic was off limits and together the faafafine and faafatama asked practical questions of the medical and M.O.H. staff members present around the prevention and protection against H.I.V. A.I.D.S., S.T.I. and S.T.D. as well as prostate cancer.
Opposites attract.

The theory fittingly matches newly-wedded couple, Venus Tianini Iosefa and Fuimaono Magotaamu Salanoa, who tied the knot on Friday, after five years of courtship.

The ceremony was held at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and the reception was hosted at Sails Restaurant.

Throughout the reception formalities, it was mentioned repeatedly that Fuimaono is the total opposite of his new bride.

Mrs. Iosefa-Salanoa couldnt agree more.

I am opinionated, aggressive and I speak my mind, but my husband (husband it has a nice ring to it), is a down to earth, silent person who just responds with a smile and not a word.

He is an amazing human being that I am forever grateful to be with.

He is the perfect example of the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

He is my blessing and I am one lucky woman, she said while holding back her tears.

The couples relationship started in 2012.

We knew each other from U.S.P. in Alafua because we both attended school there, but then we went our separate ways and in 2012, we met again and thats when things escalated to the next level.

Next thing I knew I was in love and I knew then and there hes my forever, Mrs. Iosefa-Salanoa said.

She told the Sunday Samoan that it is psychologically proven that opposite attractions are likely to last a lifetime.

The groom works for the Ministry of Revenue as a Principal Customs Officer and is the son of Alaiasa Sagalala and Leitu Moananu Salano of Falefa.

Mrs. Iosefa-Salanoa is a Principal Regulatory Specialist at the Office of the Regulator and is the daughter of Leiataualesa Suemalo Lemalu Olive and Loa Iosefa.
As part of the commemoration of World H.I.V. A.I.D.S. Day, the Ministry of Health partnered with Y.W.C.A. Samoa to hold a National Forum on the theme My Health, My Right on Friday.

Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama, spoke about the debilitating effects of the disease internationally and locally.

In Samoa, about 24 members of the public have contracted the H.I.V. virus and 13 have passed away.

While this is a small number in comparison to other countries, Tuitama encouraged the forum participants to be vigilant and understand that if the virus ever becomes widespread in Samoa, it would have devastating effects on the population and our economy.

Tuitama then launched three important documents namely: National H.I.V. A.I.D.S. and S.T.I. Policy 2017  2022, the H.I.V., A.I.D.S., S.T.I. and T.B. Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Manual and Health Guidelines for Tattooing.

With the increase in customary tattooing of tatau and malu the Tattooing Guidelines provide important information for tattooists, their assistants and anyone handling tattooing equipment. Infections such as Hepatitis B and C and H.I.V. A.I.D.S. can potentially be spread through tattooing needles and sharp instruments if sanitary precautions and clean instruments are not used.

Young women participants from Falealili, Safata, Vaitele, Apia and one representative from Savaii attended. Aged between 14 and 25 years of age, many are still attending school or have graduated from College and are seeking employment. Y.W.C.A. Samoa is open to all faiths and provides an opportunity for young women to come together and learn about health issues and other subjects that challenge them.

Group activities on Body Image and Self Esteem, Violence against Women, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and H.I.V. A.I.D.S. were held and many questions were asked about each topic. A powerful spoken word titled Beautiful Samoa was performed by Tai Samoa and Jessica Andrews, compiled from real life experience of Y.W.C.A. members.

Y.W.C.A. Samoa thanked the Ministry of Health for the sponsorship of the one day forum, which provided an opportunity for young women to learn in a safe space. The theme of the spiritual message for the Forum was Healthy Living is the Will of God.

Since our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, we should strive to be healthy and care for our bodies so that we can have the energy to do Gods work. The young women were challenged to break the stereotypical cycle that once a young woman marries, her personal appearance and health are no longer a priority.

Sailalelei Letoa stated: I learned a lot about health issues today and enjoyed the energizers and games, but mostly the fellowship with other young women.

All participants received small gifts kindly sponsored by Farmer Joe Vaitele.
Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, addressed an audience of youth and young adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pesega, Apia on Sunday evening, 26 November 2017. The following are English translations of some of his remarks, which were delivered in the Samoan language:

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your gathering today.

It is a feeling of gratitude that any Government leader would get to see that churches in Samoa are strong in organizing and teaching young people to live in an environment of closeness and togetherness, harmony and happiness, and cooperate in all that they do.

Perhaps this is a characteristic of paradise in heaven that prophets of the Lord have spoken about. No one wishes to live in an environment of hostility, contention, jealousy and negativity.

From the Governments point of view, it is very joyful news when gatherings such as yours are held regularly in churches to help young people share with each other to assist them to remain firm in church teachings and live in happy families in harmony and peace. Such young people will attract Gods guidance and blessings through education, knowledge and understanding, wisdom and even economic success.

You should remember that if we ask God, He will answer our prayers. Just like God answered King Solomons prayers that he be given wisdom to be able to govern Israel well. That is why we always hear the saying, If God is not present in the building of a house or in any undertaking, those working will work in vain.

Let us not rely on our own knowledge and understanding. We should pray in faith for blessings we need. When facing serious problems and you feel hopeless, kneel and pray for Gods help.

When your limited knowledge and understanding ends, that is Gods time. And He will carry you and your burdens in your times of need. But you must believe in God and have faith that He will answer your prayers. Before you pray, God already knows what is in your heart.

You should love God. If you love God, you will also love your neighbour and do good to others and help those in need.

What other lessons should we learn? Let us obey and do the will of God. What is Gods will? Keep His commandments. Especially His commandment to love one another. Apostle Paul said that there are three main things important in a persons lifeFaith, Hope, and Charity. But the most important of these is Love. We do not see Love walking like a person because it has no body. We give Love a body through our good works. It is similar to the saying, Faith without works is dead.

The numerous good works your church does is the body of Love and its ultimate expression, and your church truly lives the commandment to love thy neighbour as thy self. I know your church will continue its good work not only in Samoa but worldwide. I have been Prime Minister of Samoa for 20 years now and I cannot count the many, many assistances your church has given to Samoas people and Government.

I was invited by President Gordon B. Hinckley to visit your Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City in Utah some years ago, and when visiting your churchs humanitarian aid facilities, I saw many huge boxes of humanitarian aid already packed and labelled and ready for donating to my Catholic Churchs Humanitarian Aid Services, an eye opener for me.

So on behalf of our Government and people, I want to express the gratitude and appreciation of our Government and our people to your church and its leaders and members, for their invaluable ongoing assistance to Samoa.

Your Island Christmas Lights Programme assists our Government in providing for that need of our people, and Government is grateful. Government is also grateful for the many times your church cleans our capital town Apia and the various premises used for our countrys Independence Celebrations yearly, to name just another few contributions.

Finally, it is important to live by the principles and the teachings one preaches. Let us not be like those who are good in preaching but do not live by what they preach. Have a successful devotional.
LONDON (AP)  Chanting "Harry, Harry!" and "Meghan, Meghan!" hundreds of people lined the streets of a central English city Friday to welcome Britain's Prince Harry and his American fiancee, actress Meghan Markle.

The couple's visit to Nottingham was their first official commitment since they announced their engagement on Monday. They plan to tour Britain over the next six months to give Markle an opportunity to learn about the country before their May wedding in the chapel at Windsor Castle.

Markle smiled and looked confident as she basked in the adoration of a crowd that had waited for hours in the cold to catch a passing glimpse of the couple. Dozens waved British and American flags.

A few were lucky enough to see the engagement ring up close as Markle shook hands. But the ring was old news for British commentators, who instead focused on her handbag  a Strathberry tri-color leather tote designed in Scotland and handcrafted in Spain.

The couple traveled to the east Midlands in England to visit to a youth project and to raise AIDS awareness. Their fans followed, including Irene Hardman, 81, who brought a gift bag with fridge magnets and candy for Markle.

Hardman wept with joy after handing the bag to the bride-to-be.

"I cried  she's wonderful, and it's fantastic," Hardman said. "They're so genuine."

The trip was Prince Harry's third to Nottingham since October 2016. The prince has long championed AIDS charities, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana.

Holly Burdett, who is originally from West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, but now lives in Sydney, Australia, returned home on the "gamble" that the couple would announce their engagement while she was there.

"I always thought I'd marry Harry, but you can't win them all," Burdett joked. "As long as they're happy, that's all that matters."
The Australian Federal Police (A.F.P.) Commander, Amanda Kates, and her team visited the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (P.T.C.C.C.) and Samoa-Australia Police Partnership (S.A.P.P.) members in the country.

This is part of the A.F.P.s regular engagement strategy for the Pacific region.

A key part of the visit is to critically look at opportunities for the A.F.P. and partner agencies to address transnational crime in the region.

Commander Kates and her team managed to meet with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who is also the Minister of Police, Australian government officials, the Commissioner and S.P.S. Senior Executive officers.

Commander Kates opened the S.P.S. /S.A.P.P. Basic Investigations Course which is an A.F.P. designed investigations programme for the Pacific.

The S.A.P.P. sponsored members of the training unit and investigations division to travel to Canberra and custom fit the programme for the S.P.S.

These S.P.S. officers undertaking the training will graduate in 10 days time.

The S.P.S. wishes to acknowledge the continuous assistance provided by the Australian Federal Police.
The Pacific Arts Association (P.A.A.) conference attendees and the locals had the chance to watch the theatre production of aloFA tu last week during the five-day conference.

They left with a sense of hope and optimism about the revival of professional Samoan theatre.

The story was about three generations of men in a family whose lives were negatively impacted by a learned culture of secrecy and a legacy of domestic and sexual violence against women.

If art imitates life, then there were moments of recognition as the story depicted on stage mirrored the harsh truths that so many Samoan families can relate to.

Tears and laughter were shared in the audience because the cast of aloFA tu told a story that was all too familiar in our society.

During the interval, the Arts Practice Director Pacific from Creative New Zealand, Makerita Urale, who is a writer, theatre producer and documentary filmmaker herself, spoke to the Samoa Observer about the play.

Its just the interval and Im just so impressed to see the level of professional theatre that is growing in Samoa and I think it really helps that Fiona Collins is a professional theatre writer and director who went through New Zealand drama school. And Uelese is a god on stage, he is insanely amazing, Urale said.

Im from professional theatre in New Zealand and international productions and to see his level of performance is incredible and its a real honour and a privilege to watch it here in the Fale Samoa at N.U.S.

Theatre is about direction, the script comes first and Fiona has nailed that and then its the direction and she has two of those roles, the writer and director and she happens to have gotten Uelese, who is holding the whole piece together, and then herself performing and then Asolelei performing and the young Fanaafi.

Its a beautiful piece and its gorgeous to see it here in the Fale Samoa at N.U.S. thats a Samoan fale but the setup is really wonderful to have western style professional theatre that really works. Its fantastic.

Tuiasau Uelese Petaia played a lead role in aloFA tu and as a pioneer in international film and theatre; he knows very well how important it is to have good writers and in his view the revival of theatre in Samoa will depend on our future writers.

When I first read the script, I couldnt put it down because it was so real and you know about all the problems that we had and the things we grew up with; violence in the home and violence against women.

So it was important to make sure that this story gets told and its good that we have writers because without the writers we dont have the story.

Thats why its great that we have people like Fiona and its great if our young people can be encouraged to become writers because then we wont have a shortage of avenues to promote the different messages that we need to have.

Its important that we maintain the momentum. There used to be really strong theatre but it was mainly driven by expatriate communities that eventually faded off but hopefully we can get a revival of theatre especially Samoan theatre. There are so many Samoan stories to tell.

Writer and Director, Fiona Collins was very happy with her casts performance and despite the challenges theatre production faces in Samoa, she was proud of Tuiasau, Naea Asolelei Toalepai, Fanaafi Sooaemalelagi and herself.

The hard thing about working here is finding people who can give all their time, so thats been the most stressful thing, trying to work around other peoples hours. But in saying that, everyone has other jobs but the difference between other works and this one, is that this time once we were all here, its magic because everyone really wants to do it.

The play ended with a well-deserved, standing ovation.
Over 40 writers - students, adults, and teachers attended the Literature and Spoken Word workshop held on the Thursday of the Pacific Arts Association conference.

Hosted by New Zealand Poet Laureate, Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh with her Auckland University Summer Scholar, Zech Soakai, the session drew rave reviews from those attending.

The writing workshop was inspiring, the students loved it. Its so incredible to do things like this in Samoa, said Mrs Annie Meredith of Vaiala Beach School.

Equally exciting was that the participants got the chance to examine the Matua Tokotoko up close.

Mrs Merediths pupils were amongst other writers including young Maselina Hazelman of St Marys Primary School and university student, Ariel Fanaafi Ioane who had been prize winners in Short Story competitions run by the Samoa Observer.

Ms Rachel Laulu, a category winner of the 2016, Samoa Observer Tuisitala Short Story competition for adults simply said, Selina is amazing.

It was great to leave with two pieces of writing which Selina encouraged us to use as bones and to revisit and rewrite, said Mrs Meredith.

Other exercises included being given 15 minutes to use five abstract, random words in a story.

Echoing Tusitala Marshs mantra of each one, teach one Mrs Meredith said one of her Year 8 pupils, Marcus Heeswyck, took the class through some of the workshop activities at school the next day.

Dr Marsh plans to return to Samoa in 2018 to run a three-day workshop on poetry while her University of Auckland colleague, the noted Dr Paula Morris who teaches the Master of Creative Writing, will work with local authors on writing they have done.

Tusitala Marsh has recently published a poetry collection, Tightrope and has been commissioned to write a poem about N.Z. mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist, Sir Edmund Hillary who with Nepalese mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953.
The American Samoa Government will no longer seize Samoan passports when Samoa citizens enter its territory.

This is one of the outcomes of the Two Samoa Talks that concluded in Apia last week.

This has been one of the longstanding complaints by Samoa  the confiscation of its citizens passports by the American Samoa Immigration.

This was confirmed during an interview with the American Samoa Attorney General, Talauega Eleasalo Ale.

The confirmation is indicated in the official meeting record of the Two Samoa Executive Meeting, he said.

According to the communique, American Samoa notes that foreign passports are no longer seized and this is based on a new immigration policy implemented by the Attorney Generals office which oversees the Immigration Office.

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Talauega said their government had proposed a Samoa Pass Programme.

We proposed this pass, and submitted it to them and of course they have to review it, and of course they have to determine whether this will work for them.

We have given them the skeletal proposition of this programme.

And they have to review and then we will have to agree on it, however in broad terms, its a three-day permit which is free.

This will allow travelers from Samoa to enter American Samoa and vice versa and that is the basic Samoa pass.

We also proposed a premium pass that will apply to business travelers.

This is for a whole year and it allows for multiple access to either countries, and we are proposing a fee, because of the duration.

But well have to discuss it some more with Samoa.

According to Talauega, this alternative will benefit both countries.

We had to think outside the box in order to come up with a solution to difficult problems, instead of the entry permits.

But the exciting thing about this proposal is that it encourages traveling by air.

Most especially since Samoa is adding its airline fleet, we think this will have a positive side effect on the Samoa pass.

This will allow for a robust traveling between the two Samoas and Samoa Air and Talofa Air will see an increase in their customers, said the Attorney General.

Talauega also said the Two Samoa Executive Meetings has been a success.

The biggest accomplishment is that we get to meet and interact with the people here who do the same work we do there (American Samoa) and that really helps.

It was my first time meeting the Commissioner of Police. There are issues that Samoa has that I can help with and vice versa.

Discussing the difficult issues like the banning of taro, immigration, tourism, it is always beneficial to face the people who we are dealing with rather than via a phone, or email, Talauega said.
Think a minuteWhen she was born in 1874 in the European nation of Hungary, Kincsem did not look at all like a champion racehorse. In fact, she so lacked the strong features of a winner that her owner immediately sold her.

Kincsem became the new owners least valuable horse, so he put her in the smallest, darkest stall at the end of the stable. A few nights later a small gang of gypsies stole Kincsem. The thieves were caught and the horse returned to her owner. He asked the gypsy leader why of all his 59 beautiful horses, the gypies had chosen to steal Kincsem? The gypsy chief answered: Horses, like people, do not have to be beautiful to be great.

Interestingly Kincsems name means My Fortune. Yet her size and features were not right for a race horse, especially her skinny hind legs. But in June of 1876, as a two-year-old she ran her first race...and won. No one was more surprised than her owner. Two weeks later she raced and won again!

Strangely, Kincsem started every race in last place. In those days they did not have starting gates, and she always stood lazily behind the starting line and did not begin running until after the other horses were already racing down the track. Then she would shoot from the starting line, kick in to high gear, and pass them all to win! Eventually Kincsem was entered to run against the winner of the German Derby, Europes biggest horse race. Ten thousand people watched in wonder as this ugly, skinny mare beat bigger, stronger stallions. There had never been a champion like this before...nor since. Incredibly, Kincsem won every race she ran as a two-year-old, and also as a three-year-old! In fact, to our knowledge no race horse in history has ever equaled Kincsems lifetime record. In 54 major races, she won every single race! This unwanted, skinny mare became the Queen of the Sport of Kings. One of the ugliest horses ever born became the greatest horse that ever lived. Maybe you have felt rejected or disrespected and looked down on. But the One Who created you values you as His unique masterpiece who is as important as any other person in the world. Others may see your apparent weaknesses but He sees your special strengths. He loves you the way He made you, and He does not want you to look like or be like anyone else. He designed you with your own special personality, abilities and appearance. If you ask Him to take full charge of your heart, Jesus will help you fully become the one-of-a-kind man or woman He made you to be. Just think a minute
CITY COUNCILS

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, when it will discuss a proposal to adopt a development project public involvement policy related to the General Plan Lawsuit Settlement Agreement.

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In September 2017, the state passed a package of housing laws intended to raise more money for affordable housing in exchange for streamlining housing development approvals. The laws, 15 in all, take effect Jan. 1, 2018. The city of Carlsbad will hold two workshops to help policy makers and the public understand these new laws and their implication for growth and development. The first is from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave. The second will be at a joint meeting with the Planning Commission from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Call Housing & Neighborhood Services at (760) 434-2810.

DEL MAR

The Del Mar City Council is scheduled to meet in special closed session at 3:45 p.m. Monday in council chambers, 2010 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Suite 100, to discuss litigation and personnel. In regular session at 4:30 p.m., the council will select its 2018 mayor and deputy mayor. The council will also discuss creation of a utility undergrounding project team and a utility undergrounding project advisory committee; and discuss taking a position on the proposed federal tax reforms elimination of the State and Local Taxes deduction.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers at 201 N. Broadway. In regular session at 4:30 p.m., the council will give final approval to the Villages-Escondido Country Club proposal, and will consider an ordinance raising the pay for council members from $1,898.57 per month to $2088.43 per month, and the mayors salary from $5,359.17 to $5895.09 per month, effective when council members elected in 2018 are sworn into office.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside City Council will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council Chambers at 300 N. Coast Highway. In regular session at 5 p.m., the council will consider wastewater rate increases, and will hear a quarterly budget update.

POWAY

The Poway City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive, when it will hold hearings on: a proposal to build a recreational court with eight lights at 13775 Highlands Terrace; resolutions amending the Community Services Program Fees and Facility Use Fee Policy; and several resolutions changing the zoning in the Poway Road Corridor.

SOLANA BEACH

Citizen Commission openings: The Solana Beach City Council is looking for volunteers to serve on its committees. Applications are being accepted through Jan. 16, 2018. Most positions require applicants to be at least 18 years old and city residents. Find the application at https://bit.ly/2j1lFs7:

Budget and Finance: two vacancies. Provides input to the council regarding the citys operating budget. Must be at least 18 years old, city resident and property owner within the city.

Climate Action: five vacancies. Helps review matters regarding reducing the citys greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the Climate Action Plan.

Parks and Recreation: three vacancies. Helps reviews matters regarding the citys parks and programs, and conducts certain city events.

Public Arts: four vacancies. Helps review matters regarding community art opportunities and conducts certain city events.

View Assessment: four vacancies. Reviews development when an assessment request is filed and makes decisions on projects using the citys adopted guidelines/toolkit.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad Unified School District board will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the district office, 6225 El Camino Real. In regular session at 6 p.m. the board will conduct its yearly organizational meeting, when new officers and a new meeting calendar will be approved.

VISTA

The Vista Unified School District board is scheduled to meet in closed session at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Morris Vance Community Room, 200 Civic Center Drive, and in open session at 6 p.m.

OTHER

VALLECITOS WATER DISTRICT

The Vallecitos Water District Board will meet in closed session to discuss property negotiation at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the district office, 201 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos, and in regular session at 5 p.m.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
CITY COUNCILS

ENCINITAS

The Encinitas City Council met Wednesday and approved a resolution to support the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals legislation. It also made several amendments to its FY 2017-18 budget, including covering its part of a joint technical feasibility study on Community Choice Energy with the cities of Oceanside, Del Mar and Carlsbad. The council also agreed to put $500,000 toward its unfunded pension liability costs. A public hearing to consider an appeal of the Planning Commissions approval of a nine-lot density bonus subdivision at 378 Fulvia St. was rescheduled to Dec. 20.

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POWAY

The Poway City Council met in special closed session Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the city attorney position.

SAN MARCOS

The San Marcos City Council met in special session Tuesday for a pension workshop. The council met that evening in regular session, when it approved on first reading an ordinance amending city code regarding challenges and protests relating to bid solicitations and requests for proposals.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

CARDIFF

The Cardiff School District board met in special closed session Tuesday to discuss personnel.

SAN DIEGUITO

The San Dieguito Union High School District board met in closed session to discuss ligitation and labor negotiations Tuesday. In regular session, the board held a public hearing on the California Voting Rights Act and the citys transition to by-district elections.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
I go to Las Vegas to gamble. And eat.

The goal is to come home with my wallet full and my tummy happy. While gambling can be a crap shoot, here are five restaurants that are sure bets.

Chef Guy Savoy (front left) at an event earlier this year at the Elysee Palace in Paris celebrating French cuisine, is considered one of the best chefs in the world. (Michel Euler / Reuters Photo )

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If youre going to splurge at one Michelin-masters place, this is it. Its luxury French food from one of the most celebrated chefs on the planet. And long after youve recovered from the jolt over paying $75 for artichoke and black truffle soup  with toasted mushroom brioche and black truffle butter, no less  youll remember only the truffled bliss. At Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas. (702) 731-7286 or bit.ly/2hJ0uxl.

French chef and pony-tailed globetrotter Hubert Keller has collected his favorite recipes from around the world and celebrates them here in unpretentious, small-plates style. Ignore the obligatory Vegas shock and awe of the $5,000 burger (wagyu, beef, foie gras and truffles, served with a bottle of 1995 Chateau Petrus), and focus on dishes that do the U.S., Mexico, Italy and France proud. At Mandalay Bay. 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas. (702) 632-7200 or bit.ly/2hBJtBN.

Overlooking the Las Vegas strip and the Bellagio fountains, Giada the restaurant is beautiful and badass  just like Giada De Laurentiis herself. The Cal-Ital menu embodies the core of these two cuisines: let excellent ingredients speak for themselves. (Speaking of speaking, the menu includes Italian pronunciations, like Spah-geh-tee. Which is Deh-lee-tsioso.) Look for her casual eatery Pronto by Giada to open at Caesars early next year. At The Cromwell, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas. (855) 442-3271 or bit.ly/2yTVMAo.

The most iconic dish at Spago, either in Las Vegas or Beverly Hills, is the salmon pizza. The arrival of Wolfgang Pucks Spago in Vegas in 1992 started a stampede of celebrity chefs coming to Sin City that continues today. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times )

Wolfgang Puck ushered in the era of celebrity chef restaurants in Las Vegas in 1992 and Spagos smoked salmon pizza tastes just as relevant today. The clock is ticking on Spagos days at Caesars with just a few weeks before it closes. Find it at the Bellagio in the summer. It takes over the prime space that housed Todd Englishs Olives. 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas (Caesars); 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (Bellagio). (702) 369-6300 or wolfgangpuck.com/dining/spago-lv.

No $75 soups or $5,000 burgers here  Ellis Islands 24-hour diner is where you go for $16.99 King Cut prime rib that comes with everything, $7.99 fried chicken and vanilla malted waffles, and the $10.99 Hangover Burger (bacon, cheddar, fried pickle, fried egg and Bloody Mary mayo on a brioche bun). Ask your server about the off-the-menu filet-cut top sirloin steak special as well as some off-the-record dish about the Vegas-crazy goings-on at the restaurant in its 40-plus years. At Ellis Island Hotel, Casino & Brewery. 4178 Koval Lane, Las Vegas.(702) 733-8901 or ellisislandcasino.com/dining.
Five San Diego County attorneys have been disbarred for misappropriation of client funds, failing to respond to state bar proceedings or other misconduct.

Disciplinary actions by the State Bar of California must be approved by the California State Supreme Court.

One of the lawyers, Cari Donahue of La Jolla, was ordered to pay a former client more than $45,550 in restitution for conduct including failure to return and account for client funds. She also allowed two non-attorneys to file a lawsuit on behalf of her client, according to State Bar.

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Bar documents said Donahue, 33, an attorney since 2010, had two prior misconduct cases. In 2016 she was suspended from law practice for taking an illegal advanced fee, failing to deposit and maintain client funds in her trust account and not paying client funds promptly. She was ordered to pay $13,500 in restitution.

She was given another suspension in July this year and ordered to pay nearly $18,000 in restitution and sanctions for failing to obey court orders, promptly pay funds to her clients and for charging illegal fees.

Richard D. Huffman II, of Del Mar, was disbarred in his third disciplinary proceeding. He failed to promptly release client papers and property, failed to render an appropriate accounting to a client and failed to cooperate with State Bar disciplinary proceedings.

He was given a public reproval in 2013 and was suspended from law practice in 2015.

Huffman, 57, is a former deputy district attorney who went into criminal defense work. He is the son of Fourth District Court of Appeal Associate Justice Richard D. Huffman.

In an interview, the younger Huffman said he lost interest in practicing law when his wife suffered a major illness, then he developed a variety of serious health issues. He said he hasnt seen a new client since before his suspension and acknowledged not opening State Bar letters involving his disciplinary proceedings.

Bernard Richard Deetman, of San Diego, was disbarred for misappropriation of client funds. The State Bar Court found him culpable of 10 counts of misconduct, including failure to tell a client that he had received a $22,000 settlement in her lawsuit against a cruise ship. He placed the funds in a client trust account, but withdrew her $14,000 share for his own purposes.

The State Bar said he falsely claimed the client had agreed to loan him that money, but she denied it and there was no contract stating the terms of such a loan. The client sued him and was paid a $16,000 settlement. The State Bar noted Deetman had 28 years of discipline-free law practice.

John Peter Christenson, 47, of San Diego, was disbarred for ignoring a Superior Court judge who on six occasions in 2015 ordered him to appear in court for a client. He also ignored a judges order to pay $1,500 in judicial sanctions, and failed to provide a substantive response to State Bar inquiries about his misconduct.

Lyndsey Michelle Heller, 54, of Carlsbad, was disbarred for improperly collecting advanced fees from a client, incompetence, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in another jurisdiction, and not cooperating with the State Bar proceedings. She had been placed on probation for the client fees misconduct, then was suspended in 2015 pending payment of $20,000 in restitution.

pauline.repard@sduniontribune

Twitter: @pdrepard
About 300 people rallied in a Vista park Saturday, calling on Congress  and Rep. Darrell Issa in particular  to support a program that provides protections for some unauthorized immigrants brought to the country as children.

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2012 and allows certain unauthorized immigrants to work or go to school. The Trump administration announced in September it would end the program, but gave Congress six months to act.

A proposed DREAM Act would give DACA registrants permanent legal status.

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Groups backing Saturdays rally include the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties and United We Dream.

The DACA program really embodies American values, David Trujillo, advocacy director with the local ACLU, told the crowd gathered in Luz Duran Park.

Last month Issa, R-Vista, joined with other Republican congressmen who were pushing to pass legislation by the end of the year. Issa has urged members of Congress to come to the middle.

San Marcos mother Maribel Solache, 46, cried as she spoke of dangers she faced in Mexico. She came to the country more than a dozen years ago with two then-small children.

I brought my kids to this country to save their lives, Solanche said.

Her children are now in high school. One is a DACA registrant, the other is still too young.

The gathering came after many of the attendees had canvassed neighborhoods or waved signs of support throughout the city.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
A legal advocacy group has asked the Office of Congressional Ethics to look into Rep. Duncan Hunters endorsement of private vaping products in blatant disregard of the House Ethics Rules  but Hunters office says the group is just blowing smoke.

A letter this week from the American Democracy Legal Fund claims Hunter, R-Alpine, is too close to the vaping and electronic cigarette industries. The group often targets Republicans but has also filed complaints against liberals such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

In an email, Hunter spokesman Michael Harrison said the attack is baseless. The congressman did nothing improper and he often supports a wide spectrum of issues that he believes will benefit his constituents, Harrison said.

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Congressman Hunter appreciates and supports the fact that the vaping industry is focused on harm reduction, meaning that vaping is an important tool utilized by many people to help reduce the harmful habit of smoking, Harrison said.

The advocacy group said in a statement that Hunter has crossed an ethical line.

The rules are there to ensure that Members of Congress dont use their positions of power to favor specific companies, brands or industries or to benefit themselves or their personal interests. Congressman Hunter has violated the letter and spirit of rules against such activity and the Office of Congressional Ethics must investigate his blatant flouting of these rules immediately, the legal funds president, Brad Woodhouse, said by email.

The legal funds complaint alleges Hunter has fouled House ethics rules by becoming too closely affiliated with the vaping industry, creating the appearance that he is accruing benefits and dispensing special favors for the industry and endorsing specific vaping products.

The legal fund was founded in 2014 by David Brock, the head of several political committees that have backed Democratic campaigns. Brock also founded Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, an organization that filed an earlier complaint about Hunters use of campaign contributions for personal expenses. Hunter said he made honest mistakes with his campaign funds, has repaid misspent money and denies all wrongdoing. The FBI is investigating.

The legal funds letter said Hunter has become overly close to the vaping industry to the point where the congressman has:

Asked President Donald Trump to repeal or delay the implementation of Food and Drug Administration vaping regulations.

Asked the Navy to reevaluate the services ban on vaping on ships, a prohibition the service implemented out of concerns of overheating electronic cigarette batteries.

Spoken at a vaping conference in Texas and appeared in an online video with a vaping advocate where he promoted vaping.

Endorsed specific brands of vaping products while on the Hill. At one point, in a post on an online forum, he said he had passed out a vaping companys business cards, which he received along with their products, and had convinced staffers and security guards to buy their wares. He called the product in question a huge, manly, vaping machine.

While not mentioned in the legal funds complaint, Hunter was also featured in an advertisement promoting the Vape Showcase trade show in Texas. Hunters official position in Congress was mentioned and a picture of Hunter wearing his House pin was included.

Hunter was invited to the conference by constituents and the vaping industry provided no money to compensate the congressman for his time or for his travel-related expenses, Harrison said. He also received a green light from the House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct before he agreed to go, Harrison said.

Before accepting and confirming any appearance, our office always checks with the official House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, often referred to as the House Ethics Committee, for full review, feedback and approval. We did so in this case, and Congressman Hunter was informed that he could attend the conference in his official capacities, Harrison wrote.

The House Ethics Manual states, A member may be asked to participate personally in an event that is sponsored by an outside organization, such as privately-sponsored Medicare prescription card events. In participating in such an event, members and staff must avoid becoming too closely affiliated with any commercial entity, in order to avoid any appearance that they are accruing benefits by virtue of improper influence exerted from their position in Congress, or are dispensing special favors. Thus, in participating in a privately-sponsored event a member must take care to avoid any action that may be perceived as an endorsement of the private sponsor.

Records show that the congressman has received $7,200 from American E-Liquid Manufacturing Standards Association board members and the groups lobbyist, Larry Flick, in 2016 and 2017, according to a U-T Watchdog review of financial reports.

People connected to the electronic cigarette and vape industry also have given Hunters campaign at least $39,461 since 2015, records show. Lobbyists representing the vaping and tobacco industries, among other clients, gave Hunter at least another $19,750.

Hunters campaign reported receiving at least four contributions totaling $3,750 on Feb. 10, 2016, one day before a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting where he made a case against an amendment to ban vaping on airplanes. During this hearing Hunter famously blew a puff of vapor from his electronic cigarette in an effort to make a point that the plume is harmless.

Brendan Fischer of the non-partisan Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center, said Thursday by telephone that Hunters vape-related activity raised some questions about how he is using his time, but it didnt necessarily cross ethical lines.

All of this indicates Hunters close relationship with the vaping industry, which I dont think is a secret, Fischer said. Its not something he has tried to hide. The question is whether it implies an official endorsement. This doesnt seem to rise to that level.

Fischer said its not necessarily outside of ethical guidelines for a congressman to tell people he knows about a product he likes. It could become a problem if it appears to be an official endorsement or if he or his family have a financial interest in the product or company.

In 2015, the Ethics Committee considered and unanimously voted to dismiss a complaint about improper endorsements and use of official resources by Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado. The complaint alleged that Polis had improperly endorsed a video game business and a mens clothing company in his district.

Polis said he never told anyone to buy any of the businesses products he was accused of endorsing and he did not intend for his participation in either event to be used for commercial purposes. Polis told the committee he considered his participation in both companies events to be part of his representational duties, the report said.

The committee concluded that Polis had not crossed any legal or ethical lines.

The report went on to remind members of Congress be cautious to avoid the appearance of improper official endorsement or use of official resources in their interaction with private businesses and to seek committee guidance if they have questions before agreeing to engage in activities with private entities.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
San Diego police officers bought back 164 unwanted guns from people in South Bay on Saturday  a no-questions-asked event that proved so popular, officers ran out of the gift cards they gave in exchange for weapons.

We ran out of money, said police Capt. Alberto Leos of the departments Southern Division. We gave out $25,000 in gift cards.

He said officers had to turn away people hoping to exchange weapons for gift cards.

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Officers handed out $150 in Walmart gift cards for every handgun or rifle turned in. Assault weapons netted $250 in Walmart gift cards for the person handing it over to police.

The funding for the gift cards came from a partnership between Casa Familiar, the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County District Attorneys Office.

The count of how many were handguns or how many were long guns will be made on Monday  but one number was clear: Leos said three of the weapons were assault rifles.

The buyback ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Park and Ride on Caliente Avenue near state Route 905.

Leos said Saturdays haul was bigger than a similar event hosted a few months back, which he said drew just 47 unwanted weapons.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
Every morning when she wakes up, Rosalyn Simpson is reminded that shes not in prison anymore.

I wake up in a bed and Im not looking at the bricks, said Simpson. Im not in a cell.

After spending two years behind bars, the 38-year-old now shares a dorm room with other women, with a door they can close for privacy. She lives in a re-entry facility in Kearny Mesa where she and others can finish their prison terms while getting ready for life on the outside.

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Women selected for the states Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program have 24 months or less left on their prison sentence. The program keeps the women busy and focused with a full slate of services to meet their needs: counseling for issues such as alcohol and drug addiction and trauma and loss, vocational and employment training, even classes for those needing to pass a high school equivalency exam.

Each woman is issued a GPS-equipped ankle bracelet.

Those who follow the rules eventually are permitted to leave the facility unaccompanied to go to medical appointments, school, church services or jobs. Many are grateful for the freedom and the opportunity to focus on their futures.

But some decide to bolt.

Since the program began in 2014, five female inmates have walked away from facilities in California, with four of the escapees leaving the Kearny Mesa site. A total of 25 escaped from the mens facilities over the same time period.

The most recent came in early November, when two women from the San Diego facility ditched their GPS bracelets and fled. They were caught three days later in Los Angeles.

After each escape, staff members meet with residents to discuss the consequences of walking away.

Officials said they have added surveillance cameras but declined to discuss further security measures. They stressed that participants are responsible for their own decisions.

When they met as a group after the recent escapes, residents seemed surprised and upset that the women had walked off  and staff members figured it was probably a spontaneous move, said state correctional counselor Armando Reyes, who helps oversee the San Diego facility.

Investigators think the two may have left because a cellphone was found in their room during a routine search. Participants arent allowed phones.

Reyes said the goal of the program is to foster individual change and help residents achieve personal goals. Reyes never calls the women inmates  to him, they are residents, clients or the ladies.

What we try to do is support the ladies in making sure they are making the right choices, he said.

Corrections officials say no matter what led up to the decision to run, inmate escape stories all end the same.

I dont know what makes them think Im going to be the one who doesnt get caught, said Krissi Khokhobashvili, a spokeswoman with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. They all get caught. Everybody.

Women going through the community transitional reentry program are required to wear an ankle bracelet that tracks their every movement through GPS. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Simpson said shed never walk away from custody, not when she has so many opportunities to prepare for her future.

Nothing here happens so bad that you should walk away, she said.

Simpson has been in the state-run program for almost a year and if everything goes as planned, shell earn enough good-time credits to be released in late March. Until then, she hopes to take online classes, find a job and prepare for life after prison  in her words, to be better than the person I was before.

She said getting a chance to improve her relationship with her three children gives her motivation to follow the rules and complete the program. Her kids visit every weekend. She didnt see them at all in the two years she was in a prison in Chowchilla in central California.

We get to talk and hug and play games; I can take (my 6-year-old daughter) out to play hopscotch, she said. Shes not looking at her mom through the glass. Shes not looking at her mom in her prison blues.

Convicted of a violent felony, Simpson said shes grateful the program was an option for her.

She sees how it can be difficult for some to get used to freedom after being confined in a prison setting.

Im from San Diego, so when I walk out this door and I get on the bus, I see things that are so familiar to me, she said. I went to a doctor that is right down the street from my home. The house is right there. But I think, Soon Ill be going home. Even though the house is up the street, I wont go up the street.

Nicole Lee, 38, said she never thinks about walking away from the program because shes so focused on the finish line.

After spending two years in prison, Lee has been in the re-entry program for 17 months and has been attending Mesa College since January.

When shes sitting in class with other students, there are moments she almost forgets shes in custody. But there are reminders, such as the GPS tracking device on her ankle, which some of her classmates have noticed and asked about.

Some rules make being a student a little more difficult: Because she doesnt have a phone, she cant text with classmates about assignments. Shes also not able to meet up to study or work on projects at off-campus locations.

She once had to explain to her anthropology professor why she couldnt go when the class was supposed to visit the zoo or a museum for an assignment. After she told her about the re-entry program, the professor assigned her another project.

Lee, who is from Orange County, said she doesnt understand why any resident would throw away the chances given those attending the transitional program.

It is very disappointing and for me confusing why you would be given this opportunity and take it for granted, Lee said.

Rosalyn Simpson one of the women going the through community transitional reentry program. If everything goes as planned, Simpson will have earned enough agood-timea credits to be released in late March. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

How to help

Anyone who wants to donate clothes to assist women enrolled in the transitional program should contact: Isabel Montano, prison ministry leader, at Rock Church Point Loma at prison@sdrock.com or call (619) 739-5508. The churchs website is at www.sdrock.com/ministries/prison/

Employers interested in providing job opportunities to women in the program should contact: Jerrold Mcwilliams, CCTRP vocational instructor, at jerrold.mcwilliams@westcare.com or call (619) 359-8266 ext. 21016.

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com
Sometimes, all it takes is just a little spark to give rise to a tradition that warms the hearts of many.

Twenty-five years ago, a group of Southern California firefighters did just that with the first Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Since then, more than ten million toys have been collected by municipal fire departments across the region.

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And then theres the big day: Dec. 24 is when all Fire Department employees help distribute toys to families.

Wendy Miller, with the Temecula Fire Department, said, Spark of Love has been a positive program for the city. We have always been able to fulfill all the needs of our local families and then also help fill the needs of surrounding cities.

Last year, the Temecula Spark of Love initiative brought in 2,283 toys, $360 in cash donations and $750 in gift card donations.

This years goal is to reach 5,000 toys by the Dec. 23 deadline.

Cal-Fire captain Matt Hayes, who assumed leadership of the Temecula Valley Spark of Love toy drive last year, has been involved with the toy drive for more than a decade.

Last year we received a great outpouring, he said, but the majority of toys were for kids aged 0-5 years old. This year, were hoping for more gifts for teenage boys and girls. We want to let everyone know theyre not forgotten.

Hayes grew up in Hemet and joined the fire service in 1992. The big-hearted captain sees Spark of Love as a way for firefighters to give back to the community.

Theres a lot of bad news right now, said Hayes. Were just trying to bring a sense of awe back. This is an opportunity to bring that little bit of spark back to the holidays.

In addition to Temecula Fire Stations 12, 75, 84, 92 and 96, donations can be dropped off at the Temecula Civic Center during business hours.

Spark of Love has also partnered with Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Corps and a bounty of local retailers to ensure every families needs can be met.

A full list of donation sites can be found on the City of Temeculas Spark of Love web page https://temeculaca.gov/252/Spark-of-Love-Toy-Drive OR https://bit.ly/2zn7Ez6.

Donors can also contact Wendy Miller with the Temecula Fire Department by phone, at (951) 694-6405, or by email at wendy.miller@temeculaca.gov.

The children are always so excited to see their gifts from Santa, said Miller. That is what makes the program so special. Knowing that no children are left behind.

temecula@sduniontribune.com
Dogged by signs that prosecutors are zeroing in on his inner circle, President Trump insisted Saturday he wasnt worried about what his former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, may tell investigators after agreeing to a plea deal Friday.

What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion, Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a series of fundraising events in New York City.

In a tweet, Trump said he had to fire Flynn because the retired Army lieutenant general lied to Vice President Mike Pence and the FBI about contacts with Russias then-ambassador in Washington, Sergey Kislyak.

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I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his conversations last December with Kislyak.

Trump wrote that its a shame Flynn lied because his actions during the transition were lawful, adding: There was nothing to hide!

It was the first time Trump said publicly that Flynns firing was related to his lying to the FBI. White House officials had previously said Flynn was fired because he misrepresented his conversations with Kislyak to Pence.

Trumps tweet may indicate he knew that Flynn was in legal jeopardy for lying to the FBI when, the day after firing Flynn, Trump reportedly asked then-FBI Director James B. Comey whether he could see his way to letting Flynn go. Comey wrote down Trumps comments in notes he made after the Feb. 14 meeting.

Trumps admission may bolster a case that Trump was obstructing justice by asking Comey to intervene in Flynns case. Trump fired Comey in May.

Legal experts have speculated that Flynn may have pushed the limits of the Logan Act, which prohibits private citizens from interfering in U.S. foreign policy, when he allegedly made assurances to Kislyak during the transition before Trump took office.

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is investigating whether Trumps campaign colluded or coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election.

Theres been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy. And frankly last night was one of the big nights, Trump said, apparently referring to the narrow passage of the Republican tax bill out of the Senate.

After passing by a 51-49 vote following an early-morning scramble, the Senates tax bill is to go Monday to a conference committee, where Republican lawmakers from the House and Senate will hammer out differences in their versions of the legislation in an effort to get a final bill on Trumps desk before Christmas.

Republicans feel they need to pass the bill soon in order to boost GOP congressional and Senate campaigns in the run-up to the 2018 midterm election.

The bill includes cuts to corporate tax rates, the end to many personal tax deductions and an overhaul of the estate tax. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee was the only Republican to vote against the bill over concerns it would increase budget deficits.

Biggest Tax Bill and Tax Cuts in history just passed in the Senate. Now these great Republicans will be going for final passage. Thank you to House and Senate Republicans for your hard work and commitment!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

We are one step closer to delivering MASSIVE tax cuts for working families across America. Special thanks to @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell and Chairman @SenOrrinHatch for shepherding our bill through the Senate. Look forward to signing a final bill before Christmas! pic.twitter.com/gmWTny3SfS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

The sweeping tax package, which passed with no Democratic votes, is projected to add $1 trillion to the deficit over 10 years, despite Republican pledges that economic growth spurred by tax cuts will pay for the steep reductions in revenue.

Now we go on to conference, and something beautiful is going to come out of that mixer. People are going to be very, very happy. Theyre going to get tremendous, tremendous tax cuts and tax relief, and thats what this country needs, Trump said.

The president, who often lashes out at those who go against him, refrained in two early-morning tweets Saturday from attacking Corker, whom he has repeatedly mocked in the past.

Senate Democrats pilloried Republican leaders for passing such a sweeping bill with last-minute additions handwritten in the margins.

Any handwriting experts out there? Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) wrote on Twitter. This is absurd.

In one late change, Senate Republicans dropped plans to eliminate the so-called alternative minimum tax for individuals.

Any handwriting experts out there? I'd like to know what this says before they call for a vote. This is absurd. pic.twitter.com/6UkiJmuY9T  Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) December 1, 2017

Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

brian.bennett@latimes.com

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @ChrisMegerian

UPDATES:

1:40 p.m.: This article was updated with more details about Trumps comment about Flynns firing.

This article was originally published at 10:45 a.m.
Hardly anyone would be surprised to learn the vast majority of Californians  two in every three adults in the latest statewide poll  thinks the country is headed in the wrong direction. And theyre placing much of the blame on the nations two dominant parties.

The political map of red and blue, it seems, isnt cutting it anymore.

A statewide survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found 64% of likely voters agreed with the statement that the Democratic and Republican parties are doing such a poor job that a third major party is needed.

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Lest you think this level of disgust is more deeply ingrained in one subset of California voters, consider this: Even though Democrats in the state are the ones railing against the agenda of President Trump and Republicans in Washington, they slightly trail their GOP neighbors in being fed up with the two-party system.

Sixty-two percent of Republicans in the poll said its time for a third party to rival the powers that be, compared with 59% of Democrats. Not surprisingly, the sentiment is even stronger among independent California voters who dont register with a party  72% said the two big political parties arent making the grade.

In all other subsets of voters  by age, ethnicity, high school or college graduates and more  just 36% or fewer think the two-party system is working. The message seems loud and clear.

This new, low level of trust in a political world run by Democrats and Republicans comes at the same time that so-called minor parties have withered on the vine in California. Only four still have official recognition in the state: the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, the Peace and Freedom Party and the American Independent Party.

Are you an independent voter in California? Not if you checked this box 

The most recent statewide voter registration report shows three of those parties, when combined, are only a little larger than the number of voters in some single Assembly districts. In the case of the states largest third party, the American Independent Party, a Times investigation last year made it clear some voters pick it thinking theyre actually choosing no party at all.

In general, the trend for third party registration has been downward. Even as 10 other groups have asked California officials to be officially recognized as a political party, the hurdles under state election law  based on how many voters are willing to enlist  are high, both for getting that status and for keeping it.

Then theres the other part of the story about the barrier for third parties in California, one the new poll suggests voters dont know anything about. The PPIC survey found strong support for the states top-two primary, the 7-year-old system in which only two candidates win a spot on the general election ballot. The old system gave each qualified party a spot on that ballot. In November 2002, the Green Partys Peter Camejo won 5% of the statewide vote in the race for governor  a high-water mark in third-party politics.

Under the top-two primary, though, minor parties are pretty much guaranteed a spot on the sidelines on the election day that settles the race. The new poll, it seems, reflects the ultimate in electoral stalemates: Voters dont like their choices, but also dont like the system that used to offer lots of them. Assuming that Californians dont want to revisit the rules regarding primaries, theyll have to find a way to change the major political parties themselves  a tough task when confidence is already so low.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

ALSO:

Political Road Map: The states political parties would like to kill the top-two primary

Updates on California politics
During this season of gratitude, we are reminded of the many reasons we can be thankful for the freedom and opportunity to travel.
A railroad double-tracking project across San Elijo Lagoon and into Cardiff is half-way complete, and the noisy bridge post-driving work is all done, the project manager told the Encinitas City Council.

I just want to thank everyone for their patience, Bruce Smith, a senior engineer with the San Diego Association of Governments, said as he gave the council a project status report. I know construction can be a tiring time.

While Smith gave an upbeat assessment Wednesday of the multi-year project, several Cardiff residents told the council they believe the dust from all the construction activity is causing them to have respiratory health problems. They said SANDAG ought to conduct air quality testing on a regular basis.

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Oxford Avenue resident Lorri Greene said that in the months since the railroad work began in February she has had two breathing treatments and now uses an inhaler. More than 30 of her neighbors have told her they believe the construction dust is causing them to have health problems too, she said.

The air quality has been pretty bad, Greene said. In my own home, the dust levels have been twice what they normally are.

City Council members asked Smith and project contract employee Mario Martinez what was being done to control dust in the work area now and what environmental studies were conducted before the project began.

Martinez told them that contractors are using water to keep down the dust to the maximum amount that we can without causing an engineering problem. They cant saturate the soil because that causes other problems, he said.

Smith told the council that SANDAG conducted various environmental assessments before gaining permit approval from state and federal agencies, and isnt required to do air quality monitoring as part of its construction project.

SANDAGs $75 million construction project will add 1.5 miles of double-tracking from the southern border of San Elijo Lagoon into Cardiff, improve a railroad crossing point at Chesterfield Drive and add a pedestrian undercrossing on the south side of the lagoon.

On Wednesday night, Smith told the council that contractors have made very good progress on a massive, railroad retaining wall structure just east of Highway 101 and it should be done by January. Theyll finish up by sandblasting the walls surface to give it a uniform color, he said.

Work also is proceeding on the new railroad bridge across the lagoon and neighbors can breath a sigh of relief that no more support posts need to be driven into the ground, he said.

And, the nearby Interstate 5 freeway widening project now is supplying the necessary fill dirt for the railroad double-tracking project, he said.

In the coming year, contractors will be reworking the railroad crossing area at Chesterfield Drive. Thats one of the main gateway routes into downtown Cardiff, and the railroad construction activity there will likely be very disruptive, he warned.

He added that the Chesterfield construction schedule is still being worked out and he expects to return to the council in either January or February to provide an update.
Their name might sound ostentatious, but the ladies behind Magnum Opus are anything but.

Although they are still a brand new ballet company with just six dancers, they are ready to take on the dance world and mold their company around the love of dance.

Ultimately they want to change the image of the hoity-toity ballerina.

Abigail Henninger, the 29-year-old artistic director, founder and company artist, sees her young troupe as ready to take on that unique challenge.

We want to be part of the community, she said. We want to love the people we are dancing for. We want to know those people ... we want to be role models for kids and connect to them.

Henninger has been in Madison for more than three years. She originally came to the city to dance for Madison Ballet, was with them for two years and left cordially about a year and a half ago. She then freelanced around the country before founding Magnum Opus in March.

The company premiered in October with their performance of Aloft which was choreographed by Henninger and set to a live ensemble of musicians.

Henninger is the oldest among the group with a span of 10 years, the youngest is just 19. But with that youthful spirit comes a drive to embrace the new company whereas older dancers might shy away from a troupe without a long track record.

Sometimes older performers arent keen on learning a new style or creating a flow between one another, Henniger added.

Company member Katina Johns, 22, said being part of the creation of something is really great.

Fellow dancer Lexie Ehmann, 23, agreed that working with the first vision is exciting because the dancers get to help shape what it could be in the future.

Having danced for other companies before, the ladies have seen that even well-established companies can struggle, which is why Henninger is determined to keep her dancers in the know with the company finances.

She has danced for multiple organizations when she suddenly wasnt getting paid or a show was canceled. She couldnt say it was a common occurrence in the dance world, but it happens more often than it should.

When dance companies get into financial trouble it drastically affects the lives of the dancers, Henninger added.

Suddenly people have to scrounge and find more teaching work to make ends meet, she said. I understand as a non-profit its hardwere a non-profit and its hard. But I want to stick to my guns. When you have a budget, its the budget. End of story.

Ehmann said Henningers openness is one of the reasons she was immediately drawn to Magnum Opus. It was clear to her that this would be a special kind of company to work for.

Changing perspective

Both Ehmann and Johns moved to Madison to join Magnum Opus, Ehmann from Pittsburgh and Johns from New York.

Johns called the move a leap of faith to take part in a company she believed aligned with what she wanted.

Aside from keeping the dancers humble, something that Henninger believes is an important quality, she also wants them to feel valued.

In the dance world performers are looked at as a body or a number, she said.

Youre the tall one in the back, the short one in the front or number 27 in this line, Henninger added. You arent looked at as a valuable and loving creature.

Ehmann applauded Henningers leadership and abundant respect for the company members. She sees Magnum Opus as a chance for the six performers to come together to keep the good things theyve learned in other troupes and leave the bad at the door.

Dance is a cutthroat industry, but this company is special, Ehmann said.

Johns agreed, saying the support is a strong aspect of the small company.

Were so small and so close there isnt that cattiness, she added. In a larger company you might be fighting over parts or roles, but here we have a deeper connection. Its not about who is going to get this part or that part, this is more supportive than competitive.

Cooperation among the dancers gives the troupe the means to focus on what matters most to them  the work.

Inspiring through performance

Henninger wants the work done by Magnum Opus to always connect back to the community. Every show they do, for example, is appropriate for the whole family, which provides the opportunity to share ballet with even the youngest of audience members.

And work for the dancers doesnt end at the final curtain. When the show is over they head out to mingle with the patrons.

Ehmann said that mentality gets back to the heart of why the dancers have dedicated their lives to the art.

They love to dance and want to share that passion with everyone.

For Magnum Opus in particular, the opportunity to connect with audience members is a unique one. Each dancer teaches somewhere in the greater Madison area and there is something really special about connecting with students, especially the young ones.

I know I had a few students at our premiere and they were so excited to see someone they knew on stage, Johns said. Its reachable to them. They can relate. They can see themselves up there.

Establishing common ground with the audience is made possible by keeping the dancers approachable, according to Henninger.

Thats one reason why traveling to multiple venues during the run of their shows is so fun, according to the dancers.

It helps the company reach different parts of the community, Ehmann said.

A desire to integrate more ballet into the local arts scene is one of the things that spurred Henninger to found her own company. She wanted to introduce more inspiring art geared toward the whole family.

Ballerinas inspiring young children to follow their dreams feels particularly important since at least three of the dancers started dancing at young ages. Now they live their dream in a delicate balance between teaching others either dance or yoga while continuing to make their art.

I could not find a more perfect fit for where I thought I belonged, Johns said of Magnum Opus.
WINDSOR  Madison is a finalist for the newest and, some say, best multi-role fighter aircraft ever built: the F-35A Lightning II.

An initial decision on where to base the F-35A is expected soon.

The Air National Guards Truax Field in Madison should be selected for many reasons.

Truax Field has a long history of success with military aircraft. It was created 75 years ago during World War II as a major training base and has hosted many types of fighters, from the P-51 Mustang to the current F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The F-35 Lightning II is named after the P-38 Lightning, the World War II aircraft flown by the all-time American Ace-of-Aces, Maj. Richard Bong, a Wisconsin native. It will replace the 115ths venerable yet aging F-16s. The F-35 will bring major technical advances over the F-16 and is already in operation with the Air Force and the Marine Corps. Navy carrier deployment is expected next year.

Truax Field already has substantial existing facilities to house and operate the new fighter. The air base generates major economic impact that will continue to exist and grow with the F-35 placement. The 115th Fighter Wing consists of about 1,200 personnel and, according to reports, the base and its employees together contribute roughly $100 million in annual economic impact locally.

Moreover, the 115th serves many functions. It protects Midwest airspace from security threats and is ready to deploy worldwide to confront terrorist and other threats. It also helps during disasters and supports local bomb squads. Indeed, several of its personnel were recently deployed to Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane recovery efforts. In addition, it provides fire and emergency medical services to the Dane County Regional Airport.

Landing the F-35 Lightning II would maintain Truax Field as a substantial employer and generator of local economic wealth. It would secure the future of the base for a long time to come.

Jet fighters departing Truax Field are only a few minutes away from the Volk Fields Combat Readiness Training Center and its state-of-the-art air combat maneuvering facility. This means the military would save fuel and time for transit if it bases the F-35 here, gaining more time for air-to-air and air-to-ground training. Similarly, the 128th Air Refueling Wing is located in Milwaukee for quick access for refueling.

Some local residents may be concerned about noise. The F-35 has a very powerful engine. But the Air Force asserts the new fighter is actually quieter the F-16 on takeoff, when no afterburner is used. A sound study will be completed to assess Truaxs geography and setting. It may or may not conclude that the F-35 is generally louder than Truaxs F-16s.

Even if the F-35 is louder, several factors will mitigate this. The duration and frequency of noise are what matter. And the only activities expected in and over Madison will be takeoffs and landings. They will be short and nothing close to the average 95 departures and arrivals of commercial aircraft every day.

Moreover, the Air Guard is expected to mitigate noise by limiting the use of afterburners on takeoff.

Some critics say the money for these fighter jets could be better spent on housing and education. While its true the F-35 is very expensive and has had some large cost overruns, the money has already been budgeted. F-35s are being produced and deployed. So the decision has already been made. If Madison doesnt derive benefit from Congress decision, some other community will.

Truax Field offers compelling reasons for selection as one of the bases to host one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. Let there be Lightning.
FLORENCE, S.C.  School superintendents in the area say they will miss the funds from the Abbeville lawsuit, but they will continue to build relationships with legislators and advocate for state funding for their districts.

We were supporting a cause driven by a need, said Dr. John Kirby, superintendent for Dillon District Three and one of the original litigants in the lawsuit. I certainly dont look at it like we lost a battle. We lost a cause. Thats very disheartening in that regard.

The S.C. Supreme Court found in 2014 that the state failed to provide a minimally adequate education to some poor districts. However, earlier this month the court ruled to end its oversight of lawmakers.

I was expecting a ruling or response, but I was not anticipating the response that came from the courts, said Dr. Rechel Anderson, superintendent for Florence District Four.

Projects the state has already committed to fund, such as District Fours bathroom upgrades, will be completed. However, districts in the lawsuit will be unable to continue applying for this type of state funding.

It is definitely a setback for us because there are so many areas that we know still need to be addressed, Anderson said.

Kirby said he believes putting the cause of supporting poor, rural districts back in the hands of legislators could work out.

I have some hope, though, that our current, most powerful political leaders in the state actually represent thousands of students and parents that were involved in the lawsuit, Kirby said.

Kirby said House Speaker Jay Lucas, Republican from Darlington, and Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, Republican from Florence, are two of the most powerful political leaders in the state.

Our cause and our faith is in their capable hands, Kirby said. I hope and pray since they represent these students and these parents and our cause that they can find the wherewithal to find some ways to give us a helping hand in order to try and catch up with the more wealthy districts.

Darlington County schools were not involved in the lawsuit, but the district is near counties that were.

Neal Vincent, superintendent for Florence District Two, said state legislators are champions of education and do care.

The Supreme Court has brought attention to it, but now its up to the General Assembly to take action, Vincent said.

Vincent said his district wants to partner with the local legislative delegation on school improvement.

Anderson said students in District Four are asked to achieve the same results as students in more affluent districts. She said other districts have a better tax base, so finances are not as great a worry.

Making sure our students have what they need is a priority for us, Anderson said.
CHICAGO  The list of men credibly accused of sexual assault or harassment has grown to the length of a Charles Dickens novel, and like a Dickens novel, it offers spectacularly instructive episodes. We are all learning more than we care to know about the nature of human beings and the functions of morality.

For this, we are indebted to Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K., Bill OReilly, Roy Moore, Al Franken, John Conyers, Matt Lauer and many others  notably, let us not forget, Donald Trump.

Some of these names came as no great surprise, but other charges hit like a lightning bolt from a clear sky. If your daughter or sister is at risk of being molested by George H.W. Bush or Garrison Keillor, can we have confidence shed be safe with Tom Hanks? Mitt Romney? The Dalai Lama?

In this teachable moment, some important lessons are new, at least to many men, such as: Women, who have made such great progress in so many areas, still endure soul-sapping abuses on a regular basis.

Its a surprise to discover how many grotesque ways male offenders devise to torment their victims. I remember a time, about two months ago, when masturbation was something done furtively and secretly, not before unwilling audiences.

But much of what we have seen merely confirms truths that are so fundamental they can easily be forgotten. For example:

1) Power corrupts. What almost every one of those implicated has in common is that success delivered him into a position where lesser mortals felt obliged to do his bidding. Outsize accomplishments in any field expose the achiever to outsize temptations, one being the possibility of getting away with behavior that would ruin ordinary people.

So rarely does anyone tell these titans no that they come to assume that no one has the right to. Why bother with seduction if you can simply impose your will without fear?

2) We often see what we want to see. Many Republicans who denounced Bill Clintons lechery voted for Trump, who boasted about groping women and walking in on undressed beauty pageant contestants. Then there are the Democrats who apply far tighter standards today than when President Clinton was under siege.

For some of us, selective morality is the only morality. The sins of our enemies are scarlet, while those of our allies tend to register in the faintest pink.

3) Shame is useful. Seeing the sudden immolation of important figures for their vile deeds, men who might be tempted to transgress will be frightened into propriety. There are several good protections against temptation, said Mark Twain, but the surest is cowardice. Men who have assumed they could get away with such abuses are on notice that their victims might not be cowed into silence.

4) People are complicated. Today co-host Savannah Guthrie commended Lauers accusers for coming forward but said, He is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he is beloved by many, many people here. Maybe shes a hypocrite who let her relationship with him blind her (see point 2). Or maybe he has fine qualities  and concealed his terrible faults from many of those around him. The possible dichotomy shouldnt surprise any adult who knows any other adults.

During his public career, George H.W. Bush typically exhibited dignity and restraint. But now we learn he also pawed women who were in no position to object. Does that despicable behavior mean hes a complete fraud? Or does it mean he is afflicted by dark traits that sometimes overcome his better ones?

Cosby, Weinstein and Trump have severe, pervasive character defects that make their virtues, if any, immaterial. But unalloyed villainy is not the norm even among those who do bad things  and those of us who have refrained from doing those bad things should not be too certain of our invulnerability to vice.

The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either  but right through every human heart, wrote the Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. And even within the hearts overwhelmed with evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains  an un-uprooted small corner of evil.

The public disgrace of so many men should be welcomed because it signals an overdue shift in our moral codes and standards of conduct. Those are useful in guiding the bad, the good and everyone in between.
Critics of putting body cameras on police officers in Madison and other communities have seized on a study in Washington, D.C., suggesting the devices had no significant effect on the behavior of police or the public.

The findings differ from previous research, including a yearlong review of uniform cameras in Rialto, Calif. That study, touted by the Obama administrations Task Force on 21st Century Policing, found a dramatic drop in the use of police force and complaints against officers who wore cameras.

Why do the studies differ so much? Thats not clear.

But this much is: Madison should still adopt the technology  as so many other law enforcement agencies have  because cameras provide crucial, clear and unbiased evidence of controversial police encounters.

Thats the main reason the cameras are needed in Madison and other cities still resisting progress.

Consider last months fatal police shooting of 14-year-old Jason Pero on an American Indian reservation 300 miles north of Madison in northern Wisconsin. An Ashland County sheriffs deputy says Pero lunged at the deputy twice with a butcher knife. But the boys relatives are skeptical and insist the boy, who was home from school with the flu, should never have been shot. Investigators say Pero made the 911 call reporting a man with a knife.

A camera on the officer could have definitively shown what happened, had the officer been wearing one. In fact, Peros mother plans to petition the sheriffs department to require cameras.

Similarly, body cameras could have clarified what happened when Madison police shot and killed Paul Heenan in 2012 and Tony Robinson in 2015. Both were unarmed. Despite insisting its officers acted appropriately, and city (via its insurance company) paid $2.3 million and $3.35 million in settlements, respectively.

The authors of the Washington, D.C., study of police cameras arent sure why the devices didnt reduce the use of force or complaints against officers. Its possible the nations capital is a very different environment than Rialto, population 100,000.

The researchers note that the California city had been struggling with police problems when cameras were introduced. In contrast, Washington had already gone through a federal investigation of misconduct and instituted reforms before its cameras arrived.

Another possible explanation is that cameras are so ubiquitous in major cities that adding cameras to officers uniforms didnt change the dynamic much.

Yet Washingtons police chief definitely wants to keep his departments cameras because the images are invaluable when controversial violence occurs. They can hold rogue cops accountable, or exonerate innocent professionals.

Last Christmas, a Washington police officer fatally shot a man during a domestic dispute. Family claimed the man was unarmed. But video from a police body camera showed a large knife.

And the evidence can work the other way. In Baltimore, cameras on officers caught them implicating themselves in a corruption scandal.

When fatal shootings occur in Madison, the City Council seems to prefer emotional and disputed speculation to the hard evidence that video from the scene can provide.

Thats a mistake.
Press Release

December 3, 2017 CHIZ CONDEMNS KILLING OF PASUC PRESIDENT; URGES PNP TO SOLVE CRIME IMMEDIATELY Sen. Chiz Escudero on Sunday condemned the killing of Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), as he urged the police to immediately arrest the perpetrators. "I strongly condemn this horrendous act of violence against a member of our academic community. This is clearly unacceptable and enraging," Escudero said. "While I extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved family as well as to the USTP (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines) community, I join the academe in mourning the death of Dr. Rotoras, whose efforts to help improve the country's higher education system will not be forgotten. His untimely passing is a great loss not only to his family, friends and colleagues, but to the whole higher education sector as well," he added. Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, also asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to do their best to immediately arrest the culprits. "I urge the PNP to act swiftly on this case and exhaust all means to bring the perpetrators to justice." Cagayan de Oro City police, however, said they have formed a special investigation task group to look into all the possible motives for the killing and capture the suspects. Rotoras was gunned down by unknown attackers right in front of his residence in Golden Glow North Subdivision in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, around 1 a.m. on Saturday. According to police, Rotoras sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the nearby medical facility by his driver. He, however, died before reaching JR Borja General Hospital. The investigators are currently looking into accounts of witnesses who allegedly saw people loitering within the vicinity of the subdivision before the incident. Witnesses also claimed to have seen two men walking out of the subdivision after the incident and fled on board a black pick-up truck. The police also recovered empty shells believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol that was used to kill Rotoras. Last July, Rotoras was re-elected unopposed for his fourth term as the head of PASUC. He has been president of USTP in Cagayan de Oro since 2006.
Press Release

December 3, 2017 Legarda: 2018 Budget is Pro-People, Needs-Based Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said that the 2018 General Appropriations Bill is a pro-people and needs-based budget. "In reviewing the 2018 national budget, we scrutinized every item to ensure that we are funding the needs of the people, that it supports the infrastructure program of the government and also takes care of the human capital so that economic growth addresses the needs of the poorest sector. When we address the basic needs of the people, we also curb crime, violence and illegal drugs," said Legarda. The Senate and the House of Representatives have already convened the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences in their respective versions of the budget. Legarda said she is optimistic that the shared advocacies of both chambers will prevail amid initial differences. Among the highlights of the Senate version is increasing to Php51 Billion the allocation for the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which would pave the way for free college education in all of the country's state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and state-run technical-vocational institutions. The Senate also provided additional Php10 Million for capital outlay for each SUC to address their infrastructure and equipment needs, and Php327 Million for free Wi-Fi in SUCs and public places. There is also Php250 Million funding under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for free tuition for medical students enrolled in SUCs. "We also ensured that our teachers' and students' basic needs are addressed. The Senate provided additional Php1.8 Billion to increase chalk or cash allowance of teachers from Php2,500 to Php5,000 per teacher. This is intended for the purchase of classroom supplies like chalk, markers, paper, erasers and other materials. We also provided additional Php2.5 Billion for the school-based feeding program to improve the nutritional status of the targeted student beneficiaries," said Legarda. For healthcare, the Senate upheld the budget for the Universal Healthcare Program so that all Filipinos are covered by the PhilHealth's Point-of-Service program. It further allocated Php6.5 Billion for PhilHealth Plus for the health insurance of government employees under the Executive Branch. "At present, government workers in the Executive are covered by PhilHealth for hospitalization, but when they need to undergo check-up, laboratory procedures, and other preventive healthcare procedures, they pay out of their own pocket. In the Legislature, employees have health insurance plans. Now, through the funding for PhilHealth Plus, government employees in the Executive will receive the same benefits," Legarda explained. To improve social services, aside from maintaining the Php89 Billion budget for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program, Legarda also included additional Php3 Billion in the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This will fund the rehabilitation of social welfare and activity centers and Bahay Pagasa juvenile detentions. "We should treat everyone with respect and dignity, including the poor. Our social welfare and activity centers serve as temporary homes for the underprivileged men, women, children, and elderly to support them until such time that they could get back on their feet. By rehabilitating and establishing new centers, we reinforce the DSWD's capability to accommodate and serve more families," she said. The Senator said farmers will also benefit from the 2018 national budget as the Senate continued the Php2 Billion subsidy of irrigation service fees (ISF) being paid by farmers to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). This was first introduced in the 2017 national budget. Moreover, under the Department of Agriculture (DA), Php2.669 Billion was earmarked for the construction, restoration or improvement of small-scale irrigation projects and Php4.281 Billion for the construction of facilities and procurement of agricultural machineries and equipment. The Senate also provided additional funds to boost livelihoods and the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including the additional Php800 Million for the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Shared Service Facilities (SSF), which intends to increase the productivity of MSMEs by giving them access to efficient technologies, skills, knowledge, and systems. For the rehabilitation of Marawi City, the Senate provided Php10 Billion allocation under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund intended for the city's quick recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. This amount is on top of the Php5 Billion already allocated for this year. The Senate also approved Php60 Billion for the increase of base pay of military and uniformed personnel, which is much needed to better compensate soldiers and policemen who maintain national security and peace and order. Unpaid pension that the government owes surviving spouses of World War II veterans will now be fully paid under the 2018 budget as the Senate allocated Php1.647 Billion for the payment of total administrative disability (TAD) arrears. Meanwhile, additional Php372 Million was allocated under the Bureau of Corrections for additional prison facilities. Legarda said that since the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will now lead the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign, the Php900 Million and Php500 Million for the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Oplan Double Barrel and MASA MASID, respectively, were realigned. Php1.35 Billion was transferred to the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Housing Program; while the Php50 Million was earmarked as additional budget for acquisition of body cameras of police officers. The Senate also provided additional Php120 Million in the Philippine Coast Guard budget for buoys in coast guard stations, especially in the Philippine Rise. Meanwhile, the foreign service is the country's first line of defense in the global arena. Thus, the Senate increased the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) by Php783 Million for additional funding of existing consular offices and embassies, opening of new consulates, cultural diplomacy programs, training programs, and hazard pay of DFA employees in hardship posts, among others. The Senator also said that the 2018 General Appropriations Bill ensures ecological integrity, clean and healthy environment, risk-sensitive investments, and disaster preparedness through special provisions that integrate and mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in government programs. "We firmly believe that building an inclusive and prosperous economy requires us to continually strengthen our resilience to impacts of natural hazards and climate change," she stressed. Among the special and general provisions that the Senate approved are the following: Status of Infrastructure Projects. All agencies of government with infrastructure projects shall post the status of the said projects, including geo-tagged photos on their respective official website. Further, agencies shall post the following details of the projects: name of contractor; location of the project; project cost; start of construction and target date of completion; description of the project; source of fund; implementing office, responsible official, and contact number and email; completion date; project status (in case of delay, state the reason/s); and such information that the Commission on Audit (COA) may require.

DRR and CCAM Measures Incorporated in All Agency Projects. All agencies of government should implement projects incorporating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM). To ensure that the DRR and CCA measures are appropriate in light of intensifying hazards, all national government projects should be subject to multi-scenario, probabilistic analysis. Agencies shall likewise integrate energy-savings solutions and consider climate resilience in the planning and implementation of all infrastructure projects, office programs, and activities, as well as assess their organizational carbon footprint and pursue appropriate emission reduction measures, to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, pursuant to the provisions of RA No. 9729. Resettlement. Pursuant to RA No. 7279, local government units (LGUs), in coordination with the National Housing Authority (NHA), shall implement the relocation and resettlement of persons living in danger areas, such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways, and in other public places, such as sidewalks, roads, parks and playgrounds. The LGU, in coordination with NHA, shall provide relocation and resettlement sites with basic services and facilities and access to employment and livelihood opportunities sufficient to meet the basic needs of the affected families.

Conduct of Family Development Sessions. The DSWD, in the conduct of family development sessions among CCT beneficiaries, shall integrate in its program the protection of the environment, DRR and CCAM, including the preservation of the indigenous culture of their locality. The DSWD shall also conduct capacity building programs to prepare its beneficiaries for the onset of natural hazards.

AFP Resilience Fund. The amount of Php100 Million will fund the implementation of risk assessments of AFP facilities and installations and the implementation of climate and disaster resilience pilot project in vital military installations, including the development of the AFP climate and disaster resilience toolkit.

Hazard Duty Pay. Subject to favorable recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director and approval of the Secretary of Justice, hazard pay not exceeding Php4,000 per month may be granted to officials, agents, investigators, and other personnel of the NBI who may be assigned in the investigation of cases, which expose them to great danger or risks, subject to budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

Mandatory Drills. The DILG shall require the LGUs to conduct regular evacuation drills in coastal communities that are at risk of storm surges and landslides to help ascertain proper response during actual disasters. These drills should simulate real emergencies and/or circumstances, which will prepare and train their respective constituents on basic survival skills, which will also in turn reduce panic.

Community Early Warning System. The DILG shall ensure that LGUs establish and maintain an efficient and effective early warning system to enable the individuals and communities threatened by typhoon, flood, tsunami, and other impending hazards to respond in a timely manner to reduce the possibility of harm or loss.

Prohibition against New Illegal Structures. The DILG shall ensure that municipal or city government units and barangays shall prevent the construction of any kind of illegal dwelling unit or structures within their respective localities.

Containment of the Cleared Areas. The concerned LGUs shall be responsible for preventing the construction of any kind of structures or illegal dwelling units in the areas that have been cleared and shall ensure that the vacated areas are not reoccupied.

Evacuation Centers. In the design and construction of evacuation centers, the DILG and DPWH shall ensure that the centers can withstand wind speed of 300 kph and moderate seismic activity of at least 8.0 magnitude on the Richter scale; utilize natural ventilation and rainwater through the inclusion of rainwater catchment/harvesting system; and include facilities for the special needs of women, children, the elderly, PWDs, and such other physical provisions guaranteeing a humane condition for evacuees.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan of LGUs. The LGUs, with the assistance of the DILG, shall take into consideration the vulnerability and risk assessment of the DENR in developing the comprehensive land use plan and in enacting the appropriate zoning ordinances.

Renewable Energy. The Department of Energy (DOE) shall strengthen the development and utilization of renewable and environment-friendly alternative energy resources or technologies.

School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP). In the implementation of the SBFP, ingredients for the provision of food commodities shall be sourced locally. Public schools, whenever applicable, shall endeavor to procure these ingredients from any of the following local sources: the school's vegetable garden established under the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program; home and communal gardens established by the families of SBFP beneficiaries; and local farmers, especially those identified by the DSWD to be living in poverty under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

Resilience of Agricultural Communities. The DA shall endeavor to increase the resilience of agricultural communities through the implementation of disaster-resilient agricultural infrastructure projects and the distribution and development of seeds, which are optimally adaptive to present and future climate conditions.

Cultural and Heritage Mapping. The amount under Cultural and Heritage Mapping shall be used as financial assistance to LGUs to conduct, in coordination with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), a cultural mapping of their tangible and intangible heritage, which shall form part of the national registry to be maintained by the NCCA.
STATEMENT OF SENATORS BAM AQUINO AND KIKO PANGILINAN ON THE KILLING OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. RICARDO ROTORAS

We strongly condemn the senseless killing of university president Dr. Ricardo Rotoras.

We worked closely with him for the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act as president of Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC).

His untimely death is a great loss to the country's push for quality education for every Filipino.

We call on authorities to leave no stone unturned to ensure that those behind the killing be brought to justice and punished for their deplorable act.
Koko condemns killing of Mindanao University president; seeks swift justice for the victim

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today condemned in the "strongest terms" the killing of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Ricardo Rotoras of Cagayan de Oro City.

In a statement, Pimentel asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to exert and exhaust all efforts to quickly arrest the suspected killers and unmask their mastermind in what he described as "dastardly act."

"I am alarmed and outraged by this latest attack on our law abiding and dedicated public servants. I urge the police to work double time to arrest the killers and unmask the mastermind," said Pimentel, who is also from Cagayan de Oro City.

Police said Rotoras, 48, was shot by unidentified assailants early Saturday morning outside his house at Golden Glow North Subdivision in Barangay Carmen in Cagayan de Oro City. He was declared dead from multiple wounds upon arrival at a nearby hospital.

"We are a peace-loving society and killings of this nature must be stopped. The police must do its job to protect and secure the people against rouge elements of society," said Pimentel.

The Filipino people, he said, is seeking swift justice for the victim, who is described by his co-workers and friends at the USTP as a "workaholic."

Pimentel said Rotoras was a "big loss" to the people of Cagayan de Oro City, noting that he served as head of the USTP since 2006 and was elected president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) for the fourth consecutive term.
. 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.

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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.
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The Deathtrap family didnt gather this year to eat leftover turkey legs, casseroles and pies.

The annual post-Thanksgiving gathering had been one of the best parties for years, because as many as 50 people would bring food to the West Oakland warehouse.

The spread was always unbelievable, Isaac Blackwood said. More dishes than youd see at a traditional Thanksgiving because it was a combination of the communitys family dinners combined into one massive Friendsgiving.

Instead, the 6,600-square-foot warehouse at Magnolia and 28th streets was dark, empty, a consequence of the horrendous fire at Ghost Ship that killed 36 people a year ago and brought intense scrutiny to unpermitted live-work dwellings.

Deathtrap was one of them. Not only did the warehouse at one time look similar inside to Ghost Ship  with its makeshift steps, rugs, tapestries, statues and dangling light strings, but also its name mocked the potentially unsafe nature of some of the illegally converted warehouses that were providing affordable housing and work spaces to artists throughout Oakland.

To the tenants, the name was a joke, bestowed, according to former residents, by a fire inspector who looked at the stacks of boxes and piles of metal and wood and quipped, If there was a fire in here, within two minutes this would become a deathtrap.

But, tenants say, those days were over. New tenants put work into the place, although still without permits.

Nonetheless, three days after the Ghost Ship tragedy, Deathtraps landlord sent eviction notices to the dozen or so tenants. The same day, a city fire inspector knocked on the door.

It was the beginning of the end not just for Deathtrap, but for other artist collaboratives that had long made industrial warehouses their homes. Suddenly, the warehouse community was under intense pressure from landlords and regulators who didnt want to be held liable for the next deadly fire. Many artists were being told to clear out of their spaces.

It fractured a community, Tyler Pritchard, 35, a former Deathtrap resident, said.

At Deathtrap, tenants fought to keep their live-work space for six months, trying to hammer out deals with the city and their landlord. Tenants, feeling like they were being penalized for the Deathtrap name, immediately rebranded as Castle Von Trap, and residents scraped the Internet of references to the warehouses former name.

They brought in a structural engineer to assess the building. They added railings, more exit signs and more fire extinguishers.

They attended City Council meetings.

They were too late.

We were the poster child for warehouses, Pritchard said.

City inspectors found multiple problems at the building, including illegal construction of a kitchen, bathroom, lofts and stairs. They found water heaters installed without permits and electrical, plumbing and mechanical alterations made without permits. They ordered the landlords, Yeon and Sun Lee, to stop allowing people to live in the building and told them to remove everything that had been built without permits.

In July, the artists left the building, their lives irrevocably changed.

City officials, meanwhile, have chalked up the Deathtrap as a resolved property on their list of potentially problem buildings.

The owner has removed the illegal construction and restored the warehouse to its original use as a warehouse, city spokeswoman Karen Boyd said Friday.

The former tenants feel betrayed by a city that promoted itself as a tourist destination with a vibrant arts community.

People have no idea what it is to be an artist warehouse, which is why it was so easy after Ghost Ship to paint a horrific picture about what they are, said Brianna Sage, an off-and-on Deathtrap resident. It wasnt this crazy, cluttered place where youre tripping over everything. It was more than a venue or practice studio. It was home.

Each tenant had paid an average of $500 a month to lease a live-work space. For Chris Spiteri, a performance artist who couldnt afford both an apartment and a rehearsal studio, Deathtrap was perfect.

I could paint the walls. I could put up my art. I had space to create more art, Spiteri, 29, said. We had a dance floor. I could do my work in my living room, and that was spectacular.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

Deathtrap hosted classical music, circus, theater and dance performances. It also hosted spin jams for flow arts, the movement-based art form that incorporates dance and props like juggling, hooping and fire spinning.

When I moved in there, I found family, Spiteri said. I found somewhere I felt safe and secure, which I hadnt felt in a home for years.

The landlords couldnt be reached for comment. According to public records, they sold the building on Oct. 30 to Dig A Hole LLC for $1.7 million.

If theres a silver lining to being forced from their home, its that some of the former Deathtrap residents formed 30 West, a nonprofit that hopes to build a live-work place that wont be shut down because of code violations and zoning restrictions.

The 30 West collaborative began leasing an empty warehouse in Oakland in June.

No underground, illegal anything, Spiteri said. Thats not what we want. We want a space that can be shared. We want to be able to run programs or host neighborhood events where families can come in and enjoy the artists work of this community.

No more renting U-Haul trucks to load mattresses and park two blocks away on inspection day, a common practice for warehouse tenants. The 30 West group wants residences and events to be properly permitted and insured.

The plan is to build 14 rooms and five studios in the 7,840-square-foot warehouse formerly used to store plastics and that is wrapped in colorful, poetic graffiti. Right now, its being used to store a metal-and-stained glass sculpture that was installed at Burning Man, among other things.

Its a gamble, because theres no guarantee the city will give 30 West a live-work permit. The rent is $10,000 per month, and Spiteri estimates it will cost $1 million to renovate the warehouse. The 30 West group plans to launch fundraising efforts this month.

Its terrifying, she said.

So why stay in Oakland?

All of the roots that we have made  this amazing group of people  we came together right here, Sage, 24, said. Oakland has some magic.

Sage said 30 West wants to prove that warehouses are not all Ghost Ships.

That is one example of something bad that can happen, and how it can be done wrong, and we want to do it right, Sage said.

A few former residents of Deathtrap, however, arent sold on the costs of the new venture  $1,400 for a bedroom and $900 to $1,000 for a studio, which artists cant sleep in. Pritchard balked at paying rent on a place that isnt guaranteed to ever open.

I dont have that kind of money to throw at something like that, he said. And if I did, Id put it toward a house. Im done with warehouses, I think.

The sawing whir of a laser cutter hummed over the conversation at another West Oakland warehouse. Blackwood, who typically works with wood and metal, was in the process of cutting thousands of mat board leaves that were part of a model for a Burning Man temple proposal.

He was joined by former Deathtrap roommates Pritchard, Mikhail Lapin and Shane Sischo. Cool air flowed into the second-floor space through an open window. They reminisced about their former home.

I feel like my life was destroyed, Lapin, 35, said. Living in our warehouse, it was almost a spiritual thing.

It was a sanctuary, Sischo, 38, said.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

Theres not much left of the warehouse community, Blackwood, 31, said. Thats why he requested The Chronicle not reveal the location of his current studio.

Blackwood and Sischo have re-created parts of their former Deathtrap home. They both built studios in the new warehouse from salvaged wood. They also used parts from Deathtrap, like the red spiral staircase that leads to the roof of Blackwoods studio where theres a lounge area with a couch and coffee table.

Blackwood and Sischo, who said they didnt live in their studios, also used lighting, flooring and doors from Deathtrap. They added that the studios were built to code using shear walls and proper stud spacing. But they did not seek city permits for the interior changes to the warehouse.

Laughter could be heard from random corners of the vast, two-story space filled with an assortment of projects in various sizes and stages. There were also pizza boxes, beer cans, bongs, computers, board games and books on tables, ledges and shelves in the common areas.

For Blackwood, it felt almost like home.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
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Much has changed in immigration policy and politics since April 2015, when San Francisco released undocumented immigrant Jose Ines Garcia Zarate less than three months before he fired the shot that killed Kate Steinle on a city pier.

Since then, San Francisco has loosened that law to allow the sheriff to notify federal officials in some cases before freeing an undocumented immigrant. City voters elected a new sheriff, Vicki Hennessy, partly in response to Sheriff Ross Mirkarimis refusal to contact federal agents about Garcia Zarate.

Donald Trump, as a candidate for president, seized on the incident to call for an immigration crackdown, and since taking office has sought to strip funding from the hundreds of sanctuary cities that restrict or reject cooperation with immigration officers. The House has passed a bill to expand the governments authority to withhold such funding. It also passed a measure, nicknamed Kates Law, that would increase sentences for repeated illegal re-entry. Both bills are now in the Senate.

But despite the changes and the political pressure, if Garcia Zarate  a Mexican citizen who has been deported from the U.S. five times  or someone like him were about to be released from custody today in San Francisco, the sheriffs office would still set him free without contacting immigration officers who had asked to be notified.

The same, Hennessy said when asked what would happen.

Based on Garcia Zarates record, which included convictions for drugs and illegal re-entry after deportation but no violent felonies, he still would not have fallen within those provisions of the San Francisco ordinance that allow the sheriff to turn him over to federal agents, the sheriff said.

Those provisions allow immigration officials to be notified about an impending release from local jail if an immigrant has a conviction for a serious or violent felony within the previous seven years. But San Francisco and other sanctuary cities would be obligated by their laws to refuse to hold undocumented migrants beyond their term of custody unless immigration officials had a judicial warrant.

Immigration officials secured a warrant in Garcia Zarates case, but only after his arrest for the Steinle shooting in July 2015.

Supporters of sanctuary cities argue that reporting undocumented immigrants to federal agents, or otherwise helping enforce immigration law, divides their communities and actually hurts law enforcement. They say such cooperation discourages immigrants from reporting crimes to police or working with them as witnesses, for fear of deportation.

These people are living, working, sending their kids to school in the city, said former San Francisco Supervisor John Avalos, who sponsored the latest changes to the sanctuary ordinance last year. If they are victims of a crime or witnesses of a crime, and they feel comfortable talking to law enforcement, they can help law enforcement do its work.

Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which generally sides with Trump on immigration issues, countered that sanctuary policies defy federal law and cost lives.

If Garcia Zarate had not been put on the streets, in all likelihood Kate Steinle would still be alive, Mehlman said. He said the San Francisco jurys verdict Thursday should be a signal for Congress to act.

Garcia Zarates lawyers argued that the shooting was an accident, and the jury acquitted him of murder, manslaughter and assault. It convicted him only of being a felon in possession of a gun.

Trump responded with tweets calling the verdict a travesty of justice and renewed his call to BUILD THE WALL!

Garcia Zarate awaits sentencing on the gun possession charge, but with the two-plus years he has served since his arrest, he is unlikely to spend much more time in state custody. Under the warrant held by immigration officials, he would then be returned to U.S. custody to face accusations of violating his federal supervised release by committing a crime and possessing a gun, punishable by two more years behind bars. Deportation would follow.

The warrant is what makes the situation different from what happened in April 2015, when San Francisco let Garcia Zarate go.

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE DEPT

He had just served 46 months in a U.S. prison for illegal re-entry from Mexico. Rather than deporting him, federal officials honored a San Francisco Sheriffs Department request and transferred him to local custody to face a 20-year-old local marijuana charge, which city prosecutors promptly dismissed.

Federal officials could have obtained a warrant then that would have prevented Garcia Zarates release, noted Bill Hing, a University of San Francisco immigration law professor. They would merely have had to persuade a U.S. magistrate that there was probable cause that hes deportable, he said. San Francisco cannot ignore a court warrant.

But Hing said immigration officials rarely bother to go to court, and instead simply ask a local agency to hold someone wanted for possible deportation until they arrive.

Such requests are known as detainers. Local compliance with them varies nationwide  a recent Texas law, currently blocked by the courts, would require all local governments to honor federal detainers. A California law effective in January would prohibit compliance except for specific categories of felons.

Holding inmates on detainers beyond their release date also raises constitutional concerns.

Honoring detainers means authorities are holding someone without having obtained a court order based on probable cause that the person has committed a crime. So far, every court decision has said these violate the Fourth Amendment ban on illegal seizure, said Saira Hussain, an attorney with Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco.

Mehlman, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, contended that Trump administration detainer policies meet constitutional standards, and noted that the administration has promised to step up immigration enforcement in localities that refuse to comply.

He also derided San Franciscos position that it lacks authority to keep immigrants like Garcia Zarate in custody so that federal officers can pick them up.

Theyre trying to claim their hands were tied, when they tied their hands themselves, Mehlman said.

Hing said the administration and its supporters are trying to blame sanctuary cities for the governments unwillingness to take legal steps such as obtaining warrants. And former San Francisco Supervisor David Campos said that fellow supervisors had responded sensibly to Steinles death by passing an ordinance he sponsored that made it a crime to leave an unlocked gun in a motor vehicle.

The gun used in the killing had been stolen in San Francisco from a federal Bureau of Land Management rangers car. The burglary has never been solved. Garcia Zarates attorneys say he found the gun along the waterfront and that it accidentally went off, firing a bullet that richocheted off the pavement and hit Steinle.

If there is fault to go around, one of the responsibilities lies with the federal official who left his gun unattended in his vehicle, said Campos, now the Democratic Party chairman in San Francisco. This is a gun control issue as much as an immigration issue.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Thousands of Oakland city workers are set to go on strike Tuesday unless further negotiations can stave it off, union officials said.

Two labor unions  Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 are planning to strike, said Jessica Bowker, a spokeswoman for Local 21.

The unions represent nearly the entire city civilian workforce, according to city officials. Police and fire workers will not take part in the strike.

Rob Szykowny, chief negotiator for the SEIU, said he believes a strike can still be averted. City and union officials are scheduled to negotiate again Monday, he said, and I believe were close to a deal.

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However, the city has refused the unions most recent offer of a one-year deal that would extend negotiations, Szykowny said. Oakland city officials said in a statement that they have made a last, best and final offer that includes wage increases of up to 6 percent.

A strike would shut down much of the city. Due to significant staff shortages, the strike will force the city to close nearly every city facility starting on Tuesday morning, city officials said in a statement. On Monday, the city will release details about services that would be affected by the strike.

The SEIU participated in a half-day strike in early November, shutting down Oakland libraries, senior centers, child care programs and other city services. SEIU Local 1021 members include public works employees, parking enforcement officials and early education teachers. The IFPTE Local 21 represents professional and technical employees, including engineers, building inspectors and planners.

The city and unions have been in contract negotiations for more than six months. Major issues for the unions include wages, which Bowker said have not kept pace with the cost of living, as well as understaffing and retention and vacancy issues.

Szykowny said that while negotiations are set to continue Monday, his team is ready to negotiate before then as well.

Erin Allday and Sophie Haigney are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com and sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com
The driver of a rented box truck who crashed into a Bay Bridge tollbooth, killing the attendant, remained in the hospital Sunday in serious condition, authorities said.

Daniel Berk, 32, of Foster City was being treated at Highland Hospital in Oakland after ramming into a tollbooth on the north side of the plaza at 5:11 a.m. on Saturday and wasnt expected to be released for about a week, said Officer Matthew Hamer, a CHP spokesman.

A passenger in the truck, who was ejected as the vehicle split apart, and the occupants of five other cars that were hit have all been released from the hospital, Hamer added.

Berk, who is facing charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, suffered major injuries, Hamer said.

A relative of Berks, who identified herself as his sister on Facebook, said he was in surgery shortly after the crash. His family members declined to comment.

Si Si Han, a 46-year-old Caltrans employee, was killed in the collision. She worked as a toll collector for nearly a decade, said agency spokesman Bob Haus.

Han is survived by her husband, Ryan Saw, and 10-year-old daughter, Ashly.

Gov. Jerry Brown released a statement that he and his wife, Anne Gust Brown, are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Caltrans toll collector Si Si Han, who died (Saturday) while serving the traveling public. On behalf of all Californians, we extend our condolences to her family, co-workers and friends.

According to LinkedIn, Berk works as a stage engineer. On Facebook, he lists himself as a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 16 in San Francisco.

A co-worker, Kenny McCain, said Berk worked in the close-knit production industry in the Bay Area. McCain heard from mutual friends that Berk had been driving between gigs at the time of the crash.

Ive never seen him drink, so that was a little strange to me, McCain said. I thought he mustve fallen asleep at the wheel. The whole thing was a shock to me.

The truck was filled with lighting and sound equipment at the time of the collision, said CHP Officer Vu Williams.

Berk was a former student at the College of San Mateo, said Richard Rojo, a college spokesman.

He took classes over the course of several years and stopped in spring 2015, Rojo added.

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Berk did not earn a degree from the college.

The truck had been rented from Monarch Truck Center in San Jose, said Steve Russler, an employee with the company.

Four tollbooths and lanes 13 through 16 remained closed, posing a potential slowdown for morning commuters on Monday, Haus said.

Hans booth, from Lane 14, is completely wiped out and has to be completely rebuilt, Haus said.

There is no estimated time for reopening the lanes that lead up to the booths.

With four booths out of commission ... its going to have an adverse effect on traffic, Haus said.

No additional information on the crash, including the speed that Berk was driving and what substance he was suspected of using, was released Sunday.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
One day after President Trump posted a flurry of tweets defending Michael Flynn, a former administration official who lied to the FBI, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said evidence is mounting that the president obstructed investigations into aides communications with Russia that occurred before he took office.

The California Democrat, ranking minority member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, cited indictments obtained by Special Counsel Robert Mueller of four people connected to Trump as evidence of potential obstruction. She said in an interview Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press that the committee has an investigation going as well, and it involves obstruction of justice, and I think what were beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice.

She added, I see it in the hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House, the comments every day, the continual tweets. And I see it most importantly in what happened with the firing of (FBI) Director (James) Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation. Thats obstruction of justice.

Feinsteins comments came after Trump seemingly acknowledged that he had known that Flynn, his former national security adviser, lied to the FBI about communication he had with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the administrations transition. When Flynn was fired in February, the White House explained that he had misrepresented the nature of his talks to Vice President Mike Pence.

In a tweet Saturday, Trump said that he had to fire Flynn because of the lies and that he has pled guilty to those lies  though he said Flynns actions were lawful. But the White House later backpedaled, with the presidents personal lawyer, John Dowd, saying he crafted the tweet. Regardless, the statement seemed to indicate Trump had always known about the conversations between Flynn and Kislyak.

It was fascinating to see because it was a complete change all of a sudden, said Peter Keane, dean of Golden Gate Universitys School of Law. Initially Trump said no, Flynn was fired because he had lied to the vice president. Now for some weird reason, Trump admitted he knew Flynn had lied to the FBI. But by doing that, it is an admission on his part that when he fired Flynn, he knew. I can see why Feinstein got motivated all of a sudden.

The four indictments  of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates for money laundering, and former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos and former national security adviser Flynn for lying to the FBI  indicate Trump might have obstructed justice, Feinstein said, because they lied about their actions before Trump took office.

More for you Must-reads for 2017 on the white working class

Feinstein did not definitively state that Trump should be removed from office and said she wanted to complete the probe before drawing conclusions.

I believe its time for us to finish our investigation, and I dont want to bias any part of the investigation with premature thinking, she said. I think thats very important.

Feinstein did not respond to calls for further comment.

The fact that Feinstein, a moderate Democrat, would even raise the possibility of an obstruction investigation of Trump is significant, political analysts say. In August, she told a crowd at the Commonwealth Club that she hoped to cooperate with Trump, and that she believed he could be a good president if he could learn and change.

Feinsteins willingness to cooperate clearly isnt the case anymore, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

She has, if anything, shown a conciliatory tone toward Trump. This is coming from a person who said she would try to work with Trump. If Feinstein says she is building an obstruction of justice case, then its really serious. Even she has crossed the threshold and realized there is absolutely no working with Trump.

She added, Even if Trump didnt author that tweet, it still indicates that he knew, Levinson said. If he told his lawyer to write it, theres an issue of whether he is giving up his attorney-client privilege. But it sounds like it was Trump. I know it sounds super minor, but he wrote pled when the terminology is pleaded. I dont know many people who have taken the bar who would make that mistake.

Trumps presidency has been overshadowed by Muellers investigation into whether Russia meddled in the presidential election  and whether Trump knew the Kremlin was working to influence its outcome. Trumps firing of Comey in May further inflamed suspicions.

Comey testified before Congress that the day after Flynns Feb. 13 dismissal, Trump had asked Comey to drop the investigation of Flynn. Comey refused to end the inquiry, and Trump fired him several months later.

On Sunday, Trump took to Twitter to deny that he had asked the former FBI director to end any investigations into Flynns conduct.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie! Trump tweeted.

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White House officials did not respond to calls for comment.

Trumps handling of the situation challenges long-held norms  like respecting the office of the president, no matter who holds it  for politicians like Feinstein, said political analyst Jim Ross.

This is something that has never been done in American government and politics, Ross said. This is one of many norms he has blown through. I think Feinstein sees these things. In her mind, the jury is no longer out as to whether Trump will be a good president or not. Its important to note that Trump has even lost the moderate Democrats. It shows how polarizing he is for the country.

Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer and Republican National Committeewoman, said that Feinsteins investigation is a frivolous political witch hunt, and that there is no basis for it.

I think Dianne, respectfully, is way out over her skis here, Dhillon said. The president terminated Flynn pretty soon into the administration. It wasnt illegal. Now we have found Gen. Flynn has admitted a different lie. These are independent. I do not think there is any such basis for an investigation.

Proving obstruction of justice is difficult, Keane said. Even if impeachment were the aim, it would require a majority vote in the House and two-thirds vote for conviction in the Senate. Both are controlled by Republicans.

Even though Feinstein is in the Senate and ultimately would be the judge to decide if Trump were impeached, she just doesnt have the power to get it going, Keane said. Many people would feel that it is premature to do at this point. Many people would feel its better to let Muellers investigation play out.

It will be hard to see whether or not there is solid evidence of obstruction of justice. Theres a lot we dont know yet.

Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Sen. Dianne Feinstein was without doubt the highest-profile backer of her former Presidio Terrace neighbors in their fight to get back their private street. But when the Board of Supervisors met to reverse the citys 2015 tax auction sale of the street to a South Bay couple, there was quite a mix of other supporters in attendance.

They included a religious leader from Temple Emanu-El, down the street from Presidio Terrace, who worried about the devout losing their Saturday service parking privileges on the street.
Deducting casualty losses is never easy for disaster victims, and legislation in Washington has made it even more confusing this year.

On Oct. 2, President Trump signed a bill giving victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria special tax breaks, including a more generous personal casualty loss deduction. A bill in the House would give California wildfire victims the same benefits, but it hasnt gone anywhere. The Trump administration has said they should get the same tax breaks.

Meanwhile, the House and Senate GOP tax overhaul bills would terminate the personal casualty loss deduction after this year, except for certain groups of people.

No matter what happens in Washington, people who lost their homes in the Wine Country fires can take the deduction if they qualify under the existing rules. However, some people who think they should get the deduction may not because of the way its calculated.

Its a mountain of work to figure out, said Matthew Stockton, who lost his home near Santa Rosa and 40 years worth of possessions. I have to go all the way to back to when we bought the house in 1990 (and calculate) what we paid for it, every improvement weve made over the years. Its not as simple as it was worth this before the fire and this after the fire. Im absolutely certain Im going to extend my taxes. There is no way Ill be done in April. I might not be done in October.

Under current law, you can deduct unreimbursed personal casualty and theft losses as an itemized deduction on your tax return. Casualty losses result from any sudden, unexpected or unusual event such as a hurricane, fire or earthquake. If the loss was the result of a major, presidentially declared disaster, you can take it in the year the loss occurred or the previous year (by filing an amended return). Otherwise, you generally take it in the year it occurred.

The loss is defined as the lesser of your adjusted cost basis in the property or the decrease in its fair market value  minus any salvage value, insurance and other reimbursements. Here is a very simplified example. Disaster victims should consult a well-qualified tax expert.

In the case of a house, your basis is usually what you paid for the house, plus any additions or major improvements. If you bought your house five years ago for $500,000 and added a $100,000 master suite, your basis is $600,000.

The change in fair market value is what the property was worth the day before the disaster minus what it was worth after. If the same house was worth $1 million before the fire and its gone, your decrease in market value is $1 million.

In this example, your casualty loss is $600,000 because its less than $1 million. (For simplicity, this example excludes the land value.)

The same rule applies to your personal property. Suppose you bought a couch five years ago for $1,000. Thats your cost basis. The day before it went up in flames, it would have sold for $500 on Craigslist. Thats its pre-fire market value. Your casualty loss is $500 because its less than $1,000.

Next, you add up all your casualty losses, then subtract your actual and expected insurance proceeds. If your losses total $700,000 and you expect to receive $600,000 in proceeds, your loss is $100,000  but thats still not the amount you can deduct.

If your property was for personal use, you also must subtract $100 (dont ask why) and 10 percent of your adjusted gross income the year you are taking the deduction. (These two subtractions dont apply to any property used in a business, including a home office.)

If your adjusted income is $120,000 and you had no business property, you would subtract $12,100 from your $100,000 loss, leaving you with an $87,900 itemized casualty loss deduction. If you take the standard deduction, you cannot take this, although a loss this large would make itemizing worthwhile. (Note: Your casualty loss cannot exceed your income that year.)

Thanks to HR3828, victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria do not have to subtract 10 percent of their income from their casualty loss; they can deduct 100 percent of it. And they can take this deduction even if they dont itemize; they can add it to their standard deduction. However, instead of subtracting $100 from their loss, they must subtract $500. This law provides other tax relief for hurricane victims, including an exemption from the 10 percent penalty for early retirement-plan withdrawals.

HR4397, sponsored by 19 Democratic and Republican representatives from California, would give wildfire victims the same tax benefits hurricane victims are getting.

For some people in our area, this potential rule change is very impactful. For others, it sounds great but its not that big of a deal, said David Dillwood, a Santa Rosa CPA.

Many fire victims wont be able to deduct a casualty loss because their insurance proceeds will exceed the lesser of cost basis or pre-fire market value. For those who can, not having to subtract 10 percent will help a lot because incomes here tend to be high, Dillwood said.

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Instead of a casualty loss, some disaster victims could actually have a gain. This can happen if your insurance proceeds exceed the lesser of cost basis or loss in fair market value. This gets very complicated, but you generally wont owe tax on this gain if you use your insurance proceeds to rebuild or replace what you lost or if you qualify for the capital gains exclusion on a primary residence, said Michael Gray, a San Jose CPA.

In the eight California counties covered by the presidents fire disaster declaration, people can claim a loss on their 2017 or 2016 returns. The loss must account for a reasonable prospect of recovery from insurance or a third party, such as a company you are suing, said Nathan Rigney, lead tax research analyst at the Tax Institute at H&R Block.

Some fire victims claiming a casualty loss will have to estimate their insurance recovery. If it ends up being less or more than estimated, they generally will have to include the difference on their tax return the year it is received.

Its not clear how people suing PG&E for uninsured losses from the fire would account for any potential recovery if they wanted to claim a casualty loss. Although no cause has been determined, at least 32 lawsuits allege the utilitys failure to trim trees around its power lines sparked the fires.

If there was a reasonable prospect of recovery from PG&E, that possible recovery would have to be deducted from any casualty loss claimed in 2017, said Mark Luscombe, principal analyst with Wolters Kluwer. If the litigation involves a sufficient amount that there would be no casualty loss if there was a full recovery, then no casualty loss can be claimed until the litigation is resolved, he said in an email.

Whether there is a reasonable prospect of recovery from PG&E is an open question, Rigney said.

If homeowners suing PG&E cant claim a casualty loss on their 2017 or 2016 return because they expect a recovery but dont get one, they might not be able to claim it in future years if Congress does away with the deduction.

The tax overhaul bill passed by the House would eliminate the personal casualty deduction after 2017, except for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. (Its not clear why they would need it after this year unless they discover mold next year.) The Senate version would eliminate the deduction after this year except for victims of presidentially declared disasters.

For more information, see IRS Publication 547 and a tax pro.

Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's personal lawyer said on Sunday that the president knew in late January that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn had probably given FBI agents the same inaccurate account he provided to Vice President Mike Pence about a call with the Russian ambassador.

Trump lawyer John Dowd said the information was passed to Trump by White House counsel Donald McGahn, who had been warned about Flynn's statement to the vice president by a senior Justice Department official. The vice president said publicly at the time that Flynn had told him he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian diplomat - a statement disproved by a U.S. intelligence intercept of a phone call between Flynn and then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Trump was aware of the issue a couple of weeks before a conversation with then-FBI Director James Comey in which Comey said the president asked him if he could be lenient while investigating Flynn, whom Trump had just fired for misleading Pence about the nature of his conversations with the Russian.

According to notes kept by Comey, Trump asked if he could see "his way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go." Trump fired Comey in May.

In a pre-dawn tweet Sunday, Trump issued a fresh rebuttal to Comey, writing: "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" The tweet was part of a running commentary from Trump that began Saturday, a day after Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and indicated he would cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is probing Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Trump's Saturday tweets had stoked controversy, as he wrote that "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI." Previously, the White House had cited only the false statements to Pence as a rationale for dismissing Flynn.

Dowd confirmed Sunday that he had drafted the tweet for Trump and acknowledged that it was sloppily worded. He said it was inaccurate to say the president was told that Flynn had lied to the FBI. Dowd said Sunday that Trump knew only what acting attorney general Sally Yates had told the White House counsel: that Flynn's accounts to the agents interviewing him were the same as those Flynn gave Pence, and "that the [Justice] Department was not accusing him of lying."

People familiar with Yates' account say she never discussed any part of the FBI investigation with the White House.

Dowd played down the significance of Trump's tweet, saying he did not intend to make news and declared, "I'm out of the tweeting business."

But several legal experts said the tweet, and some of Dowd's comments about what the president may have known, could increase the president's legal exposure.

If Trump knew that Flynn might not have been accurate with the FBI, it could provide motivation for any alleged effort to obstruct justice, said Barak Cohen, a former federal prosecutor who does white-collar defense work at Perkins Coie law firm. "It bolsters the intent for committing obstruction," he said.

Even if Dowd wrote the tweet, Cohen said, "if President Trump sends it, then Trump has adopted it. It's his statement. . . . The bottom line is the tweet is still bad for Trump - it makes things worse for him."

A person close to the White House involved in the case termed the Saturday tweet "a screw-up of historic proportions" that has "caused enormous consternation in the White House."

The person, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly, said that White House officials quickly realized the tweet could significantly assist Mueller if he chooses to pursue an obstruction case. The development sparked particular concern because others around Trump weren't certain that Trump knew Flynn had made a false statement to the FBI at the time he fired him, the person added.

Democrats were quick to pounce on the development during appearances on Sunday morning's public affairs shows.

In an interview, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said it looked to her that "what we're beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice."

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said she based her assessment on the indictment of Flynn on Friday and three other Trump associates previously, as well as the "hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House: the comments every day, the continual tweets."

"And I see it, most importantly, in what happened with the firing of Director Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because [Comey] did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation," Feinstein said. "That's obstruction of justice."

Sen. Mark Warner, Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Trump should have taken action against Flynn sooner if he knew his then-national security adviser had lied to the FBI.

"Well, if he knew that then, why didn't he act on it earlier?" Warner said on CNN's "State of the Union." "It raises a whole series of additional questions."

Flynn, who had been one of Trump's closest and most trusted aides during the campaign and transition, admitted lying to the FBI about pre-inauguration communications with Kislyak, regarding efforts to blunt the Obama administration's Russia sanctions and a U.N. resolution on Israel - potential violations of a rarely enforced law.

Dowd told The Post that Trump knew generally that Flynn's account to the FBI and Pence were similar because of a conversation with McGahn on or about Jan. 26. Dowd said McGahn relayed what he had learned from Yates.

According to Dowd, Yates told McGahn on Jan. 26, in a meeting she requested, that Flynn appeared to have misled Pence about the nature of his call with Kislyak and that could compromise him, Dowd said. Yates also indicated that the FBI had interviewed Flynn on Jan. 24 about his contacts with Kislyak, Dowd said.

Dowd said Yates did not say that Flynn misled the FBI but suggested that Flynn had given FBI agents "the same story he gave the vice president."

"For some reason, the [Justice] Department didn't want to make an accusation of lying," Dowd said. "The agents thought Flynn was confused."

Past descriptions of those events by Yates and others are at odds with Dowd's account.

According to several current and former law enforcement officials who spoke to The Post in February, Yates told McGahn that Flynn had discussed sanctions against Russia in his phone calls with Kislyak, was compromised because he had lied about this to the vice president, and could be vulnerable to blackmail, according to the officials.

She also told McGahn that Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI two days before, the officials said. When McGahn asked her how he did in the interview, Yates did not respond, according to the officials who spoke to The Post. She later testified the same thing at a Senate hearing in May.

"Mr. McGahn asked me how he did, and I declined to give him an answer to that," Yates said at the hearing.

Yates did tell McGahn that she was concerned about Flynn's underlying conduct - the calls with the Russian ambassador and the fact that he was not telling the truth to the vice president, according to officials who spoke to The Post in February.

Yates offered to show McGahn the underlying evidence regarding the phone calls, and she said the FBI could pull the material together for him to see, the officials said.

McGahn was told Jan. 30 that the material was ready for his review, the officials said. On that night, Trump fired Yates over her refusal to defend his travel ban.

A person familiar with McGahn's account says the White House counsel did not give Trump any indication in January that Flynn had violated the law in his FBI interview or tell the president that he believed Flynn was under criminal investigation.

When Yates met with McGahn on Jan. 26, it is McGahn's account that she told him that Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI but that she declined to characterize the interview. She also would not say whether Flynn was under investigation, according to the person familiar with McGahn's thinking.

That person said McGahn also recalls that Yates added that Flynn had told the FBI something similar to what he had told Pence, based on Pence's public comments about the issue at the time.

According to the person familiar with his thinking, McGahn informed the president of those facts and told him that if Yates was accurately describing the content of Flynn's contact with Kislyak, then Flynn should be fired.

People familiar with Yates's version of events dispute that she characterized what Flynn told the FBI in any way.

A former senior administration official said Sunday that there was no widespread discussion in the White House of Flynn having lied to the FBI.

"There was never a meeting I was in when someone said, 'Oh, Flynn lied to the FBI; we have to deal with it,' " said the official, who requested anonymity to speak candidly. "It was, 'We don't know if he's telling the truth or not.' And then, 'OK, he's not telling us the truth.' "

As controversy built Sunday about Trump's actions, he sought to focus attention on news that Peter Strzok - the former top FBI official assigned to Mueller's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election - was taken off that job this summer after his bosses discovered that he and another member of Mueller's team had exchanged politically charged texts disparaging Trump and supporting Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Strzok was also a key player in the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server, which ended without charges against her.

"Report: 'ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE' Now it all starts to make sense!" Trump wrote. He also criticized the FBI and promised to bring it back to "greatness" under his administration.

"After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History!" Trump wrote on Twitter. "But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness."

---

The Washington Post's Sari Horwitz, Rosalind S. Helderman and Josh Dawsey contributed to this report.
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Now that the GOP-led Senate has passed a tax bill that will largely benefit the nations biggest companies and wealthiest people, the next step is to merge that version with what the House passed last month  and the version that emerges is unlikely to be much different for most residents of California.

Chances are, many state residents tax bills will be higher in years to come.

I dont see it changing much in reconciliation, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, said Saturday. The opportunity for change was (Friday) and the day before. This is a bill that very much helps red states and hurts blue states and urban areas.

On Saturday, Nick Samuels, a vice president at Moodys Investors Service, said the Senate bill was negative overall for state and local government finances and that the overall negative effect would be felt most sharply in high-tax states such as California, New York and New Jersey. An analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy showed the top 1 percent of Californians would receive an average $14,370 annual tax cut, while the bottom 60 percent would on average pay more in taxes to the federal government by 2027.

The elimination or reduction of two popular tax breaks affects California more than other states, where property values and taxes are lower.

The bill eliminates the deduction for state and local income or sales taxes, and caps the deduction for property taxes at $10,000. More than 6 million Californians take advantage of that deduction, slicing an average of $18,438 per family off of their tax bill annually.

The Senate bill allows taxpayers to claim a mortgage interest deduction on mortgage debt up to $1 million. The House version limits it to $500,000  and eliminates that deduction for loans on second homes.

Among those who could alter the tax bill are legislators not often in the spotlight in left-leaning California: the states 14 House Republicans. Theyre about to be under extreme pressure  from liberal groups and their own constituents  to buck party leadership to make changes in the bill.

Three of them voted against the House version of the tax plan that passed last month, 227 to 205  Reps. Tom McClintock of Elk Grove (Sacramento County), Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa (Orange County) and Darrell Issa of Vista (San Diego County). All three said they opposed increasing the tax burden on their constituents. Every House Democrat opposed the bill.

And all three  like several others in the states GOP delegation  are being targeted by Democrats wanting to take their seats in 2018. Democrats are hoping to transform opposition to President Trump in California into flipping GOP districts won by Hillary Clinton, including four in Orange County.

Next week, a coalition led by the Service Employees International Union will lead protests at nine locations in the Central Valley, Orange County and around Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County  all focused on persuading Republican House members to oppose the bill.

GOP senators passed a real turd of a bill off to their House counterparts, and if California Republicans are smart, they wont want the stink of it to be on them come election time in 2018, Democratic strategist Mike Roth said Saturday.

While Republicans say the tax cuts will stimulate growth in the economy, the Moodys analysis of the Senate bill said there is a steep downside to those cuts, too.

Lower federal tax rates for businesses and individuals could result in a modest boost to hiring and consumption, positively affecting state and local revenues, Moodys Samuels said Saturday. However, the change to the state and local tax deduction would reduce disposable income for many taxpayers, likely outweighing the positive effect of lower federal rates on consumption in many communities and states.

Some of the counties that stand to lose the most from losing the deductions are represented by GOP legislators. In Orange County, 561,870 taxpayers  roughly 1 in 3 filing returns  claimed state and local tax deductions. Those deductions were worth an average of $19,774, one of the highest in the state, according to IRS Statistics of Income for 2015.

In politically deep-blue counties like San Francisco, those deductions averaged $35,020. In Alameda, they were $19,075 and in Marin, $38,183.

However, in more rural red areas like Stanislaus County, the deductions averaged $10,367.

The (Republican) leadership gave some more protection to rural counties, DeSaulnier said.

Businesses, especially large multinational corporations, also will see some major benefits from the tax bill. Aside from slicing the corporate tax rate from the current 35percent to 20 percent, companies also will have to pay little or no taxes on profits earned overseas. GOP tax officials hope this will encourage those companies to repatriate more than $2 trillion now being kept overseas, away from the IRS.

Those changes come at a cost, however. The Joint Commission on Taxation, a nonpartisan congressional committee, reported last week that the Senate tax bill will add about $1 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

There will be little time for Democrats to change GOP hearts and minds, as the next step in the rushed process continues Monday.

On Saturday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, called his colleagues back to work Monday, a day early, so we can vote to go to conference with our Senate colleagues and give the American people a big tax cut by Christmas.

That comes after the Republican-led Senate held no public hearings on the 479-page bill before showing the final version  with many handwritten notes in the margins  to senators at 5 p.m. Friday, less than nine hours before voting on it.

For contrast, when Congress passed a much more comprehensive tax reform plan in 1986, during the Reagan administration, more than 450 witnesses testified before the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee held 33 days of hearings.

When I was a planning commissioner in Concord, we gave more scrutiny to a fast-food restaurant application than we did as members of Congress to the most important piece of legislation in 30 years, DeSaulnier said Saturday.

A McCarthy spokesman was noncommittal about whether any changes might be coming that could affect Californians.

We are looking forward to going to conference, spokesman Matt Sparks said Saturday after McCarthy said he was optimistic about reconciling the few differences between these two bills.

Joe Garofoli and Kathleen Pender are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com, kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: Twitter: @joegarofoli, @kathpender
When the surf is sweet in Pleasure Point, there are plenty of waves to ride between The Hook and 30th Avenue. With nearly a dozen famous surf breaks, this neighborhood is a regular destination for skilled surfers. It was also a longtime favorite spot of the late Jack ONeill, a local legend whose death in June garnered condolences from surf communities around the world.

ONeill, surfing pioneer and creator of the first surfing wetsuit, first started his Surf Shop business in 1952 in a garage on the Great Highway in San Francisco.

Jack coined the term surf shop and trademarked it, but never pursued anyone who later used it, says Brian Kilpatrick, vice president of marketing communications for ONeill Wetsuits, LLC.

ONeills initial focus was shaping surfboards. However, in a search for flexible, wearable insulation to allow cold-water surf sessions of longer than 30 minutes, he began making neoprene vests. In 1959, while developing early wetsuit designs, ONeill moved to Santa Cruz, taking his business with him. His Surf Shop overlooked Cowell Beach, one of the most popular surf spots in the city.

Today, you can find imprints of ONeills influence all over town, if you know where to look. And in a sport thats constantly pushing the boundaries, theres always been a nostalgia for its earlier days and the legends that have kept it going. In light of ONeills passing, these places have taken on new meaning. Here weve compiled a Santa Cruz tour of all things Jack ONeill that may leave you with an essence of why hes so beloved in this surf town.

Start at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse overlooking Steamer Lane. The displays at the museum, founded in 1986, trace more than 100 years of Santa Cruz surfing  from redwood plank surfboards to early wet suits to the account of the sports introduction to the United States in 1885 by three Hawaiian princes riding massive boards made of local redwood. ONeill-specific memorabilia include: two surfboards, an original wetsuit, surfboard leashes and many historic photographs. Walk outside and if the waves are good, youll see surfers riding the break at Steamer Lane.

A five-minute drive away, in what is now the parking lot of the Dream Inn, a beachfront hotel above Cowell Beach, is the site of that first retail store ONeill opened in 1959, Surf Shop. He sold custom-built foam surfboards and thermal barrier suits (the common name for wetsuits at the time). Since 2012, the spot has been designated by the state as a California Point of Historical Interest.

But more than just a historical spot, its been home since 2014 to a 55-foot-long, 6-foot-high mural of porcelain-coated steel that features archival photographs of milestones in ONeills personal history: the Surf Shops early days; the first-generation wetsuits; and ONeill wearing his signature eye-patch. (He lost his eye in an incident involving a surfboard leash.)

Head inside the Dream Inn, where a new display of replica ONeill surfboards represents those used from 1950 to 1990. Just past the lobby is the Jack ONeill Lounge, established in 2014 as a laid-back ode to the man. Walls are covered with framed photographs showing the original Surf Shop in San Francisco and ONeills home on East Cliff Drive in Pleasure Point.

The wetsuit in a glass display case is an ONeill Animal Suit, launched in 1989. Built with a neoprene-injected mold, which was a new concept at the time, the suit features segmented panels that provide more flexibility in the water. Hanging over the bar is a surfboard shaped in 1978 by local legend Joey Thomas for Tim ONeill, Jacks son. Want to drink like Jack? Order his favorite, the Legend, a Ketel One martini.

The newest tribute to the surf pioneer is Jack ONeill Park in Pleasure Point, a 15-minute drive from the Dream Inn. The rugged, undeveloped plot offers unspoiled views of the spectacular coastline. Known as the Dirt Farm by locals, the stretch of dirt and sand is an area that ONeill cherished. He bought the property, immediately adjacent to his home, and kept it undeveloped and open to the public  part of his drive to connect people to the ocean. In July 2017, it was the launching point for thousands of surfers who participated in a massive memorial paddle to remember the surfing legend.

Before you leave the area, visit the ONeill Surf Shop on 41st Avenue in Capitola, which also serves as the corporate office for ONeill Wetsuits LLC. This was the first Surf Shop that ONeill added his name to, and if you climb the stairs to the wetsuit room, youll spy one of his first wetsuits.

It looks archaic when you compare it to the modern suits in the wetsuit room, says Kilpatrick. But its a good reminder of the humble beginnings of the industry, back when Jack began to wonder how to stay warmer in order to surf longer.

Jill K. Robinson is a freelance writer in Half Moon Bay, travel@sfchronicle.com

If you go

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. 701 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. (831) 420-6289, www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org

Dream Inn Santa Cruz. 175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. (844) 510-1746, www.dreaminnsantacruz.com

Jack ONeill Park. East Cliff Drive at 37th Avenue, Santa Cruz

ONeill Surf Shop. 1115 41st Ave., Capitola. (831) 475-4151, us.oneill.com
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed separate massive tax overhauls that the two chambers of Congress will attempt to reconcile over the coming weeks.

There has been much discussion about how the House tax bill's provision taxing tuition waivers for graduate students will effect those who receive waivers, with some saying it will raise students' taxes thousands of dollars and others saying it won't have such a huge effect. A similar measure was included in the Senate's version of the tax bill.

But two graduate students at UC Berkeley recently created a tool to help people estimate the cost of the tax bill that passed the House.

Kathy Shield, who is studying nuclear engineering, and Vetri Velan, a physics student, were worried about the potential effects of the House tax bill on graduate students, according to a press release from UC Berkeley. So, they created an online calculator that allows graduate students estimate what the Republican's House tax bill will cost them.

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"The calculator aims to give graduate students a sense of how their taxes will change under the new law," Shield said in the press release. "It's designed for students who file singly, and therefore have (relatively) simple taxes, although we've also used it to look at the situations of married students, those with dependents and those who own homes.

"In each case, our calculator indicates that their taxes will increase if the changes in the House version of the tax bill go through."

Berkeley's press release said that Velan, one of the co-creators of the calculator, joined other Berkeley graduate students in a protest at Sproul Hall on Wednesday who opposed the provision in the House tax bill. The protest at Berkeley was part of a series of demonstrations held on college campuses around the country to draw attention to the potential negative effects of the House bill.

"This tax bill will be catastrophic," Velan told the crowd Wednesday, according a report from The Chronicle's Nanette Asimov. "If you're a teaching assistant, your taxes will go up $1,400."
The driver of a rented box truck who crashed into a Bay Bridge tollbooth, killing the attendant, remained in the hospital Sunday in serious condition, authorities said.

Daniel Berk, 32, of Foster City was being treated at Highland Hospital in Oakland after ramming into a tollbooth on the north side of the plaza at 5:11 a.m. on Saturday and wasnt expected to be released for about a week, said Officer Matthew Hamer, a CHP spokesman.

A passenger in the truck, who was ejected as the vehicle split apart, and the occupants of five other cars that were hit have all been released from the hospital, Hamer added.

Berk, who is facing charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, suffered major injuries, Hamer said.

A relative of Berks, who identified herself as his sister on Facebook, said he was in surgery shortly after the crash. His family members declined to comment.

Si Si Han, a 46-year-old Caltrans employee, was killed in the collision. She worked as a toll collector for nearly a decade, said agency spokesman Bob Haus.

Han is survived by her husband, Ryan Saw, and 10-year-old daughter, Ashly.

Gov. Jerry Brown released a statement that he and his wife, Anne Gust Brown, are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Caltrans toll collector Si Si Han, who died (Saturday) while serving the traveling public. On behalf of all Californians, we extend our condolences to her family, co-workers and friends.

According to LinkedIn, Berk works as a stage engineer. On Facebook, he lists himself as a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 16 in San Francisco.

A co-worker, Kenny McCain, said Berk worked in the close-knit production industry in the Bay Area. McCain heard from mutual friends that Berk had been driving between gigs at the time of the crash.

Ive never seen him drink, so that was a little strange to me, McCain said. I thought he mustve fallen asleep at the wheel. The whole thing was a shock to me.

The truck was filled with lighting and sound equipment at the time of the collision, said CHP Officer Vu Williams.

Berk was a former student at the College of San Mateo, said Richard Rojo, a college spokesman.

He took classes over the course of several years and stopped in spring 2015, Rojo added.

Berk did not earn a degree from the college.

The truck had been rented from Monarch Truck Center in San Jose, said Steve Russler, an employee with the company.

Four tollbooths and lanes 13 through 16 remained closed, posing a potential slowdown for morning commuters on Monday, Haus said.

Hans booth, from Lane 14, is completely wiped out and has to be completely rebuilt, Haus said.

There is no estimated time for reopening the lanes that lead up to the booths.

With four booths out of commission ... its going to have an adverse effect on traffic, Haus said.

No additional information on the crash, including the speed that Berk was driving and what substance he was suspected of using, was released Sunday.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
One day after President Trump posted a flurry of tweets defending Michael Flynn, a former administration official who lied to the FBI, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said evidence is mounting that the president obstructed investigations into aides communications with Russia that occurred before he took office.

The California Democrat, ranking minority member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, cited indictments obtained by Special Counsel Robert Mueller of four people connected to Trump as evidence of potential obstruction. She said in an interview Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press that the committee has an investigation going as well, and it involves obstruction of justice, and I think what were beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice.

She added, I see it in the hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House, the comments every day, the continual tweets. And I see it most importantly in what happened with the firing of (FBI) Director (James) Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation. Thats obstruction of justice.

Feinsteins comments came after Trump seemingly acknowledged that he had known that Flynn, his former national security adviser, lied to the FBI about communication he had with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the administrations transition. When Flynn was fired in February, the White House explained that he had misrepresented the nature of his talks to Vice President Mike Pence.

In a tweet Saturday, Trump said that he had to fire Flynn because of the lies and that he has pled guilty to those lies  though he said Flynns actions were lawful. But the White House later backpedaled, with the presidents personal lawyer, John Dowd, saying he crafted the tweet. Regardless, the statement seemed to indicate Trump had always known about the conversations between Flynn and Kislyak.

It was fascinating to see because it was a complete change all of a sudden, said Peter Keane, dean of Golden Gate Universitys School of Law. Initially Trump said no, Flynn was fired because he had lied to the vice president. Now for some weird reason, Trump admitted he knew Flynn had lied to the FBI. But by doing that, it is an admission on his part that when he fired Flynn, he knew. I can see why Feinstein got motivated all of a sudden.

The four indictments  of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates for money laundering, and former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos and former national security adviser Flynn for lying to the FBI  indicate Trump might have obstructed justice, Feinstein said, because they lied about their actions before Trump took office.

Feinstein did not definitively state that Trump should be removed from office and said she wanted to complete the probe before drawing conclusions.

I believe its time for us to finish our investigation, and I dont want to bias any part of the investigation with premature thinking, she said. I think thats very important.

Feinstein did not respond to calls for further comment.

The fact that Feinstein, a moderate Democrat, would even raise the possibility of an obstruction investigation of Trump is significant, political analysts say. In August, she told a crowd at the Commonwealth Club that she hoped to cooperate with Trump, and that she believed he could be a good president if he could learn and change.

Feinsteins willingness to cooperate clearly isnt the case anymore, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

She has, if anything, shown a conciliatory tone toward Trump. This is coming from a person who said she would try to work with Trump. If Feinstein says she is building an obstruction of justice case, then its really serious. Even she has crossed the threshold and realized there is absolutely no working with Trump.

She added, Even if Trump didnt author that tweet, it still indicates that he knew, Levinson said. If he told his lawyer to write it, theres an issue of whether he is giving up his attorney-client privilege. But it sounds like it was Trump. I know it sounds super minor, but he wrote pled when the terminology is pleaded. I dont know many people who have taken the bar who would make that mistake.

Trumps presidency has been overshadowed by Muellers investigation into whether Russia meddled in the presidential election  and whether Trump knew the Kremlin was working to influence its outcome. Trumps firing of Comey in May further inflamed suspicions.

Comey testified before Congress that the day after Flynns Feb. 13 dismissal, Trump had asked Comey to drop the investigation of Flynn. Comey refused to end the inquiry, and Trump fired him several months later.

On Sunday, Trump took to Twitter to deny that he had asked the former FBI director to end any investigations into Flynns conduct.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie! Trump tweeted.

White House officials did not respond to calls for comment.

Trumps handling of the situation challenges long-held norms  like respecting the office of the president, no matter who holds it  for politicians like Feinstein, said political analyst Jim Ross.

This is something that has never been done in American government and politics, Ross said. This is one of many norms he has blown through. I think Feinstein sees these things. In her mind, the jury is no longer out as to whether Trump will be a good president or not. Its important to note that Trump has even lost the moderate Democrats. It shows how polarizing he is for the country.

Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer and Republican National Committeewoman, said that Feinsteins investigation is a frivolous political witch hunt, and that there is no basis for it.

I think Dianne, respectfully, is way out over her skis here, Dhillon said. The president terminated Flynn pretty soon into the administration. It wasnt illegal. Now we have found Gen. Flynn has admitted a different lie. These are independent. I do not think there is any such basis for an investigation.

Proving obstruction of justice is difficult, Keane said. Even if impeachment were the aim, it would require a majority vote in the House and two-thirds vote for conviction in the Senate. Both are controlled by Republicans.

Even though Feinstein is in the Senate and ultimately would be the judge to decide if Trump were impeached, she just doesnt have the power to get it going, Keane said. Many people would feel that it is premature to do at this point. Many people would feel its better to let Muellers investigation play out.

It will be hard to see whether or not there is solid evidence of obstruction of justice. Theres a lot we dont know yet.

Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter Saturday after crashing a rented box truck into a Bay Bridge tollbooth, killing the attendant inside, the California Highway Patrol said.

The driver was identified as Daniel Berk, 32, of Foster City. He was badly hurt in the crash and was being treated at Highland Hospital in Oakland, along with a passenger and occupants of five cars that were hit before the truck demolished a tollbooth on the north side of the plaza at 5:11 a.m.

The tollbooth attendant, 46-year-old Caltrans employee Si Si Han, was killed. Berk and his passenger were ejected as the truck was split apart, and debris was strewn across the north side of the toll plaza.

CHP Officer Vu Williams said the truck was filled with what he described as lighting or sound equipment. After hitting the five other vehicles, it plowed through the barrier in front of Lane 15 and hit the tollbooth.

The damage was substantial. Ive never seen this, Williams said. Ive seen them damage the booth before. Never to this extent. Williams said that this is the first fatality involving a toll plaza worker in his nine years with the CHP.

He said he did not have an estimate of how fast the truck was driving when the collision occurred. But it wasnt slow speed, Williams said.

The CHP did not immediately say whether the substance Berk was suspected of using was alcohol or drugs.

Berk, according to LinkedIn, works as a stage tech engineer. On Facebook, he lists himself as a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 16 in San Francisco.

A person who answered a phone that belongs to a relative of Berks said, Im sorry, were not going to be giving any comment at this time.

The truck had been rented from Monarch Truck Center in San Jose, said Steve Russler, an employee with the company. He declined to give any other information.

Gov. Jerry Brown released a statement saying he and his wife, Anne Gust Brown, are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Caltrans toll collector Si Si Han, who died today while serving the traveling public. On behalf of all Californians, we extend our condolences to her family, co-workers and friends.

Han worked as a Caltrans toll taker for a decade, said agency spokesman Bob Haus. She is survived by her husband, Ryan Saw, and a 10-year-old daughter, Ashly.

Six toll lanes heading westbound  Nos. 12 through 17  and the northern FasTrak and bus lanes were closed into the evening. The northbound Interstate 880 connector to westbound Interstate 80 was also shut down. All lanes were reopened by Saturday night, said Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus. By Monday morning, officials hoped to reopen three of the four damaged tollbooths, but the remaining booth that was completely wiped out by the crash will take much longer to repair, Haus said.

Sophie Haigney and Jenna Lyons are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com, jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney @JennaJourno
Sixteen of the nations top retired military commanders are urging Congress to pass gun control legislation, arguing that there are many steps that can be taken to curb gun deaths that do not violate the Second Amendment.

In a letter they plan to send to congressional leaders, the retired commanders, including Army Gens. Wesley Clark and Michael Hayden, Navy Admiral Eric Olson, Air Force Lt. Gen. Norman Seip and Marine Brig. Gen. Stephen Cheney, argue that Congress is no longer speaking or voting for the majority of Americans, including gun owners when it comes to the issue of firearms.

There is no acceptable excuse for our elected leaders to avoid addressing this as a national crisis, they write.

The group is part of the veterans coalition of a gun control group founded by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly.

The retired military men and women said that, as military leaders, they defended the Constitution and have considerable firearms training. As Americans, they said, they find the level of gun violence across the country unacceptable, calling the shootings that killed 58 people in Las Vegas in October and 26 in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November but the latest instances of shocking horror that the nation has experienced in recent years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the rate of gun deaths rose for the second straight year in 2016, to 12 per 100,000 people.

The letter comes as a House panel last week voted to advance a measure that would expand the ability to carry concealed firearms across state lines. Under the bill, known as concealed carry reciprocity, a person with a concealed-carry permit and a photo identification would be able to have a concealed weapon in any state that allows them. The gun owner would still have to follow state and local laws regarding where and what type of weapons can be carried. The National Rifle Association has called the bill its highest legislative priority in Congress.

The legislation is scheduled for a House vote this week. Its sponsor, Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said the bill is extremely popular and momentum, common sense, and the facts are on our side.

The retired commanders argue that closing background check loopholes, barring extremely lethal guns and accessories and working toward preventing gun suicides can be addressed within every reasonable interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Katie Zezima is a Washington Post writer.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  A former South Carolina police officer will soon learn how long hell spend in prison for the shooting death  captured on video by a witness  of an unarmed motorist.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin in Charleston on Monday for Michael Slager, the former North Charleston police officer in jail since pleading guilty in May to violating Scotts civil rights. Scott was black. Slager is white.

The Scott family last year reached a $6.5 million settlement with the city of North Charleston. Slager, 36, pulled Scott over on April 4, 2015, for a broken brake light. The officer said he shot the 50-year-old in self-defense when Scott tried to grab his Taser.

But a bystander with a cell phone captured the shooting on video that contradicted Slagers version of events. The video showed Scott getting about 17 feet from Slager before the officer fired eight times at his back. Scott then crumples to the ground, struck by five bullets as he ran away.

State prosecutors went after Slager on murder charges, but a panel of 11 white jurors and one black juror deadlocked last year after 22 hours of deliberations over four days.

While that case was ongoing, federal authorities pursued a parallel investigation against Slager on civil rights charges. Solicitor Scarlett Wilson had planned to bring a second case against Slager later this year, but those charges were dropped as part of his federal plea deal.

In Slagers federal sentencing, a judge will determine if Scotts shooting was voluntary manslaughter or murder. Prosecutors have argued for the latter determination, which would make Slager eligible for a life sentence.

Slagers attorneys have asked for a reduction in his possible sentence, saying that, due to the nature of his case, he had a high susceptibility of prison abuse. During the prosecution against him, Slagers attorneys noted, the former officers home was set on fire, and his family since moved to another location.

Justin Bamberg, an attorney for the Scott family, said he felt Slagers actions warranted a life sentence but that his clients would never truly get closure.

I think everybodys just ready to close this chapter of life and start the next chapter, Bamberg said. But all of them end the same way, and that is that Walters not here.

Meg Kinnard is an Associated Press writer.
In an American West that has a love-hate relationship with the federal governments ownership of a checkerboard of parks, monuments, forest and desert in states from Washington to New Mexico, Utah stands out.

The state has gone well beyond any other in the region in trying to pry the federal governments hands off land it sees as belonging to its residents.

In 2012, its Legislature passed a law demanding the federal government give 30 million acres of the land it owns in Utah to the state government  a measure other Western states have balked at replicating, even deeply conservative ones like Idaho.

Earlier this year, a Utah congressman introduced a bill to sell more than 4,600 square miles of Western federal land to private entities but pulled it after a backlash. On Monday, President Trump is expected to announce he is significantly reducing the size of two national monuments in southern Utah, the first such act by a president in half a century.

Utahs certainly on the tip of the spear, said state Rep. Mike Noel, who represents south-central Utah, where some residents have fought to shrink or eliminate Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument since President Bill Clinton created it in 1996.

Polls have repeatedly shown Westerners cherish national monuments and other protected federal land  even in Utah  but the states political leaders have been united in celebrating Trumps expected move.

The presidents decision has already sparked protests. On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators holding signs with messages like Protect Wild Utah converged on the steps of the Utah State Capitol.

The nearly 3,000-square-mile Grand Staircase and the 2,000-square-mile Bears Ears National Monument that President Barack Obama created last year are simply too intrusive on local communities and ranchers, critics argue, and too much of the state is locked up by the federal government and barred from energy development.

Nicholas Riccardi is an Associated Press writer.
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A year ago, family members, friends and fellow artists rushed to an Oakland warehouse, waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones in a fire.

Saturday, they gathered again at the site on 31st Avenue to remember the 36 people who died in the Ghost Ship fire on Dec. 2, 2016. It was one of the deadliest building fires in the nations recent history. One the city couldnt forget.

Ed Bernbaum, whose son Jonathan Bernbaum, a visual projection artist, died in the blaze, said that a year later his grief comes in waves.

It comes and goes. Theres moments I remember. Something triggers it. I feel really sad, Bernbaum said.

But as he has mourned, the community really came together around us, he said.

He remembered his 34-year-old sons passion for video and the international shows he worked that allowed him to share his visual projection art with the world. He remembered with a chuckle when he used to call his sons messy room an archaeological site.

The site where Jonathan Bernbaum and 35 others died was a bright memorial Saturday, filled with flowers, candles and a sculpted metal tree. Names of those lost in the fire were written on heart-shaped ornaments. People cried and hugged. Some spoke about honoring the lives lost.

Gonzalo Hidalgo, an member of the collective Colectivo de Artistas de Fruitvale, stood at the front of the display. He said he didnt want to talk about the friends he lost to the fire.

Nobodys really gone. Everybody lives in us, he said. Everybody that had died a year ago really cherished life. I think that we should keep that going.

Ed Bernbaum plans to do that through Vital Arts, an organization he formed shortly after the fire. The goal of the organization is to provide funding for safe live/work spaces for artists.

Preston Turner, an Oakland resident who served as master of ceremonies for the memorial, said its hard to say whether enough has been done to prevent another disaster.

Time will tell, he said. We have a new fire chief. We know that there were a lot of properties that had code violations. ... A lot of that fell on the city.

Bernbaum said the needed changes would take more than just a year.

The city is in a difficult position because youve got all these artists who are living here, he said. If you crack down with severe inspections, you displace them.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BCN)

An 83-year-old woman from Spokane, Wash., died on a United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to San Francisco International Airport this morning, an airport spokesman said.

ALSO: City officials say Oakland workers to strike Tuesday

The woman's death on United flight No. 959, which arrived in San Francisco at 5:40 a.m. today, isn't considered suspicious, SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said.

The San Mateo County coroner's office identified the woman as Marcia Louise O'Leary.

MORE: Rental-truck driver booked on DUI after fatal Bay Bridge toll plaza crash

United Airlines officials weren't immediately available to provide more information on O'Leary's death.
Built into a pristine mountainside overlooking crystal-blue Lake Tahoe, the Phoenix House in Carnelian Bay, CA, offers one-of-a-kind harmony with nature. Now on the market for $1,574,000, the home is looking for an owner who will appreciate its signature style.

Constructed from reclaimed redwood, this incredible home is just over 3,000 square feet and spans four floors, each lined with decks to allow for maximum views of the surrounding scenery,

Dubbed the "Phoenix House" by the original owner, architect Walt Harvey, the home was built in the early 1970s on the site of a house Harvey owned which burned down, according to listing agent Linda Granger.

The Phoenix House

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Harvey, then a professor of architecture at California State University, Sacramento, invited his students to Lake Tahoe during the summers to work on building the home that stands today as part of their education. The name "Phoenix House" was symbolic of Harvey's rebirth after a series of personal tragedies, including the death of his daughter and the end of his marriage, Granger says. So on the spot where his home once stood, Harvey set out to create something memorable. Mission accomplished.

There are many experimental features of the house, rooted in the Frank Lloyd Wright philosophy of "organic" design. Wright believed a structure should exist in harmony with nature. Granger says the influence is evident all over the house, from the huge granite boulder in the middle of the living room, to a rushing creek running under the home, which can be viewed through glass from inside.

She says after a particularly strong snowmelt, the raging water can drown out conversation, a reminder of nature's true power over mere mortals.

Living room with boulder

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According to Granger, the crown jewel of the Phoenix House is the spectacular rooftop deck with panoramic lake views and serviced by a dumbwaiter from the kitchen below. There's also a secret sauna accessible only by a hidden entry, which is opened by pulling on an adjacent shower's soap dispenser. To which we say: That's hot!

The home sits at the end of a small drive and is nearly invisible from the street, which adds to the home's private, remote feel. The home's unique design has been featured in magazines, including Tahoe Quarterly and Sunset Magazine, over the years.

Dining room

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The Phoenix House has changed hands several times since Harvey built it. One owner, Filbert Aguirre, was a young electrician who did work on the home during its construction. He later bought the home and oversaw a loving remodel of the original structure.

Aguirre still lives just off the back of the Phoenix House to this day, Granger says. The home's current owner is ready to downsize and offering the option to negotiate for the furnishings on top of the asking price.

While Granger admits that if someone is looking for a standard Lake Tahoe house with a den and two-car garage, the Phoenix House might not be the right fit. But for a certain few who share Harvey's taste and passion for nature, "this is the kind of house that once you see it, you can't stop thinking about it," she adds.

view of the lake

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The post One-of-a-Kind Lake Tahoe Mountain Retreat Marries Nature And High Design appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated today by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening up a new strategic transit route between Iran, India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nations southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from Indias western coast and is considered as a "gateway to golden opportunities" for trade with central Asian countries.

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The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port and it was inaugurated by Rouhani in the presence of representatives of several countries of the region.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration.

"The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries. India has been closely working with Afghanistan to create alternative, reliable access routes, bypassing Pakistan.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in the Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of USD 85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

Rouhanis office said the president noted that transit is the best communication tool for nations, adding "the routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air".

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which the implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Over a month ago, India sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new strategic transit route. PTI MPB SMN SMN

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands  A former Croatian general who died after swallowing a liquid at a war crimes hearing in the Netherlands had cyanide in his system, Dutch prosecutors said after an autopsy was performed.

Preliminary results from a toxicological test revealed a concentration of potassium cyanide in Slobodan Praljaks blood, the Hague Public Prosecutors Office said in a statement Friday.

The cyanide caused heart failure, which investigators identified as the 72-year-old Praljaks suspected cause of death, according to the prosecutors statement.

On Wednesday, Praljak drank from a small bottle that he said contained poison seconds after an appeals judge at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia confirmed his 20-year sentence for crimes during the 1992-95 Bosnian war. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital a little while later.

Meanwhile, the U.N. tribunal ordered an independent review of its internal operations following the dramatic event in its courtroom. The tribunal said its review was meant to complement the ongoing investigation of Praljaks death by Dutch prosecutors.

The announcement came after Croatias justice minister raised doubts about whether security and medical staff at the tribunal responded quickly enough when Praljak raised the bottle to his lips with a trembling right hand and consumed its contents.

Before the toxicological test results came back, Dutch prosecutors had confirmed the bottle carried a toxic chemical. It remains unclear how Praljak, who was in custody before the hearing, obtained the substance and managed to smuggle it into the courtroom.

Cyanide is a fast-acting chemical that can be deadly in different forms.

The tribunals review will be led by Hassan Jallow, a former prosecutor with the United Nations Rwanda war crimes tribunal. It aims to file a report by Dec. 31, when the tribunal formally closes its doors, having completed all its cases.

The court says Jallow is mandated to undertake an assessment of relevant existing procedures as well as make any recommendations which may assist other courts in the future.

Mike Corder is an Associated Press writer.
Yemens Houthi rebels said they fired a ballistic missile at a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, targeting a second member of the Arab coalition battling against them. But the United Arab Emirates said the claim, which was reported Sunday by the Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV, was false.

The conflicting reports come days after former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh broke his coalition with the Houthis and called on the Yemeni people to defend their republic against the rebels. That call was supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies, who have been mired in a conflict in Yemen since 2015 against the Iran-backed Houthis. A U.A.E. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the claim and jokingly said the government was still waiting for the missile to arrive.

The U.A.E.s air defense system is capable of dealing with any threats, and the Barakah nuclear power plant has the necessary safety and security measures in place, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said in a statement carried by the sate-run WAM news agency.

The Houthis have stepped up their missile attacks in recent weeks, including an attempt to strike Saudi Arabias international airport in Riyadh  foiled by Saudi air defenses  that upped the stakes in the regional showdown between the oil-rich kingdom and Iran.

Sundays claim reflects the desperate political position the Houthis face both politically and militarily, according to Ghanem Nuseibeh, founder of Cornerstone Global Associates based in London.

Theyve lost their main ally on the ground in Yemen, Nuseibeh said. What theyre trying to show is that they havent been as negatively impacted as they have been.

The breakup of Salehs alliance with the Houthis may benefit the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in its attempts to reinstate the government of ousted elected President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi. Despite a devastating air campaign that has killed hundreds of civilians, the Houthis still control the capital, Sanaa, and about 55 percent of northern Yemen.

There was fierce fighting between Salehs forces and the Houthis in the city on Saturday night and Sunday.

The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant, being built with help from South Korea, is near Abu Dhabis border with Saudi Arabia. The plant lies some 140 miles west of the U.A.E. capital.

The first of its four reactors is scheduled to come online in 2018. When fully built, officials hope the nuclear plant will provide up to 25 percent of all energy needs in the U.A.E., a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.

The U.A.E. is a major U.S. ally that hosts some 5,000 American troops and is the U.S. Navys busiest foreign port of call.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mohammed Hatem and Tarek El-Tablawy are Bloomberg News writers.
SEBASTIAN SCHEINER/AFP/Getty Images

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered his backers to reword a contentious piece of legislation that could potentially stifle a police investigation against him, in what appeared to be an attempt to defuse rising public anger against the long-ruling leader.

The recommendations bill would end the polices current practice of recommending to prosecutors whether to indict suspects upon completing their investigations. It also aims to stem leaks from the investigations themselves, stating that no police recommendations be made public and penalizing those found leaking to the media.
BEIRUT  Syrias main Kurdish forces declared Sunday that they have successfully cleared areas east of the Euphrates river of Islamic State militants, with help from the U.S.-led coalition and Russian forces.

The announcement came after U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said Washington will stop arming the YPG as offensive operations come to an end.

Noureddine Mahmoud, spokesman for the Peoples Defense Units, known as the YPG and the backbone of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, praised U.S. and Russian air and logistical support as well as ground operations coordination.

We hope for an increase of the support and ensuring air protection and necessary cover, Mahmoud said at a news conference in al-Salihiya, a town in Deir el-Zour province. The news conference was attended by a Russian general from the Russian base in Hmeimeem, in western Syria.

The SDF have been battling Islamic State fighters east of the Euphrates river in Deir el Zour province since September. In a separate campaign, Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and allied Iranian-backed militia, have been chasing militants on the other side of the river.

Russia and the U.S. kept in contact, in during de-confliction talks, to prevent clashes between the two forces. U.S. officials said communication was also maintained on the ground, including in meetings between SDF commanders and their counterparts on the government side.

Mahmoud also praised the role tribal leaders played in the fight in the oil-rich Deir el-Zour province, where tribesmen play an integral role in consolidating power there.

The extent of SDF cooperation with Russian forces and their Syrian allies, however, is not clear. The Kurdish-led forces now control nearly 25 percent of Syrian territories and important oil resources after their battlefield successes in northern and eastern Syria. But they are landlocked and economically dependent on areas controlled by the Syrian government, as well as on borders controlled either by Iraqi forces or the Syrian government.

Washingtons support for the SDF has come into question after the fall of the Islamic State hub of Raqqa and the near collapse of the militants in Syria. Turkey, which considers the dominant Kurdish group in the force an extension of its own insurgent group, has protested Washingtons reliance on the SDF, as well as the provision of heavy weaponry to its fighters.

Mattis said Friday that the U.S. will stop arming the Kurdish forces, turning to stabilization efforts and supporting the diplomatic process in Syria.

Sarah El Deeb is an Associated Press writer.
1 Nigeria attack: A female suicide bomber pretending to wait in line for food handouts detonated her explosives Saturday, killing at least 13 people at a crowded market in northeastern Nigeria, authorities said. A second female bomber killed herself and wounded many others, according to witnesses in the town of Biu, about 115 miles from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturdays attack, suspicion immediately fell on the Boko Haram Islamic extremist group. Boko Haram has increasingly used women and children, often kidnapped and indoctrinated, to carry out suicide bombings. Boko Haram has been blamed for more than 20,000 deaths in its eight-year insurgency.

2 Mideast conflict: The Palestinians on Saturday warned the United States against recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas adviser Mahmoud Habash said if President Trump were to do so it would amount to a complete destruction of the peace process. Habash said the world will pay the price for any change in Jerusalems status. Officials say Trump is considering recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital as a way to offset his likely decision to delay his campaign promise of moving the U.S. Embassy there. Palestinians claim the eastern part of the city as their future capital.
DHAKA, Bangladesh  Pope Francis urged Bangladeshi priests and nuns to resist the terrorism of gossip that can tear religious communities apart, delivering one of his trademark, zinger-filled spontaneous speeches to the countrys Catholic leadership on Saturday at the close of an otherwise tense and diplomatically fraught Asian tour.

As he has done in similar encounters, Francis told the priests and nuns gathered in Dhakas Holy Rosary Church that he was ditching the eight-page speech that he had prepared and would instead speak to them from his heart.

I dont know if it will be better or worse, but I promise it will be less boring, he quipped.

And then for the next 15 minutes, Francis had the crowd in stitches, mixing paternal advice on how to tend to religious vocations (with tenderness) with gentle warnings about the havoc that gossip bombs can wreak when lobbed in closed religious life.

How many religious communities have been destroyed because of a spirit of gossip? said Francis, adding that he was speaking from personal experience. Please, bite your tongue.

It was a humor-filled event to a tense diplomatic trip that saw Francis maintain public silence over the Rohingya refugee crisis while in Myanmar, only to address it head-on in Bangladesh on Friday with an emotional encounter with refugees themselves.

The presence of God today is also called Rohingya, he told a group of 16 refugees who traveled to Dhaka from Coxs Bazar, the district bordering Myanmar where refugee camps are overflowing with more than 620,000 Rohingya who have fled what the U.N. says is a campaign of ethnic cleansing by Myanmars military.

Speaking to reporters aboard his flight back to Rome, Francis defended his silence in Myanmar over the plight of Rohingya refugees, saying a public denunciation would have slammed the door in the face of his hosts and prevented his message from being heard.

Francis said he chose instead to speak in general terms about human rights in public so that he could engage more frankly in private about the refugee crisis.

Francis said he was very, very satisfied that his message had been received in his private meetings with Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmars powerful military chief, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

Its true I didnt have the pleasure of slamming the door in their face publicly with a denunciation, Francis said. But I had the satisfaction of dialogue.

Nicole Winfield is an Associated Press writer.
The New Zealand dollar gained in the US on Friday after reports that former Trump adviser Michael Flynn is prepared to testify against the US president about being asked to make contact with Russia in the run-up to last year's presidential elections.

The kiwi dollar traded at 68.66 US cents as at 8am in Wellington from 68.85 cents in late New York trading and up from 68.30 cents in Asia at the end of last week. The trade-weighted index was at 72.50 from 72.58 in New York and 72.12 in Wellington on Friday.

Former US national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contact with the then Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak and ABC News reported that he was willing to testify that President Donald Trump directed him to make contact. Trump has already issued a denial via Twitter while criticising the FBI.

The greenback had gained earlier on Friday on optimism Senate Republicans have enough votes to push through tax cuts and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday he was "very optimistic" the tax legislation would be signed into law.

"Markets have generally shrugged off US political risks up until now, but that is perhaps getting a little harder to do," said Sharon Zollner, chief economist at ANZ Bank New Zealand, in a note. "The moves on Friday encapsulated a market that is torn between optimism on tax, and uncertainty about an escalating Mueller investigation may mean," she said, referring to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

"The NZ economy has its challenges to navigate, but a renewed bout of USD weakness is something that cant be ruled out," she said. The kiwi would find support if it fell as low as 67.80 US cents and resistance at 69.20 cents, she said.

With no local data releases scheduled, traders will be looking across the Tasman for reports on third-quarter inventories and profits, and new home sales for October. The kiwi was at 90.15 Australian cents from 90.03 cents on Friday in New York.

It fell to 51.01 British pence from 51.14 pence and declined to 57.85 euro cents from 57.99 cents. It rose to 77.45 yen from 77.24 yen and fell to 4.5396 yuan from 4.5568 yuan.

(BusinessDesk)

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By PTI: By Lemuel Lall

Bhopal, Dec 3 (PTI) Thirty-three years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors are still fighting for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the toxic leak.

Families of the deceased and people who bore the brunt of the industrial disaster are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the government filed in December 2010 for more compensation.

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The US company which then owned the chemical plant here, from where the poisonous gas leaked in 1984, has not yet adequately compensated the victims, a Madhya Pradesh minister said.

The victims of the "worlds worst disaster" had not been paid adequately by US-based Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) now owned by Dow Chemicals, MPs Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vishwas Sarang told PTI.

He alleged that the then Central government led by the Congress was more interested in helping the multi-national company rather than bringing it to book.

"The Central and the state governments, both led by the Congress, helped the then UCC chairman, Warren Anderson, who had come to Bhopal after the tragedy, to escape to the US," Sarang claimed.

He said the curative petition seeks compensation of more than Rs 1,000 crore from the UCC (now owned by Dow) for the welfare of the victims.

Abdul Jabbar, the convenor of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan, who has been working for the survivors for over three decades, said the UCC gave a compensation of USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore) after the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, killed 3,000 people and affected 1.02 lakh others.

"We all challenged the meagre compensation in the Supreme Court saying that the number of victims was too high and the compensation given by Union Carbide was too small in 1989," Jabbar said.

He added that the claim courts for the tragedy started work in Bhopal in 1990 and completed it by 2005.

The Rs 715 crore-compensation was paid to the families of 15,274 deceased and 5.74 lakh affected by the leak, he said.

Jabbar said the signature campaign for more compensation was launched by those whose health had been affected by the gas leak.

"We moved the apex court again in 2005 saying that the number of victims had swelled five fold," Jabbar said.

On December 3, 2010, the Centre and the state government filed a curative petition in the apex court seeking more compensation for the victims from UCC, Jabbar said.

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"But nothing has happened after that. So now the sufferers are signing the petition, with a request to the Supreme Court to hear the curative petition and decide the matter at the earliest," he added.

The survivors were suffering from many diseases, including cancer, tumours and lung problems, caused by the inhalation of the poisonous gas three decades ago, he said.

"They are not getting proper medical care as they dont have money," Jabbar said.

He accused the Congress government and the BJP-led NDA rule of not doing enough to bring Anderson to book.

"Anderson escaped from the country after the Congress government as the Centre buckled under US pressure in 1984," he claimed.

The CBI, when the NDA was in power in 2002, tried to "dilute the charges" against Anderson which made the extradition of the US national difficult, he added.

On June 7, 2010, a Bhopal court convicted seven executives of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) to two years imprisonment in connection with the incident.

Anderson was the prime accused in the case but did not appear for the trial. On February 1, 1992, the Bhopal CJM court declared him an absconder.

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The courts in Bhopal had issued non-bailable warrants against Anderson twice -- in 1992 and 2009.

Anderson died in September, 2014. PTI LAL MAS GK BDS

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Rs 40 crore

By Ananya Sengupta

New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Over nine lakh senior citizens have voluntarily given up their ticket subsidies under the give up scheme of the Railways, thereby helping the transport behemoth save around Rs 40 crore.

Under the scheme launched last year, senior citizens had the option to either avail the full concession provided to them on rail tickets or forgo the entire amount. This year, a new option was added in which a senior citizen can give up 50 per cent of the subsidy.

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The scheme was launched to reduce the nearly Rs 1,300 crore subsidy burden of the Railways in the senior citizen category.

From July 22 to October 22, 2.16 lakh men and 2.67 lakh women gave up their full subsidy, while 2.51 lakh men and 2.05 lakh women decided not to avail 50 per cent of their subsidy - making the total number of passengers over 60 years to give up their subsidy at 9.39 lakh in three months.

During the same period last year, only about 4.68 lakh senior citizens gave up their subsidies - 2.35 lakh men and 2.33 lakh women.

"The figures show that the number of people letting forgoing the subsidy has doubled in one year. It is great news for Railways as we are looking to reduce our losses incurred through subsidies," said a senior official of the ministry.

As of now, Railways bears 43 per cent of the cost of train fare and incurs a loss of about Rs 30,000 crore a year in subsidising passenger fares out of which Rs 1,600 crore is for concessional fares.

Railways recovers only 57 per cent of the expenses incurred for passenger transportation through sale of tickets of all classes. PTI ASG ZMN

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) About 9.61 lakh litres of liquor, Rs 1.71 crore in cash and gold and jewellery worth over Rs 8 crore have been seized by the Election Commission-appointed surveillance and expenditure monitoring teams in poll-bound Gujarat till now.

The Election Commission teams have so far confiscated liquor valued at Rs 22.19 crore from the state where prohibition is in force.

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The teams also seized suspected illicit cash totalling Rs 1.71 crore, 37.63 kg of gold and other precious metals valued at Rs 8.17 crore and 35 kg of narcotics worth Rs 3.5 lakh, according to official data.

Apart from this, 3,650 British Pounds (about Rs 3.11 lakh) and 30,000 Thai Baht (about Rs 60,000) have also been seized by the EC teams, the data said.

The EC has appointed about 100 election expenditure observers in Gujarat, apart from other central observers, to keep a check on black money and illegal inducements used to bribe voters.

Over 311kg of bullion, an EC official said, has been released by the surveillance teams post verification in the state as it was meant for genuine jewellery business.

In Rajkot, the jewellery manufacturing hub, 6-8 kg of bullion is being intercepted daily at the airport and it is being released similarly post verification, he said.

The 182-member Gujarat Assembly will go to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18. PTI NES SMN

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The by-election to the assembly seat was necessitated after the death of legislator and chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

By PTI, Press Trust of India: Tamil actor Vishal would take the political plunge by contesting the R K Nagar Assembly by-poll, which is scheduled to be held on December 21, his office said today.

The by-election to the assembly seat was necessitated after the death of legislator and chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The actor made the surprise announcement today.

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Besides opposition DMK, ruling AIADMKs E Madhusudhanan and the partys sidelined leader T T V Dhinakaran are contesting for the prestigious seat.

"Vishal, chief of the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and general secretary of South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) will file his nomination on Monday," his office said, adding that he will be contesting as an Independent candidate.

Last year, Vishal was elected general secretary of SIAA, an actors body, in a bitterly fought election. Later, he was also elected as the head of the TFPC and has been actively campaigning against piracy, one of the major issues in Tamil cinema.

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By India Today Web Desk: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani apologised to the people of Afghanistan and to Afghan women in particular for his 'Head Scarf' remark. He had said earlier that those who accuse Afghan government officials to be complicit with ISIS should prove the allegations or 'wear a head scarf'. Head scarf is widely worn by Muslim women and President Ghani's words were construed as an insult to dignity of Afghan women

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"President Ghani made the remarks with a cultural interpretation as he pointed towards the head scarf and in no way he had any intentions to insult the women," President's Office ARG Palace said in a statement.

The statement further read, "President Ghani extends his apology to the Afghan women in case his remarks have affected their emotions,"

The leader made the 'head scarf' remark during the transfer of the border police forces to the Ministry of Defence.

His remarks had sparked furore and had put him under immense pressure, mainly from the women and rights activists

Afghanistan is struggling to effectively defend Afghan territory against resurgent Taliban and ISIS. Although Islamic state is being routed in Iraq and Syria, they have managed to secure some allies in Afghanistan where Taliban is trying to regroup and pose a challenge to US supported Afghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani

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By Karishma Kuenzang: An avid reader, she first fell in love with books when she read Charles Dickens' David Copperfield in class 5. Today, when she is 27 years old, Anamika Mishra is ready with her third book, For the Sake of Love.

After completing her graduation and masters from Lucknow in BCA and journalism respectively, her career confusion resolved after she wrote her first book when she was 22. When she told her father about her decision to write a book, he said, "You wanted to do science and then journalism and now you want to try writing?" Too Hard to Handle came out in 2012, days after she quit her 20-day stint as an RJ. She said, "My parents thought I was being too casual with my life, but I already had a book coming out and had faith that something or the other would work out. My mother said I was too young, and should learn first and then write."

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The plot of her new book, For the Sake of Love, is about how the protagonist Twisha stumbles across a stack of love letters written 60 years ago, then stumbles upon the author of the letters (David) and his grandson Alex, and decides to reunite the David and the subject of the letters. But, then, of course, she falls in love with Alex, and yes, there's someone's happily-ever after. The letters might make it seem as romantic as Romeo and Juliet to someone in this day and age.

Also Read: 8 heartfelt quotes by Harivansh Rai Bachchan that will make you look at life in a new way

Speaking of Juliet and letters, remember the movie Letters to Juliet from 2010? Well, For the Sake of Love is set in Shimla, not Verona; and there's a sprinkling of back-stabbing masala; and Twisha is in Shimla for an assignment, not for her pre-honeymoon trip. "Letters are old school and though I've made scrapbooks for friends, I haven't written any letters for anyone or vice-versa. Writing a letter means more today, when everything is casual and about swiping left or right," says Mishra.

Also Read: This book sheds light on how air pollution is a great leveller and why there's no running away from it

"Even love and relationships are losing their charm with people's mindsets changing. Twisha is the typical 'dead inside' youth who thinks that 'love is a farce'. I relate to David, who waits for someone because he loves them. Through the book, I wanted to tell people its okay to do something for the sake of love, because you want to be with someone," she says.

Mishra is almost done with her fourth book, another romance, as she reasons, "There's a huge market for romantic fiction in the market because people can relate to the incidents."

--- ENDS ---
Some Catholic school teachers will strike on Monday as tensions between their union and employer escalate over a proposed new enterprise agreement.

Catholic school employees within the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn have not received a pay rise for about a year as the Independent Education Union and the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations battle over how to best settle disputes.

ACT Catholic school teachers will strike for four hours on Monday. Credit:Michele Mossop

The Independent Education Union wants the new contract to include the right to call in the Fair Work Commission for arbitration when disagreements can't be settled in-house. The commission would rather maintain the status quo, where such a deal hasn't been made in writing.

The union has been further angered by the commission's plan to put its proposed agreement to staff on Tuesday without receiving the union's nod.
A world-leading anthropologist and taxonomist who identified more than 50 species of animal will be remembered at a service in Canberra on Thursday.

Australian National University Emeritus Professor Colin Groves died peacefully on November 30 surrounded by family and friends.

Colin Groves in his lab in 2007, holding a deformed skull of a male mountain gorilla found in Rawanda in 1971. Credit:Graham Tidy

Professor Groves spent more than 40 years at the ANU, where he was last week remembered as a cherished member of staff who had a profound impact on the field of biological anthropology and everyone who knew him.

Vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt paid tribute to Professor Groves as "a giant in his field, a great researcher, teacher and mentor to his students, and one of the great treasures of ANU".
Emergency services have attended to a 15-year-old boy after the catamaran he was sailing on Lake Burley Griffin capsized.

Shortly after 6pm on Sunday the ACT Ambulance Service responded to calls for assistance from ACT Policing.



Intensive care paramedics treated the boy at the scene. He was transported to The Canberra Hospital in a stable condition a short time later.

As of 9.30pm the boy was no longer in the hospital's care.

A spokesperson for ACT Emergency Services said the boy was in the water for a short period of time.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook has called for future internet and AI technologies to be infused with privacy, security and humanity.

Mr Cook made the comments on Sunday at the opening ceremony for China's World Internet Conference  an event designed to globally promote the country's vision of a more censored and controlled internet. It's the second Chinese appearance in two months for the executive, who had a meeting with President Xi Jinping in October.

"The theme of this conference  developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits  is a vision we at Apple share," Mr Cook said. "We are proud to have worked alongside many of our partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace."

Mr Cook's comments come at a pivotal point for the company's future in China, which is now its biggest market outside North America. It relies on the sale of hardware and services in the world's most populated country to propel revenue and profit growth. But the efforts required to stay in China's good graces are causing tensions with civil libertarians and politicians at home.
London-based former investment banker Simon Thompson has been given the job of leading the Rio Tinto board as the miner faces scrutiny from regulators in America and Australia over its behaviour surrounding a failed coal investment in Mozambique that it sold in 2014.

Mr Thompson will become Rio's next chairman when he succeeds Jan du Plessis in March 2018. He joined Rio's board as a non-executive director in 2014.

New Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson was previously an executive director of Anglo American and chairman of Tarmac. Credit:Rio Tinto

The experienced mining industry executive, who has worked in the mining and metals industry across five continents, will assume the role of chairman with the miner on a sound financial footing, earning large profits and spinning off billions of dollars a year to shareholders, yet facing uncomfortable scrutiny from regulators.

The appointment of the 58-year-old was welcomed by chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques, the Australian Shareholders' Association and investors, with shares in Rio rising 1.2 per cent on Monday to $72.05.
A regional Victoria-based company, ViPlus Dairy, says it has become the first Australian producer of locally made infant formula products to gain regulatory approval to sell infant formula in China from January onwards in any channel under a tough new regulatory regime from 2018.

The company was alerted to the approval last week. It applies to three infant formulas it makes, two of which use cow milk and one which uses goat milk.

The ViPlus Dairy factory at Toora, in South Gippsland.

The privately owned company, based at Toora in South Gippsland, said the approval was a significant boost for local jobs.

ViPlus employs 40 fulltime workers at its Toora plant, about 180 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, but expects to increase its workforce over the next 18 months as it increases international sales.
Labor leader Bill Shorten visited Huang Xiangmo at his Sydney mansion to secure political donations several months after Labor officials were warned the controversial business figure was of interest to ASIO over links to the Chinese government.

Fairfax Media can reveal Mr Shorten - along with his family - travelled to the tycoon's home in Mosman in March 2016, seeking help to fund Labor campaign ads for the widely expected double dissolution election in July.

The visit was well after a 2015 briefing during which representatives of the three major parties - including the then ALP national secretary George Wright - were warned by ASIO of Chinese interference in Australian politics via massive cash donations.

During the briefings, ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis told party officials the agency was concerned about Mr Huang's opaque ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Coalition MPs risk a voter backlash if Malcolm Turnbull was cut down as prime minister before the next election, with nearly three quarters of Australians wanting an end to the leadership instability plaguing Canberra.

The final Fairfax-Ipsos poll for 2017 has found 71 per cent of voters think elected prime ministers should govern for a full term, rather than being dumped prior to an election. In a finding that will give nervous Liberal and Nationals MPs pause for thought, support for allowing a prime minister to serve a full-term leaps to 80 per cent among Coalition voters.

The poll also shows Labor has maintained its commanding 53 per cent to 47 per cent lead over the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis - the same result as surveys conducted in September and May.

If that result was repeated on election day, there would be a 3.4 per cent swing away from the Turnbull government which, if uniform, would trigger a loss of about 16 Coalition seats and hand power to Labor.
By Prabhash K Dutta: Bhopal is known for its historical records, artificial lakes and greenery but most of all, the city is remembered across the globe for the worst industrial mishap of the world.

Post-midnight on December 3, 1984, poisonous gas that leaked from the factory of Union Carbide in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal killed thousands of people directly. The incident is now known as the Bhopal disaster or Bhopal gas tragedy.

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As per official records, the Bhopal gas tragedy killed 3,787 people. The figures were updated by the Madhya Pradesh government later as the immediate official estimate had put the death toll due to gas leak from Union Carbide factory at 2,259.

However, activists fighting for justice for Bhopal gas tragedy victims put the figures of death between 8,000 and 10,000. In an affidavit, submitted in 2006, the government said that the Bhopal gas leak caused 5,58,125 injuries that included approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

The gas leak in the Union Carbide (now known as Dow Chemicals) was reported after midnight on the intervening night of December 2 and 3. The incident had taken place at the Plant Number C of the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal.

As the cool morning breeze picked up pace, it carried the poisonous gas leaking from the Union Carbide factory to rest of the city and killing people - both awake and asleep. As per government's affidavit, about 3,000 people died of poisonous gas within a few hours of the incident.

It is estimated that about 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other chemicals leaked from the Union Carbide factory. Methyl isocyanate is extremely toxic and if its concentration in air touches 21ppm (parts per million), it can cause death within minutes of inhaling the gas. In Bhopal, the level was multiple times higher.

WHAT CAUSED MIC LEAKAGE?

The leakage of gas was reported from Plant Number C. As per official record, methyl isocyanate got mixed with water used for cooling the plant. The mixture led to generation of volumes of gases, which put tremendous pressure on Tank Number 610.

The tank cover gave way to building gaseous pressure releasing tonnes of the poisonous gas, which diffused over large area. Approximately 5 lakh people were exposed to the leakage of methyl isocyanate gas.

POST-LEAKAGE SCENE

Bhopal had a population of about 8.5 lakh back in 1984 and more than half of its population was coughing, complaining of itching in eyes, skin and facing breathing problems. The gas caused internal hemorrhage, pneumonia and death. The villages and slums in the neighbouring areas of the factory were the worst affected.

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The alarm system of the Union Carbide did not work for hours. No alarm was raised by the factory managers. Suddenly thousands of people started running to hospitals on the morning of December 3 with their complaints.

Unlike today, Bhopal of 1984 did not have too many hospitals. Two government hospitals could not have accommodated half of the population of the city. People were suffering, finding it difficult to breathe and confused. So were doctors, who did not immediately know the reasons for the sudden illness that afflicted every new rushing patient.

Patients complained of dizziness, breathlessness, skin irritation and rashes, some others reported sudden blindness. Doctors of Bhopal had never faced a situation like this. They had no experience in dealing with industrial disaster.

Symptoms of methyl isocyanate exposure were not immediately known to them. And, the two hospitals reportedly treated around 50,000 patients in first two days of the Bhopal gas leak. Officially, the government declared that the gas leakage was contained in eight hours, but the city has is still finding it difficult to come out of its grip even 33 years later.

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Nationals MP George Christensen departs after question time on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Before the day gets any further away from me, I need to update you on some industrial relations matters.

The opposition had hoped to reverse cuts to penalty rates and the Senate passed a bill undoing the industrial umpire's decision on this matter earlier today.

The opposition wanted to build on this by tempting Nationals MP George Christensen to cross the floor.

Mr Christensen had previously suggested he was open to the idea.

But he said today he would stay on the government's side: "I have spoken to the Minister for Employment, Michaelia Cash, and there is confusion over whether or not Labor's amendment would mean small businesses in my electorate, in cities like Mackay and Townsville, small towns like Ayr, Bowen and Proserpine, would have to give back pay, costing them thousands of dollars."

"It's an unacceptable risk for many small business owners who would not be able to afford such a move. Amendments around penalty rates must ensure that small businesses are not forced to pay back pay....As such, I can't support the amendment as it is."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he has "every confidence" his leadership will survive to the next federal election as the government sheds "barnacles" and welcomes back Barnaby.

Mr Turnbull is trumpeting Barnaby Joyce's thumping victory in Saturday's New England byelection as evidence there is still strong public support for the Coalition, despite its recent woes.

Mr Joyce is expected to return to Canberra this week after securing a massive 64 per cent of the primary vote in the byelection, which was ordered after the High Court found he was a dual citizen.

Mr Turnbull admitted the government had faced some "tough issues" in 2017 but said Saturday's result was a "big vote of confidence" in the government.
The Turnbull government will ban foreign donations to Australian political parties, introduce new laws targeting spies and foreign interference, toughen laws that ban disclosure of classified information and make it a crime to support foreign intelligence agencies.

The sweeping package of counter-intelligence law changes, which follows a lengthy review led by Attorney-General George Brandis and which is designed to stop interference in Australia's democratic institutions, will be released in the final week of Parliament for 2017.

The crackdown on foreign spies, lobbyists and donations, details of which were foreshadowed in September, will be introduced just days after Fairfax Media revealed that Labor senator Sam Dastyari warned the Chinese Communist Party-linked Huang Xiangmo his phone was likely tapped by intelligence agencies.

The new foreign interference laws will include a ban on foreign political donations and will enhance and reform the espionage and foreign interference related offences in the criminal code, and introduce a foreign influence transparency scheme, modelled in part on the United States's foreign agents registration act.
Instead of going to class, about 140 nursing students were called to look after dozens of patients who were severely injured after a roof collapse at an 18th birthday party and a hospital fire in an aged-care ward.

The final year University of Sydney students were given small bags of medical supplies and sent out with a team of paramedics and nurses to two elaborate simulations of mass casualty incidents as part of a new unit that was recently introduced in the nursing degree.

Nursing students Melissa Manjon and Vanessa Korkise recently completed the mass casualty unit. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Each scenario involved about 70 patients with various injuries that were similar to what nurses would encounter in the event of a global terrorism or extreme climate incident, for which it is becoming increasingly important to prepare nursing students, according to course co-ordinator Jane Currie.

"The focus of mass casualty education is towards specialty disciplines but if there is a mass casualty incident, it's very likely that nurses will be involved," said Ms Currie, who is the lead author of the first paper on the provision of mass casualty nursing education in Australia. It was recently published in Nurse Education in Practice.
"How many deaths before the regulators and other health bodies are shamed into doing their jobs?" Mr Vadasz asked. Mrs Brajcic died in hospital on Thursday, Sydney time, after emergency treatment in late October for sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to organ failure. Her husband Tony said "her heart stopped", but the coroner is yet to provide a formal cause of death. In Facebook posts in November, she described some days as "really bad". Mrs Brajcic was implanted with a mesh midurethral sling in 2013 for incontinence after the birth of her youngest son. Versions of the midurethral sling remain on the market in Australia, despite the TGA's targeted ban of all transvaginal  surgery via the vagina rather than the abdomen  prolapse mesh devices, and a group of incontinence mesh slings. Mrs Brajcic experienced immediate severe pain after the 2013 surgery that only worsened with time. In a Canadian news report in September, she said her surgeon dismissed her complications as the mesh settling in. The formerly vibrant and active interior designer had the mesh removed after searching for surgeons who would do the risky procedure, but spent much of the past four years confined to a wheelchair and on constant antibiotics, painkillers and anti-nausea medications.

Her death prompted an outpouring of grief from mesh-injured women around the world, including many in Australia who had regular contact with her via Facebook. "Everyone in the mesh world knew her," Ms Chisholm said. "No one can believe she's gone. She helped all of us and now she's dead. It's just so shocking. She was so unwell but now it's happened. It's really happened." Sydney mesh campaigner Gai Thompson, who had a different Johnson & Johnson transvaginal mesh device in 2008 that Australian surgeons have told her cannot be removed, said Mrs Brajcic "drew attention to the cause because she wanted to get this stuff banned". "Doctors talk about the thousands of women who've had mesh without complaint but they don't talk about the women who are left with this crap in them that destroys their lives, and that's what people don't understand," Mrs Thompson said. In a complaint to the TGA in 2011, Mrs Thompson said she was "living a nightmare", with constant urinary tract infections leaving her resistant to some antibiotics, chronic and severe pelvic pain, chronic bowel problems, incontinence and multiple areas where the mesh had eroded into her vagina. She was unable to have sex with her husband, unable to work and the couple had been forced to sell their home.

"I've still got all my mesh in and I've got constant infections I can't get rid of," she said. "I'm on the strongest antibiotics I can be on and it's doing nothing. It's been in there for nearly 10 years. The long-term consequences of putting polypropylene mesh into women's bodies is unknown, and yet doctors, manufacturers and the TGA say it's all OK." In one of her final posts, which echoed evidence by Australian women at recent Senate public hearings in Perth, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, Mrs Brajcic said she experienced "anger that my life was taken away from me". "I feel neglected by the medical system," Mrs Brajcic said. "That we have to fight so hard to get even an ounce of help is just not right." In her October 29 Facebook post from a Canadian hospital bed after she was transferred from an intensive care unit, Mrs Brajcic told supporters: "How do I go from an infection to heart failure? I'm 42. It was the scariest experience of my life. I'm so lucky to be alive." In a Facebook post circulated to mesh groups in Australia, the United States, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland and Europe, Mr Brajcic said his wife was "a very strong fighter right up to the very end".

On November 28, the TGA moved on a final eight transvaginal prolapse mesh devices and certain incontinence slings on the Australian market, ordering their cancellation or that they not be implanted via the vagina. It followed a review that found the risks outweighed the benefits of the prolapse devices and there was a lack of adequate scientific evidence backing the incontinence slings. Since 2013, the TGA has cancelled 43 mesh devices and their multiple variants. In October, the TGA moved to upgrade the classification of all implantable pelvic mesh devices to high risk. In a statement on the "gold standard" midurethral slings, where there is accepted research supporting their use, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in May acknowledged complications "may become intractable". "In some women, these long-term adverse outcomes have had severe effects on everyday activities and their quality of life," the RANZCOG said. "The mesh is a permanent material that can result in mesh exposure and infection which may occur soon after surgery or many years later.
The muted popular response to the release of the Paradise Papers last month was troubling. Unless we are happy to see multinational companies shift money offshore to limit the tax they pay, it appears Australians have lost hope that their voice will be heard, believing the existing system is entrenched. The absence of indignation and scarce popular engagement on this issue  and on similarly grievous recent events  is telling.

Unacceptable wealth inequality, popular discontent about insecure work and futures with few guarantees is the new Australian reality. There is a creeping feeling that must changed  soon. But recently, economic and fiscal policy solutions have given ground to hand-to-hand political combat designed to divide and distract. Albert Camus once noted there is always progress when a political problem becomes a human problem. In Australia today, there are no human problems  nor even economic problems  but only political problems.

Rare sight? Pro-refugee protesters clash with police in Melbourne last week. Credit:Darrian Traynor

Over a few weeks, Australians became aware of the Paradise Papers  evidence of tax avoidance on a massive scale  which drifted in and out of the news cycle without a hint of public revolt. Australian banks, once pillars of our communities, then posted record profits in the billions of dollars, coupled with half-million-dollar pay rises for their chief executives, and plans to lay off thousands of staff in search of even greater profits. Meanwhile, the South Australian government conceded to a well-resourced lobbying campaign and announced it would withdraw its plans to introduce a modest levy on banks. Again, the public reaction was apathetic.

There was further evidence of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, yet, despite Australia's history of active middle-power intervention and bipartisan support for Asian engagement, we remain unmoved by the Rohingya's horrendous plight. People seeking asylum on Manus Island, ostensibly in Australia's care, were left without protection and support as their camp was closed. Indignation on this issue was evident, but not enough to reflect the level of national shame we should feel.
A psychology graduate who has completed three tertiary degrees in 20 years since arriving in Australia has had her application to practise rejected under English language competency provisions because she took a year off her studies.

In a case before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the psychology graduate, identified only as Ms Han, appealed a decision by the Psychology Board of Australia as a "matter of principle".

While the tribunal upheld the decision under the law, its members took a thinly veiled swipe at "continuous education requirements" demanded of graduates, questioning their relevance to modern student life, particularly concerning women, given the demands on work, family, part-time study and socio-economic factors.

Ms Han was born and educated in Turkey before coming to Australia in 1995.

She received a bachelor of science in psychology from Macquarie University in 2004 followed by a postgraduate diploma in psychology from the University of Western Sydney in 2011. She had previously earned an associate diploma of social science (community welfare) from the Sydney Institute of Technology in 1999. She has worked in Australia as a family support worker and counsellor, and as a research assistant and casual lecturer.
The Rockhampton crocodile murderer is still at large two months after the victim's 5.2-metre body was discovered.

The male reptile was found on September 21 in the Fitzroy River at Etna Creek, about 20 kilometres north of Rockhampton, with a bullet lodged in its head.

Police are still investigating after a 5.2-metre crocodile was found shot dead near Rockhampton. Credit:Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

"Investigations into this matter are ongoing and police are appealing for anyone with further information to come forward," a Queensland Police Service spokesman said in a statement.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Australia offered up to $5000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or people responsible soon after the carcass was recovered. However, that is yet to be claimed.
About 7.30am on October 9, 2012, Eric Finlayson and his wife joined 31 other passengers on a boat heading out of Cairns toward what many tourists consider a bucket list item.

It was a clear day with calm seas as the 68-year-old Briton headed out to the beautiful Michaelmas Cay, where he would become one of 175 snorkellers to die across 13 years in Australia.

Beautiful Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef, where several tourists have died over the years. Credit:Tourism and Events Queensland

He drowned, against a background of heart conditions, after a dive lookout on his first day on the job noticed he was not moving and radioed the boats skipper, kicking off a somewhat flawed and ultimately unsuccessful effort to save the mans life.

In an inquest finding handed down last week, coroner Kevin Priestly identified a number of missed opportunities to care for the man and recommended a major review of procedures, training, supervision and auditing.
Severe weather patterns that dumped more than 100 millimetres of rain in central Queensland are tipped to continue their journey south, bringing an increasing chance of showers and storms to start the week.

Severe thunderstorm warnings for Gympie and the northern Sunshine Coast issued on Sunday afternoon were cancelled by 6.45pm but wild weather was expected to come and go throughout the night.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michelle Berry said the chance of showers and storms in south-east Queensland was like to increase into Monday, with more storm warnings possible on the Sunshine Coast.

EARLIER

Severe storms are heading for south-east Queensland with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of heavy rain, large hailstones and flash flooding.
By PTI: Bengaluru, Dec 3 (PTI) BJP MP Pratap Simha and few others were today taken into preventive custody at Hunsur near Mysuru ahead of the Hanuman Jayanthi procession, police said.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements in Hunsur on account of Eid Milad yesterday and the procession today, which, according to them, has a history of disturbance to peace in the region associated with it.

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Prohibitory orders are also in place, police said. The district administration had permitted the organisers to take out the procession on a specified route, and informed those required, including public representatives, about it, they said.

However, the organisers along with Simha had demanded some changes in the route and despite appeals by police against it, they planned to go ahead, officials said.,

Simha along some other persons have been taken into custody as a preventive measure, they said.

On the other hand, the Lok Sabha MP hit out at the Congress government in the state. Speaking to reporters at Hunsur, Simha alleged that despite requests made to the administration and the IG seeking permission to begin the procession from a particular place and assuring them about following restrictions put in place, "police are stopping us."

Tension prevailed in Hunsur as his supporters protested demanding Simha?s release.

Police said the situation is now under control and peaceful, and there was no reason for worry. PTI KSU BN TRK

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"This idea started up as a bit of an experiment, we thought subscription models are quite interesting and developing a bit of an e-commerce business is quite interesting," Didaskalou says. "It was a great way to experiment with the upcoming roasting scene in Melbourne. I'd worked in coffee in a past life so it sort of made sense. Melbourne has more roasters per capita than any other city in the world. We are really focused on the art and craft of roasting and producing great quality coffee from beans around the world." Three Thousand Thieves subscription offering. Credit:Mark Lobo At the start Didaskalou says consumers were keen but it was hard to get roasters on board. "For coffee people it's like 'Once I find my perfect coffee why would I continue to switch?' whereas for normal coffee lovers not in the scene shifting coffee perceptions from month to month appeals. It was about getting people to understand this complements your initial habit, it doesn't change it. The platform isn't really built for subscribers, it's built as a marketing voice for roasters." Didaskalou says Melbourne is the coffee roastery capital of the world. Credit:Simon Hewson

Three Thousand Thieves business model operates by getting a "healthy wholesale rate" from its roasters but Didaskalou says its model has evolved with corporates now making up 60 per cent of customers. "It's shifted from coffee becoming just another supplier to being an education platform," says Didasklaou. "You could run your business entirely on corporates but you'd have no marketing power." Three Thousand Thieves markets coffee beans by creating flavour profiles using photography and stories. Starting in Changsha The next step in Three Thousand Thieves evolution is its push into the Chinese market which is starting in the city of Changsha.

"Its kind of like the Gold Coast of China and you just wouldn't expect so many super coffee enthusiasts there," says Didaskalou. "To go and do business straight away in Shanghai is not how it's done, if you pick off the top Chinese companies they all started in other cities. It's just too expensive to do business in Shanghai and Beijing so the strategy is to start from the sidelines and build a massive following online and then start to open up experience stores and flagship stores." Three Thousand Thieves has attracted $500,000 in investment to crack the China coffee market. Credit:Justin McManus While China is known as a nation of tea drinkers, coffee is growing quickly with Chinese coffee consumption nearly tripling in the past four years, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Coffee consumption is already larger than Australia at 3,155,000 60 kilo bags of coffee in China in comparison to 2,335,000 60 kilo bags in Australia. The potential for growth is huge with China's population nearing 1.4 billion and Didaskalou says the sheer size of the market brings its own challenges.

"We rely in Australia on roasters to meet our supply but it is very hard to go to a market as big as China, they just won't be able to handle it," he says. "Moving into the China market we are evolving again into roasting our own stuff. It will be a whole heap of different varietals but under our brand name." Currency challenges Three Thousand Thieves is using OFX to handle foreign exchange issues. Adam Smith, chief operating officer at OFX, says China can be a particularly tough market for small Australian businesses to crack. "The Australian dollar's widespread collapse against most G10 counterparts has led to many Australian businesses now trading with China principally in USD, and recent market movements mean the cost of imports is steadily increasing," he says.
Access to justice is a recurring issue for small business people who are at the wrong end of a power imbalance in dealings with big business and governments.

Consumer protections don't always apply to small businesses, which have limited options in seeking resolution.

There are mediation services provided by my office and state Small Business Commissions, but if the dispute can't be mediated it starts to get expensive.

The fundamental issue is the current legal system puts small business in no man's land.
Dights Falls, Abbotsford "The message to the Victorian community, particularly in north-east Victoria or Gippsland, is stay tuned about your river system and what it will do in your backyard." A number of moderate flood warnings remain in place, including for the Yarra, Ovens and King rivers. Jake Baker, Ivy Baker, Logan Farrar and Layla Baker use a boat to get from their front door on Simmie Road, Echuca. Melbourne was hit by its heaviest day of December rainfall in 25 years as more than 43 millimetres of rain fell on the city on Saturday and Sunday morning.

The city recorded more than 66 millimetres between Friday and Sunday, beating its December average in the first three days of the month. A Maserati stricken in floodwater on Victoria Street, Seddon on Saturday. Credit:Twitter/@NebulousMusings But a Country Fire Authority captain in the state's north-east believes warnings of an "unprecedented weather event" wherein "farms would turn into lakes" were over-the-top. Myrtleford CFA captain Gary Gunson said the warnings were extreme considering what took place. After days of rain Dights Falls, Abbotsford has become raging white water rapids.

"It was very flat, it wasn't what was expected, but we were prepared and that's important," Mr Gunson said. "We need warnings but maybe not to the extremities they did go." On Sunday, Daniel Andrews was forced to defend emergency warnings as he visited what was meant to be the flood's worst areas Myrtleford and Wangaratta  greeting CFA and SES volunteers by exclaiming it was "drier than expected". Mr Andrews said the Bureau of Meteorology correctly predicted the amount of rain, but indicated he might have phrased warnings differently than the bureau. "We can look back on whether some comments were words I would have used but ultimately the bureau and emergency services, myself included, we've been very clear with the Victorian community," he said.

"The total of rainfall was absolutely accurate  the intensity of it was different and the exact location if it was a bit different, that's something we all should be happy about." State weather bureau manager Dr Andrew Tupper also defended the language and warnings saying the storms were "pretty much as we described". Mr Andrews said he was certain Victorians would continue to heed warnings, including those likely to be issued later in the week. "We've been a bit fortunate as well that the ground conditions were a bit drier at the beginning of the event compared to last year," he said. "We're not out of the woods yet though there are still significant waters to flow through the rivers systems.

"We have further rain forecast for this week and the bureau are concerned it could be 100mm  it all depends where it falls and the intensity." Statewide, the most rain fell at Mount St Leonard near Healesville  which was drenched by 228 millimetres in three days - and Strathbogie, which had 221 millimetres The respite from the storm meant relief for the parts of the state under threat from flooding, as water began to recede in the towns of Euroa, Myrtleford and the Buckland Valley that had been put on high alert. During the weekend, more than 2700 calls were made for assistance across Victoria and 73 homes affected by flooding. Some had water above floor level. The federal and state government announced that payments of up to $1890 per household would be available for those affected by the storm.

Authorities said on Sunday the worst of the massive storm system was over, with the focus shifting to what impact the rain would have as it moves further downstream. Moderate flood warnings remained in place for the Seven and Castle creeks and the Yarra River, with kayakers making the most of the deluge as the water passed through Dights Falls near Abbotsford. M

All major roads had been opened by Sunday morning, with just a few minor thoroughfares closed by the downpour. A driver in Williamstown had to be rescued after he was swept off Racecourse Road due to a creek flooding the road, an MFB spokeswoman said. The man was uninjured during the 30-minute ordeal. Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the impact on crops would be established the next few days. He said grain growers who worked hard to harvest before the storm came through would have been happy with their decision.

Loading "What we need is a lot of wind and dry conditions to prevent more damage occurring from disease," he said.
A group of mature Bunbury trees have been deemed "unlikely to survive" after they were found poisoned, believed to be the work of mystery vandals.

Numerous bore holes were drilled into the five trees on Alyxia Drive in Vittoria Heights and a poison, believed to be glyphosate, was then applied.

The impressive trees were poisoned recently. Credit:Andrew Elstermann

The City of Bunbury said while the 20-year-old London plane trees would be given every chance to recover, it's unlikely they would survive and would be replaced when the time comes.

City of Bunbury Landscape and Open Space manager Kristy Tillett said it was not known why these particular trees had been targeted.
Berlin: It was an agonising calculation. To get his wife and three daughters to safety, Abed Fhili, 44, left them behind in a Syria suffocating from war. His thinking went: The route through Syria, Turkey and the Balkans is too dangerous. Better to go with just his son, reach a safe country and file for family reunification so the others could follow by plane.

But three years later and living in a small town in eastern Germany, the closest he has come to seeing his wife and daughters is through video chats on his phone.

A protester with a crossed out swastika symbol painted on his head joins a march against the convention of the German anti-immigration 'Alternative for Germany' party ('Alternative fuer Deutschland', AfD) who over the weekend elected a a right-wing nationalist to be their co-leader. Credit:EPA

Cases such as Fhili's are at the centre of a dispute that helped torpedo German talks to form a governing coalition last month, and they are a critical fault line in the negotiations to come. On one side: conservatives who say that Germany cannot afford to take in any more of such migrants. On the other: progressives who argue that asylum seekers will adjust much better if they are not separated from their loved ones.

In a country where policies have traditionally been forged through consensus, there is little agreement on what to do with families such as Fhili's. The dispute has become fraught with emotion and symbolism, reflecting an even deeper ideological division over how welcoming Germany should be to outsiders.
Toronto: A Canadian judge on Friday suspended part of a Quebec law banning people from wearing full-face veils when giving or receiving public services, handing a provisional victory to civil liberties groups who argued that the law is unconstitutional and discriminates against Muslim women.

Judge Babak Barin suspended the portion of the act banning face coverings until the government enacts guidelines for how the law will be applied and how exemptions might be granted. The government of the mainly French-speaking province of Quebec now has a chance to clarify in detail how the law would be put into practice.

The law bans people from wearing the Niqab and Burqa.

The law, passed in October, affects everyone from teachers and students to hospital employees, police officers, bus drivers and transit users.

While the law does not single out any religion by name, debate has focused on the niqab, a full-face veil worn by a small minority of Muslim women.
Washington: US President Donald Trump issued a fresh denial on Sunday that he asked former FBI director James Comey to halt an investigation into the conduct of his dismissed national security adviser Michael Flynn.

"I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn," Trump said in a pre-dawn message on Twitter.

"Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"

The tweet was the latest in a running commentary on the case from Trump that began on Saturday, a day after Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his interactions with a Russian official.
Cairo: Former Egyptian premier Ahmed Shafiq says he is still considering his presidential bid now that he is in Egypt, according to a televised interview in which he denied authorities had kidnapped him.

There has been no official word yet on the whereabouts of the presidential hopeful who flew home from the United Arab Emirates 24 hours ago.

Former Egyptian prime minister and possible presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq denied had been kidnapped. Credit:AP

"Today I am here in the country, so I think I am free to deliberate further on the issue, to explore and go down and talk to people in the street ... so there's a chance now to investigate more and see exactly what is needed ... to feel out if this is the logical choice," Shafiq said.

The interview on private Dream TV channel was Shafiq's first public appearance since leaving the United Arab Emirates on Saturday for Cairo.
Berlin: A suspicious package found near a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam was not terrorism-related, but part of an attempt to blackmail delivery company DHL.

Karl-Heinz Schroeter - interior minister of Brandenburg, where Potsdam is located - on Sunday said a suspect asked DHL, a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post, for millions of euros in a note attached to the package.

Brandenburg state Interior Minister Karl-Heinz Schroeter said the threat was not terrorism related. Credit:Gregor Fischer

The parcel contained materials to create a bomb, including about 100 nails, an unidentified powdered substance and a metal cylinder. It also contained a blackmail letter encrypted in the form of a QR code, police Chief Hans-Juergen Moerke said.

The package was dropped off last week at one of DHL's packing stations in Potsdam, not far from the city's famed Sanssouci Palace. Investigators are now seeking witnesses who may have seen the suspect drop off the package.
Cairo: The United Arab Emirates arrested an Egyptian presidential candidate to deport him to Egypt, his lawyer said Saturday.

The move against Ahmed Shafiq is the strongest indication yet of the length that the United Arab Emirates is willing to go to protect Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi from any real challenge in his expected campaign for re-election next spring.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahaya in May this year. Credit:AP

Mr Shafiq, a former air force general and a former prime minister, has lived in the United Arab Emirates since he narrowly lost Egypt's only free presidential election, in 2012. He had said in recent days that he intended to run again, but the United Arab Emirates had blocked him from travel.

Mr Shafiq, who arrived back in Egypt on Saturday night according to security officials, now faces possible treason charges or other legal action in Egyptian courts.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The advent of militancy in Kashmir, its impact on people and the belongingness amid unrest are some of the aspects that a new book deals with.

"The Tree with a Thousand Apples" by Sanchit Gupta traces the lives of three childhood friends, who grow up in an atmosphere of peace and amity in Srinagar until the night of January 20, 1990, when things change for the worse.

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Set in Kashmir from 1990 to 2013, the book goes on to narrate the choices destiny forces Safeena Malik, Deewan Bhat and Bilal Ahanagar to make.

The novel, published by Niyogi Books, also highlights different points of view - Kashmiri Pandits exiled from their homes, young directionless militants, duty-bound Army officers and innocent civilians, who become collateral damage.

Deewan is forced to flee from his home, Safeenas mother becomes collateral damage and Bilal has to embrace a wretched life of poverty and fear.

The place they called paradise becomes a battleground and their friendship struggles when fate forces them to choose sides against their will.

Twenty years later, destiny brings them at a crossroads again, when they no longer know what is right and what is wrong.

Nothing is right in their lives. Safeenas brother Tariq was shot dead by the Army in Machil. Her father was killed by a militant. Bilal was living in penury. Deewan had to flee and live in Mumbai. He lost an arm too.

"When I visited Kashmir in 2009, I saw a 12-year-old Kashmiri Muslim boy sipping cups of kahwa with a 20-year-old Army soldier. I saw love when there is hatred around," says Gupta about how the idea of the book struck him.

He says he wanted to tell the stories of the people he met, tales he heard from them, adding that the book is a universal story of cultures, belongingness, revenge and atonement. PTI ZMN RDS

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Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has warned that American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital would jeopardise White House efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.

Abbas' comments came amid a diplomatic push by the Palestinian leader and other Arab leaders to rally international support against the possible American move later this week.

US President Donald Trump is said to be close to endorsing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that would defy accepted international policy. Credit:AP

"Any American step related to the recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, or moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, represents a threat to the future of the peace process and is unacceptable for the Palestinians, Arabs and internationally," Abbas told a group of visiting Arab lawmakers from Israel, according to the official Wafa news agency.

Jordan has also started consultations on convening an emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in anticipation of a speech by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in which he is widely expected to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Washington: The US Senate narrowly approved a tax overhaul on Saturday, moving Republicans and President Donald Trump a big step closer to their goal of slashing taxes for businesses and the rich while offering everyday Americans a mixed bag of changes.

In what would be the largest change to US tax laws since the 1980s, Republicans want to add $US1.4 trillion ($1.84 trillion) over 10 years to the $US20 trillion ($26.3 trillion) national debt to finance changes that they say would further boost an already growing economy.

Trump, speaking to reporters as he left the White House for New York hours after the pre-dawn vote, praised the Senate for passing "tremendous tax reform" and said "people are going to be very, very happy".

Once the Senate and House of Representatives reconcile their respective versions of the legislation, he said, the resulting bill could cut the corporate tax rate from 35 per cent "to 20 [per cent]. It could be 22 [per cent] when it comes out. It could also be 20 [per cent]." US stock markets have rallied for months on hopes that Washington would provide significant tax cuts for corporations.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the Bervoets Family, both living in Sint Maarten and in Belgium, organized a Hurricane Irma Relief Supply Drive for the Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performing Arts. Renown Belgian actor, Gene Bervoets, who used to reside on the island some years ago as a drama teacher, director of the Cultural Center and Director of the Council on the Arts; and his children Tadzio Bervoets, Manager of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation and Ayumi Bervoets, Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Justice; on Friday presented the Charlotte Brookson Academy with much-needed Hurricane relief funds: Sint Maarten is very close to my heart, not only because of the fact that I lived here but also because my kids work and live here. That is why I was so deeply affected by the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on what I consider my home island. When I was following the aftermath of the hurricane from in Belgium I realized that the island, especially schools, will need all the help we could provide so with Tadzio and Ayumi we decided to assist the Charlotte Brookson Academy with their rebuilding after the hurricane. I used to teach performing arts when I used to live here and I think after a traumatic experience such as a hurricane it is important to provide especially young people with a way to express themselves through art. That is why we thought it so important to support the Charlotte Brookson Academy, commented Bervoets.

The Performance Arts School, which used to be housed in the former Government Building, suffered extensive damage during both hurricanes, forcing pupils to relocate to tents and in different buildings in order to continue to receive lessons. The school also lost significant school supplies during the Hurricanes; with his financial assistance gathered by the community in Belgium mostly organized by my daughter Ayumi and from various people and organizations including from the H. Pius X institute Secondary School where my son Tadzio attended after Hurricane Luis, Het Geluidshuis, Kadonation and Tablefever, we hope that the Academy can get a push in normalizing the situation for their students, concluded Bervoets.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public meeting on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Justice will be present for this meeting.

The agenda points are:

Incoming documents Approval Decision Lists Public meetings Parliamentary Year 2017-2018 no. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9 Draft National Ordinance containing general regulations concerning administrative enforcement of legal stipulations (National Ordinance administrative enforcement)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 120, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, SXMGOV Radio 107.9 FM, video live stream via the internet www.pearlfmradio.sx, www.sxmparliament.org and also Parliament FB page: Parliament of Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee will reconvene in an urgent session on Monday, December 4, 2017.

The urgent Central Committee meeting has been set for Monday at 14.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be present for this meeting.

The agenda points are:

2. Discussion on status update of Governments finances

3. Advice regarding changes to the composition of certain Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 120, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, SXMGOV Radio 107.9 FM, video live stream via the internet www.pearlfmradio.sx, www.sxmparliament.org and also Parliament FB page: Parliament of Sint Maarten.
California Politicians who enacted a "Sanctuary State" misjudged the public mood

The shooting that would elect the next US President occurred on Pier 14, San Francisco

The Kate Steinle case was always about more than just the Kate Steinle case.

The 32-year-old was shot in the back while walking with her father along San Francisco's Pier 14. She collapsed and died in her father's arms. It was July 1, 2015.

The bullet came from a gun stolen four days earlier from a federal ranger's official vehicle, where it had been left unsecured and loaded. But the story wasn't about carelessness.

The gun was fired by a man who was living on the street, but the story wasn't about homelessness. And it wasn't about gun violence.

The story was about illegal immigration and sanctuary cities, because of what had happened two weeks earlier.

Donald J. Trump announced on June 16, 2015, that he was running for president.

Illegal immigration was not a central part of Trump's announcement speech in New York. His brief remarks about Mexico "not sending their best" people, and characterizing some of the immigrants as criminals and rapists, received intense news coverage, but most of the speech was about trade.

Then Kate Steinle was shot to death.

The revelation that the suspect arrested for firing the bullet that killed Steinle was a Mexican citizen who had been deported five times already, and who would have been deported a sixth time if not for San Francisco's sanctuary policy protecting him from being turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon release from a local jail, changed American politics.

Trump seized on the story and pounded the message that the nation needed a wall on its southern border. On Aug. 31 he gave a major policy address in Phoenix to outline what he called "one of the greatest challenges facing our country today, illegal immigration."

Breitbart Kate Steinle and Juan Francisco Zarate

Trump told the crowd, "Today, on a very complicated and very difficult subject, you will get the truth. The fundamental problem with the immigration system in our country is that it serves the needs of wealthy donors, political activists and powerful, powerful politicians. Let me tell you who it does not serve. It does not serve you, the American people."

As Trump rose in the polls, no other candidate in the race co-opted the issue and ran with it, which, if it doesn't confirm Trump's assessment of "the fundamental problem," certainly doesn't contradict it.

Now he's president of the United States, and that's probably why.

rest: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/01/the-kate-steinle-tragedy-changed-history/
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By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 3 (PTI) China has showcased its J-11B jet fighters in the disputed South China Sea islands as Beijing seeks to consolidate its hold over the region.

Footage aired by state-run China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday for the first time confirmed deployment of the fighter aircraft in a hangar on Yongxing island, a Chinese name for Woody Island, which is part of the Paracel islands - also claimed by Vietnam.

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China calls the Paracels as the Xisha islands.

The presence of the bombers showcases Chinas improving air and sea control in the South China Sea, state-run Global Times quoted a Chinese military expert as saying.

The footage was broadcast in a CCTV report on the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Forces drills to improve its nautical combat capability.

Yongxing island is the largest of the Xisha islands in the South China Sea which is also the seat of the Sansha city government established by Chinas Hainan province.

With a three-kilometer runway, the airport in Yongxing island is an important dual-use airport in the South China Sea region, the CCTV report said.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea but Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the waterway.

The US is periodically deploying its naval ships and fighter planes to assert freedom of navigation.

Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets were reported to have intercepted a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea in May.

The thermostabilized hangar boosts the jet fighters durability and resistance to the islands humidity and high temperatures.

More importantly, the special hangar helps to realize regular deployment of fighter jets in the Xisha Islands, TV commentator Song Zhongping told the daily.

"Other islands in China could also use such aircraft hangars and Chinas overall control of air and sea in the South China Sea would be greatly improved as well," Song said.

China will enhance its capability to safeguard its legal rights in the South China Sea through military and legal enforcement channels, he said.

"Legal enforcement channel" means Chinese fighters intercepting foreign aircraft flying over the South China Sea, he said. PTI KJV KUN

--- ENDS ---
By Mail Today: It was also clear that it did not matter where you lived. Pollution was pervasive. So even the green parts of the city, where the elite lived, were equally affected. This helped, I believe, to make us all understand the extraordinary health emergency that was crippling us. It also meant making a choice: Leave the city or find a mask or an air purifier to clear your own personal space. Or fight. But how? Many parents, particularly those with chil-

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dren who have asthma, ask me if they should leave the city. I still do not know how best to respond to these questions. Many also tell me that they have decided to move away; they cannot take it any more. True, Delhi is very polluted and we know from all evidence that the air toxins are deadly for our health. There may not be any comprehensive epidemiological study which conclusively shows how growing air pollution in Indian cities is adding to the health burden, but there is enough to tell us that things are bad. Only the most diehard polluter - a manufacturer of diesel vehicles, for example - would argue that the current level of air pollution in Delhi is not hazardous to our health.

Also Read: Experts share pro tips on how to keep your skin healthy despite the smog all around

So why am I troubled in saying that yes, they should leave the city? After all, their health is at risk. Firstly, I realised, painfully, that it would mean accepting defeat. It was in the mid-1990s that we had started work on clean air. Courts and governments worked to take decisive and difficult action, and pollution was checked. Now we are back where we started. It is also clear that this second-generation reform is much more difficult. Should we give up? But then, I think of how the CSE's founder Anil Agarwal had reacted when he was diagnosed with cancer. He investigated the cause and found clear links with contaminants like pesticides. 'My story today, your story tomorrow' was his poignant rallying call for bringing change in the way we spray our food with poison. Just before his death, he set up India's first public laboratory to test contaminants in our everyday life.

Photo : Mail Today

Since then the tests done - from pesticides in soft drinks and Punjab farmers' blood to antibiotics in chicken - have brought home the fact that we need to reduce our exposure to toxins. And even though much more needs to be done, it is good to know that Agarwal's fight has not gone to waste. So it would not be a question of leaving the city but of finding a way to win this battle against pollution. Secondly, where will we go? The fact is that most of India is getting as badly polluted - air is equally foul but it is just not monitored. This is the difference between Delhi and other cities. Most cities of India have similar issues - growing number of diesel vehicles, poor public transport, weak surveillance of polluting factories and poverty that forces people to burn biomass instead of cleaner cooking fuel. So, where will you run away to?

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Also Read: Now that you are inhaling smog, how can you not let it harm you?

It was much the same when we believed that the answer to fighting pollution was to buy air purifiers. But the fact is that purifiers can clean only up to a limit and not all pollutants. Besides, we have to breathe the open air sometime. Yes, if you are rich, you can install it in your home to protect yourself and your children from the worst of the harm. But it is not the solution because not everyone is rich enough to use one. The answer is to clean the air itself.

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Air pollution - and in fact, environmental degradation - is a great leveller. Even if we think that we can 'run' away from pollution by moving to greener areas in our cities with less traffic, it does not work.

--- ENDS ---
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STAMFORD  The ongoing development boom and demographic shift with an influx of millenials are two obvious signs of change in the city.

But amid the luxury apartments and the bustling downtown scene are signs of progress on the citys streets.

Dont people shoot each other down here anymore? a criminal defense attorney from Southport asked in the hallway of the Stamford courthouse last week.

After a surge of shootings in 2016, the Stamford Police Department and city leaders have curbed violence this year by getting illegal guns and troubled youth off the streets.

With just weeks remaining in 2017, Stamford is nearing a milestone it hasnt reached in more than three decades: zero homicides in a calendar year.

Police Chief Jon Fontneau credited the departments Narcotics and Organized Crime unit for reducing crime on the streets.

We have a very strong narcotics squad. There are more than a dozen of them and they are on the streets all day long. They are out there working all the time with other agencies and we have a very proactive, young and energetic patrol division, Fontneau said. We dont sit on our heels and wait for something to happen. If people are out on the corners, we are out there mixing with people.

Capt. Richard Conklin, who supervises the NOC unit, said there have been several factors to reducing violent crime and preventing homicides in the city this year.

Conklin said members of his unit and the patrol division have generated leads that have thwarted drug trafficking and seized weapons on the street. Many of those arrested with guns are believed to have been shooters in other instances, Conklin said.

A Crime & Gun Stoppers initiative, spearheaded in the past year by Mayor David Martin and Sgt. Chris Broems, has led to 30 guns being seized and has prevented at least three people from being shot and possibly killed.

Officials have also credited youth programs  like ones at the Yerwood Center that offer nightly alternatives for teens instead of hanging out on the streets  as an effective method in reducing crime.

This past year the mayor directed the Office of Public Safety to focus on reducing violent crime, Ted Jankowski, director of Public Safety, Health & Welfare, wrote in an emailed statement.

The strategy developed utilized proactive policing by the dedicated men and woman of the Stamford Police Department coupled with improved technology, enhanced community partnerships and collaborations, focused social service outreach and mentoring programs along with plans designed to change the gun culture in the city of Stamford. The use of technology, social service programs and exceptional policing played an important role in reducing homicides.

The last Stamford homicide occurred 12 months ago when police say Elmer Gomez Ruano strangled to death his estranged wife, Dionicia Bautista-Cano, in a Glenbrook apartment on Nov. 13, 2016.

Gomez Ruano, who police say fled the scene with his young daughter, has been charged with murder and has been remanded to the Northern Correctional Center in Somers in lieu of $900,000 court appearance bond.

The other Stamford homicide last year occurred at an East Side day care where police say Nydia Carrillo-Maldonado killed 2-month-old Bella Redondo in July 2016. Carrillo-Maldonado has been charged with manslaughter and first-degree risk of injury to a minor.

While homicides have continued this year in the states largest cities  Danbury (1), Norwalk (3), New Haven (7), Bridgeport (22) and Hartford (24)  through the end of November, Stamford has remained murder free.

Barry Butler, who has been the lead public defender at the Stamford courthouse for nearly 10 years, said factors could include some of the citys notorious criminals are now behind bars and there has been a lull in gang activity.

First off, its just good work by the police in trying to keep the majority of guns off the street, Butler said. They have made a lot of progress in stopping the flow of illegal guns.

Stamford States Attorney Richard Colangelo said he has been blessed to be assigned to the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District.

We have great police departments and Stamford police do cutting edge work, which not only involves solving crimes when they occur, but preventing crimes from happening," he said.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com
The Congress vice-president is likely to reach the party headquarters around 10.30 am to file his nomination.

The Congress vice-president is likely to reach the party headquarters around 10.30 am to file his nomination. (Photo: PTI)

By India Today Web Desk: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is set to take over the reins of the party from mother Sonia, is likely to file his papers tomorrow.

The process of nomination started on December 1 and tomorrow is the last date for filing the same.

A host of party heavyweights will be present when Rahul files his papers for the party chief's post at its headquarters on Monday. Led by senior leader Ram Krishna Dwivedi, 10 Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders today proposed the nomination of the Gandhi scion for the post of party president.

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Six chief ministers - Punjab's Amarinder Singh, Karnataka's Siddaramaiah, Himachal Pradesh's Virbhadra Singh, Puducherry's V Narayanasamy, Meghalaya's Mukul Sangma and Mizoram's Lal Thanhawla - are expected to be present when over 90 sets of nomination papers are likely to be filed by various leaders to extend support to Rahul Gandhi's candidature.

The proposal for Rahul's nomination was filed before the party's state returning officer and senior leader from Uttarakhand Kishore Upadhyaya at the state Congress headquarters in Lucknow.

Former minister Raj Bahadur, ex-legislators Siraj Mehdi and Ambika Singh were among the proposers, Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Zeeshan Haider said.

Congress state unit chiefs, senior leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee delegates will be present at the Congress central office to extend support to Rahul ahead of his much-awaited elevation.

The Congress vice-president is likely to reach the party headquarters around 10.30 am to file his nomination.

Mullappally Ramachandran, the returning officer for the organisational election, told IANS that 90 nomination forms were taken by different states, though not one has been submitted so far.

Apart from states and union territories, senior leaders on the Congress Working Committee (CWC), including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AK Antony, Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad are likely to submit different sets of nomination papers.

The elevation of Rahul Gandhi, who is presently spearheading the Congress campaign ahead of the December 9 and 14 Gujarat Assembly polls, has been much talked about in party circles for around two years.

With Rahul in all likelihood to be the only candidate in the fray, he could be declared the next Congress chief on December 5 after scrutiny of nominations.

He will succeed Sonia Gandhi, the longest serving Congress chief who has helmed the party since 1998.

Rahul became the Congres Vice President in January 2013.

-With agency inputs

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 (PTI) Seventeen fishermen were today rescued after spending five days in the sea off the Kerala coast, which was battered by strong winds and heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi.

Navy sources said 13 fishermen were rescued from the high seas by INS Kalpeni this morning and handed over to the authorities in Kollam.

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An Air Force chopper rescued four fishermen about 30 miles west of Kayamkulam and brought them to a medical college hospital here.

Four aircraft of the Air Force, three of the Navy, and 10 naval ships have been undertaking search operations since morning. Coast Guard ships were also engaged for rescue efforts.

Yesterday, two ships of the Coast Guard saved 10 people, according to an official statement.

A Chetak helicopter of the Coast Guard form Kochi rescued a survivor from the sea. Another ship has located a fishing boat stranded in the sea with nine people on board. It was being towed to safety, the statement said.

About 20 boats with 203 people aboard have taken shelter near various islands in Lakshadweep, the statement added.

Meanwhile, protests were mounting along the Kerala coast, with fishermen and their families blaming the state government for the "tardy" manner in which the rescue operations were being conducted.

Residents have launched protests in coastal areas, including Alappuzha and Chellanam, over the delay in rescuing fishermen stranded in the sea.

No information has been received about the 33 fishermen from Punthura who had ventured into the sea five days ago.

Fishermen in 40 small boats set off for the high seas early today. Shortly after they ventured into the sea, rescuers found a body and brought it to the shore.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Ockhi has moved north-northwestwards during the past six hours and lay centered over southeast and east-central Arabian Sea, about 390km west-northwest of Amini Divi island of Lakshadweep, according to the latest MeT department bulletin.

Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in north Lakshadweep during the next 12 hours. PTI UD ROH ABH

--- ENDS ---
According to the latest IMD report, cyclonic storm Ockhi is very likely to recurve northeastwards towards south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts in the next 72 hours.

Corporation workers cleaning the beach after cyclone Ockhi in Kozhikode on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

By Siddharatha Tiwari: Cyclone Ockhi, which battered Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the last two days, has moved beyond the coast of Lakshwadweep. It is likely to cross south Gujarat coast near Surat around midnight of December 5.

According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) report, cyclonic storm Ockhi is very likely to recurve northeastwards towards south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts in the next 72 hours.

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The Gujarat government had issued warning to the fishing community asking them not to venture into the sea along and off south Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts from December 4-6 morning.

The cyclone has so far claimed at least 19 lives in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

HEAVY RAINFALL WARNING

Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over Saurashtra and south Gujarat region on December 5 and over south and north Gujarat regions on December 5 (upto around noon). The weather will improve thereafter.

Light to moderate rainfall at many places is also likely over north Konkan on 5th December.

WIND WARNING

Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph very likely along and off north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts from December 4 night to December 6 morning.

SEA CONDITION

Sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts from from December 4 night to December 6 morning.

SITHARAMAN REVIEWS RELIEF WORK

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today reviewed the search-and-rescue operations undertaken after cyclone Ockhi.

According to the figures collated by the Defence Ministry, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Indian Air Force have so far rescued 357 people.

Tamil Nadu: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took stock of #CycloneOchki affected Kanyakumari and interacted with the locals. pic.twitter.com/nRdIOzNDYI&; ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

Sitharaman will on Monday undertake a road journey from Kanyakumari to the Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram and visit cyclone-affected areas and meet locals on the way, Ministry officials said.

Till Sunday morning, around 89 boats with 1,154 fishermen, mostly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have taken shelter in various ports of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Lakshwadeep, a Ministry tweet said.

--- ENDS ---
This month, as I write my Jacks Insights article, Im enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with family in Utah. My wife Robynns family has gathered at her sisters home for a few days of conversation, fun and getting better acquainted with each other. It has been great to move beyond FaceTime and see my 8-month-old grandson and 11-month-old granddaughter smile at me in person. In addition, to know that they really do recognize Grandpa, even when the miles between our homes dont facilitate a daily, or weekly personal visit.

Ive also been able to spend a day with my 91-year-old mother and talk of heritage and life when she was a little girl. Im thankful to family and the opportunity to enjoy time with them  to me this is one of the blessings of the Thanksgiving holiday.

I mention FaceTime above because it is a marvelous example of inventions and developments which have occurred in a relatively short period of time for easy communication with family and friends. I remember party lines for telephone calls, and when long-distance phone calls were reserved for very special occasions. Im not sure there is even such a thing as an extra charge on phone bills nowadays for long-distance calls.

Along the line of inventions and developments, I want to give a brief report on the 2017 Growing Nebraska Summit I attended in Lincoln in early November. The UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) hosted this one-day event as a way to listen to and assure stakeholders that we are on the right path in IANR research, teaching and extension work, and to showcase some of the great things that are happening at your university. Dr. Mike Boehm, Vice Chancellor of IANR, anticipates that the Growing Nebraska Summit will become an annual event to report to the people of Nebraska what their university is doing in the area of agriculture, natural resources and associated disciplines.

One of the speakers, in particular, presented work I have thought of a lot since the Summit. Amanda Ramer-Tait from the Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases, a joint effort involving the UNL Department of Food Sciences and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, updated us on the exciting area of research which is happening between agriculture and health. Amanda is part of the Nebraska Food for Health Center. She used the term gut microbiome to describe how modulation of the vast population of microbes in our gastrointestinal tract is being explored in a research pipeline aimed at certain target diseases and health outcomes. She drew the connection between the enhanced food production practices in agriculture and their beneficial effects on our bodies. These impacts are driven largely by the microbial dynamics in our gut.

Amanda began her presentation by referring to a challenge given to the Nebraska Food for Health team by Jeff Raikes, who at the time was CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation is providing a portion of the funding for the effort. Jeff, a Nebraska native, was the chief strategist for Microsoft and drove the product strategy and design of Microsoft Office. He challenged UNL with a question from a computer terminology perspective: How do we create Nebraska Agriculture 2.0? From what I saw in Amandas presentation, there is a great future for agriculture as version 2.0 evolves in the coming decades.

Im convinced that there are many discoveries yet to be found in agriculture, whether as related to health, as Amanda outlined, or in the production of food generally to feed our growing global population. For example, who would have thought that grain production per acre  whether wheat or corn  would have more than doubled during most of our lifetimes. This occurred as a result of mankind using the resources, know-how and opportunities to develop and refine our food production practices. As Agriculture 2.0 and similar initiatives are undertaken, Im confident that we will rise to the challenge through research and development projects.

Wayne Woldt, UNL Water Resource Engineering Professor, made what I thought was a key statement during a segment of the Summit when we were having a table discussion. As we were discussing the challenge of feeding the world as population grows, Wayne said, I cant think that the Creator would have developed a system that would fail before completion. I dont think Wayne was in any way suggesting that we just sit back and expect food production to grow to meet the need. Rather, I think what he was saying was with all of the resources, know-how and opportunity to develop and refine our food production practices, the Creator expects us to use these to meet the coming demands.

Back to my comment about FaceTime as a means of communicating with family members. Few would have believed that this technology was even possible, yet it is commonplace now. Similarly, I feel confident that we can play a key role in the system to feed the world to reach the designed completion.

Have a nice holiday season as you celebrate all the blessings we have been provided with.
The basics of QuickBooks financial software for farmers and ranchers will be taught in a workshop Dec. 15 at Scottsbluff.

The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Avenue I. To register call Jessica Groskopf at 308-632-1247.

Jerry Terwilliger of the Center for Rural Affairs teaches the basics of desktop QuickBooks, focusing on the record-keeping needs of farmers and ranchers. Participants will learn how to input transactions, use accounts, categories, inventories, invoices, and run common reports.

Cost is $55 per participant, and the classes are limited to five participants per location.

This workshop is being offered by Nebraska Extension in collaboration with the Center for Rural Affairs Rural Enterprise Assistance Project and the SBA Womens Business Center.
TORRINGTON, WYOMING - The annul Guadalupe Fiesta, sponsored by the Guadalupe Society of Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12. A feast day Mass service in veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe will begin at 5:30 p.m., Saint Rose Church, 605 East 22nd Avenue, Torrington, Wyoming, with Reverend Ray Moss presiding. Rich Reyes, of Torrington, will serve as Cantor. An adult and childrens procession, in addition to the local Childrens Aztec Dance Group, will also participate during the Mass, under the direction of Rosa Lopez.

The Guadalupe fiesta/dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., at the St. Rose Social Hall, immediately following the Mass service.

In addition to the traditional Mexican dinner, ham and fruit basket giveaways, book baskets for children, Kindle raffle and treats for attending children, will also be provided at Saint Rose Social Hall, as part of the fiestas activities.

Featured fiesta cultural artists include: cultural vocal artist/guitarist Rosie Cobos of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Rosie will be performing traditional cultural Mexican folk songs and ballads. Los Guadalupanos Folkloric Dancers, also of Scottsbluff and under the direction of Mary Ann Shockley, will be performing several cultural dances native to numerous regional states of Mexico.

All interested individuals are also invited to participate in Las Mananitas in the early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6 a.m., St. Rose Church. Attendees are welcome to attend a Mexican Breakfastfollowing Las Mananitas Serviceat St. Rose Social Hall in gracious fellowship.

The public is invited to attend this celebratory event and to participate in the entirety of the days activities at no cost.

The Guadalupe Society extends its appreciation to contributor Wyoming AARPunder the Multicultural Initiativefor their assistance to the Guadalupe Fiesta 2017.

For more information, please call Mary Quinonez at 307-532-5265 or 307-532-5966.
A culture of life. Its part of what makes Nebraska the best place to live, work, and raise a family. This culture is evident in the way we care for each other and look out for our neighbors. You can see it in how Nebraskans step up and care for our most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly and disabled. Its manifested in the work of volunteers at crisis pregnancy centers and pro-life prayer vigils held across our state each year.

As Governor, I have worked to support initiatives that protect and strengthen the culture of life that Nebraskans embody. Life is precious, and public officials have a duty to stand up and be a voice for the unborn and most vulnerable.

This year, I had the privilege of signing LB46 into law. This bill was introduced by Senator Dan Watermeier of Syracuse to create the Choose Life license plate. This license plate bill is the first pro-life legislation signed into law in years. This plate is a specialty license plate, which Nebraskans can choose to purchase as an alternative to our standard license plate. The Choose Life license plate gives Nebraskans the opportunity to express their values as they travel around Nebraska and across the nation.

This week, Senator Watermeier and I unveiled the design for the plate. The plate depicts a mother and her child walking into a Nebraska sunrise. I know that the design will spark fond memories of parents and their loved ones. With the creation of the plate, Nebraska joins twenty-nine other states that offer Choose Life license plates. You can see the design by visiting www.Governor.Nebraska.gov and access information about how to order one of the plates.

This year, I also signed another pro-life bill into law. LB506 introduced by Senator Joni Albrecht of Thurston adopted the Compassion and Care for Medically Challenging Pregnancies Act. This legislation is helping provide essential information regarding perinatal hospice care to pregnant women who are diagnosed with a lethal fetal anomaly. Before this legislation, many parents were provided minimal options when given a serious medical diagnosis during the early stages of a pregnancy. Unfortunately, most women and their families are not aware of the compassionate care available to them through perinatal hospice services. Nebraska is the first state to pass legislation requiring information on hospice to be provided at the time of diagnosis.

In addition to these legislative initiatives, my administration has also worked to build a more effective and efficient state government that delivers a high level of customer service. How we deliver a service communicates a respect for the dignity of the people we serve and makes a real difference in the quality of life for our most vulnerable Nebraskans.

In the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), we have made great strides in improving the level of service for our customers. Our call centers for Medicaid services and economic assistance have reduced call wait times from 24 minutes to an average of just five minutes. Why does this matter? Imagine being a low-income Nebraskan with a prepaid phone that has 45 minutes on it. Now imagine spending over half of those minutes on hold. What does that do to your quality of life? Faster response times not only improve the customer experience, but are also helping ensure that we are serving only people who qualify and need our help.

Serving Nebraskans with developmental disabilities is another one of DHHS key responsibilities. Under my administration, we have reduced the amount of paperwork families have to complete to determine eligibility for the states developmental disability services. We streamlined the application from 14 pages to three pages. Additionally, we have accelerated the process for approving new providers who help deliver these services. Originally, it took 163 days to review prospective providers, and now were completing approvals in 49 days.

These are just a few examples of how we are working to support and protect Nebraskas culture of life. We arent finishedthere is more work to do. Whether Nebraskans are expressing their pro-life values through their license plate or volunteering at a local pregnancy clinic, were always working to grow our respect for life here in the Good Life. If you have a story about how your community is promoting a culture of life in Nebraska, call my office at 402-471-2244 or email me at pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov.
By India Today Web Desk: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reached Kanyakumari to review the situation in the wake of cyclone Ockhi. Tamilnadu deputy CM O Panneerselvam along with officials of Navy and coast guard are accompanying her as she reviews the damage done by the cyclone.

"357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today", Defence Minister said.

A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State Revenue control room #TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi&; ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

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O Panneerselvam took stock of the situation earlier today. He visited Kanyakumari and reviewed the damage.

The severe cyclonic storm over Lakshwadeep area will further moved northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph during the next 12 hours.It is then expected to recurve northeastwards during the subsequent 48 hours and weaken gradually.

Following the latest development the Gujarat government has issued warning to fishing community from December 4.

The cyclone is expected to weaken into deep depression when it reaches the Gulf of Khambhat around December 6. The change is likely to be followed by heavy rainfall in the state of Gujarat.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along and off south Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts from Sunday night for the subsequent 48 hours.

The cyclone is centered 880 km southwest of Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard has intensified its deployment of ships and aircraft off Kerala coast as well as Lakhadweep Islands.

#WATCH INS Shardul dropped relief material on a boat affected by #CycloneOckhi, off Kerala coast (Source: Indian Navy) pic.twitter.com/XgPCYNEGxq; ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

The Indian Coast Guard said that its personnel are interacting and providing assistance to 28 boats, which have entered Maharashtra's Ratnagiri harbor, of these, 23 are from Tamil Nadu, three are from Karnataka and the other three from Kerala.

As on date, 11 ships, three dornier aircraft and three helicopters are undertaking extensive search operations in the affected area.

Commodore G Prakash, the Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy, said 25 people were rescued from Lakshadweep and 13 were picked off the Kerala coast.

"We have rescued 25 people from Lakshadweep and picked 13 people off Kerala coast. The Navy is continuing conducting a massive search with 8-10 ships off Kerala coast. We also have three additional ships coming in from Mumbai, with food for almost 5,000 people. The Indian Navy is all out in this rescue operation," he told reporters.

In the wee hours on December 3, the Indian Coast Guard ship 'Shoor' reached a remote island Suheli Par in Lakshadweep to rescue five fishermen from a stranded boat "FB Antony".The island was almost on the path of the cyclone and bore maximum brunt of the storm.

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Milking cows at Rocky Creek Dairy is like a perfectly timed dance. Bovines with varying patterns of black and white sashay into a metal stall, instinctively turn, then back into the metal booth. A worker comes by with foamy blue soap to wash each udder, to which he then attaches black tubes. The tubes draw milk until they sense there is none left, then they fall off.
Lisa Harris has waited a year to find out what happened to her sister-in-law. Shell keep waiting if she has to.
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By PTI: By Arunav Sinha

Ayodhya, Dec 3 (PTI) At the peak of the tension surrounding Ayodhya 25 years ago, a humble white Ambassador car became a trusted ally for Anant Kumar Kapoor, helping him in carrying food and other essential commodities he required to run his hotel packed with journalists in the town under curfew.

Kapoor, now 71, is one of the directors of Shan-E-Awadh hotel in Faizabad district, under which the Ayodhya town falls. He had provided accommodation to journalists from India and abroad who had gathered in Ayodhya to cover the Ram Mandir movement.

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The hotel, located opposite the office of the newly- created Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, was established in 1986. Kapoor, then 46, looked after the hotels operations.

"More than 100 journalists from India and abroad were staying in the hotel. The entire hotel was full of journalists. We had to put extra cots in most of the rooms to accommodate those who could not get any room," Kapoor told PTI, vividly recalling those days in December, 1992.

On December 6 that year, a large number of Kar Sevaks - religious volunteers - had gathered in the temple town and demolished the 16th- century Babri Masjid, sending ripples across the country.

Riots followed the demolition and curfew was imposed on Ayodhya.

"The curfew pass issued by the district administration and the white Ambassador car virtually proved to be a lifeline for me, and helped in collecting raw materials, food items, and other essential commodities for those staying at the hotel. I had to go to the outskirts of Faizabad to collect the items," he said.

Kapoor said since the curfew extended to Faizabad, it also meant that all the telephone booths were closed.

"Most of the journalists staying here used the STD facility of the hotel and dictated the news to their editorial colleagues. They would talk for nearly an hour to an hour- and-a-half, while disseminating all necessary information," he said.

He recalled that the space below the hotels staircase became the dark room for some of the photographers. "After developing the photographs, they would go to the post office, from where they faxed their days photographs," he said.

Kapoor said he last saw the Babri Masjid on December 5, 1992, the day before it was demolished.

Kripa Shankar Pandey, 68, who worked as a special correspondent for Navjeevan and Quami Awaz publications in 1992, said: "I was inside the disputed structure almost 10 minutes before it fell, and nearly 50 metres away from the structure when it was being demolished.

"The then district magistrate Ravindra Kumar Srivastava told me to leave the place: Pandey jee, yehaan se hat jaaiye."

Pandey added, "I was there from 10.00am to 5.00pm. The disputed structure fell between 12.00noon and 1.00pm. I was amazed to see that people were eager to take the stones of the debris, as if it was gold."

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The journalist, who worked from an office located on the Faizabad-Ayodhya road, said telephone lines of his office were "massively utilised" by the journalists who had come to cover the incident. PTI NAV ABH BDS ABH

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A woman was injured in the shooting, but police said her condition at an area hospital is unknown. She was shot while traveling west on I-270 between Highway 367 and Halls Ferry Road about 8 p.m. Saturday. Police said a silver passenger vehicle was seen in the area at the time of the shooting, but did not release a detailed description of it or the driver.
RICHMOND HEIGHTS  At least 50 people led by clergy protested at the St. Louis Galleria on Sunday.

The protesters chanted "Victory is ours," as they walked peacefully on the first level of the mall about 3:20 p.m. Then they did a lap on the second level and returned to the first level.

Some stores closed, putting down security gates as protesters chanted "No justice, no profit" to the beat of drums. Police and security guards observed, but there were no arrests, as there have been at previous protests at the mall.

The clergy and many of the protesters left shortly before 4 p.m. About a dozen remained and were ordered to leave by police. They eventually left the mall shortly after 4 p.m.

On Nov. 25 the Galleria closed for about half an hour and seven people were arrested during a Black Friday protest.

The protest was part of an economic boycott effortannounced in early November by African-American clergy and activists over issues from police treatment of blacks to bank loan practices to infrastructure neglect in the northern part of St. Louis.

The mall was also the site of a protest in late September following the acquittal of a white St. Louis police officer in the shooting of a black drug suspect. That protest ended in more than 20 arrests and generated complaints that police were heavy-handed.
In the past three years, the photo staff at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has spent a lot of time covering protests. The challenge is not only finding pictures that tell the story of that days protest, but also capturing new images that are unique from all the other photos made at previous protests.

The photo was a surprise. It was taken during the fourth night of protests in St. Louis after the not-guilty verdict in the Jason Stockley murder trial. Stockley, a former St. Louis police officer, was accused of murdering Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011. After the verdict was announced, weeks of protests followed. The night before this picture was taken, St. Louis police arrested 123 people, including an undercover police officer, an Air Force officer, numerous journalists, and onlookers. Many of those arrested complained about police misconduct during the arrests. The FBI and federal prosecutors are now investigating allegations of potential civil rights violations by law enforcement officers during the protests.

On this night about 1,000 people showed up outside the St. Louis City Justice Center jail to call for the release of those who were arrested and to raise money to bail them out. It started out looking like many of the other protests weve covered. Some organizers addressed the crowd using a megaphone, the crowd cheered, held signs and chanted.

A unique moment materialized when one of the organizers with a megaphone called on everyone to hold up their cellphone with the flashlight turned on. It was an impressive sight, almost beautiful. I knew that I needed to get a little elevated to show an overall of the scene. The Renaissance Revival Style of City Hall looming in the background really helped make the picture not only visually but added a context for the photo.

The photo ran across the front page of the paper the next day. I liked that the image is so different from the photos from earlier Stockley protests and that it showed people in an unexpectedly beautiful moment.
By Chayyanika Nigam: A 27-year-old MBA student and her brother were beaten up by two men allegedly for feeding stray dogs. The men reportedly tried to strangulate the brother. More harassment was faced by the siblings after police asked the woman to come to the police station at midnight to record her statement.

The incident took place in West Delhi's Shalimar Bagh on November 28 when the siblings' mother Mohinder Kaur (63) went to keep dogs' food in the nearby MCD park inside her colony. While she was returning at about 10.20 pm, she noticed two men, who reside in the adjacent compound, following her with iron rods. In fear, she locked herself at her residence, following which the men, identified as Pawan Saini and Saroj Nahar, rang the bell.

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"I came out and confronted them. They started abusing us. My brother Sumit intervened. The men asked him to come down so they could show him the place to feed dogs. They said the park belongs to them and we cannot feed dogs there," Mohinder's daughter Chandni said. "When Sumit went down, the couple attacked him with iron rods. I rushed to save him but Saroj hit me with a rod and Pawan molested me," she added

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The US president reiterated his version of events after Comey testified before Congress in June that Trump had asked him in a one-on-one meeting if he could see to "letting Flynn go."

By AP: President Donald Trump said today in a tweet that he never asked former FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating his ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn, issuing a fresh denial amid a shifting timeline on when he may have known that Flynn had lied to the FBI.

Trump said on Twitter before dawn, "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" The president reiterated his version of events after Comey testified before Congress in June that Trump had asked him in a one-on-one meeting if he could see to "letting Flynn go."

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Trump shifted his story Saturday on why he fired Flynn, lumping in the retired Army lieutenant general's lies to the FBI along with his untruthfulness with Vice President Mike Pence. The president's initial explanation was that Flynn had to go because he hadn't been straight with Pence about contacts with Russian officials.

Lying to the FBI is a crime, and one that Flynn acknowledged Friday in pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate with the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Trump tweeted Saturday: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

Amid questions raised by the tweet, Trump associates tried to put distance Saturday evening between the president himself and the tweet. One person familiar with the situation said the tweet was actually crafted by John Dowd, one of the president's personal attorneys. Dowd declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Saturday night.

In another email wrinkle in the investigation into Trump's ties to Russia, The New York Times reported Saturday that emails among top Trump transition officials suggested that Flynn was in close contact with other senior members of the transition team before and after he spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. A December 29 email from KT McFarland, a transition adviser to Trump, suggested that Russian sanctions announced by the Obama administration had been aimed at discrediting Trump's victory.

She wrote the sanctions could also make it more difficult for Trump to ease tensions with Russia, "which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him," she wrote in the emails obtained by the Times. A White House attorney told the newspaper McFarland only meant that Democrats were portraying it that way.

It's unclear why Trump would cite lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Flynn. Doing so suggests the president knew at the time that Flynn had done something that is against the law, and therefore the investigation could not be as frivolous as he's been portraying.

It's also unclear how he would know that, if information about Russian contacts had not reached him, as he has been implying in his own defense.

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Flynn left the White House in February, only acknowledging that he had given an incomplete account to Pence of his conversations with Kislyak. After Trump forced Flynn out, he asked Comey to end the bureau's probe in the matter, according to Comey's account. Comey refused, and Trump fired him, too.

Then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer said after Flynn's firing that it was the result of a "trust issue" and the White House counsel's office had determined there was not a legal issue.

"Whether or not he actually misled the vice president was the issue, and that was ultimately what led to the president asking for and accepting the resignation of Gen. Flynn," Spicer told reporters on February 14. "That's it, pure and simple. It was a matter of trust."

Trump has been publicly dismissive of Comey and of special counsel Robert Mueller's continuing investigation, and was often generous in his appraisal of Flynn, except to say his adviser could not stay on the job after misleading his vice president.

At the time, Pence said Trump was justified in firing Flynn because Flynn had lied to him. Neither Trump nor Pence indicated concern then that the FBI had not been told the true story.

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Pence, who served as head of Trump's transition, has not publicly commented on Flynn's plea.

Trump turned to Twitter again later Saturday night, railing about why Flynn was prosecuted but his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton was not for her alleged misdeeds.

He tweeted: "So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?"

He then added: "Many people in our Country are asking what the 'Justice' Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and 'acid washed' 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

Clinton was voluntarily interviewed for more than three hours at FBI headquarters in July 2016. She was not in custody during her interview and so, in accordance with standard FBI and Justice Department protocol, her interview would not have been recorded. A Justice Department policy on recorded interrogations applies to individuals who have been arrested and are in custody.

It is nonetheless a crime to lie to the FBI about any material fact in an investigation. Comey has said Clinton did not lie to the FBI during her interview.

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The contentious decision by Western Bay of Plenty district councillors to create one or more Maori wards has fired up residents, who want a public poll on the matter.

Among them is former Te Puke Community Board candidate Richard McNair, whos been helping to organise a petition to gain the necessary signatures to force a public vote.

I attended the meeting regarding Maori wards, and I thought it wasnt right, he says. To me, democracy is one man, one vote. If youre going to have Maori wards, you need to have Asian wards as well.

Once you start, where does it finish?

Richard has spoken to several people from Te Puke, as well as residents living in Katikati, Waihi Beach and Omokoroa, all of whom are keen to see a poll taken.

Id be surprised if we dont get the required signatures very quickly.

Kaimai ward councillor Margaret Murray-Benge, who voted against the decision to introduce Maori wards, says theres been a groundswell of support for a poll.

Ive always seen every man Ive worked with as my equal, she says.

You have to do that when youre working with the community  you can never see them as being different or inferior in any way.

Thats why I could not vote for a system that separates us out  its apartheid.

She says she feels quite comfortable about the petition.

I know theres an enormous number of people ready to sign, and ready to take papers to get others to sign. So we will achieve the number required to trigger a poll.

People should have a say on the subject  its an important one, and we do live in a democracy.

If five per cent (1705) or more of the districts electors demand a poll, the issue of Maori wards will be determined by a public poll.

A demand for a poll must be received by February 21, 2018 and a poll held by May 21, 2018. If there is no demand for a poll, the councils decision is final.
The murder trial of retired Tauranga doctor, who is accused of murdering Australian socialite Maureen Boyce, is nearing its end.

Thomas Chris Lang, formally of Welcome Bay, was arrested in 2015 after being accused of killing the former model.

Lang is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court, in Australia, after pleading not guilty to fatally stabbing Boyce in her Kangaroo Point sub-penthouse.

Defence barrister Tony Glynn, QC, and Crown prosecutor David Meredith are expected to give their closing arguments on Monday, followed by Justice Peter Flanagans final directions to the jury.

Its reported that Lang had gone to Brisbane for love and was arrested on Friday October 23 2015 and taken to Dutton Police Station for extensive questioning over Maureens death.

This followed a 12-hour questioning period which took place on Thursday October 22 2015.

Maureens body was found on the Thursday morning in her Kangaroo Point sub-penthouse.

She had a single stab wound to her abdomen.

Langs relationship to the former model was unclear, except for police confirmation that he was staying in the Macleay Towers apartment and knew Maureen quite well, the Brisbane Times reported at the time of Langs arrest.
Four men arrested as part of New Zealands largest cocaine bust will appear at the Tauranga High Court today.

Matthew Scott, 44, Deni Cavallo, 46, Benjamin Northway, 35, and Mario Habulin, 46, all face charges related to possession for the supply of cocaine, possession for the supply of methamphetamine, import and export of cocaine and participation in an organised criminal group.

A five-month long operation by Customs and police led to the discovery of estimated 46 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of around NZ$20 million ($450 per gram), which was seized from an address in Tauranga at the beginning of last month.

Todays appearance will involve police presenting a submission to the courts to have the case transferred to Auckland, where police says a majority of the charges originate from.

Defence lawyers for all men oppose the transfer.

The men made their first appearance at the Tauranga High Court in early November.

None of the accused applied for bail and all were remanded in custody.
The president of the Junta de Andalucia, Susana Diaz, has told the EU that in its negotiations with the UK regarding Brexit it needs to take into account the fact that the region's situation and circumstances are unique.

On the second day of her visit to Brussels, she pointed out to the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs and Taxation, Pierre Moscovici, that Andalucia is the only region on the European continent to have a land border with the UK, and expressed her concern about the economic impact which Brexit could have on the region.

She also underlined the fact that 8,000 workers from Andalucia cross the border into Gibraltar every weekday, Britain is the biggest source market for tourism to the region and Andalucia is also home to a very large community of British residents, all factors which make the region unusual.

The Andalusian president also expressed her concern that instead of using State funds for investment in Andalucia, the Spanish government is using EU money. In her opinion, this is what happened with the EU funding from 2007 to 2013, and she said that Andalucia did not receive 7.5 billion euros which it should have done during that period, because the government was using cohesion funds to invest in Andalucia whereas those are supposed to be additional, for better convergence.

Susana Diaz and Pierre Moscovici seem to get on well and this was reflected in their posts on social media following their meeting. This was the third time they had met professionally. The Andalusian president visited Mr Moscovici in Brussels a year ago, and in June this year he came to Andalucia for a meeting with her at the Palacio San Telmo.

Moscovici posted on his Twitter account that he was delighted to have welcomed her again, and noted that investment and solidarity are communal priorities in Brussels and in Seville.

Susana Diaz replied with a tweet of her own, thanking him for his time and attention, and also for his sensitivity regarding Andalucia's problems.
By PTI: security for students

Kolkata, Dec 2 (PTI) Agitated guardians today organised a rally outside the G D Birla Centre for Education, where a nursery student was allegedly sexually assaulted by two physical training instructors, demanding justice for the victim, enhanced security for students and a meeting with the principal.

The move came hours after principal S Nath and other teachers of the school in south Kolkata were escorted out by the police, after being held up in their offices by the angry guardians for over 16 hours.

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The two accused physical education teachers were arrested yesterday in connection with the case.

Krishnendu Mukherjee, one of the protesting guardians, said, "We want immediate resignation of the principal and the teacher who had described the accused as naughty boys before the media yesterday".

A guardians forum will be set up by tomorrow and all grievances will be channelised through that platform, he said.

"If our demands are not met, we will intensify our protests from Monday," Mukherjee said.

The G D Birla Centre for Education, in a statement to the media yesterday, had said the schools management was fully cooperating with the police in their investigation.

"The school management will take necessary and proper action after the investigations are over," the statement said, adding the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has also been apprised of the matter.

West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said he was looking into the incident with "utmost seriousness".

"I have no words to condemn the incident. Strongest punishment should be given to those responsible for the incident," he told reporters yesterday.

The WBBSE has sent a fact-finding team to enquire into the matter. It has sought a report from them by the end of the day, board president Kalyanmoy Ganguly said.

The four-year-old nursery student was allegedly sexually assaulted inside the prominent private school yesterday where a similar incident had taken place three years ago, triggering angry protests by guardians. PTI SUS RMS SRY

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The teen claimed that the accused continued to rape her on the pretext of keeping her father alive. Unfortunately, her father passed away in January 2017 during the treatment.

By Sneha Agrawal: Even a rehab centre isn't safe for girls in the city.

A 17-year-old found this to her horror when she was allegedly raped by the owner of a clinic where she took her alcoholic father for a de-addiction treatment. Astha (name changed), a resident of west Delhi and Class 12 student, had for long been battling the alcohol problem of her father, who had a transport business.

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The 42-year-old had repeatedly failed to get over the addiction despite being sent to rehab centres time and again. Worse, his presence in one rehab centre after another would make him more aggressive and violent. But Astha's worst nightmare began when she took her father to a rehab centre named Happy Homes in Ghaziabad in July 2016.

"I found the contact details of Happy Homes through an online directory portal and found it to be under my budget. They promised to treat my father within six months," she told Mail Today.

"Being the eldest one in the house, and having a working mother and an alcoholic father, I had to take the responsibility of my younger brother and the house."

Astha's father was admitted in the rehab, but she was unaware that this would be used as a bait to sexually exploit her. "Two days after my father was admitted, I got a call from the rehab's owner who said that my father was psychologically disturbed and wanted to have a word about it. I told him that my mother wasn't at home and it was impossible for me to visit the rehab centre by myself." Astha was allegedly offered a pickup.

"He (rehab owner) told me that I would not have to come that far, as he would get the father's psychologist to meet me at a hotel in Mahipalpur."

'HE THREATENED TO KILL DAD'

According to the complaint to the police she went along with him to the hotel and while having a word with the psychologist about the case, she drank a cold drink that was allegedly laced with sedatives. Astha told police the next day she found herself on bed without clothes, with the rehab owner sleeping next to her. "When I confronted him, he said he would get my father killed if I speak a word against him. He even threatened to leak my naked photos and video of the act if I do not obey him."

She claimed that the accused continued to rape her on the pretext of keeping her father alive. Unfortunately, her father passed away in January 2017 during the treatment.

"After his death we had to face several financial difficulties. The accused, who had grown familiar with my family, offered to help us in running the father's business. He took our trucks but later betrayed when my mother went to him asking for the payment."

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Astha broke her silence when she got to know the accused had not only raped her but even financially exploited her family. She claimed that she had to even drop out of the school as the incident left her mentally disturbed. "I kept quiet thinking about my father's well-being. After he was gone, I could not take it further. Knowing that he took the advantage of our loss made me report the crime."

Police lodged an FIR and booked the accused for sedating, rape and criminal intimidation. They also booked him under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO). According to sources, the accused has not been arrested yet. Mail Today tried to contact the rehab centre as well as the accused, but the numbers provided in the complaint and on online portals were not functioning. The Delhi HC in 2016 was informed by the Delhi Legal Aid Service that an analysis of POCSO judgments of six courts in the Capital - Saket, Dwarka, Rohini, Patiala House, Tis Hazari and Karkardooma - in the last six months found conviction rate was below 20 per cent.Watch: Vizag horror: Pedestrians ignore while drunk man rapes mentally ill woman on footpath

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VKumar BHPian



Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Dehradun Posts: 929 Thanked: 8,011 Times

re: Landmark Jeep staff beat up a customer



In the second video, the guys are already hurling some of the worst possible abuse along with a statement something like "2 ghante se gaali de raha hai (he is abusing since 2 hours)". I don't believe that this is possible for 2 hours, yes some heated moment is possible - maybe they screwed his Jeep!! There are 2 instances already where screwed up Jeeps are delivered to customers.



If the customer was at such a huge fault that he deserved to be thrashed and abused in the above manner, then the other guys wouldn't have asked for an apology in such a humble manner. It's more of an ego tussle where the sales guys have got hurt a bit hard IMO. BTW it has to be Jeep dealership in either Delhi or Gurgaon, I am not very much surprised from this outcome actually, guys here are normally quick at quarreling; especially if they are locals.



IMO, irrespective of who was at how much fault, both the guys who are seen thrashing the customer and hurling abuses should be immediately fired. This is not just about one customer, these guys are instead killing dealership business as maybe others too have seen this attitude and event at that time. Alongside is the fact that leaving these guys untouched is more like adding more to their confidence. What will be the result? Some day they will encounter someone with even shorter temper (count me there) and then the dealership owner will be seen running behind insurance guys just because of the fault of such guys Even if it is one side of the story, the way things did turn out is not the right one.In the second video, the guys are already hurling some of the worst possible abuse along with a statement something like "2 ghante se gaali de raha hai (he is abusing since 2 hours)". I don't believe that this is possible for 2 hours, yes some heated moment is possible - maybe they screwed his Jeep!! There are 2 instances already where screwed up Jeeps are delivered to customers.If the customer was at such a huge fault that he deserved to be thrashed and abused in the above manner, then the other guys wouldn't have asked for an apology in such a humble manner. It's more of an ego tussle where the sales guys have got hurt a bit hard IMO. BTW it has to be Jeep dealership in either Delhi or Gurgaon, I am not very much surprised from this outcome actually, guys here are normally quick at quarreling; especially if they are locals.IMO, irrespective of who was at how much fault, both the guys who are seen thrashing the customer and hurling abuses should be immediately fired. This is not just about one customer, these guys are instead killing dealership business as maybe others too have seen this attitude and event at that time. Alongside is the fact that leaving these guys untouched is more like adding more to their confidence. What will be the result? Some day they will encounter someone with even shorter temper (count me there) and then the dealership owner will be seen running behind insurance guys just because of the fault of such guys
A baby born at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas from a transplanted uterus has given hope to thousands of women who are unable to give birth.

Women who were born without a uterus, or those who lost their uterus due to illnesses such as cancer or from complications during childbirth, now have the option of undergoing a uterus transplant to try to bear children.

How Does A Uterus Transplant Surgery Work?

There have been at least 16 uterus transplants all over the world and since 2014, there are now a total of nine babies born from a transplanted uterus. The first eight babies, however, were all in Sweden at Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

The uterus transplant procedure begins with womb donors, who can be dead or alive. While the uterus transplants in Sweden were all from live donors, with most from the mothers or sisters of recipients, the Baylor study looks to use donations from both the living and the deceased. For the first baby in the U.S born from a transplanted uterus, the donation came from Taylor Siler, a Dallas nurse and mother of two, who wanted to give other women a chance to give birth.

The uterus transplant is only a temporary procedure, with the uterus kept in the recipient's body just long enough for them give birth to one or two children. The uterus will then be removed so that the recipient may stop taking the drugs necessary to prevent her body from rejecting the transplanted organ. The drugs carry long-term risks to the recipient's health, so it is not advised to take them for longer than that.

Women who are hoping to be part of Baylor study should be between 20 and 35 years old and must have healthy ovaries. They will first undergo in vitro fertilization to produce embryos that may be frozen until the time is right to attempt a pregnancy after the uterus transplant. The embryos will be thawed and implanted in about a year after the uterus transplant to make sure that the organ is working properly.

Once the recipient is ready to give birth, the baby will be delivered through a cesarean section.

First Successful Birth From Transplanted Uterus In US

The first successful birth of a baby from a transplanted uterus in the U.S. is a major breakthrough as it shows that the procedure can also find success outside of Sweden.

The success reverses the fortunes of the procedure in the United States as the first uterus transplant in the country failed after just two weeks due to a yeast infection.

The Baylor University Medical Center, however, is now hoping that more women will be able to undergo the surgery and fulfill their dream of giving birth to their own children.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new NASA study has suggested that there could be a high number of icy worlds in the Solar System that has liquid water below the surface.

The findings expand the number of worlds where alien life can be possibly found since liquid water is essential to supporting known form of life. Astronomers think that there are dozens of these potentially habitable worlds.

Trans-Neptunian Objects

Bodies called the Trans-Neptunian Objects, or TNOs, which include the dwarf planet Pluto, lie beyond the orbit of Neptune. These worlds are relatively very far from the sun that their surface temperatures of about 200 degrees Celsius below zero are cold enough to prevent liquid water to exist.

In the new study, however, Prabal Saxena of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and colleagues found evidence that the gravitational interaction of these TNOs with their moons may produce enough heat in the interior of these bodies to sustain liquid oceans beneath their icy surface.

How Liquid Subsurface Oceans Form In Frigid Worlds

Astronomers think that liquid water may exist in Pluto and other outer solar system bodies because analysis of light reflected from some TNOs revealed signatures of ammonia hydrates and crystalline water ice. Researchers suggest that these emerged to the surface from an interior liquid water source through a process known as cryovolcanism.

Most of the long-lived heat inside of TNOs were from the decay of radioactive elements that were infused into these objects. The heat is warm enough to melt a layer of the icy crust and generate a subsurface ocean that can last for billions of years. As the radioactive elements decay into more stable ones, however, they stop releasing heat and this can eventually cool down the interior of these bodies causing any subsurface ocean to freeze.

Implications In The Search For Alien Life

If the findings of the study, which was published in Icarus on Nov. 24, are right, these could have implications in the search for potentially habitable worlds beyond Earth. The presence of water has long been associated with potentials for supporting life.

In an earlier study revealing the likely composition of habitable planets, researchers suggested that even in worlds outside the solar system, the most habitable planets are highly likely waterworlds with oceans.

"These objects need to be considered as potential reservoirs of water and life. If our study is correct, we now may have more places in our solar system that possess some of the critical elements for extraterrestrial life," Saxena said.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Muslims constitute about 9-10 per cent of Gujarat population and statistics shows that they can influence election results in more than 30 Assembly constituencies.

By Prabhash K Dutta: Gayasuddin Sheikh and Mohammed Javed Peerzada are the only two Muslim MLAs in the outgoing Gujarat Assembly. Both won the Gujarat Assembly election in 2012 on Congress tickets.

Gayasuddin Sheikh was elected from Dariapur in Ahmedabad while Peerzada won from Wankaner in Rajkot. They have been fielded again by the Congress, which has given tickets to six Muslim candidates in the Gujarat Assembly election.

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Muslims account for 9-10 per cent of Gujarat's population. Going by proportional representation, Gujarat Assembly may have 18 Muslim MLAs in the 182-seat House. But, the number has never crossed seven.

By mere population size, Muslims can influence Assembly election results, after delimitation done in 2012, of 36 seats, where they comprise around and above 13-14 per cent of registered voters. In 34 Assembly constituencies, Muslim voters comprise over 15 per cent of population.

There are 20 Assembly constituencies in Gujarat where Muslim voters have higher concentration, in excess of 20 per cent of population. Of these 20 seats, four are in Ahmedabad district while three each in Bharuch and Kutch districts.

HOW BJP, CONGRESS FARED ON HIGH MUSLIM CONCENTRATION SEATS?

Of the 34 seats having more than 15 per cent Muslim voters, the BJP won 21 seats in 2012 while the Congress won 12. The Congress's alliance partner - in 2012 not this time - NCP secured one seat.

In 20 Gujarat Assembly constituencies, where Muslim voters comprise more than 20 per cent of population, the BJP emerged victorious on 12 while the Congress could win 8 seats. The Congress had fielded seven Muslim candidates in 2012. The BJP had fielded none.

The two Muslim candidates of the Congress who won marched home with narrow victory margins. Gayasuddin won by little over 2,500 votes while Peerzada was ahead by less than 7,000 votes.

The BJP on the other hand, won Muslim-dominated seats like Jamalpur-Khadia, Vejalpur, Karjan and Vagra among others. Jamalpur-Khadia in Ahmedabad district has over 61 per cent Muslim voters. The BJP had claimed after 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls that the party secured about 20-25 per cent Muslim votes.

CASES IN CONTEXT

The BJP won the Jamalpur-Khadia seat comfortably winning 38.63 per cent votes compared to 33.54 per cent polled by the Congress. However, the equation changed in the Lok Sabha election, when the Congress candidate got 51.82 per cent against BJP's 43.24 per cent.

On Bharuch seat, which has about 38 per cent Muslim population, the BJP secured 59.5 per cent votes in 2012 Gujarat Assembly election. The party maintained its vote share in the Lok Sabha polls also.

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The Congress improved its vote percentage between 2012 Gujarat Assembly election and the Lok Sabha polls in Bharuch constituency by but it trailed by over 22 per cent.

Except three of the 20 constituencies, where Muslims comprise more than 20 per cent of population, the BJP improved its vote share in 2014 Lok Sabha polls over 2012 Gujarat Assembly election.

The three constituencies, where BJP's vote share declined are Jambusar, Vagra and Bharuch - all in Bharuch district, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put extra efforts this election. But, in all three constituencies, the BJP stood way ahead of the Congress in terms of votes polled.

Only in three constituencies of 20 Muslim dominated ones, the Congress polled more votes than the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. These are Jamalpur-Khaida, Danilimda (both in Ahmedabad district) and Wankaner (in Morbi). Of these three, the Congress had won two - Danilimda and Wankaner - in the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: Recasting overnight story)

By M Zulqernain

Lahore, Dec 3 (PTI) Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has confirmed that his organisation Jammat-ud-Dawah will contest the 2018 general elections in Pakistan under the banner of the Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be registered with the Election Commission.

The banned JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which carried out the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed.

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"The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next year?s general elections," said Saeed, a terrorist leader designated by both the United Nations and the United States.

Talking to a group of columnists at the JuD headquarters in Chauburji here yesterday, he dedicated 2018 for Kashmiris.

The JuD chief, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under detention since January this year.

In September when Saeed was under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD entered in the political arena and contested by-poll from NA-120. That National Assembly had fallen vacant on the disqualification of prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharifs wife Kulsoom Nawaz had won that seat.

JuD-backed candidate Sheikh Yaqoob, who secured 6,000 votes, had announced that the JuD would contest 2018 elections.

Yaqoob was placed in 2012 on a US Treasury sanctions list of those designated as leaders of terrorist organisations.

The founder of LeT militant group vowed to continue supporting the Kashmiris fighting the Indian forces.

"I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there. India wants us to stop raising voice for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy only caused harm to the Kashmir cause," Saeed alleged.

He further said his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of international agenda.

"This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry over my release from the house detention. I warn India if it does not stop atrocities against Kashmiris then this struggle will rise further and it will face the music," he threatened.

The JuD was declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

India had expressed outrage over Pakistans decision to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Islamabad to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors.

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Saeed has now filed the petition to de-list him from the UN list of designated terrorists.

He was also put under house arrest soon after the Mumbai attack, but he was freed by a court in 2009.

Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial. PTI MZ MRJ ZH

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated the newly built extension of Chabahar Port located on the Gulf of Oman.

By India Today Web Desk: A day External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a stopover in Tehran on her way back from Sochi in Russia, where she attended the annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Iran inaugurated its Chabahar Port today.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani threw open the newly built extension to the country's main Arabian Sea outlet in the form of the strategic Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman.

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Iranian state TV said the inauguration was attended by dignitaries from India, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries.

CHABAHAR PORT: 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

The Chabahar Port is located in the strategically significant southeastern province of Sistan-Balochistan in Iran. It will connect Iran with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. It gives India a way bypass Pakistan and connect with West Asia and reach Central Asia via Iran. The newly inaugurated extension includes five new piers, two of them for containers allowing cargo vessels with up to 100,000-ton captaincy to dock. It has more than tripled the Iran's capacity and poses a challenge for a port under construction in neighbouring Pakistan. The USD 340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It involved several subcontractors, including a state-run Indian company, and brings the capacity of the port to 8.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, from the previous 2.5 million tonnes. It is also expected to make Chabahar, Iran's closest sea link to the Indian Ocean, a rival to Gwadar Port, some 80 kilometres away across the border in Pakistan, which Pakistan has been building with Chinese investment. Rouhani, however, downplayed the rivalry in his inauguration speech and said the port will bring "more engagement and unity" among regional countries. "We should go after positive competition," he said, adding, "We welcome other ports in the region, we welcome Gwadar's development." Rouhani said Iran also plans to link the port to the country's railroad network to facilitate transit of goods to neighbouring landlocked Central Asian countries, as well as open a route to eastern and northern Europe through Russia. For India, the investment in Chabahar was important since the port will bolster a trade route for land-locked Central Asian countries that would bypass rival Pakistan. Last year, India committed up to USD 500 million for the development of the Chabahar port along with associated roads and rail lines. In November, New Delhi shipped its first cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Iranian port, part of 130,000 tons that India plans to export to Afghanistan. Chabahar also has an international airport and Iran's Navy and Air Force have bases in the city, adding to the ports value.

(With AP inputs)

--- ENDS ---
A proposal to put a new tax on the ballot to raise the pay of Baton Rouge police officers appears to be losing support.

Several Metro Council members who withheld judgment when Councilman Matt Watson floated the tax proposal last month say they oppose it now that theyve had time to review it. Meanwhile, some who had expressed support for the idea are voicing reservations after hearing from their constituents.

Councilman LaMont Cole was among those who supported the proposal when it was first announced. But he says hes since changed his mind after giving it more consideration.

Cole ticked off the reasons: The mayor-president has yet to appoint a permanent chief; rank and file officers are frustrated by the advancement system based on seniority; the union contract will soon be up for debate; and the community still needs to have a conversation about the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling, still under investigation by the state Attorney General nearly a year and a half later.

"I just think there are a couple things we've got to talk about. ... It just seems like now is not a great time (for the tax,)" Cole said.

Watson proposed a new 8-mill property tax to increase officers' pay, including a 24 percent raise for fresh recruits. Only city residents would vote on and pay the millage if it makes the ballot and passes. The Metro Council is set to discuss putting the matter on the April 28 ballot during their Dec. 13 meeting.

+2 Would you vote for new BR tax to fund big police pay bump? This councilman is proposing it The Metro Council may ask Baton Rouge voters to pass a new tax to give city police officers pay raises  as much as 24 percent for new recruit

Many council members were supportive of the idea when it was announced. They said they have other concerns  health, economic development, infrastructure  but that public safety was something they felt the public might rally behind and support.

Councilwoman Chauna Banks was among those who reserved judgment when the proposal was first announced. She said shes since had time to study it and dont support putting a tax on the ballot for police pay raises. She said giving police more money alone won't solve the city's public safety problems.

Although Banks unsuccessfully sought to petition then mayor-president Kip Holden last year to find money for police pay raises, she said she doesn't support Watsons proposal for a new tax.

The tax is meant to make the police department a more attractive employer, Banks remarked. Why not consider whether past scandals have tarnished the law enforcement agencys reputation in the eyes of job applicants, she asked.

Banks said no specific incidents immediately came to mind, just that the public may have a general distrust of the department.

Although Banks, Cole and other Democrats are one part of the equation of getting a tax proposal on the ballot, Watson is looking past them to his Republican colleagues for support. The Republican members hold a 7-5 council majority and could put the item on the ballot with a straight party vote.

The tax would only be voted on by city residents and paid for by city property owners, but council members elsewhere in the parish point out that their constituents own businesses and rental units in the city limits and deserve to be heard.

But getting all seven Republican council members to vote to put the tax on the ballot could prove challenging.

Scott Wilson, who serves a leadership role on the council as mayor pro tem, isn't lending his support for putting the tax proposal on the ballot. The Republican council member said he wants to give police a raise but can't vote for another new dedicated tax at this time.

Barbara Freiberg said she's still a supporter but wishes any new tax would take a broader approach to public safety by including the jail, social work, blight and other "root issues."

Buddy Amoroso gave his provisional support but said he still needs to ensure that the city-parish can afford to pay the higher retirement benefits that will result from greater salaries.

Still, he said, his constituents aren't happy.

"Fiscally, if we can afford it, I'll send it to the people and let the people decide. ... Most of the feedback I've received has been negative."

Watson defended his proposal, saying it will attract more qualified candidates to the city police department. That could, in turn, allow the department to raise standards, hire a more diverse and college-educated force, and more rigorously screen potential officers' personalities to determine if they're the right fit for the department.

Watson said a vote against his proposal would point to deep cracks in the city-parish government and its relationship with the populace. If residents are telling their representatives that they can't even shoulder a public safety tax  which he considers a life and death issue  it means the city parish will have to look at making some fundamental changes to the way it collects and spends money, Watson said.

Wilson agreed, at least in broad terms.

"We've got to get our own house in order, Wilson said. We have got to look at our revenue across the board and make some hard decisions."

Wilson said that includes possibly reducing millages to agencies like the parishs library system to give people breathing room to support matters like public safety and infrastructure. Residents are getting fed up with taxes and losing faith in the Metro Council and mayor-president's office, and the Council on Aging tax was the last straw, Wilson said.

Watson also has raised the issue of dedicated taxes for various public agencies. In a recent Metro Council meeting he remarked that the city-parish should determine how various tax-collecting agencies would be affected if their collections were cut. While voters approve taxes, the Metro Council must empower the sheriff to collect the millages each year. After the Council on Aging tax passed, there was some discussion of whether the Metro Council should impose a lower millage, though they ultimately voted to collect the full amount as voted.

Councilman Dwight Hudson was non-committal on the proposed police tax but had his own concerns. In addition to a general aversion to dedicated taxes, he wondered if the new millage would really serve to boost police pay. The agency is currently financed mainly through the city-parish general fund.

The mayor-president's office, which drafts the annual budget, could propose lowering the department's allocation from the general fund should the tax pass, Hudson said. That's happened to other agencies once they passed a dedicated tax, such as the Council on Aging, he pointed out.

Hudson and Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis said the tax proposal should have been worked out ahead of time with Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.

Collins-Lewis said she and the mayor's office hadn't even seen the proposal when Watson sent out a news release about it. She too wants a police pay raise but said the conversation is premature since the new police chief should be involved in discussions about improving the department.

The Baton Rouge Police Union has remained silent on the proposed tax. Leadership has not returned messages seeking comment in the past week.
Lawyers representing a Baton Rouge man who is charged with first-degree murder in the 2012 beating death of his 8-year-old son are claiming the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office prosecutes men more harshly than women in child homicide cases.

Michael Robertson's attorneys, who maintain his innocence in the death of Xzayvion Riley, accuse the office of "prosecution by stereotype, not be evidence."

District Attorney Hillar Moore III disputes that characterization.

State District Judge Don Johnson, who is presiding over the murder case, on Thursday denied a defense motion that asked him to order the District Attorney's Office to turn over information on the office's charging and plea negotiation history and practices in child homicide cases.

"The motion filed by the defense is meritless and was promptly and properly denied by the court as meritless," Moore said Friday.

Robertson, 51, and Xzayvion's mother, Lavaughn Riley, 37, both are charged with first-degree murder in the boy's death. Moore's office announced in July it would not seek the death penalty in the case.

Prosecutors have alleged that Xzayvion's June 2012 death was the result of an "escalating pattern" of physical abuse at the hands of Robertson, who was Lavaughn Riley's boyfriend at the time of the boy's death.

Lavaughn Riley's attorney, Margaret Lagattuta, has said her client does not have a deal with prosecutors but intends to testify against Robertson in hopes of receiving a prison term of "something less than life." Riley has admitted in court testimony that she beat her son on a previous occasion.

Attorney: Mother of Xzayvion Riley, 8-year-old boy who died after alleged abuse, plans to testify against father A Baton Rouge woman charged with first-degree murder in the 2012 beating death of her 8-year-old son does not have a plea deal with prosecutor

Robertson's attorneys looked at local media coverage of 14 child homicide cases in the 19th Judicial District Court from 2010 to 2016 and concluded that four times as many men as women have been charged with first-degree murder, a crime that carries a possible death sentence.

The lawyers also said four times as many women as men have been charged with negligent homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

In the defense motion that Johnson denied, Robertson's attorneys alleged he is being prosecuted "particularly severely in this case at least in part because of his gender" and added that Robertson "is being denied a reasonable plea offer due to his gender."

Robertson's lead attorney, Jim Craig, who is the New Orleans director of the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center, said in a statement that the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office  since 2010  has made "wildly different decisions" in how to charge men and women accused in child homicide cases.

"Prosecutors in this district consistently assume that a deceased child's father (or the mother's husband or boyfriend), not the mother, was responsible for the death," Craig wrote in his statement. "That is prosecution by stereotype, not by evidence."

Even in similar cases, he added, women are routinely charged with less serious crimes than men.

Moore explained that prosecution of all criminal cases involves an "individualized assessment of the unique facts and circumstances of each particular case, including child death cases."

"The facts and the law dictate the prosecutorial decisions of my office," he said.

Robertson's attorneys pointed in their motion to the case of Jacqueline Cheatham and her partner, Tiara Dunmars, who were booked in 2013 on first-degree murder charges in the death of Cheatham's 23-month-old son, Justyce.

Cheatham and Dunmars were indicted on second-degree murder charges and pleaded guilty in January to manslaughter. Both received 15-year prison terms.

"While both women originally told investigators that the child choked on cereal, the autopsy revealed that the child died from blunt force trauma to his head and had skull fractures and brain swelling, in addition to old fractures to the ribs and multiple impact points, bruises, and fractures to the ankle," Robertson's attorneys stated in their motion.

"Despite this evidence, the District Attorney charged neither woman with comparable severity to the charges against Mr. Robertson," they argued.

Will Morris, the lead prosecutor in the Xzayvion Riley case, stated in court documents that Robertson's attorneys have failed to show "prosecutorial vindictiveness."

"The standard to prevail on a selective prosecution claim is not an analysis of other cases that had the same result, i.e. the death of a child," he wrote. "In all of the cases the defense highlights, everyone was prosecuted. In order to prevail, the defendant must demonstrate that others similarly situated have not been prosecuted."

The bottom line, Morris argued, is that Robertson has not shown he has been "singled out" for prosecution.

"His allegations suggest that cases involving the death of a child have had various outcomes based on various facts and circumstances," he said.

Coroner's officials found Xzayvion died of overwhelming infection caused by a ruptured bowel from blunt force trauma to his abdomen. An autopsy revealed dozens of external signs of recent and past trauma, including a human bite mark on his stomach.

+5 Lawyers for Baton Rouge dad accused in son's beating death call bite mark evidence 'junk science' Calling it "junk science," attorneys for a Baton Rouge man accused in the alleged beating death of his 8-year-old son in 2012 want a judge to 

Xzayvion's oldest sister reported seeing Robertson bite her brother on a regular basis as a form of discipline, sheriff's officials have said.

Robertson's attorneys have called the bite mark evidence "junk science" and are fighting to keep it out of the hands of a jury.
What do florists, interior designers and eyebrow threaders have in common? They all need a government license to work in Louisiana.
With all the recent disclosures of bad behavior by powerful men, it was only a matter of time before sexual harassment allegations came to Louisiana government.

Gov. John Bel Edwards claims a zero tolerance of misbehavior and launched an investigation within an hour of learning of a grievance against Deputy Chief of Staff Johnny Anderson on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Anderson denied the claims and then resigned.

This was not the first accusation against Anderson. He was accused in 2006 of sexually harassing women at Southern University while he was chairman of Southerns Board of Supervisors and on the staff of Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Anderson denied those allegations. Edwards spokesman Richard Carbo said last week Anderson came "highly recommended" and pointed out that two separate investigations into those claims came to no conclusion of any wrongdoing.

But this latest investigatory process went opaque almost immediately when the Edwards administration wouldnt describe what form the probe would take. Throughout the week, administration officials dodged questions like: Who is doing the investigating? Will testimony be taken? Whats the timeline?

Finally, the administration Friday night said the Division of Administration would look into the matter and contracted with Vicki M. Crochet to defend, should any litigation arise from the incident. She specializes in employment law from the employers perspective and is a partner in Baton Rouges Taylor Porter law firm.

Meanwhile, lawmakers asked the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to study what sexual harassment policies need to be updated.

Louisiana lawmakers seek review of government's sexual harassment policies after national issue hits home At least two reviews are underway to examine whether Louisiana state government needs to improve its sexual harassment policies, as Gov. John 

Heres the secret: Louisiana has no laws specifically governing sexual harassment in state government. The second part of that secret is that the policies for the Louisiana House and Senate are only for the staff.

Across state government, each agency has its own policy tied to a 40-year-old federal law. Few policies are alike.

Its not clear what legally constitutes harassment. Theres no set standard. Furthermore, there are no set procedures, said state Sen. Regina Barrow, the Baton Rouge Democrat whose Senate Select Committee on Women and Children is scheduled to begin an inquiry on Friday.

Panel to hold hearing on Louisiana Legislature's sexual harassment policies A state panel will hold a hearing next week to review the Louisiana Legislature's sexual harassment policies as part of an ongoing look into w

Until recently the Louisiana Legislature has been an all boys club, Barrow said. Today, 15.3 percent of the 144 legislators are women, a ratio that lags all but a half-dozen states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nationally, the average is 24.9 percent.

Still, the number of women is enough that the days when male lawmakers would pat women on their bottoms then ask them out for bourbon and a steak are behind us, Barrow said.

Now were in a different time and we have more women represented who are not accepting of what once was a given, Barrow said. Now there needs to be some certainty in our policy.

Senate Rule 18.2 says such behavior will not be tolerated.

The House has no such rules. But its Policy and Procedure Manual for full-time employees  legislators are considered part-timers  have detailed descriptions of unacceptable behavior: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors implying submission is necessary to stay employed, or to advance, or that interferes with performance.

House employees can report infractions to the Office of Human Resources, which conducts an investigation, then reports its findings to the Speaker of the House, who makes the decision on what to do. The whole thing from the filing of a complaint to disposition shall occur within 30 working days.

House Clerk Butch Speer said only a handful of complaints  some involving legislators  have been filed since the policy was enacted about 10 years ago. He wouldnt say who and couldnt say for sure how many, partly for privacy concerns, mostly because the matters are officially remembered only in employee files. But Speer could say that nobody has been terminated, no allegations of quid pro quo  sex as a condition for employment or advancement  have been reported, and no settlement monies have been paid.

In contrast, the Louisiana State Polices definition includes unwelcome flirtation and displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures or drawings. Allegations should be reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity officer or the assistant secretary in the agencys Office of Legal Affairs or to the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights. Any supervisor who receives a complaint shall refer the complainant to that chain.

Consolidating the various policies into one umbrella law would require the Legislature to look at what other states have done, said state Rep. Mike Danahay, who chairs the House & Governmental Affairs Committee that would hear any legislation addressing sexual harassment in a government workplace.

Definitely, wed like to have something more consistent in place, the Sulphur Democrat said.

Jill Craft, a Baton Rouge lawyer specializing in employment law from the plaintiffs perspective, says her first step when representing women who have made allegations is to determine how to apply what happened to the employing agencys particular set of procedures. Theyre all different, so having a single mechanism that applies to all of state government would overcome a lot of frustration and could sidetrack litigation.

Mostly, they just want to be left alone, Craft said of her clients. If youre at all serious about zero tolerance, then it makes sense to have a statewide policy that at least says what you wont tolerate.
By PTI: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Dec 3 (PTI) All nations should invest in resources to limit the detrimental impact of climate change, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari said today as she inaugurated an international conference here to draw attention towards the adverse effects of global warming in the Hindu Kush mountain range.

The four-day conference is attended by more than 300 experts from different countries of Asia including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar.

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V K Saraswat, member of Indias Neeti foundation is leading the Indian delegation in the conference.

President Bhandari while addressing the conference said, "The Hindu Kush Himalaya Region is the lifeline to tens of millions of people and the impact of climate change and other human activities are adversely affecting the entire region".

"I believe that it is high time that nations invest resources to limit the detrimental impact of climate change and environmental degradation rather than spend money on areas that threaten human lives and resources," she said.

The conference will further augment conservation and development efforts in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, Minister for Environment of Nepal Mithila Chaudhary said.

"It will strengthen the socio-economic well-being of communities from Myanmar in the east to Afghanistan in the west, and help conserve biodiversity and cultural diversity in the region," Chaudhary added.

The conference Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for Asia is being organised by Nepals Ministry for Environment in collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

As Hindu Kush Himalayan region stretches from Afghanistan to Myanmar and a quarter of humanity depend for water and other resources in the Himalayas, therefore, it is important to preserve the region for the future of humanity, observed David Molden, director general of ICIMOD said. PTI SBP DPB

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Malcolm Turnbull is admirable at a number of levels. His drive, his personal ambition, his self-belief, even his sense of destiny. Together, these harden him against the tide of self-doubt that would inundate lesser figures. They have enabled him to keep smiling, both literally and metaphorically, as his circumstances have deteriorated sharply. Everybody knows the crystal-clear metric he set for Tony Abbott's removal - that of 30 consecutive losing Newspoll surveys.

And everyone knows Mr Turnbull has himself stormed past the two-thirds mark in his own humiliating careen to that cruel yet hardly unreasonable benchmark.

Malcolm Turnbull's government finishes 2017 in a parlous state. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Few doubt that he will achieve the same dubious honour in April or thereabouts, yet Mr Turnbull is showing no panic, and no signs of living by his own rule.

Rather, through a combination of the above personal characteristics, a recognition within his party room that the transaction costs of another leadership change would swamp any benefit a new leader could bring, and frankly, the absence of any such alternative leader, Mr Turnbull is probably safe. The Fairfax-Ipsos poll vindicates this judgment with 71 per cent of voters disapproving of midterm leadership changes.
It was, in fact a barb. Mr Joyce, who New Englanders said emphatically should remain their federal representative, had been asked whether Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull needed to ensure Liberal MPs return the respect that is now being demanded of Mr Joyce's Nationals.

It's unclear. But Barnaby Joyce, always up for a quip to push back on slights real or perceived, raised an arm over Armidale in his newly reclaimed seat of New England on Sunday morning and declared: "They all walk upright and seem to speak the King's English pretty well."

"We don't have people mocking us and mimicking us because they believe that we're not effective. In fact in some instances there's a jealousy about how they feel," he said.

His message was clear: the Nationals are getting things done, they are having an influence within the Coalition.

It was a fine line to tread for a man whose chief task now that he's won back his seat and the deputy prime ministership is to restore discipline to his restive ranks and help repair the relationship between the Coalition partners.

His win was a thumper however the numbers are sliced up. Mr Joyce was on track to win at least 73 per cent of the vote after preferences were distributed, compared with 58.5 per cent last year - when he was up against his nemesis, the successful independent Tony Windsor - and 64.5 percent in 2013.

Mr Turnbull couldn't contain his joy, declaring, "we're getting the band back together".
Malcolm Turnbull has hinted embattled Labor senator Sam Dastyari could be under security agency investigation as he seeks to ramp up pressure on Bill Shorten to boot him out of Federal Parliament.

The Prime Minister says Senator Dastyari "betrayed Australia" in his dealings with billionaire Chinese donor Huang Xiangmo and the Opposition Leader is "failing as a leader" by sticking by him.

As revealed by Fairfax Media last week, Senator Dastyari warned the Chinese Communist Party-linked Mr Huang his phone was likely being tapped by intelligence agencies, during talks in October last year.

Their meeting in the grounds of Mr Huang's Sydney mansion came two weeks after Senator Dastyari quit the Labor frontbench over his financial dealings with Mr Huang. Before they spoke, Senator Dastyari said they should leave their phones inside and go outside to speak.
It is poised to be a rainbow summer, with a slew of gay weddings on the cards once same-sex marriage finally becomes law in coming days.

But thousands of same-sex couples will find themselves already married under Australian law as soon as the Governor-General signs off on the legislation.

Sydney-based couple Nicole Baker-Bryson and Kate Baker got married in New Zealand. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The bill currently before the Parliament erases the ban on recognition of same-sex marriages solemnised overseas, and will apply retrospectively.

The Equality Campaign estimates thousands of Australian couples have already tied the knot in countries such as Britain, Canada and the Netherlands, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2001.
I'm a republican, but I have to hand it to Meghan Markle. She has managed to smash through barriers of prejudice that have held firm for centuries.

Here we have one of the Windsor boys marrying a commoner with mixed-race parents from the colonies. She has a history of not only having opinions, also voicing them in public. But even more radical for the British royal family is that Markle has also been divorced.

Meghan Markle has smashed through barriers of prejudice. Credit:AP

The Royal Family and the Church of England, which they head, hasn't been kind to divorcees. This is despite the fact that King Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church over the issue of his annulment to Catherine of Aragon, effectively laying the groundwork for modern divorce.

Historically, divorce has been so unpalatable to the British establishment that they would rather lose a King than allow a divorcee into the fold. King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 because he was not allowed to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.
One of the many cons to convince young people to take private health insurance is to exploit their natural anxiety around pregnancy and childbirth.

If young people weren't fooled by the ads exhorting them to take out insurance before their 30th birthday, a topic I've written on previously, they'll often decide it's necessary when they're planning to start a family.

Pregnancy cover can add a significant cost to the average private health insurance policy.

I'd like to challenge that. Pregnancy cover adds hugely to the cost of a health insurance policy and leaves people thousands of dollars out of pocket for the delivery  for care that is probably just as good in the public system.

Comparison site Canstar crunched the numbers for me to show how much pregnancy cover adds to cost of the average policy. As the table shows, using NSW figures as a reference, the dominant type of cover is a comprehensive plan that covers cardiac, hip/knee replacement and pregnancy/obstetrics, for an average $157 a month for a single. There are 70 policies like this, but the likelihood of you claiming on all three treatments is remote.
Kriti Sanon and Ankita Lokhande timed their entries and exits so as to not bump into each other at the function.

By India Today Web Desk: Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande were in a serious relationship for close to seven years. In fact, the couple, who met on the sets of the popular television soap, Pavitra Rishta, were even planning to get married. So, when news broke that Sushant and Ankita had parted ways, fans were shocked and heartbroken.

Not too long after his break-up with Ankita Lokhande, Sushant Singh Rajput was linked with his Raabta co-star Kriti Sanon, leading many to speculate that she may have been the reason behind their split.

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Needless to say, Kriti and Ankita are not the best of friends. The two actresses attended an award show on Friday night, but made sure that their entries and exits were timed in such a manner that they would not have to come face-to-face. SpotboyE reports that Ankita made an entry at 9pm and left within an hour. Kriti arrived around the time Ankita left, and avoided bumping into her.

On the work front, Ankita is set to make her big screen debut in Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi. Kriti, meanwhile, will be seen next in Dinesh Vijan's comedy Arjun Patiala opposite Diljit Dosanjh.

ALSO WATCH: Kriti Sanon talks about casting couch, Bareilly Ki Barfi and body-shaming

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Michael Peters had solar panels installed at his house as part of a renovation. He says while it was a high initial outlay, "I asked myself: 'If I pay this installation cost up front and lock in my current electricity costs as my benchmark, when will these solar panels break even?'." This break-even came sooner than expected. "My costs have gone down from about $260 per month," Peters says. Youll has seen a dramatic difference as well. "We're paying almost nothing for power, but we haven't used the airconditioning this summer, so this may be different once it is running," he says.

Feed-in tariffs Both men listed the feed-in tariff  a payment for installing and using panels also known as the solar bonus scheme  as a motivator for installation. Youll says the feed-in tariff pays for his connection to the grid and means he can supply his excess energy to other users for profit. Not every state is the same when it comes to the feed-in tariffs, which aren't as generous as they once were. In NSW, there is no mandatory feed-in tariff rate, but rates typically vary from 6-12 a kilowatt-hour.

Victoria has a more supportive scheme for users with solar installations of up to 100 kilowatts. Since June 2017 the state has a mandatory minimum rate of 11.3 a kilowatt-hour. But don't expect power bills to be slashed immediately if you go solar, especially as the government reduces this feed-in tariff. Youll and Peters are just some of many Australians looking to generate their own energy. As of September 2017, Australia had more than 6500 megawatts of installed solar power, while a report by consulting firm Energy Synapse found solar installations in NSW saved consumers up to $2.2 billion from May 2016 to April 2017. During this period, small solar PV systems are estimated to have generated 1540 gigawatt hours of power within the state.

The report said, if not for solar power, the volume-weighted average price of wholesale electricity would have been between $29 and $44 per megawatt hour higher than the actual average price for the period of $88 per megawatt hour. Solar's sidekicks However solar panels alone won't make the biggest impact in driving down power bills. Other ways to drive down costs even further is through smarter panel alignment, which can boost hours of sun exposure, and installing battery storage. Solar energy company Shinehub's co-founder and solar consultant Alex Georgiou said historically solar rooftop panels in Australia have been installed as a single, north-facing unit, to make use of the midday sun, but fail to provide solar energy when users are at home later in the day.

Solar engineer Jin Kim says a split-style installation is needed to increase efficiency and panel usage. "North-facing panels will pump plenty of energy back into the grid, but the vast majority of households panels need to be facing in other directions, like east and west, in order to generate power at the times you're actually at home and using it," Kim says. Georgiou claims that users of this split-style installation were running power bills as low as $10 per month during winter. Peters says this simple panel alignment change nearly halved his costs. "Before the new installation I was using 20 kilowatts per hour on a daily basis, but it's now down to nine kilowatts per hour, without a difference in my energy usage behaviour," Peters says.

Georgiou adds, "Without batteries, it is next to impossible to reduce night-time bills." Combining solar panels with batteries ensures power you've generated is still available, even when the sun isn't shining, reducing your reliance on the grid. Energy Efficiency Council chief executive Luke Menzel says while the overall story of energy in Australia seems to be coal or renewables, batteries are taking the role of the "loveable sidekick" to solar and renewable energy. Youll says by adding battery storage to his installation, the reduction in power costs means the battery pays for itself before its warranty runs out. There's also the added bonus of selling your excess power back into the grid, to generate a profit on your installation.

Beyond solar panels The appeal of installing solar panels and batteries to drive down power costs is high, but for some, there are barriers to entry. The installation costs can be high, and the return on investment may take some time to recoup initial costs. If you're a renter, the thought of forking out for a solar installation you can't take with you is also a disincentive to invest in the technology. Energy Consumers Australia says one of the best ways to drive down your bill is to shop around.

A Canstar Blue Energy Insight report released in November found the difference between NSW's cheapest and most expensive electricity plans was about $1600. Canstar also noted that 27 per cent of NSW electricity plans had the word "save" or a variant thereof, but none of them were actually in the top five cheapest plans. You can use online comparison tools, but many of these have preferred retailers so be wary. The government has its own comparison website, EnergyMadeEasy.gov.au, to take some of the mystery out of power bills and contracts. It has a straightforward comparison tool, giving the average usage for people in your area, using these details to find appropriate electricity and gas retail offers, breaking them down by cost and which provide solar options as well.
Premier Daniel Andrews has defended emergency warnings as he visited what was supposed to be a flood-stricken Myrtleford and Wangaratta, greeting CFA and SES volunteers by exclaiming it was "drier than expected".

Mr Andrews said the Bureau of Meteorology correctly predicted the amount of rain, but said Victorians "should be happy" the predicted intensity and location of the storm "was a bit different".

"We can look back on whether some comments were words I would have used, but ultimately the bureau and emergency services, myself included, we've been very clear with Victorian community," he said.

The bureau was forced to defend dire warnings of a super storm that could put lives at risk, saying on Saturday the weather event was as described, even though the brunt had not hit Melbourne.
Stranded Bali tourists will get a reprieve after Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin resume flights between Bali and Australia.

A lingering volcanic ash cloud from the eruption of Mount Agung had forced the cancellation of several flights from Bali, keeping thousands of holidaymakers grounded since Saturday.

Fairfax Media understands there are currently up to 8000 Australians on short-term visits to the Indonesian island.

In a media release, Jetstar and Qantas said flying conditions at Denpasar Airport were expected to remain clear on Monday, so they were planning to resume scheduled services between Bali and Australia.
The super storm has broken multiple rain records across Victoria, the weather bureau says.

While Melbourne may have escaped the worst of the storm on Friday, it then dumped a total of 66mm of rain in a 48-hour period - more than the entire December average.

Here are some the key rainfall totals for the storm system over the past three days until Sunday at 9am:

Greater Melbourne
The $5.5 billion toll road Transurban will build in Melbourne's west will be either in a "constant traffic jam" or badly delayed in key sections at rush hour less than a decade after it opens, the Andrews government's predictions show.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne has said this is acceptable, asking only that Transurban and road authorities make some minor adjustments in the hope of doing better.

And Mr Wynne has agreed that planning should start on a third, even bigger freeway through Melbourne's west.

Last Monday, Mr Wynne gave environmental approval to the new West Gate Tunnel toll road through Melbourne's west. It is to begin construction next year and open in 2022.
WA Police have recaptured a prisoner who broke out of a women's facility on Saturday morning, saying she was found "hiding under a pile of laundry" in a Cockburn home.

27-year-old Santana Marie Mason escaped from a Bentley minimum security complex around 11:00am yesterday.

Santana Marie Mason. Credit:WA police

After an extensive hunt for Ms Mason, Regional Investigations Group officers recaptured her at a house in Cockburn Central.

When officers arrived at the Cockburn Central residence, a 35-year-old woman told police the escapee was not there.
The volume of questions about Jared Kushner in their interviews surprised some witnesses. Credit:Bloomberg This picture of Mueller's operation - drawn from descriptions of witnesses, lawyers and others briefed on the interviews - provides a rare look inside the high-stakes investigation that could implicate Trump's circle and determine the future of his presidency. The locked-down nature of the probe has left both the witnesses and the public scrutinising every move of the special counsel for meaning, without any certainty about the full scope of his investigation. The investigation has received debriefs from two dozen current and former advisers to US President Donald Trump. Credit:AP Trump and his lawyers express confidence that Mueller will swiftly conclude his examination of the White House, perhaps even by the year's end. Trump's Democratic opponents hope the investigation will uncover more crimes and ultimately force the president's removal from office.

Meanwhile, some witnesses who have been interviewed came away with the impression that the probe is still unfolding. "When they were questioning me, it seemed like they were still trying to get a feel of the basic landscape of the place," said one witness who was questioned in late October for several hours and, like others, requested anonymity to describe the confidential sessions. "I didn't get the sense they had anything incriminating on the president. Nor were they anywhere close to done." White House lawyer Ty Cobb said he believes the probe's focus on Trump's White House is wrapping up, noting that all White House staffer interviews will be completed by the end of next week. "At the end of the interviews, it would be reasonable to expect that it would not take long to bring this to conclusion," Cobb said. "I commend the Office of Special Counsel for their acknowledged hard work on behalf of the country, to undertake this serious responsibility, and to perform it in an expedited but deliberate, thorough way." The people facing questions

At least two dozen people who travelled in Trump's orbit in 2016 and 2017 - on the campaign trail, in his transition operation and then in the White House - have been questioned in the past 10 weeks, according to people familiar with the interviews. The most high profile is Kushner, who met with Mueller's team in November, as well as former chief of staff Reince Priebus and former press secretary Sean Spicer. Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller and former foreign policy adviser J.D. Gordon have also been interviewed. White House communications director Hope Hicks was scheduled to sit down with Muller's team a few days before Thanksgiving. Mueller's team has also indicated plans to interview senior associate White House counsel James Burnham. Cobb declined to say which White House aides remain to be interviewed. Several people who worked shoulder to shoulder with Flynn have also been interviewed by Mueller's operation. That includes retired General Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff to the National Security Council, as well as several people who worked with Flynn Intel Group, a now-shuttered private consulting firm.

Mueller's group has also inquired whether Flynn recommended specific foreign meetings to senior aides, including Kushner. Investigators were particularly interested in how certain foreign officials got on Kushner's calendar and the discussions that Flynn and Kushner had about those encounters, according to people familiar with the questions. During the transition, Kushner and Flynn met with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. At the early December meeting, Kushner suggested establishing a secure communications line between Trump officials and the Kremlin at a Russian diplomatic facility, according to US officials who reviewed intelligence reports describing Kislyak's account. Kushner has said that Kislyak sought the secure line as a way for Russian generals to communicate to the incoming administration about US policy on Syria. Trump's son-in-law has also been identified by people familiar with his role as the "very senior member" of the transition team who directed Flynn in December to reach out to Kislyak and lobby him about a UN resolution on Israeli settlements, according to new court filings. The volume of questions about Kushner in their interviews surprised some witnesses.

"I remember specifically being asked about Jared a number of times," said one witness. Another witness said agents and prosecutors repeatedly asked him about Trump's decision-making during the May weekend he decided to fire FBI Director James Comey. Prosecutors inquired whether Kushner had pushed the president to jettison Comey, according to two people familiar with the interview. Kushner attorney Abbe Lowell declined to comment on what the president's son-in-law discussed at his November session with Mueller. "MrKushner has voluntarily cooperated with all relevant inquiries and will continue to do so," he said. Two administration officials said that it would be natural for investigators to ask a lot of questions about Kushner, whom Trump put in charge of communicating with foreign officials, adding that such inquiries do not indicate he is a target. Inside the interview room

People who have gone before Mueller's team describe polite but detailed and intense grillings that at times have lasted all day and involved more than a dozen investigators. Spicer, for example, was in the office from about 10am until 6pm for his late September session. Mueller's team has recommended nearby lunch spots, but many witnesses have food brought in for fear of being spotted if they go outside. Mueller has attended some interviews, introducing himself to witnesses when he enters and then sitting along the wall. Sometimes he is joined by his deputy, longtime friend and law partner James Quarles, a former Watergate prosecutor who is the main point of contact for the White House. Investigators bring large binders filled with emails and documents into the interview room. One witness described the ricochet of questions that followed each time an agent passed them a copy of an email they had been copied on: "Do you remember this email? How does the White House work? How does the transition work? Who was taking the lead on foreign contacts? How did that work? Who was involved in this decision? Who was there that weekend?" Some witnesses were introduced to so many federal agents and lawyers that they later lamented that they had largely forgotten many of their names by the time one team left the room and a new team entered. "They say, 'Hey, we're not trying to be rude, but people are going to come in and out a lot,' " one witness explained about the teams. "They kind of cycle in and out of the room."

One contingent of investigators is focused on whether Trump tried to obstruct justice and head off the investigation into Russian meddling by firing Comey in May. Prosecutors Brandon Van Grack and Jeannie Rhee have been involved in matters related to Flynn. Yet another team is led by the former head of the Justice Department's fraud prosecutions, Andrew Weissman, and foreign bribery expert Greg Andres. Those investigators queried lobbyists from some of the most powerful lobby shops in town about their interactions with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and campaign adviser Rick Gates. Mueller's team charged Manafort and Gates last month with engaging in a conspiracy to hide millions of dollars in hidden foreign accounts and secretly creating an elaborate cover story to conceal their lobbying work for a former Ukrainian president and his pro-Russia political party. Both have pled not guilty. Lawyers familiar with prosecutors' questions about Manafort said they expect several more charges to come from this portion of the case. People familiar with the Mueller team said they convey a sense of calm that is unsettling.
Los Angeles: Michael Flynn had a reputation as a maverick and rule breaker years before he joined US President Donald Trump in the White House, including being investigated for inappropriately sharing highly-classified intelligence with Australian forces.

The retired US three-star lieutenant general became the biggest scalp of special counsel Robert Mueller's deepening probe into ties between the Trump campaign and Russian government officials on Friday when he entered a guilty plea to lying to the FBI about communications he had with Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.

Flynn was considered one of the great minds in the US military intelligence community and during his decorated 33-year career worked alongside Australian forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some detractors believed he worked too closely with allies.
A selection of British national papers on Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Credit:AP To look at the tabloids, you'd think that royal weddings are almost the point of the whole institution. But beyond whether or not Knauf is truly looking forward to talking about flowers, his job at Kensington Palace is a lot bigger than bouquets. He is in charge of the young royals' brand at a key moment in the evolution of 'The Firm', as Prince Philip has long referred to the British royal family. 'The Firm': Three generations of the royal family are now in public life. Credit:AP Harry, at last, is all grown up. Gone are the days of nude billiards and fancy dress Nazi uniform. He has a fiancee and they are talking about having a family.

Once the whirlwind of the wedding dies down, Markle will become the fourth patron of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, the main vehicle for their philanthropic activities and - as such - the key expression of the next generation of royals, defining and channelling their beliefs, causes and character. Markle will become the fourth patron of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Credit:AP For the last decade, the kids have gradually become the grownups. The Firm now has three generations in full-time employment, with the oldest perceptibly making way for the youngest. And a married, settled Harry is the last piece of the puzzle. This week Prince William was with the Queen as she received German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Buckingham Palace for lunch. "William and Harry will be the standard bearers for the monarchy for a generation, and now they're both sort of settled." Credit:AP

No explanation was given, but the intent was obvious. With post-election Germany at a delicate political moment, and the president walking a careful constitutional tightrope as he pushes parties towards coalition, it was the perfect teaching moment for a head-of-state-in-training. William then visited Finland, marking the country's 100th anniversary of independence and delivering Prince George's Christmas list to Santa. It was another of the royals' so-called "Brexit diplomacy" visits, aimed at strengthening European ties even as the country leaves the European Union. A TV crew sets up outside Kensington Palace ahead of the announcement of Prince Harry's engagement. Credit:AP Meanwhile, Harry and Markle were due Friday to make their first official visit together - to Nottingham, where the Foundation's Full Effect program has been trying to divert young people from youth violence and crime. And on Monday Harry will attend the London Fire Brigade Carol Service at the end of the year that saw the Grenfell Tower fire, a significant and responsible gesture. "[Harry and Meghan's] wedding effectively completes a chapter," says Robert Hardman, the Daily Mail's royal correspondent. "William and Harry will be the standard bearers for the monarchy for a generation, and now they're both sort of settled. You can really look ahead to the next chapter."

'They put up with a hell of a lot': Prince William and Prince Harry at the former's wedding in April 2011. Credit:AP The monarchy has constantly adapted, incrementally and gradually, ever since Hardman took on this beat 25 years ago, he says. "They just operate on a different timescale," he says. There aren't relaunches, new slogans or new campaigns. Even big changes aren't rushed. British media have been predicting that Prince Charles aims to take more control over the direction of the monarchy when he turns 70 next year. Credit:PA via AP A few years ago the Queen let it be known she wouldn't do any more long-haul flights, so the Prince of Wales stepped up for the Commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka in 2013. The next two CHOGM meetings, however, in Malta in 2015 and in Britain next year, were inside the Queen's travel zone.

Earlier this year, the Duke of Edinburgh announced he was stepping down from royal duties aged 96. But he has popped up at several official occasions since, most recently the Remembrance Sunday service at Whitehall. Hardman warns against assuming there's a grand plan for passing responsibilities down the generations. It's just a gradual, organic process, he says. "We've now got the longest-lived monarch ever, the longest-serving heir to the throne ever, the longest royal marriage ever, we're in uncharted territory." Opinions differ among royal watchers as to how the balance of power is moving between the palaces. In August the BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt described a "bloodless coup". The departure of the Queen's dedicated senior official, Sir Christopher Geidt, Hunt said, "has meant her eldest son can exert more control over the monarchy's direction of travel".

"The heir who's waited and waited is more content and less anguished," he said. "With each year that passes his mother will do less and he will do more." The Times reported there was a 'Project 70' at Clarence House, referring to Charles' 70th birthday in November next year and aimed at bolstering his image. His team are said to want to take over significant duties  for example, the running of the royal estates, including Sandringham and Balmoral (which grows blackcurrants for Ribena  expect them to go organic in the near future). There are few duties that absolutely have to be performed by the monarch - most can be delegated, and many are already. There is no reason, for example, Charles couldn't read the Queen's Speech in parliament, or take the salute at the Trooping the Colour. About the only off-limits areas would be the weekly meetings with the PM and the formal appointment of archbishops and bishops, according to constitutional expert Bob Morris of University College London.

In August the Sunday Times printed a much-derided theory on its front page claiming the Queen was considering using the 1937 Regency Act to hand power to her eldest son in four years' time. The Act is supposed to be used only if the monarch is mentally or physically incapable of performing her duties - for it to be a planned event would amount to a de facto abdication. Palace officials pointed sceptics to the Queen's vow on her 21st birthday: "I declare  that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service." Even through a weeks-long heavy cold this year, she was said to have read her red boxes of government papers every day. But in May, when Prince Philip's retirement was announced, the Queen's private secretary reportedly told royal staff to expect her family would be doing more in direct support of the monarchy rather than individual activity.

And the princes have been much, much more visible this year - not just because of the 20th anniversary of their mother's death. William quit his job as an air ambulance helicopter pilot to take up full-time royal duties in support of the Queen. He and Kate were to step up their share of royal engagements, and they moved back to Kensington Palace in London with their two (soon to be three) children. Harry, too, is to be based there, in Nottingham Cottage on the palace grounds. Hardman says it is a relief for Charles that his boys have "turned out well" and are working as a team. "They were so much in the public eye, they put up with a hell of a lot and they've come through amazingly level-headed," he says. "They clearly get on with each other."

And Harry's emergence as a mature royal has been spectacularly successful. "Just look at the Invictus Games, that's a pretty extraordinary achievement for anybody, let alone a young man to pull together. "All they way through his military career there was this restlessness [to Harry]. He's certainly not someone who wants to just have a playboy lifestyle, he wants to get on and do things. "Like his father actually. A lot of the previous princes of Wales were pretty useless. This one has created the biggest charitable network in Britain, and stays up to one in the morning writing memos." Markle, a World Vision ambassador for the past two years (she will start at the Foundation with a clean slate), is going to fit in well.
The decision by the government in favour of going for Make in India is also going to help the indigenous defence industry as the money which would have been transferred to foreign vendors would now be spent within the country.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative has helped the defence ministry save more than Rs 1 lakh crore worth of foreign exchange. In the past two years, as many as six air defence and anti-tank missile projects have been built indigenously by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), even as several new ones are under its consideration.

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Senior defence officials said the decision by the government in favour of going for Make in India is also going to help the development of the indigenous defence industry as the money which would have been transferred to foreign vendors would now be spent within the country and will also develop the capabilities of the indigenous players.

Even though three different defence ministers Arun Jaitley, Manohar Parrikar and the incumbent Nirmala Sitharaman have held the office in the last three years, all of them have shown inclination towards Indian projects while deciding on whether to buy the missile systems from abroad or go for Made in India systems, the officials said. The services chiefs have also backed the indigenous programmes fully while allowing the Defence Research and Development Organisation to take time to develop in-house missile systems.

The projects where the government has decided against the foreign vendors and gone for DRDO's Made in India products include the two separate projects for Short Range Surface to Air Missiles (SR-SAMs) for the Navy and the Army, The Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) for Army, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) for the Army, helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missiles for the Army and the armoured vehicle launched anti-tank missiles for the ground force.

Some of these missiles which will substitute imports have been under development for the last several decades. It goes to the credit of DRDO that some of the projects that have been undertaken by it in recent times have also reached advanced stage, due to the organisation's expertise.

Mail Today takes a look at the different projects including the missiles, which Defence Research and Development Organisation have developed indigenously and calculates the money the country has saved. SR-SAM (short range surface to air missiles) project for the Navy (expected cost : Rs 30,000 crore) The Navy wanted the capability to annihilate any incoming enemy aircraft, drones and cruise missiles at a short range altitude of 20-25 kilometres and was keen on going in for a European solution. Prior to this, Navy had also said no to the indigenous Akash missiles on the grounds that it wanted a more compact system.The DRDO then proposed to develop an indigenous canisterised version of the short range air defence missile.

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Following this, the government decided to scrap the plan to buy the European missile in large numbers and go in for a Make in India solution. The defence ministry has now decided to go in only for limited procurements from abroad. SR-SAM project for the Army (expected cost Rs 20,000 crore): Under this programme, the Army wanted to buy missiles from global vendors in Russia, Israel and Sweden. The force demanded that they want a system in which the missile should have a sensor to track and target the incoming missiles accurately. The DRDO then offered its latest version of Akash missile with an indigenous sensor. The project was accepted, and the then defence minister Arun Jaitley scrapped the global tender.

The new missile named Akash-S1 was tested successfully five times in Odisha, last week. HELINA (Helicopter Launched NAG missiles) and NAG (expected cost Rs 10,000 crore): The HELINA programme has been going on for several decades and it started showing success in tests in recent times.

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Watch: IAF fighter jets, C-130 Hercules land on Lucknow-Agra Expressway in drill for wartime

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Its often said that it takes around 10,000 hours of training to become a master at anything  whether thats learning to play the guitar, learning to paint, or learning the art of trading the markets. The problem, therefore, with learning anything new is not so much the difficulty of the task at hand, but the difficulty of finding the time.

In recognition of the need for traders to be educated on the run, so to speak, CMC Markets has evolved its Masterclass event, historically held in Sydney and Melbourne into a series of podcasts that can be downloaded on iTunes and Android. Traders can tune in while commuting to work, waiting for the bus, or doing something menial at home like washing the dishes. In short, traders can accumulate learning hours while going about their everyday life.

It will appeal to a broad audience from high frequency traders to everyday investors to those whove never traded a share in their life, notes Michael McCarthy, CMC Markets Chief Market Strategist, who hosts the series. Called The Artful Trader, the podcast kicks off with a series of eight podcasts discussing everything from turning losses into wins  to crafting your own bespoke trading style. Experts are sourced from across the investing spectrum and include such well-known names as futures expert Jack Schwager, former hedge fund manager Raoul Paul, professional trader Ray Barros, commodities trader Linda Raschke, and ASX equity derivatives expert Graham OBrien.

The merits of auditory learning are many and varied, not just limited to the fact that you can learn while engaged in other day-to-day activities. In fact, some people, called auditory learners, actually retain information more effectively when they hear it as opposed to reading text or looking at graphs on a page. Other times, auditory learning can be used to complement reading/writing learning, or kinaesthetic learning, which means learning by doing, which would involve actually taking out an account with an online broker and practicing (perhaps starting with a simulated account with pretend dollars before building up to trading small amounts of real money on the market).

Ray Barros, a renowned trader, and one of eight experts interviewed in the podcasts, says: I have learnt a great deal from other influential traders throughout my career. Indeed, listening to a podcast is not too far removed from having an experienced trader sit down with you. For example, the series includes insights from psychologist Dr Brett Steenbarger who counsels traders and hedge fund portfolio managers in the US, Europe and Asia, as well as business journalist Ticky Fullerton  discussing market reaction to the 24-hour media cycle; while economist Raoul Pal reveals insights from the worlds top traders plus tips on the next big opportunities.

The first seven episodes of The Artful Trader are available for download now on TheArtfulTraderPodcast.com.

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Ishan Dan, Wattle Partners

BUY RCOMMENDATIONS

Domain Holdings Australia (DHG)



STO rejected a confidential, non-binding, conditional and indicative proposal from Harbour Energy offering $4.55 a share in August. There may be other parties interested in STO, so a higher bid may emerge. Shares in the energy giant were trading at $5.14 on November 29.

Webjet (WEB)



Shares plummeted following a trading update that included a softer earnings outlook. It expects earnings of $80 million in the 2017/18 financial year, up 14 per cent. The market didnt like it as it was short of an expected $89 million in earnings. WEB has enjoyed a solid run in the past two years, so it wasnt a surprise. In our view, growth of 14 per cent is still good. Investors should hold on. WEB will soon find a bottom.

SELL RECOMMENDATIONS

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL)



We expect earnings in fiscal year 2018 to be impacted by about $40 million as the company brings forward its accelerated Australian growth plan. The carbonated drinks sector is in structural decline. The 52 week high was $10.87 on March 31. On November 29, the shares closed at $7.76.

JB Hi-Fi (JBH)



Amazons here. Price competition is key and its going to be difficult to match Amazons overheads. In our view, risks in this consumer electronics giant are now to the downside, particularly with stiffer competition prior to Christmas. We much prefer Kogan in the retail space.



Ian Dorrington, Argonaut BUY RECOMMENDATIONS

Sino Gas and Energy Holdings (SEH)



SEH is on the cusp of full scale development. SEH has provided details on the proposed development for its Ordos Basin gas assets. Staged development includes phase 1 production of 350 million to 550 million standard cubic feet a day. Development will be fully funded from debt, existing cash and free cash generation. Importantly, the company is unlikely to raise equity capital. Argonaut holds or controls 7 million SEH shares. Orthocell (OCC)



OCCs proprietary CelGro collagen medical device has received European regulatory approval (CE Mark) for marketing and distribution in the European Union. Approval is for dental bone and soft tissue regeneration applications. CelGro is a medical scaffold that provides integral support to the soft tissue while it undergoes repair. Argonaut currently owns and/or controls 600,000 OCC options exercisable at 55 cents on or before December 13, 2019. Argonaut acted as the sole lead manager for a placement to raise $4 million in December 2016 and received fees commensurate with this service. HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS Fortescue Metals Group (FMG)



The iron ore producer retained guidance of shipping 170 million tonnes at a cash production cost of between $US11 to $US12 a wmt (wet metric tonne) in fiscal year 2018. Autonomous haulage deployment to the Chichester Hub and the re-locatable conveyor system will continue to see downward pressure on costs. Pacific Energy (PEA)



PEA continues to grow organically through contract expansions, with existing customers recently adding 13 megawatts of additional capacity. The company now has record contracted capacity of 293MW locked in for a weighted average term of four years. However, a likely shift to gas at Newmonts Tanami Desert operations provides likely near term negative sentiment. We continue to like PEA for its consistency and visibility in the often volatile mining services space, but we retain a hold recommendation until more clarity on Newmont emerges. SELL RECOMMENDATIONS Blackmores (BKL)



Blackmores has been the market leader for complementary medicines in Australia since 2003. A combination of product innovation, category expansion and increasing distribution has helped the company retain this position. We have downgraded to sell due to strong price growth. The shares were trading at $168.84 on November 30. Treasury Wine Estates (TWE)



At this point, we need more confidence the company can deliver meaningful underlying revenue growth from pricing. We would like more visibility regarding a future reduction in its wine portfolio.



Michael Wayne, Medallion Financial Group

BUY RECOMMENDATIONS

Speedcast International (SDA)



An emerging business providing satellite-based communication networks and services. SDA buys satellite capacity from operators and then resells the satellite usage and telecommunication services to more than 100 different customers worldwide. The business provides services to global drilling contractors in the maritime and energy sectors. The shares have risen from $3.64 on September 1 to close at $5.07 on November 29.

Bapcor (BAP)



The recent quarterly update highlighted a shift to net inflows for the first time since Brexit. The merger between Janus Group and Henderson Global Investors brings together two asset management businesses with excellent reputations and track records. On a recent P/E ratio of 15.5, JHG compares favourably to its peers on valuation and earnings potential.

IDP Education (IEL)



IDP Education is a world leader in international student placement services, with 93 offices helping students from 30 countries. Emerging middle classes, renowned educational institutions and a low Australian dollar are tailwinds for some time. IELs strong brand, scale and history in dealing with universities give it a strong competitive advantage, placing it in an enviable position to capitalise on favourable structural tailwinds in international student numbers.

SELL RECOMMENDATIONS

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCL)



The business has been experiencing soft volume growth, declining margins and falling revenues in Indonesia. We feel the structural trend of consumers shifting away from fizzy drinks will remain a headwind for some time. Increases across water, dairy and energy drinks only partially offset declines in carbonated and sugary drinks. Competitor pricing pressure and intense competition across the grocery industry have the potential to further compress margins.

Fletcher Building (FBU)



The board has indicated that its completing yet another strategic review after flagging further losses in the construction segment. The business faces operational issues, as the sector appears to have reached a cyclical peak. This is concerning and for that reason we feel its best to avoid FBU until an element of certainty returns.

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Please note that TheBull.com.au simply publishes broker recommendations on this page. The publication of these recommendations does not in any way constitute a recommendation on the part of TheBull.com.au. You should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.
The Performance of Construction Index (PCI) measures construction activity across Australia monthly. The Index is produced by the Australian Housing Industry Association (HIA) with a measure over 50 indicating improving strength in the construction sector, and readings below 50 indicate a weakening. The October report came in above 50 for the ninth consecutive month. The report concluded that non-mining infrastructure work pushed engineering construction to 10-year highs.

Research from Macquarie Wealth Management extended the forecasted $237 billion for infrastructure projects over the next four years to $323 billion, based on added spending from projects not yet fully funded.

The first choice of many Aussie investors looking to capitalise on the infrastructure mini-boom could be the engineering and construction firms. Another option with potentially less risk would be the building materials suppliers for infrastructure projects. The big engineering and construction firms will compete for infrastructure contracts, leading to winners and losers. However, given the scale of some of the projects envisioned it is likely construction firms will need to rely on more than one building materials suppliers. In short, suppliers stand to benefit regardless of who wins a contract. To varying degrees the ASX building materials suppliers are exposed to the residential construction market, with some focusing almost exclusively on that segment. The chief economist at CommSec is bullish on infrastructure spending stepping in to offset declines in residential construction, expecting GDP growth near 3% for the next few years as a result.

Many of the major projects in the works are transportation related, from roads and bridges to railways and tunnels to airports. Macquarie is reporting the existing $16.6 billion allocated for roads and the $5.5 billion for railways are approaching record spending levels, with more projects expected.

There are five major large cap building materials stocks on the ASX with some more likely to benefit than others. Here is the table including the five with share price movement and forward-looking indicators.



Of the five, Fletcher Building (FBU) is New Zealand based and struggling with lagging business leading to profit downgrades; and Brickworks Ltd (BKW) and CSR Ltd (CSR) tilt heavily toward residential construction.

The major players if this mini-boom materialises as promised appear to be Boral Limited (BLD) and Adelaide Brighton (ABC) for one primary reason  concrete.

While some projects will include buildings making use of products supplied by Brickworks and CSR, it is hard to envision a major infrastructure project that does not rely on concrete, and concrete related products.

Boral appears to have the best prospects and is the only Australia based building materials supplier with an analyst consensus rating of OUTPERFORM.

A visit to the companys website is revealing. Of the 18 current projects underway, 15 rely required Borals core products  cement, cementitious products, and asphalt. Of the companys 10 listed product offerings, seven relate to heavy construction typical of roadways, bridges, tunnels, and runways. Attendant buildings to major projects may need Boral plasterboard, roofing tiles, and timber.

While some skeptics point to the high valuations of these stocks as reasons to stay away, Boral has a Forward P/E of 16.73, slightly higher than the current average sector P/E of 15.19 with a respectable 5 year expected P/EG Ratio of 1.36. The company pays a fully franked dividend with a current yield of 3.2%. Between FY 2016 and FY 2017 revenues declined 1.2% but net profit rose 15.6%. Borals CEO revised an earlier prediction expecting the infrastructure boom to last five to six years upward to 10 years. Boral also benefits from the low Australian dollar due to its operations in North America.

Adelaide Brighton is a virtual pure-play cement producer, with a product line including cement, lime, concrete and aggregates, concrete masonry products, and clinker  a pellet-like substance formed as a by-product of manufacturing cement. The company lacks the US exposure of rival Boral.

Cement products are essential to residential construction as well, as Adelaide derived 31% of its FY 2016 revenues from residential construction. The companys Half Year 2017 Financial Results released in August were less than stellar, with a 4.7% revenue increase failing to save the company from a net profit decline of 10.9%. Management is expecting Full Year 2017 profit to come in at between $188 and $198 million, an improvement over FY 2016s reported profit of $186.2 million. Despite the profit decline, investors pushed the stock price upward. The following price movement chart compare the performance of BLD and ABC over the past year.



The status of Brickworks Limited (BKW) as a primary player in residential construction is evidenced by the companys share price movement during the housing boom, reaching and eclipsing multiple all-time highs. Here is the chart.



The company is hardly a pure residential construction player, as its operations include an investment arm and a property arm, supplementing its core building materials division. The Buildings Product Group includes nine branded building material product offerings from precast concrete panels to roofing and timber, to bricks and masonry to brick facades systems. The product line is dominated by bricks, with five of the total offerings.

The share price got a boost from the Half Year 2017 Financials released in March that included a 19% revenue increase and a 48% rise in profit.



Full Year Results released in September reversed the declining price movement with the company reporting record underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $196.4 million, a 43% increase over FY 2016, representing the companys fifth consecutive year of growth. Improvement in statutory net profit  including one-off items  increased 138%.

Given its product line, Brickworks is unlikely to benefit from road and rail construction, but could see a boost in revenues from projects utilising bricks or pre-cast panels.

However, there are other reasons to consider this company. The Land and Development Group is involved in acquiring, rehabilitating, and selling surplus land from building products operations. The companys Investment Division is a 47.2% owner of Washington H Soul Pattinson (SOL) a major ASX listed investment group. The stake in SOL is often cited by some analysts and experts as a reason to buy BKW to gain exposure to the investment sector.

CSR Limited (CSR), like Brickworks, is primarily involved in supplying the residential construction market. The company has four operating divisions  Building Products; Glass; Aluminum; and Property. The property division essentially replicates the Brickworks operation, developing land from former operational building materials sites.

With the exception of the companys aerated concrete soundproofing barriers for roadways and rails, the companys core product lines will be of limited revenue generating potential for large scale infrastructure projects. The Viridian glass line the CSR roofing systems might find their way into structures constructed to support infrastructure projects. Despite the red-hot residential market in recent years, CSR has suffered from its ill-fated foray into the aluminum business. The company was in negotiations to sell its interest in Gove Aluminum Finance, with no word on the status of the deal and the price of aluminum has risen as part of the global commodities surge.

However, the improving price was not enough to spare the company a stock price collapse following its Full Year 2016 Financial Report where the 11% rise in net profit was not enough to calm investors, nervous over the 10.5% decline in earnings before interest and taxes from the Aluminum sector.



The company does pay a more than respectable dividend, although it is only 50% franked. It appears investors concerned about a slowdown in residential housing remain unconvinced that CSR can benefit from upcoming road, railways, airports, and other major infrastructure projects.

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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Two experts from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have been included in the probe team set up by Max Healthcare authorities to investigate the case of a premature baby being wrongly declared dead, the hospital said today.

The case pertains to the birth of twins (boy and girl) on November 30. Both the babies were declared dead by the Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh. However, the family later found the boy was alive.

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"The expert group set up by Max Healthcare to investigate the circumstances and protocols followed regarding the premature delivery (23 weeks/5 months) of the twins and the subsequent declaration of death at Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, is working swiftly towards concluding their detailed investigations.

"Dr Arun Agarwal, Chairman, Ethic Committee, IMA and Dr Ramesh Datta, Joint Secretary, IMA, have been included as external experts in the group," Max Healthcare said in a statement.

The investigation is expected to conclude by tomorrow and the findings are expected to be shared thereafter, it said.

Max Healthcare authorities had ordered an inquiry into the case on December 1, saying a doctor concerned had been "asked to proceed on leave immediately".

The Delhi government has ordered its own probe into the shocking incident.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain had yesterday said that if the hospital was found guilty of medical negligence in its probe, its licence could be cancelled.

The mother was brought to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar, police said.

The parents were earlier told by the hospital that both the babies were stillborn, and were handed to them in a polythene bag, but just before their last rites, the family found that the boy was alive, police said.

"We rushed the baby to a nearby nursing home in Pitampura, where he is on life support," the father had earlier said.

Police have already registered a case of attempt to commit culpable homicide against two doctors. PTI KND BUN GVS

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Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition goes global

Pernod Ricard Irish Distillers has announced the global roll out of its Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition following a run in Ireland during September 2017.

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a triple distilled Irish whiskey finished in craft IPA-seasoned barrels.

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is the next chapter of a story that began in 2013, when Brian Nation, master distiller in Midleton Distillery, and Dave Quinn, master of Whiskey Science in Midleton Distillery, met Franciscan Well founder and head brewer, Shane Long, in a Cork bar.

The Midleton masters agreed to loan some Jameson casks to the brewery to discover their influence on Irish stout and when the stout-seasoned barrels were returned to Midleton Distillery, Dave Quinn re-filled them with Jameson Irish whiskey  a finishing process that created Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition.

Commenting on the announcement Jean-Christophe Coutures, chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, says: Irish Distillers has a long history of innovation within the Irish whiskey category and we are incredibly proud of the latest chapter in this story of creative experimentation. This new addition to the Jameson Caskmates family was trialed in the Irish market exclusively since September 2017 and the response has been fantastic. We have no doubt that Jameson Caskmates IPA will be as popular throughout the world as it has been in its homeland of Ireland.

Dave Quinn, master of Whiskey Science in Midleton Distillery, adds: Without the curiosity and collaboration that took place that night in Cork and the expertise, passion and dedication that followed, we may have missed out on what has become a staple innovation within the Jameson family. Its great to see the range growing so that more craft beer and whiskey fans alike can experience Jameson Caskmates. I recommend that you try the new release on the rocks or paired with a craft IPA but always with good friends over great conversations.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is available from December 2017 in the USA and January 2018 in Ireland. RRP is 38.

3 December 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor
The Blinn College livestock judging team won the first national contest of season at the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City, Kansas, on Oct. 27.

Blinn's sophomore division won its third contest title of the year, placing first out of 28 total teams.

This marks the second time Blinn has won the prestigious American Royal contest.

Four Blinn students placed in the top 15 out of approximately 130 contestants. Sophomore Shyann Mattes finished the highest for Blinn with a fourth-place individual finish after topping the competition in the goat and sheep division.

Kylie Patterson placed 12th, Grayson Gilbraith placed 13th, Jaci Burgin was 14th, and Travis Bonner placed 33rd.

The team is coached by Brice Mund.
Love old or unusual movies but never know when they're on? Here are several I recommend:

The Adventures Of Marco Polo (1938): This very silly but glitzy and entertaining movie gives the legendary Venetian traveler the classic Hollywood treatment. Gary Cooper stars along with Basil Rathbone and Alan Hale. Warning: This is from the era where very Caucasian actors regularly played very non-Caucasian roles. Alan Hale as a Mongol chieftain? Yeah, right. Oh, and there's 17-year-old Lana Turner as a young Mongol maid. It's all ridiculous, but also sumptuous and well directed by Archie Mayo.

Turner Classic Movies, 8:45 a.m. Wednesday

The Ox-Bow Incident (1942): We may generally think of "independent films" as a modern phenomenon, but that's not really true. Henry Fonda used his star power to green-light this stunning 1943 film when no studio was really interested in making it. It's the disturbing story of mob violence, told in a Western setting. Directed by the talented William Wellman, the movie stars Fonda and Dana Andrews as a drifter who's accused of murdering a local cattle rancher. Frightening and uncompromising, this film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and actually won Best Picture from the National Board of Review.

Turner Classic Movies, 4:15 p.m. Saturday

Hardcore Henry (2015): I love gimmicks, and this movie has a really good one: Virtually the entire movie is shot from a first-person perspective. Now, this has been done before, notably in Lady in the Lake (1947), but this time around it has a high-tech sheen and violent nature that turns the experience into a wild roller coaster rider. The main character isn't even sure who or what he really is. He keeps getting guidance from various incarnations of a friend(?) named Jimmy -- entertainingly played by South African actor Sharlo Copley. This movie is brutal and frenetic and most definitely not for everybody, but I thought it was a riot.

Showtime Anytime.

Searching For Bobby Fischer (1993): Every now and then you stumble across a movie that takes on a subject you realize few movies will touch. Think about it: When was the last time you saw a serious movie about parenting? I don't mean pleasant schlock such as Father of the Bride. I mean a movie that's really about parenting. Searching for Bobby Fischer is that rare movie. When a young boy (Max Pomeranc) shows an exceptional flair for chess, his parents (Joan Allen and Joe Montegna) must figure out how much to push him, and how much to let him be a normal kid. It's not an easy dilemma, and the movie handles the issues with exceptional intelligence and grace. The movie's hero is writer/director Steve Zaillian, Oscar-winning writer for Schindler's List, and a fellow who should direct more movies.

Now available on Amazon Prime Video.

Trivia Question #714: Which of this week's performers had a body part permanently altered by the experience of working on the movie in question?

Answer to Trivia Question #712: Balthazar Getty's father was kidnapped at 16 years old.

Bryan native Ray Ivey is a writer and movie fan in Hollywood, Calif. He would love to hear from you at rayivey@ca.rr.com. You can also visit his blog at www.starkravingray.com.
The Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network has extended their "sponsor a student" Giving Tuesday campaign aimed at funding the nonprofit's next semester of civics classes for area residents preparing to take their citizenship tests.

Cecelia Hawkins, a member of the BIIN's board of directors, said $52 funds one student's participation in the class. That cost helps BIIN pay for overhead and the many copies of papers the students receive when they take the free class. Hawkins said BIIN raised about $750 for its Giving Tuesday campaign, and will continue to apply donated funds to sponsoring students until the next round of classes begin in early February.

BIIN hosts a 10-week civics classes every few months for legal permanent residents getting ready to take the U.S. citizenship test. Participating students already have green cards, the application process for which can often take years, and will soon take the multi-part citizenship test, which includes speaking, reading, writing and civics portions.

BIIN offers classes in English and Spanish; those who wish to take the citizenship test in Spanish must be at least 50 years old and have been legal permanent residents for 20 years, so the students in the Spanish class tend to be a bit older.

Nancy Plankey-Videla, the instructor for the Spanish-speaking class, said the fundraiser is, "an opportunity for people to help us help others."

"We can only provide services if we have the funds to cover the basics," she added.

Those interested in volunteering their time, in lieu or in addition to money, can sign up to become conversation partners. Students and tutors sign up for one-hour, one-on-one weekly time slots with a partner, helping immigrants in the Bryan-College Station community to practice their English skills with native speakers. To sign up, email biininfo@gmail.com or go to http://bit.ly/conversationvolunteer

Plankey-Videla said the informal conversations help those preparing to take their citizenship test to be more confident in their English-speaking ability, which she called, "the most important thing in the citizenship interview process."

Donating to sponsor a student, Plankey-Videla said, supports people who are already a part of our community.

"They are teachers, they are students, they are custodial workers," Plankey-Videla said of the classes' students. "They want to take the next step and not just participate in the community as they have so far, but to be able to do so by voting, by sitting on a jury."

"They feel American, and most of them just want to make that official," she added.

Public and political climates have made the communities immigrants have called home for years seem hostile and uncivil, Plankey-Videla continued, and taking BIIN's class to prepare for the citizenship test brings them a step closer to officially being American.

"For some, there is a sense that the discourse around immigration has become very uncivil and has painted all immigrants as criminals," Plankey-Videla said. "This is just another way to say, 'No, we belong.'"

To donate, go to http://brazosimmigration.com/donate/.
For Nikki Soto, a single mom who works hard to provide for her three children, the Christmas season can bring with it uncertainty.

"Usually Christmas is one of the hardest days of the year to take care of financially," she said.

On Saturday, Soto was shocked -- and exhilarated -- as a group of motorcyclists came to her Southgate Village apartment in College Station with beds, dressers, bicycles, a couch and a huge stack of wrapped presents. As the furniture was being set up in Soto's apartment, other motorcyclists and Santa and Mrs. Claus played outside with the children who live in the apartment complex. Kids ran to throw themselves into Santa's arms and each received their own stuffed animal.

The generosity came as part of the Ranch Harley-Davidson's Brazos de Dios Toy Run, which saw nearly 200 motorcyclists hit the streets Saturday to bring gifts to 10 families in Bryan-College Station.

"I'm feeling so excited," Soto, whose children are 11, 8 and 6. "I'm just happy [my kids] have a smile on their faces."

For 29 years, the local Harley-Davidson dealership has been bringing toys to the kids and families of Aggieland. In the months before each December, dealership owners and local Harley bike club chapter members will work to raise thousands of dollars in donations toward the toy drive. They also interview dozens of families in the community who have been nominated to receive a wealth of presents.

"We reach out to schools and churches," said Alex Gipson, a dealership staffer. "It's how we get our nominations, because they know people who are struggling. This year we did about 50 to 60 interviews on phone, then we did home interviews with the families to see how it went.

Between 10 and 15 families are chosen, and wish lists are created for each. Mountains of toys are then purchased for the children of the family through donations, and area furniture stores such as Ashley Furniture, Sleep Station and Howdy Home Furniture offer free beds, tables and dressers.

"With a lot of our families, they've been sleeping on the floor," Gipson said. "This is what we do this for; it's very rewarding."

On the day of distribution, motorcyclists from the community and across Texas volunteer to deliver both the presents for the assigned families as well as stuffed animals to hand out to neighborhood children along the way. Movers from companies such as D&D Furniture help deliver larger items that won't fit on the bikes, and local law enforcement officers provide a police escort to keep the group of riders safe.

Donna Rice, a retired teacher in College Station, is a member of the local Harley chapter Brazos del Dios, and has been riding her Harley for about five years now. This weekend was her second time participating in the toy run, but she came prepared. Her bike was covered in Christmas decorations, including wreaths, bows and ornaments. A pig stuffed animal or "Harley hog" rode along with her for the children to see.

"This is helping my community," Rice said. "After helping out on [conducting] the telephone interviews with the families and going to the home visits, this has inspired me to go out and help others."

About $15,000 was spent on presents for the children, and Gipson estimated that the value of all furniture donated was about $10,000. A total of 35 mattresses and beds were given, which was especially important for some families, she noted. One family of the 10 involved this year supported nine foster children, and many of the kids had to sleep on sleeping bags because they didn't have a bed.

Alex Gipson's mother Susan Gipson, co-owner of the local dealership, was one of the many riders on Saturday. She said she was amazed at the notion that many of the bikers had come from as far as Waco and Houston to participate, and that police officers from Bryan, College Station and the Brazos County constable's offices all offered their help in organizing the large caravan.

She was not completely surprised at the large turnout of about 200 people, however, noting that it's Harley culture to participate year-round in fundraisers for various causes.

"Harley is a very giving company, and motorcyclists are very giving people," Susan Gipson said. "I think that gets overlooked pretty often."

To learn more about the toy run, visit https://www.theranchhd.com/
Max Hospital has with immediate effect terminated the services of the two doctors who declared a premature baby dead.

By Munish Chandra Pandey: Delhi's Max Super Speciality Hospital that finds itself marred with a medical negligence case- wherein a newborn was declared dead, has now sacked the doctors responsible for the oversight.

Dr AP Mehta and Dr Vishal Gupta's services have been terminated with immediate effect for gross medical negligence that nearly cost a life. Meanwhile, Delhi police has also sent a notice to the hospital to join the investigation. The police will be questioning the authorities and recording their statements. A case has been filed under IPC section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).

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Shalimar Bagh's Max Super Speciality Hospital was recently in the news, after a set of twins were declared dead by the doctors and were handed over to the family packed in a plastic bag each.

When the family took the two 'dead' children to the crematorium, they felt something move inside one of the bags - and to their surprise, one of the infants was alive.

The baby was rushed to a nearby hospital, while the family filed a complaint against the hospital.

Meanwhile, a report by a team formed by members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and those of the hospital is yet to be filed in this case.

Earlier on Saturday, Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain had said that strict action will be taken against those found guilty and if need be, Max Hospital's licence would be revoked.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also sought a detailed report in this matter.

(With inputs Arvind Ojha)

VIDEO | Delhi Govt Orders Enquiry Against Max Hospital Over Declaring Newborn Dead

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A 31-year-old woman was arrested this week after authorities say she broke into a house to steal painkillers.

According to the Brazos County Sheriff's Department, deputies responded to a house on Dilly Shaw Tap Road on Monday after a couple said their home had been burglarized. The house was monitored with home security cameras, which showed a woman entering through the bathroom window carrying a flashlight. The video showed the woman going into the kitchen and rummaging through various medicine bottles before leaving. The flashlight was left at the scene.

A deputy recognized the woman as Veronica Ann Stephens, whose fingerprints were on record from a previous arrest. Authorities say her prints matched those on the flashlight.

Deputies confronted Stephens on Friday. A report notes she intially denied entering the home, but then said she had and said she knew the residents. Stephens initially told authorities she was looking for a Wi-Fi password, but later admitted she was looking for pills, specifically Vicodin, a report notes. The couple who lived in the house said they do not know Stephens.

She is charged with burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Stephens is being held at the Brazos County Jail on $25,000 bond.
In this busy time of the year, many of us might feel some hunger pangs because we skipped lunch to run errands or delayed supper for a variety of reasons. Those pangs are easy to fix: A meal or even a snack usually is enough to do the trick.

But for many of our neighbors and friends throughout the Brazos Valley, it isn't that simple. They suffer from food insecurity, not knowing when or where their next meal will come from. Sadly, far too many of these good people are children or the elderly.

A food survey conducted in this area three years ago, cited several reasons for this:

 92 percent had to choose between food and medical care.

 90 percent had to choose between food and utilities.

 85 percent had to choose between food and transportation.

 51 percent had to choose between food and housing.

 33 percent had to choose between food and education.

Area people who are food insecure are forced to use a variety of methods to cope:

 90 percent purchase inexpensive, unhealthy food.

 67 percent receive help from family and neighbors.

 55 percent water down food and drinks.

 46 percent sell or pawn personal property.

Theresa Mangapora, who heads the dedicated, hard-working staff at the Brazos Valley Food Bank, said, "Food insecurity is not famine. Food insecurity refers to a lack of access to enough good, healthy, and culturally appropriate food.

"So, food insecurity can come and go -- it is rarely a constant state, like famine. It can happen near the end of the month, when funds become low. It can be more of an issue on the weekends and holiday breaks, when children do not have access to school meals."

The Food Bank is one of the hardest-working organizations in the area, distributing 6.6 million pounds of food from July 2016 through June of this year. That's enough food for 5.5 million meals -- right here at home, in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties.

The Food Bank and its more than 35 partner pantries and agencies keep meticulous records, so we know that food went to 46,273 different people, including 21,153 children 18 and younger, 20,864 adults and 4,256 adults 65 and older. It is mind-blowing how many people around us need our help. We see them every day and we never know what is going on in their life.

Mangapora said, "Remember, individuals are oftentimes limited to one visit per every 30 days at food pantries. This is because food pantries are volunteer run on limited budgets. They do the best that they can with what they have.

"But, this means that most of the food insecure are securing their own food most of the time during any given month, food pantries and our mobile food pantries are really only able to give out enough food for around four days."

As great as the Brazos Valley Food Bank is -- and it is pretty great, to be sure -- it cannot to all the good it does alone. We all must do our part. While the Food Bank receives food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, corporate donors such as H-E-B, and from food vendors, it relies on donations from the community. While there are numerous smaller drives throughout the year, the biggest effort of each year is the magnificent KBTX Food for Families food drive. Every year for more than 20 years, the KBTX drive has collected thousands of pounds of food and other items, as well as badly needed monetary contributions.

This year's drive is upon us. On Wednesday, KBTX on-air personalities, crew and a host of volunteers will be on hand at five locations to accept donations of food and money. Here are the locations and times:

 Brazos Center, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 Kimbro Center in Madisonville, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 Navasota Valley Electric Coop in Franklin, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 St. Mary's Parish Gym in Caldwell, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 Mid-South Synergy in Navasota from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The drive can accept only non-perishable food, not homemade or perishable items, please.

Among the items most needed are canned or dried beans, canned vegetables, canned meats, cereal, cereal bars, chili, coffee, flour, canned fruits, macaroni and cheese, shelf stable fruit cups, granola bars, jams and jellies, juice boxes, ketchup and mustard, Vienna sausages, oatmeal, peanut butter, shelf stable pudding, rice, ravioli, pasta, sugar, soup, tuna, tuna and chicken salad kits and bottled water.

But it's not just food that is need. Child and adult diapers, paper towels and toilet paper are needed, too.

And, your monetary donations help the Brazos Valley Food Bank buy food items it needs to help provide healthy, well-balanced meals. The Food Bank can leverage each dollar donated into $5 worth of food.

Food for Families is a great opportunity to teach your kids about the importance of giving back. Take them with you when you go shopping and encourage them to pick out items to donate. Many grocery stores have signs suggesting items to donate and some even have prepackaged bags of food available for purchase. After making your purchases, take the kids with you when you drop them off during the food drive, explaining why such giving is important.

If you can't make it on Wednesday, you still may donate online at www.kbtx.com.

It takes a lot of work and a whole lot of volunteers to make each Food for Families drive a success. Thank you to Mike Wright and his staff at KBTX and to Theresa Mangapora and her staff at the Brazos Valley Food Bank for their efforts,

They have been working hard. Now it is up to us. Let's make this a merry Christmas and a happier new year for our neighbors and friends by giving generously on Wednesday.
U.S. Rep. Bill Flores (Eagle, Nov. 19) and I agree that our country needs a simpler, more transparent, and fairer federal tax code for taxpayers and businesses. Instead of working for a bill appropriate for the 21st century, however, Flores voted for a hyperpartisan bill that gives tens of billions of dollars to the wealthiest Americans, will not increase economic growth much, and socks the government with a $1.5 trillion dollar deficit based on an ideological approach that has failed multiple times already.

The biggest problem is that the Republican tax bill would increase the federal deficit by $1.5 to $2 trillion over the next decade. The experience of the 1981 Reagan, 2001 Bush, and 2012 Kansas tax cuts has thrice disproved the ideological claims of supply-side voodoo economics (in the words of George H.W. Bush) that cutting tax rates will increase government income. In reality, deficits, not economic growth, expanded rapidly. President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and the Kansas Republican-controlled Legislature in 2017 had to raise taxes to reduce the deficits their tax cuts had created.

Eliminating the deduction for state and local taxes would hurt those governments, quite an accomplishment for a party that proclaims the importance of state and local governance over federal authority.

Education also suffers from a petty and mean-spirited attack. Gone is the $250 deduction for teachers for school supplies (admittedly, providing more funds for public education so teachers do not have to reach into their wallets for their students would be a better idea, but until then lets at least partially compensate teachers for spending on their students).

For universities and colleges, the tax on graduate student stipends and on some university endowments, as well as the elimination of the interest deduction for student loans threaten one of the countrys foundations of economic and citizen growth. Congresss Joint Committee on Taxation, which should know what it talking about, estimates the tax bill would drain $71 billion from American higher education over the next decade.

The House plan not only would eliminate the estate tax, which benefits only people such as the Trump family (currently if a couple has less than $11 million their estate is untaxed), but allows heirs to sell stocks and other assets without paying any tax on the increased value before the inheritance. This would increase wealth inequality further without stimulating economic growth. The failure of President Donald Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to release his tax returns means we have no idea how much he personally would benefit from this tax bill but he, unlike most Americans, definitely would benefit.

Some proponents hope the massive deficits will cripple future government programs. Debating the wisdom of specific government spending is a congressional responsibility, but those debates should be decided on their merits, not by a crisis created by deliberate deficit spending. At a time when our aging population will demand more spending on health care and Social Security, increasing the government debt and decreasing the productivity of education will hinder, not help, our ability to meet those obligations.

As bad as the content are the undemocratic tactics. The Republican leadership has rammed this bill through the House and, now, through the Senate without any committee hearings or full discussion just like its failed efforts to repeal Obamacare. This improper haste reduces the time citizens can study the bill and react (you can view the 515-page Senate version at www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/11.20.17%20Tax%20Cuts%20and%20Jobs%20Act.pdf).

Its also impressive how many Republican representatives and senators who ruthlessly attacked President Barack Obama for the post-recession budget deficits now praise President Trump for proposing one of the biggest deficit proposals in history. More honest was U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-New York, who said, My donors are basically saying, Get it done or dont ever call me again..

Elected Republican officials fear that if they do not pass a big tax cut of any some sort, their big funders as well as voters will punish them in 2018 and 2020. For Rep. Flores, that may mean some of the 305 political action committees that each gave him over $1,000 in 2016 may not in 2018 (www.theeagle.com/news/local/district-incumbent-flores-raises-at-least-times-more-than-opponents/article_8866fe1a-efe6-575a-a84c-16d8842391d9.html). That the representative, as anyone running for office, has to spend so much time and effort seeking contributions is another serious problem worthy of separate discussion.

The Republican leadership has a political dilemma, a dilemma that it created. But like their promise to repeal and replace Obamacare, their proposed cure is worse than the existing situation. Like medical doctors, Congress and the president first should do no harm. Revamping the tax structure for the 21st century is needed. The House and Senate bills, however, would harm the American economy, businesses, and taxpayers more than it would help.

If President Trump and congressional Republicans really want to help the American economy, they should work with Democrats to create a fair, revenue-neutral tax-reform bill that would simplify the tax system, lower the corporate tax rate and eliminate loopholes, and benefit all Americans.

Bipartisan tax bills have been passed before; one can and should be passed now.

Jonathan Coopersmith is a history professor at Texas A&M University.
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It was a footnote likely soon forgotten in the storied lore of the YMCA, after a pair of men were caught in early November trespassing in the former Norwalk YMCA building downtown  as they told it to police, pursuing a hobby photographing abandoned buildings.

If the picture has been slow to develop on the West Avenue buildings second life, it may come into better focus in short order as business booms in South Norwalk and downtown.

Five years ago last week, the Norwalk YMCA shut its doors at 370 West Ave., with revenue from some 3,000 members unable to support the cost of running the 58,000-square-foot edifice that this year marked 90 years since the laying of its cornerstone. The Norwalk YMCA organization now shares a main facility with the Wilton YMCA on Danbury Road in Wilton, while continuing to offer some programs in Norwalk including in a leased gymnastics space on Main Avenue.

If not abandoning its mission, the Norwalk YMCA left behind its historic, four-story West Avenue home which remains empty to this day, on a plot totaling less than 2 acres. After Norwalk Hospital spent $4.6 million in March 2013 to acquire the main YMCA building along with smaller outbuildings, the hospital has yet to put the property to use.

The Norwalk YMCA building has idled even as West Avenue has blossomed with the construction of Belpointe Capitals Waypointe development, which to date has comprised four mammoth residential buildings with site preparation under way for a fifth dubbed The Pinnacle.

And going vertical just a few blocks south is the SoNo Collection mall, which when opening in the fall of 2019 is expected to serve as a magnet for shoppers from throughout the region, with many local establishments expected to benefit from the influx of visitors.

Focal point

Is there any better-situated piece of unused commercial real estate in Norwalk today than the Norwalk YMCA building? Located just off the South Norwalk exit of Interstate 95 southbound, the building is across the street from the Stepping Stones Museum for Children and Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum.

If the block has refreshed appeal entering 2018 given all the nearby activity, its locale has value as well for Norwalk Hospitals central mission of providing patient care, with its main campus just opposite the elevated Route 7 connector. The past few years under its Danbury-based parent Western Connecticut Health Network, Norwalk Hospital has been working to expand the services of its physician affiliates to other commercial office properties in Norwalk and surrounding towns.

WCHN did not provide an immediate update on whether it plans to push ahead with a conversion of the Norwalk YMCA property for medical use, and whether it has contemplated cashing out of the property in favor of continuing to use other nearby commercial space for its needs.

The city of Norwalk lists any replacement cost of the building at $6 million, with the land holding additional intrinsic value. On the LoopNet commercial real estate website, only one other property is listed for sale with value as a development parcel in an automotive center adjacent to Waypointe.

I am aware that the hospital has undertaken some preliminary planning work regarding the reuse of the former YMCA site, but no development plans have been formally filed with (the city of Norwalk) for approval, said Tim Sheehan, executive director of the Norwalk Redevelopment Authority, in an email response to a Hearst Connecticut Media query. There remains significant private development interest in that property and others in close proximity to either the Waypointe (project) or the SoNo Collection.

Precedent

Commercial developers in southwestern Connecticut have a history of snapping up YMCA facilities that have outlived the economic circumstances under which they were built. In Stamford, RMS Construction transformed a former YMCA into Hotel Zero Degrees, later expanding the concept to Norwalk and Danbury.

And in Westport, where the towns former downtown YMCA held a comparatively dominant real estate parcel, principals with David Adam Realty and Charter Realty & Development did not hesitate to acquire the hybrid structure, creating Bedford Square with Anthropologie & Co. occupying a Tudor-design historic building shell. Williams-Sonoma and other retailers were quick to to snap up available space in new storefronts.

Now the biggest retail development of them all is under way in South Norwalk, with Sheehan expecting all property owners to benefit. The question is how many will capitalize on any escalating values for their land.

The SoNo Collection as a fully built, sizable, high-end retail development should positively impact the surrounding property valuations, beyond the vacant raw land that the project is now being built on, Sheehan said.

Robert Koch contributed to this report. Includes prior reporting by Leslie Lake.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
NORWALK  The city, Norwalk NAACP and General Growth Properties aim to engage women and minority-owned businesses in the construction of The SoNo Collection.

The consultants or GGP will help them work through the paperwork, said Adam Bovilsky, Norwalks human relations director. The NAACP is planning an outreach campaign and a registration event where these companies can go to get assistance with the paperwork.

Bovilsky said the registration process through the state requires much paperwork but he added that its free.

On Thursday, Bovilsky met with Norwalk NAACP President Brenda Penn-Williams and Rushmore Consulting Principal Jude Jean-Pierre to discuss the effort. The goal is to reach women and minority owned businesses in Norwalk that could help build the mall.

They may have all the makings for the certification process and not know that they should be certified or the upsides to being certified, said Jean-Pierre, a consultant engaged by the Norwalk NAACP. And so you first give them the incentive and then you show them how to use what they already have to become certified.

GGP, a Chicago-based mall developer, broke ground in August on the 728,000-square-foot upscale regional shopping center off West Avenue and Interstate 95. The company had targeted October 2019 for completion.

Under its development agreement with the city and Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, GGP must make a good faith effort to see that at least 10 percent of the construction dollars go toward Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. That translates to about $29.9 million.

DBEs are defined as small businesses that are owned primarily by women or minorities. The Connecticut Department of Transportation registers DBEs and has only three such businesses now registered in Norwalk: Desai Communications, Inc., Omnik Environmental Management, Inc., and Winston Strategic Partners, LLC.

Bovilsky said the development agreement uses the term DBE only generically when it means Women Business Enterprises and Minority Business Enterprises as certified by the Department of Administrative Services.

We understand that when people use the term DBE with the state, they instantly think of the DOT, Bovilsky said. Were using that term generically to mean any minority or women-owned business that has registered with any state agency, including as a Minority Business Enterprise or Women Business Enterprise with the Department of Administrative Services.

The DAS has 23 Norwalk businesses registered as either Women Business Enterprises or Minority Business Enterprises. Only several are construction-related companies, according to the departments website.

In its recent jobs report to the city, as required under the development agreement, GGP reported that it was 16.8 percent of the way toward directing 10 percent of construction costs toward minority or women-owned business. That translates to $5 million worth of work, based upon contracts thus far.

GGP Senior Director Douglas Adams said the company takes its hiring obligations seriously and is making good progress to meet them. He reminded that the mall project has a long way to go before completion in 2019.

Of 24 construction trades in the jobs report, half havent yet been contracted, according to GGP.

The city, the Norwalk NAACP and Jean-Pierre are well aware of that fact.

Theres a lot of work coming up and investing two or three hours to register could do a lot for your business, Jean-Pierre said of the planned outreach.

The outreach isnt the first. GGP held Construction Jobs & Bidding Opportunities Community open houses in May, June and October. Representatives of VCC/KBE, the general contractor chosen by GGP to build the mall, outlined bidding, hiring, job placement and local labor training opportunities at the events.
An Austin legislators imperfect citation of a study led us to gauge whether domestic violence can reasonably be considered a predictor of mass shootings.

Answer: No.

In a Nov. 9, 2017, email blast to constituents, Democratic state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez noted that the shooter at the church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, leaving 26 people dead, had been convicted years before of beating his then-wife and young stepson. According to news accounts, Devin P. Kelley subsequently served a year in a Navy brig.

Rodriguezs email blast said the Texas shootings led him to suggest steps "we can take," among them: "Strengthening existing laws and ensuring theyre implemented correctly to keep guns out of the hands of criminals." Parenthetically, Rodriguez said next that "perpetrators of domestic violence accounted for 54% of mass shootings between 2009 and 2016, according to the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety."

Domestic violence and mass shootings

Rodriguezs linkage made us wonder, in part because Everytowns research drew wide mention after the Texas shootings.

A Nov. 6, 2017, New York Times news story quoted Billy Rosen, the groups deputy legal director, saying: "We have seen over and over this pattern where in these notorious mass shootings, it is a very common thread where the person had a particular history of domestic violence. A history of this particular kind of conduct may really demonstrate that someone has dangerous propensities and should not be allowed to have guns."

Time magazine similarly quoted the groups Sarah Tofte saying: "You could think of domestic violence as a canary in the coal mine for future violence. We may not know everything we need to know about why and when it reverberates outside the home, but we know that it does, and weve seen it over and over again."

However, the relevant April 2017 report from the Everytown group doesnt offer data linking past domestic violence to the likelihood of anyone becoming a mass shooter. Rather, the report says that "in 54 percent of mass shootings, the shooters killed intimate partners or other family members."

We asked Rodriguez about this contrast. In reply, he conceded in a letter that his email blast lacked clarity.

"As I read your question," Rodriguez wrote, "I can understand how my language could inadvertently imply that 54% of mass shooters also had a history of domestic violence, as opposed to the analysis' findings that 54% of the incidents were directly related to domestic violence.

"I agree that my language was unclear," Rodriguez wrote, "as perpetrators of domestic violence could be read as shooters who had committed domestic violence in the past or, as I meant it, as shooters who perpetrated domestic violence when they shot a current or former intimate or family member. While grammatically vague, I had no intention of misrepresenting the group's findings."

The legislators claim and clarification made us wonder what data actually show about mass shooters having domestic violence backgrounds.

April 2017 report

The Everytown report says the group drew on news stories, FBI figures and police and court records (in 76 instances) to identify 156 mass shootings in the study period--including 85 (54.5 percent) in which the perpetrator "shot a current or former intimate partner or family member." Mass shootings can be defined in different ways. The Everytown group tallied shootings involving four or more victims, not counting the shooter.

In the reports appendix, which summarizes each identified shooting, we spotted 13, or 8 percent, that occurred after a domestic dispute or in which the shooter had previously been charged with or linked to domestic violence.

Around the same time, though, criminologist James Alan Fox, a Northeastern University professor, found more domestic violence links to the shootings catalogued by the group. Fox said in a USA Today commentary published after Rodriguez sent out his email blast that of Everytowns 85 listed shootings in which a person shot a family member, 41 percent were preceded by other acts of domestic violence. More broadly, Fox wrote, 25 percent of all the men listed as committing mass shootings showed "any indication of prior domestic violence."

We asked Fox to share the specifics behind his percentages. By email, he said wed need to get the spreadsheet directly from the Everytown group. Its spokeswoman, Phoebe Kilgour, had earlier emailed us a sheet lacking entries specifying prior domestic violence charges or convictions. Kilgour, asked for more detail, said the limited information was "what we're comfortable sharing at this point."

Separately, Lisa Growette Bostaph, a Boise State University criminologist, responded to our inquiry by saying that her review of Everytowns information delivered domestic-violence counts matching what Fox reported; she also provided her annotated review of what Everytown listed.

By email, Bostaph also cautioned against dwelling on whether mass shooters have documented backgrounds of domestic violence, writing:

Parsing "out whether or not a protection order was granted or a criminal charge resulted in a conviction is ignoring everything that we know about domestic violence: that victims are often manipulated and controlled by fear to rescind requests for protection and criminal charges; that victims are often silent about the domestic violence out of fear of involving others who may later be threatened or hurt; fear of angering the perpetrator and risking further violence for "bringing others into our business"; fear that the perpetrator may lose their job and the victim cannot provide for their children on their own; fear that, by leaving their abuser, they could be risking their abuser having custody or unsupervised visitation with their children who are often witnesses to the violence and/or abused themselves. This means that, if the domestic violence victim is also a victim in the mass shooting, we may never know if there was a history of domestic violence. But, does that really matter, when the end result of that relationship was the ultimate act of domestic and/or family violence?"

A mass killing compilation

Fox otherwise alerted us to an ongoing USA Today compilation of U.S. mass killings, drawing from FBI figures plus police and news reports. When we examined it in November 2017, it showed 271 mass shootings of four or more victims from 2006 through Nov. 5, 2017. We sorted those figures to find that 129 of the shootings, or 48 percent, involved family killings including 13 of 23 Texas mass shootings. The day that we looked, the latest listed Texas mass shooting involving family had occurred in Houston in April 2017; a single mother shot and killed four people including her mother and sister.

That compilation doesnt filter out shootings involving a shooter with a domestic violence history.

But Fox connected us with Emma Fridel, a Northeastern doctoral student whos conducted more detailed research rooted in USA Todays compilation. To our inquiry, Fridel summarized her findings in an email stating that from 2006 through 2016, the country experienced 205 solved mass murders exclusively involving firearms. Of those, Fridel said, she found that 41, or 20 percent, involved one or more perpetrators with a history of domestic violence. (See Fridels full analysis, published in early November 2017, here.)

Fox, summing up, said: "You could certainly say about half the cases of mass shootings are extreme incidents of domestic violence," which in itself persists as "a serious problem," Fox said. "But its not generally a precursor to mass murder," he said.

Report: Domestic disputes precipitated a fifth of mass public shootings

Separately, Time's story after the Texas shootings led us to experts including Garen Wintemute, director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis, who by email pointed us to a 2015 report on U.S. mass murders by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

According to the CRS report, in the 15 years from 1999 through 2013, the United States saw about 8.5 familicide mass shootings per year on average. From another vantage point, the report says, a domestic dispute of some type was allegedly a precipitating factor in roughly a fifth (21.2%) of "mass public shootings," or at least 14 of 66 such incidents. Four other mass public shooting incidents could also be characterized as familicides, the report says, in that a spouse or former intimate partner murdered four or more family members--in each case in a public space.

Times article also drew us to interview Susan B. Sorenson, who directs the Evelyn Jacobs Ortner Center on Family Violence at the University of Pennsylvania. By phone, Sorenson endorsed Everytowns statistic--that 54 percent of its catalogued mass shootings were acts of domestic violence. Sorenson also told us theres not research cementing a cause-and-effect link between someone committing domestic violence and later shooting and killing four or more people. "Thats all speculative," Sorenson said. "We just dont have that information."

From a public health perspective, Sorenson commented, the focus should be on reducing gun violence. She said there are angry men "who abuse women all over the globe. What makes us different is the guns."

Our ruling

Rodriguez wrote that according to an Everytown study, "perpetrators of domestic violence accounted for 54% of mass shootings between 2009 and 2016."

Rodriguezs statement incorrectly suggests that domestic violence was a precursor to 54 percent of mass shootings. The research he cited did not confirm as much. Rather, it says 54 percent of such shootings involved a person shooting multiple family members.

Other research suggests that about 20 percent of individuals who committed such shootings from 2006 through 2016 had a history of domestic violence.

We rate Rodriguezs claim False.

FALSE  The statement is not accurate. Click here for more on the six PolitiFact ratings and how we select facts to check.

See Figure 1 on PolitiFact.com
Despite their differing political views, the conservative Edmund Burke and the radical Daniel OConnell played major roles in combatting the suppression of Catholics in eighteenth-century Ireland

In the past couple of decades, the Catholic Church has fallen upon bad times in an Ireland whose overwhelmingly Catholic population had been among the most observant in the world. Younger generations in Ireland seem to have forgotten a period in history when Catholicism and its adherents occupied a position of near illegality, with severe restrictions on its clergy, on its educational activities, access to professions, public positions, property rights, and the franchise.

That was the era of the Penal Laws that followed the Glorious Revolution in England. While that event advanced parliamentary ascendancy and the restraint on monarchy in Britain, its consequence in Ireland, whose Catholic leaders had sided with the defeated forces of the ousted King James II, was suppression for most of the population.

Two historical figures who played major roles in combatting that suppression were Edmund Burke and Daniel OConnell. While both had their roots in the defeated or oppressed Irish Catholic population that bore the brunt of the Penal Law regime, they differed in many ways.

Burke is best known as a conservative who, in his speeches and writings, condemned the French Revolution and the ideologists who inspired and supported it, whether in France or elsewhere.

OConnell, born almost a half-century after Burke, began his public career after Burkes death. He was a liberal, indeed radical, pioneer of mass democratic politics. Although a refugee from revolutionary France where he and his brother had gone to study, he was not deterred during his subsequent legal studies in London from reading with enthusiasm writers whose views were contrary to those of Burke, such as Thomas Paine, Voltaire, and Mary Wollstonecraft.

He was especially influenced by William Godwin, who wanted do away with institutions like marriage, organized religion, private property, and monarchy in the pursuit of human perfectibility. At the same time, Godwin, confident of the power of reason to achieve his aims, was opposed to violence. That view might explain OConnells own persistent adherence to non-violence in his employment of the techniques of mass democratic politics.

Born in Dublin, Burke and his brothers were members of the Established (Episcopal) Church of Ireland to which his father had conformed in order to practice law. Their mother, a cousin of Nano Nagle, the foundress of the Presentation Sisters, and their sister were Catholics. Much of his youth was spent in a Catholic atmosphere with his mothers relatives in Cork, receiving primary education in a hedge school. His secondary education was at a Quaker rather than an Establishment school, although he subsequently studied at Trinity (his statue stands outside its main gate).

Burkes conformity was hardly a serious commitment. It was similar to that of many of OConnells relations, which was done to enable the maintenance of land holdings by Catholic kin otherwise inhibited from such by the Penal Laws. Furthermore, unlike OConnell, who lost his Catholic faith as a student in London and did not recover it until sometime after his marriage, Burke never went through a phase of religious skepticism.

After Trinity, Burke went to England to study law at the Middle Temple. But he abandoned that to turn to literature and began editing the Annual Register, a yearly political dictionary or encyclopedia of the time. In 1757, he married Mary Nugent, a Catholic and the daughter of a physician.

From 1761 to 1764, Burke was back in Ireland as secretary to William Gerard Hamilton, the Chief Secretary for Ireland. At that time, there occurred the Whiteboy disturbancesan agrarian protest movement against landlords and their agents. Burke discouraged the employing strong anti-Papist measures in retaliation, suggesting instead a public inquiry as to the cause of the disorders. That inquiry attributed the disturbances more to bad economic conditions than to disaffection to His Majesty, his government, or the laws in general.

At that time, Burke began work on one of the best indictments of the penal system, his posthumously published, Tract on the Popery Laws. His analysis makes the penal system appear comparable to modern totalitarian atrocities. He saw the system directed against two-thirds of the population of Ireland as a law against the people itselfnot particular injustice, but general oppression.

Returning to England, Burke became private secretary to the Marquis of Rockingham, and a member of parliament for Wendover. He served in Rockinghams short-lived ministry in 1765, and for the next sixteen years loyally supported his leadership of the Whig opposition.

The Whigs wanted to preserve in Britain the gains of the Glorious Revolution of 1689, that is, the ascendancy of parliament and the restraint on the power of the monarchy. George III had become king in 1760, and the Whigs feared his notion of royal power, which contrasted with the compliant acceptance of Whig direction by his German-born great-grandfather and grandfather.

As a Whig, Burke saw the Glorious Revolution as a victory for political liberty in England, but a defeat in Ireland where the English government acquiesced to the anti-popery enthusiasm of the minority.

Later within that minority there developed an Irish Patriotism. These Patriots did not identify with the overwhelming Catholic majority of Ireland, but did seek greater autonomy for the Irish Parliament. They also opposed the use of Ireland as a place for political sinecures for absentees, and a mercantile economic policy that restricted Irish exports, such as wool, that were competitive to English products. Understandably, many of these Irish Patriots, especially Dissenters or Presbyterians, sympathized with the American rebels, many of whom had Ulster roots.

In the Westminster Parliament, Burke opposed the mercantile restrictions on Ireland and supported the complaints of the Americans, but also championed the grievances of the Catholics.

As for the latter, there had been some softening of the enforcement of the Penal Laws as a reward for Irish Catholic indifference to the failed Jacobite attempts in 1719 and 1745 to regain the English throne for the Stuarts, the pretenders James III and Charles Edward. In 1771, Catholics were allowed to lease up to fifty acres of bog for sixty years, so long as it was not within a mile of a city or a market town. In 1774, they could even enlist in the army if they took an oath of loyalty to the crown, as their numbers were needed, especially should France, a recent ally of the Americans, invade England and/or Ireland.

But that oath contained rather insulting clausesrenunciations of the claims of the Stuarts to the English throne, of alleged Catholic views that heretics could be murdered and that faith need not be kept with them, and of claims of Papal jurisdiction in the realm.

In 1778, George Saville, a political friend of Burke, introduced legislation in the Westminster Parliament that ended some English penal laws. The same year, the Irish parliament passed a Catholic relief actthe first substantial reduction of the Penal Laws. Catholics were allowed to take a 999-year lease on land. Also, a Catholics estate need no longer be subdivided among heirs, nor given to an eldest son who turned Protestant.

In 1780, Burke had to give up his seat for the port city of Bristol where he had been elected six years earlier in 1774. Electors were unhappy with his sympathy for free trade for Ireland and for Catholic relief. Subsequently, he was returned for Malton.

Burke authored a motion promoting the central Whig message that the influence of the monarchy over the parliament had grown too much, especially through patronage and sinecures, and should be curbed. It passed in parliament. Subsequently and begrudgingly, in early 1782, the King agreed to another Rockingham ministry, in which Burke had a post.

During that second Rockingham ministry, the Irish Patriot cause, enhanced by the support of the Irish Volunteers, a militia primarily of Protestants, raised originally to replace regular army units sent to America, achieved its great objective: Henry Grattans motion for Irish parliamentary independence passed the Irish Parliament and was accepted by Westminster.

In the same session, the Irish Parliament removed restrictions on Catholic bishops and monks, and allowed Catholics to purchase land and to become schoolmasters. But the next year, the Irish Volunteers failed to endorse the franchise for Catholics. The independent Irish Parliament came to reflect the sentiment of the Ascendancy, that is, the landlords and Established Church, and was ill-disposed to give further concessions to Catholics. In addition, its independence was limited, as the administration in Ireland, from Lord Lieutenant and Chief Secretary on down, were controlled by the British government.

Burke complained to a peer in the Irish House of Lords of the inadequacy of Catholic relief. He objected to the exclusion of Catholics from the professions, particularly the law, and from the franchise for parliament. In his words, the taking away of a vote is the taking away the shield which the subject has, not only against the oppression of power, but that worst of oppressions, the persecution of private society, and private manners.

Burke was suspicious of a separatist independent Ireland under Protestant control. Although he considered himself to be more authentically Irish, he thought the linkage with England was the way in which full Catholic Emancipation could more likely be attained.

Rockingham died within a few months after forming a government, although Burke did serve in one of the short-lived ministries that followed. Then, in 1784 William Pitt the Younger became the first minister at the age of twenty-four and would remain such for two decades. Pitt was not the Kings servant, but his policies were satisfactory to the King.

The revolution in France that began in 1789 inspired a revived radical spirit in Ireland among some Volunteers, especially Ulster religious dissenters, that is those Protestants who were not members of the Established (Episcopal) Church of Ireland. Burke, on the other hand, was quite condemnatory of the Revolution and of those in England and Ireland sympathetic to it. His speeches on the subject brought about an ultimate split between him and other Whigs like Charles James Fox. He supported the Pitt governments critical policy against France, even encouraging war.

To ward off Jacobin or pro-French sentiment spreading to the Irish Catholics, Pitt advanced further removal of disabilities. The British Government pressured the Irish parliament in 1792 to pass, although unenthusiastically, legislation removing disabilities on mixed marriages and restrictions on Catholic education, and opening the legal profession to Catholics. However, they were still denied the franchise.

In 1791, leadership in the Catholic Committee, formed after the earlier failure to get the franchise in 1783, passed from the more conservative Lord Kenmare to middle-class figures like John Keogh and Edward Byrne. Significantly, Burkes son, Richard, had been the agent for the committee earlier, but his efforts failed to win sympathy for the Catholic franchise from both Pitt and the Irish Parliament. He was replaced by Theobold Wolfe Tone, the founder of the United Irishmen.

Burkes skepticism about the Ascendancy dominated Irish Parliament was strengthened by its denial of the franchise to Catholics. While championing the franchise for Catholics, he feared that the Irish Catholics, if continually disappointed, might come to ally themselves with the Jacobins among the Dissenters, that is, the United Irishmen, which might bring to Ireland the chaos that accompanied the French Revolution.

But Burkes cause was ultimately satisfied. In January of 1793, at the behest of the Lord Lieutenant, the Irish Parliament passed legislation giving Catholics the franchise, the right to bear arms, and access to all civil and military posts aside from a few specific exceptions like the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Chancellor, and the commander-in-chief of the military.

All that remained was admission to parliament, which would not come until OConnells popular Catholic Emancipation movement in 1829. Even then, a real or proportionate presence of Catholics in the legislature and in the public service would have to wait for the gradual electoral reform and extension of the franchise later in the nineteenth century.

Burke resigned from parliament in 1794 and within a month his son Richard died. However, he still remained close to political developments. Later the same year, Lord Fitzwilliam (Rockinghams nephew and greatly subject to Burkes influence) joined the ministry as Viceroy for Ireland. Probably misinterpreting his mandate, Fitzwilliam began to make concessions to the more liberal elements in the Irish parliament, led by Grattan, and to the Catholic Committee, dismissed Ascendancy stalwarts like Fitzgibbon and Beresford from the Irish administration, and agreed to introduce legislation allowing Catholics to be in parliament, or Catholic Emancipation. But he was almost immediately recalled. The Ascendancy figures resumed their positions.

The Catholic Committee was outraged. Some members made contact with the United Irishmen, who were primarily Ulster Dissenter Protestants. The United Irishmen themselves made seemingly contradictory links with a peasant Catholic agrarian group, the Defenders, who had a traditionalist and sectarian perspective.

In view of this ominous alliance, the government sought to appease Catholics by allowing the establishment and state financing of a Catholic seminary at Maynooth, desired by the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland since seminaries in revolutionary France frequented by Irish aspirants to the priesthood had closed. (The 1792 law had enabled a seminary to open in Carlow, but without public assistance.)

However, when Maynooth was established in June 1795, its trustees included pillars of the ascendancy, such as John Fitzgibbon, the Earl of Clare and Irish Chancellor, scarcely a figure sympathetic to the interests of Catholics. Learning this, Burke was particularly distressed. He repeated arguments he had made much earlier against the government having a veto over the appointment of Catholic bishops or in controlling the education of the priests. He believed the constant meddling of the Bishops and the Clergy with the Castle (the Castle was the British appointed executive in Ireland), and of the Castle with them, will infallibly set them ill with their own body. He thought the Catholic would be better off to refuse the gift than to subject yourselves and your religion to your known and avowed Enemieswho connect their very Interest with your humiliation, and found their own Reputation on the destruction of yours.

However, Burkes apprehension was unwarranted as the Ascendancy trustees were in fact only pro forma and never attended any trustee meeting after the very first and, more than likely, were told by Pitt that such was to be their limited role.

The establishment of a distinct Catholic seminary, which Burke had championed as early as 1782, like the other measures he championed 1771, 1778, and 1782 reliefs from Penal legislation; admission to the law profession in 1792; and the award of the franchise award in 1793was one of the foundation pillars for the Catholic Emancipation that OConnell attained in 1829.

Unfortunately, even before 1795 was over, things turned ominous for Ireland. In September, at the Diamond in Armagh, there was a sectarian clash between Protestant Peep oday boys and Defenders. Soon afterward, the Ascendancy gave its blessing to the formation of a popular Orange Society to defend the settlement of 1689. Also that year the authorities apprehended several United Irishmen, including Wolfe Tone, on charges of sedition. Tone, by confessing, was able to opt for exile in America, where he remained for half a year, before winding up in Paris. His persuasive capabilities resulted in a French fleet arriving at Bantry Bay in December 1796 with 7,000 troops, inhibited from landing only by inclement weather.

Burke feared the Ascendancy was provoking a prospective French supported rebellion. He warned the Catholics not to support such, as that Victory would be the utter subversion of human Society itself, of all religion, all Law, all order, all humanity, as well as of all property.

Burke died in July 1797, and did not witness the tragic uprising of the following year with the brutal repression and sectarian strife he had worked so hard to spare the Catholics of Ireland.

Pitt ended Irish parliamentary independence with the Act of Union in 1800, expecting it could be followed by Catholic Emancipation. George IIIs adamant opposition prevented it from coming about. In time, the Ascendancy, many of whom had originally opposed Union, saw it as the means of maintaining dominance. Many Catholics, especially the bishops, and Daniel OConnells uncle-patron, Maurice, had tended to support the Union in anticipation of Emancipation. But young OConnell, just beginning his legal career, successfully challenged their view at a Catholic meeting in January 1800 when he insisted:

if the alternative were offered to him of union, or the re-enactment of the penal code in all its pristine horrors, that he would prefer without hesitation the latter, as the lesser and more sufferable evil; that he would confide in the justice of his brethren, the protestants of Ireland, who have already liberated him, than lay his country at the feet of foreigners.

This contrasted with Burkes primary concern with ending the Penal System, even if it meant unification of the two kingdoms.

A decade later, OConnell successfully reversed the willingness of the Catholic hierarchy to accept British Government veto over episcopal appointments, which even the Papacy had endorsed, in return for Catholic Emancipation. While his position on this question was close to that of Burke, I suspect his motives were based on a nationalist dislike of English control of the Irish hierarchy than Burkes apprehension that there might be a popular loss of faith were the hierarchy to be suborned by the Ascendancy.

OConnells popular Catholic Emancipation movement succeeded in 1829. Even then, a real or proportionate presence of Catholics in the legislature and in the public service would have to wait for the gradual electoral reform and extension of the franchise later in the nineteenth century.

On the issue of Catholic rights, the essential contrast between Burke and OConnell is that Burke very effectively championed Catholic rights from inside the pre-democratic political establishment, while OConnell led a mass movement knocking at the door of that establishment. While that establishment did make concessions, partly out of fear the popular movement would turn violent, OConnell was a persistent constitutionalist and opponent of violence. He would demonstrate that in 1843 when he would suspend a comparable, if not greater, mass movement for Repeal of the Act of Union when it was prohibited.

OConnell might also have been reverted to ancestral or genetic conservatism, as would be evidenced by his opposition afterwards to proposed secular or Godless colleges for Ireland, as he insisted he stood for Old Ireland rather than Young Ireland. OConnell in his later years might match a self-description given in March, 1923, by Kevin OHiggins of himself and his political allies in the War of Independence (1919-1921): we were probably the most conservative-minded revolutionaries that ever put through a successful revolution.

The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now.
By Indo-Asian News Service: A burgundy leather tote, flaunted by Britain's Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle, was sold out hours after the former Suits actress was spotted with it.

It was a bag from Strathberry. A spokesperson for the Scottish brand, which was launched in 2013, by Leeanne Hundleby and her husband Guy, told The Telegraph,"It's just amazing for us, it really is the greatest."

Picture courtesy: Instagram/elegantroyals

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At the time Hundleby decided to send Markle a selection of purses, it had not yet been announced that she was engaged to Prince Harry, reports people.com.

In pictures: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle make first public appearance since engagement

"It was a fantastic surprise and we are really excited. We're suddenly incredibly busy," the spokesperson added.

Pictures courtesy: Instagram/joeloicouerjewelry

Before this, Markle's engagement dress also became an instant hit soon after she made her appearance in the outfit.

--- ENDS ---
DANNEBROG  The first time I had pizza from The Danish Baker, I got it to go. Id heard a lot about the pizza, but didnt grasp its uniqueness until I picked up the box.

You almost dropped it, didnt you? owner and the Danish Baker himself Tom Schroeder said with a chuckle as I told him the story.

The pizza box wasnt filled with heavy rocks, as the weight of it seemed. It was filled with a pizza that was a few inches thick, all throughout.

Schroeder, 68, clad in his seemingly signature blue engineer hat, will tell you that one of his rules is to not serve customers anything he wouldnt eat himself.

He opened The Danish Baker in 1991 and started making pizzas a year later, marking 25 years of the large smalltown pies. He said how he concocted his well-known pizzas is taking everything he didnt like about other pizza and doing the opposite thing.

For example, if there was a pizza he tried at another place that the sauce was too tomato-y, he made sure his homemade sauce would have the right balance.

Ive eaten a lot of pizza in my life, Schroeder said, noting that hes had a lot of Chicago-style pizza.

Schroeder, who grew up in Waco and his wife, Carol, in Kearney, lived in Denver, Colo., before moving to Dannebrog in 1979. It wasnt until a woman involved with the community suggested that someone should open up a Danish bakery when Schroeder thought about opening the business. Before The Danish Baker officially opened, Schroeders brother-in-law brought pizzas to sell at an annual town festival. The next year at Grundlovsfest, Schroeder sold his own pizzas.

The first night of serving pizzas 25 years ago, Schroeder made about four pizzas. Now, he averages about 70 pizzas when theyre served on Thursdays. In the summer, the busy season, he serves about double. He once sold 206 pizzas in one night.

The kitchen isnt vast, but it turns out a lot of food, heart and soul. Schroeder said his goal for anyone who comes to The Danish Baker is to make them glad they came and to have them know theyre cared about. The Danish Baker has seen many people from other states and countries, but Schroeder said many people regularly come from out-of-town. He said he gets a lot of customers from Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Aurora and Henderson. Though Schroeder is German, he has no problem crafting Danish bakery items. He didnt have previous restaurant experience, but he experiemented to perfect recipes. As the second of seven kids, Schroeder said he was always the official gravy taster.

If you know what good food tastes like, its not hard to make it, he said.

On Thursdays, Schroeder said he and about eight others work in the kitchen, each in a different station. He said his job is to start making the pizzas, which includes rolling the dough and putting toppings on.

The dough and sauces are homemade with Schroeders own recipe. He said the dough is weighed to get just the right amount so the pizza isnt just all crust. The pie is then loaded with toppings, which can include beef, chicken, onions, pineapple, kraut, green peppers and more. There are many specialty pizzas, including dessert pizzas. Schroeder said he gets many of his ingredients from the local Dannebrog grocery store and uses fresh vegetables so they stay crisp. He has his own BBQ sauce and alfredo sauce recipe for chicken pizzas, which he said he started about five to seven years ago. He said the secret for a good pizza is to have fresh ingredients and fresh dough. It really makes a difference.

The pizzas go in the large oven, which takes up a large area of the kitchen, at 500 degrees. Schroeder said depending on the sizes ordered, he can fit up to 30 pizzas in the oven at a time.

He told of a time some people from Chicago wanted to help make pizzas. Schroeder said 200 pounds of cheese was delivered next to the prep table, and the Chicago man didnt think theyd go through all that cheese. Schroeder proved him wrong, as he used the 200 pounds of cheese plus more that was in the fridge. Schroeder said on an average pizza night, he uses about 70 pounds of beef.

Looking back on 26 years of business and 25 years of thick pizza, Schroeder said its the fastest thing to ever happen to me. He also credited his wife, who has been very supportive of the business.

My wife is the most amazing woman, he said. Tom and Carol have been married for 44 years.

Schroeder said the people are the best part about owning The Danish Baker.

If its not busy, Schroeder may bust out his guitar and sing for customers. Hes even written a few songs for his wife. Schroeder said its important to genuinely care about customers, which is why when given the opportunity, he shares his faith with customers.

You have to treat people like theyre part of your family, Schroeder said. You cant fake it.

He said in his life hes found that its pretty much about serving God, and if you do that, youll serve people.

Schroeder said he loves living in Dannebrog, which is like a family to him. He said the town is like a family in the sense that you dont always have to like everyone, but you genuinely care about everyone.
CENTRAL CITY  Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Nick Ryan and his wife, Kristen Hermansen-Ryan, own the Central City business. In August they completed their new restaurant, located at 1600 16th St. Previously, it was in rural Merrick County, where they grow their grapes and create their wines.

Nick Ryan said they started his vineyard in 2003. We started the vineyard as a way to diversify the farm, he said.

Ryan was raised on a family farm in Merrick County. His father is Chuck Ryan.

While attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he met the viticulturist professor, Paul Reed, who was an influence for him to go into the winemaking business.

We had some dryland farm ground at the corner of a pivot that never produced anything for the farm, he said. That is what piqued my interest.

Ryan was able to transfer his love for farming into starting a vineyard on land he rents from his dad.

At that time, Hermansen-Ryan was accepted into dental school, and the couple moved to Lincoln.

I would take care of the vineyard on the weekends, Ryan said. I did home winemaking when my wife was attending dental school.

Hermansen-Ryan, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., is also celebrating a 10th business anniversary. She is the owner of Central City Family Dental at 2602 18th Ave.

She is a Central City graduate, attended undergrad at UNL, and graduated with her dental degree from UNMC College of Dentistry.

The couple has three children: Charlee, 12; Truman, 10; and Juno, 8.

To help launch the vineyard and winery, they received a value-added producer grant from the State of Nebraska. They partnered with Dan Erickson, a Merrick County pork producer.

Together they constructed a building. Ryan ran the vineyard and winery. Erickson operated a smoked BBQ food venture.

When I was in school, they talked about value-added agriculture, Ryan said. We could see the product from the beginning to the end.

He said it takes about three years to establish a vineyard.

We would not be a winery without that grant, Ryan said. It was instrumental to get us going.

The grant paid for the construction of the building. Once the building was up, they began operating a tasting room for their wines.

We decided that we didnt have enough foot traffic, Ryan said. We started doing suppers on Friday and later expanded to Saturday.

At their Merrick County vineyard, the couple grows six white grape varieties and five reds.

We started with 550 grape vines, Ryan said. We planted 1,500 the next year. We are up to now about 5,000 on 13 acres.

Prairie Creek produces four white wines and four red wines.

One of the white wines produced is Afternoon Delight. It is a semi-sweet, delicate white wine with hints of pineapple and green apple flavor. It has a slight resemblance to a German Riesling. It won a double gold and Best of Class at the Indy International Wine Competition in July 2014.

One of their favorite red wines is Red Stiletto. It is a pleasing, easy-to-drink red wine with flavors of black cherries and stone fruits.

They are currently developing other wines. Ryan said he plans to introduce a sparkling white wine soon.

There is a lot of trial and errors when you first get going, Ryan said.

As their vineyard grew, so did their wine business. As a member of the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association, they participated in its Passport program. The program encourages the public to visit Nebraska winemakers and sample their products and take in the Nebraska countryside.

The Passport program helped them develop a reputation for their excellent wines, and Prairie Creek boosted its marketing across Nebraska.

It was a destination, Hermansen-Ryan said. Being out in the country, people had to come look for us a little bit.

They also began serving meals on Friday. As business picked up, they asembled a second building in 2011 and served dinner on Saturdays.

We got to the point when we started asking ourselves, What do we want to do with our winery? Ryan said. We thought the only way to grow it beyond what it was was to move into town.

Hermansen-Ryan said the move gave them more exposure and was more convenient for patrons.

We wanted to expand the business, she said. To do that, we felt like we had to do a location move.

They bought their Central City building in 2016. The renovation took 18 months to complete. The building started out as a creamery in the 1920s. Central City once owned the building and had a health and recreation complex there.

Ryan and Hermansen-Ryan were able to maintain the old red brick interior look. They added their own personal touches to the decor.

It has its original feel, Hermansen-Ryan said. It is a place where you can come and sit and talk to people.

They also hired a full-time chef, Courtney Quackenbush, who tailors the meals to compliment their fine selection of red and white wines.

Prairie Creek hours and options

Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. They serve brunch on Sundays. Reservations are encouraged on Fridays and Saturdays. To make reservations, call (308) 940-3863.

Prairie Creek can also host events of various sizes. The business offers wine tastings ($5), or wine by the glass ($6) or bottle ($16 to $20). It has a full menu, including appetizers.

For more information, go online to www.prairiecreekwine.com.
The cost for the Hall County Sheriffs Department to serve civil papers is rising, and Sheriff Jerry Watson said this is creating a net loss.

In 2016, the sheriffs department served 7,755 civil papers and collected $187,098 in total revenue. However, when the cost to deliver the papers is factored in, Watson said his department suffered a net loss of $24.28 per paper served.

The cost to provide the service was much more than what we were able to collect, he said. It costs us $48.40 per paper to do it. Of which, we received $24.13, but we are still short $24.28. So we get about half.

For comparison, Watson said that in 2015, the sheriffs department collected $196,166 and had a net loss of $17.33 per paper served. He added that the gap has widened quickly in four years as Hall County became a metropolitan statistical area.

If you compare that back to 2012, it (net loss per paper served) was $10.20, Watson said. In four years, it has jumped to $24.28.

Watson said the costs of serving the papers goes beyond serving the papers themselves. He noted a spreadsheet showing costs associated with the civil process for 2016 which shows other related costs including postage, office supplies, vehicles to go out and serve the papers, fuel for the vehicles, and rent and utilities.

The total operating expenses associated with serving civil papers totaled $45,243.

Watson said the civil papers served can be from collection agencies, landlords, attorneys and the courts.

We are kind of the arm of the judicial system in notifying people that these actions are occurring, he said. These businesses, like a collection agency, can do the same thing I am doing. They can hire someone. They do not have to come to me and say, Serve this. They have options because they can hire a private company to go out to serve the papers. But I am much cheaper than what a private agency costs.

Hall County Supervisor Jane Richardson, who at one time served as an attorney for a collection agency, echoed Watsons comments, saying a collection agency, or any other private agency, may choose to use the sheriffs department to serve civil papers as it is less costly.

We have that cap so the county cannot charge more and they take it to the county, she said. Sometimes they (collection agencies) may feel they get better service from a private entity. They always go though the county because our fees are low.

Watson said that of his staff, he has one full-time person who spends 65 percent of their time serving civil papers, three full-time staff members who help with the civil process, one part-time staff member who helps with the papers, a sergeant who spends 40 percent of his time serving papers and a captain who spends 5 percent of his time serving papers.

In addition to these staff members, Watson said he has two part-time civilian officers who serve about 80 percent of the civil papers.

If we have civil papers that are confrontational, like protection orders, divorce papers or those types of things, then we give those to uniformed officers, he said.

Watson said the state statute concerning the fees charged for serving civil papers was issued in 1965, was looked at again in 1987, and had only marginal fee increases in 2008 and 2009. He said the cost of delivering papers is significantly higher today than in 1987, which shows a need to readdress the statute.

In addition, Watson said, it does not make sense to him that the Legislature is in Lincoln and dictating what the countys fees for delivering civil papers should be. He added this should be determined by county boards.

I did some research and found that Minnesota is actually letting its county boards set the fees, Watson said. But there are some constitutional issues that come into play with Nebraska where we couldnt do that. If nothing else, they (the Legislature) should open the statute back up and put in there that the fees should be reviewed annually or every three years. Let the state auditor come back and make recommendations of increases or adjustments that should occur.

Richardson said the process of serving civil papers has become a burden to Hall County as it is so expensive for the county to serve them. She added something needs to change.

I think the best option would be to allow us to increase our costs because this is too much of a burden, Richardson said. However, if we were to only say we can only provide this service to county entities, that is another option. Then these collection agencies would have to go to the private process companies.

Watson said Hall County is not the only Nebraska county dealing with this issue. He spoke with Douglas County officials and found that it lost $450,000 in 2015 to provide the service of serving civil papers.

You would think that if Lincoln, Omaha and everybody else is having this problem, that senators should be able to look at this, Watson said. Well, any time it is viewed as a fee increase, it is just an uphill battle because there is this negative connotation that comes with it and people do not want to deal with it.

He added some state legislators do not want to carry a bill raising the civil paper fees because it is somewhat laborious to educate senators on the fact this is not a tax, but a user fee.

That is how it needs to be approached. Everybody seems to shy away from it, Watson said. I met last year with a couple different senators to see if I could get some interest in introducing it again. With the shortfall in revenues, no one was interested in touching it.

Richardson said that collection agencies would object to a bill to raise the fees to serve civil papers and have objected to it in the past.

They hire lobbyists to object to things like this because usually, if they are collecting from the debtor, they pass it onto the debtor, she said. Now if the debtor cannot pay, then that fee becomes a part of their business loss. For larger collection agencies, they are obviously successful as they hire these lobbyists to say they do not want these fees to go up because then their cost of business increases.

Richardson added these lobbyists have been successful as the fees have remained virtually unchanged since 1987.

Watson said the sheriffs department does not serve civil papers as a way to make money, but wants to be able to pay its bills. He added that if the department were to have its expenses and revenues for civil papers evened out, he would be able to add three new employees to the sheriffs department.

My main thing is to keep harping on it, keep people aware and let the taxpayers know this isnt right that they are paying for this. They shouldnt be, Watson said. If people keep after them (senators), then they will change it.
The new leaders of the Central Nebraska Humane Society say things at the Grand Island shelter are awesome.

Chasity Cross, arriving from Arizona, started work Nov. 6 as the organizations executive director. In October, Maggie Cates was hired as shelter manager.

She and Cross are very similar, Cates said. They have the same goals and plans for the shelter.

It feels really good. I think we make a good team, Cates said. I think we have a really good staff right now. So she thinks there are going to be awesome things happening.

Cross is very hands-on, Cates said. Shes always running around and helping, Cates said.

Cates, 29, has four years of experience with the Humane Society. The Giltner resident earlier served as an adoption specialist at CNHS. She returned in the fall, with a new title, after two months away.

The Central Nebraska Humane Society received a lot of attention this year when it parted company with longtime executive director Laurie Dethloff.

Cross, 30, was asked about the turmoil.

Its in the past and we dont worry about it, she said. Were doing whats best for animals today and now, rather than what happened back then.

We have obviously new staff thats on board and were really just looking forward to the future, said Tanya Hansen, CNHS board president and a Grand Island lawyer. Our goal is to take the best care of the animals while theyre there and get them a forever home as quick as possible.

A perennial challenge, Cates said, is the number of animals that need help. Space is always an issue. Over Thanksgiving weekend, a good number of animals were adopted, which has been helpful in freeing up space.

As of Thursday, the shelter had 46 dogs and 81 cats. There are always more cats than dogs, Cates said.

Well find them homes, and theyve got to be good homes, Cross said.

A lot of people want to adopt dogs and cats but Cross, would like to see that connection run the animals entire life. It cant be as long as its simply convenient or until the owner moves, she said.

If someones going to adopt an animal from us, I want it be for the rest of the (pets) life, she said. I want it to be a lifelong commitment.

Financial support is the biggest challenge, Cross said. She is very aware of the shelters food supply.

We are struggling right now to get a lot of donations in for feeding our animals, Cross said.

Feeding dogs is the biggest problem. Were going through 100 pounds of dog food every day, she said.

Feeding the hounds is a problem if there arent a lot of food donations coming in. The shelter has to go buy the food, which is difficult if we dont have the funds, Cross said.

Cross moved to Grand Island in early November. Shes lived much of her life in Arizona, although she spent part of her childhood in Nebraska and lived in Ravenna for a year when she was in her early 20s. She has relatives in Ravenna.

Her background is in education. She worked on the behavior intervention team for the Scottsdale Unified School District.

She volunteered much of her time to nonprofit groups involved in animal welfare. She was executive director of an organization called Ladies of the West Animal Rescue. She volunteered with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and the Citizens Animal Welfare Society. She was on the board of directors for Mavyn Animal Rescue.

When Cross lived in Ravenna, she worked for Grand Island Public Schools and a foster agency.

The Humane Society, Hansen said, faces the same challenges that plague many nonprofit organizations.

There are overall declining donations, and were all kind of fighting for the same donors, Hansen said. The CNHS has to differentiate itself from other organizations, retain its old donors and generate new ones, she said.

The number and types of animals coming in are ever-changing, Hansen said.

The city of Grand Island recently addressed the issue of mini-pigs. In addition, the standards of animal care change. You have to stay on top of that and make sure youre absolutely providing the best care, Hansen said.

The cat population, in particular, keeps on growing.

Were getting more and more calls of people dumping animals, and larger quantities of them, Hansen said.

This year, we didnt really have a kitten season, she said. It seemed like kittens were produced all year long.

The CNHS would adopt out 30 cats and have 35 come in. The numbers of animals coming in just continues to grow.

Cross is in the process of revamping the CNHS foster program because she wants it to be more thorough.

A lot of people with big hearts want to foster animals but they dont know what all goes into it, Cross said. Helping get animals socialized in foster homes prepares them for their forever homes, she added.

The Central Nebraska Humane Society has 24 employees, including Cross. Sixteen of those people are full-time.

Of the 24 employees, three work in animal control. Two of the animal control people are full-time. The third works part-time in animal control and the rest of the time in another part of the shelter.

President says 24-person board is good for Humane Society

By Jeff Bahr

The Central Nebraska Humane Society president says having a large, 24-person board is good for the organization because those members do a lot of work.

I think the number of board members that we have is commensurate with what were trying to do, Tanya Hansen said.

As she looked around at other boards, Hansen found other organizations that sit 20 to 25 people around a table.

On the CNHS board, a lot of work is done in subcommittees, she said. What we do is we take our board and divide it up amongst the subcommittees, and most of the work is done there, she said.

Different groups work on property, fundraising, finance and grants, for instance. Another is the infrastructure or governance committee, which looks at policies and procedures. That really does take a lot of time and a lot of people, Hansen said.

Most people with board experience know that when you have different people bringing different qualities to the board, thats important, Hansen said.

Its not the first time that CNHS has had a big board. Hansen has learned that early in this century and the 1990s, the Humane Society board totaled 20 to 25 people.

So this is not unprecedented in our history, she said.

In assembling the board, the Humane Society strategically recruited from a variety of different sources, including the public, Hansen said. Because we wanted people who brought a lot of different skill sets.

She believes it only makes us a better board to have more people with different skills, bringing different qualities to the subcommittees.
Even though it flies under the radar sometimes, the Fairbury Municipal Airport has been here for decades, and it is the unseen backbone for our community.

Visitors use our airport for travel, business and, occasionally, for medical services.

Our three agricultural application operators in the area assist the majority of farmers in the area, ensuring them maximum yields. The meat packaging industry here also relies on air access.

Fairbury Municipals economic impact is about $750,000, from visitor expenditures and general or business aviation activities.

Fairbury Municipal helps connect our local businesses to global markets and the rest of the world. But recent efforts in Congress to privatize air traffic control would have an enormous impact on Fairbury and other communities throughout Nebraska.

Proponents of air traffic control privatization want to take oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration and put it under the control of a group of private stakeholders largely influenced by the big airlines.

The motivations behind this push are obvious; its not about modernization, as the airlines often say  its about control.

To start with, despite being referred to as privatization, in truth, this restructure would in no way promote free market values. This private group of stakeholders would essentially be a government-sponsored enterprise like Fannie Mae.

It would have taxing authority but would be outside the oversight of Congress, and it would be unaccountable to the public.

It would not be subject to any kind of competition  not even an initial bidding process.

And it would add $100 billion to the national deficit, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

In addition, taxpayers would be on the hook for a bailout if the system became insolvent. So all of the benefits we normally associate with privatizing would simply not be realized.

What this plan would do is consolidate power under the airlines. Under this kind of a system, the big airlines would call the shots when it came to routes and access, taxes and fees, and system investments.

You can count on these decisions being made for the benefit of the airlines and their bottom lines. That means favoring the largest hub airports, where routes are most profitable, at the expense of local airports in places like Nebraska.

The bottom line is that the large airline companies should not dictate our national air traffic control system.

Ive worked hard alongside members of the Fairbury Airport Authority to make our airport safe, efficient and attractive. Smaller airports such as ours are a lifeline to small communities, and if we leave it up to the large air corporations, we will lose this vital resource.

We should say no to air traffic control privatization.
Sharpening its attack on the Congress in poll-bound Gujarat, PM Narendra Modi today accused the opposition party of seeking to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused the opposition party of seeking to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.

BJP is sharpening its attack on the Congress in poll-bound Gujarat where the first phase of Assembly elections is to be held on December 9.

Modi lashed out at the Congress, saying that it wanted to create "walls between brothers". "The people of Gujarat know what the Congress is up to. It changes colour time and again, creates a wall between brothers," he said.

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Addressing a rally in Bharuch district, Modi said the party made "one caste fight with the other, one religion fight with another".

"They keep you busy in fighting with each other. You may die but the Congress will eat malai (cream)," he said.

The prime minister is slated to address two more rallies in Surendranagar and Rajkot later in the day. Bharuch goes to polls on Saturday.

Gujarat will vote in two phases - on December 9 and 14 - to elect a 182-member Assembly. The counting of votes will take place on December 18.

With inputs from PTI

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 09:06 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bcc2c4 1 Health sleep,health,#health Free

People who travel frequently to cities that are less polluted and populated than Jakarta may wonder why they sleep better there.

It may have to do with the level of carbon dioxide in the surrounding environment.

According to Travel+Leisure, researchers from the Eindhoven University of Technology examined their test subjects quality of sleep by placing them into two groups that slept in separate rooms. While one group slept in a room with open windows and doors, the other group slept in a sealed room.

Read also: Heres how to sleep better and wake up without feeling tired

The experiment showed that the group that slept in the room with open windows and doors experienced a better quality of sleep than the group that slept in the sealed room. The researchers concluded that the better sleep quality could be attributed to the low carbon dioxide level in the open room.

Although opening the windows in urban Jakarta may not be an ideal way to lower the level of carbon dioxide in your home, those who live in secluded areas or faraway suburbs can certainly try it to experience the results themselves. (ezr/kes)
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Linkedin Sippachai Kunnuwong (Agence France-Presse) Bangkok, Thailand  Sun, December 3, 2017 17:32 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be174a 2 Lifestyle animals,Thailand,Funeral,pet-funeral Free

Buddhist monks chant next to a pink coffin where Dollar's small body is nestled amongst flowers -- a $600 final farewell for the Shih Tzu at a Bangkok temple that administers elaborate pet funerals.

Dollar's owner, Pimrachaya Worakijmanotham, fights back tears as she takes a last fond look at her six-year-old pet dog, whose tousled grey-white body rests under jasmine garlands.

This photo taken on September 14, 2017 shows a Buddhist monk blessing the body of Dollar, a six-year-old Shih Tzu dog, during the pet's funeral at Wat Krathum Suea Pla Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys. In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

"This is the last time I can be with her... so I want Dollar to receive good things," Pimrachaya, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, told AFP, a framed photo of "her child" Dollar behind her.

Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys.

In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being.

According to Buddhist belief, merit garnered in each life eventually leads to nirvana - the state of non-suffering.

This photo taken on September 14, 2017 shows Dollar, a six-year-old Shih Tzu dog, inside a coffin with flower garlands and gold joss paper during the pet's funeral at Wat Krathum Suea Pla Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys. In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

"In this life, she (Dollar) couldn't go to the temples to make merit for herself. This is the only thing we can do for her," Pimrachaya, who is a banker, said.

The trend is not unique to Thailand -- Japan is particularly fond of lavish goodbyes to its pets.

But in Bangkok it is catching on fast as Thais increasingly see pets as family members.

Read also: Activists condemn visitors who gave alcohol to Taman Safari animals

This photo taken on September 14, 2017 shows an undertaker placing the coffin of Dollar, a six-year-old Shih Tzu dog, inside the crematorium during the pet's funeral at Wat Krathum Suea Pla Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys. In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

200 a month

At least three temples offer daily services, including a monk-led ceremony, cremation and sprinkling of ashes in rivers - the symbolic ritual of returning earthly remains to nature.

Theerawat Sae-Han, the founder of Pet Funeral Thailand, says his company cremates more than 200 animals each month, from cats and dogs, to monitor lizards, snakes and baboons.

"Successful or famous animals like fighting cocks who won the awards will also be brought for cremation," said Theerawat, a former pet salon owner who jumped into the "good" business of full-blown pet cremation four years ago.

This photo taken on November 5, 2017 shows the bones and ashes of a pet dog being covered in flowers, before being released in the Chaopraya river in Bangkok. Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys. In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

Surging demand for his service also reflects the shrinking public spaces in the bustling Thai capital.

"Before, we buried them in authorised parks or backyards but now it's rare to find ones in Bangkok," said Phrakru Samu Jumpol, a monk at Wat Krathum Suea Pla.

His temple has partnered with Theerawat's company and now has a ceremonial compound and cremation chambers.

While it makes for a good business -- starting prices are around 3,000 baht (around $91) but the most extravagant services cost up to 100,000 baht -- the monk says the funerals have brought people closer to religion.

This photo taken on November 5, 2017 shows mourners praying for their pets before releasing their bones and ashes in the Chaopraya river in Bangkok. Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys. In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

"Some people might not have a chance to come to the temple at all. When their pets die, they come here," said Phrakru Samu Jumpol, adding the pet-lovers will be taught the Buddhist lesson that "all things are temporary."

So far, the temple has not faced criticism for its business links.

Thailand's junta is examining temple finances across the country as it seeks to improve the image of a religion which has been hit by a stream of financial scandals in recent years.

For pet lovers, the service provides spiritual succour at a time of great pain.

This photo taken on November 5, 2017 shows a family of mourners releasing flowers with the bones and ashes of their beloved pet dog into the Chaopraya river in Bangkok. Pet cremations, complete with Buddhist rituals, are popping up across Bangkok for dogs, cats and even monkeys. In a devout Buddhist kingdom where religion and superstitious beliefs entwine, some pet owners believe the monk-led send off will boost their pets' chances of being reincarnated as a higher being. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

At the end of a ceremony to spread the ashes of her Siberian husky Maprang in November, teary-eyed Tipaporn Ounsiri found cause for optimism.

"If the next life exists, please come back and be my daughter, don't be born as a pet anymore," she said.
Apple has issued an immediate fix after a glitch in its latest iOS update forced Apple devices to go into a reboot loop.

Apple on its website urged users to turn off notifications for all apps on Apple devices before updating the device to iOS 11.2.

After updating, users can go to settings, and click on notification to turn on 'allow notifications' for each app.

According to Singapore's The Straits Times, iPhone users had experienced automatic repeated restarts after the 11.1.2 software update on Saturday (Dec 2).

Read also: iPhone users complain about autocorrect feature in iOS 11

Apple store staff in Orchard Road in Singapore said it was not a localised problem but one that affected the whole world.

The Straits Times also quoted tech sites that claimed that the bug was date-related.

"Users said the issue began when the time turned to 12.15am on Dec 2," it said.

Users who are still experiencing unexpected restarts after the iOS 11.2 update can contact Apple Support.
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Linkedin Winda A. Charmila (The Jakarta Post) Singapore  Sun, December 3, 2017 12:32 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd4ef0 1 Art & Culture The-Malediction,Silver-Screen-Awards,Singapore,Indonesia Free

Indonesian short film The Malediction won a special mention in the Southeast Asian short film category of the Silver Screen Awards held in Singapore on Saturday night, beating 15 other films from the region.

I am certainly happy to win the award. I had no expectation of winning, because the movie is 27 minutes long and it is about Yogyakarta []. But it turns out that neighboring countries, specifically in Southeast Asia, have some things in common, and making a film to emphasize that we have a common culture is fun, said filmmaker Makbul Mubarak on Saturday.

The Malediction is set in Yogyakarta, which is considered a religiously conservative town. The story is about Haji Halim, who lives there as a wealthy man and decides to marry a young widow with the aim of helping her, despite opposition from his first wife. She curses him, and some unfortunate events soon follow.

The movie won the special mention because sensitive issues like religion and polygamy in a country that cherishes tradition gave the jury great insight into the lives of the characters living in the small province. The bizarre take on gender inequality also makes this film relevant today.

Makbul will receive a prize of S$1,000 (US$742). He plans to make a film titled The Autobiography in 2019, which is nominated in the Development Programme of Most Promising Project that recognized Thai film A Useful Ghost as the winner.

Read also: Indonesian filmmaker, Japanese actor to be honored at SGIFF

There are four categories in the Southeast Asian short film competition. The first category, Best Singaporean Short Film, was won by Between Us Two by Tan Wei Keong. Thai film Death of the Sound Man by Sorayos Prapapan took home The Youth Jury Prize, and Sorayos also won in the Best Director category. The award for Best Southeast Asian Short Film was given to Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad from the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho won the 28th Singapore International Film Festival Honorary Award for his contribution to Asian Cinema.

This award also presents the character and identity of the festival. What is the identity of the festival this year? It is change, always change. Change in all the members of the festival and change in the film genres, Garin said when receiving the award.

During his career, Garin has produced films like Slice of Bread in 1991, Letter for an Angel in 1994 and My Family, My Films, My Nation in 1998.

Garin who is a teacher, community leader and artist, is considered one of the most important Southeast Asian filmmakers, having negotiated the complexities of his nation through the language of film. He is the recipient of the BJ Habibie culture award, the French honorary decoration of Chevalier dans lordre des Arts et Lettres and the Stella Datelerie Cavalerie award from the Italian government. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) New Delhi, India  Sun, December 3, 2017 14:34 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd71d4 2 Lifestyle India,socks,police Free

Indian police arrested a man whose stinky socks caused a showdown on a bus as his fellow passengers protested the pungent odour, an officer said Saturday.

The man removed his shoes and socks on a bus going from the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh to New Delhi and put them near the aisle, police said.

Other passengers protested and asked the man to put away the offending socks or throw them out.

The man refused, sparking a heated confrontation that forced the bus driver to stop at a police station in Una district of Himachal Pradesh.

Read also: Japanese robot dog designed to sniff smelly feet

Una police chief Sanjeev Gandhi told AFP the bus stopped several times because of the smelly chaos before they came to the police station.

"He was arrested on charges of causing public nuisance and later released on bail," Gandhi said.

Gandhi said the accused had threatened other passengers and caused a disturbance at the police station.

The man in turn filed a complaint against his fellow passengers and the bus crew for harassment and insisted his socks did not smell, the officer said.

He left the area in another bus a day later, police said.

Topics : India socks police
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 2 2017

Batik Air, a subsidiary of Indonesias largest low-cost carrier Lion Air, kicked off its first maiden flight to Silangit International Airport in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.

At least 140 passengers were on board the flight to the new airport, the main entry point to Lake Toba, an emerging tourist destination.

Lion Air group president director Edward Sirait said the new route was opened due to high demand from Java. Lake Toba is one of the 10 Priority Destinations, a policy that aims to expand Indonesias tourism beyond the resort island of Bali.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 15:51 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd8d17 1 City #longweekend,#tollroad,#TollRoadOperator,#vehicles Free

State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga estimated around 92,000 vehicles will pass through the Cikarang Utama tollgate, heading toward Jakarta and its satellite cities from areas in eastern Java.

Jasa Marga spokesperson Dwimawan Heru said the estimate was an 8 percent increase compared to the usual traffic at Cikarang Utama tollgate.

To anticipate the jump in volume, Jasa Marga has increased the capacity of the gates.

We have increased the capacity of the Cikarang Utama tollgates by utilizing reversible and portable gates during peak hours, in which we will have up to 31 gates serving vehicles going to Jakarta, Dwimawan said in a statement on Sunday.

Another attempt to reduce traffic density is the implementation of an open-close system into several rest areas at a number of points on the toll road, as well as increasing the number of lanes from three to four for vehicles heading toward Jakarta.

Dwimawan said motorists were encouraged to ensure they had sufficient gas and supplies. In addition, motorists have to comply with [traffic] signs, ensure their car is roadworthy and have enough balance on their e-money cards before entering the toll road, he said.

Meanwhile, Soekarno Hatta International Airport also saw an increase in passenger volume over the long weekend.

"The increase of passengers started on Friday and continued until today [Sunday], with a total increase of 9.2 percent," said Soekarno-Hatta communications manager Dewandono Prasetyo as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com on Sunday.

In Terminal 3 of the airport, Garuda Indonesia passengers had been stranded since Friday due to several delayed flights after the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali. (dis)
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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 15:10 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd7e8e 1 National flight,drug-offenses,drugs,Drugs-trafficking,smuggling,Pekanbaru,Riau Free

Four people were arrested at Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Friday, for allegedly carrying 5.75 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine as they were about to board their flight.

The four passengers -- Galih Nurmantyo, a resident of Makassar, South Sulawesi; Slamet, a resident of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi; Fahmi Rizki from Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi; and Muhammad Nursahlan, a resident of Muna, Southeast Sulawesi  were reportedly planning to fly to Bandung, West Java, on Citilink flight number QG 982.

Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport general manager Jaya Tahoma Sirait said the drug-smuggling attempt was uncovered when officers detected a suspicious substance on Slamets body during an inspection at the airports Security Check Point (SCP) I at 8 a.m. on Friday.

He was about to board his aircraft, which would depart at 9:20 a.m. His movements aroused our suspicion, and during a security screening, our suspicion was proven. There was something hidden in his groin. We found packages wrapped in yellow tape, Jaya said.

Jaya said the man had admitted that the packages contained crystal meth. Security personnel immediately locked down areas of the airport to prevent other suspects from fleeing. They later arrested three other passengers, who had passed security checks at SCP I. They were reportedly waiting for Slamet in the waiting room at the gate.

Each of them carried two packages. In total, we confiscated two packages of crystal meth weighing 700 grams each and four weighing 725 grams each, said Jaya. (ebf)

Suspects: Four Citilink passengers are held after being arrested on Friday for allegedly carrying crystal methamphetamine on their bodies. (Courtesy of the Sultan Syarif Kasim II's Aviation Security/File)
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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Sun, December 3, 2017 17:20 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be0cc5 1 National Central-Java,UN,Peacekeeping,peacekeepers,Lebanon,UNIFIL,Banteng-Raider Free

The 4th Regional Military Command (Kodam IV) Diponegoro in Semarang, Central Java, has dispatched 427 personnel from its Banteng Raider Infantry Battalion (Yonif Raider) to Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission in the country.

Kodam IV Diponegoro Commander Maj. Gen. Wuryanto said the Banteng Raider personnel would join forces with other countries that participated in the UN-led peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

The troops will serve as peacekeepers and carry out their duties under the UN flag. They will depart for Lebanon on Dec. 12, said Wuryanto.

He said in their mission, the personnel would not take the sides of any of the conflicting parties in Lebanon and instead would strive to prevent conflict from erupting.

Its an honor for Yonif Raider troops to have a chance to join the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon because not all units or troops get the opportunity to [take part in such an] assignment, said Wuryanto.

For peace and security: Maj. Gen. Wuryanto (center), commander of the 4th Regional Military Command (Kodam IV) Diponegoro in Semarang, Central Java, takes a picture with 427 members of the Banteng Raider Infantry Battalion (Yonif Raider) during a ceremony on Friday to mark their dispatch to Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission. (JP/Suherdjoko)

Wuryanto said the Yonif Raider personnel would be part of the Mechanical Battalion Task Force of Indonesian peacekeeping contingent Garuda XXIII-L under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Wuryanto said the Yonif Raider troops would bring musical instruments to perform traditional performances during their mission. They were also ready to perform the Kecak dance from Bali, the Saman dance from Aceh and the war dance from Papua. They also planned to show their skills in the pencak silat martial art.

The number of Garuda contingent personnel reached 850, Wuryanto said. (ebf)

Upholding tradition: Personnel of the Banteng Raider Infantry Battalion (Yonif Raider) stage traditional performances during a ceremony on Friday to mark their dispatch for a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. (JP/Suherdjoko)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java  Sun, December 3, 2017 20:29 1809 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be6e7c 1 National drugs,PCC-pills,surakarta,BNN,narcotics Free

The Central Java Narcotics Agency (BNNP) raided a house on Sunday allegedly used as a factory to produce paracetamol caffeine carisoprodol (PCC) pills in Cinderejo Lor, Surakarta, Central Java. During the raid, the agencys officers arrested five people suspected to be employees of the factory.

BNNP officers said the house had been used as a PCC pill factory in the last two months. Wildan, the alleged owner of the PCC pill manufacturing business, reportedly rented the house and used it as a factory. He was not at the location when the raid occurred.

The five people detained were Jajah Isworo, 22; Susilo, 44; Heri Dwimanto, 32; Maranto, 28; and Sumardi, 44. They are suspected to have helped with the production of the PCC pills.

The raid took place at around 10 a.m. local time, attracting the attention of local residents. Dozens of BNNP officers entered the house and put up police tape. Security officers with long-barreled weapons also entered the house, together with personnel of Surakarta Polices narcotics unit.

Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono, Surakarta Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ribut Hari Wibowo and Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudy Rudyatmo inspected the site.

Yes, this is a PCC factory. We do not yet know how many pills it produced every day, said Condro. He further said the raid was a follow-up of another raid on a PCC factory in Semarang. The BNNP is handling the case.

I do not know whether they are PCC pills or not, but there are many pills as well as machines at the location, Rudy said.
Soon after Narendra Modi praised him for raising his voice against dynasty politics, Shehzad Poonawala accused Rahul Gandhi's office of insulting him.

By India Today Web Desk: Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla, who raised a political storm by dubbing as "rigged" Rahul Gandhi's impending election as party President, today accused the Gandhi scion's office of insulting him.

"Today morning, I called Rahul Gandhi's office to ask him for his time so I could give him the proof that it was a rigged election before he files nomination tomorrow. I thought he has some morality takes the right decision by stopping the process, but his office insulted me," he shared on Twitter.

Till three days ago, I had been receiving communication from Maharashtra Congress office, now they are saying I am not a party member. I had to become a whistle-blower: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/xVwxzTNxQE&; ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

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This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him for raising his voice against dynasty politics. Modi questioned the democratic set up within the grand old party during his election rally at Surendranagar in Gujarat.

PM Modi, who is on a two-day tour of Gujarat as part of BJP's election campaign, also accused the Congress of trying to muzzle Poonawalla's voice after he questioned the process of electing the president of the Congress party.

Gujarat is going to polls in two phases - December 9 and 14.

Thank you @PMOIndia I will continue my fight against dynasty politics - I will not be cowed down by the attempts to silence me https://t.co/WMt5dwuiDi&; Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) December 3, 2017

Rahul Gandhi is expected to take over as Congress president before the end of this year. The Grand Old Party has already announced the schedule of its presidential poll.

The last date of filing nominations is December 4; if nobody apart from Rahul files nominations, the Gandhi scion would effectively become party chief pending a formal announcement.

Poonawalla on November 29 questioned the process to elect Congress party President, calling it "rigged" and said Vice-President Rahul must first resign from his post.

The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. Its a sham election process: Shehzad Poonawalla,Maharashtra Congress Secretary pic.twitter.com/TdQSXs98Wq&; ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017

The Maharashtra Congress secretary said he would also contest the election if it was conducted in a "genuine" manner. He had also written a letter to Rahul in this regard.

ALSO WATCH | Poonawalla attacks Rahul's elevation to Congress presidency: Dynasts rewarded, merit ignored?

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 16:19 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bda871 1 City #dogs,#AnimalWelfare,#Jakarta Free

A dog was left in a car in Grand Indonesia's parking garage for more than eight hours on Friday evening.

A mall visitor, Tommy Prabowo, said he pulled his car into a parking space on the 8th floor of the parking garage at 4:30 p.m. when he saw a Maltese in the car parked next to his.

"I was surprised by loud barking and I thought there was something wrong, but then I assumed the owner had left the dog only for a short time, he said as quoted by kompas.com on Saturday.

However, he said the dog stayed in the car until 10 p.m. Tommy also asked security guards to make an announcement for the owner, because he was concerned that the dog was thirsty, starving and overheating in the car, which had the window only slightly opened.

Tommy said the dog was restless and exhausted. He accompanied it until after midnight and tried to give it water through the opening in the window.

The dog owner finally came after midnight and said she had been watching a movie in the theater. She then argued with Tommy, saying she had left the dog in the car before.

"I accompanied the dog for eight hours [], but the owner said, 'I did not ask you to accompany my dog; I did not ask you to count eight hours,'" Tommy added. (dis)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 08:30 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bca067 1 National 212Rally,Rizieq-Shihab,Monas,monas-park,anies-baswedan,sharia,Tito-Karnavian Free

Through a voice recording on Saturday, the leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), Rizieq Shihab, called to the 212 reunion rally goers for a sharia-based Indonesia.

Through the alumni of the rally, I want to loudly ask for all Muslims in Indonesia to fight for a sharia-based NKRI [Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia], he said in the recorded sermon played at the gathering at the National Monument Park as reported by Tempo.co.

Rizieq was reportedly staying in Saudi Arabia following investigations of his legal cases. The West Java Police had named him a suspect in the defamation case against Pancasila in January, and he was also named a suspect by the Jakarta Police for pornography related to steamy chat messages he was allegedly exchanging with a woman named Firza Husein in May. Jakarta Police had since put him on their wanted list as he failed to answer summonses.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan attended the gathering along with politician Amin Rais and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives Fadli Zon and Fahri Hamzah.

The reunion rally was held to commemorate last years large-scale protest against then-Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama over his blasphemous remarks.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Thursday the event might have had political motives.

It could be related to the upcoming politics in 2018 and 2019, he said as reported by Tempo.co, but did not give further details.

Indonesia will concurrently hold its third regional elections in 171 regions next year followed by the legislative and presidential elections in 2019. (nmn/rin)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 16:08 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd9aaf 1 Business electric-car,industry-ministry,Mitsubishi,electricity,electric-vehicle Free

The Industry Ministry plans to undergo a trial of two models of electric cars produced by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corporation by the end of this year as part of efforts to formulate a regulation to boost the use of such cars in the country.

The government is currently drafting a presidential regulation (Perpres) to boost the countrys electric-vehicle industry, in line with its plan to see 400,000 low carbon emission vehicles (LCEV) enter the Indonesian market by 2025.

After meeting with Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko in Japan in October, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the company would provide 10 prototypes of electric cars to help further research conducted by the Indonesian government to formulate the new regulation. Two models would be run on a trial basis by the year's end, he added.

We expect the new regulation to be issued in the beginning of next year so that we can soon provide incentives to boost the use of electric cars, Airlangga said.

Read also: Indonesia, South Korea initiate plan to develop electric car battery

Automotive industry players have demanded the government provide several fiscal incentives, including exemptions from import duty and luxury tax (PPnBM) for the import of completely knocked-down (CKD) electric cars.

Several automakers have shown interest in developing electric vehicles in Indonesia, including PT Sokonindo Automobile, a joint venture between the Hong Kong-based Sokon Group and local firm PT Kaisar Motorindo Industri.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Tehran, Iran  Sun, December 3, 2017 19:52 1809 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be4fa8 2 World Iran,Middle-East-conflict,diplomacy Free

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that Middle Eastern countries should solve their problems together without relying on external powers.

"We believe that if there is a problem in the region, it can be solved through dialogue," Rouhani said in a speech at the opening of a port in the southeastern city of Chabahar, broadcast by state television.

"We do not need arms nor the intervention of foreign powers. We can solve our problems ourselves through unity and dialogue."

Rouhani's comments follow an escalation in the bitter rivalry between Shiite-ruled Iran and Saudi Arabia's Sunni monarchy.

The two powers back opposing groups throughout the region -- notably in Syria and Yemen -- and Saudi leaders have lately stepped up efforts to counter Iran's growing influence, raising fears of further conflict.

But Rouhani said recent victories against the Islamic State group opened the way for the Middle East to move past its reputation for "war and conflict between Shiite and Sunni... and the presence and interventions of foreign powers".

Saudi Arabia and Iran's critics in the West have accused Tehran of seeking to dominate the region at the expense of its neighbours.

Rouhani said: "No country can claim to be the superior power in this region. Just as the superpowers couldn't accomplish that either."
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 18:47 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be3b67 1 Politics bribery,bribery-case,Jambi,KPK,corruption,corruption-case,graft,graft-suspect Free

A witnesses in a bribery case related to the deliberation of the 2018 Jambi draft regional budget (RAPBD) has returned a portion of the bribe money to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Several Jambi administration officials have been accused of bribing a Jambi Legislative Council (DPRD) member to ensure council members attendance in a draft budget deliberation meeting.

Our investigators have received [bribery] money from an individual related to the case, KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah said as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta on Saturday. This could become a mitigating factor in the case.

The officials allegedly involved in the investigation are: acting Jambi regional secretary Erwan Malik, Jambi third regional assistant Saipudin and acting Jambi Public Works Agency head Arfan.

Meanwhile, DPRD Jambi member Supriono stands accused of accepting the kickbacks.

As earlier reported, KPK found Rp 4.7 billion (US$ 347,330) in bribe money during a recent sting operation.

KPK investigators said the funds were intended for members of the Jambi Legislative Council, to ensure that they would approve the provinces 2018 draft regional budget.

It was reported that several council members planned to skip the budget approval meeting because there was no guarantee from the Jambi administration.

The guarantee here refers to bribe money, which is often called uang ketok (approval money). (ami/ebf)
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Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 21:51 1809 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be7832 1 National #Jokowi,#election,#Survey,#politics Free

A recent survey revealed President Joko Jokowi Widodo would be better off with a running mate that has a military background for the 2019 presidential election.

Pollster Indo Barometer found in its study released on Sunday that 22.5 percent of all the 1,200 respondents interviewed from Nov. 15 to 22 said they preferred Jokowi to run with someone who had a military background, compared to only 1.9 percent who said he should pick someone with a civilian background.

Moreover, 14.3 percent of the respondents said Jokowi, a member of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), should pick a person with adequate experience in government, with 12.3 percent saying he should choose a person close to the people.

When asked who would be the best running mate for former military general Prabowo Subianto, chairman of the opposition Gerindra Party, 20.5 percent of respondents said he should run with someone with a civilian background, compared to only 0.9 percent who said his running mate should come from a military background.

Indo Barometer executive director Muhammad Qodari said while both Jokowi and Probowo had high electability ratings so far, choosing the right running mate could be a game changer for them.

They should look for someone with a different background from them, Qadari said.

Several names of people with military backgrounds have been mentioned as Jokowis potential candidates for vice president, including the current Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, who will retire next year, and former TNI chief Gen. Moeldoko, who is retired.
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Linkedin Jiyeun Lee (Bloomberg) Seoul, South Korea  Sun, December 3, 2017 16:04 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd9168 2 World US,Korea,war,drill,nuclear-arsenal Free

North Korea said the US is begging for a nuclear war by planning the largest-ever joint aerial drill with South Korea just after concluding an exercise with nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

Should the Korean peninsula and the world be embroiled in the crucible of nuclear war because of the reckless nuclear war mania of the US, the US will have to accept full responsibility for it, North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency said Saturday, citing a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement came after Yonhap News reported that six US Raptor stealth fighters planes arrived in South Korea on Saturday for a joint air drill named Vigilant Ace scheduled for Dec. 4 to 8. The F-22s flew into South Korea together in a show of force, and the allies plan to stage simulated attacks on mock North Korean nuclear and missile targets, according to Yonhap.

North Koreas comments mirror a statement KCNA made last month, saying Washington is seeking to ignite a nuclear war after US B-1B nuclear strategic bombers stationed in Guam flew into South Korea to stage a drill.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 17:54 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be22ac 1 City #Crime,#Police,#Jakarta,#alcohol,#MurderCase Free

A palm wine seller identified as Juara Berkat Tambunan, 33, was allegedly stabbed to death by a customer at his stall in Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal, East Jakarta, on Saturday.

Pulo Gadung Police chief Comr. Sukadi said seven stab wounds were found on the victims body.

He further explained that the suspect, identified as KS, had bought some wine from Juara earlier that night. Unfortunately, the transaction led to a heating argument.

Juaras words upset KS, he said.

According to witnesses, KS told Juara as he was leaving the stall that he would get back at him.

At around 2 a.m., KS reportedly returned with a knife and stabbed Juara, then fled the scene. He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Juara was rushed to Mediros Hospital, East Jakarta, but was later referred to Persahabatan Hospital, also in East Jakarta. He died en route to the second hospital.

We are trying our best to capture KS. He is still in hiding, but we have spoken to his relatives to urge him to surrender, Sukadi said. (Gis)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Tel Aviv, Israel  Sun, December 3, 2017 16:34 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bde6f0 2 World Israel,BenjaminNetanyahu,corruption,rally Free

Tens of thousands of people have protested in Tel Aviv against what they say is corruption within the government and the slow pace of investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from wealthy supporters and has also faced police questioning over a secret deal he allegedly sought for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.

Protesters late Saturday massed in a large boulevard of an upmarket neighborhood in the Israeli city, an AFP reporter said, shouting "Shame" and "Bibi go home", referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

The rally -- dubbed "the march of shame" -- was organized by the leaders of weekly protests which have taken place outside the home of Attorney General Avishai Mandelblit over the past few months.

Crowds chanting Shame! Shame! In massive anti- corruption rally in Tel-Aviv , calling for PM Netanyahu's resignation. pic.twitter.com/qis4Bhapue  Gabby Sobelman (@Sobelmania) December 2, 2017

"Bibi and his government are destroying the country. There's been enough corruption," said demonstrator Michal, a Tel Aviv resident who preferred not to give his full name.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity with the protesters, writing on Facebook that "the frustration ... stems from a feeling of injustice, revulsion against corruption and the moral objection to a law made to measure for one person".

Israel's parliament will on Monday give a second and third reading of a bill that Netanyahu's opponents say is designed to help him survive the police investigation.

The bill's sponsor, David Amsalem of Netanyahu's Likud party, said he sought only to protect the rights and reputation of suspects.

Netanyahu is suspected of having received luxury gifts from affluent individuals including Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who has also been questioned.

Milchan, a long-time friend of Netanyahu, reportedly sent him boxes of expensive cigars and other items worth tens of thousands of dollars.

In addition to suspicions that the gifts constituted bribery, the police also suspect that Netanyahu sought a secret pact -- not believed to have been finalised -- which would have seen him receive favourable coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.

Topics : Israel BenjaminNetanyahu corruption rally
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Linkedin Daniel Woolls (AFP) Washington, United States  Sun, December 3, 2017 10:00 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bccb1b 2 World DonaldTrump,Donald-Trump,US-president,FBI,Russia,Russia-meddling,James-Comey Free

US President Donald Trump on Saturday shrugged off the bombshell news that his former national security adviser pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and will cooperate with a special prosecutor probing Russian election meddling.

As the Russia probe overshadowed his big legislative win, the Senate's passing of landmark tax cuts, Trump again insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Russia.

Trump also suggested he has been holding back something important regarding what he knew at the time of ex-security adviser Michael Flynn's firing.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump tweeted Saturday.

The revelation changes the timeline of the drama in a potentially dangerous way for Trump.

At the time of Flynn's dismissal, the White House acknowledged only that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence -- not to the FBI, too -- about Flynn's discussions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak over sanctions imposed by then-president Barack Obama against Russia for meddling in the election.

Trump's ties with Flynn have been under intense scrutiny since FBI director James Comey was fired by the president in May.

Comey testified under oath before a Senate panel in June that a day after Flynn's firing, Trump asked Comey to drop an investigation into the former national security director.

- What Trump knew -

Trump on Saturday also repeated his denials of collusion with Russia.

"What has been shown is no collusion. There's been absolutely no collusion. So we're very happy," he told reporters as he left for a day trip to New York.

Special prosecutor Robert Mueller's focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to shady business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

If Trump's latest statement on Twitter is accurate, it would mean that when he pressed Comey to drop the probe into Flynn, Trump already knew that Flynn had lied to Comey's agency.

A lingering part of the drama has been that after the White House learned through the Justice Department that Flynn lied to the White House about discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Trump still waited 18 days to fire him.

Trump fired Comey in May and said he had the Russia probe in mind when he did it. The move backfired and led the Justice Department to appoint Mueller as the special prosecutor.

Trump's tweet about Flynn lying to both Pence and the FBI prompted Representative Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, to pose some follow-up questions.

"If that is true, Mr. President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn? Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to 'let this go?'" he asked on Twitter.

Comey himself seemed to be addressing the latest developments in an Instagram message: "To paraphrase the Buddha -- Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."

- Tax bill -

The explosive new developments in the Russia probe have overshadowed the tax cuts approved Friday by the Senate in a step toward what would be Trump's first major legislative victory.

In an early morning Twitter post, Trump said his Republican Party would now work with the House of Representatives, which has passed its own tax bill, to produce a common version.

"Thank you to House and Senate Republicans for your hard work and commitment!" Trump wrote.

After a session that stretched into the night, the chamber voted 51 to 49 in favor of the most significant US tax overhaul in 31 years.

Both the Senate and House versions lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, and include more modest tax cuts aimed at individuals across all income levels.

Democrats argue that the plan is too expensive and will accommodate only the rich, and that it could ultimately impact cherished US entitlement programs like Medicare.

The Senate bill was, just 24 hours earlier, on the brink of collapse when a handful of Republican deficit hawks balked at the plan's $1.5 trillion price tag for 10 years.

Trump hopes to sign a final bill before Christmas. That would be a sweet victory for the president, who has delivered on hardly any of his major campaign promises, including repealing the health care law known as Obamacare.

Also this week, Trump engaged in an extraordinary, testy cross-Atlantic spat triggered by his retweeting of anti-Muslim videos posted by a British far-right extremist.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said what Trump did was "wrong." The US leader responded by telling May to focus on her own country and the threat of Islamist terror instead of him. (**)
The situation is so alarming that at present, only one out of three courts of the Delhi principal bench is working.

By Harish V Nair: The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from the Centre regarding the non-filling of vacancies in the NGT principal and zonal benches as a consequence of which its functioning has been paralysed. A bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra issued notice to the Centre on a petition filed by the National Green Tribunal Bar Association. Mail Today had reported on November 17 that if urgent measures are not taken to appoint new judicial and expert members, the tribunal which has three courts in its principal bench in Delhi and four zonal benches (east, west, central and south) will soon be functioning with less than one-third of its sanctioned strength of 20.

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The situation is so alarming that at present, only one out of three courts of the Delhi principal bench is working. Due to non-filling of vacancies against retirements, according to retirement dates of judges accessed by Mail Today, there will only be three judicial members and two expert members left after February 12, 2018.

At present, the strength is six judicial members and three expert members. Alarmed at the state of affairs, the Delhi HC recently asked the Centre if it 'planned to wind up the NGT'.

The reason for the delay is being seen as the Centre's decision to modify the process of appointments after it amended the Finance Act. Instead of a senior judge, its chairperson will now be recommended by a five-member panel, which will be led by the CJI or a nominee of the CJI, but a majority of the other members in the recruitment panel will be recommended by the environment ministry.

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Sanaa, Yemen  Sun, December 3, 2017 08:45 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bca79e 2 World Yemen,Saudi-Arabia,insurgents,Huthi,Huthi-rebels Free

The rebel alliance controlling Yemen's capital appeared to crumble Saturday as a strongman opposed to the internationally recognized government reached out to a Saudi-led coalition fighting the insurgents.

The rift within rebel ranks erupted into violence in Sanaa this week, raising fears of a new front in a three-year war that has claimed thousands of lives and triggered a humanitarian catastrophe.

Ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who joined forces with the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to seize the capital in 2014, said he was ready to talk to the Saudi-led coalition if it lifts a crippling blockade on Yemen.

His about-face sparked warnings of retribution by the Huthis, whose leader accused Saleh of "great treason".

Dozens of fighters on both sides were killed in the clashes this week. Rebel chief Abdul Malik al-Huthi confirmed at least 40 killed or injured. Security sources in Sanaa put the toll at more than 60.

The armed groups fought Saturday for key positions in the city, including ministries and the international airport, security sources and witnesses said.

Sanaa international airport is under a crippling blockade the coalition imposed last month after a Huthi missile was intercepted near Riyadh.

Sanaa streets were empty Saturday night as Yemenis stayed home, fearing renewed clashes. One resident described the city as a "ghost town".

- Rebels denounce 'coup' -

For decades bitter enemies, Saleh and rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi joined forces three years ago to drive President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government from Sanaa.

But their fragile alliance has shown signs of unraveling for months.

Saleh's open overture to Riyadh came a day after talks with the Huthis failed to broker a truce.

"I call on our brothers in neighboring countries... to stop their aggression and lift the blockade... and we will turn the page," he said in a televised speech.

"We vow to our brothers and neighbors that, after a ceasefire is in place and the blockade is lifted ... we will hold dialogue directly through the legitimate authority represented by our parliament."

The Huthi chief said Saleh and the Saudi-led coalition had become "one front" after the former president's "great treason".

The Huthis' political office accused Saleh of staging a "coup" against "an alliance he never believed in", and warned that Saudi Arabia and its allies would "pay a heavy price in their own capitals".

- 'Iran-backed militias' -

Yemen's war has claimed more than 8,750 lives since the Saudi-led coalition intervened to prop up Hadi's government against the rebels in 2015, triggering what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he was "deeply concerned", urging all sides to "exercise restraint" and avoid targeting civilians.

The UN also implored the coalition to fully open up Red Sea ports to allow aid deliveries, warning that "more than eight million people could starve without urgent food assistance coming into Yemen".

The coalition welcomed Saleh's offer of talks.

"The decision by (Saleh's) General People's Congress to take the lead and their choice to side with their people will free Yemen of... militias loyal to Iran," it said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Hadi's government also appeared to welcome Saleh's move away from the Huthis, whom it accuses of promoting Iranian interests in Yemen.

"We declare our determination to... preserve the Arab identity of Yemen and the unity of its territory and cooperate with every loyal Yemeni citizen working to rid our country of these vicious gangs," it said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia and the United States have accused Iran of supplying weapons to the Huthis, which Tehran strongly denies.

A minister from the UAE, a key member of the military coalition, on Saturday praised what he called the "Sanaa uprising".

Anwar Gargash, state minister for foreign affairs, tweeted his support for "the Yemeni people's return to their Arab environment", echoing to the coalition accusations that the Huthis are loyal to Iran.

Saleh ruled Yemen as president for 33 years after the 1990 unification of north and south Yemen.

A longtime ally of Saudi Arabia, he waged six separate wars against the Huthis, Zaidi Shiites who hail from northern Yemen.

Saleh resigned under popular and political pressure in 2012, ceding power to his then-vice president Hadi, who now lives in exile in Saudi Arabia.

In 2014, Saleh announced he had joined forces with the Huthis, seizing the capital and setting up a parallel government as Hadi's administration fled to Aden. (**)
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Linkedin Mohammed Hatem and Tarek El-Tablawy (Bloomberg) Dubai  Sun, December 3, 2017 21:38 1809 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be77b4 2 World Yemen,Abu-Dhabi,war,rebel Free

Yemens Houthi rebels said they fired a ballistic missile at a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, targeting a second member of the Arab coalition battling them. The United Arab Emirates said the claim, which was reported by the Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV, was untrue.

The conflicting reports come days after former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh broke his coalition with the Houthis and called on the Yemeni people to defend their republic against the rebels. That call was supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies, who have been mired in a conflict in Yemen since 2015 against the Iran-backed Houthis. A U.A.E. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the claim and jokingly said the government was still waiting for the missile to arrive.

The U.A.E.s air defense system is capable of dealing with any threats, and the Barakah nuclear power plant has the necessary safety and security measures in place, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said in a statement carried by the sate-run WAM news agency.

The Houthis have stepped up their missile attacks in recent weeks, including an attempt to strike Saudi Arabias international airport in Riyadh -- foiled by Saudi air defenses -- that upped the stakes in the regional showdown between the oil-rich kingdom and Iran. Sundays claim reflects the desperate political position the Houthis face both politically and militarily, according to Ghanem Nuseibeh, London-based founder of Cornerstone Global Associates.

Theyve lost their main ally on the ground in Yemen, Nuseibeh said. What theyre trying to show is that they havent been as negatively impacted as they have been.

The breakup of Salehs alliance with the Houthis may benefit the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in its attempts to reinstate the government of ousted elected President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi. Despite a devastating air campaign that has killed hundreds of civilians, the Houthis still control the capital, Sanaa, and about 55 percent of northern Yemen. There was fierce fighting between Salehs forces and the Houthis in the city on Saturday night and Sunday.

Escalating violence could also drive Yemen, a nation only reunited in 1990, to completely disintegrate, becoming a failed state perched south of the worlds biggest oil exporter and a major maritime artery.
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Linkedin Sui SE (AFP) Angkor, Cambodia  Sun, December 3, 2017 17:20 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be1427 2 SE Asia #ASEAN,#cambodia,#politics,#religion Free

Thousands of orange-clad monks joined Cambodian Premier Hun Sen Sunday for a prayer ceremony by the famed Angkor temple, lauding "political stability" after the main opposition party was dissolved, an act that has cemented the strongman's grip on power.

Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia since 1985, making him one of the world's longest-serving leaders, an accolade earned through a mix of cold political strategy, deft public relations and repression.

His rule appears virtually assured after a court early this month disbanded the main opposition party ahead of next year's elections.

As dawn rose over the tiered stone domes of Angkor Wat, Hun Sen joined prayers with 5,000 Buddhist monks, in a ceremony touted as celebrating peace and stability at the symbolic heart of Khmer power.

Graceful apsara dancers, fingers curled in the traditional art, went through their moves as thousands gathered for the event at the vast Angkor complex -- the centrepiece of the Khmer empire which draws back to the 9th century.

Hun Sen, who has cast himself as a figure of stability in a country ravaged by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, was front and centre of a morning of careful choreography.

Kneeling, hands clasped in prayer, he received blessings from monks who sang Buddhist mantras and scattered flower petals.

"We live with peace under the prime minister's rule," Prum Seab, 49, who was among the crowd told AFP. "I am happy."

Tourism minister Thong Khon warmed to the theme.

"We hold this ceremony for continuous prosperity... we pray for continued peace and stability," he told AFP, swatting away the question of a political crisis in the country.

"We have no crisis, but there are politicians who are having a crisis themselves," he said.

Analysts had predicted a strong challenge to Hun Sen at next year's election, after the youth vote in 2013 took the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to its best ever electoral result.

But Hun Sen has rallied in the intervening years, boosting his public profile through Facebook, while systematically using the kingdom's pliant courts to hack away at the CNRP as well as critics in civil society and the media.

Cambodia's main opposition party was finally dissolved this month over accusations it conspired with the United States in a treason plot.

The case was blasted by Washington as baseless, while rights groups said it has hastened the country's descent into a de facto one-party state.

Hun Sen has turned up the anti-American rhetoric to justify the unprecedented crackdown which has included shuttering critical media with trumped-up tax charges or arresting journalists on allegations of spying.

In step, he has deepened Cambodia's embrace of regional heavyweight China, whose low-interest loans and infrastructure schemes are driving a boom in the one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Manila, Philippines  Sun, December 3, 2017 18:43 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be3b5f 2 SE Asia vaccination,Philippines,dengue,WHO,Sanofi-Pasteur Free

The Philippines said Friday it had suspended a landmark public vaccination program for the potentially deadly dengue virus after its manufacturer warned it could worsen the disease in some cases.

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced Wednesday that its world-first dengue vaccine could lead to more severe symptoms for people who had not previously been infected.

The Philippines has vaccinated more than 733,000 children with Dengvaxia since 2016 when it became the first country to start using it on a mass scale.

But it said Friday the programme had been suspended.

"In the light of this new analysis, the DOH (Department of Health) will place the dengue vaccination programme on hold while review and consultation is ongoing with experts, key stakeholders, and the WHO (World Health Organization)," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.

Sanofi had initially said its Dengvaxia vaccine was "critical" in the fight against dengue, the world's most common mosquito-borne virus.

It said Wednesday that a new study has confirmed Dengvaxia's benefits for "those who had prior infection".

"For those not previously infected by dengue virus, however, the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection," Sanofi said.

Duque stressed that the government had not yet received reports of any problems with Dengvaxia.

"Currently, there is no reported case of severe dengue infection among those who received the vaccine," he told reporters.
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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 10:36 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bce908 1 Guide To Jakpost-guide-to,South-Jakarta,#JakpostGuideTo Free

Situated in South Jakarta, Jl. Ahmad Dahlan is a two-way street connected to Jl. Radio Dalam Raya, not too far from Pasar Mayestik.

Compared to the busy street of Radio Dalam Raya, which is packed with food establishments, beauty salons and workshops, Jl. Ahmad Dahlan may seem rather quiet. But that does not mean the street does not have its own unique offerings.

How to get there

Given that it is connected to Jl. Radio Dalam Raya, it is easy to get to Jl. Ahmad Dahlan. Some public transportation options are available along the road, such as the blue bajaj (three-wheeled taxis), the S72 Metro Mini public bus serving the Blok M-Lebak Bulus route and Transjakarta buses serving the Lebak Bulus-Kota route.

What to wear

Casual clothes are fine, but the street can be overcrowded with cars and motorcycles, especially during rush hour, so you may want to bring your hat and face mask to protect yourself from the pollution.

What to buy

RM Nusa Indah

Since 1985, Ruman Makan Nusa Indah has been a one-stop shop for those who want to buy souvenirs for their friends and relatives. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Established in 1985, Rumah Makan (RM) Nusa Indah is one of the legendary food establishments in this area. The store is famous for traditional Indonesian snacks from different provinces in Indonesia, including abon (shredded and fried meat); kue (cake) Mandarin from the Central Java city of Surakarta; sambal (chili sauce) Bu Rudy from Surabaya in East Java; sarsaparilla soda Cap Badak; and the all-time favorite, bolu (cake) Meranti from Medan in North Sumatra. It is a one-stop shop for those who want to buy souvenirs for their friends or relatives. Prices start at Rp 15,000 (US$1).

Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., RM Nusa Indah also has a restaurant on the right side of the building. It sells Indonesian cuisine, such as the warm mie kocok (shaken noodles) and sop buntut (oxtail soup). Ibu Hartati, the owner of RM Nusa Indah, said the store does not have a second location. Im already old, she added while laughing.

A post shared by PUSAT OLEH-OLEH KHAS INDONESIA (@rmnusaindah) on May 1, 2017 at 10:37am PDT

Cahaya Rozzy

Some of the florist kiosks as part of 'Rumah Bunga Ahmad Dahlan' on Nov. 23. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Continuing with the theme of gift-giving, there is also a specific location for florists on Jl. Ahmad Dahlan. Across from the Circle K convenience store, Rumah Bunga (House of Flowers) Ahmad Dahlan is comprised of five kiosks. The sellers will step directly outside of their kiosk to show you some of their best bouquets so you can decide which ones are best for you.

Komal, one of the shop clerks of florist Cahaya Rozzy, said the store had been a part of Rumah Bunga Ahmad Dahlan since the 2000s. He further explained that a bouquet of roses was still the most sought-after item, but the store also does other types of bouquets depending on the customers request, such as lilies and tulips. However, some flowers take time to order, particularly tulips, so customers are advised to check ahead of time regarding availability. Aside from flower arrangements, the shop also makes flower boards for weddings. Prices start at Rp 15,000 for a single rose.

Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Barito

Dirty Free Shoes and Handbags Specialist

Inside the Dirty Free Shoes and Handbags Specialist shop on Nov. 23. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Those who want to get their shoes, handbags, hats and leather jackets as clean as the day they were bought can consider dropping by Dirty Free Shoes and Handbags Specialist. Located near the traffic light for Jl. Gandaria Tengah III and Jl. Ahmad Dahlan, the shop is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offers cleaning, minor repairs, recoloring and touch-ups. We dont have any restrictions on which brand can be handled here, said Sari, one of the founders. We focus on the material, whether its made from leather, canvas or fabric.

For shoes, the cleaning process can take up to one day depending on the speed selected by the customer (regular, express or instant). Prices start at Rp 75,000. Meanwhile handbags will take longer to process, sometimes up to 10 days. The price depends on the bag's material and size, but a small canvas handbag, for example, starts at Rp 300,000.

The store also has a drop-off location in Bintaro, South Tangerang, but all of the items will be delivered to the Ahmad Dahlan store, where the workshop is located. In the future, they plan to open outlets in Surabaya and Medan.

A post shared by Dirty Free (@dirtyfree_shoeslaundry) on Nov 30, 2017 at 6:25pm PST

What to eat

If you want to have lunch with your friends or family, visit Soto Padang H. St. Mangkuto. Established in 1966, the restaurant offers a spicy soto Padang (soup with vegetables and vermicelli noodles) that is usually served alongside steamed rice and nasi goreng rendang (fried rice with beef stewed in coconut milk). Upon entering the establishment, you will see many snacks available above the table, including fruits, crackers and traditional cakes like kembang goyang (crunchy flower-shaped cookies). The average price is Rp 35,000.

'Soto Padang' (left) and 'rendang' fried rice, two of the most popular dishes at restaurant Soto Padang H. St. Mangkuto. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

If you just want to hang out with your friends or have breakfast in a cozy place, you may want to visit the Gentle Ben cafe. Sharing space with the retail shop Flip Side, Gentle Ben provides vegan and gluten-free dishes, such as salads and a smoothie bowl. Of course, sampling their coffee is a must, and one of their best is the iced latte. The prices for beverages start at Rp 25,000.

Aside from the coffee shown above, the Gentle Ben cafe on Jl. Ahmad Dahlan also offers healthy breakfast choices for health conscious foodies. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Kramat Pela

Jl. Ahmad Dahlan is also home to Natashas Party Cake, a cake boutique and cafe. The cafe has unique decor that will make you feel like you are entering someones classic house and joining in a party. It offers various sweet treats, such as macaroons, cakes and cupcakes. It also has an afternoon tea package for one or two people that can be enjoyed all day. Prices start at Rp 60,000.

Other restaurants that can be visited along the street are the famous Soto Kudus Blok M, Dutch restaurant H.E.M.A., Tanamera Coffee and Bakmi Jhon.

The Soto Kudus Blok M establishment on Jl. Ahmad Dahlan on Nov. 23. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Tips

You may want to avoid the street in the morning as Labschool Kebayoran junior and senior high school are on Jl. Ahmad Dahlan.

Jl. Ahmad Dahlan is quite convenient for pedestrians as it has decent sidewalks and crosswalks.

Be careful when driving around this area because there are three traffic lights, which are situated at the junction of Jl. Kyai Maja and Jl. Ahmad Dahlan, near RM Nusa Indah, and at the intersection of Jl. Ahmad Dahlan, Jl. Radio Dalam Raya, Jl. Gandaria I and Jl. Kramat Pela.

Bring some small bank notes for parking attendants. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 20:03 1809 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be6459 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,yogyakarta-tourism,poverty-rate,Gunungkidul Free

The involvement of the locals in developing the tourism sector in Gunungkidul regency in Yogyakarta has decreased the poverty rate in the area.

With more tourist attractions being managed by the locals, it creates a multiple effect for the economy as the locals earn direct income from the tourism sector, told Gunungkidul Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Sumarwiyanto.

Currently there are 30 Tourism Awareness Communities (Pokdarwis) who reportedly received direct income from the tourism sector.

Data from BPS shows that in 2016 the poverty rate in Gunungkidul was 19.34 percent, down by 2.3 percent from the rate in 2015 that reached 21.73 percent.

The declining rate is said to be the most significant in Yogyakarta. In 2015, Gunungkidul had the highest poverty rate in Yogyakarta.

The poverty rates in other areas in Yogyakarta are also declining, but Gunungkidul is the most significant one.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that tourism is the easiest and cheapest sector. The investment will result in 170 percent of multiple effect whilst the budget for promotion only takes two percent.

Gunungkidul has a number of tourist attractions namely Pindul Cave, Kalisuci, Jomblang Cave, Sri Gethuk Waterfall, Nglanggeran primeval volcano and dozens of beautiful beaches. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 15:09 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd71e2 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Silangit-airport Free

Up until the third quarter of 2017, Silangit International Airport in North Sumatra has recorded 2,912 flights, a 29 percent increase from the same period last year.

On average there are 14 domestic and international flights every day using A320, CRJ1000, AT72 and B737-500 airplanes, while the total passengers reached 200,000 people. The target for this year is 250,000 passengers, a 60 percent increase from 2016, explained Transportation Ministry's air transportation director general Agus Santoso.

The target is likely to be achieved especially since Batik Air is offering a new route from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Silangit International Airport. Launched on Dec. 1, the new route serves one flight every day and uses an Airbus A320-200 NEO airplane that can accommodate 12 business class and 144 economy class passengers.

Agus added that safety, security and comfort are among the most important factors to consider and his team is ready to oversee these three things.

We are ready to oversee and maintain the flight safety not only at Silangit but also all over Indonesia. This October we did a USOAP safety audit with International Civil Aviation Organization ([ICAO] and we got a good result which is 81.15 percent above average. This shows that flight safety in Indonesia is really good, he added. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 17:03 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2be02ae 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,sleman,yogyakarta-tourism,tourist-village Free

Sleman Tourism Agency is currently holding Sleman Tourist Village Festival 2017.

This event is a competition to find out the best tourist village that will represent Sleman for the next tourist village competition at the provincial level.

Up to 22 tourist villages have been chosen by Sleman Regency Tourist Village Communication Forum.

These 22 villages are divided into three categories: Independent Tourist Villages (four villages), developing tourist villages (eight tourist villages) and growing tourist villages (10 villages).

The judging process was conducted on Nov. 115 and the criteria being assessed are culinary (20 percent), souvenir (20 percent), potential utilization (10 percent), human resources and local tourism agencies (10 percent), public support (15 percent), supporting facilities (15 percent) and development of tourist visits (10 percent).

On the crowning night, participants that are invited to come to the finale will have to present their main work. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sun, December 3, 2017 16:00 1810 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2bd8f9e 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Sabang,Wonderful-Indonesia Free

Tourism Ministrys Wonderful Indonesia is participating in Wonderful Sabang & Marine Expo 2017 held at CT III Terminal Sabang on Dec. 15.

This event serves as a part of Sail Sabang 2017.

The Wonderful Indonesia brand occupies 10 booths at the event that are designed to look like a phinisi traditional boat. The total area of the booth is 90 square meters and located at Block C, no. 97 to 101 and 124 to 128.

Meanwhile Wonderful Sabang and Marine Expo 2017 occupies 3.2 hectares of land.

Available at the booth are tourism agencies from Raja Ampat and Aceh, tourism information center, quiz activity, workshop on ceramic painting, 360-degree virtual reality, photo booth, photo exhibition and B2C exhibition.

We will use this event to promote UMKM [micro, small and medium enterprises], creative industry, culture and traditional food to visitors and yachters at Sail Sabang 2017, said the ministry's Southeast Asia tourism promotion assistant deputy, Rizki Handayani.

Bugis sailors traveled the world with phinisi to Asia, Africa, Australia, United States and Europe. This boat has a very traditional design and can represent Indonesian identity; thats why we consistently use this design in all international travel market events, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

The phinisi boat also represents Indonesia as the worlds largest archipelago and fits the vision and mission of President Jokowi who puts maritime in the top five of priority development list.

Moreover, the ministrys 10 Priority Destination consists of seven destinations that are known for their marine tourism. (kes)
The agency has already had several meetings with officials from other paramilitary forces to get feedback on bulletproof jackets available in the market.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: India's premier counter terror investigating agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is in the process of procuring 100 bullet proof vest for its sleuths.

The agency is currently probing the Kashmir terror funding cases, murder cases of right wing leaders in Punjab and Kerala's 'love jihad' case is soon likely to have a tender to procure state of the art bulletproof jackets.

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The agency, which recently got a nod from the Ministry of Home Affairs, has already had several meetings with officials from other paramilitary forces like Border Security Force (BSF) and National Security Guard (NSG) to get feedback on bulletproof jackets available in the market. Sources said they are looking for durable, lightweight bulletproof jackets that helps absorb the impact and reduce or stop the penetration of bullets or projectiles from firearms.

"The move to procure bulletproof jacket has been in the offing for some time. We do not have to procure a separate budget," a top NIA officer told India Today. Most of the bulletproof jackets will be kept in the agency's Delhi Headquarters while the rest will be distributed to its eight regional offices and camp offices. Though "Make in India" products have been stressed upon, the agency says it's not under any pressure and will only procure quality bulletproof jackets.

The agency which probed active terror cases like Pathankot often wore NIA jackets when personnel were being identified. But those cloth vests will soon be changed to bulletproof jackets. In October, 2017, three heavily armed Jaish- e-Mohammed (JEM) terrorists launched a suicide attack on 182 Battalion BSF Campus Signal Centre Humhama in Srinagar which was a guesthouse for the NIA team camping a week before the attack. Though NIA and security forces denied any link, security of personnel remained a key concern.

With nearly 170 cases in its kitty senior officers in the agency say they are choosing to safeguard its investigators in best possible way.

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Most students receive some level of education about sex, either through biology classes, sex education classes or through PSHE (Personal, social and health education).

While topics including addiction, anatomy and sexually transmitted diseases are all typically discussed, other key topics are often not spoken about, despite their ability to significantly impact students decision making and health. These include topics such as contraceptives, consent, sexuality, sex versus gender, relationships, mental health and more.

Here are 5 topics that need to be added to or spoken about more in all sex education curriculums:

1. More Contraceptives

One thing that gets overlooked in most sex education classes is the fact that there are more contraceptives than just condoms. While condoms are important, they are only 85% effective, meaning 15/100 women each year will get pregnant. There are many other forms of birth control that woman can use such as an IUD, birth control pills, and birth control shots. This is important because getting pregnant can have a huge impact on someone's future. According to the Office for National Statistics, teens in the UK have high rates of pregnancy, STDs, and high rates of bullying, which has an especially negative impact on the LGBTQIAP+ community involved.

2. Comprehensive Sex education, not abstinence education

An unfortunate number of sex education classes refer to abstinence either at the end of the class or throughout its entirety. Yet, there are many studies that show a comprehensive sex education class helps students make better decisions and stay healthier, in comparison to abstinence education classes. A study done by the Journal of Adolescent Health concluded that comprehensive sex education did not increase sexual activity, instead, it lowered the risk of pregnancy compared to students who received abstinence education. Meanwhile, a study done in Poland showed that no sex education resulted in a huge increase in teen pregnancies.

3. Relationships

Relationships are rarely touched upon in sex education, however, it is important for students, no matter how young they are, to learn about aspects of a healthy relationship. These include what an abusive relationship looks like and how to navigate different types of relationships, both good and bad. Mashable reports that it is important to teach people about relationships because women need to know that sexual violence is not their fault. It is not only important to inform children about sexual violence and abusive relationships, but also on healthy relationships and what constitutes that.

4. Mental Health

There is a significant relationship between mental health and sexual health. It was reported by Red Aware that people with mental health issues who are not being treated are more likely to make poor choices, especially when these choices involve sex. Mental health is also not often taught in high school and secondary school classes, which makes very little sense considering so many people are affected by it.

It is very likely that you or someone you know has a mental illness, yet it is highly stigmatized and is considered taboo to talk about in some situations. If children are educated on different prevalent mental health issues it could help them tremendously, as it could prepare them in case they or a friend ever struggle with such issues. Additionally, such education could potentially lessen, or even end, the stigma around mental health and increase public understanding and support. While this issue is not entirely related to sex, it is still an issue which can affect choices regarding sex and relationships, and thus should be suitably covered in all sex education and health classes.

5. Sex, Sexuality, and Gender
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Suicide note points to suicide due to exam pressure but students claim otherwise

Students of the Osmania University protested near the university hostel

By Ashish Pandey: A 20 year old student of Osmania University allegedly committed suicide inside the hostel. His body was found hanging in the bathroom.

The student identified as E Murali was a first year student of M.Sc.(Physics) and stayed at the Maneru hostel.

A suicide note purportedly written by Murali was found at the scene. It said that he was committing suicide as he feared failing in the examination.

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The note read that he had never failed in any examination.

The suicide note purportedly written by Murali

Meanwhile, police said that Murali seemed to be in depression for several days and further investigation in this matter is going on.

A large number of angry students gathered near the hostel and staged a protest. They refused body of Murali to be taken for postmortem. The students said that Murali committed suicide because he could not get a government job. They demanded monetary compensation for Murali's family.

Watch: Osmania University student hangs himself in hostel washroom

--- ENDS ---
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By PTI: Chandigarh, Dec 2 (PTI) Punjab Documentation and Advocacy Project (PDAP), an NGO, today claimed that they have found over 8,000 people going "disappeared" during 1980 till 1995 in Punjab and demanded an independent judicial commission to probe the matter.

Satnam Singh Bains, representing PDAP, claimed that they have identified and documented hundreds of victims who were allegedly "cremated as unclaimed unidentified" and killed in "fake encounters".

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"In our seven-year long investigation, we have identified 8,257 persons from different sources who disappeared from 1980 to 1995 in Punjab," he claimed.

Bains said the records pertaining to "disappeared" people were collected by visiting villages, meeting victims family members and also from media reports.

"The latest report is a further step in the long struggle by people of Punjab for justice and accountability for victims and for their kin," Bains said.

Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Suresh, who was also present, said, "people disappeared. They (their families) have the right to know why they disappeared. They have the right to know why human right violations took place."

Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) national convener Kavita Srivastava, while speaking on the occasion, sought formation of a judicial commission under retired sitting judge of the Supreme Court to probe the "disappearance" of the people.

Bains said they will soon move to the Supreme Court with the findings of their report and demand detailed investigation in the matter. PTI CHS KJ

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Diversified conglomerate ITC expects chocolate category to contribute 10 per cent to its food division revenue in next five years, a top company official said.

The company had entered into chocolate category with brand Fabelle in May last year.

In five years time we should see a 10 per cent share of the total food business from chocolates, ITC Foods Divisional Chief Executive Hemant Malik told PTI here.

The companys branded packaged food business, which spans categories like staples, spices, ready-to-eat, snack foods, bakery and confectionery, among others, reportedly clocked sales of over Rs 8,000 crore last fiscal.

The chocolate industry in the country is pegged at Rs 8,000 crore and ITC is now looking at the mass premium space.

We will phase ourselves. There is no point in launching too many products. We will be looking at various spaces and be a full portfolio player (in chocolate category)Overall market share in five years, we should have 15-20 per cent, Malik said.

The company manufactures chocolates from its Bengaluru facility at present and it has added another factory at Haridwar.

We have a factory in Bengaluru and we have also set-up a factory in Haridwar, which will help us enter into the mass range. We want to bring something new and differentiated to the market. We are developing new products and testing our products. Once we feel we are ready, we will come to the market, he said.

On the revised GST rates for chocolates from a tax slab of 28 per cent to 18 per cent, he said, we have corrected our prices accordingly. Once that happens, it becomes more accessible to the consumers and hopefully the market will increase.

ITC launched its luxury chocolate brand Fabelle at boutique stores in it hotels, which also serve as experience centres, and plans to expand its reach in the retail format.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated Chabahar port on Sunday, which is seen as seen as a strategy by India to counter Chinas development of Gwadar port in Pakistan, barely 100 km from Irans Chabahar.

The project in Irans southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by 60 foreign guests from 17 countries, including Indian Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan, at the port located by the Sea of Oman.

The ports inauguration comes more than a month after the first consignment of wheat from India to Afghanistan was sent via Chabahar  the first shipment after the trilateral agreement to develop the port as a transport and transit corridor between India, Iran and Afghanistan was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iranian and Afghan Presidents Rouhani and Ashraf Ghani, respectively, in May last year.

Swarajs unscheduled visit to Iran

Ahead of the inauguration, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made an unscheduled visit to Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

On Saturday, Swaraj met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif held a meeting on Saturday in Tehran and discussed about the Chabahar port project among other issues.

HER ARE SOME FACTS ABOUT CHABAHAR PORT:

The Chabahar port is located 645 km to the south of Zahedan, the provincial capital city, the only oceanic port of Iran will now link its Sistan and Baluchestan provinces to Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port, for which India will invest $500 million, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor has also been signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran.

The Chabahar port has also increased its capacity from 2.5 million tons to 8.5 million tons. The port is an interconnector between South-East Asia, Central Asia, and Afghanistan.

In the first phase of the Shahid Beheshti Chabahar Port, 15 million cubic meters of dredging, 203 hectares of new land, 1,650 wavelength breakers, and the depth of the pond is 16 and 1.5 square meters.

A total of $ 1 billion has been spent on preparing and equipping the first phase of the Shahid Beheshti Chabahar Port.

Currently 100,000 ton ships are capable of mooring, and this can have a significant role in importing and exporting basic and general goods.

The next four phases of Shahid Beheshti Chabahar port will be completed and will be put into operation, which will ultimately reach 82 million tons.

(With agency inputs)
The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of indulging in violence against its candidates in Gujarat and urged the Election Commission to initiate action.

The party alleged that its candidate against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, Rajkot East nominee Mitul Donga and its MP Rajeet Satav, were arrested and abused by the Rajkot police.

Our leaders Indranil Rajyaguru, Mitul Donga and MP Rajeev Satav, who are fighting the Shah-kaal of fear and corruption in Gujarat, were attacked by the Gujarat Police yesterday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Violence is a result of fear. Rupani Ji fears to lose the election and he is taking the support of lathis. But Gujarat is not frightened, he said.

Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev alleged that Rupani was bewildered as he was losing and was thus indulging in violence against the Congress leaders.

She said she has already heard the chief ministers audio claiming that the BJP is in a bad shape.

Dev said last night when Rajyaguru was campaigning, some goons of the BJP attacked him. Instead of arresting the goons, the police arrested our candidate.

We will file a complaint on behalf of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress. The manner in which our leaders were abused, this is the Gujarat model, Dev told reporters here.

We demand action from the Election Commission against BJPs candidate and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as also against the DGP and IG of Rajkot, she said.

Dev also said, We urge the people of Gujarat to end BJPs goondagardi (hooliganism) as this is the only occasion to do so and we hope that they will come out and vote them out of power.

The Congress spokesperson claimed that Rupani will lose from Rajkot West constituency and so will the deputy chief minister.

While implementing the Gujarat model, the local police also arrested Rajeev Satav, an MP, who had gone there to enquire about the Congress candidate, she alleged.

Rupani is unable to answer the questions raised to him and is misusing the police. The people of Gujarat will answer through the ballot as you are using the police lathi and bullet, Dev said.

The Mahila Congress chief asked whether a sitting MLA and MP is arrested, did the Rajkot police inform the speaker in the state Assembly or Lok Sabha.

It is surprising that a sitting MLA has been arrested, she said.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala, said, People of Gujarat and Rajkot will teach a befitting lesson for such brutalities through the power of ballot.

A frustrated BJP facing defeat in CM Rupanis constituency arrested INC candidate Indraneel Rajyaguru, MP and AICC Secretary Rajiv Satav and assaulted them, Surjewala alleged.

Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki wrote on Twitter, I condemn the attack on Dinyanil Rajyaguru brother of Indranil Rajyaguru, Congress candidate against CM Rupani.

Fearing defeat of CM, police has also arrested Indranil Rajyaguru and Rajeev Satav late night, without giving any reason.
With only a week remaining for the Gujarat Assembly elections, PM Modi is extensively campaigning in his home turf to ensure Bharatiya Janata Partys victory.

PM Modi will be addressing seven rallies in Saurashtra and south Gujarat during his two-day visit to Gujarat on 3 and 4 December . PM Modi has already addressed eight rallies in Saurashtra and south Gujarat.

The first phase of polling for 89 seats from Saurashtra and south Gujarat on 9 December.

PM Modi will conduct rallies are Bharuch, Surendranagar, and Rajkot on 3 December. On December 4 , Modi will cover Dharampur in Valsad, followed by Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Jamnagar in Saurashtra.

While addressing a public rally in Bharuch on Sunday, PM Modi lashed out at Congress by saying that in Uttar Pradesh elections, people have rejected Congress. He stated that the people of Gujarat are aware of Congress strategies that divide societies.

The crowd cheered for PM Modi, when he addressed Bharuch as Maaro aa Bharuch.

PM Modi said that Congress party change their colours from time to time and know well how to create rift between brothers. They have created negativity within various communities and castes.

He mentioned that Congress is taking advantage of the fights within communities, they arent concerned if people fight or die and added that Tame ladta rao, marta rao, ane Congress malai khaati rai (They just keep sitting and enjoy the benefits).

PM Modi stated that since the day BJP has been in command, health and business have improved and Gujarat has been moving towards success and development. Congress has not been able to take Gujarats growth positively.

Bharuch district and Kutch district have maximum Muslim population. In BJPs rule, these two districts have seen the maximum amount of growth.

Taking a jibe at the Congress party leaders, PM Modi stated that when Indira Gandhi came, she said that she was the daughter-in-law of the nation, and when Rajiv Gandhi came, he said, he was the son.

The Congress party leaders just came and claimed that they were the sons and daughter-in-law, but they havent done anything for the state.

He recalled another incident of Banaskantha, when the city was facing floods in July, instead of helping the flood-affected people in the worst-affected districts like Banaskantha, Congress legislators flew off to Bengaluru.

PM Modi stated that they were selfish people and showed no responsibility towards the citizens.

PM Modi also said that Congress could not even build a bridge over the Narmada nor did they ever imagine something like the Ro-Ro Feri service that was started from Bharuch to Bhavnagar. Congress had done nothing for the development of Bharuch in the past.
As everyone knows, the demand for the Pakistan law ministers resignation cloaked another unarticulated desire: that Pakistan should be an Islamic state. But what exactly does that mean?

In post-Shah Iran, in Afghanistan during the Talibans Islamic Emirate, and more recently in parts of Iraq and Syria, clerics have claimed that the governments they established were not only religiously correct but also, more broadly, part of new Islamic states. And according to the Saudi constitution, that country also qualifies. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the constitution proclaims: is a sovereign Arab Islamic state with Islam as its religion; Gods Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet, Gods prayers and peace be upon him, are its constitution

When he declared his caliphate in 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadis first claim was that he alone was in charge: The legality of all emirates, groups, states, and organisations, becomes null by the expansion of the caliphs authority and arrival of its troops to their areas. Then, much like any secular politician, he made a series of vague promises, vowing to build, reform, remove oppression, spread justice, and bring about safety and tranquillity courts have been established to resolve disputes and complaints. Evil has been removed.

Baghdadis version of heaven on earth turned out to be well short of eternal. But some clerics believe he was from the outset mistaken in his claim to run an Islamic state. Soon after the self-proclaimed caliph gave his famous sermon in Mosuls Grand Mosque, the scholar Yusef al-Qaradawi insisted that Baghdadi was in violation of Sharia law. We look forward to the coming, as soon as possible, of the caliphate, he said, but the declaration issued by the Islamic State is void under Sharia.

The title of caliph, he went on, can only be given by the entire Muslim nation and not by a single group. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Grand Imam of Al Azhar said: The Islamic caliphate cant be restored by force. Occupying a country and killing half of its population  this is not an Islamic state, this is terrorism.

The concept of an Islamic state will always be contested.

So how to adjudicate between the rival claims and sharply different views of Iranian Shias, Taliban clerics, Saudi royals, Iraqi insurgents and their critics? The case of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan raises its own dilemmas. According to Article 227 of its Constitution, all Pakistans laws shall be brought in conformity with the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Having said that, the Preamble makes it clear that the country was intended to be a democratic state as much as an explicitly Islamic one. Faithful to the declaration made by the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, it reads, Pakistan would be a democratic State based on Islamic principles of social justice.

There is considerable evidence  including that famous August 1947 address to the constitutional assembly  that what Jinnah had in mind was not an Islamic state but a state for Muslims to live in without fear of persecution.

The 1940 resolution of the All India Muslim League made no reference to an Islamic state, and many religious parties, committed as they were to pan Islamism, opposed the idea of Pakistan because they did not envision it becoming an Islamic state. After all, if they did believe it would be an Islamic state, how could they oppose it? The clerics focused on constitutional issues and certain provisions such as the requirement that the president be a Muslim thereby giving Pakistans polity a distinctly Islamic hue. All this, however, clearly fell short of the Saudi idea that the basic Islamic texts are themselves the constitution.

General Zia ul Haqs attempt to Islamicise Pakistani society did introduce Islamic punishment for criminal acts such as amputations. He also called parliament the Majlis-i-Shura and introduced Sharia courts. But the limits to Zias religious ambitions soon became all too apparent. When the Sharia courts were barred from giving judgements on Zias martial law it was clear that he was not serious about creating an Islamic state but was simply using Islam to bolster his legitimacy.

The concept of an Islamic state will always be contested. Many of the protesters rampaging through the streets take pride in the memory of the Ottoman Empire, considering it to have been an Islamic state. But, if they knew anything about it, the same protesters would also think the lifestyle of many Ottoman rulers as hopelessly un-Islamic.

There is one point Ayatollah Khomeini, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Mullah Omar could surely agree on. For an Islamic state to exist, the clerics have to be in charge. And by that standard, for all its constitutional provisions, Saudi Arabia remains a monarchy, not an Islamic state. And the Islamic Republic of Pakistan doesnt come close. Not yet.

The writer is a British journalist and author of Pakistan: Eye of the Storm.

Dawn/ANN.
It would call for a skewed sense of what constitutes success to endorse the boast of the Director-General of the J&K police that the killing of 200 militants in 2017 marks a huge landmark for establishing peace and stability in the state. Without in any way slighting the efforts of the Army, paramilitary and the police in countering the dastardly activities of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, it has to be iterated there is an increasing realisation that there is no military solution to the unrest in the Valley ~ in fact one former Army chief had directed that kills should not be publicised. The larger message that Mr SP Vaid sought to flash might have been that there would no dilution of the security effort only because an outreach exercise had been initiated courtesy the appointment of a Special Representative, and at his behest the withdrawal of cases against first time youthful stone-pelters, but the track record points to such bombast having a blowback ~ even if it gives some political elements cause for cheer.

By official accounts at least another 200 militants are awaiting opportunities to infiltrate across the LOC, winter-snows have ceased to hold them back, and the cold does not bring a marked fall in violence. Since a substantial number of the militants are Kashmiris who have been misled into picking up the gun to secure azadi, the death roll does not seem to roll back that campaign . Reality also suggests a spike in violence whenever the elimination of a militant leader is publicised. So perhaps the DGP could explore other avenues to boost the morale of hard-pressed security forces. The squeezing of terrorist-funding routes is proving more effective than pellet-guns, particularly in keeping local youth away from hindering anti-militancy action by the security forces.

It is too early to assess how the 200 killed headlines will impact the efforts of Mr Dineshwar Sharma towards reviving a dialogue process. His task will definitely be complicated if an impression is created that all wings of government, Central and State, are not on the same page. Other bids at interlocution have come unstuck because they were not part of an integrated action plan. Recent successes against militants are to be lauded only if they do not lead to over-confidence ~ how many times have we heard the uniforms claim that they have broken the back of militancy. That back will only be broken when the folk in the Valley are convinced that the gun is no remedy for their difficulties.

To be fair, the security forces cannot administer that kind of medicine, but for all their talk the administrators in New Delhi continue to perceive the Valley in only security terms. The 200 killed headline is no real deterrence, a solution needs political and economic back-up.
The United States administration, which has been ever so anxious to dictate its foreign policy to the world, has given the jitters to the pivotal State Department or what is generally referred to as Washington DCs Foggy Bottom. Going by the signals emitted from the White House over the weekend, Donald Trump is on course to remove Rex Tillerson, who has been rated as one of the most consequential Secretaries of State in recent history. The firing, as they say, is only a question of time, although the President has denied these reports. Misgivings that the exodus of senior diplomats over the past year ~ specifically since President Trumps inaugural ~ is bound to weaken Americas foreign policy are not wholly unfounded. In the long term, this might well undermine the standing of the US in the world. Since last January, the department has lost 60 per cent of its career ambassadors, ~ the equivalent of four-star generals ~ more than 40 per cent of its three-star-equivalent career ministers and about 14 per cent of its two-star-equivalent minister-counsellors. Furthermore, there has been a 50 per cent drop in the number of those opting for the Foreign Service as a career. It is hard to imagine that Tillersons sound instincts on foreign policy were almost routinely undermined by the occupant of the Oval Office. The clash of personalities has been astonishing and to the detriment of the conduct of foreign policy.

And yet there has been a flip side to his tenure as Secretary of State, chiefly his insular style of functioning that is said to have alienated many of the departments most experienced diplomats. Ergo, he has rocked the applecart rather early in his tenure. Yet the paradox must be that he has exercised good judgment on the most critical issues.

Pre-eminently, he had advised President Trump to accept and not repudiate the Paris climate accord, and thus plough a lonely furrow in international relations. Unlike Mr Trump once more, Mr Tillerson has lent support to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, has stood by the Iran nuclear deal, has toned tone down the loose rhetoric on North Korea, has adopted a robust stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine, and has defused the spat between Qatar and Saudi Arabia that President Trump had helped instigate. Mr Tillersons policy on a welter of contentious issues has been concordant with the certitudes of sound international relations. And yet President Trump repeatedly rejected the advice of the Secretary of State, to the point of embarrassing him with public contradictions. There is little doubt that the Presidents overarching intervention in foreign policy has over the past year eroded the Secretary of States credibility in the perspective of foreign governments. He will very probably be replaced by the CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, though not much is known of his expertise in diplomacy.
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Dec 3 (PTI) The US is not satisfied with Pakistans cooperation in the war against terror as it has not done "anything significant" to rein-in the Taliban and the Haqqani network and destroy their sanctuary on its territory as part of its promise, a senior White House official has said.

He also termed the release of Mumbai-terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed as "a step backward" in that direction.

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The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was "not an indication" of Islamabads co- operation with the US in the war against terrorism.

Based on the intelligence shared by the US, in October, the Pakistan Army rescued Caitlan Coleman, her husband Joshua Boyle and their three children after five years of their abduction by terrorists having ties to the Afghan Taliban from the mountainous Kurram Valley region, bordering Afghanistan.

"Our diplomatic pressure, as well as our own intelligence agencies diligent work led to the release of the Coleman family. So, I am not sure if that qualifies as step forward (by Pakistan as part of the South Asia Strategy announced by President Donald Trump in August)," the official told PTI.

"We are happy that the Colemans are free and that they have been released. But we are still waiting to see Pakistan take steps to rein in the Taliban and the Haqqani network. We are not satisfied that they have done anything significant on this front," he said.

The US, the official said, has now a different approach to Pakistan. "We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory".

Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

"But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognise that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldnt necessarily occur overnight.

"But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take," he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said.

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"But, I dont think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And were still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan," he added.

The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on "genuine" peace process, as it is not interested in talks for talks sake.

"We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we dont believe theyll be ready for talks.

"They will continue to believe that they can advance on the battlefield rather than on the negotiating table," he said, adding "so, we need to see Pakistan ensures that they dont have a sanctuary within Pakistan. And only at that time we assess that theyll really be ready for genuine negotiations with the Afghan government".

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The the White House official, however, refused to give any time line for actions on Pakistan, saying he thinks that it would not be helpful.

"But I just want to assure you that that we are thinking in terms of timelines and we are monitoring the progress and we do expect meaningful actions in a certain time-frame and we are prepared to implement new policies and take different steps if we dont see some progress," he said. PTI LKJ SMJ AKJ SMJ

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A massive column of smoke and ash emanating from the Mount Agung volcano in Indonesias Bali Island for more than a week has reduced in size and experts have ruled out possible incidents concerning air transport on Sunday.

However, the island continues to remain on alert over a possible bigger eruption, reports Efe news.

The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (Australia) said the cloud of ash has diminished and airlines  such as Virgin Australia  that had until now cancelled their flights have resumed operations from Bali.

MAGMA, the national platform for information and coordination for volcanos and other disasters, said Agung was calm on the outside but much is going on inside.

The volcano observation centre in Rendang reported continuous light tremors in Agung, which continues to spew lava.

READ MORE: Bali airport closure extended following volcanic ash eruption

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has maintained the alert level at maximum as well as a 10-km safety radius around the volcano.

The number of people registered in emergency shelters has risen to 59,000, according to official figures. The authorities have calculated that between 90,000 and 100,000 are still living inside the security radius.

Many of those affected have sought shelter in the houses of relatives and friends while thousands have refused to leave the danger zone for economic or religious reasons.

The Ngurah Rai international airport was shut down from November 27 to 29 due to the cloud of smoke, which affected more than 100,000 passengers.

Located in the east of the island, in the district of Karangasem, Mount Agung is far from most tourist attractions.

The volcano is erupting for the first time since 1963, when the ejection of magma lasted almost a year and caused more than 1,100 deaths.

Bali is the main tourist destination in Indonesia, with an annual influx of around 5.4 million foreign tourists, according to official data.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the Chabahar Port, providing India a critical route to landlocked Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

Rouhani declared that the port, known as Shahid Behesti, once connected with the railway network, would play a big role not only in Irans development but also link Afghanistan and Central Asian countries with the high seas.

The ceremony at Chabahar was attended by Minister of State for Shipping P Radhakrishnan and representatives from over 15 other countries. The inauguration came a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a surprise stopover in Tehran while returning from the Russian city of Sochi after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. She held extensive talks with her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif on bilateral issues, particularly the Chabahar Port project in which India is a key player.

Iran is believed to have asked India to manage or operate the first phase of the port, until work for the second phase is finalised. The port is likely to boost trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the backdrop of Pakistans continued refusal to allow India access to Afghanistan through its territory.

Over a month ago, India had sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar Port. The Indian minister also represented the country at the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral meeting on the development of Chabahar Port. Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi and Afghanistan Trade and Commerce Minister Humayoon Rasaw led their delegations at the meeting.

The three countries reviewed the progress on the development of the port and reiterated their commitment to operationalise it at the earliest.

They also reiterated the decision to organise a connectivity event involving all stakeholders at Chabahar to increase awareness about the new opportunities offered by the port.
All nations should invest in resources to limit the detrimental impact of climate change, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari said on Sunday as she inaugurated an international conference here to draw attention towards the adverse effects of global warming in the Hindu Kush mountain range.

The four-day conference is attended by more than 300 experts from different countries of Asia including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar.

V K Saraswat, member of Indias Neeti foundation is leading the Indian delegation in the conference.

President Bhandari while addressing the conference said, The Hindu Kush Himalaya Region is the lifeline to tens of millions of people and the impact of climate change and other human activities are adversely affecting the entire region.

I believe that it is high time that nations invest resources to limit the detrimental impact of climate change and environmental degradation rather than spend money on areas that threaten human lives and resources, she said.

The conference will further augment conservation and development efforts in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, Minister for Environment of Nepal Mithila Chaudhary said.

It will strengthen the socio-economic well-being of communities from Myanmar in the east to Afghanistan in the west, and help conserve biodiversity and cultural diversity in the region, Chaudhary added.

The conference Resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya: Developing Solutions towards a Sustainable Future for Asia is being organised by Nepals Ministry for Environment in collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

As Hindu Kush Himalayan region stretches from Afghanistan to Myanmar and a quarter of humanity depend for water and other resources in the Himalayas, therefore, it is important to preserve the region for the future of humanity, observed David Molden, director general of ICIMOD said.
White House National Security Adviser (NSA) H.R. McMaster has said that North Korea represents the greatest immediate threat to the US and that the potential for war with Pyongyang was increasing every day, the media reported.

I think its increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem, McMaster told an audience on Saturday at the Reagan National Defence Forum in Simi Valley, California when asked if North Koreas launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on November 28 had increased the chance of war.

President Donald Trump remains committed to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, McMaster said, adding that there were non-military ways to deal with the issue, such as calling on China to impose greater economic sanctions against Pyongyang, reports CNN.

McMaster noted that Beijings tremendous coercive economic power over North Korea.

There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because hes (Kim Jong-un) getting closer and closer, and theres not much time left, McMaster said.

With every missile launch or nuclear test, Kim has improved his countrys capabilities, McMaster said.

Were asking China not to do us or anybody else a favour Were asking China to act in Chinas interest, as they should, and we believe increasingly that its in Chinas urgent interest to do more.

China should take unilateral action to cut off North Korean oil imports, CNN quoted McMaster as saying.

He said that both he and Trump felt that a 100 per cent oil embargo would be appropriate at this point.

But the NSA said Kim was extremely unlikely to change his behaviour without some significant new actions in the form of much more severe sanctions and complete enforcement of the sanctions that are in place.

On military options, McMaster acknowledged that given North Koreas fielding of conventional artillery and rockets aimed at Seoul, South Korea, theres no military course of action that comes without risk.

But he said that Pyongyangs actions had made Americas alliances with Japan and South Korea stronger than ever.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Light snow this morning. Then remaining cloudy this afternoon. High 32F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Some clouds. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 20F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.


remaining of

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Organisation: Zoe

Recruitment

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

Zoe Recruitment is an HR consultancy company that exists to contribute

to the transformation of productivity and work ethic, by linking talent to

business/organizations, and placing people right. At Zoe we believe this then

forms the foundation for sustainable business and on a larger scale, economic

growth. Zoe would like to recruit for a valuable client, an aggregator, a

technology provider linking active boda-boda riders to potential customers through

an App. The client has partners from New Zealand and Indonesia and rolling out

in Africa.

Job Summary: The Office

Manager will lead a small team and will support account reconciliation,

recruitment of team members (Office) and control the day-to-day operations of

the office



Key Duties and Responsibilities:



Check the accounts that the admin assistant has

prepared each day and then load the data on the online banking portal for

disbursements.



Work closely with On-boarding Manager and

Trainer to ensure the training schedules are implemented.



Recruitment and training of office staff.



Review customer complaints and respond

accordingly.



Ensure the admin assistants follow the SOP for

the Boda documentation.



Attend weekly and monthly leadership meetings

and to contribute effectively.



Ensure the filing are as per the SOP.



Ensure the training document are reviewed and

signed off at the end of each training.



Ensure petty cash is checked each week and

signed off.



Ensure the leave rosters of employees at office

are maintained.

Key Performance Indicators:



100% of all new on boarded be trained and

certified



Customer complaints not to exceed 0.01% of total

rides



100% attendance for all leadership meetings



Meet 100% of refresher trainings planned for the

month



100% completion of documentation for all

training sessions to be completed within the next 24 hours











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:



The applicant for the Office Manager should

preferably hold a bachelors degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related

field.



At least four to five years of experience as a

Senior Supervisor or Office Manager.



Computer literacy i.e. comfortable using Ms.

Office.



Worked in small team.



Touchtyping.



Previous experience in reconciling accounts.



Familiarity with business principles and

practices with superior attention todetails.



Excellent communication skills, proficient in

English, Swahili and Luganda.



Age: Below 35 years.

How to Apply:



updated CVs to

with subject line indicated as Office Manager. All suitably qualified and interested candidates should E-mail theirupdated CVs to jobs@zoerecruitmentug.com with subject line indicated as Office Manager.

th

December 2017 Deadline: 8December 2017
On a bright, sunny afternoon here in the old world milieu of Chandni Chowk, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor took a moment from shooting for his new movie Rajma Chawal, to talk about how 'blessed' he feels to be getting a chance to essay meaty and lovely roles that suit his age.

"I am blessed that I am still getting lovely work. I am really enjoying my work," Rishi said amidst the hustle bustle on the set in old Delhi.

"Being an actor, I should take any challenge, any role or any kind of work. Sometimes, the films work... Sometimes, they don't work. That doesn't worry me. But I am happy to do any kind of role which comes to me. Even at this age, getting good roles is a great news for me. Any role which challenges me as an actor, I like to do it," added the 65-year-old.

Son of late legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Rishi had his big breakthrough in Bollywood with 1973 film Bobby. Since then, he went on to play a mixed bag of positive and negative characters in movies like Amar Akbar Anthony, Karz, Prem Rog, Chandni, Bol Radha Bol, Do Dooni Chaar, Agneepath and Kapoor & Sons.

Tracing his journey, Rishi said: "I am not typecast (as an actor). I am ready for everything. I have done negative, positive and even funny roles. That's what every actor needs to do to bring variety. Then only he will be called a good actorhe should be able to tackle any kind of role."

His new film Rajma Chawal, being shot in the interiors of Chandni Chowkeven with few locals as the extrasis on a father-son relationship and shines the spotlight on generation gap-related conflicts.

Directed by Parched fame Leena Yadav, the film will feature Rishi as the father and debutant Anirudh Tanwar as his son. It will also have actress Amyra Dastur.

As he went gaga over the warmth and hospitality of the local residents here, Rishi spoke about what tempted him to take up Rajma Chawal.

"I wanted to work with Leena. I liked the ambience and where the story was being toldthe whole beauty of Chandni Chowk. I did it once with Delhi-6... The triumph of this project is that we are shooting the whole film in Chandni Chowk."

Going down the memory lane, he said: "As a kid, I remember going to Jama Masjid and eating lots of food here. If you ask me, I would dare (any actor) to come in here with these kind of peopleif any actor will come here, he will be mobbed."

"But here, the arrangements are terrific and the people of Chandni Chowk have been really cooperative. They have been very nice and lovely. They are also helping us in shooting and are even working as extras. We have shot a lot outside too on streets," he added.

Being the foodie that he is, he has also been relishing the yummy delights that old Delhi is famous for.

"I have been having food from every restaurant. By the way, today I have ordered Rajma Chawal from a shop. Everyday there is something newchaat, samosa, jalebi, and I don't remember what all. I have been having all kinds of food from different places," he said.

Apart from this film, Rishi will next be seen in 102 Not Out with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

IANS
Reacting to Gandhinagar archbishop Thomas Macwan's appeal to Christians to save the country from "nationalist forces", Modi said those who are releasing such fatwas should see govt's effort who got Father Tom back from ISIS captivity.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reacted for the first time to Gandhinagar archbishop Thomas Macwan's appeal to Christians to save the country from "nationalist forces", saying those who are releasing fatwas against 'nationalists' should see govt's effort who got Father Tom back from ISIS captivity.

PM Modi tweeted, "Those who are releasing Fatwas against 'nationalists' should see the effort we undertook to get Father Tom back. Father Tom was guided by his love for Lord Christ and was working. We got Father Tom back. We also got back Father Prem, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan."

Those who are releasing Fatwas against 'nationalists' should see the effort we undertook to get Father Tom back. Father Tom was guided by his love for Lord Christ and was working. We got Father Tom back. We also got back Father Prem, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan: PM- narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 3, 2017

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Father Tom Uzhannalil was held captive by ISIS for over a year. The Catholic priest from Kerala was allegedly abducted from Yemen by ISIS on March 4, 2016.

PM Modi further said he was surprised to see a man associated with spirituality release a diktat saying remove the nationalist forces from power.

I was surprised to see a man of associated with spirituality release a Diktat saying remove the nationalist forces from power. It is Rashtra Bhakti that transcends all barriers and it is what guides us to help every Indian, in every part of India and the world: PM @narendramodi- narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 3, 2017

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) had issued a noticeto the archbishop of Gandhinagar for asking Christians to pray to save the country from "nationalist forces" in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly polls. He has been asked to clarify his intention behind issuing such a letter.

In a letter to the "eminences, graces and lordships" of the churches throughout the country, the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar has exhorted them to pray for the defeat of the "nationalist forces".

The letter dated November 21 and carrying the signature of Archbishop of Gandhinagar Thomas Macwan states that the Christians are aware that the secular and democratic fabric of our country is at stake.

"Human rights are being violated. The constitutional rights are being trampled. Not a single day goes without an attack on our churches, church personnel, faithful or institutions," the Archbishop said.

--- ENDS ---
The much celebrated Jimikki Kammal is back to the news, this time with a stink of controversy. The video of three hijab-clad Kerala girls dancing for the popular track at a public place has gone viral on social media, drawing ire of religious fundamentalists, who accused the girls of insulting Islam.

The flash mob was reportedly held in the Muslim majority Malappuram district on December 1 as part of an AIDS awareness campaign. The video was shared widely on social media, but most of the posts were critical of the girls and their families, terming them as a 'curse for religion'.

While some of the fundamentalists predicted the 'end of the world', some others went on to claim that the act of these girls had caused the cyclone Ockhi which recently battered the Kerala coast leaving a trail of destruction.

This was what happened in Malappuram today. Fortunately there was no tsunami... End of the world comes closer, read a caption along with the video.

Image source: Facebook

Another post said: It seems there is no space in their homes to tie them down, so they were left free.

However, the video has been well received by another section which saw it as a wave of change in the Muslim community.
The rise in the growth rate to the moderately satisfactory 6.3 per cent from the depressingly low 5.7 per cent is good news for the BJP at a time when the prime minister reminded the audience at a function organised by a media house about former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's observation about the negativism which generally marked newspapers and magazines.

Narendra Modi's case for a more positive outlook in the media and the country will seem more credible in the context of the latest growth figures if only they highlight the mistake of those like former finance minister Yashwant Singh of the BJP, who have been lamenting (perhaps with a touch of schadenfreude) about the economy's free fall.

As Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said, the country's emergence from the recent slump means that it has got over the twin blows of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which were expected by Modi's critics to spell his doom.

The turn for the better in the economy has come at the right time for the BJP when its frenetic campaigning in Gujarat with Modi addressing 30 meetings in a fortnight and with as many as 40 cabinet ministers camping in the state, pointed to a measure of uneasiness in the party about its prospects in what is widely regarded as its bailiwick.

However, considering that the BJP's success in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh is almost a foregone conclusion, one can say that the rise in the growth rate will not make much of a difference to the outcome. All that it can do is to dampen some of the ardour of the ruling party's opponents.

Even then, the point remains that the BJP will face its real challenge not in Gujarat or Himachal Pradesh this month, but in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh next year. It is in those elections, where the BJP will encounter the anti-incumbency factor, that it will become clear whether the rise in the growth rate has helped the party or is of little consequence.

The reason for the doubts is that it is not clear to what extent the unemployment problem will be mitigated by the climbing growth rate in these days of automation and artificial intelligence.

Equally uncertain is the quantum of the impact on the BJP's hopes as a result of the prevailing tension and uncertainty caused by the crime rateespecially the safety of women and even children.

The effect of the rampaging Hindutva hardliners declaring bounties on the heads of actors and directors is another unknown factor whose effect will be known only after the votes are counted.

Up till now the BJP has been sitting pretty because its "vikas" (development) plank still has many takers even if it hasn't made a perceptible dent on the unemployment scene. In addition, Modi's personal popularity remains high because of his oratorical skills and the impression he conveys about the seriousness of his intent to take the country forward.

In contrast, his opponents lack an agenda which can have an inspiring effect and are bereft of leaders capable of drawing enthusiastic crowds although Rahul Gandhi is showing signs of the old Nehruvian appeal.

The opposition depends therefore on, first, the economy continuing to be sluggish and, secondly, on the Hindutva hotheads creating a ruckus. But such an approach is obviously a negative one, as is also banking on the anti-incumbency factor to undermine the BJP-run state governments. There is little hope, therefore, for the opposition if it cannot adopt a positive attitude with a clear projection of the kind of India which it envisages.

For the BJP, on the other hand, it is a tug-of-war between vikas and the hotheads. As long as the economy shows signs of buoyancy, it can expect to be home and dry. It is of the utmost importance for it, therefore, to ensure that the recovery doesn't flag and that the country regains its status as the fastest-growing economy in the world.

At the same time, the party cannot allow the loonies in its ranks, who include ministers, to run amok. It does not reflect well on a government when the apex court has to direct the states to check cow vigilantes or tell senior politicians in the ruling dispensation to keep their mouths shut on yet-to-be released films lest they influence the censor board.

As it is, the impression persists that the government is not too comfortable with the autonomy of established institutions as could be seen from the official directive to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that students and teachers did not miss Modi's "life changing" speech on the occasion of Deen Dayal Upadhyay's centenary celebrations and Swami Vivekananda's 125th birth anniversary last September.

If the government does not want the UGC, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and other autonomous bodies to become "caged parrots", as the Supreme Court once called the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), then it has to desist from enforcing regimentation and stopping the saffron extremists from targeting artistes and all those who are not with the BJP. Otherwise, growth rate alone will not prevent the erosion of its popularity.

IANS
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rajkot in the poll-bound Gujarat, an incident violence was reported from Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's constituency on Saturday night.

Congress candidate Indraneel Rajyaguru, who is taking on Rupani in the polls from Rajkot (West) and Mitul Donga, Congress candidate from Rajkot (East), were detained and later released.

It all began over pasting of posters at Brahm Samaj Chowk. Rajyaguru's younger brother Divyaneel was attacked allegedly by a BJP worker identified as Raju Dangar. Divyaneel was admitted to a private hospital.

Indraneel and Donga were arrested when angry Congress workers protested outside Rupani's house in Prakash Society. The police had to also resort to lathi-charge to control the crowd.

After his release, Indraneel claimed that Rupani was scared of his defeat and that is the reason he has urged the prime minister to increase campaigning in the state.

State Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki condemned the incident and said it was now clear how the BJP was functioning in the state.

Sources said Indraneel has organised a parallel meeting in Rajkot on Sunday evening. Indraneel claimed that there would be more crowd at his meeting than the prime minister's event.

Indraneel, sitting MLA from Rajkot (East), is the richest candidate in fray. He changed his seat by request to take on the chief minister head on.
A team of NIA and Uttar Pradesh Police was attacked by a mob early on Sunday when it raided a village in Ghaziabad district to arrest a suspected arms supplier linked to the killing of Punjab RSS leader Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana, officials said.

Constable Tahzib Khan suffered a leg injury when the mob pelted the raiding team with stones and even fired at them in Nahali village in Pilkhuwa area, following which officials too fired in the air. The team had gone looking for arms supplier Malook.

The mob also damaged an official vehicle in stone-pelting.

"We raided the village on a tip-off about some suspects who supplied firearms to the suspects who killed Gosain," a National Investigation Agency official told IANS.

The official said a large crowd of both men and women tried to obstruct the team.

"Some people even started firing, followed by stone-pelting. The mob also set up multiple roadblocks to obstruct officials from discharging their duties. In self-defence, Uttar Pradesh Police and NIA men also fired in the air," the official said.

Police meanwhile said during investigation, an arms supplier's name was found and to nab him, the NIA conducted raids in Meerut from where it found a further lead that the arms supplier who had actually supplied the weapons was Malook, son of Shokeen, resident of Nahali under Bhojpur police station of Ghaziabad rural.

The Bhojpur police registered an FIR against unidentified men for the attack and later one of the men involved was arrested. He was identified as Nazim, said a police source.

The NIA said it is questioning suspects Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh regarding the murder of Gosain, 60, who was shot dead on October 17 near his house while returning after a morning RSS meeting.

The NIA took over the case from Punjab Police following a November 16 order by the Home Ministry.

The killing was the latest in a series of murderous attacks on right-wing and religious leaders in Punjab.

The NIA had re-registered a FIR for murder and other offences under the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act.
White House National Security Adviser (NSA) H.R. McMaster has said that North Korea represents "the greatest immediate threat to the US" and that the potential for war with Pyongyang was increasing every day, the media reported.



"I think it's increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem," McMaster told an audience on Saturday at the Reagan National Defence Forum in Simi Valley, California when asked if North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on November 28 had increased the chance of war.



President Donald Trump remains committed to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, McMaster said, adding that there were non-military ways to deal with the issue, such as calling on China to impose greater economic sanctions against Pyongyang, reported the media.



McMaster noted that Beijing's "tremendous coercive economic power" over North Korea.



"There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he's (Kim Jong-un) getting closer and closer, and there's not much time left," McMaster said.



With every missile launch or nuclear test, Kim has improved his country's capabilities, McMaster said.



"We're asking China not to do us or anybody else a favour... We're asking China to act in China's interest, as they should, and we believe increasingly that it's in China's urgent interest to do more."



China should take unilateral action to cut off North Korean oil imports, the media quoted McMaster as saying.



He said that both he and Trump felt that a 100 per cent oil embargo would "be appropriate at this point".



But the NSA said Kim was extremely unlikely to change his behaviour "without some significant new actions in the form of much more severe sanctions" and "complete enforcement of the sanctions that are in place".



On military options, McMaster acknowledged that given North Korea's fielding of conventional artillery and rockets aimed at Seoul, South Korea, "there's no military course of action that comes without risk".



But he said that Pyongyang's actions had made America's alliances with Japan and South Korea "stronger than ever".
George Bernard Shaw once said that "England and America are two countries separated by the same language". When the UN conference on the Montreal Protocol on the substances that deplete the ozone layer ended in Montreal on November 24, albeit in the wee hours of November 25, I thought this could also be said for Paris and Montreal, not only because of the French language but also the agreements signed there on global action on the climate.



The UN meeting in Montreal celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the success of the phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). The meeting in Bonn a week before, after its 25 years of global efforts, was still wondering how to even finalise the rulebook to stabilise the climate and keep the temperature rise to not more than to 2 degrees Celsius before 2100, while making efforts to limit that rise to 1.5 degrees  the objective of the Paris Climate Agreement.



While US President Donald Trump is walking out of the keenly-negotiated Paris pact, he has surprisingly decided to support the Montreal Protocol, including its 2.0 version that now includes full-blast action against climate change. He has even agreed to take a nearly 25 per cent share of funding of over $500 million pledged by the developed countries to provide to the developing countries. The deal to provide $500 million over the next three years for the purpose was sealed in Montreal last week.



It was warm news in the freezing temperatures at Montreal in contrast to the cold winds blowing from the Bonn climate conference.



The extraordinary success story of the Montreal Protocol never seems to have a full stop. Though Trump never tweeted about it, this multilateral environmental accord, brokered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1987, was signed by the Republican President Ronald Reagan and fully supported by the Democrats.



Under the treaty, developed countries pledged all the incremental financial support to the developing countries during their transition away from ODS. More importantly, that pledge was honoured year after year without interruption, even during the global financial crisis. It has now reached a cumulative amount of $3.5 billion.



Developing countries responded by implementing the transition to ozone-friendly technologies. The protocol has already achieved its goal of phasing out nearly 100 percent of millions of tonnes of more than 90 man-made ODSs like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), used mainly in refrigeration, air conditioning, foams and solvents. The factories producing these chemicals have literally shut down.



If the slogan "Yes We Can" has a real-life example, it is this one. In one single generation, these ozone depleting chemicals were invented, their catastrophic impact on the stratospheric ozone layer that shields life on the Earth was scientifically identified, global action to phase them out was agreed through an international agreement, developing countries were provided by the developed countries all the incremental costs and technologies  and the phase-out of these chemicals was achieved exactly on the targeted year and day.



Never before has such an astonishing chain of actions been triggered and taken to its completion.



Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called it "...the single-most successful international environmental agreement to date". Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, during the opening ceremony on November 24, called the Montreal Protocol "a testimony of the spirit of togetherness of nations and humans".



That "togetherness" has carried the Montreal Protocol's success beyond the phase-out of ODS. Major ODS like CFCs are also Green House Gases (GHGs). Thus, their phase-out under the Protocol has, as a side benefit, also resulted in the permanent cumulative emission reduction of GHGs to the extent of 130 giga tonnes equivalent of carbon dioxide by 2010, compared to just about one giga tonne of GHGs reduction aimed by 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. In reality, GHGs increased during this period.



While the Montreal Protocol did successful market transformation to an ozone-friendly world, the Kyoto Protocol remained fatally flawed. The 2015 Paris pact, a follow-up to the unfinished Kyoto Protocol, is still faltering and fudgy.



The "togetherness" highlighted by Solheim is conspicuous by its absence from climate agreements. However, it was ever evident under the Montreal Protocol. The latest achievement came when, in 2016, all 197 countries agreed to deploy the institutions nurtured under the Montreal Protocol for the last 30 years to now phase-down the deadly GHG -- hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)  some of which are more than 10,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The developed countries, led by the US, pledged financial and technology support.



That was an unprecedented decision, because the seminal objective of the Montreal Protocol was to get rid of ODS and not GHGs. "It was like using Non-Proliferation Treaty for nuclear weapons to control the trade in drugs and crime," said an African environmental law expert, commenting on the decision in Kigali. The Montreal Protocol, in other words, was used as a "surrogate mother" to carry the seeds of the Paris pact to deliver a climate-friendly baby.



There are two-fold reasons for that unusual action: First, HFCs were introduced as substitute for CFCs and other ODS due to their zero-ozone depleting potential. The countries therefore considered that getting away from HFCs would correct their unintended error and contribute to mitigation of climate change. Second, the developed countries agreed to the incremental funding for the developing countries for their -- yet another -- transformation from HFCs to non-HFCs.



Thus, the Montreal Protocol has now entered its version 2.0 and became the treaty to reduce the emissions of the most potent global warming gas  HFC  which, incidentally, is also one of the six groups of the GHGs under the Paris pact.



Developed countries will start reducing HFCs as early as 2019, while developing countries will start later. Phasing down HFCs under the Protocol is expected to avoid up to 0.5 degrees of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer. If the energy efficiency improvements due to use of non-HFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning appliances are taken into account, then the avoided warming would be even more. That will be equivalent of achieving at least 25 per cent of the objective of the Paris pact.



The world should now concede some cool points to President Trump and his administration amidst the warming and hot chaos.



 IANS
About 5,000 protesters gathered on December 2 in front of the Utah State Capitol against a plan proposed by the federal government to shrink two national monuments in the state.



It was reported that the plan would be announced by US President Donald Trump when he visits Utah next Monday, the media reported.



The rally was organised by Utah Dine Bikeyah, a non-profit and grassroots Native American organization working to protect and preserve cultural uses of public lands by tribes in southern Utah.



These tribes are collaboratively managing Bears Ears National Monument in the state, the first truly Native American national monument, so that they have showed their strong opposition against the plan to reduce the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.



The two monuments were designated by former presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively.



Documents obtained by The Washington Post suggested that Bears Ears would be reduced by 85 per cent, from 1.35 million acres (5,463 square kilometres) to 201,397 acres (815 square kilometres), while Grand Staircase-Escalante was to be halved from nearly 1.9 million acres (7,689 square kilometres) to 997,490 acres (4,037 square kilometres).



Trump is scheduled to visit Utah on Monday and deliver a speech at the Capitol, local media predicted that he would officially announce the decision to shrink size of the two monuments.
A day after graffiti calling for Death to Kikes appeared on the wall of the Hesed Shpira Jewish social-services building in Uzhgorod, Western Ukraine, Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendy Wilhelm awoke to find a threatening anti-Semitic slur spray-painted on the wall of his synagogue and Jewish community center in the same city.

We remember 1932-1933, reads the graffiti. Take revenge.

The threat refers to the 1932-33 Soviet-engineered famine in Ukraine, which killed 3.9 million people and is known as Holodomor. The graffiti appeared on the Hesed building on Nov. 25, which is Ukraines official Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Holodomor. Although great numbers of Jews died during the famines caused by Stalins policy of forced collectivization, it is a common anti-Semitic trope to blame the Jews for the events of those years.

We have a community, a preschool, Torah classes . . . we need to do something about this, says Wilhelm. There are children here constantly; its frightening.

In reaction to the threat, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, allocated funds to Uzhgorods Jewish community to immediately upgrade its security measures.

Wilhelm, who moved together with his family from the United States to Ukraine five years ago, says something feels different about these recent threats.

The fact that there have been two such threats, it seems theyre sending a message, says the rabbi. The government needs to understand that this is very serious.

We are monitoring the situation in the city and doing everything possible to ensure security and protection for the Uzhgorod community, said Daniel Gordon, outreach director of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, in a statement. We call upon the police to find [the perpetrators] as quickly as possible.

We have a community, a preschool, Torah classes . . . we need to do something about this, says Rabbi Mendy Wilhelm. There are children here constantly; its frightening.

Redoubling Efforts to Grow Jewish Life

Just prior to World War II, Uzhgorodknown by its Hungarian name of Ungvarwas home to nearly 10,000 Jews, or nearly 30 percent of its population. Most of Ungvars Jews were killed in the Holocaust, and the city became a part of the Soviet Union following the war.

Last year, also on Holodomor memorial day, Uzhgorods Holocaust memorial was defaced with red paint and anti-Semitic flyers.

Despite current fears, Wilhelm says that in addition to security, his communitys response will be to redouble their efforts to grow Jewish life in the region. With Chanukah coming up, he plans on once again erecting a giant menorah in Uzhgorods city center, not far from its old historic synagogue (today used as a philharmonic hall), and gathering even more people to attend to lighting. He will also be conducting Chanukah programs in towns with Jewish populations throughout the Zakarpattia region, including Khust, Mukachevo (Munkatch) and Vynohradiv.

I am meeting new Jews here every week, says Wilhelm. Theres a lot of work to do here, and although were taking the necessary precautions, were not going to let such threats stop us.

Source: Chabad.org
By PTI: Rajkot, Dec 2 (PTI) Police detained three Congress workers tonight outside the residence of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani here when a mob of opposition party workers rushed there, after brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in scuffle with BJP workers.

Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

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Police also indulged in baton charge to disperse the mob. Rupani is contesting polls from his Rajkot West seat against Rajyaguru. Elections will be held in Rajkot on December 9.

"Scuffle broke out between Congress and BJP workers over the issue of tearing of posters. Brother of Rajyaguru, Deep was injured in the the scuffle," Joint Commissioner of police Dipak Bhatt told reporters.

Injured Congress workers were taken to City private hospital.

"Rajyaguru with a large group of Congress workers rushed to the residence of Rupani. We tried to reason it out with him but they wanted to take law in their hand," Bhatt said.

"We have detained three people so far", he said adding that they used necessary force to control the situation.

Rupani was at his residence when the incident took place. Heavy police security has been put in place at the residence of the chief minister. PTI VJA PD AJR

--- ENDS ---
Lingerie tycoon and Bitcoin fan Michelle Mone is predicting the value of the virtual currency will rocket to $100,000  ten times its current value.

Baroness Mone and her boyfriend, businessman Doug Barrowman, revealed plans in September to sell 192million worth of luxury Dubai apartments in Bitcoin  a first for the property market.

Mone, who founded the Ultimo lingerie brand, told The Mail on Sunday she has already sold a number of apartments in Bitcoin.

Hunch: Michelle Mone says Bitcoin will continue to soar

She said she thinks the price of Bitcoin still has a long way to go in terms of upward value, adding: I wouldnt be surprised to see it hit $100,000 per coin over the next few years.

Bitcoin surged past $10,000 last week as the frenzy surrounding it hit fever pitch, but experts warned it was a bubble that could soon burst.

Dr Garrick Hileman, of Cambridge University, said: Some scepticism frankly is needed. Theres clearly a mania thats gripped people. If the market turns  and at some point it probably will  people can get hurt pretty badly.

Mones prediction came as Lincoln Townley, an artist to Hollywood stars, said he is accepting Bitcoin for his latest collection.

Colour of money: Lincoln Townley, with his portrait of Ronaldinho, will accept Bitcoin

It is thought to be the first time this has happened in the art world. Referring to Bitcoins 900 per cent rise this year, he said: I see this going through the roof.
A high-flying executive who became one of the most prominent female bosses in the banking crisis has been tipped to become the new head of the London Stock Exchange.

British-born Blythe Masters, 48, a former finance chief at Wall Street bank JP Morgan, has been identified as a possible candidate amid an unseemly row that has led to the sudden departure of Xavier Rolet after eight years as chief executive.

He dramatically left last week following an intervention from the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney.

New role?: Blythe Masters could take over at the London Stock Exchange

It had been announced in October that Rolet would be departing, but possibly not until the end of 2018.

On Tuesday, Carney stepped in, calling for clarity as soon as possible over the struggle for control of the exchange between Rolet, backed by a major shareholder, and LSE chairman Donald Brydon.

Now numerous market sources contacted by The Mail on Sunday have identified Masters as a possible replacement for Rolet.

They say her deep understanding of financial markets would make her the perfect candidate to run the exchange.

Masters is currently chief executive of financial technology business Digital Asset, having stepped down from her 27-year JP Morgan career in 2014.

The Cambridge economics graduate had a brush with controversy over her role at JP Morgan in helping to create complex credit derivatives that were central to the 2008 meltdown.

US investor Warren Buffett once described derivatives as financial weapons of mass destruction.

Ousted: Xavier Rolet had the backing of Sir Christopher Hohn (left)

She retorted that it was the misuse rather than design of instruments such as credit default swaps  which proliferated on an industrial scale  that caused problems, much as poor workmen tend to blame their tools.

Others linked to the role include Tory Euro-MP Kay Swinburne, a former banker, and Tim Howell, a former chief executive of Euroclear, a firm that settles payments.

The timing of the Rolet row could hardly be worse for the LSE and the City of London, which is seen as one of the most vulnerable sectors from Brexit.

Rolet was pro-Remain in the lead-up to last years EU referendum. Since the vote, the 58-year-old Frenchman has fought vocally to protect Londons dominance of the euro clearing market.

He has also been central to a controversial, Government-endorsed effort to encourage oil giant Saudi Aramco to list its shares in London.

Mark Field, Conservative MP for the City of London, has urged the LSE to find a resolution as soon as possible.

He told The Mail on Sunday: Whilst I understand the reasons for his moving sooner rather than later  given this big, very public row among senior people within the London Stock Exchange  I think its regrettable that he isnt at the helm to see us through the Brexit negotiations.

The LSE has appointed headhunters from Egon Zehnder to find a replacement.

To complicate matters for the LSE, Brydon is facing a vote called by a Rolet supporter to unseat him from the chairmanship.

The challenge has come from billionaire hedge fund manager Sir Christopher Hohn, whose investment firm, The Childrens Investment Fund (TCI), owns 5 per cent of LSE shares. After the LSE announced that Rolet would be stepping down before the end of 2018, TCI suggested that Brydon had in fact forced Rolet to quit as chief executive. It demanded his reinstatement.

In an effort to appease shareholders upset by the handling of Rolets exit, Brydon, 72, said last week he would leave in 2019. But Hohn remains unhappy and has opted to push ahead with the vote.

The LSE has been forced to call a meeting of shareholders on December 19 to vote on the proposal to remove Brydon, who has been chairman of the board since 2015.

Hohn, 51, is understood to be confident he has enough investor backing to oust Brydon.

Crisis: The LSE has been forced to call a meeting of shareholders on December 19 to vote on the proposal to remove chairman Donald Brydon

TCI, which is considering putting forward its own candidates for the chairmanship, will put pressure on Brydon at the LSEs annual general meeting next year if it is unsuccessful in removing him this month.

A source said that Brydons handling of the Rolet saga meant he was already a lame duck chairman. The source added that it was an embarrassment for the LSE that the Bank of Englands Carney, rather than Brydon himself, had effectively sacked Rolet. Roger Barker, head of corporate governance at the Institute of Directors, suggested Brydon and the LSE board have fumbled and not covered themselves in glory.

However the Financial Conduct Authority has backed Brydon to remain until 2019, as did one top 20 shareholder spoken to by the Mail On Sunday.

A source close to the LSE board suggested Rolet, unhappy with his departure, seems to have endorsed TCIs actions.

Rolet is understood to deny collusion with Hohn and, after signing a confidentiality agreement, has not commented other than to describe recent publicity as unwelcome.

David Warren, the LSE finance boss who was made interim chief executive last week, is another leading contender to succeed Rolet.

Other in-house contenders are chief operating officer Chris Corrado and information services boss Mark Makepeace.
Tekriwal also alleged that when they called the PCR, it took more than 15 minutes to arrive and then refused to file a complaint.

By Ilma Hasan, Arvind Ojha: In a shocking turn of events in the Pradyuman Thakur murder case, Sushil K Tekriwal the counsel representing Pradyuman's family has alleged that the police assaulted him and his wife and threatened them to leave the case.

The incident is said to have taken place at 8:30 PM on Saturday night when Tekriwal had gone out for dinner with his family.

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According to a letter written Tekriwal to the Commissioner of Police, the couple had gone for dinner with their 14-year-old son near Hotel Ashoka. As they were standing in the premise of Hotel Ashoka, three policemen came in a gypsy and started attacking Tekriwal.

"The constable put his gun towards us and Inspector Yadav groped me, attacked me, assaulted me, thrashed me, kicked from inside by butt and boot and I was down on the earth and attempted to kill from the gun. He screamed that both of us will be killed since we are dealing with Ryan Murder Case/Pradhyumn Case and threatened to leave the case otherwise we will be subjected to dire consequences," Tekriwal wrote.

He said that even after introducing himself as a Supreme Court lawyer the policemen did not stop.

Meanwhile, Tekriwal asked his wife to take a video of the entire incident. As Dr Mamta Tekriwal was shooting the video, one of the policemen allegedly assaulted her.

Tekriwal also alleged that when they called 100, the PCR took more than 15 minutes to arrive and then refused to file a complaint. He said that the entire incident has been recorded on the CCTV.

Sushil Tekriwal identified one of the police officers as Sanjiv Kumar Yadav from the name plate on his uniform.

The Delhi Police has issued a statement stating that Sushil Tekriwal was breaching the area during VVIP movement and when he was asked to wait for a few minutes he misbehaved with the police.

According to the police, "the advocate further threatened to sue the inspector. The woman also misbehaved in continuation. They also tried to scare by shooting video on mobile phone. Police was just performing its mandated duties".

Pradhyumn Thakur was found murdered in the washroom of Ryan International School in Gurugram on September 8 following which a bus conductor, Ashok was arrested. A month later, a Class 11 student was detained for the murder and the bus conductor was released after investigation by the CBI.

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MBABANE  Seeing what appears to be pit latrine toilets built in the capital citys central business district (CBD) has led to worries among some Mbabanes residents.



The toilets are situated inside premises of a car wash business owned by the newly-elected Mbabane Mayor and long-serving Councillor Sikhatsi Dlamini.

There are concerns that bad odour from the toilets could create discomfort for shoppers since the car wash is placed not far from The Mall shopping centre, the Karalyn Centre and the Portuguese Club  all of which are busy establishments.



The toilets are used by a number of people who come to have their cars washed or to play pool as the premises also play host to pool games that draw large crowds.

There are people who, after doing their shopping, go to relax and eat in the area behind The Mall, yet this is close to the car wash and the toilets, said one concerned Mbabane resident.

Another concern raised was that the toilets structure was not suitable to be in the middle of the city, but in residential areas, especially townships.



However, the Municipal Council of Mbabane has moved quickly to clarify that these were not pit latrine toilets but dry composting toilets.

The Councils Information and Public Relations Officer Lucky Tsabedze, in the company of health inspectors, explained that the toilets were constructed in such a way that they do not emit bad odour.

If the toilets work normally, there should be no bad odour because the ventilation system was designed to control the smells emission, Tsabedze said.



He conceded that the toilets were the only ones situated inside town as most of them were in residential areas such as Msunduza Township, Makholokholo, Manzana and Mahwalala.

A structure of this nature is allowed in town. In this case, the structure was given the green light by council after building applications were made to council. But we need to educate the person responsible for the structure on how to take care of it, Tsabedze said.



According to the Urban Government Act of 1969, in respect of erection of buildings, If the local authority, having considered a building application is satisfied that the application in question complies with the requirements of the Building Act, any other applicable law and this bye-law, it shall grant its approval in respect thereof.
BETHANY  As dawn burst out of the night and lit up the sky, bringing a warm Saturday morning, a statesman was laid to rest in a funeral in full military honours.



Excited expectation was noted among those of us who were gathered at Bethany-Mbanana Army Barracks as we awaited the arrival of the remains of Brigadier General Roy Gideon Fonono Dube at the graveyard where army heroes are buried.



This was because for the first time, many of us present at the solemn ceremony witnessed a piece of history as the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force buried its second commander to ever lead the army in the country.

As we drove towards the grave yard, hundreds of neatly dressed members of the army in combat uniform, armed with rifles, lined the roadside, humming softly as they waited for the body of their former army leader.

We were ushered into specified parking areas and advised to find a spot where we would be able to watch the solemn proceedings as the army marched for about a kilometre on foot with Dubes casket to where he was to be laid to rest.

Baffled family members and members of the public huddled together, all wondering how the burial would be carried out.



The last time such a ceremony was carried out by the army was in 1979, when Major General Prince Maphevu and the first Commander of the USDF was buried at Mbanana Army Barracks.

For a moment, we all seemed to forget the seriousness of the unfolding event. All we could do was marvel at the uniform precision of the army officers as they marched sharply and briskly while the casket was carried by an army hearse.

Flags which bore importance to the USDF were also on display and officers partaking in the activities paid close attention to all instructions issued.



Lieutenant General Lenford Dlamini explained that the burial of Dube was with military honours. He said Dubes rank of Brigadier and the fact that he was an army commander demanded that he be buried in such a manner.

He explained that this is the second funeral of an army commander and he pointed out that Dube was being laid next to Prince Maphevu.

He retired from the force but we still called him Brigadier Dube and he was still considered a General. We are here to bury a general and army commander.



Many at that moment forgot that they had come to mourn the death of a loved one, all eyes were drawn to the splendid display by the army as they lovingly bade farewell to a man who was characterised by strong discipline and love.

As if to remind all those who were present why they were gathered at Mbanana Army Barracks, a man only identified as Mr. Mavuso wept hysterically after paying his last respects to the late Brigadier Dube.



It was later established that Mavuso had been a close ally of the late former army commander as he had been his driver for a number of years.

The inconsolable man forgot about the hundreds of mourners present and cried feverishly like a baby while his children tried to calm him down but in vain.



he Didnt belong to family



Seated on one of the roots of one of the trees surrounding Mbanana Army Barracks, senior members of the Dube family begrudgingly admitted that the late Brigadier Fonono Dube had never really belonged to them.

How will we perform traditional rituals to him, they whispered as they watched the army walk towards the graveyard with the late former army commanders remains in a casket.
MBABANE  Undisputedly, failure to stick to the letter of the law comes with lamentable consequences and a heavy price.



Nedbank Swaziland, which nearly shut down its operations in the kingdom, almost experienced this after it was allegedly busted by the Central Bank of Swaziland (CBS) for being in breach of the law.

This was in relation to the manner in which the bank handled financial transactions of Nigerian billionaire businessman Chief Benjamin Aghalieaku Arinze.



The central bank decided to institute an inquiry against Nedbank on three allegations that included failure to verify a customers identity and transactions, failure to monitor unusual transactions, and failure to report suspicious transactions.



On October 17, 2016, Central Bank Governor Majozi Sithole wrote to Nedbank Managing Director Fikile Nkosi, informing her of the inquiry following various correspondences and a targeted inspection conducted on July 21, 2016.

Sithole informed Nkosi that the Central Bank considered the allegations as unsafe and unsound practices in the conduct of your business.



The governor called upon Nkosi to show cause why the CBSshould not invoke the provisions of section 46 of the Financial Institutions Act No.6 of 2005 in relation to the allegations.

Nkosi was told that should she fail to respond within seven days, any of the courses of action outlined in section 46 of the FIA would be taken without further engagement with yourselves.



According to the Act, if the CBS has reasonable cause to believe that a financial institution or ally of its directors, officers, employees, controlling shareholders or connected persons has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, one of the courses of action to take, as outlined in section 46, is to revoke the licence of the institution to do banking business.

Sitholes letter forms part of attachments in court papers in the matter between Aghalieaku Airways, Nedbank and the Central Bank.



airways company seeking order

The airways company is seeking an order for Nedbank to unfreeze its bank account and release the money held in it.

The two banks are represented by senior lawyer Kenneth Motsa from Robinson Bertram.
MBABANE  In society, money drives pretty much everything. It is this much sought-after commodity that has driven Matsapha Town Council employees to report their employer to the Central Bank of Swaziland.

The employees are complaining that they are being cheated of their money through a loan scheme that was initiated by the Town Council.



Employees who spoke to the Times SUNDAY accused council of deducting money from their salaries in respect of the loan scheme but this money was not being remitted to Standard Bank as the financial institution that is responsible for financing the scheme.

For example, when you look at your pay slip at the end of the month you find it is reflected that E450 has been deducted for purposes of repaying your loan. However, when you go to the bank, you find that either E400 or nothing at all was remitted, one of the employees said.



The employee said this happened to most of his colleagues so much that they then decided to approach the bank to find out what was going on.

To our surprise, the bank told us that the money did not belong to it but council. This was strange because we dont believe council has the powers to lend out money. Where does council get these powers and to who does the money we pay go to? These are the questions that we had, the employee related.



The employees other gripe is that the scheme was not properly introduced to them but it was imposed by management.

The councils acting Chief Executive Officer Lucky Sukati confirmed knowledge of the employees grievances and said the loan scheme started operating in October 2013 having been initiated by council for the employees benefit.

At the time the scheme was initiated, the CEO was Gciniwe Fakudze who left the council after 13 years and joined new mobile telecommunications company Swazi Mobile as Chief Customer Executive.



When Sukati was asked how the Central Bank had intervened in the operations of the loan scheme, he said: The Central Bank corresponded with Standard Bank as the institution that council signed the MoU with for operating the scheme. The bank maybe is in a better position to state what the Central Bank instructed them to do in the scheme operation.

He said Standard Bank grants loans to Matsapha employees, which the employees pay through a deduction from source by the employer.














Citing records from different central agencies and institutions, the Congress leader pointed out that Gujarat was ranked third in human trafficking, fifth in acid attacks on women and 10th in rape of minor girls.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked his fifth question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the Gujarat polls, raising concerns over safety, health, education and crimes against women the state.

He accused Modi of making fake promises to the women of Gujarat where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power for the last 22 years and where rate of conviction in crimes against women is at a meagre 3 per cent.

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Citing records from different central agencies and institutions, the Congress leader pointed out that Gujarat was ranked third in human trafficking, fifth in acid attacks on women and 10th in rape of minor girls.

He asked Modi, who served as the Gujarat Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014, why female literacy rate had dropped from over 70 per cent in 2001 to 57 per cent in 2011.

"Why 'no justice for women' as only 3 per cent of those accused of crimes against women get convicted?," Gandhi tweeted.

"Why are two most important cities Ahmedabad and Surat ranked among the top 10 cities in crime against women in India.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education," he asked, pointing out that gross enrollment ratio of girl child is at 20.5 against national average of 23.5 (higher education).

Gandhi's question comes in the wake of the party's strategy to pose one question to Modi every day till the polling day on December 9.

He asked the Prime Minister about the women health issues in the state, pointing out that the maternal mortality rate had increased to 85 in the state, putting Gujarat "at number 11 among 15 states in reduction of MMR".

"Why 67 per cent mothers of new born child in the state are denied facility of free transportation in government ambulance?

"Why are 55 per cent women of the state anaemic?"

The Congress Vice-President on Saturday questioned Modi on the "extraction" of high fees from students by government educational institutes in Gujarat.

On Friday, he accused Modi of reducing the power generation capacity of government-owned power firms between 2012-16, while buying electricity from private players at a much higher rate.

Polling for the 182-member Gujarat assembly will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. The counting of votes will take place on December 18.

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COHOES  Efforts continued in Cohoes on Saturday to recover from fire that devastated the city's downtown Thursday.

At least 32 buildings were destroyed or damaged. The cost is expected to be in the millions of dollars.

On Saturday, passersby slowed down, stared and pointed as they walked or drove by the scene. The rubble at the site is now covered with a large, white tarp. Buildings across the street had boarded up windows and doors, and some entrances were blocked off with police tape.

Periodically, employees walked out and swept debris and rubble from the sidewalk, and the rest of the community is rallying to recover from the disaster.

How to help Pioneer Bank will be accepting monetary donations at all 22 branches in the Capital Region to support the Cohoes Fire Relief efforts. A newly-opened branch is located at 100 Mohawk St.

KeyBank will be accepting monetary donations at 72 Mohawk St.

CAP COM Federal Credit Union is accepted monetary donations at all branches, and also via mail to the "Cohoes Fire Vctim Fund" c/o CAP COM, 4 Winners Circle, Albany, NY 12205. See More Collapse

On Friday, Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse announced a partnership with community banks to collect donations in support of fire relief efforts. Pioneer Bank, Capital Communications Federal Credit Union and Key Bank ware "providing generous monetary donations to support those affected," and will be accepting donations as well, his statement says.

The Northeastern New York chapter of the American Red Cross has provided immediate emergency aid to 23 adults and three children affected by the fire. Financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing are part of that effort. Youngsters received stuffed toy animals as well as other support services.

The fire started at 228 Remsen Street Thursday afternoon. Authorities said John A. Gomes, 51, who lived there, was using a burn barrel to forge a blade, and is charged with arson and reckless endangerment. Gomes was jailed on $15,000 bail, which he has since paid.
By PTI: Ahmedabad, Dec 3 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "rashtrabhakti" motivated him and his government to help people of various faiths, including Christians, and dubbed as "fatwa" a letter issued by Gandhinagar archbishop.

The prime minister was referring to the letter issued last month by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from "nationalist forces".

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"I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a fatwa (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is Rashtrabhakti (nationalism) that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world," Modi said.

The prime minister was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating a hospital on the campus of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP).

He said it was a "matter of concern" if some people are opposing such values.

The priest had also said that "democratic fabric" of the country was at stake amidst growing "sense of insecurity" among minorities, which was viewed as a jibe at the ruling BJP.

Modi said his government had saved and rescued people of different faiths irrespective of their religion.

He also listed several examples wherein the central government had brought back Christian missionaries as well as nurses stranded in conflict zones across the world.

"Along with Indians, we have rescued citizens of almost 40 countries from Yemen, as they were stranded there due to war. We did not see their religion or language they speak. It was our nationalism and humanitarian values which guided us," the prime minister said.

Modi said he was raising the issue of nationalism because some people have challenged it.

"Our nurses from Kerala, mostly Christians, were stranded in Iraq. They were in the custody of terrorists. Can the prime minister or any citizen of India sleep in such situation, when our daughters are in custody of terrorists?" he asked.

In 2014, a total of 46 Indian nurses, who were held captive by the Islamic State militants in Iraq for about a month, were evacuated after the successful intervention by the Union government.

The prime minister also recalled how his government used "all resources" to bring back Keralite priest Tom Uzhunnalil who was freed after being kept in captivity suspectedly by the ISIS for 18 months in strife-torn Yemen.

"Father Tom (Uzhunnalil), also a Keralite, was abducted by terrorists in Yemen last year. He went their to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Again, we have employed all our resources to bring him back, as he is the son of this country. We successfully brought him back a few months back," the prime minister said.

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He also gave the example of Father Alexis Prem Kumar who was rescued from the Taliban captivity in Afghanistan.

"Another Christian, Judith DSouza of West Bengal, was kidnapped in Afghanistan. We applied every trick in the book and brought her back alive, that too from the clutches of terrorists. We were able to do all these humanitarian work because of our rashtrabhakti," he said. PTI PJT PD NSK KJ SC KJ

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MIAMI, Texas - Famed oil field wildcatter, financier and corporate raider T. Boone Pickens on Wednesday announced he's offering to sell his prized Texas Panhandle ranch for $250 million.

Pickens tweeted "Big news today" in announcing his Mesa Vista Ranch, covering more than 100 square miles (259 sq. kilometers), was for sale. The spread is about 90 miles (144 kilometers) northeast of Amarillo.

"I'm proud of our conservation efforts that have taken place over decades and hope the next owner has the same passion," Pickens tweeted Wednesday. He did not immediately identify any potential buyers.

Pickens, 89, has had health concerns that include a series of strokes.

Pickens on Valentine's Day, 2014, married his fifth wife, Toni Brinker, in a ceremony at the ranch. The couple recently divorced.

Pickens this fall put his Dallas mansion on the market for $5.9 million.

"My Alva Court property in Dallas is a wonderful home with some incredible neighbors," Pickens told The Dallas Morning News. "But as an 89-year-old single man, I've just got too much house on my hands."

Pickens built one of the country's biggest independent oil companies, Mesa Petroleum, before moving on to BP Capital and founding clean transportation fuels company Clean Energy. He's traveled the country championing wind power and other alternative energy forms.

Pickens gained national prominence in the 1980s with a series of takeover attempts, targeting Phillips Petroleum and other companies.

He's also given hundreds of millions to his alma mater, Oklahoma State University.
Albany

When Rebekah Brisbane decided to send her daughter to a charter school, it wasn't because her district schools had failed her  not academically, at least.

Her daughter was bright, an honor roll student who won a presidential academic award of excellence and was attending one of the most well-regarded suburban schools in the Capital Region.

But her daughter is also black, and the school was mostly white. So after years of being passed over for birthday parties and sleepovers, of striving to fit in socially and culturally, of ignoring "accidental" racist remarks, the Brisbanes decided it was time to send Xiomara elsewhere.

"When we decided to enroll in Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls, our educational experience really changed for the better," Brisbane said. "There was a strong sense of inclusion that we had never received before. Our school truly became an extension of the family."

Charter schools are typically characterized as an alternative to failing public schools, chosen solely for their academic bona fides, but in the Capital Region and beyond they've increasingly become a safe haven for students of color. And according to an Associated Press analysis of enrollment data nationwide, charter schools are far more likely than traditional public schools to be extremely racially segregated.

While 4 percent of traditional public schools enrolled a student body that was 99 percent minority in 2014-15, the figure jumped to 17 percent for charters. In cities, where most charters are located, 10 percent of traditional schools were 99 percent nonwhite compared to 25 percent of charters. In the Capital Region, the picture is similar: charter schools top the list of schools where students are all or mostly one race.

At Albany Leadership, 306 students were black, 36 students were Hispanic and 12 students were white in 2014. At Kipp Tech Valley Charter School, 243 students were black, 29 were Hispanic and 10 were white. At Green Tech High Charter School, 327 students were black, 12 were Hispanic and 6 were white. And at Albany Community Charter School, 596 students were black, 34 were Hispanic and just eight were white.

The problem? Those levels of segregation correspond with low achievement levels at schools of all kinds. Decades of research show that schools with high percentages of minority students historically have fewer resources, less experienced teachers and lower levels of achievement.

But charter school advocates and families reject the idea that charter schools have contributed to re-segregation, or that modern segregation reflected in charter school enrollment is anything like that of the Jim Crow era, when blacks were barred from attending certain schools.

"Modern schools of choice with high concentrations of students of color is a demonstration of parents choosing the best schools for their children, rooted in the belief that the school will meet their child's educational needs, and often based on demonstrated student success," said National Alliance for Public Charter Schools spokeswoman Vanessa Descalzi. "This is not segregation."

The city school district in Albany is already majority black: in 2014, 61 percent of students identified as black, 16.7 percent identified as white, 15.2 percent identified as Hispanic and 7.3 percent identified as Asian. It's not unusual then, charters point out, that their representation of black students would be so high.

Academic success, however, remains mixed at Capital Region charter schools, which first started cropping up in 2000 as tuition-free alternatives to district schools. The publicly funded, privately run schools are allowed to exist free of most bureaucracy and regulation so long as they outperform the district schools in their area.

Albany hit its charter school peak in 2010 with a total of 12 charters up and running. But years of mediocre academic outcomes and financial issues caused several to shutter. Today, there are just seven charter schools in Albany and one in Troy.

Among those still standing, outcomes are mixed: Green Tech High, for example, consistently outperforms all other schools in the district, including other charters, while Albany Community Charter School trails a majority of district and charter schools in academic performance, according to the Associated Press analysis of 2014 enrollment and test scores.

Green Tech High Principal and CEO Paul Miller says outcomes are the primary reason why families choose his all-boys school, where 97 percent of the students are black.

"We have a 95 percent graduation rate, a 100 percent college acceptance rate and hand out almost $7 million in scholarship money," he said. "So when families look at us, they look at us because we are successful, because we are free, and because we're in a neighborhood that's convenient for their child to get to. I don't believe it has to do with race; it has to do with results."

The issue of neighborhood underlies much of the debate around re-segregation.

Segregated schools are often the result of segregated neighborhoods, which are the result of longstanding housing and economic practices. It's unfair, educators say, to place the burden entirely on schools to fix such a deep-rooted problem.

INTERACTIVE: The interactive below shows how each school's demographics compare to its own school district.

For decades after the Supreme Court ruled in 1954 that segregated schools were unconstitutional, integration was held up as a key measure of progress for minorities. But school integration gains achieved over the second half of the last century have been reversed in many places over the last 20 years, and a growing number of schools educate students who are poor and mostly black or Hispanic, according to federal data.

The re-segregation has been blamed on the effects of charters and school choice, the lapse of court-ordered desegregation plans in many cities, and housing and economic trends.

Charter schools enroll more than 2.7 million nationwide, a number that has tripled over the last decade. Meanwhile, as the number of non-charter schools holds steady in the U.S., charters account for nearly all the growth of schools where minorities face the most extreme racial isolation.

"The flip side of this is you never hear segregation couched as a problem when schools are majority white," said S. Neal Currie, Jr., executive director of Albany Community Charter School. "When you do hear that it's a problem, you hear it because  I think  the problem for some is that you have too many black kids in one place."

Black families have increasingly chosen charter schools, he points out, because black families are the ones most affected by failing school systems.

When it comes to graduation rates, test scores, dropout rates, college completion rates and most other measures of achievement, white students have historically performed far and above their black and Hispanic peers, thanks to generations of better schools, more experienced teachers and higher family incomes, research shows.

Before charter schools, advocates point out, the alternative for most families who were failed by the system were private schools  an option many black families could not afford.

"We don't think it's right that if a student is African-American their chances of going to college are smaller," Currie said. "So to then turn around and say, 'Well the schools are re-segregated and charters are the problem'  no, the problem is the disproportionate rate at which schools have been failing these kids. Charters aren't a panacea. They're not a silver bullet. But for many families, they have been a great alternative."

bbump@timesunion.com  518-454-5387  @bethanybump The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Six Troy police officers stand outside police headquarters sporting mustaches (well within department grooming policies) that they grew for a No Shave November effort to raise money for the Butler Foundation, which supports mesothelioma research. Standing from left in the back row are Officer Kevin Ray, Officer Brandon Galligan and Sgt. Steve Barker. Bottom row, from left, are officers Mike Bechard, Owen Conway and Eric Radigan. They raised $200 plus a match by the Troy Police Benevolent Association to give $400 to the foundation.
SCHOHARIE  State police said a Herkimer man was drunk when he crashed into a house late Saturday night in this Schoharie County town.

At 11:35 p.m. Saturday, State Police said Timothy S. Sims was driving a Ford pick-up truck west on Barton Hill Road when the vehicle went off the road.
Washington

President Donald Trump changed his story Saturday on why he fired Michael Flynn as his national security adviser, now suggesting he knew at the time that Flynn had lied to the FBI as well as to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russians during the presidential transition.

That was a turnabout from his initial explanations that Flynn had to go because he hadn't been straight with Pence about those contacts. Lying to the FBI is a crime, and one that Flynn acknowledged Friday in pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate with the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Trump's tweet: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

White House officials did not respond to questions Saturday about Trump's altered explanation as to why he fired Flynn.

White House officials told The New York Times that Trump was acknowledging Flynn's guilty plea on Friday. The newspaper reported that Trump's tweet was composed by his top personal lawyer, John Dowd, who later apologized to White House officials for the tweet, saying he should have been more careful with his language.

The Times also reported that emails among top Trump transition officials suggested that Flynn was in close contact with other senior members of the transition team before and after he spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. A Dec. 29 email from K.T. McFarland, a transition adviser to Trump, suggested that Russian sanctions announced by the Obama administration had been aimed at discrediting Trump's win.

She wrote the sanctions could also make it more difficult for Trump to ease tensions with Russia, "which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him," she wrote in the emails obtained by the Times. A White House attorney said McFarland meant that Democrats were portraying it that way.

It's unclear now why Trump would cite lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Flynn. Doing so suggests the president knew at the time that Flynn had done something that is against the law, and therefore the investigation could not be as frivolous as he's been portraying.

It's also unclear how he would know that, if information about Russian contacts had not reached him, as he has been implying in his own defense.

Flynn left the White House in February, only acknowledging that he had given an incomplete account to Pence of his conversations with Kislyak.

Then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer said after Flynn's firing that it was the result of a "trust issue" and the White House counsel's office had determined there was not a legal issue.
With Brussels agreeing a 50bn severance package with the UK for leaving the EU and a crunch summit coming this month which could decide how the border between the South and North are handled, many in Europe and at home are concerned that not enough is being done to promote the work the EU does in Ireland and in regions such as Tipperary.

With the emphasis on a new round of Cohesion funding, concerns were expressed at this year's opening session of the European Week of the Regions in Brussels that the EU does not do enough to promote itself and that it falls down when it comes to communicating what it does on the ground.

For instance, outside the chamber in the corridors habited by civil servants and permanent representatives, Irish fears centred around the farming community and the perception that Brussels is all about red tape, and that such bureaucracy could lead to the growth of Brexiteers here.

While accepting the red tape arguments, the idea of it leading to anti-EU sentiment is not shared by Tipperary's Cllr Michael Murphy, head of the Irish delegation to the Committee of the Regions.

Irish Farmers, and, indeed, farmers from every member state, have voiced their concerns regarding what they believe is undue 'red tape' associated with CAP payments. However, EU subsidies account about 60 per cent to 70 per cent of average farm income, something that is very clear to Irish farmers, he says.

Nevertheless, the EU has listened to farmers calls for simplification and to that end has Omnibus Regulation, which contains a series of measures aimed at simplifying the policy with a view to easing the burden on and making life easier for both farmers and national authorities, Cllr Murphy states.

Other concerns centre around getting EU funding out of the major cities and into the regions, with some of the opinion that EU funding is being used in Dublin and the East Coast, especially on infrastructure such as the LUAS lines, instead of being trickled down.

The Southern Regional Assembly (based in Waterford) manages any ERDF programmes that affect Tipperary.

The CoR, as a body representing regional and local interests, is actively lobbying the Commission with the aim of increasing the level of funding of the regions, and consistently argues (through its COTER Commission) for enhanced autonomy for regions in terms holding, planning and spending funds, says Cllr Murphy.

With the EU emphasising the need to reorganise its Cohesion funding, Cllr Murphy points out that Tipperary has already benefited directly from it.

The upgrading of infrastructure and investment in education around the country has benefited local people, including the people of Tipperary.

In terms of direct Cohesion funding, the Clonmel Main Drainage Scheme benefited from 17.4m of EU investment. The scheme has eliminated the discharge of untreated sewage from multiple outfalls to the River Suir and has brought the wastewater treatment facilities at Clonmel into line with the EU wastewater standards, he points out.

And, he says, Tipperary has also directly benefited from funding available under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation fund, and the European Social Fund.

Indeed, Italian representative Claudio de Vincenti said no region in Europe "should feel left out", while Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu said Cohesion funding was "saving some regions entirely".

But, despite this, there is still the perception that not enough is being done in Europe to make communities aware of the level of work and funding that Brussels does for rural area. With countries such as Ireland now being a net contributor to the EU, the absence of signs pointing to EU aid for projects such as roads and other infrastructure was noted.

Any project funded by the EU, through whatever mechanism, is required to acknowledge this contribution and display this acknowledgement on signage, websites, etc, says Cllr Murphy.

However, in recognition that citizens dont always take note of this, the EU has put in place a number of initiatives to raise citizens awareness of EU added value, he says.

Examples include EU Solidarity Corp, an initiative that allows young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe; Enhanced Erasmus+ programme which allows young people to study in another EU country. In 2017 the ErasmusPro initiative was launched, and is an activity within the Erasmus+ dedicated to supporting apprentices on long-duration (6-12 months) placements abroad. This measure should open up the possibility for an additional 50,000 young people to spend at least six months in another member state in the period 2017-2020, and CoR local events that allow citizens to talk about Europe in local and regional public events.

And initiatives such as Erasmus+ can also help reduce youth employment, which stands at 15 per cent in the EU, a situation European Committee of the Regions president Karl Heinz Lambertz described as a "waste of potential, resources and the future".

The CoR, as a policy making body, can make and lobby for the Commission for policies that address this issue. The EU more generally has a number of programmes to address youth unemployment, such as the EU Solidarity Core and Erasmus+, along with the Youth Guarantee, the Youth Employment Initiative, the New Skills Agenda for Europe and the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, says Cllr Murphy.
[December 03, 2017] Health Net Federal Services Seeks Top Talent at Honolulu Job Fair

Health Net Federal Services, LLC (HNFS), a TRICARE contractor for the Department of Defense, is hosting a job fair and on-site interviews for various positions in our medical management and clinical departments to be based in the Honolulu area.







WHAT: HNFS Job Fair WHEN: Monday, December, 4, 2017 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. WHERE: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort 2005 Kalia Road, Coral II Ballroom Honolulu, HI 96815 COST: Free and open to the public, hosted parking included.

Open Positions: HNFS is currently seeking applicants for these positions Customer Service Representatives

Case Managers, Physical Health

Disease Management Assistants

Disease Managers, Physical Health

Disease Management Enrollment Representatives

Manager, Care Management

Utilization Management Nurses Remote work locations available for some positions About HNFS: Health Net Federal Services (HNFS) has a long history of providing cost-effective, quality managed health care programs for government agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Defense. For nearly 30 years, HNFS has partnered with the Department of Defense to provide health care services to the men and women who serve, and their family members through the TRICARE Program. In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded HNFS one of two regional TRICARE contracts the next iteration scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2018. HNFS is honored to continue our support of TRICARE by serving the approximately 2.9 million beneficiaries in the 21 West Region states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa (except the Rock Island Arsenal area), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, (except the St. Louis area), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (areas of western Texas only), Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Through the TRICARE program, HNFS currently assists approximately 2.9 million beneficiaries in the TRICARE North Region, including active duty, retired, National Guard and Reserve, and family members. Health Net Federal Services was one of the first companies in the U.S. to develop comprehensive managed care programs for military families. In addition, HNFS provides quality behavioral health services for active duty service members, veterans and their families. Visit www.hnfs.com for more information. View a HNFS and TRICARE West fact sheet. To learn more about Health Net Federal Services, view our open positions and to submit an application, please visit www.centene.com/careers. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171203005037/en/

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By PTI: Kolkata, Dec 2 (PTI) Union School Education Secretary Anil Swarup today termed the sexual assault of a four-year-old girl at the G D Birla Centre for Education as "unfortunate" but said the Centre had no role to play in matters related to private schools in the states.

The state government would have to look into the incident as the the Centre had no control over the matters of private schools, Swarup told reporters here.

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"The incident is really unfortunate. The state governments give registration to these private schools and the Centre has no role here," he said.

There were a handful of government schools across the country over which the Centre had control, he said.

The four-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in a toilet of the premier private school here and two physical training teachers were arrested following protests by parents.

Swarup said there was a need to look at the pre-school system of education which has so far not developed in the country.

He was impressed by a city pre-school and Swarup said there was need to look into its model. He also stressed on the need to weed out mafias in education.

"When I was the coal secretary I saw the mines were underground and the mafias above. In education, I find the mafias are underground in the form of B.Ed and D.Ed colleges", he said.

Recently, the National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE) was asked to seek affidavits from 16,000 B.Ed colleges across the country but only 12,000 of them responded, he said.

Swarup said bogus colleges were giving away degrees by taking money but they carried no value. "We show-caused 1000 of them", he said.

Teachers are the pivot in the education system, he said and favoured a central examination for ranking them in terms of performance.

This is in the discussion process, he said.

There was also need for a total change in the induction curriculum, Swarup said adding that the NCERT and CBSE were working on it. PTI DC KK AAR

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[December 03, 2017] CCP is set for accelerated growth

SYDNEY, Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CCP Technologies Limited (ASX: CT1) (the "Company") has signed two new partnership agreements that add significant distribution to CCP's expanding network. Dicker Data (ASX: DDR), with 5,000 resellers in its network, is known as Australia's leading ICT hardware distributor and Channon Refrigeration is a well-known supplier of refrigeration equipment and services to the hospitality industry. CCP provides its critical control point management solution to a growing list of businesses in Australia and North America; and has announced expansion into Singapore. Customers use CCP to underpin food safety compliance, reduce costs and harness business improvement. The two new agreements expand CCP's access to customers in its food industry market. The potential combined market opportunity for CCP in Australia and North America represents an estimated 470 million monitoring points. Channon Refrigeration is a leading provider to Australia's food industry, including hotels, clubs, cafes, breweries, restaurants, supermarkets, fast-food chains, including Clubs Australia. Initially, the agreement estimates sales of 2,000 monitoring points and will support the Company's growth through expanding reah to the food industry.



TMT Analytics recently issued its research report on CCP, which highlighted the importance of channel partnerships to expedite the company's commercial roll-out. The agreements with Dicker Data and Channon's follow the recently announced channel partnership with the Shamrock Group -- a Minneapolis-based refrigeration, ice and beverage product and service company. CCP has also announced a developing global relationship with Vodafone and partnerships with Sigfox operators in the USA, Australia and Singapore. Michael White, Executive Director and CEO of CCP said,

"By building a strategic partner network, CCP anticipates rapid growth and expansion of its install base. We already have over 50,000 monitoring points in our sales pipeline and by on-boarding channel partners, we expect that number to increase significantly in the coming months." TMT Analytics' research report is available at: www.ccp-technologies.com About CCP Network CCP offers a critical control point management system in Australia and North America, and has an emerging presence in Singapore. Critical control points are the points in a supply chain where a failure of standard operating procedure has potential to cause serious harm to people -- and to a business' reputation and bottom line. Standard critical control points include temperature, energy, environment (e.g. air and water quality, pH, chemicals, noise, acoustics and gases) and movement. CCP captures data using Smart Tags (sensors) and an advanced Internet of Things (IoT) network. Data is delivered to the company's big data cloud platform where it is analysed to deliver business intelligence. Customers access this information through Web and Mobile Dashboards; and receive real-time alerts via SMS, email and push notifications. The Company's first target market is the food industry, where food safety regulation, energy savings and waste reduction drives adoption. For further information on the CCP Solution, visit: www.ccp-network.com Further information: Michael White | Executive Director & CEO

CCP Technologies Limited

E: [email protected]

M: +61 (0) 412 799 232

Investor relations: www.ccp-technologies.com

Sales: www.ccp-network.com Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20171130/2000725-1 SOURCE CCP Technologies

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He confessed to police that the reason he did it was to create panic and see how probe agencies functioned.

By Saurabh Vaktania: Mumbai police on Sunday arrested a security officer at the city airport's cargo complex in connection with planting an ISIS letter inside a toilet.

Twenty four-year-old Akshay Gaikar told police he wanted to see the panic it would cause and how officials handled such situation. His service will soon be terminated. Interestingly Akshay is complainant in the case that was registered at Sahar police station. He was produced in the Mumbai local court where he was sent to judicial custody.

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On 19 November at 4 pm, an ISIS threat letter was found in an air cargo complex toilet. It mentioned that the terror outfit warned of a blast at Mumbai international airport before 26 January. The incident was taken very seriously by security agencies. A three-hour search operation was launched and flight operations were even suspended for a while.

The CISF, Mumbai police, bomb squad and other agencies were roped in for searches. However nothing was found till late in the evening but security was beefed up nonetheless. Officials carried out a full scale drill. Mumbai police launched their investigations and checked CCTV footage. Akshay was the first to report about the letter kept in the toilet and had alerted his officials. However in the CCTV footage his role was suspicious. The cops called him for questioning. He was thoroughly questioned when he confessed to planting the threat letter.

"Akshay said he had heard about such threats earlier made in 2014 and he wanted to see how security agencies work after the threat and security was beefed up," A police officer involved in the investigations said.

--- ENDS ---
"Evangelicals (white ones, anyway) apparently felt free to ignore Trumps history as an admitted groper of women, along with other patent indications of personal corruption. They rationalized Trumps race-baiting birther attacks on Barack Obamas legitimacy as a U.S.-born citizen. And theyve managed to convince themselves that fears of terrorism legitimize unconstitutional restraints on Muslim travelers and hordes of Mexicans and other undesirables that supposedly are swarming the border to cause mayhem.
Man charged after using website to set up armed robbery, carjacking KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A local man is facing federal charges after using a website to set up an armed robbery and carjacking in mid-November. Chrizion Banks, 20, was taken into federal custody Thursday. According to court documents, the victim in the case was selling a firearm on a website named MidwestGunTrader.com.

They say that retail is dead but dangers of online commerce abound and this Kansas City suspect is accused of online trickery and violence against locals looking for a deal. Read more:
Is a KCMO Democratic Party shuffle about to take place among local representatives?





FACTS:





1. KCMO Mayor James is the darling adopted child of local corporations and developers. He has been eager to please them, and they in turn would like to keep him on their payroll to ensure future business windfalls. But he's about to leave office without a landing pad and desperately seeks a spot in Washington, D.C.





2. Council member Jolie Justus didn't need any prompting to jump on-board the James bandwagon, quickly working a deal upon joining the KCMO Council, exchanging her loyalty to James for his future support toward her own mayoral ambition.





3. The Kansas City Port Authority CEO, Michael Collins, just recently announced he would resign his position to join the J.E. Dunn Construction company (one of Sly James' top contributors).





4. Former Council member-turned-developer Mike Burke has just seen his convention center hotel project resuscitated from the dead with hefty tax incentives and a LCRA approval. J.E. Dunn is one of the main construction contractors for the project.





So, what is the domino that needs to be toppled, in order to set in motion a rapid controlled reorganization of local Democratic Party representation? A shuffle that could all but guarantee the local corporate status quo remains in position to pull the political strings and feed from an overflowing trough for many years to come?





The teetering tottering domino is none other than 5th District U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver. With Cleaver's removal, negotiated or forced, the path is cleared for Sly James to Pass Go and Collect $200 in D.C., Justus to be swept into the Mayor's office with local corporate largesse, and The Kansas City Star editorial board to claim that democracy was served with their strong endorsements.





If the 73-year-old Cleaver resists the overture, keep in mind that our current political environment is ripe for toward high-profile individuals confronted with surprise challenges and media sensation. Cleaver's current term ends January 3, 2019. The Democrats will eat their own to advance the agenda.

KANSAS CITY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ELITE PANIC TO PUT DOWN ANY TALK OF A KANSAS CITY LINE OF SUCCESSION AND SENDING MAYOR SLY TO D.C. AT THE EXPENSE OF CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER!!!

One of the very brightest and KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS offer an important note about the future and Kansas City Democratic Party cannibalization . . .#########This is next level political insight and it's so good that we were surprised to see this idea sent our way by more than a few sources . . .Moreover . . .In fact, they. . . And this is one of many Midterm 2018 slapfight we can anticipate thanks to our
"Advocates for low-income families say the balance of power in the rental housing market is tilted heavily in favor of property owners. A landlord who has a complaint about property damage or illegal activity on the part of a tenant can initiate eviction proceedings. But tenants who are living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions have no such recourse."

- In 2017, a person working for minimum wage at full-time hours cannot afford a two bedroom apartment in any county in the United States.





- Of the 6,600 evictions filed in 2016, only 29 were adjudicated in favor of the tenant.





- 98.8% of the time, if an eviction case makes it to court, the tenant is evicted.





- 42 evictions are filed daily, 25 evictions judgements are made in KCMO nearly every day.





- 84% of landlords are represented by an attorney but only 2% of tenants have legal representation.





- Residents on the east side of Troost are 19x more likely to be evicted.





- The number of growing "informal evictions" threaten to spike these numbers even higher.

"Tara Raghuveer, an independent researcher, presented extensive information on evictions and the impact on the overall community at a Kansas City, Mo. City Council business session. Her quantitative research covers 17 years of court-ordered eviction data in Jackson County, Mo."

AMID UPCOMING RENTAL PROPERTY REGULATORY THREATS AND INCREASED HOUSING DISPARITY PROTEST, LOCAL RESEARCHERS REPORT A KCMO HOLIDAY SEASON SPIKE IN EVICTIONS OUT OF FEAR OF AN UPCOMING CRACKDOWN!!!

"What we're seeing in the latest data set from this month is that more people are being evicted over the past few weeks as many local landlords seem to realize that changes are ahead. So tenants who are seen as "risky" or who have had trouble making timely payments are being forced out to preemptively prevent any legal complications . . ."

Amid upcoming colder weather and worsening economic conditions, an ongoing housing crisis threatens working poor residents of Kansas City.Progress for a rental inspection ordinance and help to curb the high number of KCMO evictions has been evicted has been slow.During a recent council debate on this topic , a not-so-fun fact on local housing disparity came to light . . .A few more relevant facts for this conversation . . .A bit of recent testimony on these facts following comprehensive study spanning more than 17 years . . .However . . .In spite of all this data, here's a dire warning from local housing activists . . .Here's the word:And so, this recent spate of activism to battle the local housing crisis has actually made life just a bit harder for more than a few po'folk.Nevertheless, the struggle to offer equitable representation and fair policies for renters and those who confront eviction continues while the rate of po'folk kicked to the curb spikes as amid this holiday season of discontent.Developing . . .
Greece is a safe country and this is why many tourists choose it, Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Toskas stressed on Saturday in a speech at the 1st Athens Security Symposium, held at the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers Club in Athens.

"Greece is a safe and stable country and this is why millions of tourists prefer it, while there are many good indications on investments," he noted.

"The issue of security has become dominant. Our world is becoming more and more unpredictable and insecure," he underlined, adding that it is an issue larger than Greece but affects it due to its location, the instability in neighboring countries and the wave of migration.

"I do not link migratory waves with terrorism. Most people who come [to Greece] are looking for better living conditions. They are not terrorists," he added.

The conference, held by the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A) is the first devoted exclusively to security issues. The emphasis this year was on the new threats and challenges emanating from the Middle East and North-Africa (MENA), their repercussions on European and Greece's security and the strategies international actors and regional organizations should develop for tackling those challenges.

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: Bryan Ledgard License: CC-BY-SA

Source: int.ert.gr
Extreme weather phenomena are a relatively rare winter occurrence in Greece, which is famous in the whole world for its great climate all year round

ATHENS  The municipalities of Agrinio and Messologhi in the western prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania declared a state of emergency on Saturday, following heavy rains caused floods and landslides in the region.

The decision was taken by Western Greece prefect Apostolos Katsifaras after a meeting of the local municipal authorities in Messologhi. Authorities also decided to form committees to assess damages in houses, businesses and infrastructure.

In Agrinio, local residents were shoveling mud, stones and other objects carried by rushing waters. A large number of basement houses, businesses and shops have flooded, with the communities of Zevgaraki, Kenourgio, Kyra-Vgena and Paravola being mostly affected. Municipal crews are trying to open streets to traffic and restore water supply in the areas where it was cut.

In Messologhi, first estimations show the worst hit communities were Aetoliko, Chrysovergi, Frangouleika and Iniades with damages reported on roads, infrastructure, houses, warehouses, pens and crops.

The storms also affected Epirus, where more than 30 houses in the village of Louros as well as seven businesses suffered serious damages when rushing waters entered houses, trapping residents inside. The fire department was called to rescue 10 people from the floods and pumped water out of basements. .

In the region of Platanakia, an iron bridge was swept away by the water cutting access to three houses. In Konitsa, the road to Langada collapsed after river Sarantaporos overflowed. In Zagori and Tzoumerka authorities were called in to remove rocks that fell from the mountains and blocked streets.

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: Marek Bakajsa License: CC-BY-SA

Source: ANA-MPA
Start from the mountainous area, visiting Arnea, a famous traditional settlement- the most beautiful in Halkidiki! Wander in its alleys, visit the folklore museums, walk in the mountain paths, dream under the waterfalls, cycle in wonderful routes, shop organic honey to sweeten and honey your first days of your common life, taste the famous toulouba, taste organic wine of local production, see how the organic feta cheese and yogurt is made and try the most delicious dishes you have ever tasted!

Visit to ancient Stageira

where thousands years ago, Aristoteles, the teacher of Great Alexander, was born. Walk on the hill between the Aegean blue and the verdant green Aristotelian Mountain. Wander between the findings of the ancient city and view the most beautiful beaches of the area  the color of the crystal waters, depending on the light of the day. Feel the ancient Greek influence and swim under the ancient city, to one of the most beautiful and pristine gulfs. Taste amazing seafood and ouzo appetizers. For dessert eat sweet loukoumades at the central square of the village.

The round cruise of Mount Athos

See a unique spectacle in the world: the monasteries of the west side of the Holy Community, which compose a byzantine scenery of real splendor. Visit the land borders of Mount Athos and the Zigou Monastery, the unique athonite monastery visitable also by women.

Ammouliani

If you havent chosen to stay to Ammouliani, the unique island of Central Macedonia, then you have to visit it definitely: length of just 6km, surrounded by sandy beaches, all famous for the sea waters clarity!

The clarity of the waters is not certified only by the photos or the Blue Flags. This is being proved by the visitors arrival. Every summer 600 permanent inhabitants welcome 6.000 visitors so as to offer them home, island hospitality and taking care of them like being their relatives!

Swim definitely to Alikes, the most photographed and beloved beach, enjoy the serenity of Karagatsia, offer yourselve the affordable luxury of the daily swim to Ai Giorgi and Megali Ammos, do the round of the island by renting a boat (no license is required), and indulge in the fishing to the north rocky shores!

To Ammouliani you will find the freshest seafood you have ever tasted! The island possesses a big fishing fleet, which means you find fresh caught seafood- here the fish of yesterday is not fresh!!! Enjoy wonderful fish appetizers on the idyllic small port viewing Athos and ask persistently for the fish balls- the chefs specialty!

Swim t Komitsa

and gain the absolute life summer experience. In the Gulf, the golden beach just a few meters away from the borders of Athonite State, will make you forgetting time, wishing you could stay there forever.

and to the endless beaches of Ierissos and Pirgadikia

there that the blue of the sea and the sky become one! Lunch or dine, trying delicious taste creations, made by local sea food, organic meat/ vegetables- by the local farms production and fruits from the Aristotelian Mountain.

Walk along the coasts and the historical routes.

You will be surprised by the natural beauty of the landscape which will enhance the romance of your wedding!

Source: visitgreece.gr

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: Anton Lefterov License: CC-BY-SA
Iran and the Netherlands have signed a contract aimed at expanding bilateral economic ties in 2018, a report said.



Irans Deputy Economy Minister Mohammad Khazaei and his Dutch counterpart signed the contract in The Hague, which involves cooperation in eleven main fields within the framework of an economic roadmap agreed already by the two countries, reported Iran Daily, citing Tasnim News Agency.



According to the agreement, the Iranian and Dutch companies would enhance cooperation in areas relating to the energy industry, water management, agriculture, shipping industry, commercial and banking ties, technology and innovation, airport development and some other fields, the report said.
NFT, a leading supplier of tower cranes, has boosted its market presence in Kuwait with a number of deliveries to major projects across the country.



One of the most significant orders has seen the first Potain self-erecting cranes enter the country. The customer, Nasser Al Hajri & Partners Company, bought an Igo T 130 and an Igo 50, both of which are being used to lift pipes and support the installation of heavy materials at the Mina Al Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah (MAB) refineries owned by Kuwait National Petroleum Company.



NFT also won its first ever contract with local construction giant Combined Group Contracting (CGC).

The company has supplied a number of high capacity MD 1100 and MD 550 cranes to lead construction on a $164-million car park facility for Kuwait's Ministry of Finance at Al Farawaniya in Kuwait.



Nabil Al Zahlwai, the chief executive at NFT, said the deliveries were particularly notable.



"These deliveries mark the first appearance in Kuwait of both self-erecting and high-capacity MD special applications cranes," stated Al Zahlwai.



"Potain has the most comprehensive range of tower cranes in the world and these projects are a great opportunity to show the market what they can do," he noted.



"Our team in Kuwait, led by Yousef El Ghabra and Fadi Daher, has worked extremely hard to win these contracts, but our unique experience and expertise with tower cranes means were already repaying our customers faith by providing first-class support, even with stringent project requirements," he added.



According to him, the high capacity MD cranes are needed because of the precast concrete sections used in the car park design.



"These require loads of up to 20 tonnes to be lifted, so NFT specified four MD 1100 and two MD 550 cranes, with jib lengths ranging from 40 m to 70 m and working heights from 50 m to 73 m. The maximum capacity of the MD 1100 models is 40 tonnes, while the MD 550 can lift up to 25 tonnes," he explained.



NFT is providing full Manitowoc Crane Care support on the car park project. This includes operators, technical study and support, and delivery and installation on site of the cranes.



Fadi Daher, senior sales manager at NFT, said this was another important differentiator that helped secure the contract.



We have technicians installed permanently on site, so there is always someone there, no matter what time, observed Daher. We also have a container of spare parts on site, so any downtime is minimised, he added.



Construction of the car park started in June 2016 with the tower cranes arriving in May 2017. CGC is renting the cranes from NFT over 29 months under a lease to own finance programme. This flexible arrangement gives CGC the opportunity to utilise the cranes on future projects.



We always try to be as flexible as possible for our clients, Daher said. The customer is satisfied with NFTs and the tower cranes performance and has invited us to bid for other projects, he added.-TradeArabia News Service


By PTI: Noida, Dec 3 (PTI) Two persons have been arrested here for allegedly cheating a mobile phone company of Rs 3 crore, police said today.

According to a complaint filed by Ringing Bell company owner, Mohit Goyal, the accused had struck a deal with him for supplying economical mobile phone sets, they said.

"But the company owner sent back the products worth Rs 3 crore to the accused as they were faulty," Vinay Prakash Singh, incharge, Sector 49 police station said.

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The accused --Vikas Sharma and Jeetu-- failed to replace the faulty sets, he said.

The police official said Goyal had to face his customers ire as he could not provide them with the affordable mobile sets.

A case was filed against Goyal and he was later released on bail, Singh said.

Police said an FIR has been registered against Vikas Sharma and Jeetu, and a hunt is on for their third accomplice. PTI CORR SRY

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Iranian and South Korean companies have signed a contract worth 720 million ($856.6 million) to jointly build 450 rail carriages for use in suburban Tehran, revealed an official.



Hyundai Rotem, a South Korean manufacturer of rolling stock, recently signed the agreement with the Iranian Rail Industries Development Co (IRICO) in Tehran, Babak Ahmadi, deputy head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily News report.



Two-thirds of the carriages will be manufactured in Iran and the rest in South Korea which will also provide finance, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Saeed Mohammadzadeh said.



He added that the duration of the project is 78 months, and the first set of the carriages will be delivered in less than 1.5 years.



South Korea's Eximbank signed a contract with Iranian banks in August to provide 8 billion ($9.4 billion) in loans for financing various projects by South Korean companies in Iran.



Mohammadzadeh said the contract also includes transfer of technology, enabling the state-owned Iranian company to manufacture rail carriages under license.



Tehran and other major Iranian cities are aggressively developing a mass-transit system in which metro transportation plays a vital role, added the report.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), a leading Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, has received the inaugural Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Award by Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB).



The award was made in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce and the US Bahrain Business Council during the reception organised in Washington, DC, USA.



The Kingdom of Bahrains Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa graced this special reception, which was attended by Bahraini and American officials.



Albas chief executive officer Tim Murray, who attended this historical event along with Shawqi Al Hashmi, director Line 6 Smelter Project and Engineering, received the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Award.



We greatly appreciate the Leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain for their unwavering commitment towards nurturing bilateral trade ties that will boost the Kingdoms economic progress, said Murray.



Alba is truly proud to be the recipient of the inaugural Bahrain-US FTA Award at this historical event, which recognises the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain towards bolstering US-Bahrain business ties.



Bahrain-US FTA Annual Award aims to distinguish the American and Bahraini companies that are part of the FTA between the two countries.  TradeArabia News Service
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) said that preparation is going at full tilt for the operational readiness of Barakah plant's Unit 1, while highlighting the progress being made on the construction of the other three units.



The construction of the plant is progressing safely and steadily, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing a progress report from Enec.



The report underlined the importance of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAEs progress in diversifying and securing the country's energy sources and the impact of the plant and the wider UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme on creating strong opportunities for local businesses and communities.



The report underscored the quality-led approach adopted to the construction and commissioning of the Barakah plant in line with the highest standards of safety, quality and transparency, which has made the project a role model for all new nuclear energy programmes globally.



The Barakah Plant has already had a significant impact on the growth and prosperity of the UAE, with contracts valued at more than Dh13 billion ($3.5 billion) awarded to local companies. In addition, the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme is educating and training a new generation of Emirati nuclear energy experts, the report stated.



Teams from Enec and its joint venture partner and prime contractor Kepco have recently achieved a series of construction milestones on the units of the Barakah Plant. In 2017, the reactor containment building liner dome section was installed and concrete pouring for the dome was completed on Unit 3, and the reactor containment liner plate rings, reactor vessel, steam generators and condenser were installed on Unit 4. Testing and commissioning activities are progressing steadily on Units 1 and 2.



Construction began in 2012 and the overall completion of the four units is now more than 84 per cent complete, with Unit 1 now more than 96 per cent complete. Once the four reactors are online, the facility will deliver up to a quarter of the UAEs electricity needs, and save up to 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Mauritius much-loved resort, One&Only Le Saint Geran, started welcoming back guests today, following a nine-month renovation and multi-million-dollar investment which has transformed the legend into a modern icon.

Boasting the ultimate location on the north-eastern coast of the island, One&Only Le Saint Geran is setting new standards of ultra-luxury in the Indian Ocean and beyond, much like it did when it originally opened in 1975.



The opening was marked by Philippe Zuber, president and chief operating officer, One&Only Resorts; Charles de Foucault, general manager at One&Only Le Saint Geran and The Honourable Marie Joseph Noel-Etienne Ghislain Sinatambou, MP, Minister of Social Security, Reform Institutions and Environment, and Sustainable Development for Mauritius.



It is wonderful to be here for the opening of this much-loved resort. I have incredibly fond memories of One&Only Le Saint Geran, and am so thrilled to see how it has been completely transformed. The team have worked incredibly hard, and I want to thank them for their passion and dedication as they continue to offer our discerning guests experiences that truly blow them away said Zuber. We have so much to be proud of, not only with the re-launch of this legendary property, but also with the expansion of the One&Only brand. We look forward to welcoming guests back to our beautiful resort in Mauritius, as well as to all of our existing properties around the world, and those soon to come.



Long hailed as the legendary iconic luxury retreat in Mauritius, One&Only Le Saint Geran retains what guests have always loved - a sense of exclusive seclusion on its own private peninsula with a beachfront and calm lagoon unlike any other resort on the island. However, the entire resort has been completely transformed, including dynamic new culinary experiences with overwater dining pavilions and innovative theatre style cooking, new playful swimming pools with cabanas, reimagined public spaces, a stunning new spa, Club One, and a range of ultra-modern facilities.



After much anticipation, it is an honour to begin welcoming guests to One&Only Le Saint Geran and celebrate the rebirth of this truly global icon, said de Foucault. We have ensured to preserve what our guests have always loved about the resort but also to dream and create incredible new experiences for our guests to discover. Todays reopening not only marks an exciting transformation for the resort, but embodies One&Onlys distinctive vision to redefine the meaning of ultra-luxury.



The past nine months have seen a comprehensive redesign process in which the much-loved colonial-style architecture has been preserved whilst a cool, contemporary beach inspired design celebrating Mauritian lifestyle and culture has been introduced. There are 143 new guest rooms and suites with interconnecting configurations for families as well as Villa One  a secluded two-bedroom villa with private infinity-pool and spectacular ocean views.



One&Only Le Saint Geran is pioneering new offerings both inside and outside the resort - from the introduction of the islands first Padel Courts at the new Club One, and a contemporary Pan-Asian tapas restaurant, Tapasake, perched on stilts over the lagoon and unlike any other restaurant in Mauritius  through to a carefully curated collection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the island, immersing guests into local culture and nature.



The unrivalled One&Only service standards will be upheld by the dedicated staff who have kept their positions throughout the renovation, ensuring the resorts guests, both new and returning, receive a truly warm welcome. De Foucault said: I am privileged to lead such a passionate, loyal team, many of whom have worked with One&Only Le Saint Geran for several decades. We have taken this opportunity to provide further training to ensure the staff are developing their skills as well as offering guests the ultimate in service  something we have become renowned for. It is thanks to this amazing team that our guests return to Mauritius year after year.



Whats more, exciting plans to launch One&Only Private Homes for the first time at One&Only Le Saint Geran have been unveiled. Due to launch in 2018, the resort will boast a collection of private residences for guests wishing to make the resort home. Secluded villas with their own pools will be introduced with a full suite of amenities and resort services for residents to enjoy the Mauritian life, One&Only style. Private homes will also be available to purchase at One&Onlys new resorts which are currently in development in Montenegro, Greece and Mexico. - TradeArabia News Service


WeChat today showcased its CityExperience Mini Program in partnership with Tourism Australia, VisitBritain and Dubai Tourism, aiming to enhance the overseas travel experience of WeChat users, while offering an interactive platform for the global tourism industry to better connect with Chinese travellers.



The number of Chinese outbound tourists is expected to double from 2016 to 2022, representing significant opportunities for the global travel industry. WeChat CityExperience is an effective platform for tourism boards, local attractions and merchants to address the growth and demands of travellers from China, leveraging the WeChat ecosystem.



The tourism boards of Dubai, London and Sydney developed digital guide maps via WeChat CityExperience Mini Program to help Chinese outbound tourists navigate the cities and learn about their cultures and histories from official sources of information, all from the convenience of a smartphone and the WeChat app. The programs were presented at the 'WeChat Mini Program CityExperience Showcase' event in Shanghai.



Apart from informative text and maps, travellers can also explore different attractions, shops and restaurants through photos and audio guides, making it a truly immersive experience. CityExperience is also useful for itinerary planning, with suggested durations for each attraction, useful information such as addresses, contact numbers and sample itineraries. Whether they wish to take a stroll at the British Museum, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a breathtaking view, go on adrenaline-packed rides at the latest Dubai Parks and Resorts or simply enjoy a great meal, WeChat CityExperience is the perfect tool for Chinese travellers.



Andrew Hogg, regional general manager, North Asia, Tourism Australia, said: "WeChat is a leading social mobile app in China. For Tourism Australia, it is great to partner with WeChat in the CityExperience Mini Program, to deliver relevant destination information on demand to high value Chinese FIT travellers."



Hoor Alkhaja, senior manager, Asia Pacific, International Operations, Dubai Tourism, said: "The team and I are pleased that Dubai is one of the first three cities to be featured as part of this exciting new venture, because the 'Experience Dubai' program is good news for Chinese travellers as it will make discovering Dubai and getting the most out of your Dubai trip easier than ever."



Travis Qian, VisitBritain's interim director China and North East Asia, said: "VisitBritain is proud to partner with WeChat to promote the fantastic experiences that visitors can only get in London, from the British Museum, Selfridges to the Shard, from Warner Bros. Studio Tour, SOHO Theatre to The Sketch. We will continue to work with WeChat to introduce the very best visitor experiences from England, Scotland and Wales throughout all seasons, and to extend the best welcome from Europe. China is the world's most valuable outbound market. This partnership will see VisitBritain amplify its marketing reach in China, inspiring more visitors to book a trip to Britain right now." - TradeArabia News Service
By PTI: United Nations, Dec 3 (PTI) The US today said it has pulled out of Global Compact on Migration, arguing that the Obama-era negotiated UN deal contains numerous provisions that are "inconsistent" with its immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administrations immigration principles.

"President Trump determined that the US would end its participation in the Compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018," the US Mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

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Earlier, the mission informed the UN Secretary-General about the US decision to end its participation in the Global Compact on Migration.

US participation in the Compact process began in 2016, following the Obama Administration?s decision to join the UN?s New York Declaration on migration.

"The New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration?s immigration principles," it said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said America is proud of its immigrant heritage and its long-standing moral leadership in providing support to migrant and refugee populations across the globe.

No country has done more than the United States, and its generosity will continue, she said.

"But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with US sovereignty," she said.

Under the Trump administration, the US has pulled out of several global commitments including the UN culture and education body, UNESCO, and the Paris climate change agreement. PTI LKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 3

While Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had stated that the state Cabinet would take a call to dissolve the Panchkula Municipal Corporation, the Haryana Government is yet to decide on the status of the June 21 MC House meeting.

As the government is yet to take the decision on the June 21 meeting, the Panchkula MC House meeting has not been held for the past 165 days.

MC Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal said he had sent the report of the June 21 House meeting to the government and waiting for its reply on the same.

Meanwhile, the Mayor and other councillors are demanding that a House meeting should be held to discuss a number of issues related to the city such as stray cattle and stray dog menace, road repair work and sanitation.

In the last week of September, Panchkula MC Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal, in his reply to the Mayors letter demanding the House meeting, stated that as per the Haryana Municipal Act, 1994, presence of the secretary of the corporation was must for recording the proceedings and neither the secretary nor any officer was present in the meeting. Therefore, the minutes cannot be confirmed at this stage.

After the June 21 meeting, the Mayor had submitted the minutes of the meeting to the then MC Commissioner and Director, Local Bodies Department.

In the meeting, chaired by Panchkula Mayor Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia, a total of 30 agendas were passed by them while the decision on three was deferred. The meeting had lasted over an hour and 15 councillors, including the Mayor, had attended it.

The BJP and the nominated councillors had stayed away from the meeting. Even Panchkula and Kalka MLAs too had not attended it.

As there were no officials in the meeting, the Mayors personal assistant had marked the attendance of councillors and recorded the proceedings of the House.
Mohali, December 2

Security guards of a private company, deployed at the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ISBT in Phase VI here, staged a dharna this afternoon. They protested against the non-payment of salary for the past four months. Despite making repeated calls to the company authorities, nobody commented on the issue.  TNS
Abhijit Bhattacharyya Alumnus, NDC, & Member, Aeronautical Society of India: M.AeSI.

Abhijit Bhattacharyya

Alumnus, NDC, & Member, Aeronautical Society of India: M.AeSI.

Geopolitics and geo-strategy are followed by all sovereign states, focussing on the economics and defence of powers-that-be. But, the important thing is that landlocked states (those without access to a waterfront) are increasingly becoming serious on naval operations. Strange! A navy of landlocked states? Indeed! A majority of people may think that only those with access to sea could be naval powers. Can navy sail through land? No. But the thinking is dawning.

On a serious note, it be remembered that whereas all 222 nation-states (including the semi-independent territories, protectorates of the world) could be referred to as land powers, owing to their capability to deploy troops on land; there are only 160-odd nations, which are "water powers", with a minimum semblance of sailing assets. Surprising? No. Surprise has not dawned yet.

Surprise dawns on learning that of the 44 landlocked nation-states, some are serious to be a "sea power state". What makes landlocked states to look to sea, while some actual sea-states ignore the importance thereof? It's because of the geography. Compulsion of history. Aspiration of demography. Possibility of economics.

Historical naval powers

Thus, Germany has always been a strong power in heartland Europe for more than 100 years, with sea access. Yet, she could never be a serious maritime player either of/in Europe or beyond. Again, from Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to Italy in west-central Mediterranean, not a single state in the littoral could ever rise to be in world naval arena. History shows that Spain, Italy, the Dalmatian coastline principalities on the Adriatic Sea, Albania and Turkey, and to the south, Mediterranean's Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt to Levant; all, at best, were local players of "landlocked Mediterranean Sea" and never beyond that. In fact, except the British Isles and the Royal Navy, not a single African, American, Asian, or Australasian state/power could sail and swamp the states of the world for almost 200 years, from the mid-18th to the mid-20th century.

Landlocked countries hardships

Therefore, only those without access to sea will understand the inherent hardship a nation faces in all fronts.

Azerbaijan, strictly speaking, is a landlocked state as its access to the main waterfront is the Caspian Sea which too is one of the few "landlocked seas" of the world. So, when the two  a landlocked land of Azerbaijan and landlocked Caspian Sea meet  what's the outcome? Azerbaijan goes to protect its offshore energy infrastructure, most of which is located in the Caspian waters. Importantly, the navy of landlocked Azerbaijan is being modernised; it has also inaugurated a shipbuilding facility.

Similarly, the landlocked state of Kazakhstan shoreline meets the "landlocked Caspian Sea" wherein the nascent navy of the former is being upgraded, to protect oil and gas fields, and to "fight terrorists". This is important. The navy of the virtually landlocked state of Kazakhstan is preparing to fight terrorists! Is Kazakhstan anticipating a sea-borne terror attack like what India faced on 26/11/2008? Planned and organised by Pakistans army-ISI?

The "navy" of the third Caspian Sea littoral state, Turkmenistan, too is being "upgraded". To "protect" the Caspian Sea-based oil and gas fields. In fact, the ambitious naval project modernisation of Turkmenistan goes beyond conventional defence to include, and provide, for itself anti-access/area denial capability to thwart any external maritime threat.

In Europe: At least three landlocked states are serious on the waterfront. Ever since the breakup of the Adriatic Sea shoreline of Yugoslavia into seven independent states, the overnight birth of landlocked Serbia transformed its former "Danube Flotilla" into "River Flotilla". Although the principal task of the Serbian Armed Forces revolves round its presence along the boundary with Kosovo, Serbia regularly conducts "live-fire and manoeuvre exercises" on the Danube and other rivers.

In Central Europe: Danube Flotilla is the only naval force serving landlocked Hungary too. Deployed to operate along 420 km of Danube, it regularly practices live-fire training and despite a modest budget, Hungary is stressing on patrol and interceptor craft augmentation.

Switzerland, the third landlocked state does not have navy; yet it operates a number of flat-bottomed raiding craft for border protection, search and rescue and maritime surveillance on its large lakes.

In South America: The landlocked Bolivian "Navy", known as "Armada Boliviana, is responsible for inland waterways, drug traffickers and internal security in charge of Bolivia's "maritime, riverine, lacustrine interests". It has navigable waterways of 35,000 km. Bolivia's desperation to break open, and access to sea is noteworthy. When it announced (November 2010) a plan to open its first Pacific Ocean coast base, near a Peruvian port, it was geo-economics. But now, the project is on hold owing to Congressional opposition in Peru.

Landlocked Paraguay, though 1000-km plus away from Atlantic Ocean, has an important 1,600-mile long river system affecting the nation's daily life. Understandably, Paraguay's naval force is larger than that of some maritime nations.

In Africa: The landlocked Uganda has no navy but it has to police its inland waters, especially since most of the large, Edward and Victoria lakes are shared with neighbouring nations.

(Views are personal)
Sandeep Dikshit

Sandeep Dikshit

THE three years of the Narendra Modi government have seen a shifting of the goal posts of the Great Game in South Asia. The British navys muscle at one time brooked no contest; hence the maritime domain posed no challenges. The British instead played the Great Game on terra firma, for it was here that it suspected a challenge, especially from Russia and, for a brief time, when Napolean planned march to India till he ran aground in Egypt.

For most of the time, Independent India conducted the Great Game on land: keen interest in Afghanistan and Nepal, the Bangladesh war, the annexation of Sikkim and even its military intervention in Sri Lanka was a short sea-hop away. But for the intervention in the Maldives in 1987, India kept away from dipping its toes in the maritime domain though 90 per cent of its trade, including all oil supplies, came from the sea.

There was a good reason for the aversion. India had no axe to grind beyond the Malacca Straits. Neither did it need to foray much into the western Indian Ocean: there never has been any disruption of oil supplies from Arabia to warrant a preemptive naval presence. It, however, kept its ethnicity-based diaspora links alive with Mauritius and the Maldives by occasionally handing over used military hardware and kept ships deployed in the Gulf of Aden to tackle piracy.

The Modi government promises to revolutionise this somnolescent state of affairs. It has made much of a berthing arrangement for its ships with Singapore. On his visit to Seychelles, Mr Modi had come away with a solemn assurance of being given an island on lease for developmental purposes. There is little doubt it would evolve into a military foothold for India.

More than his other third world Asian colleagues, Mr Modi has taken to heart frequent US exhortations for India to pull its weight in the region. There was enough on Indias plate anyway: its humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, the constant prodding by Pakistan and China, its foray into Africa and, of course, the usual bread and butter of international relations that a middle power like India was fully stretched to cope with due to its abysmally small diplomatic corps and an asset-starved Navy.

The Manmohan Singh government wisely kept most of US homilies on a slow flame: it backed out from a quasi-naval alliance with Japan, Australia and the US; maintained a calibrated intensity of ties with Vietnam; and the file on the three military pacts with the US kept shuffling between the ministries and the PMO.

Now, as the Navy Chief put it, warships and aircraft are deployed from the Gulf of Aden to the Western Pacific on an almost 24x7 basis. He justified this philosophy because it ensures a high degree of presence, visibility and situational awareness in important maritime regions across the globe.

But what are the costs involved to sustain this heightened maritime activity? Apart from the usual expenditure on personnel and fuel, besides the increased wear and tear of assets, massive capital expenditure upwards of Rs 1 lakh crore may be required to match words with deeds.

However, the Modi government is missing a trick by not interweaving naval muscle with exploitation of economic opportunities. It may be treading the same path as the British when they made financially ruinous military forays into the badlands of Afghanistan as part of the Great Game in the 19th century with no commensurate financial returns.

Since Mr Modi is benchmarking the Indian Navys forays with those of the Chinese navy, it would be worthwhile to examine how both compare in extracting money from the military investment. On its Pacific coast, China stepped up deployment when India was investing all its vigour in facing off with its army on the Doklam plateau. Beijings testing of its military prowess on the Pacific coast was not meant only as a signal to Japan, but also to avert the possibility of a possible US-Japan interdiction of its supply routes of oil from a massive, newly-minted terminal at Vladivostok in case Sino-West ties nose-dived.

While India imports or has substantial foreign inputs in its high-end naval assets, Chinas complete mastery over submarines has allowed it to innovate in underwater robotics that is useful for the offshore petroleum industry and the mining of undersea metals. China is well on its way to extracting much sought-after minerals from a UN-allotted 75,000 sq km of seabed for poly-metallic nodules. It is not the only player. Canada will mine sulphide resources while Korea, Japan and the US have also invested in deep-sea prospecting.

In sum, like the Europeans who used the navy as a battering ram to open unwilling economic doors, the Chinese are also marrying security deployment with economic returns: the oil-rich South China Sea is a prime example. Its more ambitious Maritime Silk Road too has an economic approach.

India, in contrast, may soon find itself in an overstretched defensive position, struggling to retain its earlier salience. The Maldives  where the Indian Navy once fended off a mercenary take-over attempt  has signed a Free Trade Agreement with China while keeping India in the dark. And this island-nation receives subsidised ration and water from India! New Delhis repeated requests to Sri Lanka for taking over the Trincomalee oil tanks and the airport at Hambantota is getting a feeble response. The latest news is that China may even have turned around Seychelles.

No Great Game can be played only by military tools and with no economic returns to boot. India has no economic doors to knock down. Its Navy is good enough to thwart all challenges and has traditionally evacuated Indians in distress on foreign shores or assisted neighbours suffering from a natural calamity. Even in the 16-country ASEAN Plus it is considered the most reluctant on a free trade agreement. Had India been a big power, Mr Modis military vision in the high seas would have been called imperial overstretch. Currently, he seems to be locking the country into permanent antagonisms with no commensurate returns.

sandeep4731@gmail.com
Shiv Kumar Sharma

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, December 3

The police used batons, teargas shells and water cannons and fired in the air to disperse protesters who blocked the Jagadhri-Paonta Sahib national highway near Arainyawala village today.

The agitators, who pelted stones on policemen, were protesting against the death of Balvinder Singh of Arainyawala village yesterday. Balvinders sister Gurmeet Kaur alleged that a police team hurled stones at her brother and one stone hit him on the head, causing his death.

The police claimed that a team from the Khizrabad police station reached Lal Topi Ghat in the district yesterday morning after getting information about illegal mining.

According to the police, Balvinder was driving a tractor-trailer carrying mining material when the police team reached the spot.

The police further claimed that on seeing them, Balvinder tried to flee, but fell down and came under the wheels of the tractor-trailer.

The residents of Arainyawala village blocked the highway yesterday. They manhandled Virender Kumar, SHO of the Chhachhrauli police station, and smashed the windowpanes of two police vehicles.

The protesters lifted the blockade after Bilaspur SDM Naveen Ahuja and DSP Randhir Singh assured them that strict action would be taken against the guilty. Sources said the villagers were annoyed when they came to know today that no policeman had been booked in connection with Balvinders death.

On the other hand, the police had booked 21 residents of the village under a various sections of the IPC, including Section 307 (attempt to murder), and the National Highways Act.

After getting this information, at least 100 villagers assembled and blocked the highway. When the police asked the protesters to clear the blockade, they started hurling stones on the policemen.

In retaliation, the police, deputed in the village after outbreak of violence yesterday, used batons, teargas shells and water cannons and even fired in the air to disperse the agitators.

The family cremated the body in the evening after getting an assurance of justice from police officials and some prominent persons of the area.

Additional Director General of Police RC Mishra visited Arainyawala village this evening to take stock of the situation.
Shiv Kumar Sharma

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, December 3

Police tear-gassed and water-cannoned some 100 villagers of Arainyawala village who had blocked Jagadhri-Paunta Sahib national highway on Sunday to protest the death of a villager in alleged police action.

Police also fired in the air to disperse the protesters.

The victim was Balvinder Singh, who died on Saturday morning. Police claim that a team from Khizrabad Police Station had reached Lal Topi Ghat after it received reports of illegal mining activity in the area. They claim they found Singh driving a tractor-trailer carrying mined material from quarries. Upon seeing them, he tried to run, fell down instead, and came under the wheels of the tractor-trailer that was still in motion.

Singhs sister Gurmeet Kaur however claimed he died in police action when rocks that they threw hit his head, although she did not say whether her brother was indeed involved in illegal mining activities.

Protesters blocked the highway and are believed to have manhandled a policeman, Virender Kumar, Station Head Officer of Chhachhrauli Police Station, and even vandalised two police vans.

Police sources said that protesters were enraged that the police had yet to book anyone in connection with the case, instead booking 21 villagers for attempted murder and some other sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as National Highway Act, 1984.

The protest was called off after Bilaspur Sub Divisional Magistrate Naveen Ahuja and Deputy Superintendent of Police Randhir Singh promised action.

Singhs body was been brought to his house after an autopsy was conducted at Yamunanagar Civil Hospital.
Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, December 3

After four years of a womans murder, the CIA-1 team today claimed to have solved the case with the arrest of three persons.

The main accused, Amit alias Sanda of the districts Shimla Mulana village, was arrested yesterday. His mother Kamlesh and friend Praveen, who allegedly helped Amit in destroying the evidence, were arrested today.

Amit was produced in a local court today and sent to two days police remand. The other two accused will be produced in court tomorrow.

On a tip-off that a man was out to cause mischief, the police arrested him, identified as Amit, from the village bus stand. A pistol of .315 bore was seized from him.

During interrogation, he admitted to have killed Darshna Devi four years ago. They were neighbours. He had molested her in 2014 at her house. When she said she would reveal the incident to villagers, Amit murdered her on January 5, 2014, said Inspector Sandeep Kumar, in-charge, CIA-1.

The main accused admitted to have attacked Darshna with a knife and a screw driver 10 to 15 times, Kumar said.

A case was registered in Sadar police station on the complaint of the deceaseds son. Amit is being interrogated to recover the weapons with which he had murder Darshna, the CIA-1 in-charge added.
Our Correspondent

Kangra, December 3

A 134-year-old bridge at Matour on the outskirts of the town on Manooni Khad on the Pathankot-Mandi highway has outlived its life.

This bridge, constructed by the British government in 1883, is so narrow that only one bus can cross at a time.

PR Agnihotri, a retired XEN, PWD, and member, Indian Road Congress, said the government should learn a lesson from other incidents and make some alternative arrangements.

It is an arch bridge and such bridges have life span of 60 years and this bridge was designed for 40 tonne load. He said 134 years had passed and the traffic had increased and now the trucks with 70 tonne load crossed the bridge.

Thousands of heavy and light vehicles cross this bridge daily, besides a large number of two wheelers.

The bridge is the lifeline for the Kangra valley and sustains the traffic pressure of three national highways  Pathankot-Mandi, Hoshiarpur - Dharamsala and Shimla-Matour roads and needs an attention.

Joint adviser to the NHAI Satish Naag said an estimate of Rs 45 crore to replace this old bridge was submitted before the Government of India but it was scrapped because this bridge has come under four-lane project.

He said a Bailey bridge at Rs 1.5 crore was being constructed to relieve it of half of the traffic load. The old bridge would be used for the incoming traffic whereas the Bailey bridge would be meant for the outgoing traffic.

He said there were two proposals with the NHAI, one to bypass Matour and connect Icchi with NH 88 at Kangra bypass and second was to construct a fourlane bridge connecting Matour with Old Matour adjacent to Govt Degree College, Matour. He said under the second option, the land acquisition would be made on the right side of the road from the Pathankot side towards Jogindernagar in Old Matour.
BAD bank loans have soared to almost Rs 8 lakh crore. Rogue promoters and wilful defaulters like Vijay Mallya had been exploiting the Indian banking system for years because of their political clouts.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has been enacted to take action against such defaulters. In June this year, the Reserve Bank of India recommended to creditors to initiate insolvency action against 12 large defaulters, responsible for a quarter of the total bad loans.

One of the first insolvency cases under the new code, however, faced a problem when promoters of corporate borrower Synergies Dooray allegedly tricked creditors. As a safeguard from such manipulations, the government recently issued an ordinance that barred wilful defaulters and their associates from reclaiming assets of the ailing companies.

Background

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is intended to be a radical reform. Earlier, various provisions of the Companies Act provided for liquidation of an insolvent through a court (later, the National Company Law Tribunal, NCLT). It was, however, an imperfect situation. A judicial body may not necessarily possess the business acumen to decide whether a company has the potential to revive or should it be liquidated. Even the revival process was cumbersome and it was not binding on all stakeholders.

Then came another major change in the form of the Sick Industrial Companies Act, 1986 (SICA). Under the law, the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) was set up to sanction schemes for rehabilitation of sick companies. BIFR became a safe haven for wilful defaulters. Rogue borrowers eagerly rushed to declare themselves sick to thwart any legal action against them. This shield was available to them so long as the matter was pending in the Board. Consequently, many cases deliberately lingered for years.

The bad publicity generated by the Mallya episode was perhaps the last straw. The phenomenal pile of non-performing assets (NPAs) also strengthened the governments resolve to implement an effective and decisive law to deal with rehabilitation or liquidation of ailing entities.

The last resort

Liquidation or winding up is the most drastic solution where a company is shut down and its assets sold to pay creditors. But, what if the company could be revived to earn enough in the future and retire all debts? Liquidation is not always the best solution because of low value of already depreciated and obsolete assets. Often, there is a possibility of rehabilitation. Possibly a management change may turnaround a company.

Unintended consequences

The government amended the newly enacted code to close loopholes that had emerged in this freshly minted law. It barred wilful defaulters and their associates from participating in the ongoing insolvency and bankruptcy processes in NCLT. According to FM Jaitley, for the first time in the country, government has put in place a clean and effective system through which wilful defaulters of bank loans may be kept away from the management of their business and timebound recovery effected from them.

The ordinance, however, has some unintended consequences. It takes away the discretion of the committee of creditors to include or exclude participation of the borrower or its associates in the resolution process. The message is clear  powerful promoters of debt ridden companies must not be allowed to influence creditors, mainly banks, and subvert insolvency resolutions in their favour.

But, all insolvencies are not due to fraudulent action of promoters. Success of a business also depends on the market conditions and regulatory environment. Sometimes the erstwhile promoters, with their business acumen, may be the best placed to revive the company. And, what if the erstwhile promoters are the only ones willing to put in a resolution plan?

The question of whether erstwhile promoters should be allowed to be resolution applicants is obviously a sensitive one, and one which has different answers in differing circumstances. It remains to be seen whether the ordinance was justified to prevent a subversion of the insolvency resolution process, or an overreaction which has the effect of preventing potential resolution solutions.

The code, however, is not adequately equipped to handle cross-border insolvency. This handicap might have an adverse impact in recovering debt from defaulters like Mallya, who have huge assets abroad. Tribune News Service

CHANGE FOR BETTER

Time is money

The Code provides for specific timelines, missing in previous legislations. Significantly, in cases of no resolution, liquidation cannot be stopped beyond 270 days. Thus, stakeholders are forced to work together in a constructive manner to avoid liquidation.

No courtship

Earlier, a court would determine the fate of a company. Under the new Code, this is now the privileged of the financial creditor. Ultimately, any resolution plan has to be approved by the committee of creditors holding 75% of the financial debt.

IBC Decoded

The Insolvency and bankruptcy code protects lenders interests by assuring a time-bound resolution of insolvency cases. Creditors can approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for default cases exceeding Rs one lakh.

Who can approach NCLT

Financial creditors (banks, financial institution)

Operational creditors (employees, workers, vendors, government)

What happens at NCLT
Arun Joshi

CONGRATULATIONS Mehbooba Mufti. Your re-election as PDP president for a record sixth time is a big milestone but given the political and administrative challenges ahead it looks like a job half done only.

It is for the first time that a sitting Chief Minister has been elected to the top party post in your party. Your father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had become the founding president of the party at Nowgam, Srinagar, in July 1999. But he had stepped down after becoming Chief Minister in November 2002. It is also for the first time that you have become party president when your father is not around. Mufti Sahibs death in January last year has left a unbridgeable void in your personal and political life.

It is again for the first time that the party presidents election was held in a closed-door session at the Chief Ministers residence and media was given no access. It seemed an odd meeting. There was no festive air, no flag waving and no full-throated slogans. This was more of a bureaucratic meeting than a sign of a vibrant political party that is ruling the state of nearly 13 million people. It was a soap opera whose outcome was known from the very beginning. The choice of the venue and the format of election could have been better. Thats how I feel. In your view, you must have done the best thing.

Nevertheless, you have been able to maintain political legitimacy as the only acceptable leader for the top post in the party. There is no immediate challenge to your political standing. But these are rough and tough times that you know better. These challenges could be overcome once you resolutely work on delivering on your promise to, to do my best.

It is going to be a tough call for you emotionally and politically. Already you have discovered in 2016 turmoil that your skills of handling political situations and administrative matters are nowhere close to that of your father. Mufti Sayeed was a cool head and would always look forward to critical appreciation of his way of working.

He used to play political chess with finesse and rarely compromised with administrative accountability. You cannot escape this kind of comparison as his blessed daughter and chosen political successor.

Being Mufti Sayeeds daughter counts much for you, though as a relentless campaigner you had occupied an enviable stage where you were known as a daughter who propelled your father to CMs chair in 2002. That was a political strategy that despite the PDP having 16 seats in the Assembly of 87, you checkmated your rivals and allies alike.

The Centre is backing you to the hilt. Delhi took the call for the release of stone throwers and initiated dialogue on Kashmir. And, if reports in Pakistan media are to be trusted, the backchannel diplomacy is on between Islamabad and Delhi, primarily on the Kashmir issue. I dont think much evidence is required.

Delhi appointed Dineshwar Sharma as the special representative on Kashmir on October 23 to hold a sustained dialogue with all stakeholders in the state as you had wished and asked for.

The situation, however, is extremely fragile. And, on the ground narrative is not in anyones control. There also many using all the lung power to air the dissent.

The PDP, which was founded with a cardinal promise that it would offer a political and democratic alternative to the Abdullah family-controlled National Conference, today looks like a political cousin of its regional rival. The proclaimed ideological goals have been submerged in the pros and cons of electoral politics.

Political observers are not enthused with your re-election on Saturday as they were before as you would take on the governments, including that of your father, to raise peoples issues.

You being both the party and the government head has multiplied challenges. And all challenges are very, very, difficult. Best of luck!
New Delhi, December 3

Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir more than 720 times this year, the highest in the past seven years.

According to the data compiled by the Union Home Ministry, Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 724 times along the IB and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016. As many as 12 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October, a home ministry official said quoting the data.

A total of 79 civilians and 67 security personnel were also injured in the firing incidents. The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

In 2014, there were 583 incidents of ceasefire violation in which 14 civilians and three security personnel were killed and 101 civilians and 28 security personnel were injured.

In 2015, the number of ceasefire violations was 405; 347 in 2013, 114 in 2012, 62 in 2011 and 70 in 2010.  PTI

Forward areas in Poonch shelled

Jammu: After a brief lull, the Pakistan army on Sunday again violated the ceasefire with India along the LoC in Poonch district and shelled the forward areas, a police official said. The shelling began in the Khari Karmara area at 10.55 am and continued for about an hour, the official said. PTI
Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Nowshera, December 3

The strained relation between India and Pakistan has not only led to a breakdown in the dialogue process at the diplomatic and political levels, but has also majorly impacted people living close to the Line of Control (LoC) as they remain under the constant threat of cross-border shelling and firing.

The verbal duels between New Delhi and Islamabad are followed by mortar shelling and firing on the LoC.

Border dwellers face the brunt of the worsening diplomatic and political relations between the two countries, but they have no option other than to stay in their villages as their livelihood depends on farming and rearing cattle. Villagers have to face losses every time the Pakistan army targets their areas. People and livestock get killed and crops are damaged.

Rajouri district, which shares a volatile 120-km-long LoC with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has been witnessing intermittent firing and shelling by the Pakistan army.

At present, around 70,000 people, living within a 5-km radius from the Zero Line on the LoC, are living a nomadic life as firing by Pakistan often forces them to leave their houses and move to safer places.

Border residents are facing the wrath of the diplomatic and political war between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir, which is one of the longest and simmering border disputes.

As India claims Pakistan has illegal control over its occupied part of Kashmir called PoK (Pakistan calls it Azad Kashmir), Pakistan has a similar view on Jammu and Kashmir, under the administrative control of India.

The life of border people depends on the mercy of the armies of both countries. For them life is full of challenges, fear and hope; challenge of escaping death when it is raining mortars, fear of losing life and source of livelihood and hope of a new beginning every time India and Pakistan agree to address issues through dialogue.

Even a small flag meeting between the two armies revives the hope of border residents for they believe it will bring respite from firing, even if it is for a few days.

We dont aspire to be millionaires. Our children dont aspire to be KAS or IAS officers. Our girls and women dont aspire to follow the fashion of cities. All we want is a peaceful life without the threat of firing or shelling, said Muhammad Bashir, lambardar of Morha Kampla village near the LoC in Rajouri.

In Rajouri, which is mostly a hilly district, the Indian Army has occupied areas strategically important to defeat the nefarious design of Pakistan. The Pakistan army is also at an advantage at some places and hence targets Indian Army posts and civilian areas easily. The Nowshera, Manjakote and Sunderbani sectors witness intermittent shelling by Pakistan. Since May 10 this year, around 4,000 people from Jhangar and adjoining villages in Nowshera are living in relief camps in and around Nowshera town and are shuttling between their homes and relief camps.

Our life has become a hell since we left our homes in May when shelling began. We tried to go back home but every time firing displaced us. We have been left with no option but to stay put in relief camps and live in a miserable condition, claimed Parshottam Lal, sarpanch of Jhangar village.

To put an end to their miseries, shelling-hit people have been demanding construction of bunkers, five-marla plots at safer places, compensation for the loss suffered, better health facilities, quality education, concession in government jobs and on-the-spot recruitment in belt forces.

We have been promised that bunkers will be constructed for us and we have been told that the process has started but there is no guarantee of other demands. One of our main demands is monthly cash relief, which if given, will help us to streamline our lives, Lal said.

At the LoC, people have to rely on farming or jobs in belt forces, including the Army, to earn their livelihood.

Our crop gets damaged in shelling. At times, we are not able to sow and harvest on time, said Muhammad Bashir, a border villager.

The health facilities are also poor as one sub-centre covers over half a dozen villages and each one of them is manned by a pharmacist or medical assistant. The emergency cases have to be shifted to District Hospital, Rajouri.

The education sector has also suffered. Schools have to close every now and then because of firing and shelling. In the Nowshera sector, some schools are being run in relief camps as schools in danger zones remain shut.

On July 18 this year, 219 students and staff of a school in Nowshera were trapped after Pakistan shelled the area. They were rescued in mobile police bunkers. Meanwhile, the civil administration is constructing bunkers along the LoC and trying to address issues of residents.

We have constructed 20 bunkers and handed them over to people. Twenty more bunkers will be ready by mid-December. We have a target of 100 bunkers in the first phase. They will help in saving lives on the LoC, said Abdul Qayoom Mir, Assistant Commissioner (defence), Rajouri.

About Rajouri

Total population 6,42,415

Total length of LoC 120 km

Villages on the LoC 64

LoC population 69,826
Jammu, December 3

After a brief lull, Pakistani troops on Sunday again violated the ceasefire with India along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir and shelled the forward areas, a police official said.

The shelling from across the border began in Khari Karmara area at 10.55 am and continued for about an hour, the official said.

He said the Indian security forces along the LoC retaliated effectively to the Pakistani firing and shelling.

There was no report of any casualty in the latest ceasefire violation, he said.

Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC after a gap of three days.

Last week, Pakistani troops shelled various sectors in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri between November 27 and 29. PTI
* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati received the 2022 Adepi Award

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Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 3

Displaced Kashmiri Pandits have sought the intervention of Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar to press the Government of Pakistan to save the ancient Sharda Temple in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK). They have send him a letter in this regard.

Save Sharda Committee has been fighting for the reopening of Hindus shrines in Pakistan for pilgrimage.

The Supreme Court of the neighbouring country recently passed judgment ordering the authorities to save the ancient Katas Raj Temple in Punjab, Pakistan.

Sharda Temple, like Katas Raj, is an important relic of history and Kashmiri Hindus have great reverence for it. However, since 1947, Hindus are not allowed to visit the shrine. We have been striving for the re-opening of the Sharda pilgrimage on the lines of Nankana Sahib in Lahore, said Ravinder Pandita, who heads the committee.

Since the launch of the cross LoC bus service in 2005, Pandits have been demanding permission to visit the shrines in Sharda village across the LoC, which is under the occupation of Pakistan since 1947.

At present, only the relatives of divided families are given the permit to visit either side of the LoC.

We are residents of J&K and movement across the LoC should not be restricted to those with relatives on the other side. Pilgrim sites revered by the Hindus and the Sikhs should be open for travel, said Vinod Pandit, chairman, All-Party Migrant Coordination Committee.

Hopes were reignited among the Pandits after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif signed an agreement in Ufa, Russia, in 2015 to establish a mechanism for facilitating religious tourism. However, heightened tension between the two countries derailed any such prospect.

We have taken up the issue with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the Centre several times. It is a cherished dream of the Hindu community to pray at the site, said King Chiranjivi Bharti, a social activist.
Manpriya Singh

Till a decade ago, it didnt really matter what went inside your Holy Grail mask. If it left our skin feeling softer and looking flawless, it didnt matter. Then the dark ages of product labeling seemed to end. We looked all sides of the product, looked up on the Net and couldnt do anything but look the other way. Some didnt. A little sick and dead tired of the chemical overload found in cosmetics and skin care range ruthlessly dominating the departmental shelves, these entrepreneurs not just ditched the cosmetics but even their jobs to pursue and propagate chemical free alternatives. Meet some of them, from the city and beyond

Just Herbs by Arush Chopra

Till all natural (may be even edible) wild rose infused eye shadow becomes as mainstream as MAC, well have to make do with largely skin care labels made out of love and sans active chemical ingredients. The least you can do is minimise the chemicals in your skin care, if not cosmetics, 33- year-old Arush Chopra acknowledges the competition tossed around by brands that retail left, right acd centre. A cushy job in asset management company in Singapore couldnt curtail the drive to do something back in India (Chandigarh to be precise) and do something more worthwhile than just bothering about International corporations bottom lines. Just Herbs, formally started operations in the last quarter of 2013, taking off from what his biochemist mother had started. All the raw materials are cent per cent sourced from India, he beams proudly and happy to have made the choices he did. Initially what was exclusively available online is now eyeing retail sector, We have a store in Chandigarh and Ludhiana and plan on adding three to four every year. Not that he is not aware of the challenges. The biggest challenge that this industry is facing is that they put a picture of a green leaf and mark it as natural, with natural ingredients or organic. Very few companies are doing the full-ingredient disclosure.

Love Organically by Deepshikha Deshmukh

While that is just one of the ways of introducing the lady, but Deepshikha Deshmukh, daughter of Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani and daughter- in- law of late Vilasrao Deshmukh, could have taken on any of the roles that Bollywood usually throws at star kids. Apart from being a producer, she chose to be an entrepreneur, with the label Love Organically. Having studied botanical formulations and with her kids being her inspiration, skin nutrition brand Love Organically came into being. Backed by research, Ive learned that on an average when you apply a normal moisturiser or shampoo coupled with any oil, you are exposing your childs and your skin to about 500 chemicals, she shares.

Let alone talk about the future of the natural skin care industry, she sees no other way out. Our only way forward is to mutually co-exist by giving back to nature in every way we can.

Enns Closet by

Nandita Manchanda

When a few people in Nandita Manchandas circle got cancer, she was too affected to continue with her job in an international service firm. Having studied corporate finance and been in the US for 5 years, she came back and started a brand that exclusively curated natural products. All these health issues that we have to day are all due to chemicals. We harp about organic food but what about things we put on our skin, they too somehow enter our bloodstream, she shares while recalling how last year Enns Closet, an online venture, came into being. What started with different natural skin care brands retailing out of one platform extended to skin care of their own. We have lip and face scrubs and masks and we have also launched an all natural lipstick, she adds. While they are manufactured by our partners but the formulations are our own. We end up consuming most of what we put on our lips, so we have 100 per cent natural lipsticks and lipsticks with 100 per cent natural ingredients. Well, there is a major difference between the two. Beware of the green washing.

Taha by Radhika

It is heartwarming to note that one of the first brush with retail was when Radhika put up a small table outside Haldirams in Delhi. In just one evening, we sold products worth over Rs 10,000, she shares of the venture Taha (pure in Arabic) started by her mother. Having already obtained the GSTIN, she is taking baby steps to take the venture further. Meanwhile, every new product is first personally tested by mother-daughter duo for 30 days. Who says only chemicals are effective. Truly, choosing between efficacy and safety is a choice nobody should ever have to make.
Bhopal, December 3

Thirty-three years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors are still fighting for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the toxic leak.

Families of the deceased and people, who bore the brunt of the industrial disaster, are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the government filed in December 2010 for more compensation.

The US company which then owned the chemical plant here, from where the poisonous gas leaked in 1984, has not yet adequately compensated the victims, a Madhya Pradesh minister said.

The victims of the worlds worst disaster had not been paid adequately by US-based Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) now owned by Dow Chemicals, MPs Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vishwas Sarang said.

He alleged that the then Central government led by the Congress was more interested in helping the multi-national company rather than bringing it to book.

The Central and the state governments, both led by the Congress, helped the then UCC chairman, Warren Anderson, who had come to Bhopal after the tragedy, to escape to the US, Sarang claimed.

He said the curative petition seeks compensation of more than Rs 1,000 crore from the UCC (now owned by Dow) for the welfare of the victims.

Abdul Jabbar, the convenor of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan, who has been working for the survivors for over three decades, said the UCC gave a compensation of USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore) after the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, killed 3,000 people and affected 1.02 lakh others.

We all challenged the meagre compensation in the Supreme Court saying that the number of victims was too high and the compensation given by Union Carbide was too small in 1989, Jabbar said.

He added that the claim courts for the tragedy started work in Bhopal in 1990 and completed it by 2005.

The Rs 715 crore-compensation was paid to the families of 15,274 deceased and 5.74 lakh affected by the leak, he said.

Jabbar said the signature campaign for more compensation was launched by those whose health had been affected by the gas leak.

We moved the apex court again in 2005 saying that the number of victims had swelled five fold, Jabbar said.

On December 3, 2010, the Centre and the state government filed a curative petition in the apex court seeking more compensation for the victims from UCC, Jabbar said.

But nothing has happened after that. So now the sufferers are signing the petition, with a request to the Supreme Court to hear the curative petition and decide the matter at the earliest, he added.

The survivors were suffering from many diseases, including cancer, tumours and lung problems, caused by the inhalation of the poisonous gas three decades ago, he said.

They are not getting proper medical care as they dont have money, Jabbar said.

He accused the Congress government and the BJP-led NDA rule of not doing enough to bring Anderson to book.

Anderson escaped from the country after the Congress government as the Centre buckled under US pressure in 1984, he claimed.

The CBI, when the NDA was in power in 2002, tried to dilute the charges against Anderson which made the extradition of the US national difficult, he added.

On June 7, 2010, a Bhopal court convicted seven executives of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) to two years imprisonment in connection with the incident.

Anderson was the prime accused in the case but did not appear for the trial. On February 1, 1992, the Bhopal CJM court declared him an absconder.

The courts in Bhopal had issued non-bailable warrants against Anderson twicein 1992 and 2009.

Anderson died in September, 2014. PTI
Thiruvananthapuram, December 3

Fishermen on Sunday decided to launch their own rescue operation as 55 boats ventured into the sea to search for the 115 missing fishermen.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

According to latest reports, the cyclone Ockhi has claimed the lives of 10 persons with 475 fishermen rescued so far.

Rescue teams decided to step up their operations after a body in a highly decomposed state was recovered near the Vizhinjam coast earlier in the day.

The boats, 40 from Poonthura and 15 from Vizhinjam, left the shores with food and water.

State Tourism Minister K.Surendran and Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma have been engaged in rescue and rehabilitation operations since November 30 and coordinating with the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard officials.

However, anger was mounting in coastal villages as they were unhappy with the authorities failing to take precautions before the cyclone hit the state.

"The authorities have failed miserably and the relief camps are also poorly managed with even the basic facilities not available. We have been demanding opening of a control room in our area but nothing has happened," said a Poonthura resident.

The fishermen have blocked traffic on Sunday in agitation.

The Indian Coast Guard said efforts continued to rescue fishermen stranded at sea.

"As Coast Guard continues its efforts for rescue of stranded fishermen at sea, two ships of Coast Guard viz. ICGS Sarathi and ICGS Samar have saved ten lives by rendering timely assistance and taking survivors onboard, the coast guard said in a press release.

It said that the coast guards Chetak Helicopter has rescued one person.

Another Coast Guard Ship Aryaman has located a stranded fishing boat with nine survivors and it is being towed to safety, the statement said.

Coast Guard District Headquarters in L&M islands has also reported twenty boats with more than 200 people have taken cover in Lakshwadweep islands.

Cyclone Ochki is currently passing through L&M, and is likely to turn northwards towards Gujarat and Maharashtras coastline, prompting authorities to issue warnings.

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that the reports of thousands of fishermen stranded in the cyclone were false, and that the number of missing Tamil Nadu fishermen was 97.

"The Indian Navy, India Coast Guard, Indian Air Force, have rescued fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala too. Per the letter from Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, missing Tamil Nadu fishermen is 97. Rescue operations are continuing," she said in a tweet, saying at least 71 fishermen have been rescued from Tamil Nadu so far.

"The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon," she tweeted.

The India Meteorological Department said on saturda that the cyclone would intensify in the next 36 hours and move northwest in 3-4 days. Agencies
Bharuch (Gujarat), December 3

Sharpening his attack on the Congress in poll-bound Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Opposition party of seeking to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Resuming his campaign in his home state, where the first phase of Assembly elections is to be held on December 9, Modi lashed out at the Congress, saying that it wanted to create walls between brothers.

The people of Gujarat know what the Congress is up to.

It changes colour time and again, creates a wall between brothers, he said.

Addressing a rally in Bharuch district, Modi said the party made one caste fight with the other, one religion fight with another.

They keep you busy in fighting with each other. You may die but the Congress will eat malai (cream), he said.

The Prime Minister is slated to address two more rallies in Surendranagar and Rajkot later in the day. Bharuch goes to polls on Saturday.

Gujarat will vote in two phases  on December 9 and 14  to elect a 182-member Assembly. The counting of votes will take place on December 18. PTI
Lahore, December 3

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has announced that his organisation Jamat-ud-Dawah would contest Pakistans 2018 general elections under Milli Muslim League  a still-to-be-registered political front.

The banned JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which carried out the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

"The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next year's general elections," said Saeed, who has been designated a terrorist by both the United Nations and the United States.

Talking to a group of columnists at the JuD headquarters in Chauburji here on Sunday, the JuD chief, who carries a bounty of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terrorist activities, said he would continue supporting the Kashmiris fighting the Indian forces.

"I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter the difficulties. India wants us to stop raising our voices for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy has only harmed the Kashmir cause," Saeed said, saying he was dedicating 2018 to Kashmiris.



He also said his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of international agenda.

"This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry at my being released from house arrest. I warn India if it does not stop its atrocities against Kashmiris, this struggle will intensify, and it (India) will have to face the music," he said.

Saeed, who has been named as a prime plotter of the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He had been under detention since January this year.

India was outraged at Pakistan's decision  a move it sees at its neighbours attempt at mainstreaming proscribed terrorists.

Saeed has now filed the petition to de-list him from the UNs list of designated terrorists. He was also put under house arrest soon after the Mumbai attack in 2008, but a local court in Pakistan ordered his release in 2009.

In September, while Saeed was still under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD fought by elections from NA-120 in elections prompted by disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif's wife Kulsoom Nawaz later won the seat.

JuD-backed candidate Sheikh Yaqoob, who was placed in 2012 on a US Treasury sanctions list of those designated as leaders of terrorist organisations. Yaqoob  who fought the election as an independent candidate after Pakistan's Election Commission rejected Milli Muslim League's application to be registered as a political front in October over its links with the militant LeT  had secured 6,000 votes.

US declared the JuD a foreign terrorist organisation in June 2014.

Mumbai police killed nine attackers of the terrorist attack that killed 166 people and wounded more than 300 people. India executed Ajmal Kasab  the only terrorist who was caught after the attack  in November 2012. PTI
New Delhi, December 3

In the first such initiative, state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is ready to transfer the technology of its advanced light helicopter Dhruv to a domestic defence manufacturer for the commercial production of the chopper, official sources said.

HAL is in the process of identifying the private defence major with whom it will share the technology for the production of the twin-engine combat helicopter in India.

The private entity will have the option of selling the choppers or through HAL.

HAL will for the first time share technology with a private entity for the mass production of a military platform.

It was not immediately known how much it would charge for the technology transfer.

The decision to go ahead with this was in line with the government's initiative to promote the domestic defence industry, officials said.

The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-new generation helicopter in the 5.5-tonne weight class.

By March 2017, HAL had produced 228 Helicopters, including 216 for the Indian Armed Forces.

At present, it is executing an order for another 159 choppers for the Army and the Air Force.

Dhruv has also been supplied to Nepal, Mauritius and the Maldives.

The sources said a number of defence manufacturers have shown an interest in acquiring the technology for the Dhruv helicopter.

In September, HAL had signed a Rs 6,100-crore contract for the supply of 41 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to the Indian Army while in March, the state-run entity inked a contract for supplying 32 ALH to the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

The officials said HAL had enhanced its production facilities to speed up the manufacturing of helicopters and the Tejas light combat aircraft. They said HAL had finalised a plan to manufacture nearly 1,000 military helicopters and over 100 planes, in tune with the government's focus on speeding up defence indigenisation.  PTI
Tehran, December 3

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated on Sunday a newly built extension to the countrys main Arabian Sea outlet, the strategic Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman, which more than triples its capacity and poses a challenge for a port under construction in neighbouring Pakistan.

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The USD 340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It involved several subcontractors, including a state-run Indian company, and brings the capacity of the port to 8.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, from the previous 2.5 million tonnes.

Iranian state TV said the inauguration was attended by dignitaries from India, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries.

The extension includes five new piers, two of them for containers allowing cargo vessels with up to 100,000-ton captaincy to dock.

It is also expected to make Chabahar, Irans closest sea link to the Indian Ocean, a rival to Gwadar Port, some 80 kilometres away across the border in Pakistan, which Pakistan has been building with Chinese investment.

Rouhani, however, downplayed the rivalry in his inauguration speech and said the port will bring more engagement and unity among regional countries.

We should go after positive competition, he said. We welcome other ports in the region, we welcome Gwadars development.

He said Iran also plans to link the port to the countrys railroad network to facilitate transit of goods to neighbouring landlocked Central Asian countries, as well as open a route to eastern and northern Europe through Russia.

For India, the investment in Chabahar was important since the port will bolster a trade route for land-locked Central Asian countries that would bypass rival Pakistan. Last year, India committed up to USD 500 million for the development of the Chabahar port along with associated roads and rail lines.

And last month, New Delhi shipped its first cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Iranian port, part of 130,000 tons that India plans to export to Afghanistan.

Chabahar also has an international airport and Irans Navy and Air Force have bases in the city, adding to the ports value. AP
Shiv Kumar



Tribune News Service



Mumbai, December 3



Packaging of milk is proving to be a major hurdle for the Maharashtra government which is working on a comprehensive ban on plastic bags from next April.



As per the draft plan prepared by the state government, plastic will not be used to package water, liquids, groceries, either by retail or wholesale users. The authorities are pushing for glass bottles as an alternative to store liquids like water and oil.



However the powerful dairy industry in Maharashtra is balking at the use of bottles to package milk on the grounds that transporting it in bottles would render it uneconomical. Milk is packed in polythene bags at our dairies in Kolhapur and Mumbai and transported in refrigerated trucks, says the spokesperson of Mahananda Dairy, a major supplier to the countrys financial Capital.



He added that milk trucks would have to make multiple rounds to collect empty glass bottles and investing in cleaning and washing them before refilling them again. Breakage would also result in losses, according to the official. Several dairies in the co-operative sector have warned the Maharashtra government that milk prices would have to be increased by Rs 10 per litre in order to cover the cost of packing milk in bottles.

Dairy officials have also told Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that another alternative of packing milk in Tetra Packs too would entail capital investments.



Mumbai alone consumes 80 lakh litres of milk of which 50 lakh litres are sold in plastic bags.



Incidentally, both the Shiv Sena and the BJP which is part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra have agreed on banning plastic bags from next Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year.
New Delhi, December 3

The Delhi Police on Sunday issued notice to Max Hospital over medical negligence allegations and asked for a report after the hospital mistakenly declared a newborn dead.



News reports said that a woman delivered twins  a boy and a girl  prematurely at the hospital on Thursday. The baby girl was stillborn, the reports quoted the family as saying, but the hospital kept the boy in observation for a few hours before they declared him dead. The twins were handed to the family in plastic bags.

At the cremation ground, parents found the baby boy moving in the plastic bag and immediately took him to a nearby hospital, which confirmed that the child was alive.

The child has been kept on life support at a hospital in Pitampura, a news report said.

Police have asked the hospital staff to appear for questioning.

The Delhi Government on Sunday ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Max Hospital said that it was setting up a committee of experts to investigate the case.

Investigations are expected to conclude by tomorrow, December 4, and findings are expected to be shared thereafter, the hospital said on Sunday evening. Agencies
Thiruvananthapuram/Kanyakumari, December 3

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rose to 19 even as more than 600 fishermen, stranded at sea off the states coast, were rescued, official sources said today.

The very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi lay centred today over east central and south east central Arabian Sea, they said.

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala climbed to 19, with six more bodies being recovered, the sources said.

According to sources, 690 fishermen have been rescued in combined operations carried out by the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Ninety-six fishermen are still missing, they said.

Sixty-three houses have been fully damaged and 74 partially. A total of 6,581 persons have been shifted to various relief camps in the state.

A fresh spell of rainfall is expected to lash Tamil Nadu as the well-marked low pressure area over the south Andaman Sea is likely to turn into a depression in the next 24 hours and a deep depression in the subsequent 48 hours, the Met office said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with senior officials.

Local people complained that there was no information about their missing relatives who had gone to the sea for fishing five days ago.

Angered over the reported delay in locating the missing fishermen, about 100-odd fishermen in 40 boats went to sea today in search of their missing counterparts.

Local people also protested in coastal areas, including Alappuzha and Chellanam in Ernakulam district, on the alleged delay in rescuing the fishermen.  PTI

No scheme to declare it national calamity: Centre

Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre on Sunday said that Cyclone Ockhi cannot be declared a national calamity as there is no such scheme. Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam said the Centre has already given necessary relief funds to the state government. We have received a memorandum from the state government requesting to declare Cyclone Ockhi a national calamity. But there is no such scheme at the Centre to do so, he said. PTI

Blame game on alert, Alphons does U-turn

Thiruvananthapuram: In a blame game over Cyclone Ockhi, the Kerala Government on Sunday insisted that it received an IMD weather alert only on November 30, but Union minister Alphons Kannathananm said it was issued two days earlier. Though Kannanthanam earlier backed the states contention that they had not received any prior warning, he changed his stand within hours and said the central agencies had issued early cyclone alerts. PTI
Bengaluru: Infosys, Indias no. 2 IT firm, on Saturday named Salil S Parekh as its chief executive officer. Parekh, who will join from consultancy firm Capgemini, where he is currently an executive, has been given a five-year term effective January 2, the company announced in a press release. UB Pravin Rao, who was serving as the interim CEO, has been re-designated as chief operating officer from January 2, Infosys said. Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the companys board, said in a statement: Salil has nearly three decades of global experience. Parekh will face the twin challenges of reviving growth and making peace between its founders and board. Former CEO Vishal Sikka announced a sudden exit in August after a protracted public spat with the companys founding executives, led by Narayana Murthy, over strategy and alleged corporate governance lapses. PTI
New Delhi, December 3

AAP leader Kumar Vishwas on Sunday said the party was holding dialogue with those who left the outfit, including Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, to facilitate their return to the party fold.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The controversial remarks, however, were refuted by a party leader close to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"If no one has joined a political party and wants to come here...if one has formed a political party and wants to merge their party with ours...if someone went back for doing social work after being unhappy with us...the list is long. From Subhash Ware to Anjali Damania, Mayank Gandhi, Dharamvira Gandhi to Prashant ji and Yogendra ji.

"We are synchronising the list (of such people).

Dialogues are being held with them by volunteers. We will ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we did, "Kumar said after an interaction with party volunteers at the AAP office here.

AAP founder members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were sacked by the party in April 2015, for "anti-party" activities after they questioned party supremo Arvind Kejriwal's style of functioning.

Subhash Ware, on the other hand, was the party head of Maharashtra state unit, and was considered close to Yadav and Bhushan. Although, Ware continues to be a part of the party, the state unit headed by him was disbanded.

Ware, along with Mayank Gandhi, had opposed dropping of Bhushan and Yadav from the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC). Gandhi later quit the party.

Dharamvira Gandhi, AAP MP from Patiala, was also suspended for alleged anti-party activities. Damania also quit citing the ugly slug fest between Kejriwal and Yadav-Bhushan.

Nevertheless, Swaraj India, political party formed by Yadav and Bhushan, dismissed Vishwas' claims and said those who drifted away from AAP's ideals were now appealing the activists of the Anna movement to return to the fold.

"Instead of appealing others to come back, they (AAP led by Kejriwal) should come back on the right path," Swaraj India chief spokesperson Anupam said.

Vishwas, who is believed to be "unhappy" with the present coterie around Kejriwal, also spoke about 'Aam Aadmi Party version 2'.

When asked to elaborate, the AAP leader said, "The second version (of the party) will focus on giving more priority to volunteers, who will act as 'anti-virus' in the outfit".

Vishwas' meeting with party volunteers comes a week after his announcement at the Ram Lila Maidan here that he would be interacting with the party cadre more often.

Speaking at the party's fifth anniversary last week, the AAP leader had lamented that the party had drifted away from its core principles and needed "course correction".

Attacking a section of AAP leaders, he had likened himself to 'Abhimanyu', the warrior son of Arjun in Mahabharat, and claimed that he would be victorious even in his death.

Vishwas is also considered one of the strong contenders for three Rajya Sabha seats of Delhi, elections for which will be held in January next year.

Party sources said Vishwas was also upset that the AAP was "overlooking" him in the case.  PTI
Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

Amid the ban on the felling of trees imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking permission to remove and dispose of over 22,000 dead and fallen trees has become a Herculean task for Forest Department officials.

Not only has the department ended up paying hefty compensation to victims of road accidents due to fallen trees, incidents of theft of such trees is also being reported. Recently, the department paid Rs 8 lakh as compensation for such an accident in Amritsar, said a senior government official.

The departments claims of compensatory afforestation have been challenged before the tribunal. The claim of dead and fallen trees should be verified in the field, said Dr Amandeep Aggarwal, who has challenged the afforestation claim of the department before the Tribunal.

With a detailed list of such trees in five circles of the department - South, North, Shivalik, Bist and Ferozepore, the department officials have filed an affidavit in this regard while seeking permission to retrieve the trees. It has been prayed that as per the order of the Supreme Court in a writ petition dated December 12, 1996, it was mandatory for all forest areas to be scientifically managed  that includes the regular removal of dead and fallen trees as per the working plan recommended by the department.

It is learnt that such trees have not been retrieved for the last over one year due to the ban. Most of the trees are standing on strips of land adjoining roads, railway lines, canals and bunds, posing danger to human life and property.

The affidavit has been filed by the department in the case of Dr Amandeep Aggarwal vs the State of Punjab and Peacock Environment and Wild Life Protection Society vs the State of Punjab. In the case, the department had in an affidavit filed in August stated that it had chopped off 1.45 lakh trees in less than eight months from October 28, 2016, to June 17, 2017, for various developmental projects in the state. At the same time, it had planted 7.87 lakh saplings under the compensatory afforestation scheme during the ongoing fiscal year so far. The department has a target to plant 2.14 lakh more saplings in the remaining part of the fiscal.

Traffic hazard

Sources say dried up trees have not been removed for the last over one year due to the ban. Most of the trees are standing on strips of land adjoining roads, railway lines, canals and bunds, posing danger to human life and property
Jalandhar: To highlight the plight of homeless people in the UK, Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, MP from Slough, staged a sleep-out in a cardboard box in the open braving cold and freezing temperature. Dhesi and his wife raised donations worth 1000 pounds for #LondongAndSlough charity. Dhesi and the volunteers raised more than 30,000 pounds in donations during last week with an aim to arranging warm food and shelter for the homeless, who were forced to sleep in the open for want of accommodation in London. This sleep-out has taught me a key lesson that having endured freezing temperatures for one night, you begin to appreciate the severe struggles that so many vulnerable people face on a daily basis. We need to tackle the increasing trend of homelessness and people relying on food banks in a rich country like the UK, said Dhesi, also known as Tan Dhesi, who originally hails from Phagwara.

Sidhu gets taste of own medicine

Chandigarh: The winter session of the Vidhan Sabha saw Opposition MLAs rubbing Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu the wrong way over his one-liners. Referring to Sidhus term for new fire tenders (lishkdi gaddi), SAD MLA NK Sharma wondered what was the use of such vehicles when there were no drivers to use them. AAP legislator Kanwar Sandhu confronted the government for not tabling the Conflict of Interest Bill and the Lok Pal Bill, while sarcastically asking Sidhu to thoko tali (applaud). The minister shot back: We dont dish out lollipops.

This officer is much in demand

Muktsar: The popularity of IAS officer Kulwant Singh can be gauged from the fact that the panchayats of six villages and some labour unions are trying to get him back as the Muktsar ADC. They have shot off a letter to the CM and Vidhan Sabhas Deputy Speaker in this regard. Kulwant Singh was transferred to Pathankot in July. His previously held posts of ADC (General) and ADC (Development) are still vacant. Mangal Singh, sarpanch, Rahurianwali village, saidL The ADC used to visit our village to inspect development works. He was very supportive. Major Singh, general secretary, Rickshaw Pullers Union, said: The officer is honest and helpful. He used to give free medicines to ailing people and held in education of needy girls. He should be transferred back.

Harsimrat in battle mode, already

Bathinda: Though there is still time to go for the Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal seems to have already donned the battle gear. She along with her former deputy CM husband Sukhbir Singh Badal recently held a meeting with SAD leaders from Bathinda in an apparent bid to zero in on the reasons that led to the partys poor show in Bathinda in the Assembly elections. They deliberated on how to undo the damage. Last week, she had visited the constituency for two-three days. She first went to the site of under-construction AIIMS in the city and targeted the Congress government for the delay. Later, she visited party leaders and workers in different parts of the city and mingled with their family members too. This is being seen by many as her attempt to regain the lost ground well in time, as there has also been a buzz in the recent past that the NDA government at the Centre may go for Lok Sabha polls in December 2018 along with the Assembly elections in key states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Farmers leaders in credit war

Bathinda: After protests by farmers, it is often seen that unions vie with each other to take credit once their demands are met. The Bathinda police and district administration recently gave in to the demands of farmer unions regarding compensation and a government job to the kin of Bhupinder Singh, a farmer from Mandi Kalan who committed suicide, after 10 days of stir. The police gave contractual job to his brother Prahlad Singh. However, when Prahlad reached the CIA office in Bathinda to join the duty, some farmer union leaders accompanied him and urged the CIA incharge to allow them to get clicked with him on the occasion. But the police officials resorted to some plain speak and told them to leave the office, prompting them to make a hasty retreat.

Panorama on Gurus life at Buddha Johad

Abohar: A panorama on Guru Gobind Singh will be developed at Gurdwara Buddha Johad in Raisinghnagar segment of Sriganganagar. While laying the foundation for the project, Rajasthan Heritage Protection and Promotion Authority chairman Onkar Singh Lakhawat said the project was part of the Guru's 350th birth anniversary celebrations. The state government had in its Budget earmarked Rs 5 crore for the facelift of the historic complex, out of which Rs 3 crore is to be used to develop the panorama. The gurdwara stands as a memorial to Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh, who brought here the head of Massa Ranghar, guilty of insulting the Golden Temple. A trust was formed and registered with Dev Sansthan Board, Rajasthan, to look after its management about four decades ago.

On musical journey post retirement

Chandigarh: Life has come full circle for Gurmeet Singh Meet, who recently superannuated from service as a professor at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Chandigarh. Always fascinated with the world of Gurmat music (a unique musical tradition started by Guru Nanak Dev), he had to give up his first love in 1984 after anti-Sikh riots in his hometown Rudra Prayag. He learnt music during his younger days. He also set up Gandharva School there. But his family was forced to shift to Chandigarh after the riots. Here, he took up a job in a local college, but he always wanted to learn, research and practice music. He has now decided to dedicate the rest of his life to his first love. He has come up with a book Gurmat Sangeetanjali, which includes notations of Asa di Var and shabads in 24 ragas, besides a chapter on tabla. Besides sharing my research through the book, I am also looking forward to teaching Gurmat sangeet in Canada where I am immigrating soon, he says. TNS
Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 3

Accusing the government of adopting an indifferent attitude towards them, unemployed differently abled persons staged a protest at a state-level function here today.

The event was organised to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons at Government Institute for Blind where a large numbers of differently abled persons from across the state gathered.

They claimed that they had received information that appointment letters would be offered to them at the event.

However, when no such development took place, they started raising anti-government slogans.

Earlier, Social Development of Women and Children and Public Works Department Minister Razia Sultana was to attend the function, but she failed to turn up.

At the end of the event, many persons started raising slogans against the government for not giving jobs and pension to them. The authorities claimed that they had not made such announcement.

Sandeep Singh (32) of Sangrur said: We got information from different sources that appointment letters would be given to 272 persons, but nothing was done. After pursuing graduation, I did diploma in arts and crafts, but I am still unemployed.

Ramesh Kumar (27) of Lalru Mandi in Mohali said: We are two brothers and both disabled. My mother is the sole bread earner. The government has failed to provide any facility to us. We were even disrespected on this day. It is a cruel joke on us as we were hopeful of getting jobs. Many of us dont even get pension. Around 1,000 posts reserved for differently abled are lying vacant.

During the event, Principal Secretary, SC/BC Welfare, R Venkat Raman said the state government would ensure the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, in a rightful manner.

He said information about the Act would be made available in Punjabi for higher awareness.

Kavita Singh, Director, Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children, said pension for differently abled persons would be released soon as the process to verify beneficiaries was being conducted.

Were expecting job letters
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

Conceived as a bulwark against cross-border smuggling of arms and narcotics into trouble-torn Punjab in the 1980s, the barbed wire fencing has proved to be the bane of farmers in border villages.

In 1980, when former BSF chief Prakash Singh convinced the Union Government to build a fence, he didnt foresee the problems farmers would have to face.

Septuagenarian Jagir Singh, a native of Wazirpur village in Gurdaspur district, has been tilling his meagre landholding across the fence for the past three decades. He says the man-made obstacle has adversely affected cultivation of various crops.

Planting sugarcane is ruled out as the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army say we cant sow any crop that reaches a height of over 6 ft. Sowing paddy, too, is not feasible as it needs a lot of water. We cant instal tubewells as the PSPCL doesnt give power connections to farmers with land across the fence. We only have to grow wheat, which is not financially remunerative, he laments.

We ask our grandchildren to prepare hard for IELTS (English language test) so that they can go abroad. We are under indebt. Its a hopeless situation for us, he adds.

Farmers of Darya Paar villages (on the other bank of the Ravi river) in Dinanagar Assembly segment narrate a similar tale of woes.

We have been urging the government to build a concrete bridge which will connect us to Gurdaspur in case of floods. However, the BSF and the Army dont allow it due to security reasons. For six months, we remain cut off from the mainland, says Surjit Singh, a resident of Mumy Chakraja village.

In villages of Dera Baba Nanak, people queue up every morning, carrying identity cards and permission letters, to gain entry to their own farms. In BSF parlance, the area beyond the fencing is called no mans land.

Our access to the fenced land depends on the BSFs security drill. Everything we carry  lunch boxes, seed bags, farm equipment  is checked. We have to work as per the BSF schedule, says Surjit Singh.

According to Hakam Singh, a villager, farmers have to line up before officials to get their machinery registered ahead of every sowing/harvesting season. The government should ease the norms, he suggests.

Ferozepur

Limited access to farms

Tractor-trailers and bullock carts daily form a serpentine queue along the Indo-Pakistan border as their owners wait to get past the high-security fence gates. The process is time-consuming. Consequently, farmers get only four to five hours every day to tend to their land/crops.

To add to their woes, wild boars damage crops and the land mafia occupies vacant land. Jaswant Lal, a local farmer with an amputated arm, and his five brothers own around 60 acres in the DT Mal area.

He demands that the barbed wire should be erected along the Zero Line so that farmers get relief. Even the BSFs workload will be reduced, he adds.

Thousands of acres are sandwiched between the fencing and the international border (IB). Though the fencing went a long way in curbing terrorism, it proved counter-productive for the farmers, who lost their land and easy access to their fields, says Bachittar Singh, a former sarpanch.

Farmers have been repeatedly demanding inconvenience allowance, but to no avail, says Karan Singh Dhaliwal, chairman of the Border Kisan Union.

According to sources, the fencing was supposed to be erected around 50-150 metres from the Zero Line, but at many places it was raised 2-3 km inside Indian territory.

The stringent conditions enforced by the BSF, including restricted working hours and a ban on the height of crops, besides frisking, have proved detrimental to the farmers interests.

Jagdev Singh, who owns 50 acres beyond the fencing, lives in penury due to the curbs on cultivation.

BSF officials say the government has decided to relocate the fencing towards the Zero Line, but the work has not yet started.

Amritsar

Wheres compensation?

At 8 am, Maan Singh stands in a queue along the fence at Muhawa village. With every passing hour, he loses precious time to take care of his crop. Hes not alone. For farmers living near the border, its a daily struggle.

Gurnam Singh of Daoke village has a majority of his land across the fence. There are six gates at the fence in the village. Farmers say three of these are opened on alternate days. They get about 5-6 hours to work in the fields under the BSFs close watch -- against the requirement of at least 10 hours daily. Erratic power supply in the villages makes it worse for them. Their problems are compounded during the winter.

Farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa says the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Centre to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to the farmers for the crop loss. No relief has been paid for 2015-16 and 2016-17.

A study by Guru Nanak Dev University revealed that over 17,000-acre land in 200 villages lay beyond the fence and around 11,000 families were affected by the restrictions.

During any conflict, such villages bear the brunt as residents have to be evacuated. It was done last year after the terror attack on the Pathankot airbase and the Armys surgical strike across the LoC.

Tarn Taran

Time-consuming checks

Most farmers are viewed with suspicion by BSF troops due to the acts of a few black sheep. Numerous checks by security personnel leave little time for farm operations.

A farmer from Khalra says, No doubt some farmers have been arrested for smuggling, but not everyone is a smuggler.

Another farmer, Harbhajan Singh, says they cant grow vegetables due to constraints of manpower and longer farm operations.

Farmers claim that land has depreciated considerably over the years. Nobody wants to buy land on the other side of the fence, says Harbhajan.

He avers that laws are meant for the people, not the other way round. His take: The stakeholders must be part of any solution.

- Inputs by Ravi Dhaliwal, Anirudh Gupta, PK Jaiswar and Manmeet Singh Gill
Washington, December 3

The US news network ABC has announced that it has suspended its chief investigative correspondent for four weeks without pay after he was forced to correct a bombshell report on ex-Trump aide Michael Flynn.

Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI over his contacts with Russia, a dramatic escalation of the sprawling investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trumps campaign team and Moscow.

Brian Ross, a longtime ABC reporter, said during a special report shortly thereafter that Flynn would testify that the president ordered him to reach out to Moscow during the campaignnews that sent Wall Street shares tumbling.

ABC later issued a clarification, saying its source had in fact indicated that the orders from Trump came during the presidential transition, after the November 2016 election.

We deeply regret and apologise for the serious error we made yesterday, ABC said yesterday in a statement, adding that the special report had not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process.

It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have built with our audiencethese are our core principles, the statement continued.

We fell far short of that yesterday.

Trump quickly jumped on Twitter to praise ABCs move: Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and papers should do the same with their Fake News! Flynns guilty plea, on a federal charge of making false statements to investigators, came with a pledge to cooperate with special prosecutor Robert Mueller.

Muellers focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to shady business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

The White House rejected the idea that Flynn could implicate anyone else, as the inaccurate ABC report had suggested.

Ross also took to Twitter to comment on the blunder: My job is to hold people accountable and thats why I agree with being held accountable myself. AFP
Lahore, December 3

Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has unveiled his political ambitions by formally announcing that his Jammat-ud-Dawah will contest General Election in Pakistan in 2018 under the banner of the Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be registered with the Election Commission.

The banned JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) which carried out the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next years General Election, said Saeed, a terrorist leader designated by both the United Nations and the US.

Talking to a group of columnists at the JuD headquarters in Chauburji here yesterday, he dedicated 2018 for Kashmiris. The JuD chief, who carries a bounty of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under detention since January this year.

Saeed is also the vice-president of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council, an umbrella coalition of more than 40 political and religious parties that advocate conservative policies.

In September when Saeed was under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD entered in the political arena and contested by-poll from NA-120. That National Assembly had fallen vacant on the disqualification of prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharifs wife Kulsoom Nawaz had won that seat.  PTI
London, December 3

A 19-year-old Muslim student with hijab was stopped from placing an order in a McDonald's restaurant in north London, according to a media report.

The girl was in the McDonald's outlet on Seven Sister's road in Holloway when a guard asked her to take off the hijab if she wanted to queue up for ordering food, The Independent reported.

"It's just a matter of taking it (hijab) off," the guard told the girl. She responded: "It's not just a matter of taking it off.

I wear this for religious reasons and I'm not ashamed of it, and I will stand in line and I will get the food I want, because this isn't okay."

Another customer intervened to defend the girl, a British Muslim of Middle Eastern descent, but was told by the guard: "It's none of your business".

The restaurant later issued an apology and said it has suspended the security guard involved in the incident.

In a statement, McDonald's said it has no policy that estricts or prevents anyone wearing a hijab, or any other religious attire, from entering our restaurants.

"We welcome customers of all faiths and sincerely apologise for this situation. We are taking this matter very seriously and are addressing the situation with the individuals involved; the security guard, from a third party company, has been suspended," it said. PTI
Tehran/New Delhi, December 3

In a significant sign of successful trilateral cooperation, Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the Shahid Beheshti Port in the countrys southeastern city of Chabahar as India, Iran and Afghanistan discussed further transit options.

The port opens a new strategic transit route between Iran, India, Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations bypassing Pakistan.

The project in Irans southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by 60 foreign dignitaries from 17 countries, including Indian Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan, at the port located by the Sea of Oman.

Located 645 km to the south of Zahedan, the provincial capital city, the only oceanic port of Iran will now link its Sistan and Baluchestan provinces to Central Asia and Afghanistan.

We are happy that the first wheat shipment for Afghanistan has been sent to the countrys people via the Iranian port, Rouhani said, according to IRNA news agency. The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air, Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.

An Indian External Affairs Ministry statement issued in New Delhi said Radhakrishnan represented India in the second meeting of the India-Iran-Afghanistan ministerial-level trilateral meeting on Chabahar port development on Sunday.

In the trilateral meeting with Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi and Afghan Trade and Commerce Minister Humayoon Rasaw, the three sides reviewed and positively assessed the progress in the development of Chabahar port and reiterated their commitment to complete and operationalise the port at the earliest that would contribute to bilateral and regional trade and economic development and also provide alternate access to landlocked Afghanistan to regional and global markets, it said.

According to a joint statement issued following the meeting, the three ministers decided to finalise protocols related to transport and transit, ports, customs procedures and consular affairs.

The ports inauguration comes more than a month after the first consignment of wheat from India to Afghanistan was sent via Chabahar  the first shipment after the trilateral agreement to develop the port as a transport and transit corridor between India, Iran and Afghanistan was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iranian and Afghan Presidents Rouhani and Ashraf Ghani, respectively, in May last year.

Shahid Beheshti Port will be regarded as a new development stage for the province, President Rouhani said in Sundays event. The capacity of the port is 8.5 million tonnes.

The port will increase the capacity of loading and unloading of the ships as well as the employment rate in the province, according to an official with the Sistan and Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Organisation.

Ahead of the inauguration, Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on a surprise stopover on her way back from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Russia met her Iranian counterpart Zarif in Tehran on Saturday and discussed the port project among other issues.  IANS

Rival to Gwadar
Washington, December 3

The US is not satisfied with Pakistan's co-operation in the war against terror as part of its South Asia strategy and yet to see Islamabad taking steps to "rein in" the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a senior Trump administration official has said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He also termed the release of Mumbai-terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed "a step backward" in that direction.

The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was "not an indication" of Islamabad's co- operation with the US in the war against terrorism.

"Our diplomatic pressure, as well as our own intelligence agencies diligent work led to the release of the Coleman family. So, I am not sure if that qualifies as step forward (by Pakistan as part of the South Asia Strategy announced by President Donald Trump in August)," the official said.

"We are happy that the Colemans are free and that they have been released. But we are still waiting to see Pakistan take steps to reign in the Taliban and the Haqqani network. We are not satisfied that they have done anything significant on this front," he said.

The US, the official said, has now a different approach to Pakistan. "We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory".

Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

"But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognise that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldn't necessarily occur overnight.

"But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take," he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said.

"But, I don't think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And we're still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan," he added.

The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on "genuine" peace process, as it is not interested in talks for talks sake.

"We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we don't believe they'll be ready for talks.

"They will continue to believe that they can advance on the battlefield rather than on the negotiating table," he said, adding: "So, we need to see Pakistan ensures that they don't have a sanctuary within Pakistan. And only at that time we assess that they'll really be ready for genuine negotiations with the Afghan government".

The White House official, however, refused to give any time line for actions on Pakistan, saying he thinks that it would not be helpful.

"But I just want to assure you that that we are thinking in terms of timelines and we are monitoring the progress and we do expect meaningful actions in a certain time-frame and we are prepared to implement new policies and take different steps if we don't see some progress," he said. PTI
Beijing, December 3

Googles India-born CEO Sundar Pichai on Sunday made a strong case for the search giants return to China, saying it is already helping Chinese companies gain global access.

Google was shut down in China in 2010 following a showdown with the government over censor policies. Since then Google, Gmail, Youtube and its other products are banned in the worlds second largest economy.

A lot of work Google does is to help Chinese companies, the 45-year-old Google CEO, who has a BTech degree from IIT Kharagpur, said at a state-run global internet conference at the Chinese city of Wuzen.

The conference was also addressed by Apple CEO Tim Cook and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Many small and medium-sized businesses in China take advantage of Google to get their products to many other countries outside of China, Pichai told the meeting, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

After the ban, Google subsequently shifted its operations to Hong Kong.

In its absence, Chinese firms like Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu and JD.com emerged most powerful players in China and abroad.

Google and its products can be accessed in China through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) over which Beijing has stepped up a crackdown in recent times.

Apple this year agreed to the Chinese governments requests to remove dozens of virtual private network (VPN) apps services that allow Chinese users to access blocked websites from its local App Store.

Skype, the calling app, was removed from its mainland App Store this autumn.

Pichais attendance at the state sponsored internet meeting came after China recently lifted the ban on Google translation services.

Besides Google, a number of global social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter remain banned in China over fears that their presence would open-up to millions of Chinas social media users marginalising the official media.

In his address, Cook said the theme of this conference  developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits  is a vision we at Apple share, adding that Apple is proud to have worked alongside many of our partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace.

The World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, near Shanghai, is an annual gathering of mainly Chinese internet officials and internet company executives as well as bureaucrats from developing countries.

The previous three conferences in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were not attended by top US tech executives, including Cook and Pichai, the Post report said.

The Chinese government uses the event to pursue its argument that its censorship and regulation of the internet does not harm the development of technology and business prosperity.

Cook is a frequent visitor to China and was last in the country five weeks ago.

The Apple chief executives presence indicates the importance of the Chinese market for the iPhone maker, even though Apples market share of Chinas smartphone market is shrinking.

In his address, Xi spoke of cyber sovereignty.

Xi said that online developments were raising many new challenges to sovereignty and security, and China was willing to work with the international community to respect cyberspace sovereignty and promote partnerships.  PTI
Tel Aviv, December 3

Tens of thousands of people have protested in Tel Aviv against what they say is corruption within the government and the slow pace of investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from wealthy supporters and has also faced police questioning over a secret deal he allegedly sought for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.

Protesters late yesterday massed in a large boulevard of an upmarket neighbourhood in the Israeli city, an AFP reporter said, shouting Shame and Bibi go home, referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

The rallydubbed the march of shamewas organised by the leaders of weekly protests which have taken place outside the home of Attorney General Avishai Mandelblit over the past few months.

Bibi and his government are destroying the country.

Theres been enough corruption, said demonstrator Michal, a Tel Aviv resident who preferred not to give his full name.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity with the protesters, writing on Facebook that the frustration ...

stems from a feeling of injustice, revulsion against corruption and the moral objection to a law made to measure for one person.

Israels parliament will tomorrow give a second and third reading of a bill that Netanyahus opponents say is designed to help him survive the police investigation.

The bills sponsor, David Amsalem of Netanyahus Likud party, said he sought only to protect the rights and reputation of suspects.

Netanyahu is suspected of having received luxury gifts from affluent individuals including Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who has also been questioned.

Milchan, a long-time friend of Netanyahu, reportedly sent him boxes of expensive cigars and other items worth tens of thousands of dollars.

In addition to suspicions that the gifts constituted bribery, the police also suspect that Netanyahu sought a secret pactnot believed to have been finalisedwhich would have seen him receive favourable coverage in return for helping curb Yediots competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents. AFP
Los Angeles, December 3

About 5,000 protesters gathered on Saturday in front of the Utah State Capitol against a plan proposed by the federal government to shrink two national monuments in the state.

It was reported that the plan would be announced by US President Donald Trump when he visits Utah next Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rally was organised by Utah Dine Bikeyah, a non-profit and grassroots Native American organization working to protect and preserve cultural uses of public lands by tribes in southern Utah.

These tribes are collaboratively managing Bears Ears National Monument in the state, the first truly Native American national monument, so that they have showed their strong opposition against the plan to reduce the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

The two monuments were designated by former presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively.

Documents obtained by The Washington Post suggested that Bears Ears would be reduced by 85 per cent, from 1.35 million acres (5,463 sq km) to 201,397 acres (815 sq km), while Grand Staircase-Escalante was to be halved from nearly 1.9 million acres (7,689 sq km) to 997,490 acres (4,037 sq km).

Trump is scheduled to visit Utah on Monday and deliver a speech at the Capitol, local media predicted that he would officially announce the decision to shrink size of the two monuments.  IANS
Los Angeles, December 3

About 5,000 protesters gathered on Saturday in front of the Utah State Capitol against a plan proposed by the federal government to shrink two national monuments in the state.

It was reported that the plan would be announced by US President Donald Trump when he visits Utah next Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rally was organised by Utah Dine Bikeyah, a non-profit and grassroots Native American organization working to protect and preserve cultural uses of public lands by tribes in southern Utah.

These tribes are collaboratively managing Bears Ears National Monument in the state, the first truly Native American national monument, so that they have showed their strong opposition against the plan to reduce the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

The two monuments were designated by former presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively.

Documents obtained by The Washington Post suggested that Bears Ears would be reduced by 85 per cent, from 1.35 million acres (5,463 square kilometres) to 201,397 acres (815 square kilometres), while Grand Staircase-Escalante was to be halved from nearly 1.9 million acres (7,689 square kilometres) to 997,490 acres (4,037 square kilometres).

Trump is scheduled to visit Utah on Monday and deliver a speech at the Capitol, local media predicted that he would officially announce the decision to shrink size of the two monuments. IANS
Washington, December 3

US President Donald Trump denied today having asked then FBI director James Comey to stop investigating ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn, who has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about discussions with Russia. Trump also insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Moscow in last years election, and shifted blame on the Justice Department and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie! Trump said in a tweet.

But his position was complicated by another Twitter post in which he indicated he had fired Flynn because the national security chief had been untruthful not just to Vice-President Mike Pence but to the FBI as well. That comment appeared to indicate Trump was acknowledging he knew at the time of Flynns firing in February that he had lied to the bureaus agents.

If that is true, Mr President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn? asked Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to let this go?

White House officials, however, told The New York Times that Trump was only referencing Flynns guilty plea for lying to the FBI about his conversations with then Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak over sanctions president Barack Obama slapped on Russia for election meddling.

And two people briefed on the matter said the Twitter post was in fact written by Trump's personal lawyer John Dowd, who apologised to the White House for the tactless language.  AFP

Slams FBI, justice dept for double standard
Washington/New York, December 3

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that actions by former national security adviser Michael Flynn during the presidential transition were lawful, and that he had had to fire him because Flynn had lied to the FBI and the vice-president.

The Presidents comment suggested he may have known Flynn lied to the FBI before he urged the FBI director not to investigate his former adviser, legal experts said. But they noted that it was unclear from the tweeted comment exactly what the president knew when.

Flynn is the first member of Trumps administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Muellers wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence last years US presidential election and possible collusion by Trump aides.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice-President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies, Trump said on Twitter while he was in New York for a fundraising trip.

It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Flynn, who on Friday pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, is a former Defense Intelligence Agency director who was Trumps national security adviser only for 24 days. He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Russias then-ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak.

What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion, Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the New York trip. Theres been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy.

Establishing when Trump was told Flynn lied to the FBI agents could be key to determining if the president acted improperly.

According to a person familiar with the matter, during a conversation between White House counsel Don McGahn and then-acting attorney general Sally Yates in January, Yates told McGahn that Flynn had told FBI agents the same thing he had told Pence.

This was the same conversation reported earlier this year in which Yates told McGahn that Flynn had misled the vice president about his conversations with the Russian ambassador and that he might be compromised, the person said.

However, Yates did not give McGahn the impression that the FBI was actively pursuing Flynn for lying, the source said.

McGahn did not believe the FBI was investigating Flynn for lying because the bureau had not revoked his security clearance, the person said.

McGahn shared the information from Yates with the president, the person said.

A lawyer for McGahn did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Yates did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Legal experts said if Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI and then pressured then-FBI director James Comey not to investigate him, that would be problematic.

If that were the case Trumps tweet absolutely bolsters an obstruction of justice charge, said Jimmy Gurule, a former federal prosecutor and a law professor at Notre Dame University.

It is evidence of the crucial question of whether Trump acted with a corrupt intent.

In May, the president fired Comey, who later accused Trump of trying to hinder his investigation into the Russia allegations. Comey also said he believed Trump had asked him to drop the FBIs probe into Flynn.

Andrew Wright, a professor at Savannah Law School, said the tweet is open to interpretation and that Trumps lawyer would downplay its significance.

White House attorney Ty Cobb referred questions about the presidents tweet to Trumps personal attorney, John Dowd, who described it as a paraphrase of a statement Cobb had made on Friday reacting to Flynns guilty plea.

According to a person familiar with the matter, Dowd composed the tweet.

The tweet is bizarre and helpful to Mueller and hurtful to the president, said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago now at the law firm Thompson Coburn. Its one more piece of evidence that helps show the presidents intent when he fired Comey.

As part of his plea on Friday, Flynn agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

The retired US Army lieutenant general admitted in a Washington court that he lied to FBI investigators about his discussions last December with Kislyak.

In what appeared to be moves undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama, the pair discussed US sanctions on Russia, and Flynn asked Kislyak to help delay a United Nations vote seen as damaging to Israel, according to prosecutors.

Flynn was also told by a very senior member of Trumps transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the UN vote, the prosecutors said.

Sources told Reuters the very senior transition official was Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior advisor.

Kushners lawyer did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Separately, speaking at a defense conference in California on Saturday, Trumps current national security advisor H.R. McMaster said he saw no evidence that the indictment of Flynn, his immediate predecessor, was hurting US national security.

Theres tremendous confidence, I think theres more confidence in the United States frankly. I think theres a sense that were re-engaging in areas where we had largely disengaged, he said. Reuters
United Nations, December 3

The US on Sunday said it has pulled out of Global Compact on Migration, arguing that the Obama-era negotiated UN deal contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with its immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administrations immigration principles.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

President Trump determined that the US would end its participation in the Compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018, the US Mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

Earlier, the mission informed the UN Secretary-General about the US decision to end its participation in the Global Compact on Migration.

US participation in the Compact process began in 2016, following the Obama Administrations decision to join the UNs New York Declaration on migration.

The New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administrations immigration principles, it said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said America is proud of its immigrant heritage and its long-standing moral leadership in providing support to migrant and refugee populations across the globe.

No country has done more than the United States, and its generosity will continue, she said.

But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with US sovereignty, she said.

Under the Trump administration, the US has pulled out of several global commitments including the UN culture and education body, UNESCO, and the Paris climate change agreement. PTI
Dubai, December 3

Yemen's Houthi group has fired a cruise missile towards a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the group's television service reported on its website on Sunday, without providing any evidence.

The Iran-aligned Houthis control much of northern Yemen and had said Abu Dhabi, a member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting against them since 2015, was a target for their missiles.

"The missile force announces the launching of a winged cruise missile ... towards the al-Barakah nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi," the website said. It gave no further details.

The Barakah project, which is being built by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), is expected to be completed and become operational in 2018, the UAE energy minister has said.

UAE state news agency WAM quoted he country as denying the claim.

It quoted the UAE's emergency and crisis management department as saying the UAE possessed a missile defence system that could deal with any such threats and adding the al-Barakah nuclear plant was secure against all eventualities.

It is the second time this year the Houthis have said they have fired missiles towards the UAE. A few months ago they said they had "successfully" test fired a missile towards Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Deb Perelman never wanted to write a cookbook.

She was more than happy with her popular food blog, Smitten Kitchen, recounting her adventures in creating dishes for family and friends in the tiny kitchen of her New York apartment.

I love the immediacy of it, Perelman said. I could update with whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. And I was able to earn a living at it, so the thought of doing a cookbook just didnt appeal to me.

However, many visitors to Perelmans blog, along with a few publishers, began asking when a Smitten Kitchen cookbook would be published.

Ive never been a part of the food industry, so I didnt know that a cookbook was the next logical step in ones career, Perelman said. But Im glad I finally came around to the idea of doing a book.

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook was published in 2012, became a New York Times best-seller and earned the International Association of Culinary Professionals Julia Child Award for Best First Cookbook.

And I thought, Great, thats it, were good,  Perelman said. I got the book out, and now, I can go back to working on the blog. But after a while, I started to hear the calling of doing a second cookbook.

That book, Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant & Unfussy New Favorites, was published in October. Perelman has spent much of the time since its publication touring the country to promote the book, which collects more than 100 new recipes, along with a few new versions of Smitten Kitchen favorites.

Perelmans penultimate stop on her tour will be in Tulsa, in an event co-sponsored by BookSmart Tulsa and Magic City Books.

Perelman originally started her blog in 2003, when it was titled Smitten and dealt primarily with her life as a single woman living in New York. One of the first people to post a response to her blog would become her husband, and the focus of the blog shifted to more domestic matters, primarily Perelmans fascination with food.

Perelmans emphasis on comfort food stepped up, with flavorful dishes made with ingredients any home cook could readily obtain, and her conversational tone and self-deprecating humor helped attract millions of followers.

With the first book, it was a bit like throwing paint against the wall, she said. It was all about what I wanted to cook that interested me, or things that I had wanted to try for years to make. The second book was a little harder to put together because you want to avoid including things youve already done.

The new book is also Perelmans response to many of the every day cookbooks out on the market, promising to show how to turn five ingredients over the course of 20 minutes into something to set on the dinner table before ones friends and family.

Its not that these cookbooks are bad, but to me, they just were uninspiring, Perelman said. They all seemed predicated on getting you out of the kitchen as quickly as possible  you know, Heres some stuff I dumped together because it would be quick. 

Perelman said one of her inspirations for the book was the late Marion Cunningham, author of The Breakfast Book and Learning to Cook, who was a champion of the rewards and benefits of home cooking that go beyond a full stomach.

She really fought against the idea of cooking as being drudgery, Perelman said. There is something important that happens when people sit down together and break bread. I think about that so much, and I want to respect that. But I also realize that a lot of people, my family included, live a hurried and busy life, so I took that into consideration, as well.

Perelman, who worked as an art therapist and IT writer before Smitten Kitchen took off, said she enjoys being on tour.

No one is making me do this, she said, laughing. I feel I have a more personal relationship with people who read my site, and I really love meeting people, seeing the faces, hearing the stories they have to tell, and really having the kind of conversations you can only have face to face.

Chocolate Pecan Slab Pie

Makes 12 to 18 servings

Considering how annoyed I get about fairly inconsequential stuff, such as decorative paper straws (mmm, wet paper fibers), single giant ice cubes in cocktails (that thwack you in the face when you take a sip), or a single granule of playground sandbox matter in my bed (always the bed; always the bed!), I am sure someone finds it illogical that I find it difficult to get worked up about the evils of corn syrup. My gut feeling is that it shows up mostly in things that nobody is eating for underlying health benefits, and that we all understand were only supposed to enjoy in moderation (candies, caramels, etc.); shouldnt that be enough?

What does bother me about it, however, is that its just plain bland  it tastes like sweet nothingness, and though I can shrug this off in small quantities, in larger amounts its a real bummer. With this in my mind, I went from assuming that everyone who wanted to make pecan pie already had a go-to recipe for it, to creating my own, with as much nuanced, deeply toasted, luxurious flavor as I could pack in there. But first I have five rather bossy rules for making an excellent pecan pie:

Toast your nuts! You must, you must. Untoasted pecans taste sweet but faintly waxy. Toasted pecans taste like toffeed pecan pie before they even hit the caramel. Just do it.

Dark-brown sugar trumps light-brown: more molasses, more flavor. By the same logic, both maple syrup and golden syrup taste better to me in pecan pie than corn syrup. The latter, a lightly cooked cane sugar syrup from the U.K. that is basically their maple syrup (i.e., beloved on pancakes), does contain a bit more sodium than corn syrup, however, so hold the salt back slightly if youre using it. (I learned this the hard way.) I have also used honey in the past, but prefer using it for only half the volume of liquid sweetener here; otherwise, I find its flavor takes over.

A tiny bit of cider vinegar (trust me) really helps balance out the aching sweetness of a gooey caramel pie.

Good pecan pie causes a commotion, so youre going to want to make a lot. Go slab or go home (and have to make more).

Finally, if you want to gild the lily (of course you do), add some chocolate.

Crust

3  cups (490 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for your work surface

1  teaspoons fine sea salt

1  tablespoons (20 grams) granulated sugar

1  cups (12 ounces or 340 grams) unsalted butter, very cold

 cup (175 ml) very cold water

Filling

3  cups (330 grams) pecan halves

8 ounces (225 grams) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped, or about 1  cups chocolate chips

 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

10 tablespoons (145 grams) unsalted butter

1 2/3 cups (215 grams) packed dark-brown sugar

1 cup (235 ml) maple syrup or golden syrup (see headnote)

 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1  teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract

1  tablespoons (25 ml) bourbon (optional)

5 large eggs

To finish

1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) water

1. To make the pie dough by hand: In the bottom of a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Work the butter into the flour with your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles a coarse meal and the largest bits of butter are the size of tiny peas. (Some people like to do this by freezing the stick of butter and coarsely grating it into the flour, but I havent found the results as flaky.)

2. To make the pie dough with a food processor: in the work bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the butter, and pulse the machine until the mixture resembles a coarse meal and the largest bits of butter are the size of tiny peas. Turn the mixture out into a mixing bowl.

3. Both methods: Add the cold water, and stir with a spoon or flexible silicone spatula until large clumps form. Use your hands to knead the dough together a few times right in the bottom of the bowl. Divide the dough and wrap each half in a sheet of plastic wrap or waxed paper, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or up to 72 hours, or you can quick-firm this in the freezer for 15 minutes. If you plan to keep it longer than 3 days, it will have the best flavor if you freeze it until needed.

4. Prepare the filling: Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the bottom of a 10-by-15-by-1-inch baking sheet or jelly-roll pan with parchment paper.

5. Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once or twice so that they toast evenly. Set aside until needed. If you like smaller bits, you can chop some or all of the nuts to your desired size.

6. Melt the chocolate chunks with the heavy cream, and stir until smooth. Spread over the bottom of the frozen crust. Freeze the crust again until the chocolate is solid, about another 10 minutes.

7. Assemble the pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll one of your dough halves (the larger one, if you have two different sizes) into an 18-by-13-inch rectangle. This can be kind of a pain, because it is so large. Do your best to work quickly, keeping the dough as cold as possible and using enough flour so it doesnt stick to the counter. Transfer the dough to your prepared baking sheet, and gently drape some of the overhang in, so that the dough fills out the inner edges and corners. Some pastry will still hang over the sides of the pan; trim this to 1/2 inch. Freeze the piecrust in the pan until it is solid.

8. In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, maple or golden syrup, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the pecans, cider vinegar, vanilla, and bourbon (if using). Pour into a bowl (so that it cools faster), and set the mixture aside to cool a little, 5 to 10 minutes. Then whisk in one egg at a time until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie shell.

9. Roll the second of your dough halves (the smaller one, if they were different sizes) into a 16-by-11-inch rectangle.

10. You can drape it over in one piece (cutting slits to vent the top), or cut it into wide strips to form a lattice; pinch or crimp the upper and lower crusts together, and fold the bottom crusts overhang, if you wish, over the top crust to seal it. (The lattice is always a bit of a mess, but no matter how much you hodgepodge it, people will freak out when they see it.) Lightly beat the egg with water, and brush this over the top crust and edges.

11. Bake the pie: Bake at 350 degrees until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack until just warm to the touch, about another 30 minutes, before cutting into squares.

Adapted and excerpted from Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites. Copyright  2017 by Deb Perelman. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission from the publisher.

Bacony Baked Pintos with the Works

Makes 6 servings

I totally get why the prospect of beans for dinner is a hard sell. Even if they werent the source of endless jokes, theyd still have to live down their culinary reputation as something that takes forever to cook, and then, when theyre done, they still need to be made into something else like soup or a stew or a mash to line tacos or a sweet and smoky side to barbecue. But I think a world in which we have a trick or two for turning a few cans or a bag of dried beans (still only $2, even in Manhattan) into a solid and satisfying dinner would be a better place, and this recipe is mine: pink, anonymous-seeming beans, baked with spices and served with all the fixings worth eating, eaten with our hands.

This meal is fun. The bacon assuages any meat-free-meal skeptics, but anyone who doesnt eat meat can recognize its superfluousness here; it imparts a sweet smoky flavor, but there are so many tastes that if you were to skip it, you wouldnt know it was gone. The fixings make it busy: a little kicky relish, juicy tomatoes, buttery avocado, a dollop of sour cream, extra lime and hot sauce for those who cannot get enough, and a great heap of oven-baked tortilla chips. You dont need to share a table with an opinionated 7-year-old to know that dinners that are scooped up with chips are 100 percent more fun than those that are not.

Beans:

1 pound (455 grams) dried pinto beans (pink beans) or four 15-ounce cans cooked pinto beans

 pound (115 grams) bacon, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

2 tablespoons (35 grams) tomato paste

2 teaspoons ground cumin

 teaspoon ground coriander

2 teaspoons chili powder (the spice blend)

 teaspoon cayenne, or shakes of your favorite hot sauce or chipotle puree to taste

2 teaspoons coarse sea or kosher salt (for lightly salted broth; use more for unsalted broth, and less for salted or canned beans)

4 cups (945 ml) vegetable broth (for dried beans) plus 1 cup (235 ml) water (if beans werent presoaked), or 1  cups (355 ml) vegetable broth (for precooked/ canned beans)

Fixings:

Soft corn tortillas for tortilla chips (estimate 2 tortillas per person)

Fine salt, to taste

 medium-large white onion, minced

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

Juice of  lime, plus more lime wedges

1 large avocado, diced or sliced

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

Sour cream, Mexican crema, or plain yogurt

Hot sauce

1. Soak dried beans. Do you have to soak beans before you cook them? No, nope. But it will save a lot of cooking time, making this more of a 1-hour weeknight meal. So, if you can plan ahead, soak the pintos in an ample amount of water at room temperature for 24 hours. Dont have 24 hours? I soaked mine for 3. Using canned beans? Skip this step entirely.

2. Prepare your beans: Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Put the bacon in a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven or a deep saute pan, and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the bacon is brown and crisp and the fat has rendered out, 5 to 7 minutes. Scoop the bacon bits onto paper towels to drain, spooning off all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat. Add the onion to the pan and cook (still over medium) until soft and lightly golden at the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the tomato paste, spices, and cayenne or chipotle, and cook for 1 minute. Add the salt and the canned or drained soaked beans.

3: For precooked or canned beans, add 1  cups broth. For soaked dried beans, add 4 cups broth. For unsoaked dried beans, add 4 cups broth and 1 cup water to start.

4. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 full minute. Place a lid on the pot and transfer it carefully to the oven.

5. Bake your beans. Please keep in mind that cooking beans isnt a perfect science, and the amount of liquid absorbed if the beans are presoaked, the age and freshness of the beans, and even the softness of beans from a can are all going to affect how much cooking time and liquid are needed. But these estimates are fairly solid in my experience.

6. Already cooked or canned beans: Bake for 15 minutes. Soaked dried beans: Bake for 45 minutes (estimate for 24 hours or longer soaking) to 75 minutes (estimate for 2 to 3 hours soaking). Dried beans that have not been soaked: Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, but after 50 minutes, start checking every 10 to 15 minutes to see if more liquid or cooking time will be needed.

7. The beans are done when theyre firm-tender and moist, with most of the liquid absorbed.

8. About 30 minutes before the beans are done, bake the chips. Brush the tortillas lightly with oil. Stack them and cut into 8 wedges. Spread the wedges in one snug layer on a large baking sheet or two (because the beans are baking, you may need to do this in two batches). Season lightly with fine salt. Bake for 10 minutes, check for color, and then add more baking time as needed until theyre golden and crisp. Let them cool.

9. Make the relish: Combine the onion, jalapeno, and cilantro with the olive oil and lime juice. Season with salt to taste. This is easily tweaked with more of any of the three ingredients to your taste.

10. To serve: Beans are served right in their cooking pan. Chips and each fixing go in their own bowls. Everyone assembles their bowls to their taste, and everyone wins.

Adapted and excerpted from Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites. Copyright  2017 by Deb Perelman. Used with permission of Alfred A. Knopf.
After weeks of consideration and 14 hours of debate Friday, Oklahomas two U.S. senators voted after midnight in favor of a major tax cut package that narrowly passed the Senate.

While Sen. Jim Inhofes vote was unsurprising and never in doubt, Sen. James Lankfords support hung in the balance for much of the week over his opposition to raising the national debt.

On Wednesday, Lankford said he would vote for the bill if a deficit trigger  a provision repealing the tax cuts when revenue drops  was inserted. Thursday night, it was not inserted. Friday, he voted for the bill without it.

Im going to be yes either way, Lankford told Capitol Hill reporters before the vote. Its walking a tightrope with a net or without a net. You prefer to have a net, but I think its going to work.
A woman was taken to a hospital after a house fire Saturday night.

Firefighters were called to the 800 block of North 56th Street just after 7 p.m. on reports of a house on fire, Battalion Chief Leo Benes said. Police found the home's resident at a neighbor's house and transported her to a hospital for evaluation. She was the only person in the home at the time of the fire.

Neighbors Bill and Belinda England said they heard a loud bang before their neighbor knocked on their door asking them to call 911. When they looked outside, they saw flames pouring from the structure.

"It was scary watching it go up in flames so fast like that," Belinda England said.

A food dehydrator in the garage caught fire and extended to the house, causing an estimated $225,000 in damage. Fire investigator Rick Campos said the family had been using the dehydrator to make deer jerky.

Benes said the home had "hoarder-like conditions" and the significant amount of items inside may make the investigation more difficult.
Reform proposals: Republican Todd Lamb and Democrat Drew Edmondson released reform initiatives last week as part of their campaigns for governor.

Lamb announced a broad ethics proposal that includes everything from a ban on alcohol in the Capitol to make legislators who leave office early pay for special elections to replace them.

Lamb, a former legislator and the current lieutenant governor, said fundamental reforms are necessary to restore the publics faith in state government.

There is a growing concern among Oklahomans that the state Capitol is in chaos, and that some members of the Legislature are too caught up in the politics of their positions rather than serving the best interest of their constituents, he said.

Alluding to recent battles between state officials and the press, Edmondson said he wants to create an office devoted to ensuring compliance with the states Open Meetings and Open Records laws.

Government belongs to the people, Edmondson said. The meetings we hold, the records we create  all of that belongs to the people. We should be working to guarantee that access. Instead, over the last seven years, weve seen an effort from the current administration to skirt the law and, in some cases, to outright stonewall the public. That has to stop.

Cancer concern: State Rep. Matt Meredith, D-Tahlequah, addressed what seems to be a growing concern in Cherokee County and adjacent areas of the state  childhood cancer.

For some time, area residents have complained about what they say is an unusually high rate of pediatric cancer. The state Health Department began a study last spring to determine if the rate is actually higher, but no results have been released.

Meredith said an investigative team will meet early this month to go through the information collected by the Health Department.

If the evidence shows that the incidence of childhood cancer is statistically higher than the state as a whole or if it is found to be increasing over time, the Oklahoma State Department of Health will work with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to determine what factors may be causing the increased rate, Meredith said.

Candidates and elections: State House District 9 incumbent Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, will seek re-election next year. A former telecommunications executive, Lepak is in his second term.

Ted King of Claremore intends to challenge Lepak in the GOP primary.

Meetings and events: Heart of the Party, the Tulsa County Democratic Party womens club, is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Sunday at Baxters Interurban, 717 S. Houston Ave.

The Tulsa County Democratic Partys monthly lunch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday at Baxters Interurban, 717 S. Houston Ave.

Bottom lines: A commission authorized to conduct performance audits of all state agencies will hold its first meeting Thursday. ... Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter joined 23 other AGs urging Congress to adopt national concealed-carry reciprocity legislation.
ANADARKO  Long accused of under serving thousands of Native American students, the federal agency that oversees 183 Indian schools across the country  including five in Oklahoma  is working to establish a new direction.

Officials with the Bureau of Indian Education held a town hall Tuesday at Riverside Indian School in Anadarko to present a draft of a new strategic plan, inviting feedback from educators and tribal leaders.

When you look at our system, we have had such a high turnover with directors, that without a plan, every time we lose a director, we lose momentum, said Tony Dearman, who was named director last year. With this document ... no matter who is in the director position, it is going to continue moving forward.

Students of Bureau of Indian Education schools have collectively struggled academically when compared to native students at traditional public schools, according to reports by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The blue coat of arms of the 279th Infantry has been spotted at several of historys flash points over the past century  the Rhineland, the Ardennes, the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan  and will soon leave another.

Ukraine, where 250 of the Oklahoma National Guard soldiers have been for the past year, is a nation at war. More than 10,000 people have been killed in fighting between the Ukrainian military and Russia-backed separatists on the nations east side, according to United Nations estimates.

Now, as the 279th hands over training duties to the New York National Guard, Oklahoma members of Congress are urging President Donald Trump to send military weaponry to the NATO partner.

Russias continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraines territorial integrity warrants a strong response from those of us who respect the rules-based international order, wrote Sen. Jim Inhofe in a letter to Trump last month.
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Richard Marthel has been through some ups and downs.

The Army veteran couldn't find affordable housing after moving to Lincoln two years ago.

He's faced a couple of evictions and had landlords seize his property. Marthel had to stay in Veterans Affairs transition housing three times.

But now the 64-year-old Vietnam veteran has found a permanent home at the Victory Park Veterans Residence, a new three-story apartment complex on the VA campus near 70th and O streets.

"I've been waiting a long time for this," said Marthel, who served as a radio teletype operator in South Korea from 1971 to 1973.

More than 100 volunteers helped outfit Marthel's and 24 other veterans' one-bedroom apartments Saturday morning with donated furniture and other necessities.

The 25 veterans are the first residents at the complex that offers subsidized housing to homeless and low-income veterans.

Some of the residents, such as Marthel, signed leases Saturday and moved in right away.

Ryan Haakenson, a sophomore at Union College, came with his Seventh-day Adventist Bible study group to help move furniture.

"We just want to do what we can," the 20-year-old said. "They've done so much for us, we want to help give something back."

It wasn't the easiest work, either, as Haakenson discovered.

"Some of it's been pretty hard," Haakenson said, laughing, as he explained how he and some friends muscled a huge, leather sofa up three flights of stairs. "But it's rewarding to know that we've been able to help out."

Heroes into Homes, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that helps veterans furnish new homes, provided most of the furniture, including couches, end tables and TVs.

The veterans were given new mattresses from the VA, as well.

Formed in early September, the nonprofit is an outgrowth of the Marine Corps League, a nationwide organization that connects Marine veterans.

"It's hard to believe that there are that many of our veterans, our heroes that have served our community, out there under bridges," said Shon Olson, the marketing director for Heroes into Homes.

"Some of them are by choice ... but then there are those who don't know where to get help. They've run into roadblocks  whether they've lost their job or they've lost their families  and that's not right."

In Lincoln, members of the Marine Corps League have furnished homes for other veterans on an individual level since December 2015.

But with a larger veteran housing project underway on the Lincoln VA campus, league members such as Olson founded Heroes into Homes, a nonprofit that can accept larger, tax-deductible donations.

Since Olson and others began furnishing veterans' homes, donations have flooded in, nearly filling Olson's storage warehouses.

"We almost got to the point where we had to start turning things away," he said. "But we didn't say no to anything, as long as it was in good condition."

Olson said Saturday's move-in is just the start.

More veterans who apply through the VA will be moving into the $8.6 million, 70-unit complex over the next six months.

The housing complex is the first private project on Lincoln's VA Campus. Additional developments, including office space and more apartments, are in the works.

"It doesn't end today," Olson said. "It will be ongoing; the need for these apartments is great."
BISMARCK, N.D.  Lezlee Johnson says her bias runs in favor of trees. Fortunately for her, she's a forest health manager with the North Dakota Forest Service.

Yes, North Dakota, where about 1.8 percent of the state's area is native forest.

"The trees we have are extra important partly because of that," she said.

Now the North Dakota Forest Service will investigate how extensive the state's tree resources are, relying on data from the Great Plains Initiative II. The project with Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota maps tree cover on the Northern Plains with aerial imagery analyzed into data.

North Dakota has few forests, largely found in the Turtle Mountains, Killdeer Mountains and various river valleys.

The state's inhospitable weather, winters and soils not conducive to traditional forests are largely why, according to Tom Claeys, forestry and fire management team leader with the North Dakota Forest Service.

Still, the state has many windbreaks planted since the Dust Bowl, but that infrastructure is aging.

"We're really interested in what's out there and what condition it's in," Claeys said.

Johnson said she's spoken with landowners concerned about their declining or removed windbreaks.

"Things have changed," she said. "Where are the critical areas where we've lost windbreaks or windbreaks have never been installed?"

North Dakota Forest Service team members are analyzing high-priority counties' data, said Johnson of the project.

The Kansas Forest Service collected the imagery zeroed down to high-resolution, 1-meter accuracy, she said.

"They ran the North Dakota imagery through eCognition software and delivered to us images that are segmented into image objects," Johnson said. "Our job is to take these images of all the counties and then train ArcGIS to classify all of those image objects into either trees, other vegetation ... and nonvegetation, like roads and buildings and water."

The painstakingly gathered results could show twice as much tree cover in North Dakota than what qualified to be counted previously under the forest inventory program, she said.

"The big surprise is going to be, wow, we have a lot more trees we never realized we had," Johnson said.

All forest resources in North Dakota, including windbreaks, comprise just less than 4 percent of the state, said Claeys, adding there are many benefits from trees.

Trees keep snow off of roads and soil from blowing. They protect livestock and reduce heating and cooling costs. Trees store carbon, are a source of biomass, are vital for wildlife habitat and can increase crop yields.

"Trees are really important," Claeys said. "It's not easy to grow trees in North Dakota."

The state's economy enjoys a small industry from trees, including a handful of sawmills and Christmas tree farms.

There's a recreation aspect to trees as well, Claeys added.

"People recreate in forests very freely and often," he said. "It's one of those places people gravitate toward easily."
Police officers and rescue workers carrying a victim from the capsized fishing boat. (Photo source: Yun Tae-hyun/AP)

The Seonchang-1 fishing boat was carrying 20 passengers on a fishing tour as well as two sailors when it crashed with the 336-tonne fuel tanker at around 6am (2100 GMT) at sea near the port city of Incheon.

Thirteen people were found dead or died after being sent to hospitals. Seven others were being treated at hospitals while two - including the captain of the boat - remained missing, according to the coastguard.

No casualties or injuries were reported among those on board the tanker.

TV footage showed the fishing boat sinking beneath churning waves while rescue divers searched around the deck, part of which was still visible above the water.

All of the passengers were wearing life jackets but many appeared to have suffered hypothermia, Seoul's Yonhap news agency said.

Deadly accidents involving fishing tour boats often make headlines in the South.

Sunday's accident was the worst since September 2015 when 15 died after a fishing tour boat capsized near the southern resort island of Jeju.
Cement bags produced by the Viet Nam Cement Industry Corporation. Viet Nam is hastening the privatisation of State-owned enterprises. - VNA/VNS Photo Tuan Anh

Hue asked relevant ministries to finalise the regulations describing the rights and obligations of State ownership representatives in order to boost SOE privatisation. He also asked them to submit reports on the results of SOE restructuring in 2017 to the Government.

Statistics of the Steering Committee for Business Renovation and Development showed that 21 SOEs were equitised between January and November, collecting a total of more than VND2.2 trillion (US$97 million).

If enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense were included, 43 SOEs were privatised in the 11-month period. As many as 55 SOEs were scheduled to be equitised this year, equivalent to the number of equitised enterpries in 2016.

Four SOEs were allowed to delay their privatisation to 2018: the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, Viet Nam Cement Industry Corporation, Khanh Viet Corporation and Viet Nam Television Cable Corporation.

State capital divestments from January to November collected VND25 trillion, VND20 trillion of which came from capital withdrawal from national dairy firm Vinamilk. After liabilities, the divestments were worth more than VND5.2 trillion in book value.

In the remaining months of this year, the State expected to collect around VND10 trillion from equitisation efforts. These include the initial public offerings of Song Da Corporation and Becamex Binh Duong and the sale of the State stakes at IDICO and Thanh Le Binh Duong to strategic investors, as well as the divestment from Sabeco.

Hue also asked relevant ministries and agencies to hasten the restructuring and renovation of SOEs in 2016-20 period. On November 22, the Government issued Resolution No 121/NQ-CP to address difficulties facing SOE privatisation and speed up the progress.
Three state senators have taken it upon themselves to try to force the University of Nebraska to bow to their political ideologies. These senators are ultra-conservative and would like to see all of the faculty and staff push this ideology onto their students.

Our institutions of higher learning have been  and should always be  about helping students to grow and learn and not be forced to follow a certain belief simply because of political pressure. The political agenda of the senators is unacceptable, and I, for one, am appalled at their actions.

The senators have forgotten what free speech is and have gotten one graduate student fired. They have now done an open-records request to get all emails and correspondence that may not follow their far-right agenda.

Maybe when the senators went to school, they didn't learn about McCarthyism. Their actions are reprehensible and should be stopped. They should be held accountable for what they're doing and relieved of their positions.

The students who attend the University of Nebraska should be free to be taught by qualified faculty, which they are, and not be worried about speaking their mind, developing their own beliefs or following the truth  wherever that might lead whether or not it lines up with the senators' beliefs.

We cannot allow our faculty and staff at UNL to be harassed, coerced and bullied. Shame on you, senators: We will fight back.

Deanne Henke, Lincoln
HONORS AND AWARDS: Attorney Jeffrey Leavell with the law firm Jeffrey Leavell S.C. in Racine has been awarded the 2017 Wisconsin Defense Counsel Service Award. This award recognizes a member of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel who has provided lengthy and consistent leadership over time to grow and improve WDC through service to the organization. Leavell is a past president of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel.

Compiled by Sharon Knox

The Journal Times welcomes news about promotions, appointments, professional organization elections, certifications, and professional honors. There is no charge for this service.

Because of space constraints, we reserve the right to edit for length or clarity. The deadline for Names and Faces items is 3 p.m. Thursday of each week. Photos may accompany notices of new hires and promotions. Send your items to Sharon Knox at: sknox@journaltimes.com or by mail: Names and Faces, The Journal Times, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403.

Business anniversaries

Is your business celebrating an anniversary? The Journal Times publishes short news items of 10th, 25th, 50th and greater multiples of 25 years of Racine County-based companies.

We ask you to provide us with the basic information: when the business started; the founder; its location then and now; the original name if different than todays; and what the business did in the beginning and now.

We will include these in the Names and Faces column or use them as stand-alone news items in our Sunday Money section.
Sorry, buddy.

Proving too much exposure to Frozen can indeed give someone hypothermia (or rather, extreme annoyance about an overly chipper snowman), Disney has reportedly decided to remove the critically loathed Olafs Frozen Adventure as a lead-in to its newest Pixar film, Coco. This report comes from Mashable, writing how Disney has directed theaters showing Coco to flat-out stop airing the short at all screenings beginning Friday, December 8: The request from Disney also asks that theaters use the newly freed-up time to hold extra screenings of Coco each day. The gripes about Olafs Frozen Adventure  which follows an affable chap of a snow creation as he, uh, has a holiday adventure of some kind  was steeped in the fact that the short was 21 minutes long, as opposed to other Disney shorts that usually hover around the ten-minute mark. Children would get restless! Parents would be confused! This isnt what Josh Gads voice would have wanted!
Photo: John Phillips/Getty Images

Hoping to lend his voice as an ally to the countless number of women who have opened up about sexual harassment and assault at the hands of prominent industry men, The Crowns Matt Smith has revealed he too has had unpleasant, morally demeaning interactions with men in Hollywood. The conversation shouldnt stop at this industry just because these are celebrities who we know about who are involved. It has to be broader, Smith explained to the U.K.s Telegraph. People in other industries have to have a platform to be heard as well. What happens to the cleaner or the lady who works in a clothes shop? Thats not to say I havent been objectified before by men, because I have  just like women are objectified. It is not exclusive to them. This happens to men, too. Smith demurred from elaborating on the nature of his experiences, only stressing that both sexes deal with a great deal of objectification in the industry.
Photo: Lucasfilm

Todays Los Angeles press conference for Star Wars: The Last Jedi had a tough act to follow: Two years ago, during the press conference for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, co-star Carrie Fisher had the entire room cracking up with her inimitable wit. Describing the films older take on her character Leia as having a baboon-ass hairstyle and kind of a classy gas-station attendant look, Fisher was on top form that day, issuing dry, delicious answers to journalists questions. What did director J.J. Abrams bring to the Star Wars franchise? Sobriety, she said. Could she talk about the girl power she had in The Force Awakens? Fisher thought about it, No.

The Last Jedis press conference had no chance of being as funny as that one. Instead, it was much more emotional, since the film features Fishers last performance as Leia, shot before the actress died in December of last year. To hear her female castmates tell it, both Leia and Fisher had a profound impact on them.

Co-star Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma in the new Star Wars films, recalled first laying eyes on Princess Leia when she was a young girl. She was very significant when I was 6 and I remember thinking, Wow, that character is really different, said Christie of the galaxys feistiest princess. I watched TV and film obsessively from such a young age, and it stayed with me for my formative years. Shes really interesting; shes smart, funny, shes courageous and bold. She doesnt care what people think and she isnt prepared to be told what to do.

Continued Christie, What was really instrumental for me as someone who didnt feel like they fit in that homogenized view of what a woman was supposed to be is that there was inspiration there. You could be an individual and celebrate yourself and be successful without giving yourself over, without necessarily making some sort of terrible, huge compromise.

Laura Dern, who joins the franchise in The Last Jedi, said that Leia had meant a lot to her as a girl, but Fisher meant even more to her as a woman, especially since she was open about her struggles with addiction and mental illness. [She was] without shame, said Dern. Thats what moved me the most about the icon she gave us but also what she gave us literally and personally, which is to carry who she was so directly and to share her story and expect nothing less than any of us. For The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson, Dern said, I think she found an equal irreverent subversive, and they had this dance that gives us this performance.

I dont think I could really follow that, said The Last Jedi lead Daisy Ridley, except to say that Carries daughter Billie [Lourd] has, I think, all of those qualities. Shes smart and funny and shameless and 

 Always late, deadpanned Mark Hamill, Fishers screen brother.

I think that Carrie bringing up a daughter who is all of those qualities and then some, in this world, thats just who she is, continued Ridley. Thats her being her.

Finally, newcomer Kelly Marie Tran weighed in on Fisher. Something about Carrie I really look up to  and its something I didnt realize until recently  is how much courage it takes to truly be yourself when youre on a public platform or constantly people will be looking at you, she said. She was so unapologetic and so openly herself and thats something Im really trying to do, and its hard.

In every way, then, the women of Star Wars will remember Fisher as their north star. I think that she will always be an icon as Leia, but also as Carrie. What an example, you know? said Tran. I am so fortunate to have met her, and I think she will really live on forever.
Every day we say it: Goodbye. Have a good day. Ciao. See you later. It is our casual way of parting, and we dont usually think much about it, except for those times when we are really saying a goodbye to someone who  due to moving or other circumstances  we may never see again.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, Shakespeare knew all too well. There are no truer words.

It is difficult to know how to say a meaningful and poignant farewell to someone we care about. Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most poignant farewells of all time upon leaving Springfield, Ill., to embark on the presidency of the United States. Here I have lived a quarter of a century and here I have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. He was never again to return to Springfield, Ill.

As far as poignant farewells in movie history, who doesnt remember the words of Humphrey Bogarts character Rick in Casablanca who broke our hearts as he uttered a goodbye to his beloved Ilsa? Heres looking at you, kid. A phrase etched forever in our memories.

I have been thinking a great deal lately about partings, mostly because our minister at the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev. Dr. Tony Larsen, is retiring at the end of this year after serving our church for 41 years. He came to this ministry as a mustached, dynamic, guitar-playing young man, and he has stayed with us for four decades, getting ever better over the years.

Tony is not only an amazing minister of the church but a highly esteemed activist in our community. When there is a murder, he leads a candlelight vigil at the site of the murder to grieve with the victims and families as we sing together, I have a dream within my heart, I have a dream within my heart. For a world thats come apart, I have a dream  If there is a social justice cause, he leads marches while playing his beloved guitar. Some of the causes have included LGBT rights, rights for immigrants, Take Back the Night marches for non-violence, and so much more.

And within the community, Tony has been involved on the boards of numerous nonprofit agencies. He even began the practice of splitting our collection every Sunday with various nonprofit community efforts. When a congregant occasionally suggests that our church could use the money, he reminds them of the cause. It is, he will tell you, about living what we believe.

So now, when it is time for him to leave after more than 40 years, we are dumbstruck and a little wounded and a little achy. We really dont know how to say goodbye to this man who has been like a father, a brother, a friend, a comforter, a listener, as well as the worlds greatest hugger.

He has helped us through marriages and divorces, through births and through deaths, through joy and through grief. When my own heart was broken by the death of my cherished daughter, he knew just the words to say at her funeral to capture her beautiful soul when we were too tortured to speak. And he knew the words to say to me when, following her death, I was ready to crawl into bed for a year and fold myself into the darkness.

We are all broken in some ways, he said, but it is what we make of that breakage that forms our legacy. That image of melding together the shattered pieces of ourselves to move forward with a measure of grace despite deep pain is a profound metaphor for those of us dealing with our own unhealing wounds.

Since Tony first came to our church, our services have ended with Tonys final words, This service has ended but your service has begun again, to which the hand-holding congregation says in unison a simple phrase, Peace and unrest. That phrase very is meaningful to us. We all know the importance of peace but it is only unrest that makes us get off of our couches to help the sick, to write to a congressman, to participate in a march, to volunteer for the homeless, to give money to victims of hurricanes and tsunamis and earthquakes.

Without unrest, there can be no activism, and it is only activism that creates change. And so, at the end of a recent service, Tony created a heartbreaking silence with his words. In a while, I will no longer be with you who have been like a family to me. But please know that I will be, even from afar, so very proud to have been a part of you and of this journey. I will leave you with peace and unrest. You could have heard a pin drop in the church. We know he is a model of finding the life we are meant to live.

Tony has prepared for his exit by counseling with other ministers who have been in the same situation, by lining up work he will be doing in retirement, and by honoring every activity he does as the final one at this church. He also asks us to prepare for his exit. He asks that we embrace our grief as a gift, for grief is only there because love is there also. He asks that we take time to heal, for healing is a part of being made whole.

And he asks that we remember always that love abides forever, even after the physical presence is gone. There is a wonderful quote by James Frazer that speaks to this. The second principle of magic is that things which have once been in contact with each other continue to act on each other at a distance even after the physical contact has been severed. And thus we know that there is a magic and a mystery which keeps us connected forever as we continue moving forward while Standing on the Side of Love.

So, farewell to you, dear Tony, and farewell to all of those we must say goodbye to in this short and precious journey we share. For you, Tony, and for all of us, we will remember Peace and Unrest. It is our increasingly urgent cause.

Godspeed.
The headlines are telling: Seven U.S. Marines killed during tragic live-fire training exercise in Nevada; 2 Soldiers Dead, 20 Service Members Injured in 3 Training Accidents; and, 2 dead, 23 injured in training incidents at Fort Hood, Fort Bragg, Camp Pendleton (the last dated September 2017).

Many people sign up to serve their country, but never make it to battle. Whether on the front lines or the home base, danger lurks around every corner  especially when youre training for active combat duty.

Just ask Chilton resident Raymond Eugene Patterson.

Patterson, 95, is a World War II-era veteran who didnt plan to fight in the war. Born in Oklahoma before the onset of the Great Depression, he moved with his family to Central Texas and never really left, he said.

Like most young men growing up in the 1930s, Patterson worked to earn money to help the family make ends meet. He picked cotton and stripped ribbon cane to make syrup. They went from farm to farm for as long as a job would last.

Patterson attended school in Adina in Lee County but didnt finish. (Twenty-six years later, he would enroll at Texas A&M.)

He briefly ran a large grocery store in Cameron after the start of the war. His boss was working on getting him a deferment from the military, as anyone who worked was eligible to put off or suspend their service altogether. And Patterson was just fine with that.

I must go and serve

But then, something happened that changed his mind: A couple of young men working for him were killed in the line of duty. He decided he must serve. I didnt want to go  same as they didnt  but I decided I didnt want them saying I didnt do my part, Patterson said.

It was off to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he enrolled in the U.S. Army. He went to Brownwood for his basic training, followed by advanced training at Fort Hood, where he joined the 653rd Tank Destroyer Battalion and became a platoon corporal waiting for his sergeant stripes that were due.

He was charged with training 36 men for their primary duty: combat in the European Theater. Its primary focus was guns of all sizes used specifically to destroy tanks.

It was during a live-training exercise that Patterson became a casualty of the U.S. Army. During live training, gun rounds are fired, and simulated bombs are set off in trenches to give them a real taste of live combat.

You learn to be in fear of it, so you wont get blown up, he said.

He described it as an artillery field with several marked-off squares, many of which had TNT or something similar. The idea was to crawl under wire and maneuver in and out of the trenches, avoiding explosions or live-fire rounds. When the coast was clear, the men would get up to run and dodge some more.

Injury leads to trouble

On one occasion, Patterson got up to run, but tripped and fell in one of the trenches. His shoulder and head hit the dirt wall, and then there was an explosion. He tried to crawl through, and did so, apparently well enough to get out. But it wasnt long before there was a problem  Patterson started bleeding from his nose and ears. A lot.

I would go to sleep in the field and wake up and there would be blood all over me, over my sheets and pillows, he said. He would rise early every day to wash out his linens, so no one would know, but eventually it was discovered.

The likely culprit was concussion, but it was never diagnosed, and he was discharged from the Army after serving about nine months. He was supposed to sign up for disability benefits, but when he was in the hospital, he saw the war-wounded and felt they needed it more; he naively signed away his rights.

Fast-forward years later. Patterson soon discovered he couldnt work, because he couldnt control his bleeding. After many years, he finally pursued the Veterans Administration to recognize and treat his disability.

Partners for life

He and his partner, Wilhelmina Sudbury, have spent some 13 years together now. She was raised in the West area and served the war effort in civil service.

Wilhelmina, 94, also worked as a child, and served the military even before she went into civil duty, sewing tent skirts for the troops. After a military recruiter approached her, she enrolled in a program to learn the building trade. She plied that trade for about 15 months at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth.

Wilhelmina built the house the couple now lives in, and she also is a successful painter who has sold paintings on large cross-cut saws for hundreds of dollars. They are happy and content with their life.

And Patterson doesnt regret a thing.
The clock is ticking on a two-million-job issue: finding a permanent solution to replace Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The DACA program allows individuals, often called Dreamers, who entered the United States as children to remain here for school or work. Nearly 800,000 individuals across our country are enrolled in this program. Approximately 124,300 of them live in Texas.

DACA was never intended to be a permanent solution and its time for Congress to step up and deal with the situation in a sustainable manner. The Trump administrations decision to end the current version of DACA allowed six months for congressional action to provide a replacement. If no action is taken, the Dreamers will be subject to deportation when work visas in place on March 5, 2018, expire. The problem is that DACA is the result of a 2012 presidential memorandum, was never intended to be a long-term solution and was facing significant challenges on legal and other fronts. Yet our economy needs these Dreamers, who are either already working or preparing to do so by attending school.

Given underlying changes in the U.S. workforce, immigrants, both documented and undocumented, will become a more crucial source of labor over time. Even if all currently unemployed persons in Texas filled jobs now held by undocumented workers (which is impossible for myriad reasons), the state would be left with a glaring shortfall of hundreds of thousands of workers if the undocumented workforce were no longer available. Certain industries are particularly in need of workers and rely on undocumented individuals. Events such as Hurricane Harvey exacerbate the shortage. As fears of deportation rise, it becomes increasingly difficult to access this critical resource.

Apart from the obvious social and human issues associated with removing DACA recipients, there are very real economic losses that would occur if DACA is allowed to expire. I recently looked at the numbers, quantifying the direct economic benefits of the Dreamers. I also used our impact assessment system to estimate the total gains in business activity they generate including multiplier effects.

For the United States, direct benefits of Dreamers each year include an estimated $84.3 billion in output (gross product), $52.8 billion in personal income and almost 685,200 jobs. When multiplier effects are considered, the total benefits rise to $188.6 billion in output and $117.3 billion in income per year as well as nearly 2.1 million jobs. For Texas, the direct gains in business activity associated with the Dreamers include an estimated $11.5 billion in output (gross product) and $7.2 billion in income each year in addition to more than 108,100 jobs. When multiplier effects are included, the total rises to $25.8 billion in annual output, $16 billion in income per year and 324,000 jobs.

Economic consequences go beyond these numbers. Uncertainty related to DACA causes other problems, both for the individuals involved and for those interacting with them (such as potential employers). Furthermore, there are also people who are undocumented entirely, with even more challenges such as being unable to start a business, buy an airplane ticket or obtain a checking account. Although the issues related to immigration are complex, economic benefits of this magnitude should not be ignored in the conversation regarding immigration reform.

Recently, some members of Congress announced they are tying their votes on the appropriations bill needed to fund the federal government past Dec. 31 to inclusion of a DACA fix. While a solution is imperative, so too is avoiding a government shutdown. The deadline for DACA is in March and this may not be the time to play politics on passing the appropriations bill. No good can come of failure to act to fund the government.

Rational immigration reform is clearly needed and solving the problem facing Dreamers can be an important first step. The immigrant workforce is critical to long-term prosperity in the United States and in Texas, particularly given the aging of the population and slowing of workforce growth. Immigrants (including undocumented immigrants) generate substantial business activity through consumer spending and other activity. Millions of jobs are at stake and Congress needs to work together to replace DACA with a permanent solution.
Pity poor Alabama voters. On Dec. 12, they must choose between a radical pro-abortion Democrat and an alleged sex predator who has been accused of pursuing and molesting teenage girls.

There is no good choice in that equation and Alabamians should not have to make it. In an earlier era, Roy Moore either would have done the honorable thing out of his own sense of shame or would have been forced to step down by state party leaders. Instead, he is staying in the race  with the full complicity of Alabama Republican leaders who have defended Moore and attacked his victims.

In refusing to step down, Moore is executing a playbook written three decades ago by the 42nd president, Bill Clinton. During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Clinton figured out that if you have no shame and ignore calls to resign, you can survive any scandal. All you have to do is lie repeatedly (there is nothing going on between us) and show no remorse when you are caught doing so. When more women come forward with more allegations, deny them, too, and create just enough doubt your supporters will feel justified sticking with you. Blame opponents for conducting a political witch hunt to run you out of office. If the evidence becomes overwhelming, admit a critical lapse in judgment but declare its time to move on because we have important work to do.

For Clinton, it worked like a charm. He forced his supporters to choose between power and principle  knowing full well power would win out. The feminist movement  the very people who should have been championing Clintons victims  instead sided with him. Gloria Steinem beclowned herself in a notorious 1998 New York Times op-ed where she attacked Clintons accusers, made excuses for his deceit and made light of his crimes. All 45 Senate Democrats voted to acquit Clinton in his impeachment trial.

Today, with the cavalcade of revelations of sexual transgressions by politicians and celebrities, some Democrats are expressing belated regret that their party rallied around Clinton. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who occupies the seat that Hillary Clinton once held, now says Bill Clinton should have resigned. Isnt that convenient? Now that the Clinton political machine is finally defunct, liberals come forward to condemn him? How courageous.

Moore is following the Clinton plan to the hilt: Deny the accusations, blame opponents for carrying out a witch hunt and make supporters complicit in his misdeeds through their disgusting rationalizations. You cant be a victim 40 years later, said Alabama state Rep. Ed Henry, R, channeling his inner Gloria Steinem. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became the parents of Jesus, Alabama state auditor Jim Zeigler blasphemously declared.

Granted, Moore is not alone. Across the aisle, Democratic Rep. John Conyers and Sen. Al Franken are also betting that if they just hang on, Americans will forget and they too can survive. And Bill Clinton surely paved the way for Donald Trump to weather the Access Hollywood video, for Franken and Conyers to get away with their alleged serial groping, and now for Moore to possibly become the next U.S. senator from Alabama.

For Alabamas Republican majority, they are left with horrible choices. This much is certain: They are in this terrible position because of the death of shame in America. For that, we can thank one man: Bill Clinton.
I must be a very popular fellow. At least I am with a few women who think Im some sort of catch, because they keep calling even after I hang up on them.

The one most enamored and persistent is Rachel. She calls with urgent concern about my credit card debt, even while strangely reassuring me there is no problem with my credit card debt. See? Shes been crazy from the outset. She asks if I want her to stop calling (while simultaneously issuing a testy lovers ultimatum that its my very last chance to speak with her) but continues calling no matter what I say or which button I push. Clearly, I have pushed her buttons somehow.

And this relationship is toxic. She is Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. But Im not Michael Douglas. I did absolutely nothing to lead this woman on. Blocking her calls is useless. She simply calls from another number.

Then theres Heather. She must be Rachels little sister, also from Card Services. She sounds younger, with the same urgency but with a more empathetic voice. It could be youth I sense. She could have daddy issues, unlike sister Rachel who is looking for a sugar daddy, I believe. Regardless, Im too old for this. If I want relationship grief, Ill open a Match.com account and create a fake profile.

Now its Amy who calls. Shes the one among the women who at least knows a little something about me  that Im a senior. Amy wants to send me, with no obligation, a medical alert device to wear around my neck. Its for those Help, Ive fallen and cant get up! moments as seen on TV. I hang up, but she calls back. She must fear Ive fallen.

Theres a guy in the mix. Todd also calls about that medical alert device. Amy probably told him to call, since Im a chauvinist geezer prone to respond to male authority. Or worse, was it that spurned Rachel spreading falsehoods about me to Todd? I rejected her comely siren calls, therefore she spitefully suggested to Todd that I must like men instead. Todd, buddy, Amy and Rachel have steered you wrong: I havent fallen, I can indeed get up and Ill take care of my credit cards myself. If I need help with the latter, Ill drop by my local bank. I wouldnt seek financial help from a stranger on the phone, nor should anyone with an ounce of sense.

Apparently, there are many in Consumerland who actually lack several ounces, let alone pounds, of good sense, so the phones keep ringing. Or even more sinister, theres enough naive senior prey. According to a Federal Communications Commission document released in April, more than 2.4 billion robocalls per month were made in the United States last year. Notice, thats per month, not per year.

My number has been on the DoNotCall.gov list for years. I have faithfully maintained the registration. Still the calls come through because that system, operated by the Federal Trade Commission, was designed for landlines. Clearly, the two agencies, and others, need to work together in modern day.

Early this year and out of frustration, I sent an email to my congressman, Arkansas Republican Steve Womack, complaining (but nicely). I proposed that if the current debacle is the best the government can manage, then why not end these impotent efforts completely and put the money toward the onerous federal debt. On second thought, use the money for President Trumps tweeting data overages.

Weeks later a polite young aide from Womacks Washington office called. He validated my concern and shared my pain but said it was difficult to stop these offshore calling operations because there is a paucity of technology to prevent illegal spoofing of valid phone numbers. I appreciated the call. The tele-crimes continued.

But hold the phone. More recently, on Nov. 16, the FCC announced a new initiative to block caller ID spoofers. In the end, though, according to telecommunications expert David Frankel and Consumers Union analyst Maureen Mahoney, the new FCC approaches will only reduce these calls by 10 percent or so. One small step for telephonic technicians but no giant leap for mankind.

Speaking of which, the difficulty with old people in their 60s, like me, is that we lived in the 60s when a charismatic president challenged a nation to put a man on the moon before decades end. And it happened in 1969, thanks to engineers with slide rules. Rockets of fire were launched by rubbing numbered sticks together  because there was a will to do it.

Today theres more computing capability in a hand-held phone than what once filled rooms at Houston Mission Control. Yet today government cant supply technology enough to protect us from phone crime?

The problem in Washington is not that there isnt a way. Its that there is no will. Till that changes, say hello to Rachel, Amy and Todd.
BURLINGTON  Steve DeQuaker, finance director for the City of Burlington, compared the last few items for the city to do in regard to flood recovery with the last steps in remodeling a house  picking out new curtains, sweeping and mopping, the final touches before completion.

Its just taking a little longer than I originally expected, said DeQuaker. But thats not unusual, given the scope of everything that was damaged.

National Weather Service hydrologist Brian Hahn called the 8-plus inches of rain that dropped on the city within 24 hours on July 12-13 a 100-year event. Water on the Fox River crested at 16.15 feet on the morning of July 13, a record since a gauge was installed there in 2002.

The city accumulated almost $1.5 million dollars of debt from the flood cleanup.

DeQuaker said the bulk of that debt was accrued replacing the citys electronic infrastructure. Both the basements of City Hall, 300 N. Pine St., and the Burlington Police Department, 224 E. Jefferson St., were flooded, wiping out the citys data servers, 911 dispatch electronic system, radio, telephones and internet network.

The electric system for the lift station off old Highway 11 also had to be repaired. Using generators, the city got the system running again shortly after the flood.

DeQuaker said the second largest expense from the cleanup was replacing all of the mechanical systems  boilers, furnaces, water heaters and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Several bridges and overpasses were closed during the height of the flood, but DeQuaker said they were evaluated and showed no signs of damage. The Echo Lake dam was damaged from all the water pressure, but the citys Department of Public Works completed the repairs earlier this fall.

The city recently finished putting up new drywall in the Police Departments basement and will install flooring and purchase lockers to convert the basement into a locker room. The stations elevator will soon be examined to see if it needs replacing.

DeQuaker said there are a few more odds and ends that need to be addressed, but he was confident everything would be completed by the end of the year.

Borrowing to cover repairs

At the City Council meeting on Nov. 21, aldermen authorized the sale of a promissory note for $1,495,000 to the Bank of Kansas. In order to pay off the note, the citys tax rate is projected to go up by 21 cents in 2019 and then decrease to 13 cents over a 10-year period.

The sale will not affect the tax rate that will help fund the 2018 citys $8.3 million budget  $9.87 per $1,000 in valuation, which is up 75 cents from last years rate of $9.12 per $1,000. The City Council is scheduled to vote on its budget at Tuesdays meeting.
Online gambling companies have ramped up their political lobbying efforts in an attempt to stop Victoria from adopting a 15 per cent tax on digital betting that is being rolled out in other states.

Australia's bookmakers responded angrily last week when Queensland announced it would become the third gaming jurisdiction to roll out a so-called "point-of-consumption" tax.

A 15 per cent point-of-consumption tax  under which the state where a digital bet is placed receives revenue on gambler losses  has already come into force in South Australia, while Western Australia is preparing to follow with its own tax at the same rate from the beginning of next year.

Industry insiders said Australia's bookmakers were dramatically stepping up efforts to sway government leaders in Victoria, home to the strongest horse-racing jurisdiction in the country, to consider taxing them at a lower rate than 15 per cent.
Jamie Whittaker, photographed at the Newtown Mission Church Mr Whittaker has been visiting since his son Eric died. Credit:Dean Sewell But the family say they are still in the dark about many of the basic facts surrounding his death. A straight story "The family should get a very straight story," said Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin, who agreed to speak with The Sun-Herald about the case. Eric Whittaker in Westmead hospital on July 3, 2017, the day before his death, with leg cuffs.

Eric Whittaker was arrested on Tuesday, June 27. No stranger to police, he was a drug abuser and homeless when officers charged him with offences including possession of stolen goods, carrying a knife in a public place and failure to appear before court. "Bail was refused, most probably because of his inability to have a place of residence," Mr Severin said. On the evening of Friday, June 30, he was transferred from Surry Hills to Parklea jail in Sydney's north-west. On arrival, he was automatically classified as a maximum-security inmate because Parklea does not conduct security assessments on weekends. About 8am on Sunday, July 2, corrections officers realised something was wrong, they said. Doctors were later told Mr Whittaker had been in an isolation cell, incontinent, agitated and handcuffed, The Sun-Herald understands.

"He had trashed his cell," Mr Severin, said. "He was incoherent, he was quite uncontrollable, so that's when medical intervention immediately commences." But the family say they were given different versions of events by hospital staff, police and Corrective Services. Some were told he had collapsed in an exercise yard, others that he fell in his cell. Mr Severin said if the family received different information, "that is very regrettable". Eric Whittaker's aunt Diane Whittaker. Credit:Kate Geraghty

'Doesn't look good' In the infirmary at Parklea jail on the Sunday morning, Mr Whittaker's condition was worsening. He was rushed in an ambulance to Blacktown Hospital at 10.47am, bound hand and foot, under the supervision of two guards. Combative on arrival, his condition then deteriorated further, The Sun-Herald understands. Doctors put a breathing tube down his throat, after which he went into cardiac arrest. A brain scan revealed the aneurysm and bleeding. Corrective Services have declined to say when Mr Whittaker had fallen unconscious, directing medical inquiries to Justice Health.

Justice Health referred questions to the Western Sydney Local Health District, which declined to comment, citing privacy laws and the upcoming coronial inquest. On the Sunday evening, the hospital called Mr Whittaker's next of kin, his aunt Natasha Whittaker. "They told me that he is there and it doesn't look good," she said. She immediately began calling family members including Mr Whittaker's father, Jamie. "I just slumped down on the couch, in disbelief," he said.

Just before midnight, Mr Whittaker was transferred to the intensive care unit at Westmead. When he arrived he was unresponsive. His hand cuffs were taken off, but, after briefly being removed, his ankle cuffs were left on, the commissioner said. 'The God's honest truth' The next day, the first visitors to arrive were three family members, including his aunt Daisy Fernando, who said she could not feel a pulse. "I'll tell you the God's honest truth, when I walked in, my nephew was dead," Ms Fernando said. He was only being kept alive by machines.

One of the family went to check whether he was comfortable. "When I lifted the blanket up I noticed the shackles around his ankles," said the relative, who did not wish to be named. A "big fight" followed. The relative said they "freaked out" and took a photograph of the restraints straight away, before asking the two Corrective Services guards to remove them. "They said this was our orders, we have to do it," the relative said. About 40 minutes or so later the guards called their supervisor and then removed the cuffs. It had been 15 hours since Mr Whittaker arrived unresponsive at Westmead and 28 hours since he first left Parklea.

"Bloody appalling, the way they can have a man on his deathbed and still have shackles on him like that," Jamie Whittaker said. "There is no dignity shown towards Aboriginal people when they pass away." Ms Fernando said he was treated "like a mongrel dog". Under security protocols, it's up to the escorting officers to make an assessment regarding the use of restraints in hospitals. Mr Severin said Mr Whittaker's release order "clearly stipulated that he had to be restrained at all times". But he also acknowledged staff had the discretion to remove the cuffs with the approval of supervisors, who are available round the clock.

"Unfortunately we have had more incidents of restraints being removed and prisoners doing the wrong thing than we have incidents of situations where  again, only with hindsight  one can say, OK, maybe we should have removed the restraints earlier," Mr Severin said. A protester marches on NSW Parliament House over Eric Whittaker's death. Credit:Kate Geraghty 'Wrongful and criminal' In addition to the royal commission's recommendation, a 2012 South Australian Ombudsman review found shackles should only be used as a precaution against escape, harm to self or harm to others. Under NSW law, the unjustified use of a restraint is treated as an assault.

"I feel so ashamed that this could happen," said Thalia Anthony, an associate professor at University of Technology, Sydney who specialises in Indigenous justice. Ms Anthony said the image of Mr Whittaker on his hospital bed reminded her of 19th century photographs of Aboriginal men in chains. "There needs to be systemic change," Dr Anthony said. "But there also needs to be a message sent that this kind of conduct, this way of treating Aboriginal people as less than human beings is wrongful and criminal." The family's lawyer, Stewart Levitt, who is exploring potential human rights violations and discrimination, said "we need to appoint interstate Special Prosecutors to deal with deaths in custody throughout Australia." Mr Whittaker died in Westmead Hospital at 12.55pm on July 4.

The family said they were given 10 minutes with him after they decided to turn the machines off. "It was a life time," Jamie Whittaker said. "It was just silence. Everyone was just standing around rubbing his head." First ever love Mr Whittaker's former partner, Jessica Holman, was living in Queensland when she heard he was ill. Without money for flights, she was trying to find a way to reach Sydney with their children. The pair had separated two years earlier as Mr Whittaker struggled with drugs and alcohol. Ms Holman at one point had taken out an apprehended violence order against him.

"He was my first ever love," she said. "He's the father of my children  the bond was there. It's just that he had his own personal issues." He died before she could reach Sydney. "I couldn't imagine getting there, if I was able to get there before he did pass, with the children, and seeing their father like that ... It's not okay." Ms Holman and Mr Whittaker's father and mother say they have not been given an account of the events leading up to his death. "It's a horrible thing, the feeling that people are just trying to forget about it," Ms Holman said. The commissioner, Mr Severin, said "I would like to think" all of the information provided to The Sun-Herald had also been provided to the family.

Eric Whittaker with his son. 'I want this out' Parklea, a privately run prison operated by the US-owned GEO Group, has been criticised heavily for a series of security breaches this year, including one incident in which an inmate posted a YouTube video of himself with drugs and a weapon. The NSW government renewed GEO Group's contract in October, following a review that led to 35 recommendations for improvement. The company declined to answer questions, citing the upcoming inquest, but extended sympathies to the family. Mr Severin extended his own and said Corrective Services had helped to contribute to the cost of the burial.
It is unclear whether Mr Carrozza has actually treated patients. But in describing his involvement in Black Saturday recovery efforts, his professional profile stated: "This is experiential knowledge, obtained in the field, is [sic] something that certificates simply cannot compare to".

The 51-year-old, in a post that has now been removed from his company's website Mindworks Australia, also promoted himself as being part of a team who ran "critical incident stress management sessions" for victims of the 2009 Kinglake and Marysville fires.

Adam Carrozza said he was a qualified clinical psychologist for more than two decades while holding senior positions at the Department of Human Services, an aged care and disability service provider, and as a mental health consultant.

A self-described mental health specialist who has claimed to have supported victims of the Black Saturday bushfires is facing more than two dozen charges of impersonating a psychologist.

Mr Carrozza's alleged qualifications and professional experience has also seen him serve as a board member for a mental health charity and appear as an expert in a prominent media publication where he was described as a psychologist.

But the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency will claim that Mr Carrozza knowingly used the title of psychologist despite being unregistered.

He is facing 25 charges in the Melbourne Magistrates Court relating to the unlawful use of a protected title and holding out as a registered practitioner when he was not registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Mr Carrozza said "the work I do currently do and the work I did in the past, did not require me to be registered or even qualified as a psychologist. I have qualifications in psychology but I have never practised as a psychologist or treated anyone as a registered psychologist."

He said he did not register with AHPRA because it was "not a requirement of any job that he have ever held. I have never treated patients, either at the Black Saturday bushfires or the Bourke St incident in January 2017. I accept that I did the wrong thing in the use of the term 'psychologist' given that I was not registered at the time with AHPRA. This is despite the fact that I have psychology qualifications and have successfully worked in the field for many decades."
As wild weather belts the east coast, temperatures around the city are soaring towards 38 degrees - Perth's hottest day since February.

By 10.50am, Perth's metropolitan weather station had already reached 33.5, while Swanbourne, Pearce and Jandakot all peaked at around 30 degrees.

Sand-gropers flock to the beach as temperatures climb to 38 Credit:Erin Jonasson

While Perth residents rushed to local beaches to celebrate the return of summer, the Bureau of Meteorology warned the heat would be shortlived.

A thunderstorm and 30 per cent chance of rain forecast for this evening will put a dampen on any "summer weekend" plans, and temperatures are set to drop 10 degrees by Monday.
Republicans accuse Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein of 'stonewalling'. Credit:AP Until now, Nunes said, the FBI and Department of Justice have failed to sufficiently comply with an August 24 committee subpoena - including by refusing repeated demands "for an explanation of Peter Strzok's dismissal from the Mueller probe". "In light of today's press reports, we now know why Strzok was dismissed, why the FBI and DOJ refused to provide us this explanation, and at least one reason why they previously refused to make Deputy Director McCabe available to the Committee for an interview," Nunes said. Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes is stepping up the attack over the Russia probe. Credit:AP "By hiding from Congress, and from the American people, documented political bias by a key FBI head investigator for both the Russia collusion probe and the Clinton email investigation, the FBI and DOJ engaged in a willful attempt to thwart Congress' constitutional oversight responsibility," he said

Nunes, in the statement, said the committee will move on a resolution by the end of the month unless it demands are "fully met" by the close of business on December 4. Former FBI director James Comey was fired by Donald Trump. Credit:AP He cited "a months-long pattern by the DOJ and FBI of stonewalling and obstructing this Committee's oversight work", including also withholding subpoenaed information about their use of an opposition research dossier that targeted Trump in the 2016 election. Attorney General Jeff Sessions would not be a target of any contempt action by the committee, Nunes has said, because he recused himself from any investigation into charges that Russia meddled in the election. President Donald Trump waves a she walks up the steps of Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Saturday. Credit:AP

Justice Department spokeswoman Sara Isgur Flores said in an email that "we disagree with the chairman's characterisation and will continue to work with congressional committees to provide the information they request consistent with our national security responsibilities". The department has already provided members of House leadership and the Intelligence Committee with "several hundred pages of classified documents" and multiple briefings - including whether any FBI payments were made related to the dossier - and has cleared witnesses including McCabe and Strzok to testify, she said. Jeff Sessions, U.S. attorney general, recused himself from the investigations into Russian interference in the presidential election. Credit:Bloomberg The House committee's top Democrat, Representative Adam Schiff of California, responded in a statement that the Department of Justice inspector general is "properly investigating the handling of the investigation, including the current allegation of bias" by Strzok. "I am concerned, however, that our chairman is willing to use the subpoena and contempt power of the House, not to determine how the Russians interfered in our election or whether the president obstructed Justice, but only to distract from the core of our investigation," Schiff said.

FBI director Christopher Wray is the subject of a possible contempt of Congress action. Credit:Bloomberg The dossier, which included salacious allegations about Trump, was paid for in part by the Democratic National Committee and Clinton through a law firm. Nunes and other committee Republicans - backed by Speaker Paul Ryan - say they want to investigate whether the Justice Department and FBI may have improperly relied on the dossier to kick-start federal surveillance that caught up Trump associates, without independently confirming the information they used to justify such spying. "The DOJ has now expressed - on a Saturday, just hours after the press reports on Strzok's dismissal appeared - sudden willingness to comply with some of the Committee's long-standing demands," Nunes said. "This attempted 11th-hour accommodation is neither credible nor believable, and in fact is yet another example of the DOJ's disingenuousness and obstruction." Those agencies "should be investigating themselves", he said. If Nunes and Republicans do follow through with the contempt action, it would be a latest blow against bipartisanship on a committee that had until recently been one of the last bastions of comity in a polarised House. Democrats complain Republicans are increasingly shifting attention and limited resources in the Russian investigation away from a main focus of election interference and potential Trump campaign collusion.
New York: For the first time in the United States, a woman who had a uterus transplant has given birth. The mother, who was born without a uterus, received the transplant from a living donor last year at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, and had a baby boy there last month, the hospital said Friday. The first baby born as a result of a womb transplant in the United States lies in the neonatal unit at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Credit:AP At the family's request, their name, hometown and the date of the birth are being withheld to protect their privacy, according to Julie Smith, a spokeswoman for the hospital, which is part of Baylor Scott & White Health. Since 2014, eight other babies have been born to women who had uterus transplants, all in Sweden, at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg.

A new frontier, uterus transplants are seen as a source of hope for women who cannot give birth because they were born without a uterus or had to have it removed because of cancer, other illness or complications from childbirth. Researchers estimate that in the United States, 50,000 women might be candidates. The transplants are meant to be temporary, left in place just long enough for a woman to have one or two children, and then removed so she can stop taking the immune-suppressing drugs needed to prevent organ rejection. Dr. Liza Johannesson, a uterus transplant surgeon who left the Swedish team to join Baylor's group, said the birth in Dallas showed that success was not limited to the hospital in Gothenburg. "To make the field grow and expand and have the procedure come out to more women, it has to be reproduced," she said. At Baylor, eight women have had transplants, including the new mother, in a clinical trial designed to include 10 patients. One recipient is pregnant, and two others ??? one of whom received her transplant from a deceased donor ??? are trying to conceive. Four other transplants failed after the surgery, and the organs had to be removed, said Dr. Giuliano Testa,principal investigator of the research project and surgical chief of abdominal transplantation.
This list is not comprehensive. Municipalities are listed as they appear on the criminal complaint. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To see mugshots of the accused, visit www.journaltimes.com/gallery. Additional information about the complaints can be found at: journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts.

Daniel T. Ahles, 1400 block of Wisconsin Ave., Racine, uttering a forgery, personal identity theft for financial gain, and theft of movable property.

Stephanie M. Arnold, 1700 block of Center St., Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, and bail jumping.

Jason M. Blashka, 5700 block of Cambridge Lane, Mount Pleasant, second degree sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age.

Michael J. Bodnar, 600 block of N. OPlaine Road, Gurnee, Ill., possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brandon T. Bowers, 1900 block of Lawn St., Racine, possession of marijuana, and receiving stolen property.

Ashlynne N. Brown, 2700 block of N. Breben St., Milwaukee, retail theft.

Thomas W. Brucker, 1900 block of DeKoven Ave., Racine, operating while intoxicated causing injury, and operating with prohibited alcohol concentration causing injury.

Trevon J. Bunck, 700 block of Villa St., Racine, obstructing an officer, bail jumping, carrying a concealed weapon, and concealing a stolen firearm.

Eduardo J. Centeno, 100 block of Delamere Ave., Racine, possession of marijuana.

Kyle D. Chambliss, 3300 block of N. 25th St., Milwaukee, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Crystal N. Churchill, N85 W14000 block of Fond Du Lac Ave., Menomonee Falls, retail theft.

Jesse Claudio Jr., 3900 block of Wild Ginger Way, Franksville, theft of movable property.

Jeremy M. Coe Sr., 1100 block of Park Ave., Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Justin J. Conklin, 2400 block of Virginia S., Racine, discharge firearm within 100 yards of a building, use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct.

Cameron R. Davis, 1100 block of Marquette St., Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Joseph Davis, 1100 block of Oakes Road, Mount Pleasant, hit and run causing injury, and operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Justan L. Duval, 2800 block of Hayes Ave., Racine, possession of cocaine, obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct, and battery.

Germany D. Etinne, 900 block of Grand Ave., Racine, possession of cocaine.

Charnele L. Evans, 800 block of Yout St., Racine, retail theft, and bail jumping.

David L. Ferrell, 3300 block of 17th St., Racine, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct.

Jacque M. Fipps, 300 block of Parkview Drive, Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct.

Derek K. Fox, 29600 block of Ketterhagen Road, Burlington, operating a motor vehicle without owners consent, theft, and entry into a locked coin box.

Kamerin O. Glover, 4600 block of N. 76th St., Milwaukee, fraud against a financial institution.

Brandel M. Gordon, 3300 block of Packer Drive, Racine, battery, domestic abuse, intimidation of a victim, domestic abuse assessments, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and stalking.

Angela M. Grecian, 2200 block of Washington Ave., Racine, retail theft, and bail jumping.

Robert E. Hackney, 1100 block of Edwardsburg Ave., Elkhart, Ind., possession of marijuana.

Robert D. Hess, 2900 block of Lake Vista Court, Racine, failure to report to jail.

Lawrence R. Heyn, 8700 block of S. Fieldpointe Drive, Oak Creek, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

Ryan W. Howell, 1000 block of Washington Ave., Racine, resisting an officer, battery, domestic abuse assessments, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct.

Daniel P. Kalmerton, 7200 block of Ashwood Lane, Wind Lake, battery, domestic abuse, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

James B. Kapla, 800 block of Carlton Drive, Racine, bail jumping, and knowingly violate a domestic abuse injunction.

Kyle R. Karvala, 8400 block of N. 107th St., Milwaukee, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Randy A. Keegan, 1000 block of S. Memorial Drive, Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Breon L. Lawrence, 3900 block of N. 24th Place, Milwaukee, possession of marijuana.

Jessie N. Madrigal, 2100 block of Romayne Ave., Racine, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Sean M. Manthy, 3300 block of Turnberry Oak Drive, Waukesha, burglary of a building or dwelling, and theft of movable property.

Shatorra N. Maynor, 1500 block of Washington Ave., Racine, battery by prisoners, and disorderly conduct.

Roger McGlorn, 3300 block of Republic Ave., Racine, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Donald J. Merlock, 13100 block of County Line Road, Sturtevant, resisting an officer.

Steffen D. Metts, 4500 block of W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.

Vincente E. Perez, 3500 block of 125th St., Pleasant Prairie, possession of marijuana, bail jumping, and operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Lisa L. Peterson, 200 block of Howland Ave., Racine, burglary of a building or dwelling, and receiving stolen property.

Haywood T. Price III, 2400 block of 55th St., Kenosha, theft.

Joseph L. Price, 800 block of Hamilton St., Racine, hit and run attended vehicle, and bail jumping.

Joshua D. Richardson, 1800 block of N. Fourth St., New Richmond, retail theft.

Eduardo F. Rios-Lopez, 1500 block of Maple St., Racine, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana, possession with intent to deliver schedule IV drugs, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mercedes J. L. Schleicher, 600 block of S. First St., Waterford, disorderly conduct, and domestic abuse assessments.

Pierre D. Shelton, 3900 block of N. 17th St., Milwaukee, operating without a license.

Kevin R. Showers, 900 block of Willmor St., Racine, possession of marijuana, and possession of an electric weapon.

Demell S. Smith, 600 block of DeKoven Ave., Racine, possession of marijuana, and bail jumping.

Edward J. Spates Jr., 6100 block of 30th Ave., Kenosha, failure to obey traffic officer/signal, and obstructing an officer.

Ronnell A. Spruiel, 2200 block of Mount Pleasant St., Racine, injury by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

Sydney L. Stieg, 300 block of W. Depot St., Silver Lake, battery to law enforcement officer, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct.

Justin R. Stocks, 27600 block of Washington Ave., Waterford, disorderly conduct, and use of a dangerous weapon.

Scott A. Taylor, 1300 block of Erie St., Racine, failure to register on the sex offender registry.

Roscoe L. Thomas Jr., 1500 block of Boyd Ave., Racine, bail jumping.

Takayis S. Thomas Benett, 1800 block of Grand Ave., Racine, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana, and bail jumping.

Tihler B. Townes, 1200 block of Racine St., Racine, stalking, domestic abuse assessments, criminal damage to property, discharge a firearm within 100 yards of a building, attempt first degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, recklessly endangering safety, armed robbery with use of force, carrying a concealed weapon, and obstructing an officer.

Ron S. Tucker, 1000 block of Parker Ave., Racine, theft, and trespass to land.

Maximilian M. Von Berlichingen, 1600 block of W. Paulson Road, Green Bay, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Allison L. Wisniewski, 5300 block of Willowview Road, Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Patrick J. Young, 900 block of Grove Ave., Racine, sex offender-fail to update information.

Thomas M. Ziomber II, 1900 block of Howe St., Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.
By WestKyStar & Yeiser Art Center Staff Dec. 03, 2017 | 01:37 PM | PADUCAH, KY



The annual Teen Spirit exhibit is sponsored by Paducah School of Art & Design, Kentucky Arts Council and Kentucky Care.



This annual juried exhibit is free to enter for teens currently in grades 9 through 12. Selection to exhibit by the juror is a significant honor considering the high volume of entries and jury process. A long running YAC program, Teen Spirit is now in its 25th year and continues to be a highlight of the exhibition calendar as it continually fills the gallery with a plethora of bourgeoning talent.





This year, YAC received 266 entries from 9th - 12th graders at eight regional High Schools and Home School Academies including Ballard Memorial High School, Community Christian Academy, Massac County High School, McCracken County High School, Tilghman High School, Upward Call Christian School, and Vienna High School. From these entries, juror Ashley Barnett, artist and instructor, chose 100 pieces for inclusion in this year's exhibition. Painting, drawing, photography, digital works, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and jewelry will all be on display.





Thanks to the Teen Spirit exhibition sponsors, Paducah School of Art and Design and Dominos Pizza, YAC is able to offer numerous cash prizes and a pizza party for participating artists. Teen Spirit awards include First Place $150, Second Place $75, Third Place $50 and 3 Honorable Mentions $25 each. Awards will be announced during the opening Reception





Located at 200 Broadway, in historic downtown Paducah's Market House, the Yeiser Art Center is a non-profit visual arts organization celebrating more than fifty years of serving the community through exhibitions and education throughout the Tri-State Region. The Yeiser Art Center is wheelchair accessible and is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm.





Follow YAC on Facebook and Instagram @YeiserArtCenter!



For questions, email office@theyeiser.org or call 270-442-2453. Visit theyeiser.org for more info on upcoming events.









The Yeiser Art Center (YAC) is hosting its 25th annual regional high school art exhibition, Teen Spirit, opening today with a reception from 2-4 pm. The exhibit is open for the public through December 16.
US 60 open after Salem fire, but may be icy
MOUNT PLEASANT  Gateway Technical College has partnered with the Community Oriented Policing House in Mount Pleasant to help local adults earn their high school credentials.

The two entities formed a relationship after Mount Pleasant Police Department officers at the house said they wanted to do more work with adults in the villages Lakeside neighborhood, north of the former Case foundry site. To that end, the officers are working with Gateway to help people earn their high school degrees, which could be the first step toward more fruitful employment.

Data from the United States Census Bureau indicate that in 2015, about 4 percent of people 25 years of age and older in Racine County had less than a ninth-grade education. At that same time, about 8 percent of county residents who were at least 25 had between a ninth- and 12th-grade education.

Stacia Thompson, Gateways program director for business and workforce solutions, said educators first wanted to work with local residents on computer skills because the General Educational Development, or GED, exam, is computer-based. Gateway offered a basic computer class at the Lakeside COP House, 2237 Mead St., to help people learn the technology. The next step will be to offer Gateways GED Bootcamp at the house. The bootcamp is scheduled for next March.

Multiple benefits

Thompson said providing the class at the COP House presents multiple benefits. People who dont have their high school credentials may have feared visiting a higher education institution to prepare for the exam, she said. By offering the class in their neighborhood, people may feel more comfortable and safe.

It also helps the neighborhood (see) that yes, the COP House is concerned about us, and theyre wanting to create more opportunities for us, Thompson said.

Officer Jim Kelley, one of the officers based at the Lakeside COP House, said the adult programming is one more way to show the community that police care. The officers work with local kids in an array of programs, and the education initiative can serve a different portion of the population, he said.

We have to bridge that gap with the community so police officers are seen as good guys, too, and were here for the community, Kelley said.

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Tim Zarzecki echoed Kelleys sentiment, saying the department wants to use the COP House for any initiative that can improve the area.

Anytime we can educate somebody and give them a knowledge base that they need to survive and function in the community, we definitely want to be a part of that, Zarzecki said.

Thompson said the partnership has caught the attention of other state and local government officials, who want to use it as a model for elsewhere in Wisconsin. The Journal Times recently reported that Milwaukee is interested in developing a COP House program like the City of Racines. Similarly, Thompson said officials have talked with the police and Gateway about how their partnership with Mount Pleasant could be replicated elsewhere.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 02, 2017 | 01:30 PM | LYNNVILLE, KY





A Tennessee woman and her daughter were injured in an accident Friday.According to the Graves County Sheriff's Department, the accident happened in the 7000 block of Kentucky Highway 381, just south of Lynnville. Deputies arrived at the scene to find an SUV had struck a tree.The investigation of the crash led deputies to believe that 27-year-old Brittney Demoss of Palmersville, Tennessee had a seizure, which caused her to lose control of the vehicle. The SUV ran off the road and into a yard, where it hit a tree.Demoss was trapped inside the vehicle, so Mayfield Fire Department was called to the scene to free her. She and her juvenile daughter were taken to Jackson Purchase Medical Center for treatment of their injuries, which deputies say were not life-threatening.Demoss was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash, and the child was in a car seat.Deputies were assisted by Mayfield/Graves County EMS, the Cuba Fire Department, the Mayfield Fire Department and the Kentucky State Police.
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HENDERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RATING IMPROVES

NOW RATED AS A CLASS 3 DEPARTMENT

Effective today, December 1, 2017 the City of Hendersonville Fire Department is officially a Class three (3) Fire Department. The inspection, conducted by officials with the Department of Insurance office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System. Among other things, the routine inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, and proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

This is a great achievement that may significantly impact property insurance ratings within the City of Hendersonville. Id like to congratulate Chief Vindigni for the departments performance and for the hard work of all the department members, said North Carolina State Fire Marshal Mike Causey. The citizens in the district this department serves should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of emergency.
KENOSHA  WGTD (91.1 FM) is owned and operated as a public service of Gateway Technical College and is an affiliate of Wisconsin Public Radio. For an updated schedule, visit its website at www.wgtd.org.

The Morning Show airs every weekday between 8:10 and 9 a.m. Following is a schedule of show topics for the coming week:

Monday  Carthage College professor Art Cyr analyzing current events and issues.

Tuesday  Dr. Bandy X. Lee, editor of The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President.

Wednesday  Dr. Thomas Carr discusses a new exhibit at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum in Kenosha. Also, we talk about the Racine Theatre Guilds production of A Christmas Carol, which just opened.

Thursday  Nisha Zenoff, author of The Unspeakable Loss: How do you live after a child dies?

Friday  Debbie Rambis, executive director of The Compassionate Friends. This group is for parents who have had one or more of their children die.

Saturday  Programming includes Financial Overview at 9 a.m., Breakfast Bytes at 9:45 a.m., Education Matters at 10:30 a.m. and Community Matters at 11:15 a.m.
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Welcome to The Independent Herald E-Edition! Check back each week on Tuesday to see our[Read More]
MOUNT PLEASANT  After a fatal crash on Nov. 26 at the Highway 11 on-ramp onto northbound Interstate 94, questions have been posed about the safety of the intersection, particularly with the massive Foxconn campus coming to that area.

Mike Pyritz, regional communication manager for the Southeast Region with the state Department of Transportation, didnt have information immediately available on Friday about the number of crashes at the intersection, but he does not recall that intersection being a particular hot spot for crashes.

The department is always willing to look at how an intersection works  we will adjust to the changes accordingly, Pyritz said. Among the changes that could be considered for the intersection could be a four-way stop, turn lanes with flashing lights or stoplights, Pyritz said.

The fatal crash

On Nov. 26, a 20-year-old Pleasant Prairie woman died after a collision near Highway 11 and the northbound Interstate entrance ramp.

A preliminary investigation indicates a semi was westbound on Highway 11 and was making a left turn onto the northbound ramp to the Interstate. An eastbound passenger vehicle  driven by the 20-year-old  struck the trailer portion of the semi and became wedged underneath, the release states. That woman, Shauntia Renel Brooks-Dobbs, died at the scene.

After the crash, multiple Journal Times readers expressed concerns about the intersection. A representative from state Rep. Robin Vos office said Vos, R-Rochester, would be asking the Department of Transportation about the intersection when he meets with them later this week. Vos 63rd Assembly District includes the crash site.

Speaker Vos is meeting with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation  to discuss the I-94 North/South project and the transportation needs of the area due to the Foxconn development. The interchange concern will certainly be on the list to discuss, said Kit Beyer, the communications director for Vos office.

The Foxconn project

As part of the $10 billion Foxconn manufacturing campus, the state is widening I-94 and reconstructing the frontage roads.

The company plans to build a massive manufacturing campus on 1,198 acres east of Interstate 94. It stretches north to Highway KR and south to Braun Road. Area roads, including Highway 11, are expected to get significantly more traffic after the Foxconn campus is built, which could employ up to 13,000 people.

The seven miles of frontage roads between highways 20 and KR in Racine County will be included in upcoming highway reconstruction, according to Pyritz.

While there is construction planned at Highway 11, Pyritz said there are no plans in the works to change the configuration of the interchange.

Currently the highway on- and off-ramps at Highway 11 are circular, meaning drivers drive a 180-degree half circle before getting on or off the interstate. That is in contrast to diamond interchanges that have a straight path on or off the interstate.

Pyritz said it would be difficult to build a diamond interchange at Highway 11 because there is an overpass just north of Highway 11 that could affect on- and off-ramps. Also, he said, DOT tries to minimize the impact on property owners when there is a viable alternative.

Later this month, DOT will host a meeting in Racine County at which residents will be able to ask questions about upcoming construction, including Highway 11, Pyritz said.
A news blurb came out recently about the increase in the incidence of the infectious viral disease, mumps. Last year in the U.S. there were 5,300 cases reported, and this year, per the CDC there are almost 5,000 by Nov. 4, 2017. A lot of times that indicates a lack of, or waning of immunity to the virus. Curiously, it is not compulsory to report the infection to a governmental department. But many doctors still do.

For those of us born before the Great Flood, the memory of either getting mumps or knowing a school friend who did is still relatively vivid. To most of you young whipper-snappers, its just a word for which you get a preventive shot or vaccination. It could be time to revisit and review mumps story.

Recognition of mumps goes back to Greek and Roman times when Hippocrates described painful swelling in the cheek salivary or parotid glands and testicles (in a male, of course). A killed virus vaccine was derived in 1948 by a doctor Ender. But it didnt have a long memory (I can identify) for the virus so immunity didnt last. The first medical vaccine of the Jerl Lynn live weakened/attenuated virus strain we still use today was created in 1963 by Maurice Hilleman from his daughter, Jerl Lynns, infection. It was first used in 1967. Dr. Hilleman was a genius, who worked at Merck Labs as a microbiologist/vaccinologist. Of the 14 vaccines recommended in current vaccine schedules, he developed eight.

The name mumps seems to have derived from the old English dialect word mump meaning lump. It likely tried to characterize the picture of a patients cheeks with swollen parotid salivary glands. The saliva glands under your jaw can also swell. The virus is a slightly different breed as it is a single stranded RNA critter, which favors infecting glandular and central nervous system tissues. Highly contagious, it used to be called epidemic parotitis or inflammation of that gland. There is only one type of the virus, and it only infects humans. Animals cant contract or spread it.

It is spread via coughing or sneezing mucous droplets which are breathed in, or picked up from a surface containing them, and transferred to your mouth. Kissing also works. Finishing your childs food can do it to you. The incubation period is 14-18 days after exposure, outer limits of 12-25. The infected person is most contagious two days before symptoms begin and in the first five days of swelling.

The classic early signs are fever, headache, muscle aches, and feeling yucky (one of my favorite medical terms), like SO many other infections. Then the kiddo may complain of an earache. About day 2-3 the one side swells painfully and rapidly, soon followed by the other. Often the size fills in the area between ear and jaw, a classic diagnostic tool. Sometime dry mouth and difficulty speaking occur. The swelling and fever subside in about a week. The entire illness generally is gone in 7-10 days. Adults do worse than kids, as is so often the case. Maybe 15-20 percent have no symptoms of the infection, and a third to half will have just non-diagnostic non-specific symptoms.

Because the virus initially is spread throughout a body via bloodstream, it can infect one or both male testicles, mainly of post pubertal guys, pancreas, the brain covering meninges, or brain itself. Ovaries get it about 5 percent of the time, but this is harder to detect. Unilateral or bilateral deafness occurs rarely. Happily, these complications usually resolve without permanent problems. On rare occasions thyroid, tear glands, or vaginal glands can become inflamed.

If symptoms are obvious, diagnosis is made by medical judgment. When an isolated case pops up, it can be confused with other illnesses, necessitating testing for mumps virus or other stuff, especially with a meningitis picture or pancreatitis and belly pain. Treatment is comfort and fever care with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, preferably not aspirin because of concern for Reyes syndrome.

For prevention, one attack confers lifelong immunity. So we dinosaurs born before 1957 are assumed to have had it. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine used successfully since the 1970s provides 88 percent immunity after two injections given just after one year old and at 4-6 years. If an outbreak arises in a community, its good medicine to consider a booster, especially if you are in crowded conditions like classrooms, or particularly traveling abroad to areas without immunization like Africa, India, or Southeast Asia. Prior to the MMR vaccine, mumps was the leading cause of viral meningitis/encephalitis in the U.S.

When we become freed from one more malady of humankind, we quickly forget the good old days, and how sick that disease can make us. This Hint is merely a reminder to keep up on these vaccinations for good reasons. Mumps is a miserable way to become a swell guy.
Back in 1967, my father had a near miss with the KKK. He was luckier than most of the people who lived in Mississippi during that hot summer, especially people of color. But as an Irish Catholic Yankee from Philadelphia who was down south registering black voters and representing indigent clients in jails right out of In the Heat of the Night, he wasnt exactly the type of fellow that made those upstanding Klan members happy. Im thinking that the Catholic part was especially annoying to the good old boys, even though they were Christians too.

Thats right, the Klan was a Christian organization, despite what some of my Facebook friends believe. According to Randall J. Stephens in his article The Klan, White Christianity, the Past and the Present, the KKK was deeply tied to Protestant evangelism. He quotes a newspaper editor from Texas who, in 1928 raphsodized that I find the preachers of the Protestant faith almost solid for the Klan and its ideals, with here and there an isolated minister  who will line up with the Catholics in their fight on Protestantism, but that kind of preacher is persona non grata in most every congregation in Texas.

The Klan hated black people more, but they didnt much like us papists. So daddy had a run in at a road block one night in Hattiesburg, managed to avoid getting roughed up even though the good fellows seemed to know exactly who he was and what he was doing down there, and lived to tell the tale.

I mention this story about the Klan to explain why, even though I am a Christian, I am fully aware that violence has been committed in my name. I understand that my faith has been perverted by some very savvy ideologues to hurt and marginalize and dominate, and Im not just talking about those malcontents with their normal grievances against Catholicism (No female priests? Mysogyny! No right to birth control? Ditto!) Im referring to a group that terrorized whole swaths of people in the south for over a century, and whose embers still burn quite brightly today, albeit not as obviously as the flaming crosses of the past.

And still, I am devout in my faith, which I embrace with every fiber of my being. I am a Catholic Christian, and that faith is not defined by the lowest common denominator of violence that has defiled its image and its history.

So when President Trump retweeted a video from a far-right anti-Muslim group depicting violent attacks on Christians by Muslim jihadists, I thought back to my fathers story about the Klan, and wondered if the president would be interested in reading daddys journal entries. Maybe hed be interested in tweeting them out, in the interest of fairness.

Wishful thinking. The president doesnt seem to be focused on all of the violent people in the world. From his travel bans to his conflation of terrorism with immigration, Donald Trump has made it clear that he doesnt agree that Islam is a religion of peace.

To be fair, its hard to blame him when you see the carnage being wrought in the name of Allah. Every month brings news of a different massacre of innocents, including my own people worshipping peacefully in our churches. Blood is shed while wild men and women shriek God Is Great! As a woman who deals with asylum cases on a regular basis, I know full well the nihilistic, vengeful acts that bear the imprint of Islam. Women have their sexual organs shredded by tribal custom in majority Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East. Other women are forced to hide themselves behind curtains of cloth. I am representing one asylum client who was the principal of a school in Pakistan which allowed girls to study with boys (imagine that heresy) and was firebombed. I am not naive enough to believe that all Muslims are peaceful. I know that far too many are not.

But that doesnt mean the whole religion is rotten to the core, just as I reject the suggestion that Christianity is a source of terror. Some of my Facebook friends laughed that I would even suggest Christs followers were vile and violent, and used the tautology that since Christ was good, the people who followed him were good.

Thats a nice and tidy delusion, but it doesnt fit with my experience. I will admit that the vast majority of terror, statistically these days, is committed in the name of Allah. I will also agree that the Klan is not what it once was (despite antifas attempts to tell us theyre coming for us in invisible white sheets.)

But the president of a country that has millions of Muslims who serve honorably in our armed services, who obey our laws and who honor our flag should not be tweeting out messages that make them feel unwanted.

Its not a very Christian thing to do.
The city of Houston has been awarded $10,000 for a project that will aim to tell the history of the areas rural economy and plot out a course for its future.

The grant comes from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and will fund the youth-driven Stories: YES Houston program. Students aged between 13 and 18 will interview local historians, artists, business owners, farmers and laborers in Houston and other parts of the county, according to a news release.

Theyll use the interviews for a multimedia program that will tell the history of the areas rural economy and the workers whove participated in it to create an exhibit in Houston titled, The Way We Worked.

The exhibit also will look forward, by blending the stories of those interviewed with the experience of the students, to imagine a future for the local economy.

Local students will work on the program in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service Museums on Main Street division. In 2017, the Smithsonian selected Houston as one of only six communities across the U.S. to participate in this new rural history pilot program for youth.

The city of Houston partnered with KARST Driftless Guidepost to win funding for the program. KARST is a community hub for visitors, artists, and businesses in downtown Houston. It was founded by local historian Erin Dorbin and will be the home base for the program, serving as a meeting and workshop space for participants in the project while also providing space for the exhibit installation.

The city is excited for this project and for the opportunity to partner with KARST, said city of Houston administrator Christina Peterson. Engaging youth to research and document past economic values of the community will create an important connection to the future.

Houston was picked after a competitive selection process to join the program.

For the past 30 years, weve seen people come together to enhance their communities, said Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation President and CEO Tim Penny. SMIFs new Small Town Grants program is intended to put air under the wings of some of those ideas, whether the community needs help with strategic planning, funds to implement a project or a stipend to support a leadership development program.

If you know a young person interested in developing skills in media production, research, exhibit design, and storytelling who might be interested in working on the project, contact Stories: YES Houston program coordinator Erin Dorbin at StoriesYesHouston@gmail.com or 507.884.2275.
Its time, once again, for farmers in Sauk and Juneau counties to stand up and be counted.

The same goes for farmers in all 72 Wisconsin counties, and anyone anywhere in the United States who earns or expects to earn at least $1,000 this year from products cultivated for food, fuel or fiber.

Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts its Census of Agriculture.

Sheila Harsdorf, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, is urging farmers to watch their mailboxes in December, because thats when the agriculture census forms will start to arrive.

They need to be completed and returned by Feb. 5. The forms may be completed on paper and mailed in, or online at a secure website. (Each survey will include a 17-digit code, unique to the respondent, to access the survey form online.)

The statistics garnered from the Census of Agriculture will be released in February 2019. The census yields detailed statistics for every county in the nation as to the number of farms, the types of operations, the size of farms, the percentage of farmers who depend on an enterprise other than farming as their main source of income, the median age of farmers and how many farming operations are headed by women and minorities.

In a news release, Harsdorf emphasized how vital those statistics are.

As a legislator, I saw how valuable census data was when making policy decisions, she said in the news release. I know as secretary, we here at DATCP will use the census information often when working with government officials, agribusinesses and industry partners.

Officials of the USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service have added some new questions to the 2017 survey, including questions about producers status as military veterans and more details about commodity marketing practices and farm decision-making processes.

The last Census of Agriculture was conducted in 2012, with findings released in early 2014.

Here is some of what that census showed about agriculture in Sauk and Juneau counties:

In 2012, there were 827 farms in Juneau County, with an average size of 218 acre. Thats up from 797 farms counted in the 2007 census.

In Sauk County during the same period, the number of farms decreased by 13 percent, from 1,923 in the 2007 census to 1,685 in the 2012 census. The average size of the farms, however, went up by about 7 percent, from 187 acres to 200 acres.

In both counties, corn for grain was the top farm commodity in 2012. Sauk County ranked 12th in Wisconsin in corn production, with 80,683 acres in corn. Juneau Countys rank was 32nd, with 40,373 acres planted in corn.

In terms of livestock production, Sauk County had more laying hens (82,193) than cattle and calves (80,663). The leading livestock in Juneau County was cattle and calves  24,388 head.

A trend that shows up in other Wisconsin counties  a significant number of farmers who depend on something other than farming as their main source of income  also held true in both Sauk and Juneau counties, but it was more pronounced in Juneau County, where 501 of the countys 827 producers relied on off-farm income. In Sauk County, it was a little less than half  812 out of 1,665 farmers depended on non-farm income for their livelihood.

The average age of farmers in both counties was the same: 57.

In Sauk County, 179 of the principal farm operators in the census were female. In Juneau County, that number was 82.

The market value of all the farm products sold in Sauk County in 2012 amounted to more than $207 million, a 15 percent increase from 2007. In Juneau County, the market value of farm commodities came to $124.77 million in 2012, up just 4 percent from the previous census. But in both counties, the average market value per farm went up by 33 percent from 2007 to 2012.

Federal law requires recipients of Census of Agriculture forms to complete them, even if they did not operate a farm or ranch in 2017.

A farmer need not be a participant in federal farm programs to complete the census form. The criteria for participation in the census are based on whether the farmer sold or expected to sell at least $1,000 worth of agriculture commodities in 2017.

Sensitive information about a particular farms operation is confidential, and will be used for statistical purposes only. The information collected in the census is not used for taxation, investigation or regulation of any kind.

More information is available at agcensus.usda.gov or 800-727-9540.
Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn has won the political battle for a $3 billion state tax credit, but the campaign to win over the public, including many in the business community, continues.

The public relations effort comes as Gov. Scott Walker mounts a campaign for a third term, his Democratic challengers criticize the Foxconn deal as a waste of taxpayer resources and initial public polling shows evidence of public opposition. One of Walkers closest political advisers is also involved in Foxconns communications strategy.

Last week the company sent Louis Woo, a top Foxconn executive, to participate in a panel discussion at a Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce event in Madison where he cracked jokes with fellow panelists Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Mark Hogan and Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel in front of a projected map of Wisconsin with ripples emanating across the state from a star in Racine County.

Woo said the companys 10-year vision is to create a Wisconn Valley that will rival Californias Silicon Valley. He added that in order to recruit workers it will be imperative to maintain and even increase the pristine of Wisconsin, the beauty of Wisconsin, the environmental values of Wisconsin  even though one of the main criticisms of the deal is that it exempts the company from certain state environmental regulations that other businesses must follow.

Why are we attracted to Wisconsin? Mostly its the people, Woo said. Its because of you guys that we are attracted to Wisconsin.

Gov. Scott Walker, speaking at the same event, addressed right away a concern that he said has been on the mind of many business owners as the Foxconn facility creates as many as 13,000 direct jobs, 22,000 indirect jobs and 10,000 construction jobs in Racine County.

One of our goals is to make sure were not only fulfilling the needs that theyre going to have directly and indirectly there but that those are a net gain when it comes to jobs in the state and that were not taking employees from other employers across the state, Walker said.

In its recent series on the worker shortage, the Wisconsin State Journal reported how some business owners are concerned about where Foxconn will find 13,000 workers when near record-low unemployment has made it difficult to find workers. Speaking with reporters Friday, Walker acknowledged the concerns about Wisconsins worker shortage in relation to Foxconn have been continual and widespread.

Theres usually not a week, sometimes not a day that doesnt go by when I havent heard specifically from employers about concerns they have about filling positions, Walker said. And so as I look ahead knowing that obviously the (Foxconn) building will start next year and the full-scale hiring  Im going to make sure that were not waiting until weve got an insurmountable problem, that were acting now.

Walker said that after announcing the Foxconn deal in July, he met with representatives from German candymaker Haribo to reassure the company that it wouldnt be competing with Foxconn for workers. He brought representatives from Milwaukee-based workforce consultant Manpower to share a report that had been prepared regarding the Foxconn deal.

We actually involved Manpower to help us make the case about how there are different markets in terms of the type of workers theyre looking for and different ways even though theyre in southeastern Wisconsin, Walker said. It was something that renewed their confidence.

Earlier this year, Haribo landed a $21 million income tax credit incentive from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.  at the time the agencys fourth largest tax credit award  to create 385 jobs in Pleasant Prairie.

Haribo officials didnt respond to a request for comment.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the states largest business group, also declined to discuss what they are hearing from businesses about the Foxconn deal and their public relations strategy.

Foxconns public relations effort is being overseen by Platform Communications, a company owned by Walker campaign political adviser Keith Gilkes. A Platform spokeswoman declined to discuss the groups communications strategy.

Foxconn provided a statement saying over the coming weeks and months, it will continue to engage with business leaders and the public as the company builds its campus in Racine County and grows an extensive Wisconsin-based supply chain that will support this facility.

Polls from Marquette Law School and Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling suggested the deal isnt wildly popular. The Marquette Poll was limited to southeastern Wisconsin but found 38 percent saying it was worth the $3 billion state investment and 48 percent saying it wasnt. The PPP poll found statewide 41 percent opposed the Foxconn deal, 34 percent supported it and 26 percent werent sure.

The Walker campaign declined to discuss any internal polling, but noted Walker has talked up Foxconn on the campaign trail after initially not mentioning it in his kickoff speech in Waukesha.

At an event in Superior soon after  in the opposite corner of the state from Racine County and the location of a failed economic development deal from 2012 involving Kestrel Aircraft  Walker said Foxconn is going to have to have construction workers from one end of the state to the other and purchase $1.4 billion from companies in Superior and all over.

Not only was Foxconn the right thing to do for hard-working families  excitement around this historic investment will continue to grow as shovels enter the ground, suppliers and workers across the state support the project, and tens of thousands of jobs are created, campaign spokesman Nate Craft said.

All the major Democratic candidates running for governor have criticized the deal. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers launched an ad in August highlighting how taxpayers wont recoup the lost state revenue for 25 years. Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, who voted against the deal, decried the staggering price tag borne by taxpayers and lack of protections for workers, our water and air. Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik called it a shell game. Former Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Matt Flynn called it a desperate deal.

The criticism prompted a response last month from the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the GOP leaders of the Legislatures economic development committees, who said Democrats are so desperate to score a few cheap political points that they are willing to put hard working families at risk by creating a chilling effect on investment and job creation.

Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, also wrote a column recently defending the deal, saying while Foxconn may be located in southeastern Wisconsin, its impact will be felt statewide.

Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, one of two Assembly Republicans who voted against the deal, said before the vote he heard from business owners concerned about what impact Foxconn would have on their ability to find workers. He said he heard from all across the political spectrum: What are we going to get out of it?

Novak said many of his concerns about the deal were addressed when WEDC signed the Foxconn contract, which spelled out a timeline for when the company would have to create the 13,000 jobs in order to qualify for the $3 billion in tax credit.

Editor's note: This story has been changed to clarify that Foxconn issued a statement about ongoing public relations efforts among the public and within the business community.
The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee rebutted President Donald Trump on Sunday, questioning his response to former national security adviser Michael Flynn's guilty plea and backing former FBI Director James Comey.

"The President is somehow saying he fired Flynn because he knew Flynn was lying to (Vice President Mike) Pence," Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner said. "Well if he knew that then, why didn't he act on it earlier?"

Warner, speaking Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," was responding to Trump's tweet Saturday on Flynn's guilty plea, in which he suggested he was aware Flynn had lied to the FBI when he fired the former general.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump tweeted. "He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

Warner anticipated that because Flynn was only charged with one crime, it was more likely that Flynn had more information to provide than what has already been made public.

"There's more to come," Warner said.

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about conversations he had with Russia's ambassador to the United States during the transition.

Warner, in his interview Sunday, also responded to a tweet from Trump accusing Comey of lying before Congress.

"I believe FBI Director Comey," Warner said.

Comey, in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Trump pressed him to end the investigation into Flynn. Trump continues to deny this, and on Sunday morning sent a tweet calling it a "Comey lie."
A controlling man choked his pregnant girlfriend and cut off her nipples from her breasts because she decided to end their relationship, according to police in South Dakota.

Sioux Falls police said that they have arrested 46-year-old Tony Deval Ledbetter after being accused of beating his girlfriend, who was not identified, until she fell unconscious.

Ledbetter pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault despite first denying the allegations by claiming self-defense.

Judge Doug Hoffman sentenced Ledbetter to serve 45 years in prison.

Ledbetter was not happy with the sentence as he cut a plea deal with prosecutors, who asked for just 30 years in prison.

Hoffman said that the maximum sentence was most appropriate for the community and the survivor.

According to the police investigation, Ledbetter was involved in an abusive relationship with the victim.

The woman told police that Ledbetter controlled all (of) her movements and followed her around all day.

After the woman became pregnant, she decided to end the relationship.

One day, Ledbetter came over to his girlfriends apartment located in the 4300 block of W. 58th Street to talk about their relationship.

An argument broke out and Ledbetter punched her and slammed her head into the ground despite being pregnant with his child.

He then squeezed her throat and stuffing a blanket into her mouth.

When the woman fell unconscious, he grabbed scissors and cut off her nipples.

The woman woke up as he was cutting off her second nipple.

She ran away and went to a hospital.

The woman underwent reconstructive surgery.

The baby was not injured.
A pair of eyes

Prisons have always fascinated me, perhaps because one only hears about what goes inside its high walls, but cant really tell how much truth there is to it.
APF, Indian SSB start joint border patrol

Security personnel from Nepal and India have started joint patrols along the international border near Dang in view of the second phase of federal and provincial elections scheduled for December 7. The local administration has heightened security along the Nepal-India border in recent days.
MARIANNA, Fla. (WTXL) - A Marianna man wanted by police for molesting a victim under the age of 12 has been arrested.

The Marianna Police Department says Michael Curry was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon. They say he was wanted on two active warrants for failure to appear and lewd or lascivious molestation.

According to a probable cause document, the victim's mother reported the crime on Nov. 17. Documents say Curry was supposed to be watching the child when the incident occurred.

Curry was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under the age of 12.

Marianna Police are still searching for a second man, Quinton Beckwith, who is wanted for violating probation and misuse of 911.

If you see Beckwith, please call Marianna police at (850) 526 - 3125.

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.
Sandra Velasquez, Healthplanfinder coordinator for Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, helps Mary Jean Walter with some questions about health insurance Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. Velasquez and other in-person assisters at Neighborhood Health are available every day to help people navigate through the selection and purchase of private health care plans, as well as enrollment in Medicaid and Medicare. (SHAWN GUST/Yakima Herald-Republic)
If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules:

Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy.

The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party.

We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste.

Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters.

Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month.
Appearance and Reality

In the middle of a paddy field, an election candidate bows down to touch the feet of an elderly woman who has stopped cutting rice plants and has stood up to greet him.
National dwelling values were stable in November, with a 0.1% drop in combined capital city dwelling values offsetting a 0.2% rise across the combined regional markets, according to CoreLogics November Hedonic Home Value Index results.

There was very little change in growth conditions from October, when the combined capital cities and combined regional areas of Australia saw flat growth.

Sydney had the biggest drop over the month (-0.7%), while a drop of 0.4% was noted in Darwin and regional Northern Territory over the same period. For the remaining broad regions of Australia, dwelling values were relatively steady, or experienced a subtle rise, over the month, CoreLogic said.

Over the quarter, national dwelling values tracked 0.2% higher, and have increased by 5.2% over the 12 months ending in November. The national annual growth rate has now halved since reaching a recent peak in May 2017, when dwelling values rose 10.4%.

Sydney softens and Perth regains its footing

After nearly a year and a half of growth, property prices began dropping in Sydney in September. The Sydney housing market moved through a recent peak in July 2017 and dwelling values have been trending lower each month since that time, CoreLogic said.

Dwelling values were down 0.7% in November to be 1.3% lower relative to the market peak. Sydneys 1.3% fall over the past three months is the greatest decline over a three month period since March 2016. While the rate of value decline in Sydney has gathered some momentum, it remains extremely modest.

The Perth property market, on the other hand, may have finally bottomed out, with dwelling values across the city edging higher over each of the past three months to record the first rolling quarterly captain gain since late 2014.

The three months to November saw Perth dwelling values rise by 0.3%. In addition to values moving off their low base, settled sales are rising (+3.8% year on year), homes are selling faster (59 days compared with 68 days a year ago) and advertised stock levels have reduced substantially (-12.7% compared with last year), CoreLogic said.

CoreLogics latest findings on the Perth property market correlate with those from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA).

According to Hayden Groves, president of REIWA, Perth has seen six months of stable conditions, with both the June and September quarters posting consistent results. Historically, before a market improves there is a sustained period of level stock, sales activity and house prices, which is what we appear to be witnessing at the moment, he said.

Significant growth was noted in Perths median house price and median unit price, and other key market indicators.

Related Stories:

Perths Rental Market Has Begun To Rebound

Will Sydneys House Prices Rebound In 2018?
Arizona News

Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey Monday announced Christine Burton as the newest public member of the Arizona State Board of Education.

Christine Burton is the co-founder and serves as Chairperson of the Burton Family Foundation. The primary focus of the Burton Family Foundation is to provide support for innovative programs that promote equity and opportunity for underserved students. In her role at the foundation, Ms. Burton has collaborated with school districts, charter schools, education foundations, universities, and non-profit education organizations to promote and expand best practices in education in Arizona.

"Christy will be an excellent addition to the Board, said Governor Ducey. She brings a wealth of knowledge on education policy issues through her philanthropic work, but more importantly, her perspective as a parent is invaluable to the Board as they consider educational issues that impact Arizona families.

In addition to her work for the Burton Family Foundation, Ms. Burton also serves on the boards of ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists), Teach for America Arizona, Student Expedition Program (STEP), and Support My Club. She is a member of the Camelback High Community Network, Philanthropy Roundtable, Aspen Institute Society of Fellows, Women in Philanthropy and Arizona State University Presidents Club.

Ms. Burton holds a B.S. in Economics and a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. She has been married to Daryl Burton for 29 years. As the mother of five adult children, she has experience serving on various school committees in public schools in Arizona.

It is an honor to serve in this capacity, said Christine Burton. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and the entire education community to increase the opportunities for a quality 21st century education for all Arizona students."
Arizona News

Tucson, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a State Grand Jury indicted Gloria Gonzalez, Rosa Marie Espinoza, Francisco Javier Daniel, Victor Martinez-Vega, and Ricardo Valenzuela Parada on 57 counts including Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Conspiracy, Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Forgery, and Identity Theft.

All five defendants are accused of using fake credit cards encoded with stolen credit card numbers from 27 victims all over the country to make purchases at Walmart stores in the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas. One defendant, Francisco Daniel, is also accused of possessing the tools used to make the fake credit cards for the ring. The fraud was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector Service working with Walmart Loss Prevention Specialists.

Warrants have been issued for Gonzalez, Martinez-Vega, and Valenzuela-Parada. Anyone with information on their whereabouts should call local law enforcement.

Assistant Attorney General Lindsay St. John is prosecuting this matter.

All defendants are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.
Arizona News

Green Valley, Arizona - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station apprehend a male 17-year-old from Tucson after he fled from the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint Tuesday night.

Agents referred the driver of a Nissan Versa for a secondary inspection after a Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect. Instead, the driver fled from the immigration checkpoint. Agents pursued the subject until he lost control and flipped the vehicle near Interstate 19s kilometer post 63 in Green Valley, Arizona.

As agents were attending to the driver, they discovered a 16-year-old male Mexican national in the vehicles trunk. Agents then arrested both teens: the 17-year-old for human smuggling and the Mexican teen for immigration violations.

Border Patrol officials continue to warn about the dangers of riding in the trunk of a car, i.e. carbon monoxide poisoning or being crushed in a rear-end collision.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Contacting the Border Patrol to report illicit activity could result in saving someones life.
Border News

Sasabe, Arizona - Border Patrol agents from the Tucson Station apprehended a 40-year-old Mexican man in the desert near Sasabe, Arizona, on Saturday afternoon for illegally entering the United States.

While processing Juan Sotelo-Carasco, agents conducted a records check and learned he was convicted and sentenced in 2016 for rape in Contra Costa County, California.

Sotelo is being held in federal custody pending prosecution for felony criminal immigration violations.
Border News

Tucson, Arizona - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Mobile Response Team (MRT) responded to a 911 call Wednesday morning from a 41-year-old Mexican man who had been shot before crossing the border into the United States.

The man told a 911 operator that he fled from a group of assailants south of the border after being shot in the arm.

After a short search, MRT agents located the subject based on his general description of the area from where he was calling. Border Patrol agents trained as Emergency Medical Technicians arrived by helicopter and stabilized the man for transport to an awaiting air ambulance. He was then flown to a Tucson hospital for advanced medical care.

The man will be processed for immigration violations in accordance to Tucson Sector guidelines.

Anyone wishing to report suspected illegal activity may do so and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting suspicious activity to any law enforcement agency could result in saving someones life.
Army enhances presence to curb anti-poll actions

After a series of explosions in the Capital and other parts of the country in the run-up to the second phase of federal and provincial elections, the Nepal Army has increased its presence in order to curb anti-poll activities.
Border News

Vamori, Arizona - A Supervisory Border Patrol agent from the Casa Grande Station was assaulted by a 17-year-old male Mexican national on Thanksgiving Day near Vamori, Arizona.

The agent was working alone when he encountered three male Mexican nationals south of Sells, Arizona early that evening. While attempting to detain the group, the teen became combative, forcing the agent to use his pepper spray to complete the arrest.

Both the agent and teen were evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries sustained during the scuffle.

All three Mexican men were arrested and processed for immigration violations in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines. Additionally, the 17-year-old is being prosecuted by Pima County for assault.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.
Border News

Yuma, Arizona - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seized approximately $90,000 worth of methamphetamine Tuesday morning at the immigration checkpoint on Highway 95, south of Quartzsite, Arizona; and later rescued a Honduran national from the Colorado River.

Agents working the immigration checkpoint referred two adult male U.S. citizens in a Ford Expedition for a secondary inspection of the vehicle after a canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect. During the search, agents found 30 packages of meth, weighing approximately 30 pounds, concealed in one of the vehicles quarter panels and in the rear air conditioning unit. Agents arrested both men for narcotics smuggling and seized the drugs and vehicle.

Early Tuesday evening, agents assigned to Yuma Stations Riverine Unit saved a 38-year-old male Honduran from drowning. The man had jumped into the Colorado River in an attempt to avoid apprehension after entering the U.S. illegally. Agents saw the man struggling to stay afloat while clinging to vegetation along the edge of the river. Agents in a boat soon arrived and pulled the man to safety. He was then transported to Yuma Station for processing in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers may remain anonymous.
Border News

Nogales, Arizona - United States Border Patrol agents assigned to the Nogales Station arrested a previously deported Mexican national with several prior felony convictions Thursday afternoon.

Border Patrol agents patrolling approximately 2 miles west of Nogales, Arizona, encountered a man who had illegally entered the country, later identified as Fernando Garcia-Loya.

While processing the 31-year-old illegal alien, agents conducted a records check and learned of his previous conviction in Provo, Utah for forcible sex abuse in 2009, and 2016 felony convictions for re-entry of a deported alien, and failure to register as a sex offender.

Garcia is being held in federal custody pending prosecution for criminal and immigration violations.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.
Latest News

Yuma, Arizona - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents were involved in a shooting incident November 28, 2017, at approximately 2:00 a.m. at the westbound rest area on Interstate 10 near milepost 51, west of Phoenix, Arizona.

Earlier this morning, Border Patrol agents responded to a call for assistance from the La Paz County Sheriffs Office and the Department of Public Safety in an attempt to locate a suspect in a fleeing vehicle reportedly involved in an earlier shooting. The suspect was located and the vehicle stopped near milepost 51 on Interstate 10. Several agents arrived on scene in a backup role and subsequently discharged their firearms. The suspect sustained serious injuries and was transported via air ambulance to a local hospital.

No law enforcement or bystanders were injured during the incident.

The FBI, CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility, the Department of Public Safety and the La Paz County Sheriff's Department are involved in the ongoing investigation. For further information, please contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Latest News

Tucson, Arizona - A U.S. Border Patrol agent discharged his service issued firearm, striking an assaultive male subject at approximately 11:30 a.m. (MST) on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in a remote area of the Baboquivari Mountain Range west of Three Points, Arizona. The assaultive subject later died as a result of his wounds.

Two agents were following a group of suspected illegal aliens through a rugged and remote mountainous area in response to a sensor activation. Both agents encountered the group of men 21 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border.

One of the subjects attacked an agent attempting to arrest him and gained control of the agents weapon. The other agent shot the subject in response.

One agent suffered non-life threating injuries during the assault and was later transported to a Tucson hospital for treatment.

Agents arrested three other members of the group - all adult male Guatemalan nationals - for immigration violations.

The incident highlights the threat and dangers our agents face daily in protecting our borders and communities. I am proud of these men and women who keep us safe.

The lead investigative agency is the Tohono Oodham Nation Police Department jointly supported by the FBI, and CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - This evening, at approximately 8:05p.m., Yuma Police Department Officers responded to 1945 S Walnut Ave in reference to a Drive By Shooting.

Upon arrival Officers located two male subjects who had been struck by gunfire. YPD Officers and Yuma Fire Department personnel administered first aid. Both subjects were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The case is still under investigation.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-02 22:24:44|Editor: Yurou

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TOKYO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga on Saturday called for revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) during his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Naha, Okinawa.

"People in Okinawa are enduring significant anxiety," Onaga told Kono, citing the repeated criminal cases involving U.S. servicemen and military-linked personnel.

He added that the SOFA, a bilateral pact that gives U.S. servicemen and civilian workers in Japan privileged legal status, has been widely criticized as being overly protective of U.S. base workers.

Under the 1960 bilateral agreement, the U.S. justice system, instead of Japanese courts, has the primary right of jurisdiction over crimes committed by U.S base service members and their "civilian component" if the accused was "acting on official duty."

Onaga, who was elected governor of Okinawa in 2014, also reiterated to Kono his opposition to the plan of relocating Futenma base within the prefecture.

The Japanese and U.S. governments have been seeking to move the Futenma base from Ginowan to the less-populated Henoko coastal area of Nago. The people of Okinawa, however, demand that the Futenma base be relocated outside the prefecture.

Kono, who was on his first visit to Okinawa since assuming the current portfolio, only said that the central government will try to reduce the burdens of Okinawa for hosting the U.S. bases.

Earlier in the day, Kono has met with Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, the highest-ranking U.S. serviceman in Okinawa prefecture.

During the meeting, he asked the U.S. side to take measures to prevent crimes and accidents involving the U.S. military personnel from happening again, while stressing that the Japanese government will make every possible effort to maintain the deterrence capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Okinawa hosts the vast majority of the U.S. military bases in Japan and has seen criminal cases involving U.S. military men repeatedly happen.

According to earlier reports by the Kyodo News, citing data from the local police and the Okinawa prefectural government, a total of 576 heinous crimes, including murders, robberies and rapes, have been committed by U.S. military-related personnel between May 1972, when the prefecture reverted to Japanese control following postwar U.S. occupation, and last December.
Bandarmude victims, CPN (MC) sign 3-point agreement

A three-point agreement has been signed between the victims of Bandarmude incident and CPN (Maoist Centre) on Sunday.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused the FBI of adopting a double standard while probing his former national security advisor Michael Flynn and 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton.

In a series of tweets, Trump said that "nothing happened" to Hillary who lied many times to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) while General Flynn lied to the agency and his life is destroyed.

Trump's tweets came a day after Flynn pleaded guilty before a US court on the charges of lying to the FBI on his connection with the Russian Ambassador.

"So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...And nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?" Trump tweeted.

In another tweet, he said many people in the country are asking what the "Justice" Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, after receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and "acid washed" 33,000 Emails?

"No justice!" he said.

In another tweet, Trump also said that he fired his national security advisor for lying to the US Vice President and the FBI on his connection with the Russian envoy.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump said.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Saturday shrugged off the bombshell news that his former national security adviser pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and will cooperate with a special prosecutor probing Russian election meddling.

As the Russia probe overshadowed his big legislative win, the Senate`s passing of landmark tax cuts, Trump again insisted he and his campaign had not colluded with Russia.

Trump also suggested he has been holding back something important regarding what he knew at the time of ex-security adviser Michael Flynn`s firing.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump tweeted Saturday.

The revelation changes the timeline of the drama in a potentially dangerous way for Trump.

At the time of Flynn`s dismissal, the White House acknowledged only that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence -- not to the FBI, too -- about Flynn`s discussions with Russian ambassador

Sergey Kislyak over sanctions imposed by then-president Barack Obama against Russia for meddling in the election.

Trump`s ties with Flynn have been under intense scrutiny since FBI director James Comey was fired by the president in May.

Comey testified under oath before a Senate panel in June that a day after Flynn`s firing, Trump asked Comey to drop an investigation into the former national security director.Trump on Saturday also repeated his denials of collusion with Russia.

"What has been shown is no collusion. There`s been absolutely no collusion. So we`re very happy," he told reporters as he left for a day trip to New York.

Special prosecutor Robert Mueller`s focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to shady business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the investigation.

If Trump`s latest statement on Twitter is accurate, it would mean that when he pressed Comey to drop the probe into Flynn, Trump already knew that Flynn had lied to Comey`s agency.

A lingering part of the drama has been that after the White House learned through the Justice Department that Flynn lied to the White House about discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Trump still waited 18 days to fire him.

Trump fired Comey in May and said he had the Russia probe in mind when he did it. The move backfired and led the Justice Department to appoint Mueller as the special prosecutor.

Trump`s tweet about Flynn lying to both Pence and the FBI prompted Representative Adam Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, to pose some follow-up questions.

"If that is true, Mr. President, why did you wait so long to fire Flynn? Why did you fail to act until his lies were publicly exposed? And why did you pressure Director Comey to `let this go?`" he asked on Twitter.

Comey himself seemed to be addressing the latest developments in an Instagram message: "To paraphrase the Buddha -- Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth."The explosive new developments in the Russia probe have overshadowed the tax cuts approved Friday by the Senate in a step toward what would be Trump`s first major legislative victory.

In an early morning Twitter post, Trump said his Republican Party would now work with the House of Representatives, which has passed its own tax bill, to produce a common version.

"Thank you to House and Senate Republicans for your hard work and commitment!" Trump wrote.

After a session that stretched into the night, the chamber voted 51 to 49 in favour of the most significant US tax overhaul in 31 years.

Both the Senate and House versions lower the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35% and include more modest tax cuts aimed at individuals across all income levels.

Democrats argue that the plan is too expensive and will accommodate only the rich and that it could ultimately impact cherished US entitlement programs like Medicare.

The Senate bill was, just 24 hours earlier, on the brink of collapse when a handful of Republican deficit hawks balked at the plan`s $1.5 trillion price tag for 10 years.

Trump hopes to sign a final bill before Christmas. That would be a sweet victory for the president, who has delivered on hardly any of his major campaign promises, including repealing the health care law known as Obamacare.

Also this week, Trump engaged in an extraordinary, testy cross-Atlantic spat triggered by his retweeting of anti-Muslim videos posted by a British far-right extremist.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said what Trump did was "wrong." The US leader responded by telling May to focus on her own country and the threat of Islamist terror instead of him.
WASHINGTON: The US is not satisfied with Pakistan's co-operation in the war against terror as part of its South Asia strategy and yet to see Islamabad taking steps to "rein in" the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a senior Trump administration official has said.

He also termed the release of Mumbai-terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed as "a step backward" in that direction.

The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was "not an indication" of Islamabad's cooperation with the US in the war against terrorism.

"Our diplomatic pressure, as well as our own intelligence agencies diligent work led to the release of the Coleman family. So, I am not sure if that qualifies as a step forward (by Pakistan as part of the South Asia Strategy announced by President Donald Trump in August)," the official told PTI.

"We are happy that the Colemans are free and that they have been released. But we are still waiting to see Pakistan take steps to reign in the Taliban and the Haqqani network. We are not satisfied that they have done anything significant on this front," he said.

The US, the official said, has now a different approach to Pakistan. "We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory".

Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

"But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognise that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldn't necessarily occur overnight.

"But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take," he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said.

"But, I don't think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And we're still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan," he added.

The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on "genuine" peace process, as it is not interested in talks for talks sake.

"We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we don't believe they'll be ready for talks.

"They will continue to believe that they can advance on the battlefield rather than on the negotiating table," he said, adding "so, we need to see Pakistan ensures that they don't have a sanctuary within Pakistan. And only at that time, we assess that they'll really be ready for genuine negotiations with the Afghan government".

The White House official, however, refused to give any timeline for actions on Pakistan, saying he thinks that it would not be helpful.

"But I just want to assure you that that we are thinking in terms of timelines and we are monitoring the progress and we do expect meaningful actions in a certain time-frame and we are prepared to implement new policies and take different steps if we don't see some progress," he said.
He has often been a butt of jokes on social media. You must have seen various video compilations of his goof ups on your mobile phone. Yes, we are talking about Rahul Gandhi, also known as shehzada and yuvraj.

His debut in Indian polity was compelled by his family situations. While his mother had been touted as super prime minister, his father had made it to power by bagging the maximum number of seats ever in Lok Sabha, and his grandmother was the only female PM, and one of the most powerful leaders of India.

Rahul Gandhi has undoubtedly been one of the most debatable politicians of the country. He is yet to be taken seriously in Indian politics. And with a politician like Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his main rival, the road has been, and still is not a piece of cake for him.

But have things been different off late? Amid all the controversies around temples, has the BJP felt the heat of Rahul Gandhi?

The Gandhi scion has been pretty consistent in the run up to the Gujarat elections. Since the battle of Gujarat began, the Congress soon-to-be chief led from the front and held the baton of the contest in his hand  not that he had much options in his hand.

Rahul was certainly the talking point in Gujarat elections, not just inside the state, but even outside, where other battles were at stake. Remember the triple-attack public meeting of Amit Shah, Smriti Irani and Yogi Adityanath in Amethi when Rahul was on a Gujarat visit?

This was apparently an attempt by the ruling party to divert the attention of the Congress leader. But it didnt deter Rahul from pursuing his Gujarat plan. Probably, the civic poll results in Amethi show whats at stake for the Gandhi scion when he is fighting for the Congress party elsewhere.

While this was the initial stage of the campaign, the developments further brought to light the Congress VP. While there were violent protests by PAAS members after a Congress list, a press conference later by Hardik Patel suggested that Rahul had struck the right chord on the issue of Patels.

During the campaign trail in Gujarat, the Congress leader remained consistent in the narrative he followed. From attacking the government over GST and demonetisation to questioning PM Modis Mann ki Baat, the leader kept it direct and aggressive, grabbing headlines with many of his speeches.

Not to forget, his continuous offensive on Twitter, with couplets and play of words, which aided his attacks on the ruling party.

And then came the Somnath temple register entry controversy. While there was fierce war of words between the Congress and the BJP over the same  with the former even releasing pictures of rituals to prove Rahul is a Hindu.

But the Gandhi scion refused to get drawn in the controversy. All that emerged was a hidden camera recording of him addressing partymen where he claimed that his family was a Shiva bhakt.

Apart from the register entry in question, there was a picture of a visitor book, who Rahul confirmed to have signed himself. Amid all the political bickering, none bothered to note what the leader had written in the visitor book at Somnath temple. The line from him was  A very inspiring place. This is a strong statement in itself. Instead of talking about religion and devotion, the Gandhi scion came back from Somnath temple inspired  suggesting that his politics is certainly not so much about only religion.

During the whole campaign, Rahul has remained unfazed with anything trivial raised by the members of the ruling party. Instead of indulging in knee-jerk reactions on things, Rahul has followed his own strategy, and stuck to his own narrative. Before joining hands with the BJP, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had once advised the Congress party to follow their design their own narrative and strategy, instead of just reacting to those set by Modi and his party. And this is just what Rahul seems to have followed in the state that gave India a politician as powerful as Narendra Modi, and which has been under the BJP for the last 22 years.

Though it is very unlikely that the Congress will gain much in numbers when the results are out, but theres no qualms in saying that the BJP has certainly felt the heat of Rahul Gandhi this time. From Narendra Modi to Amit Shah to Yogi Adityanath to Sambit Patra, theres no big and popular leader in the ruling party who has centred their attack around the Congress leader. While many say that the political battles have now become Modi vs the rest, it seemed little different in Gujarat  it was the whos who of BJP vs Rahul Gandhi, who apparently is leading a one-man army.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)
Singapore: Veteran director Shekhar Kapur said the script of the biopic on iconic Chinese-American star, Bruce Lee, is a work in progress.

The 71-year-old filmmaker has signed up to co-write and direct the film titled, "Little Dragon", his first China project.

"We are working on the script," Shekhar said, adding that the first script draft was written by Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee.

"Little Dragon" is being planned as an official US - China co-production, with several Chinese companies expected to co-finance and co-produce the film.

The feature film will chronicle Bruce's early life before he left Hong Kong for Hollywood and went on to become an icon and Kung-Fu movie master in the 1970s.

Shekhar also believes Indian films have a big market in China.

"I used to say Indian films will definitely be very popular in China and yes, they are. 'Dangal' has proved what I said," he told PTI, after completing his chief judge assignment at the 28th?Singapore International Film Festival yesterday.

Aamir Khan's "Dangal" or "Let's Wrestle, Dad" raked in more than USD 93.3 million within a month, when it released in China in May this year.

Shekhar's said his ambitious project, "Paani" is ready for take-off again and awaits investors' commitment.

He said the film will have new artistes as those who worked in the film, including Sushant Singh Rajput, were much older than the age of actors required for the roles.

Shekhar, who worked on the film for 15 years, conceded "Paani" is an expensive project and would cost about USD 30 million.

The director said he is dedicated to the art of filmmaking.

"Every morning when I wake up, I say to myself I should be working more," he added.
Mumbai: The fate of 'Padmavati' rests in the hands of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and actor Shahid Kapoor said now as the film is with the right authority, he hopes the period drama will release soon.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed film was slated to be released on December 1, but the makers 'voluntarily' deferred the release after the CBFC asked them to reapply for certification with complete details.

They recently applied for 3D certification.

"It is a nice big circle. It is back to where we started, which is where it should have been. The CBFC should have been the right body to take a decision. I am hoping that sooner, not later, it is already pretty being long, we will get a decision."

"... I saw lot of problem with 'Udta Punjab' and eventually the film released and everybody saw it. The film was loved by the people. And I do believe that it will be similar for 'Padmavati'," Shahid said.

The actor is unfazed by the film being pushed and said 'Padmavati' will do well if the team has done a good job.

"... Whenever the film comes out, people will react the way they would to a story that is being told. If the film has the dignity, strength, originality and cinematic effect that a good film should have, the people will speak well of it. I believe that it is a good film," he said.

Padmavati is facing trouble with several Rajput groups and political leaders, alleging that Bhansali has tampered with 'historical facts' in the movie.

The director has been accused of using a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini (Deepika Padukone) and Sultan Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh), a claim repeatedly denied by him.

Historians are divided over whether Padmini actually existed.

Chief ministers of BJP-ruled states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have also called for a ban on the period drama.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar: Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, stars likely to play their last WC
New Delhi: Max Healthcare has decided to terminate the services of two doctors allegedly involved in the case of a premature baby being wrongly declared dead, hospital authorities said today.

The decision was taken tonight after a meeting of the Max Healthcare authorities in connection with the incident.

"While the inquiry by the expert group which includes external experts from the IMA is still in process, we have decided to terminate the services of two treating doctors, doctors AP Mehta and Vishal Gupta in the case relating to the twin extreme pre-term babies," Max Healthcare said in a statement.

"The strict action has been taken on the basis of our initial discussions with the expert group and as a reflection of our commitment to higher standards of care," it said.

The case pertains to the birth of twins (boy and girl) on November 30. Both the babies were allegedly declared dead by the Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh. However, the family later found the boy was alive.

"We wish to clarify that this action should not presuppose finding of any lapse by the expert group and should not be construed in anyway to be anything other than an expression of our continued commitment to providing quality health care," the statement read.

Earlier in the day, the hospital had said two experts from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had been included in the probe team set up by the Max Healthcare authorities to investigate the case.

The Max Healthcare authorities had ordered an inquiry into the case on December 1.
New Delhi: An unidentified man allegedly set himself afire in north-west Delhi's Rani Bagh, police said today.

No suicide note was found on the spot, they said, adding the incident was reported from Shakurbasti railway line yesterday.

According to the police, the man reached the railway line and poured some inflammable substance on himself.

The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, they said.

A 'kirpan' (short sword) was found with the victim, the police added.
New Delhi: In the wake of a premature baby being wrongly declared dead by a city-based private hospital, police have sent a notice to the hospital authorities, asking them to join the probe.

Doctors at the Max Hospital had declared the baby dead but he was found to be alive later.

Police have already registered a case of attempt to commit culpable homicide against two doctors.

Investigators have sent a notice to the hospital to join the probe and share documents pertaining to the case.

The boy was one of the prematurely born twins (boy and girl) on the morning of November 30 to Varsha at the hospital. The other baby was stillborn. The mother was brought to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar, police had said.

The hospital had earlier told the parents that both the babies were stillborn. They were handed to them in a polythene bag, but just before their last rites, the family found that the boy was alive, police said.

The baby is undergoing treatment at a nursing home in Pitampura and doctors said he had a 40 per cent chance of survival, they added.
Blasts continue in various districts

Incidents of blast targeting candidates and election campaigns have continued in different parts of the country even as the government claims that adequate security measures are in place.
NEW DELHI: The investigation into the issue of medical negligence by Delhi`s Max hospital is expected to conclude by tomorrow and the findings are expected to be shared thereafter, the hospital authorities informed today.

The authorities further said that the expert group on the matter is working swiftly towards concluding the investigation.

"Expert group set up to investigate the circumstances and protocols followed regarding premature delivery (23 weeks/5 months) of twins and declaration of their death at Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh is working swiftly towards concluding their detailed investigations," the Max Hospital authorities said.

Earlier, the Shalimar Bagh branch of the hospital was accused of medical negligence after an infant was found alive after being declared `dead`.

Following which, the Delhi Police sent a notice to the administration of Max hospital, seeking detailed information in connection with the case and asked the authorities to be present for an interrogation.

On Saturday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain warned of cancelling the hospital`s licence, if it continued with the negligence.

The family members of the newborn, who was allegedly declared dead along with his still-born twin by the hospital, staged a sit-in protest outside the hospital yesterday demanding a strict action against them.

The hospital had handed over the newborns in a plastic bag to the family, but when the twins were brought to the burial ground, realised before performing the last rites, that one of them showed movements inside the bag.

They immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors confirmed one of them to be alive.

A medical negligence case has been registered under section 308 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the hospital.
New Delhi: A three-year-old girl was rescued today from near a temple here after she was allegedly taken away by a drunk man, police said.

Yesterday, the police were informed about a girl going missing from northwest Delhi's Keshavpuram, they said.

Locals told the police that they had seen the girl going with a drunk man, the police said.

Eight teams comprising police personnel from Keshavpuram, Ashok Vihar and Bharat Nagar police stations, were constituted to search for the girl, they said.

She was subsequently found near Gufa Wala Mandir on Lawrence Road at 5 pm. The drunk man was not with her, the police said.

It is suspected that the man got scared after learning that the police were looking for him and left the girl near the temple, they said.
NEW DELHI: Team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Anti-Terrorism Squad of Uttar Pradesh were attacked on Sunday during a raid in connection with 'Shaikh Abdul Naeem of LeT' case.

The incident took place in Ghaziabad's Bhojpur area today.

As per a report, the officials of NIA and UP's ATS were fired upon by criminals as the teams were conducting a raid in the area.

One of the policemen received a bullet injury during the firing and was rushed to a hospital in Meerut. Several others were also injured during the attack, said the report.

Days after security agencies nabbed alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative Abdul Naeem Sheikh, another LeT terrorist was also arrested from Bihar on Saturday.

On November 28, alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba operative Shaikh Abdul Naeem, 37, and is being called Headley 2, was arested from Lucknow.

Naeem is serving a prison sentence at a US jail for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Naeem allegedly visited Kashmir to carry out a recce mission involving some vital installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kasol.

He is also reported to have prepared several videos of Army bases and camps in Kashmir.

The investigative agency claimed Sheikh had been roped in on the same lines as David Headley, a Pakistan- American terrorist serving a 35-year prison sentence in the US for involvement in terror activities and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.
Ghaziabad: A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) was attacked in Ghaziabad's Bhojpur area on Sunday, when it was conducting a raid to arrest an arms smuggler, who is wanted in the murder case of RSS worker in Punjab's Ludhiana.

An NIA staff received a bullet injury during the exchange of fire with the criminals. He was admitted to a hospital in Meerut.

On October 10, 2017 Gosain, who was the Mukhya Shikshak of Mohan shakha of the RSS, was shot by two unknown assailants on a motorbike outside his residence in Ludhianas Gagandeep

Colony. The Punjab Police registered a case and investigation was taken up.

During the course of investigation, two accused persons namely Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh were taken in the NIA custody from the Ludhiana Police on November 22, 2017.

During their examination, these accused persons have admitted their involvement in the previous

eight incidents of murder or attempted murder in Punjab which have happened since January, 2016. Targets in these incidents generally were members of the RSS and Hindu organizations. Besides, in July, 2017, they also murdered a Christian pastor named Sultan Masih in Ludhiana. It has also come to light that the above mentioned conspiracy to destabilise Punjab has been hatched by Sikh extremist elements and others located in various parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.

The investigation conducted so far has revealed channelling of funds from foreign countries for

execution of the these incidents. The conspiracy also included an element of ideological brainwashing and incitement of the above accused persons on religious grounds by their mentors settled abroad. Investigation of the case is continuing.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday targeted both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as the Congress over the issue of religion. In the wake of the Gujarat Assembly elections, the politician accused both the parties of playing politics in the name of religion.

Targeting BJP president Amit Shah, Owaisi claimed that the BJP president "is not Hindu, but promotes himself as Hindu" for political gains. He also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying, "When PM Modi says he is Hindu, it is fine for all, but when I say I am Muslim, it does not go down well."

The remark from Owaisi comes soon after a war of words between the BJP and the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's religion, following his visit to the Somnath temple in Gujarat.

It started after the emergence of an entry in a Somnath temple register, reportedly meant for non-Hindus, in the name of the Congress vice president. It was alleged that Rahul's media coordinator Manoj Tyagi made the entry in the register meant to be filled by non-Hindus visiting the temple.

Reacting to it, the BJP had launched an all-out attack on the Congress, seeking clarification on the Gandhi scion's religion. The Congress was also quick in its response as it released three photographs to "prove" that Rahul Gandhi is a "janeudhari Hindu".

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal had even raised questions on the religion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he was not a "real Hindu", and just a follower of Hindutva.

Later, the Gandhi scion broke his silence on the issue, saying his family members had been disciple of lord Shiva. He had further asserted that he did not intend to use his religious belief for political gains.

Talking about the register entry, Rahul said that he had made an entry only in the visitor book and claimed that the register entry in question was made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) people.

Unfazed by the issue, the Congerss leader also visited Gopinath Mandir in Gadhada.
RAJKOT: Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the opposition party of promoting corruption, casteism, communalism and nepotism.

The Congress is associated with evils of corruption, casteism, communalism and nepotism. The youth are not ready to accept the grand old party, PM says.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) star campaigner hit out at the opposition saying, India's rise in the world stage has rattled many. They are going out of the way to discredit the rankings. Yes that is fine but will they also discredit the people of Uttar Pradesh who have rejected them comprehensively.

In every indicator be it health, education, agriculture the progress of Gujarat under BJP has been better than under previous Congress governments in the state, the PM asserted.

Hitting out at the Congress for criticising demonetisation move, the PM said the opposition party Congress leaders are in tears because they lost all that they had looted from the poor because of note ban.

Earlier in the day, in his campaign blitzkrieg in poll-bound Gujarat, the Prime Minister accused the Congress of seeking to divide the people on caste and religious lines.

He also hit out at the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, alleging that the opposition party has a history of rigging (organisational) elections.

Modi said those opposing the bullet train project should travel on bullock carts.



Modi made the comment while lashing out at the Congress for its criticism of the Rs 1.1 lakh crore project -- which he said was "a negligible price" -- connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai and to be built by Japan.

He said the UPA government under Manmohan Singh also wanted the project but could not get it. "The NDA government got it at a negligible price. So the Congress didn't like that. My only grievance against the Congress is that if they could not achieve anything, why does it pain them when someone else does it."



Modi took a jibe at the Nehru-Gandhi family over what he said their claim to have Gujarati origins and doing nothing for the state.



"What good did they do to Gujarat? Did they even think about project like Roll on, Roll off ferry service? Over the years, the Congress has created divisions between villages and cities, states, between people, between the educated and the uneducated, caste, communities.
Ahmedabad: Days ahead of the Gujarat polls 2017, a scuffle broke out between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Rajkot on Saturday night over alleged vandalisation of Congress candidate's poster.

Following an altercation over tearing of posters of Congress members, party members started protested outside the residence of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. A scuffle ensued between BJP and Congress members. Brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in the fight.

"Scuffle broke out between Congress and BJP workers over the issue of tearing of posters. Brother of Rajyaguru, Deep was injured in the scuffle," said Joint Commissioner of police Dipak Bhatt.

Local police later detained three Congress workers

Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

Police also indulged in baton charge to disperse the mob. Injured Congress workers were taken to City private hospital.

Rupani is contesting polls from his Rajkot West seat against Rajyaguru. Elections will be held in Rajkot on December 9.

On Friday, the BJP state unit suspended 24 of its members, including former MPs Bhupendrasinh Prabhatsinh Solanki, Kanye Patel and Bimal Shah, for their involvement in anti-party activities.

With agency inputs
GANDHINAGAR: A day after BJP swept urban bodies elections in Uttar Pradesh, PM Narendra will visit his home state on Sunday on a two-day visit.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold at least 31 rallies and meetings in the state in the wake of upcoming assembly elections.

Out of them, PM Modi will address at least seven rallies in the state today and tomorrow.

PM Modi is also expected to inaugurate a hospital in the Swaminarayan sect.

For his two-day sojourn, the BJP has organized seven public gatherings named as 'Vikas Rallies', to stress on the ruling BJP's development plank.

On Sunday, Modi will be addressing three public meetings, at Bharuch in the morning, and later at Surendranagar.

Modi will be visiting the capital of Saurashtra, Rajkot, before his visit to Ahmedabad where he will inaugurate a hospital at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP). The BJP wants to make this meeting a grand event and is planning a huge rally comprising more than one lakh people. The administration and police have geared up for the event.

On Monday, the Prime Minister will be holding public meetings at Dharampur in Valsad district and later at Bhavnagar. From there he will visit other Saurashtra places, Junagadh and Jamnagar.

He will also be visiting the state in three phases after December 6 where he will be addressing more than 24 meetings and rallies.

Modi was in Gujarat on Wednesday, to campaign in Saurashtra region and south Gujarat.

The BJP has been in power in the state since more than 22 years with the major share of that under the tenure of Modi as Chief Minister. But after having ruled for more than two decades, the saffron party is feeling a strong wave of opposition in the form of various agitations from different sections of the society.

A majority of these forces have joined hands with the opposition Congress party and the more than two-decades reign seems to be on the downslide. That's the reason why Narendra Modi, despite his very busy schedule, has made Gujarat virtually his home since the last couple of months and has been visiting the state every other day.

Lately, the saffron party has felt that the young Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been gathering more people in his rallies and that even their star campaigner Modi is not garnering the crowds he used to do in the state.

According to sources, the BJP is taking the Rajkot rally as a prestige issue and wants to make it a huge success. It can also be because the Saurashtra region has been opposing the BJP more than any other region of Gujarat and from where the Patidar agitations have had immense support and success.
SURENDRANAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress and accused the opposition of dividing the people over community lines.

Addressing an election rally in Gujarat's Surendranagar area, the PM said, The biggest disservice to Gujarat by the Congress was to divide communities. The party ensured that people who were earlier friends get divide.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) star campaigner was referring to the Congress joining hands with some Patidar leaders like Hardik Patel.

While appealing to people to vote for BJP, the PM said, My Gods are 125 crore Indians. I am serving them.

While referring to Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla's comments on the upcoming Congress president election, PM Modi said, A youngster Shehzad exposed the rigging that is taking place in the Congress president poll, adding that Congress has tried to muzzle his voice and wants to even remove him from their social media groups.

Heaping praise on Shehzad, the BJP leader said, Those who have no internal democracy can't work for people. I want to tell this youngster Shehzad, you have done a brave thing but this is sadly what has always happened in the Congress.

Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday had questioned the process to elect party president, calling it "rigged" and said vice president Rahul Gandhi must first resign from his post.

Recalling the Emergency days during former prime minister Indira Gandhi's rule, PM Modi said, It was the Congress which made the nation a prison. Media had to ask Indiraji before publishing something. So, what the youngster Shehzad is saying is not unusual it is the Congress culture.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi said those opposing the bullet train project should travel on bullock carts.

Modi made the comment while lashing out at the Congress for its criticism of the Rs 1.1 lakh crore project -- which he said was "a negligible price" -- connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai and to be built by Japan.
AHMEDABAD: Three after he addressed four campaign meetings for the BJP in the poll-bound state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Sunday back to his home state in the run-up to the crucial upcoming assembly elections.

The Prime Minister addressed a rally at Bharuch where he accused Congress of ruining at least 70 years of the country. He also spoke about development activities carried out by BJP in Bharuch and Kutch where curfew and violence were common.

After Bharuch, Modi will travel to Surendranagar, where he will address another poll gathering later in the day in the afternoon. Modi will address another rally at Rajkot around 7 pm today.

Here are some of the top quotes from his speech at Bharuch :
Caan scrambles to manage ballooning traffic at TIA

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) is preparing to make it mandatory for airlines to proportionally distribute aircraft among bases other than Kathmandu for overnight stop.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that three party leaders were attacked by policemen in poll-bound Gujarat. Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader alleged that Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was resorting to such means as he feared defeat in the state assembly elections.

Aiming at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah, the Gandhi scion used the word Shah-kaal, saying there was reign of terror and corruption in Gujarat.

According to the Congress vice president, party candidates Indranil Rajguru, Mitul Donga and Rajeev Saatav were attacked by the police.

    '-'         ,    MP         



                     #__ #DaroMat  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017

Meanwhile, continuing his series of questions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday tweeted his fifth question. His question was based on the issue health, education and safety of women in Gujarat.

Rahul alleged that women of Gujarat were neither provided security nor education nor proper nutrition in their state and that they faced only exploitation. He said that Anganwadi workers and health workers of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) have been disappointed in the home state of the Prime Minister.

He also accused PM Modi of not fulfilling promises he made to women of the poll-bound state.

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      ,

       pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017

The Congress leader has decided to ask one question daily to the Prime Minister in order to corner the ruling BJP in poll-bound Gujarat. He has been attacking the PM over his development claims in the poll-bound Gujarat.

This was announced recently by Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala who said that Rahul would ask a question to the Prime Minister every day. "Rahul Gandhi is asking a question every day, why did misgovernance of 22 years create such a situation," he had tweeted on Wednesday.

He said he would demand answers for 22 years of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) rule in the state and the promises made to the people.
AHMEDABAD: Chief Election Commissioner of India AK Joti on Sunday announced that VVPAT machines will be used along with EVMs in all 50,264 voting booths of 182 constituencies in Gujarat.

About 32,000 personnel of the central armed forces such as the CRPF and the BSF along with nearly 60,000 from the state police are likely to be deployed for the upcoming Gujarat elections 2017.

In addition to the central police personnel, nearly 60,000 state police personnel are also expected to be deployed in Gujarat.

Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will be done on December 18.
NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) leader Pavan Varma on Sunday took a swipe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and chief Amit Shah over Rahul Gandhi's temple entry row.

Amit Shah and BJP should bring an amendment to the constitution which says in order to qualify to be a Hindu, every claimant must visit temples at this frequency per day, per week, per month, per year. Only then will Mr Amit Shah certify if one is a Hindu or not, said Varma.

Last month, controversy erupted after the Congress vice president's name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor during his visit to Gujarat's Somnath Temple. Party media coordinator Manoj Tyagi allegedly entered names of Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the register for non-Hindus.

Later, a tweet by Congress said, Clarification: There is only one visitor's book at Somnath Temple that was signed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated. Desperate times call for desperate measures?

Varma has often launched veiled attack on Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and his decision to side with BJP.

Responding to a question at the Times LitFest about the reasons that led the JD-U to ally again with the BJP in Bihar, Varma, in a plain one line response, said: "It was Nitish Kumar`s decision."

"I don`t know why he made that decision," he later added.

Suddenly snapping ties with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress with which his JD-U had fought the last assembly elections, Nitish Kumar had led his JD-U to again align with the BJP at a crucial juncture before the presidential elections. Many from the party, including veteran leader Sharad Yadav, had openly protested against the decision.
PATNA: Days after security agencies nabbed alleged Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) operative Abdul Naeem Sheikh, another LeT terrorist has been arrested from Bihar on Saturday.

The National Investigation Agency or NIA arrested Dhannu Raja arrested from Gopalganj on charges of harboring, providing logistics and other assistance to Sheikh.

Raja, 23, is a student leader at Gopalganj, Bihar. Patna Special Court granted his transit remand till December 5. He has been brought to Delhi and will be produced before the state`s Special Court NIA on or before December 5.

After weeks of planned operations, security agencies recently arrested Sheikh, resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, from Varanasi.

Sheikh allegedly visited Kashmir to carry out a recce mission involving some vital installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kasol.

The investigative agency claimed Sheikh had been roped in on the same lines as David Headley, a Pakistan- American terrorist serving a 35-year prison sentence in the US for involvement in terror activities and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.

Headley is said to have made periodic trips to Pakistan for LeT training and performed five spying missions in Mumbai to scout targets for the attacks in 2008.

He was arrested at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago while on his way to Pakistan in October 2009.

With agency inputs
Here is what is making headlines today:

1. Chabahar Port, allowing India to bypass Pakistan, inaugurated in Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday inaugurated a newly built extension to the country's main Arabian Sea outlet, the strategic Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman, which more than triples its capacity and poses a challenge for a port under construction in neighbouring Pakistan. Read full report

2. Rahul Gandhi's office insulted me, claims Shehzad Poonawalla

Congress leader and Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla, who has called the process to elect party president as 'rigged', on Sunday accused Rahul Gandhi's office of insulting him. A week before Rahul Gandhi's expected elevation as Congress president, party leader Shehzad Poonawalla on November 29 had said former's elevation is a 'selection not an election'. Read full report

3. Congress associated with evils of casteism, communalism: PM Narendra Modi in Rajkot

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the opposition party of promoting corruption, casteism, communalism and nepotism. "The Congress is associated with evils of corruption, casteism, communalism and nepotism. The youth are not ready to accept the grand old party," PM says. Read full report

4. 'Supermoon' brightens up skies for stargazers, Delhi misses the thrill

Stargazers were in for a treat in many parts of the globe on Sunday as the Supermoon shined in all its glory as it moved closer to Earth, but people in the national capital may have missed the thrill owing to an overcast sky and high air-pollution. Read full report

5. Bigg Boss 11 Weekend ka Vaar: Bandgi Kalras eviction leaves Puneesh Sharma teary eyed

Tonights episode of Bigg Boss season 11, weekend ka vaar began on an interesting note. Katrina Kaif entered the house and all the men of the house had to compete to impress the gorgeous actress. Various tasks like sketching, rolling out rotis and even belly dancing was performed by the men of the house. Read full report
Gilgit [Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]: The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have strengthened their voice against Pakistan`s immoral imposition of taxes on them.

Shutter down strikes and massive protests by traders and local residents are continuing in Gilgit as they accuse Pakistan for misusing power.

The lawyers say imposition of any tax in Gilgit Baltistan is illegal and immoral act as people here don`t have any representation in national assembly and senate.

"Since beginning, our motto remains that `no taxation without representation`. If we are not given any rights, why should we pay taxes? We should be given proper rights and we are ready to pay taxes as similar to other four provinces of Pakistan. But, we should be given equal rights. It is important to collect taxes to run any country, but it is only implacable if the people are given constitutional rights. We are not given any constitutional rights, so what taxes are they collecting from us?" said Mohammad Khan, an advocate in Gilgit.

Many legal experts believe that the people of Gilgit Baltistan must be granted constitutional rights and then taxes should be imposed on them.They said there are no taxes in Jammu and Kashmir despite it being part of constitution. They are being granted subsidies.

"Jammu and Kashmir is part of Indian constitution, but there are no taxes. They are the citizens of India as per the constitution, but no taxes are imposed on them. They are being given subsidy. Here, in Gilgit, we have no constitutional rights and we have a dummy assembly which has no powers. Pakistan has formed a (Kashmir) Council and has made illiterate people as its members. They can`t even read Urdu, forget about English. We will not allow imposition of taxes by them. If they continue to stand by their order, we will launch protests against the assembly. We are not ready to accept this," said Nasir Khan, lawyer in Gilgit.

Another lawyer from Gilgit said that current imposition of tax is a bigger illegal step by Pakistan as citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan is not come under citizenship act 1951 clause.

"Imposition of taxes on the people of Gilgit is an illegal act by Pakistan. The people of Gilgit Baltistan do not come under the Citizenship Act 1951. We, the citizens of Gilgit Baltistan have different status as per Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment Ordinance 2009. They are imposing taxes on us, but we should be given constitutional rights. The famous canon of taxation is `No Taxation without representation`," said Naved Ahmad, a lawyer in Gilgit.

Gilgit-Baltistan is part of princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which remains under Paksitani occupation for the past 70 years.The locals made a demand of granting them royalty of rich mineral resources. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Gilgit Baltistan is also an illegal act by Pakistan and China.

The people of Gilgit Baltistan accuse both Pakistan and China for exploiting their resources and creating ecological imbalance in the region.

The region, which has been given a step-motherly treatment by Islamabad, has been looted through the hefty taxes levied by the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan.

This has evoked widespread resentment against the Pakistani authorities who otherwise have not done anything in the welfare of the people of the region.

Pakistan has consistently maintained its oppressive attitude towards people of the region and has even ignored their basic demands.Pakistan`s tacit policy has been to ignore the genuine interests of the region and never allow true democracy to thrive in the region.

Media, which has been working in collusion with Islamabad has muffled the issues of locals which has only emboldened Islamabad to further exploit the region through its draconian laws and policies.

Islamabad`s growing apathy towards the region and adoption of high handed measures to suppress reasonable voices of the region is a major concern today.People of Gilgit-Baltistan have now become increasingly intolerant of the Pakistani
NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday ridiculed the Congress for 'using' Ex-prime minister Manmohan Singh to attack the BJP, saying that the party is forcing him to make political statements.

Rijiju claimed the Congress Party had never honoured Singh, who is also an eminent economist, but used him as a bait to make corrupt deals.

Why Congress (is) forcing Manmohan to make political statements? They did all the corruptions under him yet never honored him as PM, Rijiju said.

The BJP leader's remarks come after Singh on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his unsound economic decisions, mainly demonitisation.

He also mocked the PM for referring to his 'humble background' at political rallies so people take a pity on him on the basis of his past.

"I don't want the country to take a pity on the basis of my humble background. I do not think I would like to enter into any competition with Prime Minister ModiJi on this particular matter," Singh said at a rally in Surat on Friday.

He also criticised the Modi-led government over demonetisation and other schemes, claiming the people have faced a lot of hardships because of that.

"I invoke memories of more than 100 people who lost their lives while standing in queues as a result of demonetisation.

I say with immense pain and a sense of deep responsibility that the November 8 was a black day for our economy and democracy," he said.

He also said it was too early to conclude that the economic slowdown has reversed as the 6.3 per cent growth rate in the July-Sep quarter did not take into account the SME sector which suffered huge losses due to demonetisation and hasty implementation of GST.
Lahore: Amid global backlash and Pakistan's failure to re-arrest Hafiz Saeed, the Mumbai terror attack mastermind on Saturday announced his decision to contest 2018 general elections. He further accused India of hurting Kashmiris and building pressure on Pakistani government with the help of United States.

Saeed, the co-founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jammat-ud-Dawah chief, will fight Pakistan general elections under the banner of Milli Muslim League (MML).

"The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next year's general elections. I also dedicate 2018 for Kashmiris who are struggling for freedom," said Saeed at the JuD headquarters in Lahore's Chauburji.

MML has not yet been registered in country's Election Commission.

"I want to tell India that I will continue support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there. India wants us to stop raising voice for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy only caused harm to the Kashmir cause," he alleged.

Saeed, who was freed by Pakistan after 297 days of house arrest, is a globally designated terrorist with a bounty of Rs $10 million on his head for terror activities. He has filed a petition in the United Nations, asking to strike off his name from the list of global list of designated terrorists.

The Mumbai terror attack mastermind's release was met with condemnation across the world, with the United States warning Pakistan of repercussions if Saeed is not immediately re-arrested and prosecuted. The White House further said that Saeeds release points at Pakistans failure to combat terrorism and providing sanctuary for terrorists on its soil.

Saeed, has been accused of plotting the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people and injured hundreds.

Saeed also claimed that his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of an international agenda.

"This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry over my release from the house detention. I warn India if it does not stop atrocities against Kashmiris then this struggle will rise further and it will face the music," he said.

With PTI Inputs
NEW DELHI: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will file his nomination papers for the party president's post on Monday.

Decks have been cleared for electing Rahul Gandhi as the new Congress president, succeeding his mother Sonia Gandhi, who has held the post for 19 years in a row now.

The Congress vice president is likely to reach the party headquarters around 10.30 am to file his nomination. He will sign sets of nomination papers to be filed before the Returning Officer.

The Congress set the ball rolling for the election of a new party president with the issue of poll notification on Saturday.

Rahul Gandhi is likely to emerge as the lone candidate in the fray.

The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 11, and the poll, if necessary, will be held on December 16 and the counting will take place on December 19.

Six Chief Ministers -- Punjab's Amarinder Singh, Karnataka's Siddaramaiah, Himachal Pradesh's Virbhadra Singh, Puducherry's V. Narayanasamy, Meghalaya's Mukul Sangma and Mizoram's Lal Thanhawla -- are expected to be present when over 90 sets of nomination papers are likely to be filed by various leaders to extend support to Rahul Gandhi's candidature.

Rahul Gandhi became the Congres Vice President in January 2013.

Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla has called the process to elect party president as 'rigged'. Poonawalla has said Rahul Gandhi's elevation is a 'selection not an election'.

While addressing a rally in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mocked at

the Congress over the upcoming election of its president.

He alleged the party had a history of rigging organisational polls.

The outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion, Modi said while addressing a rally in Gujarats Surendranagar district.

"If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country," Modi asked.
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla, who has called the process to elect party president as 'rigged', on Sunday accused Rahul Gandhi's office of insulting him.

Today morning, I called Rahul Gandhi's office for an appointment to provide him proof that it was a rigged (Congress president) election before he files his nomination on Monday, Poonawalla said, adding that I thought Rahul Gandhi has some morality and will stop the election process, but his office insulted me.

"Sardar Patel was denied his due years ago; I contacted @OfficeOfRG even today asking his office to meet me so I could give them proofs about the rigged election of RG- they insulted me just like Patel must have been insulted," Poonawalla tweeted.

A week before Rahul Gandhi's expected elevation as Congress president, party leader Shehzad Poonawalla on November 29 had said former's elevation is a 'selection not an election'.

Claiming that the poll process to elect party president has been stacked in Rahul Gandhi's favour just because he belongs to the Gandhi family Poonawalla took to Twitter and expressed his views by saying, "Raising an issue nobody in my party - the Congress will have guts to raise- my conscience will not allow me to stay quiet anymore on Dynasty/ sycophancy."

He had tagged his brother Tehseen Poonawalla to his tweet and said, "@tehseenp has no idea about this issue else he would have stopped me too."

Tehseen is the brother-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.

On December 1, when notification was issued for the election to choose the next Congress president, Shehzad alleged that party's spokesperson Manish Tewari had told him during a conversation that the Congress was a "proprietorship" like every other political party in India.

The Congress had raised questions over Poonawalla's stature in the party and slammed him for showing disgruntlement on the eve of election.

Maharashtra Congress unit and his family members have virtually "disowned" Shehzad.



State Congress president Ashok Chavan has said Poonawalla's remarks were aimed at getting "cheap publicity", to which the party gives no importance.
ABC News(NEW YORK) -- President Donald Trump's friend Chris Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax Media, said Special Counsel Robert Mueller "poses an existential threat to the Trump presidency."



Ruddy, who spoke as part of a roundtable on ABC News' This Week Sunday, said he has talked to the president about the federal probe of Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion by Trump associates.



"I've spoken to the president quite a bit about it recently," Ruddy said. "He sees this as, you know, something that is going to go away pretty quickly. He says to me, 'Look, there was no collusion."



Ruddy said that of the two indictments and two plea agreements that Mueller has so far netted in the probe, "none directly relate to collusion."



But the media executive and friend of the president noted that the special counsel is moving quickly.



Mueller has gotten those two convictions and two plea agreements at "lightning speed," Ruddy said. "At the end of the day, my view is Robert Mueller poses an existential threat to the Trump presidency."



He also cast doubt on any notion of the special counsel winding up his probe quickly.



ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos asked about the president's attitude toward the Russia investigation and "the counsel he is getting from his lawyers" that "Mueller is going to be done real, real soon."



"Well, I don't know what they're smoking," Ruddy replied.



Stephanopoulos also asked another roundtable participant, Republican strategist Alex Castellanos, if he agreed with Ruddy that the Russia probe may be an "existential threat."



Castellanos said he doesn't see that yet.



But he said there are "two converging currents -- the Mueller investigation looking for that obstruction of justice charge; and then Alabama, Roy Moore, coming to the Senate possibly in a week."



Moore, if elected, "becomes the face of the Republican Party for the next year when we're already in danger of losing the House," Castellanos said. "It's likely we'll do that without him, lose the House. Trump gets impeached. We're closer to impeachment now, I think, than we think."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Driver killed in jeep plunge

The driver of a jeep carrying the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal cadres was killed when it veered off the road and plunged into a ravine in Gaur, Rautahat on Saturday night.
New Delhi: Continuing his series of questioned posed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run up to the assembly elections in Gujarat, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday questioned the PM over safety, education and health of women in the state.

Rahul tweeted a Hindi couplet that said:

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     ,

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      ,

       pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017

Attacking PM Modi, Rahul alleged that women of Gujarat were neither provided security nor education nor proper nutrition in their state and that they faced only exploitation. He said that Anganwadi workers and health workers of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) have been disappointed in the home state of the Prime Minister.

He also accused PM Modifulfillingllfiling promises he made to women of the poll-bound state.

The two-phase Gujarat elections will take place on 9 and 14 December while the counting of votes will be taken up on 18 December.

The young Congress leader has decided to ask one question daily to the Prime Minister in order to corner the ruling BJP in the poll-bound Gujarat. He has been attacking the PM over his development claims in the poll-bound Gujarat.

This was announced recently by Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala who said that Rahul would ask a question to the Prime Minister every day. "Rahul Gandhi is asking a question every day, why did misgovernance of 22 years create such a situation," he had tweeted on Wednesday.

He said he would demand answers for 22 years of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) rule in the state and the promises made to the people.

Congress spokesperson Deepender Singh Hooda said he hoped Modi and the BJP would answer Gandhi's queries on "22 years of misgovernance" in Gujarat.

Recently, Rahul's name was mired in a controversy recently over an alleged wrong entry in the register meant for non-Hindus at the famous of Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

On Saturday, Rahul asked PM Modi to explain why four private firms were favoured for purchasing power during 2002-16 in his home state.

The 47-yr-old leader sought to know from the Modi-led BJP dispensation at the Centre the morale behind preferring the private firms for purchasing power.
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at those issuing "fatwas" to "nationalists" and said it is the same nationalism that guided his government to rescue scores of distressed Indians abroad.

It is our 'nationalism' that made us get Father Tom and Father Prem back. When Judith D'Souza was kidnapped, we once again did whatever we could to bring this daughter of India back, PM Modi said at an election rally here.

Those who are issuing "fatwas" against "nationalists" should see the government's efforts to rescue Indians from difficult situations abroad, he said.

Father Tom was guided by his love for Lord Christ and was working. We got him back. We also got back Father Prem, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan.

Our nurses were stranded in West Asia. When these nurses, who are doing such humanitarian work, how can anyone sleep in peace. Every effort was undertaken to bring them back home, Modi said.

He heaped praises on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for her commendable work in helping the distressed Indian citizens abroad.

Have you seen how active Sushma Swaraj ji is? Guided by humanitarian values, she is serving so many people in need - they can be in any part of the world but she helps them, he said.

The prime minister said he was surprised to see a man associated with spirituality release a diktat saying remove the nationalist forces from power.

It is Rashtra Bhakti that transcends all barriers and it is what guides us to help every Indian, in every part of India and the world, Modi said.

The prime minister is on a whirlwind tour of Gujarat to campaign for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the assembly elections in the state on December 9 and 14.
Jaipur: Three people, including two women, were killed and five others injured on Sunday when a jeep rammed into a container truck parked along the roadside in Amer police station area, police said.

The accident occurred near the Jaipur Golden petrol pump on Jaipur-New Delhi (NH-8) when a jeep going to Goner from Chandwa Ji rammed into a stationary container truck along the roadside after killing Sitaram Meena (60), Nanki Devi (60) and Lakshma Devi (65), investigating officer in the case Ranjeet Singh said.

He said that five injured were referred to SMS Hospital, Jaipur, for treatment.

The passengers in the jeep were on the way to attend a function in Goner. Family members of the deceased were informed and post mortem will be done after they reach Jaipur, he added.
Srinagar: Militants tonight hurled a grenade on a police station in north Kashmir's Handwara area, but there was no damage, police said.

"A grenade was hurled on police station Kralgund (in Handwara area of Kupwara) this evening by unknown militants," a police official said.

He said there was no damage due to the explosion.
CHENNAI: Indian naval ships, equipped with desalination plants and aid materials, will be stationed close to the Cyclone Ockhi-hit areas to provide relief to the affected people, an official said on Sunday.

The ships contain relief materials which would sustain around 5,000 people for a period of seven days, a public relations officer of the defence ministry said.

He also said that all naval units in the vicinity of Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands were directed to provide fresh water in consultation with the local administration.

The Naval ships Chennai, Trikand and Kolkata have been stationed around the islands for emergency search and relief operations, Commander Sridhar Warrier said.

In addition, the Navy has deployed eight aircraft, including long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I, for search and rescue mission.

A total 55 people were rescued on Sunday taking the total to 145, he said, adding, the weather condition is still adverse on the Islands.

Cyclone Ochki, packed with strong winds and heavy rains, struck the southern seaboard on November 30, leaving a trail of destruction on its path.

At least a dozen people have been killed over the past three days in the storm in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while hundreds of others have been rescued.
Thiruvananthapuram/Kanyakumari: The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rose to 19 even as more than 600 fishermen, stranded at sea off the state's coast, were rescued, official sources said today.

The very severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' lay centred today over east central and south east central Arabian Sea, they said.

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala climbed to 19, with six more bodies being recovered, the sources said.

Eleven of the dead are from the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram.

Yesterday, six bodies were recovered, taking the toll from seven to 13.

An India Meteorological department (IMD) bulletin said 'Ockhi' has moved further north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred about 440 km west-northwest of Amin Divi, 870 km south-south west of Mumbai and 1,070 km south-south west of Surat.

It is very likely to move north-northwestwards for some more time and then recurve northeastwards towards the south Gujarat coast during next 72 hours, it said.

According to the sources, 690 fishermen have been rescued in combined operations carried out by the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Ninetysix fishermen are still missing, they said.

Sixtythree houses have been fully damaged and 74 partially. A total of 6581 persons have been shifted to various relief camps in the state.

A fresh spell of rainfall is expected to lash Tamil Nadu as the well-marked low pressure area over the south Andaman Sea is likely to turn into a depression in the next 24 hours and a deep depression in the subsequent 48 hours, the Met office said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with senior officials.

A total of 357 fishermen, including 71 from Tamil Nadu, stranded in sea due to Cyclone Ockhi, have been rescued by defence force personnel, she said.

A photograph on her official Twitter handle showed her inside a helicopter reviewing the search and rescue operations in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari.

"An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi: 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today," she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

On her arrival in the worst-hit Kanyakumari district by helicopter from Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala, Sitharaman held discussions with deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, ministers and officials.

A report from Kanyakumari said she visited some cyclone- hit areas in the district.

The defence minister assured authorities all help from the Centre and told officials to take steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

She also heard people's grievances.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Coimbatore that work to rescue fishermen was on in full swing with the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard deploying aircraft and ships.

"Amma's (late Jayalalithaa) government will rescue all the stranded fishermen," he said.

Power connection will be fully restored in a day or two in cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district, he said.

In Kanyakumari, Panneerselvam reviewed the situation with officials and inspected several areas that were badly hit by the cyclone.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan along with Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam held a high-level meeting in Thiruvanathapuram to assess the post Ockhi situation and relief and rescue operations.

The search will continue until all the fishermen are rescued, an official release said.

Sitharaman will visit some of the affected areas in Thiruvanathapuram tomorrow morning, the sources said.

Vijayan visited Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram this evening where several fishermen had gone missing.

Talking to the families of the fishermen, Vijayan said the government shared the concern of the fishing community.

"We can expect good tidings. Our effort is to find out the remaining missing fishermen," he said.

Local people complained that there was no information about their missing relatives who had gone to the sea for fishing five days ago.

Angered over the reported delay in locating the missing fishermen, about 100-odd fishermen in 40 boats went to sea today in search of their missing counterparts.

Local people also protested in coastal areas, including Alappuzha and Chellanam in Ernakulam district, on the alleged delay in rescuing the fishermen.

Some of them squatted on rail tracks and were removed by the police.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said 28 more boats, carrying 321 fishermen, which were caught in rough seas due to Cyclone Ockhi, have safely reached Maharashtra's Ratnagiri coast.

Of these, 23 are from Tamil Nadu, three from Kerala and two from Karnataka, he said.

Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said Lakshadweep Islands has suffered a loss of over Rs 500 crore due to the cyclone.

Faizal sought the Centre's assistance to restore normal life in the islands isolated by the storm.

He said normal life in three islands -- Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaratti -- was badly hit by the cyclone.

Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is very likely over Lakhshadweep during the next 12 hours, according to the latest MeT bulletin.

Sea conditions will also be very rough, it said.
KOLKATA: The four-year-old sexual assault victim in Kolkata's high profile Kolkata school reportedly kept crying inside school premises on the day of the incident.

Victim's classmate told Zee Media Bureau, on the condition of anonymity by parents, that the little girl had come back from the washroom with tears in her eyes. She kept crying heavily the entire time, repeating the following words:

Ma-er kache jabo, Ma'am-er kache jabo (I want to go to Mom, I want to go to Ma'am)

The classmates' version completely negates the school's official statement which states that the victim had no blood stains on her uniform and was not crying.

The four-year-old girl child was sexually abused inside a school allegedly by two Physical Education teachers on Thursday.

The child's mother found the blood stain on her uniform while picking up from school.

Post medical examination, it was revealed she might have been abused by more men.

The two PT teachers  Abhishek Roy and M. Mofizuddin  were arrested on Friday and sent to two days police custody. The school has suspended both the teachers.

On Sunday, the notice board informed parents that school will remain closed from Monday, December 4, until further notice.

Parents and all concerned are informed that both the Junior and Senior Sections of the School will remain closed from Monday, 4 December 2017 till further notice," read the notice.

Angry parents and guardians have been protesting outside the school in south Kolkata`s Ranikuthi area since Friday morning.
KOLKATA: A day after two physical education teachers were arrested in connection with the shocking incident of a four-year-old girl sexual assault inside GD Birla Centre For Education, were sent to two days police custody, the agitated parents on Sunday demanded the arrest of the schol principal.

The parents of the girl lodged a complaint at the Jadavpur Police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the principal of the school, S Nath, for allegedly suppressing facts about the incident and for not taking preventive measures despite a similar assault three years ago.

As hundreds of agitating people sat on a dharna in front of a Metro station today in protest, the city school said it would remain closed from Monday.

A four-year-old nursery student was allegedly sexually assaulted inside the prominent private school on Friday where a similar incident had taken place three years ago, triggering angry protests by guardians.

The agitating parents first blocked the road near the school premises in south Kolkata's Ranikuthi and then marched to Tollygunj where they held the sit in. The protesters were joined by several parents of students from other prominent schools in the city.

The agitating parents carried banners and placards condemning the assault on the minor girl. They created a massive road graffiti of a child student asking for her security, as a symbolic protest to the incident of sexual assault.

Meanwhile, Women and child activists have condemned the molestation of a four-year-old girl in Kolkata and questioned the negligence of GD Birla Centre for Education School authority.
LUCKNOW: Supporting Centre's bill to ban instant triple talaq, Yoga Guru Ramdev on Sunday said that atrocities against women in the name Islam must stop.

"There should be no injustice against women in the name of religion," said the Patajali founder, while briefing media about his meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

People should welcome and celebrate the proposed bill by Centre, he said, further adding, This bill is aimed at the benefit and respect of Muslim women.

Last week, a draft law aimed to curb the practice of instant triple talaq which continues despite the Supreme Court striking it down was released. Instant divorce will be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband, according to a draft law.

Several Muslim clerics and leaders, including MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, have strongly opposed the proposed legislation on triple talaq.

Earlier today, Ramdev met Adityanath in the chief minister's official residence in Lucknow.

Patanjali will now work in several sectors across UP which will lead to the creation of jobs in the state, said Ramdev.

Patanjali factories will soon come up in Noida and Bundelkhand, he added.
Greater Noida: Three Greater Noida police personnel were suspended on Saturday for allegedly misbehaving with an employee of a multinational company.

The MNC employee was returning home after work late last night when the policemen, who were in an inebriated condition, stopped him and misbehaved with him.

A crowd gathered at the spot and senior police officials were informed.

SSP Love Kumar said, "During initial investigation, the policemen were found prima facie guilty. The circle officer concerned has been directed to conduct an inquiry and submit report. Constables Mahinder Singh, Sundar Lal and Dhananjay Singh have been suspended."
IED hurled in Syangja targeting Education Minister Shrestha

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was hurled at Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Gopalman Shrestha in Dhapuk of Bhirkot Municipality-9 on Sunday.
Greater Noida: A 40-year-old woman was stabbed allegedly by her ex-husband and his accomplices when she was returning from a court here on Saturday afternoon, the police said.

The incident took place near the Collectorate, which is adjacent to the court building.

The woman, Afsana, has lodged a police complaint alleging that she was attacked by her ex-husband Aslam and three others, SHO Surajpur Girish Kotiya said.

Afsana had married Aslam 18 years ago and later divorced him, and then remarried. She has a daughter from her first marriage, the officer said.

The woman had moved court after Aslam refused to make arrangements for her daughter's marriage, and she had come to the court for a matter related to it, the SHO said.

She was admitted to a hospital as she suffered stab wounds, he said.
Guwahati: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday called for an inclusive society with no discrimination against differently abled people.

People should treat the differently abled with empathy and not sympathy, Naidu said at the launch of the Deen Dayal Divyangajan Sahajya Scheme here on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Under the scheme, every differently abled person in the state would be entitled to a one-time grant of Rs 5,000 for their treatment.

"It is necessary that there is a change in the thought process as just making laws will not help in improving the situation for the differently abled," he said.

The Vice President also lauded the Assam government for introducing the Pranam Act that entails all government employees to make contributions from their salaries for the elderly and differently abled family members.

He asked the authorities to make public places accessible to them so that they are not deprived of any opportunities.

"Accessibility should be made mandatory and the entire society should encourage and help them in all possible manners. The state government should ensure that all beneficiaries get their dues under the various schemes introduced for them," he said.

He also called upon banks and financial institutions to provide loans to them in an easy and simplified process.

"Post demonetisation, banks have a lot of money. The government has also introduced schemes for the differently abled people. It should be ensured that the beneficiaries get to avail of both to lead a life of dignity", Naidu added.

According to 2011 census, India is home to 2.21 per cent of the total 15 per cent of differently abled population across the globe, he pointed out.

Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Social Welfare Minister Naba Kumar Doley were also present there on this occasion.
New Delhi: Comedian turned actor Kapil Sharma's Firangi didn't fare well on its opening day. The movie, set in the pre-independence era is Kapil's second film after Abbas-Mustans Kis Kisko Pyar Karoon (2015).

According to a Bollywoodlife report, Kapil has recently abandoned a media event in New Delhi which has caused a lot of distress to the organisers. The event was sort of a conclave, organised by a leading Hindi news channel.

A source told Bollywood Life, We were greatly distressed. Tickets were booked and re-booked for him thrice. In all, there were seven tickets. It cost us close to two lakhs. The reason given for the last minute back out was the poor response to Firangi by his close associates. It looks like Kapil is again struck by depression.

Kapil is expected to attend Bharti Singh's wedding in Goa today.
New Delhi: It looks like fans will have to wait longer before they can watch the Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0.

The movie stars Amy Jackson as well and is a sequel to 2010 Tamil film Enthiran (Bollywood- Robot).

As per a Tweet by noted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the movie will hit the theaters on April 27, 2018. Earlier, the release date of the film was January 25, 2018.

Taran took to Twitter and wrote-

'#BreakingNews: #2Point0 to release on 27 April 2018... Stars Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar... Directed by Shankar.'

#BreakingNews: #2Point0 to release on 27 April 2018... Stars Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar... Directed by Shankar. December 2, 2017

2.0 will see the return of Chitti the robot and is one of the most highly- awaited films of 2018.

The audio launch of the film recently took place in Dubai and the telecast of the programme was carried out by Zee TV Tamil.

The movie has been in limelight ever since the first look posters were out.

2.0 is directed by S Shankar.
New Delhi: Ever since its smooth transit from Earth into its destined orbit around Jupiter, NASA's Juno spacecraft has been beaming back some amazing data on the planet as well as giving space enthusiasts spectacular visual treats from time to time.

With many turning points marking its one-year-long journey in Jupiter's orbit, Juno has revolutionised the world's perception and understanding of the gas giant.

In another magnificent image released by NASA, Jupiter can be seen showing off its Jovian clouds in striking shades of blue.

Juno captured this image when the spacecraft was only 11,747 miles (18,906 kilometers) from the tops of Jupiters clouds  thats roughly as far as the distance between New York City and Perth, Australia.

The color-enhanced image, which captures a cloud system in Jupiters northern hemisphere, was taken on October 24, 2017 at 10:24 am PDT (1:24 pm EDT) when Juno was at a latitude of 57.57 degrees (nearly three-fifths of the way from Jupiters equator to its north pole) and performing its ninth close flyby of the gas giant planet.

According to NASA, because of the Juno-Jupiter-Sun angle when the spacecraft captured this image, the higher-altitude clouds can be seen casting shadows on their surroundings.

The behavior is most easily observable in the whitest regions in the image, but also in a few isolated spots in both the bottom and right areas of the image.

Citizen scientists Gerald Eichstadt and Sean Doran processed this image using data from the JunoCam imager.
New Delhi: In a significant discovery that may boost the search for alien life, scientists at NASA have found that oceans lying beneath the icy surface of distant worlds at the edge of our solar system may sustain liquid water for far longer than previously believed.

According to the Daily Mail, distant objects known to exist beyond Neptunes orbit are known to be too cold to host liquid water at the surface, with temperatures dropping more than 350 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (below minus 200 Celsius).

But, there is evidence to suggest an interior liquid water layer exists beneath the crust.

NASA research has suggested that heat generated by the gravitational pull of moons formed from massive collisions could extend the lifetimes of liquid water oceans beneath the surface of large icy worlds lying beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto and their moons.

These objects need to be considered as potential reservoirs of water and life, said Prabal Saxena of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in the US.

If our study is correct, we now may have more places in our solar system that possess some of the critical elements for extraterrestrial life, said Mr Saxena, lead author of the research published in the journal Icarus.

The search for extraterrestrial life has been going on for years and those involved in alien hunting or UFO hunting have on many occasions, come close enough to provide evidence justifying their presence.

(With PTI inputs)
CHENNAI: Cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' is likely to weaken gradually from Sunday, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"The very severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1 N and Longitude 69.7 E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017 morning," said IMD.

Cyclonic storm Ockhi is now 275km SW of Amini Devi likely to move NW direction during next 12 hrs and weaken gradually impacts to reduce from tomorrow. IMD issued early warnings on 29th itself for TN KERALA & LAKSHADWEEP &advised fishermen not to venture into sea. pic.twitter.com/WDqW2cz1X7  Dr. Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) December 2, 2017

The deadly cyclone, which had claimed many lives, lashed the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Saturday with torrential rainfall and gusty winds. Both the states had declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm.

On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships.

The Coast Guard rescued 198 fishermen and 18 fishing boats of Tamil Nadu off the Western coast. The rescued fishermen have taken shelter in the Lakshadweep and Minicpy Group of Islands.

29 relief camps have been set up to accommodate those marooned in coastal areas.

As many as 531 fishermen, stranded in the choppy waters off the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts due to Cyclone Ockhi, have been rescued.

The Kerala government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the cyclonic storm.

Among the rescued, 393 people are Kerala residents. Besides, 138 fishermen have been rescued from the Lakshadweep islands.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led government called the Centre to declare Cyclone Ockhi, which left a trail of destruction in the state, a national calamity.

Defence Minister N Sitharaman, on Friday, had confirmed that six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed along with additional air effort.

In Kanyakumari, family members of missing fishermen staged a sit-in before state ministers RB Udhaya Kumar and P Thangamani for a while.

Over 60 fishing vessels from Tamil Nadu and Kerala were asked to dock at a port in Maharashtra on Saturday as the menacing Ockhi made their return journey unsafe.

Meanwhile, a fresh spell of heavy rain is in store in some areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry with a low-pressure area forming over south Andaman sea, which is "very likely" to become a depression over the Bay of Bengal.

The system is likely to move towards Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh in the next three to four days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

With 'Ockhi' wreaking havoc in South Tamil Nadu, the state government said it will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by the cyclone. This was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Chief Minister K Palaniswami during a telephone conversation between the two leaders last night, a state government release said.

The state government requested the Centre to deploy helicopters of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to search and rescue missing fishermen, mostly from Kanyakumari.

In Kanyakumari, power supply had been restored even as efforts are on to resume power supply in neighbouring areas like Nagercoil and Kuzhithurai. CM Palaniswami has announced Rs 25 crore for expediting relief and restoration work in the district.

Stepping up their efforts, the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard continued the search for missing fishermen using ships, dornier aircraft and helicopters in the sea off Kerala and Lakshadweep.

While INS Nireekshak, INS Jamuna and INS Sagardhwani are continuing search and rescue operations in their designated areas along the coast off Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, INS Shardul and INS Sharda are heading towards Lakshadweep.

INS Sagardhwani recovered one body, 30 km off the Thiruvananthapuram coast. The ship had earlier found another body, a defence spokesperson said.

Fifteen fishermen rescued by the Coast Guard are being brought to the Thiruvananthapuram coast, the official said.

#CycloneOckhi update @IndiaCoastGuard ship rescued 15 fishermen at sea off Vizhinjam/Quilon (Kerala) Coast and heading towards shore for safe disembarkation of fisher-folks @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/39gJrfI20Z December 2, 2017

Four fishermen were rescued by a Navy chopper this morning, 20 miles off Kochi.

(With Agency inputs)
In defence of the cannabis plant

It is interesting to note that in the millions of years of its use, there are practically no reported deaths from marijuana consumption alonewhile hundreds of thousands die each year from alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking, and billions of dollars are spent for the medical treatment of the same.
New Delhi: Yes, you read the header right. If reports are to be believed, it looks like forming a love angle inside the house is not enough for staying in Bigg Boss!

Bandgi Kalra, who was making a lot of headlines owing to her 'romance' with Puneesh Sharma will be evicted from Bigg Boss season 11 in tonight's episode, reports suggest.

According to a Bollywoodlife.com report, Bandgi is in her Mumbai after her eviction from the show. The moment was emotional for Puneesh Sharma, as one could expect.

Puneesh and Bandgi's love story began right in the first week itself. While many people felt that the love affair was only for the cameras and a strategy to survive in the show, Bandgi's (former) Boyfriend Dennis Nagpal said that their (Bandgi and Puneesh) relationship isn't fake. Dennis even broke up with Bandgi via social media.

Bandgi and Puneesh were often seen talking, holding hands and kissing each other once the lights went off. The 'couple' reportedly indulged in regular love-making sessions inside the house, which were chopped off by the channel.

A video of the two also did rounds on the internet in which Bandgi and Puneesh were seen talking dirty to each other.

Even Salman Khan warned Bandgi and Puneesh about their over-the-top PDA but the 'couple' didn't listen.

Whether it was for the cameras, or was it, 'actual love', nobody knows. It will be interesting to see what Puneesh does once Bandgi is out of the house. Fake or not, the two had grown close to each other in the show.
Sitapur: Looks like Uttar Pradesh Police are a pro when it comes to tracing missing buffaloes of ministers.

Two buffaloes of BJP Hargaon MLA Suresh Rahi have gone missing in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur. The minister filed a complaint in this regard after which the police began a probe into it.

The cost of buffaloes is said to be Rs 1 lakh each.

In the past, the state police successfully traced down the stolen buffaloes of the then minister Azam Khan and former union minister Ram Shankar Katheria.

At least seven buffaloes were stolen from a barn owned by Azam Khan in Rampur in January 2014, following which dog squads, crime branch sleuths and police personnel were put on the job to find them.

The bovines were rescued after an intensive overnight search and five of the accused were nabbed earlier.
VARANASI: In a shocking incident, activists of Muslim Rashtriya Manch and Muslim Women Foundation were threatened of dire consequences by extremists for celebrating BJP's recent victory in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident took place in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As per a report, the extremists threatened activists saying that they will be killed or will be driven out of the community for celebrating the saffron party's win. They even entered one of the women's house and created a ruckus there.

In the recently concluded urban bodies polls, the ruling BJP swept the election pocketing 14 of the 16 mayoral seats as Yogi Adityanath emerged on top in his first major electoral test after taking over as Chief Minister in March.

The Congress faced the embarrassment of losing in its bastion Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of its vice president Rahul Gandhi, who is expected to be soon elevated as party chief.

Mayawati-led BSP sprang a surprise as it thwarted the challenge from BJP candidates to win the mayoral posts in western UP's Aligarh and Meerut towns.

Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party failed to win a single mayoral seat.

In Varanasi, BJP candidate Mridula Jaiswal defeating nearest rival, Shalini, a Congress candidateby an impressive 78,843 votes.

Adityanath who went on a whirl wind tour of the state to ensure the victory of his party candidates, described it as a "historic win". He credited the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and Shah's guidance.

He also took potshots at Gandhi saying it would better for those criticising the Gujarat model of development to learn from the defeat in Amethi and come on the ground to do some work, rather than letting loose arrows in the air.

The BJP will now look forward to achieving the goal of one hundred per cent success in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said the people had shown full faith in the BJP.

"The SP, the BSP and the Congress contested the polls as each other's relatives. (SP chief) Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, who were together during assembly polls as 'UP ke ladke' have become like the punctured tyre and tube of a cycle," Sharma said taking a jibe.

He rejected opposition's charges of EVM tampering.

SP leader and MLC Rajpal Kashyap alleged it was "disheartening" that the BJP gained on places where EVMs were used. The SP is closely analysing the results, he said.

While the BJP stellar performance in these civic polls is impressive, the party had bagged a lion's share of the mayoral seats even in the last local body polls.

This time, the counting of the ballots polled in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29 was held under tight security cover and CCTV surveillance at 334 centres in district and tehsil headquarters, the state election commission said.

Polling was held for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats with an average turnout of all the three phases estimated at 52.5 per cent of the 3.32 crore voters.
Hammuriyeh: A wave of Syrian air strikes on Sunday killed at least 19 civilians and wounded dozens across the besieged rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, a monitor said.

The deadliest raids hit the town of Hammuriyeh, killing 13 civilians including five children, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Other air strikes on the towns of Arbeen, Beit Sawa and Misraba killed six civilians, among them two children and two women.

The Observatory said the death toll was likely to rise given the critical wounds suffered by dozens of people.

In Hammuriyeh, an AFP photographer saw men carrying the body of a victim wrapped in a blue blanket across a rubble-littered street, a shoeless foot sticking out.

The strikes appeared to hit a modest residential neighbourhood, smashing a small convenience store and caking a vegetable stand in a layer of dust.

Victims were taken to a nearby clinic where doctors could be seen treating a man wincing from a gash above his knee.

In another room, the lifeless soot-covered body of a boy lay in a pool of blood.

Eastern Ghouta, one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria, has been under a heavy government siege since 2013 that has caused drastic food and medical shortages.

An estimated 400,000 people still live in the enclave, and the United Nations has warned that hundreds are at risk of death if they are not evacuated for urgent medical treatment.

The area is one of four "de-escalation zones" aiming to curb violence across war-ravaged Syria, agreed earlier this year by regime allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey.

Syria`s government agreed last week to a ceasefire in the region to coincide with the resumption of UN-led peace talks in Geneva.

But heavy bombardment of the opposition enclave near the capital has resumed, with another 11 civilians killed on Saturday.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
London: A bible half-a-meter thick and made from the skin of 500 animals is to return to England where it was first made for the first time in 1,300 years, the British Library has said.

The Bible, known as the Codex Amiatinus, was created by monks in northern England in the early part of the eighth century and then taken as a gift to the pope in what is now Italy, Xinhua reported on Saturday.

It has remained there ever since, for more than 1,000 years in a monastery and since the 18th century in a library in the northern Italian city of Florence.

The Bible, bound in leather and containing all the books of the bible written on the hides of sheep and cows, known as vellum, is set to return to be the centerpiece of an exhibition at the British Library in London.

"It is the earliest complete manuscript of the Bible in Latin," Dr Claire Breay, head of medieval literature at the British Library was quoted as saying.

It was made in Northumbria in northern England in the eighth century, as the abbot of the monastery at Wearmouth-Jarrow commissioned three giant bibles, said Breay.

The Bible was written out in hand, letter by letter by a team of monks who would have laboured for months over the task under the leadership of head abbot Ceolfrith.

As a consequence few Bibles were ever produced and the ravages of time mean that even fewer are left.

Bound copies of the whole Bible were very rare because it was huge.

"They produced these three giant bibles. One has been completely lost, one a few leaves survive which we have in the British Library and the other survived intact in Italy," said Breay.

The Bible is written not on paper but on vellum, the hides of cows and sheep stretched and processed.

This is durable and hard-wearing but also much bulkier than paper, meaning that the leather bound Bible stands half a meter high and weighs 34kg.

"It is an incredible thing. It has over 1,000 leaves (of vellum), requiring the skins of more than 1000 animals in it. The spine of the book is almost 15 centimeters thick," Breay said.

"It is one of the greatest treasures to survive from Anglo-Saxon times but probably one of the least known."

Ceolfrith decided to give one of the precious Bibles to the pope, but in order to do so he had to travel with it to Rome, which was a long and arduous trip at that time. He got as far as Langres in France, where he died en route, but the Bible made it to Rome.

"For a very long time it was in the Amiata Monastery in Northern Italy, but at the end of the 18th century with the suppression of that monastery it has been at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence," Breay said.

The bible is on loan and will be displayed with the St. Cuthbert Gospel, also made at Wearmouth-Jarrow around the same time. It was acquired by the British Library, the national library for Britain in 2012.
TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that Middle Eastern countries should solve their problems together without relying on external powers.

"We believe that if there is a problem in the region, it can be solved through dialogue," Rouhani said in a speech at the opening of a port in the southeastern city of Chabahar, broadcast by state television.

"We do not need arms nor the intervention of foreign powers. We can solve our problems ourselves through unity and dialogue."

Rouhani`s comments follow an escalation in the bitter rivalry between Shiite-ruled Iran and Saudi Arabia`s Sunni monarchy.

The two powers back opposing groups throughout the region -- notably in Syria and Yemen -- and Saudi leaders have lately stepped up efforts to counter Iran`s growing influence, raising fears of further conflict.

But Rouhani said recent victories against the Islamic State group opened the way for the Middle East to move past its reputation for "war and conflict between Shiite and Sunni... and the presence and interventions of foreign powers".

Saudi Arabia and Iran`s critics in the West have accused Tehran of seeking to dominate the region at the expense of its neighbours.

Rouhani said: "No country can claim to be the superior power in this region. Just as the superpowers couldn`t accomplish that either."
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Saturday said he wept hearing the plight first-hand of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, adding that this meeting was a condition set for his trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The Rohingya meeting was a highly symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Muslim minority fleeing violence in Myanmar, and the pontiff told journalists on his plane flying back to Rome that the refugees cried as well.

"I knew that I was going to meet the Rohingyas but I did not know where and how, for me it was one of the conditions of the trip," he said.

The usually forthright pontiff walked a diplomatic tightrope during his four days in Myanmar -- the first papal visit to the country -- avoiding any direct reference to the Rohingya in public while appealing to Buddhist leaders to overcome "prejudice and hatred".

In Bangladesh he addressed the issue head-on, meeting a group of Rohingya refugees from the squalid camps in southern Bangladesh in an emotional encounter in Dhaka.

"What Bangladesh has done for them is enormous, it`s an example of welcome," he said.

"I wept, I tried to do it in a way that it couldn`t be seen," he said. "They wept too."

"I told myself `I cannot leave without saying a word to them`".

The pope told the Rohingya: "In the name of all those who have persecuted you, who have harmed you, in the face of the world`s indifference, I ask for your forgiveness."

The pope referred to the refugees as Rohingya, using the term for the first time on the tour in Bangladesh after the archbishop of Yangon advised him that doing so in Myanmar could inflame tensions and endanger Christians.

The word is politically sensitive in mainly Buddhist Myanmar because many there do not consider the Rohingya a distinct ethnic group, regarding them instead as interlopers from Bangladesh.

"If I had used the word during an official speech I would have slammed the door," he said, adding: "They already knew what I thought."

"For me the most important thing is that the message gets through," he added.

The pope said he was "very satisfied" with his meetings in Myanmar and hinted that he expressed his opinion far more freely in private conversations with the country`s leaders than in his public appearances.

More than 620,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh since a militant attack on police posts in late August sparked a deadly crackdown by the Myanmar military.

They have given consistent accounts of mass rape, killings and villages deliberately burned to the ground by soldiers and Buddhist militia.

The two countries last month signed an agreement to begin repatriating refugees to Myanmar, but rights groups say they are concerned about plans to house them in camps away from their former homes -- many of which have been destroyed.

During his tour the pope led well-attended open-air masses in Bangladesh and Myanmar, which both have small Christian populations.
Washington: White House National Security Adviser (NSA) H.R. McMaster has said that North Korea represents "the greatest immediate threat to the US" and that the potential for war with Pyongyang was increasing every day, the media reported.



"I think it`s increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem," McMaster told an audience on Saturday at the Reagan National Defence Forum in Simi Valley, California when asked if North Korea`s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on November 28 had increased the chance of war.



President Donald Trump remains committed to the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, McMaster said, adding that there were non-military ways to deal with the issue, such as calling on China to impose greater economic sanctions against Pyongyang, reports CNN.



McMaster noted that Beijing`s "tremendous coercive economic power" over North Korea.



"There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he`s (Kim Jong-un) getting closer and closer, and there`s not much time left," McMaster said.



With every missile launch or nuclear test, Kim has improved his country`s capabilities, McMaster said.



"We`re asking China not to do us or anybody else a favour... We`re asking China to act in China`s interest, as they should, and we believe increasingly that it`s in China`s urgent interest to do more."



China should take unilateral action to cut off North Korean oil imports, CNN quoted McMaster as saying.



He said that both he and Trump felt that a 100 per cent oil embargo would "be appropriate at this point".



But the NSA said Kim was extremely unlikely to change his behaviour "without some significant new actions in the form of much more severe sanctions" and "complete enforcement of the sanctions that are in place".



On military options, McMaster acknowledged that given North Korea`s fielding of conventional artillery and rockets aimed at Seoul, South Korea, "there`s no military course of action that comes without risk".



But he said that Pyongyang`s actions had made America`s alliances with Japan and South Korea "stronger than ever".


Islamabad: US Defence Secretary James Mattis will arrive in Pakistan tomorrow to hold talks with the civilian and military leadership on bilateral and regional issues, officials here said on Sunday.

Mattis, ahead of his first visit to Pakistan as America's Defence Secretary, yesterday said that the US wants Pakistan to act in "its best interest" and take action against terror safe havens.

Relations between the US and Pakistan plummeted after President Donald Trump announced his new south Asia policy in August and directly blamed Islamabad for supporting the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan.

Officials here said today that Mattis is visiting Pakistan in a bid to rebuild the frayed ties and seek cooperation against the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Signs of recovery have been witnessed in US-Pakistan ties after the successful raid by Pakistani security forces to release a kidnapped Canadian man and his American wife.

Trump and top US officials praised the effort and hoped for more cooperation.

Mattis will meet the civilian and military leaders and discuss various bilateral and regional issues, said diplomatic sources privy to the developments.

According to sources, "All issues of bilateral and regional interests would be discussed in the meetings".

Local media reports, however, suggest that Mattis faces a difficult task as Pakistan is not happy over the repeated US allegations about safe havens for the Taliban.

The Express Tribune reported that the civilian-military leadership will adopt a "clear cut decisive" stance during the visit of Mattis that "only cooperation will get cooperation".

Quoting sources, it reported that if the US adopts parity, Pakistan will also cooperate in a balanced way, but if it continues its policy of demanding to "do-more", then Islamabad will reply "no-do-more and no cooperation".

The report further said that no pressure and demand to do more without any proof or information will be accepted.

Pakistan will clarify that there are no militant safe havens or terrorist network on its soil as security institutions have purged the land of terrorists, it said.

Pakistan will not conduct any joint operation with any other country on its soil but will take action against militants including the Haqqanis on the basis of intelligence- based information, it said.

Pakistan will also respond positively to any US requests for cooperation to establish peace in Afghanistan but would stress for reconciliation in the trouble-torn country, the report said.

It would also demand that the US and Afghan governments expedite actions against terror groups that are hatching conspiracies using Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan, it said.

Authorities will inform Mattis about its reservations over the pro-India policy of the Trump administration and any demand in support of India will be rejected, the report added.

Mattis embarked on a four-nation tour on Friday which will take him to Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and Kuwait.

During the tour, he will re-affirm the US' enduring commitment to partnerships in the Middle East, West Africa and South Asia.
Launch into cyberspace

The then Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (Ronast) and a private company, Mercantile Office Systems, brought the internet to Nepal in 1992.
North Carolina resident Brian Fletcher, a utility tower climber, took a crew to Trenton, N.J., in June 2015 to help with storm-related emergency repairs. A police officer approached him while he was in a parking lot awaiting a work order, and Fletcher followed concealed carry protocol: He told the officer he had a gun in the vehicle and a permit to carry it.Fletcher was unaware he committed a felony in New Jersey, which does not recognize any state law allowing residents to carry firearms. Gov. Chris Christie eventually pardoned Fletcher of the illegal gun possession charges, which could have put him in prison for five years.U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8th District, sponsored a bill now moving through Congress to protect Fletcher and 14.5 million other concealed carry permit holders. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38) creates a national system to ensure gun owners' constitutional rights don't end at state lines.The National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups call the legislation the top Second Amendment issue in Congress. President Donald Trump created a Second Amendment Coalition, and urged it to pursue an interstate reciprocity law. Hudson served as a coalition co-chairman, and is confident Trump would sign H.R. 38 if it reaches his desk.Hudson calls it awith concealed carry gun permits if they travel to another state with their weapon.This week, the House Judiciary Committee passed the bill. Hudson told North Carolina reporters on a Nov. 30 teleconference call he expects a vote in the House before the end of the year, and the Senate sometime later.Concealed carry permit laws vary widely among states. So do reciprocity agreements, in which one state recognizes permits issued by other states. Some states don't have reciprocity agreements. The maze of laws can be confusing, and can change suddenly. Hudson said his bill would untangle the uncertainty.Hudson said concealed carry reciprocity falls under the same constitutional provision as state recognition of documents such as marriage certificates, driver licenses, and divorce decrees issued by other states.Hudson acknowledges there is renewed sensitivity about guns since October, when Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and wounded 546 others in Las Vegas.But Hudson said support for his bill grew after Sutherland Springs, Texas, resident Stephen Willeford shot Devin Kelley, who had murdered 26 people during church services. Hudson said that Willeford's action prevented Kelley from continuing his rampage at the church and elsewhere.Kelley was court-martialed from the Air Force for two charges of domestic violence. He was barred legally from purchasing firearms, but the Air Force never reported his convictions as required by law, allowing him to buy the weapons he used.Hudson said his bill includes a measure by U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, strengthening the background check system. It requires federal agencies to report information that disqualifies individuals from legally purchasing guns, and to report compliance with this mandate twice yearly to Congress.
The massive explosion that devastated Halifax 100 years ago tested all who survived, including a handful of reporters who were the first to get news of the unfolding disaster to the world.

"Their writing stimulated the remarkable relief response that rolled into the city, not only from Nova Scotia and Canada but from the United States," said Michael Dupuis, author of the recently published book Bearing Witness: Journalists, Record Keepers and the 1917 Halifax Explosion.

The Dec. 6, 1917, blast  the largest human-caused explosion before the first atomic bomb  followed a collision in Halifax Harbour between the French munitions ship Mont-Blanc and the Norwegian-flagged Belgian relief vessel Imo.

Dupuis's book recounts the efforts of more than two dozen journalists, including James Hickey, bureau superintendent for The Canadian Press.

Dupuis said he not only wanted to honour their work, but also to find out how the massive story was handled. He said the contributions of print journalists proved key in an age before even radio stations.

The marine disaster, which killed 2,000 people and injured 9,000 more, turned out to be a proving ground for the fledgling Canadian Press, then just three months old.

"It hadn't really had its teeth cut on a big story," Dupuis said of Canada's national news wire service.

The 48-year-old Hickey, who was also an editor for the Halifax Chronicle in addition to being a stringer for The New York Times, was in the Chronicle building on Granville Street in downtown Halifax when the blast shattered a glass door, injuring his left hand and arm.

"His first instincts were to get the news and within 30 minutes he found a working wire and sent that [alert] out and it landed at AP New York," said Dupuis.

Hickey made several attempts to find a working cable before he was finally helped by John Hagen, manager of the Halifax and Bermuda Cable Company.

2,500-word story filed on day of disaster

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Hickey's initial 100-word bulletin was bolstered later that day by his 2,500-word Canadian Press dispatch, which provided a remarkably accurate account of the disaster. The story ran countrywide and was also picked up by The Associated Press in the U.S.

His work amazes Hickey's great granddaughter, who said it was only in recent years that family members have come to realize the role he played that fateful day.

In an interview from her home in New Jersey, Eileen Rouse said that Hickey's role in covering the 1912 Titanic disaster  Halifax had been the main destination for survivors and the bodies found adrift at sea after the ship's sinking  had been better known to family members than his journalism following the explosion.

"When I found out what my great-grandfather had done it was just amazing," said Rouse. "I can't imagine him pulling everything together and going out into the streets and seeing the carnage that he saw and still be able to do what he was trained to do, which is report and get the news out."

Tipping off Truro's mayor

The publisher of the daily newspaper in Truro, N.S., also became a pivotal figure after he was informed of the disaster through a Canadian Press phone call transmitted by way of Amherst, N.S.  something made necessary because many of the communication lines out of Halifax were down.

A.B. Coffin promptly got out his own bulletin then hopped in a taxi for the stricken city, a trip that took three hours.

Author and explosion researcher Janet Maybee said Coffin also alerted Truro's mayor, who was able to quickly put together a team of doctors, nurses and firefighters that left for Halifax by rail.

'Help started coming in from all over the province'

"They were the first trainload of rescue people to get there from outside Halifax," said Maybee. "The fact that they [journalists] got that first bulletin and then passed it along meant that help started coming in from all over the province."

Maybee said Truro, which at the time had no public hospital, eventually received a train carrying about 250 wounded and homeless people.

Other local journalists also went above and beyond the call of duty to get the news out, according to Dupuis, including the only working journalist killed that day.

Jack Ronayne, a marine reporter for the Daily Echo, learned about a ship burning in the harbour and decided to investigate. He had crossed a railway foot bridge and was about 300 metres from Mont-Blanc as it floundered off Pier 6 when it exploded.

Dupuis said Ronayne was later found in a ditch moaning, having sustained horrible facial injuries. Ronayne died soon after.

Despite the fact that Ronayne didn't write a word, Dupuis said his story stands as a reminder of the risks that are inherent with reporting disasters.

"As I learned about this story I thought I thought it was pretty courageous," Dupuis said. "He didn't know that it [Mont-Blanc] was going to blow, but nevertheless he was chasing the story."
On Trudeau's 2nd trip to China, time may be ripe to advance free trade

Justin Trudeau lifted off for China late Saturday afternoon after spending part of the day in British Columbia to campaign with the Liberal candidate in a local byelection.

The prime minister joined Gordon Hogg in South Surrey-White Rock, a riding the party hopes to take away from the Conservatives. The seat became vacant when former Tory MP Dianne Watts resigned to run for the leadership of the provincial Liberals.

- THE HOUSE | Deal or no deal? Justin Trudeau heads to China with free trade decision up in the air

Trudeau will spend four days in China in an effort to promote trade, tourism and closer business ties.

He will meet on Monday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and on Tuesday with President Xi Jinping. Xi will also play host to the prime minister at a state dinner that night before Trudeau heads to Guangzhou in southern China, where he'll deliver the keynote address at the annual Fortune Global Forum.

That's the itinerary. But outside of the details of where he's going, and who he'll meet, Canadian officials have been mum on what to expect out of this trip, even though many in the business and diplomatic community believe the goal is to announce the beginning of formal negotiations with China for a free trade deal.

Fruitful time for free trade

Guy Saint-Jacques, who served as Canada's ambassador to China until 2016, says the time is ripe to start negotiations after four rounds of exploratory talks and extensive consultations with Canadian businesses.

"I think the Chinese were a bit surprised at the outset at what we were seeking, because they had said 'We will give you what we gave Australia and that would be good for you,'" Saint-Jacques said in an interview with CBC News. "But we said we have a lot more to offer in terms of high technology. And if I look at the needs of China, they are desperate to clean their environment and they would have that access."

Stewart Beck, the president of the Asia-Pacific Foundation, agrees.

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"We have a great experience in the World Trade Organization and NAFTA.," he said this week in an interview on CBC News Network's Power & Politics.

"And I'd say we are top of class when it comes to negotiating these kinds of agreements and I think that's critical to them. They want that type of relationship with a country like Canada."

The trip is expected to produce a number of business deals between Canadian and Chinese companies in the areas of clean technology, tourism and agri-food.

China's global ambitions

Saint-Jacques says the Chinese have bigger stakes in mind, and are pushing hard to begin negotiations with Canada to signal that the world's second-largest economy is willing to engage with Western economies, especially now that U.S. President Donald Trump seems more concerned with protectionist policies.

"We would be the first G7 country to negotiate a free trade agreement, and this would confirm that they are the new champion of globalization now that the U.S. is retrenching."

There are considerable risks should Canada proceed. Topping the list is the country's human rights record, which includes jailing Canadian winery owner John Chang over a customs dispute and the continued imprisonment of Huseyin Celil, a Uighur dissident China accuses of being a terrorist.

Former prime minister Jean Chretien used to argue that it was always better to engage countries like China on multiple levels than to lecture them from the sidelines. Stephen Harper was less convinced, though his initial wariness toward China eased while he was in office.

Trudeau is following Chretien's lead with this trip to China, his second since becoming prime minister in 2015.

Saint-Jacques says Canada-China relations now include regular visits, and the creation of regular meetings involving key officials in both countries to discuss issues such as trade, the environment and security.

Regular dialogue underway

"We now have in place the infrastructure for regular dialogue at the level of the prime ministers, between foreign ministers and another dialogue on the national security and rule-of-law questions that allows us to discuss sensitive consular cases and sensitive security issues."

The real challenge is to convince Canadians that dealings with China strike the right balance.

Beck believes the timing is right now to begin formal talks.

"Let's keep in mind that New Zealand and Australia have had deals for quite a while now. And in some ways it gives them a competitive advantage, particularly Australia where we compete directly in a number of products," he said.

"Certainly they have benefitted from having that agreement with China."
The Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac is one of five cigars included in the Crux Ninfamaniac Collection. The Ninfamaniac is Crux Cigar Companys unique spin on the classic 7 x 33 Ninfa size. The Ninfa is a size that is more associated with the Cuban cigar market. When it comes to the U.S. market, the Ninfa size is not often found. With the Ninfamaniac, Crux Cigar company turns the 7 x 33 vitola into a double perfecto. When Crux Cigar Company hit the market in 2014, two of the three initial offerings used the Ninfamaniac size and were called Ninfamaniac and Ninfamaniac Dark. Last year, for Stogies World Class Cigars in Houston, the 7 x 33 double perfecto was expanded to include the Passport, Classic, and Bull & Bear lines. These three offerings were combined with the original Ninfamaniac and Ninfamaniac Dark  and this the Crux Ninfamaniac Collection was born. Today we take a closer look at the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac.

Stogies World Class Cigars is famous for its shop exclusive lanceros, but for Cruxs shop exclusive entry, Stogies would receive the five-blend, ten-count Crux Ninfamaniac Collection sampler. This sampler includes two cigars of the Ninfamaniac, Ninfamaniac Dark, Crux Passport Ninfamaniac, Crux Classic Ninfamaniac, and Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac. The 7 x 33 offerings for the Passport, Classic, and Bull & Bear offerings are only available at Stogies as a part of the Ninfamaniac Collection. The Ninfamaniac and Ninfamaniac Dark are available in the sampler, but are also sold separately.

Without further ado, lets break down the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

As with all Crux Cigars, the Crux Bull & Bear line is produced at the Plasencia factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The blend is positioned as one of the fuller-bodied offerings in the Crux portfolio.

Wrapper: Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Plasencia Cigars SA)

Vitolas Available

Over the years, the Crux Bull & Bear has been released in three regular production sizes and two shop-exclusive sizes. The regular production sizes feature 52 or bigger ring gauges.

Robusto Extra: 5 1/2 x 55

Toro: 6 x 52

Gordo (Marblehead): 6 x 60

Ninfamaniac: 7 x 33 (Stogies World Class Cigars Exclusive)

Corona Gorda: 5 3/4 x 46 ( ZT Cigars Exclusive)

There have been 100 Crux Ninfamaniac Collection samplers produced. Given there are two Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac cigars in each sampler, a total of 200 Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac cigars were made available via the samplers.

Appearance

Each of the Ninfamaniac vitolas features a closed tip on both ends of the perfecto. The Habano wrapper of the Crux Bull & Bear medium to dark brown color to it. The surface of the wrapper of the cigar I had had a very light coating of oil on the surface. I also found this to be a smoother wrapper. The wrapper has some visible veins, these were on the thinner side.

The band of the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac is a variation of the band on the Ninfamaniac and Ninfamaniac Dark. The Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac features the same green Ninfamaniac logo, but it incorporates a charcoal gray background. Across the lower part of the band is the text BULL & BEAR in white font. The right side of the band has the text NINFAMANIAC in landscape mode with a gold ring over the I.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

When it comes to perfectos, I normally will clip the tip to about a 38 ring. This allows me to experience the tapering effect of the cigar. Like I did with the Passport Ninfamaniac, I ended up clipping just about the whole tip of the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac as I wanted to get as close to the 33 ring gauge as possible. I then proceeded with the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered a mix of cocoa, subtle fruit sweetness, and some earth notes. Overall, I considered the pre-light draw off the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac to be satisfactory. At this point, I was ready to light up the cigar and await what the smoking experience would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The start of the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac delivered a mix of cocoa, earth, and a slight fruit. The retro-hale produced a layer of black pepper with some fruit sweetness. Once the Crux Bull & Bear burned through the tapered section and hit the main part of the cigar, some cedar also entered the equation.

As the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac reached the middle of the first third, the cocoa notes went primary. The fruit and earth notes varied in intensity and floated in and out of the forefront. Meanwhile, the cedar notes remained grounded in the background.

By the second third, the cocoa continued to be the primary note. As the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac progressed through the second third, the earth became more visible in the forefront. There were still times the fruit sweetness also crept into the forefront. During this stage, some black pepper emerged on the tongue joining the cedar as a secondary note. Meanwhile, the black pepper became more prominent on the retro-hale.

By the last third of the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac, there was primarily a mix of cocoa and earth notes in the forefront. The cedar and pepper spices had increased in intensity, but didnt quite reach the forefront. The fruit sweetness had also diminished greatly. This is the way the smoking experience of the Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac came to a close. The resulting nub was cool in temperature and slightly soft to the touch.

Burn and Draw

The Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac had no trouble in maintaining a straight burn path from start to finish. Simultaneously, the burn line remained relatively straight and did not require touch-ups above the norm. The resulting ash was a light gray color. This was an ash that was definitely skewed toward the firmer side. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal.

Like when I smoked the Crux Passport Ninfamaniac, the small gauge of the Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac did not cause any problems on the draw. The Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac followed suit delivering a draw that had a nice balance between tightness and openness.

Strength and Body

One noticeable difference between the Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac and the other sizes in Bull & Bear line was that the Ninfamaniac size seemed to be more dialed back. The Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac delivered a medium strength, medium-bodied smoke. I didnt find much in the way of variance of these attributes. In terms of strength versus body, I found both attributes balanced each other very nicely with neither one overshadowing the other.

Final Thoughts

When I previously assessed the Crux Passport Ninfamaniac, I was very surprised how well that blend translated to the 7 x 33 double perfecto format. I had more doubts with the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac as that was a cigar that seemed blended to larger ring gauges. The good news is the Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac also delivers with flying colors. I did find the Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac smoked different than its other sibling sizes in the line, but that is also a testament that size matters when it comes to smoking different vitolas in a blend. Since a Ninfa is a vitola I would not recommend to a novice, Id still recommend this to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. Its a cigar I would smoke again.

Finally, the Crux Bull & Bear Ninfamaniac is sold in the Crux Ninfamaniac Collection sampler at Stogies World Class cigars. Based on this, and the fact you get other solid blends in the sampler, this is a cigar part of a sampler that is worthy of box purchase consideration.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cocoa, Earth, Fruit, Cedar, Wood, Pepper

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium

Body: Medium

Finish: Very Good

Rating

Assessment: Box Worthy Consideration

Score: 90

References

News: Crux Ninfamaniac Collection to be Shop Exclusive to Stogie World Class Cigars

Price: $74.99 (10-count sampler), $7.49 (Individual)

Source: Crux Cigar Company

Brand Reference: Crux Cigar Company

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
Critically-needed supplies, including food and medicine, have arrived in Yemen, after Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition eased the three-week military blockade they had imposed on Yemeni ports and Sanaa International Airport. The blockade began November 6 after Houthi rebels launched another missile strike into Saudi Arabia, this time near the airport in Riyadh.

The Yemeni people are suffering a humanitarian disaster as the conflict in the country rages on. It began in 2015 when Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, seized the capital of Sanaa and drove the internationally recognized government into exile. At the request of the Yemeni Government, a coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, began airstrikes on rebel positions to halt their southward expansion.

Now more than 10,000 civilians have been killed, millions displaced, and at least 21 million are in need of humanitarian aid, including medicine required to curb outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria and other diseases. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric warned recently that 7 million Yemenis are currently in danger of famine.

The White House praised the easing of the blockade by Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led coalition, calling it the first step in ensuring that food, medicine and fuel reach the Yemini people and that aid organizations on the frontline of mitigating this humanitarian crisis are able to do their essential work. We look forward to additional steps that will facilitate the unfettered flow of humanitarian and commercial goods from all ports of entry to the points of need.

In her statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders reiterated the United States commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia and all our Gulf partners against the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aggression and blatant violations of international law.

She noted that the Houthi rebels backed by the IRGC, as it is called, have used destabilizing missiles to target Saudi Arabia  systems not present in Yemen before the conflict. The international community, she stressed, must take the necessary steps to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its repeated violations of UN Security Council Resolutions 2216 and 2231, as the [IRGC] exploits the grave humanitarian crisis in Yemen to advance its regional ambitions.

Millions of Yemenis are currently enduring severe deprivation, Ms. Sanders wrote. The United States continues to believe that this devastating conflict, and the suffering it causes, must be brought to an end through political negotiations.
A political prisoner and deputy of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran has celebrated the birthday of her children for the third time in prison, by lighting a candle.

In an open letter from prison, Narges Mohammadi, 45, has lamented, I do not have a real and clear image of my twins, anymore.

Ms. Mohammadis twins, Ali and Kiana have been living in exile in Paris along with their father, Taqi Rahmani, since 2014. Mohammadi has been allowed to talk to her children on the phone.

A prominent defender of human rights, and winner of the 2011 Per Anger Prize and Sakharov Prize (2017-2018) for defending human rights in Iran, Mohammadi was first arrested in 2009 and sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion against national security, membership in the Defenders of Human Rights Center, and propaganda against the state.

Upon appeal, her sentence was reduced to six years behind bars and she was released from Zanjan Prison in 2013 on medical grounds.

According to Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) Mohammadi was arrested again on May 5, 2015, two months after meeting with Catherine Ashton, the European Unions foreign policy chief at the time, at the Austrian Embassy in Tehran to discuss the situation of human rights in Iran.

In September 2016, Branch 26 of the Tehran Appeals Court upheld a 16-year prison sentence for membership in the [now banned] Defenders of Human Rights Center, assembly and collusion against national security, and one year for propaganda against the state.

Defenders of Human Rights Center was established by first Iranian and first Muslim woman Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi who has been living in exile since June 2009 in UK, after her life was threatened.

Mohammadi will be eligible for release after serving 10 years in prison.

After Hassan Rouhanis second-term victory in Irans May 2017 presidential election, Mohammadi urged him to build the foundations for civil society in Iran.

As a citizen who voted for you, I should and will be insistent on seeking my demands, she noted, adding I am an imprisoned civil rights activist, but I am not asking you to free me. I want to see [the dream for] a civil society come true. That is my demand.

Rouhani has yet to respond to the letter.

Meanwhile, several members of American Physical Society, APS are laying the groundwork to launch a campaign, calling on the Islamic Republic of Iran to free a prominent Iranian human rights activist, Narges Mohammadi to receive her prize in person.

Ms. Mohammadi who has a degree in Solid-state Physics, jointly won APS 2018 prestigious biannual Sakharov Prize, along with Indian researcher Ravi Kuchimanchi.

The ceremonies for awarding the Sakharov Prize is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, California from March 5 to 9, 2018.
Nepal Army squad defuses grenade

A bomb disposal squad of Nepal Army deactivated one of the two grenades found at Bharatpur Metropolitan City-5 of Chitwan district this morning.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 3

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a meeting on the issues of construction progress held Nov. 30 noted that the majority of the normative acts, town planning regulations and construction norms applied in the country need renewal, the press service of the Uzbek president reported.

Mirziyoyev said that during the fulfillment of the instructions on bringing these norms and rules into line with modern requirements, concrete results were not achieved.

The Uzbek president criticized the activities of the State Committee for Architecture and Construction, noting that the committee shows idleness in reforming this sphere.

The president also stressed that in the rating announced by the World Bank, Uzbekistan took the 135th position on allocation of land plots and obtaining a building permit: this operation takes an average of 246 days, which is yet another proof of the need to speed up reforms in the construction sector.

The program for updating the town planning documentation for 2011-2018 has been implemented only by 30-40 percent, that is, out of 1,200 cities and settlements, there are master plans only in 207 (17 percent) of them.

At the meeting, the president criticized the work of project institutes, idle introduction of advanced foreign experience in their activity.

It was also noted that the level of training of specialists in the field of construction and design doesnt meet modern requirements.

It was emphasized that no professional construction and contracting organizations have formed yet in Uzbekistan, and the existing material and technical base and financial resources dont allow meeting the needs of the increasing volumes of construction work.

The State Committee for Architecture and Construction was instructed to work out a program for renewal and optimization of town planning and construction rules in two months together with the relevant ministries and departments.

It was also tasked to prepare and submit a new three-year program for the development and approval of master plans for settlements to the Uzbek government for approval.

The government was instructed to develop and approve a draft government decree on optimizing and ensuring transparency of the existing standards for allocating land, designing and performing construction work in two months period.

At the meeting, it was entrusted to ensure high-quality and timely construction of multi-storey houses at affordable prices in Uzbek cities and standard houses in the countrys rural areas.
Tehran, Iran, December 3

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Irans nuclear deal implying removal of sanctions has helped create a more competitive atmosphere in the Iranian auto market, according to an official with Chery, the first Chinese car exporter to Iran.

"The nuclear deal brought a more competitive atmosphere, and it is a good thing, since the more competitiveness, the higher products and services grow in quality," Babak Sadraei, Cherys head of marketing in Iran, told Trend December 1.

He added this is why Chery, as the luxury brand of MVM, has been introducing newer and higher models in the current year and will do so next year.

"This year we introduced the Tiggo 7 as well as Arrizo 5 Turbo in Iran," Sadraei said, expressing hope that if demand rises, the company may even consider local production.

"Right now we are finishing 25 percent of the products inside Iran. If the number of products rises, then we will surely go for local production and using the capacities of local part makers," he said optimistically.

Cherys local operation  active under the brand name Modiran Vehicle Manufacturing Co.  reported 37 percent growth in total output in the first five months of the current Iranian fiscal year (which started March 21). The company assembled 38,303 cars during the period.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 03

By Huseyn Veliyev  Trend:

Kaspersky Lab organizes cyber security training for technical personnel of oil and gas industry companies in Azerbaijan, Andrey Suvorov, head of critical infrastructure protection at Kaspersky Lab, told Trend.

He noted that the process of providing industrial cyber protection is quite complex, since it takes time to get acquainted with the enterprise before the system is introduced.

According to Suvorov, there are two key areas  oil and gas chemistry and energy in Azerbaijan that allows the company to find out which developers have installed automation systems in those or other enterprises in the country.

He went on to say that, first of all it is necessary to work with vendors present on the market in order to get serious capacious projects, and until Kaspersky Lab does not cooperate with them, the company offers customers trainings and building a threat model.

"There are a number of companies in Azerbaijan, with which we are discussing this issue," said Suvorov.

He added that the companys representative in the country has a large network of partners and companies.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3.

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iran imported 23.57 million tons of goods worth $32.419 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (started March 20, 2017).

The figure indicates a 17.52 percent increase in terms of value compared to the same period of the preceding year, the Iranian Customs Administration said.

Average price for each ton of Irans imported goods in the mentioned period was around $1,361, indicating a rise by 6.80 percent, year-on-year.

Increased volume of capital goods, imported cars and car parts as well as some staple goods has led to an increase of Irans imports during the current fiscal year.

Rice, worth $1.06 billion, topped the list of Iran's imported goods during the 8-month period.

Corn fodder ($980 million), car parts ($972 million), soybean meal ($669 million) and cars with 1,500-2,000 cc engines ($643 million) were the other goods mainly imported to the Islamic Republic in the first eight months of the current fiscal year (March 20-Nov. 22).

China was the main exporter of goods to Iran in the mentioned period. Iran imported $7.951 billion worth of goods from China in the 8-month period.

After China, the UAE ($5.749 billion), Turkey ($2.221 billion), South Korea ($1.844 billion) and Germany ($1.792 billion) were other four biggest exporters of goods to Iran.

Irans non-oil trade turnover increased by 8 percent to $60.907 billion during the 8-month period, while the country experienced a negative trade balance of $3.9 billion.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

By Fatih Karimov Trend:

The first phase of Shahid Behehshti port in Chabahar inaugurated during a ceremony attended by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and representatives from 17 countries.

The strategic port, located in south eastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan is expected to link trade corridors from India to Afghanistan, Central Asian countries and Russia.

Rouhani said that the port has significant importance which can connect the North-South corridor to Indian Ocean in a shorter route, the state-run IRINN TV reported Dec. 3.

He further underlined the ports importance from the political viewpoint, saying that the Chabahar port will contribute to development of Irans ties with eastern and northern neighbors and in a later stage with European countries.

Despite other international North-South corridors which are linked to Persian Gulf, the the trade corridors that pass through Chabahar will be connected to the ocean, he added.

Referring to the ports economic importance, Rouhani said that the goods will be supplied to Iranian neighbours in a shorter time and more suitable price.

He expressed hope that other development phases of Shahid Behehshti port of Chabahar will be inaugurated as soon as possible, in order to increase the ports capacity.

The project to develop Shahid Beheshti Port started in 2007. Iranian government has invested about $1 billion for developing the first phase of Shahid Behshti Port.

Chabahar is capable of reducing transportation costs to Central Asia and Afghanistan and its capacity is expected to reach 8.5 million tons in the first phase.

The port is now capable of receiving 100,000-ton ships.

About 1.1 million tons of wheat is expected to be transported to Afghanistan from India through Chabahar.

The overall development of Shahid Beheshti is planned to be taken place in four phases thus bringing its total annual cargo capacity to 82 million tons.

India, Iran and Afghanistan have signed an agreement to give Indian goods, heading toward Central Asia and Afghanistan, preferential treatment and tariff reductions at Chabahar.
Tehran, Iran, December 3

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

The amount of export and re-export of products via Iranian free zones is rising by more than 100 percent per year, according to Ali Rajabi, the director of the free zones commerce affairs.

Re-export is technically defined as the export of imported goods, typically after they have undergone further processing or manufacture. In recent years the Iranian government has encouraged foreign producers to work with Iranian partners in turning Iran into a regional trade hub by finishing their products in Iran-based joint ventures.

This rise is achieved in fulfillment of requirements of the resistance economy agenda, making free zones leading areas in implementation of free zone policies, Rajabi told Trend December 3.

The official refuted previous statements that free zones in Iran have become a place for unbridled imports in contrast to their intended role.

On December 1, Ali Akbar Karimi, deputy chairman of the Economic Commission of the Parliament, told the state TV that free zones in Iran are now rather a place to import foreign products rather than to make and export home-made products.

This is while, according to Karimi, the reason behind the creation of free zones was to encourage production by giving tax discounts and legal exemptions to production and exports.

This is not a right statement to accuse free zones of providing a route for imports. When there is need for imported goods, people will meet the need by importing via borders, no matter if free zones existed or not, Rajabi said in response.

He went on to say that based on well-documented records, exports are going to beat imports in free zones across Iran in the near future, changing the trade situations both in Iran and neighboring countries.
The United States will not participate in the global treaty on migration, which will be adopted in 2018, as it does not meet the interests of the country, according to the US Permanent Mission to the United Nations, TASS reported.

"Today, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations informed the UN Secretary-General that the United States is ending its participation in the Global Compact on Migration," the statement said.

According to the Mission, US participation in the process began in 2016, after the Obama Administration has decided to join the UNs New York Declaration on migration. "The New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with U.S. immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administrations immigration principles. As a result, President Trump determined that the United States would end its participation in the Compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018," the statement said.

America is proud of our immigrant heritage and our long-standing moral leadership in providing support to migrant and refugee populations across the globe. No country has done more than the United States, and our generosity will continue. But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty," Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations commented on the decision.

The UN secretariat has not yet commented on the news. Earlier this year, the US announced the withdrawal from the Paris agreement on climate - an international treaty aimed at preventing the negative effects of global warming.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Sunday met with Democrat and Republican representatives from the United States, calling for long-term, steady and healthy China-US ties, Xinhua reported.

The US delegates are attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing.

Yang stressed the importance of implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of two countries to deepen mutual cooperation, respect each other's core interests, and properly handle differences.

Both sides agreed to strengthen party-to-party exchanges and make good use of dialogue platforms between political parties to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral ties.
At least six civilians, including a woman and a child, have been killed and 13 others wounded in a blast in Jalalabad city on Sunday afternoon, local officials confirmed, TOLO news reported.

The incident happened at about 1:30 pm local time in PD1 of Jalalabad city after a suicide motorbike bomber detonated his explosive, a spokesman for the provincial governor Attaullah Khoghyani said.

The victims have been taken the nearby hospital and the governor has ordered urgent assistance to the victims, Khoghyani said. He did not provide further details.

No group, including the Taliban, have claimed responsibly for the blast yet.
US President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday he never asked former FBI director James Comey to stop investigating former national security adviser Michael Flynn, Reuters reported.

Flynn is the first member of Trumps administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian attempts to influence last years US presidential election. Trump fired Comey from his post in May.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie! Trump tweeted.
Police arrest inebriated election officer in Syangja

Police have arrested an election officer who had reached at the office of the chief election officer in an inebriated condition to collect his appointment letter, expenses and election materials at Syangja on Sunday.
One of the top commanders of the Taliban terrorist group was killed in the fight with Afghanistan's security forces in the country's north, Sputnik reported, citing the Tolo news broadcaster.

According to the media outlet, a group of militants headed by Mullah Shafiq tried to attack security outposts on the Shebrghan-Mazar highway in the Jawzjan province.

"Mullah Shafiq was involved in insurgency activities against government forces in the Faizabad district of the province and he was trying to destabilize the district," spokesman for provincial governor Mohammad Reza Ghafoori said, as quoted by the broadcaster.

No further details have been made available so far.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to the simmering militant insurgency, particularily by the Taliban and Daesh terrorist groups, with the country's security conducting joint operations to combat extremism across the country.
Security stepped up in Rautahat

Security measures have been stepped up in the Gaur customs, the major transit point in Rautahat district, in view of the upcoming second phase of parliamentary and provincial elections slated for December 7.
Still spreading

Scrub typhus, a bacterial disease endemic to many countries of Asia-Pacific region, including India and China, has now increasingly been reported in Nepal.
Bitcoin prices soared as high as $10,700 Friday after the main U.S. currency trading watchdog handed the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board Options Exchange a tentative go-ahead to offer bitcoin futures.

Following the news, the CME said it would begin offering bitcoin futures on Dec. 18. The CFTC also gave approval for bitcoin binary options to Cantor Exchange, a subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald.

Given assurance that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission would not stop the Bitcoin futures offerings, bullish investors sent the cryptocurrencys price up by 7% on Friday. Bitcoin supporters are hoping that with major derivatives exchanges such as the CME and CBOE in the mix, funds from institutional investors will flow into the cryptocurrency spherea phenomenon that could add more stability to the volatile asset.

But the CFTC still warned investors to be wary of Bitcoin due to its temperamental nature. Earlier this year, the U.S. equities trading watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission, rejected a Bitcoin ETF proposal in part because of the underlying assets volatility.

Market participants should take note that the relatively nascent underlying cash markets and exchanges for Bitcoin remain largely unregulated markets over which the CFTC has limited statutory authority, CFTC Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo warned in a statement. Investors should be aware of the potentially high level of volatility and risk in trading these contracts.

The exchanges gained CFTC approval via a process known as self-certification, by which the exchanges analyze and prove to the commission that their products meet regulatory requirements. The commission added that it would continue monitoring Bitcoin futures closely.

Despite the rise, Bitcoin prices Friday are still below their all-time high from a few days earlier, when they breached $11,300.
A Chinese flag flies outside a residential compound in Beijing on April 30, 2017. - AFP or licensors

New tariff rules on imports from China that could make it harder to discourage dumping of goods are set to be introduced by the European Union on Monday.

An updated system to calculate levies on imported goods being sold at below cost prices is expected to be rubber stamped by the EU.

The new system comes as China demands better treatment over its exports, bringing to an end the country being treated as a non-market economy, something which has helped the EU impose higher duties to stop trade dumping.

One sector seen as particularly at risk from the new regime is the steel industry. Britains steel companies were brought to their knees two years ago as a flood of subsidised steel from China poured into the country.

Imports of subsidised Chinese steel drove the UK industry into crisis

Other Chinese products which have levies imposed on them at the moment by the EU to prevent dumping include solar panels, aluminium foil, bicycles, screws and paper.

Changes mean it will be harder to for European companies to argue they are competing against subsidised competitors, with the new system more flexible in determining whether domestic producers are being undercut.

The new system will also affect nine other countries - including Belarus and North Korea - currently viewed by the EU as having non-market economies.

Theres going to be much more work for European industries to make their dumping cases, said Laurent Ruessmann, a partner and trade expert in the Brussels office of law firm Fieldfisher, speaking to Bloomberg.

Theres a lot of discretion for EU trade authorities in the new system. The question is how that discretion is used and what the political influence will be.

Donald Trump has led America towards a more protectionist stance

The move comes as the EU looks to improve trade ties with China. Currently the bloc is Chinas second-biggest customer after the US, but under Donald Trump America has moved to a more protectionist stance.

EU legislators negotiated a deal in October and the full European Parliament offered its endorsement the following month, leaving national governments to give their final approval on December 4.

The legislation, due to be published on December 18, features elements of compromise between free-trade governments in northern Europe allied with China and more protectionist member countries in the south.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in talks with South Korea's Hyundai about a technical partnership, but there are no merger talks between the two, FCA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday. FCA is often the subject of merger speculation, especially after its unsuccessful 2015 attempt to tie up with larger U.S. rival GM. Its share price jumped to record highs in August after reports of interest from China and Hyundai.

"We already buy components from (Hyundai) .... let's see if we can agree on other points, especially for the development of transmissions and hydrogen," Marchionne told journalists, adding there was "nothing to announce for the moment".

Asked whether this collaboration could turn into a merger, Marchionne said: "I don't believe so". (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak; editing by Alexander Smith)



Related Video:

FCA discussing tech partnership with Hyundai, but no merger originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Dec 2017 10:00:00 EST.
Dunny Medina is the head of capital markets and securities at Oziel Law, a business and technology law firm based in Toronto, Canada.

There are certain seismic disruptions to the natural order that force governments around the word to pay attention and react quicker than the tools of governance ordinarily allow.

Epidemics, terrorism, nuclear energy, world war and nowblockchain technology. Specifically, initial coin offerings (ICOs) are making governments itchy.

If you are trying to keep up, you will be very busy and very confused. Each week seems to bring another pronouncement from yet another country. Big or small, everyone has something to say. Weve heard from behind the veiled curtain of mega-states like Russia and China, and weve heard from the neighborly nations like Canada and the Isle of Man.

The message is far from clear. While many nations can stand united on challenges like melting ice caps, theyre a bit more baffled with crypto.

So, how does a government react when faced with this new class of disruption? We have identified at least five approaches by global governments to ICOs.

The 'forbidden city' approach

On one extreme, we have the forbidden city approach currently championed by the Peoples Bank of China: a blanket ban on ICOs and exchanges.

As many observers have noted, this approach is likely a stopgap measure that allows a government to be unequivocal (all token sales are illegal) until it can properly assess the situation and decide what to do.

The 'in the works' approach

tools, graphs, measure

Some governments, in the face of change, choose to be progressive and open to innovation. They come out and say: we recognize that this is different, so we need to have special legislation, and we are working on it.

In some cases, this may be optics alone. Russia flip-flopped in the past few months on its stance on ICOs, but the latest comes right from the top: President Vladimir Putin has ordered that legislation be implemented on ICOs to bring them in line with traditional securities financings (e.g., initial public offerings of stock).

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In other cases, it may be an earnest attempt to put forth clear legislation. The governments of Isle of Man and Gibraltar seem to have a repurposing or revised framework of existing legislation in development.

Its not clear how workable any such legislation will be, but its in the works, so thats progress.

The 'warning' approach

red light, warning

The U.S., Australia and Japan are all prime examples of reasonable democracies for which the warning approach is not an unreasonable reaction.

When faced with a complicated and disruptive development, one should not be hasty. Dont crack down, but also dont go full-steam ahead. The safer approach is to fall back on existing legislation and issue statements which amount to warnings, rather than clear-cut guidelines.

To paraphrase, heres the gist of these statements: Be careful. ICOs are risky and dangerous. Its possible that a token, depending on the circumstances, might not be a security, but it probably is. If the token resembles a security, again on a case-by-case basis, then you need to follow existing securities regulation for an ICO.

Not very remarkable. Not very helpful.

In the face of this kind of uncertainty from the government, the market reaction has been understandably human and predictable.

Some companies do whatever they want (and will ask for forgiveness later).

Other companies choose to be good citizens (and ask for permission or self-regulate by following the existing securities rules as best as possible, such as accredited investor-only ICOs).

The 'sandbox' approach

Sandbox

Rather than sticking their heads in the sand, some countries have invited fintechs to come play in their sandbox.

A regulatory "sandbox," in theory, invites companies to work with the regulators, with the promise of a temporary free pass on some of the more complex and costly aspects of securities regulations.

Sounds promising, although some innovators worry that they are getting lured into a gingerbread house.

The Canadian regulatory sandbox is one of the more active global sandboxes, and it has come out with some definitive results. Its a live laboratory currently running a few regulatory experiments with ICOs, token crowdfunding platforms and crypto investment funds.

Most recently, the Canadian regulators put out a decision on the TokenFunder ICO, which may win the award for the most clearly laid out guideline on how to run a compliant security ICO.

This latest guinea pig decision sets out how to offer tokens to both high-net-worth and retail investors under an ICO, the requirement for additional know-your-client (KYC) and other onboarding procedures, and the acceptability of a template form for a detailed white paper (by using an existing disclosure document in Canada known as an Offering Memorandum).

While the Canadian sandbox decisions can be applauded for the clarity of the message, some are put off by the content of the message. When it comes to running a compliant ICO, there are plenty of hoops to jump through. Sandbox notwithstanding.

The 'jack-of-all-trades' approach

tools, hardware

And then there is Switzerland. The blockchain situation here is a bit baffling.

A refreshing laissez-faire mentality to crypto seems to be in the Swiss mountain air, but the reality (as usual) is a bit murkier.

At one point in the summer, some commentators had mentioned that the token vs. security debate was much more clear-cut under Swiss law, such that token sales were not regulated. Smells a little funky.

The reality may be that its only unregulated because the Swiss havent regulated it yet; theyre working on it.

And then, on September 27, Switzerlands Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) announced that it is investigating ICO procedures, indicating that these transactions may come under existing regulatory legislation. The old "warnings" approach.

The way forward

Summing up, ICO regulation globally is in a confused state of flux, but amid the grey static we can spot some slivers of consistency. The general trend is toward recognition: recognition that ICOs have a place in the market, that existing legal frameworks may not quite work efficiently, and that progress will, therefore, need collaboration between government and industry.

All signs point to 2018 being the year of regulation, where new and clearer legal frameworks for ICOs will be put forward. Which country will lead the way?

The one that happily marries the real need for investor protection with the equally real need for broader public participation in ICOs.

Confusion image via Shutterstock

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By Sankalp Phartiyal and Suvashree Choudhury MUMBAI (Reuters) - Infosys, India's No.2 IT services company, named Salil S Parekh as chief executive on Saturday, picking an outsider for the job for a second time and handing him the twin challenges of reviving growth and forging peace between its founders and board following a public spat. Parekh, who is joining from consultancy firm Capgemini where he was a member of its group executive team, has been given a 5-year term effective Jan. 2, Infosys said in a statement. U.B. Pravin Rao who was serving as the interim CEO has been re-designated as chief operating officer from Jan. 2, Infosys said. "He (Parekh) has nearly three decades of global experience in the IT services industry," said Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani. "He has a strong track record of executing business turnarounds and managing very successful acquisitions." "The board believes that he is the right person to lead Infosys at this transformative time in our industry." Parekh, who joined Capgemini back in 2000, resigned from the Paris-based company following "recent managerial evolutions" announced in October, Capgemini said in a separate release. His departure will be effective on Jan. 1, the statement said. Parekh, who had been instrumental in expanding Capgemini's India team, had once been seen as a potential successor to Capgemini CEO Paul Hermelin. [http://bit.ly/2AO9aKO] Parekh's roles at Capgemini included heading the strategic business unit of geographies such as North America, the United Kingdom as well as local business units in India and Australia. "Salil brings in a skill mix which is widely known in the business advisory side and in the boardrooms of many of Infosys's clients, current and prospective," said Malay Shah, a senior director at Alvarez & Marsal. "He will likely be a great market face for Infosys, driving growth and deal wins. The existing setup at Infosys, with Nandan as chairman and Salil as CEO, is capable of addressing key operational and technology challenges." Former CEO Vishal Sikka announced a sudden exit in August after a protracted public spat with the company's founding executives, led by Narayana Murthy, over strategy and alleged corporate governance lapses. Sikka, who joined from German software maker SAP in 2014, was the first outsider to be made CEO of the Bengaluru-headquartered company. His exit and the prolonged public row led to a reshuffling of the Infosys' board with Nandan Nilekani, a co-founder and former CEO, returning as non-executive chairman. Nilekani, credited with four-fold growth in Infosys' revenue to $2 billion during his tenure as CEO, had said at the time that cultural fit would be an important criteria for the top job, making internal candidates "very strong contenders." (Reporting by Suvashree Dey Choudhury and Sankalp Phartiyal; Editing by Euan Rocha, Rafael Nam and Jason Neely)
Infosys in October reported a 3.3 percent year-on-year rise in profits for the second quarter (AFP Photo/MANJUNATH KIRAN) (AFP/File)

Indian IT giant Infosys on Saturday named outsider Salil Satish Parekh as chief executive, months after its top boss quit following a showdown with its founders.

Parekh, an executive at French consultancy firm Capgemini, will start a five-year stint in charge of the information technology behemoth from January 2, a statement said.

The Infosys board met at the headquarters in Bangalore on Saturday to confirm Parekh's appointment as CEO and managing director, according to a filing to the Mumbai stock exchange.

His predecessor Vishal Sikka quit the company in a surprise move in August amid boardroom tensions.

Sikka had come under fire from some founders over his style of corporate governance and salary increases for top executives.

Following his resignation, Infosys quickly named co-founder Nandan Nilekani non-executive chairman to calm investor unrest and steady the share price.

Nilekani highlighted Parekh's "strong track record of executing business turnarounds and managing very successful acquisitions".

"The board believes that he is the right person to lead Infosys at this transformative time in our industry," he added in a statement.

Interim chief executive Infosys veteran UB Pravin Rao will continue as chief operating officer.

Parekh joined Capgemini in 2000 and occupied various leadership positions in the group.

Infosys in October reported a 3.3 percent year-on-year rise in profits for the second quarter after the boardroom turmoil hit shares for several weeks.

India became a back office to the world in the early 2000s as companies subcontracted work to firms such as Infosys, taking advantage of the country's skilled English-speaking workforce.

The $150-billion IT sector remains one of the country's flagship industries, but it is facing upheaval in the face of automation and US President Donald Trump's clampdown on visas.
UML for loktantra that people want

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has claimed that the incumbent Cabinet led by Sher Bahadur Deuba was the last government of the Nepali Congress.
When it comes to the fastest-growing industries in the United States, legal marijuana is certainly in the discussion, if not at the top of the list. According to Marijuana Business Daily's latest report, "Marijuana Business Factbook 2017," U.S. legal weed sales are expected to increase 30% this year and 45% in 2018, and to quadruple between 2016 and 2021 to $17 billion. That type of growth is a big reason why marijuana stocks have doubled or tripled in value over the trailing year.

But it's not just sales growth that's been impressive -- it's the shift that underlies cannabis's expansion. An October-released Gallup poll showed that an all-time record 64% of respondents now want to see pot legalized nationally. This is up from just 25% in 1995, the year before California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis for compassionate-use patients. Even stronger favorability is seen with medical cannabis. A survey conducted by the independent Quinnipiac University this April showed that an overwhelming 94% support legalizing medical pot, compared to just 5% who oppose the idea.

A cannabis plant growing on an outdoor commercial grow farm.

Image source: Getty Images.

Sessions loathes the marijuana industry but has been kept at bay

But not everyone is on board with the expansion of cannabis in the United States. Attorney General Jeff Sessions just might be the most ardent opponent of marijuana in the country. Having previously said that "good people don't smoke marijuana," Sessions has argued on numerous occasions that marijuana use isn't a viable substitute for opioids and that pot use correlates with increased crime rates. He has also leaned on the fact that marijuana is still a schedule I drug at the federal level, meaning that it has no recognized medical benefits and is wholly illegal, just like heroin and LSD.

However, medical and recreational pot businesses have taken solace in the fact that both the Cole Memo and Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment have thus far protected their right to operate in the 29 states that have legalized medical cannabis and eight states that voted to green-light recreational weed.

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The Cole Memo, named after former Deputy Attorney General James Cole, who served under Barack Obama, outlines a series of "rules" that states have to follow in order for the federal government to maintain a hands-off approach. These rules include ensuring that minors don't gain access to pot, that drivers under the influence of cannabis are dealt with harshly, and that cannabis grown within a state stays within that state.

A book on federal and state marijuana laws, next to a judge's gavel.

Image source: Getty Images.

Meanwhile, the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, which was introduced in 2014 and has been included in every budget proposal since, disallows the Justice Department from using federal funds to prosecute marijuana businesses operating in the aforementioned 29 states.

But these protections may soon disappear, allowing Sessions to officially declare war on the U.S. pot industry.

Is this the end of the green rush in the U.S.?

In September, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by lifting the debt ceiling and passing a budget extension through Dec. 8, 2017. However, talks to formulate a new budget, or at least another extension, haven't gone well in recent weeks. In just six days, the deadline could be hit without a new budget, leading to a government shutdown.

But there's even more at stake for the marijuana industry.

Back in September, the House Rules Committee blocked a vote on the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment (this is the same as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment), which would provide protections for pot businesses against federal prosecution. Keeping this amendment out of the House GOP's budget proposal is bad news, but it's certainly not the end of the world for the industry. As long as the Senate includes the amendment in its budget proposal, the pot industry would still be protected. Yet, as noted, the Senate and House, as well as Democrats and Republicans, aren't seeing eye to eye. If Dec. 8 passes without a deal, or if the Senate introduces a budget proposal that also excludes the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment, Sessions would be free to wage war on the marijuana industry and begin prosecuting companies. In other words, he could use federal dollars to go after marijuana businesses.

Jeff Sessions giving a speech.

Image source: Jeff Sessions' Senate webpage.

Furthermore, Sessions recently announced that the Justice Department would halt the practice of guidance memos and is reviewing the Obama administration's guidance memos, including the Cole Memo, to see if the administration overstepped its bounds.

While it's tough to tell exactly how Sessions would approach reinstituting federal law, the assumption is that he would first tackle the largest offenders (i.e., the largest marijuana grow farms). This would suggest that smaller grow farms and dispensaries would possibly be off the radar for some time, but it would be a crushing defeat for big business and investors who've taken a chance on marijuana stocks.

In other words, let the nail-biting begin for U.S.-based pot companies and marijuana-stock investors.

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The former national security adviser is now cooperating with the Mueller investigation. That takes the trail of Russian collusion to the desk of Trump

The White House is dismissing Flynn as a bit player in the history of Team Trump. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

That scampering sound you can hear is just the rats disembarking from the sinking ship.

Michael Flynn, Trumps first national security adviser, is not just any old rodent. For so long, he was the only faintly known quantity in national security to be desperate or insane enough to get close to Donald Trump.

His guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador is no minor development. As all the other stampeding rats know, it is the tip of this perilous iceberg.

How can you tell? Because suddenly the White House is dismissing Flynn as a bit player in the history of Team Trump.

Ty Cobb, the White House special counsel with the unsavory task of defending Trump on a dozen fronts, issued this statement to the press: Today, Michael Flynn, a former National Security Advisor at the White House for 25 days during the Trump Administration, and a former Obama administration official, entered a guilty plea to a single count of making a false statement to the FBI.

Worse than being a nobody, Flynn was actually an Obama official. Yes, seriously. Never mind that he was fired by Obama as head of the defense intelligence agency for being such a screwball. Cue all the talk of the deep state on the fringes of conservative media.

But thats not all. Cobb is in agreement with the real special counsel, Robert Mueller, on Flynns multiple crimes. After all, Flynn was fired precisely because he was such a rat.

The false statements involved mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation in February of this year, Cobb said. Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr Flynn. The conclusion of this phase of the Special Counsels work demonstrates again that the Special Counsel is moving with all deliberate speed and clears the way for a prompt and reasonable conclusion.

Story continues

Well, at least the last line rings true. Mueller is indeed moving with all deliberate speed, and his direction is totally reasonable.

Let us review how far Mueller has traveled in recent weeks. Its only one month since the guilty plea by one George Papadopoulos, the Trump campaigns point man on Russia, on charges of lying about his extensive efforts to collude with Russian officials during last years election.

That means its also only one month since Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman, was charged with multiple counts of laundering Ukraine government money, along with his associate Rick Gates. Manafort, who is pleading not guilty, was freed on bail of $10m this week. In lobbying, they used to call that nice work if you can get it.

And its only two weeks since we learned of Donald Trump Jrs coordination with WikiLeaks about Hillary Clintons emails, which you recall were hacked by the Trump campaigns friends in Moscow.

Flynns guilty plea suggests hes avoiding far worse charges in exchange for cooperation with Muellers investigations. That isnt surprising, given his failure to disclose his foreign lobbying and all the reporting about his various deals with Turkey and Russia during his time in the campaign, in the transition, and even in the White House.

But theres more. According to ABC News, Flynn is sharing with Mueller how Trump himself told him to contact the Russians, at first in an effort to coordinate against Isis.

Flynns cooperation takes the trail of Russian collusion to the desk of the man we all know is at the center of this plot: Donald J Trump.

We know it because Trump really cant help but broadcast his guilt. When the Russians hacked Clintons emails, Trump publicly asked them to hack some more.

When Flynn back-channeled with the Russians to undermine the Obama administration, Trump tweeted about how very smart Putin was. It remains unclear whether Putin feels the same way about Trump.

When his son was caught, ironically by email, colluding with the Russian-backed WikiLeaks, Trump tweeted there was NO COLLUSION! Maybe the ALL CAPS are the giveaway here.

Trump says he believes Putin when he claims he didnt meddle with Trumps election. At the same time, he really wants all this Russia stuff to go away.

Senator Richard Burr, the North Carolina Republican who chairs the intelligence committee, took the unusual step of going on the record about Trumps pressure to end his Russia investigation.

It was something along the lines of, I hope you can conclude this as quickly as possible, Burr said.

Of course, thats nothing compared to firing the former FBI director James Comey, presumably because he refused to end his Russia investigation before it had really started.

All this week there have been warning signs about the cracks appearing in the hull of Steamship Trump. The behavior of the 45th president has grown so bizarre that there is now open talk that he just might be unhinged.

Trump managed to astonish the far-right wingnuts with his Islamophobic tweets, cleaving apart his alliance with the British government. He hurled unfounded allegations against news executives, and continued to bleat on about Hillary Clintons emails.

Theres something so deliciously guilty about a man who claims his election rival was a threat to national security, at the same time as he was compromising national security.

Then again, Flynn himself whipped up all the Trumpistas at the party convention crowd by insisting that he would go to jail if he had done one tenth of Clintons supposed wrongdoing. Now thats truly delicious.

With all the hindsight that a week gives us, its clear that Trump isnt mad with his reckless tweeting. Hes just desperate: the last caged rat who knows he has nowhere left to go as his one-time friends leave him behind.

If he werent so crassly offensive, he might just be pitiful.
Heres how the newly-passed GOP tax plan personally benefits Donald Trump

President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that the GOP tax plan, expected to be ready for a vote on Friday in the Senate, would not benefit him personally.

Its not good for me. Believe me, Trump said at a speech in Indiana in late September. Instead, the the benefits are focused on the middle class, the working men and women, not the highest-income earners, such as Trump himself.

Trump repeated the message at a speech in Missouri on Wednesday of this week. It is going to cost me a fortune, this thing, Trump said, referring to the GOP tax plan. Believe me, believe me, this is not good for me.

Yet simply put, many tax experts do not believe him. Despite promises Trump made throughout the 2016 election campaign that he would release his tax returns, he has yet to follow through on the pledge. So its impossible to calculate the degree to which Trump could benefit from proposed tax changes. But based on everything we do know about Trumps business interests, experts say he would clearly be further enriched if and when the GOP tax plan becomes law.

Related article: How republicans overcame their doubts on tax reform

Trump will make out like a bandit on all the big items in the tax plan, Steven M. Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, told New York Times columnist James B. Stewart.

The White House and Trump himself dispute this characterization, insisting that at least some of the tax plan doesnt benefit the Trumps. A lot of the deductions that he would probably normally receive may not be part of the package, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Thursday. Until there is a final piece of legislation, I cant go into much more detail. But I know that some versions of it take out a lot of those deductions that currently benefit the President and his family.

Story continues

Fact checks by CNN, the Washington Post, and Politifact all say unequivocally that Trumps claims that the tax bill is going to cost me a fortune are untrue.

Here are three big ways that the GOP tax plan could result in a monetary windfall for President Trump and his family.

Pass-Through Business Taxes

Most businesses are so-called pass-through businesses, in which income is passed through to the owners and is taxed as individual tax income, instead of being taxed under the separate corporate tax code. Right now, the individual income rate is as high as 39.6%, but both House and Senate versions of the tax plan include special, lower rates for pass-through business owners, designed to create more parity with the corporate code. That group that includes President Trump.

We know he makes most of his money from various licensing deals. Somebody starts a business selling suits or ties or condos, and then they pay Trump for the use of his name, NPR business reporter Jim Zarroli explained this week. The Trump Organization is basically a collection of about 500 pass-through businesses.

Alternative Minimum Tax

The tax plan proposes a repeal of the alternative minimum tax, which was designed to keep wealthy taxpayers from using loopholes to avoid paying taxes, in the words of TurboTax.

Related article: Hell hath no fury like hungry grad students. Protests against GOP tax bill hit 40 universities

We know that Trump has sometimes been forced to pay the alternative minimum tax, because earlier this year Trumps 2005 tax return was made public. For that year, Donald Trump paid a federal tax rate of roughly 25% due to the alternative minimum tax. In terms of dollars, he paid $38 million in taxes on income in excess of $150 million. If the alternative minimum did not then exist, however, Trump would have paid federal taxes at a rate of only 4%, according to the Times Stewart, saving him well over $30 million in taxes just that year.

If the alternative minimum is repealed, its easy to see how Trump and others could regain the ability to use loopholes to slash their taxes.

Estate Tax

The current estate tax affects only 0.2% of the U.S. populationand its only the ultra-wealthy who are impacted. As of 2016, only individuals whose entire estate is valued higher than $5.45 million are affected. When such an individual dies and passes along an estate to his or her heirs, the estate is taxed at a rate of 40%but only on the amount thats higher than the $5.45 million exemption.

The GOP tax plans would ease the burden of the estate tax on the rich, and perhaps even eliminate the estate tax altogether. Both the House and Senate bills call for the estate tax exemption to increase to $11 million for individuals and $22 million for married couples, and the House bill is pushing for a complete repeal of the estate tax by 2024.

Obviously, such changes would be enormously beneficial to rich families such as Trumps. The New York Times has estimated that the Trump family would save more than $1 billion in taxes if the estate tax is repealed.

Taxes on the Rich in General

In addition to President Trumps claims that he personally will not benefit from the GOPs proposed changes to the tax code, he has also said that the tax plan is not aimed at helping the rich. I think theres very little benefit for people of wealth, Trump said in late September. The GOPs tax plan will protect low-income and middle-income households, not the wealthy and well-connected, he said in another speech.

But these claims also appear to be untrue, according to independent analyses. In general, higher income households receive larger average tax cuts as a percentage of after-tax income, with the largest cuts as a share of income going to taxpayers in the 95th to 99th percentiles of the income distribution, the latest report from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center states. On average in 2027, taxes would rise modestly for the lowest-income group, change little for middle-income groups, and decrease for higher-income groups.
From Tom Kool: OPEC followed through on its promise, extending the production cuts through the end of 2018, bringing relief to an oil market that had grown jittery in recent days.

Oil prices traded in a relatively narrow range after the meeting and appeared muted. But once concerns over a selloff calmed, oil prices rallied once again on Friday morning.

OPEC deal extended through 2018. The deal will run from January through to December, and the exact volumes of the production cuts will be the same as this year. The OPEC/non-OPEC coalition said that they would monitor market conditions and would remain agile, ready to respond if the fundamentals deviate significantly from expectations. They will revisit the agreement at the next official meeting in June 2018, but they assume the cuts will last through the end of the year. Russian officials pressed for details on an exit strategy heading into the meeting, but the group offered no information  Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih said it would be premature to do so. One notable change is that Libya and Nigeria agreed to cap their production levels at their 2017 average, which doesnt necessarily curtail supply but will prevent any surprise, as witnessed this year. The Russian and Saudi oil ministers played up their unity and boasted about their strong relationship. All smiles from Vienna.

Goldman: Oil market volatility doesnt make sense. Long-dated oil futures are more volatile than is justified, according to a research note from Goldman Sachs. The investment bank said that assurances from OPEC that the group will respond to market conditions should assuage concerns in the market about an unexpected rush of supply or, conversely, excessive tightening. The responsiveness of OPEC leads us to reiterate our view that long-dated implied volatility remains too rich, Goldman analysts wrote in the note published on Thursday.

EIA: U.S. oil production surged in September. While OPEC was meeting behind closed doors, the EIA published data for September, showing a dramatic jump in output. The U.S. produced 9.48 million barrels per day in September, an increase of 290,000 bpd from a month earlier. Aside from the size of the increase, the data was significant because it seemed to put to rest the notion that the agency was overestimating supply. For several months, the weekly data diverged from the monthly data, raising questions about how accurate the EIAs estimates were. Yesterdays data suggests that U.S. shale production is indeed growing robustly.

Shale hedging soared in 3rd quarter. New hedging contracts in the third quarter encompassed 897,000 bpd of annualized production, according to Wood Mackenzie survey of 33 companies. That is 147 percent increase from the second quarter, and a sign that shale drillers rushed to lock in hedges after WTI rose above $50 per barrel. Producers that are able to lock in prices above previous expectations may feel more comfortable with increasing activity, Andy McConn, a Wood Mackenzie research analyst, told Bloomberg. Others may leave budgets unchanged and promote higher cash-flow guidance to an investment community anxious about profits.

China gas consumption surges, leads to shortages. China has tried to replace dirty coal-fired power plants with natural gas to cut down on pollution, and by all accounts, it has succeeded. But now, the country faces natural gas shortages because of the spike in consumption. That has led officials in Hebei province to call on cities to cut their gas use.

Venezuela arrests former oil minister. The purge in Caracas continued to expand this week. After replacing the head of PDVSA and the oil minister with a military general, the Venezuelan government detained Eulogio del Pino, the former oil minister. The reason, like the other arrests, was because of corruption allegations. But the government also risks purging the country of its top oil talent, and PDVSA could struggle as production declines accelerate.

EV recharging along highways is key to adoption. Building out EV recharging networks along highways is crucial to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, ChargePoint CEO Pasquale Romano told Bloomberg in an interview, noting that recharging infrastructure is less urgent at homes and workplaces. Getting a highway infrastructure up and ready is critical, he said. Its a red-herring that there is no charging network in cities. He went on to add: The infrastructure is segueing naturally, except for highway charging, where Tesla has already proven this can be done without much trouble.

Eni receives approval to drill offshore Alaska. Eni (NYSE: E) won approval to drill an exploration well in the Beaufort Sea off of Alaskas northern coast. The shallow water wells will be drilled in winter months through early 2019.

ExxonMobil begins production at Hebron field. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) said production at the Hebron field in eastern Canada began this week, which will see peak production at 150,000 bpd. The field was first discovered in 1980 and is thought to hold 700 million barrels. Its partners in the project include Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Suncor Energy (NYSE: SU), Statoil (NYSE: STO) and Nalcor Energy-Oil and Gas Inc.

ExxonMobil close to exploration deal in Mauritania. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) said it is nearing a deal with Mauritania to explore for oil and gas offshore, which would mark its first deal in the West African country. Interest in Mauritania has climbed because of the sizable discoveries in neighboring Senegal.

Elon Musks claim for worlds largest battery to be temporary. Elon Musk made news over the past week when Tesla (NYSE: TSLA) successfully installed the worlds largest energy storage facility in Australia, a 100-megawatt project that came online in less than 100 days. But he will only hold that mantle for a short period of time  Bloomberg reports that a 150 MW project should reach completion in South Korea in three months. Developers are expected to install 1,650 MW of energy storage capacity this year, quadruple the total from 2016.

The United States Oil Fund LP ETF (USO) closed at $11.67 on Friday, up $0.20 (+1.74%). Year-to-date, USO has declined -0.43%, versus a 19.40% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

USO currently has an ETF Daily News SMART Grade of A (Strong Buy), and is ranked #3 of 130 ETFs in the Commodity ETFs category.

This article is brought to you courtesy of OilPrice.com.

You are viewing an abbreviated republication of ETF Daily News content. You can find full ETF Daily News articles on (www.etfdailynews.com)
Qualcomm Inc QCOM recently filed three new patent infringement complaints against tech giant Apple Inc AAPL.

The leading wireless chipset manufacturer claimed that another 16 of its patents were being used by Apple in its iPhones. The three cases were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego.

The filing is in response to Apples latest counterattack against Qualcomm. On Nov 29, 2017, Apple alleged that Qualcomm's Snapdragon mobile phone chips, which power various Android-based devices, infringe Apple's patents.

The Story So Far

Qualcomms filing is the latest development in the legal war between the companies over patents. The companies have been battling over licensing royalty payments since January 2017. Apple slapped a $1-billion lawsuit on Qualcomm. Qualcomm was accused of overcharging for chips and refusing to pay around $1 billion in promised rebates. This suit was counter attacked by Qualcomm in April 2017, by clearly mentioning the value of invented technologies, their contribution and share in the industry through licensing program. The filing included details about Apples illegal and improper handling of agreements and negotiations with device manufacturers, misleading regulators to attack Qualcomm around the world and not utilizing the full performance of Qualcomm's modem chips in its iPhone7.

In July 2017, Qualcomm filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) against Apple for infringing six of its patents covering various aspects of mobile phone technology. Qualcomm had requested ITC to investigate the tech giants infringing imports and issue a Limited Exclusion Order (LEO) in order to ban importation of iPhones and other products linked with the patent in the United States.

Before the dispute was solved, Apple reverted with strong backups. The company garnered the support of Silicon Valley biggies and its suppliers in the legal spat with Qualcomm. Per media reports, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA)  which includes names like Alphabet, Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc., Microsoft Corp, Samsung Electronics, Netflix Inc, Intel Corp INTC and many more  has filed a petition with the ITC to snub Qualcomm's demand of seeking an injunction on iPhone import. Meanwhile, Apples suppliers have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, accusing Qualcomm of violating two sections of the Sherman Act, part of the U.S Antitrust Law. They have claimed that Qualcomm continues to extract additional licensing money over assembling of iPhones.

Story continues

With so many twists and turns, we await results on how this dispute pans out. Moreover, Qualcomm has been long grappling with legal disputes, regulatory proceedings and their related charges.

Qualcomms Other Lawsuits

In October 2017, Qualcomm was fined around $23.4 billion Taiwan dollars (approximately U.S. $773 million) by the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission (TFTC) on grounds of anti-trust violations of its chip technology. Qualcomm is being accused for the prices charged for mobile phone chips and patents, which are in violation of Taiwanese competition law. In May 2017, Qualcomm settled a licensing dispute with BlackBerry Limited BB by paying $940 million.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is also suing Qualcomm over its licensing practices.

We expect Qualcomm to resolve all such disputes and focus on growth strategies.

Zacks Rank & Price Performance

Qualcomm currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Qualcomm portrays an impressive price performance. In the past month, shares of the company have returned 21.0% compared with the industrys rally of 11.8%.

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Ms Feinstein is a leading Democrat in the Senate: AFP

A top Democrat says that a Senate committee investigating Russias meddling in the 2016 election is looking into potential obstruction of justice charges against President Donald Trump.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that a group was putting together of a case of obstruction of justice against the President, during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press.

The comments came just after a former top White House aide plead guilty to charges brought by special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russias influence on the 2016 campaign. The guilty plea, from former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, was on charges related to lying to the FBI about contact with Russian officials, but is considered significant because it could potentially require him to testify against others in the Trump inner circle.

I think we see this in the indictments, the four indictments and pleas that have just taken place and some of the comments that are being made, Ms Feinstein said, explaining the exploration in the Senate for obstruction charges.

Mr Trump has insisted since Mr Flynns guilty plea that the charges against his former national security adviser show that there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia. Others note, however, that Mr Mueller could simply be building a case from the outside in  and that Mr Flynn could be pressured to flip on the President and other top members of the campaign.

Following those charges, Mr Trump pushed back even harder against the investigations that have dogged his presidency so far. Taking to Twitter, Mr Trump seized on recent news that a member of Mr Muellers team had been fired after it was determined he had sent anti-Trump messages.

Mr Trump, noting that the individual who was fired worked on an investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server as secretary of State, indicated that the FBIs reputation was severely damaged  and promised to fix it.
Donald Trump will remember this day. Hours after his former National Security Adviser pleaded guilty in the Russia probe and said he is cooperating with investigators, the GOP-controlled Senate passed its sweeping tax-reform bill. Its the presidents first major legislative victory after more than 10 months in office.

The Senate voted 51-49 along party lines  GOP Sen. Bob Corker joined the Democrats  to approve the legislation that will affect every American and every American business. Lawmakers were voting on the bill within hours of first seeing it, which led many Democrats to cry foul over last-minute amendments:

So heres one example of crazy-town tonight. Handwritten in the margins buried in the bill. Which we just got. Drawing is my editorial comment. pic.twitter.com/4jVu4cafbD  Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) December 2, 2017

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted this about an hour later:

Lets finish the work we started years ago. We cant let this moment slip by. Lets seize this opportunity to deliver real #TaxReform to our constituents. pic.twitter.com/1q1QVscRiE  Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) December 2, 2017

The GOP says the new reforms are designed to benefit the middle class, but their friends on the other side of the aisle say its aimed at tax relief for corporations and the mega-rich. Either way, the political importance of this legislation to the GOP cant be overstated. Trump had all but decreed that a tax bill be passed before Christmas, after hed campaigned on tax reform.

Republican leaders had been scrambling to secure the votes needed to pass the bill. Earlier on Friday  amid the news frenzy over Michael Flynns indictment  Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters they had the votes.

The GOP-led House passed its tax-reform bill two weeks ago. The congressional leadership next will work on making the twain meet.

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Washington (AFP) - The Trump administration has confirmed it rejects China's bid to be considered a market economy in the World Trade Organization, making it subject to more onerous trade penalties.

In a 41-page legal document presented to the WTO, the US Trade Representative defended its right to consider China a non-market economy when ruling on how to handle a flood of cheap imports from the manufacturing behemoth and protect domestic industry.

The European Union and Japan, among others, also reject China's bid for recognition as a market economy in the WTO. The recognition was expected to kick in a year ago, 15 years after China joined the trade body.

The US position was presented in support of the European Union in a WTO dispute with China over the issue.

An outraged Beijing called the analysis a "serious distortion of the actual situation in China."

"China urges the United States to earnestly fulfill its international obligations and take practical actions to correct its wrongdoings," China's Ministry of Commerce said, warning that "China will take the necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights" in the WTO.

The Trump administration position continues the stance maintained by the Obama administration, which said China's state-directed economy had not made the reforms necessary to operate on market principles.

The distinction is important, since governments use prices in third countries rather than those prevailing in China in cases brought by trading partners to protect domestic industries from Chinese products being dumped at prices below the cost of production.

"The evidence is overwhelming that WTO Members have not surrendered their longstanding rights ... to reject prices or costs that are not determined under market economy conditions," when deciding on anti-dumping cases, the USTR report said.

It argued that the agreement with China when it joined the WTO specified that if market economy conditions "do not prevail in China or in the industry or sector under investigation, then 'comparable' prices or costs do not exist for purposes of the dumping comparison."
Trump Thinks the U.S. Could See 6% Economic Growth. The Data Says Otherwise.

President Donald Trump, fresh off a victory in the Senate that puts him a step closer to passing a tax-cut bill by year-end, declared himself "unbeatable" for re-election in 2020  and suggested a critical element of the Congressional tax plan is open to debate.

"Unless they have somebody that we don't know about, right now we're unbeatable," Trump said Saturday at a fundraising breakfast in New York City.

The president spoke to Republican donors hours after the Senate narrowly approved the most sweeping rewrite of the U.S. tax code in three decades, slashing the corporate tax rate and providing temporary tax-rate cuts for most Americans.

Senate and House negotiators will get to work as soon as Monday to reconcile the measure with the one passed by the House in November. The bills have some significant differences, yet both versions agreed that the corporate tax rate will be set at 20 percent, versus the current 35 percent.

22 Percent Rate?

Earlier on Saturday, boarding Marine One at the White House, Trump said of the business tax rate, "it could be 22 [percent] when it comes out. We are going to see what ultimately comes out." Accepting anything other than a 20-percent rate would be a shift in position for the administration.

At New York's Cipriani restaurant, Trump linked what he cast as his electoral invincibility with this year's gains in the stock market as well as the tax plan.

"One of the reasons is what's happening with the markets, what's happening with business, what's happening with jobs," Trump told about 450 attendees at the Midtown restaurant, in the first of three fundraising events for the day that were expected to raise about $6 million.

How's Your 401(k)?

Trump also said that the rise in many people's 401k retirement balances with the stock market's surge to record highs would make a good campaign line. He recounted an anecdote that occurred backstage, before Saturday's event:

Story continues

"One great gentleman came up and he said, 'Sir, I want to thank you.' I said, 'What did I do for you?' He said, 'My 401(k) is up 40 percent.' And I never thought it! You know, I tell you, he gave me one of the great campaign lines. It's called 'How is your 401(k) doing?'"

Trump said, without elaboration, that "new numbers just came out" backing up his assessment of the electoral landscape. The comment appeared to relate to recent fundraising tallies for Republicans versus those for Democratic organizations.

The president's third event of the day was a fundraiser at the Manhattan home of billionaire Blackstone Group LP Chief Executive Officer Stephen Schwarzman, said two people familiar with the event who weren't authorized to speak publicly. Peter Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg LP, is a non-executive director at the Blackstone Group LP.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
Top executives at Uber used the encrypted chat app Wickr to hold secret conversations, current and former workers testified in court this week, setting up what could be the first major legal test of the issues raised by the use of encrypted apps inside companies.

The revelations Tuesday and Wednesday about the extensive use of Wickr inside Uber upended the high-stakes legal showdown with Alphabets Waymo unit, which accuses the ride-hailing firm of stealing its self-driving car secrets.

Apps such as Wickr, Signal, Telegram, Confide and Snapchat offer security and anonymity, with features including passcodes to open messages and automatic deletion of all copies of a message after as little as a few seconds.

There is nothing inherently unlawful about instructing employees to use disappearing messaging apps, said Timothy Heaphy, a lawyer at Hunton & Williams and a former U.S. Attorney in Virginia.

However, companies have an obligation to preserve records that may be reasonably seen as relevant to litigation or that fall under data retention rules set by industry regulators. In Ubers situation, chat logs that could help get to the bottom of the trade secrets case are now inaccessible. Uber also faces a criminal investigation over the alleged theft.

Its a knotty question for courts and lawyers on when the obligation arises to preserve records, said Julia Brickell, general counsel at the legal discovery firm H5. But if someone uses a communication device to specifically hide information from litigation because you knew it would result in litigation, that would be foul from the start.

Richard Jacobs, a security analyst whom Uber fired in April and now consults for the company, testified Tuesday that up to dozens of employees were trained to used ephemeral messaging systems, including Wickr, to communicate so that their conversations would be clandestine and could not surface in any anticipated litigation.

Two officials still at Uber testified Wednesday that multiple teams used Wickr. Among the users, they said, was Anthony Levandowski, a one-time leader of Waymos autonomous vehicle efforts who the company alleges brought trade secrets to Uber.

Story continues

Wickr key evidence

It is unclear when Uber began using Wickr, but the company said that in October of last year it began paying for a business version that gave it the ability to preserve messages for as long as a year instead of a maximum of six days.

While the contents of an individual users Wickr account would be impossible to access without the account-holders permission, the business version gives the company the ability see whatever information has not been automatically erased.

In the middle of the contentious court hearing Tuesday, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted: True that Wickr, Telegram were used often at Uber when I came in. As of Sept 27th I directed my teams NOT to use such Apps when discussing Uber-related business.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup opened the pre-trial hearing by admonishing attorneys that counsel in future cases can be found in malpractice if they do not turn over evidence from specialized communications tools.

An app such as Wickr could be a way for Levandowski to communicate By the way, how did we do that back at Waymo? and all that vanishes in 30 seconds, Alsup said. To me its plausible that it happened. And the evidence is gone now. Because it was an intentionally set up system to not leave a paper trail.

Federal civil court guidelines enable judges to tell jurors that they can presume that information covered up by a litigant and now missing would have been negative for that party, Brickell said.

Such a declaration could hurt Uber, as its primary defense has been that Waymo has turned up no concrete evidence of the trade-secret theft. Now, Waymo can claim that such evidence was simply deleted.

That they were so concerned about covering things up meant that they could have known what they were doing was a crime, said Nick Akerman, a lawyer at Dorsey & Whitney and a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan. To me, thats very powerful evidence.

Andy Wilson, chief executive of forensics software maker Logikcull, said it is already common for companies to search for usage of encrypted apps or deleted messages when conducting internal investigations.

He said his companys program is used by Salesforce.com and other businesses to scan emails and chat messages. Emails showing a user signed up for a service such as Signal or Telegram are held against them in internal investigations, he said, as are records showing a text was deleted.

Its a huge win for (customers) because it shows ill-intent on the part of the subject of the investigation, Wilson said.
(In paragraph 10, corrects to show Uber used a business version of Wickr since October last year, not for the last two years)

By Paresh Dave and Heather Somerville

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Top executives at Uber Technologies Inc used the encrypted chat app Wickr to hold secret conversations, current and former workers testified in court this week, setting up what could be the first major legal test of the issues raised by the use of encrypted apps inside companies.

The revelations Tuesday and Wednesday about the extensive use of Wickr inside Uber upended the high-stakes legal showdown with Alphabet's Inc Waymo unit, which accuses the ride-hailing firm of stealing its self-driving car secrets.

Apps such as Wickr, Signal, Telegram, Confide and Snapchat offer security and anonymity, with features including passcodes to open messages and automatic deletion of all copies of a message after as little as a few seconds.

There is nothing inherently unlawful about instructing employees to use disappearing messaging apps, said Timothy Heaphy, a lawyer at Hunton & Williams and a former U.S. Attorney in Virginia.

However, companies have an obligation to preserve records that may be reasonably seen as relevant to litigation or that fall under data retention rules set by industry regulators. In Uber's situation, chat logs that could help get to the bottom of the trade secrets case are now inaccessible. Uber also faces a criminal investigation over the alleged theft.

"It's a knotty question for courts and lawyers on when the obligation arises" to preserve records, said Julia Brickell, general counsel at the legal discovery firm H5. But "if someone uses a communication device to specifically hide information from litigation because you knew it would result in litigation, that would be foul from the start."

Richard Jacobs, a security analyst whom Uber fired in April and now consults for the company, testified Tuesday that up to dozens of employees were trained to used ephemeral messaging systems, including Wickr, to communicate so that their conversations would be clandestine and could not surface in any "anticipated litigation."

Story continues

Two officials still at Uber testified Wednesday that multiple teams used Wickr. Among the users, they said, was Anthony Levandowski, a one-time leader of Waymo's autonomous vehicle efforts who the company alleges brought trade secrets to Uber.

WICKR KEY EVIDENCE

It is unclear when Uber began using Wickr, but the company said that in October of last year it began paying for a business version that gave it the ability to preserve messages for as long as a year instead of a maximum of six days.

While the contents of an individual user's Wickr account would be impossible to access without the account-holder's permission, the business version gives the company the ability see whatever information has not been automatically erased.

In the middle of the contentious court hearing Tuesday, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted: "True that Wickr, Telegram were used often at Uber when I came in. As of Sept 27th I directed my teams NOT to use such Apps when discussing Uber-related business."

U.S. District Judge William Alsup opened the pre-trial hearing by admonishing attorneys that counsel in future cases can be "found in malpractice" if they do not turn over evidence from specialized communications tools.

An app such as Wickr "could be a way for Levandowski to communicate 'By the way, how did we do that back at Waymo?' and all that vanishes in 30 seconds," Alsup said. "To me it's plausible that it happened. And the evidence is gone now. Because it was an intentionally set up system to not leave a paper trail."

Federal civil court guidelines enable judges to tell jurors that they can presume that information covered up by a litigant and now missing would have been negative for that party, Brickell said.

Such a declaration could hurt Uber, as its primary defense has been that Waymo has turned up no concrete evidence of the trade-secret theft. Now, Waymo can claim that such evidence was simply deleted.

"That they were so concerned about covering things up meant that they could have known what they were doing was a crime," said Nick Akerman, a lawyer at Dorsey & Whitney and a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan. "To me, that's very powerful evidence."

Andy Wilson, chief executive of forensics software maker Logikcull, said it is already common for companies to search for usage of encrypted apps or deleted messages when conducting internal investigations.

He said his company's program is used by Salesforce.com Inc and other businesses to scan emails and chat messages. Emails showing a user signed up for a service such as Signal or Telegram are held against them in internal investigations, he said, as are records showing a text was deleted.

"It's a huge win for (customers) because it shows ill-intent" on the part of the subject of the investigation, Wilson said.

(Reporting by Paresh Dave and Heather Somerville in San Francisco. Additional rpeorting by Jan Wolfe in New York and Dustin Volz in Washington.; Editing by Jonathan Weber and Lisa Shumaker)
Telling reporters

America has taken a dramatic step towards becoming more attractive to business as the Senate approved the biggest tax cut for 31 years.

US corporation tax will drop from 35 per cent to 20 per cent under Donald Trumps overhaul which has been backed by Congress.

The move piles pressure on Britain to increase its competitiveness as the country seeks business and investment after Brexit.

America will have a corporation tax rate just 1 point higher than Britains 19 per cent once the change is adopted. It is currently 16 points higher.

Other new tax changes discourage US businesses from moving their profits overseas, further enhancing the countrys corporate appeal.

Mr Trump predicted companies would continue to return to America as he heralded his "historic" tax cuts.

We're going to grow the country, were going to grow jobs, we're going to be growing everything, Mr Trump said in New York.

We have companies now that are pouring back into our country, even before this. Weve just set [economic] records in so many different ways.



The Senate approved tax cut legislation in the early hours of Saturday morning by 51 to 49 votes, with just one Republican rebelling.

It is Mr Trumps biggest legislative victory since taking office. The US president praised his great Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill after they pushed through a new $1.5 trillion tax law.

Not since Ronald Reagan in 1986 has a US president rewritten the tax code so fundamentally - a boost for Mr Trump ahead of mid-term elections next year.

Appearing jubilant at a New York fundraiser, Mr Trump condemned his political opponents for voting against the legislation.

However the way the win was achieved provoked fury among Democrats after they were handed the full 479-page bill just hours before the vote.

Parts of the legislation included hand-written changes in the margins that opponents said were barely legible and whole pages scored out in ink.

Story continues

We are one step closer to delivering MASSIVE tax cuts for working families across America. Special thanks to @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell and Chairman @SenOrrinHatch for shepherding our bill through the Senate. Look forward to signing a final bill before Christmas! pic.twitter.com/gmWTny3SfS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Ever since efforts to repeal Barack Obama's health care law failed earlier this year, Mr Trump's ability to pass legislation has been questioned despite Republican majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

After that defeat the US president tasked Republican leaders in Congress with passing a major tax cut by Christmas, staking much of his political capital on the issue.

On Saturday morning, Mr Trump got his way after just a single Republican senator, Bob Corker, voted against the legislation.

The biggest change in the Senate law is slashing US corporation tax to 20 per cent, bringing America closer in line with European countries.

The amount an American can pass onto their children through assets without paying inheritance, currently $5.5 million, will also double.

But the ability for people to bring down their federal tax bill by deducting taxes paid at a state or local level will be significantly reduced.

Republicans argue the boost in growth will outweigh the increase to the US deficit from lost tax income and have framed the changes as a major boost to middle-earners.

However the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation estimated $1 trillion will be added to the US deficit, even with extra growth, and analysis suggests corporations and high-earners benefit most from the changes.

Republican critics who balked at the extra cost to the deficit were bought off with a series of individual amendments during last-minute negotiations before the vote.

The Republican senators John McCain, Jeff Flake and Susan Collins all voted for the bill despite being repeated critics of Mr Trump.

The legislation included controversial non-tax elements. It will end the requirement introduced under Obamacare for people to buy health insurance or face a fine. Previous estimates on similar measures suggest up to 13 million Americans could lose health cover as a result by 2027.

The law also opens up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas drilling, leaving environmental activists on the brink of defeat after a decades-long battle.

Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME), S Original description: (L-R) Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Senator Luther Strange (R-AL) walk to the Senate floor Credit: Brendan Smalowski/AFP

The Senates tax cuts law must now be merged with one passed by the House of Representatives, which contains some differences, before ending up on Mr Trumps desk.

The speed with which the legislation was passed - it has gone through Congress in just a month - and the last-minute changes have infuriated Democrats.

Many complained they were handed the final version of the bill just hours before the vote and were left furious by hand-written changes.

Jon Tester, a Democrat senator of Montana, called it Washington DC at its worst, adding: This is unbelievable, were doing massive tax reform on an absolute incredible timeline.

Donald Trump approval rating tracker

However Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said: "Everybody had plenty of opportunity to see the measure. You complain about process when you're losing.

In the UK, the Conservatives have made slashing corporation tax one of their central economic policies since taking office in 2010.

Britains corporation tax is currently 19 per cent and is set to drop to 17 per cent in April 2020, but there is domestic pressure to delay the cut.

Government ministers previously threatened to slash tax and regulation after leaving the European Union in an apparent Brexit negotiating tactic, but have since softened their stance.
Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez speaks during the presentation of the 2013 results at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas June 27, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Files

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela has arrested Diego Salazar, a relative of former oil czar Rafael Ramirez, as part of an investigation into a money laundering scandal in Andorra, the South American country's state prosecutor said on Friday night.

President Nicolas Maduro is overseeing what his administration calls a "crusade" against corruption in the member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Some 65 oil executives have been detained in a deepening purge that could also see the leftist leader consolidate his grip over the energy sector and sideline rivals.

The Salazar case appears to relate to what the United States in 2015 said were some $2 billion in laundered funds from Venezuelan state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., known as PDVSA, at the private bank Banca Privada D'Andorra (BPA).

Saab did not specify Salazar's role or details on the money laundering, except that it involved around 1.35 billion euros in 2011 and 2012, but he said the case was bound to grow.

"I want to highlight that this citizen will likely not be the only one detained and the only one investigated," Saab said in a phone call to state television announcing the arrest.

The arrest is bound to cast the spotlight on Ramirez, who was the powerful head of PDVSA and the oil ministry for a decade before Maduro demoted him as a envoy to the United Nations in 2014.

A protracted rivalry between Maduro and Ramirez has increased in the recent weeks, sources close to the situation said this week, especially after Ramirez wrote online opinion articles criticizing PDVSA's production slump and the government's handling of Venezuela's crisis-hit economy.

Maduro sacked Ramirez, who was thought to have presidential ambitions, from his job this week and summoned him back to Caracas from New York, the people with knowledge of the situation said.

Ramirez and PDVSA did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. Salazar could not immediately be reached for comment.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buitrago; Additional reporting by Marianna Parraga; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Richard Chang)
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an event with supporters in Caracas, Venezuela December 1, 2017. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

By Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday gained more powers over the OPEC member's oil contracts, as a deepening purge looks set to strengthen the leftist leader's control of the key energy sector amid a debilitating recession.

A months-long crackdown on alleged graft in Venezuela's oil industry has led to the arrest of some 65 former executives, including two prominent officials who used to lead both the oil ministry and state oil company PDVSA.

Corruption has long plagued Venezuela, home to the world's biggest crude reserves, but the socialist government usually said "smear campaigns" were behind accusations of widespread graft.

Maduro has recently changed his tack, blaming "thieves" and "traitors" for the country's imploding economy.

PDVSA's new boss, former housing minister Major General Manuel Quevedo, said on Sunday that all oil service contracts and executive positions would be reviewed by Maduro as of Monday.

"There aren't going to be any more contracts backed by the board to keep pillaging, as has happened in some instances," said Quevedo during a visit to the ailing Paraguana Refining Center.

Further details were not immediately available. PDVSA did not respond to a request for information.

ART, WINE, GOLD CHESS SET

The most recent high-profile sweep saw Diego Salazar, a relative of former oil czar Rafael Ramirez, detained on Friday on charges of helping launder some around 1.35 billion euros to Andorra.

During his Sunday television program, Maduro flashed a painting by Venezuelan painter Armando Reveron and pictures of luxury goods, including bottles from an alleged 300,000 euro wine cellar, he said belonged to Salazar.

"Thieves!" said Maduro, banging his fist on the table, during the near five-hour broadcast. "All your assets must be expropriated," he added, stressing that the money should go to state coffers.

Reuters was not able to confirm Maduro's accusations or contact a representative for Salazar.

Story continues

His detention has spurred speculation that authorities are after Ramirez, who was the powerful head of PDVSA and the oil ministry for a decade before Maduro demoted him as an envoy to the United Nations in 2014.

A protracted rivalry between Maduro and Ramirez has increased in recent weeks, insiders say, especially after Ramirez wrote online opinion articles criticizing Maduro's handling of Venezuela's economy.

Maduro fired Ramirez last week and summoned him back to Caracas, according to people familiar with the clash.

When asked by Reuters on Whatsapp whether Ramirez was being investigated, chief state prosecutor Tarek Saab on Sunday replied: "We're investigating everyone without exceptions."

(Writing by Alexandra UlmerEditing by Sandra Maler)
FILE PHOTO: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney speaks to the media at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where he began work earlier in the day after being named acting director by U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S. on November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is willing to consider a small increase on the corporate tax rate if it is needed to finalise the bill in the U.S. Congress, White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney said on Sunday.

Mulvaney made his comments after President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that the corporate tax rate could end up at 22 percent once the Senate and House of Representatives reconcile or "conference" their respective versions of the legislation, even though both bills currently stand at 20 percent.

"My understanding is that the Senate (bill) has a 20 percent rate now. The House has a 20 percent rate now. We're happy with both of those numbers," Mulvaney said in an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation."

"If something small happens in conference that gets us across the finish line, we'll look at it on a case-by-case basis. But I don't think you'll see any significant change in our position on the corporate taxes," Mulvaney said.

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Iran has officially opened an extension of its southeastern port of Chabahar, which Tehran hopes will become a key transit hub for land-locked Afghanistan and Central Asia.

State TV said President Hassan Rohani attended the inauguration on December 3 along with dignitaries from India, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other countries.

"Through this port, goods will be delivered to neighboring countries at cheaper prices and in a shorter time," Rohani said at the ceremony.

Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi said Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman will "soon become an important commercial hub for Iran."

The extension of Chabahar port, Iran's closest sea link to the Indian Ocean, more than tripled its capacity to 8.5 million tons of cargo annually, compared with the previous 2.5 million tons.

Construction was carried out by Khatam al-Anbia, a conglomerate owned by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and a number of subcontractors, including a state-run Indian company.

Rohani Downplays Rivalry

The extension required an investment of $1 billion, including $235 million from India.

Further stages of development are due to expand the port over the next 14 years.

New Delhi has committed up to $500 million for the development of the Chabahar port along with roads and railway lines in order to get access to the Afghan and Central Asian markets while bypassing rival Pakistan.

Analysts say the Chabahar port could challenge Pakistan's Gwadar port, some 80 kilometers from Chabahar, which is being developed with Chinese investment.

However, Rohani downplayed the rivalry in his speech, saying the port would bring "more engagement and unity" among regional countries.

"We should go after positive competition," he said. "We welcome other ports in the region, we welcome Gwadar's development."

In late October, India shipped its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan from the western Indian port of Kandla. The shipment is to be taken by trucks to Afghanistan from Chabahar.

Pakistan has banned India from transporting goods through its territory to Afghanistan.

Iran is planning to link the Chabahar port with a railway to the northeastern city of Mashhad to further facilitate trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

However, the project has been slow to materialise.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
The director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says he has sent a letter to a top Iranian general warning him that Washington will hold Tehran responsible for any attacks on U.S. interests by Iran-backed forces in Iraq.

Director Mike Pompeo on December 2 told a defense forum in Simi Valley, California, that the letter to Major General Qassem Soleimani was never opened but that he wanted to send it because Soleimani had indicated his forces might threaten U.S. interests in Iraq.

"I sent a note. I sent it because he had indicated that forces under his control might in fact threaten U.S. interests in Iraq," Pompeo said. "He refused to open the letter  didn't break my heart to be honest with you."

Soleimani is commander of the Quds Force, the foreign operations for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Iranian state-run news agency Fars quoted an Iranian military official as saying that our commander refused to receive the letter, saying we dont have anything in common to talk about.

The official did not say when the letter was received, only that it was recently.

Pompeo, an opponent of the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord, told the defense forum that Tehran remains in technical compliance with the agreement, which provided Iran with relief from sanctions in exchange for reining in its nuclear program.

U.S. forces are supporting the Iraqi government in its fight against Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups.

Iran-backed militias and IRGC forces are also supporting the Iraqi government, although the United States, France, and other allies have called for Baghdad to dismantle the militais.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on October 22 said it was time for Iranian military advisers and fighters to go home and allow the Iraqi people to regain control.

"Iranian militias that are in Iraq, now that the fight against [Islamic State] is coming to a close, those militias need to go home, Tillerson said.

A senior U.S. official said Tillersons remarks referred to militia fighters known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Quds Force.

U.S. media have reported that Tillerson will soon be forced out by President Donald Trump and that Pompeo will be his replacement. The White House and Tillerson have denied the reports.

With reporting by AP, Rudaw, and IFP News
Re: According to a new report by the surgeon general [ #permalink

3 Kudos 2 Bookmarks
Unofficial GMAT score report - Schools see other programs [ #permalink

Dear all,



INSEAD and IMD both asked me to send my Unofficial GMAT score report along with my application, since I took the GMAT only 2 weeks before the application deadline. I scored a 710 and of course I am happy to send the unofficial report.



Now I just realized that the report mentions all schools that I have my GMAT scores sent to (there are 3 on mine).

This means that IMD will know I also applied to INSEAD (or at least had my scores sent there) and vice versa.



IS THIS A DESASTER? Will they conclude that I am not a 100% dedicated to the application of their own programme?

Now for IMD it is already too late, they even required a paper version of the unofficial report which is already in Switzerland. But for INSEAD I could still black out the other schools on the report. Would you recommend me to do that? Or will it look strange and I should simply disclose the other schools I apply to?



Thanks for your thoughts!
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
New York, Dec 3 (Just Earth News): Top officials from across the United Nations system called on Saturday for the Saudi-led coalition to fully lift its blockade of Yemen's Red Sea ports, warning that unless commercial imports are resumed, the threat of widespread famine in a matter of months is very real.

The officials also announced that the United Nations is sending a team to Riyadh to discuss any concerns the coalition and Saudi Arabia may have in relation to these ports. But we need the coalition to urgently grant unimpeded access for imports that are a lifeline for millions of people.

They acknowledged that the partial lifting of the blockade of Yemen's Red Sea ports in recent days is allowing humanitarian organizations to resume the provision of life-saving assistance to people in desperate need.

But given the massive scale of Yemen's humanitarian crisis, all this does is slow the collapse towards a massive humanitarian tragedy costing millions of lives. It does not prevent it, said the UN leaders, who added: Without the urgent resumption of commercial imports, especially food, fuel and medicines, millions of children, women and men risk mass hunger, disease and death.

The appeal came in a joint statement by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Achim Steiner, The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, the Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Anthony Lake, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock.

More than two years of relentless conflict between the Government and Houthi and allied rebels in Yemen, already the Arab world's poorest country, has devastated the lives of millions of people. An alarming 20.7 million people in Yemen need some kind of humanitarian or protection support, with some 9.8 million in acute need of assistance. This man-made disaster has been brutal on civilians.

In their statement today, the UN leaders said that the current ongoing commercial import restrictions have led to shortages of fuel, food and other essentials, driving up prices and wrecking lives and livelihoods. The price of wheat flour has risen by 30 per cent, while the price of fuel has doubled and that of trucked water has skyrocketed by 600 per cent in some locations.

Urban water networks in seven cities have run out of fuel and now depend on humanitarian organizations to fill in the gap. Other cities will shortly be in a similar situation if the blockade is not lifted, which would leave 11 million people without safe water.

In other areas, people are reducing their food consumption to dangerous levels in order to pay for the rising cost of water trucking, or are turning to contaminated water sources to meet their basic needs. This further compounds the risk of disease, especially among children.

Less than half of the health facilities are functioning, and more hospitals and health centers will close should fuel and water supplies not improve. Sewage networks in six main cities are compromised, threatening a renewed spike in the country's cholera outbreak, which has reached almost 1 million suspected cases and killed over 2,200 people.

Yemen remains on the cusp of one of the largest famines in modern times, says the statement, explaining that nearly 400,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition and face an increased risk of death. In addition, some eight million people could starve without urgent food assistance coming into Yemen.

With 90 per cent of the country's food imported, the lack of commercial imports through Red Sea ports would alone push a further three million people into starvation. The threat of widespread famine in a matter of months is very real, the statement warns.

This imminent catastrophe is entirely avoidable, but it requires immediate action by the coalition, says the statement, noting that while three ships carrying food have been granted permission to berth at Hudaydah port in recent days, four fuel tankers and 10 ships carrying food have all been waiting for permission to enter port.

Together, we call on the coalition to urgently open up all Yemeni Red Sea ports fully and to facilitate the entry and free-flow of humanitarian and vital commercial goods.

Photo: UNICEF/Maad Al-Zekri

Source: www.justearthnews.com
This latest display follow a series of provocative moves by Tehran at U.S. officials in the Trump administration. According to the Washington Free Beacon, any Iranian presence in the Atlantic Ocean is certain to put U.S. military leaders in edge.

Iran seems to believe that the maneuver will influence Latin American nations hostile to the U.S., such as Venezuela and Bolivia.

It also comes at a time when devastation caused by massive earthquakes along the Iran-Iraq border caused domestic dissent, and while the economy continues to drag despite promises made by Hassan Rouhani in the wake of the nuclear agreement which lifted economic sanctions. Distraction from these issues would be convenient for the regime.

Khamenei has called for a boost in the regimes military presence in international waters. The navy is in the frontline of defending the country with important regions, such as Makran, the Sea of Oman, and the international waters, in front of it, Khamenei said in Tuesday remarks celebrating Irans Navy Day. In a meeting with Iranian military leaders, he said, Presence in free waters should continue similar to the past. Khamenei further disclosed that Iran is working to produce more advanced military equipment.

He was also quoted as saying, The navy is more advanced and capable compared with 20 years ago, but this level of advance is not convincing; and a high-speed move should be pursued with determination, high morale, lots of efforts, innovation, and action.

However, the Iranian navy has not been seen as a blue-water navy, but appears to be content to stay in the Persian Gulf and the coastlines around the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. In fact, in 2014, former Iranian navy commander, Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, said that Iran planned to send ships near the U.S. to counter the American presence in the Persian Gulf, but later said the sailings had been canceled due to a change in schedule. No subsequent effort to send Iranian warships on such an encounter was mounted.
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The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and Other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, prime brokerage, and data analytics. This segment also provides trustee, paying agency, fiduciary, escrow and other financial, issuer, and support services for brokers and investors. The Market and Wealth Services segment offers clearing and custody, investment, wealth and retirement solutions, technology and enterprise data management, trading, and prime brokerage services; and clearance and collateral management services. This segment also provides integrated cash management solutions, including payments, foreign exchange, liquidity management, receivables processing and payables management, and trade finance and processing services. The Investment and Wealth Management segment offers investment management strategies and distribution of investment products, investment management, custody, wealth and estate planning, private banking, investment, and information management services. The Other segment engages in the provision of leasing, corporate treasury, derivative and other trading, corporate and bank-owned life insurance, renewable energy investment, and business exit services. It serves central banks and sovereigns, financial institutions, asset managers, insurance companies, corporations, local authorities and high net-worth individuals, and family offices. The company was founded in 1784 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Biohaven Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on discovering and developing therapies for patients with debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases in the United States. The company's pipeline products include BHV-7000, a potassium channel activator for the treatment of focal epilepsy; Troriluzole, a tripeptide prodrug that is in Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric illnesses; BHV-5500, a low-trapping glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist for neuropathic pain; and Verdiperstat, an irreversible myeloperoxidase enzyme inhibitor for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. It also offers Taldefgrobep Alfa, an anti-myostatin adnectin, which is in Phase 3 clinical trial to treat spinal muscle atrophy; and BHV-1100 that is in Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for multiple myeloma patients. The company was formerly known as Biohaven Research Ltd and changed its name to Biohaven Ltd. in Sept 2022. The company was incorporated in 2022 and is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. Biohaven Ltd. is a subsidiary of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.
1. Yes. The ordinance goes against state law and is not in the best interest of the cities.

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

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

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

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

Vote

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Exchange Income Corporation engages in aerospace and aviation services and equipment, and manufacturing businesses worldwide. It operates in two segments, Aerospace & Aviation, and Manufacturing. The Aerospace & Aviation segment offers scheduled airline, cargo, charter, and emergency medical services to communities located in Manitoba, Ontario, Nunavut, British Columbia, and Alberta, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It also provides after-market aircraft, engines, and component parts to regional airline operators; designs, modifies, maintains, and operates custom sensor-equipped aircraft; and offers maritime surveillance and support services in Canada, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. In addition, this segment provides pilot flight training services. The Manufacturing segment manufactures window wall systems primarily used in high-rise multi-family residential projects; stainless steel tanks, vessels, and processing equipment; heavy-duty pressure washing and steam systems, commercial water recycling systems, and custom tanks for the transportation of various products, primarily oil, gasoline, and water products; precision parts and components primarily used in the aerospace, defense, healthcare, and security sectors; electrical and control systems integrator focused on the agricultural material handling; and precision sheet metal and tubular products. This segment also focuses on the engineering, design, manufacture, and construction of communication infrastructure, as well as wireless and wireline construction and maintenance services; and provision of technical services. Exchange Income Corporation is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada.
Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farms in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
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.
The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides online, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 954 branches and approximately 3,766 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,300 branches and a network of contact and support center internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.
Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems; production solutions comprising coiled tubing, hydraulic workover units, downhole tools, and pumping and nitrogen services; and pipeline and process services, such as pre-commissioning, commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning. This segment also provides electrical submersible pumps, as well as artificial lift services. The Drilling and Evaluation segment offers drilling fluid systems, performance additives, completion fluids, solids control, specialized testing equipment, and waste management services; oilfield completion, production, and downstream water and process treatment chemicals and services; drilling systems and services; wireline and perforating services consists of open-hole logging, and cased-hole and slickline; and drill bits and services comprising roller cone rock bits, fixed cutter bits, hole enlargement, and related downhole tools and services, as well as coring equipment and services. This segment also provides cloud based digital services and artificial intelligence solutions on an open architecture for subsurface insights, integrated well construction, and reservoir and production management; testing and subsea services, such as acquisition and analysis of reservoir information and optimization solutions; and project management and integrated asset management services. Halliburton Company was founded in 1919 and is based in Houston, Texas.
United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Matson, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides ocean transportation and logistics services. The company's Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. It primarily transports dry containers of mixed commodities, refrigerated commodities, packaged foods and beverages, building materials, automobiles, and household goods; livestock; seafood; general sustenance cargo; and garments, footwear, e-commerce, and other retail merchandise. This segment also operates an expedited service from China to Long Beach, California, and various islands in the South Pacific, as well as Okinawa, Japan; and provides container stevedoring, refrigerated cargo services, inland transportation, container equipment maintenance, and other terminal services to ocean carriers on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, as well as in the Alaska locations of Anchorage, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor. In addition, the company offers vessel management and container transshipment services. Its Logistics segment provides multimodal transportation brokerage services, including domestic and international rail intermodal, long-haul and regional highway trucking, specialized hauling, flat-bed and project, less-than-truckload, and expedited freight services; less-than-container load consolidation and freight forwarding services; warehousing and distribution services; supply chain management services, and non-vessel operating common carrier freight forwarding services. The company serves the U.S. military, freight forwarders, retailers, consumer goods, automobile manufacturers, and other customers. The company was formerly known as Alexander & Baldwin Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Matson, Inc. in June 2012. Matson, Inc. was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Bank of America has a rich history dating back to 1800 and even earlier. It was begun by immigrants as a group of separate and unrelated banks that, over the years, merged and grew together. One such is the Bank of Italy which was founded in 1904 by Amadeo Giannini to serve Italian immigrants that were facing discrimination. He later buys out the Banca de America e de Italia (Bank of America and Italy) which was also located in San Francisco. Over the years additional mergers and changes in Federal banking legislation, as well as the boom brought on by WWI and then WWII, helped boost the bank to national prominence.

Things turned sour, however, in 1998 with a major bond default that led to yet another merger, this time with Charlotte, NC-based Nations Bank to officially become the Bank of America that exists today. At the time, the merger was the largest bank merger in history and the company has only grown in the time since.

Other additions to the new Bank of America include MBNA (a major credit card operator), Fleet Boston (then the US 7th largest and one of its oldest banks), and Merril Lynch, now Merril, which was added to the group in 2008 to provide an investment banking branch. Together the company dominates as one of the Big Four Banks in America. Bank of America lays claim to nearly 11% of all US deposits which ranks in line with its peer group and Bank of America Securities is listed as the worlds 3rd largest investment bank.

Today, Bank of America Corporation provides banking and financial services for individuals, small businesses, institutions, corporations, and governments worldwide. The bank operates in three segments Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, and Global Banking bringing in a combined revenue greater than $90 billion in 2022.

As of 2022, Bank of America serves approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers. The bank also operates more than 16,000 ATMs and digital banking platforms with approximately 41 million active users.

Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional banking and investment products for retail clients. These range from deposit accounts to savings, credit cards, consumer loans, and IRAs. The Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment and wealth management solutions including, brokerage, banking, and trust and retirement products. The Global Banking segment provides lending products and services, including commercial loans and leases for businesses of all varieties. The Global Markets segment offers market-making, clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as risk management, derivatives, and FX exchange services.
The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface.

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Ronald Reagan

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Albert Einstein

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.

Winston Churchill





It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so.

With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts.

Winston Churchill





Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

Harvey S. Firestone





It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken



Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions.

U.S. Supreme Court

Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean Cocteau
YouTube has blocked large amounts of music in Finland, after it was unable to reach a new licensing agreement with music rights organisation Teosto.

Teosto represents the rights of 31,000 local artists and 3 million international artists in Finland.

Negotiations between Google and Teosto have dragged on, according to the parties.

In the background to this happening are prolonged agreement negotiations between Teosto and Google, said Teosto.

Even though an accord has been reached on temporarily continuing with the current agreement early in the morning of November 30, Google still went through with the withdrawal. According to a notification from Google, they will start returning content to YouTube on Thursday 30 November.

Google then posted an update to its support page, saying that the content has been reinstated.

Now read: YouTube Go launching in South Africa
The latest statistics from SteamSpy show that Clicker Heroes was the most popular game in South Africa over the past two weeks.

Valve, the company behind Steam, does not release game sales figures, but estimates suggest it is by far the dominant player in the global PC digital game distribution space.

SteamSpy uses its resources to estimate the popularity of Steam titles around the world, including in South Africa.

Statistics from SteamSpy on Steam in South Africa are detailed below.

Steam in South Africa

For the week of 28 November, SteamSpy showed the following:

Total active users: 607,166 ( 75,064)

( 75,064) Share of total users: 0.22%

Share of total games: 0.23%

Owned games per user: 27.57

Average playtime (2 weeks): 29:47

Active users (2 weeks): 39%

Popular games in SA

Popular Steam games in SA Rank By players By hours (average per user) 1 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 27% Clicker Heroes 56:09 2 Dota 2 23% Left 4 Dead 2 33:21 3 PLAYERUNKNOWNS BATTLEGROUNDS 18% ARK: Survival Evolved 26:39 4 Warframe 10% Dota 2 23:44 5 Battlerite 6% Warframe 21:33 6 ARK: Survival Evolved 5% Rust 17:18 7 Rust 5% Call of Duty: WWII 16:33 8 Borderlands 2 4% Warface 16:30 9 Wallpaper Engine 4% PLAYERUNKNOWNS BATTLEGROUNDS 15:13 10 Grand Theft Auto V 3% Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 15:00

Now read: Steam changes review system to fight spammers
Canada provides additional military aid to Ukraine

Tehran accuses Israel and West of trying to organize civil war in Iran

Oppositionist: No guarantees that war with Azerbaijan can be avoided

Issue of biometric passports to Armenian citizens is temporarily suspended

Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement to be signed till end of year? Pashinyan's associate voices conditions

Erdogan says Russia and US agreed to refrain from using nuclear weapons

Azerbaijani oppositionist complains of torture by police

Kyaram Sloyan and Andranik Zohrabyan posthumously bestowed 'Hero of Artsakh' title

UN Secretary General Guterres welcomes parties' agreement on renewal of food deal

Eurasian Development Bank: Armenia is the leader among EEU countries in terms of economic growth

Greece promises to continue military support to Ukraine

Number of appeals from Azerbaijan to ECHR is growing

Pashinyan: The wheel of processes related to confiscation of illegal property is spinning

Fire hits Baghdad airport

North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Sea of Japan

Istanbul agrees to extend 'grain initiative' for another 120 days

'Hayastan' Fund to build 6 residential houses in Nerkin Khndzoresk village

Vocal as Russophobic propaganda: Azerbaijani singer sings about 'disgusting peacekeepers'

Biden congratulates Republicans on winning majority in House of Representatives

14 freight cars derailed in Kazakhstan, train traffic suspended

Newspaper: Ruben Vardanyan does not hurry to make changes in composition of Karabakh government

Russia attacks Ukraine with missiles in morning: Explosions heard in Dnieper, air defense works in Kyiv region

U.S. National Security Council: It is clear that the party ultimately responsible for this tragic incident is Russia

Gold prices decline

Russian Trade Representative to Armenia: Situation at Upper Lars checkpoint is not related to geopolitical issues

Trade Representative of Russia: Trade turnover with Armenia sets new record

Copper falls in price

Gas explodes in Fatih district of Istanbul, 10 people injured

Oil prices go down

Meteorite that fell in Britain contains key information about how oceans and life formed on Earth

Gamer drinks 12 energy drinks in ten minutes and ends up in hospital

Sweden to provide Ukraine with new military aid worth $287 million

Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania meet conditions for joining Schengen zone

Oil prices may reach $120 a barrel and stay at this level for 2 years

Zelenskyy receives 'signals' that Putin wants direct talks

Security Service of Ukraine puts Ramzan Kadyrov on wanted list

Unidentified men open fire at market in Izeh city in southwestern Iran

Karen Donfried tries to explain State Department's decision to exempt Azerbaijan from 907th Amendment

Philip Reeker says U.S. administration representatives have no access to Nagorno-Karabakh

Rimac Nevera sets speed record for production electric cars

Reeker: Pace and depth of current talks between Yerevan and Baku demonstrate potential to resolve conflict

FBI director considers TikTok threat to US National Security

Bob Menendez says Ukraine supplies Azerbaijan with phosphorus bombs it used in Karabakh

Delegation headed by Speaker of Armenian Parliament is in Tbilisi

Austin: U.S. intends to continue supplying weapons and aid to Ukraine during winter

Armenian politician charged with abuse of office, money laundering

Karen Donfried says Armenia and Azerbaijan have historic opportunity to establish lasting peace

Bob Menendez: How can the U.S. justify security assistance to the Baku regime?

Azerbaijan fires at residents of Sarushen village of Artsakh

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

Poland says Ukrainian missile could be cause of explosion

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
Predicted what?A white man dating a biracial woman?lol



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mte like...

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Lol irl

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Lol

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lol mte

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lol. That's all I'm getting from this.

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I saw this movie for the first time last Christmas bc everyone was like you have to watch love actually especially at Christmas!! I really dont think I have ever been so underwhelmed by a movie in my entire life



and wtf was that storyline with the wife cheating on her husband with his best friend??? I went my entire life thinking that cue card scene was some romantic grand gesture of love and it turned out to be THAT lmao

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Yeah a quick kiss happened and maybe thats not actually cheating? I have no idea, I just know I thought it was super weird.

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People kick up an excessive fuss about the cards scene w/ Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightley. Like yeah it's gross that he was basically stalking her, but the cards were just his way of admitting it to her so he could let it go. She shouldn't have gone and kissed him though.

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She barely kissed him. It was more like a peck. I wouldn't say she cheated on him

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i read somewhere that in the original script, Andrew Lincoln's character was gay and actually in love with Chiwetel's character. which would have been awesome, and made SO MUCH MORE SENSE. but nope they canned that because Love (is heterosexual) Actually.



Edited at 2017-12-03 06:54 am (UTC)

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It was just a friendly peck, like hey, good, you got all that out. There never was any romantic interest in her move.

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OK I see all these comments saying everyone hates it, but I only know this from the gif. I guess maybe people are like "ugh Keira Knightley scene suck", and I have no context so I didn't understand it as to that gif. But it really always seemed positive in the contexts I've seen it in.

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mte to all of this. i saw it a few years ago and was like this is the movie everyone loves? REALLY? and i say that as someone that can watch those garry marshall holiday films. also, i agree that the tone of the cue card scene is so different in context! everyone replying to say it's not that bad... it is, that storyline is weird and out of place in a rom com.

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the movie is fucking shit lmao you're not wrong



it's a shame because it has such a great cast and then it's just a bunch of awful stories

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Theres a gay porn parody of that cue card scene

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If you listen to the director's commentary, Hugh Grant is talking to Richard Curtis about the scene where Kiera kisses Andrew Lincoln's character, and he's really confused and asks Curtis something like whether she actually loves him instead of her husband. And Curtis goes "I kiss everybody on the lips, to me it's just a friendly thing to do". So a) wtf life is Richard Curtis living, but b) Curtis obviously wrote that scene with the mindset that it was a purely platonic, friendly kiss and some sort of total obliviousness to how everybody else in the universe would read that scene. But yeah, she's not meant to have any interest in Andrew Lincoln's character at all.



I still love Love Actually fiercely though, despite its many flaws.



Edit: I found the bit on the commentary:



Hugh: So in your head, as a writer, who do you think she really prefers? Her husband or this bloke?

Richard: Oh she doesn't- she's got no time at all. I mean she likes this guy, as a friend.

Hugh: But when she runs out later, and kisses him.

Richard: That's just being nice. That's my favourite bit of acting because-

Hugh: Ohhhh well that's interesting then, because that wasn't my reading, I thought-

Richard: Kiera looks to me like a girl who's done that, who's just sort of found a way of being kind to men like Bill [Nighy, who is also on the commentary and was mentioning how beautiful Kiera is] who, um, you know, want more to do with her than that.

Hugh: But she kisses him on the lips!

Richard: I never kiss anyone anywhere else except the lips.



Edited at 2017-12-03 11:47 am (UTC)

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It's a terrible, hateful movie. Literally all the "love" in it is just one person, usually an older man, finding someone, usually his younger employee, hot. The Emma Thompson cheating side-story is bizarre and totally out of place -- I guess it's supposed to say something about not all love lasting forever? Or something??



The cue cards scene might be one of the most fucked-up things in all of cinema. Plus, Rick, you don't fucking "love" her, you just FIND HER HOT and basically stalked her.



And then we have a heartwarming story about family love where Laura Linney is forever denied relationships or even a casual fuck because she needs to take care of her brother for the rest of her life. Leaving him in the care of the facility he's in would be SELFISH and SLUTTY. No life for you, Laura Linney!



And I'd be remiss not to mention all the hilarious fat jokes.



I fucking hate this movie rrrrrffdhshwvs

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Lmao Im glad Im not the only one, I barely remember this overrated ass movie but the cue cards scene is disgusting. I always thought it was royally fucked up. I think tumblr people who post it have never actually seen the movie and the context this is in.

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omg same I HATED IT!!

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Agreed. I'm usually all about the multi-story thing, especially over the holidays, but I watched it once and have zero desire to ever watch it again.

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My husband loves this movie and considers it one of his Christmas movies he HAS to watch. I don't like the movie but I love my husband something fierce, so I spend 2 hours every year daydreaming about other things while this plays.

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a few years back my roommate made me watch it w/ her because she was shocked that i hadn't watched the most romantic movie. but i was like soooo underwhelmed too where is the romance i just saw all these creepy behaviors from creepy men.

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It has to be the most overrated movie ever.

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let this movie die already

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It's probably just gonna be everyone hating on Love Actually.

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Yep, lol

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lbr Love Actually posts are never meant to be lighthearted or fun lol

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I'LL DO WHATEVER I WANT. I like Love Actually and ONTD acts like I'm not allowed to like it.I'LL DO WHATEVER I WANT.

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bitch me too the fuck

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I adore Love Actually forever, haters can suck it.

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same, like, look i don't have time to be this angry at an objectively shitty but subjectively enjoyable christmas film when I can be screaming into the ether about roman polanski and cronyism

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I have a lot of good memories of trying to see it in the UK with my friend Maria during my first year of university. We always ended up in the front fucking row (3 times) because it was sold-out forever.

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a combo of the below



- she's given up her flourishing acting career for a man, she/he is trash

- if she can get a man like him, anyone can (the most WTF comment of all)

- she's not THAT pretty (bitters please)





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What a reach

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that kid grew up real weird and hamster-y looking irl

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I saw some speech she did at a UN dinner and she's very eloquent. Kate Middleton is screwed lmao

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she actually said it twice. but thats because im the um police.

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I say um so much lmao I'm the worst with it.

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Already trying to put a woman against another...

One is shy,the other is a professional actress,there's no mystery.Diana herself was shy too,so I don't see the problem.

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i mean, one's a professional actress, the other is... not. lmao



and kate middleton will be fine, as future queen consort.

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Kate Middleton is probably relieved. She's probably happy for someone else to take the spotlight for a bit

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Fuck, harry is so fucking ugly

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k we are going a lil far with the coverage of these two

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i havent dared to go into the hammer ones...i dont know him nor do I want to lol

im just bitter cause theres not been much interesting stuff these days lmao

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lmao this truth

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Now this is a good cover. My 3rd favorite version of AIWFCIY.

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I agree it was a great cover and introduced me to the song actually



Whats your 2nd fave version?

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The duet with Bieber lol jk



My 2nd favorite is Amber Riley's version. I just love her voice and her cover is almost as festive as the original.



My favorite part of this version is the "Baby all I want for Christmas is you...and you...and you...and you...and you..." line, the look on his face lol.

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lol the timing of this i just posted my annual disclaimer on Facebook that anyone who ever tries to make me watch Love Actually with them has to also put up with my running commentary on what utterly sexist garbage it is. the running fat jokes about Martine McCutcheon i'm still like

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I know what you mean. There are parts of it I like, but the huge amount of fat jokes (mostly directed towards women rme) are just horrible.

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I loved the Lindy West recap of it 'Apparently everyone has Natalie Dysmorphic Disorder'. https://jezebel.com/i-rewatched-love-actually-and-am-here-to-ruin-it-for-al-1485136388

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this piece just reminded me all over again of why i don't read jezebel. and that's coming from someone who really doesn't like this film.

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IT IS AWFUL

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She did gain 20 lbs for the role LOL If this movie came out today I would not like it. Somehow in 2003, these things didn't bother me. It's crazy how things change.

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I need white folks to calm down lol. A red head dude came up to me last night and said he could be my Prince Harry.

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I don't know why I'm laughing so hard at that.

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Lmao

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oh my god

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Lmaoooo

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lmaoooo omg

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this is killing me

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loooooool

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lmaoo omg

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nnnnnn

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yeah, me too. depending on what he looked like.

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lmaoooo

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looollll

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oh no he didn't, LMAO

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Kitty Kelley



Jackie Kennedy underwent electric shock therapy



Nancy Regan was an astrology-obsessed shrew who beat her kids and would recycle gifts she got from the White House.



Oprah is a difficult woman with lesbian tendencies who's friendship with Gayle went beyond just friends. (Winfrey allegedly enjoys cunnilingus and likes to make poop jokes) They called each other "Darkie" and "Blackie"



George Bush was a cokehead while Laura Bush was a small-time drug dealer.



Janet Cooke

at TV Guide

A Child Called "It"

How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life

Time for part 4The so called Queen of the Poison Pen, Kitty Kelley prides herself on sensational unauthorized biographies, and we love her all the more for it. She literally combines fact and fiction, likes to be inaccurate with her source numbers, and even gets into fights with Bill O'Reilly over Oprah Winfrey, for example. Her subjects include Jackie Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Oprah Winfrey, The Windsors, The Bushes, and Nancy Regan. Sinatra tried suing her ass. She has a gift for embellishing, possibly picked up from the University of Arizona, where she allegedly stole hairbrushes. She had a nervous breakdown after getting expelled. She maintainsHer revelations include:Where is the biopic about her starring Kristin Chenoweth?Janet Cooke is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist. She wrote an article in the Washington Post in 1981 called "Jimmy's World", about an 8-year old heroin addict named Jimmy who hadThe mayor of DC was so struck by the story, that he called for investigators to find the boy, later claiming he was dead. An investigation into Cooke's background was also launched, where it was revealed that she had fabricated information about her academic credentials. Cooke resigned and returned the prize. Gabriel Garcia Marquez said that. She appeared on the Phil Donahue show in January 1982 and said that the high-pressure environment of the Post had corrupted her judgment. She said that her sources had hinted to her about the existence of a boy such as Jimmy, but, unable to find him, she eventually created a story about him in order to satisfy her editors. She now worksas a sales clerk at a clothing store in Michigan.David Pelzer's account of his traumatic childhood, this book has been praised by people like Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, and Michiko Kuwatani. However, the authenticity of his story has been called into question. His brother defended his claims, and went so far as to publish his own book backing up the stories. Their grandmother claims she witnessed no abuse, although she lived far from them at the time. She believes he was abused sometimes but not the the extent that he claims. He now works as a motivational speaker.Kaava Viswanathan wrote this book after she graduated from high school. While at Harvard University, her book became a sensation....for like a week or something? Her book became shredded in the press after it was revealed she had plagiarized multiple passages from books like The Princess Diaries, Jessica Darling, Second Helpings, and even works by Salmon Rushdie and Sophie Kinsella. In April 2006 Kaava stated that she and her publisher would print a revised version of the novel. When interviewed by Katie Couric on The Today Show, she backed up this idea. DreamWorks had originally envisioned a film adaptation but it was cancelled. She graduated in 2008 and now works as a lawyer specializing in child immigration issues.
A year after France dismantled the notorious "Jungle" migrant camp at Calais, nearly 100 Africans can be found living out in the cold in the northern port of Ouistreham. They survive thanks to donations from local people and despite the systematic intervention of the authorities to close down any encampment. "It's hell," says a 25-year-old man from Sudan. "Last night we couldn't sleep in the woods, it rained all the time. But each time we tried to sleep somewhere in the city, the police came to tell us to leave," the migrant who gave his name as Badr tells AFP. Behind him a group of volunteers from this small city of 9,000 people are handing out food. Every day Badr says he tries to slip onboard a ferry crossing the Channel to England. The African migrants, mostly from Sudan, wander the streets of the Ouistreham port amid passengers heading for and coming from the British coast. Three ferries leave daily for Portsmouth. Ouistreham is a far cry from Calais where 40 ferries leave each day for Britain and police say nearly 450 migrants are still holed up despite the French government closing the "jungle" camp and relocating thousands of migrants who had lived in the immense slum there. But after the Calais camp was shut down, migrants began showing up in this small coastal town in Normandy. - In the woods - The migrants, all young men, seek refuge in the woods around Ouistreham. One afternoon last week four of them were warming themselves around a fire amid intermittent freezing rain. "It's very cold, life is very hard here. The French people are good to us but not the authorities," says one of them named Ahmad. Another man is sleeping nearby covered with a blanket and under a tarpaulin. But when police and city workers arrive, the migrants scatter. A dumpster leaves the woods with a pile of abandoned blankets and duvets -- donations from the Ouistreham group helping migrants (CAMO). - Claims of harassment - For city's mayor Romain Bail, the migrants "for the most part do not pose any problem, in terms of aggression". But he says he doesn't want his city to become a magnet for migrants. He has taken steps to ensure that camps are not set up and has increased the police numbers. The CAMO group has accused some police of using measures such as tear gas on the migrants -- though the authorities say they intervene only to enforce the law. "They (the police) take their duvet, their phone. It's harassment," says Michel Martinez, one of the founders of CAMO. "These men have known worse. They saw bodies floating in the Mediterranean, but still there is no reason" for harassing them. "It's the citizens who take steps so the migrants don't freeze to death or die of hunger in the woods." While some city residents are hostile to the migrants, he adds, that nevertheless "every day around 15 to 20 cars come to my home to bring the migrants" food and clothing. Near the port terminal, fish merchant Sandrine Simon says she also manages to give the migrants some help. "They are looking for water to wash themselves, and electricity to charge their cellphone," she explains.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the US has abandoned or threatened to quit several international accords under his "America First" policy. Trump's advisors insist the slogan does not imply any new isolationist stance, but a pattern of disengagement from multilateral commitments has emerged. On Saturday, the Trump administration announced it was withdrawing the US from a United Nations pact to improve the handling of migrant and refugee situations, deeming it "inconsistent" with its policies. Richard Haass, former head of State Department policy under George W. Bush, has dubbed the Trump administration's pattern the "withdrawal doctrine." Here are some of the accords that Trump has abandoned or threatened: - Withdrawal - -- The US mission to the United Nations announced Saturday that the United States was ending its participation in the Global Compact on Migration. In September 2016, the 193 members of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a non-binding political declaration, the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, pledging to uphold the rights of refugees, help them resettle and ensure they have access to education and jobs. The Global Compact, based on the declaration, is due to be presented at the UN General Assembly next year. But the US mission said the declaration "contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration's immigration principles." -- Washington said in October it was pulling out of the UN's Paris-based culture and education body, UNESCO, accusing it of "anti-Israel bias." The withdrawal is to take effect at the end of next year, when the US will establish an "observer mission" to replace its UNESCO representation. -- Trump announced in June that the US will withdraw from the 196-nation Paris agreement on climate change and seek to negotiate a new global deal. Declaring he was "elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris," Trump complained that the accord gives other countries an unfair advantage over US industry and destroys American jobs. The US pullout will not take effect before November 2020. -- Within days of taking office, Trump withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was billed as the world's biggest trade pact when signed in February 2016 with 11 other Asia-Pacific nations but not China. The US pullout killed the deal before it could even be implemented. Trump pledged to negotiate bilateral pacts that would be more favorable to his country. - Renegotiation - -- In October, Trump withdrew his support for the nuclear agreement signed in July 2015 by Iran and the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany. The pact's fate is now in the hands of Congress, which may decide to break it by imposing new US sanctions on Iran, and Trump has warned that he may unilaterally quit it at any time. -- Trump has ordered a renegotiation of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada, which he has called the worst trade deal ever signed. Talks began in August but Trump has threatened to pull out of the pact and negotiate bilateral deals if his country did not get a fairer shake by the end of this year. -- The US president wants reform of the United Nations "bureaucracy," accusing the world body of bad management. Washington is the largest financial contributor to the world body. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has stressed that Washington would continue evaluating its role in UN agencies. - Criticism - -- On the campaign trail, Trump called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "obsolete" before qualifying his remarks and demanding that members of the alliance increase their defense budgets. Once in office, Trump caused jitters among US partners by waiting almost six months before clearly stating his support for Article Five of the alliance's treaty, which states that an attack on one ally is an attack on all. -- The US president regularly denounces "protectionist" measures by the European Union and the US trade deficit with Germany. Washington targeted Germany and six other nations in March with punitive anti-dumping duties on steel plates. -- Talks, begun in 2013, for the proposed US-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have been suspended, but US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has made it clear that the US side is only interested in a deal that would reduce US trade deficits. -- The World Trade Organization is also in the Trump administration's sights. At a July meeting of the G20 group of major economies, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not exclude renegotiating multilateral accords. Trump has said a border adjustment tax, which has been advanced by some Republicans to favor exports, could be a job creator. But it could also be at odds with existing rules under the WTO.
Thousands of orange-clad monks joined Cambodian Premier Hun Sen Sunday for a prayer ceremony by the famed Angkor temple, lauding "political stability" after the main opposition party was dissolved, an act that has cemented the strongman's grip on power. Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia since 1985, making him one of the world's longest-serving leaders, an accolade earned through a mix of cold political strategy, deft public relations and repression. His rule appears virtually assured after a court early this month disbanded the main opposition party ahead of next year's elections. As dawn rose over the tiered stone domes of Angkor Wat, Hun Sen joined prayers with 5,000 Buddhist monks, in a ceremony touted as celebrating peace and stability at the symbolic heart of Khmer power. Graceful apsara dancers, fingers curled in the traditional art, went through their moves as thousands gathered for the event at the vast Angkor complex -- the centrepiece of the Khmer empire which draws back to the 9th century. Hun Sen, who has cast himself as a figure of stability in a country ravaged by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, was front and centre of a morning of careful choreography. Kneeling, hands clasped in prayer, he received blessings from monks who sang Buddhist mantras and scattered flower petals. "We live with peace under the prime minister's rule," Prum Seab, 49, who was among the crowd told AFP. "I am happy." Tourism minister Thong Khon warmed to the theme. "We hold this ceremony for continuous prosperity... we pray for continued peace and stability," he told AFP, swatting away the question of a political crisis in the country. "We have no crisis, but there are politicians who are having a crisis themselves," he said. Analysts had predicted a strong challenge to Hun Sen at next year's election, after the youth vote in 2013 took the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to its best ever electoral result. But Hun Sen has rallied in the intervening years, boosting his public profile through Facebook, while systematically using the kingdom's pliant courts to hack away at the CNRP as well as critics in civil society and the media. Cambodia's main opposition party was finally dissolved this month over accusations it conspired with the United States in a treason plot. The case was blasted by Washington as baseless, while rights groups said it has hastened the country's descent into a de facto one-party state. Hun Sen has turned up the anti-American rhetoric to justify the unprecedented crackdown which has included shuttering critical media with trumped-up tax charges or arresting journalists on allegations of spying. In step, he has deepened Cambodia's embrace of regional heavyweight China, whose low-interest loans and infrastructure schemes are driving a boom in the one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that Middle Eastern countries should solve their problems together without relying on external powers. "We believe that if there is a problem in the region, it can be solved through dialogue," Rouhani said in a speech at the opening of a port in the southeastern city of Chabahar, broadcast by state television. "We do not need arms nor the intervention of foreign powers. We can solve our problems ourselves through unity and dialogue." Rouhani's comments follow an escalation in the bitter rivalry between Shiite-ruled Iran and Saudi Arabia's Sunni monarchy. The two powers back opposing groups throughout the region -- notably in Syria and Yemen -- and Saudi leaders have lately stepped up efforts to counter Iran's growing influence, raising fears of further conflict. But Rouhani said recent victories against the Islamic State group opened the way for the Middle East to move past its reputation for "war and conflict between Shiite and Sunni... and the presence and interventions of foreign powers". Saudi Arabia and Iran's critics in the West have accused Tehran of seeking to dominate the region at the expense of its neighbours. Rouhani said: "No country can claim to be the superior power in this region. Just as the superpowers couldn't accomplish that either."
Macedonian deputies voted Friday to lift the immunity of six opposition MPs to allow their prosecution over an April attack on parliament, in which scores of people were injured. Around 100 nationalist demonstrators, including masked men, stormed the assembly in Skopje on April 27 over the vote for a new parliamentary speaker, instigating bloody riots that made news around the world. Public prosecutors said this week that they had ordered an investigation into 36 people suspected of "terrorist endangerment of the constitutional order and security". So far 22 people have been put in custody or under house arrest, but the six suspected MPs, from the conservative opposition VMRO-DPMNE party, could not be detained unless their immunity was lifted. VMRO-DPMNE deputies boycotted Friday's session and said the decision was "not based on arguments and facts". April's attack followed a long-running political crisis in the small Balkan country, which the European Union stepped in to mediate. Following a corruption and wiretapping scandal, VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski stepped down in January 2016 -- after a decade in power -- as the country prepared for an early election, which was held in December last year. The vote had no clear outcome until Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev struck a coalition deal with minority ethnic Albanian parties. Ethnic Albanians make up around a quarter of Macedonia's two million people. But this deal was opposed by nationalist supporters of VMRO-DPMNE, who began holding nightly protests, saying that plans to boost the status of the Albanian language threatened national unity. The attack on parliament, which met with international condemnation, erupted over the election of an ethnic Albanian speaker. The protesters alleged the vote was illegal. Zaev, who was beaten in the rioting, became prime minister in May. In October, nationalist Pance Angelov was sentenced to four years in prison for violently pulling the hair of Social Democrat MP Radmila Sekerinska during the attack. She has since become defence minister. In May, nine Macedonians received suspended prison sentences for their part in the violence. The Social Democrats accused their rivals of fanning ethnic tensions in a bid to return to power. Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and NATO.
North Koreans have toiled and slept at construction sites in Mongolia, they have operated cashmere sewing machines, and their acupuncture skills are highly prized in one of the few democracies employing them. But the nearly 1,200 North Koreans living in the country wedged between Russia and China must now pack their bags as Mongolia enforces tough United Nations sanctions severely curbing trade with Pyongyang. The UN estimated in September that 100,000 North Koreans work abroad and send some $500 million in wages back to the authoritarian regime each year. But the UN Security Council ordered nations to stop providing guest worker permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang detonated its most powerful nuclear bomb. The US is now pushing for more sanctions after the regime tested another intercontinental ballistic missile in late November. North Koreans have to leave Mongolia by the end of the year as their one-year work authorisations will not be renewed, the labour ministry said. "Private entities will not be able to offer new contracts due to the UN resolution. Mongolia has been following every part of the resolution," Shijeekhuugiin Odonbaatar, a Mongolian foreign ministry official, told AFP. The number of North Koreans working in Mongolia has dropped every year since peaking at 2,123 in 2013. There were 1,190 North Koreans employed in the vast country of three million people as of November -- often under murky work and living conditions. Most of the North Koreans who work abroad are in China and Russia, but they have also been found elsewhere in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Across the world, they work 12-hour to 16-hour days, with only one or two days off per month. The North Korean government takes between 70 and 90 percent of their monthly wages, which range from $300 to $1,000, according to the US State Department. But their days abroad are numbered. Some 150 North Koreans have left Angola. In Qatar, the contracts of some 650 construction workers will expire next year. Poland, where as many as 500 have laboured, will not renew work permits. The head of a Russian parliamentary delegation visiting North Korea this week said "everything" must be done to allow those who have already received work permits to finish their jobs in Russia, where an expert estimates around 30,000 live. - Cold basements - In Mongolia, construction companies have hired North Koreans for their reputation for working long hours without complaint. They live in toolsheds of construction sites or in the basements of apartment projects. They never take time off or even leave the construction sites as they are not allowed to wander in the city on their own. In September, a 27-year-old North Korean worker died after falling from an apartment in a residential complex under construction in Ulaanbaatar. At the fenced-off site, AFP journalists saw three toolsheds with a clothes line strung between them. The workers angrily refused to talk to the reporters and tried to grab their cameras. A South Korean Christian activist who has sought to help North Koreans said he wished that Mongolians would do more for those who work in poor conditions. "In winter most of them live in the basement of the building that they are building. There is no heating in that unfinished building," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Unfortunately, it is too risky for South Koreans to help those workers directly. I used to help some of construction workers in the past, through one man. But one day, that man just disappeared. I never saw him again." - Begging to stay - Conditions at Mongolia's garment factories have also faced scrutiny. But more than 100 North Koreans left Gobi Cashmere, Mongolia's biggest cashmere factory, after their contracts ended in August. "We hired North Koreans because of a lack of Mongolians skilled in operating garment machines," the company's lawyer, Tsogtbayariin Tsaschiker, told AFP. "The South Korean press publishes false stories that the companies pay North Koreans with shirts, not money. We paid them exactly the same salary as we pay our Mongolian workers and they work eight hours like the Mongolian workers. They used to receive their salary through Mongolian banks." North Koreans are also renowned for their skills in traditional Korean medicine, including acupuncture and chiropractic care. The facilities send their salaries to the North Korean embassy, which then pays the staff. The embassy declined to comment. The acupuncturists and chiropractors have better conditions than the construction workers as their food and apartments are provided by the clinics. Sunjidmaa Mitiya, chief doctor at Sky, a private traditional medicine hospital, said her two North Korean employees attract many customers. "Patients always have high satisfaction with their treatment and more patients come to our clinic thanks to the good results see by other clients," Mitiya said. "They work from their heart, and they are happy to work in Mongolia," she said. "The previous doctor... begged the clinic to hire him again after his contract ended."
The Philippines said Friday it had suspended a landmark public vaccination programme for the potentially deadly dengue virus after its manufacturer warned it could worsen the disease in some cases. French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced Wednesday that its world-first dengue vaccine could lead to more severe symptoms for people who had not previously been infected. The Philippines has vaccinated more than 733,000 children with Dengvaxia since 2016 when it became the first country to start using it on a mass scale. But it said Friday the programme had been suspended. "In the light of this new analysis, the DOH (Department of Health) will place the dengue vaccination programme on hold while review and consultation is ongoing with experts, key stakeholders, and the WHO (World Health Organization)," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said. Sanofi had initially said its Dengvaxia vaccine was "critical" in the fight against dengue, the world's most common mosquito-borne virus. It said Wednesday that a new study has confirmed Dengvaxia's benefits for "those who had prior infection". "For those not previously infected by dengue virus, however, the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection," Sanofi said. Duque stressed that the government had not yet received reports of any problems with Dengvaxia. "Currently, there is no reported case of severe dengue infection among those who received the vaccine," he told reporters. - Strengthened surveillance - Duque said the new findings did not mean all those who have never been infected would get severe dengue if they were vaccinated. But he said the department would strengthen its ongoing surveillance of those who received Dengvaxia and would investigate any cases of people falling ill. Despite the suspension, Duque said "vaccination is essential to the integrated approach in dengue prevention and control." Asked about any legal liability that might arise from the vaccine, Duque said "our legal services plan to review the contract" with Sanofi. The WHO said in a statement that in the light of the new findings, "as a precautionary and interim measure, WHO recommends that Dengvaxia is only administered to subjects that are known to have been infected with dengue prior to vaccination." The WHO's advisory group on vaccination, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), will meet in two weeks to decide if the suspension should remain in force, it added. Dr. Julius Lecciones, director of the Philippine Children's Medical Center, said they had also received no reports of severe illness from Brazil, another country that has used the vaccine on a wide scale. In Thailand, authorities have allowed the vaccine to be used in private hospitals on a case-by-case basis since September 2016, but it is not yet approved for state facilities, said Suchada Jiamsiri, deputy director of the health ministry's Division of Vaccine Preventable Disease. "So the vaccine is not available in public programmes in Thailand," she added. Jiamsiri said Thai health agencies had planned on consulting with WHO experts on the matter. More than 1,000 people in the Philippines died from dengue last year, out of more than 211,000 suspected cases, according to the government.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarks this week on a diplomatic mission to shore up alliances in Europe and their defenses against Russian aggression and subversion. But as he prepares to set off Monday for Brussels, Vienna and Paris, his authority to speak for Washington has been called into question by a rift with President Donald Trump. Anonymous leaks from the White House suggest the top diplomat could be replaced within weeks and -- even while denying this -- Trump reminded him: "I call the final shots." Tillerson has dismissed as "laughable" reports that Trump's closest aides want him to resign, but rumors will inevitably dog him when he sits down with his European peers. His trip is structured around ministerial conferences of the NATO allies in Brussels and the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Vienna. But the most closely watched encounter will be a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the OSCE talks late in the week. At NATO, alliance partners will want to hear how America can help defend them against the newly global threat of North Korea's long-range nuclear missiles. Tillerson gave a major speech on European policy in Washington on Tuesday to preview his agenda ahead of the trip -- and he did not mince words about Russia. He will tell his NATO Western allies that they must stand shoulder-to-shoulder to oppose "the enemies that threaten our security and oppose our way of life," while Russia must be brought to reverse its intervention in eastern Ukraine through relentless sanctions pressure. - 'Best friend' - "Any resolution to the war that does not entail a fully independent, sovereign, territorially-whole Ukraine is unacceptable," Tillerson declared. "Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand by this flagrant violation of international norms," he said. But for this warning to be credible, Tillerson must be seen as speaking for the whole US government and the president, who has shown no enthusiasm for sanctions against Russia. Trump -- who in 2013 suggested he become Russian leader Vladimir Putin's "best friend" -- opposed a law passed this year by Congress that could impose new sanctions from January, over Russia's Ukraine intervention and alleged interference in the US presidential election. The White House has even attempted to play down the conclusion of US intelligence that Russia deployed hackers and propagandists to assist in Trump's election win. But since that victory, the Trump administration's other major players -- Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis -- have taken a tougher line. - Russian-backed rebels - Relations with Russia are at a low after tit-for-tat closures of diplomatic missions, although both sides seem to want to cooperate to stabilize Syria. Despite the enmity, progress may be made this week in agreeing terms for a United Nations mission in Ukraine. Putin has suggested Blue Helmet troops deploy to protect the unarmed OSCE monitors struggling to oversee the shaky ceasefire between Kiev's forces and Russian-backed rebels. Western powers would like to see the force have a broader mandate. Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel met Tillerson in Washington on Thursday, and afterwards told reporters that they found themselves in agreement on the crisis. "We believe that we absolutely need a robust mandate by the United Nations for a peacekeeping mission," Gabriel said, warning that tough negotiations lie ahead. "There are -- not minor, but truly significant -- differences between Russia, the United States and us Europeans," he said. The UN mission must have the authority to implement the truce and enforce the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the disputed and conflict-torn Donbass region, Gabriel said. "We share this view with our American partners," the German minister added. Despite overwhelming evidence of its involvement, Moscow continues to deny that it has played a role in the eastern Ukraine fighting. - Missile shield - On North Korea, Europe had a rude awakening on Wednesday when Kim Jong-Un's North Korean regime demonstrated that his banned missile program can, in theory, strike targets on the continent. Any high-altitude shield to protect Europe from North Korean missiles flying over the pole could breach non-proliferation deals with Russia, promising a new diplomatic row. Trump, meanwhile, has already made it clear that he thinks the United States already pays more than its fair share of the costs of NATO's collective defense. Tillerson is due to arrive in Brussels late on Monday. He has talks with EU and NATO leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday before flying on to Vienna for the OSCE. Heading home on Friday, he will stop in Paris for talks with senior French officials. dc-burs/it
President Jacob Zuma gestures as he addresses the parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham (Reuters)

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa and Morocco will resume diplomatic ties more than a decade after Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Pretoria, South African President Jacob Zuma said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday.

Morocco recalled its ambassador from South Africa in 2004 after former South African president Thabo Mbeki recognised a breakaway region in the Western Sahara which Morocco claims as part of its territory.

"Morocco is an African nation and we need to have relations with them," Zuma told City Press in the interview. "We never had problems with them anyway; they were the first to withdraw diplomatic relations."

Zuma met Morocco's King Mohammed last week on the sidelines of an African Union-European Union summit.

"They felt that even if we differ on the Western Sahara issues, the two countries should have a relationship," Zuma said about Moroccan officials' position at the meeting.

South Africa's official government position - as re-affirmed by Zuma in one of his state of the nation addresses - is to support "self determination and decolonisation for the Western Sahara".

The decision to re-establish ties with Morocco is likely to go down badly with some members of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), of which Zuma is leader.

The ANC - as one of Africa's oldest liberation movements - has long backed those seeking independence in the Western Sahara and has accused Morocco of occupying the region.

The ruling party said in a statement it had "unequivocal support for Western Sahara" but that this did not mean it harboured enmity towards Morocco.

"There is also no ANC policy that says South Africa should isolate Morocco," the statement said.

A spokesman for South Africa's foreign ministry could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Morocco has controlled most of the Western Sahara, which is rich in phosphates and has seen some initial oil exploration efforts, since 1975. A ceasefire in 1991 called for a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, but the vote has never taken place.

(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark Potter)
2017 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #48

Posted on 3 December 2017 by John Hartz

Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... SkS in the News... SkS Spotlights... Video of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... Climate Feedback Reviews... SkS Week in Review... 97 Hours of Consensus...

Story of the Week...

In Alaska's Thawing Permafrost, Humanity's 'Library Is on Fire'

Rising Arctic temperatures are destroying ancient artifacts once preserved in the frozen ground and taking a toll on native traditions that depend on the sea ice.

As the permafrost thawed, the well-preserved body of a young girl who lived in the area hundreds of years ago was discovered in an eroding bluff. Credit: Sabrina Shankman

The Internet connection is bad. As Herman Ahsoak speaks into his iPhone, the video chat freezes periodically, his face fixed in strange contortions on the screen.

Ahsoak is in Utqiagvik, Alaska, formerly known as Barrow, the northernmost community in the United States; he is speaking to a class of high school students in Kaktovik, the only community within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, more than 300 miles east. A member of the Inupiaq, whose people have lived on the North Slope for thousands of years, Ahsoak is demonstrating how to make an ulua knife used to skin and clean animals.

"My father, when I was coming of age, he would make these in our living room," he says, his hands expertly attaching a caribou antler handle to the curved blade. "I just happened to pay attention."

Ahsoak is a whaling captain and subsistence hunter, and he has ulus for all occasions: for walrus, for belugas, and for the bowhead whales that he and other members of his community hunt each fall and spring.

But in Kaktovik, which is also an Inupiat community where people live off the food they hunt, the making of ulus has become nearly a lost art; most of the people who knew the craft have died or left. As the video feed stutters, the students take notes diligently while Ahsoak's voice carries through the line.

In Alaska's Thawing Permafrost, Humanity's 'Library Is on Fire' by Sabrina Shankman, The Weather Channel/InsideClimate News, Dec 1, 2017

Toon of the Week...

SkS in the News...

In his SYFYWire article, Science is in the air, Phil Plait wrote:

There are those who will tell you the models don't work. Those people are wrong. There are people who will tell you the science isn't understood. Those people are wrong. There are people who say human activity isnt causing this. Those people are wrong. There are people who will tell you we dont understand enough about this to take any action. Those people aren't just wrong, they're dead wrong. We can take action. We must take action.

The links embedded in the above are to four SkS Rebuttal articles:

SkS Spotlights...

GlacierHub seeks to expand and deepen the understanding of glaciers. It provides information about current scientific research, it tells stories of people who live near glaciers or who visit them, and it offers accounts of the efforts of communities and organizations to address the challenges brought by glacier retreat. It serves as well as a nexus to link people who are concerned about glaciers, so that they can communicate with each other and develop responses to the changes in glaciers. GlacierHub invites contributionswhether text, images, or sound filesfrom people who live near glaciers and from people who visit them, whether for research or for adventure or for the chance to see the beauty and majesty of glaciers from close up.

We humans have much to learn from glaciers, and the world we live in can benefit from our learning about them. They are found on every continent, in some of the worlds richest countries and some of the poorest. For residents of many high-elevation regions, glaciers give mountain homelands their distinctive character. For people who live further downslope, glaciers supply valuable water and can be sources of floods and landslides, reminding us of our dependence on the natural world. For both groups, and for those who live further away as well, glaciers are precious as well for their transcendent beauty.

And glaciers are endangered. In all areas of our warming world, they are shrinking, as winter snows are no longer sufficient to replenish their melting. So glaciers can become a theme for people who are trying to make sense of our changing world. As people search for ways to comprehend and address climate change, glaciers often come forward as potent elements in thought and action.

GlacierHub is managed by Ben Orlove, an anthropologist at the Earth Institute and CRED at Columbia University, with editing support by Ashley E. Chappo.

GlacierHub is funded by the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions under the National Science Foundation Program Decision Making Under Uncertainty (DMUU), with additional support from the MA Program in Climate and Society at Columbia University. Major funding is provided under the cooperative agreement NSF SES-0951516.

Video of the Week...

Avoiding the Unmanageable, Managing the Unavoidable: A Slogan Revisited

Hans Joachim Schellnhuber from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany speaks at the Impacts World 2017 conference.

Watch the full Opening plenary with other speakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlFSI..

Schellnhuber: Unavoidable, Many have to Migrate (~1.4 Billion affected by rising Sea 2060), Climate State/YouTube, Nov 21, 2017

Coming Soon on SkS...

The Republican Party is morally and intellectually bankrupt (Dana)

(Dana) COP23 video: Three need-to-knows from the UN climate talks in Bonn (Rosamund Pearce & Jocelyn Timperley)

(Rosamund Pearce & Jocelyn Timperley) Guest post (John Abraham)

(John Abraham) Impact of climate change on health is the major threat of 21st century (Daisy Dunne)

(Daisy Dunne) New research this week (Ari)

(Ari) 2017 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #49 (John Hartz)

(John Hartz) 2017 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Waming Digest #49 (John Hartz)

Poster of the Week...

Climate Feedback Reviews...

Climate Feedback asked its network of scientists to review the article, Ice Apocalypse by Eric Holthaus, Grist, Nov 21, 2017

Six scientists analyzed the article and estimate its overall scientific credibility to be 'high'.

A majority of reviewers tagged the article as: Accurate, Alarmist, Insightful, Sound reasoning.

Review Summary

This article at Grist by Eric Holthaus examines the risk of greater sea level rise caused by a more rapid loss of glacial ice. It focuses on a process recently added to one ice sheet model (ice cliff instability), which greatly accelerated the simulated loss of Antarctic ice in a warming climate, suggesting that we could see more sea level rise by 2100 than previously projected.

Scientists who reviewed the article found that while it accurately described recent research on these processes, it should have provided more accurate context on the timescale of these sea level rise scenarios and the scientific uncertainty about how likely these scenarios are to come to pass.

See all the scientists annotations in context

Grist article on an Ice Apocalypse mostly accurate, but doesnt make the likelihood of that apocalypse clear enough to readers, Climate Feedback, Nov 28, 2017

SkS Week in Review...

97 Hours of Consensus...

David Archer's bio page

Quote derived from:

"Global warming could be one of humankinds longest lasting legacies. The climatic impacts of releasing fossil fuel CO2 to the atmosphere will last longer than Stonehenge. Longer than time capsules, longer than nuclear waste, far longer than the age of human civilization so far. Each ton of coal that we burn leaves CO2 gas in the atmosphere. The CO2 coming from a quarter of that ton will still be affecting the climate one thousand years from now, at the start of the next millennium. And that is only the beginning."

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Arch Resources, Inc. produces and sells thermal and metallurgical coal from surface and underground mines. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated seven active mines. It also owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases approximately 28,292 acres of coal land in Ohio; 952 acres of coal land in Maryland; 10,095 acres of coal land in Virginia; 306,033 acres of coal land in West Virginia; 81,470 acres of coal land in Wyoming; 234,543 acres of coal land in Illinois; 33,047 acres of coal land in Kentucky; 362 acres of coal land in Montana; 248 acres of coal land in Pennsylvania; and 19,018 acres of coal land in Colorado, as well as smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas. The company sells its products to utility, industrial, and steel producers in the United States, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. The company was formerly known as Arch Coal, Inc. and changed its name to Arch Resources, Inc. in May 2020. Arch Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia.
Corning Incorporated engages in display technologies, optical communications, environmental technologies, specialty materials, and life sciences businesses worldwide. The company's Display Technologies segment offers glass substrates for liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablets, and handheld devices. Its Optical Communications segment provides optical fibers and cables; and hardware and equipment products, including cable assemblies, fiber optic hardware and connectors, optical components and couplers, closures, network interface devices, and other accessories. This segment also offers its products to businesses, governments, and individuals. Its Specialty Materials segment manufactures products that provide material formulations for glass, glass ceramics, crystals, precision metrology instruments, software; as well as ultra-thin and ultra-flat glass wafers, substrates, tinted sunglasses, and radiation shielding products. This segment serves various industries, including mobile consumer electronics, semiconductor equipment optics and consumables; aerospace and defense optics; radiation shielding products, sunglasses, and telecommunications components. The company's Environmental Technologies segment offers ceramic substrates and filter products for emissions control in mobile, gasoline, and diesel applications. The company's Life Sciences segment offers laboratory products comprising consumables, such as plastic vessels, liquid handling plastics, specialty surfaces, cell culture media, and serum, as well as general labware and equipment under the Corning, Falcon, Pyrex, and Axygen brands. The company was formerly known as Corning Glass Works and changed its name to Corning Incorporated in April 1989. Corning Incorporated was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Corning, New York.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Learn more .

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest, and most recognizable, stock exchanges in the world. The NYSE is in New York City, New York at 11 Wall Street. The NYSE has been in existence since the earliest days of the United States becoming a nation, in 1792 and is primarily made up of blue-chip companies with large market capitalizations. In fact, many of the stocks that make up the Dow Jones Composite Index (i.e. The Dow) are listed on the NYSE.

This article gives a brief history of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, it covers topics such as what kind of stocks trade on the exchange, what are the listing requirements, how trading is performed, and what the daily price movement of the NYSE tells investors about investor sentiment.

What Were the Origins of the NYSE?

Today, the New York Stock Exchange is known as the center of the financial universe. However, the exchanges origin is far more humble. On May 17, 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement creating a centralized exchange to help provide order to the securities market in what was still a young nation. The "Buttonwood Agreement comes from the tree of the same name under which the founders signed the agreement.

An initial benefit of the exchange was how it removed the need for auctioneers when trading commodities like wheat and tobacco and to set a commission rate. The exchange initially focused on government bonds.

However, the exchange had no formal home. Business was usually conducted informally in the local coffeehouses. In 1817, the exchange changed its name to the New York Stock & Exchange Board which later became the New York Stock Exchange. At this time, the exchange adopted a constitution that set the rules for trading. A group of stockbrokers met twice a day at 40 Wall Street to trade 30 stocks and bonds.

Over time, the exchange moved became the financial hub of the country and moved to its current location in 1865.

What Kind of Stocks Trade on the NYSE?

As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. Although the NYSE trades stocks of all market capitalizations, its best known for trading the stocks of large cap companies. These have the benefit of being mature companies in mature industries. And many of these companies reward shareholders with dividends.

However, that also means that many of these companies are better suited for value investors as opposed to growth investors. In bear markets this stability can be a benefit for investors as these stocks tend to perform less bad than more volatile stocks. But in a bull market, these stocks are not likely to provide investors with the growth that they look for.

An interesting fact about how the NYSE and NASDAQ operate is that the companies with the five largest market caps on the NYSE are also listed on the NASDAQ exchange.

What Are the Listing Requirements For the NYSE?

The NYSE has strict guidelines that govern the types of companies that can list on the exchange. Here are the major requirements that all companies must meet:

The company must have at least 2,200 shareholders

The company must trade over 100,000 shares per month

The company must have a market valuation of over $100 million

The company must generate more than $75 million in annual revenue

However, there is at least one advantage of having such stringent requirements. That is the companies that meet the requirements generally find it easier to get more investors funds when they hold their initial public offering (IPO).

Once a company begins trading on the NYSE, it must continue to meet these requirements. If it doesnt it can be delisted. In addition to these requirements, the stock must continue to trade above $1. If the price of a stock drops below $1 for more than 29 consecutive trading days, the stock receives an Initial Price Violation Notice.

At that point, the company has 10 days to provide the exchange with a plan for bringing their shares above $1.

How are Trades Executed on the NYSE?

For over a century, the floor of the NYSE was the place for investors to be. This meant trades were conducted by traders who ran buy and sell orders across the trading floor looking to broker a deal for their clients. But with the birth of the NASDAQ exchange in 1971, the New York Stock Exchange began conducting electronic trading.

However, the NYSE continues to conduct trades in an auction style. Brokers purchase stocks on behalf of their clients or firms. Every order features a broker who will enter the order electronically and a specialist who serves as the market maker for that stock. The specialist posts bid and ask prices and manages the actual execution of the trades. And there are still a handful of stockbrokers who still traffic buy and sell orders physically on the floor of the exchange.

How Does the NYSE Signal Investor Sentiment?

Like its counterpart, the NASDAQ, the NYSE measures the risk appetite of investors. When the NYSE is moving higher over a length of time, it signals that a risk on environment. Conversely when the NYSE moves lower over a significant period, it signals that investors are moving to a risk off position.

Some Final Thoughts on the NYSE

Financial news networks plan their programming schedule around the opening and closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Its still considered a distinguished honor when individuals or groups are invited to ring the opening bell. In fact, Warren Buffett is attributed with saying that in the short term, the stock market acts like a voting machine. A fact that many U.S. presidents will attest to.

The NYSE is the oldest and most recognizable of all the stock exchanges. It also has the most stringent requirements for inclusion. And those requirements must be maintained even after a stock begins publicly trading on the exchange.

Although the NYSE still has a small in-person Trading Floor, much of the trading is done electronically to provide traders with the speed to execute trades.
Energizer Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes household batteries, specialty batteries, and lighting products worldwide. It offers lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide batteries under the Energizer and Eveready brands, as well as primary, rechargeable, specialty, and hearing aid batteries. The company also provides headlights, lanterns, and children's and area lights, as well as flash lights under the Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, Hard Case, Dolphin, Varta, and WeatherReady brands. In addition, it licenses the Energizer and Eveready brands to companies developing consumer solutions in gaming, automotive batteries, portable power for critical devices, LED light bulbs, generators, power tools, household light bulbs, and other lighting products. Further, the company designs and markets automotive fragrance and appearance products, including protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners, and washes to clean, shine, refresh, and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces under the brand names of Armor All, Nu Finish, Refresh Your Car!, LEXOL, Eagle One, California Scents, Driven, and Bahama & Co; STP branded fuel and oil additives, functional fluids, and other performance chemical products; and do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning recharge products under the A/C PRO brand name, as well as other refrigerant and recharge kits, sealants, and accessories. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, and wholesalers; and through various retail and business-to-business channels, including mass merchandisers, club, electronics, food, home improvement, dollar store, auto, drug, hardware, e-commerce, convenience, sporting goods, hobby/craft, office, industrial, medical, and catalog. Energizer Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.
The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

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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.
The International Innovation Summit (IIS) 2017, which was held on December 1 and 2, 2017 in Shanghai, China, by Enterprise Asia, debated what is next after the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Over 300 delegates from across the world participated in the two-day summit.

According to most enterprises, the IIS annually provides an unparalleled platform for innovators that is power-packed with networking and sharing of insights with an elite community of business leaders.

Further to some of experts, the summit aims to resolve major challenges in innovation structures while at the same time searching for opportunities and new ideas to drive business growth for the future.

Businesses must look beyond the 4th Industrial Revolution to preparing for a world that is fully inter-connected and unlike what we are seeing today.

At the IIS 2017, most experts and innovation leaders were united in encouraging businesses to adopt innovation early, and to inculcate an organizational culture that breeds innovation.

This is a leading association of entrepreneurs in Shanghai to help prepare entrepreneurs and businesses for what it terms the Fifth Industrial Revolution, when innovation becomes ubiquitous and the new source of economic growth originates from individuals rather than large corporations and governments.

Dr. Fong Chan Onn, chairman of Enterprise Asia and a former human resources minister of Malaysia, said, Companies that encourage a culture of innovation within their respective businesses are already reaping the rewards of more rapid growth, better employee engagement and resilience against economic trends. There is little doubt that innovation is today the key game changer for many businesses, and this will continue to be so.

Many business leaders are genuinely afraid that their businesses would be disrupted, either by technology or by the shifting marketplace. The best insurance against that is to ensure that we remain committed to continuous innovation, to investing people, time and money into this crucial cornerstone of business growth. More so than ever, a business competitiveness rests in its ability to innovate, says William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia.
For these young dreamers, it is worth spending considerably more time on a photo to achieve the finest colors that digital filters just cannot compare.

At a time when taking photos is reduced to a touch on the smartphone screen, to go through all the hassles of shooting with a film camera, having the film developed, and scanning the final photo into a computer is clearly old-fashioned and an unnecessary waste of time.

Public disinterest in film photography led once big players in the industry like Yashica, Minolta and Pentax to fall into oblivion during the 2000s, as brands discontinued the production of more and more photographic films due to plummeting demand.

But it is only human nature to crave for what one lacks.

A photo by Nguyen Tung Lam

Time-transcending hobby

While people in the past were charmed by the revolutionary invention of digital cameras, those born in the digital age grow ever more curious about the technologies of their parents time.

And so they  the nostalgic children of the age of information  pick up the time-worn cameras of their forebears and begin exploring the buttons to manually adjust the shutter speed and aperture  parameters so easily configured with modern cameras automatic shooting modes.

A photo by Nguyen Tung Lam

Nguyen Tung Lam, 23, said he had been familiarizing himself with film photography since 2010.

After the first year of trying film cameras, the Hanoi-born youth said he never wanted to pick up a digital camera again, as they could never come close to producing the natural and vibrant colors found in film photos.

Shooting with films makes me feel like Im actually living in the past, Lam said.

Nguyen Tung Lam, a film photographer from Hanoi. Courtesy of Lam

Dreamers domain

Film photography requires patience: from picking the right film for a desired color grade and ISO level to loading it into a camera, shooting, developing and scanning to achieve a final product, not to mention the ever-present chance of shooting overexposed photos due to light leaks.

But it is those very delicate details that fascinate film photographers.

A photo by Nguyen Tung Lam

It is always a moment of unspeakable suspense to wait for the final product, said 21-year-old Tran Quoc Viet.

As I only know how the photos look like after they are developed, it always appears to me that any photo is unique and singular, and that I can never capture the same moment ever again.

Film photography not only tests a persons patience but also their creativity, as there are no filters or alterations that can be added after a photo has been taken.

It is not only a matter of skill, but also of emotion.

Tran Quoc Viet, a film photographer from Hanoi. Courtesy of Viet

Film is not dead

Film Photo Club  a Facebook group with over 48,000 members who are passionate film photographers in Vietnam  is proof of the arts revival in the Southeast Asian country.

Photos bearing the colors of the 70s and 80s are easy to be found on the group, taken and shared by youths who had not even been born during that time.

We choose our film cameras like we would our lovers, Lam said.

There must be some kind of bond and sense of personal attachment.

Film cameras detach themselves from the rise of digital technology.

No matter how many new digital cameras are produced, film cameras will never lose their value.

A photo by Nguyen Tung Lam

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Hundreds of college students in Ho Chi Minh City took part in a dance ensemble creating a massive logo on Sunday to welcome the 11th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

Founded in 1931, the youth union is the largest organization of young people in Vietnam, with nearly ten million members aged 16 to 30 as of 2017.

Every five years, delegates from youth union chapters across the country meet at a national congress to vote on their direction for the next five years and select a six-member secretariat, the organizations highest decision-making body.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union is under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, serving as its "reserves."

To welcome the 11th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, set to commence in Hanoi on December 10, over 900 university students in Ho Chi Minh City gathered at the Youth Culture House in District 1 on Sunday morning for a dance ensemble.

Each performer held a piece of paper that together formed a giant logo of the congress.

Ho Chi Minh City youths take part in a dance ensemble to welcome the 11th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, December 3, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dancers were those partaking in an ongoing citywide competition to select youth leaders  members of the municipal youth union chapter who excel in both academic endeavors and extracurricular activities.

The top ten contestants will participate in the final round poised to take place in January 2018.

Ho Chi Minh City youths sit a test as part of a citywide competition to select youth leaders.' Photo: Tuoi Tre

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A mountain pass in south-central Vietnam has become congested with traffic between provinces in the area because of serious landslides.

Repeated mudslides triggered by prolonged rain at the Khanh Le Pass since Saturday morning has blocked traffic between the tourist city of Da Lat in the Central Highlands and the beach city of Nha Trang in south-central Khanh Hoa Province.

Local authorities had to prohibit all vehicles from traveling on the route to ensure safety and deal with the situation.

According to Ta Thanh Tinh, an official from the Directorate for Roads in Vietnam, the rain started at around 5:30 am, causing rocks and mud to fall onto the pass.

Landslides occurred three times on Saturday morning and again in the evening, with the amount of rock estimated at 7,000 cubic meters, Tinh continued.

As rain continued throughout the day, there are high risks of flash floods and landslips, the official added.

The bad weather conditions have posed immense challenges for competent authorities to ease traffic congestion.

The Khanh Le Pass is 1,700 meters high and 33 kilometers long, being part of the over 120 kilometer long National Highway 27C, which is the essential route connecting Da Lat and Nha Trang.

The pass snakes around the mountain and consists of multiple curves and sharp turns.

On November 24, a couple were washed away by flash floods brought about by heavy rain as they were traveling on the mountain pass.

The body of the woman has been found while the man remains missing.

Due to an enhanced cold front, heavy downpours are forecast to continue from the north-central province of Ha Tinh to the south-central province of Phu Yen on Sunday, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

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A Vietnamese teenager has been arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend and hiding her body following a quarrel last week.

Pham Van Quy, 18, residing in Nghe An Province, has been held in four-month custody to assist the investigation of his murder charge, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Hai Dang, a police chief, affirmed on Sunday morning.

The victim was 17-year-old P.T.H., Quys girlfriend, who was a twelfth-grade student.

According to initial information, H. was permitted by her family to go out with Quy for a shopping date at a local market on the afternoon of November 29.

The young man later took her to a local national park for sightseeing, before the couple had a row.

Quy then stabbed H. to death and attempted to kill himself after returning home. He was brought to the hospital by his family.

Officers look for H.s body at a national park in the north-central province of Nghe An. Photo: Tuoi Tre

On the night of the same day, H.s family members panicked as the young girl had not come home and were unable to reach Quy by phone.

They later came to the infirmary, where Quy was being treated.

The teenager stated that his self-inflicted wound had been caused by some local men after he took H. home.

Quy later posted several statuses on his Facebook account, telling H. to come home and asking for his friends help.

On the night of December 1, police found H.s body at the park with multiple stabs, one of which was in her heart.

Following an investigation, officers determined that Quy had killed the girl and hidden her corpse in a bush at the park.

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SBS On Demand screens new international dramas from next week, just in time for your summer bingeing.

All three drop on Thursday, 14 December.

Berlin Station S1 & 2 (USA, 20 episodes)

Berlin Station follows CIA agent Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage), who has just arrived at the CIA station in Berlin, Germany. Miller has a clandestine mission: to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a whistle-blower named Thomas Shaw. Also starring Richard Jenkins, Rhys Ifans, and Ashley Judd in season two.

Ride Upon the Storm (Denmark, 10 episodes)

Ride Upon the Storm is a modern, character-driven Danish drama created by Adam Price (BAFTA-winning creator of Borgen) and starring Lars Mikkelsen (House of Cards) that follows a family of priests and explores how faith and religion affect their familial relationships.

Beautiful Loser (France, 10 episodes)

At 31, Julien (Sebastien Chassagne) is an eternal teenager, unable to get a grip, fleeing responsibility, penniless, and taking minor dead-end jobs. He finds himself obliged to return home and live with his mother Sylvie, in Chaville. By chance, he meets Marie (Marie Kauffmann), an ex from his teenage years he hadnt heard from  and finds out he is the dad of a 15 year old teenager. Suddenly a father, Julien must learn to grow up and take responsibility.
Actor Simon Baker will receiver the Trailblazer Award at the AACTA Awards on Wednesday.

The Award recognises the multi-disciplinary achievements of talented individuals, acknowledging their valuable contribution to promoting Australian screen excellence, both here and abroad.

Its an honour to be acknowledged at all, but to be acknowledged at home, in Australia, resonates so profoundly for me, said Baker.

Simon Bakers stellar reputation with audiences and industry worldwide has made him an incredible ambassador for the Australian screen industry and the outstanding screen talent it produces, said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. From his success on US television to his return to Australia for his feature film directorial debut, Simons career trajectory stands as an inspiration to future generations in the industry.

Baker, best known for The Mentalist, landed his first TV role in 1989s E Street (as Simon Baker-Denny), and went on to appearances in Home and Away, Sweat, Heartbreak High and The Guardian, plus film roles in LA Confidential, Red Planet, The Devil Wears Prada, I Give It a Year and Breath.

Baker was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.

TV Tonight is a partner of the 2017 AACTA Awards.
PARIS, Dec (Shanghai: 600875.SS - news) 3 (Reuters) - France won't let the official base of the European Union's parliament be moved from Strasbourg to Brussels, the country's European affairs minister Nathalie Loiseau said on Sunday.

"Strasbourg must remain the seat of European democracy. It's also the symbol of Franco-German reconciliation," she said on France 3 television.

"It is often said that Europe comes down to the Brussels bubble. Europe needs to be closer to its regions," she added.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) convene in Strasbourg for one week every month and in Brussels for the remainder. The monthly upheaval costs the bloc 114 million euros ($124 million) a year, EU auditors say.

Critics have long called for the arrangement to be scrapped, but it has stayed in place largely because France would have vetoed any attempt to make the required amendment to the EU treaty.

Some lawmakers had hoped the election victory of pro-EU President Emmanuel Macron could help plans to close the base in the French city.

On Brexit negotiations, Loiseau said there were "positive noises" ahead of a summit in Brussels set to decide whether enough progress has been made on the first phase of negotiations to move on to talks about a post-Brexit trade relationship.

But she said France remained vigilant on the issue of the land border with Ireland (Other OTC: IRLD - news) . "It's a red line which was drawn by the 27 member states and by the United Kingdom, accepted by them," she said.

Loiseau also said France was waiting for conclusions from the Eurostat statistics agency on whether the reimbursements it is due to make to companies after a dividend tax was cancelled by courts should be all included in its 2017 accounts.

That would scupper the French government's plans to bring its budget deficit below the EU-mandated 3 percent in 2017.

"In all logic, there is no reason to attribute the whole 10 billion euros to 2017. That's what we explained, we are waiting for Eurostat answers," she said.

Loiseau, a career diplomat, also said she was disappointed by Germany's decision to vote in favour of clearing the use of weedkiller glyphosate for the next five years earlier this week. (Reporting by Michel Rose and Julie Carriat; Editing by Mark Potter)
KABUL (Reuters) - The commander of the Taliban's "special forces" branch, known asthe "Red Unit," was killed last week in Helmand province by Afghan forces, according to Afghanistan's main intelligence agency.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said Mullah Shah Wali, also known as Mullah Naser, was killed in an air operation in Helmand.

The province is a Taliban stronghold in the heartland of Afghanistan's lucrative drug trade.

Wali became the commander of the Taliban's "Red Unit" as well as deputy shadow governor of Helmand province three years ago and was directly involved in Taliban offensives, the statement said. The "Red Unit" is thought to be equipped with advanced weapons, including night vision scopes, 82mm rockets, heavy machine guns and U.S.-made assault rifles, according to the Afghan military.

Wali was killed alongside a suicide bomber and two other Taliban commanders in Helmand's Musa Qala district, according to the NDS. The United States has worked hard to build up Afghan air support and attack capabilities since they were found inadequate after most foreign forces withdrew three years ago.

(Reporting by Mirwais Harooni and Hamid Shalizi; Writing by Girish Gupta; Editing by Mark Potter)
General view of the hemicycle as members of the European Parliament, several who hold a Catalonia flag (L), debate the ongoing situation in Catalonia, three days after the banned referendum on a split from Spain, in Strasbourg, France, October 4, 2017. Still picture taken from video. REUTERS/Reuters TV (Reuters)

PARIS (Reuters) - France won't let the official base of the European Union's parliament be moved from Strasbourg to Brussels, the country's European affairs minister Nathalie Loiseau said on Sunday.

"Strasbourg must remain the seat of European democracy. It's also the symbol of Franco-German reconciliation," she said on France 3 television.

"It is often said that Europe comes down to the Brussels bubble. Europe needs to be closer to its regions," she added.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) convene in Strasbourg for one week every month and in Brussels for the remainder. The monthly upheaval costs the bloc 114 million euros ($124 million) a year, EU auditors say.

Critics have long called for the arrangement to be scrapped, but it has stayed in place largely because France would have vetoed any attempt to make the required amendment to the EU treaty.

Some lawmakers had hoped the election victory of pro-EU President Emmanuel Macron could help plans to close the base in the French city.

On Brexit negotiations, Loiseau said there were "positive noises" ahead of a summit in Brussels set to decide whether enough progress has been made on the first phase of negotiations to move on to talks about a post-Brexit trade relationship.

But she said France remained vigilant on the issue of the land border with Ireland. "It's a red line which was drawn by the 27 member states and by the United Kingdom, accepted by them," she said.

Loiseau also said France was waiting for conclusions from the Eurostat statistics agency on whether the reimbursements it is due to make to companies after a dividend tax was cancelled by courts should be all included in its 2017 accounts.

That would scupper the French government's plans to bring its budget deficit below the EU-mandated 3 percent in 2017.

"In all logic, there is no reason to attribute the whole 10 billion euros to 2017. That's what we explained, we are waiting for Eurostat answers," she said.

Loiseau, a career diplomat, also said she was disappointed by Germany's decision to vote in favour of clearing the use of weedkiller glyphosate for the next five years earlier this week.

(Reporting by Michel Rose and Julie Carriat; Editing by Mark Potter)
An opposition politician of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition, reacts after a gas canister fired by policemen hits his car during a protest along a street in Nairobi, Kenya, October 13. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's opposition National Super Alliance said on Sunday that one of its key strategists had been arrested in Kwale, in the country's coastal region, and that his whereabouts were unknown.

The Alliance said economist David Ndii had been taken away from the Diani area late on Sunday.

"The family was told that he had been taken to the Diani beach police station, but when they went there they were told he was not there nor did they know where he was. No reason was given for his arrest," Salim Lone, an adviser for Raila Odinga, the coalition's leader, said in a statement.

"NASA lawyers from Nairobi and the coast are trying to locate where he is being held," he said, referring to the coalition by its acronyms.

Charles Owino, a police spokesman, said he was unaware of Ndii's arrest, as were police in Kwale.

"Police have confirmed they have David Ndii at Diani Police Station. But they want to go back to his Leopard Beach Hotel in Kwale and pick the computer and laptop for the information they need," Dennis Onyango, Odinga's spokesman, said on Twitter.

President Uhuru Kenyatta defeated Odinga in August, but Odinga challenged the election and a court voided the results, citing procedural irregularities, and ordered a fresh vote. The court's decision was the first of its kind in Africa.

Odinga boycotted the October repeat poll, saying the country's election commission had failed to carry out sufficient reforms. Kenyatta won with 98 percent of the vote.

Last week, Odinga said he planned to have a people's assembly swear him in on Dec. 12 - the country's independence day - raising the prospect for confrontation with security forces.

Lone said that Ndii had been appointed chairman of a steering committee for the steering committee organising for Odinga's planned swearing in.

"Why has @DavidNdii been arrested and where is he being held? Is he being permitted to speak to his lawyer? Is the rule of law and due process being respected?" Isaac Okero, the president of Law Society of Kenya, said on Twitter.

Kenya is a regional hub for trade, diplomacy and security. The prolonged election season disrupted its economy as investors waited to see the outcome.

(Reporting by George Obulutsa, Humphrey Malalo, additional reporting by Joseph Akwiri in Mombasa, editing by Larry King)
Hundreds of aircraft including two dozen stealth jets have landed in South Korea as the US begins joint military drills.

The two allies have begun their largest ever co-operative air exercise - dubbed Vigilant Ace - with 230 aircraft, including 24 stealth fighter jets.

North Korea warned the trial represented an "open, all-out provocation".

It is scheduled to last five days and comes less than a week after the rogue state's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test , which Pyongyang claimed was capable of hitting the US mainland.

Vigilant Ace is meant to improve the allies' wartime capabilities and preparedness, South Korea's defence ministry said.

The US Seventh Air Force has sent six F-22 and 18 F-35 stealth fighter jets among hundreds of other aircraft. About 12,000 military personnel are taking part.

In an editorial on Sunday, North Korea's Rodong newspaper said the US-South Korea drill "may lead to a nuclear war at any moment".

The piece - which came shortly after leader Kim Jong Un visited a military tyre factory - added: "The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self-destruction."

Mr Kim's factory trip saw him thank workers who had built the tyres for the huge vehicle used to transport the tested Hwasong-15 missile last week, which had prompted a public rally and fireworks in Pyongyang as the country continued to flout international sanctions.

North Korea has been eligible for even harsher sanctions since US President Donald Trump declared it a designated state sponsor of terrorism last month, and White House national security adviser HR McMaster has admitted the newspaper editorial's warning of war was credible.

At a forum on Saturday, he said: "I think it's increasing every day, which means that we are in a race to be able to solve this problem.

Story continues

"There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he's getting closer and closer, and there's not much time left."

Meanwhile, the US agency tasked with protecting America from missile attacks is reportedly scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defences.

Two congressmen have claimed the defences would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.
CARACAS (Reuters) - Members of Venezuela's government and opposition coalition failed to reach a deal in a new round of talks in the Dominican Republic on Saturday aimed at resolving the OPEC nation's protracted political crisis, but planned to meet in two weeks to try again.

Various mediation efforts have failed in recent years. Foes accuse President Nicolas Maduro of exploiting dialogue to buy time, while he says the opposition prefers violence.

Few Venezuelans expect further talks to yield a breakthrough, with Maduro's foes demoralized at seeing him consolidate power ahead of a likely re-election campaign in 2018.

The disparate Democratic Unity coalition, which failed to dislodge Maduro in months of street protests earlier this year and then succumbed to infighting, is pressing primarily for a guarantee of free and fair voting next year.

It also wants a foreign humanitarian aid corridor to alleviate one of the worst economic crises in modern history, as well as freedom for several hundred jailed activists and respect for the opposition-led congress.

"This process is difficult, heavy, hard and full of debate and confrontation," said Julio Borges, president of the opposition-led congress, adding he hoped the two sides could come closer on Dec. 15.

The government and the opposition did not compromise on any key points, according to one participant in the talks who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to media.

The opposition's bargaining power has been weakened by a surprising defeat in October gubernatorial elections. Furthermore, the multi-party group is divided, with more militant sectors opposing the talks they say simply buy the government more time.

However, debilitating U.S. sanctions against Maduro's government have given his administration more impetus for the talks. Maduro wants any potential deal with the opposition to include joint pressure on Washington to back off.

Story continues

"We said the true aid should come from putting an end to the attacks on Venezuela's economy," said information minister and government negotiator Jorge Rodriguez, who struck a more positive tone than Borges and said his side was "deeply satisfied" with the two-day talks.

There is no indication that U.S. President Donald Trump would be prepared to ease pressure on Maduro, whom he has called "a bad leader who dreams of becoming a dictator."

U.S. officials say Washington could strengthen sanctions unless Maduro enacts democratic changes.

Foreign ministers from Chile, Mexico, Bolivia, Nicaragua and host Dominican Republic acted as guarantors at the talks held at the Foreign Ministry building in Santo Domingo.

(Reporting by Andreina Aponte, Corina Pons; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi group has fired a cruise missile towards a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the group's television service reported on its website on Sunday, without providing any evidence.

There were no reports of any missiles reaching the UAE.

The Iran-aligned Houthis control much of northern Yemen and had said Abu Dhabi, a member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting against them since 2015, was a target for their missiles.

"The missile force announces the launching of a winged cruise missile ... towards the al-Barakah nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi," the website said. It gave no further details.

The Barakah project, which is being built by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), is expected to be completed and become operational in 2018, the UAE energy minister has said.

It is the second time this year the Houthis have said they have fired missiles towards the UAE. A few months ago they said they had "successfully" test fired a missile towards Abu Dhabi.

(Reporting by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Mark Potter)
President Jacob Zuma gestures as he addresses parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, November 2, 2017. Picture taken November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham (Reuters)

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa and Morocco will resume diplomatic ties more than a decade after Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Pretoria, South African President Jacob Zuma said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday.

Morocco recalled its ambassador from South Africa in 2004 after former South African president Thabo Mbeki recognised a breakaway region in the Western Sahara which Morocco claims as part of its territory.

"Morocco is an African nation and we need to have relations with them," Zuma told City Press in the interview. "We never had problems with them anyway; they were the first to withdraw diplomatic relations."

Zuma met Morocco's King Mohammed last week on the sidelines of an African Union-European Union summit.

"They felt that even if we differ on the Western Sahara issues, the two countries should have a relationship," Zuma said about Moroccan officials' position at the meeting.

South Africa's official government position - as re-affirmed by Zuma in one of his state of the nation addresses - is to support "self determination and decolonisation for the Western Sahara".

The decision to re-establish ties with Morocco is likely to go down badly with some members of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), of which Zuma is leader.

The ANC - as one of Africa's oldest liberation movements - has long backed those seeking independence in the Western Sahara and has accused Morocco of occupying the region.

The ruling party said in a statement it had "unequivocal support for Western Sahara" but that this did not mean it harboured enmity towards Morocco.

"There is also no ANC policy that says South Africa should isolate Morocco," the statement said.

A spokesman for South Africa's foreign ministry could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Morocco has controlled most of the Western Sahara, which is rich in phosphates and has seen some initial oil exploration efforts, since 1975. A ceasefire in 1991 called for a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, but the vote has never taken place.

(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark Potter)
Technically-advanced leather producer Pittards noted on Friday that the Ethiopian government has devalued its currency by 15% as of Wednesday.

The AIM-traded company said the devaluation in the currency would have no adverse effects on its trading performance, although there would be some adverse balance sheet adjustments arising on the consolidation of the Ethiopian assets at the year end.

It said it currently estimated that those adjustments would amount to approximately 1m.

In overall terms this is a positive development for Pittards as the devaluation will make its operations in Ethiopia more competitive, its board said in its statement.
Howard Whitman reiterated its buy rating and 310p price target on Greencore following a meeting with the companys chief financial officer on Tuesday.

It said key messages included a positive outlook for UK Food to Go, sustained momentum within the incumbent US business  notable accounts include 7-Eleven and Starbucks  and positive expectations for the newly acquired Peacock Foods.

The company appears well placed to perform positively in FY2017, the brokerage said.

On 14 November, Greencore announced the planned acquisition of US-based convenience food business Peacock Foods and a rights issue.

In light of this, Howard Whitman has taken the opportunity to update its forecasts. It noted the first full year of the merger will be 2018, with Greencores US business set to grow four-fold, rising from 15% of group sales to 45%. Meanwhile, synergies should kick in in 2018 also, with only very few to be felt in FY17.

Howard Whitman upped its forecasts for 2017 revenue by 63.4% to 2.5bn and for earnings before interest and tax by 31.2% to 139m.

For 2018, it lifted its revenue forecast by 80.7% to 2.85bn and its EBIT estimate by 55.1% to 177m.

At 1115 GMT, Greencore shares were up 3% to 245.10p.
News that the European Central Bank had asked Italian lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena to submit plans to reduce its non-performing loans weighed on the wider sector.

According to reports, the ECB sent a letter to the stricken lender asking that it cut its non-performing loans below 20.0% of its assets by 2018, versus about 41% at present.

The Eurozones monetary authority set a deadline of 3 October for the bank to draw-up its plans and submit them for approval.

On 26 June, the EU approved government credit guarantees for Italian banks, which some reports put at up to 150bn, for a period of six month, in a bid to help prop-up liquidity in the countrys financial system during the market turmoil following Brexit.

Some published estimates pegged the amount of NPLs on Italian banks balance sheets at roughly 360bn, with the sectors market capitalistion having been cut in half since the start of 2016.

As this decision and other precedents demonstrate there are a number of solutions that can be put in place in full compliance with EU rules to address market turbulence, a spokeswoman for the European Commission said on that occasion.

Acting as a backdrop, reports on Monday indicated Rome had drawn up plans to inject 40bn of fresh capital directly into banks to help recapitalise them, which would go against EU rules on state-aid to banks.

However, over the weekend Prime Minister Matteo Renzi told local media he preferred "market solutions" for lenders woes.

Shares of Monte dei Paschi di Siena were off by 7.11% to 0.36 and those in Banca Popolare were losing 2.72% to 0.35.

The Stoxx gauge of banks shares fell 0.70% to 125.12.
Producer of manufactured masonry products Forterra said profit was in line with expectations but is considering mothballing two plants due to current economic uncertainty.

The company reported in a six month trading update for the period ending 30 June, that profit was as expected at the time of the Forterras initial public offering in April and brick sale volumes were weighted towards house builders as it anticipated.

Forterra said sales to builders merchants were affected by excess inventory which was held by the merchant sector.

Forterra said it continued to generate strong operating cash flow and net debt of about 20m by the end of June, which exceeded its expectations.

The Northampton based company said that in light of economic uncertainty it is reviewing its production plan, but it did not mention the Brexit vote of 24 June explicitly.

Given current economic uncertainty and sufficient brick inventory levels, the board has reviewed the current production plan and has decided to maximise the utilisation of our most efficient brick plants and effectively manage our cost base.

Forterra said it is considering temporarily mothballing two brick plants in Accrington and Claughton in Lancashire.

This is a prudent action that will allow us to continue to meet customers' needs while effectively managing our costs and cash position until we are able to more effectively forecast demand.

Previously the brick plants were mothballed between 2010 and 2014. The company said this demonstrates that it bought them back to production successfully in a short period of time.

The company maintained it had sufficient brick inventory and production capacity to service customer demand should housing output continue to grow as expected.

Forterra operates about nine brick manufacturing facilities in the UK with a total production capacity of about 570m bricks per year.

Shares in Forterra were down 6.8% to 120p at 1228 BST.
The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III Scots L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Aoba Life Insurance Company Ltd., Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI Ireland L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI US L.P., Dale/P Minerals Limited Partnership, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Horizon GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sprint GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Harvest Asset Management LLC, Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., Lotus Reinsurance Company Ltd., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Montana Capital Partners, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund A LP, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund II - A LP, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Desert Falcon Farms Manager LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI River Bend Ranches LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Friendly Partners Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM AC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory Shanghai Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Australia Pty Ltd, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Feeder VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM Custom Harvest LLC, PGIM DC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC JV GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC Solutions LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM Holdings Limited, PGIM Hong Kong Ltd., PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM IRELAND LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments Ireland Limited, PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management Shanghai Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital Ireland Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM QUANTITATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC, PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Global Master Fund GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles II S de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Japan Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. CORE Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate UK Limited, PGIM Scots Limited, PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Shanghai Company Ltd., PGIM Singapore Pte. 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Ltd., Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Pramerica Insurance Agency China Company Ltd., Pramerica Luxembourg CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate Scots LP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I Scotland Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Netherlands GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Scots CP GP LLP, Preco III Scotland Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Inc., Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. 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Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha, Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Select Strategies LLC, Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Tax Services LLC, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. 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Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service, Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy US Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., VIP Australia Holding Company LLC, VIP Australia Trustee Pty Ltd, Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I Ireland L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I US L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC.

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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.
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.
How to watch and what to know about Northern Iowa at South Dakota

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Albuquerques Amanda Searcy is probably taking lots of deep, satisfying breaths these days. Her debut novel, the thriller/mystery The Truth Beneath the Lies is finally out.

In a way, Searcy said, the book has been some 15 years in the making.

She didnt start the book that long ago. Its the fifth manuscript shes written, but the first one published.

The previous ones I sent out to agents and editors. I got good comments and compliments, but they didnt go anywhere until this one, Searcy said.

The engine that led to publication was a contest she entered called Pitch Wars.

Youre mentored eight weeks, and you do a big rewrite of the manuscript. There are several agents who participate and they look at the pitches. Thats how I got my agent, Searcy recalled.

Random Houses imprint Delacorte Press is the publisher. Its the first of a two-book deal.

The Lies Beneath the Truth is aimed at readers ages 14 and up. But the author thinks it has a wider audience, that and up includes adults who like thrillers and mysteries.

The novels plot is viewed from the perspective of two girls whose lives eventually intersect. One girl is Kayla, who wants to run from her dicey mother and their unsafe living environment. The other is Betsy, who wants to survive new rules, a new school and new classmates.

Searcy is the Collection Development supervisor for the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County library system. She graduated from Eldorado High School, New Mexico State University and Englands University of Essex.

Searcy signs, discusses The Truth Beneath the Lies at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW.

With the winter holidays here, please find below some more suggested book titles for holiday gift-giving.

 Tortillas Tiswin & T-Bones, A Food History of the Southwest by Gregory McNamee. Sure, you know tortillas and T-bones. But whats a tiswin? McNamee, a respected author of books on the American Southwest, can tell you: Its a lightly alcoholic drink made of boiled corn, water and sometimes with a sweetener such as honey, blended, then fermented. McNamees book considers the ethnic traditions of many foods, ancient (chile pepper, chocolate) and more recent.

 The Book of Archives and Other Stories from the Mora Valley, New Mexico by A. Gabriel Melendez. This book brings alive people and occurrences that are part of the history of this northern New Mexico region. The archives, once written, were lost in a bomb blast in the Mexican-American War. But the intriguing tales live on thanks to the memories of poets and storytellers, including Melendez, a professor of American Studies at the University of New Mexico.

 Roadsouls by Betsy James. Inside this exciting fantasy novel are Duuni and Raim who are desperate to escape the hands theyve been dealt. They enter an unpredictable life of wandering and demonstrate the importance of creativity to transform lives. The book was a finalist for the 2017 World Fantasy Award. James is an Albuquerque writer of books for young readers.

 Joy: 100 Poems edited by Christian Wiman. Leave it to the poets of the world to enrich us with their penetrating takes. In this anthology, the subject is joy. Read what contemporary Chicana poets Sandra Cisneros and Lorna Dee Cervantes have to say. They stand tall alongside many famous poets, among them William Carlos Williams, Ted Hughes, Grace Paley, Marianne Moore, Robert Frost and Denise Levertov.
New Mexico is joining in the national #MeToo effort against sexual harassment and assault, with events scheduled for both Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

In Albuquerque, nine women will tell their stories of sexual harassment, rape, abuse and assault at Aux Dog Theatre, 3011-3015 Monte Vista NE, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. A $15 donation is requested. The Albuquerque event will benefit Crossroads for Women, which provides services for housing, mental health, recovery, physical and dental health, independent living and vocational and parenting skills.

The Santa Fe event takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Teatro Paraguas, 3205 Calle Marie, Suite B. A suggested $15 donation will go toward womens charities.

The movement spread virally beginning in October as a social media hashtag denouncing sexual assault and harassment after sexual misconduct allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Since then, millions of people have used the hashtag to come forward with their experiences, including many celebrities.

The purpose of the local events is to show the community the magnitude of the problem, co-facilitator Ramona King said.

Well have women who are telling their stories for an audience, she said. Its because of all the many women that are coming out when men have assaulted them.

Were doing this to specifically put it out there. Women are telling their stories. Were holding men accountable for acts that were unacceptable and in some cases brutal.

Similar #MeToo events will occur in 12 cities across the country, including New York, San Francisco and Seattle, from Dec. 7 to Dec. 11.
Chiricahua Apache quiver, brain-tanned leather, glass seed beads, flannel cloth, 1886. (SOURCE: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture) Mescalero Apache burden basket, late 19th century to early 20th century, twined willow, tin tinklers. Western Apache Tus (water jar), willow, cottonwood, pinon pitch. Jicarilla Apache womans cape, late 19th century to early 20th century, deerskin, bone beads, brass bells, glass seed beads, ochre dye and sinew. Chiricahua Apache quiver (SOURCE: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture) Mescalero Apache moccasins, buckskin, glass beads, yellow ochre, 1860-1900. (SOURCE: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture) Prev 1 of 6 Next

The Apaches fared poorly in both Hollywood and historic records.

Stereotyped as violent, vicious raiders who killed both settlers and tribal people, they have been largely ignored, even in New Mexico.

Lifeways of the Southern Athabaskans, opening at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture on Dec. 10, aims to change that perception.

The exhibition emphasizes the daily lives of the five Apache groups from New Mexico and southern Arizona through hunting gear, clothing, baskets and beaded objects. All of the groups are connected by the Athabaskan language family. They include the Jicarilla Apaches, Mescalero Apaches, Chiricahua Apaches (also known as Fort Sill Apaches), San Carlos Apaches and White Mountain Apaches.

Curator and museum education director Joyce Begay-Foss (Navajo) organized the items around the ways they were used. Horse culture, botanical knowledge and hunting skills become the warp woven throughout the show.

The Southern Athabaskans have lived in what is now the southwestern U.S., including New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Texas, as well as parts of northern Mexico after migrating from Alaska and Canada. In the early 1800s, these groups lived a migratory lifestyle, foraging for food and hunting game across both harsh desert and mountain terrain.

Youre going to see strands throughout the exhibition of all these different groups, Begay-Foss said. They were hunter-gatherers. They were on the move; they were nomadic. They were always having to survive.

A beaded Chiricahua Apache quiver connects to a group led by the famous medicine man and tribal leader Geronimo, Begay-Foss said. Made of brain-tanned leather, flannel cloth and beads, it dates to 1886 and was likely used to hunt deer and elk. Brain tanning made animal skins supple and soft even when wet.

Symbols of nature and the cosmos  the sun, moon, stars and birds  appeared regularly. The people used materials from trade and their own environment.

A twined willow Mescalero Apache burden basket jingles with tin tinklers dangling from the lip, their cones likely rolled from baking powder cans. The Western Apaches used pinon pitch to seal a cotton and willow water jar.

An expansive deerskin cape ushered a Jicarilla Apache girl into puberty during a four-day ceremony. Dyed with ochre, it boasts both glass and bone beads and brass bells. Family members created this ceremonial attire.

The Apaches created footwear both for themselves and their horses.

A rare pair of Chiricahuan cowhide horseshoes came from the trader and self-taught anthropologist Grenville Goodwin, who lived among the Apaches for about a decade in the 1930s.

The bound feet also helped quiet clopping hooves during horse raids, Begay-Foss added.

The Apaches based their beliefs on their relationship with nature: rocks, mountains, rivers, trees and plants. They called out to their deities for help with sickness and adversity and for the blessing of rain through song and dance.

Some of the historic literature of the Apaches is very biased  that they were violent, that they were savages, Begay-Foss said. Even in the schools today, they are the last that are studied.

The Apaches raided both the Navajos and the pueblos, behavior that worked both ways, she added.

We did the same thing, she said. They were Army scouts, too. They had to. It was just the way of life then.

If you go

WHAT: Lifeways of the Southern Athabaskans

WHEN: Opening reception 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, featuring Apache dancers. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, through July 7, 2019

WHERE: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, 710 Camino Lejo off Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe

HOW MUCH: $12 general; $7 New Mexico residents; call 505-476-1269 or visit miaclab.org
For nearly 30 years, Israela Garcia has given back to the community through dance and education.

She and her sister, Felissa, began Baila! Baila! Dance Academy in 1990 to teach children and adults the art of ballet folklorico or traditional Mexican folk dance.

The company performs a number of shows throughout the year.

Its Christmas in New Mexico has become a family tradition over the years.

I try to put new and interesting numbers in the performance, Garcia says. I also try to keep the favorites. We try to put in new regions of dance and new costumes. Its always difficult because are dealing with a cast of 80 people.

One piece that is in the annual event is Christmas Around the World. It features Christmas dances from Italy, Austria, Germany and New York City.

I took this number out one year, and people were not having it, she says. So Ive become attuned to what the audience wants to see. Its a balance, for sure. And we also want to give the audience something special every year.

Garcia says there is also a special segment called, An Old Fashioned Christmas, which pleases the audience.

There are months of preparation for the show.

Garcia says rehearsals begin for this show right after the New Mexico State Fair ends in mid-September.

She keeps a packed schedule for the dancers so they can gain experience.

We get each dancer in a role that will get them used to a production, she says. There is so much involved. It takes a lot of commitment from the dancers for this show. Its amazing to see the dancers grow year after year. Weve been doing this for so long that we have second-generation dancers coming in to perform.

Garcia also takes members of the company on trips to learn more about Mexican folk dance.

Earlier this year, we went to Guadalajara, she says. I like to expose the dancers to true art of Mexican folk dance. To be given the opportunity is priceless.
Officers arrested a man Friday night for DWI after police say he yanked the steering wheel of the car he was riding in, causing it to crash into another vehicle, drive into a yard and rupture a gas line in northeast Albuquerque.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, 30-year-old Michael Bolivar is in custody and charged with his third DWI, driving with a revoked license, careless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police say officers responded to a crash in the 8900 block of Spain NE around 9 p.m., where the investigation revealed that Bolivar had caused the crash from the passenger seat.

Bolivar grabbed the steering wheel causing the vehicle to veer off the roadway, strike a vehicle at the intersection, crash into a residenceand damage a city gas meter, an officer wrote.

Police say Bolivar, whose license is revoked for prior DWIs, had bloodshot, watery eyes and smelled like alcohol.

Bolivar told police he had two beers and two shots earlier and grabbed the steering wheel because he thought he saw glass in the road and swerved to avoid it.

Based on these facts, it was determined Bolivar took temporary careless control of the motor vehicle, causing the crash, an officer wrote in the complaint.
Heres hoping you made it through Black Friday and Small business Saturday and were able to cruise through Cyber Monday with your identity and credit card numbers intact and with no scammers in sight.

But dont rest on your laurels yet.

Theres a new round of scams, and they play on anticipated delivery of the packages youve ordered, whether through the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service, FedEx or other delivery companies.

In one version, scammers are sending out fake delivery notification emails as part of a phishing scheme to steal customer information.

Among the subject lines in these fake emails are: We could not deliver your parcel, Please Confirm Your Shipment, Problems with item delivery and Your order is ready to be delivered.

People who receive the emails can be easily fooled because the address is similar to the companys name, and the content can include company logos that look like the real thing.

Once you open the email, the scammers hope to con you into clicking on a link.

Here are some common ploys that you might see in these bogus emails, according to Kim Komando, who hosts a website about technology:

 Package could not delivered, click here to redeliver the package.

 Print the attached form and bring to your local post office to pick up your package.

 Click here to authorize the release of the package. Its held up at the post office or customs.

If you fall for the come-on, you might be taken to a legitimate-looking site that will ask you to provide account information, such as logins and credit card information. Or a clicked-upon link or attachment could unleash malware that could infect your computer, locking it up and stealing information.

Another version of the delivery scam happens by phone, when the caller says you have a package waiting for delivery or that someone else received a package intended for you. The caller will then ask you for personal information to make sure you are the correct recipient.

The moral of these seasonal scams is this: do not be persuaded to give out any personal information, either over the phone or in an email, and dont click on links or attachments.

If you think there might in fact be a package waiting for you, use the shippers tracking number to try to find out where it is, advises Consumer Reports.

Also, you can search for a phone number or email address to contact the business directly regarding delivery information.

  

In another holiday-related warning, the state attorney general has issued some recommendations when it comes to gift cards:

 Buy only from sources you know and trust. Avoid buying gift cards from online auction sites, because the cards may be counterfeit or may have been obtained fraudulently.

 Take a close look at the card before you buy it to make sure the protective stickers have not been removed. Make sure that the codes on the back of the card havent been scratched off to reveal a PIN number. Report any damaged cards to the store selling the cards.

 Check whether any fees will be deducted from the card after you purchase it.

 Give recipients the original receipt so they can verify the cards purchase in case it is lost or stolen.

  

And, finally, some non-holiday related news. AARP and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service have launched a campaign aimed at providing veterans with information to protect themselves from scams. Among the scams targeted specifically toward vets are bogus offers to turn VA benefits into cash, modify VA loans or provide new military benefits.

The effort is called Operation Protect Veterans. It asks that those who see suspicious emails, phone calls or mailings directed at veterans report them to protectveterans@aarp.org or 1-855-800-9023. For more information, go to http://states.aarp.org/operation-protect-veterans/

Ellen Marks is assistant business editor at the Albuquerque Journal. Contact her at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210.
The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) The FBI believes 45-year-old Fidel Castillo has robbed eight Albuquerque banks in the past five months (FBI) Prev 1 of 8 Next

The FBI arrested 45-year-old Fidel Castillo, accused bank robber, on Saturday at an Albuquerque home.

FBI spokesman Frank Fisher said Castillo faces charges in connection with an Aug. 11 robbery of the U.S. Bank, on 2015 Eubank, in northeast Albuquerque, he said. The FBI believes Castillo may be connected to at least eight other bank robberies in the past five months.

He said the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and Albuquerque Police Department assisted in taking Castillo into custody.

Tips generated from the ensuing media publicity were instrumental in leading authorities to Castillo, Fisher said.

The FBI announced Thursday it was offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Castillo.

He said Castillo is expected to have an initial U.S. District Court appearance in Albuquerque on Monday.

The arrest comes at a time when New Mexico is approaching a six-year record in bank robberies, with 51 so far in 2017. Of those, 42 were committed in Albuquerque.

The last spike was in 2011, when the state saw 56.

The FBI has solved around 64 percent of the robberies in New Mexico, compared to a national average that hovers around 50 percent.
WASHINGTON  I am not in the ignore President Trumps tweets because they are a distraction from important things camp. His most recent microharangues  accusing, without evidence, a news executive of wrongdoing, hinting that a television host may have been involved in murder and embracing the debunked anti-Muslim rantings of Britains alt-right  indicate some type of degeneration. The president seems to be in a downward spiral of anger, compulsion, conspiracy thinking and prejudice that is alternately offensive and frightening.

But the thing is, Trumps tweets are also distracting from other important matters of governance. And here is one that cant get lost in the general madness: The Trump administration is proposing a reduction in funding and a shift in strategy in the fight against global AIDS that together would increase infections, cost lives and threaten the extraordinary progress of the last 15 years.

A little history. In January 2003  as a cresting wave of death from AIDS swept across sub-Saharan Africa  George W. Bush proposed the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest initiative to fight a single disease in history. I was one advocate for the plan within the Bush administration. The legislation passed rapidly, with bipartisan support. The effort, including mass treatment, prevention and compassionate care, was continued and expanded under President Obama.

On this years World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), the results are truly remarkable. PEPFAR supports more than 13 million people on life-saving treatment. Thanks to PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, and the increasing contributions of countries themselves, more than half of people in the world needing AIDS treatment are getting it.

But there is a predictable challenge ahead. Africa is experiencing a historic youth bulge and will have more than 800 million young people by 2050. How fast and far the AIDS virus spreads among them will determine much about the future of the epidemic. And the extent of that spread will be determined  in addition to direct outreach to young people  by the level of AIDS treatment.

This is true for two nonobvious reasons. First, the availability of treatment helps determine the level of AIDS testing. Significantly fewer men and women want to be tested for a disease that is a death sentence. And when people dont know their status, they are more likely to transmit the virus. Second, when people living with AIDS are put on treatment, their viral load is dramatically reduced, making them less infectious to others. Treatment is an essential form of prevention. The sooner you treat someone, the more new infections you prevent.

During the Bush and Obama administrations, the strategy on AIDS was pretty consistent: Put as many people on treatment as possible. Use economies within the program, and falling drug prices, to increase that number even further. Focus on the places and groups where transmission is highest, but act broadly enough to block transmission routes across the continent.

For the first time since early in the American AIDS response, a fundamental change in approach is being debated. In its 2018 budget, the Trump administration proposes an $800 million cut in Americas bilateral HIV/AIDS programs, along with a $225 million cut for the Global Fund. The State Department, in turn, has written a new AIDS strategy to reflect this lower level of funding. Resources would be concentrated on 13 priority countries, while current levels of treatment would be maintained in other places. Neither South Africa nor Nigeria  which together have about a quarter of AIDS cases in the world  would be in the priority category.

The results? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 800,000 fewer people compared to the current trajectory would be placed on treatment in the first year of the new strategy, and 2.7 million fewer by 2020. One recent study estimates 26 million additional AIDS infections and 4 million more preventable deaths over the next 15 years. When you are not moving forward against an epidemic, you end up moving backward, and rapidly.

All of which raises a few questions. Are Republicans in Congress prepared to squander a legacy of GOP leadership that has won America considerable goodwill around the world? Does President Trump really want to be known for undermining an effort he praised during his campaign, as well as in his recent United Nations General Assembly speech? Among evangelicals, what definition of being pro-life does not include saving millions of lives from preventable disease and death?

There is only one AIDS strategy adequate to controlling this disease: Full funding, and full speed ahead.

Email michaelgerson@washpost.com.
Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III is taking his department, and the countys finances, down a dangerous road with his penchant for withholding basic public information for days, dodging accountability by refusing to equip his deputies with on-body cameras, and failing to recognize that nine deputy-involved shootings in 4 months  five of which were fatal  is a serious problem.

True to form, Gonzales waited 12 days to even identify the two men  Isaac Padilla, 23, and Martin Jim, 25, neither of whom was armed  who were fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy on Nov. 17, and to reveal that Deputy Joshua Mora, the son of Undersheriff Rudy Mora, had fired all seven shots.

Gonzales says: Six men were in the stolen truck when Albuquerque police first stopped it. Two of the men, one who had a gun, got out and ended up being arrested. The truck sped away and deputies caught up to it when it entered the North Valley. They continued the chase until they forced the truck to stop. But Mora feared for the safety of a sergeant and himself  both of whom were outside their vehicles  because the driver, Padilla, was revving the engine. Thats when Padilla and Jim were fatally shot.

The public, of course, has to accept Gonzales version of the story since theres no body-cam images available to back up his claims. Although body cams have become indispensable in many law enforcement agencies  including the Albuquerque Police Department, which was an early adopter  Gonzales has refused to employ them in his department, claiming they can be edited and used against officers. Hes absolutely right, but he fails to add that they can also prove invaluable in defending an officers actions and provide critical evidence in both criminal and civil cases.

Instead, Gonzales says the audio recordings made from deputies belt recorders are sufficient  and they are indeed better than nothing when it comes to getting at the truth. District Court Judge Christina Argyres found in August that an audio recording in the case of a suspected auto burglar who was shot and injured by a deputy in July differed greatly from BCSOs account of events. Argyres wrote, In sum, the state presented a criminal complaint and sworn affidavit that differ extensively from what is heard on the belt tape audio.

Interestingly, Gonzales had provided the media with an expletive-laden audio recording of that incident, along with a printout of key points of the recording. Although the printout detailed expletives made by the suspected auto burglar, profanities uttered by Deputy Charles Coggins were left out, proving that creative editing can cut both ways.

Incidentally, Coggins has been involved in three shootings since July, including one that resulted in a suspects death. The mother of that suspect is suing Coggins, the sheriff and the sheriffs office, claiming his shooting was excessive, unreasonable and unnecessary.

Coggins is still on duty with the sheriffs department. Mora has returned to duty after standard administrative leave.

Because the high number of shootings by county deputies has already drawn the attention of the ACLU, other civil rights organizations, attorneys and the public, its reasonable to assume they could catch the attention of the U.S. Justice Department, just as an inordinate number of shootings by Albuquerque police did a few years ago.

APD  found to have developed a pattern and practice of excessive force and a culture of aggression  is now undergoing a series of reforms under the watchful eye of the DOJ  a yearslong process that is costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

Gonzales, whose four-year term ends next year, has an opportunity to adopt practices that improve the accountability and transparency of his department instead of hunkering down and fostering mistrust between his department and the public it serves.

Its hard to force Gonzales, an elected official, to do anything. But the Bernalillo County Commission, which has taken a hands-off approach to the sheriffs office, controls the purse strings and therefore has some influence on how Gonzales runs his department.

In the absence of clear moves by Gonzales to improve his departments accountability and avoid multimillion-dollar lawsuits and potential DOJ involvement, county commissioners should recognize the troublesome patterns BCSO is embracing and respond accordingly  or prepare to explain their inaction to voters.

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.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico  This border city has spruced up its historic downtown area with gleaming white paint, new lighting and a walking district just across from the international bridge.

Now a campaign seeks to remake the citys image to encourage visitors from Albuquerque and other U.S. cities to return.

We want to welcome back all those people who havent been here in a very long time, said Elisa Garrido, cultural and international events coordinator for the Ciudad Juarez Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Welcome Back to Juarez campaign includes trade shows in 11 U.S. cities  including Albuquerque, Chicago and Dallas  to showcase Ciudad Juarez offerings as a destination.

The campaign kicked off in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday. An event in Albuquerque is scheduled for January, but the date has not been set yet. Garrido said the plan is to also host a reception because of the historic ties between Albuquerque and Ciudad Juarez.

Generations of New Mexicans grew up visiting the border city.

Jerry Candelaria, an Albuquerque native, said his family would drive down on weekends to shop at the mercado, enjoy dinner at a favorite restaurant and see a bullfight on Sunday.

He also remembers visiting bars with friends when he turned 18, a rite of passage for many since the legal age to drink alcohol in Mexico is 18.

But he cannot remember the last time he was back in Juarez. He said the new campaign has to convince visitors, Its safe. Its beautiful. Its international.

The drug violence that scared tourists away and earned Juarez the title of Mexicos murder capital has steadily declined since 2011, but the citys blood-soaked image lingers.

We went through a very hard situation. We want people to know whats happening now. Its nothing compared to what it was before, Garrido said.

There has been a spike in violent crime in recent months but is nowhere near the level it was years ago. Garrido said violence is limited to areas not frequented by tourists.

As in any large city there are some neighborhoods that are not safe, and we wouldnt want them to go there, she said.

A U.S. travel warning for Mexico advises Americans to exercise caution in all areas of Juarez. And U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas after dark, including the Valley of Juarez on the eastern edge of the sprawling metropolitan area.

Juarez is the site of the largest U.S. Consulate in the world and visited by people seeking everything from marriage visas to adoption papers. The citys tourism officials want to highlight the offerings for those who travel to the city for appointments at the U.S. Consulate offices. And Mexicos fourth-largest city is touting itself as a destination for medical tourism with a new cluster of certified hospitals and doctors.

Garrido is eager to tout the many cultural and historic attractions, including the Museum of the Revolution, the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which dates to 1659, and the Viva Mexico dinner theater, which includes mariachi music, ballet folklorico and a performance by dancing horses.

With hotels, shopping, restaurants, a walking area, something tourists could enjoy, wed go back right away, said Kristin Watson, a Santa Fe resident.

Watson said she and her husband would make a stop in Ciudad Juarez regularly on road trips through northern Mexico, where they toured ruins and went camping.

We eventually stopped because of the safety issues, she said.

Now retired, she said it has been a decade since she visited Juarez.

Wed love to go back, she said. We miss Mexico. I always say every time I leave Mexico I leave a bit of my heart behind.
LAREDO, Texas  A Chicago man has been arrested and charged with transporting undocumented immigrants after federal agents near the Texas-Mexico border found 12 people inside his tractor trailer truck.

The Border Patrol says Carlos Rodriguez was pulled over last week near Laredo after he failed to stop at a checkpoint on Interstate 35 north of the border city.

Court documents show the 12 people in the truck were from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The San Antonio Express-News reports one of the truck occupants from Guatemala told authorities he paid about $1,000 to be smuggled into the U.S. and that hed have to pay another $4,000 once he reached his destination in Florida.

Rodriguez now faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

___

Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com
HOUSTON  A gorilla at the Houston Zoo is back where she belongs after she managed to get out of the zoos gorilla exhibit and into an adjacent hog exhibit.

A 28-year-old western lowland gorilla named Holli was found Saturday afternoon with red river hogs. The animals share a zoo habitat but are separated.

Zoo officials say theyre investigating and working to ensure a gorilla cant get away again. A team managed to return the gorilla to her proper home. They say the gorilla was never outside an animal containment area and no visitors were in danger.

No hogs or gorillas were hurt.
SANAA, Yemen  Snipers took over rooftops in residential areas, tanks deployed and militiamen set up checkpoints Sunday across the Yemeni capital, where fighting forced families to hunker down indoors in anticipation of more violence.

Five days of bombings and heavy gunfire have underscored the unraveling of the already fragile alliance between Yemens strongman and former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the Shiite rebels known as Houthis. The two sides joined ranks three years ago and swept across the capital, Sanaa, forcing the countrys internationally recognized president to flee the country and seek military intervention led by Saudi Arabia.

After months of political and military stalemate, the street battles between Salehs forces and the Houthi militiamen have marked a turning point in the conflict. The two sides had been enemies before the six-year-war that began in 2004 when Saleh was a president. Their alliance, in the eyes of many Yemenis, was doomed to fail given their stark differences.

The Iran-backed rebels perceive themselves as a religious awakening movement, while Saleh is a pragmatic politician, shifting political alliances, buying tribal loyalties and exploiting Yemens power fault lines throughout his three-decades in power before he was ousted after the countrys Arab Spring uprising in 2011.

Over the past 48 hours, in a series of surprise announcements, all of Yemens political players spoke about turning a new page and unifying against the Houthis  a new alliance that appeared to have been in the making for some time as the Shiite rebels have accused Saleh of working against them.

The Houthis, who descended from their northern enclave and seized Yemens capital in 2014 with the help of Salehs forces, are now becoming isolated in the face of popular anger.

Pictures of angry Yemenis tearing down posters of the Houthi leader, Abdul-Malik a-Houthi, in Sanaa flooded social media as street fighting there appeared to split the capital in two, with northern areas under Houthi control and southern ones under Salehs fighters.

Clashes between fighters loyal to Saleh and the Houthis first erupted last week when Saleh accused the rebels of storming his giant mosque in Sanaa and attacking his nephew, the powerful commander of the special forces, Tarek Saleh.

Both sides have set up checkpoints, placed snipers on rooftops and sealed off entrances to the city. Bombings and sporadic gunfire rocked the southern part of Sanaa on Sunday, where Houthi militants stormed Salehs Yemen Today TV network, beat up its director, and held over 40 journalists and crew members inside the building, Yemens Press Syndicate said.

Many state institutions  including the airport, state TV headquarters and the official news agency  remained under the control of the Houthis, despite earlier reports that Salehs forces had taken them over.

A southern Sanaa district that houses the residential compound of Saleh and his family was surrounded during the intense clashes.

The fighting also spread to northern areas. In Amran, armed tribesmen tried to cut the road between the provinces of Saada, a Houthi stronghold, and Jawf, sparking clashes in which scores of tribesmen were killed and wounded, witnesses said. In Mehwat, a province in northern Yemen, sporadic fighting also broke out between Salehs supporters and the Houthis, while heavy fighting rocked the western district of Gidr in Sanaa province, where tribesmen took over military camps briefly before surrendering them to the Houthis.

Medical officials in Sanaa said nearly 75 people from both sides were killed and wounded in clashes there. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media, did not provide a breakdown of the casualties.

Meanwhile, Yemens President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is in Saudi Arabia in self-imposed exile, appeared to extend an offer of reconciliation to his predecessor, Saleh. In a statement from Riyadh, Hadi said his side would support any party confronting Houthi terrorist gangs.

The offer followed a televised statement Saturday by Saleh in which he announced that he and his party, the Peoples General Congress, were open to dialogue and willing to turn a new page in dealings with the Saudi-led coalition.

Apparently confirming his break with the Houthis and aligning himself with Saudi Arabia, Saleh told Kuwaits al-Rai daily that the era of the militias is over and there is no coexistence after today between a state and a quasi-state.

Our natural orbit as Yemenis is the Gulf orbit, he added, referring to Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Arab states. Whatever differences we have with the Gulf countries, we will cooperate and agree.

If Saleh and his fighters switch sides and join the Saudi-led coalition and Hadis loyalists, the Houthis would become completely isolated.

Relations between the Houthis and Salehs forces deteriorated over the past weeks amid accusations from the rebels that Saleh was opening a back channel with the coalition through the United Arab Emirates, a coalition member, to turn against the Houthis.

Deif Allah al-Shami, a top Houthi politician, told The Associated Press that Saleh  by his statements and actions on the ground  had de facto joined the Saudi-led coalition. However, he said this spelled the end of Saleh, insisting the Houthis remain firmly in control.

Saleh is over, this card is over, he said. He is now part of the coalition and the aggression.

Salehs family members, including his son Ahmed, who was once groomed to succeed his father and who led the powerful Republican Guards, have been in self-exile in the UAE since Saleh stepped down in the aftermath of the mass uprising against his rule during the 2011 Arab Spring.

Saleh and the Houthis are have always been unlikely allies. When Saleh was president he repeatedly went to war with the rebels in their northern heartland. In recent weeks, the Houthis have accused Saleh of trying to pull his forces from the front lines, while his supporters have complained about the Houthis monopolizing power.

Last summer, Saleh also appeared to work against the Houthis as he welcomed a United Nations initiative to hand the vital Red Sea port city of Hodeida to a third neutral party in order to ease the blockade and open the port to free access of humanitarian aid. The Houthis shot down the proposal and have refused to meet with the U.N. envoy to Yemen.

The cracks deepened in August after street fighting ended with the killing of one of Salehs close associates, Khaled al-Radhi. Since then, Salehs party members have been vowing to take revenge.
CHADRON, Neb.  The new fire management officer at the U.S. Forest Service Office in Chadron is looking for hundreds of new firefighters.

The Omaha World-Herald reports the Forest Service wants to hire more than 900 temporary firefighters in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Scott Bovey, in Chadron, is in charge of the first of two application phases, which will run Dec. 15-21 and focus on wildland firefighting jobs. Applicants must be at least 18, have a drivers license and a high school or GED diploma and be a U.S. citizen.

Applicants are also needed for engine crews, aviation support and dispatching. Trainees will go through a fire camp at Crawford next spring to be certified to fight fires on federal lands.

___

Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
December 1, 2017

CAIRO  El Dabaa Atomic Technical School, which is the first of its kind in Egypt, admitted 75 students on Nov. 19 to officially start studying in its temporary headquarters at the Advanced Technical School for Maintenance Technology in Madinat Nasr. The school will be training students at the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) and the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA).

After the first semester, the students will then move to the permanent headquarters in El Dabaa city, Matrouh governorate, to attend the second semester in March. The schools objective is to form a new generation of technicians trained on the latest technologies used in managing and operating nuclear plants. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is behind the creation of the school, which will be officially inaugurated during the second semester in March after student dorms and teachers facilities are completed.

Sameer el-Neely, the deputy minister of education in Matrouh, told Al-Monitor that the Egyptian dream to establish the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant requires a disciplined, committed and highly skilled as well as well-trained labor force. Therefore, the political leadership made the decision to establish the school so that graduates would directly join work at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

In February 2015, Sisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed an agreement to establish two nuclear power plants to generate electricity in El Dabaa. The first plant is expected to start operating in 2019, while the construction of Egypts first nuclear reactor will be completed and start operating in 2025.

According to Neely, to apply to the school, students must have an elementary school certificate with a minimum admission score of 220 out of 300 for students from Matrouh and 250 for students from other governorates  the states recognition for Matrouh citizens who voluntarily gave up the land for the state to build the reactor. Students must have scored at least 95% in mathematics, English and science, as well as have a good command of computer skills. They must also pass the medical examination at the education directorate.

Neely noted that there is a personal qualities exam that covers creative thinking and intelligence and is verified by the Military Technical College, as well as a personal interview. Out of 1,876 students, 75 were selected into the first class.

The study program is for five years, and the syllabi are different from those taught at other technical schools, as they were put together by a number of experts who took two years to design the program. The teaching staff was chosen out of the best teachers holding bachelors degrees in engineering, science, education and industrial education, provided that the applicants for teaching posts held an excellent total grade at least in the last two years, as well as have a good command of English and computer skills, Neely added.

Neely explained that establishing the school cost about 70 million Egyptian pounds ($4 million), which was covered by government funding. It was built on 8 feddans (8.3 acres) to include nine main buildings, 15 classrooms, three workshops equipped with the latest mechanical, electronic and electric technologies, simulation training units and mock-ups of reactors inside the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The school also includes playgrounds, a gym, theaters, a 400-bed dormitory for students and a hotel-like hall of residence for teachers.

Neely said the schools tuition hasnt been specified yet.

Egyptian scientist and former NPPA Vice President Aly Abdel Naby told Al-Monitor the school will have three departments: mechanics, electricity and electronics, which are the same departments in all technical schools of Egypt. Therefore, he said, the state has wasted the historic chance to upgrade already existing technical schools, which could have created a competition between all 1 million technical students in Egypts 947 technical schools in the three majors. The nuclear dream would have been used as a means to upgrade these schools through developing the laboratories and workshops then choosing the top graduates of these schools and enrolling them in a course on nuclear energy, radiation, radiation effects and radiation safety instead of costing the government the financial burdens of a hotel-like stay for students and teachers, he explained.

The title of a graduate in technical nuclear energy will harm the graduate, as they will not find job opportunities. El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant includes four reactors each of which would produce 1,200 megawatts and the maximum capacity to operate the plant is 480 workers consisting of engineers, technicians and administrative employees. Thus, if the state hires [students] from 10 classes, what fate then befalls the rest of the classes? Therefore, manipulating terminologies will harm the students as their actual major would be either mechanics, electricity or electronics. The best example is when the nuclear engineering department was established in the faculty of engineering in Alexandria University in 1963. We had graduates but not job opportunities, forcing the faculty to change the departments title in 2004 into the nuclear and radiation engineering department so that students would find job opportunities, Abdel Naby said.

Abdel Naby called upon officials to develop the existing technical schools and connect them with the labor market in all disciplines such as motor vehicles, printing and textiles without reinventing the wheel and manipulating terminologies or the future of students.

Lawmaker and member of the parliaments Education Committee Magda Nasr told Al-Monitor, The school's objective is to change societys negative perception of technical education, as society underestimates technical school graduates as opposed to high school graduates. The state has succeeded in such objectives, as a large number of valedictorian students are now attracted to enroll in the school.

Nasr said, The poor conditions of workshops, the perished laboratories in current schools and their lack of discipline have made the establishment of El Dabaa school a necessity in order to supply the nuclear plant with Egyptian technicians.

Nasr noted that El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is the first of its kind in Egypt, but it will not be the last, and that graduates of this school will be in demand by Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, which started to follow in Egypts footsteps in the field of establishing nuclear plants.

Former EAEA head Ezzat Abdel Aziz told Al-Monitor that El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is an expensive self-safe, third-generation technology nuclear reactor that needs qualified top-level technical staff to operate it as well as to deal with the fuel waste such as uranium which, upon combustion, produces plutonium-239, which can be used as fuel for atomic bombs and military industries. Therefore, dealing with nuclear plants requires special treatment on the part of technicians who must be carefully trained.
December 3, 2017

Netanyahu chief source of "alarmism" about Iran

Ben Caspit writes that Israel is considering the possibility of reconfiguring and strengthening its unwritten red lines, which have set the ground for its military activity in the region over the past few years. It is even investigating the possibility of launching a far-reaching preventive strike to interfere with future Iranian efforts to establish factories for the manufacture of precision rockets and missiles in Syria or Lebanon, as well as to prevent Iranian military bases from popping up there.

As always, Caspit adds, the overall alarmism [about Iran] originates with the political leadership and decision-makers, chief among them Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and less from the military brass.

What disturbs Israels military leaders most, according to Caspit, is the Iranian 'Precision [Missile] Project,' intended to provide Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah with the capability to manufacture their own rockets and missiles, which could strike within dozens of meters of strategic targets.

He continues, As one top Israeli minister told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, 'For that, we would need to consider going to war. That should be a red line flashing brightly at us. All the regional decision-makers must then take into consideration that Israel will not blink, and that it will do everything it can to prevent its enemies from obtaining the capacity to harm it, its economy, its air force bases and other sites with precision strikes. Period.'

Erdogan waiting for Russian payoff

Cengiz Candar writes, All those who saw the gradual Turkish-Russian rapprochement as a tactical move of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reflect his displeasure with Washingtons policies were mistaken. They do not grasp the new power configuration after the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. There is a growing conviction that Erdogan is either a figurehead or at most the spokesman of the coalition of neo-nationalists, traditional nationalists and Muslim nationalists. All components of this new power configuration are anti-West and staunchly Eurasianist. Eurasianism as a foreign policy school in Turkey is known for being pro-Russia, pro-Iran and ultimately pro-China against Turkeys formal and institutional bonds with the Western world, ranging from NATO to the European Union (EU).

He adds, Therefore, it is probably a delusion to think of Erdogans flirting with Russians as a tactical move and that he is trying to use this as leverage against Washington and the EU."

Yet, while the Kurdish issue is the driving force of Ankaras foreign policy, Candar writes, Russia has not provided much help on the issue. A day before the Sochi summit, Putin received Assad in Sochi with fanfare. This signals that Assad will be the legitimate authority of Syria and that this should be a part of any peace deal.  Turkeys  namely, Erdogans  Syria policy looks more than ever like it is being squeezed between the American hammer and the Russian anvil. The Kurdish issue is only one of the catalysts to indicate Turkeys weakened posture, particularly in Syria, the Middle East and the world.

Russia turns to private armies in Syria

Metin Gurcan reports, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, attracted public attention when on Nov. 23 he said Moscow plans to withdraw some of its troops from Syria by the end of the year, with armed clashes becoming less frequent and negotiations proceeding toward resolution of the civil war. To avoid potential security losses or retreats, however, Russia will outsource the work to private military companies (PMCs) with tactical warfare capabilities equivalent to modern militaries.

Gurcan explains, The use of Turkic military contractors with Shiite backgrounds gives Moscow a strategic edge in Syria, because these contractors can more easily blend in with Syrian government forces. Their Shiite identity also provides a unifying factor in the fight against Salafi jihadism. Of note, Juma Namangani, a former Soviet paratrooper of Sunni Uzbek origin, had served in Afghanistan, and while there adopted Salafi jihadism. In 1998, Namangani founded the radical Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and declared jihad against the Uzbek government to establish Sharia there. His transformation has surely not been lost on the Russians.

In short, Gurcan concludes, parallel to Moscow's withdrawal of some of its troops from Syria, it is highly likely to look for opportunities to deploy more PMCs. The weakness of Syrian security forces, combined with Russia's need to downsize its overtasked military in Syria, has left security gaps in the fragile country. Filling these gaps with PMCs is a plausibly deniable, economically feasible, politically viable, sustainable and flexible option for Moscow. In addition, unlike relying on local warlords, armed groups or criminal networks, as in Ukraine and Libya, in Syria using PMCs run by Russian ex-special operations personnel offers Moscow greater command control and combat effectiveness.

Is al-Qaeda gaining ground in Sinai?

It looks like affiliates of the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda could go to war with each other in the Sinai Peninsula, an Al-Monitor correspondent in Sinai reports, though at this point the battle would be lopsided.

In an audio recording released Nov. 11, al-Qaeda adherent Jund al-Islam declared war on much larger Wilayat Sinai, which is associated with IS, and claimed responsibility for the Oct. 11 attack on a Wilayat Sinai vehicle that killed the four passengers. Jund al-Islam is vowing to eradicate Wilayat Sinai members if they do not repent and abandon what it calls Baghdadi law, which it says violates Sharia in part because it targets civilians and fellow Muslims, the correspondent reports.

Though no group has come forward yet, the correspondent continues, Wilayat Sinai is a top suspect in the Nov. 24 bombing and shooting attack on a Sinai mosque that killed more than 300 people and injured at least 100. Area villagers reported Wilayat Sinai had threated them a week before the attack.

A Jund al-Islam statement shows the group is trying to attract Sinai citizens who are sick of the daily violations, slaughter and torture committed by Wilayat Sinai.  The group also hopes to recruit citizens who have fallen prey to the Egyptian armys violations, especially those who were forcibly displaced from Rafah. The statement said, 'The tyrants displace the people of Rafah while the apostates erect checkpoints at every corner of Sinai.'

The correspondent adds, The group wants to attract Palestinian fighters and people who are hostile to Israel by saying, 'The Jews are bombing our residents without any deterrents. So far, developments in Sinai indicate that Jund al-Islam is still a weak group, but its latest statement may change the equation if it succeeds in its campaign to attract followers.
December 1, 2017

The Palestinian leadership was shaken by the horrific terror attack that killed more than 300 Egyptians in the northern Sinai town of Bir al-Abed on Nov. 24. Both Fatah and Hamas expressed their solidarity with the Egyptian government and people.

Visiting Ramallah these days, one comes away with the impression that the Palestinian leadership is extremely frustrated over the fact that fundamentalist terror is now topping the agendas of their Arab allies  Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The Palestinians feel that the anti-Iranian efforts these countries are focusing on with the US administration come at the expense of the necessary diplomatic battle for Palestinian statehood. They believe it is playing right into the hand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus strategy to sideline the Palestinian issue.

A senior PLO official, who is part of the inner circle of President Mahmoud Abbas, told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Abbas had a good meeting on Nov. 8 with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The young Saudi leader expressed optimism about US President Donald Trumps initiative to achieve a two-state solution within a regional framework based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. At the same time, the official sounded concerned about Trumps pressure on the pragmatic Sunni leadership to accept an American plan that would be closer to the Israeli position than to the Palestinian position. Abbas, according to the official, has made it clear to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Prince Mohammed and Jordanian King Abdullah II that he will not go along with an American strategy and plan at all costs.

The official said, Our Arab partners want our support in order to solidify their regional alliance against Iran. Yet we have clear conditions for the acceptance of the American plan: We will not allow again a negotiation process for the sake of the process itself or for the sake of a photo opportunity. Our public opinion is rightly restless and skeptical.

The Palestinian official detailed a series of minimal conditions for Palestinian involvement in a US-led peace plan. The process must include a two-state solution with the 1967 borders and the Arab Peace Initiative as a basis, a settlement freeze for the duration of negotiations and putting on the table all permanent-status issues. The permanent-status issues should include Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees. Also, the US plan should include the release of Palestinian prisoners, as was promised by US Secretary of State John Kerry in 2014.

The Palestinians stress that security arrangements agreed by both sides cannot include a long-term Israeli presence in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip. They insist that mutual recognition already took place in 1993 (Oslo Accord).

Once these conditions are met, and when all issues of permanent status are resolved, the Palestinian side is ready for an end to the conflict. It will also accept normalization of Arab relations with Israel, based on the Arab Peace Initiative.

The official claimed that these are reasonable and pragmatic positions that Abbas espouses. He added, Any US administration who will look for a leader with more moderate positions will fail. This is supposed to be a peace agreement between equals, not a surrender; our national strategy of living side by side with Israel in peace and security stands firm.

A senior Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs official who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said that Netanyahu is satisfied with the latest regional developments. He sees the possible creation of an anti-Iranian axis as a result of his policy strategy of the last three years, from the time of his debate with the Barack Obama administration.

Much like the Palestinians, Netanyahu has conveyed to the Trump peace process team (he meets regularly with US Ambassador David Friedman) Israels conditions for negotiations with Abbas. These include dismantlement of the military wing of Hamas, that Israel would be guaranteed permanent security control of the West Bank and Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Also, regional anti-terror cooperation must come before negotiations with the Palestinians. According to the source, Israel will agree to limited sovereignty for a Palestinian state, and it would agree to only a partial settlement freeze.

Talking to both sides, one comes to a clear conclusion: A Trump initiative that does not outline a detailed and realistic framework for a two-state solution is a nonstarter due to the wide gap between the parties positions. Given the latest regional developments, especially in Saudi Arabia, it seems that the Netanyahu government has once again missed an opportunity to advance, as it is concerned more with political survival than with a political settlement.
December 3, 2017

On Dec. 1, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors office issued an arrest warrant for Graham Fuller, who was identified in Turkish media as a former CIA official, or, more provocatively, as a CIA agent. Fuller was accused of attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey and obstructing the missions of the Republic of Turkey. He was blamed, in other words, for having a hand in the failed July 2016 coup attempt against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

For anyone who has a sense of the real world these were outlandish claims. Fuller had indeed worked for the CIA in the 1980s, as national intelligence officer for the Near East and South Asia. But he retired from the CIA in 1988, and joined the RAND Corporation, a think tank, as an analyst. In 2006, he retired from that job and moved to Vancouver, Canada, to join Simon Fraser University as an adjunct professor of history. Now 80 years old, he has lately devoted himself to writing books and novels, along with a political commentary blog. He has voiced strong criticisms against Islamophobia in the United States, argued that countries such as Turkey are entitled to a foreign policy independent of Washington, and in fact supported the successive Erdogan governments for a long time until he became disappointed  just like all other Western observers who had better hopes for Turkey. It is true that Fuller has expressed sympathy for the Gulenists, even after the coup for which they are widely blamed, but that seemed more as a result of successful public relations work by the movement.

So, why did Turkish prosecutors decide that this 80-year-old scholar living in Canada was involved in Turkeys coup attempt?

One answer is that Fuller has always been a favorite figure in the abundant conspiracy theories about CIA plots related to Turkey. The Turkish left has particularly hated him for promoting moderate Islam instead of rigid secularism, and his writings on the Kurdish question have irked nationalists as well.

Yet this time there is a seemingly more solid source than those usually found in Turkeys conspiracy theories: Alexander Dugin, the ultranationalist Russian intellectual famed both at home and abroad as a key ideologue of the Putin regime  or Putins Rasputin. Just a week before the arrest order on Fuller, Dugin had appeared on a pro-government Turkish channel live from Moscow, and said Russian intelligence agencies had concrete evidence that CIA agents engineered the failed coup attempt. He also added, proudly, that this concrete evidence was presented to Turkish authorities.

We dont know what exactly Russian intelligence presented to the Turks. But we may get an idea from pro-Russian conspiracy theorists such as F. William Engdahl, an American based in Germany who told a right-wing Russian think tank in August 2016, Former vice chairman of the National Intelligence Council of the CIA, Graham E. Fuller, was on Princess Island, 20 minutes from Istanbul, the entire night of the coup, monitoring developments until the coup collapsed.

However, real world facts show Fuller was not on this island during the coup; he points out that he has not visited Turkey in the past five years and was speaking to a group of 100 people the night of July 15, 2016. However, another American scholar, Henri Barkey, was indeed at Buyukada, one of the Princess Islands, that night. There was an academic workshop at a hotel there and the topic was Irans regional role. Yet sensationalist conspiracy theories promulgated by Turkeys pro-government press, as Barkey explained in a piece in The New York Times, have depicted the conference as something far more nefarious.

The addition of Fuller to this scenario seems to be a Russian-Turkish joint production. At the very least, Turkeys pro-government press projected the concrete information about this matter to Dugins TV interview. In the same interview, Dugin also defined the American military base in Incirlik in southern Turkey, as one of the headquarters of the coup, and called on Turkey to rethink its alliance with the United States.

And all this seems to be just one of the many examples of Russian meddling in Turkey that has been going on since the failed coup attempt. Russian propaganda sources are trying to drag Turkey further away from the West, by further convincing an already paranoid Turkey about the CIAs nefarious plots. Other examples, which I reported in Al-Monitor, include a phony article supposedly written by a retired US ambassador depicting the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul  a theological rival to the Russian church  as a CIA Trojan horse that helped organize the coup. The other case was another phony article supposedly written by Zbigniew Brzezinski blaming the CIA for the grave mistake of organizing an unsuccessful putsch in Turkey.

While Russian propagandists ply the Turkish public and government with these messages, a Turkish Russian lobby made up of former-Marxists-turned-nationalists is amplifying this information. A rising element in the bureaucracy and media, these Eurasianists are calling for a complete breakup with the West: disbanding the American military base in southern Turkey, leaving NATO and cutting all the ties with the European Union  and, in the end, becoming a Russian satellite, as it would have been called during the Cold War.

Moreover, Turkey itself is going through a perfect storm that makes the Russian option increasingly attractive. The Gulenist involvement in the coup attempt was not a myth, as I have argued elsewhere, and Ankara has a legitimate case there. But Turkey's extremely crude and cruel reaction to the coup  with endless purges that have turned into a witch hunt par excellence  makes Turkey's case much less convincing. This helps Gulenists still freely operate in the West, and this makes Turks only more convinced that Gulenists are nothing but puppets of Western cabals. On top of all this, the politically motivated corruption investigation the Gulenists launched against the Erdogan government back in December 2013, as I defined it then, is now partly going on in New York, pumping only more anti-Americanism into the pro-Erdogan universe.

Russia certainly did not create the complex dynamics that are dragging Turkey away from the West. Yet Russia certainly seems to be taking advantage of the situation. The Russians' goal, according to an article by experts Henry Meyer and Onur Ant for Bloomberg, is luring Turkey away from NATO and creating a Russo-Islamic pact that includes Iran. The writers said this is part of Putins strategy of unwinding the U.S.-led global order.

Normally you would expect to see the United States getting alarmed about all this. But the current US leadership seems worried about neither the future global order nor the growing Russian influence in it. That's why this is a very perfect storm. In the middle of it lies Turkey, which is dragged away further every day from its nearly two-century-old aspiration to be a part of the liberal West, into the uncharted waters of the illiberal East.
Verizon is now rolling out an update that will install the November 2017 Android security patch to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. This security patch fixes six remote code execution vulnerabilities found in the media framework and the system portion of the operating system. Remote code execution vulnerabilities are the security issues that can be exploited by hackers in order to control the device from a separate location. In addition, Verizon is also rolling out a separate patch for the KRACK vulnerability. This exploit allows individuals to intercept or eavesdrop on data sent by the smartphone over the Wi-Fi network. It is also likely that the software update includes fixes to six vulnerabilities found in Samsungs proprietary skin.

Subscribers of Verizon may select among a variety of methods in order to upgrade their smartphone. They may choose to wait until a notification appears stating that the device can now download the software upgrade, although it may take several days before all units receive the update. Another option is to trigger the installation process manually by going to the device settings and proceeding to the Software Updates menu. On the occasion that the user cannot download the software package using mobile data or Wi-Fi, they may connect the smartphone to a personal computer and utilize Samsungs proprietary tool to install the update. It is important that people verify if the device has enough free space in the internal flash storage in order to temporarily keep the software package. The user should check if the handset has at least 50% battery life remaining before installing the update.The files and images stored in the handset should be backed up to a personal computer or a microSD card to prevent loss of data.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was launched by the South Korean smartphone manufacturer in August 2017. The US variant of the smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset, which is comprised of an octa-core Kyro 64-bit CPU and the Adreno 540 GPU. The handset includes 6GB of RAM and it is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal flash storage. The rear cameras of the device are equipped with two 12-megapixel sensors while the front-facing shooter has an 8-megapixel snapper. To keep the lights on, the handset has a 3,300mAh non-removable battery. It ships with Android 7.1.1 Nougat pre-installed, although Samsungs proprietary skin, the Samsung Experience UI, runs on top of Googles operating system.
The Star Wars edition of the OnePlus 5T thats been rumored about for several weeks now is real, having been announced by the Chinese phone maker on Saturday. The BBK Electronics owned company officially confirmed the existence of the handset at the latest iteration of Comic Con India and suggested that the Android flagship will be exclusively sold in the South Asian country. No pricing or availability details have yet been provided by the firm which only promised to share more information on the matter next week. With Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi being set to debut in India on December 15th, the smartphone tie-in will presumably start retailing or at least become available for pre-orders by that date. If previous limited-edition revisions of OnePluss Android devices are any indication, the Star Wars variant of the OnePlus 5T will only encompass the more premium model of the two, i.e. the one that features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal flash memory.

The best OnePlus 5T model in India retails for Rs. 37,999 or just under $590, whereas the Star Wars edition of the handset is likely to have a somewhat higher price tag attached to it. While the Shenzhen, Guangdong-based company has yet to confirm that, its likely that the upcoming model will be sold only by Amazon India, the same retailer that already holds exclusive rights to sell the OnePlus 5T in the worlds second largest smartphone market. A low-resolution promo that can be seen above surfaced online shortly after the first OnePlus 5T revision was confirmed, revealing that the device will feature a white back panel and a red alert slider, as well as a red Star Wars logo near the bottom of its rear plate. The handset may also ship with Star Wars-themed software, though its more likely to just feature some exclusive wallpapers and ringtones while still running Android 7.1.1 Nougat-based OxygenOS out of the box.

OnePlus isnt the only original equipment manufacturer that partnered with Disney to promote The Last Jedi; according to one leak from late November, Samsung is also planning on releasing a similar revision of the Galaxy Note 8, though that particular device may end up being a China exclusive.
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Harney Westwood & Riegels has become the first offshore law firm with a full-service legal team on the ground in China.The British Virgin Islands-headquartered firm has opened its office in China, led by managing partner Kristy Calvert, and now operates as a legal and fiduciary services firm in the country. Chinas Ministry of Justice granted the firms license to offer international legal services earlier this year.Calvert has more than 15 years experience acting on cross-border matters, ten of which were gained while in China. The firm said she leads a team of paralegals, business development managers, and corporate secretaries who speak fluent English, Mandarin and Shanghainese. The Shanghai office will work together with the firms Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, the firm said.Establishing a full-service legal team on the ground in the PRC is a key milestone in our strategic plan for Asia. Harneys has been advising China-based clients on the offshore aspects of Chinese inbound and outbound transactions since the 1980s, with the vast majority of our instructions historically emanating from China, said Jonathan Culshaw, Asia managing partner.Harneys has deep understanding of Chinas legal landscape and regulatory regime, as well as the needs of clients in this market, he said.The firm clarifies, however, that it does not practise Chinese law. They do, however, work with international and Chinese law firms in the country.Harneys  one of the worlds largest offshore law firms  specialises in corporate and commercial, banking and finance, investment funds, private client and trusts, and litigation and restructuring matters. The firm also has offices in Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, London, Mauritius, Montevideo, Sao Paulo, and Vancouver.
3 December 2017 15:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend:

Entrepreneurs have increased their interest in renting forest land in Azerbaijan after the period of the lands rent was extended, Sadig Salmanov, head of the forestry department of the countrys Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, told Trend.

He said that in order to increase the owners interest in renting forest land, amendments were made to Azerbaijans Forest Code in February 2017. In accordance with the amendments, it will be possible to rent the forest land not for 10, but for 49 years.

Salmanov noted that before the amendments, entrepreneurs were not interested in renting forest land.

They said that it was unprofitable, he added. Entrepreneurs were given land for 10 years, they planted and grew trees for five years and collected harvest in another five years. After 10 years it was unknown whether their contract would be extended or not. This amendment caused the interest of entrepreneurs to increase. With the increase in the lands rent period, social status of entrepreneurs will improve and food security will be ensured.

He noted that to date, entrepreneurs have been leased about 1,500 hectares of forest land, including the land in both mountainous and lowland areas, about 600 hectares of which were leased for short-term rent.

Most of the territory of forest zones is located in mountainous areas, and, therefore, entrepreneurs rent forest land in those areas, he said.

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3 December 2017 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend:

Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov will attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the Caspian littoral states in Moscow on Dec.4-5, the Turkmen Dovlat Habarlary state news agency reported Dec. 2.

The report on preparations for this meeting was presented at the session of the Government of Turkmenistan.

Meredov informed that the meeting will cover issues related to the agenda of the 5th Summit of the Heads of Caspian Littoral States that is scheduled for 2018 in Kazakhstan.

In this regard, the foreign ministers of the Caspian states will pay a particular attention to the draft Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

They will also continue discussions and consultations on draft pentalateral agreements dealing with various areas of cooperation in the Caspian Sea, including Agreements on Cooperation in Trade, Economics and Transport.

The Caspian littoral states  Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran  signed the Framework Convention for Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November of 2003.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the northern part of the Caspian Sea in order to exercise sovereign rights for subsoil use in July 1998. The two countries signed a protocol to the agreement in May 2002.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Caspian Sea and a protocol to it on Nov. 29, 2001 and Feb. 27, 2003, respectively.

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on the delimitation of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea on May 14, 2003.

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The Women in Technology Awards honor female leaders of Georgia-based science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics companies for their accomplishments that further their organizations and make a difference in their communities.

The four award categories are small, medium, large/enterprise and nonprofit. The award also honors one "Girl of the Year" for her participation in the WIT Girls program.

Here are the honorees, which were announced Nov. 16 at an event held at the Georgia Aquarium.

1. Denise Hines, DHA, executive director and CEO of the Georgia Health Information Network and eHealth Services Group, was honored in the small and emerging organization category.

2. Maryam Alavi, PhD, dean and professor at Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, was honored in the medium/mid-size organization and educational institution category.

3. Connie Taylor, vice president of global research and development for Manhattan Associates, was honored in the large/enterprise organization category.

4. Jennifer Bonnet, director of the Advanced Technology Development Center, was honored in the nonprofit category.

5. Elaine Wen, an Anti-Defamation League student representative and Girls in STEM club cofounder who attends North Springs High School, was honored with the Girl of the Year Award.

Click here to learn more about the awards.

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Star Wars Mark Hamill has told how he disguised himself using a wheelchair in a bid to avoid autograph hunters.

The Luke Skywalker actor criticised tabloid newspapers reports suggesting he was in ill health as complete fantasy.

Hamill, 66, was spotted being wheeled through New Yorks JFK Airport with a wide-brimmed hat pulled over his face to mask his identity.

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This was just an extreme condition because we had flown red eye and I arrived at 5am  there are guys with 15 posters in each hand. You think real fans are there at 5am? No, he told the Press Association.

I was running across the airport because we were really late and we had to be somewhere, so I couldnt have even stopped if I wanted to.

So at the last moment my daughter goes, Hey dad, get in the wheelchair, take the dog, put Millie on your lap, pull your hat down, lets see if we can do it.

And of course, click click, it goes all around the world.

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After seeing reports, he tweeted that he was using the old wheelchair trick to avoid those who constantly badger him by seeking to profit off his signature.

He said news websites reported the pictures as Mark Hamill on his deathbed.

It was a complete fantasy, The Last Jedi actor said.
Arlene Foster has said it makes no sense to move the border to the Irish Sea and "isolate" Northern Ireland from its biggest market, the UK.

The DUP was speaking to the party's Lagan Valley Association on Saturday evening. It comes a momentum looks to be building toward a resolution on the issue of the border in the Brexit talks.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave an upbeat assessment of the talks, saying a resolution on Irish issues "looked good" hinting there would be special arrangements in place to ensure a frictionless border on the island.

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Arlene Foster said: Some time ago I set out our Partys desire to see not a hard Brexit or a soft Brexit but a sensible Brexit. A Brexit that works for Northern Ireland and for the whole of the United Kingdom.

"A sensible Brexit means that we want to see the continuation of the Common Travel Area. A sensible Brexit means that we recognise our responsibility to meet our financial obligations. A sensible Brexit means that we want to avoid a cliff edge for businesses by having a strictly time limited implementation period.

A sensible Brexit means that we value the contribution that EU migrants make to our economy and society and that we will support a new border policy that is strong but practical.

"And a sensible Brexit will involve a comprehensive trade and customs agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union."

It makes no sense whatsoever to move the border to the Irish Sea and make trade with our biggest market more difficult.

On Friday the EU said the entire Brexit talks process was in the hands of the Irish government and they could veto a move to the second phase of trade talks if it felt there was no sufficient progress or assurances given on the border. However, both the Taoiseach and Tanaiste have said they have no intention of using the veto.

"What is not sensible is proposing isolating Northern Ireland from its largest market," Arlene Foster continued.

"I do not deny that the Republic of Ireland is an important market for many Northern Ireland exporters. But why do some seem so oblivious to the reality that our most important trading partner is Great Britain?

"They forget  or do they choose to ignore  the fact that 72% of trade from Belfast Harbour is with Great Britain. That almost two thirds of local agri-food produce goes to elsewhere in the UK.

"And that Northern Ireland manufacturing sales to Great Britain are worth six times more than those to the Irish Republic.

"It makes no sense whatsoever to move the border to the Irish Sea and make trade with our biggest market  the rest of the United Kingdom  more difficult."

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The DUP leader wrote to the EU27 block stating how she wanted close links to the Republic maintained but would not compromise on access to the UK market. Senior DUP MPs have said they could not support Theresa May's government if concessions were made to Dublin as part of any Brexit deal.

Arlene Foster added: "Those who have allowed this to become some sort of zero sum game, framing it as a mutually exclusive choice between maintaining the constitutional and economic integrity of the UK and continued close cross-border relations, do us all a great disservice. It is up to all of us who want to see a sensible Brexit to face up to the challenge and craft a solution that works for Northern Ireland.
A 30-year-old man has been charged over armed robberies in west Belfast and at a supermarket in the city centre.

At around 5.30pm on Saturday two men entered the shop on Kennedy Way before threatening staff with a knife. They then made off empty handed.

Police responded and a man was arrested a short time later on the Andersonstown Road.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact their officers.

On Sunday afternoon the man was charged to appear in Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday. He was also charged with offences relating to a robbery in a Belfast supermarket.
The UK-China regional leaders summit in Belfast brought together 100 delegates to develop links between the countries

Belfast's Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister has welcomed a "new era" in relations with China, following a three-day summit on business links between the nation and Northern Ireland.

The UK-China regional leaders summit in Belfast brought together some 100 delegates including politicians, business leaders experts from the tourism industry, creative sectors and education, to develop links between the two countries.

Fifty Chinese provincial and municipal leaders attended to represent areas including Shanghai, Shenyang and Changchun - representing a total population of around 110 million people.

Northern Ireland was represented by figures from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, Bombardier; Chinese Welfare Association,Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland.

The summit focused on the role of technology in increasing links between the two nations, with delegates visiting Belfast's new Immersive Technology Hub which is housed in the former Belfast Telegraph offices in the city.

Delegates were welcomed at Belfast City Hall on Sunday by Nuala McAllister, who hosted a reception for the officials.

Ms McAllister said: "This is a new era for UK-Chinese relations and we are delighted that we are meeting to agree tangible areas of co-operation under our Sister City Agreement.

"Industries such as tourism, fintech, creative, health and innovative technology are growth areas for both Belfast and Shenyang so co-operation like this can only be mutually beneficial to both our cities."

She added: "I am delighted that I, and the party group leaders, and Deputy Consul General Zhu have been able to welcome the delegation to Belfast City Hall and celebrate their visit with our long-standing Chinese community, the local universities, Confucius, business and tourism colleagues."
UUP MLA and former victims commissioner Mike Nesbitt has called on Secretary of State James Brokenshire to immediately issue payments to victims of historical institutional abuse.

In his extensive report published in January, Sir Anthony Hart recommended compensation payments ranging from 7,500 up to 100,000 for those victims and survivors.

There have been repeated calls for interim payments to be made, as well as for the report's other recommendations which included an apology, a memorial, assistance and the establishment of a commissioner to be implemented. However, the current political limbo in Northern Ireland has prevented any movement on the matter.

Strangford MLA Nesbitt has called on the Secretary of State to intervene descibing the state's failure to act a "political obscenity".

However, in a letter seen by the Belfast Telegraph from Mr Brokenshire, he has resisted acting saying he will not interfere in devolved matters or set new policy directions.

Mike Nesbitt has challenged the secretary of state to find one of Northern Ireland's 90 MLAs who would disagree with interim payments being made.

"An interim payment does not represent the setting of a new policy direction," he said.

"The inquiry made clear a future Executive should discuss and agree the exact nature of redress. An interim payment can be progressed without any future Executive agreement on this matter."

Mr Nesbitt has told the secretary of state he could make payments in the knowledge "it was the right thing to do politically and morally".

He added: "Victims and survivors were placed in the care of the state and its agents at a very young age and through no fault of their own they were cruelly abused by those charged with protecting them and nurturing them.

"They carry the scars of that abuse with them to the grave. Sadly, many have already completed that journey. For the remaining survivors to be told the state is not prepared to act at the far end of their lives is a political obscenity."

Secretary of State James Brokenshire was asked for comment.
President of the European Council, Donald Tusk (right) at a press conference with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) at Government Buildings in Dublin to discuss preparations for the December European Council.Laura Hutton/PA Wire

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he has no intention of exercising Ireland's veto to halt Brexit negotiations moving on to the next stage.

The Fine Gael leader was speaking to RTE after EU president Donald Tusk said Ireland would have the ultimate veto in deciding if the phase two of the Brexit talks on trade could begin.

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He described Friday as a "very positive day" after EU President Donald Tusk said the ultimate veto in deciding if the Brexit talks could progress to trade talks lay with Ireland.

Mr Varadkar said a veto was not something he had sought from the EU.

"A veto is something you use when you are isolated and there is 26 countries against you," he said.

"It is the politics Margaret Thatcher would have pursued and we can see where all that ended up and bizarrely a policy Sinn Fein in their conference were calling on me to use.

"We don't need to use veto, we have 26 countries behind us."

Irish foreign Minister Simon Coveney reiterated the stance on Sunday, denying claims from Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg Dublin was motivated by the recent resignation of the Tanaiste an impending election and the rise of Sinn Fein.

He said: "There is no desire in Ireland to delay this process... but at the same time we have a responsibility to represent the interests of the island of Ireland, north and south."

He also said recent opinion polls had suggested Sinn Fein's support in the Republic had "weakened".

Read More

In a wide-ranging interview the Taoiseach give an upbeat assessment of the state of play in the negotiations between the EU27 and the UK saying they were on course to meet their stated aims. He however, said Brexit had soured relations between Britain and Ireland.

Irish-British relations were at their closest ever, and then came Brexit... it is a disruption

And, given the UK was Ireland's biggest trading partner, it was very important good relations were maintained with London.

"The [UK] is a very important market," he continued, "but the Euro zone is equally important if not more so at this time."

He continued: "Irish-British relations were at their closest ever, and then came Brexit.

"Brexit is not our policy, this is their policy. It's a disruption and it is causing problems for us".

Mr Varadkar said that after the referendum result last year in terms of what the Irish government had set out to achieve they "were well on the way to achieving what we wanted to achieve".

He said protecting the common travel area and all the rights associated with it was not "done and dusted yet, but we are there or thereabouts".

"That's about much more than travelling between Britain and Ireland. It's about the rights to live, work, study, access pensions and healthcare as if we were citizens of both countries," he said.

"It's a really big deal and that's looking good too."

Read More

Ireland, the Taoiseach said, was keen to move onto phase two of the Brexit talks because for business "that was the most important element".

"But we wanted to have a written assurance there will be an avoidance of a hard border," he added.

Asked how there could be an avoidance of the border, the Taoisearch, said he was committed to the Good Friday Agreement.

"The Good Friday Agreement says that Northern Ireland is different from the rest of the United Kingdom.

"It has a devolved government, a very unusual form of devolved government... and we'll get it back up and running in time.

The Good Friday Agreement says Northern Ireland is different from the rest of the United Kingdom.

"There already are special arrangements for Northern Ireland in the fact people born there can be British, Irish or both. Even after Brexit people will still be able to be Irish citizens and EU citizens.

"So at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement is an acceptance for special arrangements and there could be further special arrangements in the future.

"What we want is to avoid a hard border."

Read More

Mr Varadkar accused the British Government of going further in the Brexit talks than the referendum result indicated.

"They have tried to narrow the parameters of the future relationship by saying we are also going to leave the customs union and the single market.

"What we have said is we can't change your mind on that but we want to narrow parameters as well and part of whatever deal is made will mean a hard border will be avoided.

"Or in the event of us being unable to get agreement the rules of the single market and customs union will continue to apply."

He added: "If we are going to move to phase two, they are going to have to say yes to something. Not so long ago they said they wouldn't pay any money and now they will pay 60billion."

They are going to have to say yes to something.

Asked about David Trimble's comments that the Irish government was using Brexit to bring about a united Ireland he said he understood unionist sympathies, but Brexit could undermine the relationship between NI and the UK.

"But we are not about that," he continued.

"We are not looking to change the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. We want the Good Friday Agreement to work.

"We're totally committed to that as a government. We're not looking to replace it with something new.

"What we want is just practical common sense. We want people to be able to cross the border, just like they do now.

"We are actually defending the status quo."

Mr Varadkar also rejected a notion raised by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that a blind eye could be turned to some border crossings after Brexit.

"We will conform with the laws of the EU," he added.
Police at the scene of a body find in Newry. Pic: Newraypics.com

Police are investigating after a man aged in his 30s was found dead in a Newry home.

Detectives and forensic officers attended the scene in the Marshes housing development on the Old Warrenpoint Road on Sunday morning.

Police said they were investigating the circumstances around the death.

"A post mortem examination will take place in due course to determine the cause of death," a PSNI spokesman said.
Tributes have been paid to former chief justice Thomas Finlay, one of Ireland's best known legal figures, who has died at the age of 95.

Mr Finlay was called to the bar in 1944 and also served as a Fine Gael TD in the 1950s.

He was appointed a High Court judge in 1974 and promoted to Chief Justice in 1985.

After his retirement in 1994, he led a number of high profile public inquiries including the Hepatitis C Tribunal.

In a statement, President Michael D. Higgins said: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Tom Finlay, former chief justice, distinguished member of the bar, former TD and member of the Council of State.

"As president of Ireland, may I convey my condolences to his family and friends, as well as express our nation's thanks for his contribution to public life in so many fields.

"As a member of the Supreme Court and indeed as a member of Dail Eireann, Tom Finlay left a legacy of public service, including a robust defence of the constitution and its provisions on parliamentary privilege and citizens' rights."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also expressed his condolences: "Mr Justice Finlay served with great distinction at many levels of the legal system in Ireland; as a barrister, senior counsel, president of the High Court, Supreme Court justice, as Chief Justice of Ireland from 1985-1994, and over 40 years service as a member of the Council of State.

"He leaves an extraordinary legacy of public service in the law, to which he added a period of time in Dail Eireann during the 1950s.

"My sympathies go to his family, especially his children, who include Supreme Court Judge Mary Finlay Geoghegan. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam."
More than 2,000 paid to hire a conference room for far-right group Britain First will be donated to charity by the hotel where the meeting was held.

The Wyboston Lakes resort in Bedfordshire said it was deeply offended by the controversial organisations presence on their property.

Pictures posted online by the fringe political groups leader Paul Golding appeared to show dozens of people sitting in a room decked with banners declaring Taking Our Country Back!

The resort faced criticism online when news of the conference, the location of which had not been made public by Britain First, became clear.

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The meeting was booked at short notice under the name Patriot Merchandise, which the resort said had no obvious connections to Britain First.

Patriot Merchandise is listed at Companies House as a private limited company based in Belfast.

No staff entered the meeting room during the event and the banners were erected only in the closed off conference room, a resort spokesman said.

The 2,250 cost of the five-hour event on Saturday will now be donated to an as-yet undecided charity.

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In a statement released on Sunday evening the resort spokesman said: For the sake of clarity, had we known the nature of the event being held by Britain First, we would not have taken the booking, as the values of our organisation conflicts with theirs in totality.

Wyboston Lakes, which was ranked at 28 in this years Sunday Times best 100 companies to work for list, said it embraces diversity.

The spokesman added: We can fully understand the concerns expressed, but we can only refer to our company values and principles, our standing as an award-winning employer and assure everyone that we are deeply offended by their presence on our property.

Britain Firsts conference came days after Donald Trump retweeted three anti-Muslim videos posted by the groups deputy leader Jayda Fransen.

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Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

The group has since boasted they gained hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Fransen, 31, from Penge, south-east London, is on bail facing trial over four charges of causing religiously aggravated harassment as part of a Kent Police investigation into the distribution of leaflets and the posting of online videos during a trial held at Canterbury Crown Court in May.

She will go on trial at Folkestone Magistrates Court on January 29 alongside Golding who faces three similar charges.

Fransen will also appear in court in Northern Ireland in December charged with using threatening and abusive language in connection with a speech she made at an anti-terrorism demonstration in Belfast on August 6.
A Cabinet minister has suggested that a visit to the UK by Donald Trump was unlikely to be a positive one following his retweets of anti-Muslim videos posted online by the deputy leader of the far-right Britain First group.

Theresa May said last week the president had been wrong to share the videos with his 44 million Twitter followers, adding that no date had been set for his planned state visit.

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However The Sunday Times reported that a working visit had been pencilled in by the White House for February 26 and 27 to coincide with the expected opening of the new US embassy in London.

But Education Secretary Justine Greening suggested the retweets had made any prospective visit by Mr Trump more problematic.

I dont think the tweets over the past week have particularly helped make any such visit a positive one, she told BBC1s The Andrew Marr Show.

I think he was wrong to make those tweets. Of course, Britain First is a group that is beyond the pale. I dont think they deserve any publicity.
Two thousand Santa Clauses donned their running shoes and braved the rain during a charity run to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh).

Hundreds of patients, families, hospital staff and even dogs suited and booted up to tackle the 5k and 10k courses on Clapham Common, south-west London, on a chilly and grey Sunday morning.

Sounding the starting klaxon was 11-year-old Arun Corcoran, who has been a Gosh patient since he was six weeks old and was taking part in the Santa Dash with his family for the third time

Arun, from Wokingham, Berkshire, who was born with only one kidney and will need a transplant at some point in the next decade, said he was very cold but looking forward to the race.

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His kidney condition has not stopped him from becoming a Team Gym British gymnast, as well as throwing himself into charity runs.

His school held a fair to raise money for Gosh and Aruns sponsorship after hearing about the Santa Dash.

Aruns father, Simon Corcoran, thanked Gosh staff for all their support and said thousands of running Santas were an amazing sight.

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Despite the downpour, the jolly joggers kept upbeat as they made their way round the sodden grass course.

A snow cannon sent snowflakes flurrying through the air as the now-weary Santas crossed the finish line to cheers and applause, their red hats askew.

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Also taking part was eight-year-old Indigo, from south London, whose brain tumour was removed by Gosh three years ago.

Her condition meant she had to use a wheelchair, but she has since managed to learn to walk, ride a bike, run, dance, play piano and do gymnastics.

She said she was nervous but really excited to be taking part, adding that her recovery had taken a lot of determination.

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Her father, Robbie, said: Shes done really, really well, its been a very long journey and with amazing support of Gosh.

We never thought wed see a day like today but its been step by step and now its fantastic, and Indy herself asked to join and we of course said wed love to all get involved and weve now got a group of about 12 of us running today.

Tim Johnson, chief executive of the Gosh childrens charity, said there were a similar number of runners to last year and they were hoping to raise around 250,000.

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He said: People turn their thoughts to Christmas at the beginning of December so the chance to come and dress up as Santa and raise some money for the hospital at the same time just really seems to appeal to people.

The money raised on Sunday will go towards the charitys play service, he said.

He added: At this time of year, of course, we always think about the children who will be in hospital over Christmas, and so the play team, although important all year round, are particularly important at this time of year, and thats what we are raising money for today.
A US police force in a suburban town in Utah is attempting to thwart parcel thefts over the festive period with what appears to be a foolproof solution: allowing residents to use the stations address for deliveries.

The Woods Cross Police Department near Salt Lake City is operating what it calls the Santa Squad programme, where police will secure packages for safe collection, throughout December.

Packages sent to the department are directed to the Santa Squad and can later be picked up by the residents with matching IDs.

Woods Cross Citizens. In an effort to make your Christmas safer and more enjoyable we are offering for the month of Dec Posted by Woods Cross PD on Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Police chief Greg Butler told KUTV-TV that package thefts can be difficult to solve, so the department decided to take a different approach.

Officers can deliver packages to residents who are elderly or have special needs.

For those sneakily looking to fake their identity to steal packages, Butler said it wont work.

He said: I would be very surprised if somebody tried to pull a fast one on the police department and tried to get a package here that wasnt for them.
When the news broke out that Donald Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn admitted making false statements to the FBI, the US presidents lawyer Ty Cobb issued a statement where he sought to distance Flynns guilty plea from the Trump administration.

A screenshot of the statement, which appeared to be in the Comic Sans font, was shared by Bloomberg reporter Sahil Kapur on Twitter.

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It led many people to ask whether Cobb had indeed used the internets most-hated typeface to make the announcement  remember, this was the font created as a tribute to lettering used in comic books.

Kapur confirmed the statement was, indeed, sent to the media in Comic Sans.

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Soon the jokes began

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Flynn, who worked in the Trump administration for just 25 days and resigned in February, admitted on Friday to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russias ambassador to the United States during the transition period before Trumps inauguration.

Flynn said he accepted responsibility for his actions and added: My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the Special Counsels Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country.
Relatives of crew members from the missing ARA San Juan submarine leave the navy base in Mar del Plata, Argentina (AP Photo/Marina Devo)

Hopes that the missing Argentinian submarine had been found have been dashed after a blurry sonar image of an object deep in the South Atlantic transpired to be a sunken fishing vessel.

Rescuers had sent an unmanned Russian submersible to review the 60 metre (197 feet) object located at 477 meters (1,565 feet) below sea level.

The ARA San Juan, that went missing on November 15 with 44 crew on board, was 66 meters (216 feet) in length - and officials said the image was "unclear."

They sent the submersible to "visually verify" if it was indeed the San Juan.

"It was confirmed that it wasn't the submarine's shell" but a sunken fishing vessel, Argentine navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said on Saturday.

The navy "regrets that without a rigorous analysis expectations were generated in the families and society, which must now face another frustration," Mr Balbi said.

Before Mr Balbi's announcement, authorities had said that if the image did not reveal any new clues, the search would focus on other signals of interest detected in parts of the South Atlantic where the vessel was last heard from.

Argentina's navy said on Thursday that it is no longer looking for survivors although a multinational operation will continue searching for the vessel.

"The extreme environment, the time elapsed and the lack of any evidence eliminates a scenario compatible with human life," Mr Balbi said.

"These are hours of intense pain and anguish (for relatives) in light of the loss of their loved ones, our 44 comrades," he said.

The German-made submarine went missing as it was travelling from the extreme southern port of Ushuaia to the city of Mar del Plata, about 250 miles southeast of Buenos Aires.

The navy has said the vessel's captain reported that water entered the snorkel and caused one of the submarine's batteries to short circuit.

An explosion was later detected around the time and place where the San Juan last made contact.

AP
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The cashless society is here and shopping centre landlords and tenants are now bracing themselves for the next phase - the exit of ATMs from malls.

Although the concept might be daunting, less cash will pay off in the long run.

ATMs could be a thing of the past in shopping centres as we move to a cashless society. Credit:Paul Jeffers

There will be advantages for shopping centres and also individual brands in terms of tracking spending and also identifying trends in real time.

For retailers, the opportunity in the digital era to track 'big data' will enable them to identify consumers' needs and wants in real time  something that is more important than ever before.
The twin brothers who sued Mark Zuckerberg claiming he stole the idea for Facebook are worth more than $1 billion after capitalising on the astonishing rise in bitcoin.

A $US11 million ($14 million) bet on bitcoin made by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss more than four years ago has ballooned by almost 10,000 per cent after last week's price surge. It is believed to be the first billion-dollar return made by a cryptocurrency investor, a landmark moment for the controversial asset.

Bitcoin hit $11,395 last week, capping a boom that started a year ago and accelerated dramatically in recent days, despite a chorus of warnings about its threat to financial stability and potential for criminal exploitation.

The rise has made millionaires out of many of its early backers but the Winklevoss twins are believed to be the first public figures to have turned an investment into more than $1 billion.
For almost 30 years, Englishman Raymond Batkin has been carefully tending the grave of a lone Australian airman at a Jewish cemetery in Britain.

"It seemed the right thing to do," Raymond said from his home in Plymouth. "I started to visit the grave on, at least, an annual basis from the mid-1980s, usually on the date of his death and then again just before Remembrance Sunday each November.

Judith Eisman places a flower at the Australian War Memorial for her uncle Morris Solomon. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

"I leave a Remembrance Star [of David] on the grave along with a pebble or stone, which is customary in visiting a grave of a [Jewish] friend or family member."

Mr Batkin first noticed the grave after he and his young family moved to Plymouth in the late 1970s, but he never dreamt his visits to the local Jewish cemetery would set him on a journey of discovery.
Last Christmas, Annabelle Potts' parents were told their vibrant little girl would never celebrate another.

The Canberra preschooler was diagnosed with an aggressive tumour at the base of her brain, making surgery and treatment all but impossible.

Annabelle was diagnosed with brain cancer last Christmas but her condition is now improving due to expensive experimental treatment in Mexico. Credit:karleen minney

After a round of radiation therapy, the family were told to take Annabelle home and "make memories". There was nothing more the doctors could do.

Instead, the Potts family have searched the world for a cure. Annabelle's tumour was deemed too risky for clinical trials back home and in the UK, so in June the family pooled their resources to fly the four year old to Mexico.
In the pokie-saturated postcode of Fairfield, which is also Sydney's most disadvantaged area, Fairfield Hospital will receive $500,000  the single largest donation offered to a hospital through this process  should an application by Fairfield Hotel for seven extra machines be approved. The pub's application was submitted last month and is still being assessed, but it sparked controversy after the Herald revealed last week that the hospital was one of several organisations poised to benefit from the pub's expansion bid, after it tied $2.6 million in donations to its application. Fairfield Council and local charity Community First Step refused to support it. Domestic violence charity White Ribbon reversed its initial acceptance of $50,000 from the pub following the Herald's inquiries. Other hospitals which have accepted at least one donation through the LIA scheme include: Liverpool Hospital, Ryde Hospital, Sydney Children's Hospital, Coledale Hospital, Cessnock Hospital, and the Queanbeyan Base Hospital. The Herald reached out to several hospitals for comment, but the inquiries were referred to the NSW Health department, which issued a blanket statement defending the donation scheme.

"These donations support activities across hospitals, and make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our patients and their families," a NSW Health spokeswoman said According to a 2010 Productivity Commission report, problem gamblers account for about 40 per cent of losses on poker machines in Australia. The LIA scheme is intended to offset the harm of concentrating more machines in communities. However, it is criticised for making cash-strapped charities essential to the expanding profit of pokie venues. More organisations are now walking away from the process. For instance, the Salvation Army, which has been a prominent advocate for gambling reform, recently agreed to $52,000 from the Waterworks Hotel in Botany, pending its successful application for an extra four poker machines.

After the Herald inquired about the donation, the Salvation Army said it would no longer accept it. "The Salvation Army is undertaking an internal review of our processes and would like to sincerely apologise for these oversights," a spokesman said. "The Salvation Army does not support any conditional donations that utilises our brand and reputation to increase the presence of gambling in our community. It is against Salvation Army policy and is contrary to our organisational values." St Vincent de Paul Society, which is also outspoken on the harms caused by problem gambling, is in line to receive a combined $140,000 in donations from the Imperial Hotel, in Rooty Hill, and Moko-Heather's Kitchen, in Eastwood, after their pokie machine increases were approved by the regulator earlier this year. However, when contacted by the Herald for this story, the society criticised the LIA process and said it was not "planning on supporting any new LIA submissions".

"The society believes that the gaming machine expansion model should not be linked to funding of local groups, charities or community projects. The contribution attributed through this scheme does not come anywhere near to addressing the magnitude of the issues faced by many members of the community," a spokeswoman said. Without organisations agreeing to accept these donations, pubs and clubs would be unable to prove the "positive impact" requirement and would likely have their application refused. Monash University public health professor Charles Livingstone, a critic of the gambling industry, said hospitals and charities that accepted funding through this process were complicit in the harm caused by pokie machines. "In reality they [the hospitals] are participating in inflicting significant levels of harm on the community, and some of that harm is going to come back and they are going to have to pick up the cost," he said. "Any organisation that is genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of the community would not lend themselves to this legitimation practice."
Or do we still know how to? Seriously. Because regulators, the government, and most employers don't think we do.

In June, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe issued an extraordinary call to workers: rise up and demand pay rises.

"The crisis really is in real wage growth," he said. "Western workers feel like they cannot get a pay rise."

Six months later, nothing has changed. In fact, despite the government's intervention to raise the minimum wage, we are still hovering around annual growth of 2 per cent  barely keeping pace with the rising cost of a bag of groceries.
A group of Anglican bishops has split with some of the church's top leaders to declare support for the current version of the same-sex marriage bill before Parliament, publicly calling on lower house MPs to resist the conservative push to insert stronger religious protections.

The House of Representatives will begin debating the bill drafted by Liberal senator Dean Smith on Monday and is expected to pass it by the end of the week. If it passes unchanged it will then be signed into law, and same-sex weddings will occur within weeks.

Senator Penny Wong is hugged by co-sponsor Senator Dean Smith after speaking on the Marriage Amendment Bill at Parliament House in Canberra. Credit:Andrew Meares

However Coalition conservatives are set on amending the bill, which passed the Senate 43 votes to 12 last week, without change. If they manage to get enough support for their changes around freedom of religion and conscience the bill will have to return to the Senate.

As Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed he would support some of those changes in a bid to guard against any "unintended consequences", seven Anglican bishops wrote to all lower house MPs to show not all religious leaders believe amendments are necessary.
Malcolm Turnbull has declared he is "satisfied" no more Coalition MPs will fall due to dual citizenship, as new polling shows Australians are sharply divided over the idea of changing the constitution to prevent a repeat of this year's chaos.

Federal politicians will publicly reveal their citizenship documents this week as part of the Prime Minister's disclosure regime, which is designed to restore public trust in the Parliament and end the crisis that has battered the government

Barnaby Joyce and Malcolm Turnbull during Saturday's New England byelection. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Senators' documents will be made public at midday on Monday, while those of lower house MPs will be released later in the week.
According to some estimates, the black market in cigarettes accounts for about 14 per cent of total tobacco consumption and cost Australian taxpayers about $1.6 billion last year in lost excise. Industry player Philip Morris International reports Melbourne's western suburbs are a hot-spot for illicit sales. More than 40 outlets in the area are suspected of offering under-the-counter tobacco. When a packet of Marlboro in China costs about $3, compared with $27 in Australia, organised criminals see smuggling cigarettes as a low-risk but profitable pursuit. Double Happiness cigarettes were on sale for $16 at Yousef Eideh's store. Credit:Justin McManus The Double Happiness cigarettes Yousef Eideh sold our reporter are cheaper still, costing about $1.50 a packet in China.

Hidden in coloured boxes at the side of the counter, Yousef charged $16 for each packet  half the Australian price of cigarettes, but still a massive mark up on the original cost. The question is, how did the tobacco get here? Labor sources have told authorities that the cigarettes are sourced in Asia by a businessman with long-standing connections to the Eideh family and the ALP. In a report filed this week, they also allege the cigarettes have occasionally been stored in a suburban warehouse also linked to the Eidehs. Yousef Eideh's Cairnlea cigarette shop. Credit:Jason South

One witness told Fairfax Media deliveries were usually made "bright and early on a Wednesday morning" to the Cignall shop, and that Khalil Eideh, who also smokes, was well aware of the products available. "This is a syndicate that is very well organised and has been operating for a very long time," sources wrote in a detailed tip-off to Crimestoppers, the agency that passes on information about alleged criminal activity to police. Khalil Eideh, however, strongly denies any knowledge of the matter. Asked about the allegations, the state MP insisted that had no idea about any illicit tobacco trade. "That's the first time I've heard anything about this," he said. "I never get involved in the business of my brothers. I don't know anything about it." The business associate  who The Age has chosen not to name at this stage  also said he was not trading in illicit tobacco in any way, and his trips to China were related to sourcing industrial equipment for his own business projects in Syria.

Yousef Eideh says he doesn't know where the Chinese cigarettes come from. Credit:Jason South Yousef Eideh, on the other hand, was less emphatic in his denials. After initially claiming he didn't sell illicit smokes, he eventually fessed up  but wouldn't say where the cigarettes came from. A man would simply drop them at the shop, he claimed, "but we don't know him". The link to the tobacco trade is the latest in a series of controversies involving Khalil Eideh, who until this year had spent a decade in politics flying under the public radar, while raising his stocks within ALP ranks as a key fundraiser, particularly among the Alawite community. Khalil Eideh has had a low-profile parliamentary career. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer

The state MP was thrown into the spotlight in July, when he was mysteriously barred from entering the US on an official parliamentary visit. Federal Senator Kim Carr  a longstanding ally from Labor's left  rushed to Mr Eideh's defence, claiming he had been "a victim of Trumpism", while Daniel Andrews described him as a "good friend, someone who I can't understand why he would be denied entry into the United States". After he was barred from entry to the US, Khalil Eideh (left) flew back to Melbourne where he was met by Senator Kim Carr (right). Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui It later emerged that Mr Eideh, an Australian-Syrian dual citizen, had lied about how many times he had previously visited Syria. Come October, he was forced to step down as upper house deputy president after being embroiled in the so-called "cash for stacks" scandal.

The scheme  now being probed by the anti-corruption watchdog  allegedly involved his electorate office issuing false invoices to claim payments for printing work that was never done. Mr Eideh maintains his innocence on all fronts, and told Fairfax Media he looked forward to IBAC completing its investigation so he could clear his name before retiring from politics at the next election. But the scrutiny surrounding the politician is another unwanted headache for a government less than a year out from the poll, and with factional tensions simmering beneath the surface  particularly in Labor's western heartland. Not surprisingly, the opposition sniffs blood. "A fish rots from the head and there is a real stench about the Andrews government," said Liberal frontbencher Tim Smith.

The Double Happiness cigarettes are no longer being sold in Yousef Eideh's store. Credit:Jason South As for the Cignall shop in downtown Cairnlea? When Fairfax Media returned to the store this week, Yousef Eideh insisted he no longer sold illicit tobacco  all you could buy now were genuine brands. Loading Why the sudden change, we asked? "Khalil told me to be careful after you called him ... So we don't have them anymore."
Washington: When President Donald Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, in February, White House officials portrayed him as a renegade who had acted independently in his discussions with a Russian official during the presidential transition and then lied to his colleagues about the interactions.

But emails among top transition officials, provided or described to The New York Times, suggest that Flynn was far from a rogue actor. In fact, the emails, coupled with interviews and court documents filed Friday, showed that Flynn was in close touch with other senior members of the Trump transition team before and after he spoke with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, about US sanctions against Russia.

While Trump has disparaged as a Democratic "hoax" any claims that he or his aides had unusual interactions with Russian officials, the records suggest that the Trump transition team was intensely focused on improving relations with Moscow and was willing to intervene to pursue that goal despite a request from the Obama administration that it not sow confusion about official US policy before Trump took office.

On December 29, a transition adviser to Trump, KT McFarland, wrote in an email to a colleague that sanctions announced hours before by the Obama administration in retaliation for Russian election meddling were aimed at discrediting Trump's victory. The sanctions could also make it much harder for Trump to ease tensions with Russia, "which has just thrown the USA election to him," she wrote in the emails obtained by The Times.
Pharmacy giant Walgreens has invested nearly $420 million in the retailing unit of Sinopharm Group, which has nearly 3,700 locations in China. Photo: Visual China

Pharmacy giant Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. has made its largest investment in China, acquiring a 40% stake in the retail business of the countrys largest drug distributor by revenue.

The investment of nearly 2.8 billion yuan ($420 million) will go to Sinopharm Holding Guoda Drug Store Co. Ltd., the retailer unit of Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd.

Sinopharms Guoda Drug Store had nearly 3,700 locations by the end of June this year in 70 major cities across China. Its sales have topped the domestic industry for the past five years.

Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Stefano Pessina has struggled to build a presence in China, he told the Financial Times in January. Pessina is a well-known dealmaker, who turned his failing drug-wholesaler family business into a world player by merging with several rivals, including UK pharmacy Boots in 2006 and U.S. peer Walgreens in 2014.

Walgreens entered the pharmacy business in China a decade ago through a joint venture with wholesaler Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corp., with an investment of $69 million. In 2012, it spent $75 million to buy a 12% stake in another distributor, Nanjing Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Walgreens investment in Nanjing Pharma helped the latter achieve annual profit growth of more than 60% between 2013 and 2016, according to a report by Hua Chuang Securities.

The Sinopharma investment may help introduce Walgreen brands to China and assimilate its management culture, analysts at Hua Chuang Securities said.

Walgreens Boots Alliance operates several popular drug retail and health care brands, including Walgreens, Duane Reade, Boots, Alliance Healthcare, No7, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle, Sleek MakeUP and Botanics. But they have had little presence in China, a market with an expanding middle class and growing demand for higher quality health care products.

The deal also comes at a time when e-commerce giant Amazon Inc. is reportedly in talks to enter the pharmacy space. But Walgreens CEO Pessina seems unworried.

Amazon will not come in an industry so complicated as our industry, he said in an interview with Forbes on Wednesday.

But the drug distribution business in China can be complicated. Earlier this month, U.S.-based Cardinal Health Inc. sold its China unit to Chinese peer Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd. for $1.2 billion. Cardinal had reportedly been concerned about Chinas impending reform of the countrys drug distribution regulations.

Chinas drug distribution industry is dominated by three big players: Sinopharm, China Resources and Shanghai Pharma. Smaller local companies rely on their tangled relationships with local health care institutions, according to a report by consultancy Strategy&, under PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Walgreens investment in the top player might give it a big slice of the China pie, but the deal is still pending anti-monopoly reviews by Chinas Ministry of Commerce.

Contact reporter Coco Feng (renkefeng@caixin.com)
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But what constitutes a perfect morning meal depends a lot on where you live. From fresh baguettes to fermented beans, here are some traditional breakfasts from around the world.

1. France

For their petit dejeuner, the French generally prefer to keep things light. Coffee is a staple, though some might opt for fresh orange juice or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate), pastry chef Cedric Grolet told Vogue. To feel truly Parisian, pair your cafe with a baguette spread with a little butter or jam, a croissant, or some pain au chocolat.

2. China

In a country as large and diverse as China, pinning down a single typical breakfast is hard. But among the more commonly eaten foods are congee (rice porridge), baozi (steamed buns often filled with pork), and fried dough sticks served with soy milk, according to Lonely Planet. People on the go might grab a kind of savory pancake topped with egg, scallions, and spicy sauce. This street food, called jianbing, is Chinas best-kept culinary secret, according to Serious Eats.

3. Colombia

According to Uncover Colombia, breakfast in this South American country might consist of calentado, which is a mix of rice, red beans, eggs, and plantains served with an arepa. Or one might order changua, a soup made of milk, eggs, scallions, and cilantro and served with toast. Its especially common in Bogota.

4. England

The traditional fry-up is up there with fish and chips as one of the most quintessentially English meals. Also known as a full English breakfast, this stick-to-your-ribs meal usually includes both bacon and sausages, beans (often Heinz baked beans), tomatoes, fried bread, and eggs, says Serious Eats. Kippers (cold smoked herring), mushrooms, potatoes, or black pudding might also make an appearance on the plate.

5. Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, you might start your day with a unique type of porridge known as genfo or gaat. To make the porridge, one cooks barley flour with water until thick and shapes it in a bowl. A well is made in the center of the porridge and filled with spiced, clarified butter, Eater explained. Like other Ethiopian dishes, its served communally, sometimes with yogurt on the side. But unlike other Ethiopian meals, people eat it with a fork or spoon.

6. Iceland

Iceland is trendy right now, and that goes for its breakfasts, too. Americans are getting hip to skyr, a thick, protein-rich yogurt-like cheese made from skim milk. (Prevention says you might want to try eating it instead of the more popular Greek yogurt.) Other breakfast staples include hafragrautur, or oatmeal, noted Serious Eats. Whatever you eat, expect to wash it down with a spoonful of lysi, or cod liver oil. The supplement is rich in vitamin D, which helps make up for the serious lack of sunlight in the island country.

7. Jamaica

According to Serious Eats, a typical Jamaican breakfast consists of ackee, a type of fruit imported to the Caribbean from Africa, served with saltfish. Callaloo, a leafy green sauteed with onion and garlic, might also be on the table, along with plantains, johnny cakes, and Jamaican hot chocolate.

8. Japan

Morning meals in Japan can vary a lot, as this peek into the preferred breakfasts of 20 different people shows. Some scarfed down eggs and sausage, while others opted for fresh fruit, yogurt, or English muffins. But many went with more traditional Japanese fare, such as miso soup, white rice, and natto (fermented soybeans).

The last one  which tastes like salty cottage cheese, foie gras or old Brie, according to Food & Wine  is a divisive food. Westerners tend to turn up their noses at the gooey, smelly beans (even Anthony Bourdain doesnt like it), and the dish is far from universally loved in Japan, noted the Japan Times. Its most popular in the eastern and northern parts of the country.

9. Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine combines Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, along with those from Thailand, England, and Portugal. The countrys various breakfast dishes are similarly diverse. Kaya toast involves thick, grilled or toasted bread served with butter and kaya jam, a custard made of coconut milk, sugar, and eggs, and then its served with poached or boiled eggs, according to Epicurious. Another favorite is nasi lemak, which consists of rice cooked in coconut milk and served with sambal sauce and garnishes, such as hard-boiled egg and anchovies.

10. Mexico

Sure, youll find people filling up on huevos rancheros in Mexico, but a fried egg with salsa and tortillas isnt the only thing on the breakfast menu south of the border. People on their way to work might grab a licuado, or fruit and milk smoothie, and then follow it up with a concha or other pan dulce, according to Eater. For a more filling morning meal, theres huevos divorciados (two sunny side-up eggs, one topped with red salsa and the other with green), chilaquiles (fried tortillas cooked with salsa, then topped with shredded chicken, eggs, or cheese), or huevos a la Mexicana (scrambled eggs cooked with chili pepper, tomatoes, and onion and served with refried beans).

11. Syria

A traditional Syrian breakfast has something for everyone. Expect pita bread, Syrian cheeses, labneh (homemade yogurt), cheese burek (phyllo pies filled with feta), and foul mudammas (fava bean dip), explained Extra Crispy. Olives, fresh tomato and cucumber, eggs, and makdous (pickled stuffed eggplant) are also common, according to Orange Blossom Water.
Planned Parenthood's Ark. Rival Planned Parenthood's biggest nemesis isn't the GOP -- or even pro-lifers. Lately, it's the democratic process.

Planned Parenthood's biggest nemesis isn't the GOP  or even pro-lifers. Lately, it's the democratic process. When abortion groups started moving into the extreme territory staked out by Barack Obama  pushing late-term, taxpayer-funded, and unregulated abortions  most Americans didn't move with them. So, like most liberals with unpopular agendas, Planned Parenthood turned to the only place capable of giving them the victories they couldn't win legislatively: the courts.

But the crop of activist judges willing to do the abortion movement's bidding is shrinking  thanks to the growing number of originalists nominated by Donald Trump to fill the federal courts' vacancies. Suddenly, Cecile Richards and friends are faced with an unpleasant reality: voters who don't agree with their far-Left fanaticism and courts less willing to sanction it.

That has serious ramifications in places like Arkansas, where state Medicaid funding (which is one of the biggest pots of Planned Parenthood's money) has kept the group afloat through one scandal after another. Like several Republican governors, Asa Hutchinson (R) ended Arkansas's forced partnership with the group in 2015, when David Daleiden released his first string of undercover videos. With the image of tiny beating baby hearts burned into taxpayers' minds, the legislature pulled the plug on the group's cash and redirected the money to other health clinics.

Frantic to keep its grip on the state's money, Richards sued. While the case wormed its way through the courts, Arkansas was forced to put its law on hold. This, despite U.S. House, Senate, FBI, and state investigations into the group's criminal baby-parts-for-profits scheme. In a major win for pro-lifers and the legislative process, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals saw the ridiculousness of unelected judges telling states how to spend their money and ruled that Arkansas could stop payment to Planned Parenthood.

On Monday, leaders did exactly that, announcing that the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services had officially cut off Planned Parenthood. "Every individual ought to have the freedom to choose their health care provider," an organization spokesman argued. But what about the freedom of states to choose where their money goes? Women are welcome to go to Planned Parenthood any time they want -- but they aren't free to force Arkansas into paying for it.

Thanks to this commonsense decision, other states may soon be able to celebrate the same autonomy. Leaders in Texas, where activist courts struck down a similar law, are thrilled for Arkansas because it means there's finally a split in the decisions of our federal appeals courts. On issues of this magnitude, that's almost always a one-way ticket to the U.S. Supreme Court, where pro-lifers would be more than happy to have new Justice Neil Gorsuch weigh in. In the meantime, the evidence would suggest that Americans can thank Donald Trump for his efforts which are bringing balancing the bench. People who voted for this president based solely on the courts certainly haven't been disappointed!

Tony Perkins' Washington Update is written with the aid of FRC senior writers.

Tony Perkins is president of the Family Research Council.
Apple macOS High Sierra security flaw recently made public; exploit can grant access to devices without use of passwords

Multinational electronics company Apple has just learned of a major security flaw plaguing their operating system, the macOS. The flaw can easily grant anyone access to a device even without a password. It has been confirmed that the issue exists in the High Sierra version of the operating system.

The security flaw can be replicated on an Apple laptop with a High Sierra OS. The exploit can start whenever the device asks for elevated authentication, a feature that is similar to Microsoft Windows' User Access Control (UAC).

The authentication prompt will require a username and a password. When this happens, anyone can type "root" as the username and leave the password field blank. The user will be granted elevated access after clicking the "Login" button a few times.

This exploit was first made public by Twitter user @lemiorhan, who immediately notified Apple about it. "Anyone can log in as "root" with empty password after clicking on login button several times. Are you aware of it @Apple?" his tweet said.

Dear @AppleSupport, we noticed a *HUGE* security issue at MacOS High Sierra. Anyone can login as "root" with empty password after clicking on login button several times. Are you aware of it @Apple?  Lemi Orhan Ergin (@lemiorhan) November 28, 2017

The Verge confirmed that the security flaw exists for the High Sierra 10.13.1 version. They also stated that the flaw is not present in Sierra or older macOS versions.

The exploit is a significant security risk because it readily grants anyone administrator access to a device. Upon entry, the user can view all the files stored on the hard drive, as well as change passwords associated with the computer. The Apple ID email address associated with the device can be altered as well.

Due to the exploit's potential for malicious use, Apple is expected to respond with a fix swiftly. However, the company has not yet provided any definitive date for the next software update.

Affected users can change their root password as a fix in the meantime. Moreover, Apple has provided detailed steps on how to do it, but this is a temporary fix in lieu of the actual software update expected to roll out soon.
'Captain Marvel' cast, plot spoilers: New character descriptions reveal key Skrull villains

As production for "Captain Marvel" gears up, more and more details about the movie have popped up. The latest one are character descriptions that shed light on some of the Skrulls that Brie Larson's Carol Danvers could be going up against in the upcoming film.

The Hashtag Show" obtained character descriptions from a casting call for what seems to be a female fighter and two male soldiers. Check them out below.

"[Alpha] Female, 20-49. Fight experience. Dance or gymnastics preferred. [Delta] Male, 20-49. Must be over 6 tall, broad shouldered and muscular. [Supporting Male #2] Male, 35-45, a chiseled, cocky guy who is large in stature, but not as big as Delta."

The publication believes that the Supporting Male #2 is Titannus. He is a Skrull born without the alien race's iconic shapeshifting abilities who ultimately ends up gaining super strength and healing factor after taking part in the Super Skrull experiments. In the comics, he crash-lands in Japan where he later fights with the Avengers, something that could play into "Avengers 4," which was confirmed previously to be partially shooting in the Asian country.

As for Alpha and Delta, The Hashtag Show theorizes they could be Princess Anelle and Dorrek VII, respectively. Both are key players in the Kree-Skrull war, with Dorrek ruling his race and Anelle his daughter. Anelle and Mar-Vell, who will be played by Jude Law in the film, fell in love in this arc and shared a child who grew up on Earth as Teddy Altman, later known as Young Avenger Hulkling.

"Captain Marvel" is expected to feature a heavy dose of Skrulls, but they will not be the only nefarious forces. Krees may also share the spotlight as Ben Mendelsohn is reportedly in talks to play the film's main villain, Kree Colonel Yon-Rogg.

When it comes to personal conflict, the Kree officer may be the main antagonist in "Captain Marvel." However, the Skrulls should still have the numbers that threaten to overwhelm Earth.

First concept art of Brie Larson as #CaptainMarvel who will face the Skrulls in a 90s set film. pic.twitter.com/yB8izslz0A  Adam Hlavac (@adamhlavac) July 23, 2017

"Captain Marvel" is set to kick off production in February for a March 8, 2019 release.
'Days of Our Lives' spoilers for Dec. 4-8: Sami and Rafe hook up, Hope proposes

Some relationships are in big trouble in the upcoming episodes of "Days of Our Lives" for the week of Dec. 4-8. Aside from that, a conflict between Ciara (Victoria Konefal) and Claire (Olivia Rose Keegan) will be rekindled. Next week is full of drama and exciting twists including Will's (Chandler Massey) reunion with an ex-lover.

Last week, Rafe (Galen Gering) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) had a big fight when Rafe took over Hope's position. Hope also got mad at Rafe when he said that her late husband Bo is the reason why their wedding was delayed. Because of this, Hope returned her engagement ring to Rafe.

Brokenhearted Rafe found comfort from his ex-flame, Sami (Alison Sweeney). But the two will take things further this week. Since Sami and Rafe are reeling from rejection, the two will seek solace in one another by going under the sheets. The aftermath of their one night of passion will have a huge impact on Rafe and Hope's relationship.

In the morning, Sami and Rafe will be surprised as Hope appears on Sami's door. Will Hope find out that Rafe hooked up with Sami that night? Despite that, Hope will open up about her feelings for Rafe, which will make him feel guilty about his hook-up.

Ciara will catch up with her friends and family members, but things will not turn out well when Claire arrives. Ciara will enumerate the past mistakes of Claire, vowing that she will let Claire pay for her actions. Reports opine that the real reason for Ciara's revenge is to ensure the safety of Theo (Kyler Pettis).

Elsewhere, another reunion will occur as Will bumps into his previous lover, Paul (Christopher Sean). Sonny will see Will planting a kiss on Paul. How will this affect Sonny (Freddie Smith) and Paul? Also next week, Eve (Kassie DePaiva) will turn the tables on Brady (Eric Martsolf), causing a clash with Maggie (Suzanne Rogers). Meanwhile, Eric will try to convince Will to give his mother Sami another chance.

"Days of Our Lives" airs Mondays to Fridays at 1:00 p.m. EST on NBC.
Trump: Flynn's dealings with Russia were lawful

Donald Trump insisted actions by former national security adviser Michael Flynn during the presidential transition were lawful, and that he had had to fire him because Flynn had lied to the FBI and the vice president.

The president's comment suggested he may have known Flynn lied to the FBI before he urged the FBI director not to investigate his former adviser, legal experts said. But they noted that it was unclear from the tweeted comment exactly what the president knew when.

Flynn is the first member of Trump's administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence last year's US presidential election and possible collusion by Trump aides.

'I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies,' Trump said on Twitter while he was in New York for a fundraising trip. 'It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!'

Flynn, who on Friday pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, is a former Defense Intelligence Agency director who was Trump's national security adviser only for 24 days. He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Russia's then-ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak.

'What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion,' Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the New York trip. 'There's been absolutely no collusion, so we're very happy.'

Establishing when Trump was told Flynn lied to the FBI agents could be key to determining if the president acted improperly.

According to a person familiar with the matter, during a conversation between White House counsel Don McGahn and then-acting attorney general Sally Yates in January, Yates told McGahn that Flynn had told FBI agents the same thing he had told Pence.

This was the same conversation reported earlier this year in which Yates told McGahn that Flynn had misled the vice president about his conversations with the Russian ambassador and that he might be compromised, the person said.

However, Yates did not give McGahn the impression that the FBI was actively pursuing Flynn for lying, the source said. McGahn did not believe the FBI was investigating Flynn for lying because the bureau had not revoked his security clearance, the person said.

McGahn shared the information from Yates with the president, the person said.

A lawyer for McGahn did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Yates did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Legal experts said if Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI and then pressured then-FBI director James Comey not to investigate him, that would be problematic.

If that were the case Trump's tweet 'absolutely bolsters an obstruction of justice charge,' said Jimmy Gurule, a former federal prosecutor and a law professor at Notre Dame University. 'It is evidence of the crucial question of whether Trump acted with a corrupt intent.'

In May, the president fired Comey, who later accused Trump of trying to hinder his investigation into the Russia allegations. Comey also said he believed Trump had asked him to drop the FBI's probe into Flynn.

Andrew Wright, a professor at Savannah Law School, said the tweet is open to interpretation and that Trump's lawyer would downplay its significance.

White House attorney Ty Cobb referred questions about the president's tweet to Trump's personal attorney, John Dowd, who described it as a 'paraphrase' of a statement Cobb had made on Friday reacting to Flynn's guilty plea.

According to a person familiar with the matter, Dowd composed the tweet.

The tweet is 'bizarre and helpful to Mueller and hurtful to the president,' said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago now at the law firm Thompson Coburn. 'It's one more piece of evidence that helps show the president's intent when he fired Comey.'

As part of his plea on Friday, Flynn agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

The retired US Army lieutenant general admitted in a Washington court that he lied to FBI investigators about his discussions last December with Kislyak.

In what appeared to be moves undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama, the pair discussed US sanctions on Russia, and Flynn asked Kislyak to help delay a United Nations vote seen as damaging to Israel, according to prosecutors.

Flynn was also told by a 'very senior member' of Trump's transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the UN vote, the prosecutors said.

Sources told Reuters the 'very senior' transition official was Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor. Kushner's lawyer did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Separately, speaking at a defence conference in California on Saturday, Trump's current national security advisor HR McMaster said he saw no evidence that the indictment of Flynn, his immediate predecessor, was hurting US national security.

'There's tremendous confidence, I think there's more confidence in the United States frankly. I think there's a sense that we're re-engaging in areas where we had largely disengaged,' he said.
retailers are under attack from new competitors, including an increasingly powerful Amazon, and

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Upon the closing of the transaction, three of Aetna's directors, including Chairman and CEO Mark Bertolini, will join the CVS board of directors. Aetna will operate as a stand-alone business unit within the larger company, led by members of the insurer's current management team. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2018, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

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"This combination brings together the expertise of two great companies to remake the consumer health care experience," CVS President and CEO Larry Merlo said in a statement. "With the analytics of Aetna and CVS Health's human touch, we will create a health care platform built around individuals."

Breaking new ground

The takeover comes as Amazon threatens to enter the drug industry. The retail juggernaut has held preliminary talks with makers of generic drugs about its potential entry into the pharmacy space, according to people familiar with the discussions. With Amazon as a pharmacy competitor, CVS risks losing the key draw to its stores. Shoppers can already find CVS's cosmetic and household staples in other retailers and online, often for cheaper. CVS, which has a network of nearly 10,000 pharmacies and over 1,000 walk-in clinics, plans to use its vast retail footprint as a center for pharmacy, nutrition, clinical, vision and even beauty services. They will still sell traditional household goods. The two will thus create a new touch point outside the costly hospital emergency room visits that insurance companies must pay for. They will add new reason to visit CVS stores. By tying up with Aetna, CVS cements the move into health care it has been making since its acquisition of the Caremark PBM business in 2007. (A PBM typically is a third party that negotiates prescription drug benefits for a commercial health plan.) The acquisition gives CVS more scale to bargain for better prices for the prescription drugs it sells through its PBM business. It also fortifies Aetna's insurance business by creating the ability to offer its customers cheaper co-payments, presumably only in CVS stores. It would also provide a tighter hold on patients who require more expensive, specialty drugs  the more profitable part of the business. "These high complex-care cost members, the very, very sick, or the ones that are using expensive drugs, tend to be the highest profit for the industry," said Pramod John, CEO of Vivio Health, a specialty pharmacy management firm.

Mark Bertolini, Aetna chairman and CEO Source: Mike Cohen
California Senator Dianne Feinstein said that a Senate committee's investigation looking into Russia's influence in the U.S. election was also exploring a potential "obstruction of justice" charge against President Donald Trump, the Democrat told NBC on Sunday.

Feinstein, who is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" that group was "putting together of a case of obstruction of justice."

She added: "I think we see this in the indictments, the four indictments and pleas that have just taken place and some of the comments that are being made."

Feinstein's comments in the wake of former national security advisor Michael Flynn entering a guilty plea for lying to federal investigators about conversations he had with a Russian ambassador.

While Trump insisted on Saturday Flynn's conversations were "lawful" and above board, he acknowledged that he fired the former general for lying to investigators during the transition phase.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday he never asked former FBI director James Comey to stop investigating former national security advisor Michael Flynn.

Flynn is the first member of Trump's administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian attempts to influence last year's U.S. presidential election. Trump fired Comey from his post in May.

"I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" Trump tweeted.
A cache of emails from President Donald Trump's transition team has raised questions about Michael Flynn acting as a "rogue" agent, with one national security advisor quoted in an email saying Russia "has just thrown U.S.A. election to him," according to a report in The New York Times.

The Times story suggests former national security advisor Michael Flynn acted with the knowledge of other senior members of the Trump team. In a series of electronic communications, Flynn kept key transition figures in the loop before and after conversations he had with a Russian diplomat, the publication reported.

In one email sent on Dec. 29, K.T. McFarland addressed Trump advisor Tom Bossert, about President Barack Obama's decision to impose sanctions on Russia for election interference. At the time, McFarland was transition advisor; she later became deputy national security advisor under Michael Flynn.

"If there is a tit-for-tat escalation, Trump will have difficulty improving relations with Russia, which has just thrown U.S.A. election to him," she wrote.

However, the report also stated that it was unclear whether McFarland meant "thrown" literally. A White House lawyer told the Times that McFarland was not saying she believed the election had been thrown. The attorney said she only meant that that was what Democrats were saying at the time.

Trump was scheduled to have a call at 5 p.m. that day with McFarland shortly after the email was sent, but it is not clear whether that meeting actually happened, the Times wrote.

Bossert forwarded the exchange to six other White House staffers. The Times said they included Reince Priebus, the appointee to become chief of staff, senior advisor Stephen Bannon and Sean Spicer, who would become press secretary. Bossert also forwarded the exchange to Flynn.

The same day that McFarland sent the email, Flynn called McFarland to discuss what he should communicate to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak about the sanctions.
CORNWALL, Ontario  This Saturday, Dec. 2, Diversity/Diversite Cornwall hosted a painting workshop at the Cornwall Public Library.

Those in attendance had the chance to meet some of the groups new members, all while creating some festive canvases.

Group president, Stephanie Nadeau says that it was important to her that the group hosted something before the holidays.

This time of year can be a little crazy, said Nadeau. Its a little bit more of a get-together than a fundraiser, and people are happy to come out and unwind at the canvas.

Nadeau says that while paint nights have become a popular way to raise money, the group wanted to be as inclusive as possible.

We wanted to do it during the afternoon to make it more attractive to young families and kids, said Nadeau. So far, weve had a great turnout and were already hoping to do this again.

With a full roster of events planned for the new year, Nadeau says that the group hopes to create more representation for the LGBT community within the city.

Were excited, said Nadeau. Were hoping to do even more events than last year. We really want to hit the ground running.
Somerset County inundated with accidents after Tuesday snowstorm

Somerset County 911 dispatchers said they were inundated with emergency calls Tuesday because of the snow.
Can Congress president-in-waiting Rahul Gandhi beard the lion in his own den?

Unlikely. But the Congress, out of power in Gujarat since 1995, has set a low bar for measuring Rahuls success. If the BJP can be kept to below 115 seats (its 2012 tally) in the 182-seat Assembly, then it will count as a vindication of Rahuls leadership.

After the Congress dismal performance in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls and a wipe-out in Rahuls Amethi constituency, even the most optimistic ground-level Congress worker in Gujarat expects the party to lose the election. The only question is by how much the BJP will win. There are three scenarios.

First, the BJP runs away with it, winning over 130 seats, using its fearsome booth-level power. That would be an early setback for Rahuls party presidency.

Second, the BJP gets 115-120 seats, matching the 2012 result. Rahuls sassy social media head will spin this as Rahuls win, ignoring that it still gives the BJP nearly two-thirds of the Assemblys seats.

Third, the BJP struggles to get past 100 and ends up with a slim majority of around 105/182. Rahuls team will talk that up as a big win for their new leader, taunting the BJP that the trend proves that this is its last term in office in Gujarat.

Rahul has taken a gamble to time his dynastic ascension so close to the results of the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections. He knows that the Congress faces a rout in Himachal. And Gujarat, for all the damage Hardik Patel may do, is a lost cause as well.

On December 18, counting day, Rahul will be blamed for both the defeats. Would it not have been wiser to wait for the Karnataka poll (where the Congress should do well) in April 2018 to move up a rung in what, since Indira Gandhis internal Congress coup in 1969, has been the Nehru familys ancestral property?

To answer that question, dig deeper into Rahuls personality.

Photo: IndiaToday.in

Psychologically singed by grandmother Indiras and father Rajivs assassinations, Rahul is unpredictable. In 2013, he displayed that by publicly tearing prime minister Manmohan Singhs ordinance which would have allowed Lalu Prasad Yadav to contest elections.

The incident showed Rahul was capable of distinguishing right from wrong but suffered from a dynasts sense of entitlement that allowed him to publicly humiliate his prime minister, and the hapless Ajay Maken, who was present at the press conference where Rahul angrily tore up the ordinance.

So Rahul did the right thing in the wrong way. Not a disqualification for politicians, most of whom do the wrong thing in the wrong way (i.e. surreptitiously).

Rahuls streak of arrogance hides his insecurity. His reluctance to take charge of the Congress since mother Sonia Gandhi signalled years ago that she was ready to step aside sprang at least partly from that feeling of inadequacy.

His differences with the old guard, now largely settled, hark back to the same sense of insecurity that is often disguised in a show of arrogance. That led to the long reluctant Rahul phase. It also caused him to sleepwalk through parliamentary debates and disappear to unknown destinations for weeks together, once famously in 2015 for two months.

Next, look at Rahuls background. Father Rajiv was a reluctant politician, too. He had to be persuaded for months by his mother Indira Gandhi to join politics after younger brother Sanjay Gandhis death in a private plane crash in June 1980.

Rajiv was happy working as a full-time pilot for domestic carrier Indian Airlines from 1968 to 1980, deliberately distancing himself from Indian politics.

He finally, reluctantly, agreed to contest from Amethi, the family pocket borough now held by Rahul, in 1981. Wife Sonia was strongly opposed to him joining politics.

When Indira Gandhi was assassinated in October 1984, Sonia pleaded with Rajiv not to accept the prime ministership. She feared the worst.

Thus reluctance to be an active politician was ingrained in Rahul. He avoided it till he was 34, the age in which Sanjay Gandhi died after a near-decade in politics. Thirteen years after, he became an MP from Amethi. Rahul at 47 has shed his reluctance but not his sense of entitlement.

It is a dynastic disease. The first germ was transmitted in 1959 when Jawaharlal Nehru appointed daughter Indira as Congress president. She was 41. The infection has since spread to other parties, but the Congress was the pioneer of a feudal system of political inheritance that has damaged the quality of Indian democracy.

By taking head-on the responsibility of near-certain defeats in Himachal and Gujarat, Rahul has shown bravado rather than bravery. Rajiv was brave. He led the computer revolution and tried to modernise the administration. But he had poor advisors, including the late Arun Nehru and a coterie of Italian businessmen, led by Ottavio Quattrocchi.

Eye on 2019

Rahul is positioning himself for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress believes it can cut BJPs parliamentary seat tally in five key states: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. That could slice 60-odd seats from the 282, the BJP won in 2014.

With around 220 seats, Modi would find it difficult to form an NDA government if the Shiv Sena walks out. The only major allies left would be the JD(U) and the TDP. The numbers for the NDA would then fall below 272.

If an Opposition national alliance can put together a government with a working majority, the Congress could support it from outside (as it did in 1996-98). That though is a wishful thinking. The Congress itself is unlikely to improve significantly on its 2014 tally of 44 seats (45 following a by-election). Its alliance partners are all regional. Only the TMC will cross 30 seats in the Lok Sabha. A collection of Opposition Lilliputs could scare off the electorate.

The Modi magic may meanwhile return as the economy recovers. If the Congress trips up with more chaiwala jibes, the NDA could again win over 300 seats.

Its early days yet. Gujarat and Himachal will prove little. Nor will Karnataka. To see which way the political wind is blowing, well have to wait for December 2018 when Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh go to the polls.
Rahul, just be your grandmothers grandson- about 20 months back, I wrote a piece saying how Rahul Gandhi needs to learn the ropes of politics from no one else, but his grandmother Indira Gandhi.

Over a year and a half later, I can positively say that the world has started to see "glimpses of Indira Gandhi" in her grandson. The similitude that they share extends to the fact that the very essence of their presence is marked with perseverance and unwearying patience.

Although it is Priyanka Gandhi who is compared to Indira, India iron Lady, in reality, it is Rahul Gandhi who actually evinces his grandmothers qualities.

Image: Twitter

In Priyankas words:

But she [Indira Gandhi] had this bond with him [Rahul]. And she taught him and she spent a lot of time with him, talking to him... even the morning that she passed away. And I think that Rahul has imbibed a lot of that and his thinking is in many ways a lot like my father, because he is a visionary like that. He's an institution builder like my father was, but it's a good mix. Because his understanding of politics is really very good. Much better than he is given credit for. And that I think comes from my grandmother."

Today, we see Rahul Gandhis rallies in Gujarat pulling in huge crowds - resembling the undeniable lionisation that his eminent grandmother used to capture. Indira Gandhi was a politician who connected with the masses, cared for them, and single-handedly dealt with adversities through unparalleled courage and dynamism. What she got in return was love multiplied by the poor and the downtrodden, so much so that even after losing her for more than three decades now, thousands of people still stream into her memorial in Delhi. In many parts of the nation, she is affectionately remembered as Indira Amma.

While Rahul Gandhi has embarked on the same journey, there are miles to go and several promises to keep.

Unacceptance, patience, and the Gandhis

At the outset of her political reign, Indira Gandhi was largely snubbed by the opposition. The then newly appointed prime minister of India was given a misnomer - "goongi gudiya" by the socialist leader, Ram Manohar Lohia. Later, she rose high enough to be hailed as "goddess Durga".

Her progress was phenomenal. And so is the leap that Rahul Gandhi took. From being disdained as "Pappu" to gaining admiration as "the renaissance man" today - Rahul Gandhi has come up roses, for sure.

For the most part of his political career, Rahul Gandhi got countless ridicules, memes, caricatures and bountiful negativism. But today, as we see him standing up and talking in the Lok Sabha, at Berkeley, in Gujarat, facing off the opposition and raising the nations concerns with mettle, we see the Rahul that was just meant to be.

Indira Gandhi too faced unacceptance not only from the opposition, but from her party as well. After the demise of the then PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi was elected over Morarji Desai as the party leader, when Congress president Kamaraj orchestrated her selection as the prime minister. Many party leaders, including him, perceived her to be weak enough to be controlled and strong enough to defeat Desai, her being Jawaharlal Nehrus daughter. She won and became prime minister in 1966. However, the resistance that she faced from senior Congress leaders over several issues led to the formation of Congress (R) in 1969.

Today, she might be accused of dismantling the Congress apparatus, but the distrust that the Congress old guard had for her could not be overlooked either.

By the same token, when Rahul Gandhi joined the Congress, there were very few leaders to approve of him and his ideology. For years now, he has been in the middle of a divide that is ideological, yet generational.

He has faced resistance within the party, just like his grandmother and is holding strong, just as she did.

The 1977 General Elections, after the Emergency was lifted, brought a humiliating defeat for Indira Gandhi. Without any source of income, without any support, Indira had to vacate her residence at 1, Safdarjung Road and move to a much smaller house at 12 Willingdon Crescent. Her political obituary was written. She was deserted, with no hopes of making a comeback.

But, she was different. She was no quitter.

In August 1977, her fight for the oppressed section of the society made her ride on an elephant to visit Belchhi, where 11 landless Dalits were set on fire. She knew the people needed her there. And she was present for them, leaving a great impression on the nations public. And the same year, when the Janata government's home minister Choudhary Charan Singh ordered her arrest, she once again elicited massive public sympathy - clearing the way for her to become the countrys prime minister again in the 1980 elections.

From ruling a party that was facing an existential crisis, to coming back to the national centre stage - Indira Gandhi turned the tables in just three years.

Quite notably, after the 2014 election drubbing, Rahul Gandhis political obituary was written. And then again after the partys defeat in 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Time and again he had been the subject of mockery for the opponents. But, he did not quit. He proved that he is not the callow politician that the opposition tries to portray him to be. Slowly but surely, he has been showing signs of a potential vote-catcher.

Just like Indira Gandhi had an unmatched capacity to endure and persevere against tribulations, so does Rahul Gandhi. His fortitude, patience, and determination hint at an Indira Gandhi in the making. Of course, there is, still, a long way to go.

Glimmer of hope

My understanding of politics says that Indira Gandhi has left such a big impression on world politics that somewhere people still idolise her - whether they support the BJP, the Congress or any other party.

The Hindutva gang may hate Nehruvian ideology, probably because he was an atheist, but never do they criticise Indira Gandhi. Barring the "extremist" Sikhs in Punjab, the countrymen rarely say anything against her - such has been her aura. They envy her.

Today, many compare Narendra Modi to Indira Gandhi and some even say that he secretly admires her and tries to follow her style of politics. However, what lies behind Modis style of governance is superficial similarities to the Iron Lady.

Image: Reuters photo

Unlike Modi, Indiras actions spoke louder than her words. His promise to teach Pakistan a lesson still awaits fulfilment, while it was Indira Gandhi who actually taught the neighbour a lesson to be remembered evermore.

Also, let us not forget that the India which Narendra Modi "inherited" is much more prosperous than the India that Indira Gandhi had to govern. That was an India riddled with poverty, aftermaths of war, and a crumbling space in the world politics. Modi, in contrast, received a much progressive, much developed India.

While she was the daughter of Indias first prime minister, she was way ahead of him in terms of cross-regional electoral appeal.

In fact, after Mahatma Gandhi, she has been the only Indian leader to be recognised across the world. Even though Mahatma Gandhi was not a politician, he was a social reformer, a philosopher and a mentor to the Congress who led India to independence from the British. And if there is any other Indian leader that could come next to the Mahatma, then it has to be none other than Indira Gandhi.

33 years on, the nation couldnt find another Indira

The void left by Indira Gandhi in Indian politics needs to be filled. While the nation may have begun to notice similarities between Indira and Rahul, there is a lot that the grandson needs to adopt from her.

Rahul needs to match the political acumen and the vision that Indira Gandhi had. She carried an authoritarian streak. She was a tough taskmaster. She had the guts to enter the Golden Temple and attack the Sikh militants, irrespective of the realisation that she may not live after that.

She was soft at heart, but tough from outside. She believed in crushing her opponents. She feared none and held tight control over the Congress partys internal politics. She believed in micro-managing and completely scrutinised the state leaders.

Rahul, on the other hand, believes in maintaining the status quo, which could often lead to delayed decisions. He also needs to develop a strong emotional connect with the masses, just like Indira Gandhi did. If Narendra Modi can sell the country his "chai-wala" story, then why cant Rahul build an emotional connect with the public over his "dynasty "? He needs to convert this "dynasty" from being his weakness into his strength.

The faith that Mahatma Gandhi had in India, in the power of peace was unparalleled. What he did for the country, the different sections of the society - every bit of his contribution towards the nation was unparalleled.

Rahul needs to restore the same faith in the country and the countrymen. But, at the same time, he needs to work on enhancing his political prowess by looking at his grandmothers political journey. He needs to have an unwavering belief in himself, just like Indira Gandhi believed in herself.

Here, I would like to quote Verse 26 from the Bhagavad Gita:

Kama-krodha-vimuktanam

yatinam yata-cetasam

abhito brahma-nirvanam

vartate viditatmanam

These powerful words of Sri Krishna, before the Mahabharata War, conclude the examination of Karma Yoga stating that those who are free from desire and anger, who have subdued their minds, are self-realised - they are assured of liberation from material existence here and hereafter.

As per my understanding of Karma Yoga, a karma yogi is someone who follows the path of righteousness, who follows his dharma, without any malicious intent, without harming anybody.

India, as a nation deeply engrossed in religion, karma and politics, needs such a karma yogi in todays time - somebody who is free from desire, anger and who has a deep self-realisation. I see such a karma yogi in Rahul Gandhi. For, he is someone who has never failed to follow the path of righteousness while fulfilling his dharma of serving people.
The following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE).

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Customers Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Customers Bank. Customers Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1997 as New Century Bank which operated 5 branches in Southern Pennsylvania. The companys lending portfolio, which was primarily residential mortgage loans, led to the bank's eventual rebranding and hiring of Jay Sidhu as chairman and chief executive officer. The bank changed to a Bank Holding Company after it made a few strategic acquisitions and it now operates 12 full-service branches across 10 states and provides financial services to individuals, and small, and medium-sized businesses. The bank was a troubled asset worth $250 million when Mr. Sidhu took over and now it is worth upwards of $20 billion.

Customers Bancorp, Inc is a super-community bank operating in multiple states across the US. The companys assets topped $20.3 billion in mid-2022 which put it on par with many of the US regional banks. The company sets itself apart by offering dedicated personal service to all its clients and by operating as a digital-first business. This means a single point of contact to help with any needs that may arise and full-service digital banking for all client needs.

Customers Bancorp offers traditional deposit products, including checking, savings, MMDA, and other deposit accounts as well as a full range of loans. Loan products include but are not limited to commercial warehouse loans, loans for multi-family construction, commercial real estate, small business loans, equipment financing, residential mortgages, and consumer lines of credit.

The company also offers traditional and business banking activities including mobile, internet, wire transfers, electronic bill payment, safe deposit boxes, remote capture, courier, payment processing services, and cash management.

Among the many services offered by Customers Bancorp are digital assets. The company supports a wide range of cryptocurrency-related services for individuals and businesses and even uses its own token. The token is used to power instant B2B payments across the TassatPay blockchain network. The companys native token is CBIT (Customers Bancorp Instant Token).

Customers Bancorp is headquartered in West Reading, Pennsylvania, and operates 12 full-service branches, as well as production and administrative offices in several counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Illinois, Florida, and North Carolina.
The Senate passed its tax plan early Saturday, but there is still a major step in the process before legislation is sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Now that the Senate has acted on its tax overhaul, congressional leaders can form a conference committee to negotiate a final agreement. While the House and Senate bills have many similarities, there are some differences between the two proposals.

The Senate plan would repeal the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate, a provision in the 2010 health care law known as ObamaCare that requires individuals to purchase health insurance coverage. The Congressional Budget Office projected that 13 million more people will be uninsured by 2027 if the individual mandate is repealed.

There are also differences in how the proposals would enact a corporate tax rate cut. In the House plan, lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent would take effect in 2018. The Senate plan calls for the tax rate to be decreased beginning in 2019.

Tax cuts for individuals would be permanent in the House bill, but not in the Senate plan. The Senate's proposal wouldn't reduce the number of income tax brackets, while the House would lower the number of brackets from seven to four.

U.S. Rep. John Katko, who voted for the House bill last month, wants to be engaged in the tax talks by serving on the conference committee. It's a long shot because he doesn't serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is the lead tax-writing panel in the chamber.

There are parts of the Senate bill Katko, R-Camillus, doesn't support. After a roundtable discussion with business leaders Monday in Syracuse, he was asked about the Senate's push to allow drilling in a section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

The proposal to allow drilling in the refuge is linked to the Senate tax reform plan. It's a provision that Katko doesn't support, but he added that he has to "look at the bigger picture."

He recalled how President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, and House Speaker Tip O'Neill, a Democrat, negotiated deals on a few hot-button issues  immigration reform, Social Security reform and taxes.

"You gotta have give-and-take," he said. "Do I want drilling there? No. But do I also think it's critically important that we get this tax reform? Yes."

As the Senate finalized its plan last week, Katko's position was criticized. Activists organized rallies against the tax plan, which they say will benefit rich corporations and wealthy individuals. Graduate students protested a provision in the bill that would consider tuition waivers as taxable income. The change, if adopted, could increase taxes on graduate students by thousands of dollars.

Teacher unions also held rallies throughout upstate New York. Educators marched outside Nottingham High School in Syracuse Wednesday to protest the tax plan.

The tax proposal would eliminate most credits and deductions, including a $250 deduction for teachers who buy supplies for their classrooms.

"Teachers have constantly been expected over the years to give all that they can give, and we do. And we spend thousands of our own dollars," said Megan Root, president of the Syracuse Teachers Association. "We're asking for a $250 tax deduction and it's pathetic that we're not even respected enough to be given that."

Katko addressed the loss of the deduction for teachers earlier in the week. He said that while teachers can deduct up to $250, the net benefit is $37.

"The average teacher will get a sizable tax cut exponentially more than that, perhaps as much as $1,000 or $1,500 a year," he said. "You gotta keep it all in perspective."

As House and Senate leaders iron out the differences between the two plans, Katko will face pressure from both sides of the debate. Tax reform is supported by several business leaders in his district. But there is also strong opposition to the proposal.

The final tax plan must be ironed out, but Katko outlined what he wants to see in the conference report.

"Tax cuts for a vast majority of my constituents (and) lowering the costs for corporations and businesses so they can create jobs," he said.

PAC touts higher voter turnout where it endorsed candidates

A political action committee said there was higher voter turnout in areas where it endorsed candidates this year.

Trailblazers PAC, a group that supports candidates who advocate for open government, found overall turnout increased by 14 percent in local elections where it endorsed candidates. The PAC endorsed 24 candidates running in contested races in New York and Pennsylvania.

The PAC's endorsed candidates included incumbent Auburn city councilors Terry Cuddy and Debby McCormick, both of whom won their re-election bids.

"Trailblazers PAC is thrilled by the increase in voter participation, but our work is far from over," said Leslie Danks Burke, founder and president of Trailblazers PAC. "Our democracy works best when all citizens make their voices heard and they have a real choice on Election Day."
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers a range of skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, cleansing devices, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Smashbox, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, Kilian Paris, Too Faced, Dr. Jart+, DECIEM, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free shops. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., together with its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, distributes, and sells vehicles, components, and production systems. The company operates through five segments: North America, LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and Maserati. It provides passenger cars, SUV vehicles, trucks, and light commercial vehicles under the Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Abarth brands; and luxury vehicles under the Maserati brand, as well as related service parts and accessories, and service contracts under the Mopar brand. The company also provides cast iron components for engines, gearboxes, transmissions and suspension systems, aluminum cylinder heads, and engine blocks under the Teksid brand; and designs and produces industrial automation systems and related products for the automotive industry under the Comau brand name. In addition, it provides retail and dealer financings, and leasing and rental services; and factoring services. The company sells its products directly, or through distributors and dealers in approximately 130 countries. The company was formerly known as Fiat S.p.A. and changed its name to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. in October 2014. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. was founded in 1899 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.
FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. provides digital payment solutions for businesses to control purchases and make payments. It offers corporate payments solutions, such as accounts payable automation; Virtual Card, which provides a single-use card number for a specific amount usable within a defined timeframe; Cross-Border that is used by its customers to pay international vendors, foreign office and personnel expenses, capital expenditures, and profit repatriation and dividends; and purchasing cards and travel and entertainment cards for its customers to analyze and manage their corporate spending. The company also provides employee expense management solutions, including fuel solutions to businesses and government entities that operate vehicle fleets, as well as to oil and leasing companies, and fuel marketers; lodging solutions to businesses that have employees who travel overnight for work purposes, as well as to airlines and cruise lines to accommodate traveling crews and stranded passengers; and electronic toll payments solutions to businesses and consumers in the form of radio frequency identification tags affixed to vehicles' windshields. In addition, it offers gift card program management and processing services in plastic and digital forms that include card design, production and packaging, delivery and fulfillment, card and account management, transaction processing, promotion development and management, website design and hosting, program analytics, and card distribution channel management. Further, it provides other products consisting of payroll cards, vehicle maintenance service solution, long-haul transportation solution, prepaid food vouchers or cards, and prepaid transportation cards and vouchers. The company serves business, merchant, consumer, and payment network customers in North America, Brazil, and Internationally. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides newborn, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology, and other pediatric subspecialty care services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It offers neonatal care services, such as clinical care to babies born prematurely or with complications within specific units at hospitals through neonatal physician subspecialists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and other pediatric clinicians. The company also provides maternal-fetal care services, including inpatient and office-based clinical care to expectant mothers and unborn babies through affiliated maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, as well as obstetricians and other clinicians, including maternal-fetal nurse practitioners, certified nurse mid-wives, ultrasonographers, and genetic counselors. In addition, it offers pediatric cardiology care services comprising inpatient and office-based pediatric cardiology care of the fetus, infant, child, and adolescent patient with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, as well as adults with congenital heart defects through affiliated pediatric cardiologist subspecialists and other related clinical professionals; and specialized cardiac care to the fetus, neonatal and pediatric patients. Further, the company provides other pediatric subspecialty care services through pediatric subspecialists, such as pediatric intensivists, pediatric hospitalists, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric ophthalmologists, as well as pediatric ear, nose, and throat physicians; and support services in the areas of hospitals, primarily in the pediatric emergency rooms, labor and delivery areas, and nursery and pediatric departments. As of February 17, 2022, it operated a network of approximately 2,700 physicians. The company was formerly known as MEDNAX, Inc. and changed its name to Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. in July 2022. Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Sunrise, Florida.
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. is the bank holding company for New York Community Bank. New York Community Bank is the nations 47th-largest financial institution and its largest thrift. As a thrift, the bank specializes in real estate and consumer accounts specifically real estate loans and savings accounts and has limited exposure to other forms of business banking. Among the benefits to consumers are interest-bearing checking and saving accounts that come with higher-than-average interest rates.

New York Community Bank was founded in 1859 to serve Queens County, New York. It operated under that name, growing all the while, until 2000 when it changed its name to better reflect the business. The company IPOd in 1993 and has made multiple acquisitions in the time since. As of 6/30/2022, the bank had $63.1 billion in assets and $41.2 billion in deposits.

New York Community Bank operates in greater New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona. The company provides deposit products ranging from interest-bearing checking and money market accounts to savings accounts, IRAs, and CDs. Brands under the companys umbrella include AmTrust in Florida and Arizona, Ohio Savings Bank, Garden State Savings Bank, and Atlantic Bank.

The bank offers a wide range of real-estate-related loans including but not limited to multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and consumer loans and mortgages. Investment products include annuities, mutual funds, and life insurance. Customers include individuals, small businesses, and organizations and are served through a network of more than 230 branches, and 300 ATMs, online, mobile, and by phone. Many of the locations are open 24 hours and 6 days a week although those hours are not available at all branches. Clients can access their accounts digitally 24/7.

New York Community Bancorp and its underlying business carry investment-grade credit ratings from all the major rating agencies. The credit outlook in the 4th quarter of 2022 was stable as it had been for some time. In New York, it is a leader in the multi-family market specializing in lower-cost housing in rent-controlled areas. As of June 30, 2022, the multi-family loan portfolio accounted for more than 75% of all investments. The company has a stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan that help to sustain a high level of ownership.






Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. In addition, it provides internet banking, mobile banking, trust and wealth management, retail brokerage, mortgage services, and treasury management, as well as debit and credit cards. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 273 full-service banking locations comprising 65 in the Houston area, including The Woodlands; 30 in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; 63 in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area; 22 in the East Texas area; 29 in the Central Texas area, including Austin and San Antonio; 34 in the West Texas area, including Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and Abilene; 16 in the Bryan/College Station area; 6 in the Central Oklahoma area; and 8 in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area doing business as LegacyTexas Bank. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is based in Houston, Texas.
The following companies are subsidiares of Lithia Motors: 797 Valley Street LLC, Albany CJD Fiat, Baierl Auto Group, Baierl Auto Parts LLC, Baierl Automotive Corporation, Baierl Chevrolet Inc., Baierl Holding LLC, Broadway Ford, Buhler Ford Inc, Cadillac of Portland Lloyd Center LLC, Camp Automotive Inc., Carbone Auto Body LLC, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Morgantown, Cranberry Automotive Inc., Crater Lake Ford Lincoln, Crater Lake Mazda, DCH (Oxnard) Inc., DCH Auto Group, DCH Bloomfield LLC, DCH CA LLC, DCH Calabasas-A LLC, DCH California Investments LLC, DCH California Motors Inc., DCH DMS NJ LLC, DCH Del Norte Inc., DCH Essex Inc., DCH Financial NJ LLC, DCH Freehold - V LLC, DCH Freehold LLC, DCH Holdings LLC, DCH Investments Inc. (New Jersey), DCH Investments Inc. (New York), DCH Korean Imports LLC, DCH Mamaroneck LLC, DCH Mission Valley LLC, DCH Monmouth LLC, DCH Montclair LLC, DCH Motors LLC, DCH NY Motors LLC, DCH Nanuet LLC, DCH North America Inc., DCH Oxnard 1521 Imports Inc., DCH Riverside-S Inc., DCH Simi Valley Inc., DCH Support Services LLC, DCH TL Holdings LLC, DCH TL NY Holdings LLC, DCH Temecula Imports LLC, DCH Temecula Motors LLC, DCH Thousand Oaks-F Inc., DCH Torrance Imports Inc., Dah Chong Hong CA Trading LLC, Dah Chong Hong Trading Corporation, Daron Motors LLC, Day Auto Group, Downtown LA, Driveway Motors LLC, Elizabeth Collision LLC, Florida SS LLC, Ford Lincoln of Morgantown, Freehold Nissan LLC, Fuse Auto Sales LLC, Hamilton Honda, Hazleton Honda, Hutchins Eugene Nissan Inc., Hutchins Imported Motors Inc., Jaguar Landrover Mission Viejo, LA Motors Holding LLC, LAD Advertising Inc., LAD Carson-N LLC, LAD Mission Viejo-JLR Inc., LAD Mobu Inc., LAD-AU LLC, LAD-MB LLC, LAD-N LLC, LAD-P LLC, LAD-T LLC, LAD-V LLC, LBMP LLC, LFKF LLC, LGPAC Inc., LLL Sales Co LLC, LMBB LLC, LMBP LLC, LMOP LLC, LSTAR LLC, Lithia AcDM Inc., Lithia Aircraft Inc., Lithia Anchorage-C LLC, Lithia Anchorage-H LLC, Lithia Armory Garage LLC, Lithia Auction & Recon LLC, Lithia Auto Services Inc., Lithia Automotive Inc., Lithia BA Holding Inc., Lithia BNM Inc. (nonoperating), Lithia Baierl-S LLC, Lithia Bryan Texas Inc., Lithia Buffalo-A LLC, Lithia CCTF Inc., Lithia CDH Inc., Lithia CIMR Inc., Lithia CJDO Inc., Lithia CJDSA Inc., Lithia CJDSF Inc., Lithia CM Inc., Lithia CO Inc., Lithia CSA Inc., Lithia Community Development Company Inc., Lithia Crater Lake-F Inc., Lithia Crater Lake-M Inc., Lithia DE Inc., Lithia DM Inc., Lithia DMID Inc., Lithia Des Moines-VW LLC, Lithia Dodge of Tri-Cities Inc., Lithia Eatontown-F LLC, Lithia FLCC LLC, Lithia FMF Inc., Lithia Financial Corporation (previously Lithia Leasing Inc. and Lithia Credit Inc.), Lithia Florida Holding Inc., Lithia Ford of Boise Inc., Lithia Fresno Inc., Lithia HDM Inc., Lithia HGF Inc., Lithia HMID Inc., Lithia HPI Inc. (nonoperating), Lithia Hamilton-H LLC, Lithia Hazleton-H LLC, Lithia Idaho Falls-F Inc., Lithia Imports of Anchorage Inc., Lithia JEF Inc., Lithia Klamath Inc., Lithia Klamath-T Inc., Lithia LBGGF Inc., Lithia LHGF Inc., Lithia LSGF Inc., Lithia MBDM Inc., Lithia MMF Inc., Lithia MTLM Inc., Lithia McMurray-C LLC, Lithia Medford HON Inc., Lithia Middletown-L LLC, Lithia Monroeville-A LLC, Lithia Monroeville-C LLC, Lithia Monroeville-F LLC, Lithia Monroeville-V LLC, Lithia Moon-S LLC, Lithia Moon-V LLC, Lithia Morgantown-CJD LLC, Lithia Morgantown-F LLC, Lithia Morgantown-S LLC, Lithia Motors Support Services Inc., Lithia NA Inc., Lithia NC Inc., Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #1, Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #3, Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #4, Lithia NDM Inc., Lithia NF Inc., Lithia NSA Inc., Lithia Northeast Real Estate LLC, Lithia Orchard Park-H LLC, Lithia Paramus-M LLC, Lithia Pittsburgh-S LLC, Lithia Ramsey-B LLC, Lithia Ramsey-L LLC, Lithia Ramsey-M LLC, Lithia Ramsey-T LLC, Lithia Real Estate Inc., Lithia Reno Sub-HYUN Inc., Lithia Reno-CJ LLC, Lithia Reno-VW LLC, Lithia Rose-FT Inc., Lithia SOC Inc., Lithia SSP LLC, Lithia Salmir Inc., Lithia Sea P Inc., Lithia Seaside Inc., Lithia Spokane-B LLC, Lithia Spokane-S LLC, Lithia TA Inc., Lithia TO Inc., Lithia TR Inc., Lithia Uniontown-C LLC, Lithia VAuDM Inc., Lithia VF Inc., Lithia Wexford-H LLC, Lithia of Abilene Inc., Lithia of Anchorage Inc., Lithia of Bend #1 LLC, Lithia of Bend #2 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 1 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 2 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 3 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 4 LLC, Lithia of Billings II LLC, Lithia of Billings Inc., Lithia of Casper LLC, Lithia of Clear Lake LLC, Lithia of Concord I Inc., Lithia of Concord II Inc., Lithia of Corpus Christi Inc., Lithia of Des Moines Inc., Lithia of Eureka Inc., Lithia of Fairbanks Inc., Lithia of Great Falls Inc., Lithia of Helena Inc., Lithia of Honolulu-A Inc., Lithia of Honolulu-BGMCC LLC, Lithia of Honolulu-F LLC, Lithia of Honolulu-V LLC, Lithia of Killeen LLC, Lithia of Lodi Inc., Lithia of Maui-H LLC, Lithia of Missoula II LLC, Lithia of Missoula III Inc., Lithia of Missoula Inc., Lithia of Pocatello Inc., Lithia of Portland I LLC, Lithia of Portland LLC, Lithia of Robstown LLC, Lithia of Roseburg Inc., Lithia of Santa Rosa Inc., Lithia of Seattle Inc., Lithia of South Central AK Inc., Lithia of Spokane II Inc., Lithia of Spokane Inc., Lithia of Stockton Inc., Lithia of Stockton-V Inc., Lithia of TF Inc., Lithia of Troy LLC, Lithia of Utica - 1 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 2 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 3 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 4 LLC, Lithia of Walnut Creek Inc., Lithia of Wasilla LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 1 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 2 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 3 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 4 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 5 LLC, Medford Insurance LLC, Milford DCH Inc., Northland Ford Inc., PA Real Estate LLC, PA Support Services LLC, Paramus Collision LLC, Paramus World Motors LLC, Personalized Marketing LLC, Prestige Auto Group, RFA Holdings LLC, Ray Laks Acura, Ray Laks Honda, Sacramento-L Inc., Salem-B LLC, Salem-H LLC, Salem-V LLC, Sharlene Realty LLC, Shift Portland LLC, Southern Cascades Finance Corporation, Subaru of Morgantown, Tampa-H LLC, Tustin Motors Inc., Wesley Chapel-H LLC, Wesley Chapel-T LLC, Zelienople Real Estate I L.P., and Zelienople Real Estate L.L.C..

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Tableau Software, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides business analytics software products. It offers Tableau Desktop, a self-service, powerful analytics product with data; Tableau Server, a business intelligence platform for organizations; Tableau Online, a hosted software-as-a-service version of Tableau Server; Tableau Prep, a data preparation product for combining, shaping, and cleaning data; and Tableau Public, a cloud-based platform for analyzing and sharing public data. In addition, it offers Visual Query Language (VizQL) for databases, which is a computer language for describing pictures of data, including graphs, charts, maps, time series, and tables of visualizations; Live Query Engine that interprets abstract queries generated by VizQL into syntax understandable by database systems; and Hyper, an in-memory data engine technology that helps customers to analyze a range of data sets by evaluating analytical queries directly in the transactional database. Further, the company provides support, maintenance, training, and professional services. It serves organizations in various industries, including business services, energy and telecommunications, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, manufacturing and technology, media and entertainment, public sector, and education, as well as retail, consumer, and distribution industries. The company sells its products directly, as well as through indirect sales channels, such as technology vendors, resellers, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendor, and distributors in the United States, Canada, and internationally. Tableau Software, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
NewsAntibiotics used in medicine are accumulating in the bottom of Minnesota lakes.

Thats the finding of a new study in which a group of scientists examined decades of sediment pulled from the bottom of lakes.

Whys it matter? Persistent low doses of antibiotics can lead to bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic treatment. The World Health Organization says currently antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health and food security.

Previous studies found antibiotics are common in the water of lakes and streams. But University of Minnesota professor Bill Arnold, said scientists wanted to know how long those drugs remain in lakes.

They looked for 19 antibiotics in the sediment of Lake Pepin, Lake Winona and the Duluth harbor  all of which get water from sewage treatment plants.

Ten of the antibiotics were consistently found at low levels, Arnold said.

Its clear the drugs were taking  or worse off, disposing of down the toilet, which you shouldnt do  certainly wind up in lakes, he said. And its not just that theyre in the river or the lake for a short time what the wastewater is discharged and rapidly disapate, theyre actually making it in to the sediment and persisting.

The most persistent drugs found in the sampled lakes are synthetic antibiotics. The antibiotics made through natural processes were found less often. Arnold said that likely means natural drugs break down more readily than synthetic versions.

By dating the lake bottom sediments, the scientists found antibiotics all the way back to the 1950s.

We see things correspond pretty closely to when those drugs were introduced to the market, Arnold said. So that tells us that when we introduce new compounds to the market, we can expect to see them start to accumulate in sediments.

Antibiotics are used more widely in agriculture than for human treatments, but the lake samples showed little evidence of the drugs used to treat farm animals.

We cant say for example that agriculture antibiotics are not getting in to the environment. They most certainly are, Arnold said. We probably just didnt look in the right place for them.

Farm animal waste is usually applied to land, Arnold said, so its likely most of the antibiotics bind to soil and arent washed into lakes and streams.

Scientists are now doing DNA analysis to see if there is a connection between antibiotics in the lake sediments and the development of resistant bacteria.

Arnold said they also hope to develop a predictive model that could help determine where antibiotic resistant hot spots are most likely to develop in the environment.
The following companies are subsidiares of Transocean: 15375 Memorial Corporation, Agon Shipping Inc., Aguas Profundas Limitada, AngoSantaFe - Prestacao de Servicos Petroliferos Limitada, Angola Deepwater Drilling Company (Offshore Services) Ltd, Arcade Drilling AS, Asie Sonat Offshore Sdn. Bhd., Barents Rigco Limited, Blegra Asset Management Limited, Blegra Financing Limited, Caledonia Offshore Drilling Services Limited, Challenger Minerals Inc., Covent Garden - Servicos e Marketing Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Deepwater Drilling (Transocean Ghana) Limited, Deepwater Drilling North Africa LLC - Free Zone, Deepwater Pacific 1 Inc., Deepwater Supply Inc., Drillship Alonissos Owners Inc., Drillship Hydra Owners Inc., Drillship Kithira Owners Inc., Drillship Kythnos Owners Inc., Drillship Paros Owners Inc., Drillship Skiathos Owners Inc., Drillship Skopelos Owners Inc., Drillship Skyros Owners Inc., Eastern Med Consultants Inc., Entities Holdings Inc., GSF Leasing Services GmbH, Global Marine Inc., Global Offshore Drilling Limited, GlobalSantaFe (Labuan) Inc., GlobalSantaFe B.V., GlobalSantaFe C.R. Luigs Limited, GlobalSantaFe Denmark Holdings ApS, GlobalSantaFe Drilling (N.A.) N.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (Overseas) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Operations Inc., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Services (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Trinidad LLC, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe Financial Services (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., GlobalSantaFe Group Financing Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe Holding Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Hungary Services Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Corporation, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Inc., GlobalSantaFe International Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Nederland B.V., GlobalSantaFe Offshore Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Operations (Mexico) LLC, GlobalSantaFe Saudi Arabia Ltd., GlobalSantaFe Services (BVI) Inc., GlobalSantaFe Services Netherlands B.V., GlobalSantaFe Servicios de Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe South America LLC, GlobalSantaFe Tampico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Techserv (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe U.S. Holdings Inc., Indigo Drilling Limited, Inteliwell JV GP Limited, Inteliwell JV LP, Kalambo Operations Inc., OCR Falklands Drilling Inc., OR Norge Operations Inc., Ocean Rig, Ocean Rig 1 Inc, Ocean Rig 2 Inc., Ocean Rig Canada Inc., Ocean Rig Cuanza Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Cubango Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Deepwater Drilling Limited, Ocean Rig Investments Inc., Ocean Rig Management Inc., Ocean Rig Operations Inc., Ocean Rig UDW Inc., Ocean Rig UDW LLC, Offshore Ghana Transocean Limited, Offshore Rig Operations AS, Olympia Rig Angola Holding S.A., Olympia Rig Angola Limitada, Orion Holdings (Cayman) Limited, Orion RigCo (Cayman) Limited, P.T. Santa Fe Supraco Indonesia, PT. Transocean Indonesia, Platform Capital N.V., Platform Financial N.V., Primelead Limited, R&B Falcon (A) Pty Ltd, R&B Falcon (Caledonia) Limited, R&B Falcon (M) Sdn. Bhd., R&B Falcon (U.K.) Limited, R&B Falcon B.V., R&B Falcon Deepwater (UK) Limited, R&B Falcon Drilling Co. LLC, R&B Falcon Exploration Co. LLC, R&B Falcon International Energy Services B.V., RBF Rig Corporation LLC, Ranger Insurance Limited, Reading & Bates Coal Co. LLC, SDS Offshore Limited, Safemal Drilling Sdn. Bhd., Santa Fe Braun Inc., Santa Fe Construction Company, Santa Fe Drilling Company of Venezuela C.A., Saudi Drilling Company Limited, Sedco Forex International Inc., Services Petroliers Transocean, Servicios Petroleros Santa Fe S.A., Ship Investment Ocean Holdings Inc., Songa Offshore Delta Limited, Songa Offshore Drilling Limited, Songa Offshore Enabler Limited, Songa Offshore Encourage Limited, Songa Offshore Endurance Limited, Songa Offshore Equinox Limited, Songa Offshore Equipment Rental Limited, Songa Offshore Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Songa Offshore Management Limited, Songa Offshore Pte. Ltd., Songa Offshore Rig 2 AS, Songa Offshore Rig 3 AS, Songa Offshore SE, Songa Offshore SE, Songa Offshore Saturn Limited, Songa Offshore T & P Cyprus Limited, Songa Saturn Chartering Pte. Ltd., Spitsbergen Rigco Limited, Sub-Saharan Drilling Inc., T. I. International Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TILAM Holdings Limited, TRM Holdings Limited, TSSA - Servicos de Apoio Lda., Transocean Africa Drilling Limited, Transocean Asia Services Sdn Bhd, Transocean Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Atlas Limited, Transocean Barents ASA, Transocean Brasil Ltda., Transocean Britannia Limited, Transocean Canada Drilling Services Ltd., Transocean Conqueror Limited, Transocean Conqueror Opco LLC, Transocean Corporate Services Limited, Transocean Cyprus Capital Management Public Limited, Transocean Cyprus Drilling Operations Public Limited, Transocean Deepwater Drilling Services Limited, Transocean Deepwater Holdings Limited, Transocean Deepwater Inc., Transocean Deepwater Mauritius, Transocean Deepwater Nautilus Limited, Transocean Deepwater Seafarer Services Limited, Transocean Discoverer 534 LLC, Transocean Drilling Enterprises S.a.r.l., Transocean Drilling Israel Ltd., Transocean Drilling Limited, Transocean Drilling Namibia Inc., Transocean Drilling Offshore S.a.r.l., Transocean Drilling Sdn. Bhd., Transocean Drilling Services (India) Private Limited, Transocean Drilling U.K. Limited, Transocean Eastern Pte. Ltd., Transocean Employee Support Fund, Transocean Enabler Limited, Transocean Enabler Rigco Limited, Transocean Encourage Limited, Transocean Encourage Rigco Limited, Transocean Endurance Limited, Transocean Endurance Rigco Limited, Transocean Entities Holdings GmbH, Transocean Equinox Limited, Transocean Equinox Rigco Limited, Transocean Finance Limited, Transocean Financing (Cayman) Limited, Transocean Financing GmbH, Transocean Guardian Limited, Transocean Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Hungary Holdings LLC, Transocean Hungary Investments LLC, Transocean Hungary Ventures LLC, Transocean Inc., Transocean Innovation Labs Ltd., Transocean International Holdings Limited, Transocean International Resources Limited, Transocean Investimentos Ltda., Transocean Investments Holdings LLC, Transocean Investments S.a.r.l., Transocean Ltd., Transocean Management Services GmbH, Transocean Minerals Holdings Limited, Transocean Nautilus Limited, Transocean North Sea Limited, Transocean Norway Operations AS, Transocean Offshore (North Sea) Ltd., Transocean Offshore Canada Services Ltd., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Holdings Limited, Transocean Offshore Drilling Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea II Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VI Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VII Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea XII Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea XIII Limited, Transocean Offshore Holdings Limited, Transocean Offshore International Limited, Transocean Offshore International Ventures Limited, Transocean Offshore Limited, Transocean Offshore PR Limited, Transocean Offshore USA Inc., Transocean Onshore Support Services Limited, Transocean Orion Limited, Transocean Phoenix 2 Limited, Transocean Phoenix 2 Opco LLC, Transocean Pontus Limited, Transocean Pontus Opco Inc., Transocean Poseidon Limited, Transocean Poseidon Opco Inc., Transocean Proteus Limited, Transocean Proteus Opco LLC, Transocean Quantum Holdings Limited, Transocean Quantum Management Limited, Transocean Quantum Rig Holdings Limited, Transocean Quantum Sentry Holdings Limited, Transocean Rig 140 Limited, Transocean Rig Management Limited, Transocean SPSF Holdings Limited, Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited, Transocean Sentry Limited, Transocean Services (India) Private Limited, Transocean Services AS, Transocean Services UK Limited, Transocean Skyros Limited, Transocean Spitsbergen ASA, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Support Services Limited, Transocean Support Services Nigeria Limited, Transocean Support Services Private Limited, Transocean Technical Services Egypt LLC, Transocean U.S. Holdings LLC, Transocean UK Limited, Transocean Voyager 1 Limited, Transocean Voyager 2 Limited, Transocean West Africa Holdings Limited, Transocean Worldwide Inc., Triton Asset Leasing GmbH, Triton Capital I GmbH, Triton Capital II GmbH, Triton Capital Mexico GmbH, Triton Conqueror GmbH, Triton Corcovado LLC, Triton Financing LLC, Triton Gemini GmbH, Triton Holdings Limited, Triton Hungary Asset Management LLC, Triton Hungary Investments 1 Limited Liability Company, Triton Industries Inc., Triton KG2 GmbH, Triton Management Services LLC, Triton Mykonos LLC, Triton Nautilus Asset Leasing GmbH, Triton Nautilus Asset Management LLC, Triton Offshore Leasing Services Limited, Triton Pacific Limited, Triton Poseidon GmbH, Triton Voyager Asset Leasing GmbH, and Wilrig Offshore (UK) Limited.

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WESCO International, Inc. provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). The EES segment supplies products and supply chain solutions, including electrical equipment and supplies, automation and connected devices, security, lighting, wire and cable, and safety, as well as maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. This segment also offers contractor solutions, direct and indirect manufacturing supply chain optimization programs, lighting and renewables advisory services, and digital and automation solutions. The CSS segment operates in the network infrastructure and security markets. This segment sells products directly to end-users or through various channels, including data communications contractors, security, network, professional audio/visual, and systems integrators. It also provides safety and energy management solutions. The UBS segment offers products and services to investor-owned utilities; public power companies; and service and wireless providers, broadband operators, and contractors. This segment's products include wire and cable, transformers, transmission and distribution hardware, switches, protective devices, connectors, conduits, pole line hardware, racks, cabinets, safety and MRO products, and point-to-point wireless devices. This segment also offers various service solutions, including fiber project management, high and medium voltage project design and support, pre-wired meters and capacitor banks, meter testing and metering infrastructure installation, personal protective equipment dielectric testing, and tool repair, as well as emergency response, storage yard, materials, and logistics management. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dril-Quip, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services engineered drilling and production equipment for use in deepwater, harsh environment, and severe service applications worldwide. The company's principal products include subsea and surface wellheads, subsea and surface production trees, mudline hanger systems, specialty connectors and associated pipes, drilling and production riser systems, liner hangers, wellhead connectors, diverters, and safety valves, as well as downhole tools. It also provides technical advisory services, and rework and reconditioning services, as well as rental and purchase of running tools for use in the installation and retrieval of its products; and downhole tools comprise of liner hangers, production packers, safety valves, and specialty downhole tools that are used to hang-off and seal casing into a previously installed casing string in the well bore. The company's products are used to explore for oil and gas from offshore drilling rigs, such as floating rigs and jack-up rigs; and for drilling and production of oil and gas wells on offshore platforms, tension leg platforms, and Spars, as well as moored vessels, such as floating production, storage, and offloading monohull moored vessels. It sells its products directly through its sales personnel, independent sales agents, and representatives to integrated, independent, and foreign national oil and gas companies, as well as drilling contractors, and engineering and construction companies. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
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.

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Robbi Wolff enjoys introducing La Crosse-area residents to imported specialty foods, beverages and gift items. And she missed some of the shopping options she had in Chicago, while growing up outside Chicago Heights, Ill.

Thats why she opened That Foreign Place gift shop in December 2015 at 123 S. Fourth St. in downtown La Crosse. She moved it to its current larger location at 107 S. Third St. effective July 1 of this year.

Wolff opened her new Christos Taverna in another part of the same storefront on Sept. 28, the first day of this years local Oktoberfest celebration.

Its a wine bar with some food options, Wolff said of Christos Taverna, which features Greek wines and a handful of Spanish wines; beer from Greece, Japan, Germany, Belgium and Denmark and spirits from such places as Greece, Finland and Japan. All of the wines, beers and spirits are imported.

Christos Taverna also recently began offering Greek-inspired appetizers. The initial offerings include such things as Greek-style french fries, fried shrimp and fried calamari. In the next few weeks, the appetizer list will expand to include items such as Greek pastries, Greek coffee and Greek salads.

Wolffs fiance, Greg Salarias, is from Greece and helps her order imported Greek merchandise. Wolff chose the name Christos Taverna for her wine bar because Christos is the first name of Salariass father.

The walls of Wolffs two businesses are decorated with photos taken in Greece. She has traveled to Greece a few times.

Shortly before Wolff first met Salarias, she traveled to Greece with a girlfriend and fell in love with the food, culture and the people.

In its Third Street storefront, That Foreign Place has a little more room and many more products than it had in its original Fourth Street location, Wolff said.

Besides imported wines, beer and spirits, it sells imported specialty food items and gift items. The food items are almost all from Greece, Wolff said and include such things as olive oil, chocolates, honey, olives, cheese, pasta, coffee and biscuits.

That Foreign Place also sells a variety of wine accessories and unique gifts such as tea towels, coasters, decanters and aerators. Wolff recently added tote bags and womens purses to her product line.

Wolff said she started That Foreign Place partly because I had always wanted my own business. And I missed having the many shopping options I had in the Chicago area. She decided to locate her gift shop downtown because I saw the growth that was happening downtown. And its still getting better.

Wolff, who moved to La Crosse from Illinois in 2000, has a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters degree in counseling.

She was a financial advisor for five years before leaving that occupation to open That Foreign Place.

I enjoy bringing in different items for people and showing them the different foods that are out there, Wolff said. I enjoy it when people see and try things they havent before.

A lot of people are looking for something different, like different cuisine, Wolff said.

Most of the gift shop and wine bars customers are from the greater La Crosse area, she said. But we also see a lot of tourists, business people and people who are just passing through, she added.
NeoPhotonics Corporation develops, manufactures, and sells optoelectronic products that transmit and receive high speed digital optical signals for cloud and hyperscale data center internet content provider and telecom networks. It offers transmitter and receiver components, and coherent modules, as well as switching products for 400G and optical transmission applications over distances of approximately 2 to 2,000 kilometers; ultra-narrow linewidth tunable lasers; electro-absorptively modulated lasers; distributed feedback lasers; component lasers; and integrated coherent receivers and modulators. The company also provides pluggable coherent transceivers that combine ultra-narrow linewidth laser with coherent receiver and performance coherent modulator; and 100G products for data center applications. In addition, it offers multi-cast switching solutions for 100G and above coherent systems; and network products and solutions, such as arrayed waveguide gratings, multiplexers, and filters that are used in dense wavelength division multiplexing systems. NeoPhotonics Corporation sells its products to network equipment manufacturers through a direct sales force in North America; Europe; and Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The company was formerly known as NanoGram Corporation and changed its name to NeoPhotonics Corporation in 2002. NeoPhotonics Corporation was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers workers' compensation, property, automobile, liability, umbrella, bond, marine, livestock, and reinsurance; and customized insurance products and risk management services, including professional liability, bond, surety, and specialty casualty coverages through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers. The company's Personal Lines segment provides automobile, homeowners, and personal umbrella coverages through direct-to-consumer channel and independent agents. Its Property & Casualty Other Operations segment offers coverage for asbestos and environmental exposures. The company's Group Benefits segment provides group life, disability, and other group coverages to members of employer groups, associations, and affinity groups through direct insurance policies; reinsurance to other insurance companies; employer paid and voluntary product coverages; disability underwriting, administration, and claims processing to self-funded employer plans; and a single-company leave management solution. This segment distributes its group insurance products and services through brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, trade associations, and private exchanges. Its Hartford Funds segment offers investment products for retail and retirement accounts; exchange-traded products through broker-dealer organizations, independent financial advisers, defined contribution plans, financial consultants, bank trust groups, and registered investment advisers; and investment management and administrative services, such as product design, implementation, and oversight. The company was founded in 1810 and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.
The following companies are subsidiares of Dominion Energy: 96WI 8me LLC, Align RNG Arizona LLC, Align RNG Arizona-Snowflake LLC, Align RNG California LLC, Align RNG California-Corcoran LLC, Align RNG Grady Road LLC, Align RNG LLC, Align RNG Magnolia LLC, Align RNG North Carolina LLC, Align RNG North Carolina-Bowdens LLC, Align RNG Utah LLC, Align RNG Utah-Milford LLC, Align RNG Utah-Minersville LLC, Align RNG Virginia LLC, Align RNG Virginia-Waverly LLC, Alpaca Holdings LLC, Angus Holdings LLC, Aster Holdings LLC, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, BOE Holdings Inc., Bantam Holdings LLC, Bellflower Holdings LLC, Birdseye Holdings LLC, Birdseye Projects LLC, Birdseye Renewable Energy LLC, Blackville Solar Farm LLC, Blue Ocean Energy Marine LLC, BrightSuite Home LLC, BrightSuite Home Solar Inc., BrightSuite Inc., BrightSuite Solar CT Inc., BrightSuite Solar Development LLC, BrightSuite Solar SC Inc., BrightSuite Solar VA Inc., Brown Swiss Holdings II LLC, Buckingham Solar I LLC, CEA Americus LLC, CEA CO-Fort Morgan LLC, CEA Clovis LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Colorado LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Georgia LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Idaho LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Kansas LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Nevada LLC, CEA Dairy RNG New Mexico LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Texas LLC, CEA Greely LLC, CEA Mason LLC, CEA TX-Dimmitt LLC, CNG Coal Company, CNG Power Services Corporation, Canola Holdings LLC, Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation, Charolais Holdings LLC, Chester White Holdings LLC, Chicory Holdings LLC, Clean Energy Asset USA LLC, Clean Energy Enterprises Inc., Clipperton Holdings LLC, Collard Holdings LLC, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Correctional Solar LLC, Cotswold Holdings LLC, Cove Point LNG Limited, Currant Holdings LLC, DE 700 Canal Place LLC, DE Arlington Solar LLC, DE Fluvanna Solar LLC, DE Hanover Solar LLC, DE Henrico Solar LLC, DE King William Solar LLC, DE Louisa Solar LLC, DE Newport News Solar LLC, DE Powhatan Solar LLC, DE Virginia Beach Solar LLC, DECP Holdings Inc., DEO Alternative Fuel LLC, Dairy RNG Holdings LLC, Denmark Solar LLC, Devon Holdings LLC, Dexter Holdings LLC, Dill Holdings LLC, Dillon RE Holdings LLC, Dominion ACP Holding Inc., Dominion Alternative Energy Holdings Inc., Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Dominion Capital Inc., Dominion Cogen WV Inc., Dominion Energy Birdseye Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Fuel Services Inc., Dominion Energy Gas Distribution LLC, Dominion Energy Generation Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Inc., Dominion Energy Kewaunee Inc., Dominion Energy Marketplace LLC, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut Inc., Dominion Energy Payroll Company Inc., Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, Dominion Energy RNG Holdings II Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Services Inc., Dominion Energy Solar CA LLC, Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., Dominion Energy Southeast Services Inc., Dominion Energy Technical Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies II Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies Inc., Dominion Energy Terminal Company Inc., Dominion Energy Wexpro Services Company, Dominion Equipment III Inc., Dominion Equipment Inc., Dominion Fairless Hills Inc., Dominion Fowler Ridge Wind LLC, Dominion Gas Projects Company LLC, Dominion Generation Inc., Dominion Greenbrier Inc., Dominion High Voltage Holdings Inc., Dominion High Voltage MidAtlantic Inc., Dominion Investments Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline Holdings Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company III Inc., Dominion Mt. Storm Wind LLC, Dominion Nuclear Projects Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration & Production Inc., Dominion Person Inc., Dominion Privatization Florida LLC, Dominion Privatization Georgia LLC, Dominion Privatization Holdings Inc., Dominion Privatization Kentucky LLC, Dominion Privatization Maryland LLC, Dominion Privatization Pennsylvania LLC, Dominion Privatization South Carolina LLC, Dominion Privatization Texas LLC, Dominion Privatization Virginia LLC, Dominion Products and Services Inc., Dominion Projects Services Inc., Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, Dominion Retail Gas Holdings Inc., Dominion Solar Holdings IV LLC, Dominion Solar Projects C Inc., Dominion Solar Projects D Inc., Dominion Solar Projects III Inc., Dominion Solar Projects IV Inc., Dominion Solar Projects V Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VI Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VII Inc., Dominion Solar Services Inc., Dominion State Line LLC, Dominion Utility Privatization LLC, Dominion Voltage Inc., Dominion Wholesale Inc., Dominion Wind Development LLC, Dominion Wind Projects Inc., Dorset Holdings LLC, ESCT-SA-Suffield LLC, Eagle Holdco Solar LLC, Eagle Solar LLC, Eastern Shore Solar LLC, Endive Holdings LLC, Energize Holdings III LLC, Flax Holdings LLC, Fremont Farm LLC, Gideon Solar LLC, Ginger Holdings LLC, Greenbrier Marketing Company LLC, Greenbrier Pipeline Company LLC, Greensville County Solar Project LLC, Guernsey Holdings LLC, Hardin Solar Energy LLC, Hecate Energy Cherrydale LLC, Hecate Energy Clarke County LLC, Hemlock Holdings LLC, Hereford Holdings LLC, Hodges Solar LLC, Hope Gas Inc., Hosta Holdings LLC, Innovative Solar 37 LLC, Joanna Solar LLC, Kale Holdings LLC, Leek Holdings LLC, Leghorn Holdings LLC, Lentil Holdings LLC, Leyland Holdings LLC, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Millet Holdings LLC, Moffett Solar 1 LLC, Moorings Farm 2 LLC, Mustang Solar LLC, Mustard Holdings LLC, Okra Holdings LLC, PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company, Phone House, Pikeville Farm LLC, Power Path Holdings I LLC, Power Path Holdings II LLC, Power Path Holdings III LLC, Prairie Fork Wind Farm LLC, Public Service Company of North Carolina Incorporated, Quail Holdings LLC, Questar Corporation, Questar Gas Company, Questar InfoComm Inc., Ridgeland Solar Farm I LLC, Rutabaga Holdings LLC, SCANA, SCANA Corporate Security Services Inc., SCANA Corporation, SRFI LLC, Safflower Holdings LLC, Scott-II Solar LLC, Seabrook Solar LLC, Sedge Holdings LLC, Shallot Holdings LLC, Siler Solar LLC, Silkie Holdings LLC, Simmental Holdings LLC, Sol Madison Solar LLC, Sorghum Holdings LLC, South Carolina Fuel Company Inc., South Carolina Generating Company Inc., Southampton Solar LLC, Strawberry Holdings LLC, Sumac Holdings LLC, Summit Farms Solar LLC, Sussex Drive Solar Project LLC, TWE Myrtle Solar Project LLC, The East Ohio Gas Company, Trask East Solar LLC, Tredegar Solar Fund I LLC, Tredegar Solar LLC, VP Property Inc., Virginia Electric And Power Company, Virginia Power Fuel Corporation, Virginia Power Nuclear Services Company, Virginia Power Services Energy Corp. Inc., Virginia Power Services LLC, Virginia Solar 2017 Projects LLC, Wakefield Solar LLC, Watercress Holdings LLC, Wexpro Company, Wexpro Development Company, Wexpro II Company, Wilkinson Solar LLC, Yemassee Solar LLC, and Yorkshire Holdings LLC.

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Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.
As you probably have heard, RSV is hitting early and hitting hard this year. Here at Winona Health, my fellow caregivers in Pediatrics and Family Medicine and I are fielding many questions from concerned parents and child care providers. We are always happy to be your resource!
GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Grapevine, Texas. The company was originally known as GSC Holdings Corp. but later changed its name following its IPO. Originally a brand of then dominant Babbages, Gamestop altered the way video games were distributed and it is now the world's largest retailer of video games and video game accessories. The company went public in 2004 and operated 4,573 stores at the start of 2022. Brands under the company umbrella include Gamestop, EB Games, and Micromania as well as 50 pop-culture-themed Zing Pop locations.

Gamestop Corp. provides video games and entertainment products through its global network of e-commerce properties and stores. The company sells new and pre-owned gaming platforms and accessories like controllers, headsets, memory cards, and gaming software as well as in-game products like digital currency, downloadable content, and games. The company also sells new and used memorabilia and collectibles. Genres include TV, movie, comic book, and game characters as well as many other items from pop culture. GameStop Corp. also operates Game Informer, a magazine and website dedicated to the gaming industry including reviews, updates, and new developments in technologies.

Game enthusiasts enjoy two primary benefits of using Gamestop. The first is access to the full range of games and gaming accessories. The second is the ability to sell or trade their old equipment and games for fair prices. All old equipment is refurbished to a like-new state before resale.

In 2021 Gamestop announced it was entering the world of cryptocurrency. The company revealed plans to build an NFT (non-fungible token) platform for listing, selling, and holding digital or digitized artwork and collectibles. The beta version launched in 2022 and has so far seen great success with an average daily volume exceeding $1 million. The NFT marketplace also featured Web3.0 games in which characters and in-game items are held forever on the blockchain. As of September 2022, the most successful retailer on the NFT marketplace was Gamestop Presents, a collaboration of cover art from Game Informer Magazine. Sales at the time were just under 168 ETH or about $221,500.00.

GameStop began a slide in 2016 following a series of bad investments that included a foray into the world of mobile phones. The slide came to an end in late 2021 when shareholders using the Reddit thread Wallstreet Bets orchestrated a short-squeeze and brought on the age of meme stocks.
GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom.
Avangrid, Inc., an energy services holding company, engages in the regulated energy transmission and distribution, and renewable energy generation businesses in the United States. The company operates through Networks and Renewables segments. It is involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and distribution, transportation, and sale of natural gas. The company also operates renewable energy generation facilities primarily using onshore wind power, as well as solar, biomass, and thermal power. It delivers natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial, and institutional customers through its regulated utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; and sells its output to investor-owned utilities, public utilities, and other credit-worthy entities. In addition, the company generates and provides power and other services to federal and state agencies, as well as institutional retail and joint action agencies; and delivers thermal output to wholesale customers in the Western United States. It owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.3 million customers in New York and New England, as well as owns and operates 8.8 gigawatts of electricity capacity primarily through wind power in 22 states. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Orange, Connecticut. Avangrid, Inc. is a subsidiary of Iberdrola, S.A.
The following companies are subsidiares of InterContinental Hotels Group: 2250 Blake Street Hotel LLC, 24th Street Operator Sub LLC, 36th Street IHG Sub LLC, 426 Main Ave LLC, 46 Nevins Street Associates LLC, Allegro Management LLC, Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC, American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd., Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BHMC Canada Inc., BHR Holdings B.V., BHR Luxembourg SARL, BHR Pacific Holdings Inc., BHTC Canada Inc., BOC Barclay Sub LLC, Barclay Operating Corp., Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company, Cafe Biarritz, Cambridge Lodging LLC, Capital Lodging LLC, Compania Inter-Continental De Hoteles El Salvador SA, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management) B.V., Crowne Plaza LLC, Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC, Dunwoody Operations Inc., EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC, Edinburgh IC Limited, General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation, Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd., H.I. (Ireland) Limited, H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd, HC International Holdings Inc., HH France Holdings SAS, HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V., HH Hotels (Romania) SRL, HI Sugarloaf LLC, HIM (Aruba) NV, Hale International Ltd., Hoft Properties LLC, Holiday Hospitality Franchising LLC, Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Holiday Inns (China) Ltd, Holiday Inns (Chongqing) Inc., Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS, Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS, Holiday Inns (England) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Germany) LLC, Holiday Inns (Guangzhou) Inc., Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc., Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Philippines) Inc., Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia) Inc., Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc., Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd., Holiday Inns (UK) Inc., Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong) Inc., Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Holiday Inns Inc., Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd., Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd., Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V., Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation, Holiday Pacific LLC, Holiday Pacific Partners LP, Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited, Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL, IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH, IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company, IHC (Thailand) Limited, IHC Buckhead LLC, IHC Edinburgh (Holdings), IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp., IHC Hotel Limited, IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp., IHC London (Holdings), IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp., IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited, IHC May Fair Hotel Limited, IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited, IHC UK (Holdings) Limited, IHC United States (Holdings) Corp., IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp., IHG (Australasia) Limited, IHG (Marseille) SAS, IHG (Thailand) Limited, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC, IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co. Ltd., IHG Bangkok Ltd, IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda, IHG Commission Services SRL, IHG Community Development LLC, IHG Cyprus Limited, IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL, IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda, IHG Franchising DR Corporation, IHG Franchising LLC, IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited, IHG Hotels Limited, IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited, IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited, IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Ltd, IHG International Partnership, IHG Istanbul Otel Yonetim Limited Sirketi, IHG Japan (Management) LLC, IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC, IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V., IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC, IHG Management SL d.o.o, IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd, IHG Orchard Street Member LLC, IHG PS Nominees Limited, IHG Systems Pty Ltd, IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft., IHG de Argentina SA, IND East Village SD Holdings LLC, Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp., Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation, Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada, Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc., Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited, Inter-Continental Management (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited, InterContinental (PB) 1, InterContinental (PB) 2, InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited, InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH, InterContinental Brasil Administracao de Hoteis Ltda, InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L., InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH, InterContinental Hotel Dusseldorf GmbH (Germany), InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Espana) SA, InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation.

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Its hard to avoid the darkness at this time of year as the days grow shorter. Its dark when leaving for work and dark when arriving home.

When I was young, a one-hour commute like mine across the same farmland would have been different in at least one way. The many barns along the roads would have had lights on as farm families worked on the morning or evening milking  which on our farm was at about 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The glow from the windows was a comforting sight in the early morning. There was hope in the darkness because there were others out of warm beds to face the day.

Those days are gone, along with the smaller dairy herds that once dotted the state. In 1965 the average dairy herd in Wisconsin was about 25 cows. There were about 85,000 dairy farms.

Today the average-size dairy herd in Wisconsin is 144 cows. There are 8,877 dairy farms. The big exodus in the dairy business was from 1995 to 2004, when the state lost an average of 1,355 dairy farms per year.

When I was young, you could drive up and down country roads and almost everyone was milking cows. Now you can drive for miles between dairy farms.

Its not just dairy. In the most recent Census of Agriculture done in 2012, there were 69,754 farms in Wisconsin, a decrease from 78,463 in 2007. I wonder what the 2017 Census, which is coming our way starting in December, will show when results are released in 2019.

Farming hasnt disappeared. Its just changing. Some farms are growing larger. More land is leased. Our vision of the family farm  94 percent of Wisconsin farm acreage is still connected to family-owned operations  is just different.

The debate whether thats good or bad is ongoing, but there is one indisputable fact: Farmers are growing older.

In 1982  the year I left the family farm to go to college  the typical Wisconsin farmer was 48 years old. The last ag census in 2012 showed the average Wisconsin farmer was 56. Nationwide the average age is closer to 60. Farmers really dont retire, unless they sell their operations. Ive known farmers who have milked cows well into their 70s.

Sometimes the farm goes to the next generation, which can help offset the high initial capital costs. But what about a young person who has no family connection and wants to start farming from scratch? The land, equipment and building costs  depending on the type of farm  can easily run into the millions of dollars.

A federal bill called the Young and Beginning Farmers Act was recently introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill would attempt to expand access to affordable farmland, improve delivery of federal programs to new farmers, and increase investments in training, business development and local markets.

The Congressional Budget Office has not provided a cost estimate of the bill, but it has drawn support from several farm organizations, including the National Farmers Union and the National Young Farmers Coalition.

Young people are stepping up and starting careers in agriculture despite significant odds, said Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director and co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition. But they cant do it alone. The future of farming and our rural communities depends on their success. We urge Congress to make young farmers a priority and include the Young and Beginning Farmers Act in the next farm bill.

Earlier this year Minnesota approved a law supported by the young-farmers coalition that provides state income-tax credits to beginning farmers to help offset the costs of buying or leasing land, farm equipment and livestock. The farmers must take a farm-management class, which is also covered by the tax credit.

Perhaps its time for similar legislation in Wisconsin. A recent effort was a bill introduced in 2015 called the New Farmer Student Loan Assistance Program, which would have reimbursed up to $30,000 of student loan debt over five years for new farmers.

While that bill stalled, we need other efforts to encourage the next generation of farmers. Even though there are some who want to change our license plates, we are still Americas Dairyland.
The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: Anvl, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Acquisitionco Canada Corporation, Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CIFC Worldwide Partner C.V., CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI CGT Holdings LLC, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings C.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partner 2 C.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI Group Holdings Cooperatief U.A., CMI International Finance Partner 1 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 3 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 4 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., CMI UK Finance LP, CMI UK Financing LP, Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins Aust Technologies Pty. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins CV Member LLC, Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Center of Excellence Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Eastern Marine Inc., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Energetica Ltda., Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Global Financing LP, Cummins Global Technologies LLP, Cummins Grupo Comercial Y. de Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Grupo Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins International Holdings LLC, Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins LLC Member Inc., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Limited, Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India, Cummins Trade Receivables LLC, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Global Holdings Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Efficient Drivetrains (Beijing) New Power Technology Co. Ltd., Efficient Drivetrains (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Markon Engineering Company Ltd., Nelson Burgess Ltd., Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, Newage Ltd. (U.K.), Newage Machine Tools Ltd., OOO Cummins, Petbow Limited, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Worldwide Partner CV Member LLC, Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., Wuxi New Energy Automotive Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc..

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Minerals Technologies Inc. develops, produces, and markets various specialty mineral, mineral-based, and synthetic mineral products, and supporting systems and services. The company operates through three segments: Performance Materials, Specialty Minerals and Refractories. The Performance Materials segment supplies bentonite and bentonite-related products, as well as leonardite. This segment also offers metal casting products; household, personal care, and specialty products; and basic minerals, environmental products, and building materials. In addition, it provides products for non-residential construction, environmental, and infrastructure projects, as well as for construction and remediation project customers. The Specialty Minerals segment produces and sells precipitated calcium carbonate and quicklime; and provides natural mineral products comprising limestone and talc. This segment's products are used in paper and packaging, building materials, paint and coatings, glass, ceramic, polymer, food, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries. The Refractories segment offers monolithic and shaped refractory materials; specialty products, services, and application and measurement equipment; and calcium metal and metallurgical wire products that are used in the applications of steel, non-ferrous metal, and glass industries. The company markets its products primarily through its direct sales force, as well as regional distributors. It serves in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Minerals Technologies Inc. was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
George Miller was the best big brother Joye Miller could ask for.

He was always looking out for her, the Central High School senior said, and making sure she was doing all right at home or at school. They would joke around, goof off, and he was the life of any family get-together.

Now those holidays and family celebrations are much quieter. Joye lost her brother two years ago when he was shot and killed by former friend and classmate Deshawn Randall, who received a life sentence in 2016 for the slaying.

Her world turned upside down.

Joye took her anger, grief and loss out on herself, skipping school and class, and battling with her teachers and her peers. But her teachers in the AVID program, which enrolls underrepresented students at the two La Crosse high schools who are interested in pursuing a four-year college degree, were patient with the grieving teen and never gave up on her.

As she worked through her grief, Joye turned things around and pushed forward. Using the memory of her brother to motivate her, Joye said she dedicated herself to pursuing her goals and dreams, something she knew George would want for her.

He (George) didnt get to graduate, she said. My mom needs to see her kids graduate and succeed.

Because of her perseverance, hard work and grit, she is this years La Crosse Tribune Extra Effort Award winner for Central High School. One of her AVID teachers, Ellen Koelbl, described Joye as fierce with great personal strength.

Its fun watching her interact with others in class, Koelbl said. She truly throws herself in whatever she is learning and passionate about  be it an AP Calculus discussion of limits or derivatives or analyzing a characters motivations in her College Prep English class. She feels and does things with great emotion.

Joye came with her family to La Crosse after being born in Mobile, Ala., and living in Chicago until the seventh grade. Her stepfather had friends in La Crosse, and the family decided to move to the community to give the kids a better life than they could get in the Windy City.

Joye said she enjoyed how different La Crosse was from the big city and said she quickly made friends in her new home. But no friend was as close to her as her big brother George.

The two had talked the night before George was killed, and he promised his sister that they would chat over FaceTime the next morning. But that never happened as Joye woke up not to her brothers voice, but the shock as she learned her brother had been shot and killed.

I didnt think it was real, she said. I ran over to the scene, but they wouldnt let me through. He was my best friend. I felt like my world had ended.

In her grief, Joye said she had a lot of anger. She was angry at her teachers, angry at people in the community, even angry at her friends.

She started skipping school and classes. Her grades dipped and she struggled academically. Her teachers noticed and reached out to her, but she resisted.

They didnt give up. They wanted her to get through it, Joye said, offering counseling and other services if Joye needed them.

She continued to resist, but they wore her down. She also connected with friends and family who knew George. Talking with them helped, she said, and they became like older brothers to her.

Being in the AVID program also helped. Joye signed up for AVID when she was in eighth grade and said she knew she always wanted to go to college.

The AVID classes and techniques helped her study and learn the skills she needed to succeed in school. The rigors of the program kept her from slacking and the teachers kept pushing her to excel.

Koebl said she became a student leader at Central  someone others, including her little brother and freshman Jaborious Norwood, look up to. Joye doesnt mince words with them, Koelbl said, and shes often straightforward with her observations.

Some days shes a character  with a great sense of humor making the day a little brighter for others, her teacher said. Theres also a very sweet and empathetic side to her, which at times exposes her vulnerability. These traits will be valuable in her future as a nurse and advocate for her patients.

After graduation, Joye said she hopes to attend Viterbo University, Winona State University or another university known for its nursing program. Her grandmother Elmira Welch was a teacher and a certified nursing assistant, like her mom Valerie Thomas, and both women have been role models for her.
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.
NCR Corporation provides various software and services worldwide. It operates through Banking, Retail, Hospitality, and Telecommunications and Technology segments. The company offers managed services and ATM-as-a-Service that allow banks to run their end-to-end ATM channels; software, services, and hardware; and digital banking solutions for financial institution's consumer and business customers. It also provides solutions for banking channel services, transaction processing, imaging, and branch services. In addition, the company offers solutions for retail industry comprising comprehensive API-point of sale (POS) retail software platforms and applications, hardware terminals and peripherals, payment processing solutions, and consumer engagement solutions, as well as self-service kiosks, which consists of self-checkout (SCO). Further, it provides technology solutions to customers in the hospitality industry comprising table-service, quick-service, and fast casual restaurants. The company also offers cloud-based software applications for point-of-sale, back office, payment processing, kitchen production, restaurant management, eCommerce, and consumer marketing and loyalty; and hospitality-oriented hardware products, such as POS terminals, kitchen display systems, handheld devices, printers, and peripherals. Additionally, NCR Corporation provides managed network and infrastructure services to enterprise clients, as well as professional, field, and remote services for network technologies. The company also offers solutions for customer account opening and onboarding across digital, branch, and call center channels. NCR Corporation was founded in 1881 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Red Hat, Inc. provides open source software solutions to develop and offer operating system, virtualization, management, middleware, cloud, mobile, and storage technologies to various enterprises worldwide. It offers infrastructure-related solutions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, an operating system platform that runs on hardware for use in hybrid cloud environments; Red Hat Satellite, a system management offering that helps to deploy, scale, and manage in hybrid cloud environments; and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, a software solution that allows customers to utilize and manage a common hardware infrastructure to run multiple operating systems and applications. The company offers application development-related and other technology solutions, such as Red Hat JBoss Middleware, a solution for developing, deploying, and managing applications; integrating applications, data, and devices; and automating business processes in hybrid cloud environments; The company's application development-related and other technology solutions also includes Red Hat cloud offerings, a software solution that enables customers to build and manage various cloud computing environments; Red Hat Mobile, a software development platform that enables customers to develop, integrate, deploy, and manage mobile applications for enterprises; and Red Hat Storage, a software solution that enables customers to manage large, unstructured, or semi-structured data in hybrid cloud environments. It also provides consulting, support, and training services; and realtime operating system, distributed computing, directory services, and user authentication. Red Hat, Inc. has collaboration with Juniper Networks Expand to provide a unified solution for enterprises designed to manage and run applications and services. The company was formerly known as Red Hat Software, Inc. and changed its name to Red Hat, Inc. in June 1999. Red Hat, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
MADISON  Horse Sense for Special Riders of La Crosse has been is awarded $25,000 to offer career-building skills such as volunteer management, fundraising, scheduling, marketing, and nonprofit administration, as well as lessons in therapeutic horsemanship for veterans.

The grant was announced last week by Gov. Scott Walker and Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dan Zimmerman, part of $400,000 in grants for nonprofit organizations that provide entrepreneurship training, or technical, business or other assistance to veteran entrepreneurs to improve employment outcomes.

Veterans are a major component in our workforce and our economy: when they succeed, we all succeed, Walker said. Thats why were allocating more support to organizations which help veterans drive economic success and pursue their passions with knowledge and purpose.

There are more than 390,000 veterans living in Wisconsin, about half of them working age. About 11 percent of businesses in the state, or 65,000, are veteran-owned. Wisconsins veteran-owned businesses account for about $20 billion in annual sales.

Other grant recipients included:

Fox Valley Technical College Foundation, Appleton, $89,400 to expand the high-demand E-seed Entrepreneurial Training: Veterans Edition at Fox Valley Technical College.

Great Lakes Dryhootch, Milwaukee, $54,848 to support its Deployment to Employment program.

Indianhead Community Action Agency, Ladysmith, $19,000 to provide veterans with the technical assistance necessary to start or expand small businesses.

UW-Milwaukee Foundation, $186,752 for its VUB-Veteran Entrepreneurship Readiness and Support program.

Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Milwaukee, $25,000 to expand economic opportunity for Wisconsin veterans, military service members and military families.
Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, and international news to media organizations, professional, and news consumers through news agency and industry events. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation operates a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited.
The Williams Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises Transco and Northwest natural gas pipelines; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, as well as various petrochemical and feedstock pipelines. The Northeast G&P segment engages in the midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation activities in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment comprises gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of South Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region, which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins; and operates natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation and storage facilities in central Kansas near Conway. The Gas & NGL Marketing Services segment provides wholesale marketing, trading, storage, and transportation of natural gas for natural gas utilities, municipalities, power generators, and producers; risk and asset management; and NGL marketing services. The company owns and operates 30,000 miles of pipelines, 29 processing facilities, 7 fractionation facilities, and approximately 23 million barrels of NGL storage capacity. The Williams Companies, Inc. was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The following companies are subsidiares of Novartis: 1 A Pharma GmbH, Abadia Retuerta S.A, Admune Therapeutics, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Advanced Accelerator Applications International SA, Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A., Advanced Accelerator Applications S.r.l., Advanced Accelerator Applications USA Inc., Aeropharm GmbH, Alcon, Alcon  Couvreur NV, Amblyotech, Amblyotech Inc., Arctos Medical, Arctos Medical AG, Australia Pty Ltd, Beijing Novartis Pharma Co. Ltd., BioMedical Research Co. Ltd., CELLforCURE, Cadent Therapeutics, Cadent Therapeutics Cambridge, Cellerys, Cellerys AG, CellforCure, Chiron Corporation, Ciba-Geigy Japan Limited, Co. Ltd, CoStim Pharmaceuticals, CoStim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Coalesce Product Development Limited, Corthera, Development Co. Ltd., EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H Nfg. KG, Encore Vision, Endocyte, Endocyte Inc., Eon Labs Inc., Farmanova Saglik Hizmetleri Ltd, Fougera Pharmaceuticals, Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc, Gyroscope Therapeutics, HEXAL AG, Hexal, IDB Holland BV, Iberica S.L.U., Ilaclari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, JSC Sandoz, Japat AG, Kedalion Therapeutics Inc., Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Lek S.A., Manufacturing Pte Ltd , Navigate BioPharma Services Inc, Neutec Pharma Limited, Novartis (Hellas) S.A.C.I., Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Novartis (Taiwan) Co. Ltd, Novartis (Thailand) Limited, Novartis Argentina S.A., Novartis Australia Pty Ltd, Novartis Austria GmbH, Novartis Biociencias S.A., Novartis Biosciences Peru S.A., Novartis Bioventures AG, Novartis Business Services GmbH, Novartis Capital Corporation, Novartis Chile S.A., Novartis Corporation, Novartis Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Novartis Deutschland GmbH, Novartis Ecuador S.A., Novartis Farma S.p.A., Novartis Farma  Produtos Farmaceuticos S.A., Novartis Farmaceutica S.A, Novartis Farmaceutica S.A. de C.V., Novartis Finance Corporation, Novartis Finance S.A., Novartis Finance Services Ltd, Novartis Finland Oy Espoo, Novartis Gene Therapies, Novartis Gene Therapies EU Limited, Novartis Gene Therapies Inc., Novartis Grimsby Limited, Novartis Groupe France S.A., Novartis Healthcare A/S, Novartis Healthcare Philippines Inc., Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Novartis Holding AG, Novartis Hungary Healthcare Limited Liability Company, Novartis India Limited, Novartis Inflammasome Research, Novartis Integrated Services Limited, Novartis International AG, Novartis International Pharmaceutical Investment AG, Novartis Investment Ltd, Novartis Investments S.a r.l., Novartis Ireland Limited, Novartis Israel Ltd, Novartis Korea Ltd., Novartis Middle East FZE, Novartis Netherlands B.V., Novartis Neva LLC, Novartis New Zealand Ltd, Novartis Norge AS, Novartis Ophthalmics AG, Novartis Optogenetics Research Inc., Novartis Overseas Investments AG, Novartis Pharma (Logistics) Inc., Novartis Pharma (Pakistan) Limited, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Pharma B.V. , Novartis Pharma GmbH, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Novartis Pharma K.K., Novartis Pharma LLC, Novartis Pharma Maroc SA, Novartis Pharma NV, Novartis Pharma Produktions GmbH, Novartis Pharma S.A.E., Novartis Pharma S.A.S., Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG, Novartis Pharma Schweizerhalle AG, Novartis Pharma Services AG, Novartis Pharma Services Romania S.R.L., Novartis Pharma Stein AG, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Limited, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Novartis Poland Sp. z o.o., Novartis Portugal S.G.P.S. Lda., Novartis Ringaskiddy Limited, Novartis Saglik Gida ve Tarim Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S, Novartis Saudi Ltd., Novartis Securities Investment Ltd, Novartis Services Inc., Novartis Slovakia s.r.o., Novartis South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Novartis Sverige AB, Novartis UK Limited, Novartis US Foundation, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Inc, Novartis Vietnam Company Limited, Novartis de Colombia S.A., Novartis de Venezuela S.A., Novartis s.r.o., Oriel Therapeutics Inc., PT. Novartis Indonesia, Protez Pharmaceuticals, Pte Ltd, Research Inc, Salutas Pharma GmbH, Sandoz A/S, Sandoz AG, Sandoz B.V., Sandoz Canada Inc., Sandoz Egypt Pharma S.A.E., Sandoz Farmaceutica S.A., Sandoz Farmaceutica Lda., Sandoz GmbH, Sandoz Hungary Limited Liability Company, Sandoz Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Sandoz Inc, Sandoz Industrial Products S.A, Sandoz International GmbH, Sandoz K.K., Sandoz Limited, Sandoz Manufacturing Inc., Sandoz NV, Sandoz Pharma K.K, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals AG, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals d.d., Sandoz Philippines Corporation, Sandoz Polska Sp. z o.o. , Sandoz Private Limited, Sandoz Pty Ltd, Sandoz S.A. de C.V, Sandoz S.A.S., Sandoz S.R.L., Sandoz S.p.A., Sandoz South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Sandoz Ukraine LLC, Sandoz d.o.o. farmaceutska industrija, Sandoz do Brasil Industria Farmaceutica Ltda, Sandoz s.r.o., Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Shanghai Novartis Trading Ltd., Societe par actions SANDOZ, Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, The Medicines Company, The Medicines Company, Triangle International Reinsurance Limited, Trinity River Insurance Co Ltd, Vedere Bio, Vedere Bio ll, Xiidra, Ziarco, and Ziarco Group Limited.

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When Dick Iverson has his first taste of lefse at age 4, he was hooked. Over six decades later, hes established himself as a connoisseur of the potato-based flatbread, which he served up in bulk at Saturdays Norskedalen Old Fashioned Christmas.

Everyone likes it, Iverson said, serving up plates of the Norwegian staple along with smorgasbord of toppings, from the traditional lingonberry compotes and cinnamon sugar blend to new school Nutella.

Its the big change, Iverson said of the chocolate hazelnut spread. We didnt use to eat it that way ... I used to roll the lutefisk and the potato in the lefse like a taco, and pour the butter in it. Its a mess ... you didnt do it in public. People did it at home.

Combining timeless traditions and new favorites is the heart of the event, which has been held for 33 years on the spacious stretch of land near Coon Valley. With authentic 19th century structures, including a homestead, blacksmith shop and chapel, Norskedalen takes visitors back in time, with the Old Fashioned Christmas offering a spirited taste of holidays past.

Decorated with garlands, twinkling lights and sparkling snowflakes, the Thrune Visitors Center had attendees in the Christmas spirit despite the lack of snow outside. Carolers sang as children worked on handmade ornaments, and families couldnt resist the selection of krumkake, a waffle cookie, and sandbakkels, a fluted shortbread.

Food is always a big tie-in of nostalgia for people, said Kristen Glomstad, heritage programs coordinator for Norskedalen.

Outside, children were on the hunt for treats, while adults searched high and low for the coveted yule log. Kids clamored for rides on the tractor train, and the melodic sounds of the bell choir emanated from the quaint Benrud Chapel.

I think its kind of like a living history event, said Glomstad. The beauty of traditions is that theyre such a tangible link to our past but theyre also still evolving and growing.

The all day event was expected to draw around 300 visitors yesterday, some from far out of town and others who have been coming for decades.

Its definitely a family event, Glomstad said. We get a lot of comments about, Oh, Ive been coming here since the beginning.

Norskedalen members Carol and Joe Stekel of Bangor have been coming for years, awed by the beauty of the property and inspired by Carols Norwegian heritage. Carol grew up dining on lefse on Christmas Eve, and deemed the batch on site as good as I make at home.

Volunteer Kris Troyanek had a crowd of visitors packed in the Bekkum Homestead for a lefse making demonstration, rolling out balls of dough and cooking them on a hot griddle in the cozy, old-fashioned kitchen.

They didnt always have potatoes in Norway, and thats the basis of this, Troyanek told the group. Until they were brought over in the 1700s, no one had really had them.

Jessie Benson, visiting Norskedalen for the first time with a group of fellow Viterbo students, was intrigued by the cooking process, and even more so by the homestead.

It opens your eyes to what it looked like before, Benson said. I think its really cool.

Norskedalen volunteer Nate Christianson had kids bouncing with delight as he manned a bellows run forge in the blacksmith hut, heating an iron rod in the hot coals and branding small disks of wood with a Christmas tree emblem.

I like all the coals and the smoke, said Walker Brenengen, 3. The youngster had already made a pine cone bird feeder, and was anxious for Santa to arrive and hear his request for a robot.

While Walker was brimming with excitement, chanting Lefse, lefse! when asked his favorite food, grandma Cheryl Brenengen was enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the Norskadalen grounds.

(Im enjoying) the peace of the valley, closing our lives and listening to the babbling of the brook, Cheryl said. (I give) a lot of thanks to the volunteers. I takes a lot of work to put an event like this on.

From Tribune files: 1978-1984 Christmas memories from the La Crosse area
The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC.

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The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC.

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VeriFone Systems, Inc. provides payments and commerce solutions at the point of sale (POS) worldwide. It offers countertop solutions that accept payment options, including contactless, NFC, mobile wallets, and EMV; PIN pads that support credit and debit card, EBT, EMV, and other PIN-based transactions; and multilane consumer facing commerce devices. It also provides portable payment devices, including small, portable, and handheld devices that enable merchants to accept electronic payments wherever wireless connectivity is available; and mobile solutions that attach to and interface with iOS or Android based smartphones and tablets. In addition, it offers integrated electronic payment systems that combine electronic payment processing, fuel dispensing, and ECR functions, as well as secure payment systems for integration with petroleum pump controllers; unattended and self-service payment solutions designed to enable payment transactions in self-service, high-transaction volume, and public transportation environments; and network access solutions. Further, it provides installation, deployment, training, and application development and delivery solutions; project management, client education program, and consulting services; helpdesk support, equipment repair and maintenance, and software post-contract support services; and application libraries and development tools. Additionally, it offers omnichannel commerce, terminal management, and security solutions; and cloud-based managed, transaction payment, and other value added services. It sells its products directly; and through third party and channel partners. It serves financial institutions, payment processors, government organizations, and retailers; petroleum, transportation, and healthcare companies; and quick service restaurants. The company was formerly known as VeriFone Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to VeriFone Systems, Inc. in May 2010. VeriFone Systems, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California.
Everest Re Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, and internationally. The company operates through Reinsurance Operations and Insurance Operations segments. The Reinsurance Operations segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Insurance Operations segment writes property and casualty insurance directly, as well as through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents in Bermuda, Canada, Europe, South America, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The company also provides treaty and facultative reinsurance products; admitted and non-admitted insurance products; and property and casualty reinsurance and insurance coverages, including marine, aviation, surety, errors and omissions liability, directors' and officers' liability, medical malpractice, mortgage reinsurance, other specialty lines, accident and health, and workers' compensation products. In addition, it offers commercial property and casualty insurance products through wholesale and retail brokers, surplus lines brokers, and program administrators. Everest Re Group, Ltd. was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.
The holiday season is upon us, as many families and friends gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. It never ceases to amaze me what enjoyment and knowledge I have gained in doing research for others. This included not only the history of Owasco and Owasco village, and life on the lake, but various and different items of interest. For example, I have found the provenance of a large meeting table, countless family genealogies, noble trees, accidents, cemeteries, churches and, finally, farm buildings and houses.

Michael Brigandi contacted me in late August with a request for help tracing the history of the new home he and his wife had purchased. The house is located on the corner of French Avenue and Route 38A. Linda Coretti helped me search their recent assessment records on her computer in the town hall. She provided me with two pictures and description of the property.

Michael and his family will celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in their new home, now connected with the past owners and the long story of the families who owned the property.

The assessment records go all the way back to 1854, and it was easy to follow the history of the property. I have found these books very helpful. Using this collection of town assessment records, I was able to trace the property back to 1910, when it was a vacant lot in a housing development called Owasco Heights.

Owasco Heights? This real estate venture includes French Avenue, Adams Avenue and Van Duyne. The many homeowners on these streets today will soon know the rich history of their property and street. This is my holiday gift to you all.

A follow-up search on fultonhistory.com provided the evidence of the genius of the directors of Owasco Heights and their marketing technique. An announcement on May 25, 1909, said it was a record day. "A record breaker, 154 lots sold in one week. Twenty-one lots were left to show. The newspaper went on to say that it broke all real estate sales records in the city.

By May 13, 1910, another promotion stated, Royal Wedding enticement. Get married now and get a free home site. People were purchasing the lots for $100, with a payment of 75 cents per week at the bank. There were 54 two-plot lots in the promotion and they were snapped up and gone.

In conclusion, I would say that if the homeowners on French Avenue, Adams Avenue and Van Duyne show a double lot, these are probably part of the sales history, as one of the record-breaking 54 lots sold on June 5, 1910. All of the land sales in Owasco Heights trace back to 1909 and 1910. The assessment books will show when the houses were built.

I read the deed to the property when Henry Koon sold his lot. He and his family had owned the property a long time; it is now Michaels home on the corner of French Avenue. There were two unusual covenants that would not be allowed today. In their zeal to privatize the type and ethnic backgrounds of the people who bought property at Owasco Heights, it was listed and restricted to any sale to Aliens and Blacks. The deed also restricts the number of bedrooms in each home, thus curbing large families with many children.
I was privileged to return to the University of WisconsinLa Crosse recently and presented a seminar on the worldwide pandemic of diseases (Yellow Fever, Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika) transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

In the absence of vaccines, mosquito control is the only way to combat these diseases.

Aedes aegypti was controlled in the Americas to prevent Yellow Fever. In the absence of cases, mosquito control was drastically reduced. Aedes aegypti resurged with a vengeance, resulting in the current public health emergency.

During my visit, I was dismayed to learn that, in this time of budget austerity, the La Crosse County Vector Control Program is being dramatically reduced.

This is apparently due largely to the reduction in La Crosse encephalitis cases in La Crosse County. This is shortsighted; in the absence of vector control, La Crosse encephalitis cases will certainly surge.

I started working on the La Crosse virus while obtaining bachelor and masters degrees from UW-L and a Ph.D. from UW-Madison. These studies were to determine how the newly emerged La Crosse virus was maintained in nature and why so many cases of La Crosse encephalitis were occurring in La Crosse. Later, I worked with Dr. Cameron Gundersen and others at the Gundersen Health System to develop rapid diagnostic tests for La Crosse encephalitis to aid physicians in prescribing the best care for seriously ill children. La Crosse encephalitis can be life threatening in children. Clearly, La Crosse virus infections need be prevented, and in the absence of a vaccine, the mosquito vector must be controlled.

Early studies revealed that La Crosse virus is transmitted in forested areas between chipmunks and squirrels by Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes, which are called tree-hole mosquitoes because, following a blood meal, the mosquito lays her eggs in tree-holes where larvae can develop and adults emerge. Humans become infected when they interrupt the cycle and are bitten by infected mosquitoes. Cases of La Crosse encephalitis increased dramatically in the 1960s with building of homes in forested areas, exposing children to the tree-hole mosquitoes. Discarded tires and other water-retaining containers near homes also brought the mosquito and children in contact.

Understanding the natural cycle of La Crosse virus led to the development of the La Crosse County Vector Control Program. This program, started in 1978 by David Geske (La Crosse County), Dr James Parry (UW-L), and Dr. Cameron Gundersen focused on control of Aedes triseriatus around homes where children had were infected, thereby protecting other children from infection. The program included a countywide effort to identify and remove tires and other mosquito breeding sites, and education on how to prevent La Crosse virus infections. It has been a very successful program. From 1975-1979, there were 27 cases of La Crosse encephalitis in the county. In 2010-2015, there were only three cases, but 39 would be expected based on the increased population in La Crosse County (80,268 in 1975 to 114,881 in 2010). Even more cases would be expected because of the many homes built in rural areas, thereby increasing the number of children at risk of infection.

The successes of the program caused neighboring counties to reach out to La Crosse County for help in controlling this serious disease. In the early 1980s, Vernon, Crawford and Monroe counties and Winona and Houston counties in Minnesota began to work as partners in a regional mosquito-borne disease program. These counties have also had a dramatic reduction in the number of La Crosse encephalitis cases. There is no doubt that vector control has been the major factor involved. I have always touted the successes of the La Crosse County Vector Control Program and the regional effort in reducing La Crosse encephalitis cases in the Driftless region.

Prevention of infection precludes the severe suffering experienced by infected children and is also very cost-effective. Treatment and care of just one child with severe La Crosse encephalitis greatly exceeds the vector-control budget. In addition, West Nile virus, tick-borne diseases and invasive mosquitoes pose new threats to human health. The citizens of La Crosse County and its public health officials should be very proud of their excellent program and preserve it. Dont let the success of the program lead to its demise. Aedes triseriatus and La Crosse virus remain threats. Without the leadership of the La Crosse County Vector Control Program, the regional effort to contain this terrible disease will certainly falter.
Goodbye liberty, goodbye democracy, goodbye limited government and hello administrative state. Here is a mishmash of countless federal agencies dictating how we live with little if any reference to rights and constitutional safeguards, and that brings us to the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

It happens to be in the headlines now because the Trump administration is in the process of saving us from its contribution to this leftist, destructive authoritarianism that Democrats persistently embrace.

This super-powerful agency well represents its vision of a New America that has been emerging for quite awhile but was grotesquely amplified under the presidency of Barack Obama. In this instance, there was jubilant assistance from Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

When the Dodd-Frank financial reform law was sadly being created, this Democrat from Massachusetts fought for the legislation to include an agency encompassing her deepest dreams. Avoiding special-interest politics, it would have investigative, regulatory and juridical powers. The purpose sounded good: Bureaucratic magnificoes would prevent fraud by financial services in advertising, contractual language or other sneakiness.

But what the agency actually avoided was accountability to the American people. It dubiously got its funding from the Federal Reserve, meaning Congress had a smaller handle on waywardness. Oversight? Ha! Time and again, even with the virtual imprisonment of a free enterprise activity, the agency did not provide Congress with the information requested.

It was however as political as political gets, signing on Democrats with Republicans not even considered, according to one whistleblower. It paid some $45 million in contracts for advertising and research to an advertising agency that played a central role in President Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, the Daily Caller reported. Its employees donated $50,000 to Democratic candidates.

Confusion has been an agency specialty, as an alert analysis shows. For example, to prevent poor people from buying houses they cannot afford, the agency devised complications preventing people from buying houses they can afford. Similarly, to crack down on what it considered unfair payday loan policies, it made it impossible for vast numbers to get loans they badly needed.

At any rate, the agencys chief, someone initially appointed illegally to his job by Obama, is stepping down and himself illegally told the deputy director to take over. An excuse was that the law establishing the agency said the deputy director should fill in when the director was absent or unavailable.

It did not say, however, that the person should grab the reins when the spot was vacated. Since vacating is what happened, President Donald Trump clearly had the replacement prerogative and chose Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, as acting director. The deputy director, still dwelling in the agencys state of confusion, filed a lawsuit against the move and a judge, in so many words, said, Are you kidding?!

Mulvaneys mission is to inhibit new malfunctions, one small but vital step against an administrative state described by a law professor quoted online as the power to make binding rules without law, outside the law, or against the law, exercised by someone other than an elected legislature.

We live in a swamp of often illicit regulations, and there are so many no one can know what they all are, enforce them or even count them. Some contradict each other, they affect things big and tiny and are executed by scores of federal agencies. I just recently read that no one knows the number of federal agencies, either. They just keep growing  it was noted that Obamacare alone gave rise to 159 new units of one kind of another.

Federal roles constitutionally reserved for the legislative and judicial branches of government have been usurped, but Congress, which has helped facilitate a lot of this, is beginning to fight back, as is the Trump administration through regulation rollbacks and other means.

Do your job Mulvaney, and hallelujah.
The Environment Ministry said Friday the woman was killed the previous day by a tiger shark off the remote island. (Photo: Pixabay)

Authorities in Costa Rica say a US woman is dead after a shark attacked her at a diving spot off the coast of the Isla del Coco island.

The Environment Ministry said Friday the woman was killed the previous day by a tiger shark off the remote island, about 330 miles (530 kilometers) from Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

The woman was treated by park guards and medical personnel vacationing on the island. But the ministry said she had suffered severe bites to her limbs and died.

A dive master also suffered a shark bite but was conscious and in relatively stable.

The dive master told officials that the shark attacked when his group was surfacing after a dive. A boater and divers tried to drive the animal away.
People across the world dream about unearthing a treasure which could make them billionaires, some just run into it in the most unexpected ways. Gallstones may not sound like a big deal, but it turns out that their value may depend on where they come from.

A villager in China didnt know his life was about to change when he slaughtered an eight-year-old sow at his farm. The 51-year-old found a pigs gallstone which has actually made him a millionaire.

The 4-inch-long and 2.5-inch-wide mass of hair and indigestible materials also known as a bezoar is extremely rare and is valued at close to Rs 8.7 crore by experts. The substance is called pig treasure in traditional Chinese medicine as it is believed to remove toxins from the body.

While the market price for bezoars can go up to four million pounds, experts say that only bezoars found in the gall bladder have value while those from the stomach are worth nothing.
Billions of pounds of new investment in Britains burgeoning life sciences sector will be announced this week, with Glaxosmithkline among those unveiling significant projects. About two dozen companies, as well as health charities and the government, are poised to plough funding into projects involving artificial intelligence (AI), genomics, and research into new drugs. - The Sunday Times

An ageing global population could be putting the brakes on economic growth, resulting in an almost permanent squeeze on living standards, a leading investment bank has warned. Older workers are typically less dynamic than younger participants in the labour market, economists believe, while pensioners spend their investments rather than making new ones. - Sunday Telegraph

When Europes finance ministers sit down to a working breakfast in Brussels on Tuesday, after deciding whether to order the continental or the full English, the British delegation will be faced with an even tougher decision. Chancellor Philip Hammond and his counterparts will be asked to approve a list of those countries, island states and former colonies which the European Union has deemed to be non-cooperative jurisdictions. Put more plainly, the EU will be announcing a blacklist of tax havens. - Observer

Thousands of people pestered with nuisance texts could be paying to receive them by predatory companies charging fees direct to customers mobile phone bills. Despite a regulatory crackdown, customers are still being opted-in to receive premium-rate texts  about lotteries, competitions or even X-rated adult content  without their knowledge or consent. - Mail on Sunday

Two of the worlds biggest tobacco companies have killed off hopes of a rescue deal for the collapsed wholesaler Palmer & Harvey. Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Brands were the biggest customers of the 92-year-old business, which collapsed last week, leading to the loss of 2,500 jobs. - The Sunday Times

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has told the Court of Appeal that the expert witness it appointed to give evidence during the Libor trials failed to act with integrity. The SFO paid Saul Haydon Rowe more than 400,000 to appear as an expert witness during the trials of former traders accused of rigging the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor), but questions have this year emerged over his credibility. - Sunday Telegraph

Most marriages usually leave a gaping hole in the happy couples finances but business leaders are predicting the Meghan Markle effect will sprinkle some stardust on brand Britain in 2018. The engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has sent marketers into overdrive with tourism chiefs, retailers and hoteliers optimistic that the high-profile nuptials will be a boon for the economy on what will be the eve of Brexit. - Observer

Neil Woodford has warned that global stock markets are at risk of a bigger and more dangerous crash than ever before. The fund manager said savers ploughing money into overvalued shares were committing the same errors as those made during the dotcom bubble and before the 1990s recession. - Mail on Sunday

The 240m float of the online holiday company On the Beach is at the heart of the City watchdogs probe into alleged rigging of share prices by a clutch of Britains best-known fund managers. The 2015 listing is among three deals being investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), sources said. - The Sunday Times

The nuclear industry will clinch a multi-billion pound lifeline from South Korea this week alongside a government rescue deal. Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) is expected to say it will join the beleaguered consortium behind Europes largest new nuclear plant at Moorside in Cumbria to help prop up the 15bn project. - Sunday Telegraph

First it was the onesie, then novelty knitwear reigned supreme during the festive season. Now the Christmas suit, the sartorial equivalent of wrapping paper, arrives in stores in time for the festive season. The brash suits come with reindeers, sleighs and snowmen printed on the technicolour shades of green and red traditionally favoured by elves. John Lewis has already sold out of a bright red womens suit emblazoned with Santas sleigh and giant snowflakes. - Observer

Stores giant Marks & Spencer may abandon dozens of building projects across the country worth hundreds of millions pounds, according to property sources. The developments include shopping malls, town centre regeneration projects and the construction of accommodation to help ease chronic housing shortages. - Mail on Sunday

The government is ploughing 178m into its network of innovation centres, despite a Whitehall-commissioned report questioning their value for money. The Catapult network was set up under David Cameron to connect businesses to universities and other research centres, in an effort to help them commercialise cutting-edge technology. It has received nearly 750m of public funds over the past three years. - The Sunday Times

The government has been cowed into clarifying the facts about its free childcare offer after a father complained to the advertising watchdog that the Department for Educations description was misleading. The complaint centred on the governments marketing of the scheme as 30 hours of free childcare a week, implying it is available all year round. In fact the 30-hours entitlement is available for just 38 weeks of the year, a point the government only clarified on its childcarechoices.gov.uk website after the Advertising Standards Authority flagged concerns over the mans three-year-old son. - Observer

Pro-Brexit JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has admitted Britain's economy will continue to need overseas workers to flourish. Mr Martin said immigration was a 'good thing' for the British economy, adding that an Australian-style points system for entry would be beneficial. The pub group's chairman has previously used his company's statements to rip into what he has dubbed the 'oligarchs of the EU' for bullying the UK. - Mail on Sunday
Developing our constitution in 1787, George Mason proposed language in Article V allowing states a process to amend the constitution in the event the federal government became oppressive. The language enabling states to propose and ratify amendments was unanimously agreed upon.

It is now, ironically, conceivable the states could be controlled and used by power groups with designs to use this constitutional process for their own oppressive self-interests.

Wisconsin has now become the 28th state to request a national convention to amend the U.S. Constitution, putatively to force the federal government to operate a balanced budget. While needed, details how available money would be prioritized and what population or programs would suffer is speculative. Six states are now needed to reach the 34 to request the convention and then a total of 38 to ratify amendments.

Ideally, this would reect the goal envisioned by our constitutions authors. However, numerous politicians and careful observers see potential dangers in this political endeavor, being cognizant of current machinations absent in 1787.

Author and law professor, Michael Stokes Paulsen has said such a convention would have the power to propose anything it sees fit. State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, has expressed fears that some proposals could undermine our basic freedoms.

It is surely plausible other issues and amendments would be proposed and passed that could drastically change our constitution  longstanding freedoms and protectionism; some of which are already being attacked or are compromised: freedom of speech and press is frequently verbally attacked by our president and many of his supporters, while GOP legislators remain silent.

Our due process assurances in Articles lV,V and VI are an interpretation away from being compromised by the 2001 Patriot Act.

A concern here is what could develop. when one political party, also controlling the majority of states, appoint convention representatives through their governors and dominant legislative bodies, to perform this role.

Wisconsins selected seven would be representing 6 million citizens ... or would they?

Is it not feasible the individuals hand picked by the party, and ordered to follow instructions or be dismissed at the convention, will also be fully complying with self-serving, aggrandizing, directives from powerful corporate and deep state officials?

A risk exists that this convention could dramatically alter our nations principles, laws and operation as profoundly as a military coup detat. This constitutional process would be just as fruitful for its architects. The convention could well serve one party as a useful method to achieve all ends that disappointedly failed them at the national level. It could also strengthen its national power, and become one exclusive party with weak challenges and restraints.

The possibility of our president acquiring something akin to Germanys Enabling Act of 1933, under a similar situation, should make Americans shudder. Such an act gave their party leader, ultimately and permanently, sole legislative powers for all laws. Given outcomes contrary to what our constitutional framers intended, shows this convention carries risks requiring a caveat worth heeding.

lncredulous developments can and have happened  in America as elsewhere.

Consider this: In 1933, a Wall Street group contrived a plan involving several million dollars, to assemble a veterans army of 500,000 and obtain weapons and ammunition from the Remington Arms company to overthrow Franklin D. Roosevelts administration and replace it with a fascist state. While the plot was thwarted, and denials made, Congressman John McCormack, later speaker of the House, said,  This was a threat to our very way of government by a bunch of rich men who wanted fascism.
Excuse me, can you please take our picture? the stranger humbly asked.

Sure, I replied and prepared to snap a photo of the four family members posing in front of Philadelphias Independence Hall.

As I raised the smartphone to eye-level, I noticed each was quietly crying.

Acknowledging my puzzlement, the man explained: We are new Americans. We are just so happy to be here. He later shared that his family had recently emigrated from East Asia and after a two-year-long naturalization process, they all had finally received their United States citizenship. They had traveled as a group to Philadelphia  the site of their new countrys founding  to celebrate.

The familys lengthy assimilation had included the completion of an examination on U.S. history and civics.

Like millions of hopeful Americans before them, each was quizzed on up to 10 questions from a list of 100 potential queries that covered historical U.S. events, democratic values and government structure. Six of the 10 questions had to be answered correctly to pass.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as of 2016, the overall national pass rate on the exam is an impressive 91 percent.

Sadly, home-grown citizens do not perform as well as their naturalizing counterparts. A 2012 survey by the Center for the Study of the American Dream at Xavier University distributed the USCIS test to native U.S. citizens. A third of them failed.

Much literature (including my own) has marked the decline of civic education among children and young adults. Until the 1960s it was common for American high school students to have three separate courses in civics and government. But these offerings have been slashed over the ensuring decades. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Education eliminated all federal funding for civics instruction. Three years later, less than a quarter of 8th graders were considered proficient in the subject, according to the National Association of Educational Progresss report card.

Prominent political figures  including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor and former President Jimmy Carter  have called for a renewed focus on civics education in American classrooms.

Lost amid the advocacy for improved instruction is the fact that adults whose formal school days have long since passed are just as much in need of civic education. The Annenberg Public Policy Center surveyed more than a thousand U.S. adults in August 2016 and found that only 26 percent of respondents could correctly name all three branches of the U.S. government; 31 percent couldnt name even one.

Ironically, while federal funding for domestic civic instruction has been abolished, the United States still spends millions of dollars each year on democracy promotion abroad through the State Departments Agency for International Development.

As an example, in the lead-up to Kenyas first truly free general elections since independence in 1964, USAID sponsored more than 50,000 workshops, lectures and community meetings across the nation. Before USAIDs efforts, the country had long been afflicted by tribal warfare and a rejection of national identity. State Department officials estimate that during the course of the two-year effort, 10 million Kenyans were exposed to some form of hands-on educational activity that promoted civic awareness and political open-mindedness.

Independent studies of USAIDs Kenyan intervention found that it resulted in sustained local-level civic involvement by previously unengaged citizens. In contrast to non-participants, individuals who participated were significantly more well-informed about government more cognizant of their rights, and more learned about constitutional matters than non-participants. Furthermore, program partakers reported significant increases in social tolerance of partisan opponents.

The inhabitants of the worlds oldest democracy could benefit from a refresher course modeled after our own overseas mediations. USAID has demonstrated that effective civic education does not require advanced technology but merely community workshops facilitated by local influencers. The curriculum has already been developed and the blueprint for success is in place. What America lacks is not the resources to provide civic engagement for our adult citizens but instead the will to do it.

Upon dutifully handing the camera back to the grateful family, I realized that they most likely knew more about American civics than my own household. As I walked away, I recalled these words from Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration that was approved inside the very same Independence Hall where I now stood, who wrote: If a nation expects to be ignorant and free it expects what never was and never will be.
Sunday, December 3, 2017

Ronn Torossian, CEO, 5WPR

Google touts its phones as the best on the market. Better interface, easier browsing, and nicer photos. But, so far, customers arent buying it. And many of those who did actually buy, are warning their friends, family and total strangers not to make the same mistake.

But why is Google having such a tough time connecting with customers eager for a viable option outside of Apple or Samsung? Thats a hard question to answer. When the Pixel 2 first dropped back in October, the phone received rave reviews for both camera and design. But then the user comments started coming in.

Customers complained about a bluish tint on images, images being burned in as afterimages on their screen, intermittent loss of touch controls, and strange clicking sounds. That was only the beginning. Googles Home Mini smart speaker was found to be a bit too smart, as it was always listening in on private conversations. Then the Pixel Buds headset was nearly universally lampooned by reviewers who found the headphones to look cheap and offer mediocre sound quality.

Mediocre is not the typical description of Google products. The search engine is nearly universal, and the email product and other online tools have been extremely popular. When the first Google Pixel phone came out, it was greeted with great fanfare, with some dubbing it a giant killer for daring to go up against the entrenched iPhone and Galaxy handsets.

When the company gained a smidgen of market share, but not as much as expected, some began to question the move. Then Google announced the Pixel 2, and the market got all excited again. But that excitement proved short-lived.

Now, Google is trying to take action to counter some of the negative press and caustic reviews. The company is offering an extended warranty on the handset, and it has, reportedly, updated the software on the handset and the Home to fix the reported issues.

While much of the criticism has been pointed, others are saying to cut Google some slack. The company is very new to consumer electronics, and it is going up against three companies  Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft  that have been doing it for decades. These folks are calling what Google is going through little more than growing pains. They caution consumers to lay off being overly critical and give the company time to work out the kinks.

Patience, though, is not something modern consumers have in large supply. While satisfaction with a product may go unnoticed, the least dissatisfaction is immediately reported and magnified by social media. This is the reality of the market in which Google hopes to find purchase. That means their margin for error and timetable to grow are both very small.
RAVENNA, Ohio  Some 14 fire departments battled a blaze at a Portage County farm Nov. 29, that resulted in the loss of a bank barn and several attached farm buildings and farm animals.

Owned by the Thompson family, of state Route 88 north of Ravenna, the barn was used to house sheep, a few dairy cattle, hay, farm equipment and landscape equipment.

An unknown number of sheep were lost in the fire, as well as some dairy calves and some dogs.

Ravenna Township Fire Chief Mark Kozak said about 20,000 square feet of farm buildings were lost, but the house was undamaged. He said firefighters had to truck water about 1.5 miles because the closest hydrant was in Ravenna.

Kozak said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but does not appear suspicious. The family believes the cause was electrical related.

The barn was owned by Don and Judy Thompson, who operated a dairy farm before transitioning to sheep.

Family farm

Their granddaughter, Kylee Myers, said her grandfather worked at the farm for 40 years and was devastated at the loss.

He grew up on a farm and that was his dream to have a farm, she said. Hes put everything into the farm  his whole world.

Myers, 19, said she went to her grandfathers place about every day and she kept animals there. She also helped her grandfather with the sheep, which he raised to be sold for meat.

I look up to my grandpa. Im super close to him, she said.

The Thompsons had insurance, Myers said, but shes unsure what kind of a barn or farm building will be built in the barns place. A new building will be expensive, and it wont replace the memories of the barn that was lost.

She has created a Go Fund Me account on the Internet, as a way of raising some funds to support her grandparents. So far, about $1,000 has been raised.

Desperate effort

She said her grandfather tried everything he could to get all the animals out of the barn, but the fire and smoke became too much. Some animals also ran back into the barn at their own will, not wanting to leave.

She said hes deeply saddened by the loss and wouldnt ask for help, but she wants to do something.

Hes the first one to offer help, but he doesnt ask for it, she said.

The GoFundMe account can be found at www.gofundme.com/helping-rebuild-the-family-farm. You can also find the page on Facebook, by searching Helping rebuild the family farm.

Responding fire departments included Streetsboro, Garrettsville, Mantua-Shalersville, Rootstown, Kent, Hiram, Windham, Paris Township, Palmyra Township, Edinburg Township, as well as Community EMS, the Ohio Highway Patrol and the Portage County Sheriffs Office.
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Farmers took to social media on 1 December to showcase the best of British turkeys this Christmas.

Messages, photos and videos were posted on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #BuyMyTurkey to remind the public to start thinking about the centrepiece of the Christmas dinner table  a traditional British farm fresh turkey.

The public were urged to support British farmers, and to choose a bird that has been reared locally.

Farmers urged the public to make it a British farm fresh turkey this Christmas (Photo: NFU)

Radio DJ Chris Moyles lent his support to #BuyMyTurkey live on air on his breakfast show to over one million listeners.

NFU poultry board member and turkey farmer Mike Bailey said: Turkey producers across the country are preparing for the busy festive period so millions of us can tuck into a traditional Christmas dinner.

Buying your turkey directly from the farm where it has been produced not only benefits a local farming business but provides you with a great tasting bird reared to the highest standards.

(Photo: NFU)

If youre going to the local supermarket then look carefully at the country of origin labelling and keep an eye out for the Red Tractor logo, which also provides a guarantee of traceability, environmental protection, food safety and hygiene and welfare standards.

Were hoping everyone  farmers, NFU members and the public - will get involved on social media today using the hashtag #BuyMyTurkey and share messages and even make a short video of why buying a local British turkey is important. It really is a great way to Back British Farming this Christmas.

Red Tractor logo

The NFU said the initiative was a "great way" to back British farming this Christmas. The farming union said that when shopping, consumers should look carefully at the country of origin labelling, and keep an eye out for the Red Tractor logo.

The Union Jack flag helps ensure consumers that they are purchasing fully-traceable food produced on British farms.

Minette Batters, NFU Deputy President, said: When shopping in retail stores we are encouraging consumers to get behind our campaign to support British farming.

One of the easiest ways this can be achieved is in buying produce displaying the Red Tractor logo, which also provides a guarantee of traceability, environmental protection, food safety and hygiene and welfare standards.

The festive season is a time when British produce such as roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and traditional turkey are treasured. And while Christmas dinner is the cornerstone of Christmas Day, British agriculture has a far wider part to play this time of year with the provision of British trees, plants and beers, to name but a few.
New safety laws have been introduced to give police powers to prevent unsafe or criminal use of drones, amid increasing worry to farmers and landowners over their use.

The new government measures are intended to allow drone users to continue flying safely and legally.

Farmers have in the past frequently called for tougher rules on drone use to protect privacy of property owners in the countryside.

The number of incidents in the UK involving drones reported to police has increased more than twelve-fold over the past two years.

The draft Drone Bill, which will be published next spring, will give police officers the right to order operators to ground drones where necessary. Officers will also be able to seize drone parts to prove it has been used to commit an offence.

New measures will also make it mandatory for drone owners to register to improve accountability. And drone operators will be required to use apps  so they can access the information needed to make sure any planned flight can be made safely and legally.

NFU Vice President Guy Smith said there are 'exciting' developments in the pipeline for on-farm done use, but warns of dangers.

There are exciting developments, such as crop applications, which could keep British farming at the cutting edge and internationally competitive.

However, we are also very aware of instances of irresponsible use of drones by members of the public and have already seen the first instances of sheep worrying by drones."

The government will publish a draft Drone Bill for consultation and introduce secondary legislation amendments in spring 2018.

'Real worry'

CLA, a rural organisation which represents farmers, said drones have "huge potential" in the agricultural industry, but regulations must be in place.

CLA Legal Adviser Andrew Gillett said: For reassurance that drones are being flown legally, professionally and safely we have actively called for compulsory registration so we are pleased the Government has listened to our concerns and legislated for new measures to control drone use.

However, an increase in the use of recreational drones with cameras is a real worry to farmers and landowners over their privacy, the potential for damage to property and the safety of people and livestock on private land.

We will continue to push for a change to the Civil Aviation Act 1982 so that recreational drone users would need to seek the landowners permission before flying over private land.

Tips for responsible drone operation

 Fly safely and understand the law; you are legally responsible for every flight and could be prosecuted if found to be operating a drone in an unsafe manner

 Respect the privacy of others and obtain permission before flying over privately owned land or property

 Never fly within 50 metres of people or buildings

 Animals can be easily frightened by drones which can cause injury to them and others

 Use common sense when operating a drone: keep it in sight at all times and do not fly above 400 feet.
Turkey might be the first food that comes to mind when you think about Thanksgiving, but plant-based diets are more popular than ever.
Mattis Trip Continues South Asia Strategy Dialogue

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2017  Defense Secretary James N. Mattis' trip to the Middle East and Central Asia will continue the dialogue about the South Asia strategy President Donald J. Trump announced in August.

The defense secretary is in Egypt today and will journey on to Jordan, Pakistan and Kuwait before returning.

Mattis said wants to take stock of the security situation in the region. "I'm also visiting some key security partners, or key security arenas out there," he told reporters traveling with him.

In Egypt, the secretary will meet with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Defense Minister Gen. Sedki Sobhi. The men will discuss operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the terror attack ISIS launched against a mosque in the Sinai and ongoing Egyptian efforts against violent extremism. "We appreciate Egypt's counterterrorism cooperation, I think you're all aware that it's grown over the last year," Mattis said. "I think any kind of security buildup in Egypt, where -- over a third of the Arab people live is in Egypt  is good for the region as a whole."

Extremism Conference

The secretary will move on to Aqaba, Jordan where he will participate in a conference designed to coordinate operates against violent extremism. This conference will concentrate on West Africa. Previous conferences -- also sponsored by Jordan's King Abdullah II -- examined operations in East Africa, Southeast Asia and the Balkans.

"There's more than just West African nations there, there's also nations that support them, such as the United States," Mattis said. In conjunction with partner nations, the United States works "by, with and through" African nations to improve regional security.

This will be Mattis' first trip to Pakistan as defense secretary -- he has visited the country numerous times previously. "The U.S. remains committed to a pragmatic relationship that expands  cooperation on shared interests while reinforcing President Trump's call for action against terrorist safe havens," the secretary said.

He will also detail the South Asia strategy to them personally. The secretary has already met face-to-face with leaders in India and Afghanistan and with NATO allies in Brussels to discuss the plan, and this visit is part of "a continued dialogue, in what our vision is for the Afghan peace process," he said. Specifically, Mattis said, he will speak with Pakistani leaders about reconciliation in Afghanistan and what role Pakistan can play.

The trip ends in Kuwait, where he will have talks with America's close ally, which has made an "outsized" contribution to peace in the region, the secretary said. He will reiterate America's commitment to Kuwait's security and the security of partners in the Persian Gulf.

The secretary will discuss the rift in the Gulf Cooperation Council. He said Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been "just stalwart, in trying to bring  these countries back together."

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Hamas warns US against plans to relocate embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 05:10PM

The Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, has warned the United States against plans to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds and to recognize the city as the capital of the Israeli regime.

"This would represent a US assault on the city and give legitimacy to [Israel] over the city," Hamas said in a statement released on Saturday.

The statement added that such a decision constituted a flagrant violation of international law concerning Jerusalem al-Quds as an occupied territory, and provided a cover for Israel to advance its Judaization plans and expel the Palestinian population.

The resistance movement also called upon the Palestinian nation to stand up to any such "brutal decision."

"Any decision whatsoever would not change the fact that al-Quds is of Arab and Islamic identity, and is part of the Palestinian land," Hamas pointed out.

The Palestinian movement urged all Arab and Muslim countries as well as freedom-loving nations to work to halt the expected US decision.

US President Donald Trump is due to decide by Monday on whether to renew a six-month waiver on the relocation of the US diplomatic mission in Israel.

There are reports that the US president could again delay moving the embassy, but recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel.

Earlier this year, Jordanian Information Minister Mohammad Momani said that moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds would be a "red line" for Jordan and would "inflame the Islamic and Arab streets."

Jordan administers the holy al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem al-Quds.

Momani noted that transfer of the US diplomatic mission could disrupt relations between the US and regional allies, including Jordan, stressing that Amman would make use of all available political and diplomatic avenues to prevent the relocation.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has also warned the US against the relocation of its diplomatic mission in Israel, saying all American embassies in the Arab world would have to close in the face of popular Arab outrage that would follow such an action.

Back in February, Trump backtracked on Washington's support for the so-called "two-state solution", saying he would support any solution favored by both sides.

"Looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one," the US president said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 15.

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Houthi leader urges dialog amid rift

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 10:41AM

The leader of Yemen's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has urged dialog toward the resolution of standing differences with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and the forces loyal to him.

Speaking in a televised address on Saturday, Houthi said there had to be negotiations between the two sides to close the rift.

The forces loyal to the former president have been in an alliance with the Houthi Ansarullah fighters against a Saudi Arabian-led invasion. Their supporters have, however, become engaged in an armed conflict in the capital, Sana'a, over the past few days amid a strain in relations between the two sides.

Houthi called on all Yemeni groups to work on maintaining peace and stability in the country, and urged Saleh to be wise and consider the national interests of Yemen.

He demanded that Yemeni parties focus on the Saudi aggression, noting that division among Yemeni factions only served the interests of the Saudi-led coalition, which has been bombing Yemen for more than two years killing over 12,0000 people.

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Trump Again Says 'Absolutely No Collusion' With Russia

RFE/RL December 02, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeated his denials that there was any collusion between his presidential campaign and agents of the Russian government.

Speaking briefly to reporters as he left the White House on December 2, Trump said there was "absolutely no collusion."

Later, Trump amplified his remarks in a post on Twitter.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump wrote. "He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

The comments came one day after Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the transition period between the November 2016 election and the time Trump took office in January 2017.

According to media reports, Flynn has agreed to testify that he was ordered by an unnamed senior transition team official to establish connections with the Russian government.

Flynn faces up to five years in prison for the charge of lying to the FBI, but his sentencing could also depend on the extent of his cooperation with investigators.

Flynn resigned as national security adviser in February after serving in the post just 24 days amid revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with then-Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak.

Trump's lawyer, Ty Cobb, released a statement on December 1 saying Flynn's guilty plea does not implicate anyone other than Flynn.

"The false statements involved [in the indictment] mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in [Flynn's] resignation in February," Cobb's statement said.

Flynn is the fourth person to be criminally charged in connection with the investigation. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates were indicted in October on charges that included conspiracy and lying to federal agents. Former foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, meanwhile, has pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents and was cooperating with Mueller's investigators.

In January, a U.S. intelligence finding charged that the Russian government undertook a concerted effort to influence the 2016 election in favor of Trump.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/flynn-trump- russia-collusion-/28892226.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Tillerson Set To Meet Lavrov In Vienna To Discuss Syria, Ukraine

RFE/RL December 02, 2017

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Vienna next week, with Syria and Ukraine to be on the agenda, a senior State Department official has said.

The official on December 1 said the meeting is set to take place on the sidelines of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in the Austrian capital, most likely on December 7.

"There is a meeting that's been scheduled with Foreign Minister Lavrov," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We have a fairly robust set of discussions under way with the Russians on a lot of global issues -- [North Korea], Ukraine, and certainly Syria," the official said when asked if Tillerson would address the six-year civil war in Syria during his upcoming European trip.

Tillerson is scheduled to travel to Brussels, Vienna, and Paris on December 4-8 for NATO, European Union, and OSCE meetings.

The State Department official said Ukraine "will very much be on the agenda" during the OSCE talks.

"The OSCE plays a role in Ukraine, particularly with the Special Monitoring Mission," the official said.

"The secretary really has a heart forthe safety and security of the Ukrainian people in the east in the occupied territories who continue to be the target of military operations with the encouragement and participation of forces from the Russian Federation."

The official added that the United States continues to "pursue negotiations with Russian counterparts," citing the meetings of U.S. special envoy Kurt Volker and Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov.

Volker was named earlier this year to lead efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Russia-backed separatists control parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine, including the border between those areas and Russia, which Kyiv says is used to ship weapons and military personnel in from Russia.

Fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 10,000 people in Ukraine's east since April 2014.

The official said whatever settlement is eventually decided upon for Ukraine, it must fit into the framework of the so-called Minsk agreements.

Several cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords -- September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed at resolving the conflict -- have failed to hold.

"It needs to be an outcome that would have a UN force encompassing the contested area and not just ratifying the gains that the Russians have made on the ground," the official said.

Tillerson's trip comes after U.S. media reported that President Donald Trump was preparing to fire the secretary and replace him with Mike Pompeo, the current head of the Central Intelligence Agency.

However, Trump in a Twitter posting on December 1 wrote that the reports are "fake news."

Trump said Tillerson "is not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together."

Tillerson told reporters in Washington during an appearance with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj that the reports were "laughable."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tillerson-lavrov-syria- ukraine-vienna-osce-nato/28891659.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Some 90 Killed in Yemen Clashes Between Forces Loyal to Saleh, Houthis - Source

Sputnik News

20:58 02.12.2017(updated 20:59 02.12.2017)

Four-day clashes between former allies in Yemen's capital of Sanaa have resulted in heavy casualties.

SANAA (Sputnik)  At least 90 people were killed in clashes between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which used to be allies in fight against the country's current government headed by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a military source told Sputnik on Saturday, adding that Saleh's supporters seized 75 percent of the territory of the country's capital Sanaa.

"The elite forces, known as the republican guard, have established today control over the southern and eastern sides of the capital by 75 percent, occasional clashes continue with a limited number of Houthis," the source from forces loyal to Saleh said.

According to the source, the republican guard took control over the presidential residence, a number of military camps, as well as the Sanaa international airport and police academy.

While the fighting is currently taking place in the western part of the city, further action by Saleh supporters is set to take place in Sanaa's north, where the power of Houthis is concentrated, the source emphasized.

On Thursday night, representatives of the two groups engaged in clashes at a mosque in Sanaa, which spread to other parts of the city. Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) party said that Houthis attempted to carry out a coup and promised safety to Houthi commanders if they remained neutral. Earlier in the day, military sources told Sputnik that Houthi rebels had withdrawn from most parts of the Yemeni capital.

Most recently, Saleh has called on the Saudi-led coalition, which has been fighting the Houthi movement since 2015, to turn a "new page" in relations after almost three years of the civil war.

 Sputnik

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Mattis Meets with Egyptian President to Discuss Terrorism, Middle East Challenges

By William Gallo December 02, 2017

U.S. defense chief Jim Mattis has met with Egypt's President Abdul Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo, ahead of a counter-extremism conference focused on West Africa on Sunday.

During the meeting, Secretary Mattis offered condolences for the recent terrorist attack on a mosque in Bir al-Abed, Egypt, and recognized Egypt as a strategic defense partner with the United States.

Mattis noted Egypt's importance to the stability of the Middle East as well as Egypt's ongoing fight against terrorism and efforts to protect Egypt's borders.

A report on the meeting said the two leaders discussed a range of Middle East security issues and talked about a mutual desire to cooperate on terrorism and regional challenges.

Earlier, on the flight to Cairo, Mattis told reporters that counterterrorism cooperation with Egypt is growing. He said the U.S. remains committed to strong ties with Cairo, despite freezing some military aid to Egypt over rights concerns earlier this year.

Cairo was the first stop on a four-nation tour. Mattis is in Jordan and travels later to Kuwait, and Pakistan.

The trip comes as the U.S. military shifts its focus in the Middle East, after having driven out the Islamic State militant group from its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

A major focus of the trip will be pressuring Pakistan to end its alleged ties to militant groups that have attacked U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

"We have heard from Pakistan leaders that they do not support terrorism, so I expect to see that sort of action reflected in their policies," Mattis told reporters.

In October, Mattis said the United States would try "one more time" to work with Islamabad before taking "whatever steps are necessary" to address its alleged support for the militants.

Egypt and terrorism

Egypt last week suffered what officials called the deadliest terror attack in the country's modern history, when 25-30 militants carrying Islamic State flags killed over 300 worshippers at a mosque frequented by Sufi Muslim worshippers.

Mattis said he will deliver his condolences for the attack, which occurred in the restive Sinai Peninsula.

"We are working closely with Egypt on how they can best defeat this common threat," Mattis said, adding that U.S.-Egypt counterterror cooperation has grown during his time as defense chief.

Egypt aid cuts

But earlier this year, the Trump administration denied Egypt $96 million in aid and delayed a further $195 million over human rights concerns.

Egyptian officials called the move a "misjudgment."

The United States gives Egypt approximately $1.3 billion in military aid every year.

Trump has since said he would consider reinstating the full aid. Mattis did not say whether he would discuss reinstating the assistance during his visit to Cairo.

The Sinai attack could help justify that decision, said Timothy Kaldas, who specializes in U.S.-Egypt relations at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

But, he warned, Egypt's rights record has not progressed since the aid suspension was announced.

"Moreover, there are no indications from the government, nor legislation under consideration that suggests the rights situation will improve in the near future," he added.

President Sissi has vowed to use "all brute force" necessary to respond to the Sinai attackers, and to secure the restive Sinai within the next three months.

Since 2011 the militant group Sinai Province has been active in North Sinai, a remote desert region that borders the Gaza Strip. It has carried out several deadly attacks against police, soldiers, and Coptic Christians.

Securing the area has proven problematic for Sissi. Egypt's military launched a large-scale military campaign against militants in September 2015. But, as evidenced by last week's attack, its effectiveness has been questionable.

Rights groups have also accused Egypt's military of carrying out extrajudicial killings and torture.

Pakistan

Perhaps the highest-profile portion of the trip will occur in Pakistan, where Mattis is expected to try to persuade Islamabad to destroy what the U.S. calls terrorist "safe havens."

The U.S. has for a decade accused Pakistan of sheltering terrorists, including the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan denies sheltering the militants, and the issue has served as a major irritant to bilateral ties.

The dispute has a direct impact on Afghanistan, where U.S. generals acknowledge the NATO coalition remains in a stalemate with Taliban insurgents after 16 years of war.

Thousands more U.S. troops are headed to Afghanistan, along with an increase in U.S. airpower, as part of a new White House strategy announced in August.

U.S. officials have said Pakistan has not changed its behavior since President Donald Trump's speech, in which he called out Pakistan for continuing to "harbor criminals and terrorists."

"They have had many of their innocent people killed, they've had many of their soldiers killed and wounded," Mattis says. "The bottom line is Pakistan has to act in its own best interest. They know this."

In response, the Trump administration is considering measures that include expanding U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan or downgrading the country's status as a major non-NATO ally, according to media reports.

Other more severe options include declaring Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism or sanctioning individual Pakistani leaders suspected of having ties with the Taliban.

But the Trump administration is not likely to take any kind of punitive action for at least a few weeks, said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst with the Woodrow Wilson Center.

"I think it (the administration) wants to give the Pakistanis a bit more time to see if they're responding to the various demands that the United States made of them when it comes to cracking down on terrorists," said Kugelman.

One of the likelier U.S. responses, according to Kugelman, is expanding not only the geographic scope of the drone war, but also widening the type of targets the United States goes after.

"I think we could start seeing the U.S. trying to target more Haqqani Network and Afghan Taliban targets," especially in the sparsely populated Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, he said.

The United States has much to lose if ties were to deteriorate. Pakistan controls U.S. military supply routes to landlocked Afghanistan, and could close them down, as they did in 2011. The U.S. would also like Pakistan to scale back its nuclear modernization, improve ties with India, and stay engaged in the broader fight against Islamic militants.

But despite the risks, Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, warns that Washington appears to be running out of patience.

"For many years we were trying to hold out hope that the Pakistanis would change their mind about Afghanistan and our role there," he said. "But those kinds of hopes aren't as prevalent anymore. And on balance, therefore, I think we are closer to using some of those tougher methods."

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Former Yemeni President Breaks with Houthis, Calls for New Page with Saudis

By Edward Yeranian December 02, 2017

Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh officially broke with his Houthi militia allies, calling on his supporters to rise up against them across the country. Arab media is reporting that the former president's supporters have gained control of key government installations in the capital, including the defense ministry, the interior ministry and Sana'a Airport. In a televised interview, Salah also called for resuming relations with Saudi Arabia, if the Saudi-led coalition lifts its blockade of Yemeni ports and air facilities.

The former Yemeni president's break with the Houthis came after five days of bitter clashes around the capital, Sana'a, between his supporters and those of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

In a televised address, Saleh called for new relations with the Saudi-led coalition, which he and the Houthis have been battling for almost three years (since March 2015).

He says a new page must be opened in relations (with Saudi Arabia) and neighborly ties restored, putting an end to all (the animosity) that has taken place and that amicable relations can resume once there is a cease-fire (with the Saudi-led coalition) and their blockade of Yemeni ports and airports is lifted.

Saleh went on to denounce the Houthi militia, which he accuses of being responsible for the humanitarian disaster inside the country, and he insisted that the Yemeni people are standing up for themselves to get rid of them.

He says that the Yemeni people in Sana'a and in all the provinces have carried out an uprising against the aggression (of the Houthis) toward the nation in the three years after (President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi) Hadi fled the country, during which time salaries have not been paid, food, water and medicine have become scarce, insecurity has reigned, and children have been drafted to fight.

He told Yemenis all across the country that if they support him, "to defend the nation, the republic and the revolution."

For his part, Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi called on Saleh to end what he called "the sectarian strife" that he has instigated, and threatened to take action against his supporters militarily if he does not.

He says it is in the interest of the nation to put an end to the strife, and he is urging Saleh to be wise and to cooperate with all efforts to end the strife. Otherwise, he says that the government must impose security in tandem with the people, if the militias (supporting Saleh) don't put down their arms.

Rajah Badie, spokesman for the internationally recognized Yemeni government in exile in Riyadh, told Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV that his forces "call on all Yemenis to support the uprising (being led by Saleh)," and that the uprising "spells the end of Iranian meddling in the country."

Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, tells VOA that former president Saleh has a "strong political instinct" and that he made his move against the Houthis at a time when the situation on the ground is favorable.

Diab says the Saudi-coalition forces are not too far from the capital, and the Houthis have become widely despised due to shortages of food, water, medicine and money. He also points up that Saleh's move represents a turning point in the situation inside the country, in which the tables have been turned against the Houthis, and the situation has returned to the status-quo prior to Sept. 2014, when the Houthis seized chunks of the capital from former president Hadi.

Former president Saleh and the Yemeni military fought the Houthi rebels five times from 2005 to 2014, before becoming allies after the Saudi-led coalition took military action in March 2015 to restore President Hadi to power, who had been ousted and imprisoned by the Houthis.

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Trump Says Fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's Actions During Transition 'Were Lawful'

By Masood Farivar, Wayne Lee December 02, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday the actions of former national security adviser Michael Flynn during Trump's transition to the White House "were lawful."

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump tweeted between Republican fundraising events in New York.

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to federal agents, and he has agreed to cooperate with investigators examining allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign.

Earlier Saturday, in his first remarks since Flynn entered the guilty plea, Trump said there was "absolutely no collusion" between his presidential campaign and Russia.

"What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for New York.

Appearing before a federal judge in a packed courtroom in Washington, Flynn, a 59-year-old retired army general, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about a series of private conversations he had in December 2016 with Russia's then-ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak.

The charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, but under U.S. sentencing guidelines the average sentence for the offense ranges from zero to six months.

The guidelines are advisory, but prosecutors agreed to seek a reduced sentence if Flynn provides "substantial assistance" with the investigation being led by special counsel Robert Mueller. No sentencing date was announced.

Guilty plea

As part of his guilty plea, Flynn agreed to "cooperate fully" with Mueller's team of investigators, answering questions, providing written statements, taking polygraph exams, and "participating in covert law enforcement activities." In return, Mueller's office agreed that Flynn "will not be further prosecuted criminally."

Flynn is the fourth member of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign to be charged by Mueller's team and the first former White House to plead guilty in connection with the Russia investigation.

On Oct. 30, Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman, and Rick Gates, another senior campaign official, were charged in a 12-count indictment unrelated to the Russia investigation.

Another Trump campaign surrogate, George Papadopoulos, secretly pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government and is cooperating with the special counsel as well.

Flynn's decision to cooperate with a probe that could implicate others close to Trump marks a dramatic turnaround for a man who staunchly campaigned for the real estate mogul and promised a hard edge in U.S. foreign policy before being fired for lying about his Kislyak interactions to Vice President Mike Pence.

Flynn didn't know at the time but his phone conversations with Kislyak were all recorded by the FBI as part of its probe into Russian interference.

White House reaction

The White House sought to play down the significance of Flynn's guilty plea.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb said Flynn's plea does not implicate "anyone other than Mr. Flynn" and added Flynn was a "former Obama administration official" who served in the Trump White House for only 25 days.

But the plea agreement provided an indication that Mueller sees Flynn's cooperation as critical to his investigation.

"The trick is we won't know perhaps for some time how significant it is," said Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at the University of Texas who closely follows the Russia investigation. "But it's a strong sign that more is coming. And what's coming down the pipe probably involves more senior officials and individuals closer to President Trump himself."

In a statement released after his court appearance Friday, Flynn said, "The actions I acknowledged in court today were wrong, and, through my faith in God, I am working to set things right."

Flynn was swept up in the Russia probe as the FBI began examining contacts between Russia and Trump campaign officials.

Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI about the conversations he had with the Russian ambassador at the behest of senior Trump transition officials shortly after the election.

The conversations focused on two foreign policy issues the Trump transition team sought to influence before coming into office: a pending U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israel for its settlement activities in Palestinian territories and a possible Russian retaliation to sanctions imposed by then-President Barack Obama.

In two separate conversations -- Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, 2016 -- Flynn, directed by a "very senior" member of the Trump transition team, called Kislyak to urge him that Russia "vote against or delay" the Security Council resolution. Kisliyak later called back to say Russia would not vote against the resolution.

'Very senior' member of transition team

Several U.S. news outlets have identified as the "very senior" member of the transition team as Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser who is leading the White House's Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Five days later, on Dec. 28, after Obama announced punitive sanctions against Russia over its interference in the election, Kislyak called Flynn, according to prosecutors.

The next day, Dec. 29, Flynn contacted an unnamed senior transition official who was at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss what to tell Kislyak about the sanctions.

The two discussed the impact of sanctions on Trump's foreign policy. Immediately after the conversation, Flynn called Kislyak and urged him to "refrain from escalating the situation."

On Dec. 31, the day after Putin announced that Russia would not retaliate to the U.S. sanctions, Kislyak called Flynn to say that "Russia had chosen not to retaliate" in response to Flynn's request.

When confronted by the FBI four days after Trump's inauguration, Flynn, then the president's national security adviser, denied everything, according to court documents filed on Friday.

The filing also says Flynn falsely stated he did not remember Kislyak informing him the Kremlin had decided to "moderate its response to those sanctions" in response to Flynn's request.

The court document says Flynn also falsely claimed the Russian ambassador never described Moscow's response to that request.

Kusher is scheduled to make public comments about the administration's Middle East strategy on Monday in Washington, his first expected public remarks since Flynn pleaded guilty, according to VOA's Nike Ching.

"Jared Kushner will speak publicly for the first time about the #Trump administration's approach to the #MiddleEast on Sunday at the Saban Forum in Washington, an annual conference organized by the Center for Middle East Policy at @BrookingsInst focused on U.S.- #Israel relations."

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Al-Qaida Leader's New Message Shows Increased Discord With Jihadists in Syria

By Rikar Hussein, Nisan Ahmado December 01, 2017

The al-Qaida terror organization has released a new audio message from its elusive leader in which he slams the Syrian Jihadi group Liberation of the Levant Organization, or more commonly known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for going after senior jihadists loyal to al-Qaida in Syria.

In the 35-minute undated audio video "So Let Us Fight Them With Solid Foundations," Ayman al-Zawahiri denounced HTS's decision to break off formal ties with al-Qaida last year and betray its oath of allegiance as the offshoot of the terror organization in Syria. VOA could not independently verify the video's authenticity.

"Why did this love disappear among us and was replaced by roughness, conflict, cruelty of the heart, conspiracy to evade the oaths of allegiance, and the insubordination of the brothers and working to drive them out, curb them, and put them under captivity?" al-Zawahiri said, addressing HTS leaders in the message, which was published by al-Qaida's media propaganda al-Sahab Foundation on Tuesday.

HTS, originally called al-Nusra Front, rebranded itself last year and later merged with several smaller rebel factions into a new alliance.

A report by the Institute for the Study of War last week claimed that the group has exploited the international community's focus on annihilating the Islamic State to significantly increase its influence in southern Syria, consolidating control over most of the northwestern province of Idlib.

Al-Zawahiri said he did not approve the HTS departure from al-Qaida. He described as a "fatal mistake" offers by the HTS leaders to keep their loyalty to him secret in order to avoid a U.S.-led military campaign.

In August, Michael Ratney, the top U.S. State Department official in charge of Syria policy, said Nusra and its leaders would be targets for Washington even if they rebranded and adopted new names in an effort to escape U.S. and other countries' military campaign against terrorism in the region.

Global jihad vs. nationalism

Al-Zawahiri suggested the HTS leaders were attempting to abandon global jihad and turn to a nationalist agenda. He denounced them for starting a campaign of rounding up senior al-Qaida leaders, particularly foreign fighters and their families, "to appease" the U.S.

"O brothers, we haven't forced you, pressured you, threatened you with a sharp knife or a shattering bullet," al-Zawahiri said while describing the desperate state of al-Qaida loyalists under the HTS. "If this is our situation, filled with fear and disturbance, during this critical phase, then what will we do to each other when we prevail?"

On Monday, Syrian local media reported that HTS started a large-scale arrest campaign against people with alleged ties to al-Qaida. A day later, HTS released a statement confirming the detention of several senior jihadists, including Sami al-Oraydi and Abu Juleibib al-Urduni, both of whom have been vocal in criticizing HTS for severing ties with al-Qaida.

HTS officials said detained jihadists were "leaders of dissension who were spreading specious arguments," adding that they would be put before a Sharia court.

Increasing tensions

In a response statement, which surfaced Thursday on Telegram, a top HTS leader, Abdul Rahim Atun, defended the arrests as being focused only on those who meant harm for the Syrian Islamist group.

"We have not treated those who follow al-Qaida but with good," Atun said, addressing al-Zawahiri. "But there must be a distinction between those who work for jihad, regardless of what group they are affiliated with, and those who seek to destroy the [HTS] in the name of loyalty to al-Qaida to vent their psychological crises."

Atun said the HTS rebranding and break off from al-Qaida was not done to appeal to the West but was an attempt to reunite with local rebel groups and achieve efficiency in decision-making.

Experts charge the arrest campaign of the al-Qaida loyalists by HTS leadership and their public shaming by al-Zawahiri signals that the relationship between them has reached a point of no return.

"(Al-)Zawahiri said that he has been trying for more than a year to resolve the issue with HTS internally and privately, but this did not work out; so he had to call them out in public," Hassan Hassan, a Middle East expert at Tahrir Institute in Washington, told VOA.

Hassan said the tensions show that al-Zawahiri is disappointed with the HTS and is pleading for his followers to possibly reorganize into a new group.

Hassan added the disengagement with al-Qaida has helped HTS gain more effectiveness in the Syrian war scene.

"Ayman al-Zawahiri is now hiding somewhere between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and he expects people to wait for his letters that usually take months to reach them. And then a response from them to reach al-Zawahiri will take other months. This will not work. These groups need to make day-to-day decisions," Hassan added.

But their parting of ways will ultimately not spare HTS from being targeted by the U.S., Hassan emphasized.

"HTS will not be attacked now, although it will be dealt with eventually as a jihadist organization. The U.S. will not remove its designation as a terrorist group," Hassan said.

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US General: $50 Million Worth of Taliban Narcotics Destroyed in Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul December 02, 2017

The top U.S. general in Afghanistan said Saturday recently launched joint strikes against Taliban sources of revenue have destroyed more than $50 million worth of narcotics in southern Helmand province.

Afghanistan produces about 85 percent of the world's opium. Income generated from drugs is providing 60 percent of the Taliban's funding, according to U.S. military estimates.

"Together in the last few weeks alone, we have destroyed over 50 million dollars worth of narcotics in Helmand. This is the Taliban's financial engine and the Taliban drug cartels are now on notice that they are in our sights and we are coming after them," said General John Nicholson.

The general commands American troops and NATO's Resolute Support mission in the country.

The counternarcotics combined air and ground strikes began on November 19 and have since destroyed a number of factories and heroin processing labs. Nicholson said at the time authorities granted by President Donald Trump in August prompted the crackdown to curb terrorists and their revenue streams.

Helmand is the largest Afghan province and opium-poppy producing region, bordering Pakistan. Many of the districts in the volatile province are either controlled or influenced by the Taliban.

The Islamist insurgency, however, has denied any links to the illicit narcotics trade. The Taliban points to the historic reduction in poppy cultivation due to official eradication efforts when the Islamic group was ruling Afghanistan.

The U.S. has spent about $8.6 billion on narcotics eradication in Afghanistan since 2002, but the production has risen to historic levels.

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crimes revealed in a new survey last month that narcotics production almost doubled in 2017 in Afghanistan to a record 9,000 tons, with a 63 percent increase in cultivation areas compared with 2016.

Narcotics trade fuels official corruption and undermines governance as well as rule of law in Afghanistan

U.S. officials say drugs lords provide weapons and funding to the Taliban in return for the protection of drug trade routes, cultivation fields, laboratories and trafficking organization. The Taliban, which controls or influences more than 40 percent of Afghan territory, generates revenue by taxing drugs trafficked through areas they control.

Critics say without eradicating opium production, U.S.-led efforts to eliminate terrorism and establish peace in Afghanistan will remain a daunting task. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has stated that "the heroin is a very important driver" of the war in his country.

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Raytheon Inks Over $150Mln to Install Patriot Defense System in Qatar

Sputnik News

06:01 02.12.2017(updated 08:49 02.12.2017)

The Pentagon has given defense contractor Raytheon permission to sell air defense systems to the armed forces of Qatar.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Raytheon has been awarded a more than $150-million foreign military sale to install and maintain Patriot air defense systems for the armed forces of Qatar, the US Department of Defense said in a press release.

"Raytheon Co., Andover, Massachusetts, was awarded a $150,232,141 hybrid foreign military sales contract for technical expertise and assistance in the training, planning, fielding, deployment, operation, maintenance management, configuration management, logistics support, installation and sustainment of the Qatar Patriot air defense systems and associated equipment," the release said on Friday.

Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base and is the site of the forward headquarters of the US Central Command and US Air Forces Central Command.

Work will be performed in Doha, Qatar, and is scheduled for completion by November 30, 2022, according to the release. The current political climate in Qatar is somewhat complex, as in June the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt announced the severance of diplomatic ties with the country and imposed a de facto blockade against it, citing Doha's alleged support of Islamist extremist groups as the reason.

 Sputnik

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North Korea says Trump is 'begging for nuclear war' as Washington, Seoul prepare for massive drill

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 06:59PM

North Korea says US President Donald Trump and his administration are "begging for nuclear war" as Washington and Seoul prepare for a massive air-force drill, in a show of force aimed at Pyongyang.

Trump is "staging an extremely dangerous nuclear gamble on the Korean Peninsula," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement called Trump a "nuclear demon" and a "disruptor of global peace."

The statement came ahead of the joint US-South Korean military drill, known as Vigilant Ace, which is scheduled to begin on Monday. About 12,000 US military personnel and 230 planes are expected to participate in the military exercise.

A furious commentary published in the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun last month said Trump had displayed his "true colors as an old lunatic, mean trickster and human reject" during his recent visit to South Korea.

The editorial came days after Pyongyang test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile, which experts said showed a major advance in technology.

Following Tuesday's groundbreaking missile test, Trump vowed additional "major sanctions" against North Korea in a post on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

Trump and other US officials have on numerous occasions threatened to use violent means against North Korea.

Earlier this week, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warned North Korea's leadership that the country would be "utterly destroyed" if war were to break out between Washington and Pyongyang.

Haley's comments drew criticism from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who said America's threat to destroy North Korea should war break out was "a bloodthirsty tirade" and a big mistake.

"If someone really wants to use force to, as the US representative to the United Nations put it, destroy North Korea ...then I think that is playing with fire and a big mistake," said Lavrov on Friday.

Pyongyang is already under different sorts of international sanctions aimed at stopping its nuclear and missile programs.

It has, however, defied the mounting pressure and vowed not to give up its missile and nuclear program, citing Washington's aggressive stance toward the country.

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Catalonia's Example Looms as Corsicans Prepare to Vote

By Lisa Bryant December 02, 2017

Voters on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica head to the polls Sunday for the first round of territorial elections, with a nationalist ticket projected to score big.

The campaign might not have attracted much attention but for the Spanish region of Catalonia, where independence aspirations have grabbed world headlines and turned attention to other autonomy-minded regions.

Candidates from seven political lists will be on Sunday's ballot. But the main nationalist ticket, Pe a Corsica (For Corsica), is surging.

The elections aim to fuse Corsica's two administrative territories into one, but they're about much more than bureaucracy. They're expected to solidify the power of Corsica executive council head Gilles Simeoni and other nationalists, who won elections in 2015 for the first time, refueling centuries-old independence dreams  at least for some Corsicans. Catalonia's example has given them another reason to hope.

The big question, said University of Bordeaux Corsica expert Thierry Dominici, is not whether the nationalists will win, but by how much.

Dominici said Pe a Corsica supporters hope to win the majority of votes during Sunday's first round, making a second-round runoff unnecessary. They could then compare themselves to Catalonia and demand more autonomy from France, or even at some point a referendum on full independence.

Dominici and many other experts think such dreams are unrealistic. Besides sharing strong cultural identities, including languages, rich and teeming Catalonia and relatively poor and sparsely populated Corsica have little in common.

French subsidies

"Corsica receives a lot of subsidies from the French government, and Corsica is a special situation concerning taxes," said political analyst Philippe Moreau Defarges. "And many Corsicans don't want to lose that."

He also noted that Corsica's main economic lifeline, tourism, is highly dependent on mainland France.

Sunday's elections do underscore a major shift in Corsican politics. A decades-long armed independence struggle formally ended in 2014, although it lost credibility much earlier. A year later, a mix of pro-independence politicians  opposed to armed violence  and more moderate autonomists won regional elections, toppling the island's traditional clannish power structure.

So far, Dominici said, the nationalists have gotten good reviews. He described council head Simeoni, a moderate nationalist, as a local variation of French President Emmanuel Macron, who exploded traditional French party politics with his own election this year.

Macron and his government have been strikingly silent about the Corsica vote and nationalist demands for more autonomy over such matters as taxes and education. Moreau Defarges said Paris wants to lie low  for now.

France wants "to preserve French unity, the territorial integrity of France," he said.

But if Pe a Corsica scores a major victory in the polls, the Macron government will be pressured to respond.

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Indian Navy Poised to Join Elite League: Modern Submarine Rescue Capability

Sputnik News

14:10 02.12.2017

India, which is ambitiously modernizing and expanding its maritime capability in the India Ocean Region and beyond, will be filling in a crucial capability gap with the third generation submarine rescue systems that the British JFD is scheduled to deliver by March 2018.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The Indian Navy is at the threshold of joining a select league of navies capable of providing submarine search and rescue in the Indian Ocean Region with two deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV) systems scheduled for induction next year. The DSRV contracted from the British JFD will fill a major capability gap before the Indian Navy inducts the sophisticated nuclear submarines which are currently under construction.

"It (the SSN project) has kicked off. It is a classified project. The process has started. I will leave it at that," said Admiral Sunil Lanba speaking ahead of Navy Day on December 4.

The Indian Navy which currently operates 15 submarines, most of which are around two decades old, has been grappling with rudimentary submarine rescue capabilities comprising rescue "bells" which are containers that can be lowered to the submarine in distress up to a maximum 150 meters deep and which the Navy can operate from its diving support ship, the INS Nireekshak.

Meanwhile, the new rescue system that will join the Indian fleet next year will dive to a maximum depth of 500 meters. It would be independent of the mothership, can locate and engage in a rescue mission more effectively, and rescue at least 16 sailors in each operation.

India signed $273 million contracts with British JFD for the supply of the two third-generation, 30-ton submarine rescue system in 2016. The contract includes deep submergence and rescue vehicle (DSRV), launch and recovery system (LARS) equipment, transfer under pressure (TUP) systems, and all related logistics and support equipment, plus a 25-year all-inclusive in-service support contract.

"The DSRVs will be ready for integration trials in December 2017 and harbor acceptance tests in January 2018. The 3rd Generation system training program for the 72 personnel has commenced, on location at the Underwater Centre in Fort William," JFD said in a statement on November 17 without identifying the Indian Navy as the recipient.

In 2013 and 2014, the Indian Navy lost two of its "Kilo" class submarine  INS Sindhurakshak and INS Sindhuratna with a large number of sailors on board. The accidents had prompted the then Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi to relinquish his post.

 Sputnik

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Any talks on Iran missiles is ruled out: Military spokesman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 2, IRNA -- Any negotiations about Iran missile power is basically 'out of the question', said a senior spokesman of Islamic Republic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Saturday.

"Our defensive power that is the most important deterrent factor will continue to grow," said Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri.

"In addition to Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's] explicit commands on strengthening the country's defensive power, the issue is supported by all authorities and every single Iranian,' added General Jazayeri.

Addressing whoever that talks about Iran, he said, "Don't bother to enter the domain of Iran's defensive and missile programs."

9417**1771

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Senior army commander rules out negotiations on Iran missile program

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 02:42PM

A senior commander of the Iranian Armed Forces says the Islamic Republic vehemently rejects any request for negotiations about its missile capability.

"Our country's defense prowess, as the main deterrent against the enemies of the Islamic Revolution, will always be on the path to progress," Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said on Saturday.

He added that in addition to clear guidelines issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on boosting the country's defense power, the Iranian nation and officials are also in agreement in this regard.

The senior commander advised all those who pass opinions about the Islamic Republic not to meddle in the country's defense and missile program.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Iran's Army cadets in October, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran's defense might was not up for negotiation, stressing the country's resolve to strengthen its defense capabilities despite enemy attempts to weaken the nation.

France has called for an "uncompromising" dialogue with Iran about its ballistic missile program and possible negotiations over the issue separate from the multilateral nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries more than two years ago.

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 limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Iran has repeatedly said its missile program is defensive and rejected the possibility of any negotiation on it.



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EU says renegotiating Iran deal not possible

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 06:57AM

The European Union (EU) says the articles of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six other countries are highly technical and there is no possibility of renegotiating the agreement  even partially.

"The deal has been negotiated and finalized in a way that actually contains so many provisions and so many elements of control with the most intrusive of system of verification," EU foreign policy director Federica Mogherini said during a session of the Rome Mediterranean Dialogue regional forum on Friday.

"And this is 104 pages of detailed elements on every single aspect of nuclear activities. So anyone that thinks about renegotiating one chapter or another paragraph or line simply does not know what kind of box it is opening; every single word is linked to the previous and the next one and is something that was negotiated with an excellent technical team... [anyone thinking about renegotiation] simply does not understand the complexity of that," she said, according to a transcript of her remarks made available by the website of the European External Action Service.

The parties to the deal are Iran, the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany. They sealed the deal on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016. The EU coordinated the negotiations that culminated in the deal.

The US, under its new president, has opposed the agreement, seeking to change parts of it or initiate a unilateral withdrawal.

Mogherini said the deal was international law because it had been embedded in a United Nations Security Council resolution and suggested that any country not observing the deal would in effect be violating international law.

"You cannot dismantle the deal. You can decide not to implement a UN Security Council resolution, and this is sovereign choice, but the deal is part of the UN system and is an international agreement," she said.

At least one member of the EU, France, which is also a party to the Iran deal, has on a limited number of occasions floated the idea of adding other topics to the deal, which would mean reopening negotiations.

Mogherini, who is the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, rejected any prospect of renegotiation.

"No possibility of renegotiating parts of it, even partially; it is a key priority for us to keep its full implementation," she said.

Separately, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif praised the EU's "solid" stance in supporting the deal.

"Europeans and Ms. Mogherini have so far adopted good and solid positions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," referring to the accord by its official name, Mehr News Agency reported.

Zarif, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the seventh ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia summit in the Azeri capital, Baku, hailed the increased cooperation that had come about between the Islamic Republic and Europe by virtue of the JCPOA.

"In recent months, we have witnessed large-scale measures by Europeans in the field of banking and finance cooperation, and last week, we saw a delegation from the European Union in Iran for nuclear and agricultural cooperation," he said.

Iran and the EU started holding their third round of high-level talks following the 2016 implementation of the nuclear deal in the third week of November in Tehran.

The two sides had already held two rounds of the negotiations in Tehran and Brussels, addressing economy and commerce, energy, environment, transportation, human rights, higher education, research and technology, culture, and regional developments.

The Iranian top diplomat expressed hope that the cooperation would continue between Iran and the EU.

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Iran says oil swap deal with Iraq imminent

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 06:25PM

Iran says it expects to sign an agreement with Iraq within the next few days based on which it would swap the country's oil produced in its Kirkuk province with equal amounts in the Persian Gulf.

The announcement was made by Iran's Petroleum Minister Bijan Zanganeh who said the agreement would be a strategic one.

Zanganeh was quoted by the domestic media as saying that the agreement would envisages transferring Kirkuk oil to Iran's western refinery of Kermanshah through trucks.

Zanganeh was as quoted as telling reporters after meeting his Iraqi counterpart Jabbar al-Luaibi that the volume of oil trucked inside Iran would gradually increase to as high as 60,000 barrels per day (bpd).

"What is important is to get this off the ground," the media in Tehran quoted the Iranian minister as saying on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna on Thursday.

"This is a strategic connection between Iran and Iraq."

The Iranian minister further emphasized that a pipeline would also be constructed to facilitate transferring Iraqi oil into Iran.

The pipeline, he emphasized, would be below 200 kilometers on either side of the border and would take two years to be constructed.

"The proposal currently is to take the oil to (Iran's) Fanni border point," Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Hamshahri newspaper in a report that was also carried by Shana news agency of Iran's Ministry of Petroleum.

"The oil can be transferred both to Iran's northern refineries and the southern export terminals," he said.

Iran and Iraq signed a basic agreement in February that envisaged exporting Iraqi oil through the Iranian territory  a scheme that would be meant to minimize Baghdad's reliance on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to export its oil through a pipeline to Turkey's Ceyhan.

This came against the backdrop of a long-standing dispute between Baghdad and the Kurdish region over the pipeline to Turkey.

The recent developments around KRG's independence referendum and particularly the brief capture of Kirkuk by Kurdish forces and its subsequent liberation by Iraqi forces last month further heightened tensions in oil relations between Baghdad and Erbil.

Last month, Iraqi forces seized control of the oil fields in Kirkuk from the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, which took control of the disputed province in 2014.

The move came amid tension between Baghdad and the KRG over the controversial referendum in September for Kurdish independence.

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We are in new era, referendum is behind us, says Iraqi Kurdish PM

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 05:43PM

Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s prime minister says the issue of a unilateral independence referendum is over, adding that the region respects a recent top court ruling that bans any secession from the mainland.

"With regards to the referendum, we are in a new era, and this issue is over and we have made our position in the Kurdistan Regional Government clear," Nechirvan Barzani said in a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday.

He further reaffirmed the region's "respect for Iraqi federal court ruling" that declared a secession referendum unconstitutional.

On November 20, Iraq's Supreme Federal Court, which is responsible for settling disputes between the central government in Baghdad and the country's regions, announced it had made a "decision to consider the Kurdish region's referendum unconstitutional and this ruling is final."

It also decided to annul "all the consequences and results" of the plebiscite that was held on September 25 in defiance of strong objection from both Baghdad and Iraq's neighbors, particularly Iran and Turkey.

The plebiscite sparked tensions between the KRG and Baghdad, with the Iraqi army conducting a military campaign to retake the areas overrun by Kurdish militants in the course of the fight against the Daesh terrorist group.

Following the vote, Baghdad imposed a ban on direct international flights to the Kurdish region and called for a halt to its independent crude oil sales.

On October 12, an Iraqi government spokesman said Baghdad had set a series of conditions that the KRG needed to meet before any talks on the resolution of the referendum crisis could start.

In his Saturday remarks, Barzani expressed Erbil's readiness to hold dialogue with Baghdad on the basis of the Iraqi constitution.

Macron, for his part, called for dialogue between the central government in Baghdad and the KRG within the framework of the Iraqi constitution, saying he was convinced a "constructive dialogue" could lead to lifting Baghdad's restrictions on the Kurdish region.

"This constructive dialogue must begin at the earliest time so that the problems are resolved in light of a united Iraq that respects the Iraqi constitution," said the French president.

He further expressed France's support for the "territorial integrity" of Iraq within the framework of the Iraqi constitution.

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Libyan Deputy PM Stresses Russia's Active Role in Libya's Settlement

Sputnik News

18:33 02.12.2017(updated 19:55 02.12.2017)

The deputy prime minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord has revealed the country's expectations concerning Moscow's role in the country's reconciliation.

"I think that the role of Russia in Libya in the recent period is active, which is aimed at renouncing violence and achieving peace, and for the restoration and activation of Libyan institutions," the deputy prime minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Ahmed Omar Maiteeq, told Sputnik on Saturday on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Dialogues (MED 2017) forum in Rome.

According to the deputy prime minister, Libya expects Russia to take part in the post-conflict reconstruction of the country.

"Now most of the Russian projects in Libya are frozen or out of work, but next year will see a trend towards development and reconstruction in Libya and we hope Russia will participate in that," Maiteeg said.

The official went on to say that Libya and Russia have noticeably improved their bilateral ties moving towards "greater development."

"I spoke more than once with [Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail] Bogdanov on this subject. He said the embassy would be reopened at the right time soon, and bilateral relations would be activated to the highest levels. We are waiting for this to happen and are optimistic that the coming period will [bring] breakthroughs," Maiteeg said.

On November 27, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with a former aide to Gaddafi, Bashir Saleh Bashir, and reiterated Moscow's readiness to contribute to the peace settlement and emphasized the importance of the establishment of a nationwide dialogue.

UN Work in Libya

In his conversation with Sputnik, Ahmed Maiteeq has also praised the work of UN Special Representative for Libya Ghassan Salame, commenting on his roadmap for the resolution of the political crisis in Libya, presented in September, with proposals including reducing the Presidency Council of the UN-backed GNA to three members and a nomination of a new government.

"It is well known that the [Libyan] government of accordance and presidential council are the result of the political agreement and this agreement created security, military and economic stability for all the Libyans, and my personal belief that Mr. Ghassan Salame is working well and we hope that he will succeed in solving the Libyan crisis," Maiteeq said.

The Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) operates in the west of Libya and is headquartered in Tripoli, representing one of the several rival groups trying to take power in the war-torn country since the 2011 turmoil started with long-standing ruler Muammar Gaddafi's ousting.

The eastern part of the country is governed by its parliament, with its headquarters in the city of Tobruk. The parliament is backed by the Libyan National Army.

 Sputnik

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US courts 'can never try my country,' says Turkish president

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 03:33PM

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected the planned trial by a US court of a Turkish bank executive who has been accused of evading Washington's sanctions against Iran, saying courts in the United States cannot put Turkey on trial.

US courts "can never try my country," Erdogan told members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the northeastern province of Kars on Saturday.

Already strained ties between Ankara and Washington have deteriorated in recent weeks after Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab gave a testimony in a US court on Wednesday, implicating Erdogan in an alleged Iran sanctions-busting scheme.

Zarrab, a Turkish citizen of Iranian descent, said in a New York court on Wednesday that he had been told in 2012 by the then economy minister, Zafer Caglayan, that Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time, had personally instructed Ziraat Bank and VakifBank to participate in the scheme to allegedly help Iran evade US sanctions.

The businessman also noted that he had bribed Caglayan and Halkbank's former general manager, Suleyman Aslan, to facilitate deals with the Islamic Republic.

US prosecutors have charged a total of nine people in the case with purportedly conspiring to help Iran evade sanctions, but only Zarrab and Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a former deputy chief of Halkbank, have been arrested.

Erdogan, who has dismissed the case as a politically-motivated attempt to bring down the Turkish government, said on Thursday that Turkey had not violated US bans against Iran and "did the right thing."

Vakifbank also said on Friday that it had never had any interest or involvement whatsoever in any of the processes mentioned in Zarrab's trial.

Turkey has cast the testimony as an attempt to undermine Turkey and its economy, and has previously said it was a "clear plot" by the network of the US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the failed July 2016 coup.

Anadolu News Agency cited Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying on Saturday that Gulen's followers had infiltrated the US judiciary, Congress, and other state institutions.

Turkey is outraged by the US refusal to extradite Gulen. Washington says there should be enough evidence supporting the claim that the cleric was involved in the abortive military coup.

And in a further blow to Ankara-Washington ties, Turkey's chief prosecutor issued an arrest warrant on Friday for former CIA officer Graham Fuller over accusations that he had been involved in the coup attempt.

The prosecutor accused Fuller, former vice-chair of the US National Intelligence Council, of "attempting to overthrow" Turkey's government and of "obtaining secret state information."

On July 15, 2016, a faction of the Turkish military declared that it had seized control of the country and Erdogan's government was no more in charge. The attempt was, however, suppressed a few hours later. Gulen denies any involvement in the military revolt.

Turkey, which remains in a state of emergency since the failed coup, has been engaged in a crackdown campaign against the media and opposition groups suspected to have played a role in the botched coup.

So far, over 50,000 people have been arrested in Turkey on suspicion of having links to Gulen and the failed coup. More than 150,000 others, including military staff, civil servants and journalists, have been sacked or suspended from work over the same accusations.

Rights groups and European governments have repeatedly criticized Ankara for the continued crackdown, saying it has mainly targeted dissent.

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Turkey: US trial of gold trader meant to 'corner' economy

Iran Press TV

Sat Dec 2, 2017 05:57AM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has denounced as politically motivated a recent testimony given by Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab in a US court implicating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an alleged Iran sanctions-busting scheme.

Speaking in Istanbul on Friday, Yildirim said he hoped Zarrab, a Turkish citizen of Iranian descent, would "turn back from his mistake" in cooperating with US prosecutors.

"This court case has stopped being judicial and become completely political, with the sole aim to corner Turkey and its economy," he added.

Zarrab said in a New York court on Wednesday that he was told in 2012 by the then economy minister, Zafer Caglayan, that Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time, had personally instructed Ziraat Bank and VakifBank to participate in the scheme to allegedly help Iran evade US sanctions.

The businessman also noted that he had bribed Caglayan and Halkbank's former general manager, Suleyman Aslan, to facilitate deals with the Islamic Republic.

Erdogan said on Thursday that Turkey did not violate US bans against Iran and "did the right thing."

Vakifbank also said on Friday that it had never had any interest or involvement whatsoever in any of the processes mentioned in Zarrab's trial.

"VakifBank has always acted in compliance with laws and related legislations and shown utmost care and diligence to act in accordance with the laws and the related legislations," the bank said in a statement to the Istanbul stock exchange.

Additionally, Halkbank rejected any wrongdoing and warned that the accusations, which were leveled against it in media in an "incorrect, biased, deficient, disconnected to the contextual unity, inconsistent" way, harm the bank's confidence and reputation.

US prosecutors have charged a total of nine people in the case with purportedly conspiring to help Iran evade sanctions, but only Zarrab, and Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a former deputy chief of Halkbank, have been arrested.

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How good are these two guys, Penn State fans? It may surprise you ...
Insecure Hindus from Bangladesh ! How will the Govt. that cannot protect Hindus from India, be able to protect Hindus from Bangladesh ? All Hindus should now unite and establish Hindu Rashtra !

Dhaka : A 25 year-old Hindu woman was kidnapped by few fanatics from jurisdiction of Adamdihi police station of Bangladesh in the night of 27th November. This Hindu womans husband is handicapped. When this woman out of her house for natural call at night, she was kidnapped by Mizanur Rahman and and his associates who were already hiding there. The fanatics kidnapped her with the intention of forceful conversion to Islam. They were trying to molest her since last few days and this Hindu woman had tried to lodge a complaint with Adamdihi police station but police had ignored her complaint. The above news was recently published by daily newspaper Karatoa.

Vikas Sarnakar, a representative Bangladesh Minority Watch had informed advocate Ravindra Ghosh, the President of this organization about the incident of kidnapping. Advocate Ghosh contacted Adamdihi police stations officer Mohammad Wahiduzzzman and demanded to take stringent action against the kidnappers and immediate release of the aggrieved woman. The police officer promised advocate Ghosh to arrest kidnappers and relieve the woman.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
Looks like Smokepurpp and Murda Beatz are back with another collaboration to add to their growing list.

In a new clip posted by Murda Beatz, were treated to a brief snippet of the forthcoming track as the Canadian producer, Purpp, and Canadian rapper P Reign turn up to the new cut. N*ggs salty, and they hatin cause Lil Purpp is young and rich / And my girl got a girl, but her tongue got my kids, Purpp unleashes. So far, there are no hints as to where this new song will land as far as projects go.

It was back in September that we received Smokepurpps debut tape Deadstar just as his career began to generate some significant steam since first appearing in the South Florida hip-hop scene. Since then, hes gone on to announce his signing to Travis Scotts Cactus Jack imprint. He previously revealed that hed be embarking on a tour run in support of Deadstar that would include both a North American and European leg.

Currently, Murda Beatz is reportedly readying his Keep God First 2 project, the follow-up to last years Keep God First. The latter featured some of the industrys biggest names with the likes of Offset, Playboi Carti, 2 Chainz, and Ty Dolla $ign making appearances the first go around.

At the moment Murda is getting ready to hit the road for a Canadian DJ tour that will kick off on Thursday (December 7th) and last throughout the month of December, with a few select dates set to be added in the future. With such a stacked catalog of collaborations, it wouldnt be much of a surprise he brings a few friends along the way to pop out at few of the venues.

Check out the full list of dates below:

Dec. 7  Montreal  Ecole Privee

Dec. 8  Ottawa  Babylon

Dec. 10  Toronto  Uniun

Dec. 27  Calgary  Commonwealth Bar

Dec. 28  Vancouver  Fortune Sound Club

Dec. 29  Edmonton  Prive

Dec. 30  Winnipeg  Citizen

Dec. 31  Niagara Falls  Convention Centre

Purpp Murda
In this series, well be making the case for specific rappers to be included in greatest of all-time discussions. The more obvious choices (such as Andre 3000, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, 2Pac) will be ignored in favor of artists who tend to get overlooked these days, for one reason or another. Previously, our writers have made cases for Pusha T, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Big Boi and DMX. Today, were going to bat for Ghostface Killah.

It begins with Iron Mans theme song sampled straight from the 1960s cartoon. Its a bouncing, ear-worm of a jingle regrettably left out from the newest crop of the Golden Avenger films. When the short, twenty-second tune fades out, a journalists voice enters with breaking news: Iron Mans fate depends on an subminiature component, which keeps his broken heart beating. Were then greeted with the strings which open Eddie Holmans 1977 single, Its Over.

This is the introduction for Supreme Clientele, which, as most hip-hop aficionados will tell you, is one of the greatest rap albums of all time. Immaculately concepted back in February of 2000, the album cemented Ghostface Killahs status as a Greatest Rapper of All Time, contender. Ghostfaces range expanded from grimy, Mafioso bent, faceless solider of the streets to soulful rap superstar with varying degrees of skill now added to his arsenal.

By the time Supreme Clientele dropped, Ghostfaces resume was already quite impressive: founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, dropped verses all over Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), basically co-starred on Raekwons bona fide classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, released Ironman, and entered God-like territory with spotlight-stealing verses on 1997s hotly anticipated Wu-Tang Forever. In the year 2017, his resume should also include: GHOSTFACE KILLAH IS THE GREATEST RAPPER OF ALL TIME.

Lets present the facts. Hidden deep inside most artists catalogs lurks a few duds. Whether it be a regrettable collaboration, or an all-too-common album misfire, these blemishes add up over time. Yet Ghostfaces combined work, which includes twelve solo studio albums, seven with the Wu-Tang Clan, and countless collaboration albums remains staggeringly consistent. Even those considered among his weakest releases, such as Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, earn points for their creative vision (Ghostface abandons his raps for a straight up R&B album).

Consistency isnt Ghostfaces mere claim to raps highest throne; hes also either released or appeared on at least six certified classic albums, inspired a countless number of present day artists with his vibrant story-telling or absurd, but somehow profound, stream-of-conscious raps, and transcended his fellow Wu-Tang peers as the groups most decorated solo artist.

When Wu-Tang Clan released Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993, nobody thought Ghostface Killah would surpass his fellow members as the groups most honorary visionary. Only twenty-three years old when the album dropped, Ghostface, born Dennis Coles, mostly lurked in the shadows throughout the records thirteen tracks. Although he introduced 36 Chambers with a blistering, politically charged, reference-loaded verse on Bring Da Ruckus, shouting out everyone from disgraced former president Richard Nixon to the P.L.O., the albums spotlight mostly illuminated Method Mans star-hugging charisma, Ol Dirty Bastards unpredictable voice changes, RZAs flawless production, or GZAs undeniable leadership, and rightfully so. Upon its initial release, Ghostface never showed his face. Instead, he wore a mask which led many to speculate that the rapper was a wanted man, and once he legally cleared his name, the mask would be removed. Ghostface has since denied those claims, but nevertheless, the rappers stayed away from center stage, instead, letting other Clan members take the forefront.

Although Only Built 4 Cuban Linx officially belongs in Raekwons solo cannon, Ghostface stands beside him not only on the cover art, but also on almost every track. Ghost raps bars on an astounding twelve out of fifteen tracks (not including the skits). On the immediate classic, Criminology, Ghostface kicks off the charge with a rap blending Wus philosophy with mafioso beliefs. He seamlessly references 36 Chambers and the movie Scarface when he raps:

While Ill be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops

Throwing ni**as off airplanes cause cash rules

Everything around me, black as you can see

Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree

Ironman, Ghostfaces a gritty debut album would follow suit. It not only gives listeners a detailed and, at times, an all-too-realistic peak inside the lifes of those who haunt the streets, but it also kickstarted one of the greatest five year runs of all time. Here, Ghost perfects his stream-of-conscious, word-salad type rhymes which would dominate his style throughout the rest of his career. During Fish, Ghostface twists the listeners imagination when he raps:

Grey Poupon is Revlon rap, smack pawns, swing like batons

Most my ni**as smoke like Hillshire Farms

What other rapper can connect Dijon mustard with low quality sandwich meat and make it sound so damn hood? But word-salads arent Ghosts sole weapon of choice. On Ironman, he refined his most prominent skill, the art of storytelling. The critical darling, All That I Got Is You, shows Ghost writing his mother a love letter for a much-needed cathartic release on an album overflowing with violence and dead-ends. Now matured with a baby girl and three sons, the tracks lone verse takes an introspective journey through Ghosts past as he raps about the overwhelming poverty his family experienced which included cold winters, second hand clothes, and using a coat-hanger as the broken televisions antenna. A song about growing up poor isnt unfamiliar territory for a rap song, but no rapper has painted the subject with such vivid tenderness.

When it came time for Wu-Tangs second album, the divisive double album Wu-Tang Forever, Ghostface arrived at the recording sessions in peak form, ready to claim the title of the groups best rapper. The album features Ghostdini on eleven out of twenty-five tracks, and the man kills it every time he picks up the mic. On, Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (Still Dont Nothing Move But The Money), he spits a verse so long and detailed that RZA ends up fading him out.

The albums defining point, and maybe Ghostfaces greatest verse ever, happens on Impossible. The song, which focuses on the dangers of street life, transcends when Ghostface opens his verse with the heartbreakingly honest, Call an ambulance, Jamie been shot, word to Kimmy/Dont go son, ni**a, you my motherfucking heart. What follows is a tragic tale about Ghostface Killah comforting his best friend during his final moments of life.

It cant be, from Yoo-Hoo to Lees

Second grade humped the teachers, about to leave

Finally this closed chapter, comes to an end

He was announced, pronounced dead, yall, at twelve ten.

The verse received high acclaim from almost anybody who listened. It won Verse of the Year, at the 2007 Source Magazine Awards, and RZA declared it the greatest Wu-Tang verse ever written, in the Wu-Tang Manual.

Fully embracing the Tony Starks persona years before Robert Downey Jr., Ghostface gifted the world with an undisputed classic in the form of his second album, Supreme Clientele. Fresh back in the United States after venturing off to West Africa in search of a cure for his worsening diabetes, Ghost raps with an almost shamanic life view.

Supreme Clientele switches from hard-banging, street opus (Mighty Healthy,) to reminiscing about teenage love (Childs Play,) without missing a beat. Its Tony Starks at his most urgent, overflowing with broken, but somehow coherent images, such as honey dipped spliffs, James Bond vans, and rap is like Ziti.

At this point, Ghost couldve easily cruised for the remainder of his career but, instead, he continued his resurgence as a prolific solo artist, releasing well-received efforts Bulletproof Wallets, The Pretty Toney Album and the classic, Fishscale in 2006.

With six masterpieces under his belt, he now rubs elbows with the likes of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Hes transcended his genre with a discography which stacks up against any artist, and his influence reaches past the mainstream into todays underground. Rappers in both the fringe and the mainstream, such as Childish Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt, and Action Bronson, all name the Killah as an influence. ScHoolboy Qs last album, Blank Face, pays homage to Ghosts former mask persona as does the records first single, Groovy Tony.

Ghost has spent his whole career tiptoeing the line between hip-hop underground and the mainstream, with music that appeals to the casual rap fan and hip-hop obsessives. Sure, everybody knows about Enter The Wu-Tang, but only serious listeners can tell you about the 2015 collaborative album he released with a jazz instrumental band from Ontario, Canada. While other 90s hip-hop fan favorites fade into nostalgic glory, Ghost stays relevant with his ear tuned into musics future. This 47-year-old superhero with a broken heart is clearly a GOAT.
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On December 2, 1993, Pablo Escobar, the wealthiest drug kingpin the world has ever seen, attempted to flee from a hideout in his home base of Medellin, Colombia, by scrambling across a neighbouring rooftop.

Instead, he was cut down by gunfire, and the resulting image has been seared into the public memory  the bloody corpse of the world's most powerful drug lord splayed across a tile roof in the city that was once his safest redoubt.

The other men in that image, a group of Colombian troops, have long been regarded as the ones responsible for delivering to Escobar the justice he had so long avoided.

But accounts from rival traffickers and gang members, intelligence documents, and Escobar's own family indicate that those troops, soldiers backed by the legitimacy of the state, may not have been responsible for the demise of El Patron.

Bloque de Busqueda

The Search Bloc was a specialist police unit setup to capture or kill highly dangerous criminals Wikimedia

In late 1989, after a series of bloody humiliations dealt by Escobar to the forces and officials of the Colombian government, then-President Virgilio Barco created a special police unit to deal with the kingpin and his cartel.

While its initial encounters with the Medellin network left the Bloque de Busqueda, or Search Bloc, dazed and weakened, it eventually became a hardened task force that hunted down Escobar and his associates.

Assisted by US special forces, US Army intelligence, and members of the CIA and Drug Enforcement Administration, the Search Bloc pursued Escobar throughout 1992 and 1993. According to official accounts, it was the Search Bloc that ultimately killed Escobar.

On December 2, 1993, one day after Escobar's birthday  according to Mark Bowden's book "Killing Pablo," he celebrated with marijuana, a birthday cake, and wine  the Search Bloc tracked the drug baron to Los Olivos neighbourhood in Medellin.

The Search Bloc was able to converge on the house where Escobar was speaking on the phone with his son.

In Bowden's account, despite all of the group's gadgets, a positive ID was made only when a member spotted Escobar through a second-story window.

Members of the Search Bloc surrounded the home while others stormed through the door. Alerted, Escobar and a bodyguard stumbled out a back window onto an orange-tiled roof. They were met with a hail of gunfire, and both fell from shots to their heads  Escobar with one that entered his right ear and killed him instantly.

Once the gun blasts had subsided, Col. Hugo Martinez, the Search Bloc leader who had pursued Escobar for three bloody years but was not on the scene, heard one of his men shouting into the radio. "Viva Colombia!" the soldier said. "We have just killed Pablo Escobar!"

Reports emerged afterward that Escobar had gone down firing his own weapon, and the confusion of the encounter has left the question of who fired the fatal shot open to speculation.

Los Pepes

Escobar was a prominent figures in his hometown of Medellin (above) and was respected by many Shutterstock/James Wagstaff (Shutterstock/James Wagstaff)

In January 1993, according to Bowden, a new group had joined the hunt for Escobar. "Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar," or People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar  known as Los Pepes  was made up of rival drug traffickers, paramilitaries, and others scorned by the Medellin cartel boss.

Earlier, in mid-1992, Pablo's execution of two lieutenants had broken his cartel into warring factions.

And according to journalist Alma Guillermoprieto, who spoke with a former Los Pepes member, the group was most likely led by former members of the Medellin cartel who, seeking vengeance, had offered money to members of Escobar's crew, members of the Search Bloc, or anyone else who was willing to take on the kingpin.

Los Pepes were, in Bowden's words, "some extralegal muscle  who didn't mind crossing the lines of legality and morality that Pablo so blithely ignored." Many in the Colombian government were said to be open to their participation in the hunt.

According DEA documents cited by Bowden, the group probably received funding from the rival Cali cartel and likely got information from the Colombian National Police and, allegedly, American intelligence agents operating in the country.

A 2015 court ruling ordered the CIA to release more documents that could shed light on the suspected cooperation between the American government, Colombian security forces, and Los Pepes.

Los Pepes quickly mounted a campaign that rivalled that of Escobar's in sheer violence. In early 1993, there were up to six killings a day. Low-level cartel managers, former state officials linked to the cartel, Escobar's attorneys  anyone was fair game.

Escobar retaliated with more bombings in urban areas, and Los Pepes responded in kind, destroying numerous properties belonging to Escobar and his associates.

An account from Diego Fernando Murillo, aka Don Berna  a central figure in Los Pepes, according to Insight Crime  also indicates that members of Los Pepes accompanied the Search Bloc on its raid of Escobar's hideout in Medellin.

In Don Berna's telling, it was his brother, Rodolfo, who delivered the coup de grace, shooting Escobar in the head with an M-16.

Despite evidence that the Search Bloc was working with Los Pepes  and evidence, cited by Bowden, that Don Berna worked with both the Search Bloc and the DEA  the accuracy of Don Berna's account hasn't been confirmed.

A 2003 confession by a former paramilitary member seemed to corroborate Don Berna's claim that it was a joint operation.

"It was an agreement that they had because Escobar was a common enemy," said the former fighter.

However, paramilitary leader Fidel Castano, a cofounder of Los Pepes, had previously denied such involvement, saying in a 1994 interview that it "never performed any operation with the Search Bloc."

"The operation during which Escobar was killed was realized exclusively by the police, as is public knowledge," he said.

Here, too, Bowden's account contradicts Castano's, describing missions on which the paramilitary leader accompanied the Search Bloc, as well as a DEA cable that referred to Castano as "a cooperating individual."

Pablo himself

Relatives of Pablo (above) say he killed himself to avoid being caught, as his own gun was found next to his body (Press Association)

A third actor to whom Escobar's death has been attributed is Escobar himself.

His son, Juan Pablo Escobar Henao, who has changed his name to Sebastian Marroquin, has insisted that his father took his own life on that Medellin rooftop.

"I have no doubt" that Pablo Escobar planned his own death, Marroquin said in a 2014 interview.

In his book, "Pablo Escobar: My Father" released that year, Marroquin detailed the basis for his claim. Escobar told his son numerous times that he would shoot himself in the right ear to avoid being captured alive, he said.

Moreover, images of the drug lord on the rooftop show his Sig Sauer pistol, which Marroquin says his father would've used to shoot himself, lying next to his body.

Other members of the Escobar family have posed this theory. After an exhumation of the drug baron's body led by his mother and widow in 2006, the family said a hole in his head confirmed the theory that the fatal wound had been self-inflicted.

But according to Martinez, a gunshot from within 3 feet would've left gunpowder marks on Escobar's skin  marks that are not visible in autopsy photos, according to Bowden.

The question of who killed Pablo Escobar is likely to go unresolved, probably by design.

His death, like his life, left a dark stain on Colombia, and the commitment to forgetting how he died seems to be one shared by Colombians and Americans alike.

"Nobody is ever going to tell you" whether Los Pepes killed Escobar or if it was someone else, an American soldier involved in the hunt told Bowden. "You have to surmise."

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Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
It's that busy time of year for Bertram and Celine Salter when they round up their flocks of festive feathered friends and prepare them for the Christmas market.

The head count at the moment on the turkey farm and processing plant in Fenagh, Co Carlow, is running into the thousands.

The Salters run a varied farm enterprise which includes turkeys and chickens, and a small equine breeding operation which, in Bertram's own words, is "still waiting to strike gold", while his parents George and Olive supervise the tillage enterprise together with 200 ewes and 25 sucklers on the family's 300 acre holding near Ballon.

The idea of setting up the poultry business germinated back in the '90s when Bertram - then a school kid - used to help his mother Olive with her free range chickens on the farm. The budding entrepreneur decided to breed a few chickens himself and sold them on to local butchers... and the rest, as they say, is history.

"I started out with eight chickens a week and then used my piggy bank money to develop the idea," recalls Bertram.

By 2003, after completing his agricultural studies at Teagasc-Bagenalstown, the make-your-mind-up moment arrived - Bertram took the plunge and decided to build a poultry plant on the home farm for more money than was ever in his piggy bank. The plant was built to what he likes to describe as the "fully traceable standards expected from what was then called the EEC".

Today, 15 acres of the home farm is sectioned off to rear the free range turkeys from August to Christmas, while a further 30 acres are reserved for the free range chickens. Fifteen people are employed at the turkey/chicken plant and the Carlow free range brand of poultry is sold in over 100 independent butchers nationwide in multiples of thousands every year.

It is a real family-run enterprise with wife Celine, a former Bank of Ireland project manager, calling the shots on the production line. "She's up in the kill room as we speak," says Bertram. The couple's children Isobel (12), Jamie (11) and Lucinda (9) also help with the poultry, with Jamie taking a particular interest in our feathered friends.

"Jamie rears show hens and cockerels which he exhibits at agricultural shows throughout the summer. This year, one of his hens carried off the top prize at the prestigious Oldcastle show in Co Meath," Salter senior says proudly of his son.

Apart from the birds, the Salters have a small equine enterprise on the farm where they breed their mares to locally based thoroughbred stallions like Shantou and Flemensfirth and sell them on at Goff's and Fairyhouse sales.

"I suppose we break even on the horses. We certainly haven't hit gold yet, but who knows?" Bertram says with the air of a man who keeps his fingers crossed.

Off farm, his main pastime is hunting and he regularly rides out with the Carlow Farmers - a habit he says is essential and addictive.

"Hunting helps me switch off totally and forget about everything on the farm. It is not a sport for dopes. You have to concentrate all the time.

"When I am out hunting with the Carlow Farmers, I am thinking about nothing else. You need a day when you can switch off," he says.

His philosophy about the sport is simple: "Hunting is all about following the hounds and not about killing foxes."
MagGrow CEO Gary Wickham tells our reporter how ionising chemical sprays can solve the world food crisis

Derek Casey: Tell me about your working life up to the point of becoming MagGrow boss.

Gary Wickham: I got my first job in 1989 in Dublin - where I'm from - as a process chemist with Loctite. It was a great learning ground for me as a fresh graduate and gave me a lifelong interest in science and management.

I worked hard and made my way up through the company, and then later went on to take a job as head of Reheis Pharmaceutical. After that I co-founded StayCity, a serviced apartment company with properties in most of the European capitals and revenues of 50m.

DC: When and how did MagGrow appear on the scene?

GW: It all started by chance. My brother Derek bought a house in Florida from a guy called Ted Lenhardt, an inventor with a background in agriculture. After the sale they went out for dinner and Ted told him how he had developed the basic concept for what is now MagGrow.

Expand Close MagGrow CEO Gary Wickham who is particpating in the 2007 Pearse Lyons accelerator / Facebook

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From his research he was aware that existing pesticide spray technologies for crops were a compromise between coverage and drift control, and that up to 70pc of what is sprayed during conventional pesticide spraying is wasted.

He felt that magnets could be the answer by inducting a chemical charge to the spray before it reaches the crop. My brother told me about it and I was intrigued to the extent that my brother and I, along with David Moore, decided to invest in the system.

DC: How does it actually work?

GW: Magnetic inserts in the sprayer manifolds ionise the chemical spray, thereby giving it a charge that attracts it to the crop and leads to much better application rates with more complete leaf coverage and reduced drift/waste.

One of the biggest challenges in spraying is controlling pesticide spray drift from moving outside its intended target area. Droplets drift into adjacent fields of the farm, into neighbouring farmland or water sources, causing potential cross-contamination.

It is estimated that every year Europe's water, worth 30bn, is contaminated by pesticide run-off. We offer a 90pc better droplet attachment to the target.

DC: Where are you headquartered and what are staff numbers?

GW: We are based in Clonskeagh in Dublin. In 2013 we started out with two staff but now we employ 45 in total.

About half of those are based in Dublin, but most of the rest would be technical staff on the ground. These are based all over the world - Canada, Africa, Europe. We are continuing to expand and hire new graduates in ag science, engineering, pharma, agronomy and, of course, sales. Getting some ag graduates in has helped a lot because as founders none of us had any real farming background of note.

DC: What are your expected sales for 2017?

GW: We are projecting 3-4m this year and 10m-15m for 2018. That is based on some expanding uses of the technology in areas like drones and irrigation, and also on some new contracts that are already in the pipeline.

DC: What product lines do you sell?

GW: We have three main product lines: the first one is where farmers can retrofit their current sprayer boom with our technology at the cost of about 1,000 per metre boom width.

So, for example, 24,000 for a typical 24m boom. Customers typically have a nine-month payback. A second product is our Greenhouse product that is doing well within the flower industry in Africa; we now have customers using 50pc less water and 50pc less pesticide with our backpack product.

Our third offering, and probably the one with most potential for scale-up, is the small farm holder knapsack sprayer product. This is proving hugely popular with small farmers in Ethiopa, and we see it as a game changer for the 500 million small farm holders worldwide.

These farmers typically own one hectare holdings and do their spraying by hand. We have designed a bespoke knapsack sprayer for them with MagGrow technology.

A spraying application that typically took a farmer eight hours work can now be completed in under two hours, with a 300pc higher yield while using the same amount of active ingredient.

DC: Is your focus in Africa all about sustainability and altruism?

GW: Good question. Of course my main job is to make money for the company - that is the bottom line. But I honestly also get great satisfaction from seeing these very small farmers increase their yields of important crops like potatoes and wheat.

Our product has been a game-changer for these small farmers and it is something I am proud of.

DC: Have you sold MagGrow technology to any Irish farmers yet?

GW: No. In my experience Irish farmers tend to be followers rather than leaders. They are cautious and will wait to see what happens. We have done demonstrations in Ireland and are in a position to retrofit any sprayer make with MagGrow technology. But the market here is tiny; if it happens, it happens.

'Science says glyphosate is safe'

DC: What is MagGrow's position on the glyphosate debate?

GW: I am always guided by science, and the science tells us that glyphosate is not a proven carcinogen.

We have major challenges to meet in terms of worldwide food production; in the next 30-40 years as a planet we have to grow as much food as we did in the 1000 years before that.

If we ban glyphosate a replacement might not be available for 10 years - that's how long it takes to get a proven and safe product to market. The trick is to reduce drift and get the chemical to the target, which is where we can help.

DC: Who has had the most impact on you as a leader?

GW: I'd say Peter Dowling, who was CEO of Loctite where I started out. He just had a great way of managing people; he knew when to put an arm around a shoulder and when to motivate. I learned a lot from him as a young graduate.

DC: What would turn you off hiring a graduate?

GW: A lack of drive and work ethic. You can't teach it, and it doesn't bode well for future performance.

DC: Finally, will we have an election before Christmas?

GW: I hope not! My hunch is that the leaders of Fine Gael and Fine Fail will sort it out.

I think we will get another six months from this Government and then it will have served its natural lifetime.

There's too many important Brexit deadlines coming up to mess around now.
The report states that under Swiss law, discharge from liability is binding for shareholders who vote in favour of this proposal which can hinder legal claims.

Shareholders in Swiss-Irish food company Aryzta may oppose a vote to ratify the acts of the board at this week's agm "given the service of former ceo Owen Killian" during the period, according to leading proxy advisor Glass Lewis.

The report states that under Swiss law, discharge from liability is binding for shareholders who vote in favour of this proposal "which can hinder legal claims".

However, Glass Lewis said that it found that the board acted quickly following the severe profit warning issued in January 2017.

"As such, while we believe that some shareholders may choose to oppose this proposal given the service of former ceo Owen Killian on the board in the prior reporting year, we find no compelling reason to believe that the board as a whole has failed to fulfil its duty to shareholders in the past fiscal year," said the report.

An Aryzta spokesman said the annual discharge proposal is a standard resolution put forward by Swiss companies each year.

Market sources said that while Aryzta shareholders are angry with past performance, legal claims from shareholders are extremely rare in Europe.

While new chairman Gary McGann and ceo Kevin Toland are making significant changes at the company, Glass Lewis also raised concerns about the bumper windfalls senior staff would receive if the company were taken over. It said that could be a disincentive for potential buyers. Aryzta said this was an existing provision.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump  his corporate tax reform package looks a lot different than the one he promised. Photo: Reuters

The biggest winners from the sale of the Irish Stock Exchange to Euronext are undoubtedly Davy Stockbrokers. In fact, the country's biggest stockbroking outfit have been big winners in recent years on several fronts from the recovery in the economy.

Davy management and staff will be the ultimate beneficiaries from the 60m payout the firm's 38pc stake in the stock exchange will deliver. Davy may not have plans to distribute the money to shareholders directly but no doubt it will come in handy for further expansion - most likely in the UK.

This is all a long way from where Davy found itself when the wheels came off the economy in 2008. Having bought the business from Bank of Ireland at the peak of the boom, management paid out over 200m for the MBO, only to find several of their income streams disintegrating in the wake of the crash.

Private clients were up in arms with all investment advisers who had put them into boom-time property deals. Everybody's private clients were either broke or scarred from the crash. Stockbroking activity was contracting, as were commissions and margins. Davy, like every other broking house had to let staff go.

But the turnaround has been quite remarkable. It kept its diversity of business units going so when the Government started borrowing again in the crisis, Davy picked up a lot of the business, as others had mothballed their unused sovereign bond desks.

It invested in IT, private clients and even began mopping up other businesses during the recession. It bought the Bloxham private clients business in 2012, and the former AIB Investment Managers business, Prescient, in 2013.

Having opened up an office in Belfast in 2007, Davy acquired four wealth management businesses north of the Border, including the Danske Bank client base.

Davy has the biggest wealth management business in Ireland. Its Northern business alone would be bigger than most on the island of Ireland.

Davy employs 670 staff and has assets under management of 14bn. It has repaid a huge chunk of its debt and has been in expansionary mode for the last five years.

Of course, exactly who owns Davy and what its precise finances are, is not so clear. It is owned by management and staff but a convoluted corporate structure means it doesn't have to make publicly available a breakdown of shareholdings or full published accounts for that matter.

Well, they can add another 60m to the figures - whoever they are.

Davy isn't the only big winner. Brian McCarthy's Fexco and the management and staff at Goodbody Stockbrokers are big gainers from the sale too. Fexco bought Goodbody in 2011 from AIB for 24m. Staff numbers dropped to 210.

They have now climbed back to 320 staff and the business is reported to have quadrupled in value since 2011. Management and staff have doubled their shareholding in the Goodbody to 49pc. But alas, no requirement for published stand-alone accounts here either. There has been a view that Fexco would not sell its 51pc to management in an MBO while it still held a 26pc stake in the Irish Stock Exchange. It made it harder to value the business.

Goodbody will receive close to 40m from this deal, with Fexco getting almost what it paid for the whole firm back in 2011. There is some speculation that with the stock exchange shareholding out of the way, management might get a new backer and have a run at buying out Fexco.

We will have to wait and see.

Tyrone is new Yukon for miner Dalradian Resources

There's gold in them there hills! Richard Conroy of Conroy Gold has been saying that about the drumlins around Clontibret in Co Monaghan for some years. But it turns out there is also a lot of gold just down the road in the Sperrin Mountains in Co Tyrone.

Canadian firm Dalradian Resources has raised hundreds of millions of dollars, which has been spent on developing more than 2km of underground tunnels and more than 100,000m of drilling at Curraghinalt near Gortin.

The firm has just raised $45m and last week submitted a detailed planning application for a major gold mine.

The prospect is described by the company as one of the world's best gold deposits. Dalradian already has 100 people working on the site and believes it could create 350 new jobs. The estimated gold reserve is 1.4 million ounces, which would be worth $1.8bn at today's prices. But of course a nugget in the hand is worth 100 in the ground.

The local community is, understandably, somewhat divided on the issue. Some politicians oppose plans to use cyanide to extract gold from the mine's ore and there are other wider environmental concerns, as the gold deposit is located in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

Industry experts have commented that Dalradian could overcome opposition to its use of cyanide by producing concentrate instead of partly refined dore bars and shipping the material to customers.

Dalradian chief executive Patrick Anderson said he expects the planning process to take two years as it will require a full public inquiry, which he supports.

The Curraghinalt gold deposit was first identified back in 1981 by a company called Ulster Base Metals. John Teeling-backed listed firm Ennex took it over and spent years trying to develop the prospect. However, the Troubles at the time meant Ennex could not secure an explosives licence. Ennex finally gave up and sold the rights to Canadian company Nickelodeon back in 1999 for $500,000. The mining rights were then sold on to Tournigan Gold Corporation in 2003 and finally to Dalradian in 2009.

Dalradian has really put some serious money behind the project but no doubt those opposed to it will put some serious effort behind stopping it. Both sides are likely to be heavily committed.

Be a little worried about Trump's corporate tax reform plan

President Donald Trump's corporate tax reform package may now have a reasonable chance of making it through to legislation, except, the finished product will look quite different to the package promised by Mr Trump when he ran for election.

The Corporation Tax rate should finish up somewhere just above 20pc. Add in state taxes and the rate will be around double the Irish rate. But Trump had promised to use tax to incentivise US companies exporting from America while "punishing" American corporations that were selling stuff to America from international operations.

There isn't much sign of that kind of distinction in the proposals making their way through the Senate. However, one set of proposals includes a provision to tax American companies on their earnings from their intellectual property (IP) held abroad.

This could diminish the incentives for US companies to shift IP to other countries. Ireland has grabbed around 300bn worth of IP by having it shifted here on the back of generous tax breaks.

Unfortunately, we have done it in a way that will not yield a massive crock of corporation tax gold any time soon. Government policy attracted this IP to Ireland so it would further embed these multinationals in Ireland and therefore make them a little less inclined to leave.

US companies will still want to utilise the benefits of having offshore bases to access different markets and possibly even the US itself. The tax reform plans as drafted will not be a knockout blow to Ireland's economic and tax offering.

There is every good reason to think US multinationals will stay. But it would prompt some American companies in the future to think twice about what they put offshore.
University College Dublin is suing a rapidly-growing pharmaceutical research startup - valued at up to 100m - which was co-founded by one of its own chemical and bioprocess engineering professors.

Applied Process Company Limited (APC), formerly Applied Process Consulting Limited, is set to become a major player in the global pharma and biotech market. But its founders, UCD professor Brian Glennon and Dr Mark Barrett, are being sued by UCD and UCD's Nova Limited, the university's celebrated innovation hub. The hub is home to more than 35 companies, covering a vast array of sectors including ICT, biotech, medical devices, wireless and renewable energy.

Glennon, APC's CTO, and CEO Barrett each hold 50pc of the company whose revenues have soared since its inception in 2011. APC, which industry experts say is valued at up to 100m, is also on course to attract significant venture capital investment to facilitate its rapid expansion.

However, UCD has launched legal proceedings against APC in the fast track Commercial Court, seeking a stake in the fast-growing company.

It is understood that UCD is seeking a 15pc stake in APC whose technology accelerates the delivery of quality, life-changing medicines to patients.

The case, which is set to enter the Commercial Court tomorrow, is being robustly defended by APC which last year opened new headquarters at Cherrywood Business Park in Dublin, creating 100 jobs for highly-skilled chemical engineers as well as scientists and analysts.

UCD is seeking a declaration that it is entitled to 15pc of the company or to have 15pc of APC's share allocation awarded to it. The university is also suing for damages for alleged breaches of contract, fiduciary and misrepresentation.

It is understood that UCD will assert that it had an agreement with APC that the startup would be established as a campus company and take part in its NovaUCD Campus Company Development Programme.

However APC - the idea for which was conceived in Lab 113 at UCD - is expected to argue that it is not a campus company, that there was no contract or shareholders' agreement and that UCD is not entitled to any stake.

Efforts to contact APC and its founders, who last year said they were targeting revenue growth of 50m a year by 2018/2019, were unsuccessful.

A spokesman for UCD said: "It would not be appropriate for us to comment in advance of the court date."
Ardagh Group Chairman Paul Coulson is applauded as he rings a ceremonial bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to mark the companys IPO in March this year. Photo: AP

Ardagh Group traces its origins back to the Irish Glass Bottle Company, which subsequently listed on the Irish Stock Exchange as Ardagh plc. However, it was 1998 - when Paul Coulson built a stake in the company and became chairman - which marks the start of this phenomenal success story.

Within a year, Coulson helped mastermind the company's 240m reverse takeover of the British company Rockware. At the time, the deal was around six times the size of Ardagh's market capitalisation. This bold move made Ardagh the fifth-largest glass company in Europe. This was the first step onto a path of industry consolidation. Ardagh completed 23 acquisitions of glass and can companies over this period, increasing its revenues from around 50m to 7.6bn today.

Ardagh Glass was taken private in 2003 but relisted on the New York Stock Exchange in March this year at a price of $19 a share - valuing the business at around $4.5bn.

The key investment thesis for Ardagh lies in its deleveraging potential. Net debt stood at 7.25bn at the end of 2016. Proceeds from the IPO, plus free cash, will reduce this figure to around 6.5bn by the end of the year. Over the next three years, the company should generate free cash after dividends averaging 400m per annum. (Free cash is the amount of cash a company generates after deducting all expenditures.) Management has stated debt repayment will be the priority. Significantly, this rapid deleveraging, coupled with a current dividend yield of 2.8pc, could translate into a total shareholder return of around 12pc per annum. This makes for a very attractive investment case.

The share price has come under some pressure recently, declining about 20pc from its high in May. The lacklustre performance is largely down to a number of factors. One of them is that Ardagh reports its financials in euro. As around 40pc of its revenues are based in US dollars, the recent fall in the value of the US dollar against the euro has weighed on profits. Another factor behind the falling share price is the larger than expected declines in US mass-produced beer volumes.

While movements in foreign exchange are beyond the control of the company, the problem of share liquidity and exposure to mass-produced beer can be addressed. The group recently appointed Johan Gorter as chief executive of its global glass division. He has initiated a comprehensive review of the company's capacity with a view to recalibrating capacity away from beer - and to focus instead on wine and food.

Food and beverage markets represent over 90pc of group revenues. While organic growth in its end markets is somewhat limited, that growth should remain stable and very resilient in an economic downturn. Furthermore, two-thirds of its business is on multi-year contracts. This reduces the volatility of margins and ensures stable cash flows. Management are proven in extracting synergies and boosting margins through a constant focus on productivity improvements.

In summary, the recent fall in the share price presents an attractive entry point for a company with significant deleveraging potential and a consistent track record of creating significant shareholder value through successful identification, financing and integration of acquisitions.

Ross McEvoy is portfolio manager of high-net-worth individuals and corporates with Goodbody Stockbrokers (www.goodbody.ie/wealth-management). His views are personal.
With only 22 shopping days until Christmas, the rush is on. Don't panic buy though, as you'll most likely end up with a runaway shopping bill if you do. You still have time to take some steps which should help slash the cost of your Christmas shopping. Here are some of them.

Buy drink in North

You could halve your Christmas drinks bill by buying you alcohol in Northern Ireland - depending on the type of drink you're after and which store you buy it in.

Some of the biggest savings up for grabs in the North are on spirits, cream liqueurs and whiskey, according to a price survey conducted by the Sunday Independent on November 17 and 18.

For example, Asda in Strabane charged 12 (13.50) for a litre bottle of Baileys Original Irish Cream that weekend - down from the supermarket's normal price of 17 (19). However, in the Republic that weekend, the price of a litre bottle of Baileys was 28 in Dunnes Stores and 25 in Tesco.

Whiskey lovers meanwhile could have bought a 700ml bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey for 18 (20) in Asda that weekend - as the supermarket had reduced its price from 22.50 (25). Shoppers in the Republic however would have paid 30 for a 700ml bottle of Jameson in Dunnes Stores (though Dunnes had a promotion that weekend where you could buy two bottles for 50). Tesco however wasn't that much more expensive than Asda in this case as Tesco had reduced the price of a 700ml bottle of Jameson from 30 to 24 that weekend.

Sainsbury's had a litre bottle of Jack Daniels on promotion for 20 (22.40) on November 20 - while on the same day, Tesco charged 25 for a smaller 700ml bottle under promotion. (Tesco normally charges almost 34 for a 700ml bottle of Jack Daniels.)

Vodka lovers meanwhile could have bought a litre bottle of Smirnoff Red Label in Asda for 16 (18) on November 18. By comparison, Dunnes charged 28 a bottle (or two bottles for 50 under a promotion) while Tesco charged 25 a bottle (or two bottles for 40).

Wine drinkers should check the price of the exact wine they wish to buy before heading over the Border for their shopping.

The price of a 75cl bottle of Campo Viejo Tempranillo Rioja wine was almost the same in Tesco on November 18 as it was in Asda. Under a promotion on November 18, Tesco had cut the price of a bottle of that wine from 11.99 to 7. Asda in Strabane charged 6 (6.70) for the same bottle that weekend - or 25 (29) for six bottles. Dunnes Stores charged 10 a bottle for the same wine that weekend.

Before heading to Northern Ireland for your alcohol, check promotions in your local supermarket first - as well as in the stores you're planning to visit in the North.

Some supermarkets in the North will have better deals than others and with some drinks, the price may be almost the same in the Republic as it is in the North. Supermarkets regularly change the promotions and discounts they're offering so be ready to grab the ones you want when they come.

Grab a store discount

Most of the recent Black Friday sales will be over by now, though some stores have extended the promotion into early December. Currys PC World for example is running its Black Friday offers until December 5. Those offers include a wide-screen high-definition LG TV which the retailer says is reduced in price from 1,299 to 699.

Do your research on any Black Friday or other promotional offers so that you know if a discount is as deep as a retailer says it is.

You can do this by checking the price of a product in other shops or by digging up a retailer's sales catalogue from earlier in the year. Even if a store's Black Friday promotion is over, the shop may still have offers in the run up to Christmas.

Eason, for example, has a 25pc online discount off a number of books, gifts and games (as long as they're ordered online).

Eason also has a 40pc discount off a number of popular Christmas books and this promotion is available in store and online. Debenhams has a 30pc discount off women's and children's dresses, and women's shoes and bags - as well as a 10pc discount off make up.

Online savings

Online marketplaces like Amazon can work out cheaper for your Christmas books and gifts than high street and other online stores. Be sure to compare the prices with Irish stores however and keep delivery charges in mind. Standard delivery from amazon.co.uk to here can cost from 4 (4.50) to 6 (6.80) per delivery.

There are ways around Amazon's delivery charge. For example, you can avoid the delivery charge if your order is worth 25 (28) or more - as long as the items ordered are dispatched from and sold by Amazon.

Online caveats

The way you shop online will dictate whether or not you save money on your Christmas shopping. You could end up paying twice as much (or more) for a gift ordered online than you expected to if you order from a website that isn't based in Ireland and the correct tax and duty hasn't been paid.

This will usually happen if you order something which is worth more than 22 from a website based outside the EU - but it can also happen if you order something from within the EU. You must for example pay tax and duty on any alcohol or cigarettes which you buy online or by mail order - whether you have bought them from within or outside the EU.

"A case of wine for sale online at 60 might look like a great deal," said a spokeswoman for the Revenue Commissioners. "However, if the price is low, tax and duty have probably not been paid and Revenue may seize the wine on arrival. Excise duty and Vat will add more than 60 to the price of a an average 12-bottle case of wine if the wine originates in another EU country, bringing the price you actually pay to over 120."

Should you order a gift from a website which is based outside the EU, you usually have to pay 23pc Vat (value added tax) on the full value of the item (including transport, handling and insurance costs) if the value of your package is over 22.

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You may also have to pay import duty, particularly if your package is worth more than 150. The duty on large parcels of clothing is normally 12pc. The duty on shoes can be as high as 16.9pc. On top of the Vat and import duties, you'll have to pay a 10 handling fee to An Post.

Revenue is warning online shoppers about websites which offer to undervalue your goods so that you can avoid import duties. "This is illegal and as the importer of the goods, you are legally responsible for ensuring that the information provided is accurate and that all duties and taxes are paid," said a Revenue spokeswoman.

You may find something for a good price when shopping online - but which is only delivered to Britain. Delivery services such as Parcel Motel can help overcome this difficulty as you can get your package delivered to a Parcel Motel depot in Northern Ireland - and Parcel Motel will then deliver it to one of its local depots in the Republic (which you collect it from). AddressPal offers a similar service - where you can order something from Britain and get it delivered to either your local Post Office or directly to your home. You must pay a fee for such delivery services.
The reality of the business opportunity in Africa is often different to what SMEs first assume. Beyond the 'glass half-empty' headlines lies an expanding market in the second-fastest growing region in the world. Rapid growth has created opportunities for Irish exporters in key sectors such as international education, healthcare, ICT, telco, fintech and aviation.

The scale of the opportunity is clear in the market size. Eastern Africa is home to 460 million people, 6pc of the world's population. Kenya acts as an ideal gateway into the region's target market of 250 million people, covering Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania, as well as Kenya itself.

The market is developing quickly in ways that benefit Irish businesses. Ethiopia became the world's fastest-growing economy this year according to the World Bank, with an economic growth rate of more than 8pc. In 2016, Kenya's growth rate was close to 6pc, with its rising middle class clustered mainly in urban areas - 30pc live in Nairobi, offering a dense market for exporters to the region.

The growth of the Kenyan middle class is creating opportunities for exporters in sectors such as education and healthcare. Some 400,000 African students travel abroad to undertake undergraduate and postgraduate studies every year, creating an enormous market for Ireland's education sector.

Uncertainty generated by Brexit has created huge potential for Ireland to increase the number of African students that study here. A number of Irish universities are leveraging opportunities in the sector.

During Simon Coveney's trade visit to Kenya in November, Griffith College signed a partnership agreement with Nairobi's Riara University, which will see it support the education of the country's growing youth population. Mr Coveney also awarded International Computer Driving Licence certificates to students who are among its rising skilled workforce.

Irish companies are using innovative technologies to help improve the quality of the region's medical care. Earlier this year, Enterprise Ireland facilitated a multimillion agreement between Novaerus Ireland and Quinton's Pharmacy, a Kenyan-based company, which will change the landscape of infections control and prevention in East Africa.

Through its partnership with Quinton's, Novaerus is adding value to Kenya's healthcare system, reducing the number of infections in hospital environments and creating cost savings of approximately 12m.

Also during November's trade visit, Dublin-based Vitro Software announced a multimillion dollar contract with The Nairobi Hospital, one of the most prestigious private hospitals in East Africa. Vitro's electronic medical record software helps reduce change management challenges and deliver better patient outcomes.

The hospital's Mr Odundo said: "This initiative will bear great testimony to our ability to be innovative in all matters that ensure the highest standards are met." For Vitro Software CEO Declan Daly the agreement is a gateway to the broader East African region: "We are now well placed to grow, not just in Kenya, but to other sub-Saharan countries."

A number of strengths make Kenya a great gateway for Irish exporters considering expansion to Africa. The port of Mombasa is a key transit point, not just for imports and exports to and from Kenya, but also to and from Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recognising the potential of the market, Enterprise Ireland appointed a dedicated trade representative for Kenya in July 2017, based in Nairobi. Interested Irish companies should attend the East Africa conference in Dublin in March 2018.

A trade mission, led by an Irish Government minister, is planned for South Africa and Kenya in May next year.

Enterprise Ireland's advisers can help companies to identify opportunities in East Africa, get introductions to Kenyan buyers and potential partners, and get informed about important procedures, market entry barriers and license requirements.

Fred Klinkenberg is Enterprise Ireland's country manager for South Africa
How should places outside Dublin compete for tech investment? This continues to be a big issue. Dublin soars, others struggle.

So what should smaller towns do? Here are the factors that count when building a regional tech ecosystem.

1. The importance of local champions

You can have all the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, task forces and cross-political support you can muster. But if you don't have at least one or two local burghers who relentlessly drive everything on, including events and infrastructure development, it's an uphill task to gather investment.

John Breslin (of NUI Galway) has been a stalwart in driving Galway's tech ecosystem forward, as have other individuals like Altocloud co-founder Barry O'Sullivan, ExOrdo boss Paul Killoran, OnePageCRM founder Mic Fitzgerald and Priviti Group's Dave Cunningham.

In Skibbereen, SuperValu owner John Field provided a central building so that the small town could develop a tech hub called Ludgate. (Glen Dimplex president Sean O'Driscoll, a local, was also instrumental in putting up finance.) That facility is now flying with lots of tech startups and growing interest from investors. Small communities in counties such as Kerry are on the map because of outspoken voices such as Stockbyte founder Jerry Kennelly.

For those who reach for the sky, big things can happen. Paddy Cosgrave sold Dublin as a story to an international technology audience. He did it largely because he pushed and pushed to the point of breaking, sometimes getting up people's noses. But he did it. He hustled and negotiated and promised and believed.

2. The undeniable value of a 'hub'

Just like local champions are important, developing an identifiable hub (please excuse the jargon) is a huge step up to establishing sustained investment and jobs in a town. While many big towns have growing tech companies within their borders, some have them scattered in different areas. Bringing them closer together, ideally in a central location, increases the town's marketability to tech investors.

There are some good examples of this. In Galway, a few local tech companies came together and created Portershed, which is now full. A second building is planned. Coworking spaces also act as effective hubs in some instances. Some of the best examples involve towns taking advantage of new broadband rollouts.

In Tralee, local entrepreneurs Ken Tobin and Tom O'Leary based a coworking space (called HQ Tralee) on an offer from Siro for free 1,000GB fibre broadband over two years. Like Ludgate in Skibbereen (which also uses Siro fibre broadband), HQ Tralee filled up quickly with expansion mooted. Startups now come from miles to work there instead of relocating to Cork or Dublin.

There is an open invitation to many towns to replicate this model. Indeed, Siro has explicitly invited towns including Letterkenny, Wexford town, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar and Carlow town to apply to them for the same setup as exists in Tralee and Skibbereen.

3. Too many rural areas undersell their strengths

Not everyone wants to live and work in a crowded city. Some tech companies like smaller locations, especially those with natural amenities that fit their lifestyle. Nearform, a fast-growing Irish mobile technology company that employs around 100 people, chose Tramore as its headquarters.

It did so partly because both of its founders, Richard Rodger and Cian O Maidin, are from the Waterford area. But its pitch to the skilled engineers it needed to recruit was to come work in an area with amazing beaches, great surfing, modest accommodation costs and access to a small city (Waterford) within a 20-minute drive.

In a maturing industry, there are lots of skilled 30-somethings and 40-somethings who aren't as bothered about having 50 cafes, restaurants or brasseries on their doorstep. Many want a nice place with a great quality of life to raise a family.

In tech, there are growing (rich) niche communities that seek bespoke lifestyle options with their work. They're people like senior Silicon Valley venture capitalist Bill Tai, who went to Achill in 2014 to mix kitesurfing with investing at the Web Summit's 'Surf Summit'. Irish coastal towns, in particular, regularly undersell themselves as investment options, because they try to compete on the metrics that bigger cities use. They should be focusing on their own strengths instead.

4. What hurts: planning woes.

The Apple Athenry affair is more than just a planning fiasco - it will deter some big investors from planning a project in rural Ireland, according to senior data centre executives. There's little doubt that Apple has cooled considerably on its plan to build an 850m data centre in Athenry because of our unusually long planning appeals process. It's not An Bord Pleanala that's the problem - it's the legal system we have. Unfortunately, leaving it up to lawyers to reform this is like asking TDs to be legislators first and constituency consultants second.

5. What hurts: the lack of broadband

Not to be a broken record, but the absence of plentiful high speed broadband in an area kills it for many tech companies.

It's the opportunity foregone, too. The most recent European Commission figures show that when given access to high speed broadband, Irish small firms outsell and outperform other small businesses across Europe.

To be fair, the situation is improving a lot around Irish towns with over 1,500 people. There are few of these left without some access to high speed broadband.

The issue is that many of these towns have a pocket of broadband in the centre with little or nothing on the fringes or in the townlands, where most of the people actually live. This is no good to a small or medium-sized tech firm. They need their staff to have high quality access online whenever necessary.
A podcast made from 5,000 WhatsApp messages sent on a smuggled smartphone by a refugee on the Australian-run Manus Island detention centre has won an award for excellence in journalism.

"The Messenger" podcast, which won best radio/audio feature at Australia's Walkley Awards on Wednesday, was produced by a team led by freelance journalist Michael Green, who exchanged voice messages with Sudanese refugee Abdul Aziz Muhamat.

The podcast reveals, in intimate detail, Muhamat's memories of fleeing tragedy and seeking asylum by boat as well as his recent forcible removal from the centre in Papua New Guinea.

"It has given me a chance to say something about my life, and also to report what has been happening for the last four and a half years in the detention centre," Muhamat said in a statement.

"I am speechless because I just came out of a kind of trauma that I haven't seen in my life before."

The United Nations and human rights groups have for years criticised Australia's offshore detention centre policy, citing human rights abuses and called for their closure.

Australia officially closed the Manus Island centre on Oct. 31, after it was declared illegal by a Papua New Guinea court, but the asylum seekers refused to move to transit centres, saying they feared violent reprisals from the community.

Papua New Guinean police cleared the remaining asylum-seekers from the Manus detention complex on Friday, ending a three-week protest which saw some 600 people surviving on rainwater and smuggled food and supplies.

Australia said that all of the asylum seekers had departed for alternative accommodation, but their fate remains unclear.

"I hope 'The Messenger' offers an enduring and honest window into a world that's been created by, and largely obscured from, Australians," said Jon Tjhia, one of its six producers.

The podcast is part of an oral history project called Behind the Wire, backed by the Melbourne-based Wheeler Centre, which supports writers. A book and an exhibition are also planned.
Delsks Hong Kong arm is listed as an adviser to Delsks new 100m Irish fund that targets wealthy overseas investors. Photo: Stock Image

One of the world's largest overseas investment brokers for Chinese nationals has been caught up in a $26m (22m) fraud involving a US scheme.

Delsk Group, which styles itself as the leading "channel between Asia and the world" and has a Dublin office, has raised some 60m from Chinese investors to build nursing homes in Ireland.

Delsk was hired to recruit Chinese investors for a US fund to build a cancer therapy centre in California. But the business duo who set up the US scheme, Charles Liu and his wife Xin Wang, have now been accused of "corporate looting" by America's powerful Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"Instead of developing and managing a proton cancer therapy centre in California, Charles Liu funnelled over $20m of investor money to himself, his wife Xin Wang, and marketing firms associated with them," court documents state. One of the marketing companies used by Liu to recruit investors was Delsk Group.

Liu signed an agreement with Delsk's Hong Kong branch to pay it $75,000 per successful investor. Delsk received $1,387,500 and recruited 37 investors. Each Chinese investor made a $500,000 capital contribution and paid $45,000 in administrative fees.

A total of $12m was paid by Liu to three firms, including Delsk, for their role in recruiting investors to the failed Californian scheme.

There is no suggestion that Delsk had any knowledge of Liu's intentions and Delsk said it "has committed to compensate its 37 investors for any loss incurred".

Court documents reveal that Delsk raised concerns with Liu about the fund in September 2015. Delsk formally requested that Liu suspend promotional activities for the project.

Delsk urged Liu to explain "the status of the capital of all investors (in which account their funds are deposited, and whether the funds have been embezzled or misappropriated)".

An investor prospectus claimed the planned Californian cancer treatment facility would create 4,500 jobs and have an economic impact of $728m per year. But court filings state: "Despite significant investment, nearly no construction on the proton therapy centre has taken place.

"Instead, Liu burned through the millions left after payments to himself, Wang, and the marketers on half-hearted attempts to convey the illusion of progress."

Registered in Hong Kong, Delsk now has offices in Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and six across China.

Hong Kong Delsk, the arm of Delsk Group embroiled in the US fraud case, is listed as a consultant to Delsk's new Irish 100m JWP ICAV Fund that targets wealthy overseas investors.

That fund is authorised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service - the Department of Justice unit that operates the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP).

Chinese investors have dominated applications to Ireland's IIP scheme which is open to non-EEA nationals who commit to an approved investment in Ireland, requiring a minimum investment of 1m over three years. The Department of Justice is currently reviewing Ireland's IIP scheme.
Debbie McGee has credited Strictly Come Dancing with giving her back the confidence she lost when her husband, the magician Paul Daniels, died.

The radio and TV personality was married to Daniels for more than 25 years until his death in March last year.

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The 59-year-old has emerged as a bookies and fan favourite to take home the glitterball trophy following her impressive routines each week.

McGee said: Its given me my confidence back because when I was with Paul he always gave me confidence and so when I lost him I felt a bit lost, because you dont have that person saying, Yeah, you can do this, and being on Strictly has given me confidence to have confidence in myself to be honest.

The former ballet dancer also dismissed reports of a romantic relationship between her and professional partner Giovanni Pernice, who is 30 years her junior.

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She said: For a woman of my age its very flattering to think that people think that there might be (something more), so I do have a little chuckle to myself, but we just have the greatest working partnership and we do have chemistry.

Were great mates and I think thats probably more special than if there was anything else was going on.

She added: I think thats the whole thing about the whole story is that people want me to be in a relationship with him and Im really sorry to disappoint them.

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During the week, it was revealed that McGee has the backing of Prime Minister Theresa May.

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Mrs May told reporters during a trip to the Middle East that she was cheering on McGee, who is one of her constituents.

Asked about having Mrs Mays backing, McGee said: I cant believe it, gosh, the Prime Minister of England watching me, its all kind of like a dream.

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Im sure at the end of it all Im going to look back and think, Oh my goodness. At the moment, Im just enjoying it, I feel like its a fairy tale, I feel like Im living a movie.

She and Pernice topped the leaderboard on Saturday night as they performed an American smooth to Memory from Cats during the musical-themed quarter-final week.

Asked if she ever thought of her late husband before taking to the Strictly dancefloor, she said: When Im feeling insecure I always think of him and say, Come on darling, give me some of your confidence, because he was totally confident.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Results Show airs on BBC One on Sunday
A YOUNG woman killed after being struck by a car while crossing a road had dedicated her life to helping others, a local priest has said.

It is understood Denise Crowley was making her way to a meeting point where she was due to be collected as she made her way home from college.

The 26-year-old student was struck by a car in Killarney, Co Kerry at 7.15pm on Friday, after she had disembarked from a bus.

The area where the incident occurred - on the N22 at Glenfisk village - is considered "a serious danger spot".

The 100km road has been the subject of an ongoing campaign to reduce the speed limit to 60km after a string of collisions, including a recent fatality.

The UCC computer science student, named after her father, Denis, was on her way home to the village of Rathmore, Co Kerry, when she was killed. Her mother Grace was due to collect here.

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Ms Crowley, a former Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra pupil, had been a teenage member of the Social Action Group in Rathmore - where she devoted her spare time to visiting the elderly in her community.

And she went on to offer assistance to young people in her community and beyond as a woman with a skill for computing.

Sources said Ms Crowley died as she was crossing the road which subject to an ongoing campaign to reduce the 100 kph speed limit.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

Parish priest for Rathmore Fr George Hayes, told Independent.ie that the community lay in shock and a shadow has been cast over us all.

Denises mother said she was wonderful child, who never caused her a bother, Fr Hayes said.

Her dad doted on her, they used to go fishing together. Denise was regarded as a very kind girl who tried to help young people along in their lives and she had also helped older people in the community too.

She worked part-time in Killarney to support herself in her studies and she was very close to her mum and dad. She was their only daughter. This is a very sad day.

Ms Crowley's former principal Jeremiah O'Donoghue, paid tribute to the young woman, saying: She was a fantastic student in school, she was extremely intelligent, cooperative, very kind and generous.

And that was shown by her involvement with the local Social Action Group of which she was a very dedicated member.

The group cares for older people living alone and Denise threw herself heart and soul into that. She was a very unassuming girl who worked very hard and cared about her community.

You couldnt say a bad word about Denise. This is a huge loss to our community.

Niall Kelleher, Fianna Fail councillor, for Killarney and Castleisland, said hed been attending a Christmas lights switch on, when he heard the very sad news.

Im very sorry to hear of this young womans death, he said. I want to offer my condolences to her family. Its a very dangerous road and as politicians we have highlighted that a number of times and weve asked for a reduction of the speed limit there. This is an absolute tragedy.

It's a very depressing day for our community, which is normally a vibrant place.

Ms Crowley was a third year mature student at UCC, where shed also been a member of the universitys prestigious networking, technology and gaming society, Netsoc. That group has worked on cyber security issues and has collaborated with Google.

"Staff and students at University College Cork were deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of student Denise Crowley in Glenflesk on Friday evening. The University community offers its condolences to her family and friends at this difficult time," a UCC spokeswoman said.

She is survived by her parents and brother, Shane.

Anyone with information on the collision is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on: 064 667 1160 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A man whose body was found dumped in a field yesterday is believed to be the latest victim in the bloody feud between the Kinahan drugs cartel and the Hutch gang.

The man was in his 20s was found shot dead in a field between Leixlip and Dunboyne yesterday afternoon. The man has not been identified. However, gardai believe that he was the 12th victim of the feud.

The young man, who was known to gardai, had been warned that his life was in danger. Earlier this year, gardai prevented an attempt on his life, when they arrested a man in West Dublin with a handgun, whom they believe was about to target the young man.

A relative of the dead man was killed in the Kinahan/Hutch feud last year. He had been investigated in connection with an ammunitions stash discovered by gardai in West Dublin and he had been charged in connection with the find.

The man is believed to have left his home last Friday evening and was reported missing by his partner when he failed to return. Reports claimed that the man's car was found in Leixlip. Gardai are investigating whether he was lured out by his killers. It is believed he was shot in the head.

Gardai have not released the man's identity. A statement said: "Gardai in Ashbourne are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body of a man in his 20s in Co Meath. The man's body was discovered this morning in a field at Walterstown, Dunboyne near the Meath/Kildare border.

The scene of the murder was sealed off last night as the Garda Technical Bureau and the State Pathologist conducted their investigations. The murder investigation is being led by gardai in Ashbourne, Co Meath.

The Kinahan/Hutch feud has claimed 12 victims since violence erupted almost two years ago.

Earlier this month, gardai told Dublin City Councillors that more than 45,000 Garda checkpoints have been carried out in response to the Kinahan-Hutch feud.

They have made 101 arrests and 281 searches.
Two more people were killed on Irish roads over the weekend.

A cyclist was killed today when he was in a collision with a car in County Waterford.

A young woman was killed when struck by a car in County Kerry on Friday evening.

The cyclist who died was named locally as Eric Rutter, a man in his 40s from Woodview, Dunmore East, County Waterford.

He died at the scene of the collision which happened at 7am at Kilcop on the Dunmore Road near Woodstown.

Gardai appealed for witnesses to contact Waterford garda station.

Mr Rutter was the 15th cyclist to be killed on Irish roads this year. Cyclist deaths are up 60pc in Ireland this year so far as 10 cyclists lost their lives last year.

The young woman killed in County Kerry was Denise Crowley (26) of Gortdarrig, Rathmore, Headford, County Kerry. She died after she was struck by a car while crossing the road after getting off a bus in Glenflesk village at 7.15pm on Friday.

A computer science student at University College, Cork, she was making her way to a meeting point where he mother was due to collect her to bring her home for the weekend.

Ms Crowley had dedicated her life to helping others, said Rathmore parish priest Fr George Hayes.

She had been a teenage member of the Social Action Group in Rathmore - where she devoted her spare time to visiting the elderly in her community.

She went on to offer assistance to young people in her community and beyond as a woman with a skill for computing, he said.

The community has been plunged into shock according to former Killarney mayor Donal Grady, who labelled the road a serious danger spot.

This is a road weve campaigned tirelessly about where theres been numerous collisions but so far our campaign has fallen on deaf ears.

This young woman was on her way across the road and sadly she never made it and its especially sad given its coming up to Christmas and now no Christmas will ever be the same for her loved ones.

Weve tried hard to get the speed limit on this road lowered and its now time something was done about this. 100km is too high for a small rural road.

I believe it should have a 60km speed limit.

Its running right through a village. Enough is enough. We dont want to see any more lives lost, he said.
The death has occurred of the former Chief Justice Thomas Finlay.

The 95-year-old, who served as Irelands top judge between 1985 and 1994 and as a TD in the 1950s, passed away peacefully at his home in Dublin earlier today.

His death occurred just weeks after one of this daughters, Mary Finlay Geoghegan, followed in his footsteps by being appointed to the Supreme Court.

Tributes to Mr Justice Finlay were led by President Michael D Higgins.

As a member of the Supreme Court and indeed as a member of Dail Eireann, Tom Finlay left a legacy of public service, including a robust defence of the constitution and its provisions on parliamentary privilege and citizens rights, Mr Higgins said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Mr Finlay left an extraordinary legacy of public service in the law and in parliament.

The chairman of the Bar Council, Paul McGarry SC, described Mr Justice Finlay as "a giant of the law".

"He was one of those people who devoted himself to public service and gave himself to the State," he said.

The former barrister and judge was involved in a number of high-profile cases during his career.

He gave the lead judgment in the controversial X case in 1992, where a 14-year-old girl who became pregnant after being raped by a family friend was allowed to travel to England for an abortion despite the constitutional guarantee that the State would protect the right to life of the unborn.

Other key decisions included another 1992 ruling which held that the confidentiality of cabinet discussions was absolute and a ruling in a case the following year which found TDs could not be sued over comments made under parliamentary privilege in the Dail.

The father-of-five was predeceased by his wife Alice.

Born in 1922, Mr Justice Finlay was educated at Clongowes Wood College, UCD and Kings Inns, before being called to the bar in 1944.

He became a Fine Gael TD for Dublin South-Central in 1954 and but lost his seat in 1957. He was appointed a senior counsel in 1961 and became a High Court judge a decade later.

Mr Justice Finlay served as president of the High Court from 1974 to 1985 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court and appointed Chief Justice by the Fine Gael-Labour coalition government.

President Higgins said he was deeply saddened to learn of Mr Justice Finlays death.

As President of Ireland, may I convey my condolences to his family and friends, as well as express our nations thanks for his contribution to public life in so many fields, he said.

Taoiseach Varadkar said Mr Justice Finlay served with great distinction at many levels of the legal system in Ireland and had served on the Council of State for over 40 years.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said that following his retirement Mr Justice Finlay undertook a number of public inquiries, most notably the Hepatitis C tribunal of inquiry.

He described Mr Justice Finlay as an eminent barrister and jurist, respected and popular among his peers and legal colleagues.

Over the course of that long career his fine skills of legal analysis and his humanity were always to the fore and were brought to bear in the many significant legal cases and inquiries of public importance in which he was involved, the minister said.

Mr Justice Finlays removal will take place on Tuesday morning, arriving at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook at 11.30am, follow by burial at Shanganagh Cemetery.
Children and adolescents who are in severe mental health distress have no access to an out-of-hours psychiatric team in at least 15 counties. Stock Image

CHILDREN with mental health difficulties are facing long delays in accessing services due to ongoing staffing and recruitment problems in the HSE.

The harrowing wait for specialist care may be leaving some children, who are in severe emotional turmoil, at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Children and teens who present with mental health problems are referred to the Child and Adult Mental Health Service (CAHMS).

In its quarterly performance review (looking at June-September) the HSE found that 317 minors in four HSE divisions were waiting more than 12 months for their first appointment following a referral.

In CHO4 (which covers parts of Kerry and Cork) 196 children were waiting more than 12 months for an appointment.

A lack of staff and difficulty recruiting is compounding problems with the delivery of services.

In the quarterly report the HSE noted recruitment issues are a "key concern".

As a result of recruitment challenges in both Medical and CAMHS nursing staff it has been necessary to reduce the numbers of CAMHS inpatient beds," the report states.

The increases in waiting lists relate significantly to availability of appropriately trained staff including primary care based psychological supports, recruitment difficulties in appointing clinical staff and lack of suitable accommodation for maximum operational effectiveness, the report states.

In September's monthly report it was found that 67.6pc of children referred were offered a first appointment within three months by Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams. Just 61.4pc of those referred were actually seen.

At the end of September there was 2,333 children waiting for a first appointment.

At an inquest into the death by suicide of a young Dublin girl, Milly Tuomey (11), it was heard that pathways to care for children in respect of mental health is "under-resourced".

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Psychiatrist Dr Antoinette DAlton told the court during the inquest that suicidal ideation is increasing in children.

In Milly's case she was referred to CAHMS and was given an appointment for January 30, which was brought the brought forward when a 'suicide diary' was discovered by her mother.

Her parents, Fiona and Tim, in a statement following the hearing, said it was "simply not acceptable" that there was no clinical protocols for when a child has a mental health crisis.

The HSE said it couldn't comment on individual cases.

All referrals to CAMHS are assessed on their clinical presentation and need and referrals that are deemed urgent will be seen as a priority," a spokesperson said.

"The Mental Health Division have developed a Standard Operating Procedure (2015) to inform young people, Parents, Carers, referrals agencies etc. of the role and function of the CAMHS service. The CAMHS Standard Operating Procedure also outlines the referral response times in respect of referrals to the CAMHS service.

Children and adolescents who are in severe mental health distress have no access to an out-of-hours psychiatric team in at least 15 counties.

No on-call service is available in counties Wexford, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Kerry, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Louth, according to information obtained in a parliamentary reply by Fianna Fail spokesman on mental health James Browne.

Work is underway in the Department of Health to look at how 7/7 and 24/7 hours access to mental health services can best be achieved.

The Government has approved 120 new Assistant Psychology posts into Primary Care and it is hoped this will ease the pressure on the services but hiring staff continues to pose a challenge.

Work is also continuing within the HSE to improve the delivery of services and areas where issues exists have been compelled to draw up action plans.

But despite on-going recruitment campaigns, this work continues to present significant challenges while current vacancies, particularly in CAMHS Consultant posts and increasingly CAMHS nursing posts remain unfilled, the HSE noted.

It is generally accepted that although Vision for Change made clear recommendations for CAMHS resources, these have not yet been fully realised and current capacity falls short," the HSE said.

"Despite a net increase in CAMHS staffing from 622 staff in 2010 to 842 staff in 2015, most community CAMHS teams across the country are operating at 50% of that recommended in Vision for Change. This is despite significant investment in CAMHS over the last number of years and intensive staff recruitment efforts.

Raised

Problems with CAHMS has been noted several times in the Dail and the Seanad and has been addressed by a number of junior ministers.

In March of this year a letter to the Health Minister from a 14 year old who was having difficulty securing an appointment with a psychologist despite presenting with suicidal ideation.

She wrote:

I would like to know why there is no help for children when they ask for it? What can you do or what can be done to stop other children going through this
An elderly woman who was told she was dying was left on a hospital trolley in an overcrowded A&E for almost 25 hours, her devastated daughter has said.

Mary Murray's family said they were upset that their mother didn't get to enjoy privacy during her final hours and they feel she was stripped off her dignity.

Mary (76) was seriously ill for a long time and for the last seven years of her life she was cared for by her six children, until her death at Beaumont Hospital in July 2015.

Her daughter Courina Breen told Independent.ie she is speaking for the first time in response to the ongoing trolley crisis.

"She was admitted to Beaumont just after midnight on July 8 2015, my sister was with her and almost immediately they were told that she wouldn't make it," Courina said.

"Mum had several complicated problems - including kidney failure, she couldn't breathe, epilepsy, diabetes, blood clots and her mobility was really bad.

"They said she wouldn't make it and she was put on a trolley almost straight away but staff said that they would try to get a bed for her."

After a few hours Mary was offered a bed in the Intensive Care unit but her family were told if she went there she would have to be resuscitated if she stopped breathing. Her family wasn't in favour of this as she was so frail they wanted her to have a "peaceful death."

Hospital staff said that her family could bring her home but they warned she may die en route.

Courina, who lives in Balbriggan, Dublin, said: "We just wanted a quiet place for her.

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"Beaumont A&E is a crazy place - there's people sleeping everywhere, trolleys wherever they can fit them, people waiting for hours on chairs and even falling asleep against walls.

"She was next to the nurses' station, the high-dependency area but it's a busy area and there are people all around you shouting.

"There were people walking past, it was so noisy that she couldn't get any sleep, there was a man lying in the trolley next to her and he kept roaring, every time he roared she would grab my brother's hand, looking terrified.

"She was dying and there was no dignity for her, we were all so upset and crying but there was no privacy for us - it was just completely unsuitable.

"It must have been awful for other patients around her too to have to see this."

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Mary, who was originally from Coolock, remained on the trolley for over a day until she was finally moved to a quieter area in the A&E.

Courina said: "We asked about the bed and they kept saying they were working on it, eventually around 1am the next day - so over 24 hours later - she was given a bed on a little ward to the side of the A&E, which are usually given to people who are dying or need to be in isolation.

"About an hour and a half after that her condition got really bad and they had a bed on St Paul's ward, when she went in there she calmed right down.

"It was really peaceful after that, it was darker and she was calm in herself, she was there for about an hour before she died.

"When she died I didn't mind, it was the most amazing feeling to see her looking so light, you could almost feel her energy."

Courina is keen to stress that she doesn't think that the frontline staff are to blame for the overcrowding in the A&E.

She said: "It's our local hospital and I wouldn't want to give out about them because I think it's a problem with how the health system is run overall.

"The doctors, nurses and other staff we have met in Beaumont were amazing, they're so kind.

"They work such long hours under such stressful conditions but the staff are such professionals and the nurses in particular are absolute angels.

"But it is like a cattle mart in there because it's so busy, I remember another night when I was waiting in there with her and she had to sit on a hard chair all night, I gave her my jacket to use as a pillow because they didn't even have one for her."

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She continued to say: "I'm not angry about her death, she was so sick and I knew she had to die, it's just the circumstances and that she didn't get to have a peaceful death, it gets to you.

"She was a mighty woman with a great sense of humour, she was so powerful and strong and we just wanted her to have a soft, warm bed and a bit of privacy."

Courina has said that she thinks more could be done to try and tackle the problems within our health system.

She said: "I think maybe we could restructure our hospitals and have smaller ones, to take the pressure of the bigger ones.

"There's also problems with home care for older people and waiting lists for nursing home places, it seems there's also less people willing to look after their parents and grandparents so then older people are being forced to stay in hospital instead of going home.

"It seems like we just don't have enough resources in place to care for everyone.

"You would be afraid to get sick because I'm afraid of what it'll be like."

A HSE spokeswoman who represents Beaumont Hospital said they cannot comment on individual cases.

She did clarify that resuscitation is based on someone's condition and not on their location within the hospital.

If you have any stories about the ongoing trolley crisis, please get in touch at contact@independent.ie
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Bobo the dog at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Meeting in the Minella Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Pic:Mark Condren

He has survived a tumultuous 10 days. Leo Varadkar has had to watch his Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald resign having served as minister of a department that he himself has described as "dysfunctional".

By the start of this week, the clock was ticking on the time bomb of a Christmas election that nobody professed to want - with the danger that candidates would intrude on the festivities like a bad Santa with badges and brochures.

Expand Close Under pressure: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook

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Whatsapp Under pressure: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

Leo has now caused a significant number within his own party to question his judgment, and even ponder behind the scenes whether they picked the right candidate back in June.

At least, he can console himself that he got through it all. His little local difficulty has been sorted out.

But now, the really hard part starts.

On December 14, the Taoiseach will have to travel to Brussels for a summit of heads of government, and try to guarantee a deal that ensures we have no hard border between the two parts of the island.

Between now and then, he will have to deal with scatter-brained leaders on the British side, who have been slow to clarify what they want, and he may find the experience a bit like picking up mercury with a fork.

Cool diplomacy will be needed as much as tough talk.

One former cabinet minister, who worked alongside the Taoiseach, says: "In the Brexit talks, he faces the most onerous responsibility to help the country out of a potential crisis since Eamon de Valera led Ireland successfully through World War II.

"Leo and Enda before him had been doing well in Brexit negotiations.

"But it was a grave mistake for Varadkar and Micheal Martin to take their eye off the ball like they did in recent days," the former minister said. "They both played their part in getting involved in a kind of guerrilla warfare that could have led to an election that would have been disastrous for the country."

The cabinet minister, who served under Enda Kenny, says: "Leo ran a smart campaign to be elected leader, but recent events have shown that he lacks experience, and Simon Coveney might have shown more wisdom in the circumstances.

"Now, he will have to batten down the hatches, work closely with Simon now that he has appointed him Tanaiste, and hope they can get the Government to the other side of the summer."

We now know a lot more about Varadkar's capabilities as a leader than we did a fortnight ago, and the signs are not positive. One commentator argued, admittedly from the Fianna Fail side, that he seems to lack emotional intelligence. Or is he showing political immaturity?

Expand Close Leo Varadkar's who was elected Fine Gael leader is congratulated by Simon Coveney Pic: Mark Condren / Facebook

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The most charitable interpretation of his mixture of recklessness and indecision in recent days is that he is still inexperienced, and will learn from his darkest week in office.

"He hit Becher's Brook on the first round, and he may have been given an early warning that he needs to be decisive, fast and more precise in his thinking," says Frank Flannery, a long-time Fine Gael adviser, who has seen the party through many ups and downs. "You only really learn the skills of being a leader when you have to go through this type of crisis."

In the normal course of events, the controversy swirling around the Department of Justice over emails and a legal strategy adopted by garda legal representatives against the whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe might not have merited a resignation by a minister in the eyes of a Taoiseach.

But once Fianna Fail announced on Thursday of last week that they planned to put down a motion no confidence in Ms Fitzgerald, the survival of the Government was at stake and Varadkar was required to take swift action in the national interest.

Instead, he allowed the controversy to fester for another five days to its almost inevitable end.

Removing ministers is one of the onerous responsibilities of being Taoiseach.

In the midst of a crisis, Leo Varadkar's predecessor Enda Kenny had a way of calmly putting a hand on the shoulder of the embattled colleague and smoothing their path to the door.

"You have to remember that Enda Kenny had seen many upheavals before," says Flannery.

When it came to his toughest decision so far, Varadkar showed no such steel. Perhaps it was out of misplaced loyalty to a highly regarded minister.

Flannery says: "There is a law, I find, when it comes to dealing with a crisis. When questions are being asked and documents are leaking out, it is inevitable that another document will appear.

"A system that is able to produce one missing email is highly likely to produce another one. That is why it is better to move early with a solution to the crisis than leave it late.

"Leaving aside the fact that Frances was a capable minister, there was an inevitability about what would happen. If the solution had arrived earlier it would have been better for all concerned."

Early on in the crisis, Fine Gael TDs backed their leader, but when they went home to their constituencies, it became clear that they would incur the wrath of voters if they ever went near a Christmas canvass.

The high-stakes poker game between Micheal Martin and Leo may have become an intriguing spectacle inside the political bubble - but outside of that, it seemed to be impressing nobody.

One backbench Fine Gael TD told Review: "Nobody wanted an election at Christmas, because that is a time for families and people coming home. The Taoiseach should have ensured that it was sorted out by the weekend, particularly when he knew that there was more information coming out.

"Because the controversy continued for days, we got sucked into a whirlpool," says the TD.

Nobody doubts Leo's capabilities as a campaigning politician, and his "blitzkrieg" leadership campaign in the summer was perhaps one of the slickest in the modern era.

He has a talent for getting noticed, and in his short term in office, few taoisigh have attracted so much publicity across the globe, including the cover of Time magazine.

Burden of office

But sometimes a Taoiseach can buckle under the sheer responsibility of the highest office, particularly in a week like this.

Willie O'Dea has said that Brian Cowen was a highly intelligent figure, but he was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the problems with which he was confronted.

Is there a danger that Leo might also feel the burden of office is too heavy?

He looked rattled when he appeared in the Dail without the Tanaiste by his side on Tuesday afternoon, as he announced her resignation and answered Leaders' questions.

In an ad-libbed response to a question, he was ruefully honest about the difficulties he faced in doing the job. "As I found out as both a doctor and a politician, diagnosis is a damned sight easier than surgery and the cure.

"It is not difficult to identify some of the obvious problems that exist in our country and in some deep parts of our State.

"Identifying them is one thing, but trying to get a grip on them and trying to deal with those fundamental problems is a real struggle."

He spoke of the problems in the Department of Justice as if he was in some way detached from them.

Was it wise for a Taoiseach to revel in his own powerlessness, and then also flag up to other EU negotiators that he had not been able to give the upcoming Brexit summit any of his attention for a number of days? This was rectified later in the week, when the Government's attention again focused on Brexit.

Some observers also felt it unwise to launch a full-frontal assault on the Department of Justice, while deflecting attention from the shortcomings of his own ministers. Could all the department's officials be tarred with the same brush?

For the second time in a fortnight, the political dynamic of the upcoming election has changed dramatically.

The impending resignation of Gerry Adams as leader has the potential to put Sinn Fein in a much stronger position with Mary Lou McDonald at the helm.

And after the Fitzgerald crisis, the stature of Micheal Martin has been enhanced, although cynics would suggest that he dressed up political opportunism as high principle.

One political rival said Martin played his cards well - but it was a huge risk that could have left the country rudderless in the Brexit negotiations.

In the coming months, the Taoiseach will face issues just as grave as the resignation of a Tanaiste.

If the Government survives until then, he will have to navigate the Eighth Amendment referendum campaign on abortion, an issue that can cause political damage. And the housing crisis is only likely to get worse in the medium term.

Despite the difficulties, his friend and political ally Senator Neale Richmond insists that Leo has embraced the job with enthusiasm and feels that he has brought in many worthwhile initiatives.

"He does enjoy the job, but doesn't necessarily enjoy the intrusion into his life and so much attention on him - and that he has so little control over his own time, whether it is having a coffee with colleagues or meeting family for dinner."

Leo's mettle will be tested further in the coming months as he faces a welter of intractable problems. If he has not already discovered it, he will find that political life at the top, like history, is one damn thing after another.

@KimBielenberg
A MAN has been killed off his bike following an early morning road traffic collision today.

Gardai are investigating the incident which occurred in the townland of Kilcop on the Dunmore Road, Co. Waterford this morning.

"The collision between a car and a cyclist occurred at approximately 7am," a garda spokesperson said.

"The cyclist, a man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene. His body has since been removed to University Hospital Waterford."

This stretch of road is currently closed pending an examined by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051-305300, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.

There has now been 15 cyclist fatalities so far this year, compared to a total of 10 cyclist fatalities last year.
Kane McCormack, whose body was found in a field on the Kildare/Meath border.

THE young man found shot dead in a field yesterday is a son of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan - who himself was shot dead by the Kinahan cartel a year ago.

Yesterday's victim has been named locally as Kane McCormack, a 24-year-old convicted criminal from Dublin.

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McCormack's body was found in a field on the Meath/Kildare border at approximately noon yesterday.

The grim discovery was made by a woman out walking at Walterstown, Dunboyne.

McCormack, also known as Kane Kirwan, had been reported missing by his girlfriend at Blanchardstown Garda station just hours before his body was discovered in a field adjacent to a supermarket in Dunboyne.

He had been formally warned his life was in danger by Gardai from the Kinahan crime cartel over fears he would seek revenge for father Noels murder last December.

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He was before the courts last month on firearms charges after a large quantity of ammunition was found in Dublin last year.

At the time of the court case, he was released on bail but his defence lawyer asked that his next court date not be read out in open court as there was "a threat on his life".

It is understood he had also narrowly avoided a previous attempt on his life.

His father - Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan - was a close friend of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch. Noel Kirwan, The 62-year-old was sitting in a car outside his house in St Ronans Drive, in Clondalkin on December 22 last when he was shot several times. He was the tenth person to die in the Hutch-Kinahan feud.

His partner was in the passenger seat was but was not injured in the shooting.

Now gardai are investigating if his son was the 13th victim - and the first since May.

McCormack was also close associate of another victim of the Hutch/Kinahan feud and gardai are now investigating if this murder was another in the feud that has been ongoing for over two years.

The Kinahan/Hutch feud has claimed 12 victims since violence erupted almost two years ago.

Earlier this month, gardai told Dublin City Councillors that more than 45,000 Garda checkpoints have been carried out in response to the Kinahan-Hutch feud.

They have made 101 arrests and 281 searches.

An incident room has been established at Ashbourne Garda Station and gardai say enquiries are ongoing.

Fianna Fail Councillor for Dunboyne Damien OReilly went to visit the scene where the body was found today but said the roads were cordoned off by gardai.

"I'm deeply saddened and shocked this took place in Dunboyne, I encourage anyone who was in the area today or last night to make contact with Ashbourne gardai.

"Its not something you want to hear coming up to Christmas especially. This is a very quiet, very remote area and theres only a few houses out here. I feel sorry for the person who made this discovery.

Meath Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne spoke out about the killing on Twitter saying: I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder which has lead gardai to discover the body of a man outside Dunboyne near the Kildare border. I know that all of society condemns this and supports our Gardai fully as they investigate. Totally mindless.
SINN Fein has been dealt a further blow with the resignation of yet another councillor.

Galway councillor Gabe Cronnelly announced he was resigning from the party today.

In a statement he said he was resigning from the party due to ongoing unrest around the way the party is dealing with unethical behaviour.

His resignation comes days after that of high profile Sinn Fein Senator Trevor OClochartaigh.

The Athenry based councillor said: I am awfully disappointed at the way Sinn Fein leadership have refused to address the concerns of so many decent members here in Galway, in relation to unacceptable behaviour by a small group of people.

It is very hard to have faith in a party which preaches one thing publicly, but fails to live up to true Republican ideals itself.

Sinn Fein has a Constitution and a Code of Ethics which are great documents on paper, but when it comes to calling people to account who are treating others in an unprofessional manner, the rule book goes out the window.

Mr Cronnelly raised concerns about a small group of individuals who are putting themselves first in the party, describing it as unacceptable.

He insisted the move was not linked to the partys selection convention, adding that the Sinn Fein leadership had known about the problems for a long time.

I was one of those who wrote to head office in April to express my concerns. The review that leadership did in the area did not improve things and made things worse rather than better, he said.

He said he had not taken the decision to resign lightly adding that if circumstances within the party and the current situation were to change he may reconsider his position.

I feel therefore moving forward, that I can better serve the people of the Oranmore-Athenry LEA far better as an Independent Councillor and for that reason I am resigning from Sinn Fein with immediate effect, he added.
THERE is "no desire" in Ireland to delay progress on the Brexit negotiations, the Tanaiste has said on BBC television.

Simon Coveney said his government did not want to veto the talks, after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned he was prepared to stand firm on the Irish border issue.

Mr Coveney, who was appointed the new Tanaiste in the Dail on Thursday, told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show Ireland wants a solution on the border that "involves all of the United Kingdom acting as one".

Asked whether the government were prepared to use a "veto" over the Brexit talks, he said: "We certainly don't want to be vetoing anything - I mean the Irish government, just like the British government, wants to be able to move the Brexit process on to phase two and we want to be able to provide the kind of certainty that many businesses are calling for in Britain and Ireland and indeed in other parts of the European Union.

"So there is no desire I can tell you in Ireland to delay this process, but at the same time we have a responsibility as a Government to represent the interests on the island of Ireland - north and south - and let's not forget that next year will be the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement which is the basis for the peace process and relations between Britain and Ireland on the island of Ireland.

"And we believe that as an island, Ireland is uniquely vulnerable and exposed to a potential bad outcome from Brexit and that is why we are looking for more progress than we have in terms of understanding how the border issues in particular on the island of Ireland, and the north and south cooperation that has created a normality on the island of Ireland which is a hugely positive thing."

The leaders of the remaining 27 EU states, including Mr Varadkar, have a veto on triggering the second phase of talks, meaning British Prime Minister Theresa May must be sure of support from Dublin for progress to be made.

European Council President Donald Tusk has said the Irish would be consulted on whether the UK's offer was sufficient.

Mr Coveney said Ireland was not looking for the "full detail" on the border solution in phase one of the talks, and told the programme: "What we are looking for though is the parameters within which we can be more confident that a solution can be found within phase two - and that is not an unreasonable ask.

"We would like to see a solution here that solves the border issues, that involves all of the United Kingdom acting as one."

Mrs May is due to travel to Brussels on Monday for talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in the hope of securing a declaration that "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues like the financial settlement and the Irish border.
Last Monday, Josepha Madigan was in a panic getting photographs taken for election posters and buying thermals for the campaign ahead as the country seemed on the brink of going to the polls.

By Thursday, she was in Aras an Uachtarain accepting her seal of office as the newly minted Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Surreal is how the Fine Gael TD for Dublin-Rathdown describes the week that saw the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald as Tanaiste, and her own elevation from the backbenches to the top table of government by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

I would rather have been given this appointment in other circumstances, she says, referring to Fitzgeralds resignation.

Madigan believes Fitzgerald was subjected to trial by Dail over her handling as justice minister of an email relating to the legal strategy pursued by Garda management against whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe at the OHiggins Commission.

The former Tanaiste fell on her own sword last Tuesday morning to avert an election and Madigan predicts Fitzgerald will be vindicated at the Disclosures Tribunal which is probing the treatment of McCabe.

Varadkars mini-reshuffle saw Heather Humphreys replace Fitzgerald as Enterprise Minister with Madigan stepping into her former role at the Department of Culture.

The 47-year-old mother-of-two is only the 19th woman to be appointed as a senior minister in the history of the State. She describes this as shocking and she has been given a special Cabinet role as part of efforts to tackle gender inequality.

I think whats putting women off entering politics is they look at this hostile environment. Look at Frances Fitzgerald, what she had to go through and theyre saying to themselves, Why would I put myself through that?, she says.

Madigan insists she has never come across sexism or sexual harassment in the course of her career.

But she suggests that women  while bringing sensitivity and compassion to politics  may have to work harder than men to develop a thick skin amid the skulduggery they can encounter in Leinster House.

As Culture Minister, Madigan will be heavily involved in the continuing Decade of Centenaries commemorations.

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Suffragette movement and the election of Irish revolutionary Constance Markievicz to Westminster as its first woman MP.

Madigan (47) is married to Finbarr Hayes, who works in advertising and is also a personal trainer. They have two sons Daniel (14) and Luke (12) and a cocker spaniel dog called Poppy.

She says the schedule of a politician does impinge on family life but feels lucky that her boys are older than the children of some TDs.

She says Finbarr is sometimes referred to as the other mother but praises his support, saying: Theres a lot of men who mightnt like their wife doing what we do.

Madigan said: I do get guilt and recalled an incident where shortly before the Budget, she was to chair an important committee meeting attended by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.

She had a call to say her son Luke had suffered a bad fall and had to go to hospital for stitches.

Madigan had to dash home but managed to get back to Leinster House in time for the meeting.

Those situations are difficult, she says, but added that had she been in court during her career as a family law solicitor it would have been a similar situation.

Madigans nomination as minister was challenged in the Dail last Thursday.

There were pointed remarks by Opposition TDs about a leaflet she had distributed ahead of the 2014 local elections where the then-first-time candidate described plans for a South Dublin Traveller halting site as a waste of valuable resources.

She later clarified the remarks, saying the land was worth several million euro and the local authority was proposing to house only four families on the site.

She says the contents of the newsletter were widely misrepresented and insists she is absolutely not anti-Traveller.

She admits she probably wouldnt put out a similar newsletter now and given how her remarks were presented, the leaflet was something of a rookie error. You learn from these things, she says.

Madigan is aware there will be disappointed junior ministers and backbench TDs who were overlooked for promotion, but she thinks there were a number of reasons for Varadkar choosing her.

These include her role on as chairperson of the Oireachtas Budgetary Committee, her experience as a solicitor, and how she has proposed two pieces of legislation.

One of the new laws  to reduce the waiting time for divorce  is to be put to the people in a referendum. The other proposal would give judges specific powers in relation to social media posts that risk prejudicing a trial.

Madigan also concedes her support for Varadkar during the Fine Gael leadership contest may have helped and that gender would have been a consideration after the departure of the most senior woman in government. I think its a component, she says, but also notes that she believed Varadkar trusted her to deliver and said she will work hard in her new brief.

So will she follow the Taoiseachs example in improving on her Leaving Cert level Irish now shes the senior minister responsible for the Gaeltacht?

She admits her French and German  which she studied in Trinity  are better. And she makes no firm commitment in terms of trying to achieve fluency, but says she may take lessons to update her skills from her teenage years when she went to Gaeltachts in Waterford and Galway.

She also points to the support shell have from Joe McHugh, the chief whip and junior minister in her department, who speaks Irish.

I think theres a distinction to be made between the love of a language and your fluency in it... It doesnt mean that I dont embrace it, she adds.

She is excited about the Culture aspect of the job, saying literature has been a joy of mine, poetry, music...

She has just finished the amazing Gospel According to Blindboy, written by a member of the Rubberbandits, and is now reading Autumn by Ali Smith.

Her favourite poem is Advent by Patrick Kavanagh and she has written her own poetry for decades.

Madigan is also a published author  one legal tome and a novel, Negligent Behaviour, which has a racy reputation.

I had an agent at the time that told me to put sex into it, she says, laughing.

Madigan has a draft of another very different novel in the works  a story about adoption and a mother and son relationship  but this is on hold due to the demands Lenister House has placed on her time.

She has previously cited The Shawshank Redemption as her favourite film, but says it might be more accurate to say it would be a childhood movie such as ET or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Netflix is a treat on evenings she gets home from Leinster House early  which for Madigan is 10pm. She is watching legal comedy-drama Suits, featuring Meghan Markle, whom she notes is quite topical with the whole Prince Harry thing.

Her iPhone includes 1,600 tracks with artists from Ed Sheeran to U2, but she also enjoys opera and classical music and attends the National Concert Hall with her mother, Patricia. Her mother is something of a trailblazer for women herself, training and practicing as a barrister while raising six children.

Sadly, one of those children, Madigans youngest sister Edwina, died from cancer last year. She also lost her father Paddy Madigan  a Fianna Fail and later Independent county councillor  to cancer in 2014, only weeks before the local elections.

In many ways, he was an inspiration for her own entry into politics and encouraged Madigan in her own career.

She recalled: He always said: You could be President of Ireland if you wanted to be...

It was just a cruel irony then that he didnt get to see me elevated to any office. Thats a shame He would really have enjoyed it, she said.

She brushes aside suggestions that she may one day like to lead Fine Gael or become Taoiseach, saying: I didnt even expect to be a TD... Im very philosophical about these things. I just take each day as it comes and I do my best.

But what of her fathers belief that she could become President?

Ah yeah  but thats dads, isnt it? she says.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the government has had a "rough week" but insists that narrowly averting an election has "focused minds" and may actually see the Fine Gael-led minority stay in office longer.

He made the remarks after an extraordinary week that saw Frances Fitzgerald resign as Tanaiste over the Garda whistleblower issue and Varadkar forced into a mini-reshuffle. Ms Fitzgerald departed ahead of threatened opposition motions of no confidence relating to emails she received in 2015 during her time as justice minister.

Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein demanded her head amid questions about what she knew, and when, about the strategy adopted by the legal team for Garda management against whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe at the O'Higgins Commission.

Last night newly appointed Cabinet minister Josepha Madigan said she believes there is a "hostile environment" that is deterring women from entering politics.

"Look at Frances Fitzgerald, what she had to go through, and they're saying to themselves 'why would I put myself through that?' the new Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said. Ms Madigan also said she believes Fitzgerald will be vindicated at the Disclosures Tribunal, which was set up to look into the treatment of McCabe following his raising of concerns about Garda malpractice.

Mr Varadkar meanwhile said: "I don't think it's the first time that an Irish government has gone through a rough week," adding that he's determined to make his administration last.

Expand Close Parting of the ways: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook

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He told RTE Radio's Marian Finucane the week started "very badly with the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald, which I still deeply regret".

In relation to controversies in the Garda and Department of Justice, he said it's something that's being going on "for far too long and needs to be dealt with".

But he said reforms were already being introduced, pointing to the establishment of the Policing Authority and the appointment of a senior barrister to investigate the emails saga.

He also said that notwithstanding the "serious problems" in the justice sector, Garda members - particularly frontline officers - were generally "very good" and their work meant Ireland was a "relatively low-crime country". Mr Varadkar praised Sgt McCabe for raising his concerns about the force, saying: "I think he's done the nation a lot of service".

He said the extent of a organised campaign against Sgt McCabe is not yet known and that the Disclosures Tribunal under Mr Justice Peter Charleton was established to get to the bottom of that.

Ms Finucane put it to Mr Varadkar that the former Tanaiste was made aware of the legal strategy against Sgt McCabe by email in 2015.

Mr Varadkar replied: "It seems from the emails that there is some level of awareness there but certainly not any detail."

He said Ms Fitzgerald took the view that it had been a matter for the O'Higgins Commission and she had been advised not to intervene.

On the political row that brought the country to the brink of an election, Mr Varadkar insisted it was "never about winning or losing some sort of poker game" with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, rather it was "about getting to the truth, getting all the facts".

He said he still thinks the best place for this to happen is at the Disclosures Tribunal.

In relation to his unwavering support for Ms Fitzgerald during the crisis, he said: "I wanted to stand by a colleague who ultimately I don't think did any wrong." He said it was "not blind loyalty". Mr Varadkar said he didn't seek her resignation and that she ultimately took the decision to go to avoid "plunging the country into a general election at a time when we didn't need it".

Mr Varadkar said neither Fine Gael or Fianna Fail had wanted an election and he thinks that the events of the last week have "actually focused minds and mean this government is more likely to continue for longer than people might have thought". He said he's determined to honour the Confidence and Supply agreement and deliver a third Budget next year.

Ms Finucane asked how Mr Varadkar's partner, Dr Matthew Barrett - who is working in the US - rated his handling of the crisis. The Taoiseach said he was "enormously supportive as always". He said it would have been nice if Dr Barrett was here, adding there's "only another six months to go for him in Chicago - not [for] me as Taoiseach, I'll be around for a while".
The 'wealth effect', consumer confidence buoyed by the rapid rise in property prices, has led to a surge in spending on home improvements, foreign holidays and high value household goods.

House and apartment prices are rising at 50 a day, according to latest figures, and the cost of an average-sized family home in some Dublin locations will top boom-time prices within a year.

One key barometer of burgeoning confidence is the spending spree on home improvements this year, including high-value extensions, new kitchens, and other renovations.

New figures obtained by the Sunday Independent reveal that homeowners are spending huge amounts to improve their home as escalating house prices limit their ability to trade up.

The figures from the Revenue Commissioners show that 9,478 homes have been extended at a cost of more than 402m this year. This compares with 326m in 2016.

Near full employment, and promised pay increases next year, are also fuelling increased spending.

And in a further sign of renewed hope in the economy is the increased spend on foreign holidays. Bookings are up 7pc in the past 12 months and more people are opting for five-star travel to exotic locations instead of traditional package holidays.

Overall, property prices have risen almost 47pc on average since their lowest point at the height of the economic crash in late 2013, according to the House Price Report by property website, Daft.ie.

They say house prices nationally are rising by more than 50 on average each day.

In addition, household debt is at its lowest level, since 2005. It is now 30pc less than its 2008 peak.

A cautious shift in consumer sentiment has been evident since early this year.

Spending on a range of household goods including large electrical items such as refrigerators, washing machines and televisions is on the increase.

New data from the Central Statistics Office last week show the volume of retail sales was up 4.5pc in October, compared with the same period last year.

This upward momentum is pointing to what is described as the wealth effect.

This theory refers to the tendency of people to adjust their spending in relation to their perceived economic well being. Rising asset prices  such as the value of the family home  make them feel better off, which leads to a willingness to spend more.

However, economists stress that in Ireland discretionary spending is still within a narrow range.

And it is a long way off the freewheeling splurges seen during the Celtic Tiger era.

Alan McQuaid, chief economist at Merrion Capital, says people are generally feeling better off, as the economy continues to improve.

A lot of people have houses  so theres wealth in their property.

He also pointed out there is a wealth effect in the recovery of property prices for those who were in negative equity.

Theres no doubt that psychologically all this makes people feel better.

Although they were minor, there have also been some positive tweaks to the tax system, added Mr McQuaid.

But the key issue is unemployment. Weve gone from 15pc down to 6pc; more people are at work. More people have more income compared with what was the situation during the crisis. The bottom line is to have a job. If you have a job, you have a better chance to pay off outstanding debt  and also to spend.

The Revenue Commissioners have confirmed that almost 9,478 homes have been extended at a cost of 402m from January to October this year.

The improvements were carried out under the Governments Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) scheme. This compares with 326m last in 2016  and sources suggest the figure will rise dramatically in 2018.

Introduced in October 2013, the HRI provides tax relief for spending house improvements. It provides for 13.5pc of the expenditure to be returned by way of an income tax credit over two years.

This latest trend comes as second-time buyers have been hit by this weeks changes to mortgage lending restrictions.

While Central Bank Governor, Philip Lane, left existing guidelines much as they are, he did make a slight adjustment on how exemptions to the lending limits operate.

This will largely hit those trying to trade up to a larger home.

Before the changes, banks were able to allow 20pc of all borrowers an exemption from designated income limits. This exemption did not distinguish between new and second time buyers. However, under the changes announced last week banks can now exempt only 10pc of second-time and subsequent buyers from income limit rules from January.

In contrast banks will be able to do a deal with 20pc of first time buyers if they qualify for an exemption.

Meanwhile, Mr McQuaid said young families in need of more space are most likely to renovate or extend their property due to the lack of supply.

Theres also the issue of older people who dont necessarily need the accommodation they had when their family was young.

Facilitating them to move on to somewhere else is also an issue in the current property market.

Daft.ies House Price Report, released last October, found that the price of the average home is now nearly 241,000  8.9pc higher than the same time last year.

According to the report, the average house price in Dublin is just over 354,000  an increase of almost 10pc on last year.

Meanwhile, Austin Hughes, chief economist at KBC Bank, agreed that theres an element of the wealth effect at play.

But I think its a broader confidence issue  people sense the worst is over. They feel they got through the recession and while things could have been a lot better, they could have been a lot worse.

Consequently, they feel theyre in a position to spend a little more.

Retail sales have been choppy throughout the year. Consumers have been very careful about their spending.

As we move towards Christmas, they feel a little bit more entitled, or inclined, to spend a little bit more.

You could call it the wealth effect or equally a survival effect. It is a wealth effect in the sense that people feel that things arent as bad as they were.

People feel they can put their head just a little bit more above the parapet.

Its spending a little more, rather than splashing out...Christmas presents get a little bit better, for example.

Meanwhile, Pat Dawson, chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), said holiday bookings have increased between 7pc and 8pc in the past 12 months and some peak dates next summer are already full.

Theres no doubt there are healthy signs out there families are currently booking trips to Lapland for 2018, a day trip for a family of four costs about 3,000.

Holidays to the US are also in strong demand.

But he expressed concern about the impact the high cost of living is having on disposable income.

The employment level is very good, but Id be a bit concerned by the level of salaries, compared to living costs, particularly in Dublin.

Thats not helping the level of disposable income.

At the higher end of the market, he said a minority of travellers are spending an average of 10,000 each on big, blowout holidays.

Theres no shortage of demand among wealthier individuals, who are well able to afford the higher end of the market.

He said a significant proportion of retirees on generous civil service pensions are able to fund regular breaks overseas.

Irelands unemployment rate has been dropping consistently for the past 18 months and now stands at 6pc, according to CSO figures for October.

Employers group ISME predicts that up to 60pc of its members could offer pay increases next year.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) says pay hikes in the region of 2.5pc are realistic.
This Christmas Eve, members of Westminster Presbyterian Church will gather at the Salvation Army Miracle Kitchen to host a special dinner for more than 100 of our neighbors. Together, we will enjoy a warm meal, share gifts and laughter, make new friendships and sing carols. We will gather in the conviction that we are one community, one family  and that no brother or sister should have to go hungry.

Westminster, like many of the area churches, volunteers regularly at the Salvation Army. I admit, however, that when we first learned that we were scheduled to prepare and serve a meal on Christmas Eve, some of us were skeptical. Christmas Eve? Really? As if we didnt have enough to do on that day already!

But honestly, where else should we be on Christmas Eve but a soup kitchen?

As a pastor, I of course hope that we will take time to go to church and worship God (Westminster will still have its regular services). But if we go there on Christmas Eve, looking for Christ, we may be in the wrong place. If we want to hear the angels sing  just as they did to the shepherds so many years ago  well need to find the places where people have lost hope and gathered in the dark.

If Christ chose to be born in such a politically conflicted, impoverished and alienated space as the rural hills of ancient Palestine, then he would likely look far beyond the walls of the church for his birthplace today. Oh, Christ would eventually show up to church, just as he was later found there as a boy, talking with the teachers, in what he called his fathers house. But maybe we should stop going to church to find God, and start going to church to worship the God whom we have already found in the hurting places of the world.

Janet Wolf, director of the Childrens Defense Fund Haley Farm, said thats what brought her church to a maximum-security prison for its Christmas Eve service in 1976. She admits she wasnt very excited about the idea, either.

Suddenly divorced, a single parent, raising two kids and holding down three part-time jobs, she had found that she wasnt welcome at her former large suburban church. The pastor had told her that she could no longer teach Sunday school or hold a leadership position because she was not an acceptable role model. She had been devastated until she found a new church, located in the inner city, where people mostly wore jeans and T-shirts and happily  and lovingly welcomed her and her sons.

It was this little church that took her to a nearby prison on Christmas Eve. But when they got there, they discovered that it was on lockdown and they would not be able to enter. So there they were, a small group huddling together, standing in the sleet and snow in a prison parking lot, bound to wake up sick the next morning, and all she could think of were her old churchs warm Christmas services with candles, trumpets and carols.

The group tried lighting the Christ candle, but the wind kept blowing it out. Janet then read from Isaiah: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light ... on them, light has shined. Suddenly, one of her sons tugged on her coat and said, Mama, look! As she turned and looked up, she saw rows and rows of flickering lights in the prison. In window after window, in cell after cell, she saw the glow of matches and lighters, their light spilling through the bars. Together, with the men in the prison, they all began to sing Silent Night.

Janet says, This was where I realized that I had missed what the gospel was about and what it meant to be a church.

We, too, can trust that on Christmas Eve, Christ will be born once again into the world. But it probably wont be in a church.

Christ will be born in the prison down the street, in Chapel House among the homeless, in Auburn Community Hospital, and I suspect at the Salvation Army Miracle Kitchen. Christ will be born in the hearts of those who didnt think theyd be welcome at church. Christ will be born in every poor and unloved part of our lives and world.

I hope we will run there with glee, just as those smelly, rough-mannered, beautiful shepherds did 2,000 years ago.
TWIN FALLS  South Central Community Action Partnership is seeking applicants interested in serving as an elected low-income representative and as a private sector representative in Minidoka and Cassia counties. Applicants must reside or work within an associated county.

Applications for the opportunity to participate on the Board of Directors may be obtained by contacting the Twin Falls office at 550 Washington St. S. or by calling Jenny Randolph at 208-733-9351 for more information. Applications and letters of interest may be returned to SCCAP, P.O. Box 531, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0531 or by fax 208-733-9355.
Mia Lambden (7) from Mullingar and Kayleigh Sheehan (9) from Edgeworthstown performed a surprise Irish dance routine for Kayleigh's aunt, on her wedding day.

"Mia is performing in the cream costume and Kayleigh in the black. It was a surprise performance for Kayleighs aunt Edel Mullane who married Cathal Mullane," Avril told Independent.ie.

"It was recorded at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick on Shannon.

"Guests were amazed at these two little ones stepping up in full glitz and capturing the full room."

"They performed 6 dances in full but this was their starting piece."
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he would like to see a maximum charge of 10 for a child to attend a GP.

Minister Harris appeared on TV3's The Sunday Show with Sarah McInerney when the topic of GP costs came up.

The Minister said that he thought it was "morally wrong" that a parent may go to bed worrying about how to pay 60 for their child to attend a GP in Ireland.

I would like GP care for children to be free," he said "but if our GP colleagues have an argument that it should be limited to a certain number of visits a year or a nominal charge, I'm willing to engage with that.

"I would like a nominal charge, if a charge at all, I see a nominal charge as a fiver, a tenner, no more."

Minister Harris also spoke about having greater training for GPs in the wake of the the tragic case of Milly Tuomey.

"Clearly something needs to be changed," he said.

"I think the fact that a child so young finds themselves in this position is frightening, it's frightening for society. There are a number of areas where Milly's family highlighted that need change and I was particularly struck by the point you (Sarah McInerney) made on GP training.

"I will be working with my department and the Minister for Mental Health on how to address those issues. I'm beginning to see more and more parents of younger children come to our clinics to express concern and I think our systems to date are not fully prepared for that.

"We need to address these issues and I will be taking very seriously what Milly's parents have to say."
There was a 70pc chance of rain. Boats hadn't sailed the previous week.

I arrived in Kerry to slumberdown skies, hulking greyly over everything. My attempt to visit Skellig Michael, 13km offshore in the maritime mulch, was looking inauspicious, to say the least.

When I woke up the following morning, however, I opened the curtains to what could have been a Failte Ireland ad. The skies were blue. The water was glistening. The boatmen were hustling at the pier. An hour later, I was pulling on a borrowed set of oilskins, on my way to the ultimate UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know the Skelligs featured in the latest Star Wars trilogy, including The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017).

The rocks looked stunning screen, and guides have been seeing growing numbers of visitors whipping out lightsabers and Jedi cloaks for selfies ever since.

But here's the thing. Though Star Wars has shot it into the spotlight, by the time you cross the heaving seas, climb the 618 steps, wonder at the psychadelically-beaked puffins and emerge to the cluster of beehive huts overlooking the Atlantic, Luke and Rey seem kind of irrelevant. It's jaw-dropping.

Why did the monks come here? How did they survive the inclement weather? The wind buffets you on precarious paths ('Please take care, as fatalities have occurred,' a sign warns). Headstones are ravaged, and it's pure chance as to whether you'll be caked in rain or fog or treated to resplendent sunshine.

It feels like a galaxy far, far away, but it's tantalisingly close to home.

How to do it

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Boats to the Skelligs cost around 100 for landing trips. You can also book boat tours without setting foot on the island - these start from around 40pp and take 2.5-3 hours..

Star Wars fever, a short season (typically end of May to end of September; but in 2021 the island opens on June 21st) and limited visitor numbers means seats are at a premium, so book ahead where possible.

Here's a list of the Skellig Islands boat trip operators:

Timothy Casey, Portmagee, 087 142-7137; 087 958-2198

Fionan Murphy, Valentia, 087 280-9861, 066 947-6883

Paul Devane, Portmagee, 087 617-8114

Gearoid Moran, Portmagee, 066 947-7108; 086 308-9491

Donal MacCrohan, Valentia, 087 290-6168

Seanie Murphy, Valentia, 087 236-2344

Dermot J Walsh, Valentia, 086 833-9549; 066 947-6120

Brendan Casey, Caherciveen, 087 450-1211; 066 947-2437

Michael B Casey, Portmagee, 087 144-6230

David Walsh, Ballinskelligs, 087 238-5610

Nealie Lyne, Valentia, 087 687-1261

James Duff, Valentia, 087 464-5824

Patrick Murphy, Portmagee, 087 234-2168, 087 676-2983

Michael O'Sullivan, Waterville, 066 947-4800

John O'Shea, Caherdaniel, 087 689-8431

See the OPW's official website here for the latest details.

Boat trips are weather-dependent, with decisions made based on sea conditions on the morning of travel. Even when trips go ahead, the crossings can be rough - so think twice before wolfing down that Full Irish breakfast an hour before your trip.

Some passengers do cancel, or fail to show, so it can be worth pitching up in the morning to try for tickets - but don't depend on this.

What to pack

Expand Close Little Skellig from Skellig Michael, Co. Kerry. Photo: Pol O Conghaile / Facebook

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Trips last from around 9.30am to 3.30pm, and there are no toilets or shelter on the rock - so bring sunscreen, layers, waterproofs and food (watch out for sniping gulls, though). It's a good idea to bring a backpack, so your hands are free on the uneven steps.

Skellig Michael is a wilderness site. If you feel the climb may be a challenge, or have medical conditions that could be a concern, think seriously before you travel.

Any other tips?

Expand Close Skellig Michael is home to thousands of Atlantic puffins, at least from March to September. These colourful, enigmatic seabirds spend their summers on the island, breeding and fattening their chicks on locally available food which often comprises of high calorie sand-eel and sprat. Photo: Valerie OSullivan / Facebook

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Whatsapp Skellig Michael is home to thousands of Atlantic puffins, at least from March to September. These colourful, enigmatic seabirds spend their summers on the island, breeding and fattening their chicks on locally available food which often comprises of high calorie sand-eel and sprat. Photo: Valerie OSullivan

There are OPW guides on the Skelligs who give a short spiel on the UNESCO World Heritage Site - don't be shy with the questions; they're a mine of information.

Have a Plan B in case of cancellation: Valentia Island, the Skelligs Chocolate Factory (skelligschocolate.com), Kerry Dark Sky Reserve and Ring of Skellig drive are all under-rated attractions off the traditional Ring of Kerry loop.

The Skellig Experience on Valentia Island (skelligexperience.com; 5/3) offers some super insights into the history, wildlife, lighthouses and birds of the Skelligs, whether or not you make the islands themselves.

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Where to stay

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Boats go to the Skelligs from Caherdaniel, Ballinskelligs and Valentia, but Portmagee is the main taxi stand. The Moorings (moorings.ie), run by Gerard and Patricia Kennedy, is just yards from the harbour.

It has a Star Wars package, bundling two nights' B&B with the opportunity to pull your own pint in the same bar as Luke Skywalker (AKA Mark Hamill) and a T-shirt ('May the craic be with you!') from 195pps.

NB: Prices subject to availability. Some information, such as the boatmen licensed to operate in a given year, may be subject to change.
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Ian O'Doherty Opinion For once, the UN is right  were standing on the edge of a deadly nuclear precipice

For those of us of a certain age, the last few months have felt as if we have somehow time-warped back to the 1980s. Stranger Things, which is set in that decade, has been the biggest show on TV. Kate Bush  thanks, incidentally, to Stranger Things  is now regularly played on the radio and she has reached number one in 2022 with the re-release of her 1985 hit, Running Up That Hill.
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Mary Kenny Opinion If men want to yammer on about sport, then let them  it helps them connect emotionally

I was travelling on a train from Dublin to Cork, and near me sat two Dublin men. Throughout the entire journey they managed to keep up a fluent dialogue about English football teams. From Aston Villa to Sheffield Wednesday, from Crystal Palace to Manchester City the conversation flowed eloquently. I was in awe at the minutiae of their knowledge and expertise. And if the topic of their discourse lacked a certain variety, it was nonetheless better than sitting in sullen silence, or glued to their phones.
If there's one time of the year when we can satisfy our craving for full wattage glamour, it's now. With twinkling fairy lights and shiny tinsel covering every available surface in December, it seems fair enough that we can also lash on that fabulously shiny lip-gloss, or the sparkling eyeshadow we've had rattling around in our make-up bags for the past year. Or to put it another way - now is your chance to decorate yourself!

Christmas parties and festive get-togethers are a very welcome excuse for many of us to release our inner diva, clad head-to-toe in sparkles and sequins. And, just as we embrace full-on glamour in our dressing, at Christmas time we can be bolder with our make-up looks.

As a beauty columnist, I love to wear make-up all year round, but I definitely make an extra special effort to jazz things up at Christmas. My go-to Christmas party look is lashings of sparkles on the eyes - I'm really hoping I find the gorgeously glittery MAC Snow Ball Glitter Kit (right) in my stocking this year - paired with a super glossy, nude lip. Alternatively, I opt for a vibrant matte red lip colour and lashings of mascara. It's the only time of the year that I wear a red lip, and MAC Ruby Woo is my long-standing choice.

If you feel you are stuck in a bit of a make-up rut, now is the perfect time to come out of your shell - and this, the final part of my Ultimate Party Makeover, will be your guide.

My best advice is to experiment with everything - changing your foundation, trying a new eye colour, going bolder with your lips - at home first, until you're happy with the look and feeing confident about yourself. Otherwise, trying out a new look for the very first time on a night out can make many of us feel unsure of ourselves.

Online tutorials are an amazing new resource available to everyone with internet access. I would really recommend anyone over 35 to check them out - we didn't have these amazing make-up pros on call when we were growing up! They are such a great way to up your skill set with make-up techniques and tricks of the trade.

If you're not so tech-savvy, don't worry - just book a lesson at a make-up counter in your local department store and bring your normal make-up bag with you to see what needs upgrading and what is still good to use.

Anything goes at Christmas parties, so be brave with your make-up and have fun with it. Read on and get ready to glitter, glisten and glow this festive season!

5 of the best party products

 Best long-lasting foundation

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Sleek Life Proof Foundation Oil-Free, 11.50, from pharmacies nationwide, is a long-wearing foundation with soft focus and blurring powders which leaves a smooth and matte nish to your skin that goes the distance from dawn to desk to disco! Gives a medium-to-full buildable coverage. It punches way above its weight price-wise. If you want to get a more dewy finish, add a drop of facial oil in with this foundation.

 Best for rosy cheeks

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A quick dab of blush is a speedy, sure-fire way of livening up a tired face. I prefer cream blushes as they are dewy and natural-looking, and they can double up as a lip stain. My new favourite is VB x Estee Lauder Cheek Creme in Blonde Mink, 56, from Brown Thomas, Dublin.

 Best red lips

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Decorate your face for Christmas parties in seconds with a strong red lip. (See tips overleaf for perfect application.) A strong red with a slight orange tone will make teeth look whiter. Try Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Red in N1 or N4, 36, from department stores; Tom Ford Lips & Boys in 'Connor', 35, from department stores; or Maybelline Colour Sensational in Siren In Scarlet/No 690, 9.99, from pharmacies nationwide.

 Best lashes

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This has been marketed as the "sex-proof" mascara. Seriously! That aside, Urban Decay Troublemaker Mascara, 21.15, from department stores nationwide, is divine - it will really lengthen and define your lashes and will stay in place. I do, however, find it difficult to remove but an oil-based eye make-up remover works a treat.

 Best sparkle

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If you want your eyes to twinkle and glow, MAC Snow Ball Pigment and Glitter Kit, 30, from Brown Thomas, BT2 and Arnotts, is the life of the party! With three mini glitters and pigments, eyes will look majorly tinsel-like. Apply with either a dry or wet brush, depending on the desired effect. Comes with a divine rose gold sequin bag. If this sounds too fiddly, try a sparkly eyeshadow, such as the MAC Dazzleshadow, 21 from Arnotts.

10 hair tips

1 Invest in a primer - it's a sure-fire way of getting your skin prepped, smooth and glowing for a long night of partying. Apply before foundation or mix a small drop into your foundation.

2 If you want to have very sparkly eyes, do your eye make-up first, clear off any shadow and sparkles that may have fallen onto your skin, then apply your foundation last for a flawless finish.

3 If sparkles from your eyeshadow have fallen down your cheeks, don't panic. Just roll a clean cotton bud with the tiniest smear of facial oil on it and the sparkles will come off. Then, smooth your foundation with your brush, sponge or fingers.

4 A winged, kitten-flick with your eyeliner is always a make-up winner - but it's difficult to master! I find it easier to get a straight line by using eyeliner stencils and the corner of a Post-it note as guides. I use a gel liner (less chance of splodges than with liquid liners) and a firm brush. MAC Fluidline Eyeliner Gel, 21, is as fool-proof a tool as I've found. Don't despair if you mess it up - you can always use a small amount of powder to blend a messy line out and create a smudged liner look instead!

5 Don't panic if you've been heavy-handed with any part of your make-up - simply use a clean rounded make-up brush and blend away any product you may have lashed on too much of. It will tone down as you blend.

6 When using a strong red lippy, apply foundation and powder on lips first as an anchor for the lipstick to adhere to. Apply two coats of lipstick, blotting between applications.

7 If you're confused about where to apply highlighter, you're not alone. A good guideline is to apply it really sparingly on the top of cheekbones and middle of the forehead. If you wish to amp it up, apply on the cupid's bow and down the middle of the nose. Also looks great on collarbones, decolletage across shoulders and down shinbones. Try The Balm Mary Lou Highlighter, 17, from Littlewoods, Debenhams and pharmacies.

8 A general rule of thumb for grown-up, glamorous sheen and sparkle is to only use it on one area - ie on eyes or lips or skin, not all at the same time.

9 The best desk-to-dinner make-up transformers are a slick of strong lipstick or gloss, kohl eyeliner and an added shimmer of bronzer. Bring powder, foundation brush, concealer and lipstick in your clutch bag for touch-ups throughout the night.

10 If you still have rogue flecks of sparkles stuck to your face the morning after your bash and just can't shift them, running a strip of Sellotape over the little critters will remove them. Harsh but effective.

Party pout

If you prefer your sparkles on your lips, try some of the high-gloss, hologram-effect and sparkly lip glosses available. I like HUDA Beauty Winter Solstice 4 Mini Lip Strobe Kit, 37, exclusive to Brown Thomas; MAC Lip Glass in Beaux, 19, from Brown Thomas, BT2 and Arnotts; and Essence Star Shot Lip Topper, 2.90, from Penneys and pharmacies.

The trends

Insta-glam from the catwalks

Metallic glitter eyes

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As seen at: Balmain, Elie Saab (pictured), Nicholas K, Les Copains and Alexis Mabille.

Achievability: Easy-peasy! Just slick on a metallic, glittery shadow or pencil on your eye socket and lash line, or just a tiny bit at the inner corner of your eye. Then, using a blending brush, blend and buff out.

Use: Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Colour Morphing Eye Pencils, 25, from Brown Thomas, BT2 and Arnotts.

Red lip

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As seen at: Dolce & Gabbana (pictured), Jenny Packham, Topshop Unique, MSGM and Jill Stuart.

Achievability: The easiest and quickest way to amp up your make-up from desk to dinner in a jiffy.

Use: Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Red in N1 or N4, 36, from department stores nationwide.

Peach & copper accents

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As seen at: Blugirl, Rocky Star, Max Mara and Bottega Veneta (pictured).

Achievability: Easy. Add a copper/peach/soft orange toned eyeshadow/lipstick/blush to your make-up arsenal. A fresher take on winter skin make-up - it gives an amazing lift to the face.

Use: MAC Lip Glass in Beaux, 19, from Brown Thomas, BT2 and Arnotts; NOTE Luminous Silk Blusher in Coral 03, 9.99, from pharmacies; and the peach-toned powder from Inglot's Signature Honey Eyeshadow Palette, 32, from Inglot nationwide.

The new contouring

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As seen at: Max Mara (pictured).

Achievability: A world away from the unnatural "clown contouring" popular in recent years, this is subtle, soft contouring for grown-ups. Try online tutorials to help you learn.

Use: The experienced beauty buff should try Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand Duo, 61. Newbies should try her Filmstar Bronze and Glow, 65, both from Arnotts, BT2 and Brown Thomas nationwide. A great budget alternative is Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette in 003, 8.99, from pharmacies nationwide.

Christmas countdown

3 weeks to Christmas

Things to do this week

Try a tutorial

If you're curious about contouring,eyeliner flicks or curling your lashes, but don't know where to start, online tutorials are great. I love Charlotte Tilbury's YouTube channel as she uses models of all ages with a huge range of looks from barely-there to big glam.

Invest in good quality make-up brushes

It will make it quicker and easier to have brilliant make-up if your brushes are in tip-top shape. Try the Zoeva Brush Kit, 79, from Arnotts and Brown Thomas.

Get practising

Try out new colours and looks - but practice at home first. Your technique will improve and you'll feel more confident showcasing your new look in public.
Prince Harry and his fiancee, US actress Meghan Markle, visit the Nottingham Academy as part of their first official public engagements togetheron December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England

The world was swept up in a royal fairytale romance this week as Britains Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle announced their engagement.

Millions, myself included, oohed and aahed as the beautiful Meghan stood beside her prince and showed off her whopper of a ring at their official engagement announcement.

We admired her style, a white coat which positively gleamed against the backdrop of the dreary English weather. We commented on their body language, so comfortable and at ease with one another compared to a more formal engagement announcement from William and Kate in 2010.

We laughed as members of the media awkwardly shouted questions across the pond to the loved-up couple who, un-miced for the occasion, couldnt reply coherently. We smiled at the quick hug Meghan gave her beau when they believed they were out of view. Oh, its love.

Two days later, I sat down to savour the exclusive BBC interview with the couple. Ill admit to being a romantic  I wanted to hear their story. Furthermore, I was intrigued. I have watched Meghan Markle play the character of Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits and followed her social media life on Instagram. Shes a smart lady who has had a solid acting career, shes involved in the young leader summit One Young World, shes worked as an ambassador for UN Women and the charity World Vision, and she hasnt been afraid to speak her opinion on social and political issues like Brexit and Trump.

But I felt a whole lot different after watching the sit-down interview. It didnt seem to be as much of a fairytale as Id imagined. I realised how much Meghan is giving up, or has already given up, for her relationship with Harry.

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Whatsapp Prince Harry and his fiancee, US actress Meghan Markle, visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement together on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England

The couple now live together in Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace. A cottage on the grounds of a palace?! It sounds ideal at first hearing but, when you study the many aerial views doing the rounds online, youll realise the cottage is part of the palace complex. So, the reality is Meghan has given up her beautifully-furnished LA home to live in a snug two-bed in close proximity to her future in-laws, every move watched by the upper echleons of the British Royal Family.

She has given up her role on Suits and, seemingly, her career in acting for her marriage. In fact, the Suits creator said he wrote her out of the series as early as a year ago when he took the gamble that her royal relationship would work out. Meghans future will now centre around travelling the Commonwealth with her other half and carrying out royal duties. She will now be able to focus on humanitarian work, and admitted in her BBC interview that she was ready for a change after seven years on Suits.

But whatever humanitarian work she does get involved in will be closely analysed and directed by the palace; gone is her independent streak and essentially, all the decision making skills she's developed throughout her life. She is now royal property, although she has company in the form of her future husband.

Furthermore, her travels as Prince Harrys wife and the possible future HRH Duchess of Sussex will be planned and monitored to a tee, and I doubt the holiday options include backpacking around south-east Asia or a tempting, chilled two-weeker in Lanzarote.

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As William and Kate know all too well, their trips overseas as exceptionally organised, with ever second accounted for and they are often criticsed for their personal holidays, namely the annual Middleton trip to Mustique.

A quick glance at Meghan's Instagram account (RIP) will show she stopped posting images on social media last spring, as her relationship with Harry became more serious. Before that, her accounts were packed full of pictures of her goddaughters, her family and her close friends. Her permanent move to a different continent cant be considered lightly. Meghan is giving up her privacy and her relaxed family-centred lifestyle.

She is now almost 9,000km away from her mother, her family, her closest friends and even one of her dogs who, it seems, she spent many an evening hanging out with. Her new life in the public eye will be a very different scenario, one Ive no doubt she will be well able for, but its in stark contrast to her chilled life she made for herself in a charming two storey home in Toronto.

She is giving up her home, her career, her privacy, her way of life, but Meghan is also saying goodbye to her opinion and her voice. Palace protocol means she will be discouraged, or even disallowed, from publicly expressing her views on political figures and parties. This is the lady who has used her celebrity to campaign for Hillary Clinton and criticise Donald Trump as being misogynistic. She has also expressed regret about Brexit. This isnt something that the Queen, her future grandmother-in-law, will be too enamoured with.

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Whatsapp Undated handout photo issued by World Vision of Meghan Markle during her visit to Rwanda. The charity has paid tribute to Prince Harry's bride-to-be, saying the "true humanitarian" will bring "vast energy" to her royal work

Could you give it all up for one person? Especially a person you've known less than two years.

In the space of just 18 months, Meghan Markle has given up her home, her job, her career, her privacy, her voice, her easy-going lifestyle and her everyday life with her friends and family.

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Of course she is looking at this new chapter in her life as an opportunity to be with the person she loves, but is a modern relationship not about compromise? Could the British royal family not take into account that Meghan Markle is an established career woman with her own family, friends, opinions, goals, her own way of life?

In some ways, I admire her certainty of this relationship, willing to give it all up for The One, especially because I know I wouldnt be able to give it all up for a restricted, monitored, rehearsed life.

On first glance, Prince Harry looked like the most eligible bachelor in town. He is handsome, wealthy, hes much-liked and could whisk you off to Botswana for five nights under the stars at a moments notice (always a good thing).

Life in a palace seemed luxurious and a job travelling the world was tempting.

But perhaps on a closer look, it isnt all what it seems. Ill still watch them with interest but I am well and truly snapped out of fantasy mode.

The once-eligible bachelor has baggage and the royal fairytale romance mightnt be as perfect as we all imagined.
JEROME  Are you tough enough to wear pink? That is the question the Jerome County Fair & Rodeo has asked for the past few years Tough Enough to Wear Pink Campaign (TETWP). It is a yearlong, western-industry-wide fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

The St. Lukes Magic Valley Foundation has already hit the cause with its Mammogram Fund campaign. This year the Jerome County Fair will donate $580 raised from the proceeds of the 2017 Fair Tri-Tip Cook-off Competition and St. Lukes raffle of Tough Enough to Wear Pink Pink Basket and Boise State University tickets presented at the Jerome County Fair & Rodeo.

The monies raised by Jerome County Fair & Rodeo will go directly to the Breast Cancer Detection Center in Jerome-St Lukes. The Mammogram Fund program provides financial support to relieve some of the stress and burden cancer treatment causes patients and families. When we are able to relieve some of the financial burden, breast cancer patients and their families can focus on understanding their treatment and expending energy on getting well and moving on to survivorship.

The program also serves Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.

Anyone that has gone through breast cancer knows that treatment and healing are the main priorities. I love this program because it reduces the financial stress that the patient and their families have. Getting well is the only thing they have to think about and The Mammogram Fund makes that happen. Stated the Jerome County Fair manager, Jamie Rupert.
Sadia had already fled her burning village in Burma's Rakhine state and seen her older brother marched off by soldiers to be shot before she was sold into prostitution in a seedy hotel in the Bangladeshi seaport of Chittagong.

Separated from her parents during their terrifying escape from a military crackdown on Burma's Rohingya minority that began in August, the teenager befriended another unaccompanied young girl, Ayesha, as they struggled to make it to safety in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Grim task: Rohingya Muslim men carry a body to a cemetery in Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. Since late August, more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled Burma's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh, where they are living in squalid refugee camps Photo: AP/Wong Maye-E

They crossed the border in September, but did not reach the sprawling refugee camp near the southern seaside resort of Cox's Bazar that now hosts more than 620,000 Rohingya refugees.

Instead they were deceived by Alamgir, a Rohingya man. He promised to marry Sadia and give Ayesha a job, but he sold them for 225 to a hotel owner who imprisoned the girls and pimped them out as prostitutes.

Their fate reflects growing warnings from aid agencies such as Unicef and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) that human trafficking and exploitation is now rife among desperate Rohingyas who fled ethnic cleansing in Burma with nothing but the clothing on their backs.

Subject to decades of repression, effectively under an apartheid system in Burma, the tide of persecuted Rohingya shows no sign of receding, despite a recent repatriation deal signed between Dhaka in Bangladesh and Naypyidaw, the modern capital of Myanmar.

With limited protection in Bangladesh, women and children, who make up the majority of the refugee population, are vulnerable.

Sadia and Ayesha, who concealed their small frames with modest Islamic clothing, gave The Sunday Telegraph a graphic account of the sexual abuse they had endured since arriving in Bangladesh.

"We were locked in a room and beaten and kicked if we refused to have sex. They also forced us to take drugs," said Sadia, as the girls huddled, child-like, on a sofa.

"On the first day it was a fat man with three of his friends. Then it was three to five men a day. The first time it hurt and I bled," she said, describing how Ayesha, who was withdrawn and barely spoke, had begun to suffer stomach pains.

The girls could not remember how long they had been locked up before local women helped them to escape Chittagong.

But their freedom was short-lived. Destitute and unable to pay for somewhere to stay, they became trapped in a cycle of abuse and prostitution in the back alleys of the sleazy red light district of Cox's Bazar.

"We have lost our parents. Where can we take shelter?" said Sadia, placing her head in her hands. "I don't know if my parents are alive and I want to go to the camp to find them, but I'm too frightened. I am now in disgrace.

"That man [Alamgir] has destroyed our lives."

Her fear of being publicly shamed in the Rohingyas' conservative Muslim society, where the "honour" of an unmarried woman and her family is firmly bound to her virginity, is not unfounded.

Harrowing reports of the widespread rape of Rohingya women by Burmese soldiers are well documented, but in the endless maze of flimsy, overcrowded huts in the Kutupalong refugee camp, survivors are desperately trying to conceal their pain for fear of being ostracised. One 15-year-old girl who had been gang-raped said her family had been taunted so much when their camp neighbours found out, that her brother had told her to kill herself.

Another girl, just 16, covered her face and stared blankly at the ground as her mother, Nur Hassan, recounted in hushed tones how they and their neighbours were herded into a room by soldiers who then dragged her daughter away and gang-raped her until she lost consciousness.

"Before this happened she was engaged to be married and everything was perfect, but the boy no longer wants to go through with it," she said.

After escaping slaughter, rape and starvation at the hands of Burmese soldiers, women and girls, who make up just over half of the population in the destitute tent city, and children in particular, still face serious threats.

Benjamin Steinlechner, a Unicef spokesman, said: "Adolescent girls and boys are particularly vulnerable to multiple risks in the camps - child labour, forced labour, trafficking, gender-based violence and early marriage."

Unicef, the United Nations organisation providing relief to children and mothers, has set up 515 adolescent groups where social workers are teaching around 28,000 young people how to spot the warning signs of exploitation.

At a group meeting last week in the Balukhali area of the camp, teenage girls spoke of their fears about being unprotected at night in makeshift tents built with bamboo and plastic sheeting.

Dangers lurk across the dusty, congested lanes of the world's fastest-growing refugee camp, where it is easy to become disorientated and easy prey for traffickers.

The IOM has said it is already aware of cases of Rohingya refugees being trafficked overseas.

Abdul Khalek (55) believes his daughter Senuara (18) was trafficked to India after losing her way back from one of the camp's health centres.

"She was forced into a car by a people smuggler," said Mr Khalek, adding that he had since heard from a former neighbour living in the Indian city of Kolkata that Senuara had been arrested crossing the border and was in jail in India.

Her husband, Ali Hossein (22) said she was targeted by a known Rohingya "broker" who wanted to sell her. "The man's parents threatened me when I tried to get his number," he said.

Unicef and IOM are following up the cases of Sadia and Ayesha, whose names have been changed to protect their identity.

After the initial chaos of rushing to meet urgent needs for food, shelter and healthcare, aid groups are turning their attention to spotting the signs of invisible exploitation, including domestic slavery.

Begum Zanahar, a mother of five, lost two of her daughters in the scramble to escape the military onslaught of their village Lambaguna in the Akyab district of Burma's Arakan region in late August. The youngest, Humaira (12) was reunited with her family, but Zanahar discovered recently that the eldest, Sofaira (15), was being kept by their former neighbours in Cox's Bazar to work as their nanny.

"I spoke to my daughter and she said they were making her do household chores and not letting her go," she said through tears.

"We know these people from our village and they are very wealthy, but when I called the husband to ask for my daughter back he said she was happy there and he hung up the phone.

"Now he won't pick up and I don't know what to do. There is nobody to help me."
Firefighters after a blaze resulting in deaths and injuries broke out in a building in Saarbruecken, western Germany (AP)

Four people have been killed and 23 others injured in a fire at flats in western Germany.

One of the victims was severely injured after jumping off the roof of the burning building in the city of Saarbruecken.

More than 100 firefighters and 25 police officers have gone to the scene to try to rescue tenants in the building where most residents are living on public assistance.

The fire is reported to have started on the first or second floor and spread quickly to higher floors.

Police said the cause of the fire is not yet known.

AP
ALL four members of the British government's Social Mobility Commission have quit accusing Prime Minister Theresa May of being too fixated on Brexit to improve the prospects of those from poor backgrounds.

May has said she would create an economy which works for all Britons, but the commission's chairman Alan Milburn, a former minister in Tony Blair's Labour government, said she was failing to deliver on her promises.

"I have reached the conclusion sadly that the current government bears little, if any, hope of progress being made towards the fairer Britain the prime minister has talked about," Milburn told the BBC on Sunday.

"The government for understandable reasons is focused on Brexit and seems to lack the bandwith to be able to translate the rhetoric of healing social division and promoting social justice into reality."

May talked about tackling the "burning injustices" in society on her first day as prime minister last year.

She talked about tackling racism, gender inequality, the underperformance of government schools and the difficulties young people face buying a home.

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A government spokesman said it was making good progress on social mobility.

"We accept there is more to do and that is why we are focusing our efforts in disadvantaged areas where we can make the biggest difference," the spokesman said.

May, who presides over a warring cabinet and has faced an open rebellion by some of her own lawmakers, is being buffeted by crises.

Two ministers have quit May's cabinet in the last month, placing a strain on the government ahead of the Dec. 14-15 summit on Britain's exit from the European Union, when Britain wants EU leaders to give a green light to talks about future trade relations.

An opinion poll published for the Mail On Sunday newspaper put Labour on 45 percent with the ruling Conservatives on 37 percent, the biggest lead for opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn's party in a survey by pollster Survation since late 2013.

"An 8 point lead would put the Labour party into overall majority territory if such vote share totals were reflected at the ballot box," Survation said.

Corbyn has promised sweeping renationalisation, tax rises for the rich and increased welfare spending, including an end to healthcare cuts and scrapping university tuition fees
The Palestinian president has warned that US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital would jeopardise the White House's nascent Mideast peace efforts.

President Mahmoud Abbas' comments came amid a diplomatic push by the Palestinian leader to rally international support against the possible US move later this week.

"Any American step related to the recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, or moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, represents a threat to the future of the peace process and is unacceptable for the Palestinians, Arabs and internationally," Mr Abbas told a group of visiting Arab politicians from Israel, according to the official Wafa news agency.

US officials have said President Donald Trump may recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital this week as a way to offset his likely decision to delay his campaign promise of moving the US embassy there.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, with most government functions, including the prime minister's office, Supreme Court and parliament, located in the holy city.

But the international community says the city's status should be determined through peace talks. The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967, as their capital.

Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said late Saturday that the president had been in touch with Arab and world leaders to rally opposition against any US move on Jerusalem.

He said Mr Abbas had been in contact with leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and France.

"We believe that such an American step, if it takes place, will enter the region in a new course, and a dangerous phase whose results cannot be controlled," he said.

The White House, led by Mr Trump's adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has held months of meetings with leaders across the region ahead of an expected peace initiative.

While the proposal is expected to be regional in scope, little is known about the details, including whether Mr Trump will continue the policies of recent predecessors in supporting the notion of an independent Palestinian state.

Mr Kushner said Sunday that Mr Trump has not yet decided whether to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital or whether to proceed immediately in moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

"He is still looking at a lot of different facts," Mr Kushner said at the Saban Forum, an annual Mideast policy conference in Washington.

Ahead of Mr Kushner's comments, the chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, urged the US not to move forward with any change on Jerusalem's status.

Doing so, he said, "is not only going to promote international anarchy and disrespect for global institutions and law, but it will also be disqualifying itself to play any role in any initiative toward achieving a just and lasting peace".

AP
Hundreds of people staged another protest on Sunday in the Romanian capital to pressure the government into scrapping a proposed restructuring of the justice system that critics say would make it hard to punish high-level corruption.

The protesters waved flags and shouted "Resign!" and "Justice, not corruption!" outside the government offices.

"The political class wants to destroy Romania and the rule of law, and the only solution is for us to protest," Marian Raduna, 37, an engineer who was holding a Romanian flag, said.

Senior members of the governing left-wing coalition, including Social Democratic Party chairman Liviu Dragnea, are under investigation for corruption.

Mr Dragnea is unable to serve as prime minister due to a 2016 conviction for vote-rigging. His allies claim the prosecutions are politically motivated.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Social Democratic Party, Codrin Stefanescu, said the party would organise protests in Bucharest and other cities next weekend against what he called "the parallel state".

That's a phrase recently coined by the party and its allies to refer to the justice system and Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, an opposition ally.

On Saturday, a few protesters briefly scuffled with police in a square outside the government offices where demonstrations have been taking place regularly since January over Bucharest mayor Gabriela Firea's plans to use the site for a Christmas fair.

Protesters dismantled scaffolding and fences, and even Prime Minister Mihai Tudose criticised the mayor's plans. Ms Firea, a senior ruling party member, said she would hold the fair elsewhere.

AP
US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh Twitter attack on the credibility of his own FBI.

He was responding to disclosures that an FBI agent was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian election meddling because of anti-Trump text messages.

Mr Trump, two days after his former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, again denied that he directed FBI director James Comey to stop investigating Mr Flynn.

The Republican president offered a running Twitter commentary on Sunday amid renewed focus on Mr Mueller's probe and Mr Flynn's decision to co-operate with the investigation as part of his plea agreement.

Democrats said the developments suggested growing evidence of co-ordination between Mr Trump's circle and Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

California senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the panel was beginning to see "the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice" against Mr Trump.

"I think we see this in indictments ... and some of the comments that are being made. I see this in the hyperfrenetic attitude of the White House, the comments every day, the continual tweets," Ms Feinstein said.

"And I see it most importantly in what happened with the firing of director Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation. That's obstruction of justice."

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump questioned the direction of the federal law enforcement agency and wrote that after Mr Comey, who Trump fired in May, the FBI's reputation is "in Tatters - worst in History!"

He vowed to "bring it back to greatness".

The president also retweeted a post saying new FBI director Chris Wray "needs to clean house".

The president seized on reports that a veteran FBI counter-intelligence agent was removed from Mr Mueller's team last summer after the discovery of an exchange of text messages that were viewed as potentially anti-Trump.

The agent, Peter Strzok, had also worked on the investigation of Democrat Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mr Mueller, said Mr Mueller removed Peter Strzok from the team "immediately upon learning of the allegations".

He would not elaborate on the nature of the accusations.

Mr Trump tweeted Sunday: "Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI 'agent's role in Clinton probe under review.' Led Clinton Email probe."

In a separate tweet, he wrote: "Report: 'ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE' Now it all starts to make sense!"

Mr Strzok's removal almost certainly reflected a desire to insulate the investigators from any claims of political bias or favouritism.

Mr Trump and many of his supporters have at times sought to discredit the integrity of the investigation, in part by claiming a close relationship between Mr Mueller and Mr Comey and by pointing to political contributions to Democrats made by some lawyers on the team.

Following the tweets, senator Lindsey Graham warned the president to tread cautiously. "You tweet and comment regarding ongoing criminal investigations at your own peril. I'd be careful if I were you, Mr President. I'd watch this," Mr Graham said.

Mr Mueller has been investigating whether Trump campaign associates co-ordinated with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, and Mr Strzok's background in counter-intelligence would have been seen as particularly valuable for a secretive FBI probe examining foreign contacts.

Mr Mueller's investigation has so far netted charges against four people, with the most recent criminal case brought Friday when Mr Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.

AP
New Delhi, Dec 3 (IBNS): Mesco Steel is planning to acquire some plants to tap into the growing opportunities in the domestic market and more than double its production capacity to 5.25 million tonnes, the company's CMD Rita Singh said.

She however declined to comment on whether Mesco was eyeing a company facing insolvency proceedings.

According to sources, Mesco is interested in Electrosteel which has a debt of Rs 10,000 crore and is also exploring a few options in three Indian states.

These plants either have huge debts or are unable to face the tough competition in the market, they said.

"We have a total production capacity of 2.25 MT from our 2 plants Mideast Integrated Steels and Maithan Ispat Limited at Jajpur, Odisha. We want to expand our capacity to 5.25 MT looking at the opportunities in the sector."

"Mesco is always interested in acquiring such debt-laden assets," Singh told in an interview.

Automobile and infrastructure sectors are growing by leaps and bounds and both require lots of steel, she said.

On the risks involved in turning around firms which are under-performing or debt-laden, she said: "We are an experienced player and we are a master in it. We made the Maithan Ispat functional within 10 days of acquisition."

Odisha-based Maithan Ispat was acquired by acquired Mesco in a debt and equity deal in March, 2015. "On April 10, we made the plant functional. Turning around an under performing or debt-laden plant is an art and we know it well," Singh said.

She added that Mesco will acquire a debt-laden firm if it comes its way.

Singh said that referring firms to NCLT for insolvency only delays the recovery process and likened the process to "out of court settlement".

If some company is unable to perform, the creditors can suggest them some potential buyers to whom the debtors can go directly, she said, adding that it makes the entire recovery process much smoother.

She said the same happened when the company took over Maithan Ispat. "If today Maithan Ispat was on the list of RBI list, do you think the creditors would have got their entire due amount so smoothly and quickly."

Maithan had a debt of Rs 614 crore and now it has been regular in payment of interest and principal to the tune of Rs 188 crore, she said, adding that it has been successfully turnaround by Mesco within 2 years of acquisition.

"We are likely to expand the existing facility of Maithan Ispat limited by adding TMT and Heavy Section Mill," she said.

Singh further said that the company has already drawn a plan for raw material supply.

"We have a 3 MTPA iron ore mine in Barbil, Odisha. We are looking to raise the capacity to 6 MTPA. We have already got the clearance for that but the catch is that the mine is with us only for next two years. The government will put it for auction in 2019," she said.

She added however that the company will aggressively bid for it as also others mines that are put up for auction by the government.
TWIN FALLS  Rotary Club of Twin Falls has awarded $1,500 to Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council to provide low-income Girl Scouts in the Twin Falls area with financial aid for Girl Scout related programs and activities. The council currently serves 400 kindergarten through 12th grade girls in the Twin Falls area.

Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council aligns with the Rotary Clubs mission to help local youth. The Rotary Club of Twin Falls was founded in 1918 to improve the local community. For more information or to join the Rotary Club of Twin Falls, visit www.twinfallsrotary.org.

Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council is a girl-led youth development organization that serves more than 4,100 girls throughout southern Idaho. The council, along with a team of 2,300 local volunteers, delivers educational leadership programs that build girls of courage, confidence, and character.
New Delhi, Dec 3 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tributes to the first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on his Jayanti.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad became an active part of Indias freedom struggle. He participated in grass root level movements such as the non-cooperation movement and provided great leadership to the Constituent Assembly as its President," Modi said in his message.

"As the first President of India, his leadership and guidance was extremely valuable for our nation during the formative years," he said.

"Generations of Indians are inspired by Dr. Rajendra Prasads distinguished service, the Prime Minister added.
Screengrab from YouTube

Islamabad, Dec 3 (IBNS): After getting freedom from house arrest, Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed, who is the leader of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), has announced that his party would contest Pakistan general elections in 2018, media reports said.

If it happens, this would mean banned terror group JuD's foray into the country's electoral politics.

He will contest the election for his party Milli Muslim League (MML), which was formed during his house detention.

After walking free from house arrest, Saeed had earlier promised to unite Pakistan for the independence of Kashmir from India.



Saeed was quoted in the media as saying, "I fight the case of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir. And we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom."

Saeed was placed under house arrest for 10 months.

According to him, it was under US' pressure that the Pakistani government obliged to place him under detention.

Saeed has also accused India of putting up baseless claims against him.

"I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir," he had said.

"... I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India," Saeed told his supporters outside his residence.

"I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved three judges of the LHC ordered my release ...India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC's review board decision has proved that I am innocent," he had added.




Guwahati, Dec 3 (IBNS): Militants on Saturday attacked a convoy of Assam Rifles troopers at a remote area in Manipur, officials said on Sunday.

However, there were no reports of any casualty.

A top official of Assam Rifles said that, the militants attacked on the Assam Rifles troops who were on their way to conduct a medical camp at Aishi village in Kamjong district.

"The militants had attacked on the troop of D Coy 31 Assam Rifles led by Major Jagannathan by exploding three Improvised Explosive Device (IED). When the troop reached the village three IED were exploded," the Assam Rifles official said.

The militants also fired several rounds of gun shots and the Assam Rifles team too retaliated.

There was an exchange of bullets for an hour.

Following the militants attack, top officials of Assam Rifles and police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.

They launched massive operation against the attackers.

The insurgency hit north eastern Indian state witnessed several militant attacks upon security forces in the past.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
The General officer reviewed the operational preparedness of the Assam Rifles in Nagaland.

The Director General of Assam Rifles was briefed on the prevailing security situation in the State including the employment of Assam Rifles and other Security Forces and the co-ordination between all organs of the government.

During his visit, the Director General stressed on the need for synergy of effort at all levels and commended all Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Jawans for their untiring efforts towards ensuring peace and tranquility in the State.



During his stay in Nagaland, the Director General Assam Rifles also visited the Hornbill event as the Chief guest on Sunday wherein he expressed his joy to be a part of the festival and extended warm greetings to all.

He also complimented the people of Nagaland for organizing such a marvelous festival wherein addressing the locals, DGAR said that the unique, rich, varied and vibrant culture of Nagaland showcased today as a perfect melange of cultural displays has left me spellbound and mesmerized.

"I am aware that your culture is not only about colourful costumes, dances and songs, but is also reflective of strength, honesty and simplicity of the society and the great warrior tradition which runs in the blood of every Naga. This cultural heritage must be preserved and promoted for our future generations to follow and to set an example for our fellow countrymen to emulate," The DGAR said.

DGAR and all ranks of Assam Rifles extend very warm greetings to people of all the communities of Nagaland on Horn Bill Festival.

DGAR also conveyed sincere prayers to the almighty to keep a benign eye on the people of Nagaland to bring about peace, prosperity and tranquility in the days to come.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, the Changlang Battalion of Assam Rifles on Dec 1 launched an operation at Mullong village on receiving information about two NSCN-IM militants who carried out extortion from the villagers.

The troops have nabbed two militants from the area and they were identified as Mohonong Tikhak and Ronong Tikhak.

Security personnel recovered a pistol along with live ammunition and other incriminating documents in possession from them.

"Changlang Battalion under the aegis of DAO DIVISION has been carrying out relentless operations in south Arunachal Pradesh to keep the area peaceful and out of clutches of insurgents and these apprehensions will go a long way in creating fear among the anti national elements in the area," Colonel Konwer said.

Security Forces have been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this apprehension has struck a huge blow to the extortion activities being carried out by the militants of the group in the area.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)


According to reports, during an argument with prison officer Govinda Chandra Dey, Musa suddenly attacked him and tried to cut the neck of the policeman with a sharpen spoon at around 6:30 am. in Kolkata's Alipore Central Correctional Home.

After being rescued, the prison guard was rushed to a local hospital in a serious condition.

"The on duty jail guard, Govinda Chandra Dey, was taken to SSKM and later shifted to CMRI hospital," a source in police told IBNS.

"Following the incident, Musa has been shifted to another cell and he's being continuously monitored," he added.

The jail authority, however, has started probe into the matter.

"We are looking into the matter to confirm whether it was a sudden attack or a pre-planned strike with an intention to kill the policeman," a senior police official told IBNS.

Earlier in July last year, National Investigation Agency (NIA) nabbed ISIS suspect and JMB linkman Musa from Burdwan railway station in West Bengal.

Besides NIA and Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh and the USA's investigation agencies, RAB and FBI respectively, quizzed the 26-year-old resident of West Bengal's Birbhum district, who was suspected to be an 'ISIS lone wolf'.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
New Delhi, Dec 3 (IBNS): Indian Navy's search and rescue operations continued for the third day over Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' on Sunday.

The ships deployed by the Southern Naval Command include IN Ships Sagardhwani, Jamuna, Nireekshak, Kabra and Kalpeni off the Kerala coast and Sharda , Shardul towards Lakshadweep islands.

Besides this three air craft viz, Dornier (Do) fixed wing aircraft, Seaking Helicopter (SK) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) were also deployed throughout the day.

A total of 84 personnel have been rescued over the last two days which includes 62 by aircrafts and 22 by ships. Additionally, transfer of two dead bodies was also effected through ALH to Thiruvananthapuram after being picked up by INS Sagardhwani.

Of the 62 people rescued by naval aircraft 8 personnel were transferred to Kochi in batches of four after being picked up 20 Nautical miles southwest and 80 nautical miles west of Kochi respectively.

Those evacuated to Kochi were given preliminary first aid at naval clinic at INS Garuda before being handed over to the civil administration. The rest of the rescued persons have been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram.

INS Shardul from Kochi is heading towards Minicoy islands with Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) bricks, which includes water, dry provisions, medical equipment, blankets, diving team, generators, salvage equipment, desalination and decontamination kits, diving team and has a Chetak helicopter embarked.

The relief material would sustain 2000 persons for over a period of seven days. INS Sharda is heading towards Kavaratti islands with HADR material sufficient to last for more than seven days for 500 people. The ship while proceeding to the islands, saved nine lives from a capsized boat in distress enroute.

Naval ships fom Mumbai, INS Chennai, Kolkata and Trikand have also sailed out from Mumbai for Lakshadweep and Minicoy (LAM) islands with HADR material sufficient for approximately 5000 persons and would last for more than seven days.

Androth and Kavaratti are reported to be experiencing strong winds of 40-60 knots coupled high swells of 3-4 metres with a sea state of 5-6. All the ships are expected to reach LAM by Monday morning.

In addition to the aircraft from Kochi, the P8I aircraft from Arakkonam with greater reach is being used to maintaining a close vigil continuously over the sailing ships and provide inputs if any.

The areas close to coast would continuously monitored using DO aircraft from Kochi.




Srinagar, Dec 3 (IBNS) Terrorists lobbed a grenade on a police station in Handwara of north Kashmirs Kupwara district Sunday evening, police said.

The incident occurred in Kralgund village in Handwara.

However, there was no immediate report of any injury.

Last evening, terrorists lobbed grenade at a police station in Baramulla without causing damage.

(Reporting by Saleem Qadri)
One can always trust Christopher Nolan to come up with something spectacular for cinema lovers. The teaser of his new film, Dunkirk, doesn't reveal much (like always) but sure as hell looks intense.

imgur

But do we really know about the Dunkirk evacuation that the film is based on? The largest evacuation of the allied forces in World War II, there's a reason it was also referred to as the 'Miracle of Dunkirk'.

ww2today.com

In 1940, the Allied forces had lost the Battle of France

It was the time of the second World War; the German army had invaded the Ardennes region of France and was marching north. They had also invaded from the east which kept the Netherlands quiet. They were looking unstoppable at that point of time as they advanced through Belgium, and were successful in dividing the combined forces of the British, French and Belgian armies around Armentieres in northern France. The German troops managed to capture Calais, a port city in northern France, also the primary ferry crossing point between France and England. The powerful Panzer (armour in German) division of the German army also had a large division of soldiers from the allied forces trapped on the coast of the Franco-Belgian border.

Britain had already given up all hope. The battle was as good as over, and the allied military leaders had now started devising plans to get as many soldiers of the troops back to safety in England before being massacred by the Nazis. Then Prime Minister of Britain, Winston Churchill, called it "a colossal military disaster," before adding that "the whole root and core and brain of the British army" were stranded in Dunkirk, ready to either be captured and tortured or perish.

Charles Cundall

The Dunkirk evacuation

The Dunkirk evacuation, also referred to as Operation Dynamo, was incredibly crucial. Failure not only meant the death of a large number of people, but it could've also meant the British government toppling over and being replaced by one that would have been more cooperative with the Germans.

The preparations for Operation Dynamo began on the 22nd of May, 1940. Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay had called for as many naval vessels as possible along with every ship that could carry at least 1000 men. The 2nd Panzer division led by German General Major Rudolf Veiel built 5 bridges over the Canal Line with only one British battalion standing in their way to Dunkirk.

On 23rd May, German Field Marshall Gerd von Rundstedt ordered the Panzer units to halt. He was afraid his forward troops would run out of supply. He was also unsure about the safety of his flanks. He was concerned about the marshy ground around Dunkirk - it would have been unsuitable for the tanks he wanted to save for later operations. Hitler agreed with Rundstedt's decision as well.

aphamsquarterly.org

The first wave

Moving forward to the 27th of May, a request was made to Allied civilians for all shallow draught vessels which were to be included in the operation. From Belgian barges to private yachts, fire ships, even paddle steamers and fishing boats came out to help. In fact, one of the boats was captained by the former second officer of the Titanic.

Three routes were allocated to the evacuating vessels. Route Z was the shortest with a distance of 72 km but it went by the French coast. The vessels using the route saw heavy shelling from the army on-shore, more so during the day time. Route X that was 102 km north out of Dunkirk was safe from surface attacks but nearby minefields and sand banks made it nearly impossible to use it at night. The longest was Route Y which was 161 km. Travel time here would be increased by 4 hours, double the time required for Route Z. Ships on Route Y were the most likely to be attacked by German surface vessels, submarines, and the Luftwaffe (German Air Force). They set out on the night of the 27th but could only manage to rescue 8000 soldiers due to heavy German fire.

oostendevooranker.be

The second wave

The very next day, on 28th of May, another major attempt was made. 16,000 soldiers were rescued but not without casualties. Many boats, ships and other vessels either sank or were badly destroyed. Luftwaffe engaged with the Allied forces in a fierce battle in the sky. RAF lost a staggering 177 planes with the Luftwaffe losing 132.

doverhistorian.com

The miracle of Dunkirk

On the 29th of May, something unexpected happened. Nothing short of a miracle. The German army stopped marching towards Dunkirk and the Panzer divisions were asked to withdraw. Hitler was so convinced that Luftwaffe would be able to capture the area on its own, he reduced his infantry there. Call it a rookie error from the tyrant or a sign of overconfidence, the weakened German side made it possible for the Allies to rescue 30,000 men. 68,000 were rescued the following day. Another 10,000-odd overnight and 65,000 the day after. The rescue operation went on until the 4th of June with five countries from the Allied forces working in tandem to evacuate every living soul from Dunkirk - Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and of course, France.

A total of 900 vessels were used to evacuate 3,38,226 men from the clutches of death. Churchill very rightly hailed it as a "miracle" and applauded the "Dunkirk spirit" for never giving up even when the tides were against them.

An epic tale of rescue when death was almost a certainty will be brought to the silver screen by legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan on 21st July, 2017.
TWIN FALLS  A suspected drug trafficker shot at a state trooper in the Twin Falls Walmart parking lot early Saturday morning, according to a statement from Idaho State Police.

At around 3 a.m., troopers were attempting to arrest Bonafacio Carlos Taffola, 24, and Arcenio Sosa Solorio, 26, authorities said. The two men, Mexican nationals who are thought to have recently lived in the Twin Falls area, are suspected of drug trafficking, according to police.

While troopers were attempting to arrest Taffola and Solorio, one of the men reportedly took out a pistol and shot at an officer. Nobody was hit or injured, ISP said. One of the suspects tried to run away, but was taken into custody shortly after.

Thirty-eight pounds of marijuana were found in the suspects car, along with 2 grams of methamphetamine and paraphernalia, according to police. All in all, approximately $75,000 worth of drugs were taken as evidence.

Both Taffola and Solorio have been booked into the Twin Falls County Jail.
Bigg Boss is one show where if you play the couple-angle strategy, the chances of your survival shoot up. Considering how people are fond of seeing romance on the small screen, this strategy worked well for Gauhar Khan, who went on to win the show too.

Colors

However, Bandgi Kalra, who has been head over heels in love with Puneesh has been evicted this week from Salman Khan's reality show.

Colors

Nominated with her were Puneesh and Luv Tyagi and while both the guys managed to rake in a good number of votes, Bandgi could not survive these evictions.

Colors

The episode will air tonight and this eviction will definitely leave Puneesh crestfallen.

Colors

While the inmates were assuming that it was Luv Tyagi's turn to leave the house, looks like the audience didn't like Bandgi's dirty tactics during the captain-ship task which was given this week.
Today is the 33rd anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy which began on December 2 and followed the other day as well, December 3. The gas leak incident considered the world's worst industrial disaster, killed thousands.

The incident occurred on the night of 23 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Over 500,000 people were exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other chemicals.

Thirty-three after the Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors are still fighting for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the toxic leak.

AP

Families of the deceased and people who bore the brunt of the industrial disaster are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the government filed in December 2010 for more compensation.

The US company which then owned the chemical plant here, from where the poisonous gas leaked in 1984, has not yet adequately compensated the victims, a Madhya Pradesh minister said.

The victims of the "world's worst disaster" had not been paid adequately by US-based Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) now owned by Dow Chemicals, MP's Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vishwas Sarang told PTI.

Abdul Jabbar, the convenor of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan, who has been working for the survivors for over three decades, said, "We all challenged the meagre compensation in the Supreme Court saying that the number of victims was 'too high' and the compensation given by Union Carbide was 'too small' in 1989,"Jabbar said.

AFP/representational image

He added that the claim courts for the tragedy started work in Bhopal in 1990 and completed it by 2005.

The Rs 715 crore-compensation was paid to the families of 15,274 deceased and 5.74 lakh affected by the leak, he said.
Cyclone Ockhi's impact continues in Kerala and so far it has claimed 13 lives in the state including seven lives on Saturday. In all, 450 fishermen have been rescued by the various agencies including Indian Navy and Coastguard, yet 117 fishermen were feared missing till Saturday evening and rescue efforts were on. According to the latest tweet by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said that a total of 952 fishermen from near Kerala who were caught in the rough seas have safely reached Maharashtra's Sindhudurg coast.

Fadnavis said that "68 fishing boats have reached Maharashtra, out of which 66 are from Kerala and two from Tamil Nadu, with total 952 fishermen on board. All are safe".

AP

Kerala government announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the immediate relatives of the fishermen who lost their lives to the Ockhi cyclone while fishing in the sea.

Kerala Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the rescue and relief activities following the Ockhi cyclonic storm which wreaks havoc in the southern parts of the state was progressing in full swing.

#HADR #CycloneOckhi #SAR for fishermen stranded in the wake of Cyclone Ochki continues with 10 naval ships and 8 aircraft deployed in various areas off Kerala coast to render immediate assistance @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/YjmPcqJbFR  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 3, 2017

@IndiaCoastGuard continues #CycloneOckhi response with 09 Ships and 02 Dornier Aircraft off Kerala and Tamil Nadu Coast. 52 Fishermen rescued so far . International Safety Net (ISN) activated to advise Merchant Traffic to render assistance. @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/QJDOh4g5pn  Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 1, 2017

Almost 400 people have been rescued from the seas. The Rs 10 lakh assistance is in addition to the routine compensation given by the fisheries department. Those who sustained injuries in the havoc would be given Rs 15,000 financial assistance. This is also in addition to the Rs 5000 routine compensation being given by the fisheries department during such eventualities," the chief minister told reporters on Saturday.

The cyclone that developed into a severe cyclonic storm on Dec 1 over Lakshadweep and adjoining south-east Arabian Sea intensified on Saturday with wind speeds of 145 km per hour at Minicoy and Kavaratti islands of Lakshadweep. The system is likely to intensify further and move west and northwestwards during the next 24 hours and expected to re-curve northeastwards during subsequent 48 hours.
Pakistan has violated more than 720 ceasefires along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017. Pakistan soldiers have violated ceasefire 724 times along the IB and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016.

According to the data compiled by the Union home ministry, As many as 12 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October.

AFP/Representational Image

A total of 79 civilians and 67 security personnel were also injured in the firing.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

ALSO READ: Today In 1949, An Agreement On LoC Ceasefire Was Drawn Which India Respects But Pakistan Violates

Reuters/Representational Image

In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

In 2014, there were 583 incidents of ceasefire violation in which 14 civilians and three security personnel were killed and 101 civilians and 28 security personnel were injured.

In 2015, the number of ceasefire violations was 405; 347 in 2013, 114 in 2012, 62 in 2011 and 70 in 2010.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Commits 105 Ceasefire Violations Just In 2017, Killing & Injuring Civilians & Jawans
Dipesh Tank uses his special glasses to catch eve-teasers and harassers in Mumbai Locals. He has lived in the slums of Mumbai and started working at a very young age of 16.

He recalls this one day in particular, while he was returning home from work in the Mumbai local. The incident forced him to think about his mother who travels in the city during the odd hours.

Humans of Bombay

Talking about the incident on his Facebook page - 'Humans Of Bombay', Dipesh recalled how it inspired him to take matters into his own hands -

"I saw a group of men harassing women who were trying to get into the ladies compartment. I couldn't fight them alone, so I went to the cops who initially tried to dismiss me. After some coaxing, one of the officers came with me  but by then these men had left. I was really affected by this  I thought of my own mother who would return home late after work and being harassed in this mannerwouldnt Have I done something? I couldn't let it go."

He researched on the recurrence of teasing, groing, and assault and discovered how common gender-based harassment and sexual assaults were in the Mumbai locals.

Dipesh then decided to be a part of the change.

He bought a pair of glasses with a built-in HD video recorder camera, just to be able to record and catch the perpetrators and have them reported to the cops.

"My documentation made me feel sick-- I got a taste of being in these womens shoes, and the harassment they faced " Dipesh said.

Representational image

Dipesh and his friends started a campaign in 2013 to fight women harassment. The campaign is known as WARR (War Against Railway Rowdies).

The team collected evidence against perpetrators and presented it to the police to nab them.

In the past six months, WARR has managed to catch 140 harassers and eve-teasers.

Dipesh summed up his talk with Human Of Bombay with these inspiring lines -

"I know I took a step towards this, because I felt personally responsible for the men who were behaving like beasts. All men everywhere are looked at in a certain light, because of the few hundreds who create the chaos  I wanted to try and restore that balance. I have tremendous respect for all women, and it started at home  my mother taught me well I didnt respect anyone as much as her. And maybe thats the message we should send out  raise better boys at home, and the world will know fewer disrespectful men.
Hitting out at those who opposed to the bullet train project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested that they opposing it should travel on bullock carts.

Modi made the comment while lashing out at the Congress for its criticism of the Rs 1.1 lakh crore project, which he said was "a negligible price" -- connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai and to be built by Japan.

PTI

He said the Congress government too wanted the project but failed to get it and so was now opposing it.

"Those opposing the bullet train project should travel on bullock carts. We won't mind," he told an election rally at the Amod Sugar factory near this Gujarat city on the banks of the Narmada.

Modi said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor to be built by the state-run Japan International Cooperation Agency would open up a huge employment opportunity in Gujarat.

"Imagine how much employment will it generate for the region, for Bharuch. I ask you where will the cement for the bullet train (infrastructure) come from, iron come from, laborers come from? Won't that be from India? And who will be buying that? Japan. Isn't it a big deal?" Modi asked.

ALSO READ: Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Will Have 70 Daily Rides, Fare Likely Between Rs 3,000-5,000

AFP/Representational Image

He said the UPA government under Manmohan Singh also wanted the project but could not get it. "The NDA government got it at a negligible price. So the Congress didn't like that. My only grievance against the Congress is that if they could not achieve anything, why does it pain them when someone else does it."
Think you're having a bad day at work? It could be far worse. Imagine finding 200 live cockroaches crawling around. That's what happened to customs officials at a Chinese airport on November 25. Local media reports they were shocked to discover hundreds of live cockroaches after inspecting an elderly couple's luggage. The nasty discovery left at least one official close to tears.

Twitter/Representational Image

According to Global Times, security officials at Guangdong province's Baiyun International Airport spotted "movement" when the couple's bags went through an x-ray machine.

"They were carrying a bucket, but when it passed through the x-ray something unusual showed up," a security official told Global Times. "One of our staff opened their luggage and a roach crawled out of it. She almost cried," he added.

When asked why they had the live cockroaches in their luggage, the man reportedly said they were part of a home remedy for a skin condition his wife had.

"They were part of an old folk remedy. You mix the roaches in some medicinal cream and put it on your skin," the security guard quoted the man as saying.

Pressks/Representational Image

The man refused to elaborate on what his wife's skin condition was.

BBC quotes Chinese newspaper Beijing Youth Daily as saying the couple left the roaches behind after being told they wouldn't be allowed to board the plane with them.

What ultimately happened to the creepy-crawlies is not known.
Sending and receiving text messages is pretty much second nature to us these days, an indispensable facet of our digital lives. And it all started 25 years ago, on this day -- the birth of SMS.

1st ever SMS was sent today 25 years ago

Back in 1992, Vodafone's software engineer Neil Papworth wrote 'Merry Christmas' to company director Richard Jarvis on December 3, on a breakthrough mobile communication technology that later came to be universally known as Short Messaging Service or SMS.

While Papworth sent out the first ever SMS to a mobile phone exactly 25 years ago, short messaging service didn't pick up until a year later. That's right, when Nokia added a beep sound to their phones in 1993 to signal the sending and receiving of an SMS, it pretty much single-handedly popularized the adoption of SMS as a communication medium.

Well before Twitter popularized its 140-character messaging (or micro-blogging?) platform, SMS allowed people to communicate in 160-character long messages -- without any Internet.

SMS or short messaging service

So, did the Vodafone engineer who sent the world's first ever SMS had any idea of the technology's impact? "I had no idea just how popular texting would become," Neil Papworth was quoted as saying, "and that this would give rise to emojis and messaging apps used by millions."

Of course, one unfortunate consequence of communicating over short messages led to SMS lingo -- that which makes anyone who has any semblance of grammar pull out their hair in agony and disgust. And led to the birth of popular acronyms like LOL, BRB, TTYL, and more.

Well, Happy 25th Birthday, Dear old SMS! In an age dominated by Whatsapp, welcome to your quarter life (existential) crisis.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella today told shareholders that more than 600 million devices across the world are using Windows 10, at least 100 million more than May this year.

Of course, while theyre counting only monthly active users, that number still includes other devices as well, like the few million Xbox Ones and Windows 10 Mobile Phones etc. The exact number is anyones guess, as Microsoft wont specify.

This does still fall short of the original plan to have a billion system running Windows 10 within three years of its launch. However, in July last year, the company admitted it wouldnt be able to reach that goal, particularly after it withdrew from the smartphone market. Its Windows 10 Mobiles were supposed to contribute about 50 million sales a year. However, the company is still on track to hit a cool 700 million by the time the three-year period is up.

This isnt the first time Microsoft has announced adoption numbers for its OS, but its of special importance here. The company is trying to prove how popular Windows 10 is in order to convince developers to build apps for the Microsoft Store. The company has been pushing for its Unified Windows Platform to take hold, which would have apps work across Windows 10, the Xbox One and, later, Hololens.
The German Government reportedly wants to force automobile and technology companies to provide the country's security services with hidden access, according to a published report.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere was reported to have drafted a proposal for a meeting of interior ministers taking place in Leipzig this week, in which he says it is "the legal duty for third parties to allow for secret surveillance", according to RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland.

The report, which was cited in said The Local website, said Maiziere had proposed the new law because it is becoming more difficult to break security systems on digital devices.

One example given was the security systems on cars which warn a driver of a likely break-in attempt even if the vehicle is shaken.

Maiziere wants the systems not to issue such warnings if the police deem it is necessary to enter a vehicle in the course of an investigation.

He also reportedly wants the security services to be able to spy on Internet-connected devices. Technology companies would be required to give the state backdoor access to devices.

Last year, Apple and the FBI engaged in a lengthy stoush over accessing data on an iPhone belonging to a man who was involved in an attack in San Bernardino, California, in December 2015.

The FBI took Apple to court but dropped the case after it located a third party which was able to break in to the device.

German digital activists and other politicians reacted with astonishment to Maiziere's proposal.

The Interior Minister's plans sounds like an Orwellian nightmare. Soon all flats in Germany will be equipped with devices which are potential wiretaps, Konstantin von Notz, deputy faction leader of the Greens Party, told Der Spiegel.

We need to think really hard about the fact that we are a country with two dictatorships in its recent history. Do we want to live in a land where there is no privacy and where the state can interfere wherever it is technologically possible?
The Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office is asking that anyone having information, please call 735-1911 or Crime Stoppers at 732-5387 where you can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
An UK intelligence group has issued an advisory to all government departments, warning about the use of Russian anti-virus software.

The letter was issued by Ciaran Martin, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, who said it was being sent because "the issue of supply chain risk in cloud-based products, including anti-virus software, is receiving a lot of attention at the moment".

Though Martin did not make it clear, the only Russian anti-virus software that is in the media these days is that produced by Kaspersky Lab.

The US has banned its use in the public sector, claiming that it poses a security risk.

The NCSC is a part of the UK Government Communications Headquarters, the official spook agency.

After outlining the way A-V software works and pointing out that it needed administrative access to a system in order to do its job, Martin said: "That's why the country of origin matters. It isnt everything, and nor is it a simple matter of flags  there are Western companies who have non-Western contributors to their supply chain, including from hostile states. But in the national security space there are some obvious risks around foreign ownership."

He said the specific country being referred to was Russia. " The NCSC advises that Russia is a highly capable cyber threat actor which uses cyber as a tool of statecraft.

"This includes espionage, disruption and influence operations. Russia has the intent to target UK central Government and the UKs critical national infrastructure."

Martin said, in connection with his letter, the NCSC had published specific guidance on managing the risk of cloud-enabled products.

Reacting to that guidance, Kaspersky Lab said it appreciated the collaborative, risk management-based approach taken by the NCSC with regards to identifying and mitigating any potential information security risks involved in the sourcing of IT products.

"Kaspersky Lab fully agrees that supply chain risk management is critical to information security, and therefore, we look forward to continuing our dialogue with the NCSC to develop a framework that can independently verify and provide assurance of the integrity of Kaspersky Lab's products and services.

"As stated in the company's Global Transparency Initiative announcement, Kaspersky Lab continues to partner with its stakeholders globally, including governments, as part of its ongoing commitment to protect customers from cyber threats."

The company added that it was important to note that the NCSC was not encouraging consumers or businesses against using Kaspersky Lab software from this sentence: "...we see no compelling case at present to extend that advice to wider public sector, more general enterprises, or individuals."
Banks in the US have been setting up a system that they hope will be able to prevent a run on financial institutions in the event of a massive digital attack on any major institution.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the effort, which had begun this year under the name Sheltered Harbor, covered banks and credit unions which had about 400 million American accounts.

It said that while people feared theft of money, banks had a greater fear of data being encrypted by a rogue attack.

This would lead to lengthy delays in gaining access to banking systems and the chance that one attack would lead to fears about other institutions and a subsequent run on all of them.

The banks mostly feared that even the government would be unable to hose down the fear around a digital break-in, the report said.

Existing measures to restore faith in the financial system were designed for situations where the solvency or liquidity of one or more institutions was under question, and did not address a situation where access to financial data had been lost.

The WSJ said a 2015 exercise known as the Hamilton Series had shown that when data was disrupted at a smaller bank, it could have an adverse impact on the entire system.

The Sheltered Harbor initiative was the brainchild of Phil Venables, chief operational risk officer at Goldman Sachs, and James Rosenthal, Morgan Stanleys former chief operating officer. Venables and Rosenthal jointly chair Sheltered Harbor.

In order to be part of the project, banks pay anything from US$250 to US$25,000 annually, depending on their size. They have to follow guidelines on formatting data, creating a back-up vault and submitting to audits.

Sheltered Harbor aims to provide backed-up data for use to cover those affected by an attack on an institution within 48 hours.
Claiming to be "changing the broadband game with Instant Connect and 4G back-up", Telstra actually did it first on Valentine's Day this year, but Vodafone's solution is now available in five cities, at last.

After teasing us on 1 August this year, giving a sneak peek of its NBN wireless broadband router with 4G backup, allowing instant connection to Vodafone via 4G speed limited to 12Mbps down and 1Mbps until your wired connection goes online, the Vodafone NBN service has finally arrived  in five cities to start with.

Although Vodafone has billed it as "changing the broadband game" due to the instant connect feature, and the automatic fallback to 4G if the NBN provided connectivity sold by Vodafone goes down, Telstra actually announced a very similar sounding service back on 14 February or Valentine's Day, as iTWire covered in an article entitled: "Telstra unites 4G and broadband in one modem", albeit then at least at speeds of 6Mbps up and 1Mbps down.

Even so, Vodafone's move is still important as it brings Vodafone into the sale of NBN services, and being able to order it online, over the phone or in 78 stores across Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Geelong and Newcastle from 4 December.

There is no mention of expansion to other cities, or any timelines, but the company will no doubt announce when other areas will be coming online in due course  if they were truly ready to launch in other cities, or nationwide, at the same time, Vodafone presumably would have done so.

In any case, Vodafone says it is taking taking the lead in the nbn customer experience, offering "unlimited broadband data and a unique set of initiatives designed to make the nbn process simple and fair."

These are:

Back-up Internet service via the Vodafone mobile network for up to 30 days during nbn connection or line repair;

Freedom to change speed plans without fees; and

30-day network satisfaction guarantee.

Article continues below image, please read on!

Vodafone chief executive Inaki Berroeta said he was proud of the Vodafone NBN product which, he claimed, would deliver a converged internet experience.

We are very excited to launch Vodafone nbn to complement our mobile network, allowing customers to be always connected, whether its at home, at work or on the go, he said.

We are putting customers first. If our customers are unable to receive the service they paid for, or if theres a problem with their installation or line connection, theyre not going to be left in the lurch.

From the outset, we want our customers to connect to the NBN with confidence, and we have set clear standards for ourselves and the industry to achieve this.

Vodafone says 4G access while you wait, a hit in trials

Vodafones general manager of Broadband Services Matthew Lobb said the company has taken on board the feedback of hundreds of customers who had tested the service over recent months.

Our customers told us they loved being connected to the Internet from day one via our mobile network while they waited for their NBN installation, he said.

Based on feedback from our trial customers, we have automated the 4G back-up service so customers will not have to contact us if they experience an issue with their NBN connection.

We are taking a sensible and staged approach to the rollout of Vodafone nbn to ensure we get the customer experience right, and we will continue to use our customers feedback to help us make refinements.

Naturally, Vodafone has a "Special launch offer"

To celebrate the launch of Vodafone NBN in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Geelong, Newcastle and Wollongong, for a limited period from 4 December, Vodafone says it is "offering three months free plan fees for eligible customers connecting to 24-month plans".

Vodafone says its NBN plans "start at $70 per month for unlimited broadband and includes the Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub for $0 upfront".

More information here.
TWIN FALLS  The downtown revitalization of Twin Falls meant drastically different things to different people.

For contractors, it meant scrambling to meet deadlines as each block of the project neared completion. Restaurant owners, meanwhile, grimaced at declining customer counts. And downtown shoppers watched with nostalgia as the trees they knew and loved were cut down.

But for Urban Renewal Agency Executive Director Nathan Murray, it was about more than tearing up and rebuilding a road.

Its more than just a street, he said. We look at it as a place. It is a destination, this whole area of Main Avenue. Think of it almost like your front lawn, in a way.

The reconstruction has already resulted in enthusiasm, Murray said. The city has increasingly heard from developers outside the area who are looking at opportunities for housing and offices.

A vibrant downtown, Murray said, is what Twin Falls needs to attract the millennials who are going to fill workforce demands. The path to building that vibrant downtown is a winding one, and it will look different to everyone. Still, step one is complete: reconstruction.

The shopper

When Jamie Miller came downtown this summer, she was shocked to see the large shade trees gone, exposing the businesses on Main Avenue.

Miller, formerly of Jerome, was in town visiting her family. She was not a fan.

But now that new trees are in  albeit smaller ones  its slowly growing on her. The Washington resident was inside Rudys  A Cooks Paradise on Nov. 21 with her mother, Kara Vanderlinden, of Jerome.

Its still kind of shocking not to see the trees, Miller said. But its good.

Vanderlinden was pleased with the smooth sidewalks, but said shed like to see the project extend farther down Main Avenue.

I like to cruise and see whats new, she said. I definitely eat down here all the time.

The renovation was also a fresh change for Twin Falls resident Alli Martin, who said it looked weird, but nice. On the drive to Advantage Archery, her children mentioned that the downtown looked busier.

I said Thats the whole point, Martin said. Theyre trying to attract more people here.

Another archery fan, Brent Gough, said he came downtown every day he wasnt working. At times, he had to park a block away because the back parking lot was full.

The average customer wouldnt do that, Gough said. It broke their habits. People are habitual.

As a result, he saw a fewer customers at Main Avenues Advantage Archery. The lack of shade also forced owner Caleb Drake to purchase window shades in the summer.

Im glad its over, Drake said.

The restaurant owner

At several restaurants, getting customers downtown was a struggle that continued well past their respective blocks reconstruction.

It was really, really hard, Javier Serva, owner of Ketchum Burrito, said in November. Were still really, really slow.

His business had begun to see a decline in clientele even before his block was torn up. Altogether, he estimated hes lost about half of the business he could have had. For a while, he even cut his business hours.

I know its going to get better, Serva said. Its just going to take time.

Still he appreciates the new Main Avenue aesthetic. He, like most downtown businesses owners, said the construction made huge improvements to the overall look and feel of the street.

Some Main Avenue businesses  like Rudys  A Cooks Paradise and Sav-Mor Drug  reported no effect on business during the spring and summer months. Twin Falls Sewing Center reported a potential all-time high in summer sales.

Its a thousand times better than it was before, said Tim Stastny, owner of Slice Pizza. However, Twin hates construction  it doesnt matter where youre at. Theyll avoid it.

Stastny was irritated that the city had not done more to encourage people to come downtown. He and Guppies Hot Rod Grille owner Aaron Gupton have estimated decreases in business of 30 percent or more when construction was ongoing.

Stastny was also frustrated that more than one block at a time had been under construction; he said hed been told by the city initially that that wouldnt be the case. Plus, during Western Days, his business had no front door entrance.

Some of his regular customers, he said, specifically told him they would come back when the construction was over. By late November, when almost every block had been completed, Stastny still had about 15 percent fewer customers than usual.

I think the people have a perception still that theres nowhere to park, and theres still construction going on  which there is, he said in late November.

The concrete worker

With fewer than 60 days to go, workers from Toms Concrete and Webbs Nursery and Landscape were scrambling to meet the construction deadline for Main Avenue.

Were just trying to stay caught up, concrete foreman Todd Embretson said as he oversaw activities on Sept. 13.

A looming rain storm was not expected to slow things down much, but any concrete that wasnt dry would need to be covered up.

But the most challenging part of the project, concrete workers and pavers said, was the grading. The buildings along the five-block corridor of Main Avenue werent constructed at the same level, a quirk that becomes more apparent from a few steps away from the buildings. Contractors had to ensure the sidewalks were level with the doorways, without exceeding a 2 percent slope between buildings to meet ADA guidelines.

There was a noticeable difference between the elevations in front of Blue Lakes Real Estate and Poindexters Novelty & Costume Store, for example.

Thats at least 6 inches, Embretson said.

When it was finished, the chairs on the sidewalk between Rudys  A Cooks Paradise  and Sav-Mor Drug were on a slope.

Thats what we had to match, Embretson said, pointing to the clear slope. It was kind of hard.

It took more than a month to finish that block alone, between Gooding and Shoshone streets.

Leveling was also what foreman Manuel Valdes of Webbs Nursery and Landscape found the most challenging as he laid the brickwork.

The hard part today was preparing it, he said on Sept. 13.

It took about five hours to level off sand in front of the old Wells Fargo building at the southeast corner of Main Avenue and Shoshone Street. For the remaining three hours, Valdes and his crew made progress on laying the brick.

What also made his job more challenging was that there were only a few guys available during the week  the rest were working other projects. At first, Valdes was putting in around 60 hours a week.

But on the weekend, theyd make up work with overtime and about a dozen guys. This was one project where overtime was permitted, he said.

We have a date to finish, Valdes said.

The electrical worker

TWIN FALLS  Visitors of Twin Falls might feel a little more plugged in to the city after the downtown renovation project. Thats no coincidence.

The new streetscape comes with about 58 electrical outlets per block, said Zachary Schiffler, journeyman electrician and foreman with Magic Valley Electric. This includes outlets at the top and bottom of each light pole, plus plug-in posts in each landscaping feature.

And because theres a different circuit every couple of poles, more food trucks, Christmas lights and sound systems can plug in without causing a power loss, which will come in handy when planning downtown festivals.

They can have bigger and badder parties, Schiffler said.

The city will have control for which blocks it wants to turn on those electrical outlets, and when. Nathan Murray said the outlets will likely be turned off at all times except during special events on specific blocks. The city was still considering in late November whether it would turn the outlets on for Christmas lights.

Each block also features better lighting, according to Schiffler.

These are like an LED light, with probably twice the output as the old ones, Schiffler said, pointing to one of the new poles on Nov. 2.

The downtown has about 15 light poles per block. Taller poles at each intersection also provide more light for pedestrian crossings.

With all the bells and whistles, the project was a significant undertaking, keeping Magic Valley Electric runnin and gunnin until it was done.

Theyre pushing us, Shiffler said back in September. They want it done yesterday. Thats the story of my life.

For much of the project, only two or three employees were needed.

I can only go as far as the contractor ahead of me, Shiffler said, referencing the sequential nature of the project.

But it didnt help when the heads for some of the taller light poles arrived in the wrong color over the summer and had to be shipped back.

By late October, Shiffler had a half dozen employees burning through 30 hours of overtime in a week so they could finish on schedule.

In addition to the employees putting in wiring, they also had to dig 36-inch trenches for electrical circuitry and irrigation.

The light poles have three banner arms  two for signage, and one for a hanging plant. Irrigation tubes feed through the poles to put the baskets on an automatic watering system.

The tree planter

If you bring up the topic of Twin Falls downtown reconstruction, people often talk about missing the old trees.

Residents watched with mixed emotions as the trees were cut down in February, months later to be replaced with small, less obtrusive saplings. These younger trees have a lot of growing up to do before they begin to resemble what was once there.

The old hardwood trees provided shade to passersby, homes to squirrels and birds and leafy curtains to obscure deteriorating storefronts. But they were also part of the problem: At around four decades old, their root systems had pushed up Main Avenues sidewalks, creating a tripping hazard and an eyesore.

Contractors involved in the project say the new trees will help conserve water and spare the new sidewalks from future root damage, while still making the downtown aesthetically pleasing.

These trees are supposed to be better suited to an urban setting, Guho Corp. Project Superintendent Rob Cloninger said. Guho oversaw the downtown reconstruction.

Their final selection didnt quite go as planned. On some blocks of Main Avenue, such as between Fairfield and Gooding streets, last-minute changes on tree species ensured the city would get quality saplings from Oregon tree farms.

From Fairfield Street to Gooding Street, contractors planted green vase zelkova. Chanticleer pear are growing from Gooding Street to Hansen Street, and greenspire linden from Hansen Street to Jerome Street. Newport plumb trees grow at either end of the five-block project, and tulip trees were planted at the end planters of several blocks.

The city saved some money on removing the 160 or so trees that were in place before, but contractors didnt have to take out the old root systems entirely since the trees wont grow back.

The newly reconstructed blocks of Main Avenue now have about 40 fewer trees.

They were really packed in there before, Cloninger said.

In addition to tree selection, the city also took other measures to ensure the roots would not encroach on the sidewalks. Each 4-foot-by-6-foot tree well is lined with a hard plastic sheet thats snapped together called a root guide. This should box in the tree roots to drive them down.

A deep root watering system will also help, with a screened canister extending a couple feet down into the ground, filtering the water into the earth on either side of the tree roots. The system is covered with a cast iron grate and layer of weed barrier and pea gravel, which Cloninger said should decrease evaporation.

This method of watering should also conserve water, he said, as the deeper soil stays moist for longer. The trees before were getting watered with a system that was closer to the surface, he said.

If the water doesnt go down, those roots will stay high, Cloninger said. Theyre going to follow where theres moisture.
Mixed-up medical samples land healthy persons on the operating table, depriving them of an organ or two. Something that could happen only in a movie? No, it took place in a supposedly reputable hospital. So here is advice for anybody who gets bad news from your doctors or hospitals: Stop despairing and get a second opinion.



Here is a case in point. At Ajou University Hospital located in Suwon, a man, 68, had reportedly checked in for a test in August after his urine was lined with blood.



He got a test that came back with a devastating diagnosis  third-stage prostate cancer. Last month, he had an operation. The hospital found something amiss while the "patient" was recovering and discovered a sample mix-up: he had a healthy prostate removed because somebody else's sample was mistaken for his.



A side-effect of the removal has given him a severe case of incontinence, forcing him to wear diapers. The hospital offered to return 10 million won ($9,000) in the medical expenses he paid plus 20 million won in compensation.



The hospital said the amount was decided through consultation with lawyers, claiming it was the patient who had leaked this information to the press and refused to negotiate.



The patient may resort to an arbitration committee for a settlement but if either he or the hospital is dissatisfied with the decision, the court can be the venue of last resort, most likely presaging a dragged-out lawsuit. The hospital said the staffer who was responsible faced a disciplinary committee. Ajou is the hospital that became famous for trauma surgeon Lee Cook-jong who recently saved a North Korean defector who suffered multiple gunshot wounds while escaping from the Joint Security Area in the truce village of Panmunjeom.




Dear IRS, I am writing to cancel my subscription. Please remove my name from your mailing list. Snoopy Cartoon

Sometimes the tax debate isnt just on how high taxes are, but who is paying the tax.

Hard-working citizens pay taxes to support vital services provided by local, state and federal governments like schools, fire protection, EMS, police, roads, bridges, water, and sewer to name a few. Tax debates largely focus on if taxes are excessive or not. According to the Idaho State Tax Commission, five of seven state returns filed are for refunds. Last year 58,867 individual income tax refunds equaled $329,534,197.

So how does Idaho compare to the rest of the nation when considering total tax burden? 2014 information compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Census in their Government Finance Report (released in 2017) ranks Idaho compared with all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The higher the ranking number the lower the tax. Heres how Idaho ranks:

36th in property tax per $1,000 of income (per capita we rank 41st)

25th in sales tax per $1,000 of income (per capita we rank 36th)

30th in individual income per $1,000 of income (per capita we rank 34th)

25th in corporate tax per $1,000 of income (per capita we rank 29th)

9th in fuel tax per $1,000 of Income (per capita we rank 19th)

41st overall in state and local tax burden

Idahos per capita rank for state and local tax burden is 48th, which means that income remaining after state and local taxes equals 90.99%. That ranks Idaho 11th for overall tax burden, with the No. 1 rank going to the state with the most percent of income remaining. Idahos tax burden ranks from 6th to 11th best in the nation over the past six years.

Its important to consider the effective tax rate when determining if our taxes are too high. A recent article by Betsy Russell of the Spokesman Review explains it best: Tax rates alone dont tell you how much people are paying. In Idaho, where the top personal income tax rate is 7.4 percent, taxpayers are actually paying less in state income tax than in Utah where the top rate is 5 percent. Thats because the two states income taxes are structured differently, both in how they define taxable income and in their deductions and exemptions.

Every year, the Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee  on which I serve  considers the dozens of sales tax and property tax exemptions in the tax code and who qualifies for them. Should services such as haircuts, attorneys fees, tax preparation fees, etc., be taxed or remain exempt? How about medicines and doctor visits? If all sales tax exemptions were eliminated could we lower the rate to 2, 3 or 4 percent, lowering the burden by broadening the base? For interesting reading look up Idaho Code 63-601 regarding property tax exemptions, or for sales tax exemptions refer to or Idaho Code 63-3622 A to UU.

As a member of this committee, I will be involved in tax policy discussion and possible legislation to lower corporate and individual income tax rates when appropriate while assuring essential services are properly funded. I have sponsored and carried legislation requesting various tax exemptions for organizations that I thought were deserving, such as The Wellness Tree, Volunteers Against Violence and Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center. I will continue to pursue these exemptions if the tax code remains as it is.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts to keep the discussion going.
Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, the immigrant who entered the United States illegally and was charged with murdering California resident Kate Steinle in 2015, was found not guilty Thursday by a San Francisco jury. President Donald Trump, who has used Steinles death to promote harsh immigration policies, quickly responded by calling for a border wall, adding that the Steinle killer came back and back over the weakly protected Obama border, always committing crimes and being violent.

These claims are just not true. In reality, the case highlights how much border security has improved and how little a threat undocumented immigrants pose. From 1991 to 1996, Garcia Zarate did cross the border illegally a couple of times. But as Border Patrol doubled and then tripled the number of agents, it caught him every time  twice in 1998, in 2003 and again in 2009, the only attempt in the Obama era.

Even when Garcia Zarate did make it over the border in the early 1990s, he never committed violent crimes, but rather activities such as inhaling vapors, selling imitation drugs and possessing marijuana and heroin. After each border apprehension since 1998, he served years-long prison terms for attempting to re-enter illegally after his deportations. He certainly broke laws, but never with violence.

Rather than as a result of weak border protections, Garcia Zarate ended up in San Francisco through multilevel bureaucratic incompetence. San Franciscos sheriffs office requested that the federal Bureau of Prisons transfer him at the end of his sentence in 2015 to face a marijuana possession charge, even though the city had since deprioritized prosecutions of marijuana possession.

BOP complied with this request, inexplicably ignoring federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which had asked that the BOP turn him over for deportation. ICE then requested that San Francisco detain him and notify agents when he was released. Yet ICE knew that the city had a policy of honoring only federal warrants issued by judges, not requests from ICE agents.

City officials had met with ICE to inform the agency of its policy beforehand, yet the agency simply chose not to seek a warrant. This meant that once the San Francisco district attorney declined to prosecute the marijuana charge, the citys law required Garcia Zarates release.

Yet even then, the sheriffs office continued to hold him for nearly three weeks, asking the federal government whether it had any warrants for his arrest. Only after hearing a no was he released. ICE had plenty of time to go to a judge to seek a warrant and present probable cause that Garcia Zarate was in the country illegally. It chose not to do that.

After Steinles death, BOP changed its policies to give ICE the opportunity to take custody of any prisoners before it turns them over to states or localities. ICE, however, still stubbornly refuses to seek warrants in jurisdictions that require one. ICE prioritizes administrative convenience over effectiveness.

Trump has previously blasted San Franciscos policy of requiring a warrant, calling it a sanctuary policy. But San Francisco only adopted its policy after ICE repeatedly issued requests to detain people who turned out to be U.S. citizens and courts found localities liable for damages if they honored the requests. Such cases have emerged repeatedly since the Steinle incident.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 30, 2017

Google Assistant now allows consumers to find local professionals through voice commands, adding services from HomeAdvisor and Porch into the listing.

The service through Google Assistant, announced Thursday, will now suggest businesses pre-screened by Google and companies such as HomeAdvisor and Porch. The feature will begin rolling out to U.S. users in the coming weeks.

The platform will serve up the information on the best option and will offer a service called HomeAdvisor Instant Connect that taps into data such as location and time to determine the professional most likely to respond the most rapidly to the consumer's needs. Algorithms predict which professional is available to take the call.

The service is available via the Google Assistant on eligible Android phones, iPhones and on voice-activated speakers such as Google Home and Google Mini.

HomeAdvisor CTO Brandon Ridenour said the company believes voice services will outpace the adoption of mobile. Not only through the number of devices in homes, but the frequency in which devices are used.

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"A lot of people start with 'tell me the time' or 'tell me the weather forecast,' but there are other ways to make the devices really useful," he said. "We think it's done by allowing these systems to accomplish something for you."

Those "accomplishments' are done, for example, through food ordering sites like Grub Hub and Uber Eats, where the task is completely automated.

Google is not the only company that is betting big on voice. "Amazon cited voice as the 'next major computing shift,' with active users of Alexa Skills increasing five-fold since early 2016," Colin Sebastian, research analyst at Baird Equity Research, wrote in a research note.

HomeAdvisor also works with Amazon Alexa, but it's not a default service. With Amazon, consumers must install the HomeAdvisor Skill and explicitly ask for the service.
Do you want people to like you more? Think of you as attractive, but also as one of them? Try nodding more, suggests new research. This simple, non-verbal gesture may do wonders for your popularity.

Share on Pinterest Nodding more could make us more likable and approachable, according to a new study.

Two Japanese-based researchers set out to investigate the psychological impact of two head motions: nodding in approval and shaking ones head in disapproval.

Jun-ichiro Kawahara, associate professor at the Hokkaido University in Sapporo, collaborated with Takayuki Osugi, associate professor at Yamagata University in Yamagata, to test the effect of the two gestures on subjective likability and approachability.

This is not the first time that the effect of nodding is studied formally, nor is it the first time that the two researchers have worked together.

A former, influential study conducted in 2003 suggested that nodding to what an interlocutor is saying influences the listeners beliefs. Surprisingly  and somewhat counterintuitively  the study revealed that when hearing out a weak argument, people who nod more tend to disagree more with the opinion heard.

Another study examined nodding in relation to gender and status, and found that women nod a lot more than men, and that both genders tend to nod more in response to authority and people of a higher status.

In this new study  which has been published in the psychology journal Perception  the researchers asked participants to rate the likability of computer-generated figures.

Using similar computer-generated characters, Kawahara and Osugi previously collaborated to investigate the effect of bowing on subjective attractiveness. The research then demonstrated that [the] bowing motion of computer-generated female 3-D figures enhanced perceived attractiveness.

In light of this, the authors explain, and [g]iven that nodding and shaking head motions are used as communicative signals, the researchers hypothesized that nodding and head shaking would modulate perceived trait impressions of model faces.
You know things are bad in your country when the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan praises the U.S. president for retweeting misleading videos about Muslims, peddled by a right-wing hate group from England whose leader was convicted of a hate crime last year.

But that is exactly where we find ourselves.

President Donald Trumps latest Twitter controversy revolved around him sharing three murky videos purporting to show violent acts by Muslims. The original tweets were sent out by a leader of the right-wing Britain First party: felon Jayda Fransen, 31, who was convicted last year of religiously aggravated harassment for verbal abuse of a Muslim woman wearing a hijab in front of her children. The British government sharply rebuked Trump, which prompted the president to lash out Wednesday night at Prime Minister Theresa May on Twitter. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the retweets, saying that even though the videos were unverified and at least one didnt show what Fransen said it did, that doesnt matter: Whether its a real video, the threat is real.

Sadly, it was just the latest outburst of Islamophobia from Trump.

I think Islam hates us, he told CNN last year. But the thread runs through his entire (relatively short) political career. Trump began his whole birther controversy against President Barack Obama by publicly suggesting during a 2011 ABC television interview that Obama was trying to conceal his religion by withholding his birth certificate, because maybe it says hes a Muslim.

In November 2015, he told radio host Sean Hannity that the United States had absolutely no choice but to close some mosques in response to terrorist attacks in Paris that month. A few days later, during a campaign rally in Alabama  which included a physical altercation between a black protester and several white supporters  Trump suggested that law enforcement should monitor Islamic houses of worship nationwide: I want surveillance of certain mosques, if thats OK. The crowd cheered. He kept at that theme all through 2016, including telling Fox News that we have to be very strong in terms of looking at the mosques across the country.

If surveillance of our religious institutions didnt go far enough, Trump also declared all Muslims should have to register with the government. I would certainly implement that, he said, referring to a national database of Muslims] . . . Absolutely. When reporters asked whether Muslims would be legally obligated to sign into the database, Trump responded, They have to be  they have to be. Later, reporters pressed Trump on how requiring Muslims to enter their information into a database was any different from how Nazi Germany required Jews to register. He responded by simply stating four times, You tell me.

He devoted enough rhetoric during the campaign to his insistence on banning all Muslims from entering the United States that several federal courts have now ruled his attempt to implement versions of the ban once in office was an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment. His tweets Wednesday could pose the same problem for the governments case.

And Trumps Islamophobia is not isolated to the Oval Office. Throughout the early part of his presidency, he surrounded himself in the White House with close advisers who have publicly stated that Islam is not a religion of peace (Stephen Bannon) and that violence is a fundamental part of Islam (Sebastian Gorka) and that Islam is like a cancer (Michael Flynn, whom Trump named national security adviser).

The primary duty of the president is to uphold our constitution. From his earliest days in public life, Trump has appeared to go out of his way to fail to do that. Whether hes targeting Muslims like me, going after other marginalized minority groups  women, Latinos, black people, people with disabilities, transgender people  or siding with racist and anti-Semitic neo-Nazis, Trump wages legal and emotional war on Americans instead of protecting our rights. No wonder the American Civil Liberties Union argued after the election that his policy proposals during the campaign would violate four of the 27 amendments to the Constitution.

In Trumps America, millions of us are beginning to feel like strangers in a strange land. And when the president seeks to evoke hatred against any of us, it becomes the collective responsibility of people of conscience everywhere to condemn that.

Islamophobia has, unfortunately, gotten Trump to where he is. That makes resisting it all the more important now that hes there.
Updated at 6:19 p.m. Eastern, Dec. 4 Another mistake in one of history's most extraordinary cases of mistaken identity was made in a Nov. 21 ceremony at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Brochures on the epic battle for Iwo Jima handed out by the National Park Service at the ceremony attended by Gen. Robert Neller, the Marine Commandant, still listed Navy Corpsman John "Doc" Bradley as one of the six flag raisers captured in the iconic photo and now immortalized in bronze at the memorial.

In June 2016, Neller had endorsed the findings of a special review panel led by retired Marine Lt. Gen. Jan Huly, including active duty and retired Marines and two military historians, which concluded that all six of the flag raisers were Marines -- a sergeant, a corporal and four PFCs.

Bradley, long identified in the Pulitzer Prize-winning, no-look snapshot taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal on Feb. 23, 1945 as one of the six, was not in the photo. The previously unknown PFC Harold Schultz was, the panel found.

The NPS material stated that the flag "was raised by Navy hospital corpsman John H. Bradley and Marines Harlon H. Block, Rene A. Gagnon, Ira Hayes, Franklin R. Sousley, and Michael Strank." Park Service officials later acknowledged the error, first spotted by Military.com's Marty Callaghan.

"We mistakenly included an outdated brochure in the media kit for the November 21 event, and we regret the error," NPS said in a statement, although the brochures were also handed out to the public that day at several entrances to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.

"We stopped distributing the brochure to the public in 2016 when the U.S. Marine Corps announced that John Bradley was not a flag raiser," the statement said. "We are again reviewing our website and materials to ensure that there are no remaining incorrect references to the flag raisers."

The Marines' History Division is also working with government agencies to scrub the vast archival record on the battle and its aftermath, said Lt. Col. Eric Dent, a spokesman for Neller.

Dent echoed what has been posted in Park Service informational placards on the grounds of the Iwo Jima Memorial -- that the identities of the individuals depicted in the Rosenthal photo were secondary to what the flag raising symbolized.

The Memorial was "dedicated to the Marine dead of all wars and their comrades of other services who fell fighting beside them," the placard said.

"Our history is important, but for Marines the flag raising image is not about 'who' -- it's about 'what' -- it's about a small force who inspired others to keep fighting and prevail," Dent said.

"We continue to work with the National Park Service through our History Division to ensure that future educational materials about the USMC War Memorial reflect what we proclaimed in June 2016 -- John "Doc" Bradley was indeed part of the flag raisings at Iwo Jima, but the famous Joe Rosenthal image included PFC Harold Schultz, not John Bradley," Dent said.

"Again, the identities of the second flag raisers are an interesting historical note, but the impact of that image and the sculpture it inspired is about every Marine: past, present, and future," Dent said.

Dent's reference to Bradley's participation in a first flag raising was another key finding of the review panel led by retired Lt. Gen. Huly.

There were two flag raisings atop 550-foot Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945 by Marines of "Easy" Co., 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. The first went up at about 10:30 a.m. on that morning and set off cheering from Marines battling about 20,000 Japanese defenders on the eight-square mile island.

"To the individuals participating in the battle of Iwo Jima, the first flag raising was the more significant of the two flag raisings on Mount Suribachi," the Huly review panel found.

"No photographs or film are known to exist that depict the actual raising of the first flag," the panel said, but Sgt. Ernest I. Thomas, Sgt. Henry O. Hansen and Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class John H. Bradley "were in contact with the flagpole [fashioned from Japanese water pipe] on the summit of Mount Suribachi immediately after the first flag was raised."

The panel also recommended that official Marine records reflect that three others also participated in the first flag raising -- 1st Lt Harold G. Schrier, Corporal Charles W. Lindberg, and Private Philip L. Ward.

According to most histories, then-Navy Secretary James Forrestal was in a landing craft proceeding to the island when the first flag was raised. He decided to take it back to Washington. The command ordered a second, larger flag to be sent up Mount Suribachi. PFC Gagnon, as the company runner, took it to the top.

The Huly panel concluded that the six Marines in the second flag raising were Corp. Harlon Block, from a farm near McAllen, Texas; Private First Class Rene Gagnon, of Manchester, New Hampshire; PFC Ira Hayes, of the Gila Indian Reservation, Arizona; PFC Harold Schultz, of Detroit; PFC Franklin Sousley, of Hilltop, Kentucky; and Sgt. Michael Strank, of Franklin Borough, Pennsylvania.

The second flag raising mostly went unnoticed by other Marines on the island, but Rosenthal was there to make the photograph, possibly the most famous photo of the 20th century, and he almost missed it.

Rosenthal said later he was taking in the view from Suribachi when a Marine yelled to him that the second flag was going up. He turned and snapped, without having time to look through the viewfinder.

Two days later on Guam, editors processing the film immediately recognized its significance. The photo became a front-page image worldwide.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt also recognized the significance. He ordered the Marines to send the flag raisers home to lead the 7th War Bond Drive.

The message to Marine headquarters in the Pacific stated: "Transfer immediately by air six enlisted men and/or officers who actually appear in Rosenthal photograph or flag raising at Mount Suribachi."

By then, Block, Strank and Sousley had been killed in action on Iwo Jima, where nearly 7,000 Marines were killed and about 20,000 wounded.

For more than 70 years, the Marine Corps, government agencies and historians have been trying to get it straight on just who did what atop Mount Suribachi in raising the two flags. The problems began almost immediately after FDR ordered the flag raisers home.

For two years after the battle, the Marines identified Sgt. Henry "Hank" Hansen, of Somerville, Massachusetts, as one of the six flag raisers before deciding that it was Harlon Block -- not Hansen -- in the Rosenthal photo.

Rosenthal also had to fend off suspicions that the photo was staged. He actually had not seen the photograph until he got back to Guam.

By his account, "When I walked into press headquarters, a correspondent walked up to me: 'Congratulations, Joe, on that flag raising shot on Iwo Jima. It's a great picture. Did you pose it?'"

Rosenthal responded "Sure." He had arranged a group photo of Marines atop Suribachi following the flag raisings. "I thought he meant the group shot I had arranged with the Marines waving and cheering, but then someone else came up with the flag-raising picture and I saw it for the first time."

"I wish I could take credit for posing it," Rosenthal said, but "Had I posed the shot, I would, of course, have ruined it."

The doubts about whether Doc Bradley, who died in 1994, was in the Rosenthal photo began to surface after his son, James Bradley, wrote with Ron Powers the best seller "Flags Of Our Fathers," which was later made into an Oscar-nominated movie of the same name directed by Clint Eastwood.

James Bradley wrote that his father never spoke of Iwo Jima. He only learned that Corpsman Bradley had been awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on the island apart from the flag raising after his father's death, James Bradley said.

Bradley wrote of how the Rosenthal photo took a "mystical hold on the nation." It became "a receptacle for America's emotions; it stood for everything good that Americans wanted it to stand for; it had begun to act as a great crystal prism, drawing the light of all America's values into its facets, and giving off a brilliant rainbow of feeling and thoughts."

However, on anniversaries of the battle, when reporters would call the home in Antigo, Wisconsin, for comment, the family was under strict instructions to say that Doc Bradley was "fishing in Canada," James Bradley said in the book.

In 2013, Eric Krelle, of Omaha, Nebraska, who runs a 5th Marine Division website, and his friend Stephen Foley, a World War II history buff from Wexford, Ireland, were in contact about the six figures in the Rosenthal photo.

From other photos and film taken on Suribachi, Foley had noticed what he believed to be discrepancies in the figure second from the right in the photo that had always been identified as Bradley. The belt, the helmet and other gear didn't match up with what Bradley was wearing in other photos. The figure in the photo also was not carrying the two corpsman's medical kits that Bradley wore.

Krelle and Foley tried to take their findings to historians but got nowhere. They went to Matthew Hansen, a columnist for the Omaha World-Herald.

In 2014, Hansen published a lengthy article on the research of Krelle and Foley, who had concluded that the Bradley figure was actually Franklin Sousey. Hansen also spoke to James Bradley, who dismissed the work of Krelle and Foley.

"So, you are telling me that there are all these witnesses, these survivors who come home (from Mount Suribachi), and nobody says anything, and then someone figures out it's different 70 years later, when they are all gone? I mean, come on," Bradley told Hansen.

Krelle and Foley were left with another mystery. If the Bradley figure was actually Franklin Sousley, then who was standing in Sousley's spot in the photo?

The Smithsonian Institution, which had been working on an Iwo Jima documentary, took Krelle and Foley's research into account.

After forensic analysis, and examination of the unique way PFC Harold Schultz carried his rifle because of a broken shoulder strap, the Smithsonian said the mystery man in Sousley's place was Schultz.

The Smithsonian titled its documentary "The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima." The work of Krelle, Foley and the Smithsonian prompted the Marine review led by Lt. Gen. Huly.

There is no mention of Schultz in the narrative or the footnotes of James Bradley's book, or in the movie, but his name is listed in the caption of the group photo taken by Rosenthal following the flag raisings that is included in the book.

James Bradley has maintained that the mix-up in his father's participation in the flag raising was the result of the late release by the Marine Corps of additional photos and film taken atop Mount Suribachi.

In response to queries from Military.com, Bradley said in an e-mail, "This is consistent with the Marines' mishandling of this photo and event since February 23, 1945. At some point, all the figures in the photograph were incorrectly identified."

Following the Marine Corps' finding in June 2016 that his father was not in the Rosenthal photo, Bradley told the Washington Post that he now believes his father was in the first flag raising and not the second. He said the evidence came from photos that were not available to him when he wrote the book.

"We had no photographic evidence that he was in the first flag-raising and then it comes out 70 years later," Bradley told the Washington Post.

"And then I realize he [his father] was talking about the first flag-raising," James Bradley said.

"I was never so excited that my father raised the flag on Iwo Jima, and I'm not so disappointed that he's not in the second photo," Bradley said. "I was trying to write a factual book about the heroes of Iwo Jima."

At the time the Marine Corps review was released in June 2016, Gen. Neller said "Our history is important to us, and we have a responsibility to ensure it's right."

"Although the Rosenthal image is iconic and significant, to Marines it's not about the individuals and never has been," Neller said. "Simply stated, our fighting spirit is captured in that frame, and it remains a symbol of the tremendous accomplishments of our Corps."

"What they did together and what they represent remains most important. That doesn't change," Neller said.

So who was Harold Schultz? He was a self-effacing, 19-year-old orderly for Easy Company, who was wounded a few days after the flag raisings and was evacuated to the states.

He settled in Los Angeles, where he became a mail sorter for the Post Office. He did not marry until he was 60 and he died in 1995.

He never spoke of his war service but one night over dinner in the early 1990s, the subject of Iwo Jima happened to come up. "My mom was distracted and not listening and Harold said, 'I was one of the flag raisers,' " his stepdaughter, Dezreen MacDowell, told the New York Times.

"I said, 'My gosh, Harold, you're a hero.' He said, 'No, I was a Marine.' "

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
Officials say the device was known as an "unexploded ordnance," or an explosive weapon that did not explode and still posed a...
As part of the new strategy in Afghanistan, U.S. troops will get training on reporting child sex abuse by the Afghan army and police.

The new policy will be aimed at the practice of "bacha bazi," or "boy play," in which boys dressed as women dance at parties and are passed around among warlords and other authority figures.

Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan and the NATO Resolute Support mission, said that the new policy "sets out procedures for monitoring, reporting and investing violations by any [Afghan] Ministry of Defense personnel" suspected of child abuse.

In a video briefing Tuesday from Kabul to the Pentagon, Nicholson also said that Lt. Gen. Tariq Shah Bahrami, the acting Defense Minister of Afghanistan, will sign this weekend "a child protection policy which will set clear procedures and hold those accountable who violate the rights of children."

For U.S. troops, "We have implemented a new reporting system, we're ensuring that all soldiers are trained, and every American soldier knows what's right and wrong, and they know that if they see a violation they are to report it," Nicholson said.

"And we're providing them the training and the means with which to do just that," he said.

Under the Taliban, "bacha bazi" and other forms of child abuse were banned, but the practice began to resume after the U.S. invasion in 2001 and the formation of a new central government in Kabul, according to reports by U.S. and United Nations agencies.

Earlier this month, the Defense Department's Office of the Inspector General issued a report titled: "Implementation of the DoD Leahy Law Regarding Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse by Members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces."

Under the Leahy law, named for Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, the Defense and State Departments are barred from providing military assistance to foreign militaries that violate human rights.

The IG's report "did not identify official guidance that discouraged DoD-affiliated personnel from reporting incidents of child sexual abuse."

However, "In some cases, personnel we interviewed explained that they, or someone whom they knew, were told informally that nothing could be done about child sexual abuse because of Afghanistan's status as a sovereign nation -- that it was not a priority issue for the command, or that it was best to let the local police handle it," the report said.

The IG's report also said that DoD "did not conduct training for personnel deployed or deploying to Afghanistan before 2015 on identifying, responding to, or reporting suspected instances of child sexual abuse."

As a result, U.S. troops "may not have known to report allegations of child sexual abuse to their chains of command," the report said.

In September 2015, the office of the Staff Judge Advocate for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan prepared training slides stating that U.S. troops were now "required to report any suspected human-rights abuses, including suspected child sexual abuse," the IG's report said.

"Between 2010 and 2016, we identified 16 allegations of child sexual abuse involving Afghan government officials" that were reported by the U.S. military or Afghan officials, the report said.

"However, we could not confirm that the 16 allegations represented the total number reported to U.S. or Coalition Forces Commands in Afghanistan due to inconsistent DoD reporting procedures and an overall lack of unified guidance," the IG's report said.

U.S. troops have occasionally come under scrutiny for acting on their own to stop child abuse, and at least one "green on blue" incident resulting in U.S. fatalities involved a victim of child abuse.

In 2012, three Marines were killed at Forward Operating Base Delhi in southwestern Helmand province, allegedly by one of several boys who were living with a local Afghan National Police commander.

In 2011, the Army moved to discharge Sgt. Ist Class Charles Martland involuntarily for beating and threatening an Afghan local police commander who allegedly kept a boy chained to his bed as a sex slave. Martland was reinstated following an outcry from Congress.

In his news briefing, Nicholson outlined the new guidance on child sex abuse as part of an overall Afghan strategy shift approved by President Donald Trump in August -- aimed at curbing corruption and boosting offensive operations -- with the goal of establishing control by the central government of 80 percent of the population within two years.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard,.Sisk@Military.com.
Photo credit - Shutterstock

03.12.2017 LISTEN

Defying social expectations

Most female business owners who have attended networking events can relate to this scenario: You walk into a crowded seminar and can count the number of women there on one hand. When women entrepreneurs talk business with primarily male executives, it can be unnerving.

In this sort of situation, women may feel as though they need to adopt a stereotypically "male" attitude toward business: competitive, aggressive and sometimes overly harsh. But successful female CEOs believe that remaining true to yourself and finding your own voice are the keys to rising above preconceived expectations.

"Be yourself, and have confidence in who you are," said Hilary Genga, founder and CEO of women's swimwear company Trunkettes . "You made it to where you are through hard work and perseverance, but most importantly, you're there. Don't conform yourself to a man's idea of what a leader should look like."

Some women also may worry about coming off as too aggressive. But Alexandra Pierson, founder and CEO of social media app springpop , urged fellow female entrepreneurs not to be concerned about this. Pierson noted that, during early negotiations for app development deals, she often was afraid to be firm and clearly state what she believed to be fair.

"I eventually learned that, woman or not, my business would fail if I refused to defend or fight for it," Pierson said. "Since then, I no longer worry about being seen as aggressive." [See Related Story: 17 Reasons Women Make Great Leaders ]

2. Limited access to funding

Not all startup founders look for investors to help get their businesses off the ground, but those who do know how difficult the pitching process can be. Raising capital is even more difficult for women-owned firms: A 2014 Babson College report found that less than 3 percent of venture-capital-funded companies had female CEOs.

Bonnie Crater, president and CEO of sales and marketing analytics company Full Circle Insights , said venture capitalists tend to invest in startups run by people of their own "tribe"  for instance, a Stanford-educated investor will want to back a Stanford alum's business. This means that VC firms with female partners are more likely to invest in women-run startups. But according to the Babson report, that accounts for only 6 percent of U.S. firms. Women looking for business investors should build confidence through a great team and business plan, Crater advised.

Investors typically look for businesses that can grow their valuation to over $1 billion, Crater said. "Think about how to do that," she advised. "If you have experts on your founding team that can execute the business [operations] well, investors will have confidence in those people. [You also] need a good product market fit."

Another way to overcome this issue is by working to get more female investors involved in supporting one another, said Felena Hanson, founder of Hera Fund , a female angel investor group. According to Hanson, groups like hers are "looking to not only inspire and encourage female investors, but to grow and support other female entrepreneurs through both funding and strategic educational workshops."

3. Playing with the boys

Most would consider any given field to be male-dominated. It's even more of a challenge when you're coming in as a female having to give direction to males that may not want any direction. Alison Gutterman, CEO and president of Jelmar learned just that early in her career.

As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, earning respect has been a struggle," she said. Early in her career at Jelmar, she was managing men in their 40s when she was only 25. "They were more experienced than I and often dismissed my new ideas about marketing and sales, and some assumed I didn't have the drive to put in the long hours and hard work they did."

She notes she's heard it all: from being dismissed as just the boss' daughter to presumptions that she was living off her father's and grandfather's reputation, as they were the previous owners.

"I was more than willing to put in the work to create my own reputation for being a hardworking, honorable businessperson in my own right," Gutterman said. "To overcome this, I have had to learn to build my confidence and overcome my negative self-talk, or as I like to call it, head trash."

Gutterman defines "head trash" as all the negative comments from yourself, likely stemming from others, you have let build up in your head.

"Theyre stopping you from reaching your full potential. One of the best things Ive done to help me in this area is joining a variety of women entrepreneur groups," she said. "These groups have provided me mentors and peers to inspire me, hit me with reality checks on my capabilities and successes and help be grow and learn from their outside perspectives and experiences.

4. Owning your accomplishments

The communal, consensus-building qualities encouraged in young girls can leave women unintentionally downplaying their own worth. Molly MacDonald, founder and CEO of The Mobile Locker Co. , a startup that provides personal storage for events, said she has always found it difficult to convey her own worth as a leader.

"When I talk about the company  I always find myself saying 'we' instead of 'I,'" MacDonald said. "I know I have fallen into this pattern for two reasons: Using the first person to discuss successes feels to me as if I'm bragging, and I cannot shake the idea that if someone knows it's just me in control, the value of what we do will go down. As I grow the business, I am making an effort to own what I've accomplished."

Similarly, Shilonda Downing, founder of Virtual Work Team , advised women to recognize the value of their creative ideas.

"I've had to catch myself on occasion when I noticed that I'm giving away too much without a financial commitment from a potential client," Downing said. " recommend other women value their knowledge as well."

Sharon Rowlands, CEO of digital marketing firm ReachLocal , agreed that confidence is the key to success, even when you're up against a boardroom full of men. Rowlands noted that when she was a newly appointed CEO, she often felt her ideas received more scrutiny than those from her male colleagues. However, she didn't let that discourage her from being a great business leader.

"I had confidence in my abilities to run the business," Rowlands told Business News Daily. "I just made sure that any initiative I was trying to move forward was backed up by a solid business case. I was never unprepared for the questions that I knew would come. I [also] think many women naturally have extraordinary common sense, a sharp intuitive sense and a great focus on people. These are extremely valuable in business and can help to set us apart as leaders."

5. Building a support network

Forty-eight percent of female founders report that a lack of available advisers and mentors limits their professional growth, according to Inc .

"With the majority of the high-level business world still being dominated by men, it can be hard to blaze your own path and facilitate the introductions and connections into some of the more elite business networks," said Hanson, who established the Hera Hub co-working space to foster support and collaboration among female entrepreneurs. "As most of business today still rings true with the philosophy that 'It's not what you know; it's who you know,' this can be a huge factor in your ultimate success."

Knowing where to find the right support network isn't always easy. A few good places to start include women-focused networking events  such as Womancon , Women in Technology Summit and WIN Conferences  as well as online forums and groups created specifically for women in business, such as Ellevate Network .

6. Balancing business and family life

Work-life balance is a goal of many entrepreneurs regardless of their gender, but mothers who start businesses have to simultaneously run their families and their companies. And in this area, traditional gender expectations often still prevail.

"Being a mother while running a business is very challenging," Genga said. "There are ways to balance your time, but the perception is that you could be more effective running your business if you didn't have to deal with kids."

Genga said she has learned not to take shortcomings on either front too seriously, and to not beat herself up over the little things, such as missing a class trip with her children.

"Mompreneurs" have dual responsibilities to their businesses and to their families, and finding ways to devote time to both is key to truly achieving that elusive work-life balance, she said.

7. Coping with a fear of failure

According to Babson College's 2012 Global Entrepreneur Monitor, the fear of failure is the top concern of women who launch startups. Failure is a very real possibility in any business venture, but Delia Passi, CEO of WomenCertified and founder of the Women's Choice Award , said it shouldn't be viewed as a negative.

"You need to have massive failure to have massive success," Passi said. "You may need 100 'noes' to get one 'yes,' but that one 'yes' will make you more successful tomorrow than you were today."

Pierson offered similar advice for female entrepreneurs, encouraging them to work through the moments of self-doubt that every business owner faces.

"I have stopped worrying if people will treat me differently in business because of my gender  and have stopped comparing myself to others, including men," she said. "The bottom line is, if you're successful, no one cares whether you are man or a woman."
03.12.2017 LISTEN

A 58 year-old woman, Madam Agnes Baah at Simpa, in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality, has been adjudged the Municipal best farmer.

She received a deep freeze, mist blower, knapsack sprayer, sewing machine, wax print, wheel barrow, ten bags of fertilizer, two plastic chairs, six machetes, four Wellington boots, two shovels, T shirt, rosette badge, box of mineral water and a certificate.

Fifteen other farmers were honoured for contributing to food security and poverty reduction in the municipality at this year's farmers day celebration held at Simpa.

Madam Elizabeth Awo-Wugah, 65, from Esuoso won the first runner up municipal best farmer.

Madam Awu-Wugah had a 32-inch plasma television set, orthopedic mattress, knapsack sprayer, sewing machine, wax print, two plastic chairs, two machetes, two Wellington boots, T shirt, rosette badge, box of mineral water and a ghetto blaster as her prize.

The second runner-up municipal best farmer went to, Madam Hannah Wilson, 40 year-old from Tamso and she was given four bags of fertilizers, radio, two machetes, two Wellington boots, wax print, knapsack sprayer, wheel barrow, two plastic chairs, T shirt, rossette badge, box of mineral water.

The best crops farmer went to Mr. Rockson Adu from Wassa Agona, best livestock farmer was received by, Reverend Joseph Asameni of Anonakokrom while Alhaji Amodu Sofo from Wassa Agona won the best physically challenged farmer.

Best fish farmer went to Nana Kuranchie III, from Essamang, Victor Gidi, best agricultural extension agent, from Essamang operational area and Mr. Victor Essilfie from Tarkwa won the best poultry farmer.

Mr. Isaac Dampare of Bonsa won best piggery farmer, Mr. Paul Sagoe, best maize farmer from Bonsawire, best vegetable farmer, Mr. Gabriel Yeboah of Abompuniso.

The best cocoa farmer was received by, Mr. Sabo Nyiiko of Boamah, while Mr. Thomas Avorvuvu of Esuoso won the best rice farmer and the best youth farmer went to Mr. Samuel Kwami Dodzi of Nsueam- Asuogye.

They were presented with bicycles, radio, roofing sheets, wheat bran, machetes, Wellington boots, plastic chairs, wax prints, knapsack sprayer, wheel barrow, rice cookers, shovels, gas cylinder, disinfectants, T shirts, Rossette badges, boxes of water, fertilizer and certificates of honour.

The theme for this year's celebration was 'Farming for food and job".

Addressing participants at the ceremony, Mr. Gilbert Kennedy Asmah, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said government recognized agriculture as the main anchor of the country's economy, was sad that it was witnessing decline over the years.

He said the sector needed modernization to improve productivity, achieve and sustain food security, profitability for their farmers and create jobs through value addition linkage.

The MCE said government launched "the planting for food and job" to encourage all citizens to take farming as full or part time activity adding that 822 agricultural extension officers were recruited while 1,070 youth were also registered and were providing extension services to farmers.

He said currently two million bags of fertilizers, 80,000 bags of cereals and legumes seeds, 36,000 sachets of vegetable seeds were distributed and 34,000 persons were registered nationwide.

In the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality, the MCE said 3,909 bags of fertilizer, 180 bags of cereals and 163 sachets of vegetable seeds were received.

He explained that 1,095 farmers were registered and about 700 farmers accessed different facilities under the programme.

To create market access, the MCE explained that the programme had registered suppliers to distribute farm produce to public institutions including the Ghana School Feeding Programme, the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Police Service to ensure availability of quality food in a timely manner.

The Municipal Director of Food and Agricultural, Mr. Joseph Nii Tettey Otu, expressed gratitude to the farmers for their hard work and selfless service to the nation.

He congratulated the award winners especially the women for playing vital roles in the development of agriculture in the municipality

GNA

By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA
03.12.2017 LISTEN

A Multi million classroom block built to create space for effective teaching and learning at the Aiyinasi Hassniya Islamic Junior High School (JHS), in the Ellembelle District, has been inaugurated.

The eight-unit classroom complex structure, which has a staff common room, an office, a store, and washroom, was funded by an Al-Saqiya Foundation from Saudi Arabia.

The Foundation also handed over an ultra-modern mosque which was built in addition to the classroom block, for the Zongo community at Aiyinasi and its environs.

The District Director of Education, Mrs. Mabel Frances Williams who inaugurated the block lauded the Al-Saqiya Foundation for the facility as it would provide space for enrollment of more pupils and asked the community to maintain the facility.

She advised parents to take advantage of the facility to send their children to school as education was the best investment parents could make in their children.

Mrs. Williams noted that attaining quality education was the collaborative effort of all stakeholders especially teachers and parents and charged teachers to be disciplined and give off their best.

The headmaster of the school, Mr. Abdulai Musah expressed his profound gratitude to Al-Saqiya Foundation for the unflinching support given to the school and appealed to the Foundation to extend their support to UBAISH SHS which is the only Islamic Senior High School in the District and Western Region as a whole.

He appealed to the District Assembly to provide the school with an ICT centre.

The Ellembellle District Chief Executive (DCE) Mr. Kwasi Bonzo pledged the support of the Assembly to the school and called on the authorities of the school not to relent in their efforts to work closely with the Assembly on pressing problems.

He appealed to parents not to engage their children in farming to the detriment of their education since they were the future leaders.

"Children are our future leaders and education is a necessary tool to prepare them for that future responsibility. We shouldn't let politics to divide us because our children don't know NPP and NDC so let us unite", he emphasised.

Mr. Bonzo said Zongo communities failed to enroll in school in the past and charged parents to take advantage of the classroom block by enrolling them in school.

According to him circular education ought to be intensified in all Islamic schools in the country and reaffirmed his readiness to work with the Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to ensure the speedy development of the District.

Mr. Bonzo said the Assembly and MP would provide 150 dual desks and marker boards for the school and urged Muslims to be peaceful and law-abiding and expose the bad nuts amongst them.

The Chief of Aiyinasi, Nana Etwe Kpanyinli expressed the community's gratitude to the Foundation especially its support to brilliant but needy children in the Zongo communities in Ghana and promised to release a vast land for Muslims in the area to settle.
A Deputy Attorney-General (AG) says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos homosexuality comment on Qatar-based Al Jazeera was misconstrued to create disaffection for the government.

Joseph Kpemka said the President was realistic in his response to Jane Dutton on Talk to Al Jazeera.

He told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Joy FM/Multi TVs news analysis Newsfile Saturday, there are times when some things that are considered grievous and injurious could become acceptable in a society.

I personally detest itbut the reality of the matter is that when subsequently very strong forces emerge that begin to lobby society and change the orientation of people and the majority buy into the idea then that is the stage that we can say that it is bound to happen, he said.

Related Article: We wont legalise homosexuality  Govt clarifies position

The government was compelled this week to state its position on the same-sex relationship after the president told an international media the practice could be legalised if there if Ghanaians call for it.

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid has said the government has no intention to legalise homosexuality because it is culturally unacceptable at the moment.

Political critics and religious bodies took issues with the president over his comment, saying it amounted to an invitation to human rights groups.

Related Article: Legalizing homosexuality not on the agenda but...  Akufo-Addo

Tamale Central Member of Parliament (MP), Inusah Fuseini has said president Akufo-Addo communicated well as a lawyer, but his comments were politically wrong.

He said the President proved to the international community that he is tolerant of homosexuality and amenable.

But the Deputy A-G said nowhere did the president support homosexuality.

I think there was nothing of the sort, he said, advising the public to explore the difference between principle and reality.

He was being realisticby virtue of his principles, he said.

But all the spin and twist put around president Akufo-Addos comment was done for parochial interest, he added.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | M: [email protected]
A Legal practitioner and law lecturer has called for the suspension of the celebration of the African Union (AU) holiday until the body stands up and do something about the unfortunate happenings in Libya.

Ace Kojo Annan Ankomah has charged the Union to move beyond mere talk and get African leaders to do something to better the lives of its citizens.

He told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Joy FM/Multi TV's news analysis show, Newsfile Saturday, that he is worried that France is headlining the fight by taking the recent case of the slave trade in Libya to the UN Security Council.

What is the AU doing? Until the AU is able to fix this; either through law or force, we should stop celebrating the AU Day as a holiday in the six extremely rich African countries which celebrate it," he said.

The AU Day is celebrated as a national holiday by Ghana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Gambia, Mali and Zambia.

Mr Ankomah is surprised that countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia, where the AU headquarters is situated, do not have the luxury to take a day off to celebrate Africa.

His comments follow footage released by CNN from Libya which showed hundreds of young men from sub-Saharan Africa being auctioned as farm workers.

The North African country has for years been the gateway for Africans who are trying to get to Europe by sea.

Migration experts have estimated that more than 150,000 people have crossed it within the last three years.

But the crisis has created a situation where some African migrants are reportedly sold by their raiders in open slave markets.

Mr Ankomah said the sad development is a tell-tale sign that African leaders have to fixed their respective countries to limit the pull factors because "people dying on the Mediterranean is not a deterrent.

We ought to do something about the push factors and every West African who has tried this [journeying to Libya] is a shame on West African governments, he added.

According to him, African leaders have not done well by improving the living standards in their countries and by extension the lives of the people.

He said they amass wealth for themselves instead of focusing on creating opportunities for their citizens.

We should look these things and see how are going to fix our economy in such a way that the push factors will be limited. Until we do that they [West] will tell us when to pass our laws, he said.

He urged people to stop sharing and broadcasting WhatsApp messages about such recruitments as many of them turn out to be scams, which feed into illegal migration.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com |Abubakar Ibrahim
Walmart wants to sell you everything youd ever want to buy. Until Thursday, that included a T-shirt that read Rope. Tree. Journalist. SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.

The company pulled the offending item, which first surfaced at a Trump rally, almost immediately after an advocacy group complained. Teespring, the third-party seller that posted the shirt on Walmarts marketplace, did the same.

As soon as we were alerted to this content promoting violence against journalists, we removed the content, added this content to our automated scanning systems, and kicked off a human sweep of the site to find and remove any similar content, Teespring told the Associated Press.

Thats a fine idea, but this isnt the first time Teespring has run into trouble. In August, the apparel platform offered T-shirts decorated with swastikas alongside words such as love, peace and zen on rainbow backgrounds. This was part of an effort by a designer to share the beauty of this symbol detached from the Hatred associated with it.

The master plan, as the company described it, did not go over well. Teespring yanked the shirts, only to catch more criticism the same week for garments featuring slogans such as Hitler did nothing wrong ever and Were all Hitler now. Teespring removed those, too.

Then there were the Keep Calm and Rape A Lot T-shirts that appeared on Amazon back in 2013. (Amazons founder, Jeffrey P. Bezos, also owns The Washington Post.) Wholesale clothing company Solid Gold Bomb blamed a scripted computer process designed to riff on the classic Keep Calm and Carry On World War II posters. The rape advocacy shirt, along with its companions Keep Calm and Hit Her and Keep Calm and Knife Her, slipped through the algorithmic cracks. And Amazon missed them in turn.

Teesprings statement after the latest mistake points to the trouble that caused all these PR crises. Retailers that rely on third-party sellers, or sites that rely on third-party distributors of any kind, need some method of monitoring the content that makes it onto their platforms. Automated scanning systems, apparently, arent up to the task on their ownat least not as theyre built today.

Thats a narrow threat when only apparel is at stake. The rainbow swastika T-shirt was at worst cruelly disrespectful to Holocaust victims. The Keep Calm and Rape A Lot slogan may normalize sexualize violence, but its unlikely it actually inspires men to go on an assault spree. And although the rope-tree-journalist shtick is similarly inflammatory (its not just anti-reporter; its also racist), the concrete danger to newspaper staff seems slim.

But the algorithm question goes beyond Teespring or Walmart and Amazon. Social media platforms also run on content that doesnt come from their employees. These platforms have all missed things, too, and do every day: Russian propaganda, beheading and burning videos by terrorist organizations, old-fashioned harassment, and hate speech. Facebooks and Googles representatives even blamed algorithms for some of the nefarious ad targeting on their sites during the 2016 election.

With so much to sort through, companies cant possibly pay the number of people they need to distinguish the acceptable from the awful. Thats why, even as todays algorithms fail, tomorrows are heralded as our future saviorsand someday, they probably will be. But at this point, its not responsible to throw human input entirely to the wayside and rely on automation alone. The recurring problem of the outrageous T-shirt is a small-scale example of a larger truth: For now at least, humans are going to have to keep coming to their own rescue.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

The Energy Media Group has finally adjudged Mr Dasmani Laary as the best Energy Reporter of the 2017 Ghana Energy Awards committee which was organined by the Energy Media Group. The 2017 Ghana edition awards took place at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

Nominees for the maiden national awards were shortlisted in the energy sector.The awards meant to recognize individuals and corporate bodies in 20 categories and finally endorsed by the World Energy Council(Ghana),Ministry of Energy and its agencies.

The award scheme was initiated by Energy Media Group and was on the theme: Energy for National Development: 60years and beyond.The Awarding panel was chaired by Energy Expert Dr Kwame Ampofo.

In an interview Mr Laary expressed his profound gratitude to the Almighty God for leading him to scoop the Best Energy Awards of the 2017 Ghana Energy Award. He again thanked Agama of GBC, Africa Report and the great editorial team of GNA who will always question and make sure he has 5Ws and H in his story.

Expressing is profound gratitude to Nana Kodjo Appiah of blessed memory of encouraging,mentoring and counseling him on matters of editorial work.

The awards was aimed at recognizing the achievements, success, efforts,innovation and excellence of corporate entities as well as individual in the energy sector.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

We are faced with the fact, my friends, that TOMORROW IS TODAY. We are confronted with the FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time.-Martin Luther King Jnr.

These are the words of Martin Luther King Jnr, a civil right activist at a time when blacks were being subjugated and racially abused in a white dominated country.

Luther King and his contemporaries neither procrastinated nor allow the existing structures at that time to deter or intimidate them from achieving their dream and posterity will fondly bless them for what they contributed in this life.

Sefwi are an Akan people that live predominantly in the Western North of Ghana and it is one of the richest place in Ghana because of the natural resources deposits such as Gold, Bauxite, Cocoa, Timbers etc.

The natural resources endowment together with the fertile soil has put Sefwiman at a very enviable position and it has provided a fodder for farmers and non indigenes across the country especially Bono Ahafo, Northern and Ashanti to troop at the area in search of greener pastures.

Amidst this plethora of resources, the land is still bereft with development and modern society. Some of the places are still fetching water from streams due to lack of proper pipe water system. Majority of the main and feeder roads are left untarred which has created a lot of health hazard and other inconveniences.

Some of the health and educational facilities are malnourished with scientific and educational apparatuses amidst the Gold, cocoa, bauxite and timber that is being transported daily from our land to support the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy.

The northern part of Ghana can have a tangible reason for their present state but there is no excuse for the underdevelopment of a land that is blessed so much with natural resources. How a land that is can bless so much with Gold, cocoa, bauxite and timber be so concealed, obscure, unnoticed and forgotten in terms of development.

We have over the years allow our elected representatives in government and our politicians who have no idea about what our day to day challenges are as a people to think for us and propose policies and solutions which have largely turned out to be a misfit for our real needs.

The youth who should have been an apostle of the new social order are now distributed on party lines and are putting party interest ahead of our development. The youth are now on the verge of failing their unborn generation. This is very unfortunate.

I am giving a clarion call to all Sefwiman group including NUSSA,WENDA,SEDA both home and abroad to get organize to salvage our land of birth from its current sad state. Calling yourself a Sefwi is nothing in this world unless we are Sefwi and powerful. That is what defines who a Sefwi is.

Just as Obama rightly said Change will not come from other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek.

This is the time for every son and daughter of Sefwiman to come together to save our land and fight for development and we can only do that if we put our past inaction to actions. We still have a choice today as gallant people of sefwi to change the fate of our land and we can do that when we get united, a unity that is not anchored on party colours or parochial interest but a genuine unity. A unity that will make us strong to move past indecision to action. This is the new path we are clamouring for.

We need a new rising army for Sefwiman,an army that will give a facelift to sefwiman development. God will be the center and captain of the rising army for Sefwiman Development. Be part of the rising army

(Sefwiman Development Alliance President) ([email protected])
03.12.2017 LISTEN

World Vision International (WVI) has supported 10 basic schools at Kpikpira, in the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East Region with hand washing materials to get pupils to appreciate and make handwashing key component of their lifestyle.

As part of its hygiene programme, WVI trained about 3,338 children in behavioral change activities in the area to get all children, especially the most vulnerable to practise improved hygiene in households, communities and institutions.

Mr Seth Frimpong, Partnering Officer at WVI who read a speech on behalf of the Cluster Manager Mr Rexford Bugre, said the ceremony was part of activities to mark this year's World Toilet Day celebration, adding that the day focused on the importance of proper sanitation and to advocate access to clean and safe toilets for all.

Mr Frimpong said it was on this premise that WVI decided to impact the habit of hand washing into the children by assisting them with materials that would facilitate the practising of the habit.

He mentioned that to improve household sufficiency of safe water for drinking in the district, a project dubbed 'the GI-Wash', successfully completed 18 boreholes and installed four taps limited mechanised systems for communities such as Kpikpira among others.

Mr Frimpong indicated that the up scaling of the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) model in the financial year witnessed the certification of 19 communities achieving open defecation free and 5,569 people having access to improved sanitation for defecation.

He said additionally, about 835 household latrines were constructed by community members themselves and were in use and urged the District Assembly to partner WVI to end child-marriage in the area as that was a major factor hindering the development of girls.

He indicated that ending child-marriage could help the district achieve at least eight of the seventeen sustainable development goals, including health, education, poverty, nutrition and violence free against women and girls among others in the area.

Mr Emmanuel Asore Avoka, District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area pledged government's support to prioritise sanitation as a national development priority and would harness the eradication of open defecation.

He said the District Assembly had scaled up the implementation of (CLTS) activities and had certified 103 communities open defecation free out of the 450 communities in the district, thereby making the area top the regional CLTS league table.

The DCE called on the Traditional authority, Assembly members, Civil Society Organisations, and NGOs in the district to support in eradicating open defecation in the area in order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the communities.

The Day was marked on the theme: 'Wastewater; Improve Latrine for every household by 2030'

GNA

By Jerry Azanduna, GNA
Mrs. Kate Quartey-Papafio, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reroy Cables, an indigenous cable manufacturing company emerged winner of this year's energy personality of the year award (female category) in Accra.

Dr Ofosu Ahenkorah, the Executive Secretary of Energy Commission won the Energy personality of the year (male category), while Mr William Amuna, former CEO of GRIDCO won the CEO of the year in the power sector and Mr Patrick Akorli, CEO of Goil won the CEO of the year in the petroleum category.

Bui Power Authority won the emerging energy company of the year (power), Strategic power solutions won the emerging energy company of the year (renewable) and Blue Ocean Investment company won the emerging energy company of the year (petroleum).

The awards organised by the Ghana Energy Awards Committee, was to recognise individuals and corporate bodies in 20 categories, which is endorsed by the World Energy Council, Ghana, Ministry of Energy and its agencies.

It is aimed at recognising the achievements, success, efforts, innovation and excellence of corporate entities as well as individuals in the energy sector.

Mr John Peter Amewu, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources commended the award winners for their contributions in building a viable energy sector in the country.

He said renewable energy was needed to pay attention to and that government had showed commitment towards its feasibility and its policy towards renewable was not encouraging and called on all stakeholders to work towards migrating into renewable to be competitive in the market.

Mrs Quartey-Papafio was in April awarded by the Ghana Entrepreneurs Foundation, and inducted into entrepreneur hall of fame, for her outstanding and innovative performance and is the first female cable manufacturer in the ECOWAS sub region.

Her company manufactures quality electrical and telecom cables and conductors and has grown tremendously over the years, employing over 100 workers, produces for local and international markets, and contributes significantly to the growth and development of the country.

Other award categories included; CEO of the year power and petroleum, industry leadership award, power and petroleum,emerging energy company of the year, renewable and power and energy institution of the year.

GNA

By Kodjo Adams, GNA
03.12.2017 LISTEN

Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a Ghanaian based NGO has called on government of Ghana to take good care of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been celebrated globally on 3rd December every year to promote understand of disability issues and mobilise support for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

In a press statement issued on December 3, 2017 to commemorate the day, the Executive Director of Hope for Future Generations, indicated that the Disability Act in Ghana which commits government and stakeholders to a nationwide approach aimed at improving the lives of persons with disability, the progress in implementation has been very low.

This year's theme for International Day of Persons with Disability is, "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all".

According Mrs. Senoo, "The theme draws the world's attention to the need to leave no one behind as we work towards creating sustainable development in all sectors".

"PWDs should, thus, not be left out of the educational, heath, political and economic spheres of society, as they are active contributors to development", she added.

Below is the full statement

Persons with disabilities cut across all age brackets - children, adolescents, youth, the middle-aged and the aged; and all these groups have their own unique needs and challenges.

A former UN Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, had said Equality of opportunity simply does not exist, where a disabled child cannot go to school, where a disabled mother has no health care, where a disabled man cannot get training or a job, or where disabled people cannot move freely on the streets.

Though we have a Disability Act in Ghana which commits government and stakeholders to a nationwide approach aimed at improving the lives of persons with disability, the progress in implementation has been slow. Basically, not all public (and private) places are disability-friendly.

We call on the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and all other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to be more accommodating and sensitive to the needs of differently able persons by integrating their needs into all sector policies and, ensure implementation of same.

Hope for Future Generations is currently implementing the Get Up, Speak Out (GUSO) project as a member of the Ghana Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHR) Alliance for Young People.

Under GUSO, with support from Simavi in the Netherlands, we seek to empower young people, including persons with disabilities, to voice out and stand up for their rights, while demanding for improved sexual and reproductive health services.

We also take this time to call on you to support our HopePal project, aimed at contributing to improved lives of young persons with disabilities in and out of school.

On this day, let us increase our own knowledge on disability issues and be responsive in our language and actions to persons with disabilities. Let us be truly inclusive by ending stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities. The action begins with one person.

...Signed...

Mrs. Cecilia Senoo

(Executive Director)

Source: Daniel Kaku
03.12.2017 LISTEN

I wish to extend my warmest felicitations to this years Best Farmer and all award winners on this special Farmers Day Celebration, especially those in the Shai Osudoku Constituency.

The contribution of farmers to the economy and the subsistence of every Ghanaian, irrespective of status, cannot be over-emphasized and I feel pleased to join all Ghanaians in extending our felicitations to all farmers and fishermen.

It is important to state that Farmers Day, to some of us, is not about winning awards, but a time to reflect on the role farmers play in the overall development of the country.

There are numerous farmers and fishermen who continue to feed homes without being recognized but that doesnt take away their indispensable role in ensuring food security in the country.

Across the Shai Osudoku Constituency and the country at large are several farmers who have never received any awards. To that category of farmers and fishermen, I would like to send a word of encouragement to continue with the good works.

I would like to assure those in my constituency of my continuous commitment to their cause and my readiness to pursue the agenda that would inure to their benefit at all times.

I would ensure that you get true value for your work and that your labor is never in vain.

You have kept us from hunger and starvation, in spite of challenges like the invasion of the Fall Army Worm invasion and we salute you for your devotion to duty in spite of the difficult conditions under which you work.

Keep it up.

Ayekoo to you all

HON LINDA OCLOO,

MP, SHAI OSUDOKU CONSTITUENCY,

GREATER ACCRA
A first-year-student of Kumasi Academy Senior High School (KUMACA) has died from Meningitis bringing the death toll recorded under similar circumstances in the school to three in the last week.

The death of Fodjour Furgersome Livingstone, a General Arts student who died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) brings to six such occurrences this year.

Luv News sources say several other students are on admission at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital and KATH.

Ohemeng Tawiah reported the death of two students on Friday who were rushed to the hospital after they complained of "fever-like conditions" at the school's clinic.

Three students of the school died under similar circumstances in April this year, sparking off chaotic uproar as parents besieged the school in a desperate move to take their wards home.

Meanwhile, results of a postmortem conducted on the deceased did not reveal meningitis as had been widely claimed by some students, the reporter added.

Ohemeng Tawiah said blood samples of the affected students have been sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute in Accra for examination.

The incident had come at a time the school is preparing to round up activities to climax the 60th-anniversary celebrations.

As a result school authorities have remained tight-lipped over the incident, the reporter said.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr Jacob Ansah, 58-Years from Antseambua in the Shama district of the western region, emerged the overall best farmer in the District.

He received a tricycle, one full piece wax print, two pairs of wellington boots, five cutlasses, two Knapsack sprayers, packs of toilet roll and bars of soap as his award.

Mr. Ansah owns, 10 acres of cassava, eight acres of citrus, five acres of Oil Palm, four acres of Plantain, three acres of maize, two acres each of cassia and sugarcane, one acre of Sweet Potato, an acre each of coconut and vegetables, Gari Processing Machine/Shop, 30 Goats, 20 local Fowls, 1200 Mudfish, 200 Tilapia and three cassava fish.

Madam Alithea Essilfie from Nyankrom and Nana Affo Kweku, Chief of Ohiamadwen community were respectively awarded the first and second runner ups

The Best Crop Farmer went to Silas Avi whiles the Best Fisherman went to Egya Kwesi Abakah.

Madam Esther Takonwa was awarded the Best Livestock Farmer, whiles the Best Rice Farmer went to David Sewornu.

The Most Enterprising Youth in Poultry went to Joshua Essien from Apemenyim with the Best Physically Challenged Farmer going to Joseph Ansah 75 years from Fawomanye.

Mr Emmanuel Aboagye Aggrey, the District Director of Agriculture noted that for this year's farmers day theme to be pertinent, Ghanaians must eat what they produce, '' it is sad to note that there are aggressive food adverts on radio and television that is preventing our young ones from eating what we have''.

He in this regard encouraged parents to cook food in their homes rather than giving money to their wards to buy food on the street and stressed the need for farmers to be innovative to enable them to preserve their produce for the future.

He pleaded with the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Ato Panford to create a 'Model Agricultural Community' where agricultural infrastructure would be well developed for farmers and appealed for the tarring of roads leading to farmlands to make it easier for the movement of farm produce to market centres.

Mr Aggrey called on Chiefs of the area to create land banks for farming since almost all lands were sold for infrastructural development and commended the farmers for their hard work despite the outbreak of the fall armyworm.

Mr. Joseph Amoah, the District Chief Executive said the policy of planting for food and jobs was aimed at transmuting the agricultural sector to improve on food crops production in the country.

He indicated that the programme targeted creating 750,000 jobs for the youth including 2,700 graduates as extension officers, reducing rural-urban migration as well as increasing production of selected crops such as maize by 30 percent and rice 40 percent.

The DCE said in addition, the government would construct 1,000 metric tonnes capacity warehouse in each of the 216 districts in the country to take care of all surplus yields and congratulated the farmers for their great sacrifices and contributions to the development of the country's economy.

Mr Ato Panford who was the special guest for the occasion indicated that one of the major Anchor crops in Shama was cassava and hinted that he was in talks with a company to acquire 5,000 acres of land for its cultivation.

He appealed to the chiefs to provide him with the 5,000 acres of land to help bring a cassava starch processing factory to Shama so that farmers would be able to process their cassava and encouraged farmers in the district to extend their farm lands to enable them grow more and different types of food crops.

The overall best farmer, Jacob Ansah expressed his gratitude to the department of agriculture and Agricultural extension officers for their support and appealed to government to help farmers with pension schemes to encourage the youth to develop the interest and have faith in farming.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has denounced indiscipline at Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country saying such acts were not needed at the time that all hands were on deck to develop the country.

He noted that indiscipline had become a serious problem across most SHS in the country saying 'Indiscipline is expensive for nation-building because it is destructive, and can destroy the overall performance of students and their future.'

Dr Bawumia said this in Tamale on Saturday during the 23rd Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO).

The event was on the theme: 'Secondary Education in Northern Ghana: Producing Responsible Citizens through Discipline.'

A number of students, who excelled during the academic year, were presented with various prizes while some former distinguished students of TAMASCO including; the Vice President were also honoured with citations.

Dr Bawumia asserted that indiscipline corrupted minds and students who engaged in such acts always wanted things to be done for them in their own ways.

He, therefore, urged students to be steadfast and listen to their elders and teachers to forestall indiscipline behaviour in schools.

He commended Management of TAMASCO for instilling high level of discipline in its students, which had resulted in excellent academic standards the school was noted for.

Dr Bawumia also spoke about the Free SHS policy saying it was the beginning of government's commitment to building the country's human resource.

He announced that from next week, government would release resources to SHS across the country as part of efforts to address the infrastructural challenges they were encountering as a result of the implementation of the Free SHS.

Mr Suaib Wilberforce Adams, Headmaster of TAMASCO said the school chalked some successes during the year adding efforts would be intensified to earn even more laurels in future.

GNA

By Albert Futukpor, GNA
03.12.2017 LISTEN

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Mawuli School has adopted a new constitution at its end of year general meeting in Ho on Saturday.

The adoption of the new constitution became necessary to ensure uniformity with regional and national PTA constitutions.

The exercise also paved the way for the conduct of election of new executives to run activities of the Association.

Mr. Wisdom Seneadza, Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee said the new document would help address some challenges confronting the Association.

Mr. Gameli Ahorlu, the outgoing PTA Chairman commended the Constitution Review Committee for the effort and stated the commitment of the Association to provide a conducive environment for quality teaching and learning in the School.

He said his administration had executed 22 projects including; the purchase and installation of a 150kv Power Plant to provide power during outages and the construction of a fence wall around the School with gates.

Reverend Samuel Senanu Asienu, Headmaster of the School asked parents to regularly monitor the academic progress of their wards and check their performance anytime they visited them with gifts in school.
AUBURN  Kathy Ryan Rainone called it "the funeral."

For a funeral, though, there was a lot of dancing.

Thursday, after 30 years, Rainone held her last class at Kathy Ryan's Dance Studio on Seymour Street.

Rainone closed the studio regretfully: She simply didn't have enough students this year, she said Thursday. After enrolling just enough to teach a class last year, Rainone continued, she suspected the end was close. So she held a party for dancers, parents, friends and family after that class's recital, "Ladies Night Out 2017" in June.

Rainone did the same at Thursday's class, a group of older dancers she's been seeing for a few decades. And as she spoke before the class about her decision to close her studio, Rainone was graciously focused on those dancers, parents, friends and family who made Kathy Ryan's Dance Studio possible for 30 years.

Rainone, 56, took her first dance lessons in Auburn with Sonja Ward when she was 3. But she and her sister stopped because "we wanted to watch cartoons on Saturday mornings," Rainone said.

When she was in eighth grade, Rainone asked her mother, Arlene Ryan, to go back. Ryan was quick to say yes. Decades later, Ryan would dance in Rainone's classes and sing in her recitals. So would Rainone's own daughter, Audrey, and granddaughter, Madison Jean. Rainone's bassist husband, Ricky, and drummer son, Ricky Jr., round out what she called "a very musical family."

Her next dance teacher was Betty Weeks, whom Rainone also credited as her mentor. And, as she finished high school in 1979, Rainone was asked by Weeks to teach for her. When Weeks closed her studio in 1987, Rainone took the next step, applying for a small business loan and opening her own space to teach dancers young and old in tap, jazz, ballet, solo, duo and other forms.

The studio was first located on the State Street Mall, where Osteria Salina now stands. In 1992, a rent hike led Rainone to look for a new space. The Camardo family offered her the spot on Seymour.

"Nobody except my parents has been better to me than the Camardos," she said.

Classes at Kathy Ryan's Dance Studio ran during the school year. Most met once a week, while experienced dancers met twice. At the studio's peak, Rainone taught up to seven classes in a season.

Though she never studied dance at the college level, Rainone rooted her classes in technique and terminology. She taught children ballet terms like releve and soutenu the same way a kindergarten teacher would, asking the class "Sue who?" to prompt their pronunciation of the latter. She also joked with them about "the big hook" that would pluck idle dancers from the stage, she said.

Rainone took her classes bowling at Polish Falcons to encourage them. But sometimes, she didn't need to: Some students signed up just to perform in Auburn's holiday parades, she said.

Katie Sincebaugh, 17, of Auburn, got something else out of dance classes with Rainone.

"I learned that dance really isn't about the recital or getting dressed up, it's really about telling a story," she said.

That lesson, along with Rainone's use of record players, stuck out to Sincebaugh, she said. She'll carry it with her when she continues dancing at college next year.

Other Rainone students have gone on to dance professionally in Disney cruises, musical theater production and more, she said. And some have taken their children, or even grandchildren, to her.

Thursday, Rainone said, it's the children she'll miss the most.

"I love the kids, I love them. I love every single one of them," she said.

Rainone's classes also culminated in recitals that were long renowned for their presentation.

With help from Frank Cuzzola, the dances were accentuated by smoke machines, dry ice and flash pods. But the studio had to stop using pyrotechnics after the Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people in 2003, Rainone said. Still, her love of Rush, Alice Cooper and other musical showmen led to many distinct rock 'n' roll soundtracks at her recitals.

As she planned and presented those recitals, Rainone also found help in her fellow Auburn dance instructors: Kathy Zamniak, Mary Jo Pelc, Donna Krueger, Sean McLeod and more. Whether it was advice on steps, spare tights or emotional support, "I can call them for any reason at all," Rainone said.

"They're wonderful girls, and I love them. All of them," she said tearfully.

Zamniak, who was at Kathy Ryan's Dance Studio's final class on Thursday, said Auburn will feel its loss.

"She has a great love for dance. She's got a strong personality and that comes across when she teaches," Zamniak said.

However, Rainone's friend doesn't feel she's done teaching dance. Rainone admitted as much, saying she hopes to teach at Cayuga Community College. She also continues to work as a substitute teacher aide at Casey Park Elementary, and when school's not in session, she makes small motors at Gleason-Avery.

Whatever happens, Zamniak said, Kathy Ryan will land on her feet.

"She's a great girl. She'll keep dancing," she said. "There'll be something out there for Kathy."
03.12.2017 LISTEN

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has climaxed its 10 Anniversary celebrations with a lecture and recognition of key stakeholders who have contributed to its success over the years.

The 10th anniversary lecture, was delivered by Mr Simon Allotey, Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), on the theme: 'Successful Airports: Tools for National Development.' After which the GACL's key stakeholders were recognised for their loyalty, support and cooperation over the past decade.

Ms Oboshie Sai Coffie, Board Chairperson of GACL in her welcome remarks said the GACL had grown and flourished over the past decade of rapid development and constant change.

'Ghana's Airports indeed have become arterial pathways for the nation's economic growth. As people travel more both internationally and domestically for business, tourism or to keep in touch with family and friends, our airports have become mini hubs of development,' she said.

She recognised the contributions of past and present staff, including the various heads of the GACL since it was decoupled from the GCAA, saying their contributions were helping to make the GACL, the airports operator of choice in West Africa.

'I have said before, that an agenda this challenging engages many hearts, hands, and voices. Success requires dedication, commitment and sacrifice. Many here have given that and more. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Ghana Airports Company Limited, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to all of you, and to all our stakeholders who have played a part throughout these 10 years. '

Ms. Coffie pledged the commitment of the GACL to continue working even harder to position it for further success.

'We dedicate ourselves to take full advantage of new technologies and industry solutions, and will continue to pursue the vision of positioning Ghana competitively as the preferred aviation hub and leader in airport business in West Africa.

We are exceedingly optimistic that you will stay on board, and that together, we will chalk greater successes in the coming years,' she stated.

Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Deputy Minister of Aviation, , on behalf of the sector minister gave government's commitment to support the GACL to become the airport operator of choice in West Africa, as the country seeks to position the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as an aviation hub.

All past CEOs of the company were presented with plaques in recognition of their enormous contributions to the success of the organisation.

Airlines servicing the Kotoka International Airport were also recognised. They include: Air-France-KLM; British Airways; TAP Portugal; Turkish Airlines; Africa World Airlines (AWA); Ethiopian; Brussels Airlines; Air Peace; and Middle East Airlines among others were recognised.

Staff of the company, drawn from Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Tamale offices of GACL were also presented with plaques in recognition of their efforts.

Ground handling and oil marketing companies servicing the KIA also received various honours.

The Ghana Airports Company Limited was incorporated in 2006 with the responsibility of planning, developing, managing and maintaining all airports in Ghana including; Kotoka International Airport and the regional airports namely' Kumasi, Sunyani and Tamale as well as various airstrips. In the next year, 2007, GACL commenced business, and has never looked back.

The 10th anniversary celebrations was launched in August 2017 and a number of events including; a Safety & Environment and a Customer Service Week Celebration, an Aviation exhibition and conference among others, have been organised.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

The Birim North District Assembly has celebrated its 33rd edition of the Farmers Day alongside the World AIDS Day at Asuabena in the Birim North District.

The programme was to reward dedicated and hardworking and motivate farmers in the community to become more productive.

They were presented with items such as; Television sets, fridges, rubber bowls, tricycle, bars of soap, water tanks, knapsack spraying machines, cutlasses, and certificates.

Speaking on the theme 'Farming for Food and Jobs', Mr. Ivan Akuttey, the District Agriculture Director commended farmers in the district for embracing the government's 'Planting for food and jobs' programme.

He assured governmental efforts at promoting agriculture in the district and urged farmers to enroll onto the other programmes to enable them better their standard of living.

He hinted that over sixty farmers across the Birim North District have so far benefitted from the government's 'Planting for food and jobs' programme since its inception.

Hon. Raymond Nana Damptey, the District Chief Executive (DCE) outlined some of the programmes as government Fertilizer Subsidy, Planting for jobs and industry and the Pilot project to supply water to cocoa farms all year round and therefore entreated farmers to take advantage to increase their yield.

He added that all those programmes were aimed at making agriculture more attractive to the youth to help reduce the unemployment problems among the youth in the country.

He said, regarding the government's 'One District, one factory' programme, the assembly has decided on Oil Palm Production and pleaded with the traditional authorities to avail land for production of more oil palm to feed the factory.

Mr. Thomas Azurago, the District Director of Health Services expressed worry at the increase of the HIV/ AIDS disease in the district and advised that the public be on the guard to help reduce the menace, adding that his establishment had targeted pregnant women to protect babies against the disease.

He advised against discriminating against HIV/AIDS patients.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Daniel Sarpong, a 68 year old farmer who won the 2017 district Best Farmer advised the youth to create jobs for themselves by venturing into agriculture to help reduce the unemployment rate facing the country.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

Within the framework of the "Global Soil Partnership", the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has continued to advocate for the recognition of the importance of soils for achieving food and nutrition security.

Soils have the vital importance of the world, being the basis for almost 95% of world's food productivity and the filter of water, without which life on earth is not possible.

This natural resource is also a major storehouse for carbon and the regulator of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which is fundamental for regulating climate.

However, their level of degradation is alarming, in a world with continuous growing population and population pressure on scarce resources.

Accordingly, the conservation and responsible management of soils is thus central to the mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

Nurturing and unlocking the full potentials of soils requires universal implementation of sustainable soil management to contribute to increased food production, nutrient content, adapting and mitigating climate change.

'Indeed, the Sustainable Development Goals identify the need to restore degraded soils and improve soil health,' remarked Jose Graziano da Silva, FAO Director General.

In a comment ahead of the celebration of the 2017 World Soil Day, which falls on 5th December, the FAO Director-General, said: 'Soils are the foundation of food production and many essential ecosystem services'.

Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground

This year's theme for the World Soil Day is: "Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground".

It has been proven sufficiently that sustainable soil management contributes to increasing food production, enhancing the nutrient content of food, and adapting to and mitigating climate change.

The conservation and responsible management of soils is thus central to FAO's mandate to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

The UN is making a greater recognition of the essential contributions of soils to agriculture and food production, as well as their crucial ecosystem services, further pledging to implement plans, and act to make the world's our soils the bedrock of agricultural production, food and nutrition security.

Each year, since 2012, 5th December is recognized by FAO Conference and the United Nations General Assembly as World Soil Day.

Recognizing the importance of soils, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, made a resolution proposing the 5th of December as World Soil Day.

This day is aimed to celebrate the importance of soils as a pivot and critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to the human life and wellbeing through their contribution to ensure food, water and energy security and their role in preserving biodiversity loss and mitigating climate change.

In this regard, FAO, with full support of its country members, as expressed during the 144th FAO Council, 11-15 June 2012, made a request to the United Nations General Assembly to recognize 5th December as World Soil Day and to institutionalize its observance.

FAO at the forefront of promoting sustainable soil management

In view of its importance and supported by the Global Soil Partnership, FAO decided to celebrate for the first time the World Soil Day on 5th December 2012, under the theme 'Securing healthy soils for a food secure world', to help place soils at the top of the agenda for Sustainable Agriculture development and Food and Nutrition Security worldwide.

The Official approval by the FAO Council and UNGA to celebrate the World Soil Day was made in 2014. FAO is at the forefront in the development and implementation of sound programmes toward sustainable soil and fertility management.

At Regional level, under regional initiative two, efforts are made to promote sustainable soil and fertility management in Sub-Saharan Africa and to gain strong recognition of the importance of healthy soils by the African Leaders.

' We must seize the opportunity to very widely look into all aspects of the soils including their conservation, management and fertilization using simple, cheaper and innovative approaches which the soil scientists as well as other soil users can adapt at different levels in Africa and the coming years, we are ready to implement what he said and plan and act to make our soils the bedrock of agricultural production, food and nutrition security' Bukar Tijani, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, said in a message to African soil professionals and practitioners.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and FAO established this awareness mechanism, the World Soil Day, to awaken and unleash the conscience of the world population that soils are the support of life on earth and the mean of survival of humanity and alert on the their continuous degradation leading to the loss of their vital functions. For the same reasons, the year 2015 was declared the international year of soils.

The theme of this year is well aligned with the willing and wish to protect and preserve this invaluable resource. Some figures in hand are alarming: On a global scale, it is observed an annual loss of 75 billion tons of soil from arable land which is estimated to cost about USD 400 billion each year in lost agricultural production.

This loss also significantly reduces the soil's ability to store and cycle carbon, nutrients, and water. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 40% of Soils are currently degraded through erosion, salinization, acidification, compaction, nutrition depletion, chemical pollution and inappropriate fertilization and 12 million of hectares are affected by desertification.

Land degradation in Africa adversely impacts soil nutrients in farmlands thus affecting food security and as a result leads to loss of 3% GDP annually, with a loss equivalent to 9 billion USD.

In a broader context, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted a number of related targets in 2015, aimed at restoring degraded soil and to achieve a land degradation-neutral world and implementing resilient agricultural practices that progressively improve soil.

By Eugene Rurangwa, Land and Water Officer, UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The opinion expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of the FAO .
03.12.2017 LISTEN

I just came across a news item somewhere whose caption presumed to instruct President Addo DankwaAkufo-Addo to fulfill his obligations to Ghanaian farmers. The caption of the news item was presumptuous because it was coming from the national headquarters of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). These days, the leaders of the party that did more to cause the most dramatic decline in the country's food production capacity, and may well have pushed young and able-bodied Ghanaian citizens into slavery in Libya, and other Arab North-African countries, seem to have become overnight experts in the very sector of our economy that performed the worst under the tandem Mills-Mahama regimes.

We are here, of course, even as the caption of this column clearly suggests, talking about food production in the country (See Decline in Agric Sector Is Threat to Our Lives  Akufo-Addo Announces New Plan MyJoyOnline.com / Ghanaweb.com 12/2/17). To hear Nana Akufo-Addo quote some of the most reliable statistics on the sector to shore up his observations, as he recently did at the 33rd Annual National Farmers' Day Celebration in the Asante regional capital of Kumasi, on Friday, December 1, was simply flabbergasting but hardly surprising, nonetheless. It was hardly surprising because the Rawlings-founded National Democratic Congress has absolutely no enviable track-record in the field of remarkable agricultural production in the country.

To be certain, the NDC has absolutely no enviable track-record in any significant sector of our national economy short of thoroughly and shamelessly bankrupting the same, especially where considerable public funds or the taxpayer's money is involved. Free Government Money, they call it. We cannot even begin to talk, for instance, about the infamous Aveyime Rice Project whose establishment funds allegedly ended up in the bank account of a Mrs. Juliet Cotton, an African-American tourist woman resident of the U.S. State of Georgia who, legend has it, knew absolutely zilch about commercial agriculture.We even learned that this entrepreneurial crook was actually a career Welfare Queen who fed fat and parasitically at the expense of the hardworking American taxpayer.

That it was under the tenure of President John Evans Atta-Mills, late, a tax-law maven of global renown and a former law professor at the University of Ghana, the country's flagship academy, and the personality who midwifed this scam, made matters all the more perplexing. Then fast-forward to the mega-heist that was the SADA (or the so-called Savannah Accelerated Development Authority) taxpayer-fleecing ethno-regional institutional racket, and matters begin to take an even more perplexing tenor. This Mahama-established Northern- or is it Gonja-Mafia Scam of a catch-up development scheme continues to have a deleterious impact on the rest of the country, and not just the northern-half of the country for which this act of broad-daylight robbery of apocalyptic proportions was suavely billed as Ghana's equivalent of the Marshall Plan.

Anyway, according to President Akufo-Addo, food production in the country fell from the remarkable level of 42-percent of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a dismal 18.5-percent between 2007 and 2016. Which also makes the waning months of President John Agyekum-Kufuor's second term in office somewhat culpable and complicit. Even so, it is the leaders of the populist Social Darwinian so-called National Democratic Congress who ought to bear the brunt of the blame. Last year, for instance, then-President John Dramani Mahama conspicuously failed to put in a personal appearance at the National Farmers' Day Celebration which, I believe, was held in the Upper-East's regional capital of Bolgatanga. He would later issue a buck-passing excuse squarely blaming the weather.

And yet, a wisely and justifiably and democratically deposed Mr. Mahama has been marching on the streets of towns and cities across the country with his ardent fanatics in tow, on a biweekly or monthly basis, screaming some primal screams about his dire need of being afforded a second shot at the very job which just last year, he told Ghanaian voters was so Sisyphically difficult that any attempt to even constructively criticize his poor job performance was tantamount to a Class-A Felony.

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
03.12.2017 LISTEN

ACCRA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Ghana have intensified their fight against deforestation by clamping down on illegal activities in the countrys forests that threaten sustainable forest resource exploitation, a senior official stated here on Thursday.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (D-CEO) of Forestry Commission, John Allotey, who conducted journalists around 19 trucks which had been impounded over the past week with illegally sawn lumber, including the endangered Rosewood said the Commission would carry the battle to the perpetrators of all illegal activities in the forests to bring such acts to a halt.

Ghana has banned the use of chain sawn wood and the exportation of Rose Wood due to their negative impact in the forest.

Illegal loggers have stepped up their game across the country in recent months and through the vigilance of our personnel we have impounded these 19 trucks loaded with chain-sawn lumber and rosewood being transported from various parts of the country, Allotey disclosed.

He emphasized the preparedness of the Forestry Commission to combat the menace and arrest those perpetrating the act that threatens to deplete further the countrys forest cover as well as frustrate the efforts at stemming Climate Change in the country.

The official cautioned the public that any illegally sawn lumber and rosewood being transported along the roads in the country would be confiscated together with the trucks carrying them.

The Judicial Service has established specialized environmental courts with the mandate to deal with crimes bordering on environmental degradation, illegal forest resource exploitation and related issues.

Allotey said these 19 trucks and others which have been impounded in the regions and districts shall be taken to court and their owners prosecuted according to the laws of Ghana.

He also warned that any official found complicit in illegal logging activities would be sanctioned according to laid down procedure.

Experts have cautioned that Ghanas natural forests run the risk of extinction in between the next 10 years and 20 years with the high possibility of the country importing timber for construction if the high rate of illegal timber logging was not restrained.
Dear His Excellency:

Greetings. I write to you this first day of December to urge you to set up a Commission of Inquiry to explore the future of legal education in this country. To the best of my knowledge, the last time such a commission was set up was in 1958.

While the country and the legal landscape have changed dramatically, the structures set up as a result of the 1958 commission have not. For instance, the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) still names the Head of the Faculty of Law at the University College of Ghana as a member of the General Legal Council while ignoring the fact that we now have about 10 Faculties of Law.

Similarly, the Act provides for professional education to be offered at the Ghana School of Law, a constraint that has not been well managed considering the growth in the population of students interested in legal education.

The Council has imposed an annual quota of 250 students, which after repeated complaints and litigation, it has unwillingly increased to a still woefully inadequate 600 this year. In fact, however, there are over 2,000 qualified students annually who are eager to learn and able to pay their way who are denied the opportunity to pursue professional education. This admission gap is needless and unproductive.

Consequently, in spite of widespread shortage of lawyers in the country, the Ghana School of Law enrolled and called to the Ghanaian Bar a paltry 252 lawyers in 2017. Other African countries at the same level of development and with smaller or same size population call lawyers in the thousands.

The said Commission should obtain the perspectives of various constituencies, including judges, deans, professors and practitioners and use those perspectives to articulate the likely dramatic changes in the legal profession in the next decade and beyond. Similarly, it should explore and delineate a regulatory structure that is fit for managing a 21st century legal profession. The Commission should also explore possible changes to the methods of training and testing the future generations of law students, including bar exam passage rates and their skills needs.

Mr. President, it is on the above grounds that I also urge you to speak out on the draft Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2017 that is allegedly under consideration by Parliament (allegedly, because it is not on Parliaments website). The Regulation seeks to dismantle the current objective, incorruptible, progressive and automatic admission requirements and replace them with subjective, corruptible, retrogressive and opaque requirements that entrench the GLCs power and augur ill for legal education in the country.

I must mention that the GLC, over the past 5 years, has gone rogue and has failed to follow its own regulations resulting in unlawfully disqualifying over 3,000 qualified citizens. The country cannot simply ignore the injustice that these students have suffered. We must find a solution for them if we are serious about freedom and justice.

Mr. President, your sense of fair play and justice are impeccable. You have been a doyen of our legal profession. It is because of your track record that I feel obliged to turn to you to set up the aforementioned Commission while simultaneously pleading with you to call for the rejection of the proposed regulation, which attempts to legalize an unpopular, unlawful, unjust and an unethical status quo. The public interest will also justify the setting up of the Commission.

Sincerely yours,

S. Kwaku Asare
It was a bright Wednesday morning when Master Amoah received the news of her wife giving birth to triplet. He could not hold his joy than to abandon job and leave to the hospital to congratulate the wife. He had two girls and a boy. He was the happiest man ever as he went ahead calling people to tell them the goodnews.

As part of honouring the wife, he quickly got a new car for her. In addition to the car, he invested for all his three children. He brought a treasury bill of 100,000 dollars each for all the three children. The wife could not hold his joy by also sending for a special congratulatory card for the husband. When she received the card she sent for, she wrote on it these words " ... Many can boast of being ideal men but you are second to none. Thanks for the care and love everyday. Congratulations, My Heart. "

As she gave the card with the inscription on it to the husband, he was moved to do more for the wife. The man established a beautiful clothing shop for her wife. When the wife was discharged from the hospital after four days, their love for each other had increased at appreciable rate from 100 to 1000 percent. They loved to do everything together. Every couple wanted to be like them. Their love grew stronger every second. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. As the days went by, the children grew stronger and wiser.

The gentleman among the two ladies never understood anything. He was always interested in his welfare and nothing else. He was also causing problems in the house. His father called him and advised him to becareful with what ever he was doing. He kept causing a lot of problems for his parents till one day, something usual happened.

He had closed from school and his friends advised him to go for one of his father's cars and bring it for them to roam town with it. He agreed and went for it. As they were moving around in town, a cow crossed him. He lost control of the steer and drove into a river. His friends could dive. They left him in the car and went home. Poor Kofi kept crying till a passerby stopped to rescue him. As soon as he was brought out of the river, he was rushed to the hospital. He asked the nurse to call his father for him.

When Master Amoah came to the hospital, he was spoken to by the doctor to forgive his son. His father called a car servicing company to go for his car and work on it. His father looked at Kofi as he laid down on the bed and left him without talking to him. The following morning, his two siblings came to check on him and gave him a card each. They wished him a speedy recovery and left for class. As they were about to leave the hospital premises, their mother arrived to check on her beloved son. They spoke for a while and the daughters of Mistress Amoah left their mother at the hospital. Mistress Amoah went sitting next to her son. He prayed for her and led him to Christ.

When the son had finished receiving Christ into his life, he cried uncontrollably and regretted of his bad deeds. He sat down for many hours recounting how he could have avoided a bad company. He knelt down before his mother to forgive him for not being a good son. His mother held his hands and told him, "Kofi, who am I not to forgive you? I have forgiven you long ago but becareful such attitudes are not repeated again." She comforted Kofi with the word of God in Psalms 23.

As soon as the mother was about to leave to get drugs for Kofi, the father arrived. Kofi and her mother asked for forgiveness from the father. Master Amoah was moved beyond compassion. He wept with his family for sometime and embrassed Kofi. He said, "My son, I always want the best for you and please, always be a good boy. Stay away from bad company."

Kofi said, "I am sorry, Dad. It will never happen again." The family lived joyfully ever after to the glory God.

Moral Lesson.

Life is full of ups and downs. When you offend people be humble enough to apologize to them and move on. "I am sorry" is a "remorseful" language. It's a language of peace. Let's learn to make amends when we offend because love is the greatest of all the commandments. For one to love, one has to forgive one of his wrongful deeds. Have in mind that, nothing is taken away from you when you err and you do ask for forgiveness.

To all that, I have wronged one way or the other, I am really sorry and to those who have caused me "pain", enjoy God's mercies and forgiveness. After all, "if God praises, what are men?"
03.12.2017 LISTEN

The images and voice messages that have been making the rounds on the social media and purported to be contemptible slavish treatment of the African migrants in Libya represent nothing but sheer cruelty and degrading treatment or punishment.

The images, so to speak, are extremely inhumane, and hence must not and cannot be allowed to pass without strongly scolding and shaming the criminal gangs who are perpetrating such barbaric acts in Libya.

It is being reported, albeit anecdotally, that the African migrants are being sold and forced to undertake penal servitude (work without remunerations)under the Libyan scorching weather.

More disturbingly, however, credible sources have it that the migrants are cruelly kept under lock in their adopted homes by their masters, who appear to possess the brains similar to that of the Neanderthals.

The migrants don't have equality, they don't have freedom, and they don't even have respect and dignity in any meaningful sense. How could this happen in the 21st century?

But then again, such an abhorrent behaviour should not surprise some of us,as the unfortunate killing of Gadhafi has directly or indirectly caused the revoltingly ugly acts.

Indeed, the war thorn Libya has been infiltrated by obdurate criminals who are committing all sorts of crimes, often, with a flimsy or lame excuse of defending their sacred belief. In any case, the international community cannot and must not stand aside and look while our brothers and sisters are being treated as a piece of garbage.

It is, however, worthmentioning that in this day and age, no group of persons or nation should be allowed to trample upon the inalienable human rights of its own citizens, let alone the citizens from elsewhere.

And given that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights outlaws some practices directly related to trafficking, inter alia, slavery, servitude, the slave trade and forced or compulsory labour, some impenitent criminals in some Arab countries are revoltingly carrying out the abominable acts regardless.

It is worth stating that the 1926 Slavery Convention criminalises the act of slavery without distinction. Whileits 1953 amended Convention delineates practices which are comparable to slavery, including debt bondage, and institutions and practices that discriminate against women in the contest of marriage, for instance.

More significantly, the relevant international instruments that have been enacted to specifically combat slavery and human trafficking includethe Palermo Protocol, an addendum to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (2000).

Take, for instance, Article 5 of the Protocol obligates States to criminalise trafficking, attempted trafficking, and any other deliberate involvement or arrangement in a trafficking scheme.

Even if, the migrants willingly or unwillingly travelled to those countries, the Libyan criminals have no given rights to maltreat or afflict pain on them.

As a matter of fact, any migrant, whether legal or illegal, is equally protected under the international law. It is,therefore, worth stressing that the 1951 Refugee Convention is an important instrument in the protection of the rights of aliens, refugees and stateless persons.

More significantly, Articles 31, 32 and 33 of the 1951 Refugee Convention protect against the prosecution for illegal entry, and protection against expulsion (Refoulement).

And more soif the migrants were sent to those countries by registered employment agencies with the view to working legally, they might as well be covered under the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and their Family Members.

Obviously, the Migrant Workers Convention discourages all forms of discriminations, including forced or compulsory labour and slavery.

Besides, migrant workers are protected through the principles and standards set forth in the relevant instruments such as the International Labour Organisation, especially the Convention concerning Migration for Employment (No. 97), the Convention concerning Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers (No.143), the Recommendation concerning Migration for Employment (No. 86), the Recommendation concerning Migrant Workers (No. 151), the Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour (No. 29) and the Convention concerning Abolition of Forced Labour (No. 105) (UN 2016).

Clearly, therefore, those involved in the slavery and cruel treatments of the migrants in Libya are acting in contravention of the international law, and therefore, the international community must act without delay and bring the offenders to book.

Indeed, those individuals are in breach of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.Of course, we could assume that the migrants have been acting naively for falling into the wicked imps traps. Nonetheless, the migrantsapparent servile compliance cannot in anyway take away theheinous crime being committed by the criminals.

In any case, I am of the firm conviction that the problem could be solved on several fronts.

First of all, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the Ministry of Trade must ban all unscrupulous travel or labour agencies as a matter of urgency.

Secondly, the Ministry of Information should undertake a nationwide education and awareness campaign to alert the potential job-seeking bandwagon of the dangers in falling for the numerous adverts on the non-existent lucrative employment opportunities in some Arab countries.

In concluding, I will humbly suggest that all the stakeholders come together and work strenuously with a clear intention of halting the apparent slavery in some Arab countries.

K. Badu, UK.
03.12.2017 LISTEN

Christians and Christian leaders have been challenged to work on identity crisis and ignorance which have gradually robbed most Christians of a great life and blessings in Christ.

This was reemphasized by Pastor Collins Yeboah during a launch of his second book titled "Living the Prophesy: fulfilling the reason for your being, the reason for your design" powered by Kingdom Literacy.

Pastor Collins was of the biblical opinion that the life in Christ and all the blessings and all the divine verities of GOD for us is wrapped up in prophecy and it takes knowing and believing in who you are in Christ through knowledge to live and fulfill this great life of prophecy.

Pastor Collins Yeboah who is the resident pastor of the Akomadan branch of the International Central Gospel Church made an observation from the preface of the book that

Everything we do today is dependent on our vision of the future. If people do not know what the future holds in store for them they live anyhow without order, structure and consciousness of God. If people do not know how and what they have been designed for, they mismanage and waste time, opportunity and resources , he said.

If you do not know the reason for your existence, that is, the wisdom of God for your design, you will attach little or no value to revelation knowledge, the leadings of the Spirit, visions and prophecies. If you are unaware of the purpose of God for your life, you will certainly live in the slavery of sin and deception.

Ignorance of the knowledge of how you f it in God's plan for life is the reason why probably you are unable to identify the favors, blessings, victuals and endowments that miraculously come your. Living the prophesy explains scripturally that as a faith-born there is a heavenly design for your life even before your birth and directs you to the steps to enable you to discover your purpose of being and live the prophecy and a fulfilled life.

The book which is prefaced from a message of the general overseer Rev. Dr. Mensah Otabil and for worded and recommended by Prophet Christopher Yaw Annor, Senior Pastor of ICGC Holy Ghost Temple, Adenta Accra and Rev. Andrews AsieduTetteh, Senior Pastor of Mission Light Chapel respectively.

PREFACE

P r e f a c e Pastor Mensa Otabil, in his sermon on Order at Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC) in Kumasi, 2014, gave a story about a question he asked a young lady in ICGC Assembly in Akosombo (Ghana).

He said he was on a tour throughout Ghana over ICGC branches in Ghana and when he got to Akosombo on Tuesday, he decided to minister at the evening service.

He said in his teaching, he asked a young lady a question that; if you knew or if there is a way you could know your future that it will be very bad, you will be poor, miserable and nothing will work for you, how would you live your life today? He said the lady answered, If I knew if that was how my future is going to be, I will live any how.

Pastor Mensa said that was shocking to him because that was not what he was expecting. So he asked a second question if you could know your future that you will be a great woman, great professional, wealthy, and great mother, how would you live your life today? The lady answered that I will be careful at everything I do today. Everything we do today is dependent on our vision of the future. If people do not know what the future holds in store for them they live anyhow without order, structure and consciousness of God.

If people do not know how and what they have been designed for, they mismanage and waste time, opportunity and resources. If you do not know the reason for your existence, that is, the wisdom of God for your design, you will attach little or no value to revelation knowledge, the leadings of the Spirit, visions and prophecies. If you are unaware of the purpose of God for your life, you will certainly live in the slavery of sin and deception.

Ignorance of the knowledge of how you f it in God's plan for life is the reason why probably you are unable to identify the favors, blessings, victuals and endowments that miraculously come your way.Living the prophecy is a kingdom literacy material that explains scripturally that as a faith-born there is a heavenly design for your life even before your birth and directs you to the steps to enable you to discover your purpose of being and live the prophecy and a fulfilled life.

F o r e w o r d

LIVING THE PROPHECY, what an apt description! Arguably the prophetic ministry has a wide patronage among a lot of people especially in Ghana. In a world full of uncertainties as to what the future holds, its not uncommon to see throngs of people moving from one prophetic conference to another in the hope of hearing a word from God that will bring the desired change into their life.

That notwithstanding what is seen as a blessing has also its down side - it is open to all kinds of abuses so much so that what God intended to build up His people with, has become a snare for some people.

The result is confusion as to what or whom to turn to or believe; posing a danger for the genuine ones. However, the prophetic ministry is one out of several that God has blessed the church with and must be properly used to be a blessing to the body of Christ. The author, Collins Yeboah is concerned and rightly so about the ineffective way these gifts are being handled. He likens it to precious diamonds that have found their way into the hands of ignorant people who throw them away with reckless abandon.

Unaware of the worth of revelation, scriptural insight, among others many waste their lives. Time is of the essence and as Apostle Paul noted in Ephesians Chapter 5:14 - 16 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the times because the days are evil.

That is the clarion call of the author to everyone, to take the gifts God has graciously given to the body of Christ and use them to build one another up. He combines his own experiences in the use of revelatory gifts and his wonderful teaching gift to lay a foundation to help the reader reflect the life of Christ. He draws from the rich experience of the Patriarch Abraham and his son Isaac on the importance of making ourselves instruments to fulfill Gods plan for our lives.

You will learn from the lessons he draws from Abrahams willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac and Isaacs willingness to be sacrificed, calling on us to also offer ourselves too to God. You will also appreciate his teaching on grace and several other topics. This material will prove useful to anyone seeking to make his life count and fulfilling.

BY PROPHET CHRISTOPHER YAW ANNOR, SENIOR PASTOR, ICGC HOLY GHOST TEMPLE, ADENTA, ACCRA

I n t r o d u c t i o n One of the books that has inspired me so much is At the Master's feet by Sadhu Sunder Singh. Many concepts and precepts that hold the rule and the governance of my life have been from this book. In the book, this is what Jesus said; there are many who have wasted the precious time given to them for My service, but even now there is an opportunity for them to arouse themselves and make the best use of the time that remains to them.

They are like a hunter who, whiles wandering in the jungle, picked up some pretty stones on the bank of a stream. Unaware of their value he used them one by one in his sling to shoot at the birds seated on the trees near the river, and so one by one they fell into the water and were lost. With one still in his hand he returned to the city, and as he passed along the bazaar a jeweler caught sight of it, and told the silly fellow that it was a valuable diamond for which he could get thousands of rupees.

When he heard this he began to bewail himself and say, "Woe is me! I didn't know their value, and have been using many of these diamonds to shoot at birds by the riverside, and they have fallen into the river and are lost, otherwise I should have been a millionaire.

Still I have saved this one, and that is something gained." Every day is like a precious diamond, and though many priceless days have been wasted in the pursuit of fleeting pleasures, and are forever sunk in the depths of the past, you should awake to the value of what remains, and bringing it into the best possible use gather for yourself spiritual riches.

Use it in My service, who have given to you life and all its priceless blessings, and by using them to save others from sin and death you will obtain an everlasting and heavenly reward. This is how some people treat revelation, scriptural insight, divine endowment and resources.

Just as the hunter in the parable above wasted the diamonds because he was unaware of their value, so are many today, they are unaware of their worth to God so they waste their time in fornications, adultery, idol worship, drunkenness, sorceries, occultism, thefts, embezzlements, lies, timidity and falsehood. Many are they who live unfulfilled lives and this is because unknown to them is the high price God has placed on them.

As diamond is among stones so are you thousand times more among men. The value and the worth of a diamond are not placed upon it by itself but it was done by its creator and maker. In the same way, your worth and value in life and in the kingdom of God are not placed on you by yourself but by your creator and maker.

Just as the value of diamond was discovered through research and painstaking efforts so you need to search and find out the purpose for your design  the reason for your being. That discovery is your worth in the kingdom of God.

If you fail to discover your value in life, you will be a waste just as the diamond was lost in the river. Your faith will be malnourished and you will be fed based on your knowledge of the purpose for your being. Living The Prophecy is a kingdom literacy resource that has been divinely prepared for you to enable you to discover the reason for your existence and the pathway you need to take to fulfill it.
The Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has warned Ghanaian soldiers on United Nations peacekeeping mission not to engage in any sexual activities.

He said violating this directive amounts to misconduct, and one risks being sacked from the army if he/she goes contrary to the directive.

Addressing some soldiers during a one-day visit to the Brong Ahafo region, he said it is against the rules of the UN for soldiers on peace missions to engage in sexual relations with citizens they have been engaged to protect.

Mr Nitiwul also noted that such an act damages the image of the country.

The UN frowned upon sexual exploitation and abuseyou cannot have sexual relations with the people who you are going you are going to help make peace.

Neither can you have sexual relationship among yourselves so you have to be like a Catholic priest when you get therefor Catholic priests, if you are a man you dont know woman and if you are a woman you dont know a man, he advised.

The UN has a zero-tolerance policy with respect to sexual exploitation and abuse.

This includes any sexual activity with minors or any actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions; any actual or attempted abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

This includes acts of transactional sex, solicitation of transactional sex, and exploitative relationships. In addition, military and police personnel in most of our missions have non-fraternization policies making relations with beneficiaries of assistance a breach of the standards of conduct.

The Defence Minister explained that it is because of such sacrifices that soldiers on such missions are given $700 as leave allowance.

In fact, you cannot just lose your rank but you can be sacked from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) if you indulge in such misbehaviour, Mr Nitiwul warned.

The Member of Parliament for Bimbilla said those who cannot control their sexual desires can return to Ghana and do whatever they want to do and go back to their base.

But once you are there, never attempt it, he said adding if a member of a battalion is arrested, it will have a repercussion on you and other members of your battalion.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com |Abubakar Ibrahim |[email protected]
We have marked an important day in the lives of many Ghanaians and the world at large. Coincidentally, a day reserved for WORLD AIDS DAY and NATIONAL FARMERS DAY celebration nationwide.

National Farmers Day recognizes and appreciates our gallant farmers for their continued support and contribution towards nation building.

Similarly, World Aids Day is celebrated to share in the pain and suffering of the numerous people who might have died, affected or infected with HIV and AIDS or left behind as orphans and vulnerable in society.

On this memorable day, the National Population Council (NPC) congratulates all and sundry for honouring the day and those joining in the celebration. This event is expected to mark the beginning of our efforts at demonstrating a commitment to placing the farmer in a strategic position. The integration of World Aids Day and National Farmers Day is defined and operationalized by three overlapping areas, farmer as beneficiary; partner and agent of change in the family and community they operate. In providing service via treatment, care, and support to people living with HIV and AIDS.

From the traditional view, measurement of a nations healthy population had been two-fold, life expectancy and mortality. Today life expectancy and mortality have dropped lower than it was five decades ago. Thanks to gains in knowledge, improved health, water, and sanitation among others.

Poor health has clearly been identified as a key dimension to poverty as it turns to reduce household savings and investments, productivity and leads to diminishing quality of life. It is, therefore, true to argue that poverty and environment are mutually reinforcing and that poor people are both agents and victims of environmental degradation.

The interrelationship between human numbers and their environment is neither obvious nor simple. If left unchecked, that complex connection between human population and their environment will result in large-scale environmental degradation. This comes at a cost, but huge.

However, in the Western Region, this connection is being jeopardized as a result of high population growth. Population in the Western Region has increased from 1.9 million in 2000 to 2.3million in 2010 and still counting. High fertility is preferred as the average person gives birth to 4 children. Population growth is expected to increase further with, harbour expansion, railway development, exploitation of oil and gas and the mining sector. This clearly indicates that food security is threatened.

Profiling HIV prevalence in the Region reveals an increase from 1.9 in 2011 to 2.5 in 2016. Whiles the national rate stands at 2.4 however, the most affected was the 15-49 group with the peak between 25-34 years.Within Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, HIV prevalence increased from 2.8 in 2015 to 3.0 in 2016. This is alarming and calls for early intervention mechanisms to halt or reverse the trend.

Although Family Planning programmes do have considerable effect in reducing HIV and AIDS infection, maternal mortality and bring down fertility rates, usage of contraception remains low. Currently, only 23% of the population is using any modern contraception method, below the Regional target of 30%. Consequently, total fertility rate is higher among the rural poor.

NPC is of the view that considering the following will go a long way to put Ghana and the Region on an accelerated path of development.

Expanding access to family planning information and services will reduce considerably unsafe abortion, high population growth and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS

Health sector reforms take into consideration the integration of family planning into the NHIS

Enhance community involvement in the management of forest resources whiles at the same time taking farmers through land and water management techniques.

NPC salutes all those affected and infected by HIV and AIDS

NPC says Ayekoo to all farmers especially the award winners.

Thank you.

Frank Ofosu- Asante

National Population Council

Western Region
It sent patrons and users into fits of puzzled anger. It numbed a good many more who had placed mistaken faith in its operations. Rapacious, predatory Uber, a ride-hailing company famed for its international ruthlessness, had behaved accordingly. Last week, the firm revealed that it had received a massive hack in 2016, failing to notify customers and regulators that a breach of security had taken place.

The scale of the hack was far from negligible. Some 57 million customers were affected, their data obtained and held to ransom. This was not all. Officials at Uber, having decided against immediate revelation in favour of a deep freeze approach, went for an eyebrow raising option: paying off the culprits to the tune of $100,000. A dark deal was done: pretend it had never happened. The hackers walked away delighted.

Given the nature of such information hacks, the hide and seek option was never going to last. In a blog post , the company subsequently conceded that, In October 2016, Uber experienced a data security incident that resulted in a breach of information related to rider and driver accounts.

The data compromised involved names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers. Certain forensic experts were cited as claiming that no trip location history, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers or dates of birth were downloaded.

Incoming chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi apologised with predictable insincerity  when accepting the job in August, he already had knowledge of the hack. None of this should have happened, and I will not make excuses for it.

Having been exposed for being in the breach, Ubers next step was to claim that the hacking was insipid. There had been no evidence of fraud or misuse tied up to the incident. Some internal window dressing was in order.

The company has overseen the resignation of three senior managers in the rattled security unit, one stacked with 500 employees. On the chopping block was Pooja Ashok, chief of staff for the now sacked chief security officer Joe Sullivan; Prithvi Rai, senior security engineer, and Jeff Jones, responsible for physical security.

The security team has not covered itself in glory. Tasked with the onerous brief of keeping the company accounts secure, it has also been accused of engaging in pilfering programming codes and trade secrets from rivals. That particular case involves a $1.8bn litigation standoff between Uber and Alphabets autonomous vehicle unit Waymo.

This ongoing battle has been illuminating on several levels. Ubers approach to regulation  its evasion, that is  has come out for some testing. Presiding Judge William Alsup was in a far from affable mood to Ubers general counsel in failing to disclose a 37-page letter suggesting the presence of a shadow system designed to avoid paper trails on supposedly sensitive information.

The question to preoccupy the legal fraternity now is whether the hack should have tangible consequences for Uber. In various states, customers and Uber drivers are looking at legal options over the data breach that may well be grounded in statutory form. The UK law firm Leigh Day has revealed that it had fielded inquiries from 10 disgruntled customers.

Law partner Sean Humber has certainly had his interest piqued by the possibility of a class action. If private, confidential information has been mishandled, that could be a breach of the Data Protection Act, and people could have a claim under the act.

The line taken by Humber is eminently sensible: that Uber could well have facilitated a misuse of private information or, at the very least, a breach of confidence. If people have suffered distress or loss as a result of that data breach, in principle they are entitled to compensation.

In Los Angeles, the Wilshire Law Firm was also keeping busy on this new frontier of litigation, filing a class action in the federal court claiming that the firms drivers and passengers are at risk of fraud and identity theft.

This would be fitting. Uber is a company hell bent on global reach, and is happy to undercut local regulations, not to mention the taxi market, where possible. In various locales, the company is meeting forms of resistance.

In September, Transport for London refused the companys request for a new license, citing its app was not fit and proper. TfLs reasons also included inadequate reporting procedures for serious criminal offences, the obtaining of medical certificates and the use of the Greyball software.

In other jurisdictions, the company has been banned on grounds spanning unfair competition to sidestepping local tax meters. But this is a conflict of monumental proportions waged in the courts and jurisdictions of the globe.

Uber, so far, has shown an appetite for donning its armour and going into battle. Domination does come with its fair share of bruising and flesh wounds. Importantly, as far as class actions are concerned, the company may well be able to shore up its defences in shifting the onus back to riders and drivers.

According to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in August this year, the rider must agree to waive their entitlement to litigate in signing for the ride-sharing app. This also comes with an arbitration agreement clause activated on signing, though it does come with an option to opt-out. That very attention to detail eludes most users of the system, the cost of near instance convenience.

Such deft trickery did not bother Judge Denny Chin, who wrote the judgment assented to by Judges Reena Raggi and Susan Carney. While it may be the case that many users will not bother reading the additional terms, that is the choice the user makes. The user is still on inquiry notice. Whether such cases protect the company from cases of gross negligence regarding the handling of user data is a point that still requires a firm answer. The firms vast wings may well be, over time, clipped.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne.
Throughout time women have been encouraged to dress modestly. Were past the era when seeing an ankle was scandalous, but there is still a stigma around women who have the gall to wear a mini skirt.

Nowadays, there is a mix of women who like to dress with modesty in mind and those who are comfortable wearing something different.

To be clear, modesty isnt a sin as long as it is your choice to dress modestly because its what you feel comfortable and thrive in. The real sin here is that women are being subtly (and not so subtly) coerced into dressing in a way that society views as modest because theyre worried theyll be viewed differently or even threatened if they dont.

Modesty should be a personal choice, not an obligation. You shouldnt need to avoid miniskirts in order to be respected in society. As long as youre not wearing a t-shirt that says proud sexist or walking naked in the street, who gives a damn what youre wearing?

Unfortunately, what we wear is still being seen as a direct indicator of our character and even our worth. Were still wading through the common murky perception that girls should dress modestly, and if they dont, theyre trashy or a slut. Slutshaming and calculating someones worth by their style of dress is so demeaning. And far too many of these judgements are made because of girl on girl hate or because a scorned man assumed that a short skirt meant Im all yours.

I myself worry when I wear short skirts  50% of my worry is centred on sudden gushes of wind and the other 50% is fear that someone will think Im sending them a signal of permission to grab my ass.

This idea that modesty defines your self-worth gets bedded in early. There are so many reports of girls being shamed for their outfit choice at school. These girls are being blamed for being sexual objects for men/boys to stare at, when it should be the role of parents and teachers to educated boys that girls are not a walking, talking opportunity for sex.

Im lucky in that I live in Australia, where the majority of our schools have assigned uniforms. I didnt have to worry about teachers accusing me of distracting male students with my premature, training-bra boobs. On casual days, wearing singlets was forbidden to both boys and girls (though I suspect that decision was made with sun safety rather than gender equality in mind.)

However, the issue still stands, and it doesnt stop at school  it seeps into adult life and the workplace. If boys are taught from a young age that girls are sex objects, not hardworking equals, then how are they going to treat their female colleagues in the professional world?

(Editor note: Theyll probably end up this guy who used LinkedIn (a professional platform) to post a pic of a woman as a sex object, and NOBODY CARED. NOT EVEN LINKEDIN.)

Obligatory modesty is all part of the eternal cycle of double standards. I say eternal, but it needs to end.

There are so many gender-based double standards in todays perception of modesty, too. Its seen as socially acceptable for men to take their shirts off but people have a heart attack if they see a womans nipple  even if shes feeding her baby. Infants arent known for being co-operative and patient  if they need to be fed, they need to be fed.

This double standard in clothing and modesty is horrifically obvious on any day of the week. Take this readers experience of getting slutshamed for her miniskirt by an older woman on the bus  who said nothing about the guy standing nearby with a design of a headless naked woman on his t-shirt. Another day, another example of everyday sexism.

Guys can show as much of their body as they want without too much social gratification or approbrium coming their way, but a girl in a short skirt is apparently a slut whos asking to be sexually assaulted.

It hits me even harder when women slut-shame other women due to what they are wearing, deepening the stigma. I still remember how, when Emma Watson did a 2017 topless Vanity Fair cover shoot, she was shamed by both men and women and labelled a hypocrite and anti-feminist.

Emma Watsons eloquent response:

Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. Its about freedom, its about liberation, its about equality. I really dont know what my tits have to do with it. Can we stop associating a womens clothing with her stance on feminism? Even better can we not judge women by their clothing choice at all?

People need to understand that when a woman confidently shows off her body, she isnt doing so for male attention. Seriously, dont flatter yourself. Shes doing it to feel confident in herself. This concept that a womans choice of clothing is done purely for male attention needs to die, along with the medieval idea that a woman is somehow to blame if a man is attracted to her (or even assaults her).

If society cant evolve enough to make this happen, then I guess well have to raise standards for men.

Boys shouldnt be allowed to take their shirts off at the beach because I can see his nipples and it horrifies me.

Boys in school should wear sweatshirts in the summer because I cant concentrate on my science test with his biceps begging me to look and fantasise about them.

Sounds extreme, doesnt it?

Well we could just change the standards we hold women to instead, and allow everyone the freedom to dress however they please without any social consequences.

Main illustration: Hayley Lim
Review of CI.133 will aid in ...
(Natural News) Evidence that global warming might actually be real has emerged from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, where a number of snowflakes have reportedly melted even before the arrival of winter. No, were not talking about actual frozen ice crystals here, but rather a handful of brain-addled students and faculty members at the school who have decided to make the life of a female teaching assistant a living hell, simply because this individual made the mistake of showing her students a video debate about the use of non-traditional gender pronouns.

In the video that Lindsay Shepherd showed to her class (which you can view a portion of at this link), a professor by the name of Jordan Peterson was seen debating another individual about the controversial use of non-traditional gender pronouns. Peterson was on the opposition side of the issue, arguing that the use of non-traditional gender pronouns is neither appropriate nor logical from a biological perspective. The other individual, of course, argued in their favor.

Its the type of thing that any honest intellectual would expect to take place at a university: The presentation of opposing ideas in a proper debate format for the enlightenment of inquiring and impressionable student minds. But at Wilfrid Laurier University, critical thinking is apparently a serious offense, as it apparently violates the schools official code of conduct. This became abundantly clear when Shepherd was literally pulled aside and interrogated by two neo-Marxist professors at the school, Nathan Rambukkan and Herbert Pimlott, both of whom verbally abused and berated her simply for showing the video to her class.

As youll hear in the disturbing audio clip below that was posted to YouTube, Shepherd was subjected to what can only be described as psychological manipulation and trauma as her insane accusers tell her that she created a toxic and problematic environment simply by presenting an opposing viewpoint about non-traditional gender pronouns. Listen for yourself to the full audio and prepare to be flabbergasted at what these supposed educators had to say to Shepherd concerning her free speech rights:

The gender-insane have seized control of academia and are now destroying it from within

A few things that stand out besides the fact that Shepherd was brought to tears over the whole ordeal include the added insult that she was told directly by these two goons that her decision to present two sides to this particular argument amounted to her inappropriately expressing her opinion in class. In other words, if Shepherd had simply told her students that using non-traditional gender pronouns is the best thing since sliced bread, case closed, then this would have been neutral and she wouldnt have been reprimanded.

Its also rather disturbing that those who complained against Shepherd were effectively shielded from having to actually present a case that they were in any way harmed by Shepherds expression of free speech. We now know from CBC News that it was some bitter tranny named Toby Finlay and its enabler, sociology assistant professor Greg Bird, who together bullied their way to success by claiming to the administration that Shepherds presentation of the video resulted in gender-confused snowflakes feeling unsafe on campus.

What this all illustrates is the fact that the gender-confused among us have now been afforded special rights that trump those of everyone else who assumes a more traditional role for their respective biological sex. All these LGBTQs have to do is scream loudly enough about feeling unsafe or offended and the heavy boot of free speech-silencing tyranny is at their beck and call. Welcome to the new world run by deranged liberalism.

Sources for this article include:

WLU.ca

SHTFplan.com

YouTu.be

YouTu.be

CBC.ca

NaturalNews.com
Editor's Note: Although earlier reports citing the school district and family members stated that the teen had passed away Friday, Rosalie Avila's family later clarified that she would be taken off life support Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, around 9:30 p.m. The family plans to donate Rosalies organs.

A 13-year-old California girl was taken off life support Friday after attempting to take her own life following years of bullying by her middle school peers.

Mesa View Middle School in Yucaipa, California, mourned the death of eighth grader Rosalie Avila with a candlelight vigil, where hundreds of Avila's peers, teachers and loved ones attended.

Avila was described as a loving and warm individual who was a great artist and always got good grades. Her family said she loved the snow as much as she loved the beach and enjoyed singing. Her dream was to become a lawyer so she could make the world a better place.

"My daughter had the whole world," her father, Freddie Avila said in tears. "Now, I just have to think about what she could have done or what she could have become. Now it's just a memory."

Rosalie's father recalled the heartbreaking moment he realized his daughter's devastating action Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017.

"I woke up and there was screaming," he said. "I had to find my daughter...in her room."

Rosalie was taken to Loma Linda Children's Hospital in extremely critical condition. She was taken off life support on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017.

Mesa View Middle School expressed their sorrow through a memo on their website.



"No one can fathom the heartbreak and confusion that we are certain many of our students and families are feeling right now," the school said on the statement. "Crisis counselors and intervention teams will be available and supporting our students throughout the district in the upcoming days."

The school was aware of Rosalie's bullying and she had been in counseling, according to her aunt. She detailed in a journal how she was bullied and named those who were mean to her.

"It's not right to bully other kids," her aunt, Sandra Zebaneh said. "It's not right to call them names, not right to make fun of what they are wearing. It's horrible. Please stop the bullying."

If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe account set up to help funeral costs for Rosalie Avila, you may do so here.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 provides people in distress, or those around them, with 24-hour support. The Crisis Text Line allows people to text 741-741 to connect with crisis counselors.


The first anniversary of a fire that killed 36 people during an electronic music party in an Oakland, California warehouse has been marked with a gathering outside the gutted building known as the "Ghost Ship."

The East Bay Times reports that an Aztec group performed Saturday outside the ruins, and candles and mementos were placed at a nearby metal palm tree sculpture.

Names of the victims were read, and the Rev. Wortham Fears of Christian Academy told the gathering to remember the smiles and laughs shared with them.

"We miss Jonathan and it's sad to come to something like this," said Ed Bernbaum about his son. "But the memory is a celebration."

Flowers and notes were carefully placed outside the warehouse.

Councilmen Noel Gallo, a district representative fighting to improve warehouse safety, spoke during the memorial.

"It's not only to express our gratitude and sorrow and prayers," said Gallo. "But to remind us that we still have a serious issue in the city."

After the fire, a project was created to help provide safe and affordable housing work and performance spaces for artists.

The city of Oakland is also working on a new system to share information on inspections and improvements that need to be made to living spaces. Oakland has hired more inspectors in both the fire department and planning and zoning to help speed up permitting.

"I think it's important to reinforce our commitment to making the changes that are needed to allow for safe legalization of alternative housing," said Rebecca Kaplan from the Oakland City Council.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, issued a statement to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Ghost Ship Fire that took the lives of 36 people in Oakland last year.

"My thoughts and prayers remain with the survivors and the families of victims who are still healing from this horrific tragedy," Lee said. "The Ghost Ship Fire was an unimaginable disaster."

Citing a silver lining of the inferno, Lee continued, "Yet in the face of this horrendous disaster I have been awed by the compassion and perseverance displayed by our East Bay family."

The fire broke out around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2016, at 1305 31st Ave., at a warehouse known as the "Ghost Ship" that was being used by an artist collective and was hosting a party with musical acts.

Events were to continue, including a procession to Lake Merritt, art installations, a sundown observance and nighttime vigil.

The East Bay Times says some dance clubs planned to pause between 11 p.m. and midnight for a moment of silence.
Police Saturday arrested two Antioch residents who allegedly shoplifted items from a mall in Concord.

According to police, on Saturday officers were patrolling the Sun Valley Shopping Center on Concord Boulevard when some shoppers alerted them to a shoplifting incident at a store inside the mall.

Witnesses provided officers with a description of the thieves' vehicle, which was quickly located by an officer as it entered a freeway, police said.

Officers pulled over the vehicle and detained the two suspects inside, who were identified as Kadeem Hodge and Tiana Mayberry, both of Antioch. Inside the vehicle officers found stolen merchandise from several stores, police said.

Hodge and Mayberry were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting, conspiracy and possessing burglary tools, police said.
A second suspect wanted in an October homicide in San Jose was arrested Thursday in Gilroy, police said.

Fabian Rodriguez, 20, of San Jose was arrested on suspicion of killing 21-year-old San Jose resident Lucas Gutierrez in the early morning hours of Oct. 18 in the 300 block of Branham Lane East.

Police arrived on the scene just after midnight and found Gutierrez suffering from at least one stab wound. He was taken to a hospital where he died.

Already in custody is 20-year-old San Jose resident Deven Bargas.

Police said U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers arrested Bargas at the U.S.-Mexico border nine days after the slaying.

Bargas was booked into the San Diego County Jail and was going to be transported to San Jose and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.
Its been called the most sweeping tax reform bill in decades, and after a vote on party lines early Saturday morning, its one step closer to final passage.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed the United States Senate 51-49 on Saturday, with Tennessee Senator Bob Corker the only Republican to vote against the measure. All 48 Democrats in the Senate voted against the bill, which will now have to be synced up with a House bill before being sent to the presidents desk.

The bill, which has been touted as an incentive for companies to create jobs as it slashes the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, will also have a significant impact on families.

Deductions for state and local taxes, including property taxes, would be eliminated as part of the measure. The Child Tax Credit would increase, as would the standard deduction for single and married couples.

The bill also would eliminate the personal exemption of $4050, according to an analysis of the bill.

The individual tax cuts in the bill are set to expire after 2025, while the reduction in the corporate tax would be a permanent one.

Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have said that the corporate tax cuts would create jobs and raise wages for middle class Americans, but Democrats have disagreed, calling it a tax scam in tweets and public statements.

It was a bad tax bill for the country. It is terrible for working families, and its especially bad for the state of Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin said Saturday.

An independent analysis by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, the wealthiest Americans would receive 62 percent of the benefits of the bill by 2027, while the middle class would likely see a tax increase. The Congressional Budget Office also projects that the bill will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.
Three people are dead and at least 18 more have been wounded in shootings across the city of Chicago this weekend.

The weekend's most recent fatal shooting occurred Sunday afternoon in the 5000 block of South Winchester, police said. At approximately 2:10 p.m., a 19-year-old man was approached by another individual, who fired multiple shots at him.

The man was struck in the neck and head by the gunshots, and was later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital.

A shooting on Saturday night in the 5900 block of West Madison left three boys wounded. They were standing on a sidewalk when a vehicle approached and an occupant opened fire, striking all three of them.

A 16-year-old was shot in the stomach and a 14-year-old was shot in the arm, and both were taken to Stroger Hospital in stable condition, police said. A third boy, a 16-year-old, was takne to Loyola in stable condition after he was shot in the buttocks.

No one is in custody in the shooting, and detectives are investigating.

Another fatal shooting occurred Saturday afternoon in the 2600 block of North Long, police said. At approximately 1:17 p.m., a man, believed to be in his 20s, was shot in the chest, and was brought to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital. The man was later pronounced dead, according to police.

No arrests have been made, and no further details are available at this time.

The weekends first fatality occurred on Friday night in the 400 block of West 38th Place. Police responded to a shots fired call around 8:30 p.m., and when they arrived on the scene they found a man with a gunshot wound to his neck.

The man was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No one is in custody, and police are still investigating the shooting.

Friday

Officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 400 block of West 38 th Place and found an adult man with a gunshot wound to his neck, police said. The man was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.

Place and found an adult man with a gunshot wound to his neck, police said. The man was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. A 31-year-old woman was shot while sitting in a vehicle in the 2800 block of South Harding around 11:49 p.m. Friday night, police said. She was taken to Mt. Sinai in stable condition with a graze wound to her head.

Saturday:

A 28-year-old man was shot while walking on a sidewalk in the 3800 block of West Leland at approximately 12:16 a.m. The man was walking when a gold sedan drove by, with one of the occupants opening fire. The man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Center in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his right leg.

A 23-year-old man was walking on a sidewalk in the 4700 block of West Wellington when a group of men walked up to him and opened fire. He was taken to Illinois Masonic in stable condition with gunshot wounds to his back and abdomen.

Just after 6 a.m. in the 3500 block of West Jackson, a 47-year-old man was standing in the street when another man walked up to him and opened fire. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to the stomach and left knee, and was taken to Mount Sinai in serious condition.

In the 5800 block of South Indiana at approximately 11:02 a.m., a 36-year-old man was shot in the mouth, according to police. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition.

A man in his 20s was shot in the chest and later died at Illinois Masonic, police said. The incident occurred in the 2600 block of North Long at approximately 1:17 p.m.

At approximately 2:25 p.m. in the 1300 block of West 78 th Street, a man exited a vehicle and fired multiple shots at a 17-year-old boy. The boy was struck in the arms, leg, and back, and was taken to Christ Hospital in serious condition.

Street, a man exited a vehicle and fired multiple shots at a 17-year-old boy. The boy was struck in the arms, leg, and back, and was taken to Christ Hospital in serious condition. Three people were shot in the 5900 block of West Madison at approximately 6:30 p.m., police said. All three, teenage boys, were listed in stable condition at local hospitals.

A 24-year-old man was walking in the 10500 block of South Edbrooke when a person walked up to him and opened fire. He was struck in the knee and is listed in stable condition.

A 20-year-old man was walking in the 7100 block of South Troy when he heard shots and felt pain in his foot. He was taken to Holy Cross in good condition with a graze wound, authorities said.

A 25-year-old man was shot in the ankle in the 3800 block of West Huron at approximately 10:30 p.m., police said. He was taken to Norwegian Hospital in fair condition.

Sunday:





A 21-year-old woman was riding in a car in the 5200 block of South Whipple when she was shot by an unknown person standing in the street. She refused treatment after suffering a graze wound to her back.

A 21-year-old man was shot in the 0-100 block of West 111th Place at approximately 3:50 a.m., police said. He was found sitting in the driver's seat of a car with multiple gunshot wounds, and is in critical condition at Christ Hospital.

In the 0-100 block of 79th Street at approximately 11:30 a.m., a 23-year-old man was standing in a parking lot when he was shot by occupants in two different cars. He suffered gunshot wounds to his shoulder and arm, and was listed in stable condition at Stroger, police said.

A 19-year-old man was shot and killed in the 5000 block of South Winchester at approximately 2:10 p.m.

A 44-year-old man was shot in the leg at approximately 4:11 p.m. in the 2500 block of South Homan, police said. He was taken to Mt. Sinai in good condition.

An unknown man walked up to a group of people in the 7000 block of South State Street and opened fire at approximately 4:24 p.m., striking a 19-year-old woman in the buttocks. She was taken to St. Bernard Hospital in good condition.

A 22-year-old man was walking in the 4500 block of South Hermitage at approximately 7:41 p.m. when a car approached and an occupant fired shots. He was struck in the buttocks, and was taken to Stroger in good condition.

No one is in custody in these shootings, unless otherwise noted.
Police have located a 1-year-old and 4-year-old after searching for hours when the children went missing with their parents who are both known drug-users.

A silver alert was issued for Natasha Thompson, 3, and her infant brother, Jacob Meeks in Middletown.

Police said there are arrest warrants for the mother, Kristina Thompson, and the father, Andy Meeks, who are known drug users.

"Based on the information provided to the police and previous cases involving Meeks and Thompson there are serious concerns for the children's welfare," Middletown police said.

Middletown Detective Jimmy LaCasse spent all day looking for the children. Both children were located in a hotel in New Haven in good health.

Thompson and Meeks were taken into custody by the New Haven Police Department.

Correction on Dec. 2 at 11:58 a.m.: Police told NBC Connecticut that the children were suspected to be with their mother and her boyfriend, but this has since been corrected.
A Senate investigation into President Donald Trump's possible connections to Russia has revealed a possible obstruction of justice case against the president, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein said on NBC's "Meet The Press" Sunday.

"The [Senate] Judiciary Committee has an investigation going as well and it involves obstruction of justice and I think what we're beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice," Feinstein, the panel's top Democrat, said.

"I see it in the hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House, the comments every day, the continual tweets. And I see it most importantly in what happened with the firing of Director [James] Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to 'lift the cloud' of the Russia investigation. Thats obstruction of justice."

Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey earlier this year in the midst of the bureau's investigation into Russia's interference into the 2016 presidential election.

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty to a count of making false statements to the FBI. He is the fourth person charged in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russias involvement in the 2016 presidential election.
The brother of a San Diego man tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver in the South Bay said their loved one was a mentor, teacher, and a close friend.

"It is a tragedy for our entire family. Its just really hard to deal with," said Dustin Rivera, the brother of victim Alexis Corona.

Even though he's the youngest of six, Rivera speaks for the whole family. He said he wants to be strong but the tears still come.

"Seeing them all cry and just being broken about it, I just need to stay strong for all of them," Rivera said.

Corona, Rivera's oldest brother, killed riding his motorcycle Tuesday night after a suspected drunk driver turned into him on Thermal Avenue near Coronado's Silver Strand State Beach. The force knocked Corona off the bike and into another car.

"He loved riding that motorcycle," Rivera said.

The driver of the vehicle, Toribio Sanchez, is suspected of being under the influence. He was behind bars Friday night, pending a $1 million bail.

Sanchez faces vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI charges in connection with the death of Corona. He pleaded not guilty to all three felony charges in court Friday.

Corona's family told NBC 7 their loved one was working as an Uber driver and had been training become a driver for a local delivery service. Rivera said his brother was someone he looked up to, a great debater with a passion for Japanese cartoon art.

"It wasn't just my parents that raised me, it was both my brothers and mostly him," Rivera said.

Corona's passion for life and family lives on through Rivera and others who will miss him dearly.

"He was always the guy that was always having fun and smiling. I want him to be remembered as the guy that was always happy," Rivera said.

If convicted, Sanchez could spend the next 30 years behind bars.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed the suspect on an immigration hold. Depending on his documentation status, ICE may seek his removal from the country.


A former mailman, who had to stop the job he loved when he was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease, helped debut a USPS stamp Friday that will help fight the disease.

Doug Peterson was a mail carrier in Escondido for 27 years before he was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease  a brain disorder that destroys a persons memory and thinking skills  five years ago.

He may no longer recognize his wife or his kids, but Petersons wife Antonea says he remembers how to deliver mail.

He gets mail from all over the world delivered to our house, Antonea said. Every day he sorts through the mail and delivers it through the rooms. Thats how much he loved being a mailman.

The United States Postal Service on Thursday unveiled a stamp aimed to raise funds towards finding a cure for the disease affecting Doug, and millions of others around the country.

The Alzheimers Semipostal fundraising stamp will be sold for 60 cents; 10 cents of every stamp sold will go towards the National Institutes of Health for Alzheimers research.

Antonea was grateful to know the organization that her husband dedicated his life to was aiding in the fight to find a cure.

We are privileged to know that the United States Post Office has a stamp that is going to help us find a cure to eradicate this disease, to help find a cure, so that way our children and our grandchildren will not have to go through this.

On Friday, Antonea, Doug, scientists and Alzheimers awareness advocates, encouraged San Diegans to support Alzheimers research by purchasing the stamp throughout the holiday season.

Gerold Chun is a professor and Senior Vice President at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. Chun says his organization relies on federal funds, like those the stamp will raise, to research the disease in hopes of finding a cure or treatment.

There have been multiple advances to understanding the molecules as well as the genes [in Alzheimers Disease] and so all of this kind of work stems from the federal governments support, Chung said.

The number of Americans affected by Alzheimers Disease is increasing.

In San Diego, there are more than 53,000 people with the disease and 150,000 people who care for them, according to the San Diego/Imperial County chapter of the Alzheimers Association. It is the third leading cause of death in the county.

Theres no medicine to cure it, or slow it down or prevent it so there is a lot of research that we need to do, the associations Sarah Gramby said.
California's 53 U.S. House members requested $4.4 billion in federal aid Friday to help the state recover from its deadliest wildfires ever.

That's down sharply from the $7.4 billion originally sought by Gov. Jerry Brown and California Democrats last month. The state lowered its request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture from $3.1 billion to $150 million after a better evaluation of what damage is actually eligible for federal programs, said Kelly Huston, deputy director of the state's Office of Emergency Services.

"When the original estimates were made, it was essentially our best approximation of the overall impact," Huston said. "But now, 40 days into the disaster, we know what is covered and where we're at."

The 21 wildfires that ripped through Northern California last month were the deadliest in state history.

The Congressional letter, meanwhile, represents rare bipartisan agreement among California's delegation. California Republicans initially didn't specify an amount when they asked President Donald Trump for federal relief last month. The new letter with all 53 signatures was sent to the House Appropriations Committee as it crafts supplemental disaster relief legislation.

The wildfires destroyed 8,800 structures and 245,000 acres and required 11,000 firefighters to battle the blazes that burned across eight counties.

"We are united as a delegation to help our neighbors recover and rebuild from these tragic fires," U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield said in a statement.

"These were the worst fires in California's history and, as a result, they left unprecedented damage in their wake," said U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, a Democrat who represents some of the worst-ravaged areas. "This funding is a vital first step in our long-term recovery."

The congressional delegation also asked for targeted tax relief for Californians dealing with fire losses, including penalty-free access to retirement funds, disaster-related employment relief and allowing non-itemized deductions for casualty losses.

The agricultural relief money requested by the state would go toward rehabilitating destroyed farm land and watersheds. The original $3 billion estimate took into account future economic and other long-term losses as well as the cost of mitigation measures, Huston said. It's now estimated federal programs can only provide $150 million in the upcoming fiscal year, but the state could ask for more money in the future, he said.

Some of the losses may be covered by state programs as well as private and non-profit programs, Huston said.

"The federal programs are a major part of the recovery, but it's not all of the recovery," he said.
BUYING BOOKS FOR GIFTS? It's as December as chilly sunsets, hot cocoa, and hearing your favorite carol on the radio. But buying books can prompt the purchaser to dream of an evening on the couch, under a blanket, with a new novel or biography or cookbook or memoir of their very own. It's just one of those giving acts that can make the giver long for their own quiet moments of word-filled, mind-growing bliss (especially in the rush-rush of the year's last month). So if your shopping list is...

FULL OF STORYBOOKS... and graphic novels and anthologies all desired by your nearest and dearest, be sure to fold in your own reading-focused pursuits, especially now that winter is on the near horizon, with all of those earlier nights (perfect for covering ten or twenty pages). Where to find inspiration, though, since so many of Southern California's biggest literary festivals happen in the spring and summer? Look to...

LIVE TALKS LOS ANGELES, which features a line-up of luminaries, authors, and public figures on various stages. Dan Rather will chat with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Dec. 4 at The Novo at L.A. Live and Dec. 5 at The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside about Mr. Rather's upcoming book "What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism." Other upcoming events include Jenifer Lewis discussing her new book "The Mother of Black Hollywood" and Amy Tan chatting about "Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir." Eye the full Live Talks Los Angeles schedule, which encompasses the next several months, here.

VROMAN'S, "Southern California's Oldest & Largest Independent Bookstore," has a busy December calendar, with writing classes, kid-cute storytimes, and more. Daryl Gerber and Ellen Byron will visit to read from "A Deadly Eclair" and "A Cajun Christmas Killing" on Dec. 4, 2017, while Sam Wasson will call upon BOOK SOUP in West Hollywood to talk about "Improv Nation: How We Made a Great American Art Form" on Wednesday, Dec. 13. And a night devoted to Krampus? Author Al Ridenour will be at THE LAST BOOKSTORE on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY... is a fascinating font of lit-tastic events, with storytimes for kids and happenings for teens filling up the calendar. If you're looking for what-to-read-next inspiration, consider adding an ALOUD to-do to your own schedule. And if you just need to count the days in anticipation of the mondo literary events of the springtime, get excited: The LOS ANGELES TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS returns to USC on April 21 and 22, 2018, which isn't all that far-off (if you read a book a week, that's only 18 or so books to go).
A California teen turned himself in to police Saturday and allegedly confessed to molesting upwards of 50 children during the past eight years in different cities where he had lived, including Riverside.

The arrest came after the suspect's mother told police that during a phone call the suspect admitted to recently sexually assaulting an 8-year-old male and a 4-year-old male that he had befriended at a Simply Home Inn & Suites in the 9800 block of Magnolia Avenue, Riverside police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback said.

The children had been staying in the motel with their parents but had been allowed to go into the suspect's room where the molestation occurred, police said.

After speaking with investigators, the suspect's mother picked her son up and drove him to the Magnolia police station where he was taken into custody.

During an interview with officers, Joseph Hayden Boston, 18, of Lakewood allegedly confessed to the motel molestations and additionally to molesting about 50 children since the age of 10 in different cities where he had lived, Railsback said.

"The suspect has been staying in Riverside since early Nov. 2017, but also resided in the cities of Lakewood and Buena Park in Southern California,'' Railsback said.

Boston was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of two counts of oral copulation on a child under the age of 10. He remained jailed in lieu of $1 million bail.

The County of Riverside Child Protective Services took custody of both juvenile victims, Railsback said.

An investigation was ongoing and police believe Boston has victimized other children who have not yet come forward.

Police urged anyone who may have information about the suspect to contact Detective Paul Miranda at 951-353-7945.
Prince William made sure to add a Santa Claus visit to his royal duties while in Finland.

As he visited a festive market in Helsinki, where he met local residents, he made sure the stop also included the man responsible for all the gift-giving this Christmas. William assured Santa that his son has been in the nice list, handing over Prince Georges Christmas wish list, where for the first time, Georges signature is seen.

He hasnt written down any requests, so I think one request is probably OK, said William.

The wish list that was addressed to Father Christmas confirms George has been a nice boy this year, asking for a police car, as his third choice.

The 4-year old prince seemed to have forgotten to add his first and second choice to his list.

Next year, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be getting an additional present with the announcement of a new royal baby from mom, Kate Middleton. The royal family will continue to grow with the announcement of a new aunt for George and Charlotte now that Meghan Markle is engaged to Prince Harry.
A man walked into a Jewish nursing home in the Bronx, tried to rob an elderly resident and then beat the older man and yelled anti-Semitic remarks at him, police said Sunday.

Alen Califano, 41, of Yonkers, was charged with robbery, burglary, a hate crime, assault, criminal possession of a weapon and possession of marijuana, police said.

The 84-year-old victim lives at the New Jewish Home in the Fordham neighborhood, where his friend told NBC 4 New York that a new security guard let the man into the home to use a bathroom Saturday afternoon.

Instead of going to the bathroom, police say the intruder started rummaging through apartments, eventually ending up at the victim's apartment, where he lit a joint.

Califano struck the older man with a cardboard tube and a fire extinguisher, all while demanding money from him and yelling anti-Semitic remarks, police said.

"He has a walker, and he hit him in the mouth, over here in the face," said Eddie Morales, who lives in the building and witnessed part of the attack.

Police said Califano had many prior arrests dating back to when he was 19 years old. It wasn't clear whether he had an attorney.



Leslie Hoot, the director of University Avenue Assisted Living, said the victim is "a wonderful, kind and gentle man" and that the guard who let the attacker in has been fired.

This isolated incident is the result of an unacceptable breach of protocol committed by a guard employed by the private firm contracted to provide security at this assisted living facility, Hoot said in a statement.

She said University Avenue Assisted Living has demanded an incident report and remedial action plan from the security firm.

Friends of the victim said he's in high spirits and that he went out with family on Sunday, his birthday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says 1,000 water filtration systems will be distributed to hurricane-battered Puerto Rico though a $1 million privately funded New York initiative.

The Democratic governor made a quick trip to Puerto Rico on Saturday, his third visit since Hurricane Maria struck in September.

While there, Cuomo called on Congress to fund Puerto Rico's $94.4 billion recovery plan, saying the island faces a long road to recovery.

The water systems New York is sending can filter 12 liters per hour, enough water for 75 to 100 people per day.

Cuomo said New York also has delivered supplies including 2.1 million bottles of water and 1.6 million diapers to Puerto Rico.

The state has sent hundreds of utility employees and National Guard personnel to help with the recovery.
What to Know Multiple Christmas light wires were cut in Sea Girt, New Jersey, days before a popular tree lighting ceremony

The town suspected young vandals may be to blame and police said they were keeping an eye on the tree

Saturday morning they spotted a squirrel eating the wires; a photo shows it casually nibbling away

The borough of Sea Girt, New Jersey, holds a wildly popular tree lighting ceremony every year  an event threatened earlier this week when officials found wires to Christmas display lights severed by what they believed to be vandals.

Crews raced to repair and replace the damaged wires so Fridays Christmas tree lighting could go on as scheduled. Meanwhile, police planned to keep a close eye on the display in an effort to catch those responsible.

But after the tree lighting ceremony, police said they caught the perpetrator in the act Saturday morning. They released a photo of the suspected vandal: It walks on four legs and has a penchant for eating acorns and ticking off dogs.

Indeed, its a squirrel police believe has been cutting the wires  a far cry from the youthful miscreants the town had suspected.

Police said they were unable to catch the tree-dwelling rodent and that the Christmas display will now be under constant surveillance to make sure the critter doesnt strike yet again.

Earlier this week, resident John Shibels was surprised to hear of possible vandalism in the borough. This is Mayberry RFD, probably the first vandalism we've had in 10 years, he said.

Sea Girt police Captain Justin Macko showed NBC 4 New York some of the damaged wires Thursday.

There's several cuts throughout everything if we lay them all out, Macko said at the time.



Some wires were left severed at a Santa and reindeer display by the library. More snipped wires were found at the Christmas tree a short distance away.

It tells me they definitely wanted to do it and they want to accomplish their goal of making sure the lights don't work, Macko said.

Someone cut wires at one New Jerseys yearly holiday display. Brian Thompson reports.

The discovery of the cut wires came about a week after pumpkins were smashed outside Fratello's Italian Restaurant. The owner, Chris DeCresce, wasnt ready to make a connection between the two incidents when he spoke with NBC 4 Thursday, but he said youngsters may be to blame.

It sounds like a young act to me, he said.

Now that Sea Girt has found the alleged culprit, its a matter of keeping the Christmas display safe from the wire-hungry squirrel still on the loose. Meanwhile, the pumpkin-smashers have not been found.
Here is the complete statement issued by former national security adviser Michael Flynn after he pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian diplomat.

___

"After over 33 years of military service to our country, including nearly five years in combat away from my family, and then my decision to continue to serve the United States, it has been extraordinarily painful to endure these many months of false accusations of "treason" and other outrageous acts.

"Such false accusations are contrary to everything I have ever done and stood for. But I recognize that the actions I acknowledged in court today were wrong, and, through my faith in God, I am working to set things right. My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the Special Counsel's Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country. I accept full responsibility for my actions."
A small park in the middle of San Diegos Linda Vista community will now be named John Baca Park after a Kearny High School graduate who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

John Baca thanked his friends and family as a monument in his honor was unveiled Saturday at the park once known as Morley Green along Linda Vista Road.

Baca says he should have died while fighting for the U.S. in Vietnam on Feb. 10, 1970. Baca, a 21-year-old soldier at the time, found himself in the middle of a gunfight and watched a grenade land in the middle of his patrol.

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I saw my whole life flash through me. What do I do? Do I pick it up? Do I throw it? Where did it come from? Its not supposed to be here, and do I run from it? Somebody is going to get wounded, Baca said. All these thoughts went through my mind.

He covered the grenade with his helmet and then covered his helmet with his body, saving the lives of the men around him. He remembers praying to Jesus and feeling as if an angelic presence was holding him as he lay bleeding on the battlefield.

He survived.

It would be easy to call Baca a hero based solely on what he did in Vietnam but it's what he has quietly done ever since that life-changing moment that reveals his true character.

[[240324761,C]]

A former resident of Julian, California, in east San Diego County, he packs up famous Julian apple pies and sends them around the nation to wounded warriors and the families who've lost loved ones in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

With organizations like Snowball Express, he is still a hero devoted to helping the children of fallen heroes.

Baca is one of only 71 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor still living.
The body of a missing 3-year-old North Carolina girl was found in a creek less than a day after her mother's boyfriend was charged with hiding her body after knowing she didn't die of natural causes, authorities said.

Investigators continue to stay tight-lipped about what happened to Mariah Woods. But they left little doubt Earl Kimrey knew how she died and was trying to cover it up. He was charged late Friday with concealing of death.

"It was too late to save Mariah the moment the 911 call came in," FBI agent Stanley Meador said of the call the girl's mother made Monday to report her missing. "The arrest warrants are public record and the records speaks for themselves. We will not discuss any details related to the homicide investigation."

Kimrey removed the girl's body from the place where she died and knew her death was not natural, according to those arrest warrants.

Sixteen hours after announcing Kimrey's arrest, Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller said the girl's body was found by dive teams around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The body was in a creek in Pender County about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the home Mariah shared with Kimrey in Jacksonville, FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch said in a statement with few other details. The medical examiner still needs to identify the body, but investigators are confident it is Mariah, Lynch said.

Miller refused to release other details at a news conference.

Mariah's mother said she last saw her daughter when she put her to bed Sunday night.

Kristy Woods made tearful pleas for her daughter's return. "This is my world, this is my angel," she said.

Kimrey, 32, is also charged with obstruction of justice, second-degree burglary, felony larceny and possession of stolen property. Prosecutors are reviewing whether additional charges should be filed.

The statement did not indicate whether Kimrey had a lawyer or if anyone else could also be charged.

Mariah's father, who has been involved in a custody dispute with her mother, has criticized her version of events.

"Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didn't cry, she didn't scream?" Woods told WCTI-TV in New Bern earlier in the week. "Nobody heard anything? Four people in the house, two adults and two kids someone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out?"
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that he believes it's time to start moving the families of American military personnel out of South Korea as North Korea pushes the U.S. closer to a military conflict.

Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he will also urge the Pentagon not to send any more dependents to South Korea.

"It's crazy to send spouses and children to South Korea, given the provocation of North Korea. South Korea should be an unaccompanied tour," the South Carolina Republican said on CBS' "Face the Nation." ''So, I want them to stop sending dependents, and I think it's now time to start moving American dependents out of South Korea."

About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea to deter potential aggression from the North.

Last week, North Korea shattered 2 months of relative quiet by firing off an intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers say showed the reclusive country's ability to strike the U.S. East Coast. It was North Korea's most powerful weapons test yet.

The launch was a message of defiance to President Donald Trump's administration, which a week earlier had restored North Korea to a U.S. list of terror sponsors. It also hurt nascent diplomatic efforts and raised fears of a pre-emptive U.S. strike. Threats traded by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have further stoked fears of war.

Graham expressed confidence in the Trump administration's ability to manage the growing conflict with North Korea.

"He's got the best national security team of anybody I have seen since I have been in Washington," said Graham, who has served in Congress since 1995.

The Trump administration has vowed to deny North Korea the capability of striking the U.S. homeland with a nuclear-tipped missile.

"Denial means pre-emptive war as a last resort. The pre-emption is becoming more likely as their technology matures," Graham told CBS. "I think we're really running out of time. The Chinese are trying, but ineffectively. If there's an underground nuclear test, then you need to get ready for a very serious response by the United States."

Trump has said he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Pyongyang's "provocative actions," and he vowed that additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea. China is North Korea's only significant ally, but it has grown increasingly frustrated over the North's nuclear and missile tests that have brought a threat of war and chaos to China's northeastern border.
As the Senate neared a momentous vote on the sweeping Republican tax bill, Democrats mocked the nearly 500-page printed text of the legislation  complaining it was given to them at the last minute before the vote.

And it had illegible, hand-written notes in the margins, they protested.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts tweeted, "No, I haven't had time to read the 500-page #GOPTaxScam bill that we're voting on tonight," with a photo of her reading aloud from pages at her desk. "Couldn't read it if I tried  and I did."

The bill is "removed from the reality of what the American people need," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He also criticized Republicans for releasing a lengthy, revised version of the bill shortly before the final vote, saying, "The Senate is descending to a new low of chicanery."

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana said "one page literally has hand-scribbled policy changes on it that can't be read. This is Washington, D.C. at its worst. Montanans deserve so much better."

Republican leaders engaged in eleventh-hour negotiations with GOP holdout senators to meet their demands and secure their support for the bill that's a political imperative for Trump and the party. They had rounds of closed-door meetings and were drafting the revised bill text up to the time they assembled on the Senate floor in advance of the vote.
President Donald Trump said Sunday in a tweet that he never asked former FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating his ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn, issuing a fresh denial amid a shifting timeline on when he may have known that Flynn had lied to the FBI.

Trump said on Twitter before dawn, "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!" The president reiterated his version of events after Comey testified before Congress in June that Trump had asked him in a one-on-one meeting if he could see to "letting Flynn go."

The president's doubling down comes after he shifted his story Saturday on why he fired Flynn, lumping in the retired Army lieutenant general's lies to the FBI along with his untruthfulness with Vice President Mike Pence. The president's initial explanation was that Flynn had to go because he hadn't been straight with Pence about contacts with Russian officials.

Lying to the FBI is a crime, and one that Flynn acknowledged Friday in pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate with the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Trump tweeted Saturday: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

Amid questions raised by the tweet, White House Counsel John Dowd told NBC News Saturday that Trump's tweet "simply paraphrases" Ty Cobb when he said that Flynn's false statements to the FBI "mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation."

However, when pressed Sunday, Dowd claimed responsibility for the tweet and said he, not the president, wrote it.

Dowd told NBC News that he drafted the tweet and then sent it to White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino to publish. When asked for the original email he sent to Scavino, Dowd said he dictated it orally.

"I'm out of the tweeting business," Dowd said with a chuckle. "I did not mean to break news."

Dowd's decision to claim responsibility for the tweet was first reported by The Washington Post and confirmed by NBC News on Sunday.



In another email wrinkle in the investigation into Trump's ties to Russia, The New York Times reported Saturday that emails among top Trump transition officials suggested that Flynn was in close contact with other senior members of the transition team before and after he spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. A Dec. 29 email from K.T. McFarland, a transition adviser to Trump, suggested that Russian sanctions announced by the Obama administration had been aimed at discrediting Trump's victory.

She wrote the sanctions could also make it more difficult for Trump to ease tensions with Russia, "which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him," she wrote in the emails obtained by the Times. A White House attorney told the newspaper McFarland only meant that Democrats were portraying it that way.

It's unclear why Trump would cite lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Flynn. Doing so suggests the president knew at the time that Flynn had done something that is against the law, and therefore the investigation could not be as frivolous as he's been portraying.

It's also unclear how he would know that, if information about Russian contacts had not reached him, as he has been implying in his own defense.

Flynn was fired from the White House on Feb. 13, and he only acknowledged that he had given an incomplete account to Pence of his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. On Feb. 14, Trump asked FBI Director James Comey to end the bureau's probe in the matter, according to Comey's account, saying, "I hope you can let this go." Comey refused, and Trump fired him, too, in May.



Then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer said after Flynn's firing that it was the result of a "trust issue" and the White House counsel's office had determined there was not a legal issue.

"Whether or not he actually misled the vice president was the issue, and that was ultimately what led to the president asking for and accepting the resignation of Gen. Flynn," Spicer told reporters on Feb. 14. "That's it, pure and simple. It was a matter of trust."

Trump has been publicly dismissive of Comey and of special counsel Robert Mueller's continuing investigation, and was often generous in his appraisal of Flynn, except to say his adviser could not stay on the job after misleading his vice president.

"After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness," Trump continued on Sunday.

At the time of Flynn's firing, Pence said Trump was justified because Flynn had lied to him. Neither Trump nor Pence indicated concern then that the FBI had not been told the true story.

Pence, who served as head of Trump's transition, has not publicly commented on Flynn's plea.

Trump turned to Twitter again later Saturday night, railing about why Flynn was prosecuted but his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton was not for her alleged misdeeds.

He tweeted: "So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?"

He then added: "Many people in our Country are asking what the 'Justice' Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and 'acid washed' 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

Clinton was voluntarily interviewed for more than three hours at FBI headquarters in July 2016. She was not in custody during her interview and so, in accordance with standard FBI and Justice Department protocol, her interview would not have been recorded. A Justice Department policy on recorded interrogations applies to individuals who have been arrested and are in custody.

It is nonetheless a crime to lie to the FBI about any material fact in an investigation. Comey has said Clinton did not lie to the FBI during her interview.
Israeli police on Sunday questioned a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges dating to his pre-parliament days as he was pushing for pro-Netanyahu legislation widely seen as stifling police investigations.

Coalition whip David Bitan was grilled in relation to accusations that he promoted the interests of criminals in return for debt relief while he was a municipal politician years ago.

Bitan is the driving force behind a legislation push seen as aiding the beleaguered Netanyahu, who faces multiple corruption accusations. Bitan's so-called "recommendations bill" would end the police's current practice of recommending to the state prosecution office whether to indict suspects upon completing their investigations.

It also aims to stem leaks from the investigations themselves, stating that no police recommendations be made public and penalizing those found leaking to the media.

Netanyahu's Likud party was set to bring the bill for a parliamentary vote on Monday, but appears to be short on numbers and will likely delay it. Their hope is to move the bill forward quickly so that it will also apply to investigations currently taking place regarding Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has been questioned in two cases and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Police have already grilled him six times regarding gifts he received from Hollywood and business figures, and in another probe about secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. One of his closest former aides has become a state's witness against him.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and calls the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Another investigation has engulfed his close associates and dominated news in Israel. The probe relates to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu's personal attorney, who is also his cousin, represented the German firm involved and is suspected of trading his influence over the prime minister in return for a hefty cut of the deal. A former Cabinet minister and top former navy and security officials have been questioned by police. Netanyahu has yet to be named a suspect in that probe.

Bitan's questioning comes a day after tens of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday night for an anti-corruption rally calling on Netanyahu to resign. It was one of the largest demonstrations yet against Netanyahu's lengthy rule.

"I think the time has come to change the government. The government is corrupt. We're sick of the corrupt," said protester Avi Elmozlinu.

Organizers are hoping that the grassroots movement picks up steam and becomes a regular Saturday night ritual that eventually forces Netanyahu from power.
Republicans pushed a nearly $1.5 trillion tax bill through the Senate early Saturday after a burst of eleventh-hour horse trading, as a party starved all year for a major legislative triumph took a giant step toward giving President Donald Trump one of his top priorities by Christmas.

"Big bills are rarely popular. You remember how unpopular 'Obamacare' was when it passed?" Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview, shrugging off polls showing scant public enthusiasm for the measure. He said the legislation would prove to be "just what the country needs to get growing again."

Trump hailed the bill's passage on Twitter, thanking McConnell and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "Look forward to signing a final bill before Christmas!" the president wrote.

Presiding over the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence announced the 51-49 vote to applause from Republicans. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., was the only lawmaker to cross party lines, joining the Democrats in opposition. The measure focuses its tax reductions on businesses and higher-earning individuals, gives more modest breaks to others and offers the boldest rewrite of the nation's tax system since 1986.

Republicans touted the package as one that would benefit people of all incomes and ignite the economy. Even an official projection of a $1 trillion, 10-year flood of deeper budget deficits couldn't dissuade GOP senators from rallying behind the bill.

"Obviously I'm kind of a dinosaur on the fiscal issues," said Corker, who battled to keep the bill from worsening the government's accumulated $20 trillion in IOUs.

The Republican-led House approved a similar bill last month in what has been a stunningly swift trip through Congress for complex legislation that impacts the breadth of American society. The two chambers will now try crafting a final compromise to send Trump.

After spending the year's first nine months futilely trying to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law, GOP leaders were determined to move the measure rapidly before opposition Democrats and lobbying groups could blow it up. The party views passage as crucial to retaining its House and Senate majorities in next year's elections.

Democrats derided the bill as a GOP gift to its wealthy and business backers at the expense of lower-earning people. They contrasted the bill's permanent reduction in corporate income tax rates from 35 percent to 20 percent to smaller individual tax breaks that would end in 2026.

Congress' nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation has said the bill's reductions for many families would be modest and said by 2027, families earning under $75,000 would on average face higher, not lower, taxes.

The bill is "removed from the reality of what the American people need," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He criticized Republicans for releasing a revised, 479-page bill that no one can absorb shortly before the final vote, saying, "The Senate is descending to a new low of chicanery."

"You really don't read this kind of legislation," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told home-state reporters, asked why the Senate was approving a bill some senators hadn't read. He said lawmakers needed to study it and get feedback from affected groups.

Democrats took to the Senate floor and social media to mock one page that included changes scrawled in barely legible handwriting. Later, they won enough GOP support to kill a provision by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., that would have bestowed a tax break on conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan.

The bill hit rough waters after the Joint Taxation panel concluded it would worsen federal shortfalls by $1 trillion over a decade, even when factoring in economic growth that lower taxes would stimulate. Trump administration officials and many Republicans have insisted the bill would pay for itself by stimulating the economy. But the sour projections stiffened resistance from some deficit-averse Republicans.

But after bargaining that stretched into Friday, GOP leaders nailed down the support they needed in a chamber they control 52-48. Facing unyielding Democratic opposition, Republicans could lose no more than two GOP senators and prevail with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence, but ended up not needing it.

Leaders' changes included helping millions of companies whose owners pay individual, not corporate, taxes on their profits by allowing deductions of 23 percent, up from 17.4 percent. That helped win over Wisconsin's Johnson and Steve Daines of Montana.

People would be allowed to deduct up to $10,000 in property taxes, a demand of Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. That matched a House provision that chamber's leaders included to keep some GOP votes from high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California.

The changes added nearly $300 billion to the tax bill's costs. To pay for that, leaders reduced the number of high-earners who must pay the alternative minimum tax, rather than completely erasing it. They also increased a one-time tax on profits U.S.-based corporations are holding overseas and would require firms to keep paying the business version of the alternative minimum tax.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.  who like Corker had been a holdout and has sharply attacked Trump's capabilities as president  voted for the bill. He said he'd received commitments from party leaders and the administration "to work with me" to restore protections, dismantled by Trump, for young immigrants who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children. That seemed short of a pledge to actually revive the safeguards.

The Senate bill would drop the highest personal income tax rate from 39.6 percent to 38.5 percent. The estate tax levied on a few thousand of the nation's largest inheritances would be narrowed to affect even fewer.

Deductions for state and local income taxes, moving expenses and other items would vanish, the standard deduction  used by most Americans  would nearly double to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for couples, and the per-child tax credit would grow.

The bill would abolish the "Obamacare" requirement that most people buy health coverage or face tax penalties. Industry experts say that would weaken the law by easing pressure on healthier people to buy coverage, and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the move would push premiums higher and leave 13 million additional people uninsured.

Drilling would be allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Another provision, knocked out because it violated Senate budget rules, would have explicitly let parents buy tax-advantaged 529 college savings accounts for fetuses, a step they can already take but which anti-abortion forces wanted to inscribe into law. There were also breaks for the wine, beer and spirits industries, Alaska Natives and aircraft management firms.

Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor in Washington and Scott Bauer Milwaukee contributed to this report.
Arrests have been made in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Vermont on Saturday morning.

Gary Hale, 41, of Lyndonville is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. His passenger, Katrina Haslam, 47, is charged with accessory after the fact.

The fatal accident happened on U.S. Route 5 shortly before 8 a.m. Police later identified the victim as 46-year-old Mattie Lynn Hale of Lyndon. Hale was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, evidence at the scene suggested that the suspects were driving a silver Ford Fiesta at the time of the crash. Troopers later located a Ford Fiesta with heavy front end damage at an apartment complex in Lyndonville.

Gary Hale and Haslam were found at a nearby residence, according to police.

Hale is being held at the Northeast Correctional Facility on $15,000 bail. Haslam was released with a citation.

Both will appear in Caledonia Superior Court on Monday.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Protesters gathered in Boston only a few hours after a GOP tax overhaul, which polls have shown is unpopular, passed through the Senate early Saturday morning.

Protesters on Boylston Street told NBC Boston they feared the bill would have a positive affect on billionaires but be harmful to everyone else.

Cole Harrison was among those protesters. He called the measure, "A huge tax giveaway for billionaires and rich corporations."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, remained confident in the measure after the late-night vote, which narrowly passed 51-49.

Big bills are rarely popular," he said in an interview, "You remember how unpopular 'Obamacare' was when it passed?"

Many Democratic lawmakers in Massachusetts and around New England have been vocalizing their disappointment with the Republican tax plan on social media.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, posted a video to Twitter late Friday night in which she called the measure a "payoff to the big Republican donors."

Warren was critical of the hasty Republican push for a vote Friday night. "This isn't right," said Warren in the video, "this is not how the American government should be making laws."

Sen. Jeane Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, also spoke critically of the haste with which the bill was passed. "We need bipartisan tax reform to simplify our tax code, bolster the middle class, support small business and create jobs," she said in a tweet, "But the partisan bill forced through the senate and passed on a party-line vote failed to address any of these critical needs."

Congressman Joseph Kennedy of Massachusetts spoke out against the tax overhaul Saturday afternoon.

"#GOPTaxScam is what happens when you allow donors & lobbyists to pull the strings. GOP can no longer claim to be party of good governance, fiscal responsibility and lower taxes," he tweeted.

Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins vocalized her support of the tax bill. "I do believe that this bill will help to promote economic growth and the creation of jobs," she said in an interview.

Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent, said in a statement, "By rushing this legislation through the Senate with no hearings, no input from experts and no feedback from the American people, we've advanced a terrible bill."

The next step is for Republicans in the Senate and Congress to reconcile their versions of the tax plan.

College students were also vocalizing their disappointment with the Senate's tax plan due to provisions that directly affect student loans.

The Senate version of the bill includes a repeal of tax deductions for student loan interest. The House and Senate versions include provisions requiring graduate students to report tuition waivers as income.

"Everyone said, that's outrageous, they won't do it, and they did," one student told NBCBoston.

Maura Quint, an organizer with the Not One Penny campaign, was on Boylston Street as part of Saturday's protests. She believes that if the Republican tax overhaul becomes a reality, voters would respond.

"If they do pass this through, it will be reflected in the 2018 and the 2020 elections," she said.

President Donald Trump has said that he hopes to sign the bill into law by the end of the year.
Boulder researchers are embarking on a new project to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's by using a new technique to measure neurons firing deep inside animal brains.

Eventually, the scientists hope, the research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.

Led by Ralph Jimenez of JILA  a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)  the research team aims to develop quantum light sources and biological labeling techniques for measuring neural processes in real time.

The effort is funded by a $6.5 million competitive grant from NIST's Innovations in Measurement Science program. Other project scientists include Marty Stevens and Thomas Gerrits of NIST's Boulder laboratories as well as Marcus Cicerone at the NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In addition, the effort will involve CU Boulder postdoctoral students and graduate students from both the physics and the chemistry and biochemistry departments, said Jimenez.

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"In order to make progress in this field, scientists need to be able watch neurons when they are performing tasks like learning, memory and perception," said Jimenez, also an associate adjoint professor in CU Boulder's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

"This new capability could revolutionize the ability of scientists to learn more about conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, he said. "The aim is to enable diagnosis of neurodegeneration before it becomes fatal."

The new laser microscopy technique, which scientists hope can be carried over from mouse to human research, involves shooting pairs of photons, or packets of light, deep into brain tissue. The photons will then be absorbed by mouse neurons that have been genetically engineered to emit a different color of light during the interaction.

The emitted light, which emerges from a focused laser spot microscopic in size, will then be collected and scanned to create a 3-D image of the brain's inner workings. Jimenez said it will be possible to create "movies" of the process using these packets of light.

Today, researchers using lasers to image neurons in a mouse brain are only able to penetrate a millimeter or so into the brain tissue before the high-power laser light is scattered by tissues, which is a huge obstacle, said Jimenez. The new technique will allow deeper penetration without heating or damaging neurons. Researchers will ultimately be able to access brain regions of mammals where learning and memory occur.

"If we can see how Alzheimer's happens in real time at the neuron level, for example, scientists can begin thinking about designing drugs or other interventions," Jimenez said.

"We are looking at this like a 'moonshot' project," he said. "With sufficient funding and momentum, dramatic advances can happen quickly."
A groundbreaking study by UNLV researchers shows that taking placenta capsules has little to no effect on postpartum mood, maternal bonding, or fatigue, when compared to a placebo.

Consuming the placenta (in pill form) following childbirth is an increasingly popular trend in industrial countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and the United States. Although precise estimates are not yet available, most experts agree there are many thousands of women in the U.S. alone who practice maternal placentophagy. And while the practice appears to be more common in home birth settings, it has been spreading to hospital births.

Proponents of the practice say that because maternal placentophagy is common in mammals throughout nature, it most likely offers some benefits to human mothers as well.

The current study, which included 12 women who took placenta capsules and 15 who took placebo pills in the weeks after giving birth, was led by researchers from UNLV's Department of Anthropology and School of Medicine. The research team tested the efficacy of placenta capsules in promoting various health benefits, including stemming the onset of postpartum 'baby blues' and depression of new mothers. The results of the new study find that such claims are not clearly supported.

The research group's work did show, however, that ingesting placenta capsules produced small but detectable changes in hormone concentrations that show up in a mother's circulating hormone levels.

The study was published online Nov. 23 in the journal Women and Birth. Last year, the team released a study showing that consuming encapsulated placentas was not as good of a source of iron as proponents had suggested.

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Prof. Daniel Benyshek, senior author of the study, suggested that both advocates and skeptics alike may point to these new results.

"Placentophagy supporters may point to the fact that we did see evidence that many of the hormones detected in the placenta capsules were modestly elevated in the placenta group moms," Benyshek said.

"Similarly for skeptics, our results might be seen as proof that placentophagy doesn't 'really work' because we did not find the type of clear, robust differences in maternal hormone levels or postpartum mood between the placenta group and placebo group that these types of studies are designed to detect," he said.

So, while the study provides no clear evidence of placentophagy benefits compared to a placebo -; which is the scientific standard -; it does show that the practice is capable of influencing maternal hormone levels and that could provide some kind of therapeutic effect. To what extent, however, is unclear. More research is needed in order to explore these effects more fully.

"While the study doesn't provide firm support for or against the claims about the benefits of placentophagy, it does shed light on this much debated topic by providing the first results from a clinical trial specifically testing the impact of placenta supplements on postpartum hormones, mood, and energy," said Dr. Sharon Young, lead author of the study and program manager for UNLV's Office of Undergraduate Research. "What we have uncovered are interesting areas for future exploration, such as small impacts on hormone levels for women taking placenta capsules, and small improvements in mood and fatigue in the placenta group."

Source: https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/unlv-study-placenta-consumption-offers-few-benefits-new-moms
Residents and workers in a major Pakistan city are exposed to harmful levels of pesticides, new research reveals.

Scientists from Pakistan's F Quaid-i-Azam University and Lancaster University have evaluated the organophosphate pesticide concentration in dust from farms and also from pesticide manufacturing plants in the megacity of Lahore.

Researchers tested 50 dust samples as well as blood and urine samples from more than 500 men aged between 20 and 55 - including farmers, factory workers, shopkeepers, rural and urban residents, and compared them with a control group. The results show dust in and around Lahore contains pesticide pollution that is a high health risk to all groups tested.

The most prominent pesticides were chlorpyrifos and diazinon, which has been outlawed for residential use in countries such as the US. It can affect humans through inhalation, ingestion of through absorption through the skin.

Urine samples, which were taken from people living in both rural and urban areas of Lahore where contaminated dust was found, were found to contain high levels of biomarkers associated with chlorpyrifos and diazinon contamination.

Biomarkers in blood samples also suggest oxidative stress was experienced by all subjects when compared to the control group. Although not a conclusive link, a known risk of exposure to insecticides is disturbance to the anti-oxidant defense system. In addition, the study subjects were also found to have lower levels, compared to the control group, of an important enzyme needed for the nervous system.

The results suggest that dust contaminated with pesticides engenders 'significant health risks' particularly related to the nervous and endocrine system. These risks affect not only workers directly exposed to pesticides, but also nearby residents.

Dr Crispin Halsall, Reader at Lancaster Environment Centre and co-author of the study, said: "The high levels of the indicators found in the urine of rural and urban residents show that in the city of Lahore, dust dispersing from industrial sites and farms are major contributors in human insecticide exposure - in addition to pesticides found on food.

"The manufacture of pesticides such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon as well as their over-use in agriculture is a serious health risk and needs to be addressed as a priority for worker and general population health in Pakistan."

Dr Riffat Naseem Malik said: "They (Pesticides) are a matter of grave concern, requiring more and more probing. We need to evaluate and decide on benefits against their deleterious effects on environment and thus to human health, before it's too late."

Pakistan is the second biggest consumer of pesticides in South Asia and its use is rising.

Globally around 200,000 people die each year in the developing world due to organophosphorus pesticide poisoning.
Viewed with a microscope, the virus faintly resembles a pineapple--the universal symbol of welcome. But HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is anything but that. It has claimed the lives of more than 35 million people so far.

In a study led by the University of Delaware and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, researchers discovered a "brake" that interferes with HIV's development into an infectious agent. This mechanism prevents the capsid--the protein shell covering the virus -- from forming.

The finding, which was published in Nature Communications, was made by an interdisciplinary research team from UD, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Illinois, National Cancer Institute, DFH Pharma and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The results are based on seven years of excruciatingly detailed studies of the structure and dynamics of HIV early and late in its life cycle. The movements of the virus molecules were measured experimentally and simulated in quadrillionths of a second--that's much faster than the blink of an eye or the flutter of a hummingbird's wings.

"People used to be fixated on the static structures of viruses, but they are not rock solid," said Tatyana Polenova, professor in UD's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She is an expert in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which helps scientists identify and pinpoint the location of every atom in a structure and how each atom moves.

"Viruses like HIV and their constituent protein and nucleic acid molecules are dynamic entities that are constantly expanding and shrinking," she added. "Their motions are like breathing."

Polenova said molecules in the HIV virus operate in concert, yet within each molecule motions occur over many different time scales, a difficult scenario to simulate, to be sure. But not too complex for Juan Perilla, who joined the UD faculty as an assistant professor this past June. A quantitative biophysicist, Perilla created the first structural models of HIV as a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Illinois. Today, at UD, he routinely uses some of the world's largest supercomputers to generate simulations of the HIV virus and its many moving parts.

Stopping a virus from maturing

As the HIV virus develops, a cascade of events occurs, affecting its structure and ability to infect. Think of the TV cooking show "Chopped." But in this case, protein building blocks get methodically "cleaved" or cut from a larger, master protein called Gag.

By integrating state-of-the-art techniques, including solid-state and solution NMR, high-end computer simulations, and cryo-electron microscopy (for which the Nobel Prize was awarded earlier this fall) the researchers answered a longstanding question about how the final step in the maturation of the virus occurs--a process in which a noninfectious immature virion turns into an infectious virus particle.

The team discovered that a key peptide--spacer peptide 1 (SP1)--has to be in a highly mobile structure to be cut by the virus protease, the enzyme that acts like a cleaver. In simulations, the peptide resembles a thin, yarn-like strand attached to corkscrews of curled ribbons in constant motion.

"This peptide is always there in the final maturation step, but we were surprised that it is so disordered and dynamic," Polenova said.

Once the SP1 peptide is cut, the HIV virus forms its protective capsid and becomes infectious. But how do you stop that process? In team experiments at the University of Pittsburgh led by Angela Gronenborn, the anti-HIV inhibitor Bevirimat was shown to interact with the SPI peptide, thus preventing the development of the virus's capsid "coat."

Zeroing in on potential drug targets to stop HIV from becoming infectious by disrupting the virus's maturation is an ongoing goal for the team.

"We have to have a sense of these short-lived molecular fluctuations and processes--of protein cleavage and capsid generation," Perilla said. "To add a new generation of capsid inhibitors to prevent HIV, you have to have very specific times and rates at which these drugs will work."

Perilla and Polenova also said an extensive team of people is critical, including experimentalists and computational scientists, who have expertise in multiple biophysical techniques, such as NMR and cryo-EM, and across the disciplines of structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry and virology.

"This work would be impossible without our combined strength--I tell my students they need to learn to collaborate with people in other fields," said Polenova. Also critical, she said, is the availability of cutting-edge infrastructure in high-field NMR at the University of Delaware and at ultra-high field NMR centers across the U.S., including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and internationally, such as the National Center for Scientific Research in Lyon, France, where Polenova and her students travel to perform NMR experiments.

She and Perilla both credit Angela Gronenborn, their collaborator at the University of Pittsburgh, for transforming their work through the Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, a national research center that Gronenborn established about a decade ago with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

"Science is moving away from the single scientist being able to peer at things at atomic resolution," Polenova said. "It's no longer the situation of doing one thing as a single investigator. Now, we all come together."
Listeriosis is a disease caused by eating foods that have been contaminated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. It is an infrequent condition but it is a particular danger to individuals with an impaired immune system, the elderly and new-born infants. It also affects farmed livestock. The pathogenic potential of L. monocytogenesis linked to its ability to invade different cells in the body, such as epithelial cells in the intestine, liver, brain and placenta. When it reaches the cytoplasm of these cells, L. monocytogenes proliferates and uses a network of cell filaments - called the cytoskeleton - to travel and spread into neighboring cells. This phase enables L. monocytogenes to disseminate throughout the body's tissues.

In order to study the behavior of L. monocytogenes during an asymptomatic infection, INRA scientists, working in collaboration with their colleagues at Institut Pasteur, created an original in vitro experimental model using cultures of human epithelial cells. Through this model, they discovered that L. monocytogenesis able to change its lifestyle when it infects the cells of the liver and placenta for several days. The bacteria gradually stop producing the protein (ActA) that allows them to spread using the cytoskeleton of infected cells. They are then trapped in the vacuoles. In this intracellular niche, they are more tolerant of antibiotics and retain an ability to reactivate themselves in a form that can be disseminated.

The scientists also demonstrated that these bacteria can also parasite host cells during cell divisions, without it being possible to detect them on the culture media usually employed for diagnostic tests. Although viable, the bacteria are thus in a non-cultivable physiological state.

These in vitro results have revealed the ability of L. monocytogenes to generate dormant intracellular forms which may be harboured, unsuspected, by humans or animals. The asymptomatic carriage of this pathogenic bacterium may explain why the incubation period for listeriosis is sometimes long (up to three months). It also offers a possible explanation for the problems encountered in identifying the source of contamination in the case of sporadic listeriosis, if the illness occurs a long time after the ingestion of contaminated food. It is possible that dormant forms of L. monocytogenes may thus reactivate themselves. This mechanism could also lead to healthy carriage of this pathogenic agent in animals that serve as a reservoir for the bacterium.

In light of these results, their different consequences require reconsideration of the knowledge acquired on the intracellular life of this pathogen. They thus offer numerous options for investigation which may, in the longer term, result in new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies, and in improvements to managing the risks related to a microbial food contaminant.
Chabahar port, made by India, inaugurated in Iran

New Delhi : Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of Chabahar port that has been made by India.

With this, a new strategic transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia have opened for India through Iran, bypassing Pakistan.

India had been looking after the development of the Chabahar port as the Iranian government was focusing on its second phase.

Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port, for which India will invest $500 million, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor has also been signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran.

27 delegates from India, Afghanistan and other Asian countries attended the inaugural ceremony of the port.

The port, located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, has two docks.

Over a month ago, India sent the first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port, which Swaraj remarked as a gift from Indians to Afghans.
NORILSK, Russia  Blessed with a cornucopia of precious metals buried beneath a desert of snow, but so bereft of sunlight that nights in winter never end, Norilsk, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is a place of brutal extremes. It is Russias coldest and most polluted industrial city, and its richest  at least when measured by the value of its vast deposits of palladium, a rare mineral used in cellphones that sells for more than $1,000 an ounce.

Norilsk Moscow Arctic Circle RUSSIA Norilsk Moscow Arctic Circle RUSSIA

It is also dark. Starting about now, the sun stops rising, leaving Norilsk shrouded in the perpetual night of polar winter. This year that blackout began last Wednesday.

Built on the bones of slave prison laborers, Norilsk began as an outpost of Stalins Gulag, a place so harsh that, according to one estimate, of 650,000 prisoners who were sent here between 1935 and 1956, around 250,000 died from cold, starvation or overwork. But more than 80 years after Norilsk became part of the Gulag Archipelago, nobody really knows exactly how many people labored there in penal servitude or how many died.

The Norilsk camp system, known as Norillag, shut down in 1956, when Nikita Khrushchev began to dismantle the worst excesses of Stalinism. The legacy of repressive control, though, lives on in tight restrictions on access to the city. All foreigners are barred from visiting without a permit from Russias Federal Security Service, the post-Soviet successor to the K.G.B.

A signpost showing the distance to the closest cities. Norilsk is one of the most isolated spots on earth, accessible only by plane or boat.

Norilsk has prospered as the worlds largest producer of palladium, but workers pay a price in the brutal cold, winter darkness and isolation.

Participants in a painting class. Because of the isolation and harsh climate, cultural pursuits are popular in Norilsk.

Norilsk is a unique city, it was put here by force, said Alexander Kharitonov, owner of a printing house in the city. It is like a survivor. If it had not been for Norilsk, there would have been another principle of life in the Arctic: You came, you worked, you froze  and you left.

The residents of Norilsk have stayed, turning what until the 1930s had been an Arctic wilderness inhabited only by a scattering of indigenous peoples into an industrial city dotted with smoke-belching chimneys amid crumbling Soviet-era apartment blocks and the ruins of former prison barracks.

The population dropped sharply after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which sent the economy into a tailspin. It has risen again, along with Russias economic fortunes. Around 175,000 people now live year-round in Norilsk.

Beyond the city, which is 1,800 miles northeast of Moscow in northern Siberia, extends an endless, mostly uninhabited wilderness.

Russians are famed for swimming in any weather, even in Norilsk, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Here, people at the swimming club Walruses of Taimyr emerging from a sauna to take a dip.

Everything else is a vast wild land with a wild nature and no people, said Vladimir Larin, a scientist who lives in Norilsk. This is where the last wild mammoths died. When they dug the foundations of the buildings, they found the bones of mammoths.

The bones of former prisoners also keep resurfacing, appearing each year when winter finally breaks in June and the melting snow carries to the surface these buried remains of the citys grim and, in official accounts at least, still mostly smothered past.

After bathing, I have the feeling that I have been on vacation for a week, said Natalia Karpushkina, a 42-year-old who runs a local walrus club.

Some residents are the descendants of former slave laborers who stayed on simply because it was too hard to leave a place so remote that locals refer to the rest of Russia as the mainland. There are no roads or railway lines connecting Norilsk to parts of Russia outside the Arctic. The only way to get in or out is by plane or by boat on the Arctic Ocean.

Many residents, however, came voluntarily, lured by the promise of relatively high salaries and steady work in the citys metallurgical industry, a sprawling complex of mines and smelters owned by Norilsk Nickel. The business is a privatized former state company that is the worlds largest producer of palladium and also a major supplier of nickel, copper and other metals.

It is also one of the worlds biggest producers of pollution, turning an area twice the size of Rhode Island into a dead zone of lifeless tree trunks, mud and snow. At one point, the company belched more sulfur dioxide a year than all of France. It has since taken some steps to reduce its output of toxic waste but was last year blamed for turning the Daldykan, a river that runs by the plant, into a flow of red goo. Locals called it blood river.

People hurrying through the streets in Norilsk, which is pitched into perpetual darkness for two months of the year.

Workers on their way to the city of Norilsk. It can get so cold that people cannot wait at a bus stop for fear of freezing to death.

The barracks that housed the slave laborers who built Norilsk in the 1930s, at least 250,000 of whom died there.

The company gets its products to market through a port at Dudinka on the Yenisei River, the largest of three great Siberian rivers that flow north into the Arctic Ocean.

Dudinka, as well as providing Norilsks main outlet to the outside world, also offers a glimpse of the regions past. The settlements natural history museum displays tents used by the four main indigenous peoples in the area. The biggest of these today are the Dolgans, a nomadic Turkic people that used to live off hunting and reindeer herding but were themselves herded into collective farms during the Soviet era.

When they dug the foundations of the buildings, they found the bones of mammoths, said Vladimir Larin, a scientist who lives in Norilsk.

There are now around 7,000 Dolgans, many of whom have given up their ancestors shamanistic beliefs in favor of Christianity. Smaller native groups include the Entsi, of which there are only around 227 left in the region, which is known as Taimyr.

Traditional belief in shamanism has been steadily eroded by the Russian Orthodox Church, which has been sending priests into the area since the 19th century and in 2000 built a new church on a bluff overlooking Dudinka port.

Our children study their native language as if it were a foreign tongue, said Svetlana Moibovna, who is a member of the Nganasan indigenous group. Many local people were persecuted for shamanism. One shaman in his dreams saw that the Russian god would defeat the shaman god and that only the Russian god would rule in Taimyr.

Dudinka, a small port city on the Yenisei River, is the main transportation hub for the palladium, nickel, copper and other metals produced in Norilsk.

Newlyweds being greeted by family members in Norilsk.

Girls practicing classic dance at the Norilsk College of Arts. There is plenty of time for indoor activities in Norilsk.

Despite the horrendously harsh climate, choking pollution and absence of sunlight from late November until January, many residents are fiercely proud of Norilsk  and their own ability to survive in an environment that even the hardiest of Russians living elsewhere would find intolerable.

Last winter, temperatures plunged to minus 62 Celsius (minus 80 Fahrenheit), and early winter this year has also been unforgiving, with temperatures in November already falling to around minus 20 Celsius, about 4 below Fahrenheit.

Most of the work and leisure takes place indoors, particularly in the winter period of perpetual darkness.

The cold has spawned a booming freelance taxi business because it is too cold to walk even short distances. Taxis charge a fixed price of 100 rubles (about $1.70) to go anywhere in the city. There are also buses, but it is too cold to wait outside so passengers crowd into nearby shops to shelter until their bus arrives.

But even the bitter cold is for some a source of delight, with the frigid waters of Lake Dolgoye attracting swimmers who revel in the bracing experience of bathing in ice. After bathing, I have the feeling that I have been on vacation for a week, said Natalia Karpushkina, a 42-year-old who runs a local walrus club. The lake freezes only partially because of hot water pipes from a nearby power plant.

The city also has a large indoor swimming pool for those less keen on bathing in ice water.

An aerial view of Norilsk, where most people still live in Soviet-era apartment buildings.

Young people listening to a rock band at the popular Zaboi (The Face) bar, the only establishment in the city that has its own brewery.

A man waiting for the bus inside a grocery store.

Most of the work and leisure takes place indoors, particularly in the winter period of perpetual darkness. Life inside became considerably less monotonous recently thanks to a long-awaited breakthrough: After decades of serving the digital economy by providing materials needed to make cellphones and computers, Norilsk got its first reliable internet service.

But even without the internet, it had replicated as best it could the amenities of a normal Russia city. The Norilsk College of Arts offers ballet lessons. Norilsk Greenhouse, a local company, grows cucumbers in heated shelters, while the Zaboi Bar offers revelers home brew and live music.

The bars 30-year-old manager, Anton Palukhin, who moved to Norilsk with his parents from Kazakhstan when he was 5, said that he still struggles with the climate and that whenever he travels to warmer parts of Russia on vacation, dreads having to return to the Arctic.

I really do not want to go back and am ready to give anything so that I dont have to fly, he said. All the same, he keeps coming back.
PM Modi gifts Biden Kangra painting: What is the significance of this art from Himachal

From Kangara painting for Biden to Pithora for Australia, here's what PM Modi gifted leaders at G20 Summit

Modi in Bharuch: 'Cong' strategy to divide people on the lines of caste, community'

India

oi-Madhuri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally on Sunday in Gujarat's Bharuch district and later at Surendranagar. He will conclude the day with a rally in Rajkot at 7pm.

Addressing a rally in Bharuch, Modi said,'In UP, where Congress ruled for decades, the state from where generations of top Congress leaders belong. We saw what happened there in the local elections. Congress was wiped out. UP knows the Congress well and so does Gujarat.''

''Bharuch and Kutch are districts with significant Muslim populations. And, if you see the districts which developed rapidly under the BJP tenure in Gujarat, the names of these two districts figure prominently,'' Modi said.

The Prime Minister further said,''When there were floods in Banaskantha, Congress leaders were in Bengaluru to save 1 leader from losing a Rajya Sabha poll. That same leader is topmost Congress leader but what did he do for Bharuch? He was unable to work for Narmada,neither did he think about ro-ro ferry.''

''My problem with Congress politics is simple- they oppose us just for the sake of opposing. They oppose things like bullet train only because they could not take this initiative forward and are envious someone else is,'' Modi said.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold at least 31 rallies and meetings in the state in the wake of upcoming assembly elections.

PM Modi is also expected to inaugurate a hospital in the Swaminarayan sect.

Modi will be visiting the capital of Saurashtra, Rajkot, before his visit to Ahmedabad where he will inaugurate a hospital at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP). The BJP wants to make this meeting a grand event and is planning a huge rally comprising more than one lakh people. The administration and police have geared up for the event.

The polling for 182-member Gujarat Assembly will take place on December 9 and 14 and the votes will be counted on December 18. Eighty-nine seats in Saurashtra and South Gujarat region are going to the polls in the first phase.

OneIndia News
Highest ceasefire violations by Pakistan along IB, LoC in 7 years

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Dec 3: Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir more than 720 times this year, the highest in past seven years.

According to the data compiled by the Union Home Ministry, Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 724 times along the IB and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016.

As many as 12 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October, a home ministry official said quoting the data. A total of 79 civilians and 67 security personnel were also injured in the firing. The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

In 2014, there were 583 incidents of ceasefire violation in which 14 civilians and three security personnel were killed and 101 civilians and 28 security personnel were injured. In 2015, the number of ceasefire violations was 405; 347 in 2013, 114 in 2012, 62 in 2011 and 70 in 2010.

PTI
J&K: Pakistani troops violate ceasefire in Poonch district

India

pti-PTI

Jammu, Dec 3: After a brief lull, Pakistani troops again violated the ceasefire with India along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir and shelled the forward areas, a police official said.

The shelling from across the border began in Khari Karmara area at 10.55am and continued for about an hour, the official said. He said the Indian security forces along the LoC retaliated effectively to the Pakistani firing and shelling. "There was no report of any casualty in the latest ceasefire violation," he said.

Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC after a gap of three days. Last week, Pakistani troops shelled various sectors in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri between November 27 and 29.

PTI
When Arnab Goswami became the only news in this republic of hypernationalists

'Nationalism' helped us bring back Father Tom: PM Modi

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit back at the recent criticism by a Gandhinagar archbishop, saying those issuing Fatwas against 'nationalists' should see the effort we undertook to get Father Tom back.

"I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a 'fatwa' (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is 'Rashtrabhakti' (nationalism) that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world," Modi said.

He was referring to the letter by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from "nationalist forces".

Responding to the archbishop's warning against the "nationalist forces", the PM underlined the importance of the spirit of nationalism in ensuring the release of the two Christian spiritual leaders.

"It is our 'nationalism' that made us get Father Tom and Father Prem back. When Judith D'Souza was kidnapped, we once again did whatever we could to bring this daughter of India back," he said.

He also listed several examples wherein the central government had brought back Christian missionaries as well as nurses stranded in conflict zones across the world.

"Along with Indians, we have rescued citizens of almost 40 countries from Yemen, as they were stranded there due to war. We did not see their religion or language they speak. It was our nationalism and humanitarian values which guided us," the Prime Minister said.

Modi said he was raising the issue of nationalism because some people have challenged it.

The prime minister also attacked those opposing the bullet train project and said such people should travel by bullock carts.

"Those opposing the bullet train project should travel on bullock carts. We won't mind," he said during an election rally in Bharuch.

"Imagine how much employment will it generate for the region, for Bharuch. I ask you where will the cement for the bullet train (infrastructure) come from, iron come from, labourers come from? Won't that be from India? And who will be buying that? Japan. Isn't it a big deal?" he asked.

He said the UPA government under Manmohan Singh also wanted the project but could not get it. "The NDA government got it at a negligible price. So the Congress didn't like that. My only grievance against the Congress is that if they could not achieve anything, why does it pain them when someone else does it."

Later PM Narendra Modi arrived in Gujarat's Surat. He will address public gatherings in the city on Monday.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, December 3, 2017, 23:43 [IST]
NIA arrests another accused from Bihar in connection with Naeem alias Headley 2 case

India

oi-Madhuri

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested another accused from Bihar in the 'Shaikh Abdul Naeem of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)' case. Dhannu Raja was arrested from Gopalganj in Bihar on charges of harbouring and providing logistics to Naeem.

Earlier on Tuesday, alleged LeT operative Shaikh Abdul Naeem, 37, was arrested from Lucknow who is being called 'Headley-II' after David Headley who is serving a prison sentence at a US jail for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

In a joint operation conducted by the National Investigation Agency and the Uttar Pradesh ATS, Naeem was picked up from Varanasi.

Naeem according to sources was on a major mission. He was collecting data and other details of several important locations. He was on the verge of passing on this data to his handlers who were planning an attack in several cities on the lines of the Mumbai 26/11 strike.

He had also prepared several videos of Army bases and camps in Kashmir. He had also paid a visit to Kasol in Himachal Pradesh where he shot videos of Israeli tourists. We cannot reveal any further details, for now, said an investigating officer while adding that the operation is still on.

Naeem had been taken into custody in 2014. However, he managed to escape while he was in transit between Kolkata and Mumbai. Officers are now trying to find who his handlers were. They are also ascertaining to find out how much of the information he had sourced had been shared with his handlers. An officer said that he was working for the Lashkar-e-Tayiba.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, December 3, 2017, 7:32 [IST]
Cong leader Abhay Thipsay who defended Nirav Modi in UK court now at Bharat Jodo Yatra

Yatra's impact not in Himachal, Guj polls but in 2024: Congress

Only women to walk with Rahul Gandhi in Bharat Jodo Yatra on Indira Gandhi Jayanti

Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM Modi on crime against women in Gujarat

India

oi-PTI

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of crime against women in Gujarat and raised concerns over their safety, even as he accused him of merely making promises.

Gandhi asked his fifth question in his "a question a day" series in the run-up to Gujarat assembly elections and demanded answers over the failure of the Modi-led government in fulfilling the promises.

Launching a counter-attack, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi claimed that the questions showed the "feudal fantasy" of the Congress.

"The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to ASHA workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat and it was never their intention to fulfil them," Rahul tweeted.

He also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health.

"Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in women trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls...Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top ten in crime against women in India?" it claimed.

"Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education? Why has female literacy rate dropped from 70.3% to 57.8 between 2001 to 2011? Why has maternal mortality rate risen to 85, putting the state at number 11 in 15 states in the reduction of MMR," it asked.

The Congress leader, who is leading his party's poll campaign in the western state, had earlier accused the prime minister of "commercialising education at the cost of government schools and institutions, and hitting students hard with fee hikes".

The tagline of his posers to the prime minister is "22 salon ka hisaab, Gujarat mange jawaab (Gujarat demands answers for 22 years of BJP rule)".

Rahul had earlier asked Modi why public money was "squandered" in purchasing power at higher rates from private companies in Gujarat.

He also asked why the people of Gujarat should pay for the "financial mismanagement" and publicity by him.

Hitting back, Naqvi said, "Those who cannot differentiate between 'burger and baingan (brinjal)', 'pyaz (onion) and pizza' and 'cake and banana' are trying to become 'champion of questions'. This is the Congress' feudal fantasy."

Congress spokesperson Suhmita Dev later claimed that none of the top BJP leaders had any answers to the questions raised by Gandhi.

He said the Congress was contesting this election for the betterment of Gujarat and of its people, including women, youth and the poor.

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Story first published: Sunday, December 3, 2017, 23:09 [IST]
TTV Dhinakaran says he will soon begin 'revolutionary journey'

RK Nagar bypoll: Actor Vishal to file nominations today

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Recommended Video

R K Nagar bypoll : Tamil actor Vishal enters the poll fray | Oneindia News

Actor Vishal, who will be contesting Chennai's RK Nagar by poll as an independent candidate will file his nomination papers on Monday.

The actor will be paying his respects to late AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa, at her memorial at 10 am before filing his nomination at the RK Nagar election office.

The by-election to the assembly seat was necessitated after the death of legislator and chief minister JJayalalithaa.

Vishal will visit the Ramapuram house of AIADMK's late founder, M G Ramachandran before heading to the Amma Memorial at the Marina Beach.

Besides opposition DMK, ruling AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan and the party's sidelined leader T T V Dhinakaran are contesting for the prestigious seat.

"Vishal, chief of the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and general secretary of South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) will file his nomination on Monday," his office said, adding that he will be contesting as an Independent candidate.

Last year, Vishal was elected general secretary of SIAA, an actors' body, in a bitterly fought election. Later, he was also elected as the head of the TFPC and has been actively campaigning against piracy, one of the major issues in Tamil cinema.

OneIndia News
Bharat Jodo Yatra will proceed to Srinagar, come what may, says Rahul Gandhi as march enters Maharashtra

Demonetisation deliberate move by 'PayPM' to help his friends: Rahul Gandhi

If Cong is elected in HP, decision on 1 lakh govt jobs, pension scheme in 1st cabinet meet: Rahul

Himachal will vote for...: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's appeal to people on election day

Cong leader Abhay Thipsay who defended Nirav Modi in UK court now at Bharat Jodo Yatra

Union minister Jitendra Singh hits back at Rahul Gandhi over his poetic taunt

India

oi-Madhuri

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday goes poetic yet again. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not providing basic necessities to the women of poll-bound Gujarat.

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       pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017

Taking to Twitter, Rahul said,''No security, nutrition and education was provided to the women. The only thing which took place was their exploitation."

He had expressed his concern over Gujarati women being deprived of basic facilities like health care, education and safety. The Congress leader also accused the BJP leadership for disappointing Anganwadi and Aasha workers.

Meanwhile, Union minister Jitendra Singh hit out at Rahul over his poetry ahead of assembly polls in Gujarat, andsaid that its high time he gets his script writer changed. Speaking to ANI, Singh said,''Its high time he gets his script writer changed. This college level poetry type statements don't deserve a response.''

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, December 3, 2017, 12:26 [IST]
China denies polluting Siang river as Arunachal Pradesh is its territory

International

oi-Madhuri

A report in China's state-run Global Times on Saturday reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China, so there was no question of Beijing polluting the Siang river.

On Thursday, according to report, Siang river in the Indian frontier was turning black and slag was found in it, which was carried out by the river when it was coming from across the border.

"It seems that some major cement work is on in the upper reaches of the river in China...may be China is carrying out some deep water boring work. What else could be the reason for such a big river, which becomes the Brahmaputra, remaining black in colour for nearly two months," The Times of India quoted Tatak as saying.

After which, Congress MP from the East Shiang Constituency Ninang Ering who took the stock of the situation appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to take up the issue with Chinese government regarding unusual receding of Siang river at Pasighat and a sudden change in its water quality.

OneIndia News
Global terrorist Hafiz Saeed's JuD to contest 2018 Pak general elections

International

pti-PTI

Lahore, Dec 2: Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed confirmed that his banned outfit Jammat-ud-Dawah will foray into Pakistan's political scene by contesting the 2018 general elections under the banner of Milli Muslim League, which is yet to be registered with the country's Election Commission.

Saeed, who was under house arrest since January this year, walked free on November 24 after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. "The Milli Muslim League (MML) is planning to contest next year's general elections.

I also dedicate 2018 for Kashmiris who are struggling for freedom," Saeed said while meeting a group of columnists at the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) headquarters in Chauburji here. The JuD, a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group that carried out the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack, formed MML at the time when Saeed was detained in Lahore. The founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba also vowed to continue supporting Kashmiris.

"I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there. India wants us to stop raising voice for the Kashmiris. It is building pressure on the Pakistani government. I want to tell Pakistan that back channel diplomacy only caused harm to the Kashmir cause," he alleged.

Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. The US too has designated him as a global terrorist and has announced a reward of USD 10 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Saeed also claimed that his detention in Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders in India was part of an international agenda.

"This had been done to harm the Kashmir cause. India is angry over my release from the house detention. I warn India if it does not stop atrocities against Kashmiris then this struggle will rise further and it will face the music," he alleged. Last September when Saeed was under house arrest in Lahore, the JuD entered in the political arena and contested the by-poll from Lahore's NA-120.

The National Assembly seat had fallen vacant after the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. His wife Kulsoom Nawaz had won that seat. Sheikh Yaqoob, a JuD-backed candidate who secured 6,000 votes, had announced that the JuD which has the blessing of Saeed would contest the 2018 elections.

Yaqoob was placed on a US Treasury sanctions list of those designated as leaders of terrorist organisations in 2012. Saeed and his four aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain  were placed under house arrest in Lahore on January 30 under anti- terrorism act. The JuD has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

India had expressed outrage over the judicial board's decision to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors.

Saeed has now filed the petition to de-list him from the UN list of designated terrorists. He was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack, but he was freed by a court in 2009. Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial.

PTI
India-Iran ties: Chabahar Port to be handed over to Indian firm in a month

Watch out, Pakistan! First Afghan cargo to India via Chabahar Port to start today

Chabahar Port likely to be ready by May

India built Chabahar Port opened as Iran's Arabian Sea outlet: All you need to know

International

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday threw open the newly built extension to the country's main Arabian Sea outlet in the form of the strategic Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman.

The Chabahar port is crucial as Pakistan does not allow India to send goods to Iran and Afghanistan through its territory by land. The port is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2018.

The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port and it was inaugurated by Rouhani in the presence of representatives of several countries of the region.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast and is considered as a "gateway to golden opportunities" for trade with central Asian countries.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration.

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in the Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of USD 85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which the implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues.

Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)

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Story first published: Sunday, December 3, 2017, 19:13 [IST]
ANGKOR, CambodiaThousands of orange-clad monks joined Cambodian Premier Hun Sen Sunday for a prayer ceremony by the famed Angkor temple, lauding political stability after the main opposition party was dissolved, an act that has cemented the strongmans grip on power.

Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia since 1985, making him one of the worlds longest-serving leaders, an accolade earned through a mix of cold political strategy, deft public relations and repression.

His rule appears virtually assured after a court early this month disbanded the main opposition party ahead of next years elections.

As dawn rose over the tiered stone domes of Angkor Wat, Hun Sen joined prayers with 5,000 Buddhist monks, in a ceremony touted as celebrating peace and stability at the symbolic heart of Khmer power.

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Graceful apsara dancers, fingers curled in the traditional art, went through their moves as thousands gathered for the event at the vast Angkor complexthe centerpiece of the Khmer empire which draws back to the 9th century.

Hun Sen, who has cast himself as a figure of stability in a country ravaged by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, was front and centre of a morning of careful choreography.

Kneeling, hands clasped in prayer, he received blessings from monks who sang Buddhist mantras and scattered flower petals.

We live with peace under the prime ministers rule, Prum Seab, 49, who was among the crowd told AFP. I am happy.

Tourism minister Thong Khon warmed to the theme.

We hold this ceremony for continuous prosperity we pray for continued peace and stability, he told AFP, swatting away the question of a political crisis in the country.

We have no crisis, but there are politicians who are having a crisis themselves, he said.

Analysts had predicted a strong challenge to Hun Sen at next years election, after the youth vote in 2013 took the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party to its best ever electoral result.

But Hun Sen has rallied in the intervening years, boosting his public profile through Facebook, while systematically using the kingdoms pliant courts to hack away at the CNRP as well as critics in civil society and the media.

Cambodias main opposition party was finally dissolved this month over accusations it conspired with the United States in a treason plot.

The case was blasted by Washington as baseless, while rights groups said it had hastened the countrys descent into a de facto one-party state.

Hun Sen has turned up the anti-American rhetoric to justify the unprecedented crackdown which has included shuttering critical media with trumped-up tax charges or arresting journalists on allegations of spying.

In step, he has deepened Cambodias embrace of regional heavyweight China, whose low-interest loans and infrastructure schemes are driving a boom in the one of Southeast Asias poorest countries.

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Pyongyang tested another intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday. Fired nearly vertically, it reached an altitude of 4500 km (2800 miles). That means it could travel 13,000 km (8150 miles) on a standard trajectory, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, putting the entire continental U.S. within its range. In September, the North Koreans conducted a sixth nuclear test. And the story is they already have a small hydrogen bomb to fit atop a missile.

Perhaps weighted with a warhead, the missile will travel a few miles less but Kim Jong Un can still land one on the White House ... if he felt so inclined. Will he? Of course not. He may be bad, but he's not mad.

In fact, if we ask the question, how many countries has North Korea meddled in or attacked, the answer is none. Turn it around and ask the same question of the U.S., and the response is dozens -- often to possible short-term advantage and long term disaster.

As to what the U.S. can do about the missile and bomb tests, the short answer is nothing. Yes, a Security Council meeting has been called for by Rex Tillerson, and yes, there will be more sanctions. But North Korea is already the most sanctioned country in the world, and it has had zero effect. Further sanctions will make little difference. They have the Chinese lifeline and China will never allow a South Korea that has swallowed the North on its doorstep. It prefers a buffer state.

The fact remains, nuclear weapons have become a form of insurance for small states. Kim Jong Un has seen what happened to Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. He abandoned his quest for nuclear weapons in exchange for economic progress and rapprochement with the West. It was a fatal miscalculation. Libya was destroyed and he lost his life.

Saddam Hussein made a similar mistake i n Iraq . It might have been apparent to thinking observers why Hans Blix, the Swedish diplomat and former Foreign Minister heading the International Atomic Agency, and his team had not discovered any Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Bush team ignored him, came up with the notorious slogan of 'the smoking gun will be a mushroom cloud' and went ahead with the Iraq invasion. When no WMD were found, they changed the mission to bringing democracy in Iraq. The country is devastated.

The result of these military adventures is at least a million dead, millions more displaced, a refugee crisis causing dissension in Europe, and a Britain exiting the EU. The economic cost to the U.S. is in the order of $5 trillion.

Mr. Kim's major lesson is survival. And nuclear weapons serve as guarantee. His father Kim Jong Il might have been interested in trading nuclear capacity for economic aid and peace. Kim Jong Un would rather have the certainty of survival, and bargain from strength.

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From Alternet

Great damage is being done, even as the Trump mob is targeted by Robert Mueller.

The wheels of justice might be turning with the guilty plea by Trump campaign and White House aide Michael Flynn and the reality that the president's' team are real targets, but that will not stop the GOP Congress and White House from gutting essential social safety nets.

The GOP tax plan, which passed the Senate 51-49 early Saturday with no Democrats voting yes, now moves to the phase where differences in the House and Senate bills get ironed out. That will prompt fierce lobbying and protests, but a major bill transferring wealth from the middle-class to the best-off Americans will be passed and signed by Trump.

If all the Republicans were doing was lining the pockets of the already rich, that would be bad enough -- pick your adjective. But that's not the endgame. Before the Senate voted, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, a past presidential candidate, said the Republicans must make additional cuts to Social Security and Medicare, both federal programs for those over age 65 as well as people with disabilities and parentless children (such as Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan as a youth).

"We have to do two things. We have to generate economic growth, which generates revenue, while reducing spending. That will mean instituting structural changes to Social Security and Medicare for the future," Rubio told Politico.com before the vote.

That statement omitted that the Senate's $1.5 trillion tax plan would trigger a federal law, known as PayGo, which limits Medicare to 4 percent of the annual budget. It is projected to impose $400 billion in cuts to senior healthcare in the next decade The PayGo trigger will "undermine the delivery of care to the 57 million seniors and disabled Americans who depend on the program," wrote Max Richtman, head of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

But even that attack on Medicare will not be enough for Republicans who want to return the size of the federal government -- apart from the military -- to what it was before the Great Depression of the late 1920s, which triggered Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal, which created Social Security. The heir to that program was the 1960s creation of Medicare and Medicaid, state-run health-care for the poor and those in nursing homes.

"The tax bill is one enormous attack on our health," wrote Social Security Works' Nancy Altman and Linda Benesch before the vote. "It takes away the ability of those with large health-care costs to deduct those costs from their [annual] taxes. It repeals the part of the Affordable Care Act that seeks to make health insurance affordable. The consequence of that is $185 billion less in health insurance subsidies and $179 billion in Medicaid cuts. All so Republicans can shower huge tax giveaways to their wealthy donors. And those tax giveaways trigger automatic cuts to Medicare."

"The Republicans are trying to enact this assault on our health care as rapidly as possible while the American people are distracted by the holiday season," they continued, before the vote and Friday's guilty plea by Flynn. "When health care premiums go up, when Medicare gets cut, and when Medicaid gets cut, they will blame Obamacare -- even though that is a shameless lie."

As bad as this is, it will get worse if Republicans like Rubio and Ryan get their way.

"At a moment when 10,000 Americans are turning 65 every day, members of the Senate have stolen the retirement health benefits that Americans have earned over a lifetime to provide an unneeded windfall to the top 1 percent," Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, said. "They seem determined to create a retirement crisis that will take decades to reverse."

Already on Saturday morning on CNN, Republican pundits were trotting out another well-worn lie -- that Social Security was going broke and would not be there for today's youths without drastic measures. (That lie follows their tax cut sales pitch, saying it will bring trickle-down prosperity for all. That line was used in the 1986 federal tax cut, which was followed by decades of wage stagnation).

The Republicans intentionally mislabel Social Security as an entitlement program. In fact, it is an earned benefit program where workers contribute via payroll deductions. It cannot spend money it has not collected under federal law. In the early 2030s, the large size of Baby Boom generation will prompt roughly a 20 percent cut in benefits unless the Congress enacts a revenue measure -- such increasing the wealthy's tax contribution to the program. Now, only the first $120,000 or so of income is taxed for Social Security.

Earlier this week, as the tax bill was on a fast track to passage, an acquaintance told me that he was going to pay about $36,000 a year less in federal taxes under the Senate bill -- based on making roughly $40,000 a month. This very successful lawyer said he didn't need the additional income. He said he didn't want to see Trump have a victory. But it is people like him will not be asked to contribute more to securing social safety nets, from various health programs to retirement income.

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Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution His eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei receives Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

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By Franklin Lamb,Tehran.

In many respects the people of Lebanon are gifted if not blessed. Most of whom this observer has been honored to meet are strikingly intelligent, creative, often charming, sometimes cunning and devious, hardworking, ingenious, adaptive, and good natured--much like most people in this region including dear friends in Syria.

And all want a real country, and many are working to confront would-be hegemonizing local Iranian militia to get one.

Many analysts argue that Lebanon simply cannot be independent without and effective colonizer unless it can develop its own civil society, which historically has been identified with reform but largely impotent. A free civil society facilitates alliances between divided communities, to build a real country of free and equal citizens with a government that transcends communitarian loyalties. Including civil society organizations becoming more widespread and popular, because it is a pillar in the struggle against corruption and exploitation and gives more opportunities to a larger part of the population. One nearly universally held view of Lebanon's population is that the state must have a monopoly over its armed forces and be able to impose the State's authority over all parties, including foreign sponsored militia.

There are currently 8,000 civil society groups registered with Lebanon's Ministries, but unfortunately, most are severely stymied by corrupt and sectarian officials who bar many of their reform initiatives. Some of which recently have included women's rights, garbage collection, water quality, protection for foreign domestic workers, the right to work for Palestinian refugees, and opening Parliament to a modicum of public scrutiny and financial as well as judicial accountably.

According to the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, that amounts to 1.3 associations per 1,000 inhabitants--about six times the number per capita in Egypt. Deeply regrettably, the war in Syria, has deepened even further Lebanese parliamentary gridlock and has dramatically escalated sectarian tensions, while it has weakened the advocacy role of Lebanese civil society organizations.

In 1999, a Lebanese chapter of Transparency International, known as La Fasad, became active in Beirut. These days, La Fasad works on promoting laws in Parliament to provide public access to information, reminding this observer of the US Freedom of Information Act. True, their efforts meet with resistance from some quarters, but, as one lawyer involved in the initiative recently emailed, "If they don't want to steal, why don't they let us watch?" Indeed.

To note just one of scores of examples. For the past many years certain Lebanese political "leaders" have blocked a solution to the massive garbage crisis leaving exposed mountains of rotting garbage to create many communicable diseases for the people of Lebanon. Until today these "Political Lords" continue to negotiate the amount of cash that is guaranteed to come to them if they deign to sign-off on a "garbage collection contract", quite likely to be awarded to relatives or political friends.

According to a just released (12/1/2017) Report by Human Rights Watch, Lebanon's lack of a garbage disposal system and open burning of mountains of waste poses serious health risks.

The main problem according to HRW is "decades-old, across the board government failure. The crisis escalated in 2015 when waste management collapsed across Lebanon, was a particular threat for children and old people, and constituted a human rights violation. Nadim Houry, HRW's interim Beirut director reported that " authorities are doing virtually nothing to bring this crisis under control".

The report, entitled "As If You're Inhaling Your Death" quoted research by the American University of Beirut (AUB) that found that nearly 80% of Lebanon's garbage is improperly dumped or landfilled where 10% to 12% is considered impossible to compost or recycle thus causing the "vast majority" of Lebanese residents living near open dumps, whom HRW researchers interviewed, suffer from serious respiratory problems. HRW claims that Lebanon's government continues doing nothing to prevent open burning, to monitor its impact and inform the population of the risks.

Consequently, despite widespread Lebanese civil society initiatives for reform, many have become cynical or even bitter, wanting to emigrate at the first opportunity believing that Lebanon offers no future for themselves or for raising a family. Much of Lenson's civil population has lost confidence that they can change the continuing rampant corruption by some of the Warlords from their 15-year civil war that witnessed 15 million Lebanese flee to other countries. Over the past nearly four decades, self-anointed Political Lord, s politically employing primogeniture and widespread wasta (nepotism and influence peddling) have by design become deeply imbedded in the halls of power.

A common clich'e in Lebanon these days has it that, "Lebanon has never been a real country, is not a real country today, and quite likely will not be in the future."

Earlier this month, 11/22/2017 was Lebanon's 43rd Independence Day from French Colonization. Like every year on Independence Day, the Lebanese wondered what kind of independence they were celebrating. One dear friend of this observer who attended the annual Independence Day parade with her secondary school students wrote this observer from Beirut saying:

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Tragic mask dating to the 1st century BC or 1st century AD, Ashmolean Museum

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A ll previous installments in this series ("A Better Human Story") can be found here:

**********************

We are now in a position to see the main elements of the human saga in a more integrated way. The pieces here will be familiar, but it is time now to put those pieces together to highlight this central core of the Human Story.

It's a story that unfolds like a tragedy. As in a tragedy, it is the very strengths of the hero -- in this case, human intelligence and creativity -- that prove the means of his undoing. And as with tragic drama, the nature of the order in which the hero operates imparts to the basic outlines of how the hero's drama will unfold an element of inevitability.

This inevitability can be stated in this way: Any creature, anywhere, that steps across the threshold -- out of the niche in which it has evolved biologically and into the capacity to invent its own way of life -- will be caught up in a long, drawn-out, and painful battle between two coherent forces: one of wholeness, growing out of the structure of life; and one of brokenness, growing out of the disorder into which it has inadvertently stumbled.

(These are forces whose effects and way of operating makes it reasonable for them to be called "good and evil").

In this series, I have tried to show the inescapable dynamics that drive the drama of the creature who takes the bold and unprecedented -- but ultimately also tragic -- step into creating that new form of life called civilized society.

This tragedy, rather than coming in three acts, is enacted through the inevitable sequence of three inescapable dynamics driving the drama. Let me sketch these three quickly, and then go into them more fully.

1) First, here on earth -- and (the assumption is) wherever life may emerge -- life has been shaped by a process of biological evolution. Which is to say, that the various creatures that emerge over time are the products of natural selection, a process that favors life over death or, to put it another way, favors what can survive to transmit its pattern into the future over what cannot.

It is in this first stage -- the Genesis, where the (human) creature is crafted for life -- that the foundation for the force of wholeness, and thus the force of good, is laid. (Series entries # 2 and # 3.)

2) Thesecond stage is set in motion when humankind -- or whatever other species, wherever else in the cosmos -- steps across that crucial threshold, extricating itself from the biologically evolved order (that has constrained all previous forms of life) to begin an experiment never before performed in the history of life on earth: a creature restructuring its way of life with its own invention, i.e. developing civilized society.

It is with this emergence of civilization that a second evolutionary process is inevitably -- and inadvertently -- generated. This evolutionary process is driven for the selection for the ways of power out of inter-societal competition. And the operation of the second process gets superimposed upon the first, with which it is in some fundamental ways in conflict.

This new development introduces a new kind of disorder into the systems of life on earth.

(How this disorder arises and imparts an impetus of brokenness into the human world are described in series entries #4 and #5.)

Where there had been a kind of unity in life's unfolding through one evolutionary process, now division arises within the realm of the living world, as the two evolutionary processes operating by different rules to foster different outcomes contend with each other to shape the human world.

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Alice's Restaurant Cookbook

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On this year's Thanksgiving Day (November 23rd) I was thrilled to view the PBS replay of the 50thh anniversary concert celebrating Arlo Guthrie's eighteen-minute hilarious musical monologue, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree," that recounts the quirky events which inspired the 1969 film Alice's Restaurant.

The anniversary concert was originally performed at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield Massachusetts May 21, 2015, and aired on PBS on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2015.

Guthrie's song dramatized the defining issues of the explosive era of the 1960's that forever changed the direction of American life.

The PBS program reminded me of an article I wrote ten years ago based on an interview with then artist and author Alice Brock, when she returned to the Berkshires for an exhibit of her artworks.

I decided to publish a revised and updated version of the article, since Alice's reminiscences casts light on the phenomenon of "Alice's Restaurant" and her life after the restaurant.

Note:The earlier article was published July, 2007 in UPI's Religion and Spirituality.com

Yes, Alice is back in town (July, 2007) -- and she's still cooking; not cooking food but cooking in her current life as an artist.



Alice Brock's story was featured in the 1969 film Alice's Restaurant, starring Arlo Guthrie. The film became a metaphor for an era. At that time young people were "dropping out," disaffected by the Vietnam war, the draft, hypocrisy, and an uptight American society bound by restricting conventions.

A group of counterculture teenage and "20-something" drifters searching for meaningful identities found their way to the home of Alice and her husband, Ray, in a deconsecrated church in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. They were called "the family."



Then Alice opened her famed restaurant in Stockbridge, MA, where, as the hit song written and sung by Arlo Guthrie said: "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant."

The film filled me with nostalgia--for the era and for Guthrie's wry take on it. So you can imagine my delight when I heard an interview with Alice on Northeast Public Radio about her art show and reception scheduled for the coming weekend at "The Bookstore" in Lenox, MA, just a mile from my farmhouse. I rushed into my car and headed for town to get the details.

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From No More Fake News

But an Obama aide went to Russia and huddled with Russian officials BEFORE Obama was even elected

Michael Flynn has pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversation with the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak.

The conversation occurred AFTER Trump won the 2016 election and before he was inaugurated. The conversation involved US sanctions against Russia and a UN resolution concerning Israel.

Why did Flynn lie? There was nothing wrong with him speaking to the Ambassador during the presidential transition phase. Claims that he was undermining Obama's policy toward Russia are nonsense. It's common practice for an incoming president's staff to speak with foreign officials, in order to set up future goals and policies.

The prosecution against Flynn is of the so-called "process" variety.

That means, in this case, he lied to federal officials about a matter that was itself inconsequential.

It's probable the FBI was holding other charges over Flynn's head -- relating to his private-sector work on behalf of the Turkish government. A deal was struck: the FBI would forget all about that, if Flynn pled guilty to lying about his conversation with the Russian ambassador, and if he cooperated by rolling over on other members of the Trump team.

Michael Flynn is now (ridiculously) seen as having interfered with President Obama's policy toward Russia during Obama's last days in the White House, in 2016.

But what about Candidate Obama interfering in President Bush's policy toward Russia in the fall of 2008, BEFORE the election?

Geohistory.today has an article, dated October 27, 2008, a few days before Obama won the presidential election for the first time, titled, "US Elections Come to Moscow," by Anna Wiesfieler:

"Last week [before the 2008 presidential election] saw the release of Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope, in Russian translation to Russian markets. One of his foreign policy advisors, Mike McFaul, also made a trip to Moscow to meet with various Russian officials and interest groups, speaking off the record and answering questions." "McFaul addressed how US relations with Ukraine and Georgia might affect US-Russia relations in the future [!]. Speaking at the Peking Hotel in Moscow at an event organized by Democrats Abroad Russia for Americans living in Russia, McFaul established that this is potentially a major campaign issue for Senator Obama. There are a large number of swing voters (several million) whose heritage comes from Eastern Europe or the Caucasus region. For these voters, US-Russia relations and relations with states in those regions has become a vital issue that could potentially swing votes to one candidate or the other." "The day before, at the Carnegie Endowment Center in Moscow, McFaul also fielded questions ranging from explanations of the primary and general election process to the August crisis in Georgia and Russia's concerns about Ukraine and Georgia receiving NATO membership action plans." "Pointing to a number of Senator Obama's statements, including one from April 2008 (before the crisis) where Senator Obama was concerned that violence may erupt in the southern part of the Republic of Georgia, McFaul conveyed concern about the situation in the Caucasus. Speaking to NATO enlargement, he noted, as have many others, that both US candidates for president support NATO expansion. However, Senator Obama has consistently referred to NATO rules whereby the people of a candidate state must support entry into NATO and that NATO rules state that not only must territorial disputes be resolved before entry into the Alliance, but that a member state cannot use violence against its own people."

Talk about sticking fingers in the foreign policy of the US -- and BEFORE Obama was elected!

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Muconic Acid Market Driven by Spiraling Demand for Adipic Acid

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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 global muconic 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.Browse the full Muconic Acid Market By Derivatives (Adipic Acid, Caprolactam and Others) For Plastics, Carpets and Textiles, Lubricants and Other Applications - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 report atThe 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.Request Sample Copy of the Report @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 for Customization @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Market is Expected to Reach USD 9.26 Billion in 2020

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Transparency Market Research has published a new report titled Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 According to the report, global vinyl acetate monomer market was valued at USD 6.82 billion in 2013 and is anticipated to reach USD 9.26 billion in 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2014 and 2020.Browse the full Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Market for Polyvinyl Acetate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol and Other Applications - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 report atThe market for vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is driven by high demand for adhesives from end-user industries such as construction, automotives and furniture. Moreover, the global vinyl acetate monomer market is driven by increasing demand for VAM copolymers from paints and coatings industry. Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is one of the key polymers used in manufacture of adhesives and emulsions. Increasing demand for ethylene-vinyl acetate and ethylene-vinyl alcohol from solar PV cells and the food packaging industry respectively are likely to provide better opportunities for the vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) market over the forecast period. However, highly volatility of raw material prices, limited technology and over production in the market is anticipated to hinder the growth of the market in near future.Application segments such as polyvinyl acetate (PVA/PVAc) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) exhibited the highest demand for vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) in 2013. Both polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol are commonly used in the production of adhesives, paints and coatings and also in the paper industry. Ethylene-vinyl acetate demand accounted for around 7% in the vinyl acetate monomer market in 2013. The demand for ethylene-vinyl acetate is likely to grow in the near future owing to demand from the packaging and energy industry segments. Ethylene-vinyl acetate, which is required in manufacturing of food packaging films, is estimated to be the fastest growing application in the vinyl acetate monomer market in the next few years.Request Sample Copy of the Report @With over 40% share in total demand, Asia Pacific dominated the demand for vinyl acetate monomer in 2013. The region is projected to demonstrate latent growth for the vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) market during the forecast period. In terms of market share, Asia Pacific was followed by Europe and North America, both of which are projected to exhibit relatively slower growth numbers for the vinyl acetate monomer market during the forecast period. The demand for vinyl acetate monomer is increasing slightly in North America region due to an increasing demand from the adhesives and packaging industries. Rest of the World is anticipated to witness stable demand for vinyl acetate monomer between 2014 and 2020.The report provides a comprehensive view of the vinyl acetate monomer market in terms of volume and revenue. Additionally, the report includes current demand analysis and forecast for applications in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. The report comprises the following segments:Request for Customization @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
SEOULNorth Korea on Sunday blasted the United States and South Korea as warmongers on the eve of their largest-ever joint air exercise, saying it could trigger a nuclear war.

The comments came as White House National Security Adviser H.R McMaster warned of the increasing possibility of war with the impoverished but nuclear-armed North.

The five-day Vigilant Ace drillinvolving some 230 aircraft including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fightersbegins Monday, five days after the North test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile believed capable of hitting the US mainland in a fresh challenge to President Donald Trump.

The Norths ruling party Rodong newspaper slammed the coming drill.

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It is an open, all-out provocation against the DPRK, which may lead to a nuclear war any moment, it said in an editorial Sunday, using the Norths official name.

The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self-destruction, it said.

The commentary was published a day after Pyongyangs foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of begging for nuclear war by staging what it called the reckless air drills.

McMaster said the possibility of war with the North was increasing every day.

I think its increasing every day, which means thatwe are in a race to be able to solve this problem, he said at a forum on Saturday.

There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because hes getting closer and closer, and theres not much time left, he said.

The North says the Hwasong-15 missile fired Wednesday can be tipped with a super-large heavy warhead capable of striking the whole US mainland.

But analysts remain unconvinced that it has mastered the advanced technology to allow the rocket to survive re-entry to the Earths atmosphere.

The months-long nuclear standoff between Kim and Trump has fueled concerns of another conflict, after the 1950-53 Korean War left much of the peninsula in ruin.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul, which is only around 50 kilometers from the border and home to 10 million people.

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Dyestuff Market to Grow at CAGR of 7.8% during 2014-2020 due to Rising Demand from Asia Pacific

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Transparency Market Research has released a new research report on the global dyestuff (black color) market. The report, titled Dyestuff (Black Color) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020, forecasts the growth of the overall market at a CAGR of 7.8% during the period between 2014 and 2020. The global dyestuff (black color) market was worth US$120.8 million in 2013 and with the healthy growth prospects, the overall market is expected to reach US$204.3 million by 2020. The report attributes the increasing demand from the global dyestuff (black color) market to the increasing demand for technical textiles. Growth in the apparel market is also expected to fuel demand for dyestuff (black color). However, the market is expected to be restrained by volatile crude oil prices. Also, stringent environmental regulations regarding the production of dyestuff will hamper the growth of the market. However, this has evolved into an opportunity, as the global dyestuff (black color) market is shifting focus towards manufacturing natural dyes. The growing popularity of natural dyes will propel market growth during the period between 2014 and 2020.Browse the full Dyestuff (Black Color) Market for Nylon Textile Fibers for Home Textiles, Apparels and Other (Multi-filament Fiber and Tow) End-users - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 report atThe report categorizes the global dyestuff (black color) market on the basis of types of fibers such as monofilament fibers, staple fibers, and others including multifilament fibers and tow. The staple fiber segment generated the highest revenue in 2013 and accounted for more than 48% of total revenue generated in the market. It was the largest segment of the global dyestuff (black color) market for nylon fibers. Nylon staple fibers blend easily with other types of fibers available in the market, which will lead to the growth of this segment. During the forecast period, the segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8%.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The report segments the global dyestuff (black color) market depending upon the end users. Apparel, home textiles, and others including automotive, protective clothing, and agriculture are the major end-use segments. Apparel was the leading segment of the market and accounted for more than 45% of total market revenue in 2013. As nylon fibers are widely used in manufacturing clothing of various kinds, the apparel segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% during the period between 2014 and 2020. Segments such as automotive, protective clothing, and agriculture are expected to grow rapidly in the next five years.Geographically, the global dyestuff (black color) market has been divided into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. As the demand for technical textiles is high in Asia Pacific, the region accounted for close to 60% of the overall revenue generated in the market in 2013. With increased demand, the region will grow further during the forecast period, especially driven by the markets in countries such as India, Korea, Japan, and China.The report profiles some of the key players in the global dyestuff (black color) market, such as DuPont, Huntsman Corporation, Arkema SA, Clariant AG, Rockwood Pigments Inc., Kiri Industries Ltd., BASF SE, and Kemira.Request for Customization @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Small-Bore Connectors Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2017  2027

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Small-bore connectors provide a mechanism for the connection between a variety of medical devices including those with enteral and non-enteral (e.g., intravenous) applications. A small-bore connector defined as having an internal diameter of less than 8.5 mm, and AAMI/ANSI/ISO 80369-1 standard describes the Luer connector as a small-bore "conical fitting with a 6% taper for syringes, needles, and certain other medical equipment." Luer connectors have a male and a female component that are joined to form a secure, yet detachable leak-proof connection. The connection achieved by use of a push fitting (a Luer slip) or a screw-in threaded fitting (a Luer lock) that joins the male and the female tapered fittings.AAMI/ANSI/ISO 80369-1 provides general requirements for Small-bore connectors for liquids and gasses in healthcare applications. It provides a framework for testing connectors of different medical applications against each other to ensure non-interconnect ability and also establishes specific misconnection testing methods. Non-enteral connectors are Small-bore connectors on devices that are not involved in enteral (through the gastrointestinal system) feeding systems. (Source: ISO)Report Overview:Small-Bore Connectors Market: Drivers and RestraintsTo make their small bore connectors safer, manufacturers are producing devices with new connectors that conform to international standards. As manufacturers change to new products, they are providing interim transition connectors to facilitate the continuity of care. While the FDA encourages manufacturers to incorporate the new connector design standards for enteral devices and other future device types, the Agency does not require manufacturers to switch to the new standard design or to remove products currently in use from the market. Devices with older designs (legacy devices) may still be available on the market for patients who rely on them for their care. All these factors act as drivers in the growth of the small bore connectors market.Numerous publications regarding patient injury and death from tubing and catheter misconnections indicate that reports of misconnections have increased in frequency over the past several years. Misconnections occur when a connector on a medical device performing a particular function is unintentionally or intentionally attached to a connector from another medical device that performs an entirely different function. Small-bore Luer connectors can freely connect to many different medical devices. Human factor errors coupled with widespread use of Luer connectors may promote misconnections of enteral to non-enteral devices. It acts as a restraint on the growth of the small bore connector market. But to reduce the frequency of connector hazards, the FDA is collaborating with the International Organization for Standardization to develop the AAMI/ANSI/ISO 80369 standards. It is giving an opportunity for companies. (Source- FDA)Request to view Sample Report:Small-Bore Connectors Market: Market OverviewThe Small-Bore Connectors market has witnessed a burgeoning growth due to rising healthcare demand. The market has seen increased government support and increasing R&D spending. Small-Bore Connectors market is observing a robust growth in the forecasting period. Economic conditions in the emerging countries are set to drive the global Small-Bore Connectors Market to new heights and giving rise to new opportunities. All these factors contribute to the double growth during forecasting period.Small-Bore Connectors Market: Region-Wise OverviewGlobal Small-Bore Connectors market segmented into following regions North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the Middle East and Africa.Europe is dominant in the Global Small-Bore Connectors mainly due to the presence of strong players in this region. Europe followed by North America and APAC regions, they both are growing at the high pace due to increasing government support for manufacturers. Growth in the Middle East and African region is considerably less but still with significant growth.Buy Now:Small-Bore Connectors Market: Key ParticipantsThe key participants in the Small-Bore Connectors market are Hopf A. Kunststoff-verarbeitung GmbH, CPC, Elcam Medical, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC and others. The companies are mainly focusing on the expansion and collaborations to penetrate into the new markets.About UsFuture 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 Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Live Cell RNA Detection Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2017  2027

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RNA plays an important role in cell and tissue development as well as disease progression thus it is considered to be a major target for analysis of various diseases and disorders. In RNA detection, the study gets done to understand the gene expression patterns and determine the roles of genomic elements in cellular function and dysfunction. In live cell RNA detection, a study of the live cell gets done to understand that how one cell within a population responds to its environment. In live cell detection various techniques used to detect specific mRNA and microRNA in live cells while leaving the cells undisturbed and intact for further analysis. It also allows dissection of cell in RNA metabolism, RNA transcription, post-transcriptional processing, post-transcriptional regulations, nuclear export and RNA decay.The increasing research and development activities in molecular diagnostics sector and increasing availability of various new methodology and techniques has become the growth opportunity for the live cell RNA detection market.Report Overview:The global live cell RNA detection market is expected to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The increasing applications of RNA detection techniques in the genetic disorder detection and the increasing prevalence of cancer diseases boost the demand for the live cell RNA detection and drive the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The advantages of live cell RNA detection over the conventional techniques as conventional techniques failed to provide important spatial, temporal information, also anticipated to propel the demand for the live cell RNA detection and boost the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market over the forecast period. The funding by the various regulatory bodies and governments also expected to bolster the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market.However, the high cost of reagents and devices required for live cell RNA detection may hamper the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The stringent rules and regulatory guidance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may also hinder the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market. The lack of skilled personnel to perform the detection, also restrain the growth of the global live cell RNA detection market over a forecast period.Request to view Sample Report:On the basis of regional presence, the global live cell RNA detection market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The North America is dominating and contributed the leading shares to the live cell RNA detection market in terms of revenue and expected to register a significant growth over a forecast period due to the developed laboratory infrastructure and availability of skilled personnel in the region. The Europe has also contributed the moderate shares and registered a healthy growth rate to the global live cell RNA detection market followed by North America. The APEJ has become the lucrative market for live cell RNA detection and anticipated to register significant shares over the forecast period due to the increasing research and development activities along with government support and funding in the region. The Latin America and MEA are at a nascent stage to the global live cell RNA detection market and expected to show a moderate growth over a forecast period.Live Cell RNA Detection Market: Key PlayersSome of the market players in live cell RNA detection Market globally include Merck KGaA, BioTek Instruments, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., MilliporeSigma, Promega Corporation, Biomol GmbH, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. and Qiagen Diagnostics. The market is currently witnessing a number of strategic collaboration and partnership activities by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.Buy Now:About UsFuture 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 Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Knee Arthrodesis Implant Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2017  2027

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Knee arthrodesis is one of the surgical treatment option used for patients with damaged and painful knee due to failed knee arthroplasty, posttraumatic arthritis, periarticular tumor, and chronic sepsis. Knee arthrodesis is considered as last option for to damage knee management. The procedure involves external fixation, internal fixation by compression plates, and intramedullary fixation with a modular nail, and antegrade nailing. Moreover, allograft or autograft might require to augment fusion. The most common methods of knee arthrodesis include use of intramedullary nails, external fixation, and compression plates. Apart from joint pains and failed surgeries knee arthrodesis can also be performed for preferred cosmetic appearance.Report Overview:Knee Arthrodesis Implant Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growth of global knee arthrodesis implant market is attributed to the growing incidence orthopedic disease, growing number of joint reconstruction and pain management surgeries. In addition, the rising number of geriatric population with joint pains, bone disorders and damage joints is contributing towards the market growth. However, the knee arthrodesis is no more limited to geriatric population, sedentary lifestyle and failed reconstruction surgeries leads to the increase in number of knee arthrodesis. Moreover, increasing popularity of minimally invasive surgeries is one of the prime factors responsible for the market growth. On the other hand, several product recall and associated complication are likely to hinder the market to certain extent. Additionally, stringent government regulations of minimally invasive Knee arthrodesis implant limits the market growth.Knee Arthrodesis Implant Market: OverviewDevelopment of advanced but low cost knee arthrodesis implant will pave the road for new entrants. The upcoming research and development activities will open a new avenue and extraordinary opportunities for knee arthrodesis implant manufacturing companies. The cost of knee arthrodesis implant is currently high owing to incorporation of advanced technologies and complex consumers requirements. However, many Chinese manufacturers are now coming up with the low cost devices. Thus, the price of these devices is expected to decrease as compared to the branded products in coming years.Request to view Sample Report:Knee Arthrodesis Implant Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the global knee arthrodesis implant market is segmented into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Among all the regions, North America would dominate the global knee arthrodesis implant market and is anticipated to lead the marker throughout the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the most lucrative knee arthrodesis implant market due to the growing incidences of joint dislocation and other related orthopedic disorders and increasing adoption of minimally invasive joint reconstruction surgeries.Knee Arthrodesis Implant Market: Key PlayersKey players operating in the global knee arthrodesis implant market are Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc, Smith & Nephew, Stryker Corp, B. Braun Melsungen AG, MicroPort Scientific Corp, Exactech Inc, DePuy Synthes, Merete GmbH, and Wright Medical Group, Inc, among others.Buy Now:About UsFuture 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 Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Transdermal Ultrasound Surgery Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2017  2027

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Transdermal drug delivery method suggests a lucrative alternative the traditional drug delivery method of injections as well as oral administration. Nevertheless, the outermost layer of the skin serves as an obstacle that controls the penetration of the macromolecular substances into the skin. Application of Ultrasound irradiation on to the skin increases the permeability of macromolecules, and this enables the delivery of different substances into the skin and also through the skin. The use of ultrasound irradiation to deliver drugs through the skin is called as sonophoresis or phonophoresis. Ultrasound transdermal drug delivery system improves the current ways of drug deliveries such as regional, systemic and local drug delivery. High-frequency sonophoresis use dates back to 1950s, and Low-Frequency Sonophoresis is checked during the last two decades. Furthermore, the high-frequency sonophoresis and low-frequency sonophoresis are similar as the both use ultrasound to enhance the penetration of drugs and macromolecules into the skin, though the mechanisms associated with each of the frequencies are different. Also, the site of cavitation and the degree to which each procedure can increase the skin penetration are quite different.Report Overview:Global Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery Market- Market Dynamics:The most significant driver for the rapid development of the global Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market is the rising awareness of non-invasive drug delivery methods enhancing the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market ahead. Also, the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery method is preferred more in situations which require medications to be injected many times either daily or weekly. Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery systems advantages over the conventional drug delivery system also significantly affect the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market. Major challenges faced by the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market are the availability of such type of devices, the determination of the duration of treatment required; gaining a full understanding of how the technology functions; broadening of the range of drugs that can be delivered and evaluation of the safety profiles of the devices.Request to view Sample Report:Global Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery Market-Regional Outlook:Regionally, the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market has been segmented into North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Amid them, Europe and North America are the most dominating markets for the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery. This is due to the high incidences of cardiovascular ailments and hormonal therapies observed in both the regions. The recent research and developments in the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market are also opening new horizons for this market. Followed by North America and Europe, comes Asia Pacific concerning market share. The developing economies like India and China are major growth drivers of this market. Increasing instances of pain, hormonal therapies, cardiovascular ailments and fast-developing healthcare infrastructure, along with the growth in the medical tourism, have roused the Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market. This region is going to witness highest CAGR during the forecast period.Buy Now:Global Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery Market- Major Players:Currently, the global Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market is highly competitive owing to the involvement of many established players and government policies. Some of the key players in the Global Ultrasound Transdermal Drug Delivery market areEcho Therapeutics, Franklin, MA,Iomed Incorporated, Salt Lake City, UT,Abbot Laboratories, Chicago, IL and many others.About UsFuture 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 Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Urinary Catheters Market Predicted to Rake in Revenues US$ 1,755.0 Mn by 2021

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research titled Global Market Study on Urinary Catheters: Intermittent Catheters Segment to Witness Highest Growth by 2021, the urinary catheters market is expected to be valued at US$1,377.5 Mn by the end of 2015. It is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of4.1% from 2015 to 2021, to reach US$1,755.0Mn by 2021.View Report Preview @Presently, the urinary catheter market is mainly driven by factors such as growing ageing population, favorable reimbursement policies and increasing demand for advanced urinary catheters. However, factors such as growing incidence of urinary tract infections and the threat from substitutes are expected to hamper market growth. The urinary catheter market is segmented on the basis of product type and application.The global catheter market was valued at around US$ 25,895.6Mn 2014. The urinary catheter market accounted for 5.1% of global catheter market in 2014 and was valued at US$ 1,326.0 million. Revenue contribution by urinary catheter market to the global catheter market is expected to increase to US$ 1,755.0 by the end of 2021, expanding at a CAGR of 4.1% between 2015 and 2021. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and growing ageing population are factors expected to positively affect the growth of the urinary catheter market across the globe.Request to View Sample of Research Report @By region, North America dominated the market with over 30% market share and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. The urinary catheter market in Asia and Latin America are expected to expand at a CAGRs of 4.7% and 4.6% respectively during the forecast period.Key players covered in this report include B. Braun Melsungen AG, Coloplast A/S., CR Bard Inc., Teleflex Incorporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Covidien Plc, Hollister Incorporated, and Cook Medical.Buy now @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:
Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems Market Predicted to Surpass US$ 508.4 Mn by 2021

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Persistence Market Research (PMR), in a recent report, Global Market Study on Hemodynamic Monitoring System: Growing Demand for Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening to Drive the Market by 2021 , projected the hemodynamic monitoring systems market to expand at a healthy CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The report offered trends driving the market and delivered analysis and insights on the potential of the hemodynamic monitoring systems market in specific regions.View Report Preview @In terms of revenue, the hemodynamic monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 328.7 Mn in 2014 and is projected to reach US$ 508.4 Mn by 2021. Factors driving market growth include government and private sector initiatives to reduce healthcare costs, rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, growing the geriatric patient population, increasing the incidence of respiratory disorders and growing demand for the screening of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).In terms of region, North America dominated the hemodynamic monitoring systems market with over 30% share in terms of value in 2014 but is expected to lose its market share to APAC by 2021. Europe accounted for over 20% of the total hemodynamic monitoring systems market share in 2014 and will maintain its dominance through 2021. Among the regions, APAC is projected to register the highest CAGR over 20152021 due to low-cost product offerings by manufacturers in the region. As of 2014, APAC was the third-highest contributor to the overall hemodynamic monitoring systems market, accounting for over 18% market share. By the end of 2021, it is projected to gain 330 BPS.On the basis of device type, the market has been segmented into pulse contour, oesophageal Doppler, volume clamp, hemodynamic monitoring sensors and pulmonary artery catheters.The pulmonary artery catheters segment had a dominant share in the global hemodynamic monitoring systems market in 2014, while the volume clamp segment accounted for over 20% share.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Global hemodynamic monitoring systems market is further segmented on the basis of end use into hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centres, home care settings and independent catheterisation laboratories. Revenue contribution of the hospitals segment was over 40% in 2014 and is projected to increase to over 42% by 2021, registering a significant CAGR of 7.3%. Home care settings segment is anticipated to record highest CAGR during the forecast period as hemodynamic monitoring systems are being adopted increasingly in home care settings.By application type, the hemodynamic monitoring systems market is segmented into invasive hemodynamic monitoring, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring and minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring segments. Among the three segments, minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.0% over 2015-2021. The invasive hemodynamic monitoring segment accounted for over 30% market share in 2014 but is projected to lose its share to the other two segments by the end of the forecast period.Key players in the global hemodynamic monitoring systems market include Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, ICU Medical, Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, LiDCO Group Plc and PULSION Medical Systems SE. Global players focus on research and development initiatives for introducing innovative products to attain sustainable advantages over their competitors. In addition, they also focus on expanding their regional presence through mergers and acquisitions. In developed regions, hemodynamic monitoring systems manufacturers prefer selling their products directly to the consumer. By contrast, most vendors in countries such as China have tie-ups with suppliers to enhance their customer reach. Globally, medical equipment manufacturers in China account for over 50% market share for exporting noninvasive devices.Buy now @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:
Adherence Monitoring Cap Market to Rear Excessive Growth During 2017 - 2025

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The first understanding which strikes our mind with the word adherence monitoring cap is that packaging targeted only to specific age of people who are in urgent need and capable to handle such system for their own benefits . Adherence monitoring cap has been engineered for convenience of senior aged people who has specific needs such as easy reminder of medication dosage, visually detectable, clearly communicates the benefits of taking the product and the repercussions on skipping or neglecting the prescribed dosages. Adherence monitoring caps are integrated with microcircuits which does records the date and time whenever a patient opens a vial. The adherence monitoring cap which wirelessly transfer dosing data when used in conjunction with a cap reader. Adherence monitoring caps also features an LCD that displays the number of doses taken in the past 24 hours and the number of elapsed doses. Adherence monitoring cap also acts serves the purpose of child resistant packaging and minimizes the fatality of child poisoning. With expansion in population of those aged 50 plus and beyond and subsequent demands of intelligent packaging for consumers, the market of adherence monitoring cap market is bound to grow at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Market: Drivers & RestraintsRise in senior age population, governing agencies pushing stricter norms on packaging and growing public interest for smart packaging are few of the drivers which will drive adherence monitoring cap market. The average age of the entire population of the globe is almost crossing 35 years. In coming next 5 -10 years this population will be beyond 45. With increase in age the ability to remember and the urge of doing something in routine diminishes. Further the change in habit of consumer in present times, educated and affluent class reach for goods and products which are inundated with smart technology that can contribute vastly towards consumers comfort and thus diminishes effort.High price of adherence monitoring market, sophistication of adherence monitoring cap will lead to restriction its usage in more robust way, lack of awareness about product can be possible few of the restraints of the adherence minoring market.Adherence Monitoring Cap Market: SegmentationThe global Adherence Monitoring Cap market is segmented on the basis of product, sales channel and region.On the basis of type of applications, the global Adherence Monitoring Cap market is segmented into:Capsule DispenserLiquid DispenserOn the basis of end users, the global Adherence Monitoring Cap market is segmented into:PharmaceuticalsFood IndustryHealth SupplementsOn the basis of sales channel, the global Adherence Monitoring Cap market is segmented into:B2BB2CTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Adherence Monitoring Cap Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, global Adherence Monitoring Cap market is segmented into five key regions -- North America, Latin America, Europe, AP EJ, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, North America market is expected to be the dominant region for adherence monitoring cap market in terms of value share, which can be attributed to the rise in population of senior age population in North America and the expansion of packaging industries which manufactures adherence monitoring cap followed by Western Europe. In APEJ region the senior packaging market is in introduction phase, the market is growing and will eventually gain a strong foothold over the forecast period in countries such as South Korea, China owing to the availability of R&D activities to develop such adherence monitoring cap for general public usage at a reasonable price. Japan being one of the formidable player in developing various electronic commodities will also gain a strong foothold in adherence monitoring cap. Moreover Japan has the worlds oldest population who will be in need of such adherence monitoring cap package system for their medication usage. In MEA and Latin America at present the market is yet to acknowledge the idea of adherence monitoring cap product and those market demand of adherence monitoring cap mostly relies on imported products but with rise in awareness and growing demand the market will witness growth by the end of our forecast period.Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsAbhishek BudholiyaPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Expansion of Magnetic Nanoparticles Market to Remain Consistent During 2017 - 2025

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Nanoparticles are particles that have at least one dimension in a nano scale. They have properties different from their own macro scale properties. Magnetic nanoparticles are particles whose properties can be manipulated upon exposure to a magnetic field. Magnetic nanoparticles find application in material science, magnetic fluid recording, catalysis, bio-medicines, etc. There are various methods of synthesizing magnetic nanostructures, some of them are: chemical synthesis, thermal decomposition and template assisted fabrication. Template assisted fabrication has an advantage over chemical synthesis. The synthesis method defines the shape, size, magnetic property and surface chemistry of the magnetic nanoparticle. Magnetic nanoparticles can show any one of these magnetic behaviors  diamagnetism, paramagnatism, antiferromagnetism and ferromagnetism. Magnetite is a common example of a magnetic nanoparticle and it is used in many applications, due to its supermagnetic behavior. However, at the same time it is sensitive to oxidation & agglomeration, which can be prevented by various coatings.Nanoparticles have a metallic core and shell. They have higher magnetization and stability in acidic, basic or organic solvents in comparison to ferrite.Magnetic Nanoparticle Market: DynamicsGrowth of the magnetic nanoparticle market is expected to gear up, due to the application of these particles in various fields, such as the medical industry for drug delivery, drugs & therapy, in vivo imaging, nano fluids, biomedicine, data storage, and microfluidics. Increasing research activities are expected to stimulate growth of the magnetic nanoparticle market in developed countries, mainly Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Japan, due to the monetary grants provided by various sources.Various companies use magnetic nanoparticles for various applications. Sigma Aldrich has started manufacturing magnetic nanoparticles solutions and nanopowders. For example: Manganese iron oxide nanopowder (50 nm avg) and Iron carbon coated magnetic nanopowder (25 nm avg). Turbobead has started manufacturing turbobeads that are mainly used for separation processes in different fields. This growth in the manufacturing market is expected to translate to subsequent exponential growth in the magnetic nanoparticle market.A sample of this report is available upon request @In the medical industry, continuous research and development towards magnetic resonance imaging for the treatment of cancerous cells is expected to lead the magnetic nanoparticle market. It is expected that the electronics industry will claim a major share in the magnetic nanoparticle market, due to the high utilization of these particles in the electronics industry. Iron oxide (magnetite) nanoparticles, due to their high supermagnetic, non-toxic and easy degradability properties are widely used in magnetic storage devices and magnetic resonance imaging in the medical industry. Iron oxide nanoparticles are also used in the treatment of cancer by injecting ferrofluids that contain these particles.For energy storage applications, Fe3O4 and other materials are used to improve the efficiency of Li-ion batteries. Attributing to the inclination of people towards highly efficient devices, the energy storage industry is expected to boost the magnetic nanoparticle market.Nano powders and solutions containing nanoparticles are widely used in separating contaminants from water as nanoparticles provide high surface area and recyclability. This has spurred research activities in the magnetic nanoparticle market.Magnetic Nanoparticle Market: SegmentationThe global magnetic nanoparticle market can be segmented on the basis of application as:MedicalElectronicsWaste water treatmentEnergy StorageThe global magnetic nanoparticle market can be segmented on the basis of physical form as:NanopowderSolutionDispersionFerriteFerrite core with a shellMetallicMetallic core with a shellMagnetic Nanoparticle: Regional OutlookGrowth in research areas, such as MRI and separation and development might lead to an increase in the consumption of magnetic nanoparticles in Asia Pacific region especially in India and China.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Asia Pacific is a rapidly growing market in the ferrofluid industry with India spearheading growth, followed by China. Both countries are expected to witness a surge in terms of consumption of magnetic nanoparticles. Many companies are shifting their production to Asia Pacific region due to availability of cheap labor and favorable Government policies thus it is expected that it will drive the Magnetic nanoparticle Market.Europe followed by North America is expected to have the significant growth in magnetic nanoparticle market due to increase in spending in Research and Development activities to find cure of various diseases, increase in nanoparticle market, emergence of some key market participants from these regions, increasing use of nanotechnology based devices etc. On the basis of production and application, the U.S. will remain the leader in the ferrofluid market.Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsAbhishek BudholiyaPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Flat Steel Market to Witness Widespread Expansion During 2017 - 2025

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Flat steel is rolled from a semi-furnished material such as ingots or billets, and slabs. It is commonly used in consumer durable, white goods, construction as well as automotive industry. Flat steel is used by various manufacturers such as light bar industries, cable trays, truck trailers, automobile industry, railways, tippers, grating manufacturers, and other engineering industries. Flat steel enhances the quality, ductility, toughness, reliability, consistency of end product along with reduces the waste as well as a rework of production process. Moreover, it helps in maximized yield, trouble-free processing, improves product shelf life, and enhance the overall performance of the end product. According to World Steel Association, the overall steel products consumption in Asia & Oceania market was estimated around 990 Mn metric tons in 2015.Flat Steel Market: Drivers and RestraintsInnovative steel production techniques, expansion in the manufacturing capacity, and steel companies are inclining towards electric arc furnace manufacturing process which will provide them an operating flexibility are a primary factor driving the growth of global flat steel market. Moreover, extensive use of flat steel in the construction of factories, roads, and engineering structure, and growing automobile and construction industry globally which account about two third of steel consumption are some of the prominent factors fueling the growth of flat steel market over the forecast period. However, the high fixed cost of blast furnace production process have a severely adverse impact on the profitability of steel manufacturers, and fluctuation in product price may limiting the growth of the flat steel market during the forecast period. For Instance, In February 2017, the average price of flat steel in Asian market was increased by around US$25 per ton compared to previous month.A sample of this report is available upon request @Flat Steel Market: SegmentationThe flat steel market has been classified by product type, production process, and end user.Based on product type, the flat steel market is segmented into the following:SheetsCold Rolled CoilHot Rolled CoilGalvanized CoilPlatesBased on the production process, the flat steel market is segmented into the following:Blast Furnace (BF)Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)Based on the end user, the flat steel market is segmented into the following:AppliancesAutomobileConstructionTransportationAgriculture EquipmentShipbuildingOthersFlat Steel Market: OverviewFlat steel market revenue is expected to grow at a rapid growth rate, over the forecast period. The market is anticipated to perform well in the near future owing to the low cost of cold rolled steel sheets compared to hot rolled sheets and expanding industrialization. Moreover, increasing public sector expenditure and the rise in infrastructure investments are some of the factors that can propel the market revenue growth of flat steel soon. Based on product type, sheets segment is projected to lead the global flat steel market over the forecast period attributed to the extensive use of hot rolled steel sheets for the development of the major sized structures such as heavy equipment, construction, and railroads, and high malleable property. On the other hand, the cold rolled sheets are a finished form of the sheet used when a surface finishing is required automotive parts. The cold steel is processed in cold reduction mills at room temperature along with tempers rolling which make steel closer dimensional tolerance, improve surface finish, and enhance the tensile strength.Flat Steel Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on the geographic region, flat steel market is divided into seven key regions: North America, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Western Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the flat steel market followed by Europe, and Japan is owing to expanding automotive output, high adoption of oil and gas tubular, and government initiatives. The market in Asia Pacific and Japan is expected to grow at significant CAGR owing to expanding construction and automobile industry, the presence of prominent players in these regions. Additionally, increasing exports of steel from developing countries such as India which has escalated by 78% during April 2016 to February 2017 are the factors which are anticipated to drive the growth of flat steel market throughout the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Flat Steel Market: Key PlayersSome of the prominent players in the flat steel market are ArcelorMittal S.A., Allegheny Technologies Inc., Zeeco Metals, Inc., SSAB AB, Clingan Steel, Inc., United States Steel Corporation, AK Steel Holding Corporation, Hascall Steel Co., Essar Group ThyssenKrupp AG, Posco Co. Ltd., Precision Brand Products, Inc., Johnson Bros. Metal Forming Co., Voestalpine AG, Jindal Steel and Power Limited, JSW Steel Ltd., Tata Steel Limited, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp, Hyundai Steel Co., and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), and many more.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology, material and applications.Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsAbhishek BudholiyaPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Prosperity of Industrialization to Drive Decorative Coatings Market During 2016 - 2024

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Global Decorative Coatings Market: OverviewDecorative or architectural coatings are the paints and finishes that are used on residential and commercial buildings. They are basically employed to decorate rooms by adding colors and make them look fresh and attractive. They also serve as protecting agents from UV radiation, bacteria, corrosion, and moisture. The several applications of decorative coatings include exterior and interior house stains, varnishes, sealers, primers, and paints. Presently, the beauty of any product in terms of its appearance, attractiveness, looks, and aesthetical value is extremely important to make it stand out of its competitors. Thus, decorative paints play a crucial part here. On the basis of type of architecture, the decorative coatings market can be segmented into architectural lacquers, interior solvent based coatings, exterior solvent based coatings, water based coatings, and other types of architectural coatings.The report is an enquiry in the growth of the global decorative coatings market over the last few years and in the upcoming years. The market research study further reasons out the causes of the alterations in the market worldwide. It performs this task by presenting a valuation of the dynamics and the trends ubiquitous from the last few years and the ones that are likely to keep hold of a strong presence during the forecast period. The Porters five forces analysis has been taken into consideration by the analysts to offer a clear view of the vendor landscape to the readers. Mergers, agreements, acquisitions, and other partnerships have also been highlighted in the market research report. The study also delves into the working of several major companies along with information on their products, strategies, and shares in question.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Decorative Coatings Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe global market for decorative coatings is expected to be benefitted by the rising use in construction sector across several countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, India, UAE, Qatar, Mexico, the U.S., and China. The growing demand for these decorative coatings can be warranted due to their appearance and durability on the surface they are being applied to. The mushrooming of shopping malls, housing complexes, office buildings, and residential complexes across the globe is one of the primary factors driving the growth of the global decorative coatings market. The rising interest of consumers towards home decoration and aesthetics along with enhanced living standards are further expected fuel the demand for decorative coatings.Some of the challenges that the market is likely to face is strict regulations regarding the use of toxic chemicals in the paint and their harmful effects on the environment. Convenience, technology, and health concerns may also impede the markets growth in the near future.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global Decorative Coatings Market: Regional AnalysisThe market for decorative coatings is expected to be highly benefitted from the growing construction industry in the emerging regions such as Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa. The tilt towards westernized architecture and improving living standards is further likely to propel the growth of the market, whereas economic downturn in the developed regions is likely to slow down the market in North America and Asia Pacific.Global Decorative Coatings Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the prime companies in the market are DuPont, BASF, Sherwin-Williams, Dow Chemical, Dulux, PPG, and Akzo Nobel NV.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.Abhishek BudholiyaState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Website:Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Disinfectors Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 10.2% by 2022

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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 (By Product Type Washer, Flusher and Endoscope Reprocessors By Application Hospitals and Clinics, Pharmaceuticals and Elder Care) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014  2020.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.Browse Full Report With TOC @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.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.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.Browse Full Report With TOC @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.The global disinfectors market has been segmented as below:Disinfectors Market, by Product TypeWasherSingle ChamberSingle DoorDouble DoorMulti-ChamberFlusherEndoscope ReprocessorsDisinfectors Market, by ApplicationHospitals and ClinicsPharmaceuticals and Life-SciencesElder CareDisinfectors Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the World (RoW)Make An Enquiry @About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine(MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consultingContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite :Read More Industry News At:
Blood Preparation Market to Record Sturdy Growth by 2021

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Blood is a mixture of various component including Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), plasma, and platelets that circulate continuously inside the body to provide nutrition, and oxygen to body, and removes waste from the body. The average person has about 5 liters of blood and plasma that makes up about half of the content of the blood. Many people need transfusion in various conditions such as operations, a severe infection or liver diseases which stops body from making blood, and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia.Report overview @According to World Health Organization (WHO), 108 million blood donation collected globally in 2014 which was an increase of 8.6 million voluntary blood donation from 2004 to 2012. Previously, whole blood was the only preparation used to replace RBC, platelets, or coagulation factors. However, now a days whole blood is separated into various blood components and further derivatives can be obtained from plasma by fractionation procedure. Hence, one unit of blood can be useful for more than one patient.The global blood preparation market is segmented by product type, and by blood thinning agents. By product type market is segmented into whole blood, blood components, and blood derivatives and the blood thinning agents further segmented into platelet aggregation inhibitor, fibrinolytics, and anticoagulants. Platelet aggregate inhibitors include glycoprotein Inhibitors, ADP Antagonists, COX Inhibitors, and Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors. Whereas, fibrinolytics includes Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA), urokinase, and streptokinase. Heparins, direct thrombin inhibitors, vitamin K antagonists, direct factor Xa inhibitors are anti-coagulants. Whole blood consists of red cells, granulocytes, plasma, and platelets. Blood components includes whole blood components, packed red cells, leukocyte reduced red blood cells, frozen plasma, and platelet concentrate. Aim of the blood component is to provide right component to right patient in right quantity. Blood derivative market is the most lucrative segment and is anticipated to grow at faster rate during the forecast period due to increasing need of transfusion, and growing R&D result in development of blood derived medicines. However, anti-coagulant accounted largest share of the global blood preparation market due to launch of products, and increasing R&D activities.Request to sample report @Geographically, global blood preparation market is segmented as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East Asia, and Rest of the World. North America accounted for the largest share of the market due to high patient awareness with more healthcare expenditure, and sophisticated healthcare infrastructure. However, Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest rate owing to favorable government initiatives, and large unmet opportunities from emerging markets such as China, and India.The global blood preparation market is expected to grow at a significant growth rate during the forecast period owing to increasing prevalence of blood related diseases that results in growing demand of blood transfusion. Additionally, launch of new anticoagulants in the market, and presence of large unmet needs also boost the global blood preparation market. However, chances of transmission of diseases, allergic reactions, and some other adverse reactions such as hypotensive transfusion reaction, post-transfusion purpura (PTP), and transfusion-associated dyspnea (TAD) can restraint the market. According to WHO, about 5% of HIV infections are transmitted by unsafe transfusion due to unsafe donors, inadequately trained staff, irregular or inadequate supplies of materials to test, poor laboratory testing procedures, and unnecessary transfusions or absence of quality systems.Key players in the global blood preparation market include GlaxoSmithKline plc, Baxter Healthcare Corp., Pfizer Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Sanofi Aventis, AstraZeneca plc, and Celgene Corporation., and Leo Pharma A/S.Buy now @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:
Incontinence Products Market to See Incredible Growth During 2016 - 2022

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Incontinence or Incontinent may refer to the involuntary excretion of bowel contents or urine. Difficulties with using the toilet, accidents and incontinence, can all be problems for people with dementia, particularly as the condition progresses. According to a report published by WHO, 5% to 7% of the worlds population is suffering from incontinence. These problems can be upsetting for people and for those around them. Today a variety of products are available in the market, which can provide practical solutions to those people suffering from such ailments. Some of these are Protective Underwear & Briefs, Pads & Liners, Overnight diapers, Tab Style Diapers, skin care products to name a few.Report overview @Incontinence products are a part of personal care segment, which is growing at a faster pace. This is due to the rise in aging population, increasing awareness and acceptance of incontinence products. Product innovations to customize the products is also driving the incontinence care industry. The WHO report projects that in almost every country the proportion of people aged over 60 years is growing faster than any other age group, as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates. Also the rise in the population of diabetic Mellitus patients worldwide provides a good platform for this market. However, there are some bigger challenges faced by this industry like the threat of alternates and substitutes and the threat from low-cost manufacturers.The incontinence products market can be segmented based on product type, into, external & internal. External products include; absorbent products, hand wash, gloves, body wash, barrier cream, repair cream, hand held urinals, bed pads, shampoo caps, whereas, internal products include; tampons, disposable urethral Inserts, pessaries. Based on raw material used- plastic, cotton fabric, super absorbents, cotton fiber, latex, others (water proof materials).In terms distributional channel, the market is segmented into institutional & homecare and retail trade. Out of which institutional & homecare is estimated to be the major end-users, accounting approximately 60% of the global market for incontinence products and the retail market owns remaining 40% of the market.Request to sample report @Geographically, the incontinence products market is segmented into seven regions which are ; North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), and Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Japan. Among all the regions, Western Europe is the highest contributor in term of revenue in global incontinence products market followed by Asia Pacific, North America & it is expected that in near future, Asia Pacific is going to lead this market.Japan, having the highest proportion of elderly citizens could be a big market for this segment. The ever growing population of China will drive the demand for healthcare products, consequently resulting in the growth of the incontinence market in country. Saudi Arab, Kiribati, Kuwait, Bahrain are worlds leading diabetic prevalent nation. These countries also have a good market potential for incontinence products.Some of the key players across the value chain dominating this market are Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, Unicharm Corporation, HARTMANN GROUP, ONTEX International N.V., Hypermarcas SA, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, First Quality Enterprises Inc., Pro Descart Industria e Comercio Ltd, Coloplast A/S, C. R. Bard Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Covidien plc and Medline Industries Inc, etc.Buy now @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:
Sinusitis Treatment Market Report 2016 - 2022: By Treatment, Regional Outlook and Key Player

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Rise in new technologies and rapid innovations in healthcare market will create opportunities for companies that are striving to plunge into sinusitis treatment market. Sinusitis can be acute and if not treated can lead to chronic condition wherein different germs like bacteria and viruses can block the nasal cavities or are filled with fluid. There are common symptoms like common cold, fever, headache, sore throat, cough and others. If sinusitis is not treated or diagnosed it can lead to complications like brain abscess and meningitis. Primary treatment for sinusitis is antibiotics and at severe stage by decongestants. There are blood test, ciliary function test, CT scan of the sinuses, nasal cytology and allergy testing and MRI of the sinuses. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11.7 million people in the U.S. visits to physician offices for diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.Report overview @Factors contributing for growth of sinusitis treatment market are demand for diagnostic test and antibiotics, patient education programs by companies and hospitals for increasing awareness among the public. Advancement in technology, myriad of people suffering from common cold and no age specific are additional factors that will drive the market over the forecasted period. Though the sinusitis treatment market is expected to generate significant revenue throughout the forecast period, the availability of the test and high cost of diagnostic test for sinusitis is a major challenge for overall growth of the sinusitis treatment market. Major challenge for the pharmaceutical companies is clinical trial for drugs.With increasing base of sinusitis sufferers, the sinusitis treatment market is expected to have tremendous growth during the forecast period (2016-2026). Companies are focusing on developing of novel drug products for sinusitis. Due to rapid innovations and advance technology there is huge potential in sinusitis treatment market.On the basis of region presence, sinusitis treatment market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.Request to sample report @Currently, North America dominates the global market for sinusitis treatment due to high prevalence rate of sinusitis, followed by Europe. According to CDC, 29.4 million people diagnosed sinusitis in North American. However factors such as lack of knowledge of diagnostic test and lack of awareness among people about sinusitis will hamper the market growth in regions like Asia-pacific and RoWSome of the key market players in the manufacturing of the treatment products (antibiotics) for sinusitis includes Sanofi, Abbott Laboratories, Bayer AG, Eli Lilly And Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co, Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Reddys Lab, and Novartis AG.Buy now @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:
Liposarcoma Treatment Market Report 2016 - 2022: By Treatment type, End User, Regional Outlook and Key Player

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Liposarcoma is a cancer of fat cells lying deep within the soft tissues, typically in retroperitoneum or thighs. According to WHO, liposarcoma is the most common type of sarcomas (cancer of soft tissue) and accounts for approximately 17-20% of all cases of sarcoma. However, WHO classifies liposarcoma in the rare diseases as the incidence rate of the disease is as low as 2.5 per Mn population. Liposarcoma most commonly occurs in the middle age or adults above the age of 40 and it can be well diagnosed with the help of excision biopsy. Liposarcoma can be of four types viz. well differentiated liposarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The most common drugs used for the treatment of liposarcoma include ifosfamide and doxorubicin. Ifosfamide is often prescribed in combination with uromitexan in order to prevent bladder irritation and internal bleeding. Moreover, cisplatin, vincristine, etoposide, gemcitabine, docetaxel etc. can be used to prevent the recurrence of liposarcoma.Report overview @The market for liposarcoma is highly fragmented with large number of generic manufacturers. The global market for liposarcoma treatment is expected to grow moderately over the forecast period owing to low incidence rate of the disease. Some other factors which are anticipated to influence growth of global liposarcoma treatment market include lifestyle changes, incidence of genetic disorders, growing awareness through liposarcoma genome project etc. However, high cost of the treatment can be the major restraint for the growth of global liposarcoma treatment market.Surgical therapy treatment segment is expected to account for major share in global liposarcoma treatment market as it is the choice of treatment recommended by majority of cancer specialists. Most of the physicians do not rely on chemotherapy for the liposarcoma treatment however, it can be used prior to the surgery to reduce the size of the tumor making it the second largest segment in terms of value in global liposarcoma treatment market. Radiation therapy treatment is used to avoid recurrence of the liposarcoma after surgery and contributes a minimal share in global liposarcoma treatment market.Request to sample report @Geographically, global liposarcoma treatment market is classified into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is anticipated to lead the global liposarcoma treatment market due to relatively greater prevalence of the disease in the region. APAC and MEA regions are expected to witness steady market growth owing to lack of awareness about the disease.Some of the key players in global liposarcoma treatment market include Eli Lilly and Company, Baxter International, Bristol Laboratories Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mylan N.V., Actavis plc.,Fresenius Kabi Ltd., Accord Healthcare Inc., Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sandoz, Bedford Laboratories and others. Recently FDA approved the new indication of Halaven (eribulin) to Esai Co. Ltd. and new drug application of Yondelis (Trabectedin) from Johnson & Johnson Private Limited for use in Europe, Russia and South Korea.Buy now @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:
Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market will Reach an Estimated US$300 bn by 2025 by Expanding at a CAGR of 7.9% between 2017 and 2025

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This report on the Global Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market provides analysis for the period 20082025, wherein 2016 is the base year and the period from 2017 to 2025 is the forecast period. Data from 2008 to 2015 has been included as historical information. The report covers market dynamics including drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the global energy efficient lighting technology market growth during the said period. Global and regional trends that are playing a major role in driving the global energy efficient lighting technology market have also been covered in the study. The study provides a comprehensive analysis on market growth throughout the above forecast period in terms of revenue estimates (in US$ Mn) and volume estimates (in Million units), across different geographies.Get free Sample Report @The report also includes industrial evolution in the energy efficient lighting technology market. Porters Five Forces analysis which identifies bargaining power of supplier, bargaining power of buyer, threat from new entrant, threat from substitute and threat from competition in energy efficient lighting technology market is also included in the report. Value chain analysis which identifies key stake holders in the energy efficient lighting technology market is also covered in the report. Furthermore, policies and regulations aiding the energy efficient lighting technology market are also covered in the report.The report also covers market attractiveness analysis and market positioning of key players for all regions covered in the scope of study. Market attractiveness identifies and compares segments attractiveness in the market on the basis of CAGR and market share index across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America.Global Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market: SegmentationThe energy efficient lighting technology market has been segmented on the basis of product type, application, correlated color temperature and geography. Based on product type, the market has been further classified into incandescent lamp, light emitting diode, arc lamp and gas discharge lamps. Halogen lamp is a sub segment of incandescent lamp. Arc lamp is further segmented into xenon arc lamp, mercury xenon arc lamp, ultra high performance lamp and metal halide lamp. Similarly, gas discharge lamps can be further segmented into compact fluorescent lamp, linear fluorescent lamp, neon lamp, mercury vapor lamp, sodium vapor lamp, and electrode less lamp.By application, the energy efficient lighting technology market is classified into commercial, residential, and government. On the basis of correlated color temperature, the energy efficient lighting technology market is classified into 2700K-3000K, 3500K  4000K, 4000K- 5000K, 5000K-6500K, and More Than 6500K. Geographically, the report classifies the global energy efficient lighting technology market into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA) and South America. The regions are analyzed in terms of revenue and volume generation. Furthermore, region wise prominent countries covered in the report include the following - U.S, Canada, U.K., Germany, Italy, France, China, Japan, India, GCC countries, South Africa and Brazil.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Global Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also includes competition landscape which includes competition matrix, market share analysis of major players in the global energy efficient lighting technology market based on their 2016 revenues and profiles of major players. Competition matrix benchmarks leading players on the basis of their capabilities and potential to grow. Factors including market positioning, product offerings and R&D focus are attributed to companys capabilities. Factors including top line growth, market share, segment growth, infrastructure facilities and future outlook are attributed to companys potential to grow.Company profiling includes company overview, major business strategies adopted, SWOT analysis and market revenues for year 2014 to 2016. The major players profiled in the global energy efficient lighting technology market include Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Bridgelux, Inc., Cree, Inc., Digital Lumens, Inc., Eaton Corporation, General Electric Co., LIGMAN Lighting Co., Ltd., LED Roadway Lighting Ltd., Nichia Corporation, OSRAM Licht Group, Philips Lighting Holding B.V., Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, and Zumtobel Group AG.The global energy efficient lighting technology market is segmented as below:Global Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market, by Product TypeIncandescent LampHalogen LampsLight Emitting DiodeArc LampXenon Arc LampMercury Xenon Arc LampUltra High Performance LampsMetal Halide LampGas Discharge LampsCompact Fluorescent LampLinear Fluorescent LampsNeon LampMercury Vapor LampSodium Vapor LampElectrode less LampGlobal Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market, by ApplicationCommercialResidentialGovernmentGlobal Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market, by correlated color temperature2700K-3000K3500K  4000K4000K- 5000K5000K-6500KMore Than 6500KGlobal Energy Efficient Lighting Technology Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaThe U.S.CanadaRest of North AmericaEuropeK.GermanyItalyFranceRest of EuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)ChinaJapanIndiaRest of APACMiddle East and Africa (MEA)GCCSouth AfricaRest of MEASouth AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaSend An Enquiry @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.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Large-scale LNG Terminals Market By Technology Will exhibit a 5.78% CAGR by 2023

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This research study analyzes the market for large-scale LNG terminals in terms of throughput (MMTPA). The large-scale LNG terminals market has been segmented on the basis of technology and geography. The regional segment has been further divided into 12 sub-segments that comprise seven countries which are major players in the global large-scale LNG terminals market. For the research, 2014 has been taken as the base year while all forecasts have been given for the 20152023 period. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the regional as well as country-specific level for the 20142023 period. The report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the large-scale LNG terminals business. The report also includes the key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the global large-scale LNG terminals market. These market dynamics were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive industry analysis of the global large-scale LNG terminals market with the help of Porters Five Forces model. This analysis helps in understanding the five major forces that affect the structure and profitability of the global large-scale LNG terminals market. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.Click here For Free Sample Report @The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the large-scale LNG terminals business globally. There are currently numerous drivers for the large-scale LNG terminals market. One of the most prominent drivers is preference of LNG as an alternative fuel source by large long haul vehicle fleet owners. Apart from this, increasing consumption of LNG due to environmental benefits over other fuels is expected to increase the demand for large-scale LNG terminals in the near future. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the large-scale LNG terminals market on the basis of geography. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market in different regions.The large-scale LNG terminals market was further segmented on the basis of technology into liquefaction and regasification. Both the technology segments were further sub-divided on the basis of site into onshore and offshore. The large-scale LNG terminals market was analyzed across five geographies: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the large-scale LNG terminals market. Key market participants in the large-scale LNG terminals market include Linde AG, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Santos Limited, Chevron Corporation, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Statoil ASA, ConocoPhillips Company, Gasum Oy, Rosneft, and Nippon Gas Co. Ltd. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, and recent developments.Browse Full Report With TOC Click here @Large-scale LNG Terminals Market: By TechnologyLiquefactionOnshoreOffshoreRegasificationOnshoreOffshoreLarge-scale LNG Terminals Market: By RegionNorth AmericaS.Rest of North AmericaAsia PacificIndonesiaRest of Asia PacificEuropeRussiaSpainRest of EuropeSouth AmericaPeruRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaQatarNigeriaRest of Middle East & AfricaMake An Enquiry @About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine(MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite :Read More Industry News At:
New Research Reports Synthetic Diamond Will Rise At CAGR 7.0% by 2025

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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 Synthetic Diamond (Bort, Dust, Grit, Powder, and Stone) Market by Manufacturing Process (High Pressure High Temperature, Chemical Vapor Deposition, and Others) and Type (Polished, Rough) for Construction & Mining, Electronics, Jewelry, Healthcare and Other End-users - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015  2023.This report analyzes and forecasts the market for synthetic diamond at the global and regional level. The market has been forecast based on volume (million carats) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2015 to 2023. The study includes drivers and restraints of the global synthetic diamond market. It also covers the impact of these drivers and restraints on demand for synthetic diamond during the forecast period. The report also highlights opportunities in the synthetic diamond market at the global and regional level.Click here For Free Sample Report @The report includes a detailed value chain analysis, which provides a comprehensive view of the global synthetic diamond market. Porters Five Forces Model for the synthetic diamond market has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users are benchmarked based on market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.The study provides a decisive view of the global synthetic diamond market by segmenting it in terms of products, type, manufacturing process, and end-users. These segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends. Regional segmentation includes current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The report also covers demand for individual products, type, manufacturing process, and end-user segments in all regions.The study includes profiles of major companies operating in the global synthetic diamond market. Key players profiled in the report include Element Six, Applied Diamond Inc., Scio Diamond Technology Corporation, Tomei Diamond Co., Ltd., Pure Grown Diamonds, New Diamond Technology, LLC, Washington Diamonds Corporation, Centaurus Technologies, Inc., Crystallume, Sandvik AB, and ILJIN. Market players are profiled in terms of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and recent developments.The report provides the estimated market size of synthetic diamond for 2015 and forecast for the next eight years. The global market size of synthetic diamond is provided in terms of both volume and revenue. Market volume is defined in million carats, while market revenue is in US$ Mn. Market numbers are estimated based on key products, type, manufacturing process, and end-users of synthetic diamond. Market size and forecast for each major product, type, manufacturing process, and end-users are provided in terms of global and regional markets.In order to compile the research report, we conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry participants and opinion leaders. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research includes a search of recent trade, technical writing, Internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing business opportunities.Click here For Browse Full Report With TOC @Secondary research sources that are typically referred to include, but are not limited to company websites, annual reports, financial reports, broker reports, investor presentations, SEC filings, Plastemart magazine, TPE magazine, internal and external proprietary databases, and relevant patent and regulatory databases such as ICIS, Hoovers, oneSOURCE, Factiva, and Bloomberg, national government documents, statistical databases, trade journals, market reports, news articles, press releases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market.Primary research involves e-mail interactions, telephonic interviews, and face-to-face interviews for each market, category, segment, and sub-segment across geographies. We conduct primary interviews on an ongoing basis with industry participants and commentators to validate data and analysis. Primary interviews provide first-hand information on market size, market trends, growth trends, competitive landscape, outlook, etc. These help validate and strengthen secondary research findings. These also help develop the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The report segments the global synthetic diamond market as follows:Synthetic Diamond Market: Manufacturing Process Analysis High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)Synthetic Diamond Market: Type Analysis Polished RoughSynthetic Diamond Market: Product Segment Analysis Bort Dust Grit Powder StoneSynthetic Diamond Market: End-user Analysis Construction and Mining Electronics Jewelry Healthcare OthersSynthetic Diamond Market: Regional Analysis North America U.S. Rest of North America Europe France U.K. Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa (MEA) GCC South Africa Rest of MEAMake An Enquiry @About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine(MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite :Read More Industry News At:
Boyne Golf first to join E-Z-Go green ambassador program

Boyne Golf is the first to join the E-Z-Go Green Ambassador Program aimed at bringing together leaders in sustainability in the golf industry.
This weekend, Sanaa was the theatre of fierce fighting pitting forces loyal to Abdellah Saleh against the Houthi militias, which appear to have taken control of key streets and buildings in the capital.

Dozens of people were killed on both sides, including civilians, but there are no specific figures about casualties as fighting between former allies intensifies.

Saleh forces were backed by Saudi coalition airstrikes, which hit the positions of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the war-battered city.

The Saudi intervention in the infighting in the camps of their Yemeni foes comes only a day after Saleh signaled a shift in alliances by using a live television address to say he was ready to make peace with the Saudi-led coalition.

Yemens former President vowed to turn the page with the Saudi-led coalition he has been fighting if it lifts a crippling blockade on Yemen.

The Houthis, for their part, accused Saleh of betrayal, and vowed to keep up the fight against the Saudi-led coalition.

The Saudis and their allies have backed, in a statement, Salehs move saying that restoring initiative by the members of the General Peoples Congress party and their alliance with Yemeni people will allow Yemen to get rid of the evils of the sectarian Iranian terrorist militias.

Yemens civil war has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015, displaced more than two million people, caused a cholera outbreak infecting nearly one million people and put the country on the brink of famine.
ALBANY, Bahamas  Tiger Woods is back  again.

The future looks bright for Woods after the 79-time PGA TOUR winner successfully negotiated all four rounds at the Hero World Challenge in his long-awaited comeback from back surgery.

Woods, who had his back fused just seven months ago, finished the tournament that he hosts to benefit his foundation with rounds of 69-68-75-68.

It was his first competitive golf tournament since early February so expectations werent that high  yet he beat half the field (tied 9th) in the 18-man event at Albany albeit 10 shots adrift of winner Rickie Fowler.

Besting the likes of FedExCup champion Justin Thomas and world No.1 Dustin Johnson will see him climb from his lowly 1199th spot in the world rankings to somewhere in the mid 700s.

Showing speed and power with his full swings and seemingly without any discomfort despite a total of four back surgeries to his name since 2013 the two-time FedExCup champion proved a return to regular PGA TOUR duties is far from beyond him.

The 14-time major champion will turn 42 on December 30 and his likely schedule is yet to be confirmed however there were enough positives from the four rounds to suggest Woods can be a regular contender again.

I'm excited, Woods said Sunday.

I had the adrenaline going and overall I'm very pleased. I knew I was going to be able to play all four rounds, that wasn't going to be an issue. The issue was how was my scoring going to be, how was my feel, how am I going to get used to the adrenaline in my system for the first time in a while.

That took a little bit of time. I was still good with my irons, I drove it pretty good all week, made some good putts. I showed some good signs, I hit some really good shots out there and (its) a bright future.

If history is anything to go by the likely return to his first full-field TOUR event will come at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, the last place Woods played in an official TOUR event.

Hes won the event seven times and also won his last major, the 2008 U.S. Open, at the venue.

We're going to sit down, we'll figure it out, where I'm going to start, how much I'm going to play, rest periods, training cycles, the whole nine yards, Woods added.

My expectations are we'll be playing next year. How many, where, I don't know yet, but we'll figure it out.

In the meantime, Woods said he will continue his recent trend of playing money games against Fowler, Justin Thomas and other young stars from the TOUR.

They want a piece of him, and he wants a piece of them. It is all helping to build the competitive edge back up.

I'm sure the guys will have some denominations they want to play for, Woods said.

JT was already alluding to that as we were playing today so when we go home, these guys are awesome, they want to play almost every day. They want to compete, they want to see me back out there, and it's really nice to have that type of camaraderie.

Clearly it is helping those guys also. Thomas already has a win this season. Fowler was second at the OHL Classic at Mayokoba before winning here.

I think he sharpened me up a little bit, Fowler said.

And Fowler expects everyone on TOUR better sharpen up as the veteran Woods gets some more competitive rounds under his belt.

If his back holds up and he keeps swinging the way he does, there's no doubt that he can go out and win, Fowler said.

Tiger's still going to have that similar effect when you see his name on the board coming down the last nine holes and being in the mix. You know he's not scared. He's done it, he's been there before.

I haven't played up against him in his prime. I think we're all looking forward to having the chance to play with Tiger down the stretch.

I wouldn't say guys are scared. I think they're more excited about it and having him back and having the chance to play against Tiger, and we want to see him play well. It's only better for our game.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Cloudy skies. High 53F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds light and variable.
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
Assistant Columbia bureau chief

Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill.
Bruised by the disentanglement of their alliance with former President Abdellah Saleh, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed that they fired a missile targeting Abu Dhabis nuclear power reactor. The UAE responded by denying such a show of force never happened.

The Houthi rebels announced the firing of the missile on their mouthpiece, Al Masirah TV station, without giving any proof.

The UAEs National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority denied the alleged missile strike on the nuclear power plant on Sunday, and said the countrys air defense systems is capable of dealing with any threats.

Given the increasing fighting in key positions such as Sanaa between Houthis and their former ally Saleh, the news of targeting Abu Dhabi is rather a propaganda attempt aiming at projecting power domestically to proponents in Yemen.

Last month, as the alliance with Saleh was unraveling, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile targeting the Saudi capitals international airport. The attack was foiled by Saudi air defenses, but upped the stakes in the regional showdown between the oil-rich kingdom and Iran.
State Circuit Judge DeAndrea Benjamin appears poised to join a powerful federal appeals court bench following a U.S. Senate hearing in which Republicans repeatedly questioned her handling of two cases out of thousands she'd handled in South Carolina over two decades. Read moreSC Judge Benjamin praised by Clyburn, questioned by Republicans during US Senate hearing
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Softrock Minerals Ltd--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Softrock Minerals Ltd (TSX Venture:SFT). has issued a press release with the following headline:Softrock Announces Third Quarter Results and AppointmentsTo 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 Softrock Minerals Ltd, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Softrock Minerals LtdSource: Softrock Minerals Ltd (TSX Venture: SFT)Date: December 03, 2017Time: 10:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Softrock Minerals Ltd and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
In July 2017, members of an oil exploration crew working for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, were ambushed and abducted by Boko Haram armed insurgents near Jibi Village in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

At least 27 people died in the attack after rescue efforts by soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF. The victims, who included soldiers, staff of University of Maiduguri, engineers and some personnel of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, were ambushed while on an oil exploration mission in Lake Chad.

The Nigerian government, in its reaction, halted exploration in the region.

In September, few months after the attack, the NNPC announced its resolve to commission another team to handle a similar mission in the Sokoto basin.

The move is believed to be part of President Muhammadu Buharis directive to the NNPC on resumption of oil expedition and gas exploration activities in the inland frontier basins of Northern Nigeria, especially the Chad Basin and the Kolmani River in the Benue Trough.

Earlier in July 2016, the Group Managing Director, GMD, of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, had disclosed the presidents plan for the frontier basin in the Chad and some area close to the Kolmani River (Bauchi State) where Shell had made some indicative discovery of hydrocarbons.

Mr President has directed me to go into that area to improve and further explore the magnitude and prospectivity of those finds, Mr. Baru had said.

The decision to continue with the oil exploration in the region has thrown up arguments among Nigerians, with analysts divided on the plausibility of the governments and NNPCs decision.

Dauda Garuba, an oil and gas expert and civil society advocacy campaigner, said there was nothing ordinarily wrong with the continuous search for oil in the Chad basin. He, however, expressed concerns about the future of the nation without oil.

I personally do not see anything wrong with exploring for oil anywhere in the country  North or South, he told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview.

Those opposed to it have either argued from the point of view of competition with the Niger Delta region or from the point of falling oil prices. I look at it from the point of view of balancing sources of revenue as against overstressing one region.

The argument about low oil prices does not hold water. Experiences have shown that oil reserves are better grown during periods of low prices to prepare for a future of high prices. Saudi Arabia has had this. Alaska in the US also had same experience. Nigerias offshore oil was developed during the same difficult times in the early 1990s.

This is the right time to use incentives to develop more reserves that will deliver the revenue during the period of high prices. Commodity markets generally is often imbued with periods of low and high prices. What should bother us is the likely fate of oil in the nearest future.

But other analysts are of the opinion that the search is a shortsighted initiative that does not put into consideration the bleak future of oil resources.

Auwal Rasfanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, said the initiative is symptomatic of Nigerian leaders misplaced priority.

Speaking in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he said, Nigerian leaders rarely think of the future and that is why we are fixated on oil in the Lake Chad basin. The project even has not been seen as a national effort to diversify government revenue. There are signs that it is more about politics than efforts to increase our oil revenue.

Mr. Rasfanjani also said that the manner the government is pushing the idea shows it might not be for pure economic reasons but to also achieve some ethno-political objectives.

The CISLAC boss said it was disturbing that Nigeria is searching for oil at a time when the world is moving away from oil to renewable energy sources.

BLEAK FUTURE

A report by the Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, a civil society organisation, said commercial crude oil exploration in Nigeria and the rest of the world would become unprofitable within the next 13 years.

The report, published in August, also projected that within the next four to five years, the price of crude oil would further reduce to about half of its current value.

Speaking in a chat with PREMIUM TIMES, Executive Secretary of the CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, expressed worry over Nigerian governments continued search for oil in the Lake Chad basin.

He explained that in few years, it may become unprofitable for companies to continue drilling oil in commercial quantities, adding that crude oil would have little value and many oil based investments would be stranded.

I have said this in several interviews that the search (for oil in Lake Chad basin) may not be in the best interest of the nation, Mr. Onyekpere said.

GLOBAL DRIFT TOWARDS RENEWABLE ENERGY

In August, the world top producer of oil, Saudi Arabia, announced plans to exceed its target to generate 9.5 gigawatts of electricity from renewable energy annually, to highlight its long-term commitment to green energy.

The whole idea of this is to give investors a sense of comfort that the Kingdom has a long-term vision for renewable energy, Turki al-Shehri, Saudi oil minister, told Reuters.

The Saudi government said it plans to generate 9.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity from renewable sources a year by 2023 through 60 projects, involving an estimated investment of between $30 billion and $50 billion.

Earlier, Bloomberg news agency reported that major global oil companies are joining Silicon Valley in backing energy-technology start-ups, a signal that that those with the deepest pockets in the global oil industry are casting around for a new strategy outside oil.

The report listed the oil majors to include Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Total SA, Chevron, Exxon Mobil Corp., among others. It added that the biggest investor-owned oil companies are putting money into ventures probing the edge of energy technologies. The investments, it added, go beyond wind and solar power into projects that improve electricity grids and brew new fuels from renewable resources.

The money involved, put at a fraction of the $7.5 billion that venture capital and private equity injected into the clean energy industry in 2016, aims to support work that may evolve into major income streams in the decades ahead as governments across the world work to limit fossil-fuel pollution and global warming.

Shell Technology Ventures, a unit of Royal Dutch Shell Plc, on its part split its spending between oil and gas technology and clean energy equally, according to the report. The green share, however, may increase to about 60 per cent in the years ahead, according to van de Wouw, an official of the oil firm.

In July, reports said several countries of the world already laid out ambitious plans to eliminate fossil fuel-powered automobiles. The reports listed France, Germany, Netherlands, China, Norway and India among these countries.

NIGERIAS OILY FUTURE

In its search for oil in the North-east region, a Guardian report said that about $3 billion has been spent by the Nigerian government in seismic expedition, with the government bent on continuing its crude oil exploration in the region.

In September, Mr. Baru confirmed that the government would continue in its search, adding that contracts have been awarded.

We have been on the issue of exploration in the frontier basins and so far some measures of steps have been taken. We have already purchased aeromagnetic data and its being interpreted to determine the sedimentary thickness and the basin configuration, he said.

Analysts said the decision to continue with the search is worrisome, as such resources could be committed to other endeavours with developmental potential in the future. They also raised concerns about the value of oil in years to come.

The world is thinking of renewable energy and we are still fixated on oil. It is really disturbing, noted Mr. Rasfanjani of CISLAC.

For Mr. Garuba, Nigeria needs to think beyond oil and work around other alternative energy sources like other countries of the world.

He said, What should bother us is the likely fate of oil in the nearest future. As it is often said, stone age ended not because of the lack of stones, but simply because of the growth in technology.

Research on alternative sources of energy is advancing and the reliance on oil to drive technology will eclipse someday. The question should be whether investment in long time oil business is worth undertaking with all available resources.

If you ask me, I will advise that we make such investment with caution; especially preparing our country and our people for a post-oil future. Only countries that invest in that future will reap the benefits when it eventually comes, he added.

(This reporting was facilitated through a training programme of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, NRGI).
After being abandoned for eight years, the multi-billion naira International Cancer Centre, ICCA, an initiative of former Nigerian First Lady, Turai YarAdua, has been transformed into a cowpea farm.

The erstwhile first lady secured a partnership deal with a key organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in 2009 and then raised billions of naira in cash and materials from public and private sector donors to establish the ICCA in Abuja.

In December, 2016, investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that burglars stormed the centre strategically located along the Abuja airport expressway and carted away power cables worth millions of naira. It is not known which other equipment have been pilfered from the locked up buildings.

A recent visit by this newspaper to the centre revealed that the ICCA, which was overtaken by weeds last year, is still in state of abandonment and has now been transformed to a beans plantation.

At the sprawling centre built on 7.3 hectares of land donated by the Nigerian government, rotting equipment, including about 200 donated mini-buses, depict a sad story of waste.

Mrs. YarAdua had in July 2009, two years after her husband, the late President Umaru YarAdua, took office, flagged off the project with an elaborate fundraising event to mobilise N10 billion for the construction of the centre.

The exact amount raised from donors, including public and private officials, was not publicly disclosed.

Security men, who did not allow our reporter into the facility or agree to facilitate contact with any of the officials expressed dissatisfaction with the deteriorating state of the centre.

When quizzed, one of the security operatives said officials of the centre visit the facility occasionally.

We are not permitted to speak with any journalist or allow them to gain entrance into the building. What you (PREMIUM TIMES) told us about the state of the centre is true. Since the incident that occurred last year nothing has changed, he said.

We are suffering here, no light. Weve been living in total darkness every night till date and our officials told us that Mrs. YarAdua promised to rehabilitate the centre (but) nothing has been done.

Nothing has changed, the only thing that has changed is the six mobile police officers, who were deployed to guard the centre, he added.

Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to speak with Mrs. YarAdua on the issues were unsuccessful as she is reportedly in London.

The Director-General of the Shehu YarAdua Centre in the Central Business District of Abuja, Jackie Farris, said the foundation is, neither directly nor indirectly involved with the centre.

She agreed to forward inquiries on the matter to Mrs. YarAdua and her spokesperson.

However, after several weeks Mrs. Farris said she could not be of assistance.

Apologies. I did look for her as promised but learned she is in London. Sorry, I cannot be more helpful. I do not have a contact for anyone associated with the Cancer Centre either, she said.

Try not to be too harsh? Im sure there are explanations for why things turned out the way they have, she added.

Read our earlier report on the state of the cancer centre and the international support it got here.
On Thursday, principal officials who played one role or the other in the controversial return and reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina appeared before the House of Representatives Committee investigating the scandal.

Mr. Maina went back to hiding after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered his sack and an investigation into his controversial return, The presidents directives followed public outcry by Nigerians after PREMIUM TIMES reports on how the ex-civil servant who is still wanted by the anti-graft EFCC was sneaked into the country, promoted, and reinstated.

The Head of Service of the federation, HoS, Winifred Oyo-Ita; Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu; Director General of the State Security Service, SSS, Lawal Daura; Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris; Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Mohammed Babandede; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Magaji, were some of those quizzed at the hearing.

In succession, the lawmakers questioned the actors on their roles and that of the agencies they represent on Mr. Mainas scandal. PREMIUM TIMES reported the summary of the presentation of each of the officials.

While the lawmakers tried to ask relevant questions, there are key questions they did not ask the principal actors or which the actors failed to provide adequate answers to.

PREMIUM TIMES highlights some of these key questions in the hope the lawmakers have another chance to raise them.

1. SSS DG, Lawal Daura

Mr. Daura confirmed that he advised the AGF to meet with Mr. Maina in a foreign country. He also admitted that his agency provided security for Mr. Maina, while saying his agency was not briefed by any other agency that Mr. Maina was a fugitive.

The key questions the lawmakers, however, failed to ask Mr. Daura include:

1. Did Mr. Daura brief President Muhammadu Buhari before advising a minister to meet with a fugitive?

2. If he did brief the president, what was Mr. Buharis stance? If not, why did he not?

3. Since the SSS has admitted providing security for Mr. Maina; where then is Mr. Maina now? Why has he not been handed over to the EFCC for prosecution especially after the presidents directives?

4. Despite not being formally notified about Mr. Maina fugitive status, is Mr. Daura saying the SSS as an intelligence agency was not aware of Mr. Mainas fugitive status?

5. One of the accusations that has soiled the SSS is that the service between 2011 and 2013 paid N152 million into one of Mr. Mainas secret account in the name of Cluster Logistics Limited domiciled at Fidelity Bank. Although Mr. Daura had not assumed office then, can he confirm/justify the payment?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyURlZr8hC4&w=560&h=315]

6. What role did the SSS play in bringing Mr. Maina back into Nigeria (Mr. Daura admitted he was in a foreign country before they started providing security for him)? How was he brought back into the country without the Immigration Service, NIS, being aware?

2. EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu

Mr. Magu admitted that Mr. Maina is still wanted and said the fugitive never voluntarily returned any property to the EFCC.

However, the NIS said the EFCC wrote it in December 2015 to remove Mr. Mainas name from the no-fly list.

7. Why did the EFCC make such request to the NIS even when Mr. Maina had not surrendered himself?

8. Why did the EFCC not formally notify the SSS of Mr. Mainas fugitive status especially since the SSS is present at airports and EFCC is not?

9. How would the EFCC describe its intelligence gathering since it took journalists (PREMIUM TIMES) to reveal that Mr. Maina was back in the country and was secretly reinstated?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt69Lv_ockg&w=560&h=315]

10. Why did the EFCC have to wait until the public outcry before sealing Mr. Mainas properties in Abuja and Kaduna?

3. Minister of Justice AGF Abubakar Malami

11. The SSS DG confirmed that the AGF sought his advice before meeting Mr. Maina in a foreign country? Does the AGF report to the SSS DG? Why did he not request his employer, President Buharis permission or advice directly?

12. Did the AGF take Mr. Dauras advice as that of President Buhari? Why?

13. Did the AGF actually meet Mr. Maina? Where? What was discussed?

13. Mr. Maina said in a video that after meeting the AGF he helped him recover about N1.4 trillion for Nigeria. Is it true? Where is the money?

14. Did the AGF formally brief President Buhari of his meeting with a fugitive in a foreign country? If yes what was the presidents response? If no, why not?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqjf6neBWv0&w=560&h=315]

15. If the AGF is claiming he did not authorise/sign the letters that emanated from his office, who did? If such is true, does that not indicate that many of such letters may have emanated from the AGFs office putting the country and its citizens at risk? Has anyone in the AGFs office been punished for that?

4. Head of Service, HOS, Oyo-Ita

The HOS said the Interior ministry did not wait for her express permission before reinstating Mr. Maina. PREMIUM TIMES had, however, reported how the HoS was always on the loop and actually helped transmit decisions leading to the reinstatement.

16. If the HoS knew Mr. Mainas reinstatement was wrong, why did she not write or order that the process be stopped.

17. Since she was in the know during the reinstatement process, why did she not formally notify the EFCC to request if Mr. Maina had surrendered himself for trial?

18. Why did the HoS wait until the reinstatement was virtually concluded before verbally notifying President Buhari (based on her own admission)? Also why did she not formally write the president on the matter as is the norm in the civil service?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tPe_Z_vNrw&w=560&h=315]

19. What did President Buhari say after the HoS briefed him of the controversial recall before it was leaked to the public?

20. The Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry who accepted blame for the reinstatement, what disciplinary measures will be meted out on him?
Atiku Abubakar has formally joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, more than a week after he dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The former vice-president made the announcement on Facebook within the last hour.

He said the complaints he had with the PDP, under which he was vice-president from 1999-2007, had been resolved, laying the groundwork for his return.

Mr. Abubakar is expected to contest the 2019 presidential election.

Below is a statement from Atikus media office announcing the development.

After consultations, Atiku joins PDP

Abuja, Nigeria, 03 November, 2017: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has announced his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The announcement on Sunday on Facebook Live followed consultations the former Vice President hadwith party leaders and stakeholders from across the country.

Please find below transcript of the announcement. Also attached are pictures from the announcement.

Hello, my name is Atiku Abubakar.

I am speaking to you today on Facebook Live as I want to reach as many of our young people as possible as I have an important announcement to make about the future of Nigeria.

As it is you, our youths, who represent the future of our nation.

I have found in my travels across the country that whenever I get into conversationswith young people their number one concern is whether they will be able to get a job for without a job they have no means of sustaining themselves or begin a family.

And without the security of a job we cannot have security in our country.

So without jobs there is no future for you or for Nigeria.

And I also know as a parent that the older generation is also concerned about jobs for their children and, too often today, for themselves as well.

Creating jobs is something I know about as I have created over 50,000 direct jobs and 250,000 indirectjobs in my own State of Adamawa.

And I also know how the Government can help create the right environment for businesses to create jobs. When I was Vice President in 1999 I was responsible for liberalising the telecomms sector which enabled us to increase the number of people who could access a phone from less than 1 million then to over 100 million today.

This transformation resulted in the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs from the top-up card vendors you see on every street corner to the many new businesses that fed off the mobile phone revolution.

Some of you may know that I was elected Vice President under the banner of the PDP, which is the political party I had helped to found some ten years before.

And some of you may also know that I left the PDP four years ago when I believed it was no longer aligned to the principles of equity, democracy and social justice upon which we had founded it.

I joined the APC as I had hoped it would be the new force that would help improve life for our people and I was excited about the partys manifesto to create 3 million new jobs a year.

The result has not been the change people had been promised or voted for, as in the last two years almost 3 million Nigerians have lost their jobs.

And today with a record 25% of people aged 18-25 unemployed I can see how difficult it is for our youths to find a job.

The key to creating jobs is a strong economy and that is what we are currently lacking.

So today I want to let you know that I am returning home to the PDP as the issues that led me to leave it have now been resolved and it is clear that the APC has let the Nigerian people, and especially our young people, down.

But rather than giving a long political speech on this matter I thought it would be more helpful to invite you to ask me questions and share with you my answers. You can post your questions on my Facebook page:facebook.com.atiku.org

I see we have a question from Jide

Sir, how can you know what young people want when you are not a youth?

I meet young people every day. I have children and grandchildren and most of my employees are youths.

The key to knowing what young people want is to listen to them. Im good at that. Sometimes when I am on the phone with my kids they ask me are you still there, because I just listen to them without interrupting.

Young people are on social media and so I go there. They tell me that their number one challenge is jobs.

Terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, and other forms of exuberance they may lead to criminality are a symptom of the disease of joblessness.

Once you can get Nigeria working again and get Nigerians working again, youth restiveness will ease and gradually disappear.

This question is from Babangida

You have so many businesses and you employ thousands of Nigerians. Would you be able to focus on political leadership when you have such a large business empire?

Well Babangida, you see, leadership must be separated from management. I lead my businesses. I do not manage them. I have qualified managers managing them including some in their early 20s.

As a leader, you provide direction and then you bring in skilled people and inspire them to implement your roadmap to getting to the destination of your direction.

So in answer to your question, I am more into leadership and this gives me the clarity I need to take in the larger picture.

My next question is from Ikechi

The minister of information recently said the PDP will never regain power. Why go back to a party that will never regain power?

Nobody knows the future other than God and to dictate what the future will be is not within mans purview.

But it is about Nigeria not about power. Power for powers own sake breeds arrogance and arrogance makes men say things like that.

All I am saying is that we need a party that speaks to national sentiments not regional ones. We need a party that can make all Nigerians one till we can boldly say that we are all brothers and sisters with only one motherNigeria.

A question from Favour

Sir what are your views on the #EndSARS movement?

We cannot be outraged that Nigerians and other African migrants are being mistreated in Libya and then we go ahead and mistreat our people back home. I am very abreast with the #EndSARS issue because my young followers on Social Media keep me very much in the loop.

Whether it is how SARS treats Nigerians or how we treat each other, we are sending a message to the outside world. We cant expect foreigners to treat our people better than we treat them.

We must set the minimum standard required for the treatment of Nigerians worldwide by the way we treat our people domestically. Our charity must begin at home.

On this issue, I call on the Inspector General of Police as a concerned Nigerian to intervene, and I know that the Nigerian Police as a disciplined and well organized force will take action to address this issue. It will go a long way to improving Nigerias rating in the global ranking of Police Forces next year because this year, they were wrongfully ranked as the worst.

Thank you to everyone who asked me a question and I am sorry that time does not permit me to answer each one. I will be travelling the country in the coming months and will be listening to the concerns of our people in every region.

I came from a humble background and thank God for the opportunities that Nigeria has given me to build a network of successful businesses.

I am dedicated to a Nigeria where everyone lives in a country of opportunity where there are no limits to what they can become.

Good afternoon and thank you for listening.
A former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, has said that the position of national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming national convention of the party is not for sale.

Mr. Babangida said as a founding member of the PDP, people like him and other leaders need to collectively assure Nigerians and members of the party that they have learnt bitter lessons.

PDP ruled Nigeria for 16 years before losing to the APC in the 2015 election.

The PDP will elect new set of leaders at a national convention billed for Abuja on December 9, 2017.

Following the defeat of the party in the 2015 election, it is incumbent upon us as leaders and stakeholders to use the opportunity of the convention to sober reflect on the challenges confronting us, identify our flaws and seek plausible ways to correct them in order to come out stronger in subsequent elections.

An elective convention presents as it were, a rare opportunity and veritable platform to elect in a holistic manner a credible, tested, down-to-earth and truly urbane candidate with enough stamina, distinguished character and national acceptability who is driven by incurable optimism and passion for a united Nigeria, the former president said in a statement on Sunday.

The statement, which was signed by his spokesperson, Kassim Afegbua, also said the PDP at present needs a national chairman who is driven by uncommon initiatives, creativity in ideas and a rich content of character to lead and stabilize the party in line with the laudable ideals of the founding fathers of the party.

IBB, as he is fondly called, also said the new chairman to emerge must possess national recognition to be able to galvanise political opportunities and transform them into tangible outcomes in Nigerias democratic engagements.

When we were conceptualizing the idea of the PDP at formation, we had in mind a party that offers platform for all Nigerians in their pursuit of legitimate political aspirations. The choice of her motto; POWER TO THE PEOPLE was in sync with our clear objective of recognizing the people as the repository of power, he said.

He also said in any democratic engagement, the people decide the outcome of elections through popular and inclusive participation.

The monetisation of our electoral process is disturbingly eroding that power which should ordinarily reside in the people.

In the last few days, I get frightened by the monetary consideration that is likely to dictate who emerges as the National Chairman of our great party rather than what the people truly want.

The discussion is more on the side of heavy monetisation of the process and ultimate procurement of the position of the Chairman by the highest bidder. This approach, in my humble view, defeats the whole essence of participation, free choice and voting which are the essential attributes of any democracy without inducement and outright manipulation.

 I wish to plead that we tread on the path of caution and common sense, conscious of our recent history of avoidable political crisis.

At 76, and given the benefit of hindsight, my role both in context and content; is now more of advisory one to enhance any altruistic democratic process to elect credible leadership at various levels of representation.

 Rather than de-monetize the electoral process to provide ample room for more citizens participation, the idea of monetizing the process and trying to procure party positions defeats merit, offends good conscience and blurs fair play. At this critical stage of our political secretions, we need men of stature, discipline, character and commendable conduct to breathe fresh air into our party and not persons whose political relevance is the product of naira and kobo bargain across the counter, he said.

IBB said the PDP needs a national chairman that would not bend to the vagaries of individual selfish interest but one who is strong enough to apply the rule of law without fear or favour.

He said members must begin the process of interrogating processes that lead to outcomes and not just the outcomes.

We must interrogate our leadership recruitment process and encourage our delegates to exercise the power of their thumbs in making their preferred choice among the candidates.

Good name cannot be bought with gold or silver. Good name is the sum total of the individuals conduct in his trajectory and his overall assessment through lifes enduring journey.

On the strength of this, I wish to make a passionate appeal to our members, party leaders and the members of the Convention Committee to be fair and just to all, and allow the process to produce a National Chairman that would truly represent the conscience of the party.

I do subscribe to the idea that consensus building, collective bargaining and constructive engagement are some of the ingredients that nurture any democratic process; such ingredients should be given enough room to flourish in order to birth credible and truly representative leadership, he said.

The former military leader said the PDP must re-invent and re-enact itself on account of her recent history of factions and fractures.

He said the new leadership must therefore be one that enjoys the confidence of the majority stakeholders and members in order to have a seamless transition.

To achieve this template, he said, such a chairman must be the outcome of delegates election without manipulation and inducement.

 One would have thought that after the 2015 dismal outing, followed by months of leadership tussles, individuals would have put to rest their selfish and egocentric interest and pursue goals and objectives that bear true testimony to the ideals of the founding fathers; but the sound bites of monetization of the process are utterly demoralizing and benumbing.

It is my strong belief therefore that leaders of the party irrespective of their political interest would allow reason and level playing field to prevail in the overall interest of the party. I wish the party a successful and peaceful convention on Saturday 9th December, 2017, IBB said
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to playing a leading role in bringing together countries of the West African sub-region in a collective security arrangement.

Speaking in Jordan at a security meeting hosted by King Abdullah II, Mr. Buhari said that with what Nigeria had gone through, it was ready to share the experiences with a view to fashioning out comprehensive action plans in tackling the scourge of violent extremism in the region.

While calling for a stronger and well-coordinated collaboration, President Buhari said that the joint regional collaboration under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force, combined with the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces, had gone a long way to decimate the activities of extremists in the West African region.

The Nigerian President lamented that insurgents were able to attract members in their fold because of the insidious preaching of extremist clerics and called for an action plan to halt the trend.

Mr. Buhari also urged leaders, especially from the Muslim world, to speak up against the hateful violence committed by deranged people in the name of Islam.

According to him, All nations, irrespective of religion should partner effectively in implementing national, regional and global action plans to counter violent extremism.

At the end of the meeting, participants resolved to come up with concrete action plans that would change the narrative of violent extremism in the West African sub-region at a follow-up meeting to be hosted by Nigeria.
NAMI Missoula is hosting its "Fourth Annual Holiday High Tea" on Sunday, Dec. 10, in the Governor's Room of the Florence Hotel in downtown Missoula. The tea begins at 1 p.m.; seating is at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person Call 406-880-1013 or email namimissoula@gmail.com to make your reservation.

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Board members, staff and volunteers from Sparrows Nest of Northwest Montana will be spending the night of Saturday, Dec. 9, away from the comfort of their homes to raise awareness about and funds for unaccompanied homeless high school students. They will experience only one dimension of homeless, for one night. They will not experience the uncertainty of having a place to sleep tomorrow, feelings of insecurity and lack of safety that our homeless high school students endure day after day.

They will sleep outside the St. Peter Lutheran Church, 201 Wisconsin Ave., in Whitefish from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Some will sleep outside the house, on the lawn in sleeping bags, others in their vehicles; much like some of our unaccompanied homeless high school students do on any given night.

The group is sleeping out to understand for one night what homeless children in Montana experience. They hope to raise awareness surrounding the issue of unaccompanied homeless youth in the Flathead Valley and raise funds for Sparrows Nest of Northwest Montanas Whitefish and Kalispell House.

Sparrows Nest of Northwest Montana is a new organization based out of Kalispell that provides resources and safe housing for unaccompanied homeless high school students in the Flathead Valley. Their goal is to work with the community to help these students graduate from high school and become productive members of our community.

They are looking for sponsors as well as parties interested in joining them as they sleep out for our homeless high school students. For more information or to sponsor them, visit sparrowsnestnwmt.org, call 406-309-5196 or email admin@sparrowsnestnwmt.org.

***

Donations are being accepted for the annual Santa Socks program that delivers stockings to area veterans. The program is sponsored by United Veterans Council of Missoula and Ravalli Counties with the help of many veteran organizations and veteran supporters.

New pairs of socks and other small items to place in the socks can be dropped off at American Legion Post 27 Hall, 825 Ronan St., Monday-Friday during the day or Heavens Hidden Treasurers at 1810 North Ave. W. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check or cash donations can be put in the American Legion Post 27 mail slot or mailed to them with the notation on the check SANTA SOCKS. You can email bluemountain@montana.com or call 719-661-4037 to have items picked up.

A donation of any amount will be put to great use. Make checks out to American Legion Post 27. Items most needed are warm new socks, toy metal cars, small green and black plastic soldiers, handmade Christmas cards, hotel or motel packets of lotion, shampoo, conditioner or mouthwash, pencils, large key chains or other promotional items your company produces that can drop into socks.
Shutting down the Special Anti-Robbery Squad as a department of the Nigeria Police Force would worsen Nigerias multi-faceted security challenges, a security expert warned on Sunday.

But Mike Ejiofor, a former director at the State Security Service, SSS, acknowledged widespread infractions by SARS operatives, as well as an immediate need to address the situation.

There are areas that need reform, but we cannot ban the entire department because of that, Mr. Ejiofor told PREMIUM TIMES Sunday afternoon.

The analyst said SARS was created to address armed robbery and other serious crimes years ago, but those objectives have not been fully met as yet.

But Deji Adeyanju, one of the coordinators of the campaign to scrap SARS, said the current image of SARS cannot be redeemed.

The SSS is respected by Nigerians because you cant find its personnel robbing people at the ATM and killing with impunity, Mr. Adeyanju said. It is not to say theyre not sometimes reckless or get used by politicians but you could at least see a semblance of professionalism in their conduct.

But the terrible and traumatic reputation of SARS is one that a reform cannot correct. The department should be scrapped and another one be created with a new name and new persons who are well trained, he added. The security situation cannot be worse than it currently is even with the so-called gallantry of SARS.

Allegations of extra-judicial killings, torture, wanton arrests for bribes and other menacing conducts flooded social media since Saturday, with citizens taking their rage to the Internet and demanding action.

The coordinators of #EndSARS, a hashtag many Nigerians have adopted to amplify the issue, told PREMIUM TIMES their aim is to compel the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari to scrap SARS.

The Force Headquarters has acknowledged the arguments of the campainers in a statement Sunday, with a promise to look into their complaints.
Few hours after Atiku Abubakar declared that he was re-joining his former party  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP  a Nigerian senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, has described him as the next president of Nigeria.

Mr. Abubakar made the declaration via Facebook Live on Sunday.

Mr. Murray-Bruce (PDP/Bayelsa East) tweeted from his Twitter handle @benmurraybruce, Just watched @atiku, the next President of Nigeria,#Atikulately announcing he would return to my party, the @OfficialPDPNig.

We in the PDP already have a good retirement package for President @MBuhari. Time to#ChangeTheChange.

Mr. Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria, resigned his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, last month. He said that the party has failed Nigerians.

The party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth? the former vice president said in his resignation letter.

Mr. Abubakar had previously boasted that he could easily defeat President Muhammadu Buhari if both men contest against each other in 2019.
The former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will become solid after the successful conclusion of the December 9 National Convention.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the Government House Port Harcourt on Sunday, Mr. Jonathan said that an elected National Working Committee will set in motion the preparation for the 2019 General Elections.

He said: God willing, we will go through the National Convention and the party will become solid.

You know we have a Caretaker Committee. When you have a Caretaker Committee, you are not as strong as a fully elected chairman. The party passed through some challenges. Luckily for us, we have passed through that phase with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.

We want to formally elect the officials of the party that will lead the party to the 2019 elections. I am very hopeful that on the 9th of December we will elect our leaders.

Commenting on the performance of Governor Wike, the former president described him as one of Nigerias best in terms of project delivery and policies.

He said: He is one of the best governors in terms of commitment, in terms of putting structures on ground, in terms of coming up with creative policies.

He met certain structures, he has improved on them and he has built new roads and infrastructure. I was even asked to come and commission one of the roads. That is why people call him Mr Projects. He has been accepted by Nigerians as a performing governor.

The former president thanked Mr. Wike and the Rivers State Executive Council for attending the funeral of his brother-in-law at Okrika.
The Edo State indigene, whose emotion-laden interview with CNNs Nima Elbagir in a Libyan deportation camp, was viewed by millions worldwide, shared his life-experiences in T.B. Joshuas church on Sunday.

The young barber explained that his father died when he was just 11, adding that he struggled to sponsor himself through school along with his five siblings.

When I was cutting the hair of one of my customers, he advised me to go to Europe where he promised I could earn a lot of money, Mr. Imasuen recounted.

I asked the man how much it would cost me. He said N350,000 but I said I only had N140,000 with me, he said.

Mr. Imasuen had been determinedly saving N10,000 monthly for over one year.



The man promised to help, not knowing that Mr. Imasuen was naively about to use his own hard-earned cash to sell himself into slavery.

Travelling by road on a tortuous journey through Niger, the young Nigerian explained how one of the vehicles in his convoy had a terrible accident in the Sahara Desert, killing 30 people instantly.

Upon arriving in Libya, the driver said he had not been paid his money and we were sold into the slave trade in Sabha.

Mr. Imasuen said he and ten other Nigerians were sold and then locked up in one small room.

More than 200 slaves were kept inside that inhumane cell.

They started beating me to call my mother to send money. That was when my mother learned I was not in Nigeria  because I did not tell her before I left, he admitted.

The ransom they demanded  N200,000  was simply too much for Mr. Imasuens poverty-stricken mother to raise.

For months, I did not hear from her. They kept on beating me everyday and I fell sick. If I went to the toilet, I was shitting blood.

Mr. Imasuen said he was beaten three times daily for eight gruelling months. That was his fate as a male.

For the ladies sold into slavery, they would send them out to do prostitution before selling them to another person; I know of a girl there who was sold three times.

According to him, most of the enslaved females fell pregnant without even knowing the father of the child.

When a picture of Mr. Imasuens emaciated condition was circulated in his local community, they managed to come together to raise the money to secure his freedom in March 2017.

After gaining his freedom, he attempted to travel to Tripoli, hoping to join the thousands of illegal migrants who would brave the sea to try and reach Italy by boat.

I didnt even get to Tripoli before I was caught and taken to prison. I met more than 10,000 Nigerians there. We only eat once a day there  one piece of bread. I would drink salt water.



While suffering the horrific prison conditions, Mr. Imasuen hatched a plan to reach the deportation camp.

He slipped a note into the female section of the prison, pleading that any of the ladies who was being taken for deportation claim he was their husband.

The ruse worked and Mr. Imasuen was taken to Tripolis main deportation camp  one step closer to being repatriated to Nigeria.

It was there he granted an interview to CNN, he said.

I decided to speak to them, hoping to get help but at the end, nothing came out of it, he bemoaned.

Through the intervention of the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, Mr. Imasuen was finally deported to Nigeria  with nothing but the clothes on his back to show for his journey through hell.

Upon getting to Nigeria, I decided to come to T.B. Joshua because even before I left, I heard of the help he renders to others. I need prayer.

Osazee Aghimie, another deportee, equally shared his own sorrowful tale, explaining how over 100 migrants died in the boat he was in after it capsized en route to Italy. He narrowly survived only to be thrown into prison and eventually deported.

T.B. Joshua, who had just turned from the Dominican Republic, gave the two men each N200,000. Mr. Imasuen could not hold back tears as he received the gift.

Mr. Joshuas support to the duo is not an isolated instance. This week alone, the cleric gave over N4.4 million to Nigerians returning from Libya, and well over N100 million ($277,000) has been provided to them by The SCOAN since 2016.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, has said he could still contest the partys presidential ticket in spite of the defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the party.

In an interview in the current edition of The Interview magazine, Mr. Makarfi said, Atiku left before, hes on his way back before the (partys) Convention.

It is widely believed that Mr. Abubakars may be gunning for the PDPs presidential ticket.

In response to a question about his own interest, Mr. Makarfi said, I have heard the rumour, it has been there since 2007I have thought of it. By the time I leave as caretaker committee chairman on 9th or 10th, therell still be ten months to the party primaries. By any law or the partys guidelines, Im not excluded.

In a statement, the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, described the edition as the most revealing disclosure yet of the inner workings of the opposition trying to come to terms with its uncertain future.

Even though the PDP has zoned its presidential ticket for 2019 to the North, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti is playing the wild card.

Mr. Makarfi told The Interview that Mr. Fayoses declaration of interest in the partys presidential ticket, is uncalled for and unhealthy.

Apart from his comment on the build up of interest in the partys presidential ticket, Mr. Makarfi also said the PDP was expecting a harvest of defections, after Mr. Abubakars move from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC

For some strategic reasons, he said, dont expect a lot of people to move to the PDP now. People are in APC for different reasons. Wait for the time when everybody will be on his own, you will see the influx of people into the PDP.

He spoke on the bitter contest for the partys chairmanship, probably the most dangerous threat since the Supreme Court ruling saved the party from extinction; and on his rival former Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff, whom he said had sponsors in the APC.

Mr. Makarfi, who came close to being the PDPs presidential nominee in 2006, revealed, for the first time, how former President Olusegun Obasanjo schemed him out, even though an internal party assessment had returned him as the most favourable candidate.

Also in this edition, former resident electoral commissioner for Ondo and Lagos states, Akin Orebiyi, shared insights on his experience, while ex-Nigerian national team captain, Segun Odegbami, revisited the COJA scandal, describing it as the looting of our commonwealth.

Ikeogu Oke, the NLNG Literature Prize winner explains, in great detail, why it took him 27 years to write his winning entry.
The federal government has assured of adequate security measures to thwart any possible terror attack in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and elsewhere around the country, saying there is no cause for alarm despite the latest travel advisories by some Western countries.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the security agencies have not let down their guard, despite the fact that there has been no terror attack in the FCT since the Buhari administration assumed office.

We know that the terrorists, who have been massively degraded and put on the run, have been looking for soft targets to attack. This is the nature of terrorism all over the world, as can be seen in recent attacks in the UK, France and Egypt, among others.

That is why the Nigerian security agencies have continued to be on the alert, even if their efforts have been largely unobtrusive so as not to disrupt the daily activities of the citizenry, he said, adding: Such efforts are routinely stepped up during religious

festivals.

Mr. Mohammed said the federal government will continue to take adequate measures to protect the lives and properties of citizens and non-citizens alike, even as the military remains unrelenting in ensuring that the terrorists neither regroup nor regain the capacity to carry out organized attacks.

He said the federal governments sensitization campaign on security, with the punchline if you see something, say something, would be stepped up on national radio and television, and advised the citizens to be security conscious and to report suspicious people and objects to the security agencies.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected Saturdays local government election in Akwa Ibom State.

There have been allegations of widespread violence and irregularities in the election.

The party wishes to inform the security agencies, government of Akwa Ibom State, the federal government of Nigeria, and the general public that we reject in entirety any concocted result that AKISIEC may wish to announce to the general public as the final result of the purported local government election, the APC said in a statement issued on Saturday night.

The statement was signed by the State Chairman of APC, Amadu Attai, the State Secretary of the party, Effiong Etok, and the partys Caucus Chairman in the state, Don Etiebet.

The party insisted that there was no election across the entire state.

In their quest to rig and announce spurious results, all sensitive materials including result sheets were nowhere to be found, the party said.

The results of the election have not yet been released.

The Chairman of the election commission, Aniedi Ikoiwak, didnt pick calls or respond to the text message sent to his telephone line by PREMIUM TIMES.

The spokesperson of PDP in the state, Ini Ememobong, however, reacted to the development, describing the APC in the state as bad losers.

Mr. Ememobong, who is from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, said the state secretary of APC, Mr. Etok, made a violent attempt to hijack voting materials and, thereby, allegedly disrupted the election at Unit 7, Ward 4 in the area.

So, what do you make out of it when the state secretary of APC, who is one of the signatories in the rejection, was an actor in this case? the PDP spokesperson said.

The rejection (of the election by the APC) is one of the signs of the massive failure that was only waiting for them.

A party who went to court three times seeking to stop the election, a party who tried to stop AKISIEC from distributing the election materials, a party who rather than preparing for an election, mobilised for violence, cannot accept the results from the people.

Look at it, the people caught with arms in Ikot Ekpene in a vehicle known by everyone to belong to Chief Sunny Ibanga, were they working for PDP? The guns caught with them, was that their permanent voters cards?

Those who came with Effiong Etuk to Unit 7, Ward 4 in Ibiono Ibom with acids, with machetes, with guns, were those their PVCs? And the scattered election materials everywhere?

The only result the APC would accept is the result of violence. Its common sense that you cannot accept the result that you did not prepare for.

APC didnt prepare for election; until two weeks to the election, they were still in the law court, Mr. Ememobong said.
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation to scale back two sprawling national monuments in Utah, pledging to "reverse federal overreach and restore the rights of this land to your citizens." Trump made his plans official during a speech at the state Capitol, where he was cheered by Republican leaders who lobbied him to undo protections they contend are overly broad and close off the area to energy development. Environmental and tribal groups plan to sue to preserve the monuments.
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.




ZHUHAI, China, Dec. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Guangdong companies are showing their growing enthusiasm and ambition for participating in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and many have quickly attained foreign investment, allowing greater potential to reach an international market.

By the end of 2016, 884 Guangdong-invested companies have been set up along the B&R countries and regions, with an investment of 14.66 billion USD in consultation and an actual investment of 4.206 billion USD to date, according to a newly-released report.

Co-compiled by the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Research Center of State-owned Assets and Administration Commission of the State Council of China and Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, the report was firstly released by Zhen Yanxiong, Executive Deputy Director of Guangdong's Publicity Department, at the 21st Maritime Silk Road Forum on International Communication and China (Cantonese) Companies Going Global in Zhuhai.

The report is the result of Guangdong's efforts to fully implement the guidelines from the 19th CPC National Congress, thus playing a significant role in encouraging innovation and providing future guidance.

The report fully demonstrates the efforts of Guangdong Province in encouraging the enterprises in the province to answer the call of the Belt and Road Initiative. These enterprises are well situated in the market and have made great achievements in this process. Moreover, the report presents Guangdong enterprises' current status and outlines key features of the development of the Belt and Road on all fronts.

It also points out the opportunities and directions for enterprises involved in implementation of the Initiative and provides those enterprises which operate internationally or plan to do so; providing a reference for their decision-making as regards finding the right time, targeting the right sectors and working out the right strategies and action plans.

At the same time, in a great variety of cases, the report showcases the successful practice of outstanding enterprises from the province in advancing win-win and sustainable cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road.

The report highlights ZTE as a Guangdong-based global leader in telecommunication and information technology who is committed to innovation and providing product solutions for telecommunication operators and business customers in more than 160 countries and areas. Now the company has entered more than 50 countries included in the Belt and Road initiative, providing 3G and 4G mobile network services for host countries, helping bridge the digital gap between developing and developed countries.

SOURCE Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province of China
"Carlos is an excellent advocate in our mission to inspire and engage the next generation of lifelong anglers and boaters," says RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Providing education and creating more opportunities for young people to fish and boat in urban areas are crucial steps to securing the future of the sport."

An avid fisherman who grew up in the fishing village of Barrio Velazquez, Puerto Rico, Correa had plenty of tips and tricks to share about his favorite offseason pastime. He and Rodriguez helped local youth learn essential fishing skills like how to cast a line, bait a hook, identify fish and more  all while graciously starring in many selfies taken with starstruck young fans.

"Fishing is a great way to connect with nature and create memories  not only for Daniella and me, or for me and my family, but also for these kids and their families," says Correa. "It also teaches you the importance of dedication  a skill that's been essential for me out on the ballfield. There's nothing like catching your first fish to teach you the satisfaction of accomplishing something you've worked hard for. Partnering with RBFF to pass this on to younger generations is an effort I'm proud to be a part of."

"Bass Pro Shops is committed to connecting kids and families to nature and inspiring the next generation of outdoor stewards," said Steve Dooley, general manager of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Katy, Texas. "Partnering with RBFF and Fishing's Future to teach fishing skills will greatly benefit the future of conservation. We're proud to host this event and welcome a champion like Carlos, and his fiancee Daniella, to Bass Pro Shops."

Recreational fishing and boating is key to the preservation of our country's natural resources because for every fishing license sold, 100 percent of the proceeds are invested directly into state aquatic conservation programs.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)

RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. The campaigns websites Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. Both websites feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

About Fishing's Future

In 2004 the first FAMILY FISH CAMP (FFC) was conducted to get kids and parents together outdoors. Today,FishingsFuture.Org is more committed to achieving this goal than ever before. FFCs and other angling outreach events bring the joys of fishing to new communities and families across the nation. A FFC is a full day of education and excitement where Jr. Anglers and their parents learn the skills, knots, methods, rules, and techniques necessary to fish independently and then immediately apply those newly learned skills fishing during the last part of the FFC. Fishing's Future also conducts Family Fly Fishing Camps (FFFCs), Family Kayaking Camps (FKCs) and holds many other angling outreach events. In 2007, Fishing's Future was granted 501 c(3) non-profit status, and began an ambitious national initiative to draw children ages 6-16 and their families outdoors - to show them what they have been missing, and at the same time create bonds between children, parents and our natural environment.

About Bass Pro Shops:

Bass Pro Shops is North America's premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father's liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela's to create a "best-of-the-best" experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America's Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as "one of America's Best Employers."

SOURCE Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

Related Links

http://www.rbff.org


NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "WIN COLLEGE OFFER, WELCOME GOOD LIFE." The branding advertisement of Ewinner Education has been rolled out on Reuters Screen 7, New York's Times Square  "the crossroads of the world," from Nov. 20 to Dec. 3.

Another diligent advertisement with a positive slogan, "TRY YOUR BEST, TELL THE TRUTH" was also presented on the No. 4 screen to share the corporate values of Ewinner Education with the world. These ads have been displayed hundreds of times in two weeks, which makes the voice of Chinese enterprises widely heard across the globe.

The branding advertisement of Ewinner Education has been rolled out on Reuters Screen, New York's Times Square from Nov. 20 to Dec. 3.

Established on June 16, 2016, Ewinner Education is headquartered in Hangzhou, China. In nearly two years since the establishment, Ewinner Education has rapidly developed into an emerging diversified enterprise and opened several subsidiaries, including background promotion, international education resources, advertising and marketing, and big data.

The elite team is rooted in both China and the United States, and the professional members are committed to close cooperation. In this ever-changing international market, Ewinner Education has shaped its distinguishing feature and led a unique path to development. It strengthened not only existing projects actively but also expanded new businesses with creative thinking. Ewinner Education has completed an incredible transformation from "Learn and imitate," "Independent innovation" to "Leading the business."

As more and more Chinese students choose to study abroad to broaden their horizons, China has become the largest exporter of overseas students in the world. According to the data from the Ministry of Education of China, the number of Chinese international students has reached 500,000 in 2016. The majority of these Chinese students took the United States as their priority. In the 2015-2016 academic year, the number grew by 8.1 percent on the previous year, to 328,547  which accounted for 31.5 percent of the total number of international students in the United States.

Been aware of the tremendous market demand, Ewinner Education launched the Background Promotion as the very first project. In 2016, the Ewinner Teaching Project started and recruited volunteers from 42 private high schools in the United States. So far, more volunteers have participated in it from 102 high schools at home and abroad. In 2017, this project obtained the certificate of the U.S. Embassy in China and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ewinner Education also reached long-term cooperation with many enterprises, NPOs, and government agencies.

Meanwhile, Ewinner Education reached a strategic cooperation agreement with the most prominent institution for the intellectual development of children, the USDA-certified public welfare organization  4-H Club and authoritative companies like Parchment and x2VOL.

4-H Club affords a certificate upon completion of the student's course of Ewinner projects offline and online. X2VOL records and approves the participants' experience. At last, Parchment sends the activity certificate with its endorsement to the world-renowned colleges.

The education industry is the birthplace of Ewinner Education, which is also the spiritual support to its innovation and development. Furthermore, Ewinner Education integrates resources of many top agencies in various fields, such as university and high school applications, language training, legal consultation, immigration service, overseas investment, scientific research of elite schools, psychological counseling, etc. By online broadcast, offline activities and data analysis, Ewinner Education realizes the resource conversion among them.

Over the years, there has always been a stereotype about Chinese enterprises in the American mind that Chinese companies are likely to counterfeit and plagiarize. To show the efforts of Chinese companies to the world, Ewinner Education has integrated domestic and international resources to carry out the advertising and marketing businesses, helping local businesses to step into the global market and improve the corporate image. What is more, Ewinner Education collaborates with thousands of news media at home and abroad to achieve exhaustive coverage and equips with a professional photography team in New York to take fantastic advertising pictures and promotional videos for enterprises. Besides, Ewinner Education also helps companies to deal with affairs about the certificate of national notary offices, the U. S. consulate, and the Ministry of foreign affairs of China.

By the appearance in New York Times Square, Ewinner Education demonstrates the competence and vitality of Chinese enterprises worldwide, extends the influence of Chinese brands and establishes a brand new benchmark for Chinese companies in the international market. The original intention of Ewinner Education is to help the outstanding Chinese students show themselves on the stage of the world and also make the world understand the spirit of Chinese enterprises. "TRY YOUR BEST, TELL THE TRUTH." This is Ewinner Education that speaks for Chinese brands, for "MADE IN CHINA."

Media Contact:

Chris Lyu

Phone: +86 13906712345

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

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Ewinner Education in Times Square for two weeks

image2.jpg

Related Links

Website

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-2BpKipaLQ

SOURCE Ewinner Education
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pundi X, a cryptocurrency point-of-sale ("POS") solutions provider for retail stores, has received the strategic investment from Achain, a Beijing-based blockchain company. Pundi X is now officially partnering with Achain by accepting ACT for its ICO. Its POS devices, once available in the market, will also be supporting tokens from other Achain ecosystem members, including LET of Linkeye, USC of Coinfix, etc.

Achain is a public blockchain platform made easy for developers of all levels to release tokens, smart contracts, applications, and blockchain systems. It recently committed to building an all-encompassing global blockchain network for information exchange and value transactions through forking and interconnection. The Beijing-based team is developing sub-chain, BaaS, event-driven mechanism and safety isolation to make transaction safer and more stable. Backed by its robust R&D capability, Achain won China Blockchain Innovated Application Competition 2016 and China Blockchain Development Competition 2017.

"As an enabler of making cryptocurrency transaction available in physical retail stores, Pundi X will serve as an inseparable 'family member' to Achain's ecosystem. it will help tokens of Achain ecosystem tradable and spendable through the Pundi X POS devices," says Tony Cui, founder of Achain.

Pundi X aims at facilitating the smooth payment process of cryptocurrency. Its POS device allows people to buy, sell, and pay for goods and services in retail stores as well as to access to financial services. Pundi X business model is based on Pundi-Pundi, one of Indonesia's most popular QR code cashless payment apps with more than 100,000 registered users and over 5,000 merchant partners in Jakarta.

Zac Cheah, CEO of Pundi X, says "leveraging each other's expertise widens our network, allowing more people to use cryptocurrency worldwide." Pundi X's ICO has already been accepting funding via Achain's ACT token. PXS, the token of Pundi X will be pre-listed on Ourdax exchange platform as part of the Achain ecosystem.

The Pundi X POS devices will soon be available, making the use of cryptocurrency widely available to the vast "unbanked" population in the developing markets.

About Achain

Achain is a public blockchain platform that enables developers of all levels of experience to issue tokens, smart contracts, create applications and blockchain systems. Achain is committed to building a global blockchain network for information exchange and value transactions. For more information, please visit: https://www.achain.com/.

About Pundi X

Pundi X is a cryptocurrency point-of-sale ("POS") solutions provider for retail stores seeking to accept digital currencies in South East Asia. Pundi X POS enables shops, cafes and convenience stores to sell cryptocurrency to general consumers and builds on the success of Pundi-Pundi, which is one of Indonesia's most popular QR code cashless payment apps. Pundi X public token sale will be January 21, 2018 with the aim of financing over 700,000 Pundi X POS devices to be installed over the next three years across all target markets.



For more information, please visit: https://pundix.com/.

SOURCE Pundi X

Related Links

https://pundix.com


In a move that will delight its ever-increasing audience, subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) leader Netflix has revealed that cult hit Stranger Things will return to the platform for a third season.

Described as a love letter to the 80s classics that captivated a generation, the original drama is set in 1983 Indiana, where a young boy vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into a mystery involving top-secret government experiments, supernatural forces and a strange little girl. The second series of Stranger Things continues a year later when the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana, are still reeling from the horrors of the Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab.The series stars Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Chief Jim Hopper, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Dacre Montgomery as Billy, and Sadie Sink as Max, among others. Stranger Things is a Netflix original production created by The Duffer Brothers, who also serve as executive producers and directors along with Shawn Levy (who also directs), Dan Cohen and Iain Patterson.The programme has enjoyed popularity across a range of age demographics, drawing huge ratings and similar strong engagement across social media platforms. Recent surveys have shown that nearly a third of the programmes audience of Netflixs flagship show are aged over 35, and over two-thirds of social engagements across the US driven by 18-34-year-olds. It also boasts a predominantly female audience, with 57% of social noise in the US being generated by women.The programme received 18 Emmy nominations in 2017, with five wins, and was honoured with the 2017 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, as well as the 2017 Norman Felton Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television - Drama from the Producers Guild of America.
BLUE BAY  Conservation isnt cheap.

Under a cloudless sky on waters as smooth as glass, a crew of four men clad in bright orange rain gear splattered with fish scales and slime was doing its part last week to pay for the tab of conserving native trout in the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

Working wordlessly as the mornings sun added its first touch of warmth, in the kind of unison that comes after hours spent working side-by-side, the men plucked hundreds of lake trout and whitefish from a two-mile long gill net. The net had been carefully stretched the night before in the shallow waters southeast of Flathead Lakes Bird Island.

The blue bins on the boats deck quickly filled with fish that would be transported back to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes facilities at Blue Bay. There, a small team gathered to fillet and package the fish that would become both a gift to local food banks and revenue in a new venture that seeks to offset some of the costs to bringing back native cutthroats and bull trout to Flathead Lake.

Last spring, the Tribal Council approved the incorporation of the nonprofit, tribally owned Native Fish Keepers Inc. business that has begun selling some of the lake trout and whitefish caught in both netting operations and during the spring and fall Mack Days fishing contests hosted by the tribes.

Our overall objective in putting this all together is conservation, said CSKT fisheries biologist Barry Hansen. From the very beginning, weve been focused on reducing the number of lake trout to benefit both bull trout and cutthroats. We realized early on this would be an expensive operation.

The biannual Mack Days alone costs the tribes about $200,000 every year. A newer effort that began in 2014 to use gill nets to further suppress lake trout numbers has added even more expense.

From the onset, tribal officials have been adamant that all the fish harvested from the lake be put to good use. Over the years, food banks from Missoula to Whitefish have benefited from the more than 70 tons of fish the tribes have donated to feed the hungry.

That wont change.

The seven-month-long netting operation has added thousands of fish that need to be processed. Next year, the tribes will launch a new and bigger boat that should ramp up the netting operation.

With a relatively new machine that can fillet a lake trout or whitefish in seconds, tribal officials saw an opportunity to recoup some of those expenses and ensure the harvested fish dont go to waste.

We wanted to find a way to help offset some of those costs, Hansen said. To be able to sell the fish commercially, we had to create a corporate structure. We needed to an independent program that could do the marketing and the sales. It was a way to let the lake trout pay for themselves.

And so, Native Fish Keepers Inc. was formed.

***

So far, the only grocery store that consistently carries the vacuum-packed, flash-frozen fillets fresh from Flathead Lake is Super One in Polson.

Thats about to change.

Were working with a distributor to get our product in stores in restaurants in Montana and Idaho, said Native Fish Keepers marketing director Lynn DuCharme.

The response from those whove discovered the flash-frozen fillets has been encouraging.

Everyone has been really impressed with our product, DuCharme said. Were getting really good feedback from people. At this point, were working to build and grow our market.

The idea of finding a way for the native trout conservation program to pay its own way is unique in the West, where millions have been spent to reduce populations of non-native lake trout whose voracious appetite often comes at the expense of native fish.

In places like Yellowstone and Glacier national parks and at Idahos Lake Pend Oreille, the lake trout captured in gill nets dont end up on anyones dinner plate.

In most places where lake trout have been identified as a big problem to native species, the decision has been made to get after it in an effort to accomplish something quick, Hansen said. The idea is to throw a few million dollars at it and get it done.

But no one has been able to totally eradicate lake trout.

The CSKT have no preconceived notion that will happen in Flathead Lake, either.

Starting with an estimated 1.5 million lake trout in Flathead Lake, Hansen said the tribes understood that reducing lake trout numbers enough to provide an opening for the return of native trout was going to take a long time.

The experts who provided that first lake trout population estimate said the tribes would have to figure out a way to remove 143,000 lake trout a year in order to start seeing a reduction in the overall population in the lake.

That hasnt happened.

Last year, with both angling and netting, about 100,000 lake trout were caught. In the 15-year history of Mack Days, fishermen have caught a little more than 570,000 lake trout.

Still, Hansen said there are subtle signs, from 25 different matrices that measure the population, that lake trout numbers could be on the decline.

Those early indicators include a growing number of young lake trout, and indications the fish appear to maturing earlier.

That could be a sign of less competition that could result in more rapid growth and earlier maturity as the fish adapt to the lower populations of larger fish, he said. Right now, we are working to strike the right balance. This isnt like the 'Deadliest Catch' where they might make thousands of dollars in a single catch.

If we are going to make a difference, we have to keep going day after day, Hansen said.

***

This winters netting operation will go as long as the weather permits. Once freezing temperatures arrive, the operation will cease until March.

While the focus is on catching lake trout in about the 8-year-old range that provides the prime-sized fillets for the marketplace, Hansen said the netting operation does occasionally catch whitefish and even a bull trout every now and then.

By setting the nets in different locations and depths where lake trout are more prevalent, that accidental catch of the threatened species is minimal, he said.

The nets work best for fish close to that 22-inch-long range. The large trophy-sized lake trout rarely end up in the boat.

Thats really not what were after, Hansen said. We dont process the really large fish due to concerns over mercury. They usually fall out of the net because the mesh is too small for their heads to get through.

No one knows for sure just what the future will hold if the tribes are successful in reducing the lake trout population in Flathead Lake.

This past summer, fishermen on the lake found success in catching whitefish, another popular non-native fish for anglers.

The population of whitefish in Flathead Lake far outnumbers lake trout, but they arent nearly as easy to catch with a rod and reel. For the better part of the year, whitefish subsist on mysis shrimp, midges and clams, and remain leery of anglers lures.

In order for fishermen to have any success, another non-native species has to do well. If the annual hatch of perch is successful, fishermen can fool the whitefish feasting on the huge balls on perch minnows.

We know that lake trout like perch, too, Hansen said. At this point, we dont know how reducing lake trout will impact perch. It does have the potential of adding to that popular fishery in the future.

The impact of reducing the numbers of predacious lake trout could be felt upstream of the Flathead Lake.

When the cutthroat population in Yellowstone Lake was decimated by an explosion of lake trout, Hansen said the ramifications didnt stop at the lake shore.

The whole ecosystem there reverberated, he said. We know that grizzlies shifted from fish to eating elk calves. This effort isnt just about Flathead Lake. Its about the whole watershed. There are many land management agencies that are hoping that we will be successful.

For instance, the U.S. Forest Service is required to take a hard look at how any of its management actions will affect bull trout, a threatened species. One of the barriers to recovering that native fish is the lake trout that breed in Flathead and then work their way upstream.

We are the only ones that can address that problem, Hansen said.

Native Fish Keepers new CEO Cindy Bras-Benson has taken the lead in conducting the Mack Days event for years. She knows that some fishermen worry about the potential loss of that fishery to anglers.

She is proud in the Tribal Councils decision to do what it can to preserve native species like the cutthroat and bull trout.

If we chose to not do anything, in 50 years from now our grandchildren would wonder why we didnt at least try to save them, Bras-Benson said. Those native species could just disappear. People need to educate themselves to understand their importance.  I commend the Tribal Council. They said we are going to try to make a difference.
Kevin Braski has been showing his love for the University of Georgia a little differently than most fans this week, organizing a plan for all UGA fans to wear red to the Southeastern Conference championship game against Auburn University on Saturday, Dec. 2.
Martinsville is building a new police station. What you need to know.
The Taliban commander of its so-called "special forces" branch, known as the "Red Unit," has been killed by Afghan forces, according to Afghanistan's main intelligence agency.

In a statement on December 3, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said Mullah Shah Wali, also known as Mullah Naser, was killed in an air operation in Helmand Province last week.

The province is a Taliban stronghold in the heartland of Afghanistan's lucrative drug trade.

Wali became the commander of the Taliban's "Red Unit" as well as deputy shadow governor of Helmand Province three years ago and was directly involved in Taliban offensives, the statement said.

The Red Unit is thought to be equipped with advanced weapons, including night vision scopes, 82-millimeter rockets, heavy machine guns, and U.S.-made assault rifles, according to the Afghan military.

Two other Taliban commanders and an alleged would-be suicide bomber were killed alongside Wali during the operation in Helmand's Musa Qala district, according to the NDS statement.

Elsewhere, Afghan officials say at least five people have been killed in what they said was a motorcycle suicide bomb attack.

A spokesman for the governor of eastern Nangarhar Province said eight people were wounded in the attack on December 3 outside a soccer stadium in the provincial capital of Jalalabad.

Attahullah Khogyani said the explosion occurred after a pro-government rally at the stadium, which had been packed with supporters of the government.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

On December 2, two intelligence service members, including the director of the Jalalabad intelligence unit, were killed in multiple bomb attacks by alleged Islamic States militants in Jalalabad.

Ten people, including soldiers and civilians, were injured in the back-to-back explosions near a private radio and TV station.

A local affiliate of the Islamic State extremist group is seeking to expand its influence in Afghanistan.

Based on reporting by AP, dpa, Reuters, and Tolonews.com
WASHINGTON -- An American stockbroker who made a fortune in the Russian market in the 1990s and 2000s and later co-founded a posh Moscow nightclub before leaving the country died of blunt force injuries suffered as a result of a fall from a Washington, D.C. building.

The findings, released on November 16 by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), confirm that Dan Rapoport died on August 14 after falling from a height, but do not conclusively explain the circumstances leading up to his death.



Washington police told RFE/RL that an investigation into his death had ended and declined further comment. Earlier this year, a police spokeswoman told RFE/RL that foul play was not suspected, but that final conclusions were pending the autopsy.

Rapoport's untimely death triggered much speculation because he had voiced support for ardent Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny before leaving Russia and, while living in Kyiv in recent years, had been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.



Washington metropolitan police found Rapoport's body on August 14 on the sidewalk outside 2400 M Street, a nine-story apartment building in the northwest part of the city.



The medical examiner's report said Rapoport, 52, died of multiple blunt force injuries due to fall from height and described the death as sudden/unexplained. The report also said the manner of his death was undetermined.



The OCME said no other information would be immediately released.



A preliminary police report said officers responded to a report of a jumper on the evening of August 14, and the man, later identified as Rapoport, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.



The apartment building has an open rooftop with a pool, running track, and seating area for residents.

The police report said officers found $2,620 in cash on Rapoport when they discovered his body on the sidewalk, along with headphones, a cracked cell phone, a Florida drivers license, and other items.



He was wearing flip-flops, perhaps indicating he had been at the pool on the roof prior to falling.



Brianna Burch, a police spokesperson, told RFE/RL in August that there did not appear to be anyone with Rapoport at the time and there were no listed witnesses. In follow-up correspondences with RFE/RL through early November, the police continued to say they did not suspect foul play.



Rapoport had recently moved back to Washington after spending several years working in finance in Ukraine. He told RFE/RL in an interview in Washington in June that business had been tough due to the countrys high political risk and war with Russia.



While some friends said they did not believe he would have committed suicide, others said he had appeared depressed.



Go-To Location



A native of Latvia and a fluent Russian speaker, Rapoport emigrated with his family to the United States in 1980. After graduating from a U.S. university, he moved to Russia in the early 1990s as a wave of privatizations swept across the country.



The sale of former state-owned companies created a booming stock market, minting a new generation of millionaires, Russian and foreign.



Rapoport was respected within Russian financial circles, where he worked for more than a decade at a local brokerage called CenterInvest, making his way up to managing partner. He claimed his clients included some of the nation's wealthiest tycoons.

In 2007, he opened a swanky nightclub in downtown Moscow called Soho Rooms, which became the go-to location for Moscows elite.



In 2012, he left Russia and returned to the United States, saying the stock brokerage industry that had made him a fortune "had died" as commission fees shrunk with improvements in technology.

But in a media interview prior to his departure, he also criticized the direction Russia had taken under Putin and expressed support for Navalny, who was jailed last year on what Western governments say were trumped-up charges.

It has really become unbearable to live in Russia, Rapoport told media outlet FinParty in June of that year. We are all now dependent on one ruler. If this person decides that you will give birth to his child, then you will give birth, and if he decide to put you in prison, then you will serve time.

He told FinParty that he would give up his American citizenship and return to Russia if Navalny became president, saying the opposition leader was sincere in his desire to fight corruption.

He is a real hero of our time and deserves respect, Rapoport said of Navalny.

Rapoports frustration with Russia and his decision to leave may have been triggered by pressure on his businesses, friends and family have said.

Under Putin, the raiding of profitable businesses by -- or with the help of -- the nations security services has flourished. Rapoport allegedly lost his stake in Soho Rooms when his partners teamed up with security officials.

"Our flight to Washington is in 12 hours. It's sad to leave Russia, but for thoughtful people, living here has become unbearable and disgusting," Rapoport wrote on his Facebook page on June 13, 2012.

When Rapoport moved to Washington, where he said his parents lived, he set up a company called Rapoport Capital to advise and assist technology startups as well as venture capital funds on fundraising options.

In 2016, four years after leaving Russia, Rapoport set up an office in Kyiv and opened a private equity fund. It was tough going. Ukraines economy struggled amid an ongoing war with Russia-backed separatists in two eastern regions and the slow implementation of Western-backed reforms.

In social-media posts over the ensuing years, he was a vocal supporter of Ukraine and an outspoken critic of Putin.

Rapoport gained a degree of publicity in January 2017 after The New York Times reported that the daughter and son-in-law of newly elected President Donald Trump had purchased a mansion owned by him and his first wife. The mansion was located in an exclusive neighborhood of the U.S. capital.

In 2018, the open-source investigative organization Bellingcat reported that Rapoport, who was Jewish, had been the creator of a fictional persona named David Jewberg, who was frequently quoted in Ukrainian media as a senior Pentagon analyst.

With reporting by Todd Prince in Washington, D.C. and Mike Eckel in Prague
A paintball club in Bosnia-Hercegovina says it will sue a television network after reports claimed it was a paramilitary unit that was being illegally formed by the countrys presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic.

The battle erupted after the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti reported on November 25 that Izetbegovic had illegally trained more than 9,000 Bosniaks.

ATV television in Banja Luka, which is located in Republika Srpska, then broadcast a story based on the report showing pictures of the militia that it said it obtained exclusively.

The photos show several men dressed in army fatigues and with camouflage makeup toting weapons -- weapons the club says are air guns that shoot soft balls of paint.

'Abominable Lies'

Airsoft Club "Crna Munja," or Black Lightning, called the reports "abominable lies and fabrications" that were made without any attempts by the news organizations to contact them to verify the clubs activities.

"Given this, and the fact that our club is the largest and most famous airsoft club in Bosnia-Herzegovina, we think that journalists from this television did not accidentally publish the controversial article, but that behind the whole story there are many more factors aimed at creating fear and panic among BiH citizens," the club said in a statement.

"Our club has already reported the mentioned television station to RAK [the Bosnian Communications Regulatory Agency], where we introduced them to the controversial attachment. We will not stop at that, and we are preparing a comprehensive lawsuit on a number of grounds, primarily libel and violating reputation, and inflicting economic damage on our club," it added.

Bosnia has been wracked by internal tensions among Bosniaks -- the Bosnian Muslim population -- ethnic Croats, and ethnic Serbs.

It was a part of Yugoslavia until the breakup of the communist country in the early 1990s. It declared independence in March 1992, leading to a civil war between its Muslim, Croatian, and Serbian populations.

'There Will Never Be A Problem'

The war, which ended following international intervention in December 1995, resulted in the death of an estimated 100,000 people and the displacement of some 2.6 million more.

In the report, ATV asked Izetbegovic if he was forming a paramilitary unit, which he neither confirmed nor denied, adding that "there will never be a problem from us."

The Bosnia State Investigation and Protection Agency said it does not have any "knowledge of the formation of a parallel/secret military system in the country that is allegedly being coordinated under a member of the Bosnian Presidency."

According to the club's Facebook page, it is a "non-profit, nongovernmental organization which promotes airsoft (paintball) as a sport."

Since the Bosnian war ended in 1995, Bosnia has been split into two entities -- Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosniaks and Croats.

The two entities are linked by joint state-level institutions, including a tripartite presidency that must reach consensus before decisions can be made.


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.
Santa paid a visit to downtown Missoula on Saturday before the annual Parade of Lights, where hundreds of children and their parents lined up for a chance to convince Saint Nick they had been good this past year.

The old Florence Hotel lobby was decked out with a 30-foot Christmas tree, Mrs. Claus and an orchestra of up-and-coming guitarists from Childbloom Guitar Program.

Some youngsters were excited for an opportunity to ask for that one present theyve been dreaming about, like 8-year-old Autumn Miller, who asked for the American Girl Doll ice cream truck she has been wanting for the last month.

Reina Wolfe, 2, was a bit more skeptical of the red suit and the big white beard, and couldnt help but cry while on his lap.

From up on the second floor of the Florence lobby, Nathan Zavalney led an ensemble of around 30 classical guitarists from Childbloom Guitar. The kids making up the ensemble were between 5 and 12 years old, and finger-picked Christmas carols while swapping out with each other for a chance to chat with Santa.

On the other side of the river, kids and adults zig-zagged between the clothing racks at Bettys Divine for a chance to take a picture with a different holiday hero. Jethro, the shops infamously plump orange cat, lay scowling on a red and green plaid chair as people crowded around him for a picture with Jolly Ol St. Jethro.

Quinn and Macy McQuilkin, 16 and 12, snapped shots on a Polaroid for $1 donations to the Humane Society of Western Montana. They also were generous in feeding Jethro plenty of treats to keep him sedated for the throngs of people waiting to see him.

Other holiday-themed events took place across downtown in celebration of the 15th annual Parade of Lights. Horse-drawn carriages from Paws Up took people for rides around downtown, and a slew of businesses hosted ornament making parties.

The evening parade marched up Higgins Avenue to the red XXXXs for the lighting of the Downtown Holiday Tree. Bonfires and free hot cocoa kept onlookers warm while the Christian Life Center choir sang carols at Circle Square.
British cybersecurity experts have warned U.K. government agencies not to use antivirus software produced by the Russian firm Kaspersky Lab.

The head of the National Cyber Security Center, Ciaran Martin, said in a letter dated December 1 that "Russia is acting against the U.K.'s national interest in cyberspace."

He cautioned that "a Russia-based provider should never be used" for the security of vital systems.

The statement stopped short of urging the public to stop using Kaspersky products.

In September, the U.S. government barred agencies from using Kaspersky products after expressing concern that the company could have links to the Russian government or Russian spy agencies.

In October, media reports linked a theft of information from the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to Kaspersky software.

Kaspersky has denied any wrongdoing and has said it has no secret collaboration with Russian security agencies.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters




A Tajik border guard has been killed in clashes with alleged drug traffickers trying to cross the border into the country from Afghanistan.

Authorities in Tajikistan said on December 3 that four border guards were injured in the incident about 220 kilometers southeast of Dushanbe.

In a statement, the Tajik National Security Committee said the border guards tried to stop "a group of Afghan drug contrabandists."

"The commander of the border guard unit colonel Khairiddin Akhtamov heroically died in the shootout. Four soldiers were injured," the statement said.

The border guards seized 33 kilograms of narcotics.

Tajikistan has a 1,344-kilometer border with Afghanistan, the world's largest producer of opium and heroin.

Clashes on the border between Tajik border guards and Afghan drug smugglers are common as are kidnappings of Tajiks by Afghan smugglers who then swap them for arrested traffickers.

With reporting by RFE/RLs Tajik Service


Thousands of Ukrainian opposition activists have rallied in central Kyiv, calling on parliament to adopt legislation on presidential impeachment.

Police said the demonstration organized by Mikheil Saakashvilis Movement of New Forces party attracted 2,500 people, but local reports said about 5,000 people participated.

Addressing the protest, Saakashvili urged Ukrainians to gather in Kyiv's central Independence Square on December 10 if lawmakers fail to deliver their demand.

The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after marching through the city center and holding a rally on European Square.

Following the demonstration, dozens of people in camouflage and with balaclavas blocked the entrance to the NewsOne television outlet with sacks of sand and barbed wires.



They demanded that the station change its editorial policies and that its owner, opposition parliament member Yevhen Murayev, apologize for remarks that they regarded as disrespectful of the Euromaidan protests, which pushed President Viktor Yanukovych from power in February 2014.



The broadcaster said it was targeted by "radicals" because it was the "only channel" that covered the rally organized by Saakashvili's party.

Antigovernment protesters set up a tent city outside the parliament building on October 17, calling for the cancellation of parliamentary immunity, the creation of an anticorruption court, amendments to election laws, and legislation on the impeachment of the president.

The protests were initially called by Saakashvili, a onetime ally of President Petro Poroshenko, but many of Ukraine's opposition political leaders have also joined the demonstrations.

From 2004 to 2013, Saakashvili was president of Georgia, where he is wanted on suspicion of trying to organize a coup there after his exit from office, allegations he denies.

In 2015, he was appointed by Poroshenko to be governor of the Odesa region and surrendered his Georgian citizenship to take the post.

However, Saakashvili resigned in November 2016, saying his reform efforts had been blocked by Poroshenko's allies.

Saakashvili was then stripped of Ukrainian citizenship by Poroshenko in June 2017 in a move he is challenging in court.

Poroshenko has said the real goal of the protest organizers is to destabilize Ukraine.


Five Things to Do: From 'Antigonick' to the Ninth, fall arts hum along
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 53F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable.
George Ochenskis what-about-ism started over a year ago. Oct. 24, 2016, Ochenskis Missoulian column Ennui see-sawed back and forth, railing against Donald Trump, then bemoaning Hillary Clinton. Seemingly, neither should be elected president. The columns last sentence? ltll be over soon.

Now, Republicans are blowing up the world with climate change ignorance; obsequious groveling to the National Rifle Association; promoting an accused pedophile to the Senate over a moderate, ethical Democrat; opposing net neutrality; stealing health insurance; taxing the poor and middle class; cheating and gerrymandering; savaging Medicare and apparently supporting a corporate oligarchy of wealthy, white, male rulers instead of a democracy. Meanwhile, Ochenski lashes out against Montana Democrats and Gov. Steve Bullock in particular.

In his Nov. 20 column Discouraged, disgusted, dysfunctional, Ochenski writes about Montana Republicans private prison deal and willfully misrepresents Rep. Ellie Hill, who stated private prisons incarcerate people for money. Hill meant private prisons incarcerate people for profit. We know public prisons need taxpayer money. But public prisons are not trying to profit from an individuals imprisonment. Ochenski, you must have grasped this distinction. Why didnt you elaborate on the evils of prison privatization, which incentivizes imprisoning citizens for self-harm crimes that dont harm others, all for filthy lucre?

Your column also mentions Al Frankens groping, Bill Clintons womanizing and the corruption of Hillary Clinton s campaign, a veritable litany of Republican talking points. Ochenskis what-about-ism implies a false equivalence between Franken (alleged groping, forced kissing) v. Roy Moore (alleged child molestation). Ochenski suggests that Hillary Clintons corrupt campaign was on a par with Donald Trumps treasonous one.

Ochenski should compare Bullocks tenure as our last Democratic attorney general with current Montana Republican Attorney General Tim Fox. Bullock was the attorney general who took Montanas campaign finance law barring corporate money in our elections all the way to the Supreme Court. He tried to overturn Citizens United. In American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock (2012), he argued in favor of Montanas sane, thoughtful elections law, which limited corporate campaign spending after Copper King William Clark bought his Senate seat through egregious bribery years ago. Our law had been in effect for over 100 years. Because of the Citizens United decision alleging that corporations are people, corporations now have free speech rights. This evil legal decision opened the door to dirty, dark, unlimited campaign money, and Montana voters subsequently elected the likes of wealthy low-level criminal and liar Greg Gianforte.

Fox, on the other hand, signed on to Donald Trumps illegal Muslim ban. He also opposed the Clean Power Plan. Unfortunately, Fox reflects the very familiar, stubbornly ignorant Republican climate catastrophe denialism.

Emily Johnston, a valve-turner being tried in Minnesota, has been allowed to use the necessity defense at trial. Johnston reflected on her upcoming trial in The Guardian (Nov. 24). Some excerpts:

"The classic example of a legitimate use of the necessity defense is when someone is arrested for breaking and entering after they hear a baby crying in a burning building, and rush in to save her ... its not just scientists seeing the truth anymore: the building is indeed burning, and all the worlds babies are in it.

"lm heartened by the way the law can be supple  not a thing that, once set, holds that exact shape forever (or wed still have slavery, and I couldnt vote or marry), but a thing that responds  slowly  to our evolving understanding of what is just and true."

Emily Johnston faces long imprisonment for her heroic actions. Yet, she is still able to write positively and truthfully about her circumstances. Ochenski, your what-about-ism is sadly shallow and petty in comparison.
Joanna Martin-Carrington hopes to renovate the original building at the Jenkins Institute for Children in North Charleston to house a genealogy center to help people trace their ancestry. She is a board member -- and former director -- at what started as an orphanage in 1891 when Rev. Daniel Jenkins came across four abandoned children trying to find shelter in a railroad car.
Gary Hershorn/Reuters

It's a bird! It's a plane! No... It's the supermoon!

About once a year, when the moon is at its most full and closest position relative to the Earth, it becomes the supermoon. Supermoons have been blamed for everything from madness to flooding, but is it fair to find fault with Earth's closest cosmic neighbor?

Here are seven strange facts you may not have known about the supermoon.

FIRST STOP: Earth Destroyer? Not at All

A Supermoon Won't Destroy Earth

Roberto Porto

Despite the claims of some people around the world, the supermoon will not destroy the Earth.

The supermoon happens when the moon is at perigee  the point in its orbit that brings it closest to Earth  and in its fullest phase. [Amazing Supermoon Photos of 2012]

The supermoon a normal occurrence since the moon is on an elliptical orbit, and will not make Earth's orbit go out of whack, NASA even says so.

NEXT: Don't Fear Insanity

It Won't Make You Crazy

Victor R. Caivano/AP

Have no fear: The supermoon will not turn you into a lunatic.

Studies have shown that a full moon of any kind does not affect human behaviors. Full moons and supermoons do not cause more mental hospital admissions, psychiatric disturbances, homicide or other crime.

NEXT: Supermoon Size Varies ...

Not All Supermoons Are The Same

Mike Wall/SPACE.com

The perigee between the Earth and the moon can vary by as much as the diameter of the Earth during any given month. Although that might seem like a large number, on average, the moon is about 30 Earth diameters away from the planet. [Supermoon Science Explained (Infographic)]

The sun's gravity is actually responsible for pulling the Earth and moon into a closer alignment, causing the orbital variation.

NEXT: Bigger in The Winter

Winter Supermoons Are Supersized

Quynh Ton/National Geographic Your Shot

Does the moon look larger in the winter? It should. The Earth is closest to the sun in December each year, meaning that the star's gravity pulls the moon closer toward the planet. Because of this effect the largest supermoons happen in the winter.

NEXT: Changing Tides ...

Supermoons Change the Tides ... But Not Much

Roberto Porto

A supermoon might be able to change the tides slightly, but it certainly won't cause natural disasters, experts have said. The full phase of the moon causes higher tides, but adding a supermoon on top of it doesn't create any significant difference.

Scientists count themselves lucky if they're able to see any difference in tide level at all. Usually, the supermoon causes the tide to change by less than an inch, if at all.

NEXT: Runaway Moon

Supermoons Will Get Smaller

Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre

Get your supermoon fix while you can; the moon is moving on to greener pastures. Supermoons will get smaller in the distant future because the moon is slowly propelling itself out of Earth's orbit, moving 3.8 centimeters farther from Earth each year.

Scientists suspect that at formation, the moon started out about 14,000 miles (22,530 kilometers) from the planet, but now, it's about about 238,900 miles (384,402 kilometers) away.[How Far Is the Moon?]

NEXT: See the Next One

Supermoons Occur Each Year

Jatin Raval

A supermoon happens about once a year and are viewable from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Keep an eye to the sky and lookout for the next one heading toward Earth

Editor's note: If you snap an amazing photo of a supermoon and you'd like to share it for a possible story or image gallery on SPACE.com, please send images and comments, including equipment used, to spacephotos@space.com.
More than 2,000 are expected to head to Houston this week for SpaceCom 2017, the third annual Space Commerce Conference and Exposition.

The conference will bring commercial spaceflight leaders and innovators together from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7 to explore how spaceflight technology can drive industry back on the ground and how commercial spaceflight ventures can grow.

SpaceCom will include talks by Peggy Whitson, recently returned from her record-breaking stay on the International Space Station; Robert Lightfoot, NASA's acting administrator; as well as keynote talks from representatives of the Italian Space Agency, United Launch Alliance, Inmarsat, Digital Globe, IBM Watson and more. The full list of speakers is extensive.

"The aerospace industry remains the focal point for SpaceCom, with an emphasis on fostering new public-private partnerships and exploring ways to engage directly with NASA, international space agencies and commercial space entrepreneurs," SpaceCom representatives said in a statement. "In addition, SpaceCom addresses opportunities for terrestrial industries such as agribusiness, energy and maritime to achieve valuable efficiencies through space-enabled Earth observation and satellite services."

"The conference will also shine a spotlight on revolutionary new developmental and research opportunities in space that are now available to the medical and advanced manufacturing fields," they added.

Besides the talks, attendees will visit a show floor with exhibitors including NASA, United Launch Alliance, Orbital ATK, Boeing and Lockheed, as well as astronauts available for book signings and discussion, the conference's executive director, James Causey, told Space.com earlier this year. A daylong entrepreneur workshop will also let companies pitch to venture capitalists and angel investors.

This conference comes at an exciting time for commercial spaceflight, with the first crewed commercial launches scheduled for the near future. SpaceX is preparing for the first test launch of its Falcon Heavy in the next few months, and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is aiming for an uncrewed test launch next year. Both companies have contracted with NASA to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, although SpaceX is already discussing phasing out that future rocket for a BFR megarocket. Companies including Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin continue to push forward future space tourism projects, and SpaceX has even announced a loop around the moon for two paying passengers.

In addition, initiatives like Google Lunar X Prize are encouraging privately funded groups to go to space  that competition, whose deadline is currently March 2018, is offering $20 million to the first of five finalist teams to land a spacecraft on the moon, move a specific distance and send back photos and video.

Space.com's Sarah Lewin (@SarahExplains) will be on the scene at SpaceCom to report on announcements and discussions as they develop.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
C ate Blanchett, Zendaya and Lin-Manuel Miranda are amongst a host of stars gathering to honour a year of excellence in London theatre.

The Evening Standard Theatre Awards take place tonight at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, celebrating the best productions that have taken place across the capital this year.

Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge will present the glitzy ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Evening Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev, American Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, alongside Blanchett and Miranda.

The red carpet will be star-studded with stars from stage, screen and fashion, with Ruth Negga, Cush Jumbo, and Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton also in attendance.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist 1 /26 Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best actor

in partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group



Bertie Carvel Ink, Almeida Theatre and Duke of Yorks Theatre Marc Brenner Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best actor

in partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group



Andrew Garfield Angels In America, National Theatre (Lyttleton) Helen Maybanks Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best actor

in partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group



Andrew Scott Hamlet, Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Manuel Harlan Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

in partnership with Christian Louboutin



Laura Donnelly The Ferryman, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre Johan Persson Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

in partnership with Christian Louboutin



Victoria Hamilton Albion, Almeida Theatre Marc Brenner Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

in partnership with Christian Louboutin



Glenda Jackson King Lear, Old Vic Theatre Manuel Harlan Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Milton Shulman Award for Best Director



Dominic Cooke Follies, National Theatre Dave Benett Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Milton Shulman Award for Best Director



Robert Icke Hamlet, Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Dave Benett Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Milton Shulman Award for Best Director



Sam Mendes The Ferryman, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre Dave Benett/Getty Images Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Play

In partnership with Hiscox, official arts partner of the Evening Standard



The Children Lucy Kirkwood, Royal Court Johan Persson Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Play

In partnership with Hiscox, official arts partner of the Evening Standard



Jez Butterworth Jez Butterworth, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre Johan Persson Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Play

In partnership with Hiscox, official arts partner of the Evening Standard



Ink James Graham, Almeida Theatre and Duke of Yorks Theatre Marc Brenner Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Play

In partnership with Hiscox, official arts partner of the Evening Standard



Oslo National Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre Brinkhoff Mogenburg Best Design



Jon Bausor Bat Out Of Hell  The Musical, Coliseum Specular Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Design



Bunny Christie Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle, Wyndhams Theatre/The Red Barn, National Theatre/ Ink, Almeida Theatre and Duke of Yorks Theatre Manuel Harlan Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Design



Soutra Gilmour Twelfth Night, National Theatre Marc Brenner Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Musical Performance



Janie Dee Follies, National Theatre Johan Persson Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Musical Performance



Robert Fairchild An American in Paris, Dominion Theatre Johan Persson Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Best Musical Performance



Amber Riley Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre Brinkhoff Mogenburg Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright



Al Smith Harrogate, High Tide Festival and Royal Court Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright



Branden Jacobs-Jenkins An Octoroon, Orange Tree Theatre Richard Davenport, The Other Richard Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright



Katherine Soper Wish List, Royal Exchange Manchester and Royal Court Jonathan Keenan Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Emerging Talent Award



Sheila Atim Girl From The North Country, Old Vic Theatre Manuel Harlan Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Emerging Talent Award



Tom Glynn-Carney The Ferryman, Royal Court and Gielgud Theatre Johan Persson Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist Emerging Talent Award



Luke Thallon Albion, Almeida Theatre Marc Brenner

The Ferryman heads up the shortlist, with Jez Butterworths smash hit in the running for four gongs: Best Play, Best Director (Sam Mendes), Best Actress (Laura Donnelly) and Best Emerging Talent (Tom Glynn-Carney).

The best actor shortlist is made up of three major screen stars. Bertie Carvel is shortlisted for his performance as Rupert Murdoch in Ink, Andrew Scott is recognized for his portrayal of Hamlet, and Andrew Garfield features for his role in Angels in America.

Glenda Jackson and Victoria Hamilton join Donnelly to compete for the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress. Jackson is shortlisted for her triumphant return to the stage as King Lear, after over two decades away from acting. Hamilton features on the shortlist for her performance in Mike Bartletts Albion at the Almeida Theatre.

Musical performances will also be celebrated, with Janie Dee, Robert Fairchild and Amber Riley all in the running for an award. The Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical, conducted by public vote, will see one show honoured from a list of seven.

Highlights: Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016

The Platinum Partner for this years Evening Standard Theatre Awards is Michael Kors.
L ast winter in the UK, around 20,000 animals were abandoned.

Statistics like this is one of the many reasons why the movement #AdoptDon'tShop is more important that ever (even Meghan Markle is a fan).

The Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London houses around 7,000 discarded dogs and cats each year, all searching for a new home.

While Christmas is certainly the season of giving, giving these pets a new home is a big commitment and something that needs to be seriously considered before making a decision.

The Battersea Dogs & Cats Home told the Standard: Battersea takes every enquiry about adopting a dog or cat over the Christmas period on a case by case basis. For many, the Christmas period can be a particularly busy time of year, with lots of noise and visitors, potentially making it an unsuitable time to bring a new pet into the home. However, those planning to have a quiet festive season could be in a good position to adopt a dog or cat, provided they have the right home and lifestyle for that individual animal.

The charity would never recommend buying a dog or a cat as a surprise present, as getting a pet is a big, long-term commitment and something that should be thought through and discussed with the whole household.

You can find out more about Batterseas rehoming process, or if youre not in a position to rehome, there are other ways of helping our animals this festive season on battersea.org.uk.

Scroll through the gallery above to see a selection of the cats and dogs currently at Battersea and please contact Battersea Dogs & Cats Home if you would like to meet any of the animals, and visit their website for further details.

To contact Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, call 0843 509 4444 or email them at info@battersea.org.uk. battersea.org.uk/
U zbekistan is exactly how you image it to be  dazzling mosques, intricately carved minarets, Soviet-style buildings and towns stuck in time.

The Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara are crowded with monuments paying homage to its history, tales of bravery, war, destruction and revival. But while one half of Uzbekistan celebrates the ancient trade route, the other is paving way for whats to come.

Home to Central Asias first metro and recently built high-speed train, Tashkent is quickly waving goodbye to its Soviet past as it transforms into a buzzing metropolis where the old meets the new in perfect proportions.

Despite the change, Uzbekistan remains a tightly regulated state and although tourists are largely unaffected by it, refrain from discussing politics in public places. This aside, Uzbekistan is an extremely friendly country with welcoming people, who with their golden smiles are guaranteed to warm your heart.

Silk Road may be the card that draws visitors to Uzbekistan but there is plenty more to engage the curious traveller: the diminishing Aral Sea, arid deserts and snow-capped peaks of Tien Shan mountains. Best time to travel is April-May and September-October when the temperatures average between mid to high 20s.

If you aren't already convinced, here are 10 reasons why Uzbekistan should be pretty high up on your travel bucket list;

1. Silk Road and the cultural melting pot

The history of Silk Road goes as far back as 138 BC when China opened its borders. Over centuries, traders, missionaries and conquerors travelled from Asia to Europe through Uzbekistan and brought with them new cultures, religions and crafts, traces of which still exist.

Visiting the ancient cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, youll find Persian-inspired domes, traditional Silk weaving methods and workshops practising age-old techniques of paper making from mulberry - both of which were brought here from China.

2. Visit a UNESCO World Heritage city

The beauty and marvel of Samarkand is powerful and addictive. Its home to one of the most recognisable monuments in Central Asia, the Registan  a square with three prominent madarassas. The buildings really come to life during dusk when the hues of the setting sun coupled with yellow lights illuminate the structures. Also visit the tomb of Amir Timur at Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the observatory of Ulugbek.

Mir-i Arab Madressa

3. Travel back in time

Formed in 13th century B.C., Bukhara was once a large commercial centre on the Silk Road. Today it remains one of Uzbekistans oldest and most fascinating cities with narrow streets, bazaars and breathtaking architectural monuments.

There is a lot to see in Bukhara and although the sites are only a short distance from each other, give time to truly enjoy this enchanting city. Visit the Abdullazizkhan, Ulugbek and Chor-Minor Madrasah, be mesmerised by the wooden ceiling at Bolo-Khauz Complex and experience the symbol of state power at the Ark Fortress. Spend your evenings walking around its many ceramic and fabric-laden bazaars.

4. Get a taste of Soviet architecture in Tashkent

Hotel Uzbekistan

Uzbekistans biggest city is one of two halves. On one side of the capital, there are beautiful tree-lined streets and a square that boasts the statue of their national hero Amir Timur. Scattered around the square are Soviet and post-Soviet style government buildings, colleges and hotels.

On the other side is a slightly neglected but much more authentic old city, at the heart of which is Chorsu Bazar. Here youll experience Uzbek life as it is, with stalls selling everything from fresh fruits to lepeshka (traditional toasted bread). Not far from the dome-shaped market is the Khast Imam complex, home to a mosque, mausoleum and one of Muslim worlds most sacred relics  caliph Osmans Koran.

Use the metro to get around the city and take special notice of the unique designs at every station.

5. Its easy to get around

Travelling around Uzbekistan is easier than you think. Central Asias first high-speed train will get you from Tashkent to most desired Silk Road destinations in less than 3 hours for little over 20 pounds (upgrade options are available). Book your tickets online to save standing in long queues and leave plenty of time for security checks. Daily flights and local buses also operate between major cities.

6. Handicrafts galore

Uzbekistan is a shoppers paradise. From paintings to pottery and carpets to dry fruits, its full of enticing things that you'll want to buy. The silk fabric of Ikat is an Uzbek specialty and can be found at most bazaars in all imaginable colours. For a couple of pounds you can get hand-painted ceramics or if youre looking for something unique, get your hands on a traditional Suzani - exquisitely embroidered pieces of cloth  which vary from a hundred to thousands of pounds depending on size and design.

7. Get there before everyone else does

Apart from a handful of locals and the odd tourist, you pretty much have the place to yourself. Its refreshing to visit a major site and take the time to appreciate it without being pushed along. Uzbeks are really friendly people and although very few of them speak English, they are keen to get your thoughts on their country so be prepared to engage in small talk.

8. Its not all mosques and mausoleums

Away from the cities, Uzbekistan has a diverse landscape: rivers, forests, deserts and mountains making it a destination of choice for trekkers and hikers. Expeditions can be arranged with local tour operators. Stay the night in a yurt camp, stargaze and live the nomad life.

9. Instagram away...

#nofilterneeded as most of Uzbekistan is picture perfect. From the grandeur of Registan to brightly coloured Uzbek clothing, almost everything you see is instagramable. The ornate blue and turquoise madrasahs will undoubtedly make a few jaws drop in awe.

10. Its a meat feast

Uzbekistan is a cattle-rearing nation so its no surprise that most delicacies include meat. Meals are often over several courses starting with salads, followed by soup, a main and dessert. Try the Plov (similar to a pulav or biryani) - made with rice, meat, carrots and spices, the samsa and shashlik kebabs. Local markets are a good place to try homemade delicacies, sweets and pastries.

Travel tip: Most nationalities need a visa to travel which can be arranged with the Consulate or Embassy. All tourists are required to register with a hotel within 72 hours of arriving in Uzbekistan. Keep those registration slips safe, as you will need to hand them over to customs during departure.

Details

Kalpak Travel specialises in Central Asia. An 8-day Classic Uzbekistan tour starts from EUR 1,590 per person (excluding international flights). Uzbekistan Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Tashkent three times a week. Tickets start from 390 return. Visit www.uzbekembassy.org for visa requirements.
N igel Farage has defended Donald Trump over the presidents decision to share far-right tweets insisting outrage from the liberal elite was out of all proportion.

The former Ukip leader told BBCs Andrew Marr that the tweets were not in good taste but added: But the point is that the level of outrage from the liberal elite in this country is out of all proportion with what happened here.

The US President triggered a furious global backlash when he retweeted several unverified videos posted by the deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, Jayda Fransen.

The trio of anti-Islamic videos, which Mr Trump posted to his 43.5 million Twitter followers on Wednesday, includes footage of migrants allegedly assaulting a boy on crutches and a video claiming to show a Muslim destroying a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Mr Farage went on to further defend the president, claiming he doesnt research everything and wouldnt have a clue who Britain First were.

Nigel Farage defended Donald Trump during the Andrew Marr show / BBC

He said of the tweets: Do I think those tweets were in good taste? Not particularly, no.

But the point is that the level of outrage from the liberal elite in this country is out of all proportion with what happened here."

He added: "Was the story about ISIS throwing people off buildings fake news? No. It wasn't, it was true.

Donald Trump sparked global backlash with his tweets / AFP/Getty Images

Ex-Labour aide Ayesha Hazarika hit out at Mr Farage and said:Just remember as Jo Cox lay dying, the scumbag who executed her shouted out the words 'Britain First.

She added: Donald Trump is a racist, he's misogynistic and he's Islamophobic. He peddles in stirring up hate and division. That might be something you agree with, but that is not what British values are in this country.

Farage interrupted, repeatedly replying: You're out of touch, you're out of touch.

The tweets sparked major backlash from across the globe with Prime Minister Theresa May branding them wrong and said no date had been set for a state visit.

However The Sunday Times reported that a "working visit" had been pencilled in by the White House for February 26 and 27 to coincide with the expected opening of the new US embassy in London.

Mr Farages defence of the messages came as Education Secretary Justine Greening said following the tweets any state visit from the president was unlikely to be positive.

Ms Greening suggested the retweets had made any prospective visit by Mr Trump more problematic.

"I don't think the tweets over the past week have particularly helped make any such visit a positive one," she told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show.

"I think he was wrong to make those tweets. Of course, Britain First is a group that is beyond the pale. I don't think they deserve any publicity.
A ll four high powered MPs responsible for working towards a fairer Britain have quit over claims the Government is failing to create a more equal society.

Alan Milburn, the former Labour minister who heads up Theresa May's Social Mobility Commission, said he had "little hope" the current Government was capable of making the changes necessary to make the UK a fairer place to leave for the poorest in society.

He was joined in walking out by his three fellow commissioners, including the Conservative former cabinet minister Baroness Shephard.

The resignations are a fresh blow for Mrs May who entered No 10 promising to tackle the "burning injustices" that hold back poorer people.

Resigned: Alan Milburn / Rex

However a Government spokesman said the departures came after Mr Milburn - whose term as commission chair expired last July - was told that a new chair was to be appointed and that an open application process would be held for the role.

In his resignation letter, Mr Milburn said the preoccupation with Brexit meant the Government "does not have the necessary bandwidth to ensure the rhetoric of healing social division is matched with the reality".

He added: "I have little hope of the current Government making the progress I believe is necessary to bring about a fairer Britain.

"It seems unable to commit to the future of the commission as an independent body or to give due priority to the social mobility challenge facing our nation."

The resignations come just days after the commission warned that unless the economic, social and local divisions laid bare by the Brexit vote were addressed there would be a rise in far right or hard left extremism.

In its report the commission said London and its commuter belt resembled a "different country" to coastal, rural and former industrial areas where young people faced lower pay, fewer top jobs and commuting times nearly four times those in cities.

Mr Milburn told The Observer: "The worst position in politics is to set out a proposition that you're going to heal social divisions and then do nothing about it. It's almost better never to say you'll do anything about it.

"It's disappointing at least that the Government hasn't got its shoulder to the wheel in the way it should to deal with these structural issues that lead to social division and political alienation in the country.

"In America for 30 years real average earnings have remained flat. Now here the Chancellor is predicting that will last for 20 years.

Theresa May's Cabinet reshuffle 1 /29 Theresa May's Cabinet reshuffle Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid REUTERS Jeremy Hunt Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt PA Newly-appointed Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom REUTERS Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire REUTERS Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport Karen Bradley REUTERS Michael Gove, who has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs REUTERS Britain's Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox REUTERS Philip-Hammond Chancellor Philip Hammond PA Energy Secretary Greg Clark PA Brexit Secretary David Davis PA International Development Secretary Priti Patel Getty Images Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson PA Chris Grayling Transport Secretary Getty Images Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns Getty Images Former leader of the House of Commons David Lidington has been made Justice Secretary PA David Gauke is the new Work and Pensions Secretary Getty Images Liz Truss has been appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury PA Secretary of State for Education Justine Greening Getty Images Damian Green was appointed First Secretary of State PA Home Secretary Amber Rudd PA Defence Secretary Michael Fallon EPA

"That has a consequence for people, but a political consequence as well. It means more anger, more resentment and creates a breeding ground for populism."

For Labour, shadow cabinet office minister Jon Trickett said the resignations came as "no surprise".

"As inequality has grown under the Tories, social mobility has totally stalled. Theresa May has rewarded the rich whilst holding everyone else back," he said.

"It is no surprise the whole Social Mobility Commission has resigned in frustration. Under the Tories, how well people do in life is still based on class background rather than on talent or effort."

A Government spokesman said it is "committed to fighting injustice and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them".

"We are making good progress with social mobility - we have increased the national living wage, cut income tax for the lowest paid and doubled free childcare," the spokesman said.

"We accept there is more to do and that is why we are focusing our efforts in disadvantaged areas where we can make the biggest difference."

Additional reporting by Press Association.
While members of Congress are preoccupied with tax reform, millions of American children, including thousands of kids in Montana, are at urgent risk of losing their health care coverage due to congressional inaction.

Congress will be in session for only two more weeks this month before recessing for the rest of the year. They must not fail to renew funding for the federal Childrens Health Insurance Program before they leave Washington, D.C.

It is unacceptable that CHIP was allowed to expire at the end of September, but at least most states had set aside enough funding to extend coverage for a few more months. Now that money is running out  and time is running out for the nearly 9 million children in the United States who are covered by CHIP.

In Montana, nearly 24,000 children count on CHIP to help their families pay for their health care. If Congress fails to act within the next couple of weeks, the families of these children will be sent letters from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services informing them that the program will have no funding left after January.

The federal government provides the bulk of funding for CHIP, with states contributing about 15 percent of the total cost and parents whose children are covered by CHIP paying an average of $150 per child per year, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission.

In Montana, CHIP is part of the larger Healthy Montana Kids program, which also includes Childrens Medicaid. Those with incomes up to $261 percent of the federal poverty level ($64,206 a year for a two-parent, two-child family) may qualify for CHIP, and those with incomes up to 143 percent of the federal poverty level ($35,178 for a two-parent, two-child family) may qualify for coverage under Medicaid expansion.

All told, more than 123,000 children in Montana  one out of every three children in the state  is covered through Healthy Montana Kids. According to the Montana Budget and Policy Center, the program covers 71 percent of children living in or near poverty, half of all children with disabilities or other special health care needs, and all of the children in state foster care (there were more than 3,000 at last count).

Thanks in large part to the Healthy Montana Kids program, 92 percent of children in Montana have health insurance, and therefore, access to health care. The Montana Budget and Policy Center has compiled research that shows this coverage:

leads to better health in adulthood  including lower blood pressure, fewer hospitalizations, and even fewer deaths in adulthood;

improves the likelihood of high school graduation and college attendance;

reduces bankruptcies, thereby improving families financial stability, and

benefits Montana schools, which receive $55 million in Medicaid funds  $36 million of which is federal  and use this funding to hire school health care staff as well as pay for health supplies that benefit all children.

Not surprisingly, the popular, proven effective 20-year-old federal Childrens Health Insurance Program has strong bipartisan support. The problem is that Republicans and Democrats in Congress are deeply divided over how best to fund it.

Consider that a bill to reauthorize CHIP for another five years passed the U.S. House last month. However, 174 members of the U.S. House, nearly all Democrats, voted against it over concerns about the way the legislation proposed to fund the program. The bill, which passed with 242 votes, including 15 votes from Democrats, proposes to pay for CHIP by raiding the prevention and public health fund established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The majority of House Democrats saw this as yet another GOP attempt to erode Obamacare. The prevention fund bolsters a number of critical services that allow states to expand support for those with Alzheimers, diabetes and other chronic disease, as well as immunization program and dozens of other initiatives that help lower health care costs upfront. Further, the prevention fund, which allocated less than $1 billion in the most recent fiscal year, does not have nearly enough money to pay the full federal portion of CHIP costs, which topped $13.4 billion in fiscal year 2016.

Now the Senate will have to decide whether to go along with the Houses funding solution or some up with one of its own. The clock is ticking, with 11 states predicting they will run out of CHIP funding by the end of the year, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Montana is among the 21 additional states, including the District of Columbia, that expect to be tapped out by March 2018 or sooner.

If the Senate does not reauthorize the program soon, Montana will still be on the hook to maintain coverage for nearly 7,000 children under Medicaid expansion requirements outlined in the Affordable Care Act. Given Montanas tenuous budget situation, scraping together enough money to pay yet another major unforeseen bill may even require a second special legislative session.

And that still wont help the nearly 24,000 Montana kids who will lose CHIP coverage.

In order to pass in the Senate, the House bill needs 60 votes  meaning eight Democrats will have to join all Republicans in supporting the bill. All three of Montanas congressional delegates, like the majority of their peers in Congress, support reauthorizing CHIP funding.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, is also cosponsoring other legislation, introduced in September, to keep the Children's Health Insurance Program funded for the next five years. Including Tester, the bill is cosponsored by 17 Democrats and five Republicans; U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, is not one of them.

Lacking any clear path to bridging the political gap that appears to divide them, some senators are weighing the feasibility of adding CHIP reauthorization to the government funding bill that comes with a Dec. 8 deadline. They should certainly pursue this idea, and Montanas senators should push to make it happen.

CHIP should have been reauthorized well before it expired in September. Congress should not drag its feet any longer. Montanas kids are depending on them.
H uge numbers of people are planning to join a mass anti-Donald Trump protest outside Downing Street after reports he will visit the UK in February.

The Stop Trump campaign issued a rallying cry on Sunday evening, urging people to join the demonstration in a bid to carry out a citizen's arrest on the US President for incitement to racial hatred.

It is hoped to become the "biggest demonstration in British history", organisers said.

On Sunday evening, less than an hour after a Facebook event of the protest was created, more than 1,000 people had pledged to go and more than 2,400 others said they were interested.

Thousands protest over Donald Trump's state visit

By 10.30pm, nearly 3,000 people said they would attend the rally and a mammoth 7,900 others had registered interest.

Mr Trumps upcoming working visit is said to have been pencilled in for February 26 and 27 next year, according to sources reported in the Sunday Times.

Ant-Trump protest: A packed Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in January. / PA

The timing of the visit has been arranged to coincide with the opening of a new US embassy, the newspaper said.

The protest, which was announced on Sunday evening, was co-created and shared widely by journalist and author Owen Jones.

Put the date into your diaries, organisers said.

If Donald Trump attempts to sneak into the UK to open the US Embassy on 26/27th February 2018 and also pop into see Theresa May at Downing Street, he will be met by a million of us attempting a citizens arrest of him for incitement to racial hatred.

100,000 people were estimated to have attended the mass Women's March in London in January. / Getty Images

The Stop Trump campaign, which was set up earlier this year after the presidents controversial travel ban, said it saw a boost in support this week after Mr Trump shared three unverified anti-Muslim videos.

Mr Trump retweeted the three clips which had been posted by the deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, Jayda Fransen. It sparked a massive global backlash and row with Prime Minister Theresa May, who said Mr Trump was wrong to share the tweets.

Speaking to the Standard earlier this week, Stop Trump campaign organisers said more than a million people could take to the streets to protest his upcoming visit.

Thousands of people gathered at Downing Street in anti-Trump rallies in January. / Getty Images

The campaign had been reinvigorated by Mr Trumps retweets, with thousands registering online and pledging to join the protest in the wake of the incident.

President Trump, 71, is set to visit Britain in early 2018 but Number 10 said no date has yet been set.

Diplomats were reportedly discussing plans for a working visit which would see him not stay with the Queen.

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According to the Times on Sunday, a working visit on February 26 and 27 has been in the diary for at least 10 days.

In January, around 100,000 activists also took to the streets of London to demonstrate against gender inequality after President Trump's inauguration.

The same month, Whitehall was brought to a standstill as thousands of furious protester marched to Downing Street against the travel ban, which targeted visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Fury erupted again later in the year when it emerged the PM had offered a state visit to the newly-inaugurated Mr Trump, breaching convention that the honour is usually reserved for a president's second term.

Mr Trump has also made headlines this week after his former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI over his Russia contacts.

Following the former aide's plea, which has been dubbed the biggest development in the alleged Russia meddling scandal so far, the US leader said there "was nothing to hide" and there had been no collusion between his team and Russia.
N igel Farage has been accused of hypocrisy after revealing he would scoop his taxpayer-funded EU pension if he could.

The ex-Ukip leader, who was at the forefront of the campaign for Britain to leave the EU, told live TV viewers he would take the yearly 73,000 pension if eligible, adding: Why should my family and others suffer even more?

MEP Mr Farage, 53, appeared on the BBCs Andrew Marr show this morning and was asked about a Sunday Times story estimating he will be entitled to the pension in a decades time.

It is believed the money could be part-funded by Britains estimated 50 billion divorce bill if a Brexit deal goes ahead.

Asked by journalist Mr Marr if he would accept the money, Mr Farage said: Of course I would take it. I have said that right from day one. Why should my family and others suffer even more?"

Mr Farage, 53, said he does not think he is eligible for the 73k pension - but if he was he would take it. / BBC

But the anti-EU politician said he doubted the money would ever be paid, saying: Given the arbitrary way the European Union behaves in terms of money, I would be very surprised if I get any of it. I don't think it will even occur.

He was attacked live on air by Scottish comedian Ayesha Hazarika, who joined the panel for the paper review and called Mr Farage a hypocrite.

This is the sort of hypocrisy we see, she said. You still hoovered up your expenses and your salary from the EU which you rail against and you are still happy to take the cash.

'I was the turkey that voted for Christmas', Farage said. / Getty Images

Mr Farage rejected the charge of hypocrisy, saying: "I have just voted to get rid of my job. I was the turkey that voted for Christmas. How is that hypocrisy?"

Scores of viewers were amazed at the champion of Brexit playing the victim.

Apparently [Farage] also hates the EU so much hell still draw his 70 grand+ a year pension, said Labour MP David Lammy.

Nigel Farage defends Donald Trump on the Andrew Marr show

Journalist Peter Stefanovic called it just unbelievable while Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said Mr Farage is a shameless hypocrite.

He rails against the so-called EU gravy train, but is happy to cash in when it suits him, Mr Brake added. "No doubt he also secretly backs the 50 billion Brexit divorce bill that includes money to pay for his EU pension."

But former MEP for the East Midlands, Roger Helmer, leapt to his defence, saying: Why on earth should Nigel Farage give up his pension?

It was accrued legitimately at a time when the UK was an EU member-state in good standing, and a major net contributor. It is the duty of the EU to pay it.

It comes as Mr Farage also made headlines this morning for defending Donald Trump for sharing three unverified anti-Muslim videos posted by the deputy leader of Britain First.

He said outrage from the "liberal elite" was "out of proportion".
A police force has sparked a social media backlash after it posted a message warning that bumping into someone under the mistletoe could be rape.

Northern Irelands police service was accused of trivialising serious sexual assault after it shared the festive-themed message on Twitter on Saturday.

The tweet read: If you bump into that special someone under the mistletoe tonight, remember that without consent it is rape #SeasonsGreetings.

Hundreds of people responded to the message, with many people on Twitter calling the warning bizarre.

The tweet was posted on Saturday. / Twitter

Perhaps a refresher course on the definition of rape wouldnt go amiss, James Dalton tweeted. An embarrassing tweet which trivialises a thoroughly despicable crime.

Several people said they thought the tweet came from a parody account while one Twitter user told the force to get a grip.

Since when did a kiss under the mistletoe turn into rape? someone wrote.

Others called it a fail and a ridiculous tweet.

Many people simply questioned: Bumping into someone is rape?

The tweet, which appears to carry an underlying important message of requiring consent before sexual activity, comes as sexual harassment and abuse has been thrust into the spotlight following a string of allegations against high profile figures and politicians.

The Standard has contacted the PSNI, which serves the whole of Northern Ireland, for comment.
D onald Trump has denied ever asking former FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating former security adviser Michael Flynn.

In a tweet posted on Sunday, the US President wrote: I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!

Mr Flynn, is the first member of Trump's administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian attempts to influence last year's US presidential election.

Mr Comey, who was fired from his post in May, previously said that Trump asked him in a private Oval Office meeting to consider ending the investigation into Mr Flynn.

The former FBI director has said that he found the encounter so shocking that he prepared an internal memo about it.

The firing of Mr Comey precipitated the appointment of special council Mr Mueller.

Mr Flynn is the fourth person involved in President Trump's campaign who was charged as part of the Mueller probe.

He pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about a conversation he had with Russia's former ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

It is thought the guilty plea could turn Mr Flynn into a potentially key government cooperator after it was reported he has entered into a plea deal with Mr Mueller and has agreed to co-operate in the enquiry.

The plea deal might mean a shorter possible jail term for Mr Flynn than the five years normally reserved for people who make false statements.

According to White House lawyer Ty Cobb, nothing about Mr Flynn's guilty plea implicates "anyone other than Mr Flynn".
C o-stars have praised Carrie Fisher's final performance as Princess Leia ahead of the premiere of The Last Jedi.

Ms Fisher, who died after suffering a heart attack in December last year, filmed her final performance of the iconic character before her death.

The new film puts the character on the front line in a dark new chapter that reaches cinemas this month, leaving a galactic hole to fill after the sudden death of the actress.

"She's irreplaceable," Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the film, told Reuters. "Star Wars is about great triumphs and great tragedies, and I can't think of a bigger tragedy than missing our Leia," he added.

Writer and director Rian Johnson said he did not change Leia's story in The Last Jedi after her death. The film will hit UK screens on December 14.

It will be up to the makers of 2019 film "Episode IX" to decide the ultimate fate of the character first seen as a spunky princess in the original 1977 "Star Wars" film, Mr Johnson added.

"In The Last Jedi "we didn't tailor it to be a farewell to her," Mr Johnson said.

"But, that having been said, I think there's some moments that I think will really mean a lot to fans. You will see more from Leia that you haven't seen before."

Ms Fisher's final film appearance is expected to boost already feverish interest in the franchise, now owned by Walt Disney Co . Boxoffice.com projects The Last Jedi will haul in $185 million to $215 million at US and Canadian ticket windows its first weekend, which would rank as one of the biggest film debuts in history.

Carrie Fisher had finished filming the latest Star Wars instalment before her death (Lucas Film) / LucasFilm

The cast and director provided few details about the film's plot. Peckham's John Boyega, who plays former Stormtrooper Finn, said the movie finds Leia, now a general, leading the Resistance against the evil First Order during a tense time in the raging battle to protect the galaxy far, far away.

"There is a lot of pressure on the Resistance, and General Leia is on the front lines having to make big decisions," Mr Boyega said. "It's a performance that requires a heartfelt approach, and she definitely had that."

Oscar Isaac, who plays Resistance pilot Poe Dameron, said the time in Leia's life mirrored Ms Fisher's in some ways.

Leia understands "she's not going to be around forever, and there is a passing of the torch that needs to happen," Isaac said. "She wants to give over as much of her wisdom as she can before this moment happens."

Ms Fisher, however, would not want fans to get too sentimental, Mr Hamill said.

"I do know her well enough to say that she would want us to be laughing and even mocking her," he added.

"She was irreverent, she was cynical, and she was bitterly funny and caustic and all these things. But she was always fun to be around."

Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres in London on December 12.
T heresa May was sent up by US impressionist Kate McKinnon in a hilarious sketch on Saturday Night Live.

The prime minister became the latest politician to be skewered by the hugely popular American comedy show in a short clip mocking her response to Donald Trumps Britain First retweets.

Comedian Ms McKinnon, who has in the past taken on Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel, gave a robotic performance of Mrs May speaking about her Twitter spat with President Trump,

Last week the PM told the US leader he was wrong to share the anti-Muslim retweets.

In the parody interview Ms Mickinnon - as Mrs May - says: The British people know I can give it as good as I get it.

Im not afraid of a little social media fisticuffs. And Ive never felt more alive.

I saw Trumps offensive retweets and put that man on blast. Look at this epic takedown: It is wrong for the president to have done this.

Hitting out at Donald Trump: Prime Minister Theresa May / PA

Savage. I am practically a troll now.

She adds: But the b**** tagged the wrong Theresa May.

Donald Trump tagged a woman in Bognor in Britain named Theresa May, rather than the UK PM, in a tweet last Wednesday.

He said: @TheresaMay, don't focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!"
M ichael Flynn's "life was destroyed" by the probe over Russian meddling in the US election campaign, Donald Trump has said.

In Tweets posted on Saturday, the US President accused the Department of Justice of displaying double standards and said the system was "rigged".

He used the message to highlight an investigation into Hillary Clinton's private emails linked the matter.

The President wrote: So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday interrogation with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?

He went on to say: Many people in our country are asking what the Justice Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and acid washed 33,000 Emails? No justice!

Mr Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI about conversations that he had had with the former Russian ambassador to Washington Sergai Kislyak in a US district court hearing.

Mr Trumps outburst came after he previously tweeted in defence of Mr Flynn, denying allegations of collusion and that there were no ties to his successful election and Russian meddling.

In a tweet, the president said that he had to fire Mr Flynn because he lied to the FBI. However he also maintained that his actions during the presidential transition were lawful.

He wrote: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI.

"He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

Donald Trump and ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn. / Getty Images

The tweets led critics to question whether or not the president had changed his story over Mr Flynn's firing.

Mr Flynn was forced to resign in February when concerns arose that he had misled the White House about conversations with Mr Kislyak.

Initially, Mr Trump said that he had fired the general as he had lied to the Vice President Mike Pence, suggesting that he was aware of rumours that Mr Flynn had lied to the FBI.

Mr Flynn this week pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the FBI for lying about the conversation that he had with the Russian official.

The charges were brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Intelligence agencies in the US say Vladimir Putin, Russia's leader, ran an effort to influence last year's presidential vote in Mr Trump's favour.

Mr Flynn, 58, was a key player in the presidential election campaign and served as Mr Trump's first national security adviser. He is the first former national security adviser to be charged with a felony since the mid 1980s.

Mr Trump responded to the plea on Saturday as he left the White House to head to New York for fundraising events expected to raise millions of dollars.

Mr Trump said: "What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. There's been absolutely no collusion."

Mr Flynn is the fourth person involved in President Trump's campaign who was charged as part of the Mueller probe. His guilty plea was called by some "the biggest development yet" in the Trump-Russia scandal.

It is thought the guilty plea could turn Flynn into a potentially key government cooperator after it was reported he has entered into a plea deal with Mr Muller and has agreed to co-operate in the enquiry.

The plea deal might mean a shorter possible jail term for Mr Flynn than the five years normally reserved for people who make false statements.

According to White House lawyer Ty Cobb, nothing about Mr Flynn's guilty plea implicates "anyone other than Mr Flynn".

Mr Flynn said during the hearing: "My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the Special Counsel's Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country."

The Russia investigation has persistently followed Mr Trump the first year of his presidency, angering the president and repeatedly distracting from his agenda.

Early on in his administration, Mr Trump had taken a particular interest in the status of the Flynn investigation.

Former FBI Director James Comey, whose firing in May precipitated the appointment of Mueller as special counsel, has said Mr Trump asked him in a private Oval Office meeting to consider ending the investigation into Mr Flynn. Mr Comey has said he found the encounter so shocking that he prepared an internal memo about it.
C laudia Winklemans actress sister has been injured in a head-on car crash, according to reports.

The Strictly Come Dancing hosts 37-year-old sister Sophie is undergoing treatment for a suspected broken back and broken foot, the Daily Mail reported.

The source told the newspaper that Sophie, who married Lord Frederick Windsor in 2009, faces weeks of recovery following the smash which happened ten days ago.

The actress was said to have been returning from filming new American TV series Trust when another car ploughed head-on into her chauffeur-driven vehicle as the driver swerved to avoid a deer.

Sister: Claudia Winkleman / Dave Benett

Five ambulance crews, including an air ambulance, rushed to the crash near Saffron Walden, Essex, the Daily Mail reported.

She was first taken to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, along with the drivers of both vehicles, before being transferred to Londons Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

The source told the newspaper: It was a terrible shock for the whole family. Freddies looking after their two girls while Sophie recovers. It will be a long road for her, but were all so thankful that shes been told there wont be any long-term problems.

The Standard has contacted a representative for Sophie for a comment.
P hoebe Waller-Bridge has said that shes keen to take on the role of Hamlet on the London stage after exhausting television.

The host of this years Evening Standard Theatre Awards admitted that shes keen to follow in the footsteps of Andrew Scott, who is nominated for his portrayal of Shakespeare's character at Sunday nights ceremony.

Id like to have a pop at Hamlet. I guess Ill go for him. Andrew Scott is the ultimate, Id have to be in his shadow, she told London Live on the red carpet.

Having sky-rocketed to fame thanks to her multi award-winning TV comedy Fleabag, Waller-Bridge said she was keen to explore a completely different medium.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017 Red Carpet - In pictures 1 /62 Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017 Red Carpet - In pictures Cate Blanchett Dave Benett Keira Knightley Getty Images Laura Carmichael Dave Benett Billie Piper Dave Benett Phoebe Waller-Bridge Getty Images Zendaya Dave Benett Poppy Delevingne Getty Images Immy Waterhouse and Suki Waterhouse Dave Benett/Getty Images Ellie Bamber Getty Images Andrew Garfield Dave Benett Anna Wintour Getty Images Sam Mendes and Alison Balsom Dave Benett/Getty Images Lin-Manuel Miranda and Vanessa Nadal Dave Benett Amber Riley Getty Images Cressida Bonas Getty Images Ruth Negga and Dominic Cooper Dave Benett/Getty Images Elena Perminova Dave Benett Cush Jumbo Dave Benett Bertie Carvel and Sally Scott Dave Benett Charlotte Hope Dave Benett Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes Getty Images Christian Slater Getty Images Dame Shirley Bassey Getty Images Jon Hamm Dave Benett Helen McCrory Getty Images Christopher Kane Dave Benett/Getty Images Arizona Muse PA Jez Butterworth Dave Benett Daisy Lewis Dave Benett Andrew Scott Dave Benettt Evgeny Lebedev, Cate Blanchett, Anna Wintour and Lin-Manuel Miranda Dave Benett Cate Blanchett Getty Images Keira Knightley Dave Benett Billie Piper Dave Benett Laura Carmichael Getty Images Jeremy Irvine Dave Benett Sally Greene Dave Benett Savannah Miller Dave Benett Glenda Jackson Dave Benett Naomi Ackie Dave Benett Roksanda Ilinicic Dave Benett Emma Weymouth Dave Benett Andrew Polec and Christina Bennington Dave Benett Livia Firth and Colin Firth Dave Benett Ophelia Lovibond Dave Benett Bee Shaffer Dave Benett Jack Guinness Dave Benett

I think TV has exhausted me and Ive exhausted TV, she said.

The British writer and actress is on hosting duties at the annual event for the first time, and was looking forward to doing a charming and gentle roast of the prestigious audience.

The stars are out on the red carpet for the Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Im really excited, Ive never done anything like this before so its going to be a new experience, she said.

Ill be doing a little charming roast but mostly its just celebrating everyone.

Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett is co-hosting this years ceremony alongside Anna Winter, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev.

Stars including Billie Piper, Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield and Poppy Delevingne attended the annual event.
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I recall reading in the Missoulian about a year ago an article about the president visiting the Carrier plant on the west side of Indianapolis. He promised that their jobs would be secure, and that he had saved their jobs from moving to Mexico.

Today the Washington Post published an article by the former head of the union at Carrier. The article is headed, A year ago, Trump promised Carrier workers help. Were still waiting.

I was not surprised at the action of the guy in the White House. Nor should anyone else.

Our government is rapidly becoming a plutocracy. Look up the word in a dictionary, or google the word.

Bob Bushnell,

Polson
According to a report generated by Los Angeles-based intelligence agents, the Department of Homeland Security has a strong reason to believe that drone manufacturer DJI is spying for the Chinese Government on pieces of critical infrastructure in the US.

The memo was created by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau back in August but is just now surfacing publicly this week. They believed Chinese-based Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) is stealing sensitive infrastructure and law enforcement data to covertly send back to the Chinese Government. Part of the report reads:

SIP Los Angeles assesses with moderate confidence that Chinese-based company DJI Science and Technology is providing U.S. critical infrastructure and law enforcement data to the Chinese government. SIP Los Angeles further assesses with high confidence the company is selectively targeting government and privately owned entities within these sectors to expand its ability to collect and exploit sensitive U.S. data.

The report goes on to specify which targets the Chinese Government has been attempting to spy on and they are certainly concerning. The list includes railroads, utilities, drinking water systems, and hazardous material storage facilities.

DJI has denied the claims stating to the New York Times that the report is "based on clearly false and misleading claims." They said that their users are able to control what data is uploaded to the company's servers in China. They have recently added a feature allowing pilots to cut all outside internet connections while the drone is flying.

While DJI makes many drones for hobbyists, these claims are focused on their commercial line where DJI has a nearly two-thirds market share.

Lead photo credit: Kin Cheung / AP
Computer hardware sales are alive and well, but unfortunately Netlink Computer Inc. has reached an impasse. Commonly known as NCIX, the hardware and software retailer has officially filed for bankruptcy in Vancouver, Canada.

Founded in 1996, NCIX primarily served western Canadian residents. After building a sizable online presence and looking to expand, the company opened brick and mortar stores in the Vancouver area and later added additional locations in Ontario. Once the Canadian market was well covered, NCIX set up a distribution center in the United States in 2011.

Moving forward to July 2017, NCIX shut down several of its retail stores in eastern Canada and closed its office in Markham, Ontario. Then in November, five more stores were shut down. At this time, customers were told to file chargebacks with financial institutions for orders that were not fulfilled.

Now, all NCIX retail stores have been closed and show no signs of returning. The Supreme Court of British Columbia will hear the bankruptcy case filed by NCIX. At this time it is advised that no orders are placed due to the possibility of not receiving a product and being unable to obtain a refund.

Where exactly NCIX went wrong is still open to debate. Competition from Amazon, Newegg, and other online sites may have been too much. Regardless of the reasoning, costs clearly have outweighed revenue for some time now. For those interested in hearing more possible reasons of failure, listen to some insight from two well known former employees.

Linus Sebastian and Luke Lafreniere take around 20 minutes to discuss some of their experiences working at NCIX before leaving to be a part of Linus Media Group.
Lenovo settles with the FTC over Superfish adware In 2014, Lenovo began bundling a third-party adware program called "Superfish" into its consumer PCs. Now, nearly three years later, the company is facing the consequences. Today, Lenovo settled a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission over the Superfish adware, agreeing to get affirmative consent for any future adware programs, as well as audited security checks of their software for the next 20 years. The Verge

How much does screen size matter in comparing Ryzen Mobile and Kaby Lake-R battery life? As we've continued testing AMD's Ryzen 5 2500U APU over the past few days, we've been confronted with the problem of comparing battery life across laptops with different screen sizes. Many readers suggested that I should take each machine's internal display out of the picture by hooking them up to external monitors. The Tech Report

Announcing the initial release of Mozilla's open source speech recognition model and voice dataset With the holiday, gift-giving season upon us, many people are about to experience the ease and power of new speech-enabled devices. Technical advancements have fueled the growth of speech interfaces through the availability of machine learning tools, resulting in more Internet-connected products that can listen and respond to us than ever before. Mozilla

Artificial muscles give soft robots superpowers Soft robotics has made leaps and bounds over the last decade as researchers around the world have experimented with different materials and designs to allow once rigid, jerky machines to bend and flex in ways that mimic and can interact more naturally with living organisms. However, increased flexibility and dexterity has a trade-off of reduced strength, as softer materials are generally not as strong or resilient as inflexible ones, which limits their use. Wyss Institute

Underscores, optimization & arms races This is all ancient tech history now, but content management systems used to be one of those competitive markets that tech people watched avidly. (CMSes are the tools people use to publish stuff on the Internet --- Medium, where you're reading right now, is one, and some of the big ones people use today are WordPress or Drupal.) Medium

New study finds that most Redditors don't actually read the articles they vote on It's probably not at all surprising that most content posted to Reddit is voted on more or less blindly. I'll cop to liking articles that friends have shared on Facebook without reading, let alone evaluating them. I'd say there's even sort of an aggregation myth that pervades our view of social media, that buried within discussions of fake news and social media corporate responsibility is this assumption that people are actually reading the articles... Motherboard.Vice

Firms team up on hybrid electric plane technology Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens are to develop hybrid electric engine plane technology as part of a push towards cleaner aviation. The E-Fan X programme will first put an electric engine with three jet engines on a BAe 146 aircraft. The firms want to fly a demonstrator version of the plane by 2020, with a commercial application by 2025. BBC

You had to be there There's a question going around on Twitter, courtesy of the writer Matt Whitlock: "Without revealing your actual age, what's something you remember that if you told a younger person they wouldn't understand?" This simple query has received, at this date, 18,000 responses. Here is just a tiny selection... The Atlantic

Open source innovation is now all about vendor on-ramps In the enterprise world, open source has long been a bit tentative. Starting in the early 2000s, various vendors started contributing bits and pieces of code, careful not to give away anything too valuable, all while hoping for positive marketing effect. It was, as Stephen Walli wrote in 2007, a matter of gifting complementary technology to secure potential customers' interest in the core of your business. InfoWorld

MIT's new desktop 3D printer technology increases speeds up to 10x There are plenty of reasons desktop 3D printing never really took off with consumers. Speed isn't the main one, but it's certainly up there. If you've ever attempted to print anything larger than a penny, you know that, as a late, great philosopher once said, the waiting is the hardest part. Tech Crunch

Behind the scenes at Xerox Parc's futures day---40 years ago When we look back at history making tech demos, first on the list is typically Doug Engelbart's 1968 "Mother of All Demos" that introduced windows, video conferencing, and the mouse. Next on the list? How about Xerox Parc's "Futures Day"? Futures Day wasn't widely recognized before last month, but thanks to a couple of 40-year-commemorations, it is claiming its place in history. IEEE Spectrum (Xerox PARC: A Nod to the Minds Behind the GUI, Ethernet, Laser Printing, and More)

The best monitor for programming: A cheap 40 4K TV I used to have a 28 4K monitor, but everything was too small and I hated it and never used it. Recently I picked up a 40 4K TV, the Sceptre U415CV-UM, for under $300 and, with a few minutes of work, some adapters, and a pair of yoga blocks, it works great with both my laptop and my Hackintosh. This is truly an awesome setup and it costs less than my previous, smaller monitor. Weird huh? Mason Simon (also, Using a 4K TV as a Desktop Monitor)

Google's artificial intelligence built an AI that outperforms any made by humans In May 2017, researchers at Google Brain announced the creation of AutoML, an artificial intelligence (AI) that's capable of generating its own AIs. More recently, they decided to present AutoML with its biggest challenge to date, and the AI that can build AI created a "child" that outperformed all of its human-made counterparts. Futurism (also, Building the hardware for the next generation of artificial intelligence)

The $80 power supply for almost everyone: The Corsair TX550M 80Plus Gold PSU Review Corsair started off as a high-performance computer memory manufacturer, but they evolved into one of the largest and most recognizable companies in the consumer PC market. Today the company markets an immense variety of products, including practically everything short of motherboards and processors. AnandTech

Some brilliant Toronto residents fixed this intersection with chalk and leaves Where Regal Road and Springmount Avenue meet in Toronto, there's quite a bit of pavement, and, importantly, all-way stop signs. The problem is that not a lot of drivers stop, probably in part because of all that space, and because it's a rush-hour alternative to busy streets nearby. Some residents recently took it into their own hands to change that. Jalopnik

The poor man's 3D camera Each of us have our own giants to face. This is a story about one of my giants. Something I never imagined could make a grown man cry, until it did. A 3D camera. No one can face your giants for you. This is a story, not a walkthrough. Expect no useful information. For that I recommend 50 Game Camera Mistakes by thatgamecompany's John Nesky. His job title is literally "camera designer". Evan Todd

Vision kit This project lets you build an image recognition device that can see and identify objects, powered by TensorFlow's machine learning models. All you need is a Raspberry Pi Zero W, a Raspberry Pi Camera 2, and a blank SD card. A free Android app is coming soon to help you easily control your device. AIY Projects
The Peruvian president considers that this complaint represents the beginning of a new type of coup d'etat. | Read More
SANTA CLARA, Calif."It's not just about the cake." If there is one point on which the parties in the Masterpiece Bakeshop appeal can agree, it is that baker Jack C. Phillips' refusal to take a wedding cake order from Charlie Craig and David Mullins engendered concerns far beyond the culinary.

The baker made clear his religious objection to same-sex unions; in fact, he had once declined to sell cupcakes to a lesbian couple for a commitment ceremony.

Craig and Mullins filed a complaint with the state civil rights commission under its public accommodations law, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.

The act prohibits businesses such as the Masterpiece Bakeshop from discriminating against their customers on the basis of multiple categories: "disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry."

The act aims to protect "the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation."

The Colorado Civil Rights Commission ruled that Phillips's denial of the couple's request was discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Phillips and the Masterpiece Bakeshop appealed unsuccessfully to the Colorado Supreme Court, arguing that his rights to freedom of speech and religion should require an exemption from the act's reach.

On Dec. 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in this high-profile case. The court should rule against Phillips and the Masterpiece Bakeshop. Here are a few thoughts about why the free speech and religion claims fail to persuade based on these facts.

First, it is helpful to take a close look at the language above from the Colorado law, for it is structured in a way quite similar to public accommodations laws on both the federal and state levels.

The concept of public accommodations laws emerged over a half-century ago to address pervasive and degrading exclusion on the basis of race and ethnicity; their purpose is to require fair treatment by entities that hold themselves out to the public for business.

When a state law specifies that businesses may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, that law is underscoring the compelling nature of the government's interest in forbidding biased conduct.

Second, while it is true that Phillips is as entitled to freedom of speech and religion as any of us, he fails to explain why this conduct-based civil rights law should allow individuals to create an exception for themselves in providing "goods, services, facilities..." on an equal basis to their customers.

Phillips is still free to speak his mind and exercise his religious beliefs; the state is not coercing him to change his beliefs or his expression.

Moreover, this is not a case in which Phillips was compelled or even asked to provide a message or endorsement of same-sex marriage. Commercially sold wedding cakes, however artistically designed or expressively baked, are not generally assumed to convey religious or other approval of a couple. If that were the case, the wedding cake industry might drop precipitously.

Phillips contends that his position is not discriminatory because he is willing to provide other goods to his LGBT customers, just not their wedding cakes. But civil rights history and Supreme Court precedent have emphasized that selective and discretionary enforcement of civil rights laws is basically nonenforcement.

Finally, to those who are wondering, "It's just a cake. Why would you want someone who is against same-sex marriage to make an LGBT couple's wedding cake?"  I reiterate the point on which both sides agree: "It's not just about the cake."
Joy Reid. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Spike

Being a human in 2017 means that every single fact about you likely exists somewhere on the internet, and if youve ever done something tasteless or reprehensible that youve tried to hide, evidence of that offense could surface at any time. Joy Reid is currently reckoning with this truth, as a Twitter user dug up internet archives of the MSNBC hosts blog, unearthing crass homophobic jokes.

Mediaite reports that the posts come from her now-defunct blog, the Reid Report, which she ran while simultaneously writing for the Miami Herald. According to Twitter user @Jamie_Maz, who accessed the blog using internet archiving service Wayback Machine, Reid wrote 12 bigoted blogs between 2007 and 2009, in which she attacked former Florida governor Charlie Crist and referred to him as Miss Charlie a total of 17 times.

1/x From 2007 to 2009 @joyannreid authored a dozen homophobic posts not only attempting to out Charlie Crist as gay, she attacked & mocked him for being so.



She repeatedly referred to him as "Miss Charlie" and tagged posts about him under "gay politicians." (thread) pic.twitter.com/tRYvJ3lTc8  Peter Daou is good (@Jamie_Maz) November 30, 2017

While rumors about Crists sexual orientation have circulated, he has always denied them. However, that didnt stop Reid from labeling blogs about him with the tag gay politicians and spreading the conspiracy theory. In one deplorable post, she asserted that Crist likely spent his honeymoon wishing he were with a male waiter instead of his wife.

3/x She makes a joke about John McCain "tapping" Crist, says Crist spent his honeymoon ogling male waiters and thinking about how he didn't want to see his wife naked, and mocked Crist's big gay wedding. pic.twitter.com/KmWxJymc3J  Peter Daou is good (@Jamie_Maz) November 30, 2017

I can just see poor Charlie on the honeymoon, ogling the male waiters and thinking to himself, god, do I actually have to see her naked  ? she wrote. Reid also published a blog in which she suggested that Crist only married a woman because it wouldve somehow helped him become John McCains running mate in the 2008 presidential election.

Reid, who frequently tries to smear Bernie Sanders supporters and progressives as the real bigots, apologized in a statement provided to the Wrap, which is excerpted here:

Let me be clear: at no time have I intentionally sought to demean or harm the LGBT community, which includes people whom I deeply love. My goal, in my ham-handed way, was to call out potential hypocrisy.

Nonetheless, as someone who is not a member of the LGBT community, I regret the way I addressed the complex issue of the closet and speculation on a persons sexual orientation with a mocking tone and sarcasm. It was insensitive, tone deaf and dumb. There is no excusing it  not based on the taste-skewing mores of talk radio or the then-blogosphere, and not based on my intentions.

In addition to friends and coworkers and viewers, I deeply apologize to Congressman Crist, who was the target of my thoughtlessness. My critique of anti-LGBT positions he once held but has since abandoned was legitimate in my view. My means of critiquing were not.

In the years since I went from blogger to opinion journalist, I have also learned, through brilliant friends and allies in the LGBT activist community, how to better frame my critiques of those who challenge peoples right to love who they want, marry them, and walk in the world as fully free people.

Re-reading those old blog posts, I am disappointed in myself. I apologize to those who also are disappointed in me. Life can be humbling. It often is. But I hope that you know where my heart is, and that I will always strive to use my words for good. I know better and I will do better.

You can read the full statement here.

This post was updated after Reid issued her apology.
Josephine Baker, 192526. Photo: Adolf de Meyer

This week the Metropolitan Museum of Art will open a photography exhibition by Adolf de Meyer, Vogues first-ever staff photographer. He worked there with an additional contract at Vanity Fair from 1914-1921. As a portraitist, he became famous for images of people like entertainer Josephine Baker, Queen Mary, and socialite Rita de Acosta Lydig. And like a true member of the 1920s socialite scene, he boldly reinvented himself and his origin story: He said he was born in Paris, but he was actually born in Germany. He apparently added the de in his name for a certain je ne sais quoi. And he started calling himself Baron Adolf de Meyer after his wife Olga claimed she was the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales.

After Conde Nast, de Meyer returned to Paris to work at Harpers Bazaar and photographed the eras elegance until the 1930s, when his Pictorialist approach was deemed old-fashioned. World War II pushed him back to the U.S., and when he died in Hollywood in 1946, he was virtually unknown. The Mets exhibit includes 40 de Meyer photographs from the museums collection and opens December 4. Click ahead for a preview.

Quicksilver Brilliance: Adolf de Meyer Photographs is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from December 4 to March 18, 2018.

Photo: Adolf de Meyer

Rita de Acosta Lydig, ca. 1917

Platinum print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Mercedes de Acosta, 1952 (68.615).

Photo: Adolph de Meyer

Plate from Le Prelude a lApres-Midi dun Faune, 1914

Collotype. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gilman Collection, Museum Purchase, 2005 (2005.100.1299).

Photo: Adolf de Meyer

The Shadows on the Wall, Crysanthemums, ca. 1906

Platinum Print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 1933 (33.43.231).

Photo: Adolf de Meyer

Josephine Baker, 192526

Gum Bichromate Over Platinum Print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987 (1987.1100.16).

Photo: Adolf de Meyer

Etienne de Beaumont, ca. 1923

Gelatin Silver Print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Paul F. Walter, 2009.
Harvey Weinstein. Photo: John Phillips/Getty Images

While he ended up hiring private security agencies to do the job, Harvey Weinstein allegedly tried to pay a gossip writer last December to find out which of his 80-plus accusers were talking to the press, according to Page Six.

The writer Weinstein approached is A.J. Benza, former New York Daily News gossip columnist, who recounted the story on Heather McDonalds Juicy Scoop podcast. Benza said that, last December, Weinstein asked him to meet at Los Angeless Peninsula Hotel, where the media mogul reportedly said that New York magazine was trying to do a Bill Cosby on him. Benza said that Weinstein then offered to pay him $20,000 a month to dig up dirt on his accusers by pretending to be writing a book that slams Weinstein.

While people who had previously worked in Israeli intelligence were interested in the job, Benza was not.
6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Coast of Ecuador

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Ecuador on Sunday morning, according to U.S. officials.

President Lenin Moreno told The Associated Press there were no reports of damage or injuries. It was felt in 12 provinces across the country, and its coming about a year after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit and killed more than 600 people.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 15.5 miles and was centered in the town San Vicente and about 12 miles from Bahia de Caraquez. Its located about 220 miles from the capital, Quito.

Former President Rafael Correa tweeted: Strong quake in San Vicente and the bay. I hope everything is okay.

Fuerte temblor en San Vicente y Bahia. Ojala todo este bien.

Vamos Manabi!

Aca en Esmeraldas tambien se sintio fuertemente.

Me recuerda los momentos mas duros de mi Presidencia.

Animo!  Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) December 3, 2017

Here in Esmeraldas it was also felt strongly, he added. It reminds me of harder times in my presidency.

Ecuador is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the worlds most seismically active region. The ring is a chain of active volcanoes and earthquake-prone spots running around the Pacific Ocean. The USGS estimates that about 90 percent of the worlds earthquakes occur along the ring.

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Earthquake Detected Near North Korea Nuclear Test Site

An earthquake was registered in North Korea on Saturday, several miles from the controversial Punggye-ri nuclear site, according to reports.

The most recent nuclear test carried out by the North Korean regime was at the Punggye-ri nuclear site on Sept. 3.

The Korea Meteorological Administration confirmed that a 2.5-magnitude quake hit Kilju, North Hamgyeong Province, UPI reported.

Kilju is a rocky area where natural earthquakes normally do not occur. However, the quake could have been caused by geological changes created from the recent nuclear explosion, said an agency official, according to UPI.

Since the Sept. 3 test, four earthquakes have been detected near the site.

The quake is a natural one and it is believed to have occurred in the aftermath of the sixth nuclear test, the KMA said, The Independent reported.

The incident comes several days after Pyongyang fired a missile toward Japan, and officials said the latest test can put Washington D.C. within range.

South Koreas Ministry of Defense said the Hwasong-15 missile tested on Wednesday was a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which can fly over 8,080 miles, placing Washington within target range, Reuters reported.

The test prompted a warning from the United States that North Koreas leadership would be utterly destroyed if war were to break out, a statement that drew sharp criticism from Russia.

Pyongyang has said its Wednesday missile test was a breakthrough and leader Kim Jong Un said the country had finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force.

After North Korea released video footage and photographs of Hwasong-15, U.S. based experts said it appeared North Korea was indeed capable of delivering a nuclear weapon anywhere in the United States and could only be two or three tests away from being combat ready.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTONAs the Dec. 5 oral argument date for his case grows near, the drumbeat proclaiming Jack Phillips must be forced to create a same-sex wedding cake against his conscience grows louder.

The most important consideration in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, we are told, is eliminating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Finally, the state and its defenders claim, the emotional harm felt by prospective customers upon hearing someone disagrees with their actions for religious reasons cannot be tolerated either.

Yet none of what we are being told here is true. First, no "discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation" has occurred in this case at all.

Jack, who owns and operates Masterpiece, is not opposed to serving people who identify as homosexual; he simply objects to the celebration for which he is asked to create a cake  the same-sex wedding.

This becomes even clearer when we understand that Jack will not create a wedding cake for two men even if they claim a heterosexual orientation, but will create a cake for a wedding between a man and a woman despite them identifying as homosexual.

Thus, Jack is not acting based on the sexual orientation of his prospective customers; he's only opposed to what they are celebrating, and asking to not be forced to be a part of it.

This is a reasonable stance, and indeed, most people agree with Jack Phillips: 68 percent of Americans recently surveyed said a baker should not be required to create a custom wedding cake for a same-sex ceremony.

The reason for this is simple: The cost of protecting this freedom is minimal, only entailing some offense on the part of the prospective customers, who will now have to go elsewhere to find a cake  most couples inquire with multiple shops anyway  for their wedding ceremony.

The two men who initiated the legal case against Jack could have visited any one of 67 other bakeries in the Denver area willing to create their cake, including one only a tenth of a mile from Masterpiece.

Instead, they filed complaints against Jack with the state, which followed up by suing him. But in light of all these providers happy to create the cake, is it really necessary to force Jack Phillips to be the one to do so?

The would-be customers, after getting over their offense at Jack's beliefs, could have traveled 500 feet down the street to obtain their cake from someone happy to provide it.

Instead, they want to force Jack Phillips to create it  meanwhile, they had already obtained one free of charge from another bakery by the time they filed charges against Jack.

Unfortunately, this coercion comes with the heavy price of forcing Jack to violate his conscience or shutting down wedding cake operations and possibly going out of business.

At a recent practice oral argument, the American Civil Liberties Union claimed that this case is about "full and equal participation in civic life," and if Jack wants to say "God blesses this union" for any wedding, he must be forced to say it for all weddings.

Yet if those who want the government to punish Masterpiece get their way, Jack and many like him around the country will themselves be excluded from full and equal participation in civic life.

Allowing religious business owners to continue to operate their businesses according to their deeply held religious beliefs will not push those identifying as homosexual out of society. However, forcing business owners to violate their beliefs could force many religious individuals out of the marketplace.

The Supreme Court should keep this in mind as it decides this case in the upcoming months.
Brock Turner, a former Stanford University swimmer will be release from jail on Sept. 2. (Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office)

Ex-Stanford Swimmer Brock Turner Appeals Assault Conviction

A former Stanford University swimmer found guilty of sexual assault in California has appealed his conviction after serving a sentence that many condemned as an example of how the justice system fails to take such crimes seriously enough.

Brock Turner, then 19, was arrested in 2015 after two of his fellow students at the Northern California university saw him outside of a fraternity house on top of an unconscious woman. He was convicted of sexual assault the following year.

After serving three months of a six-month sentence, Turner was released early for good behavior. He had to register as a sex offender in his home state of Ohio last year, after leaving Stanford.

Turners lawyer, Eric Multhaup, said in papers filed on Friday in a California appeals court that a prosecutor in the trial incorrectly told jurors the sexual assault occurred behind a trash bin.

The woman Turner was convicted of sexually assaulting was found near a garbage enclosure but not behind a trash bin, according to the appeal. Multhaup said that implying otherwise gave the impression Turner tried to hide his activities with the woman.

The appeal comes as a surprise because political leaders, local residents and social media users had criticized Turners sentence as too lenient, rather than too harsh.

The 172-page appeal requests that the conviction be overturned and that Turner receive a new trial. But if he is convicted again, he could face a longer prison sentence.

In an email, Multhaup declined to comment beyond the court filing.

Brock Turner received a fair trial and was justly convicted, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen told the San Jose Mercury News. His conviction will be upheld.

The sentence the judge gave Turner stoked intense debate about rape on U.S. college campuses.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky faces a recall effort over the six-month sentence he handed down.

Turners appeal also took aim at Persky, saying he erred by not instructing jurors to consider charges less serious than sexual assault and by not allowing testimony from character witnesses.

A representative for Persky could not be reached for comment.

Persky, in a statement on a website to fight the recall effort, said in his former career as a prosecutor he saw how sexual assault could destroy victims lives.

When I became a judge, my role changed  I am required to consider both sides, Persky said in the statement. California law requires every judge to consider rehabilitation and probation for first-time offenders.

In response to the Turner case, California lawmakers last year passed legislation to broaden the states legal definition of rape and mandate prison if the victim was unconscious.
First Baby Born in US From Woman With Uterus Transplant in Texas

In the first case ever for the United States, a woman who had a uterus transplant has given birth in Texas.

The woman, who had been born without a uterusgave birth to the baby boy last month at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She received a transplant from the center, according to a video posted by the hospital.

Craig Civale, a hospital spokesman confirmed on Friday, Dec. 1 that the birth was successful but gave no other details. The families identity was not revealed due to privacy reasons, according to the New York Times.

The birth is a first for the United States. A few years ago one was achieved in Sweden, according to CBS News.

This first live birth to a uterus transplant recipient in the United States was a milestone in our work to solve absolute uterine factor infertility; but, more importantly, a beautiful moment of love and hope for a mother who had been told she would never be able to carry her own child said Dr. Giuliano Testa, the principal investigator of the clinical trial.

In Sweden, eight other babies have been successfully born to women who had uterus transplants at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg.

The New York Times reports that an estimated 50,000 women are born without a uterus or who had to get it removed due to cancer or other complications.

Remarkable achievement in the field of medicine  doctors in Dallas deliver first baby born of a uterus transplant. https://t.co/sYpZeU3kCQ Credit: @bswhealth pic.twitter.com/IA0rDw6nuE  Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) December 1, 2017

The transplants are supposed to be temporary only, placed for enough time for the woman to have one or two children before removal. The time is limited since the woman will have to take immune-suppressing drugs to prevent organ rejection.

Penn Medicine in Philadelphia announced last month that they would also start to offer womb transplants, CBS News reported.

Baylor hospital had a study running for years to enroll up to ten women for uterus transplants. In 2015 the hospital said that four women had received the transplant, but three of the wombs had to be removed due to poor blood flow.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine issued a statement Friday calling the Dallas birth another important milestone in the history of reproductive medicine.

For women born without a functioning uterus, transplantation represents the only way they can carry a pregnancy, the statement said. The group is convening experts to develop guidelines for programs that want to offer this service.

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From NTD.tv
John Gomes, 51, accidently burned down three buildings and damaged at least two dozen others while trying to forge a medieval weapon in his back yard. (Handout photo)

Forged in Fire Becomes Destroyed by Fire as Amateur Bladesmith Torches Neighborhood

A man pretending to be a medieval blacksmith started a multiple-alarm fire in upstate New York, which damaged or destroyed 32 buildings.

John A. Gomes, 51, of Cohoes, New York, was trying to forge a medieval weapon using a fire he started in a barrel in a lot near his home at 228 Remsen St., Gomes. he was imitating a History Channel television series Forged in Fire where contestants make swords, spears, and axes out of random metal, sometimes using open, coal-fired forges.

Fire fighters battle multistructure fire in Cohoes. pic.twitter.com/KtvWDZkpBs  Lori Van Buren (@curleypic) November 30, 2017

The fire spread, whipped by 30 mph winds, spread quickly through the densely built-up neighborhood, completely destroying at least three apartment buildings and damaging more than two dozen others. The damage is expected to reach into the millions of dollars.

It is the worst disaster the city has ever seen, Mayor Shawn Morse said at an evening press conference.

You have close buildings, you have balloon construction, you have the wind, you have a lot of different variables, Morse said. Now we know that a small fire gets out of hand and becomes a big fire, and weve got millions of dollars in damage and three blocks of destruction.

Gomes was charged with felony counts of reckless endangerment and arson. He is free on $15,000 bail.

Christopher Ritchey of the Albany County Public Defenders Office, is representing Gomes. My client is a father of two and a hardworking plumber, Ritchey told the Albany Times-Union. This was an unfortunate, terrible accident, not a crime.

Assistant Police Chief Tom Ross said the fire had been started unintentionally, the World Bulletin reported.

The man charged with arson and reckless endangerment in the Cohoes fires has been released from jail on bail: https://t.co/0y9nYuHRsq  Heather Kovar (@CBS6Heather) December 2, 2017

Gomes has lived in Cohoes since 1998. He has two children.

Gomess 16-year-old son John Jr. also spoke out in his fathers defense. My father John Gomes didnt mean to burn his house down, the son said on Facebook.

Gomes s son pointed out that their entire family had lost everything they owned, and their home. The only thing firemen had been able to save was the family dog.

Everything Went Wrong

Open flames are not permitted within city limits, Mayor Shawn Morse told the Times-Union.

We often tell people we dont allow open burns in the city and they often say, Whats the worst that could happen?' Morse said.

Well, this open burn just caused millions of dollars of damage and destroyed half our downtown.

Morse, a firefighter himself for 26 years, was well acquainted with the risks of flying embers in a tightly packed neighborhood full of old, dry, wooden buildings.

I have seen fires start in a little spot in the house where the person tried to put it out, and by the time firefighters get there, four rooms are burning, said Mayor Morse told the Times-Union.

It starts because mother nature and fire combined at times make it almost impossible to get ahead of it.

The high wind spread flaming embers throughout the tightly clustered apartment buildings on Remsen Street. Once the embers ignited whatever they lit upon, the winds fanned the flames, making the fire hotter.

Crews from multiple fire departments are battling a major fire on Remsen Street. https://t.co/w6lafNj5vr pic.twitter.com/2IrQyMLBGG  CBS 6 Albany  WRGB (@CBS6Albany) November 30, 2017

The balloon framing Mayor Morse mentioned added to the fires rapid spread. Balloon-framed houses have open channels running from floor to the rooftop, which can spread the fire as if being sucked up a chimney.

Had Gomes tried his metal-crafting on a windless day, he might have actually made a medieval-style blade. Instead, he created a disaster, which has hurt his family and all of his neighbors.

#NEW: we're back on scene in Cohoes where massive flames took over Remsen St last night  the mayor tells me it now looks like *26* buildings were damaged. Again, NO injuries, amazingly. We'll have live team coverage on this at noon @CBS6Albany pic.twitter.com/RiTTpiuJK8  Lynzi DeLuccia (@CBS6Lynzi) December 1, 2017

Homes and Possessions Engulfed in Flames

At least 20 people were left homeless by the fire.

Bethany Bejian and Mike Ferris lived in a second-floor apartment at 226 Remsen St., in the building next to the Gomes family. From the time they first saw flames shooting past their windows they had a minute and a half to flee.

The couple managed to rescue their two dogsJackson and Zeus. They could not find their pet cat before the flames forced them from their home.

We just moved in a week and a half ago, said Bejian. Everything we had was in there.

So proud of the outpouring of support from the Capital Region community to the fire-ravaged city of Cohoes. Cohoes Bowling Arena creates these tees to raise money for victimsall kinds of donations flood in. Mayor says all displaced have been helped. pic.twitter.com/osYugN421T  Liz Bishop (@CBS6_LizB) December 2, 2017

Matt Eisler-Monti told the Times-Union that she saw sheets of flame in front of her apartment window. She, her husband, and their pets all escaped.

Matt Eisler-Monti said Gomes should know better than to do that near a home in a city.

I dont know what we would do if we lost our apartment. Im just glad were OK.

Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse says Cohoes is "resilient" with great community support. Hundreds of offers from people willing to donate $, Xmas presents, clothes, shelter. Morse says "That's the best of Cohoes at the worst of times". pic.twitter.com/znEdIq84jE  Liz Bishop (@CBS6_LizB) December 1, 2017

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Golden Krust on Park Avenue in the Bronx (Screenshot via Google Maps)

Golden Krust Founder and CEO Found Dead Inside Bronx Factory in Suspected Suicide

Lowell Hawthorne, the CEO and founder of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, has died of an apparent suicide on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 3.

Hawthorne, 57, shot himself inside his factory located at Park Ave. building near E. 173rd St. in Claremont, reported Daily News citing police sources.

He emigrated from Jamaica to the United States and is well known for his restaurant franchise chain selling Jamaican beef patties. Hawthorne opened his first store on East Gun Hill Road in the Bronx in 1989, according to the Golden Krust website.

The news about his death has left many people in disbelief with many gathering outside the factory to pay their respects.

He was a good boss, humble and a good businessman. He never seemed sad. This is just terrible news right now. said Pete Tee, 27, a former employee told Daily News.

He was a nice boss, a wonderful guy, said Everald Woods, an employee since 2003 told the newspaper. Hes the kind of guy you want to work for, for that long. He takes care of his employees.

His death has also sent shockwaves through Jamaica. Jamaican prime minister, Andrew Holness, expressed his condolences after hearing the news.

My condolences to the friends, family and employees of Jamaica-born Lowell Hawthorne, CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill. He headed the largest Caribbean franchise chain in the US, with more than 120 stores. pic.twitter.com/PX9MpD2Mkg  Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) December 3, 2017

Hawthornes last post on social media was on Nov. 28 where he reflected on his struggle before his success in a short post.

According to an interview with A Plus, Hawthorne worked as an accountant for New York Police Department for about 10 years after coming to the United States.

Inspired by his father, who owned a bakery in Jamaica, Hawthorne first opened up his own bakery and grill business in his familys basement. With the help of over 40 family members including his wife, siblings, and their spouses, the restaurant chain spread to nine states across the United States with over 120 restaurants.

Hawthornes success story has been documented in his memoir, The Bakers Son which was published in 2012. He also starred in an episode of Undercover Boss earlier this year.

In 2000, he won the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year award from accounting firm Ernst & Young, reported The Gleaner.

Golden Krust became the first Caribbean-owned business in the U.S. to be granted a franchise license, according to its website. Its mission is to provide the taste of the Carribean to the world.

Its a very humbling experience to know that the concept that began in Jamaica with our parents was able to come here, Hawthorne told the Daily News back in 2012.

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Investigation of Banking Executives Exposes Widespread Corruption

String of scandals comes as Chinas companies open up to more foreign ownership

China recently opened its financial system to more foreign ownership, allowing foreign investors to take controlling interests in Chinese securities firms and insurance companies, among others. Despite the relaxation of ownership rules, the investment environment might not be favorable, given the recent spate of investigations that have led to Chinese banking executives getting sacked.

Cai Guohua, chairman of Hengfeng Bank, one of 12 joint stock commercial banks in China, is currently under investigation for serious violations of Party disciplinean oft-used euphemism for corruptionreported Chinese business news publication Caixin on Nov. 28.

Cai was also stripped of his other position, as the banks Party secretary, according to state mouthpiece Xinhua. In the interim, he will be replaced by Wang Hua, the former secretary general of Shandong Province.

The news follows a string of scandals last year surrounding top executives at the bank. First, an embezzlement scandal revealed that Luan Yongtai, then head of Hengfeng, had siphoned off 21 million yuan (about $3.18 million). Luan then outed Cai for taking 38 million yuan (about $5.74 million) via the companys bonus system, giving himself a higher salary and bonus without approval from either the board of directors or shareholders, according to Chinese news portal Sina.

Then, Chinese business publication Caixin exposed that Cai, who was formerly the vice mayor of Yantai, a city in Shandong Province, had illegally moved 43 billion yuan (about $6.5 billion) of the banks trust funds to shell companies, in an attempt to wrestle control of the bank away from Yantais State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which was the largest shareholder of Hengfeng at the time.

Though Luan was stripped of his position in December 2016, Cai seemed to have dodged legal punishment until now.

The corruption at Hengfeng Bank was hardly an isolated incident. In February, Yang Dongping, Party committee member and chief risk officer of the Bank of Communications, one of Chinas largest banks, was disciplined with shuangkai, being stripped of his Party membership and public office position (as chief risk officer).

The Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) anti-corruption watchdog agency, the Central Commission of Discipline and Inspection (CCDI), found that Yang had illegally provided loans for private business owners and pocketed money for himself and his relatives, according to Peoples Net, the online version of the regime mouthpiece Peoples Daily.

At Bank of Inner Mongoliaa state-owned commercial bank with total assets of 118.6 billion yuan (about $17.9 billion)former deputy head Yan Cheng was expelled from the Party in April, after the CCDIs investigation found that he had embezzled public funds and accepted bribes, the CCDIs website said.

Chairmen and CEOs of state-owned and joint-stock banks are considered senior Party members and hold ministerial and vice-ministerial ranks within the Party hierarchy. Generally, the chairman or CEO also serves as the banks Party secretary in charge of the banks Party organization, which discusses central policies and Party ideology.

Cai Guohua, chairman of Hengfeng Bank, is currently under investigation for serious violations of Party disciplinean oft-used euphemism for corruption.

In May, Yang Jiacai, an assistant to Guo Shuqing, the current chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, was fired after he was found to have accepted bribes and to have illegally used his position to help his son with his business.

In August, Li Changjun, former head of Export-Import Bank of Chinas Beijing branch, was stripped of his Party membership and dismissed from his position, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency, after he was found guilty of bribery and trading sex for political favors. The bank, one of the three institutional banks in China chartered to implement state policies, is subordinate to the CCPs State Council.

Also in August, Yao Zhongmin, vice president and deputy chief of the Party committee at the China Development Bankanother bank under the jurisdiction of the State Councilwas sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined 3.5 million yuan ($528,920), according to Xinhua, for helping his related entities obtain loans, while illegally accepting bribes totaling 36.19 million yuan (about $5.47 million).

In September, Wang Jianhua, Party secretary of the Bank of Jiangsua regional commercial bank with assets totaling 1,563 billion yuan (about $236 billion)was expelled from the Party after he was found to have illegally purchased houses at low prices, accepted bribes, and engaged in inappropriate relationships with two women, according to the CCDIs website.

The corruption at Hengfeng Bank was hardly an isolated incident.

On Nov. 6, Lin Xiaoxuan, chief information officer at China Minsheng Bankthe first joint-stock commercial bank established in 1996 and owned mostly by nongovernment enterpriseswas expelled from the Party, according to the CCDIs website, after he was found to have accepted bribes and illegally helped others to obtain financial benefits.

Rampant corruption might not be the only concern for foreign financial institutions seeking to invest in China. Recently, Bloomberg warned against more foreign ownership of Chinas financial firms, calling Chinas opening up a trap, since the countrys economy is slowing down.

And while youre here

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Missing Army Veteran and Her Dog Found in Shallow Grave, Police Say

The case of a missing Army Veteran that gained national attention has come to a close after the remains of her body and her dog were found in a shallow grave on Friday, Dec. 1, Fox5 San Diego reported.

The bodies of Julia Jacobson and her box terrier dog, Boogie, were both found in a rural area inside Riverside County, California, the womans brother told Fox5.

Julias brother, Jon Jacobson said he received the news Friday morning during Julias funeral.

The church was absolutely packed and halfway through the service, we got a call from the detective in San Diego letting us know her remains had been found and they were quite confident it was her, he told Fox5 San Diego.

Police said they used a cadaver dog to help locate the shallow grave that was found just south of Interstate 10.

Although investigators have not fully confirmed the identities of the bodies, the brother said that detectives told family members they found them.

Julia was last seen in Ontario back on Sept. 2. Her friends said she had served two tours in Iraq. Her SUV was found abandoned with the keys still inside it on Sept. 7 in North Park, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Ontario police said they found evidence that led them to believe she was murdered.

Julias ex-husband, Dalen Ware was arrested at his home on Oct. 13 and is facing a murder charge.

Wares attorney told the San Diego Union-Tribune in an email that he voluntarily showed police the place he had buried (Jacobsen), without any talks of a plea bargain or promise of leniency.

According to court records obtained by the San Diego Union-Tribune, Ware and Julia were married early in 2014 before they separated in March 2016.

Julia was the one who filed for divorce.

As of writing, authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind the presumed murder.

In a Facebook post, Julias friend, Barbara Morichelli, wrote that she can now be peacefully laid to rest. She said Julia inspired others to be their best and actively volunteered in organizations for veterans and their families.

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Photo released on Nov. 30 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows launching of the Hwasong-15 missile, which is capable of reaching all parts of the United States. (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP/Getty Images)

North Korean Missile Likely Broke Up on Re-entry, US Official Says

A missile that North Korea claimed had the range to hit targets anywhere in the United States most likely broke up as it re-entered the earths atmosphere, a U.S. official said on Saturday, Dec. 2, reported Fox.

The official also reportedly said that a search is underway by nations allied with the United States to recover what is left of the warhead after it fell into the sea near the Japanese coast on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

The announcement suggests that even if the missile could reach the U.S. mainland, it would fracture on its way down and be incapable of hitting its target.

The apparently encouraging news comes in the wake of renewed concerns about North Koreas nuclear strike capability as the rogue nation broke a two-month pause in weapons testing with the launch of its most powerful ICBM yet, dubbed the Hwasong-15.

The ICBM Hwasong-15 type weaponry system is an intercontinental ballistic rocket tipped with super-large heavy warhead. which is capable of striking the whole mainland of the U.S, North Koreas Central News Agency, a mouth piece of the communist party, said on Nov. 29. According to North Korean state media the ICBM flew for 53 minutes and reached heights of nearly 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers).

While a technical analysis of the missiles flight is still pending, the U.S. official said it had problems with re-entry.

According to Fox, South Korean military intelligence has carried out an assessment of the test launch and communicated its findings to the United States.

President Moon Jae-in reportedly provided President Donald Trump with an update by phone on Thursday night, Nov. 30.

Seouls Office of the President stated on Friday, Dec. 1, that the two leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to increase pressure and sanctions on North Korea in order to check the regimes nuclear ambitions.

South Koreas Defense Ministry said on Friday that the Hwasong-15 missile was potentially capable of striking targets as far away as 8,100 miles (13,000 kilometers), putting Washington within reach.

Despite revelations about the reported fragmentation of the two-stage liquid-fuel missile, this latest development in North Koreas nuclear weapons program is concerning as it showcases an ability the regime previously didnt have. It also signals the regimes intent to develop weapons capable of attacking the United States.

While North Korea has threatened the U.S. mainland for months with nuclear weapons, intelligence and military experts said the regime lacked the ability to effectively deliver a nuclear warheadthis has now changed.

Following the ICBM missile test on Nov. 27, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said that the missiles North Korea is developing could threaten everywhere in the world.

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North Korea has admitted that it is using its nuclear weapons program as a way to pressure the United States and to protect its regime. Speaking at the White House following a 12-day Trip to Asia, Trump said on Nov. 15, We will not allow this twisted dictatorship to hold the world hostage to nuclear blackmail.

Since coming to office in January, Trump has taken a different approach from previous administrations to the North Korean issue.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis arrive for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Oct. 30, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Trump has vowed he will not accept North Korea putting American lives and interests at risk. He has said that the only solution to the crisis is a complete denuclearization of North Korea.

To put pressure on North Korea, Trump has threatened to use military force if the United States or its allies are threatened. He has vowed to build up the U.S. military and has made agreements with U.S. allies in the region to sell them high-quality American military equipment.

In addition, Trump has put pressure on China and Russia to help deal with the North Korean situation.

People watch a television broadcast on North Koreas latest missile launch, at a Seoul Railway Station on Nov. 29, 2017. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Trump met for hours in person with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a visit to China earlier this month.

On Thursday, Nov. 30, Trump said that an envoy China sent to North Korea shortly after the meeting hadnt yielded any results.

The Chinese Envoy, who just returned from North Korea, seems to have had no impact on Little Rocket Man, Trump wrote in a tweet.

Hard to believe his people, and the military, put up with living in such horrible conditions. Russia and China condemned the launch, he added.

The Chinese Envoy, who just returned from North Korea, seems to have had no impact on Little Rocket Man. Hard to believe his people, and the military, put up with living in such horrible conditions. Russia and China condemned the launch.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2017

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Officer Gives Speeding Ticket to Man Rushing Wife to Hospital to Deliver Baby

Abraham Steinfeld admits he wasnt watching the speedometer of his Toyota minivan too closely as he drove along Route 547 in Lakewood, New Jersey, on the night of Nov. 14.

Instead, he was watching the road  and his wife, who was about to deliver the couples child.

Steinfeld told The Lakewood Scoop that the couple had seen the doctor that day and had been told to get to the hospital in a hurry once labor began, because the baby will be born very quickly.

When his wife went into labor, Steinfeld loaded them into the Toyota and headed for Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. He was driving calmly, he told The Scoop, until his wife said she could feel the birth was getting closer.

I became quite frantic, so I automatically picked up speed, without realizing I was going way over the speed limit, he said.

Howell Police Officer Anthony Marotto saw the speeding minivan and set off after it. Steinfeld pulled over immediately, and as the officer approached the car, said, My wifes in advanced labor.

Officer Marotto went through a routine traffic stop, getting the drivers license and registration, then asking him to sit tight for a few minutes. You know you were doing almost 80 miles an hour, right?

Steinfeld said he pleaded with him to please make it fast as we are in an emergency, but he answered curtly, Sit tight.

Officer Marotto returned to his patrol car to run the license and registration. This process took almost ten minutes.

Halfway through this process, Steinfeld began gesticulating at the officer, motioning him to come back. While stranded, my wife reached a critical point, Steinfeld explained.

I immediately started calling out, officer, officer, and motioned with my hands, but he completely ignored me.

As Officer Marotto began to head back to the stopped minivan, Steinfeld leaned out the door and called, My wifes water just broke.

Officer Marotto immediately asked, Do you want me to have an ambulance come out here?

Steinfelds wife asked Officer Marotto to provide a police escort.

No, we dont do that. Thats what ambulances are for. Thats why youre not supposed to be driving that fast, Marotto replied.

He offered again to summon an ambulance, and the couple declined.

He offered again. They can at least follow you or take you up there your husband can follow you up in the car if you want to do that.

The couple refused. So, Officer Marotto handed the driver his speeding ticket, and sent them on their way  but before he did, officer Marotto told the couple, Listen  slow down because if you have an accident, you wont get to the hospital  especially tonight theres a lot of deer out tonight, okay?

Steinfeld called the doctor to update him, so a team of nurses was waiting when the Steinfelds arrived. The baby arrived very shortly after.

Controversy

When the Lakewood Scoop broke the story, most of the comments were against the officer.

Sam Smith posted, I would love to hear the officers take which justified his action.

Dogo added, Shame on that Howell police officer and shame on his commander if he does not reveiw and publicaly reprimand his actions!

Some readers had a different take on the incident.

Phil Stilton noted that 80MPH on that road is VERY dangerous, he could have let you continue on, but even an ambulance or police car wouldnt go that fast on that road so the ticket is rightfully deserved. You could have killed somebody, yourself, the baby, your wife, etc. Especially with all the bad paving jobs they just did on that road.

Another Scoop commenter, Abe, expressed, Everyone is getting bent out of shape based on the account of this supposed victim. If the facts are indeed as he claims why doesnt he present a full case, including body cam and dash cam footage.

My guess is that when he told the officer his predicament the officer offered to call an ambulance. In order to ward that off he told the officer that the situation was not that bad. Based on that the officer issued the ticket.

You cant have it both ways; it is either a medical emergency or it is not.

Although the situation sounds unpleasant, the fact is that the police have to follow procedure. They cannot have everyone they pull over claim a medical emergency.

Although his wife was in the car, the officer was not in a position to administer a pregnancy test or diagnose the direness of her situation.

He offered an ambulance. Once that is refused he must deal with the situation he sees before him. Otherwise where do we draw the line.

The Howell Police Department issued a statement saying, Both the operator of the vehicle, his pregnant wife and the officer were calm, respectful and courteous to one another.

We commend them [the Steinfelds] for their respectful demeanor under the circumstances.

However, the officer acted appropriately, and any suggestion that the officers conduct was improper, unprofessional or inhumane simply contradicts the video evidence.

We are happy to hear the occupants arrived safely at the hospital and had a successful delivery. We wish them the best.

Jim Bueermann, president of the national Police Foundation  a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit research organization  said, Police work is full of instances where police officers do things that are technically correct, theyre legally, by policy, correct, but they may not be as compassionate as they could have been or should have been.

Bueermann, who was also chief of police in Redlands, California from 1998 to 2011, said he could not speak to the Howell traffic stop specifically, but rather explained how officers can use their best judgment in the field.

Theres two kinds of discussions that departments have with their officers when they have done something. One is that, you know, follow policy and you did the right thing,' said Bueermann.

Another discussion might be, You followed policy, technically you did the right thing, but lets talk about other options you had available to you that might have had better outcomes.'

Bueermann said one option might have been to send the driver and his wife on their way with a warning to be careful, or to issue a written summons at a later date.

Bueermann emphasized that providing an escort was against department policy.

You open up a whole liability issue, he explained. The officer would have formed a special relationship with (the driver) that would have legal implications if they crash.

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A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. (U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo)

Pentagon Evaluating US West Coast Missile Defense Sites

SIMI VALLEY, Calif.The U.S. agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defenses, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Koreas missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.

West Coast defenses would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.

The accelerated pace of North Koreas ballistic missile testing program in 2017 and the likelihood the North Korean military could hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear payload in the next few years has raised the pressure on the U.S. government to build-up missile defenses.

On Wednesday, North Korea tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can fly over 8,080 miles (13,000 km), placing Washington within target range, South Korea said on Friday.

Congressman Mike Rogers, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee which oversees missile defense, said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), was aiming to install extra defenses at West Coast sites. The funding for the system does not appear in the 2018 defense budget plan indicating potential deployment is further off.

Its just a matter of the location, and the MDA making a recommendation as to which site meets their criteria for location, but also the environmental impact, the Alabama Congressman and Republican told Reuters during an interview on the sidelines of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California.

When asked about the plan, MDA Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon Hill said in a statement: The Missile Defense Agency has received no tasking to site the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System on the West Coast.

The MDA is a unit of the U.S. Defense Department.

Congressman Rogers did not reveal the exact locations the agency is considering but said several sites are competing for the missile defense installations.

Rogers and Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat representing the 9th District of Washington, said the government was considering installing the THAAD anti-missile system made by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp, at west coast sites.

The Congressmen said the number of sites that may ultimately be deployed had yet to be determined.

THAAD is a ground-based regional missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and takes only a matter of weeks to install.

In addition to the two THAAD systems deployed in South Korea and Guam in the Pacific, the U.S. has seven other THAAD systems. While some of the existing missiles are based in Fort Bliss, Texas, the system is highly mobile and current locations are not disclosed.

A Lockheed Martin representative declined to comment on specific THAAD deployments, but added that the company is ready to support the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. government in their ballistic missile defense efforts. He added that testing and deployment of assets is a government decision.

In July, the U.S. tested THAAD missile defenses and shot down a simulated, incoming intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The successful test adds to the credibility of the U.S. militarys missile defense program, which has come under intense scrutiny in recent years due in part to test delays and failures.

Currently, the continental U.S. is primarily shielded by the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system (GMD) in Alaska and California as well as the Aegis system deployed aboard U.S. Navy ships. The THAAD system has a far higher testing success rate than the GMD.

The MDA told Congress in June that it planned to deliver 52 more THAAD interceptors to the U.S. Army between October 2017 and September 2018, bringing total deliveries to 210 since May 2011.

North Koreas latest missile test puts the U.S. capital within range, but Pyongyang still needs to prove it has mastered critical missile technology, such as re-entry, terminal-stage guidance, and warhead activation, South Korea said on Friday.

By Mike Stone

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Police Ask Publics Help in Finding Missing 13-Year-Old Teenager

Police in Texas are asking for help from the public in locating a missing teenage girl.

Harris County Sheriff deputies believe 13-year-old Ashlee Kay Hattermann ran away from home on Friday, Dec. 1. The teenager is described as a 54 white female weighing 110 lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

She may be in the Rio Grande Valley area and headed to Mexico, the department said in a Facebook post.

On Saturday the girls frantic parents told WFAA that their daughter left school yesterday and believed she was headed to Mexico. Whats worse, the family says, is that they believe Ashlee was on her way to meet a man she had been talking to online and on the phone in the past year.

We found a note in her room, said Ashlees father Keith Hattermann. She calls the guy daddy and herself baby girl. [The note read] Daddy owns my body and my soul, over and over and over again down this sheet of paper.

Surveillance footage from a Greyhound bus stop in Katy, Texas, shows the teenager with an unknown woman.

The woman, who wishes to be anonymous, told WFAA that Ashlee talked to her on Friday and lied to her about her age before buying a bus ticket to Laredo.

I asked her how old she was; she said 18, the woman told WFAA She told me she was here all week, visiting her boyfriend. She told me that [her parents] lived in Laredo and that she had been up here to visit her boyfriend and she was trying to get back to her family.

The unnamed woman said she is emotional over the incident.

Im just devastated, Im so upset, the woman said. Im devastated for this little girl. Im devastated for her family.

The parents, Keith and Tiffany Hattermann, told WFAA they also found their daughter exchanging sexual images and messages through apps on her phone last May. They do not know how Ashlee purchased the phone.

We just feel helpless, Keith Hattermann said. We just want her back. We just want her safe.

The mother, Tiffany Hatterman, said her daughter told her last spring that she was communicating with a 29-year-old man who lives in Mexico.

The family turned over their daughters phone to the Cyber Crimes Division of the sheriffs office. They said they only found out yesterday from one of their daughters friends that Ashlee had been using the iPhone to communicate with someone in the Thornton Middle School library.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Harris County Sheriffs Office Missing Person/Runaway unit at 713-274-9210.

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Butte clinical therapist Renee Sanchez attended the fourth Bi-Annual Bhutan Counseling Conference in Thimphu, Bhutan, put on by Thunder Dragon Counseling Institute Sept. 19 through Oct. 2. Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayan portion of South Asia, bordered by Tibet to the north and India to the south.

Sanchezs presentation, titled Skills for Treating Depression and Anxiety, was one among a handful of proposals selected to present in Bhutan.

This conference was offered by The University of Holy Cross in New Orleans in partnership with North Carolina-based National Board for Certified Counselors. Participants learned about counseling from Bhutanese and American mental-health professionals, in addition to learning about cultural diversity and mental-health services offered in Bhutan.

Sanchez offers mental health and addiction services to all ages utilizing various treatment options to fit the needs of the person. For more information call 491-4976.
Pope Francis gestures during a news conference on board of the plane during his flight back from a trip to Burma and Bangladesh, Dec. 2, 2017. (Reuters/Vincenzo Pinto/Pool)

Pope Says His Defense of Rohingya Got Through in Burma

Pope Francis on Saturday defended his strategy of avoiding the term Rohingya in Burma, saying he believed he got his message across to both the civilian and military leadership without shutting down dialogue.

Speaking to reporters aboard the plane returning to Rome from Bangladesh, the pontiff also indicated that he had been firm with Burmas military leaders in private meetings about the need for them to respect the rights of Rohingya refugees.

He also disclosed that he cried when he met a group of Rohingya refugees on Friday in Bangladesh, where he defended their rights by name in an emotional meeting.

For me, the most important thing is that message gets through, to try to say things one step at a time and listen to the responses, he said.

I knew that if in the official speeches I would have used that word, they would have closed the door in our faces. But (in public) I described situations, rights, said that no one should be excluded, (the right to) citizenship, in order to allow myself to go further in the private meetings, he said.

Francis did not use the word Rohingya in public while on the first leg of the trip in Burma. Predominantly Buddhist Burma does not recognize the mostly Muslim Rohingya as an ethnic group with its own identity but as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Local Roman Catholic Church authorities had advised him not to say it because it could spark a backlash against Christians and other minority groups.

The pope met Burmas military leaders privately on Monday, shortly after his arrival in the nations biggest city, Yangon.

The meeting had been scheduled for Thursday morning but the military pointedly asked at the last minute that it be pushed forward. The result was they saw the pope before the civilian leaders instead of the other way around, as had been planned.

Non-Negotiable Truths

It was a good conversation and the truth was non-negotiable, he said of his meeting with the military leaders.

The latest exodus from Burma to Bangladesh of about 625,000 people followed a Burmese military crackdown in response to Rohingya Islamic extremist attacks on an army base and police posts on Aug. 25.

Refugees have said scores of Rohingya villages were burnt to the ground, people were killed and women were raped. The military have denied accusations of ethnic cleansing by the U.S. and U.N.

Asked if he used the word Rohingya during the private meeting with the military chiefs, the pope said: I used words in order to arrive at the message and when I saw that the message had arrived, I dared to say everything that I wanted say.

He then gave a reporter a mischievous grin and ended his answer with the Latin phrase Intelligenti Pauca, which means Few words are enough for those who understand, strongly hinting that he had used the word the military detests while in their presence.

Human rights groups have criticized the countrys de facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who was under house arrest for a total of 15 years before the 2015 elections, for not taking a stand against the generals.

But Francis, who met with her privately on Tuesday, appeared to give her the benefit of the doubt because of her delicate relationship with the generals who were once her jailers.

Myanmar [Burma[ is a nation that is growing politically, in transition, Francis said in response to a question about Suu Kyi and budding democracy in Burma.

So things have to be viewed through this lens. Myanmar [Burma] has to be able to look forward to the building of the country.

On Friday in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, Francis held an emotional encounter with Muslim Rohingya refugees from Burma and then used the word Rohingya for the first time on the trip, although he had defended them by name twice from the Vatican earlier this year.

He told the crowd where the Rohingya were that Gods presence was within them and they should be respected.

I was crying and tried to hide it, Francis said on the plane, recounting how moved he felt when the refugees recounted their ordeals to him.

By Philip Pullella

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Volkswagen Misused Me, Accused Executive Tells Judge

BERLINVolkswagen AG executive Oliver Schmidt, who is due to be sentenced this week in connection with the carmakers emissions scandal, has written to the judge to say he feels misused by the German company, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Schmidt pleaded guilty in August in the U.S. District Court in Detroit to wrongdoing connected to a massive diesel emissions scandal that has cost Volkswagen as much as $30 billion. He is due to be sentenced on Dec. 6.

I must say that I feel misused by my own company in the diesel scandal or Dieselgate, Schmidt wrote to U.S. judge Sean Cox, according to a copy of the letter published by Germanys Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

A Volkswagen spokesman declined to comment, citing the ongoing proceedings.

Under a plea agreement, Schmidt faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of between $40,000 and $400,000 after admitting to conspiring to mislead U.S regulators and violating clean air laws.

In March, Volkswagen pleaded guilty to three felony counts under a plea agreement to resolve U.S. charges it installed secret software in vehicles to evade emissions tests.

U.S. prosecutors have charged eight current and former Volkswagen executives.

Schmidt was in charge of the companys environmental and engineering office in Auburn Hills, Michigan, until February 2015, where he oversaw emissions issues.

In the letter to the judge, he said he had agreed to follow a script, or talking points, agreed by Volkswagen management and a high-ranking lawyer, at a meeting with Alberto Ayala, a California Air Resources Board executive.

In hindsight, I should never have agreed to meet with Dr Ayala on that day, he wrote.

Or better yet, I should have gone to that meeting and ignored the instructions given to me and told Dr Ayala that there is a defeat device in the VW diesel engine vehicles and that VW had been cheating for almost a decade. I did not do that and that is why I find myself here today.

After being informed of the existence of the emissions software in the summer of 2015, according to his guilty plea, Schmidt conspired with other executives to avoid disclosing intentional cheating by the automaker in a bid to seek regulatory approval for its model 2016 VW 2 liter diesels.

Reporting by Emma Thomasson

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Wall Street Executive Dies in Shark Attack

A high-level Wall Street executive was killed by a shark while she was diving in Costa Rica, officials said.

A shark attacked 49-year-old Rohina Bhandari near Cocos Island, which is a national park about 300 miles from Costa Rica but is a territory, the environment ministry told Fox.

She was a senior director at WL Ross & Co. LL, a firm founded by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. She lived in New Yorks Upper East Side.

Many expressed shock over her death.

Wall Street fund manager, Rohina Bhandari, killed by shark while diving in Costa Rica https://t.co/QPvUgtyEBc pic.twitter.com/WxWr9TACOB  konniemoments1 (@KonnieMoments1) December 3, 2017

Unbelievably sad and heartbreaking news that Rohina has died, wrote a friend of hers. She was such a wonderful person who loved life. I will always remember her kindness, friendship and our adventures together.

Rohina you were the brightest of lights that went out much too soon, another wrote on her Facebook page. My life was richer for having known you.

Both her legs were severely injured in the tiger shark attack, the ministry said, according to the New York Daily News.

A dive master also suffered a bite, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

Tourist mauled to death by tiger shark while diving off the coast of Costa Rica  The Sun https://t.co/9gBhDisCig pic.twitter.com/Gstrlo2fou  Salman Wazir? (@DrSalmanWazir) December 3, 2017

Swimmers barely noticed this massive tiger shark lurking nearby ? pic.twitter.com/DrRIwmWlZO  NowThis (@nowthisnews) December 1, 2017

Other tourists and a boater tried to scare the shark away.

Upon reaching the surface, the attack on the tourist was already serious, the environment ministry said.

Tiger sharks can reach around 15 feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are among the most dangerous shark speciessecond only to great white sharks in recorded attacks on humans.

Last month, a swimmer was attacked and killed by a shark just around 10 feet from the shore in Cuba, The Sun reported.

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Walmart Under Fire for Selling Antifa T-Shirts

Walmart is under fire for selling T-shirts that promote the far-left extremist group Antifa over the weekend after users noticed that the chain was selling it.

On the companys website, it had several shirts that said Antifa listed on the website. One, produced by Tee Bangers, is selling for $11.99.

According to Breitbart, several pieces of Antifa clothing appeared to no longer available for sale on the retailers website. But as of Sunday, at least one was listed on the website. A book, Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, was also apparently taken down.

This We Are Anti Fa white AC/DC style font T-shirt will express yourself inside the opposition to the ideology, organizations, governments and people from the far right (fascism). Just remember to keep creating a better world (sic), the products description reads, adding that its Made in Mexico.

A search on Walmarts website of Antifa turned up no results on Sunday.

More than a dozen shirts were still listed on the website, according to IJR, and some read, Antifa forever, proud to be Antifa, and we are Antifa.

FBI Director Christopher Wray told a House panel this week that the agency is investigating people inspired by kind of an Antifa ideology, Fox News reported.

While were not investigating Antifa as Antifathats an ideology and we dont investigate ideologieswe are investigating a number of what we would call anarchist-extremist investigations, where we have properly predicated subjects of people who are motivated to commit violent criminal activity on kind of an Antifa ideology, he told the panel.

Antifa was listed as a domestic terrorist organization in the state of New Jersey.

Walmart came under fire last week for selling a shirt with the slogan, Rope. Tree. Journalist. Some Assembly Required. It was later removed, according to several media reports.

This item was sold by a third-party seller on our marketplace and clearly violates our policy, a Walmart statement said, according to CBS News. We removed it as soon as it was brought to our attention, and are conducting a thorough review of the sellers assortment. Walmart reportedly removed the shirt five hours after the complaint was made, according to the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), which made the complaint.

We are grateful for Walmarts swift action, said RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley. He added theyre dismayed that it, and anyone else selling the shirt, would offer such an offensive and inflammatory product.

Walmart pulls T-shirt offered by an outside seller from its online store saying 'Rope. Tree. Journalist.' https://t.co/y2gUQPgayM pic.twitter.com/bFsZyvdRCv  Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) November 30, 2017

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State government, particularly the legislative process, can sometimes be maddeningly slow. The lack of mobile-friendly state agency websites is a great example of this fact.

In the business world, the push to make internet sites easily readable and functional on small screen devices took place several years ago. It was simply a matter of basic customer service and survival. The number of consumers who use smartphones as their primary information source has grown rapidly, and in the case of many websites, blown past the number of desktop users.

Governments, which tend to be more methodical about most things, have been much slower to catch on. But the speed at which New York state is moving has become unacceptable.

We'd like to think that's one reason why a bill to mandate that all state websites become mobile-friendly by the start of 2019 was approved 62-0 in the Senate and 141-1 in the Assembly earlier this year.

Despite the nearly unanimous support from legislators who represent New York residents, Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week vetoed the measure. He said such an ambitious mandate needs to have funding secured as part of the budget process. And he also said his IT experts are already working on a plan to get mobile sites done  by 2022.

The funding issue is one the governor frequently employs with his vetoes, as his goal is to get virtually all important measures done through that heavily secretive budget process in which he and the Assembly speaker and Senate majority leader hold all the power.

But even if his argument has some level of conceptual merit, it's beyond reasonable to demand that the state needs four more years to get this upgrade done. The governor has promised and pushed for far more ambitious and expensive initiatives throughout his tenure.

There's also the glaring reality that the state is already way behind. In fact, this bill is not the first time the goal has been put into proposed legislation. A 2015 bill envisioned mobile-friendly sites by the start of 2017.

The veto of the 2017 bill has most likely killed the 2019 goal at this point, but we urge legislators and the governor not to be satisfied with a 2022 deadline, either. Get together early in the next session to come up with a plan to fund and implement this most-basic technological step forward.

The Citizen Editorial Board includes publisher Rob Forcey, managing editor Mike Dowd and executive editor Jeremy Boyer.
How to watch and what to know about Northern Iowa at South Dakota
MONTREALCourts in Quebec and New York have been asked to block the return to Iran of a sculpture that was allegedly stolen from the ancient Persian city of Persepolis and housed in a Montreal art museum.

The bas-relief limestone sculpture of a guard holding a spear is smaller than a sheet of writing paper, but it has sparked an international tug-of-war since it was seized from an art auction by police in New York in October.

The New York District Attorneys Office was in court on Nov. 22, arguing that the piece of cultural heritage valued at $1.2 million (U.S.) should be returned to Iran, where it was stolen in 1936, according to a written motion provided to the Star.

Separately, in a Montreal court, lawyers for AXA Insurance Co. have asked a Quebec judge to rule that ownership of the sculpture was properly transferred from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to AXA, which then had every legal right to sell it to a British art dealer.

A request filed with the court states that Rupert Wace purchased it from AXA after the piece was recovered by Canadian police in 2014. It had been stolen several years earlier from the Montreal museum. Wace then sold a share of the sculpture to another British art dealer, Sam Fogg.

Refusing to grant the  orders would have the effect of allowing the relief to be sent to Iran without a proper determination of ownership, says the Quebec court request, which was first reported by La Presse in Montreal.

Quebec Superior Court Judge Babak Barin issued an order on Nov. 21 that the artifact should not be repatriated to Iran before courts can rule on who is the legal custodian of the limestone soldier. It is a temporary reprieve to allow lawyers to prepare their cases.

The urgency of the matter is obvious, Barin wrote.

Barin said in his order granting the temporary injunction that the Quebec court could hear the case because the ownership claim over the sculpture can be traced back to the Montreal museum.

Conversely, the only connecting factor to the state of New York, other than the fact that the initial offer-to-sell-the-relief letter to the museum was sent from that state, is the accidental and transitional presence of the relief at the European Fine Arts Fair in New York City in October of this year, he said.

He also sent a copy of the ruling to the judge in the U.S. case, in the hopes that the Canadian injunction would be respected until such time as ownership of the piece of art could be determined.

The 20-by-21-centimetre sculpture was seized as part of an ongoing investigation into the illicit trade of antiquities in New York. The probe has already resulted in seizures and repatriation of art worth more than $150 million (U.S.).

It is being led by assistant district attorney Matthew Bogdanos, a classical scholar who also led the effort to recover priceless pieces of art and cultural heritage stolen during the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

It was Bogdanoss office that alerted Iran to the seizure of this sculpture on Oct. 27, according to documents filed in a New York court last month. Armed with a search warrant, police stormed into the Park Avenue Armory on Manhattans Upper East Side, where the European Fine Art Fair was being held.

Now Iran wants the sculpture back.

Ebrahim Shaqaqi, an official with Irans Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, a government-run agency, described it as a treasured piece of a bas-relief that depicts an Achaemenid soldier, which had been stolen from Persepolis decades ago prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to the Tehran Times.

Persepolis is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that dates to the founding of the Achaemenid Empire in 518 BC. The United Nations cultural agency said it is among the archeological sites which have no equivalent and which bear unique witness to a most ancient civilization.

How the sculpture got to where it is today, in the possession of the New York Supreme Court, is a colourful tale that spans decades.

It isnt clear who took it from Iran in 1936, but the Quebec court file includes the typewritten invoice issued in 1951 when Paul Mallon, a New York-based Frenchman, sold the piece to Frederick Cleveland Morgan, president of the Art Association of Montreal, for the sum of $1,005.

It was then housed in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and regularly exhibited over a period of 60 years until Sept. 3, 2011, when it was stolen, according to Daniele Archambault, a museum archivist, whose affidavit was submitted in support of the insurance companys ownership claim.

In September 2012, AXA paid out $1.18 million (Canadian) to the museum under the terms of its insurance policy. But the sculpture was recovered 16 months later, in January 2014, when the RCMP in Alberta and the Surete du Quebec tracked it to an apartment in Edmonton.

The condo owner, Simon Metke, told CBC News after the raid that he had bought the sculpture for $1,400 from a friend of a friend in Montreal, unaware of its true origins.

Im really glad that I was able to protect this thing and look after it, and it sort of feels like it may have come to me to be protected so that it didnt get destroyed or lost, Metke said.

Lawyers in Quebec claim that the sculpture was legally imported to Canada in 1951 before the country signed on to UNESCO agreements dealing with the trade of cultural heritage artifacts.

Even if the sale was not legal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts became the legal owner under Quebecs Civil Code after being in possession of the sculpture for three years, the court filing argues.

It may take some time to arrange an initial court hearing in Montreal on the requested ownership ruling. A followup hearing in New York on the request to block the repatriation of the sculpture is scheduled for Dec. 18.

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MONTREALA Sri Lankan family in Montreal that is set to be deported tonight is hoping for a last-minute reprieve from Ottawa.

The Lawrence family arrived five years ago as refugee claimants and have since found either jobs or academic success.

But the family members refugee claims were not approved and theyre scheduled to be flown back to their home country Sunday evening.

Several federal and provincial politicians as well as Amnesty International have called on the Canadian government to grant the family a reprieve.

Quebecs immigration minister has also issued them selection certificates that could pave the way to permanent residence if theyre allowed to stay.

Their lawyer says the family still fears persecution in their home country and theyre holding out hope until the last minute.

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Toronto council will soon consider short-term rental regulations allowing homeowners to use online services like Airbnb, with conditions.

But as one Toronto condominium owner is learning, whats proposed likely wont solve all disputes.

Nick Christoforou, 53, is heading to arbitration with his condo board after he said he rented out his spare bedroom to one professional at a time through Airbnb for a total of 70 nights between 2016 and 2017.

The Radio City condo board, which did not respond to requests for comment for this story, says he violated the corporations rules prohibiting renting or leasing a unit for less than six months, or using it as a rooming or boarding house, it said in a letter sent to Christoforou in April 2016. Christoforou denies these allegations.

In some respects its a technical argument over what activity is and is not permitted by the rules of the building because the rules are worded in a particular way, said Christoforous lawyer Tim Duggan.

The condo board told residents it was concerned short-term or rental-sharing arrangements would increase security costs, adversely affect property values and lead to abuse and increased wear and tear of amenities, according to an email sent April 2017.

I dont think what I was doing is unreasonable. Im living in my place, and hosting people after Ive screened them. Its not a burden to the rest of the condo building, said Christoforou, adding since the dispute escalated this past summer, hes stopped using Airbnb,

Regardless of what council decides at its meeting starting Dec. 5, condo boards, under provincial legislation, still have final say if they want to make their rules more restrictive, which staff acknowledges in their report presented to the licensing and standards committee Nov. 14.

We try to stay out of the way of the relationships between condo boards and tenants, said Carleton Grant, City of Toronto policy director. If condo boards allow (short-term rentals), then tenants can participate.

The number of Airbnb listings in Toronto tripled from 2014 to 2016 and 10,800 listed properties were rented in 2016, according to the city.

City staff has put forward three tactics to eliminate potential disruptions and nuisances caused by Airbnb guests, and stop the citys housing stock from being converted to short-term rental units, said a staff report.

These tactics include zoning changes to permit short-term rentals in the homeowners residence, a registry and licensing program, and taxation.

The registry would require participating residents to sign up with the city and pay an annual licensing fee. Companies like Airbnb would need to secure a license, only advertise registered homes and crack down on listings that cause neighbourhood problems.

Christoforou said the proposed regulations are all ones hed be happy to comply with, but doesnt agree that condo boards should have the power to ban Airbnb from buildings altogether.

It should be a fundamental right of any homeowner, even a condo owner, to have guests in their home without permission from the board, whether it is relatives staying for the weekend or a friend or boyfriend sharing expenses, or someone else through Airbnb, Christoforou said.

Christoforou has started a Go Fund Me page to help him pay for the arbitration process and save home sharing for condo owners.

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Mayor John Tory wants 400 new spaces for Torontos homeless population to be created as soon as possible to relieve overcrowded shelters as colder weather approaches.

This urgent plan for shelters will work to add beds in existing shelters, he said on Sunday at city hall. Were already underway, talking to each of the shelters that exists in the city of Toronto, asking them to add capacity wherever they possibly can.

His plan would include a mix of facilities including motels, shelters and drop-in centres.

In response to reporters questions after the announcement, Tory said adding 400 spaces would cost about $10 million and suggested the money could come from the citys reserve funds. He said new spaces could be available in the coming weeks, and some in the coming days.

Tory was not specific about which funds the money would be drawn from or where, beyond motels, those experiencing homelessness could be temporarily housed.

The main purpose of the plan is to get people off the streets and permanently housed in order to relieve near- or at-capacity shelters, said Kira Heineck, executive lead of Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness, who was at the announcement.

Were calling on the private sector, developers, landlords, co-ops, non-profits, she said. They all have a role to play in finding some more permanent housing.

The bulk of this work, which could yield 200 units at least, could be accomplished by the end of January, she said.

Were going to be working tirelessly to exceed that target, Heineck added.

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Toronto offering new respite centres to help homeless people this winter

The city has been making efforts to free up spaces to house more of Torontos homeless population. There are currently 1,288 more beds than there were on Nov. 1, 2016, according to city data. Statistics also show that 95 per cent of 1,305 motel beds used by the city to house homeless people were occupied last month.

The occupancy hasnt gone down, despite the citys efforts to increase spaces this year, said Paul Raftis, who heads the city division responsible for shelters.

Tory referred to this when he said there was a 30-per-cent increase in the number of people using the shelter system last month over the year before.

A third party audited the space in all of the citys 62 shelters over the past few months, Raftis said. Preliminary information suggests there is some more room available if space in shelters is utilized more effectively. Not all of those new spaces would be permanent.

City finance officials are still working to determine which reserve funds the money for the new plan will be drawn from, Raftis said.

Last month, Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam introduced a motion urging the city to open up more beds and to declare an emergency. Wong-Tam suggested using the Fort York and Moss Park armouries  federal facilities  as shelter spaces.

The optimal move that will bring us the largest number of shelter beds online, in the quickest period of time, is actually the armouries, Wong-Tam told the Star on Sunday. Were not straying away from that position.

Hotel beds are not sustainable in the long run, she said.

But on Sunday, Tory said he was against declaring an emergency or using the armouries as shelters.

The staff have advised me that the declaration of such an emergency would not represent a proper use of that part of the law, Tory said, adding that staff also recommended that there are spaces more appropriate than the armouries.

Street nurse Cathy Crowe argues the new plan does not go far enough to address the realities on the ground. Crowe said Tory didnt explain why armouries arent suitable, or where the motel spaces will be located. She added that looking for new spaces in an already overburdened shelter system is dangerous.

Why would you add crowding to crowding? Crowe said. It can potentially worsen conditions. We got alarm bells of the strep outbreak, also violence in shelters, worker health and safety.

Part of the plan to be discussed this week at city council, which begins its session on Tuesday, will be using existing infrastructure such as motel rooms to house people. Earlier this year, council approved extending contracts for beds and food services at several hotels, for a total cost of $20.8 million, to house refugees arriving in Toronto. The shelter system has seen increased demand from newcomers, including families, for whom traditional shelter space is limited.

Tory added Sunday that the city was looking for additional space to locate another winter drop-in centre.

He said hes had two conversations with provincial Housing Minister Peter Milczyn to discuss how the province can help when there are sudden and prolonged increases in demand for emergency shelter space in Toronto, particularly given the fact we are bearing the burden.

Drop-in centres provide mats to sleep or rest on, not beds. On a nightly basis, an average of 300 people use these facilities, Crowe said, noting that there is a lottery system for access to recliner chairs.

Torys office said his plan builds on 291 shelter beds that are slated to be introduced next year by the city. Tory said during the announcement that his department will be asking staff to establish three shelters in 2018, rather than 2019.

About 35,000 Canadians are homeless every night, according to the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, and about 235,000 over the course of the year.

Torontos emergency shelter system can accommodate about 5,660 people, with an additional 80 spots added each weekend. Last Thursday, it was at 96-per-cent capacity, with womens shelters at 98 per cent and youth shelters at 97 per cent.

That same night, 92 people also used the Out of the Cold Program, a volunteer-led initiative held at faith-based centres across Toronto, according to city statistics.

In February, during the 2017 budget debate at council, Tory voted against a proposal to prevent the elimination of 10 front-line shelter staff positions. At the time shelters were exceeding capacity targets.

A short-term fix to save the 10 positions was approved by council in April.

Torys spokesperson, Don Peat, said a motion at council this week will ask staff to act on: 200 new motel beds for singles and families; 150 beds in existing shelters; and 100 winter drop-in spaces, after a review of city and agency-owned sites.

With files from Jennifer Pagliaro and Emily Mathieu

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DAYTON, OhioThe U.S. Senate Republicans chaotic late-night vote Friday to overhaul the tax system widened the countrys partisan divisions Saturday  sparking a political grudge match that lawmakers vowed to carry into next years midterm elections.

Democrats, united in their opposition, attacked the legislation as a scam passed to benefit wealthy donors and corporations. Republicans, promising years of wage and job growth once the bill becomes law, acknowledged they face a difficult task convincing voters to have faith in a measure that received support from their party alone.

They tend not to be popular, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told the Washington Post, referring to bills passed with only one partys support. Generally speaking, in the beginning, people decide they dont like it.

The test for Republicans is whether they can convince voters that this legislation will put more money in their wallets  and McConnell is not sure whether they can do that in time for the 2018 elections.

We dont know, he said, adding he thinks that in the long run, the economic boost will come and voters eventually will reward Republicans.

Whether its immediately popular or not becomes irrelevant if it does what you hope, he said.

Just hours after the vote, independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ever since his unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination has been a leading voice pushing that party to the left on economic matters, demonstrated his intention to make the tax bill a marquee issue in 2018.

Sanders headed to the airport for an urgent trip across the Midwest, starting at Daytons Masonic Temple in an effort to rally 1,300 supporters against the bill, telling them they could still defeat it when a conference committee is formed to combine differing House and Senate packages.

The president was lying to you, Sanders said. This is class warfare, and were going to stand up and fight.

The back-and-forth Saturday showed the opportunities  and challenges  for each side as they stake their political ground on taxes.

Democrats see an opening for an attack on U.S. President Donald Trump and Republicans as allies of the wealthy and Wall Street interests. Republicans, who watched Trump capture an anti-establishment populist mood in 2016, may find it difficult to sell a tax bill that was underwater in polls even before the mostly party-line vote on the Senate measure.

Several at-risk Democrats, including Sen. Jon Tester, Mont., recorded viral videos to dramatize how late the bill had been printed, and how some revisions had been written in hard-to-read pen scratches.

Take a look at this, folks. This is your government at work, Tester said, slamming his fist on the bill. Its going to shift money from middle-class families to the rich, and we were given it 20 minutes ago.

Trump and GOP leaders, enthused after their first major legislative victory of the year, have defended the measure forcefully.

McConnell dismissed complaints about last-minute additions to the legislation and handwritten notes, indicating what it would do. Sounds familiar to the final days of Obamacare  handwritten things and the Cornhusker Kickback, he said, comparing a provision to secure the vote of a senator from Nebraska on health care to a flare-up over a narrow provision written into the new tax bill to benefit just one conservative college.

In speeches, on social media and in TV ads, Republicans have described the legislation as the spark of a middle-class miracle that voters will see soon in their paycheques. The bill has largely unified the GOP, with even critics of the administration such as Sen. Jeff Flake rallying to pass it.

Its time to pound away on growth  and dont depart from that message, said Larry Kudlow, a conservative economist and informal Trump adviser. The message of growth and jobs and wage is hitting. As long as the GOP stays on that, theyll be fine.

While Democrats said they would tell voters that Republicans had passed a regressive tax reform measure before any of them had read it, Republicans predicted that the strategy would flop.

Nobody believes them, said former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a close Trump ally. Republicans should ignore it and get the bill through and count on the economys growth and the tax cut to carry them to victory next year.

Veterans of former president Barack Obamas administration, with memories of how Republicans attacked the passage of the Affordable Care Act, argued that overly optimistic Republicans had misread the national mood. Republicans were deluding themselves, said former Obama strategist David Axelrod, to think that voters would reward them for a tax cut.

There are two categories of people who will benefit here  wealthy, corporate interests, of course, who scored a bonanza, and Democratic ad-makers, who have been handed a treasure trove of egregious targets and tawdry, swamp-like images with which to work, Axelrod said.

The bills progress has not much resembled Washingtons last raids on the tax code. President Ronald Reagans 1981 tax cut passed by super-majorities in the House and the Senate, while President George W. Bushs 2001 tax cut  sold at first as a way to spend a surplus, then as a way to combat a recession  attracted 13 Democratic votes in the House and 12 in the Senate. In 2010, an even larger number of Democrats voted to extend the Bush-era tax rates for people making less than $400,000, fearful that cutting them back would lengthen the Great Recession.

There was no such worry about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which breaks from recent monetary history by reducing tax revenue in a time of steady economic growth  conditions in which prior Congresses have tried to reduce the deficit. The Joint Tax Committee estimated that the bill would add more than $1 trillion to the U.S. debt over 10 years; Democrats, attacked for years over the growing national debt, marvelled as just one Republican, Sen. Bob Corker, voted against the bill.

Democrats have found solace in public polling.

A polling average compiled by FiveThirtyEight found that 46 per cent of the public opposes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, compared to 32 per cent who support it. That makes it slightly less popular than the 1993 tax increase that helped Republicans seize Congress from President Bill Clintons Democrats.

Guy Cecil, the president of Priorities USA, said surveys show that voters will respond negatively when they learn the details of the legislation.

When Americans find out that the wealthy and big corporations are getting most of the benefits, they oppose it, even when they get something small as well, Cecil said.

Republicans were confident that the public would move once the new tax code took effect. Trump, who has said inaccurately that the bill would tax the very wealthy to help working-class Americans, has predicted an economic boom that would lead quickly to employers raising wages.

Middle-class families will not only see their tax bill go down, they will see their incomes go up by an average of around $4,000 (U.S.), Trump said last week in St. Charles, Mo. Thats because were going to cut taxes on American businesses so they will compete for workers, theyll raise salaries.

Democrats see it differently, with the tax bill at the centre of their increasingly populist campaign. In Ohio, where Sanders headlined two Saturday rallies, former Consumer Finance Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray, who is widely expected to run for governor, warned middle-class voters that the Trump administration is making it easier to bilk them. Democrats spent Monday and Tuesday attacking the Trump administration for installing Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney atop the agency, and before that, railed against Republicans for undoing a CFPB rule that made it easier to sue banks.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is up for re-election in 2018, said he plans to use all facets of Trumps regulatory and tax policies to make a case against him and the Republican-controlled Congress.

The public, by election day, will see how this Republican majority is wholly owned by Wall Street on every issue and the administration increasingly resembles a retreat for Goldman Sachs executives, Brown said in an interview. Whatever plays into that, whether its going after the overtime rule or giving all kinds of breaks to Wall Street, or relaxing environmental rules to clean up Lake Erie, youll see what this will all be framed by.

Dayton was one place where Brown would test his theories. In 2016, Trump became the first Republican in 28 years to carry the surrounding Montgomery County, campaigning in the city on a promise to bring back manufacturing jobs. Local Democrats, who had organized protests of the bill, said that the measure risked the feds, meds and eds jobs  government, health care and education  that had fueled the areas comeback.

Who actually wants this thing? asked Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton, whos running for the Democratic nomination for governor. The realtors, the governors, the mayors, the universities, the hospitals  they dont want it. Who does, except their donors?

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Brock Turner, the former Stanford University swimmer who served a widely criticized six-month jail sentence for assaulting an unconscious woman on campus, is now appealing his conviction and asking for a new trial.

Turner filed a 172-page brief Friday arguing that the prosecutor incorrectly told jurors during the trial that the sexual assault happened behind a dumpster - and that doing so amounted to prosecutorial misconduct, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

The latest development comes more than a year after Turner was released from jail, where he served only half of his sentence because of good behavior. Turner, once a record-setting swimming prodigy, was 20 when jurors convicted him last year.

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Santa Clara County Superior Court judge Aaron Persky drew widespread condemnation when he sentenced Turner to six months in jail, three years of probation and a requirement to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors asked for six years in prison.

In his appeal, Turner argued that contrary to what deputy district attorney Alaleh Kianerci repeatedly told jurors, the sexual assault happened near a three-sided trash bin, but not behind it, according to the Mercury News. Saying the assault happened behind the dumpster is prejudicial and implied that Turner was trying to hide what he was doing.

He also argued that Persky deprived him of a fair trial when he did not instruct jurors to consider lesser criminal charges before they began deliberating and excluded testimony from character witnesses.

Santa Clara County district attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement to the Mercury News that Turner received a fair trial and was justly convicted.

His conviction will be upheld. Nothing can ever roll back Emily Does legacy of raising the worlds awareness about sexual assault, Rosen said, referring to the name the victim was referred to throughout the trial.

Turner risks a second conviction by asking for another trial, which, if granted by Californias Sixth District Court of Appeal, would be presided over by another judge.

Turner was convicted in March 2016 of three felonies, including assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object. The assault happened during a frat party in the early hours of Jan. 18, 2015, when witnesses saw Turner lying on top of a half-naked, unconscious woman.

The victim didnt wake up until three hours later and had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal driving limit.

Her powerfully written statement about the assault moved many.

You dont know me, but youve been inside me, and thats why youre here today, she said, addressing Turner.

Her words caught the attention of then vice-president Joe Biden, who wrote an open letter to her: I do not know your name  but your words are forever seared on my soul. Words that should be required reading for men and women of all ages. Words that I wish with all of my heart you never had to write.

Turner was sentenced in summer 2016. Soon after he was sentenced, an independent agency that investigates and disciplines judges was inundated with complaints about Persky. Many thought he was unfair to the victim, that he did not take the crime seriously and, as a former student athlete at Stanford himself, showed bias toward Turner.

The Commission on Judicial Performance later cleared Persky of judicial misconduct, finding that theres no clear and convincing evidence of bias [or] abuse of authority and that the sentence imposed on Turner was within the parameters set by law.

Turners sentence also resulted in a push to recall Persky.

The judge broke his silence earlier this year, explaining his sentence in a 198-word statement.

As a prosecutor, I fought vigorously for victims. As a judge, my role is to consider both sides. California law requires every judge to consider rehabilitation and probation for first-time offenders. Its not always popular, but its the law, and I took an oath to follow it without regard to public opinion or my opinions as a former prosecutor.

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NEW YORKABC News on Saturday suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross for four weeks without pay for his erroneous report on Michael Flynn, which it called a serious error.

Ross, citing an unnamed confidant of Flynn, the former national security adviser, had reported Friday that then-candidate Donald Trump had directed Flynn to make contact with the Russians.

That would have been an explosive development in the ongoing investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the election. But hours later, Ross clarified his report on the evening news, saying that his source now said Trump had done so not as a candidate, but as president-elect. At that point, he said, Trump had asked Flynn to contact the Russians about issues including working together to fight Daesh, also known as ISIS and ISIL.

ABC was widely criticized for merely clarifying and not correcting the report. It issued a correction later in the evening.

We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made yesterday, the network said in a statement Saturday. The reporting conveyed by Brian Ross during the special report had not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process. As a result of our continued reporting over the next several hours, ultimately we determined the information was wrong and we corrected the mistake on air and online.

It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have built with our audience  these are our core principles. We fell far short of that yesterday. Effective immediately, Brian Ross will be suspended for four weeks without pay.

The news brought swift reaction from Trump, who tweeted: Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and papers should do the same with their Fake News!

As for Ross, who is ABCs chief investigative correspondent, he tweeted: My job is to hold people accountable and thats why I agree with being held accountable myself.

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Ross, 69, joined the network in 1994. He has won a slew of journalism awards, including, according to his ABC bio, six George Polk awards, six Peabody awards and two Emmys, among others.

He also, though, has drawn criticism for previous errors. In just one example, ABC had to apologize in 2012 when Ross reported on Good Morning America that James Holmes, the suspect in the movie theatre shooting in Aurora, Colorado, might be connected to the tea party, based on a name listed on a web page. It turned out to be a different Jim Holmes. Ross was criticized for politicizing the story with the error.

Journalism analyst Roy Peter Clark, senior scholar at the Poynter Institute, a non-profit journalism school based in Florida, noted that while reporting errors are always serious, the current media climate  in which the president is accusing mainstream outlets of purveying fake news  renders the stakes even higher.

There has been a significant change in the political culture in the last two years, Clark said. That change has had many consequences for the practice of journalism. When the president of the United States refers to the press collectively as an enemy of the people, the people who support that view will interpret certain acts of journalism as being evidence that the president is correct.

The problem, Clark added, is that a mistake like this, even though its ultimately corrected, and the reporter punished for it, feeds into a narrative that is now poisonous. When there is a clear mistake, it can be translated by folks who are attacking the press as bias. I think its very important for journalists in this political culture to be more aggressive, and more cautious at the same time.

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Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
JERUSALEMIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered his backers to reword a contentious piece of legislation that could potentially stifle a police investigation against him, in what appeared to be an attempt to defuse rising public anger against the long-ruling Israeli leader.

The so-called recommendations bill would end the polices current practice of recommending to prosecutors whether to indict suspects upon completing their investigations. It also aims to stem leaks from the investigations themselves, stating that no police recommendations be made public and penalizing those found leaking to the media.

The bill has been pushed by Netanyahus staunchest allies in the Likud Party, whipping up criticism that the beleaguered prime minister himself was seeking to pass legislation that would in essence change the current rules for police investigations and protect him from embarrassing revelations they may have discovered.

Unfortunately, the debate over the recommendations bill has turned into a political weapon against an elected government, Netanyahu wrote on Facebook. He said he asked a lawmaker behind the bill to ensure that it be worded in a way that it wont apply to the investigation taking place into my affairs.

On Saturday night, tens of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets of Tel Aviv for an anti-corruption rally calling on Netanyahu to resign. It was one of the largest demonstrations yet against Netanyahus lengthy rule. Organizers hope the grassroots movement picks up steam and becomes a regular Saturday night ritual that eventually forces Netanyahu from power.

I think the time has come to change the government. The government is corrupt. Were sick of the corrupt, said protester Avi Elmozlinu.

Earlier Sunday, Israeli police questioned a close Netanyahu ally seen as the driving force behind the bill on separate corruption charges. Coalition whip David Bitan was grilled in relation to accusations that he promoted the interests of criminals in return for debt relief while he was a municipal politician years ago.

The bills future remains unclear. Netanyahus Likud Party was set to bring the bill for a parliamentary vote on Monday, but appeared to be lacking support and working to delay the vote. Their hope was to move the bill forward quickly so that it would also apply to investigations currently taking place regarding Netanyahu.

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Netanyahu has been questioned in two cases and police say they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Police have already grilled him six times regarding gifts he received from Hollywood and business figures, and in another probe about secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. One of his closest former aides has become a states witness against him.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and calls the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Another investigation has engulfed his close associates and dominated news in Israel. The probe relates to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahus personal attorney, who is also his cousin, represented the German firm involved and is suspected of trading his influence over the prime minister in return for a hefty cut of the deal. A former Cabinet minister and top former navy and security officials have been questioned by police. Netanyahu has yet to be named a suspect in that probe.

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WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump was trying to defend himself.

He made things worse. Perhaps significantly worse.

The day after his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with Russia, Trump decided, against the advice of his aides, to discuss the subject on Twitter.

The tweet was not a good idea.

Experts at Harvard University, Stanford University, Yale University, Duke University and the University of Texas told the Star that Trumps words would help special counsel Robert Mueller establish a case that Trump committed obstruction of justice.

Trump wrote: I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

The tweet contained what appeared to be a major admission. For the first time, Trump said he was aware that Flynn had committed a crime, lying to the FBI, when he fired him in February, rather than merely knowing Flynn had lied to Vice-President Mike Pence.

That is important because, the day after Flynns departure, Trump urged FBI director James Comey to drop the investigation into Flynn.

A central component of the crime of obstruction of justice is that the attempt to interfere with a proceeding is done corruptly.

Before Trumps tweet, it would have been easier for his lawyers to argue that he had asked Comey to desist simply because he did not think Flynn had done anything wrong, or because Flynn was a buddy.

Read the latest news about U.S. President Donald Trump

The tweet, all five experts said, helps to establish his corrupt purpose  an attempt to protect an ally he knew had done something illegal.

Alex Whiting, a Harvard law professor, said on Twitter that the situation feels a lot like obstruction.

The question of whether Trump committed obstruction of justice when he asked Comey to drop the investigation on Valentines Day will largely turn on Trumps intent: was he just trying to put in a good word for Flynn, or was he in fact trying to end a criminal investigation? Whiting said in an email. If he genuinely believed that Flynn did nothing wrong, that tends to support the former interpretation. But if, as he now admits, he knew that Flynn had lied to the FBI, a federal crime, then he knew that by asking Comey to drop the investigation, he was seeking to end a meritorious criminal investigation.

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He is requesting something of the director of the FBI knowing that he is, in doing so, interfering with the investigation of a federal crime, said Lisa Kern Griffin, a Duke law professor.

I dont think the tweet, profoundly misguided though it may have been, is itself proof of obstruction of justice, said Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck. But, it may very well establish the timeline of what Trump knew when, which would be a necessary part of any obstruction charge. So its not quite a smoking gun, but it certainly doesnt do the president any favours.

Trumps tweets are frequently inaccurate. Asha Rangappa, a former FBI agent and former associate dean at Yale Law School, said the tweet helps the obstruction case, but she added that Mueller will have to find further evidence showing that Trump knew what he claimed in the tweet to have known.

Flynn, who has agreed to co-operate with Mueller, could fill in the gaps, Rangappa said.

Muellers not going to march into court with that tweet as his proof. The question is: does that tweet actually reflect what may have in fact been true at the time? said Rangappa, now a senior lecturer at Yales Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. And if it was true that Trump had knowledge of any illegal activities of Flynn, whether its lying to the FBI or anything else, and subsequently attempted to have the investigation dropped, then thats a problem for him.

David Sklansky, a law professor at Stanford, said there was plenty of evidence for corrupt intent even before the tweet, which he said strengthens the argument. Trump, Sklansky noted, made sure to usher everyone else out of the Oval Office before raising the subject with Comey, according to Comeys testimony.

At minimum, the tweet suggests that Trump deceived voters. At a February news conference, the president made no mention of Flynn lying to the FBI, saying: I fired him because of what he said to Mike Pence. Very simple. Other administration officials made similar declarations.

This is further evidence that there was ongoing deception and orchestrated deception of the American public from the middle of January into the middle of February, Sklansky said.

A finding from Mueller that Trump has committed obstruction would not necessarily lead to the presidents impeachment by the House or ultimate removal by the Senate.

Constitutional scholars largely believe a sitting president cannot face criminal prosecution. So it is only Congress, currently controlled by Republicans, that would serve as Trumps judge and jury.

Impeachment cases can be brought for treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanours. There is no consensus on what high crimes and misdemeanours are, and some Republicans have argued that obstruction is insufficient.

Some conservative legal scholars have also argued that a president is constitutionally entitled to tell the FBI director whatever he wants, even about a criminal investigation affecting himself.

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As Canada reviews its current housing crisis, it will be necessary for us to go back to the basics. We need to answer the question of what housing is supposed to achieve and whether as a nation we place priority on it as a home, or as a source of wealth and speculative investment.

The answer to this question lies at the heart of the current housing crisis, yet addressing this question was nowhere to be found in the federal governments new national housing strategy.

The housing crisis is actually a series of issues and takes on multiple forms, depending on who you are.

For many of the poorest Canadians, simply having a roof over their heads is a tremendous challenge as rents are rising and wait times for affordable housing can be more than a decade.

For many in the middle class, particularly younger people, being able live and raise a family in our major cities, where the majority of jobs and economic growth are located, is beyond their means. The very people cities need to function  teachers, nurses, bus drivers, etc.  struggle to find adequate housing near where they work.

The new national housing strategy does little to address the underlying causes of housing affordability, accessibility and homelessness. And while it is noble of the prime minister to declare housing rights as human rights, this declaration will have little impact unless we address the structural issues of why housing is so unaffordable and why some people do not have access to it.

In fact, the key pillars of the recently announced strategy only treat the symptoms of the crisis, rather than its cause. One of its flagship programs is a voucher of $2,500 per year for low-income households. This gives people more money to pay for housing, rather than addressing why that housing is so expensive in the first place. And, if this is given to people renting in the private rental market, the risk is that it will really only act as a subsidy to landlords.

A housing strategy that genuinely tackles the root causes of affordability would address two issues. First, it would disincentivize and penalize speculation in the housing market, as demonstrated by the recent interventions by provincial governments in B.C and Ontario aimed at foreign investors. This helped to dissuade some speculation by foreign investors, but largely ignored the larger issue of real estate speculation more generally and practices that drive up costs and reduce supply.

The second approach would encourage and promote non-market housing as the pathway towards a more equitable and just housing system. This could involve traditional social housing, but to truly have an impact were going to need to get creative in terms of the type, tenure and ownership of non-market housing. Examples of this can be seen in co-operative housing, community land trusts and even ownership schemes that link the price of housing to average incomes in an area, rather than the housing market.

Imagine being able to own a condo in Toronto or Vancouver for under $200,000 with the understanding that you wont be able to sell it for a million, as its price is pegged in relation to average incomes in the area.

There is nothing inevitable about homelessness and the increasingly unaffordable nature of our major cities. There are solutions, but they will take more than words and more than money. Solutions will require rethinking what housing means to us and what its place is in society.

When we consider that we live in an era where people sleep on the streets beside investment properties that sit vacant, it should be clear that a progressive housing strategy will have to address the question of whether houses are for people or for profit.

Because in a fair and just society, they cant be both.

Brian Doucet is an associate professor in the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo.

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The American leadership guru Lolly Daskal is an aphorism machine. Some are good. Some are groaners. One is this: We are not just what we think. We are what we hide.

In the great workplace sexual harassment/assault reckoning taking place across the continent, what once was hidden has cost an already long list of powerful men their careers or reputations. Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., Al Franken, Charlie Rose and, this week, Matt Lauer.

Theres a revolution in the workplace. In most cases, it has taken brave women stepping forward to ignite it. Questions should be asked in many quarters why that burden has rested solely on their shoulders.

The most recent example is the termination of Toronto Blue Jays commentator Gregg Zaun by Sportsnet for inappropriate behaviour.

What can apparently not be said of Zauns attitudes  and certain other of the disgraced men  is that they were particularly hidden.

For instance, MSNBC morning hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, partners in life and on-air, recently discussed what had been known about the behaviour of NBCs ousted Matt Lauer, the long-time host of The Today Show.

Scarborough said he once attended a roast of Lauer and much of the joking was about his sexual pursuits at work.

The whole thing was, he does his show and then he has sex with people, with employees, recalled Scarborough. So was this whispered behind closed doors? No, it was shouted from the mountaintops and everybody laughed about it.

A lot of men who once were laughing must live in dread these days. But all who knew or suspected that colleagues were being victimized and laughed it off should also probably lose some sleep as well.

Sportsnet acted swiftly to axe Zaun after complaints were brought to management from multiple female employees.

This type of behaviour completely contradicts our standards and our core values, Rick Brace, president of Rogers Media, said in a statement.

Maybe so. But if thats the case, alarms bells should have been ringing in the executive suites much earlier than this week.

Zahn referred to himself as The Manalyst and did his best to live up to the sophomoric label. In style and comportment, he was all testosterone and swagger. In outlook, he glorified old-school macho codes. And quite publicly, he revealed something less than utter respect for women.

In April 2011, he tweeted: Hemingways is the place to be tonight. A year later, like a superannuated frat boy, he offered an indication as to why that might be.

At Christmas 2012, Zaun, by this time 40, tweeted: The rich girls from TO must be home from college. Tubby, unfortunately manish (sic), and super stuck up are all at Hemingways tonight.

Zahn had a charity website dubbed zauntourage. On it was a photo of him, his arms around two blonde women, their scantily-clad bottoms facing the camera, the former ballplayer leering between them like a drunken old uncle messing with the bridesmaids at a wedding.

After Zauns firing, social media lit up with accounts of his presence as the cliched middle-aged lecher in downtown Toronto bars.

None of this is evidence of harassment on the job. Some of it describes behaviour on his own time. But all of it suggests an attitude. Available for anyone, including Sportsnet management, to see. And if Zahn was never taken aside for guidance, perhaps those in charge need to explain why.

Probably no businesses are entirely free of harassment and complicity, such being the result of attitudes deeply ingrained and long tolerated. But those days are done. Perpetrators are paying the price.

In the meantime, those in charge or in the know should reflect on what they might have abetted by looking away.

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Trumps ongoing attempt to demonize Muslims, Analysis, Nov. 30

By retweeting anti-Muslim videos of a far-right extremist group, U.S. President Donald Trump has shown he is willing to go very low in order to demonize all Muslims.

Trump has continuously used the fear tactic to create division, and this was a prime example of it. Attacking Muslims in this manner certainly doesnt promote any strong border security. It only achieves to spread hate and solidify the hatred that is, unfortunately, already present among many people.

As for the videos, the actions performed by those individuals certainly do not represent the Muslim majority or the Islamic teachings. As a Muslim, I can testify that Mary Mother of Jesus holds a great stature in Islam, whereby an entire chapter of the Quran is dedicated to her.

The videos retweeted by Trump are a huge misrepresentation of Muslims and strategically threaten the safety of many Muslims, and even those who look like Muslims.

Fasih Malik, Calgary

I wasnt surprised to see Donald Trump retweeting anti-Muslim, hate-filled propaganda. What astonished me was to see the British government confirm that Trumps planned state visit would go ahead.

It is shameful and utterly irresponsible for British Prime Minister Theresa May to be looking forward to welcoming a man who is filled with hatred. She should have shown some respect toward Muslims and shut the door on the bigots face.

Abubakar N. Kasim, Toronto

It is unfortunate that President Trump chose to retweet three anti-Muslim videos from Jayda Fransen of Britain First. Someone should convert some of the sayings of John Milton, Edmund Burke or William Wilberforce into tweets so that Mr. Trump can retweet them. There are certainly many Brits worth retweeting but Mr. Trump got off to a bad start.

Bruce Couchman, Ottawa

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Stabbing a map spread on a coffee table before him, our host said ominously, You want to know where Palestine will be? Thats where! We were in Ariel Sharons desert home. His finger rested on Jordan. The visiting western political leaders quietly groaned.

Sharon, a giant in Israeli military and political life, was at the height of his power 35 years ago. His views were out of sync with Israeli opinion at the time, less so now. He hinted he would annex the occupied territories, ending the dream of a Palestinian state. Despite all the intifadas, wars and diplomatic agreements since, paralysis over a Palestinian homeland remains.

Big cracks are appearing in the political tectonic plates of the Middle East, however. Years of weak oil prices, rising Iranian power in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and an invigorated Egypt determined to return to its powerbroker role are factors. But the biggest is the emergence of an ambitious Saudi prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

There are sharply opposed views of this new player. Most international pundits are skeptical of his motives and ability to deliver massive change, and worried he will trigger a region-wide conflagration. Some Arab analysts have been quietly applauding his bold moves against the sclerotic power structure at home, and Iran internationally. They point out that the Saudis were on a secular slide in oil revenue, wealth and regional influence. MBS, as he likes to be known, is determined to break that decline.

No one denies MBSs communications skill and political craft. Warning the world against appeasement, he has dubbed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the new Hitler. His engineering of the resignation of the Lebanese prime minister stunned the region.

For Palestinians, however, it is the changes he has nudged forward on their file, that are most surprising. In tandem with his attack on Qatar, he persuaded the UAE states to up their support of Egypt and Hamas in Gaza. In turn, the Egyptians have dragged Fatah and Hamas into serious power-sharing talks for the first time, and opened the southern border of Gaza into Egypt. Hamas is now helping Egypt tackle ISIS and Al Qaeda allies in the Sinai.

Most surprisingly, however, were public hints from both Saudis and Israelis about an intelligence-sharing relationship, one that has been an open secret in regional government circles for years. Israels famously skilled intelligence services have developed assets within each of the Iranian surrogates. They have unparalleled technical and surveillance skills. They also have a determination to never again be humiliated by a surprise attack, like that which threatened the countrys survival in 1973.

In an interview last month, Israels chief of staff, Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, told a Saudi newspaper that as far as the Iranian axis is concerned, we are in full accord with the Saudis. More stunningly, a close MBS associate told an Israeli newspaper a few days later, no act of violence of terror . . . invoking the religion of Islam is justified anywhere, including in Israel. In the delicate dance of diplomacy, these were surprising clear signals by each side. And no doubt, enraging to the Iranians.

However, the Saudis and the Israelis each know there is only one way that they could survive fierce verbal attacks by Iran, and from their own publics, for this apostasy: by delivering a Palestinian peace. If a united Palestinian government in Gaza becomes a reality, it will be followed by elections to promote a new generation of Palestinian leaders. The table is then set for a very different kind of negotiations, one with a win for all sides in sight. But it would be an existential crisis for Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, each of whose legitimacy is based on their implacable hostility to Israel.

Despite their extravagant and loud rhetorical support for the Saudis, the Trump administration is irrelevant in this dramatic and accelerating change of players and alliances. Indeed, local leaders whisper that the events have been in part provoked by the declining American influence and the anxiety triggered by an unstable American president.

Hopes have been dashed a dozen times on the paralysis over Palestine. But for the first time, a settlement on the West Bank and Gaza could deliver a huge win to Israel, Egypt and the Saudis, and a body blow to Iran and to its surrogates.

Robin V. Sears, a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, was an NDP strategist for 20 years.

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The following companies are subsidiares of D.R. Horton: 10700 Pecan Park Austin Inc., 11241 Slater Avenue NE LLC, 2 C Development Company LLC, 8800 Roswell Road Bldg. B LLC, 91st Avenue & Happy Valley L.L.C., ANN & 215 LLC, Austin Data Inc., BP456 Inc., C. Richard Dobson Builders Inc., CH Funding LLC, CH Investments of Texas Inc., CHI Construction Company, CHM Partners L.P., CHTEX of Texas Inc., CV Mountain View 25 Inv LLC, Cane Island LLC, Continental Homes Inc., Continental Homes of Texas L.P., Continental Residential Inc., Continental Traditions LLC, Crown Operating Company Inc., Cypress Road L.P., D.R. Horton - CHAustin LLC, D.R. Horton - Colorado LLC, D.R. Horton - Crown LLC, D.R. Horton - Emerald Ltd., D.R. Horton - Georgia LLC, D.R. Horton - Hawaii LLC, D.R. Horton - Highland LLC, D.R. Horton - Indiana LLC, D.R. Horton - Iowa LLC, D.R. Horton - MV LLC, D.R. Horton - Nebraska LLC, D.R. Horton - Permian LLC, D.R. Horton - Regent LLC, D.R. Horton - Terramor LLC, D.R. Horton - Texas Ltd., D.R. Horton - WPH LLC, D.R. Horton - Wyoming LLC, D.R. Horton BAY Inc., D.R. Horton CA2 Inc., D.R. Horton CA3 Inc., D.R. Horton CA4 LLC, D.R. Horton Commercial Inc., D.R. Horton Cruces Construction Inc., D.R. Horton Inc. - Birmingham, D.R. Horton Inc. - Chicago, D.R. Horton Inc. - Denver, D.R. Horton Inc. - Dietz-Crane, D.R. Horton Inc. - Greensboro, D.R. Horton Inc. - Gulf Coast, D.R. Horton Inc. - Huntsville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Jacksonville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Louisville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Midwest, D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota, D.R. Horton Inc. - NNV, D.R. Horton Inc. - New Jersey, D.R. Horton Inc. - Portland, D.R. Horton Inc. - Torrey, D.R. Horton Inc. Foundation, D.R. Horton Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton LA North Inc., D.R. Horton Life Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company Inc., D.R. Horton Management Company Ltd., D.R. Horton Materials Inc., D.R. Horton Realty LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Central Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Delaware LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Georgia Inc., D.R. Horton Realty of Melbourne LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Tampa LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Virginia LLC, D.R. Horton Seabridge Marina Inc., D.R. Horton Serenity Construction LLC, D.R. Horton Urban Renewal LLC, D.R. Horton VEN Inc., D.R. Horton  Corpus Christi LLC, DBC54 LLC, DHI Commercial - Lakeview LLC, DHI Commercial - Signal Butte LLC, DHI Commercial - Tamarron LLC, DHI Commercial Inc., DHI Communities Construction LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Arizona LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Colorado LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Florida LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Iowa LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Nevada LLC, DHI Communities Construction of North Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of South Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Texas LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Utah LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Virginia LLC, DHI Communities II LLC, DHI Communities Inc., DHI Engineering LLC, DHI Insurance Inc., DHI Mortgage Company, DHI Mortgage Company GP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company LP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company Ltd., DHI Ranch Ltd., DHI Realty of Alabama LLC, DHI Realty of Mississippi LLC, DHI Title GP Inc., DHI Title LP Inc., DHI Title of Alabama Inc., DHI Title of Arizona Inc., DHI Title of Florida Inc., DHI Title of Minnesota Inc., DHI Title of Nevada Inc., DHI Title of Texas Ltd., DHI Title of Washington Inc., DHI Verandah South Shores Communities LLC, DHIC - Bridges LLC, DHIC - Brittmore LLC, DHIC - Carolina Forest LLC, DHIC - Desert Peak LLC, DHIC - Durbin Creek LLC, DHIC - Freestone LLC, DHIC - Hammock Landing LLC, DHIC - Heritage LLC, DHIC - Horizon Uptown LLC, DHIC - Jacobs Reserve LLC, DHIC - Lakeview LLC, DHIC - Lipoma LLC, DHIC - Minton Cove LLC, DHIC - Mountain Vista LLC, DHIC - Naco LLC, DHIC - Northshore LLC, DHIC - Prairie Village LLC, DHIC - South Creek LLC, DHIC - Tamarron LLC, DHIC - Valley Vista LLC, DHIC - Varina Gateway LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh II LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh III LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh LLC, DHIC - Westridge LLC, DHIC LLC, DHIC  Glendale LLC, DHIC  Grove West LLC, DHIC  South Park LLC, DHIC  Westinghouse LLC, DHIR - Aspen Vista LLC, DHIR - Avian Pointe LLC, DHIR - Emerald Lakes LLC, DHIR - Fosters Ridge LLC, DHIR - Gulf Stream LLC, DHIR - Parkview at Lynn Haven LLC, DHIR - Poplar Terrace LLC, DHIR - Properties I LLC, DHIR - Rock Ridge LLC, DHIR - Sunset Village LLC, DHIR - Village at Hickory Street LLC, DRH - ARK LLC, DRH - ASG LLC, DRH - HWY 114 LLC, DRH Cambridge Homes LLC, DRH Capital Trust I, DRH Capital Trust II, DRH Capital Trust III, DRH Colorado Realty Inc., DRH Construction Inc., DRH Energy Inc., DRH FS Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd., DRH Land Opportunities I Inc., DRH Land Opportunities II Inc., DRH Mountain View LLC, DRH Oil & Gas Inc., DRH Opportunities I Inc., DRH Properties Inc., DRH Realty Company Inc., DRH Realty of Iowa LLC, DRH Regrem L LLC, DRH Regrem LI LLC, DRH Regrem LII LLC, DRH Regrem LIII LLC, DRH Regrem LIV LLC, DRH Regrem LV LLC, DRH Regrem VII LP, DRH Regrem XII LP, DRH Regrem XIV Inc., DRH Regrem XIX Inc., DRH Regrem XLIX LLC, DRH Regrem XLV LLC, DRH Regrem XLVI LLC, DRH Regrem XLVII LLC, DRH Regrem XLVIII LLC, DRH Regrem XV Inc., DRH Regrem XVI Inc., DRH Regrem XVII Inc., DRH Regrem XVIII Inc., DRH Regrem XX Inc., DRH Regrem XXI Inc., DRH Regrem XXII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIV Inc., DRH Regrem XXV Inc., DRH Southwest Construction Inc., DRH Tucson Construction Inc., DRHI Inc., Deer Valley Office Park LLC, Desert Ridge Phase I Partners, Emerald Creek No. 4 L.P., Emerald Realty of Alabama LLC, Emerald Realty of Central Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of North Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Encore II Inc., Encore Venture Partners II (California) L.P., Encore Venture Partners II (Texas) L.P., Encore Venture Partners L.P., Express Realty of Central Florida LLC, Express Realty of North Florida LLC, Express Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Forestar Group, Forestar Group Inc., Founders Oil & Gas II LLC, Founders Oil & Gas III LLC, Founders Oil & Gas IV LLC, Founders Oil & Gas LLC, Founders Oil & Gas Operating LLC, GP-Encore Inc., Georgetown Data Inc., Germann & McQueen L.L.C., Grand Title Agency LLC, Grande Realty Incorporated, Grande Realty of Pennsylvania LLC, Greywes LLC, HPH Homebuilders 2000 L.P., Hadian LLC, KDB Homes Inc., Kaomalo LLC, Lexington Homes - DRH LLC, MRLF LLC, Martin Road Lake Forest LLC, McQueen & Willis LLC, Meadows I Ltd., Meadows II Ltd., Meadows IX Inc., Meadows VIII Ltd., Meadows X Inc., Melody Homes Inc., Pacific Ridge - DRH LLC, Rielly Carlsbad LLC, Rielly Homes Madison LLC, SFTEN LLC, SGS Communities at Grand Quay L.L.C, SHA Construction LLC, SHLR of California Inc., SHLR of Nevada Inc., SHLR of Washington Inc., SRHI LLC, SSHI LLC, Schuler Homes of Arizona LLC, Schuler Homes of California Inc., Schuler Homes of Oregon Inc., Schuler Homes of Washington Inc., Summerlin Pkwy & Cimarron LLC, Surprise Village North LLC, The Club at Cobblestone LLC, The Club at Hidden River LLC, Tierra Financial Advisors LLC, Travis County Title Company, Treasure Assets LLC, Venture Management of South Carolina LLC, Vertical Construction Corporation, WPH-Camino Ruiz LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon II LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon LLC, Walker Drive LLC, Western Pacific Brea Development LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Mountaingate L.P., Western Pacific Housing - SDG LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Westlake II L.P., Western Pacific Housing Inc., Western Pacific Housing Management Inc., Western Pacific Housing-Antigua LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Broadway LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Canyon Park LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Carrillo LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Communications Hill LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Copper Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Creekside LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lomas Verdes LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lyons Canyon Partners LLC, Western Pacific Housing-McGonigle Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Norco Estates LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Pacific Park II LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue East LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue West LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Playa Vista LLC, Western Pacific Housing-River Ridge LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Terra Bay Duets LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Meadows LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Village Center LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Windemere LLC, and Wilson Parker Homes.

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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 []
Hercules Capital, Inc. is a business development company. The firm specializing in providing venture debt, debt, senior secured loans, and growth capital to privately held venture capital-backed companies at all stages of development from startups, to expansion stage including select publicly listed companies and select special opportunity lower middle market companies that require additional capital to fund acquisitions, recapitalizations and refinancing and established-stage companies. The firm provides growth capital financing solutions for capital extension; management buy-out and corporate spin-out financing solutions; company, asset specific, or intellectual property acquisition financing; convertible, subordinated and/or mezzanine loans; domestic and international corporate expansion; vendor financing; revenue acceleration by sales and marketing development, and manufacturing expansion. It provides asset-based financing with a focus on cash flow; accounts receivable facilities; equipment loans or leases; equipment acquisition; facilities build-out and/or expansion; working capital revolving lines of credit; inventory. The firm also provides bridge financing to IPO or mergers and acquisitions or technology acquisition; dividend recapitalizations and other sources of investor liquidity; cash flow financing to protect against share price volatility; competitor acquisition; pre-IPO financing for extra cash on the balance sheet; public company financing to continue asset growth and production capacity; short-term bridge financing; and strategic and intellectual property acquisition financings. It also focuses on customized financing solutions, emerging growth, mid venture, and late venture financing. The firm invests primarily in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The firm generally seeks to invest in companies that have been operating for at least six to 12 months prior to the date of their investment. It prefers to invest in technology, energy technology, sustainable and renewable technology, and life sciences. Within technology the firm focuses on advanced specialty materials and chemicals; communication and networking, consumer and business products; consumer products and services, digital media and consumer internet; electronics and computer hardware; enterprise software and services; gaming; healthcare services; information services; business services; media, content and information; mobile; resource management; security software; semiconductors; semiconductors and hardware; and software sector. Within energy technology, it invests in agriculture; clean technology; energy and renewable technology, fuels and power technology; geothermal; smart grid and energy efficiency and monitoring technologies; solar; and wind. Within life sciences, the firm invests in biopharmaceuticals; biotechnology tools; diagnostics; drug discovery, development and delivery; medical devices and equipment; surgical devices; therapeutics; pharma services; and specialty pharmaceuticals. It also invests in educational services. The firm invests primarily in United States based companies and considers investment in the West Coast, Mid-Atlantic regions, Southeast and Midwest; particularly in the areas of software, biotech and information services. The firm prefers to invest between $10 million to $250 million in equity per transactions. It invests generally between $1 million to $40 million in companies focused primarily on business services, communications, electronics, hardware, and healthcare services. The firm invests primarily in private companies but also have investments in public companies. For equity investments, the firm seeks to represent a controlling interest in its portfolio companies which may exceed 25% of the voting securities of such companies. The firm seeks to invest a limited portion of its assets in equipment-based loans to early-stage prospective portfolio companies. These loans are generally for amounts up to $3 million but may be up to $15 million for certain energy technology venture investments. The firm allows certain debt investments have the right to convert a portion of the debt investment into equity. It also co-invests with other private equity firms. The firm seeks to exit its investments through initial public offering, a private sale of equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of the equity position by the company or one of its stockholders. The firm has structured debt with warrants which typically have maturities of between two and seven years with an average of three years; senior debt with an investment horizon of less than three years; equipment loans with an investment horizon ranging from three to four years; and equity related securities with an investment horizon ranging from three to seven years. The firm prefers to invest through its balance sheet capital. The firm formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. Hercules Capital, Inc. was founded in December 2003 and is based in Palo Alto, California with additional offices in Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; San Diego, California; Westport, Connecticut; Elmhurst, Illinois; Santa Monica, California; McLean, Virginia; New York, New York; Radnor, Pennsylvania; and Washington, District of Columbia and London, United Kingdom.
The following companies are subsidiares of Sherwin-Williams: Acquire Sourcing LLC, CTS National Corporation, Comex North America Inc., Compania Sherwin-Williams S.A. de C.V., Contract Transportation Systems Co., Dongguan Lilly Paint Industries Ltd, Duron, EPS B.V., EPS Shanghai Trading Co. Ltd., Geocel Holdings, Guangdong Valspar Paints Manufacturing Co Ltd., Inver East Med S.A., Inver France SAS, Inver GmbH, Inver Industrial Coating SRL, Inver Polska Spoka Z O.O, Inver Spa, Invercolor Bologna Srl, Invercolor Ltd, Invercolor Roma Srl, Invercolor Torino Srl, Invercolor Toscana Srl, Isocoat Tintas e Vernizes Ltda, Isva Vernici Srl, Leighs Paints, M.A. Bruder & Sons, Omega Specialty Products & Services LLC, Oy Sherwin-Williams Finland Ab, PT Sherwin-Williams Indonesia, PT Valspar Indonesia, Paint Sundry Brands, Pinturas Condor S.A., Pinturas Industriales S.A., Piton Paints Limited, Plasti-Kote Co. Inc., Plasti-kote Limited, Productos Quimicos y Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Quest Automotive Products UK Limited, Quetzal Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Ronseal Ireland Limited, SWIMC LLC, SWIPCO  Sherwin Williams do Brasil Propriedade Intelectual Ltda, Sherwin Williams Colombia S.A.S., Sherwin-Williams Argentina I.y C.S.A., Sherwin-Williams Aruba VBA, Sherwin-Williams Australia Pty. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams Balkan S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Bel Unitary Enterprise, Sherwin-Williams Belize Limited, Sherwin-Williams Benelux NV, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams Caribbean N.V., Sherwin-Williams Cayman Islands Limited, Sherwin-Williams Chile S.A., Sherwin-Williams Coatings India Private Limited, Sherwin-Williams Coatings S.a r.l., Sherwin-Williams Czech Republic spol. s r.o, Sherwin-Williams Denmark A/S, Sherwin-Williams Deutschland GmbH, Sherwin-Williams France Finishes SAS, Sherwin-Williams Ireland Limited, Sherwin-Williams Italy S.r.l., Sherwin-Williams Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams Nantong Coatings Technology Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams Nantong Company Limited, Sherwin-Williams Norway AS, Sherwin-Williams Paints Limited Liability Company, Sherwin-Williams Peru S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Pinturas de Venezuela S.A., Sherwin-Williams Poland Sp. z o.o, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, Sherwin-Williams Realty Holdings Inc., Sherwin-Williams Services Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams Shanghai Limited, Sherwin-Williams Spain Coatings S.L., Sherwin-Williams Sweden AB, Sherwin-Williams Thailand Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams UK Coatings Limited, Sherwin-Williams UK Limited, Sherwin-Williams Vietnam Limited, Sherwin-Williams West Indies Limited, Sherwin-Williams do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., Southland Paint Company, Spanyc Paints Joint Stock Company, Specialty Polymers Inc., Syntema I Vaggeryd AB, Taiwan Valspar Co. Ltd., The Sherwin-Williams Acceptance Corporation, The Sherwin-Williams Headquarters Company, The Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company, The Sherwin-Williams US Licensing Company, The Valspar Asia Corporation Limited, The Valspar Australia Corporation Pty. Ltd., The Valspar Corporation, The Valspar Corporation Limitada, The Valspar Finland Corporation Oy, The Valspar France Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar France Research Corporation SAS, The Valspar Malaysia Corporation Sdn Bhd, The Valspar Nantes Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar Singapore Corporation Pte. Ltd, The Valspar South Africa Corporation Pty Ltd, The Valspar Switzerland Corporation AG, The Valspar Thailand Corporation Ltd., The Valspar UK Corporation Limited, The Valspar Vietnam Corporation Ltd., UAB Sherwin-Williams Baltic, Valspar Aries Coatings S. de R.L. de C.V., Valspar Automotive Australia Pty Limited, Valspar Automotive UK Corporation Limited, Valspar B.V., Valspar Coatings Guangdong Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings Shanghai Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings Tianjin Co. Ltd, Valspar D.o.o Beograd, Valspar India Coatings Corporation Private Limited, Valspar Industries GmbH, Valspar Industries Ireland Ltd., Valspar Industries Italy S.r.l., Valspar LLC, Valspar Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Valspar Powder Coatings Limited, Valspar Rock Company Limited Japan, Valspar Shanghai Management Co. Ltd., Valspar Specialty Paints LLC, Valspar Uruguay Corporation S.A., Valspar WPC Pty Ltd, and ZAO Sherwin-Williams.

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Helping the hungry: Food boxes distributed at Bedford church

The fourth Tuesday of each month, food boxes are given away at the Bedford Sherwood Oaks Christian Church.
Injaz Bahrain, a leading non-profit organisation focusing on youth economic empowerment, recently organised its schools and universities annual appreciation day.



The event saw more than 300 attendees arrive at Ministry of Education Hall in recognition of the on-going collaboration with the Ministry of Education, said a statement from the organisation.



The event honoured educators, Ministry of Education officials, schools and universities coordinators who are actively involved in the organisations programmes, it said.



In presence of Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al-Khalifa, the executive director of Injaz Bahrain, board members of Injaz Bahrain, Latifa Al-Bunodha , undersecretary for general and technical education, on behalf of the Minister of Education , Private Directorate and other VIP officials at the Ministry of Education, it added.



Certificates of appreciation were distributed to all participating school coordinators for their efforts and valuable contributions over the 2016-2017 academic year. Trophies were also handed out to the Best Schools and University for 2016-2017 and to the Ministry of Education for their lasting support in implementing Injaz Bahrain programmes.



Injaz Bahrain shared its success in inspiring youth where students from Al Isteqlal Secondary Girls School, the winners of Students Company of Best Social Impact of the National Company Competition shared an inspiring speech about the programme impact and how it helped in developing their skills and form their personalities.



During the event Injaz Bahrain granted team Machla from Ibn Khaldoon National School competing in the schools division, and team Royal Creators from the Royal University of Women competing in the universities division that represented Bahrain in the 11th Annual Young Entrepreneurs Competition 2017 that was held in Egypt last week .



Team Machla qualified for more than four awards: Citi Client Focus Award by City Foundation, High School of Best Social Impact, High School Best Product, and were among the top three candidates for the Best High School Company of the Year award.



Team Royal Critters qualified for the MBC Al Amal Pitch Award of the Year and were also ranked among the top three.



The event kicked off with a welcoming speech by Shaikha Hessa in which she commended the Ministry of Education for embracing Injaz Bahrains mission since its inception and thanked all Ministry of Education officials, schools officials and teachers for all their efforts to support Injaz Bahrain to inspire and prepare the Bahraini youth to succeed in the global economy.



She said: Thirteen years have passed since the inception of Injaz Bahrain and we are very proud of the achievements accomplished by the organisation to date in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the private sector.



In order to qualify young people to be the best option when they graduate and engage in the field of work we seek schools support for our programs within the classroom. The presence of the teacher with the volunteer reflects the real partnership between the public sector represented by the Ministry of Education and the private sector represented by the volunteer, she added.



Shaikha Hessa continued: We are working according to strategic plans, perhaps the most important of which is to set all our efforts and provide all the resources to reach as many students as possible each year.



We have reached 150,000 students since 2004 to this semester at all levels of education and we hope that this number will double in the coming years. We know that the target is great, but with Gods will and the commitment of all involved parties we will achieve our goal, she said.



The awareness of the community of our mission and the positive impact of our programmes has increased and that helped us to win the cooperation of the volunteers, the support of the educators to cooperate with us. We are working hard to attract and encourage the youth to engage in volunteer work, which is the cornerstone of our success, the continuation of our organisation, and the development of the kingdom, she concluded.



With the support of 659 volunteers who were instrumental in reaching over 20,000 students in 88 primary, 40 intermediate, and 30 secondary, three technical government and 12 private schools, as well as three universities over the course of the fall semester 2017-2018, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Icelanders have a beautiful tradition of giving books to each other on Christmas Eve and then spending the night reading. This custom is so deeply ingrained in the culture that it is the reason for the Jolabokaflod, or Christmas Book Flood, when the majority of books in Iceland are sold between September and December in preparation for Christmas giving.

Participating in Jolabokaflod

At this time of year, most households receive an annual free book catalog of new publications called the Bokatidindi. Icelanders pore over the new releases and choose which ones they want to buy, fueling what Kristjan B. Jonasson, president of the Iceland Publishers Association, describes as the backbone of the publishing industry.

"'t's like the firing of the guns at the opening of the race,' says Baldur Bjarnason, a researcher who has written about the Icelandic book industry. 'It's not like this is a catalog that gets put in everybody's mailbox and everybody ignores it. Books get attention here.'"

The small Nordic island, with a population of only 329,000 people, is extraordinarily literary. They love to read and write. According to Rosie Goldsmith of the BBC, The country has more writers, more books published and more books read, per head, than anywhere else in the world."

A Tradition for Book Lovers

It seems there is more value placed on physical, paper books than in North America, where e-books have grown in popularity. One bookstore manager told NPR, The book in Iceland is such an enormous gift, you give a physical book. You don't give e-books here." The book industry is driven by the majority of people buying several books each year, rather than the North American pattern of a few people buying a lot of books.

When I asked an Icelandic friend what she thought of this tradition, she was surprised.

I hadn't thought of this as a special Icelandic tradition. It is true that a book is always considered a nice gift. Yes, for my family this is true. We are very proud of our authors.

It sounds like a wonderful tradition, perfect for a winter evening. It is something that I would love to incorporate into my own familys celebration of Christmas. I doubt my loyalty to physical books will ever fade; they are the one thing I cant resist collecting, in order to read and re-read, to beautify and personalize my home, to pass on to friends and family as needed. Combining my love for books and quiet, cozy Christmas Eves sounds like a perfect match.
Our reef trip in June was not oerfect because of grey skies and a little rain, and the crew were adament we should take ginger tablets (they also had seasickness tabs for sale but we stuck with the free ginger). It did get a bit bumpy, but we all sat outside for both the out and back, and no one got sick on the whole boat (we were lucky to only have about 50 on our boat that takes 150).

I dont usually get sea sick anyway, but I manage it by not being in a cabin with no airflow - stay on deck, watch the horizon, breathe the sea air for at least 30 mins and you can adjust.

Cheers.
You can't avoid going back into NYC as JFK is in NYC.

You could avoid crossing Manhattan by going across Staten Island to a hotel there or in Brooklyn or a Queens/JFK hotel.

The issue with choice of hotel location depends on whether you simply want to sleep and perhaps eat in a hotel restaurant (and a pool if you can find one) or have a stroll and a better meal, etc.

Since you're crossing state lines price car services such as Dial 7 or Carmel. (NYC Yellow cabs are not available in NJ.)

Edited: 4 years ago
Hello! I'm thinking about taking a trip with my mother to Costa Rica next month. I'd previously thought that flying into San Jose was a good idea and from there we could go to Manuel Antonio, since it seemed like a good combination of rainforest, animals, beaches, and services. However, I've now found that we could fly into Liberia for about half the price and I'm wondering if we should do that instead. Either way, we would have 3 full days, plus a little bit of time on each travel day.

Could we see a lot based in the Liberia area or is it worth it to pay a lot more to fly to San Jose? We'd preferably like to see some rainforest, animals, nature, do some walking, etc. The beach would just be an added bonus, not the main attraction.

Since I'll be traveling with my mother who is a bit older, I am planning to be pretty risk averse on this trip, whereas normally I'm fine with sort of doing whatever, making last minute decisions, staying in sketchy places, etc.

Thanks!
Theres plenty of places everywhere in Vietnam where you can rent a motor bike or scooter without having or showing a license. Be aware that if you have an accident - even a minor one - your travel insurance will not cover you. If you are seriously injured, you could be charged many thousands of dollars for treatment in Vietnam and repatriation to Australia and any subsequent costs. Not to mention a replacement motor bike.

If doesnt mattter if you have an Australian motor bike license or an International Driving Permit. Neither are valid in Vietnam. And tourists cant get a local license.

There are increasing numbers of electric bikes here. Some resemble motor scooters and your travel insurance wont cover you using them either.

The chance of having an accident is pretty high, it doesnt have to be your fault.

The school kids are seen riding bicycles with rechargeable batteries. A little harder to find but you can hire them for $3 to $5 a day depending on how many days you want.

There plenty of ordinary bikes - just remember to ride on the right hand side or the road
Hi, I am confused and need help. I will be going to Tokyo this Dec 15. I am still confused what is the best and easiest route from Haneda Airport to hotel Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo, considering many big luggages and travelling with kids. I have JR pass to use. I heard about the ease of limousine bus but confused about its station and stops. Thank you for any kind assistance and much appreciated.
Hi all

Part of my travels in Japan will involve going to Saitama Stadium and to Haneda Airport for departure. I will be likely using a Tokyo Subway Pass, and for these trips, the subway transfers onto another companies line (Saitama Railway /Keikyu). Since the Tokyo/Toei subway trains are through trains to my destination, so I don't need to transfer, what happens when you exit at the end? The subway pass would cover some of the cost, but there will be a remainder owing?

Can I pay for the difference using a Suica card, or would it need to be in cash?

Thank you :)
Hard to travel to Koyasan from Osaka with rail closure?

Hard to travel to Koyasan from Osaka with rail closure?

Hi there

My husband and I are going to Japan for 2 weeks for our honeymoon in March.

We are planning to doKyoto, Nara, Kinosaki Onsen, Osaka, Koyasan, Kamakura, Tokyo.

Initially we were thinking of spending two nights in Koyasan in a temple after our stop in Osaka.

However we have now seen that the Nankai rail line is closed until further notice due to the heavy rains they had. I wasn't able to find much information online about when the rail might reopen and I saw there is a replacement bus, but apparently this could take ages with traffic.

I'm a bit worried might be a nightmare getting there if the train is closed and was wondering if anyone has had to go since the train closure and if you think it's feasible?

If not, would you be able to recommend another place to visit instead of Koyasan for 2 days. We would have loved to experience Buddhist Japan and stay with monks. Or other sacred sites/pilgrimage.

Do you think Ise is a good place to visit instead? Or any other ideas?

Another option might be to go the the art island?

Any ideas or thoughts are very welcome! Thanks!
For pick ups in Manhattan either find a place convenient to your hotel (for loading luggage) or convenient to which ever route you intend to use to leave Manhattan.

Since your initial direction is south some place like Newport NJ might work, but EWR can be very easy to get to by public transit https://www.panynj.gov/airports/ewr-airtrain.html and you'd avoid possible drop off fees that might be charged for a car returned to a different location.

I'd comparison price various scenarios with various companies to help decide. Try https://www.kayak.com/cars
Is your company in need of the most reliable and efficient best Best Jasmine Tea s in the market? Your good luck led you to the ideal situation, so congratulations! You are in the best possible place. By eliminating the need to read through dozens of Best Jasmine Tea reviews, we are saving you time and stress.

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This weekend Im unplugging.

Yep, thats right. Im turning off my phone and going off the grid. And, by off the grid, I mean Colorado.

My favorite aunt and I planned this trip to Colorado Springs about a month ago as a way to see each other for the holidays. With her flying in from Philadelphia and me flying out of San Francisco, flying into Denver was one of the most budget-friendly options.

This is starting to become a tradition for us  meeting once a year in a city neither of us knows very well. Last time it was Chicago.

Seeing her is always relaxing to me because we have such a good relationship and we keep things low-key. Much of our time together is spent walking, talking and eating, and, if there is something one of us wants to try, the other is always up for it.

So, this time I told her that Im cutting off my connection to everyone else. They can survive without me for a weekend and, if theres an emergency, they can call the hotel.

Letting my cell phone die used to be one of my favorite things to do. Without my phone, I felt free. I could live in the moment. I could relax. I especially liked turning off my phone before heading out on an unplanned adventure, just me and whatever hooptie I was driving.

When I became a journalist, though, being disconnected was no longer an option. Nowadays, my phone is always on and I need to look at it way more often than Id like. I cant be the reporter who missed the important email from an important source. Nope. Instead, I sleep with my phone next to my head. I dont even have an alarm clock  or a clock at all  that isnt attached to my phone.

I dont like that my time is never wholly mine. Its just mine until someone calls, texts or emails. Its difficult enough to be mindful and present without having all these constant distractions. Social media has just made it worse because now, instead of just seeing a missed call on my phone, I see Facebook and Twitter notifications for things Im not even interested in.

Oh, this person just went live on Facebook, you say? Well, let me put everything down and hop to  I cant wait to see what the kid I went to middle school with is looking at today.

Not.

And definitely not this weekend.
Time to get the drinks, popcorn and other goodies out as you prepare to support your favouri
Alec Baldwin returned to "Saturday Night Live" as Donald Trump -- along with some unwelcome ghosts from the President's past in the show's own rendition of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

The NBC sketch series took a page from the headlines following the news that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations he had with Russian contacts.

When Baldwin's Trump broke away from a White House Christmas Party, he is visited by actor Mikey Day playing a heavily chained Flynn as the "ghost of witness flipped," an apparent reference to the disclosure that Flynn is cooperating with the special counsel's office.

"Mr. President, I came to warn you, it's time for you to come clean, for the good of the country," Day's Flynn said. "This is serious sir. The FBI got to me. Before all this, I had a great life, Donald."

"If only someone had warned me about you," Baldwin's Trump said.

"President Obama did tell you not to hire me," replied Day's Flynn.

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US during the presidential transition last year.

The "SNL" sketch then continued with visits from the ghost of Christmas past, former host of NBC's "Today" Billy Bush (Alex Moffat), and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Beck Bennett) as Trump's present ghost.

The series pointed out the irony of some of Flynn's past comments when Day's Flynn comes back into the Oval Office, followed by a character under a black cloak.

Quickly, the character reveals itself as Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton, Trump's ghost of Christmas future.

In 2016, Flynn called for jail time for Clinton during the Republican National Convention.
It was the early 1970s and the womens movement was on a roll. The 92rd Congresspassed more womens rights bills than all previous legislation sessions combined, including Title IXthe 1972 Supreme Court case Eisenstadt v. Baird gave unmarried women legal access to birth control, and in 1973, Roe v. Wade made abortion legal across the countryeven the 1972 Republican Party platform included feminist goals, including federal childcare programs  Smithsonian. com

Like ERA, the womens meetings are turning out to be a sterile battleground between those who want to see inequities redressed and those who want to turn the clock back to a world that never was The Louisville Kentucky Courier-Journal, July 21, 1977.

My most important souvenirs from the November 1977 National Womens Conference in Houston are wrapped in tissue paper, safe in a bottom drawer. One T-shirt faded, worn and washed to death, with the to form a more perfect union symbol and text Women on the Move barely legible. The other bright turquoise, new, never been worn, saved for the daughter I thought I would have (I happily had a son). The shirts were the same ones worn by Billie Jean King and the women who carried the torch from Seneca Falls, site of the first womens rights convention in 1848, to Houston to open the conference.

As an editor at the Reno Evening Gazette and the Nevada State Journal, I had covered the Nevada State Womens Conference and traveled with the Nevada delegation to the national conference. I saved speeches handed out in media briefings, clippings and photos from Houston. I knew I was a witness to history.

It was an important time for the womens movement. The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by the U.S. Senate and sent to the states for ratification in 1972.

The United Nations proclaimed 1975 as International Womens Year and sponsored a conference in Mexico City. By executive order Republican President Gerald Ford established a National Commission on the Observance of International Womens Year to promote equality between men and women. There were state and territorial conferences before the national gathering in Houston; they were federally funded and not without controversy.

It is well documented that the Mormon Church opposed the ERA and worked to elect anti-ERA delegates. A coalition of conservative groups led by Phyllis Schlafly and supported by her Eagle Forum (which still exists today), the KKK and John Birch Society, among others, met across town. She opposed the ERA, she said in part, because it would allow women to be drafted and allow unisex bathrooms.

Schlafly, who had predicted on television, Houston will finish off the womens movement. It will show them off for the radical, antifamily, prolesbian people they are, was wrong. However, the ERA was never ratified by the last three states needed prior to the deadline.

Houston was a watershed moment in the womens movement and in individual lives. For many it was a baptism into politics. Seeing the torch arrive from Seneca Falls, being on the floor and photographing Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan, seeing First Ladies Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford and Lady Bird Johnson together on stage with Coretta Scott King and Maya Angelou, was breathtaking.

We may have different interests, but we shouldnt be dismayed by the clash of opinion and ideas. It has been said the evils of controversy will pass, but its benefits are permanent, Betty Ford told the meeting on Nov. 19.

From Rep. Barbara Jordan, who gave a keynote speech, to a speech by Margaret Mead, the delegates were inspired and challenged. Dr. Helen Caldicott and Dr. Benjamin Spock were there; nuclear disarmament and peace were also topics. There were lighter moments as well; All in the Family actress Jean Stapleton (Mrs. Archie Bunker) spoke to applause.

What we must present to every woman in this country today is that if we will act unitedly, forget every other consideration on earth, as we do when our children are at stake, we may be able to turn this world around and produce a world in which our children and other peoples children will be safe, Margaret Mead said on Nov. 20.

The importance of electing more women to public office, the portrayal of women in the media and the number of women in leadership positions in media, were acknowledged then and are still a concern today.

Houston was rich in diversity. Nationally, efforts had been made to reach out to the underrepresented, and amazing strength came from that diversity. Women passionate about issues from spousal violence to homemakers social security, from employment to welfare reform, discussed and debated; it was not always easy. The only resolution that passed unanimously was one on credit.

Memorable, especially meaningful moments, included the passing of the minority womens resolution and resolutions on reproductive freedom and sexual preference. Women learned from each other, supported each other. For every big nationally known feminist there, and they were all there, there were hundreds of average American women of every age and hue. A farm wife from the Midwest, who had never been on an airplane until she flew to Houston, sat next to an activist from the East Coast. They cheered together when the ERA plan item passed. Feeling the energy, hearing the spirited debate, seeing the respect women with opposing views had for each other, was awe-inspiring.

That was the magic of Houston.

That is what I remember most about Houston. And now, more than ever, with the 40th anniversary, it is time to reaffirm that commitment and support each other.

Eleanor Smeal, then president of the national Organization of Women, said Houston was a rite of passage. Since Houston, we have lost many of the leaders of the womens movement. Some items from the national plan of action presented after Houston were realized; others were forgotten. The legacy of Houston has been debated. A documentary was produced for the 30th anniversary. This year a conference was hosted at the University of Houston to mark the 40th anniversary.

On this anniversary, we must think about goals still not reached and future generations of women. How can we involve and inspire more young women and men today to work for equality?

Some old issues are still in the news; women are finding a voice and finding strength in numbers.

And 40 years ago, Im not sure anyone could have predicted the current political climate. Or that a candidate for president could be caught on tape demeaning women and still get elected.

My souvenir shirts from Houston say Women on the Move. This past January a record number of women and men protested all over the country. According to the Womens March website, The mission of Womens March is to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change. Marches are already being planned for January 2018, the anniversary of the inauguration. Maybe Ill wear my Houston shirt to that march.

(Napa native Betty McCormick Malmgren was supervising editor for the Lifestyle Department of the Reno Evening Gazette and the Nevada State Journal. In 1978 she was named Outstanding Young Journalist by the Nevada State Press Association. She now publishes Easy English Times, an educational newspaper for adult literacy and immigrants learning English as a second language.)


 UNICEF/UN078077/Fuad

A child suffering from cholera lies on a bed at the Alsadaqah Hospital, Aden, Yemen, Monday 14 August 2017

GENEVA/ROME/NEW YORK, 2 December 2017 - The partial lifting of the blockade of Yemens Red Sea ports by the Saudi-led coalition in recent days is allowing humanitarian organizations to resume the provision of life-saving assistance to people in desperate need. Given the massive scale of Yemens humanitarian crisis, however, all this does is slow the collapse towards a massive humanitarian tragedy costing millions of lives. It does not prevent it. Without the urgent resumption of commercial imports, especially food, fuel and medicines, millions of children, women and men risk mass hunger, disease and death.

Ongoing commercial import restrictions have led to shortages of fuel, food and other essentials, driving up prices and devastating lives and livelihoods. The price of wheat flour has risen by 30 per cent, while the price of fuel has doubled and that of trucked water has skyrocketed by 600 per cent in some locations.

Urban water networks in seven cities have run out of fuel and now depend on humanitarian organizations to fill in the gap. Other cities will shortly be in a similar situation if the blockade is not lifted, which would leave 11 million people without safe water.

In other areas, people are reducing their food consumption to dangerous levels in order to pay for the rising cost of water trucking, or are turning to contaminated water sources to meet their basic needs. This further compounds the risk of disease, especially among children.

Less than half of the health facilities are functioning, and more hospitals and health centers will close should fuel and water supplies not improve. Sewage networks in six main cities are compromised, threatening a renewed spike in the countrys cholera outbreak, which has reached almost 1 million suspected cases and killed over 2,200 people.

Yemen remains on the cusp of one of the largest famines in modern times. Nearly 400,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition and face an increased risk of death. More than 8 million people could starve without urgent food assistance coming into Yemen. With 90 per cent of the countrys food imported, the lack of commercial imports through Red Sea ports would alone push a further 3 million people into starvation. The threat of widespread famine in a matter of months is very real.

This imminent catastrophe is entirely avoidable, but it requires immediate action by the coalition. While three ships carrying food have been granted permission to berth at Hudaydah port in recent days, four fuel tankers and ten ships carrying food have all been waiting for permission to enter port. Together, we call on the coalition to urgently open up all Yemeni Red Sea ports fully and to facilitate the entry and free-flow of humanitarian and vital commercial goods.

The United Nations is sending a team to Riyadh to discuss any concerns the coalition and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may have in relation to these ports. But we need the coalition to urgently grant unimpeded access for imports that are a lifeline for millions of people.

Joint statement attributable to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, WFP Executive Director David Beasley, IOM Director General William Lacy Swing, and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock.



###

For further information, please contact:

OCHA: Russell Geekie, geekie@un.org, +1 917 331 0393

WHO: Gregory Hartl, hartlg@who.int, +41 79 203 6715

UNDP: Christina LoNigro, christina.lonigro@undp.org, +1 212 906 5301

UNHCR: Adrian Edwards, Edwards@unhcr.org, +41 79 557 9120 / William Spindler, spindler@unhcr.org +41 79 217 30 11

UNICEF: Najwa Mekki, nmekki@unicef.org, +1 212 325 7448

WFP: Steve Taravella, mailto:steve.taravella@wfp.org 1-202-770-5993+1 202 770 5993

IOM: Leonard Doyle, ldoyle@iom.int , +41 79 285 7123


Speculation mounts over how much longer Rex Tillerson will keep his job as head of the Department of State and North Korea launches its 18th ballistic missile test since President Trump has been in office. Join Linda Feldman of the Christian Science Monitor, Tom DeFrank of the National Journal and VOA Senior National Correspondent Jim Malone as they discuss the week's top stories on Issues in the News. Listen Saturday and Sunday on the Voice of America.
Nationalist dominated the first round of local elections on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, winning more than 45 percent of the vote in preliminary results. The vote has been closely watched elsewhere, following Catalonias independence moves in Spain.

The results mark a clear victory for the current ruling nationalist coalition in Corsica. Their Pe a Corsica list earned significantly more votes during this first round than two years ago, when they swept to an unprecedented victory in regional elections. A smaller nationalist ticket received far fewer votes. But should the two unite, they would capture the majority of seats in Corsicas assembly.

Speaking to French TV, nationalist leader Gilles Simeoni, who heads the winning ticket, said his group would represent all Corsicans, whether they supported their movement or not.

The nationalists took power in 2015, refueling, for some, long-held independence dreams on the island. Catalonias independence struggle has added further juice.

University of Bordeaux Corsica expert Thierry Dominici said the results were a huge victory - and suggest nationalist sentiments touch everyone in Corsica. He credited the high abstention rate to a mix of factors - including that many are waiting for next Sunday's runoff.

Strikingly, Frances main parties scored extremely low - including the far-right National Front party which faired strongly in Corsica during the presidential elections.

That meant, Dominici said, Corsican support for the far right reflects a protest vote, rather than real support.

The Corsican results mark yet another European region tilting to more autonomy. Unlike Spains Catalonia region, however, Corsicas ruling coalition is not demanding independence - rather more local control of matters like taxation and education. More die-hard nationalists continue to hope for more.


2 A Syrian man carries the body of a child who was killed in a reported air strike in the rebel-controlled town of Hamouria, in the eastern Ghouta region, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus.
The World Health Organization reports the Saudi-led blockade of Yemens sea ports is hampering efforts to contain a diphtheria outbreak that, so far, has caused 197 cases of the disease, including 22 deaths.

Diphtheria has spread to 13 of Yemens 22 governorates, including the capital Sanaa, since the first case was detected less than two weeks ago. World Health Organization spokesman Christian Lindmeier, says the Saudi blockade is hindering WHOs ability to import the vaccines needed to keep the disease in check.

There is still not even one dose of Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine in the country for children above five years and young adults," said Lindmeier. "Around 8.5 million doses are needed for three rounds of the vaccination campaign.

Diphtheria is an infectious bacterial disease. It can cause severe breathing difficulties, suffocating its victims to death. Lindmeier tells VOA diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease.

So, what we did is, we had a vaccination campaign for children under five years," said Lindmeier. "That was possible with the material which was available in country. And, 1,000 doses of anti-toxins have reached Sanaa on Monday, just Monday 27thThese things are crucial, these things are important.



Following an international outcry, Saudi Arabia has partially lifted the blockade. As a consequence, Lindmeier says a ship carrying 33 tons of medical supplies, including surgical supply kits, infant incubators, and vaccine cold boxes is arriving in Hodeida port.

But, because of the long delay and closure of access, he says there is a big backlog of anti-diphtheria vaccines and other supplies stored in Djibouti and elsewhere waiting to get in.
Germany wants to support rejected asylum-seekers who voluntarily move back to their home countries with a one-time payment of 3,000 euros ($3,570).

The Interior Ministry says those who qualify can apply by a Feb. 28 deadline and they would get the money once they return home.

Migrants who agree to go back even before their asylum request is rejected have already been offered 1,200 euros per adult and 600 euros per child under a different program for almost a year. They are now eligible to apply for both programs.

But the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported Sunday that 8,639 migrants participated in the returnee program between February and October, even though there are about 115,000 rejected asylum-seekers in Germany -many of whom can't be deported for humanitarian reasons.
Honduran security forces fanned out on Saturday to enforce a curfew that emptied streets after a contested presidential election triggered looting and

violent protests that have left at least three people dead.

Hundreds have been arrested after the tally from last Sunday's presidential race stalled without a clear winner and opposition leaders accused the government of trying to steal the election.

TV star Salvador Nasralla on Saturday accused his rival, President Juan Orlando Hernandez, of carrying out a coup by manipulating the vote count and declaring the curfew to stifle protests.

International concern has grown about the electoral crisis in the poor Central American country, which struggles with violent drug gangs and one of the world's highest murder rates.

Lines formed at supermarkets and gas stations early Saturday as people stocked up on supplies, but many shops were shuttered and others closed early as groups of workers waited to catch buses and get back to their homes before the 6 p.m-to-6 a.m. curfew took effect.

Nasralla's early lead on Monday was later reversed in favor of Hernandez, leading to accusations of vote fraud and calls for protests. Disputed votes could swing the outcome.

Electoral authorities have proposed recounting around 6 percent of the vote, but Nasralla's party has demanded a wider recount, forcing a standoff with the ruling party and election authorities.

Heide Fulton, the top official at the U.S. Embassy, which does not currently have an ambassador, called for Hondurans to refrain from violence. "The Supreme Electoral Tribunal must have the time and space to count all votes transparently and free from interference," she said Saturday on Twitter.

One man was killed in the port city of La Ceiba on Friday and a 19-year old woman was shot in the head early Saturday in Tegucigalpa as soldiers busted up protesters' blockades of rubble and burning tires that had snarled traffic in the capital and major ports, a spokesman for the national police said.

On Friday, police had reported another protester was killed in La Ceiba.

While security forces cleared blockades in the capital, there were still highways obstructed around La Ceiba and other areas outside major cities, a police spokesman said.

TV images showed security forces firing tear gas and using a tank to break up protests in the country's second-largest city, San Pedro Sula.

200-plus arrests

More than 200 people have been arrested and more than 20 injuries have been reported in the skirmishes between protesters and security forces.

Nearly 100 people were arrested during the first night of the curfew, but most had been released, said Colonel Jorge Paz, a spokesman for the military.

Thirty-four people who were detained during the week would be charged with terrorism, he said.

The government declared the curfew on Friday, expanding powers for the army and police to detain people and break up blockades of roads, bridges and public buildings.

The electoral tribunal has been unable to resume the vote tally on Saturday as Nasralla's center-left alliance refused to participate unless the recount was expanded to three regions with alleged vote irregularities.

"What everyone already knows is that a coup occurred in Honduras last night precisely in the processing of the ballots. So, the whole world will not recognize these elections," Nasralla told local television.

The left-leaning Center for Economic and Policy Research, a Washington-based think tank, said in a statement on Friday that authorities should carry out a full recount of the vote because of "credible allegations of irregularities."

Nasralla, 64, is one of Honduras' best-known faces, and he is backed by former President Manuel Zelaya, a leftist ousted in a coup in 2009.

Hernandez, 49, said Friday that the government put the curfew in place at the request of concerned citizen groups. Backed by the United States, Hernandez implemented a military-led crackdown on gang violence that is credited with curbing the country's murder rate.
Israel wont allow Iran to entrench itself militarily in Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday.

His remarks, in a taped message to a forum in Washington, came just a day after Israeli aircraft attacked a suspected Iranian base outside Damascus and could suggest the Middle East is entering a new volatile phase in a confrontation between Israel and Iran.

Let me reiterate Israels policy, Netanyahu said. We will not allow a regime hell bent on the annihilation of the Jewish state to acquire nuclear weapons. We will not allow that regime to entrench itself militarily in Syria, as it seeks to do, for the express purpose of eradicating our state, he told the Saban Forum, an annual gathering of American and Israeli leaders in Washington hosted by the Brookings Institution.

Citing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recently described Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei as the new Hitler of the Middle East, Netanyahu likened Iran to Nazi Germany, arguing they share in common, a ruthless commitment to impose tyranny and terror as well as a ruthless commitment to murder Jews.

Some cooperation

His criticism comes amid growing rumors a covert relationship is developing between Israel and Saudi Arabia, united in opposition to Iran and its growing clout in the region. Saudi Arabian officials have denied the claims. Saudi foreign minister Adel Jubeir told an Egyptian television station recently, There are no relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

But CIA director Mike Pompeo said Saturday Saudi Arabia has been working directly with Israel and Sunni Arab nations in the fight against terrorism.

Weve seen them work with the Israelis to push back against terrorism throughout the Middle East, Pompeo told a security forum in California.

Last month, a senior Israeli minister, Yuval Steinitz, acknowledged publicly that joint enmity for Iran has pushed Israel and Saudi Arabia closer and that the two states, which do not enjoy formal diplomatic relations, had established partly secret ties to counter Irans influence in the region. It was the first disclosure by a senior Israeli figure of long-rumored secret cooperation between the Jewish state and the Gulf Kingdom, although a top Israeli general had earlier said Israel stood ready to exchange intelligence about Iran with Saudi Arabia or any moderate Arab countries.

Israel sending message

On Saturday, Israeli warplanes flying over neighboring Lebanon fired several missiles at a military base Iran is said to be building in Syria close to the country's capital, Damascus, according to a state-run Syrian news agency and foreign media. The Israeli military has not commented on the missile strike targeting a military area near the southern suburb of Kiswah.

Sana, Syrias news agency, claimed Syrian air defenses had shot down two of the Israeli missiles. Other Syrian media said the airstrike killed a dozen Iranian revolutionary guardsmen.

As the Syrian civil war has drawn Iran deeper into the conflict to shore up its ally, President Bashar al-Assad, Israel has conducted airstrikes against convoys and bases in Syria in a bid, officials say, to prevent Syria and Iran, from transferring sophisticated weapons to Tehran ally Hezbollah, the radical Lebanese Shiite movement, which is also fighting in Syria in support of the Assad government.

Some analysts question why Israel decided to strike the base at Kiswah now. For more than a year, there have been claims Iran has been constructing permanent military bases in Syria. On November 10 the BBC broadcast three satellite images taken over several months showing new buildings being erected and other construction work at the site 50 kilometers from Israeli installations on the Golan Heights.

The Israeli airstrike appears to have upped the ante regarding Irans military presence in Syria. Last week Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had sent a stark warning to President Assad, via a third party, warning Israel would target his regime if he grants Iran a permanent presence in his country.

The airstrike, say analysts, is to show Israels willingness to enforce a red line, and that message may be directed to Assads other big foreign backer, Russia. Israel and Moscow have been in negotiations for weeks about a buffer zone along the Israeli-Syria border with the Israelis demanding it extend at least 40 kilometers inside Syria. The Russians, according to Israel diplomats, have agreed only an off-limits zone 10 to 15 kilometers.

Last month, the chief commander of Irans Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Ali Jafari, said Tehran will help rebuild Syria and bring about a lasting ceasefire. Iranian state television quoted him as saying, Hezbollah must be armed to fight against the enemy of the Lebanese nation, which is Israel. Naturally they should have the best weapons to protect Lebanons security. This issue is non-negotiable.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision on whether he will officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner said Sunday.

Hes still looking at a lot of different facts, and when he makes his decision, hell be the one to want to tell you, not me," Kushner said at an annual conference on U.S. policy in the Middle East in Washington, D.C.

Kushner's comments follow reports in the past few days that Trump will most likely declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel during a speech scheduled for next Wednesday.

The move, which comes after months of internal deliberations, would likely to inflame tensions across the Middle East and complicate the administration's efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians.

Under a law signed by President Bill Clinton in 1995, the embassy must be relocated to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv unless the president signs a waiver every six months stating that the matter is to be decided between the Israelis and Palestinians. Every president since Clinton has signed the waiver, including Trump, who did so when it came due in June.
The Australian state of Victoria has become the first in the nation to legalize assisted dying. Terminally ill patients must be at least 18 years old and have less than six months to live.

Victoria state Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the state parliament had considered what a "good death looks like. The assisted suicide law is designed for patients with a terminal illness who are in severe pain. It will allow them to obtain a lethal drug within 10 days of asking to die. They must administer the drug themselves, but a doctor can give the lethal dose where an individual is physically unable to end their own life. Patients must be of sound mind and make three requests to specially trained doctors, while a special board will review all cases.

Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews has praised the landmark legislation.

The parliament has just made history. This is a day of reform, a day of compassion, a day of giving control to those who are terminally ill and in the terminal phase of their life, he said.

Critics of the landmark legislation said it was a recipe for elder abuse, while some doctors believe it will deny patients the right to receive palliative care -- care for people who have serious illnesses.

Associate professor Mark Boughey, director of palliative medicine at Melbourne's St. Vincent's Hospital, believes the new law is a bad move.

My biggest concern in the debate has been that I think people will not get an opportunity to access palliative care, that people will see the progression from illness and disease treatment -- the next step will be assisted dying. They will not get the benefit of engagements and referral to palliative care, he said.

The landmark legislation was approved after more than 100 hours of grueling debate in the Victoria state parliament. The law means terminally ill patients in Australia's second-most populous state will have the right to request a lethal drug beginning in mid-2019.
I first heard the name Monica Lewinsky some time in my first week working as a reporter covering Congress. It was impossible then to imagine how much that moment would dominate the rest of the three years I spent on the beat, and to a large degree the politics of the next two decades.

In this era of sexual harassment revelations, coming seemingly daily, that time in the late 1990s has come back into view for the public. Theres been a lot of talk along the lines of Why did Bill Clinton get a pass?

And there is no doubt he did get a pass in that case, but it is worth remembering how and why. Looking at it from the inside, or at least from inside the Beltway, it wasnt immediately obvious that the president would survive the scandal.

Almost as soon as the Lewinsky news broke, there was talk  on both sides of the aisle  about Clinton resigning.

One of the favorite parlor games in Washington, among Democrats and Republicans alike, through the winter and spring of 1998 was speculating on whether President Gore would reshuffle his cabinet when he arrived in the Oval Office. People dusted off the 22nd Amendment to see whether the new president would be able to run for two full terms even if he filled out the remainder of the time of his disgraced former president (Answer: Yes, as long as President Clinton resigned after Jan. 20, 1998, President Gore could run in both 2000 and 2004 without violating the two-term limit).

Speculation about a resignation buzzed across Capitol Hill well into the summer, as it became clear that the president had blatantly lied when he said I did not have sexual relations with that woman.

As late as mid-September, there was a sense in Washington that the Clinton era could collapse at any second.

I remember a particular moment where it seemed like he was finished.

On Sept. 11, 1998, Congress released to the public Independent Counsel Ken Starrs long-awaited report. Members, staffers and journalists snatched up the 445-page volume and within minutes reporter Candy Crowley was live on CNN reading the salacious details.

In the sprawling Senate Press Gallery, every TV was tuned to that broadcast. Everyone in the gallery sat riveted as she read, even as we struggled to hammer out our own stories on the report.

At one point, Crowley came to a line where Starr reported some particularly cringe-worthy sappy remark by the president (there were lots of them, it seems). It sounded as if every female reporter in the gallery burst out laughing simultaneously, as if they had heard that kind of nonsense from men too many times before.

Its over now, I thought  he just lost the respect of every woman, a demographic that had been crucial in both of his elections.

The Starr report, said USA Today in an editorial on Sept. 14 calling for Clinton to step down, tells a tale of a man who entered into the most shallow sort of affair knowing better than anyone else what pain the nation would suffer if he were caught 

Perversely, what saved Bill Clinton from political oblivion was the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee. From the moment the committee announced on Sept. 24 that it would open an impeachment proceeding in October, the speculation about resignation fell silent in the Capitol.

The impeachment removed any incentive Clinton might have had to resign  he wasnt going to appear to buckle under political pressure and it gave him a way to shift the storyline from a shameful scandal to a partisan witch-hunt. Republicans had no incentive to press seriously for his resignation since they sensed blood in the 2000 election and they were not eager to give a President Gore extra time to clean the Democratic Party slate. And Democrats were not eager to give the Republicans a win by appearing to abandon their president, so they rallied behind him as a political martyr, albeit a flawed one.

The impeachment process itself shifted the discussion from sexual misbehavior to political drama. Bill Clinton got a pass not so much because people approved of his behavior or condoned sexual misconduct, but because there were political forces on both sides inside the Beltway that made it expedient to talk about something else.

Ive wondered lately what would have happened if Clinton had resigned, as I thought he would and should have done. Perhaps we could have had the long-overdue discussion about sexual misbehavior by powerful men two decades earlier than it happened. And at least, I suspect, a great deal about our country and our politics would be very different today.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says he does not plan to prod Pakistan, but expects it adhere to its promises to combat terrorism, as he embarks on his first visit to Islamabad as Pentagon chief.

Speaking aboard a military plane, Mattis said he does not expect to butt heads during his Monday meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Thats not the way I deal with issues, Mattis said. I believe that we [can] work hard on finding common ground and then we work together.

In October, Mattis warned the United States is willing to work one more time with Pakistan before taking whatever steps are necessary to address its alleged support for militants.

But on Sunday, Mattis said he is focused on trying to find more common ground ... by listening to one another without being combative.

The United States has for a decade accused Pakistan of sheltering or having ties to terrorists, such as the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban, which attack NATO coalition forces in neighboring Afghanistan.

Islamabad rejects the accusation, saying Washington is scapegoating Pakistan for its own failures in Afghanistan, where the United States remains in a stalemate after 16 years of war.

Tougher stance

Before Mattis visit, other Trump administration officials are taking a harder public stance on Pakistan.

Speaking at a defense forum Saturday, CIA director Mike Pompeo said, We are going to do everything we can to ensure that safe havens no longer exist, if Pakistan does not heed the U.S. message on militants.

Since 2004, the CIA has conducted drone strikes - mostly against al-Qaida and Pakistani Taliban targets - in northwest Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan.

The United States is considering expanding those strikes, along with several other measures, according to media reports.

Other options include downgrading Pakistans status as a major non-NATO ally or sanctioning individual Pakistani leaders suspected having ties with the Taliban.

But any kind of punitive action wouldnt take place for at least a few weeks at minimum, predicts Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst with the Woodrow Wilson Center.

"I think [the administration] wants to give the Pakistanis a bit more time to see if they're responding to the various demands the United States made of them when it comes to cracking down on terrorists," said Kugelman.

One of the likelier U.S. responses, according to Kugelman, is expanding not only the geographic scope of the drone war, but also widening the type of targets the United States goes after.

"I think we could start seeing the U.S. trying to target more Haqqani Network and Afghan Taliban targets," especially in the sparsely populated Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, he said.

The Trump administration has also threatened cut off aid to Pakistan. Since 2002, the United States has given over $33 billion in assistance to Pakistan. But the aid has already been cut sharply in recent years.

Pakistani leverage?

If ties were to deteriorate, the United States also has much to lose. Pakistan controls U.S. military supply routes to landlocked Afghanistan, and could close them down, as they did in 2011. The United States would also like Pakistan to scale back its nuclear modernization, improve ties with India, and stay engaged in the broader fight against Islamic militants.

But despite the risks, Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, warns Washington appears to be running out of patience.

"For many years we were trying to hold out hope that the Pakistanis would change their mind about Afghanistan and our role there," he said. "But those kinds of hopes aren't as prevalent anymore. And on balance, therefore, I think we are closer to using some of those tougher methods."

Mattis, who is on a regional tour that also took him to Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait, wouldnt elaborate on any possible U.S. action. But he says the situation is pressing.

Theres always an urgency to something when 39 nations plus Afghanistan have their troops in the midst of a long war where casualties are being taken, he said.
A Pakistani Islamist leader who has been accused of masterminding terrorist attacks in India says his group will take part in national and provincial elections in 2018.

Hafiz Saeed, leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) group, spoke to reporters in Lahore on Sunday. JUD has been designated a terrorist group by the U.S. He was recently released from a year-long house arrest and denounced electoral politics for many years.

But now Saeed says This is the right time to enter the countrys politics" and "highlight the Kashmir cause.

Saeed was released in November from months of house arrest for a lack of evidence. He has been accused of supporting militant groups that fight New Delhis rule in the Indian-administered Kashmir and masterminding Mumbai's 2008 terror attacks that killed 166 people, including six Americans. The U.S. government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest for plotting the Mumbai bloodshed.

Saeeds JUD bills itself as a humanitarian organization without links to terrorists, but it is widely considered a "front group" for Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was founded by Saeed and has been banned for terrorist activity since 2001.

The JUD organization recently launched a political party, Milli Muslim League, saying it wanted to make Pakistan "a real Islamic and welfare state."

In its first foray into electoral politics, JUD-supported contender came in third in a by-election August in Punjab, securing more votes than former prime minister Benazir Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party did.

A clever move

By entering electoral politics and becoming part of the mainstream politics, Saeed may be attempting to counter the 2008 Mumbai attacks allegations and charges against him, Kamran Bukhari, a Washington-based Pakistan analyst, told VOA. He wants to secure himself by using political and legal means as a camouflage. It is a clever move.

Bukhari added that Saeeds countrywide network of civil society and charity organizations that have provided humanitarian relief and education has helped him broaden his influence over the years.

They even run schools and colleges and recently launched Milli Muslim League, their political wing, and thats their influence inside Pakistan. As you have seen, he has been repeatedly detained and then released, Bukhari said.

Arif Nizami, a Pakistan-based analyst, doubts that Saeeds group would change its ideology after entering electoral politics.

Intolerance and extremist ideology are growing in this country. It is unclear what rhetoric they [Saeed and his party] will use in the election and whether their participation will increase extremism, but it is certainly not the agenda or the basis on which Pakistan was founded, Nizami said.

Saeeds release and recent political developments in Pakistan have triggered suspicions that the country and its powerful military are making concessions to religious extremists.

The U.S. government expressed serious concerns over Saeeds release, saying it sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistans international counterterrorism commitment.

The U.S. has for a decade accused Pakistan of sheltering or having ties to terrorists, such as the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban, which attack NATO coalition forces in neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan has denied the allegations.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is expected to pressure Islamabad to end its alleged ties to militant groups when he visits the country as part of a four-nation tour that began Friday.

Shanaz Aziz from VOAs Urdu Service contributed to this report.


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is warning a U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the embassy from Tel Aviv could destroy the Middle East peace process.

Reports say President Donald Trump may make an announcement as early as Monday. He could declare that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital but put off physically moving the embassy.

Hes still looking at a lot of different facts, and when he makes his decision, hell be the one to want to tell you, not me," Trump Middle East advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner said Sunday.

Trump made designating Jerusalem as the Israeli capital one of his campaign promises.

Abbas has been actively speaking out against such a move.

An Abbas advisor says he spent much of Sunday working the phones, calling several world leaders to "explain the dangers of any decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem or recognize [Jerusalem] as Israel's capital."

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the U.S. is "playing with fire."

The militant Palestinian faction Hamas has called for a new intifada - an uprising - if the embassy is moved.

Former president Bill Clinton signed moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv into law in 1995. But a president can sign a waiver every six months if he feels a relocation would endanger U.S. national security.

Every president since Clinton - including Trump - has signed the waiver.

Israel seized control of Jerusalem in the Six Day War in 1967, and later annexed east Jerusalem - a move never recognized by the world community.

Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israel contends the entire city is its undivided capital.

The United States has always said the future of Jerusalem must be settled as part of a Middle East peace deal.
The Palestinians are warning the United States against recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Mahmoud Habash, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said Saturday that if President Donald Trump were to do so, it would amount to a "complete destruction of the peace process.''

Speaking in Abbas' presence, Habash said "the world will pay the price'' for any change in Jerusalem's status.

Officials in Washington say Trump is considering recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital as a way to offset his likely decision to delay his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy there.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, a position nearly the entire world rejects, saying its status should be determined in peace talks with the Palestinians. The Palestinians claim the eastern part of the city as their future capital.
Pope Francis says he is praying that Honduras can peacefully overcome a violent political crisis.

Deadly protests have erupted in the Central American nation over a delayed vote count in a disputed presidential election.

Francis told people in St. Peter's Square on Sunday he was remembering Hondurans in his prayers in a special way so they "can in a peaceful manner overcome the current difficult moment."

The main opposition candidate on Saturday called for the vote to be held again, after clashes between protesters and troops, and the government imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew.

Both incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernandez and rival, television personality Salvador Nasralla, have claimed victory in the Nov. 26 election. At least one person has died in clashes.
Recent pro-Iranian and Syrian regime remarks by an Afghan Shiite leader may attract regional sectarian rivalries to Afghanistan, and incite more violence and terror by the Islamic State terrorist group in the war-torn country, analysts warned.

Deputy Afghan Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqeq, a leader of the country's Shiite minority, said last week, "I thank all the warriors who cooperated in these wars from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other parts of the world." He was speaking about fighters in Syria while addressing an international summit of scholars from Iran and other Muslim nations in Tehran.

Mohaqeq called it Islam's war against infidelity and world arrogance. He was praising foreign fighters, including Afghans, who fought in Syria alongside the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in support of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Mohaqeq, who led one of the warring parties that engaged in a brutal civil war that killed tens of thousands of Afghans in the early 1990s, also praised the role of Major General Qasem Soleimani, who commands IRGC's foreign operations, and Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah, whose forces are engaged in various conflicts in the region.

Two days after Mohaqeq's speech in Tehran, Afghanistan's acting minister of defense, General Tariq Shah Bahrami, stood next to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals.

Afghanistan's government and many of the country's lawmakers reacted strongly to Mohaqeq's remarks, insisting they are not representative of the country's foreign policy.

"Recent comments by Mohammad Mohaqeq in Tehran are in contradiction of the principles of foreign policy, national interests, stability and security of the country and the laws of Afghanistan, and in no way represent the views of the Afghan government," Kabul said in a statement this week.

Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, chairman of the Afghan Senate, demanded the Mohaqeq apologize and be prosecuted.

Regional rivalry

Analysts charge that the controversial remarks are an open invitation for the regional rivalry to engulf Afghanistan, which is already suffering from decades of alleged interference by its neighboring countries.

"Mohaqeq's remarks can certainly incite rivalry [between Iran and Saudi Arabia] in Afghanistan," Wadir Safi, a professor of law and political science at Kabul University, told VOA.

"The Iranians had asked him to make those remarks to counter Saudi Arabia politically and militarily, and to start a proxy war against Iran's opponents in Afghanistan," Safi added.

The Saudi-led Muslim counterterrorism coalition is largely believed to have been created to counter the growing influence of Iran and its proxy militants groups, such as Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Riyadh is leading a military alliance against the Iran-backed militant group that overthrew the Yemeni government in 2014.

"Escalation in the Iran-Saudi rivalry will have a negative impact on the situation in Afghanistan and the wider region," Dawood Azami, a researcher at the University of Westminster, told VOA. "The growing competition for regional dominance between Riyadh and Tehran will put more pressure on the government and powerful figures in Afghanistan to take sides."

Abdullah Sharif, a former diplomat and author, said Mohaqeq's remarks can create serious foreign policy challenges for Kabul.

"Afghanistan is trying to stay out of regional conflicts by not officially siding with one group or another. Mohaqeq's statement, if not officially denounced by the government, will undermine that stance," Sharif said.

In addition to making Afghanistan an arena for regional rivalries, analysts warn the remarks may provide an excuse for the Islamic State terror group to become even more violent in Afghanistan. The group has already claimed responsibility for several deadly attacks across the country.

"Mohaqeq's statement could lead to an increase in IS violence against the Shiites in the country," a Kabul based activist who belongs to the Shiite minority told VOA on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

Kabul university's Wadir, however, believes Mohaqeq's stance could incite IS violence not only against the Shiite but also against Sunnis in the country.

Fatemiyoun brigade

Over the years, Iran has reportedly sent thousands of Shiite Afghan refugees to Syria to fight in support of the Assad regime. The Afghan fighters are part of the "Fatemiyoun Brigade," the second-largest group of foreigners fighting for Assad in Syria.

Western media estimate they have 10,000 to 12,000 fighters.

A recent Human Rights Watch report accused Iran of committing war crimes by recruiting and sending Afghan refugee children "as young as 14" to fight in Syria.

The prospects of Afghan fighters returning home after the war in Syria is over is worrisome for Afghans.

"This is quite dangerous: What happens to this Fatemiyoun force when the war in Syria is over?" Rahmatullah Nabil, a former Afghan intelligence chief, recently told The New York Times.

"The fear is that rivalry in the region, between Iran and Saudi, will shift to Afghanistan. And I think that clash is already shifting here," Nabil added.

Azami, of Westminster, echoed Nabil's concerns and said IS's goal in Afghanistan is to turn the country's conflict into a sectarian war between the minority Shiite and predominant Sunnis, and remarks like those made by Mohaqeq in Iran may help contribute to the realization of that goal.

"Referring to some of its attacks in Afghanistan, IS has said that they were in retaliation for the support of Afghan Shiite militia to the Syrian regime," Azami said.
A suicide blast killed at least six civilians in eastern Afghanistan Sunday and wounded 13 others.

The bomber was on a motorcycle and apparently wanted to reach the venue of a massive pro-government rally in Jalalabad, capital of Nangarhar province. But Afghan security forces intercepted him far away from the event, prompting him to donate explosives strapped to his body.

A provincial government spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, while confirming the casualties, told VOA one woman and a child were among the dead. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the violence.

The attack occurred a day after a suicide bomber killed two members of Afghan security forces in Jalalabad and wounded 10 more. Islamic State claimed responsibility for that violence.

The Middle East-based terrorist group calls its Afghan operations IS-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) and has lately increased attacks in the country, killing scores of people. The group is mainly active in several districts of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan.

On Saturday, President Ashraf Ghani said Islamic State is on the run in Afghanistan in the face of stepped up air and ground military offensives against the terrorist group.

Afghan forces have until now conducted around 300 airstrikes and more 1500 military operations against Daesh, eliminating hundreds of its militants, Ghani told a security meeting in Kabul while defending his counterterrorism efforts. He used the local acronym for IS and said security forces have also cleared nine districts of Daesh militants.

The rise in IS-led violence and the emergence of the groups loyalists in new Afghan areas, particularly in northern provinces, however, have prompted lawmakers and political opponents to criticize and question the effectiveness of the ongoing military offensives against the group.

IS militants have also been engaged in fierce fighting with the Taliban, the main insurgent group waging attacks on Afghan forces and their U.S.-led international partners.

IS has made territorial advances in recent battles with the Taliban in Khogyani district of Nangarhar, according to residents and local Afghan officials.

The terrorist groups global propaganda media claimed on Saturday IS fighters captured 18 villages in the district that were previously held by the Taliban.
The U.N. refugee agency reports the number of refugees that have fled into Zambia to escape militia violence in Haut-Katanga and Tanganyika Provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo now has topped 12,000.

The agency reports more than 8,400 Congolese refugees have arrived in Zambia in just the last three months, indicating a worsening of the situation in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Government forces reportedly are killing many civilians in response to the rebellion in Haut-Katanga and Tanganyika Provinces against the continued rule of the countrys President, Joseph Kabila.

To put the increasing instability in the country in perspective, UNHCR spokesman, Babar Baloch, notes more than four million people are internally displaced in DRC. He told VOA within the past month alone, 200,000 more people have fled their homes.

When you do the math, the rough total of internal displacement comes to around 6,500 people being displaced each day. Refugees who are arriving, they fear that as violence is intensifying, they fear that more people could be forced out from DRC into Zambia, said the spokesman.

Baloch said some 80 percent of the refugees are women and children, driven out by the extreme brutality of rampaging militias. He said civilians reportedly are being killed, women raped, property looted and houses torched.

He said the UNHCR and its partners urgently need more money to develop a new site in Zambia and provide life-saving assistance for the expanding refugee population. He said humanitarian activities in DRC and Zambia are hugely underfunded, noting less than one quarter of the $236 million needed to run this operation has been received.
U.S. President Donald Trump seemed Saturday to change his story on why he fired Michael Flynn as his national security advisor. Initially, the president said he let Flynn go because Flynn was not honest with Vice President Michael Pence about his contacts with Russians during the presidential transition.

But then Trump tweeted Saturday: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

The tweet suggested that the president knew Flynn had lied to the FBI, as well as the vice president, about his Russians contacts. Trump had not mentioned the FBI before in his tweets about Flynn and the Russians.

It is against the law to lie to the FBI.

Trump also tweeted Sunday morning that "I never asked (FBI director James ) Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"



The president's tweets have resulted in a climate of confusion about what the president knew and when he knew it about Flynn's contact with the Russians.

An Associated Press report says that the president did not write the tweet about the FBI, but that it was instead written by John Dowd, one of Trump's attorneys.

Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to federal agents, and he has agreed to cooperate with investigators examining allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign.

Earlier Saturday, in his first remarks since Flynn entered the guilty plea, Trump said there was "absolutely no collusion" between his presidential campaign and Russia.

"What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for New York.

Appearing before a federal judge in a packed courtroom in Washington, Flynn, a 59-year-old retired army general, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about a series of private conversations he had in December 2016 with Russias then-ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak.



The charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, but under U.S. sentencing guidelines the average sentence for the offense ranges from zero to six months.

The guidelines are advisory, but prosecutors agreed to seek a reduced sentence if Flynn provides substantial assistance with the investigation being led by special counsel Robert Mueller. No sentencing date was announced.

Guilty plea

As part of his guilty plea, Flynn agreed to cooperate fully with Muellers team of investigators, answering questions, providing written statements, taking polygraph exams, and participating in covert law enforcement activities. In return, Muellers office agreed that Flynn will not be further prosecuted criminally.

Flynn is the fourth member of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign to be charged by Muellers team and the first former White House staff member to plead guilty in connection with the Russia investigation.

On Oct. 30, Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman, and Rick Gates, another senior campaign official, were charged in a 12-count indictment unrelated to the Russia investigation.



Another Trump campaign surrogate, George Papadopoulos, secretly pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government and is cooperating with the special counsel as well.

Flynn's decision to cooperate with a probe that could implicate others close to Trump marks a dramatic turnaround for a man who staunchly campaigned for the real estate mogul and promised a hard edge in U.S. foreign policy before being fired.



White House reaction

The White House sought to play down the significance of Flynns guilty plea.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb said Flynns plea does not implicate anyone other than Mr. Flynn and added Flynn was a former Obama administration official who served in the Trump White House for only 25 days.

But the plea agreement provided an indication that Mueller sees Flynns cooperation as critical to his investigation.

The trick is we wont know perhaps for some time how significant it is, said Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at the University of Texas who closely follows the Russia investigation. But its a strong sign that more is coming. And whats coming down the pipe probably involves more senior officials and individuals closer to President Trump himself.

In a statement released after his court appearance Friday, Flynn said, The actions I acknowledged in court today were wrong, and, through my faith in God, I am working to set things right.

Flynn was swept up in the Russia probe as the FBI began examining contacts between Russia and Trump campaign officials.

Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI about the conversations he had with the Russian ambassador at the behest of senior Trump transition officials shortly after the election.

The conversations focused on two foreign policy issues the Trump transition team sought to influence before coming into office: a pending U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israel for its settlement activities in Palestinian territories and a possible Russian retaliation to sanctions imposed by then-President Barack Obama.

In two separate conversations  Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, 2016  Flynn, directed by a very senior member of the Trump transition team, called Kislyak to urge him that Russia vote against or delay the Security Council resolution. Kisliyak later called back to say Russia would not vote against the resolution.

'Very senior' member of transition team

Several U.S. news outlets have identified as the "very senior" member of the transition team as Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser who is leading the White House's Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Five days later, on Dec. 28, after Obama announced punitive sanctions against Russia over its interference in the election, Kislyak called Flynn, according to prosecutors.

The next day, Dec. 29, Flynn contacted an unnamed senior transition official who was at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss what to tell Kislyak about the sanctions.

The two discussed the impact of sanctions on Trumps foreign policy. Immediately after the conversation, Flynn called Kislyak and urged him to "refrain from escalating the situation."

On Dec. 31, the day after Putin announced that Russia would not retaliate to the U.S. sanctions, Kislyak called Flynn to say that "Russia had chosen not to retaliate" in response to Flynn's request.

When confronted by the FBI four days after Trump's inauguration, Flynn, then the president's national security adviser, denied everything, according to court documents filed on Friday.

The filing also says Flynn falsely stated he did not remember Kislyak informing him the Kremlin had decided to moderate its response to those sanctions in response to Flynn's request.

The court document says Flynn also falsely claimed the Russian ambassador never described Moscow's response to that request.

Kushner is scheduled to make public comments about the administration's Middle East strategy on Monday in Washington, his first expected public remarks since Flynn pleaded guilty, according to VOA's Nike Chiang.

"Jared Kushner will speak publicly for the first time about the #Trump administration's approach to the #MiddleEast on Sunday at the Saban Forum in Washington, an annual conference organized by the Center for Middle East Policy at @BrookingsInst focused on U.S.- #Israel relations."
U.S. President Donald Trump, in a series of Sunday morning tweets from the White House, attacked his own Federal Bureau of Investigation and said he never asked then-FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating his one-time national security adviser Michael Flynn about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to Washington.



The FBIs reputation is in Tatters  worst in History, but the Trump administration will bring it back to greatness, the president declared on Twitter.



In a separate tweet on Comeys sworn testimony before Congress that the president had asked him to stop the probe of Flynn, Trump said Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie.

Comey himself used Twitter to post a quote from that June testimony.

"I want the American people to know the truth: The FBI is honest. The FBI is strong. And the FBI is, and always will be, independent," Comey wrote.

Top former Justice Department officials also defended the FBI after Trump's comments Sunday.

"You'll find integrity and honesty at FBI headquarters and not at 1600 Penn Ave right now," former Attorney General Eric Holder said, referencing the address of the White House.

Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said the "only thing in tatters" is Trump's respect for the rule of law, and that the "men and women of the FBI deserve better."

Trump's tweets come two days after Flynn pleaded guilty in Washington to lying to FBI agents about conversations he had with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the weeks before Trump assumed power in January.

Trump, on Sunday on the same social media platform, also attacked the FBI amid revelations that an agent, who had written emails favoring Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, was dropped from the probe after the emails were discovered.

Now it all starts to make sense! Trump said.



The president should have no comment whatsoever on either of these investigations, said Republican Senator Susan Collins on the NBC News Meet the Press program on Sunday. And the only thing that he should be doing is directing all of his staff and associates to fully cooperate.



A tweet sent out Saturday on the @realDonaldTrump account is also attracting significant scrutiny.



Trump tweeted that he had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!



That suggests the president was aware that when he fired Flynn on February 13 -- after less than a month as his national security advisor -- the president was aware the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency had lied to the FBI when agents interviewed him weeks earlier.



The presidents personal lawyer says he wrote that tweet and told the Axios news website on Sunday that it was my mistake that he passed along in a draft to White House social media director Dan Scavino.

I'm out of the tweeting business, John Dowd said with a chuckle, according to Axios. I did not mean to break news.

To many the tweet implies that the president is admitting obstruction of justice.

And many are questioning Dowds explanation of it.

It seems as implausible as it is convenient to President Trump, says Ned Price, who was a special assistant to President Barack Obama on the National Security Council staff.

The idea that a lawyer would draft that  without any input from or clearance by Trump  doesnt strike me as believable, Price, a former CIA senior analyst and spokesperson, tells VOA. Add that to the long list of cover-ups.

As part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers criminal investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow, he is looking into whether the president obstructed justice in asking Comey to curb his investigation of Flynn and then later by firing the FBI director.

Flynn faces up to five years in prison following Fridays guilty plea but has agreed to cooperate with the special counsels investigation.



I do believe he will incriminate others in the administration. Otherwise, there was no reason for Bob Mueller to give Mike Flynn this kind of deal, Congressman Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on ABC's This Week television program said, adding that, whether that will ultimately lead to the president, I simply don't know.''



Mueller is formulating a case of obstruction of justice against the president, according to the ranking Democrat on the Senates judiciary committee.



I think we see this in the indictments, the four indictments and pleas that have just taken place, and some of the comments that are being made. I see it in the hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House: the comments every day, the continual tweets, said Senator Dianne Feinstein on NBCs Meet the Press.



And I see it, most importantly, in what happened with the firing of Director Comey and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation, according to Feinsten. Thats obstruction of justice.



Flynn was one of Trumps close confidants during last years presidential campaign in which the Republican nominee pulled off a stunning upset over Clinton.



Flynn, who was also previously fired by President Barack Obama as Defense Intelligence Agencydirector, gained widespread public attention at the Republican National Convention when he led chants of Lock her up, referring to Clinton.



Outside the Federal District Courthouse in Washington on Friday, where he entered his perjury guilty plea, Flynn was taunted with chants of Lock him up.
Sen. Al Franken has a strategy for getting out of his current mess. You can see it in action in an interview he gave this week to Esme Murphy, a reporter for CBS affiliate WCCO.

The Minnesota Democrat has been accused of groping several unwilling women and forcibly kissing another. There are two obvious responses to such accusations: Either admit them, apologize and ask for forgiveness, or deny them. Franken is refusing to do either.

You can see why he balks. If he admits it, especially in this moment of righteous anger against male sexual entitlement, pressure to resign will mount. Allies who are standing by him in the presence of doubt about what he did will desert him if that doubt dissolves to his disfavor. So he isnt going to admit anything unless theres photographic evidence.

If he denies the accusations, on the other hand, he will be at least implicitly attacking his accusers. An aggressive posture would go over badly, again especially in this moment of heightened awareness of how many women have struggled to get their accurate testimony about male misbehavior believed. Denials could even draw forth more accusations.

Like Buridans Donkey, he cannot choose.

In the interview, then, Franken gives a master class in how a politician can try to wriggle out of answering a question. Unfortunately for him, Murphy gives a master class in how a journalist can try to pin a politician down.

Murphy begins by asking Franken whether he indeed groped and forced kisses on women. Frankens response is worth quoting at length:

Some women, and any is too many, have felt that I have crossed a line and I am terribly sorry about that. They feel that in these interactions Ive done something to disrespect them and thats not my intention but what I know is that intention doesnt matter. What matters is we listen to womens experience and so Ive been trying to think about  you know, I feel terrible that they have felt this way. And Ive been trying to think of how this could have happened and I know very well that I have to be much more careful and much more sensitive and...

Murphy interrupts. But, senator, these women are all using very similar language to describe basically their butt cheek being cupped or grabbed. She quotes Lindsay Menz, who says that Franken put his hand tightly around my butt cheek. The reporter asks, When you grab somebodys butt, dont you know it?

Franken then offers 140 or so words, starting with, I understand that. And I again I am going to have to do everything I can going forward to be enormously sensitive.

Again Murphy breaks in. I guess, you know, just going back to the specific allegations though, are they mistaken that their butt was grabbed? Is that what youre saying?

I am not saying that, Franken responds, adding that he does not remember these events. Murphy asks whether he thinks this happened unintentionally. Franken says he never had the intent to make anyone uncomfortable and repeats his line that his intent didnt matter.

On and on it goes. He says he respects womens feelings. Murphy says that Menz feels that you molested her. Franken says he feels very bad about it. Murphy keeps asking Franken specific, factual questions about what took place.

Franken keeps responding by talking about feelings: his feelings, the womens feelings, and his feelings about their feelings. At every turn he redirects attention away from the realm of objective fact to the more nebulous zone of emotion (or, in the case of the kiss, the haze of conflicting memories). He is very sorry, he says, that women felt disrespected. What the women say they felt was his hand on their butt cheeks: a word Murphy keeps having to use.

This isnt a he-said, she-said story. The women are giving their stories, and hes just emitting vapor. What matters is we listen to womens experience, he says.

Listen, without believing, or disbelieving. Without, that is, taking their claims seriously. It is a rhetorical strategy as clever as it is shameless. At the moment it appears to be working.
Four-decade-old sexual misconduct allegations against Alabama Republican Roy Moore are playing a major role for voters in his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat, but nine days ahead of the election two major polls are split whether he is ahead of Democrat Doug Jones.

A CBS News/YouGov poll on Sunday said Moore, twice deposed from the Alabama Supreme Court for failing to adhere to federal court rulings, is ahead of Jones, a former federal prosecutor, by a 49-to-43 percent margin among likely voters. A day earlier, The Washington Post-Schar School survey showed Jones ahead, 50-47.

The December 12 contest has been roiled by accusations from two women who alleged that Moore, when he was a local prosecutor in early 30s, sexually abused them when they were teenagers, while other women, now also in their 50s, said that Moore pursued them for dates when they were teens.

The CBS poll said that Republicans, by a 71-17 percent margin, think the allegations are false and that they believe Democrats and the media are behind the accusations. One of the accusers, one of whom was 14 at the time, first told her account in the Post, while a second woman held a news conference. The Post's poll similarly showed Republicans' disbelief about the allegations, with fewer than one in six Republican-leaning likely voters believing that Moore made unwanted sexual advances against the girls.

The CBS poll said half of Moore's supporters are backing him because they want a senator who would cast votes for conservative causes, rather than because they think he is the best candidate in the election. The Post said its survey showed that a quarter of voters say moral conduct will be the deciding factor if how they decide to vote, with Jones winning such voters over Moore by a 67-30 margin.

The election is for the last three years of the seat once held by Jeff Sessions, who resigned it to join President Donald Trump's Cabinet as attorney general, the country's top law enforcement official.

Trump has said Jones would prove to be an unwanted liberal vote in the Senate representing a deeply conservative state. Other key Republicans have called for Moore to drop out of the race, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan and two former Republican presidential nominees, Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain.

Some Republicans say that Moore, if he wins and is seated in the Senate, should then be immediately expelled because of the sexual misconduct allegations. McConnell on Sunday said it is up to Alabama voters to decide the election and that should Moore win, it would be up to the Senate Ethics Committee to consider the women's accusations.
The United States has informed the United Nations that it will no longer participate in the Global Compact on Migration.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the program was not consistent with American immigration policies.

"While we will continue to engage on a number of fronts at the United Nations, in this case, we simply cannot in good faith support a process that could undermine the sovereign right of the United States to enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders," Tillerson said. "The United States supports international cooperation on migration issues, but it is the primary responsibility of sovereign states to help ensure that migration is safe, orderly, and legal."

In 2016, the 193 members of the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a non-binding political declaration, the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, pledging to uphold the rights of refugees, help them resettle and ensure they have access to education and jobs.

The U.S. mission to the U.N. said in a statement Saturday that the declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with U.S. immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administrations immigration principles.

The announcement of the U.S. withdrawal from the pact came just hours before the opening of a global conference on migration scheduled to begin Monday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The goal of the meeting is the negotiation of humane strategies for dealing with the more than 60 million people worldwide who have been forcibly displaced for a variety of reasons.

Foreign Policy magazine said the presidents decision to pull out of the negotiations highlighted the enduring influence of Stephen Miller, the 32-year-old senior White House policy advisor who has championed the Trump administrations efforts to sharply restrict immigration to the U.S.

The magazine said White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Attorney General Jeff Sessions strongly backed a pullout.

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, opposed the withdrawal, according to Foreign Policy. She believed the U.S. could influence the global negotiations on migration if it participated in the Mexico meeting, according to the magazine, but she was ultimately overruled by the president.



Haley issued a statement Saturday, saying America is proud of our immigrant heritage and our long-standing moral leadership in providing support to migrant and refugee populations across the globe. . . But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone.

She said, We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty.
Gunbattles erupted in the Yemeni capital Sana'a Sunday as an alliance between the Iran-backed Shi'ite rebels known as the Houthis and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh appeared to have fallen apart.

The two sides joined ranks three years ago and swept across the capital, Sana'a, forcing the country's internationally recognized President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to flee the country and seek military intervention led by Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis' political office have accused Saleh of staging a "coup" against "an alliance he never believed in" after he offered to initiate talks with the Saudi coalition. In a televised speech, Saleh asked for an end to the siege on Yemeni ports and offered, in exchange, to "turn a new page" and "deal with them in a positive way."

Clashes between fighters loyal to Saleh and the Houthis first erupted last week when Saleh accused the rebels of storming his giant mosque in Sana'a and attacking his nephew, the powerful commander of the special forces, Tarek Saleh.



Both sides have set up checkpoints, placed snipers on rooftops and sealed off entrances to the city. But many state institutions, including the airport, state TV headquarters and the official news agency, remain under the control of the Houthis.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged warring parties in Yemen to stop all ground and air assaults. In a statement released Sunday, the U.N. said the sharp escalation of armed clashes and airstrikes in Sana'a has already resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, including civilians.



Fighting is restricting the movement of people and life-saving services within Sana'a city. Ambulances and medical teams cannot access the injured and people cannot go outside to buy food and other necessities, it said. Aid workers are unable to travel and implement critical life-saving programs at a time when millions of Yemenis rely on assistance to survive.

Yemen is one of the Arab world's poorest countries. Since 2015, it has been locked in a devastating civil war pitting Saudi-backed government forces against Iranian-supported rebels.

Yemen has become a humanitarian catastrophe, with more than 10,000 people killed in the fighting and at least 2 million displaced. A cholera outbreak has infected nearly 1 million people.
Former President Robert Mugabe's relatives claim that they severed relations with their daughter-in-law former First Lady Grace Mugabe more than two years ago.

The Mugabe clan, which includes the Mugabe, Jenami and Matibiri families, accuse their daughter-in-law Grace of being allegedly disrespectful to family elders, showing off and sowing seeds of disharmony within the family.

Mrs. Mugabe is said to have last visited her husbands Zvimba rural home two years ago due to her alleged bad relations with the in-laws.

Mrs. Mugabe and her husband now spend most of their time at one of their multiple farms in Mazoe area, Mashonaland Central province.

Mr. Mugabe's uncle, Ben Matibiri, told VOA Studio 7 that Mrs. Mugabe usually uttered things that are unbecoming of the first family, belittling everyone as she tried to use borrowed powers at every opportunity.

Matibiri said Mrs. Mugabe was the complete opposite of the former presidents first wife, the late Sally Hefron Mugabe, who he said was a great daughter to the family who took care of everyone's problems and needs.

"Sally (Mugabe) was more like a daughter to me. She took care of the family unlike the present wife of Mugabe who is talkative and don't know what to say at the appropriate time."

Matibiris sentiments were echoed by his nephew, Clemence, who claimed that Mrs. Mugabe was disrespectful to family elders and had a penchant for exhibiting her power to whoever cares.

"She (Grace) was fond of controlling everyone wherever she is failing to take her role as a daughter-in-law in the family," said Clemence.

Mugabe, Zvimba neighbour, Fidelis Chinyanyi, also made a comparison between Mrs. Grace Mugabe and the late Sally Mugabe, saying the former is no longer respected by the Mugabe clan.

Another neighbor of the former president, who declined to be named for fear of being victimized, said Mrs. Mugabes behavior is very embarrassing to all of us

Former president Robert Mugabes relatives believe that his wife may have caused his downfall for making unbecoming utterances in public when she attacked former Vice President Joice Mujuru and then current president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mrs. Mugabes spokesperson and her relatives were not reachable for comment.
The Metropolitan Opera announced Sunday that it was suspending its relationship with James Levine, its music director emeritus and a monumental figure in the world of classical music, because of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

The suspension was a response to a one-two punch of newspaper articles on Saturday and Sunday reporting that three men said they had been sexually abused by Levine, now 74, at different points starting in the late 1960s. While we await the results of the investigation, based on these new news reports, the Met has made the decision to act now, Peter Gelb, the Mets general manager, said in a statement.

It was the Mets second update of the weekend about Levine, following an announcement on Saturday, after the New York Post ran the first public allegation, that the company would start an investigation of its own into Levines past behavior. The Post article detailed sexual abuse allegations that Ashok Pai, a 48-year-old man, made to the police department in Lake Forest, Ill., last year  allegations that the Met had known about since they were made.

This first came to the Mets attention when the Illinois police investigation was opened in October, 2016, Gelb said in a statement. At the time, Mr. Levine said that the charges were completely false, and we relied upon the further investigation of the police.

Gelb could not be reached for comment on why the Met deemed the charges worthy of investigation at this time, but not a year ago.

On Sunday, after the New York Times published accounts by two more men who say Levine molested them when they were underage, the Met cut the cord altogether, relieving Levine of all future engagements. "This is a tragedy for anyone whose life has been affected," said Gelb.

The Times article said that the Met had known of at least one earlier allegation in 1979, but dismissed it as baseless.

Levine, 74, has held music director positions with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic and the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. But he is best known and most beloved for his 40-year tenure as music director of the Metropolitan Opera, which he is widely thought to have brought to new heights, and from which he stepped down in 2016, assuming the title of music director emeritus, after some years of ill health. He was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient in 2003.

While Levine is a beloved figure in the industry, rumors about his sexual habits have been widespread for years  so much so that he addressed them in a 1987 interview. I dont have the faintest idea where those rumors came from or what purpose they served, Levine told the New York Times John Rockwell.

[From 2016: Met announces James Levines departure, long overdue]

Pai, the alleged victim in the Illinois investigation, has approached reporters from multiple publications over the years and, more recently, posted publicly on Facebook. But the New York Post was the first to report his allegations, followed shortly by the New York Times and other publications.

In his account to the Lake Forest Police Department, Pai said the abuse began in 1985, when he was 16. Levine, he said, used to arrange to meet him for dinner, but would instead take him to his hotel room near Ravinia, where Levine was music director from 1973 to 1993. There, according to Pai, Levine would ask him to remove his clothes, fondle his penis and masturbate in front of him.

Pai told police that this behavior continued for years. Levine, he said, also gave him financial gifts amounting to about $50,000. The encounters left him confused and unhappy, he said, and almost drove him to suicide.

The two other men named by the New York Times reported similar experiences, though not lasting as long  and going back, in one case, to 1968.

Levine has suffered from ill health for years, and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006, although he did not publicly reveal that until a decade later. Warm to singers but intensely private about his personal life, he today relies on a wheelchair, but had recently stepped up his activity at the Met in his current role after a period of not conducting very often. On Saturday, shortly before the New York Post story was published, he conducted the last of four performances of Verdi's "Requiem"  a work by a composer who has been one of his touchstones, and quite possibly his final Met performance.

Levines management did not respond to requests for comment.
THE DISTRICT

Woman is fatally shot in Southeast

A woman was found shot to death Saturday morning in Southeast Washington in what appeared to be a domestic dispute, D.C. police said.

The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. in the 1700 block of 16th Street SE.

Police said they found the victim dead when they arrived.

A male suspect has been identified and was being sought, they said.

 Michael E. Ruane

VIRGINIA

Fairfax man fatally stabbed near home

A man was found fatally stabbed Friday night in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, county police said.

They said Luis Ernesto Bonilla, 27, of Convair Drive was found with wounds to the upper body about 11:15 p.m. in the 7100 block of Fairchild Drive.

Bonilla died in a wooded area. They said they did not know how long he had been there.

The site is in a largely residential area that is a few hundred feet west of Route 1 in the Groveton area.

His home is within a couple of blocks of where he was found.

Police said they saturated the area with officers, using a helicopter and one or more dogs.

But they said they could not find anyone who had seen anything or been involved in any way.

 Martin Weil

Vote recount sought in race for delegate seat

Joshua Cole, a Democrat who lost a Virginia House of Delegates race by 82 votes amid Election Day ballot errors, decided Saturday to seek a state-funded recount.

Cole ran in the 28th District, around Fredericksburg, where state officials said scores of residents received ballots for the wrong district. Cole lost to Republican Bob Thomas.

The seat was open because of the retirement of former House speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford).

The State Board of Elections certified the outcome last week.

Democrats have filed a legal challenge to the result that is pending in federal court.

 Michael E. Ruane

MARYLAND

Christmas toys stolen from Salvation Army

Less than a month before Christmas, thieves broke into a Salvation Army warehouse in Baltimore and stole about 200 toys for poor families, along with construction materials being used to build a nonprofit grocery store.

It was the third time the warehouse was burglarized during the last two weeks of November  a string of break-ins under investigation by the Baltimore police.

About 200 toys, 15 bikes, 25 pairs of shoes and 75 pieces of clothing were stolen, Salvation Army officer Gene A. Hogg said.

The burglaries occurred during the evenings of Nov. 21, Thanksgiving Day and Nov. 30, amid construction of the grocery store.

A spokeswoman for the Salvation Army of Central Maryland said they think the final break-in was done by a team of people based on the amount of construction tools and bikes taken.

"What we're going to have to do is go out and buy and replace those items," Hogg said. He promised the charity would.

 Shira Stein
Columnist

Deborah Meier, probably the leading American writer-educator of her generation, and Emily Gasoi, an experienced teacher working to improve schools nationwide, have written one of the best books ever on the growth of what is called progressive education.

They make a great case for democratically governed schools where teachers make decisions together, with much input from parents and students. It sounds messy, but they note that many successful schools have done it, such as the New York Performance Standards Consortium, the Belmont Zone of Choice in Los Angeles, schools using the New Hampshire Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) and the Mission Hill pilot school in Boston.

"The nitty-gritty of daily decisions should be left to the people who know their particular community and children best  families and educators," Meier writes in "These Schools Belong to You and Me."

While history offers those who know to look for it some insight into the connection between free, universal education and democratic citizenship, writes Gasoi, co-founder of the nonprofit Artful Education, its entirely possible to go through the better part of two decades of schooling without ever being asked to consider this aspect of our education.

So why are they so unhappy with some successful schools that have plenty of faculty and parent involvement? The authors are particularly critical of KIPP, the largest and in some ways most successful charter network in the country. In one of Meiers chapters, she seems to give KIPP a nod of approval by noting its South Bronx campus began with help from reformer Sy Fliegel, who also backed Meiers successful Central Park East alternative schools.

But then she says: The spread of KIPP and KIPP-style, segregated, no-excuses schools . . . signals our nations shameful return to the pursuit of separate, and tacitly unequal, schools. Having visited 42 creative and high-achieving KIPP schools over the years, I sought an explanation for this sentence. The authors call for small, autonomous, family-centered schools with democratic cultures. KIPP seems to me way ahead in those factors. It has longer school days and very careful selection of principals and teachers. What was the problem?

Meier said she visited a KIPP school once, 10 years ago, and didnt like the discipline, including isolating misbehaving students, which seemed to her a kind of shaming. She said the instruction seemed to be mostly teacher-directed. Gasoi said the KIPP schools she visited in Houston in 2009 and 2010 were small and autonomous but too tied to success in test scores. As for democracy, the authors said, KIPP does not follow progressive traditions of letting students often decide what and how to learn.

But why, I asked, did they think KIPP signaled a shameful return to separate but unequal? Gasoi told me that KIPP schools were segregated by design. I didnt understand that. They are mostly located in low-income neighborhoods where children need better instruction. How can that be the same as Jim Crow?

Gasoi said she did not mean to equate KIPP with the Old South. She said KIPP segregated by having practices that left middle-class parents not wanting to send their kids there. KIPP schools focus on behaviors and not so much on intellectual engagement and development, she said. Im not saying theres no intellectual development happening in KIPP classrooms . . . but thats not what they prioritize, at least in their public messaging.

I clicked on KIPPs national website. Its key themes are high expectations; focus on character; highly effective teachers and leaders; safe, structured and nurturing environments; and advising students even after they reach college. I saw no shortchanging of intellectual development there, nor have I seen it in KIPP schools, which have moved away from discipline by shaming to a more positive approach.

The authors overall approach to nourishing democracy provides the answer to their flawed comments on KIPP. As their book says, families and educators know their communities best, and will make the right decisions for their children. That is happening at many schools, some KIPP, some not, whether they have middle-class parents or not. And thats not shameful.
Francis J. Duggan spent years advocating on behalf of families of the victims of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. (Family photo)

Francis J. Frank Duggan, a lawyer and federal official who spent years as a pro bono advocate on behalf of families of the victims of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, died Nov. 1 at his home in Alexandria, Va. He was 79.

The cause was lung cancer, said his son, Tim Duggan.

On Dec. 21, 1988, a bomb exploded, killing all 259 people aboard Flight 103, plus 11 people on the ground, when the disabled aircraft crashed into the town of Lockerbie. The victims came from more than 20 countries.

In 1989, Mr. Duggan was named to the Presidents Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism, which examined the causes of the bombing. He was the commissions liaison to the victims families and continued to act as their pro bono advocate until his death. He eventually was named president of Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, an organization composed mostly of victims families.

He was always the linchpin that made things happen, said the groups board chairwoman, Mary Kay Stratis, whose husband was killed on Flight 103. He made connections in Scotland and the U.K. with journalists who understood our plight and had his finger on the pulse of our organization.

Mr. Duggan helped lobby Congress and federal officials to improve airline security and called on law enforcement agencies to bring charges in the case.

In 2001, more than 12 years after the incident, a onetime Libyan intelligence officer, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, was convicted of 270 counts of murder for his role in placing the bomb on the airliner. He was sentenced to life in prison.

The Libyan government agreed to accept responsibility for the bombing and to pay a penalty of $2.7 billion to the victims families in 2003, in return for the easing of international sanctions on the country.

In 2009, al-Megrahi was released from prison in Scotland on grounds of compassionate relief because he was believed to be terminally ill. He returned to Libya, where he lived until his death in 2012.

Mr. Duggan strongly opposed al-Megrahis release and maintained that as many as seven other co-conspirators were never brought to justice.

Obviously it wasnt just one guy, Mr. Duggan told the Syracuse Post-Standard in 2013. One guy didnt make the bomb and transport it . . . He didnt put it on the [luggage conveyor] belt. He didnt get it on the plane. There were other people that the investigation suspects, very strongly.

Francis Joseph Duggan was born April 15, 1938, in Brooklyn. His father was a court clerk in New York.

Mr. Duggan was a 1959 graduate of St. Johns University in New York, then served in the Navy before graduating from law school at St. Johns in 1964.

He moved to the Washington area in 1969 to work for the legal office of the Office of Economic Opportunity. In the 1970s, he held staff positions with Rep. William Steiger (R-Wis.) and later Sen. Charles McC. Mathias Jr. (R-Md.).

Mr. Duggan was a lobbyist for the Association of American Railroads frrom 1978 to 1988, then served as an assistant secretary of labor. He worked for the law firm of Mullenholz, Brimsek & Belair throughout the 1990s before being named to the National Mediation Board in 1999. He later became the boards chairman before retiring in 2003.

He was a member of the boards of several medical and academic organizations, including the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University.

Mr. Duggan was also a reserve deputy sheriff in Fairfax County and a certified firearms instructor. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other Irish heritage organizations.

His first marriage, to Ellen Kelly, ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Faye Padgett of Alexandria; three children from his first marriage, Teresa Duggan of Baltimore, Tim Duggan of New York and Trish Duggan of Olney, Md.; a brother; and two grandchildren.

Mr. Duggan was instrumental in arranging for a memorial cairn, consisting of 270 stones quarried near Lockerbie, which was dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery in 1995.
Outside the Montgomery County District Courthouse, homicide detective Paula Hamill stands next to Adi Najjar, who holds a photo of his son Shadi. (Dan Morse/The Washington Post)

The DNA of a new suspect matches that found on ammunition fired at two Maryland teenagers who were gunned down on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac the night before their high school graduation, according to new police allegations filed in Montgomery County District Court.

Rony Alexander Galicia, 25, made his first court appearance in the case Monday, and was ordered held without bond.

He is the fourth suspect charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the June 5 deaths of Shadi Najjar, 17, and Artem Ziberov, 18. The two friends had parked Najjars Honda Civic along Gallery Court, in the Gaithersburg area, expecting to sell an extra ticket for their commencement ceremony. Instead, they were shot in a barrage of at least 30 rounds while in the front seats of the Civic as it idled with its lights on.

Galicia, of Germantown, was taken into custody Friday. His attorney, Isabelle Raquin, declined to comment Monday.

1 of 18 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  We are hurting, deeply so, and we are angry: Photos from funeral of Artem Ziberov View Photos In June, loved ones recalled the humor and intelligence of the high school senior, one of two teens slain in Montgomery County, Md. A fourth suspect was charged in the killings last week. Caption In June, loved ones recalled the humor and intelligence of the high school senior, one of two teens slain in Montgomery County, Md. A fourth suspect was charged in the killings last week. Kate Patterson Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

The case against Galicia, outlined in a four-page police affidavit, adds a twist to the widely followed case. It shows how detectives and prosecutors are still piecing together what happened, even as trials approach for the first three suspects arrested six months ago.

[We believe they were targeted: New details in double slaying of Md. teens]

The affidavit indicates that starting in early October, detectives got two breaks that could strengthen their cases against all four suspects. A witness told them she had seen the first three suspects, along with an unknown fourth man, inside a mobile home the night of the killings, according to the affidavit. At the time, the four were allegedly discussing an area two miles away, where the teens were attacked.

According to the witness, there was a fourth subject, whom he/she described as a heavy-set Hispanic male with a ponytail, also in the trailer, the affidavit says. According to the witness, this heavy-set Hispanic male had a map pulled up on his phone when they were discussing the East Village Avenue/Gallery Court street names.

The affidavit says that when shown photographs, the witness stopped at a photo of Galicia. He does look like that guy, the witness said.

A short time later, detectives say, they tracked down Galicia, got a DNA sample from him and were able to match that to DNA lifted from at least some of the shell casings at the crime scene.

Police earlier arrested Jose Canales-Yanez, 26; Edgar Garcia-Gaona, 24; and his brother Roger Garcia, 20, on first-degree murder and other charges.



Jose Canales-Yanez, Roger Garcia, Edgar Garcia-Gaona and Rony Alexander Galicia (Montgomery County Police)

Ron Gottlieb, an attorney for Garcia-Gaona, declined to comment Saturday. Gary Gerstenfield, an attorney for Garcia, declined to speak about the specifics of the case but said, We are fighting very hard for our client.

Kathleen A. Dolan, an attorney for Canales-Yanez who for months has said her client is innocent, questioned the validity of evidence police say is linked to the new arrest. Absolutely nothing ties Mr. Canales-Yanez to the murders, she said Saturday.

Najjars father said he was pleased with the new development.

The detectives, theyre working very hard. They dont want these people to be out on the streets, Adi Najjar said.

He and his wife, Tina, visit their sons grave once a week. God is watching out for you, Najjar said he tells his son. His wife, an artist, recently brought to the grave a drawing of herself, sitting at a table, her head in her right hand, mourning her son.

It will never become easy, Najjar said. He is still in our hearts. It seems like yesterday.

The latest affidavit in the case repeats the motive for the killings put forth by authorities in June.

Before his graduation, Shadi Najjar had made it known, perhaps on social media, that he wanted to sell an extra ticket he had to the graduation ceremony at Northwest High School. At some point, he communicated with Garcia about the ticket, according to detectives, and the two arranged to meet for the sale the night of June 5.

But that meeting, detectives allege, was a ruse. Garcias brother, they say, was friends with Canales-Yanez, who was angry with Najjar over a botched drug deal from months before. In that incident, detectives say, Najjar stole drugs from Canales-Yanezs girlfriend, who was then dragged by the car he was in for approximately 50 feet.

And so, when Najjar and Ziberov pulled up and stopped along Gallery Court, they soon were met by a crew out for revenge, police say. Najjar, behind the wheel, was hit by four rounds. Ziberov, in the passenger seat, was hit by 10 rounds. Its unclear whether Ziberov knew about the alleged earlier drug transaction, according to police.
Police corral a group of protesters at the intersection of L and 15th streets NW on the day of President Trumps inauguration. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Aurelia Taylor and other employees at the Starbucks at 13 and I streets in Northwest Washington were ready for big crowds the day of President Trumps inauguration.

Taylor took an Uber to work around 4 a.m. to circumvent the expected traffic and road closures. When the shop opened around 7:30 a.m., the employees served coffee, danish and other breakfast favorites to customers downtown for the festivities.

Then, three hours later, around 10:30, Taylor said a group of demonstrators was walking by when someone threw a brick that shattered a shop window. It sounded like thunder, Taylor testified recently in D.C. Superior Court. I had to get my [employees] to safety as quickly as I could, she said. Then another window was shattered. And another.

Taylor was among the victims of the Jan. 20 riots who so far have taken the witness stand during the ongoing trial of four women and two men who prosecutors say were part of a large group that protested that day, with some among the group vandalizing businesses and property and violently clashing with police.

[Amid questions about the line between free speech and rioting, trial to begin in Inauguration Day protest]



Anti-facist protesters smash the windows of a limousine in Washington, as protestors take to the streets to march against President Trumps inauguration. (Stefan Jeremiah/AP)

Prosecutors have charged 212 people with rioting on Jan. 20. Since then, 20 people have pleaded guilty and prosecutors dropped cases against an additional 20. Trials for the others, in groups of five or more, are set to occur almost monthly through late 2018.

Prosecutors say there is no evidence that six defendants now on trial caused any of the damage directly, but the government said it considers the entire group to be responsible.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly argued that their clients were merely protesting Trumps election and never threw rocks, wielded any weapons or participated in any vandalism. The attorneys say police failed to identify and arrest the actual rioters and unfairly rounded up the entire group.

Prosecutors are calling Taylor and others caught up in the violence to recount those tense moments in hopes their voices  and faces  will help convince jurors that the defendants should be found guilty of rioting charges.

Prosecutors allege that a group called Disrupt J20 helped plan some protests that pulled in participants from across the country. They said some rioters used black bloc tactics  wearing all black and hiding their faces with masks and goggles so it would be harder to identify them. The group was part of an anti-capitalist, anti-fascist movement, organizers said.

[Inauguration Day 2017: Pomp and chaos collide as Trump becomes president]

Employees from several businesses took the stand in between testimony from D.C. police officers, who spoke about watching a handful of people in the crowd, dressed in black, throwing bricks and rocks and carrying hammers and crowbars.



Protesters and police clash in Washington on the day of President Trumps inauguration. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

As the glass windows broke at the Starbucks, Taylor said, employees and about a dozen customers frantically looked for cover as shards of glass showered down. The customers were crouched down on the floor. We were wondering what was going on, Taylor recalled.

A video played by prosecutors showed a handful of Starbucks customers getting off the floor, looking out the door and walking out of the shop, some hand-in-hand. For four days, the coffee shop remained closed as the damage was repaired.

Fitsum Menna told jurors she was a little more than three hours into her 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift at the BP gas station at 13th and N streets NW when she saw about 100 people marching from Logan Circle to downtown Washington.

As the crowd moved down 13th Street, Menna said one man broke away from the group, ran to the window she was sitting behind and began punching the glass.

I heard this loud banging sound. I just tried to hide and get down, Menna said softly. She testified she then watched another man run up to the gas station and break the window on the front door.

Frightened, Menna dragged a case of bottled water against the door, she said. I was scared they were going to break the door. I didnt know if they were coming inside. I didnt know what was going on.

Limousine driver Luis Villaroel testified that he could stand only on the sidewalk next to his limo, with his hands in his pockets, as he watched a couple of rioters peel away from a crowd and smash the vehicles windows, including the windshield. Villaroel had just dropped off his passengers and had parked at 13th and K streets when he saw a group of about a hundred or so protesters walk by him, many of them wearing black with their faces covered.

Villaroel said he was fearful of doing anything.

I have a daughter, he said. I didnt want to risk myself.

Villaroel testified that minutes later, one of the rioters threw an open flare into the back seat of the car. He said he rushed to the limousine and was able to stamp out the flame as it was burning the carpet. I was very upset. Very angry, he said. This vehicle we use to make our living. Now we are one vehicle less.

Hours later, after police arrested the group, including the six currently on trial, prosecutors say another wave of protesters marched in the city and at least one of them set fire to the limousine, which was waiting to be towed.

Miryeong Kim said revenue at her business, the Atrium Cafe on I Street NW, has not recovered since three windows were shattered.

Kim was not at work Jan. 20, but her buildings manager called her hours after the windows were shattered. Kim said she was unable to sleep, worrying about the cost of repairs. I was upset. I was terribly worried it would cost a lot of money, Kim, speaking in Korean, said through an interpreter. She ultimately had to pay more than $6,000 to have the windows replaced and did not reopen her shop until a day and a half later. One window had a logo with her delis name that she has not been able to replace, she said.

The first defendants to face trial are Michelle Macchio, 26, of Naples, Fla.; Jennifer Armento, 38, of Philadelphia; Christina Simmons, 20, of Cockeysville, Md.; Alexei Wood, 37, of San Antonio; Oliver Harris, 28, of Philadelphia; and Brittne Lawson, 27, of Pittsburgh. The six face felony counts of inciting a riot and destruction of property, charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years each.

The trial is expected to continue at least through mid-December.
Columnist

Metro is reminding Red Line customers of a major capital improvement project starting Saturday, November 25, and continuing through Sunday, December 10. . . . [T]he Takoma Station will be closed to replace a mainline interlocking, a location where trains cross from one track to the other.

 WMATA announcement, Nov. 20, 2017

I was just locking up my office in the National Museum of Natural History when I heard the sound of heels on the hallways polished marble floor. I looked up to see a man and a woman  both dressed in dark business suits  approaching.

"Dr. Fitzgerald?" asked the man.

Im sorry? I answered. My office is so deep in the bowels of the building that I dont get many visitors  and certainly none who so obviously appear to be with some branch of law enforcement.

"You are Dr. Simon Fitzgerald, famed Smithsonian paleontologist, aren't you?" the woman said.

Yes, thats right. Whats this all about?

May we speak to you in your office? she continued.

Of course, I said. I unlocked the door and ushered them in, clearing books and fossils from atop the two chairs that sat across from my cluttered desk.

Sorry for the mess, I said as I moved a pile of petrified trilobites.

"I'm Byrd," said the woman once she'd taken a seat. "This is my partner, Forrest."

What are you? I asked. FBI? There was no reaction.

CIA? I offered. NSA? TSA?

No, Dr. Fitzgerald, said Forrest eventually. Were none of those things. Were MTP  Metro Transit Police  and we need your help.

Metro Transit Police? I said. Why on earth do you need me?

" 'Why under earth' might be more appropriate," Forrest said. "About 10 years ago we started noticing some anomalies on Metrorail."

No kidding, I said. Trains were breaking down. Rails were cracking. Insulators were arcing. All of the subway systems deferred maintenance was finally catching up with WMATA. Its been pretty grim since then.

Were here to tell you, Dr. Fitzgerald, that Metro is in perfect operating condition, Byrd said.

I find that hard to believe, I said. Entire sections of the system were shut down during the SafeTrack Surge. Right now, the Takoma Park station is closed for repairs.

Forrest opened his briefcase and tossed a photo on my desk. Tell me what you see, Dr. Fitzgerald, he said.

The image showed a dark orifice of a familiar configuration. In the foreground was a figure in a hard-hat, giving it scale. Thats a subway tunnel, I said. Yours, I imagine.

No, not ours, Forrest said. Maintenance workers discovered it while inspecting the Green Line in 2008.

He flipped more photos at me. Orange Line, 2010. Blue Line, 2012. Red Line, 2016. Each showed similar openings.

Youre an expert on prehistoric worms, correct, Dr. Fitzgerald? Byrd said.

"Are you telling me that a massive worm did this?" I said, incredulously. "Like in the movie 'Tremors'?"

Never seen it, Forrest said. We keep meaning to rent it but just havent had the time.

"It's true that certain prehistoric worms grew quite large," I said. "Websteroprion armstrongi  a so-called Bobbit worm  had massive snapping jaws. But the largest fossil specimens are three feet long, not 30, and it died off 400 million years ago."

Well somethings down there, Byrd said. We want you to help us find it.

"And it's been down there for a decade?" I said. "How have you kept it secret? Why have you kept it secret?"

Forrest leaned forward in his chair and spoke in a low voice. Can you imagine the panic that would result if the public knew there was a gigantic, dirt-eating worm churning through the Metro system? Whenever theres an incident, we come up with a plausible cover story  single-tracking or capital improvements  and dispatch a team. Right now, we have reason to believe the worm or worms are active near the Red Line.

And thats why youre replacing a mainline interlocking? I said.

Yep, Byrd said.  Mainline interlocking. Theres no such thing.

How do you send in the teams so quickly? I asked.

Well, we have them positioned throughout the system, Byrd said. In fact, youve seen them.

I have?

Escalator repairmen, she said. Every single Metro station escalator repairman is part of a crack MTP worm-searching team.

You mean theyre not really fixing the escalators? I said, astonished.

They both started laughing, Forrest so violently that Byrd had to slap him between the shoulder blades to help him catch his breath.

"Have you ever seen them actually fix an escalator?" he said, wiping tears from his eyes.

It was the first thing they said that actually made sense.

Helping Hand

That was a bit of fiction, but here's a fact: You can help needy Washingtonians this holiday season through The Washington Post Helping Hand. We're raising money for Bright Beginnings, a preschool that helps homeless kids and their parents; N Street Village, a shelter and support network for women experiencing homelessness; and So Others Might Eat, which offers meals and more to poverty-stricken Washingtonians.

To learn more, or make a donation, visit posthelpinghand.com.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/people/john-kelly.
Metro has hired a consultant to build ridership models that take into account the impact of ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft as part of the transit agencys effort to determine where its riders have gone and how to win them back.

Uber and Lyft have billed themselves as complements to transit, but in Metros case, gains by the apps have coincided with service declines that have sent tens of thousands of commuters seeking more reliable alternatives.

Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said the consulting firm, VHB, was hired to build a platform to create a forecasting and modeling tool that will help Metro find ways to stabilize its ridership and grow its numbers. The agency also is concerned about the advent of driverless vehicles, which could lure even more customers away from transit and back onto the roads.

Metro said the analysis is due by next summer. The agency declined to specify the cost or make anyone available to discuss the effect of ride-hailing services on ridership.

Other big-city transit systems are struggling with the same issues.

For example, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) this fall cited the toll that ride-hailing has taken on mass transit in his city when he successfully pushed for a 15-cent fee increase on Uber and Lyft trips to support modernization efforts for the Chicago Transit Authority.

District officials are not likely to make a similar move  at least not immediately. At a recent announcement for a new support hub for Ubers growing network of drivers in the region, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) mulled the swift growth of Uber and Lyft and how it might factor into Metros precipitous ridership decline. Her conclusion: Metro has itself to blame for its ridership problems.

[Could this study explain why Metro is losing riders to Uber and Lyft?]

There are a lot of things that are cutting into Metro ridership, Bowser said in response to a reporters question. I would put first among them the year-long SafeTrack [maintenance] program, and also the cutting back of hours at Metro. So I wouldnt start with Uber, I would start with Metro itself.

[Metro ridership still down at stations impacted by SafeTrack  with one exception]

Metros rail ridership is down to 615,000 average weekday trips  about 135,000 fewer than 2009 peaks. Weekday bus ridership is down 8 percent year-over-year, according to the latest statistics.

Numerous factors are responsible, according to Metro: the rise of telework, a shrinking of the federal workforce, lower gasoline costs, and performance and reliability problems, which alone are blamed for about 30 percent of the losses.

Metros limited understanding of the impact of ride-hailing services was demonstrated at a recent staff presentation to the board: On a chart plotting ridership loss factors on a spectrum from limited insight to high insight, the growth of ride-hailing was among the issues least understood. It was labeled as not within our control.

Uber says it has 1.9 million active riders in the Washington region, and the number of its drivers is 42,000, up from 30,000 in 2016, according to company statistics. Lyft, which launched in the District in 2013, nearly tripled its rides in the region between 2015 and 2016, according to company data. And in the first six months of this year, amid fallout from various Uber scandals, Lyft provided more rides than it had over the entire previous year  both in the District and nationally, according to a company spokesman. The company did not provide numbers.

The District also quickly became the fastest-growing market for another ride-share service, Via, after it launched here in 2016, and ridership grew by a factor of seven in 2017, according to a company spokeswoman.

SafeTrack, Metros year-long renewal program, brought an influx of new riders to each of the apps  which offered deeply discounted fares targeting D.C. commuters. At points during the program, Uber offered $3 pooled rides within the District, and Lyft discounted trips up to 75 percent.

Consultant Hubert Horan, who has studied both Uber and Metro, said in an email interview: Uber fares and service levels were heavily (and unsustainably) subsidized while the cost of competing modes (including transit) was increasing, with service cutbacks and worsening reliability.

[Teleworking may mean Metros lackluster ridership numbers are here to stay]

While some question the apps long-term economic viability, data shows that for the time being, ride-hailing is filling a transit vacuum in the Washington region. Uber is busiest late Friday and Saturday nights, when Metros truncated hours close the system at 1 a.m., according to an Uber spokesman.

Uber contends that it is not a Metro competitor, calling the transit system the backbone of the regions transportation network. And the company often points to a 2016 American Public Transportation Association study that found ride-hailing customers were more likely to be frequent transit users.

Still, data compiled from several studies in multiple cities suggests that among customers hailing rides instead of using another form of transportation, 15 percent to 30 percent would have used mass transit if not for the apps.

If they were complementary to transit, then transit should have grown really dramatically, on par with Uber and Lyft, said Regina Clewlow, a transportation researcher who led a study that looked at ride-hailings impact on mass transit for the University of California at Daviss Institute of Transportation Studies. Obviously they havent  theyve gone in the opposite direction.

[Metro's multimillion-dollar mystery: Where have our riders gone?]

Asked why they would take Uber and Lyft instead of transit, customers most common answer was that transit services are too slow, according to the October study from UC Davis. Researchers found that after adopting ride-hailing  like a quarter or more of residents in major cities  Americans use transit 6 percent less.

Buses, often the preferred mode for trips between two points in a city, suffer the most, with a 6 percent reduction in use from ride-hailing customers. Urban rail trips, like Metros, fall 3 percent, while commuter rail use actually increases slightly, according to UC Davis researchers.

Another study found that while ride-hailing was initially seen as a replacement for taxis, today most [ride-hailing] customers are coming from transit, walking and biking. The studys author said ride-hailing was likely a factor in ridership losses in New York, where subway ridership fell last year for the first time since 2009.

What Uber and [its competitors] have done is theyve shone a bright light on deficiencies and other gaps in the public transportation systems in New York, D.C., Chicago, said Bruce Schaller, a consultant and former deputy commissioner for traffic and planning in New York, who led the Unsustainable? study on the growth of ride-hailing services there.

Whats happened is that theres now consequences if public transit isnt up to snuff, he said. Before, people just had to tolerate it. The answer, in his view, is to improve service, expand capacity, [provide] better customer information.

Emily Castor Warren, Lyfts senior director of transportation policy, said the losses by transit agencies such as Metro are largely on the bus side  a conclusion consistent with the work of Clewlow, author of the UC Davis study  while systemwide decreases can be found during off-peak hours and weekends when service is reduced. Those are often the most expensive times for transit agencies to run service.

If I were them, I would be looking to provide that service in different ways, Warren said.

Researchers warn that if the trend continues and companies such as Uber and Lyft can cut costs by rolling out autonomous vehicles  eliminating the need to pay drivers  the effects could be devastating for local transportation networks.

You could have a steady flow turn into an avalanche of people switching from transit to these vehicles as they get cheaper and cheaper, Schaller said. What will happen is itll be easy to get a ride and then youll sit in traffic. So youll minimize your wait time and youll maximize your trip time.

Though the rollout of fully autonomous vehicles for consumers is years away, Metro officials have expressed concerns about the prospect. At a recent Metro board meeting, board member David Horner urged innovation in the agencys planning.

The rise of autonomous vehicles over the next decades could be devastating unless we get our capital programming right, he said. We cant be Sears, Roebuck in the era of Amazon.
Grab your winter coat and mittens, pour some coffee, step outside and look up: The Geminid meteor shower  arguably the most robust shooting stars of 2017  peaks the night of Dec. 13-14.

The International Meteor Organization (imo.net) predicts that the Geminids will put on a good show starting about 10 p.m. Dec. 13 and continuing through the night.

The waning crescent moon will be in a last-quarter phase, so it won't bathe the meteors in light. (The moon will rise at 3:43 a.m. Dec. 14, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.)

Both the IMO and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada forecast that the shower will peak at about 120 meteors an hour, provided there are dark, clear skies. The Geminids can be bright and have intense color, according to the IMO. So turn off porch lights, get away from streetlights and gaze into the cold sky.

Generally speaking, meteor showers are born from the dusty tails of comets. When comets approach the sun, they warm up and form a tail, spewing vapor and dirt. When Earth rounds the sun on its annual 365-day journey, our blue planets atmosphere inevitably strikes dirt from these leftover comet trails. The dust burns in our atmosphere, lights up and shoots across our heavens.

But the Geminids happen thanks to an asteroid: (3200) Phaethon (pronounced FAY-ah-thon), a rocky entity about three miles in diameter that sails close to the sun, heats up and sheds shards. When Earth runs into these rocky chips, they burn up.

In addition to tonight's full moon (Dec. 3), the year's largest, according to the Royal Astronomical Society, the planets Jupiter and Mars start playing a cosmic game of tag now and into January. Before sunrise, find the planetary pair in the southeastern sky. The big, gassy Jupiter is -1.7 magnitude (bright) far below the dim, reddish Mars (1.7 magnitude, hard to see in light-polluted urban and suburban conditions).

As the month progresses, Mars brightens and the two planets appear to scoot close together at the end of December for a conjunction early in the new year.

Venus, Saturn and Mercury are taking a holiday vacation  hiding in the sun's glare, probably sipping cosmic mai tais. The fleet Mercury (zero magnitude, bright) returns to the morning heavens in late December in the southeast, popping up above to the horizon. Before sunrise, look in the direction of the bright Jupiter, then look lower toward the horizon and then to the left to find Mercury.

Our darkest days may soon be behind us. The upcoming solstice starts the winter season here in the Northern Hemisphere on Dec. 21 at 11:28 a.m. Eastern time, according to the Naval Observatory. Dec. 20-22, the Washington area gets nine hours and 26 minutes of daylight  the least amount all year. Starting Dec. 23, well enjoy a smidgen more daylight (nine hours and 27 minutes), and it will increase until June.

Down-to-Earth Events

Dec. 4  Preview the late autumn and winter sky at "Stars Tonight" at the David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy St., Arlington, adjacent to Washington-Lee High School. 7:30 p.m. $3. friendsoftheplanetarium.org.

Dec. 5  Appreciate undergraduate astronomical research at the University of Maryland's Observatory in College Park. Afterward, behold the night sky through telescopes, weather permitting. 8 p.m. astro.umd.edu/openhouse.

Dec. 9  "Black Holes at All Scales: An X-ray View," a talk by physicist Mario Gliozzi of George Mason University, at the regular meeting of the National Capital Astronomers, held at the University of Maryland Observatory in College Park. 7:30 p.m. capitalastronomers.org.

Dec. 10  Find out about telescopes and binoculars at the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club's show-and-tell and swap meet, 163 Research Hall, George Mason University, in Fairfax.

7 p.m. novac.com.

Dec. 20  "TESS: The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite," a talk by astronomy professor Drake Deming, will explain NASA's exoplanet-hunting mission, planned for a launch in the spring. Exoplanets are planets in other solar systems.

The talk will be held at the University of Maryland's Observatory in College Park. Scope the dark heavens through telescopes afterward, weather permitting. 8 p.m. astro.umd.edu/openhouse.

Blaine Friedlander can be reached at SkyWatchPost@gmail.com.

Read more
New York

Parking dispute ends in 3 deaths

A man angry about a parking dispute stabbed two people and then drove into a group of pedestrians on a sidewalk Sunday, leaving one person dead and several others injured, one critically, police said.

The altercation started about 4:30 a.m. outside a hookah lounge in the New York borough of Queens, when the driver of a white Hyundai sedan got out of his car and stabbed two other people, New York Police Department Assistant Chief David Barrere said. The man then drove his car into a crowd of people on the sidewalk before leaving the scene, he said.

One person was killed and five others injured, one of them critically, from being hit by the car. The other people struck and the two people stabbed were in stable condition.

Police didnt release the identity of the person who was killed, but said he was 23.

Authorities said the driver is in custody. Charges had not been filed as of Sunday afternoon.

 Associated Press

California

Teenager confesses to molesting many children

A teenager who turned himself in to police confessed to molesting about 50 children over the past several years across Southern California, authorities said.

Joseph Hayden Boston, 18, was brought to a Riverside police station Saturday by his mother after he allegedly told her that he had sexually assaulted two boys, ages 8 and 4, at a motel, Officer Ryan Railsback said.

Boston confessed to the motel assaults and admitted molesting upwards of 50 children since he was 10, Railsback said in a statement. The incidents happened in different cities where he had lived, including Riverside, he said.

Boston was arrested on suspicion of two counts of oral copulation on a child under the age of 10 and jailed in lieu of $1 million bail, the statement said.

It wasnt immediately clear whether Boston had an attorney.

 Associated Press

Separate shootings leave four dead in New York City: Four men were killed in separate shootings in New York City over about eight hours. The New York Police Department said officers responded to a call in Queens about 4 p.m. Saturday and found Jerrel Lewis, 20, with a gunshot wound to the chest. He died at a hospital. About 10 p.m., officers in Brooklyn found a 30-year-old man who had been shot in the chest, while officers in Staten Island found another man in the 30s in a car with a gunshot wound to his head. Just after midnight Sunday, officers said Yadel Garcia, 27, was shot in the back in northern Manhattan, and died at a hospital. No arrests have been made.

8-year-old Pennsylvania girl dies in ATV crash: An 8-year-old Pennsylvania girl riding in an all-terrain vehicle driven by an 11-year-old died when the vehicle crashed and flipped on its side, officials said. Pennsylvania State Police said Sunday that the girl, who was not named, died after the vehicle tried to make a left turn on a gravel road at high speed in Tioga County. Authorities say the vehicle flipped sideways, rotated completely and then tipped over, pinning the passengers.

 From news services
EGYPT

Presidential candidate deported by UAE

Former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafik, who last week announced plans to run for the presidency, was deported from the United Arab Emirates, his family said.

With airport security high, Shafik landed in a private plane in Cairos airport on Saturday evening. A witness at the airport said Egyptian authorities escorted Shafik in a motorcade waiting for him outside the airport.

UAE news agency WAM said Shafik left the Emirates, an ally of Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissis government, for Egypt without giving details on why or how he departed. It said his family had stayed behind in the Emirates.

Shafik, a former air force commander and government minister, was seen as the strongest potential opponent of Sissi, who is expected to run for a second term next year.

A spokesman for Egypts foreign ministry did not immediately answer a call seeking details. An Egyptian judicial official said Shafik was not wanted in any criminal cases at the moment but that he had had several cases, including for corruption, against him in the past that ended in acquittal or were dropped.

We have no information about a deportation order, the judicial official said.

 Reuters

ISRAEL

Thousands protest Netanyahu, bill

About 20,000 Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday against government corruption and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under criminal investigation over allegations of abuse of office.

The demonstration was by far the largest of weekly anti-corruption protests against Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing.

Saturdays protest was prompted by a draft law expected to be ratified by parliament next week, which would bar police from publishing their findings in two investigations of Netanyahu.

Critics say the draft law is a blatant attempt to protect Netanyahu and keep the public in the dark about his investigation. Supporters of the legislation say it is meant to protect suspects rights.

The bill is sponsored by two of Netanyahus close confidants in his Likud party.

 Reuters

Mattis begins tour of Middle East, Pakistan: U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met Saturday with Egyptian officials to discuss cooperation between the two countries, the first stop on a trip that will also take him to Jordan, Pakistan and Kuwait. Mattis's visit came just over a week after the worst-ever Islamist militant attack in Egypt's modern history took place in the troubled northern Sinai, where more than two dozen extremists descended on a mosque and killed more than 300 worshipers. Mattis later departed for Jordan, where he was scheduled to attend a meeting on countering violent extremism in West Africa, hosted by Jordan's King Abdullah II. On Monday, Mattis will be visiting Pakistan, where he plans to meet with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi before concluding his trip with a visit to Kuwait the following day.

Arab League leader warns against Jerusalem move: Any move by the United States to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital would fuel extremism and violence, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said. "Today we say very clearly that taking such action is not justified . . . It will not serve peace or stability, but will fuel extremism and resort to violence," Aboul Gheit said in a statement published on the Arab League's website. He spoke a day after a senior U.S. administration official said President Trump was likely to make the announcement soon.

Death toll in Mogadishu bombing determined at 512: The final death toll in October's massive truck bombing in Somalia's capital is 512 people, according to the committee tasked with looking into the country's worst-ever attack. The final toll is a dramatic increase from previous estimates of about 350 killed. The committee's report, obtained by the Associated Press, says another 312 people were wounded in the bombing and that 62 are missing. Somalia's government has blamed al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab for the Oct. 14 attack, which struck a crowded street. Security officials said the bomb weighed between 1,300 and 1,700 pounds.

 From news services
Wherever I travel, I take my bone drill with me, says Kendra Sirak.

Sirak drills the base of an ancient skull.

An Emory PhD candidate in anthropology, Sirak has developed a specialized technique for drilling into ancient skulls to remove DNA samples. Shes flown to more than a dozen countries and drilled more than 1,000 skulls, perfecting the technique.

No one at customs has ever questioned me about why Im carrying a gigantic drill in my suitcase, she notes.

Sirak has the distinction of being the last graduate student of the late George Armelagos, Goodrich C. White Professor of Anthropology. Armelagos, who died in 2014 at the age of 77, was one of the founders of the field of paleopathology.

He spent decades working with graduate students to study the bones of ancient Sudanese Nubians to learn about patterns of health, illness and death in the past. The only piece missing in studies of this population was genetic analysis. So in 2013, Armelagos sent Sirak to one of the best ancient DNA labs in the world, University College Dublin, with samples of the Nubian bones.

I had no interest in genetics, says Sirak, who was passionate about studying human bones and paleopathology. But George believed DNA was going to become a critical part of anthropological research.

Sirak soon became hooked when she saw how she could combine her interest in ancient bones with insights from DNA. She formed collaborations not just in Dublin but at Harvard Medical Schools Department of Genetics and elsewhere, working on unsolved mysteries surrounding deaths going back anywhere from decades to ancient times.
President Trump said Saturday that he is not worried about what former national security adviser Michael Flynn might share now that he is cooperating with prosecutors, forcefully asserting that there was "absolutely no collusion" between his campaign and Russia.

On a day Trump spent here largely being whisked among political fundraising events, he both talked to reporters and took to Twitter to weigh in on the case of Flynn, who pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his interactions with a Russian official.

A tweet posted Saturday afternoon by the president suggested that Flynns misstatements to the FBI were part of the rationale for Trumps firing him 25 days into the new administration  something the White House had never asserted before and that some observers speculated could be legally problematic for Trump. The tweet was drafted by one of the presidents lawyers, however, according to two people familiar with the communication.

Flynns decision to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III was widely seen as a sign of increasing legal peril for other White House aides and perhaps Trump himself, as the investigation has expanded beyond potential collusion with Russia to include obstruction of justice and financial crimes.

Asked by a reporter as he left the White House on Saturday morning whether he was worried about what Flynn might tell prosecutors, Trump said: No, Im not. And what has been shown is no collusion. No collusion. There has been absolutely no collusion. So were very happy.

1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Scenes from Trumps second six months in office View Photos A look at the second half of the presidents first year in the White House. Caption A look at the second half of the presidents first year in the White House. Jonathan Ernst Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

Later in the day, while traveling in his motorcade between fundraisers to benefit his reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee, the president tweeted that he thought Flynns lies were a shame, given that the former advisers underlying actions were lawful and that he had had nothing to hide.

Flynn, who had been one of Trumps closest and most-trusted aides during the campaign and transition, admitted lying to the FBI about pre-inauguration communications with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador, regarding efforts to blunt the Obama administrations Russia sanctions and a U.N. resolution on Israel  potential violations of a rarely enforced law.

In the presidents Saturday afternoon tweet, he also added to his previously stated rationale for firing Flynn. Trump said that Flynn had been dismissed not only for misleading Vice President Pence about the nature of his conversations with Kislyak but also for lying to the FBI.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI, Trump said in the tweet.

Trump lawyer John Dowd drafted the presidents tweet, according to two people familiar with the message. Its authorship could reduce how significantly it communicates anything about when the president knew that Flynn had lied to the FBI, but it also raises questions about the public relations strategy of the presidents chief lawyer.

Two people close to the administration described the tweet simply as sloppy and unfortunate.

Several legal observers suggested that the tweet could add to Trumps legal exposure in a potential obstruction-of-justice investigation.

The day after Trump fired Flynn, Trump urged then-FBI Director James B. Comey to be lenient with his former national security adviser, according to Comeys notes at the time.

If Trump knew at that point that Flynn had lied to the FBI and was under investigation, the observers said, his appeal to Comey could constitute an attempt by Trump to obstruct that investigation.

Are you ADMITTING you knew Flynn had lied to the FBI when you asked Comey to back off Flynn? Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, said in a tweet Saturday afternoon.

Dowd declined to answer questions about how and when Trump learned of Flynns alleged lies to the FBI, a deception that did not become public until several days after Flynns dismissal.

The tweet just paraphrases what Ty Cobb issued yesterday, Dowd said in an email, referring to a statement issued by another lawyer for Trump in response to Flynns guilty plea.

Cobbs statement Friday said that the misstatements to which Flynn pleaded guilty mirror the false statements to White House officials.

The president continued tweeting about Flynn on Saturday night. In one message, he complained that it was unfair for Flynns life to be destroyed for lying to the FBI, arguing that the agency pursued Democrat Hillary Clinton far less aggressively while investigating her use of a private email server as secretary of state.

In another post, Trump congratulated ABC News for suspending investigative reporter Brian Ross for an erroneous story about Flynn.

Trumps lawyers have begged him not to tweet about Russia or the investigation, but the president said repeatedly Friday that he wanted to respond to the Flynn news, associates said.

Cobb has told others that he has been more successful than others at limiting Trumps tweets because he talks to him frequently and reassures him

Meanwhile, an email written by a Flynn deputy that came to light Saturday suggests that many of Trumps closest aides were informed that Flynn planned to discuss sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Flynn made a December phone call to Kislyak.

The email was written by K.T. McFarland, who at the time had been tapped to serve as deputy national security adviser and has now been nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to Singapore. In the Dec. 29 email, which was described to The Washington Post by two people who have seen it, McFarland characterized new sanctions imposed against Russia by President Barack Obama as an attack against the legitimacy of Trumps election that could hurt Trumps efforts to work with Russia.

McFarland indicated that Flynn planned to discuss the issue with Kislyak.

The email was sent to a number of Trumps transition aides, including incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and adviser Stephen K. Bannon.

The email was obtained in full by the New York Times, which first reported on its content. According to the Times, McFarland wrote the email to one transition official, who forwarded it to six others.

In the email, McFarland wrote about her fears that the Obama administration sanctions could interfere with Trumps hope to improve relations with Russia, which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him, the Times reported.

The Times said it was unclear if McFarland meant that she believed Russia had thrown the election to Trump, and a White House lawyer told the newspaper that McFarland was describing the view of many Democrats.

Despite the emails, Sean Spicer, Trumps White House press secretary at the time, and Priebus both publicly denied that Flynn had discussed sanctions during his communications with Kislyak, as did Pence.

Bannon declined to comment about the email, as did Cobb. McFarland did not respond to a request for comment.

William Burck, an attorney for Priebus, said in a written statement that Priebus does not remember this email, either because he didnt receive it (it was sent to an account he rarely, if ever, used) or he didnt see it.

Burck said that Priebus "confronted General Flynn several times, including in front of others, on whether he had talked to Kislyak about sanctions and was consistently told he had not."

The email provides more evidence that top Trump advisers were notified that Flynn planned to raise the sanctions issue with Kislyak.

Court documents filed Friday show that Flynn discussed the matter with a senior Trump official who had accompanied the president-elect on a trip to Trumps private Mar-a-Lago Club. The senior official was McFarland, according to two people familiar with the conversation.

Despite the continued media focus on Flynn, Trump was in a buoyant mood as he crossed Manhattan on Saturday, bragging about his election win in Rust Belt states and the improving economy. He did not mention Russia or Flynn, attendees of the various fundraisers said.

At several stops, he touted the Senates passage of the GOP tax bill and predicted that Democrats who voted against it would lose their next elections.

Trumps stops included the palatial Upper East Side apartment of Steve Schwarzman, chairman of a global private-equity firm.

Trump said he understood criticism from New Yorkers about one of the bills provisions, which would curb the ability of filers to claim deductions for state and local taxes. Residents of New York and other relatively high-tax states would be hit hardest.

Trump also told the wealthy donors at the event that the legislation was for the middle class and urged people to call members of Congress to make sure the House and Senate reconcile their respective versions of the bill.

Trump said he expects Congress to make a deal but did not offer many specifics on what he wanted to see, other than a quick deal, according to one person with knowledge of his remarks.

Trump also praised his relationship with China's president but said China still needs to do more to address the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.

At another fundraiser, at the restaurant Cipriani, Trump brought White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on stage to make a presentation about polling. She made the case that Trump is politically strongly positioned.

Carol D. Leonnig, Aaron Blake and Ashley Parker contributed to this report.
After nearly a year of frustration, dysfunction and infighting, Republicans believe they are on the cusp of demonstrating that they can govern, with final approval of a massive tax-cut plan possibly weeks away.

The legislation, which passed the Senate early Saturday, has become deeply unpopular, in part because Democrats have portrayed it as a giveaway to multinational corporations. But everyone in the GOP  from President Trump to the lowliest rank-and-file Republican  has been desperate to show an ability to win at something.

Even the biggest Republican critic of the tax plan thinks this legislation gives the party something to brag about. On our side of the aisle, I think most people will certainly tout it as a win. You know, its an accomplishment, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee said a few hours before casting the only Republican no vote against the proposal, because it is forecast to add $1 trillion to the budget deficit.

Yet, if theyre not careful, Republicans could easily stumble into a separate chaotic, year-end negotiation on government funding. All that talk of knowing how to govern because Republicans did something they like to do  cut taxes  could get swept aside by a partial shutdown of the government during the holiday season, fueled by an issue that has bedeviled their party for more than a decade: immigration.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is standing firm against quick passage of a bipartisan plan to provide permanent legal status for about 1 million undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. This doesnt have to be addressed in the next two weeks, McConnell said Saturday in a telephone interview from Kentucky, where he was taking a victory lap after the passage of the tax bill.

McConnell vowed there would not be a government shutdown but appeared to be daring Democrats into a showdown over an issue that does not face a deadline until March  when Trump has ordered the end of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which gave temporary legal status to the dreamers.

House Republicans divisions threaten plans to avert government shutdown

Now, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) have to decide on their next move. On Friday, after The Washington Post reported that Trump is telling friends he would win a showdown with Democrats, Schumer criticized the president for his brinkmanship.

Its disappointing but maybe not surprising that President Trump appears to be putting politics before the well-being of the American people, Schumer said.

Falling into a government shutdown would violate the first political principle McConnell expressed just days before Republicans took control of the Senate and House in January 2015: Dont be scary.

Back then he did not want to do anything that would alarm voters ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Now that Republicans have both the presidency and full control of Congress, his lieutenants have taken up that mantra.

Theres still a lot of work to be done on other things, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a member of the GOP leadership team, said before the tax vote. I think its important to keep the government open and functioning. And Im going to work to that end. I think thats what a responsible governing body does.

This next negotiation is different. The tax bill is using fast-track rules reserved for certain fiscal bills and is therefore allowed to pass with a simple majority  which happened Saturday when 51 of 52 Republicans supported the tax plan.

Now, on the spending legislation, McConnell needs at least 60 votes to clear a filibuster and keep the federal agencies funded. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) knows he has a bloc of several dozen rebellious conservatives that regularly refuse to vote for government funding bills.

That means the GOP leaders need to do business with Schumer and Pelosi this time around. But the two already backed out of one meeting with Trump, Ryan and McConnell because the president preemptively declared that the Democrats were soft on crime and that he saw no deal possible on funding because of the immigration standoff.

In September, Trump agreed to a December deadline for government funding in a deal with the Democratic leaders, telling them that he also would support their position on the dreamers. That deadline is Friday.

The year-end spending bill became the focal point for Democrats and some Republicans looking to resolve the dreamer situation, the most politically charged aspect of the immigration debate.

Trump tells confidants that a government shutdown might be good for him

Now, the spending bill is caught in a tangle of issues that has prompted McConnell and other senior Republicans to say immigration will be dealt with next year before the March deadline.

But Democrats including senior Hispanic lawmakers as well as 2020 presidential aspirants have vowed to oppose a spending bill if it does not resolve the DACA issue, which will put pressure on Pelosi and Schumer to get something more ironclad than Trumps word from September.

McConnell could not say how he could assure the Democratic leaders that it would be dealt with early next year. Barrasso went a step further, daring Democrats to block the spending bills and shut down the government over people who are here in our country illegally.

If that is the rallying cry of the Democrats, I think that they will clearly be blamed, he predicted of a potential shutdown.

Instead, Republicans would like to set up this sequence of events: pass a two-week extension of agency funding with Dec. 22 as the new deadline; negotiate a long-term budget framework with Democrats that allows for more defense and domestic spending; then approve a longer-term stopgap funding bill into late January or February.

Those two short-term bills would carry a collection of other bills that must be approved, including more disaster relief for the South, renewal of a childrens health program and a pair of health-care bills Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) demanded in exchange for her vote for the tax bill.

Those bills are meant to blunt some of the effects of the tax bill on the health insurance markets  without them, Collins might oppose the final tax bill, leaving McConnell no wiggle room to approve the version of legislation that House and Senate negotiators craft.

If they manage to do all that, then McConnell would presumably put off the immigration provisions until negotiators finished a detailed spending plan for agencies early next year.

There isnt going to be a government shutdown, he proclaimed.

That might be up to Schumer and Pelosi to decide.

Read more from Paul Kane's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
The Senate Republicans' chaotic late-night vote Friday to overhaul the tax system widened the country's partisan divisions Saturday  sparking a political grudge match that lawmakers vowed to carry into next year's midterm elections.

Democrats, united in their opposition, attacked the legislation as a scam passed to benefit wealthy donors and corporations. Republicans, promising years of wage and job growth once the bill becomes law, acknowledged that they face a difficult task convincing voters to have faith in a measure that received support from the GOP alone.

They tend not to be popular, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), referring to bills passed with only one partys support, told The Washington Post in an interview Saturday. Generally speaking, in the beginning, people decide they dont like it.

The test for Republicans is whether they can convince voters that this legislation will put more money in their wallets  and the GOP leader is not sure whether they can do that in time for the 2018 elections.

We dont know, McConnell said. But he said he thinks that in the long run, the economic boost will come and voters will eventually reward Republicans.



Sen. Bernie Sanders I-Vt.) delivers a message via video to his supporters during the Protecting Working Families Tour at the Galt House Hotel on Dec. 1 in Louisville. (Stephen Cohen/Getty Images for Moveon.Org)

Whether its immediately popular or not becomes irrelevant if it does what you hope, he added.

Just hours after the vote, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who ever since his unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination has been a leading voice pushing the party to the left on economic matters, demonstrated his intention to make the tax bill a marquee issue in 2018.

Sanders headed to the airport for an urgent trip across the Midwest, starting at Daytons Masonic Temple to try to rally 1,300 supporters against the bill, and telling them they could still defeat it when a conference committee is formed to combine differing House and Senate packages.

The president was lying to you, Sanders said. This is class warfare, and were going to stand up and fight.

The back and forth Saturday showed the opportunities  and challenges  for each side as they stake their political ground on taxes.

Democrats see an opening for an attack on President Trump and Republicans as allies of the wealthy and Wall Street interests. Republicans, who watched Trump capture an antiestablishment populist mood in 2016, may find it difficult to sell a tax bill that was underwater in polls even before the mostly party-line vote on the Senate measure.

Several at-risk Democrats, including Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.), recorded viral videos to dramatize how late the bill had been printed, and how some revisions had been written in hard-to-read pen scratches.

Take a look at this, folks. This is your government at work, Tester said, slamming his fist on the bill. Its going to shift money from middle-class families to the rich, and we were given it 20 minutes ago.

Trump and GOP leaders, enthused after their first major legislative victory of the year, have forcefully defended the measure.

McConnell on Saturday dismissed complaints about last-minute additions to the legislation and handwritten notes indicating what it would do. Sounds familiar to the final days of Obamacare  handwritten things and the Cornhusker Kickback, he said, comparing a provision to secure the vote of a senator from Nebraska on health care to a flare-up over a narrow provision written into the new tax bill to benefit just one conservative college.

In speeches, on social media and in TV ads, Republicans have described the legislation as the spark of a middle-class miracle that voters will see soon in their paychecks. The bill has largely unified the GOP, with even critics of the administration such as Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) rallying to pass it.

Its time to pound away on growth, and dont depart from that message, said Larry Kudlow, a conservative economist and informal Trump adviser. The message of growth and jobs and wage is hitting. As long as the GOP stays on that, theyll be fine.

While Democrats said they would tell voters that Republicans had passed a regressive tax reform measure before any of them had read it, Republicans predicted that the strategy would flop.

Nobody believes them, said former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.), a close Trump ally. Republicans should ignore it and get the bill through and count on the economys growth and the tax cut to carry them to victory next year.

Veterans of President Barack Obamas administration, with memories of how Republicans attacked the passage of the Affordable Care Act, argued that Republicans overly optimistic and had misread the national mood. Republicans were deluding themselves, said former Obama strategist David Axelrod, to think that voters would reward them for a tax cut.

There are two categories of people who will benefit here  wealthy, corporate interests, of course, who scored a bonanza, and Democratic ad-makers, who have been handed a treasure trove of egregious targets and tawdry, swamp-like images with which to work, Axelrod said.

The bills progress has not much resembled Washingtons last raids on the tax code. President Ronald Reagans 1981 tax cut passed by super-majorities in the House and the Senate, while President George W. Bushs 2001 tax cut  sold at first as a way to spend a surplus, then as a way to combat a recession  attracted 13 Democratic votes in the House and 12 in the Senate. In 2010, an even larger number of Democrats voted to extend the Bush-era tax rates for people making less than $400,000, fearful that cutting them back would lengthen the Great Recession.

There was no such worry about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which breaks from recent monetary history by reducing tax revenue in a time of steady economic growth  conditions in which prior Congresses have tried to reduce the deficit. The Joint Tax Committee estimated that the bill would add more than $1 trillion to the U.S. debt over 10 years; Democrats, attacked for years over the growing national debt, marveled as just one Republican, Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.), voted against the bill.

Democrats have found solace in public polling.

A polling average compiled by FiveThirtyEight found that 46 percent of the public opposes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, compared to 32 percent who support it. That makes it slightly less popular than the 1993 tax increase that helped Republicans seize Congress from President Bill Clintons Democrats.

Guy Cecil, the president of Priorities USA, said surveys show that voters will respond negatively when they learn the details of the legislation.

When Americans find out that the wealthy and big corporations are getting most of the benefits, they oppose it, even when they get something small as well, Cecil said.

Republicans were confident that the public would move once the new tax code took effect. Trump, who has inaccurately said that the bill would tax the very wealthy to help working-class Americans, has predicted an economic boom that would lead quickly to employers raising wages.

Middle-class families will not only see their tax bill go down, they will see their incomes go up by an average of around $4,000, Trump said last week in St. Charles, Mo. Thats because were going to cut taxes on American businesses so they will compete for workers, theyll raise salaries.

Democrats see it differently, with the tax bill at the center of their increasingly populist campaign. In Ohio, where Sanders headlined two Saturday rallies, former Consumer Finance Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray, who is widely expected to run for governor, warned middle-class voters that the Trump administration is making it easier to bilk them. Democrats spent Monday and Tuesday attacking the Trump administration for installing Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney atop the agency, and before that, railed against Republicans for undoing a CFPB rule that made it easier to sue banks.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who is up for reelection in 2018, said he plans to use all facets of Trumps regulatory and tax policies to make a case against him and the Republican-controlled Congress.

The public by election day will see how this Republican majority is wholly owned by Wall Street on every issue and the administration increasingly resembles a retreat for Goldman Sachs executives, Brown said in an interview. Whatever plays into that, whether its going after the overtime rule or giving all kinds of breaks to Wall Street, or relaxing environmental rules to clean up Lake Erie, youll see what this will all be framed by.

Dayton was one place where Brown would test his theories. In 2016, Trump became the first Republican in 28 years to carry the surrounding Montgomery County, campaigning in the city on a promise to bring back manufacturing jobs. Local Democrats, who had organized protests of the bill, said that the measure risked the feds, meds and eds jobs  government, health care and education  that had fueled the areas comeback.

Who actually wants this thing? asked Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton, whos running for the Democratic nomination for governor. The Realtors, the governors, the mayors, the universities, the hospitals  they dont want it. Who does, except their donors?

Costa and Kane reported from Washington. Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
Michelle Martin took her last call around 10:30 a.m. That's when Martin, a team lead in internal medicine specialties at the Emory Healthcare Call Center, put her headset down and headed outside for some fresh air for her 15-minute morning break. She suffered a heart attack and died before her break was over.

Martin's co-workers were devastated by the loss. The call center staff had a memorial service and, in recognition of her love of training, named their training room in Decatur Plaza in her honor. Perhaps the most meaningful memorial, however, was instigated a few miles away on Clifton Road.

Robert Taylor, director of cardiology, learned of Martin's death and called Gina Lundberg, the clinical director of Emory Women's Heart Center. He asked if Lundberg's team could screen call center employees for heart disease.

Lundberg's answer was yes. On two Fridays, a team of staff led by Linda Delaney (administrator of cardiology operations), Stacy Jaskwhich (nurse practitioner), and Pam Stanley (nursing director of interventional radiology/cardiac imaging) volunteered their time to screen 120 call center employees who agreed to participate. The screening was thorough, collecting information on blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, cholesterol, and personal and family medical history.



Linda Delaney, Stacy Jaskwhich, Pam Stanley

A large number of those screened were found to be at high risk for heart disease. These employees were encouraged to talk with a Women's Heart Center nurse about treatments and lifestyle interventions.

"About 90% of our employees are women, and most are working mothers, like Michelle, who was a single mother of two boys," says Alan Kramer, director of patient access at Emory. "They tend to take care of everybody but themselves. There was no better way for Michelle's peers to honor her than to take a minute to care for themselves and find out if they are at risk for the disease that took her life."
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2017 (1810 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police are asking for the publics help after a man who was disarmed and held by bystanders had to be rushed to hospital.

Const. Rob Carver said Sunday that a suspect was armed with a weapon and causing a disturbance in a business in the 800 block of Main Street on Saturday around 11 a.m.

Carver said bystanders disarmed the man and restrained him, but when police arrived he suddenly experienced a medical emergency.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FRESSWinnipeg Police Constable Rob Carver answering questions during a press briefing at the headquarters building, Sunday, December 3, 2017.

The man, who is in his 30s, is in hospital in critical condition. Police said they cant say at this time how the man was injured but say it didnt happen because he was restrained.

Carver said he is hoping anyone who saw the man, including motorists the man may have approached before the incident, will call police.

Its the same incident in which a police officer seized a Winnipeg Sun photographers camera.

Carver said police quickly returned the camera and issued an apology for the seizure.

The officers did not follow the procedures and policies we have in place, he said.

But Carver said officers at the scene of a crime or other types of incidents must deal with everything including helping with a victim, crowd control, trying to preserve evidence at a scene, and keeping everyone, including emergency workers, safe.

Its always a delicate balance, he said.

We dont usually have time to explain when we ask people to move back, we try to do it courteous, but sometimes it is really abrupt.

The public can call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477) if they have information about the man.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2017 (1810 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In June, a married couple from Ottawa travelled to Gimli for the express purpose of dining at New Alycias, a Ukrainian-flavoured nook that is the direct descendant of Alycias, the McGregor Street mainstay that shuttered its doors in 2011, following 34 years in business.

PHOTOS BY TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The New Alycia's is quickly living up to the name of its predecessor.

The pair, who were staying with relatives in Winnipeg, had fond memories of the North End location, and became excited after coming across an article stating Aaron Blanchard, the grandson of Alycias founder Marion Staff, had resurrected Alycias, a holopchis throw from the shore of Lake Winnipeg. Unfortunately, the story they read was out-of-date, which explains why they were greeted by a sign welcoming them to the Harbour Cafe, when they pulled up to the listed address.

The way I understand it, they were very disappointed, and immediately got back on the highway for the return trip to Winnipeg. But after driving about 30 km, the woman found our Facebook page on her phone, at which point she told her husband to turn their car around and head here, says Colleen Swifte, Blanchards mother-in-law and the owner of the new, New Alycias, which opened approximately 14 kilometres north of Gimli at the junction of Glen Bay Road and Evergreen Avenue, in March.

Celebrity photos (which include John Candy) from the original Alycia's line the walls of the New Alycia's.

Another time during the summer, a Torontonian visiting friends in Winnipeg placed a phone order with Swifte for two dozen potato and cheddar perogies. After making the 90-minute trek to the restaurant, which is nestled in a thicket of trees directly adjacent to one of the provinces most popular snowmobile trails, he made a point of informing staff he is originally from Winnipeg, and he was planning on taking the perogies back with him on the plane, to the Big Smoke.

I dont have much of a history with the original Alycias  to tell the truth, I only ate there once  so to see the draw the name still has all these years later, especially with Winnipeggers and ex-Winnipeggers, has been truly incredible, Swifte says.

  

New Alycia's owner Colleen Swifte, with cook Kevin Von Gunten. Swifte says it's incredible to see how the name Alycia's draws customers to her restaurant.

Its very important to me that theres still a tie to Marion and her family, through my daughter and son-in-law. I guess what Id really love to see happen is for this restaurant to keep going and remain viable until my three grandchildren  Marions great-grandchildren  are old enough to decide if its something theyd like to take on, as well  Colleen Swifte

Its a bit of a long story; do you have a few minutes? is Swiftes typical response, when customers inquire about her connection to Alycias initial location, which former Free Press restaurant critic Marion Warhaft once lauded as a bastion of Ukrainian comfort food.

From 1982 to 2007, Swifte worked in Winnipegs public library system. After leaving her position there, she bought a house in Matlock, steps away from a summer cottage that has been in her family for as long as she can remember. At the time, Swifte wasnt sure what she intended to do career-wise, but shortly after discovering she had a flair for writing, she caught on with the Selkirk Enterprise, first as a reporter and later, as part owner. (Swifte is currently the owner and managing editor of the community weekly, which, awhile back, changed the name on its masthead to Interlake Enterprise.)

Jim Nabors was one of the many celebrities who enjoyed a meal or two at Alycia's.

In early 2008, Swifte was enlisted by area businessman Paul Bisson to pen promotional blurbs for the Twin Pine Resort and Campground, of which he had recently taken ownership. By June of that year, she was giving Bisson a hand in the resorts kitchen, despite the fact it had been a good 30 years since her last restaurant job, slinging bacon and eggs in a Pembina Highway Salisbury House when she was 17.

Swiftes and Bissons association came to an abrupt halt in August 2008, when Bisson was tragically killed while riding his ATV. The property changed hands a number of times in the ensuing years, Swifte says, but when it came up for sale in 2014, she purchased it, and promptly renamed it Pauls Grill, in honour of her late friend.

The rustic interior of the New Alycia's suits its setting north of Gimli.

I always felt I had unfinished business here, she says, reaching for a picture of Bisson, which ran in her newspaper, along with a story about Pauls Grills grand opening. The summer I worked here with Paul, it seemed like things were just beginning to happen, then it all ended so quickly, when he was killed.

Part two of the story has to do with Blanchard, who started working alongside his grandmother at Alycias, when he was a teenager. Blanchard, together with his mother Sharon Staff and step-father Roger Leclerc, continued running Alycias after Marion Staff died in 2004. When the restaurant closed in 2011, they packed all the memorabilia associated with the premises in boxes, and transferred the lot to their new home in Gimli.

The chicken and ribs dinner includes perogies and coleslaw.

Aaron and my daughter, Erika, started dating when they were both working at Misty Lake Lodge, Swifte says. They got married in 2014, and a year or so later, Aaron started discussing the idea of bringing Alycias back. He said almost every time he told somebody about his familys association with Alycias, they had stories they immediately wanted to share. So he thought maybe it was time to give it another shot.

The second incarnation of Alycias was met with great fanfare when it opened in June 2016. Reviews were great, lineups were long and customers, the majority of whom made the trip from Winnipeg, were overjoyed to be able to sample Alycias Famous North End Special (thats six perogies, two cabbage rolls and a side of kubasa) once again. The problem was, Blanchard had lost his left arm in a work-related accident a few years earlier and after a number of months, found it too difficult to run the restaurant, due to the unremitting pain from his injury.

Much of the decor at the New Alycia's comes from the original Alycia's.

Because he wanted to see (New Alycias) keep going, he approached me in January of this year, about taking over, and moving everything here, Swifte says. It wasnt the easiest decision, because by then, Pauls (Grill) had built up a following of its own. In the end, though, I decided Id be crazy not to take advantage of such a famous name as Alycias.

  

Between the end of January and March 10, when Pauls Grill reopened as New Alycias, Blanchard taught Swifte everything he knew about preparing Ukrainian cuisine.

The North End Special is as popular as ever at the New Alycia's.

Marions original recipes are all written down but some of the instructions are a bit interesting, Swifte says with a laugh, noting the amount of vinegar Alycias borscht recipe calls for is a two-to-three-second pour. I mean, how much is that?

Swifte, who doesnt come from a Ukrainian background, had never so much as rolled a cabbage roll or pinched a perogy before her son-in-law taught her the ropes. If she was ever looking for an endorsement for her cooking, she received it a few months ago when a man teared up after trying her borscht, telling his server it tasted so much like what his late grandmother used to make, he couldnt believe it.

Besides whats on the menu, Swifte also pays homage to her predecessor by decorating her establishment with dozens of signed 8x10s, all of which originally adorned the walls of the Winnipeg Alycias.

No Ukrainian restaurant would be complete without a golden perogy.

Predictably, theres a photo of comedic actor John Candy, who, on more than one occasion, had perogies from Alycias shipped to his home in California. Not far from that picture is one of Jim Nabors, star of the 60s sit-com Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., who wrote Golleeeeee, Gomer says hi and it was great, above his signature.

Theres Tommy Hunter, the Barenaked Ladies, Paul Brandt, Swifte says, taking a visitor past more snapshots. Theres also a tablecloth behind you that was handmade by one of Marions customers, and presented to her as a gift, however many years ago. (Resting on the woven cloth is a guest book Swifte placed there on New Alycias opening day. In the space of nine months, its already been signed by people from as far away as Trenton, N.S., Fort Worth, Texas and Perth, Australia.)

The holopchi platter would be hard to resist.

Finally, whenever customers thank Swifte for their meal, or tell her how pleased they are Alycias is up and running again, she lets them know she doesnt feel like the owner of the much-loved icon so much as its caretaker.

Its very important to me that theres still a tie to Marion and her family, through my daughter and son-in-law. I guess what Id really love to see happen is for this restaurant to keep going and remain viable until my three grandchildren  Marions great-grandchildren  are old enough to decide if its something theyd like to take on, as well.

During the winter months, New Alycias is open for lunch and dinner, Friday through Sunday. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/The.new.alycias.

David Sanderson writes about Winnipeg-centric businesses and restaurants.

david.sanderson@freepress.mb.ca
On Friday, ABC News correspondent Brian Ross dropped a bombshell report on Good Morning America, revealing that candidate Donald Trump had told him to make contact with the Russians  thus contradicting everything so far coming from the White House on the issue.

The only problem  that was fake news.

Seven hours later, the network updated their story to reflect that the order came from President-elect Trump and not candidate Trump  which is a pretty big difference.

Also Read: Former FBI Director James Comey Posts Cryptic 'Justice' Quote After Michael Flynn Guilty Plea

CORRECTION of ABC News Special Report: Flynn prepared to testify that President-elect Donald Trump directed him to make contact with the Russians *during the transition*  initially as a way to work together to fight ISIS in Syria, confidant now says. https://t.co/ewrkVZTu2K pic.twitter.com/URLiHf3uSm  ABC News (@ABC) December 2, 2017

Also Read: Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty of Lying to FBI, to Cooperate With Robert Mueller's Probe

The internet, however, was having none of it, raking the network for reporting such a monumental error and then taking hours to issue a correction. Many were furious too that the network statement initially used the term clarification before offering a full correction.

Astonishing. The story moved markets, set off a media frenzy, suggested worst possible outcome. This is called a massive correction, or retraction, not clarification. https://t.co/uVUamf4jYY  Jim VandeHei (@JimVandeHei) December 2, 2017

Can't imagine why media credibility is in the toilet. It's a real mystery. https://t.co/ihXybTkK8r  Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 2, 2017

What makes it worse is that ABC wont admit its error and now tries to sugar coat it with now calling their correction just a clarification  (and other news organizations of course repeated ABC original story) https://t.co/bgZhtK40wB  Greta Van Susteren (@greta) December 2, 2017

If we want to regain trust in the media we need to admit our mistakes, especially when as consequential as this. Retract. Correct. Dont use weasel words to describe it. https://t.co/jFIavaQ4yv  Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) December 2, 2017

That changes things considerably. https://t.co/g1vUxlDxJQ  David French (@DavidAFrench) December 1, 2017

 And former Press Secretary and self-described horrable speller, Sean Spicer also decided to weigh in.

Story continues

Reps for ABC declined to say whether Ross would face disciplinary actions for the error.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Former FBI Director James Comey Posts Cryptic 'Justice' Quote After Michael Flynn Guilty Plea

Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty of Lying to FBI, to Cooperate With Robert Mueller's Probe

Michael Flynn Linked to Russian Hackers, Wall Street Journal Reports

How 'Genius' Einsteins Geoffery Rush and Johnny Flynn Faked It (Video)
Jimmy Kimmel offered a convenient explainer Friday night for anyone confused about the latest Russia news surrounding former national security adviser General Michael Flynn  and revelations that he will now be cooperating fully with the Special Counsel.

The late-night host said the matter was similar to that scene in Return of the Jedi, when Darth Vader switched at the last minute to save his son and destroy Emperor Palpatine (spoiler alert!)

You see Luke Skywalker getting electrocuted on the floor. OK, Luke represents Robert Mueller, Darth Vader represents Michael Flynn and Emperor Palpatine  shooting lightening out of his fingers  thats Donald Trump, Kimmel said, while a clip from the scene aired.

Also Read: Former FBI Director James Comey Posts Cryptic 'Justice' Quote After Michael Flynn Guilty Plea

While, Flynn used to take orders from Trump but his allegiance has flipped now and so he might be about to pick Trump up and throw him down a shaft into the Death Star.

Kimmels audience cheered as Palpatine fell to his death.

Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel Accepts Roy Moore Challenge to Go to Alabama (Video)

On Friday, news emerged that Flynn would plead guilty to lying to the FBI, a lesser charge given in exchange for his cooperation with the Special Counsel. A similar deal was offered to former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos in exchange for his cooperation as well.

ABC originally reported that Team Trump had ordered him to make contact with the Russians, contradicting all previous statements to the contrary from the White House. That claim, however, turned out to be false and the network was forced to  eventually  issue a correction saying that the order to contact Russia came after Trumps election.

The Kimmel Star Wars explainer was timely as the latest franchise installment, Star Wars: The Last Jedi will hit theaters later this month.

Watch the video above.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Jimmy Kimmel Accepts Roy Moore Challenge to Go to Alabama (Video)

Story continues

Watch That Full 'Kimmel' Alabama Rally Clip That's Got Roy Moore All Fired Up (Video)

Roy Moore Wants to Fight Jimmy Kimmel Over Rally Troll: 'Do It Man to Man'

Patton Oswalt Returns to 'Kimmel' to Perform More Mike Huckabee Twitter Jokes (Video)
This soon-to-be husband and wife already make a great team.

The newly engaged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out together on Friday in Nottingham, England, at the Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair.

This marks their first public event since their engagement was formally announced earlier this week. Markle looked stylish dressed for the chilly weather in black suede boots and a chic navy overcoat.

Prince Harry has been very vocal about his passion in raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and was looking forward to introducing Ms. Markle to a community that has become very special to him, the palace said.

When the joyous pair sat down together for their joint interview with the BBC on Monday, Markle expressed her excitement to join forces with Harry to do good.

I think what's been really exciting as we talk about the transition of this out of my career but into the role is that, as you said, the causes that have been very important to me, I can focus even more energy on, Markle, who recently ended her seven-year stint as an actress on USAs Suits.

Very early out of the gate, I think you realize once you have access or a voice that people are willing to listen to, it comes with a lot of responsibility, which I take seriously, and I think, at the same time, at these beginning few months and now being boots on the ground in the U.K... I'm excited, really, to know more [about] the different communities here and the organizations we're working on, the same causes I have always been passionate about under this umbrella, and also being able to go around to the commonwealth, which is just the beginning."

Markle said she doesnt look at this transition into life as a royal as giving up anything.

I just see it as a change, she said. Its a new chapter, right? And also, keep in mind, Ive been working on my show for seven years, so we were very, very fortunate to be able to have that sort of longevity on a series, and for me, once we hit the 100th episode marker I thought, You know what? I have ticked this box and I feel really proud of the work Ive done there and now its time to, as you said, work as a team with you.

Story continues

For more on Markle and Prince Harry, watch below:

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The suspected remains of a retired army captain and her dog have been found, following the arrest of her ex-husband, according to the police.

On Friday, the Ontario Police Department announced in a press release obtained by PEOPLE that they had discovered the suspected remains of Julia Jacobson and her dog Boogie in a shallow grave in the Cactus City area of southern California.

Back in October, Jacobsons ex-husband Dalen Ware was taken into custody on suspicion of murder after Jacobson was reported missing last month. The Ontario Police Department said on Friday that Ware had helped lead them to the area where the remains were found and that he was cooperating with police.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Detective Melissa Ramirez of the Ontario Police Department previously told PEOPLE that they believe the 37-year-old  who was last seen and heard from on Sept. 2  died a violent death.

Less than a week after her disappearance, Jacobsons car was found abandoned near her home. Evidence collected from the car confirmed that the San Diego resident had been killed, Ramirez added.

Ramirez also told PEOPLE that Jacobson and Ware divorced in 2015 and in an interview with NBC, Jacobsons family described their relationship as tumultuous.
Were headed back to Hawkins early, because the first photos from Stranger Things season three are here.

Netflix dropped the first trailer for the shows third season a few weeks ago. Set to the backdrop of The Who song Baba ORiley, the clip opens up with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Max (Sadie Sink), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Will (Noah Schnapp) throwing Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) a surprise welcome-home party. But things dont quite go as planned.

And now, Netflix just debuted 11 (get it?) new photos from the show, due out on July 4, 2019. From the new pics, it looks like the kids are alright...for now. There's a lot of hairspray, Eleven-approved scrunchies, Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder), and Max's (Sadie Sink) evil brother Billy (as a lifeguard, which seems like the worst job for someone who hates everyone).

We also get a glimpse of Maya Thurman-Hawke, whose new character Robin works with Steve at the mall's ice-cream shop, and Erica (Priah Ferguson) who looks like she's doing her own sleuthing with flashlights strapped to a helmet (probably to Lucas's chagrin).

Here, the new photos from season three.

RELATED: Stranger Things' Just Added Another Character...and Here's Why You (and Eleven) Should Care
By Latifah Muhammad

The parents of a 10-year-old girl who took her own life say that she was a victim of bullycide. Ashawnty Davis, a student at Sunrise Elementary School in Aurora, Colo., got into her first ever fight late last month, that ultimately led to her suicide.

Ashawnty hanged herself. She died on Wednesday (Nov. 29) after two weeks on life support at Childrens Hospital Colorado.

According to her mother, Latoshia Harris, the fifth grader got into a fight while confronting the girl about bullying her. The scuffle, which occurred after school, was recored on a cellphone by another student and uploaded to the app Musical.ly.

The footage went viral, and the bullying apparently got worse after it was posted. Ashawnty was devastated when she found out that the recording was online, her father, Anthony Davis said.

After being made aware of the video through Denver news station KDVR, last month, the school district said that it was said that it was looking into the matter and would take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all students involved.

The district spoke with the parents of the children involved and turned the tape over to the Aurora Police Department.

But Ashanwtys parents feel that the school could have done more. There was nothing done about it, Harris said. When I got the call telling me that my daughter had been in a fight, they never gave me the opportunity to meet with the other parents to come to the bottom of the line.

Ashawntys parents claim that the school denied their request to meet with a parent of the child involved in the fight. The school says they are not aware of such a request.

Still, a potential meeting couldve changed the outcome of the tragedy, and saved Ashanwtys life. I could have taken her out of the school. It could have been different if she would have faced the girl, said Harris.

My child was supposed to be protected at school and for me not to have no protection there it just makes me feel unsafe about my other children and the other children that are there, she added.

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In a statement released Thursday, the Sunrise Elementary called Ashwantys death a heartbreaking loss for the school community.

Mental health support will be made available for any students who need help processing the loss, the statement continued. We do not tolerate bullying of any kind in our schools and we have a comprehensive bullying prevention program in place at all of our schools.

The safety and well-being of students is our highest priority, and we strive every day to ensure schools are safe, welcoming and supportive places that support learning.

This post 10-Year-Old Girl Kills Herself After Schoolyard Fight With Alleged Bully Lands Online first appeared on Vibe.
Following an onslaught of criticism, ABC News has suspended chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross for four weeks without pay after his erroneous on-air report about former national security adviser Michael Flynn this past Friday.

The inaccurate report was widely picked up by other media outlets and triggered a brief 350-point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average.

We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made yesterday, ABC News said in a statement Saturday. The reporting conveyed by Brian Ross during the special report had not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process.

It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have built with our audience, the network added.

ABC News president James Goldston laid into his staff in a Monday morning conference call, according to audio obtained by CNN. He berated staffers and announced there would be a full review in light of the error.

I dont think ever in my career have I felt more rage and disappointment and frustration than I felt through this weekend and through the last half of Friday, Goldston said.

He emphasized that the error would have been avoided entirely had the reporting team waited a few minutes for the release of the charging documents related to Flynns guilty plea in the Russia investigation.

I dont even know how many times weve talked about this, how many times we have talked about the need to get it right, Goldston said, adding, How we have to be right and not first. About how in this particular moment, with the stakes as high as these stakes are right now, we cannot afford to get it wrong.

Goldston drove home the fact that ABC News has been pilloried since the mistake, citing the number of tweets and negative feedback received over the weekend.

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If it isnt obvious to everyone in this news division, we have taken a huge hit and we have made the job of every single person in this news division harder as a result. Its much, much harder, Goldston said.

Ross inaccurate special report appeared on air Friday shortly after Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacting a Russian official and discussing U.S. sanctions against Russia for its interference in the 2016 presidential election. Ross, citing an anonymous source, reported that Flynn was prepared to testify that President Donald Trump told him to reach out to Russian officials during the presidential campaign.

ABC News later clarified  and then corrected  the story to say that Trump had instructed Flynn to contact Russian officials during the transition after the presidential election, not during the campaign. Flynn was reportedly told to discuss the U.S. possibly working with Russia in Syria. Trump instructed Flynn and other associates during the campaign only to explore ways to repair relations with Russia and other regions, according to ABC.

The distinction was critical since special counsel Robert Mueller is currently investigating possible collusion between the Trump team and Russia during the presidential campaign.

After the report, ABC was slammed by conservatives charging fake news and by a number of journalists for its tepid clarification rather than an immediate outright correction.

Ross tweeted following the announcement that his job is to hold people accountable and that he should be held accountable as well.

My job is to hold people accountable and that's why I agree with being held accountable myself.  Brian Ross (@BrianRoss) December 3, 2017

This story has been updated with comments from ABC News president James Goldston.

Related coverage

Trump Supporter Angry At ABC News For Covering Legit News Story

ABC Corrects Explosive Michael Flynn Report That Drove Down Stocks

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
C.B. Cebulski (Photo: Jun Sato via Getty Images)

As the comic industry grapples with the revelation that new Marvel editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski posed as an Asian writer for a year, real writers of Asian descent are speaking up.

Joshua Luna and Trung Le Nguyen, whove both been involved in comic projects tied to the Asian-American experience, chatted with HuffPost following Cebulskis admission. The new editor-in-chief, confirmed that hed written under the Japanese-sounding pseudonym Akira Yoshida in the early 2000s. Cebulski had even created an elaborate false backstory for Yoshida, drawing criticism from people of Asian descent who labeled his actions as yellowface.

Cebulski released a statement saying he had been young and naive at the time and the issue was all old news that has been dealt with. But both Luna and Nguyen feel that damage has been done.

Its equal parts shocking, disappointing and discouraging, Luna told HuffPost. Its not necessarily strange to use a pseudonym, but to use an Asian pen name when someones not of Asian descent is wild to me, especially when so many actual Asians are constantly denied access to these kinds of opportunities.

Luna explained that Cebulskis actions sting in part because of Marvels long history of problematic representation of Asians in its comics. Its Iron Fist series has been criticized for perpetuating a white savior narrative. Daredevil received backlash for its ninjas who were given little more than two-dimensional, stereotypical stories. And Doctor Stranges Tibetan The Ancient One is thought to be another incarnation of the old Asian sage stereotype. The list goes on, as Gizmodo points out. All these titles made it on screen and little was done to remedy the issues in the plots. In fact, actress Tilda Swinton even ended up whitewashing the part of The Ancient One.

Whats more, the company once blamed diversity for a dip in sales following a 2014 push for inclusion  a claim that the Independent proved untrue as diverse stories including Ms. Marvel and Black Panther were both top selling comics.

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Luna wonders that with such an attitude towards inclusion at Marvel, perhaps Cebulskis Yoshida has harmed writers of Asian descent.

It makes you wonder just how many Asian comic book writers were turned away because an Akira Yoshida was already filling the Asian quota.

With Cebulski moving forward as editor-in-chief, Luna says that it appears Marvel hasnt learned its lesson. He believes that the companys insistence that inclusivity and racial sensitivity are important to them is a hollow statement.

This Akira Yoshida story sends yet another message of Asian culture being desired, but not actual Asian people, he said.

For Nguyen, who goes by Trungles professionally, Cebulskis actions have greater implications that extend beyond the confines of comics. Cebulskis choice to pose behind an Asian name exemplifies a privilege that Asian immigrant families simply are not afforded.

Asian-Americans, have had to adapt more English sounding names in great part to help ensure economic survivability for ourselves and our families. Its a necessity for the sake of our access to professional advancement, to jobs, Nguyen explained. In Cebulskis case, hes a white man whos taken on a Japanese pen name, [circumventing] internal rules of employment, while also lending a veneer of credence to the purported Japaneseness of his writing.

Nguyen called the act of adjusting a name for profit or just to assume an aesthetic, rather than for survival, troubling.

Moreover, Cebulskis remark that the situation had been dealt with made it seem as though the editor-in-chief was one-and-done when it comes to learning from the matter, Nguyen said.

In light of the backlash that ensued following another incident in literature in which it was revealed that a poem by Yi-Fen Chou, in the 2015 edition of Best American Poetry, was actually penned by Michael Derrick Hudson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Luna feels that Cebulski should step down.

But only time will tell if Marvel is willing to truly make moves towards real and responsible diversity.

UPDATE: Dec. 20  In a statement to The Atlantic on Dec. 17, Cebulski said he was truly sorry for the pain, anger, and disappointment I caused over my poor choice of pseudonym. He referred to the decision to use the Yoshida name as a misstep and mentioned that since the news broke, hes spoken with talent close to this issue and has had discussions around being mindful of the voices behind them.

My passion has always been about bringing the best talent from across the world to work on the best stories in the world, and Im hopeful that fans and creators alike will join us in that continued mission, he wrote.

His remarks, however, failed to win over critics who pointed out that he only apologized for the use of the pseudonym itself but did not acknowledge the consequences of assuming a Japanese-inspired identity.

Also on HuffPost

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Hammuriyeh (Syria) (AFP) - A wave of Syrian air strikes on Sunday killed at least 25 civilians and wounded dozens across the besieged rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, a monitor said.

The deadliest raids hit the town of Hammuriyeh, killing 17 civilians including six children, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Other air strikes on the towns of Arbeen, Beit Sawa, Harasta and Misraba killed eight civilians.

The Observatory said at least 75 people were wounded and the death toll was likely to rise given the critical wounds suffered by dozens of people.

In Hammuriyeh, an AFP photographer saw men carrying the body of a victim wrapped in a blue blanket across a rubble-littered street, a shoeless foot sticking out.

The strikes appeared to hit a modest residential neighbourhood, smashing a small convenience store and caking a vegetable stand in a layer of dust.

Victims were taken to a nearby clinic where doctors could be seen treating a man wincing from a gash above his knee.

In another room, the lifeless soot-covered body of a boy lay in a pool of blood.

Eastern Ghouta, one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria, has been under a heavy government siege since 2013 that has caused drastic food and medical shortages.

An estimated 400,000 people still live in the enclave, and the United Nations has warned that hundreds are at risk of death if they are not evacuated for urgent medical treatment.

The area is one of four "de-escalation zones" agreed earlier this year by regime allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey aimed at curbing violence across war-ravaged Syria.

Syria's government agreed last week to a ceasefire in the region to coincide with the resumption of UN-led peace talks in Geneva.

But heavy bombardment of the opposition enclave near the capital has resumed, with another 11 civilians killed on Saturday.

The Observatory said Sunday's deaths took the number of civilians killed in regime bombardment of Eastern Ghouta to at least 191, including 43 children, in nearly three weeks.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
If everything had gone according to plan, the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan would have imploded this morning.

But its still standing. The stadium that was once home to the Detroit Lions failed to implode Sunday morning despite explosives detonating on steel beams of the structure.

Unfortunately for the crowd gathered to watch the spectacle of the explosion, the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., was built a little too well, officials at the event told Detroits WXYZ.

WATCH IT: The Pontiac Silverdome failed to fall today. The implosion went off but couldn't take down the former home of the Lions?. pic.twitter.com/EGIut7u0su  Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 3, 2017

They attempted to implode the Silverdome this morning. It didn't really work. pic.twitter.com/QqnGbF8a2T  Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) December 3, 2017

The Silverdome will collapse eventually, officials said. But theres no telling when.

We just have to wait and let gravity do its job, they told WXYZ. A crowd that included former Lions players had gathered near the stadium to watch the partial demolition.

The failure also stemmed from an issue with wiring for several of the detonators  10 of which failed to go off, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The implosion wasnt meant to destroy the entire structure, Deirdre Waterman, the mayor of Pontiac, said in November, according to the Free Press. The small implosion was intended to destroy the beams supporting the top ring of the stadium. Excavators will carry out the demolition over several months.

The attempted implosion in Michigan comes after officials detonated the Georgia Dome, the former home to the Atlanta Falcons, in November. That explosion went as planned.

Located a little under 30 miles from Detroit, the Silverdome opened in 1975 on 127 acres of land that is now intended for redevelopment. The stadium was home to the Lions from 1975 through 2001, before the team moved to Ford Field in Detroit in 2002.

According to the Free Press, Oakland County included the Silverdome property, among others, in its bid for Detroit to land Amazons second headquarters.
20:31

Meghan Markle, who is engaged to Britain's prince Harry, is to become the first royal fiance to spend Christmas with Queen Elizabeth II later this month.





The American actress, who is to get married to Prince Harry in May 2018, will join other members of the royal family at the traditional festivities, including the opening of presents on Christmas eve, 'The Sunday Times' reports.

The holiday festivities, which will include a black-tie dinner, a full English breakfast and a pheasant shoot, will include the 36-year-old bride-to-be after Harry reportedly requested the Queen to make an exception for Markle over Christmas.

The 33-year-old fifth in line to the throne had announced his marriage plans earlier this week.

The couple are to be wed at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May next year although they have not decided on the exact date.

His fiance had relocated to London last month from Toronto, her home in Canada for the past seven years shooting for her long-running television legal drama 'Suits'.

According to the newspaper, her pre-wedding Christmas invitation signals how fully the actress has been welcomed into the royal family after her 16-month romance with the prince.

Kate Middleton was not invited to spend Christmas at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, East Anglia, after her engagement to Prince William in November 2010 and instead had joined her parents at their home in Berkshire.

Harry and Meghan are expected to join the Queen from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, before holidaying abroad for the New Year.

They are also understood to be planning to join Meghans mother, Doria Ragland, in California for part of the time.





A friend of Harrys told the newspaper: "Now they are engaged it was unthinkable that they would be apart for Christmas. The royal family have fully welcomed Meghan into the fold."

It is thought the couple may stay with Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at their family home of Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate.

The royal family traditionally gathers on Christmas Eve for tea with the Queen, before the younger members are encouraged to put the finishing touches to the Christmas tree in the white drawing room.

Later the Queens guests exchange gifts before a formal black-tie dinner.

On Christmas morning, after a full English breakfast, the royal family attend St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate, before returning to Sandringham House for Christmas lunch.





Guests then gather to watch the Queens Christmas broadcast to the rest of the country at 3pm, which this year is expected to see her offer congratulations to Harry and his future bride.

On Boxing Day, guests traditionally take part in a pheasant shoot on the 20,000-acre estate, although Markle, who is thought to be opposed to blood sports, is unlikely to join in. -- PTI
A 10-year-old girl died of an apparent suicide after a video of her fighting with an alleged bully outside her elementary school was posted online.

Ashawnty Davis, a fifth-grader at Sunrise Elementary in Aurora, Co., hanged herself after the video was posted on the video social network app Musical.ly, and she died Wednesday after spending two weeks on life support, according to Fox 31.

She got into her first ever fight, her father Anthony Davis told the network.

Parents of 10-year-old suicide victim allege her school didnt do enough to stop bullying https://t.co/HJhUUxsQnt pic.twitter.com/Vq2sC4vQFf  FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) December 1, 2017

Ashawntys mother Latoshia Harris said that her daughter confronted the other girl, who allegedly bullied her, in the video, which was taken by another student and shows the two girls fighting while other children watch, Fox 31 reported.

Ashawnty was devastated, and the bullying increased, when the video appeared on the app, her parents told the network.

The Cherry Creek School District said it turned the video over to police in a statement to Fox 31, noting that the fight did not take place during school hours.

Calling their daughter a victim of bullycide, Ashawntys parents said they want to make more parents aware of cases where children take their own lives due to bullying.

That was my baby and I love my baby and I just want mothers to listen, Harris told Fox 31.
The parents of a Florida man accused of killing four people over the course of 36 days said in their first public interview Friday that they are devastated both for their son and for the families of his alleged victims.

Howell Emanuel Donaldson III, 24, was arrested on Nov. 29 for a string of killings in Tampas residential Seminole Heights neighborhood, after he asked a coworker at the McDonalds where he was employed to hold on to a bag that contained the gun allegedly used in the killings. The coworker alerted a police officer who happened to be in the restaurant at the time, eventually leading to Donaldsons arrest.

Days after his arrest, the suspects parents, Howell and Rosita Donaldson, spoke with the Tampa Bay Times about their son, whom they called Trai. During the interview, his parents both offered condolences to the victims families, and expressed support for their son.

Were here to support our son through this, Howell Donaldson told the Times. And we just want to let the families know that we love them. Our hearts are heavy for their loss.

I felt devastation for the families when it first started, and I prayed for those families when it first started and then, when they arrested my son I felt devastation because I love my son, Rosita Donaldson added. And then there was disbelief that this was happening to our family and we questioned why. Just why? Why?

The Seminole Heights killings began on Oct. 9, with the murder of a 22-year-old man. A 32-year-old woman was found dead in a vacant lot two days later, then a 20-year-old man was fatally shot on Oct. 19. The fourth and final killing, of a 60-year-old man, occurred on Nov. 14. All of the murders took place at or near bus stops.

If convicted, Trai Donaldson could face the death penalty.
(WASHINGTON)  President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack Sunday on the credibility of his own FBI, responding to revelations that an FBI agent was removed from special counsel Robert Muellers team investigating Russian election meddling because of anti-Trump text messages.

Trump, two days after his former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, again denied that he directed FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating Flynn.

The Republican president offered a running Twitter commentary Sunday amid renewed focus on Muellers probe and Flynns decision to cooperate with the investigation as part of his plea agreement. Democrats said the developments suggested growing evidence of coordination between Trumps circle and Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI agents role in Clinton probe under review. Led Clinton Email probe. @foxandfriends Clinton money going to wife of another FBI agent in charge.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Report: ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE Now it all starts to make sense!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

This president has been obsessed with this investigation, always saying theres nothing there, but each week, another shoe drops, where we see more evidence of continuing outreach from Russians and some response from the Trump campaign and Trump individuals, said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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In a series of tweets, Trump questioned the direction of the federal law enforcement agency and wrote that after Comey, whom Trump fired in May, the FBIs reputation is in Tatters  worst in History! He vowed to bring it back to greatness. The president also retweeted a tweet that said new FBI Director Chris Wray needs to clean house.

The president seized upon reports that a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent was removed from Muellers team last summer after the discovery of an exchange of text messages that were viewed as potentially anti-Trump. The agent, Peter Strzok, had also worked on the investigation of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, said Mueller removed Strzok from the team immediately upon learning of the allegations. He would not elaborate on the nature of the accusations. The person who discussed the matter with The Associated Press was not authorized to speak about it by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Trump tweeted Sunday: Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI agents role in Clinton probe under review. Led Clinton Email probe. In a separate tweet, he wrote: Report: ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE Now it all starts to make sense!

Strzoks removal almost certainly reflected a desire to insulate the investigators from any claims of political bias or favoritism. Trump and many of his supporters have at times sought to discredit the integrity of the investigation, in part by claiming a close relationship between Mueller and Comey and by pointing to political contributions to Democrats made by some lawyers on the team.

Mueller has been investigating whether Trump campaign associates coordinated with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, and Strzoks background in counterintelligence would have been seen as particularly valuable for a secretive FBI probe examining foreign contacts.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Many people in our Country are asking what the Justice Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and acid washed 33,000 Emails? No justice!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday interrogation with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Muellers investigation has so far netted charges against four people, with the most recent criminal case brought Friday when Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.

On Saturday, Trump tweeted that he had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

The tweet suggested that Trump was aware when the White House dismissed Flynn on Feb. 13 that he had lied to the FBI, which had interviewed him weeks earlier. Comey has said Trump the following day brought up the Flynn investigation in private at the White House and told him he hoped he could let this go.

Amid questions raised by the tweet, Trump associates tried to put distance Saturday evening between the president himself and the tweet. One person familiar with the situation said the tweet was actually crafted by John Dowd, one of the presidents personal attorneys. Dowd declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Saturday night.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said given that Mueller could have charged Flynn with more crimes but instead limited it to just one offense, Bob Mueller must have concluded that he was getting a lot of value in terms of Gen. Flynns cooperation.

I do believe he will incriminate others in the administration. Otherwise, there was no reason for Bob Mueller to give Mike Flynn this kind of deal, Schiff said, adding that, whether that will ultimately lead to the president, I simply dont know.

Warner spoke on CNNs State Of The Union and Schiff spoke on ABCs This Week.
Brock Turner, a former Stanford University student, sparked nationwide outrage last year when he received a jail sentence of just six months after being convicted for sexually assaulting an unconscious, intoxicated woman beside a dumpster.

Now, Turner is appealing.

In a brief filed Friday to Californias 6th District Court of Appeal, Turners lawyers contend that the trial was a detailed and lengthy set of lies, The Associated Press reported.

Turners relatively light sentence  he could have faced up to 14 years in prison  came after he was convicted on three felony sexual assault charges in March 2016. He was released after three months.

His lawyers hope to reduce Turners obligation to register as a sex offender for life. The lawyers brief also criticizes Judge Aaron Persky for not instructing jurors to consider lesser charges and for excluding character witness testimony that might have been favorable to Turner, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Turner, a swimmer who had hoped to compete in the Olympics, was arrested in 2015 for sexually assaulting a woman outside a fraternity party, having been caught by two graduate students riding their bikes past the scene. Turner, who was 19 at the time, claimed the woman  referred to as Emily Doe throughout the trial  had consented to the sexual encounter.

In their appeal, Turners lawyers also objected to the way Deputy District Attorney Alaleh Kianerci referred to the incident. By saying it occurred behind a dumpster, the brief argues, Kianerci implied moral depravity, callousness, and culpability on the appellants part because of the inherent connotations of filth, garbage, detritus and criminal activity frequently generally associated with dumpsters.

While Emily Does position might have been obscured from certain angles behind the trash bin, the graduate students who found her approached from a different angle, where they could see her.

Emily Doe was found partially clothed, with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit. She had reportedly been unconscious for three hours.

Story continues

A poignant, 7,200-word letter she wrote to Turner and read aloud in court captured national attention when it was published by BuzzFeed. CNNs Ashleigh Banfield read the letter in full on the air, and 18 members of Congress read it on the House floor.

The case highlighted an epidemic of campus sexual assault and lenient sexual violence policies at colleges including Stanford.

Brock Turner received a fair trial and was justly convicted, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen told the Mercury News. His conviction will be upheld. Nothing can ever roll back Emily Does legacy of raising the worlds awareness about sexual assault.

Also on HuffPost

1909

Two Garment Workers Picketing, circa 1909.

1912

America suffragette parade in New York circa 1912.

1912

Mrs Raymond Robbins and a group of women suffragists in front of the Coliseum at the time of the Republican National Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1912. The Coliseum was located at 1513 South Wabash Avenue. Robbins is holding a pennant that reads: 'Votes for women.' From the Chicago Daily News collection.

1913

Members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association marching with a banner which publicizes their '1000 branches organized in 38 states' at the New York Suffragette Parade on May 3, 1913.

1918

Suffragettes hold up banner in front of a building that has an architrave sign of the National Woman's Party circa 1918.

1919

Lucy Branham, Suffragette, at Rally, Washington DC, USA, circa 1919.

1920

Boston women pickets are centering their drive to prevent the export of coal to that England on Sep. 22, 1920. Three of the women pickets are shown patrolling the waterfront in East Boston. The picketing is designed, the leaders said, to thwart the effort of Lloyd George to import 150,000,000 tons of coal from America to England thus breaking the strike of British Coal Miners.

1937

American police use tear gas against women pickets at the Newton Steel Company, Monroe, Michigan on June 10, 1937.

1935

Unemployed, single women protesting the job placement of married women before themselves at the Emergency Relief Administration headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts June 24, 1935.

1938

Over three thousand Spanish American women, representing 20,000 members of the united Committees of Spanish Women in America arrived by special train in Washington today to publicize the plight of Spain's women and children and urge our government to revoke the embargo government of Spain circa 1938. Photo shows the sympathizers marching to the State Department and the white House with hopes of seeing the president and the Secretary of State. In the background can be seen the Capitol.

1946

To protest against the rising prices, the GI's widows demonstrate on 5th Avenue, 1946 in New York City, United States.

1946

Retail strike against Sears by clerks in Chicago, Illinois, USA, circa 1946.

1947

Employees of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios picket in a conga line before the dance studio offices today, May 7 in protest against Murray's alleged refusal to recognize Local 16, United Office and Professional Workers of America, CIO in New York on May 7, 1947.

1949

Two housewives in gay blue bonnets, Mrs. J.C. Alicoate (L) of Miami, and Mrs. Arthur Hebb, Jr. of Baltimore, add their bit towards the fight for repeal of the tax on oleomargarine. They parade with their signs near the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on March 3, 1949.

1951

American housewives demonstrate against the high price of meat, on March 14, 1951 in the streets of Philadelphia.

1954

Negro delegates from several states parade with signs in front of the White House to protest the mob slaying of four negroes in Georgia recently in Washington, D.C circa 1954. The picketers were mostly women and they carried on their demonstration in an orderly manner, letting their signs tell their story.

Circa 1960s

Picture shows people picketing outside of the White House in protest of the US involvement with Cuba. The woman in the foreground is holding a sign plainly stating her point, 'Don't invade Cuba'. Undated photo circa 1960s.

1961

A group of women outside the Russian Mission to the United Nations in New York City protest the testing of nuclear arms on Nov. 1, 1961. They are part of the Women's Strike for Peace, a one-day demonstration by American women in many cities throughout the United States.

1963

A full length portrait of a woman holding up a poster and demonstrating outside a Police Station, Gwynn Oak, Maryland, July 1, 1963.

1963

African American woman being carried to police patrol wagon during demonstration in Brooklyn, New York circa 1963.

1965

Denver members of Women's League for International Peace and Freedom display sing of protest, photo left. They're Mrs. John Gilmore, left, and Mrs. Caswell Silver on Dec 10, 1965.

1965

Alabama State troopers 'frisk' Negro youths arrested during demonstrations here prior to boarding them on buses. More than 130 were arrested in Marion, AL on Feb. 5, 1965.

1965

The House of Representatives met today to affirm seating of its Mississippi members, as Civil Rights demonstrators massed in silent support of their claim that the State's elections were illegal because blacks were barred from the polls August 17, 1965. Three members of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's contestants for the state's five seats hold a telegram from Speaker John McCormick granting them permission to take seats on the House floor during the debate. They are, left to right: Fannie Lou Hamer, Victoria Gray, and Annie Devine.

1967

Demonstrators representing the 'Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam,' jam to the barred main gate of the White House today in Washington, D.C. on May 17, 1967. The group was led by Mrs. Martin Luther King (center) and Dr. Benjamin Spock (glasses, directly behind Mrs. King), who read a statement denouncing the Administration policies in Vietnam.

1967

Carrying graphically illustrated anti-Vietnamese war posters, members of the 'Women's Strike for Peace' push their way to the doors of the Pentagon Building on Feb. 16, 1967. The main doors of the building were locked for 30 minutes, as the women stormed the doors in an effort to gain entrance. This photo is a close-up of the group.

1967

In the Boston Marathon, one of two women running in the normally all-male-race, Kathy Switzer, (261) of Syracuse, New York, is being hassled by BAA Marathon Director Bill Cloney, as he attempted to stop her from competing on April 19, 1967. The dark-haired girl did not show up for the physical examination required of all starters, (had she appeared at the starting line, she would never have been allowed to compete). she remained in the race, but was never seen near the finish line.

1968

Two older women making peace signs during anti-Vietnam war march on April 27, 1968.

1968

Several women protesters burn what they say are draft cards belonging to friend in a demonstration at the Federal court today in support of Dr. Benjamin Spock. Spock and three others were convicted in Boston Tuesday of conspiring to counsel young men to evade the draft. June 20, 1968.

1968

Women hold up signs demanding equal rights during a demonstration for women's liberation, New York City, circa 1968.

1969

A young American woman holds up a sign as she protests for women's rights in front of the Federal Trade Commission headquarters while policemen look on during Richard Nixon's inauguration weekend, Washington, DC, January 18-21, 1969. Her sign reads 'Judge women as people not as wives.'

1969

A woman emerges from a crowd of peace demonstrators making peace signs and singing for peace at a demonstration against the Vietnamese War circa 1969.

1969

A group of young women have arms interlocked as they hold a metal pipe and protest the Vietnam War at Fort Dix, a major transshipment point for American soldiers, Fort Dix, New Jersey, October 12, 1969.

1969

Students march with anti-war placards on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley, California, 1969.

1969

A woman at a rally in support of the Black Panthers, holding copies of The Black Panther newspaper, New Haven, CT, November, 1969.

Circa 1970s

A lone woman stands on a corner protesting unequal pay for women in an unidentified section of Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1970s.

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Giancarlo Stanton accepting a trade to the Cardinals is a longshot, according to reports. (AP)

Weve reached the semi-serious stage in the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes now that the Marlins have given representatives from the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals an opportunity to meet with Stantons agents. Things are expected to really pick up at the Winter Meetings beginning on Dec. 10 in Orlando. Until then, we can only examine the few clues we have that might tip off where Stanton is headed.

With that in mind, things arent looking so promising for the Cardinals. Despite being one of two teams in serious discussions to acquire Stanton, they have one major hurdle to clear. That being Stantons approval.

Because he has a full no-trade clause, Stanton can say no to anyone, and based on rumblings FanRag Sports Jon Heyman is hearing, its not likely he would approve a deal to St. Louis.

Heres an excerpt from his Saturday report:

While Stanton himself has said nothing aloud about his desires, beyond his interview here at FanRag and elsewhere that he has no desire to endure another rebuild in Miami, which is obviously whats happening there, others with connections to the 2017 N.L. MVP have a strong belief St. Louis will not be his first choice  and he obviously has choices.

One person said he didnt see any way hed accept the Cardinals but added the disqualifier that he cant say he knows for sure. Another opined that hed 100 percent take the Giants over the Cardinals if thats the choice, and yet another suggested the Midwest, behind the most preferred West Coast and East Coast, is his last choice.

Two others who have some familiarity with the situation gave similar responses. Of course, none of them know for sure (as one pointed out), a lot can change, possibly depending on the presentations. The mere fact that Stanton agreed to have his people meet with the Cardinals has to be taken as a positive sign (no one has said yet whether Stanton himself, who lives in the Hollywood Hills, is in these meetings).

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As always, its important to note these reports are not set in stone. Heyman made that clear in his writing, noting that even his sources closest to the situation arent one-hundred percent certain of anything. In fact, theres already been a report from USA Todays Bob Nightengale that would seem to conflict with Heymans sources.

The #SFGIants and #STLCards were told after meeting with Stanton and representatives that neither team has been eliminated as possible trade options. #Marlins  Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 3, 2017

Saying no to the Cardinals would fall in line with Stantons reported desires to play on the east or west coast. Unless that feeling changes, or the Cardinals relocate in the next two weeks, its going to be a tough sell. That doesnt mean they should stop selling though. Even if Stanton is leaning no now, he could always change his mind if other desirable options dont reach go through.

It does appear to be a longshot though. And since the Marlins are reportedly more concerned about cutting payroll than gaining prospects, the Cardinals cant hang their hat on what figures to be a solid return package. The Marlins might not be all that motivated to continue talking with St. Louis if Stantons interest in them isnt high.

This doesnt necessarily mean the Giants are in the drivers seat either. Theyre in better position certainly than St. Louis and maybe even 25 other teams. But the Dodgers are still looming and it wouldnt be shocking if an unexpected team made things interesting. Time will tell, but this sweepstakes is definitely a long way from over.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

      

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Taxpayer money was used to pay a $84,000 settlement in a sexual harassment claim that was levied against an unnamed House members office, according to information that was released by a House panel on Friday.

Politico has reported that the unnamed Congressman is Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold of Texas, who was sued by his former communications director Lauren Greene for sexual harassment in 2014. When the case was resolved, Farenthold denied any wrongdoing and agreed, along with Greene, to settle the case to save taxpayer money, according to a statement shared by Farentholds office and an attorney for Greene.

On Friday, Farenthold said in a statement: While I 100% support more transparency with respect to claims against members of Congress, I can neither confirm nor deny that settlement involved my office as the Congressional Accountability Act prohibits me from answering that question.

Greenes attorney, Les Alderman of the law firm Alderman, Devorsetz and Hora PLLC in Washington, also said he cannot confirm or deny what that $84,000 is or who it was paid to.

What I will tell you is the thing that surprises me is that there has only been, apparently, one instance in which a settlement has been paid for sexual harassment on the Hill in the past 5 years, Alderman told TIME. That is shocking because I dont believe that there has been only one instance of sexual harassment on the Hill.

Over the past five years, just under $360,000 in settlements have been paid out in claims made against six members offices in the House of Representatives. Included in that pool of settlements is the aforementioned sexual harassment claim and another claim that alleged discrimination because of sex and religion. That claim was settled for $7,000, according to the documents.

The information was released by the Committee on House Administration, which requested details on the types of settlements that have been paid out, including information on the types of claims that have been made, as a part of its ongoing review of how Congress handles complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

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It was already known that some $17 million in settlements have been paid by the Congressional office that handles workplace complaints, the Office of Compliance. The money for those settlements comes from an account of the Office in the Treasury on the United States for the payment of awards and settlement, under the 1995 Congressional Accountability Act. In a statement, Chairman of the Committee on House Administration Gregg Harper called the data released by the Office of Compliance on Friday preliminary because it only covers settlements paid between Fiscal Year 2013 and the present. In his request, the Chairman asked for a breakdown of the total $17 million in settlements that have been paid over the past two decades.

I thank the OOC for this preliminary data and we look forward to receiving the entire breakdown as soon as possible as our Committee reviews the entire process  from training, to House policy, to the reporting and settlement process, Harpers statement reads.

Other claims that were settled between FY 2013 and the present include an age discrimination claim that was settled for $76,000; a disability discrimination and retaliation claim that was settled for $37,250; a $5,200 settlement for alleged discrimination on the basis of race, national origin and military service; and a veteran status discrimination claim that was settled for $150,000.

These details come just a day after ABC News reported that the Office of Compliance paid nearly $100,000 to settlement a sexual harassment claim made against former Democratic Rep. Eric Massa. Massa resigned amid an ethics investigation in 2010, so it is unlikely that his settlement was included in the data released on Friday. Rep. John Conyers also admitted to paying a settlement after a former staffer alleged she was fired because she turned down his sexual advances. In that case, which was first reported by BuzzFeed, the money came from Conyers office budget and not the Office of Compliance fund.

The Committee on House Administration review comes amid a growing call for transparency in the Congress in regard to how it handles claims of workplace harassment. The current process through which an employee reports workplace harassment and discrimination has been described as designed to protect harassers rather than the abused, in part because it is shrouded in secrecy.

The Congress has taken some steps to reform its approach to sexual harassment in the post-Weinstein era. This week, the House passed a resolution mandating anti-discrimination and anti-sexual harassment training for all members and staff. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has also introduced legislation to revamp the current reporting process known as the Me Too Congress Act. Among other things, if a settlement is reached that bill would require the name of the employing office and the amount of the award or settlement be published on the OOCs public website.
Zagreb (AFP) - Croatia's state broadcaster aired a film Friday directed by war criminal Slobodan Praljak, who killed himself in a courtroom in The Hague this week after UN judges upheld his 20-year jail sentence.

HRT television showed "The Return of Katarina Kozul" in the prime 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) slot after announcing the broadcast on its website with the title "In memoriam -- Slobodan Praljak".

The Bosnian Croat commander, who worked in film and theatre before joining the military, remains a hero to many Croats despite his conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Bosnia's 1990s conflict.

On Wednesday, in dramatic scenes at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Praljak drank from a bottle and told his lawyer it was poison, seconds after his jail term was upheld by appeal judges.

The 72-year-old was rushed to hospital, where he died the same day. Dutch prosecutors on Friday began an autopsy.

The judges confirmed that Praljak and his five Bosnian Croat co-defendants were part of a "joint criminal enterprise" to ethnically cleanse Bosnian Muslims in the war.

Their convictions were upheld for crimes including murder, persecution and inhumane treatment.

Since Praljak's death, Croats have paid multiple tributes to the late general, laying flowers and lighting candles in town squares in Croatia and Bosnia.

Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said Wednesday that the court's verdict was one of "deep moral injustice".

President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said a day later that citizens must admit crimes were committed by Croats in Bosnia, although she added that the court had "failed to fulfil its role of bringing justice".

Praljak's 1989 film aired Friday tells the story of a young widow from Herzegovina in southern Bosnia who emigrates to Germany.
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Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-02 23:45:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Wang Huning (2nd R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, meets with foreign political party leaders attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Wang Huning said Saturday the CPC is willing to strengthen experience-sharing with political parties of other countries on party-building.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, made the remarks when meeting with foreign political party leaders attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called on political parties of the world to play a guiding role in building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a better world.

To take on this mission, political parties of the world should step up capacity building, said Wang.

He said under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core, the CPC has given top priority to party-building and exercised comprehensive strict governance of the Party.

The CPC has made remarkable progress in strengthening the authority and the centralized leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and comprehensively improving its capability of governance, Wang said, adding the CPC is ready to step up experience exchanges with global political parties.

Leaders of foreign political parties spoke highly of Xi's keynote speech. They said the meeting is an unprecedented great initiative in the history of political parties and voiced willingness of working with the CPC to promote the institutionalization of the meeting.
The chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called on Nevada Rep. Ruben Kihuen to resign Friday, after he was accused of sexual harassment by a former campaign staffer who says she quit because of his behavior.

Kihuens former finance director told BuzzFeed that, during his 2016 campaign, Kihuen repeatedly propositioned her for dates and sex while they were working together, even though she rejected his advances and said she had a boyfriend. She was identified only as Samantha in the story.

Members and candidates must be held to the highest standard. If anyone is guilty of sexual harassment or sexual assault, they should not hold elected office. Congressman Kihuen should resign, DCCC chairman Ben Ray Lujan told BuzzFeed on Friday.

In a statement to BuzzFeed, Kihuens office apologized.

The staff member in question was a valued member of my team. I sincerely apologize for anything that I may have said or done that made her feel uncomfortable, Kihuens office said in a statement. I take this matter seriously as it is not indicative of who I am. I was raised in a strong family that taught me to treat women with the utmost dignity and respect. I have spent my fifteen years in public service fighting for womens equality, and I will continue to do so.

Several other politicians have recently faced allegations of sexual misconduct, including two other Democrats currently serving in Congress, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken and Michigan Rep. John Conyers.
Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nev.) has been accused of sexual harassment by a former campaign official. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is calling for Rep. Ruben J. Kihuen of Nevada, once a rising star of the Democratic Party, to resign amid reports he sexually harassed a former campaign staffer.

Members and candidates must be held to the highest standard. If anyone is guilty of sexual harassment or sexual assault, they should not hold elected office. Congressman Kihuen should resign, DCCC Chairman Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) said in a statement.

The victim, identified as Samantha, said that Kihuen repeatedly harassed her and made unwanted sexual advancements toward her, touching her thigh twice without her consent, during his 2016 congressional campaign, according to a BuzzFeed report published Friday.

In one incident, Samantha told BuzzFeed she rejected Kihuen when he suggested they get a room together in a hotel they were visiting for a meeting with Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.). At another time, she said, when he began touching her thigh, Kihuen asked if shed ever cheat on her boyfriend.

The harassment made Samantha, who was 25 at the time, so uncomfortable, she said, that she quit as his campaign finance director five months after she started.

After Samantha told a DCCC staffer the reason she was quitting, the information was eventually passed to Kihuens campaign manager, Dave Chase, who confronted Kihuen. During that conversation, Kihuen reportedly denied he had misbehaved.

Sen. Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) condemned her colleagues behavior in a statement Friday. Masto said she supported a full, fair and expedient investigation into Kihuen and other members of Congress who are facing similar accusations of harassment and abuse, but she did not call for Kihuen to resign.

In the days and weeks ahead, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to demand meaningful reform of the Ethics process in Congress, Masto said.

In a statement shared just after midnight on Saturday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that no one in Congress should face sexual harassment in order to work in an office or in a campaign and called for Kihuens resignation.

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The young womans documented account is convincing, and I commend her for the courage it took to come forward, Pelosi said.

BREAKING stmt from @NancyPelosi: "In light of these upsetting allegations, Congressman Kihuen should resign." pic.twitter.com/Emv3s8FvNL  Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) December 2, 2017

Kihuen apologized for making Samantha uncomfortable but said it is not indicative of who I am in a statement to BuzzFeed:

The staff member in question was a valued member of my team. I sincerely apologize for anything that I may have said or done that made her feel uncomfortable. I take this matter seriously as it is not indicative of who I am. I was raised in a strong family that taught me to treat women with the utmost dignity and respect. I have spent my fifteen years in public service fighting for womens equality, and I will continue to do so.

This story has been updated to include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosis statement.

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The Hague (AFP) - Two investigations will seek to uncover how a Bosnian Croat war criminal managed to commit suicide during a hearing at a UN court by drinking a deadly substance.

Security measures at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia where Slobodan Praljak took his life on Wednesday are tight. But there are ways to evade the scanners and prying eyes.

Speaking to AFP, Dutch lawyer Goran Sluiter, a professor of international law at the University of Amsterdam, explains how, saying it was more than likely Praljak had an accomplice.

- How did he get the liquid? -

"There are three scenarios. He got hold of the liquid in the detention centre, while being transported from the prison to the courtroom, or inside the courtroom itself. But I would be very surprised if he got it during the transport, as it's a very short lapse of time."

It is possible that "the liquid he drank was a medicine that he had received in the centre for treatment, but which he then stashed away.

"If he got hold of the bottle inside the courtroom then that reduces the circle of people who could have helped him. So you are thinking about the lawyers.

"Whatever happened, there are very strong chances that he had help."

- What security measures are in place? -

"When they arrive at the court, the detainees pass through security controls. Then -- before the hearing and afterwards, before returning to the detention centre -- the accused are kept in holding cells.

"At the detention centre, we lawyers must pass through two security controls. One at the entrance to the Scheveningen detention centre which comes under the authority of the Dutch, and then again when entering the part of the jail reserved for ICTY suspects which is under the authority of UN guards. We are scanned like at an airport. The UN controls are much stricter than those done by the Dutch.

"At the court, the suspects have to pass through security controls which detect metal and drugs. But it is not always possible to stop drugs. Medicines, for example, can be mixed with water, and passed off as a bottle of water."

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- Are there pat-downs? -

"This is not a terrorist unit, so the pat-downs are less strict. My bottles of water have never been controlled, for example. Clothing is felt to see if it contains a weapon. Praljak could have quite easily hidden this small bottle in one of his bodily cavities.

"When someone really wants to end their life, they will always find a way to do it."
Istanbul (AFP) - Left dissatisfied by the limited coverage in local media, Turks have taken to social networks to glean information on an explosive New York trial which is embarrassing Ankara.

The subject of their obsession is Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab, who has pleaded guilty to circumventing US sanctions against Tehran and who has accused Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of being implicated.

The only defendant in the US is Mehmet Hakan Atilla, the deputy chief executive of Turkish state lender Halkbank.

Given the sensitivity of the case, the majority of Turkish media have been cautious in their coverage of Zarrab's testimony over the past two days.

Some have completely ignored the revelations, while others have focused more on his "casual chic" attire in court on Thursday.

Neither state broadcaster TRT nor state-run news agency Anadolu have reported the most serious accusations made by Zarrab on Wednesday and Thursday during the hearings. He was to take the stand again on Friday.

To get around the minimal media coverage, some Turks have chosen to follow the trial on Twitter and comment profusely on Zarrab's statements shared in detail by New York-based journalists covering the trial.

For example, Pete Brush, a reporter for specialist website Law360, saw the number of his Twitter followers jump from 5,000 to 27,000 in on Thursday alone.

The majority of those sharing Brush's tweets have Turkish names or use Turkish pseudonyms.

Some have excitedly contacted "their" journalist during the hearings: "Come on, Pete, you've slept enough! Get to work, the whole of Turkey is waiting", "Come on Pete, give us the excitement" and "Send us the receipt for your transport, it's on us".

Another praised the "objectivity" of the journalist which critics say is lacking in a country where freedom of the press has been eroded in recent years.

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- Hashtag wars -

Zarrab hinted in Thursday testimony that Erdogan knew about the actions he was carrying out with Halkbank to help Tehran circumvent US sanctions, saying that he had given "instructions" for other banks to participate in the scheme.

And on Wednesday, Zarrab admitted to paying tens of millions of dollars worth of bribes to ex-Turkish former economy minister Zafer Caglayan between 2012 and 2013 to facilitate illegal gold transactions with Iran.

While the pro-government media ignored these accusations, the hashtag #ZaferCaglayan was one of the trending topics on Twitter on Wednesday, a sign of the great interest in the case in Turkey.

The Manhattan trial deeply embarrasses Ankara, which denies violating the sanctions. It has also called the case a "plot" against Turkey.

But the risk of heavy fines on one or more Turkish banks in the event of a guilty verdict hovers over the country amid fears over the possible negative impact on the Turkish economy.

Since the start of the trial, social media networks, supporters and detractors of Erdogan have taken shots at each other with hashtags: #WeAreWithYou was popular with the first group while opponents used #REZAlet (a play on words with "rezalet" which means disgrace").

The opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet is one of the few national dailies reporting on the accusations in detail and putting the story prominently on the front page.

Cumhuriyet ("Republic") is one of the last independent newspapers in Turkey where many critical media outlets have been shut down.

The daily has itself been targeted in a hugely controversial trial in which a total of 17 current and former writers, cartoonists and executives from the paper are accused of supporting terror groups.

- Bubbling 'Twittersphere' -

The bestselling daily in the country, Hurriyet, covered the revelations on its front page on Thursday but came under a barrage of criticism for doing so.

The social media networks are one of the last spaces where freedom of expression remains relatively free because of the ability to be anonymous, even if the authorities are watching.

Turkey often tops the list of countries which demand the removal of content or the closing of accounts on Twitter.

Like each day since the trial began, especially since Zarrab began speaking, the Turkish "Twittersphere" was bubbling with excitement for his third day on the stand.

And the Twitter account of American journalist Brush was inundated with messages from impatient Turkish internet users.

One of them appeared to have cleared his social calendar on Friday for the latest episode of the saga, quipping: "Alright Pete, see you there."
Donald Trump's tweet implying the President knew his National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, had lied to the FBI when he fired him, was actually crafted by his lawyer, sources close to the administration have reportedly said.

"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies," the tweet, sent from the US President's account, said.

"It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

The tweet was actually written by John Dowd, the President's chief lawyer, sources told The Washington Post.

By citing lying to the FBI as a reason for firing Mr Flynn, the tweet suggests Mr Trump knew at the time Mr Flynn had done something to break the law.

Lying to the FBI is a crime - one which Mr Flynn acknowledged last Friday by pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

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If Mr Dowd wrote the tweet, it could put some distance between Mr Trump himself and the tweet's content.

Mr Flynn left the White House in February, only acknowledging he had given an incomplete account to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversation with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kisylak.

Soon after Mr Trump forced Mr Flynn out, he asked then-FBI Director James Comey to end the bureau's investigation into the matter, saying he hoped he could "let this go," according to Mr Comey.

When Mr Comey refused, Mr Trump fired him.

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Walter Shaub, the former director of the US Office of Government Ethics, said Mr Trump's tweet could amount to obstruction of justice.

Mr Trump turned to Twitter again later on Saturday night, railing about why Mr Flynn was prosecuted but Hillary Clinton was not for her alleged misdeeds.

So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday interrogation with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times...and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Many people in our Country are asking what the Justice Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and acid washed 33,000 Emails? No justice!

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

He tweeted: "So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times... and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?"

He then added: "Many people in our Country are asking what the 'Justice' Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and 'acid washed' 33,000 Emails? No justice!"

Mr Comey has said Ms Clinton did not lie to the FBI during her voluntary interview in July 2016, which was not recorded because she was not in custody.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

In another tweet on Sunday morning, Mr Trump said: "I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!"
Rex Tillerson and Donald Trump - REUTERS

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is not leaving, President Donald Trump tweeted on Friday, after US officials on Thursday said the White House had a plan for CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace him.

"The media has been speculating that I fired Rex Tillerson or that he would be leaving soon - FAKE NEWS! Hes not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!" Trump said on Twitter.

The tweet linked to a picture of Mr Tillerson being sworn in as secretary of state with Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence looking on.

Profile | Rex Tillerson

Senior administration officials on Thursday said that Mr Trump was considering a plan to oust Mr Tillerson, whose relationship with the president has been strained by the top US diplomat's softer line on North Korea and other policy differences, as well as by reports in October that he called the president a "moron."

Profile | Rex Tillerson

Mr Tillerson has not directly addressed whether he made the comment, though his spokeswoman denied it. The New York Times on Thursday first reported the White House plan to replace him.

Asked to comment on some White House officials wanting him to resign, how the matter was being handled and what his plans were, Mr Tillerson replied: "It's laughable. It's laughable."

His comments came as he posed for pictures with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of the United Nations-backed government in Tripoli.

Mr Tillerson visits Europe next week to attend NATO meetings in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in Vienna on Thursday and talks with French officials in Paris on Friday.

He is tentatively scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Vienna on Thursday on the sidelines of the OSCE meeting, a senior State Department official told reporters.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

The odds of Donald Trump becoming the third US president to be impeached have been cut after Michael Flynn agreed to cooperate with the FBI's investigation into his campaign's link's with Russia.

In the wake of the bombshell news that Michael Flynn is pleading guilty to making false statements to the FBI during their Russia investigations, President Trump has hit his shortest price yet to leave office before the end of his term," Naomi Totten, spokeswoman for Betfair, told The Independent.

Trading at a low of 1.7 or 4/6, which equates to a 59 per cent implied chance, punters are increasingly confident that this is one mess Trump will not be able to tweet his way out of.

"Paddy Power now bet 4/7 that Donald Trump will be impeached. Thats an implied probability of 63 per cent," said Joe Lee, Paddy Power's Head of Trump Betting.

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"Those odds sat at 11/10 yesterday which would have been a 47 per cent probability," he continued. "Our punters are also very interested in the year of impeachment with 2018 now sitting at even money - making it a 50/50 shot it happens in the next 12 months."

However, at least one bookmaker is refusing to make any predictions.

"We aren't betting on it," said Rupert Adams, an international PR manager for William Hill. "We're got quite a big operation in the States and we're going to steer clear of it. We don't like betting on that."

Former national security adviser and retired general Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia in the lead up to the US presidential election.

He has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors delving into the actions of President Trumps inner circle before he took office.

The dramatic turn of events also raised new questions about whether Mr Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had a role in those Russia contacts.

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General Flynn was the first member of Mr Trumps administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Muellers wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence the 2016 US election and potential collusion by Mr Trump's aides.

Under a plea bargain deal, General Flynn admitted in a Washington court that he lied when asked by FBI investigators about his conversations last December with Russias then-ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, just weeks before Mr Trump took office.

Prosecutors alleged that the two men discussed US sanctions against Russia and that General Flynn also asked Mr Kislyak to help delay a United Nations (UN) vote seen as damaging to Israel. On both occasions, he appeared to be undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama.

They also said a very senior member of Mr Trumps transition team had told General Flynn to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the UN vote.

It has been reported in some quarters that the very senior official was Mr Kushner, Mr Trump's son in law, who was key member of his presidential transition team, who is now one of his senior advisers.

Mr Kushners lawyer, Abbe Lowell, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. He has previously said his client has voluntarily cooperated with all relevant inquiries and would continue to do so.

General Flynns decision to cooperate with Muellers team marked a major escalation in a probe that has dogged the president since he took office in January.

There was nothing in the court hearing that pointed to any evidence against Mr Trump, and the White House said General Flynns guilty plea implicated him alone.

Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn, said Ty Cobb, a White House attorney.

General Flynn only served as Trumps national security adviser for 24 days. He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Mr Kislyak.

But General Flynn had been an enthusiastic supporter of Trumps election campaign and the president continued to praise him even after he left the administration, saying he had been treated very, very unfairly by the news media.

Additional reporting by agencies.
Emails show Flynn did not act alone in contacting Russians  report

FBI agent was removed from Mueller team over anti-Trump texts  report

Guilty, your honor: man who led the lock her up chants enters his plea



Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted his defiance over the guilty plea made by his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, writing that the generals actions during the transition were lawful.

The president passed comment on the same day it the New York Times reported that a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent was removed in the summer from special counsel Robert Muellers team investigating Russian meddling in the US election, after the discovery of an exchange of anti-Trump text messages.

The New York Times also reported that emails among top transition officials showed Flynn did not act independently in contacting Russian officials, as the White House has claimed.

Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to one charge of lying to the FBI, regarding conversations he had with the then Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, after Trumps election victory last November and before he assumed power in January.

Flynn also announced that he was cooperating with Mueller and was ready to testify about Russian contacts. Analysts said his cooperation placed senior Trump aides and the president himself in the line of fire.

On a visit to New York on Saturday to attend fundraisers for his re-election fund and the Republican National Committee, Trump was in a celebratory mood after the Senate passed its tax reform bill in a late-night session.

Asked about Flynn as he left the White House, the president told reporters: What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion. Theres been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy. And frankly last night was one of the big nights. Well see what happens.

From New York, where he attended events at the Cipriani restaurant, the Pierre hotel and a private residence, he tweeted: I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice-President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Story continues

Flynn resigned as national security adviser after 24 days in the role, officially for misleading vice-president Mike Pence about his conversations with Kislyak. Trump has not previously indicated that he knew Flynn had done something illegal, such as lying to the FBI, as opposed to merely politically improper.

The New York Times released two bombshell reports on Saturday. In one, the newspaper said that among emails its reporters had obtained or had described to them by someone who had access to transition team communications, on 29 December adviser KT McFarland wrote to a colleague that sanctions announced by the Obama administration were aimed at discrediting Trumps victory and would make it harder to ease tensions with a country which has just thrown the USA election to him.



The paper reported that a White House lawyer said McFarland  known in the transition team as Flynns brain  had meant that Democrats were portraying the election result that way.

McFarland, a former Fox News analyst who is now awaiting confirmation as ambassador to Singapore, also wrote that Flynn would be speaking to Kislyak about the sanctions.

Flynns conversations with overseas officials during the transition may have contravened the scarcely used Logan Act of 1799, under which it is illegal for unauthorised private citizens to conduct diplomatic conversations with foreign powers.

Demonstrators protest against tax cuts next to the New York Stock Exchange on Saturday. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

One of Trumps lawyers, Ty Cobb, said the Logan Act certainly does not apply to transition teams and told the Times it would have been political malpractice not to discuss sanctions.

The presidential transition guide specifically encourages contact with and outreach to foreign dignitaries, the newspaper quoted Cobb as saying.

The Times also reported that Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, said Mueller removed the agent who participated in the anti-Trump text messages, Peter Strzok, immediately upon learning of the allegations.



Strzok had participated in the FBI investigation of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server. He was reassigned to the FBIs human resources department, the New York Times reported.

The nature of the messages Strzok exchanged and with whom he communicated was not clear, the Times reported, adding that the justice departments inspector general is investigating the matter.



The [inspector generals office] has been reviewing allegations involving communications between certain individuals, and will report its findings regarding those allegations promptly upon completion of the review of them, the inspector generals office said in a statement.

Mueller, the paper said, moved swiftly in the face of what could be perceived as bias by one of his agents. Trump has sought to cast doubt on the special counsels investigation, criticising his links to James Comey, the FBI director fired by the president in May, and alleging bias throughout US intelligence agencies.
The city of Jerusalem is home to the al-Aqsa mosque, considered the third holiest site in Islam - 2017 Anadolu Agency

Donald Trump is likely to announce next week that the US will recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that upends 50 years of US Middle East policy and is likely to inflame relations with the Palestinians and Americas Arab allies.

White House officials said Mr Trump would probably make the announcement in a speech on Wednesday but that a final decision had not yet been made.

The status of Jerusalem has long been one of the most sensitive subjects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The city holds significance to Muslims across the world because it is home to the al-Aqsa mosque, Islams third holiest site.

US presidents since Harry Truman have refused to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital and said that its final status must be settled through negotiations.

Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama have all supported the idea of a two-state solution - which would likely include dividing Jerusalem so it could be a capital for both Israel and Palestine - but Mr Trump has so far not committed to the two-state model.

US allies such as King Abdullah of Jordan have long warned that any unilateral American moves on the status of Jerusalem could spark violent protests among the Palestinians and across the Arab world. Saudi Arabia has also lobbied the US not move ahead.

Declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital could also damage prospects of securing what Mr Trump calls the ultimate deal - an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. The White House had been expected to lay out proposals for a peace plan early next year.

Securing US recognition of Jerusalem would be a major victory for Israels government, which has long been sensitive to Western refusals on the subject, and for many of Mr Trumps Evangelical Christian voters who strongly support Israel.

There was no immediate reaction from either Israel or the Palestinians over news of the likely announcement.

The shift would put the US at odds with Britain and EU countries, which all insist that the citys status can only be determined in final peace talks.

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While Mr Trump may recognise the city as Israels capital he is also expected to once again delay moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as he promised to do during the 2016 election. Like previous presidents, he has held back because of warnings from US diplomats and Arab allies.

While Jerusalems status is fiercely contested on the international stage, both its Jewish western half and Palestinian eastern half are under effective Israeli control. The city is patrolled by Israeli police and an Israeli mayor in theory has civic responsibility for all its residents.

While Israel considers the entire city to be its eternal and undivided capital a UN security council resolution from 1980 rebuked Israels annexation of east Jerusalem and refused to recognise it.

The US recognition is unlikely to have much practical effect on life in the city.

Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law and point man on Israeli-Palestinian peace, is due to speak on the issue on Sunday at a forum in Washington while Mike Pence, the US vice president, will travel to the region later in the month.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 02:50:35|Editor: liuxin

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JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China and Israel discussed boosting cooperation in fields including trade, technology and e-commerce in a recent official meeting in Jerusalem, a source from China's Ministry of Commerce said on Friday night.

The third round of negotiation on China-Israel Free Trade Area (FTA), led by Wang Shouwen, China's vice commerce minister, and Roey Fisher, Israel's deputy minister of economy and industry, concluded on Thursday.

The meeting also covered issues including customs procedures, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

In March 2016, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jointly announced the starting of China-Israel FTA negotiation.

China and Israel have seen an increase in bilateral trade and a substantial progress in economic ties in recent years.

China is now the biggest trade partner of Israel in Asia and the third largest worldwide. In 2016, the bilateral trade stood at a total of 11.36 billion U.S. dollars.
Doha (AFP) - Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will attend a crucial summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council this coming week, Doha's foreign minister said on Sunday.

Speaking at a forum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Qatar's leader had accepted the invitation to attend, amid the region's worst political crisis in years.

"I will attend the ministerial council tomorrow and the emir will attend the summit," said the minister.

He added that Qatar had not yet seen the summit agenda, but the current crisis would be discussed at the meeting.

"It is important that the GCC system remains alive," said the minister.

The emir received an invitation from Kuwait at the end of last month to attend the GCC summit.

It was the first such invitation during the ongoing and increasingly bitter Saudi-led diplomatic boycott of Doha.

The summit will start on December 5, the six-month anniversary of the start of the crisis.

It was unclear who would represent the other members of the GCC at the gathering.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt abruptly cut all ties with Qatar over accusations Doha supported extremism and was close to Shiite Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.

Since the beginning of the crisis, all diplomatic communication between Qatar and the boycotting countries has been stopped.

Founded in 1981, the GCC is a political and economic union that includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as Oman and Kuwait.

Kuwait and Oman have not taken part in the boycott of the tiny gas-rich emirate, and Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has acted as a mediator in the crisis.
Ankara (AFP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey could never be "condemned by virtual courts" in the US after he was implicated in a scheme allegedly designed to subvert US sanctions on Iran during a trial in New York.

Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab had been due to go on trial over the accusations but, to Turkey's chagrin, he agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors and told a court on Thursday that Erdogan authorised two Turkish banks to circumvent the sanctions and launder money from Iran.

The case has angered Erdogan, who accused the trial of being linked to the network of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Muslim cleric blamed by the Turkish government for last year's failed coup.

"My country can never be condemned by virtual courts set up by FETO scoundrels, fake representatives," Erdogan said during a televised speech in the eastern city of Kars, referring to Gulen's group that Turkey has dubbed the "Fethullah Terrorist Organisation".

"Someone has got up and decided they will apparently try my country in their falsely set-up courts. Don't bother!" Erdogan added.

Turkey has repeatedly called for Gulen to be extradited, but he denies any involvement in the coup or terrorism.

Since Zarrab became the prosecution's star witness in the trial, deputy chief executive of Turkish lender Halkbank Mehmet Hakan Atilla is now the lone man in the dock accused of violating sanctions, bribery and money laundering.

Zarrab has taken the stand three times since Wednesday, admitting to bribing a former Turkish economy minister and being involved in the multi-billion-dollar gold-for-oil scheme.

On Thursday he told the court he was informed that in 2012, then prime minister Erdogan and then treasury minister Ali Babacan had given "instructions" for two other Turkish public banks, Vakif and Ziraat, to take part in the scheme.

Zarrab was a key figure in a 2013 Turkish corruption scandal, which Ankara denounced at the time as another conspiracy by Gulen and his group.

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Analysts say the embarrassing revelations could damage Erdogan politically and also harm the Turkish economy, if one or more Turkish banks are fined over violating sanctions.

Ankara has urged Zarrab to "turn back from his mistake" and claimed this week that the trader is under pressure to make defamatory claims against Turkey.

Istanbul's public prosecutor ordered the seizure of Zarrab and his family's assets late on Friday, accusing him of "espionage" for the benefit of a foreign state.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu earlier on Saturday claimed "FETO has infiltrated American missions in Turkey, the US judiciary, its Congress, everywhere, they have infiltrated all institutions in this or that way, legally or illegally."
By Amina Ismail

CAIRO (Reuters) - Former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, who last week announced plans to run for the presidency, was deported from the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, his family said, and arrived in Cairo hours later.

Shafik, a former air force commander and government minister, was seen as the strongest potential opponent of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is expected to run for a second term next year.

With airport security high, Shafik landed in a private plane in Cairo airport on Saturday evening, the airport sources said.

A Reuters witness at the airport said Egyptian authorities escorted Shafik in a motorcade that was waiting for him outside the airport.

Shafik's whereabouts are unknown his family said hours after he left the airport, and officials did not issue any statement about his location.

UAE news agency WAM said Shafik left the Emirates, an ally of Sisi's government, for Egypt without giving any details on why or how he departed. It said his family had remained behind in the Emirates.

Shafik's daughter May Shafik, told Reuters that authorities had come for him at his home and sent him to Cairo.

"We were about to leave to travel to France. They came and took him. They deported him in a private plane. They said they will deport him to Egypt," May said.

"Just because he announced he will run for president they deported him to Egypt and I don't know what will they do to him," she said.

A Gulf source familiar with the matter said earlier: "Shafik has publicly asked to go to Egypt and his wish will be met."

Shafik's lawyer on her Facebook page also said he had been taken from the family home.

UAE AN ALLY OF SISI

A spokesman for Egypt's foreign ministry did not immediately answer a call seeking details. But an Egyptian judicial source said Shafik was not wanted in any criminal cases at the moment, but he had several cases, including for corruption, against him in the past that either ended in acquittal or were dropped.

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"We have no information about a deportation order," the judicial source said.

Shafik said on Wednesday he would run for president in a surprise announcement from the UAE, where he has been based.

Several other low-profile candidates have said they would run as well.

Shafik narrowly lost to Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt's 2012 election before fleeing overseas.

May Shafik said on Friday he was preparing to depart, first for Europe and the United States before returning to Egypt to start his campaign.

She said Shafik had been prevented from leaving the UAE in previous days but had then received assurances that he could travel freely. She did not specify who gave the assurances. The UAE denied placing movement restrictions on Shafik.

The UAE has been officially silent on Shafik's candidacy announcement.

Sisi as a military commander led the ousting of former president Mursi in 2013, before his own landslide election a year later. Sisi's supporters see him as key to stability following the upheaval that followed the 2011 Egyptian revolt that toppled president Hosni Mubarak.

But his government is fighting a stubborn Islamist militant insurgency in the Sinai region and has also enacted painful austerity reforms over the last year to revive the economy but that critics say have dented his popularity.

(Reporting by Amina Ismail, additional reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Abdel Nasser Aboul Fadl and Ali Abdelaty.; editing by Patrick Markey, Richard Balmforth and Diane Craft)
By Warren Strobel, Nathan Layne and Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Backers of a U.S.-Russian plan to build nuclear reactors across the Middle East bragged after the U.S. election they had backing from Donald Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn for a project that required lifting sanctions on Russia, documents reviewed by Reuters show. The documents, which have not previously been made public, reveal new aspects of the plan, including the proposed involvement of a Russian company currently under U.S. sanctions to manufacture nuclear equipment. That company, major engineering and construction firm OMZ OAO, declined to comment. The documents do not show whether Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, took concrete steps to push the proposal with Trump and his aides. But they do show that Washington-based nuclear power consultancy ACU Strategic Partners believed that both Flynn, who had worked as an adviser to the firm as late as mid-2016, and Trump were firmly in its corner. "Donald Trump's election as president is a game changer because Trump's highest foreign policy priority is to stabilize U.S. relations with Russia which are now at a historical low-point," ACU's managing director, Alex Copson, wrote in a Nov. 16, 2016 email to potential business partners, eight days after the election. White House officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. ACU declined comment and also declined to make Copson available for an interview. Previously they told a congressional committee that they had not had any dealings with Flynn since May 2016, before Trump became the Republican Party's presidential candidate. Flynns lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not respond to a request for comment. Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the FBI about a discussion with the former Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, in late December 2016 regarding sanctions. The documents also show that ACU proposed ending Ukraine's opposition to lifting sanctions on Russia by giving a Ukrainian company a $45 billion contract to provide turbine generators for reactors to be built in Saudi Arabia and other Mideast nations. The contract to state-owned Turboatom, and loans to Ukraine from Gulf Arab states, would "require Ukraine to support lifting US and EU sanctions on Russia," Copson wrote in the Nov. 16 email. A Turboatom spokeswoman said she did not have an immediate comment on the matter. The email was titled "TRUMP/PUTIN ME Marshall plan CONCEPT." ME stands for Middle East. The title, evoking the post-World War Two plan to rebuild Western European economies, reflected the hopes of the plan's backers that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could cooperate on a project that would boost Middle East economies. The email can be seen here: http://tmsnrt.rs/2ALdoCY The ACU documents reviewed by Reuters include emails, business presentations and financial estimates and date from late autumn 2016. 'READY TO GO' As part of their investigation into the Trump election campaign's ties to Russia, Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Democrats on the House of Representatives Oversight Committee are probing whether Flynn promoted the Middle East nuclear power project as national security adviser in Trumps White House. Flynn resigned after just 24 days as national security adviser after it became known he had lied to Vice President Mike Pence by telling him he had not discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with Kislyak in late December. In response to questions about the emails and documents, ACU referred Reuters to letters written in June and September by ACU scientist Thomas Cochran to the House Oversight Committee. In those letters, Cochran had laid out the projects strategy, describing a "ready-to-go" consortium that included French, Russian, Israeli and Ukrainian interests, without naming specific companies. The nuclear reactor plan aimed to provide Washington's Middle East allies with nuclear power in a way that didn't risk nuclear weapons proliferation and also helped counter Iranian influence, improve dismal U.S.-Russian relations, and revive the moribund U.S. nuclear industry, according to the documents seen by Reuters. The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post reported this week that Flynn pushed a version of the nuclear project within the White House by instructing his staff to rework a memo written by a former business associate into policy for Trump to sign. Two U.S. officials familiar with the issue told Reuters the policy document Flynn prepared for Trump's approval proposed working with Russia on a nuclear reactor project but did not specifically mention ACU. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they did not know if Trump had read the memo or acted upon it. 'THIS IS A BIG WIN' On Nov. 18, 2016, 10 days after Trump won the presidential election, ACU's Copson received an email from nuclear non-proliferation expert Reuben Sorensen saying that he had updated Flynn on the nuclear project's status. Sorensen's role in the project was not clear from the emails. "Flynn is getting closer to (being named) National Security Advisor. Expect an announcement soon. This is a big win for the ACU project," Sorensen wrote. "Spoke with him via backchannels earlier this week. He has always believed in the vision of the ACU effort ... We need to let him get settled into the new position, but update him shortly thereafter," Sorensen added. The email can be seen here: http://tmsnrt.rs/2zTqxcZ Reuters could not independently confirm a briefing took place. Sorensen did not reply to an email seeking comment. On Nov. 30, 2016, Copson briefed U.S. Representative Ed Royce, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on the nuclear project, an email shows. Copson was joined by Jim Hamel, a senior official from Curtiss-Wright Corp., which has a nuclear division based in Royce's California district and was eager for a role in the multi-billion dollar project. In a follow-up email on Dec. 5 to a Royce aide, Hamel wrote, "We hope that the Chairman will follow-up on Alex's suggestion to reach out to General Flynn" to discuss the project. Royce's spokesman, Cory Fritz, confirmed the briefing to Reuters. "No action was ever taken by the chairman or the committee," he said in an email. Hamel and Curtiss-Wright declined to comment. Flynn was an adviser to ACU from April 2015 to June 2016, according to amended financial disclosure forms he filed in August 2017 to the Office of Government Ethics. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee say that when Flynn applied last year to renew his government security clearance, he failed to disclose a June 2015 trip he made to Egypt and Israel to promote the reactor project. Flynn has not commented on the trips. (Additional reporting by John Walcott and Mark Hosenball in Washington, Matthias Williams in Kiev and Gleb Stolyarov in Moscow.; Editing by Kieran Murray and Ross Colvin)
President Donald Trump gloated in a tweet Saturday that he fired Michael Flynn because he knew his national security adviser had lied to the FBI. If that was the case, Trumps reported attempt to stop former FBI Director James Comeys investigation of Flynn could constitute obstruction of justice, legal experts warned.

The tweet was apparently triggering enough concern that the presidents personal attorney John Dowd came forward late Saturday to tell ABC News that he had actually written the tweet, which he called sloppy. The Washington Post also reported that two unnamed sources told the newspaper that Dowd was responsible for the message. The White House hasnt commented.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Rep. Ted Lieu (R-Calif.) was among those who blasted the tweet, assuming it was penned by Trump and saying flatly: This is obstruction of justice.

THIS IS OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. @POTUS now admits he KNEW Michael Flynn lied to the FBI. Yet Trump tried to influence or stop the FBI investigation on #Flynn. https://t.co/8JqGBxgou0  Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 2, 2017

Oh my god, tweeted Matthew Miller, a former Department of Justice official. He just admitted to obstruction of justice.

Oh my god, he just admitted to obstruction of justice. If Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI when he asked Comey to let it go, then there is your case. https://t.co/c6Wtd0TfzW  Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) December 2, 2017

Obama administration ethics chief Walter Shaub and Richard Painter, the top ethics lawyer during President George W. Bushs administration, were also stunned by the tweet on @realDonaldTrump.

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...just couldn't resist commenting on Flynn.



Are you ADMITTING you knew Flynn had lied to the FBI when you asked Comey to back off Flynn??????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/HJWlUvC99F  Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 2, 2017

He could be Tweeting himself into an obstruction of justice conviction

https://t.co/LDjAGhb6qj  Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) December 2, 2017

Attorney Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University quipped on MSNBC that Trump was going to regret that Twitter expanded to 280 characters, giving him more room to confess to obstruction of justice in his tweets.

Trump just said that Michael Flynn lying to the FBI was one of the reasons he fired him, Waldman added. Broaden the time horizon: He then asked the then-director of the FBI to drop the investigation  and then he fired the director of the FBI.

Even Comey posted one of his mysterious zen-like social media comments in an apparent response to Trumps tweet.

Beautiful Long Island Sound from Westport, CT. To paraphrase the Buddha  Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth.  A post shared by James Comey (@comey) on Dec 2, 2017 at 10:56am PST

The White House said in a statement in February that Flynn was asked to resign because of eroding trust. Nothing was said about lies to the FBI.

There is not a legal issue, but rather a trust issue, then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

When Flynn stepped down, he apologized for providing incomplete information to Vice President-elect Mike Pence concerning a conversation he had last December with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. On Friday, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents about that conversation, which included a discussion of sanctions the Obama administration imposed on Russia for interfering in the U.S. presidential election.

Comey testified before Congress in June that Trump tried to call him off an investigation of Flynn on Feb. 14, the day after Flynn resigned. I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go, Comey quoted the president as saying in his written testimony. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.

Comey said he replied only that he is a good guy. I did not say I would let this go.

Trump fired Comey on May 9. The president reportedly told visiting Russian officials in the Oval Office days later that he axed his nut job FBI director, saying it eased the great pressure he felt because of the investigation into Kremlin interference in the U.S. presidential election, according to The New York Times.

This story has been updated to include an ABC News report that quoted Trumps personal attorney John Dowd as saying he was responsible for the presidents tweet.

Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Growing up in New York City, Sophie Sandberg began experiencing street harassment when she was 15 years old.

Now a 21-year-old student at New York University, Sandberg is attempting to combat street harassment with a project titled Catcalls of NYC. Sandberg asks her Instagram followers to send her messages about their experiences with catcalling, including letting her know where in the city the harassment took place. She then goes to the location of the incident and writes the catcallers quote in big, colorful chalk letters.

The results are unnerving but powerful.

By writing the comments on the sidewalk where they happened, I raise public awareness about the issue, Sandberg told HuffPost. The colorful chalk and colorful words catch peoples eyes. They force those who wouldnt normally experience catcalling to take a second look.

The quotes range from smaller comments such as Hey baby to ones that are much more explicit and derogatory, like: Lift up your dress. Show us that pussy.

Some phrases  such as Nice chinky eyes and Hey Mexico, fuck you  show the intersection of sexism and racism.

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Nov 25, 2017 at 12:32pm PST

No one questioned or challenged it. It was simply an accepted annoyance, Sandberg said of street harassment. For me, it has always been more than an annoyance. Its shaped my experience in public space. Its affected my confidence and comfort walking down the street. Its silenced me  Ive never felt comfortable responding to catcalls, as much as Id like to tell these men off.

Sandberg said she hopes this project will prompt people to intervene the next time they witness street harassment.

I want people who feel silenced, objectified or victimized, to understand that they can be agents of change, Sandberg said. One voice can contribute to a collective movement. With that, we have power and we cannot be silenced. See more from Sandbergs Catcalls of NYC project:

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A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Oct 28, 2017 at 12:47pm PDT

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Nov 29, 2017 at 1:08pm PST

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Nov 21, 2017 at 10:37am PST

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Aug 16, 2017 at 1:57pm PDT

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Apr 21, 2016 at 11:02am PDT

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Jun 29, 2017 at 8:50am PDT

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Nov 17, 2017 at 8:48am PST

A post shared by @catcallsofnycon Apr 13, 2016 at 2:18pm PDT

Head over toInstagramto see more from Sandbergs Catcalls of NYC.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
The House and Senate drafts, which help corporations and the rich and could leave millions without health insurance, must be reconciled into a single bill

Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, speaks to reporters as his party looks toward a vote on the proposed tax overhaul. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP

All Republicans want for Christmas is tax reform  and they are poised to get it.

The Senate Republican tax overhaul that passed early on Saturday morning is filled with traditional GOP priorities, including big treats for corporations and the most affluent sections of society. But the bill will now need to be reconciled with the House-passed version.

The proposals differ on key provisions, setting up a challenge for lawmakers as they balance competing priorities between the chambers in a high-speed dash to draft a unified bill by Christmas.

Heres a look at some of the measures that could be under consideration as Republicans finalize their tax overhaul:

Corporate tax rate

Slashing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% is at the centerpiece of both bills. Donald Trump has drawn a line in the sand at 20% and said he would not accept a higher rate, though some Republicans have proposed raising it gradually over time. There are also discrepancies between the plans on when the reduction would start. The Senate plan includes a one-year delay.

Individual tax rates

Republicans have touted their tax plan as major relief for the middle class. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, even promised that under the Senate plan no middle-class American would see a tax increase. He later said he misspoke on that. Independent analyses have found that the Senate plan would largely benefit Americas highest earners and offer mixed results for middle-income taxpayers.

The House and Senate plans differ in how they would affect individual tax rates. The House plan would condense income tax brackets from seven to four, while the Senate plan would keep seven brackets and reduce their rates. Under the Senate plan, at least some groups in every bracket would face a tax increase and that share would grow over time. Most of the provisions relating to individuals are set to expire in 2025.

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Estate tax

The House GOP plan would eliminate the estate tax  or the death tax, to some critics  which affects people who leave a fortune of $5.49m or above to their children. After that there is a 40% tax. The House bill eliminates the tax entirely after 2024. The Senate bill doubles the amount wealthy parents can pass on to their children without being taxed.

State and local tax (Salt) deductions

One of the most contentious issues could be state and local tax deductions. The House and Senate bills eliminate the so-called Salt deductions and cap the deduction for property tax at $10,000. This piece of the plan would most hurt people living in high-tax, high-cost-of-living states, a majority of which elect Democrats, such as California and New York. Lawmakers from these states, especially in the House, are likely to push for more.

Pass-through businesses

Both plans seek to lower taxes on pass-through entities  businesses that are taxed at the individual rate rather than the corporate rate. The Senate tax plan allows owners of pass-through entities to deduct 23% of their business income, up from 17.4% in the original bill. The House created a new 25% tax for these entities and included provisions to block wealthy individuals from taking advantage of the lower rate.

Alternative minimum tax (AMT)

House lawmakers proposed eliminating the alternative minimum tax (AMT), which was introduced in 1969 to ensure the rich do not escape paying their fair share via tax loopholes. According to Tax Policy Center, the tax mainly affects households earning more than $500,000. At the last minute, Senate Republicans chose to keep the taxes, with some adjustments.

Individual mandate

The Senate tax plan would repeal the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, which requires all Americans to have health insurance or face a penalty. Including the provision in the tax bill is projected to result in 13 million more uninsured people and a 10% increase in premiums. The House plan does not touch the healthcare law.

Political activism by churches

The House version of the tax bill includes language that would repeal a ban on political activism by churches and other not-for-profit groups. This would allow not-for-profit organizations to support political candidates. In a bid to expand his reach with Christian conservatives during the presidential campaign, Trump vowed to repeal the 1954 law, known as the Johnson amendment. He has repeated this promise as president.

Higher education

Across the country, graduate and PhD students have been protesting against a provision of the House bill that would turn their tuition waivers into taxable income. Many graduate and PhD students receive free tuition  and stipends  in exchange for teaching or conducting research. Currently, students are only taxed on the stipends they receive. Students have argued that the provision could have a dramatic impact on what they owe to the federal government, making it impossible to continue to pursuing their degrees.

Legal rights to fetuses

The House bill includes language that would allow parents to set up 529 plans  education savings accounts intended to allow families to put money aside for a childs higher education  for a child in utero. In fact, parents are already able to do this but the provision would achieve an important victory for anti-abortion activists by explicitly recognizing unborn children in federal law.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 03:05:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in January 2018 with China in a bid to improve its waste management practices.

Geoffrey Wahungu, the Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), told Xinhua in Nairobi that a technical team from his organization has been sent to China to hold discussions with their Chinese counterparts on the modalities of the agreement.

"The aim of the MOU will be for China to provide Kenya with technical assistance and technology exchange in global best practice in waste management," Wahungu said on the sidelines of United Nations Science Policy Business Forum on the Environment.

Wahungu said that Kenya plans to pilot modern waste management in three counties that have developed a waste management implementation action plan.

"If successful, the model will be rolled out nationwide to all counties in order to help the country to manage waste in an environmentally sustainable way," he added.

Wahungu said that Kenya is also looking for a Chinese investor to set up a plant that will convert industrial waste into energy.

The director general noted that Kenya is facing a problem in dealing with its medical waste due to lack of basic capacity in setting up a modern incineration facility.

He noted that China is well advanced in handling waste given its industrialized status.

He added that Kenya is keen to tap into the Asian nation's expertise in order to deal with its waste management problem.
POTSDAM, Germany (Reuters) - German police on Friday secured a device full of wires and nails found near an outdoor Christmas market in the city of Potsdam, but could not establish whether it had contained explosives. Germany is on high alert for militant attacks, nearly a year after a Tunisian Islamist rammed a hijacked truck into a Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 11 people as well as the driver. Police evacuated a large area of Potsdam's old town center on Friday, including parts of the market, and closed stores while they investigated the package, which had been delivered to a pharmacy. Karl-Heinz Schroeter, interior minister of the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds Berlin, said the area would remain shut while police searched with sniffer dogs for any other similar packages. He told reporters that several hundred grams of nails had been found in a metal cylinder inside the package, but added: "We just don't know at this point if this was a device that could have actually exploded, or a fake, or a test." A robot using water jets was used to ensure the device was safe, officials said. Potsdam police said X-rays had shown wires, nails and batteries inside the package, but that no detonator had been found. Christmas markets opened across Germany on Monday at the start of the holiday season, fortified with concrete barriers and security staff to protect shoppers. Germany has around 2,600 such markets, filled with sparkling Christmas trees and wooden stalls serving candied nuts, sausages, mulled wine and handicrafts. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said this week that Germany had increased information-sharing between federal and state officials and taken other steps to increase security after a series of missteps in the Berlin case. A ministry spokesman said this week that the risk of an attack in Germany and Europe remained high. (Reporting by Holger Koerner and Zoltan Berta in Potsdam, and Andrea Shalal in Berlin; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
The device was found in a package found at a pharmacy just off the Christmas market in central Potsdam - DPA

German police evacuated a popular Christmas market in the city of Potsdam on Friday before destroying a suspicious package containing nails and an unidentified powder in a controlled explosion, officials said.

There were no injuries reported in the evacuation or demolition of the device, and police said it was too early to speculate who may have been behind the package.

Police were alerted at about 2:30 p.m. (1330 GMT; 8:30 a.m. EST) after the package was delivered to a pharmacy on the same street as the Christmas market, and suspicious wires and other items were found inside, police spokesman Peter Meyritz told the Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten newspaper.

Meyritz wasn't immediately available to provide further details, but told the newspaper that the package measured about 40 centimeters by 50 centimeters (16 inches by 20 inches) and was apparently delivered by a messenger service.

The Christmas market was evacuated to allow explosives experts to secure the device and destroy it in place outside the pharmacy in Potsdam, the capital of the state of Brandenburg, just outside of Berlin. Residents of the street were told to stay in the rear area of their homes while the procedure was carried out.

The package contained nails and a powder, but experts were still trying to determine whether it was real or a hoax, Brandenburg Interior Minister Karl-Heinz Schroeter told reporters at the scene.

"The evaluation and analysis is just beginning now," he said. "If it was really explosive or if it was a fake or a dummy, we will only know through further investigation."

He added that if it turns out that there were explosives in the package, "the next question is whether it was live or not."

Christmas markets are extremely popular in Germany and have increased security this year following the deadly truck attack at a market in downtown Berlin last year.

In that case, a Tunisian man hijacked a truck and drove it into a crowded market, killing 12 people in an attack that was later claimed by the Islamic State group. The suspect, Anis Amri, fled to Italy after the Dec. 19 attack and died in a shootout with police near Milan on Dec. 23, 2016.
Berlin (AFP) - German police said a suspicious object that prompted the evacuation of a Christmas market in Potsdam on Friday was an "explosive".

"Suspicions of an unconventional explosive device have been confirmed," police in Brandenburg state said on Twitter.

The device was found in a package found at a pharmacy just off the Christmas market in central Potsdam, a picturesque city near Berlin that was once a residence for the kings of Prussia.

Police said a pharmacist had sounded the alert after finding a can with wires inside the package.

Parts of the city centre as well as the Christmas market were evacuated on Friday afternoon as bomb disposal units were deployed.

Germany has been on high alert for possible jihadist attacks after last December's deadly attack at a Berlin Christmas market.

The attacker, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, hijacked a truck and murdered its Polish driver before killing another 11 people and wounding dozens more by ploughing the heavy vehicle through the festive market in the centre of the city.

He was shot dead by Italian police in Milan four days later while on the run.

Germany has since been targeted again in attacks with radical Islamist motives.

In July 2017, a 26-year-old Palestinian asylum seeker wielding a knife stormed into a supermarket in the northern port city of Hamburg, killing one person and wounding six others before being detained by passers-by.

German prosecutors said the man likely had a "radical Islamist" motive.

And at the end of October, German police arrested a 19-year-old Syrian identified only as Yamen A. suspected of planning a "serious bomb attack" using powerful explosives.

The IS also claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in 2016, including the murder of a teenager in Hamburg, a suicide bombing in the southern city of Ansbach that wounded 15, and an axe attack on a train in Bavaria that left five injured.

Germany remains a target for jihadist groups, in particular because of its involvement in the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria, and its deployment in Afghanistan since 2001.

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German troops in the anti-IS coalition do not participate in combat operations but support it through reconnaissance, refuelling and training.

Germany's security services estimate there are around 10,000 Islamic radicals in Germany, some 1,600 of whom are suspected of being capable of using violence.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has allowed in more than one million asylum seekers in the past two years -- a decision that has driven the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which charges that the influx spells a heightened security risk.
The modified sentence in the new version of the Lord's Prayer at the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires basilica in Paris - AFP

Churchgoers in France will start reciting a new version of the Lord's Prayer on Sunday in which God will no longer have a direct hand in leading them to commit sins.

For decades, the French have been used to chanting the Gallic version of "Lead us not into temptation", which translates as "Ne nous soumets pas a la tentation" (Do not submit us to temptation).

Starting on Sunday, the first day of Advent, priests will call on French worshippers to ask the Almighty: "Ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation" (Do not let us enter into temptation) - thus shifting the emphasis of sin more onto the sinner.

Debate between theologians on this line has long been the subject of long, tortuous debate, which dragged on for 17 years. Some insist that it is preposterous to suggest that God could do the devil's work; others have even branded the idea downright blasphemous.

The current ambiguous translation has been used since 1966, after the modernising Second Vatican Council open the door to the use of the vernacular instead of Latin in Catholic masses the world over.

The new version of the Lord's Prayer (Our Father, Notre Pere) Catholic prayer book Credit: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP

The original version was in Greek by the apostles Matthew and Luke, who were themselves translating the words of Jesus speaking in his native Aramaic.

"In itself the translation wasn't wrong, but the interpretation was ambiguous," Monsignor Guy de Kerimel, the French Catholic Church's chief liturgist told AFP.

The new version is due to be adopted in the Roman Missel, but tired of waiting for its release in 2019, French priests took the liberty to introduce it a year early.

It has been adopted both by Catholics and France's much smaller Protestant Church.

Yet not everyone has welcomed the change. The national council of evangelicals of France, CNEF, agreed that it better avoids the idea that God "is somehow responsible for temptation but it waters down God's sovereignty".

Also unhappy was traditionalist French Catholic priest Guillaume de Tanouarn who said that "faith is a struggle" and doesn't spring from "a world of metaphysical teddy bears".

Raphael Enthoven, a high-profile French philosopher, claimed that the French Church had decided to airbrush out the word "soumission" (submission) to avoid any comparisons with Islam, which means submission - a claim dismissed as "sad and ridiculous" by French bishops' spokesman Monseigneur Olivier Ribadeau Dumas. Mr Enthoven later withdrew the claim and apologised.

The Lord's Prayer is the the one that most Christians know by heart. "There's going to be some mumbling for a while" as worshippers adjust to the new words, Mr Kerimel said.
By Gustavo Palencia and Lizbeth Diaz

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran security forces fanned out on Saturday to enforce a curfew as sporadic demonstrations continued over a contested presidential election that triggered violent protests that have killed at least three people.

Hundreds have been arrested after the tally from last Sunday's presidential race stalled without a clear winner. Opposition leaders accused the government of trying to steal the election

TV star Salvador Nasralla on Saturday accused his rival, President Juan Orlando Hernandez, of carrying out a "coup" by manipulating the vote count and declaring the curfew to stifle protests.

International concern has grown about the electoral crisis in the poor Central American country, which struggles with violent drug gangs and one of the world's highest murder rates.

Lines formed at supermarkets and early Saturday as people stocked up on supplies, but upscale malls and many shops were shuttered while others closed early as groups of workers waited to catch buses and get back to their homes before the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew took effect.

"I'm afraid I'm going to get arrested by the army and be stuck in jail overnight or hit a blockade in the streets," said Daniel Solorzono, 27, as he heaved eggs, bananas and sausage into his pick-up truck at a market and rushed off to his home.

Nasralla's early 5 percentage point lead on Monday was later reversed, after a pause of more than a day in the count, in favor of Hernandez, leading to accusations of vote fraud and calls for protests. Disputed votes could swing the outcome.

Under the official count, Hernandez had 42.9 percent of the vote while Nasralla has 41.4 percent, with 95 percent of votes tallied.

Electoral authorities have proposed recounting around 6 percent of the vote, but Nasralla's party has demanded a wider recount, forcing a stand-off with the ruling party and election authorities.

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Heide Fulton, the top official at the U.S. embassy which does not currently have an ambassador, called for Hondurans to refrain from violence. "The Supreme Electoral Tribunal must have the time and space to count all votes transparently and free from interference," she said on Saturday in a post on Twitter.

One man was killed in the port city of La Ceiba on Friday and a 19-year old woman was shot in the head early Saturday in Tegucigalpa as soldiers busted up protesters' blockades of rubble and burning tires that had snarled traffic in the capital and major ports, a spokesman for the national police said.

On Friday, police had reported another protestor was killed in La Ceiba.

There were also reports from opposition leaders and a police source that between four and five demonstrators had been shot dead in the north of the country.

While security forces cleared blockades in the capital, there were still highways obstructed around La Ceiba and other areas outside major cities, a police spokesman said.

More than 200 people have been arrested and more than 20 injuries have been reported in the skirmishes between protesters and security forces.

Thirty-four people who were detained during the week would be charged with terrorism, said Col. Jorge Paz, a spokesman for the military.

The government declared the curfew on Friday, expanding powers for the army and police to detain people and break up blockades of roads, bridges and public buildings.

The electoral tribunal was unable to resume the vote tally on Saturday as Nasralla's center-left alliance refused to participate unless the recount was expanded to three regions with alleged vote tampering.

The tribunal said it would try to carry out the recount of disputed votes on Sunday and that it hoped the opposition would participate. Its top official said they would evaluate if the recount could be widened.

"What everyone already knows is that a coup occurred in Honduras last night precisely in the processing of the ballots. So, the whole world will not recognize these elections," Nasralla told local television.

The 64-year-old Nasralla is one of Honduras' best-known faces and he is backed by former President Manuel Zelaya, a leftist ousted in a coup in 2009.

Hernandez, 49, implemented a military led crackdown on gang violence that was backed by the United States and is credited with curbing the country's murder rate.

(Additional reporting by Adriana Barrera in Mexico City; Writing by Michael O'Boyle; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Mary Milliken and Jacqueline Wong)
Tegucigalpa (AFP) - Honduras experienced a moment of calm Saturday after a wave of violent clashes between Honduran authorities and opposition supporters claiming fraud in the country's presidential election shook the country.

One woman was left dead amid the riots, with the vote count at a standstill. The country's top electoral authority could not definitively name a winner.

Kimberly Dayana Fonseca, 19, was killed by military police in the Colonia Villanueva area east of the capital Tegucigalpa, according to her father Carlos Fonseca.

He told AFP that his daughter had left their house to search for an uncle who she thought was taking part in an opposition protest to warn him that authorities were about to begin a crackdown.

"Some of the military police came out of a bush, shooting like crazy and they shot her in the head," added Luisa, Kimberly's sister.

A spokesman from the public prosecutor's office told journalists it had launched an investigation, while the military police released a statement saying it was investigating "exhaustively" the possible role of one of its agents.

Opposition leader Salvador Nasralla, whose leftwing alliance has claimed victory in last week's vote, condemned the violence on Twitter.

At least 12 civilians have been wounded, some by gunfire, after violence erupted in several parts of the country sparked by Nasralla's call for his supporters to come onto the streets.

President Juan Orlando Hernandez -- seeking re-election despite a constitutional ban on a second term -- held a 1.5 percentage point lead over his rival with 94 percent of the vote counted, according to the latest figures from the Supreme Election Tribunal (TSE).

Nasralla along with former president Manuel Zelaya had demanded a review of more than 5,000 electoral records as well as "an audit of the entire system," which the TSE said could take 12 to 15 days.

TSE president David Matamoros had announced a review of 1,006 records, but then declared the postponement of that procedure to allow for an agreement between the agency, Nasralla and Zelaya.

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Hernandez declared a state of emergency Friday night and imposed a 10-day curfew from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Hernandez's conservative National Party -- which controls the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government -- contends that a 2015 Supreme Court ruling allows his re-election.

The opposition has denounced his bid, saying the court does not have the power to overrule the 1982 constitution.
The file photo shows that graduate students rally against the proposed GOP tax reform bill at Union Square in the Manhattan borough of New York City, the United States, on Nov. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS Photo)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Saturday morning narrowly passed the Republican bill to overhaul the tax code in decades, moving one step closer to the first major legislative victory of the Trump administration and congressional Republicans.

The Republican-led Senate approved the legislation, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, with a vote of 51-49, with all Democrats and one Republican voting against the bill.

Bob Corker, the Republican Senator from the state of Tennessee, stated his opposition before the vote, citing concerns over the impact of large tax cuts on fiscal deficits.

While the Trump administration argued that the tax cuts would pay for themselves, almost all independent economists and forecasters didn't agree with that.

The Senate tax bill would cost about one trillion U.S. dollars in 10 years even after accounting for faster economic growth, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan committee of U.S. Congress.

Democrats also criticized that the legislation would mostly benefit the wealthy and large corporations, while Republicans touted tax cuts as an "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to boost corporate investment and economic growth.

But the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) said in a recent analysis that the Republican tax bill is unlikely to generate more than 0.1 percent of increased growth per year, and over the long run it may actually slow the U.S. economic growth.

The House of Representatives had passed its own version of tax reform legislation last month, which contained significant differences from the Senate version. Republicans currently plan to convene a conference in the next few weeks to reconcile the House and Senate versions.

Overhauling the tax code is a top priority of Republicans and they are hoping to send the final legislation to President Donald Trump before Christmas.

"The Administration looks forward to working with Congress to fulfill the promise we made to deliver historic tax cuts for the American people by the end of the year," the White House said in a statement on Saturday.

However, analysts said the significant differences between the House and Senate versions could drag the tax fight into next year.
White House Communications Director Hope Hicks could be the next target in Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into Trump campaign collusion with Russia.

This news comes after Fridays bombshell that former national security adviser Michael Flynn plead guilty to lying to the FBI.

Hicks has been a staple in the presidents inner circle dating back to when he was candidate Trump.

EARLIER: Hope Hicks hires lawyer as Mueller expands Russia probe

At 28, she became the youngest White House communications director after both Sean Spicer and Anthony Scaramucci were ousted from the role in quick succession.

While she does not speak on camera often or serve as a public face of the Trump administration, she has had close and unique access to the president since the early days of his campaign.

She traveled by his side to Iowa at the beginning of the campaign and shes outlasted veteran political operatives to maintain her position in the Trump orb.

After Ivanka, she knows him the best in the White House," at least one reportedly said.

Reports emerged this week that Mueller plans to interview her to learn more about the president and his inner circle as he continues his investigation into possible Russia interference in the 2016 presidential election.
European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli posted a timelapse video on Saturday, December 2, shot from the International Space Station showing Earth from Somalia to Russia, with a fly-over of the Himalayas.

The timelapse was created via a series of photos Italian astronaut Nespoli shot during his countrys VITA mission to test various aspects of human endurance in space. Credit: European Space Agency via Storyful
As hellfire prepares to rain down on the White House, former FBI Director James Comey is chillin', you know, just getting his Instagram on.

After news broke that Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contact with Russia, Comey responded by posting his first Instagram and trolling the men with a biblical verse about justice.

SEE ALSO: Yeah, that secret Twitter account actually does belong to James Comey

"'But justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream' Amos 5:24," Comey captioned a photo of Great Falls Park in Virginia, one which he's shared on social media before.

In a previous tweet Comey called Amos 5:24 his "favorite scripture verse," and said it reminds him of this image of the Great Falls.

But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream Amos 5:24 A post shared by James Comey (@a_higher_loyalty) on Dec 1, 2017 at 9:01am PST

Flynn resigned back in February following reports that he had lied about communication with Russia prior to Trump taking office. Then, Comey was fired by Trump in May, which raised a few red flags seeing as the FBI was investigating potential ties between Trump's administration and Russian government officials.

Comey explained in a written memo that the day after Flynn resigned, Trump asked him to let any investigation surrounding Flynn to go, and later testified about his interactions with Trump to the Senate Intelligence Committee in June.

After Comey's wild White House ride it's pretty clear to see how Friday's news could inspire him to sub-Instagram for joy about justice.

His Instagram handle, a_higher_loyalty, references the title of his upcoming book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership" that's expected to be released in Spring 2018.

Image: screengrab//instagram

It's been a big year for Comey and social media, after the man recently revealed he is the owner of a highly speculated secret Twitter account where he used to go by the name Reinhold Niebuhr.

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This is just the start of Comey's Instagram presence  at the time of writing this article he only had a mere 10,000 followers, compared to his 442,000 Twitter followers  but maybe one day his trolling will reach Pete Souza levels.
Beirut (AFP) - A powerful Syrian Kurdish militia announced on Sunday it had cleared Islamic State group fighters from key territory east of the winding Euphrates River.

In a surprising announcement, the People's Protection Units (YPG) also said the victory in Syria's Deir Ezzor province came with logistical and air support from Russia, as well as the US-led coalition, its traditional backer.

The YPG was spearheading a US-backed offensive to oust IS from territory east of the Euphrates River, which cuts diagonally across Deir Ezzor, while rival Russian-backed Syrian troops battled IS on the western bank.

It appears to the first time Syria's Kurds acknowledge receiving direct Russian support.

On Sunday, YPG officials met with a Russian military delegation in a town on the eastern bank of Deir Ezzor province, according to the Kurdish-run ANHA news agency.

"The eastern countryside of the city has been fully liberated from Islamic State... with the international coalition and Russia's support," YPG spokesman Nuri Mahmoud said in a statement.

"We thank the international coalition and the Russian forces for their air, logistical, advisory support and coordination on the ground."

Mahmoud said the YPG "hoped for an increase in support and the provision of air defence and required cover."

IS jihadists once held most of oil-rich Deir Ezzor, but now control only a tiny sliver of the province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

On Sunday, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said IS still held several villages in the province, on both banks of the Euphrates River.

The YPG formed the bulk of the Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurdish alliance that ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, with help from the US-led coalition.

In September, the SDF began its assault on IS positions in the eastern half of Deir Ezzor province, as Russian-backed government troops squeezed IS in the western half.

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The SDF accused Moscow of striking its forces several times during the drive, which makes Sunday's announcement of Russian support all the more surprising.

Last week, the White House said it would be making "adjustments" to its military support of militia in Syria.

The US-led coalition has provided air support, weapons, and advice to the YPG and SDF in their push against IS.
The Houthi alliance appears weakened - REUTERS

Yemen's former president on Saturday proposed talks with Saudi Arabia after an apparent split in the rebel alliance that could change the course of the war that has left thousands dead and the country on the brink of famine.

Former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who formed an uneasy alliance with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels to take control of the capital three years ago, said Saturday he was prepared to "turn the page" with the Saudi-led coalition he has been fighting if it lifts a crippling blockade on Yemen.

It came on the fourth day of fighting between Mr Saleh's supporters and Houthi fighters in the capital Sanaa, in a widening rift between the allies.

The Saudi-led coalition started attacking in Yemen in 2015 in a bid to restore the official government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis forced him into exile.

Yemen is one of the Middle East's poorest countries, and the war has caused one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of recent years.

A malnourished Yemeni child receives treatment at a hospital in Sanaa Credit: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images

A Saudi blockade and embargo on international aid has further devastated the country. Theresa May last week urged the kingdom to lift the blockade "as a matter of urgency".

Mr Saleh said Saturday in a televised speech that he would consider starting afresh with Saudi Arabia.

"I call upon the brothers in neighbouring states and the alliance to stop their aggression, lift the siege, open the airports and allow food aid and the saving of the wounded and we will turn a new page by virtue of our neighbourliness," he said.

At a glance | Yemen

"We will deal with them in a positive way and what happened to Yemen is enough," he added.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis praised Mr Saleh on Saturday for "taking the lead". "The decision by [Mr Saleh's] General People's Congress to take the lead and their choice to side with their people will free Yemen of... militias loyal to Iran," the coalition said in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.

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His U-turn prompted warnings of retribution by the Houthis. As Mr Saleh made the announcement, it was reported that more than 100 had been killed by the violent clashes in Sanaa, most of them Houthi militias.

Much of Yemen's infrastructure has been destroyed, with cholera alone killing more than 2,100 people according to UN figures.

UNICEF estimates that every 10 minutes a child in Yemen dies from preventable diseases because the water and sanitation systems and the country's health system have been devastated.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 05:05:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CAIRO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi reiterated Egypt's constant support for the right of the Palestinians to establish their independent state, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement on Saturday.

Sisi made the remarks during a phone call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Sisi stressed Egypt's constant keenness on reaching a fair and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinians to establish their independent state in compliance with the international legitimate resolutions," said Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady in the statement.

For his part, Abbas praised Egypt's support for the Palestinian rights and its efforts in achieving inter-Palestinain reconciliation that would help the Palestinians face the various challenges confronting their major cause.

"The two presidents agreed to continue intensive coordination and consultation on different developments of the Palestinian issue and the ways to revive the negotiations between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides," said the statement.

The phone talk came as the Palestinians raised concern about the pledge made by U.S. President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign to move his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital city for their future state.

Trump is to make a decision on the relocation within the coming days, while Abbas warned on Friday that if it happens it will have potential destructive effects and will "destroy the peace process."

Egypt and Israel reached a U.S.-sponsored peace treaty in 1979, when Egypt started working on reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and mediate intra-Palestinian reconciliation.

Cairo hosted in October the signing of a reconciliation agreement between rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas to end their long-time rift and enable a unity government to take over and have full control of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The reconciliation deal has not yet been fully implemented, with both Hamas and Fatah exchanging blame for deliberate delay.

The decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict emerged since the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the Western-backed creation of Israel in 1948.

Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the peace process due to its settlement expansion policy, which is rejected even by its strongest ally, the United States.

The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital in the light of the UN-proposed two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 06:06:10|Editor: ZD

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by Eric J. Lyman

ROME, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Italy's birthrate -- already among the lowest in the world -- continues to drop, sparking calls for the government to do more to reverse the trend.

The average Italian couple now has 1.34 children, according to latest statistics, far below the 1.95-children-per couple rate for foreign couples living in Italy. Both figures are below the 2.1-child-per-couple rate needed to maintain a population over the long term. In 1960, Italy's birthrate was a healthy 2.4 children per couple.

"The risk is not just that with a low birthrate the population will fall, but it's also that the average age will rise," Maria Silvana Salvini, a demographics professor at the University of Florence, told Xinhua. "That has implications for the effectiveness of the workforce, for pensions, health care, and so on."

Now the average age in Italy is 45.5 years, according to figures from Italy's National Statistics Institute (ISTAT). That is the highest figure in Europe and the second highest in the world, trailing only Japan.

There have been more deaths than births in Italy for the last generation, but the gap between the two figures has been rising dramatically in recent years. There were 19,000 more deaths than births in Italy 15 years ago, rising to 25,000 in 2010 and to a gap of more than 140,000 last year. The 473,000 births in Italy in 2016 were the lowest level in modern times.

The government has taken some steps to confront the problem, most notably a "fertility day" campaign last year which was abandoned after sparking widespread criticism.

Antonio Mussino, a professor of statistical science at Rome's La Sapienza University said Italy should focus on economic incentives like those in France, where families that have three or more children receive an array of financial backing from the government.

Salvini, meanwhile, said Italy should put in place more generous maternity leave packages for working mothers.

"It is a bit ironic that Italy is a country that seems to value family above all else, but it does very little to actually support families," Mussino said in an interview.

Other observers called for programs to make it easier for young people to find work. As it is, nearly two out of five Italians under the age of 35 are unemployed, creating strong incentives for them to move to other countries to seek work and further raising the country's median age.

Mussino said the problem has been brewing in Italy for decades. "People seem to have become aware of the problem of low birthrates in recent years, but I wrote a book that discussed this back in 1981," Mussino said. "It has taken many years for the problem in Italy to become so serious, which means it is not a problem we can solve in a few years. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't start."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 06:56:19|Editor: liuxin

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By Juan Manuel Nievas

PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ride-hailing company DiDi is looking to break into the Latin American market, as indicated by a top leader of the company.

"Latin America is today one of the most important markets given its population of 600 million people," DiDi's vice president of International Business, Gu Tao, told Xinhua here on Saturday.

Gu was in Punta del Este, a resort city on a narrow peninsula in southeast Uruguay, for the 11th China-Latin America and the Caribbean (China-LAC) Business Summit, which ended Saturday.

Currently, DiDi is the "fastest growing company in China," and Latin America is part of its global expansion plans, he said.

"Latin America is really relevant for China, that's why we believe we can use our technology and experience to provide the same product in China and to our users in Latin America," said Gu.

Companies like DiDi, which has 21 million affiliated drivers, fill a need sparked by changing economies, he noted, citing a recent study that analyzed the growing pool of available drivers.

Some four million DiDi drivers were formerly laid off workers from a variety of industrial jobs in such sectors as steel in China.

The ride-hailing service generates 170 yuan (25.7 U.S. dollars) per capita in income for some 2.6 million drivers each day, most of whom hold other part time jobs.

Analysts believe that China's sharing economy is on the rise, and high rate of growth is forecast to continue over the next few years.

"The sharing economy is growing rapidly in China and it is an opportunity for Latin America also. In our view, in the next 10 years, a family will no longer need to have its own car. All cars will be shared," said Gu.

"Today, in the larger cities, there are too many vehicles on the streets and they take up space. We believe technology can significantly change the automobile industry," Gu added.

In addition to ride hailing and sharing, DiDi offers chauffeur, test drive and car rental services, among others.

In the near future, "there will be self-driving cars and electric cars, and they will be shared. If one can instantly obtain a car anywhere, then he doesn't need a car" of his own, said Gu.

"I have a vehicle in Beijing and 95 percent of the time it's parked, I only drive it five percent of the time. So in the future, all cars will be shared," he predicted.

DiDi bought out Uber's operations in China last year, and has since dominated the ride-hailing sector.
After years of delays, the first sales of medical marijuana were made in Maryland Friday.

A few dispensaries in the state announced theyve started receiving shipments of medical marijuana supplies, while others in the state said they should be able to begin selling products in the coming days, according to the Washington Post.

Low supplies led to long lines and high prices, the Post reported. However, dispensary owners expect that the price will come down as more product comes in and initial start-up costs are recovered.

After six months, well be on par with what people will be paying in the black market. I just need my foot in the door; Im not trying to gouge anybody in the first year . . . Every new market and new state starts a little bit high, Charlie Mattingly, who runs Southern Maryland Relief dispensary in Mechanicsville, Md., told the Post.

The first crop of legal medical marijuana began growing in the fall of 2017, the Post reported. The state has slowly been licensing dispensaries to sell medical cannabis products.
Khartoum (AFP) - By arresting Darfur's powerful militia chief Musa Hilal, Khartoum has tightened its control over Sudan's strife-torn region but analysts say it might open a new chapter of violence.

Hilal, a former aide to President Omar al-Bashir, was arrested last week by Sudan's counter-insurgency forces near his hometown of Mustariaha in North Darfur state after fierce clashes that left several dead.

"This is a dangerous moment actually," Magnus Taylor, Sudan analyst with the think-tank International Crisis Group, told AFP.

"By taking out Musa Hilal, they have pitched two different Darfuri Arab clans against each other."

Hilal, the top leader of the Mahamid clan of Darfur's biggest Arab tribe, the Rezeigat, was captured by a unit of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by other members of the broader Rezeigat tribe.

"This is the start of intra-fighting, this is only the beginning," said Ahmed Adam, a research associate at London University.

"No doubt, Hilal's arrest will impact the security and stability of Darfur."

During the initial years of the Darfur conflict that erupted in 2003, Arab militias fought alongside government forces against the region's black African rebels.

Hilal then led the government-allied Arab Janjaweed militia, notorious gunmen on horseback who swept through Darfur marauding villagers and fighting rebels who had taken up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation.

The United Nations says hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and another 2.5 million displaced in the conflict.

The RSF has also been used to crush rebels in a brutal counter-insurgency launched by Bashir.

- 'Inter-Arab violence' -

A joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force was deployed in 2007 to bring stability to Darfur -- a vast region in western Sudan the size of France.

"The previous dynamic in Darfur was militia versus Darfur rebel groups violence," Taylor said. "Now the most dangerous element is inter-Arab militia violence."

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Hilal is subject to a United Nations travel ban and on a list of individuals sanctioned for "human rights atrocities" during the early years of the conflict.

Bashir himself is accused by The Hague-based International Criminal Court of genocide and war crimes related to the conflict, charges he denies.

Khartoum's use of scorched-earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels had also been a key factor for Washington to maintain a trade embargo against Sudan imposed in 1997.

Washington lifted the embargo on October 12, noting an overall fall in violence in Darfur since last year.

Khartoum now insists that the conflict has ended, and it has even launched a campaign to disarm militias operating there.

Analysts say the disarmament campaign is primarily aimed at weakening Hilal -- who according to a UN report controls several gold mines in Darfur -- after a rift with Khartoum.

"It is mainly about containing or liquidating Musa Hilal, as well as targeting other black communities and the internally displaced persons," said Adam, adding that Khartoum had armed these militias in the first place.

"Musa Hilal was created by Bashir to carry out his counter-insurgency in Darfur... but recently he had become politically ambitious.

"Thus, there is no love story between the two men."

- Reduced UN forces -

Up to 10,000 pro-government fighters led by RSF were mobilised to nab Hilal, who himself commands about 3,000 militiamen, sources said.

With his arrest, Khartoum is sending a signal to the international community that it is "in control" of Darfur, said Taylor.

"Hilal was the big one they wanted to take out.. He was seen as becoming this over-mighty figure," he said.

Although the overall violence has fallen in Darfur, a permanent peace deal between Khartoum and rebels has proved elusive.

With the fall in bloodshed, the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission, known as UNAMID, is now being downsized.

But Hilal's arrest at a time when UN peacekeepers are scaling back has the potential to unravel much of the gains achieved in Darfur, a European diplomat said.

"This is quite troubling... Musa Hilal is a very important sheikh who has tribal influence," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"This could trigger a lot of things, a lot of bad things, and UNAMID won't be able to stop everything."
Remains believed be those of an Army veteran missing for three months from her San Diego home and her dog have been found in a shallow grave in a rural desert area of Riverside County in California.

Retired Army Capt. Julia Jacobson, 37, and her Wheaten terrier, Boogie, vanished Sept. 2. Her ex-husband, Dalen Ware, was arrested on suspicion of murder in Arizona last month. Information from Ware led police to an area known as Cactus City. The grave was located Friday by a cadaver dog, according to the Ontario, Calif. police department.

Official identification is pending the results of an autopsy.

Search Leads to Human Remains Found in a Shallow Grave - Believed to be those of missing San Diego woman Julia Jacobson pic.twitter.com/eISCqzgiov  Ontario Police Dept. (@OntarioPD) December 1, 2017

Jacobson served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Bosnia as a finance officer, according to her obituary that ran Nov. 1 in the Bismarck Tribune in her home state of North Dakota. She was awarded the Bronze Star for her service in a combat zone.

She married Ware in 2014 and divorced him in 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. Police didnt reveal a motive for the killing. A girlfriend accused Ware of domestic abuse and sought a restraining order against him in 2014, according to the Chula Vista local ABC station KGTV.

Police believe Jacobson was killed the day after she vanished. Her abandoned car was found near her home a few days after she disappeared.

For everybody here, including volunteers, our biggest thing is that its somebodys daughter, somebodys sister, Ontario police spokesman Cpl. Fred Alvarez told The San Diego Union-Tribune. Its very important for us to get them closure.

(Photo: Justice for Julia/Facebook)

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Pope Francis's embrace of the Rohingya during a trip to Bangladesh has sparked some angry comment on social media in Myanmar, where just days earlier he chose not to publicly air their plight.

On Friday the head of the Catholic church met a group of refugees from Myanmar's stateless Muslim minority in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

He referred to them as "Rohingya" -- a term unacceptable to many in Myanmar where they are reviled as alleged "Bengali" illegal immigrants rather than as a distinct ethnic group.

During his public addresses on the previous leg of his trip in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, Francis did not refer to the group by name or directly allude to the crisis in Rakhine state, from where over 620,000 Rohingya have fled since August.

His caution initially won applause from Myanmar's tiny Catholic minority -- who feared a nationalist blowback -- as well as from Buddhist hardliners, who are on the defensive after a global outcry about the treatment of the group.

A deadly attack by Rohingya militants on police posts in late August sparked a ferocious crackdown in Rakhine by the Myanmar military, which the US and UN describe as ethnic cleansing.

As he arrived back at the Vatican, the pontiff said he had taken up the Rohingya cause in private in Myanmar, also describing how he wept after meeting the group of refugees.

"I wept: I tried to do it in a way that it couldn't be seen," he told reporters. "They wept too."

The comments sparked a flurry of online anger in Myanmar, a country locked off from modern communications for five decades but which now has an active social media.

"He is like a lizard whose colour has changed because of weather," said Facebook user Aung Soe Lin of the pope's strikingly different stances on the crisis.

"He should be a salesman or broker for using different words even though he is a religious leader," said another Facebook user called Soe Soe.

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Myanmar's Catholic church had advised Francis not to stray into the incendiary issue of the status of the Rohingya in Myanmar, in case he worsened tensions and endangered Christians.

In his public addresses he treaded softly on the topic, urging unity, compassion and respect for all ethnic groups -- but not naming the Rohingya.

"The Pope is a holy person... but he said something here (in Myanmar) and he said different in other country," another Facebook user Ye Linn Maung posted.

"He should say the same things if he loves the truth."

Others were more sanguine about Francis' choice of language once he had left Myanmar soil.

Maung Thway Chun, chairman of an unofficial party of nationalists called the 135 Patriots Party, applauded the pope's decision not to name the them in Myanmar despite pressure from rights groups.

"It means he respects Myanmar people," he said. "He even did not use the word many times in Bangladesh... I think he said it once, just to comfort human rights organisations."
Seoul (AFP) - North Korea Sunday blasted the United States and South Korea as "warmongers" on the eve of their largest-ever joint air exercise, saying it could trigger a nuclear war.

The comments came as White House National Security Advisor H.R McMaster warned of the "increasing" possibility of war with the impoverished but nuclear-armed North.

The five-day Vigilant Ace drill -- involving some 230 aircraft including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters -- begins Monday, five days after the North test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile believed capable of hitting the US mainland in a fresh challenge to President Donald Trump.

The North's ruling party Rodong newspaper slammed the upcoming drill.

"It is an open, all-out provocation against the DPRK, which may lead to a nuclear war any moment," it said in an editorial Sunday, using the North's official name.

"The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self-destruction," it said.

The commentary was published a day after Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of "begging for nuclear war" by staging what it called the reckless air drills.

McMaster said the possibility of war with the North was "increasing every day".

"I think it's increasing every day, which means that...we are in a race to be able to solve this problem," he said at a forum on Saturday.

"There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he's getting closer and closer, and there's not much time left," he said.

The North says the Hwasong-15 missile fired Wednesday can be tipped with a "super-large heavy warhead" capable of striking the whole US mainland.

But analysts remain unconvinced that it has mastered the advanced technology to allow the rocket to survive re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.

The months-long nuclear standoff between Kim and Trump has fuelled concerns of another conflict, after the 1950-53 Korean War left much of the peninsula in ruin.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul -- only around 50 kilometres from the border and home to 10 million people.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The top House Democrat on Saturday called for Nevada Rep. Ruben Kihuen to resign after a former aide accused the first-term lawmaker of repeatedly making sexual advances toward her during the 2016 congressional campaign.

In a statement, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said she found the young womans documented account, reported by BuzzFeed News, to be convincing. The woman, identified only as Samantha, said Kihuen propositioned her for dates and sex despite her repeated rejections.

On two occasions, she said, he touched her thighs without consent.

In light of these upsetting allegations, Congressman Kihuen should resign, Pelosi said.

The California lawmaker said she spoke to the 37-year-old congressman Friday night.

The request comes hours after Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, also had pressed for Kihuens resignation, saying House members and candidates should be held to the highest standard, and anyone guilty of sexual harassment or assault should not hold elected office.

Kihuen said in a statement that he did not remember the incidents with the aide, who worked as his campaign finance director and was a valued member of his team.

I sincerely apologize for anything that I may have said or done that made her feel uncomfortable. I take this matter seriously as it is not indicative of who I am, Kihuen said. But I want to make it clear that I dont recall any of the circumstances she described.

BuzzFeed withheld her last name at her request.

Kihuen gave no indication in the statement that he would follow Lujans admonition.

I have spent my fifteen years in public service fighting for womens equality, and I will continue to do so, the congressman said.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., called for a full, fair and expedient investigation against Congressman Kihuen and any other member of Congress who have women or men come forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior.

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This process must be open, transparent and have an appropriate investigatory timeline that delivers justice, she said.

Congressional leaders are under pressure to respond to a national outcry against sexual harassment. The allegations against Kihuen come after Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., was accused of sexually harassing members of his staff and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., was accused of inappropriate touching.

Pelosi has called on Conyers to resign. His lawyer, Arnold Reed, said Friday the congressman, the longest-serving member of the House, will discuss in the next few days whether to resign, but his health will be the paramount factor and not pressure from Washington politicians.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 07:51:26|Editor: ZD

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- About 5,000 protesters gathered Saturday afternoon in front of the Utah State Capitol against a plan proposed by the federal government to shrink two national monuments in the state.

It was reported that the plan would be announced by President Donald Trump when he visits Utah next Monday.

The rally was organized by Utah Dine Bikeyah, a nonprofit and grassroots Native American organization working to protect and preserve cultural uses of public lands by tribes in southern Utah.

These tribes are collaboratively managing Bears Ears National Monument in the state, the first truly Native American national monument, so that they have showed their strong opposition against the plan to reduce the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.

The two monuments were designated by former presidents Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively.

Documents obtained by The Washington Post suggested that Bears Ears would be reduced by 85 percent, from 1.35 million acres (5,463 square kilometers) to 201,397 acres (815 square kilometers), while Grand Staircase-Escalante was to be halved from nearly 1.9 million acres (7,689 square kilometers) to 997,490 acres (4,037 square kilometers).

Trump is scheduled to visit Utah on Monday and deliver a speech at the Capitol, local media predicted that he would officially announce the decision to shrink size of the two monuments.
"Stranger Things" fans, rejoice: more adventures in the Upside Down are on the way.

Netflix said Friday it had renewed its hit 1980s-set nostalgic supernatural drama, which has won critical acclaim and instant fame for its cast of young stars.

"Should we make another season of Stranger Things?" the subscription-only streaming giant teased with an interactive poll on Twitter before adding: "season 3 is officially happening!!!"

No date was given for the season three premiere.

According to Nielsen, around 15.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the first episode of the show's second season within the first three days of its October 27 launch. Netflix does not release information about viewership.

But those numbers would make "Stranger Things" one of the most popular television shows in the United States, not far behind AMC's hit show "The Walking Dead."

"Stranger Things" tells the story of a group of young friends living in a small town in Indiana in the 1980s -- and the odd happenings that threaten them all.

It premiered in July 2016 and won five primetime Emmy Awards in 2017. It had earned a whopping 18 nominations, including one for 13-year-old breakout star Millie Bobby Brown.
By Paul Carsten and Ola Lanre BAMA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria's government has a plan for the northeast, torn apart by eight years of conflict with Boko Haram: displaced people will be housed in fortified garrison towns, ringed by farms, with the rest of the countryside effectively left to fend for itself. The vision for the state of Borno, ground zero for the war with the Islamist insurgency, is a stark admission of the reality in the northeast. For two years, the military and government have said Boko Haram is all but defeated, and the remnants are being mopped up. But the military is largely unable to control territory beyond the cities and towns it has wrested back from Boko Haram. That means many of the nearly 2 million displaced people across the northeast cannot return to their homes in rural areas. Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno state, said it was not possible for people to live in small villages. "There's beauty in numbers, there's security in numbers. So our target is to congregate all the people in five major urban settlements and provide them with means of livelihood, education, health care and of course security," he told Reuters. "It's a long term solution, certainly." The plan for the eastern part of the state, centered on the town of Bama, is intended as a pilot scheme to be rolled out in other parts of Borno if it is successful. Vigilantes, currently members of a group known as the Civilian Joint Task Force, will become agricultural rangers, the governor said. Aided by Nigerian security forces, they will aim to secure and patrol a five-km (three-mile) radius around each garrison town where people can farm. PROTECTION Peter Lundberg, the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, who heads the organization's response in the northeast, said the reconstruction of Bama town, the second biggest in the state, was "logical". "People are very eager to go back if the conditions are right and if the conditions are safe, if the conditions are dignified, and of course it has to be voluntary," he told Reuters. Sentiment amongst the displaced is mixed. Abubakar Goni, who lived outside Bama before fleeing to the Borno state capital Maiduguri, said he wants to return home, but if the town is safer he will agree to go there. "I will support it as long as I will have a place to farm. I am also happy to hear the government will give us protection on the farm because I learnt Boko Haram men are still around." Others, like Tijja Modu Alhaji, are wary of potential disputes between residents of the towns where people will be sent and the returnees. "I don't want to stay in Bama because I will still be a stranger there, just as I am in Maiduguri now," he said. "I want to go home, not to somebody else's land." The governor's plan is still in its early stages. It involves bringing back thousands of people who fled the town of Bama and the surrounding area and sought refuge in camps in Maiduguri and elsewhere. They will eventually be housed in towns such as Bama, which was largely abandoned by its inhabitants when Boko Haram took it three years ago, but has since been recaptured by the military. Many of Bama's buildings are still shells, windows smashed, doors ripped out and roofs gone. Telephone and electricity wires remain torn down, more than two years after the military evicted Boko Haram. It is not clear how the returnees will be housed. There are already 15,000 people in a crowded camp for displaced local residents set up by the military after it retook the town. The United Nations had planned to move them gradually to new shelters accommodating 30,000 people that have been erected in the town, but the military said it could not oversee two camps there at the same time, UN and military officials told Reuters. NEW HOMES The government has announced plans to build 3,000 homes in the Bama area. But there are concerns about how people sent to the town will manage, since many did not originally live there. "It's one thing to move people to Bama," said Lundberg. "Unless the engine of the economy can restart, the risk is that people are moving back to places where they will become very dependent (on aid)." Aid workers said the demarcation between garrison towns and a lawless countryside means people have a choice: live in virtual quarantine, or return to their homes in the countryside, where Boko Haram roam, and be treated by security forces as potential insurgency sympathizers. "You're imprisoned, but you're safe," said one senior relief worker, speaking on condition of anonymity. "If you prefer your own life you can do it on the outside." Boko Haram's recent attacks, including a suicide bombing that killed at least 50 in a mosque in Adamawa state last week, are the "last kicks of a dying horse," Nigeria's Information Minister Lai Mohammed said last Sunday. But military and diplomatic officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said overstretched troops are unable to push Boko Haram out of non-urban areas. Much of Borno is not under the authorities' control and attacks are rife. On Saturday, suicide bombers killed at least 13 people in the town of Biu and injured 53 others. "Borno is not getting better at all. It may have even gotten worse," a diplomat said of the security situation outside urban areas. "There is no recovery and stabilization." (Additional reporting by Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; editing by Giles Elgood)
A fiery statement from North Koreas Foreign Ministry says President Donald Trump is begging for nuclear war.

The comments are the latest in a months-long battle of words between Trump and the North Korean government, and come just days before a joint military drill involving the U.S. and South Korea is scheduled to take place on Monday. In the statement, according to CNN, the Foreign Ministry said Trump is making an extremely dangerous nuclear gamble on the Korean peninsula, and called the president a nuclear demon and disruptor of foreign peace.

Just last week, North Korea tested its most powerful missile to date, one that could reportedly reach Washington, D.C., and the Eastern Seaboard. After the test, Trump called for harsh sanctions against the Asian nation, in an effort to stamp out its nuclear efforts. He also last month placed North Korea on the state sponsors of terror list for the first time since 2008.

North Korea has been equally adversarial, last month calling Trump an old lunatic, mean trickster and human reject, CNN reports. The countrys foreign minister also said in October that Trump lit the wick of war with his aggressive comments about North Koreas nuclear program, and that the controversy could only be settled with a hail of fire, not words.
REUTERS

Barack Obama has said he would not have voted for himself if he watched Fox News, while warning Indian conference attendees about the need to escape their information "bubbles".

"Those who watch Fox News and those who read the New York Times occupy completely different realities," the former US President told the assembled crowd at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

"If I watch(ed) Fox News, I wouldnt vote for me."

He elaborated by saying the network portrays him as an "unrecognisable character."

"I would watch it [and say] 'Who is that guy? This character named Barack Obama and he's just portrayed in these weird ways'," he said.

Current President Donald Trump regularly tweets about segments from Fox's morning show Fox and Friends, while criticising outlets such as CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, his predecessor, Mr Obama, warns that a lack of access to balanced and varied information is a direct threat against democracy.

"More and more we're fitting facts to suit our opinions rather than formulating our opinions based on facts, and this poses a great danger because democracies cannot function if we cannot agree on a basic baseline of what is true and what is false," Mr Obama said.

"We're more connected than every before but it's also easier now to retreat into our own bubbles."

He added that it was also clear the "values of pluralism, of tolerance, the values of openness and the rule of law" were under threat.

"We have to promote these values every day because there's a competing narrative, these values are often under attack," he said.

"We should feel confident about the progress we've made - in my lifetime and yours - but we shouldn't feel complacent."

In a clear reference to the current US president, Mr Obama also advised attendees at the Indian leadership conference not to tweet "the first thing that pops in your head. Have a little bit of an edit function.

The former president was also met with laughter when he said there was currently "a little bit of a pause in American leadership."
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A driver plowed a car into half a dozen people during a fight over a parking spot outside a hookah bar in the New York City borough of Queens in the early hours of Sunday morning, killing one and injuring the others before fleeing, police said.

During the dispute, the driver got out of a white Hyundai Sonata and stabbed two people in the torso, the New York Police Department said in a statement. The pair were recovering and in stable condition.

The driver then got back in the car and drove onto the sidewalk about half a block away, striking six victims. One of the wounded remained in critical condition, the police said.

Police said they later arrested the person they believe to be the driver, who fled the scene, and recovered the car in another part of Queens. The driver has not been publicly identified.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Mark Potter and Lisa Shumaker)
If I told you that in the last year of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s life, his approval ratings were in the range of President Donald Trumps anemic disapproval numbers, would you believe me?

I know its hard to fathom, but its true.

A Harris Poll taken during Kings final year revealed that nearly three-quarters of the American people thought he was persona non grata, and almost 60% of his own people, black Americans, thought he was irrelevant.

Who knew that King had Trump-like disapproval numbers? But the backstory of the backlash is worth examining.

A year after his stunning victory over Hillary Clinton, Trumps approval numbers have hit historic lows  the worst of any president at this point in a presidency since modern polling began. Most Americans do not think Trump is honest, trustworthy or has the temperament to serve effectively as president, and most think he has accomplished little or nothing since taking office.

In the last year of Kings life, he had fallen off from the ranks of the most-admired Americans. He was disinvited to the White House, forsaken by friends who had fortified him, abandoned by supporters who had sustained his work and witness, and dismissed by a media that had championed his cause.

Trump never had much support inside black America to begin with. But his penchant for throwing red meat to his red-state base has resulted in what can only be described as racially charged  if not racially motivated  Twitter tirades against African-American fellow citizens every chance he gets.

King had a deep and abiding love for his own people, but many turned against him in the last year of his life. The scorn of being unwelcome to preach in black churches was particularly painful. King was being ridiculed by black elites like Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, Adam Clayton Powell, Ralph Bunche and even Thurgood Marshall. And for everyday black folk, and for the youth in particular, Kings message of nonviolence was falling on deaf ears. They wanted Black Power.

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But low approval numbers are all that the President has in common with King. Trump is no King. (Take that any way you like.)

Sometimes the truth is so subversive and unsettling that people cant handle it in real time. The terrain of history is dotted with prophetic truthtellers who we came to appreciate much too late. Kings vehement opposition to the war in Vietnam cost him dearly. We now know that King wasnt so much alone as he was early. And he was right. Indeed, the last year of Kings life is a cautionary tale about what happens to a society that ignores its truthtellers  on racism, poverty, militarism, patriarchy, environmental degradation, white supremacy.

But history is also littered with false prophets preaching false doctrines. They convince just enough people that only they can deliver us to the promised land and make us great again. But once in power, they become democracy disrupters, hell-bent on dismantling and destroying  not to mention brazenly violating  the rule of law as they seek to shrink civil liberties.

Lets just be honest: America is lost. And the only thing worse than being lost is being lost and headed in the wrong direction, with a driver who thinks he knows it all and wont listen to advice or instruction from anyone else in the vehicle.

Almost two decades after his death, America had a reckoning with the life and legacy of King. Only then came the postage stamp, the holiday, the schools, streets and libraries, the monument. It took us a while, but we eventually came to see him for what he was and still is:

Americas GPS.

As we fast approach the 50th anniversary of his death, I still believe that our destiny as a nation is inextricably linked to how seriously we take Kings legacy.

With time, Trump might also be able to rescue and reverse his dismal approval numbers. Of course, that would also require a course correction. Without it, the thing Trump loves most  his name emblazoned on buildings  is a public honor hell likely never have. Before honor comes humility.

History honors those who love and serve others. Not themselves.

Smiley is the creator of the national stage production Death of A King: A Live Theatrical Experience, premiering Jan. 15, 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 08:11:29|Editor: ZD

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By Christopher Guly

OTTAWA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to begin his official visit to China, a business association here believes Trudeau's visit will include trade negotiations with China as Canada's trade pact with the U.S. and Mexico is in increasing uncertainty.

"I think it's important that he's going to Beijing because of what we've heard in Washington," said former Canadian cabinet minister Perrin Beatty, who now serves as president and chief executive officer of the 92-year-old Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

On Thursday - three days before Trudeau's trip to China on Sunday - the U.S. website POLITICO published comments from Canada's ambassador in Washington DC David MacNaughton in which he described the Trump administration's approach to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as "take, take, take" and warned that as a result THEN talks might not "end well."

"If we are wise, we should be looking to diversify our trade," said Beatty, a frequent visitor to China, who was in the country last year during Trudeau's first trip when the Canadian prime minister attended the G20 meeting in Hangzhou.

In September, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a "business checklist" for trade negotiations with China, and urged the Canadian government "to intensify its economic relationship" with China, which it noted is the world's second-largest economy and has a larger middle class than the U.S.

The report said that Canada should match its "strengths to China's interests" in such areas as energy and climate change, foreign direct investment, services and agri-food."

Although China is Canada's second-largest trading partner behind the U.S., "Canada is not among China's largest customers," according to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which highlighted that 12 percent of Canadian imports originate from China, while only four percent of Canadian exports are sent to China.

But Beatty cautioned that it could take years before Canada signs a trade agreement with China, and that time will be necessary to address "difficult issues," including national security, intellectual property (IP) protection in China and investments in Canada from Chinese state-owned enterprises.

With 64 percent of Canada's global merchandise trade directed to the U.S., broadening significant Canadian trade relationships, including one with China, should be a key Canadian priority, said Beatty in an interview with Xinhua.

"The American market is enormously seductive for us. We speak the same language, have the same system of laws, know each other by having done business together for a long time, and can fly to an American city in the morning and be home for dinner back in Canada," he explained.

"As a consequence, we're missing out on opportunities to get into high-growth economies like China's."

Beatty recommends that Canada pursue a "much greater and longer-lasting" economic partnership with China than "a simple doubling of merchandise trade," which is worth about 90 billion Canadian dollars (70.9 billion U.S. dollars) annually.

"There is a Chinese saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," Beatty said. "We're taking the first step to diversify with Prime Minister Trudeau's visit to China."
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday urged the Pentagon to start moving U.S. military dependents, such as spouses and children, out of South Korea, saying conflict with North Korea is getting close. "It's crazy to send spouses and children to South Korea given the provocation of North Korea," Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "So I want them (the Pentagon) to stop sending dependents and I think it's now time to start moving American dependents out of South Korea," Graham said. The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. On Wednesday, North Korea tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can fly over 13,000 km (8,080 miles), placing Washington within target range, South Korea said on Friday. Graham said this development showed conflict is approaching. "We're getting close to military conflict because North Korea is marching toward marrying up the technology of an ICBM with a nuclear weapon on top that can not only get to America, but deliver the weapon. We're running out of time," Graham told CBS. The Pentagon referred questions to the Pacific command, which was not immediately available for comment. White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster told "Fox News Sunday" that President Donald Trump is prepared to take action against North Korea but is working to convince China, Russia and other nations to use more economic pressure to help curb its nuclear ambitions. "The president's going to take care of it by, if we have to, doing more ourselves. But what we want to do is convince others, it is in their interest to do more," McMaster said. The Trump administration has repeatedly said all options are on the table in dealing with North Koreas ballistic and nuclear weapons programs, including military ones, but that it still prefers a diplomatic option. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Pope Francis met and prayed alongside 16 Muslim refugees in Bangladesh on Friday, using the word Rohingya for the first time during a papal trip to Asia filled with diplomatic tensions.

Lets not close our hearts, lets not look to the other side, the pope said during an interfaith prayer for peace in Dhaka, according to Crux, a Catholic news website. The presence of God today is also called Rohingya.

Francis comments came at the end of an interfaith gathering at the archbishops house in Dhaka, which was attended by leaders from Bangladeshs Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist communities.

Pope Francis prays with Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 1. (Photo: Max Rossi / Reuters)

Through translators, he also spoke to a group of Rohingya refugees from three families, Crux reported, including 12 men, two women in niqabs, and two girls.

In the name of everyone, of those who persecute you, of those whove done you wrong, above all, the worlds indifference, I ask you for forgiveness, Francis told the refugees. I now appeal to your big heart, that youre able to grant us the forgiveness we seek.

The Rohingya are an ethnic and religious minority who have been persecuted in Myanmar for decades. The violence escalated late August, when the military responded to an attack by Rohingya militants with a heavy crackdown. The conflict has prompted more than 625,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh.

A group of Rohingya refugees arrive at the archbishop's residence during a visit by Pope Francis in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 1. (Photo: Max Rossi / Reuters)

The United Nations top human rights official has called the situation a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Pope Francis speeches during his trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh have been watched closely, to see if he would use the word Rohingya to describe these refugees. Myanmars Buddhist-majority population tends to use the word Bengalis to describe the minority Muslim group, viewing them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar, which means they are essentially stateless.

Myanmars military leader Min Aung Hlaing reportedly told the pope during a private meeting earlier this week that Myanmar has no religious discrimination at all.

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Tears run down the face of a woman as she and others pray during their meeting with Pope Francis in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 1. (Photo: Damir Sagolj / Reuters)

Although he has used the word Rohingya in the past, Francis decided to listen to the advice of Myanmars cardinal and refrain from using it during his time in Myanmar this week. He instead opted for a generic call for unity, sparking some criticism from international human rights groups.

On Friday, the last full day of the pontiffs trip, Francis spoke to the Rohingya refugees one by one and listened to their stories with the help of translators. Aid workers had brought the Rohingya to the popes interfaith meeting from refugee camps in Coxs Bazar, on the border with Myanmar, Reuters reported.

One of the women refugees told Reuters before the meeting that she was captured and tortured by Myanmars military, and is still recovering from the trauma.

I will share my pain with him, the woman said.

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Simply changing how people are offered the opportunity to register to vote could result in 22 million people being added to voter rolls across the United States, according to a new analysis.

Since 1993, federal law has required motor vehicle departments and some other state agencies to offer people the opportunity to register to vote when they interact with them. Last year, Oregon became the first state in the country to automatically register people when they interact with the department of motor vehicles. The states elections division then sends a postcard giving residents the choice of opting out. The system added 375,000 voters to the states rolls in the first year and a half, including, by one estimate, at least 116,000 people who would not have registered on their own.

Nine other states and the District of Columbia have joined Oregon in passing laws to implement similar processes, often referred to as automatic voter registration, or AVR, though each state has slight variations. A new report by the left-leaning Center for American Progress (CAP) estimated that 22 million people would be added to the rolls in the first year if every state in the country implemented Oregons system. That includes 9.5 million who would have been unlikely to become registered without the process.

The numbers provide more evidence of how powerful automatic voter registration could be. Since Oregon enacted the system, advocates see it as potentially transformative in bringing millions of Americans into the political process. Interest in the reform has risen amid President Donald Trumps accusations of voter fraud and pushes by conservative legal groups to force election officials to purge voter rolls.

Democracy works best when all voices are heard. AVR is a commonsense way to modernize the voter registration process, keep voter rolls up-to-date and secure, and remove obstacles to voter participation, Liz Kennedy, CAPs director of democracy and government reform and a co-author of the report, said in a statement. The current system in most states, which puts the burden on individuals to get and stay registered, places an unnecessary barrier to voter participation. AVR is poised to bring millions of citizens into Americas political process.

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The report projects nearly 3 million voters could be added to the rolls in California, which is poised to implement automatic voter registration next year. It could also add nearly 1.6 million voters in Florida, a key state in the presidential election, and over 1.9 million voters in Texas, the report projected.

While Oregons system could add millions to the rolls, the state is seen as having one of the most robust and aggressive automatic systems. In Illinois, for example, people who are automatically registered at a motor vehicle agency must affirm they are citizens and they have the choice to opt out on the spot. In Oregon, people interacting with the DMV are simply signed up to register to vote (they have to prove their citizenship to get a drivers license) and then given the opportunity to opt-out later.

Theres no evidence yet that automatic voter registration benefits one political party, and there has been some bipartisan support for it. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed a bill in August after vetoing a similar measure a year ago. The measure Rauner signed passed both chambers of the legislature unanimously. In West Virginia, Republicans also passed an automatic voter registration law, though it was wedded to a voter ID measure. Georgia, where there is a Republican governor and secretary of state, also quietly changed its voter registration process administratively to become opt-out in 2016. As of now, 32 states are considering automatic voter registration bills, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

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Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Sunday for changes to controversial legislation his opponents say was designed to help him survive ongoing police probes after tens of thousands protested at the weekend.

The long-serving premier is facing two separate graft probes that have led to speculation over whether he will eventually be forced to step down.

Parliament has been examining legislation that would limit the police's ability to make recommendations to the attorney general on whether or not to charge suspects.

On his Facebook page on Sunday, Netanyahu called for changes to the proposed law to make clear that it "will not involve current investigations against me".

He said he was making the call because he did not want the law "to be used for propaganda purposes".

Netanyahu also seemed to criticise the police, saying it appeared a recommendation whether or not to charge him had been decided in advance regardless of the evidence.

The 68-year-old, who has been questioned by police six times in connection with the investigations, has maintained his innocence.

His statement came after tens of thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against alleged corruption in Netanyahu's government.

Last week, Israel's parliament approved a first reading of the bill, which would alter current practice under which at the end of an enquiry police tell the attorney general if they feel that they have enough evidence for a prosecution.

The bill would require the attorney general to ask the police for its input, but the police's opinion could not be made public.

A one-year prison term was envisioned for investigators who leak their conclusions.

Parliament was due to vote the legislation into law as early as Monday, but it is now expected to be delayed.

While calling for his cases to be excluded, Netanyahu maintained that such legislation was important to protect suspects from being smeared with premature leaks.

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Police are investigating Netanyahu over suspicions he received expensive gifts from wealthy supporters as well as over allegations he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with a newspaper publisher.

Netanyahu allies have also been questioned by police as part of a separate probe into the purchase of German submarines.

Netanyahu has not been named as a suspect in the submarine investigation.

Separately on Sunday, police questioned for several hours David Bitan, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's Likud party and the leader of the coalition in parliament.

The investigation concerns suspicions of corruption and links between members of the Rishon LeZion municipality near Tel Aviv, including Bitan, and organised crime, police sources said.

Bitan, who is very close to Netanyahu, has for weeks been among the biggest supporters of the bill on police powers, along with the bill's sponsor, David Amsalem who is also in Likud.

Ten members of the Rishon LeZion municipality were arrested and seven more summoned for questioning on Sunday, including Bitan, while police conducted a series of raids, the sources said.
DOHA (Reuters) - Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is expected to attend the annual summit of Gulf Arab heads of state in Kuwait on Dec. 5 and 6, Qatar's foreign minister said on Sunday, despite a deep dispute within the group. "The ministerial meeting will be attended tomorrow, and (for) the summit, god willing, the Emir," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said in a speech. The rift between the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council members Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on one side, and Qatar on the other had put this year's annual meeting in doubt. There was no immediate comment from other Gulf nations on the Qatari announcement. The dispute, which erupted in June, revolves around allegations by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt that Qatar supports terrorism, a charge Doha denies. The four countries have severed diplomatic, trade and travel links with Doha, in a move Qatar says is inflicting collective punishment on its people but its opponents call a legitimate response to its policies. Qatar says the four countries are trying to force Doha to fall in line with their own foreign policy. (Reporting by Hadeel al-Sayegh; Writing by Noah Browning; Editing by Andrew Roche)
A Vermont woman living in a retirement community has been arrested for allegedly making a deadly poison and testing it out on her fellow residents.

Betty Miller, 70, allegedly harvested castor beans and processed them into powdered ricin at Wake Robin, a senior living facility in Shelburne, Seven Days Vermont reports. Shes facing a charge of possession of an unregistered select agent.

An FBI affidavit filed in court Thursday said that Miller was making the powder to ultimately injure herself, but she wanted to test the effectiveness on other people.

Law enforcement got involved Tuesday after Miller went to the University of Vermont Medical Center and asked to be evaluated, according to New England Cable News. She allegedly told staff there she had made ricin and had been putting it into the food and drinks of other residents over the past few weeks.

Investigators subsequently say they found the powder in Millers kitchen. An FBI release says her home also contained a number of other plants known to produce toxins.

The Vermont Department of Health told the Burlington Free Press on Friday that it knew of one person from the facility who likely became sick from ricin poisoning.

During her hearing on Friday, a U.S. magistrate judge acknowledged that Miller had a history of mental health issues. Fellow residents of Wake Robin who spoke with the news station said they were surprised at the allegations, describing her as a sweet woman devoted to her dog.

Wake Robin President Patrick McKee said in a statement released Friday that Miller will not be returning to the retirement community.

Ricin, a poison that featured prominently on the AMC series Breaking Bad, occurs naturally in castor beans. Miller reportedly learned how to process castor beans into powdered ricin from the internet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of ricin poisoning vary widely depending on the dose and how a person was exposed, but may include heavy sweating, breathing trouble, vomiting or diarrhea. A high enough dose could cause death within 36 to 72 hours.

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Campylobacter Enteritis

A common bacterial infection producing severe gastrointestinal upset that can hang around as long as two weeks. It's rarely fatal in healthy people. The culprits: Improperly slaughtered or processed meat not thoroughly cooked, contaminated vegetables, milk or water. Pets can also shed the bacteria through their "business." What it feels like: You'd pay closer attention to the flulike symptoms (fever, aches and pains) if you weren't running to the bathroom every 15 minutes of your life. Maybe you shouldn't have: Plucked that mass-processed pack of pork chops out of the "manager's special" bin. Also, if you really need to be told, leave seagulls alone. They're neither friendly nor tasty and are known to harbor higher concentrations of the bacteria. Common sense and decent kitchen cleanliness should protect you from needless downfall. Related: Are These 5 Foods Trying To Kill You? Photo via Flickr user StuartWebster

Cholera

Contrary to what literature might have you believe, there will be no love in the time of cholera, only misery, woe and lots of diarrhea. The culprits: Contaminated water and eating raw or undercooked seafood that was hanging out in that water. What it feels like: Being slowly dried in a dehydrator that looks surprisingly like your bathroom while your abdomen is squeezed by a giant godlike fist. You might just want to set up shop in there for a spell, the toxin in the cholera bacteria causes any water in your body to "release." Replenish as you might, it likely won't stay in there very long. Keep at it diligently, though, and you'll be fine in about a week. Maybe you shouldn't have: Splashed around in a stagnant portion of the Meekong Delta for so long, or eaten those Mexican oysters with quite as much gusto. Photo via Flickr user philosophygeek

E. Coli Enteritis

The black sheep of the food poisoning world, E. coli's the one with a strain that'll actually kill you regardless of treatment attempts. How subversive. The culprits: Escherichia coli, or E. for short, has one incredibly powerful strain: O157:H7, although other related strains can cause infection as well. This bacterium is found in mass-processed ground beef and on vegetables that were improperly cleaned or handled by contaminated fingers. What it feels like: You've been stabbed in the colon, which would explain the crippling cramps and other things that might happen if one were actually stabbed in the colon, including blood. Not that there's a "better" food poisoning to get, but this is one you really want to avoid. Maybe you shouldn't have: Eaten that rare burger of questionable origin while chugging raw milk in that crazy crowded public pool, all of which have been known to harbor the bacteria. Related: Update: New E. Coli Culprit In Europe Photo via Flickr user khawkins04

Ciguatera (Fish Poisoning)

An incurable disease caused by eating fish contaminated by coral algae toxins. A real doozy, with an estimated 50,000 cases each year. The culprits: Ciguatera is limited to fish of tropical origin. It's impossible to detect by seafood processors, and can't be killed by cooking or freezing. Live in fear of grouper, or continue on with your life with relatively minimal risk. What it feels like: At first, typical food poisoning symptoms may present, but the bigger problem with ciguatera is its severe and often irreversible neurological effects. These can include trouble sensing hot or cold, tingling "phantom limb" pain in the extremities and other symptoms that may be confused with anything from multiple sclerosis to heart failure. Maybe you shouldn't have: Hit that fried "mystery tropical fish" eating contest at that Margaritaville in that tropical location with your buddies. To minimize your risk of catching this seriously unfun bug, make sure you know what your fish is and if possible, where it came from. Larger fish from shallower waters in a tropical environment are your worst bet. Related: Trouble Brewing For The FDA. And, Sushi. Photo via Flickr user alonso_inostrosa

Listeria

The range of listeria infection, or listeriosis, lands you somewhere between asymptomatic and dead and can occur from eating or drinking basically anything that was grown, raised or milked. The culprits: Raw or improperly pasteurized dairy products, vegetables grown in contaminated soil (yup, it can live in soil), preserved and smoked meats (can be identified by a slippery or slimy film), canned and raw seafood and fresh fruit. What it feels like: A bad flu, although more serious complications like meningitis can occur in people with weakened immune systems, as well as in young children, pregnant women and the elderly. Maybe you shouldn't have: Eaten all those root vegetables straight from the ground without washing them right after milking your cow. I mean a hippie farmer's life is great, unless your land is rife with listeria. Photo via Flickr user bucklava

Staphylococcus

This is the picnic food poisoning everyone warns you about, especially you, dude who brought the mayo-choked potato salad ( try this one instead ). The culprits: The bacteria releases its toxins at the comfy incubator that is room temperature food, which gives staph food poisoning its signature cookout-ruining reputation. The worst part? Reheating contaminated food won't kill it off. Actually the worst part is the symptoms. What it feels like: Explosive, and not in a romantic feelings kind of way. Within an hour of ingesting contaminated food, both ends will be entirely occupied for up to a day. The good news is, once it's out, it's out and you can get right back to the picnic. Oh wait, it's over. Maybe you shouldn't have: Microwaved that leftover potato salad thinking no bug could possibly survive the ordeal. Photo via Flickr user stu_spivack

Salmonella

The bacteria that causes salmonellosis, or salmonella poisoning, has a serious reputation among poultry and their handlers, and BOY does it love hanging out on the stretches of counter you missed with the sanitizer. The culprits: Although eggs, processed chicken parts and other raw meat are particularly good at spreading the bacteria, pet reptiles and rodents are also carriers. Wash everything any dead or live animal comes in contact with and maybe don't allow live animals in the kitchen while you're cooking, period. What it feels like: Your small intestine betraying you entirely. Expect a week or so of your typical diarrhea, abdominal cramps and possibly a fever. Maybe you shouldn't have: Attempted your own Japanese-style chicken breast sashimi or let Shelly the turtle roam around willy-nilly on the cutting board. Especially before slicing said chicken sashimi. Photo via Flickr user Casper Jen

Shigellosis

Similar to salmonella but yet so very different is shigella, which attacks the large intestine rather than the small. The culprit: You're going to love this -- human waste. While plenty of food-borne illness can be spread this way, particularly by catching a ride in food or water, many cases of shigellosis can be directly attributed to contact with... well, you know. It can also be resistant to antibiotics, so definitely practice safe sewage-wading. What it feels like: Salmonella, only with more blood. Maybe you shouldn't have: Taken on that blackout drunken dare to see what's really under that manhole by the creek, then gone straight to In-N Out. Just maybe. We live in a developed nation, you almost have to try to get this one. It's Darwinism, people. Photo via Flickr user Nathan Reading

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The campaign for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore has denied that he believes women are unqualified for public office after it emerged that he co-authored a course on governance that included a lecturer who referred to women as the weaker vessel and said they were unfit to serve as politicians.

Law and Government: An Introductory Study Course, which was published in 2011, is available on Amazon, where Moore is listed as a co-author, along with Dough Phillips, Joseph Morecraft and Paul Jehle.

Judge Moore believes that men and women are created equal by God and has never suggested or believed that women are unqualified for public office, his campaign said in a statement on Friday. Judge Moore has supported constitutional conservatives  both men and women  for decades and will continue to do so.

Think Progress, a left-leaning news site, first reported on Moores involvement in the course, which includes a lecture by William Einwechter, an elder at Immanuel Free Reformed Church, about the role of women in public office.

In recordings and excerpts from the lesson published by Think Progress, Einwechter denounces the heresy of feminism and describes women as the weaker vessel, based on Bible scripture.

Civil magistrates are leaders, civil magistrates are protectors, Einwechter says in one recording, describing the role as suitable for men and not women. Nothing is said in scripture that supports the view that she is qualified or called to be a civil magistrate.

Sometimes we may have a hard time discerning the faith, the character and the views of a particular candidate. But we can usually discern if the candidate is a man or a woman. And so there is no excuse on that one, Einwechter adds.

Weve argued that scripture teaches us that it is not Gods revealed will for a woman to serve as a civil magistrate and thus to rule over men in the civil sphere. Its an objective study. Im not trying to attack any particular woman  just, what does the Bible say?

Moores involvement in the course adds to a wave of criticism of his treatment of women. In recent weeks, multiple women have accused Moore of sexual misconduct, including allegations that he pursued relationships with them when they were minors and he was a district attorney in his 30s.

Moore has denied all allegations against him.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 10:22:04|Editor: ZD

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CARACAS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government and opposition wrapped up a round of dialogue Saturday without reaching a final agreement,but were willing to meet again for more talks, President of the Dominican Republic Danilo Medina said.

Medina, whose country is hosting the two sides, said that the two days of dialogue ended with no conclusion, other than a decision to meet on Dec. 15.

"On Dec. 15, we will hold a new meeting for talks, here in Santo Domingo, in order to reach a final agreement," Medina told reporters.

He said the two delegations made "significant" progress, as they have reaffirmed their willingness to move toward an agreement.

The two sides have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Maduro defeated the opposition party, the Democratic Unity Roundtable's presidential candidate by a scant margin in 2013.

The political deadlock has unleashed economic warfare and violent anti-government demonstrations that have claimed scores of lives.
ADEN (Reuters) - A Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, local media said, lending support to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh after he signaled he was abandoning his support of the Iran-aligned Houthis - a shift that could pave the way to end three years of war. In a speech on Saturday, Saleh appeared to indicate the end of his loyalists' alliance with Houthi fighters. He said he was ready to turn a "new page" in ties with the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, if it stopped attacks on Yemeni citizens and lifted a siege. Residents on Sunday, however, said a coalition air strike overnight killed 12 Yemeni civilians in one family in the northern province of Saada, the home territory of the Houthis. The attack could not be verified. Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television said on Sunday coalition aircraft pounded Houthi outposts in southern Sanaa overnight, but gave no details on casualties. Separately, the Houthis, who together with Saleh's loyalists, control most of northern Yemen, said they had fired a cruise missile toward a nuclear power plant under construction in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a report quickly denied by the UAE. Saleh's announcement on Saturday was welcomed by the Saudi-led coalition, which has been backed by the United States and other Western powers. The coalition, which includes the United Arab Emirates, is trying to help Yemen's internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi back to power, but it has struggled to advance against Houthi-Saleh forces. A split between Saleh's armed allies and the Houthis could tip the balance of power. Army units loyal to Saleh have been clashing with Houthi fighters in the past five days, adding a new layer to an already complex situation in Yemen. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash appeared to back Saleh's side in remarks on his official Twitter page. "The events in Sanaa are murky, but its national uprising needs support ... to protect the Arabian Peninsula from Iranian expansion," he said. Residents in Sanaa reported on Sunday that the Houthis appeared to be clawing back some territory lost to Saleh over the previous four days, and Houthi tanks were deployed amid heavy gun battles in the city's central Political District. The area is a stronghold of Saleh's loyalists under the command of his nephew Tareq, an influential army general. The fighting has cut off the airport road, prompting the United Nations to try to evacuate at least 140 aid workers from Sanaa, according to U.N. and other aid officials. The U.N. was awaiting approval from the Saudi-led coalition, they said. Residents earlier said Houthi fighters seized the television studios of Yemen Today, a news channel owned by Saleh, after clashes that damaged the building. Residents said 20 employees were trapped inside. The Red Cross said dozens of people have been killed in clashes over the past five days and called for civilian lives to be spared. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi called for calm and restraint. "All internal disputes should be resolved through dialogue to block the grounds for any abuse by the enemies of the Yemeni nation," he said, according to a statement on the ministry's website. Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, and the proxy war between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed Hadi has created widespread hunger and disease, in one of the worst humanitarian crises of recent times. More than 10,000 people have died since 2015, more than two million have been displaced and nearly a million have been infected by a cholera outbreak. Famine threatens much of the country. Yemen descended into violence in late 2014 when the Houthis, a group that follows the Zaidi branch of Shi'ite Islam, marched on Sanaa and seized control of the government. Backed by government troops loyal to Saleh, the Houthis fanned out across the country, forcing Hadi to flee to Riyadh. His ouster led the alliance headed by the Saudis to join the fighting. HOUTHIS CLAIM MISSILE FIRED TOWARD UAE The Houthis said the missile fired on Sunday was directed toward the al-Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, but provided no evidence of any attack. There were no reports of any missiles reaching Abu Dhabi. The country's crisis management authority said the al-Barakah was well protected and urged the public not to listen to rumors. "The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority denies claims by the coup trumpets in Yemen that they fired a missile toward the airspace of the United Arab Emirates," the department said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM. It said the nuclear power project was "fortified and sturdy against all possibilities. And enjoys all measures of nuclear safety and security that such grand projects require". The Houthis had said Abu Dhabi, a member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting against them since 2015, was a target for their missiles. The Barakah project, which is being built by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) <015760.KS>, is expected to be completed and become operational in 2018, the UAE energy minister has said. It is the second time this year the Houthis have said they have fired missiles toward the UAE. A few months ago, they said they had "successfully" test-fired a missile toward Abu Dhabi, but there were no reports of any rockets being intercepted by or falling in the UAE. (Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Susan Fenton, Larry King)
Robert. C. 'Bud' McFarlane, Michael Flynn and KT McFarland walk in the lobby at Trump Tower in New York on Dec. 5, 2016. (Photo: KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images)

A senior official on President Donald Trumps transition team suggested that Russia had thrown the U.S. presidential election in Trumps favor in a December 2016 email thread leaked to the New York Times and published Saturday.

The emails contradict White House lawyer Ty Cobbs claims that Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, acted independently when he reached out to Russian officials during Trumps transition to presidency.

Hours after the Obama administration imposed sanctions against Russia for its meddling in the 2016 presidential election, Trumps former Deputy National Security Adviser KT McFarland suggested that the transition team would need to strengthen its relationship with Russia, according to email exchanges obtained by or described by unnamed sources to the Times.

The sanctions, McFarland noted in the email, appeared to be the outgoing administrations attempt to discredit Trumps victory in the election and would make it more difficult for the incoming president to improve the U.S.s relationship with Russia.

If there is a tit-for-tat escalation Trump will have difficulty improving relations with Russia, which has just thrown the U.S.A. election to him, McFarland wrote, according to the Times.

As Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt noted in the story and later on Twitter, its not clear if McFarland believed that Russia threw the election in Trumps favor, but a White House lawyer told the paper on Friday that she was only saying Democrats were trying to make it appear that way.

.@McFaul See attached. As we said in the story, its no clear that she is saying she believed that election had been thrown. And WH lawyer in story said she was referring to how Dems portrayed it. pic.twitter.com/cjXNpCKIJO  Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) December 2, 2017

The leaked emails show how Trumps transition team worked to ease relations with Russia after former President Barack Obama attempted to punish the country for reportedly interfering in the U.S. election.

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These efforts would include Flynn reaching out to Russian ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak to discuss the sanctions hours after they were placed, McFarland wrote in an email, according to the Times. Flynn later resigned from his post in February following revelations that he lied about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.

On Friday, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government, including his conversation with Kislyak about the sanctions. After news of Flynns guilty plea spread, Trump tweeted that he had to fire Flynn because he knew Flynn lied to Vice President Michael Pence and the FBI.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

On the same day Flynn pleaded guilty, the Associated Press identified McFarland as the unnamed senior official in court papers who is said to have talked to Flynn about what he would say to Russian officials during a discussion on the Obama administrations sanctions.

Trump has called for friendlier relations with Russia and continuously denies claims that his election campaign colluded with Russia during last years presidential election.

Cobbs responded to Flynns guilty plea by saying it implicates no one other than Flynn himself.

The false statements involved mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation in February of this year. Nothing about the guilty pleas or the change implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn, he said in an official statement.

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US President Donald Trump waits ahead a working session on the first day of the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany, on July 7, 2017

Tourists walk past a graffiti by street artist Lushsux, depicting US President Donald Trump kissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drawn on the controversial Israeli separation barrier separating the West Bank town of Bethlehem from Jerusalem, on October 29, 2017.

A man takes a picture of a mural by English street artist Bambi depicting British Prime Minister Theresa May dancing with US President Donald Trump in London on February 22, 2017.

A man takes pictures of a graffiti of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Barcelona on June 7, 2016.

A mural of U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin 'shotgunning' a marijuana joint is seen on March 17, 2017 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

A visitor looks at a painting representing US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin made by Nepalese artist Sunil Sidgel at the India Art Fair in New Delhi on January 2, 2017.

A collage shows Pope Francis kissing US President Donald Trump with a caption by Italian artist TvBoy reading in English and Italian 'The Good forgives the Evil' in tiny letters along Francis belt, on May 11, 2017 near Castel Sant'Angelo in central Rome.

Mural depicting US President Donald Trump is seen on a wall as part of Mural Festival in the village of Staro Zhelezare, Bulgaria, Wednesday 26 July 2017.

View of a graffiti painted against US President Donald Trump in Mexico City on June 27, 2017.

This photo taken on December 24, 2016 shows a giant chicken sculpture outside a shopping mall in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi province. A Chinese shopping mall is ringing in the year of the cock with a giant sculpture of a chicken that looks like US president-elect Donald Trump.

Picture of a graffiti against US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump painted by an unknown artist on the embankment of the Bravo River on the border with the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua State, Mexico, on June 28, 2016.

Detail of the mural paint made by Mexican artist Luis Sotelo called 'We are migrants not criminals' (Somos migrantes no delincuentes) in Tonatico, Mexico, on 25 June 2016. The mural is part of the cultural movement 'Stop Trump'.

A man cycles past graffiti condemning US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, on a street in Surabaya, Indonesia's east Java on October 17, 2016.

A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016.

A mural lampooning US President Donald Trump in Dublin's Temple Bar by artist ADW.

A mural of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is painted on April 14, 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. The text reads 'Kosovo is Serbia'.

A woman runs along a towpath near graffiti depicting U.S. President Donald Trump on a canal bridge in east London, Britain, February 18, 2017.

A Donald Trump mural covers a building in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on October 27, 2016.

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(BAKERSFIELD, Calif.)  A gunman fired through an emergency room window at a hospital Friday in Bakersfield, California, then walked inside, but no one was injured until police shot and wounded him soon after, authorities said.

A security guard made contact with the man inside Bakersfield Heart Hospital, but there was no exchange of gunfire, police said.

He then walked outside, where police, who had just arrived, shot him, Assistant Chief Greg Terry of the Bakersfield Police Department said.

The gunman, whose name has not been released, was treated at the hospital before being transferred to another one, police said.

There was no word on his condition or his motive, nor have police said what kind of gun he had or how many shots he fired.

The hospital was put on lockdown while officers looked for injured people or other threats connected to the gunman, but none were found, authorities said.

The hospital has 47 beds and specializes in cardiac care, according to its website.

Bakersfield, a city of 365,000 people. Is located about 100 miles (160.93 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
The Amur tiger was on the verge of extinction in the 1930s - AFP

The forests of Russias Far East evoke a strange feeling, one that most Europeans have not been forced to consider for centuries. It is the sensation of being watched; of unseen menace lurking between the trees. Ultimately, it is the realisation that you are among predators, and being contemplated as either a rival or prey.

A loud roar echoes around as we tread through a valley of volcanic rock formed between a dense canopy of Mongolian oak and Korean pine. My guide, Pavel Fomenko, hands me a flare with the instruction to use it should a bear approach.We creep forward, crunching over fallen leaves while our other guide, the hunting inspector for Primorsky Krai province, Alexander Korneev, peels off into the undergrowth.

Ravens shriek about the treetops. If the birds are up, Fomenko warns, it means something has disturbed them. We arrive at a clearing scattered with clumps of fur. A few metres away lie the remains of a black bear, buzzing with flies. This is what we have been searching for: the recently dispatched supper of an Amur tiger.

They call this boreal wilderness the taiga in Russian, forests sprawling hundreds of miles from the North Korean border up towards the Arctic. They are home to a vast collection of flora and fauna and, above all, predators. An estimated 95 per cent of the worlds population of Amur (or Siberian) tigers live here.

Up to 10ft long, larger, heavier and stronger than their Asian cousins, they are the undisputed rulers of the forest; their orange, black and white pelts enable them to move like ghosts between the trees.

Alexander Korneev, hunting inspector for Primorsky Krai province Credit: Olya Ivanova

We have been tracking this particular tiger, Vladik, since my arrival in the Russian port city of Vladivostok three days earlier. A young male around four years old and weighing more than 22st, he first drew attention to himself in October 2016 after wandering into Vladivostoks concrete suburbs and provoking a storm of publicity. Eventually he was caught and taken to a tiger rehabilitation centre, before being released this May in the Bikin National Park, wearing a GPS collar.

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Since then, however, Vladik has been steadily heading south, back towards Vladivostok, covering around 450 miles and killing 10 large animals en route, including bear, deer and wild boar. Fomenko, who is WWF Russias head of rare species conservation, fears that if Vladik continues this trajectory he will end up once again too close to a town and have to be recaptured and sent to a zoo.

Vladik is a lovely tiger with all the rights and ability to live in the wild, he says. I worry about him and all of Russias Amur tigers. All of the time. The Amur tiger is that rarity, an endangered species whose population is increasing. In the 1930s, numbers fell as low as 20 animals, threatened to the point of extinction by poaching and logging.

In 1995, there were 330 to 371 adult tigers. In 2015, after a survey of 60,000 square miles of the tigers habitat, the number had risen to 540 in the wild (including some 100 cubs). The success story (albeit one cautiously told) of Amur tigers is at the forefront of the WWFs mission to increase the worlds tiger population in the wild to more than 6,000 by 2022, the next Chinese year of the tiger (up from the 3,900 counted in 2016).That figure would mark a huge step forward in achieving global security for tigers, whose populations were decimated by 97 per cent in the past century.

Much of the progress in Russia is down to men like Fomenko and Korneev, who have spent decades on the front line fighting poachers seeking tiger skins and body parts to supply the voracious Asian market. Like rhinos, tigers are valued for bogus medicinal properties.

The taiga, Russias forests, are home to the Amur tigers Credit: Olya Ivanova

One of many prevailing myths is that if you poke a tiger whisker into a decaying tooth it will stop it aching. The stakes are high. A poacher can pay fines of up to one million roubles (13,000), while those caught killing a tiger also face 15 years in prison. As a result, poachers are willing to fight to the death. Fomenko can recall at least three occasions on which armed poachers have tried to kill him.

A few years ago, Korneev, whose brigade catches around 120 culprits a year, was seriously injured after being run over by a poacher on a snowmobile. When he first started as a hunting inspector 13 years ago, Korneev tells me, even to find a tiger paw print was big news.

Now I see the actual animal three times a year, he grins. The most recent sighting was four days previously when he spotted a tiger stalking a family of wild boar over a ridge. It paused, contemplating him with unblinking amber eyes before bristling and slowly beginning to advance. To ward it off Korneev fired his hunting rifle into the air. As the report cracked through the stillness, the tiger melted into the forest.

The first time Pavel Fomenko met a tiger, it ate his dog. He tells me the story during lunch one day when we are sitting by a fire in the forest eating cheese and bread, and drinking smoke-infused tea boiled on the open flames. He was barely 20 at the time, out hunting with his dog, Amba, when it suddenly started barking at something rustling in the bushes.

I was inexperienced and didnt realise what was happening, and suddenly this tiger pounced in front of me. Fomenkos weather-beaten face takes on a rueful expression, I loved that dog.

A great bear of a man prone to long philosophical soliloquies in-between explaining his scientific studies of the tiger, the 54-year-old is a hero in the Tolstoyan mould. Not least in his connection to the land.

A watchtower used to keep track of illegal poaching and logging Credit: Olya Ivanova

Fomenko spends weeks at a time in the wilderness away from his wife Yulia and two sons, and regards his time there as spiritually cleansing. He grew up in a coal-mining town in south Siberia where, like his father and grandfather before him, he worked in the pits. He recalls operating a digger and looking up at a distant forest on the horizon: All the time I knew I was doing something wrong.

Fomenko decided, instead, to study ecology at Irkutsk Agrarian University. After graduating, he moved to Primorsky Krai to continue his studies as a biologist and work as a wildlife game manager. Like some 90,000 others in the province he is a proud hunter and would supplement his income by shooting sable (a small mammal similar to a pine marten, prized for its fur). He still hunts today and says, Many people do not understand hunters are the true friends of nature.

Amur tiger

Fomenko revels in such contradictions and insists numerous times while were together that he doesnt even like tigers. For me, the tiger is an umbrella. I can protect everything using money intended only for tigers and can conserve the forest where they live. So thank God we have our tigers. Fomenko joined the WWF in 1994.

The Soviet Union had been dissolved three years earlier and with it state funding for nature protection disappeared almost overnight. Chinese prospectors quickly moved in. Everything was targeted, from timber to frogs and, of course, tigers, Fomenko says. And so people started to kill.

But in recent years the tiger protectors have found themselves a powerful ally: the Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has come to regard the Amur tiger as a potent symbol of national pride. The Russian government has agreed to restrict logging in Amur tiger habitat and a presidential order in 2011 banned logging of Korean pine (although, over the past five years enough illegal wood from other species was logged to fill 400 miles of railways carriages).

Pavel Fomenko, WWF Russias head of rare species conservation Credit: Olya Ivanova

At the same time, it has has also increased penalties for poaching and possession of tiger parts. Putin nowadays rarely wastes a photo opportunity with a tiger, and a few years ago state media reported he had personally immobilised one with a tranquilliser dart as it charged towards a nearby camera crew  although no footage of the deed exists.

Fomenko only raises an eyebrow when I ask him what he thinks. My visit comes a few weeks before the first snowfall of the year in Primorsky Krai. The silver birches, bent almost double under the weight of last years drifts, stand testament to the severity of winter here, when temperatures of -30C are not uncommon.

In late autumn, the mercury hovers around freezing in the day and well below at night. On one such cold afternoon I meet Alexander Primenko who lives in a small clearing in the forest. The 65-year-old has stayed here alone for the past seven years and is part of a network of so-called watchmen, established to stay in the forest throughout winter to keep a lookout for poachers.

Three tigers roam the forest close to his home and that morning wed set camera traps nearby  tying them to trees on known routes. We manage to capture an image of one of the beasts. We also come across a paw print in the mud, the size of two fists and unmistakably belonging to a tiger.

Being a watchman is a dangerous occupation. The left side of Primenkos face carries a livid scar from a bear attack five years ago and his nostril is torn in half, whistling during the several shots of home-brewed liquor he drinks in my presence. It was only a scratch, he says.

He grew up in a village 120 miles from here, which is now all but abandoned. After his wife died of cancer a decade ago, he decided to move into the forest and live self-sufficiently as a watchman helping to save the tiger. He keeps chickens and bees, has a small generator for electricity and a wood-fired stove. In total, he has lost 14 dogs to tigers over the years and points out the empty kennels where a tiger recently broke in and ate three.

A camera trap to follow the tigersprogress is set by Alexy, Alexander Korneevs son Credit: Olya Ivanova

I see it like paying rent to them, he says. The only feeling I have for the tiger is one of total respect. When you hear the roar, the noise is loud enough to split your head from your ears. A four-hour drive away I meet another watchman, Alexei Mitusov, 57, who also lives alone but with a stack of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie books to see him through the winter.

The tigers are always present, even when you dont see them, he says. To me, the tiger is the owner of the forest and I am his guest. As well as tackling poachers and loggers, Fomenko has placed great emphasis on conserving tigers habitat and prey. Over the past decade, three major national parks and other protected areas have been established, encompassing a land mass spanning almost 4,000 square miles and around 20 per cent of the tigers range.

He also works closely with the 90 or so privately leased hunting estates in Primorsky Krai, 10 of which have now been transformed into what Pavel calls model estates, where tigers, and the animals they feed on, are thriving. Increasing their food in the forests means fewer tigers are wandering into villages. But, still, 40 conflicts are recorded each year, resulting in mauling and occasionally death.

At present, roughly one person is killed by a tiger every two years. The most recent came this October when a 43-year-old man was mauled to death gathering pine nuts in Khabarovsk region, which neighbours Primorsky Krai. If caught, Fomenko says, the maneater will most likely end up in permanent captivity. Tiger prison, he calls it.

With the vast majority of Russias Amur tigers that come into contact with humans, though, capturing and rehabilitating them before releasing them elsewhere in the wild is key to the national strategy. Not far from Vladivostok is a specialist centre for tigers that have come into conflict with humans.

The team fight to keep the habitat safe for the animals to live within Credit: Olya Ivanova

Established in 2012 with support from the government and various wildlife groups, so far 10 animals have been released from here back into the wild (including Vladik). The work is overseen by Ekaterina Blidchenko, a 30-year-old zoologist from Moscow.

When I visit, there are two cubs, Saihan and Lazovka, who were bought here the previous winter. Blidchenko explains that the tigers are kept in sealed pens away from humans and slowly taught how to fend for themselves with live prey released once every five days.

She shows me a recent CCTV recording of the tigers taking down a deer. One of the cubs lies in wait while the other chases the deer towards it. At the moment of impact the tiger leaps from its hiding place and catches the deer head on, grabbing its body and mauling its head. The deer is dead in a few seconds. It is both shocking and deeply impressive.

I love all predators, she says. Sometimes they are prejudged by the people who live close to them but I dont think this is fair. The tiger is part of our legend and fairy tales. If you start to look deeper, you see they are afraid themselves  more frequently than we can imagine.

For days, we wait for news of Vladiks latest movements. Hes passed through numerous villages and crossed the Trans-Siberian railway. If he moves any closer to Vladivostok he will have to be caught. One morning towards the end of our trip, Fomenko receives a phone call. Vladik has turned south-west, away from the city, over a vast plateau leading towards the mountains of the Chinese border. A broad smile cracks across Fomenkos face. Vladik is safe  for now.

wwf.org.uk/russiantigers
The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday that she believed there might be an obstruction of justice case against President Donald Trump based in part on the presidents own tweets related to special counsel Robert Muellers probe.

The Judiciary Committee has an investigation going as well, and it involves obstruction of justice, and I think what were beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said on Meet the Press.

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government. Trump tweeted Saturday that he had to fire Flynn because of those false statements. But if Trump knew Flynn had lied, then, legal experts have said, his reported attempt to shut down the FBIs investigation of Flynn could constitute obstruction of justice.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

The presidents tweet was problematic enough for him that his personal attorney publicly took credit for writing it, calling the tweet sloppy.

Feinstein said she saw the potential for an obstruction case against Trump in part from his own Twitter account.

I see it in the hyper-frenetic attitude of the White House, the comments every day, the continual tweets. And I see it most importantly in what happened with the firing of [FBI Director James] Comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation. Thats obstruction of justice.

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner (Va.) asked on Sunday why Trump didnt act sooner if he knew Flynn had lied to the FBI.

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Well, if he knew that then, why didnt he act on it earlier? It raises a whole series of additional questions, Warner said on CNNs State of the Union.

This president has been obsessed with this investigation, Warner said, always saying theres nothing there, but each week another shoe drops, where we see more evidence of continuing outreach from Russians and some response from the Trump campaign and Trump individuals.

Related Coverage

Flynn Is Cooperating In Russia Probe

Trump Says 'Absolutely No Collusion' With Russia After Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty

Trump Attacks The FBI On Twitter, Urges Followers To Sue ABC News

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(Photo: Yuri Gripas / Reuters)

President Donald Trump took to Twitter Sunday morning to declare that the FBIs reputation is in tatters, renewing his long-running attacks on the governments intelligence agencies.

After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The president appeared to be reacting to a Fox News report on Special Counsel Robert S. Muellers investigation of potential collusion between Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Fox reported that an FBI official was taken off Muellers team after it was found hed sent anti-Trump text messages.

In a tweet, Trump called the agent tainted (no, very dishonest).

On Friday, Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government after last years election. Flynn admitted he spoke to the Russians at the behest of Trump transition team officials. His guilty plea to just one count suggests he is offering Muellers team plenty of cooperation in its investigation.

Along with firing then-FBI Director James Comey in May, Trump has scoffed at findings by various government agencies, including the CIA, on Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election.

The FBI wasnt the only target of Trumps Twitter rage Sunday morning. He also singled out ABC News and its investigative reporter, Brian Ross. The network announced on Saturday it was suspending Ross over his false report that Trump had directed Flynn to reach out to Russia during the presidential campaign. (Flynns meetings with Russians detailed in his plea were made during the transition.)

The stock market took a dive on Friday, likely at least in part due to Ross report, which ABC later corrected. On Sunday, Trump made a legally dubious recommendation to anyone who lost money in the markets Friday: sue ABC and Ross.

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People who lost money when the Stock Market went down 350 points based on the False and Dishonest reporting of Brian Ross of @ABC News (he has been suspended), should consider hiring a lawyer and suing ABC for the damages this bad reporting has caused - many millions of dollars!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

As a presidential candidate, Trump vowed to make it easier to sue U.S. news outlets for libel, though he said nothing at the time about suing for damages due to drops in the stock market.

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Donald Trump: AP

Donald Trump is facing claims that a tweet about the firing of his former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn could amount to obstruction of justice, with one former government ethics official saying it could 'end' his presidency.

Responding to Mr Flynn's guilty plea for lying to the FBI as part of the federal investigation into possible links between his presidential campaign and Russia, Mr Trump tweeted: "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Critics jumped on the social media post, claiming it appeared to suggest that Mr Trump knew that Mr Flynn had lied to investigators before he was forced out of the administration in February.

The president then allegedly encouraging the head of the FBI to drop the investigation into Mr Flynn.

Mr Flynn was interviewed by the FBI on 24 January and he admitted in a Washington DC courtroom earlier this week, that he had made false statements at that time about his contact in December with then-Russian Ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak. He discussed US sanctions with the ambassador on 29 December.

The week before he spoke about a United Nations vote on Israel. Mr Flynn admitted to originally telling the FBI that he did not do so.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Mr Flynn resigned from the Trump administration on 13 February after it emerged he had also given inaccurate statements Vice President Mike Pence about his interactions with Mr Kisylak. Former FBI Director James Comey subsequently testified in front of Congress that Mr Trump told him during a 14 February meeting at the White House, that he hoped Mr Comey could "let this go", in regards to the investigation of Mr Flynn.

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The former director of the US Office of Government Ethics, Walter Shaub, was quick to suggest the tweet might have "ended" any other presidential administration.

...just couldn't resist commenting on Flynn.



Are you ADMITTING you knew Flynn had lied to the FBI when you asked Comey to back off Flynn??????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/HJWlUvC99F  Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 2, 2017

Before we slipped into an alternate universe of unabashed corruption, this tweet alone might have ended a Presidential administration.  Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 2, 2017

Knowing that Mr Flynn lied while pressuring the FBI drop an investigation could potentially be seen as obstruction of justice according to critics, including California Democrat Representative Ted Lieu.

THIS IS OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. @POTUS now admits he KNEW Michael Flynn lied to the FBI. Yet Trump tried to influence or stop the FBI investigation on #Flynn. https://t.co/8JqGBxgou0  Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 2, 2017

A lawyer for Mr Trump Marc Kasowitz strongly denied Mr Comey's claim at the time it was made. He told The Washington Post: The president never in form or substance directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone, including the president never suggested that Mr. Comey, quote, Let Flynn go, close quote. Mr Trump has consistently denied any collusion with Russia and has labelled the investigation a "witch hunt".

Mr Comey was fired from his position in May by Mr Trump and Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to take over the investigation. It originally began as a probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, which a number of US intelligence agencies believe was aimed at aiding Mr Trump, but has grown to include a number of other areas.

It is believed that potential obstruction of justice is an area Mr Mueller and his team are looking into as part of the Russia probe.

However, it would likely not have been difficult for those in the White House to discern that Mr Flynn was potentially under investigation, with Acting Attorney general Sally Yates telling White House Counsel Don McGahn on 26 January, two days after Mr Flynn's FBI interview, that he had discussed sanctions with Mr Kislyak. Ms Yates also said that that she had told Mr McGahn that Mr Flynn had been interviewed by the FBI but did not characterise what Mr Flynn had told investigators.

As for Mr Trump's tweet today about Mr Flynn, Trump administration officials have sought to play down its significance. The Washington Post reported that the tweet was potentially drafted by Trump lawyer John Dowd, citing sources, while other officials called the tweet simply "sloppy".

After Mr Flynn's guilty plea to the one charge of lying to the FBI, the White House also sought to distance Mr Trump. Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn, Ty Cobb, the White House lawyer, said in a statement.

Mr Flynn is the first official within the Trump administration to be charged in relation to the investigation, but is the fourth person connected to the Trump campaign.

In October, Mr Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his associate Rick Gates, were charged with 12 counts of financial crimes related to their work in Ukraine. At the same time, Mr Mueller revealed foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia-linked individuals  a similar charge that Mr Flynn admitted to as part of the plea deal.
President Trump spent part of his weekend on Twitter fuming about the coverage of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials  and is cooperating with special counsel Robert Muellers probe.

On Saturday night, Trump attempted to pivot from Flynn to his former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday interrogation with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times  and nothing happens to her? Trump tweeted. Rigged system, or just a double standard?

So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday interrogation with no swearing in and no recording, lies many timesand nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The president continued: Many people in our Country are asking what the Justice Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and acid washed 33,000 Emails? No justice!

Many people in our Country are asking what the Justice Department is going to do about the fact that totally Crooked Hillary, AFTER receiving a subpoena from the United States Congress, deleted and acid washed 33,000 Emails? No justice!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Trump then seized upon the announcement that ABC News had suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross for an erroneous on-air report that asserted Flynn was prepared to testify that Trump, as a candidate for president, directed him to contact Russians. Ross walked back the report on Friday night, saying Trump gave Flynn that directive as president-elect.

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Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt, Trump tweeted. More Networks and papers should do the same with their Fake News!

Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia, Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and papers should do the same with their Fake News!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

My job is to hold people accountable, Ross tweeted after the announcement, and thats why I agree with being held accountable myself.

My job is to hold people accountable and that's why I agree with being held accountable myself.  Brian Ross (@BrianRoss) December 3, 2017

Trump, though, was not done. Early Sunday morning, the president picked up where he left off, suggesting ABC ought to be sued by stockholders for the error. Ross report prompted the Dow to drop more than 350 points.

People who lost money when the Stock Market went down 350 points based on the False and Dishonest reporting of Brian Ross of @ABC News (he has been suspended), should consider hiring a lawyer and suing ABC for the damages this bad reporting has caused  many millions of dollars! Trump tweeted.

People who lost money when the Stock Market went down 350 points based on the False and Dishonest reporting of Brian Ross of @ABC News (he has been suspended), should consider hiring a lawyer and suing ABC for the damages this bad reporting has caused  many millions of dollars!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Trump also claimed that he never asked former FBI director James Comey to end the federal investigation of Flynn.

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn, Trump tweeted early Sunday. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!

I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

In June, Comey testified to the Senate intelligence committee that Trump had told him, I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go.

Trump subsequently fired Comey, which led to the appointment of Mueller to oversee the Russia investigation. Comeys firing is thought to be of interest to Muellers probe, which is looking into not only contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but also whether Trump attempted to obstruct justice by terminating the FBI director.

Shortly after Comeys firing, Trump suggested in an interview with NBCs Lester Holt that he fired Comey because of the Russia investigation.

In fact, when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, You know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story, Trump told Holt. Its an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they shouldve won.

On Sunday, Trump tweeted that Comey had tainted the bureaus reputation.

After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters  worst in History! the president stated. But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.

After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters  worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Trump also relayed the news that a top FBI official assigned to the Russia probe was taken off the case by Mueller this summer after his bosses uncovered he had sent politically charged texts disparaging Trump and supporting Hillary Clinton. According to the Washington Post, the official, FBI deputy head of counterintelligence Peter Strzok, was also a key player in the investigation into Clintons use of a private email server.

Tainted (no, very dishonest?) FBI agents role in Clinton probe under review. Led Clinton Email probe. @foxandfriends Clinton money going to wife of another FBI agent in charge.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

Report: ANTI-TRUMP FBI AGENT LED CLINTON EMAIL PROBE Now it all starts to make sense!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

On Saturday, Trump seemed to change his story about why he fired Flynn, tweeting that he was forced to fire him because he lied to both Vice President Mike Pence and the FBI about his contacts with Russia.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Trumps tweet suggested he knew Flynn had lied to FBI investigators when Comey says Trump told him to go easy on Flynn. The suggestion lit up Twitter, with legal experts raising the specter that it represented a potential admission of obstruction of justice by the sitting president.

But Trumps personal attorney, John Dowd, told ABC News that he drafted the presidents tweet about Flynn and had done so in a sloppy manner.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., offered Trump some unsolicited advice on CBS Face The Nation on Sunday.

You tweet and comment regarding ongoing criminal investigations at your own peril, Graham said. Id be careful if I were you, Mr. President.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 10:47:09|Editor: Xiang Bo

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CANBERRA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has won a by-election and will return to parliament after the High Court disqualified him.

Joyce, leader of the Nationals Party, was found to be in breach of Section 44 (i) of the Australian Constitution which prohibits dual citizens from being elected.

Joyce has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, which he held by descent, and on Saturday won the by-election in his New South Wales seat of New England.

Projections on Sunday had Joyce receiving 64 percent of primary votes, a big upswing from the 52.3 percent he received at the last federal election.

The result has provided a much needed boost for the Liberal National Party governing coalition after a poor performance in the Queensland state election.

"Barnaby Joyce has been elected with what appears to be a record in the history of by-elections in Australia," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Joyce's supporters on Saturday night.

"Thank you for getting the band back together."

Though 16 candidates ran against Joyce, the deputy prime minister was never considered to be at threat of losing the seat.

"I say to the people of New England, that I never take anything for granted, and for every person who voted for us and voted for us for the first time," Joyce said.

"I just want to say how completely and utterly humbled I am."

The second by-election caused by the citizenship crisis in the Sydney seat of Bennelong is expected to be much closer with Australian Labor Party candidate Kristina Keneally gaining ground on incumbent John Alexander in opinion polls.

The Bennelong by-election will be held on Dec. 16.
Washington (AFP) - In a spectacular twist to the US probe into allegations of Russian election meddling, Donald Trump's former top advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying over his contacts with Moscow, and promised to cooperate with the wide-ranging investigation.

While Russia continues to deny it interfered in the 2016 election, US intelligence agencies say they have established beyond doubt that it did so, with the aim of tilting the outcome towards the Republican Trump.

But a question at the heart of the FBI's investigation -- whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russian meddling -- remains far from answered.

Here is what we know about the investigation:

- How it all began -

In October 2016 -- one month before the election -- US intelligence agencies publicly blamed Russia for hacking and leaking embarrassing documents from the Democratic Party during the presidential campaign.

Weeks before leaving office, on December 29, president Barack Obama announced sanctions and the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation.

In January, US intelligence chiefs went on to publish a report concluding that President Vladimir Putin masterminded the hacking and disinformation campaign with the aim of damaging Trump's rival Clinton.

- The investigations -

The Justice Department, the FBI and intelligence agencies all launched investigations into Russia's alleged interference in the campaign. In Congress, three Senate committees and one House committee also opened overlapping investigations into the Russia controversy.

On May 9, Trump sacked the head of the FBI, James Comey, in an apparent bid to hamper the Russia probe. The sacking backfired, leading to the Justice Department's appointing of a more powerful, independent counsel, Robert Mueller, who now heads the federal investigation.

- The first charges -

On October 30, Mueller announced his first three indictments.

Paul Manafort, Trump's one-time campaign chairman, and Manafort's deputy Rick Gates, were arrested on money laundering and tax-related charges in relation to their work for Moscow-backed Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych.

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A third man, George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy advisor to the campaign who sought to arrange a meeting between Trump and Putin, pleaded guilty to lying, and agreed to cooperate with the probe.

Court filings make clear that top campaign officials were aware of Papadopoulos's communications with Russians, including an offer of damaging information on Trump's rival Clinton. That is seen as the sharpest evidence yet of possible collusion.

- Flynn falls... again -

Exactly one month later Mueller struck again, filing charges against Flynn, a retired three star general who advised Trump on national security during the campaign, and served the new president in the White House for 23 days before being fired over his Russian contacts.

On Friday Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to investigators over those contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, which took place in December 2016.

Flynn, court filings showed, worked with Kislyak to enlist Russia's help in blocking a UN Security Council resolution critical of Israel. And he urged Kislyak to dissuade Moscow from retaliating to the sanctions announced by Obama in December.

Tantalizingly, court documents related to his plea deal stated that he was directed by "very senior" transition team officials on the contacts. That has sparked a guessing game in Washington as to who those officials are.

- What is Mueller up to? -

Mueller, who has a large team of seasoned prosecutors skilled in tracing money and flipping witnesses, is methodically picking off people around Trump who can be easily prosecuted and forced to cooperate.

Flynn and Manafort were always expected to be hit early and hard. They worked closely with Trump and would have large amounts of information about the campaign roles of others. Analysts speculate that Gates, not nearly as well-off as the multi-millionaire Manafort, could be more willing to supply evidence against his former bosses.

Papadopoulos was a minor player but officially was under the guidance of Jeff Sessions, who now serves as Trump's attorney general and who is accused of being less than forthcoming about his own Russian contacts. Mueller would need to tread very carefully in investigating Sessions, who heads the Justice Department, though he has recused himself from the Russia probe.

- So was there collusion? -

The US president -- whose refusal to strongly condemn Russian interference has fuelled lingering suspicions -- dismisses all talk of collusion with Russia as "fake news" and a "witchhunt."

And while the indictments to date indicate there were more interactions between Team Trump and Moscow than first admitted, nothing has emerged that directly ties Trump to any meddling.

"Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn," White House lawyer Ty Cobb said Friday, adding that he was confident Mueller's probe was nearing "a prompt and reasonable conclusion."

Yet even without evidence of collusion, the court filings raise questions about the conduct of Trump's campaign.

Papadopoulos last year developed multiple contacts in London with people he understood were close to the Kremlin, including one whom he described as "Putin's niece." He talked openly in emails to senior campaign officials about a possible meeting with Russia's ambassador in England and about obtaining dirt the Russians held on Clinton.
Bravo

Larsa Pippen is known for her eye-catching, body-baring looks, from formfitting minidresses to thigh-high boots to luxurious lingerie. During The Real Housewives of Miami Season 4 reunion, the jewelry designer shut down speculation about possible cosmetic procedures and noted how she keeps herself in such stellar shape. I literally work out seven days a week, she explained at the time. If I show you my photos from five years ago, I was less than 100 pounds. Im 140 pounds now, so yeah, my leg
By Jeff Mason and Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that actions by former national security adviser Michael Flynn during the presidential transition were lawful, and that he had had to fire him because Flynn had lied to the FBI and the vice president. The president's comment suggested he may have known Flynn lied to the FBI before he urged the FBI director not to investigate his former adviser, legal experts said. But they noted that it was unclear from the tweeted comment exactly what the president knew when. Flynn is the first member of Trump's administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's wide-ranging investigation into Russian attempts to influence last year's U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by Trump aides. "I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies," Trump said on Twitter while he was in New York for a fundraising trip. "It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Flynn, who on Friday pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia, is a former Defense Intelligence Agency director who was Trumps national security adviser only for 24 days. He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with Russia's then-ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak. "What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the New York trip. "Theres been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy. Legal experts said if Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI and then pressured then-FBI director James Comey not to investigate him, that would be problematic. If that were the case Trump's tweet "absolutely bolsters an obstruction of justice charge," said Jimmy Gurule, a former federal prosecutor and a law professor at Notre Dame University. "It is evidence of the crucial question of whether Trump acted with a corrupt intent." In May, the president fired Comey, who later accused Trump of trying to hinder his investigation into the Russia allegations. Comey also said he believed Trump had asked him to drop the FBI's probe into Flynn. Andrew Wright, a professor at Savannah Law School, said the tweet is open to interpretation and that Trump's lawyer would downplay its significance. On Friday White House attorney Ty Cobb reacted to Flynn's guilty plea by saying Flynn's false statements "mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation in February of this year. Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr. Flynn." On Saturday Cobb referred questions about the president's tweet to Trump's personal attorney, John Dowd, who described it as a paraphrase of Cobbs statement. The tweet is "bizarre and helpful to Mueller and hurtful to the president," said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago now at the law firm Thompson Coburn. "It's one more piece of evidence that helps show the President's intent when he fired Comey." As part of his plea on Friday, Flynn agreed to cooperate with the investigation. The retired U.S. Army lieutenant general admitted in a Washington court that he lied to FBI investigators about his discussions last December with Kislyak. In what appeared to be moves undermining the policies of outgoing President Barack Obama, the pair discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia, and Flynn asked Kislyak to help delay a United Nations vote seen as damaging to Israel, according to prosecutors. Flynn was also told by a "very senior member" of Trump's transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the U.N. vote, the prosecutors said. Sources told Reuters the "very senior" transition official was Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor. Kushner's lawyer did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Separately, speaking at a defense conference in California on Saturday, Trump's current national security advisor H.R. McMaster said he saw no evidence that the indictment of Flynn, his immediate predecessor, was hurting U.S. national security. Theres tremendous confidence, I think theres more confidence in the United States frankly  I think theres a sense that were re-engaging in areas where we had largely disengaged. (Additional reporting by Patrick Rucker, Roberta Rampton, Jonathan Landay and Karen Freifeld; Writing by Jeff Mason; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Friday tried to shut down reports that he is on the verge of sacking or forcing out his chief diplomat, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Trump took to Twitter to brand reports of Tillerson's imminent replacement "FAKE NEWS!" -- although the US leader's admission that he has had to overrule his top diplomat on policy will only fuel the rumors.

Tillerson is due to embark on a major European trip on Monday, despite anonymous White House leaks suggesting that he is to be replaced, perhaps within weeks, by a Trump loyalist.

"He's not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots), we work well together and America is highly respected again!" Trump declared.

The relationship between Trump and Tillerson has been dogged for months by reports of a rift.

On Thursday, these came to a head when several US media outlets -- citing White House sources -- predicted Tillerson's resignation and replacement by CIA chief Mike Pompeo.

Asked by reporters at a State Department photo call whether leaks from the White House were designed to force him out, Tillerson said: "It's laughable. It's laughable."

The White House at first did little to downplay the reports, while a State Department spokeswoman insisted Tillerson's position was safe, and the story drifted into a second day.

But later on Friday, Tillerson met Trump at the White House for a lunch with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis -- an ally of Tillerson's in Washington's bureaucratic wars.

Next week, Tillerson is due to be in Europe to attend ministerial meetings of NATO in Brussels and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna.

There, he will also hold a bilateral US-Russia meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in the latest long-shot bid to hammer out differences over the crises in Ukraine and Syria.
By Patrick Rucker and Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two days after a federal court endorsed President Donald Trump's deregulatory pick for a consumer watchdog, a rival official was encouraging agency staff to keep up the pressure on the lending industry, several current and former officials said on Friday. Leandra English, the deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), is suing Trump for the right to lead the agency. She wants the bureau to follow through on "several enforcement actions in the pipeline" targeting companies that violate fair lending rules, these people said. Trump has said the agency "devastated" lenders, and his administration is eager to lessen the power of the agency, which was conceived to halt abusive loans. A judge on Tuesday rejected English's argument to lead the agency, but an appeal is expected. Meanwhile, she is urging colleagues to continue policing the lending industry, said several current and former agency officials who were not authorized to speak publicly. In an email to CFPB managers Thursday evening, English reminded them of the pending enforcement actions and said other routine reports on consumer protections are due in December. English wrote colleagues that she wants "to be sure that these are still on track," according to the email seen by Reuters. She signed the email, "Leandra English, Acting Director." English has been active at the agency this week, said her lawyer. "She is doing the work of the bureau and looking out for its mission," said attorney Deepak Gupta. Mick Mulvaney, the White House budget director, has been endorsed by a federal court to lead the CFPB and he has instructed agency staff to "disregard" instructions from English. And he is increasing his influence at the agency. A spokesman for Representative Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, confirmed Friday that Brian Johnson, one of his top aides, had left the committee to assist Mulvaney at the CFPB. Hensarling, a Texas Republican, is one of the CFPB's harshest critics in Congress. The CFPB's last director, Richard Cordray, tapped English as his successor when he stepped down last week, a move that sparked the legal wrangling. Cordray left behind 14 lawsuits that are ready to be filed against financial services companies, Mulvaney told the Washington Times on Thursday. Mulvaney told the newspaper he is "combing through" those draft lawsuits now. A spokesman for Mulvaney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. One of the drafted lawsuits is against Santander bank and accuses the Spanish lender of overcharging borrowers on auto loans in the United States, Reuters has reported. Consumer advocates and banking industry leaders have battled over the CFPB for years but both sides agree the president has the right to nominate Cordray's full-time successor, who must be confirmed by the Senate. Both sides also agree that English is the agency's deputy director for the time being. The legal fight should last for weeks. (Reporting By Patrick Rucker and Pete Schroeder; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations is trying to evacuate at least 140 aid workers from the Yemeni capital amid fighting that has cut off the airport road, but is awaiting approval from the Saudi-led coalition, U.N. and other aid officials said on Sunday. Coalition aircraft bombed Houthi positions in Sanaa overnight, residents and local media said, aiming to shore up supporters of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh as they battle the Houthi group, which is aligned with Iran. It was the fourth day of clashes in which dozens have been killed, the Red Cross said. "There is a plane on stand-by in Djibouti for 140 international staff," a U.N. official in Sanaa told Reuters. About half were from non-governmental organizations, he said. "Fighting is moving toward the airport and the situation is very tense. We can't even evacuate staff," he said. United Nations staff have been confined to their living quarters in Sanaa since clashes erupted on Thursday, he said. Shells were falling near the UN compound in Sanaa on Siteen Street on Sunday, with one source on the scene saying stray bullets had hit the compound. The compound is empty as staff had been told to stay at home and not report to work. Another aid worker with an independent agency in Yemen, who declined to be identified, said the U.N. was planning to evacuate as many as 180 U.N. and other aid workers, but U.N. officials considered the airport road was not safe enough. Russell Geekie, a U.N. humanitarian spokesman in New York, said the U.N. planned to reduce the number of non-essential staff in Sanaa, but they could not yet safely move, and exact numbers were unclear due to the fluidity of the situation. "Were very concerned by the clashes in Sanaa city, which have reportedly resulted in civilian deaths and have negative implications for the humanitarian response," Geekie said in an emailed response to Reuters. "At present, fighting is restricting movement within the city, including on the airport road. The airport remains closed with Sanaa residents holed up in their homes." Clearance to land at Sanaa airport has yet to be received from the coalition, who control the skies over the Houthi-controlled capital, aid workers said. Saleh said on Saturday he was ready to turn a "new page" in ties with the coalition fighting in Yemen if it stopped attacks on Yemeni citizens, in a move that could pave the way to end nearly three years of war. The apparent shift in position came as Saleh's supporters battled Houthi fighters in Hadda, a district in southern Sanaa where members of Saleh's family, including his nephew Tareq, live. In Geneva, spokeswoman Elodie Schindler of the International Committee of the Red Cross said: "In light of the current chaotic situation, the ICRC is looking to downsize staff presence in Yemen to a core team". (Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Tom Miles)
By Joseph Menn and Dustin Volz

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three senior managers in Uber Technologies Inc's [UBER.UL]security unit resigned on Friday, an Uber spokesperson said, days after the company's new chief executive officer disclosed a massive data breach and criticized past security practices.

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, who was installed in the top job in August, disclosed the data breach last month shortly after learning of it himself, saying that "none of this should have happened." Uber's security practices are also under scrutiny in a high-stakes legal battle with self-driving car company Waymo, an Alphabet Inc <GOOGL.O> subsidiary.

Uber last week said it fired its chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, over his role in the 2016 data breach, which compromised data belonging to 57 million customers and about 600,000 drivers. The resignations Friday came amid mounting frustration within Uber's security team over Sullivan's dismissal and the company's handling of the public disclosure of the breach.

The three managers who resigned were Pooja Ashok, chief of staff for Sullivan; Prithvi Rai, a senior security engineer and the number two manager in the department; and Jeff Jones, who handled physical security, the Uber spokesperson said. Ashok and Jones will remain at the company until January to assist in transition, the spokesperson said.

A fourth individual, Uber's head of Global Threat Operations, Mat Henley, began a three-month medical leave, said a separate source familiar with the situation. The departures include most of Sullivan's direct reports.

None of the four immediately responded to requests for comment. Emails in connection with the departures, described by the separate source, complained of emotional and physical strain from the past year.

Sullivan in August told Reuters that his security team totalled around 500 employees.

Leadership in the unit has been in turmoil since the termination last week of Sullivan and a deputy, as well as Uber's admission that it paid $100,000 to hackers to delete stolen data from the October 2016 breach and keep it secret, while failing to report the incident to regulators or warn customers that their phone numbers and other data had been exposed.

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In the Waymo case, testimony at a pretrial hearing this week focused on claims by former employee Richard Jacobs that Uber had a special unit within its security team that tried to obtain programming code and other trade secrets from rivals.

Uber launched an investigation in response to Jacobs' claims, which were outlined in a 37-page letter sent to Uber's in-house attorney and the U.S. Department of Justice. Board members received a report before Thanksgiving on the findings of that investigation, run by law firm WilmerHale. The report has not been shared publicly.

Henley, who was among the Uber security managers named in Jacobs' letter, said in court Wednesday that the unit at Uber that Jacobs had accused of acquiring rivals' trade secrets no longer exists.

In addition to having a technical team dedicated to obtaining data from competitors, Uber also had a "human intelligence" team to spy on people and record their conversations without them knowing, according to testimony in the Waymo case.

In one instance, a security vendor hired by Uber recorded a conversation between executives of rival ride-hailing firms Didi and Grab, Nicholas Gicinto, a security manager at Uber, testified in court Wednesday.

Uber's general counsel, Tony West, on Wednesday sent a note to employees, which was seen by Reuters, saying that human surveillance of individuals would no longer be tolerated.

West said he did not believe the activity was illegal, "but, to be crystal clear, to the extent anyone is working on any kind of competitive intelligence project that involves the surveillance of individuals, stop it now."

(Additional reporting by Heather Somerville and Dan Levine in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Leslie Adler)
Washington (AFP) - A top Republican lawmaker warned Sunday that the United States moves closer to preemptive war with North Korea every time Pyongyang carries out a missile or nuclear test.

North Korea's test launch this week of an intercontinental ballistic missile has sent tensions soaring once again on the Korean peninsula, after a two month lull.

"If there's an underground nuclear test, then you need to get ready for a very serious response by the United States," Senator Lindsey Graham said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

His remarks echoed those of National Security Advisor HR McMaster, who told a security forum in Washington on Saturday that the potential for war with North Korea "is increasing every day."

The United States has demanded tougher international sanctions, including cuts in oil shipments to the isolated state, but both McMaster and Graham suggested that the risk of war is growing despite the diplomatic efforts.

"We are in a race to be able to solve this problem," said McMaster. "This would be the most destabilizing development I think in the post World War II period. It's something that places us at direct risk but places the world at risk."

Graham, a foreign policy hawk, said he has had extensive discussions with the Trump administration about the situation.

The administration's policy, he said, is "to deny North Korea the capability to hit America with a nuclear-tipped missile. Not to contain it."

"Denial means preemptive war as a last resort. That preemption is becoming more likely as their technology matures. Every missile test, every underground test of a nuclear weapon, means the marriage is more likely.

"I think we're really running out of time. The Chinese are trying, but ineffectively," he said.

Beijing has backed a slew of sanctions that include bans on imports of North Korean coal, iron ore and seafood.

The UN also barred the hiring of North Korean guest workers and capped exports of refined petroleum products.

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But China has refused to turn off its pipeline shipping crude to North Korea.

North Korea has boasted -- and western experts agree -- that the missile tested on Wednesday is capable of reaching the United States.

In September, it conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. It is unclear whether it has succeeded in making nuclear warheads small enough to be put atop a missile.
Education secretarys brother is alumnus of Hillsdale College, to which family gives money and which Republicans wanted to help because it refuses federal funds

Betsy DeVos attended the Christian-focused Hillsdale College in southern Michigan. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

The Senate voted to strike an amendment from the Republican tax bill that would have benefited a small Christian college in southern Michigan with ties to education secretary Betsy DeVos.

In a surprise 52-48 vote, four Republicans supported an amendment offered by Democrat Jeff Merkley to remove the exception from the legislation. The decision came after Democrats raised the issue in a contentious exchange on the Senate floor.

Pennsylvania Republican senator Pat Toomey defended the provision, which would exempt Hillsdale College from an excise tax on universities and colleges with large endowments.

I do understand that my colleagues on the far left do not have fond opinion of Hillsdale  but I do, Toomey said. I actually think its a wonderful institution. He added that the university saves taxpayers a tremendous amount of money by refusing federal aid.

Hillsdale College is a conservative liberal arts college based in central Michigan that enrolls about 1,400 and focuses its curriculum around western philosophical and theological inheritance.



The university boasts high-profile conservative alumni, including DeVoss brother, Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, as well as former congressman Chris Chocola, a Republican of Indiana. Chocola succeeded Toomey as president of the Club for Growth, a conservative organization focused on cutting taxes.

In a sustained back-and-forth, Toomey argued that any university could benefit from the amendment if it refused federal aid.

A college that chooses to not put that imposition on federal taxpayers ought to be able to be exempt from this tax, Toomey told the Democrats. It would be available to any college that makes that choice.

I cant find anybody else in America who benefits from this particular provision. That doesnt strike me as right, Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat of Oregon, retorted. There are so many deserving schools in Oregon and Pennsylvania and elsewhere who dont get this special treatment.

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The Democrats said that only Hillsdale appeared to be the only college that had an endowment large enough that refused federal student aid. Democrats have accused the school of refusing government aid to avoid complying with federal regulations preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Missouri Democrat senator Claire McCaskill scoffed: This is a very limited provision written for a very special person.

She also said: Do you know who the biggest donor was to the Hillsdale College endowment? Would that be the DeVos family?

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called the Hillsdale exemption a metaphor for the Republican tax plan.

A single wealthy college, the pet project of a billionaire campaign contributor to the Republican party exempted by a [senator] who fought to get rid of earmarks, Schumer said. This unfortunately is the metaphor for this bill and how high the stench is rising in this chamber as we debate the bill tonight.



Republicans had initially proposed a 1.4% tax on endowments of $250,000 or more per student as part of their sweeping, $1.4tn tax plan. In a late-change, the final version raised the threshold to $500,000 per student.

Hillsdale has an endowment of $548m, which breaks down to roughly more than $350,000 per student, according to its student newspaper, which would not have qualified under the finalized version.

Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Deb Fischer and John Kennedy voted in favor of the amendment. Its passage eliminated the carve out from the tax plan, which subsequently passed the Senate in an early morning vote on a Saturday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 10:52:11|Editor: ZD

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HOUSTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Police in the U.S. city of Houston was responding to a report of a shooting incident in a shopping mall in Houston area Saturday evening.

There was no immediate report of casualties.
A Vermont retiree planning to injure herself tested the efficacy of homemade ricin poison on other residents of Shelburnes Wake Robin retirement community, federal investigators said.

Betty Miller, 70, made the poison herself and sprinkled it in other residents food and beverages, apparently to see how it would work, the Burlington Free Press reports. Miller told health care providers about her scheme on Tuesday, and law enforcement was called.

Ricin is a poison derived from castor beans, which are used to make castor oil. (Miller apparently made her homemade version using castor beans on the retirement communitys property, according to the Free Press.) The poison invades the bodys cells, preventing them from creating the right proteins until they eventually die, according to the CDC. Ricin poisoning can be fatal.

No residents reported symptoms of ricin poisoning  which, when ingested, can include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, low blood pressure, seizures and organ failure, according to the CDC  although the Free Press reports that the Vermont Department of Health became aware of one person who may have been infected but was no longer ill.

This was an isolated incident. The toxic substance was contained; no residents were evacuated. The affected apartment was closed off and thoroughly searched, Wake Robin President and CEO Patrick McKee said in a statement. We have received assurances from the VT Department of Health and the FBI that no ones health is at risk. The resident of the apartment in question is now involved with the criminal justice system and will not be returning to Wake Robin.

Miller appeared in court on Friday, the Free Press reports, where the judge made a reference to her mental health history.

She is currently in custody and will return to court on Wednesday. She could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Sanaa (AFP) - Gun battles forced shops and schools to close in Yemen's capital on Sunday as residents warned a three-year rebel alliance was collapsing into a "street war" which has left dozens dead in the city.

The Iran-backed Huthi rebels' partnership with powerful ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh fell apart after he reached out to a Saudi-led coalition fighting the insurgents.

Referring to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged country, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Yemen, where he is "deeply concerned about the sharp escalation of armed clashes" over the past several days, his spokesman said.

The Huthis' political office on Saturday accused Saleh of staging a "coup" against "an alliance he never believed in".

On Sunday, Saleh loyalists cut off a number of streets in central Sanaa and deployed heavily in anticipation of Huthi attacks, as security sources said clashes this week had killed about 60 people across the capital and at its international airport.

Saleh loyalists renewed a bid to seize control of Al-Jarraf district, a stronghold of the Huthis who fortified their positions with dozens of vehicles mounted with machine guns, witnesses said.

They said the Huthis had brought reinforcements from their northern strongholds to south Sanaa.

The Huthis seized the home of rebel interior minister Mohammed Abdullah al-Waqsi, who is close to Saleh, killing three of his bodyguards and detaining others, Saleh sources said.

And Huthi rebels killed Mohammed al-Zarka, a tribal leader close to Saleh, in Omran just north of the capital and members of his family, the same sources said.

- Bodies in streets -

Sanaa residents said they had barricaded themselves in their homes to avoid snipers and shelling as clashes flared around key ministries where the two sides had been working together just days before.

The education ministry cancelled classes Sunday, normally the start of the school week, and witnesses said some bodies from previous clashes were still in the streets.

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Iyad al-Othmani, 33, said he had not left his house for three days because of the fighting.

Mohammed Abdullah, a private sector employee, said his street had been cut off by militiamen and he was staying home.

"Sanaa is becoming like a ghost town. There is a street war and people are holed up in their houses," said an activist who works with the International Organization for Migration.

- Shifting alliances -

Three years after they joined forces to drive President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government from Sanaa, the collapse of the Huthi-Saleh alliance is a key shift in Yemen's complex war.

Saleh ruled Yemen as president for 33 years after the 1990 unification of north and south Yemen.

A long-time ally of Saudi Arabia, he waged six separate wars against the Huthis, Zaidi Shiites from northern Yemen.

Saleh resigned under popular and political pressure in 2012, ceding power to his then-vice president Hadi, who now lives in exile in Saudi Arabia.

In 2014, Saleh joined forces with the Huthis, seizing the capital and setting up a parallel government as Hadi's administration fled Sanaa.

That triggered a Saudi-led Arab force to intervene to prop up Hadi's government, an escalation in a war that has since killed more than 8,750 people and dragged Yemen towards what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

On Saturday, Saleh reached out to the Saudi-led coalition, offering to "turn the page" if it lifts a crippling blockade on the country.

The Huthis accused him of treason.

Yemen's conflict has been a key focus of tensions between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power.

Iran voiced regret Sunday about the rebel infighting and called for "calm and restraint".

Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi expressed hope that all sides would maintain a united front against foreign "aggression", in reference to Iran's regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia and its allies.

- UAE denies missile claim -

The Saudi-led coalition carried out dawn air raids Sunday against Huthi positions in the hills south of Sanaa but it was unclear if the strikes were meant to benefit Saleh's forces.

A coalition spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

The United Arab Emirates, which is a key member of the coalition, on Sunday denied a Huthi claim that a missile fired from Yemen reached its airspace or threatened a nuclear power plant set to open in 2018.

The Huthis had earlier claimed on their Al-Masirah news channel that they had hit the Barakah plant with a cruise missile fired from Yemen.

A missile fired by the Huthis which was intercepted by near Riyadh's international airport last month prompted the coalition to tighten a blockade against Sanaa airport and rebel-held sea ports.

The Huthis have warned that Saudi Arabia and its allies will "pay a heavy price in their own capitals" for Saleh's "great treason".
ADEN (Reuters) - Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday he was ready for a "new page" in ties with the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen if it stopped attacks on his country, in a move that could pave the way to end nearly three years of war.

The apparent shift in position came as Saleh's supporters battled Houthi fighters for a fourth day in the capital Sanaa, in fighting which the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said has killed dozens of people and prompted calls to protect civilians.

The fighting was the most serious since the Houthis and Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) made common cause against the Saudi-led coalition which joined the Yemen war in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.

The clashes between Saleh's supporters and the Houthis underscore the complex situation in Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, where a proxy war between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed Hadi has caused one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in recent times.

"I call upon the brothers in neighbouring states and the alliance to stop their aggression, lift the siege, open the airports and allow food aid and the saving of the wounded and we will turn a new page by virtue of our neighbourliness," Saleh said in a televised speech.

"We will deal with them in a positive way and what happened to Yemen is enough," he added.

Saleh, who was forced to step down by a 2011 mass uprising against his 33 years in office, said Yemen's parliament, which is dominated by the GPC, was the only legitimate power in the country and was ready for talks with the coalition.

WELCOME MOVE

The Saudi-led coalition welcomed Saleh's change of stance.

In a statement carried by the Saudi-owned Al-Hadath channel, the coalition said it was "confident of the will of the leaders and sons" of Saleh's GPC party to return to Arab fold.

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Hadi, in a statement after a meeting with his advisors, also said he was ready to work with Saleh against the Houthis.

"The meeting calls for turning a new page with all the political sides ... and to form a broad national coalition that will lay the foundations for a new era and unify everyone against the coup militia," the statement said.

The coalition accuses non-Arab Iran of trying to expand its influence into Arab countries, including Yemen, which shares a long border with Saudi Arabia, by aligning themselves with the Houthis and Saleh.

The Houthis accused Saleh of betrayal, and vowed to keep up the fight against the Saudi-led coalition.

"It is not strange or surprising that Saleh turns his back on a partnership he never believed in," the group's political bureau said in a statement. "The priority has been and still is to confront the forces of aggression."

The Houthi group leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, had earlier appealed to Saleh to avoid any escalation, saying that the crisis would only serve Yemen's enemies.

Residents of Sanaa described heavy fighting in Hadda, a southern residential district where many of Saleh's relatives live, early on Saturday, with sounds of explosions and gunfire heard while the streets were deserted.

The fighting eased in the afternoon as Saleh supporters gained the upper hand.

There was no immediate word on casualties, but ICRC Regional Director Robert Mardini, writing on his Twitter account, said that dozens have been killed and hundreds were wounded in the fighting which began on Wednesday after a dispute erupted over a mosque in the capital.

Both sides have reported that each side has lost eight fighters.

CONCERN

The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and the ICRC urged the parties to avoid targeting civilians.

Saleh's GPC party accused the Houthis of failing to honour a truce and said in a statement on its website that the Houthis bear responsibility for dragging the country into a civil war.

It also called on supporters, including tribal fighters, to "defend themselves, their country, their revolution and their republic..."

The GPC appealed to the army and security forces to remain neutral in the conflict.

Yemen's war has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015, displaced more than two million people, caused a cholera outbreak infecting nearly one million people and led the country on the brink of famine.

(Additional reporting by Omar Fahmy in Cairo, Michelle Nichols in New York and Tom Miles in Geneva,; writing by Sami Aboudi; editing by Jason Neely and Stephen Powell)
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa and Morocco will resume diplomatic ties more than a decade after Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Pretoria, South African President Jacob Zuma said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday. Morocco recalled its ambassador from South Africa in 2004 after former South African president Thabo Mbeki recognized a breakaway region in the Western Sahara which Morocco claims as part of its territory. "Morocco is an African nation and we need to have relations with them," Zuma told City Press in the interview. "We never had problems with them anyway; they were the first to withdraw diplomatic relations." Zuma met Morocco's King Mohammed last week on the sidelines of an African Union-European Union summit. "They felt that even if we differ on the Western Sahara issues, the two countries should have a relationship," Zuma said about Moroccan officials' position at the meeting. South Africa's official government position - as re-affirmed by Zuma in one of his state of the nation addresses - is to support "self determination and decolonization for the Western Sahara". The decision to re-establish ties with Morocco is likely to go down badly with some members of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), of which Zuma is leader. The ANC - as one of Africa's oldest liberation movements - has long backed those seeking independence in the Western Sahara and has accused Morocco of occupying the region. The ruling party said in a statement it had "unequivocal support for Western Sahara" but that this did not mean it harbored enmity toward Morocco. "There is also no ANC policy that says South Africa should isolate Morocco," the statement said. A spokesman for South Africa's foreign ministry could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Morocco has controlled most of the Western Sahara, which is rich in phosphates and has seen some initial oil exploration efforts, since 1975. A ceasefire in 1991 called for a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, but the vote has never taken place. (Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark Potter)
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked commented on recent bills, saying, "The Israeli people did not elect a ring-wing government to pass the recommendations bill, but to pass basic ideological reforms. Putting the personal issue aside, the recommendations bill does make sense."

In a conference held as part of the Saban Forum in Washington, Shaked added she believed the US embassy in Israel will move to Jerusalem.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked clarified her reservations Sunday regarding the recommendations bill promoted by Likud MKs, asserting that "The people did not elect a right-wing government to pass the recommendations bill."

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Shaked's comments at the Saban Forum in Washington come a day before the expected vote on the recommendations bill, barring police from making indictment recommendations publically, which will be held if the coalition can drum sufficient votes.

In light of the fact one of the bill's promoters, MK David Bitan (Likud), was questioned Sunday, and the mass demonstration held Saturday night in protest of the bill, the legislation's second and third reading may be postponed.

Justice Minister Shaked said she was not elected to pass recommendations law (Photo: Shahar Azran)

The opposition has also announced ahead of time it will not accept any offsettingopposition MKs agreeing to avoid voting should any coalition MKs be unable to attend themselves. MK Haim Yellin (Yesh Atid), for instance, was shuttled back to Israel from a working visit abroad to notify MK Yifat Shasha-Biton (Kulanu) he will not be offsetting with her, despite a previous agreement to do so.

Shaked was the Forum's guest of honor. Asked about the " French Bill "prohibiting investigations into affairs of a sitting prime ministerthe justice minister said, "Bennett and I put a stop to it, after the other coalition members agreed to pass it with term limits. We said: 'Enough is enough.'

"Regarding the recommendations bill, personal matters aside, in essence the bill makes sense; defending suspects' rights at the expense of the public's right to know. Having said that, the people of Israel did not elect a right-wing government to pass the recommendations bill but to pass fundamental ideological reforms, such as Basic Law: Legislation," which would prevent the High Court from striking down Knesset laws as unconstitutional.

"The coalition's energy is being invested in the wrong thing," she added.

Shaked said she 'hoped and believed' President Trump will make good on his promise to transfer embassy to Jerusalem (Photo: AFP)

On the delayed transfer of the United States' embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Shaked opined, "President Donald Trump made a commitment to his constituents. I hope and believe he'll follow through on it."

Regarding Israel-US relations, the minister said, "There's an inextricable link between Israel and the US, regardless of who's occupying the White House or the Prime Minister's Residence."

Facing catcalls from left-wingers in the audience, Shaked shot back on relations with the Palestinians in saying, "I urge you to become grounded in reality. The gap between Israelis and Palestinians is too wide to bridge. There will never be an agreement so long as the Palestinian Authority busies itself with incitement, transfers funds to terrorists and appeals to international courts."
The alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian military base near Damascus this weekend indicates, for the second time in about three months, that Israel is making good on its threats to prevent an Iranian entrenchment in Syria and is drawing a red line for the Iraniansif the strike was indeed carried out by Israel.

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Throughout the past summer, senior Israeli defense officials warned against the construction of a precision-guided missiles factory on Syrian soil, which would supply the Assad armyand primarily Hezbollahwith missiles with a limited explosion radius. According to foreign reports, the factory was attacked by the Israel Air Force on September 7 in what was in fact the most significant strike in Syrian in recent years.

This isnt, therefore, just another one of the 100 or more alleged Israel strikes in Syria, but an Iranian target that may be less strategic than the missile factory, but draws the red line as part of the new policy.

Map showing the location of the reported attack in Syria

On November 11, BBC published satellite footage allegedly pointing to continued construction work in a base near al-Kiswah from January to October 2017. The images show more than 20 relatively low buildings, which according to the network were likely being used to house soldiers and store vehicles.

The British news broadcasting corporation has no intelligence capabilities of course, and an interested party obviously made sure to leak the footage as a warning the Iranians against the idea of establishing a base that would mainly be inhabited by members of Shiite militias operating under the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

Since then, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot have been warning against Iranian military entrenchment in Syria. Lt.-Gen. Eisenkot said recently in an interview to a Saudi news website: We won't accept an Iranian presence in Syria. We've warned them against building factories or military bases, and we wont allow it.

Friday nights strike in Syriaif Israel is indeed behind itis part of warfare on three fronts: A diplomatic frontin a bid to influence the agreements on Syria's future; a media frontthrough PR and reports like the footage that reached the BBC; and a military frontby attacking attempted weapon smuggling and Iranian entrenchment attempts.

And so, according to foreign reports, at 12:30am Friday night, Israel attacked the Iranian base near the city of al-Kiswah, located about 15 kilometers southwest of Syria's capital, Damascus.

According to the report, the strike was carried out using five missiles, some of which were intercepted by the Syrian antiaircraft systems in the military airport in the Damascus neighborhood of al-Mezzeh. Two other missiles exploded near the cache.

Israeli officials avoided addressing the report, but we can report that not a single IAF plane was damaged over the weekend. Iran didnt address the strike either, although the Iranian chief of staff had stated during his visit to Syria last month that Israel would not be able to strike in Syria whenever it wanted to. In spite of this statement, the weekend's events indicate that Israelif it is indeed behind the strikeis maintaining its freedom of action and insisting on the red lines it has declared.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 11:02:13|Editor: Xiang Bo

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PYONGYANG, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has accused late Saturday U.S. President Donald Trump of "begging for nuclear war" by staging "extremely dangerous" military drills on the Korean Peninsula and simulating real-scenario-attacks upon DPRK.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the United States is planning to carry out the largest-ever joint aerial drill with South Korea targeting the DPRK from Dec. 4 to 8, which he said will push the current touch-and-go situation in the peninsula to a possible flare-up.

"More than 230 fighters from the U.S. air force bases in Japan and South Korea including its latest stealth fighters F-22 Raptor and F-35, the U.S. major strategic assets as well as some 12,000 U.S. troops are to participate in the said drill," said the spokesman.

The United States and South Korea hold annual large scale military drills over the alleged threat from the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs.

The DPRK foreign ministry spokesman said this drill would be unprecedented in its size and nature of simulating actual combat situation and have the highest number of U.S. major strategic assets including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 stealth fighters.

"The U.S. is publicly touting the objective of the drill as enhancing the actual combat capability to disable the DPRK's major strategic bases in the early stages of war," the spokesman noted.

He pointed out that Washington has just wound up a large-scale nuclear war drill against the DPRK which involved three nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike groups. Such exercises are fueling the speculation that a U.S. nuclear attack on the DPRK is indeed possible and plausible

"The Trump team is begging for a nuclear war by staging an extremely dangerous nuclear gamble on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

The tension in the Korean Peninsula is extremely high.

The DPRK test fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) -- "Hwasong 15 "-- last week which it said could hit the entire territory of the United States, thus marking the completion of DPRK's rocket weaponry system, according to Pyongyang's own description of its nuclear and missile system.

Related:

Trump threatens to impose additional sanctions on DPRK

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that additional sanctions will be imposed on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after its latest missile launch.

"Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea (DPRK) today. This situation will be handled," Trump tweeted. Full story

DPRK's new missile test-launch draws condemnation from int'l community

BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has confirmed that it successfully test-fired a newly developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) early Wednesday morning.
A 30-year-old Jenin resident was detained for questioning in the West Bank's Tapuach Junction after an M-16 rifle was found in his car.

The suspect was taken in for questioning by security forces.
The Israeli father who shot dead a Palestinian rioter in the West Bank town of Qusra hit back on Sunday against claims by the IDF that trip organizers did not coordinate it with the army, producing an email he said was sent to the IDF requesting authorization to hold a trip in the area.

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The Palestinian who was shot was among a group of Palestinian rioters throwing rocks at a group of some 20 Israeli children who were on a bar mitzvah trip in the area on Thursday.

The email from the father said: "Hello, I would like to coordinate a short hike between Migdalim and Kida (two West Bank settlements). We have a rifle and a first aid kit."

The Qusra confrontation (Photo: EPA)

The father claimed he had never received a written response but was contacted and received verbal IDF authorization.

He is now suspected of involuntary manslaughter, which incensed the hikers' families.

The families claimed the incident was extremely severe and might have ended in disaster if not for the father's swift response. "My son came back traumatized. He said they were going to die. He's still suffering from anxiety and it's shameful the army and police are treating the heroes who saved the children as criminals and distorting the picture by turning the assaulted into the assailant," said Naomi Ofen, whose son was among the hikers.

One of the Israelis was wounded in the clashes

Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman also commented on the incident, writing on Facebook, "Using a weapon for self defense is a moral value protected by law in all democratic countries."
The contentious recommendations bill , which seeks to bar police from publicly releasing recommendations on indictment, may not be brought to a vote on Monday as planned amid reservations from the Kulanu and Bayit Yehudi parties Sunday.

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Members from the two coalition partners raised qualms about the fact the bill appears to be tailor-made to help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is being investigated by police for corruption.

The lawmakers from the two parties also expressed unease over the fact the legislation was being rushed through the Knesset, to the point ministers and MKs who are currently abroad on work trips were asked to return to Israel by Monday so they could attend the vote on the bill's second and third readings.

MK David Amsalem, who proposed the bill (Photo: Yishai Porat)

Coalition heads initially considered postponing the vote, but eventually decided to hold it on Monday regardless, requiring some of the lawmakers to arrive at the Knesset straight from the airport.

Nevertheless, during a Likud ministers meeting on Sunday, Minister Ze'ev Elkin proposed to postpone the vote in a week.

MK Merav Ben-Ari (Kulanu) submitted reservations to the bill during a meeting of the Knesset's Internal Affairs Committee on Sunday, conditioning her support to the legislation in it going into effect 90 days after its approvalrather than two weeksto ensure it does not apply to the investigations against Prime Minister Netanyahu.

"It's time to deal with the bill's implementation to avoid even the appearance of a 'personal law,'" she wrote on Twitter.

Her fellow Kulanu party member Rachel Azaria has already announced she would vote against the legislation, after criticizing it extensively.

Likud MK Oren Hazan, meanwhile, said while he thought the bill was good, "in its current timing, it is causing damage to the prime minister and the Likud party."

The Knesset's Internal Affairs Committee (Photo: Yishai Porat)

Bayit Yehudi Knesset faction leader MK Mualem-Rafaeli was of the same mind as Hazan, saying her party "has a problem with the bill in the current timing. We hear and see public murmurings. In its essence, this is a good bill, but we wouldn't have proposed such a bill ourselves."

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, also of Bayit Yehudi, said at the Saban Forum in Washington that while she too thought the bill had merit, "The people did not elect a right-wing government to pass the recommendations bill."

Bayit Yehudi leadership has been debating whether to allow party members the freedom to vote on the bill as they see fit, after it was already given to members of the Kulanu party.

Meanwhile, opposition members were also fighting the legislation at the committee, submitting hundreds of reservations as part of a filibuster. Yesh Atid submitted over 500 reservations, Zionist Union submitted some 200, while Meretz submitted some 100 additional reservations.

MK Mickey Levy (Yesh Atid) argued the legislation was "meant for silencing." He later read out his reservations to the tune of the song "Jerusalem of Gold," prompting committee chairman David Amsalem (Likud) to rebuke him, saying "Don't be a clown, stop making mockery of the Knesset." Other MKs responded to Amsalem, saying "You're making a mockery."

Fellow Yesh Atid MK Yael German said "the reservations are based on the fact the law will change all the time. But the cat's out of the bag, when the cases in questions are the ones accompanied by an attorney, it's clear who the bill is for."

Amsalem, one of the promoters of the bill, responded that "This isn't true, but keep on lying. Your words are inaccurate."

Objections to the bill also came from Netanyahu's own party. During an interview on Meet the Press on Saturday, Likud MK Benny Begin, who was ousted from the Internal Affairs Committee due to his objection to the bill, dubbed the move as "the use of the ruling party to aid the one at its head."

The recommendations bill, which is also opposed by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, would prevent the police from offering its opinion in instances when the investigation includes an attorney, with the official reason being that they would be the best authority to decide the case's chance of winning an indictment. The bill also states that if a leak in such a case occurs, the leaker would face a year in prison.

The newer version of the bill states that even when an attorney is already on the case, the attorney general could nevertheless requests that the police issue its recommendations.

The police could also offer recommendations in any instance where it is decided to close the case.

After being approved by the Internal Affairs Committee, the recommendations bill was brought to a vote in the Knesset and passed its first reading with 46 votes in favor and 37 against. It has now returned to the committee for discussions ahead of the second and third reading votes.

Zionist Union MK Yoel Hasson told Ynet on Sunday the recommendation bill "has rocked all systems, caused the loss of the checks and balances. This corrupt bill caused on the one hand to reckless behavior by the Knesset, the coalition, the prime minister's people, and on the other hand led to an extreme reaction from law enforcement officials."

Tens of thousands of people protested in Tel Aviv against the legislation and government corruption on Saturday night. There were also protests held in Haifa, Jerusalem, Rosh Pina and other cities.
The government approved Sunday the so-called "supermarkets bill," which endows the Interior Ministry with the powers to overrule municipal bylaws and order the shuttering of supermarkets during the Jewish day of rest, as part of an effort to placate the coalition's Haredi parties, after the resignation of Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) over work done on Shabbat.

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The bill, sponsored by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) was approved by a vote of 10 in favor and 2 opposed. The dissenters were Yisrael Beytenu's Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman and Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver.

"Herzl and Jabotinsky didn't observe Shabbat," Lieberman argued.

Defense Minister Lieberman

Education Minister Naftali Bennett responded, telling Lieberman that: "Without 3,000 years of (observing) Shabbat, we wouldn't have had Herzl."

Deri also jumped in, noting that "Herzl's descendents all converted to Christianity."

Lieberman's fellow party member Landver also offered her objections, saying, "We will not allow a small minority to control our lives."

The bill also states any new bylaw pertaining to opening shops or recreation centers on Shabbat will have to be approved by the interior minister himself. It will not apply, however, to existing bylaws approved by the High Court, such as the ones allowing supermarkets to remain open in Tel Aviv.

"We want to maintain the status quote all over the country, and prevent the Shabbat day from becoming the national day of commerce," Deri explained. "We just want what was to remain."

During the government discussion, Deri tried to minimize the importance of the legislation, saying it will "affects things perhaps in five years."

Deri and Netanyahu during the government meeting (Photo: Reuters)

Bennett, meanwhile, argued that "We must avoid religious coercion, while at the same time maintain the social nature of the Shabbat as well."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered that "the country is like a mosaic, the bill allows for flexibility in each and every city."

An hour after being approved by the government, the bill was approved at the Ministerial Committee for Legislation with a majority of three in favor and one against.

Lieberman announced last week that his party would vote against the bill proposal in the Knesset. While he is not a member of Knesset himself, Yisrael Beytenu's MKs have all been instructed to vote against the legislation, while Minister Landver will miss the vote.

Despite the fact the party's two ministers will not vote, Yisrael Beytenu's objection to the bill goes against coalition discipline, which could have ramifications in the future.

In an effort to avoid this predicament, Yisrael Beytenu MK Robert Ilatov turned to coalition chairman David Bitan on behalf of his party on Wednesday, asking not to promote the bill.

Yisrael Beytenu is not alone in opposing the bill. Last week, 58 mayors from across the country sent a letter to the prime minister, the interior minister and the justice minister, expressing their objection to the legislation.

They said the bill seeks to change the existing relationship between the national government and local authorities, and that it would constitute a change in the status quo.

Shabbat work and Breaking the Silence bills

Another bill set to be approved on Sunday is an amendment to the Hours of Work and Rest Law, stating the minister of labor and welfare will be obligated to take into account the "welfare of the employee, Israel's traditions, the existence of an alternative not necessitating employment on weekly days of rest and the degree of damage to the public arena."

While convened, the government will also discuss Likud MK Yoav Kisch's "Breaking the Silence bill," allowing IDF soldiers to file class action suits if they were damaged by slander following any operational activity they took part in.

In his bill's explanatory remarks, Kisch explained that the article in Israel's anti-slander law dealing with slander on "publics" said no private civil or criminal suits will be brought forward unless the attorney general approved them or submitted them himself.

MK Kish's 'Breaking the Silence bill' will also be discussed (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Kisch was of the opinion that Israel's detractors, who have been waging a delegitimization campaign against it on the international stage, have honed in on IDF soldiers in the past few years after recognizing them as easy targets for slander, safe in the knowledge no criminal proceedings will be brought against them.

The Likud MK also touched on the recent affair involving Breaking the Silence spokesman Dean Issacharoff , saying the State Attorney's Office determined his testimonial on beating a Palestinian was " false and the incident described never took place. Pursuant to that assertion, no charges will be filed against him, but why should Issacharoff not be sued in a civil suit over the blatant lies and damage he has caused IDF soldiers the world over?"
A weekly newsletter disseminated by the Kibbutz Movement published a caricature showing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovelydepicted unflatteringlywaving an Israeli flag alongside a Nazi soldier, both yelling at an American Jewish couple, "Kikes Draft dodgers!"

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The caricature, accompanied by the caption "On the way to the Reform synagogue", was published alongside an editorial by HaZman HaYarok Editor-in-Chief Yaakov Lazar, who commented on the deputy minister's recent statements on Diaspora Jewry.

The controversial caricature

Hotovely responded to the picture, saying that she was appalled by the "ignorant" insinuation.

"The caricature is somewhere between ignorance and slander and shamed the Kibbutz Movement's weekly. My comments' clear context was describing the dissimilar realities of living in Israel and the United States," she explained.

Offering his defense, Lazar said, "The caricature referenced the glowing reception Hotovely's comments received on American neo-Nazi site 'The Daily Stormer', which noted she was saying the same thing about American Jews they were. The allegation Hotovely made against American Jews, saying they weren't joining the army, has been made by neo-Nazis for a while now."
KABUL  The commander of the Taliban's "special forces" branch, known as the "Red Unit," was killed last week in Helmand province by Afghan forces, according to Afghanistan's main intelligence agency.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said Mullah Shah Wali, also known as Mullah Naser, was killed in an air operation in Helmand.

The province is a Taliban stronghold in the heartland of Afghanistan's lucrative drug trade.

Wali became the commander of the Taliban's "Red Unit" as well as deputy shadow governor of Helmand province three years ago and was directly involved in Taliban offensives, the statement said.

The "Red Unit" is thought to be equipped with advanced weapons, including night vision scopes, 82mm rockets, heavy machine guns and US-made assault rifles, according to the Afghan military.
WASHINGTON - CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Saturday that he sent a letter to a top Iranian military official warning him that the United States would hold Tehran accountable for any attacks it conducted on American interests in Iraq.

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Pompeo, who has voiced staunch opposition to Iran, said he sent the letter to General Qasem Soleimani, a leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and elite Quds Force, but the general didn't read it.

"I sent a note. I sent it because he had indicated that forces under his control might in fact threaten US interests in Iraq," Pompeo said at a defense forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California. "He refused to open the letterdidn't break my heart to be honest with you."

CIA Director Mike Pompeo (Photo: MCT)

"What we were communicating to him in that letter was that we will hold he and Iran accountable ... and we wanted to make sure that he and the leadership of Iran understood that in a way that was crystal clear."

Pompeo said Iran is working to strengthen its influence throughout the Middle East. As a Republican congressman from Kansas, Pompeo was highly critical of the Iran nuclear deal, which the US and other nations negotiated with Tehran to lift sanctions in exchange for reductions in its nuclear program. Pompeo said Iran is currently in compliance with that agreement.

In Iran, Mohammad Mohammadi Golpaygani, the chief of staff for the country's supreme leader, said Soleimani ignored the letter. "Recently, when ... the CIA chief through one of his contacts in the region sent a letter to Gen. Soleimani, he responded by saying, 'I did not either receive or read the letter. I have nothing to tell these people,'" Golpaygani said.
Nahal Brigade soldier Sgt. Ron Yitzhak Kokia was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at Tel Aviv's Kiryat Shaul military cemetery, with some 2,000 people in attendance.

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The Israeli government was represented by Science Minister Ofir Akunis, while the IDF was represented by GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Roni Numa, GOC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the head of the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate Maj.-Gen. Aharon Haliva.

Boaz, Kokia's father, eulogized his son. "Our Ron was brought up to love and respect people, both in our family and society at large, but he was also brought up to 'Respect them and suspect them', especially as it pertains to strangers. I think Ron may not have been suspicious enough Thursday night, when he was murdered by the lowest of the low: Israel's enemies from within," the father said.

Sgt. Kokia's funeral (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"The State of Israel, including all of its systems of government and citizens, does not do enough to combat its enemies from within and without. This is a prolonged, systemic war waged against those who visit this violence upon and us and those who instigate it," he added.

Boaz Kokia continued, "Personal and national security are a main aspect, alongside mutual assurance and the security, civilian and economic aspects. On this painful occasion, I call upon Israelis of all religions and creeds to be more tolerant and less critical of each other, for each group to aspire to be elevated to the same plateau as others and not at their expense."

Kokia's parents Boaz and Levana (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Ron's mother Levana spoke next. "My beloved, magical and sensitive child, a strong, strapping man who always wanted just one more hug from his mom. When I kissed you today, I wanted to bring your body some warmth, but your eyes were shut and extinguished, and I couldn't hold on to you. Go on your way, my son, angels will greet you when you get there. Go on your way embraced in the arms of your God. Our thanks go out... to those seeking the cursed terrorists and to the lovely people of Arad ," the grieving mother said.

"You'll be our eternal soldier," Kokia's cousin added during his own eulogy.

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

'Forgive me for not being by your side'

Ron's three brothers eulogized him as well. His older brother Dor said, "My beloved Ron, the best little brother in the world. The pain is too much to bear and the heart is torn asunder. I remember the excitement I felt when they told me I had a baby brother. Forgive me for not being by your side Thursday to shield you with my own body and protect you from those wishing to do you harm. Together we could have beaten them all."

Ron's sister Noy said, "You've always been a kid and a kid you'll remain forever now. We're not longer four siblings, but three people lost."

Minister Akunis eulogized Kokia on behalf of the government. "The people of Israel bow their heads over the criminal murder of your beloved son. How do you bid a soldier you never knew farewell? You look at his picture and immediately understand. His eyes reflect the kindness of his heart and naivete. The vacuum created with his passing cannot be filled," Akunis said.

Commander of the Nahal's regimental training base, Lt.-Col. Yoav Katzenelson, said in his own eulogy Kokia had decided to return from his week-long vacation shortly before the murder so he could join his compatriots in Hebron, despite not being obligated to do so.

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"Your decision to come back, despite not having to, symbolizes the values that so characterized you: responsibility, camaraderie and a sense of mission. When notified of your injuries, your friends in the company and the entire base rushed to carry out widespread searches in and around Arad (for Kokia's assailant), and continued those searches for hours," Katzenelson said.

The security establishment suspects the terrorist or terrorists who carried out the attack made their getaway with Kokia's weapon. The IDF carried out expansive searches in the southern Mount Hebron area and set up road blocks, which were later thinned down. Hundreds of police officers were similarly deployed in Arad in the hours following the attack to rule out the possibility of the terrorist hiding somewhere in the city.

An initial investigation into the attack turned up Kokia was fatally stabbed while waiting for transportation outside an Arad shopping mall. Magen David Adom teams called to the scene unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate the soldier and pronounced him dead.

Kokia was stabbed in Arad Thursday

Eye witnesses said the soldier tried crying for help after the deadly attack but collapsed over a passing car. The car's driver thought Kokia was hurt in an accident and called in medical assistance.

Arad residents arrived to the scene of the murder Friday morning to light candles and place wreathes where Kokia was killed. The soldier's family agreed to donate his corneas for transplant. "The entire family carries organ donors cards and saving life is a virtue like no other," said Kokia's father Boaz.
The IDF has set up roadblocks in the Gaza region over the last few days due to military activities being carried out in the area, it was cleared for publication Sunday.

Military police are blocking private vehicles from entering the area and farmers are required to coordinate with the military to enter.

No special instructions have been issued to the local residents.

Last month the IDF exploded a terror tunnel in the vicinity of Kisufim, near central Gaza.
Speaking at the Saban Forum, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "one day the Iranian regime will fall, Iranian mothers and fathers will rejoice in the streets and Israel will be first in line to renew (diplomatic) relations and rebuild a partnership together.

"There are two aspects in common to the Iranian regime and Nazi Germany: A merciless commitment to tyranny and terrorism and their commitment to the murder of Jews," said Netanyahu.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 11:07:14|Editor: liuxin

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BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A National People's Congress (NPC) delegation of legislators from China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday concluded a three-day visit to Argentina.

The delegation met Argentine parliament members, officials from the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, scholars and university students during their first visit to the South American country.

The two sides held talks on topics including Tibet's socio-and-economic progress achieved after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, poverty alleviation, religious and cultural protection, ethnic unity and regional autonomy system for ethnic minorities.

During the talks, the Argentine side promised to deepen cooperation in various fields and promote personnel and tourism exchanges between the two sides.

Led by Danzeng Langjie, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the delegation arrived in Argentina on Thursday after their four-day visit to Canada.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has said that its "reponse to Israel's destruction of the tunnel has not yet happened. Our reponse will come at the appropriate time and place."

Last month the IDF destroyed a terror tunnel that had entered Israeli territory, during which seven militants were killed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Sunday the Iranian regime to Nazi Germany, saying in a pre-recorded speech to the Saban Forum in Washington that both were relentlessly committed to imposing tyranny and terror, and 'murdering Jews.'

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The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia recently referred to President Rouhani as the new Hitler in the Middle East, Netanyahu said in reference to Mohammed bin Salmans recent comments in which labelled Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as the new Hitler in an interview with the New York Times' Thomas Friedman.

PM Netanyahu giving speech

Obviously there are some important differences between Nazi Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran, but both regimes do have two important things in common: one a ruthless commitment to imposing tyranny and terror, and second, a ruthless commitment to murder Jews, Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also reiterated Israel's policy that it would not allow Iranian military entrenchment in Syria in the speech that was taped on Thursday, a day before Israel allegedly attacked an Iranian base in Syria.

Beginning his remarks in jocular fashion, Netanyahu said This year I want to talk about a topic that I almost never bring up: Iran. Just kidding, before telling his listeners that if they were in his shoes youd talk about Iran too."

Setting the context of the comparison, Netanyahu explained how the world reacted to Adolf Hitlers rise to power, highlighting the then British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlains policy that became known as appeasement, symbolized by the famous 1938 agreement in which Hitler was permitted to take over portions of Czechoslovakia on condition that he committ to no further territorial expansion.

Prince Bin Salman (L) and Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei (Photos: Reuters)

Apparently after a Munich, Chamberlain said Well. Hitler wasnt such a bad fellow after all,

Foreign Minister Anthony Eden, Netanyahu said, would later reflect on the meeting between Hitler and Chamberlain.

The hardest thing for me at that time was to convince my friends that Hitler and Mussolini were quite different from British businessmen or country gentlemen, Netanyahu quoted.

My friends simply refused to believe me. They thought I was biased against the dictators, Netanyahu continued to quote.

Netanyahu then turned to a statement by Hitler as quoted in the Daily Mail in 1938.

Clip from the speech (:  ")

X

Believe me, Hitler said. We shall never fight against except in self defense... which brings us back to Iran, Netanyahu continued, mockingly describing the Iranian silver-tongued foreign minister who charmingly explain(s) that Iran is a moderate power which harbors no hatred toward anyone. Right.

Mr. Zarif: Tell that to the journalist tortured in Evin prison. Tell that to students shot dead in the streets. Tell that to the hundreds of thousands of dead Syrians killed by Irans proxies Netanyahu said, continuing the list of human rights violations and atrocities committed by the Iranian regime.

I speak so often about Iran because I read history. When tyrants call for the destruction of my people, I believe them, he stressed. I don't have the luxury of discounting their genocidal threats.

"So let me reiterate Israel's policy," he went on. "We will not allow a regime hell-bent on the annihilation of the Jewish state to acquire nuclear weapons. We will not allow that regime to entrench itself militarily in Syria as it seeks to do for the expressed purpose of eradicating our state."

Netanyahu also praised President Trump for creating an opportunity to fix what he has frequently described as blatant pitfalls in the Iranian nuclear agreement signed under his predecessor Barack Obama.

Finally, Netanyahu predicted the day when the Iranian regime will fall.

Israel will be the first in line to restore relations and rebuild our great partnership, he said.
Chairman of the Knesset Interior Committee David Amsalem announced Sunday evening that the upcoming debate and vote for the Recommendations Bill which he sponsored is temporarily being called off, before clarifying later the same evening that it would be held on Wednesday, and put to the Knesset plenum next Monday.

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The committee vote was supposed to take place on Monday on a bill that would block the police from issuing recommendations on whether to issue an indictment at the conclusion of an investigation.

On Wednesday Amsalem is expected to bring to the committee a fresh draft of the bill that will ensure the support of Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) and all his party members.

MK Benny Begin (Likud), who was ostracized after he demurred on the bill, stated that he would back it as long as it was not drafted to personally benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Amsalem at the Interior Commitee (Photo: Yishai Porat)

Framers of the bill were preparing to bring it to the Knesset for a second and third reading, after it passed its first reading last week, garnering 46 votes for, and 37 against, following hours of fiery debates in the Knesset plenum.

However, Amsalem announced that he would be pulling the plug on the committee vote after Netanyahu declared that he asked Amsalem to phrase the contentious bill "so it does not apply to the investigation conducted into my affairs."

"The main thing is to get rid of Netanyahu, so much hatred," said Amsalem at the close of the meeting. He lashed out at the opposition and at the law enforcement system saying: "The Police have campaigned, the State Attorney led opposition that crossed all lines, anything is permitted for them."

Amsalem then attacked the opposition parties, "you leftists are always so violent, everything is permitted for you, but not for the Right."

Knesset Interior Committee (Photo: Yishai Porat)

Amsalem had announced earlier that he respects Netanyahu's wish that the bill not be applied to him, but he also stated that the bill has become personal.

"I will sit with the legal counsel of the committee and consider the (bill's) wording. We will return to the Knesset with a groundbreaking bill that will be first-rate from a social justice perspective. It will prevent the violation of basic human rights," he said.

On Sunday morning, Ynet publicized that the Kulanu and Bayit Yehudi parties had expressed their discomfort with the bill and the fact that it appeared to be motivated by personal considerations.

The fact that it was fast tracked and MKs were recalled from abroad so that it could pass could also account for the abrupt delay.

At a meeting of Likud ministers, held simultaneously to that of the Interior Committee's, Minister Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) proposed that the bill be delayed by a week.

Since the legislation was first raised, Knesset members opposed to its ratification have voiced numerous concerns, and attempted to append stipulations that would ensure that the transparency of Netanyahu's myriad of corruption investigations is not compromised.

To that end, Knesset member Meirav Ben-Ari (Kulanu) recently insisted that the bill, if passed, only come into effect in three months, also allowing sufficient time for the police to conclude their investigation.

PM Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters)

She later tweeted that in light of the freedom to vote as one sees fit, granted by the chairman of the Kulanu party Moshe Kahlon, her condition for supporting the bill would be that it not come into effect for three months, "to avoid even the appearance that the bill is a personal bill."

On Sunday evening Ben-Ari and her fellow party member Roy Folkman submitted an updated clause to the Recommendations Bill so that "the law does not apply to investigations that have begun before the law was enacted."

Netanyahu posted on Facebook that the Recommendations Bill is a "commendable bill that protects human dignity. It regulates a clear separation, which exists in a democracy, between the role of the police and that of the legal echelons. Only they are authorized to decide whether to prosecute a person. The law is intended to prevent the publication of police recommendations that leave a stain on innocent people, something that happens all too often, "he said.
In recent days and weeks, Israeli leaders have warned that they will not accept an Iranian military presence in Syria.

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From the perspective of aerial defense, this Israeli red line is crucial, for if Iran is allowed to set up air bases in Syria, the entire strategic picture will change for the worse as it pertains to the Middle East.

Iranian air bases in Syria would mean that instead of having to fly 2000 kilometers to reach Israel, Iranian jets would be stationed 200 kilometers from us.

A 2000 kilometer flight requires mid-air refueling and prior intelligence. It is not an easy operation to undertake. But a 200 kilometer air journey is much simpler.

This proximity would also allow the Iranians to have a better intelligence picture of Israel. It would obligate Israel to intensively collect intelligence on any new Iranian military assets sprouting up in Syria.

Reported expansion on the Iranian base (Photo: Digital Globe, McKenze intelligence Services, BBC)

From a geographical, military perspective, Iranian airbases in next door Syria would be a game changer. Presently, the Iranian enemy is located mostly to the east, and can, to a limited extent, attempt to attack from Israel's north and south. But it cannot come from the West.

If Syria becomes home to Iranian aerial platforms, Iran could head west to the Mediterranean Sea, and then fly toward any Israeli coastal city; be it Haifa, Tel Aviv, or Ashkelon. The same holds true for Iranian drones.

This would mean opening a new western front against Israel that requires an entirely new line of defensea front that does not exist today. Such a development would represent significant danger to Israel.

THE RISK OF A COSTLY MISTAKE

In addition, the presence of Iranian aircraft in Syrian skies would greatly complicate the job of deconfliction with the great powers of Russia and the US.

At this time, Israel has full air superiority in the northern arena. Syria has very little left in the way of an air force after five years of war against the rebels. The majority of planes flying over Syria are usually American or Russian.

But if the Iranians suddenly start to appear over Syrian skies, Israel would need to work hard to ensure it can correctly identify them, and differentiate between Iranian, Russian, and American aircraft.

The dangers of shooting down a Russian fighter jet are familiar to Turkey, which suffered a significant punishment from President Putin following the November 2015 incident in which this occurred.

Enemy Iranian aircraft appearing in Syrian skiesinterspersed among the air traffic of Russia and the USwould undoubtedly raise the risk of Israel bringing down the wrong fighter jet by accident.

A NEW PHASE IN IRAN'S POWER PROJECTIONS

Until now, Iran has mostly threatened Israel by proxy, just as it threatens Saudi Arabia via the Houthis in Yemen. Hezbollah and Hamas have served as Iranian proxy threats against Israel. Yet if the Iranians begin inserting themselves directly into the Syrian arena, they will bring with them more sophisticated capabilities to target the Israeli home front.

Israel would struggle to level the playing field in terms of wielding a reciprocal threat to the Iranian home front. Israeli forces would have to travel 2000 kilometers to reach Iran. But Iran would have a permit to get close to Israel if it is allowed to set up shop in Syria.

Such a scenario carries the distinct possibility of dragging Israel into the Syrian arena, something Jerusalem has tried to refrain from doing until now. Israel's policy in Syria has been limited to providing humanitarian assistance to civilians, caring for wounded Syrians, and enforcing Israeli red lines, according to media reports.

Even now, Iran is attempting to traffic precision-guided weapons into Syria, efforts that Israel is reportedly disrupting in a pinpoint manner.

If the Iranians arrive in Syria as a permanent military presence, they will bring more sophisticated weapons, including more advanced rockets and drones, and share them with their proxies. This would form a complex and dangerous threat.

HOW TO AVOID EXAPNDING THE WAR IN SYRIA

This assessment is not designed to cause alarm. Rather, it clearly spells out the significance of an Iranian military presence in Syria.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remains the strongest military in the Middle East. The Israel Air Force is by far the strongest in the Middle East, and one of the leading air forces in the world. Its platformsthe F-35, F-15, and F-16s - are among the most advanced in existence. Its air defense systemsDavid's Sling, the Patriot, the Arrow systems, and Iron Dome, as well as Israel's drones and air command, are highly advanced.

F-35 plane (: MCT)

Even if Iran consolidates itself militarily in Syria, Israel would not face a catastrophe, and would emerge victorious in the event of a conflict. But this would certainly increase the chances of a war in the short or medium term.

War should be the last option, not the first, and for this reason, it is vital to prevent Iran from moving into Syria.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 11:12:17|Editor: ZD

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN special envoy for Yemen on Saturday stressed the need to protect civilians as clashes broke out in the Arab world's poorest country.

"There has been a sharp escalation of serious events in (the Yemeni capital of) Sanaa and other governorates over the last 24 hours. We are deeply concerned by the implications of these events on the civilian population," said Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in a statement.

He was referring to fighting between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The two forces were previously allies against forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

"We urge the parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law including their obligations to respect the principle of distinction, proportionality and precaution. All sides must exercise restraint and ensure that their attacks are never directed at civilians or civilian objects. We caution against the serious impact of armed violence against civilians," said Ahmed.

"We call on the parties to urgently come to the negotiating table and to engage in the peace process. We reiterate our position that the political solution is the only way out of a prolonged conflict in Yemen."

Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting, which started Wednesday in Sanaa, between the rebel alliance.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 11:22:20|Editor: ZD

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TEGUCIGALPA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Honduran government imposed a curfew in efforts to curb violent demonstrations due to a neck-to-neck presidential race, local media reported on Saturday.

The curfew, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., went into effect at 11 p.m. on Friday night and will last for 10 days "to counter the social unrest caused by the general elections held last Sunday (Nov.26)," the daily La Prensa said.

The Central American nation has been rocked by violent demonstrations, vandalism and lootings since the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced that leading opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla trailing incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernandez by only 1.5 percentage points.

Nasralla has accused the TSE of fraud.

Protests in the city of San Pedro Sula led police to "lob teargas all along the avenue," but lootings continued, La Prensa reported.

With 94.4 percent of the total votes counted, the tally placed Nasralla a hair's width behind Hernandez with 41.4 percent of the votes versus 42.9 percent.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 11:27:21|Editor: ZD

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said on Saturday that the potential for war with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is "increasing every day" after Pyongyang's latest missile launch.

"I think it's increasing every day, which means that we are in a race, really, we are in a race to be able to solve this problem," said the senior security official addressing an audience at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California.

McMaster's remarks came days after a successful test-fire of a newly developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) by the DPRK, which has drawn strong condemnation from countries and international organizations.

The DPRK represents "the greatest immediate threat to the United States," said McMaster, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump remains committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The national security adviser also noted that there are non-military ways to deal with the issue.

The latest launch by the DPRK came a week after the United States redesignated the DPRK as a "state sponsor of terrorism" and slapped a new round of sanctions against the Asian country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 12:12:26|Editor: ZD

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PUNTS DEL ESTE, Uruguay, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 11th China-Latin America and the Caribbean (China-LAC) Business Summit in Punta del Este, Uruguay, is expected to build bridges in bilateral business cooperation with business owners from both sides keen to open up new markets.

On Saturday, business representatives in such fields as manufacturing, agribusiness, as well as banking and financial services, gathered at the city's convention center to promote cooperation.

"Beyond the small language barrier, I believe there is a kind of universal language of doing business," Cao Li of China's Chongqing City Baisiji Trade Co., told Xinhua.

The company, which designs and develops motorcycle cylinders, "is today doing business with Colombia. This event is a very good gateway to connecting with other Latin American countries," said Cao.

Among the service companies at the China-LAC business meetings were law firms such as Olivera Abogados, which provides national and international companies in Uruguay with services in banking, finance, trade and legal aid in general.

The summit offers a valuable chance to expand business ties with China, said Juan Martin Olivera, business partner of the law firm.

"It is a very important opportunity for Chinese and Latin American companies to get closer in a setting that generates a lot of synergy, and often the chance to break through not just cultural and language barriers, but also barriers in the way you do business," Olivera noted.

Participants were able to "gather and exchange ideas... It's a great opportunity to be able to show Chinese companies how we can work together to knock down the barriers erected by legal systems," Olivera added.

Started in 2007 as an annual gathering, the summit is jointly organized by China's Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with input this year from Uruguay XXI, the South American country's export promotion agency.

Reflecting growing biregional ties, Antonio Carambula, head of Uruguay XXI, said this year's event was the largest ever.

"It's the largest China-LAC summit held in Latin America," he said, adding that "attendance was great with lots of companies registering."

According to the latest figures, the event drew 604 Chinese business leaders, 760 Uruguayan businesses and 836 companies from other parts of Latin America.

In addition, "Many cooperation-agreements were signed between various Chinese provinces and Latin American countries," said Carambula.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 13:22:37|Editor: liuxin

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URUMQI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- In 2018, close to 7 billion yuan (1 billion U.S. dollars) will be allocated from the central finance to help battle poverty in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

According to the regional finance department, more than 4 billion yuan will go to poverty relief causes, while about 760 million yuan will be specially used for development related to ethnic minorities. About 2 billion yuan will be used to employ local residents in government-funded projects, while the rest will flow to state farms and forests.

From 2011 to 2015, more than 1.7 million residents in Xinjiang were lifted out of poverty, according to government figures.

About 1.2 million impoverished people in the region will be helped out of poverty by 2020, most of them in southern Xinjiang, where a poor living environment, insufficient infrastructure and a lack of public services have resulted in a big number of people living in poverty.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 14:22:44|Editor: liuxin

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Police evacuate and comb at the Memorial City Mall in Houston, Texas, the United States, Dec. 2, 2017. A shopping mall in Houston in the U.S. state of Texas was evacuated after reports of possible active shooting Saturday evening. (Xinhua/Liu Liwei)

HOUSTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- An alleged shooting incident on Saturday in a shopping mall in Houston in the U.S. state of Texas was actually a smash and grab at a jewelry store. There were no injuries or casualties, local police said.

A robber smashed a jewelry case with a hammer inside Macy's at the Memorial City Mall, about 20 km west of Downtown Houston. The robber then fled the scene, James Jones, assistant chief of Houston Police Department said at a media briefing.

The police initially received the 911-call about an alleged shooting incident Saturday evening. Police had described the scene as "a pretty big chaos" as they evacuated and combed the mall for "a possible active shooter."

The police confirmed later that there was no evidence of any shooting at all.

"It's Memorial City Mall at Christmas time, that's why there was a massive reaction," said Jones.
A lucky few discover their passion early on in life, whether it be for studying the stars, performing music or helping others in various capacities. For Desirae Barquin and Samantha Quintanilla, they set out on their path to becoming the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy respectively in Canyon Movement Companys production of the Nutcracker when they were still unsteady on their feet.

When I was younger the Sugar Plum Fairy was a role model, Quintanilla said. Looking up to the Sugar Plum Fairy and then transitioning into that role and knowing that people are looking up to (me) was one of the main things she said she kept in mind throughout rehearsals.

The two dancers in Canyon Movement Company have played almost every role imaginable in the classic holiday show. Now in its 14th consecutive year, The Nutcracker in Modern Bare Feet gives a fun twist with updated choreography and a reworked story.

The dance company will be returning to their home stage this year at the Clifford E. White Theater on the Northern Arizona University campus. The show will run Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance at 11 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $17 for the general public, $11 for students and children, plus applicable fees from the NAU Central Ticket Office. For more details, visit CanyonMovementCompany.org.

Dancers in the company start getting into the headspace for the performance as early as September by listening to the theme music written by Russian composer Tchaikovsky and practicing until the choreography is second nature.

We both put a lot of work into our pieces so its a lot of rehearsal times but its definitely very rewarding when the show is here, Barquin said.

As the familiar story goes, Clara, performed by Ella Moore this year, receives a nutcracker doll from her Godfather during a holiday party only to have it broken by her little sister Frankie. Heartbroken, she goes to bed but is then transported to a fantasy land in her dreams where the doll becomes a life-size prince, no longer in pieces, who fights off an army of mice.

Its very familiar to watch it as an adult at the party, Barquin said.

Its Flagstaff tradition, Quintanilla added. Its typically classical ballet but we do a more modern dance in bare feet and I think that adds a more grounded feeling to the show. Its very authentic

When we started this, (the important thing) for me was finding that authenticity because I wanted it to have more meaning than what it does traditionally, executive director Gina Darlington explained.

When Clara and her prince arrive in the Land of Sweets the Sugar Plum Fairy thanks them for defeating the mice army with a show: which includes a Chinese ribbon dance, Russian folk dance, belly dancing for the Arabian dance and a flamenco Spanish dance.

And then we put in really tricky things like acro-yoga, and we do a couple of aerial pieces, she said. We just try to change everything a little bit so it stays fresh for you and for us as performers.

One thing that has stayed the same over the years is the Waltz of the Snowflakes performance.

Thats the piece that made me have to do the Nutcracker after I saw it the first year, Darlington said.

It starts with the Snow Queen beckoning on all of her snowflakes so theres lots of large moving patterns that go across the floor and its very expressive, Quintanilla explained. Its reaching arms and long legs. Were snowflakes, so its a very whirling dance.

A cast of more than 40 dancers from Canyon Movement Company as well as Canyon Dance Academy, Velocity Dance Company, Monsoon Sisters Belly Dance and Flagstaff Aerial Arts make up this years unique performance.

Were all so used to working together at this point that a lot of times we share the same kind of common ideas so its nice to get outside feedback and choreography, said show director Cori Wall.

I feel that at Canyon Movement Company thats one of the kind of core values, to work collaboratively, Darlington added. Its a small town and even if you dont work together you still know each other in the dance community, but it just makes it more fun too, like Cori said.

With the aerial arts, the modern dance, the belly dancing, I think we have a little bit of everything, Barquin said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 14:57:49|Editor: Xiang Bo

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's latest social media posts, which triggered a heated quarrel between Washington and London, have put strain on bilateral ties.

Trump sparked global controversy in recent days after re-posting what critics say are anti-Muslim social media posts from a Britain-based far right group that allegedly depict violence carried out by Muslims. The authenticity of the videos in the posts has not been verified.

"Trump's (re-posting) of anti-Islamic videos has put a great strain on U.S.-UK relationships," Brookings Institution senior fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

"He took material from a far-right organization and gave it great legitimacy at a delicate time as Britain is negotiating its exit from the European Union (EU)," West said, referring to England's break-off from the EU, a matter of controversy underscored by tensions between classes in England.

"The British Prime Minister has condemned Trump's actions and reprimanded him for giving extreme voices an international platform," West added.

The videos were originally posted by Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of British far right group Britain First, who said the videos were from the Internet and did not provide the context under which the videos were shot.

The group has allegedly posted several misleading videos in the past, and the ones Trump shared on Twitter were called "Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!" "Muslim destroys a statue of Virgin Mary!" and "Islamist mob pushes teenage boy off roof and beats him to death!"

"In (re-posting) those anti-Islamic posts, President Trump raised the profile of a radical far-right political group in the UK, and furthered the argument of radicals on both sides that Islam and the West are in a clash of civilizations," said Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of Congress and the Presidency.

Indeed, Trump's tweets have sparked a row between the White House and British Prime Minister Theresa May, who said Trump was "wrong" to re-tweet material from a group she described as spreading "hateful narratives."

"British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far-right which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency, tolerance and respect," the prime minister's statement said.

Trump shot back via social media saying, "Don't focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine," referring to recent Islamist terror attacks on locations within England.

The back-and-forth represents a rare spat between Britain and the United States, which are normally close allies, particularly in global activities against terrorism and Islamist radicalism.

"I don't think this will hurt U.S.-UK relations in the long run because the two countries have strong ties. But Trump has to be careful not to create problems for his friends in other countries," West said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 15:17:56|Editor: Mengjie

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Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with delegates to the 11th national congress of Jiusan Society and extends congratulations on behalf of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2017. Jiusan Society, one of China's eight major non-Communist political parties, will elect a new leadership during its 11th national congress, which opened in Beijing Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Jiusan Society, one of China's eight major non-Communist political parties, will elect a new leadership during its 11th national congress, which opened in Beijing Sunday.

Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with delegates to the congress and extended congratulations on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Zhao said Jiusan Society members have fully used their advantages in various sectors and talents to carry out deep investigation and research, raise many important opinions and suggestions, and provide important references for the scientific decision-making of the CPC and the government.

The CPC will uphold and improve the system of CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation in accordance with the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, Zhao said.

In handling its relationships with other political parties, "the CPC will adhere to the principles of long-term coexistence, mutual oversight, sincerity, and sharing the rough times and the smooth," according to Zhao.

He called on members of Jiusan Society to actively offer advice and suggestions on major issues such as deepening reform on the scientific and technological systems and enhancing the building of a national innovation system.

Han Qide, executive chairman of the congress' presidium, delivered a work report at the opening ceremony on behalf of the 13th Central Committee of Jiusan Society.

Han called on members of Jiusan Society to study and implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Jiusan Society should be developed into a participating political party under socialism with Chinese characteristics that is more firm in ideology, more solid in performing its duties, and stronger in organization, said Han.

During the national congress of Jiusan Society, delegates will deliberate on the report of the party's 13th central committee, review and approve an amendment to the Jiusan Society Constitution, and elect the party's 14th central committee.

Founded in 1945, Jiusan Society is composed mainly of senior and mid-level intellectuals engaged in science, technology, culture, education and medical and health work. As of the end of 2016, there were 164,000 members of the society.

The CPC is the ruling party in China. The eight non-Communist parties are political organizations having connections with people of particular social circles.

The non-Communist parties take part in the running of state affairs, which cover the formulation of major state policies, the election of government leaders, the enactment of laws and regulations, and law enforcement, among others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 15:58:11|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (2nd R, rear), also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Democrat and Republican representatives from the United States, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2017. The U.S. delegates are attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Sunday met with Democrat and Republican representatives from the United States, calling for long-term, steady and healthy China-U.S. ties.

The U.S. delegates are attending the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing.

Yang stressed the importance of implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of two countries to deepen mutual cooperation, respect each other's core interests, and properly handle differences.

Both sides agreed to strengthen party-to-party exchanges and make good use of dialogue platforms between political parties to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral ties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 16:38:18|Editor: pengying

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BALI, Indonesia, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Residents living close to Indonesia's Bali volcano have been going through unprecedented ordeals.

"We are now very confused why it can be like this. If it can, please erupt as soon as possible so as to make everyone here going back to normal life again," Nyoman Sudarsana, a local resident, said.

Nyoman referred to Mount Agung volcano, whose activities have yet to recede with the alert remaining the highest.

Nyoman and his family members of three generations live in a banjar building now used as a shelter for residents of three villages in Bali's Karangasem regency village of Culik.

Culik is located in Bali's eastern coastal region of Amed, around 12 kilometers from Mount Agung crater. The authorities have declared a dangerous zone within 10 kilometers from the crater.

Nyoman, father of four children, told Xinhua on Saturday that he only carried along some clothes, a stove and mats to sleep. "It's even harder for my children," the 35 year-old father said, adding the banjar is packed by at least 250 people.

Like many others in the shelter, Nyoman visited his farm land in the red zone area once in a while even though he realized that it's quite risky.

Most of the residents seeking refuge in the shelter have no idea on how dangerous the impact of the volcano eruption can be. Most of them are from generations born after the volcano made its most devastating eruption in 1963, which killed at least 1,500 people.

Referring to geographical condition in Amed, a resident told Xinhua that should the volcano erupt, emitting lava, Amed would be isolated from any direction as access to the region would be blocked by the flows of lava.

He said it would make people in the region hardly able to evacuate. "The only way out is through the sea," he said.

Realizing the ordeal faced by local residents, many volunteers have come to Amed and offer their assistance to ease residents' suffering.

Among those volunteers is Michele Yoga from Australia.

"I know the government is doing the best they can, but this is such a huge, huge crisis, everybody needs to help," the 51-year old volunteer told Xinhua in a Culik shelter.

Together with her colleagues and other local volunteers, she set up a volunteer group to supply necessities local residents need the most in the shelters.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 16:58:21|Editor: Mengjie

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LANZHOU, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- An injured endangered deer has been rescued in a nature reserve in northwest China's Gansu Province.

The injured Alpine musk deer was found in Gansu Qilianshan National Nature Reserve, located between the Qinghai-Tibet, Mongolian and Loess plateaus.

On Nov. 23, a herder from Zhangye found the female deer lying on the ground. He took the deer home and reported it to authorities, according to Duo Lei, with the nature reserve.

An initial examination found that the deer's front legs might have been injured from falling rocks. It is currently under professional care.

"After a week's care, the deer is able to eat by itself, but it is still a little vulnerable and cannot stand on its own," said Duo. "We will continue to take care of it until it is fully recovered and then release it into the wild."

The Alpine musk deer is a Class I state-protected species. The solitary and nocturnal animal usually weighs about 15 kg. Males can produce musk, which was previously used for perfumes and stimulants. The species was classified as "endangered" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2016.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 17:33:29|Editor: Yamei

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JUBA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- As violence continues in some parts of South Sudan, some health professionals in the war-torn country remain committed to saving lives despite difficult working conditions and shortage of drugs. And these include male midwives and nurses.

Michael Mayen Peter, 31, a male midwife at Wau Teaching hospital in the northwest Wau State, told Xinhua in a recent interview that they have to work day and night in shifts in overcrowded wards amid shortage of drugs and equipment in order to save high number of mothers in labor pains and also treat several cases of preventable diseases at the country's second largest hospital.

"We don't have enough midwives and nurses to facilitate the maternity ward, like in a day the ward may be full with mothers delivering alone apart from post-natal care," Mayen said in Juba.

He added that lack of staff and equipment interfere with treatment of other common diseases like malaria and syphilis as drugs are not administered to patients within the right time.

Mayen is one of the few 400 certified nurses and midwives in the youngest country having graduated in 2015 at the Wau School of Nurses and Midwifery after joining in 2013.

He said he is undeterred by cultural prejudices, well aware that most people in his community are yet to fully appreciate the role played by midwives, as a sizable number of people still use traditional birth attendants.

These sustained efforts of midwives like Mayen, supported by donor funding since 2012, have further helped increase the number of nurses and midwives leading to reduction in maternal death from 2,059 to 789 per 100,000 live births.

"I was motivated because our mothers are dying for complications that are preventable. The maternal mortality rate is very high. At the time I finished my secondary school, I decided to join the nurses and midwives institute in order to help my community," said Mayen who prides himself in having helped mothers to deliver more than 100 babies.

He added: "In my community they feel I do not have knowledge about this (midwifery) because of ignorance, but we used to do public awareness so that many men can join us to practice this skill."

Tobia Thiep Akot, 34, is another male midwife at Mayen county health center of Aweil North in the Northern Bhar El Ghazal region who has been a midwife for six years. He said they have managed to help reduce the once high maternal death in the five counties in the region after they launched public awareness association to discourage early child marriage which he adds is a major contributor to maternal deaths.

"Before 2011 the maternal mortality rate was very high but after we formed this association on awareness, the situation has improved," he said.

Akot added that educated men are very few in South Sudan, hence the reason behind his commitment to help provide safe birth to mothers.

According to UN Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), South Sudan has 27 percent literacy rate.

"For me I am very comfortable even the ladies also are very comfortable. Wherever I was away from the facility in Juba I received a lot of phone calls asking for me and I am also very proud because I would like to carry on with my career," Akot revealed.

Christopher Ali, a nursing tutor in Maridi School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Western Equatorial region, told Xinhua that insecurity is one of the few hindrances they face in training nurses and midwives.

"The learning environment is not conducive, sometimes insecurity can disturb their (students') learning but all in all they are doing well despite these challenges," he said.

He hailed the work of male midwives, adding that the public perception about their work is fast changing.

"Initially the communities were confused but then we started telling them about the services the male nurses or midwives render which turned out to be very good and they started to appreciate," Ali said.

Rose Iromo Angelo, 30, is a nurse from Kapoeta State in Eastern Equatorial region. She said they are struggling to work without salaries amid insecurity as some mothers have ended up dying while delivering at night in their homes.

"We face a lot challenges in maternity, the nurses are there but there is no money. We are just working as volunteers because we love our people.

"We have taken around seven months without salaries. All this long we have been suffering even we could not pay our children's school fees."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 17:33:30|Editor: Yamei

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JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and seven others injured as a blast rocked Jalalabad city, capital of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Sunday, spokesman for provincial government Attaullah Khogiani said.

"Initial reports say five people were killed and seven others injured in the blast that rocked Jalalabad city," Khogiani told Xinhua.

Without providing more details, he added that the investigation is underway.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 17:33:30|Editor: Yamei

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GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11 persons including two soldiers were killed as clash erupted between security forces and Taliban fighters in Nani area of eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Saturday, provincial governor's spokesman Aref Nuri said here on Sunday.

The clash, according to the official, took place in Nani village of Andar district on Saturday afternoon and lasted for a few hours. As a result, nine militants and two soldiers were killed.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 17:58:34|Editor: Yamei

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DOHA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies announced a panel discussion entitled ''gulf crisis, regional and international dynamics and the role of media,'' Qatar local media reported Sunday.

The panel discussion, which is taking place on December 2-4, was held as part of the ongoing fourth annual Gulf Studies Forum in Doha.

A number of gulf studies experts and officials of Qatari media participated in the three-day meeting.

The meeting discussed how the media dealt with the crisis.

''The media in Qatar should take advantage of the contradictions seen in the coverage by foreign media on Qatar since the start of the blockade,'' Director of News at Al Jazeera English, Salah Negm said.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Al Jazeera TV Channel Network Yasser Abu Hilala explained how the network treated news while strictly maintaining adequate media professionalism.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, along with its Arab allies including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen, severed diplomatic ties with Qatar as well as all air, land and sea links to the Arab Gulf state, a move that has sent shock waves across the Middle East and beyond.

The Saudi-led boycotting countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorist, extremist and sectarian organizations, which Doha has repeatedly denied.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 18:13:37|Editor: Yamei

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- After years of fierce fighting between military forces and extremist groups, the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi still suffers insecurity with the tradition of firing live ammunition in the air in social events.

Firing guns in the air in social events is a tradition in Libya. However, Benghazi sees more celebratory gunfire as the city has just emerged from a three-year war that made weapons one of the most important items in every house.

"This has become unbearable, despite army and security orders against shooting randomly in the air during weddings or funerals," Libyan activist Faraj Al-Jalali told Xinhua.

"Those bullets affect men, women, children and the elderly on a weekly basis. Everyone is afraid that bullets might hurt people passing by or even sitting inside a house or a restaurant," Al-Jalali added.

No precise number of victims of random bullets has been obtained. However, a medical official of a government hospital said that his hospital alone received this year "more than 80 people dead and injured by celebratory bullets."

Despite orders by the eastern-army General Abdarrazzag Al-Nathuri to security services to arrest all those who fire bullets randomly, and despite demonstrations and campaigns by activists against this phenomenon, the celebratory gun firing remains an issue in Benghazi.

Waves of condemnations and government decisions were issued after a camera footage surfaced online showing random gun firing kills a young man in Benghazi in front of a cafe about two months ago.

"Did they free us to kill us? Most of those who shoot randomly in the air are young people who supported the army against terrorist organizations in Benghazi," Khadija Al-Ayeb, 40-year-old housewife, told Xinhua.

"Young people have become accustomed to the sound of bullets as they spent more than three full years fighting in Benghazi, long enough to change their behavior in society," she said.

"Security services consider all civilians who own weapons partners of the struggle of war against terrorist organizations, because most of those carrying arms here have participated in the war to liberate the city from terrorism," Al-Ayeb explained.

Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and the birthplace of the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has witnessed a three-year war between the army led by General Khalifa Haftar and extremist groups.

Haftar announced earlier in June taking over the entire city of Benghazi and defeating the rival armed groups. However, some remaining militants are still stationed in some areas in the city.
125 YEARS AGO

From 1892: The camp of John Rhodhammer, a sub-contractor on the S. F. P. & P. railway, has been permanently established at McCrums Ranch in the Point of Rocks about 8 miles east of the city. The camp is but a week old, and about 100 men are at work with their forces ranging for about 2 miles.

Dr. D. J. Brannen has placed a new and attractive sign across the sidewalk in front of his drugstore.

Bayless Bros. have moved their barbershop to the building opposite the public library.

A good many tourists have stopped off here of late and made a trip out to the Petrified Forest. They can easily go out and back in one day from here and have plenty of time to see the wonders. It is only 18 miles on an excellent road. Two gentlemen from Colorado have recently located claims in the forest, and are now preparing to put up machinery to cut the stone and utilize it for all purposes for which it may be used.

100 YEARS AGO

From 1917: The office of the Arizona Food Administration is working out plans for the enforcement of rules and regulations to be placed in effect Dec. 10 when every bakery in the state using more than 10 barrels of flour a month will be placed under government control.

The local Band Boys, under the direction of Mr. L. P. Miller, will give a Hard Times dance at the Marlar Hall Friday evening. The boys have been practicing for a month and have reached a degree of efficiency that will please the dancers of Flagstaff.

Owing to the increased work incident to the classifying of the drafted men under the new regulations, the local draft board has secured an office room in the Babbitt Building and has engaged the services of Joe Higginbotham as clerk.

Arthur C. Payne of New York has been appointed general manager of the Navajo Copper Company to succeed Robert Mitchell. Mr. Payne and a number of the directors of the company arrived in Flagstaff last week and left Monday for an inspection trip of their property on the reservation.

Fresh Vegetable Specials  Flag Spuds 5 lbs. 25 cts., Ranch Eggs 65 cts. a dozen, Maricopa Butter 55 cts. lb., Cranberries 20 cts. qt. Special prices on potted ferns to make room for a BIG holiday shipment of flowers. The Delicatessen Shop.

It is reported that several farmers in this section have lost a considerable amount of potatoes by not having them properly pitted.

The town placed a new foot bridge over the Rio de Flag on West Birch Avenue and has also repaired the one across the river near the Emerson School.

Several of Flagstaffs young people went out to Greenlaws Mill Saturday night to attend the semi-monthly dance given by the people of that district. The proceeds from these dances go toward paying for the player-piano recently purchased by the trustees of that school district.

75 YEARS AGO

From 1942: William Kreiger, aged 45, was struck and perished on Monday morning as he was checking railroad cars at Bellemont. He was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a clerk. The coroners inquest found that his death was accidental.

It has been revealed that Indians in Arizona and New Mexico are serving in our armed forces in higher percentages than white men. They are in particular demand in some very specialized needs. The Apaches of Arizona are producing increasing quantities of high-grade beef for our armed service.

Ed Grosbeck, chairman of the Salvage Committee, reports that they have shipped 100 tons of scrap metal to the war effort as well as 15 tons of rubber.

Local liquor dealers have agreed to close on Sundays, voluntarily conceding to more stringent regulation. In addition, at their meeting on Wednesday, the Flagstaff Liquor Dealers Association agreed not to increase the number of hours they will be open and serving liquor for the duration of the war.

Motorists are warned, you have until Jan. 31 to have your tires inspected if you expect to receive new gasoline ration coupons in future allotments.

The Arizona Department of Natural Resources has announced the discovery of a large area of potential low-grade copper. It is perhaps the largest in the nation and is located on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The find extends eastward into New Mexico and northward into Utah, and looks as though it will be less costly to operate than most other copper fields.

About 1,000 children attended the annual free show "Christmas Gift," presented to the children of the community by the Orpheum on Saturday morning.

Ray Martinez, aged 38 and employed by the J. A. Utley Company at the Navajo Ordinance Depot as a carpenter, died at Flagstaff Hospital on Thursday morning as the result of a fall from a scaffold the day before. He was a resident of Holbrook and is survived by his widow and three children.

FOR RENT: 5 acres, fenced. Furnished house, piano, oil heater, city water, school bus. Place for stock -- 5 miles east of Flagstaff on U.S. Highway 66. $15 per month. Inquire at 201 W. Santa Fe Ave.

Mrs. Joe Sandoval was fined $5 Wednesday afternoon by Justice of Peace J. C. Maxwell after pleading guilty to refusing to allow her two children, 8 and 10 years of age, to attend school. Mrs. Frank Thomas, truant officer, signed the complaint and Justice Marshall ordered the children be sent to school.

50 YEARS AGO

From 1967: Attention all Flagstaff residents. Enter the Christmas home decorating contest. One first-place and two runner-up trophies will be given away. Just clip the coupon and mail it to the Arizona Daily Sun. Judging will be held on Dec. 16. Pictures of the winners will be published on Dec. 18.

Three doctors and three nurses from the Crippled Childrens Hospital in Phoenix who had been treating Indians on the Navajo Nation were stranded for 37 hours on snow-slick Highway 89 25 miles north of Winslow. Officers knew where they were but could not reach them due to the 10-foot-high snow drifts and the continuing steady fall of more snow. When they were finally reached they were found to have been able to keep themselves fairly warm and to be good condition, though very chilly and hungry.

District Ranger Dick Cox has confiscated 69 Christmas trees that were cut illegally in the Cedar Ranch area north of Flagstaff. Rangers patrolling the area found evidence of commercial cutting and Forest Smith of Phoenix in possession of the trees. Judge Bierley ruled on the violation and Smith received 90-day suspended sentence and is restricted from cutting Christmas trees on National Forests land. He was also required to pay $83.90 in civil damages. The trees, which are being held at the Knob Hill Ranger Station on Beaver Street, will be sold at $1 each.

Lt. F.W. Nicolet of the Salvation Army announced that Armys Christmas Exchange will open at 10 a.m. next Monday in their new quarters at 6 W. Santa Fe. In conjunction with the Christmas Exchange, a Toy and Joy Center will be maintained at the Salvation Army Headquarters.

The Northern Arizona Community Health Council will consider possible future moves in their campaign for fluoridation of the Flagstaff water supply at their meeting on Tuesday. Flagstaff dentist John Yockey has been actively backing the proposal recently rejected by the City Council.

This weeks massive snowstorms have caused the cancellation of numerous events, others have been or will rescheduled -- look for future announcements in the Sun.

25 YEARS AGO

From 1992: The lights are on at Little America, with a merry image of Santa Claus and his sleigh among the trees.

Scattered storms over the weekend caused icy roads and numerous minor wreaks and fender benders particularly on I-17, 3-4 miles south of Flagstaff, where unsuspecting drivers suddenly came upon black ice while traveling at interstate speeds. Scattered snow fell at the Grand Canyon, where driving conditions caused a closure of the Rim Road for much of the afternoon.

Visitors to the park are allowed to take pictures and pick up pieces of the fossilized wood; however, they are required to put them back down. This does not always happen. The forest is being pilfered. Over the years thousands of pounds of petrified rock have disappeared. Some is returned often with detailed tales of bad luck following the theft.
South Sudanese nurses and midwives attend the annual Nursing and Midwifery Conference in Juba, South Sudan, Nov. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Ejulu Elamu)

JUBA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- As violence continues in some parts of South Sudan, some health professionals in the war-torn country remain committed to saving lives despite difficult working conditions and shortage of drugs. And these include male midwives and nurses.

Michael Mayen Peter, 31, a male midwife at Wau Teaching hospital in the northwest Wau State, told Xinhua in a recent interview that they have to work day and night in shifts in overcrowded wards amid shortage of drugs and equipment in order to save high number of mothers in labor pains and also treat several cases of preventable diseases at the country's second largest hospital.

"We don't have enough midwives and nurses to facilitate the maternity ward, like in a day the ward may be full with mothers delivering alone apart from post-natal care," Mayen said in Juba.

He added that lack of staff and equipment interfere with treatment of other common diseases like malaria and syphilis as drugs are not administered to patients within the right time.

Mayen is one of the few 400 certified nurses and midwives in the youngest country having graduated in 2015 at the Wau School of Nurses and Midwifery after joining in 2013.

He said he is undeterred by cultural prejudices, well aware that most people in his community are yet to fully appreciate the role played by midwives, as a sizable number of people still use traditional birth attendants.

These sustained efforts of midwives like Mayen, supported by donor funding since 2012, have further helped increase the number of nurses and midwives leading to reduction in maternal death from 2,059 to 789 per 100,000 live births.

"I was motivated because our mothers are dying for complications that are preventable. The maternal mortality rate is very high. At the time I finished my secondary school, I decided to join the nurses and midwives institute in order to help my community," said Mayen who prides himself in having helped mothers to deliver more than 100 babies.

He added: "In my community they feel I do not have knowledge about this (midwifery) because of ignorance, but we used to do public awareness so that many men can join us to practice this skill."

Tobia Thiep Akot, 34, is another male midwife at Mayen county health center of Aweil North in the Northern Bhar El Ghazal region who has been a midwife for six years. He said they have managed to help reduce the once high maternal death in the five counties in the region after they launched public awareness association to discourage early child marriage which he adds is a major contributor to maternal deaths.

"Before 2011 the maternal mortality rate was very high but after we formed this association on awareness, the situation has improved," he said.

Akot added that educated men are very few in South Sudan, hence the reason behind his commitment to help provide safe birth to mothers.

According to UN Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), South Sudan has 27 percent literacy rate.

"For me I am very comfortable even the ladies also are very comfortable. Wherever I was away from the facility in Juba I received a lot of phone calls asking for me and I am also very proud because I would like to carry on with my career," Akot revealed.

Christopher Ali, a nursing tutor in Maridi School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Western Equatorial region, told Xinhua that insecurity is one of the few hindrances they face in training nurses and midwives.

"The learning environment is not conducive, sometimes insecurity can disturb their (students') learning but all in all they are doing well despite these challenges," he said.

He hailed the work of male midwives, adding that the public perception about their work is fast changing.

"Initially the communities were confused but then we started telling them about the services the male nurses or midwives render which turned out to be very good and they started to appreciate," Ali said.

Rose Iromo Angelo, 30, is a nurse from Kapoeta State in Eastern Equatorial region. She said they are struggling to work without salaries amid insecurity as some mothers have ended up dying while delivering at night in their homes.

"We face a lot challenges in maternity, the nurses are there but there is no money. We are just working as volunteers because we love our people.

"We have taken around seven months without salaries. All this long we have been suffering even we could not pay our children's school fees."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 18:28:40|Editor: pengying

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DHAKA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. online taxi company Uber, which seems a little off the pace in some key markets in Asian and elsewhere in the world, sees opportunities to expand further in Bangladesh.

The firm, which has been celebrating its first year in Bangladesh, said here on Sunday that it has more than 200, 000 people took an Uber trip merely in November 2017.

It said it has more than 10,000 active driver partners every month with the joining of hundreds every day.

"There is opportunity for us to expand our operations in Bangladesh," said

Pradeep Parameswaran, head of central operations, Uber India and South Asia, at a press briefing here Sunday.

"Dhaka presented us with a challenge of transforming the transportation landscape and creating alternatives to a city burdened with a growing population of cars on its roads," he said.

"With smartphones, technology that is already in our pockets, and utilizing the existing resources we can pave way for a Dhaka that moves with the lives of its people. We'd like to thank the government of Bangladesh, our business partners, riders and driver partners for their continued support and love in making this vision a reality in Dhaka."

Amit Jain, president of Uber India and South Asia, and Arpit Mundra, general manager of Uber East India and Dhaka, among others, were present at the press conference.

In its first year of operation in Dhaka, the firm said it launched new products, announced a strategic partnership and a safety initiative, to make riding with Uber a safe, reliable and comfortable experience for both riders and driver partners.

The firm said it was requested 1.5 million times in the month of November 2017.

"We've seen a diverse bunch of driver partners - from big fleet operators to a single car owner who drives full time, to professionals from telcos and banks putting their cars on Uber for some additional income, to students who've taken up driving on weekends to earn extra pocket money."

From the press briefing Sunday uber announced their Community Guidelines for both riders and driver-partners in Dhaka.

The guidelines explain the kind of behavior expected from both riders and drivers when using Uber.

Uber on Nov. 22 last year launched its operations in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Last month Uber announced the launch of its bike-sharing product, UberMOTO, in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka.

Statistics show that as of November, 2017, the Uber service was available in over 83 countries and 674 cities worldwide.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 18:33:42|Editor: Mengjie

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WUZHEN, Zhejiang, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said China hopes to encourage countries around the world to take a ride on the express train of internet and digital economic development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the Fourth World Internet Conference, which opened Sunday in the east China town of Wuzhen.

The conference, which runs from Sunday to Tuesday, has the theme "Developing digital economy for openness and shared benefits -- building a community of common future in cyberspace."

In his letter, Xi expressed a sincere welcome to government representatives, heads of international organizations, experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs who are attending the conference.

He expressed hopes that the delegates will draw on collective wisdom and enhance mutual understanding so as to deepen exchanges and cooperation on the internet and digital economy, and make the development of the internet better serve the well-being of all people worldwide.

Xi pointed out that the development of the internet has posed many new challenges for the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the world's countries.

"Building a community of common future in cyberspace has increasingly become the widespread common understanding of international society," he said.

Xi said China hopes to work with the international community to respect cyberspace sovereignty and carry forward the spirit of partnership to commonly advance development, safeguard security, participate in governance, and share the benefits.

"China's door to the world will never close, but will only open wider," he said.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Wang said China is willing to conform to the historic opportunities brought by the development of the internet and use the digital economy as an important driving force to promote the openness, cooperation, exchange, and sharing in cyberspace and build a community of common future in cyberspace.

"We should promote security, construct a fine order, and build a secure, stable and prosperous cyberspace," Wang said.

He also met with guests at the conference and visited an internet expo.

Over 1,500 guests from more than 80 countries and regions, including government representatives, heads of international organizations, leading figures of internet companies, online celebrities, experts and scholars, attended the conference.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 18:33:43|Editor: pengying

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SANAA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels said Sunday they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, in a statement carried by Saba news agency.

"The missile hit the target accurately in Abu Dhabi," the statement quoted a Houthi military official as saying.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 18:43:46|Editor: pengying

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PYONGYANG, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has lately inspected a factory tasked with making tires for missile launch vehicles, official media said Sunday.

Kim gave field guidance to the Amnokgang Tire Factory in Pyongyang, "which successfully carried out the task for producing tires prioritized by the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)," said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in a report.

The products inspected by Kim included "newly developed large-size tires ready for the ballistic rocket self-propelled launching vehicle," added the KCNA report.

Kim thanked workers at the factory for solving "the issue desired by the Party" and "making collective innovations in a drive for building new tires," reported the KCNA.

The report did not specify the date of the event, but usually official media report news events about the top leader one day after it takes place.

Last week, Kim personally guided the test firing of "Hwasong 15," a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that is capable of hitting the entire territory of the United States, according to the KCNA.

The move, which violated relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, caused worldwide concerns and prompted calls for more sanctions on the Northeast Asian country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 19:03:49|Editor: pengying

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An injured man talks with his mobile phone at the site of an attack in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2017. At least six people including the attacker were killed and 13 others injured as a blast rocked Jalalabad city, capital of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Sunday, spokesman for provincial government Attaullah Khogiani said. (Xinhua/Rahman Safi)

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least six people including the attacker were killed and 13 others injured as a blast rocked Jalalabad city, capital of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Sunday, spokesman for provincial government Attaullah Khogiani said.

"Six people including the attacker were killed and 13 others injured after a terrorist exploded his explosive-borne motorbike in Jalalabad city," Khogiani told Xinhua.

All the victims are civilians in the bombing which occurred at 01:30 p.m. local time (0900 GMT), the official said.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

Investigation has been initiated into the incident and details would be made public, the official added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 19:08:50|Editor: pengying

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RAMALLAH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian national unity government urged Sunday governments of Arab and Islamic to end "incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque" by Jewish settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.

Government Spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said in an emailed press statement that the settlers stepping atop of the Dome of the Rock inside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, under the protection of the Israeli police and military forces, describing it as "insistence by the Israeli government to desecrate holy sites and attacking the most sacred site for Arabs and Muslims in occupied Arab Jerusalem city, violating all norms, international laws, human principles and ethics."

Al-Mahmoud held the Israeli government responsible for "all crimes committed by settler gangs towards al-Aqsa Mosque," and warned of possible consequences resulting from "those escalating aggressive steps," that could possible lead to "triggering a horrific religion conflict."

Al-Aqsa Mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. For Muslims, it is considered the third holiest site, and it is located in a spacious compound besides the infamous golden Dome of the Rock, together known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif or Noble Sanctuary, inside the Old City of Jerusalem that was referred to by UNESCO as an Islamic site.

Al-Haram Al-Sharif has been administered by Jordanian Islamic Waqf Ministry since 1948, but after Israel took over, it was obliged to respect the status quo and not make any changes to the status, laws and institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.

Palestinians repeatedly warned against Israeli government attempts to break this status quo agreement with Jordan and impose changes to the holy site.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, to be the capital of their future state, while Israel refuses to divide the city and wants "Greater Jerusalem" as its capital.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 19:13:52|Editor: pengying

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SANAA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels said Sunday they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, in a statement carried by Saba news agency.

"The missile hit the target accurately in Abu Dhabi," the statement quoted a Houthi military official as saying.

This is the third long-range ballistic missile attack on neighboring Gulf states in a month.

On Nov. 30, Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen over the border Saudi city of Khamis Mushait.

On Nov. 4, Saudi air defences shot down a ballistic missile fired by Houthis in Yemen over the King Khaled International Airport north of Saudi capital Riyadh.

The Nov. 4 missile attack triggered an all-out blockade imposed by Saudi-led military coalition over all Yemeni air, sea and land ports, cutting off all aid, fuel and food imports.

The coalition last week eased the siege, allowing only some aid access through northern Houthi-controlled ports, though the United Nations aid agencies warned that was not enough and pleaded for the coalition to allow food imports.

Sunday missile attack on Abu Dhabi came one day after former President Ali Abdullah Saleh broke partnership with Houthi movement.

On Saturday, Saleh declared war against Houthis and called for the army, security forces and tribes to join his party's armed revolution aiming to topple Houthi control over the capital Sanaa.

Saleh announced in his televised speech on Saturday that he reach his hands towards peace and compromise with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, which led the military coalition against Yemen for nearly three years.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi accused Saleh of "betrayal" and vowed to keep fighting against the coalition.

Spokesman of Saleh's media office Nabil al-Soufi said in his twitter account that Saleh's move aimed to bring back to the power his older son Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh and his family who have been living in Abu Dhabi since 2012.

The coalition welcomed Saleh's new stance and pledged to support him and his party against the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement, according to Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel.

Together, Houthis and Saleh's loyalists have been aligned and fighting the coalition since both forces stormed the capital Sanaa in 2014 and forced Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 19:13:53|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivers a speech at the closing session of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) will consolidate and deepen friendly cooperation with political parties worldwide, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said Sunday.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, called on the CPC and political parties worldwide to contribute to building a community of a shared future for mankind and a better world.

Referring to the keynote speech made by Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, at the opening ceremony on Friday, Yang said it expressed the CPC's determination to work with political parties worldwide to promote global development, share global prosperity and guide the world's future.

The international community spoke highly of the keynote speech and the contribution made by the CPC, he said.

Yang pointed out that it is a great cause to work together to build a community of a shared future for mankind and a better world.

He called on political parties and leaders to shoulder their historic responsibilities to build a peaceful world, contribute to world development, and safeguard the international order.

The meeting also released the Beijing Initiative at the closing ceremony on Sunday morning.

"We call on political parties around the world to join us in building world peace, contributing to global development and safeguarding the international order," the initiative said.

It also called on political parties to facilitate the building of partnerships, contribute to the building of world peace, promote global development, encourage mutual learning among civilizations, and be the guardians of ecology and the environment.

It proposed that the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting should be institutionalized, and become a high-level platform for political dialogue with broad representation and global influence.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 19:23:56|Editor: pengying

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ISLAMABAD, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces on Sunday arrested 11 terrorists during intelligence based operations in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, Pakistani army's media wing said.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out in various parts of the province by paramilitary troops, frontier corps, police and intelligence agencies. Together they apprehended 11 members of the proscribed Balochistan Republican Army.

The suspected terrorists were nabbed from the Sanni Shoran area in Sibi, a city in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, said the statement.

The security forces also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Dera Bugti and Dukki districts of the province.

In another operation, four improvised explosive devices were also recovered and later diffused in Qila Saifullah district of the province, said the ISPR.

The operations were conducted as part of the ongoing military offensive, Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, launched across the country in February this year against the "latent threat of terrorism."

Earlier in the day, security forces and intelligence agencies foiled a major terror bid in the Kohlu district in the province and recovered a huge cache of weapons concealed at a secret hideout.
A city program meant to help police officers buy a home in Flagstaff has been expanded to all city departments.

The Flagstaff Police Department Employer Assisted Housing Program was broadened to all full-time employees who have worked for the city at least one year.

The program, which was originally approved by City Council in 2015, was created to help police officers make initial payments on a first-time home in Flagstaff.

Flagstaff City Council approved an additional $100,000 for non-police department employees along with $95,000 left for police officers. Both funds are budgeted separately and the programs are not guaranteed to be renewed past their initial funding.

Flagstaff Housing and Grants Administrator Leah Bloom said the housing program was expanded after strong participation from law enforcement officers.

Council decided to put more money aside for all of our employees after the success of our police program, Bloom said. Programs like this are becoming popular nationwide and it shows we are willing to invest in our employees.

Nine police officers have participated in the city program and used all $100,000 in funding for the program's first year. City council approved another $100,000 for the police program. the housing program has $95,370 left in funding.

Flagstaff Police Spokesman Cory Runge said, the police department is very happy with the housing assistance program and considers it a success.

The housing program helps employees pay for housing by matching up to $10,000 on the down payment of a home.

The employees would then have $1,000 of that matched payment forgiven ever year they work for the city. For example, if the city matched $3,000 of an employees down payment, that person would have to work with the city for three years in order to avoid paying some or all of that money back.

Flagstaff Housing Manager Justyna Costa said the city forgives the matching amount in increments to ensure that both parties are investing in each other.

This is not a handout, Costa said. It is an investment for the employer as well as the city. We are helping our employees afford their first home, which helps us with long-term employment. If someone gets a great job in the Valley one year after they used our program, then they would have to pay us back.

Money is allocated to eligible employees on a first-come, first-served basis and employee interest has increased, according to Costa.

There is a lot of interest in this program from the rest of our employees, Costa said. There is even some concern that this wont be enough money, but that all depends on how many employees are ready to buy a home.

City employees interested in the program can call the housing department at 213-2750 or Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona at 214-7456. Credit checks for eligibility are conducted by HSNA and not the city.

A correction was made in this article.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 20:14:10|Editor: pengying

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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban key commander Mullah Nasir is among five militants who have been killed in the troubled Helmand province of Afghanistan, a senior army commander in the southern region Gen. Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai said Sunday.

"The security forces have killed Taliban's notorious commander Mullah Nasir with four of his armed men," Ahmadzai told Xinhua.

Describing the physical elimination of Mullah Nasir as a major blow to the Taliban insurgents, the army official said the Taliban militants would lose their morale to fight in the poppy-growing Helmand and would ultimately lose the war in the province.

Taliban militants haven't commented on the news.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 20:39:17|Editor: pengying

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NAIROBI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's environmental watchdog announced Sunday it plans to introduce a levy against importers of commodities that are packaged with plastics.

Geoffrey Wahungu, the Director General of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), said that studies have identified plastic bags as major cause of eyesore.

"We plan to surcharge the importers due to their failure to trace and collect the polythene once they have emptied the contents," Wahungu said at a forum on saving oceans from plastic pollutions at the ongoing third United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Conference in Nairobi.

Kenya enforced the historic plastic ban on Aug. 28 earning the East African nation an enviable position in green stewardship in the world.

The manufacturing sector was initially opposed to the plastic ban, terming it a threat to job creation and income generation.

The ban targeted carrier bags with handles, with or without gussets, or flat bags without handles and with or without gussets. Offenders might face up to 40,000 U.S. dollar fine or imprisonment.

Wahungu said that the government is taking stock of all dump sites where plastic bags have been kept over the years with the aim of eradicating it.

According to Wahungu, flat poly bags are the most affordable, are a simple, easy way to protect any items and most common way to package products.

He noted that the government plans to monitor the entry and use of the ban polythene bags after the ongoing mopping operation that will ascertain the effects of the ban.

Wahungu noted that the response from the consumers has been positive even though the introduction of the alternatives is slowly shaping up.

"We are working in collaboration with small scale entrepreneurs including youth groups and the physically challenged persons with the aim of producing the alternative bags," he revealed.

Wahungu attributed the successful enforcement of the plastic ban to support from the government and also the consumers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 21:04:23|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Mutual respect and learning were highlighted at a high-level dialogue between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and political parties from around the world.

The attendees agreed to respect each other's choice of paths of development and values, and encourage mutual learning among civilizations, according to the Beijing Initiative adopted at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, which concluded on Sunday.

Political parties should follow the spirit of harmony among diversity, encourage countries to replace estrangement with exchange, clashes with mutual learning and superiority with coexistence, said the document.

The views were shared by the many representatives during the discussions, which focused on the responsibilities of political parties in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Khatamjon Ketmonov, chairman of the People Democracy Party of Uzbekistan, said that there is more than one path towards prosperity and a better future has to be built on diversity.

Many speakers attributed China's success to the choice of a path based on its own characteristics and praised its standing of "not exporting the Chinese model."

While having confidence in its own path, China has always respected the choice of other countries, said Shiferaw Tekle-Mariam, head of Secretariat of the Council of Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front.

Ilyas El Omari, general secretary of the Authenticity and Modernity Party of Morocco, added that China's development has offered new alternatives for developing countries.

Another reason for China's rapid development may be the increasing openness and inclusiveness in the practices of the CPC, according to Flemming Christiansen, professor of sociology and East Asian studies at University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany.

This high-level meeting and the well-received Belt and Road Initiative were frequently cited as examples in proving such findings.

The International Department of the CPC said the CPC has maintained regular contact with more than 400 political parties and organizations in about 160 countries and regions.

To facilitate future exchanges and cooperation, the attendees also called for the institutionalization of the high-level meeting, making it a high-level platform for political dialogue with broad representation and global influence.

The meeting, which opened on Nov. 30, attracted over 600 representatives of nearly 300 political parties and organizations from more than 120 countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 21:34:29|Editor: Yamei

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WUHAN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- About 30 scholars from China, the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka and other countries took part in a forum on cult in Wuhan over the weekend, which agreed that Falun Gong is a cult that spreads rumors to defame China.

Experts at the forum revealed the evil nature of Falun Gong cult from the perspective of religion, philosophy, psychology, communication and medical science. Many of them said that Falun Gong has deceived practitioners with rumors and words quoted and misinterpreted from Buddhism and Taoism.

Michael Kropveld, Founder and Executive Director of Info-Cult/Info-secte based in Montreal, Canada, said though China and western countries differ in culture, religion, history and law, the behavior of Li Hongzhi, leader of Falun Gong and his followers are no doubt promoting a cult.

"Falun Gong misappropriated concepts from Buddhism and Taoism to manipulate the minds of the practitioners, which has led to mass mortality and disabilities of its followers as they refuse to receive medical treatment when falling ill," said Meerim Aitkulova, research fellow with National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyrgyzstan.

Over the past decades, Falun Gong practitioners have ceaselessly accused China of live organ harvesting, claiming that China still "harvests organs" from prisoners, especially those from Falun Gong practitioners. But that has turned out to be a complete rumor, scholars at the forum said.

Campbell Fraser, a scholar at Griffith University, Australia, said the so-called live organ harvesting has been proved untrustworthy by international organ transplant professionals, but Falun Gong activists still run such campaigns.

Fraser said there's no evidence of live organ harvesting claimed by Falun Gong practitioners after talks with Chinese transplant specialists and visits to hospitals and medical institutions in Shenzhen, Kunming and other cities.

Qin Junhui, research member of Center for Studies of International Pseudo Religion Questions at Wuhan University, said Falun Gong fabricated data in organ transplantation in China, which has always been the behavior pattern of the cult and its media.

James R. Lewis, professor of Religious Studies at the University of Tromso in Norway, said although Sound of Hope Radio and New Tang Dynasty Television appeared in public in the name of ordinary media, their annual tax records showed they are in fact manipulated and sponsored by international anti-China forces.

Some scholars have even been threatened by Falun Gong practitioners. Fraser spoke of harassment by Falun Gong practitioners for debunking their lies, adding this is also the reason why many media organizations refrained from reporting news on them.

"Falun Gong has been using all sorts of methods to attack, defame and threaten the media and people that revealed their evil nature in order to cover up the truth and manipulate public opinions," said Xu Tao, professor at School of Philosophy at Wuhan University, China's Hubei Province.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 22:00:07|Editor: Yamei

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Du Qinglin, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with foreign party leaders attending the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)


Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 21:54:32|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese banks are looking to tap the opportunities arising from the huge investment and financing demands in the Belt and Road (B&R) regions, where investors are attracted by the potential of infrastructure and less-developed industries.

"Most countries along the B&R are developing economies that have numerous opportunities in infrastructure, rail transit, urban development, logistics, cross-border e-commerce and other areas," said Hong Qi, chairperson of China Minsheng Bank, a leading joint-stock commercial bank.

Infrastructure financing demand alone will amount to 10 trillion U.S. dollars in the next five years, Hong said at a recent forum.

Betting on these prospects, the Beijing-based lender has signed lending agreements worth over 10 billion U.S. dollars with businesses from more than 30 countries and regions, with more projects financed via public-private partnership in the pipeline.

Minsheng is not the only bank that has strengthened its push in the B&R. Other lenders including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Everbright Bank have also jumped into action. By the end of 2016, nine Chinese banks had set up 62 branches in 26 countries and regions along the Belt and Road, data from the China Banking Regulatory Commission showed.

"There are bright prospects for banks to finance the B&R," former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei has said.

Proposed by China in 2013, the B&R Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa based on ancient land and maritime trade routes. Analysts believe opportunities are sprouting for global businesses to increase their presence and investment in the to-be-booming regions where public facilities still lag behind.

Multilateral lender the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund were founded to finance the B&R.

Backed by financial support, investment went up steadily along the B&R. During the first 10 months of 2017, Chinese investors put forward 11.2 billion U.S. dollars in 53 countries and regions along the Belt and Road.

Thanks to the capital pumped in, Asian infrastructure is improving rapidly, with transportation networks improved and more public facilities erected, ranging from power stations to hospitals.

"More tangible progress will have been made by 2020," said Zhang Yansheng, a researcher at China Center for International Economic Exchanges, citing railroads and expressways that will stretch to more areas including Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean.

"Investment growth in the B&R will pick up pace in a couple of years, with double-digits compound increase expected in 2018 and 2019," said Robin Xing, Morgan Stanley's chief China economist.

Not only will infrastructure improve, but global trade will also benefit, Xing said. "B&R countries will see a 10-percent increase in their exports in ten years because of Chinese investment as better ports and railways will facilitate cargo flows."

While B&R construction is in full swing, concerns about investment risks also linger mainly due to regional political and economic instability.

Risks facing Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), major investors in the B&R regions, are completely controllable, Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), has said.

Over the last three years, 47 Chinese SOEs supervised by the SASAC have taken part in 1,676 projects in countries and regions along the B&R spanning energy, infrastructure and industrial cooperation. The investment was well-planned and organized, and supervision of the decision-making process has been toughened, Xiao said.

Xing said the risks will be low. "Even if investment amounted to 60 billion U.S. dollars a year...it still only accounts for less than a third of China's current account surplus and around 0.5 percent of the nominal GDP."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 22:14:40|Editor: pengying

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ISLAMABAD, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani and Saudi Arabian special forces are holding an anti-terrorism joint exercise at a Saudi military center, the Pakistani military said on Sunday.

Pakistani contingent comprising of 68 officers and soldiers of special services group (SSG) is participating in this exercise, a statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

The joint counter-terrorism exercise "Al-Shehab-2" started on Nov. 25 at Prince Naif Security City, Riyadh, and will continue till Dec. 10, the statement said.

"Al-Shehab-1" was held last year in Pakistan, the army statement said.

"The Pak-Saudi joint exercise will help participating troops from both sides to learn from each other's experiences in the counter-terrorism field and strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two forces and the countries," the army said.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close allies and support each other at international forums, the army statement said.

Pakistan also fully supports the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance Counter Terrorism Coalition, it added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 22:39:49|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A magnitude-6.0 earthquake jolted 19 km northeast of Bahia de Caraquez on the western coast of Ecuador at 1119 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The epicenter, with a depth of 24.73 km, was initially determined to be at 0.4845 degrees south latitude and 80.2823 degrees west longitude. The quake was felt in 12 provinces around the country, according to USGS.

No casualty or major damage from the quake has been reported so far. Local authorities said there was no tsuami threat from the tremor and called for calm.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 22:49:51|Editor: yan

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NANJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Standing in front of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, Xia Shuqin sobbed and read a letter dedicated to the family members she lost in the atrocity.

"How I wish I could hear the voices of my father and mother again," Xia slowly read.

From Sunday, family members of the victims of the massacre began a series of commemoration activities such as laying flowers, burning incense and reading letters before the memorial hall wall where victims' names are engraved in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Xia, born in May 1929, said her father and grandparents were shot, her sister beaten to death, and her mother and two eldest sisters raped and killed.

"I was slashed three times on the back with a sword, and I passed out," she recalled.

Another survivor, Yu Changxiang, said that his father was killed, but his body was never found.

"The name on the wall is the only way we can mourn him," Yu said.

The registered survivors of the massacre now number less than 100. From this year, the local government has increased financial assistance for the survivors, while also upgrading facilities to help them live better lives.

"May you rest in peace," Xia said to her lost family. She said she will continue to tell their story to others for as long as she is alive.

The year 2017 marks the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, in which more than 300,000 Chinese were killed by the Japanese invaders who occupied Nanjing on Dec. 13, 1937, marking the start of six weeks of destruction, pillage, rape and slaughter in the city.

In China the Nanjing Massacre is seen as the lowest point of an era in which the country was bullied and humiliated by foreign powers. In February 2014, China's top legislature designated December 13 as the national memorial day for victims of the Nanjing Massacre.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 23:04:59|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Dubai municipality on Sunday dismissed the rumors on some social media sites claiming that the U.S. soft drink Pepsi was transmitting AIDS.

In a statement carried by the Gulf News daily's website, the city called the claims as a "hoax," citing that the AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, cannot be transmitted through food or beverages.

The city called on the citizens to report to its call center for authenticating the "unverified and confusing information" they receive on the social media.

It added that the World Health Organization has said that the AIDS can only be transmitted through direct blood contact such as the co-use of needles, injections, cotton or transfusion, through sexual intercourse, or from an infected pregnant mother to a children.

Spreading false rumors is a criminal offense in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that can be punished with jail terms, and foreigners doing so can be expulsed from the country after being prosecuted.
WASHINGTON  Federal regulation of waterways may not be the first issue that comes to mind in a desert state like Arizona, but dont tell that to Pima County cattle rancher Jim Chilton.

Chilton was one of two Arizonans invited to testify Wednesday on the Waters of the United States rule, an Obama administration plan to streamline regulation of waterways. Critics charge that the plan, which never took effect, just muddied the waters and Chilton called it a form of tyranny.

In my view, the 2015 WOTUS rule empowered bureaucrats to impose their personal views without concern for being called to account for their actions, Chilton said in his prepared testimony. We need a reasonable interpretation shared by citizens on what constitutes a navigable river and what is a genuine nexus to a navigable river.

But others at the hearing by a House Space, Science and Technology subcommittee said complaints about the rule  which was blocked in court and then reversed by President Donald Trump  are overstated and that it is needed now more than ever.

I have never heard that the water in our rivers, lakes, streams and ponds is too clean, that there are too many healthy fish to catch and eat, that our drinking water is too clean and abundant, or that we need more beach closures due to pollution, said Ken Kopocis, a former water official at the Environmental Protection Agency.

The rule aimed to settle questions of jurisdiction between the EPA and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, which has oversight of navigable waterways. But critics said the rule did little to clarify jurisdiction and may have opened the door to greater oversight by federal officials than the law intended.

Wesley Mehl, the deputy commissioner of the Arizona State Land Department, said the rules presented a particular challenge for arid, Western states.

For state trust lands in Arizona, the most common category of waters encountered are dry washes or arroyos, Mehl said in his testimony. These features are drainage areas with ephemeral flow, i.e., they flow only in direct response to rainfall and are otherwise dry.

Proving that they were not subject to federal regulation is costly for state landowners, Mehl said.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, the subcommittee chairman, opened the hearing by calling the WOTUS rule one of the biggest federal overreaches in modern history.

The rule was blocked by a federal court just days after it took effect in 2015, and President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February that directed federal agencies to review the rule, with an eye toward rescinding or revising it.

Chilton, testifying on behalf of the National Cattlemens Beef Association and the Public Lands Council, said the 2015 rule unlawfully burdened my ranching operation since I could not determine whether I would be in compliance or out of compliance on any necessary ranch improvement.

Both Chilton and Mehl said better definitions and an objective analysis of what makes up waters of the United States are needed. Both cited language in a 2006 Supreme Court case that called those waters any relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing waters that are connected to navigable waters, as well as connected wetlands.

Chilton said that definition should be what the public and an agricultural producer can see is really a navigable waterway.

But Kopocis said relying on that definition has many adverse practical effects for protecting State waters from pollution and destruction.

For example, eliminating the protection for intermittent and ephemeral streams will remove Clean Water Act protection for a significant number of waters  as much as 60 percent nationally, he said. In more arid areas of the country, this could be as high as 80 to 90 percent.

Democrats on the subcommittee said the issue is deserving of a thoughtful discussion but that the panel was stacked against the rule.

At a hearing ostensibly to examine the roles of states in the next phase of defining waters of the US, only one state has been brought to testify, the subcommittees chairmans home state of Arizona, said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, in a prepared statement. And there is also no one at the table from the EPA to provide an understanding of where things stand at the federal level.

The EPA did not immediately respond to calls for comment Wednesday.

Kopocis said the problem is not going away.

The Clean Water Rule advances the cause of protecting human health and the environment, he said. This is not a time for retreat.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 23:35:09|Editor: yan

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RAMALLAH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Sunday called for holding urgent meetings of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the Jerusalem issue.

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Malki said in an emailed statement that the call for holding both urgent meetings is "to counter Israeli steps against East Jerusalem's holy places."

Malki added that contacts had been made based on directives by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas has been discussing with several world leaders on the consequences of a possible U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in addition to the latest action by Jewish settler groups inside the Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

The Palestinian national unity government urged on Sunday governments of Arab and Islamic states to end the "incursions" into the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Jewish settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.

Palestinian government spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said the incursions are "insistence by the Israeli government to desecrate holy sites and attack the most sacred site for Arabs and Muslims in the occupied Arab city of Jerusalem, violating all norms, international laws, human principles and ethics."

Al-Mahmoud held the Israeli government responsible for "all crimes committed by settler gangs towards Al-Aqsa Mosque," and warned of possible consequences resulting from "those escalating aggressive steps" that could possibly "trigger a horrific religion conflict."

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is sacred to both Muslims, who regard it as the third holiest site in Islam, and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

The mosque compound has been administered by Jordanian Islamic Waqf Ministry since 1948. After Israel took over East Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967, it was obliged to respect the status quo and not make any changes to the status, laws and institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Palestinians have repeatedly warned against Israeli government's attempt to break the status quo and impose changes to the holy site.

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while Israel refuses to divide the city and wants "Greater Jerusalem" as its capital.

U.S. media reports said that U.S. President Donald Trump could announce a decision, possible on Wednesday, to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite the strong opposition from the Islamic world. The Palestinians have warned that such a move could destroy the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and lead to renewed conflict and violence.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-03 23:50:14|Editor: yan

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BERLIN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A suspicious package found near a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam two days ago was not terrorism-related, but part of an attempt to blackmail delivery company DHL, a local official said Sunday.

According to news agency DPA, Karl-Heinz Schroeter, interior minister of Brandenburg where Potsdam is located, said a suspect asked DHL, the parcel delivery division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post, for a sum of money in the millions of euros in a note attached to the package.

The parcel had contained materials to create a bomb, including about 100 nails, a unidentified powdered substance, and a metal cylinder. It also contained a blackmail letter encrypted in the form of a QR code, Brandenburg police chief Hans-Juergen Moerke said.

A similar package was delivered some time ago in the eastern city of Frankfurt an der Oder, Schroeter said, adding that that device had caught fire upon opening, causing the blackmail letter to be destroyed.

Moerke said that the main suspect in both cases was a man from the greater Berlin area, but declined to give further details citing the ongoing investigation.

Moerke said that further deliveries of a similar nature are possible and perhaps even probable. Officials warned postal customers to be wary of opening unexpected packages for the time being.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 00:30:26|Editor: Zhou Xin

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BERLIN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A suspicious package found near a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam two days ago was not terrorism-related, but part of an attempt to blackmail delivery company DHL and would be very dangerous, German authorities said on Sunday.

"The good news is it that we can say, with all likelihood, that the package was not aimed at the Christmas market," Brandenburg State Interior Minister Karl-Heinz Schroeter said at a press conference Sunday afternoon, according to German media Focus Online.

Schroeter said a suspect asked DHL, the parcel delivery division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post, for a sum of money in the millions of euros in a note attached to the package.

The parcel had contained materials to create a bomb, including about 100 nails, a unidentified powdered substance, and a metal cylinder. It also contained a blackmail letter encrypted in the form of a QR code, Brandenburg police chief Hans-Juergen Moerke said.

A piece of paper was torn by the explosion into pieces. Investigators put the pieces together and found a QR code. Scanning the code investigators found the blackmail letter.

Authorities found the suspicious package after it was delivered to a pharmacy at the Christmas market in the center of Potsdam on Friday. The police had reported after the case that it did not find a detonator and that the box likely contained no explosives, indicating it was a fake bomb.

However, authorities said at the press conference that the package would have had the worst injuries in case of explosion. Moerke said the explosive device had been analyzed again.

Schroeter said that further analysis had shown the device to be "highly dangerous" and capable of seriously injuring people. He added that the pharmacist who opened the package on Friday had heard a hissing sound when he tried to open it.

A similar package was delivered some time ago in the eastern city of Frankfurt an der Oder, Schroeter said,

Moerke said that the main suspect in both cases was a man from the greater Berlin area, but declined to give further details, according to news agency DPA.

Moerke said that further deliveries of a similar nature are possible and perhaps even probable. Officials warned postal customers to be wary of opening unexpected packages for the time being.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 01:00:32|Editor: Yang Yi

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Wang Huning (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong who attends the Fourth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

WUZHEN, Zhejiang, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Wang Huning met with foreign guests attending the Fourth World Internet Conference on Sunday.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong, Mongolia Deputy Prime Minister Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin, former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins.

When meeting with Prajin, Wang said that China is willing to work with the Thai side to increase exchanges on Internet governance to build a global Internet governance system.

Prajin said Thailand will push forward Internet cooperation with China for an open, fair and safe cyberspace.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 01:20:37|Editor: yan

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BERLIN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and about 20 others were reportedly injured in a residential building on Sunday in the western German city of Saarbruecken, according to local police.

One person was seriously injured after jumping from the roof of the building to escape the fire, which broke out in the first or second floor at around 1:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT), news agency DPA reported, citing a police spokesman as saying.

Local police did not tell the number of the injured, the newspaper Saarbruecker Zeitung reported that 20 were injured.

Two of the dead -- two men in their 70s -- have been identified. The police are searching the building in the afternoon in a bid to check for possible other casualties.

Over 100 rescuers were on the site, who rescued several people in the building with aerial ladders. The cause of fire was unclear at the moment.

Also on Sunday, police opened a "negligent arson" investigation a day after a fire broke out in a high-rise residential building in Berlin's Marzahn district, injuring 22 people.

A police spokeswoman said that the fire may have broken out in a kitchen inside the 10-story building, large parts of which were destroyed in the fire and are now uninhabitable.

Of the 22 people injured in the blaze, three were in serious condition. Twenty people were rescued from the building by firefighters.

Efforts to extinguish the fire by about 200 rescue workers -- aided by a helicopter -- lasted much of the day Saturday, DPA reported.
Russian Tupolev Tu-22 long-range strategic bombers conduct an air strike at an unknown location in Syria, in this still image taken from video footage released by Russia's Defence Ministry on November 18, 2015.

MOSCOW, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian strategic bombers continued to strike Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Syria on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers took off from Russia and destroyed IS ammunition warehouses, equipment and strongholds in the southeast of Deir al-Zour province, it said.

The warplanes were covered by Russia's Su-30SM fighters from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria. After completing the mission, the bombers returned to their base airfields.

This was the sixth airstrike by Russian strategic bombers since Nov. 15 as Syrian government troops backed by the Russian air force are finishing expelling IS terrorists from the country.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian military operations against terrorists in Syria were coming to an end, with the focus shifting to a political process.

To that end, Russia, Iran and Turkey are preparing for a Syrian National Dialogue Congress to be held in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 02:10:53|Editor: yan

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ANKARA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A minibus smuggling illegal migrants from Syria to Turkey collided with a truck while trying to escape from gendarmerie checkpoint, killing 10 Syrian citizens and injuring 9 others, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

The deadly accident happened in southeastern Hatay province in the afternoon after the driver did not follow stop order and try to evade from a checkpoint, not far from the Syrian frontier.

The minibus collided with a truck coming from opposite direction head-on-head, killing 6 children and 4 adults on board.

An investigation has been initiated into the accident.

Turkey hosts about 3.3 million Syrian refugees by November, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 02:15:54|Editor: yan

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AMMAN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States signed a deal with Jordan on Sunday to deliver 475 million U.S. dollars as part of its annual economic support to the Arab kingdom.

It is part of the 812.3-million-dollar annual financial support provided by the United States to Jordan.

The agreement was signed by Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and Jim Barnhart, director of the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission (USAID).

USAID and Jordan have maintained a long-standing partnership aimed at supporting economic stability and strengthening democratic governance in Jordan, said the Jordanian ministry in a statement.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has increased by 800 percent following Jordan's accession to the World Trade Organization and the implementation of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.

The United States has provided economic aid to Jordan for more than 60 years.
Clashes between the Houthis and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh aggravate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. (AFP Photo)

SANAA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The latest clashes between two former allies in Yemen, the Houthis and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, are set to aggravate the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.

The two sides allied and seized power in late 2014, triggering a civil war and a military intervention by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

"I expect the situation will be complicated and Saleh may not risk further if he does not receive sufficient support from regional players," Yaseen Al-Tamimi, a political writer and analyst, told Xinhua.

"The future of Sanaa is still uncertain. Both sides are using the hit-and-run tactics," he said, noting that it is difficult to drive Houthi forces out of Sanaa, if not impossible.

The breakdown of the Houthi-Saleh alliance, seen as an alliance of convenience, was expected from the first day the it was announced. The Houthis can't forget the revenge for murdering their first leader in the first Saada war by the army of Saleh.

There are several other reasons that led to the latest breakdown of their alliance.

First, the Houthi actions to exclude Saleh are out of concern that Saleh would turn against them at any moment.

Second, Saleh seeks to reach a deal with the Saudi-led coalition, which also hopes to do so amid growing criticism of Saudi Arabia and other members over the war and its catastrophic consequences in the Yemen, which faces one of the worst humanitarian crises.

Third, reliable sources told Xinhua that the Houthis recently knew that Tariq, Saleh's nephew who worked as chief of the president guard and special forces before the 2011 protests, has been training forces to fight the Houthis.

The Houthis, which warned Tariq several times over what he is doing, decided to turn against Saleh as they fear that he has received assurances and support from some of the Saudi-led coalition's members.

In the meantime, the armed conflict between Saleh supporters and Houthi forces will exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Ghamdan Al-Yousfi, a political analyst, told Xinhua that the war between Saleh and Houthis "will lead to closure of cities and cutting food supplies to the largest proportion of the population in the country".

"It will be a total guerilla war that will see no end and add to deepening chaos here," he said.

Around 23 million out of 27 million Yemeni population now live in the Houthi-run regions. The war-torn nation, which is also plagued by a severe cholera epidemic, is now coping with the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe as more than two thirds of the population need humanitarian assistance, the UN says.

Radhwan Fari, a Yemeni journalist, said the Houthi-Saleh war adds to the obstacles facing the peace process in Yemen.

"Many are optimistic this war will help end the conflict here. In my opinion, the opposite is true," he said.

"This war, or rather Saleh's move, came too late, I mean, after Houthis have become so strong, having seized most of the country's weapons and resources. In this current status, I think they even don't need foreign support," he added.

While all signs show that the Saudi-led coalition may now think of supporting Saleh against the Iran-backed Houthis, observers argued that Iran will also not fail the Houthis.

Faris Al-Beel, a political analyst and college professor, said Iran will do whatever it can to help Houthis militarily, politically and economically.

"Iran will not accept (the fate) to let Sanaa fall. If it fails to keep Sanaa under Houthi control, it will destabilize the city through systematic violence," Al-Beel said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 02:56:03|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MOGADISHU, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Somalia is seeking urgent actions to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers in armed conflicts in the Horn of Africa.

According to a joint statement issued in Mogadishu on Sunday after a five-day meeting of key representatives from the government and federal member states, recruitment and use of children is a key security concern and has the potential to undermine efforts aimed at bringing lasting peace to Somalia.

African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)'s Child Protection Adviser Musa Gbow stressed the importance of coming up with a roadmap that will be translated into a policy document and implemented at both the federal and regional levels.

"Our aim is to have a smooth transitional exit strategy, but we cannot just leave vacuum. We have to ensure that the federal government and federal member states continue to work together especially with regards to dealing with the prevention of the recruitment and use of children as soldiers in the conflict in Somalia," Gbow said.

Various international instruments across the globe criminalize the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

Available statistics also show that 70 percent of the children in armed conflict in Somalia are recruited by Al-Shabaab terror group.

During the forum, organized by AMISOM, participants discussed how to prevent the recruitment of and use of children in armed conflicts.

The forum provided an avenue for various government departments including the security sector to interface alongside AMISOM military, in coming up with tangible solutions to the problem.

Deputy Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (DSRCC) Simon Mulongo said the AU mission is addressing the issue of use of child soldiers in armed conflicts as part of its transitional arrangements.

"That is as we transit from activities being managed and overseen by AMISOM, we would like to prepare the Somali people to manage these programs by themselves," Mulongo said.

According to a UN Security Council Report on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia published in January, 5,933 boys and 230 girls were recruited as child soldiers between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2016.

Statistics show an improvement between 2012 and 2014, but the figures sharply rose in 2016, when 1,092 children were used as child soldiers in the first six months.
Talk is already swirling about putting Proposition 301, a 0.6 percent sales tax for education, on the ballot for renewal in 2018. Voters approved the tax increase in 2000, and it is due to expire in 2021. If voters deny a renewal request for Prop 301, it could mean a significant cut in teachers pay in Flagstaff and across the state.

Ginger Wischmann, the director of accounting at Flagstaff Unified School District, said the district received $3.857 million in Prop 301 money this year for its Classroom Site Fund. That was nearly 5 percent of the districts total operating budget for the 2015/2016 school year, which was more than $80 million.

Flagstaff Unified School District Finance Director Scott Walmer said the majority of FUSDs Prop 301 money goes to teacher salaries. He estimated that about 8 percent of an FUSD teachers pay comes from that fund. An 8 percent drop in pay for a new teacher making about $35,000 annually would be about $2,800. If the tax wasnt renewed, the district would try to find a way to cover some of that drop in pay, he said.

One possible option would be to use some of the money in the districts reserve fund to make up some of the difference, Wischmann said. The fund is used to cover any shortfalls the district may have during the fiscal year. However, the fund wouldnt be able to cover the difference for long.

If voters were to approve a renewal of the tax rate, the amount of sales tax returns schools would receive would stay the same at 0.6 percent.

According to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, a Flagstaff family with a median income of $48,680 currently pays about $3,721 in sales taxes every year. A 0.6 percent drop in the sales tax rate would have a family paying about $3,698 annually.

At a more micro level, a $20 check at an area restaurant, minus the tip, currently costs about $21.79 with sales tax. A 0.6 percent drop in the sales tax rate would make a $20 bill about $21.67 with tax.

There is also a push to increase the Prop 301 sales tax to generate more money for education. The Arizona Town Hall recently released a report recommending that the state increase the tax rate to 1 percent. According to Expect More Arizona, increasing the tax from 0.6 percent to 1 percent would collect an additional $400 million a year.

An increase of the sales tax rate by 1 percent would have a Flagstaff family of three paying $3,758 a year in sales taxes.

Walmer said any increase in the tax would have to be channeled through the funding formula set down in Prop 301 with so much going to universities, community colleges, K-12, etc. Any increase in Prop 301 money to FUSD would probably go toward teacher pay, he said.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has said that he would support a renewal of the tax, but hasnt stated whether he would support an increase in the amount being taxed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 03:46:13|Editor: Zhou Xin

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by Peter Mutai

NAIROBI, Dec 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has called for cooperation between scientists, governments and non-state actors in tackling environmental degradation.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said in a new report released on Sunday that despite well-developed global environmental governance, science-policy activity has to move toward supporting implementation of international environmental agreements in countries and regions.

"The achievement of the international agreements will require the cooperation of multitude decision-makers with divergent primary priorities, scientists from a wide-range," Pierre Boileau, head of the Global Assessment Unit at UNEP, said during the launch of the report in Nairobi.

Boileau said science-policy organizations require dedicated change processes to their governance models to have impact in the future, including providing information for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Achieving the SDGs requires scientific advice on complex interactions between goals achievement, which are dynamic, non-linear and uncertain," he said, adding that it is pointless to produce complex reports that produce uncertain outcomes.

The UNEP official suggested that it is crucial that gender mainstreaming is adopted in all science-policy activities, and failure of which might lead to policies that aggravate the existing unintended consequences that further intensify inequality.

The report says improved outcomes come from engaging policy-makers who hold significantly divergent viewpoints on the importance of the environment, but whose decisions influence environmental outcomes.

"The last 40 years have seen a significant expansion of scientific research into environmental challenges and their drivers, international environmental governance structures and international science-policy work on environmental issues, but the growth of this work has not been matched by a slowdown in environmental degradation," it says.

Instead, globally, the environment continues to deteriorate, and in some geographical areas the rate of this degradation is actually increasing, the report says.

The UN report calls for the incorporation of societal and cultural issues into scientific and technological research.

UNEP Executive Director Erik Solheim said that science and policy are at a crossroads and need effective governance to promote better interaction.

"There is growing evidence that sound science can play an important role in creating the political will to shape policies that can deliver the SDGs," Solheim said.

He noted that with the growing momentum for change, international scientific experts have to realign their work to be more useful for policy-makers through the involvement of non-state actors.

The report highlights the importance of making high-quality scientific data easily available to the right people, such as access to air quality data showing tangible threats to human health.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 03:56:15|Editor: yan

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MOGADISHU, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Somalia will on Monday host a national security conference to secure support for the comprehensive list of requirements of security officers ahead of African Union peacekeepers' exit, officials said on Sunday.

The conference, which the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is co-convening with the Somalia government, will also discuss ways of financing the Somali security sector and the next steps on AMISOM's transition.

In a statement issued in Mogadishu, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia Francisco Caetano Madeira said the conference will be critical in reviewing progress made so far in the security and political fronts in Somalia.

Madeira said that success will be measured in terms of what significant decisions will be taken to enable AMISOM undertake effective, robust operations against al-Shabaab.

"This will enable AMISOM to be able to be implement the new mandate that was given to it through the (United Nations) Security Council resolution to allow us to be able to carry out mop-up operations against al-Shabaab, secure main supply, protect population centers, mentor the Somali forces that are available to us, and establish effectively to empower them to be able to take over from us," Madeira said.

Participants at the conference will discuss the implementation of a National Security Architecture plan, which is central to achieving sustainable security reform and a transition of primary responsibility of security from AMISOM to Somali security forces.

The conference, which will be opened by Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, will be attended by representatives of the government and federal member states, the AU, UN, the European Union, and other international partners.

Experts say enhanced support to Somali institutions and structures, including local governance, are complementary to broader security efforts in Somalia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 04:21:18|Editor: Lu Hui

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Palestinians say the U.S. will set off "ticking bomb" if it recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moves US embassy to Jerusalem. (AFP Photo)

by Osama Radi, Emad Drimly

GAZA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The possibility that the United States may acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel's capital is a "ticking bomb" which will destroy the peace process in the Middle East, according to analysts.

Analysts and observers said that such a move would "completely eliminate" any remaining chances of efforts to resolve the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

U.S. media reported this week that the U.S. President Donald Trump was considering recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that he might announce the decision on Wednesday.

Trump pledged earlier to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. He made the relocation promise during his election campaign, but has signed in June a six-month waiver to a 1995 U.S. law requiring the embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Previous U.S. presidents have signed similar waivers to avoid escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) warned that the U.S. recognition and the relocation of embassy are "dangerous to the future of the peace process and push the region into a square of instability."

Mohammed Daraghmeh, a Ramallah-based writer and political analyst, said the overwhelming reactions from Arab and Islamic countries, particularly Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, might delay Trump's announcement to some extent.

Daraghmeh stressed that such a decision was very dangerous, as it "imposes a pre-emptive stance on one of the most important ultimate questions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Arab-Israeli conflict."

He pointed out that such a decision represented a historic reversal in the U.S. position on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem the capital of their future independent state, while Israel declared the integral city of Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, a move that is not recognized by the international community.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the ultimate questions for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, which was stalled since April 2014 following nine months of U.S.-sponsored talks without major progress.

Contrary to his pledge of continuing U.S. sponsorship for the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, Trump has failed to announce any practical measures and even betrayed the traditional stance adopted by his predecessors on a two-state solution.

Abdel Nasser al-Najjar, a political analyst from Ramallah, said Trump was temporarily retreating from his promise of relocating the U.S. embassy as he intended to show his encouragement of moving forward the peace process.

"One year after Trump took the office, he has achieved little in this area. There are no secret or public negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Even his advisers' visits to the region have yielded nothing," said Najjar.

He went on saying that all data indicated that Trump's intention to move the embassy to Jerusalem or to recognize the city as the capital of Israel would be officially announced sooner or later.

Najjar noted that Trump, whose opinion polls showed unprecedented unpopularity compared with former U.S. presidents, "now needs to prove that he is a strategic and loyal ally of Israel to gain the support from the Zionist lobby to cover up his failure as a U.S. leader."

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Riyad al-Maliki said that it had requested two emergency meetings of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with the participation of permanent representatives.

"Such meetings are important because they will discuss steps to be taken on this irresponsible U.S. action," said the minister.
Palestinians say the U.S. will set off "ticking bomb" if it recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moves US embassy to Jerusalem. (AFP Photo)

GAZA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The possibility that the United States may acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel's capital is a "ticking bomb" which will destroy the peace process in the Middle East, according to analysts.

Analysts and observers said that such a move would "completely eliminate" any remaining chances of efforts to resolve the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

U.S. media reported this week that the U.S. President Donald Trump was considering recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that he might announce the decision on Wednesday.

Trump pledged earlier to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. He made the relocation promise during his election campaign, but has signed in June a six-month waiver to a 1995 U.S. law requiring the embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Previous U.S. presidents have signed similar waivers to avoid escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) warned that the U.S. recognition and the relocation of embassy are "dangerous to the future of the peace process and push the region into a square of instability."

Mohammed Daraghmeh, a Ramallah-based writer and political analyst, said the overwhelming reactions from Arab and Islamic countries, particularly Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, might delay Trump's announcement to some extent.

Daraghmeh stressed that such a decision was very dangerous, as it "imposes a pre-emptive stance on one of the most important ultimate questions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Arab-Israeli conflict."

He pointed out that such a decision represented a historic reversal in the U.S. position on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem the capital of their future independent state, while Israel declared the integral city of Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, a move that is not recognized by the international community.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the ultimate questions for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, which was stalled since April 2014 following nine months of U.S.-sponsored talks without major progress.

Contrary to his pledge of continuing U.S. sponsorship for the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, Trump has failed to announce any practical measures and even betrayed the traditional stance adopted by his predecessors on a two-state solution.

Abdel Nasser al-Najjar, a political analyst from Ramallah, said Trump was temporarily retreating from his promise of relocating the U.S. embassy as he intended to show his encouragement of moving forward the peace process.

"One year after Trump took the office, he has achieved little in this area. There are no secret or public negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Even his advisers' visits to the region have yielded nothing," said Najjar.

He went on saying that all data indicated that Trump's intention to move the embassy to Jerusalem or to recognize the city as the capital of Israel would be officially announced sooner or later.

Najjar noted that Trump, whose opinion polls showed unprecedented unpopularity compared with former U.S. presidents, "now needs to prove that he is a strategic and loyal ally of Israel to gain the support from the Zionist lobby to cover up his failure as a U.S. leader."

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Riyad al-Maliki said that it had requested two emergency meetings of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with the participation of permanent representatives.

"Such meetings are important because they will discuss steps to be taken on this irresponsible U.S. action," said the minister.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 04:36:21|Editor: Zhou Xin

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GEBEIT, Sudan, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) on Sunday concluded field training exercise, dubbed "Mashariki Salaam II," in Gebeit military base in eastern Sudan.

The drills were launched with participation of combatant units from Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, Comoro Islands, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi.

Sudan's Defence Minister Awad ibn Auf, addressing the exercise's closing ceremony, said the EASF was ready to confront terrorist elements that are active in some countries of the region.

"The mechanism of the Eastern Africa multinational forces is in contact with regional and international forces to intervene at all levels," he said.

He went on saying that "some of the eastern Africa countries are still experiencing internal conflicts and terrorist operations. I assure that it is time to face these challenges."

In the meantime, EASF Head of Mission, Ambassador Issimail Chanfi, addressing the ceremony, said that "this exercise has confirmed that the EASF is moving to higher levels of professionalism, and indeed the EASF has the capability to effectively deploy in a real peace operation mission."

He added that the exercise has actualized the capacity for the EASF to operate in a multidimensional and multinational setup.

"Indeed the isolated environment of Gebeit was ideal for maximum concentration, where the levels of cooperation and team spirit among the exercise participants was quite impressive," he noted.

Established in 2004, EASF is one of the five regional multidimensional forces of the African Standby Force, and assigned to enhance peace and security in the eastern African region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 05:16:28|Editor: yan

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CHICAGO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua)-- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures settled mixed over the trading week which ended Dec. 1, with corn futures rising higher while wheat futures trading lower.

CBOT corn rallied 3 cents on late week fund short covering, which is being driven by less than ideal climate forecasts for South America. As expected, the arrival of La Nina is working to keep rainfall away from Argentina and Southern Brazil, and in the case of Argentina some 30 percent of the crop there will begin pollinating in the last half of December.

The U.S. Gulf corn is competitive with South American origin and the U.S. export sales pace will increase. None of this will really change the U.S. balance sheet, but with funds sitting on a sizeable short, corn could rally 0.25 to 0.4 dollar per bushel on their liquidation.

Winter wheat futures ended lower, but other contracts crawled to minor gains. There's not a lot of fresh news available, but a managed fund net short position this week worth 123,000 contracts is bullish and Southern Hemisphere production has shown limited signs of improvement.

Argentina yield data indicates the U.S. Department of Agriculture's forecast is overstated. Too much rain will fall across South Australia into mid-December. And drought will continue to expand across the U.S. hard red wheat belt.

However, a needed demand driver remains absent and the pace of U.S. export sales has been disappointing. There's hope for better interest in the first quarter of 2018, but this looks to be short lived barring adverse weather in the Black Sea.

Soybeans traded on both sides of unchanged through the week, with much of the action in the CBOT soy markets realized in soy complex spreads ahead of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) biofuel announcements, and building concerns for South American weather.

The EPA' s biofuel targets did not offer any surprises, and was little changed from the initial proposals that were released back in July.

Rallies have been slowed by rising South American and U.S. soybean crush and meal production rates, while breaks under 300 dollars per tonne have repeatedly found long term end user support.

Argentina has planted 43 percent of its soybean crop versus the 5-year average of 53 percent and the market is quickly building interest in weather. In a La Nina year, the odds are high that dryness with building heat will be the theme for the CBOT through December.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 05:51:34|Editor: yan

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TIRANA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Waters in Albania's main rivers started to recede Sunday but snow has covered major part of north Albania what has made the floods situation even worse.

As a result of snow, several villages in the north were blocked Sunday while work is underway to open the main road axes.

Albania has been swiped by torrential rains and storms for days that led to massive floods in the country. At least one person has died in the last three days of heavy rainfall.

The Civil Emergency Committee reported that over 600 families have been evacuated from their houses which are under water.

"The total number of houses affected by water or flooded is 3,337 countrywide. However, we are all mobilized to mitigate the effects of recent floods," head of civil emergency committee Shemsi Prenci told reporters.

He added that the moderate improvement of weather helped the rescue teams and soldiers who have been working in the field since Thursday.

Some primary schools were damaged. Albanian Education Minister Lindita Nikolla announced on Sunday noon that classes couldn't resume on Monday in 56 schools countrywide.

The authorities have started calculating the damage to consider financial compensation. Prime Minister Edi Rama assured citizens on Saturday that the government would compensate them all for their losses.

Meanwhile, considering the flooding situation, Albanian Konfindustria (union of industries) on Sunday requested making amendments to the 2018 budget so that more funds and more attention is paid to the prevention of floods.

Through a press release, General Manager of Konfindustria Gjergj Buxhuku urged the government to work out and implement the strategy of preventing massive floods as soon as possible.

He called for an extraordinary session of the Albanian Parliament in which such issues should be addressed with priority.

"The Albanian Parliament should ask the executive to prepare the projects and submit for approval the necessary changes to the 2018 budget," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters after meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Washington,U.S., December 1, 2017. (REUTERS/File Photo/James Lawler Duggan)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States has decided to end its participation in the UN process to develop a Global Compact on Migration (GCM) which it claimed could undermine its "sovereign right," according to a statement by the State Department on Sunday.

The United States cannot "support a process that could undermine the sovereign right of the United States to enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders," said State Secretary Rex Tillerson in the statement.

The U.S. participation in the process started last year following the Obama Administration's decision to join the UN's New York Declaration on Migration.

Tillerson in the statement called the declaration containing "a number of policy goals that are inconsistent with U.S. law and policy."

The U.S. withdrawal came ahead of a global conference on migration which is slated on Monday in Mexico.

The decision also followed an announcement in October by the United States of pulling itself out of the UNESCO, a Paris-based landmark UN cultural organization, a move that many countries felt regretful.

Meanwhile, UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak on Sunday expressed regret over a U.S. decision to withdraw from the global migration compact, a UN-led process toward safe, orderly and regular migration.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been informed of the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to end participation in the process that would achieve the first intergovernmentally negotiated agreement on international migration by 2018, said the U.S. mission to the United Nations in a press statement on Saturday.

Lajcak regretted the U.S. decision, saying no country can handle international migration alone.

"In the (2016) New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, all UN member states acknowledged that no one state can manage international migration on its own. Furthermore, they committed to strengthening global governance of migration. To that end, member states agreed at the highest level to launch a process leading to the adoption of a global compact in 2018," said Brenden Varma, the spokesman for Lajcak, in a statement.

"The role of the United States in this process is critical as it has historically and generously welcomed people from all across the globe and remains home to the largest number of international migrants in the world. As such, it has the experience and expertise to help ensure that this process leads to a successful outcome."

Lajcak stressed that migration is a global phenomenon that demands a global response and that multilateralism remains the best way to address global challenges, said the statement.

Despite the U.S. withdrawal, the United Nations should not miss this opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people throughout the world through global migration compact, it said.

U.S. participation in the compact process began in 2016, following the Obama administration's decision to join the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.

"The New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with U.S. immigration and refugee policies and the Trump administration's immigration principles. As a result, President Trump determined that the United States would end its participation in the compact process that aims to reach international consensus at the UN in 2018," said the press statement of the U.S. mission to the United Nations.

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki Haley said: "Our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty."

Following the September 2016 New York Declaration, the General Assembly started to develop this global compact in April 2017. The General Assembly will hold an intergovernmental conference on international migration in 2018 with a view to adopting the global compact.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 05:56:36|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed deep concern over the sharp escalation of armed clashes and airstrikes in Yemen over the past few days between a rebel alliance.

"This latest outbreak of violence could not come at a worse time for the Yemeni people, who are already caught up in the world's largest humanitarian crisis," said Guterres through his spokesman, referring to the clashes between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The two forces were previous allies against forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

The new clashes, which broke out on Wednesday in the capital city of Sanaa and then spread to other parts of the country, have resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, including civilians.

The secretary-general called on all parties to the conflict to cease all air and ground assaults, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

The new conflict and the blockade imposed on Nov. 6 by the Saudi-led military coalition, which is fighting Houthi rebels, have caused significant shortages of critical supplies, especially food and fuel, and resulted in price hikes, curtailing access to food, safe water and healthcare, said the statement. "The secretary-general calls for the urgent resumption of all commercial imports, without which millions of children, women and men risk mass hunger, disease and death."

Although the Saudi-led coalition has partially lifted the blockade, UN humanitarian shipments still face impediments.

"Fighting is restricting the movement of people and life-saving services within Sanaa city. Ambulances and medical teams cannot access the injured, and people cannot go outside to buy food and other necessities. Aid workers are unable to travel and implement critical life-saving programs at a time when millions of Yemenis rely on assistance to survive," said the statement.

The secretary-general called on all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. "It is paramount that civilians are protected, that the wounded are afforded safe access to medical care, and that all sides facilitate life-saving humanitarian access."

Guterres reiterated that there is no military solution to the Yemen conflict. He urged all parties to the conflict to engage meaningfully with the United Nations to revitalize inclusive negotiations on a political settlement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 06:36:41|Editor: yan

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BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's Navy (ARA) on Sunday said a search vessel had potentially made "metallic contact" with a submarine that sank 18 days ago in the south Atlantic with a 44-member crew on board.

"We are investigating a new contact," Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told reporters, adding a search vessel was moved earlier in the day to a new location 950 meters deep and "its metallic contact was corroborated by two ships with different sensors."

The ARA San Juan submarine lost contact at 7:30 a.m. local time (10:30 GMT) on Nov. 15 as it was navigating in the south Atlantic. Officials believe an explosion detected on the same day may have sunk the vessel.

According to Balbi, a team of specialists who traveled to Germany to obtain potentially useful data on the German-made TR-1700 submarine, which was acquired in 1985, has returned to apply that information.

Also Sunday, a group of about 50 family members of the lost crew marched in Mar de Plata to demand more information and to push for continued rescue efforts.

Marcela Moyano, wife of one of the crew, told local media, "if they took them away, they have to bring them back."

The group was comprised mainly of crewmen's wives and mothers.

Balbi said the Navy was in contact with the relatives, and had ensured they received the crew's wages.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 06:51:44|Editor: yan

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by Evan Duggan

VANCOUVER, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 300,000 people gathered in downtown Vancouver on Sunday afternoon for the city's 14th annual Santa Claus Parade.

The parade has become the unofficial launch to the Christmas season here in the West Coast Canadian city.

The parade marches its way around the downtown core, with roughly 3,500 participants, including 50 marching bands, choirs, dancers, community groups - and Santa Claus, of course.

Before the parade, hundreds gathered around a massive Christmas tree in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery at a Christmas festival waiting for Santa to arrive in the parade.

Among them were Vancouver resident Joe and his two sons, Aidan and Eason, who sat down at a Canada Post tent set up for kids to write letters to Santa Claus.

"We saw it on the internet that there was a parade going on," Joe told Xinhua. "It's our first time ever."

He said his kids were eager to add their letters to Santa to the post and to get a glimpse of Santa Claus.

"It's bringing the family together," he said.

Canada Post worker Fred Danelles stood by, inviting children to write their letters, which the youngsters would then slip into a small, red Canada Post box.

Danelles told Xinhua that Canada Post handles about 1.5 million letters to Santa from kids in Canada and around the world, each year.

"He answers each and every one," Danelles said. "He gets his mail through Canada Post."

Canada Post's Santa letter program has been around for more than 35 years, and has responded to 26 million letters in more than 30 languages, including Braille.

"All the mail in the world of course has to come to Canada Post, and we get his mail and when he answers the letters each and every one is replied to," Danelles said. "We get Canada Post to deliver his letters back to all the children."

He said they were expecting kids to write and post about 450 letters at the parade on Sunday.

Along the parade route, thousands of people hoisted children up on shoulders, getting a glimpse of the marching bands, dancers and a Grinch in a Vancouver Police Department cage. The biggest cheer came for Santa Claus himself, who brought up the rear of the parade.

Dozens of red and white Santa hats could be seen as the parade marched past along Vancouver's Howe Street.

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank leads the parade each year with a float and a donation campaign.

"I would say (the parade) is the official kick-off of the fundraising season in December," said Aart Schuurman Hess, a spokesman for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. "This weekend is huge... it creates the awareness. Hunger is around 365 days a year."

He said for every dollar the food bank raises through donations, three dollars can be spent on healthy food for local families in need.

"I love those smiling kids along the parade route because it's all about community," he said.

"This is a very important community event," he said. "You can see the entire community coming out and for us to be part of the Santa Claus Parade is a big thing. It creates awareness."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-04 06:56:46|Editor: yan

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HELSINKI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Finland will enhance collection of traffic fines levied on foreigners who have left the country, media reported on Sunday.

Dennis Pasterstein, director of the Finnish police traffic safety center, told national broadcaster Yle that this year some 12,000 foreigners have got a traffic fine, but a large portion of the cases have not been completed as the people have not been reached.

Most of the foreign recipients of fines for 2017 are from Estonia. Finnish police will start sending letters claiming that somebody has been found speeding in Finland.

The police cannot send the fine document to another country, but the payers are told in the letters they can come to Finland to collect the order or give a Finnish address where the order can be sent to.

Pasterstein told Yle that if the a recipient of the letter does not react by a given date, a warrant will be issued and the car, the known driver or the owner of the car will be stopped when entering Finland.

Pasterstein said the aim of the new measures is to improve road safety and to make the speed camera system work on foreigners as well.

As a final alternative, the Finnish Judicial cases registration center will send a notification to another country and the fine will be collected there. This measure is possible within the EU only.

Tauno Aalto, head of enforcement at the center, told Yle that if authorities in the country accept the case, they can collect the fines. "But they will also keep the revenue. It will not be sent to Finland". Aalto said though that there are resource limits affecting how many collection requests can be sent.

Pasterstein is somewhat uncertain on how the system will work. "How many warrants will have to be written," he wondered.
The Banker magazine awarded for the eighth consecutive time the Bank of the Year Morocco award to the BMCE Bank of Africa.

The Bankers eighteenth annual Bank of the Year awards provides an unrivaled opportunity to meet and network with industry peers and to celebrate the achievements of successful financial institutions from around the world.

The Bank of the Year annual award is given as a distinction to a single bank in every country in recognition of its performance and services.

Officials from BMCE Bank of Africa described the award as a recognition of their achievements over the past year notably in terms of setting new standards for local industries, using new technology, and coming up with innovative, cost-efficient ways of expanding businesses.

Few days earlier, Attijariwafa bank was granted Bank of the Year 2017 trophy by the Africa Investments Forum & Awards, held in Paris.

The African Bank of the Year award rewards the African bank that has achieved the most remarkable expansion on the African continent.

This distinction recognizes the active role of the Attijariwafa bank group, leader in the banking and financial sector in Morocco and key player in investment banking and market activities, and in the development of the Moroccan and African economy, commented the bank in a statement.

Attijariwafa bank group is present in 26 countries on the continent, and has the largest distribution network in Morocco and the densest in Africa, the statement said.

Also, during the latest Africa Investments Forum & Awards, Morocco reaped the award of Best State Strategy in the field of renewable energies in recognition of its steady efforts and continental leadership in promoting solar and wind energy.

Africa Investments Forum & Awards is an event dedicated to investment opportunities in the African continent. It brings together a large number of European and African decision-makers, as well as eminent African government figures.
WASHINGTON (AP)  There was no violence in the midterm elections last week, and many election deniers lost and quietly conceded. Few listened when former President Donald Trump tried to stoke baseless allegations of electoral fraud. For a moment, at least, a familiar sense of normalcy fell over a nation on edge as the extremism that consumed U.S. politics for much of the last two years was replaced by democratic order. The post-election narrative has instead been focused on each partys electoral fate. Republicans are disappointed that a red wave did not materialize, while Democrats are bracing for the likelihood of a House Republican takeover. At least for now, the serious threats that loomed over democracy heading into Election Day have not materialized.

You voted:
Morocco has adopted a pro-active diplomacy that breaks away with the empty chair policy, which left the country outside AU institutions since 1984. Almost one year after its triumphal return to the African Union, Morocco made diplomatic headways thanks to an African Policy that continues to turn former African adversaries into friends.

The talks held by King Mohammed VI with Angolas President Joao Lourenco and South Africas Jacob Zuma, on the sidelines of the 5th AU-EU Summit in Abidjan (Nov 29-30), usher a volte-face in the stands of two staunch allies of Algeria and the Polisario in the continent.

The attendance of King Mohammed VI of the AU-EU Summit has demonstrated Moroccos leadership and its weight in European-African relations and served as a showcase of the Kingdoms growing economic and political clout as well as its increasingly effective soft-power.

While shortsighted commentators deem the Polisarios participation in the event as a setback for Morocco, the presence of King Mohammed VI has pulled the rug from under their feat by making the Kingdoms voice resounds in the summit during which the basis was laid for upgrading ties with South Africa and Angola, a heavy blow to Algeria and its puppet SADR.

In this regards, the talks between the King and the Angolan President Joao Lourenco are reflective of an undergoing rapprochement between the two countries following the exchange of high-level visits. As it sees the success of Moroccos south-south cooperation with African partners, the new Angolan leadership seems intent on breaking away with the void ideological schisms in favor of a win-win partnership with Morocco.

Likewise, the meeting between the King and President Zuma of South Africa came as a surprise to the most optimistic observers. The Moroccan news agency wrote that the talks between the two leaders were warm, candid and open, and that they agreed to work together for a promising future.

This ice break meeting resulted in an agreement between the two leaders to upgrade their bilateral ties into high Ambassadorial level, in a move that augurs rapprochement between two of Africas biggest economies.

Moroccos south-south cooperation model has earned it new friends and allies, including heavy weights such as Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Nigeria, which previously sidelined on Algerian stands, is now taking distance.

The Nigerian refusal to back the Algerian advanced clauses against Moroccos territorial integrity dealt a blow to the separatist theses proponents on the continent. In fact, Nigeria, together with Guinea, offered mediation leading to the amendment to anti-Moroccan clauses in the AUs Human Rights Committees report last July.

Moroccos return to the AU and its abandonment of the empty chair policy positions it to act as a bulwark within AU to resolutions favorable to separatist maneuvers. Since Moroccos readmission to the pan-African organization, the appellation occupied territories was abandoned in favor of UN terminology. It is noteworthy to mention that UN Security Council resolutions on the Sahara have never labeled the Sahara as an occupied territory.

Over the last years, support for the Algerian-sponsored separatist thesis in the Moroccan Sahara has been waning, as 43 countries withdrew their recognition of the SADR entity out of 80 that previously recognized it in a Cold War context.
Low-cost Green Airline, Air Mediterranean, said it will launch three weekly direct flights linking Casablanca to Athens as of December 4.

The first Boeing 400/737 will take off from Athens Airport at 19:30 with a return flight same day from Casablancas international airport at 23:00.

This new air-route will promote tourism between the two nations as well as economic and trade ties.

The flights, to last between 3h20min to 4h20min, are programmed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Air Mediterranean was created recently and has launched its first Athens-Stockholm flights last November.
Thanks to its advanced infrastructure, close ties with African economies and its advanced ports and free zones, Morocco offers a platform for Chinese businesses willing to expand in Africa.

The conclusion was reaffirmed at the end of the China-Africa Investment Forum held in Marrakech (Nov 28) with the participation of 400 business executives from across Africa and China.

Wang Yong, vice president of the China-Africa Development Fund, said the Forum offers a venue to prospect new investment opportunities in Africa.

The Silk Road initiative will change the map of international trade, he said, adding that trade and cooperation with Africa are already at an unprecedented levels.

The One Belt, One Road initiative, unveiled by Xi Jinpings presidency in 2013, aims at linking China with Africa, Asia and Europe through a network of ports, railways, roads and industrial parks.

Moroccos Industry Minister Moulay Hafid Ellalamy said China and Africa share the same quest for development.

In this respect, Morocco, with 55 Free Trade Agreements notably with the EU and the US, offers a gateway to Chinese companies willing to relocate.

The upcoming membership of Morocco in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will give Chinese companies based in Morocco a market of 350 million inhabitants.

Trade between Africa and China hit $190 billion while Chinese non-financial direct investments in the continent reached $2.5 billion in 2016.

Around 10,000 Chinese industrial enterprises operate in Africa, generating annual business of more than $60bn.

Last year, China was the top foreign investor in Africa with $31.6bn, the figures given at the forum showed.

By the end of 2016, Chinese companies had contributed to projects including railways, highways, ports, airports and power stations in Africa.
Morocco is attracting foreign companies through its special economic zone with the recent setting up of Japans top international freight forwarder, Nippon Express, of a second African branch office in Casablanca to cash in on the continents increasingly promising logistics market, said the Journal of Commerce, a biweekly magazine focusing on global trade.

Morocco is aggressively attracting foreign companies through its special economic zone system, and many Japanese auto parts manufacturers and related companies have already set up operations there, the magazine said.

The magazine reported that Nippon Express choose to set up a branch in Morocco in light of the countrys ambition to become hub for North and West Africa with its Tangier-Med container port.

Moroccos international trade with the world has grown 5.5 % in dollar terms through the first three quarters of the year to $50.1 billion, the magazine stated.

The countrys imports have risen 4.5 % to $32.1 billion as exports rose 7 percent to $18 billion.

The magazine also points out that Morocco has much to gain in terms of trade after its return to the African Union.

Nippon Express branch will also help expand Japanese companies and investments in Africa notably after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a pledge at the International Conference on the Development of Africa in Nairobi in August 2016 to invest a total of $30 billion in Africa over three years.
Moroccos flag carrier RAM said it will sue the Algerian foreign minister in a court in Paris over his defamatory statements accusing the airline of carrying other things than passengers, in an allusion to cannabis.

French TV channel M6 and Moroccan news website le360 confirmed that the company has brought the case against Algerias FM before the French justice after he uttered statements on October 20 in a meeting with Algerian businessmen accusing Moroccos flag carrier of carrying drugs and Moroccan banks of engaging in money laundering across Africa.

RAM had then issued a statement saying that Abdelkader Messahels statement reveals a complete ignorance of the air sector, which is regulated by highly qualified international bodies.

RAM rejects such false statements towards an airline, which has been working for years for fostering social and economic ties in Africa, said the statement, adding that RAM is an internationally-recognized company operating according to the best standards related to regulating global air transportation.

RAM is the second airline in Africa and ranks among the worlds leading airlines benefiting from a 4-star airline certification by Skytrax, an international airline rating and review system.

Royal Air Maroc was also awarded by Skytrax, for three years in a row, the title of the best regional airline in Africa in recognition of its major role at the continental level.

With a 60-plane fleet, the carrier serves 97 destinations in four continents. The company employs over 4,000 employees of different nationalities.

RAM has partnered with leading groups as aircraft manufacturer Boeing, Safran in aircraft engine maintenance, Air France industries in aircraft maintenance, and Servair in the catering sector.

It has developed robust partnerships with major international airlines such as Qatar Airways, Iberia, Turkish Airlines, and Saudi Airlines. RAM has also trained hundreds of African pilots and technicians.
South Africas President Jacob Zuma said that a promising future awaits his countrys relations with Morocco following the ice breaking talks he had in Abidjan few days ago with King Mohammed VI.

Speaking in an interview with South African news outlet News 24, Zuma said that Morocco is an African nation and we need to have relations with them.

During the talks in Abidjan on the sidelines of the EU-AU summit, the two leaders agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to an ambassadorial level after giving each other a cold shoulder for years against the backdrop of Pretorias lining up with the separatist thesis on the Moroccan Sahara.

We never had problems with them (Moroccans) anyway, Zuma said, recalling the support of the Kingdom for the South African people in its fight against racial segregation.

Morocco was one of the countries in which former President Nelson Mandela had acquired military experience in the early 1960s, Zuma added, stressing that they (Moroccans) helped us a great deal.

That is why, when Mandela was released from prison, he felt it was important for him to go to Morocco and say thank you to them, Zuma said.
What had originally looked like a banner year for Senate Republicans is now a cliffhanger. Photo: Photo: John Lund/Corbis via Getty Images

For Democrats, the 2018 Senate elections have been approaching like an Arctic cold front for years. In part the product of two exceptionally good years for Senate Democrats in 2006 (when they gained five net seats) and 2012 (when they gained two more), the 2018 landscape is one of the best in living memory for Republicans. They are defending only nine seats, as compared to 25 for Democrats (two of which  Bernie Sanders and Angus King  are technically independents, who caucus with Democrats). Only one Republican seat up this year is in a state (Nevada) carried by Hillary Clinton in 2016. Ten Democratic seats up this year are in states (Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin) carried by Donald Trump last year. On paper, this should be a year when the GOP makes sizable Senate gains, and indeed, early in the cycle there were elephant dreams of achieving a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the upper chamber.

But a combination of factors, including some unusually popular Democratic senators in red states, and an unusually unpopular Republican president generating stronger-than-normal antiWhite House midterm headwinds, has changed the expected dynamics. Thanks to a potential GOP calamity in a special Senate election in Alabama on December 12, Democrats actually have a decent chance of making their own gains in 2018. And there is even a discernible (albeit tricky) path to a net-three-seat gain that would give Democrats control of the Senate. If it happens, that would be a disaster of the first order for the Trump administration and the conservative ideologues who are counting on a Republican Senate to rubber-stamp the presidents Executive and Judicial branch nominees, including (potentially) a fifth vote on the Supreme Court to reverse Roe v. Wade.

Midterm antiWhite House dynamics have probably wiped out any fleeting GOP advantage in a number of states that went narrowly for Trump in 2016. According to September data from Morning Consult, Trumps approval/disapproval ratings are now significantly underwater in Michigan (40/55), Pennsylvania (45/51), and Wisconsin (41/53), where Democratic senators are running for reelection, and also in the Republican-held states of Arizona (44/51) and Nevada (44/51). Some states where Trump remains very popular also happen to have especially popular Democratic senators as well. In West Virginia, for example, Trumps approval ratio is an impressive 60/36, but Joe Manchins, at 53/36, isnt bad, either. Similarly, Trump is at 51/44 in North Dakota, but Heidi Heitkamp looks even stronger at 55/32. And in Montana, Trump is at 50/45, but Jon Tester is at 53/33. There is no particular reason to think any of these incumbents is in deep peril at the moment so long as the presidents popularity continues to gradually erode. Joe Donnelly of Indiana (47/26) and Claire McCaskill of Missouri (42/39) are looking significantly more vulnerable; not coincidentally, both won six years ago when Republicans nominated unusually weak candidates who imploded after saying stupid things about rape.

At least two Democratic incumbents  Bill Nelson of Florida and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin  will be running in highly polarized states with very competitive gubernatorial elections where the campaign could become a long, painful, expensive slog. While Nelson is reasonably popular with an approval ratio of 50/26, he is likely to face Governor Rick Scott, who can self-finance to an enormous extent in a state with many pricey media markets. Baldwin (in dicier territory with an approval ratio of 41/38) may not face as formidable opponent, but her race could be overshadowed by Scott Walkers attempt to win a third full term as governor.

Meanwhile, Republican problems in their own territory are by no means limited to Alabama. A potentially toxic primary for the Arizona seat of retiring Senator Jeff Flake makes this a strong pick-up possibility for Democrats, who have been steadily gaining strength in the state recently. And the GOP pain could be doubled if poor health forces John McCain to step down before next November. Nevada senator Dean Heller (whose approval ratio is among the worst in the Senate at 39/39) is vulnerable to both a primary challenge and to likely Democratic opponent Representative Jacky Rosen. And a potentially fractious and complicated GOP primary to choose a successor to retiring Tennessee senator Bob Corker could conceivably open a path for Democrats in that unlikely territory, particular if former governor Phil Bredesen decides to run.

Along the same lines, a real wild card for 2018 involves Steve Bannons threats to run right-wing insurgent primary challenges to several Republican incumbents who would otherwise be expected to stroll to reelection. The potential targets include Roger Wicker of Mississippi (already opposed by Chris McDaniel, who very nearly defeated Thad Cochran in 2014), Deb Fischer of Nebraska, John Barrasso of Wyoming, and Orrin Hatch of Utah (who may well retire, leaving the seat in all probability to Mitt Romney). These races are all in very safe Republican territory, but at a minimum could drain resources better deployed by the GOP elsewhere.

Nasty Republicans primaries could also cause trouble for the GOP in otherwise-promising Indiana, where U.S. representatives Luke Messer and Todd Rokita are holding a true grudge match; in Arizona, where Establishment Republican Martha McSally and fiery conservative Kelli Ward are likely to collide; and in West Virginia, where Representative Evan Jenkins and state Attorney General Patrick Morrissey are challenging each others pro-Trump credentials.

As always, there is the possibility of competitive races emerging that no one currently expects. One possibility involves New Jersey Democratic senator Robert Menendez, who recently underwent a much-publicized corruption trial that ended in a hung jury and a mistrial. Menendezs approval/disapproval ratio is a dismal 32/41, according to Morning Consult, and the embattled senator could face new charges from federal prosecutors, or at least an ethics investigation by the GOP-controlled Senate. But leading New Jersey Democrats are without exception sticking with Menendez, and so far New Jersey Republicans have not found a credible challenger. Given the strong Democratic lean of the state, its no wonder the incumbent is favored to survive.

The big intangible for all 2018 races at every level is turnout. In recent elections Republicans have gained a distinct advantage in midterms as their voting base became aligned with the demographic categories (older, whiter voters) most likely to participate in non-presidential contests, even as Democrats became more reliant on the younger and minority voters most likely to sit out midterms. But if the special and off-year elections of 2017 are any indication, Democratic  or to be more precise, anti-Trump enthusiasm could erase or even reverse that GOP advantage, at least for this one midterm.

All in all, its a Senate landscape that could produce any number of outcomes. At present the Cook Political Report, which is very cautious about its projections, shows ten highly competitive races (including the 2017 special election in Alabama); six are rated as tossups (Democratic-held seats in Indiana, Missouri, and West Virginia, and Republican-held seats in Alabama, Arizona and Alabama), and four more (all currently Democratic) are rated as leaning Democratic (Florida, Maine, North Dakota, and Ohio).

New Yorks analysis suggests that if Republicans lose in every state where Trumps approval rating is below 50 percent, Democrats could gain three seats and win control of the Senate even without Alabama, though thats a very long shot. But if every senator with a current approval rating under 50 percent lost, Republicans could gain five net seats (an equally long shot). For the obvious reason that only a third of the states are holding Senate elections next year, there is no national polling lens for judging the Senate landscape like the generic congressional ballot, which is highly correlated with the national House popular vote. But if the generic ballot remains as strongly pro-Democratic as it has been during much of 2017 (the Democratic advantage in the RealClearPolitics polling average is currently at 9.3 percent), the likelihood of Democratic gains or at least minimal losses will continue to grow. As Democrats looked ahead at 2018 a year ago, that scenario would have seemed idyllic. And its worth making a mental note that the 2020 Senate landscape is skewed toward Democrats nearly as much as this years is skewed toward Republicans. So if happy days are not yet here again for Senate Democrats, they could be arriving soon.
Oops? Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

One day after Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, President Trump seemed to confess that he already knew about that when he fired Flynn back on February 13  and may have now incriminated himself by doing so.

Trump had originally said that he forced his former national security adviser to resign because Flynn had lied to Vice-President Mike Pence about a December conversation with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. On Saturday, Trump explained that he also did so because Flynn lied to the FBI:

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

Lying to Mike Pence or the FBI is undoubtedly a fireable offense, but only one of them is a crime, and thats a crucial distinction when considering what Trump did the day after Flynns ouster. Former FBI director James Comey testified before Congress that on February 14, President Trump took him aside and told him that Flynn had done nothing wrong in speaking with the Russians and that he had fired him for misleading Pence. The FBI was already investigating Flynn at that point, and Trump told Comey that, I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.

Comey didnt let it go, and though he didnt testify as to whether or not he believed Trump was trying to obstruct justice, he did make it clear that he thought the president was trying to tell him what to do. Trump eventually fired Comey, of course, and cited his disapproval with the FBIs investigation into Russias election-meddling as part of his rationale.

According to Comeys testimony, Trump told him he believed Flynn had done nothing illegal. According to Trumps tweet on Saturday, that might not have been true, and thus Trump might have been trying to get the director of the FBI to look the other way regarding a crime by a top White House official.

This is a pretty substantial confession to essential knowledge elements of an obstruction of justice charge. https://t.co/UpQfilPVfJ  Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) December 2, 2017

Now, Trump says  and especially tweets  a lot of stupid and/or demonstrably wrong things, so its possible that Trumps Flynn tweet was just some misguided attempt to retroactively update his good judgment to fire Flynn. On the other hand, Trumps tweets are now regularly treated as official statements by both the White House and the judicial system  so Trump might have some trouble walking this statement back, should Mueller and his investigators choose to focus on it.

Legal experts who spoke with the Toronto Stars Daniel Dale were already flagging the tweet on Saturday:

The question of whether Trump committed obstruction of justice when he asked Comey to drop the investigation on Valentines Day will largely turn on Trumps intent: was he just trying to put in a good word for Flynn, or was he in fact trying to end a criminal investigation? [Harvard Law professor and former federal prosecutor Alex] Whiting said in an email. If he genuinely believed that Flynn did nothing wrong, that tends to support the former interpretation. But if, as he now admits, he knew that Flynn had lied to the FBI, a federal crime, then he knew that by asking Comey to drop the investigation, he was seeking to end a meritorious criminal investigation.

Others said that the tweet itself wasnt enough to prove obstruction, but might have laid the breadcrumbs to more evidence that could.

Adding to the confusion that typically follows Trumps remarks, the Washington Post subsequently reported on Saturday that Trumps personal lawyer, John Dowd, said he was responsible for crafting the Flynn tweet. If thats true  and its not at all clear why any competent lawyer would put those words in Trumps mouth  the president could conceivably pass the blame.

However, the White House hasnt retracted Trumps statement or deleted the tweet, which youd think theyd do if a staffer screwed up a tweet he had written while pretending to be the president. Trumps tweets have been deleted and replaced before, after all. Instead, the White House tried to soften the impact by claiming that the presidents tweet was just acknowledging Flynns plea, not admitting prior knowledge. Along those lines, Dowd unconvincingly told the Post that the tweet was paraphrasing a statement from another White House lawyer, Ty Cobb, who said on Friday that Flynns false statements to the FBI mirror the false statements to White House officials which resulted in his resignation.

According to the Post, two people close to the administration described the tweet simply as sloppy and unfortunate. Heres some word-choice sleuthing, too:

Were supposed to believe John Dowd wrote pled instead of pleaded? https://t.co/q2FmO8AsQ0  southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) December 2, 2017

(If you want more linguistic analysis of the tweet, Ben Zimmer collected some for the Atlantic.)

So Dowd is trying to take the blame, but thats awfully convenient cover for one of Trumps more legally precarious tweets, and lawyers arent usually sloppy when it comes to statements that might incriminate their clients.

And looking back at the timeline of Flynns FBI interview and firing, it is indeed possible that Trump knew, as of the Comey meeting on February 14, that Flynn had lied to the FBI during his January 24 interview.

Flynns possibly criminal lies didnt become public knowledge until that news was leaked to the media on February 16. But two days after Flynn was interviewed by the FBI, former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates was alarmed enough by what shed learned to warn White House counsel Don McGahn that Flynn might have compromised himself by misleading Pence. McGahn then followed up with Yates a day later to inquire as to what criminal statutes might apply to Flynn. According to two sources who spoke with the New York Times, McGahn apparently briefed the president on the matter, telling Trump that it was his impression from Ms. Yates that the federal authorities were not pursuing a case against Mr. Flynn for lying to the F.B.I., but it was not clear if Trump understood that to mean that Flynn had been cleared. (McGahn, who has since tried to blame Yates for his ignorance, was reportedly interviewed by Muellers investigators on Thursday.)

Either way, since Trump tried to pressure Comey to drop the investigation, the president surely understood that the FBI believed Flynn may have committed a crime, even if he didnt explicitly understand at the time what that crime was.

What, if anything, Mueller decides to do with Trumps Flynn tweet remains to be seen, but considering Trumps propensity to spout off against the wishes of his advisers and lawyers  and the White Houses propensity to obfuscate in the aftermath  its difficult to believe the tweet was anything better than an incompetent mistake. At worst, Trump just acknowledged he knew Flynn committed a crime and inadvertently admitted he tried to cover it up.

We dont even know what Flynn will reveal now that he is cooperating with Mueller, but Trump and the White House already appear to be making unforced errors as a result.

This post has been updated to include additional analysis.
Tribal leader Mitch McConnell. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is no longer calling for Roy Moore to drop out of his Senate race, declaring instead on Sunday that it was up to Alabama voters to decide whether or not they want to be represented by the alleged sexual predator.

Last month, McConnell was the highest-ranking Republican to call for Moore to step aside after multiple women accused the Alabama judge of sexual misconduct against them when they were teenagers. I believe the women, McConnell said on November 13, predicting that Moore would face an ethics investigation and expulsion proceedings if he won. Hes obviously not fit to be in the United States Senate, and weve looked at all the options to try to prevent that from happening, McConnell told reporters at the time.

His comments did not go over well with the antiestablishment wing of the party, and may have actually boosted support for Moore in those circles.

Now, with just over a week to go before the special election, polls have shown a tightened race amid ongoing attempts on the right to discredit the allegations against Moore  and McConnell has suddenly adopted the White House line that it should be the voters who get to be the judge.

Appearing on ABCs This Week and CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday morning, McConnell stopped very short of condemning Moore again. Asked by This Week host George Stephanopoulos whether he still believed Moore should be in the Senate, McConnell responded:

Im going to let the people of Alabama make the call. This election has been going on a long time. Theres been a lot of discussion about it. Theyre going to make the decision a week from Tuesday.

Its been a pretty robust campaign with a lot of people weighing in  But in the end, the voters of Alabama will make their choice, he told Face the Nations John Dickerson.

Asked whether he still expected the Senate Ethics Committee to take on Moore if he wins, McConnell seemed to punt.

Well swear in whoevers elected and see where we are at that particular point, he said on CBS, after noting that two Democratic senators, Al Franken and Bob Menendez, were also facing ethics investigations. The ethics committee will have to consider the matters that have been litigated in the campaign should that particular candidate win, he added on ABC, then dodged a question about whether or not he would recommend that Moore be investigated  though he did still seem to think the investigation would happen regardless.

Unsurprisingly, McConnell additionally brushed off a question from Stephanopoulos about whether he also believes the women who have accused President Trump of sexual misconduct. Indeed, though its possible McConnell and others will try to expel Moore if he wins, Republicans growing tolerance of the troubling candidate continues to mirror how they eventually stopped caring about Trumps Access Hollywood tape.
Its all a conspiracy! Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

A CBS poll on Sunday showed that alleged sexual predator Roy Moore is leading Doug Jones by five points in the race for the Alabama Senate special election on December 12. The poll came the day after the Washington Post released a survey with Jones up by three points, which was the first result in several days to show the Democrat leading. After a week of plummeting numbers, Moore appeared to have rebounded with voters from several allegations that he had engaged in sexual relationships with teenage girls, including one who was 14. Moore has repeatedly denied that any of the incidents took place.

RealClearPolitics now has Moore up 2.5 points in its polling average, but the truth is that with most national polling outfits staying away, the unusual timing of the election, and the general shakiness of state surveys, nobody really knows whats going to happen next Tuesday.

Still, the most eye-popping statistic from the CBS poll is likely a reliable indicator of the Republican bases mentality: Seventy-one percent of Republican voters dont believe the allegations against Moore are true, despite a preponderance of very credible evidence.

Ninety-two percent of voters who dont believe the charges think they were dreamed up by Democrats, while 88 percent say the media and newspapers are the culprits. (Presumably 4 percent of people dont believe Democrats and the media collude on a regular basis.)

This blanket denial is in contrast to national Republican lawmakers, many of whom disavowed Moore in the days after the initial Washington Post report came out, telling the public that they believed the women who had come forward. The notable exception was President Trump, who of course navigated his own sexual-assault story line last year on the way to the presidency. Trump, who lives in his own plane of reality, has made it clear that he doubts Moores accusers, and though hes not campaigning for the candidate directly, he is holding a rally in Florida this week that may as well serve that purpose.

As many have noted, the rhythms of the Moore story are eerily similar to the Access Hollywood tape arc last year. Like Trump, Moore has not given any ground, instead attempting to poke holes in picayune details surrounding the accusations against him. He has continued to maintain that the liberal press is smearing him. (On Sunday afternoon, he retweeted the CBS poll.) He is depending on an unwavering Republican base conditioned over decades to loathe the mainstream media and prize partisan loyalty over all else.

The accusations against Moore are much more serious than those against Trump, and, because of his long history as a divisive figure in Alabama, he was already facing a possibly competitive race before the allegations came out. But his rigidly defiant game plan might just work.

On Sunday, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell muted his previous criticism of Moore, knocking down speculation that he might try to expel him from the Senate if he wins. If Alabama voters want Roy Moore, theyre going to get Roy Moore.
James Levine Brian Ross

That fun phenomenon called what you did 30 years ago before you were famous has hit the musical director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. James Levine, regarded by many as Americas greatest conductor, is accused of molesting a teenager for years. The allegations are made in the New York Post which cites a police report that the abuse started while Mr Levine, who has spent 40 years at the Met, was guest conductor at the Ravinia Music Festival outside Chicago. Then theres ABCs chief investigative reporter Brian Ross. He got mixed up by a source who told him that Donald Trump was telling people to speak to the Russians while he was still a candidate. The white-hot nature of US politics makes this an unforivable blunder and Ross is suspended for a month. To err is human and you will pay.

CURFEW FOR TEENS

The fascinating report below tells how Iceland saved its teenagers from violence, drunkenness and other useless conduct by imposing, among other things, a national 10 p.m. curfew for those under 16. Thats where the police round up kids and take them home whether they like it not. Yeow!
Public holidays, I believe, are meant to promote a sense of nationhood, share observance of a countrys historic landmarks like independence, sacrifices in pivotal wars, lives and roles of citizens, among others.

On every 26th day of January, Uganda celebrates the National Resistance Movement (NRM) liberation day. This was the day in 1986 when the National Resistance Army (NRA) overthrew a government that was allegedly corrupt and practiced significant vote fraud to remain in power.

It was declared a public holiday to celebrate the victory registered by the NRA. Ironically, some of the war heroes that survived bullets succumbed to Aids that was preconceived to be witchcraft at the time.

I dont know whether the president has an advisor on public holidays, but I would like to propose that the World Aids Day should be declared a public holiday because the fight against HIV/Aids is a pivotal war.

HIV/Aids is an armless rebel that respects no man. It doesnt care what tribe, colour, height, size, rank, creed or the name you call God. It doesnt discriminate. We are all vulnerable to it unless we take heed to respective advice.

Uganda is known worldwide for jumpstarting the fight against HIV/Aids in the early 1990s with President Museveni at the forefront. Heroes like Philly Bongole Lutaaya that boldly declared their status faced the razor-cutting stigma, but soldiered on till death.

If we can have a public holiday to celebrate a hero like Archbishop Janan Luwum, I believe it would be fair enough to celebrate citizens like Philly Bongole Lutaaya, DJ Berry, Livingstone Kasozi, Aloysius Joy Matovu, Rev Gideon Bainomugisha and Barbara Kemigisa, among others that have openly declared their HIV status. It takes a lot of guts to share your status especially with the immense stigma that surrounds this pandemic.

The Ministry of Health estimated that by the end of 2015, about 1.46 million people in Uganda would be living with HIV. Politics being a game of numbers, I guess the politicians need to pay attention to these numbers.

Unfortunately, even with ARVs, people are recklessly consuming each other in the act of love without fear of this deadly virus. Many people have never seen what an ARV tablet looks like, let alone the tin.

If we only knew the challenges people living positively with HIV go through taking medication, the side effects, psychological torture and stigma, we wouldnt be living recklessly.

You dont have to be infected to feel the pain of HIV/Aids. It is now 29 years since HIV/Aids claimed my fathers life. With such experience of being an orphan, I wouldnt want to see any other child walk down this path.

Gikwateko public holiday, Mr President!
President Yoweri Museveni has applauded Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and urban division councillors who defied a council resolution to attend a one-week leadership training at National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.



The leadership training started on November 21 to November 28. When Kampala minister Beti Kamya announced the training schedule, city Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago convened a council meeting on November 8 which vetoed it. Lukwago argued that the training could not be described as a KCCA event since it had not been authorised by his office.



As the political head of the institution, Lukwago asserted that Kamya's motive of organising the training without the mayor's authority was inconsistent with the provisions of the KCCA Act, 2010. However, a section of councillors led by NRM's Bruhani Byaruhanga who represents Kyambogo University attended the training.

President Museveni addresssing KCCA councillors at State House

Byaruhanga says a total of 12 councillors went to Kyankwanzi. With the addition of urban division councillors from Kampala Central, Rubaga, Nakawa, Kawempe and Makindye urban councils, the number went up to 218 councillors according to a letter issued by Kamya.



The councillors met Museveni on Friday at State House, Entebbe. Museveni told the councillors that it's good they defied the resolution and broke away from people who never wanted them to attend.



"Those who think leadership is like flu that is caught will make you fall into troubleit is good that you defied the resolution and broke yourselves away from those people who did not want to help you," said Museveni.



He urged them to encourage the youth to find ways of fitting into the four sectors of agriculture, industries, services and Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) in order to create wealth and employment for themselves.



"Leaders are like doctors. If you find a sick person, you advise them. Encourage youth to find employment in these sectors because minus that, you will have betrayed your people. If a youth is wearing a red band [symbol against lifting presidential age limit], which sector is that?" he asked.



He also asked councillors to be alert and use political pressure to advocate for more fund allocation into the youth and women funds. Museveni says a lot of money was being wasted into irrelevant expensive trips abroad by their leaders.



KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi last month introduced a number of austerity measures including reducing foreign travels as the institution battles low revenue collection.



Byaruhanga says they were equipped with political, economic and military training. He says the training helped them to appreciate the roles they should play in transforming Kampala.
How can you remove a sitting prime minister when he did not plunder money?: Nawaz Sharif

QUETTA: Continuing with his criticism of the Supreme Court-sanctioned Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the Panamagate case, ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that no one could minus a person who had been plus[ed] by the public.



He was addressing a mammoth public gathering along with Mahmood Khan Achakzai, which had been organised by the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) to commemorate the 44th death anniversary of Khan Abdual Samad Khan Achakzai.



You constituted a JIT from those six perfect diamonds and the same bench gave multiple verdicts How can you remove a sitting prime minister when he did not plunder [public] money? he asked.



When you couldnt find an excuse for minus-one [formula], you disqualified a prime minister for not receiving a salary from his son.



After requesting the organisers to remove of the bulletproof glass screen from the dais, Nawaz paid glowing tribute to Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achazkzai. I want no barrier between you and I. My security lies in the hands of God and you are my security, said the emboldened Nawaz. My relationship with you is ideological and I will never give up my ideology.



Amidst the applause of the crowd, Nawaz praised Mahmood Khan Achakzai and said, My relationship with Achakzai is ideological. I am taking forward your mission because you always fought against dictatorship. Today I confess that you are a brave and truthful man and I will never abandon you.



I am grateful that the PkMAP invited me to the death anniversary of the great son of the subcontinent and a freedom fighter who spent 24 years behind bars for upholding the constitution, democracy and the rule of law.



The thrice removed prime minister criticised the decision to dismiss him from office. Those who had taken oath under the PCO called me dishonest. This country does not belong to any institution but to the people and they have the right to decide its destiny. People will take to the streets if anything happened to democracy and constitution, warned the former prime minister.



Final decision will come from the people in 2018 who will give their verdict. The entire nation will march for the sanctity of the ballot, which cannot be changed by either two or five people, said Nawaz Sharif, once again obliquely hinting at the bench that disqualified him.



Nawaz also shed light on the development work and said that motorways and road networks were established during his tenure. He said that some were completed while others were under construction. The crowds cheered louder when he informed them that Quetta would soon be connected to Islamabad via Hasan Abdal and in a short time gas pipeline would reach Gulistan to be extended to Chaman. I read in Abdual Samad Khans books they way he envied the roads of Kabul while writing about his visit to Afghanistan. Mahmood Khan, today there are better roads in Pakistan, and Pakistan and Afghanistan will further make progress, said Nawaz.



In his address, the PML-N president also talked about his partys performance in the energy sector. When I took over as prime minister, the country was experiencing 20 hours of load shedding, but now we are gradually progressing towards generating surplus power, said Nawaz.



The dais was then taken by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who, in his characteristically bold oratory, spoke about the rule of democracy and sanctity of the constitution.



While addressing the gathering, he articulated that Pakistan was meant for democracy and they would not allow anybody to fail the state by tampering with the constitution and derailing democracy. Pakistan is on the brink of a critical condition. There is a clash between the democratic and undemocratic forces, and democrats have to win this fight for the survival and future of this country, he said.



I am not with Nawaz Sharif but with his stance for democracy, civilian supremacy and sanctity of the ballot, and as long as he adheres to these principles I will be with him no mater what the cost, said Achakzai. In a reminder to the PML-N presidents 1990 visit to Balochistan, Achakzai said that his party had welcomed Nawaz in Balochistan with black flags at that time, but they were together now just because of that ideology.



The population of the entire Balochistan province is equal to the population of a big district in Punjab. It has natural resources worth trillions, but it is the poorest region of the country, lamented Achakzai.
PML-N constituted a new decision-making body named CEC

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) on Saturday constituted a new decision-making body named the Central Executive Committee (CEC), besides re-constituting its 110-member Central Working Committee (CWC). The names of members of the newly-constituted CEC and the CWC were released to the media by party spokesperson Dr Asif Kirmani.



Interestingly, party president Nawaz Sharifs name was not on either of the lists. In a second announcement, Dr Kirmani explained that Mr Sharif would be heading both committees as party president and Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq would be a member of the CEC and the CWC.



Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of Mr Sharif, has also been made a member of the CEC. This is the first time that she has been officially assigned an important position at a party forum. MNA Hamza Shahbaz, the son of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is also a member of the new CEC. Besides Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, CM Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan have also been nominated members of the CEC.



Several main political parties in the country, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), have smaller bodies named the CEC which they use to hold consultations and make important decisions regarding issues of national importance. Till now, there was no such forum available in the PML-N and the party leadership had had to struggle with convening meetings of the CWC due to its large size.



Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, who is also the acting secretary general of the party, told reporters that the CEC had been created through an amendment to the partys constitution made earlier during a meeting of its general council held in October in Islamabad to re-elect Mr Sharif as the partys president.



Mr Iqbal said the party leadership had felt the need to create a smaller forum to make important policy decisions after realising how hard it was to hold regular meetings of the CWC, which has more than 80 members.



He said the CECs first meeting had been convened by Mr Sharif in Islamabad on Monday (tomorrow) to discuss the political situation in the country in the aftermath of the sit-ins by religious groups over the issue of a change in the Khatam-i-Nubuwat declaration for electoral candidates.



He said in the meeting, party leaders will discuss a future strategy on the implementation of the points agreed by the federal and Punjab governments in agreements with the protesters.



Other members of the newly-formed CEC are: Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif; Finance Minister Ishaq Dar; Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal; Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique; Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan; Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri; Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider; Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeeziur Rehman Hafeez; Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Birjees Tahir; and lawmakers Pervez Rasheed, Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan, Begum Ishrat Ashraf, Amir Muqam, Babu Sarfaraz Khan Jatoi, Asad Junejo, Irfan Siddiqui, Rana Sanaullah Khan, Chaudhry Sher Ali, Dr Asif Kirmani and Marriyum Aurangzeb.
LATHAM  In the heart of the Adirondack Parks six million acres, up past the Northways Exit 24, are some of the ancient mountain ranges most challenging peaks.

And reaching the summit of the Adirondacks highest mountains might mean spending the night in a wilderness known for drastic weather changes as the sun falls; might mean relying on a good compass, following a stream bed or a herd trail created by others hoping to reach the summit; and might mean scaling snow- and ice-covered boulders, even in early summer.

The Adirondacks are part of the largest boreal forest in the world, and amidst the beauty is sometimes an unforgiving landscape. It is a place of woodland perennials like the white painted trillium, known for its red-hearted center. It is a place of abundant wildlife like fisher, white-tailed deer, bull moose, timber rattlers, wild pheasants and turkeys, bobcats and black bears, highly skilled in stealing food packs even when tied in trees. It is a place of breathtaking but unpredictable views that not all are blessed to see, depending on the weather and incoming cloud cover. It is a place of spectacular natural designs like the sparkling, crystal-like hoar frost in the fall.

Perhaps most of all, it is a place that calls some back again and again, it is a place they call home.

For filmmaker Blake Cortright, the mountains beckoned when he was 18.

On a father-and-son adventure with his dad, John, and brother, Brad, Cortright said they had high hopes of climbing six of the 46 highest peaks.

We only walked away with three, he said. It was extremely humbling and awe-inspiring.

When they reached the top of Mount Marcy, the tallest mountain in the park at 5,343 feet, Cortright said he turned toward the southeast corner.

From there, all youre seeing is more high peaks and the lowlands. There are no man-made structures at all, he said in an interview from his Latham home on Tuesday. All I could see was blue skies, lakes and rivers and greenery. It took my breath away.

He continued.

I thought, Wow, they could shoot Lord of the Rings, here, he said.

And on their trip home, it was all he could think about.

I had seen great photos of the Adirondacks, but I had never seen cinematic video of the high peaks, he said, adding that was when he decided to make a film.

And the 18-year-old second-year film student started planning what would become an award-winning documentary, The 46ers. First screened three years ago in mostly sold-out houses, including the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls, the film drew thousands.

From that first moment to now, that image is still in my mind vividly, Cortright said. It drove me through my project.

More recently, Cortrights film  a beautiful vista of mountain peaks blended with the history, stories and lure of those who have hiked or are aspiring to hike all 46 high peaks  was picked up by WCNY public television for distribution to public television stations around the country, with December air dates slated in more than 12 states.

It first airs on Albany public television on Monday, Dec. 4.

I knew we had something because of the marketing plan, Cortright said. I didnt realize the kind of following we would get.

The making of The 46ers

In January 2013, Cortright, at age 19, launched a Kickstarter campaign for his film, hoping to raise $12,250. Surpassing his goal, Cortright brought in more than $14,000 and began what would become a long process of writing, researching, interviewing, trips up at least 10 of the high peaks while lugging film gear, dislocating a knee, getting an original score composed and finding ways to pay for his artistic vision. Not to mention, juggling film classes at Regent University in Virginia Beach.

In his early visions for the film, Cortright said he wanted to find out if there were any common threads among the 46ers who have completed their quest. And for a time, he worried because as he interviewed 46ers of all ages who hiked the high peaks in different eras  including Helen Colyer Menz, who was 96 and three-quarters at the time she was interviewed  they all seemed to do it for different reasons.

And it wasnt until his last interview of Amanda Travis, an aspiring 46er from Ontario, and a throw-away line at the end of her interview, that the entire film came together.

In post-production we were listening to Amanda and we kept rewinding and listening to what she said, Cortright said. She said, When you love someplace, you start to think of it as home. 

Written more like a feature film than a documentary, there were some scenes in his initial vision of the film that Cortright said he had to find a way to shoot. But that meant aerial photography, something that became possible after he located an aerial film crew out of Fort Ann.

Owner Bruce Mowery of North Country Heli-Flite and cinematographer Gary Sears, along with Cortright, went up nearly 7,000 feet with the doors off the helicopter at sunrise and sunset to get the shots Cortright wanted.

It was some of the last footage we shot. We had a spectacular day. At sunrise, it was cool and undercast and at sunset the sun kept peeking through the clouds, he said.

At times, the aerial shots with clouds look almost like ocean waves rolling into the peaks. Cortright said it was exactly what he wanted.

I knew the moment we filmed, I wanted to close with that shot, he said.

The people of The 46ers

Cortright said he found most of the people in the film quite by accident. Some were local, including Assemblyman Dan Stec, who is a 46er.

He was my first interview, Cortright said.

And it was important to him to include the history and the stories of those Adirondack pathfinders who set the course for other 46ers, who now number more than 10,000, to follow.

Dating back to 1918, New York City brothers Robert and George Marshall, and their friend Herbert Clark, climbed their first high peak, Whiteface Mountain, before eventually climbing all 46 over eight years.

The trio inspired others, including the members of Grace Methodist Church in Troy. Led by the Rev. Ernest Ryder and Edward Hudowalski, parishioners completed all 46 by 1936 and formed the 46ers of Troy, a hiking club.

The first woman to climb all 46 peaks, the late Grace Hudowalski, led the Troy hiking club, encouraging members to write to her about their hiking experiences. In Cortrights film, there is film footage of Hudowalski talking to a hiker on the phone in her kitchen and telling him she wanted more details in her letters.

Just listing where you hiked and how far is boring, she said in the film.

Cortright said he was able to get the footage from a documentary producer who spent two weeks with Hudowalski while she was still living.

Everyone kept telling us, You have to include Grace in the film,  he said, admitting that before then, he did not know who she was.

There is the story of Ron Konowitz of Keene Valley who skied all 46 high peaks in winter.

Now he does volunteer rescue, Cortright said.

Perhaps the most haunting tale and one that Cortright said he thought was important to include is the story of the Australian hiker who died of hypothermia, reported in the Lake Placid News on April 17, 1991.

According to news accounts, Rory Doohan, 33, of Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) died due to hypothermia after he and companion, Sharon Moore, 32, were caught in freezing rain while descending Mount Marcy.

In the film, ranger Pete Fish, who rescued Moore and helped recover Doohans body, tells part of the story, visibly moved all these years later.

I dont think its in the film, but Pete said he kept Moore at his home for three days to protect her, he said.

After an internet search, Cortrights father was able to locate Moore and she actually agreed to narrate a story she wrote about the incident.

What happened to these two experienced hikers happens too frequently in the high peaks because they were not prepared for the dramatic changes in weather.

It was early April and the couple who had already hiked in Nepal and were on the North American leg of a world hiking tour had been lulled into thinking it would be an easy day hike and the temperatures had been unseasonably warm, near 90 degrees.

Moore said that they were going to rent equipment, but it was too expensive and because it was so balmy, they thought they didnt need it.

Hiking to the notch between Mount Marcy and Mount Skylight near Lake Tear of the Clouds on a Tuesday afternoon, Doohan was wearing sneakers, cotton pants and a cotton fleece.

But as the couple attempted to hike to a lean-to near Panther Mountain, snow on the trails was 3-feet deep with rushing water underneath. Their clothing was soaked and Doohan, weakened from a bug he picked up in Nepal, was already hypothermic.

Moore tried to help him, to get him to change clothes, to wrap a tent around him, but all was lost, she said. Having to leave her partner on the trail, Moore set out on her own to find help.

She hiked for seven hours before she found a rangers cabin, Connie Cortright, Blakes mother and the films co-producer, said. She found a shovel and broke a window to get in.

In the film, Fish said, the first thing he saw when they found Doohans body was that he was not wearing the right clothing.

Cotton kills, he said.

I wanted to prevent this happening to other people, Cortright said.

As he reflects on his five-year journey with the film, he said one of his high points was the the day we got the shot I had in my head from the beginning.

And as he asks in the film, Can you hear them calling?
WHITEHALL  A Vermont woman was jailed Friday night on three drug charges after an arrest by state troopers in the village of Whitehall, police records show.

Kristan A. Mason, 34, of Wells, Vermont, was arrested around 5 p.m. on South Williams Street after an investigation by State Police, according to the agency's public information website.

She was charged with a felony count of criminal possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance for possession of unspecified narcotics, records show.

Mason was sent to Washington County Jail after her arrest, but had been released as of early Sunday.
WASHINGTON COUNTY  Elizabeth Miller, chairwoman of Doty Machine Works in Fort Edward, counted quietly under her breath over the phone.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 10, Miller confirmed.

We could lose 10 employees within 10 years to retirement, she said.

National data show aging baby boomers are exiting the workforce in large numbers, heading into retirement and taking their experience and skills with them.

In Washington County, those skills include milling, drilling and lathing.

Manufacturing holds one of the largest roles in the local economy. The countys manufacturing industry as a whole employed 4,420 people in 2015, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, though close to 130 of those jobs were lost with the shuttering of the General Electric plant in Fort Edward in 2016. In Washington County, manufacturing includes paper and wood products, furniture, jewelry, masonry, medical devices, batteries and industrial fabrication.

The county is home to at least 10 machine shops.

I can say with confidence that it (machining) is a significant industry cluster for us, said Laura Oswald, director of Economic Development for Washington County.

Besides government and education, identified by Oswald as the two largest employment sectors in Washington County, the three largest industries in the county  in terms of number of paid employees  are manufacturing, health care and social assistance, and retail. In 2015, they comprised 15.4 percent, 14.1 percent and 13.4 percent of the county workforce, respectively, according to census data.

Farming, another prominent industry in Washington County, is not accounted for in the census data because its either considered retail or a self-employed industry, which isnt a job-creating industry, like manufacturing or retail, according to Oswald.

Unfortunately for places like Washington County, the rural workforce is shrinking.

One-third of the countys workforce will age-out within 12 years, according to a study released by Cornell University in July.

At the same time, up and coming workers  millennials and younger  are either moving out of rural areas to urban centers or are not on the path of skilled labor employment like machining.

Oswald presented the Cornell report to the Washington County Board of Supervisors a couple of months ago.

Ouch, is how Oswald described the boards reaction.

The data shouldnt come as a surprise, but it does ... until the impacts start being felt, its hard to believe that its really going to happen, she said.

Blue-collar shortage

Some machine shops in the area have been feeling the effects of a labor shortage for nearly 20 years, and company supervisors say its getting worse.

Haanen Packard Machinery Inc., GL&V USA Inc., Cambridge Valley Machining Inc., Doty Machine Works Inc., M&S Precision Machine Co. LLC and DK Machine Inc. are some of Washington Countys machine shops.

Custom metals, pulp and paper production, power generation, medical equipment, aerospace, welding and firearms are a few of the industries these shops do work for.

Mike Hannen, of Haanen Packard Machinery Inc. in Fort Edward, said theres no doubt: Employers are losing employees to retirement, and filling the positions has become difficult.

Haanen is losing a longtime machinist next year to retirement and said he hasnt found a replacement yet.

He has five full-time machinists and five full-time fabricators, who are hired to do skills like welding and painting. Machinists are harder to find, he said.

Right now, this workforce is having a tough time filling the slots ... theres not enough machinists, period, Haanen said.

Doty Machine Works is one of the larger shops in the county and employs about 40 people, according to Miller, the company chairwoman.

She said its going to be difficult to replace the workers who will be leaving over the next decade, not only because it takes talent to do machining, but because few people are entering the field.

Miller was a longtime high school teacher at Saratoga high school and said she saw the shift firsthand.

There were a lot of people who would have gone into the blue-collar jobs, and its what they probably wanted to do, but there was a push for the college degree and many of those kids struggled, Miller explained.

The skilled labor wasnt pushed enough ... it was really pretty sad, she said.

Ed Leonard, owner of Seeley Machine Inc. in Queensbury, said machine shops in Warren County feel the impact, too, and have the same story to tell.

Leonard anticipates losing five employees, nearly 25 percent of his workforce, by 2030. He thinks a welder position will be the hardest to fill.

When I was in my 20s, there were ample amounts of machinists. All of a sudden, there wasnt. Now its a panic and when we try to hire people, theyre just not there. Theres a shortage in skilled labor, he said.

He, too, thinks the problem started in the schools during the 1990s and early 2000s, and he remembers first noticing it in 2005.

I love any form of education, dont get me wrong, the more the better. But college isnt for everyone. There was such a push for kids to go to college then and they didnt know any other options. Now, were too out of balance and theres a lack of focus on skilled labor and everyone is retiring and you have a void, he said.

Machining isnt what it used to be, he said.

You come in wearing a polo, youre going to leave clean ... parents probably didnt want their kids doing the dirty work, but that isnt machining today, he said.

Machining today involves a lot of math, science, programming, computer work and button-pressing, Leonard said, but it has to be done right.

The lack of focus on skilled labor and a misunderstanding of the industry makes a perfect storm, he said.

Getting too old

Aging demographics are partly to blame, and Washington County isnt the only place losing workers.

By 2030, at the current pace, 20 percent of U.S. residents will be 65 years and older, compared to 13 percent in 2010, according to a report that came out in August from the University of Pennsylvania.

By 2050, the population that is 65 and older will more than double, while the population younger than 20 will see almost no growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The problem is worse in rural counties, where as people age out of the workforce, there are no skilled young people to replace them. Employers want talented, hardworking employees for their field, and employees want affordable housing, public transportation and broadband, all of which can be hard to find in Washington County.

Toward a solution

Oswald and the Workforce Investment Board are encouraging employers and employees to create solutions, using already existing jobs and conditions.

We need to be matching the skill set needs of the employers that we have with the bodies that we already have, Oswald said.

Part of the problem is, the bodies that are here arent here to stay.

From 2000 to 2016, the nations population grew 14.8 percent, while New Yorks grew 4 percent.

Washington Countys population peaked in 2010 with an estimated 63,321 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Last year, about 61,800 people lived in the county, the report says. In 2030, the projected population in Washington County will decrease again to 61,459, and in 2040 the county will have an estimated 58,255 residents.

Infrastructure is Washington Countys overall challenge, Oswald said.

But we have a strong creative economy here  We need to utilize the small entrepreneurial businesses, she said.

Thats why she and the Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Development Board created a working solution.

William Reese and Louis Buck, executive and assistant executive with the Workforce Board, partnered with local machinists five years ago to create the Adult Machine Tool Technology training program.

The classes, held at BOCES on Dix Avenue, were designed to address the needs of local machine shops and manufacturers for a pipeline of entry-level machinists. The program offers an intensive 500-hour, four-nights-a-week class that targets unemployed and/or underemployed individuals.

Seeley Machine, Haanen Packard Machinery, DK Machine, M&S Precision Machine, Doty Machine Works, Sinclair International, GL&V and Cambridge Valley Machining are key players in the program.

Over the past four years, Haanen has employed one person from the workforce class. Seeleys has employed six.

Employers are really desperate for employees ... theyre realizing they need to be planning for this, said Buck, who is one of the founders of the class.

Elizabeth Miller, who is also president of Miller Mechanical Services of Glens Falls, said the class success rate is high in terms of employment. But students need to learn about skilled hands-on work sooner, she said.

Were losing a lot of talented kids and its sinful. Manufacturing made this country. Without the workers, theres nothing, she said.

Its starting to come around, but you wont see the results for a while, because schools and the states are just seeing it now ... its things like this training class thats solving the problem in the meantime. But its just filling the void, Leonard said.

The solution starts in schools down the road.
CAMBRIDGE  Holiday cheer spread through Cambridge this weekend as residents and visitors availed themselves of Christmas shopping and events.

The biggest draw was the 21st annual fine art, craft and vendor fair at Cambridge Central School. Sponsored by the Cambridge Faculty Association, the event benefits Operation Santa Claus, which provides needy children with warm winter clothing. About 60 vendors offered crafts, womens and childrens clothing, jewelry, gourmet food and unique gifts in the schools auditorium and two cafeterias.

Jen DeMoy was staffing the table of Deluge Design, a stained glass studio and gift shop on Cambridges West Main Street.

Im a friend of Pam Billings, the shops owner, DeMoy said. I take stained glass classes with her. DeMoy had a selection of jewelry crafted from Billings hand-made glass, glass suncatchers, knitted and felted ornaments, knitted scarves and warm alpaca-wool socks.

We usually do a good business here, DeMoy said. Its nice to see everybody and remind them about the shop.

Phyllis Curtis, a Cambridge resident, was selling her dolls made of mens socks and fabric yo-yos. My mother started making dolls when my daughter was an infant, Curtis said. She was able to reintroduce sock monkeys this year when she found a source of the right socks.

You need a red heel, all-cotton mens work sock, Curtis said. She cuts the socks and reassembles them to make the familiar monkey dolls with beanies and bright red lips. The yo-yo dolls, also a traditional craft, are made of new fabric rosettes strung together to form the dolls arms, legs, and body.

The community Christmas tree in the bandstand in Memorial Park, outside the Cambridge Public Library, was lit for the first time Friday night. The Cambridge Lions Club set up two dozen memorial trees nearby. On Saturday, families who had purchased trees were out decorating them.

Members of Gary Bates family were hanging blue and white lights, blue glass balls, and silvery-white stars on one of the spruces. A white crescent and star glittered from the treetop. Bates was a big Dodgers fan, according to his daughter, Marcie Bates, who was working on the tree with her mother, Martha Bates, sister, Christine Zinoman, and brother-in-law, Paul Zinoman. Were doing blue and silver for him. He loved Christmas. He would have loved this.

Artists George Van Hook on Grove Street and Matt Chinian on West Main Street were holding open studios. The walls of Chinians studio, a converted garage warmed by a woodstove, were lined with small landscape and streetscape paintings.

Chinian pointed out the location: Cambridge village, Salem Art Works, Troy, Schuylerville, North Bennington, Saratoga Springs, North Adams. Even in winter, Chinian is out painting almost every day. His work is primarily done outdoors  he seldom does more than a slight touch-up in the studio, he said.

I rarely have people in the painting, Chinian said. They move too fast. I may include a car because they stop.

As an experiment, Chinian put a few of his more than 1,100 paintings on a bargain wall, priced from $75 to $125. I sold five today, he said.

Chinians and Van Hooks studios are also open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local, seasonal foods will be available at the Cambridge Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lovejoy Building, on Washington Street behind Hubbard Hall. The first lighting of the memorial trees will be at 5:30 p.m.
Runner-up is Anne Hollier Ruddy of Orewa who began writing poetry in 2006 and has been a member of IWW since 2011. Her poems have appeared in various Australian and New Zealand anthologies

, as well as Shotglass Journal, Cordite Poetry Review and Blackmail Press. Her

sequence of poems, Ambushed by Gauguin,
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FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP)  The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division is marking its 100th birthday, and a new museum is telling its storied history.

The 3rd Infantry Division Museum at Fort Stewart held its grand opening Nov. 16.

Exhibits take visitors through the division's timeline, dating back to its inception in 1917 at the now-defunct Camp Greene in North Carolina as the U.S. entered World War I, The Savannah Morning News reported.

Visitors learn about the famed battle one year later at the Marne River in France, where 3rd Infantry Division soldiers held off the German push for Paris, earning the division its nickname: "the Rock of the Marne."

The museum holds artifacts from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"This is an accelerated project," said Scott Daubert, director of the 3rd Infantry Division Museum. The goal was to open the museum for the division's 100th anniversary, he said.

The museum is, in a sense, a reincarnation. Previously, it was located in a different building on post and was dedicated to the history of Fort Stewart itself, rather than the 3rd Infantry Division. That story isn't being forgotten either, Daubert said. There's a section of the museum cordoned off for installation history, with a significant display showcasing the exploits of the 24th Infantry Division, which occupied Fort Stewart before 3rd Infantry Division came in about 20 years ago.

"This is our community," Daubert told the Savannah newspaper. "Fort Stewart has a rich history."

A key aim of the museum now is to let new soldiers explore the history of their division, the newspaper reported.

The 3rd Infantry Division has suffered more than 35,000 wartime casualties and more than 50 of its soldiers have been awarded the Medal of Honor. In the past 13 years alone, more than 460 names representing soldiers killed in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have been added to Warriors Walk, a pastoral, tree-lined memorial on the installation.

The museum features an M5 Stuart Light Tank and a Howitzer, among other smaller items, like guns owned by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

"In each section of the museum we've done something a little different," Daubert said.

While there is an exhibit dedicated to Audie Murphy, the 3rd Infantry Division soldier who was the most decorated American service member in World War II, there is also a significant display about a more recent soldier of acclaim: Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith.

"Everybody knows who Audie Murphy is," Daubert said. "Sgt. Smith is not as well known."

The soldier's task force was attacked on April 4, 2003, in Baghdad by a larger force. Smith was killed in action as he manned a .50-caliber gun under heavy enemy fire to defend his fellow soldiers, an act for which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Smith's actions were similar to those of Murphy, who manned a .50-caliber gun under fire as Nazis bore down on his unit in France in 1944.
BETTENDORF  The fourth annual Radish Winter Wellness Festival, presented by Genesis Physical Therapy and Wellness, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. today in a heated tent next to Genesis Physical Therapy and Wellness, 4017 Devils Glen Road.

The free event will feature dozens of exhibitors and vendors of local and natural foods; health, nutrition and fitness products; and wellness-related services.

There will be three, free presentations throughout the day. Natural Grocers will present a workshop on DIY body scrub at 1:15 p.m., followed by presentations from Genesis on Naturally Slim (a clinically proven weight-loss program) at 1:45 p.m., and hypnotherapy at 2:15 p.m.

The first 150 festival attendees will receive a free winter wellness gift.

Radish is a monthly magazine dedicated to healthy living distributed by Lee Enterprises Inc. For more information, visit radishmagazine.com.
After two years of community college, Nick Boggs now knows what he wants: To learn a trade.

The 20-year-old from Abingdon, Illinois, came to a recent IowaWorks apprentice job fair in Davenport with his mother Sandi Boggs, to learn more about becoming an apprentice in one of the skilled trade professions that include carpentry, electric, plumbing and pipefitting, bricklaying and insulation.

I am just looking. I am open-minded, he said. I don't want to pay for college and I think the wages are pretty nice.

His mother agrees.

I think it is great, she said.

So do many already working in the trades.

There is a concern locally and nationally that as baby boomers retire from these trades, the number of younger people replacing them will not meet the needs of the marketplace. In some places, that already is the case.

We did a study in 2014 and 55 percent of carpenters were eligible to retire, said Bill Lehmann, executive director of the Carpenters Training Center of the Quad-Cities. We are seeing more and more carpenters staying a little longer than before. I do know nationally there is a concern about shortages of all trades.

Jerry Lack, executive director of the Tri-City Building & Construction Trades Council, said the larger trades, like carpenters, plumbers and electricians, are doing better in the area in terms of having enough workers.

Some of the smaller crafts are struggling, like floor covering, bricklayers, roofers, cement masons," Lack said. "But the larger trades seem to get a lot of applicants and seem to grow more.

Lack said they are getting many people in their upper 20s and early 30s and many who have served in the military and now are seeking civilians job opportunities.

In many cases, people can make more money than if you have a college degree, he said. And they have good retirement packages.

Mike Ellison, training director for the Quad-City Electrical Center, Moline, said they currently have 180 apprentices in their five-year program. It includes class time and on-the-job training. After five years, apprentices are deemed journeyman electricians and will make $34.50 per hour.

The last two years, we have had some good construction work. There has been pretty steady construction and we are doing well, he said. Nobody is laid off now."

Matt Lienen, training director for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25, said they have 185 apprentices in their five-year program. Journeyman wages there are $40 per hour.

He said he is among those concerned with possible shortages, because college is the first and only choice for many young people.

The problem is, many moms and dads do not want little Johnny or little Susie to do apprentice programs. They want them to go to college, Lienen said. And it is a very good option.

The electrical field has been a very good option for Jessica Rummery of Moline. Rummery, 29, is married with two children. She received an associates degree and then worked several jobs, including as a nurse's assistant and waitress.

One day while waiting tables, she talked to some construction workers who told her about the apprenticeship program. And she signed up.

She is in her second year as an apprentice electrician, working for Tri-City Electric.

I couldn't be happier, she said. I love what I do. There is something new every day. Everybody has been very encouraging.

She also offered some advice for high school graduates.

Before you go to college, at least look into it, Rummery said. It has been so nice to be able to learn something and get paid while you do it. To many, it may seem like a male job, but it can be for women as well.
Do you know that screech owls begin setting up territories around the first of January? Or that the peak rutting period for bison is mid-July through mid-August? Or that the first of several earthquakes on the New Madrid fault occurred Dec. 6, 1811?

These are bits of information included in the 2018 Iowa Phenology Calendar that was researched and written by Leland Searles. He is the Iowa ecologist I interviewed recently for an article about promoting native plants in the roadside ditches of Scott County.

As we talked, we touched on other topics, and he said he'd send me a copy of his phenology calendar, phenology being the study of the natural rhythms of life.

If you observe the natural world, its processes and life forms, you already study phenology, even without the fancy word, Searles said.

Centuries ago, people whose survival depended on hunting and gathering became very adept at knowing the cycles of animals and plants. Nowadays, we have largely lost that.

But how interesting to know that there are still people, like Searles, who observe these things and share their knowledge with the rest of us. His calendar gives tips on the best time to put out hummingbird feeders, for example, or when to watch for the Perseid meteor shower.

The calendar also contains amazing photos of various rare and unusual (to me, anyway) plants and animals, such a pied-billed grebe and a prairie onion in seed. Also, firedot lichen, altostratus clouds and a spider wasp.

Main page photos include thunderstorm clouds, flowering spurge and dotted beebalm, all photographed in Scott County while Searles was doing his roadside plant surveys.

Maybe you already have all the 2018 calendars you need. But if you're curious, Searles' phenology calendar is available for $25 plus tax and shipping (I know, not cheap, but you could think of it as a book) by contacting him at leewardecology3@gmail.com or by using links at his business website: http://www.leewardecology.com/watershed-calendar.php.

BEWARE THOSE ORNAMENTAL GRASSES! Ornamental grasses have become widely used in Midwestern landscapes, but there is evidence that they can become invasive, crowding out native plants (a bad thing), when they escape into the wild.

About 50 different varieties are sold in the United States, many originating in China. One that Brian Ritter, director of Davenport's Nahant Marsh Education Center, is particularly concerned about is miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as plume grass or Chinese silver grass.

Once established, it spreads by underground rhizomes, and there are several big patches of it near Nahant, he said. In addition to the ecological concerns, Ritter said the grass is highly flammable, causing a fire hazard/safety concern.

All it would take to ignite a big patch growing by the roadside is for someone to flick a cigarette or throw a spark and whoosh.

"It's another reason to plant native," he said.

As for how the miscanthus gets to Nahant, Ritter said he thinks people taking yard waste to the nearby Davenport Compost Facility may be losing seeds in the wind and that passing cars and trucks push the seeds into ditches where they take root.
On Friday, UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley became the managed-care organization for the vast majority of Iowas Medicaid members following the withdrawal of AmeriHealth Caritas from the states program.

After the state announced all AmeriHealth members would be shifted to UnitedHealthcare, the department sent a notice to Iowa lawmakers stating Amerigroup did not have the capacity to take on any new members, including those AmeriHealth beneficiaries who chosen Amerigroup as their managed-care organization. (See main story.)

This left those 215,000 members with no choice for their Medicaid insurer.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Iowa Chief Executive Officer Kim Foltz told The Gazette Friday the managed-care organizations officials were focused on its members, making sure the company was doing everything we can to ease their fears and anxiety they have with this transition.

Beyond that, our commitment is to serve these Iowans, Foltz said. We want them to understand the importance of them having choice. It would be our hope that we service them so well that their choice continues to be UnitedHealthcare.

UnitedHealthcare already had some 167,000 enrollees on its books before accepting the 215,000 member from AmeriHealth. There are approximately 570,000 Iowans enrolled in the Medicaid managed-care program, according to the Department of Human Services.

UnitedHealthcare has been increasing internal case management staff and expanding its provider network across the state in preparation for the influx of members Friday.

Within days of AmeriHealths announcement, Foltz said UnitedHealthcare began to reach out to AmeriHealth case managers to recruit them. Several job fairs also have been held across the state by the company.

Officials intend to hire approximately 400 community-based case managers, who oversee individual Medicaid recipients and their health care services.

As of Monday, Foltz said, 257 case managers had been hired and started as early as this past Monday.

UnitedHealthcare also has revisited provider networks that previously would not contract with the company for Medicaid. Foltz said the company reached out to those providers they were not contracted with and asked, does this situation present an opportunity to work together?

Foltz said a few provider networks in key areas  including Medical Associates of Dubuque  have signed on with the company and are available for members.

UnitedHealthcare taking on 215,000 new members is an opportunity for the company to demonstrate our commitment to Iowa, Foltz said.

She said the MCO use the expertise and knowledge of the entire company, the Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group, which manages Medicaid in 28 states.

We have the ability to leverage not only local resources and what weve been doing today and the expertise that we have here, but also the experience and resources of our national team that can help support us and really mobilize around a challenge like this that we see as an opportunity, Foltz said.

During the first year of managed-care in Iowa, all three insurers reported losses in excess of $100 million. UnitedHealthcare, which has multiple lines of business in the state and does not file financials for its Medicaid business separately, stated it had lost more than $100 million last fiscal year.

Foltz said the losses cant continue long-term with out hindering the sustainability of the program, and that the company is continuing to work with the state on those issues.

Sustainability is important for the health of the program as well as the health of the individuals it is serving, she said. We continue our work with the state to ensure our program is appropriately and adequately funded to serve the needs of the individual that its serving.
There's no mandate saying Gov. Kim Reynolds must go to the mat for her predecessor's blunders and wrong-headed crusades. But, yet again this past week, she defended former Gov. Terry Branstad's rushed privatization of Medicaid after it failed thousands.

It's 2017. Branstad is in China. Reynolds is no longer his lieutenant nor his political mouthpiece. She's governor. It's time she act like it.

On Tuesday, Reynolds had a few options amid questions about another significant glitch in the state's privatization effort. She could announce meaningful changes to the existing program. She could assert state authority and demand negotiations with Amerigroup. She could express doubts about an ill-advised privatization that everyone -- including federal officials -- tried to warn against.

She did none of those things.

Reynolds, instead, convened a media conference and dug in.

"Its not perfect. Ive never said it was perfect," she said. "Im willing to put the time and the effort into making sure that Iowans get the care that they deserve in a managed and coordinated and more modern delivery system. Im not going back."

Reynolds is in a tricky political spot. She was Branstad's heir apparent, both officially and politically. She's fulfilling his term and can't afford to turn friends into enemies. Her ascension when Branstad left for China provided her quasi-incumbency, which she will next year wield when she seeks re-election.

But make no mistake -- the events this past week are another signal of the failure that is Branstad's unilateral Medicaid privatization. They add to a mountain of evidence that suggest the 2016 switch-over was all about intellectually dishonest political ideology.

On Monday, beleaguered state health officials announced the return of Iowa's old-style, state-run, fee-for-service program for 10,000 Iowans.

They had no other choice. Last month, AmeriHealth, the largest of three firms contracted by the state to run its privatized health insurance for the poor and handicapped, opted to pull out of the program. No one was shocked. The firms have regularly reported tens of millions in losses and groused about the state's miserly pay rates. Suddenly, 215,000 Iowans found themselves without options for health coverage.

"No sweat," health officials initially said. Those affected would simply roll over into one of the two remaining providers: Amerigroup and UnitedHealthcare.

Nope.

Amerigroup refused to expand access and pour more cash down the black hole that is Iowa's Medicaid program. UnitedHealthcare became the only option and didn't have contracts with major health care providers throughout the state.

So, grudgingly, state officials resurrected that which the Branstad administration sought to kill, at least for the 10,000 without options.

Neither the realities of policy -- nor the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iowans effected by it -- were the focus of Branstad's social engineering. Any governor, acting independently, would react with a modicum of urgency and concern.

Rightly, Democrats and health care officials went on the attack amid the latest revelation. The Republican social engineering wasn't working, they argued. The evidence -- the spike in denials for treatment, constant jerking around of people in need of care, the incessant calls from the three firms for more cash -- had reached a tipping point.

Branstad's baby -- perhaps the most significant political move of his second tour atop Iowa -- is a failure.

Reynolds' power derives from her association with Branstad. But her allegiance to her former boss has created a gaping blind spot, an inability to react to the dumpster fire he left her.

Until this year, it was Reynolds' job to represent Branstad. She toured around the state and shilled for him. She stood beside him as his tax cuts gutted state coffers. She touted his half-baked privatization of Medicaid.

Now, it's Reynolds' sits atop Iowa government. But, either by personal allegiance or political necessity, she's unable honestly grapple with Branstad's mistakes.
2005-2022 All contents of this blog are the property of Bonnie K. Hunter, and cannot be reproduced in any way without prior written consent.
WASHINGTON | The mortgage industry is panicking over a provision in the Senate tax bill that some analysts and trade groups say may drive small lenders out of the business.

The Mortgage Bankers Association and other bank and mortgage trade groups scrambled over Thanksgiving weekend after staff members discovered a provision in the bill that would change the time at which lenders pay taxes on the streams of income they earn from managing borrowers' mortgages.

That change could cost banks tens of billions of dollars as the value of those income streams drops. The reduction would be enough to drive smaller lenders and non-bank lenders to either exit the mortgage market altogether or restructure their businesses, said MBA president David Stevens.

"It's a fire drill," Stevens said. "We're scrambling to get people on phone calls. It would cause a significant disruption in the industry."

It's unclear whether Senate tax writers intentionally targeted lenders  or whether they intend to leave the provision in place. The episode may reflect the unusual speed with which the Senate is trying to approve legislation that was introduced in written form less than two weeks ago. Senate leaders plan to vote on the bill Thursday or Friday. Julia Lawless, a Senate Finance Committee spokeswoman, didn't have an immediate comment on the provision.

For lenders, the issue surrounds a central way they make money. When a borrower takes out a loan, lenders often sell that loan to government-backed companies, while keeping the right to collect borrower payments and manage the loan. Those so-called mortgage servicing rights are a valuable asset, and lenders often sell them to each other or to outside investors such as hedge funds when they want cash.

Under current law, lenders pay tax on the servicing as the cash is received. Under the Senate bill, according to the MBA and other groups, lenders would have to pay taxes upfront, based on the projected income from the servicing. That mismatch between when the income is taxed and when it's actually received could cause lenders that lack the wherewithal to pay upfront to abandon servicing altogether, the trade group says.

For Texas-based non-bank lender Georgetown Mortgage LLC, the change would mean about a $1 million increase in taxable income this year _ even though the actual cash from servicing a typical loan comes in over five or six years _ said Michael Jones, the company's chief financial officer. Jones said Georgetown is on pace to make about 4,000 mortgages this year, mostly within Texas.

"That money coming out to pay taxes prevents people from getting raises or promotions or hiring people," Jones said.

The provision, which doesn't mention mortgages and also affects similar assets, didn't hit the radar of many in the mortgage industry until Friday, when Stevens said it was noticed by MBA employees. He said White House officials they initially contacted didn't seem to be aware of the issue.

Glen Corso, who heads the Community Mortgage Lenders of America, said his small-lender trade group didn't find out about the provision until Tuesday morning. Corso said he's worried that there might be other unnoticed negative provisions in the bills racing through Congress "especially based on this experience."

"Something could come to light when it's too late to do anything about it," Corso said. "We could have a law of unintended consequences."

Cowen & Co. analyst Jaret Seiberg said in a research note on Wednesday that the bill's impact on mortgage servicing appeared unintentional. "We just don't see why any senator would look to intentionally use tax policy to drive up the cost of mortgages or make housing finance less available," wrote Seiberg, who added that if the provision stayed, the firm's views would get "much more negative" on the housing and mortgage markets.

Both Corso and Stevens said their members were reaching out to members of Congress to get the issue addressed, making the case that the hit would flow through to mortgage borrowers in the form of higher mortgage costs.

Some housing industry groups had already slammed the tax bills in Congress for lessening the value of mortgage-related tax breaks for homeowners, which could reduce their leverage to change the provision.
SIOUX FALLS | The list of student perks at R.F. Pettigrew Elementary continues to grow. There's new playground equipment, a rock-climbing wall, water-bottle filling stations, not to mention an annual fun day where kids are treated to a recreational field trip.

It's all paid for by parents, not taxpayers.

"We're blessed at Pettigrew," said Marianne Mergen, co-president of Pettigrew's parent-teacher organization.

An Argus Leader review of parent-teacher organization finances found the groups pump tens of thousands of dollars into Sioux Falls schools each year, helping teachers pay for food, field trips, technology, curriculum, even classroom assistants.

The groups are run by parent volunteers who are committed to improving the quality of education at their kids' schools, but the boost they provide in the district disproportionately benefits schools in wealthier areas.

Pettigrew parents have raised and spent nearly $500,000 in the last five years, while other schools struggle to find volunteers for a single, year-end student event, the Argus Leader reported.

The potential for parent-teacher organizations to create financial disparities among schools is not a conversation that's reached Sioux Falls, but a pair of recent national reports raise concerns about unintended consequences.

Nationally, parent-teacher organizations account for a small but growing slice of school spending. A 2013 Indiana University study found the groups' spending nearly tripled since the mid-1990s and surpassed $425 million in 2010.

"While the millions of dollars parents raise is equivalent to less than 1 percent of total school spending, the concentration of these dollars in affluent schools results in considerable advantages for a small portion of already advantaged students," a report by the Center for American Progress concluded in April.

The nonpartisan policy institute's report, "Hidden Money: The Outsized Role of Parent Contributions in School Finance," said well-funded parent-teacher groups pay for field trips, new computers, art and music instructors, and supplies, while less affluent schools often have to pay for those things from their overall budgets.

In Sioux Falls, the number of parent-teacher groups has declined in the last five years. In 2013, 19 out of 22 elementary schools had a group. Today, there are 15. Most of the groups that have dissolved were lower-income schools such as Annie Sullivan.

Meanwhile, schools in wealthier areas are more likely to have a parent-teacher group that raises more than $10,000 per year for their school, and sometimes much more.

R.F. Pettigrew's consistently tops other elementary schools in parent fundraising. It also has one of the lowest rates of poverty in the city, with only 15 percent of students on free or reduced lunches.

The parent-teacher group supports the southwest Sioux Falls school with several annual events including the "Panther Dash" 5K and 10K fun run. This year, they're raising money for all classrooms to upgrade to flexible seating.

"We want them to have the best that they can have," Mergen said.

The Argus Leader reviewed five years of annual financial reports for parent-teacher organization at all 22 Sioux Falls elementary schools. Most groups at minimum provided meals for teachers during conferences. They also put on the science fair, book fairs, classroom parties and sometimes fund additional field trips or school speakers.

Big ticket items purchased by parent-teacher groups included playground equipment, teacher classroom grants (up to $10,000), artists-in-residence and classroom technology.

Parents at R.F. Pettigrew spent about $54,000 on new playground equipment in 2016, adding zip lines and tire swings.

Discovery Elementary School's parent-teacher group spent $7,000 on "classroom enrichment" in 2014.

The parent group for Sioux Falls' Spanish Immersion program, Parent Advocates for Spanish Immersion (PASI), spent more than $183,000 on the program, housed in Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, Edison Middle School and Lincoln High School. About $55,000 went to hire Spanish-speaking interns to support classroom learning.

John F. Kennedy Elementary dissolved its parent-teacher association in 2016, but the school still holds an annual fundraiser to bring in money for classroom parties, extra technology and T-shirts for the school's bullying prevention program.

"It provides a lot of extras that wouldn't be there otherwise," Principal Patty Vincent said.

It's easy to see the differences a strong parent group makes.

At Lowell, Principal Diane Kennedy is starting a small parent-teacher organization after four years of trying. Last spring, she recruited a couple of parents to help put on a party for outgoing fifth-graders. It's a small effort, but Kennedy hopes it will take off.

Before becoming principal, Kennedy taught at Harvey Dunn Elementary, a school whose parent-teacher association spent $16,300 on average for the last 5 years.

"They were raising money to buy guided reading books, or they're raising money to buy playground equipment, or they're raising money to enhance classroom things for teachers," Kennedy said. "Coming here, we didn't have that, so it required us to be a little more creative."

Lowell partners with local churches, which provide meals for teachers during parent-teacher conferences. It's not the catered meals she remembers as a teacher at Harvey Dunn, but it's a step up from a brown bag.

Parent organizations also help create a sense of community in school buildings, said Matt Johnson, PTA president at Susan B. Anthony Elementary. Johnson's vice president, Amy Gulbranson, recalled a few years prior when Longfellow and Mark Twain schools merged into the new Susan B. Anthony building.

"Teachers who came from Longfellow  they weren't used to us," Gulbranson said. "You don't have that sense of community (without a parent-teacher organization)."

There are many reasons why schools don't have parent groups.

In some cases, a group dissolves after the president leaves and no one is left to fill the role. Other times, schools are unable to find volunteers or a parent with the time to start a group.

"People have more money than time," said Holly Gergen, a parent at John F. Kennedy Elementary and former parent-teacher association member before it dissolved.

Discovery's group has been on the verge of canceling events because they can't find parents to help, said President Andrea Hawley. Even R.F. Pettigrew struggles to find parent volunteers to execute activities supported by its large budget.

"It's rare to see a family where both parents aren't working," Gergen said. "Your stay-at-home moms just aren't there anymore."

At Lowell, Kennedy had to educate parents as to what a parent-teacher organization is before she could get buy-in to start one. In her first year at the school, she handed out sheets at the beginning of the year asking parents if they wanted to join.

She received a stack of papers in response, but when she began to call and invite parents to the first meeting, she was met with some confusion.

"They're like, 'Oh is that what this is? I'm not interested' and hung up," she said. ''So I just don't think they know what it is and understand that they can have a voice in their kid's school and what that can look like."

Schools without parent-teacher organizations aren't completely on their own.

Sonia Sotomayor Elementary "adopted" Hayward Elementary School. It's a solution recently promoted by Richard Reeves, a senior fellow at the nonprofit Brookings Institution and author of "Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do about It."

"By donating to your own school PTA you are likely exacerbating inequality. By sending half of this money to needier kids, you balance things out a little," Reeves wrote.

Businesses and churches also offer extra support and volunteer help to schools. School board member Todd Thoelke said Hegg Realtors, where he is an agent, helps Susan B. Anthony with its annual knowledge bowl fundraiser, and Eugene Field partners with a local church for conference meals.

Earlier this year, the Sioux Falls Storm raised money to "level the playing field" for schools without parent-teacher groups to orchestrate fundraisers.

Title 1 schools also get on average $5,000 per year to hold parent events.

At Lowell, parent Tuppence Cruz hopes their fledgling organization can someday match the kind of playground upgrades and other extras schools like Pettigrew provide. She dreams being able to raise $10,000 in a year, but for now is happy to have a group to vent about parking struggles and throw a party for fifth graders.

"We want to show that we're trying to help," Cruz said.
PIERRE | Twenty years ago, South Dakota residents spent 15 cents of every dollar for health care. By 2016, they were spending 20 cents.

That is a major shift in South Dakotas economy. One result has been less and less tax revenue for state government and public schools.

Heres why: Medical services arent subject to sales tax in South Dakota.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard plans to talk about that situation and a variety of others Tuesday, when he delivers the annual budget speech to the Legislature.

Its one of the points were going to make on weakened sales tax, Liza Clark, the governors commissioner of budget and finance, said Thursday.

Most details wont be revealed until the governor begins remarks shortly after noon.

State sales tax revenues werent meeting the Legislatures initial expectations for the 2017 budget year. Lawmakers revised the estimate down during the 2017 session.

They also set new estimates for the 2018 budget year that began July 1. So far sales tax revenues have run lower than expected for several months.

From July through October, sales tax was supposed to produce $354 million. It generated $350 million instead, a shortfall of $4 million.

The contractors excise tax likewise is short so far.

The Legislature set the 2018 budget expecting $45 million from contractor tax for July through October. Instead $43 million has come in, a hole of $2 million.

The health-care shift came to light earlier in November during the public portion of a teleconference meeting by state governments Board of Economic Development.

Members learned about it from Scott Stern. He is commissioner for the Governors Office of Economic Development.

State economist Jim Terwilliger said Thursday that U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis statistics showed the shift.

For calendar 2016, the effect from health care on state governments budget was the equivalent theoretically of more than $80 million in potential state sales tax that went uncollected, according to Terwilliger.

The federal agency showed spending on outpatient services, hospital care and nursing home services climbed to 20 percent of the states economy during 2016.

It was 15 percent in 1997.

Personal consumption expenditures in South Dakota totaled nearly $13.9 billion in 1997. Health care spending was nearly $2.1 billion.

For 2016, personal consumption in the state was more than $34.1 billion. Health care spending took up $7 billion of it.

Those numbers dont include health care insurance, according to Clark. She and Terwilliger said insurance spending stayed proportionately steady over the 20 years.

The cumulative impact of uncollected state sales tax on health care services runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

More than 20 years ago, the Legislature approved taxing medical services at the suggestion of then-Gov. Bill Janklow. But lawmakers repealed the tax expansion during the same session.

Meanwhile, South Dakota government officials and many business people in the state now want the U.S. Supreme Court to consider whether states can levy sales tax on businesses that dont have a physical presence in those states. That matter is pending.

Four of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices must agree to hear it. State officials have estimated tens of millions of dollars in South Dakota sales tax are going uncollected each year because of the 1992 Quill decision.

Daugaard is expected to talk about that Tuesday as well.
Nearly five years since announcing his retirement, former U.S. senator Tim Johnson, D-S.D., continues to use his leftover campaign money to dish out some of the biggest and quietest political contributions in South Dakota.

In September, he contributed $50,000 to a politically active nonprofit  managed in part by his former chief of staff  which in turn spent the money on a petition drive to put redistricting reforms on next years general election ballot.

That contribution notwithstanding, Johnson still has more than $800,000 in campaign funds at his disposal as the calendar turns toward the 2018 elections, with few limits on the amounts his federal committees can dispense to state-level candidates, political parties and ballot-question committees.

Johnson has been slowly doling out the leftover money from his Senate campaign committee and his political action committee, South Dakota First, since he announced on March 26, 2013, that he would retire rather than seek re-election in 2014. Former governor Mike Rounds, a Republican, won the election for Johnsons seat, and Johnson  who suffered stroke-like symptoms caused by brain bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation in 2006  has since withdrawn into private life and stopped granting interview requests.

Johnson went into retirement with about $1.5 million in combined balances in his two federal fundraising committees, according to public reports filed with the Federal Election Commission around the time of his 2013 announcement.

Since then, further reports show he has disbursed about $688,000 from the committees, reducing their combined balance to about $816,000.

Johnsons use of the money is restrained by federal law, including a prohibition against personal use. Permissible uses include donations to charity and contributions to national, state or local candidates and political parties.

Ballot-question committees in South Dakota have been the biggest beneficiaries of Johnsons money so far. His reports to the FEC show at least $150,000 in direct or indirect contributions to South Dakota ballot-question committees since 2013, including the recent $50,000 contribution to TakeItBack.org-Advocacy, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

Rick Weiland, who runs the nonprofit with former Johnson chief of staff Drey Samuelson, said the nonprofit gave the money to Citizens for Fair Elections, a South Dakota ballot-question committee. Citizens for Fair Elections has not yet reported the contribution because it is not required to file its next campaign finance report until Jan. 26.

Weiland said the committee employed paid petition circulators and volunteers to collect 34,000 signatures in support of a state constitutional amendment to strip legislators of their redistricting power and establish an independent redistricting commission.

Whether the measure will be included in the 2018 general election remains to be seen, because although the 34,000 submitted signatures exceeded the roughly 28,000 that were required, the South Dakota Secretary of States office is still reviewing the validity of the signatures.

Johnsons other contributions to ballot-question committees have included $70,000 to Vote Yes On V  South Dakotans for Non-Partisan Elections (originally named South Dakotans for a Nonpartisan Democracy), which supported a 2016 ballot measure to establish nonpartisan elections that voters rejected 55 percent to 45 percent; and $30,000 to Raise South Dakota, which supported a 2014 ballot measure to raise the minimum wage that voters approved 55 percent to 45 percent.

Beyond ballot issues, Johnsons committees have made big contributions to several other entities and causes, including the South Dakota Democratic Party, which has received $60,500 from Johnsons committees since 2013.

The biggest charitable gifts from Johnsons committee have gone to his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, which has received $37,000 from Johnsons campaign committee since 2013.

Candidates have also received money from Johnsons committees, including failed South Dakota congressional candidates Corinna Robinson, Weiland and Jay Williams, who each received $10,000. The campaign of Billie Sutton, a Democrat running for South Dakota governor in 2018, has so far received $5,000 from Johnsons campaign funds.

Surprisingly, one of the biggest recipients of money from Johnsons campaign committees since his retirement has been the South Dakota Department of Revenue, to which his committees have reported paying about $67,000 in taxes since 2013.

A spokesman for the state department declined to comment on Johnsons situation, citing a policy against disclosing information about individual taxpayers. But the spokesman provided the Journal with a Taxes on the Campaign Trail publication, which explains that candidates and political organizations are required pay sales and use taxes on products and services they purchase.

Taxable services include work performed by campaign managers and consultants, and taxable products include campaign material such as bumper stickers and buttons. Because sales taxes are paid periodically, some of the taxes paid by Johnsons committees may have been due on products and services purchased well before his retirement announcement.
In less than two weeks, the Federal Communications Commissions Republican majority will almost certainly pull the plug on what is known as net neutrality, which allows equal access to the internet for all users.

The end of the regulation will mean that Internet Service Providers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile will have few worries about being penalized for engaging in paid prioritization, slowing service or curbing access to certain websites. In other words, broadband providers will have practically free reign to monetize the internet, which they certainly are anxious to do.

In return, the gatekeepers of the internet that have spent freely to lobby lawmakers like Sen. John Thune  whose PAC and campaign have received $366,000 in telecom contributions since 2013  promise consumers transparency when they roll out new plans that offer various levels of service at different price points.

For example, your internet provider could decide to charge extra to allow a customer to see Netflix, a popular alternative to network and cable television shows, or to shop on Amazon, one of the companies opposing the termination of net neutrality.

Small businesses, internet businesses, freelancers and those with entrepreneurial aspirations have their own concerns about the elimination of net neutrality, as well. Twitter, Pinterest, Airbnb and 196 other companies recently sent a letter to the FCC outlining their concerns. Businesses may have to pay a toll just to reach customers. This would put small and medium-sized businesses at a disadvantage and prevent innovative new ones from even getting off the ground, the letter stated.

Ironically, the opponents of net neutrality say the elimination of the rule will allow more innovation on the internet although it would likely be limited to the telecoms that control the bandwidth, which is now regulated like a public utility.

Despite the legitimate concerns of businesses and consumers about the elimination of net neutrality and its impact on the economy and our lives, the FCC is rushing to make the change much like the Republican Party leadership did with its failed attempt at repealing and replacing Obamacare and now with tax reform.

The FCC announced its new plan on Nov. 21 and plans to vote on it on Dec. 14. And as with health care and tax reform, no public hearings are being held. In addition, the opponents of net neutrality can offer no guarantees that service will improve, especially in a rural South Dakota community like Murdo, the hometown of Sen. Thune.

Instead, presidential appointees and politicians are offering promises that an unregulated internet largely controlled by large corporations will be a better internet. But most know what a politicians promise is really worth to the public.

The end of net neutrality will affect every American and should not be neutralized without a public debate. Absent that, South Dakotans can call or email Sens. Thune and Rounds and Rep. Noem and tell them how they feel  pro or con  before Dec. 14.
In an increasingly polarized and sensationalized society, it is rare to hear about collaboration and reconciliation. These latter values are the cornerstone of the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA). For over ten years, ranchers, loggers, wilderness advocates, snowmobile and mountain bike groups, have all come together to create a positive piece of legislation.

Interests widely differ between these groups. Ranchers and loggers are concerned about land productivity and job stability. Wilderness advocates are concerned about ecosystem preservation and human restraint. Snowmobile and mountain bike users are concerned about ample recreational opportunities and areas. These concerns are all accounted for the with the passing of the BCSA; it ensures restorative forestry practices and contracts, federally designated Wilderness areas, and specific recreation areas for snowmobile and mountain bike use.

This act sets a precedent by and for Montanans that working together ensures strong solutions. It is time for Senator Daines to stand with Montanans and support the collaborative Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act.

 Tori Arnsparger,

Missoula
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The conference titled Preparing the 21st Century Physician with its target of medical education innovation, bringing medical universities into the 21st century with innovative pedagogical methods for teaching medical students as well as patient care.



Speaking at the conference, U.S. Charge d'Affaires to Vietnam Caryn McClelland said that Government of the United States is extremely proud to be a partner of Vietnam in the fields of medical education and healthcare.



The country pledged to help organizations in improving the life quality for Vietnamese people through the Alliance for Improving Access, Curriculum and Teaching in Medical education and Emerging Diseases (IMPACT MED) sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).



The project was organized by the Agency for Vietnam Health Development Cooperation, the Vietnam medicine and pharmacy universities, Government of Vietnam and private companies.



Additionally, the first Annual National Vietnam Medical Education Conference is considered as a special chance for educators and leaders from the countrys medical universities to share their innovative ideas and advances in the medical education in Vietnam and the world.

The event has attracted the participation of students and leaders from medical universities in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia region, representatives from the Vietnam Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Training, private partners ...





BY THANH AN- Translated by Huyen Huong




According to Maridam, Huongs interpreter at the trial, the Shah Alam High Court of Selangor State will resume the trial with two hearings, the first from January 22-24 and the second from January 29-30. Next hearings in February and following months will be announced by the court later.



Between 11 and 15 witnesses will be summoned in the coming time, she said, adding that the November 30 hearing saw the presence of a policeman as witness who directly interrogated Huong when she was arrested at the airport one day after the murder.



At the court, both Huong and the Indonesian citizen pleaded not guilty. They said they came to Malaysia to attend a TV gameshow and did not know they were enticed to engage in the killing.



Four other suspects, who are said to be instigators, have not yet been arrested. Malaysia issued wanted notices for the suspects and asked for international polices help to hunt them.



Maridam said Huong is in a good condition and wishes to return home.



The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia will continue working closely with Vietnamese agencies concerned and Malaysian lawyers defending Huong to ensure the trial is fair and objective and her legitimate interests are protected.



Kim Chol, as named in his passport, died at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on February 13. Malaysia said Kim Chol was poisoned, but the DPRK insisted that he died of a heart attack, plus high blood pressure and diabetes.



According to the Malaysian law, Huong would face the death penalty if found guilty. Vietnamplus.




Speaking at the celebration, Chairman of the Vietnamese- Romanian Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Si Thang highly appreciated great achievements of Romania after ten years since the country has joined in the Europe Union.The countrys GDP (Gross Domestic Product) increased 6.5 percent in 2016, and is expected to rise up to 6.1 percent this year.Currently, the Romanian people has made efforts to catch up with the developing countries in Europe.According to Chairman Nguyen Si Thang, the Vietnamese- Romanian Friendship Association in HCMC has had practical activities to deepen the friendship relations between the nations people, seek cooperation from business partners, encourage culture, economy, science and technology activities between Vietnam and Romania.Romanian Ambassador to Vietnam Valeriu Arteni affirmed that the country has supported Vietnam in the wartime and continued supporting training programs for nearly 4,000 Vietnamese cadres before the 1960sRomania and Vietnam participated in the Francophone Community, ASEM and the EU-Vietnam partnership which open new opportunities for the nations bilateral relations, added the Romanian ambassador.

BY THUY VU- Translated by Huyen Huong
125 Years Ago

Around town: The magnificent stage production Ben Hur is now showing at the Peavey Grand. Quail and rabbits are being brought in by hunters who say such game is easy to get this year. Skating is excellent on the Floyd and Big Sioux rivers. A team and wagon fell into Perry Creek near Eighth and Pearl streets and with great difficulty were towed out.

Disputed wall: Contractor Fox has begun the work of tearing out the wall between the Woodbury County Recorders and Sheriffs offices. An arc will be substituted and a partition built, giving the recorder and sheriff each about half of the room that has been in bitter dispute between the two.

Ladies exercises: A number of Sioux City ladies, who have recently interested themselves in the physical culture movement, have organized a society for the mutual benefit called the Upper Jackson Club. They have been meeting in members houses for the practice Delsarte (a system of calisthenics) and other gymnastic exercises.

100 Years Ago

KIA tribute: Tribute was paid to Smithlands first martyr to the cause of democracy at a town mass meeting Sunday in the Smithland Methodist Church held as a memorial for Will C. Parker. He was killed in action in France Nov 10th. Parker, who is Woodbury Countys first casualty in the great war, enlisted in the Canadian army two years ago. He was 30 and the son of retired Smithland farmer H. P. Parker.

Simple luncheon: The Worthwhile Club met Wednesday at Mrs. J. R. Johnsons house after the hostess had served a simple lunch. There were no flowers or place cards, no candies or nuts. Afterwards, the women brought out their knitting bags for Red Cross work.

Won a horse: A saddle horse won by Miss Theresa Holland in a raffle held at the Princess Theater Saturday was for the benefit of fatherless French children. Miss Holland offered to turn the mount over to T. J. Kirby, manager of the Lee Live Stock Commission. He will sell the horse with the proceeds to be devoted to French relief work.

50 Years Ago

Rare string instruments: Maestro Leop Kucinski of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra expressed excitement of two rare string instruments presented to the orchestra that are very old and very valuable. They were gifts from Mrs. William Hospers and her family of Orange City, Iowa. They donated a rare Gabriella viola and an equally prized Klotz violin, a famous German make.

In the news: The new Williams Appliance and Television Store, at 1300 Dakota Ave., South Sioux City, opened Monday. ...Ernest Raun, chairman of the board of IPS Co., will preside over the 1968 River-Cade as admiral. Cathedral of the Epiphany, the oldest Catholic parish in Sioux City, will celebrate its centennial Friday with a Mass of Thanksgiving and a parish dinner. The Sioux City Board of Realtors elected Chet Joslin president at the Biltmore. William Ralston was installed as president of the Morningside Kiwanis Club at the Silver Steer Restaurant.

Fires reported: Fire caused considerable damage to a science laboratory at Leeds High School early Monday morning before classes opened. The fire burned desks and table and scorched the floor. The cause has not been determined. In South Sioux City, fire caused extensive damage at Dura-Pak Corp., a fishing equipment manufacturing company at 700 N. Ninth St. The fire started in the packaging department.

25 Years Ago

Meeting walk-out: Sioux City councilmen Jim Wharton, Harry Kearins and Loren Calendar walked out of a closed-door meeting called by Woodbury County Attorney Tom Mullin Thursday to discuss gang activity in Siouxland. Six organizations members attend the session at the Sioux City Convention Center and voted to go into closed session, kicking out members of the news media. Mullin said there was a fear that disclosure would hinder ongoing police operations.

Making news: MarketPlace Mall will host its second annual Holiday Goodie Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for more than 30 nonprofit groups selling holiday treats. The Cherrywood Lane neighborhood in Morningside has been named the All-City winner in the 1992 Siouxland Homelighting Contest. Terra International, Inc. has been awarded the 1992 Agribusiness Conservation Award from the Lake City Conservation District.

Hospital updates: Marian Health Center has placed plans to construct a separate suite for same day surgery on hold. In September, Marian announced it would begin construction in the main lobby at an estimated cost of $1.3 million. St. Lukes Regional Medical Center announced it has dropped charges on additional same-day surgical procedures, which results in price reductions on two-thirds of its procedures. Patients having their tonsils out or a cataract operation will pay up to 50 percent less.

These items were published in The Journal Dec. 3-9, 1892, 1917, 1967 and 1992.
MILFORD, Iowa  Contrary to popular belief among those opposed to automation, Kevin Frodermann doesnt want robots to take human's jobs.

Instead, the 37-year-old owner of 966 Industries of Milford, Iowa, wants to use the expertise of he and his staff to help to help regional companies automate systems through the use of robotics so they can find more fulfilling roles for their employees.

We also provide integration, so well install robots and automated systems in the customers facilities per their request, Frodermann said. Well design them, build them, prove them, put them in place and maintain them while they are there on site."

While the business also functions as a machine shop, Frodermann believes the automation side holds future potential. Within a 125-mile radius of Milford, 966 Industries is the only business certified by Fanuc America Corp. to integrate its state-of-the-art robotic products.

Frodermann explained how one recent project his company tackled will benefit the client in the long-run.

We have one customer thats taking a couple of people and putting them somewhere else, where they can enjoy their work more, and were putting robots in there to do the repetitive tasks that theyre having a hard time keeping people on, he said.

Its the same thing you see a lot of robots getting used for: Its the jobs that people dont want to do or cant because of safety reasons or ergonomics. This job is a perfect combination of the two.

The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates nearly half of the American labor force could be disrupted by automation in the next 20 years, according to a working paper titled Robots and Jobs: Evidence from U.S. Labor Markets published in May by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit, nonpartisan economic research group.

The paper explained why the prediction might not be as dire as it sounds:

The researchers note that automation has several effects on the labor market. It may displace the workers performing a particular job in a particular industry, leading to reduced employment opportunities and wages for workers who historically held such positions. However, other sectors and occupations may expand to soak up labor freed from the tasks performed by machines, and it is even possible that productivity gains due to new automation technologies may expand employment possibilities in the industries in which they are deployed.

Automation isnt going anywhere and Frodermann wants to be on top of industry trends.

He also is aware of the need for more workforce solutions in Northwest Iowa to compensate for the region's consistently-low unemployment.

Dickinson County, where 966 Industries is based, boasted a 2.4 percent unemployment rate in October, 1.6 percent below the state average and 1.7 percent beneath the national average. Several nearby counties had rates below 2 percent, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

We have another customer that we are going to integrate this for them on a new machine and its a new process, Frodermann said gesturing toward a yellow Fanuc robot arm on his shop floor. They need to prove that robotics can do it because they want to expand, but finding people  especially in this area  is very, very difficult.

Manufacturing is the fourth largest employment sector in Iowa and contributes $31 billion annually to the economy, according to a study from Iowa State Universitys College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (CIRAS) program.

In the same study, CIRAS noted concerns with the industrys continued growth in Iowa specifically stating, Despite complaints about a scarcity of workers, few Iowa companies have adopted proven techniques for managing that resource, such as embracing automation or lean manufacturing.

Fears of robots taking away jobs is most likely why some companies have been hesitant to implement new technologies, but Frodermann vehemently disagrees with that notion.

We need to get over the stigma of robots are killing everyone's jobs because they are not; they really arent, he said. Theyre augmenting your job and making your job easier.

The southwest Minnesota native moved to the Iowa Great Lakes region so his children could attend school in the Okoboji school district. However, he also saw an opportunity professionally in a region saturated with manufacturers that could benefit from the implementation of automation services.

We can weld, we can pick and place parts, we can spot weld, we can paint  all of those things can be automated and are on a regular basis, he said. This is not new technology; there are some things we are doing to make it smoother.

We like to use what we call elegant programming in the robots. And the reason I call it elegant programming is its not just a it does this task and this task only (robot). Theres a lot of variables and the robot is smart enough  the way that we program it  its smart enough to try thing more than once to see if theres an issue.

Frodermann conceptualized 966 Industries in fall 2015, started production by late 2016 and started hiring staff earlier this year.

Between 966 Industries and another business he owns  UpKeep, a full-service handyman company  Frodermann employs six full-time employees and three part-timers, but hes eyeing more growth.

Ironically, the biggest obstacle holding him back from expanding his business further and at a faster clip is the same workforce challenges his automation services help other companies overcome.

That is our biggest challenge by far, Fordermann said. Right now, were looking for a machinist, a full-time person for the handyman side, so someone with construction or even handyman related experience would be a big key for us right now but those people are hard to find.

Its not that theyre not out there; but theyre hard to find, theyre not looking for jobs and were a fairly new company and to sell us on being in business for two years is much harder to do than somebody down the street whos been a contractor for 30 years.

Although 966 Industries is still one of the new kids on the block in the Okoboji region, Frodermann is confident about the companys future.

Were looking forward to growth, he said. Im already starting to look for areas to build because we are going to outgrow this facility.
The National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) is the preeminent organization for estate specialists who are attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, charitable and financial planners. Borchert has been an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) for 34 years and a member of the national board of directors for the past nine years. He is currently responsible for the monthly webinar series featuring the most acclaimed speakers in estate planning, and serves on the committee that regulates the designation Accredited Estate Planner, where he reviews applications for the designation.
SIOUX CITY -- KTIV News 4 announced Stella Daskalakis recently joined the station.

Daskalakis will be anchoring KTIVs News 4 Live at Five, News 4 at Six and News 4 at Ten with Matt Breen.

Daskalakis is an experienced, award-winning broadcast journalist who has worked in Seattle; Salt Lake City; Eugene, Oregon; Topeka, Kansas; and Billings, Montana. Her career includes a wide range of newsroom roles, including assignment desk, reporting and news anchoring.

Beyond broadcast news, Daskalakis is also an instructor of public speaking. She has been a certified facilitator/trainer for the Anti-Defamation Leagues A World of Difference Institute since May 2006. She also has served as an emcee for numerous events and is a certified group fitness instructor. She has a strong interest in music, having studied voice, piano and viola. She is fluent in Greek and has studied French, Spanish and German.

KTIV is located in Sioux City and is the NBC affiliate for Siouxland. The station also carries the CW and Me-TV networks on its sub-channels. KTIV is owned by Quincy Media, Inc. of Quincy, Illinois.
SIOUX CITY | Small, affectionate and full of pep, this years Little Yellow Dog will bring her spunky spirit to the home of the highest bidder at next Saturday's annual auction.

Samantha, a four-month-old Maltese, will find her new home Dec. 9 at the 82nd annual Little Yellow Dog Auction in the atrium of the Ho-Chunk Centre.

"She is very playful and she is fearless," said Dr. Michelle Bader, kennel master for the Ancient and Effervescent Order of the Little Yellow Dog and veterinarian at Family Pet Hospital in Sioux City. "I brought her home (Wednesday), and she wanted to play with my dogs right away. She was playing with my cats."

Video: Meet the 2017 Little Yellow Dog Dr. Michelle Bader from Family Pet Hospital introduces Samantha, this year's Little Yellow D

Proceeds from the auction, sponsored by the Ancient and Effervescent Order of the Little Yellow Dog, a local civic group, will benefit the Journals Mr. Goodfellow Charity, a tradition that provides gifts and books to 8,000 underprivileged area children at Christmastime.

The Journal's Goodfellows fund began in 1914 to provide Christmas toys to needy children and expanded in 1936 to include the auction of a puppy.

Samantha was donated by Powell Broadcasting, the Louisiana-based company that owns KSCJ radio and a group of other local stations.

Dennis Bullock, general manager for KSCJ, said the organization wanted to do something more for the community as part of a celebration of KSCJ's 90th year of broadcasting.

"To give back a little to the community, we decided to purchase the dog," he said, thanking another donor for stepping aside to let them contribute during their anniversary year.

Bullock said the puppy's name, Samantha, is a tribute to the late Sam Seldon, a longtime engineer and historian at KSCJ who was heavily involved in the Yellow Dog auction each year and with KSCJ's broadcasts of the auction.

"He was very dedicated to the Yellow Dog, was just a good man," Bullock said. "We love Sam and thought since this was our 90th year, we'd honor him."

Samantha is the second Maltese in a row to be named Little Yellow Dog. Last year's pup, Aspen, sold for $16,000 to an anonymous buyer last year.

"I think (Samantha's) actually a bit more outgoing than Aspen," Bader said. "She will give anybody and everybody kisses. She's a very affectionate and loving dog."

Currently around 2 pounds, Bader said Samantha will weigh about 6-7 pounds when she's fully grown.
PIERSON, Iowa | Kennedi Vondrak, a seventh-grader at Kingsley-Pierson Middle School, smiled when asked about her first band concert performance.

"It was our Veterans Day concert," said Vondrak. "We played 'God Bless the USA.'"

That one-small-step moment for a middle school band program signified one giant leap for Vondrak, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a condition that, until recently, has prevented her from playing in a band.

"Band was never on our radar," said Kennedi's mother, Kari Vondrak. "We didn't know what you can play when you can't hold a horn."

Kari and Jesse Vondrak, of Kingsley, wrestled with this issue for all three of their girls, Kennedi, 13, Jaycie, 10, and Bentley, 8, as all three have this form of muscular dystrophy.

And while the girls love music and love to sing, they believed their band options were limited.

That was, until Kari Vondrak noticed a story in the Journal three years ago featuring Risty Bryce, a Siouxland percussionist who lost the use of his legs during his late 20s when he was diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy, a disorder of his nervous system that's much like multiple sclerosis.

"For years, I played drums in a local band," Bryce said. "Around 2003, I stepped away from the music scene as I was starting to get symptoms and the issues around my legs."

First, he walked with braces. Then, he used a cane. Five years ago, he began using a wheelchair.

"I'd play drums a little bit in that time at church, but drumming started to become more a disappointment and heartbreak for me," he said.

Bryce was on the verge of giving up on his passion when he bumped into Mike Goodman, his first guitar player. He then met Matt VanMeter and that led to the men tinkering with a system that would aid percussionists who had physical limitations.

Four years ago, they formed Drum Sparx, a system that takes a vocal signal and creates the drum sample sound. Drummers can either use a drumstick or their voice to key one of 200 sound samples.

On Thursday, Vondrak practiced the bass drum part in a Christmas song by using a drumstick she could hold. She rested her elbow upon the front of her wheelchair and tapped the stick on the microphone, which, through a speaker, pounded out the bass drum noise.

"She has no shoulder or girdle movement," Kari Vondrak explained. "Her movement is elbow-based."

Kingsley-Pierson, Bryce said, is the first school using the Drum Sparx technology, a system that Bryce set up and displayed for the Vondraks and Seth Snakenberg, instructor of bands at Kingsley-Pierson, who said, "It's been a fun learning process. It's really cool that it's opened the doors for Kennedi and her sister to come in and do something they probably didn't think was an option."

Kennedi Vondrak, who wasn't a band member early on in middle school, took lessons with Snakenburg in her attempt to catch up to her fellow percussionists. Officials at the Kingsley-Pierson Community School District, which purchased the Drum Sparx unit, allowed the Vondraks to check it out and take it home on weekends, providing Kennedi time to practice her new craft.

"We plug it into our karaoke machine at home and she practices," Kari Vondrak said.

"It's nice to be able to participate in an extracurricular activity like band and not just sit in study hall," said Kennedi Vondrak, who noted she's looking forward to playing two songs during the school's Christmas concert on Dec. 19.

Sister Jaycie, a fifth-grader, is stronger in the arms than Kennedi, so Jaycie plays snare drum without the Drum Sparx unit. As the diseases progresses, though, she may get to the point where she'll employ the device, just like her sister.

While Kingsley-Pierson is the first school with the Drum Sparx technology, there are others using it. Bryce, an employee in the West Monona Community School District, disclosed that Van Meter has created at least eight Drum Sparx units via custom-order. There are two drummers in Florida using the technology, one in France and one in Louisiana, to name half of them.

"The ones we've sent out have all been drummers who suffered an accident or were in situations similar to me," said Bryce, who recently began playing with the band In Due Time, a group featuring musicians from Sioux City and Onawa, Iowa. "Kennedi is our first kid using the system and she's still learning, which is exciting. She's a milestone for us."

Kennedi Vondrak said she's pumped about being part of the Kingsley-Pierson Middle School Band, making patriotic and holiday music from her position in the percussion section, a position she didn't know was possible until she made that giant leap.

"I was nervous for our first concert," she admitted as she grabbed her sheet music. "There were a lot of people there."

The instructor said he's anxious for the learning -- and the playing -- to continue. "Kennedi gets a normal experience in the band," he said, delighted she's a member of his corps of percussionists. "She's having fun with it and that's what matters."
SIOUX CITY | Two individuals and a local community center will receive awards for working to improve the human rights climate in Sioux City and the surrounding area.

Richard Owens, A. Frank Baron and the Four Directions Community Center have been announced as this year's recipients of the War Eagle Human Rights Award.

Owens is a longtime K-12 educator who worked more than 20 years in the Morningside College education department. He has also served as an administrator for the Western Hills Area Education Agency. He received the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award in 2007 for his volunteer work as a champion of the disabled.

Baron founded the Prejudice Elimination Workshop for high school juniors, which ran for 14 years. He also provides pro bono legal representation through Legal Aid and has provided free mediation services through the city's Human Rights Commission, of which he is a previous member and chairman. He is currently the fundraising chairman of the Celebrating Community project and secretary of the Soup Kitchen board. He has also been heavily involved with the Warming Shelter, NAACP and Food Bank of Siouxland.

The Four Directions Community Center, 613 Water St., serves Siouxland's Native American Community. It works with the Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court Services to offer parenting classes and a batterers support group. It also works with Native Youth Standing Strong, which teaches urban Native American youth about their culture. It holds Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Dakota language classes and several community events. Its Minority Youth and Family Initiative was recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation as one of the best models for reducing minority contact with the juvenile justice and welfare systems.

The Sioux City Human Rights Commission will present the awards at a luncheon held 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Sioux City Public Museum, 607 Fourth St. The event is free and open to the public.
WASHTA, Iowa | The "Coldest Spot in Iowa" was the driest spot in Iowa last month. Washta received zero precipitation in November, according to State Climatologist Harry Hillaker.

Washta, which famously recorded a temperature of 47 degrees below zero in January 1912, joined Cherokee, the Cherokee County seat, and nearby Primghar, the O'Brien County seat, in receiving no rain or snow last month, a rarity.

"In Northwest Iowa, it might happen once every 30 years," Hillaker said. "But the last time we had a November this dry was only 10 years ago, in 2007."

Joel De Jong, crops specialist serving Iowa State University Extension, said the lack of rain was welcome in the first part of November as farmers made up for a soggy September and October by bringing in soybeans and a bountiful corn crop.

"We got lucky in that temperatures cooled off in late July and those rains helped," he said, citing the fact that Iowa's individual kernel weights finished way above average.

And while last month marked the 15th driest November in 145 years of Iowa records, De Jong isn't too concerned about drought possibilities in this section of the state.

"It may be dry on top, but there's enough moisture below the surface to start next year's crop," he said. "Everyone was above the long-term average in moisture content as of November 1.

Hillaker said that might not be the case in southeast and south-central Iowa, which had dry growing seasons this year and last year. The USDA reported 72 percent of the subsoil is very short on moisture in south-central Iowa. That figure comes to 61 percent in southeast Iowa.

"Those are high numbers for this time of year," Hillaker said of the subsoil readings. "Nobody else in the state has anything near those percentages. That's worrisome as it's a big enough deficit that will be hard to make up before the 2018 growing season."

Generally, soil freezes the second week of December in Iowa. Hillaker said moisture received after that point often doesn't have a significant impact on the soil profile.

"It's also worrisome with our return to La Nina because a La Nina cycle is bad for getting rainfall in the growing season," he said, adding the odds are good for Iowa to come up short on precipitation in the 2018 crop season.

La Nina typically favors a slightly wetter than normal winter.

November, around here, was bone dry as the statewide average precipitation came to less than one-half of an inch at .43. Additionally, there wasn't hardly any snow of consequence.

"Maquoketa in eastern Iowa was the snowy spot for the state as it had three-tenths of an inch on November 13," said Hillaker, who thanked a diligent weather observer for measuring the snow before it melted.

Sioux City set a record for warmth on Nov. 23 when the mercury hit 63 degrees. One day later, Iowa City recorded 74 degrees, the warm spot for the state last month.

How cold did it get? Swea City dipped to 6 degrees on Nov. 10. Twelve days later, both Estherville and Little Sioux reported a 6-degree mark.

And while Sioux City had rain during November, it didn't make the tenth-of-an-inch level. Just eight-hundredths of an inch fell at Sioux Gateway Airport.

In a month where precipitation seemed lost on Iowa it's appropriate the wettest spot in the state was at a Clinton County town with a nomadic name, where residents recorded 1.51 inches of moisture. That community: Lost Nation.
SIOUX CITY | On the evening of Aug. 30, an undercover Sioux City Police detective walked into Red Dragon Body Therapy on Hamilton Boulevard and paid for a massage.

During the course of his visit, the female massage therapist agreed to perform a sex act for money, according to a police account of the incident. She was soon arrested.

The 50-year-old woman was charged with prostitution and booked into the Woodbury County Jail. The charge has since been dismissed as police continue to investigate the incident, with suspicion that human trafficking was involved. The Red Dragon is now shut down.

Police say a complaint from a nearby businesses led to the investigation.

"They said things just didn't look right," Police Detective Bruce Hokel said.

Currently, Hokel said, police rely mostly on submitted complaints to spur their investigations into activity such as prostitution, human trafficking and drug dealing out of businesses claiming to offer legitimate massages.

Being proactive can be difficult, he said, as police lack a way to systematically monitor and track such businesses, their owners, employees and licensing statuses as they cycle in and out of the city, he said.

"One of the biggest problems we have right now is it's very difficult to find who's all responsible, who works there," he said.

But Hokel said a new proposed ordinance that would require licenses for all massage therapy businesses within the city limits would provide a valuable intelligence tool in monitoring who is working at each business. It also would give the police more power of enforcement.

"An ordinance like this would really assist us in at least laying the groundwork for who would be the business owner, who should be managing it, who should be licensed of people that are there doing the massages," Hokel said. "We'll have a better idea of who's here and how long they're here, where they're coming from, stuff like that."

Under an initial draft of the ordinance, which received the first of three required readings by the City Council two weeks ago, licensing applications would include identification and information on the businesses' employees, their criminal records, any denials or suspensions of their state massage licenses and other information necessary for background checks.

Licenses would not be granted if the applicant or any owners, managers, employees or agents have a criminal conviction for a sex crime or for keeping a house of prostitution, or if they are a registered sex offender or have been denied a license by any other community. The City Clerk's Office will initiate an annual review process to confirm business ownership, services provided and the business name.

Edits to some items in the ordinance -- such as the amount of required insurance and limits on hours of operation -- could be on the way as city officials work with legitimate massage therapy business owners to make the ordinance more palatable to them. Those changes will show up in subsequent readings of the ordinance.

Owners of some legitimate massage therapy businesses have taken issue with parts of the ordinance, saying it groups them unfairly in with prostitutes and drug dealers and amounts to over-regulation. An online petition opposing the ordinance started two weeks ago by a local massage therapist had reached 720 signatures as of Friday.

Hokel said he values the inclusion of business feedback and that the ordinance is not meant to trip up any legally operating business.

"The businesses that we know are on the up and up, it really just helps us document them and they can hold their head high and say that yeah we are clean," he said.

Hokel said he believes the new ordinance would both help police take better action against problems they know is going on, as well as gain a fuller picture of other places where it may be happening.

Including the Red Dragon incident, Hokel said police have made two arrests in the past two years relating to illegal operations at massage therapy businesses. He added that authorities have received complaints that some businesses are passing fake massage therapy licenses.

Hokel said the frequency of complaints fluctuates, but police generally average a complaint related to suspicious activity at a massage business about once every two weeks.

Bernadette Rixner, co-chairwoman of the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking, agrees the ordinance will provide a valuable tool for police. She said the state has seen a rapid influx of places offering massage services over the past year and a half, some of which have been places for human trafficking.

"They may indeed be trained to give massages," Rixner said. "But they are also expected to provide sex services to you."

Sioux City is following the lead of Johnston, Iowa, which adopted a similar ordinance. Hokel said he has been in discussion with several other Iowa municipalities, and they are watching to see how Sioux City's ordinance pans out.

"They are having the exact same problems as we are," he said.
SIOUX CITY | Bill Barstow envisions a day in the not-too-distant future when patrons attending a movie at the downtown Promenade Cinema 14 can stop next door for dinner or a drink before or after their show.

With the end of a years-long legal quagmire involving the city of Sioux City, banks and the complex's developer in sight, it's time for the building that houses the Promenade to finally become the downtown destination that its California-based owner planned it to be, Barstow said.

"You're going to see an explosion, and it's going to be impressive," said Barstow, president of Omaha-based Main Street Theaters, which owns the Promenade movie theater that has operated in the building since 2005.

The Sioux City Council on Monday passed a resolution to approve a settlement agreement with developer Civic Partners. The deal paves the way for the dismissal of the developer's bankruptcy case that has been ongoing for more than six years.

Once the case is dismissed, Barstow and the leasing agent who has been working on Civic Partners' behalf believe interest will pick up from businesses and entrepreneurs looking to locate in the building, which occupies a prime spot at the end of Historic Fourth Street and across the street from the Convention Center and a soon-to-be-built 150-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

"It's going to open up the door a little more for prospects. It's prime time real estate downtown, great foot traffic," said Beau Braunger, a senior associate at Sioux City real estate firm NAI United and the leasing agent for Civic Partners.

Barstow's already making plans to spiff up the Promenade as soon as he and Civic Partners finalize a new long-term lease agreement, which he hopes to have completed soon. Renovation plans include reclining seats in all theaters and an improved concessions area.

"We just need to ink a deal, and let's take off running," Barstow said.

Barstow said the bankruptcy settlement will resolve years of frustration for his business. With the large market share the theater enjoys, he always dreamed of what could be possible with bars and restaurants located in the same building.

"Who in their right mind wouldn't want to see thousands of people walking past their door?" Barstow said of potential restaurant and bar owners.

Civic Partners built the $13 million, one-story complex at 924 Fourth St. in 2004 with millions of dollars in tax incentives and loan guarantees from the city and promised to fill it with restaurants, bars and shops. Shortly after the facility opened the following year, water problems led Main Street Theaters to seek a renegotiation of rent payments for the movie theater space. A settlement lowering the lease amount paid by Main Street to Civic Partners fell apart in 2010 and led to Northwest Bank (known as First National Bank at the time) to foreclose on the property, saying the developer had defaulted on a $5.63 million loan.

Civic Partners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2011, and since then, the case has been tied up in court. The litigation led to uncertainty about the building's future and likely turned many business owners away from considering locating in the nearly 12,000 square feet of retail space that has remained vacant. Only one other business currently leases space there.

Braunger said that during that time, he had three or four potential tenants who were seriously interested in leasing space, but the red tape involved in leasing space from a property in the midst of a bankruptcy action prevented lease agreements from gaining approval.

Braunger even fielded a few inquiries about whether the building was for sale, but no offers were ever made on the property, he said.

Barstow and Main Street Theaters offered to buy the building in 2010, prior to the bankruptcy filing. He said that he made the offer to help resolve the foreclosure matter. He does not plan on making another offer on the building, he said.

"Frankly, I haven't even thought of that for years," Barstow said. "We thought it best to put our head down and let the landlord take care of their case. Our job was to protect the investment and run a really good theater."

The foreclosure action was dismissed earlier this year when Civic Partners and Northwest Bank reached a deal in which a company affiliated with Civic Partners and its owner Steve Semingson bought the Civic Partners loan from the bank. The agreement approved Monday allows the city to recoup $1.45 million of the $2.5 million a judge ordered the city to pay to cover the portion of the defaulted loan it had guaranteed.

Since Monday's council action, Braunger said he hasn't gotten any new interest in leasing space in the complex, though it could still be weeks before the case's final dismissal.

"I think people are waiting to see until it's finally done," he said.

Braunger expects that interest to pick up, and he thinks the space could be filled in 18 to 24 months.

That's where Barstow's dreams of a destination restaurant, maybe a brewpub, kick in. With the legal issues nearly settled, the developer's initial vision for the property can finally be realized.

"We think everything's running in the right direction," Barstow said.
WASHINGTON -- Great nations and proud democracies fall when their systems become so corrupted that the decay is not even noticed -- or the rot is written off as a normal part of politics.

President Trump has created exactly such a crisis. He has not done it alone. The corrosion of norms and values began long before he propelled the nation past the edge, and his own party is broadly complicit in enabling his attacks on truth, decency and democratic values.

In fact, Republicans are taking full advantage of the bedlam Trump leaves in his wake. They are using a twisted process to push through a profoundly flawed tax bill with scant scrutiny.

The convoluted proposal is so generous to the wealthiest interests in the country and so damaging to significant parts of the middle class and the poor that GOP leaders know it would not survive extended debate.

They dare not take on Trump because doing so might derail the pursuit of what are now their party's only driving purposes: court packing, the care and feeding of the privileged, and the gutting of federal social services and regulation. This, too, is a form of corruption, a refusal to face larger questions when partisan political victories are at hand.

We are so inured to the chaos and the lying that characterize Trump's presidency that we see each outrage as little more than another passing episode on an ongoing cable news drama.

But events of just the last few days should remind us that the longer this president is in power, the weaker our country will become.

On Wednesday morning, the nation learned that it has a president who traffics in fascist propaganda -- and I am not using the "f" word lightly. Trump retweeted three inflammatory anti-Muslim videos of unknown accuracy put out by an ultra-right British group called Britain First.

Britain's Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May was horrified and did not mince words in a statement criticizing Trump for distributing "hateful narratives." She added that "British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far right, which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency, tolerance and respect."

We'd like to think that the United States is also a nation of decency, tolerance and respect. We can't make this claim while Trump is president.

In the meantime, we learned how low the right will sink to advance the interests of accused pedophile Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican Senate candidate, and to discredit mainstream journalism. Thanks to meticulous reporting, the Washington Post exposed the efforts of conservative activist James O'Keefe to bait the paper into publishing a false account that Moore had a sexual relationship with a woman when she was 15 and encouraged her to have an abortion.

Please think about this: These conservatives are defending the sanctity of life by setting up a woman to lie about having an abortion. In the effort to bring down fair-minded journalism, nothing is sacred. It is another case of corruption, and at an astonishing level.

Recently, my friend (and Brookings Institution colleague) Benjamin Wittes issued a widely-noted series of tweets arguing that the left and the right needed to engage in a "temporary truce" to confront the emergency Trump represents and "unite around a political program based on the protection of American democracy and democratic institutions."

I could not agree more. As a liberal, I salute the anti-Trump conservatives (most of them writers) who understand the threat the president poses and have spoken out unequivocally and bravely.

But here's what also needs to be recognized: At the moment, political power in our elected branches (and, in effect, in the Supreme Court) is held by Republicans and conservatives. They are using Trump to push through outlandish policies on taxes and health care. They are lauding Trump's executive orders that scuttle regulations safeguarding consumers, workers and the environment. They are ecstatic about his filling the judiciary with his, and their, allies. Progressives cannot be asked to pretend this isn't happening. We're a long way from a "truce."

It is an unfortunate fact that the corruption Trump exemplifies has seeped deeply into the Republican Party and substantial segments of the conservative movement. The burden is on the responsible right to dismantle the permission structures that are allowing Trump to wreck our democracy, despoil our values, and endanger our standing in the world. Otherwise, the people will have to do it themselves by voting his Republican enablers out of office.
On a hot August day in 1997, South Sioux City native Frank LaMere was driving back from a sacred ceremony at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, with his cousin, Fred LaMere of Sioux City, when he drove through the town of Whiteclay, Nebraska (population 14).

In an interview at a local coffee shop a few weeks ago, Frank LaMere described for me the scene they encountered as "unimaginable." He saw 60 to 70 Native Americans from the Pine Ridge Reservation just two miles across the South Dakota border congregated around four liquor stores - many extremely intoxicated, some passed out in the street.

"As a Nebraskan and Native American, I was deeply offended," LaMere, who vowed that day to do something about it, told me.

At the time, LaMere had no idea the scourge known as Whiteclay would occupy the next 20 years of his life, become a national story and lead to a landmark civil rights decision by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Citing public safety and law enforcement concerns, the Nebraska Liquor Central Commission voted unanimously on April 19, 2017, to suspend the licenses of the four liquor stores in Whiteclay, according to a Sept. 30, 2017, Omaha World-Herald article. On Sept. 30, 2017, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the decision, shutting the doors of the liquor establishments for good.

The four liquor stores made a ton of money selling almost exclusively to Ogallala Lakota Indians from the Pine Ridge Reservation, which bans alcohol. In 2010, according to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and as reported in the Lincoln Journal Star on Feb. 10, 2012, Whiteclay's four liquor stores sold an estimated 4.9 million 12-ounce cans of beer, or 13,000 cans per day, for gross sales of $3 million. Crime was rampant, with the closest law enforcement 22 miles away. LaMere wants the Nebraska governor's office to open files on what he said were at least five unsolved murders in Whiteclay within the last 20 years.

"Whiteclay was liquid genocide that was put up with because of greed," LaMere said in our interview.

Obviously, LaMere is pleased with the shutdown, but said it "really hasn't soaked in yet." He feels the victory was accomplished because "we elevated the discussion." LaMere minimizes his own role, instead citing the efforts of hundreds of people, including Nebraska trial attorney Dave Domina.

The issue raised LaMere's already established profile as an activist and leader for Native causes, including vigilance in efforts to keep Native children in their homes with Native families. Those efforts led to the creation of a Native American unit within the Iowa Department of Human Services. Alcoholism is rampant on the Pine Ridge Reservation, with an estimated one out of four children born with fetal alcohol syndrome - another issue LaMere is passionate about. When he talks about the urgent need to address the problem, he is emotional. LaMere recently led the 15th annual march in Sioux City to honor lost Native children and helped sponsor a three-day workshop at Briar Cliff University to address issues involving Native youths, including the issue of fetal alcohol syndrome.

LaMere's political accomplishments have been equally impressive. He currently serves as first vice-chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party as well as a delegate to the national party. He has attended every national Democratic convention for the past 20 years.

LaMere's life has not been without tragedy. He lost a brother in Vietnam and a sister in a car accident in 1987. Five years ago, he suffered a stroke from which he has some residual problems. The most difficult tragedy was losing his beautiful, intelligent and charismatic daughter, Lexie, to leukemia at 20 years of age four years ago. A Creighton University student, Lexie was successful in high school at getting a resolution on Whiteclay passed at the state Democratic convention. Her loss has been difficult for Frank and his wife, Cynthia, as well as their other three children.

LaMere tries to turn tragedies into positives. He told me the stroke has made him even more empathetic and Lexie's passing and feeling her presence has made him work even harder on issues affecting Native Americans.

Lexie taught us much in the days before she walked on ... how to live and even how to die, LaMere wrote after her death in 2014. Im standing on her shoulders."

Next week: Linda Holub

A Sioux City resident and local attorney, Al Sturgeon is a former Democratic state representative and senator. He is the father of six children.
An end to years of litigation related to what commonly is known as the Promenade complex in downtown Sioux City is, finally, in sight.

On Monday, the City Council gave unanimous approval to a proposed settlement with Civic Partners, the Huntington Beach, California, developer of the project. The agreement, if approved by a judge, will allow the city to recoup up to $1.45 million of the $2.5 million it spent on this ill-fated deal, which aside from the successful Promenade Cinema 14 movie theaters produced little of what was promised.

Our reaction to news of the settlement?

* The City Council was right to accept the proposed agreement with Civic Partners in order to end litigation and move forward.

"It's just time to get the final resolution," Mayor Bob Scott said on Monday. "It's not a great deal, but it's probably better than what we thought we'd get a couple years ago."

We agree with him.

* Removal of the litigation cloud from above the complex will mean removal of a significant barrier to filling additional space (aside from the movie theaters, only one other business leases space in the complex today). Local real estate officials have said they field offers on vacant retail space in the complex, but unsettled legal questions have prevented the completion of deals.

The settlement agreement is proposed at a time when construction of a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel across Fourth Street from the complex is planned. In our view, the hotel not only will provide a boost to the Convention Center next door, but should boost prospects for filling this complex.

More tenants for the complex will mean increased traffic in this area of downtown and more traffic should be beneficial to business for the movie theaters and for the other current tenant, 6 South Design, not to mention for the city's tax rolls.

- We understand risk is part of economic development and we wish to see our city remain competitive in this arena, but we believe it's wise for city government to review the decision-making process for its Civic Partners development deal in step-by-step detail to learn whatever lessons may be learned from the experience. (For example: Is it wise for the city to guarantee even a portion of a loan made to a private company?)

Taxpayers deserve to know local leaders will take proper steps to minimize the chance of something similar to the Civic Partners deal from happening in the future.
I would like to applaud the continued efforts, vision and professionalism of Sioux City's Parks and Recreation director, Matt Salvatore, on his consistent work for the future of our great city.

Soon, Siouxland families will flock to Cone Park and use a tubing hill and will be able to ice skate outdoors this holiday season. Combine those efforts with the vision of a greater Sioux City riverfront where families will soon be able to "rediscover the Missouri" with connected bike trails and other features which will go great in changing the aging image of our city. Those new amenities and a consistent vision for the future is what will draw young professionals to stay in Sioux City over moving elsewhere.

We as a city need to make sure we take the time to do the riverfront project right the first time. Although some of the amenities will be a great asset to our community, building a Ferris wheel along the riverfront would not be fiscally responsible or feasible for an area that it can only be used in six months out of the year, and that notion is heard throughout this city by listening to the residents who live here. One asset that would benefit both sides of the river would be a pedestrian bridge that connects Sioux City, Iowa, and South Sioux City, Nebraska, for generations to come.

The future of Sioux City is at stake, let's do it right the first time. - Jake Jungers, Sioux City
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
The films of Finlands Aki Kaurismaki and Austrias Michael Haneke have nothing in common stylistically but do share a loathing for European bourgeois society. Their latest films additionally share a concern about one particular aspect of that decaying world, namely the persecution of immigrants. Kauriskmakis The Other Side of Hope that opens today at the Film Forum in New York is about the struggle of a Syrian refugee from Aleppo to survive on the hostile streets of Helsinki. Hanekes Happy End is mostly about a bourgeois household coming apart at the seams but the climax of the film includes African immigrants from the refugee camp near the Calais entrance to the Eurotunnel crashing a fancy banquet. The effect is the same that Bunuel sought in Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, an attack on the complacency and moral rot of the rich. Happy End opens on January 22nd at the Film Forum as well as the Lincoln Plaza in New York. Both films are artistic triumphs as well as devastating blows against a world that is rapidly going mad.

Kaurismakis films are distinguished by their deadpan humor, evoking oddly enough those of Buster Keatons but without the slapstick. There are no conventional plots as such. Instead you get something that amounts to a shaggy dog story, typified by his best-known film, the 1989 Leningrad Cowboys Go America that depicts a fictional rock band on tour in the USA.

The Other Side of Hope is a follow-up to the 2011 Le Havre, a powerful protest against the treatment of undocumented immigrants dramatized through the bonds forged between the mostly elderly citizens of a seaside neighborhood and a young West African boy eluding the cops.

Like the people of Le Havre, his latest film features an unlikely senior citizen who comes to the aid of an undocumented immigrant, this time a man named Khalid who we see emerging out of a small mountain of coal on a cargo ship that is moored at a Helsinki pier. He digs himself out, dusts himself off, and walks off the ship in search of the nearest police station where he can register as an asylum seeker.

His eventual savior is a traveling shirt salesman named Waldemar Wikstrom who after winning a small fortune playing poker has bought a shabby restaurant called the Golden Pint. Not long after it has opened, he spots Khalid waking up next to the garbage bins behind the restaurant and orders him to move along. Khalid, who is outweighed by Wikstrom by about 50 pounds but sick and tired of being hassled by the authorities, responds with a jab to his nose. After getting one back in return, he is welcomed into the restaurant by the forgiving Finn to get a free meal and a sympathetic ear. After Wikstrom and his three employees hear about his Job-like suffering as a Syrian living in Aleppo, they decide to bring him abroad as a fellow worker and to protect him from the authorities just as happened in Le Havre. They are the kinds of people that Kaurismaki regards as true Finns, not the cops who have been anxious to arrest Khalid or the skinheads who plan to kill him. Just as they were about to attack Khalid in a parking lot behind a nightclub he had visited, the fascists are chased off by a group of elderly but scrappy Finns defending traditional values.

Wikstrom is played by Sakari Kuosmanen, who was one of the Leningrad Cowboy musicians and a favorite of Kaurismakis. While he does not perform in The Other Side of Hope, the film is graced by performances by a number of sixty-somethings like Wikstrom (and the director) in cabarets or on the streets. The songs are Finnish versions of American country and western or folk tunes and serve as a soundtrack to remind the audience of the countrys decidedly uncommercial values.

Sherwan Haji, a Syrian-Finnish actor, filmmaker, and writer, plays Khalid. While he came to Finland before the war started, he is obviously familiar enough with his countrys tragedy to lend an authenticity to his performance. His character is the essence of stoicism. His only hope is to stay alive and be reunited with his sister who is somewhere in a refugee camp in Eastern Europe. We learn from testimony he gives at a hearing on his asylum request that a missile blew up his house and killed everybody in it except him and his sister. He also lost his fiancee in an earlier bombing attack. When asked who fired the missile, he shrugs his shoulders and says he had no idea. It might have been the government or the rebels (he lived in the no mans land between East and West Aleppo). Like many refugees, Khalid is not an activist. He was an auto mechanic who simply wanted to live a normal life. Despite Khalids agnostic reply to the interrogators, Kaurismaki leaves little doubt about the source of most of the casualties in Aleppo through video footage of Syrian jets dropping bunker-buster bombs on tenements.

In a profile on the director occasioned by the release of  The Other Side of Hope  in the Guardian, he spoke passionately about the message he was trying to deliver, even if the minimalist, deadpan style of the film might have been assumed to undermine it. One can only conclude that he as wedded to this style as he is to the need for treating the real-life Khalids with dignity and compassion:

In The Other Side of Hope, Kaurismaki returns to the refugee crisis, which was the subject of his previous picture, Le Havre. There is a sense, by depicting altruism in desperate times, that he is trying to foster kindness in his audience: you cannot help but emerge from his films with more faith in humanity. Thats why I rushed this one out. I wanted everyone to see that refugees are human too. Cinema can influence a tiny bit. One penny makes a big river. He stops. No, thats not it. One penny makes a Bill Gates. His hangdog look is interrupted by a sudden grin. Then its back to seriousness. Some countries dont take anyone. It is the biggest shame in Europe right now. Brexit, he thinks, will only exacerbate the problem. Europe going to pieces again is not a good idea, especially because of the extreme right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary. The Brexit propaganda worked very well and then the propaganda guys vanished like a fart in the Sahara. He gives a grim smile. Old Finnish saying.

In a film career that began in 1974, the 75-year old Michael Haneke has made only a handful of feature films but each one has been considered an artistic success as well as deeply controversial. For controversy, nothing can top the 1997 Funny Games that depicts a home-invasion of a wealthy family that results in torture and murder. Unlike the conventional horror film of this genre, the two invaders are well-dressed white youths who come knocking on the door to borrow four eggs and who by all appearances seemed like the kids next door. Haneke stated that the intention was not to make a horror film but one about violence in the media.

I found the 2009 White Ribbon much more socially relevant since it was a probing study of the suffocating religious and economic institutions of a small farming town in pre-WWI Germany that foreshadowed Nazism.

As another critique of class society, the ironically titled Happy End is the story of the French family that owns a construction company that while miles ahead of the Trumps in terms of taste is about on their level ethically.

I could not help but think of Maurice Prousts Remembrance of Things Past as I watched this morbid take-down of Frances one-percent. Just as Proust evokes the social decay of pre-WWI France, so does Happy End capture the feeling of futility, foreboding and waste we encounter today. While I doubt that Haneke, who wrote the screenplay, had any intention of paying homage to Eugene ONeill, I also was reminded of his Long Days Journey into Night that portrayed the disintegration of a middle-class household, one that was based on his own.

Like the Addams family, several generations of the Laurents live in an opulent mansion near the seaside in Calais. George Laurent, the patriarch and founder of the company, is now in his 80s and in the early stages of dementia. He is played by Jean-Louis Trintignant, the 87-year old actor who deserves the supporting actor of the year award. He oscillates between forgetful and obtuse replies to family members and searing appraisals of their faulty characters.

The company is now run by his daughter Anne, who is played by Isabelle Huppert. While my reviews tend to be focused more on ideas than performance, I can say that it does not get any better than Trintignant and Huppert. Anne is perfectly suited to running a construction company since she cares more about meeting deadlines and staying within budget than she does about the workers. Early in the film, we see a construction accident that costs the life of a worker. Her only worry is how it will impact the bottom line.

Her son Pierre (Franz Rogowski) is in his 20s and being groomed to take over the company but he appears as feckless as the Trump kids (not that their dad is anything to write home about). Not only is he an alcoholic, he lacks both ambition and entrepreneurial talent. When he goes to the apartment building to consult with the family of the dead worker, the son meets him at the door and beats him up. Later in the film, when Anne Laurent meets with the family, she tells them to settle for a measly 35,000 Euros or else she will have the son arrested for assault and battery.

Annes brother Thomas, a successful physician, and his wife Anais also live in the mansion. Played by Mathieu Kassovitz and Laura Verlinden, they have the outward appearance of bourgeois normalcy but we soon discover that Thomas goes through women like a surgeon goes through rubber gloves. They have welcomed his 13-year old daughter Eve (Fantine Harduin) from his first marriage into the mansion to live with them. We will learn that she is a deadly serious version of an Addams family kid capable of both murder and suicide.

Probably the only member of the family that has both a soul and a grasp of reality is the loser Pierre who understands that everybody else is scum, starting with his mother who constantly reminds him of his weaknesses. Long before the breathtaking climax of the film, we see Pierre referring bitterly to Laurent values. Guests who have come to the patriarchs birthday party are stunned to hear him yell out that the husband-and-wife Moroccan butler and cook that are considered part of the family are nothing more than slaves.

While Haneke is cagey about his intentions on this or any other film he has made, he was open enough about the refugee crisis to add his name to the appeal made about 5,500 film industry professionals in October 2015 titled For a Thousand Lives: Be Human. The petition urged European leaders to take action to help refugees and, among other things, to offer legal ways for people fleeing war, terror, or political persecution to seek protection in the EU by setting up infrastructures in their countries of origin, and in third party countries, where they can apply for asylum. This will stop forcing them to take illegal routes and risk their lives.

Kaurismaki and Haneke are exemplary filmmakers conscious of their social responsibilities. My strong advice is to see both of their films when they open in New York and to look for them in your local theaters nationally.
Kajsa Ollongren @DefensieMin Berichten over raketinslagen en slachtoffers in Polen zijn verontrustend. We leven mee met de Poolse bevolkin...
Waste not

So many students going to school hungry and then staying hungry as they dont have the funds to purchase school meals. Why are schools bagging up and throwing away perfectly good food? Meals that could be given to those students in need, food that food banks could pick up. Nothing should be thrown away that could benefit someone.

Something is wrong with the system that doesnt allow this to happen. I had a friend that worked in the central cafeteria and she said they bag up the unused food and throw it away. That is so wrong!

Even grocery stores donate day-old bread, etc. to food banks. If I had a child in school and were paying for their lunches, I would not be upset to learn that others got it for free. I would be happy to know they were helping others less fortunate.

Terri Carter

Longview

Past actions

If people of this country want to know what happened to bring us to this in the economy, it mainly was Bill Clinton. The following list of his actions as president destroyed this country.

1. NAFTA

2. CAFTA

3. The Pacific Free Trade agreements

4. The canceling of the Glass-Stegall Act. That deregulated the banks and we ended up in 2008 bailing out, at taxpayers expense, thousands of bankrupt banks.

The free trade agreements allowed all the companies producing products to move their production to countries with poverty labor and no working benefits, they then re-imported them with no import tax. Profit was increased by huge, huge amounts. Middle-class, blue-collar workers here were deleted. Most jobs now pay minimum wage. The tax on income to the treasury is next to nothing. The super rich put their money in sanctuaries outside of the U.S.

Then comes Vice-President Dick Cheney. He held closed-door energy meetings with no minutes of who attended or what and how things were going to happen. We the people applied the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to the meeting and Cheney, backed by the Supreme Court, refused to release the minutes.

He took all the surplus power from the northwest and BPA and gave it to Enron to sell to California. All the CEOs of Enron went to jail for scamming California.

Now rather than Hillary we have Donald Trump; both of these are more destruction to the country. We will not go forth with either one.

M.L. Colburn Sr.

Longview

Out of pocket

The Longview School Board is apparently not able to ask the voters who opposed the school bond why we opposed it. We should elect people who can talk to us. The board must believe money is free, because they want to employ a consultant to ask opposition voters why they voted against the bond.

The board should spend all the tax money to help our kids be ready for the rest of their lives. The consultant would simply take tax money to find excuses why the board made the right decision but didnt do a good job of selling the bond.

I will certainly withdraw this opposition if the board members pay for the consultant out of their own pocket, with their own money.

Bill Hallanger

Longview

Global warning

Fifteen thousand climate scientists warning to humanity: Bridge-high mountains of coal is not what we need. Coal is on its way out. I am so thankful for educated people. What good is a handful of jobs if the planet is spent? I want our children to breathe fresh air and our fish to have decent water to live in. The high cancer rates and asthma rates need to go DOWN not UP.

Sherry Davis

Longview
WASHINGTON  I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed, Jonathan Swift observed. That was three centuries ago, so our current, degraded condition has deep historical roots. Yet it feels, more and more, that we are experiencing the end of shame.

Our sad national trajectory has been on display recently with two oddly connected stories: Alabama Republican senate nominee Roy Moore and the tax bill. They share a common thread in President Trump, but their significance goes beyond the president. Trump surely helped fuel the end of shame, but just as surely we were already on that degraded path.

No one who has watched Moore expected that reports of how he preyed on young girls would provoke shame from the egocentric, already discredited judge. Moore has long proved  with his flagrant disregard for constitutional values, his homophobia and racism  that he is impervious to such feelings.

The open question involved Moores true-believing supporters and political allies of convenience: At long last, had they any decency? For some, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and most of his colleagues, the answer has been a welcome yes. Others, most prominently Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and, inevitably, Trump, have failed what should have been an easy test. To conclude that electing an accused child molester to the Senate is preferable to seating a Democrat is the epitome of shamelessness.

We know this from the presidents own team. Theres no Senate seat more important than the issue of child pedophilia, said White House legislative affairs director Marc Short, in the that-was-then world of mid-November. There is a special place in hell for people who prey on children, said Ivanka Trump, adding, I have no reason to doubt the victims accounts.

Neither did Ivey, who made her priorities clear, with no evident distress. I have no reason to disbelieve them, she said of the women accusing Moore. And yet: Most important, we need to have a Republican in the United States Senate to vote on things like the Supreme Court justices. Pardon the gender bias, but there is a special place in hell for female politicians who make this ugly calculation.

With plenty of room for Trump & Co. The White House line on Moore has descended from if/then to let the voters of Alabama decide to we need the seat. Adviser Kellyanne Conway, who had once touted the no-Senate-seat-more-important line, found something even more important than defeating an accused child molester: Im telling you that we want the votes in the Senate to get this tax bill through.

And the president, for whom shamelessness has proven a potent tactic, pronounced himself persuaded by Moores similarly blatant approach: He totally denies it. But the more instructive moment came with Trumps very first public words on the Moore reports: I can tell you one thing for sure. We dont need a liberal person in there, a Democrat. Morality is a luxury with a 52-vote Senate majority. Shame is a millstone, or would be if Trump were capable of it.

Which brings us to the tax bill, and Trumps budget director, Mick Mulvaney. The shameful part of the tax bill  shameful in the sense that it heralds the end of shame, not that it is morally deficient, although that too  is not that the former South Carolinian congressman once styled himself a deficit hawk and now is pushing a measure projected to add at least $1.5 trillion to the debt over 10 years.

The shameful part is not that the bill is so studded with gimmicks that the real cost is more like $2.2 trillion. Its not that the Mulvaneys of the world have managed to convince themselves of supply-side gobbledygook in which tax cuts pay for themselves.

What is truly stunning is Mulvaneys brazen willingness to admit that the price tag is phony, specifically the notion that individual tax cuts will expire. Mulvaney, making the rounds of the Sunday shows, felt no need to dissemble. One of the ways to game the system is to make things expire ... a lot of this is a gimmick, he told NBC. And, on CNN, Its simply trying to essentially manipulate the numbers and game the system. In other words, were lying to you to ram this through, and were not even going to bother to hide it.

If hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue, what does it say, exactly, when our most senior public officials feel no such compunction? What does it mean if we lose Swifts capacity to wonder at the absence of shame?
Defying longstanding American policy, US President Donald Trump will give a speech Wednesday recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital, according to an Axios report on Friday.



A White House spokesman, contacted by The Times of Israel on Friday afternoon, would not confirm the story. The president has always said it is a matter of when, not if, the official said. The president is still considering options and we have nothing to announce.



The Axios report cited two sources with direct knowledge of Trumps intentions.



Multiple reports surfaced this week that the president would for the second time waive a congressional mandate requiring the US embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but that he would take the dramatic step of formally recognizing the holy city as Israels capital.

Finally, it looks like an American president is willing to provide the recognition Israel needs for its historic capitol:Recognizing Jerusalem as the capitol and even allowing for Israel to be marked on passports is a vital step that has to be taken to send a message. And even then, the embassy still has to be moved, as further proof of recognition, along with making it clear that the whole "palestine" fabrication cannot be accepted. It's time to put an end to that, and not allow the PLO to dictate what may or may not be done.

Labels: communications, islam, Israel, Jerusalem, United States, White House
Clashes erupt in Yemen capital after failed rebel talks

Yemeni men inspect the site of an air strike in the capital Sanaa.

AFP, Sanaa :

Clashes erupted in Yemen's capital late Friday, witnesses said, as talks between feuding rebel allies failed to broker a truce.

It is the third consecutive night of armed violence between supporters of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and Yemen's northern Huthi rebels, who jointly control the capital Sanaa.

Multiple witnesses said heavy gunfire could be heard in southern Sanaa late Friday night, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Fighting also erupted near the home of Brigadier Tarek Saleh, a nephew of the former president and commander in the force loyal to the Yemeni strongman.

Three people were killed in clashes with the Huthis outside of the commander's home on Thursday night, Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) said. Talks between members of the GPC and the Huthis' political council on Friday failed to reach an agreement between the two parties, a high-ranking GPC source told AFP.

An internal rift has shaken the fragile alliance between the Iran-backed Huthis and Saleh loyalists, who joined ranks in 2014 to seize Sanaa.

The former enemies drove President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's internationally recognised government out of the capital, which has been rocked by rebel infighting.

The wider Yemen conflict pits the Huthi-Saleh alliance against the Saudi-backed government of Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The war has claimed more than 8,600 lives since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the Hadi government's fight against the rebels in 2015, triggering what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The rebel clashes in Sanaa come as tensions soar between the insurgents and the Saudi-led coalition, which imposed a crippling blockade on Yemen in response to a Huthi missile that was intercepted near Riyadh airport on November 4.

Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed another ballistic missile fired from Yemen late Thursday, state media in Riyadh said. No casualties were reported.

The coalition, which accuses the rebels of being a proxy for Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran, says the blockade is meant to stop the flow of arms to the rebels from Tehran.

Iran denies it is supplying the Huthis with arms.




World AIDS Day observed

Chittagong Bureau :

The World AIDS Day was observed yesterday in the port city as elsewhere in the division.To mark the day, rallies and discussions were organized by District Civil Surgeon Office, Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) and Health Directorate of Chittagong and other organizations.

Addressing the discussions, the speakers stressed the need for raising public awareness, avoiding unsafe sexual contact and unsafe blood transfusion for controlling the disease.

They urged all to abide by the social and religious norms to remain free from the disease.

A discussion was held at Chittagong Civil Surgeon Office with Civil Surgeon Dr Azizur Rahman Siddique in the chair.

Deputy Director of family planning Chittagong Dr Uk Sing Boby addressed the function as chief guest.

Earlier, Chittagong Civil Surgeon Office brought a rally from Chittagong press club premises led by Civil Surgeon Dr Azizur Rahman Siddique. Doctors, social elite and NGO representatives were participated in the rally.


Conducting research to speed up development underscored

City Desk :

Experts at a seminar laid importance on conducting time-befitting and need-based research works to utilise the findings for further speeding up national development.

They came up with the observation at the seminar styled 'Research and Development: Bangladesh Perspective' held on Friday at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) in Rangpur.

Dr Wazed Research and Training Institute (DWRTI) of the university organised the seminar at the virtual class room in academic building no-02 on the campus, said a press release.

Director of DWRTI and Vice-Chancellor of BRUR Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah formally inaugurated the seminar in the launching session.

Chief Executive of the Association for Realization for Basic Needs (ARBAN) Mohammad Kamal Uddin conducted the seminar as the main discussant.

Research Officer of DWRTI Md Rokunuzzaman delivered welcome speech in the seminar moderated by Assistant Administrator of the Public Relations, Information and Publication Division of BRUR Tabiur Rahman.

Research fellows of DWRTI, its officials, teachers and students of different departments of the university participated in the seminar.

In his presentation, Mohammad Kamal Uddin discussed about various data and statistics of different research works conducted on development and other related sectors under different aspects in the perspectives of Bangladesh.

He also narrated about the techniques and methodologies for conducting research works on developments to achieve better results and answered questions asked by participating researchers, teachers and students.

Professor Kalimullah put emphasis on collecting necessary information, data, statistics and technologies from both home and abroad to effectively utilise those in research works on developments to get excellent results.
Pogba sees red over Koscielny reaction to dismissal

Jose Mourinho revealed Paul Pogba was furious with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny for his role in the red card that rules the Manchester United midfielder out of next weekend's summit meeting with Manchester City.

Pogba was sent off in the 74th minute of United's 3-1 win at Arsenal on Saturday for a crude challenge on Hector Bellerin.

Koscielny responded to the foul by approaching referee Andre Marriner and appearing to call for Pogba's dismissal.

Pogba sarcastically applauded Marriner as he headed for the tunnel and United boss Mourinho made it clear the France star wasn't happy with the decision or his international team-mate's part in it.

"I just know that Paul is frustrated. A bit disappointed with this colleague, Koscielny, with this kind of reaction," Mourinho said.

"He is very frustrated because everybody knows that Paul is a clean player and it was not his intention at all to be close to a red card."

As well as his anger at Pogba's treatment, Mourinho was frustrated at what he saw as Arsenal diving in the closing stages.

Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette, appealed in vain for penalties and, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, Mourinho said: "I know the pitch is amazing and maybe breeds a desire to go to the floor.

"If it was hard, no; if it was mud, no - the pitch is absolutely beautiful but I think they were a bit too much.

"If it's not a penalty, it's not a penalty."

Pogba's dismissal will earn him a three-match ban and his absence from the Manchester derby is a huge blow to United's hopes of closing the gap on the leaders.

City are five points ahead of United, but can extend that lead to eight if they beat lowly West Ham on Sunday.

Regardless of that result, United will remain in the title hunt when their hated neighbours arrive at Old Trafford next weekend.

But Mourinho refused to label the seismic showdown as a make or break moment in the title race.

Asked if United's fourth successive league win had sent a message to Pep Guardiola's team, he said: "No message. We go match after match.

"We are second in the table. We won four consecutive matches.

"We managed to win and play well. I'm happy but there is no message."




DNCC Mayor polls in 90 days: EC

Staff Reporter :

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday said that it is ready to hold the mayor polls of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) within 90 days.

The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq at a London hospital on Thursday night.

"We are ready to hold the mayoral election as per the electoral law. We will hold the polls within 90 days since the day it falls vacant," EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told reporters at the EC secretariat yesterday.

He said, the Commission will take initiative soon after the Local Government Ministry publish a gazette notification declaring the mayoral post vacant.

Besides, the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain also told a group of journalists that the panel mayor of DNCC would continue the mayoral tasks till electing the new one. Article 16 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009 says that if any post of mayor or councillor of a city corporation falls vacant 180 days before the expiry of their tenures, a by-election to the post shall be held within 90 days since the day it falls vacant to fulfill the post for the rest of the tenure.

The DNCC election was held on April 28, 2015 where Awami League candidate Annisul Huq won the election by a big margin.

Annisul Huq, who passed away at a London hospital on Thursday night, diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis after he was admitted there on 13 August.

He was buried at Banani graveyard on Saturday afternoon.
Charge-sheet this month: CTTC Chief

Staff Reporter :

Chief of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crimes (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Monirul Islam on Sunday said that the charge sheet for the 2016 July attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan would be submitted by this month.

"Several accused of the case have been arrested and some others remain fugitive," he told reporters at the DMP media centre in the city. Besides, he noted that many other militants who played a role in the attack have already been killed in different anti-militancy raids between 2016 and 2017.

Monirul said, "We know of four more militants who were involved and are on the run. Their names are Sagor, Ripon, Khalid, and Niloy. If we can arrest them soon, we can submit the charge sheet by this month. If not, then also we will still submit the charge sheet and list them as fugitives."

Police are trying to arrest the fugitives, Monirul claimed.

In a query, he said, "During the case investigation, we didn't find any involvement of global terror outfit Islamic State."

Policemen sneak a look inside the Holey Artisan Bakery and the O Kitchen Restaurant a0s others inspect the site after gunmen attacked on July 1 last year.

A total of 22 people -- nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladesh-born American, and two Bangladeshis -- were killed in the terror attack.
Mother, two kids killed in Pakundia over land dispute

Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :

A women and her two kids were stabbed to death, husband was seriously injured over land related dispute at Tarakandi Village in Pakunida Upazila in Kishoreganj on Saturday morning.

The victims were identified as Taslima Akther (32), wife of Mosharaf Hossion, and her son named Nily (11), daughter Raisa (9).

Killer Mobin (28) is a student of Master degree final year of Govt. Gurudayal College happens to be a nephew of Mosharaf Hossion. All of them hailed from Tarakandi village of Jangalis Union.

Md. Abdus Satter, Union Chairman of Jangalis said that, housewife Taslima and her two kids were killed on the spot at around 6 am and Mosharof was admitted to Kishoreanj 250- bed General Hospital.

Locals and police caught Mobin while fleeing.

Pakundia Police Station Officer-In-Charge (OC) Shamsuddin Ahmed said, receiving information police rushed to the spot and bodies were recovered and killer Mobin was arrested.

The dead bodies were sent to Kishoreganj 250- bed General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Acting Police Super Nazmul Islam and Pakundia UNO Arnapuna Devnath visited the spot.

A case was filed in this connection with Pakundia Police Station.
Annisul Huq laid to rest

Namaz-e-Janaza of DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq was held at the Army Stadium in city on Saturday.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq, who passed away at a London hospital on Thursday while undergoing treatment, was laid to eternal rest here on Saturday afternoon.

He was buried at Banani Graveyard at 5:15 pm following a namaz-e-janaja at Bangladesh Army Stadium after Asr prayers. Earlier, the nation paid its last respects to the late DNCC Mayor at the Army Stadium after his body was taken to the stadium from his Banani residence around 3:15 pm.

President's Military Secretary Maj Gen Md Sarwar Hossain first placed a wreath at the coffin of Annisul Huq on behalf of President Abdul Hamid while Prime Minister's Military Secretary Major Gen Mia Md Jainul Abedin showed respects to him on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placing another wreath at the coffin.

Sergeant of Arms Captain Mostak Ahmed placed a wreath on behalf of Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury while Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad also paid her respects to him.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, flanked by Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Presidium member Faruk Khan and Joint Secretary General Mahbubul-Alam Hanif, placed a wreath on behalf of the ruling party. Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon and BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman placed wreaths at the coffin. Besides, Navidul Huq, son of Annisul Huq, paid tributes to the mayor on behalf of their family members. He said his father was always very cheerful person. Love and respect were the most important things to him. Navidul Huq also said his father always thought of the betterment of the city dwellers. He urged the countrymen to pray for his father for eternal peace.

Later, people from all strata of life paid their last respects to the mayor. His first janaza was held at Regent Park Mosque in London after Juma prayers on Friday. Earlier, a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the mortal remains of Annisul landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here around 12:45pm.

Annisul's younger brother and Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq received the body at the airport. From the airport, the body was taken straight to his Banani residence.

Annisul, also a successful businessman and popular television programme host, breathed his last at the Wellington Hospital in London on Thursday at the age of 66. He was diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis after he was admitted to the hospital on August 13. Later, he was given treatment at the intensive care unit of the hospital for long. Annisul flew to London in the last week of July on a personal tour.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the residence of Annisul Huq to console his family members.

She went to the residence around 2:45pm and stayed there for some time. Sheikh Hasina consoled the family members and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

Born on October 27 in 1952, Annisul completed his Bachelor degree from Rajshahi University and Masters in Economics from Chittagong University. Annisul was elected DNCC mayor on Awami League ticket in April 2015. He had vowed to build a green and clean city and started working to this end.
Rohingya women sold as sex slaves in Bangladesh

Al Jazeera News :

Rohingya girls and women in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar are being sold as sex slaves, according to a victim and aid agencies.

Fifteen-year-old Khartoun* told Al Jazeera she was sold into sex slavery after she arrived in Bangladesh by boat to escape a brutal military crackdown.

She was alone - her mother, father and sister had been killed by a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar military during a sweeping crackdown against Rohingya people. Upon Khartoun's arrival in September, two women approached her on the beach and told her they would help her.

"They told me if I went with them they would look after me and help me find a husband," Khartoun said.

Instead, she was locked up for three weeks and sold to a Bangladeshi man, who she said, raped her and sexually abused her for 12 days.

"He said 'I will choke you, I will stab you. I will kill you  Do you want to be killed the way the military kill people in Myanmar? I won't let you go,'" Khartoun told Al Jazeera. The UN and aid agencies said labour and sex trafficking in refugee camps have gotten worse with the recent influx of more than 620,000 Rohingya.

The military unleashed a campaign of mass murder, rape and arson against the persecuted community after army bases came under attack from Rohingya fighters. The UN has said the army offensive amounted to ethnic cleansing. Olivia Headon of the International Organisation for Migration said urgent action was required to keep women and girls safe in Bangladesh's refugee camps. "There's been recruiters here in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, previous to this influx and we know they are getting more business," she told Al Jazeera. "And we know that new criminal networks have kicked into action."

A local aid agency that led Al Jazeera to Khartoun said its staff working with trafficking victims have received death threats from criminal gangs. The organisation, which did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said some girls as young as 13 have been abducted by the traffickers.

The man who bought Khartoun returned her to the women who sold her after 12 days. They left her at the Kutupalong refugee camp, where she now lives. In 2015, Thai authorities uncovered extensive networks which trafficked Rohingya and held them for ransom in jungle camps after discovering 36 bodies in shallow graves along the Thai-Malaysian border. An army general in Thailand and dozens of others were convicted over the case in July.


Unrest to flare up in hills if BD doesn't honour deal

Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Shantu Larma, has warned the Bangladesh government that the hill regions will be engulfed in unrest unless it fully honours the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.

Larma and the other members of the armed Shanti Bahini militia laid down their weapons on Dec 2, 1997 and signed the deal.

The Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was in power at the time. The agreement has not been implemented in full, according to hill leaders. On Friday, Hasina gave assurances the situation would be remedied.

A day later, on the 20th anniversary of the agreement, Larma, president of United People's Party of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, accused the government of neglecting the situation.

"In 1997, the prime minister signed the agreement herself," said Larma. "There is a vast difference between her statements at the time and what she says nowadays. Now we find, in her words, the deprivation, exploitation and oppression of the hill people."

The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs is 'cheating' the people of the peace accord, he said.

"After this it seems we are still under the same kind of foreign rule as in the Pakistan era. We never wanted this. It was said this region would be governed as a special region. The implementation of the agreement has been two-faced and deceptive."

"The hills will burn unless the agreement is implemented in full," he warned the government.

"If the government uses arms to repress the rights of the hill people, then they will have to respond by taking up arms," the former guerrilla leader said.

There is no security in the lives of the hill people because the government has not taken action to settle land disputes, prevent military rule and preserve the education of hill people cultures, said Larma.

Over 500,000 'outsiders' have 'illegally' occupied land in the hill areas with 'support from the military', he claimed.

Larma also expressed his anger that the Chittagong Region Council law and infrastructural development had not been implemented.

"We have repeatedly told the government to change several legal provisions, but they have ignored us. We have repeatedly said that everything can be implemented with the support of the United People's Party of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We are ready to help. But they are not listening."

Regional councils for the three hill districts can be formed after a separate voter list was formed for voters in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, he said.
Who are the Rohingyas ?

"Abu Hena



The Rohingya are a large Muslim ethnic minority in Myanmar now at the center of a humanitarian catastrophe. Myanmar's Rohingya have been described by the UN as 'the most friendless people in the world .'They are the world's most persecuted minority. The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar is now widely described as ethnic cleansing. The brutality of the Myanmar army reminds us of the mass killing in the 1992-95 Bosnian Croatian war for which the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague has recently awarded life sentence to the commander -in chief of the Bosnian Croat Defence Forces(HVO). Another commander named Slobodan Praljak took poison on hearing that his sentence of 20 years' imprisonment was upheld by the judge.

The French President Emmanuel Macron said the attacks on Rohingyas amounts to genocide. But the Myanmar government won't even allow Pope Francis to use the word 'Rohingya' let alone admit they are being persecuted. The term Rohingya is the corrupt form of the old name of Mrohaung ,the capital of Arakan. Later on the inhabitants who lived in Mrohaung are treated as Rohingyas.The history of the Rohingyas reveals that they are the direct progeny of the early Muslims as an ethnic race. They are the descendants of the Muslim Arabs ,Moors, Persians, Turks, Mughals and Bengalis who came mostly as traders, warriors and saints through overland and sea route. Many settled in Arakan and mixing with the local people developed the present stock of people known as 'Rohingyas'. They developed from different stocks of people , not only Bengali who concentrated in a geographical location. They have more than 1200 years of old tradition, culture, history, and civilization of their own expressed in their shrines, cemeteries, sanctuaries, social and cultural institutions found scattered all over in every nook and corner of the land. Moshe Yegar notes that ''the Rohingyas preserved their own heritage from the impact of the Buddhist environment, not only as far as their religion is concerned but also in their culture.''

Language is the main foundation of culture and the Rohingyas have developed a language of their own from Arabic, Sanskrit, Bengali, Urdu, Persian which serves as common source of contact within the Rohingya community. They have also songs and music , literature of their own. The census of 1921 carried out by the British Government mentions the Rohingyas as really Arakanese. Rohingyas claim that in terms of their culture, they are neither Indian nor Burmese. A British army officer who served in the Arakan front during the WWII remarked about the ethnic character of the Arakanese Muslims as follows : '' to look at, they are unlike any other product of India and Burma that I have seen.They resemble the Arab in name , in dress, and habit.The women and more particularly the young girls, have a distinctive Arab touch about them.''

So the ethnic origin of the the Rohingyas is traced back as the later part of the 7th century A.D. when the first Muslim settlement was established in Arakan State now renamed as Rakhine by the military rulers in 1989.The official view as projected in the East Pakistan District Gazetteer : ''Muslim merchants from Arabia,Iraq,Persia,and other regions of central Asia had started coming to Chittagong from the 5th century , and some of them had settled there for commercial purpose. Along with them Muslim preachers and saints who penetrated deep into the country and proceeded down the coast to Arakan, which also had a Muslim settlement.'' In 1948 Rakhine ( Arakan) became a Division within the Union of Burma.Shortly after violence broke out along religious lines between Buddhists and Muslims.In 1974 the Ne Win Government's new constitution granted Arakan Division State status.

Pope Francis who had been dissuaded from using the term 'Rohingya' during his visit to Myanmar told an interfaith group in Dhaka :'The presence of God today is also called Rohingya.' Some 620,000 Rohingya refugees have fled Myanmar since August . '' In the name of all those who have persecuted you, hurt you, I ask forgiveness. I appeal to your large hearts to give us the forgiveness that we are asking,'' Pope told the Rohingya refugees.

(Writer is a former MP and Former Director General of Bangladesh Management Development Centre.)
No new bank needed

Economists, bankers oppose govt move

Kazi Zahidul Hasan :

Economists and senior bankers have opposed the government move to issue licences to new banks saying it would be detrimental to the banking industry as well as the economy as a whole.

They opined that financial health of many banks, including the nine newest ones, was deteriorating and so there was no need of new banks.

"Issuing of new banks' licences in the present situation would be detrimental to the banking industry when many banks have already plunged in crisis due to mismanagement and corruption," Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor, told The New Nation yesterday.

He said the government is going to issue licenses for new banks despite objection from the central bank. So, it is government's political decision to launch more new banks. This will not bring any good to the banking sector, says our previous experience.

"The government initiated the move for the benefit of the businessmen and influential persons," added Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.

He also said that corruption and indiscipline galore the whole banking industry. The government should restore order in the banking sector first and then think of new banks.

"The government has asked the BB to complete the primary process for issuing licences to two more private banks when the whole banking sector is in disarray for lack of proper control and irregularities," Dr Khondoker Ibrahim Khaled, former BB Deputy Governor told The New Nation yesterday.

Opposing the government's move, he said, "BB earlier issued licenses to nine private banks as per the government instruction. These banks turned insolvent within a short period due to mismanagement and corruption."

Dr Ibrahim Khaled further said, the prevailing situation is not favourable for new banks. The government should review its decision in the interest of the country's economy.

"It is not the right time to have more banks. The banking sector now stands at over saturated landscape and there is no need of new banks," Mamun Rashid, a senior banker and economic analyst, told The New Nation yesterday.

He said the government earlier approved licenses for nine private commercial banks under political consideration. The sponsors of the banks have 'miserably' failed to operate them, as they lack expertise and experience. As a result, these banks are now bleeding with default loans.

Vehemently opposing the move, Mamun Rashid said, "The government should give a second thought on issuing new bank licenses when most banks are struggling to stay afloat.

"If the government goes to issue license to new banks, it will once again create an opportunity for the vested quarter to ponder public money from the banks," he warned.

The Finance Ministry on November 15 sent a letter to the BB asking it to take measures required to issue the licences for two new banks. BB had turned down the licence requests of the two banks in September on the ground that financial health of many banks, especially the newest ones.

The BB later changed its decision after the government high-ups instructed the regulator to approve the two new banks.

Earlier, the Finance Minister AMA Muhith defended setting up of more new banks in the private sector.

"Despite giving licences to so many banks there is still a huge unbanked area. We are not very advanced that way in banking," he said it at a function in Dhaka recently.

"The BB had issued licences to nine banks in 2013 to fulfil the government's political wish and their conditions have already worsened. The government should learn from the past while allowing any new bank," Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Executive Director of the Policy Research Institute, told The New Nation.

"Fifty seven banks are now operating in Bangladesh and operation of more banks will not bring any good to the financial sector," he added.
NGO official shot dead, another youth killed

Jessore Correspondent :

An executive director of a non -government organization was shot dead in front of his residence at Block -C, New Town in Jessore at around 9:30pm on Saturday.

Another youth was stabbed to death at Jessore Collectorate ground on Friday evening.

The dead were identified as Golam Kuddus Bhiku, 50, Executive Director, non-government organization Protyasha Samaj Kalyan Sangstha and Roni Hossain, 23, son of Ali Hossain from Shankarpur in Jessore town.

Abul Kalam Azad Iku, brother of the dead told that his brother died on way to Jessore General Hospital after being shot at near his New Town based residence at around 9:30 pm on Saturday. Unidentified assailants gunned him down.

Dr Habibur Rahman, Medical Officer, Jessore General Hospital told that the NGO executive director died before he was rushed to the hospital.' He was shot at in the left chick', he added.

Abul Bashar, officer in-charge (investigation) said the police were trying the catch the assailants.

Local inhabitant Yunus Ali told that the assailants also hurled several hand bombs at the time of killing.

In another incident, miscreants stabbed to death a youth named Roni while he was gossiping with his girlfriend at Jessore Collectorate Building ground on Friday evening. He was declared dead by Doctor Saidur Rahman, medical officer, Jessore General Hospital at 6:25pm.

Sub inspector Asaduzzaman of Kotwali Police Station told journalists that suspected miscreants Firoj stabbed Roni to death at Jessore Collectorate Park in the evening.

Akhtar Hossain, friend of the dead told that three youths fled the scene stabbing Roni to the dead, his girlfriend and I were talking with each other in the evening of Friday.
Drug stores working as private hospitals

A DRUG store offering private hospital service may hear strange but it's a reality at work. A joint inspection team of Rapid Action Battalion, Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) found such drug stores are at work as private hospitals and diagnostic centres in the city on Wednesday.





They found a foul-smelling narrow corridor, housing a cluttered drug store at Mohammadpur functioning as a private hospital. It is selling unregistered and expired medicines. A pathologist with no education or training is running it. These are just the first discoveries they made during a drive against private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Mohammadpur as per a report of a local daily.





They found in the drug store unregistered drugs, including imported tetanus vaccines, and date-expired intravenous pain medications. It also didn't have any pharmacist to oversee the sales of drugs. Scrutinizing records of lab tests and other documents like licences, they said inaccurate lab tests were one of the main reasons for the poor state of the country's healthcare. Doctors and treatment methods were not wholly responsible, date expired medicines are often the main reason for treatment failure.







Going through the hospital records in another hospital, the team found that the storing and cross matching of blood were done without permission from the authorities, a criminal act that can lead to transmission of diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and malaria, even though the safe blood transfusion rules 2008 are probably the toughest and most recent of all in the health sector.





The so-called hospitals are surviving because of a vast and insidious network of brokers who wait outside public hospitals -preying on the weak and unwary. Promising them hope of better treatments they lure them to these substandard places for treatment at low cost in returns for a fat commission from the clinics. But the question remains as to how such brokers manage to find such patients? Hospital wards and corridors should not be the places where such agents should lurk- it should be an area for the patients and their medical attendants. But the laxity of security and connivance of some dishonest hospital management staff allow such brokers a firm footing in some public hospitals.





Patients come to public hospitals expecting better treatment. When such treatment is denied them these brokers are able to manipulate the weaknesses of ill patients. If they are sternly guarded against then it would not be possible for them to get any patients to be misled. So public hospital authorities have to do better work to guard against such unethical malpractices. If they do so then all these so-called hospitals working simply for profiteering will run to the ground.
PM pays tributes to Cambodian martyrs

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paying homage to Cambodian martyrs by placing wreaths at the Independent Monument on Sunday.

UNB, Phnom Penh :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid tributes and deep homage to Cambodian martyrs by placing a wreath at the Independence Monument here.

After placing the wreath, the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the martyrs. A smartly turned



out contingent drawn from three services of the Cambodian armed forces gave a static guard of honour to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, while bugle played the last post.

TheIndependence MonumentinPhnom Penh, the capital ofCambodia, was built in 1958 to memorialise Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. The lotus-shapedIndependence Monument was designed by the Cambodian architectVann Molyvann. Later, the Prime Minister paid homage to Cambodian late KingNorodom Sihanouk by laying a wreath at his memorial. After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the late King. Sheikh Hasina was given a static guard of honour by the Cambodian armed forces. Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana and other entourage of the Prime Minister were present. Sheikh Hasina later visited theTuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The museum situated in the heart ofPhnom Penh, chronicling theCambodian genocide.

Accompanied by Sheikh Rehana, the Prime Minister went round different sections of the museum and witnessed the evidence of the atrocities of theKhmer Rougeregime. The Prime Minister also signed the visitor's book kept on the premises of the museum. Director of the museum Chhay Visoth briefed them about different aspects of the museum. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Chief Coordinator on the SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office Md Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, were among others, present on the occasion. The museum is a previous high schoolwhich was used as the notoriousSecurity Prison 21 (S-21)by theKhmer Rougeregime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979.

Tuol Sleng means 'Hill of the Poisonous Trees' or 'StrychnineHill'. Tuol Sleng was just one of at least 150 execution centers established by the Khmer Rouge. On the 26 July 2010, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia convicted the chief of Tuol Sleng Prison,Kaing kek Iewfor crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Bounty declared to arrest killers of B'baria AL leader

UNB, Brahmanbaria :

The police here on Sunday declared bounty of Tk two lakh for information leading to the arrest of the killers of Swapna Akhter, women affairs secretary of Nabinagar upazila Awami League.

Additional Police Superintendent of the district (Nabinagar Circle) Chittaranjan Pal announced the bounty after visiting the victim's house.

Meanwhile, police have



managed to arrest three of the suspects while no significant advancement was visible in investigation after 11 days into the gruesome murder.

On November 22, Swapna Akhter was killed in an attack by miscreants while she was returning home at Charpara village by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw after attending a party programme.
Avijit murder charges by Feb 26: Police

Staff Reporter :

Charges in the murder case of writer-blogger Avijit Roy will be pressed before February 26 next year ahead of the third anniversary of the sensational killing, said the police.

Monirul Islam, chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, made the assurance at a press briefing in Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Media Centre on Sunday.

Three of the 11 accused in the murder case have given confessional statements, hence it can be said the mystery behind the murder was solved, the detective official said.

The killing was led by Mukul Rana, a suspect in



the Avijit murder who was killed in a "gunfight" with lawmen Khilgaon in June last year, ha said.

Charges will also be framed soon over the killings of LGBT rights activist Xulhaz Mannan, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan, and attempted on another publisher Ahmedur Rashid Tutul, said the CTTC chief.

The militants killed Dipan and also tried to kill Tutul for publishing books written by Avijit, he added.

Avijit Roy was killed in Dhaka University campus on February 26, 2015, and his wife seriously injured in a machete attack believed to be carried out by fundamentalists.
*****5-Stars on Amazon Kindle and on Goodreads GmCw=s600"/>
Alisa Coleman, the chief executive officer of Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, was elected to the board of directors of the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network at its Nov. 14 meeting in Champaign.

In her new role, Coleman will support the organization and its mission to strengthen and provide assistance and resources to its 55 member hospitals.

I am excited about working with Alisa in the coming year," ICAHN Executive Director Pat Schou said in a news release. "She has already very successfully served as our Issues Committee Chair and has a pulse on what is needed now in healthcare and almost more importantly, what is expected in the future. We greatly welcome her experience and expertise.

Her accomplishments at Ferrell Hospital include an expansion of the general surgery program, the addition of digital mammography and continuation of the pain clinic that opened in 2015.

 The Southern
Vienna High School was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from Lowe's for teaching with the Greenhouse/Outdoor Classroom Project. The use of the money has gone toward structural improvements of the greenhouse, a cooling system, hand tools, and an automatic watering system. A horticulture class has been integrated into the class schedule in order to give students the opportunity to participate in engaging, hands on experiences. Students are currently growing cool season vegetables and herbs and will be preparing for annual bedding plants, hanging baskets, and vegetables in the spring.
No exploration of the 200 years of Illinois history would be complete without a look at what preceded those two centuries.

While Illinois became a state in 1818, its story began nearly 150 years before that, in 1673, when Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette explored the Mississippi River in search of a route to the Pacific Ocean.

When the two explorers travels led them near hostile Spanish territories, they turned back and traveled along the Illinois River, finding safety among the Kaskaskia Indian tribe. Marquette founded the Mission of the Immaculate Conception, but left the mission in the hands of Father Pierre-Gabriel Marest due to Marquettes poor health.

The mission had to be moved several times due to conflicts between the Kaskaskia, Illini Confederation and the Iroquois.

Eventually, the mission planted roots at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Michigamea River, which is now known as the Kaskaskia River.

The village of Kaskaskia was established in 1703, and was mainly inhabited by French traders and their wives.

The villages fertile ground in the American Bottoms, along with its positioning at the confluence of two rivers, led it to be a hub of agriculture and trading. It also became a focal point for warring British and French during the French and Indian War.

In 1756, fearing attack, the townspeople built Fort Kaskaskia on a hill overlooking the town. The fort was then destroyed by the townspeople who feared it would fall into British control after the French lost the war.

Those who did not want to live under the impending British rule moved to St. Louis or Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The town fell to the British and was kept under control of the crown until July 4, 1778, when George Rogers Clark led an expedition of American troops into the village to liberate it. After a two-month journey over 1,000 miles, Clark and his 175 men arrived in Kaskaskia to take the area. Many of the British had been withdrawn from the area, and Clark captured the settlement without a shot being fired.

With Clark in town, residents rang the Liberty Bell of the West, which got its name that day. The bell was originally given to the Catholic Church of the Illinois Country by King Louis XV of France. The bell was cast in France in 1741, making it 11 years older than the Liberty Bell that sits in Philadelphia.

An inscription on the side of the bell reads Pour Leglise des Illinois par les Soins du Roi Doutre, which translates to for the Church of the Illinois, by gift of the King across the water.

One side of the bell is ornamented with the royal lilies of France. The other side bears a cross and pedestal, with the top and arms of the cross terminating in grouped fleur de lis.

Taking Kaskaskia was the first step in Clarks plan to capture the western headquarters of the British at Detroit.

The bell is now a tourist attraction, much like the Immaculate Conception Church that sits next door.
On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois officially became state. The capital was in Kaskaskia. And Chicago wasnt yet the states largest city.

Needless to say, a lot has changed over the past 199 years. The capital moved to Vandalia, and then to Springfield by 1837. And, by 1857, Chicago became the states largest city  as it remains today.

Today marks the beginning of the states yearlong bicentennial celebration, which will culminate on Dec. 3, 2018, with a huge gala inside the United Center in Chicago celebrating the state's 200th birthday.

On every Sunday in The Southern over the next year, we'll have a story on the front page from various newspapers throughout the state about the people, places and things that made Illinois what it is today.

Its going to be a grand celebration, according to the states bicentennial website  even as we are still recovering from more than two years without a state budget.

Regardless, Id like to see folks all over the state celebrate the great history that Illinois has to offer.

Now, I love history. I love reading about it. I love watching shows and movies about it. I love seeing the old sites around the state. I love everything about it.

In July, my family and I took a two-day trip to Springfield to see some of the historical sites in the area. I say some because two days wasnt nearly enough time to fit everything in  Im not sure four days would be enough.

And, Springfield is just the tip of the Illinois historical iceberg. You name it, this state has it.

If you like the big city, then Chicago is for you. I know many of you will disagree with me, but Chicago and its vast suburbs are wonderful places to visit. It really is  once you get past the headache-inducing traffic.

If youre into presidential history, like myself, theres plenty as well. Galena has the Ulysses S. Grant historic site. Or you can go to Dixon for Ronald Reagan's boyhood home. Theres also the Obama home in Chicago.

Oh, and dont forget about Illinois favorite president, Abraham Lincoln. Central Illinois is full of Lincoln history  the Looking for Lincoln signs and trails are amazing.

Like the outdoors? Illinois has that, too.

Obviously, Southern Illinois has some of the best outdoor adventures in all the state. The Shawnee Forest. Giant City State Park. The list can go on forever.

But theres so much else  if you ever get the chance, go see Starved Rock State Park in central Illinois. Its absolutely breathtaking.

Id also be remiss if I didnt mention Cahokia Mounds. Its perfect  and its really just a day trip for us here in Southern Illinois.

My point is that there's plenty to celebrate in Illinois. There are plenty of things to do throughout this state.

Over the past few years, this state has had very little to celebrate. Whether it was not having a budget, nasty elections or tough times in the pocketbooks of many Illinoisans, its been rough.

But heres the bottom line: Lets enjoy this celebration. Lets try to enjoy what this state has to offer.

Sure, it could be tough in the midst of the social climate that were dealing with now. In fact, it may not be easy.

But, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event to celebrate our state's 200th birthday.

Lets put our differences aside, and enjoy what we have.
Beautifully decorated homes and businesses will be on display on the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerces 2017 Tour of Homes.

Three family homes and three businesses are featured on the tour this year.

Because were the Chamber of Commerce, we try to showcase spectacular homes as well as businesses in the county, Chamber President Melinda Jackson said.

The Lee Boulevard home of Shane and Angela Burroughs, the Partridge Road home of Ashton and Erin Blue and the Five Chop Road home of David and Virginia Ginny Williams are on this years route.

Business destinations are Thee Matriarch Bed and Breakfast on Fischer Street, Parzells Cafe on Russell Street and Southern Roots on Neeses Highway.

The ending stop on the tour will be Orangeburg Country Club, where tour-goers can enjoy a cup of homemade hot chocolate made by the clubs chef, a certified chocolatier.

Century 21 The Moore Group is the tours presenting sponsor.

The tour will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. Tickets are $12 for one or $20 for two and can be purchased at the Chamber, Grove Park Pharmacy and Chestnut Grill. For more information, call the Chamber at 803-534-6821.

Shane and Angela Burroughs

Perhaps the most striking thing about Shane and Angela Burroughs decorations is the table brimming with colorful nutcrackers.

My most special decor is my German nutcrackers that I started collecting when I was 18, Angela Burroughs said.

Her parents and other loved ones and friends know that she collects nutcrackers, so she gets more and more of them every year, she said.

Thats definitely something that my four little boys love. Thats our favorite thing to do every year  get them out of their boxes one by one and remember the stories of each of them.

Angela refers to her husband as The Christmas Man for his love of the holiday.

Well, I am the Christmas Man. Thats my favorite time of the year, Shane Burroughs said.

Its the time of year where we celebrate as Christians the birth of Jesus, who saved us from all of our sins, he said.

Christmas gives everybody the opportunity to be a little happier, to be a little more generous, and if every day were like Christmas, the world would be a better place, Shane said.

His wife ribs him a little about getting ready for Christmas early.

A little before Halloween, I start listening to Christmas music, he said. And it gets me in the spirit, and I think we ought to be able to listen to Christmas music year-round. Thats my vote.

Ashton and Erin Blue

Ashton and Erin Blue are new to Orangeburg.

We just moved here in August, Erin Blue said. And Linda Fisher was our realtor, and so she found this house for us.

She said they moved from Charlotte and didnt know anyone in the area so Fisher suggested participating in the tour.

She thought that since our house was cute and we were new, this would be a good way to meet people, Erin said.

She said that she and husband dont have a lot of decorations since theyve only been married for two years and this is their first house.

But some of it is stuff from my mom. I lived in England for a while, so I have little knick-knacks, some antiques and stuff, Erin said.

David and Ginny Williams

David and Ginny Williams live in the home of his late grandparents, Sen. Marshall and Margaret Williams.

Our decoration is obviously kid-friendly. Weve got three young children, David Williams said. If weve got too extravagant decorations, theyd all be broken and on the floor.

He said they made the decorations kid-friendly, and they had a lot of fun with it.

Youll see a bunch of different decorations the kids have made, decorations weve collected over the years, including stuff that my mother had given us, David said.

And were very proud of the very eclectic nature of gifts that weve got, he said.

Ginny said she wanted the decorations to be homey and reflect their family.

We just wanted to make it look like our home and how we would have it decorated with our family here, Ginny Williams said. So we used pieces from his family, pieces from my family and some that were created by us.

Thee Matriarch Bed and Breakfast

The elegantly decorated rooms of Thee Matriarch Bed and Breakfast are themed after community matriarchs, owner Rachelle Jamerson-Holmes said.

The name Thee Matriarch is because every family has one, she said. And every matriarch in every family holds the wisdom, holds the key, and theyre the one that everybody in the family goes to for everything.

And so, to pay homage to those women in my life and my husbands life ... each room is named, designed and themed for a matriarch, Jamerson-Holmes said.

Each room is different because each woman is different, she said.

Lily of the Valley is named for her grandmother, Lil and Marthas Vineyard for her great-grandmother, Martha Huggins.

Then we have Rosetta Holmes, who is my husbands mother, Jamerson-Holmes said.

She said its fitting because her husband, Fred Holmes, is the chef at Thee Matriarch, and his mother taught him to cook at the age of 9.

Queen Bee is named for Jamerson-Holmes mother, Brenda Jamerson.

Upstairs, there is Florence of Italy, named for her great-grandmother, Florence and her husbands grandmother, Florine. Out of Africa is for Mother Africa, she said, but also for herself since she is the matriarch of her business ventures.

And there is The Pillar, a second-floor den space and veranda, named for community activist the late Geraldine Zimmerman.

Everyone knows Mrs. Z, she said. She was the pillar of our community.

Jamerson-Holmes boutique, Rachelles Island, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, she said.
GREENVILLE  The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities invites young artists from across the state to apply to the public, residential high school and summer programs for the 2018-2019 school year. As a state-funded public school, tuition is free, while students assume meal plan and residence hall fee costs. The Governor's School for the Arts Foundation provides scholarships to cover these costs for students who have a proven financial need. Apply online or become a donor at www.scgsah.org.

Any South Carolina resident in 6th through 11th grade is eligible to apply to various age-appropriate programs in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. The application deadline is January 5, 2018, but applicants who submit a completed application by November 30, 2017, will receive an application fee waiver: http://www.scgsah.org/apply.php.

"We are seeking students who have a passion for their art, who are self-motivated, and driven to pushing their talents further in the pursuit of finding their artistic voice and, potentially, a future career in the arts," said Dr. Cedric Adderley, Governor's School for the Arts president.

In the S.C. Governor's School for the Arts residential high school program, located in Greenville, students receive pre-professional training in their art area while gaining a nationally-recognized academic education that meets the requirements for a South Carolina high school diploma. The high school serves a maximum of 242 students who are mostly juniors and seniors, with some sophomores in the dance and music departments.

"Our high school students come from all walks of life and some have had no formal arts training prior to attending the Governor's School," said Dr. Adderley. "When they leave here, they are formally-trained artists and scholars in the humanities, many of whom will have already been acknowledged by national organizations for their talent. They're accepted into the best colleges, universities and conservatories in the nation, and on scholarship." The 102 students in the graduating class of 2017 received over $36 million dollars in scholarships, breaking the school's record.

The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities' Summer Academy and Summer Discovery programs provide students with two weeks of intensive study in creative writing, drama, music and visual arts. The Discovery program serves rising 9th-grade students and will run June 17 through 30. The Academy program serves rising 10th-grade students and will run July 8 through 21.

The Governor's School also offers a five-week Summer Dance program for 7th through 12th grade students who receive pre-professional training in classical ballet and modern dance.

Interested individuals can learn more or apply online at www.scgsah.org.
The Beta Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. provided a group of children with backpacks filled with supplies and healthy foods as part of its commitment to community service.

Members of the sorority gathered Nov. 21 at the Orangeburg Area Boys & Girls Zimmerman Youth Center on Peasley Street in Orangeburg to distribute 75 backpacks to children participating in the after-school program there.

"Our international office in Chicago, Illinois has an initiative named One Million Backpacks in which we provide a backpack filled with school supplies to students in the community who are in need," sorority member Janelle Mitchell said.

Mitchell is also chairman of the local chapter's Target III: Family Strengthening initiative, through which the sorority provides snack packs and/or canned food drives to combat childhood hunger.

"We combined the two initiatives to have a greater impact on these students who will go home for Thanksgiving break and have supplies to do their homework and return to school with the necessary tools for learning," she said, noting that the food items would hopefully put a dent in the hunger many children may experience over the weekend.

Imani Jabrea Haygood, a fourth-grade student at Mellichamp Elementary in Orangeburg, was among those receiving a backpack and food. She thanked sorority members for their generosity.

"We appreciate what you all did to help us have a great Thanksgiving," Haygood said.

The international theme for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. is Launching New Dimensions of Service, which is being carried out under the leadership of International President Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson.

Evelyn Singleton is president of the local Beta Zeta Omega Chapter of AKA Sorority Inc. Dr. Lana Williams serves as vice president.
Jimmy Jones' family was present with him Thursday night at the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce banquet.

But not one person let out a peep about what was in store for the president and owner of Jimmy Jones Toyota/Polaris.

Afterward, Jones said he had no clue he was about to win the chambers 2017 Small Business/Person of the Year award.

Somebody kept a good secret, he said.

Jones was recognized to some joyous whooos and a standing ovation during the banquet, which was held at The Cinema.

"Orangeburg has been great," Jones said. "We have been here three years. The community has been great. The chamber has been great."

"We try to do the best we can do to give back to the community and I think that is what a lot of this award is about tonight is trying to take care of the community and to take care of the people in the community," he said. "We hope we can continue to do that."

The award is sponsored annually by First Citizens Bank.

To qualify for the award, the business needs to meet five criteria: ethical conduct, respect in the community, recognition for benefiting the community, leadership through improving the local business climate and membership in the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce.

A native of eastern North Carolina, Jones graduated from high school in 1993.

After high school graduation in 1993, he sold vacuum cleaners. He sold one to a man who worked at a Ford dealership in Greenville, N.C.

Jones ended up working at the Ford store for about a year, then joined a Toyota dealership in the same town to sell cars.

In 1998, he left for a Toyota dealership in Goldsboro, N.C., eventually becoming its general sales manager.

Later, Hubert Vester Toyota-Scion in the neighboring town of Wilson, N.C. needed someone with Toyota experience and hired Jones as general manager. He held the position until he came to Orangeburg.

During his tenure with Toyota, Jones has helped to rebuild and maintain successful dealer operations in sales, parts, service and customer satisfaction.

As a sales manager, general manager and owner, his teams have earned the Toyota Presidents Award each and every year. The award is Toyota's highest.

Jones has served two consecutive terms on the Southeast Toyota Dealer Council and was named one of the top 40 under 40 automotive professionals in the country by the national publication "Automotive News."

Jones also currently serves on the Southeast Toyota Dealer Advertising Council.

Since his arrival in Orangeburg in 2014, Jones' team has won the Toyota Presidents Award for three consecutive years.

In 2016, Jimmy Jones Toyota of Orangeburg ranked fourth out of 178 Southeast Toyota Dealers in their SET Dealer Elite program. This program measures each dealership in percentage of new car objective as well as sales and service retention. They also finished sixth in 2015.

As a business owner, Jones has served on the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Automotive Advisory Board, Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Board, as chairman of The One Orangeburg County Initiative's Gateway Task Force and on other committees within the county.

As the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 Teacher of the Year car program sponsor, the dealership provides the use of a new Toyota to the teacher of the year. The dealership also supports the MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, Orangeburg County Christmas Parade, Toys for Tots book bags for the Back to School Bash and other efforts.

Beyond his business experience, Jones was a member of the North Carolina National Guard.

He attended Fort Jackson in Columbia for basic training and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for advanced training.

Jones has been married to his wife, Cecilia, for 22 years and has two sons. Cameron, his oldest son, is a freshman at Charleston Southern University and his youngest son, Carson, is in the eighth grade.
The trade balance between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland amounted to 3.2 billion Swiss Francs ($3.5 billion), with exports to the Kingdom that totalled 2.8 billion Swiss Francs and 440 million Swiss Francs of imports, a top official said.



The main types of exports to Saudi Arabia are pharmaceuticals, precious stones, jewellery, machines, clocks and coffee, added Heinrich Schellenberg, Ambassador of Switzerland to Saudi Arabia.



Schellenberg was speaking at a meeting of a delegation of Swiss Businesswomen with a number of Saudi businessmen and businesswomen in Jeddah to explore potential commercial and investment opportunities in the Kingdom.



There are more than 100 Swiss companies already doing business in Saudi Arabia that employ and transfer knowledge to young Saudis, noted Schellenberg, stressing that his country looks forward to further cooperation and stronger ties between the two countries.



Furthermore, the ambassador pointed out that the Swiss businesswomen delegations visit aims to explore ways and aspects of cooperation with companies in Saudi Arabia, currently Switzerland's second trading partner in the Mena region after the United Arab Emirates.



The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland in various fields.



Sheikh Khaled Juffali, Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Jeddah, hailed the positive and fruitful meetings carried out by the Swiss Businesswomen delegation. He noted that both sides agreed on the importance of reinforcing the existing cooperation between them in light of the distinguished relations between the two countries leaderships.



The Swiss Businesswomen delegation included representatives of key Swiss commercial and industrial sectors, notably, medical products, public relations, event management, tourism and others.  TradeArabia News Service
Biesse Group, the regional subsidiary of the global leader in wood, glass, stone, plastic, and metal processing technology, has opened its regional headquarters for the Middle East in Dubai Silicon Oasis, a free zone technology park.



A three-day event marked the launch of the new facility showcasing Made-in-Biesse technology solutions and offering visitors a chance to interact with experts in the field, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.



Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, deputy CEO, Operations and Client Affairs, at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), said: "Growing bilateral trade shows that Italy is one of the most important trading partners of the UAE in the European Union today, with the country counting amongst Italy's primary trade partners in the Arab region.



The UAE Ministry of Economy revealed that non-oil trade between the two countries reached about $8.2 billion in 2016, up from $7.8 billion in 2015. Biesse Group is the 39th Italian company to choose Dubai Silicon Oasis as its regional operations base, and we are confident the latest addition to our hi-tech park will significantly benefit from available offerings at our Light Industrial Units complex."



Renato Manganelli, Biesse Middle East managing director said: "Our new facility enables us to provide our customers with continuous training, enhance our support services, and maintain a significant stockpile of spare parts in Dubai. In fact, our desire to provide first-class services to our large customer base in the region is a crucial reason for our decision to make this important investment.



Our support will soon reach an advanced level of efficiency with the deployment of Sophia, our innovative IoT platform. We are confident these varied elements will give us an important advantage over our competitors."
Iran has invested about $1 billion on developing the first phase of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar, according to a senior official from the port.



Chabahar Port enjoys a high geopolitical status in transit and transshipment to Central Asian states and Afghanistan at the lowest price, Behrouz Baqaei, general manager of Sistan-Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Department, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily News report, citing IRNA.



With the launching of the first phase of Shahid Beheshti Port, he noted, 100,000-tonne ship will be able to call at the port.



Baqaei stated that the development project of the port is in its final stages and President Hassan Rouhani will visit Chabahar to inaugurate it in the near future.



India has committed $500 million to Chabahar Port to open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan, as well as the resource-rich countries of Central Asia.



New Delhi plans to send seven shipments of wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar until the end of January.



Chabahar Port, located in the Sistan-Baluchestan Province, lies outside the Gulf and can be easily accessed from India's western coast, added the report.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract worth Dh193 million ($53 million) for the improvement of Al Awir Road, Entrance of International City (Phase Two) project in the emirate.



The project, which involves upgrading of three intersections and widening of Al Manama Street, has been undertaken in collaboration with Nakheel, the master developer of the International City, said a statement from RTA.



This comes following the traffic impacts study commissioned for the International City and the Dragon Mart, especially after the opening of the extension of the Dragon Mart and the anticipated snarls in the area, it added.



Mattar Al Tayer, the director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, said: "Phase Two of the project encompasses improvements of Al Manama Street and upgrading its intersections, namely Al Manama Street-Nouakchott Street, Al Manama Street-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Al Manama Street-414 Street (main entrance of the International City)."



The scope of work for the Al Manama Street-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road intersection upgrade includes widening the flyover passing over Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from three to four lanes in each direction to help increase the capacity of the bridge from 4,500 vehicles per hour to 6,000.



"It also covers increasing the number of lanes of slipways extending from Ras Al Khor Road to Sharjah, and from the International City to Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi, from one lane to two lanes," explained Al Tayer.



"Works also include widening Al Manama Street in the area between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and the entrance of the International City from three to six lanes in each direction," he added.



According to him, Al Manama Street will also be widened in the sector from the entrance of the International City to the Academic City Street from two to five lanes in each direction.



"Phase Two of the project includes upgrading the intersection of Al Manama Street with the entrance of the International City by converting it into a surface signalised junction enabling free movement in all directions," he stated.



Works include constructing a flyover of three lanes in each direction to allow traffic to cross freely over Al Manama Street, he added.



RTA said it began work on the Phase One of Al Awir Road and Entrance of the International City Improvement Project early last year.



More than 75 per cent of the project has been completed and is on track for opening in the first quarter of 2018.



Phase One of the project includes improvement works of Al Awir Road starting from the intersection of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to the roundabout of the Academic City Street, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Global companies will connect with distributors, retailers, and import-export companies as well as consumers in the region at the upcoming Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo, to be held later this month, in Dubai, UAE.



The event which has been running for 15 years, will take place from December 11 to 13, at the Dubai World Trade Center.



The expo is being held under patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and is supported by International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).



The exhibition is the only organic and natural trade show in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) embracing the growing trend of natural and organic way of living and acting as the perfect platform for global brands to reach growing consumers, said a statement.



For the consumer, this is the best place to explore the latest buzzworthy brands and discover next best sellers of natural and organic products; fewer pesticides, more nutritional value and to gain overall boost in organic and natural lifestyle, it said.



The natural and organic trend has been on the rise in the Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia with a market share so large it is projected to grow up to $18.4 billion by 2022. Whereas, the natural personal care and beauty sector is growing by 20 per cent per annum, it added.



The event brings together the finest products from around the globe across key sectors such as food and beverages, health, beauty, living and environment. This year, the expo is showcasing around 5000+ products of which more than 50 per cent are new to the market by suppliers from over 50 countries, including 10 country pavilions, returning from the previous year such as Ukraine, Philippines Turkey and Ghana and first-time pavilions include Sri Lanka, Greece, Armenia, and Malaysia, said a statement.



This year expo is expected to be visited by over 6500 trade visitors and thousands of organic and natural fanatics from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and even from Eastern Europe and South-East Asia.  TradeArabia News Service
Citymax Hotels, part of the hospitality division of Landmark Group, made its debut in the historic city of Aswan in Egypt with the soft opening of Citymax Hotel Aswan last week.



Owned by Egypt Holland for Touristic Investments, this 4-star hotel is superbly located in Kornish Al Nile in close proximity to Aswans key tourist attractions. The hotel features 79 rooms equipped with all modern comforts and amenities.



Russel Sharpe, COO, Citymax Hotels, stated: It is exciting to open our first hotel outside the UAE and underpins our commitment to grow our portfolio in the region. Aswan is a prominent city in Egypt and has tremendous potential for growth.



We are delighted to enter the destination at this strategic time. Citymax Hotel Aswan is a beautiful property, conveniently located for both business and leisure travellers. Designed for todays travellers, it offers its guests a comfortable and affordable stay with all the little extras that make a difference  be it the free connectivity, extra value or space. At Citymax Hotels we go beyond service to create memorable experiences.



Citymax Hotel Aswan boasts outstanding leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool and cafe, sauna, Jacuzzi and an all-day-dining restaurant. Decorated in contemporary style, some rooms offer beautiful Nile river views while others overlook the city landscape.



Aswan is Egypts third largest city and an important administrative, commercial and touristic centre situated at the foot of the Nile Valley. Home to many granite quarries, it was the ancient Egyptians gateway to Africa. While there is a lot to see here, it a place where one can truly relax.

The river flows gently down from Lake Nasser around dramatic black-granite boulders and palm-studded islands. Colourful Nubian villages run down to the water and stand out against the backdrop of the west banks desert. EgyptAir runs daily flights from Cairo to Aswan and back. It is also well connected by train, road and sea.  TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain national carrier Gulf Air recently celebrated Bahraini Womens Day with a company-wide event held at its Muharraq headquarters on November 29.



This year, Bahraini Womens Day focused on Bahraini women in the field of engineering, recognising their contribution to this key sector. As such, Gulf Airs event honoured the female Bahraini employees working in its engineering division. The Bahraini women that were recognised in the event included: Hameeda Mohamed Sharif, controller engineering publications and modification; Maryam Isa Ali, Technical Records officer; Mardheya A.Majeed Mosawi, Repair Specialist; Eman Hameed Mandeel, aircraft maintenance supervisor; Batool Adnan AlQassab, aircraft maintenance technician; Buthaina Abdullatif AlGhunaim, aircraft maintenance technician; Sameera Abdulla Jamal, controller engineering publications and modification; Ameera Mohamed Aljasim, administration assistant; Maryam Faisal Ali, assistant planner; and Amal Husain AlHoori, project engineer.



Gulf Air has been a pioneer in encouraging and offering targeted training and career development opportunities to its workforce  thereby ensuring it facilitates and supports a range of career opportunities within the aviation industry. With 36 per cent female personnel, the airlines female workforce represents all Gulf Air divisions, ranks and levels of expertise.



Bahraini Womens Day is celebrated annually on December 1 as part of an initiative by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) to honour the achievements and valuable insights and contribution made by Bahraini women towards the development and progress of the Kingdom of Bahrain. - TradeArabia News Service
Wayne and Myrna Brautigam moved up to Wyoming for retirement when Fort Collins started to get too busy. They bought a 10-acre plot in the prairie and built a home and a shop where Wayne could work on cars. Its about 20 minutes outside of Cheyenne in a subdivision with wheat fields on its edges and water from a well.

And an oil field creeping up to their front door.

Industry wasnt always one of their nearest neighbors. Oil and gas production in Laramie County never produced much, not compared to the success of the Powder River Basin to the north or the gas fields to the east.

Now the Denver Basin, where the Brautigams home is located, is an up and coming field, and the couple is grappling with the unexpected baggage that the states main economic driver carries behind it. They dont like the flaring or the muddy roads with heavy truck traffic, however courteous the drivers may be. Most recently, a common practice in the oil and gas fields has them alarmed, along with a number of their neighbors.

The largest operator in the basin, EOG Resources, has proposed a number of injection wells under a mile from two subdivisions, Triple Crown Estates and Durham. The wells would be used to pump oil and gas waste water thousands of feet beneath the surface into the Sussex aquifer, a waterlogged band of fine to medium grade sandstone bound by shale.

The proposals by EOG have not been approved yet. A public comment period ends this week, and a number of locals are weighing in, asking the state to keep the injection wells away from their houses which rely on well water.

State regulators say their rules dictate safe construction and neither the well nor the aquifer will leak toxins if done correctly. Federal regulators have to give the okay to allow waste water in a potential water source and are considering the one proposal thats made it to them so far. The company says its committed to doing this safely and has a track record to back them up.

But landowners find themselves in a familiar conundrum in Wyoming: the tense balance between the economic boon of jobs and revenue associated with the oil and gas fields and the impact those industries have on nearby homes and long-term resources.

Buried deep

Cheyenne gets about 70 percent of its water from surface sources like reservoirs and lakes. The remaining 30 percent is pumped up from a number wells that go about 400 to 450 feet beneath the surface.

The oil and gas injection wells, by contrast, go down more than 5,000 feet. Thats where the Sussex lies.

I cannot imagine a situation where we would try to go that deep for drinking water. It is just not feasible (with todays technology), said Bruce Hattig, engineering and water resource manager for Cheyenne.

Upward migration of toxins or leaks can be a concern, but thats why there are state rules to build wells properly and investigate the geology, Hattig said.

He trusts the regulators to judge where the injection wells are safe to operate.

Of course we are interested, he said. But the key is that it is going through the appropriate review processes.

Tapping the Denver





Few would feel confident saying that Wyomings current oil and gas market is booming after the bust of the last few years. But relative to its history, the Denver Basin is on the rise.

The challenges landowners perched on the edge of the Triple Crown Estate are facing are a side effect of an oil and gas success story welcome to many in a state still reeling from lost jobs and tax money.

The downturn reduced revenue streams at the state and local level to a trickle as production declined and what was pumped out of the ground was sold at a lower price. Many large companies left to focus on profitable assets in Texas or the Midwest. But EOG stuck around, drilling through the bottom of the bust.

The firm began constructing long lateral wells in a new band of rock in the Denver Basin about four years ago, and their strategies have revolutionized the basin despite the downturn.

Compared to five years ago, production from the top five operators in Laramie County had increased by 545 percent in 2016.

In regard to environmental and health concerns, the company has a good track record nationally.

Creighton Welch, a spokesman for the company, said EOGs 300 Wyoming employees live and work in these areas too, and are also concerned that there are safeguards against pollution.

The company will follow the rules prescribed by the state to protect groundwater, from the permitting phase to ongoing monitoring, he said.

Risks and rules

The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission hasnt approved or denied these proposals yet. Tom Kropatsch, deputy supervisor for the commission, maintained that many of the public comments thus far introduce concerns that are covered by the rules.

The OGCC requires baseline water testing, which EOG did on the Brautigams place years back. It also has strict rules for how the injection wells are constructed, Kropatsch said.

Before regulators allow a company to inject produced water, they analyze the rock formation to judge whether the rock can contain potential toxins and whether it would be economically feasible to be used as a water source at some time in the future, Kropatsch said.

And they know quite a bit about the rock above and below the Sussex, he said. The Pierre Shale is about 3,000 feet thick above and 2,650 feet thick below the aquifer. The produced water wont get out of there, he said.

The Commission has authority over injection wells, but drinking water is governed by the Environmental Protection Agencys office in Denver.

If the state decides to allow EOGs injection wells, it has to send off an aquifer exemption request to the EPA proving that the produced water wont migrate out and pollute other formations or move up and taint water wells.

The exemptions dont apply to the entire aquifer. One of EOGs requests is for the state and federal regulators to expand an existing injection zone because the planned volume of fluid will likely push beyond the borders originally requested.

The federal agency, particularly in the Denver region, has made drinking water one of its top priorities under the Trump Administration, the new head, Doug Benevento, said in a recent interview with the Star-Tribune. The Sussex is designated as a U.S. Drinking Water source, the agency confirmed.

A spokesman said the regional office had received one aquifer exemption request so far from EOGs proposed wells and sent it back to the company with a request for more data.

We have requested that the operator re-evaluate the area that may be impacted by injection activities, re-evaluate the location of drinking water wells in the revised area, and update any information that may change in the application due to changes in the supplemental information requested, said EPA spokesman Richard Mylott, in an email.

Unconvinced

Some locals, however, say injection wells are more dangerous than the state makes them out to be. Casings fail, concrete deteriorates and people make mistakes.

An accident can happen, and they are going to say oops we contaminated all this drinking water and we dont know how to fix it now, said Brautigam, the landowner.

His issue is that the water locals use for wells is closer to the surface, and these proposed injection wells, some within a mile of the houses, have to drill through that water zone.

For others, there are ongoing concerns with how the state regulates the oil and gas industry, relying on companies like EOG to provide data in regard to potential impacts of their production.

EOG could pump up to 25,000 barrels of produced water into the aquifer per day, and since the area isnt as historically developed as other basins, there is a lot the state doesnt know about whats underground, some say.

We need some data in order to justify whether that is a good decision, said Jill Morrison, organizer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council. What is the water quality of the Sussex across a large area? What can it produce? Is it the future drinking water supply?

She, and others, also disagree with the states confidence about the rocks ability to contain the salty water and flow back fluid within the Sussex.

Some see the economic benefit of whats happening in the Denver Basin, said Casey Quinn, a member of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, based in Cheyenne. Others are worried and confused by the rules and regulations, what companies can do and what the risks are, Quinn said.

When development was far from houses, people didnt have to pay attention to regulations, public comment periods or aquifer pollution, he said. Now they do.

Brautigam, the landowner, wants a public hearing on the injection wells, which he believes should be moved farther from the subdivision. He said he knows there are limits to what landowners can do about the growth of the oil field, but he doesnt like the direction its going.

It will start to look like Houston here before too long, he said. No trees, but pretty oil wells all around.
CHEYENNE  Halladay Subaru has generously donated $10,000 to Climb Wyoming to help create brighter futures for struggling single mothers and their families across Wyoming. Climb is a statewide nonprofit whose mission is for low-income single mothers to discover self-sufficiency through career training and placement. The funds will be used for Climbs comprehensive program of job training and placement, mental health counseling and life skills trainings for low-income single mother families in the area.

We appreciate this generous donation from Halladay Subaru, said Ray Fleming Dinneen, Climb founder and executive director. In Wyoming, 48 percent of single mother families with children under the age of 5 live in poverty in 2015. We are very grateful that Halladay Subaru recognizes this need and is able to support us through this donation.

The team at Climb Wyoming makes an incredible, life-changing impact on the lives of the women who enter their program. And the women who complete their program, after overcoming so much, are an inspiration. We are proud of our partnership with Climb Wyoming, and excited to help them bring their services to more women in need, said Jim Casey, vice president/general manager of Halladay Auto Group.
Christ Episcopal Church, 415 W. Cedar in Glenrock, will hold the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols at 9:30 a.m., on Sunday, Dec. 3. Join us for Advent music and Scripture on the first Sunday of Advent. For info, call Deacon Leigh at 258-2524. The Episcopal Church welcomes you.
The states cities and towns need more reliable sources of income, according to the executive director of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities.

Wyomings local governments have limited means of raising funds, which leave them largely dependent on appropriations from the state Legislature, Rick Kaysen told the Casper City Council on Tuesday. Given that the states boom-or-bust economy relies heavily on the energy market, local leaders are often uncertain about the level of funding they can expect to receive.

This is why the association is recommending the Legislature revise tax laws to give local governments more taxing authority, explained Kaysen.

I know talking about taxes in Wyoming is pretty taboo, especially when youre talking increases, but the economic climate has changed, he remarked.

The association is also suggesting that the cap for severance tax be increased from $155 to $214 million, and that the cap for federal mineral royalties be raised from $200 to $275 million, said Kaysen. In addition to raising funds for local governments, this increase could also benefit state agencies, like the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Legislators should also consider increasing the state-wide sales tax from 4 to 5 percent, and cutting any of the states 39 tax exemptions that are not found to support economic development, said the director. Nearby states only have about 14 tax exemptions.

But given that these changes wont happen overnight, Kaysen said the association is asking the Legislature to secure about $105 million for city and county governments. This is the standard amount generally allotted and would ensure local leaders could continue to provide services for their constituents.

City leaders have recently worried that this state funding might be reduced, as Wyoming continues to collect low tax revenue due to down energy prices.

Explaining he suspects the funding will be cut, Councilman Dallas Laird asked the director Tuesday if he had a gut feeling about what lawmakers will decide.

Kaysen said he was cautiously optimistic that municipalities will be allotted the requested $105 million, but also urged council members to contact state representatives about this issue.

Legislators like to hear from local folks, he added.

Laird then asked what the association is doing to help local governments prepare in case the funding is reduced.

Municipalities have already been trimming back expenses due to the economic downturn, and will continue to do so if the money doesnt come through, explained Kaysen. The association also offers various budgeting workshops and programs to help with these efforts.
Teens waited nervously in the hall outside the judging room, holding folders and binders of their costume designs for the Wyoming State High School Drama Competition. A pair spun and jumped in unison as they rehearsed a scene one more time before performing on Friday for judges.

More than 650 high school students from around Wyoming packed the Casper College theater building and a few other spaces around campus Thursday to Saturday for the state drama event. Between competitions, they participated in workshops with experts including college instructors and professionals from around the country.

Casper hosted the event for the first time since 2010, said Natrona County High School drama teacher Zach Schneider. State drama gives students a chance to compete and learn from judges as well as audition for theater scholarships and other opportunities, he said. This year, the event featured workshops for the first time. The sessions gave more time for students to work on skills with professionals, including a Broadway choreographer and instructor from The New York University Tisch School of the Arts, one of the premier acting schools in the country, he added.

What we want is more of an educational foundation. Competition is vital  kids learn a lot from competing, Schneider said. But theres nothing like having a college instructor or a professional in the business teach you what you need to know.

In the main Casper College dance studio, students mirrored movements of Brian Martin and Bradley Zarr from Broadway-integrated training program Open Jar in New York City. The students spun and stepped with the instructors at their workshop, called Broadway Bootcamp.

OK, lets go through that with music, Martin said. The theme song from the musical Hairspray pumped through the room as the students stepped, spun and moved their arms in time to the music.

Senior Jacob Muntzer from Laramie said he enjoyed a rare opportunity to work with a professional in the business, he said.

It turns out hes from Broadway, and I want to get on Broadway somehow, he said.

Zarr also held a master class and audition last weekend for one scholarship to the schools summer institute.

Senior Emma Tinsley from Sundance looked forward on Friday to auditioning for the opportunity the next morning. She learned about the opportunity when she arrived at state drama and started practicing one of favorite Broadway songs in her downtime, she said.

She spent much of Friday on her entry for the fantasy makeup design competition, which called for students to create designs based on the theme, inanimate objects and childhood nightmares. Her design she applied to a model and presented to judges was a murderous Pinocchio who hadnt been turned into a real boy, so he killed boys and attached pieces of their flesh to his face, she said.

Shes considering a career in theater, likely on the technical side, like costume and design, she said. So she spends a lot of time preparing and enjoyed learning more during the competition. One of the best parts for her was being around so many other students with common interests, because she comes from a small school.

To come here and be able to have conversations with people about musicals and costume and stuff is really cool, she said.

Students on Friday spent two hours on their makeup designs before presenting them to judges. Natrona County High School junior Zaylie Johnson affixed patches of fuzz to her face, along with a dangling button eye for the concept of a teddy bear absorbing a child for her fantasy makeup design. The idea came from a story she wrote about old toys taking over the bodies of children whod abandoned them. Afterward, she said the judges gave her helpful tips, including making the button eye pop out more, she said.

Senior Morgan Pennington from Worland High School was a little nervous as she waited in a hallway to present her costume design project to judges. This year shes in fourth year costume design, so the entry required her to design costumes for every character in a play. Her project included 17 costumes for a mystery set in 1950s called Murder at the Malt Shop. Her binder included her sketches of figures in each costume and descriptions she wrote about her decisions.

Shes taken first place twice in costume categories in previous years. She took third last year after not including a required chart of what costumes characters wear in which scenes. This year, she reviewed the rules extra carefully to make sure she had everything she needed, and hoped to do better. Shes taken tips from past judges, including drawing faces on her figures, because that gives them more expression, she said.

Maeve Knepper and Chris Housand from Cheyenne East found an open space in a hallway and ran through a scene from the play Bottoms Up just before the varsity duet competition. Both also competed in other acting and technical theater categories over the weekend. Hosuand enjoyed talking with the judges after a critique in lighting design this year. One even drew him a diagram to explain a lighting setup, he said.

The students at state drama are learning skills theyll need for a competitive business, as well as professional skills thatll apply to any career, Schneider said.

Something like this is vital to give these kids 21st century job skills of getting up and presenting themselves, Schneider said. These are skills theyll use in job interviews wherever they go and its important because its creative and theyre passionate about it, and we need that more in schools.
Some Wyoming class sizes would increase while teacher salaries would remain largely the same under a school funding proposal presented to lawmakers Thursday.

The proposal  created by education consultants Augenblick, Palaich and Associates  was a first look at what Wyoming could have as a new funding model come the spring. Lawmakers, together with the consultants, have been working since the spring on recalibration, a process through which the state examines its educational program and how it pays for it.

The consultants did not provide a cost-estimate for their recommendations. Theyll collect feedback on the proposals before submitting another draft by Dec. 15 and a final report by Jan. 12. The Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, which oversees the process and the consultants, will meet for the final time in late January, a few weeks before the legislative session begins.

Because its essentially a draft of a draft, the report presented Thursday may change by the time its considered by the committee. Still, it provided an idea of the types of changes Wyomings education system could be facing.

Recalibration typically occurs every five years, but lawmakers called the broad review to be moved up from 2020 to this year as the state tries to grapple with its education funding shortfall.

What was presented showed the fruits of that review. The consultants recommendations would increase the overall student-to-teacher ratio from 15-to-1 to 17 to 1. The most significant jump would be in fourth and fifth grade, which would have 23 students per class compared to the 16 that the current model calls for.

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, a Laramie Democrat, acknowledged that many districts dont meet the classroom size ratio that the state expects. But some do, he said, like his own Albany County School District.

The districts that stayed closer to the model would be somewhat punished by this move, he said: They would see their classroom sizes go up while their salaries would stay the same. Bigger classes would mean too many teachers.

He suggested the 23-student classroom ratio recommendation came from conversations with educators around the state, rather than a research-supported proposition.

Im a little concerned that that isnt in-depth enough, Rothfuss told the consultants. Its not enough of a justification. ... I think that would probably eliminate 10 percent of our teachers at that staffing ratio.

Indeed, in a vacuum, those class size increases would suggest a significant funding cut to schools. But the consultants draft also includes a recommendation for keeping teachers salaries as they are actually paid, which is typically more than what the state expects.

Districts receive their funding in a block grant that largely gives them latitude to spend money as they see fit. The districts generally pay their teachers more than what is called for in the model in order to keep teachers in Wyoming. As a tradeoff, they usually employ fewer teachers and have slightly larger class sizes than the state expects.

The consultants would end that tradeoff. The proposal would give districts more money for salaries, to match what teachers are actually being paid. The districts would also be given less money for class sizes, to match how large the classes actually are.

Its not that people are way overpaying salaries, Donna Little-Kaumo, the superintendent of Sweetwater County School District No. 2, told lawmakers. Because $42,000 as a business manager or $38,000 for a teacher is not going to cut it in Green River, Ill tell you that.

Comparing models

To arrive at their recommendations, the consultants studied the current model  known as the legislative model  and compared it to other potential models. One, known as the professional judgment approach, convenes panels of educators and experts, who then make recommendations for resources to deliver a quality education. The second, called successful schools, studies the best schools in the state, determines how theyre spending their resources and then applies that standard statewide.

A combination of the three analyses led to the consultants recommendations, they said.

We did look at the places that are doing well and what their actual class sizes were, and they were in line with what the range is there, consultant Amanda Brown told Sen. Dave Kinskey, a Sheridan Republican.

In addition to salaries and class size proposals, the draft recommendation would increase funding for instructional facilitators  which the Legislature slashed last winter; provide funding for nurses; change how attendance  a key driver of funding  is calculated to make it more uniform; provide health insurance as it is now; provide half-day preschool programs for all 4-year-olds; continue funding special education similarly with some more oversight; encourage more state oversight to cut back on transportation costs; and more.

Cost unknown

Whats missing in the proposal is cost.

Do you know if thats going to be a wash? Kinskey asked Brown, meaning if the salary changes would be offset by the class size increases. Brown replied that information would be available when the salary analysis was completed.

Though Rothfuss was concerned by the classroom size changes, he said in an interview after the meeting that he thought many of the recommendations were pretty good and that he guessed the recommendation was roughly equal to the cost of the current model.

Donna Little-Kaumo, the superintendent of Sweetwater County School District No. 2, said she had no idea what the proposal would cost the state. She said some of the draft was OK, but she said that the analysis from the meetings  which showed that Wyoming spends similarly to its neighbors  indicated that its current funding model was both cost-effective and relatively efficient.

The cost is important: While recalibration cannot legally be used as a vehicle for education cuts, its hard to extricate the process from reductions. Normally, the process takes place every five years. Last completed in 2015, it was called early this year as the state grapples with a large education funding shortfall.

Educators and some legislators have warned that calling recalibration early as an implicit way to slash schools budgets is a gamble. Legally, the consultants and lawmakers must first determine what constitutes an adequate and equitable education and then, with that determination in hand, decide how much money is needed to provide that schooling.

Thus theres a chance recalibration could result in a more expensive model. Of course, consultants could recommend a cheaper one as well, but the point is that whatever the price tag, it must be pegged to the educational outcome first and foremost.

Regardless of what the consultants settle on in their final report, its far from certain that lawmakers will accept their recommendations. In 2015, for instance, the recalibration committee decided to set aside an updated funding model in favor of the one it had had for years. Theres a chance  albeit one that is nearly impossible to predict  that could happen again.

Little-Kaumo said she didnt think lawmakers would ultimately support a bill to overhaul the funding model. She predicted  as other superintendents have  that schools would simply face more cuts from different legislation.

Given the action of another interim committee, shes likely correct. The Joint Education Committee approved a bill last month to cut about $16 million from schools through a variety of relatively small moves, though that legislation is still a ways from becoming law.

Rothfuss said he had no idea if the committee would recommend overhauling the current funding model. Speaker Steve Harshman, a Casper Republican, said he thought they would.
A family is suing the Albany County School District, saying that officials couldve done more to prevent an alleged sexual assault of a then-6-year-old girl by another student on a school bus.

The lawsuit, filed in February, alleges that an 8-year-old male student sexually assaulted a first-grader during a 2014 field trip. The suit was originally filed against the district, two of its transportation directors and one of its teachers, claiming that the named officials knew that (the student) had a history of harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior toward female students, and that he posed a substantial threat to the students.

The named officials were eventually removed from the suit. In subsequent court filings, the district has denied the allegations. A message left for John Coppede, the districts attorney, was not returned Tuesday. Tara Nethercott, the attorney for the victims family, declined to comment.

The male student, who like the victim is identified in court documents by his initials, allegedly had a history of luring female students to put their heads on his lap; enticing female students to sit on his lap ... placing his hands between the legs of female students and other inappropriate behavior, on the bus and elsewhere.

Bus drivers and at least one bus monitor were aware that the male student would lure female students to sit next to him and then place his coat over them both, the suit claims.

The students conduct was allegedly reported to first one transportation director, then his successor, and to the victims teacher, her principal and to the districts assistant superintendent. In court filings, the district denies the officials knew of such behavior.

The male student was infatuated with and constantly pursued the first-grade victim whose mother filed the lawsuit, a fact that was known by bus drivers, the suit claims. He allegedly offered the girl money and gestured at her to get her to sit by him on the bus.

At least one driver allegedly told the male student to stop his inappropriate behavior. A bus driver  its unclear if its the same one  gave the student a designated seat, next to which no female student could sit.

(H)owever, this mandate was short-lived and (the student) continued to verbally harass the victim, the suit alleges.

In mid-February 2014, the girl drew a suicide calendar on her bedroom wall, according to the lawsuit.

The then-director of transportation, Jeff Lewis, allegedly advised the bus drivers and at least one bus monitor that the male students school was aware of the harassment, the suit claims, but he took no other action. The victims parents were not notified of any issues.

In February or March 2014, she and the male student were sitting next to each other on the bus on the way to a field trip, according to the suit.

The male student then allegedly placed his coat over them both. The victim told him to stop, to which the student replied that they were playing a game.

He then allegedly forced her hand down his pants, then forced his hand down her pants and sexually assaulted her, according to the suit. The student told her that if she told anyone, he would kill her father, who is blind after sustaining wounds while serving in the Marines.

The victims lived in a state of constant fear, mental anguish, and embarrassment, according to the suit. She feared riding the bus and lost interest in school. Her mother contacted her daughters first-grade teacher and asked if there were an issue at school, to which the teacher  who allegedly knew of the students behavior  said there was not.

Its unclear how the alleged assault came to light. The family now lives in Georgia. They requested damages related to the assault, according to the lawsuit.

In a subsequent court filing, the school district responded by saying that any damages were caused or contributed to by the acts and omissions of others over whom the school district had no control or right of control.
A new interchange will offer drivers another way to access Bar Nunn by mid-2019.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission recently awarded 71 Construction a $6.8 million contract to build the new road junction, according to a press release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The contract also includes minor modifications to Westwinds Road and Old Salt Creek Highway.

This has definitely been a project that the people of Bar Nunn have wanted for a long, long time, Bar Nunn Mayor Patrick Ford said Friday.

The town had roughly 900 residents in the early 2000s, but the last census recorded Bar Nunns population at about 2,600, he explained. Given this growth, the towns existing infrastructure just isnt cutting it.

In addition to providing a convenient option for traveling to and from Bar Nunn, Ford said he thinks the new interchange will also create economic growth.

It will be interesting to see what [businesses] sprout up around that new interchange for sure, he said.

Ford said 71 Construction can start work anytime now that the contract has been awarded.

The Bar Nunn Town Council is incredibly appreciative to everyone who supported plans for the interchange, he added.

The project is a joint effort between the Wyoming Department of Transportation, various Bar Nunn officials and the Casper Metropolitan Planning Organization, according to the press release.

The commission awarded a total of 10 contracts last month, totaling $22.9 million. Other projects included road resurfacing, bridge repairs, crack sealing and snow fence repair.
WASHINGTON  President Trump has not yet decided whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital or whether to proceed immediately in moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city. Thats according to his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

Kushner said Sunday that the president continues to weigh his options ahead of an announcement on the matter that is expected this week.

The president is going to make his decision, Kushner said in a rare public appearance at an event hosted by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. He is still looking at a lot of different facts.

Kushners comments were his first public remarks on his efforts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. And, they came as he faces increasing scrutiny over actions taking during the transition period following former national security adviser Michael Flynns guilty plea on charges of lying to the FBI.

Shortly before Kushner spoke, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that American recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital would jeopardize the White Houses Mideast peace efforts.

Any American step related to the recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, or moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, represents a threat to the future of the peace process and is unacceptable for the Palestinians, Arabs and internationally, Abbas told a group of Arab lawmakers from Israel, according to the official Wafa news agency.

U.S. officials said last week that Trump is poised to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital in a move that would upend decades of U.S. policy, but also to put off once again moving the embassy from Tel Aviv. The officials said Trump is expected to make his decision known in a speech on Wednesday.

The highly charged declaration risks inflaming tensions across the Middle East, and U.S. embassies and consulates around the region have been warned to expect protests. But it would also offset disappointment from Trump supporters from deferring once again his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

Trumps announcement will follow months of internal deliberations that grew particularly intense last week, according officials familiar with the discussions.

They described the president as intent on fulfilling his pledge to move the embassy, but also mindful that doing so could set back his aim of forging a long-elusive peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, who claim part of Jerusalem as the capital of an eventual state.

Moving the embassy could spark widespread protests across the Middle East and undermine an Arab-Israeli peace push led by Kushner.

Trumps campaign-season promises won him the support of powerful pro-Israel voices in the Republican Party.

But as president, he has faced equally forceful lobbying from close U.S. allies such as King Abdullah II of Jordan, who have impressed on him the dangers in abandoning Americas carefully balanced position on the holy city.

Under U.S. law signed by President Bill Clinton in 1995, the U.S. must relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem unless the president waives the requirement on national security grounds, something required every six months. If the waiver isnt signed and the embassy doesnt move, the State Department would lose half its funding for its facilities and their security around the world. Republicans have championed embassy security since a 2012 attack on American compounds in Benghazi, Libya.

Trump is likely to issue a waiver on moving the embassy by Monday, the officials said, though they cautioned that the president could always decide otherwise.
Tucsons unplugged folk ensemble Sister Solace will return to the Scottish Rite Cathedral on Friday, Dec. 8, for a belated CD release concert.

The 13-voice acoustic ensemble released its debut CD in May and had it available at the 2017 Tucson Folk Festival, but founder and director Gabrielle Pietrangelo decided to hold off on the big release until the groups headlining show this weekend.

The folk group, which quickly gained a reputation for spot-on harmonies in a repertoire that includes reimagined folk standards, normally performs unaccompanied, but on Friday they will share the stage with Beth Daunis on fiddle and Thoger Tetens Lund on bass.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 160 S. Scott Ave. downtown. Admission is $15 at the door or in advance at sistersolace.com

Pietrangelo, formerly of the vocal ensemble Silver Thread Trio, formed Sister Solace in early 2016 to perform American folk music that borrows from Appalachian and American traditions. It is the latest in a series of musical projects Pietrangelo has been nurturing since the early 2000s.
The approval of a new federal plan to dramatically boost populations of the Mexican wolf does little to quell the longstanding scientific debate over how the embattled animal should be managed.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed off on a $178.4 million recovery plan that aims to increase the wolfs total population from 144 today over the next 35 years to about 520 in Arizona, New Mexico and two northern Mexican states, Sonora and Chihuahua.

Service officials say the plan will improve the wolfs genetic diversity enough to ultimately take it off the endangered species list, where its classified as a subspecies of the gray wolf. The plan will ultimately establish at least two resilient, genetically diverse Mexican wolf populations, the service said.

But the same day, the plan was greeted by formal threats of lawsuits from two teams of environmental groups who see the plan as a path to extinction. The groups, including the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, Wildlife Guardians and Defenders of Wildlife, want far more wolves released into a much bigger area.

The plan reads like something that wolves most virulent opponents would have written in their wildest dreams, said Christopher Smith, a Wildlife Guardians wildlife advocate. Clearly, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is catering to a very narrow set of interests that want to see this amazing species banished from their native Southwestern home.

Ranchers have countered that the plan is still so sweeping that it could lead to scientifically unwarranted wolf population increases that they fear would trigger more livestock deaths than have occurred to date. They want far fewer wolves living in a far smaller area than the plan calls for.

On Thursday, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who has supported ranchers efforts to hold down the plans scope, issued a news release calling the plan yet another federal regulatory nightmare for ranchers and Arizonas rural communities.

Heres a guide to key issues:

How many wolves?

The new recovery plan calls for boosting wolf populations to an average of 320 in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico and 200 in Mexico over eight years. Current estimates are 113 in the U.S. and 31 in Mexico.

While this population far exceeds that of a few years back, biologists generally agree that the wolves future is hobbled by a lack of genetic diversity in the wild today. The 281 Mexican wolves living in captivity in 55 institutions have a higher genetic diversity than wild populations, the recovery plan said.

Releasing more wolves should ensure that wild wolf populations have about 90 percent of the gene diversity of captive wolves, the service said. The service used computer models to develop its strategies.

But in commenting on the services draft recovery plan, biologist David Parsons, the services first Mexican wolf recovery coordinator in the 1990s, said it is more likely to cause the second extinction of Mexican gray wolves in the wild than to secure their recovery.

He, environmental groups and several other outside scientists fault this plan for having abandoned the population goal of 750 from a 2012 recovery plan draft. It was fashioned by a different team of scientists than this plan.

The wildlife service never released the 2012 plan, saying it wanted more information about wolf habitat and prey in Mexico, and needed to focus on getting the Mexican wolf subspecies listed separately as endangered from the larger gray wolf species. Critics charged that service officials dropped this plan because state officials in four Southwestern states opposed it.

Two scientists, Carlos Carroll and Rich Fredrickson, both involved in the 2012 wolf plan, did projections last summer that concluded wolf populations would decrease over time if the new plan was adopted.

Carroll went so far as to say that the existing U.S.-based wolf population faced a 42 percent chance of extinction. His and Fredricksons predictions employed more pessimistic assumptions than the wildlife services about factors such as the number of female wolves available for breeding, adult wolf mortality and disease outbreaks.

The Arizona Cattle Growers Association fears that the wolf recovery program will have the opposite effect. In the 1990s when the wildlife service adopted gray wolf recovery programs for the northern Rockies and the western Great Lakes, wolf populations within 15 years far exceeded the programs original goals, wrote Norm James, a Phoenix attorney representing cattle growers.

James has argued that the Mexican wolfs U.S. population goal should be trimmed to an average of 100 over four years. Mexico, which James asserted contains 90 percent of the wolfs historic range, should have 400 wolves, he said.

The population goal for the southwestern United States should be consistent with the limited historical range and the numbers of wolves that occupied southern Arizona and New Mexico, James wrote, adding that the U.S. population deserves less attention because its classified as a non-essential, experimental species.

Where to put them?

The new plan would keep the U.S.-based wolf population where it currently lives, south of Interstate 40 including the Mogollon Rim area of north-central Arizona and western New Mexico. The Mexican population is expected to live in large sections of the northern and southern Sierra Madre Occidental range.

Environmentalists and scientific critics again favor the 2012 plans blueprint, calling for establishing three U.S. wolf populations including the existing one.

One new population would live in the Grand Canyon area, stretching north into southern Utah. The second would be in the southern Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The third would be the existing population south of I-40.

Some of these differing opinions can be explained by varying scientific views on where the Mexican wolf lived before it was extirpated from the wild during the 20th century.

On one side, a recent paper whose co-authors include Arizona Game and Fish biologist Jim Heffelfinger argued that the wolfs historic range extends north from Mexico only into southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. Thats based partly on historical accounts by scientists from the early to middle 20th century, and partly on more recent comparisons of skull sizes and other body parts of the Mexican wolf versus other subspecies.

But seven other scientists led by Sarah Hendricks at the University of Idaho have argued that genetic testing shows the historic range could be much larger. They cited a handful of historic DNA samples of other wolves from California and from as far away as Nebraska and Utah that matched or were similar to DNA samples of Mexican wolves.

Heffelfinger and his colleagues warned in their 2017 paper that an artificially inflated historical range based on fragmented sampling of molecular markings could lead to a wolf recovery plan thats legally untenable and ecologically unsound.

But Hendricks and her colleagues argued that given the difficulties of reintroducing Mexican wolves so far, a bigger range with more wolf habitat is needed for the animal to survive.

Most likely, however, this debate will be settled not by scientists, but by the courts.
A shooting in the 1500 block of east Prince Road, west of North Campbell Avenue, left one man dead early Saturday morning, according to a news release from the Tucson Police Department.

Officers responded to a shooting report at about 4:30 a.m. The woman who called it in said multiple rounds were being fired within a home that she shared with her brother.

Officers arrived to find the woman's brother, 31-year-old Jose Hurtado dead inside the home with obvious signs of gunshot trauma, the release said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman, who was upstairs at the time, told detectives that she heard the gunshots coming from downstairs. The shooter then went upstairs and fired through her bedroom door to gain entry. She was able to escape through the window unharmed.

Detectives identified the shooter as 35-year-old Jesus Harmon, the woman's estranged husband, the release said. He was located and arrested a short time later at a residence in Oro Valley.

Harmon was booked on suspicion of first degree murder, first degree burglary, attempted first degree murder, kidnapping and being on a prohibited possessor charge.
PHOENIX  A lightning strike that set the Pinaleno Mountains in Eastern Arizona ablaze months ago decimated the population of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel, leaving less than three dozen survivors and lending urgency to conservation efforts to save the species from extinction.

The Phoenix Zoo is developing a federally sanctioned breeding program with its two female and three male Mount Graham red squirrels  a subspecies that already had a tenuous hold on existence prior to the Frye Fire in July.

For the last 15 or 20 years they have bounced around between 200 and 300 individuals on a single, isolated mountain, said John Koprowski, a University of Arizona professor and director of the universitys conservation research lab. He has studied squirrels for 35 years.

But breeding red squirrels is not simple. The path has been marked by territorial aggression among male and female squirrels, bad timing and unanticipated complications like a broken air conditioner.

The Mount Graham red squirrel is challenging because of the way we want to breed these animals to be reintroduced back in the wild, said Stuart Wells, director of conservation and science at the Phoenix Zoo, who was a doctoral student of Koprowskis at the UA. We want to maintain the attributes they already have that are necessary for them to survive.

One challenge is the squirrels are territorial. Female squirrels are sensitive to their space when they arent receptive for breeding.

Then, theres the issue of timing.

If its the wrong time, in this setting, it is a possibility that they could injure each other or be killed, Wells said. But in the wild, if a male starts chasing after a female to see if she is receptive for breeding she can keep going  up a tree or out of sight. Shes not going to get cornered.

To determine the appropriate time for breeding, the conservation center analyzes fecal samples, looking for hormone metabolites that indicate concentrations of estradiol, which can help determine when the females are receptive.

It turns out they cycle about every 25 days, Wells said.

Conservationists then examined aggressive behavior and determined when the squirrels estradiol levels were high, aggression was low.

Only two breeding seasons have passed, with the zoo breeding plan facing complications.

The first season we had, which started in 2016 in May, our air conditioning went out, Wells said. This year, the construction of a new room for the Mount Graham red squirrels disrupted the small mammals, which are behaviorally and physiologically sensitive to noises.

In 2016, one of the female Mount Graham red squirrels was impregnated, but she never gave birth.

The goal of the breeding program is to bolster the zoos population to five males and five females and return a population back to Mount Graham by 2018.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

The zoos breeding program is in conjunction with other conservation efforts to save squirrels who survived the wildfire on Mount Graham.

With the Frye Fire clearing much of the forests canopy, the Mount Graham red squirrel is much more susceptible to falling victim to a predator using the newfound visibility.

Koprowski said land- management agencies have instituted an emergency supplemental feeding program on Mount Graham, which placed small feeders at locations with known surviving squirrels.

This will supplement stored food lost in the fire. Koprowski said some of the squirrels have radio collars that gives detailed information on survivorship, such as if they are attacked by predators.

Despite their efforts, extinction is a possibility, Koprowski acknowledges. However, he said the subspecies has been around for 10,000 years and survived similar conditions.

Historically, there have been several mountain fires, so this species is a survivor, he said. We need to continue to try and assist them because this is a dire situation. I do think we have an incredibly resilient species here. There is still some habitat on Mount Graham and we can help augment the population.

I would not bet against the Mount Graham red squirrel.
Thousands of vehicles go through automatic car washes in Tucson each week, but not all of them come out looking better than before, some local consumers say.

Websites such as Yelp and the Better Business Bureau are home to numerous complaints about inferior work or costly damage incidents at several area car washes.

For example, the Mister Car Wash chain  the citys top purveyor of suds and polish with 15 Tucson locations  has a D-minus rating with the BBB.

The company often doesnt respond when customers complain to the BBB about broken windows, dangling door mirrors, scratched side panels and other types of damage allegedly caused by the car-wash machinery or employees, online complaint records indicate.

Mister Car Wash CEO John Lai disputes that the firm is unresponsive and said the number of complaints is tiny compared to the 1.7 million cars washed each year in the Tucson area.

Lai says the firms damage rate in Arizona is less than .03 percent or one in 3,500 cars and said the company willingly pays for repairs when it determines it was at fault.

While one damage claim is too many, we continuously work to provide our customers with a safe wash for their vehicles and operate one of the safest car wash chains in the country, he said.

In addition to the small number of complaints we receive, we also get thousands of rave reviews, he added.

52 COMPLAINTS

Headquartered in Tucson, Mister Car Wash has more than 250 locations across the country, making it Americas largest car-wash chain.

Customers nationwide, including at least five from Tucson, have filed a total of 52 complaints with the Better Business Bureau in the last three years  36 of which the company did not respond to, according to the BBB.

One was from a retired University of Arizona professor who said Mister Car Wash at North Oracle and West River roads broke the passenger window and window mechanisms on her 2012 Fiat in June.

Repairs cost nearly $500, which she paid out of pocket after the company said it wasnt responsible, said the professor, who wasnt named in the BBB complaint.

The location the professor complained about has a Yelp rating of 2.5 stars out of five. Of the 25 Tucsonans who posted reviews, two claimed their vehicles were damaged.

Lai, the CEO, maintained in an email interview that the Better Business Bureau is not a reliable source of information. He pointed to a 2010 news story about a Los Angeles BBB later ejected from the national BBB network  that was accused of giving negative ratings to businesses that were not BBB members.

Asked if thats how Mister Car Wash got its negative rating, Lai did not answer the question.

Susann Miller, spokeswoman for the BBB of Southern Arizona, said the companys D-minus rating is based solely on its failure to respond to complaints. Given its track record, Mister Car Wash does not qualify for BBB accreditation, she said.

Lai said the firm has resolved nearly all the complaints by reaching out to customers directly, rather than through the BBB.

We have elected not to respond to the BBB complaints since we find that very few people use them as a source of relevant reviews, he said.

NEW HEADACHES

New technology aimed at making vehicles safer is causing headaches for car-wash owners and increasing potential for damage claims, according to Professional Carwashing and Detailing, a national industry organization.

Anti-collision features such as automatic braking, for example, can occasionally deploy without warning inside car wash tunnels, setting the stage for collisions.

Sensors, locking systems and more engaging at the wrong time can definitely give owners and customers a thing or two to complain about, the organizations website said.

Soft-cloth car-wash systems, which aim to protect a vehicles finish, can entangle trim and side view mirrors and tear them off if they were loose to begin with, the website said. Even seemingly minor damage like a detached mirror can cost up to $1,000 to fix, it said.

Many car washes now pre-screen vehicles for loose parts and pre-existing damage. Some, including Mister Car Wash, have video cameras inside wash tunnels to help determine what happened if something goes wrong.

But even those safeguards arent foolproof.

Michael Walton, 50, said his 2003 Dodge Ram truck recently sustained $1,000 worth of damage at one of the citys newest car washes, Dynamite Car Wash Hypersonic on East Ajo Way near Interstate 19.

Workers there, who are required by company rules to inspect every vehicle for pre-existing damage, cleared Waltons truck to enter the wash tunnel, he said.

Halfway through, Walton said, the machinery stopped briefly and he heard a real loud pop. The metal housing that secures the trucks antenna was twisted and hanging when the truck emerged, he said.

Employees wouldnt let him see the video of the incident and claimed the problem was pre-existing, he said.

Waltons wife, Nancy, who was with her husband when the incident occurred, said the couple got the runaround when they asked to see the footage.

An assistant manager said to come back the next day when a manager was on duty, but when she came back the manager wasnt there, she said.

Evo DeConcini, who owns the car wash, said management typically shares video footage with customers who complain and said his staff has assured him that occurred in the Waltons case.

We generally side with the customer in a situation like this, and always make genuine efforts to go above and beyond when it comes to customer service, said DeConcini, who stressed that complaints are rare.

Walton, meanwhile, said hes shopping around for somewhere else to take his familys three vehicles and is feeling uneasy about it.

Once youve have a bad experience, he said, its hard to know who you can trust.
Pima County Assessor Bill Staples talks as if hes defending the little guys, you and me, from paying more property tax than we should.

This year, Staples has taken the apparently unprecedented step of suing 30 owners of commercial property  after those owners won appeals of their properties value at the State Board of Equalization.

My job is to make sure that the full cash value or market value of the property is correct, Staples said last week. The idea, he said, is that Everybody pays their fair share of the property tax levy.

The principle sounds solid, especially if youre talking about ensuring that a major business, a Raytheon or an Asarco, cant use its deep pockets to avoid paying its fair share of taxes. But what if thats not who Staples is really suing?

Odd Hall LLC may sound like a faceless business with a strange name. It is actually the vehicle by which artists Barbara Grygutis and Tim Fuller have owned the building at 135 S. Sixth Ave. for the last three decades. They both keep their studios there, in the old Odd Fellows Hall, and they rent out large spaces to a restaurant, Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails, and to the Etherton art gallery.

For 2017, Staples office set the full cash value of the property at $616,669, which produced a tax bill of $19,178. For tax year 2018, Staples office set the propertys value at an astonishing $972,644, a 58 percent increase. That value wouldnt mean a proportional surge in taxes right away, because state law sets the maximum property tax increase at 5 percent per year.

But over the long run, a market value like that could drive Fuller and Grygutis out of their own building. Theyd need to rent out the space they occupy to someone else to afford the tax payment.

Tim and I bought this 30 years ago so we could have studio space, said Grygutis, a well-known local sculptor. What this does is it pushes people like me out.

What really boggles the mind is that Grygutis and Fuller, as Odd Hall LLC, followed the proper procedure to contest the new, nearly million-dollar valuation reached by the Assessors Office. When they received the notice, they appealed to the Assessors Office. The assessor turned down the appeal.

Then they hired a tax agent who did a new appraisal, which they presented to the State Board of Equalization. That cost them $3,000, but it was worth it  they won. The Board of Equalization found that there should be no change at all in the full cash value of the property.

But then, on Oct. 24, Staples went after them. He filed suit against Odd Hall LLC  that is, against Grygutis and Fuller  saying the board had not used the correct standard for determining the propertys value. In essence he was forcing them into court because he thinks they should owe more tax.

The suit, filed by the Pima County Attorneys Office, says: The full cash value of the Property for tax year 2018 as determined by the SBOE is insufficient, incorrect, or improper in that it was not determined in accordance with applicable statutory procedures, standard appraisal methods and techniques, Arizona Department of Revenue guidelines, or in accordance with Arizona law.

The suit also asks for a judge to award Staples office the costs of the appeal.

This used to be very unusual. My colleague Murphy Woodhouse, who broke the news of these suits, was able to document that nothing like it has been done since the early 1990s if not before in Pima County. Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen said he has filed no lawsuits attempting to overturn the results of a State Board of Equalization case this year. None.

Petersen told Woodhouse he only ever files such suits if it appears the board has usurped its authority or applied a faulty standard that will affect more than one property.

But Staples, a Democrat in his fourth term as assessor, told me the suits arent such a big burden to the defendants. As part of each lawsuit, his office will hire an independent appraiser on its own dime and accept whatever results that appraiser finds, he said.

We will settle the case at that appraised value, so that the property owner doesnt need to appear in court or get an appraisal, he said.

But, from the property owners perspective, its not that simple. At minimum, the property owner has to produce documentation for the countys appraisal, and if the property owner doesnt like that appraisals result, theyre on their own again.

The assessor served its suit on another faceless business entity, Woodward Family LLC, the day after Thanksgiving. The face who received the suit belonged to Leon Woodward. He is really in no condition for such news.

Woodward, who lives in the Phoenix area and owns a parking lot in downtown Tucson, is suffering from terminal cancer. He sounded bad when I spoke with him, but the more he talked, the angrier he got.

The full cash value that the Assessors Office determined for the three properties that make up his lot was $910,202. The State Board of Equalization put their value at $703,368, about 23 percent less.

The board of equalization, theyre the referee, Woodward said. The two players in this game of taxation are me and the county. I won. The county didnt like it, so they sued.

All Im trying to do is settle my estate for my children and divide my property for my two daughters, he added. Im just a private businessman whos trying to take care of my family while Im on my deathbed. But theyre saying, You cant die yet, you owe us money. 

The situation is not as dramatic for Grygutis and Fuller, but it is no less flabbergasting to comprehend the assessors aggressive approach.

Its simple for them. It doesnt cost them anything, Grygutis said. For her and Fuller, she said, A lawsuit is a whole nother ballgame. We cant defend ourselves unless we spend $5,000 to $7,000.

The question for me is, why go to the Board of Equalization if Im going to get sued and theyll throw it out?

Fuller, her partner in owning the building, said, We dont have people on staff or deep pockets. We have to hire everybody, and we thought we were at the end of it, but we werent.

Now, most of the properties Staples is suing over are worth more, in the millions. The difference in the valuations between what the assessor and the board found for an HSL apartment complex on North Shannon Road was about $9 million. There are bigger stakes in that case for Pima Countys taxpayers, and HSL, a major commercial property owner, has deeper pockets to defend itself.

But when Staples goes after the little guys  Fuller, Grygutis, Woodward  hes pursuing differences in valuation that will make no noticeable difference in the property tax you and I owe. By forcing them to spend more time and money to defend themselves beyond the usual end point, and risk having to pay the assessors appeals costs, Staples is effectively robbing them of their right to appeal.

At that point, far from defending the little guy, hes picking on the little guy.
A new initiative effort to end anonymous donations to political candidates in Arizona is intriguing  it raises the simultaneous issues of the First Amendment, privacy and the peoples right to know who is financially supports candidates running for elected office.

Organizers filed paperwork this week to begin gathering petition signatures. They need 225,963 valid signatures by July 5 to get the initiative, dubbed Outlaw Dirty Money, on the ballot statewide in the November general election.

Former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is spearheading the push. He ran for Secretary of State in 2014 on a campaign to eliminate dark money  donations from unidentified sources  but lost to Michele Reagan.

While we are far from weighing in on this particular proposal  its too early to know if it will be on the ballot  its essential questions merit conversation.

Does a persons desire to give money to a political campaign without being publicly identified outweigh the benefit of the public knowing who is donating to specific candidates?

Gov. Doug Ducey, in a recent news story by Capitol Media Services, weighed in on the side of anonymity. I think people have a First Amendment right as well to participate and not be bullied.

We agree that every person should have the ability to voice their opinions without being bullied or harassed  those are matters for law enforcement. Freedom of speech does not guarantee a positive response to our expression, only our right to speak our minds.

Using the fear of a potential negative response as a reason to keep donors identities secret skews the equation.

The analogy isnt perfect, but its like saying the only way to keep from being burglarized is to not keep anything in your home.

The initiative would require that all original sources of donations be identified, and is geared specifically at those who contribute more than $10,000 in any two-year election cycle.

Its also aimed at donations made through organizations that collect smaller amounts from individual donors and then packages them into a larger donation under the organizations name. This allows individuals to remain unknown.

Ducey has benefitted from these kind of donations, to the tune of $8.2 million from outside groups in his 2014 campaign for governor. The Democratic candidate, Fred DuVal, received $2.4 million from outside funders.
One might think that in the 21St Century, where technology and apps can help us with literally everything, including the easiest activities, dating wouldn't be a big problem. There are hundreds of websites, where you can find your potential soulmate. Yet, so many people find dating a nightmare instead of pleasure. So when did we stop enjoying first dates?

For me, dating is actually a completely new thing. When I was younger and most of my friends were getting into their first relationships, I was too busy studying to become one of the best students at school (really).

I was seeing a few guys, but the truth is that I didn't care. I was indifferent if there would be another date or not. Then again, I fell in love with someone I already knew and the whole 'dating' phase was skipped. Suddenly, I was involved in something bigger than 'let's-go-to-the-cinema' kind of thing. But I finally grew to do things right and I realised that I do understand why people might not like dating.

We've got too high expectations

There are way too many romantic films, where first dates are shown as absolutely flawless. Which girl wouldn't want to be taken to a 60s-like date? Where you share a milkshake, there's always something to talk about and it's not awkward at all? I would kill for a date like this.

I would even wear a polka-dot dress to complete this vision of a perfect date! But the truth is it's very unlikely to happen. First of all, we don't know that person yet. We're stressed, we don't know if we can be 100% ourselves and we keep thinking "what if he's going to think I'm weird?". No matter how hard we try, sometimes it might be a little awkward.

But it doesn't mean that it's bad. We're only humans, we will never be perfect. Films are just creation of someone's imagination. First dates in real life are better because they're... real.

First impression

Another reason why people might not enjoy first dates is we get discouraged so quickly. They say something we don't necessarily like and we immediately give up on them.

Unfortunately, we have the tendency to judge others so easily. Without checking the background and facts, we create opinions purely based on something that can be completely insignificant. We concentrate on someone's flaw and let it overshadow the person as a whole.

The problem with dating in the 21st century is we've simply lost the ability of honest, face-to-face communication. We don't know how to speak to people because we are so accustomed to using social media to establish relationships with others. The truth is that we can be whoever we want to be on the Internet. Confident and sassy, but when we actually meet someone in real life, it's hard to maintain "the Internet personality". We can't hide our facial expressions behind the phone screen anymore and take our time to think of "the cool answer".

We meet people online and then we're so afraid of who they might turn out to be that we find out everything about them, before we actually speak to them. We check their, (and often their friends!) Facebook, Instagram and imagine we know who they are. And we really don't.

Our past is a reminder

But the truth is we don't like first dates because they are... scary. We all have history, good and bad memories related to someone and dating means that we'll be vulnerable. Again. And we might end up getting hurt. AGAIN. I look at one of my best friends, who's been through so much and still goes on dates. She still believes in love. We all are covered with scars of the past. People have this funny (and very useful) ability to forget the bad things.

So we risk and put ourselves out there, trying to find love. Over and over again until we're truly happy.

So many of us give up after a first date without even realising that we might miss out on something special. Instead of quitting so quickly, we should give it a chance and appreciate it, even if it doesn't exactly look like they show it in our favourite films.
At least 235 people are thought to have died after suspected Islamist militants launched a bomb and gun attack on a mosque in Egypt's North Sinai Province. The militants targeted the al-Rawda mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed during Friday prayers. According to the BBC, local police said the men in four off-road vehicles opened fire on worshippers after detonating a bomb. It was reported that the gunmen opened fire on ambulances attending the dead and injured and Egyptian state media has showed images of the aftermath of the carnage, showing injured victims and bodies which were covered with blankets.

It is thought that dozens of children are among the dead.

One of the deadliest attacks during insurgency

Egyptian security forces have been fighting an Islamist insurgency in the North Sinai region which has intensified since 2013. The Islamic State affiliated group which has been behind the insurgency has killed hundreds of civilians and police officers during the fighting, and although nobody has so far come forward to claim responsibility for Friday's deadly attack, it is thought that this attack is the worst in terms of casualties since the insurgency began, and one of the worst acts of terrorism in Egypt's history. Condemnation of the attack has been swift from many world leaders.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has convened an emergency meeting and has declared three days of national mourning.

Arabian news channels have been reporting that the worshippers that were targeted by the militants are Sufi's, a sect of Islam which is regarded by fundamentalists as apostates because they pay homage to saints and shrines. The wave of violence which has hit the Northern Sinai province worsened in 2013, after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi led an overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The attack on the al-Radwa mosque is one in a string of deadly attacks that have hit Egypt this year, back in September an attack on a police convoy killed 18 police officers in the Northern Sinai province.

The have been many deadly terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe this year. Earlier in the year, a massive bomb attack killed at least 300 people in the Somalian capital Mogadishu, it is thought that the Islamist group Al-Shabaab was behind the attack.

Europe has also faced terrorism on its own shores this year, with many fatal attacks in the United Kingdom and Spain rocking the continent, killing dozens of people. It is feared that the death toll from this latest shocking act of terrorism will sadly rise, making the attack on the al-Radwa mosque one of the deadliest terror attacks of 2017.
Police and anti-fascist protestors have clashed on the streets of the German city of Hanover today, leaving some people injured. Protestors had set up a blockade outside the far-right Alternative For Germany party's first party conference since they gained a substantial presence in the German parliament in September's elections. Police used water cannons and batons to try to repel the demonstrators in an attempt to guarantee safe entry for the party's estimated 600 delegates. The party was convening to elect a new leader after a co-chair of the party resigned in September.

Nationalism is growing in Europe

Alternative for Germany, also known as Alternative for Deutschland (Afd) managed to win 12.5 percent of the vote during the German elections which were held in September. Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party lost support to Afd during the election, and a weakened position has seen Angela Merkel turn to the centre-left Social Democrat party in the hope of forming a coalition government. These talks have since collapsed and the possibility of a new election has been touted as a future resolution to the precarious state of current German politics.

Nationalism on the rise in Europe

Nationalism has been on the march across Europe in the last couple of years.

Several European countries have seen sharp rises in support for nationalistic or far-right parties. In France, Marine Le Pen of the French National Front came second in the French elections earlier this year, managing to gain 33 percent of the vote. In the Netherlands Geert Wilders' far-right populist party The Party for Freedom (PVV) managed to gain 20 seats in Holland's House of Representatives in the 2017 Dutch elections, making them the second largest party in the Netherlands.

In Eastern Europe, centre right and far-right populist parties have been gaining a steady foothold in the realm of politics also, mainly due to their response to the migrant crisis which has affected Europe since 2015. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has received praise and criticism in equal measure when it comes to his refusal to accept the mandated quotas that the EU has demanded of its member states when it comes to the resettlement of refugees and migrants.

Poland has also seen a groundswell in support for nationalism in recent years, last month a march was held by Polish nationalists, this march which was designed to coincide with Poland's Independence Day has been described as the biggest ever nationalist march Europe has ever seen. It is believed that up to 60,000 people attended the event. The anti-immigration attitudes that have been growing since the influx of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa seem to be the common thread that links a lot of these parties and makes them similar ideological bedfellows.

Ten protestors taken into custody

During these clashes today, one demonstrator had his leg broken after he chained himself to a barricade, another officer had his hand cut when a bottle was thrown at him.

Ten protestors have been taken into custody. There looks to be a larger gathering of pro-immigrant protestors gathering in Hanover tonight on what has been a freezing cold day in the city. Thankfully, thus far it appears that nobody has been seriously injured, but many fear that scenes like these are going to be more of a regular sight on the streets of European cities, as people from polar opposites of the political spectrum clash over their ideologies as the political climate grows more toxic by the day.
A movement has been launched in Macedonia called Stop Operation Soros which has the stated aims of highlighting "subversive" activities that are being undertaken by Soros funded NGO's, which the group accuses of trying to create a monopoly on the civil sector of Macedonian society. In a statement during a press conference which was held on Tuesday, the group said that it was calling on all "free-thinking citizens" regardless of ethnicity and religion to join them in fighting against the perceived influence of the Hungarian-American businessman who is usually the centre of much discussion in Eastern Europe these days.

Hungary has declared 'all-out war' on Soros

The Stop Operation Soros has said that through Soros' Open Foundation Society, the Hungarian-American billionaire has been using personnel and access to large amounts of funding to instigate "violent processes" in the country of Macedonia. A list of accusations has been made by the group towards the Hungarian-American billionaire whose name is usually enough to spark rumours of conspiracy and underhandedness.

George Soros is becoming a much-maligned figure with parties across Central and Eastern Europe. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban was recently accused in an interview by the enigmatic American billionaire of launching a "hate campaign" against him. Viktor Orban has recently said that he would instruct the country's spy agencies to monitor groups which are associated with George Soros.

Soros is often associated with the 'globalist' agenda

Victor Orban, along with many other Central and Eastern European countries, are fiercely opposed to EU mandated quotas. These quotas, which have been designated by the EU hierarchy, outlines to members of the bloc the amounts of refugees and migrants each member state should take.

George Soros is often associated with the "globalist" agenda, which is seen to promote open borders and the eradication of the nation-state, and indeed looking at George Soros' Open Society Foundation it is easy to see why these questions arise about Soros. The Open Society Foundation openly funds many left-wing activities and many of the NGO's which have been assisting migrants while they undertake the gruelling mission into Europe are funded by Soros either directly or through subsidiaries.

George Soros' stock is certainly declining in Central and Eastern Europe. On the one hand, there is a billionaire businessman who very visibly has his own ideologies in regard to open borders, then there are the nation states of Hungary and Macedonia, which are leaning towards a more nationalistic form of politics. The fight between George Soros and the nations of Eastern and Central Europe show how these two opposing ideologies are playing out across the whole of the Western World right now.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold hands in public. They also rub each other's backs and link arms as if it is a natural thing. They have been photographed kissing in public. However, that is quite different from what Prince William and his wife do in public.

There is a reason they don't hold hands or show affection, and this might shock some folks, but after Prince Harry and Meghan get married, they won't do it either if they follow the examples of other married royals. They have about six more months for their public displays of affection (PDA) to be seen.

After they say "I do" at Windsor Castle in May and give that first kiss as husband and wife, the public will rarely see that PDA again (if at all).

William and Kate have been married since 2011, and they have been seen kissing only three times. Two of those times were on the balcony after they first got married when fans asked for a do-over after the first kiss.

No more PDA

When Harry and Meghan made their first appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto last September, the affection was clearly on display, as it was when they announced their engagement on Monday, November 27. This happened again on Friday when they carried out their very first royal duties together in Nottingham.

You don't see Prince William and Kate showing affection, and you don't see Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip showing affection either.

The same situation exists with Prince Charles and Carmilla Parker Bowles. Watch them the next time they are out and about, and you will observe that they rarely touch each other.

William and Kate prefer to keep their private feelings and professional duties separate when they are carrying out royal duties. They are working on behalf of Queen Elizabeth and representing her.

Therefore, they follow her example and do what she does.

Longtime royals writer Judy Wade explains that different occasions call for different behavior. For instance, we have seen William and Kate get excited and touch each other at sporting events.

Unity and celebration

Royal etiquette expert Myka Meier told People magazine that the young couple probably shows affection in public to demonstrate their unity and warmth for each other.

She says their gestures make them relatable to the public. While there is no written rule that couples can't show affection in public after marriage, it is rarely done.

It is obvious that Prince Harry and Meghan's marriage will bring a freshness to the royal family. The 33-year-old prince has been known to break rules in the past. So far, it appears that Queen Elizabeth and Kensington Palace are allowing him and his 36-year-old financee to deviate from more formal codes of conduct.
Scheana Marie wore a racy outfit to the "Vanderpump Rules" Season 6 premiere party earlier this week and her fans and followers on Instagram absolutely hated it. On Wednesday (Nov. 29), after the longtime reality star and waitress posted a series of images of herself and her co-stars, as well as her ex-boyfriend, Robert Parks-Valletta, many fans questioned her choice of dress, asking her why she didn't wear something classier to the event.

"Your outfit looks like an S&M photoshoot. Where's your class?" one person asked Scheana Marie. Another follower of the SUR Restaurant employee slammed her for appearing nearly "naked" and looking like a "cheap h**ker." Others pointed out that Robert Parks-Valletta looked quite classy himself and encouraged her to take notes from the actor's style.

"There is a fine line between classy and trashy," someone added.

What was Scheana Marie wearing?

In her photo, Scheana Marie was showcasing her tight black minidress, which included huge cutouts up the side. On her feet were strappy sandals and her hair extensions were flowing down her back. If the dress looked familiar, that is because the item is actually one from the fashion collaboration between Kourtney Kardashian and Pretty Little Thing.

Scheana Marie attended the 'Pump Rules' premiere with her ex-boyfriend

Scheana Marie split from her actor boyfriend several weeks ago after months of dating, but that hasn't stopped the former couple from spending time with one another. In fact, they've been seen quite a lot since the actor revealed they had parted ways to his fans and followers on Instagram.

Scheana's recent split from Robert Parks-Valletta happened after he traveled to Italy for vacation and she remained in The States with her friends and family. The reality star began dating the actor after her two-year marriage to musician Mike Shay came to an end in late 2015. As fans of "Vanderpump Rules" will recall, the former couple got married in Southern California during filming on a previous season of the show and their marriage came to an end during its fifth season.

To see more of Scheana Marie and her co-stars, including Kristen Doute, Robert Parks-Valletta, Stassi Schroeder, Jax Taylor, Tom Sandoval, Lisa Vanderpump, katie maloney, Lala Kent, James Kennedy, and Tom Schwartz, don't miss the premiere of "Vanderpump Rules" Season 6 on Monday, December 4 at 9 PM on Bravo Tv.
When Matt Lauer started this week Monday, he had no idea that by the end of it he would have lost his $20 million job at NBC, his reputation ruined, and his wife of 20 years would have left the country and gone back to her native home in the Netherlands.

According to Page Six on Saturday, Annette Roque took their children Romy, 14, and Thijs, 11, out of school. Jack, 16, is attending prep school near Manhattan. It was unclear if the mother took the children with her or left them at home. After all, Matt is now a stay-at-home dad.

Matt Lauers Wife Ditches Their Family Home in NY and Returns to The Netherlands, Source Says Lauer Has Been a Terrible Husband - Baller Alert https://t.co/nlStoGv4O1  Rod (@rodimusprime) December 3, 2017

Matt Lauer's marriage

Roque is Lauer's second wife who filed for divorce back in 2006. She cited cruel and inhumane treatment. She said he was controlling and was often angry and hostile toward her. A month later, the couple reconciled and the divorce was called off while Roque was pregnant with their youngest child. It was reported at the time that Lauer paid her $5 million to stay married to him to protect his reputation.

Even though the divorce was called off, it was no secret that the reclusive wife and her well-known husband have led separate lives for the last ten years.

She lived in their Sag Harbor, Long Island home, and he lived in their Park Avenue apartment during the week.

Timeline of Matt's week

Matt was on the "Today" show on Monday and Tuesday as usual. On Tuesday night he received a call from NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack informing him about a serious complaint against him from a colleague accusing him of inappropriate workplace behavior that began during the 2014 Winter Olympics and continued afterward.

Lack believed the allegation had enough merit to warrant the immediate firing of Lauer. The chairman indicated that he did not believe it was an isolated case. Since then at least eight women have given similar reports to Vanity and the New York Times.

About ten minutes before the "Today" was about to air on Wednesday, the staff was told about the firing.

Anchor Savannah Guthrie gave an emotional report about the reason Lauer wasn't there. That was the news at the top of the hour on the other "Today" shows and every talk show during the day and with the comedians on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, Savannah read a statement from Matt. He said some of the information was either untrue or miscalculated, but enough of it was true enough to make him feel embarrassed and ashamed. While Lauer's current wife has not spoken out about her husband's downfall, his ex-wife Nancy Alspaugh defended him in an interview on Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Lauer wont get his $30 million payout, NBC bosses rule https://t.co/ON9t6nwb9W pic.twitter.com/948q3RIeZ5  New York Post (@nypost) December 2, 2017

On Friday, Lauer's lawyers were looking over his contract trying to get him a $30 million payout on the remainder of the time left on his 2018 agreement. Because of the moral clause, NBC is not obligated to pay him anything beyond his last day on the show which was Tuesday, November 28.

What's next for Matt Lauer? At this time, not even Lauer knows.
SHENZHEN - China's securities regulator said Saturday that the country will ease or lift foreign investment restrictions in its futures market.

Foreign businesses will be allowed to own up to 51 percent of shares in futures companies, and the cap will be phased out over three years, Fang Xinghai, deputy head of China Securities Regulatory Commission, said at the 13th China (Shenzhen) International Derivatives Forum.

An efficient futures market will play a key role in stabilizing and improving enterprises' performance, and industrial upgrading, Fang said.

China has been developing its commodity derivatives market and plans to gradually open it up to foreign investors.

In April, the country launched white sugar options, the second commodity options after soybean meal. In August, cotton yarn futures were traded on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange.

Futures contracts obligate investors to buy or sell underlying assets at a predetermined price at a specified time, helping investors mitigate risks of price volatilities.
Plan a weekend or day trip to Branson in southwest Missouri where you can visit unique attractions such as the Titanic Museum shaped like the famous Titanic ship, 1800s-themed Silver Dollar City and the Worlds Largest Toy Museum. Best things to do in Branson, Missouri with kids include the zoo, the Butterfly Palace, Marvel Cave and a relaxing picnic with views of Table Rock Lake. In the evening, watch the Branson Landing Fountain Show that features music, fire and water.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1. Titanic Museum  Courtesy of nyiragongo - Fotolia.com

Located on Country Boulevard, the Titanic Museum is a two-story museum shaped like the Titanic and anchored in water. Opened in 2006, the museum was built to be half the size of the original ship and is one of the best things to do in Branson, Missouri. Visitors enter the museum through an artificial iceberg and are given a ticket on which appears the name of an actual Titanic passenger. Lasting one hour, the tour is self-guided and gives visitors the sensation of being a part of the 1912 voyage. There are 20 galleries and exhibits featuring many fascinating artifacts from the Titanic. The museum also offers a variety of education programs in areas such as geography, math, and science. 3235 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson, Missouri, 800-381-7670

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2. Table Rock Lake  Courtesy of spiritofamerica - Fotolia.com

Created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1954 and 1958 on the White River, Table Rock Lake is a popular tourist attraction in the Ozarks near the city of Branson. The artificial lake was formed after the construction of Table Rock Dam, which was built in order to protect the area from flooding. With 800 miles of shoreline, the lake draws boaters, fishermen, campers and day trippers looking for free things to do. Some of the varieties of fish found in Table Rock Lake include bass, bluefish, and catfish. There are marinas and more than 100 resorts around the lake, and boat trips include a full-sized showboat. Campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat launch areas are some of the facilities at the lake.

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3. Branson Attractions: Marvel Cave  Courtesy of misumaru51shingo - Fotolia.com

Located on Silver Dollar City Parkway, Marvel Cave lies under the Silver Dollar City Theme Park. Local Osage Indians discovered the cave sometime before 1500 AD, and Spanish explorers found it later on. In 1869, Henry T. Blow and other explorers entered the cave looking for minerals. They thought they saw marble, so the cave was named Marble Cave, later to be changed to Marvel Cave. The cave opened for tours in 1894 and was the first major attraction in the Branson area. Today, with one of the largest cave entry rooms in North America, Marvel Cave is a Registered Natural Landmark. Tours include a traditional one-hour tour and a lantern tour where each visitor is given a lantern. 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway,800-831-4386



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4. Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery  Courtesy of Bill Perry - Fotolia.com



The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is located on Hatchery Road below Table Rock Dam six miles southwest of Branson. Established in the late 1950s, the hatchery is the Missouri Department of Conservations largest trout-rearing facility and an interesting attraction in Branson, Missouri. Facilities include a nature center, two viewing decks, and picnic areas, among others. The hatcherys education program is held at the conservation center where visitors can learn about aquatic life and fishing. If you are wondering what to do in Branson with kids, this is an interesting place to visit. There are many activities including bird watching, hiking, trout fishing, as well as exhibits, displays, and seasonal guided hatchery tours. The three miles of hiking trails provide both fishing access and opportunities to see wildlife. 483 Hatchery Road, 417-334-4865

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5. Branson's Promised Land Zoo  Courtesy of Liz - Fotolia.com



Located on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, the Promised Land Zoo is a family owned and operated zoo and a popular Branson attraction. In addition to caring for the animals, the zoo strives to educate visitors about wildlife and provide them with personalized and exclusive zoo encounters. There are shows throughout the day, including Bottle Feeding Babies, Live Animal Show, and Tug-of-Roar. Some of the animals you will see include antelopes, big cats, kangaroos, zebras, and many more. Foot Safari allows visitors to feed some of the animals on the nine-acre park, while Exclusive Encounters gives them the opportunity to feed and play with certain animals like kangaroos, lemurs, and sloths. 2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, 417-337-9453

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6. Branson Landing Fountain Show  Courtesy of michael langley - Fotolia.com



Located on Branson Landing Boulevard, the scenic boardwalk along the Lake Taneycomo Lakefront, the Branson Landing Fountain Show is a multi-million dollar extravaganza featuring thrilling displays of fire, light, music, and water. The fountain sits at the foot of the dynamic town square and shoots water 120 feet up into the air combined with vertical blasts of the fire cannons. The fountain show takes place every hour on the hour from noon until 10:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and from noon until 9:00 pm on Sunday, weather permitting. The show is accompanied by musical favorites such as the Star Spangled Banner, Candle in the Wind, Living on a Prayer, and other popular music selections. 100 Branson Landing Boulevard, Branson, Missouri, 417-239-3002

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7. Things to Do in Branson, MO: Table Rock State Park  Courtesy of Wollwerth Imagery - Fotolia.com

Table Rock State Park is located on the eastern side of Table Rock Lake on the southern side of Branson. The state park consists of a little over 356 acres of pleasant landscapes covered with hickory and oak trees. It is an especially popular place to camp because the campsites feature easy access to the lake. Other park facilities include picnic areas, a marina, and a mountain bike trail. The marina rents out equipment like fishing boats, ski boats, and WaveRunners, and scuba diving lessons and trips are also available. There is a paved ramp to launch boats, and the marina store sells fishing equipment as well as other camping necessities. 5272 MO-165, Branson, Missouri, 417-334-47043



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8. Branson Attractions: World's Largest Toy Museum  Courtesy of weerapat1003 - Fotolia.com

Located on Country Boulevard, The Worlds Largest Toy Museum contains more than one million toys. The museum appeals to both children and adults because many of the toys from the past bring back memories for older visitors. The Tin Toy Collection has many Marx toys, named after the early 20th century toy enthusiast, Louis Marx. The Train Collection contains much more than just trains; it also displays toy cars, fire engines, planes, and several full-sized cars including a 1927 Cadillac and a 1959 Rolls Royce. Other collections include Action Figures, Pull Toys, Roy Rogers, Sports, and many more. 3609 W 76 Country Boulevard, Branson, MO, 417-332-1499



9. The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure  Courtesy of butterfly-photos.org - Fotolia.com

The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, a unique and popular destination for visitors, is located on Country Boulevard. Housed in a white building sitting on a hill, it is a walk-through butterfly exhibit and the home of more than one thousand tropical butterflies. The self-guided tour begins with a short film about butterflies followed by a walk through the 7,000 square foot butterfly exhibit with its butterflies, birds, and tropical plants. The attraction also includes the Great Banyan Tree Adventure and the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. Live amphibians and reptiles from the rainforest can be seen in The Living Rainforest Science Center. There are also interactive activities for children like feeding and petting. 4106 W 76 Country Boulevard, Branson, MO, 417-332-2231

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10. Things to Do in Branson, MO: Ralph Foster Museum  Ralph Foster Museum

The Ralph Foster Museum is located on Opportunity Avenue on the campus of the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout south of Branson. It is a wing of the College of the Ozarks and focuses on the culture and history of the Ozarks area. Foster collected Native American and Western artifacts, and during the 1960s, he donated his large collection as well as necessary funds to help establish the museum. Antiques, dolls, weapons, and many other objects are displayed in the museum. The hands-on Childrens Discovery Room is a popular education program, and the Brownell Research Library contains over 6,000 books and periodicals. 100 Opportunity Avenue, Hollister, 417-334-6411



11. Ripleys Believe It or Not  Ripleys Believe It or Not

Dedicated to all those who love things weird and wacky, Ripleys Believe It or Not is filled to the brim with some of the most bizarre exhibits you can find. As you step inside the 8-gallery Odditorium, prepare to be amazed. The facility includes an ever-changing collection of more than 450 oddities, mind-bending art, crazy illusions and fun inter-actives. Visitors are invited to spend as much time as they like enjoying all the exhibits at their own pace. Exhibits in the Odditorium include a careful mix of clever, weird and fascinating objects and artifacts; you will see art installations made from household waste, strange and mysterious scientific phenomenon and odd natural freaks. 2320 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-337- 5300

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12. Ripleys Super Fun Zone  JackF/stock.adobe.com

Located right next door to Ripleys Believe It or Not you will find Ripleys Super Fun Zone where the whole family can participate in a variety of energetic fun activities. You can start your adventure in the Laser Tag Arena where you can take on your family and friends in a fast-paced game of tag. From there you can move on to the outdoor, interactive Maze; here you need to stay vigilant as there are surprises around every corner. Other fun activities include the high energy Laserace, the fun Smash Dash and the Ozarks themed Shooting Gallery, where you can show off your shooting skills. 2320 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-337-5300



13. The Track Family Fun Parks  The Track Family Fun Parks

Offering all the fun of the fair in a single family entertainment venue, the Tracks Family Fun Park will keep your family happily occupied for hours. It all starts with the 12 unique tracks which ensure that every member of the family can have high-speed fun. Adults can get their kicks on the 4-storey high-rise tracks while younger drivers can have fun on the Kiddies and Rookie Go Karts. After your karting adventure you can move on to the giant Ferris wheel, followed by a variety of other rides for adults and children. There are also bumper cars, laser tag games, batting cages, mini-golf and a games arcade. 3345 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-334-1612



14. Beyond the Lens!  Beyond the Lens!

Another of Bransons many family entertainment hubs, Beyond the Lens! will fascinate you with intriguing exhibits, interactive games and dramatic selfie backdrops. Exhibits and rides include the amazing 360 degree Flip Zone Bumper cars, the totally immersive Fly Ride simulator which will take you on a journey across the nation and the Virtual Reality Games and Escape Room. There is something for everyone to enjoy and great memories to be made. Children will love the Augmented Reality Games and the fun Alien Egg Pit. Combo tickets for adults and children are available online. 3115 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-337-9333



15. Hollywood Wax Museum  Hollywood Wax Museum



A great attraction for all ages, the Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson is the place to go to get up close and personal with all your favorite celebrities and big-screen movie stars. Not only can you snap some brilliant selfies alongside your wax heroes, you can even get into character using a variety of costumes. You can live out your fantasies of walking down the red carpet, marrying a movie star or attending a celebrity event. If you are not into dressing up and selfies, you will still have a great time learning all about your favorite stars and about how the museum goes about making each of these very realistic sculptures. 3030 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-337-8700

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16. Branson Mountain Adventure Park  Branson Mountain Adventure Park



Branson Mountain Adventure will get your adrenalin pumping as you fly down the thrilling Coaster or Zip Lines. The park is home to the one-and-only Branson Runaway Mountain Coaster, which operates all year round, weather permitting. The coaster offers a thrilling high-speed adventure ride for all ages, from 3 year up. First the driver and passenger will board their cart at the bottom of the coaster and will enjoy a slow and scenic journey up to the top. Now the fun begins as you cart is set free and you are in charge of your exciting downhill ride, which can reach speeds of 30mph if you are brave enough. The park also features a high-flying, hair-raising quad zipline where you can race your friends to the finish line. 935 Highway 165, Branson, MO 65616, 417-334-7337



17. Shepherds Adventure Park  Shepherds Adventure Park



Shepherds Adventure Park offers hours of outdoor fun for the whole family, set against the scenic backdrop of the Ozark Mountains. There are activities suitable for just about all ages. The Zipline Canopy Tour is great for anyone over the age of 3 years and includes 8 individual zip lines through a scenic wooded area. For the dare devils, the park offers their Vigilante Extreme ZipLiner, which flies off the top of the Inspiration Tower, the tallest structure in South Missouri. You can also try your hand at the outdoor SkyTrek Ropes course and enjoy a ride on the Copperhead Mountain Coaster. 6021 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-334-4191

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18. Shepherd's Historic Farm and Playland  Shepherd's Historic Farm and Playland



Located alongside Shepherds Adventure Park, Shepherds Historic Farm and Playland is the original setting for the novel Shepherd of the Hills. The farm is a delight to visit with children who will love meeting some of the farm animals in the Petting Zoo and enjoying all the activities on offer. Youngsters can have unlimited fun playing mini-golf, exploring the rope-bridge linked tree houses or playing corn hole. Visitors can join a guided tour of the 160-acre historic farm on an open-top jeep-drawn tram. After your tour you and your family can enjoy some tradition Ozark cuisine at the Shepherds Mill Restaurant. 6021 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-334-4191



19. Silver Dollar City  Silver Dollar City



In a city which is bursting at the seams with family entertainment, it would be a mistake to leave out a visit to Silver Dollar City, which has been voted in the top 5 theme parks in America. This seasonal theme park, set in the 1880s, will delight the whole family with a wide choice of fun rides and activities. There are more than 40 rides to get your adrenaline pumping; some of the wildest rides include the American Plunge, the Electro Spin and the Fire Fall. While these are not suitable for younger visitors, the Elephant March, Grand Exposition Coaster and Hugo and Marys Carousel are idea for children. There are also dozens of craftsmen offering live craft demonstrations. 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson, MO 65616, 417-366-7100

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20. Dinosaur Museum  Dinosaur Museum



Boasting 45 life-size dinosaur replicas, the Branson Dinosaur Museum is sure to be a hit with all dino enthusiasts. Designed to be both fun and educational, the Dinosaur Museum allows children of all ages to get up close and personal with dinosaurs great and small. To ensure that all the replicas are as true to life as possible, actual dinosaur skeletons were used to mold the full-size creatures. The dinosaurs are displayed in life-like settings and visitors can learn all about each creature from an interpretive panel. In addition to admiring all the dinosaurs, visitors can join a scavenger hunt, see a fossil exhibit and stock up on all things Jurassic at the shop. 3619 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-239-0733



21. Shipwrecked Treasure Museum  Shipwrecked Treasure Museum



Revealing the secrets of the deepest corners of the oceans, the Shipwrecked Treasure Museum is chock-full of authentic salvaged treasures from shipwrecks all over the world. Visitors can learn about the causes of several of the worlds most famous shipwrecks by watching documentaries from National Geographic and the Discovery Channel before setting off to view the salvaged items, which span several centuries from the Roman Empire through to WWII. There are numerous hands-on touch screens, simulators, games and other interactive activities to explore. A few of the key exhibits include ancient coins, arrowheads and beads, vintage weaponry, priceless porcelain and silver ingots from WWII. 505 Branson Landing Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-635-5041



22. Aquarium at the Boardwalk  Aquarium at the Boardwalk



Combining education and fun, the Aquarium at the Boardwalk is a must-visit family attraction in Branson. Visitors are greeted at the door by a massive mosaic octopus modeled after Aquarius, a Giant Pacific Octopus. As you enter the aquarium you can walk along the boardwalk which leads you to ten fishy zones. You will take a journey through a watery tunnel to a sunken ancient city  here you will be surrounded by sharks and many species of fish. Then its on to the fabulous Coral Reef to see thousands of reef fish in their natural environment. There is a touch/petting pool for the children and a magical underwater Mermaid Palace. 2700 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, 417-335-3476

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23. Fun Mountain at Big Cedar Lodge  Fun Mountain at Big Cedar Lodge Fun Mountain at Big Cedar Lodge is one of those amazing attractions that offer an exceptional experience for all members of the family. Look forward to non-stop fun and games in this remarkable indoor family entertainment facility at the Big Cedar Lodge resort in the Ozark Mountains. Regardless of the weather, children and adults can have loads of fun playing Underwater-themed bowling, riding bumper cars, playing laser tag or climbing the rock wall. There is also a brilliant games arcade to keep you entertained for hours. Outdoor activities at the resort include golf, fishing, shooting, lake cruises, water sports, horse-back riding and much more. 190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale, MO 65739, 800-225-6343



24. Branson Auto and Farm Museum  Branson Auto and Farm Museum The Branson Auto and Farm Museum invites you to step back in time as you admire a huge collection of vintage cars and farm equipment which span 120 years. The massive museum covers 90,000 square feet; one half is dedicated to preserving classic and antique vehicles which document automotive history, while the other half showcases vintage farm implements and equipment. All the vehicles and equipment has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Taking a tour of the museum is a great nostalgic experience for the whole family, as you can admire all the old cars from your childhood days and show them off to the grandkids. 1335 West Highway 76, Branson, MO 65616, 417-335-2600



25. Celebrity Car Museum  Celebrity Car Museum Calling all dedicated petrol heads and movie fans - the Celebrity Car Museum in Branson invites you to step this way and spend a fun hour or two admiring a collection of vehicles which have starred in various block-buster movies. The collection changes regularly as more celebrity cars are acquired and other are sold on. At any time you will be able to admire at least 100 vehicles, including several which will be instantly recognizable. If you want a more immersive experience you can get kitted out in one of their costumes and take some memorable selfies in one of your favorite cars. 1600 State Highway 76, Branson, MO 65616, 417-239-1644



25 Best Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

More Ideas: Thousand Hills Cabin & Golf Resort

Thousand Hills Cabin & Golf Resort is a luxury hotel and golf resort just outside of Branson and a few miles from Table Rock Lake. This family-friendly country retreat offers comfortable, self-catering accommodation in the form of fully-equipped condos and cabins and an array of amenities, including a championship golf course, fitness center, and two swimming pools. The resort also offers modern event space for special occasions and corporate functions, making it the perfect getaway for both families and business travelers alike.

Thousand Hills Hotel, Golf Resort, and Conference Center features a variety of accommodation including fully-equipped, self-catering condos and comfortable, cozy cabins set on the lake, the golf course, or in the woods. All types of lodging boast contemporary, yet homely decor with modern touches, private bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and jetted spa tubs, fully equipped kitchenettes with all the appliances and utensils needed for self-catering purposes, and private porches or verandas with beautiful views. Some condos and cabins have stone fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, and multi-bedroom condos have their own garage.

Modern amenities can be found in all accommodations, including flat-screen televisions with satellite channels in all bedrooms, DVD players, washing machines and tumble dryers, irons and ironing boards, pull-out sleeper sofas for extra guests, and complimentary wireless Internet.

Cozy log cabins are situated along the lake shore or tucked away in the woods and offer additional levels of privacy and seclusion. Cabins can sleep between two and 16 people and feature fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living and dining areas, separate bedrooms and private bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and jetted spa tubs, and screened-in or open back porches with gorgeous views.

Centrally located condos are located on the edge of the 18-hole golf course and on the shores of Table Rock Lake and offer a variety of amenities, including fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living and dining areas with stone fireplaces, and private bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and whirlpool tubs. Condos are available from one through five bedrooms and have their own garages.

Thousand Hills Hotel, Golf Resort, and Conference Center condos and cabins are fully equipped for self-catering purposes with charming kitchens, modern appliances and all the utensils needed for easy meal preparation.

Guests at the Thousand Hills Hotel, Golf Resort, and Conference Center may take advantage the many first-class resort amenities on offer, ranging from two swimming pools - one outdoor and one indoor, tennis courts, a fully equipped fitness center, and an award-winning 18-hole championship golf course. The golf course features the largest pro shop in Branson and offers golf carts for players on the pristine course. Additional guest service includes a mini-business center complete with a guest computer, printing, copying and faxing services, special flower delivery and complimentary wireless Internet.

Activities in and around the resort for the whole family include kayaking, boating, parasailing, fishing and paddle boarding, as well as hiking, mountain biking, go-karting, and mini golf. Branson is home to an array of theaters, theme parks, museums, restaurants, outlet stores and more.

Thousand Hills Golf & Conference Resort features first-class meeting and banquet facilities for a variety of events and functions from wedding receptions, birthday celebrations, and reunions, to business meetings, golf tournaments, and seminars. In addition to providing exceptional venues, which range from upscale boardrooms to full conference rooms, the resort also offers event services such as catering, event management, and hospitality services.

The resort is also an exceptional venue for destination weddings with beautiful indoor and outdoor venues for receptions and the intimate Stonegate Glass Wedding Chapel for ceremonies. Set on a wooded hilltop overlooking the beautiful Ozarks, just 10 miles north of Branson, the chapel is surrounded by trees and lakes and features Romanesque columns, enlarged glass windows, a spectacular chandelier and immaculate gardens with water fountains.

Branson offers a variety of attractions and activities to enjoy for the whole family from world-class amusement parks to fascinating museums and outdoor adventure. Attractions in and around the town include the famous 76 Country Boulevard, which is lined with theaters and music concert venues that present an array of diverse entertainment, the Marvel Cave, the 1800s-themed amusement park, Silver Dollar City and Dolly Parton's Wild West-style Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction. Don't miss a visit to the Titanic Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum or the White Water Park for some fun in the sun.

Back to: Best Missouri Weekend Getaways

245 Wildwood Drive S, Branson, MO 65616, Phone: 877-262-0430

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More Ideas: Talking Rocks Cavern

Located in Stone County near Reeds Spring, Missouri, Talking Rocks Cavern is a cavern system that is operated as a public show cave attraction by Adventure Creations, Inc.. The state of Missouri contains more than 7,500 caves on register within the Ozark Mountain region, which has earned it the nickname The Cave State. Talking Rocks Cavern was opened to the public in 1921 by Waldo Powell, who named the cave Fairy Cave for its ethereal subterranean formations and features.

History

In 1969, the cave was purchased by Silver Dollar City amusement park operators Herschend Family Entertainment. The Herschend family renamed the cave Talking Rocks Cavern in honor of a quote given by Waldo Powell, who had stated that studying the caves physical evidence told a story through its rocks, and the rocks spoke to you visually..

Attractions

Talking Rocks Cavern is now operated year-round as a public show cave, offering guided public tours of its subterranean features. The cave has been featured in the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureaus True Talk series and serves as a popular tourist destination within the greater Branson region. The attraction opens daily at 9:30am and offers a variety of additional family-friendly activities, including a miniature golf course and gem mining attraction. Visitor admission rates are offered for adults and youth, with children three and under admitted free with paying adult admission. Group rates are also offered for small groups and organizations of 10 or more participants.

Hourlong guided walking tours of the cave are presented throughout the day, with tour guides offering anecdotes about the caves history, geological features, and mineral formations. Notable features within the cave include a large sheet curtain and bacon-like mineral formations. A light show is presented throughout the tour, and educational aspects of the tour are emphasized, creating an edutainment tourism presentation. The cave is kept at a comfortable 62 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Visitors should be advised that due to the caves vertical nature, a number of concrete handrails and steps are located throughout the caves visitor walkways, including 150 downward and 115 upward steps.

The gift shop offers a wide selection of merchandise, including plush stuffed animals, educational books, and souvenir apparel. The shop also features a miniature museum of rocks, minerals, and fossils, including rare ammonite and orthoceras specimens. Rocks, gemstone, and minerals may be purchased, including museum-grade pieces.

In addition to the cavern, a number of family-friendly activities are offered at the attraction, including the Cave Country Mini Golf course. The nine-hole course is fully shaded and incorporates educational facts about sinking streams, groundwater, and other cave features and geology principles. A Gemstone Mining attraction offers experiences for young visitors to pan sluice bags of mining rough with sluicing troughs and screened boxes. All visitors may keep any semi-precious gemstones, minerals, or fossils that are uncovered through the sluicing process. Both attractions are offered for an additional fee on top of standard cave tour admission.

Several free family-friendly attractions are also offered, including two SpeleoBox Mazes, which lets visitors of all ages climb and crawl through winding wooden cave passages. A nature trail is located at the attraction, offering graduated difficulty hikes for young, beginner, and experienced hikers. A scenic lookout tower overlooking the surrounding region is also offered, along with picnic tables that may be used by visitors.

Nearby Attractions

Since the 1980s, Branson, Missouri has risen to become one of the most popular family vacation destinations in the American South, coined the Live Entertainment Capital of the World after a 1991 60 Minutes feature on its many live country and popular music venues. More than 50 theaters are located along the citys famous Strip portion of Highway 76, which serves as a popular destination for more than eight million annual visitors. Country and popular music stars such as the Osmond's and the Lennon Sisters perform regularly at theaters, along with a wide variety of tribute artists honoring performers such as Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, and Patsy Cline. More than 200 retail options are offered, including the 95-acre Branson Landing shopping complex and a Tanger Outlets center. Other major attractions include the Silver Dollar City amusement park, the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Titanic Museum, and Dolly Partons Stampede. A variety of family-friendly outdoor activities are also offered, including go-karting, miniature golf, and horseback riding.

423 Fairy Cave Ln, Branson West, MO 65737, Phone: 417-272-3366

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QUANG NAM  Quang Nam Provinces first-ever Korean Day Festival and Korean Film Week will take place from December 11 to 17 in Tam Ky City to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea.

The provincial Department of Information and Communication announced the plans late last week.

The film week will introduce Korean films at the provincial culture centre in Tam Ky City and an exhibition of photos and books on the land and people of Korea and Quang Nam Province will open at the citys March 24th Square on December 15.

On the occasion, the province and the Korean Culture Centre in Viet Nam will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Culture for promoting exchange between Korean people and locals of the province in the coming years.

Representatives of new villages that have implemented the Korean Saemaul Udong model, or New Community Movement, will share their experiences in rural development with locals from Quang Nam Province.

December 15 will also see a series of events, including a student cultural exchange and community event at the murals village of Tam Thanh, 7km from Tam Ky City. Korean businesses that have made big contributions to the province over the past 20 years will be honoured and a joint cultural performance will feature Korean arts troupes and Vietnamese artists.

A business meeting and field trip for Korean investors will be held at the Chu Lai-Truong Hai Industrial Complex in Nui Thanh District and industrial zones the next day.

On this occasion, Nguyen Binh Khiem High School and Dongduk Womens University will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on education co-operation.

Many cultural activities have been held between cities from South Korea and Quang Nam Province in recent years.

In June, the art troupe of Hahoe Folk village  a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site in South Korea  and the Nan-Gye troupe performed mask dances in Hoi An during the sixth Quang Nam Heritage Festival.

Last month, the International Mask Arts & Culture Organisation (IMACO) and Andong City signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hoi An in promoting cultural exchange in the coming years.

In 2015, the provinces Nam Tra My District and Hamyang County in South Korea also affirmed efforts to work together on tourism, agriculture, conservation and the development of Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis or Vietnamese ginseng).  VNS
HA NOI  Nguyen Thanh Giang, a 12-year-old student in Ha Noi, was impressed by a photo of the Sphingidae Moth Caterpillar terrifying predators with its snake-like shape.

I thought it was a snake at first sight, but when I read the photo caption I learned it is a caterpillar living in the south of Viet Nam , said Giang.

Giang was attending an exhibition titled Pulsation  Biological Diversity in Viet Nam and Taiwan , which opened on Friday at the Ha Noi Museum and is also sponsored by the National Museum of Taiwan. It is divided into two exhibit spaces featuring the natural diversity of Viet Nam and Taiwan .

Now I know that the Formosan sambar deer is the largest native animal species in Taiwan and Dahanshan Cookeina sinensis fungus grows in clusters on the floor of humid forests, Giang said. At first glance, they resemble little white cups, adorable in appearance.

The Taiwan section showcases the works of landscape and ecological photographers who have long been recording the mountains, rivers and diverse life-forms of Taiwan , according to Shih-yu Hung, director of the National Museum of Taiwan.

Framed as works of art, this collection brings life and new visual style to traditional landscape and ecological photography, he said. Through these images, one can observe the beauty of life arising from the rich ecological system and establish an emotional connection with nature.

The exhibition offers visitors a visual tour to various places in Taiwan such as Da An River, Mutelebu Peak , Xueshan Range and Lanyang River .

It is divided into five major themes exploring Taiwan s geographical and biological diversity.

The first one, "Rhythms of Nature", reveals how the diverse terrain of Taiwan combined with its humid climate have nurtured a highly variable ecosystem.

Nearly 60 per cent of Taiwan is covered by forests. The interdependency of organisms in this setting is highlighted in "Cosmos in the Forest" .

In "Secrets under Water", images taken underneath the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Taiwan reveal a variety of beautiful and mystical life forms.

"Urban Nature" demonstrates the concrete forest, a unique ecosystem present in highly developed areas, maintained by humans and animals together.

"For the Love of Diversity" shares four on-going stories of ecological conservation.

The exhibition also displays Viet Nam s diversity of landscapes such as deserts, mountains, tropical forests, sub-tropical forests, cave systems, wetlands, rural villages and cities.

Viet Nam is home to about 322 species of mammals, 900 birds, 450 reptiles, 250 amphibians, nearly 10,000 species of insects and 700 species of fresh water fishes, according to Nguyen Tien a, director of the Ha Noi Museum.

The exhibition reflects the richness of the local nature through photos of stunning beauty spots, national parks and nature reserves as well as of rare species living in Viet Nam such as the red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus), which is an endangered species living in Son Tra Nature Reserve in a Nang.

Director a said he expected that the exhibitions use of new technology in lighting and video art would bring visitors rare experiences.

Its not only watching photos displayed on easels. We want visitors to feel close to the nature and approach the flora and fauna naturally and emotionally at this exhibition, he said. Visitors can also interact with the nature by choosing photos of beautiful landscapes as backgrounds and taking photos. These photos will appear immediately in a digital album of the exhibition. Above all, we want to evoke the love for nature in peoples hearts.
Turkey Confiscating Christian Property, Prohibiting Christians From Worshiping

St. Gabriel Assyrian Monastery, Tur Abdin, Turkey, established 397 A.D. ( AINA) The government of Turkey is now confiscating Christian property and prohibiting Christians worshipping in their churches, which have also been confiscated. This is happening in certain areas of Turkey, but soon it will be widespread. Here is the report: The severe persecution and widespread "hatred" that Christians and other minorities experience in Turkey has been detailed in a report by a U.S.-based nonprofit international policy council and think tank. The Gatestone Institute wrote in a report released Monday that Christians are persecuted by government officials and are severely abused by the public on social media. It listed a number of articles, such as one from August 2017 in the Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos, which reported that "Armenian, Syriac and Chaldean Christians have not been able to worship in their churches for the last three years."

"This is because virtually the entire town -- and all Christian properties belonging to the indigenous Armenian, Assyrian (Syriac), Chaldean and Protestant communities -- was included in an expropriation plan adopted in March 2016 by the Turkish cabinet," it pointed out. "Among the Christian properties expropriated are the Armenian Catholic, the Chaldean Mor Petyun and the Armenian Surp Giragos churches." What is more, even Muslims who have refused to shun Christians or Kurds have been targeted, the think tank said. "For instance, a 76-year-old Muslim grandmother in Diyarbakir who is active in a Kurdish political movement has been harassed by Turkish police for being a 'hidden Armenian,' simply because she reads the Bible as well as the Quran," Gatestone reported. Christian pastors have been imprisoned, such as the case of American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was arrested last October. Watchdog groups, such as the American Center for Law and Justice, have accused the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of keeping him in prison without any cause. Turkish officials finally announced the charges against Brunson at the end of August, however, accusing him of "gathering state secrets for espionage, attempting to overthrow the Turkish parliament and government, and to change the constitutional order." The Gatestone report noted that Yazidis, Alevis and women in the region have also been abused by Turkish authorities, while dozens of Kurdish journalist have been imprisoned. "This hatred of Christians and Kurds in Turkey is not restricted to government officials. It is widespread among the public, as well, and expressed extensively on social media," Gatestone explained. It pointed to Twitter abuse, where Armenians and grandchildren of survivors of the 1914 Armenian Christian genocide are called "infidels," "vile and treacherous," with some saying that all Armenians "must die." "The situation of minorities in Turkey and their persecution by Turkey -- a member of NATO and perpetual candidate for EU membership -- must be told as often and as loudly as possible," the report urged in conclusion. Amnesty International has slammed Erdogan's government as well, accusing the president of having a "human rights meltdown" after the arrest of the group's Turkey director Idil Eser. "This is not a legitimate prosecution," Salil Shetty, Amnesty's secretary general, said in a statement in July following the arrest. "This is a politically motivated persecution that charts a frightening future for rights in Turkey."
Former vice President Nguyen Thi Doan hands over KOVA Prize to Prof Le Thi Tuyet Lan, Chairwoman of the HCM City Asthma and Allergy and Clinical Immunology Society.  VNS Photo Thanh Hai

HA NOI  The annual KOVA Prize 2017 honoured contributions of two groups, eight outstanding individuals and seven students for their outstanding contributions to the fields of applied science and technology, and social welfare, at a ceremony on Saturday.

The first group prize in the Creative Ideas for Applied Science category was awarded to a project establishing an asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management network in communities, conducted by Prof Le Thi Tuyet Lan, chairwoman of the HCM City Asthma and Allergy and Clinical Immunology Society, along with 22 partners.

Since 2000, Prof Lan and her co-workers at HCM City Medical and Pharmacy University developed a network on asthma and COPD patient management in communities that helped reduce the number of patients visiting hospitals due to acute asthma and COPD, saving many patients lives and minimising the burden on society.

The network, which has been expanded to 161 units in 45 provinces and cities nation-wide, provided training courses on asthma and COPD management for nearly 1,200 doctors and 600 nurses over the past 17 years. The network model was introduced to several countries in the region.

The second group prize came to a medical project for inducing labour, that was developed by Prof. Doctor Huynh Nguyen Khanh Trang, head of the Obstetrics Department of the Hung Vuong General Hospital.  VNS Photo Thanh Hai

The second group prize also honoured a medical project for inducing labour, that was developed by Prof Doctor Huynh Nguyen Khanh Trang, head of the Obstetrics Department of the Hung Vuong General Hospital.

The Hung Vuong Hospitals new initiative has gained great success in inducing labour in pregnant women, using techniques that had greatly reduced costs.

The project is the first ever medical research in Viet Nam that has been recognised as a new method in obstetrics by the Ministry of Health, having helped reduce the rate of surgical births and handling difficult situations in pregnant women having seriously deformed fetuses or those having previous surgical births.

The 15th KOVA Prize awards in the category of Beautiful Living were presented to two groups and six individuals for their actions, which have inspired other people to follow, including group of Navy Region 4 and Lieutenant Le Van Quan, Captain of the Truong Sa 21 Ship, Brigade 125, Navy Region 2. They were recognised as an outstanding group and individuals who have carried out the task of protecting the nations sovereignty on the sea and islands.

The KOVA Prize, which was set up by former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh and Associate Prof Dr Nguyen Thi Hoe, chairwoman of KOVA Paint Group in 2002, is held annually to honour individuals and groups who have made significant contributions in the fields of science, education, charities, and other areas.

Over the past 15 years, the awards have been given to hundreds of groups and individuals. The organisation aims to encourage students, individuals and groups  especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds  to pursue innovations in science, technology and social welfare.  VNS
by Ngoc Diep

The unique colours of Khmer culture are part of the rich variety among the 54 nationalities who live in Viet Nam, ang Hung, head of the Bac Lieu Provinces Union of Associations for Literature and Arts, said this week.

In recent years, provincial authorities have carried out Government policies on ethnic affairs by reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of the southern Khmer and preserving the diversity of their traditional culture.

One of the most important events of the year is the provinces Khmer Festival of Culture, Sport and Tourism, held at Bac Lieu from November 17-19. It attracted more than 2,000 artists and dancers from 12 southern provinces and cities.

During the festival, the distinctiveness of the Khmer ethnic culture was on full display, having been preserved from generation to generation for more than 2,000 years.

Srey Khmau, 21, an artist from Tra Vinh Universitys art troupe, took part in an art performance for the first time, but not for the glory or an award. Khmer ancient traditions and culture give me great pride. Im very happy that our traditional values are respected and promoted, she said.

An art performance expresses typical Khmer culture from Tra Vinh Province.  VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

Among the activities at the three-day event were exhibitions of the culture of the Khmer community, costume shows, performances of Khmer art troupes, culinary competitions and traditional sport competitions from 12 southern provinces.

Besides Khmer dances, musical performances and folk singing at pagodas and during the festival, young artists from Soc Trang Province revived the Pithi Chol mlop marriage rite, attracting many visitors.

In earlier times, Khmer girls married only after completing a rite called Pithi Chol mlop, which means stay in shape. Today, the rite is generally not performed, but young Khmer artists who want to preserve the tradition express the significance and meaning through their performances.

The restoration of Pithi Chol mlop rite helps young Khmer avoid mistakes before marriage. A girl takes part in the rite when she has her first menstrual period. It is done for girls who know little about their bodieds or understand why certain physical changes are occurring.

The Pithi Chol mlop period lasts from around three months to one year, depending on each girls progress. The girls are not allowed to leave their private house and meet strangers, especially men. If there is a need to go out, they must cover their faces.

The girls learn housework skills (cooking, weaving, and embroidery), communication skills, good behaviour, social responsibility and how to keep their souls beautiful. According to ancient Khmer customs, it is difficult for a girl to find a husband if she does not take part in the rite.

Mother guides her daughter on how to use a weaving loom and spinning wheel during the Pithi Chol mlop period.  VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

Traditional costumes express the features and religious beliefs of the Khmer. They are decorated with different motifs and patterns, requiring fine tailoring skills and designs.

The costume for Khmer women is the sampet chon kpal, a special dress made from a wide fabric wrapped around the body and passed between the legs to make short, puffy pants.

Khmer women wear skirts decorated with motifs of oval inlays, flowers and stripes. The dresses are worn with shorts and a close shirt, with open neck and short sleeves.

The daily costume of women is similar to the Vietnamese ethnic majority Kinhs ao ba ba (a blouse worn by southerners) and khan ran (striped scarf) on the head or shoulders.

The traditional costume of Khmer men is a sarong, a long piece of delicately embroidered cloth. They also often wear sarongs and black blouses.

Today, Khmer only wear traditional costumes on special occasions, such as art performances, ceremonial rites, wedding ceremonies, and festivals.

Specific colours and patterns of mao (traditional hats) and masks are used in Khmer art performances.  VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

Unusual hats and masks are an indispensable part of traditional costumes. The hats are designed in the shape of heads and sacred animals.

The craft requires a thorough understanding of Khmer culturel. All of the work is done by hand and requires patience, creativity and care in every detail.

There are about 1.3 million ethnic Khmers living in southern Viet Nam, accounting for seven per cent of the regions population, ranking second to the Kinh (ethnic Vietnamese).

They reside in the Mekong Delta provinces of Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, and Can Tho City.

Most Khmer are Theravadan Buddhists and show deep respect to Buddhist monks. Pagodas are the most sacred and important places in their spiritual life.

Thach Ri Con, 29, from Tra Vinhs Tra Cu District, said southern authotities had helped local people improve their incomes and promoted their spiritual life by providing favourable conditions to preserve their traditional culture and to practise their religion. Our life now is much better than in the past. We live in love and peace. We are free to preserve our own cultural characteristics, he said.

Through the architecture of the pagodas, Khmer artisans have preserved the tenets of their Buddhist faith, which inspires them to do good things.

Some Khmer pagodas were built centuries ago and are recognised as national cultural and architectural relics. They are used for communal activities, festivals, and folk culture training classes.

Young Khmer men must spend a period as monks to foster knowledge and values. If they do not complete their classes, they are not recognised as adults.

During their time in pagodas, the young men learn Buddhism and write and speak Khmer, contributing to the preservation of the Khmer language and traditional culture. The ashes of many Khmer are preserved in pagodas after death.

Xiem Can Pogada in Bac Lieu Province is a splendid Khmer architectural work in southern Viet Nam.  VNS Photo Ngoc Diep

Xiem Can Pagoda, one of the biggest and most splendid in the south, was built in 1887. It is covered by walls with decorative images of snake genies and eye-catching motifs. Its east gate is painted dark yellow and red, typical colours for the Khmer.

Each year, more than 10 festivals are held, including the three principal ones: the Ok Oom Bok (long boat race), Sen on-ta (worship of the moon), and Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year).

To help them celebrate the November festival this year, the Bac Lieu Provincial Peoples Committee granted VN250 million (US$11,004 ) to upgrade traditional Khmer long boats and pentatonic musical instruments.
Nguyen Phan Que Mai, a PhD scholar in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, will publish her second book in English, Searching for Earth Cakes and Sky Cakes, in 2018 with Benchmark Education while her debut novel in English, The Mountains Sing, is due for release in spring 2019 by prestigious publisher Algonquin. She spoke to Le Huong about her work.

Inner Sanctum: Can you tell us a bit about your first novel in English?

I am delighted that my debut novel in English, tentatively titled The Mountains Sing, will be published by Algonquin Books in the spring of 2019. The novel begins with the American bombing of Ha Noi in 1972. The brutal force of such bombings pushes the reader back to the root cause of the war through the eyes of Grandma Dieu Lan and Huong, who tell us what happened to them and their family as Viet Nam experienced the French domination, the Japanese occupation, and the terror of the American War. But more than wars and terror, The Mountains Sing is about human kindness, compassion, hope, forgiveness, and the value of peace.

The Mountains Sing is my attempt to rebut Hollywood movies and novels written by Westerners who continue to see our country as a war and Vietnamese people as those who dont need to speak, and when we do, are portrayed as very simple, naive, cruel, or opportunistic. And instead of having a typical male character, it is time to pay tribute to women and children, who suffer most from the consequences of wars, but who must hide their sorrow, to become pillars for returned soldiers.

Inner Sanctum: It sounds like a very moving story. Is there anything in particular that inspired it?

In 2012, a friend of mine told me that when the American bombs fell on Ha Noi in 1972, he was a small boy and living with his grandma. The bombings were so horrific that years later, he refused to travel on an airplane. The sight of an airplane and its noise would bring him immediately back to the bombing raids. He had to see a psychologist.

The night, after listening to my friends story, I went into my writing room. It was late and I was very tired, but I had to find out more about the bombings of Ha Noi. I googled and watched You Tube videos. I was in tears. I switched off the internet and started to write a scene. The scene was to become the first chapter of The Mountains Sing.

For the next two years, I researched and crafted the novel as part of my masters degree in Creative Writing at Lancaster University, where I received tremendous support from my supervisor  the novelist Sara Maitland  as well as other teachers and co-writers. I graduated with a decent draft of the novel and for the next few years, I kept working on it, wanting to make it the best it could be. I revised it hundreds of times. I knew it would be hard to find a publisher because I dont write like a native English speaker. I grew up in Bac Lieu  a small town dangling at the tip of the Mekong Delta - and didnt have the chance to study English until I was well into my secondary school. Yet I couldnt help but write. I write because the untold stories from Viet Nam demand me to.

Inner Sanctum: How did you learn English and what is it like to write in your second language?

Back in the 1980s, my school in Bac Lieu didnt have any English teacher. My family was too poor to afford private English lessons. One day, rumors came that there was a teacher from another province who was settling down in Bac Lieu and offering free English classes. I went there immediately, not believing that it was true. But my teacher  Mr Truong Van Anh  was true in every sense. He infused in me the love for English through songs and books. He taught with compassion and dedication. He gave me the belief that people could be kind to each other. A few years later, a scholarship from the Australian government took me to Australia where I studied business and communications for four years. I chose to live with an Australian family to get a better grasp of the English language.

I was so thirsty for the English language. I wanted to feel it, to taste it. Even today, I am still learning, by devouring English books, by using the dictionary, and by experimenting with new ways of expression. English has opened the door to the world to me, and through my writing in English, I want to open the door into Viet Nam and our culture and history. For that purpose, I do use Vietnamese in my novel, together with Vietnamese idioms and proverbs. In that sense, writing in English has been exhilarating.

Inner Sanctum: How did your novel find its way to Algonquin Books? What has been the feedback on your novel so far?

In a journey, sometimes youll meet people who reinforce your self-belief and who make everything possible. First, it was Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of The Sympathizer and winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize, who read the synopsis of my novel and thought it sounded like a compelling book. He forwarded the synopsis to Julie Stevenson at Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agency who knows a lot about American War literature as she had helped sell The Sympathizer.

Julie asked me to see my novel. I sent it right away and heard nothing during the next months. I thought it would never happen but on March 7, this year, an email arrived from Julie. It said: Dear Que Mai, I finally had a chance to read your novel, and I found it extraordinarily moving and memorable. It is an epic story that covers so much of Vietnamese history, and it does so with a powerful voice and utterly engaging, unforgettable characters. I didnt want to put the novel down for a moment, even though so much of it was painful to read. I think its a remarkable accomplishment.

Julie and I signed an agency contract and less than two months later, she helped me reach a deal with Algonquin Books, a publisher recognised for high quality literary books, many of which are bestsellers. Algonquin only publishes five novels a year. I am honoured to be working with Betsy Gleick, editorial director of Algonquin Books who told me she loves my book because as a novel, it serves as a compelling look at the history of the war for American readers, but told from the point of view of a Vietnamese citizen, which makes it both original and important. It is also, quite simply, a lyrical and moving story.  VNS
A rare, Vought-built F4U-1D Corsair is now looking much more like her old self again in Mareeba, near the city of Cairns in northern Queensland, Australia. Bu.82640 is one of only two complete F4U-1Ds in preservation right now, the other being Bu.50375 on display at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museums Udvar-Hazy annex in Chantilly, Virginia. Under the watchful eye of her owner, Mike Spaulding, his restoration company, North Queensland Warbirds, has made steady progress on the Corsair since it arrived in March, 2011.

Bu.82640 has an interesting history, and may very well be a WWII combat veteran. She joined the U.S. Navy in December, 1944 and served with VF-10 Grim Reapers aboard the carrier USS Intrepid between January and April, 1945. Given the dates for her time with VF-10 aboard Intrepid, it is very possible that this Corsair took part in the fierce battles against the Japanese over and around Okinawa during that period, as both the ship and her aircraft were heavily involved in that campaign. The U.S. Navy disposed of the fighter not long after WWII, and unlike most WWII-era naval combat aircraft, somehow she made it into civilian hands. The Corsair was on show at the War Memorial Museum of Virginia in Newport News, Virginia by 1949. Unfortunately, the museum sawed her port wing off, close to the fuselage, to display her in their exhibition spaces tight quarters. While we may wince over her dismemberment today, we must remember that these aircraft were plentiful back then. Without sacrificing a wing, the Corsair would likely have been scrapped, like the overwhelming majority of her brethren.

The War Memorial Museum housed the Corsair until 1985, when Steve McLellan acquired her. McLellan kept Bu.82640 stored in the Virginia Beach area for more than a decade, before selling her to Jerry Yagen in 1998. Yagen was still in the early days of building up his world-class, vintage aircraft collection, which evolved into what is now the Military Aviation Museum based in Pungo, Virginia. At that time, he fully intended to restore the Corsair to flying condition, but the lack of a viable, original main spar was a serious problem. Even in the early 2000s, no one had successfully managed the technically challenging, and enormously expensive task of remanufacturing Corsair main spar caps. Yagen eventually opted for the more practical route, and purchased a flyable Corsair in late 1999, FG-1D Bu.92508. He held onto his F4U for a few more years, before trading her to Murray Griffiths in Wangaratta, Australia during 2005. Murray Griffiths had established an incredible restoration shop, seemingly overnight, at his Wangaratta base. He began restoring warbirds on an industrial scale, working simultaneously on multiple examples of a dozen or so warbird types for owners around the world. (Sadly, Griffiths died in September, 2011, before many of his projects reached fruition, although his company, Precision Aerospace is still active under the ownership of Doug Hamilton).

Mike Spaulding purchased the Corsair from Griffiths in 2010, and moved it to his facility at North Queensland Warbirds in Mareeba in early 2011. North Queensland Warbirds had prior experience restoring P-40N-5 42-104977, as well as a Harvard, and a couple of CAC Winjeels. They also maintain a number of ex-military aircraft for Spauldings Warbird Adventures. North Queensland Warbirds has made extraordinary progress on this complicated project, hurdling the most difficult of these tasks in building up a new main spar. In a recent e-mail to the author, Spaulding commented that, We have completed the fuselage, outer wings, tail group, landing gear, engine cowls and a majority of the center section. The hydraulic system is completed, and the electrical system started. The main work remaining involves the fuel and oil systems as well as the cockpit fit out, although some work has been completed on these. We expect by the end of 2018 to be getting ready to fly.

While aircraft restoration completion dates are an ever moving target in most cases, it is exciting to see this rare survivor finally getting close to taking to the skies again. We wish Mike Spaulding and North Queensland Warbirds the best of success with their endeavors, and will be sure to keep up with their progress. We also wish to thank Mike Spaulding for the two photographs and restoration details in this article.
CEDAR FALLS  The City Council Monday night will vote on the third and final reading of an ordinance banning use of fireworks in the city.

The Iowa Legislature legalized the sale and use of consumer fireworks this year, allowing them to be shot off on private property from June 1 through July 8 and again from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3. Cities can restrict their discharge but not their sale.

After considerable debate and a series of back-and-forth votes over the past several months, a 4-3 majority of the council ultimately voted for a total ban.

Council members Dave Wieland, Mark Miller and John Runchey and Frank Darrah support the ban, citing concerns about debris and disruption to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and others.

Council members Tom Blanford, Susan deBuhr and Nick Taiber voted against the ban. They supported a limited period for legally discharging fireworks.

On a separate matter, the council is scheduled to award a contract to Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck for nearly $3.5 million for the third phase of the reconstruction of University Avenue, generally between Grove and Main streets under Iowa Highway 58, including a double roundabout at the Highway 58 interchange.

PCI was the apparent low bidder last past week, well under the estimate of $4.2 million.

University Avenue is being narrowed from six lanes to four throughout the city and six of its eight previously signalized intersections replace with roundabouts. The projects first phase in front of College Square is completed and the second phase, generally between McClain and Midway Drives is under construction. It and projects third phase are to be completed in 2018

The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
NORA SPRINGS  Two Illinois residents were killed and a third injured in a car-train crash near Nora Springs on Friday.

The crash happened just before noon Friday at 260th Street and Zinnia Avenue.

The deceased have been identified by the Iowa State Patrol as the driver, James D. Blazier, 66, of Harvard, Ill., and front-seat passenger Dixie J. Blazier, 66, also of Harvard, Ill.

A back-seat passenger, Glenda L. Mundis, 55, of Harvard, Ill., was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Mason City.

Troopers said Blazier was northbound on Zinnia Avenue when he entered into the path of a westbound Canadian Pacific train. The train struck the front passenger side of the Chevy Equinox, causing it to roll and coming to stop on its roof, the report states.

The train was a single engine with no cars attached.

The crash remains under investigation.

Drug, endangerment

charges filed in raid

WATERLOO  Three people were arrested in connection with a Thursday night raid in which police allegedly found drugs within reach of children.

Police arrested 23-year-old Chavontae Charvez Boyd  who was out on bond awaiting trial in a June shooting  for possession of ecstasy, marijuana and K2 synthetic marijuana, two counts of violation of the drug tax stamp act and four counts of child endangerment.

Brittaney Kay Reiter, 23, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, one count of violation of the drug tax stamp act and four counts of child endangerment. Tristin James Bumgarner, 19, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and one count of violation of the drug tax stamp act.

According to court records, four children under age 3 were found at 214 Denver St. when Waterloo police searched the residence shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday. Officers found marijuana on a kitchen table and drug paraphernalia throughout the house, court records state. Officers also found a large bag of marijuana, a bag of ecstasy pills and two large bags of synthetic marijuana as well as an electronic scale and cash.

While authorities were on their way to search the home, Reiter left the residence, and officers stopped her and found a large bag of marijuana in the vehicle, court records state. When officers were at the door preparing to enter the home, Baumgarner allegedly threw 14 bags of marijuana from his window, according to court records.

Boyd is awaiting trial in connection with a shooting near Elks Memorial Park that injured a 29-year-old man. Boyd is accused of being a driver for another person, who fired the shots.
WATERLOO  Bragging rights.

Student artists can point to their participation in the Cedar Valley Biennial Exhibition as a symbol of achievement and acknowledgement about the seriousness of their creativity.

Its an opportunity for college art students to take part in a top-notch competitive exhibition. It gives these emerging artists some bragging rights, says Chawne Paige, curator at the Waterloo Center for the Art.

At the same time, any artist in a college arts program needs to get their work out there to be seen and actively participate in juried exhibitions and not wait until graduation, he points out.

The show opened Dec. 5 in the WCAs Law-Reddington Galleries. An opening reception took place at 6 p.m., with remarks and an award presentation at 7 p.m.

More than 250 submissions have been received for the show. The joint exhibition features artwork from the departments of art at University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, Wartburg College in Waverly, and new to the mix, Upper Iowa University in Fayette.

Artworks include ceramics, drawings, paintings, photography sculpture, mixed media, installations and performance art.

Im impressed with how these artists are pushing the mediums theyre working in, some by juxtaposing different techniques and materials, which I think is quite interesting, he explains.

Students from all the institutions are represented and were selected by the juror, Jane Gilmor, an Iowa artist and professor emeritus from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.

Merit awards will be presented and a best-of-show winner named. Hawkeye, UNI, Upper Iowa and Wartburg will each recognize an artist from their respective entrants, and Friends of the Art Center also will present two awards.

The WCA took over host duties for the exhibition in 2015. That year, one student artwork was chosen for the centers permanent collection. Paige is open to possibilities with this show.

As Ive unpacked pieces to put the show together, some have just blown me away. Im keeping my eyes peeled for a piece that screams excellence of execution and mastery of medium, he adds.

Sponsors for the event are the Waterloo Center for the Arts, Friends of the Art Center, University Book and Supply and the participating institutions.

Eventually the goal is to make the show a regional competition.
CEDAR FALLS  The makeup of the Cedar Falls City Council will be decided Tuesday.

A runoff election pits Rob Green, former head of the Overman Park Neighborhood Association, against businesswoman and Planning and Zoning Commission member LeaAnn Saul. Incumbent Nick Taiber did not seek re-election.

Neither Green nor Saul gained a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote required for victory in the Nov. 7 general election. Green received 40 percent of the vote and Saul received 34 percent. The third-highest vote-getter, Erin Cornelius, earned 26 percent but was eliminated. Eligible Cedar Falls voters citywide may participate.

Saul said shes been sending out flyers and working the phones to get out the vote, retaining her supporters and then some.

I still think Im the best candidate, so Im working hard, said Saul, who operates Professional Insurance Planners and Consultants with her husband, Greg, and is president of Cedar Falls Community Main Street.

Its obviously a get-out-the-vote battle, Green said, reaching people from across the political spectrum who sat out the November election and showing them why this runoff race matters.

Saul said voters can see theres a difference between us, particularly their positions on public safety  police and fire protection.

I support the public safety program. I believe our city needs it. It could work, Saul said. She supports cross-trained police as public safety officers to fight fires. However, she said the existing force of full-time firefighters should not be reduced and a full-time career firefighter should be hired to replace any career firefighter who leaves. She believes, though, public safety officers can supplement the city firefighting force.

Green has said he supports cross training of first responders, but does not believe a 1-1 replacement of firefighters with public safety officers is wise.

I support hiring career firefighters and police officers separately and providing incentives for them to cross-train, Green said. But I dont believe its in our best interest to take away career firefighter positions and give them over to this new public safety officer position. Police and fire should remain distinct and cross-train as appropriate.

Saul also supports construction of a new public safety building to get police and fire under one roof, though she questioned the buildings planned location in the southern part of the city. City property at the current Iowa State Patrol post on West First Street would have been better, she said. The city offered space near citys public works building in a bid to acquire the the State Patrol location, but the state never acted on that proposal.

Green differs. The new Public Safety Building seems to be a done deal, he said. I still have misgivings. The justifications they gave for it didnt sway me to support approval right now. Eleven million dollars is a lot of money. Had I been on council, Id have been the lone no vote on it. Its just a premature decision; a lot more discussion and buy-in was needed.

However, he said, Im certainly not an obstructionist. We have to respect the councils decision, and press ahead in good faith. He would have liked to see Black Hawk County Emergency Management located there as well.

Saul noted shes been criticized for being too conservative in matters unrelated to city business. She opposed a $118 million September 2014 school district bond issue for a new elementary and high school, which was defeated, but she backed a smaller $32 million April 2016 plan for a new elementary school in the southwest part of the city. A slightly larger $35 million proposal also was defeated in July 2015.

She also expressed concerns about municipal elections taking a partisan turn, noting many Democratic officials supported Cornelius. She questioned whether they would now back Green.

The amount of money being spent is a huge difference, as well as, I think, the tones of the campaigns, Green said. I know Im nowhere near being the top spender in this race, and thats totally fine. We can accomplish so much more without letting labels and identity politics get in our way, and I really want to model that on City Council.

Green has said he hoped to court Cornelius supporters this time around. Cornelius said, I am not officially endorsing anyone.
DES MOINES  A month ago, when Iowas Medicaid system was thrown for a loop with the exit of one of its managed-care companies, Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven admitted there have been some bumps during the transition period.

When Director Foxhoven said there would be bumps in the road, I took great issue with that. I wrote to him two weeks later to say, My son is not a bump in your road, said Jeff Edberg of Iowa City, referring to his 15-year-old son Colin.

Colin, who has mental and physical disabilities, lives at Dubuque-based Hills and Dales, an intermediate-care facility for children and adults. He relied on AmeriHealth Caritas for his Medicaid coverage.

But recent changes in Iowas Medicaid system have affected families such as the Edbergs, who are among thousands of Iowans who no longer have a choice in their managed-care provider.

As of this past Friday, in addition to the state fee-for-service program, Iowa only has two insurers on its managed-care system  Amerigroup Iowa and UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley  to cover roughly 570,000 members, according to the latest DHS quarterly report. Not only was a large portion of the Medicaid population unable to make a choice in their managed-care organization, but an additional 10,000 people have been moved to a traditional fee-for-service program within the state due to lack of insurer capacity.

The Gazette followed the Edberg family through the first year of Iowas private managed-care rollout, launched in 2016. The paper checked back with the Edbergs at a time when they believe Colins services are in jeopardy.

I am at a loss, Jeff said. I am sick about it. Im afraid for my son and his future.

Members moved

Recent confusion about the states managed-case system began in October when AmeriHealth  one of three managed-care organizations selected for the program  announced it was withdrawing from Iowas Medicaid program.

AmeriHealth, which covered the largest concentration of the states most in need  and therefore most expensive  population, exited the program Friday. Those members were moved to UnitedHealthcare, DHS officials announced early last month.

However, members were told they could opt to switch to Amerigroup before Nov. 16, the managed-care organization Jeff Edberg chose for Colin. This was the provider with which Hills and Dales, as well as the doctors group in Dubuque, Medical Associates, had signed.

Edberg received a card from Amerigroup last week confirming Colin was enrolled.

But the next day, a notice was sent out by DHS to state lawmakers stating Amerigroup did not currently have capacity to take any new members, including those who have actively chosen Amerigroup Iowa as their (managed-care organization).

DHS spokesman Matt Highland said 10,121 people chose Amerigroup following AmeriHealths withdrawal. As a result of Amerigroups statement, the department opted to provide coverage for those enrollees through the existing Iowa Medicaid Fee-for-Service program.

Providers signed on with AmeriHealth also will continue coverage of those switched to the fee-for-service program, he said.

For providers to enroll with the (managed-care organizations), they must first enroll with the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, Highland said. So AmeriHealth Caritas providers would already be enrolled with IME.

Edberg said hes heard from Hills and Dales and from the Dubuque doctors group Colins services still will be covered under the new program. However, he remains frustrated, saying he believes his sons health is in the balance.

This isnt buying stationery, this isnt where do I go to upgrade my iPhone, Edberg said. This is my sons well-being and his very life.

If he wandered outside of Hills and Dales, he would not live an hour. He would wander in front of traffic, he does not understand that sort of thing.

On any given month, DHSs Highland said, there are 40,000 members on the fee-for-service program, including those who are in their tentative assignment period before having coverage through a managed-care organization.

An additional 10,121 people would not be a significant challenge for the state to take on. However, in a memo sent to lawmakers last week, department officials noted they are reaching out to current case management agencies to see if they are able to assist during the transition.

Its important to know for members, there is no gap in coverage, Highland said. Its just who is giving coverage that has changed.

Iowas Medicaid population was covered under the states Medicaid fee-for-service model until the majority of the population was transitioned to managed care in April 2016.

Fee-for-service is a payment model in which services are paid separately to health care providers, whether its a procedure or a doctors office visit.

Rep. Liz Mathis, D-Hiawatha, said late last month the two programs also differs philosophically. Managed care would take a holistic look at a patients health for the long-term, rather just address a current need.

Highland said when the state learned AmeriHealth was withdrawing from Iowas Medicaid program, it reached out to Amerigroup and UnitedHealthcare to determine if the remaining two insurers could handle an influx of members.

At that time, Highland said the department learned Amerigroup did not have capacity to take on a high number of Medicaid enrollees from AmeriHealth. It was upon a follow-up  at an unspecified date  that DHS learned Amerigroup could not take on any new members.

An Amerigroup spokesman did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

On Monday, the department posted on its website that officials are closely monitoring Amerigroup as it continues ramping up their capacity.

Highland said the state does not have a clear timeline when Amerigroup could take on more members.

The remaining managed-care organization, UnitedHealthcare, ramped up for the influx of new members Friday by expanding its provider network and hiring approximately 400 more case managers. (See sidebar on page B2.)

As the landscape of Iowas Medicaid evolves  and will continue to do so  Jeff Edberg said the issues with the system need to be solved for members like his teenage son Colin.

Today hes safe, but Im still pretty terrified, Edberg said.
DES MOINES  On Friday, UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley became the managed-care organization for the vast majority of Iowas Medicaid members following the withdrawal of AmeriHealth Caritas from the states program.

After the state announced all AmeriHealth members would be shifted to UnitedHealthcare, the department sent a notice to Iowa lawmakers stating Amerigroup did not have the capacity to take on any new members, including AmeriHealth beneficiaries who chose Amerigroup as their managed-care organization.

This left those 215,000 members with no choice for their Medicaid insurer.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Iowa Chief Executive Officer Kim Foltz said the organizations officials were focused on its members, making sure the company was doing everything we can to ease their fears and anxiety they have with this transition.

Beyond that, our commitment is to serve these Iowans, Foltz said. We want them to understand the importance of them having choice. It would be our hope that we service them so well that their choice continues to be UnitedHealthcare.

UnitedHealthcare already had some 167,000 enrollees on its books before accepting the 215,000 member from AmeriHealth. There are approximately 570,000 Iowans enrolled in the Medicaid managed-care program, according to the Department of Human Services.

UnitedHealthcare has been increasing internal case management staff and expanding its provider network across the state in preparation for the influx of members Friday.

Within days of AmeriHealths announcement, Foltz said UnitedHealthcare began to reach out to AmeriHealth case managers to recruit them. Several job fairs also have been held across the state by the company.

Officials intend to hire approximately 400 community-based case managers, who oversee individual Medicaid recipients and their health care services.

As of Monday, Foltz said, 257 case managers had been hired.

UnitedHealthcare also has reached out to provider networks that previously would not contract with the company for Medicaid, Foltz said.

Foltz said said the MCO uses the expertise and knowledge of the entire company, the Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group, which manages Medicaid in 28 states.

During the first year of managed-care in Iowa, all three insurers reported losses in excess of $100 million. UnitedHealthcare, which has multiple lines of business in the state and does not file financials for its Medicaid business separately, stated it had lost more than $100 million last fiscal year.

Foltz said the losses cant continue long-term.
WATERLOO  The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley needs help with the following:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa is seeking community members to adopt a Little or a Little and family for the holiday season. Gifts are needed by the week of Dec. 18 to allow delivering of the gifts.

Volunteers are needed to participate in red kettle bell ringing for The Salvation Army through Dec. 23 (excluding Sundays) at 20 retail locations throughout the Cedar Valley.

The ARC of the Cedar Valley needs homemade decorated cookies and Christmas candy dropped off at the North Star Community Services on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to support their annual Cookie Walk.

Volunteers will wrap gifts for shoppers at the Crossroads Mall on Dec. 15 for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Shifts available from 2 to 4 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information, call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087, or go to www.vccv.org.
A couple of stories late last month combined for some great news on the economic-stability front here in the Cedar Valley.

In every community across the nation, the unemployment rate is one of the most important indicators of economic health. According to figures compiled by Iowa Workforce Development, unemployment in the Cedar Valley has reached its lowest point in nearly 17 years.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan statistical area, which includes Black Hawk, Bremer and Grundy counties, recorded a 2.6 percent jobless rate for October. The last time the rate was that low was in November 2000.

Its also below the state rate of 3 percent. Meanwhile, Black Hawk County checked in with a rate of 2.8 percent after recording a 4.1 percent unemployment rate one year ago.

Also as November turned to December, it was reported Deere & Co. posted its third consecutive quarter of earnings increases and the fifth-best year for sales and earnings in the companys 180-year history.

For fiscal year 2017, the company posted earnings of $2.159 billion, or $6.68 per share, compared with $1.524 billion, or $4.81 per share in 2016. Thats an increase of nearly 42 percent.

Just a year ago, the company had seen 11 consecutive quarters of earnings declines, and year-end earnings were the lowest in seven years. Those declines, however, came right after several consecutive years of record earnings.

Anyone who has lived in this area for a substantial amount of time knows Deere has been an economic anchor and major employer in the Cedar Valley for a century. Like any corporation, it is subject to the nuances of the marketplace.

Right now, Deere is projecting its ag and turf equipment sales will increase 9 percent worldwide for fiscal year 2018, with ag equipment sales in the U.S. and Canada up 5 to 10 percent for the year.

What youre seeing right now is replacement of equipment, especially large equipment, said Deere spokesman Ken Golden. That includes the large row-crop tractors made in Waterloo.

Were experiencing low commodity prices and yet were seeing sales for the year being the fifth-highest in company history, he added. Entering into this year, we were projecting to be down 1 percent in equipment sales and were up 11 percent. Were definitely seeing improvement in farm and construction.

Golden said the companys early orders for large tractors heading into 2018 look promising.

Thats a big thing for places like Waterloo that build large equipment, he said.

It also supports the companys projection of an even better performance in 2018, with projected earnings of $2.6 billion.

Of course, it wasnt too long ago when hundreds of Deere workers here experienced layoffs. As of the first week of November, Golden said less than two dozen employees in the Deere Waterloo Works were on layoff. That compares with nearly 1,000 workers who experienced layoffs in late 2014 and early 2015.

For a corporate giant like Deere, long-term vision is of utmost importance, managing the company so the good times keep rolling years down the road.

Overall, Deere has been on a pretty good run the past couple of decades.

Prior to 2014, and since the last major Deere workforce reduction in the late 1990s, the company had invested more than $1 billion in its Waterloo operations and saw a 36 percent increase in employment.

The company has consistently bounced back from down times with long runs of record earnings.

While the Cedar Valley has greatly diversified its workforce over the years, Deere is still a large economic and employment anchor.

Its a great market, but its also the business plan, which is to grow geographically in product lines and control costs, Golden said. That adds up over time to a profitable company that benefits our employees. If we can run the company well, expand well, all employees benefit.

And that means the Cedar Valley  and other communities with a large Deere presence -- also benefit..
Thanks, Trump

GARY DUNEMAN

WAVERLY  Trump, thank you. I never in my wildest dreams would ever have believed I would thank Trump. But here goes. Trump, I thank you for:

1. Showing us the depths to which people will go to make money.

2. Revealing what a morally deranged father you are now that it appears you have sucked your own children into your world of crime.

3. Winning the presidency and in the process showing how easy it is to fool 63 million voters.

4. Bringing associates into your fold who are willing to sell out our country.

5. Making it abundantly clear our spineless elected officials are willing to permit you to ruin our institutions to show their shallow and misplaced loyalty.

6. Letting us know in a time of record profits our elected officials are willing to give the wealthy tax breaks that will be funded by the less than wealthy.

7. Revealing the hypocrisy of our federal elected officials whose median income is one million dollars and have 72 percent of their health insurance paid by taxpayers yet voted to stop health insurance for poor, needy children.

8. Reinforcing Lord Actons statement  Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

$1 million

JIM GILGEN

CEDAR FALLS  I wonder if our government could give every citizen who is 60 years old $1 million.

They could retire if they chose, creating jobs for young people. Poor people could help their relatives with college or trade school tuition and give them some hope.

Protecting casinos

CLAIRE FOSTER

LA PORTE CITY  What a great country we live in. We have this wonderful free enterprise system. If I think I can build a better tractor than John Deere, then I can buy property, hire people and start selling tractors. Let the best man win. I can do this with any enterprise I wish. Oops, I cannot do this with a casino.

Our government protects existing casinos from competition by not allowing any other casinos to be built in the same area. The government does this in exchange for a kickback existing casinos take from their patrons. When the mafia does this, the government calls it extortion. As an added incentive, casinos are the only businesses in Iowa the government allows to endanger the health of employees and patrons by not requiring a smoke-free environment. Apparently the government believes requiring this would reduce its kickback.

Country View

TOM SMOCK

DUNKERTON  Nobody likes taxes, including me. However, I am pleased the Board of Supervisors are not abandoning the county home without a fight.

If you want an eye-opening experience, take an hour out of your day and visit the home on Dunkerton Road. The place is immaculate and the staff is friendly and dedicated. The residents, for the most part, have no other place to live.

I support the supervisors efforts to keep the facility under their care, and trust you will also.

What a great country we live in.
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND, December 03, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The new subsidiary, Objective IT Europe, was established in October of this year in the business-friendly Bulgarian capital of Sofia giving Objective a European base. This strategic move will help the company overcome any issues the uncertainty surrounding Brexit may bring.



Director, Lara Fox, spotted the opportunity for expansion when one of her employees decided to return to her homeland.



Maggie, who is an expert in web analytics and AI, is a highly valued member of staff who boasts a varied skillset. Working seamless with the UK team, Maggie is already helping a leading global business produce monthly Senior Management Reports across Europe. Exciting outputs have included a highly successful Product Recommendation Engine that uses the latest predictive and personalisation technologies to cross and up sell products. As well as customer journey and customer segmentation algorithms that have increased sales by over a million euro.



One of the core services offered by the European venture will be web analytics. This is the process of analysing the behaviour of visitors to a website, and managing this data to ascertain where marketing and UX improvements can be made. This service offers a range of benefits to growing businesses; when properly executed, web analytics can attract more visitors, retain existing customers, and identify upselling opportunities to increase the company's revenue.



Ms Fox is excited to announce the launch of the European office and feels that the move exposes her company to limitless new opportunities at an international level. She says:



"With some key customer based in and around Europe, creating a European base was an important strategic move for us. It clearly positions us as a European-friendly company. Bulgaria is business friendly and has a highly skilled, English speaking workforce. We are now able to face post-Brexit Britain with confidence, removing uncertainty through a sound European Base and able to exploit future opportunities with both our British and European client base with confidence."



Objective IT is a small, flexible software development and data analytics company, creating bespoke software solutions for a range of companies, from large corporate organisations to owner-managed businesses.



The web development and analytics team are set for further expansion in January 2018 with the addition of Natural Language Processing expertise. Based in Chelmsford, UK and Sofia, Bulgaria Objective offers world class software development and data analytic services.



Objective IT is a leading software development company based in Chelmsford, Essex and serving clients throughout the UK. Specialising in building forward-thinking bespoke software, cross-platform mobile and tablet apps, Objective has remained a respected Microsoft Partner since 1992. The company also offers data analytics services. For further information on how Objective's data scientists can benefit your business please contact the team today.



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Dec 3, 2017 | By Benedict

Students from three Dutch universities have developed Heartbits, a 3D printing and virtual reality (VR) tool for visually explaining heart defects to patients. Heartbits was initially a VR project developed with a Microsoft Hololens headset, but now also includes 3D printed models.

For both doctors and patients, serious discussions about heart conditions can be difficult: not only because of the sometimes bad news being delivered, but also because its hard to explain complex heart problems in non-specialist terms.

Students from three Dutch universitiesTU Delft, Leiden University, and the University of Wageningenhave therefore come up with a better way for doctors to tell patients whats wrong with their heart.

Their idea is a service called Heartbits, which was developed as part of the students participation in the Advanced Prototyping course at TU Delft. Heartbits uses VR and 3D printing to make heart diagnoses easier to understand.

Heartbits goes back to November 2016, when a team of six students began working together on the four-week university project. Their aim was to develop a VR tool that could be used to show patients their specific heart defect in 3D, bringing the virtual heart to life with a beating animation.

Over the course of that initial project, the students enjoyed mixed success: while they were able to develop a VR tool from scratch, they werent able to achieve everything they set out to.

For example, the team used a heart sensor to monitor a users heart, the idea being that this live heartbeat data could be used to make the VR heart animation beat in sync with the users real heart.

That didnt work out in the end, largely because the student group was tackling software they had never used beforeachieving most of their results through trial and error.

Heartbits didnt die at the end of that university course, however. Now, a year later, the team has returned with a modified project. This time, instead of focusing on VR, the students want to use 3D printed heart models as a way to achieve the same end goal: showing patients what their heart defects look like.

The new iteration of Heartbits uses patient-specific CT scan data to create 3D printed heart models. These models show patients what their own hearts look like, giving them a clear picture of whats going on inside them.

Its not just a way for doctors to inform patients either. The students behind the 3D printing project say these 3D printed models can be used for patients to explain their condition to their family and friends.

You can show it to a loved one, explains TU Delft student Tom Schild, one of the creators of Heartbits. You can say to them that's how it works and this is what's wrong with my heart, so I might not be able to participate in that bicycle activity with the family!

Ultimately, however, Heartbits still wants to make use of VR as well. Since 3D printed models take a while to fabricate, and since not every hospital or town has access to a 3D printer, VR headsets like the Microsoft Hololens remain a useful way of demonstrating a visual problem in 3D.

A year on, the team still hasnt totally mastered the art of VR, but is still very serious about making the concept work. The students and their respective universities are currently looking into the possibility of forming a company out of Heartbits.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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All Things 3D wrote at 12/5/2017 3:28:08 AM:This is great and something I have pursued as well. I also agree with their assessment that tangible models take too long and can be expensive. I will also contact them to let them know that if they are not already using '3D Slicer' they should, but more importantly there was a researcher who made a VR plug-in for a beta of the Oculus Rift that allowed you to view Volume Renders in VR, which is extremely details and more important, the ability walk around and change the position of the Volume Renders. Below is a link to several plug-ins for different platforms, however it is unknown if they are up-to-date. https://www.slicer.org/wiki/Documentation/Labs/Augmented_Reality_and_Virtual_Reality_support




From The New Criterion:

In 1750, Jean-Jacques Rousseau won the prize at the Academy of Dijon for his essay answering the set question, Has the restoration of the arts and sciences had a purifying effect upon morals? Rousseaus answer, in what came to be known to posterity as the First Discourse, was a resounding, if also a prolix, No. Our minds, said the sage of Geneva, have been corrupted in proportion as the arts and sciences have improved. Hows that for challenging expectations? Rousseau excelled at that. Common, unenlightened people might think that the arts and sciences are beneficent because they elevate the spirit and lighten the burdens of everyday life. Rousseau, a beneficiary of centuries of human ingenuity, came to tell them that the arts and sciences are dangerous distractions from virtue, which he urged his readers to pursue with single-minded devotion. Virtue! Sublime science of simple minds . . . . Are not your principles graven on every heart? Need we do more, to learn your laws, than examine ourselves and listen to the voice of conscience? In this artfully turned piece of rhetoric, Rousseau disparaged men who know how to speak in favor of those who know how to act aright. Let men learn, he intoned, that nature would have preserved them from science, as a mother snatches a dangerous weapon from the hands of her child. Let them know that all the secrets she hides are so many evils from which she protects them.

Take, for example, the art and science of printing, which Rousseau argued was a baneful invention. The frightful disorders which printing has already caused in Europe, he wrote in his widely disseminated essay, will convince responsible sovereigns to banish this dreadful art form from their dominions. But presumably not until after everyone had had the benefit of reading this bulletin by J.-J. Rousseau.

More here.
The Supposed Horror Of Homeschooling

Interesting observation from a 2012 Kevin Williamson piece at NRO:

The Tea Party and the Ron Paul movement are in some ways the conservative flipside of Occupy, albeit with better manners, more coherent ideas, and higher standards of personal hygiene.

He continues:

They comprise conservatives on the verge of despair at trying to achieve real social change through the process of electoral politics and the familiar machinery of party and poll, with its narrow scope of action, uncertain prospects, and impermanent victories.

His piece is actually about homeschooling:

It is homeschoolers, who, by the simple act of instructing their children at home, pose an intellectual, moral, and political challenge to the government-monopoly schools, which are one of our most fundamental institutions and one of our most dysfunctional.

Williamson says homeschooling is "being practiced in more than 1 million American households, by people of wildly different political and religious orientations."

Homeschooling represents a kind of libertarian impulse, but of a different sort: It is not about money. Homeschooling families pay their taxes to support local public schools, like any other family -- which is to say, begrudgingly in many cases -- and the movement does not seek the abolition of local government-education monopolies. (It should.) Homeschooling families simply choose not to participate in the system -- or, if they do, to participate in it on their own terms. And that is a step too far for the Hobbesian progressives, who view politics as a constant contest between the State and the State of Nature, as though the entire world were on a sliding scale between Sweden and Somalia. Homeschoolers may have many different and incompatible political beliefs, but they all implicitly share an opinion about the bureaucrats: They don't need them -- not always, not as much as the bureaucrats think. That's what makes them radical and, to those with a certain view of the world, terrifying.

I don't have kids, but I know a former Crossroads teacher hired by several LA families -- wealthy LA parents who pay her to collectively home-school their kids. (Crossroads is a wildly pricey elite LA private school.)

This woman who works as the homeschooling teacher is extremely bright, literate, and also wise about human behavior and how to motivate kids and deal with their issues. Any kid in any school in Los Angeles would be lucky to have her as a teacher. (I always feel lucky to run into her and have a little visit with her thinking on things.)

My mother, likewise, is highly intelligent -- the valedictorian of Mumford High School, then a top or the top high school in Detroit. She taught high school (and was said by my cousin Rolla, who was in one of her classes to be a complete hardass).

She would have been qualified to teach my sisters and me. We would have been lucky to have her, too -- though I would have gotten away with far, far less than I ever did in public school.

Is every parent able? Maybe not.

But maybe parents can hire a teacher to share between families.

Here's how it works for Reason's J.D. Tucille:

In many way(s), teaching my son is easier than laying a tile floor or installing a stove because the kid actually gives me feedback. If I screwed up installing the stove (I didn't), I'd have to find out the hard way. My son isn't shy about saying, "I don't understand." He's just as good at saying, "I get it and I'm bored; can we move on?" If you care enough to listen, that makes it a hell of a lot easier to do it right. So we spend extra time on division, and some points of grammar. But we whizz through language arts lessons, Spanish, and history at light speed, because he absorbs those lessons quickly--and really enjoys them. If only porcelain tile were so interactive. And we follow our own schedule and add and subtract learning experiences as my son expresses an interest. Right now there's a microscope and a pile of petri dishes on my kitchen counter. If we don't unleash a plague, Anthony will continue to satisfy his recent curiosity about microbiology (the plague is actually more likely to come from his clothes hamper). It's just not that hard to follow the kid's interests and make sure to fill in the gaps.

I wanted my parents to send me to a Detroit private school called Roeper, filled with smart weirdos, but they're frugal and figured public school was good enough. Or maybe they just couldn't afford the smart weirdos school.

Kids today in kindergarten get more homework than I had throughout high school. I did very little and got As, for the most part. I was always reading on my own -- so it wasn't like my head was empty. But had I been homeschooled, I would have been challenged and interested -- as I am by the stuff I study every day now. Would have been a far better way to spend those before-college 13 years.

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Diversified conglomerate ITC expects the chocolate category to contribute 10 per cent to its food division revenue in next five years, a top company official said.

The company had entered into the chocolate category with brand Fabelle in May last year.

In five years time we should see a 10 per cent share of the total food business from chocolates, ITC Foods Divisional Chief Executive Hemant Malik said.

The companys branded packaged food business, which spans categories like staples, spices, ready-to-eat, snack foods, bakery and confectionery, among others, reportedly clocked sales of over Rs 8,000 crore in the previous financial year.

The chocolate industry in the country is pegged at Rs 8,000 crore and ITC is now looking at the mass premium space.

We will phase ourselves. There is no point in launching too many products. We will be looking at various spaces and be a full portfolio player (in chocolate category) Overall market share in five years, we should have 15-20 per cent, Malik said.

The company manufactures chocolates from its Bengaluru facility at present and it has added another factory at Haridwar.

We have a factory in Bengaluru and we have also set-up a factory in Haridwar, which will help us enter into the mass range. We want to bring something new and differentiated to the market. We are developing new products and testing our products. Once we feel we are ready, we will come to the market, he said.

On the revised GST rates for chocolates from a tax slab of 28 per cent to 18 per cent, he said, we have corrected our prices accordingly. Once that happens, it becomes more accessible to the consumers and hopefully the market will increase.

ITC launched its luxury chocolate brand Fabelle at boutique stores in its hotels, which also serve as experience centres, and plans to expand its reach in the retail format.

We launched Fabelle one and half years back in the chocolate luxury space. We have seven boutiques that we have launched in our hotels. We are trying to take it outside (our hotels) and we are taking it to malls, he said.

The company has opened an outlet in Kolkata for its boxed chocolates and is opening a larger outlet in Delhi where people can buy boxed chocolates and also see the desserts, he said, adding that the company could also look at retailing boxed chocolates at airports.
Aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition bombed Houthi positions in Sanaa overnight on Sunday, residents and local media said, aiming to shore up supporters of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh as they battle the Iran-aligned Houthi group.

Saleh announced on Saturday that he was ready to turn a new page in ties with the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen if it stopped attacks on Yemeni citizens, in a move that could pave the way to end nearly three years of war.

The apparent shift in position came as Salehs supporters battled Houthi fighters in Hadda, a district in southern Sanaa where members of Salehs family, including his nephew Tareq, live. It was the fourth day of clashes sparked by what Salehs General Peoples Congress (GPC) called an attempt to seize a main mosque in the city.

The fighting has killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and raised concern of further casualties among civilians.

The clashes had added a new layer to an already complex situation in Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, where a proxy war between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed Hadi has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent times.

Salehs announcement was welcomed by the Saudi-led coalition, which has struggled to achieve any progress against the Houthi-Saleh alliance that had controlled most of northern Yemen since 2015 and forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee into exile.

The Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television said coalition aircraft pounded Houthi outposts in southern Sanaa, but gave no details on casualties. Residents reported at least five air strikes shook the highlands of the area.

Inside the city, residents said that Houthi fighters seized television studios of Yemen Today, a news channel owned by Saleh, after clashes that damaged the building. Residents said 20 employees were trapped inside the building.

Saleh on Saturday had issued his message to the Saudi-led coalition in a speech broadcast from the studios.

Yemen descended into violence in late 2014 when the Houthis, a group that hails from the Zaidi branch of Shiite Islam, marched on Sanaa and seized control of the government.

The group, backed by government troops loyal to Saleh, resumed its march south and attacked Hadis interim capital in Aden, forcing Hadi to flee and inviting the Saudi-led alliance to join the fighting.

Yemens war has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015, displaced more than two million people, caused a cholera outbreak infecting nearly one million people and led the country to the brink of famine.
File photo by Sharon Steinmann

ELF LIFE

Mobile will once again attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most elves in one place, during one of the most fun LoDa ArtWalk events of the year. To be a part of the official count, come wearing red, green, an elf hat and pointy ears. (If you dont have pointy ears lying around, you can pick up a set courtesy of the City of Mobile Special Events Department.) Following the count at 7 p.m., the elves will march up Dauphin Street and disband. A few showing of the movie Elf starts at 7:30 p.m. in Bienville Square. Rumor has it that the Travel Channel will be filming Elfapalooza, so be your best elf!

Elfapalooza, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., Bienville Square, free, www.facebook.com/events/130243734360030/.

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Courtesy Child Advocacy Center

CHEERS!

Holiday Cheer at the 5 is an annual fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center of Mobile, with a wine tasting and live auction of holiday packages at FIVE Mobile. Live music will be provided by Jerry Squires.

Holiday Cheer at the 5, Dec. 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., FIVE, 609 Dauphin St., $35, (251) 432-1101, www.facebook.com/events/181511459089420/.

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Michelle Matthews | mmatthews@al.com

SPACE OUT

The Gulf Coast Exploreum welcomes Seth Shostak, Ph.D., an astrophysicist and senior astronomer with the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) at University of California-Berkeley. Dr. Shostak will present a DomeHead Science talk, When Will We Find Extraterrestrial Life? He will discuss new approaches to detecting life, aliens and other scientific findings and theories. After his presentation, the audience will be treated to a viewing of the classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, filmed in Mobile and released 40 years ago, in the J.L. Bedsole IMAX Dome.

"When Will We Find Extraterrestrial Life?," Dec. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m., Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, 65 Government St., $10 adults/children, $8 members, limited capacity, www.facebook.com/events/141005846472919/.

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File photo by Mike Brantley

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Mobile Ballets three performances of The Nutcracker continue to be an annual holiday tradition. Brighter than ever, this charming story will capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world for the holidays. With Tchaikovsky's cherished score, hundreds of unforgettable characters, and the artistic direction and thrilling new choreography of Katia Garza, this new production will leave you wide-eyed with delight.

"The Nutcracker," Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m., Mobile Civic Center, $20-$60, www.facebook.com/events/1376346535796859/.

Mobile Symphony will bring the magic of Christmas to the Saenger Theatre in a concert that features lush arrangement of holiday classics, traditional Christmas carols and selections from movie favorites such as "Home Alone," "Miracle on 34th Street" and "White Christmas." Popular Mardi Gras designer Ron Barrett is creating a glittering winter wonderland throughout the Saenger. The orchestra will be joined by soprano Diane Penning and Mobile's Singing Children, the Gulf Coast's top youth chorus.

Mobile's Magical Christmas, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m., Saenger Theatre, $15 to $75, (251) 432-2010 or www.mobilesymphony.org.

The Playhouse-in-the-Park presents one public performance of its original musical, "A Christmas Carol." All ages will enjoy this magical show set in Victorian-age England during the Christmas season. The production is filled with music, dancing and colorful characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and the fun-loving Fezziwigs.

"A Christmas Carol," Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Saenger Theatre, 6 Joachim St., $20, www.facebook.com/events/297857280714136/.

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Facebook photo

LIGHT UP THE BAY

Join Mobile Baykeeper for the final celebration of the organization's 20th anniversary at Bay Bash, with the theme Light Up the Bay. Enjoy live music from Jamell Richardson, "the Gulf Coast Blues Boy," as well as delicious food, cocktails and a silent auction offering unique experiences. The special guest speaker will be Marc Yaggi, executive director of Waterkeeper Alliance, the international governing body of Waterkeepers worldwide. The event will conclude with a fireworks show over Mobile River. Proceeds benefit Mobile Baykeeper's efforts for clean water, clean air and healthy communities.

Bay Bash, Dec. 8 from 6 to 10 p.m., GulfQuest, 155 S. Water St., $75/person or $125/couple, www.mobilebaykeeper.org/bay-bash or (251) 433-4229.

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The White House said President Donald Trump was not coming to Alabama to campaign for Roy Moore, but some people in the state have reported getting invitations to the president's appearance in Florida next week.

People have tweeted and reported on Facebook that they received recorded phone calls from the president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, inviting them to his appearance in Pensacola next Friday.

"Hi, this is Lara Trump, calling on behalf of my father-in-law, President Donald Trump," the recording says. "I'm incredibly excited to invite you to an event in your area. A special rally event featuring President Donald Trump will take place on Friday, December 8th at the Pensacola Bay Center."

The message tells people how to get free tickets. It does not mention Moore or the Alabama Senate race, which Trump has taken an interest in for months.

The White House announced on Monday that Trump would not appear in Alabama on behalf of Moore's campaign, although the president has expressed his support for Moore over Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 special election for the U.S. Senate.

Trump did come to Alabama to campaign for Moore's opponent in the Sept. 26 runoff for the Republican nomination, Sen. Luther Strange.

Efforts to get comments from the Moore and Jones campaigns for this story were unsuccessful.

At an appearance in Montgomery on Friday night, Jones was asked if he is concerned about Trump swaying undecided voters.

"We're going to continue to run our campaign the way we believe it should be, and that is directly to the people, talking about the kitchen-table issues," Jones said. "So we're not going to worry about that. We're not going to worry about somebody that's campaigning in another state. We're going to be campaigning in Alabama, all the time, 24-7, between now and December 12th."
U.S. House Republicans are drafting a contempt of Congress resolution against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray, claiming stonewalling in producing material related to the Russia-Trump probes and other matters.

Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes and other committee Republicans, after considering such action for several weeks, decided to move after media including the New York Times reported Saturday on why a top FBI official assigned to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russia-Trump election collusion had been removed from the investigation.

Republicans, including the president, pointed to the reports as evidence that the entire probe into Russian meddling has been politically motivated.

"Now it all starts to make sense," Trump said on Twitter Sunday.

In his statement Saturday, Nunes pointed to the reports that the official, Peter Strzok, was removed after allegedly having exchanged anti-Trump and pro-Hillary Clinton text messages with his mistress, who was an FBI lawyer working for Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe.

In another tweet Trump referred to the agent as "tainted (no, very dishonest?)." Trump added that the FBI's reputation "is in Tatters - worst in History!"

A Justice Department spokesman, Sarah Isgur Flores, couldn't be immediately reached for comment by telephone or text. There was no immediate response Sunday from a spokesman for the committee's top Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff of California.

Until now, Nunes said, the FBI and Department of Justice have failed to sufficiently comply with an Aug. 24 committee subpoena -- including by refusing repeated demands "for an explanation of Peter Strzok's dismissal from the Mueller probe."

"In light of today's press reports, we now know why Strzok was dismissed, why the FBI and DOJ refused to provide us this explanation, and at least one reason why they previously refused to make Deputy Director McCabe available to the Committee for an interview," Nunes said.

"By hiding from Congress, and from the American people, documented political bias by a key FBI head investigator for both the Russia collusion probe and the Clinton email investigation, the FBI and DOJ engaged in a willful attempt to thwart Congress' constitutional oversight responsibility," he said.

Nunes, in the statement, said the committee will move on a resolution by the end of the month unless it demands are "fully met" by the close of business Dec. 4.

He cited "a months-long pattern by the DOJ and FBI of stonewalling and obstructing this Committee's oversight work," including also withholding subpoenaed information about their use of an opposition research dossier that targeted Trump in the 2016 election.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions would not be a target of any contempt action by the committee, Nunes has said, because he recused himself from any investigation into charges that Russia meddled in the election.

The dossier, which included salacious allegations about Trump, was paid for in part by the Democratic National Committee and Clinton through a law firm. Nunes and other committee Republicans -- backed by Speaker Paul Ryan -- say they want to investigate whether the Justice Department and FBI may have improperly relied on the dossier to kick-start federal surveillance that caught up Trump associates, without independently confirming the information they used to justify such spying.

"The DOJ has now expressed -- on a Saturday, just hours after the press reports on Strzok's dismissal appeared -- sudden willingness to comply with some of the Committee's long-standing demands," Nunes said. "This attempted 11th-hour accommodation is neither credible nor believable, and in fact is yet another example of the DOJ's disingenuousness and obstruction."

Those agencies "should be investigating themselves," he said.

If Nunes and Republicans do follow through with the contempt action, it would be a latest blow against bipartisanship on a committee that had until recently been one of the last bastions of comity in a polarized House. Democrats complain Republicans are increasingly shifting attention and limited resources in the Russian investigation away from a main focus of election interference and potential Trump campaign collusion.

The committee's infighting has stepped up since October, coinciding with Democratic complaints that Nunes has returned to a more active capacity for Republicans in the committee's Russia investigation.

Nunes said April 6 he was stepping back amid criticism of his handling of classified material, reportedly obtained from White House officials, that he said showed officials of former President Barack Obama's administration "unmasked" the identities of people close to Trump who were mentioned in legal surveillance of foreign individuals.

Rep. Michael Conaway of Texas officially has taken over the Republican reins from Nunes on the investigation. But Nunes' statement Saturday is another signal he's returned to a leading role.

(c) 2017, Bloomberg. Billy House wrote this story.
A majority of Republicans voters in Alabama do not believe the sexual assault allegations against GOP candidate Roy Moore, according to a new poll released Sunday.



The CBS and YouGov poll found that 71 percent of the 1,067 people polled did not find Moore's accusers to be credible. Seventeen percent believed the allegations to be true.

Moore currently has a six-point lead over Jones, according to the poll. Forty three percent of those polled said they would vote for Jones while 49 percent will opt for his Republican rival.

The twice-removed former Chief Justice of Alabama has seen his campaign stutter over the last month after the Washington Post published allegations that he sexually assaulted a 14 year old girl in Gadsden, Alabama, in 1979. Since then more women have come forward to complain about Moore. He was 32 at the time.



Moore, who beat incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in the GOP runoff in September, will go up against Democrat Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 vote.



More than 90 percent of those that did not find the allegations credible blamed the Democrats, while 80 percent also said that the media was to blame.



The poll was conducted between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1. It has a 3.8 point margin of error for questions based upon the entire sample and a 4.8 point margin of error for likely voters.

A Washington Post poll released Saturday had Jones with 50 percent and Moore at 47 percent.
With nine days to go before voters in Alabama head to the polls, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell softened his tone on GOP candidate Roy Moore during an interview Sunday.



Sen. McConnell had previously called on Moore to drop out of the race after multiple women accused the twice-removed Alabama Chief Justice of making sexual advances on them when they were teenagers. McConnell had previously said that he believed the accusers.



"I'm going to let the people of Alabama make the call," McConnell said on ABC's This Week. "The ethics committee will have to consider the matters that have been litigated in the campaign should that particular candidate win."

Moore shot back at McConnell in a tweet on Sunday. "The people of Alabama have rejected you twice Mitch, on December 12th they will do it again," Moore stated.





Moore, who will face Democrat Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 vote, has denied the claims that date back to 1979.



When the allegations first surfaced in a Washington Post article in mid-November, McConnell called on Moore "to step aside" if the allegations were true. President Trump had also previously called on the Gadsden-native to drop out.



Other GOP senators that commented are Jeff Flake of Arizona, David Perdue of Georgia, John Thune of South Dakota, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Richard C. Shelby of Alabama and Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania. Influential GOP Sen. John McCain was more straightforward about the accusations.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," McCain said. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of."



A Sunday CBS poll put Moore six points up on Jones, while a Washington Post poll had Jones on 50 percent and Moore on 47 percent.

Updated at 8:40 p.m. Dec. 3, 2017 with Moore tweet
Could parts of Alabama get a little pre-Christmas snow this week?

It's possible, according to the National Weather Service.

It could be cold enough for north and parts of central Alabama to see some snow showers or even a light dusting of snow at the end of the work week.

Is it a sure thing? No way. But forecasters are at least mentioning the possibility several days out.

Alabama's stretch of mild weather is set to end early this week with a series of cold fronts. Each front will bring a dose of cold air with it.

The first system will bring rain and possibly a few storms to Alabama starting on Monday night and into Tuesday, according to the weather service.

A shot of colder air will follow that front, but there is more to come.

According to the weather service another front could move into Alabama starting on Wednesday morning.

Then a third front could approach Alabama by Thursday, and this one could bring the first chance for snow to Alabama.

The weather service in Huntsville said there could be just enough moisture with that front to squeeze out a few snow showers over north Alabama on Thursday night.

But the cold front train is not over. Another front, this one stronger, could bring another chance of more widespread snow showers to north Alabama on Friday morning "changing to rain or mix of rain/snow showers for the remainder of the morning."

The rain showers could change back over to snow later that day as temperatures fall once again.

"If that occurs, then a very light dusting of snow or light sleet could yet be in the cards," forecasters wrote in their Sunday morning discussion.

That rain/snow mix could even make it farther south into parts of central Alabama on Friday afternoon and evening, according to the weather service in Birmingham.
Young people in the US are pushed into severe debt with the false promise of a good income.

In the print edition of the New York Times Magazine, theres an ad. It features a fresh-faced young woman smiling straight into the camera, looking totally exploitable. Shes wearing a sweatshirt with $67,928 written across it in large letters.

Above, on the left, is this question: Why did she borrow $67,928 for tuition?

Below, is the answer: She did it to work for you.

It is stunningly, hair-crawlingly creepy.

The ad is for a company that markets the idea of having employers help pay off those loans as a perk. Theres a TV version of the ad as well. The company that came up with the idea has already sold itself to a bank. Far be it for me to say anything a bank does is not for fun, that they must be doing it to make money from money, finding a way to squeeze an additional round of profiteering from what was a terrible idea in the first place.

The company and its clients say there will be no salary cuts. That this benefit is so super special that it will be added on top. There is no reason to disbelieve them except that every study of any other benefit, including employer contributions to social security, concludes that the amounts are actually taken from what would otherwise be paid to employees.

Borrowing for education has become a central pillar of the US economy. The total outstanding student loan debt in the US is $1.2 trillion, thats the second-highest level of consumer debt behind only mortgages  About 40 million Americans hold student loans and about 70 percent of bachelors degree recipients graduate with debt. The class of 2015 graduated with $35,051 in student debt, on average.

Why has it happened?

Myth-making  massive and relentless  is a large part of the answer.

Myth #1: Rising inequality in the US is the result of natural market forces. Low-cost foreign labour and technological progress have driven down the wages of unskilled labour.

It assigns blame to those foolish, inept, lazy bad-choicers who decided to be unskilled. Its an extremely useful theory because it says the solution is not about power and politics. Its up to you. Just go out and get the right education and you are statistically guaranteed to have a higher income.

That would be great for us all, because a better-educated workforce is what the US needs to compete in this era of increased international competition.

If this theory were true  or even if it was false, but our leaders really believed in it  our leaders would have increased our commitment to public education, especially public higher education.

Yet exactly the opposite has happened.

This has not always been true. Tuition at public universities used to be so low that they could be paid for with a summer job or part-time work while school was in session. Some, like the very fine colleges in New York City, were free. All the numbers changed right about 1980, the onset of the Age of Reagan. According to Bloomberg Business, the cost of obtaining a university education in the US has soared 12 fold [over the past three decades], [it] surged by 1,120 percent.

Myth #2: College graduates make hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars more.

Calculating from a recent CNN story, it would be better than a million dollars more over a lifetime. Other studies throw out figures like a mere $600,000 to $700,000.

Is that true?

We have a young friend who was working in a youth psychiatric facility in Atlanta. A difficult and dangerous job, it paid $12.10 an hour. With a college degree, it went up to $12.37, and with a masters, to $12.82. With a 40 hour week, 48 weeks a year, 40 years of work, the extra money calculates out to $20,736 for a college degree and $55,296 for a masters.

Thebestschools.org says the average earnings of a college graduate is $2,422,000 over 40 years, $65,550 a year.

A union plumber, working just a 40 hour week, 48 weeks a year, makes $71,600 in wages, $96,000 including health insurance and pension benefits. Thats with no overtime. A union electrician makes around $82,000, and a journeyman lineman makes $121,439. Elevator installers and repairmen make over $73,000. Subway operators, oil field and pipeline workers, boilermakers, aircraft mechanics, BMW mechanics, all average out between $50,000-60,000.

It is notable that most of these are either union jobs or in sectors where unions remain, so that non-union employers have to stay competitive.

The myth grew in proportion to the rising costs of education and to the proportion thats paid for by loans.

The myth opened the way for deception, fraud, and exploitation. TV ads made instant institutions sound like Ivy League colleges and promised high-paying jobs. There was FastTrain College (CEO convicted of fraud), Trump University (settled fraud suits), ITT Technical Institute (closed 130 campuses now subject to a class action lawsuit), Globe University ($395,000 jury verdict), American Commercial College (settled for up to $2.5 million), and Kaplan University ($1 million in tuition refunds). Theres Corinthian, one of several publicly traded corporations operating for-profit colleges. They were hot. Now theyre shut, and ordered to pay over $1bn for having defrauded students.

Do we think this is about a few bad actors?

A 2016 study found that Certificate, associates, and bachelors degree students [in for-profit colleges] generally experience declines in earnings.

Its a great myth. If youre in the for-profit college business. If youre a banker making student loans. If youre a college adviser taking kickbacks. If youre a college administrator making a large salary.

Its a great myth if youre a tax-cutting, public-service-destroying politician and you want to pretend that policy has no responsibility for declining wages and salaries of the bottom 90 percent. (Its always a psychic slap in the face to use the phrase, bottom 90 percent).

Its a terrible myth if you fall for it.

What the numbers show from all directions is that income is about power, not about knowledge. If you have a masters degree but work in the powerless public sector, your salary barely nudges you past the poverty level for a family of four. A blue-collar job with a strong union will make substantially more. The fact is that the first lesson you learn by going to college is to be in debt to the banks, and the last one, as you go out the door, is that youre going to be a debt slave to a corporation, because weve given up our power to educate our children and our society to the financial sector.

If we want to fix it, we have to take power back.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The problem with Daffy Duck, if you recall, is how, with his very limited mental means and compromised moral imagination, he is always trying to cover up his natural cowardice with vainglorious misadventures.

Here he is posing as a fast-drawing gunslinger pulling his guns to threaten some big men playing poker in a saloon  unaware he has actually pulled down his own pants and exposed his colourful underwear.

The same is with the two rich daddys boys  Jared Kushner and Mohammed bin Salman  who are now so intertwined we get their names mixed up as they are committing war crimes in Yemen, throwing the Palestinian cause under the bus, reforming Islam Israeli-style, causing mayhem in Lebanon, and hope to begin bombing Iran and to invade with the last American soldier their petrodollars and AIPAC lobby can buy.

In this simile, we also have a loudmouth Yosemite Sam, to be sure, whose name is Thomas Friedman. Thomas Yosemite Sam Friedman recently flew to Saudi Arabia and penned a long panegyric, utterly shameless in its banality, praising Mohammad bin Salman for initiating an Arab Spring, no less, in Saudi Arabia. This detailed entry of the leading New York Times columnist for the Saudi Minister of Love, Peace, Plenty, and Truth (Bless your socialist soul, Brother Orwell  what would we do without you!) will remain in history as the final exhibit of the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of American journalism.

Not an insult but a clinical diagnosis



Let me be blunt. Thomas Friedman is an ignorant fool  and I do not mean that as an insult. I mean it as a clinical diagnosis of an almost-illiterate man who has been cheated out of a proper undergraduate education, sold as a liberal Zionist to the highest bidder, and thus has managed to ramble and blabber his way up as a top-notch New York Times columnist.

Just like Yosemite Sam, Thomas Friedman always barks much louder than he can bite. Like the cartoon character, Thomas Friedman always walks and yells with two drawn guns, for as an American Zionist, he travels with two nuclear powers (US and Israel) on his belt  and because this imperial messenger  as Belen Fernandez has rightly called him  walks with this two drawn guns, any claptrap he blurts out is published without any editorial sense of decency in the New York Times. We go to the Paper of Record, as the thing calls itself, and without failure, we plunge into the ever-deepening abyss of a paper that has long since lost any sense of decency and self-respect.

Imagine the intellectual bankruptcy, try to fathom the moral depravity, of considering what Mohammad bin Salman and Jared Kushner are doing in Saudi Arabia and beyond an Arab Spring! Which one is more ignorant: that you have no blasted clue what the Arab Spring was, or your calling the treacherous atrocities of Mohammad bin Salman the Saudi version of Arab Spring? Countless books, piles of learned essays by Arab and non-Arab scholars and critical thinkers have been produced about the minutest aspects of the Arab revolutions. In art, literature, poetry, and scholarship  in scholarly conferences, academic seminars, and learned volumes young and older scholars have done their best to figure out the significance of the Arab Spring and then in comes this propaganda officer and issues page after page of a nonsensical gibberish the likes of which scarce anyone can fathom even in the post-truth age of alternative facts.

Why would any self-respecting human being consider a palace coup in the Saudi royal family, led by a Zionist Arab prince, the highest achievement of the Arab Spring? What utter contempt could a person harbour for the democratic aspirations of millions of human beings who poured their heart, body, and soul into the streets and squares of their homeland to consider a juvenile delinquents power mongering an Arab Spring from the top? What high school, what college, what school of journalism did this man drop out of to utter such hogwash and get it published in the New York Times? What editor at the New York Times could get up the following morning and look themself in the eye while their brushing teeth? It is beyond belief. And these people think they own and rule the world!



Brown reformers and latter-day Lawrence of Arabia

Someone has just counted the number of times the New York Times has, over the last 70 years, called members of the Saudi clan reformers!



Thomas Friedman is the latest in the long panoply of Lawrences of Arabia dashing in and out of the peninsula in search of their oriental fantasies, of brown reformers facilitating their white imperial rule of the region. This lacklustre Yosemite Sam is neither the best nor the worst. He is just the most pathetically ridiculous. On behalf of his Zionist cousins, he is just elated to see a Saudi prince obsequious to white colonialists, while bombing and starving the Yemeni natives to death.

Which one of Mohammad bin Kushners deeds, however, the world is left wondering, are we to read on top of his Arab Spring achievements? Slaughtering Yemenis with US weapons, sacrificing Palestinians to Uncle Netanyahus delight, stealing more Palestinian land for the settler-colonialism that his buddy Jared bin Salman is financing, dismantling the fragile peace in Lebanon, or forming a new Saudi-Zionist alliance to cause yet another disastrous war in the region, this time in Iran?

To be sure, Iran is not exactly an innocent bystander here. Iran is the Bugs Bunny of this episode of the Looney Tunes  too smart and arrogant for its own good  knee-deep in the murderous mayhem of the Butcher of Damascus in Syria. But Iran is not the sole treacherous actor in this regional dance macabre. Everybodys hand is in someone elses pocket. From Turkey to Saudi Arabia, from Iran to Egypt, the ruling states, whether in opposition to US/Israel and Russia/China or in alliance with them, they scramble their rotten eggs and call the collective by-product ISIL.

Mohammad bin Salman, Jared Kushner, Thomas Friedman, Saad Hariri, Donald Trump, Daffy Duck and company and all their nefarious machinations are now integral to a bad cartoon show we are forced to watch. Their acting would have been quite hilarious, were they not integral to a dangerous liaison endangering our fragile life on this endangered planet. We are running out of metaphors to understand this calamity. The axis of mendacity from Riyadh to Tel Aviv to New York requires a whole new set of allegories.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Analysts say decision to postpone regional elections raises serious concerns about the West African countrys stability.

Last weeks decision by Malis government to postpone regional and municipal council elections, amid concerns over security, sends a bad signal for the prospect of long-term stability in the West African country, analysts say.

The territorial, administrative and municipal council elections, planned for December 17, were postponed to April 2018 to give the government more time to organise absolutely inclusive elections, Tieman Hubert Coulibaly, Malis minister of territorial administration, said in a statement last Sunday.

He added that the challenge for Mali is stability, and ensuring the parties that have signed on to a peace accord between the state and various opposition and rebel groups in Algiers, in 2015, take part in the electoral process.

But Marie-Joelle Zahar, a professor at the Universite de Montreal and co-author of a recent report on peacebuilding in Mali, said that holding the elections would have been the clearest indication that the state can implement the 2015 peace agreement, aimed at bringing stability and security to the conflict-ridden north.

The 2015 deal, known as the Algiers Accord, included provisions on disarmament, constitutional reforms and a return of state institutions to the north.

The government signed the transitional agreement with two separate coalitions of opposition groups: the Coordination of Azawad Movements, composed largely of armed groups from northern Mali, and the Platform, which includes Touareg and Arab movements.

French President Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to Mali last May, said the Algiers agreement is the best chance to bring stability to the country.

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Zahar told Al Jazeera the vote was especially important for Malians living in the countrys northern region, who have long called for better representation and for the central government in Bamako, the capital, to allow for more decentralised power sharing.

This was going to be an opportunity to finally set the record right and to have people [councillors] there who are more representative of the populations, Zahar said.

If the [local] elections dont happen, Zahar added, then the peace agreement will be moot, because that in many ways was the one gain from that agreement for the people of the North: this extensive decentralisation and their ability to elect the people that will represent them and that will take decisions on their behalf.

Plagued by violence

An armed uprising in northern Mali in 2012 displaced tens of thousands of people, and the area was gripped by instability as armed opposition movements clashed with state forces and pushed them out of several areas.

A coup detat quickly followed, creating further instability and a political vacuum that allowed armed groups to enter the conflict.

French soldiers intervened in Mali after the coup to help prop up the state, in a mission known as Operation Serval.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was elected president in 2013.

But the Malian government has been unable to retake control of several areas of the country, which remain in the hands of armed fighters, including some with ties to al-Qaeda and other groups.

The next presidential election in Mali is expected to be held in July.

Deadly UN mission

Yvan Guichaoua, a lecturer of conflict analysis at the Brussels School of International Studies, said postponing the elections was natural, given the prevailing security situation in Mali.

An international, UN-led mission in the country, known as MINUSMA, has become the deadliest UN peacekeeping mission in the world. According to UN figures, more than 146 members of the 11,000-soldier mission have lost their lives since 2013.

About 4,000 French soldiers have also been stationed in Mali, under the French mission now known as Operation Barkhane.

However, despite international peacekeepers and troops, the situation remains very volatile, Guichaoua told Al Jazeera.

Last Tuesday, three separate attacks on UN camps in northern Malis Kidal region were carried out, but no casualties were reported.

Two attacks in the area on November 24 left at least four UN peacekeepers and a Malian soldier dead, while injuring nearly two dozen others.

In October, a handful of UN peacekeepers were killed and wounded when their patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Guichaoua said the state is struggling to retake control of some parts of the country, and putting the Malian army in place is not enough because what matters really is the presence of an administration that can respond to residents needs.

You have places without representatives of the state, with schools closed, with no teachers, with no civil servants, he said.

Lack of legitimacy

The Malian governments main problem is that it suffers from a lack of legitimacy, said Aurelien Tobie, a senior researcher with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institutes (SIPRI) Mali project.

The crisis has revealed how weak the state was, Tobie told Al Jazeera.

In fact, what we are seeing is [that] the state is not accepted, the representatives of the state are not accepted, in most parts of the country, he said.

People either find it irrelevant  or they just reject them outright.

He added that while the Algiers agreement still acts as some kind of framework for dialogue between rebel groups and the government, and its important to continue implementing it, it certainly wont be enough to bring about peace in Mali.

The conflict has changed since the deal was signed, with fighting spreading to the countrys central region, and new groups have also emerged, he said.

According to Tobie, postponing the elections is therefore a good indicator that the situation is not improving in Mali despite the peace agreement, despite the international presence [and] despite all the support that the international community is giving to the state.

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Nonetheless, some observers have pinned their hopes on a multinational military force, the G5-Sahel, which is expected to deploy as many as 5,000 troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger into the country.

The force launched its first operation in late October, according to Reuters news agency, and a summit will be held in Brussels later this month to raise funds for the deployment.

The US alone has pledged $60m to the new force.

According to the Universite de Montreals Zahar, the one thing that can change between now and the new date of the regional and municipal election is the G5-Sahel force deployment.

But is the G5-Sahel capable of deploying something right now, so quickly? There are lots of questions about that, Zahar said.

Guichaoua, meanwhile, said focusing solely on security will not yield a solution in Mali, where citizens are looking for protection wherever they can find it.

Its a matter of being protected and at the moment, some communities feel that they receive better protection from the jihadists than from the government or local militias that operate in the area. Thats one of the reasons that [is] breeding jihadism in the area, he said.

Counterterrorism and [the] G5-Sahel are not going to address this problem right now. The solution needs to be comprehensive and not just focused on counterterrorism.
Lawyer Dina Adly says her client confirmed that his health is good and that he has not been subjected to investigations.

Ahmed Shafik is in Cairo and his health is good, his lawyer has said after meeting the former Egyptian prime minister for the first time since his arrival in the Egyptian capital on Saturday.

I had a meeting with Shafik an hour ago at one of the hotels in New Cairo and confirmed his health, Dina Adly wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening.

He confirmed that his health was good and that he was not subjected to any investigations, she added, without mentioning the name of the hotel where she met Shafik.

Shafik, who has lived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2012 after losing the Egyptian elections to Mohamed Morsi, was arrested by Emirati authorities on Saturday and later deported, according to Adly.

His exact whereabouts and condition were unknown after landing in Egypts capital.

Earlier on Sunday, Bloomberg news agency reported that Shafiks daughters accused Egyptian authorities of kidnapping the 76-year-old.

Amira Ahmed Shafik said in a voice recording sent to Bloomberg that her father was denied access to his lawyer and that they planned to sue the Egyptian authorities over his treatment.

Travel ban

On Wednesday, Shafik said in an exclusive video message to Al Jazeera that he had been blocked from leaving the UAE, hours after announcing plans to run in Egypts 2018 presidential elections.

I was surprised to know that I am prevented from leaving the UAE, for reasons that I dont understand and I am not willing to understand, he said in his statement.

I reject any intervention in Egypts affairs by preventing me from participating in a constitutional right and a holy mission to serve my country, he added.

Then, on Saturday, Shafiks lawyer said that she had not been able to speak to her client since Friday and that he had been arrested at his home in the UAE and would be deported to Egypt.

Arab Spring

Shafik was prime minister for one month in 2011, during that years Arab Spring uprising.

After losing the closely contested 2012 election to Morsi, Shafik fled to the UAE. He was placed on trial in absentia in Egypt and found guilty of corruption charges.

He was later acquitted, clearing a path for his potential return to his home country.

On Friday, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said he sees no legal restrictions that could prevent Shafik from running in next years elections against current President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.

I see no reason why he should not run. I say that as a layman. I know hes had some issues with the judiciary. I am not sure whether those have been resolved or not, Shoukry said in a meeting in Italy.

But in principle, he is free to represent himself to the electorate. As in any society, its up to the electorate to decide.

Shafik is not the only person planning to challenge Sisi in the presidential election. Khaled Ali, a prominent Egyptian rights lawyer, has also voiced his intent to contest the 2018 elections.
Presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafik disappeared upon arrival in Cairo after deportation from the UAE, his lawyer says.

The whereabouts of Egyptian ex-prime minister and presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafik remain unclear after his reported arrival in Egypt on Saturday evening.

According to his lawyer, Shafik was arrested in the United Arab Emirates earlier on Saturday and deported to Cairo after he recently announced plans to run for president in the 2018 elections.

Upon landing in the Egyptian capital, Shafik quickly left to an unknown destination, an airport official said.

Witnesses said he left the airport in a Mercedes but it was unclear where he was headed or who was driving the vehicle.

State-run Al-Ahram newspaper cited an unnamed source as saying that Shafik had checked into a hotel.

Kidnapped

However, Bloomberg news agency reported that Shafiks daughters accused Egyptian authorities of kidnapping the 76-year-old.

Amira Ahmed Shafik said in a voice recording sent to Bloomberg that her father was denied access to his lawyer and that they planned to sue the Egyptian authorities over his treatment.

Shafik was prime minister for one month in 2011, during that years Arab Spring uprising.

After losing the closely contested 2012 election to Mohamed Morsi, Shafik fled to the UAE. He was placed on trial in absentia in Egypt and found guilty of corruption charges.

He was later acquitted, clearing his path for a potential return to Egypt.

The reports about Shafiks arrival in Cairo came after his lawyer, Dina Adly, said on Facebook that her client had been arrested at his home in the UAE and would be deported to Egypt.

Adly also said in her post that all lines of communication with Shafik had been shut down since Friday.

Also on Saturday, the UAEs state news agency said that Shafik was heading to Cairo, while his family stayed behind.

Video message

On Wednesday, Shafik said in an exclusive video message to Al Jazeera that he had been blocked from leaving the UAE, hours after announcing plans to run in Egypts 2018 election against President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.





I was surprised to know that I am prevented from leaving the UAE, for reasons that I dont understand and I am not willing to understand, he said in his statement.

I reject any intervention in Egypts affairs by preventing me from participating in a constitutional right and a holy mission to serve my country, added Shafik.

I call on the UAE leaders to order the lifting of any restrictions on my ability to travel.

The UAEs Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash later responded in a series of tweets, saying there was no obstacle to Shafiks departure from the UAE.

(Shafik) took refuge in the UAE and ran away from Egypt after the results of the 2012 presidential election. We presented him with every facility and generous hospitality despite our severe reservations about some of his positions, Gargash said.

Sahar Aziz, an associate professor of Law at Texas A&M University, said it was likely that there was some truth to Shafiks claim that he was barred from leaving the UAE.

He clearly has been deported. Presumably, the reason why he was deported was in retaliation for his claim that he was barred from departing from the UAE for France  he wanted to go on a European trip where he was going to be campaigning among the Egyptian diaspora, and then presumably head to Egypt, Aziz told Al Jazeera.

I dont think that he would take such a big political risk of insulting his hosts of over five years, who effectively gave him refuge while he was facing criminal charges in Egypt. He wouldnt do something like that publicly on Al Jazeera if there wasnt some truth to it. I think he probably was kept, but now he is going to pay a higher price, she added.

On Friday, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said he sees no legal restrictions that could prevent Shafik from running in next years elections against Sisi.

I see no reason why he should not run. I say that as a layman. I know hes had some issues with the judiciary. I am not sure whether those have been resolved or not, Shoukry said in a meeting in Italy.

But in principle, he is free to represent himself to the electorate. As in any society, its up to the electorate to decide.

Shafik is not the only person planning to challenge Sisi in the presidential election. Khaled Ali, a prominent Egyptian rights lawyer, has also voiced his intent to contest the 2018 elections.
Donald Trumps former national security adviser agreed to a plea deal in which Flynn agreed to cooperate with Muellers investigation.

US President Donald Trump is defiant in the face of a snowballing crisis around his administrations ties to Russia.

He said he had nothing to hide, just a day after his former national security adviser admitted to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Moscow.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday he had to fire his former national security adviser Michael Flynn for lying to his administration and the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President [Mike Pence] and the FBI, Trump tweeted on Saturday.

The tweet came one day after Flynn had pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents in a probe of Russian interference in the US presidential election. Lying to the FBI is a federal felony.

He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!

Trump implications

Yet, if the president knew of Flynns lying to the FBI when he was forced to step down, Trumps actions to pressure former-FBI director James Comey to end an investigation of Flynn could eventually lead to charges of obstruction of justice.

Flynn emerged at the centre of an investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the US presidential election last year and into whether Trumps campaign may have colluded with the Russians. He is cooperating with prosecutors.

Flynn resigned in February after just 25 days as national security adviser, admitting to inadvertently giving incomplete information to key people in the White House, including Pence, about his communication with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office.

Trump said Saturday he was not concerned about what Flynn might tell investigators.

What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion, Trump told reporters at the White House as he left Washington for fundraisers in New York.

Trump has repeatedly denied collusion and downplayed the significance of aides implicated in the probe.

A member of Trumps inner circle during the right-wing populists election campaign and White House transition, Flynn pleaded guilty at a federal court in Washington on Friday to one count of making false statements to investigators about a conversation with the Russian ambassador.

A White House lawyer said that Flynns guilty plea does not implicate Trump in any wrongdoing.

Mueller investigation

Flynn is the fourth person associated with Trump to be charged in the widening investigation.

George Papadopoulos, a Trump campaign foreign policy aide, pleaded guilty on October 30 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia.

Paul Manafort  who was Trumps campaign manager from June to August 2016  and Manafort associate Richard Gates were charged separately with conspiracy, money laundering and violations of lobbying laws related to Manaforts past lobbying work for a pro-Russian party in Ukraine.

US security agencies have said since October 2016 that the highest levels of the Russian government directed internet hacking and other interference with the US election process.

Moscow denies any election meddling, though Western intelligence agencies allege a long-standing pattern of Russian efforts to disrupt elections in Europe and elsewhere.

The FBI led the federal investigation of suspected election meddling until May, when Trump sacked FBI chief James Comey. Within days, Trumps own Department of Justice named Mueller, a former prosecutor and FBI director, as special counsel to lead the Russia probe.

Muellers investigation has several thrusts, including whether there was any coordination between Trumps presidential campaign and the Russian government.

Other targets of the Mueller investigation include top White House aide Jared Kushner, who is Trumps son-in-law, and one of the presidents sons, Donald Trump Jr.

Separately, the Washington Post Saturday said an FBI officer involved in the initial investigation who had been taken off the case over the summer, exchanged disparaging text messages about Trump and in support of rival Hillary Clinton with another staffer with whom he had been having an affair.

It was unclear whether the FBI employees had allowed their personal views to cloud the investigation, but the revelation could provide fodder to Trump supporters who have said the investigation has been biased against Trump.
New Iranian port eases India trade into Afghanistan and benefits the economy as US nuclear-deal opposition looms large.

Iran has launched one of its major post-nuclear deal projects  the port of Chabahar  pushing further for engagement with the global community, days before the US Congress expected decision on whether Washington will pull out of the landmark international accord.

On Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani officially inaugurated the southeastern port in Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province with great fanfare as officials from 17 countries attended a ceremony marking the opening of a new extension of the strategic trade corridor.

The Chabahar ports development was accelerated after Tehran signed the nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with Washington and five other major powers in 2015 to put curbs on its disputed nuclear programme in exchange for relief from punishing economic sanctions.

In a visit by reporters earlier last week, Swiss-made cranes installed in the first operational jetty were unloading containers bearing the trademark of Irans national shipping company  Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL)  off a vessel that had just arrived from India carrying wheat shipments, which will be trucked to Afghanistan. It was the third consignment arriving this year as part of a contract to transit 1.1 million tonnes of wheat from Indian ports to the landlocked neighbouring country.

Containers are moved to the vast empty area of the Shahid Beheshti container terminal whose construction was recently completed. Equipment financed through an $85m investment by India will be supplied by companies in Europe and Asia to fill the empty lot.

Soon, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co Ltd (ZPMC) will supply four gantry cranes to accommodate large container ships in the first 8.5 million-tonne jetty.

Once two-thirds of this capacity is realised, five other jetties will be built to increase the capacity of the port to 82-85 million tonnes. Planned completion of another under-construction multi-purpose terminal and a 610km north-south railway to Afghanistan and Central Asia will turn the port into a strategic asset to India in the face of its geopolitical rivalry with China and Pakistan.

Those nations are developing the $46bn China Pakistan Economic Corridor that winds down to Pakistans port of Gwadar, less than 100km from Chabahar.

This is a strategic route for India, Amirhossein Esmaeili, director of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminals Development project, told Al Jazeera. For them to carry goods to Afghanistan via Pakistan is either impossible because of security concerns or it is subject to excessive costs.

At a press conference last week, the head of Sistan-Baluchestans Ports and Maritime Bureau said costs for each 20-foot container were $1,000 lower if transported through Chabahar to Afghanistan compared with the Pakistan route.

Nuclear deal spoils

A few months after the nuclear deal with Iran went into effect in January 2016 and sanctions were lifted, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the country where he agreed to open a $500m line of credit to develop the port  nearly half of what Iran is planning to invest. The lifting of embargoes enabled Iran to enter negotiations with India, China, and Europe on investment and supply of equipment.

However, the burgeoning success of Chabahar and other post-sanctions deals Iran has signed are now overshadowed by United States opposition to the nuclear deal.

Despite International Atomic Energy Agency saying Iran has fully adhered to the terms of JCPOA, US President Donald Trump  an outspoken opponent of the accord  refused to certify that Iran was in compliance. This gave the Republican-dominated Congress 60 days to decide if Washington should put sanctions back in place.

Iranian officials have noted the fact that other signatories to the nuclear deal  China, Russia, Germany, the UK, and France  still stand by it.

Asked whether Iran is prepared for the US to return to sanctions, Mohammad Rastad, Irans Deputy Transport Minister in ports and maritime affairs, said: Nothings happened as yet, has it?

We have held successful negotiations with international partners following the JCPOA, Rastad told Al Jazeera. We think these investments will help further foster our international relations. We hope this will help us bring about better future for our port and maritime activities.

Billions of trade and investment deals were signed in the wake of the nuclear deal between Iranian companies and those in India, China, Russia, Western Europe and the US itself.

Aside from the United States, all other parties to the nuclear deal have defended it, stressing it has been effective.

Siding with Irans regional rival Saudi Arabia and arch foe Israel, the Trump administration has accused Tehran and its elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC), of creating instability in the region by test firing long-range missiles and trying to increase influence in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon by supporting militias there.

Iran says its missile programme is for defensive purposes and denies the other accusations.

In late October, the US Treasury Department added major IRGC-linked companies such as the port construction and operation companies Tidewater Middle East Co and Iran Marine Industrial Company to its SDN list. IRGC-affiliated firms have had a significant share in Irans port activities.

IRGCs economic arm, Khatam Al-Anbia Construction Headquarters, has been a big player in the construction of the port of Chabahar in particular.

So far, India has received the go-ahead from the US with regards to its economic activities in Chabahar.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was quoted as saying in a visit to India in October that his country does not want to interfere with legitimate business done with Iran, whether they be from Europe, India or agreements that are in place or promote economic development and activity to the benefit of our friends and allies.

Whether Tillersons words still stand remains to be seen.
The White House adviser says Trump is still looking at different facts on whether to move the embassy to Jerusalem.

US President Donald Trump is still weighing a decision on whether to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, according to White House senior adviser Jared Kushner.

The president is still looking at a lot of different facts, Kushner, who is also Trumps son-in-law, said during the keynote address at the annual Saban Forum in Washington on Sunday.

When he makes his decision, hell be the one who will want to tell you, he added.

Kushners comments come just days before Trump is expected to make an announcement on the contentious issue.

Trump pledged during his campaign that he would move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but has so far not fulfilled the promise.

Reports emerged on Friday that Trump could again delay moving the embassy, but recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that would rewrite long-standing US policy.

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Many feel that moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would inflame tensions in the Middle East and upset the Palestinian leadership.

Israel declared Jerusalem to be its undivided and eternal capital in 1980, but the Israeli claim to the entire city remains unrecognised by the international community. Palestinians want occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of any future state.

No country currently has its embassy in Jerusalem  all such diplomatic missions are located in Tel Aviv.

Saeb Erekat, the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, condemned this week any potential US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

Jerusalem is the social, political, cultural, religious and economic heart of Palestine, he said in a statement.

If the US administration decides to contradict its international commitments and historic foreign policy by recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, it is not only going to promote international anarchy and disrespect for global institutions and law, but it will also be disqualifying itself to play any role in any initiative towards achieving a just and lasting peace, added Erekat.

PJ Crowley, the former US assistant secretary of state for public affairs, told Al Jazeera that up until now, the US has deferred taking such a step because it was viewed as potentially prejudicial to final status negotiations between the parties.

If Washington changes that posture and declares Jerusalem (or at least some of it) to be the Israel capital, then how will the Trump administration balance that gesture with the Palestinians, said Crowley, who is also the author of Red Line: American Foreign Policy in a Time of Fractured Politics and Failing States.

We dont know, but its not clear to me either why the White House feels that now is the right time to stir the hornets nest.

Honest broker?

At Sundays Saban Forum, Kushner also spoke about US efforts to broker a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians.

He said he was hopeful because both sides really trust the US president.

We do think it is achievable and we think that there is a lot of reasons why this is a time when it should happen, he said.

The president sees [the conflict] as something that has to be solved, Kushner added.

Kushner said Israel needs to make peace with the Palestinians in order to normalise its relations with other Arab states in the Middle East.

Israel, who is traditionally their foe, is a much more natural ally to them today than perhaps they were 20 years ago. Because of Iran, because of ISIS [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria], because of extremism, Kushner said.

In a pre-taped video message shared earlier in the day, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, echoed that sentiment, saying he believed Israel would become more openly accepted by its Arab neighbours in the coming years, rather than in secret and the way its done today.

Critics have repeatedly raised concern as to whether Kushner, and the Trump administration more generally, can be honest brokers between Israelis and Palestinians.

Late last year, US media widely reported that Kushners parents had donated tens of thousands of dollars to Beit El, an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, through a family-run foundation.

Kushner also reportedly served as the co-director of the Charles and Seryl Kushner Foundation from 2006 to 2015, something he failed to disclose in his financial records, according to Newsweek.

The Trump-appointed US ambassador to Israel, bankruptcy lawyer David Friedman, is also a staunch supporter of Israels far-right and settler movements.
Six months into the Qatar-GCC crisis, the worst in the region in decades, Gulf leaders are set to meet in Kuwait City.

The emir of Kuwait has hosted the chief of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to discuss the blocs crucial upcoming summit, six months after a Saudi-led group of countries imposed a blockade against Qatar.

Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani on Sunday briefed Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah about the two-day event starting in Kuwait City on December 5, according to KUNA, Kuwaits state-run news agency.

KUNA did not give any other details about the meeting.

Last week, Kuwait sent out invitations to all six GCC member states. Qatar confirmed that its leader would attend, but there was still no certainty about who else would attend.

The GCC is a political and economic alliance of countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Since the beginning of the blockade by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain  as well as Egypt  on Qatar on June 5, Sheikh Sabah has acted as a mediator to end the dispute.

In October, he warned of the potential collapse of the GCC if the crisis continues.

Contrary to our wishes and hopes, the Gulf crisis has the potential of escalating; therefore, all of us must be fully aware of its potential consequences, Sheikh Sabah said at the time.

Any escalation will bring with it an outright call for regional and international intervention, which will destroy the security of the Gulf and its people.

Two GCCs

Marwan Kabalan, director of policy analysis at the Doha Institute, told Al Jazeera that the danger of a GCC collapse was real.

The emir of Kuwait knows very well that if the crisis runs for long, were going to see two blocks within the GCC. One is led by Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Bahrain, and the other will actually have Qatar, Oman and to a lesser extent, probably Kuwait, he said.

So well be having then two GCCs, rather than one.

Asked on Saturday about the crisis at the International Mediterranean Dialogue Conference in Rome, Qatars foreign minister said it was important for countries to work together.

We need to reach a level of understanding, guiding security principles that everybody is agreed upon and everybody should adhere to and should be committed to, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said from the Italian capital.

And then, from there, we build on the next step for cooperation.

He also said that the Gulf regions collective security had been threatened by the measures taken by the blockading countries.

Attack on sovereignty

The blockading countries have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, maintaining cordial relations with Iran and meddling in the internal affairs of their countries  allegations the Qatari government has strongly denied.

Qatar maintains there is no legitimate justification for the Saudi-led groups actions, calling its decision a violation of its sovereignty.

Kabalan said that Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in particular, were still keen on Qatar surrendering completely to their demands.

This is something Qatar will not do, he said.

Qatar has made it clear many times, by the emir of Qatar and by other Qatari officials, that they cannot accept a total surrender. They want a negotiation. They want mutual concessions by all sides, actually, to solve the crisis, added Kabalan.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia  For the first 18 months of his life, the only home Sophearys son knew was a cramped prison cell.

The kids would try to shake the window and the door to get out but they couldnt, so they would cry, said Sopheary, whose name has been changed to protect her familys privacy. It was very chaotic.

Three months pregnant when she was swept up in a drug raid on a karaoke parlour in July 2015, Sopheary denied knowledge of the methamphetamine found on her client but was sentenced to three years imprisonment, reduced to two on appeal.

It was inevitable the baby she was carrying would be born during her sentence. And, with her relatives unable to care for him, his first  and developmentally crucial  months were spent in an adult prison that has become increasingly crowded because of a major government crackdown on drugs.

When he was born, he was so small, like a monkey, Sopheary told Al Jazeera. She blamed his low birth weight on receiving inadequate nutrition from her food rations during her pregnancy. And, like other mothers interviewed for this story, she said she was unable to breastfeed so relied on formula provided by a non-governmental organisation.





Prison budgets allocate just $0.70 per prisoner per day for food (which covers two basic, rice-based meals), and half that for accompanying infants, though local NGOs working closely with prisoners claim the children rarely receive their allowance and pregnant women do not receive any prison-issue nutritional supplements.

We have received reports of mothers returning to the prisons with newborn babies to sleep on cell floors with no assistance with extra food portions, breastfeeding, sanitation and after-birth care, said Naly Pilorge, deputy director of advocacy at the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (Licadho).

For Sopheary and her son, the situation in their tiny cell worsened as time wore on. A war on drugs ordered by Cambodias authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen has seen more than 13,000 people jailed since January, many for minor drug offences.

Scores of pregnant women and mothers with small infants have been rounded up and thrown into an already overburdened prison system as part of the crackdown.

One NGO worker, who asked not to be named because of fears of repercussions in the current political climate, said growing up in overcrowded and dirty cells is stunting the childrens development, with toddlers limited to small spaces or confined to lie in hammocks all day.

Its true that theyre usually in a womens ward, but [they prisoners] dont want children in there. Theyre not encouraged to talk, walk or jump up and down. Its definitely not a place for a child to grow up, the NGO worker said, adding many children have difficulty functioning normally when they enter society.

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The lack of contact with families and communities can greatly negatively impact the whole development of the child, Pilorge added. Children become institutionalised as they literally grow up in prison. They witness violence and are exposed to dangerous conditions.

According to Licadho there were 102 children and 56 pregnant women being held in 18 prisons monitored by the group as of July.

There is a total of 28 prisons in Cambodia, meaning actual figures are likely to be higher.

Under Cambodian law, it is legal for a child to stay with his or her mother in prison until they are three years old, though an official with the UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said some children stay longer.

Hun Sen called for an end to the practice in early 2015, saying we wont allow any women who have children or are pregnant inside jails anymore. His comments came after Licadho released a report on their poor living conditions, and were followed up by pardons for some of the women.

But the number of pregnant women and children imprisoned with their mothers soon began to grow, and has done so rapidly since the war on drugs began. In particular, the situation for pregnant women and children in Prey Sar  the countrys largest prison  is becoming critical, according to the anonymous NGO worker.

The OHCHR official also raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate nutrition, as well as a lack of clean water and access to health services for the children.

Sorn Keo, a spokesman for the general department of prisons, rejected the claims, insisting the government offers pregnant women and mothers regular maternal health checks and adequate food while additional nutrients are provided through partnerships with NGOs.

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We have created programmes to offer special help for pregnant women, he said. In general, even those in Banteay Meanchey [province] and [Prey Sar], the pregnant prisoners and their babies receive special care. They have access to a better treatment than general prisoners.

Keo added the department was drafting regulations to provide additional support for their nutritional needs, and planned to bring a health expert on board to redesign the meal rations for mothers and babies.

In the meantime, NGOs say they are desperately scrambling to offer extra food to women and children currently behind bars. Because of the way donor funding is allocated, theyve been unable to secure funding quickly enough to keep up with the rising numbers.

This shouldnt be down to NGOs  it should be the government, the NGO worker said. There are people inside the general department of prisons who know this and are looking for funds, but it is very hard.

Pilorge said a culture of corruption within the prison system further exacerbates the problem, especially for poor women who cannot afford to bribe officers for better conditions.

If a mother has no money to pay, she literally will not be able to get anything extra from the prison. This includes extra food, clean water, time outside of the cells, she said.





And once theyre released, the women and their children often struggle to move on.

When Sopheary was released in July after two years, her infant son was traumatised by his first experience of the outside world, a motorbike ride across Phnom Penh to their home.

He was so scared hearing the sound of the traffic, she said. He was crying and holding on to me really tight.

While he now appears happy and healthy, she worries about the long-term affect on his development and the likely stigma he will face growing up in a culturally conservative society.

Im afraid that when he grows older people will say that he was in prison, she said. That he will be stereotyped and people will bully him.

Sopheary gave her son a name that translates to Free Soon but he was not issued a birth certificate, crucial for accessing government services and getting an education.

While he may be free now, the system could keep him caged for years to come.

Additional reporting by Leng Len
CIA Director Mike Pompeo in letter to Irans army chief says US will hold Tehran responsible if its troops are targeted.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo has warned Iran against attacking US interests in Iraq, saying the Iranian government will be held responsible for any targeting of US troops.

Pompeo, speaking at the 2017 Reagan National Defense Forum in California on Saturday, said he had sent a cautionary letter to the leader of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Qassem Soleimani.

I sent it because he had indicated that forces under his control might in fact threaten US interests in Iraq, Pompeo said. What we were communicating to him was that we will hold him and Iran accountable.

The letter was not opened by Soleimani, according to the chief of staff for Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Recently, when  the CIA chief through one of his contacts in the region sent a letter to General Soleimani, he responded by saying, I did not either receive or read the letter. I have nothing to tell these people, Mohammad Mohammadi Golpaygani said.

Since the removal of Iraqi President Saddam Husseins government in 2003 during the US-led invasion, Iran has extended its influence throughout the country.

The Iranian government in Tehran is consolidating its control over political affairs in Iraq, while fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

A US-led coalition is also combating ISIL in Iraq and Syria, frequently in close proximity to Iranian forces operating in those countries.

Pompeo, an outspoken critic of the nuclear agreement with Iran, said Tehrans actions in Iraq showed that Iranian efforts to be the hegemonic power throughout the Middle East continue to increase.

Recent speculation has suggested that Pompeo is being lined up by US President Donald Trump to replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state. Pompeo did not answer questions regarding these reports.
US and South Korea begin four-day air drills with 230 aircraft and 12,000 troops, in a move denounced by Pyongyang.

The US and South Korea will launch a major air force exercise involving hundreds of aircraft on Monday, a move denounced by North Korea for bringing the region to the brink of nuclear war.

The war games involve 12,000 US military personnel and 230 aircraft  including US F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets  and will run until Thursday. South Korean F-15K, KF-16, and F-5 fighters will also take part.

Named Vigilant Ace, the air manoeuvres will simulate strikes on mock North Korean nuclear and missile targets and transporter erector launchers that move the Norths missiles, the South Korean Air Force was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying on Sunday.

The exercises come after last weeks test-launch by North Korea of its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) yet, though the US-South Korea drills had already been planned.

The Hwasong-15 ICBM could theoretically travel about 13,000km  far enough to hit anywhere in the mainland US.





While the Monday-Thursday exercise is a biannual training event, it is unusual for advanced stealth aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35 to participate, Yonhap reported.

North Koreas nuclear weapons: Here is what we know

North Korea reacted angrily on Sunday to the air manoeuvres, accusing the US and South Korea of a grave military provocation that will push the already acute situation on the Korean Peninsula to the brink of nuclear war.

What matters is the fact that the drill simulating an actual war is to be staged at a time when insane President Trump is running wild, a commentary carried by the official Korean Central News Agency said.

The situation clearly proves that the US and the South Korean puppet war maniacs are just aggressors and provocateurs breaking peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The war games follow reports on Saturday of the establishment by South Koreas military of a decapitation unit tasked with neutralising the Norths leadership  including Kim Jong-un  and destroying nuclear and missile facilities if war breaks out.

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The unit, comprising 1,000 special forces troops, is modelled after the US Army Rangers, Delta Force, SEAL Team Six, and Green Berets, according to a report by the Korean Times newspaper.

The unit was originally to be launched in 2019, but the military expedited the move because North Korea continues to raise regional tensions with its ballistic missile launches and nuclear experiments, the report said.

On Sunday, US National Security Adviser HR McMaster said President Donald Trump was prepared to take care of the Norths weapons programmes  but he didnt specify how.

If necessary, the president and the United States will have to take care of it because he has said hes not going to allow this murderous, rogue regime to threaten the United States with the most destructive weapons on the planet, McMaster told Fox News on Sunday.
Kuwait is expected to host a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council starting on Tuesday. It comes as the regional alliance is facing its worst crisis in decades, with the blockade of Qatar.

Kuwait is expected to host a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council starting on Tuesday. It comes as the regional alliance is facing its worst crisis in decades, with the blockade of Qatar.

More than six months ago, four countries imposed an air, sea and land blockade on Qatar.

The reality is that the [GCC] summit will not bring a resolution to the Qatari crisis, but nor is it intended to resolve disputes, reads a commentary published by the UAEs state-run WAM news agency on Sunday.

Al Jazeeras Mohammed Jamjoom reports from Doha.
FM says Sheikh Tamim will take part in meeting of Gulf leaders, to be held as regional crisis hits six-month mark.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will attend a key summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Kuwait this week, according to Qatars foreign minister.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday that Qatars leader had accepted the invitation to attend the two-day event held in Kuwait City starting on Tuesday, six months after a Saudi-led group of countries imposed a blockade against Qatar.

I will attend the ministerial council tomorrow and the emir will attend the summit, news agencies quoted Sheikh Mohammed as saying at a forum in Qatars capital, Doha.

It is important that the GCC system remains alive.

Last week, Kuwait sent out invitations to all six GCC member states, but it was not clear whether all other leaders would attend.

The GCC is a political and economic alliance of countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Since the beginning of the blockade by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain  as well as Egypt  on Qatar on June 5, Kuwaits Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah has acted as a mediator to end the dispute.

In October, he warned of the potential collapse of the GCC if the crisis continues.

Contrary to our wishes and hopes, the Gulf crisis has the potential of escalating; therefore, all of us must be fully aware of its potential consequences, Sheikh Sabah said at the time.

Any escalation will bring with it an outright call for regional and international intervention, which will destroy the security of the Gulf and its people.

In late October, the king of Bahrain said his country will not take part in any summit or meeting attended by Qatar unless Doha corrects its approach.

Two GCCs

Marwan Kabalan, director of policy analysis at the Doha Institute, told Al Jazeera that the danger of a GCC collapse was real.

The emir of Kuwait knows very well that if the crisis runs for long, were going to see two blocks within the GCC. One is led by Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Bahrain, and the other will actually have Qatar, Oman and to a lesser extent, probably Kuwait, he said.

So well be having then two GCCs, rather than one.

The blockading countries have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, maintaining cordial relations with Iran and meddling in the internal affairs of their countries  allegations the Qatari government has strongly denied.

Qatar maintains there is no legitimate justification for the Saudi-led groups actions, calling its moves a violation of its sovereignty.

Kabalan said that Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in particular, were still keen on Qatar surrendering completely to their demands.

This is something Qatar will not do, he said.

Qatar has made it clear many times, by the emir of Qatar and by other Qatari officials, that they cannot accept a total surrender. They want a negotiation. They want mutual concessions by all sides, actually, to solve the crisis, added Kabalan.
Girls as young as 13 abducted by traffickers as aid agencies raise concerns over the safety of women in refugee camps.

Rohingya girls and women in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar are being sold as sex slaves, according to a victim and aid agencies.

Fifteen-year-old Khartoun* told Al Jazeera she was sold into sex slavery after she arrived in Bangladesh by boat to escape a brutal military crackdown.

She was alone  her mother, father and sister had been killed by a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar military during a sweeping crackdown against Rohingya people. Upon Khartouns arrival in September, two women approached her on the beach and told her they would help her.

They told me if I went with them they would look after me and help me find a husband, Khartoun said.

Instead, she was locked up for three weeks and sold to a Bangladeshi man, who she said, raped her and sexually abused her for 12 days.

He said I will choke you, I will stab you. I will kill you  Do you want to be killed the way the military kill people in Myanmar? I wont let you go,' Khartoun told Al Jazeera.

The UN and aid agencies said labour and sex trafficking in refugee camps have gotten worse with the recent influx of more than 620,000 Rohingya.

The military unleashed a campaign of mass murder, rape and arson against the persecuted community after army bases came under attack from Rohingya fighters. The UN has said the army offensive amounted to ethnic cleansing.

Olivia Headon of the International Organisation for Migration said urgent action was required to keep women and girls safe in Bangladeshs refugee camps.

Theres been recruiters here in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, previous to this influx and we know they are getting more business, she told Al Jazeera. And we know that new criminal networks have kicked into action.

A local aid agency that led Al Jazeera to Khartoun said its staff working with trafficking victims have received death threats from criminal gangs.

The organisation, which did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said some girls as young as 13 have been abducted by the traffickers.

The man who bought Khartoun returned her to the women who sold her after 12 days. They left her at the Kutupalong refugee camp, where she now lives.

In 2015, Thai authorities uncovered extensive networks which trafficked Rohingya and held them for ransom in jungle camps after discovering 36 bodies in shallow graves along the Thai-Malaysian border.

An army general in Thailand and dozens of others were convicted over the case in July.

*Name changed to protect the victim.
Forces loyal to ex-president engaged in fighting with Houthis days after he called for talks with Saudi-led coalition.

Forces loyal to Yemens former President Ali Abdullah Saleh have denied claims by Houthi rebels who say they have gained control of most of the countrys capital, Sanaa, according to an official in Salehs Republican Guard.

Iranian-backed Houthi fighters say they had regained control of three military bases, the diplomatic district and other neighbourhoods around the area. They also said they had taken over the city of Dhamar, south of Sanaa, as well as its surrounding regions.

Sanaa has been shaken by escalating violence between Salehs supporters and Houthi rebels. At least 40 people have reportedly been killed since Wednesday amid ongoing fighting between the two sides, with residents now fearing a new front in an already devastating war.

Though clashes subsided on Saturday night, residents in Sanaa told local media outlets that fighting resumed on Sunday.

According to reports, clashes erupted in some neighbourhoods in the heart of the Yemeni capital.

Residents reported hearing sounds of explosions in Hasba, while others said coalition airstrikes struck Houthi targets south of the city.

On Saturday, Saleh said that he was open to talks with a Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels, in what the fighters called a coup against their fragile alliance with the former president.

He also called for a joint ceasefire between his supporters and Houthi rebels, and the Saudi-led coalition, which has been bombing the impoverished country since March 2015 to get rid of the Iranian-backed rebels.

If #Yemen was 100 people: *77 need aid to survive.

*66 don't have enough food.

*60 have no clean water.

*52 have little access to health care.

*12 are severely malnourished. But Yemen is not 100 people. Its over 27 million people.  ICRC (@ICRC) December 1, 2017

The Saudi-led coalition praised Saleh for taking the lead in the conflict. In a statement on Saturday, the coalition said that it would redeem Yemen from the evils of Iranian terrorist and sectarian militias, return it to the Pan-Arab pure and natural fold.

Ibrahim Qatabi, Doha-based political analyst, told Al Jazeera: It seems to me that there might be some collaboration between regional powers, Saleh and maybe the legitimate government to somehow overthrow the Houthis first and then have a serious political talk.

This is what it looks like, where the whole thing is headed, he said.

Saudi Arabia along with other Sunni Muslim countries intervened to reinstate the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was overthrown by the Houthis in 2014.





In May 2015, following Saudi-led coalition air raids on his home in Sanaa, Saleh officially announced for the first time the establishment of his alliance with the Houthis. A year later, the Salehs General Peoples Congress (GPC) party and Ansar Allah, the political arm of the Houthis, signed an agreement to form a political council to run the country.

The Saudi-led coalition imposed a total blockade in October on the country, where nearly 80 percent of the people need humanitarian aid to survive.

Last week, amid mounting international pressure over the suffering of millions of Yemenis, some humanitarian aid was allowed to enter the country.

The war in Yemen is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, killing at least 10,000 people and leading to widespread hunger and disease.
Syrian government airstrikes have targeted several cities and towns in Damascus province. At least six people were killed in Arbeen, while two others died in Haresta.

There have also been attacks in Eastern Ghouta, which has been under siege by the Syrian army since 2013. About 400,000 civilians are believed to be trapped there, and those who have managed to escape are living in makeshift camps.

Al Jazeeras Mohamed Adow reports.
It is unclear if the Syrian government delegation will return to Geneva, while opposition and Western diplomats have also criticised the talks for being too heavily influenced by Russia.

The head of the Syrian government delegation, Bashar al-Jaafari says there can be no progress in talks to end the fighting, if the opposition keeps demanding President Bashar al-Assad step down.

Its delegation has returned to Damascus and says it hasnt decided whether to go back to Geneva when talks resume on Tuesday.

The talks were originally based around a UN-backed goal of a transitional government body, but the Syrian government, backed by their Russian allies, and UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura have backed away from the plan.

Al Jazeeras James Bays reports from Geneva.
The Gulf crisis helps open new trade routes and increase bilateral trade from Iran, Turkey and Pakistan to Qatar.

Doha, Qatar  The move by Turkey, Iran and Pakistan to increase bilateral trade with Qatar, following a Saudi-led blockade, has benefited all four countries, according to experts.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed a land, air and sea blockade on it on June 5.

Speaking on Sunday on the sidelines of the Gulf Studies Forum in Qatars capital, Doha, analysts said the crisis has helped Iran, Pakistan and Turkey increase bilateral trade with Qatar, as well as open new commercial routes and strengthen political ties.

Trade between Iran and Qatar increased by 117 percent in less than six months and it shows the short-term effect of this crisis and bodes well for both countries in the long term, Luciano Zaccara, an expert on Gulf and Islamic studies at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera.

Figures released by Irans customs administration last month showed the country exported 737,500 tonnes of non-oil goods worth $67.5m to Qatar over five months  an increase in growth by 30.8 percent in volume, and 60.57 percent in terms of value when compared with the same period last year.

Iran is also very interested in the Qatari market, added Zaccara. They have shown their commitment by trying to accommodate its specific needs. These commercial relations will remain intact even if the [Gulf Cooperation Council] GCC crisis is resolved.

Iran and Qatar share the worlds largest gas field. A few weeks after the blockade was imposed, Qatar announced plans to increase its gas production by 30 percent.

According to Zaccara, this showed the importance Qatar gives to better coordination with Iran, in terms of sharing the gas field but also on gas pricing.

The recent signing of a land transportation pact between Iran, Qatar and Turkey, aimed at cutting down the cost and transit period for goods, was also touted as a major milestone in the countries trade relations.

Strategic allies

Qatars investment in Turkey is over $20bn, the second highest in terms of value by any country, which, according to Murad Yesitlas, an expert on geopolitics and security studies from Turkey, shows Qatars importance to Turkey.

Yesitlas added that the recent strengthening of military ties between the two countries is also a significant indicator of this relationship.

In June, Turkeys parliament approved a 2015 deal with Qatar aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two states, which gave Ankara the right to establish military bases in the Emirate and deploy military forces to take part in joint exercises.

Doha-Islamabad ties

Pakistan, which has historically held strong ties with all GCC countries, chose to stay neutral in the immediate aftermath of the blockade. However, its then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Riyadh in an offer to mediate between the GCC countries.

Sharif, who spent seven years in exile in Saudi Arabia following a military coup against his government in 1999, urged all countries to find an early resolution to the impasse in a statement issued from his office following his return.

However, the statement went on to reaffirm the strong commitment of the government of Pakistan to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Saudi kingdom.

This subtle tilt towards Saudi Arabia was down to Sharifs long history with the Kingdom and its rulers, according to Zahid Shahab Ahmed, of Pakistans National University of Science and Technology.

Sharif has long-standing personal interests in Saudi Arabia. His family has invested heavily in the country while they were in exile there, Ahmed told Al Jazeera.

Sharif also relied on Qatari leadership in his fight against the Panama Papers corruption charges, which is why Pakistan found itself in a situation where it was stuck in a fight between two brothers.

It opted for the middle ground and it has benefited Pakistans relationship with Qatar. There has been the opening of a direct trade route between Pakistani and Qatari ports, Pakistan has agreed to send more workforce to Qatar and the LNG agreement was already in place, said Ahmed.

Follow Hafsa Adil on Twitter @hafsa_adil
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the United States aims to decide on its own migration policy.

US President Donald Trumps administration said it was withdrawing the US from an international pact aimed at improving global migration and refugee issues, prompting criticism from the United Nations.

The US has been a part of the non-binding New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants since it was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly last year.

The declaration called for negotiations on a Global Compact for Migration, aimed at protecting the rights of refugees and migrants and helping them resettle.

It also seeks to fight xenophobia, racism and discrimination towards refugees and migrants.

But late on Saturday, US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said the declarations approach is simply not compatible with US sovereignty and that the US will instead define its own migration plan.

{articleGUID}

No country has done more than the United States, and our generosity will continue, Haley said in a statement.

But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone, she added.

We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country.

The UN General Assembly president said he was disappointed with the decision.

I regret [the] US decision to disengage from [the] process leading to a UN global compact on migration, Miroslav Lajcak tweeted after the decision was announced.

His spokesperson said in a statement that the role of the United States in this process is critical as it has historically and generously welcomed people from all across the globe and remains home to the largest number of international migrants in the world.

He added that the US has the experience and expertise to help ensure that this process leads to a successful outcome.

Trump has been under fire by many rights groups for his policies towards refugees since taking office.

{articleGUID}

In January, he signed an executive order that temporarily banned Syrian refugees from entering the country. The move was challenged in the courts and later revised to include all refugees.

In October, the ban ended, but the White House announced that the US would temporarily delay processing for refugees from 11 high-risk countries.

The refugees and migration compact is the fourth initiative the United States has withdrawn from this year.

In August, Trump said he was pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The US has also withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and UNESCO, the UN organisation which aims to improve education and preserve cultural heritage worldwide.
The Emirati authorities reject claims by Houthi rebels in Yemen of missile launch towards its airspace.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied a report that Yemens Houthi rebels fired a cruise missile towards its airspace.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said in a statement on Sunday that the UAEs air defence system is capable of dealing with any threats.

Houthi rebels, who control vast swaths of Yemeni territory, earlier said they had launched a cruise missile towards a nuclear plant in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

According to a report in the Houthi-run Saba news agency, the missile hit the Barakah nuclear power station, which is under construction. A website for the Houthi-owned television network al-Masirah also reported the attack.

The missile force announces the launching of a winged cruise missile  towards al-Barakah nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, said a statement posted on both websites.

In a statement, authorities in the UAE told residents not to pay attention to such rumours disseminated by media agencies issuing false news that question the UAEs capabilities, strength and security.

The UAE is a member of the Saudi-led coalition that has been waging war against the Houthis in Yemen since March 2015.

A cruise missile would not go all the way to Abu Dhabi, so we would be talking about ballistic missiles, said Andreas Krieg, an assistant professor at the Defence Studies Department of Kings College London.

I think this is a media stunt, a narrative stunt trying to wind everybody up, and showing that they have the intent to very much disrupt, he told Al Jazeera.

But I dont think they have the intent, and they also dont have the capability because they would need a ballistic missile to do that, and that would be a game changer, he added.

Had they fired a ballistic missile towards Abu Dhabi, that would have completely changed the environment in Yemen, bringing other people to the table, including the Americans and the West, because that would had been seen as completely unacceptable.

Earlier this month, the Houthis said that one of their missiles hit a military target inside Saudi Arabia, without specifying the location.

Saudi officials, however, said they intercepted the missile.

The Saudi-led coalition has previously accused Iran of helping to arm the Houthis throughout the ongoing conflict, and has closed air, land and sea routes.

On November 4, Saudi Arabia intercepted another ballistic missile launched towards an area near Riyadhs King Khalid International Airport, and labelled the attack as a potential act of war.

At the time, the Saudi state news agency SPA accused Iran of flagrant military aggression and manufacturing and smuggling [missiles] to the Houthi militias in Yemen for the purpose of attacking the Kingdom, its people, and vital interests.
US president Donald Trump is reported to be considering moving the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

For some it has a red line, for others it could ignite violence across the region. So why is the US government considering moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?

Arab leaders have been very vocal about their opposition to such a move; some have even accused US President Donald Trump of playing with fire; others have said it will fuel extremism.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has previously warned the White House against moving the embassy.

In 1995, during the presidency of Bill Clinton, the US Congress passed legislation on moving the embassy.

It was supposed to happen by May 31, 1999.

But there was a provision in the law that allowed the president to sign a waiver every six months  in the name of national security. Every president since 1998 has done so, including Trump himself back in June.

Putting the embassy in Jerusalem is controversial because the eastern part of the city is Palestinian territory being illegally occupied by Israel.

So, what message is the Trump administration sending with this plan to relocate the embassy?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie

Guests:

Mustafa Barghouti  secretary-general, Palestinian National Initiative

Daniel Levy  president of US-Middle East Project

Hussein Ibish  senior resident scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington










English News CPC willing to co-build a better world with foreign political parties

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 3 Decembre 2017



The dialogue will open a window for the CPCs foreign counterparts to deeply understand the spirit of the Partys 19th National Congress and the concept of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era proposed by President Xi.

By Zhong Sheng from Peoples Daily The dialogue between the CPC and other global political parties will be held in Beijing from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, will attend and deliver a keynote speech at the dialogue's opening ceremony.



It will be the first high-level dialogue between the CPC and the world's parties. It will also be the first meeting for leaders of political parties across the globe with the largest number of attendees. The dialogue is of great significance for both the CPC and other parties.



As the largest party in the world with 89 million members and having to govern a big country with a population of 1.3 billion, every step the CPC takes and every journey it embarks on is a model for other political parties to follow closely and study carefully.



The dialogue will open a window for the CPCs foreign counterparts to deeply understand the spirit of the Partys 19th National Congress and the concept of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era proposed by President Xi.



Modern history has proven that when the world has lost its direction in development, responsible political parties would always stand out to act and set a course for the future



China champions the development of a community with a shared future for mankind, and follows the principle of achieving shared growth through discussions and collaboration in global governance, the 19th National Congress report proposed.



As the world faces growing uncertainties and destabilizing factors, and people face many common challenges, the report is especially valuable as it offers rational plans to resolve conflicts of interests and value divergence, as well as builds a brighter tomorrow.



Under the theme of Working Together Towards a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and a Better World: Responsibilities of Political Parties, the CPC will discuss major global issues and share responsibilities with leaders of foreign parties.



Through open communication and the pooling of different ideas, the world political parties will gain more acceptance and impetus to promote the building of the community of a shared future for mankind.



The 19th National Congress report clearly points out that the CPC strives for both the wellbeing of the Chinese people and human progress.



To date, the CPC has maintained regular exchanges with over 400 political parties and organizations in more than 160 countries. A new framework between political parties has now been established to promote discussions and exchanges on an equal basis.



The dialogue between the CPC and other political parties shows that China is willing to share its experience of governance of the Party and the country with other countries, and it is sincere and resolved to let the world understand Chinese civilization and learn from other cultures.



The meeting is also expected to promote political parties to reach a greater consensus on major and strategic issues, such as the future of humanity, and make greater contributions to the co-construction of a brighter world.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Small county in NW China scores big with soccer China sees prosperous development of offshore wind power generation China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News Dialogue between parties elevates political civilization of mankind

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 3 Decembre 2017



The dialogue has a strong global vision, because it is open for all parties and political organizations across the globe and encourages them to participate. This attitude is not only in accordance with the increasing pace of globalization, but also a reflection of the CPCs responsibility as a big party.

By Wang Hongyan and Liang Yuemin Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting kicked off in Beijing on Nov 30. The meeting, the largest gathering of its kind, will effectively enhance mutual understanding and expand consensus between different political parties.



Under the theme of Working Together Towards a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind and a Better World: Responsibilities of Political Parties, the CPC will conduct in-depth dialogues and wide exchanges with leaders of more than 200 parties and political organizations from over 120 countries.



There are thousands of political parties across the globe, but to date there is not a platform for them to communicate effectively, resulting in wide misunderstandings, divergence even disputes not timely handled and properly resolved.



The dialogue is such a platform that allows different political parties to communicate with each other directly, widely and fully, and it will be conducive to the establishment of a cooperative mechanism for them to display their strengths and learn from each other.



The dialogue is of pioneering significance in human history. It will play a constructive role in pushing the international order toward a more just and rational direction, promoting peace and stability as well as common prosperity of mankind.



As the biggest party in the world, the CPC is leading the worlds largest developing country toward globally remarkable achievements and is influencing the world widely.



The Party has accumulated rich experience in governing the country and unique experience in strengthening self-construction. The experience is very valuable for other political parties to learn from and has strong impact on them.



The CPC is qualified and obliged to share Chinas stories, experience and solutions with foreign political parties. It also has the foundation and advantages to do so.



The dialogue has a strong global vision, because it is open for all parties and political organizations across the globe and encourages them to participate. This attitude is not only in accordance with the increasing pace of globalization, but also a reflection of the CPCs responsibility as a big party.



The dialogue is not aimed at forming a political ally among parties, but being a platform and mechanism that allows all parties to set aside disputes and fully engage in exchanging views on self-governance and self-construction.



The dialogue fully practices Chinese President Xi Jinpings remarks that when it comes to different civilizations, exchange will replace estrangement, mutual learning will replace clashes, and coexistence will replace a sense of superiority.



The authors are from the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Research Center under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.



Source: Peoples Daily



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Small county in NW China scores big with soccer China sees prosperous development of offshore wind power generation China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
PM May said that Britain First is a hateful organisation. Nonetheless, she didn't have anything to say about the content of the videos themselves. After all:

As many Americans will know, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, said that Donald Trump was wrong to retweet the videos which had previously been tweeted by the political group, Britain First. Indeed, Britain's ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, said he has raised the Government's concerns with the White House.

Britain First didn't stage the videos:

It didn't get that Muslim to smash a statue of the Virgin Mary. It didn't force that Muslim man to attack a boy on crutches. And it didn't force those Muslims to throw a boy off a rooftop.

And much has also been made of Britain First tweeting a video from 2013 (not, I presume, from 2017). So here's a video of Islamic terror (in London) from 2017! (Is the implication here that there hasn't been any Islamic terror since 2013? Really!?)

Britain First simply tweeted these videos for reasons which are obvious: it wants people to know what's going on in the Muslim world and in Europe too.

The British tabloid Metro, however, said:

Trump re-tweeted her fake news and racist tweets.

Now every syllable of that mindless (though ideologically-correct) comment is false. (That doesn't matter: it's political and moral grandstanding that matters to Metro and to many others.)

Firstly, how, exactly, is it racist?

Secondly, why were the tweets fake?

The Dutch attacker was a Muslim whose parents are Muslim immigrants. The only statement which was false was that he's an immigrant. Now is that really such a monumental mistake, Metro? In addition:

Is the statue-smashing video fake? No. Is the video of Muslims throwing a boy off a rooftop fake? No. Is the video of a Muslim attacking a boy on crutches fake? No.

No surprisingly, Trump wasn't happy that Prime Minister May has so profoundly missed the point. He tweeted:

Theresa May, dont focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!

Now, that's spot on! Theresa May has clearly ignored the content of the videos. That is, she's ignored the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism and focussed entirely on Britain First.

Now, if the British Government were honest about the massive violence in the Muslim world (as well as the violence from Muslims in Europe and the UK), then Trump wouldn't have needed to rely on Britain First for these videos. Besides which, there's a very good chance that Trump didn't even know what Britain First is. Many in the UK don't really know much about Britain First. I also suspect that Theresa May doesn't either. (My guess is that she'll have been fed information on Britain First and these videos mainly by groups like Hope Not Hate -- see its piece on this -- and various Muslim organisations.)

Thankfully, Theresa May hasn't succumbed to the cynical opportunism of left-wing groups in that she hasn't decided to cancel Trump's state visit to the UK. And since authoritarian left-wingers wanted Trump banned from the UK before this video bonanza, then it's not a surprise that they now want him banned after it too. These people want to ban Trump for the same reason they managed to get Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer, and Geert Wilders banned from British shores. (See American Thinker's 'Geller and Spencer Banned from the UK'.)

The White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, also knows that this isn't really about Britain First. It's about the content of the videos. In full, she said:

I think what hes done is elevate the conversation to talk about a real issue and a real threat and thats extreme violence and extreme terrorism, something that we know to be very real and something the president feels strongly about talking about and bringing up and making sure is an issue every single day.

However, it's not all about Islamic terrorism either. It's also about Islamic sharia law, ghettos, gang violence, grooming-gangs, etc. in Europe and the UK.

Prime Minister May also seems to believe that we have a big problem with far-right terrorism as well. She said:

We must all take seriously the threat that far-right groups pose both in terms of the terrorist threat that is posed by those groups and the necessity of dealing with extremist material which is far-right as well. ... In the United Kingdom we take the far-right very seriously and thats why we ensure we deal with these threats and this extremism wherever it comes and whatever its source.

That's very odd! There has been no far-right terror attack in the UK. The MP Jo Cox (more of which later) was killed by a man who shouted Britain first -- not Britain First. (In full he said: This is for Britain; keep Britain independent; and Britain first.) This phrase Britain first dates back to the 1960s and that's why the group Britain First chose it. There's also one single photo of the killer holding a British First banner; though he wasn't a member and there's no other evidence connecting him to the group.

In terms of Europe, we had Anders Breivik's massacre in 2011.

However, according to Europol, Islamist terror attacks in the European Union increased from four in 2014 to seventeen in 2015. And the number of people killed increased from four to one hundred and fifty. In 2016, 135 people were killed in ten Islamic attacks in the European Union.

France alone suffered eight attacks between 2014 and 2016. These attacks included the January 2015 Ile-de-France attacks, the November 2015 Paris attacks, and the July 2016 Nice truck attack.

As for the United Kingdom, it saw three major attacks in four months in early 2017: the Westminster attack, the May 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, and the June 2017 London Bridge attack.

There have been other Islamic attacks in Europe; including ones in Belgium, Germany, and Spain.

So what about right-wing terror in the UK in recent years? There's been one murder (as already mentioned). In addition, a few young men who made bombs in their bedrooms have been imprisoned.

That murder of the MP Joe Cox occurred in 2016. She was murdered by Thomas Mair. He was motivated by his political views and was said to had links to several organisations in the UK, the U.S., and South Africa.

Consequently, it's somewhat bizarre that Prime Minister May has done two things:

i) Criticise Trump for tweeting the truth about Islam in Europe and the Muslim world.

ii) Made a big deal about almost nonexistent far-right terrorism.

Paul Austin Murphy is a writer on politics and philosophy. He's had articles published in The Conservative Online, New English Review, Human Events, Think-Israel, Intellectual Conservative, Faith Freedom, Brenner Brief (Broadside News), etc. His blogs are Paul Austin Murphy's Philosophy and Paul Austin Murphy on Politics. His Twitter account can be found here (https://twitter.com/ PaulAustMurphy).
Donald Trump's Crimes

President Trump is indisputably guilty of many crimes against the societal and political norms of this country. These crimes are profound and grievous, and they shake the very foundations upon which acceptable presidential behaviour has always been based. His actions and demeanour are so abhorrent and antithetical to the fundamental progressive doctrine espoused by the Democratic Party and their supporting liberal media that his very presence in the Oval Office is regarded by them as not merely an interim occupational tenure by the opposing party, but as proof of a moment of temporary national insanity from which we may never recover. A closer look at the worst examples of Trumps criminality will be instructive for what the country should be on guard for, should we want to avoid such behaviour in the future. Accusation: Denying a Female Access to the Highest Office

Verdict: Guilty President Trump didnt get the memo that 2016 was the Year of the First Female President. In a time period where same-sex/transgender rights, glass ceilings, Title IX and the well-publicized/amply documented Republican War on Women dominate the gender cultural landscape, Donald Trump had the temerity, the unmitigated gall, to disregard all those signs and campaign as if gender didnt matter. He campaigned on what hed do for the country and why America -- and American workers -- would benefit from a Trump presidency. During the campaign, he took full advantage of what he saw as Clintons lack of qualifications. He chided her about her lack of private sector business experience and was quick to hold her accountable for the Obama administrations foreign policy shortcomings during her tenure as Secretary of State. But when he came up with the label Crooked Hillary as the Clinton Foundations highly-questionable financial dealings came to light, that really stung the sensibilities of her supporters. Candidate Trump ignored the directive that in 2016, America will elect its first woman president. Guilty as charged. Accusation: Recognizing the Average Americans Desire for Strong Borders and Strict Immigration Policy Verdict: Guilty Trump tapped into a strong national craving for a return to immigration fairness and verifiable national sovereignty. Americans are the worlds most generous and compassionate people. The degree to which we help others -- whether its an international disaster or local charity -- is well-documented. Our innate sense of altruism and human kindness is unprecedented. We fight wars to help others gain freedom without taking territory or materials in return. But Trump also recognized that Americans were tired of being taken unfair advantage of, especially with regard to illegal immigration. The financial and social stress placed on average law-abiding citizens to provide monetary benefits, educational opportunities and social privileges to people who broke our laws and came into the country illegally was simply wrong. Americans are eager to help the legitimately needy or those caught in dire circumstances not of their making. But Americans resent being played for fools. The Big, Beautiful Trump Wall -- whether one looks at it metaphorically or literally -- was a recognition on his part of the concerns of the average citizen for their government to put the American citizens needs and concerns above those who break our laws and violate our sovereignty. Accusation: Using the Military to Further Americas National Interests Verdict: Guilty Unlike the weak-willed Obama administration that drew lines in the sand which were then washed away by the shifting winds of liberal political expediency, Trump strongly punished the Assad regime in Syria with a blunt, untelegraphed cruise missile attack in retaliation for Assads repeated crimes against his own people, while simultaneously putting the world on notice that under a Trump administration, America will act forcefully and swiftly -- without warning -- to protect its vital interests. In a further show of our new-found military/national will, we have flown numerous B-1 Lancer supersonic bomber sorties over South Korea, and have an unprecedented three naval aircraft carrier groups off the Korean coast, demonstrating American military strength and national resolve in service to a critically-important foreign policy objective in a manner unheard of during the Obama years. Indeed, in the eyes of many, it was eight years of weak, inattentive behaviour by President Obama that is a root cause of the ever-worsening North Korean nuclear situation. Additional Crimes There are certainly other strong examples of President Trumps transgressions: Being in favor of American fossil fuel development and reinstating the Keystone Pipeline

His desire to lower taxes on both individuals and businesses (doesnt he understand that the successful are supposed to be punished with high taxes and their ill-gotten wealth should be redistributed to the favored Democratic victim group-du-jour?)

The elimination of many anti-business nanny-state regulations that were intended by Obama to buy the voting affections of various Green and Social Justice lobbying groups

And of course, Trumps shamefully disrespectful, unpresidential treatment of the liberal mainstream media, as Id previous outlined. These multiple examples of guilty behaviour are prime reasons that President Trump is spurned with such disdain in the rarefied, haute social orbits of the progressive intelligentsia. As horrifying and unfathomable as it is to the hard-core progressive faction, it was exactly such actions and proclamations by candidate Trump that won over the votes of previous Obama supporters in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Florida and gave Trump his commanding, decisive 306-232 electoral-vote triumph. If the radical-left wing of the Democratic Party -- whose thoughts and policies unquestionably represent the mainstream positions of their party these days, make no mistake -- think that the likes of Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, Bernie Sanders, or former First Lady Michelle Obama are going to woo those decisive voters back into the touchy-feely, anti-business, globalist clutches of the Democratic Party in 2020, they may be in for a very rude awakening indeed. Sometimes, crime pays.
This has been a busy week and a sad one for the neo-feminists, the media, and #NeverTrump conservatives. It was a good one for those who believe we have for too long allowed a bunch of self-selected ninnies to drive both the news and the government.

A website called Medusa shut down after it was clear that it was impossible to continue to satirize the present-day feminists because they are so idiotic that parody too closely mirrors the neo-feminists' views:

Medusas unnamed creator continued: We are shutting down our rather hilarious project because we can no longer compete with our competition. We have come to realize that our competition is not other satirical websites, but rather the people we are trying to satirize. The creator wrote, I dont blame anyone for thinking the site was legitimate and wanted to keep our readers in constant doubt and even posted a Facebook message from last May to prove the entire thing was a joke. It was dubbed the ultimate Social Experiment and Facebook followers were told it was to see how long actual feminists would take to realize it was a joke. A recent series of high-profile allegations of sexual harassment resulted in the site publishing a spoof article headlined, Why we should believe women who accuse right wingers of rape more than those who accuse liberals. The sites creator called the story a total caricature intended to be as ridiculous as possible but quickly realized mainstream news organizations, such as the Washington Post, published stories utilizing the same rationale as the mock column.

In fact, while they scream and march in pussy hats against the president, he is, as Powerline notes, a feminist hero.

The firing this morning of Matt Lauer from NBC prompts me to roll back the tape this post from last month, in which actress Amber Tamblyn said that Honestly, I trace everything back to the election of Donald Trump. I think that without him being elected, if it had been Hillary Clinton, this wouldve never happened to Harvey Weinstein. And if it didnt happen to Weinstein, would it have happened to Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer, Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, etc? Clearly the rules have changed. We now live in a zero-tolerance regime for sexual harassment. It is long overdue in many ways, but lets be clear -- sexual harassment has persisted chiefly because of the hypocrisy of liberal elites who run our media and Hollywood institutions, going back at least to their defense of Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Now they are reaping the whirlwind. It is established fact that Weinsteins own board of directors knew of his bad behavior, but only insisted that future settlements over employee harassment come out of his own pocket. So much for respecting women. And lets not forget that the Academy Awards gave a special Oscar to convicted child rapist Roman Polanski, because, after all, as the appropriately named Whoopi Goldberg told us, it wasnt really rape rape. I wonder how that comment would play today, or whether the Academy Awards will rescind Polanskis Oscar in our new mood? What changed the rules? Donald Trump. Above all else keep in mind that he is the main target of the new zero tolerance regime -- the unfinished business of the Access Hollywood tape. And if a lot of media and Hollywood icons (and a few stay congressmen) have to go down, thats just collateral damage. Though Trump calls it winning. In any case, feminists should be thanking Donald Trump for being the catalyst behind the rules change they have long demanded.

And the liberals in Hollywood and the media certainly are feeling the brunt of the change.

Traditional media have faced formidable challenges created by new technologies. This columns most celebrated alumnus has described how unchecked bias has also undermined media authority. Now beyond questions of opinion and judgment, the industry faces a new test of its moral authority. How much cultural power can a movie or a television program exert if the audience decides its creators are repulsive?

How widespread is the sexual harassment in Hollywood and the media? Breitbart named 23 people in the media accused of such improprieties and the list seems to grow:

[Note: this should read, "In 1991, Rivera was accused..." The groping actually took place in the early 70s.]

Ive lost track, frankly, of the Hollywood figures accused of such improprieties. Although the way things are going, Im expecting the next Oscar ceremony will be an all-woman event. What makes this even more ridiculous is that most of these men have regularly proclaimed their allegiance to the neo-feminists and their favored policies, most particularly support for abortion on demand and without any restrictions, and Planned Parenthood. I recall their hilarity at Pences rule of never dining alone with a woman not his wife. They pitched the line that conservatives are Neolithic prudes who hate women -- as they were sexually abusing all the women in their reach, most often women who lacked the backing and stature to fight back.

2. Fake Indians and the Absurd Demand for faculty Diversity

Much tongue clucking was heard over the Presidents reference to Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas, an allusion to her phony claim to Indian heritage. But to my mind, it was apt and called for. Shes a liar, like many on the left, and a hypocrite as well, supporting diversity and affirmative action programs while lying to take advantage of them at cost to those who might qualify. In May of 2012 -- forgotten by most of the media or brushed under the rug -- Warren admitted that she had told the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law school about her purported Indian heritage before she was hired. Harvard promoted her as the first woman of color on their faculty, she listed herself as Native American in the Association of American Law Schools deskbook, and the Cherokee tribe from whom she claims descent called her claim harmful and offensive. The notion that her lie did not boost her chances for hiring at Harvard, is demonstrably risible.

3. The FBIs reputation is in sad decline.

The FBI lied to the court and Judicial Watch saying it had no discoverable documents of the June 27, 2016 tarmac meeting between then-attorney general Lynch and Bill Clinton while Hillary Clintons misuse of classified emails was under investigation. In a related case, it was disclosed the Bureau, in fact, had 29 such pages and they were turned over to Judicial Watch. What they revealed was that the FBIs concern was not over the impropriety of the meeting but, rather finding and punishing the whistleblower who revealed the meeting. As Judicial Watchs Tom Fitton said in his press release:

These new FBI documents show the FBI was more concerned about a whistleblower who told the truth about the infamous Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting than the scandalous meeting itself...." The documents show the FBI worked to make sure no more details of the meeting would be revealed to the American people. No wonder the FBI didnt turn these documents over until Judicial Watch caught the agency red-handed hiding them. These new documents confirm the urgent need to reopen the Clinton email scandal and criminally investigate the resulting Obama FBI/DOJ sham investigation.

Saturday, the Washington Post reported that the rot at the FBI is deeper than previously imagined,

The former top FBI official assigned to special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election was taken off that job this past summer after his bosses discovered he and another member of Muellers team had exchanged politically charged texts disparaging President Trump and supportive of Hillary Clinton, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. Peter Strzok, as deputy head of counterintelligence at the FBI, was a key player in the investigation into Clintons use of a private email server to do government work as secretary of state, as well as the probe into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election. During the Clinton investigation, Strzok was involved in a romantic relationship with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, who worked for Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, according to the people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The extramarital affair was problematic, these people said, but of greater concern among senior law enforcement officials were text messages the two exchanged during the Clinton investigation and campaign season, in which they expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton.

4. The Flynn Flam

This week Trumps short-lived National Security Advisor pled guilty to lying to the FBI. (In other words lying to liars) and the press went wild, crazily speculating that the end for their nemesis -- the President -- was nigh. As is his wont, Tom Maguire gave the best short form refutation of their hyperventilating:

Out Like Flynn I understand this is a plea deal and we are meant to believe Flynn is being let off easy in exchange for vital evidence that blows the lid off Trump's collusion with the Russians, but... given Flynn's other seemingly more serious legal challenges around the unregistered lobbying, busting him for something we already knew about does not seem like an investigative breakthrough.[snip]  ABC News reported that Flynn would testify that he was directed to make contact with the Russians. Asking your National Security Advisor to speak to the Russian Ambassador (or others) is hardly illegal. As to what Trump told him to discuss or not discuss, time and Flynn will tell. That said, I doubt Trump told him to lie to Pence or the FBI. However, it does sort of time in to an obstruction charge, especially if Mueller theorist[s] are comfortable that Trump can "obstruct" a going-nowhere investigation of a non-crime.

Former FBI director Comey earlier testified to the House Intelligence Committee on March 2 that his agents had concluded that Mr. Flynn hadnt lied but had forgotten what had been discussed.

The White House said the Flynn calls had been approved by the Obama Administration.

In any event, the calls were made after the election, in the transition period and are perfectly normal and proper. Indeed, in January, the Washington Post reported that the FBI had reviewed the Flynn calls with the Russian ambassador and found nothing illicit.

For the next lefty friend or relative who claims to you that this means Trump will be indicted, ask him how Mueller plans to use as a witness the very person he just indicted for lying.

Former prosecutor Andrew McCarthy has more:

Obviously, it was wrong of Flynn to give the FBI false information; he could, after all, have simply refused to speak with the agents in the first place. That said, as I argued early this year, it remains unclear why the Obama Justice Department chose to investigate Flynn. There was nothing wrong with the incoming national-security advisers having meetings with foreign counterparts or discussing such matters as the sanctions in those meetings. Plus, if the FBI had FISA recordings of Flynns conversations with Kislyak, there was no need to ask Flynn what the conversations entailed. Flynn, an early backer of Donald Trump and a fierce critic of Obamas national-security policies, was generally despised by Obama administration officials. Hence, there has always been cynical suspicion that the decision to interview him was driven by the expectation that he would provide the FBI with an account inconsistent with the recorded conversation -- i.e., that Flynn was being set up for prosecution on a process crime. In the information filed against Flynn, what is most important is what is not there -- the dog that isnt barking: [W]hen a prosecutor has a cooperator who was an accomplice in a major criminal scheme, the cooperator is made to plead guilty to the scheme. This is critical because it proves the existence of the scheme. In his guilty-plea allocution (the part of a plea proceeding in which the defendant admits what he did that makes him guilty), the accomplice explains the scheme and the actions taken by himself and his co-conspirators to carry it out. This goes a long way toward proving the case against all of the subjects of the investigation. That is not happening in Flynns situation. Instead, like Papadopoulos, he is being permitted to plead guilty to a mere process crime. A breaking report from ABC News indicates that Flynn is prepared to testify that Trump directed him to make contact with the Russians -- initially to lay the groundwork for mutual efforts against ISIS in Syria. That, however, is exactly the sort of thing the incoming national-security adviser is supposed to do in a transition phase between administrations. If it were part of the basis for a collusion case arising out of Russias election meddling, then Flynn would not be pleading guilty to a process crime -- hed be pleading guilty to an espionage conspiracy.

Whats next?

It looks like a new, albeit imperfect but still good tax bill will be passed after reconciliation of the House and Senate versions and I expect it will substantially boost the economy. And the administration seems to be making successful moves to reduce the administrative state -- a state not elected by anyone that has weaseled its way into every aspect of our lives. The Awan case, which looks like a potentially major case of Pakistani espionage into the workings of House Democrats, will not be stalled forever. Congressman John Conyers is due to announce today whether he will resign or retire after being the subject of a number of allegations of sexual harassment. The Steinle murderers acquittal in San Francisco was followed swiftly by the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Department of Justice against the shooter, Jose Garcia Zarate, who had previously been deported five times and found haven in this sanctuary city.
First, it's been revealed that one of Mueller's chief investigators was fired for exchanging anti-Trump texts with a mistress who is a top lawyer in the bureau. Peter Strzok, a former deputy director for counterintelligence at the FBI was removed earlier this year and now, the inspector general is looking into other "politically sensitive cases" that Strzok was involved in, including the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Strzok was also FBI liaison with the CIA.

The credibility of Robert Mueller's Russian collusion investigation of Donald Trump took two huge hits in the last 24 hours, as it is now an open question whether the FBI can conduct an unbiased probe into the allegations against the president.

Also, House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes issued an angry letter to the FBI demanding to know why he and his committee were kept in the dark about the firing of Strzok. Taken together, the picture that emerges of the Mueller probe is one of a fatal anti-Trump bias that should disqualify Mueller - and the FBI - from carrying out what is supposed to be a non-partisan, independent, and unbiased investigation.

Byron York:

House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes has issued an angry demand to the FBI and Department of Justice to explain why they kept the committee in the dark over the reason Special Counsel Robert Mueller kicked a key supervising FBI agent off the Trump-Russia investigation. Stories in both the Washington Post and New York Times on Saturday reported that Peter Strzok, who played a key role in the original FBI investigation into the Trump-Russia matter, and then a key role in Mueller's investigation, and who earlier had played an equally critical role in the FBI's Hillary Clinton email investigation, was reassigned out of the Mueller office because of anti-Trump texts he exchanged with a top FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, with whom Strzok was having an extramarital affair. Strzok was transferred to the FBI's human resources office  an obvious demotion -- in July. The Post reported that Strzok and Page exchanged text messages that "expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton." Word of the messages and the affair were news to Nunes, even though the committee had issued a subpoena that covered information about Strzok's demotion more than three months ago. The committee's broadly worded subpoena for information related to the so-called Trump dossier went to the FBI and DOJ on Aug. 24. In follow-up conversations on the scope of the subpoena, committee staff told the FBI and DOJ that it included information on the circumstances of Strzok's reassignment. On Oct. 11, Nunes met with deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein. In that meeting, Nunes specifically discussed the committee's request for information about Strzok. In an Oct. 31 committee staff meeting with the FBI, bureau officials refused a request for information about Strzok. On Nov. 20, the committee again requested an interview with Strzok. (Three days earlier, on November 17, Strzok met with the Senate Intelligence Committee.) On Nov. 29, Nunes again spoke to Rosenstein, and again discussed Strzok. On Dec. 1, the committee again requested to speak with Strzok. After each occasion, the FBI and DOJ did nothing. Now, in what appears to be an orchestrated leak, both the Post and Times published the reason for Strzok's demotion, along with concerns that the revelation might help President Trump. "Among federal law enforcement officials, there is great concern that exposure of the texts they exchanged may be used by the president and his defenders to attack the credibility of the Mueller probe and the FBI more broadly," the Post reported.

Gee, ya think? Is there any further evidence needed for the partisan nature of this probe? In an independent, unbiased investigation, there should not be "great concern" that any information would be used by the "president and his defenders" to attack the credibility of Mueller's probe. What the hell should they care about the political defense being mounted by the president and his defenders? Why is that their concern? And is that any reason to defy congressional subpoenas?

Trump and his defenders don't have to "attack the credibility" of the probe. Mueller has handed them evidence of the politicization of the investigation all on his own. The credibility of the probe should. indeed be questioned when such jaw dropping information is withheld from relevant committee of congress - apparently for political reasons that include the fear that their biased, partisanship would be exposed.

Readers of this site know I am no fan of the president. But I am a big fan of the rule of law and fairness. This is an investigation that has been fatally compromised and to my mind, justifies either a massive overhaul of Mueller's operation or, failing that, his firing.

Any investigation that threatens to remove a president must be above partisan reproach - and this one fails to achieve that standard.
Unfortunately, it was a party-line vote. Every Democrat voted no  another example that diversity in that party is a word and not much else.

It was very late, or very early, depending on your time zone, but the tax bill passed the U.S. Senate . The final tally was 51-49 with no last-minute surprises.

So can we finally stop talking about all those Democrats who will work with President Trump because he carried their state by double digits? Where in the world are those people?

What we saw in that vote was two things:

1. The Democrats stick together, no matter what they say back in West Virginia or Montana. A Democrat in the U.S. Senate is a vote for Senator Schumer.

Are you listening, Alabama? Judge Moore may have his many faults, but a Senator Jones from Alabama will be another Schumer disciple!

2. The red-state Democrats will have a lot of explaining to do, unless the GOP nominates a total loser and gives away Missouri, Indiana, et al.

As Kimberly Strassel pointed out, the Democrats missed an opportunity:

In short, there is very little to suggest Democrats benefit politically from sitting out this tax debate  beyond their saying so. And theyve certainly done themselves no favors from a policy perspective.

She is right.

To start with, how does Senator Manchin of West Virginia continue to go on Fox News and say he wants to work with President Trump? He had a chance last night and passed it up.

How does Senator Tester of Montana spend his time talking about process? He was given plenty of time to introduce amendments. I saw Senator Sanders and Senator Brown put up a couple of amendments. Why didn't he? Did Senator Tester bring up process when the Democrats were pushing Obamacare at the speed of sound back in 2009? I missed that "Tester process speech" back then!

Where was Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota? Is she planning to run for re-election on the grounds that she was loyal to Senator Schumer?

Time will tell, but several red-state Democrats made the wrong bet on the floor.

My guess is that this tax plan will be very well received by the stock market, and the U.S. economy will continue to grow. Hard to see how these Democrats helped their political fortunes!

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
Charlottesville antifa Whitewash continues

President Trump accurately blamed both sides for the violence in Charlottesville, which makes it a matter of theological importance to the Left that no responsibility attributed to leftists can enter the publics consciousness. A 222-page independent report about the August 12 violence in Charlottesville prepared by Tim Heaphy, a one-time Obama appointee and donor to the citys Democrat mayor, was released this past week. It fails to even mention the advance warning to Virginia and Charlottesville officials by the Department of Homeland Security that antifa were preparing to make violent confrontations at the August 12 tragedy. One woman protestor and two police officers died, and there were many other injuries that day in Charlottesville. The report is getting play in the press and social media for laying fault at the feet of state and city police for failing to takes prudent steps to prevent the violence that took place between white supremacists and others -- including antifa -- in competing protests at adjacent parks nestled within the city. The park protests were disbursed as unlawful assemblies after police looked the other way when violence had begun, and the overflow into the citys streets became chaotic and ultimately deadly for one woman.

While the report does mention antifa 38 times, and criticizes the city council and top city officials for a series of mistakes, it is being used as fodder by the liberal press such as The New York Times to support the one-sided, misleading narrative they had already created: White Supremacists Were Ready for Violence in Charlottesville. The Police Were Not. Only the more conservative publications such as The Daily Caller have noted the reports more balanced conclusions, such as it was a counter-protester, not white nationalists, who started the parking garage fight at the Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in which a black man, Deandre Harris, was severely beaten. From the beginning of its reporting following the event, the liberal media whitewashed the DHS warning about antifas conspiring to engage in violence at the Charlottesville protests over planned removal of Confederate General Robert E. Lees statue. The reasons are pretty obvious. For one, the warning helped confirm President Trumps statements that both sides were responsible for the violence that day, and it was premeditated on the part of antifa. The Heaphy reports failure to inject the critical fact of the DHS warning will distort the historical and perhaps legal record. It also provides cover for Democrat politicians such as Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe who lied about Trumps claim of violence from both sides, and even tried to blame the ACLU, but who should be neck-deep in the blame.
She has been a strong leader for the university during troubled financial and political times, resisting efforts to weaken the universitys independence with a welcome level of toughness and dedicating herself to protecting the universitys undocumented students.

The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times has weighed in on the scandalous behavior of Janet Napolitano, who corrupted a state audit of her performance and hid a $175 million slush fund. A CEO of a public company that did what Napolitano did would be fired, and might well face criminal prosecution. But to the LA Times, its worth overlooking because:

The unethical acts of her direct subordinates carried out with her knowledge (which were so outrageous that the state legislature and Governor Brown have now criminalized them in response) should be overlooked because she is protecting people who have violated out immigration laws!

I urge readers to peruse the entire editorial themselves, to see the reasoning, but to my eyes, it comes down to minimizing the gravity of the corruption because the board likes her politics. This strikes me as weaseling:

Still, Napolitano doesnt come out untarnished. At the very least, she didnt monitor her top aides closely enough to know that they were engaged in egregious interference, telling campuses to omit or temper their criticisms of the presidents office. That makes the UC president appear out of touch.

Appear out of touch? No, it makes her look like she was fixing the audit to reflect her own views of her performance, rather than the honest views of the chancellors, which is what the audit was seeking.

When state Auditor Elaine Howle complained about Napolitanos office inserting itself between the auditor and campus-by-campus responses to her May audit, youd think Napolitano would have pulled her people together and asked, What were you up to? Time to come clean. Instead, though she apologized for asking campus officials to pass their responses through her office, she also insisted that her people were merely making sure the campuses were filling out the forms correctly.

Is this lying, insincere apology supposed to make things right? In the next paragraph, the editorial board admits this wasnt the true story  which makes the apology worthless:

That assertion was called into question by UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal, who was interviewed during the regents investigation (which was conducted by former state Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno and an independent law office). Blumenthal said that Napolitano had heatedly reprimanded him for sending the questionnaire directly to the auditor and demanded that he recall it. Napolitano responded that she had been concerned only because the chancellors office had not reviewed the questionnaire. Even so, the investigation found, one of her aides then intervened to have some of the answers modified.

The Los Angeles Times is the largest and probably most influential newspaper in the state, albeit a shadow of what it was 20 years ago and more, when everyone read newspapers and the LAT was fat with ads and a circulation within shouting distance of a million a day. Back then, they dreamed of ranking with the NYT and WaPo as one of the top metropolitan newspapers. How the mighty have fallen, in so many ways.

This editorial will only speed the decline.

Daniel Borenstein of the San Jose Mercury-News understands the ethics involved better than the LAT:

campus chancellors, warned personally by Napolitano, self-censored answers to the state auditor. And when that wasnt good enough, Napolitanos top staffers insisted on more changes to remove negative comments. Its unconscionable. Yet, regents have let Napolitano off with just a reprimand and a demand that she apologize. They should have fired her. They still should. Her interference with the audit shows that Napolitano, former Arizona governor and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, has no respect for California government oversight that comes with running one of the worlds leading public university systems. (snip) the facts are clear: Napolitano tried to control responses to the state auditor survey about her own offices performance. That sort of interference cannot be tolerated by any public official. Napolitano needs to go.

And so does the editorial board of the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

The last thing that the University of California needs to do is unite behind a corrupt president and move on. As I have written multiple times, a multi-billion-dollar contract for the University of California to manage the Los Alamos National Laboratory is up for bidding, and two formidable, rising star Texas University systems (University of Texas and Texas A&M) are planning to bid. I have every reason to suspect that corruption at the top of the University of California could be sufficient reason for the Department of Energy handing to contract to another university unblemished by such institutional rot.

What would the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times say should that catastrophe  financial, reputational, and operational -- befall UC and its owners, the people of California? My guess is that it would rail against a political decision designed to punish California. In other words, it would be President Trumps fault.

Meanwhile, the regents can still address the problem. And Governor Brown could still speak out. The La Times editorial board seems be telling them not to do it. Ideology over integrity, it seems to me.
Justice? Flynn pleads guilty while Zarate walks

It is a sad day when Michael Flynn, who served our country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1981, with combat tours in Grenada, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Iraq, with multiple decorations, is hounded by Special Prosecutor Javert Mueller to plead guilty to a questionable process crime while Jose Garcia Zarate, an illegal alien with multiple felony convictions, gets a walk from a San Francisco jury for killing Kate Steinle. Zarate, an illegal immigrant, who was deported multiple times, is represented by a public defender at taxpayer expense for killing an American citizen. Flynn, a decorated veteran, is driven to near bankruptcy to defend himself and forced to plead guilty. Flynn's crime? In December 2016 the U.N. was set to vote to condemn Israel over its settlement policy. Obama, in a parting shot to Israel and Bibi Netanyahu, planned to have the U.S. abstain when we should have voted no and lobbied other nations to vote no. Jared Kushner asked Flynn to contact the Russians and others to have them vote no, or at the least to delay the vote. The U.N. council, with Russia, voted to condemn Israel, and Obama abstained. Flynn evidently was not clear about what he told the FBI. But he pleaded guilty by saying he did ask the Russians to vote no. Also, Flynn called the Russian ambassador to ask him to not "escalate" in response to Obama's sanctions on Russia.

Javert Mueller hounded Flynn to plead guilty. But in February 2017, CNN reported that the FBI believed that Flynn was mistaken in his statements to the FBI, did not intentionally mislead or lie, and thus no charges were expected. Comey's FBI investigated Flynn and found that his statements to the FBI did not warrant criminal charges. If Comey's FBI concluded that there was no basis for criminal charges against Flynn, then why did Mueller again review the statements made by Flynn? Javert Mueller assembled a mini-law firm of attorneys who have represented Obama and Hillary, donated to Obama and Hillary, clerked for Justices Ginsburg and Kagan, and worked for Obama. Mueller has assembled what a Justice Department would look like under President Crooked Hillary. This partisan group wasted time and taxpayer money prosecuting Flynn. Comey said he did not lie to the FBI. Flynn's "crime" was supposedly lying about contacts with Russia to assist Israel at the U.N. Why did Javert Mueller prosecute Flynn when Comey's FBI investigation revealed no crime? It is not a crime to contact other nations to vote no on the U.N. resolution to condemn Israel for its settlement policies. The investigation should be why Obama did not assist Israel and had our country abstain on the U.N. vote. Why wasn't Obama contacting Russia and other nations on the U.N. council to vote no to help Israel? The U.N. Security Council voted 14-0 to condemn Israel. Obama could have vetoed the resolution but chose to abstain, while President-Elect Trump and Israel lobbied to have some countries vote no. It would have been a far better use of this legal talent assembled by Mueller and taxpayer money to prosecute Zarate for killing Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old American citizen. But the swamp is more concerned about manufacturing a crime against Flynn to embarrass Trump when the obvious reality is that President Trump and Flynn were trying to help Israel, our ally, after Obama abandoned Israel.
Following an ICBM test by North Korea last Wednesday, the Pentagon agency responsible for defending the US against a missile attack is carrying out a survey of West Coast sites for potential missile defense.

Congressman Mike Rogers, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee which oversees missile defense, said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), was aiming to install extra defenses at West Coast sites. The funding for the system does not appear in the 2018 defense budget plan indicating potential deployment is further off. Its just a matter of the location, and the MDA making a recommendation as to which site meets their criteria for location, but also the environmental impact, the Alabama Congressman and Republican told Reuters during an interview on the sidelines of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California.

Apparently, in order to defend the US from a thermonuclear attack, we must make sure not to disturb the habitat of the three toed frog or the horned lizard, or some other equally valuable animal species.

When asked about the plan, MDA Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon Hill said in a statement: The Missile Defense Agency has received no tasking to site the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System on the West Coast. The MDA is a unit of the U.S. Defense Department. Congressman Rogers did not reveal the exact locations the agency is considering but said several sites are competing for the missile defense installations. Rogers and Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat representing the 9th District of Washington, said the government was considering installing the THAAD anti-missile system made by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp, at west coast sites. The Congressmen said the number of sites that may ultimately be deployed had yet to be determined. THAAD is a ground-based regional missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and takes only a matter of weeks to install. In addition to the two THAAD systems deployed in South Korea and Guam in the Pacific, the U.S. has seven other THAAD systems. While some of the existing missiles are based in Fort Bliss, Texas, the system is highly mobile and current locations are not disclosed.

It only takes a couple of weeks to install THAAD and I'm sure they could find funding for the sites in a hurry if they had to. But more importantly, the search for new missile defense sites shows that the government has reached a conclusion that North Korean missiles now have the range to hit the US mainland.

That last North Korean missile test reached an altitude of more than 2000 miles and landed 600 miles downrange. Experts believe that if launched on the right trajectory, the missile would be able to hit most of the US.

The window to stop North Korea from being able to launch a nuclear armed ICBM at the US is closing fast. The choice facing the president is grave; negotiate and eventually allow a nuclear North Korea to exist or go to war to prevent that prospect.

I don't think Trump will choose the former.
That precipitated a letter to Soleimani and the Iranian leadership from CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who says he warned the Revolutionary Guards general about Iran's increasingly threatening behavior in Iraq.

Iran's apparent victory in the Syrian civil war has emboldened Tehran to become more aggressive in Iraq. The general in charge of Iraqi Shiite militias, Major General Qassem Soleimani, warned the Kurds last month that they must give up the northern oil center of Kirkuk. He also indicated that he would attack US forces if they interfered.

Reportedly, Soleimani refused to open the letter.

Reuters:

What we were communicating to him in that letter was that we will hold he and Iran accountable for any attacks on American interests in Iraq by forces that are under their control, Pompeo told the panel. We wanted to make sure he and the leadership in Iran understood that in a way that was crystal clear. Soleimani, who is the commander of foreign operations for Irans elite Revolutionary Guards, refused to open the letter, according to Pompeo, who took over the CIA in January. Iranian media earlier quoted Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, a senior aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying an unnamed CIA contact had tried to give a letter to Soleimani when he was in the Syrian town of Albu Kamal in November during the fighting against Islamic State. I will not take your letter nor read it and I have nothing to say to these people, Golpayegani quoted Soleimani as saying, according to the semi-official news agency Fars. Reuters reported in October that Soleimani had repeatedly warned Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq to withdraw from the oil city of Kirkuk or face an onslaught by Iraqi forces and allied Iranian-backed fighters, and had traveled to Iraqs Kurdistan region to meet Kurdish leaders. The presence of Soleimani on the frontlines highlights Tehrans heavy sway over policy in Iraq, and comes as Shiite Iran seeks to win a proxy war in the Middle East with its regional rival and U.S. ally, Sunni Saudi Arabia.

Pompeo told the forum that recent aggressive moves by Iran are a sign of Tehran's hegemonistic designs on the Middle East:

You need to only look to the past few weeks and the efforts of the Iranians to exert influence now in Northern Iraq in addition to other places in Iraq to see that Iranian efforts to be the hegemonic power throughout the Middle East continues to increase, Pompeo said.

The Shiite militias that played such an important role in recapturing Mosul and other Iraqi cities from ISIS are not under the command of the Iraqi government. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Revolutionary Guards and it's an open question where their loyalties lie.

The militias are an Iranian guarantee that the Iraqi government will show limited independence from Tehran. Those guns can easily be turned on them, which is why they've taken a hands off approach to the militias. They refused to cooperate with US forces and their alliance with the Iraqi army is tentative.

Just recently, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the Shiite militias "should go home." And French President Macron has said they should be disbanded.

But this is being seen by the Iraqi government as "interference" in its affairs. Macron called on the "Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), the name given to the tens of thousands of Shiite militia fighters, and other indpendent militias, to demobilize:

Its essential that theres a gradual demilitarization, particularly of the PMU... and that all militias be gradually dismantled, he said at a joint press conference in Paris with Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KRG has accused the PMU of committing abuses against Kurds in Kirkuk and nearby disputed areas in the wake of their independence referendum in September. Baghdad said Macron was interfering in Iraqs internal affairs, and called for respect for the countrys sovereignty. Iraqs internal affairs are run by constitutional institutions, said government spokesman Saad Hadithi, adding that the PMU has become part of the Iraqi security system. He said: The sovereign powers of the federal government concerning the administration of Iraq-related issues and internal affairs must be respected. He added: Iraq looks forward to the worlds understanding of the importance of respecting its sovereignty.

That may be, but the Shiite militias are not going to disband unless under orders from their masters in Tehran. They will prove to be very useful in threatening the Kurds and intimidating the Sunnis for the foreseeable future.
The press is extolling California Senator Kamala Harris as the Next Big Thing on the U.S. political scene in assorted reports. They're calling her inevitable and the next Barack Obama.

The latest and worst version of this Hollywood-grade build-up comes from U.S. News & World Report, in a big piece titled "The Inevitability of Kamala Harris," carrying faint echos of the progressive claims of the "inevitability" of their version of "progress."

She may well be the person the Democrats pick as their nominee for president, but she's hardly a shoe-in for the presidency, particularly in the age of Trump.

She's billed as someone young and fresh in a party dominated by gerontocrats, but her act is actually pretty old.

What does she offer for starters?

She's a woman. And she's black.

"With an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, Harris strikes some observers as a California version of Barack Obama," the Los Angeles Times wrote in October 2004, during Harris' first year of elected office and a month before Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate.

(U.S. News carries on several paragraphs dwelling on this detail.)

Just empty identity politics as a substitute for ideas, on the grounds that she isn't an individual, but someone who 'represents.' That logic presumptuously assumes that all women and black people all have the exact same interests. We all want the same abortion and affirmative action privileges, so the thinking goes. And a woman who happens to be black will, robotlike, follow that template precisely and all will be well. Not a word out there about differing interests, such as the right to not have to finance abortions, or the problem of seeing African and Caribbean immigrants and their children take all the affirmative action slots while Black Americans are stuck in lousy union-controlled public schools and left out. All it takes is a woman who can project herself as black in a two-fer because Democrats know what we want. Throw us another abortion and take care of the 'woman' issue, will you?

In the post-Hillary Clinton, post-Obama-era, been there, done that.

Clinton was billed as just that 'Vote for me, I'm a woman' idea and voters rejected her because she was out of touch on serious things that mattered to them, such as jobs, the nightmare of Obamacare, bad schools, and economic growth.

Obama was billed as modern and multiracial, heralding a new era of racial healing and globalization - and we got none of that on his watch as president. Like Harris, he too was a one-term Senator with no accomplishments to speak of, coming from a far left urban center.

Voters are expected to buy it a second time?

Beyond the identity package, Harris actually carries quite a bit of baggage from her stint in California politics.

She served as San Francisco's District Attorney and then went on to become California's Attorney General. While in office, she showed a lot about how she governs.

Glenn Reynolds, of Instapundit, shows some of her worst record in her political start here:

I remember when she was defending fake confessions:

What prosecuting attorney Robert Murray did was produce a translated transcript of the defendants interrogation to which he had added a fraudulent confession. The defense attorney got a copy of the audio tape of the interrogation, but it ended abruptly. Eventually, Murray admitted to falsifying the transcript, presumably in the hopes of either coercing a plea deal, or ensuring a victory at trial. When the trial judge found out, charges against the defendant were dismissed. Incredibly, the State of California, via Attorney General Kamala Harris, decided to appeal the case. The states key argument: That putting a fake confession in the transcript wasnt outrageous because it didnt involve physical brutality, like chaining someone to a radiator and beating him with a hose. Well, no. It just involved an officer of the court knowingly producing a fraudulent document in order to secure an illicit advantage. If Harris really thinks that knowingly producing a fraudulent document to secure an illicit advantage isnt outrageous, then perhaps she slept through her legal ethics courses.

She also comes off as a woman who slept her way to the top, with U.S. News reporting that she "dated" the notorious Willie Brown, swamp creature extraordinaire of San Francisco politics in the 1990s. After that, Brown used his political capital to build her up in her quest for higher offices.

Is that really what voters are looking for?

Her campaign approach is something that turns off voters, too.

As I wrote last October, she's a regular on the Democrats' Beautiful People fundraising circuit.

California's wunderkind Democratic Senator, Kamala Harris, is loading up for a presidential run. According to the Washington Free Beacon, she's doubled her campaign spending on the media company that first raised Bernie Sanders' profile with voters, and gone all in on hiring Hillary Clinton's leftover campaign staffers to a newly rented office in Washington, D.C. She's also made the rubber chicken circuit in the tony Hamptons in search of big dollar donors among the rich liberals, the kind who previously bankrolled Clinton's campaign.

Ain't making the elite circles fun?

Here's another bit of baggage:

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris' office on Monday defended allowing about a half dozen first-time drug offenders to clear their records by going through a job-training program, even after prosecutors learned they were deportable as undocumented immigrants. But Harris' aides said they have since made changes in the program that would prevent a recurrence of instances in which illegal immigrants got their criminal records cleared by going through the Back on Track jobs program, which trains offenders for jobs that undocumented immigrants legally would be prevented from holding.

Here's one detail of that slovenly policy from the Los Angeles Times, explaining why she had to backtrack:

In 2008, convicted cocaine dealer Alexander Izaguirre avoided prison after being accepted into the program. Izaguirre later stole a woman's purse and then drove into her with an SUV, fracturing her skull.

What we also have here is that she's a bigtime defender of amnesty and sanctuary cities , demands guaranteed legal representation for each and every illegal immigrant flooding in, and has a record of letting illegals who should have been deported for their crimes erase their criminal records instead.

If Trump got his campaign lead from espousing the opposite, what does this say about what will play well with the voters.

She's also got a mean streak, zeroing in for the prosecution of an abortion-opposing group that made videos of Planned Parenthood officials stating their real activities, not the ones in their glossy brochures, ... and doing nothing about their grotesque sales of baby parts for experimentation at labs.
Damian Green, Jacqui Smith and watching porn on The Job

Who do the police work for? Asking because Cabinet Office Minister Damian Green, effectively Prime Minister Theresa Mays deputy, allegedly had porn on his computer when police raided his office in 2008. Neil Lewis, a former Scotland Yard detective, tells media he found thousands of thumbnails of dirty photos in Greens computers browser cache. There was, says Lewis, no doubt whatsoever that the porn was accessed by Green.

Green says if there was any porn found, it wasnt his.

Which leads us to wonder: why would Lewis allegedly keep personal copies of potentially damaging information on an elected MP and cabinet minister? If the information was obtained during paid work hours, why has he got it out of the office? Or is this just about two men allegedly sharing the same taste in smut, storing thumbnails being the modern take on finding a jazz mag in a hedge?

Lewis told the BBC:

The computer was in Mr Greens office on his desk, logged in, you know, his account, his name. In between browsing pornography he was sending emails from his account, his personal account, reading documents, writing documents and it was just impossible it was exclusive and extensive that, you know, it was ridiculous to suggest that anybody else could have done it.

A spokesman for Mr Green tells us, precisely:

From the outset he has been very clear that he never watched or downloaded pornography on the computers seized from his office.

The police add in a statement:

Confidential information gathered during a police inquiry should not be made public. The appropriate course of action is to co-operate privately with the Cabinet Office inquiry as the Metropolitan Police Service has done.

Jim Waterson, of Buzzfeed News, tweeted:

The headline on this Damian Green story should be The police dont delete your data when ordered to do so and are liable to leak details of the legal porn they found in order to embarrass you.

And what about the quality of that porn? Thumbnail photos? Is looking at small aides to masturbation likely to make you go blind faster that the A4 shots?

Matthew Parris in the Times:

Be clear: all sides agree that none of the alleged material was illegal, and his accusers have withdrawn any claim it was extreme. Nobody is suggesting this was anything other than mainstream internet porn of the kind millions of men, probably most men, many journalists and many policemen, have accessed. There is a debate about pornography and the law but the fact remains: if Mr Green did what the police alleged (and he denies) he would have broken no law. Yet, now he is wounded, they close in on him.

The Register adds:

Lewiss claims are also subtly different from other police leaks aimed at Green: a month ago Bob Quick, a disgraced former assistant commissioner of the Met, described Green as having extreme porn  which is illegal to own. Quick was sacked from the Met for letting press photographers see details of a secret briefing document as he walked into Downing Street, though he was also head of the police inquiry which decided to arrest Green.

And the backstory?

Green is under investigation by Parliamentary authorities for allegedly inappropriate behaviour with a young Conservative activist. He denies any wrongdoing.

The Guardian has more backgroundbin a story entitled Damian Green and the decade-long feud with ex-Met officer Bob Quick:

The decade-long feud between Damian Green and Bob Quick, now coming to a head with a Cabinet Office investigation into Green, can be traced back to a day in 2006 when a young civil servant working in Jacqui Smiths Home Office was allegedly told by the now first secretary of state to get as much dirt on the Labour party, the Labour government as possible

The Jacqui Smith who in 2011 was reported on the BBC thus:

Jacqui Smith has revealed she felt frozen rather than angry when told her husband had entered a parliamentary expenses claim for pornographic films. The former Labour home secretary told Radio Times she felt protective towards Richard Timney, despite the episode ending her political career. Ms Smith said she had not gone through the expense form closely enough Despite outlawing violent pornography while she was home secretary, she said she was shocked at the amount of hardcore material still available on the internet. Asked if her husband had known about this, he might not have chosen pay-per-view films, she replied: Yes, thats what my 17-year-old son said: Dad, havent you heard of the internet?'

Back to the Guardian:

Over the course of the next two years Galley got a job in the home secretarys private office and passed at least 31 separate documents, some classified restricted, from the heart of Smiths department including from her private offices inbox and private outer office safe. Green made maximum use of the documents to secure damaging headlines in the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and other papers

In the Mail, any word on that?

Damian Green and Bob Quick crossed swords in 2008 when the Met assistant commissioner took dramatic action in an inquiry into leaks from the force. Mr Quick decided to arrest then then shadow immigration minister.

The Tory MP was held for nine hours while his Commons office, two homes and constituency office, were searched and computers removed by counter-terrorism officers. The episode sparked a huge inquest at the Commons into whether parliamentary privilege should have protected the material held by an MP.

Adding:

In the ensuing political storm, it emerged Mr Quicks wife was running a car hire firm from their home and details of their address were published on a website.

Or as the Guardian reports:

Three weeks later Quick, in a move he later regretted, publicly accused the Tories and their press friends of acting in a wholly corrupt way to try to undermine his investigation into Green. What had provoked his anger was a Mail on Sunday article detailing a wedding chauffeur business run by his wife, Judith, from the family home.

As newspapers score points by omission and inclusion, Parris has the last word:

What Damian Green was alleged to have watched might be thought disgusting, but what two former Met officers have been up to is little short of sinister. Disgust can rule the headlines and may win the day, but former police officers are trying to destroy a senior minister with whom they have clashed. This is London, not Chicago. Parliamentarians, in retreat for a decade now, should unite to push back.

One day theyll let robots run us

Anorak

Posted: 2nd, December 2017 | In: Broadsheets, News, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
The Billings City Council will likely have to approve One Big Sky Center twice.

The council, which will change leadership in January, would approve any plans for such a large building project in downtown Billings.

But developers would also need the council's approval if any public financing for the project was granted.

Yet, a recent Gazette analysis of the Downtown TIF district reveals that most public funds are already tied up, and large funding won't be available for at least another four  maybe five  years. That could come as a surprise to council members, developers and some leaders.

Tax-increment financing, or TIF, is public money collected from property taxes used specifically for development and property improvement. The concept is straightforward: Reinvesting in property will encourage development and raise property values, thereby ultimately generating more taxes while fueling the local economy. However, TIF funding is limited to the taxes generated by the increase in property value in the district, which was created by the city council to revitalize blighted areas. For the TIF district to have funds, the taxable value of the district must increase.

Critics of TIF argue that it cannot be proven that TIF money actually pays for itself with increasing property values, which would likely rise during the course of time anyway. Moreover, they argue, developers who want to build will be determined to make a good business decision, regardless of whether TIF funding is available.

When the first set of developers started discussions with the city council, they pegged the cost of One Big Sky Center at as much as $165 million, with $35 million coming from the Downtown TIF district.

That number was aggressive  maybe even shocking to some  because it seemed to exceed the district's funding capacity, and eclipsed the largest project it had ever done.

Two recent factors (a significant decrease in downtown property values coupled with other large TIF grants) have meant the Downtown TIF district has less than $1 million per year to spend, significantly short of what would be needed to fund $25 million to $35 million in TIF funding for One Big Sky Center.

How much money? And when?

One Big Sky Center may hinge on two variables: funding and timing.

When Bob Dunn, president of Hammes Companies of Madison, Wisconsin, spoke to the City Council on Sept. 26, he said it was too early to know if the original developers' plan of $35 million in TIF funding was too much, too little, or just right.

Since then, city leaders, including Billings Mayor-elect Bill Cole, have traveled to Wisconsin to see other Hammes projects. The concept, which will be presented more fully to the city council Monday night, has also changed from a large skyscraper to a district, or group of buildings and venues.

Dunn spoke to The Gazette this week and said because the project is still in a conceptual stage, it's impossible to know how much public funding may be needed. However, it was equally impossible to imagine the project without public funding, Dunn said.

"There must be public financing. That supports the private economic investment there," Dunn said. "There has to be a public-private partnership."

While public dollars in downtown may be tied up for years, that may not be a deal breaker for his development, Dunn and others said. The developer said that public dollars are a necessity because it shows private investors that a city believes enough in a project to invest in it.

Dunn believes that most of 2018 will be used for planning and developing a vision for the project. He said that completing an entire district development may take 10 to 15 years.

That's important, said Downtown Billings Alliance Executive Director Lisa Harmon, because that means TIF financing doesn't have to be in place immediately. She also pointed out that TIF funding isn't given until a project is complete, and documentation for the expenses are in hand  meaning that public funds won't be distributed until parts of One Big Sky are complete. That would allow the Downtown TIF district to finish other commitments that were led by former Downtown Billings Alliance Development Director Greg Krueger, who retired on Thursday.

Tapped TIF

When developers first floated the idea of $35 million in TIF funding, it was a surprising number to many.

Local financial expert and former state commerce department director Gary Buchanan was asked by the city to help it perform due diligence on the original developers. In an Oct. 24, 2016 letter to the city council, he expressed concern that the project asked too little from the developers and too much from the public. He also expressed concern that such a huge commitment of TIF funding would essentially shut out other possible projects in the district because most of the funding would go to One Big Sky.

Harmon said that while a large portion of funding being channeled to One Big Sky could shut out other projects, she believes the Downtown TIF district would work to set aside even a small amount  maybe $250,000  for other projects.

Yet, with recent grants by the Downtown TIF district, including a pledge to the Alberta Bair Theater and renovation to the Stillwater Building, TIF funds are mostly committed for now.

Complicating matters, the district got unexpected bad news from the state this year. The state Department of Revenue had reassessed property values, and changed the way it classified one large piece of property, the AT&T building. In 2017, the taxable value for the district dropped 17 percent. That has an immediate impact on the Downtown TIF district because what it can grant is based on property values. A 17 percent loss means a corollary loss in funding ability.

City of Billings Interim Finance Director Andy Zoeller estimates the Downtown TIF has less than $1 million per year to grant for the next four to five years. Using those numbers, the Downtown TIF would not be able to commit more than $3 million to $5 million total during that time, far short of the $35 million that was discussed by developers earlier in the year.

"There really can't be anything drastic or wild until Fiscal Year 2021-2022," Zoeller said. "If developers want to delay the project until then for more TIF funding, then maybe something larger would be a possibility."

Harmon is not concerned that the dip in values and lack of available funding will scare off Hammes or other developers.

"They're willing to go that road with us," Harmon said. "Nothing is even shovel ready  we don't even have a design, so this is a long process."

TIFs and what-ifs

Harmon believes that by the time developers are lined up, projects are approved and construction is completed, the finish date for One Big Sky is years away, which would line up well when more TIF funding would become available.

She also said that the recent 17 percent drop in property values in the district  and the corresponding drop in funding  is a one-time anomaly because of a tax decision by the Montana Department of Revenue. In the long-term, she believes property values will rebound and that the TIF's capacity for funding will grow with it.

Harmon also believes that the redevelopment of downtown through the One Big Sky project, including all the businesses that will be helped because of it, will offset such a big commitment of TIF funding. In other words, the TIF will pay for itself.

However, the ability to commit as much as $35 million may be basing the numbers on the best-case scenarios, Zoeller said.

The TIF district's ability to commit funding is based on several criteria, Zoeller said. It cannot simply borrow as much as it wants.

The Department of Revenue will estimate what the new property or improvements, like One Big Sky, are worth and a bond company will determine the bonding capacity for the district.

Bonding for as much as $35 million exceeds what the Downtown TIF district could do now. Before the recent drop in property values, the TIF had between $18 million and $20 million in bonding capacity. Now that number would likely be closer to $16 million, less than half of the $35 million originally discussed, and well short of even $25 million, another number floated by developers.

In order for the Downtown TIF district to be able to commit to as much as $35 million, the state would have to increase the value of the property, and a bond-rating company would have to give its approval on the higher value  both best-case scenarios.

"Yes, we haven't done anything on this scale before, and we've never seen something of this magnitude," Harmon said. "But this is something we need to have to compete. Look at Missoula, they're already developing. So it's going to be something we're going to have to work through."

Other concerns

Buchanan, who works with bonds daily, is concerned that because the Downtown TIF district is run through the DBA that few people know about the drop in property values or how much funding has already been tied up by recent grants. Because of that, city council members, the developers and other business groups don't know how little funding is available, Buchanan said.

"It goes back to due diligence," Buchanan said.

The DBA receives more than $250,000 in TIF money annually to administer the funds, including developing projects. While the council has final approval for how the TIF funds are spent, it may not understand the Downtown district is nearing its capacity  a condition that is unlikely to change for years.

"(The Downtown TIF) district has lacked the financial discipline," Buchanan said.

He suggested moving the Downtown TIF district under the auspices of the city-county planning department, like Billings' other TIF districts, which he suggested may also save money.

"That way the city could impose the same financial discipline it puts on the others," Buchanan said, referring to the East Billings Urban Renewal District and the South Billings Boulevard District. Those districts, he noted, saw property values increase 25 and 24 percent respectively, according to Department of Revenue statistics.

With Krueger gone, it would also be the perfect time to make the transition, Buchanan said.

Harmon defends her organization, saying that in a short time it has completed more than 285 projects in downtown.

Buchanan worries that since no one has challenged the TIF numbers being tossed around, the developers and the council may not even know about the limited capacity. Moreover, as the city council hires a new administrator, that new leader may be faced with helping to address the project.

"It's important that the city manager should know what little bonding authority is left," Buchanan said.

Even more, Buchanan worries about local businesses if TIF financing isn't there, and the project falls through. A number of local businesses have been buying property and preparing for the project, believing that it was more of a certainty because funding appeared to be solid.
Media obsession over Kate Maltby and Damian Green is something Rotherham girls can only dream of

Its always big news when a journalist becomes the story. Access is easy. The newspaper with the hacks number on speed-dial gets to ride high on the news cycle and be relevant. And all other media can take sides and judge. Kate Malby is the young Conservative activist in the limelight, writing in the Times about how awkward I felt when Damian Green, the Tory MP and first secretary of state, allegedly came on to her. He denies doing so. But the story is out there. And its open season on Green and Maltby, teh story veering between the invasive and the endemic.

Maltby kicked off her story with context. After the Weinstein scandal we are asking new questions about the sexual abuse of power: all to the good, she wrote, linking a powerful Hollywood figures alleged rapes and serious sexual assaults to her experience. What did Green do? Was it criminal?

Mr Green is almost exactly 30 years older than me. He has always cropped up in the peripheral circle of my parents acquaintances; he generously agreed to be interviewed by my school newspaper when I was the 16-year-old editor and he the shadow education minister.

Oh, god no!

I did not conduct the interview myself, and had no contact again until I became involved in Tory activism in my twenties.

Ah. Phew! The 16-year-old and the man in this 40s is not a story laced with sex and crime. We rejoin the story with Maltby in her twenties

At that point I began to ask him for advice on internal matters. We met for a daytime coffee in 2014 to discuss a political essay collection I was co-editing. He was helpful and avuncular

We fast forward to 2015, Maltby and Green are meeting once more:

He steered the conversation to the habitual nature of sexual affairs in parliament. He told a funny story about finding himself in a lift with the Cameron aide Rachel Whetstone and her alleged lover, Samantha Camerons stepfather, Lord Astor. He mentioned that his own wife was very understanding. I felt a fleeting hand against my knee  so brief, it was almost deniable. I moved my legs away, and tried to end the drink on friendly terms. I then dropped all contact for a year. I wanted nothing to do with him.

Awkward, right enough.

For a while I wondered if Id imagined the incident. I had no proof. And was I self-regarding to think myself attractive? Women are trained to doubt our desirability.

Only women? Arent men also presented with ideals? They go loopy for a man with his shirt off drinking a Coca Cola or serving a yoghurt, but can only pity the hapless husband who cant operate soap. And arent men now being recast as suspects? An LA Times article told us: Sexual harassment is neither a Republican problem nor a Democratic one. Its a man problem. Like womanhood before liberation, manhood is a restrictive condition.

In May 2016, Maltby was persuaded by The Times to write a piece about the history of corsets It ended up being quite light-hearted, and I was talked into posing in a not-very-revealing corset. The phone rang. It was Green:

Long time no see. But having admired you in a corset in my favourite tabloid I feel impelled to ask if you are free for a drink anytime? I ignored the message.

Indeed. She wanted nothing more to do with him.

Six weeks later, David Cameron fell and Mr Green was suddenly one of the most important men in Theresa Mays cabinet. As an aspirant political writer, it seemed impossible to avoid him professionally. So I sent him a message. Many congratulations on joining the cabinet  you and your family must be delighted. Ill look forward to seeing what you achieve in government.

Cue Jan Moir, Mrs Michael Gove, the apogee of school gates knowing, who tells Mail readers:

Clearly driven mad with lust by the sight of the 31-year-old in a lace-up bodice and lumpy leggings, Green had only one thing on his mind. The brute! So she actively ignored him until this June, when he was suddenly promoted to Deputy PM in Theresa Mays new government. The fact that Green was suddenly hugely important did not escape the single-minded Miss Maltby, who put the trauma of what had happened behind her and began texting him again.

Will anyone stick up for Miss lumpy legs? The Mail wont. Its Team Green, backing the man allegedly involved in Daily Mail scoops? The Mails double-page spread comes with a free hatchet:

One very pushy lady: Kate Maltbys dad is a banker who dated Ann Widdecombe, and a family friend of the minister she accuses of touching her knee. ANDREW PIERCE profiles a woman determined to make it in politics  whatever the cost

Isnt being determined a good thing?

Kate was brought up in Geneva, Switzerland, before the family moved back to Britain and into their 5 million home in Holland Park, West London. Kate, a highly- strung teenager, dropped out of Cheltenham Ladies College and moved to the 25,000-a-year St Pauls Girls School.

Well-travelled, well-connected and well educated. Maltby can either spend her days lunching or work hard to put her nous to good use. Good on her for having a go, right?

In 2012, Maltby moved into a 1.3 million flat in Notting Hill She bought the flat, now worth around 2 million, with no mortgage.

Which surely garners the reaction: so what? If this were a story about how anyone seeking a career in media needs to have private means, then wed get it. Wed expect every Mails byline to come with a word on the writers schooling, market rate of their home and a family tree linking them to the owner. But its a story is about a woman feeling uncomfortable.

While she was in Notting Hill, the ambitious Maltby targeted Samantha Cameron One member of the now defunct Notting Hill set recalled: She was relentless and persistent in courting Mrs Cameron and others. We all got bombarded with emails and calls from her after she just sort of appeared in our midst. But Im afraid there was something not quite right. I wasnt sure we could ever fully trust her.

And who better to trust than the anonymous source? The same or maybe its another anonymous voice tells us: She might be more careful the next time shes asked to write a piece trashing a decent man.

Team Green is in full cry, then? But in the New Statesman, Sarah Ditum says Maltby is paying the price for speaking out as a woman. Damian Greens relations with Maltby are being investigated by Cabinet Office. Green is also being investigated for alleged misuse of his Commons computer, namely to access porn, something he denies. Anna Soubry, a Tory MP, says he should be suspended. A senior figure tells the Sunday Times Green should contemplate suicide: Its time for the whisky and the revolver.

Ditum wonders: How posh does a woman have to be for her account of a mans behaviour to be dismissed? How ambitious?

The questions are rhetorical. Its also clear Ditum is writing less about Maltby than the Mails reaction to her. You see. Media loves to talk about media. Its the easiest news beat there is.

And if accusations of betraying friends, shaming family and publicising herself are too mild for you, dont worry: Jan Moir is there on the facing page, calling Maltby poison, disingenuous and not afraid to use all her charms to get herself noticed.

But what about Maltby?

When a woman comes forward, she knows her credibility will be undermined, her past picked over and her character demolished. She might, like Labour activist Bex Bailey when she reported a rape, simply be told to hush up.

Rape? Is the heinous crime of rape relevant to Green? Isnt that, you know, a bit unfair? Isnt this about an alleged light brush of the knee, and flirtation? And if the media wants to investigate young vulnerable women being abused by older men, why dont they talk more about attitudes to poor women in Rotherham and elsewhere? No #MeToo hashtags for the poor, ordinary and isolated. You stat to wonder if this about women or class? To rework Ditums question: How poor does a woman have to be for her account of a mans behaviour to be dismissed? And does she have to live in London?

She continues:

When a national paper is willing to go to war for the hand on the knee and the presumptuous text, its not because they fear for one mans career (which, again, was never threatened by Maltby): its because these are the things that keep women where we are.

Which iswhere? Writing a column in a national newspaper or magazine? Four days after her original story, Maltby wrote in the Times:

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC came forward to confirm that I had confided in her a year ago about Green and was unlikely to have fabricated the story. At least two other women have said the same in public  and there are others who have offered to give similar evidence in private to a forthcoming Cabinet Office inquiry. So my accusers changed tack. Seeming to accept that I genuinely believe my own claims, friends of Damian Green now suggest I may not have been able to tell the difference between the touch of a human hand and the flicker of tablecloth. This is the only story in a very difficult week that has given me reason to crack a hollow smile. Women know the difference between a hand and a tablecloth.

Women do. But do men, who are clueless when it comes to household items and laundry. Discuss.

Anorak

Posted: 3rd, December 2017 | In: Key Posts, News, Politicians Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
The student loan debt plan is on hold, again, and no one knows when (or if) it's coming. What could this mean for you?

Host Teri Barr is talking with Cecilia Clark, a Student Loans Expert with Nerd Wallet, to learn why this newest hold on the program, could take awhile, the 3 things you need to know about and prepare for right now, including making your loan payments again in the New Year.

The latest from Cecilia at NerdWallet:

More episodes on debt:

Support the show: https://omny.fm/shows/pennywise

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Theres time though. The actress will sign up for a Hollywood film before she works with Aamir Khan.

Priyanka Chopra is all set to pick up one more project in Hollywood.

With Aamir Khan overtly busy with working on his Yash Raj Films Thugs of Hindostan, Priyanka has had a brief period of lull before the shoot begins. According to sources, her team advised her to put all that to good use.

A trade source informs, Thugs of Hindostan is not his only focus for the next few months. Aamir also has the onus of taking his production Secret Superstar all over the world, including China. Hence, he has a busy schedule before getting into the preparation mode for the film produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur. He will take a while to prepare for that role too, says a trade source.

Peecees team now has locked one more project for her in Hollywood. Interestingly, her second Hollywood outing after Baywatch, A Kid Like Jake, will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The actress will spend some time promoting the film. Then she will be shooting for the film Isnt It Romantic with Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine and Liam Hemsworth. So even she has her hands full.

Aamir will be glad that his co-star in the film will be a good four Hollywood films old when they go on floors to enable his global plans bear fruit after scaling the Great Wall, says the source.

 Sanskriti Media
Audiences are open to all kinds of experiences now: Kapil Sharma

A year full of controversies and setbacks later, Kapil Sharma has managed to release his second movie, Firangi, where he portrays an innocent man grappling with the Colonial Raj. We speak to Kapil about his career plans, personal life and more. Edited excerpts from the interview.

Firangi is quite a departure from your first film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon and your image as that of a stand-up comic.

My friend Rajiev Dhingra, who directed Firangi, sat down with for one and a half years, and we exchanged ideas on what we could do together. We decided we would do a period film for sure, but we didnt want to do the usual evil colonisers and innocent peasants movie. We wanted to have a fresh take on the Raj. I think we succeeded in doing that.

Rajiev seems to have ensured your fans get they want from your innocence. But theres also a new avatar, different from your comic makeup.

Yes, mera character bholepan mein bohot kuch kar jaata hai. (My character does a lot without understanding repercussions). Rajiev knows me better than almost anyone else. Weve been friends for years. Often it happens so that people close to you know you better than you do yourself. Rajiev knows me well enough to know what I can and cant do. He directed me accordingly. Sometimes Id go over-the-top, but hed bring me back to normalcy. He knew that the audience wanted to see me playing a normal guy, who can make others laugh.

Do you like pushing the envelope?

It will be boring for the audience and me if I dont. Thats why Im also planning a radical change to The Kapil Sharma Show too. As far as feature films go, I will try to do something different each time. I already have an idea for my next movie. Audiences are open to all kinds of experiences now. I saw Newton; it was so different, yet so successful.

Firangi is a tad too long, though?

Oh, youll be surprised at how much we left out. There was a scene where my character asks the British officer what financial constraints bring his people to India, because normally poor Indians go to Kolkata. They came all the way from England to India.

Have you shown the movie to your friends from the industry like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar?

Not yet. We had a screening for the cast and crew on Thursday. Theyll obviously say nice things. Very often, us entertainers and actors get cut off from reality because we surround ourselves with yes-men. Its very important to listen to people who dont flatter you and correct you when youre wrong. Rajiev is one such friend; he tells me when I go wrong.
The Shalimar Bagh Max Hospital on Friday handed over the twins, thinking both to be dead, to the family in plastic bags.

The family members of the newborn, who was allegedly declared dead along with his still-born twin by the hospital, staged a sit-in protest outside the hospital on Saturday demanding a strict action against them. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Sunday sent notice to the administration of Max hospital in connection with medical negligence issue and sought detailed information in the regard.

The police have also asked about the duty of the doctors and the rest of the staff on the day of the incident.

The hospital administration has been asked to be present for an interrogation.

Earlier on Saturday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain said if the Max hospital continued with the negligence, the state government would cancel their licence.

The family members of the newborn, who was allegedly declared dead along with his still-born twin by the hospital, staged a sit-in protest outside the hospital on Saturday demanding a strict action against them.

The Shalimar Bagh Max Hospital on Friday handed over the twins, thinking both to be dead, to the family in plastic bags.

When the twins were brought to the burial ground, the parents just before performing the last rites realised that one of them showed movements inside the bag.

They immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors informed one of them to be alive.

A medical negligence case has been registered under section 308 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the hospital.
Significantly, the United States too had recently said it had no objection to the trilateral project involving India, Iran and Afghanistan.

New Delhi: Even as the pivotal Chabahar port in Iran will be inaugurated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday made a stopover at Tehran on her way back from Russia and met her Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif to discuss further cooperation on the crucial port project. Significantly, the United States too had recently said it had no objection to the trilateral project involving India, Iran and Afghanistan.

India is looking at operationalisation of the Chabahar port as an alternate, reliable and robust connectivity for Afghanistan which will slash Afghan dependence on Pakistan for access to the sea.

It will ensure the sea-land connectivity initiative through Iran between New Delhi and Kabul. Pakistan has been an obstacle to the direct Indo-Afghan trade route that passes through Pakistani territory. The Chabahar port will also be a competitor  in handling maritime trade  to the Gwadar port in Pakistans restive Balochistan province which has seen massive Chinese investment as part of the controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a statement on Saturday evening, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj visited Iran on December 2, 2017, on her return journey from the SCO Summit at Sochi (Russia) and met Javad Zarif, foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Foreign minister Javad Zarif hosted a luncheon meeting wherein both sides discussed the various aspects of India-Iran relations and ways to strengthen it. Both sides positively reviewed the initiatives undertaken since the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran in May 2016, including cooperation in Chabahar port which will be inaugurated Iran President Hassan Rouhani tomorrow (in the) presence of ministers from India, Afghanistan and the region. Both Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

It may be recalled that about a month ago, in a major move that is part of the connectivity initiative to circumvent an obstinate Pakistan, Ms. Swaraj and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, through a joint video conference, had flagged off the first shipment of wheat from India to Afghanistan that would be shipped through the Chabahar port in Iran. The shipment was part of a commitment made by India to supply 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on grant basis. The move had come just days after the visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to New Delhi and after the United States said it had no objection to the Indo-Afghan-Iranian initiative to develop Chabahar.



In a statement on October 29 this year, India had said, The shipment of wheat is a landmark moment as it will pave the way for operationalisation of the Chabahar port as an alternate, reliable and robust connectivity for Afghanistan. ... Last year in May, when our Leaders met in Tehran, they jointly took the decision to establish an International Transport and Transit corridor between India, Afghanistan and Iran. Today, as we jointly flag off the first shipment of wheat from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port, we are taking an important step in realising that shared aspiration to carve out the new routes of peace and prosperity.

Ms. Swaraj had also thanked Iran then, saying, At the same time, we are thankful to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for providing assistance in facilitating the movement of this gift through Chabahar Port. This shows the convergence between the ancient civilisations of India, Afghanistan and Iran to spur unhindered flow of commerce and trade throughout the region. The people of India, Afghanistan and Iran have been connected through centuries; shared commonalities of art and culture, ideas and knowledge; language and traditions.
Declare cyclone as national calamity, says Tamil Nadu.

A man watches a road that has been cut off due to floods following heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone Ockhi in the Kanyakumari district. (Photo: PTI)

Thiruvananthapuram/Chennai: More than 500 fishermen stranded in the rough sea off Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts have been rescued even as cyclone Ockhi on Saturday lay centered over the South East Arabian Sea and about 250 km near Amini Divi in the Lakshadweep Islands.

The death toll rose to 22 in Kerala and Tamil Nadu with the recovery of fresh bodies, officials said. The state government decided to urge the Centre to declare Cyclone Ockhi, which left a trail of destruction in the state, a national calamity.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan entrusted chief secretary K.M. Abraham with the task of preparing a memorandum in this regard, chief minister office (CMO) sources said.

Meanwhile, a fresh spell of heavy rain is in store in some areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry with a low pressure area forming over south Andaman sea, which is very likely to become a depression over the Bay of Bengal. The system is likely to move towards Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh in the next three to four days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

With Ockhi wreaking havoc in South Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu government said it will soon seek Central funds for the damage caused by the cyclone.

This was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by chief minister K. Palaniswami during a telephone conversation between the two leaders on Friday night, a state government release said.

Mr Palaniswami also discussed the situation with Union home minister Rajnath Singh. He told Mr Singh that Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli had suffered the worst damage, and detailed the relief work being carried out in full swing there, a release said. The state government requested the Centre to deploy helicopters of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to search and rescue missing fishermen.
Manmohan called demonetisation an uninformed, half-baked crusade on black money.

Singh also said that demonetisation and GST has benefitted China, by increasing it imports by an unprecedented 23 percent in a year. (Photo: File)

Surat: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Saturday said Modi failed to understand the "pains" of his note ban and GST decisions were going to unleash on the people of his own home state.

Calling demonetisation an "uninformed, half-baked crusade" and GST a "badly designed and hastily implemented" measure, Singh also lamented the "low-level rhetoric" used by the ruling party.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes...," he said.

"Just as you were recovering from one blow (of demonetisation), came the GST. Nobody consulted you or tried to understand how your dhandha (business) works," he told a gathering of members of the local business community here.

"The prime minister is from Gujarat, and he claims to understand Gujarat and the poor more than anyone else. How is it that he never understood the pains his decisions will unleash on you?" Singh asked.

"Your business works on trust and relationships. Without trust in each other, Surat will collapse. You extended this trust to the prime minister and his promise of 'acchhe din' (good days). The hope symbolised in those dreams now lies shattered," he said.

In Surat alone, 89,000 powerlooms were sold as scrap and it led to a loss of 31,000 jobs, Singh said. "There are countless such examples from industrial clusters and big mandis (markets) from across the country."

China benefited from this situation, he claimed.

"In FY 2016-17, India's imports from China stood at Rs 1.96 lakh crore. During the same period in FY 2017-18, the imports from China increased to Rs 2.41 lakh crore. This unprecedented increase in imports by more than Rs 45,000 crore, a 23 per cent increase in a year, can be attributed largely to demonetisation and GST," he said.

"These twin blows damaged India's MSME sector and our businesses had to turn to Chinese imports at the cost of India jobs," the senior Congress leader said.

On demonetisation, Singh said, "This is an uninformed, half-baked crusade on black money where he (Modi) painted everyone as a thief, while real culprits have gotten away."

The Goods and Services Tax was "badly designed and hastily implemented", the economist-turned-politician said.

Maintaining that demonetisation was not the solution to the problem of black money and tax evasion, Singh said the costs of demonetisation substantially exceeded its benefits, and the decision "proved to be mere bluster to reap political dividends while the real offenders have escaped".

Demonetisation and GST have also "sown a deep-rooted fear of tax terrorism among the business community", he said.

"At a time when the economy has slowed down considerably, despite favourable global macro-economic conditions, the fear of tax terrorism has eroded the confidence of the businesses to invest," he said.

"This attitude of suspecting everyone to be a thief or anti-national, the low-level rhetoric is damaging the democratic discourse and has real consequences for how we relate to one another as citizens. Political leaders must stick to the high road," he said.

Singh said on every social indicator, from infant and maternal mortality rates to female literacy, Gujarat has fallen behind the best performing states, including Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

He said the recent agitations by the youth cutting across different sections of the society was an indication of the deep dissatisfaction with the performance of successive BJP governments.

The former prime minister said a Congress government in the state will hear the voice of every Gujarati regardless of caste, creed, gender or class.

Later, talking to reporters, Singh strongly denied Modi's allegation that the Congress and Congress-led governments hated Gujaratis.

"Nothing can be farther from the truth. I realise that many things are said in election times. But when they are gross distortions, they need to be rebutted," he said, adding that Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister, and the "most famous Gujarati" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hand-in-hand, and "nothing is gained, as is often attempted by Modi, by pitting the two great leaders apart."

Modi was "denigrating the country" when claiming that Congress party did nothing in 70 years, the former PM said.

"I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes without resorting to statements which denigrate our country," he said.

"...While denigrating the past, the prime minister also tends to exaggerate what he will do in future. He was recently quoted in the press as saying that India will become a developed country by 2022," Singh said, adding that to achieve that, India needed to grow at the rate of 35 per cent per year. The government should get out of the "culture of constant self-praise", Singh said.

"In the ten years of UPA-I and II, when I was the prime minister, we produced 7.8 per cent GDP growth on average. This includes the slow-down in the last two years of our government. When the present government took over, they said they would take growth to 8 to 10 per cent. Modi so far has produced an average of only 7.3 per cent in the first three years," he said.
Several couples in the recent past have visited Geeta in the institute claiming that she is their daughter. But, Geeta did not recognise them.

Bhopal: A couple from Bihar on Saturday claimed Geeta, the deaf and mute Indian girl brought back from Pakistan in 2015, as their daughter and met her at an institute for speech and hearing impaired in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where she has currently been lodged, requesting for their reunion.

However, Geeta failed to recognise them, in-charge of the institute J.D. Jain told this newspaper.

The couple hailing from Alinagar village under Nalanda district in Bihar approached the institute authorities claiming that Geeta is their daughter. They claimed that their daughter had gone missing around nine years back, Mr Jain said

The couple  Ram Swarup Choudhury and his wife Chinta Devi  claimed they saw Geeta in news channels and recognised her as their missing daughter and decided to come to the institute to see her. But, Geeta was apparently separated from her family 14 years ago. Besides, Geeta also refused to recognise the couple.

Geeta said her mother was a literate person. But, Chinta Devi is an illiterate woman and hence cannot be her mother, Mr Jain said.

However, the couple has been asked to approach the ministry of external affairs (MEA), the appropriate authority to take a decision on the matter, he added.

According to him, the Bihar couple directly approached the institute to stake claim for Geeta as their daughter without following the official procedure of moving the MEA first.

Several couples in the recent past have visited Geeta in the institute claiming that she is their daughter. But, Geeta did not recognise them.

Geeta was reportedly just 7 to 8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by a Pakistan Rangers at the Lahore railway station.

She was adopted by Bilquis Edhi, a Pakistani philanthropist attached to Edhi Foundation, and lived with her in Karachi until October 2015, when she was brought back to India at the initiative of foreign minister Sushma Swaraj.

Ms Swaraj has even announced a reward of `1 lakh to the person who can find Geetas parents.
However, the former Prime Minister welcomed the uptick in the Q2 GDP growth at 6.3 per cent.

New Delhi/Surat: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said it was too early to conclude that the economic slowdown has reversed as the 6.3 per cent growth rate in the July-September quarter did not take into account the small and medium sector which suffered huge losses in the aftermath of demonetisation and hasty implementation of GST.

However, the former Prime Minister welcomed the uptick in the Q2 GDP growth at 6.3 per cent. Dr Singh also said at this rate it is not possible for the Narendra Modi government to equal UPA governments 10-year average growth rate.

July-September quarter has registered a growth rate of 6.3 per cent. This is to be welcomed, but is too early to conclude that this represents a reversal of the declining trend seen in the previous five quarters, Dr Singh, also a former finance minister, told a gathering of businessmen here.

Some economists believe that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has not adequately captured the impact of demonetisation and GST on the informal sector that accounts for about 30 per cent of the economy, he said. Further quoting economists M. Govinda Rao and former chairman of National Statistical Commission Pranab Sen, the former Prime Minister said, There is still considerable uncertainty about the growth of GDP. The RBI forecasts that growth in 2017-18 will pick up to 6.7 per cent. However, even if growth reaches 6.7 per cent in 2017-18, Modijis four-year average growth rate will still be only 7.1 per cent.

He claimed that the Modi government will not be able to equal the UPA governments 10-year average growth rate. To equal the UPAs 10-year average, the economy will have to grow at 10.6 per cent in the fifth year. I would be happy if this were to happen, but frankly, I dont think this will happen, Dr Singh quipped.

Reversing the five quarters of slowing GDP growth, Indian economy expanded by 6.3 per cent in July-September on the back of a pick-up in manufacturing.

The senior Congress leader also said the GDP growth rate falling to 5.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2017-18 due to demonetisation was still a gross underestimate as the GDP did not capture the pain of the informal sector.

Every one per cent loss of GDP annually costs our nation Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Think of the human impact from this lost growth  the lost jobs, the youth whose opportunities have vanished, the businesses who had to shut down, and entrepreneurs whose drive to succeed has turned into discouraged disappointment, he said.
Party leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, squarely blamed party president Akhilesh Yadav for the partys defeat in municipal elections.

Lucknow/Kolkata: After being voted out of power earlier this year, the Samajwadi Party has again touched rock bottom in the just-concluded municipal elections. A look at the final tally of results shows that SP candidates lost their deposits in nine out of 16 seats for the mayors post.

These include Samajwadi bastion Ferozabad, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Mathura Jhansi, Aligarh, Kanpur, Ghaziabad and Agra. Among these constituencies, Saharanpur and Moradabad have a sizeable Muslim population and the fact that SP candidates in these two districts forfeited their deposits indicates that Muslims are moving away from SP. The BJP won both the seats.

Party leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, squarely blamed party president Akhilesh Yadav for the partys defeat in municipal elections. An SP MLA said, Akhilesh Yadav is surrounded by a coterie of leaders who have no ground support and they are giving him wrong advice. If the party president refuses to campaign for his candidates, what message is he sending out? Moreover, none of the senior leaders were asked to campaign and the candidates were left on their own.

Interestingly, Mulayam Singh Yadav did not campaign for the party and neither did Shivpal Yadav. In fact, Shivpal Yadav openly supported an independent candidate Sunil Jolly for the Jaswantnagar Palika Parishad seat and ensured his victory. Sunil Jolly was in SP, but had been denied a ticket by Akhilesh Yadav.

Another SP legislator said that the partys defeat in districts represented by top leaders should be debated upon. The family war has already taken its toll on the morale of party workers and then the indifferent attitude of party president has worsened the situation. The selection of candidates was also arbitrary and none of the party workers knew who Meera Vardhan was (candidate for Lucknow mayor) or when she joined the party.



The MLAs want the party leadership to actively discuss the partys health with the workers and take steps to revive itself. If the party continues to remains in a state of slumber, we have no hope for 2019 general elections. Akhilesh Yadav should consult the senior party leaders and not just rely on his coterie, said a former SP minister. State SP president Naresh Uttam blamed the misuse of state machinery for the BJPs victory.

Akhilesh Yadav, who was in Kolkata on Saturday referred to the partys dismal performance in the UP civic polls and said that the party had won where the elections were held using EVMs, but did not do well where polls were held by using ballot paper. BJP has bagged 46 per cent votes in places where elections were held using EVM and only 15 per cent votes where the polls were held through ballot paper, he said, adding that the BJP had won the UP Assembly polls with two-third majority but in the civic polls it had failed to win in the same manner. He also said that the BJP was misleading the country by claiming that the entire entire state has been painted in the BJPs colours
It is understood that the directive on mandatory exhibition of such public awareness messages is likely to be issued soon.

Sources stated that the need for the directive arose as several multiplex chains had stopped exhibition of such public service messages, prepared by various government agencies like Films Division, claiming that technically they cannot be termed cinemas and the Cinematography Act does not apply to them.

New Delhi: New age digital multiplex cinema halls too will need to exhibit public service and awareness messages, on the perils of tobacco and alcohol abuse, ills of dowry and immunisation of children, ahead of movie screenings. The Union I&B ministry is soon likely to issue a directive, asking digital cinema halls to mandatorily broadcast such messages ahead of each film show.

Sources stated that the need for the directive arose as several multiplex chains had stopped exhibition of such public service messages, prepared by various government agencies like Films Division, claiming that technically they cannot be termed cinemas and the Cinematography Act does not apply to them.

However, the I&B ministry is understood to have sought legal opinion from the law and justice ministry, which clarified that multiplexes and digital cinemas too fall under the Act and need to display such awareness films ahead of movie shows.

Sources stated that now these multiplexes would need to exhibit short films made by the Films Divisi-on on the perils of tobacco and alcohol abuse, ills of dowry, immunisation of children and other social issues.

It is understood that the directive on mandatory exhibition of such public awareness messages is likely to be issued soon. Over the past few years there has been an exponential growth in the penetration of digital cinemas and multiplexes across the country. According to industry estimates there are about 6,000 digital cinema screens across the country which are growing as its reach improves in the rural and semi urban areas, sources said.

A similar issue, regarding display of certification ahead of the movie, had cropped up when films began to be displayed on Internet through websites like YouTube. The website had to make it mandatory to display such certification.
Ahead of the Babri Masjid case hearing, Swamy said that there is nothing left with the Sunni Waqf Board for rebuttal.

Swamy, who presented a lecture in Mumbai on 'Ramrajya,' said that he was confident that the Hindus will win the case. (Photo: File/PTI)

Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Saturday claimed that the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya would begin soon and it would be ready to receive devotees by next Diwali.

"We will celebrate the forthcoming Diwali in Ram temple," said Swamy, who delivered a lecture on 'Ramrajya' in Mumbai on Saturday night.

"It is possible that Ram temple will be almost ready by October next year in Ayodhya, as everything is ready and all the material for construction is pre-fabricated. It is just a matter of attaching (assembling) it like the Swami Narayan Mandir," he said.

Ahead of the December 5 hearing of the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, Swamy said, "The Allahabad High Court already went deep in the subject so there is nothing remaining with the Sunni Waqf Board for rebuttal."

"I have presented an additional argument that offering prayers on the place is my and Hindu community's fundamental right. Muslims don't have that right; they are only interested in property, that is normal," he said.

There is no need to make a new law for building Ram temple, the BJP leader said.

The Narasimha Rao government had said in an affidavit in the Supreme Court that if it is established that there existed a temple at the place, the land would be given for construction of the temple. That has been established now, Swamy claimed.

"To confirm that we can bring a law. But, I think there is no need. Because we are winning the case and I have full trust that we will win," he said.
Extending his best wishes to Rahul, Captain Amarinder expressed the confidence that he would do really well as the party president.

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday signed nomination papers proposing Rahul Gandhis name for the post of AICC president, describing his elevation as a good sign for the party.

Congratulating Mr Gandhi on his proposed elevation, Mr Amarinder said he was extremely happy to be doing the honours of nominating the Congress vice-president for the top post and was sure he will do well as the new leader of the party.

Recalling that he had known Rahul since the latter was a little boy, the Chief Minister said he could see even then that the youngster would one day rise to the top. The move to elevate him to the top post was a good sign for the party, said Captain Amarinder, adding that his performance during the last few days in Gujarat showed his strong capabilities.

Rahul had been drawing huge crowds in Gujarat, and had shown remarkable political maturity on several other occasions in recent past, said the chief minister, adding that this augured well for the Congress.

Extending his best wishes to Rahul, Captain Amarinder expressed the confidence that he would do really well as the party president.

Describing Rahul as a mature and competent politician, he said his elevation was a step in the right direction and would help revive the party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The mob fired as well as resorted to stone pelting on the team which had gone to Ghaziabad to investigate the murder case of an RSS leader.

NIA officials claimed that during the course of investigations, it was revealed that some arms smugglers operating in the Ghaziabad area might have supplied the weapons used in Goasains killing. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

New Delhi: Some policemen were injured when a mob attacked a joint team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Uttar Pradesh police in Ghaziabad area on Sunday.

The mob fired as well as resorted to stone pelting on the team which had gone to Ghaziabad to investigate the murder case of an RSS leader from Punjab, Ravinder Gosain. The case was transferred recently to NIA by the home ministry following a recommendation from the Punjab government as Gosains murder in Ludhiana had led to a major political outrage.

NIA officials claimed that during the course of investigations, it was revealed that some arms smugglers operating in the Ghaziabad area might have supplied the weapons used in Goasains killing. It was in connection with this aspect of the case that the NIA along with UP police had gone to Ghaziabad to conduct further investigations when the mob attacked them injuring a policeman.

Earlier, the NIA along with the state police had also carried out raids in Meerut district also on the night of December 2 and 3 to arrest some of these arms smugglers. During this raid, it was revealed that one of the main suspects, Malook, could be hiding at his residence in Ghaziabads Nahali village.

A joint team of NIA and the local police went to the Nahali village on Sunday morning when a large crowd gathered there. The mob surrounded the team and turned violent with some of them even resorting to firing and stone pelting.

A UP police constable, Tahjib Khan, was also injured in the incident and some police vehicles were also damaged. The village residents also obstructed the roads by putting up road blocks.

The NIA and the state police personnel also fired some rounds in self defence.

Two suspects have been detained for questioning by the police. NIA officials said raids are being conducted to trace Malook, who is suspected to have supplied arms to the killers involved in Goasains murder.

The NIA had registered a case on Nov 30 in connection with the murder of the Punjab RSS leader under different sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Punjab Police which was initially investigating the case has already arrested two persons, Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh, in connection with the murder.

The NIA had also claimed earlier that the murder could well be part of an elaborate conspiracy by Punjab militants operating from countries like United Kingdom, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan to foment trouble in the State. It has also been revealed during the course of the investigation that some funds from these foreign countries might have been routed through the hawala network for the murder.
As Senate Republicans passed a tax plan that would dramatically change the U.S. tax code and mostly benefit the extremely wealthy and corporations, the lone Democrat in Montana's congressional delegation received massive attention for his criticism of the hasty way the legislation was pushed through.

Senate Republicans passed their tax plan in the early hours of Saturday on a 51-49 vote, just hours after senators got an updated version of the nearly 500-page bill with notes handwritten in the margins.

Jon Tester was one of the most vocal Democratic Senators who took to social media to decry the process. He posted a minute-long video of him holding the bill up and then slamming it down on the table to show it's size. "I want you to take a look at this, folks," Tester said. "This is your government at work."

Holding up a page with handwritten changes, Tester said:

"I can read one word. ... Can you tell me what that word is? If you can, you got better eyes than me. This is unbelievable. We're doing massive tax reform on an absolute incredible timeline. This is going to affect everybody in this country. It's going to shift money from middle-class families to the rich. It's amazing, we've been given this 20 minutes ago, 25 minutes ago. We're supposed to vote on it in a couple hours."

Tester's tweet was quickly shared across the internet; by Saturday morning it had nearly 169,000 likes and 110,000 retweets.

Montana's Republican Sen. Steve Daines, who voted for the bill, sent a tweet about two hours after Tester's that directly called out Tester, calling on him to "stop the show and vote in favor" of the bill. Daines' tweet received wide criticism before it was taken down without comment.

Tester is up for re-election in 2018 in a race that is expected to be close and expensive.

On Saturday, Daines sent out a press release praising the Senate's passage of the bill.

We are one step closer to a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow jobs and increase wages for Montana farmers, ranchers, small businesses owners and working families, Daines said in a release. He also said he got a $100 million tax break for Montana's Main Street business.

Daines said he initially opposed the bill until GOP leaders included a 20 percent deduction on income for pass-through businesses, which are businesses that don't pay corporate taxes. That includes sole proprietorships, limited-liability companies, partnerships and small corporations taxed as partnerships, as well as start-up small businesses  the Main Street businesses he is referencing.

Lee Newspapers reached out to Daines' office, but did not receive a reply as of Saturday evening.

Montana Department of Revenue officials previously told The Billings Gazette startups would not likely benefit from the deduction, since they tend to operate at a loss for several years. The Gazette also reported 43 percent of pass-through partnerships in the state reported zero or negative income, which means the main beneficiaries will likely be larger businesses, not small retail operations.

Tester panned the bill in a statement, saying it will add $1.5 trillion to the federal debt. That figure comes from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report on the bill released Saturday.
The BJP was quick to hit back, alleging that these questions showed the feudal fantasy of the Congress.

New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the twin issues of crimes against women and attacks on his party members in Gujarat. Propping up his fifth question in his question-a-day series prior to the crucial Gujarat elections starting next weekend, Mr Gandhi demanded answers over the alleged failure of the state government in fulfilling the promises made to the people of Gujarat.

The Congress vice-president tweeted: The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to Asha workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat... and it was never their intention to fulfil them.

He said: Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in womens trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls... Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top 10 in crimes against women in India?

The BJP was quick to hit back, alleging that these questions showed the feudal fantasy of the Congress. Union minister for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: Those who cannot differentiate between burger and baingan (brinjal), pyaaz (onion) and pizza and cake and banana are trying to become champion of questions. This is the Congress feudal fantasy.

Mr Gandhi also accused the BJP of indulging in violence against its candidates in Gujarat and said the Election Commission should initiate action. The party alleged that its candidate against Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in Rajkot West seat, Indranil Rajyaguru, Rajkot East nominee Mitul Donga and its MP Rajeet Satav were arrested and abused by the Rajkot police.

The violence is a result of fear. Rupaniji fears losing the election and he is taking support of lathis. But Gujarat is not frightened, he added.

The last question asked by Mr Gandhi pertained to the commercialisation of education and hitting students hard with fee hikes.

Congress MP Sushmita Dev claimed that while Mr Rajyaguru was campaigning, some goons of the BJP attacked him. Instead of arresting the goons, the police arrested our candidate, she said.

We will file a complaint on behalf of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress. The manner in which our leaders were abused... this is the Gujarat model, she said.
The father of the suspect had filed a plea against CBI custody given to his son by the Juvenile Justice Board.

Pradhuman's father's lawyer said the suspect's father wanted to save his son who was already found guilty of killing Pradhuman in a probe by the CBI. (Photo: File)

Gurgaon: A day after the father of a 16-year-old suspect in the Gurgaon schoolboy killing filed a plea against his son's CBI custody, the vicitm's father on Saturday said the petition would be challenged in the court.

The father of the suspect had on Friday filed the plea against three-day custody of his son given to the Central Bureau of Investigation by the Juvenile Justice Board.

The petition said the board "erroneously and illegally" granted remand to the CBI and demanded that every other action taken by the agency pursuant to the legal order be established null and void.

The father is furious as the provisions of Section 10 of Juvenile Justice Act 2015 have been breached and so he moved the plea against the November 8 order to the CBI, it said.

The petition said the suspect did not have a previous criminal history and mentions how he was allegedly beaten up, manhandled and forced to confess to the crime by the investigators.

The section 10 of Juvenile Justice Act 2015 says that the juvenile in conflict with the law under no circumstances can be put in jail and further the JJB had no authority to grant remand of a juvenile to the investigating officials, the petition said.

The next hearing in the matter will be on December 12 in the court of Additional Session Judge Rajni Yadav.

Sushil Tekriwal, the lawyer for Pradyuman Thaukur's father, said he would oppose the plea of the accused's father on the next date of hearing.

Tekriwal said the father wanted to save his son who was already found guilty of killing Pradyuman in a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Pradyuman was found with his throat slit in the school washroom in Gurgaon on September 8.

School bus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested by the Haryana Police in connection with the crime.

He was recently granted bail by a lower court.

The case was transferred to the CBI and the agency had apprehended the class 11 student in connection with the killing.
The complaint contains personal information about a girl who wishes to talk to the commission confidentially as she is scared to come forward.

New Delhi: Amid the recent controversy over certain videos of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PASS) leader Hardik Patel, the National Commission for Women is all set to visit Surat in Gujarat to meet a girl who was allegedly being sexually exploited by the young leader.

A statement from the commission said that a team from the NCW, headed by chairperson Rekha Sharma, would be heading to Surat to meet a girl who, according to a complaint received by the womens commission was being sexually exploited by Mr Patel.

However, the NCW clarified that the complainant in the case was not the victim, though she had agreed to speak with commission members and officials.

The complaint contains personal information about a girl who wishes to talk to the commission confidentially as she is scared to come forward.

NCW chief Rekha Sharma said will talk to the media once the team has spoken to the girl and investigated the matter thoroughly, the statement said.

It is interesting to note that the NCW had earlier also received and was examining a complaint by Delhi-based lawyer Gaurav Gulati over sex videos, purportedly of Mr Patel that had surfaced on social media.

The PAAS leader, who has joined hands with the Congress, for the Gujarat elections, has said the videos were morphed and had blamed the BJP for their leak. Mr Gulati had sent a complaint to the NCW on November 22, asking the commission to probe the matter and recommend the police to file an FIR against the guilty person. The NCW spokesperson on Sunday clarified that the current complaint to them was different from the one sent to them by Mr Gulati.
Here's what you should be aware of.

Washington: Do you also keep checking your cell phone in every five minutes for news, information or maybe an occasional phone call? If yes, then you may need to take a break, as researchers have found an imbalance in the brain chemistry of teenagers addicted to smartphones and internet.

According to a recent Pew Research Centre study, 46 percent of Americans say they could not live without their smartphones. Researchers from the Korea University in Seoul, South Korea used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to gain unique insight into the brains of smartphone - and internet - addicted teenagers. MRS is a type of MRI that measures the brain's chemical composition.

The team analysed 19 young people (mean age 15.5, nine males) diagnosed with internet or smartphone addiction. 12 of the addicted youth received nine weeks of cognitive behavioural therapy, modified from a cognitive therapy programme for gaming addiction. "The higher the score, the more severe the addiction," said researcher Hyung Suk Seo.

The results indicated that the addicted teenagers had significantly higher scores in depression, anxiety, insomnia severity and impulsivity.

The researchers performed MRS exams on the addicted youth prior to and following behavioural therapy and a single MRS study on the control patients to measure levels of gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits or slows down brain signals, and glutamate-glutamine (Glx), a neurotransmitter that causes neurons to become more electrically excited.

The results revealed that the ratio of GABA to Glx was significantly increased in the anterior cingulate cortex of smartphone - and internet - addicted youth prior to therapy.

Having too much GABA can result in a number of side effects, including drowsiness and anxiety. "The increased GABA levels and disrupted balance between GABA and glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex may contribute to our understanding the pathophysiology of and treatment for addictions," Seo noted.

The research was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
The common mobility card required the software used by DMRC to be integrated with DTC buses.

The common card was to be launched last year, but was delayed. Sources said that the trials to swipe Metro cards in the ETMs had already been conducted in the October last year, but the project could not take off.

New Delhi: Cashless travel between different modes of transport will soon be a reality with the common mobility card scheme finally coming into effect from January 1. The card will provide seamless commute between the Metro and the buses operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

Mobility card will be finally launched for the DTC from January 1. The system for swiping Metro smart cards inside the DTC buses for commute is ready. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has provided the integration system through which the information will be stored. They (DTC) will provide the machine in their buses which can read the cards, Metro chief Mangu Singh told this newspaper.

The DTC at present operates a fleet of 3,940 buses. The electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) in the buses will be able to read the cards and provide an e-receipt. This will not only provide a cashless commute between the two modes of transport, but will also resolve the issues of finding change to pay for the bus tickets.

The idea of a common mobility card, to provide a seamless travel between different modes of transport, was conceptualised way back in 2010 on the lines of similar cards available in the public transport systems in cities such as London, Hong Kong, and Seoul. A brainchild of the then urban development ministry, it was planned to have a single card for seamless travel for all public transport including Metro, bus, taxis, auto-rickshaws, and even to pay at the parking lots. But the project has been hanging ever since.

The common card was to be launched last year, but was delayed. Sources said that the trials to swipe Metro cards in the ETMs had already been conducted in the October last year, but the project could not take off.

DTC had widely publicised the benefits of using the common card for travelling in public transport in its annual booklet at the India International Trade Fair last year, a source said.

The common mobility card required the software used by DMRC to be integrated with DTC buses.

All the modalities for the successful working of the common mobility card have been worked out. It just needs a final go-ahead before the services can be launched, said a transport department official.

In 2011, smart cards named More were issued. Initially, it was planned that these cards would be used for commute in Metro also. The ministry said that true to its name, the More card would facilitate travel in more than one mode of public transport. However, the use of the cards could not be extended beyond commuting in the Metro. It was then decided to integrate the Metros smart card software with the DTCs fare collection system. However, even after successful trials last year in October, the scheme did not take off.
Satyendar Jain says hospitals licence may be cancelled.

New Delhi: The premature baby, who was declared dead by Max Hospital in Delhi but was later found to be alive by family members, is struggling to survive, doctors said on Saturday.

In a case of alleged medical negligence, one of the newly-born twins was declared dead by the upscale private hospital in Shalimar Bagh. One of the twins was later found to be alive when the parents were on their way to perform the last rites. The baby was then admitted to a nursing home in Pitampura and the doctors said that he is on ventilator. His chances of survival are slim due to the premature birth.

He is a premature baby of just 22 weeks. He needs a lot of support. Currently, we are maintaining the blood pressure and are giving him antibiotics and nutrients. Initial tests show that he is going to bleed and he has also developed infections. It is difficult for him to survive, said Dr Sanjeev Gupta, the MD of Aggarwal Hospital at Pitampura.

Dr Gupta also added that in cases of a premature birth, while sometimes it can get difficult to see signs of life, the heartbeat should be tested before declaring a baby dead.

Meanwhile, health minister Satyendar Jain has said that the license of Max Hospital can be cancelled if found guilty of negligence during inquiry by the Delhi government. He also said that the same hospital was issued a show-cause notice on November 22 for not fulfilling some norms related to providing services to patients of EWS (economically weaker section) category. The government had on Friday ordered an inquiry into the criminal negligence of Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh after it surfaced that its doctors had declared the baby dead even when he was found to be alive later.

The mother, identified as Varsha, gave birth to premature twins (a boy and a girl) on Thursday evening. While the girl was stillborn, the baby boy was declared dead later. The hospital wrapped the two bodies in two separate paper bags and handed them over to the family in a polythene bag. On Friday, the family members of the baby alleged that doctors have told them that the baby has developed severe infection after the incident at the Max Hospital.

An FIR was registered against the hospital on Friday based on a complaint by the parents. The hospital, in a statement, has said that it is shaken and concerned at this rare incident and it too has initiated an enquiry.
Some advocates complained to the court that when children are produced before the CWC, they are 'slapped and abused' by police.

Six out of seven kids, who were sent away without following rules, went missing and the 7th was found living in a brothel. (Photo: File/AFP)

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has lashed out at the Child Welfare Commission (CWC) for being a "mute spectator" to misbehaviour towards rescued children by police.

The court's observation came when it was told by some advocates that when children are produced before the CWC, they are allegedly "slapped and abused" by police in the presence of the bench which did not take any action or objected to the acts.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Pratibha M Singh was also informed by the counsel for Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and NGO Light Life Freedom that even they faced harassment at CWC which eventually increased after they approached the high court.

"We cannot have a CWC which is a mute spectator. Allegations are serious. Why police is misbehaving with children? This is not done. When lawyers are making such allegations, Delhi government has to do something about it. Is Manish Sisodia (minister of women and child development) aware of what is happening? Take this seriously," the bench said.

The court issued notice to the Delhi government and asked its counsel Shilpa Dewan to seek instructions in the matter and take action.

It also asked DLSA secretary Sanjeev Jain to interact with legal aid counsel Mamta Srivastava, who has levelled allegations of harassment at CWC, and the NGO's advocates Sanjeevani Aggarwal and Jyoti Aggarwal and submit a report in a sealed cover in the court.

The bench also asked Jain to interact with CWC officials on the issue to know their version. The court denied the petitioners' request for installing CCTVs at CWC premises to "stop this abuse and misuse of power by bench of magistrates" there, saying the privacy of children cannot be violated.

The plea filed through advocate Pramood Shankar Tiwari also sought direction for conducting an inquiry on the working and functioning of CWC at Kalkaji and call all the legal service advocates to inquire if the committee is letting them perform their duties in the best interest of children according to the Juvenile Justice Act.

It alleged when the legal aid counsel raised objection over the questionable behaviour of police with children, "it was not taken on record and she faced harassment from the bench".

Srivastava also raised the issue of not verifying her attendance at CWC located at Kalkaji, Lajpat Nagar and Kingsway camp here.

Another bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar had earlier asked the Delhi government to formulate a training module of functioning for the CWC jointly with the Delhi Judicial Academy.

It was hearing a plea by the same NGO alleging that the CWC-II at Lajpat Nagar here was releasing children under its care to parents without following rules under the Act.

As a result, six out of seven kids, who were sent away, had gone missing and the seventh was found living in a brothel.
Project aimed at ensuring women security.

The recording will be stored and analysed at the central command and PCR to be set up as part of the CCTVs project. (Representational image)

New Delhi: The process of equipping 6,350 Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and cluster buses with CCTV cameras has already started.

The Delhi government has sought to hire a consultant for helping in execution of the project. The consultant will help in identifying a system integrator that will help provide hardware, software and workforce and also be responsible for the projects maintenanace and implement it the same foer at least five years, an official of the Delhi transport department said.

A request for proposal (RFP) has been issued to hire the consultant, he said. The aim was to ensure safety and security of the passengers, particularly women commuters.

Each bus would be fitted with three IP-based cameras. Screens of a proper size would be installed in each bus to telecast the output from the cameras in a systematic manner.

The video captured by each camera could be viewed in real time from a control room. Live feed would also be available as and when needed, the RFP document said.

The project would ensure access of all CCTV recordings from the control room. The data would be stored, monitored and analysed at the central command and control centre to be set up as part of the project, it stated.

At present, under DTC and cluster scheme, 5,500 buses are plying on city in the city. Tenders are will be floated soon as the department was planning to buy 1,000 is buses each for DTC and cluster scheme and tenders are to be floated soon.
On Dec. 2, health minister Satyendar Jain had said if the hospital was found guilty of negligence, its licence could be cancelled.

New Delhi: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said there should be a legal framework in place to check the open loot and criminal negligence by private hospitals, in the wake of a premature baby wrongly declared dead by a city-based private hospital.

He, however, added that the Delhi government valued the independence of private hospitals and didnt wish to interfere in its functioning.

We value the independence of private hospitals and did not wish to interfere their functioning, however, there ought to be a legal framework to check open loot and criminal negligence by a few black sheep, tweeted Mr Kejriwal.

On Dec. 1, the AAP government had ordered an inquiry into alleged criminal negligence by Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, following reports that its doctors declared a baby dead who was found alive later.

On Dec. 2, health minister Satyendar Jain had said if the hospital was found guilty of negligence, its licence could be cancelled. The baby boy was one of the premature twins delivered on Nov. 30.
It is very sad if the government is promoting the very people who uprooted the Marathi population.

Mumbai: Flaying chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for praising north Indians, Shiv Sena on Saturday said that he should withdraw his irresponsible statement about the contribution of outsiders to Mumbai.

The Sena, which is part of the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dispensation at the Centre, has often been at loggerheads with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on several issues.

The Maharashtrian people have the first right and claim over Mumbai. The statement by Mr Fadnavis is an insult to Maharashtra, an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana said.

The chief minister  while speaking in Ghatkopar late on Wednesday evening  had said that Mumbai, the countrys financial capital, has always given shelter to many, and those who live here have added to the citys prestige.

I believe that among the many things that make Mumbai great is the people who have come from various states and settled here. They also make Mumbai great. Today, when we speak of Mumbai and Maharashtra, we immediately see the north Indian community. This city has always given shelter to many and those who have taken shelter here have always added to the citys prestige, the CM had said.

The Sena took umbrage at the chief ministers remarks with party MP Sanjay Raut declaring that the statement was insult to the 105 martyrs who laid their lives for the United Maharashtra movement, which resulted in the creation of the present state of Maharashtra on May 1, 1960.

Recalling the mill workers, who were once the dominant community in Mumbai, Mr Raut had said, Mill land was given away for the construction of towers, which affected the Marathi-speaking community. Mill workers were thrown out of Mumbai. It is very sad if the government is promoting the very people who uprooted the Marathi population. In the current atmosphere, I fear that Mumbai might not remain with Maharashtra.
Federal prosecutors want to use statements a Crow Agency woman made before dying last year after having been beaten and set on fire in the jury trial of a man accused in her murder.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Suek and John Sullivan are seeking to admit as evidence statements Roylynn Rides Horse made to law enforcement agents as dying declarations.

Sanchez's defense attorneys are objecting.

The trial of Dimarzio Swade Sanchez, 20, of Busby, on first degree murder charges in the April 17, 2016, attack of Roylynn Rides Horse, is set to begin on Monday in U.S. District Court in Billings.

Rides Horse, 28, died on June 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City from injuries suffered after being beaten into unconsciousness and set on fire.

Rides Horse had third degree burns over 45 percent of her body and severe frostbite on her legs.

Sanchez faces mandatory life in prison if convicted of first degree murder.

Sanchez is the third of three defendants in the case and the only one to go to trial. His brother, Frank James Sanchez, 20, of Busby, and Angelica Jo Whiteman, 24, of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to charges and are awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors said in a trial brief that they expect to call 18 witnesses and that the jury will get the case for deliberation by Dec. 7.

The prosecutors also are seeking to use statements Rides Horse made to investigators, saying an exception to a hearsay rule allows for the admission of a deceased persons out-of-court statements about the cause of circumstances of the death in a homicide prosecution if the person believes death to be imminent.

To qualify as a dying declaration, the statements must be spoken by a person without hope of recovery and in the shadow of impending death, the prosecutors said.

In the Rides Horse case, prosecutors said, it could be reasonably inferred from the nature and extent of the wounds inflicted that Rides Horse had a sense of her impending death.

Statements Rides Horse made to investigators and witnesses fall within the cause and circumstances of her death, prosecutors said.

Sanchezs attorneys, Gillian Gosch and Tony Gallagher, with the Federal Defenders of Montana, are objecting to the prosecution using Rides Horses statements.

While Rides Horse sustained numerous injuries, the defense attorneys said, she lived for two months beyond the incident and that recovery was not outside the realm of possibilities.

Medical testimony does not suggest no hope existed for Rides Horses recovery, the defense said in court records.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters, who is hearing the case, had not yet ruled on the issue as of Friday.

In August, Watters ruled that Dimarzio Sanchez was mentally competent to stand trial.

The prosecution alleges that the defendants and Rides Horse were in a vehicle driven by Dimarzio Sanchez when Whiteman began arguing with Rides Horse. Dimarzio Sanchez drove up to Castle Rock Road on the Crow Reservation and stopped.

Whiteman dragged Rides Horse out of the car, continued beating her and tried to strangle her, prosecutors said. At one point, Dimarzio Sanchez showed Whiteman how to strangle Rides Horse by using a bandanna. Rides Horse was then stripped naked and beaten unconscious.

Prosecutors allege Dimarzio Sanchez poured gasoline on Rides Horse and set her on fire. Both brothers, Whiteman and two other passengers then left.
The 'Bandit Queen' director also talked about 'Paani', a film with Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role.

'Little Dragon' is being planned as an official U S - China co-production. (Photo: AP)

Mumbai: Veteran director Shekhar Kapur said the script of the biopic on iconic Chinese-American star, Bruce Lee, is a work in progress.

The 71-year-old filmmaker has signed up to co-write and direct the film titled, 'Little Dragon,' his first China project.

"We are working on the script," Shekhar said, adding that the first script draft was written by Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee.

'Little Dragon' is being planned as an official U S - China co-production, with several Chinese companies expected to co-finance and co-produce the film.

The feature film will chronicle Bruce's early life before he left Hong Kong for Hollywood and went on to become an icon and Kung-Fu movie master in the 1970s.

Shekhar also believes Indian films have a big market in China.

"I used to say Indian films will definitely be very popular in China and yes, they are. 'Dangal' has proved what I said," he told to PTI, after completing his chief judge assignment at the 28th Singapore International Film Festival yesterday.

Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' or 'Let's Wrestle, Dad' (Dangal's title in China) raked in more than USD 93.3 million within a month, when it released in China in May this year.

Shekhar's said his ambitious project, 'Paani' is ready for take-off again and awaits investors' commitment.

He said the film will have new artistes as those who worked in the film, including Sushant Singh Rajput, were much older than the age of actors required for the roles.

Shekhar, who worked on the film for 15 years, conceded 'Paani' is an expensive project and would cost about USD 30 million.

Shekhar Kapur will be returning to filmmaking after several years, his last work was Passage, a 2009 American-Swiss drama short film.
Modis main opponent in Gujarat is the Congress Party and he must therefore paint it in black colours.

You have to pinch yourself to believe that it is the Prime Minister of India who is lustily stirring the caldron of regional chauvinism. Admittedly, it was during his carpet-bombing Gujarat in his campaign for the BJP for the looming Assembly election in the state.

However, despite the position of national leadership that he holds, to lend encouragement to dividing the country instead of seeking to unify it is a strange kind of statesmanship. It is because of nervousness about his party retaining the state that he has descended to this level.

Mr Modis main opponent in Gujarat is the Congress Party and he must therefore paint it in black colours. He dips into modern Indian history to accuse Jawaharlal Nehru of being less than fair to two Gujaratis of note  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai  in refusing to give them their due and cherished dreams. Indira Gandhi, he said, had covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief to protect herself from a foul smell at a public meeting in Gujarat.

Mr Modi and his party believe that campaign rhetoric is ephemeral and will blow away with time. This is not so when the nations Prime Minister indulges in hurtful statements inimical to the national interest.

More broadly, the feverish Gujarat election campaign has laid bare the political objectives of the ruling party. The BJPs main priority is twofold: to complete the task of obtaining a majority in the Rajya Sabha and to change the Constitution by making it more authoritarian. But the party realises that the step-ladder to gain these objectives is to win elections in all states. Where it is not possible, the attempt will be to form big brother coalitions.

Mr Modi showed his hand by winning an absolute majority for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election for the first time ever. It was through means of bringing modern technology, including holograms, and the use of computing skills to tailor the campaign to states, districts and cities.

The BJPs motto is that all is fair in fighting elections, however ugly the methods employed and the tricks resorted to may be. After its defeat, the Congress and other Opposition parties have been seeking to copy the Modi formula but they are playing the catch-up game.

And there is one asset that the Opposition simply cant match  an army of a multitude of dedicated and disciplined workers of the Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh going into every nook and corner of the state or the country in a poll-bound state or in national elections.

At a recent public interaction with the Chief Justice of India, Mr Modi suggested that the different branches of constitutional governance had their areas cut out for them. True enough, but it is the Constitutions purpose that the task of the judiciary is, among other duties, to check the executive in deciding whether it was misusing its authority. The Supreme Court is still held in great esteem.

The sad part of the story is that the Election Commission, which had a reputation for fairness, blotted its copybook by indulging the BJP and giving it all the time to rain goodies on the state. The fact that the Chief Election Commissioner belongs to the Gujarat cadre may or may not have influenced its decision. In any case, the Gujarat cadre holds key positions in the Prime Ministers Office in Delhi.

A greater blow to Indias acclaimed electoral system is an increasing feeling among Opposition parties that the electric voting machines can be tampered with. This follows the unexpected bumper results of the BJP in the local polls in Uttar Pradesh. Think of the mountains the country has been saving in paper by successfully conducting machine-based polls so far, so therefore the authorities must convince all parties that these machines remain foolproof.

These are disturbing trends in a country that is being changed from a secular state to majoritarian Hindu rule in a wider world that is undergoing convulsions. The Cold War was over quite some time ago and the new challenge is of the United States and a rising China feeling each other in an era where developed countries are tired of globalisation and are striking increasingly nationalist postures. This is a time for Indian consolidation, rather than fragmentation.

In view of the BJPs ability to win elections, it is first of all the task of the Sangh Parivar leadership to sit down and contemplate whether it believes the national interest counts higher than the objective of building a Hindu India. The Parivar may contend that the two objectives are the same, but that is patently false, given the composition of the countrys population.

The question that arises is  who will bell the cat? Mr Modi is still testing his powers vis-a-vis the RSS leadership and he knows the virtues of discipline, having been brought up in the organisation. The Opposition can help in building a strategy in bolder terms.

One of the gifts of the Independence generation was to place the advancement of the country in the context of the wider world. Given its military might and riches, a superpower can survive a period of looking inward embodied in US President Donald Trumps policy of America First. But in a country seeking prosperity and legitimate influence in the region and the world, giving priority to changing the concept of India would be disastrous.

Mr Modi has shown imagination in pursuing the countrys basic foreign policy goals. He has managed the relationship with Mr Trump quite well and has basically stuck to keeping relations with Russia on an even keel. In Chinas claims to superpower status, New Delhi is watching warily in terms of the response it can offer.

Contrary to Rahul Gandhis jibe at Mr Modis Pakistan diplomacy in electoral repartee, the Prime Minister was on the right track when he made his surprise visit to Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan. Not every initiative in diplomacy turns out to be successful.
Chabahar port couldnt be built for the past 12 years due to the US-led Western and UN sanctions against Iran.

With external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj arriving in Tehran on Saturday in connection with the inauguration of the first phase of Irans Chabahar port, which is being built with Indian cooperation, what we are inaugurating, in effect, is a new geopolitical vista that goes beyond finding an alternative route for trade with landlocked Afghanistan, bypassing the land route through Pakistan, about which Islamabad has been obstreperous and negative.

But this will materialise only if India has the staying power beyond the 10-year lease period for two terminals at Chabahar it has got from Tehran. This will mean the adroit managing of regional ties with Iran, China and Russia, which have high stakes and an influential voice in Central Asia and West Asia, besides Afghanistan. These countries also have close relations with Pakistan.

The first shipment of Indian wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar went in October. By the end of 2018, if current projections remain valid, the port should be fully operational for Indian goods.

Once India completes building the 640-km railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan and link up with the Iranian railway there, Indian goods can branch out to the east to go to Afghanistan, and to parts of Central Asia (where they will face stiff competition from the Chinese), and carry on northward towards St. Petersburg in Russia (the North-South Corridor), along the way coupling with rail networks of over a dozen countries.

That is the true meaning of Chabahar. The sea-land route through the port is not a mere alternative to the surface route through Pakistans Khyber Pass; it is an example of far superior infrastructural topography. Unlike the Pakistani route through which only basic supplies could go through if it worked, the Iran route permits a wide array of goods. In addition, it slashes the 45-day time taken through the North-South Corridor by almost half, permitting even perishables to be traded through this alternative pathway.

Chabahar port couldnt be built for the past 12 years due to the US-led Western and UN sanctions against Iran. The agreement of the Western powers with Tehran in 2015 facilitated Indias engagement with Iran on Chabahar. US President Donald Trump has threatened to overturn that agreement. Even so, the indications so far are that Indias business dealings with Iran, and particularly insofar as trade with Afghanistan is concerned, will not be torpedoed by Washington.

Much diplomacy potentially rides on Indias shoulders in view of the Chabahar commitments. In addition to being flexible with China, Iran and Russia on the basis of mutual interests, it could be worth exploring if New Delhi can be a credible interface between Washington and Tehran. If handled with delicacy, there is room here for supple, subtle and useful diplomacy tied to a very worthwhile objective.
India has 14 imported subs as compared to 54 indigenous and 12 imported subs of the PLA Navy.

Even a layman will understand its importance. Thirty five years ago, in the post-Mao Zedong era, when India had an imported fleet of eight Foxtrot-class diesel electric submarines of Soviet origin, the Chinese inventory consisted of a fleet of 105. Plus China was already in the league of indigenous submarine manufacturing nations and understood submarine capability as well as capacity much better than most. Little though seems to have changed as todays scenario is no better: India has 14 imported subs (plus the first indigenous boat to be commissioned next week) as compared to 54 indigenous and 12 imported subs of the PLA Navy. Clearly, there always existed an important difference between India and China. Whereas Delhi has always preferred surface boats, Beijing always banked on the sub-surface ones.

India must focus more on submarines and less on big boy aircraft-carriers because all is not well along Indias 4,104-nautical mile coastline as well as distant sea lanes through which the countrys economic lifeline moves. Plus, the exponential rise in the aggressive posture of the PLA Navy, along with its Pakistani counterpart, operating in tandem with its land-partner PLA, constitutes a grave strategic challenge to the freedom of navigation for the sovereign nations of the world and free passage of ships through the sea lanes of not only the Indian Ocean region but also the western Pacific Ocean and several seas adjoining it. Contemporary mercantile marine fleet face real-time threats spanning from, and under, the great northeast to southwest arc, extending from Japan to Djibouti and Persian Gulf to Djakarta.

Chinas PLA Navy has made its intention and action plan very clear. It wants to extend its operational jurisdiction from coastal brown waters to mid-distant green to distant blue water. Its defence white paper 2013 stated the goal: PLA Navy (PLAN) is responsible for safeguarding its maritime security and maintaining its sovereignty over its territorial seas along with its maritime rights and interests. The white paper further stressed development of blue-water capabilities for mobile operations, countering non-traditional security threats and enhancing its capabilities of strategic deterrence and counterattack.

One can easily understand Chinese impatience; its 2013 white paper was followed by another one in 2015. Titled Chinas Military Strategy, its emphasis was on offshore water defence and open seas protection.

Aware of adverse and hostile reaction from other foreign navies, the paper visualised and conceptualised another doctrine, referred to as preparation for military struggle, thereby implying out-of-area operations in the high seas.

Reportedly, though Chinas weakness emanates from the fact that PLAN is not yet equipped to fight long wars, yet it certainly is capable enough to go for high-tech war of a short duration.

Chinas own weakness, however, has not blinded its vision to identify and implement counter-measures to neutralise its sea rivals. It has rightly diagnosed that the US navys aircraft-carrier battle groups constitute the biggest challenge to navies aiming to counter it. The weak moments and vulnerabilities of carrier operations have also been detected: the thin hull bottoms of aircraft carrier and the most opportune times to attack such as when receiving supplies or landing aircraft. There is absolutely no doubt that a carrier battle group will find its task daunting, to counter or suppress, a co-ordinated mass strike of anti-ship missile launched from strike aircraft and (long range) surface warships, and submarines.

The point is simple. If the carrier battle group signifies sea command and control with high visibility and power-packed mobility, it is the sea denial of/ by long range missiles and hard-to-detect invisible submarines which could be the preferable fighting platform in sea, especially for a navy which does not have the matching strength to be numero uno.

It further needs to be remembered that ever since the Second World War epic sea battles in the Pacific Ocean between the Japanese and American armadas of aircraft-carriers, never has any matching carrier versus carrier battle been fought till date. Hence, it would not be inaccurate to suggest that not only carrier war stands untested but that naval wars of the Pacific Ocean of the 1940s are highly unlikely to occur or recur simply because whereas today the US has an 11-carrier fleet, seven other non-US navies together constitute a total of seven aircraft-carriers (helicopter carrier and amphibious assault ships, have been excluded from under the head of anaircraft-carrier).

Nevertheless, the question could still be asked: If an aircraft-carrier is so vulnerable and defenceless, why then is China going all-out to induct more in its fleet? Why is it aspiring four-carrier PLA Navy? The answer lies in the fact that even before inducting its second carrier, China has already developed and deployed 66 submarines to take on carrier force of its principal rival (read the US Navy) and formed defence shield for its sole aircraft carrier, Liaoning. This carrier is likely to enhance the ratio of defensive-offensive capabilities of Beijing because whereas a carrier is a platform high on offence and comparatively low on defence submarines could be more utilitarian, being high on defence and equally effective in offensive role. Further, these are invisible and hard to identify, track, trap, target.

In effect, China has already made a paradigm shift in submarine operational capability as its Type 032 Qing class auxiliary boat reportedly has a maximum diving depth of 600m which is almost double the 300-400m diving depth capability of most of the submarines around the globe.

And the deeper a submarine dives, more difficult becomes its detection thereof.

This, in turn, makes it that much more potentially elusive and hence deadlier. It renders surface combatants vulnerable to an unexpected, unanticipated and untimely attack from under the sea, notwithstanding the formers formidable surface-fighting subs to attack a surface ship than the other way round.

The critics may still ask this question: If submarines are that formidable then why is the US Navy such a strong votary of a carrier fleet? Why is the Royal Navy constructing two carriers? Why China is hell-bent to enhance its carrier fleet? And why India too is going for a carrier force? The answer to this is: The US command, control, communication and deployment cover the globe with its six Pacific, Central, Europe, Africa, North and Southern Commands, each under an independent admiral responsible for one continent. The British could never survive without fighting ships and China can afford to be extravagant at this point in time with its overflowing cash. One instance will suffice. Beijing has a $52 billion bilateral trade surplus with India and $370 billion with the US.

Today, the PLA-Navy has nine operational units among its three fleets and construction of Beijings diesel-powered submarines has consistently averaged 2.5 vessels annually, and this is where China is... placing greater emphasis as it modernises its submarine fleet. The point is simple: Submarines clandestinely control the sea and deny surface ships control of it. India should vote for the submarine first, and the carrier later. But both are necessary, and compliment each other.
Flynn pleaded guilty about lying to the FBI and the Vice President about contacts he had with the Russian ambassador.

With the new tweet Trump seems to admit for the first time that he knew Flynn lied to the FBI, which is a crime. (Photo: File/AP)

Washington: US President Donald Trump insisted Saturday that his former national security adviser Michael Flynn had done nothing illegal during the transition.

Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday about lying to the FBI about contacts he had with the Russian ambassador. Trump said he fired Flynn because he lied to the vice president and the FBI about those dealings.

"It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!" Trump said in a tweet, his second comment of the day of the explosive turn of events in the Russia probe.

I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2017

It is now moving closer to the Oval Office itself as Flynn has agreed to cooperate with special prosecutor Robert Mueller.

With this new tweet Trump seems to admit for the first time that he knew Flynn lied to the FBI, which is a crime.

At the time of Flynn's dismissal, the White House acknowledged only that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about what he discussed with the ambassador -- sanctions imposed by then-president Barack Obama against Russia for meddling in the election.

Trump's ties with Flynn have been under intense scrutiny since FBI director James Comey was fired by the president in May.

Comey testified before a Senate panel in June that after Flynn's firing, Trump asked Comey to drop an investigation into the former national security director.
The US official said they would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

Washington: The US is not satisfied with Pakistans co-operation in the war against terror as part of its South Asia strategy and yet to see Islamabad taking steps to rein in the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a senior Trump administration official has said.

He also termed the release of Mumbai-terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed as a step backward in that direction. The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was not an indication of Islamabads co-operation with the US in the war against terrorism.

Our diplomatic pressure, as well as our own intelligence agencies diligent work led to the release of the Coleman family. So, I am not sure if that qualifies as step forward (by Pakistan as part of the South Asia Strategy announced by President Donald Trump in August), the official told PTI.

We are happy that the Colemans are free and that they have been released. But we are still waiting to see Pakistan take steps to reign in the Taliban and the Haqqani network. We are not satisfied that they have done anything significant on this front, he said.

The US official said they now have a different approach to Pakistan. We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory. Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognise that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldnt necessarily occur overnight. But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take, he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said. But, I dont think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And were still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan, he added.

The US official said they would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months. He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on genuine peace process, as it is not interested in talks for sake.

We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we dont believe theyll be ready for talks. They will continue to believe that they can advance on the battlefield rather than on the negotiating table, he said, adding so, we need to see Pakistan ensures that they dont have a sanctuary within Pakistan. And only at that time we assess that theyll really be ready for genuine negotiations with the Afghan government.

The White House official, however, refused to give any time line for actions on Pakistan, saying he thinks that it would not be helpful.

But I just want to assure you that we are thinking in terms of timelines and we are monitoring the progress and we do expect meaningful actions in a certain time-frame and we are prepared to implement new policies and take different steps if we dont see some progress, he said.
The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

Washington: The US is not satisfied with Pakistans cooperation in the war against terror as it has not done anything significant to rein-in the Taliban and the Haqqani network and destroy their sanctuary on its territory as part of its promise, a senior White House official has said. He also termed the release of Mumbai-terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed as a step backward in that direction.

The official said that the release of the Coleman family, held captive for five years by the Haqqani network, from inside Pakistan was not an indication of Islamabads co-operation with the US in the war against terrorism.

The US, the official said, has now a different approach to Pakistan.

We expect, Pakistan to take steps against terror sanctuary on its territory.

Acknowledging that Pakistan has not taken steps it promised after the announcement of the South Asia Strategy, the senior administration official said that the White House is still hopeful that Pakistan sees that it is in its interest to co-operate on the US strategy in Afghanistan.

But we have not yet seen any significant changes. We still remain hopeful. And we recognise that some of these changes take a bit of time and wouldnt necessarily occur overnight.

But we will expect to see these changes within a certain time-frame. Our patience is not unlimited when it comes to the steps that we expect them to take, he said.

The Trump Administration has been very specific with Pakistan on the steps that it needs to take, we have laid out very specific steps that they need to take to degrade these groups activities and to facilitate a genuine dialogue, the official said.

But, I dont think we have seen any significant steps in that direction. So, we are still waiting and watching and monitoring (Pakistan) very closely. And were still hopeful that we will see Pakistan take some of those steps to crack down on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and ensure that there are no safe havens, for these groups to continue operating inside Pakistan, he added.

The US, the official said, would be looking for very specific action from Pakistan within coming weeks and months.

He said that by spring, the Trump Administration would hope to see some real efforts on genuine peace process, as it is not interested in talks for talks sake. We would like to see a genuine peace dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We know that the Taliban has made gains for the last several years. So until they are convinced that they are not going to have sanctuary in Pakistan, we dont believe theyll be ready for talks.
The USD 340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani poses during the inauguration a newly built extension of the Chabahar Port, near the Pakistani border, in southeastern Iran on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

Teheran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated on Sunday a newly built extension to the countrys main Arabian Sea outlet, the strategic Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman, which more than triples its capacity and poses a challenge for a port under construction in neighboring Pakistan.

The USD 340 million project was constructed by a Revolutionary Guard-affiliated company, Khatam al-Anbia, the largest Iranian contractor of government construction projects. It involved several subcontractors, including a state-run Indian company, and brings the capacity of the port to 8.5 million tons of cargo annually, from the previous 2.5 million tons.

The extension includes five new piers, two of them for containers allowing cargo vessels with up to 100,000-ton captaincy to dock.

It is also expected to make Chabahar, Irans closest sea link to the Indian Ocean, a rival to Gwadar Port, some 80 kilometers away (50 miles) across the border in Pakistan, which Pakistan has been building with Chinese investment.

Rouhani, however, downplayed the rivalry in his inauguration speech and said the port will bring more engagement and unity among regional countries.

We should go after positive competition, he said. We welcome other ports in the region, we welcome Gwadars development.

He said Iran also plans to link the port to the countrys railroad network to facilitate transit of goods to neighboring landlocked Central Asian countries, as well as open a route to eastern and northern Europe through Russia.

Iranian state TV said the inauguration was attended by dignitaries from India, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries.

For India, the investment in Chabahar was important since the port will bolster a trade route for land-locked Central Asian countries that would bypass rival Pakistan. Last year, India committed up to USD 500 million for the development of the Chabahar port along with associated roads and rail lines.

And last month, New Delhi shipped its first cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Iranian port, part of 130,000 tons that India plans to export to Afghanistan.

Chabahar also has an international airport and Irans Navy and Air Force have bases in the city, adding to the ports value.
Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.

Israelis take part in a demonstration under the name "March of Shame" to protest against government corruption and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 2, 2017 in Tel Aviv (Photo: AFP/ File)

Tel Aviv: Tens of thousands of people have protested in Tel Aviv against what they say is corruption within the government and the slow pace of investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from wealthy supporters and has also faced police questioning over a secret deal he allegedly sought for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.

Protesters late Saturday massed in a large boulevard of an upmarket neighbourhood in the Israeli city, an AFP reporter said, shouting "Shame" and "Bibi go home", referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

The rally -- dubbed "the march of shame" -- was organised by the leaders of weekly protests which have taken place outside the home of Attorney General Avishai Mandelblit over the past few months.

"Bibi and his government are destroying the country. There's been enough corruption," said demonstrator Michal, a Tel Aviv resident who preferred not to give his full name.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity with the protesters, writing on Facebook that "the frustration ... stems from a feeling of injustice, revulsion against corruption and the moral objection to a law made to measure for one person".

Israel's parliament will on Monday give a second and third reading of a bill that Netanyahu's opponents say is designed to help him survive the police investigation.

The bill's sponsor, David Amsalem of Netanyahu's Likud party, said he sought only to protect the rights and reputation of suspects.

Netanyahu is suspected of having received luxury gifts from affluent individuals including Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, who has also been questioned.

Milchan, a long-time friend of Netanyahu, reportedly sent him boxes of expensive cigars and other items worth tens of thousands of dollars.

In addition to suspicions that the gifts constituted bribery, the police also suspect that Netanyahu sought a secret pact -- not believed to have been finalised -- which would have seen him receive favourable coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he has been the target of a campaign by political opponents.
Advent begins today, a time given to us to welcome the Lord who comes to meet us, to verify our desire for God, and to look ahead and prepare for the return of Christ." Jesus exhorts us to pay attention and to watch, to be ready to welcome him upon his return.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis was back in Rome for todays Angelus following his trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, and thanked all those who accompanied him there in their prayers.

He expressed his gratitude this morning going to Romes Saint Mary Major Basilica to pay homage to Our Lady Salus populi romani where he laid white flowers before the ancient image.

In his address, the pontiff urged the faithful to "be attentive and vigilant" so as not to be "lost in our sins and infidelities" and "allow God to break into our existence".

Today, before the recitation of the Marian prayer, Francis reminded the 30,000 people present in St Peter's Square that today was the start of the "Advent journey, which will culminate in Christmas. Advent, he said, is given to us to welcome the Lord who comes to meet us, to verify our desire for God, and to look ahead and prepare for the return of Christ. He will return to us on the feast of Christmas, when we will remember his historical coming in the humility of the human condition; but he comes in us every time we are willing to receive him, and will come again at the end of time to 'to judge the living and the dead'. For this reason, we must always be vigilant and wait for the Lord with the hope of meeting him. Today's liturgy introduces us precisely to this evocative theme of vigilance and waiting."

"In the Gospel (cf. Mk 13:33-37) Jesus exhorts us to pay attention and to watch, to be ready to welcome him upon his return. He tells us: Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. [. . .] May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping (Mk 13:33-36). The person who is paying attention is the one who, amid the noise of the world, does not let himself or herself to be overwhelmed by distraction or superficiality, but lives in a full and conscious way, worried above all about others.

With this attitude we become aware of the tears and needs of others and we can also understand their human and spiritual capacities and qualities. The attentive person also turns to the world, trying to counter the indifference and cruelty in it, rejoicing at the treasures of beauty that also exist and must be kept. It is about having a look of understanding to recognise both the misery and poverty of individuals and society, as well as the hidden wealth in the small things of every day, right there where the Lord placed us."

The vigilant person is the one who accepts the invitation to keep watch, that is, not to be overwhelmed by the slumber of discouragement, the lack of hope, disappointments, but at the same time rejects the solicitation of the many vanities of which the world is full and for which, at times, personal and family time and serenity are sacrificed. It is the painful experience of the people of Israel, as told by the prophet Isaiah: God seemed to have left his people wandering far from his ways (see 63.17), but this was an effect of the infidelity of the people itself (cf. 64:4b). We too often find ourselves in this situation of infidelity to the Lord's calling: He shows us the right way, the way of faith, the way of love, but we seek our happiness elsewhere."

"Being careful and vigilant are the conditions for not continuing to 'wander away from the ways of the Lord', lost in our sins and our infidelities; these are the conditions to allow God to break into our existence in order to restore meaning and value to it full of goodness and tenderness."

After the Angelus, the pope thanked those who accompanied him with their prayers in his recent journey. "The memory of the many faces tried by life, but noble and smiling, is impressed on me. They are all in my heart and in my prayers."

In addition, "In particular I also mention in my prayers the people of Honduras, that they may peacefully overcome their current moment of difficulty."
ROCK SPRINGS  The Rock Springs/Sweetwater County Airport could potentially house seven HC-130H aircraft to be used as airtankers to battle fires.

The airport submitted a letter to the U.S. Forest Service about two weeks ago, Airport Manager Devon Brubaker said.

Its very, very preliminary at this point, he said.

If the airport is chosen, it could result in quite a few jobs and a lot of growth opportunities for the airport. Plus, it would help support firefighting capabilities in the area, Brubaker said.

The winning location could see an estimated 100 contracted positions open up. Three U.S. Forest Service and five U.S. Coast guard personnel would also be stationed at the base.

Airports in 11 states will be considered  Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, Washington or Wyoming  due to proximity of the majority of firefighting activity and representative training terrain, she said.

The next steps for procuring the airtankers will begin in February 2018. It will include conducting a market survey of qualified locations. The site selection will be announced in October 2018.
The pontiff talked to reporters on his flight home from Bangladesh. In Myanmar, mentioning the Rohingya would have been like slamming the door in my interlocutors face. But I described the situation, I spoke of minority rights, so that I could go further in the private conversations. As for a trip to India, I hope to do it in 2018 if I am alive.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  During his return flight to Rome, where he landed at 9.40 pm (local time), Pope Francis spoke with journalists. Answering the question of one reporters, he said that with China "we must go step by step gently, slowly, with patience. The doors to the heart are open."

Dont worry! The trip to China is not being prepared, he said. I have already said that I would like to visit China. That I would like to do is not a secret. Negotiations with China are at a high cultural level. [At present], there is an exhibition of the Vatican Museums in China. There are political talks over the Chinese Church. We must proceed step by step gently, slowly, with patience. The doors to the heart are open, and I believe that a trip to China will be good thing for everyone. I would like to do it.

Reporters asked questions about the Rohingya who fled Myanmar for Bangladesh. Speaking as to why he did not mention their name, the pontiff said I didnt negotiate the truth with the generals. In Myanmar I respected my interlocutors. [. . .] For me, the most important thing is that the message got through. For this reason, we must say things step by step, and listen to the answers. I was wanted this message to get through. Had I said this word in the official speech it would have been like slamming the door in my interlocutors face. But I described the situation, I spoke of minority rights, so that I could go further in the private conversations. I was satisfied with the talks.

With respect to the meeting with the Rohingya, the pontiff said It wasnt planned like this. I knew that I was going to meet the Rohingya. But I didnt know where or how, but this was the condition of the trip. After contacts with the government and with Caritas, the government allowed the Rohingya to travel. It is the government that protects them and gives them hospitality. What Bangladesh does for them is great. It is an example of hospitality. A small, poor country that takes in 700,000 people . . . Think of the countries that shut their doors. We must be grateful for the example that they gave us.

In the end they came, scared. Someone told them they could not say anything. The interfaith meeting prepared all of our hearts. When the moment came for them to come and greet me, lined up, I did not like it. They wanted to chase them away immediately, and I got angry and shouted a bit. I am sinner! I said many times the word: respect! And they remained. Later, after listening to each of them, I began to feel something inside. I could not let them go without saying something. I began to speak, and I asked for forgiveness. At that moment, I was crying. I tried not to let others see that. They too were crying. The message got through, and not only here. Everybody got it.

Francis answered another question about the relationship between interfaith dialogue and evangelisation. First distinction: evangelising is not proselytising. The Church does not grow by proselytising but by attraction, by bearing witness, as Benedict XVI explained it. What is evangelisation? [It is] Living the Gospel and bearing witness to how one lives the Gospel: The Beatitudes, Chapter 25 of Matthew, bearing witness like the Good Samaritan, forgiving 70 times 7. In such testimony, the Holy Spirit is at work and conversions follow.

It is not a convincing mentally with apologetics. We are witnesses to the Gospel. The Greek word is martyr, the martyrdom of every day, and also that of blood, when it happens. What is the priority? When one lives by bearing witness and respect, one makes peace. Peace starts to break down when proselytising begins.

Finally, talking about a possible trip to India, Francis said that Initially, the plan was to go to India and Bangladesh, but then talks were delayed and time was short so I chose these two countries: Bangladesh was kept but we added Myanmar. It was a blessing because to visit India, one can only do it a single trip, because youve got to go to the south, the centre, the east, the northeast, the north for the different cultures of India. I hope to do it in 2018 if I am alive!
By Caitlin Curtis, Honorary Research Fellow, The University of Queensland

from www.shutterstock.com

We are approaching a time when you might be too scared to have your genome sequenced.

Only last week, a US senator called for an investigation into the privacy policies of direct-to-consumer DNA companies. But this is only one piece of a puzzle that is about to get much more connected.

As with any kind of personal data there are a number of concerns regarding collection, transmission, storage and use. But unlike most other data, your genome reveals intimate information about not only you, but also the people to whom you are related.

Its time to talk about who can access that data, how, when and why.

Read more: Our healthcare records outlive us  its time to decide what happens to the data once were gone

The current situation

Genetic databases are not new. For a while we have had law enforcement DNA databases, medical genetic databases, and ancestry DNA databases, among others.

Historically there has been a natural separation between these databases, because they tend to contain different types of genetic data. Medical genetic databases, for example, have typically screened specific genes, and this data is usually not variable enough to be useful in law enforcement.

Additionally, some databases have been governed by specific rules, such as those that limit who can be included in law enforcement DNA databases.

This is changing. The unit of genetic currency is becoming the same thing: the sequence of the entire human genome.

The rise of the genomes









Sanger Institute, Genome Research Limited





The rate of genome sequencing is increasing rapidly. Massive genomics projects are set to emerge in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and elsewhere.

The US National Institutes of Health has launched a Precision Medicine Initiative that aims to combine genetic and health data for one million people. China is investing more than US$9 billion in a similar initiative  the pilot stage alone includes one million human genomes.

Its not just governments. Private companies have also set their sights on massive human genome datasets. Craig Venters Human Longevity Inc. is planning to sequence a million genomes by 2020 and has partnered with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to work towards this goal.

The marketplace of corporate, direct-to-consumer genomics companies is also rapidly expanding. Amazon (which claimed 45% of online sales on a record-breaking Black Friday) reported the 23andMe DNA testing kit as one of its top 5 bestselling items.

Read more: Genetic home testing: why its not such a great guide to your ancestry or disease risk

Its impossible to put a precise figure on the number of genomes that have been sequenced to date. Projects like BabySeq in the US point to a future in which genome sequencing may be a routine screen at birth.

Genome data is not anonymous

Keeping databases separate and anonymous may seem like a solution but this will be very difficult to accomplish. It is already possible, at least in some instances, to use information from a complete genome to locate the donor through searches of publicly available ancestry databases.









Gerd Altmann (geralt) @ pixabay





More recently, a controversial study claimed to be able to de-anonymise genomic data using facial reconstruction. In reality this isnt possible yet  but the application of AI will certainly accelerate our understanding of these links.

Read more: Google may get access to genomic patient data  heres why we should be concerned

Who wants your data, and why?

Your genetic data could be useful to three main groups in society.

1. Law enforcement

Law enforcement queries to commercial ancestry DNA databases have already begun to blur the lines that have typically kept these databases apart. The controversial process of familial searching shows how data may be used from ancestry databases to make inferences about a suspect. In the US, the existence of federally unregulated genetic databases may create further complication.

The establishment of mandatory DNA testing seems far-fetched, however that may not be the case everywhere. In 2015, Kuwait passed a law mandating DNA collections from all citizens and residents, although this was revoked earlier this year.

Closer to home, NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher proposed that mandatory DNA collection from all newborns in Australia was something that needs to happen. Australia is not averse to surveillance of its population, as we have discovered with the national facial recognition system. This system goes into effect in 2018, and both law enforcement and private companies are pushing for access.

2. Private industry

Commercial DNA test providers can be legally required to hand over customer data to law enforcement. The privacy policies that consumers agree to make it impossible to know who else will have access to the data.

What is clear is that a digitised genome has monetary value. Genetic data from direct-to-consumer companies has already reportedly been sold to pharmaceutical companies.

3. Insurance companies

Our digital genomes provide information about our predisposition to various medical conditions and this is attractive to insurance companies. The predictive power of the genome is only going to increase over time. Once a consumer has taken a genetic test, they may be required to disclose that fact to an insurer or risk fraud charges.

Whats more, legislation protecting consumers from genetic discrimination is inadequate, and may be eroding in the US. Access to insurance is already being impacted in Australia.

Read more: Australians can be denied life insurance based on genetic test results, and there is little protection

Lets talk about the future

Australia just created its first National Health Genomics Policy Framework, for 2018-20, and this begins to create guidelines for genomic data. This policy is geared towards medical research, however, so would not apply to consumer DNA services, and does not make provisions for law enforcement access requests.

Blockchain and genome cloaking cryptography approaches are being explored as a way to give people control over their genomic data and who can access it. A new company claims to offer a commercial, decentralised, blockchain system based on buying genetic services and selling access to genetic information.

Perhaps these approaches are part of the technological solution. But the central issue is this: should we own our genetic data, and should we as individuals be able to decide who can access it?

What is absolutely clear is that the future of genomic databases is almost here, and now is the time to figure out how we are going to allow this information to be used.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Originally published in The Conversation.
Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC.
A family is suing the Albany County School District, saying that officials could've done more to prevent an alleged sexual assault of a then-6-year-old girl by another student on a school bus.

The lawsuit, filed in February, alleges that an 8-year-old male student sexually assaulted a first-grader during a 2014 field trip. The suit was originally filed against the district, two of its transportation directors and one of its teachers, claiming that the named officials "knew that (the student) had a history of harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior toward female students, and that he posed a substantial threat to the students."

The named officials were eventually removed from the suit. In subsequent court filings, the district has denied the allegations. A message left for John Coppede, the district's attorney, was not returned Tuesday. Tara Nethercott, the attorney for the victim's family, declined to comment.

The male student, who like the victim is identified in court documents by his initials, allegedly had a history of "luring female students to put their heads on his lap; enticing female students to sit on his lap ... placing his hands between the legs of female students" and other inappropriate behavior, on the bus and elsewhere.

Bus drivers and at least one bus monitor were aware that the male student would "lure" female students to sit next to him and then place his coat over them both, the suit claims.

The student's conduct was allegedly reported to first one transportation director, then his successor, and to the victim's teacher, her principal and to the district's assistant superintendent. In court filings, the district denies the officials knew of such behavior.

The male student was infatuated with and "constantly pursued" the first-grade victim whose mother filed the lawsuit, a fact that was known by bus drivers, the suit claims. He allegedly offered the girl money and gestured at her to get her to sit by him on the bus.

At least one driver allegedly told the male student to stop his inappropriate behavior. A bus driver -- it's unclear if it's the same one -- gave the student a designated seat, next to which no female student could sit.

"(H)owever, this mandate was short-lived and (the student) continued to verbally harass" the victim, the suit alleges.

In mid-February 2014, the girl "drew a 'suicide calendar' on her bedroom wall," according to the lawsuit.

The then-director of transportation, Jeff Lewis, allegedly advised the bus drivers and at least one bus monitor that the male student's school was aware of the harassment, the suit claims, but he took no other action. The victim's parents were not notified of any issues.

In February or March 2014, she and the male student were sitting next to each other on the bus on the way to a field trip, according to the suit. The male student then allegedly placed his coat over them both. The victim told him to stop, to which the student replied that they were playing a game.

He then allegedly forced her hand down his pants, then forced his hand down her pants and sexually assaulted her, according to the suit. The student told her that if she told anyone, he would kill her father, who is blind after sustaining wounds while serving in the Marines.

The victim's "lived in a state of constant fear, mental anguish, and embarrassment," according to the suit. She feared riding the bus and lost interest in school. Her mother contacted her daughter's first-grade teacher and asked if there were an issue at school, to which the teacher -- who allegedly knew of the student's behavior -- said there was not.

It's unclear how the alleged assault came to light. The family now lives in Georgia. They requested damages related to the assault, according to the lawsuit.

In a subsequent court filing, the school district responded by saying that any damages "were caused or contributed to by the acts and omissions of others over whom the school district had no control or right of control."
Late last week, as communities across the country kick off the holiday season, members of Congress worked hard to modernize the tax code for the first time in over three decades.

House and Senate Republicans understand the dilemma: The tax code keeps our small businesses, including Americas 733,000 independently-owned franchise establishments, from reaching their full potential. From coast to coast  and even right here in Big Sky Country  franchises are being suffocated by the burdensome tax code and tied up in red tape. Despite the challenges they face, Americas small businesses help our neighborhoods flourish, which is why it is so critical the improved tax code truly empowers these small businesses.

Congress has taken considerable strides toward meaningful tax reform by introducing legislation, and though its not perfect, lawmakers have shown significant commitment to their small business constituents. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, along with Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, initially opposed the Senate bill because it favored larger corporations over small businesses. In order to move toward a more level playing field, Daines and Johnson worked to refine the Senates legislation so that small business owners could deduct 20 percent of their income instead of 17.4 percent.

Franchise disadvantage

The change is certainly welcome, but more needs to be done. Despite the increase in the amount of income small business owners can deduct, there is still a 50 percent payroll limitation as part of the 20 percent deduction. The limitation is particularly problematic for small franchise businesses, like Great Harvest that are successful and looking to expand locations and to create new jobs.

Another disadvantage in the legislation is small business inability to deduct state and local taxes, like corporations can. Small business owners have come to rely on this deduction, and this change would significantly weaken the competitiveness of pass-through entities like LLCs (limited liability corporations). Instead of creating new barriers to success, Congress should encourage American small businesses to strive to compete by ensuring the tax code treats them fairly.

Arbitrary designation

Finally, if the current legislation is not corrected, there is a whole class of franchise businesses that would be excluded from tax reform entirely. Under the proposed legislation, professional services companies would be forced to pay the highest individual tax rate, rather than utilizing an improved tax code like businesses in other sectors. The arbitrary professional services classification would be devastating to entrepreneurs that have worked hard to create job opportunities for our neighbors and provide valuable services to our community. Professional services franchises should have the same tax system that every other business experiences.

As a former small business owner, it is no surprise that Daines understands my concerns. Ive spoken to him and know firsthand that he agrees more needs to be done before crossing the finish line and sending a final piece of legislation to the presidents desk  which is exactly why he is fighting to ensure the hardworking men and women that power small businesses across this country see real relief.

So, for the sake of the over 3,750 local businesses employing more than 30,000 people right here in Montana, we urge Congress to fix these errors. Americas small businesses are counting on it.
The Seminole Heights neighborhood was seen in a whole new light Saturday night.

Residents gathered to celebrate the lighting of a Christmas tree at the Graham Building along Florida Avenue.

Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor did the honors of flipping the switch.

Castor says, It's lighting up this community. After being through several months of darkness to be able to bring the light in the form of a Christmas tree is really wonderful.

For 51 days, residents there lived under the threat of a serial killer.

Now people like Dexter Bowens are celebrating like never before.

"It's a blessing to be here and to be around this place right now," Bowens said. "So yeah, I got to say we're blessed. And it's a wonderful feeling."

Hundreds gathered for the tree lighting ceremony.

Its the first of two such events being held this weekend in the Seminole Heights community.
Throughout his time as Montanas junior senator, I have yet to see Sen. Steve Daines take an informed position on issues of consequence to Montana voters. After seeing which way the political winds are blowing, the senator refuses to directly communicate with voters in-person and instead hides behind a camera in Washington, D.C.

One issue is illustrative. I recently encouraged Daines to explain his health care votes to my family member, a mother of five children, and one of millions across the country battling cancer. A vote to repeal Obamacare without federally mandated protections for pre-existing conditions will only add to the suffering that many with cancer already endure, a decision favored by our junior senator. Unfortunately, the senator has done little to inform his decision by speaking with those who will actually be impacted by it. Of course, we cannot expect perfection from our elected officials, but we can and should demand that they account for their decisions.

Civility can be restored to these great debates when politicians like Daines have the basic integrity to meet with constituents and gain perspective from regular people. Coming to an agreement on an issue may be impossible, but an informed decision cannot be made if the senator refuses to step out of his insulated echo chamber. A conversation with real people suffering from pre-existing conditions like cancer might be difficult, but this voter would at least respect the senator if he stopped taking the easy route, where being cruel is acceptable, as long as those who need health care to survive are out of sight and out of mind.

Benjamin Halverson

Billings
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit and run accident with the Dade City Police Department and a related officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday night.

Police are now looking for a person of interest in the incident, Devyne Fields, 19. They believe he may have information as to why the driver fled and who it may be.



Dade City officer hit, injured during traffic stop

Officer investigating possible drug deal when hit

Manhunt underway for suspect

Person of interest, Devyne Fields, being sought

Officials said a Dade City Police Officer was struck by a vehicle while investigating a possible drug transaction and another officer, responding as back-up, shot at the suspect.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Saturday in the 14000 block of State Street.

Police said Officer Kevin Burns, 38, went to investigate after noticing a gray 4-door sedan stopped in the roadway in the 14000 block of State Street. Believing it was a possible drug transaction, police said Officer Burns called for back-up.

After Officer Miguel Velez, 27, arrived and pulled in behind the suspect vehicle, Officer Burns moved toward the vehicle as the driver accelerated and struck Burns as he fled the scene. Police said Officer Velez then fired at the fleeing vehicle, before the suspect turned west onto Marshall Avenue. The suspect then hit a Ford Fusion and escaped.

Officer Burns was transported to Bayonet Point Hospital and remains in stable condition. He has since been released from the hospital.

Officer Velez has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Police said the suspect vehicle is a 2018 Nissan with a Florida tag 770-YRV that is owned by the Hertz Corporation and was reported stolen on Nov. 6. They believe the vehicle's window may have been broken during the encounter and said the suspect is believed to be a black male with short cropped hair.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Detective George Richardson at 352-521-1495 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-873-8477.
Its up to us. Time is short for Sen. Steve Daines to support the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and for Rep. Gianforte to introduce a companion bill in the House on this single-issue, permanent withdrawal of federal mineral rights on 30,000 acres of public land in the Custer Gallatin National Forest adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. Private citizens, a coalition of 400 local businesses and other organizations, Park County Commissioners, local elected officials, as well as Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke have communicated in support of federal mining rights withdrawal on public lands close to Yellowstone.

Unfortunately, Daines just announced he would introduce a bill that would release about 500,000 acres of Montana Wilderness Study Areas tacked onto mining rights withdrawal in Paradise Valley. Although he plans to introduce this bill by years end, none of the WSAs have been identified. Pairing these two very different issues is unacceptable.

Whats at stake? With a Canadian mining company ready to explore for gold on private land in Emigrant Gulch near Chico Hot Springs, action is needed now to prevent potential mine expansion into public lands. Economic drivers of our economy are changing. Montanas treasure is evolving from reliance on extractive industries to the economic values of clean air and water, tourism, recreation and other amenities produced by public lands such as national parks and monuments, Wilderness areas and WSAs.

What to do? Increase pressure on our congressional delegation by strengthening bipartisan support for the YGPA and public processes that examine each WSA separately. Communicate with those you know across the state and encourage contacting Daines (202-224-2651) and Rep. Gianforte (202-225-3211) to support the single-issue Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. Its up to us to support our public lands now and in the future.

Patti Steinmuller

Bozeman
I know almost nothing about the NFL, it's players or the latest drama going on at any moment. I do, however, know when I hear an opinio...
Republican Greg Hertzs op ed equates corporate tax reduction with tax relief for small business. This reflects a lack of knowledge of small-business accounting. Small business reports business income with personal income and will see taxes go up with passing of the Senate tax proposal. Since Hertz serves on the Montana Legislature's House Taxation committee, it helps explain why Republicans were so wrong in revenue prediction for Montana.

I was pleased to read that Republican Sen. Steve Daines got it right. He said the Senate bill hurts Main Street Montana. I am amazed that he actually confronted Trump with a reality check. It gives me hope that some senators still read the bill, can do the math, and are concerned about the voters they represent. The big question: Now that Daines knows this is a flawed tax bill benefiting only oligarchs like Trump, does Daines actually have the backbone to vote against the bill and Trump? Will he really vote for Main Street Montana?